Book Club - September 2015

Top Dogs: A Celebration of Great Australian Working Dogs 

by Angela Goode

A unique celebration of our remarkable Aussie working dogs, illustrated with photographs taken by the people who love them.

Ask anyone who lives and works on the land and they will tell you that a good working dog is the heart and soul of rural life. Working dogs can't be downsized, upgraded, outsourced or made into an app. They are just top dogs - agile and energetic, heroic and hardworking, loyal and loveable.

In this joyous tribute to Australia's working dogs, people all over the country share their favourite stories and photos of the incredible dogs that make such a huge difference to their lives each day. These cheerful workaholics are celebrated in tales of heroism, extraordinary intuition, unflagging dedication and intelligence.

Top Dogs is a celebration of these irrepressible four-legged companions who greet each day with enthusiasm and a wagging tail.

RRP: A$33.95 from www.booktopia.com.au

Clever Dog: The Secrets Your Dog Wants You To Know 

by Sarah Whitehead

Man is not ape. Dog is not wolf. From startling facts about its origins, to the fundamental reasons behind dog and man's unbreakable attachment, Clever Dog: The Secrets Your Dog Wants You to Know explores the myths that so many pet owners have been led to believe – and forms conclusions as to how our future relationship with the dog needs to change in order to survive, and thrive. 

With her unique understanding of the secret language of dogs and her belief that all dogs are ‘clever dogs', Sarah uses amusing anecdote and useful case histories to discover the mysteries of dog behaviour and show us a way of communicating with the four-legged friend who shares our hearts and homes. Dog lovers can look at their best friends in a new light and create the perfect bond. As a world-leading expert in canine psychology, and often acknowledged as the ‘trainer's trainer’, Sarah Whitehead shares her unique understanding of dogs. 

With fascinating case studies and expert practical advice, Clever Dog is much more than a guidebook – it is the book your dog would want you to buy.

RRP: A$24.25 from www.booktopia.com.au

The Intelligence of Dogs

by Stanley Coren

This is a book on dog intelligence by Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. It explains Coren's theories about the differences in intelligence between different breeds of dogs.

Coren defines three aspects of dog intelligence in the book: instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working and obedience intelligence. 

Instinctive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to perform the tasks it was bred for, such as herding, pointing, fetching, guarding, or supplying companionship. Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to solve problems on its own. Working and obedience intelligence refers to a dog's ability to learn from humans.

RRP: A$29.90 from www.booktopia.com.au

WOOF!7 Scratch & Sniff! 

by Ella+ Friends

This is the seventh in the series of WOOF! books from Ella+Friends Photography celebrating the lives of WOOFers in and around Melbourne.

WOOF!7 is a coffee-table book which is again full of gorgeous images of dogs doing what they love doing best! That’s Lola on the cover, the gorgeous and pretty Staffy that loves nothing more than being dressed up by his Mum! 

RRP: A$198 from the Ella+Friends Book Shop.

The Life and Love of Dogs 

by Lewis Blackwell

Dogs live with us in a way that no other creature does. Their contribution to our history has enabled us to be where we are today. It's a connection that can even have depths beyond those we have with our own species. 

For all dog lovers, The Life & Love of Dogs offers an insightful collection of images by acclaimed photographers from around the world. 

An exploration of our unique relationship with dogs - including a surprising analysis of the qualities that make a dog attractive in our eyes, a detailed look at how the breeds we see today are a product of our own needs and desires, and more - it sheds original light on this great love affair.

This is a large coffee table type book, but offers a lot of interesting text and wonderful quotes that accompany the photos. Best enjoyed for the very special pictures of dogs in action and for the lovely quotes.

RRP: A$26.95 from www.booktopia.com.au




Disclaimer: prices are correct at the time of publication and no commission is received by this website.

Bob the Railway Dog from Peterborough

This is the true story of a little dog who had adventure in his heart and the rattle of the rails in his soul.

