The Aussie - Spring 2020 edition

The Aussie
Spring 2020 edition
Made for the Aussie
pages
Ticking Off
I’ve lost
the Buzz
Colourful Thoughts
All Change
Magazine only for
members of the
Southern Counties Australian Terrier Club

What’s Inside
SCATC CHAT
Crufts 2020 in pictures
Training Tips
Who were they?
Did you Know?
Toying With it
Food for Growth
Early Days
Made for the Aussie
Ticking Off
I’ve Lost the Buzz
CPD Oil for Dogs
The Whole Thing
Body and Mind
Poetry Corner
All Change
Coronavirus and Dogs
Could Dogs be on the Frontline
Colourful Thoughts
Aussie Tales
Books!
Final Word
Please keep sending your ideas for arDcles, your photos, arDcles and items to include in future Magazines.
SomeDmes it’s hard to squeeze the informaDon into 42 pages. Amazed we are saying that! The email contact for
the Magazine is bellefours@bDnternet.com. Always put the header - Aussie Magazine.
Thank you for your conDnued interest in providing reading material for our members.

SCATC CHAT with
Chris Foskett
The Aussie
On behalf of the Officers and Commi?ee of the Southern
Coun;es Australian Terrier Club, we hope that you, your
families and loved ones are keeping safe and well in these
unprecedented ;mes brought about by the COVID-19
pandemic.
Chris
Everyone is very much aware that we have moved into
something which looks like its come from a SCi FI movie, but
this is well and truly reality. Everything is shu_ng down and
the world of dogs is no excep;on. Virtually a`er Cru`s things
started to be cancelled and postponed. The Kennel Club then
made it official and announced that all KC licensed dog events
would be shut down un;l at least the end of June.
The Aussie
How has this affect SCATC.
Chris
Trying to get people together when there wasn’t a problem
wasn’t easy, but now we have had to put our AGM on hold. We
had planned to hold it at Na;onal Terrier. As gatherings are just
not possible, we have to wait un;l there is Government
authorisa;on to hold events with a group of people. Although
the deadline for AGMs is 31 July, the Kennel Club I am sure will
give dispensa;on if we are not able to hold public gatherings at
that ;me.
The Aussie
What about the Party in the Park at the Windsor Show?
Chris
At this point we just don’t know whether it will be held,
rescheduled or deferred to 2021. The show is to be held in July
when, in theory, the KC has indicated shows may be run. As we
go to print, Windsor has suspended entries. However, much
depends on how the COVID-19 is being contained. Please do
keep the date in the diary as we con;nue to plan to hold our
show on Sunday 5 July 2020 and would love to see all our
members healthy and happy with their probably very bored
Aussies!
The Aussie
You were hoping to organise a Fun Day.
Chris
Yes, we had the framework for a day for our members to cover
things like Grooming etc. But once again, we are not able to
book anything or make any firm commitments un;l we have a
clear picture of when the country has contained the virus and
life can resume. It is very disappoin;ng,
The Aussie
What about events to promote the breed?
Chris
As you now, we could not support the Game Fairs this year,
but they have been put on hold un;l the Summer. I do
understand that other breeds have indicated they may not
a?end the new dates, which means we will not be the only
ones not suppor;ng the events this year. For members
wan;ng to visit for a day out, you need to check the Living
Heritage website for updates. At the moment Discover Dogs
at the ExCel Centre, London is listed by the KC as 17-18
October. I have read that the Centre is being prepared as an
overspill centre for the London Hospitals to manage the
Coronavirus, which does mean that it is a watch this space.
But those who help, do keep the dates free.
The Aussie
What about the supported shows?
Chris
We have paid the 2 Open Show socie;es to cover the costs
required and this means we have undertaken the KC
requirement. With Evesham scheduled for mid July and
London and Home Coun;es Terrier late August/early
September, in theory they may be able to take place. But for
all things it is a watch and wait and as soon as I have any
informa;on I will let everyone know. Most shows are not
rescheduling as there are so many shows to squeeze into a
poten;ally short space of ;me, many will be rescheduled in
2021. The commi?ee has not decided what it will do if
Windsor is cancelled in rela;on to our Open Show. But with so
much uncertainty, it is likely to be next year.
The Aussie
We’ve issued the Spring Magazine early.
Chris
Yes. Quite simply at a ;me when a large percentage of the
popula;on is home based, we thought that the Magazine
might give a li?le light relief and you may well have ;me to
read it. Talking of ;me at home, if previously you haven’t had
a chance to renew your subscrip;on to the Club, please do
this now. Just contact me if you need a reminder of the
details. Please everyone stay safe and our Facebook group is a
great way to keep in touch.
SCATC Contact
Chris Foske3 - Hon Secretary - email
wilfnbell@yahoo.co.uk
via PM on Facebook

C R UFTS 2020
In pictures

Training Tips
It can happen to anyone. Only the other day
my husband was walking the dogs. One of
them decided that they wanted to head off in
another direction and decided to slip their
collar. Many of us have been there. The
moment when you click what’s happened
and then the decision as to what to do next.
Keeping dogs under control at this time is
essential. The ability to search for lost dogs
is almost impossible with the current
restrictions.
At training classes you trained your dog to
do recall and it was fine. Secure
environment with mostly fewer distractions,
but when your dog decides that something
out there is more interesting than you -
suddenly all the training seems to go out of
the window.
The problem is we teach our dogs
something important - like walking to heel,
being housetrained, or coming back when
called. But we forget that we do need to
reinforce the messages. It is not a case -
passed the good citizen scheme and that’s it
sorted. You have to remind your dog what
you want them to do.
As a trainer, I get many people contact me
telling me their dog has suddenly started to
be ‘disobedient’. Them choosing to come
back to training classes is great for my
business, but you could save time and
money if you just follow some simple advice
right from the beginning.

I have a ten-minute programme designed to bring a dog
back into line with us. Every day, I would spend 10
minutes working just with the dog. No phone
distrac;on, no other dogs and keep all other distrac;ons
to a minimum. I call it my 7 Easy Steps to a Perfect
Recall.
Now working with the power of three, I would do every
exercise 3 ;mes and then change it up.
And I know that it isn’t anything to do with recall, but if
you get your dog to focus on you and you become fun to
be with, then when called, they make the be?er choice.
You will need: some high value treats like chicken,
cheese or sausage, a lead and collar/harness and maybe
a long line.
Treats should be easy to eat, and you may like to find
your dog’s favourite toy to use as well.
1. Start with them walking by your side for just 5 steps
and then a sit. Repeat three ;mes.
2. Come around in front of them and get your dog’s
a?en;on on you. If this means using a treat or a toy –
then use it. Don’t want to use a treat? Fine you don’t
have to, but you work for a payment so I am guessing it
will be quicker if you realise that your dogs likes
payment of some sort as well. Now rub under their chin.
We want to li` their head up and make them feel be?er.
3. Got their a?en;on? Good now take one step to the
right – and move forward again – take 5 steps and into
sit. Now repeat that again two more ;mes. And yes if its
a show dog you are yelling at me - we don’t teach our
dogs to sit. I have a view on this, but not for this ar;lce.
Just get them to stand.
A word of warning: This doesn’t make your dog come
back to you, but does teach them to listen to you. Then
you prac;ce con;nually using your long line.
Make sure you are certain that your dog has their
a?en;on on you before you call them.
This is when you use their toy – the one you have
brought with you. Call them and run backwards – slowly.
Don’t fall over, it really isn’t any use doing that and if I
did, I would feel a fool.
Prac;ce in the quiet places and un;l you are sure that
your dog is listening, don’t let them off to play with their
pals.
You need all their a?en;on for this, and you can’t let
them prac;ce doing the opposite un;l you are sure that
your training has worked.
Don’t forget to repeat the game on a regular basis.
OK , so not all dogs are toy orientated, but they do love a
new toy and if you keep one just for this game and they
dont get a chance to destroy it - well it can work very
well.
Dogs need to be reminded of what we wish them to do.
If we don’t use one of our skills for awhile we become
rusty. The same thing applies to our dogs.
So have a bit of fun engaging with your dog, they will
enjoy it and you will reap the benefits.
4. Come around to the front, get their a?en;on, li` their
head up and praise. Take one step to the right and do it
all again once more. So now you have their focus.
5. Now step in front of them again – get their a?en;on
and now move slowly back for five steps calling them –
get them into a sit, reach down and hold their collar and
big fuss. Hooray – their first recall which they didn’t
ignore you. Guess what – now you must do it again and
again. – Three ;mes altogether.
6. Next, produce their toy and play with it. If you are in a
secure place, then off lead throw the toy and encourage
them to bring it back – three ;mes and then back on
lead and start all over again. If you aren’t in a secure
place, then use a long line but let them play with the toy
before you start all over again.
7. Do this for ten minutes every day - undivided
a?en;on and you will have the dog you have always
wanted. Start off by doing all this at home, or in the
garden but then use your pa?ern whilst out walking.
Making sure your Aussie is great on
recall is essen;al. Danger lurks
everywhere and it is the best way to
keep your dog safe.

Who
Once again the Aussie has been challenged
with photo. The dog does look like a young
Aussie, but who is the owner?
were
they?
Over the years, Aussies have been part of many
Governors and Governor General’s household in
Australia. It was the fashion to have one of the
na;onal dog breeds as part of the family.
As these dogs travelled back to the UK with their
owners, or to other Bri;sh Colonies, the Aussies
were seen by many more poten;al owners and
as a result grew in popularity. There are many
reports of Aussies in India. Many newspapers
from the 1920’s to 1950’s reported with pride
that Australian breeders were sending dogs there
on a regular basis.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the much
travelled Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later became
the first Governor General of Pakistan, should be
pictured with an Australian Terrier. The Aussie did
seem to gravitate to the best homes in the land.
Who was Mr JInnah?
His actual name was Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and
he was born in Karachi in in 1876. He was sent to London by his
father to study business management, but went on to become
the youngest ‘Indian’ student to be called to the Bar on April
29, 1896, at Lincoln’s Inn (London), Mr Jinnah moved to
Bombay and began working as a lawyer. Within a few years, he
became one of the leading lawyers in the subcon;nent.
His interest in poli;cs grew and with it the desire for an
independent state of Pakistan. He returned to London in self
exile with his daughter Dina and sister Miss Fa;ma Jinnah a`er
the Second Round Table Conference ended in failure. During
the four years of this self-imposed exile, Mr Jinnah had a
thriving prac;ce as a Privy Council lawyer. In 1934, he returned
to India to assume the presidency of the All-India Muslim
League.
Eventually his dream of par;;on occurred and Pakistan was
created and he became the first Governor General of Pakistan.
He died one year a`er Pakistan gained its independence from
the UK.
The photo was taken in the late 1930’s early 1940’s.
The significance in the photo, other than the Aussie,
is the fact he is wearing the black astrakan hat for
which he became famous. There is a sugges;on this
may be one of the early images capturing this new
look he adopted.
Obviously a dog lover, as he is photographed
earlier in his life with a Dobermann and a West
Highland White Terrier

Did You Know?
Ok, so we are in a strange world where driving around with our dogs is probably not going to happen.
But this press release was sent to ‘The Aussie’ and whilst our lives are maybe a bit less hec;c, it is
something to read and remember. for when we are back on the road again with our dogs.
Many drivers are unaware they could be breaking the law resul;ng in a huge fine, points and possibly
being stranded by simply taking their pet in the car.
New research by All Car Leasing has discovered taking your pet on the motorway can be a costly
experience drivers aren’t aware of before they set off - especially if you are unfortunate to experience a
breakdown.
The number of car breakdowns on UK motorways has risen by nearly 20% since 2014, according to new
figures released by Highways England. And the advice is that if you breakdown on the motorway you
should remove yourself from the vehicle in a safe manner and stand away from the car and motorway.
Naturally the driver would automa;cally remove their family from the car - including any pets.But taking
your pet out of the car to the side of a motorway could land you with a £2,500 fine and up to six penalty
points on your license according to sec;on 56 of the Highway Code. By law, the driver should leave the
pet inside the vehicle, unless it is not safe to do so.
On top of that, some recovery vehicles who have to tow away a broken vehicle do not accept pets in
their vehicles. Therefore, it is best to men;on you have a pet when ringing to avoid disappointment and
avoid was;ng both par;es' ;me, and ul;mately incurring in a longer wai;ng ;me.
Last year it was reported 3,780 accidents involving sta;onary cars were those parked on the hard
shoulder of the motorway.
Ross Wild, All Car Leasing’s Digital Marke;ng Manager said: “There is no ques;on our pets are our best
friends and many of us like to take them on journeys for nice walks.
“This can cause problems should you break down and although people may think ge_ng their pet out of
the car is the safest thing for them it might not be. Drivers may be distracted from seeing an excited
animal and when driving at high speeds any distrac;on is a bad distrac;on.
“Many insurance companies look for any reason to not pay out so keeping them restrained while in the
car is also vital for your protec;on.”
Just having your dog in a car could land you with a £5,000 fine if they are not properly restrained,
according to sec;on 57 of the Highway Code. It could also incur nine points on your licence.

