Emerald Park Border Collies - Australian Ethical Breeder

01/11/2026

🌟 I'm an Egg Feeder! 🌟

Because the humble egg deserves far more recognition in canine nutrition!

Chicken, duck or quail, eggs are among nature's most nutrient-dense foods. They provide highly digestible protein, essential amino acids, fats, vitamins, minerals and a range of biologically important compounds.

For dogs eating a fresh-food diet, eggs can be a particularly useful nutritional addition. They offer a remarkable combination of nutrients in a relatively small package.

But what exactly makes an egg so valuable?

Let's crack one open and look at the science! 🥚

💪 PROTEIN – BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE BODY

Eggs contain all ten essential amino acids required by dogs.

Essential amino acids cannot be produced in sufficient quantities by the body, so they must be supplied through the diet.

These amino acids are needed for:
• Building and maintaining muscle tissue.
• Producing enzymes and hormones.
• Supporting immune function.
• Maintaining skin, coat and other body tissues.
• Growth, tissue repair and recovery.

Egg protein has a high biological value, meaning it provides an excellent balance of essential amino acids in a form that is readily digested and utilised.

This is particularly valuable during growth, pregnancy, lactation and periods when maintaining muscle condition is important.

🧠 CHOLINE – MORE THAN JUST A BRAIN NUTRIENT

The egg yolk is a particularly good source of choline, an essential nutrient involved in several important physiological processes.

Choline is needed to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, muscle control and communication between nerve cells.

It also contributes to:
• Cell membrane structure through phospholipids.
• Normal liver function and fat metabolism.
• Transport of fats from the liver.
• Normal nervous system function.

Choline is important throughout a dog's life, from development through to ageing.

Although its role in brain function makes it an interesting nutrient when discussing cognitive health, we should not claim that feeding eggs prevents canine cognitive dysfunction. That benefit has not been established in dogs.

🟡 THE YOLK – A CONCENTRATED SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS

Don't throw away the yolk!

While the egg white provides much of the protein, the yolk contains a considerable proportion of the egg's vitamins, minerals and fats.

Depending on the egg, the yolk supplies:

• Vitamin A – important for vision, immune function and healthy epithelial tissues.
• Vitamin D – involved in calcium and phosphorus regulation and skeletal health.
• Vitamin E – an important antioxidant.
• Vitamin K – involved in normal blood clotting.
• Vitamin B12 – essential for nerve function and red blood cell production.
• Riboflavin and folate – involved in energy metabolism and cellular function.
• Selenium – important for antioxidant defence and thyroid function.
• Phosphorus and iron – involved in bone structure, energy metabolism and oxygen transport.

The yolk also contains phospholipids and essential fatty acids, which contribute to cell membrane structure and normal physiological function.

The white and yolk work together to provide a particularly useful nutritional combination.

🦴 EGGSHELL MEMBRANE – AN INTERESTING CONNECTION TO JOINT HEALTH

There is another part of the egg that deserves attention.

The thin membrane lining the inside of the eggshell contains collagen, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid and other structural proteins and compounds associated with connective tissue.

These substances are important areas of research in joint health because cartilage, tendons and ligaments rely on an organised extracellular matrix to maintain their structure and function.

Several canine studies have investigated concentrated eggshell membrane supplements in dogs with joint problems. Some have reported improvements in pain and function, although the evidence remains limited and further research is needed.

It is important to distinguish eggshell membrane from the hard shell itself. The shell is predominantly calcium carbonate and is a calcium source, whereas the membrane has a different nutritional composition.

🍳 RAW OR COOKED – WHAT ABOUT AVIDIN AND BIOTIN?

One of the arguments often raised against feeding raw eggs is the presence of avidin, a protein in egg white that binds biotin (vitamin B7) and reduces its availability for absorption.

However, there is an important distinction between feeding raw egg whites and feeding whole eggs.

The yolk is an excellent source of biotin and contains the vast majority of the egg's biotin. The amount of biotin in the yolk is broadly comparable to the biotin-binding capacity of avidin in the white.

