49. "Adopt, Don't Shop" - An ethical discussion

What breed is one of the oldest native breeds, and also the face of a cryptocurrency? Enter the Shiba Inu! This week we are joined by Lyne from Kortmar Shiba Inu to discuss this much loved breed. We dive into the breed origins,"Shiba glitter", its history as a famous 'meme', and lots of fun facts along the way.

Have you ever wondered why Worming is so important for dogs and puppies? This week, Dr. Sooan Choi from Drontal (one of Australia's leading worming brands) joins us to dive into all things worming. We learn all about the main types of worms, how dogs may pick these up, why puppies are more at risk, and how to ensure your dogs are best protected against parasites. For more information, you can visit Drontal or Vetoquinol. Label disclaimer: Always read the label for full claim details and directions.

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a DNA testing laboratory? This week, Genetic George gives us an inside look into how a dog DNA test goes from a saliva sample to a fully fledged result!

We've all heard people say "Adopt, Don't Shop" for a dog, but is it really as simple as that? Nathan and George dive into this controversial topic - discussing the ethics of buying vs. adopting, why adopting is not for everyone, and how buying from a responsible breeder can help reduce the burden on shelters.

We're joined by Robyn from Pomfire Pomeranians, in a special spotlight on this fiery little breed! We discuss the breed's origins, how Poms were once much larger than what we know today, and how this is our first case of sibling guests on the podcast!

There are a lot of myths out there about breeding with DNA disease carriers, so we asked the expert! This week, Genetic George talks us through the safest way to breed with DNA carriers in your breeding program. The great news - having a DNA carrier does not stop a dog from being part of a successful breeding program! Also, we apologise for some of the audio in this episode - Nathan had some microphone issues, but we should be back to normal next week!

Did you know Staffies are nicknamed "the nanny dog", for their reputation for being great with kids? We're spotlighting Staffies this week, with renowned breeder Kim Reeder of Gamester Staffords. We dive into the history of the breed, their origins in dog fighting, how the breed changed during the world wars, and how they are the ideal family dog! Kim is also part of her own podcast, The Dog Show Show.

This week on What The Bark, we get our crystal balls out to predict some dog trends for 2024! Nathan and George give their Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down to trends such as pet holidays, doggy cooking, breed bans, and more.

Did you know the Monopoly 'dog' is modelled off the Scottish Terrier? This week on What The Bark, we talk all things Scotties with Jason Rhodes, from Dumbarton Scottish Terriers. We dive into the breed history, why Scotties have a special relationship with US Presidents, and how Jason has built a near 20k following of Scottie lovers around the world. You can learn more about Jason via his Linktree profile here.

What The Bark is back for 2024! And so is Genetic George - back from his visit to The National Dog Show, in Philadelphia USA! He shares his observations into the US dog scene, how it differs from Australia, and some minor celebrities he met along the way!