In the early days of the railway, when shiny new tracks were opening vast areas of Australia, there was an adventurous dog, who was part of it all. As the tracks were being laid he was there on the train - riding in his favourite spot on top of the Yankee engine. Everyone knew him. He was Bob the Railway Dog.

This scruffy German Collie was born in 1882 with four seriously itchy paws. At just nine months old, Bob left his home at the Macclesfield Hotel, South Australia, and began his canine career as a hitchhiker on railway locomotives - often taking himself on interstate trips and being welcomed everywhere by friendly train crews.

Peterborough History Group chair, Heather Parker says Bob the Railway Dog - as he was later known, was adored throughout his home state and beyond. "He had a wonderful temperament and loved people, particularly the engine drivers," she says. "He'd start off going in one direction, he'd get off and think about it for a while - he could pick and choose where he wanted to go - and hop on another train. He liked Broken Hill and he had a friend down in Hindley Street, Adelaide, who used to give him food."

Adelaide's The Advertiser said in 1939 that, until his death at the distinguished age of 13, Bob travelled freely - "like politicians" - on the trains, suburban trams and even the Murray steamers. He also attended official functions, The Advertiser reported. "He was a guest at the banquet for the opening of the railway from Peterborough to Broken Hill and appeared at the opening of the Hawkesbury Bridge in NSW."

Bob was happiest on a Yankee engine, said The Petersburg Times: "The big whistle and belching smokestack seem to have an irresistible attraction for him; He lives on the fat of the land, and he is not particular from whom he accepts his dinner."

A DOG'S LIFE

News of the travelling dog soon spread, even as far as England. In 1895, shortly before Bob died, an E. Cresswell, of Adelaide, wrote to an English magazine, The Spectator, to share Bob's story.

"His name is Railway Bob and he passes his whole existence on the train - his favourite seat being on top of the coal box," the author wrote. "He has travelled many thousands of miles, going all over the lines in South Australia. He is known in Victoria, frequently seen in Sydney and has been up as far as Brisbane!”.

"The most curious part of his conduct is that he has no master, but every engine driver is his friend. At night he follows home his engine man of the day never leaving him or letting him out of his sight until they are back on the Railway Station in the morning, where he starts off on another of his ceaseless journeys."

Bob started life in the litter of working dogs. The farmer who bred them, Henry Hollamby, told The Southern Argus in 1895 that, as a puppy, "[Bob] was given to Mr James Mott, who kept the Macclesfield Hotel... At the time the railway was being made to Strathalbyn, and he followed some men to the line." This marked the beginning of Bob's fascination with the railways.

The publican attempted to round up the runaway on many occasions, but Bob wasn't interested. He later roamed to Adelaide, where he was captured with 50 other strays. The ragged bunch was bound for Carrieton, 300 km away, where they were destined to become rabbit hunters, but Terowie-based train guard William Ferry took a liking to Bob and offered to buy him.

The rabbiter, however, proposed a swap, one dog for another. William travelled 130 km north-west to Port Augusta, found a stray dog loitering by the police station and Bob was his.

BOB - THE DOG TRAIN JUMPER

Soon, Ferry was transferred from Terowie to Petersburg - now Peterborough - as a porter and a guard, with Bob always by his side as he worked on the trains. By the time Ferry was promoted to stationmaster in WA in 1889, seven-year-old Bob had already graduated to jumping trains alone. Ferry took the job and left the intrepid Bob behind.

In 1924 The Register noted that Bob had earned such a reputation that a brass plate was made for his collar; on it was engraved, "Stop me not, but let me jog - I am Bob, the Driver's Dog".

When the intrepid Bob died in 1895, his body was stuffed and, wearing this collar, was displayed at various railway stations. Today the collar can be found at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, while a statue commemorating Bob was unveiled in Peterborough in 2009.

Horrie The War Dog: a True Legend

He was only a pup when they found him: half-starved, white coat filthy and jumping with fleas, and stumpy little legs that reminded Jim Moody of the terriers he'd seen rabbiting on farms back in Australia.