This means the avidin–biotin interaction is not necessarily a practical concern when feeding whole eggs. The situation is quite different when raw egg whites are fed repeatedly without the yolk.

Cooking denatures avidin and removes its ability to bind biotin. It also improves the digestibility of egg protein.

There is no need to overcook eggs. Gently cooked eggs (runny yolk) are a practical option for providing their nutritional benefits.

🥚 CHICKEN, DUCK OR QUAIL?

All three can provide valuable nutrients.

Chicken eggs are the most readily available and offer an excellent nutritional profile.

Duck eggs are generally larger and often contain more fat and some nutrients per egg, although their composition varies.

Quail eggs are much smaller, making them convenient as occasional additions or treats.

The important consideration is portion size. A duck egg is not nutritionally equivalent to a quail egg simply because both are one egg!

⚖️ HOW MANY EGGS SHOULD A DOG EAT?

There is no universal number that suits every dog.

The appropriate amount depends on body size, age, activity level, overall diet and individual nutritional requirements.

Eggs should contribute to a varied diet rather than displace other important ingredients. Even though they are nutrient-dense, eggs alone do not provide everything a dog needs.

For growing puppies, pregnant and lactating bi***es, and dogs with specific health requirements, the overall dietary formulation is particularly important.

🌿 THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

The humble egg provides an impressive combination of highly digestible protein, essential amino acids, fats, choline, vitamins and minerals.

It supports normal muscle maintenance, cellular function, metabolism and many other physiological processes.

And while eggshell membrane offers an interesting area of research into connective tissue and joint health, we should distinguish promising findings from proven clinical benefits.

I love foods that provide a range of useful nutrients without needing a long list of added ingredients. Eggs are a wonderful example of nutritional variety in a naturally occurring food.

Sometimes, one of the most valuable additions to a dog's food bowl is also one of the simplest.

🥚 Nature certainly gave us something special in the humble egg!

Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com

"My mission is to make life better for at least one dog today!"

01/11/2026

I can't begin to explain the love I have for my dogs ......

01/11/2026

It’s become very humid and that’s unusual for here. The puppies are unsettled, so I’m setting up an outdoor pen in the shade and breeze. Yes, there are 6 puppies. Rufus has settled under the edge of the vet bed. I’m going to freeze some bottles of water so that they can move closer or dirt away from them when it warms up. I may turn the air conditioner on in the puppy nursery after I’ve finished the puppy bedding change and so they will have a comfy afternoon if required.

01/11/2026

"Hi! Do you love me? Do you think I could be yours?

Well, I can't be, as I'm a few years old now & living the life with amazing family. BUT, Mumma Donna is getting a bit excited about the prospect of more puppies. While Emerald Park Border Collies' Puppy Waiting List is looking healthy, there is a distinct lack of applicants interested in female puppies.

If you would like to know more about becoming part of our Emerald Park Border Collies Family with a puppy of your own, give Mumma Donna a call on 0439196343.

She loves nothing more than talking puppies! You could send her a Facebook message or text. Emails are pretty good too ...... [email protected] .

"Guided by science.
Raised with purpose!"

01/11/2026

🐾 Bored Dogs: Recognising Boredom and Enriching Your Dog's Life

Have you ever wondered what your dog does with all those hours when there is nothing particularly interesting happening?

Dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. Through selective breeding, we developed dogs with particular physical characteristics, sensory abilities and behavioural tendencies. Some were bred to herd livestock, others to retrieve, track, hunt, guard or work alongside people. Many were developed primarily for companionship.

Although modern dogs may no longer perform the tasks their ancestors were selected to do, many of those inherited behavioural tendencies remain.

A Border Collie may still have a strong desire to observe movement, chase, control and gather. A terrier may enjoy digging and investigating. A scent hound may find following an interesting smell far more rewarding than walking in a straight line beside us.

