Find the perfect companion for you and your family
Breed: Friesian Horse Temperament: Intelligent, trainable Cost: From $7000 Lifespan: 25 years Maintenance: Low Recommended for: Experienced horsepeople Most Australians know Friesians as those black and white dairy cows, but there is another Friesian being seen...
Breed: Guinea pig (Cavy) Temperament: Easily tamed Cost: $10 plus Lifespan: 5-10 years Recommended for: Children and adults Appearance Guinea pigs (also known as cavies) are normally divided into three coat types: Smooth-haired – The short coats are the...
Breed: Rabbits Temperament: Placid & docile Cost: $50 plus Lifespan: 8-12 years Recommended for: Kids & enthusiasts Maintenance: Medium to high While most pet rabbits sold are intended for children, not all are temperamentally suited to being patted,...
Breed: Buffalo Temperament: Usually placid Cost: $300 plus Lifespan: 25 years Recommended for: enthusiasts & farmers There are several kinds of buffalo in the world but the one most people refer to as “Buffalo” is in fact correctly called an American...
Breed: Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) Temperament: Active Cost: $3 – $5 Lifespan: 12 months Recommended for: Beginners to experienced fish breeders Appearance: Adult guppies can be up to 6cm (2.4″) in length, although males are usually only 3.5cm (1.4″)...
Breed: Haflinger Horse Temperament: Calm Cost: From $2000 Lifespan: Up to 40 years Recommended for: Experienced riders A solid, all-round European horse breed seen more frequently in Australia today is the Haflinger, a horse of striking appearance and...
BREED: Ancona TEMPERAMENT: Inclined to flightiness but can be tamed COST: $15 plus LIFESPAN: 8 years (3 years productive) RECOMMENDED FOR: Families & backyards In a few weeks the poultry spotlight will be on a relatively unknown breed of chook from Italy –...
Pet Road Test: The Golden Retriever Breed: Golden Retriever Temperament: Friendly, trusting Lifespan: 13 years Recommended for: Families The Golden Retriever is one of Burke’s Backyards’ top family dogs with a reputation for sound temperament. Appearance:...
Breed: Maremma Temperament: Friendly with family, wary of strangers Lifespan: 10-14 years Maintenance: Low Recommended for: Flock protection These large white dogs are bred to protect flocks, they are friendly to their family but aloof and wary of strangers....
BREED: Griffon Bruxellois (pronounced bruce-ell-waa) TEMPERAMENT: Friendly & outgoing LIFESPAN: 13 years RECOMMENDED FOR: Families, older people MAINTENANCE: Low-medium Following this year’s Academy Awards, the US movie industry has swept a relatively...