Maurie Don introduced a new member of the Burke’s Backyard team Maurie, the Pug puppy. He spent his first night in a box beside Don’s bed, so whenever he felt lonely Don was right there to comfort him. Like all puppies, Maurie is a bundle of mischief. He...
Dog Breeds
Problem Dog
Problem Dog Roger the Red Setter is a fun-loving dog, who is also headstrong, easily excited and frantic around guests. Roger rampages through the garden, breaks plants, digs holes, barks incessantly at parrots that visit his backyard, and will not respond to normal...
Ralph Obituary
Ralph Obituary If you thought that something was missing from this week’s program you were right: it was Ralph, the pug. Sadly, Ralph passed away on December 19, 2000. The cause of his death is not known, but it was possibly snakebite. Ralph was born with the...
Tennis Ball Dog
Tennis Ball Dog Monica Wilson wrote to Burke’s Backyard to tell us about Georgia, her black Labrador Retriever. Monica claimed that the dog can hold three tennis balls in its mouth at once! Don visited the Wilson family to see this amazing dog in action. Sure...
Spanador
Breed: Spanador (Cocker Spaniel x Labrador) Temperament: intelligent, active Cost: from $600 Lifespan: 12-14 years Recommended for: active families Maintenance: low Massive mastiffs, tiny terriers and colourful collies. Dogs come in all manner of colours, shapes,...

White Shepherd
Breed: White Shepherd Temperament: intelligent, loyal Maintenance: medium Lifespan:12 years. Recommended for: active people, families with older children History The White Shepherd is similar to the German Shepherd in most respects other than colour. In fact, white...
Shetland Sheepdog
Breed: Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) Temperament: intelligent, alert, easy going Lifespan: 12-16 years Maintenance: medium Recommended for: elderly, dog sport enthusiasts, small yards History The Shetland Islands, for all their beauty, can be a cold and inhospitable...
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Breed: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Temperament: active, exuberant Lifespan: 10 – 14 years Maintenance: medium Recommended for: families History The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an obscure breed whose history is steeped in Irish peasant heritage. Originally...
Australian Working Kelpie
Australian Working Kelpie Breed: Australian Working Kelpie Temperament: very active and intelligent Lifespan: 12 -15 years Maintenance: low (working dog), high (pet) Recommended for: working sheep properties History Australians can be very proud of the Australian...
Black German Shepherd
Breed: Black German Shepherd Temperament: loyal, watchful and self assured Lifespan: 12 – 15 years Maintenance: low (short coat), medium (long coat) Recommended for: obedience enthusiasts, big dog lovers History The origins of the German Shepherd, be it black,...
