NATURAL DOG CARE
Naturally-reared puppy aged six weeks
Our dogs have been our greatest teachers. In their reactions and responses they have guided us over the years to constantly strive for better ways to keep them happy and healthy, forgiving us our mistakes and showing clearly when we have done things right for them.
Some of our dogs out at exercise on the hillside near our home
"......LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS.......TRUST ME: YOU CAN'T LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM ALL YOURSELF........!"
Since 1997 we have fed a simple natural diet, based on raw meaty bones and whole small carcasses as per the teachings of Dr Tom Lonsdale, and have seen our dogs glow with vibrant good health, glossy coats & clean teeth.
BLAZE aged six months enjoying a meal of fresh rabbit
Hand in hand with the feeding changes came a big change in our vaccine regimes, first dropping the annual boosters and soon after no longer subjecting our puppies to any vaccines at all, except those deemed compulsory by law. Our current youngsters are fourth generation raw-fed and no-vax. We could not knowingly now return to the old system and the tins and packets which we have learned are so detrimental to the health of the modern dog.
DIVA AT FULL GALLOP IN THE SHEEP FIELD
We use no chemical flea treatments or de-wormers, and take care to avoid synthetic "treats", many of which are laden with sugar, salt and preservatives. Our dogs almost never need to visit a vet which is our proof that this natural lifestyle suits them very well. They have clean teeth, bright eyes and good coats with no "doggy" odour, and are active without being hyperactive.
Our LINKS page contains several references for those who may wish to investigate natural rearing for themselves, and at the end of 2007 the Canine Health Concern released a DVD containing much of this information - which would certainly be a good investment for any owner committed to a healthier lifestyle for their dogs. The DVD can be ordered from CHC using the LINKS page on our site, and it can also be sampled via this link http://www.dogwise.com/video/video.cfm?itemid=CDN221
Filming taking place for the CHC DVD
We look forward to even further improvements in the next generations: always aiming for good health, stable temperaments, and the kind of workmanlike beauty which fits the breed standard as we interpret it.
"TALRAZ BEARDED COLLIES "
ESTABLISHED 1978
NATURALLY REARED SINCE 1997
N.B. Please also see notes below photo gallery.....
 Raw natural diet Crystal proudly carrying away her half rabbit to eat in private |
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 Never any waste Honey aged eight months almost finished eating every scrap of rabbit - her favourite meal |
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 Veteran teeth Teeth of Jess aged almost twelve years, showing a little wear in places but still perfectly clean on her diet of regular raw meaty bones |
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 Teeth of a 2 year old Teeth of Diva aged two - large, strong and regular in a correct scissor bite.
Her breath is fragrant and we hope will always be that way! |
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 Exercise is fun! Crystal and Meg enjoy some healthy swimming exercise supervised by our son Richard |
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 Walkies time Our dogs get road walking and free running exercise at least once a day for an hour or more. Because all are fairly obedient they can enjoy being off leash much of the time and can roll, play, and munch on the grass, fruit and herbs which they may choose to sample and which grow wild on our local hillside |
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 Good appetites Meg's pups from her 2005 litter aged five weeks eating raw minced beef with enthusiasm. Our first litter with both parents raw-fed and no-vax and what a super healthy bunch they have turned out to be. |
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 Fun with meaty bones Ruby's pups aged four weeks having a good chew at raw lamb ribs. Great fun - but one member of the litter found it just too tiring and had to break off for a nap! |
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 Rest is important too Two of Meg's bitch puppies (Tilly and Ellie) here aged five weeks. Both girls in due course went to rawfeeding no-vax homes and are now wonderfully healthy adults - as is their sister Diva who stayed here with us |
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 Fit healthy adults Diva on left pictured with her mum Meg, here aged two and six years respectively and both equally full of fun |
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 Time to eat? Jess aged almost twelve years looking to see what's on the menu today - one thing she knows for sure, it won't be any boring old kibble! |
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 Burn up those calories ladies Beardies enjoy their exercise no matter what the weather. These three race up the hill, extra lively having discovered the snow which arrived during the night |
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RECOMMENDED READING MATERIAL
"What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccinations" - Catherine O'Driscoll
"Shock To The System" - Catherine O'Driscoll
"Raw Meaty Bones" - Dr Tom Lonsdale
"Work Wonders" - Dr Tom Lonsdale
"Give Your Dog A Bone" - Dr Ian Billinghurst
"Grow Your Pups With Bones" - Dr Ian Billinghurst
USEFUL WEBSITES & INTERNET GROUPS (see also LINKS page)
www.canine-health-concern.org.uk
MEG AND RUBY
For general information about natural/alternative dog care we recommend you check out
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rawk9s
which is a friendly supportive group for novice (and not so novice!) raw feeders and a great starting point for new puppy owners.
Meet online other dog owners committed to a deeper understanding of their friends' wellbeing
