Playful staffies are top dog in this city
MORE than 30,000 canines call Townsville home, with one breed staking a strong claim for top dog by accounting for almost 10 per cent of the city’s total registrations.
Townsville City Council’s latest dog registration data reveals the city is home to at least 30,971 canines, made up of 171 different breeds.
The city’s most popular dog, with 2868 registered, is the staf-fordshire bull terrier pure and cross breeds.
Other popular breeds in the top five include cattle dogs, maltese terriers, labradors and border collies.
The suburb of Kirwan is home to the most dogs followed by Kelso, Mount Louisa, Annandale and Bushland Beach.
Townsville- based Devilzown Staffords kennel owner Bronwyn Macdonald said staffordshire bull terriers were so popular because of their loyalty to their owners.
“They adore their master and their humans over and above most other breeds,” she said.
“They are much more human- orientated than dog-orientated.
“The love to play and all they want to do is please.”
Ms Macdonald did acknowledge the breed sometimes got a bad name for being aggressive.
But she said like all dogs, they should receive training and owners should be responsible.
“I always keep my dogs on a lead,” she said.
“They are extremely friendly and love kids but you just have to be responsible with them and don’t take risks.”
Registration costs range from $ 31 for a new dog, $ 65 for a desexed dog and $ 120 for a non- desexed dog.
An owner caught with an unregistered dog could receive a $ 252 fine.
Based on the minimum new registration cost, the council would have received at least $ 960,000 in registration fee revenue in 2017.
The council is offering free microchipping to registered dogs and approved cats today from 8am to 11am at Riverway between the lagoon and the stadium.
Community Health and Environment Committee chair Cr Ann- Maree Greaney said having pets microchipped greatly improved the chance of finding them if they were lost. “A pet with a microchip has a much better chance of being found quickly and safely than a pet that isn’t,” she said. “Having a pet go missing can be very stressful, so knowing that you can easily track them down gives you added peace of mind.” For pets that are not registered, the council is offering on- the- spot registrations for a fee. Once registered, pets are then eligible for free microchipping. Under State Government legislation, all dogs are required to be registered with the council from three months of age.