Toying
with it!
Did you know not all dog toys are created equal?
How many of you have been out shopping, or maybe came to
Cru`s and spo?ed, what you think, is a great toy for your
Aussie. Generally, we all like the more expensive ones. You
arrive home, get out the toy full of excitement, convinced
your Aussie will feel the same. Your dog then looks at it, turns
up it’s nose and it remains untouched for years.
Looking for toys for our dog is something many of us enjoy.
But there are some toys that are appropriate and some you
might choose to bypass. Many of the toys we choose are
designed so your Aussie can play with on its own. Right from
puppies we find toys to chew on when they are teething, or
maybe kongs full of treats to keep them occupied whilst you
pop out to the shops. We choose many toys that are just for
the dog to enjoy.
We purchase squeaky toys, or those that make a range of
noises, to a?ract your dog’s a?en;on. Dogs love to squeak the
toy un;l it dies. At which point many of us are highly
delighted. Having been a?racted to the cute toy, we forget it
will result in incessant squeaks. Some of the toys may look
cute, but are they safe for your dog.
Aussies have very strong mouths and teeth and can very
quickly demolish a toy. Bits can be swallowed, which may not
be very good for your dog. The stuffing can be found for
weeks on end and you are le` with a bit of plas;c or fabric
that cost a few pounds finding its way into the bin.
An example is balls. It can be really difficult to be interac;ve
with your dog if it has learned to play without you. To them,
the ball is just another thing for it to play with and chew. You
try throwing it and the dog doesn’t retrieve, as toys are their
sole domain. You wrestle with it to get it from their mouth.
New game thinks the dog. You have li?le to grip and off goes
the dog to play on its own with the ball.
It is important to find toys for your pup that encourage
interac;on with you. in future, it will help to encourage your
dog to share games with you. The tug games are popular, but
you must be careful with the pups. Don’t pull too hard! There
are an increasing range of tug toys from bungee versions to
those with velcroed pockets where you can hide a treat. With
a toy like a long braided tug, you can snake it on the ground
and get your dog to chase it. Toys that inspire interac;on
between us and our dog are be?er for building a rela;onship
of mutual fun!
Colour is important
Then you have to think about the colour. If it appeals to you,
will your dog be a?racted to the same colours? Dogs do see
colour, but no the same range as ourselves. To remind you of
how dogs see colour, take a look at the comparison chart.
There are lots of red dog toys. It is a colour that we see and
appeals to us. But to your dog it’s a muddy colour. But blue
toys can be seen more easily. This colour is not so popular
amongst the dog toy sellers. The reason, we buy the toys with
our eyes and our credit cards – not the dog!

A stack of toys
Some dogs have no interest in toys at all, but you can
create the desire with a li?le work on your part. If
your dog is really mo;vated by food, but never
shown any interest in toys, there a few things you can
do. One op;on is to take the mo;va;ng toy you have
chosen and make it smell of food, or contain food.
However, if you choose to go this route, be very
careful your dog is never given an opportunity to be
alone with this wonderful smelling toy THEY MAY
EAT IT. Surgery to remove this from their gut will be
neither pleasant nor cheap.
The dog may be bored with the toys, so before you
raid the pet store – try washing them and pretending
they are new toys coming out of the shopping bag.
O`en this fools them and you can save yourself some
money!
If you have a dog that has never been taught to play
as a pup or young dog, then it can be more
challenging. It’s back to basics and so many will
respond to chasing a long braided tug, as the hun;ng
ins;nct kicks in.
The key to training your dog to play with you and
your toy is that you are SINCERELY interested in
playing with your dog. If you are not truly having fun,
your dog will quickly realise this and will be even
more reluctant to join in. So be sure that you are
both enjoying yourselves.

Food for Growth?
Con;nuing the series on all
things to do with Bitches, we
look at pregnancy. This is a key
;me and although many
readers will be fully aware of
the key points, it is always
good to have a quick reminder.
In this edi;on we look at
feeding. The informa;on
supplied by a canine
nutri;onist and then we
feature incredible images of
how the pups develop during
the 63 day gesta;on period.
Bitches unlike Queens,
don’t need high protein
and extra food from he
beginning of their
pregnancy. Un;l a 5 week
scan and you know there
are pups, you can then

The importance of feeding a pregnant bitch with the correct
nutri;on at the right ;me during the pregnancy is essen;al.
Why?
Because research shows, if we, as breeders, get it wrong it
can affect the mum and the pups.
The next thing you may ask is what are the effects?
Firstly, there is an impact on the inter-uterine growth of the
pups. Malnutri;on decreases the dam’s immune system and
can cause offspring to be immune impaired. One reason why
pups from puppy farms tend to have ill health from the word
go. A dam’s poor diet can affect foetal programming, which in
later life can increase the risk of disease.
What are the key things to know when feeding a pregnant
bitch?
It is a fallacy that bitches need food immediately. Unlike cats
they don’t need an extra intake of food un;l the last 3 weeks
of their pregnancy. For those deciding to have a scan at 5
weeks, it makes life easy. You don’t over feed the bitch and
have to deal with an overweight dog if she is not pregnant.
Over those final 3 weeks the energy requirements increase
slowly from 30 – 60% more than the usual diet. Before
moving on, it is important to feed a quality diet during those
early weeks. In fact, it is a sensible move to ensure the bitch
is being fed a quality diet before she is bred. This will ensure
that as you are making changes to the usual diet, it doesn’t
happen too quickly, which can create diarrhoea and other
temporary diges;ve issues.
Once those final weeks of pregnancy are reached, then the
diet needs to be geared to growth and lacta;on. There are
many prepared diets on the market. Today with so many
choices and styles of feeding owners may want to select their
own combina;on of foods.
However, it is cri;cal that these foods contain the right
balance of ingredients to enable the bitch and the unborn
pups to be healthy. Poor diet can cause diarrhoea, loss of
condi;on and poor neonate performance. Equally, the
feeding the correct increase of food does need to be heeded,
as too much food can result in an obese Mum and the
increased risk of dystocia. Which in plain English means -
difficulty in passing the foetus through the pelvic canal.
The right diet
Most people will immediately realise that protein is a vital
cons;tuent of the pregnant bitch’s diet. The result is any food
should contain increased protein. A deficiency decrease
puppy and li?er size. Another important extra in the diet is
calcium and phosphorus. But only during the last trimester.
The calcium to phosphorous ra;o should increase from 1:1 to
1.5:1.
Linoleic acid and linolenic are both essen;al at this stage. As
is Omega-3 fa?y acids. It plays an important role in neural,
re;nal and lung development in utero. And don’t forget
carbohydrates are important to make lactose – milk sugar.
Quality food
before and a`er
ma;ng is
essen;al and
small and o`en
feeds can help
with over hungry
bitches.
GeSng the balance right
Making sure the right propor;ons of the key nutrients are in
the diet cannot be stressed enough. The biggest problem
nutri;onist find is with the right balance not being achieved.
Good breeders want to do the best they can for their bitch
and pups and o`en are tempted to add supplements over
and above the correct products for the bitch. It is easy to
think bitches need calcium – helps with bone growth, stops
the bitch using her calcium stores and the worry of
eclampsia.
But feeding too much calcium or even Vitamin D can cause
calcifica;on of the foetus’ so` ;ssue and not just the bone.
Something that is not what you want. Plus there is no
evidence that the extra calcium prevents eclampsia, in fact
some research has suggested that it might compound the
problem.
Also, others think that a maintenance diet – just more of it is
all that is needed. There are many anecdotes sugges;ng this
is the best op;on. It is all done with the best inten;ons.
However, it may not be best for the bitch and pups in the
longterm.
AppeDte
Many bitches will demand food as soon as they are
pregnant and it does take a lot of control on the owner’s
side to realise that food MUST be weighed and the right
food fed. As the pregnancy progresses into the third
trimester, yes the food quan;ty is increased. The bitch o`en
cannot eat hearty meals and so 3-4 smaller ones are o`en
suggested. So, during the early stages feeding more than 1-2
;mes a day might be useful.
Some bitches get a li?le picky and want to eat when they
choose. The answer is free choice feeding, but again
quan;;es must be measured and the amount actual eaten
noted. A bitch will o`en not eat close to whelping and will
be relying on her stored nutrients to give her energy. Also,
once the pups are born, some bitches will not eat ini;ally.
So, again stored nutrients are essen;al as this is a ;me
when a lot of energy is needed to lactate and for recovery.
It is important to add, there are many bitches that love their
food so much having a li?er rarely gets in the way of a good
meal!

Early Days
Newborn pups. Something that will make all readers smile. Apart from being cute, a breeder is
excited - perhaps lying there is the next big star, the new owners are anxious the see them - 9
weeks can seem like an eternity for them to appear. And the Mum is just ge_ng down to a few
weeks of hard work to keep those puppies well fed, clean and entertained. When they are born
they cannot see or hear. They have s;ll a lot of developing to do before they can be ready for their
new homes. But they have already come a long way. The Aussie looks at what happens before
they are born.
It all starts with the ma;ng.
Once the egg is fer;lised, this future puppy nestles inside its mother’s womb and starts a nine week
journey from only four cells to fully grown puppy. The four-cells quickly mul;ply to 64 cells by 14-16 days
and then the embryo a?aches to uterus At this point it is ready to form a head and spine.
A`er implanta;on, the placenta develops, providing all the nutrients a puppy will need throughout the
pregnancy and maintaining separa;on between the mother's and puppy's circulatory systems.
The nervous system will begin to form around day 16. Around day 22, the puppy's heart will begin
bea;ng; by day 24 the limb buds will start to form.

