9th January 2025 • The HERALD • Page 47 v SEND ALL YOUR NEWS TO THE HERALD v ANIMAL MAGIC Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH Top Dog Award for New Forest’s Sophie’s Pet Care Sophie’s Pet Care from Lymington is the UK’s Dog Walking Business of the Year a er scooping the top national prize at the industry’s ‘Oscar’s’ - the Pet Industry Federation Awards. The awards celebrate and recognise excellence within the pet industry and highlight the exceptional talent and diversity that drive the industry forward. Showcasing those who uphold the highest standards of quality. Sophie and Adam Gates with their award Health Should be a Priority When Choosing a Dog Advice from petGuard Future dog owners tend to choose a dog depending on physical and personality characteristics. Some want a friend to take long walks with, others a companion to cuddle on the sofa. Most dogs are chosen for their loyalty, willingness to work or play and whether they are a good t with the family. When choosing a dog breed, it’s also worth considering what their vulnerabilities are. “Some dogs are more prone to diseases, health problems and illnesses than other dogs, and therefore you may want to factor in your appetite for vet visits and which dog insurance to choose” says Simon Bennett, Managing Director at petGuard. Leading pet insurer petGuard discusses the healthiest dog breeds, along with dog breeds more prone to health problems: Some strong dog breeds to consider include Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, Chihuahuas, Springer Spaniels, and Pinschers. ese breeds are generally known for their high energy levels and active nature. Additionally, they tend to live long lives on average, partly due to their resilience and lower sensitivity to genetic diseases, making them excellent choices for those seeking a healthy and energetic canine companion. Contrastingly, dogs with squashed faces such as Pugs and Bulldogs o en have respiratory problems which have been caused by being bred with at faces. Pugs also get ocular problems as a result of their bulbous eyes which will need constant attention with proper cleaning and care. Chows and German Shepherds may have suspect back legs as a result of hip dysplasia. Chows have been bred to be larger than their hips can take, causing the joints to slip out and disrupt their ability to walk. Boxers can be prone to heart issues called Aortic Stenosis or Cardiomyopathy. If a Boxer becomes tired or weak, su ers from reduced appetite or di culty breathing, it could be worth taking them for a scan. Labradors love food so much that owners have to watch their weight, and what they eat. Labradors are also at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. “Some dog breeds are more prone to diseases than others, however the health of a dog will depend mostly on their owner – how often you take them to the vet, exercise them, train them and what you feed them” warns Bennett. Read more about dog breeds: www.petguard.co.uk/ which-dog-breeds-healthiest in our industry,” explained Managing Director Sophie Gates: “Nowadays as well as operating our pet care businesses, we use our award-winning skills and experience to support other small businesses across a variety of sectors through our one-toone business coaching, Gates Business Coaching”. Adam Gates, Operations Director at Sophie’s Pet Care said: “We are coming to terms Sophie’s Pet Care was established in the New Forest in 2012 and is run by Husband and Wife team Sophie and Adam Gates. eir dedicated team perform an astonishing 10,000 dog walks or more every year, and over 2,000 cat visits too. “With so many customers relying on us, we simply had to invent unique business systems rarely seen with the fact that this is the biggest accolade you can receive in the pet industry. It really is an honour. Thank you to our wonderful and dedicated team of Pet Rangers and our fantastic clients who without which we would not be here”.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=