Moving To The Pilbara

[mach1901]

I am considering taking a job in Port Hedland and hence moving the Port/South Hedland and reading a few things on the net I am after some advice on living with my Border Collies in the Pilbara. From what I have read ticks are REALLY bad and I currently only have mine on Advantix. Some sites are saying the dogs will suffer really badly in the heat (maybe a benefit I am looking at moving in June/July) and that worms are also a real problem. Any one living in the area...advice would be appreciated.

From what my research has shown is that there seems to be a good vet practice there and a dog club for obedience and agility. Any comments on these would also be appreciated as my 14 month older Border is a mid ranked in his obedience training and also about to start agility here on the east coast. Also, does anyone think I am insane for planning on driving from Sydney to Port Hedland with the dogs as the older one has never flown??

Comments appreciated

[:ange:]

Prepare to feel isolated yourself.. We were living in Perth and at times it felt pretty isolated! I haven't lived there myself so I don't know about ticks/worms. WA from what I know do not have paralysis tick which is the main one for concern. Bush Ticks are around if you regularly walk your dogs in scrub, although I took my Short Haired dogs on fairly scrubby/coastal walks and never once came accross one!!

I think they would get used to the heat as long as you were able to provide them somewhere to get out of it when it was really hot!

[Dogsfevr]

We board alot of dogs from up there.

Ticks area massive issue.

vet bills are insanely expensive so if your dogs are due to be vaccinated which i would advise as there is a higher aboriginal population with local dogs roaming then get it done before you get there,also stock up on tick stuff or buy over the net.

depending on what you feed premium dry is also $$$$$ .

yes it is very hot up there & the greater majority of dogs are inside dogs or the owners have gone to alot of trouble to provide specific shade for coolness due to the excessive long heat.even now the temps av 36/38 so winters arent very cool.many perth people head up there for the warmth in winter.

I now the club up there runs shows & trials,very small numbers but they survive

[Scarlet]

I've lived in the Kimberley with a border collie and if you're sensible then they are fine. We also had a staffy mix who did cope with the heat better and friends had cattle dogs who seemed to thrive on the heat!

Exercise in the early morning or late at night with lots of shade and water available (preferably to sit in) during the day.

Unfortunately swimming spots were in short supply.

Ticks were a big problem but they are only cattle ticks and not paralysis ticks. I never saw a flea!

You still have to treat with washes, advantix etc but cattle ticks are only a real problem when in huge numbers on the dog or if the dog is old/ young/sick.

I don't think Headland has paralysis ticks but a local vet could tell you.

We travelled from Sydney to Derby with 4 children and a dog in a non airconditioned car in February.

We made it so you shouldn't have a problem.

Accommodation is in short supply so will you have a (fenced) yard?

That would concern me more than the heat.

[Golden Rules]

Accommodation is in short supply so will you have a (fenced) yard?

That would concern me more than the heat.

Yes, accommodation is very hard to find.

I have friends in Karratha which is south of Port headland (and slightly cooler) and their cats and dogs live inside with the airconditioning on all day.

It can be a lonely existance as well, depends on what you like to do outside of work hours.