Hannah Walsh, Clinical Canine Massage Therapy

21/04/2026

If I even attempted to sleep like that i would need weeks of massage therapy and probably a few trips to the osteopath too!
Our dogs seem to be able to sleep in the strangest contorted positions with no obvious side effects. Time catches up with us all, if your pretzel pup has stopped sleeping in knots a clinical canine massage could have them sleeping in peculiar positions again in 1 to 3 sessions.

13/04/2026

Completely comatose after his first massage 🥰
At 9 weeks old it was very lightweight to get him used to the feel of my hands moving over his body in a different way to playing and grooming. He absolutely loved it and is now fast asleep 😴

03/04/2026

Apologies if I am a bit slower than normal to respond to enquiries over the next few weeks, there is a new little man in the house and he is a bit (ok, a lot) of a distraction 💚 meet Idris.

31/03/2026

26/03/2026

08/03/2026

Many Crufts Congratulations to Karen Scott with Nia, 5th in a class of 26 bitchs and Bo at 13 years old 4th in veteran dog out of a class of 18.
Happy retirement Bo 😘
Nia and Bo both receive regular massages to help keep them moving well.

08/03/2026

A group of all-weather, all-terrain dogs. Hilda's favourite walks all involved water or mud (or, preferably, both) and hills.
No great surprise that my pick is the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

Gundog Group - Graceful, Athletic and Purpose‑Driven.

Gundogs were bred for retrieving, pointing, flushing, and working alongside humans in the field for long periods. Their movement is designed to be smooth, efficient, and controlled.
Gundogs are endurance athletes but it is important to remember longevity is built, not assumed.
Gundogs rely on smooth, efficient motion - whether retrieving, pointing, or just running away with a sock!

Soft‑tissue insights for Gundogs:
- Shoulder and forelimb strain from repetitive retrieving.
- Tight hip flexors from sprinting and sudden stops.
- Back tension from carrying items or maintaining posture.

Massage helps maintain fluid movement, supports recovery, and keeps Gundogs performing with the elegance they’re known for.

👉 What’s your Gundog's favourite thing to retrieve?
Tell us in the comments

07/03/2026

Tiny dogs with huge characters. RD Dog Training provided me with my smallest case study, Tom the Pappillon. He may have been small in stature but his character, heart and soul filled all the available space 🥰

Toy Group - Small Dogs, Big Personalities.

Toy breeds were developed primarily as companions, but that doesn’t mean their bodies don’t work hard.
Toy breeds may be tiny, but their soft tissues still experience big strain from jumping, playing, and compensating for delicate structures. Small frame does not mean low demand. Toy breeds experience significant relative joint loading for their size.
Because they are portable, discomfort is often missed.

Soft‑tissue insights for Toy breeds:
- Neck tension due to fine bone structure.
- Shoulder tightness from frequent jumping on/off furniture.
- Back strain in longer‑backed or lightly built breeds.

Gentle, targeted massage improves circulation, reduces guarding, and supports postural control. Scale changes, tissue principles do not.

👉 What’s the biggest personality Toy breed you know?
Share your stories below.

07/03/2026

The utility pick is a standard poodle for one of Hilda's best friends, her and Copper used to lead each other into the muddiest and smelliest environments possible 🙄

Utility Group - Versatile Dogs with Unique Builds.

A diverse group with varied original purposes. Utility breeds were developed for a wide range of specialist tasks, from guarding to coaching to companionship. Their structures vary hugely.
From Dalmatians to Bulldogs, the Utility Group covers a huge range of structures and movement patterns, each with its own soft‑tissue needs.
Form influences function.

Soft‑tissue insights for Utility breeds:
- Muscle imbalance can occur in breeds with distinctive conformations.
- Tight shoulders are common in dogs with broad fronts or heavy chests.
- Core weakness may appear in longer‑backed or heavier‑set breeds.

Massage can help support respiratory mechanics, spinal mobility, and balanced muscular development regardless of breed type, promoting comfortable, efficient movement - ideal for dogs preparing for the Crufts ring.

👉 Which Utility breed do you think has the most interesting history?
Drop your pick in the comments

06/03/2026

The first time I went to crufts it was hound and terrier day. Wandering aimlessly i ended up on the benches for the Bedlington terriers, got accosted by one who insisted I stop and cuddle him (with owners permission) so I will be cheering on these fluffy ones.

Terrier Group - Bred for Bold, Fast Work
Tough, tenacious, and always on the go. Terriers were originally bred to go underground, flush out vermin, and work with explosive speed in tight spaces. That heritage shaped compact, powerful bodies built for agility and speed.
Terriers may be small in stature, but their bodies work incredibly hard. Their quick turns, explosive bursts of energy, and love of digging all place unique demands on their soft tissues.

Soft‑tissue insights for Terriers:
- Neck and shoulder tension is common from sharp turns and sudden bursts of speed.
- Lower back strain can develop from springing, jumping, and pouncing behaviours.
- Tight hip flexors often show up in dogs who love to dig or “bounce” into action.

Repetitive ball play and high arousal activities can increase strain through the neck and elbows. Structured bodywork helps maintain tissue elasticity, reduce compensatory tension, and support joint loading.
Keeping their soft tissues healthy helps Terriers stay sharp, agile, and pain‑free, whether they’re in the ring at Crufts or ruling the sofa at home.

👉 What’s the one Terrier trait you adore most?
Tag a Terrier lover who needs this info

06/03/2026

I love the hounds, sight hounds especially, I think it's because I wish I was as slim and elegant as they are 🤣
Being a born and bred Yorkshire lass (and yes I do have a flat cap) it has to be the whippet.

Hound Group - Born Trackers, Chasers and Endurance Athletes.

Built for endurance, scenting, and speed. Hounds were bred for tracking, trailing, and coursing, from scent hounds who follow their noses for miles to sighthounds built for incredible bursts of speed.
Hounds are incredible athletes - whether they’re scenting, sighting or simply stretching out on the sofa after a long day.

Soft‑tissue insights for Hounds:
- Hamstring and lower‑back tension is common in sighthounds who accelerate rapidly.
- Neck and shoulder tightness can develop in scent hounds who work with their heads low.
- Long, lean muscles can hide micro‑strains that build up over time.

Sprint breeds often carry lumbar and hamstring tension. Heavier scent hounds may show shoulder and elbow overload.
Regular assessment keeps stride length efficient and reduces compensatory patterns. Movement tells the story.
Massage helps supports recovery, keeps these athletes comfortable and confident, and help these elegant dogs maintain the fluid movement they’re known for.

👉 Which Hound breed has your heart?
Share your favourite below