Every dog is unique, whether it be their looks or their personality, so we thought you may want to learn a little bit more about the Bega Valley’s new prized pooches.
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The winners of the Bega Valley’s Best Dog Photo Competition gathered on Thursday, July 27 at Short Point, Merimbula.
While there, competition organiser Natalie Martin-Remmert announced the winners and presented the prizes, taking the time to shake every owners’ hand and every dogs' paw.
Each winner was given a personalised trophy thanks to Merimbula Engraving and Trophies as well as dog wash vouches from Pet Barn Mobile Dog Wash Sapphire Coast.
But of course the best prize of all was the bragging rights now associated with knowing each of these owners has one of the best dogs (from a photography point of view) in the Bega Valley.
Once the awards were presented, Mrs Martin-Remmert spent a bit of time with each dog and each owner to learn a little bit more about these cute canines.
While each dog and each owner has a different story to tell, one thing that they all agreed on was that there should be another dog competition next year. What do you think?
Junie, owned by Matt and Kelly Burnett has won the Active Dog Category
Junie was a rescue from Working Dog Rescue in Sydney. Junie was picked up from the streets of Lithgow, skinny and neglected when she was approximately six months old. Junie is an unusual looking dog and her owner’s had her DNA tested to help determine her heritage. The results show she has kelpie, cattle dog, staffy and coolie breeding. Junie’s personality is described as “OUT THERE”. She has a real working dog temperament, and is also very affectionate, probably from the staffy infl uence. She is just a “good little dog” and “chases anything that moves”.
Troy Wilson’s Bruiser, the most deserving winner of the Most Handsome Category.
Bruiser’s owner Troy, was looking for a boxer puppy but then decided to go for a boxer cross. He found Bruiser in Penrith, Sydney almost four years ago as a seven week old puppy. He was brought down to Bega in a semi-trailer, which is fitting, as he now weighs an impressive 54kg’s. Bruiser is described as a “big sook”. He loves being around the horses and chasing mice and Troy says Bruiser’s best personality trait is “he’s all about cuddles”, oh and let’s not forget how handsome he is!
Holly Doyle & Molly, wonder twins, have won the Dogs who look like their owners category.
Holly has owned Molly since she was a puppy and she is now one year old. Holly says “Molly always likes to dress up with me and she loves to come on the trampoline with me and she always likes to play”. Molly is a fox terrier and has a brother in the Doyle house called Rocky. Holly says the best thing about Molly is how playful she is and “she is just my best little friend”.
Hayley Stephens’ entry of her four labradors, Duffy, Cadie, Jingo and Jeda has won her the Best Overall Category.
Hayley is a registered breeder, she takes the dogs to shows and dog trials. Duffy is the first chocolate lab Hayley bought and she is Jingo’s mum. While Hayley was living in Western Australia, the dogs would do pet therapy in the nursing homes, and children’s story time at the local libraries. They are very much community companion dogs and beautifully natured animals. Hayley thinks their best attribute is the placidness. “They are my constant companions, keeping me company while my husband works away as a FIFO worker. They are calm and get on with everybody, very social dogs”.
Paul Morgan’s unforgettable Trolly, winner of the Funniest Dog Category.
The community has been so taken with Troll that there are calls for her to run for Council. Trolley’s owner Paul says “yes I’m sure Trolley definitely has a future in politics. She is very popular in the area and is very community based. She would certainly have enough support from our local Bermagui area, but we may need to pick up a bit more support around Bega and Merimbula. We’ll get on the road and we’ll just start door knocking to pick up that extra bit of support”. Trolley is described as a lovely soft, gentle, lazy dog. She doesn’t really do anything except lay around, eat and sleep. Trolley was Paul’s constant companion while he was very sick 12 years ago and basically laid on the end of his bed for two years. Paul says Trolley is too fat, but she is on arthritis tablets and that gives her the munchies. He says her best attribute is her ability to make them smile and to make us happy.
Trolley would like to say “Thanks for the opportunity to become more famous than I already am. I am “the Troll”....the funniest mut in Bermagui and my owners’ best friend!”
Alan Parbery’s Flea, winner of the Working Dog Category.
Unfortunately Flea was unable to attend the trophy ceremony, as she couldn’t get time off work.. Flea was bred by Brett Rogers, who also had a very strong entry in the working dog category. Flea works on the dairy farm at Candelo. Her main job is rounding up the dairy and beef cows and she also works at home on the weekends. Alan says, “the competition photo depicts her smiley face, that’s the face she makes most of the time when she’s happy.” Flea unfortunately also has a sad face, which she shows every time she is made to hop in the ute under the new canopy. “Maybe the canopy will have to go.” Flea loves to run and sleep and hates cold mornings. Alan describes Flea as exceptionally loyal, intelligent and a very good working dog, “in fact one of the best dogs I’ve had.” Flea spends most of her time not working curled up in her “palace” kennel which is an old converted cubby house.
Teena Burnell’s trio of delightfulness, “MightyMouse, NoopDog and Biffette, were winners of the Cutest Dog Category
The puppies were out of a litter of nine. Teena has kept one of the puppies, Kylo and she was a strong contender in the “most handsome category”. The puppies are American Bulldog cross Bull Arab which is a very uncommon cross. Teena has the mum and dad of the litter at home, the dad weighs in at 56kg and the mum, 36kg. Surprisingly they don’t eat very much, Teena says “they get dried food, chicken necks, coconut oil, eggs and yoghurt, very spoilt.” The bulldog/bull arab cross is a very active, very energetic, high chase dog, but at the same time are very lovable. “They just want to come and sit on your lap.
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You can view the original gallery containing all the competition entries here
Finalist gallery here
Winning gallery here
For more information, please contact Natalie Martin-Remmert on natalie.m-remmert@fairfaxmedia.com.au or call 0447 256 277.