COOL FOR DOGS – NEW TEDDINGTON PARLOUR OPENS
NEWS SPECIAL
The ‘dog buffet’ is one of the first features that tells you this upmarket canine deli is a bit different.
A counter dominated by the colour brown offers a tempting range of doggy bones from Duck Neck, Cow’s Ears, Chicken Feet, Venison Bone, Rabbit’s Ears (good for a dog’s intestines) Yak Milk bones and Dried Spratt.
Wild Bush is the latest and perhaps most unlikely addition to the coffee shop dominated High Street (following the demise of Ladbrokes) and will offer dog grooming services as well as colourful selection of doggy goodies, which are designed to provide both nutritional value as well as extra and important stimulation for your canine companion – rather than a walk or a chase in the park…..
Owner, Matt, a dog trainer for over 14 years who owns a dachshund called Flea and whose mother is a dog agility expert, has strong views about the health and welfare of dogs and is serious in his mission to improve the quality of care for dogs.
He owns five other similar shops in Richmond, Putney, Chiswick, Fulham and Barnes. It has cost him over £70.000 to fit out the shop with a new electrical system and a wooden floor after it was left ‘almost derelict.’
“When I was looking around and thinking about starting this business I could see that the products available were not very nutritional and the toys were very boring and and not stimulating at all for a dog,” he said. “But dog training has really modernised and the dogs are happier and healthier for it.”
Of the many unconventional doggy toys is a wrinkly fabric ‘newspaper’ called The Furryfolks Times – not designed for dogs to read – but which will arouse the curiosity of a dog who will then open up the paper and find a series of small pockets concealing special treats or a couple of buttons which when pressed make a beep.
And, there are balls to throw but also selection of soft toys which would embarrass Hamleys including sheep, pigs and cows and two with images of rock stars Freddie Mercury and Bob Marley.
Of course, there are plenty of leads and natty jackets too but there’s dental sticks containing camomile, hemp and peppermint and Venison Flatties, Beef Jerky Chews, Farmer Fred’s Baaa Baaa Chews, Goosey Lucy’s Glorious Goose Chews, Ox Jerky Chews, Pleasantly Pheasanty Pheasant Chews and Peanut Butter dual bones.
“You can’t buy these kind of things on Amazon and you won’t find them in a supermarket or pet shop. America still has the best toys which tend to be imported from China.
“The food and bones are selected for their real nutritional value as well as their impact on the mood of the dog, trying to keep a dog calm and destressed. Often owners focus on the eyes of a dog by throwing something and getting the dog to chase after it but most dogs need much more stimulation of their nose and their brain which is much healthier than just a run around which will exhaust them,” Matt added.
He says that grooming is vital to ensure that a dog stays healthy and happy as fur can easily get matted and can lead to a range of medical issues if not carried out regularly. Prices for a full groom range from £71 for a small dog to £96 for a large dog.
As well as natural shampoos and regular ultra-sonic teeth cleaning (£28) which can avoid big vet fees later in a dog’s life if neglected, there are spa treatments too like a Blueberry Facial or a Banana Facial (£10) and a Himalayan Salt for Soak and a Kaolin Clay Mask.
TO SEE MORE GO TO WWW.WILDBUSH.CO.UK