This is called the embryonic period and it will last 30 days. During this ;me,
the cells con;nue to divide into three main layers that in ;me will become
everything from hair and teeth to internal organs:
The ectoderm will form the hair, skin, nervous system and sensory organs.
The mesoderm will become the muscles, bone, circulatory system and
reproduc;ve system.
The endoderm will develop into the respiratory and gastrointes;nal
systems. As development progresses, the foetus will start looking more like
a puppy, forming propor;onal limbs and tail by day 34.
By 28 days, the dog foetus has nearly tripled in size and has already grown
to 15 mm, or as big as a hazelnut. The foetus also develops its organs and
can be seen in an ultrasound at the vet’s surgery. Also at this point in its
development, the foetus is most suscep;ble to birth defects.
Toes, whiskers and claws develop in week five, and the foetus begins to
resemble a dog. By the end of week six, the foetus is about 45mm long, and
has developed skin pigment.
At the six-week mark, the foetus has sex organs and begins to develop into
either a male or a female.
Star;ng at week 7, the soon-to-be-pup’s skeleton has developed completely,
and may be seen clearly by ultrasound. In prepara;on for the birth, the
mother will start to develop a bald spot on her stomach so that her pup can
easily find where to feed from her nipples.
The foetal puppy gains weight, and the puppy’s movements can be seen
when the mother is at rest. By day 55, the hair will start to grow.
Once the major organ systems have developed, these last few weeks are for
further growth and matura;on. The eyes are an excep;on and con;nue to
develop through these last few weeks and even a`er birth.
From day 57, the beginning of Week 9, the puppy can safely be born,
although it will usually wait un;l 60 to 63 days. Not all puppies are born
with the coat colour of adulthood. For example, blue and tan Aussies are
predominantly black when they are born and red Aussies can have black
guard hairs.
This in very simplis;c terms is what happens during those weeks of wai;ng.
The result is another genera;on of Aussies to fulfill peoples’ hopes and
dreams. For those readers wai;ng for news of puppies, there’s probably a
lot going on that we just cannot see. So be pa;ent. An Aussie is worth
wai;ng for.

Made for the Aussie?
Steep slopes are great to run up and down, or you can use
trees and bushes to send round and between. However,
respect for the environment must be demonstrated at all
;mes.
Ever heard of Parkour?
You may be answering immediately with - of course I have –
it’s the ac;vity or sport of moving rapidly through an area,
typically in an urban environment, nego;a;ng obstacles by
running, jumping, and climbing. Quite simply it is a varia;on
on free-running. This is where we see incredible and
dangerous feats as people use the environment to jump from
building to building; scaling sheer walls, jumping across water:
climbing from tree to tree. The op;ons are endless. Why use a
path, when other routes are quicker? Some of the ideas can
be seen undertaken by stunt men in the chases across roof
tops in Bond films. It’s an ac;ve, physical and dangerous sport.
A quick look at YouTube clips show the extent of the physical
fitness needed to achieve these ac;vi;es.
So, what as this to do with dogs and in par;cular the
Australian Terrier?
Anyone who has owned an Aussie will be fully aware that
these dogs can jump, are brave and have great agility. That’s
why there are an increasing number turning up in agility
compe;;ons and achieving success.
But not everyone’s idea of fun is to run around an agility
course at top speed, even though it might be a perfect day out
for your Aussie. Plus with the current restric;ons going to
specific agility courses is not possible. That’s where dog
parkour comes in. Yes, it does exist and although it’s a newer
sport than agility, it has been around for a few years now and
a?rac;ng more and more interest.
Dog Parkour
Just like in the human version, in dog parkour owners work on
ways to conquer obstacles, such as climbing, balancing, and
jumping. Dog Parkour is a non-compe;;ve event, but it is a
;tling event.
Right, how does this parkour business translate to a dog? It's
a fun ac;vity that combines elements of jumping, climbing,
scrambling and balancing using natural, or man-made
obstacles. It does help the dogs to get incredibly fit and it
really helps to build their rela;onship with you.
Instead of just walking and le_ng your dog run, you are
encouraging your Aussie to use obstacles are part of the walk.
You can prac;se on any walk where you might find a few
obstacles for your dog to enjoy. Whenever you see anything
like this, don't just walk on by - explore all the possibili;es.
On beaches there are rocks close enough to each other for the
dogs to leap from one to the other. Some;mes there are
washed up planks, or even a big tyre to play on. Breakwaters
to jump, or balance on.
Playgrounds may be used, if playground rules permit, but
remember they are the children’s playgrounds first. If children
want to use it, then move your ac;vity elsewhere.
It's such a lot of fun for the dog and Aussies love to use their
natural skills. You find that you will be entertaining people
on your walks Mind you, they may well think you're bonkers,
but then non dog people have probably thought that for
years.
Most gardens have loads of objects that can be made into
obstacles for dogs to nego;ate and here you can build your
own course and entertain the neighbours at the same ;me.
Your Aussie probably even uses these things without
thinking, especially if there is a squirrel chase in progress.
Parkour can be done anywhere and is limited only by your
own imagina;on. With all the current restric;ons, this is a
way to give your Aussie more exercise. You can set up
obstacles in the garden.
It can get very athle;c for those who want to take this
further than a do it yourself walk. If you can find good
mature trees or a handy wall you can use them for a special
parkour technique called ;c tacs. It involves the dog leaping
high up and touching the wall or tree with its hind feet
before leaping down again.
Safety First
Obviously, you as the owner/handler must be sure that you
are not pu_ng your dog at risk. This is a sport for adult
Aussies and although a pup is very happy to have a go at all
these obstacles, they do need to have fully developed before
you put strain on their frame.
The organisa;on that oversees Parkour recommends that all
dogs par;cipa;ng in parkour ac;vi;es must wear a harness
with lead (if using) clipped to back. Harness width straps
must be appropriate for the size of dog (minimum 1 inch
straps for all but the smallest dogs). Ruffwear and Hur?a
make harnesses which are idea for parkour ac;vi;es.
The harness may be removed for obstacles that are done at
ground level (under, through, etc.
Plus they have introduced some jumping height restric;ons.
Want to know more?
Dog Parkour UK (DPUK) offers courses which are fun,
challenging and confidence building for all breeds of dogs.
Par;cipants may choose to complete DPUK Challenges for
Cer;ficates and Excellent Titles.
Of course Aussies have been doing their own version of
Parkour for some ;me. Check out the array of photos of
Aussies being Aussies and enjoying having fun with whatever
obstacle they find.

Forests provide trees to climb, tree
stumps on which to balance, and
fallen branches make natural jumps.
Children’s play areas have so many
options that can be enjoyed. Currently,
these are no go areas, but remember,
when things get back to normal, make
sure dogs are allowed and the children
have priority!
Even on a daily walk
you can find things
which can
encourage parkour
moves with your
Aussie. Always
remember safety
first.
even your garden has an array
of things to stimulate activity.
Beaches provide so many
intersting place to jump,, climb or
balance.

Ticking Off
As the temperatures get milder, and spring has definitely
arrived. With the opportunity to walk our dogs once a day;
parks being closed and the need to self isolate, many owners
and dogs are walking more off the beaten track. However,
there are some downsides including the return of a few
unwanted guests, mostly in the form of Ticks and Fleas.
This year, the experts tell us that we are headed into what is
expected to be an extremely heavy season and it’s important
to learn about these pests. It is important to protect yourself
and your Aussie from the diseases they carry. There’s enough
for all of us to worry about rather than a few more. The most
common disease we all can get from Ticks is Lymes Disease.
But don’t panic! A few simple steps can reduce the risks.
So, what are Dcks?
Ticks are small, spider like creatures that feed on the blood of
animals and people. In the UK there are currently 22 different
species, and can be reddish, dark brown or black. They’re
usually about the size of a sesame seed (1-3mm), but a`er
feeding they can swell to the size of a small pea. It is during
the feeding process, they can transmit what are known as
pathogens, which can result in infec;ons, such as Lymes
disease – these can be serious if not treated.
Where are Dcks found?
Ticks like to live in areas of dense vegeta;on, most common
in woodland areas and are o`en found clinging to tall grass
and shrubs. Ticks can’t fly, so they a?ach themselves to
animals, or humans as they brush past long grass and other
plants.
When are Dcks acDve?
In England, ;ck ac;vity increases during spring, peaking
during April to June. During this period, the risk of ge_ng
bi?en, is extremely high. The season reduces during the
summer months, but can then pick up again in early autumn.
A regular misconcep;on is that ;cks aren’t ac;ve in the
winter, when in fact, adult ;cks can be ac;ve at all ;mes of
the year!
How do I avoid Dcks?
• Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass!
• Try to avoid areas local to you, where ;cks have been
found. It is not easy to keep your dog from these spots all the
;me!
• Make sure you wear long-sleeved tops and tuck trousers
into socks, make sure you protect the back of the knees,
armpits and the groin area.
• Ticks can get on your clothes, so wearing light colours will
make it easier to iden;fy them.
• Use repellents. Check the label to make sure it’s effec;ve
against ;cks, suitable for dogs, adults and children.
•Check regularly.
• Get smart with technology, there are several free apps
available which can help you plan a route and highlight high
risk areas.
Alterna;vely the interac;ve ;ck map, created by The Big Tick
Project survey, is a great start to knowing the risks in your
local area.

•Check your dog regularly. Areas include: under the
collar, under the tail, inside the groin area, between the
toes, under the front legs and at the elbows.
How to remove Dcks?
Always check your Aussie for ;cks, especially if you walk in areas
where they are more likely to lurk!
• To begin with, when you’re ge_ng ready to
remove the ;ck you’ve got to keep your dog
calm. Any unusual prodding tends to make them
nervous. If there is another person available, it is
a good idea to ask that person to hold your dog
and keep them relaxed and happy.
• When removing an embedded ;ck, wear gloves
to avoid touching the ;ck and contrac;ng any
diseases.
• Use a ;ck removal tool to avoid spreading
harmful bacteria entering the bloodstream,
thankfully there are effec;ve devices on the
market to help you. One is the ;ck twister, as it
cradles the ;ck without adding pressure to its
mouth.
Using steady pressure, engage the hook by
approaching the ;ck from the side un;l it's held.
Li` the hook very lightly and turn it. The ;ck will
detach itself a`er 2 to 3 rota;ons.
• Kill the ;ck by placing it in a container with
rubbing alcohol. Once the ;ck is dead, most
veterinarians recommend keeping it locked in a
container as a precau;on in case your pet begins
displaying symptoms, such as a red inflamed
mark from the bite.
• Use an an;sep;c spray or wipes to disinfect the
bite site and keep an eye on the area.
• Using a specialised shampoo is a great deterrent
to deter ;cks, mites and fleas.
• If you are concerned however, you should
consult your vet, who can teach you how to
complete the process.
The Big Tick project map shows that much of the country appears to
have a problem with ;cks. To get more informa;on, go to the
website.
h?ps://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/BFTP/why-protect/mapof-threats
Tick Facts
Ticks must be engorged from 24 to 36 hours
before they are able to transmit Lyme disease and
only 25% of nymphs and 50% of adults carry Lyme
in the highest endemic areas. This might seem
like a high number, but only 5% of dogs who are
naturally exposed to Lyme disease become
clinically ill. This means that if you find a nymph
on your dog, the risk of Lyme disease in endemic
areas is 1.25 out of a hundred and 2.5 out of a
hundred if you find an adult ;ck on your dog. Of
course, the risk will be lower in other areas.

