Last Week – Canberra Show
Well last (weekend of the 23rd of Feb) week we went to the Royal Canberra Agriculture Show – a bit like the Show in Sydney at Easter time, but a lot smaller, but I believe more fun. All the same rides and show bags but less people and the entry fee is about half the price. Of course there was no horses on show due to last years equine flu but over all we had an enjoyable day.
Another reason for going is that at home we have been discussing what type of dog we should get and approx 3 months ago I found a breed which seems to have ticked all the boxes – and we had been in contact with a breeder of them, as luck would have it she was going to be at the show, so we met her and she introduced us to her dogs which we believe will be the perfect dog for us, so hopefully come April there will be one for us. For those that do not know here is a bit on the Swedish Vallhund from Wikipedia “The Swedish Vallhund is a breed of dog. It is believed that the Swedish Vallhund distinguished itself during the age of Vikings, more than 1,000 years ago. Known as the “Viking dog”, the Vallhund were bred to herd cattle, catch vermin (such as rats), and guard the home. The Vallhund were also referred to as “the little cattle dog of the Vikings”.
Lynsey on the cop motor bike
Alyssa and I on the ferris wheel
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Great choice of dog!
However, to provide them with a good home and get the best from a Val you need to know just a couple of things.
They are VERY active and you must provide a LOT of fast exercise, they just love to blat.
Next, they hate being left alone, AT ALL. They will be your best mate and provide a lot of real love but they do need you as a 24/7 friend.
Please don’t lock your Valhund outside, (at night we sleep ours in the garage adjoining the house), they are an indoor outdoor pet. They have many Cat characteristics in that they will sit on your lap (dare I say they would leap at the chance to sleep with you). The upside is they are as clean as a cat and are fastidious about washing themselves.
We have a 2 1/2 year old and got her at 12 months after she was abused by her previous owner (by the way they don’t have owners, they own you in their mind and are VERY intelligent and quick learners).
Even our little girl became a member of our small family (2 horses, 6 cows Molly and me and her), very quickly. With lots of love and affection they are really a very great companion but they do demand a lot of attention.
Without it they just become quite depressed.
Known as the Clown Dog sometimes, (they will do anything for attention) they excel at agility, tricks and duties. Our Molly brings in the paper from the gateway in all weather every night, trys to help with the cows but does more damage than help (but she thinks it’s fun).
Hope you enjoy your Val but do give her as much if not more then she gives you. They are terribly sensitive little animals.
Cheers
March 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
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