The Aussie Magazine Autumn 2020

The Aussie

Autumn 2020

Finland does a

Dog show

Tricks for

Treats

Sugar Sugar

Enter the Dragon

SCATC Contact

SCATC Chat

Finland does a Dog Show

Sugar Sugar

Safe and Sound

What a Pain!

Mistletoe and Whine

Enter The Dragon

Training Tips

Talking Point

From the Archives

Dog Eared

Pardon!

Who were They?

Tricks for Treats

Dear Santa Paws….

Super Sniffers at Work

Final Word

Chris Foske2 - Hon Secretary - email wilfnbell@yahoo.co.uk

via PM on Facebook

mobile 0778105722

Please keep sending your ideas for arJcles, your photos, arJcles and items to include in future

Magazines. SomeJmes it’s hard to squeeze the informaJon into 42 pages. Amazed we are saying that!

The email contact for the Magazine is bellefours@bJnternet.com.

Always put the header - Aussie Magazine.

Thank you for your conJnued interest in providing reading material for our members.

SCATC CHAT with

Chris Foskett

The Aussie

Of course the AGM has been deferred

The Aussie

We usually wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new

year, but I think the message this year is slightly different.

Chris

Yes, this year we are facing what everyone calls, ‘the new

normal’ and we have to play every day as it comes. But I think

everyone in the SCATC Facebook Group has kept everyone’s

spirits up with photos, comments and just keeping our special

Aussie community buzzing. In fact we are gehng new members

almost every day, which is a good sign.

The Aussie

I know everyone tries hard to make sure no one feels isolated

and that they can contact you or other Aussie people if they

want a chat.

Chris

We are a small community, but our fabulous breed does make

great companions. They keep everyone on their toes from what

I hear and see.

The Aussie

I think people have missed our Annual Party in the Park though.

Chris

There’s no doubt about that. It is a busy day for the Commi2ee

members, but the pleasure on our members faces does make it

worthwhile. This event is for all Aussies and their owners and

not just those that are aiming to go to Cruds. That is what

makes it so much fun. We are hoping that next year it will be

possible, but we are not sure what the calendar for shows will

be. With Cruds moving to July – Jming wise just ader the

scheduled Windsor Show – we just have to wait and see. But I

know the Commi2ee will do its best to arrange a ‘Party in the

Park’ – whether it’s in Windsor or not.

The Aussie

This year there has been no dog shows for Aussies since Cruds

Chris

Although the Paws in the Park fun event at Ardingly ran and

there was an Aussie there. But some of the other dog sports

have taken place, as they do not have to involve large numbers

of people. There have been shows in Europe and America where

Aussies have competed. To give the show people a bit of a

boost, the Magazine has featured the Breed show in Finland.

Chris

That’s true and thankfully the Kennel Club realises the difficulty in

organising any dog club acJvity. Our deadline has been extended

for the AGM and we do have everything in place so we could hold

an AGM. Although, with the latest media views, holding a meeJng

in a Village Hall or Pub may well be out of the quesJon. Therefore,

we are considering using Zoom. We are aware that not everyone

is comfortable about the technology – but it is a way to clear this

important Admin, so the Commi2ee can concentrate on other

things.

The Aussie

Obviously, the 2021 AGM is going to be very short. There has

been very li2le to report.

Chris

I know. The Club has been able to cover the costs of insurance,

admin, KC fees etc – but we do need our members to pay up

promptly in the New Year, so that we do have funds to cover costs

rather than rely on our savings. I will be sending out reminders.

We know money might be Jght next year for everyone, so please

don’t forget us and encourage other Aussie people to join. We

have so many more Facebook members than actual members. Be

great if they decided to join the Club and take advantage of the

quarterly Magazine, party in the park and all the other things the

Club achieves.

The Aussie

There has been much talk about high demands puppies this year

and dog theds. Has this been an issue for Aussies?

Chris

There is always a small demand for an Aussie. This year has not

seen a dramaJc difference in enquiries, but many people have

deferred having a li2er due to the complicaJons that lockdown

brought. This has made the pups more difficult to find. Our

breeders are sensible and have not inflated the prices to

ridiculous amounts. In fact a couple of vets have praised us for not

being opportunist.

