TV dogumentary! (From York Press)

Production firm launches web-based channel for canines

12:34pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

A TV production company from York has launched Britain’s first web-tv channel dedicated exclusively to dogs.

Mandrill Television, of Poppleton, led by former Press reporter and Press business personality of the year Chris Wise, is targeting www.dogsclub.tv at Britain’s eight million dog owners and countless millions more around the globe.

Promising “everything canine online”, it offers free advice on basic training, grooming and behaviour problems in video demonstrations from specialists such as Jane Hanshaw, who runs an animal behaviour counselling practice near Selby.

For Dogsclub.tv, she has visited the homes of dogs with problems causing their owners real cause for concern – from a pack of Shar Pei’s who won’t stop barking and a Pugallier who cannot get the hang of toilet training to a spaniel who chews everything and a border collie who’s putting her life and motorists at risk by chasing cars.

“Jane’s enthusiasm is infectious – and achieves some amazing results,” said Chris. The channel also features a “dogumentary” series filmed behind the scenes at a Dogs Trust re-homing centre on the A64 between York and Leeds, health advice for dog owners and advice on Britain’s top ten most popular breeds from owners in the York area who have lived with them for at least 15 years.

The channel is also planning to launch Puppycam LIVE! featuring live pictures streamed from a litter of adorable puppies.

Chris said: “We wanted to make television for dog lovers who don’t need gimmicks and really care about doing the best for their pets. We hope they’ll find our programming responsible and informative – as well as being a really good watch.”

He said the channel, which was already picking up viewers in America and Slovakia, was Mandrill’s first venture into broadcasting direct to the public.

He said he was convinced that increasing internet speeds and the growing take-up of smart TVs meant that the distinction between conventional TV and web-delivered television would erode over the next few years.