Dog Adoption & Ownership

“How do I recognise that my beloved dog is happy?”. “How do I know that I am doing everything right with my dog and that it is completely happy with its life with me?”. Many dog owners ask themselves these questions.

If you fall for a little puppy or cute dog from an animal shelter, the future suddenly looks rosy. It's obvious that a canine friend will bring plenty of joy, but you should also familiarise yourself with the demanding aspects of dog ownership before choosing life with a four-legged companion.

“Say cheese!” It is not at all easy to get your dog into the right light on command and photograph it from its best side. Nevertheless, you will read here how you can pep your dog up for a photo shoot and which professional tips you should follow to get a successful photo of your dog.

There are many different ways dogs show love. We will show you 10 signs that can prove your dog's affection towards you. Firstly, it's important to be aware that your own instincts are a crucial factor in understanding your dog's language. After all, each dog is different and you as their hooman know it best. The following ten points merely offer a broad outline. The better you get to know your dog, the better you can judge its body language.

Let's be honest: Almost every dog lover wants a small, cuddly puppy. Adult dogs, such as from an animal shelter or animal welfare organisation, often have poor chances of being successfully rehomed. This is a shame, because adopting an older dog brings many benefits. Find out here what these are. 

Lots of children yearn for a pet of their own. Some of them will even write “I wish for a dog” in scrawly handwriting on their Christmas list! Getting a puppy for Christmas may sound adorable but it is usually not a good idea. A puppy often isn’t a suitable present even for an adult. Here you will find six reasons why a dog is not an appropriate Christmas gift.

It is probably difficult for most dog owners to imagine life without a dog, since their canine companion is always by their side and dogs are known to be man's best friends. In fact, dogs are beneficial to us in many areas – often without us knowing. Read in the following article seven reasons why dogs make our lives better.

So you have decided you would love to welcome a new puppy into your home – but does it have to be a pedigree pup? If not, then a puppy from a shelter can be a great alternative.

You have probably observed this phenomenon before: dogs bobbing their paws, twitching their tail and gently whining in their sleep. This begs the question: are dogs somehow able to have dreams?

The internet is awash with videos of dogs enthusiastically watching TV. But can dogs really watch TV and if so, how do they perceive the images on the screen?

The right food bowl is a fundamental part of the basic equipment for every dog.

Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is just around the corner and your dog is also looking forward to those exciting presents under the tree. Naturally, your canine companion is part of your close-knit family unit. Your dog will be very grateful for each and every present, whether it comes in the shape of a new blanket or a toy. Dogs give their owners love and loyalty every day and those of you who love giving gifts to your dog in return will find great ideas for the perfect present for your pet here.

If you get a puppy from a breeder, they mostly know your dog's age to the very day. In contrast, animal shelters or animal welfare associations usually cannot give precise information about the dog's age. In such cases, it has to be estimated based on different indicators. We will show you how you can determine dog age.

Many people are currently severely limited, with the coronavirus pandemic leading to lockdowns or even a quarantine. During this unusual isolation period, the desire for a four-legged companion grows for many animal lovers. If not now – when? After all, many have plenty of time right now to spend with a new pet. We will explain why spontaneous dog purchases aren't a good idea.

In contrast to rabbits or parrots, dogs don't necessarily need a fellow canine companion, because you as the owner are their most important contact. Nevertheless, many dog lovers fancy a second or third dog. The advantages are obvious: your dog always has someone to play with, you can easily take at least two well-trained dogs on walks and feeding and grooming merely involve cleaning up.

Collar or harness – which is more species-appropriate? An eternal question that continues to divide the dog-owning world. It comes down to more than just opinion, as your dog will be more suited to either a harness or a collar depending on a number of different factors.

What can be better than discovering fields, woods and lakes on a long walk with your dog? But before setting off into nature you should think about the right equipment. Is a dog harness really better than a dog collar? How long should the lead be? Question after question…

For dog lovers, a canine allergy is probably one of the worst diagnoses. However, those who adore dogs need not give up on cohabiting with a furry companion. Some dog breeds are suitable even for people who are allergic to their beloved animals. In this article, we'll reveal which dogs might be a good match for allergy sufferers.

A broken glass Christmas tree bauble, a new Advent wreath, an over-turned Christmas tree and a hard-to-digest festive menu: this time of year presents many dangers, not only for us humans but particularly for our four-legged friends. Here we can show you where the risks lurk for your dogs, how to prevent them, and how to act quickly and appropriately in an emergency.

