Portuguese Water Dog in Lagos, Algarve

On this weekend in Lagos there was the 1º Dog show of Portuguese Water Dog and 1º Trial of Portuguese Water Dog in Lagos organized by Câmara Municipal de Lagos, Clube de Caçadores de Lagos, Associação para Protecção do Cãe de Água Português and Clube Português de Canicultura.

On Saturday I took Brad to the dog show and has a Golden Retriever he made the delights of those who pet and give him attention.

On Sunday I took Teco, that has an Australian Shepherd pass all morning trying to join the other dogs in retrieving objects from the water

Being trials of resistance and obedience, there are quite difficult and they were done in a sunny day and Algarve calm waters, so I can only imagine the difficult in ruff sea. But definitely is a delight to see this dogs diving and swimming with all the joy and practice of the breed.

In the end we went to a lunch were the prizes were given and the will of continue to protect and support the Portuguese Water Dog was declared.

Lisbon and Mediterrânea dog show with our Aussies

On this weekend we made our bags and went with our colleagues of Canine Training Centre of Lagos to the dog show of Lisbon and Mediterrânea.

It was an exhaustive weekend, where we pass through very tiring and complicated moments, like the one spent in the Monsanto camping site where no one slept because of the lack of consideration of the young people that shout and drink all night.

Since it was the biggest dog show of the year it was complicated to park, lift our numbers and go to the vet inspections. But I have to give congratulations to the organization, that this year put a lot of shading places and we were able to have our dogs in decent conditions of the sun.

Also the effort to keep the schedules and the exhibitors organized was remarkable.

All my Australian Shepherd deserve congratulations, since they all received excellent classifications, specially for the handling, physical conditions and coat condition.

My Australian Shepherd Lisbon dog show results:

• Teco: C.A.C.
• Angel: 1º place in Intermédia
• Cookie: excellent

Next some photos of the presentation:

In this dog show we also had the chance to make the eye exams to Bri and Angel, and the results are available in our website.

O CIC Lagos also went to the obedience trial in Campo Grande, where achieved the 1º and 3º place with the team, Steven Dunn - Jutunheim Pippin and Steven Dunn - Stebara Indi.

Other activities:

• Demos in VI Animal Show


• Herding with an Australian Shepherd SummerDogCamp 2010


• 115th and 116th Lisbon International Dog Show


• CNEMA 2010 - Portuguese Breeds and Agility !


• Spring Trophy – Agility Alenquer


• Belém - First Agility Experience


• Obedience Competition in Lagos 2009


• International Dog Show of Santarém 2009


• Scruffts 2009
• 
  
• Lisbon International Dog Show 2009


• Portie and Aussies in Algarve Dog Show
• 
  
• Obedience 100 Secrets


• Obedience Seminar


• Agility Workshop


• Cookie achieved Excellent in Obedience Class I


• Dog Show Int Vila Franca Xira 2009


• Workshop in Dog Behaviour on Educacão


• Dog Show Int Norte 2009


• Dog show Sousel 2008


• Teco acomplished Excelent in Obedience class I


• International Dog Show of Estoril


• Australian Shepherd in Herding Training Curse by Educacão


• Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Sweet Fair at Lagos


• Angel and Teco, the two ambassador of our family


• Canine demonstration in Externato da Torraltinha


• Aussies and Golden in Dog Show at Elvas 2008
• 
  
• Herding with our Australian Shepherd in Montemor-oNovo


• Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, on the 5º Journey


• In school with our Australian Shepherd

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Two Golden Retriever in Monchique

Two Golden Retriever in Monchique, Algarve

Me, Brad and Bri, my Two Golden Retriever, in Monchique, Algarve

On this weekend I decided to take my two Golden Retriever, Brad and Bri, in a trip, since on the next weekend I will be all into Australian Shepherd presentation at Lisbon and Mediterranea dog show.

So after some indecision about the place to visit some how the road lead us to Monchique.

And I must say, what a city ! Lovely, so green and full of nice restful parks and green gardens. We almost could say we weren’t in Algarve or we were in some kind of oasis.

Our two Golden Retriever were very well received by the people and recede lots of complement, so a big reward for us. My son had a lovely time in the children play areas and love the flours, green gardens and of course water nora.

So a really nice place to visit in Algarve with a nice changing of sceneries.