Maybe the pup reminded him of home, a safer place where people kept pets. Or maybe the pup had enough personality to con Moody to take him back to camp.

Either way, the little dog and the little Digger were soon inseparable.

It was Egypt, 1940. Moody was a despatch rider with the 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion in the desert war. The soldiers weren't supposed to take in strays as pets but for Moody's crew, rules were for bending.

Moody wasn't overawed by officers. He was nearly 30, originally came from Brighton and had coxed a rowing crew at Scotch College. He'd been a jackaroo before the war and had knocked around a lot. The little dog should have been called Lucky but for some now-forgotten reason they called him Horrie.

He grew strong on pilfered army rations, was "promoted" to honorary corporal and assigned a service number, EX1. 

He trotted beside the troops on marches and followed the commanding officer on parade. When they went to Greece, Horrie travelled in Moody's kitbag.

But it wasn't all one way. Horrie wasn't big but he pulled his weight. People facing the risk of death seize on anything that might help them survive. Horrie's acute hearing meant he could hear approaching enemy aircraft before the men could. He was a four-legged, biscuit-stealing, leg-cocking, tail-wagging, early-warning system.

When the battalion was evacuated to Crete, Horrie survived the sinking of the ship and narrowly escaped being crushed between two lifeboats. On Crete, he was a secret messenger. Outlying patrolmen attached messages to a handkerchief tied around his neck and he'd trot back to Moody in the main camp.

He was wounded with shrapnel during the evacuation of Crete. When snow fell in Palestine, the Diggers made him a coat from an army blanket, complete with regimental colours. In all, he survived five campaigns against Hitler's troops. 

With every passing month, the bond between man and dog grew stronger.When the battalion returned to Australia to face the Japanese threat, Moody ignored orders that no animals be taken as a precaution against diseases - especially the incurable killer, rabies.

He had Horrie checked by a vet in Tel Aviv to make sure he was healthy. Then he modified his pack, stiffening it with plywood and cutting air vents, hidden by his helmet.

On the troop ship home Moody or one of his mates stayed with Horrie below decks at all times, ready to hide him if there was a search. They trained him to lie still under blankets and secretly fed him and disposed of his droppings.

For the soldiers' pets, the risk of discovery and instant death was real. One troop ship reputedly stopped for 12 hours off Fremantle until soldiers finally surrendered a cat. Military police flung the unfortunate pet overboard before the ship could dock.

But Horrie survived. Moody smuggled him off the ship in Adelaide and left him with his father in Melbourne, while he served in New Guinea.

After Moody was discharged in 1945, he took Horrie to Sydney, which is where the story might have ended if he'd kept the secret among family and friends. He assumed that three years was long enough for the quarantine laws to lose their edge, but he was wrong.

When he offered to lend Horrie to the Kennel Club to raise funds for the Red Cross, officials were stung into action.
Keen to discourage other returning servicemen from trying the same trick, they ordered Moody to surrender his dog to be shot, despite expert advice by the Government's own experts that the dog presented no threat of disease.

Moody fought for time, telling the officials the dog was in Melbourne and would have to be brought to Sydney. Official approval of this arrangement showed how little the dog was considered a real health risk. Quarantine officers seized the little white dog Moody produced. It was shot in March 1945.

The public was outraged. Angry dog lovers wrote letters to newspapers, politicians and the Quarantine department, which actually sought legal advice about suing one letter-writer for "defaming" unnamed public servants.

Cartoonists lampooned officialdom, one depicting Horrie as a blindfolded prisoner of war being shot by firing squad.

The first of many wreaths in Horrie's memory was laid on Anzac Day at the Sydney Cenotaph.

The story became a bestseller when popular author Ion Idriess published Horrie the Wog-Dog, based on Moody's war diary. Well-known in its day, the story of the game little dog was gradually forgotten.

