Meet our incredible truffle dogs, Nina and Jessie. These loyal companions play an essential role in our farm’s success, using their extraordinary sense of smell to unearth our prized truffles. Here’s a closer look at our beloved truffle-hunting team.
Nina Background:
Nina is a Staffy crossbreed we adopted from Domestic Animal Services in Canberra. She is a dedicated dog who loves to please.
Likes: Hunting rabbits in the forest.
Dislikes: Peas – she eats her veggies but draws the line at peas.
Claim to Fame: Got lost for 9 days in 2023, giving us all quite a scare.
Best Features: Never-ending enthusiasm.
Worst Features: Unfortunately, she’s prone to farting – you’ve been warned!
Jessie Background:
Jessie is a Kelpie crossbreed, also adopted from Domestic Animal Services. She’s an elegant and mild-mannered lady.
Likes: Swimming in the dam.
Dislikes: Being alone.
Claim to Fame: Trying to round up the hens.
Best Features: Fastest runner on the farm.
Worst Features: Likes to chew things up – including Nina’s smart tag tracker and even her own collar!
Marc trained Nina and Jessie using food rewards. Both dogs took less than 2 months to train, a testament to their intelligence and Marc’s patience. Now, they receive roast chicken pieces as a reward when they find truffles. While dogs have an excellent sense of smell, the real challenge lies in getting them to pinpoint the exact location of the truffle without scratching it.
Our truffle dogs are more than just working animals; they are cherished members of our farm family. Their dedication and unique personalities bring joy and success to our truffle farming endeavours.