PrevenDon is be3er than cure
Although it is compara;vely easy to remove a ;ck. However, like
with everything, first ;me you do it, well with a fidge;ng dog
and lack of confidence it can make you wonder why you even
thought it was straighyorward!
Preven;on is always be?er than cure. There are a wide range of
op;ons on the market, some seem to work be?er on some dogs
than others. Many owners have found some dogs a?ract them
like magnets, no ma?er what they use – whilst others seem to
be naturally repellent to ;cks! As a dog owner, we have to work
on the basis that there are hoards of ;cks out there just wai;ng
to have a free drink on your dog – or maybe even you!
The first port of call for most seeking op;ons is the Vet. They
can offer a range of products from spot ons, to tablets to collars.
All of which have some component designed to dissuade a ;ck
and even if they do latch on – they can do no harm as they are
killed. Finding the one hat best suits you can take some ;me.
Many believe the collars work perfectly, whilst others prefer the
tablets. The choice is what suits your dog or you. Many of the
products can be bought on-line from Vet pharmacies and those
gong to Cru`s may well have seen the queues of people buying
the products for their dogs at a preferen;al rate.
If you don’t want to try Veterinary op;ons and at this ;me
some of the Vets are not dispensing these products, what are
your op;ons? Many of the products from Vets or as alterna;ves
are not suitable for pregnant and lacta;ng bitches and pups
under 4 months.
Rose Geranium EssenDal Oil
It’s very simple to use rose geranium oil as an all-natural ;ck
repellent for dogs. You simply add 1 drop in between your dog’s
shoulder blades and another drop by their tail. Do this every 3-5
days. Very small dogs may only need 1 drop while larger dogs
may need 3 or 4. Rose Geranium is one of the few essen;al
oils which can be used ‘neat’ without a carrier oil. Users
have found this to be very successful, even for themselves.
But as with all essen;al oils – follow the instruc;ons
carefully. Rose geranium oil does make you and your dog
smell good, but like many essen;al oils it is an expensive
op;on. Specialists believe it’s the geranium part which
does the job and so If you want to use oils which are effec;ve
and lower priced, try a geranium, basil, cedarwood mix. This
blend seems to help repel ;cks just as well.
Brewers Yeast
There are many anecdotes about the ability of Brewer’s yeast to
repel ;cks. But does it really work? The short answer is yes. The
longer answer is that there is not much scien;fic informa;on
available more recent than USDA pamphlets from the 1950s.
Recent studies have combined brewer’s yeast with garlic, or oils
with mixed results. The amount of garlic in commercially
available formulas is safe for pets. It seems as though brewer’s
yeast is the important ingredient, the formula;on is vital to its
success at repelling ;cks. Scien;sts have tried to determine
which part of brewer’s yeast gives it this repellent property.
None of the vitamins or minerals in brewer’s yeast repel ;cks on
their own, so it may be mul;ple components working together.
Recently, dog treats containing brewer’s yeast with and
without garlic were tested, and there was no difference in
the effec;veness of the treat. The treat hit a snag coming to
market because of side effects in the large dogs in the
study. Brewer’s yeast mixed with omega-3 oils may have a
stronger repellent effect.
It will likely take a few days before you see any flea
repellent effect from brewer’s yeast, and not all dogs will
benefit. Therefore, it is best given in addi;on to a topical, or
chewable product that kills fleas so your dog is protected in
two ways.
Brewer’s Yeast is also great for a glossy coat.
Poten;ally 2 jobs for the price of one! One user did
no;ce that her dogs did get ;cks, however they
weren’t latching on for some reason. Maybe that is the
effect Brewer’s yeast has on the ;ck.
Brewer’s yeast is available in powder or tablet form. There
are specific formula;ons of tablets for dogs so that it is an
appropriate amount for the size dog you have. The powder
is o`en made of de-bi?ered brewer’s yeast, which lacks
chromium. Some contain added garlic or garlic flavouring
while others contain omega-3 oils.
Dorwest Herbs Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets
Dorwest Herbs suggest their Garlic and Fenugreek
tablets have been used. Garlic is a well known
repellent. The great thing about this supplement? It
also helps joints! High quan;;es of raw garlic can be
dangerous to dogs, so don’t think about taking a
shortcut!
The Dog & I Cologne
Most Aussies wouldn’t be seen dead spor;ng a
cologne. But the one, produced by – The Dog and I -
has amongst their product range colognes with
essen;al oils. They have been ge_ng feedback from
their customers who use the ‘Walking in Sunshine’
spray. The sugges;on is dogs don’t seem to be ge_ng
;cks if they are sprayed with this cologne. It is thought
it’s due to the essen;al oils -Lavender, Rosemary and
Lemongrass which are in the cologne , all of which are
said to be repellents!
Billy No Mates by CSJ
There are many people who swear by Billy No Mates.
it may take a li?le longer to start working and it’s
recommended you allow up to 6 weeks for this totally
natural product to become fully effec;ve. Because of this,
it is a good idea to start using it in early March. Although it
can be used a year round. To ensure the con;nued efficacy
the manufacturers recommend you give your dog a short
break before restar;ng. It uses a heap of natural herbs
to form an aroma;c combina;on of mint, seaweed,
fenugreek, need leaves and lemon balm and is given by
sprinkling over your dog’s food. Launched over 10 years
ago, this mix is also great for skin and coat condi;on.
Just a few op;ons for you to try, if you have others
then do let ‘The Aussie’ know. Readers will be
interested.

I’ve lost
the Buzz
Remember the first ;me you won a rose?e?
Or maybe a Good Ci;zen’s cer;ficate.
Do you remember how excited you were?
Every new discovery, every new skill was a thrilling milestone.
You were happy and your dog was happy. You could see it in their
response to you and how much they wanted to do this again to
please you.
Eventually you decide to progress from the local village fete to an
Open Show. Or maybe from the Puppy beginners’ obedience
course to the KC Good Ci;zen scheme.
You enter, compete with heart pounding. What a rush.
And suddenly you are hooked.
Fast forward several months
You work hard to get be?er and improve your confidence. You
seek help, extra coaching and slowly but sure your confidence
improves.
This doesn’t just happen in dog sports and ac;vi;es. It can
happen at work, in your other hobbies and even in your
rela;onships.
Reconnect
However, all is not lost.
If you sit down and get back to the star;ng point. That is
why you began the ac;vity in the first place. The reason
should be because it was fun and both you and the dog
had a good ;me. As the saying goes winning isn’t
everything and you take the best dog home.
With it comes more success and suddenly your expecta;ons
change. You want more wins, or maybe even ;tles.
But the successes become fewer and far between and the failures
start to disappoint you. You are not mee;ng those goals you had
set yourself once success hard begun.
Suddenly these ac;vi;es no longer seemed to be fun anymore. In
fact it seemed more like a chore. The early mornings become a
struggle, no more are they giving you the buzz of expecta;on. The
journey back where you review the day becomes depressing rather
than a useful debrief.
What the heck happened?
You lost touch with what you loved. The ac;vity; visi;ng new
places; new found friends; the breed.
You lost touch with your ‘why’.
Outside goals and extrinsic rewards (that were largely out of your
control) became too important.
We are human; it happens. We’ve all done it.
When your core values and your needs – the things that are
intrinsically rewards – get shoved to the side because you are
chasing external results, you feel dissa;sfied, unhappy and
frustrated.
You forget that you have your dog because you like the breed, the
dog itself and want to have the fun of enjoying owning a dog.
Rose?es and cer;ficates give you a quick hit of adrenaline, but the
feeling fades quickly and leaves you feeling empty and longing for
your next hit and one that you o`en don’t have much control over.
Learning to balance the lure of extrinsic rewards with
having a good day out is an important part of maturing as
a compe;tor and as a person.
So when you feel like you are losing the joy, close your
eyes and try to reconnect with what originally made you
passionate about it, what you love about it and what gives
tou that warm, fuzzy feeling inside when you think about
it and take part.
Let go of your expecta;ons and focus on the process, on
the moments, on learning and experiencing and growing.
Focus on those parts of the ac;vity that gave you the most
pleasure. Why put yourself through angst when there are
similar op;ons where you can s;ll enjoy what you both
are doing.
During this ;me when we don’t have a chance to
par;cipate in dog ac;vi;es, it provides the perfect
opportunity to reconnect with your passion. Once
everything returns to normal then you will be on track
and the right results for you will come naturally.

Op;ons for calming dogs and helping with arthri;c problems
abound. From pharmaceu;cal op;ons to herbal. Something
that is men;oned increasingly is CPD Oil. And not just for
dogs, for ourselves as well. Is it the perfect choice to solve all
the problems? ‘The Aussie’ inves;gates
What is CPD
Cannabidiol(CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant.
It’s a type of cannabinoid, which are the chemicals naturally
found in marijuana plants. Even though it comes from
marijuana plants, CBD doesn’t create a “high” effect or any
form of intoxica;on — that’s caused by another cannabinoid,
tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC.
There’s some controversy around cannabis products like CBD
oil because of recrea;onal marijuana use. But there’s growing
awareness about the possible health benefits of CBD oil.
What are the benefits?
When used in the right dosages, it can be used to treat
anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain. It has also been
found to ease the symptoms of cancer in pa;ents. The good
news is that CBD does not only need to be for humans but
also dogs. The la?er have an endocannabinoid system (ECS),
just like human beings, hence using CBD can help their bodies
and ward off numerous ailments
What Is CBD Oil For Dogs?
Since cannabidiol oil is derived from a plant, it means it is all
natural and non-toxic, hence it is used as a ‘go-to’ when
looking for a natural remedy. The conversa;on about CBD oil
for dogs has been growing tremendously by the day, and
more and more people are using it. CBD should not be
confused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is also a
compound of the hemp and has psychoac;ve proper;es. The
former has no psychoac;ve proper;es hence suitable for your
dog.
Why Dog Owners Are Using CBD Oil.
Dog owners are using CBD oil for a plethora of
reasons, with some of them including:
Anxiety
If your dog has issues with urina;ng, chewing,
pacing, or any other destruc;ve behaviours,
then these could be symptom of anxiety.
Hormonal imbalance in the dog can cause
chronic anxiety. The endocannabinoid system
(ECS) is a group of neuromodulatory lipids and
their receptors, which are widely distributed in
mammalian ;ssues. ECS regulates various
cardiovascular, nervous, and immune system
func;ons inside cells. These receptors are
abundantly expressed in the brain and fa?y
;ssue of the human body.
Since the ECS system is the one in charge of
regula;ng the appe;te, mood, and sleep, using
CBD oil will reduce the effect of these symptoms.
Many owners are turning to it during the
Fireworks season.
Seizures
Most of the treatment for seizures and epilepsy
that are there today have severe side effects. For
example, feeling dull. There is the possibility
them causing damage to the liver and other
body organs. Using CBD oil in higher dosages can
treat the seizures and epilepsy without having
the same adverse effects. In the short term, it
can prevent and interrupt the seizures, and in
the long run, it can even reduce their frequency.
But it will not cure and the dosages must be
recommended by a specialist.