Nearly 60 years later, Canberra author Anthony Hill was planning to include a short chapter on Horrie in a collection about Animals at War. He was at a book launch in 2002 when a veteran journalist, Norma Allen, quietly asked if he wanted to know the real story of Horrie's fate.

She told the intrigued Hill that as a teenage reporter in 1946, she had interviewed Jim Moody. She said when she had sympathised about Horrie being put down, he told her a secret she would keep most of her life: Moody had searched dog pounds for another white terrier to hand in to be shot, and bought one "for five bob".

Meanwhile, the real Horrie had been smuggled one last time - to a farm in the Corryong district, he hinted.There, the story goes, Horrie sired many litters of pups, so no one would be able to pick which one was him.

Hill traced Jim Moody's widow, children and close friends and confirmed the family secret. It seemed Horrie had lived happily ever after. But his master didn't.

Moody had applied for a "soldier settlement" farm but was knocked back. He died in the 1970s believing he had been punished for bucking the system.

He regretted that, but he never regretted saving the little dog.

Norma Allen never forgot what he told her: "You don't think an Australian soldier would leave his mate behind, do you?"

Moody's family are proud of the story of their maverick forebear saving his little dog. But one question teases them: are any of Horrie's descendants out there?

Source: ANDREW RULE, HERALD SUN, APRIL 18, 2013

How to Solve 7 Common Bad Dog Habits

Individual dogs, like people, misbehave in their own unique ways. Sometimes this is tied to breeding. Some dogs, like coonhounds, were bred to be very vocal. It’s therefore not really the dog’s fault that it has a predisposed drive to loudly howl. In fact, under the right situations, that behaviour is desired.

However, surveys still show that certain behavioural problems are common among all dogs, no matter the breed.

This list mentions the most common problems as reported by dog owners:

#1. Jumping up

Jumping on people is a simple problem to rectify. It can and should be rectified as few people like a dirty dog jumping on them. Also many children are injured by unruly dogs jumping up, and the elderly are also at risk.

#2. Barking

Dogs bark as we speak, a certain amount of barking for the right reason is a plus but your dog should be taught what is and what is not acceptable barking.

Dogs bark at the doorbell for any number of reasons. They could be excited or anxious about visitors, or they might bark as a watchdog tendency. Some dogs even equate their barking with you opening the door, so they think they're training you to open the door when they bark. One of the best ways to stop barking at the doorbell is to teach and reward an alternative behaviour, like sitting on a nearby mat and waiting for the door to be opened.

For additional advice on how to deal with barking issues, read our article on "When Dog Barking Becomes a Problem".

#3. Begging for food

Begging for food should not be tolerated. No matter how cute or desperate for food your dog looks, consistency is the key to curbing dinner-table begging. Make sure no one in your family feeds the dog from the table.

Even if his begging only works once in a blue moon, he'll repeat and escalate the behaviour until all his barking and whining pays off with a rare food reward. Instead of giving in, provide your dog with an appropriate dinnertime activity, like enjoying his own toys or food puzzles.

#4. Jumping on furniture

Dogs do not understand the concept of clean vs dirty, old vs new! It is best to teach your dog not to jump on furniture especially if you plan on taking them to visit family or friends.

#5. Digging

Digging is an extremely rewarding activity for dogs, whether they're digging to reach a scent or simply to release pent-up energy. Help your dog practice this behaviour appropriately by giving him a sandbox or section of the yard where he's allowed to dig.

Make sure this area has clearly marked visual boundaries, and use treats and toys to make this new digging place more exciting than the old one.

#6. Chewing

Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs, since they explore their environment with their mouth. It also relieves stress and boredom, and helps keep their teeth clean.

When you catch your dog chewing inappropriate objects (like shoes, as many dogs do), redirect the chewing to an appropriate item, like a chew/stuffed toy. Then praise your puppy for selecting an acceptable outlet for his chewing behaviour. Talk with your veterinarian about which chews are safe for your dog.

