Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs

Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs

Dogs are extraordinary animals, possessing remarkable sensory and physical capabilities way beyond that of humans. To celebrate this, a new series called Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs will premiere in February focusing on some of these fascinating aspects including agility, instinct, stamina and healing.

Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs is shot in weekly 30-minute episodes exploring the wonderful- and often extraordinary- nature of man's best friend in a factual, entertainment based format suitable for the whole family. Showing in over 130 countries around the globe, the new series is a compelling and sometimes emotional series profiling dogs from working canines to pets at home and will no doubt appeal to dog lovers the world over.

The series features extraordinary dogs from all over the world including some Australian canines that have been handpicked to take a leading role. Appearing in the show is the Black Sled Dog Team from Maraylya just outside of Sydney. They are a canine racing crew who compete in Australia's only snow based sled dog race. The undefeated champions, made up from special breeds including Alaskan and Siberian Huskies are a perfect example of the kinds of agility these animals display which is explored further in the series.

Their trainer and owner Clemens Bittendorfer is excited to see his beloved dogs grace the small screen saying "My champion team hasn't been beaten in over 7 years which is something I'm very proud of and to share their talent on a show like this was a great experience for us."

Some slightly less experienced furry friends also being showcased in the series include puppies from Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA). In one of the program's episodes, the cameras venture down to Tasmania to film the ADA's 'Pups in Prison' program in action.

The 'Pups in Prison' program supports Assistance Dogs Australia by setting the foundations for the dogs to progress to advance training. After 18 months with the inmates, the pups are enrolled in the ADA's advanced training program before becoming a service for someone with a disability.

ADA's Top Dog Richard Lord says taking part in the show was a great opportunity "It was wonderful to be able to raise further awareness about the 'Pups in Prison' programs through the Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs show. These pups really do have extraordinary capabilities that need to be harnessed through early, consistent training which they receive from dedicated inmates."

Dr Rachele Lowe is a well respected veterinary surgeon having often appeared as an expert on morning television and with a regular column offering advice in a popular weekly magazine. She is excited to see the new series hit out screens.

"It's great to see a new series that really explores their wonderful and unique attributes while at the same time educating the audience about some important things to know regarding their genetics," she said.

"With such unique characteristics, dog owners must take a special interest in ensuring they make adequate health and nutrition choices for their additional family members. It's no surprise given their different genetic make-up that the fundamental nutritional needs of dogs are considerably different to ours."

Caring For Your Extraordinary Dog
Dr Rachele Lowe offers some helpful tips for how you can take care of your extraordinary dog at home:
Always ensure you feed your dog with high quality food for optimal performance such as Eukanuba which uses clinically proven ingredients to help your dog be the best it can be.
Make sure you visit a vet for regular check-ups even when they're healthy as this will help maintain your pet's health and well being.
Puppies have different nutritional requirements to adult dogs so be sure to keep this in mind when selecting your dog's food as there are many on offer for all stages of a dog's life and development. Eukanuba has a range of puppy formulas taking into account their breed and size so you can begin their life the best way possible.
Don't forget to care for your dog's teeth. While hard foods like dog kibble are far better than wet foods with lots of fillers, it's important to remember to give your dog bones to chew to help remove plaque and to brush their teeth regularly with specialised products.
If your dog is alone during the day, give some generous thought to how you can keep them entertained. Try frozen bones, frozen Kong toys, rolling treat balls, sand pits with buried treasures and water trought to play in. This will help ease any destructive behaviour that can arise from boredom.
Always be aware of your dog's behaviour. If they start displaying unusual habits or you notice a change consult your vet. It's important to regularly check for ticks and other issues that might otherwise go undetected and cause serious health problems.
When deciding on which type of dog is right for you, consider your lifestyle and what theirs would be once they come to live with you. The bigger the dog, the more space they need. A dog is an investment for many years so be sure to consider all of these things before bring your new best friend home.

Eukanuba Extraordinary Dogs premieres on Channel 7, Saturday 5th February at 5pm.

Eukanuba provides high quality nutrition tailored to the specific needs of dogs, based on a foundation of animal protein plus special clinically proven ingredients. It delivers benefits in six key performance areas to help these extraordinary animals become the best they can be: Strong Defences, Skin and Coat, Lean Muscles, Optimal Digestion, Strong Bones and Dental Care.

Eukanuba invites you to tell us why your dog is extraordinary for your chance to have your beloved pet features in Eukanuba's new advertising campaign: www.eukanuba.com.au