Search Results for: blog the history of the australian cattle dog

A Report on the Dog Days Festival

It was big doings for dogs in Nashville this weekend. It was the annual Dog Days Festival at Centennial Park, which celebrated Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and benefited the Nashville Humane Association. Of course we took Murphy. And I’m kicking myself because I forgot my camera. (Better to forget that than to forget Murph, though!) There was tons to take pictures of. I’ll try my best to paint the scene with words. Who let the dogs out? Price of admission was $5 per person (dogs got in free). The “festival grounds” was a frenzy of four-legged furry friends and … Continue reading →

Figuring Out What Fido Is: Doggie DNA Tests

About a month ago Murph and I ran into a neighbor, Marlene, and her dog Zeus. Zeus is a very big dog (I want to say in the 100 pound range) and a mix of some sort. Maybe Saint Bernard, maybe Newfoundland, maybe even Lab. Marlene’s not quite sure…but she now has a way to find out. Unlocking The Genetic Safe to Determine a Dog’s Breed She told me about a company called MetaMorphix that sells a DNA testing kit specifically designed to determine a dog’s breed. It’s called the Canine Heritage Breed Test. You order the kit online (costs … Continue reading →

“What Kind of Dog Is That?”: Why I Love My Pound Hound

The path at Concord Park, Brentwood, TN Looks like Punxsutawney Phil was on the money with his prediction of an early spring. At least for us here in Nashville. Last Saturday, February 17th, we had snow that melted on the streets, froze, and caused black ice catastrophes all over town that night and into the next morning. Before that, temperature highs had hovered in the thirties, thus making taking Murph for longer walks unpleasant. (At least for me. For him, the colder the better. He stalls, both in his stride and withholding on doing his “Doo”ty so he can stay … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Feb 19-25

Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, and Ash Wednesday … ah, there was a lot going on in the “real world” last week, but what about in the Pets Blog? Miss anything? If so, here’s a recap of what Aimee and myself covered: Monday, February 19 Monday was Presidents’ Day. What better way to pay respect Pets Blog style than with a virtual trip to the Presidential Pet Museum to Hail the Resident Pets in Chief? (Of the many interesting facts I learned, the one that struck me the most was how pet-friendly our Leaders in Chief are or have been. Only … Continue reading →

The History of the Australian Cattle Dog

It is known by many names –Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heelers, and Queensland Heeler– and there is some dispute about which breeds were ultimately responsible for its development. The only thing where there’s no room for debate is about where it originated: Australia. Origins The Australian Cattle Dog is a newer breed of dog. They are the result of early Australian settlers needing dogs to help them tend their livestock. The dogs they brought with them from the British Isles, Smithfields, weren’t suited to Australia’s terrain, nor were their dispositions entirely suited to herding (they bit too hard and made too … Continue reading →

Komondor

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If you’ve ever watched a dog show, you may have noticed a few breeds out there with corded coats. The Komondor is one of them. The dense, corded coat is a main characteristic of the breed. As a puppy, the Komondor has a soft, curly coat. As the dog grows, the cords start to form but may be hidden in the fluffy, uncorded hair. The adult Komondor has a double coat — a softer, wooly undercoat and a wiry outer coat. The outer coat cords naturally by the age of two; the length of the cords is indicative of the … Continue reading →

Gearing Up for Puppy Bowl IV

That’s right. It’s that time of year again. Time for what’s become a pre-Super Bowl tail-gating tradition in our house: watching Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. And it’s the team of frisky pups getting their game on that truly puts the “tail” in tail-gating! This year’s “Starting Line-up” Which of the 33 puppies will be able to hang in there for the duration of the game? Who’s got the moves to go the distance? There’s no telling until the hounds are let loose on the field, but here’s this year’s contenders: Abigail (Jack Russell Terrier) Jack (Mini Dachshund) Attucker (Beagle) Jackson … Continue reading →

Snuggling Up With Quilter, Author, and Pet Lover Annette Mahon

Photo of Libby and Annette Mahon provided courtesy of Ms. Mahon and used with her permission. If you have not had the pleasure of reading any of the dozen titles (mystery and romance) penned by author Annette Mahon, let me take the chance to introduce you to a multi-talented woman with an affinity for animals. In addition to loving her three-year-old Australian Shepherd Libby and writing, Ms. Mahon also quilts and commutes between Arizona and Hawaii (both of which are settings for many of her books). She was gracious enough to entertain my questions about how Libby fits in with … Continue reading →

Shopping for Father’s Day Gifts for Wayne from the Pets

Yesterday I wrote about Murphy, Kitty, and Tabby’s dilemma over what to get Wayne for Father’s Day. Like I mentioned, I sort of already have in mind what I want to get him, but I’d also like to give him a little something especially from the “kids.” The trouble is, that’s hard. At Christmas, I lucked out and found the “Dog Dad” and “Dog Mom” shirts at Personal Creations. I hopped all over that and got him a “Murphy’s Dad” shirt for Christmas. But finding something from the cats and/or Murphy that’s specialized like that? Hard. If he was a … Continue reading →

Awards, Bodyguards, and Weimaraners: An Interview With Christy Tillery French

Christy Tillery French claims she always loved writing but then “life got in the way (I got married and had two kids) and didn’t begin writing again until I started my own business and during unbusy periods would write to amuse myself. Before I knew it, I had written five novels….” An interesting way to start on a track that has brought her many acclaims, including Who’s Who recognition on lists like Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women (just to name a couple), a 2006 Reviewers’ Choice Award, and a Maxwell Award nomination. Oh, and she’s … Continue reading →