When dogs have few opportunities to express their natural behaviours, explore, learn and engage with their surroundings, their lives can become under-stimulating.

Boredom is not simply about having nothing to do. It is also about having too few opportunities for meaningful engagement.

🧠 How Can You Recognise Boredom?

Dogs cannot tell us they are bored, but their behaviour can provide clues.

Possible signs include:

• Repeatedly seeking attention or pestering people for interaction.
• Chewing or shredding household objects.
• Digging in inappropriate places.
• Repetitive barking or other attention-seeking behaviours.
• Restlessness and difficulty settling.
• Repeatedly initiating activities because they have little else to occupy them.

However, these behaviours are not proof of boredom. Chewing, barking, digging and restlessness can also be associated with normal developmental needs, anxiety, frustration, insufficient sleep, pain or other underlying causes.

For example, destructive behaviour when a dog is alone should never automatically be dismissed as boredom. Separation-related distress can involve considerable anxiety and requires a different approach.

The key is to look at the circumstances, the dog's body language and the pattern of behaviour rather than assuming there is one explanation.

🚶 Physical Exercise – Quality Matters More Than Exhaustion

Movement is important for physical health, muscle development, cardiovascular fitness and emotional wellbeing.

However, the answer is not to exercise a dog until it is exhausted.

Excessive repetitive exercise, particularly high-impact activities or constant ball chasing, can place unnecessary demands on developing or poorly conditioned bodies. It can also create a dog that becomes increasingly physically fit without necessarily becoming better at settling.

Instead, aim for exercise appropriate to your dog's age, health, physical condition and individual temperament.

Consider:
• Walks that allow plenty of time to sniff and investigate.
• Exploring different environments at a comfortable pace.
• Safe opportunities to run and move freely.
• Appropriate games of tug, retrieving or chasing.
• Gentle conditioning and body-awareness activities.

A walk is not just about covering distance. The opportunity to investigate the environment can be just as valuable as the physical movement.

👃 Let Your Dog Use Its Nose

Scent exploration is one of the most natural and rewarding activities we can offer dogs.

Dogs experience their environment primarily through smell. Their olfactory system is extraordinarily sensitive, allowing them to gather information about other animals, people, food and their surroundings.

Sniffing provides an opportunity to investigate, process information and engage in species-typical behaviour.

Try:
• Hiding small portions of food around a safe area.
• Creating simple scent trails.
• Using snuffle mats.
• Hiding a favourite toy for your dog to find.
• Allowing plenty of sniffing time during walks.

You don't need expensive equipment. A few treats hidden in cardboard boxes or around a room can provide an enjoyable search activity.

🧩 Mental Enrichment – Give the Brain Something to Do

Learning and problem-solving provide valuable mental engagement.

Try:
• Food-dispensing toys and suitable puzzle feeders.
• Treats hidden in cardboard tubes or boxes.
• A muffin tin with treats hidden beneath suitable objects.
• Simple hide-and-seek games.
• Exploring unfamiliar but safe objects and surfaces.
• Rotating toys to maintain interest.

The important thing is to make activities achievable. If a puzzle is too difficult, it can create frustration rather than enjoyment.

Allow your dog to work things out without constantly intervening. Independent exploration and problem-solving are valuable skills.

🎓 Training – Learning Never Has to Stop

Training is not just about obedience or correcting unwanted behaviour.

It is an opportunity for communication, cooperation and mental engagement.

Short, enjoyable sessions can teach new skills, strengthen existing ones and build confidence.

Try teaching:
• Hand targeting.
• Finding a named toy.
• Going to a mat and settling.
• Simple tricks such as spins and bows.
• Finding hidden objects.
• Cooperative care behaviours, such as offering a paw for examination.

Reward-based training gives dogs information about which behaviours work and encourages them to participate willingly.

❤️ Social Interaction – But Respect Individual Preferences

Dogs are social animals, but that does not mean every dog wants to play with unfamiliar dogs.