The Aussie

It is hard to guess what 2021 will bring, but what are your

thoughts?

Chris

I am sure our Aussies will conJnue to bring much pleasure to their

families, no ma2er what the implicaJons of Covid etc might bring.

I hope everyone will keep safe and enjoy their Christmas. As to

2021 I know all the Officers and Commi2ee wish everyone a

happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Keep in touch everyone.

For those members who are interested in dog showing, it has been a very quiet

year. However, Australian Terrier enthusiasts have been able to enter their dogs

into shows in different Countries on the Con=nent and the USA.

Every year, the Breed Club in Finland organises an Aussie show weekend. Two

shows held over the weekend. This year, the CommiCee worked hard to make it

happen with their Covid rules and they succeeded. With an entry of 40 dogs and 48

bitches, exhibitors made the effort to support the breed.

Although there were photos and videos for Facebook users, we asked Heini Emilia

Reis if she could take =me from her show du=es and exhibi=ng her dogs to get a

few photos and provide ‘The Aussie’ readers with a taste of a Covid aware

organised dog show.

She certainly has provided lots of informa=on and photos for everyone to enjoy.

The Winners

Best Opposite Sex - the Dog

Jaskarin Think Twice

Breeder Saija Reiman-Waldén

3yrs Height 30 cm.

Excellent type and proporJons as well as limb

height and limb bone. Upper shoulder shorter

and slightly erect.

Excellent chest volume and length, strong

lumbar.

Good tail. Well angulated at the back.

A hint of strong cheeks, good strength at the

head and muzzle, but the muzzle could be a

li2le longer.

Good ears, well-shaped eyes with sufficient

pigment, straight limbs. Excellent coat quality

and condiJon.

Moves smoothly at a good stride length as you

go. Balanced whole, great character.

Best of Breed - the Bitch

Bristregal Girl Power of Regal

Breeder Nina Janger

2.5 yrs Height 27.5 cm.

Excellent type, proporJons and limb height.

Adequate limb bone compared to size.

Good chest volume and length. Good tail.

Properly shaped head. Adequate muzzle

strength, could be a li2le longer.

right-shaped eyes, good ears, beauJful

expression.

Good forechest. shoulder and upper arm

equally long.

Normal back angulaJons, wide thigh. Proper

roughness in the hair.

Moves with excellent stride length and

flexibility. Parallel as you go.

A balanced whole. Good character.

Best Puppy in Show

1 st Bristregal I am what I am

Excellent type. PerspecJve. Good limb height.

Promising male puppy’s head with good length in muzzle

and skull. Dark eyes, lighter pigment, good ears, welldeveloped

body and forechest. Well angulated back,

properly a2ached to the tail, broad thigh. SJll a li2le soder

puppy hair. Extreme length of a lumbar of region.

SJll a li2le loose elbows. Otherwise, it moves like a puppy

with nice straight. Good character and performance.

2 nd Truozzys Tengi

6 months old. Excellent type and size. Excellent

proporJons, good limb height, bone suitable for age and

size. Straight and long head and muzzle with good

expression and pigment. Good ears. Balanced and

angulated. Good coat quality. Moves when she’s focused

with such good stride length and balance. Good character,

Best Veteran

RBIS Veteran Fi, EE Ch Terhierin Ibiza Hippie

S: Bayjet Fight for Fun D: Terhierin Miss Take

DOB 11/6/08 Breeder: Terhi Oksanen

BIS Veteran MulH Ch Reimin Marc Jacobs

S: Fin CH Reimin Holy Diver D: Fin Ch Redwing Mona Lisa Smile DOB

3/7/12 Breeder: Krista Riihelä

Veteran Dog

Winners’s photo featured earlier in arJcle)

