The Welsh Terrier was bred for hunting rats, badgers, otter and fox. Their coat is wiry and medium length, coming in deep tan with black or grizzle jacket.
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Welsh Terriers are playful and mischievous, but calm enough to be good house pets. They are independent and sensitive, reserved with strangers and tend to dig or bark. They can be scrappy with other dogs. They need a moderate leash walk every day or an invigorating play session. Their wiry jacket needs combing two or three times a week, plus shaping every three months.
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Health concerns include lens luxation and glaucoma

West Highland Terriers come from Scotland (of course!) and were hunters of badgers, fox and vermin. Their coats are straight, hard, medium length and white.
* Westies are happy and curious dogs. They are both affectionate and demanding. They also bark and dig…just like the Scottish (I can say that—I have Scottish blood). They need a short walk or play session every day. Their coat needs combing two to three times a week, plus shaping every three months.
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Main health concerns include Globoid cell leukodystrophy (caused by genetic defects in a lysosomal enzyme and results in progressive damage to the nervous system), Legg-Perthes, jaw problems, copper toxicosis, cataracts, patellar luxation.

Now we arrive at the Toy Group, and begin with the Affenpinscher, originating in Germany and one of the oldest toy breeds. They were originally bred for vermin hunting and as a lap dog. Their coats are medium and harsh, coming in black, grey, red, silver, black and tan or beige; with or without a black mask.
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These are playful, busy and bold dogs that can also be stubborn and tend to bark and even climb! Their exercise needs can be met with vigorous indoor games or romps in the yard, or short walks. Their coat needs shaping every three months, but combing two-three times a week.
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Main health concern is patellar luxation.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier originates on the border of Scotland and England and was originally used to hunt otters and badgers.  Their coat is a mixture of soft and hard hair of medium length coming in pepper (all shades of grey and silver) or mustard (all shades of brown and fawn).  The puppies are much darker than adults.
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The Dandie Dinmont first appeared as a distinct terrier in the 18th century.  They are dignified, but not so dignified they don't enjoy play and are also affectionate. They need a moderate walk or play session daily and some dig.  Their coat needs combing twice a week.
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Health concerns include intervertebral disk disease and glaucoma.

Fox Terriers come in Smooth and Wire coats and originate in England.  They were used for vermin hunting and fox bolting.  White should predominate (brindle, red or liver markings are objectionable).
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Both Smooth and Wire coat Fox Terriers live to play, love to run and hunt and chase and are feisty.  They may be scrappy with other dogs and may dig and bark.  They need a vigorous game or walk every day and brushing to remove hair in smooth coats (who shed more than Wires) and coat combing two to three times weekly plus shaping every three months for the Wires.  
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Health concerns include lens luxation, cataracts, and Legg-Perthes (spontaneous degeneration of the head on the femur bone).

The Glen of Imaal Terrier comes from Ireland and was used as a farm dog, turnspit dog and vermin hunter.  They have harsh, medium length coats in wheaton, blue or brindle.
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These are inquisitive and courageous dogs, less excitable than most terriers, but nonetheless active.  They are good natured, but some can be dog-aggressive.  They need moderate exercise but also a good game every day.  They are not good swimmers.  Their coat needs weekly brushing and stripping a few times a year.
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Health concerns include PRA and hip dysplasia.

Kuri K9 Massage will be vending at Party 4 Paws in August!

Plus...you'll be able to purchase copies of my picture books, Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese (all proceeds go to the Annex Cat Rescue) and Tamara Turtle's Life So Far (proceeds go to Little RES Q)

More about Party 4 Paws:

Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 12 PM – 6 PM

Trinity Bellwoods Park

Party 4 Paws is a family-friendly, fully accessible event where everyone can meet animal rescue heroes and pets looking for their forever homes, learn responsible pet ownership, and support a great cause. Admission is free, and all donations go towards helping animals in need.

There will also be other activities and attractions including face painting, a photo booth, treats for pets, and displays of pet supplies, services, and goodies from an array of new and established businesses.

Rain date: Sunday, August 4.

Rescues that will be in attendance:

Moosonee Puppy Rescue
Pugalug Pug Rescue
Canine Haven Rescue
Little RES Q
Great Canadian Hamsters: Rescue & Sanctuary
Safehome Animal Rescue
Helpaws - Help Animal Welfare in Saint Lucia
A Dog's Dream Rescue
Adopt a dog/save a life
Ninth Life Cat Rescue of Ontario
Save Our Scruff
Free Korean Dogs
Fetch & Releash
Toronto Cat Rescue

Giant Schnauzers come from Germany originally, and they functioned as cattle herders and guardians. Their coats are wiry, hard and short to medium length and come in solid black or pepper and salt.
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The Giant breed of Schnauzer is a bold and rambunctious dog—very bold and protective of their family. They need daily exercise and fun (vigorous games, long hikes etc.). Their harsh coat needs combing once or twice a week and grooming two to four times a year.
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Health concerns include hip dysplasia and gastric torsion.

Domestic Shorthair is the most common breed—this is the Heinz 57 of cats. They come in American Shorthair, British Shorthair and European Shorthair, all of whom have slightly different characteristics with respect to their body, head, ear, eye shapes, but all generally come in a wide variety of colours. The look everyone is most familiar with is likely the European Shorthair, however.
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There is also the Domestic Longhair—the longhaired version of the Domestic Shorthair.
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This "regular" cat is the most genetically diverse and therefore somewhat less likely to have health issues than the purebred, but you should always keep an eye on their health. Kidney disease in particular seems to be something that all cats of a certain age seem to be prone to.

The Great Dane originates in Germany as a guardian and for hunting large game. Their coats are smooth and short and they come in brindle, black-masked fawn, blue, black, harlequin (with irregular black patches), or mantle (black with white collar, muzzle, chest and tail tip).
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Great Danes are dubbed the "Apollo of Dogs." Despite their size (males at least 30 inches and up to 180 pounds) they are gentle, loving, easygoing and sensitive. They are usually friendly towards other dogs and pets and are responsive to training. They only need daily moderate exercise, as well as soft bedding they can stretch out on. Some tend to drool.
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Health concerns include gastric torsion, hip and elbow dysplasia, cardiomyopathy and bone cancer.

Another beautiful day for an outdoor pet event! 

I was happy to talk to folks from the neighbourhood about some basic home care massage strokes they can use on their dogs (provided there are no contraindications, of course) and pleased to meet some pups very close to where I happen to live!

If you entered the contest and I've drawn your name for a FREE CANINE MASSAGE, you'll be hearing from me on Monday the 10th!

Special thanks, as always, to my mom, who helped me set up, and to Mike Hat, my demo dog!

Lots of other events coming up in the Berczy Park area...check out the Friends of Berczy Park website and Facebook Page for more...

We had so much fun as an exhibitor for the very first time at Woofstock this past weekend!

Even though Saturday had some major rain, there were unexpected sunny moments during the afternoon and people came out despite the crazy weather!  Thank you so much to all of you who attended, especially on Saturday.

A special BIG THANKS to one of my current clients (and Toronto's Top Dog 2019!), Dexter and his momager for stopping by on Saturday!

Sunday was a beautiful day, in stark contrast.  We visited with lots of people at the Kuri K9 Massage booth both days, but Sunday especially.  Check out the crowds!

Those who have signed up for the email newsletter list can expect a welcoming email later today. The sign up for the draw for a free Canine Massage session was so successful that I've decided to draw 3 winners!  The three lucky winners will also hear from me later today.

I so look forward to meeting your pups and working with you and your fur baby going forward.  And a SUPER BIG THANKS to Woofstock for putting on another great event!