Chronic Pain.
One of the healing aspects of CBD is that it can be a
pain reliever, hence providing quick relief to the dog’s
pain. It has an an;-inflammatory func;on, which makes
it perfect for trea;ng numerous chronic pain issues
such as asthma, arthri;s, pancrea;;s, nerve-related
pain, as well as neuropathy pain. It does this by
affec;ng the TRPV1 receptors in the body. These detect
and regulate body temperature. In addi;on, TRPV1
provides a sensa;on of scalding heat and pain. By
chemically reducing this, the pain s;ll exists but the dog
does not feel it.
Cancer
Some owners use this for dogs diagnosed with cancer.
CPD CANNOT heal cancer, but it can help to reduce pain
and increase appe;te.
Will CBD Oil Get The Dog High?
The answer to this is no. CBD oil cannot get your dog
high. This is because it does not have any psychoac;ve
side effects like THC does. It is possible to buy highquality
CBD oil with traces of THC, but it is rare. The
good news is that as long as the percentage is less than
3%, your dog will never get high.
How To Use CBD Oil
The best way to give the CBD oil to your dog is by using
the dropper included in the ;ncture package straight to
the dog’s mouth. Most dogs will have no problem with
the taste hence it will go well. However, if your dog is a
picky eater, you could mix the CBD oil into their food or
put it in one of their favourite treats
CBD Oil Dosage For Dogs
The dosage for the dog will be determined mainly by
the size and weight of your dog. It is recommended to
start slow when introducing a new product into the life
of your dog. If the dog begins experiencing side effects
and starts showing signs of an adverse reac;on, then it
is ;me to reduce the dosage. It is best to talk to a
specialist and know the recommended dosage for the
size and weight of your dog. If in need of increasing the
dosage, do it gradually to give the dog ;me to adjust.
For more chronic issues, it should be noted that it
may take two to four weeks for the op;mal results
to be seen.
When it comes to our dogs, all we want is what is
best for them, and CBD oil might be what they need.
With the above points, one can see why it is good
for them, and when and how to administer it to
them without any issues. Your dogs could not be
happier!
Use with care
Access to CPD has become more possible, but the
specialists give a warning. The product is generic for
humans. There is very li?le research into CPD Oil
and its benefits for dogs. Most is anecdotal.
Although there was one study out of the Colorado
State University's College of Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences found that dogs can tolerate
CBD and that it may have some efficacy for epilepsy.
Published a year ago, it found that 89% of dogs who
received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduc;on in
the frequency of seizures.
As there it is essen;al that the correct dosage and
quality of CPD is administered and behaviourists,
who recommend the product, can give owners
access to the appropriate sources and dosage.
How Long Will It Take The CBD Oil To Work On My
Dog?
It is good to note that every dog reacts differently to
CBD Oil since they are all different. It is advised to start
small and slow. A general rule of the thumb is that;
when giving the oil directly to the dog’s mouth you
should give it twenty to sixty minutes, while when
giving the CBD in the dog’s food or treat, you should
allow for forty-five to ninety minutes.

The Whole Thing
Is it all about herbs and massage?
In many acute situa;ons, treatment may involve aspects of
surgery and drug therapy from conven;onal Western
technology, along with alterna;ve techniques to provide a
complementary whole. This form of treatment has great
value for severe trauma and certain infec;ons.
Once the symptoms have been treated, the task is not
complete un;l the underlying disease pa?erns have been
redirected. The pa;ent, as well as the client, will be guided
to a new level of health. The wholeness inherent in the
scope of holis;c veterinary medicine nurtures all aspects of
an animal’s well-being, resul;ng in las;ng physical, mental,
and emo;onal health.
Today there are lots of op;ons when it comes to medicine
and our dogs. Increasingly owners are looking to make sure
their choices are poten;ally less aggressive and more
naturally based. As a result, many are looking to Holis;c
medicine, but what is it? Could it be an op;on for you?
‘The Aussie’ inves;gates.
What does HolisDc medicine actually mean?
Holis;c medicine, by its very nature, is humane to the core.
The techniques used in holis;c medicine are gentle,
minimally invasive, and incorporate pa;ent well-being and
stress reduc;on. Holis;c thinking is centred on love,
empathy and respect.
How does it work?
In trea;ng an animal, a holis;c veterinarian will determine
the best combina;on of both conven;onal and alterna;ve
(or complementary) therapies for a given individual. This
mixture of healing arts and skills is as natural as life itself.
Therein lies the very essence of the word “(w)holis;c.” It
means taking in the whole picture of the pa;ent—the
environment, the disease pa?ern, the rela;onship of the
dog with its owner—and developing a treatment protocol
using a wide range of therapies for healing the pa;ent. The
holis;c prac;;oner is interested not only in a medical
history, but also gene;cs, nutri;on, environment, family
rela;onships, stress levels and other factors.
Many pa;ents present in a state of “disease.” At this point,
the holis;c challenge lies in the ques;on “why?” A simpleappearing
symptom may have several layers of causa;on.
When one area of the body is ill, it can manifest in many
different ways. Only when the true cause of the ailment has
been found is there the possibility for a las;ng recovery.
Through a series of analy;c observa;ons and appropriate
tes;ng, the goal becomes finding the true root source of
the pathology. It is at this point that the most efficacious,
least invasive, least expensive, and least harmful path to
cure is selected.
What are the main differences between a holisDc vet and
normal one?
Truthfully, the dis;nc;on between these two approaches
depends somewhat on the veterinarian in ques;on. Some
holis;c prac;;oners prefer to use only alterna;ve
therapies. Others, like to use a blend of tradi;onal medicine
and holis;c treatments. To explain further how the blend of
the two approaches work. A holis;c Vet following this
mixture of op;ons will o`en fix something with tradi;onal
medicine if it doesn’t have too many side effect. But there
are some diseases and disease processes where these
treatments don’t offer a lot of op;ons. This is where
alterna;ve therapies, such as Chinese medicine, can make
an impact. There are plenty of ;mes when a vet might
employ mul;ple strategies as well. Using the tradi;onal
and less tradi;onal methods to gain the best of both worlds
to benefit your dog.
What are the other opDons used by HolisDc Vets?
They employ a wide array of therapies to address health
issues. You might even recognise some of them if you or
someone you know uses alterna;ve treatments
occasionally. Acupuncture, chiroprac;c, herbs, and
homeopathy are the most common.
But they have been known to use low-level laser therapy,
diet and aromatherapy amongst other less obvious
treatments. The key is diagnosing the cause and then
developing the unique blend of solu;ons.
Is the holisDc approach right for your dog?
There’s no right answer to this ques;on. Whether a holis;c
veterinarian is right for you and your dog is largely
dependent on your own philosophy and what puts you at
ease. You have to do what you feel is right.
However, many Holis;c Vets do recommend you consider
the problem you are trying to resolve. Some holis;c vets
don’t use any tradi;onal medicine at all. A lot of modern
medicine and surgery is life-saving and appropriate, for
example emergency surgery following an accident. That is
why many suggest you seek the best of both worlds.
The Aussie will feature some of the other op;ons avaiable
to you in forthcoming edi;ons.

Body and Mind
Regular readers of ‘The Aussie’ Magazine may remember that
Dani Segal, a top Groomer from Australia was part of the
Australian Grooming Team at the world Championships and
groomed an Aussie. Not only is she a Groomer, but she has
studied Kinesiology.
What is Kinesiology?
Discovered by Dr George Goodheart in the 1960ʹs. He was the
first to iden;fy that there were muscles that were not ‘locking’,
or working, which meant other muscles became painful and
overused. Where tradi;onal therapies focus on the painful
muscle, Kinesiology iden;fies the root cause of the problem –
the muscles that are not func;oning and uses techniques to turn
those muscles on. Kinesiology uses the theory of muscle tes;ng
to discover the underlying causes contribu;ng to health issues –
be it physical, nutri;onal or emo;onal. The body clearly
communicates to the prac;;oner what is needed.
Tes;ng a series of muscles, a kinesiologist is able to determine
the loca;on of stress in the body, and what form it takes. The
stress may be neurological, physical, emo;onal, biochemical or
energe;c. The kinesiologist will have a wide range of correc;ons
and re-balancing techniques available to effec;vely remove the
stress. Re-tes;ng the affected muscle in a balanced state
confirms the removal of the stress. In removing stress, the
kinesiologist has created the environment for the body to then
rebalance itself and allow deep level healing.
An Animal Kinesiology balance will include the following:
• Tes;ng key muscles to determine which show signs of
imbalance.
• Iden;fying the muscle, organ, body system or energy
system holding stress.
• Iden;fying the area of the nervous system affected.
• Iden;fying emo;onal factors using meridian informa;on
to build a picture of the emo;onal source of
the imbalance.
• Tes;ng to see if the owner is holding stress and if this is
contribu;ng to the animals presen;ng issue.
• Selec;ng a combina;on of body work moves or TCM
techniques to remove the stress and rebalance the body
as a whole.
• Retes;ng the muscles to ensure balance is restored.
With a lot of uncertainty in the world today, Dani has
shared her knowledge to help make life as easy and
stress free for our dogs.
I thought I would put my Kinesiology brain on for a bit,
and try to help your dogs energe;cally with any
changes they may have had with everything going on.
Remembering that dogs take on our "stuff for us, the
bladder meridian is responsible for Fear, Depression
and Agita;on, so we want to help them as much as
possible!
If you have any lavender oil or a plant in the garden,
awesome, rub just a ;ny drop on your hands for added
calming effect, but if not, not a worry at all!
As you can see from the image below, the bladder
meridian runs from just under their eyes, all the way
down the spine, and comes out the outer back toe. So
you would use 2 fingers, or even just pat them, all the
way down their spine and out the back foot. You can do
this as many ;mes as you feel necessary, usually about
3-5 ;mes is perfect!
(Please don't go backwards, as that will have the
opposite effect). Please remember to BREATHE! Slow
breaths out will find your dog breathing with you
almost in sync, as this takes effect! It really is that
simple, and can be so unbelievable in what it achieves!
Please give it a go, I'd love to hear how it helps your
pup xxx

Poet%& Cor*er
Of course, there are no Aussies out there like the
dog described in this poem, but there are a couple
of lines which I am sure every dog owner will
appreciate. Mostly le>ng you down in public!
Aah! He looked so divine when he first became mine
As a puppy he really was gorgeous –
But, since then his misdeeds and the lifestyle he leads
Compare badly with those of the Borgias.
Taken out for a walk, he goes off like a cork
From a boIle when let off the lead;
Then we’ve all got our eyes on the farthest horizon,
Far beyond which he’s gone at some speed.
Life has been a bit fraught since the last cat he caught
With fur inside him when friends came to call.
“Why, how darling he looks!’ he went books, book,
books, BOOKS, BOOKS,!
And then brought it all up I the hall.
It took hours of grooming unCl he was blooming,
“We will win it”, I foolishly told him.
But he bloIed his book, when he suddenly took
A quick dive and – God knows what he rolled it
There were dogs thin and fat, dogs resembling a mat,
Dogs of every conceivable height.
Dogs howling, dogs yapping, dogs growling, dogs
snapping
And mine haCng each one on sight.
In the tests for agility, his complete inability
Caused each obstacle’s disintegraCon.
When I shouted “Up! Higher!”, he leapt into the tyre,
Where he stuck due to overinflaCon.
Amid shouts of “Disgraceful” in the race, with his face
full
Of dog’s fur, he caused much confusion.
His professional fouls brought crescendos of howls
And the race to an early conclusion.
My dog’s no use at all, he won’t come when I call,
He won’t “Stay there!” or “Fetch It!” or “Sit!”
All the furniture’s gnawed, my commands all ignored,
Except “Heel!” – which he rushed to and bit.