#7. Stealing food off counters

Trainers call this behaviour "counter-surfing." It's one of the more difficult habits to break, since Fido experiences a huge reward for stealing the food: He gets to eat it! 
The easiest way to solve this problem is to eliminate the opportunity. Don't leave food around, and use baby gates or fencing to restrict your dog's access to the kitchen when you're not there to supervise him. Teaching the "leave it" command is useful for when you catch him in the act of stealing snacks.

Common Plants Toxic to Your Dog

Some of our most beautiful and useful plants are deadly to our pets (cats as well as dogs), so it pays to be aware of the risks and keep your pets well away from them.

This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Please note that the information contained this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a spotlight on the most frequently encountered plants.

We recommend fencing off potentially dangerous plants from puppies and kittens especially. Be very wary of pups and kittens near any indoor plant, and any cut flowers (especially liliums for cats). Try to train your pets not to chew any garden plants or indoor plants. If you suspect a plant has made your pet ill, don’t delay – take it straight to the vet, along with a sample of the plant, for identification. 

If you think your pet has ingested a toxic plant, it may be a medical emergency so please call your local veterinarian or a vet hospital.

Plants Dangerous to Pets

• Anemone or windflower (A. coronaria)

• Azalea If ingested, all parts of azaleas and rhododendrons can cause nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing and even coma in dogs.
• Brunfelsia (Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow plant causes seizures when dogs eat the toxic berries and seed pods.
• Bulbs (onions, plus all the spring-flowering favourites, such as daffodils, tulips, jonquils, and snowdrops)
• Caladium bicolor (indoor foliage plant)
• Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
• Chalice vine (Solandra maxima)
• Cherry tree (Prunus serrulata)
• Clematis (the large-flowered hybrids)
• Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster glaucophylla)
• Cycads (seeds on female plants)

• Daffodils (Narcissus varieties)
• Daphne (various)
• Delphiniums
• Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
• Dicentra (Dicentra spectabilis)
• Dieffenbachia

• Duranta erecta (aka Geisha girl)
• Euphorbias, Poinsettias, Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii, Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire' (Red Pencil Tree)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Golden Robinia (R. pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’)
• Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis)
• Heliotrope (Heliotropium spp.) also called Hortensia: highly toxic, it can cause liver destruction when ingested
• Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Holly (Ilex varieties)
• Hydrangeas
• Indoor Plants: many are poisonous to pets, so it’s wise to keep all indoor plants out of the reach of puppies and kittens especially, but also adult dogs and cats.
• Iris
• Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
• Jasmine (not clear which ones)

Lantana, of the Verbenaceae family

• Lantana, also called Red sage, Wild sage, Yellow Sage, and Shrub Verbena. (L. camara, the common one)
• Lilac (Syringa varieties)
• Liliums: All parts of the plant are particularly toxic to kittens and cats, causing kidney failure and death; reactions are not quite so severe in dogs.
• Mountain laurel (Kalmia varieties)
• Mushrooms (not clear which ones)
• Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
• Oaks (Quercus varieties – the acorns are toxic to pets)
• Oleanders (Nerium oleander, Thevetia peruviana)
• Philodendron (many, it appears)
• Pine (e.g., savin, Juniperus sabina, also several others)
• Poinciana (not the tropical tree, but the shrub Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
• Potato plants and green potatoes
• Privet (Ligustrum varieties)
• Pyracantha (unclear which one)
• Rhododendron (including azaleas)
• Rhubarb (presumably the leaves)
• Snowdrops (Galanthus caucasicus) - The bulbs, stems and leaves contain phenanthridine alkaloids. Exposure to the bulbs poses the greatest risk!