Some enjoy canine friendships and group play. Others prefer human company, familiar dogs or simply sharing space without direct interaction.

Social enrichment can include spending quality time with their people, exploring new environments, meeting suitable canine companions and participating in activities they genuinely enjoy.

The quality of an interaction matters far more than the number of dogs involved.

🍽️ Make Mealtimes More Interesting

Food is an excellent opportunity for enrichment.

Rather than always serving meals in the same bowl, consider:

• Scatter feeding in a safe area.
• Hiding portions of food for your dog to find.
• Using suitable food-dispensing toys.
• Offering meals in different safe feeding arrangements.
• Incorporating food into simple scent games.

For dogs on fresh or raw diets, enrichment can be adapted to their usual food and safe feeding practices. There is no need to change the diet or introduce inappropriate ingredients to make mealtimes interesting.

🌿 Give Your Dog Opportunities to Express Natural Behaviours

One of the most important principles of enrichment is allowing dogs to do things that are intrinsically rewarding to them.

Digging, sniffing, chewing, carrying, searching, chasing and exploring are not automatically undesirable behaviours. They are part of a dog's behavioural repertoire.

Instead of constantly trying to suppress these activities, provide appropriate outlets.

For example:
• A designated digging area for a dog that loves to dig.
• Safe chewing opportunities.
• Retrieving games for dogs that enjoy carrying and bringing objects back.
• Scent searches for dogs that love investigating.
• Herding-inspired movement and observation games for dogs with strong herding tendencies.

For Border Collies, this does not mean encouraging constant chasing, fixation on movement or obsessive ball play. Enrichment should support a balanced dog who can engage in activities and then switch off.

😴 Don't Forget the Importance of Rest

This is often overlooked.

A dog does not need to be entertained every waking minute. Rest, sleep and the ability to settle independently are essential parts of a healthy daily routine.

Too much stimulation, insufficient sleep and constant activity can contribute to over-arousal and difficulty settling.

The aim is not to create a dog that is perpetually busy. It is to create a dog whose needs are met and who can comfortably enjoy both activity and inactivity.

🏡 What About Dogs Left Home Alone?

If your dog spends long periods without company, consider whether their daily routine provides enough opportunity for exercise, toileting, enrichment and social interaction.

Depending on the individual dog, options may include:
• A midday visit from a familiar person.
• A dog walker.
• A suitable pet sitter.
• A carefully selected dog daycare arrangement, if your dog genuinely enjoys that environment.

Daycare is not automatically the answer. Busy group environments can be stressful or overwhelming for some dogs, and not every dog enjoys constant canine interaction.

❤️ The Take-Home Message

A fulfilled dog is not necessarily the dog that has walked the furthest, chased the most balls or completed the greatest number of activities.

It is a dog whose physical, mental, social and behavioural needs are being met.

Our dogs need opportunities to move, sniff, explore, learn, chew, investigate, interact and rest. They need more than food, shelter and an occasional walk. They need a life that gives them opportunities to be dogs.

And perhaps the most important lesson is this: enrichment is not about keeping dogs constantly occupied. It is about giving them meaningful choices and opportunities to express the behaviours that make them dogs.

🐾 A stimulated mind, a healthy body and the freedom to simply be a dog.

Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com

"My mission is to make life better for at least one dog today!"

01/11/2026

Because Scooter was enjoying his chicken neck so much, Callie thought she should check if it was better than hers! 😊

01/11/2026

Scooter is dedicated to the cause! 😁

01/11/2026

Rufus was happy for a little while then started crying again. He sitting on lap having an explore and cuddle for a while as everyone else is happily chewing.

01/11/2026

I arrived home from church to the sound of a crying Rufus. Dream was lounging outside the pen unconcerned. She then went in to check and clean up and was mobbed by a hoard of puppies. After a few minutes she said “no thanks” and escaped. I decided to try them on their first raw edible bones. They will mainly lick and chew and I’ll let Dream clean up their leftovers and make sure she gives them a good feed.

01/11/2026