Five Reasons to fall head over paws with boots liners

1.     Enhanced Boot Fit.

A couple millimeters can change the entire fit of a dog boot.  Some dogs have slightly different sized front, back, left, and right paws. Bark’n Boot Liners™ can help compensate for that size gap, enhancing the overall fit.

2.     Comfort.

Imagine taking a five-mile run.  Now imagine doing it without socks on.  Bark’n Boot Liners work like a sock to provide comfortable layer of protection against sore spots, hot spots, and irritation.

3.     Easy On, Easy Off.

Dogs have all sorts of things that get in the way when trying to put on a boot—hair, nails, dew claws…Slipping a boot liner over the paw first makes putting on boots a cinch!

4.     Moisture Wicking and Insulation.

Dogs cool themselves using two methods: evaporative cooling through panting, and sweating through their paws.  Boot liners will help wick the moisture from the paws, allowing it to evaporate and continue the cooling process.  Likewise, in cooler weather, the liners will act as an extra layer of insulation.

5.     Smelly boots.

Dog paws can get dirty and smelly.  Cut your clean up time in half with boot liners—which can be easier to wash than a set of four boots.

Article by : Ruffwear Blog  (http://dogblog.ruffwear.net/)

Buy RuffWear Dog Liners: http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/ruffwear-bark-n-boot-liners.html

Do Dogs Need a Winter Coat?

Does your dog need to wear a coat outside in the winter? According to the Wall Street Journal, small, short-haired, inactive dogs without a thick fur undercoat are more susceptible to cold weather.


If you live with a lap dog such as a Chihuahua, dachshund, Boston terrier, shih tzu, bichon frise, miniature pinscher or the xolo, a Mexican hairless dog, a heavy winter sweater or coat is a must. And, regardless of their breed, elderly or sick pets may need to wear extra layers outside.

Working and sporting dogs are generally heartier and less likely to need the protection. Bigger breeds, such as Retrievers, Shepherds, Huskies, are bred for outdoor life and work and function better outdoors au naturel, but still need to stay active and be able to curl up in a sheltered area.


Please have a look on a our dog coat range: http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/dog-coats.html/

Videos of The Month

what they say about dogs with big paws…

You may think big a dog equals big paws.  But after sizing up hundreds of dogs over the years, we’ve found that a dog’s  overall size and weight does not correlate with the size boot they wear.  Surprised?  Consider this: a man walks into a shoe store and asks the clerk, “I’m 200lbs, what size shoe do I wear?”

Here are few more reasons you can’t judge a paw by its dog.

1.     Ruff Wear boots are sized based on the WIDTH, not length, of the paw.  So even a dog with a long paw can wear a small size boot.

2.     Some big breeds have dainty paws, and some small breeds have wide paws.  Many typically “large” dogs (for example Greyhounds, Huskies, Ridgebacks, Dobermans) actually have small paws, while some smaller breeds have very large paws (Basset Hounds, Bull Dogs).

3.     The difference between a Small and Large boot is actually only half an inch, but that half-inch can mean the difference between a boot that stays on and one that doesn’t.  So hasty measurements or guessing the right size generally results in the wrong size.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE FOR YOUR DOG

1.    Have your dog stand on a firm surface.

2.    Place a piece of paper under the front paw.

3.    Lift dog’s opposite front paw so that the weight is placed firmly onto the paw being measured.

4.    Mark BOTH SIDES of the weighted paw at its widest point on the sheet of paper.

5.    Measure that distance, and choose correct boot size from the figure below.

Did you know? The most common Ruff Wear boot size among our customers is size Medium (2.75”).

Dog Boots & Liners are available online Here:  http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/dog-boots.html/

Faraday, a 5 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The star of the show today is Faraday, a 5 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who runs round all day every day, is very friendly to both people and dogs and thinks even the most hardened dog-hater should love him. He is cared for by Brenda and lives in Wales.

Last September Faraday was referred to an eye-specialist vet because he had an ulcer on his cornea, and it was so deep the eye-ball could have exploded through the hole. As if that wasn’t bad enough, his body wasn't making enough tears to wash aggravating dust and pollen out his eyes.

He came home that night with a huge Buster collar (upturned lampshade) which stayed on for the next 7 weeks, except for when eating or having his eyes treated with drops 4 times a day. On one occasion he managed to break the stitches holding his right eye shut, so Brenda had to rush him to Caernarfon to have the stitches replaced.  

Taking Faraday for a walk was a nightmare. Brenda had to keep him on a short lead at all times to stop him heading into hedges and bushes; he wanted to be off running with his playmates, as they usually explore the woods together.

 

As Faraday was recovering, the vet suggested investing in a pair of Doggles so Faraday's eyes would be protected from debris. Brenda discovered Scruff MacDuff and ordered a pair in 'Racing Flame' as her sons have ski-hats with a similar design.  It didn't take long for Faraday to accept them, but he still occasionally tries to push them off.  To ensure he doesn't lose them, Brenda uses a small, lightweight carabiner to clip them to the D-ring on his collar.

The amber lenses in the Racing Flame doggles are designed for sunny weather - in the winter afternoon gloom, Faraday was running into trees, bushes, fence posts and people. As the ILS Doggles have interchangeable lenses, Brenda was able to order clear ones and that problem has been solved. 

Walking in the local country parks, Faraday's become quite a celebrity and people often stop to talk and take his picture. Who can blame them when Faraday looks so stylish?