The history of Monchique goes back to roman times, where the Romans were attracted by the thermal waters.
The development of the town was attributed to the growth of the wool and flax mills; and to the Chestnut tree saw mills.

In the end of our visit we had a mandatory stop in the famous Terms of Monchique, just to have look into this delight of peace.

Other trips and travel:

• Dog trekking to a museum


• Dog trekking in Almada


• Dog Trekking in Serra de Sintra


• Alcochete - goldens and aussies


• Economic Trips with Dogs


• An Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach


• An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island


• Dogs in Meia Praia


• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie


• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd


• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres


• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal


• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos


• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

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New pet on the house …

You guess it ! I have another one … but this time of a different specie.

We got a Guinny Pig, witch we gave the name of Fofinho (Flufy) and it is my son “sleeping companion”, since it is more of his size and strength.

Ok ! The idea come from my son asking a replacement for his hamster that died some time ago. I was a little bit unwilling, but we got an agreement, he will sleep always in his room and I would get him a little friend to make him company.

Well, this was about three weeks ago and until now the deal is on !

Like every house shared by domestic “wolfs” and their “preys” some cares were taken and in any time they are near each other.
Even with the cage I decided to have a strong one, just in case an accident will occur.

Until now I must admit the creature is quite lovely and the special taste for vegetable and fruits give us pleasure and of course the need to interact with him.
After the first two days of being afraid and wondering if he was going to be dog/people food, he is now at home and already comes and asks for his treats.

How I teach my dog to release in the proper place

In the current society, where people struggle for the rights to have dogs and live in the middle of other people, I think it is time to make some adjustments to old ideas.

There are several solutions that provide a simple, clean way to have dogs and don’t offend neighbours or even to have problems in taking the dog out. Beginning with the simple bag to pick up the droppings and going to the use of litter boxes.

For my point of view, for those who live in the middle of cities and work long hours, the litter box is the ideal solution. Not only provides the place where the dog can go in our absence, but also provides a clean way to have dogs. This is the future solution for all dog owners !

Like one vendor says in his website: "No matter the delay, problem or emergency your doggie will always have a clean, safe place to do their business... and no more "accidents" for you to clean-up!"

To train the dog to use the method of the litter box is quite easier then to demand for him to wait until we arrive home. Just attention of the owner and quick way in putting the puppy in the proper place when he starts to go to the release position, is enough to teach him.
Don’t forget that each dog is different, and for some it is quite a simple thing to learn, but for others just persistence, patience and even our effort to get up several times at night will teach the puppy the right way.

Every time we go to the street we must not only take the proper bags to pick up the droppings, but also to try to take the dogs to places where we don’t bother anyone … a difficult task in the middle of cities.

Remember that puppies take some time to develop the control of their physical needs and hit or punish the puppy doesn’t solve that. Patience and most of the time just the timing to avoid accidents is the best solution. If he can’t hold all night, then restrict the space and get up 3 or 5 times until he can.

Some useful websites:

• Pet a Potty
• Wiz Dog

Angel and Teco, the two ambassador of our family

Our two Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, this month, have worked hard to show what this breed can work.


Tecoin his amazing temperament and kindness has worked once more in a demonstration with children at the school of Vila do Bispo

and in two demonstrations in CIC Lagos center..

Angel showed twice her abilities in the Agility track at demonstrations to our municipal vets of Portimão and Lagos in CIC Lagos center.

All this demonstrations and school visits were provided by CIC Lagos – Canine Training Center of Lagos.



Other activities:

• Demos in VI Animal Show


• Herding with an Australian Shepherd SummerDogCamp 2010


• 115th and 116th Lisbon International Dog Show


• CNEMA 2010 - Portuguese Breeds and Agility !


• Spring Trophy – Agility Alenquer


• Belém - First Agility Experience


• Obedience Competition in Lagos 2009


• International Dog Show of Santarém 2009


• Scruffts 2009
• 
  
• Lisbon International Dog Show 2009


• Portie and Aussies in Algarve Dog Show
• 
  
• Obedience 100 Secrets


• Obedience Seminar


• Agility Workshop


• Cookie achieved Excellent in Obedience Class I


• Dog Show Int Vila Franca Xira 2009


• Workshop in Dog Behaviour on Educacão


• Dog Show Int Norte 2009


• Dog show Sousel 2008


• Teco acomplished Excelent in Obedience class I


• International Dog Show of Estoril


• Australian Shepherd in Herding Training Curse by Educacão


• Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Sweet Fair at Lagos


• Lisbon and Mediterrânea dog show with our Aussies


• Canine demonstration in Externato da Torraltinha


• Aussies and Golden in Dog Show at Elvas 2008
• 
  
• Herding with our Australian Shepherd in Montemor-oNovo


• Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, on the 5º Journey


• In school with our Australian Shepherd

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>> Go back to the Home page of the Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog blog <<

