Guide Dog Association Guide Dog Associations are probably best known for providing Guide Dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired. What many people do not know is that in addition to breeding and training Guide Dogs, Guide Dog Associations offer a range of...
Dog Breeds
Heartworm
Heartworm Heartworm disease occurs when infected mosquitoes inject larvae into a dog’s bloodstream. After four to six months the larvae develop into adult worms which grow up to 26cm (10″) long, and live inside the dog’s heart and pulmonary arteries....
Ralph Update
Ralph Update If you thought that there was something missing from this week’s program, you were right. Ralph, the Pug, has had an accident with one of his eyes, and he is now in the care of veterinary surgeon, Dr. Rob Zammit. We crossed to Rob during the show to...
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu Breed: Shih Tzu (pronounced sheed zoo) Temperament: devoted, spirited Maintenance: high Lifespan: 12-14 years Recommended for: older families, apartments History The name Shih Tzu is a Chinese word meaning ‘lion’, but the origin of this...
Swedish Vallhund
Breed: Swedish Vallhund Temperament: active, easy to please Maintenance: low – medium Lifespan: up to 15 years Recommended for: families, active people History Swedish Vallhunds or ‘Vasgotaspets’ as they’re known in Sweden were developed as an...
Thai Ridgeback
Thai Ridgeback Breed: Thai Ridgeback Temperament: independent, shy, cringing Maintenance: low Cost: not available in Australia Recommended for: not recommended History and genetic development The Thai Ridgeback dog is little known to the Western world. It is one of...
Alaskan Malamute
Breed: Alaskan Malamute Temperament: dominant, stubborn, trainable Maintenance: High Lifespan: 11-14 years Recommended for: experienced large dog owners Dumpage rate: high Origins of the breed The Alaskan Malamute’s origins lie in the early Spitz-type dogs that...
Australian Cattle Dog
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog Temperament: loyal, sometimes dangerous Maintenance: low Longevity: 10-13 years Recommended for: active families History There is great debate over the origin of the cattle dog, with stories of its development in both NSW and Queensland....
Basenji
Breed: Basenji Temperament: independent, not easily trained Maintenance: low Lifespan: 12-14 years Recommended for: dedicated dog owners History The history of the breed dates back to the early 1930s, when hunting dogs which were the forerunners of the breed were...

Border Collie
Pet Road Test: The Border Collie Breed: Border Collie Temperament: highly intelligent, friendly Maintenance: high Lifespan: 10-15 years Recommended for: active families Dumpage rate: high History of the Border Collie The Border Collie originated in the Border Counties...