Thanks to Brenda from Wales, for sharing Faraday’s story.20

Wacky Walk’r lead & a Happy Customer

"Dear all at Scruff MacDuff,

Thank you so much for my Wacky Walk’r lead. I can’t believe it arrived so quickly - I walked my little dog with it today and noticed a difference straight away. He didn't stop sharp, my arm is still intact and I think his little body doesn’t hurt. I have seen these leads on TV channels and did think about them, but now I have had such excellent service from your team I will not only be ordering from you again but will recommend you to all my doggy people. Thank you so much."

Gift Vouchers

So little time and too many options? Can't decide what gift to buy or not sure whether your friend will like it? Then our gift vouchers and gift cards are for you. We've made it simple to choose the perfect gift, with three types of gift vouchers that take all the stress out of deciding what to buy.

• Spend £18 and your loved one gets an order worth £20.
• Spend £48 and your loved one gets an order worth £50.
• Spend £95 and your loved one gets an order worth £100.

http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/gift-vouchers/gift-vouchers-for-20-50-100.html

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Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was launched at the world famous Crufts Dog Show in 1982. Since then we have continued to train dogs to alert deaf people to specific sounds, whether in the home, workplace or public buildings.


To date they have placed more than 1,500 hearing dogs throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

History

Find out how Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has progressed and what it has achieved since 1982 when it was first launched. 
Click here for more about our history.

Patron

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has been Patron of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People since 1992 and during this time she has played an important and active role in promoting awareness of the Charity.
Click here to find out more.

Mission

To offer greater independence, confidence and security to deaf people by providing dogs trained to alert them to chosen everyday sounds.

http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/

Greyhound Boots

We want to bring our customers a range of top quality greyhound boots. So if you own a greyhound or any other dog with slim paws and legs, please let us know if you have found a durable yet snug brand of boots. 

Your advice will be very welcome!

Helen Peak

Marketing Executive

Top Five for Dog Grooming

Dog grooming is one of your dog's basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best. Fortunately, dogs do not need to bathe as often as people, but you do need to learn how much grooming your dog actually needs and keep it on a schedule. Generally, a dog’s grooming needs depend on the breed and hair type. If your dog has a skin, ear or nail condition, follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding grooming your dog. It is also important to use the appropriate grooming tools. Here are some dog grooming basics to remember.


1. Hair Brushing


Most dogs enjoy being brushed, and sessions will strengthen the bond with your dog while maintaining a healthy coat. A dog’s minimum brushing needs depend on hair type. Choose the right tools and follow these guidelines.
Long-haired dogs usually require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair.
Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be brushed at least weekly.
Short-haired dogs can typically go up to a month in-between brushing.
Regardless of hair type, you can brush your dog daily - especially if he enjoys it. More frequent brushing during shedding season can help prevent hair build-up and excess shedding. Consider products like the FURminator deShedding tool or the Bamboo Shedding Blade.


2. Nail Trimming


Nail trims are often detested by dogs and owners alike. Most dogs dislike even having their paws handled and know how much it hurts when nails are cut too short. Dog owners are often uncomfortable with the process for fear of hurting their dogs.
Dogs will develop an aversion to nail trimming once they experience pain from it. The best way to avoid this is to learn how to trim nails correctly and exercise caution. Ideally, a veterinary technician, vet, or groomer should teach you how to trim your dog’s nails. Most dogs need monthly nail trims, but your dog may need more or less depending on the rate of growth.
An alternative to nail trimming is the use of a rotary tool to file down nails. Consider the Peticure Grooming Tool for this task.


3. Bathing


Bath time does not mean fun to most dogs and owners. It may bring forth an image of a wet dog running from the tub, dripping all over the house. Bathing does not have to be this way if your dog can get used to it. He may not like the bath, but he’ll be easier to manage. Learn how to bathe your dog properly and make the experience as positive as you can for you and your dog.


Most dogs should be bathed monthly, but bathing as often as once a week is not considered harmful. Always use a soap-free shampoo that is intended for dogs. Depending on the condition of your dog’s skin and coat, your veterinarian may recommend a specific shampoo. In this case, be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions about bathing.


4. Ear Care


Your dog’s ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Some dogs can go their whole lives without ear problems, and the only routine ear cleaning needed is during the monthly bath. Other dogs have chronic ear disease and require multiple cleanings a day.
Ear problems can often be traced back to genetics. Dogs with floppy ears or long hair tend to be predisposed to ear problems because the ear canal simply does not have as much air exposure. Many ear problems are a sign of allergies. If your dog has excess debris or foul odor in his ears, your veterinarian will likely prescribe special ear cleaners and medications. If your dog’s ears are relatively healthy, you can help keep them that way with proper ear care.


5. HairCuts


Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as the Poodle or Shih Tzu, typically need their hair cut every 2-4 weeks depending on the breed of the dog and the style of the cut. This task is often best left to professional groomers, though many dog owners are able to learn some basic maintenance haircuts. If you are interested in learning professional dog grooming skills, consider dog grooming school.


Buy Grooming Products only from Scruff MacDuff.co.uk
http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/grooming.html

Thanks to about.com & Jenna Stregowski

Checkout those amazing videos

January Sale on Scruff MacDuff

We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a great New Year. In case you overspent, we’ve got new special offers for you!  Here’s hoping we don’t have any more Arctic weather, but just in case we’ve taken up to 45% off our Cloudburst jackets. And since smaller pooches tend to feel the cold, you can also get 33% off extra small dog hammocks.  These top-notch hammocks keep your dog comfy and warm, raised above cold floors and up above any nasty drafts.  

Tuffy's Soft Toys in Action

Tuffy's Soft Toys are Available from www.scruffmacduff.co.uk

Click Here to buy them now: http://www.scruffmacduff.co.uk/dog-toys/tuffy-s-soft-toys.html