Pet Supplies and Product Reviews

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is known for his loyalty, trustworthiness, intelligence and affinity for people. These qualities have helped make the German Shepherd Dog one of the most popular breeds of companion dog throughout the world. HISTORY As the name suggests, the German Shepherd Dog originated in Germany where it evolved from herding dogs that were used to tend and protect sheep. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed, dating back to 1899, and he owes his existence to one man: Captain Max von Stephanitz, a career captain in the German cavalry with a goal of creating a German breed that would be unmatched as a herding dog. The dogs were recognised as being excellent guard and attack dogs and were used by the police and the military. Consequently, there were 48,000 Shepherds enlisted in the German army during the First World War. After the First World War English owners changed the name to Alsatian because nobody wanted to be associated with anything German. However, now ...

Spring has finally arrived! And with it, come seasonal allergies…  There are primarily two types of dog allergies: food allergies and environmental allergies . If your dog gets itchy during spring, summer or autumn, he's probably reacting to seasonal, environmental allergens. But if symptoms continue all year round, then it is more likely that his sensitivity has something to do with either his environment or his diet. Unfortunately just like people, dogs can show allergic symptoms when their immune systems begin to recognise certain everyday substances - or allergens - as dangerous. Even though these allergens are common and harmless to most animals, a dog with allergies will have an extreme reaction to them. Allergens can be problematic when inhaled, ingested or come in contact with a dog’s skin. These allergens normally include mould and mildew, pollen, and dust mites . As his body tries to rid itself of these substances, a variety of skin, digestive and respiratory symptoms may...

Top Dogs: A Celebration of Great Australian Working Dogs  by  Angela Goode A unique celebration of our remarkable Aussie working dogs, illustrated with photographs taken by the people who love them. Ask anyone who lives and works on the land and they will tell you that a good working dog is the heart and soul of rural life. Working dogs can't be downsized, upgraded, outsourced or made into an app. They are just top dogs - agile and energetic, heroic and hardworking, loyal and loveable. In this joyous tribute to Australia's working dogs, people all over the country share their favourite stories and photos of the incredible dogs that make such a huge difference to their lives each day. These cheerful workaholics are celebrated in tales of heroism, extraordinary intuition, unflagging dedication and intelligence. Top Dogs is a celebration of these irrepressible four-legged companions who greet each day with enthusiasm and a wagging tail. RRP: A$33.95 from www.booktopia.com.au Cl...

This is the true story of a little dog who had adventure in his heart and the rattle of the rails in his soul. In the early days of the railway, when shiny new tracks were opening vast areas of Australia, there was an adventurous dog, who was part of it all. As the tracks were being laid he was there on the train - riding in his favourite spot on top of the Yankee engine. Everyone knew him. He was Bob the Railway Dog . This scruffy German Collie was born in 1882 with four seriously itchy paws. At just nine months old, Bob left his home at the Macclesfield Hotel, South Australia, and began his canine career as a hitchhiker on railway locomotives - often taking himself on interstate trips and being welcomed everywhere by friendly train crews. Peterborough History Group chair, Heather Parker says Bob the Railway Dog - as he was later known, was adored throughout his home state and beyond. "He had a wonderful temperament and loved people, particularly the engine drivers," she ...

He was only a pup when they found him: half-starved, white coat filthy and jumping with fleas, and stumpy little legs that reminded Jim Moody of the terriers he'd seen rabbiting on farms back in Australia. Maybe the pup reminded him of home, a safer place where people kept pets. Or maybe the pup had enough personality to con Moody to take him back to camp. Either way, the little dog and the little Digger were soon inseparable. It was Egypt, 1940 . Moody was a despatch rider with the 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion in the desert war.  The soldiers weren't supposed to take in strays as pets but for Moody's crew, rules were for bending. Moody wasn't overawed by officers. He was nearly 30, originally came from Brighton and had coxed a rowing crew at Scotch College. He'd been a jackaroo before the war and had knocked around a lot.  The little dog should have been called Lucky but for some now-forgotten reason they called him Horrie. He grew strong on pilfered army rations, was...

Dogs are special members of our families and October 4 at the Rosny Farm in Tasmania is a day to dedicated them. Featuring agility competitions, dress-ups, visiting vets and much more, this annual  Dogs Day Out also offers a barbecue and live music to entertain the whole family. The Poochibald Art Prize will be a feature of the 2015 event. Works from artists such as Hazel Howie will be on display in the Schoolhouse Gallery. Poochibald Prize 2015 First came The Archibald Prize; awarded annually to the best portrait, ‘preferably of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia’ . The Bald Archy Prize was founded in 1994, designed to ‘avoid discrimination by those afraid of a cultural image,’ and has become significant in its irreverence. Now in 2015, Clarence City Council revisits its own tongue-in-cheek interpretation of this great Australian prize. The Poochibald Prize features paintings, drawings and prints ...

Individual dogs, like people, misbehave in their own unique ways. Sometimes this is tied to breeding. Some dogs, like coonhounds, were bred to be very vocal. It’s therefore not really the dog’s fault that it has a predisposed drive to loudly howl. In fact, under the right situations, that behaviour is desired. However, surveys still show that certain behavioural problems are common among all dogs, no matter the breed. This list mentions the most common problems as reported by dog owners: #1. Jumping up Jumping on people is a simple problem to rectify. It can and should be rectified as few people like a dirty dog jumping on them. Also many children are injured by unruly dogs jumping up, and the elderly are also at risk. #2. Barking Dogs bark as we speak, a certain amount of barking for the right reason is a plus but your dog should be taught what is and what is not acceptable barking. Dogs bark at the doorbell for any number of reasons. They could be excited or anxious about visito...

Some of our most beautiful and useful plants are deadly to our pets (cats as well as dogs), so it pays to be aware of the risks and keep your pets well away from them. This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Please note that the information contained this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a spotlight on the most frequently encountered plants. We recommend fencing off potentially dangerous plants from puppies and kittens especially. Be very wary of pups and kittens near any indoor plant, and any cut flowers (especially liliums for cats). Try to train your pets not to chew any garden plants or indoor plants. If you suspect a plant has made your pet ill, don’t delay – take it straight to the vet, along with a sample of the plant, for identification.   If you think your pet has ingested a toxic plant, it may be a medical emergency so please call your local veterinaria...