All Change
This time last year who would have
thought we would be in a world where
your Aussie’s Andrex puppy routine is
not fun, but brings you out in a panic.
Will there be a replacement at the local
supermarket or not!
With lockdowns, self isolation,
restricted walking for you and your dog
- well the daily routine for millions of
people in the UK has changed
dramatically.
‘The Aussie’ has contacted various
professionals in the dog world. Most of
whom are not working and struggling
as they are self employed. But they have
been generous to give their time and
experience to providing some help to
make sure the weeks are rewarding for
both you and your Aussie.
As coronavirus forces change in our usual rou;nes and our Aussies inevitably
feel these changes too. There are certain things to remember and do which
can limit the impact which may affect our dog’s behaviour now and in the
future when things get back to normal ..................
Whilst working from home short term may seem great for you and your dog.
However, dogs like rou;ne and get very used to the daily pa?ern. Think back
to the clock changes and how your Aussie does get a li?le confused. It takes
a few days to get them back into a rou;ne that suits everyone. Even though
you are at home, it is good to try to follow the work rou;ne, although ge_ng
up at ‘silly O’Clock’ to start home working may not be your plan. Just
remember, ease your dog into the change and understand if it Is unse?led.
Keeping a rouDne
The change can create long term problems with regards to separa;on anxiety
issues. Some dogs already suffer a degree of separa;on anxiety when
Monday comes and find it difficult to re-adjust a`er the weekend. Therefore,
in terms of possibly weeks of rou;ne change, this then would become the
norm for your dog and very difficult for it to adjust back to being le`.
My advice is to try and keep the rou;ne with your dog as normal as possible
with usual walking and feeding ;mes. Most importantly, look to have some
of the day apart from each other, as being with your dog all day is not the
usual rou;ne. This can be achieved by working in a different room for a
couple of hours here and there throughout the day. Try mocking up your
usual rou;ne of leaving the home even to point of shu_ng the front door,
then quietly creeping back in to work upstairs or in another room. Use a
grocery store visit as a separa;on ;me as well.
SeparaDon Anxiety
If your dog gets used to being with you all the ;me, unfortunately the
chances are it will become very confused and maybe even distressed when
you return to your normal daily life. Even if it had been fine before.
Be mindful not to allow your dog to shadow you everywhere as you move
around the house, use of dog gates and closing doors behind you whilst
leaving your dog to chill out in an area for a couple of minutes can make all
the difference. With some simple rou;nes and short alone ;mes for your dog
you can help hugely in preven;ng the onset of separa;on anxiety.
If you are having to self-isolate, your dog will s;ll need to be exercised
mentally and physically. Local dog walking services may be able to help
depending on the restric;ons at the ;me. It is good to have in mind someone
you could call upon to assist if you are unable to leave your home. This
enables your dog to get some valuable environmental enrichment and to
stretch its legs.
Exercise
If we are in a lockdown situa;on, we will all need to think outside the box
and dedicate some ;me daily to play games with our dogs in the garden and
in the home. Games such as tug, retrieve and chase. Food searches around
the home is another great game for you and your dog to play. ‘You hide’ and
‘dog seeks’ also uses up some of that excess energy. Enrichment items such
as puzzle toys and treat balls, Kong’s a are just a few items that can be
bought on line if there is no pet store nearby.
with only 1 walk a day and no travel to walk
areas, life can be very boring for our acCve
Aussies. Although, more Cme on the bed is a
privilege they don’t give up!
Be imagina;ve with your dog’s daily food allowance by feeding from a
stuffed Kong, Licki mats and snuffle mats ,or make up your own treat
enrichment toys with boxes, plas;c bo?les and rolled up towels. Look on the
next page for more ideas.

We all know most Aussies can smell a crumb at a 100 paces! Making the hunt for treats into a game
is something that will keep them exercised and use their senses. You could throw treats, hide
treats, but if the weather is good and you have an outside space, why not use that. But hiding food
in nooks and crannies can be difficult. Why not use these stainless steel spice jars. You can hide the
treat securely inside. When the dog finds it you can recall them and give them a treat. And
remember, the treat doesn’t need to be big. With most dogs it goes straight down into the stomach
and size is of no importance. This ensures you don’t overfeed your Aussie. Check out the Aussies
showing how the game works. At first hide the pots in clear view and then, a bit deeper to make
them really work for the minute treat!
Make your own snuffle mat
At a ;me when we are at home, you could buy a ready-made snuffle mat
online, or one of the DIY kits. Or there is the other op;on maybe make one
yourself. Great way to get everyone cra`ing.
All you need to start is a rubber sink mat. The size depends on the amount of
;me you have to spare!!! The black one featured was £4.99 from Amazon and
the clear one £5.99. You can keep them at full size or cut them into 2. The
choice is yours.
Also you will need up to 1.5 metres of Fleece Material. How much will depend
on the size of your mat and the width of the strips you cut, but this amount
should be plenty. Fleece is sold in different thicknesses and weights. Don’t get
the heaviest fleece, as that can be tough to knot when cut in short lengths.
Instead, see what fleece is on sale and get that; the cheap stuff works just fine
and your pet won’t care how ugly it is. Even be?er s;ll, if you have any old
clothes made of fleece, then recycle them.
Next step is to cut the fleece into strips. For the types of drainers featured, 1–
2cm width is about right. (That is half an inch to an inch). Then they should be
about 18cm (7”) long. This is not an exact science and varia;on works well in
the final mat.
To make the snuffle mat, you’ll take one strip and push one end through a hole
in the rubber mat and then take the other end of the strip and push it through
the hole next to the first one. Flip the rubber mat over and ;e the strips once.
Just one knot; no need to double knot it. If it sounds a bit confusing look at the
photo.
Take the second strip and push it through the second hole alongside the strip
already there. Then take the other end of that strip and push it through the
third hole. Turn over the mat and knot that strip. Con;nue un;l you finish one
length of the rubber mat. Repeat on the second row of holes.

When you have two rows done, then take a strip of fleece and
push it through the first hole in the first row. Then take the other
end and push it through the first hole in the second row. Turn over
the rubber mat and knot it. This strip is at right angles to the first
two rows. Con;nue between the first and second rows un;l
completed.
Repeat this process un;l the mat is completed. Then flip it over and
take a good look at the bo?om to see if there are any empty holes
or missed cross strips. Fill in those spots and then turn the mat
over, loose strip side up, and fluff up the strips un;l they are
standing up.
If you have fleece le` over, you could save it for another
snuffle mat – but why not plait 3 strands and make a new toy.
You could hide food in the plait as well and use it in the 3
flower pots game.
The flower pot game can be done inside or outside. This ;me of
year, the weather can be unse?led. They do say April Showers. All
you need is 3 flower pots. We do recommend the terraco?a ones,
as the plas;c ones can be picked up. But if your Aussie is not
bothered by plas;c ones, then use them. We o`en have a store in
the garden from visits to the garden centre. The most important
thing is a hole in the base.
You start by placing them upside down in a row. They should be a
gap between them large enough for an Aussie to walk between
them. Under one you hide a toy, a treat - basically something that
your Aussie will recognise and want. Then you ask them to find it.
Once they get the hang of it – the pots can be placed all over the
home or garden and the more spread out the be?er as the dogs
have to run from place to place looking for their reward.
You can also use the flower pots and broom handles or canes to
make makeshi` jumps. We know Aussies like to jump, so why not
teach them to jump. Or if you have DIY skills, failing that Google to
see what you can buy online, you can make your own jumps and
set up a course in the garden. Or even in the hall.

Toys
You can invest in new toys to entertain. The ballon ball that was
being sold on the stand next to the Aussie booth at the London
Discover Dogs a last year is one new op;on. Aussies do seem to
like them. OK, so the longest recorded ;me that the balloon lasted
was 11 seconds, but the fabric casing proved just as popular as a
tug of war game. These can be bought on-line. Could be a chance
for the family to see a li?le live ac;on football!
Don’t forget, if you wash the seemingly forgo?en toys and then
offer them to your Aussie, you can fool them. They think it’s
Christmas once again!
Walking
With only one walk a day per person, many Aussies con;nue to
enjoy their walks. For many the walks are local and may not be as
adventurous as usual. But we are lucky we have a breed that can
cope with less walking. Of course you can make it more mentally
s;mula;ng. Let them sniff. Yes, it is boring for us - but for them it’s
is their social ac;vity. Try to find different walks, or if it is a circuit,
go one way one day and the other on the next.
Regarding exercise you may find yourself walking your dog more
which is great, happy dog! As it is one of the less risk associated
pas;mes and provides us with much needed exercise too.
However, over any illness and isola;on periods you may not be
able to walk and be outside the home. Therefore, bear in mind
your dog’s daily food intake and adjust accordingly. If your dog is
not ge_ng as much exercise, then slightly lessen the amount of
food otherwise your dog’s weight will increase very quickly. If you
are walking more, then increase the allowance by a li?le too.
Behavioural issues can be closely linked to diet and exercise
regimes.

Changes in behaviour
Due to sudden changes of rou;ne you may find your dog’s
behaviour also changes. Your dog may be shadowing you more,
becoming needy for a?en;on, generally unse?led, restless and
anxious. You may experience an increased level of barking,
destruc;ve behaviour and hyperac;vity. Dog’s pick up on change
very quickly and it can throw them off balance considerably.
Dogs can sense our stress and anxiety, they will know something
different is happening, serious conversa;ons, our moods being
low and worry se_ng in. Look to try and keep rou;nes as normal
as possible for your dog, refresh regularly on your basic training
commands such as sit, come, stay and down, perhaps teach your
dog a trick or two using posi;ve reinforcement training. Enjoy
some ;me with your dog as a stress relief for yourself by taking
long walks and extra play. We are having to change, but your dog
is s;ll there for you and is your best friend and the company of
our dogs I strongly believe can help us cope be?er through this
period of social distancing from others.
Juggling all the family members
With school closures, children will be at home and parents maybe
juggling with the ‘work from home’ scenario, households are
suddenly going from being very quiet places for our dogs to busy
and noisy. Your dog may become more excitable and aroused, or
possibly more fearful and withdrawn. Try to provide a quiet area
for your dog to go where it is not disturbed and allowed to have
day-;me rest, this is what your dog is used to. Place a bed or a
crate in a quiet area which is not a thoroughfare of people.
Perhaps u;lise a tablecloth or sheet over a table making a safe
den for your dog to lie under.
Puppy Training
If you have recently acquired a new puppy there is just a small
window in your puppy’s early development for socialisa;on and
exposure to the outside world. If you have a puppy, then it is going
to be more challenging to provide the right environment for your
pup. But you can s;ll do lots in the home and surrounding areas.
Use this ;me to concentrate more on toilet training as you are
now with your puppy possibly more than you may have thought
prior to COVID-19 outbreak.
Carefully expose your puppy to as many things as you can such as
large and small household appliances, from washing machines, to
electric whisks, umbrella’s, push chairs, brooms and hairdryers,
everything and anything within the home. Be careful to expose
gently, so your puppy is not frightened. If you can go out then
carry your puppy or have short walks to allow your puppy to see
as much as possible, other people, other dogs, children, cars,
buses and bikes. U;lise the internet and addi;onal home period.
to play noises at low background level of thunder, fireworks and
traffic noise.
These can be useful for puppies, or even adult dogs.
Many are offering trick training and other interes;ng
ac;vi;es.
DIY acDviDes
With children at home, the food technology can be
managed using the Tasty treats book by Henrie?a
Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen, which has
achieved a Royal Warrant. She has published a book
featuring 50 recipes for treats for your dog. It has an
informa;ve introductory chapter highligh;ng the
types of treats best suited for pups, older dogs,
everyday treats and those for special occasions.
Many recipes are ultra healthy as well. Priced at
under £10 and available from several suppliers for
home delivery. Could be a great bonus for dogs and
family members.
Even within social distancing your puppy needs to see the world
and see it is not a scary place. Start teaching your puppy basic
obedience such as sit and come and play games to build the bond
between you. Follow all the advice above to prevent the onset of
separa;on anxiety, which is even more important for young dogs.
Many of the Local Dog Trainers are self employed and they are
offering webinars, videos and on-line group training packages

