Dog days with a difference (K9 Magazine)

Member Name: Thailui

Product:	K9 Magazine
Date:	22/10/05 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Less 'technical' than most dog publications

Disadvantages: Not readily available - except on-line

K9 Magazine was launched in 2001. It is a quarterly magazine for dog lovers and, unlike a lot of other publications of the same kind, is not aimed mainly at the ‘expert’ dog owner and breeder but at all owners and lovers of dogs. It’s not a magazine that is readily available at all newsagents and probably most readers subscribe directly. However, it IS sold through some newsagents, though according to the editor, Ryan O’Meara, the larger chains are not involved probably because this is a quarterly publication. They are an independent publishers and not part of a large chain as in so many cases.

The magazine was recommended to me by a friend who knew of my interest in magnotherapy, as issue no 10 covered this in some detail – including an article about the editor’s own dog. Having had difficulty finding the magazine, I emailed them to find out where I could buy it. I had a reply directly from the editor asking where I lived and explaining that there were, as yet, no outlets in my area. There are many ways to subscribe but I think that the best way to find out about these is to visit the website: www.k9magazine.com rather than try to follow any instructions I may pass on! Incidentally, my friend was able to buy the magazine at her local shop the price being £2.95.

The magazine itself is glossy and very attractive and has some fascinating articles. Some of the regular features are: Your K9 Stars - which is a page for photos of readers’ dogs, Breed Profile and Charity Profile (both self-explanatory), .Com Dogs - which is an advertising section showing websites for dog related products. This is only a very limited selection of the regular articles to be found in this magazine. I have to say that I have found new items of interest every time I’ve picked it up.

One of the most interesting things is the amount of advertising – of sites and items some of which I have never heard before. There is a property page, a section for pet friendly holidays and, of course, the K9 Magazine Animal Advisory Panel with advice on all manner of problems. There is also one page which includes recipes, one for humans: Venison Steak with Salsa – and one for dogs: Meg’s Crunchy Carrot and Cheese Muffins. These were two that appeared in one magazine - I haven’t attempted either – yet!

Would I buy this magazine again? Oh most definitely – I find it far more down to earth than most dog orientated publications. I would certainly recommend that you visit the website as there is a great deal of information there but so saying it certainly couldn’t replace the printed version.

I hope that this will be of interest – thank you for reading.

Summary: Dog magazine for experts and non-experts