Thompson at the beach.

Coat colours in cattle dogs.

The usual colour for a cattle dog is red or 'blue' but there are some uncommon variations - though not acceptable in the show ring, some are rather attractive.

In many dog breeds 'blue' is used to describe a black coat color that has been diluted to a slaty grey, an effect of the dilution gene. In cattle dogs the 'blue' is a grey appearance that is the result of the even dispersion of whites and black hair through the coat, an effect of the ticking gene.

More research is being done in the field of coat color genetics, and as more information is gathered more of the 'unknowns' are becoming 'known' .

A chocolate brown cattle dog.

A white ACD with some ticking and a black eye patch.

An extreme example of mottling.

This little girl is yellow.

This ACD has a well defined saddle.

In the news ...

Scientists at the University of NSW who have been working with border collie breeders to find the genetic cause of a rare inherited brain disorder, have announced that they have identified the genetic mutation responsible. Dogs affected with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis show increasingly severe physical and mental symptoms as their brains degrade and they rarely survive beyond two to three years old. The physical symptoms differ from breed to breed, Bulldogs first show gait problems, the first sign in Miniature Shnauzers is visual problems.

The breakthrough means a test will soon be available to screen for the disease in border collies and stop if from being passed on. DNA tests have previously been available for English Setters and American Bulldogs.

Known as Batten Disease, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses is thought to be one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in humans, but it remains an unsolved mystery today, a puzzling disease that assures its victims of only one consistent manifestation...early death.
Batten may affect persons of any age, but primarily affects infants, toddlers and school age children, beginning unexpectedly and leading to a progressive loss of brain function that later destroys bodily functions, eventually leaving the victim totally helpless.

A melamine whelping box.
A nice piece of craftmanship with oak connectors and trim.

Rosie's pregancy is progressing well.
Murray is building her a whelping box. I sent this example to inspire him, but he thought council building codes might be a problem.