Life Style

Golden labrador puppy dog with TV remote control (Image: Getty)Most dog owners will be familiar with the 'puppy blues'. As wonderful as it is to welcome a tiny new furry friend into your family, the reality is that raising a puppy can be a real challenge.Many dog owners speak about the feelings of stress, frustration, and exhaustion which come with having a little ball of chaos running around their home and trying to destroy everything. Some even find themselves questioning whether getting a dog was the right decision in the first place. One owner has opened up about her own experience, saying the reality of having a puppy is vastly different to what she envisaged, reports the Mirror. READ MORE: Dog trainer says 3 breeds are worst behaved and they're really popular READ MORE: Golden ...

Larger breeds frequently require more physical activity and longer walks (Image: meaghanbrowning via Getty Images)Before falling head over heels for an adorable puppy or selecting a dog purely on appearance, there's one crucial element every prospective owner ought to consider: exercise requirements. Dogs vary enormously in shape, size, and energy levels.While some flourish with lengthy runs, daily walks, and hours of activity, others are perfectly happy with a leisurely stroll round the park. Larger breeds frequently require more physical activity and longer walks, making it essential to select a dog that fits your lifestyle. Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, a canine behaviourist and partner at Canine Cottages, explains that one particular breed group demands considerably more exercise.Doberma...

Some of his choices are family favourites (Image: Getty)Many people embrace the saying "man's best friend is his dog", as evidenced by thousands tuning in to watch the world-renowned Crufts 2026. The four-day canine exhibition continues until Sunday and showcases everything imaginable about the animal, from agility and obedience to simply being magnificent specimens of particular breeds.With such events, some may consider acquiring a pet of their own. However, it's crucial that the correct choice is made, and to assist with this, one vet has identified five breeds he would never own himself. Ben Simpson-Vernon, 31, sharing on TikTok, provided a list of explanations for his decisions, which frequently related to health issues in the animals, and acknowledged this excluded some otherwise ...

A number of popular items have been recalled (Image: Getty)Numerous products have been recalled this month by retailers due to concerns over fire risks, illegal ingredients, and asbestos. Shoppers are being encouraged to return these items to shops in order to receive a full refund.Items of concern include a hairdryer that poses a fire risk, two children's toys that may contain asbestos, and a hot tub that's a drowning risk. These alerts, published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), have been posted in the last couple of weeks in shops across the UK and online. Shoppers who have purchased the items can contact the retailer or the OPSS directly if they are concerned. READ MORE: High street retailer with 15 stores across UK announces 3 closures READ MORE: One golden...

Browns of Leigh D.I.Y, in Leigh, has announced that it will cease trading after 65 years in business. The beloved hardware store explained that they can "no longer absorb increasing business rates and national insurance rises".They previously said on their social media channels: "In a town where most things seem to be closing down - Leigh's original and longest serving DIY shop is still open." However, in an unexpected announcement published last month, the family company said: "This is a very sad moment for us, but after 65 years in business, we have decided to close. We can no longer absorb increasing business rates, national insurance rises and energy hikes - there comes a point where it's time to throw the towel in."We would like to thank all our customers who have supported us over...

Gü explained that a specific date code of its Gü Blonde Chocolate Cheesecake is affected by the recall. Customers are being urged not to eat the dessert and to check the batch number and use-by date on the packaging. The dessert may pose a health risk to people who have an allergy to hazelnuts and nuts.The FSA’s risk statement read: “This product may contain hazelnuts, making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts (nuts).”Gü explained that the dessert is being recalled as the product may contain an incorrect ingredient that contains hazelnuts. This nut allergen is not declared on the label.The product affected by the recall can be found below, along with the batch code and use-by date:Gü Blonde Chocolate Cheesecake 2 x 82gBatch number - 226044Use by date - Mar...

Sainsbury’s has issued a product recall notice for an air fryer sold at its stores. A small number of air fryers have been identified as having a potential manufacturing defect, which could cause the appliance to overheat and pose a fire risk.The air fryer, created by brand Tower Housewares, is being issued with a voluntary recall to “ensure the highest standards of safety and quality”. The brand is urging air fryer users who have bought the affected model to stop using it immediately. The issue has been identified within specific batches of the affected products manufactured between January 2022 to April 2023.Sainsbury’s wrote on its website: “A small number of units have been identified as having a potential manufacturing default that could cause the air fryer to overheat and pose a f...

Charming town with great shopping - and a chilled vibe to enjoy (Image: Katie Oborn)An interesting and pretty little town sits on the edge of wild moorland not far away from where I live, but I recently visited the vibrant place for the first time. There’s nothing I love more than exploring a new area - and I’m lucky enough to be spoiled for choice as there are numerous unique towns surrounding the city of Plymouth in Devon.Ashburton is not too far from Plymouth, where I live, so myself and a companion headed towards Dartmoor to explore this town recently. The attractive place is renowned for its independent shops and Devonian character - and I was left delighted by both of these things after my visit. We took the bus from Plymouth (number 38) and the journey was seamless and pleasant, ...

With a new season on the horizon, many of us fashion fans are clearing out our wardrobes to make some space for new spring bits. And Roman fans are racing to the high street brand to get their hands on a few of its sale items that are ideal for the transitional weather, including a tunic shirt dress that’s reduced to £40.The Wine Corduroy Tunic Shirt Dress is still available in sizes 10 to 20 and also comes in four other colours, including olive green and light blue. Made with a ‘flattering swing style’, the dress is great for that in between weather that’s not quite chilly, but not warm enough for short sleeves.With a three-quarter button up fastening, and shirt-collar design, the dress comes in a woven cord fabric that is cosy and chic and is cut to a knee length (depending on height)...

The Rottweiler and two other dog breeds ranked 20th (Image: Getty)While we adore our four-legged companions, regrettably, our dogs cannot remain with us indefinitely. Although the typical canine lives between 10 and 13 years, certain breeds unfortunately fall considerably below that range. To offer some reassurance, pet specialists indicate that the first year of a dog's life equates to 15 human years, the second year to nine human years, and each subsequent year to five human years.However, whether due to the animal's size, its genetic makeup, or susceptibility to fatal illnesses, numerous elements can result in a dog's life being cut short. A 2024 study published in Nature examined nearly 585,000 dogs across 155 breeds in the UK. Based on that data, the American Kennel Club identified...