A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd

Me, my son and Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in São Domingos Mines

On this weekend me, my son and my Australian Shepherd, Teco went to visit some friends in the little-known fluvial rural town of São Domingos Mine.

Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in São Domingos Mines

The trip was a long one, since we are more then 2 hours drive distance. But for sure it is worth it, since the peaceful town and quite fresh waters, gave to us an excellent day.

Me, my son in São Domingos Mines

A little information about this town:

Me, my son and Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in a visit to the mines

This town has been now renovated and has to offer five stars accommodation, a well signal visit to the mines ruins and restaurants with traditional gastronomy.




For those who don’t like the heavy tourist season, the month of July and August are a big No, since its terribly full of people. But in the remaining year is a lovely very quite town to visit and if you are lucky with the weather then you will be all day enjoying the quite waters.


The mines were exploited initially by the Romans. They were re-discovered in the middle of the XIX century and functioned until the mid-XX century, under concession to an English company. To stress the importance of the mines, James Mason, one of the partners in the business, received titles of the nobility from Dom Luís and Dom Carlos, namely those of Baron of Pomarão, Viscount of Mason of São Domingos and Count of Pomarão.

Other trips and travel:

• Dog trekking to a museum


• Dog trekking in Almada


• Dog Trekking in Serra de Sintra


• Alcochete - goldens and aussies


• Economic Trips with Dogs


• An Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach


• An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island


• Dogs in Meia Praia


• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie


• Two Golden Retriever in Monchique


• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres


• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal


• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos


• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

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>> Back to Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog Blog Homepage <<

New article: Dogs and children

On the 1 of June we celebrated the Children Day and I choose to publish an article about what I do regarding taking care of my dogs and children.

A) Bring a Dog to a family with children

B) Children and strange dogs on the street

C) Bring a baby into a family with dogs

To read the article click here or see our website

How an Australian Shepherd came to my life

How an Australian Shepherd came to my life

The decision to keep an Australian Shepherd was more driven by love then by rationality.

But let star by the beginning. A friend at a time ask me to keep a small Aussie until a owner would be found for the puppy.


As a favor I accept her request and driven by curiosity I start to google search what was the characteristics of the breed. I would have to stay that I was scare by what I read and my first feeling was to help this friend to find has soon as possible an owner to the puppy.
I have to add that the main thing that scare me was the time needed to take care of this working breed and the tendency that they had for destruction when didn’t get the attention.
At the time I was out of home about 12 hours a day, so for my point of view was quite impossible to fill the Australian Shepherd request for attention.


When Teco came my first thought was that he seamed a pom-pom or a teddy bear all full of fluffy hair. I carefully introduce him to the two Golden Retriever that I had, since it would be their task to take care of him when I was away at work.

This small Australian Shepherd was a patience test, since he was full of energy and every thing was good to play, steal and start a game (see this story that I did at the time).
But little by little this little Aussie enter my heart with is adoration eyes, will to play and always good mode that made me laugh.

The games and little commands that I started to teach him were always eager and joyfully accepted. He was always hoping, asking and happy for a little of attention and always giving a big reward with is happiness, following me everywhere.

Also it isn’t a breed that drives away when call. Wanting and keeping always close to the owner when in big walks and giving his full attention in training or in games.

Well after about two months I was surrender to this puppy and for my big happiness my friend allowed me to keep the little Aussie and he becomes my working companion.

Teco today I considered my DOG, the one that I trust and enjoy to take every place with me. He only fails a little in that period of the females when his male hormones speak louder … but oh well a men thing …



After three Australian Shepherd later and big changes in my life, I still consider that a Australian Shepherd is a dog for a special owner. I don’t personally advise easily an Australian Shepherd and requests a lot for possible owners.

What happens when you have one toy and 5 playing dogs ?

I am lucky to have such wonderful four leg family of Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd.

In the video below you can see why I think that way ….