Our Background

The dogs L/R Jack, Stella, Ruby & Bazil

All my dogs are first and foremost much loved members of my family who share my home and it's furniture - so it's sometimes hard to find a seat in my house!  I'll never breed for financial gain nor will I breed from unhealthy dogs. I only breed when I plan to keep a puppy myself for show and/or work.

I've lived with family dogs all my life and am a qualified dog behaviourist.  I still attend workshops, seminars and the like whenever I can to keep up to date with developments in this area.  I specialise in the effect of emotion on behaviour; assess each dog as an individual and never use harsh methods.  All my methods are kind and based on "true" dog psychology.  That means no quick fixes but "paced" progress.  I have a real problem with quick fix solutions often seen on television (ie Cesar Milan, Victoria Stillwell) as these profess to correct behaviours in a matter of hours which, of course, is never the case!  The world of dog behaviour has come a long way in the last 20 years.  I find it sad that many practitioners are still using the old, "pack theory" methods of behaviour modification as this has been found to be based on flawed science and can do more harm than good.  Modern dog behaviourists will use kind and positive methods to help rebuild confidence and thus rekindle the relationship between owner and dog! 


Jack loves to pose for the camera!
   
Prior to becoming involved with dogs, I spent time working as a freelance journalist and then found myself working in the world of politics and spin-doctoring!!!  I held a very high profile job in PR in Scotland - working for the Scottish Government. The job was very demanding on me both mentally and physically so I decided to leave and set up my own business doing something I loved.  I then became a professional dog walker and learned about lots of differents breeds of dogs - hands on!!  Jack, my wild working cocker joined my canine family in 2002!! He's now 7 but he'll always be the tiny puppy I brought home on a cold November afternoon - that promptly terrorised Meggie and Bazil (my 2 rescue dogs!) and quickly gained his place as top dog with them. We call him the Social Worker because he maintains order in the house.  I don't think Meg and Baz realised what hit them when he came to live with us!!! Sadly Megan passed away on Boxing Day 2008.  She was a fabulous dog and was my constant companion for twelve and a half years.  A little collie-cross that was never a minutes bother in all her days.  I miss her every day in life but am comforted that she died peacefully in my arms after being diagnosed with splenic cancer in September 2008.  Run free my baby!!


Stella's a keen working dog!

I built up my business over 2 years and was very successful.  I then became interested in dog nutrition and started my own natural dog treats company - The Dog Deli.  I sold 100% natural dog treats made from natural, human-grade, ingredients including such delicacies as Lamb's Liver and Organic Carrot Muffins and Chicken & Seaweed Crunchies. I sold them around the dog shows in Scotland and that was when I fell in love with the Bracco Italiano.  I got my first Bracco in 2004 (Ruby), followed by my 2nd in 2006 (Stella) and my love for the breed has just grown and grown.

You can see more of my dogs on their pages!  Additionally,  if you want to read more about the Bracco Italiano please visit www.bracco-italiano.org.  This is the website for Friends of the Bracco Italiano, an independent breed club set up in the UK.  You'll find all you ever wanted to know about this spectacular breed there


Sweet Megan. Now at Rainbow Bridge!


If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me at
 annemacfarlane1@btinternet.com