*Avanti* Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) I heard Holly's story on the radio over the hot sleepless night last night, I did a search but couldn't see it posted before. If it hasn't already I thought it was worth sharing. :) Mini fox terrier proves 'working dog' status to council officers - ABC Rural (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Mini fox terrier Holly is not much bigger than a well-fed guinea pig, but has fought against discriminatory beliefs and proved to council officers she is a valuable "working dog".Kalangadoo farmer David Smith gets his mini fox terrier 'Holly' to demonstrate her ability as a working dog. Farmer David Smith, from Kalangadoo in South Australia, appealed a letter from his local government that said the tiny canine had to be registered as a house dog. "The registration for farm working dogs is less than your town house dogs, but it was more about the point in question," Mr Smith said. "Holly was gutted when I told her they thought she was only a house dog, so as she slipped into a state of depression. I indicated to her that we'd appeal it." Two council officers were sent out to the farm, to test Holly's ability to move sheep. She passed. Edited December 19, 2015 by LabTested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roova Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 What a great (and funny) story. Sounds like a perfect life for a dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Thanks for sharing. My mums doxie works sheep but she's a bit too mouthy to be trustworthy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 What about a job as ratters, or do only cattle and sheep apply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 :) Good for her! I had a dachsieX many years ago who worked sheep in teh yards/on trucks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roova Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 They must have decided paddock work is the only thing which makes them a working dog? Probably worried people will say my dog was bred to be a guard dog so can I have cheaper registration because they guard my house? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 What about a job as ratters, or do only cattle and sheep apply? For this particular exemption, only stockworking dogs are eligible as far as I am aware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 From what I am aware you have to be a Primary Producer. Our dogs qualify for free registration, but we just open a gate & rattle the lock to get our cows to move to a different paddock. I am not sure if maybe they only qualify if they don't move from off the farm...must look into that one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 They must have decided paddock work is the only thing which makes them a working dog? Probably worried people will say my dog was bred to be a guard dog so can I have cheaper registration because they guard my house? I know she's from SA but in NSW: "working dog" means a dog used primarily for the purpose of droving, tending, working or protecting stock, and includes a dog being trained as a working dog. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/caa1998174/s5.html#working_dog couldn't find similar for SA - don't know the acts well enough but one local council states The Dog and Cat Management Boards definition of a working dog is:The dog in question should be suitably trained and thereafter used primarily for the droving or tending of sheep or cattle and the dog must be used at least 12 times per year for that purpose. ... Dogs registered as a member of any other working dog association, other than the SA Working Sheepdog Association (S.A.W.S.D.A.) or the Kelpie Council Association, may be deemed applicable criteria at the discretion of an Officer of Alexandrina Council. 9. Examples of working breed dogs include: ï‚· Border Collie ï‚· Australian Kelpie ï‚· Australian Cattle Dog ï‚· Maremma Sheepdog ... https://www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Final%20-%20FORM%20for%20working%20dog%20concession.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 It's a bit of a shame that a dog that gets a title in obedience/herding etc doesn't get more of an exemption from councils. Especially as they like to bang on about responsible ownership. I would figure that's a greater gauge than desexing status. I know there is some discount, but it's a bit pathetic on its own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 There appears to be a discount here in nz for "good canine citizens" im looking into it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I don't really understand- is she actually a working dog or not? Any dog can move sheep from one paddock to another but it doesn't necessarily make them a proper working dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 A working dog as far as the council is concerned is a dog that works stock. That ability may need to be demonstrated. So if she can move stock through yards or from one paddock to another and demonstrate control then she is a working dog. I am not sure if our local one only has certain breeds or not?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 So what is a proper working dog? A working dog is one - in this case - who works or moves livestock. If they can and do move livestock then they are a "proper" working dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I heard Holly's story on the radio over the hot sleepless night last night, I did a search but couldn't see it posted before. If it hasn't already I thought it was worth sharing. :) Mini fox terrier proves 'working dog' status to council officers - ABC Rural (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Mini fox terrier Holly is not much bigger than a well-fed guinea pig, but has fought against discriminatory beliefs and proved to council officers she is a valuable "working dog".Kalangadoo farmer David Smith gets his mini fox terrier 'Holly' to demonstrate her ability as a working dog. Farmer David Smith, from Kalangadoo in South Australia, appealed a letter from his local government that said the tiny canine had to be registered as a house dog. "The registration for farm working dogs is less than your town house dogs, but it was more about the point in question," Mr Smith said. "Holly was gutted when I told her they thought she was only a house dog, so as she slipped into a state of depression. I indicated to her that we'd appeal it." Two council officers were sent out to the farm, to test Holly's ability to move sheep. She passed. I heard this too! :laugh: I loved the way he pulled the interviewer up when she was laughing and said it's a serious matter, and how Holly was gutted. :laugh: and she had to prove her working abilty, such a cute story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 That's the point, K. The farmer was having a bit of fun - it is a cute story. : : I think my dogs should qualify as working dogs, too. They work hard at lazing around the house :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 My childhood dog was a corgi x terrier from a pet shop, but because she was always with my parents on the farm she learnt to work cattle quite well. She'd even heel them Really handy to let her out of the ute when you needed a dog in a hurry as opposed to driving the x kms home to collect the working dogs. The fact that she slept on my parents bed every night did nothing to diminish her ability as a good working dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjosa Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Corgis are Welsh cattle dogs, that is what they were bred for to herd cattle, being so fast and low to ground they could avoid being kicked by cattle. I used to show and breed them many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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