Central Canine Massage Therapy

08/03/2026

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

08/03/2026

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.

08/03/2026

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

08/03/2026

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

08/03/2026

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

08/03/2026

Pastoral Group – Natural Herders with Endless Energy

Pastoral dogs were bred for herding, driving, and managing livestock - often across long distances and challenging terrain. Their bodies are built for agility, stamina, and quick decision‑making.

Soft‑tissue insights for Pastoral breeds:
- Tight hip flexors from sprinting and sudden turns.
- Shoulder tension from constant directional changes.
- Lower‑back strain from maintaining speed over distance.

Targeted massage supports proprioception, reduces chronic tension, and helps maintain clean movement patterns.
Watch how they stop and turn. That is where the clues sit.

👉 Which Pastoral breed could run circles around you?
Tag someone who owns one!

08/03/2026

Working Group – Strength, Power and Purpose

Working breeds were developed for pulling, guarding, drafting, and protection — jobs that require strength, stamina, and resilience.
That means their muscles take on significant load, whether they’re pulling, guarding, or performing athletic tasks.

Soft‑tissue considerations for Working dogs:
- Tight lumbar muscles from carrying weight through the back.
- Shoulder strain from pulling or bracing.
- Stiffness in large muscle groups due to sheer power output.

Massage can help reduce muscle fatigue, supports recovery, and keeps these impressive dogs moving with strength and confidence.
The Canine Massage Guild members help Working breeds stay strong, balanced, and comfortable.

Find a Therapist near you:
https://www.k9-massage.co.uk/find-a-therapist/

👉 What’s your favourite Working breed and why?
We’d love to hear your stories.

21/10/2025

21/10/2025

🐶 Puppies grow fast — but their bodies need time to catch up. From ball launchers to slippery floors, everyday habits can lead to joint and muscle injuries in young dogs.
💡 Growth plates are fragile. Muscles are still developing. What seems fun now could cause pain later.
📖 Read the blog: Minimising Joint and Muscular Injuries in Your Puppy. Learn how to protect your pup’s growing body — and set them up for a lifetime of healthy movement.
👉 https://www.caninemuscularhealth.org/post/puppy-growth-and-bone-development-nurturing-healthy-strong-and-safe-dogs

21/10/2025

It’s a busy week for our Canine Muscular Health Awareness Campaign and we are honoured to be hosting many talks / workshops this week… So with that we are thrilled to announce our next speaker for this week and welcome human and canine physiotherapist, Amanda Morgan BSc. MSc. MCSP ACPAT A as our guest speaker this Friday!

🐾 Join us on Friday 24th October as Amanda goes into detail of the links between Muscle Health and Movement patterns and how physiotherapy can play a role in Muscle Health.

📅 Friday 24th October | Free Online Talk with Amanda Morgan as Part of Muscular Health Awareness Month

Join Zoom Meeting:
Friday 24th October - 7PM UK time.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81290151685?pwd=n3mJxHTxg0bisBNT5zZDpbGjZtM0MR.1

Meeting ID: 812 9015 1685
Passcode: 444666
(This talk will be recorded and later added to the MHAM website)

About Amanda - Amanda qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2009 and went on to complete postgraduate studies in Veterinary Physiotherapy, specialising in equine and canine therapy. She has spent the last eight years working at SMART Specialist Veterinary Referrals in Swansea. Amanda is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy and is a member of the British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association. When she's not working, Amanda enjoys long walks with her dog Cass and her horse Monty.