<strong>The</strong> ar>cle highlights the bad press that the <strong>Aussie</strong> received in its early years. This leJer sent to the Newspapers: TO THE EDITOR OF THE AUSTRALASIA Sir,—Some months ago, when Mr. " Kennelman " described Skye Terrier and "rough coated " terriers in some remarks I made upon his descrip>on, and which you kindly inserted in your columns, I took the liberty of pronouncing the " rough-coated" to be "unmi>gated mongrels, and only fit for use where snakes were too numerous to risk a dog of any value at all." It is. therefore, with no small amusement that I have read the discussion in your paper, showing that some halfdozen people have taken up a fad for encouraging what in Scotland we would call a " >nker's messan," have associated themselves into a specialist society, have given their mongrel pet the name of "the Australian terrier," and have then, on the strength of that audacity, endeavoured to boss the V. P. and D. S. and dictate terms to the parent associa>on. I have just seen the prize scheme of the V. P. and D. S., and am sorry to see they have so far given in to these "fadical" people as to offer no less than eight classes, which, I suppose, means 24 <strong>The</strong> anonymous author’s view of a typical <strong>Aussie</strong> from 1913. <strong>The</strong>re is a prizes, to these nondescripts, and three of these typo on the name. It should be Ch Sturt Major. classes are for mere varia>ons in colour. Surely there were plenty of old-established and recognised breeds of rough terriers before without trying to invent a new one—Skyes, Dandy Dinmonts, Bedlingtons, Irish, Yorkshire Silkies, hard-haired, and toys. Yet a larger number of classes are given to this new inven>on than to any one of the above, and more than to any breed of dog whatever, except seJers, spaniels, and fox terriers. So the ">nkers messan" is honoured indeed. I suppose ader that, we must be thankfull the V. P. and D. S, has not also allowed the name " Australian" to be pros>tuted to such vile uses, and hung round the neck of a wretched mongrel. If whimsical or " fadical" people want an "Australian" breed, let them take up the dingo, and try what they can make of improving him. That is the only breed that for many a long day can be fairly en>tled to the name " Australian," though even he, not being marsupial (as all other Australian mammals are), probably came from elsewhere. I trust the V. P. and D, S. will before another year see that they have made a mistake in giving much prominence in their scheme to what is not a dis>nct breed, but only a crude aJempt at inven>ng one—■ Yours SCOTCH FANCIER Photo of a Yorkshire Terrier from the early 1900s. Did you know <strong>The</strong> dog that is known today as the Yorkshire Terrier from 1886, but prior to that was known as the ‘rough and broken coated”, ‘broken haired scotch and Yorkshire terrier’. It was also said to have been developed from the Waterside Terrier. <strong>The</strong> term Scotch in the breeds of dogs at this ?me usually had some reference to one of the cons?tuents employed in the manufacture of the breed – like the Paisley or Skye terrier.
Flying High Can <strong>Aussie</strong>s fly? Of course they can and do. Over the years many <strong>Aussie</strong>s have taken to the air with their owners. <strong>The</strong>y love to travel and air travel doesn’t seem to worry them. It is interes?ng to compare the story from a newspaper from many decades ago to today’s frequent flyers! <strong>The</strong>se 2 dont seem to have the same problems as their forefathers! Oh and it’s not your eyes, the newspaper clip is a liUle blurry.
Change language