Many dog owners have spent more time at home than usual during the coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Now relaxations are gradually coming into force: we are going into the office rather than working at home and to the cinema rather than the sofa in the evenings. Some dogs suffer from their owner being out of the house more frequently. We will give you tips to get your dog calmly through the period following COVID-19 isolation.

Does your dog spend a lot of time in the garden and you would like to give it a weatherproof kennel? If you have some skills with hammers, nails and the like, you can build a dog house yourself.

Have you found your favourite breed? Then you can surely hardly wait to be able to take a small puppy home with you. But to avoid nasty surprises later on, you should only buy your chosen pedigree dog from a reputable breeder. You can put this to the test with the following questions for the dog breeder.

The decision has been taken: a dog will be joining your family! Now the real work begins. After all, the new family member should move in as soon as possible, but you want to be as well prepared at possible at the same time. But where are animal lovers best off looking for their new dog: in an animal shelter or with a breeder? Should they be pedigree or a mixed breed dog?

The dose makes the poison. Nevertheless, if you suspect your dog has been poisoned, it is important to know which toxic substance your dog has consumed, so that the vet can treat your pet without delay. In the following lists we will tell you which plants are toxic for dogs so you can avoid having them in your home.

Music can be relaxing for us humans. It can stimulate us or lift our mood. Science is convinced that music has a positive effect on dogs too. But what does relaxation music sound like for dogs and what do they like listening to?

Whether they're a short-haired breed or a long-haired one, whether they sport an abundant undercoat or just a little – all dogs shed. The annoyances of this are all too familiar: upholstered furniture, car seats, jumpers and carpets seem to attract loose clumps of fur as if by magic. We reveal how you can rid your home of pesky dog hair in the following guide.

Are you thinking about adopting a rescue dog from abroad? Maybe you’ve met a ‘Rommie’ rescue dog out on a walk and become curious about what the adoption process entails?

Some dog lovers would like to start with two dogs straight away. For others, a second dog only enters their home slightly later. But which pedigree dogs are best suited to a long-established companion? Of course not just the breed plays a role when looking for a second dog, but many others factors like sex, age and socialisation too. Despite this, some dogs get on better with each other than others do. We will give you tips on dog breeds that go well together. 

As with so many dog-owning topics, there are many different ways of looking at the question of “should I let my dog sleep in my bed?”. The contra arguments may outweigh the pros when it comes to the mess on the bedding, but here are a few pros and cons to help you decide for yourself whether you want to let your dog sleep in your bed or not. Your dog will adapt to your demands, as you are the alpha animal.

Would you like to own a dog and haven't yet chosen a certain breed? The size of the new family member can be important too. Especially with very small (under 6 kilograms) and very large dogs (over 40 kilograms), size has an impact upon day-to-day life with a dog.

Although “dog accessories for summer” may suggest sunglasses and beach bags, here at the zooplus magazine we know that dog owners are more interested in the handy items than can help to keep your dog comfortable and cool this summer. This helpful article will tell you all about the essential products we have to offer that can ensure every canine can safely and happily enjoy the sunny heatwaves we are all hoping for! Whether you are looking for fun toys to keep your dog occupied on the beach, or innovative cooling solutions for the daft dog that loves to sunbathe, here at zooplus we’ve got you covered!

On 14 February we are celebrating St Valentine, a day where everything revolves around our loved ones. It’s becoming more and more usual to treat not just your partner on Valentine’s Day, but your friends both human and four legged. We’ve put together some of our top picks when it comes to the purrfect Valentine’s gift for your four-legged friend!

The corona pandemic has changed the day-to-day life of millions of people all over the world. Dog owners who go into quarantine in order to not spread the virus further are asking themselves: how can I take care of my dog during the quarantine? For now the UK is in lockdown which entails more relaxed measures than a quarantine.

Some dog lovers are sure that their canine companion understands them perfectly. Nevertheless, there are often misunderstandings between humans and dogs in day-to-day life, because what appears self-explanatory to us isn't always so clear for dogs. What do dogs really understand?

The world is becoming more digital and more and more people can work from home. This includes employees, freelancers and many self-employed workers. However, developments regarding coronavirus have made it necessary for more people to work from home. This can be challenging if there is a dog in the family. If it is planned well though and our ideas are incorporated, a dog can be a very enriching part of home office. The following tips will help you and your dog get through a working day together in a relaxed manner!