• Snowflakes (Leucojum)
• Solandra maxima (chalice vine)
• Stephanotis (Madagascar jasmine) (consumption of the seed pods is especially deadly to dogs)
• Strelitzias (Strelitzia reginae, S. nicolai)
• Sweet peas
• Toadstools
• Tomato Plants

• Tulips
• Walnuts (mouldy nuts near the ground)
• Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albiflora) is very common in gardens especially in moist, shady areas. It is a horrible weed that will grow in near total shade and almost can’t be killed.
• Wisteria
• Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana)
• Yew (Taxus varieties)

• Yucca - more dangerous to large animals that are grazing (on this plant. Typically, when dogs and cats ingest yucca, it results in mild vomiting and diarrhoea.

By being aware of these dangers and taking proper precautions, you can keep your favourite plants and pets safe. Most pesticides, insecticides and lawn fertilisers are also toxic to your pets. 

You can also find a comprehensive list on the Pet Poison Hotline website.

If you only get one chemical to rid your garden of pests, you can safely use PestOil or Eco-Oil (for citrus leaf miner, scales, aphids, thrips, spider mites and white flies) as these products are very effective and present no danger to your pets or the environment.

Another lesser known danger around the garden is Cocoa Mulch used as garden mulch.

Cocoa Mulch is also known as 'Cocoa Bean Mulch' or 'Cocoa Shell Mulch' and is used as a mulch in home gardens in some countries. It is a by-product of the manufacture of cocoa powder and other chocolate products. There have been several reports of pets being poisoned by cocoa mulch in other countries such as the United States and United Kingdom. 

It is generally not available in Australia however adequate precautions should be taken. Please note that there are generally no label warnings about the potential toxicity to pets on the packaging of cocoa mulch so owners may not be aware of the serious risk these products pose to their pets.

If you live more than 5 mn away from your local vet, we recommend you do keep a Pet First Aid Kit at home. There are many Pet First Aid / CPR courses available around Australia and they usually take only 3-4 hours at the week-end. Why not check out if there's one near you?

Related Topics:

Tips for a Pet-friendly Garden and Plants

How to Create a Sensory Garden for your Dog

Border Collie

The Border Collie is a working and herding dog, specifically bred for intelligence and obedience. His superior intellect, combined with his intensity and obsessive zeal for working, are his most impressive features - and also the ones that make him unsuitable for most homes.

History

The Border Collie originated in the Border counties of Scotland around 350 years ago. They were developed by local farmers to work their livestock. 

Renowned for their low and quiet approach to the herd and their gentle attitude, the dogs are relentless workers who thrive on the mental and physical challenges herding presents. 

Queen Victoria with her
favourite dog Sharp

Queen Victoria owned many dogs in her lifetime, but her favourite and constant companion was Sharp, a smooth-coated Collie of the type we call Border Collie today. Sharp lived for 15 years. A statue of him stands over his grave in Windsor Home Park, Berkshire, England.
When Australia began its sheep farming industry Border Collies were imported to work the herds. The breed, one of the earliest ever brought to Australia, has been known here since the mid-1800s.

Today the shorter coated ‘varieties’ of Border Collies are bred and used strictly for working purposes. Some of these dogs are registered with Working Sheepdog clubs for trial competition, some are not registered but are bred purely for work. 

Any dog that is bought from an Australian Kennel Club registered breeder will not a true ‘working’ Border Collie. These show derivations of the original working dogs can be trained to work stock, but they are unlikely to be as good as dogs from working strains.

Appearance

Whilst displaying gracefulness and perfect balance the Border Collie should be sturdy enough to endure the long periods of activity it has been bred to undertake.

Coat colour and length: They come in black and white, blue and white, brown and white, red and white, blue merle and white and tri-colour. The most common is the black and white. 

Border Collie - Blue Merle

The coat is the most prominent feature consisting of a double coat, with a moderately long, dense, medium textured topcoat. The undercoat is short, soft and dense for good weather-resistance. The length and composition of the coat makes the present day pedigree Border Collie unsuitable for work.

