The world of dog ownership in Britain has always attracted enthusiasts - some would say eccentrics - who are passionate about their pets. But whereas in previous decades owners had only obedience classes and dog shows to cater for their interests, now there is a huge industry offering a wealth of canine activities from extreme grooming to dog dancing schools (!) and a baffling array of bespoke dog accessories.
Popular columnist (and dog lover) michele Hanson has conducted a hilarious and fascinating investigation into the British and their dogs across all walks of life in her new book - Absolutely Barking.
Michele was a teacher for 25 years before writing her popular weekly columns for the Guardian. Her previous books include Living With Mother (which won Mind book of the year in 2007) and her autobiography What The Grown-ups Were Doing, which was a Sunday Times bestseller last year. She lives in London, keeps Boxer dogs and enjoys spending time on Hampstead Heath "with other dog people".
Hello! I read your Guardian article about DogTV - I had no idea it existed! Although a channel for dogs sounds ludicrous - do you think it might be good for when you're really busy? Thinking about it rationally, it's like sticking a child in front of a kids programme for half an hour whilst you rustle up dinner - isn't it?
MrsP
Helloo Michelle I do enjoy your columns and books. Am I allowed two questions. Firstly did your daughter mind you writing about her in the paper? And as a pet owner is there anything you do which is eccentric?
No, she didn't really. I gave her £10 a week research fee/pocket money and I did it anonymously at first, but she told everybody-so she couldn't have minded that much!
As a dog owner, I think I behave normally-talk to my dog, kiss it frequently, hardly ever go on holiday, can't bear to leave it. Some people may think that's eccentric. THEY ARE WRONG.
A friend is due to give birth to a baby girl, and she also has a very hyperactive puppy. She's worried about introducing the baby to the puppy - what advice can you give her?
lylaa
My husband had a boxer as a child and is trying to persuade me to let him have one now he is retired. I am not keen. Are they hard work?
They are the best dogs on earth. I cannot praise them highly enough. They are affectionate, amusing, good-natured, have the most expressive faces. You will fall in love with it. They do need a lot of exercise and attention, but exercise is good for you! A delightful boxer in the home is much better than a sulky and resentful husband!
pinkyponk
They say owners look like their dogs - do you agree?
Not necessarily. Just occasionally!
Do you think there should be a ban on dangerous dogs, such as Staffordshire bull terriers?
How much do you think the problems with out of control dogs, incompetent owners and paths full of dog poo would be resolved by dog licences and puppy classes being made compulsory?
Sunhat
Thanks, Michele. We'll persist!
I saw an advert for "poochy bells" or some such name recently. Apparently the idea was that you hang them on the door and the dog learns to ring them when it wants the toilet.
Good idea or utter nonsense?
I think it's quite a good idea. My dog stands next to me and stamps her feet and cries if she wants to go out, but if you're upstairs then it's not a bad idea.
I'm not really a dog person but I loved your books and always read your column.
I just wondered what your mother thought about them?
My Prudence... a boxer girl.... has that many wrinkles ...I guess she does look like me.... lol
Porpoiseiswaving
Dear Michele
We use a harness instead of a collar for our spaniel because we feel it's better for her and lessens the risk of choking if she pulls, but our dog walker complains about it every time we see him. He thinks that the collar is perfectly safe and gives him more control.
What do you think?
As long as it's not a choke collar, could you not just have one for the walker? Perhaps your dog doesn't pull with him? I was advised not to use a harness, I can't quite remember why, but I think because my dog's fur is thinner under its arms and stomach and the harness might have hurt it.
muddyboots
Hello! I read your Guardian article about DogTV - I had no idea it existed! Although a channel for dogs sounds ludicrous - do you think it might be good for when you're really busy? Thinking about it rationally, it's like sticking a child in front of a kids programme for half an hour whilst you rustle up dinner - isn't it?
No, dogs don't watch tele-at least mine doesn't, even dog programmes. I tried it! Anyway, she prefers watching me rustle up the dinner...
We've also considered putting money away for vets' fees but my worry would be that if very expensive treatment, such as an operation, were needed there would not be enough money in the pot to pay for it.
woof
Do you think there should be a ban on dangerous dogs, such as Staffordshire bull terriers?
No, there should be a ban on irresponsible owners and a complete ban on puppy farms. We have too many dogs already and too many idiots owning them! Staffies used to be called 'nanny dogs' because they were so good at looking after children. It's only the recent craze among young men wanting to look tough that has turned them into so-called 'dangerous dogs'.
Hi Michele. I'm not much of an animal person... they just seem dirty... (also, I'm allergic to fur). Why do you think the British are so obsessed with having a pet?
Thanks for answering so quickly! How would you suggest 'we' regulate irresponsible owners? When they're caught, the damage has already been done...
IneffableEffable
How much do you think the problems with out of control dogs, incompetent owners and paths full of dog poo would be resolved by dog licences and puppy classes being made compulsory?
It might help a bit, but they also need dog wardens to look out for incompetent owners. We really need to get the numbers of dogs down. It would take ten years of no dog breeding at all to get the numbers of dogs down to a manageable level. It needs money and determination to do this and I can't see the government bothering so I do get very depressed about this problem.
grandmabet
Well, I have to confess I'm not a dog lover in general, but am now having to fall in love with two small Patterdale terriers belonging to the grandchildren (is there an abbreviation for this?) I also love Michele Hanson and her column and no doubt might bump into her on Hampstead Heath among the "dog people". I sympathise with everything she writes and I will join the discussion simply in the hope that she might reply!
Thank you very much, I'm pleased you like my columns. Please wave if you see me on Hampstead Heath!
joke
A friend is due to give birth to a baby girl, and she also has a very hyperactive puppy. She's worried about introducing the baby to the puppy - what advice can you give her?
I think you're meant to have the baby before the puppy, but it's too late for that now! So I would get some expert advice, because there is a right way of dealing with it-but I don't know what it is!
Nellyphant
I'm not really a dog person but I loved your books and always read your column.
I just wondered what your mother thought about them?
Do you mean dogs or columns? She loved the dogs-it's her fault that I like Boxers. She had Boxers when I was little. As for the columns, she liked them too-I used to read them out to her. She was thrilled to be in the Guardian because her best friend, who she hated, was only in the Hove Gazette. Also, she felt she was contributing to the family income by supplying fabulous copy. She used to say repeatedly that she wanted to die, but I begged her to carry on or I'd have nothing to write about!
A big thank you to Michele for all her answers and advice and particularly for the picture I now have in my mind of a boxer dog in a purple wooly looking mournfully at the radiator
Thank you for all your questions and I hope I've been of some help, although I have to admit, Violet's behaviour is not perfect. Yet. Wish you all luck with your dogs. i'm off for another walkie!
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
