Find the perfect companion for you and your family
Breed: Scottish Fold Temperament: loving, inactive Maintenance: low (shorthair), medium (longhair) Cost: from $500 Lifespan: 10-15 years Recommended for: units, elderly, couch potatoes History In 1961 a white kitten, just one of a litter of farm kittens, was born in a...
Some people say that the feral horses of Australia, the brumbies, are nothing more than vermin damaging our national parks. These wild horses are supposedly stupid, badly conformed animals that can’t be trained, and so many of them are shot and end up in cans of...
Breed: Siamese Temperament: demanding and lively Cost: $250+(pet), $500+(show) Lifespan: 12-17 years Maintenance: low Recommended for: anyone who loves cats, home units History As the name implies, the Siamese origins lie in a south-east Asian country once called...
Lizzie’s Lumps Scott Cam was very worried when he discovered a large lump on his dog, Lizzie. Lizzie is the site manager on Backyard Blitz. The lump suddenly appeared on her front leg, and grew at a tremendous rate. Scott took Lizzie to see the Burke’s...
Sexing Peewees While filming a segment for Burke’s Backyard, Don noticed a pair of peewees foraging in his garden. Peewee (Grallina cyanoleuca) The peewee or Australian magpie-lark is also known as the mudlark, because it builds its nest from mud. The mud nest...
Breed: Tonkinese Temperament: affectionate and curious Lifespan: up to 15 years Maintenance: low Recommended for: families or anyone who likes friendly felines. History Once called the Golden Siamese, the Tonkinese is in fact a hybrid of Burmese and Siamese breeds....
Meeting People with Dogs If you have trouble making friends, our resident scientist, Graeme Quirk, suggests that you get a dog. Recent research at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom showed that dogs can act as powerful social catalysts, making it easier...
Soccer Budgie Don visited Mervyn and Sally Abrams and their amazing budgie, Beau. Beau uses his cage as a home base, but from 7am to 7pm he has free range of the house. He starts by having breakfast with Merve and Sally, helps them to do a crossword or two, then goes...
Obese Dog Ricky, a smooth-haired, standard Dachshund, is about 15kg overweight. He is just one of the many fat dogs that veterinarian, Dr Rob Zammit, has seen in his clinic lately. Rob has put Ricky on very restricted food rations, with access to water at all times....
Breed: Chinese Silkie Chicken Temperament: docile, easy to handle Cost: $20 – $120 each Lifespan: 9 years Maintenance: low Ideal owner: great for kids, novices and fowl enthusiasts History Chinese Silkies are believed to have originated in Asia, although despite...