Coronavirus
and Dogs –
what we
know
so far.
Published by Irish Dogs
and available for circula;on to all
interested Groups.
People everywhere are wondering about the possibility of the new Coronavirus
in dogs
With all the news about this coronavirus, we were naturally curious about
coronavirus in dogs. We’ve heard about a dog being quaran;ned and coronavirus
vaccines for dogs. We’ve also seen plenty of fun images of dogs wearing face
masks. Keep reading to see what officials know about the topic.
Can my dog get the coronavirus?
The new coronavirus is also called COVID-19, meaning Corona Virus Disease
2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Preven;on and World Health
Organiza;on currently have no reports of pet dogs or other animals becoming
sick with COVID-19. They have no evidence that dogs can become infected or
spread COVID-19. An important ;p is to wash your hands a`er playing with pets,
regardless of the coronavirus. Dogs can s;ll spread other diseases such as E. Coli
and Salmonella.
As always, you should s;ll take your dog to a veterinarian if they show signs of a
flu-like illness. Dogs can s;ll get “many common viral and bacterial infec;ons that
are not transmissible to people,” according to Dr. Anne Kimmerlein, a VCA Animal
Hospital epidemiologist. For people who are already sick with COVID-19, the CDC
recommends minimising contact with dogs the same as we would with people.
This is recommended just as a precau;onary measure. If you can’t avoid being in
contact with your dog, 1) wash your hands before and a`er interac;ng with
them and 2) wear a face mask.
Should my dog wear a mask?
VCA Animal Hospitals do not recommend face masks for dogs, “there’s no
scien;fic evidence that these masks protect dogs from either infec;ous diseases,
or air pollutants.” Addi;onally, dogs have many different types of faces, and one
mask will not fit all types of head shapes. Also, we cannot explain to a dog why
we are pu_ng a mask over their face, and wearing a mask could poten;ally
make them uncomfortable or scare them.
What about the dog who was quaranDned?
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conserva;on Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong
tested samples from a pet dog’s nose and mouth. The samples tested weak
posi;ve to COVID-19. However, the good news is that the dog doesn’t have any
relevant symptoms to the coronavirus. The AFCD is doing further tes;ng to find
out if the dog has actually been infected, or if this is just “a result of
environmental contamina;on of the dog’s mouth and nose,” as the owner was
sick with the disease. As of right now, they have no evidence that pets can be a
source of COVID-19 or become infected with it.
Dr. Anne Kimmerlein of VCA was able to tell us that the AFCD conducted a
Polymerase Chain Reac;on test. This type of test is very sensi;ve and can pick up
very small amounts of the virus, alive or dead. Since the owner was infected, Dr.
Kimmerlein says “given how closely people live and interact with their dogs, the
finding of viral par;cles on the dog is not all that surprising.”
What’s going on with canine coronavirus vaccines?
The World Small Animal Veterinary Associa;on says that current canine
coronavirus vaccines are used for intes;nal infec;ons, and aren’t licensed to
prevent respiratory symptoms of coronavirus in dogs. It is important to know that
“veterinarians should NOT use such vaccines in the face of the current outbreak
thinking that there may be some form of cross-protec;on against COVID-19.”
Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) affects dogs’ gastrointes;nal tracts, and is not the
same as COVID-19 that we are seeing in humans. “The most common symptom
of CCoV is diarrhoea, which may be accompanied by lethargy and decreased
appe;te,” according to VCA.
Disclaimer: The informaCon is based on publicly available informaCon and should
not be considered medical advice.

Could dogs be on the
frontline to help
control COVID-19?
As we go to press, the world is looking for ways to detect the
coronavirus as quickly as possible. Universi;es like Surrey and
Brunel believe they have solu;ons. Similarly, others are likely to
have progressed and to be seeking manufacturing and tes;ng
of their problem solver. But the ‘Medical Detec;on Dogs’
Charity (MDD) is convinced that dogs could play a role in
preven;ng the spread of Coronavirus. With all the accusa;ons
that dogs may be transmi?ers of the disease, they may actually
be our guardian angels.
The charity has spent years successfully researching the science
behind dogs’ sense of smell and now uses it to detect cancers,
Parkinson’s Disease and even Malaria. As an extra skill, we
know they can detect if people have a high temperature.
MDD has always adopted a rigorous, scien;fic approach to its
work, and produced more than a dozen peer reviewed research
papers which support its belief that each disease has its own
unique odour.
Medical Detec;on Dogs are working in partnership with the
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and
Durham University. This is the same team which recently
collaborated to successfully prove that dogs can be trained to
detect malaria.
Together they have started prepara;ons to intensively train 5
dogs who are already trained in detec;ng condi;ons through
smell. Currently, the team are looking into how they can safely
catch the odour of the virus from pa;ents and present it to the
dogs. The aim is that dogs will be able to screen anyone,
including those who are asymptoma;c and tell us whether they
need to be tested. This would be fast, effec;ve and noninvasive
and make sure the limited NHS tes;ng resources are
only used where they are really needed.
As a charity, with no Government funding, to assist with the
work, they have set up specific fund raising. The money will be
used to collect odour samples from pa;ents infected with
coronavirus as well as a sample group who do or not have the
virus.
Malaria detection dog working at the airport. It is non
intrusive and effective to alert to the signs of Malaria, even
before the person is aware.
Professor James Logan, Head of Department of Disease
Control at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical
Medicine, and Director of ARCTEC, said: “Our previous work
demonstrated that dogs can detect odours from humans with
a malaria infec;on with extremely high accuracy – above the
World Health Organisa;on standards for a diagnos;c.
“We know that other respiratory diseases like COVID-19,
change our body odour, so there is a very high chance that
dogs will be able to detect it. This new diagnos;c tool
could revolu;onise our response to COVID-19 in the short
term, but par;cularly in the months to come, and could be
profoundly impacyul.”
Professor Steve Lindsay at Durham University says: “If the
research is successful, we could use COVID-19 detec;on dogs
at airports at the end of the epidemic to rapidly iden;fy
people carrying the virus. This would help prevent the reemergence
of the disease a`er we have brought the present
epidemic under control.”
There are reports coming from the USA that trials are taking
place with dogs as well. Plus there has been a recent news
story from South Africa informing that dogs are taking part in
a 6 week trial .
Once the training is complete, which could take 6 weeks, the
dogs could be deployed to airports or public spaces in order to
provide non-invasive triage screening for the deadly infec;on.
These dogs can screen up to 750 people per hour and would
support ongoing efforts to test for Covid-19, Once the first dogs
are trained and training protocols are set in place, MDD would
then engage other agencies, at home and abroad, to increase
the number of working teams.
Passi, a scent detection dog, showing she can detect a
specific odour on a person, as part of a demonstration.

Colourful Thoughts
“It concerns the Australian Terrier”
From the archives, this arAcle has been chosen.
WriCen in 1949 by Frederick David from
Brisbane, Queensland. At the Ame he was a
well known judge and commentator on
Australian Terrier. It raises some interesAng
thoughts and I am sure Aussie enthusiasts
today will both agree and disagree with the
comments. Featured are images of the breed
from this Ame. Black and white images, as
colour was less common.
There appears to exist an extremely wide variance of opinion
regarding the colours, their region of coverage and colour
breeding. I have never been able to procure any wri?en
material on the subject, authorita;ve or otherwise. Perhaps
then I may discuss these features in a manner which may act
as a guide to those interested in our game li?le Terrier.
Coat
Body coat weather resis;ng, about 2 inches long, harsh and
straight with undercoat.
Colour
(a) Body – blue, blue black or grey back with rich tan on
face and legs
(b) Sandy or red: smu_ness or dark shading
undesirable. Top-knot slightly lighter than head
colour.
In Blue and Tans a reasonable la;tude is allowed in the body
colour from blue to grizzle, but the danger of a black coat
exists. Just in other breeds, maturity defines the real colour
of the Aussie. The outer coat must be straight and harsh and
about 2 inches is the desired length. The undercoat is the
usual short so` coat of the broken coated terriers. The 2 inch
outer coat tends to retain a harsher textures: this is
no;ceable in the Sandies which are considered generally the
be?er coated variety. This is not of course without its
discount in other features which will be considered later. The
true blue coat is considerably lighter at the root and darkens
to the ;ps. The tan of the legs and head must be rich, but
where it meets the blue, the tan may be lighter.
Forelegs
The tan covers the forelegs completely but must not run on
to the shoulder. The region of tan is restricted from the foot
to the elbow; however, the colour may fade slightly from the
knee to the elbow. The richest tan therefore is found from
the foot to the knee. In the front, however, the tan runs a
li?le from the forelegs to the chest.
Hindlegs
The area in the hindlegs restricts the tan to the hocks with a
small area for fading into the second thigh – no more than an
inch. Tan also appears posteriorly around the vent and then
extends just on to the tail but must no reach the ;p.
Head
On the muzzle the tan is a rich colour but again a li?le lighter
tan is allowed where it extends to the cheeks. However, the
region on the head covered by tan must be restricted to the
head. It must not in any account run into the neck. Naturally
the colour of the top-knot influences the colour of the
surrounding region of the skull. Blue smudges are usual
above and lateral to the eyes and at this point to the ears the
colour is a mixture.

The head therefore comprises rich tan, lighter tan, mixture,
topknot colour and dark tan of the ears. All-tan heads are
undesirable and are usually found on incorrectly bodycoloured
specimens. Such a head does not convey the true
‘Aussie’ expression.
Judges and Breeders have the fate of the Australian
Terrier in their hands; discourage the cross breeding of
colours and s;mulate a more intensive interest in such
characteris;c features as top-knot, frill, coat, colour and
character.
Body
Frequently tan is found on the belly but this can only be seen
when the dog is turned over. It should not be visible
otherwise.
Ears
Tan is found on the inside and usually in the blue and tans
the hair is longer than in the Sandies. This is plucked to
comply with the requirements of the standard – viz., “free
from long hairs.’ In the reds this is rarely necessary – their
ears are usually very clean, chocolate in colour, smaller and
thinner. The back of the ears is dark tan.
Top-Knot and Frill
These are the most important characteris;cs of the breed
and all breeders strive to retain them. These two features
are best developed in the blue and Tan – probably the
harsher coat of the Sandies inhibits the abundance of the
so` top-knot and – ‘decided neck frill’. The top-knot which
should be so` and silky is without doubt a legacy from the
Yorkshire Terrier. The blue or silver colour of the old standard
has been devalued to “slightly lighter than the head colour’.
However, there is a variety of colours which I would suggest
in this order of preference – dark blue, pigeon blue. Silver
grey, biscuit and wheaten.
Colour Breeding
There is no doubt whatever that many mismarked Blue and
Tan Aussies are being awarded Challenge Cer;ficates. The
regions of colour are clearly defined and should be strictly
adhered to in an effort to stabilise the breed. The cause of
the irregular pa?ern is the breeding of Reds or Sandies to
Blue and Tans. Black streaks result in the Reds and Sandies
and the tan in the Blue and Tans over- reaches its righyul
area. Red streaks at ;mes appear down the mid line of the
Blue and Tans, Naturally what appears to be a correct
coloured one may appear from ;me to ;me but this rarely
breeds on true to colour. The Blue and Tans more closely
resemble the Yorkshire Terrier and this colour tends to
dominate the recessive Red.
It is then understandable that there exists a divergence in
type between the Sandies and the Blue and Tans, somewhat
parallel, in my opinion, to that found in the colour in Cocker
Spaniels. In the Southern States of Australia the Reds and
Sandies are be?er in type, whereas in the North and East the
Blue and Tans are considered close to the ideal.
In my own State, however, I have found Red and Sandies lose
size, length of head, length of neck, top-knot and frill. It as
been suggested that there was an infusion of Irish Terrier
blood in these colours. It would certainly have an effect on
the coat, texture, length and colour.

