Only twenty-five percent of the world’s domesticated dogs live as pets and working dogs. The rest live as feral animals. Yet scientists have found the most widespread bonding between humans and another species, anywhere in the world, or in history, is with dogs. Over four seasons, running until 2022, NSK9 explored the relationship we have with our furry best friends, from their health, to their food, to their lives as working dogs, and to their lives as pets. From more serious subjects, such as how dogs are helping patients cope with PTSD and other mental health conditions, to how people do tricks with their dogs.The first season started airing on January 20th, 2019. Season 4 wrapped in spring 2022, being replaced by A Dog’s Life.
Produced with the support of:
Whalesong Studios
Paul Kimball & Ron Foley MacDonald
Andrew Younger
Andrew Younger
Liesje worked in an office. Chris was a submariner. Both left their jobs to work with dogs and found satisfaction they never could have imagined.
Choosing a breed and a breeder can be an overwhelming experience. NSK9 talks to breeders about what to look for when choosing a purebred dog, and how to find the right match for your family.
Adopting a rescue dog can be very rewarding. It also comes with its own challenges. NSK9 talks to rescue organizations and owners of rescues to find out what you need to know to get a good match.
Dogs are a great way to help get you exercise. Many people run with their dogs recreationally. Some even race with their dogs. We talk about running with dogs.
Dogs have become more than a best friend for many people. They provide comfort in times of trauma. There are even dedicated therapy dog teams that work with first responders across the region.
Continuing from earlier this season, NSK9 visits more people who have found rewarding careers working with dogs.
Dog shows attract breeds of all kinds and people of all ages. NSK9 finds out what brings people to perform in dog shows, and what it takes to become Best in Show.
Increasingly people take their dogs to work and events with them. In this episode of NSK9 we find out why, and we meet some dogs who have found jobs of their own when their owners brought them along.
When dogs anywhere in the world lose limbs or paws, or when their joints fail they turn to a Nova Scotian man who went into business to help dogs with prosthetics after a person experience losing his own leg in an accident.
Dogs are known for their keen sense of scent. NSK9 visits people in one of the fastest growing sports in the dog world – scent detection. And we visit a dog and handler working at a major airport putting scent skills to work hunting for contraband.
Losing a pet is difficult. NSK9 explores the how people deal with the loss of a pet, and work done in Nova Scotia to remember our lost canine companions.
Increasingly people are concerned about what they feed their their dogs. We meet Nova Scotians leading the charge to make healthier options available for pets.
Dogs have worked on farms for centuries. NSK9 visits people who are working to preserve the farm instincts in dog breeds, and others who have dogs on their farms in less traditional ways.