France in Focus

The Aussie Shepherd is the most popular breed in France at the moment, which isn't necessarily the best thing for the breed. They are reckoned to have a lifespan of about 12-13 years, though there are plenty of exceptions, including ours. They came from people we knew who breed horses, not dogs !

Bimbo was 15 in September and Sweep was 13 in June. They're half sisters (same father). Sweep was born with elbow dysplasia (probably genetic through her mother) which was confirmed by a specialist vet cabinet she was 6 years old. An operation to reset her upper foreleg transformed her life, but in addition not over-exercising and careful diet has been necessary. Along with the dysplasia, it was found that her forelegs were very arthritic probably since birth.

Our vet says that not over-exercising our dogs and good diet has contributed to their long life. He told us that he had to put down an arthritic 7 year old border collie because the owner had the dog run beside him while he cycled, something I see a lot round here

Here they are on the Cherbourg Peninsula in September :

What such lovelly dogs Blaze.

They look real characters

Lovely photos.

Thank you !! Aussies love human company though can be distant with people they don't know. Ours love everyone and have always got on with other dogs, probably because they have mixed with other dogs, other adults and children since they were pups.

Great photos and great looking dogs, Blaze, I often wonder why I have never had a Collie and think it is because we have always had just what turns up at the right time. Do they go in the sea? Bimbo certainly looks as if she has, all of mine have refused, just run up and down in the shallows waiting for me to emerge.

Beautiful dogs Blaze.

Our two Lab x BC loved the water, but never went to the seaside. But more than water, they loved immersing themselves in gloopy muddy ditches!

Teckels are not fond of water. On the seashore my two (mother and daughter long-haired minis) would run up and down the beach as the waves went in and out. The only way I persuaded the younger one to go in was to carry her out until she was out of her depth, (not far obviously, being a teckel) and then lower her in slowly. Her legs were already 'swimming' before she even got her toes wet!

Beautiful dogs Blaze

[mention]Spardo[/mention] They hate the sea though I suspect it's the waves they find scary. Sweep will happily paddle and jump around in the shallows and they'll both have a little swim in a calm rock pool, but Bimbo definitely won't go into the waves !!!
[mention]Veem[/mention] Our BCs loved the water though we never took them to the sea. Lakes were always fun. I'm not surprised little teckels aren't too keen though !!
Thank you [mention]manonthemoon2[/mention]

My families BC loved water until he misjudged it and went under completely that scared him. They then got a Cocker Spaniel the problem was getting him out of the water