Aussie Tales
There are many
incredible
anecdotes about
Australian
Terriers. In this
edition of “The
Aussie” we
feature just a few
from past owners.
Most readers will
spot similar
characteristics in
their Aussies
today. Plus
included are
some newspaper
clippings that tell
of other Aussie
Tales.
We had two dogs, "Paddy." large fox terrier, and
'Tiger." a wonderful Australian terrier. In our
neighbourhood were two picture theatres—the
Waverley, in our street, but on the opposite side,
about eight blocks away. And the Solway, five blocks
away, round a corner, on our side of the street. We
a?ended one or other of these shows frequently,
and at about 10.30 pm, Dad would call the dogs and
say, "Go and bring them home from the movies."He
would name whichever theatre we were a?ending.
If he said the Waverley, the dogs crossed straight
over and went up the other side of the street, but if
he said the Solway; they would run along our side of
the street.
As soon as they met us they would race back to the
house and then rush back for us. How did they know
when to cross the road? Dad never made any sign,
and they never made a mistake.
Tiger was so clever and cunning that we had to take
to spelling certain words if he were about, but in
less than three months he knew what d-o-g, b-a-t-h,
w-a-l-k o-u-t and b-e-d meant as well as we did. I
can vouch for the truth of each of these stories and
could quote dozens more equally clever and
interes;ng. Maybe it is because we always treat our
animals as intelligent and understanding beings who
CAN think.
This tale was wri?en by Gerald Dalitz about his Australian Terrier named Paddy.
"Paddy will eat almost anything we eat, "Gerald writes. "He eats biscuits,' cake, fruit, lollies, and meat,
of course. When anyone is ea;ng an apple or an orange he is very excited. He sits up on his hind legs
and barks for 'Yes' and growls for 'Please,' and then catches what he asked for."When my mother Is
drinking cocoa or tea Paddy always asks for some, but he won't drink it if it doesn't come out of a cup
into his saucer. We think he likes it because of the sugar In it.
He is also a good watchdog, and intelligent too.

This anecdote is about an Aussie called Cricket. Every week-night between 5 pm.and: 6 pm my roughhaired
Australian Terrier would sit at the front gate to welcome home the family, but on Sundays he
never bothered. Cricket and football matches at the M.C.G. always a?racted him. Usually we would
refuse to take him with us, carefully shu_ng the gates to keep him home, but ;me and again he would
find his way out, elude the gatekeeper at the M.C.G. go up into the grandstand and track us down among
many thousands of spectators.
Some strange Ins;nct always told him when a member of the family was ill and he would contrive to get
into the house and dash straight up to the invalid's bedroom and put his paws on the bed in mute
sympathy. In fact, he even visited my father in a neighbouring private hospital.
His homing ins;nct also was very highly developed. On one occasion he was taken to Malvern at night in
a car. On being released the following morning he travelled straight back to East Melbourne, a distance
of 5 miles, in 1.5 hours, Surely these achievements of a very average dog prove conclusively that animals
can and do think.
A li?le something wri?en by 10 year old Miriam
Safstrom about her Aussie.
Peter, my pet, is an Australian terrier, who is very
intelligent. Let me tell you a few of his many tricks.
When mother wants a rabbit or a fish from the
rabbit man she says to Peter, "Go and tell the man I
want a rabbit." Off he goes and barks ;ll the man
stops and waits ;ll mother comes out.
O`en when Peter won't eat his food we pretend to
call the dog from next door. Peter is very Jealous of
this dog, and when we call it, or pretend to, Peter
simply eats his food as quickly as possible.
Peter has two playthings — one is his "doll," which
is really a piece of a sock ;ed at one end; the other
is a tennis ball. If we tell him to fetch his doll he
won't bring his ball, and If we tell him to bring his
ball he won't bring his doll.
Some;mes when one of us is wri;ng a le?er Peter
gets excited and taps father on the knee, almost
asking him to get his lead, for he knows he will be
going to post the le?er. Peter is a good ra?er, and so
he keeps us fairly free from those pests.
Sailor, described as an Australian
Terrier, gree;ng his owner R G
Everiss, a Cook on board the
HMAS Sydney - a`er its arrival
from Korea.

Toby was my Mother’s Australian Terrier. No ma?er where she was, he
would sit by her side. At meal ;mes he would sit on a chair beside her
and beg un;l he was given something to eat.
On Saturday a`ernoons, when mother used to sit down and read, Toby
would curl himself up on her lap and no one would dare put a hand on
her apron or he would bite.
Some;mes mother used to hide from him, and the first place he would
look for her was in the wardrobe, then on the bed, and in every corner
un;l be found her.
When he found her, he would make a great fuss, as If she had been
away for a length of ;me. Two nights running before that faithful pet of
hers died, be would sit on her lap and cry mournfully.
She felt sure something was going to happen, and happen it did. As the
following day he looked up at his mistress with such a pi;ful look, gave
one long, mournful sigh and the end came.
I will never forget the tears that were shed. A`er the loss of her pet, she
lost interest in dogs, but if she could only get another Australian Terrier
so faithful as Toby, I cannot imagine how thrilled she would be.
Another Toby, this one got into the papers as he
chased off an intruder trying to get into his house.
Called the Australian Terror in the papers, he was so
protec;ve of his home, the second photo shows his
lack of social graces when the Newspaper
photographer came to call. He too was put in the
category of unwanted visitor!

Mary Robertson, another 10 year old wrote this
about the Aussie she knew called Whisky. Another
popular name for an Aussie.
Whisky was a li?le black and tan Australian
Terrier. We lived close to the sea and always had a
fun ;me. But Whisky was always ge_ng into
mischief and some days more ;mes than others.
One day he went upstairs and took to chewing up
one of father’s slippers, and It was only just saved in
;me from being properly chewed up. He heard
Whisky’s yapps and grunts and snorts and came to
the rescue. He found this bad li?le dog chewing up
his best winter slipper. There was fluff all over the
floor, and one slipper was badly torn. As soon as
Whisky found he was caught he stopped chewing,
and disappeared under the bed. Whereupon he was
dragged out, giving a talking to, sent outside, whilst
the mess was cleared up.
Outside, Whisky lay down as if thinking for a minute.
Then he decided to dig up half of the garden un;l he
found the bone he had buried some ;me ago. He
then lay down with It in the middle of one of the
flower beds, chewed it for awhile and then went to
sleep. As all was quiet Father went outside to see
what he was doing, and found him in the middle of
the flower bed fast asleep on his best flowers. He
woke him up, shooed him off the garden. Taking
away his bone, which actually smelt vile, and threw it
in the rubbish ;n, and then went back Inside.
Whiskey the Australian Terrier
demonstra;ng how they like to sit on
shoulders. Here the 18 month Aussie
and his 14 year old owner Graham
Day, enjoy cycling together. Why
should an Aussie run, when they can
hitch a ride.
One very miserable Australian Terrier sat in the
garden obviously thinking of his next move. Suddenly
he thought it must be dinner-;me, so he hurried to
the back door. But It was shut ;ght. So, he walked
right round the house ;ll he came to the front door.
He knew it was shut, but he was going to scratch and
scratch ;ll it was opened, and what was more, he
was going to scratch off the new paint, so he began,
but he didn’t do it for long. The door suddenly
opened and there stood Father. He picked him up
and said lots of nasty things such as, 'Bad dog, look
what you have done to my slipper, the garden and
the door.' Whisky looked into his eyes with the look
only an Australian Terrier can do. He was forgiven.
Given his dinner and off they went for a walk and
home to snooze together.

BOOKS!
With many people having a liCle more leisure Ame, there a few more
books that feature Australian Terriers that might find a place on your
reading list.
Weep and Know Why – by Elizabeth Ogilvie
The ac;on takes place in a nature reserve. Because of its isola;on, it is possible for 2 people
to disappear and their bodies to be hidden. Because the place a?racts geologists,
ornithologists, botanists, marine biologist, nobody in the area ques;ons the creden;als of 2
supposed archaeologists searching for traces of prehistoric people. And because wildlife
refuges a?ract poachers, this leads to s;ll another murder.
The author was born in 1917 in Boston USA. She lived most of her life in Maine where she
wrote 45 books. Only this novel featured Australian Terriers. In the story – Girl and Digger
were the Aussies and they were modelled on the author’s real life dogs at the ;me – Jill and
Sherman. Both dogs in the story were red Aussies. Elizabeth described them as always being
full of personality and especially enjoyed watching how Jill used to roll her eyes at Sherman.
Both Aussies were long lived and died at age 20. They are captured on the cover of the book
as well.
Dognapped by Charmaine Clancy
A lost dog A stolen dog A mysterious will It all equals murder! Meet twelve-year-old Ki?y,
friendless bookworm and amateur sleuth. All Ki?y wants is to gain her mother's a?en;on,
spend ;me with her miniature schnauzer Spade, and avoid Miss Perfect, Jessica Jones. Ki?y's
world turns upside down when she finds a lost dog, and she needs Jessica's help to find the
owner, hunt down a dognapper, and solve a murder. Can you solve the mystery before Ki?y?
Will you spot the danger that awaits her? Introducing Ki?y Walker and her mischievous dog
Spade in the first Dog Show Detec;ve Mystery. On the cover is feature what can only be an
Aussie.
Charmaine Clancy is an Australian author and educator.
Her works include novels for kids and teens, although some;mes she writes short stories for
grown-ups. She’s even won awards for some of her stories.
Charmaine is very passionate about helping students who have struggled with literacy and
inspires them to create their own stories they can be proud of. As well as teaching at high
school, Charmaine presents holiday wri;ng workshops for children of all ages and hosts the
annual Rainforest Wri;ng Retreat for grown-up writers.
All her books are wri?en with humour and dogs. Life is be?er with both.
Double Trouble by Helen Kelly
Another children’s tale that does feature the adventures of 2 Terriers. The cover photograph
is of 2 UK bred Aussies from the 1990’s. The drawing inside do resemble Aussies. The story is
about two sweet and very well behaved terriers needing to be looked a`er for a few days
while their owner goes to hospital, Ben is happy to help out . . . Well, that is un;l 'well
behaved' flies out the window and is replaced by chao;c and mischievous! Ben enlists
Cassie's help and the two friends do their best to keep the gorgeous canines under control!
A great book for children. Part of a series about animals by this author. Published by the
RSPCA (Australia) and I know some readers no longer support this organisa;on, but
presumably as it’s an Australian book why they selected Aussies.

FINAL
WORD
Not everyone likes the concept
of pu_ng their dogs into a
cage/crate for safe transport in
vehicles. Then there is the
issue of metal crates damaging
cars; some cars are not the
right shape for the square
cages and so the nega;ves list
goes on. A reader asked if
there were any other op;ons.
There is now an alterna;ve -
the fold flat PetEgo travel tube.
It comes in various sizes, has a
waterproof base, can be
stretched to various lengths,
easy to store and light to carry.
It has securing points with
straps and with the use of seat
belts. It is not a cheap op;on
with prices ranging from £60 -
£90. But it is an op;on.
Please note that the views expressed in this magazine are those of the
authors of the ar;cles and not necessarily those of the Commi?ee and
Officers of The Southern Coun;es Australian Terrier Club. We would like to
thank all the contributors for their input, without which the Magazine would
not have such a& diverse range of topics supported by some wonderful
photographs. All images have been provided for the sole use of The Aussie
Magazine and are not for reproduc;on without consent from the owner(s) of
BVA statement on vaccinaDons
We have received a lot of ques;ons from vets and
pet owners about how the new social distancing
rules impact on pet vaccina;ons.
It’s important to remember that the current
lockdown period is for three weeks and for the vast
majority of pet vaccina;ons it is not urgent for them
to be carried out in that ;me period. Adult boosters
can and must be postponed for now. There is
minimal risk for dogs who are up to 3 months
overdue. The vast majority of primary vaccina;ons
in puppies, should also be delayed in order to
protect human health in rela;on to hal;ng the
spread of Covid-19. Although, many Vets are
agreeing to complete a course of vaccina;ons once
started on puppies.
However, we recognise there may be a small number
of excep;ons where vaccina;on may be required.
For example, shelter situa;ons, disease outbreak
situa;ons, and animals in high risk geographical
areas, high risk environments, or high risk breeds.

The Aussie