1st Reimin Marc Jacobs

S: Fi Ch Reimin Holy Diver

D: Fi Ch Redwing Mona Lisa Smile

DOB 3/7/12

Breeder Krista Riihelä

2nd Bristregal One Lucky Dog

S: MulJ Ch Nellyson’s He Dog

D: MulJ Ch Nellyson’s IkkiJkkitavi

DOB 14/2/08

Breeder Nina Janger

Veteran Bitch Class

1st Terhierin Ibiza Hippie

S: Bayjet Fight for Fun

D: Terhierin Miss Take

DOB 11/6/08

Breeder Terhi Oksanen

2nd Bluepepper’s Squirrel Princess

S: MulJ Ch Bluepepper’s Smile

D: MulJ Ch Bluepepper’s Funny-Bunny

DOB 19/10/11

Breeder Marjo Ahola

3rd Reimin Miu Miu

S: Fi Ch Reimin Holy Diver

D: Fi Ch Redwing Mona Lisa Smile

DOB 3/7/12

Breeder Krista Riihelä

4th Terhierin Twisted Sister

S: Am Ch Benayr's Carolina ConnecJon

D: Fi, EE Ch Terhierin Ibiza Hippie

DOB 14/9/10

Breeder Terhi Oksanen

TERRIER WEEKEND

We had Terri-Eri speciality show on Sunday

with 51 entries

Judge Goran Gladic

BOB Reimin Marc Jacobs

BOS Sinisen Helmen Ruby

S: Sinisen Helmen Blue Suede Shoes

D: Fi CH Reimin Diamonds Are Forever

DOB14/11/16

Breeder KaJ Moilanen

VETERANS

BOB Reimin Marc Jacobs

BOS Bluepepper’s Squirrel Princess

Rest in peace Goran Gladic

Heini with Pihla, one of

her Aussies

Heini writes:

The morning of the dog show day was bright and

sunny. That was lucky, because the day before was

rainy and gloomy and the forecast for the show day

wasn’t good.

Dark clouds have been hanging over us for the

whole Spring. Also the Covid-19 pandemic has

been affecJng us for the whole year. Only ader

July, it seemed that arranging the dog show was

possible.

So the first dog show for the Breed Club, since

February, was arranged.

The Show was held outside and everyone brought

pop up tents to use as their base for the day. We

complied with the regulaJons for Covid as

required.

The first item on the agenda was the awarding of

the best Aussie’s of the year 2019.

There was li2le bit rain here and there across the

day, but by the Bitch classes it started to pour with

rain like the world was ending.

The good news was, nobody gave up and the dog

show conJnued while the rain poured down on the

show people. It was so bad at Jmes that the

planned live video just had to stop.

Luckily the next year’s speciality show is arranged

again indoors. We hope that things will be be2er

by then.

Ader all the challenges, the speciality dog show

day was a success. Everybody had a relaxed feeling

and the quality of the dogs under the judgement

were extremely good. I hope you enjoy the photos

and photos many of which were taken by Kimmo

Altonen

I’d like to thank all for the awesome special dog

show day – President of the Breed Club, Oona

Rovio.

Sugar, Sugar

With November being designated Diabetes month., ‘The

Aussie’ looks into this increasingly common disease in dogs.

Although Aussies are listed by the Kennel Club as not having

any specific health problems, it doesn’t mean they cannot

succumb to some of the increasingly common diseases like

cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc as they age.

Diabetes is the one disease that is becoming more common in

both humans and dogs. It can occur at almost any age, from

young dog stage to ageing dogs. Diabetes develops due to a

lack of insulin – produced from a hormone in the body.

When a dog eats their food, the digesJve system begins to

break it down immediately. when doing this, it also breaks

down the glucose. This is the role of insulin in the body.

Everything should work well unless the body cannot produce

enough insulin.

Why do some dogs get Diabetes?

The medical profession is raising the awareness that some of

the major reasons for diabetes for people is associated with

poor lifestyle choices. Sugary foods, obesity and a lack of

exercise are all considered to be causes of more people

developing the condiJon. These same causes are felt to be

at the root of more dogs developing diabetes. This is why

there is so much emphasis on making sure your Aussie is not

overweight. With many of them enjoying food, it does make

an owners life tough. Especially when those Aussie eyes gaze

at you so appealingly.

However, there can be other factors causing diabetes like

high levels of protein deposits going into the pancreas, and

certain medicaJons the dog may already be taking for other

ailments. Dogs with certain other condiJons including

Cushing's disease and an overacJve adrenal gland.