• Height: Males 48-56cm; Females 46-53cm
• Weight: Males 13-20kg; Females 12-19kg

For the Border Collie Breed Standard, visit Dogs Australia

Temperament

Border Collies thrive on work and love to be highly stimulated and worked for long periods of time. Border Collies are regarded as one of the most intelligent dogs due to their affinity for training and their eagerness to learn, but it is this very characteristic that in turn can be detrimental if the dog is not placed in the right environment. 

They are high maintenance dogs needing a lot of attention and time from owners. If you are not prepared to bring the dog into your life as part of the family then you will have trouble. They must be exercised quite extensively every day and included in family activities as often as possible. A dog that is walked for an hour a day and left outside to its own devices will still be difficult. 

Border Collies are passionate gatherers of cars, bikes, joggers, cats, other dogs, livestock, deer, and running children - poking, pushing, and nipping if the pursued person or animal or object doesn't co-operate! Bored Border Collies will always hunt for something to do or something to stimulate them. With people they should be friendly and affectionate.

Training & Exercise

Training of a Border Collie should begin with puppy classes and continue with obedience for extra training and activity. 

This allows the dog to understand what their owner wants and also provides a bonding time for both. Training is highly recommended to satisfy their need for mental stimulation. Exercise is a big part of a Border Collie’s life but as with any dog, they must NOT be worked hard until they 18 months old and the growth plates are fully developed. 

You can learn more about age-appropriate exercise for dogs.

Then it is time for Agility, Obedience trials, Canine Disc, Herding, jogging, swimming and any other activity you would like to throw at them including ‘Dancing’. Agility is becoming increasingly popular and is one of the best ways to exercise and stimulate your dog for long periods of time.

Gem, Tricolour Border Collie in the Weave Poles - Agility (Photo: G. Thiry)

Grooming

With the show breed now displaying fuller thicker coats, owners recommend thorough brushing twice a week to prevent knots and matting. In the summer they require baths every couple of weeks but in winter once a month will suffice.

Health & Lifespan

A Border Collie can be expected to live for about 10-15 years. They are a fairly robust dog but they can be afflicted with hip problems and progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative disease of the eye that causes blindness. 

Another severe problem found in the breed is a genetic condition known as Ceroid Lipofuscinosis or Storage Disease. The condition causes a build-up of sugars on the brain and causes the dog to display severe temperament changes. This behaviour is usually extremely aggressive and the dog has to be put down to prevent injury to itself or others.

Red Border Collie, herding sheep

Recommended for 

Anyone who wants a dog to be one of the family and is willing to invest the time and effort will not find a better dog. But people who spend a lot of time outside their home environment and leave their dog at home are in for big trouble.

For more information on the breed, please visit:

The Border Collie Club of NSW Inc.

Border Collie Club of VIC

If you'd like to re-home a Border Collie, please contact Border Collie Rescue Australia

Related Stories:

Advice on Age-Appropriate Exercise for Dogs

Dog Sports - Herding: the Joy of Working!

UpDog Challenge: a Dog Sport for Everyone

Dances with Dogs and Canine Freestyle

RSCPA Rescue Me Adoption Day - October 3

This year again, the RSCPA is celebrating our furry friends on World Animal Day Weekend, October 3-4, with another PAWsome event - the Rescue Me Adoption Day. The weather forecast is looking great! So make sure you don't miss out.

After the success of the inaugural event in 2014, on Saturday 3 October, RSPCA NSW will be hosting a mass dog rehoming and pet rescue information day. Working together with other animal welfare and rescue groups from across the state, the main objective for the day is to rehome as many dogs as possible. If you are looking for a new four-legged, furry family member, make sure you put this date in your calendar and come on down to meet the dogs that are looking for a second chance in life. You may be just what they have been waiting for!

Even if you aren’t looking for an addition to your pack at this stage, there will be lots of other activities for you on the day – RSPCA Merchandise, food stalls, dog agility course, pet product expo stalls and much more.

Bicentennial Park is a dog friendly area, so please bring your best friend along (on lead) to meet any potential friends. There will be plenty of staff and volunteers on the day to help you and Rover find your perfect match.

