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WORKING DOGS

Meet our Hornbill “doggie pack” that is responsible for
keeping our living areas snake and baboon free:-

Most of our other dogs are adopted animals from loving homes that unfortunately could not keep them. All previous “mummies and daddies” keeps an eye on their babies through Facebook and WhatsApp and occasionally visit them here at Hornbill Lodge. All our female dogs were spayed . All our dogs had their rabies and all vaccinations and yearly de-worming. We have gone to great lengths to treat tics and fleas on all our animals but our dogs spend a lot of time outside and tics and fleas tend to be a problem. Please DO NOT LET THE DOGS SLEEP IN YOUR ROOMS.  Fleas bites can cause bothersome itching and tick bites are dangerous for humans; they are known to spread disease.

 

Treat Tick Bites on Humans

 

If a tick is found that has already bitten into the skin, remove it promptly using a tweezers. A cloth should be used as a barrier between your skin and the tick if it must be removed with the fingers. Once the tick is grasped, pull straight out. Do not twist the tick. After the tick is removed, place the tick in a container of soapy water or alcohol to dispose of it. Burning the tick or placing it in petroleum jelly is not advised. Wash the site of the tick bite with soap and water. Treat the bite with an antiseptic to prevent infection. Consult your physician if you become ill, making sure to report the tick bites.

Can You Bring Your Own Dog?

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads at all times. Please be responsible for cleaning up after your pets. We welcome well-behaved dogs. We do reserve the right to charge extra for cleaning and repair costs if your dog damages our furniture and soft furnishings. Acceptable breeds only accepted onsite - please contact us for more information.

Baboons & Dogs

Whenever possible, try to prevent any interaction between dogs and baboons.

When baboons live near humans, they naturally come into regular contact with the pets of humans, including dogs. Sometimes interactions between baboons and dogs turn nasty and one of the animals involved – dog or baboon – ends up getting hurt. Contrary to popular belief, baboons have no reason to hurt dogs unless dogs are a threat to them, nor are baboons 'territorial' with dogs. Dogs defend territories; baboons do not. In fact, baboons have been observed grooming and playing with dogs that they are familiar with.  However, bear in mind that dogs are domesticated whereas baboons are wild animals and are thus unpredictable in their behaviour.

More often than not, when dogs get hurt by baboons, this results from fights started by dogs or when an owner has told the dog to go after the baboon. Usually the initial reaction of a baboon to a dog is to run away or to simply ignore the dog. However, if a dog threatens or attacks a baboon, perhaps because it sees the baboon as a threat to itself or its owner, the baboon will likely respond with aggression simply to protect itself.  Dog owners should be aware of this and avoid contact between dogs and baboons as much as possible.

Baboons and dogs may have playful intentions toward each other when they meet, but one can never be sure about the intentions of animals and we thus cannot predict what such interactions may lead to. Pet owners should take precautions to prevent conflicts between baboons and dogs by preventing them from interacting in the first place.

 

One other note: while baboons are not carnivores and are not natural predators, they do sometimes kill and eat small animals such as hares, small antelope, or lizards. Thus, while we do not know of any such instances, do keep in mind that a very small dog may possibly be viewed by a baboon as a potential meal.

 

Solution: Keep Dogs Away from Baboons

Whenever possible, try to prevent any interaction between dogs and baboons.

 

In Baboon Territory:

Do not walk dogs in areas where you know baboons reside. There are often laws forbidding dog-walking in park areas where baboons live; these laws exist for a reason and it is best for both the safety of dogs and baboons to follow such rules.

If you must walk your dog in areas where baboons reside, at least keep the dog on a leash at all times.

If your dog ever runs off and chases or attacks a baboon, call your dog off immediately before the fight escalates.  Always have a leash with you to put on your dog if necessary.

 

On Your Own Property:

If baboons come onto your property, keep your dogs inside the house.  If they are outside, call them in.

Do not send your dog to chase away baboons, as this will very likely result in injury to one or both animals. Such fights have been known to result in death of one of the animals involved.

Hammie and one of his many encounters with the Magaliesburg baboons
Baboon Injury
Baboon Injury

Other encounters with the baboons

Baboon Injury
Baboon Injury
Baboon Injury
Baboon Injury
Staffie

Jock of the Bushveld

Hornbill Lodge has 5 Staffies!

SA's best loved dog hero !!

'Jock of the Bushveld was a Staffordshire bull terrier' Since Sir Percy Fitzpatrick wrote Jock of the Bushveld, the Staffordshire bull terrier, or simply the Staffie, has been a common household companion in South Africa.  

Staffie

Clash 

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Big Teddy Bear And Father of Hashtag and Bella

Staffie

Savanha 

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Leader of The Pack And Mother of Hashtag 

Staffie

Maxi

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffie

Hashtag # 

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Hashtag loves to come sit by the table and keep you company

Staffie

Belladonna 

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Very cheeky Baby 

Dog

Stanley 

Dachshund

Dachshunds are playful, but as hunting dogs can be quite stubborn, and are known for their propensity for chasing small animals, birds, and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity.

Cat

Whiskers

Tabby Cat

Whiskers Arrived at Hornbill on a Extremally Cold Morning and decided a warm bed is worth living with 6 Dogs  

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