News

In the February edition of NZ Dog World, I discuss tail wagging and the research into the behaviour. Wags to the right are a good thing, for example.

Four years into the war in Ukraine, the dog population has not only suffered, but has changed dramatically. “Evidence that dogs are being strongly negatively affected by the horrors of war should serve as an alarm for other species that are far less mobile and more restricted in their diets and habitat requirements."

Yves St Laurent, famous clothing designer, proudly stated “I am, as they say, a dog person.”

A New York woman, Amanda Reynolds, is taking the Internal Revenue Service (USA) to court stating that her Golden Retriever, Finnegan, is a dependent for all intents and purposes and should be a tax deduction like any human child would be. This case looks unlikely to be successful, but it will add to the body of evidence about how households and family life are changing.

Researchers have now traced floppy ear length to specific inherited changes, revealing how human preference leaves lasting marks on canine biology and health.

Dogs who know the names of many of their toys, deemed Genius Word Learners, were the subject of this study. Simply by eavesdropping, the dogs learned the names of new toys showing the cognition of a 1 1/2 year old child.

Dogs are not our whole life....

Research from Japan helps to reinforce the message that dog ownership serves to engage people with their neighbours and community.

The bill to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand is open for public comment before 9 January 2026. I am definitely making a submission and this post includes some of the key points I want to make.

Dog toys get dirty. This December 2025 column in NZ Dog World discusses cleaning and maintenance of dog toys so you can keep your dog and home healthy and extend the life of their favorite toys.