Put the date in your phones now, as you would be barking mad to miss out on RSPCA Rescue Me - Rescue Dog Adoption Day.


What: Rescue Me

When: 10am - 2pm, Saturday, 3 October 2015

Where: Bicentennial Park, Glebe Foreshore, Sydney

Tickets: Free entry

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers or “Labs” are one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia and around the world. 

History

Despite what their name might suggest the breed actually originated in Newfoundland in the 1500s. At the time, small water dogs were bred with Newfoundlands to create a breed called the St. John’s Water Dog or Lesser Newfoundland. 

These dogs were owned by fishermen and jumped into icy water to bring back fish that had fallen off the fishing hooks. They would also pull in fish-filled nets. The breed was perfect for these jobs because their coat repelled water and their webbed paws made them excellent swimmers.

The dogs continued to live exclusively in Newfoundland until the early 1800s when they were imported to Poole, England.

Bucceleuch Avon (born 1885, Scotland) is said to be
the ancestor of all English Labradors

The 2nd Earl of Malmesbury had seen the breed in action and immediately brought them home.

Both the Earl and Duke of Malmesbury used them in shooting sports (duck hunting) and began to call them their “Labrador Dogs.” The name stuck and the Earl’s son began breeding the dogs. By 1903, Labradors were recognised by the English Kennel Club.

The breed began to grow in popularity. In the early 1900s, hunters and farmers from the United States learned of the breed’s work ethic and began incorporating “Labs” into their daily lives. The American Kennel Club recognised Labrador Retrievers in 1917 and the breed became a loving pet to many families.

These days Labradors are often trained to become guide dogs for the blind, handicapped assistance dogs and ‘sniffer’ dogs for drugs and arm detection.

Labrador Superpup - Credit: Assistance Dogs Australia

Appearance

Labrador Retrievers are medium to large-sized dogs with sturdy, athletic builds, making them very agile. They come in black, yellow, which is a mutation of the black and a rarer chocolate brown.

They have a broad, clean-cut head with hanging ears and alert, friendly and intelligent eyes. They have thick noses and wide muzzles and strong necks.

Labradors have a double coat: a soft downy undercoat that keeps them dry and warm in cold water and a hard outer coat that helps them repel water, making them excellent water dogs.

• Height: Males: 56-57cm; Females: 54-56cm 
• Weight: 25-34 kg

For the full breed standard, visit the ANKC website.

Temperament

Their temperament is intelligent with a strong will to please his owner. They have a kind nature with no trace of aggression or shyness.

As true family dogs, Labs usually get along well with children are known to be incredibly loyal, loving and active. Because of this, Labs are best suited to homes where they can get plenty of exercise, attention and training.

Health & Lifespan

Labrador Retrievers have three main health problems to watch for: Elbow Dysplasia which is a degenerative disease of the elbow joints; Hip Dysplasia which is a degenerative disease of the hips; over-eating which can lead to dog obesity and this can cause problems with the joints and early onset of canine arthritis.

Elbow and hip dysplasia problems can be avoided by buying dogs from parents that have been x-rayed and cleared of these conditions. 

Overeating can be controlled by maintaining a strict diet and giving your Labrador plenty of regular exercise. 

The average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is 12-14 years.

However a 2018 study led by the University of Sydney has revealed the life expectancy of chocolate Labradors is significantly lower than their black and yellow counterparts!

Recommended for

The ideal owner for a Labrador Retriever is a family because they like to be part of all their activities. They are versatile animals and are also good with elderly people.

For more information, please contact:

Labrador Retriever Club of NSW Inc.
Labrador Retriever Club of QLD
Labrador Retriever Club of Victoria Inc.
The Labrador Retriever Club of SA
Labrador Retriever Club of WA

If you'd like to re-home a Lab, please visit Labrador Rescue Inc.  

Related Topics:

A Labrador dog's colour could impact longevity, increase health problems