Risk Factors for Diabetes

There are other factors which appear to increase an animal’s

chances of developing diabetes. We have menJoned weight,

diet and lifestyle. But age, and geneJcs are risk factors too.

Once diagnosed, the condiJon can be managed well via a

healthy diet, regular exercise and insulin injecJons. However,

there is no cure. The average age when diabetes is diagnosed is

9.5 years for dogs.

Age-wise, it oden starts to show signs of occurring when dogs

are 7 years and older. But as with all things, there are no hard

and fast rules.

Approximately 70% of dogs with diabetes are female and in

parJcular those which haven’t been spayed. Any breed can be

affected, but Dachshunds, Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Cairn

Terriers and Springer Spaniels do seem to be at increased risk.

InteresJngly, diabetes is seen very infrequently in Cocker

Spaniels, German Shepherds, Collies, and Boxers.

What are the signs?

Usually a marked increase in their water intake, along with an

accompanying increase in urinaJon. They frequently have

excellent appeJtes, yet are losing weight. Finally, the sudden

appearance of cataracts in the eyes suggests the possibility of

underlying diabetes.

As with most condiJons, it is important to diagnose diabetes

early. If you observe any of the above signs in your dog, don’t

hesitate to get them to your Vet. Led undiagnosed and

untreated, diabeJc dogs can develop life-threatening

secondary complicaJons due to the metabolic derangements

in their body. Just to emphasise the problems there are severe

urinary tract infecJons, cataracts, a coma or death could also

be a possibility.

This is done by carefully rolling the vial back and forth

between the palms. Another important consideraJon is

proper disposal of used insulin syringes and needles.

Don’t throw them in the bin! Your Vet should have faciliJes

for disposing of the medical waste for you. Oden you are

provided with a bin specific for the used syringes.

These are returned to your Vet for disposal once full.

The diagnosis of diabetes is generally fairly simple. The

presence of a high blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia) and

sugar in the urine (glycosuria) along with the appropriate

clinical signs confirms the diagnosis. In dogs, normal blood

sugar levels are 80 to 120, but some diabeJc paJents can have

values as high as 600.

Many vets will offer a blood test when dogs go for neutering

surgery, teeth cleaning or just their annual check up as they

get older. We oden shy away from doing this, not wanJng to

put our dogs through what we think is unnecessary extra

ordeals. But these can give us an early warning of any

changes.

Gehng the blood tests done when the dog is young and

healthy can be useful, as it provides a guideline for

establishing the normal levels in the dog. Not just for diabetes.

TreaHng Diabetes

Although diagnosing diabetes is not demanding, treaJng it

certainly can be. That said, it is a treatable disease in dogs and

most diabeJc dogs can lead very high-quality lives. For many

once stabilised, you would not be aware of any issues.

Virtually all dogs with diabetes require insulin therapy. Just as

in humans, the insulin is administered by injecJon. Most dogs

require insulin twice daily to adequately control their disease.

Diet does not control diabetes in dogs, although specific diets

are recommended.

SomeJmes it can be quite challenging to stabilise your dog

with the dosage. Reports from some Aussie owners have said

their Aussies can be up and down with their levels. It can

someJmes take Jme to stabilise them. Then even when stable

they can be one day fine, thn another day up or down. Oden

quite random. In these cases, being very aware of the dog and

making sure tests are not forgo2en is very important.

Before you throw up your hands and think you could never

give your dog this level of commi2ment or the injecJons,

almost all owners are capable of properly administering insulin

to their dogs. The needles used are very small, making the

injecJons quite comfortable.

There are many different types of insulin available and it is

important to discuss the types with your Vet to decide what is

the best opJon. Insulin should be refrigerated, and mixed

gently before administraJon.

Finding out more

The American Kennel Club Health FoundaJon has funded

research to explore the geneJc underlying diabetes in dogs.

Working with naJonal and regional breed Clubs,

invesJgators at the University of Pennsylvania examined

variaJons in the insulin gene in Samoyeds and Australian

Terriers with and without diabetes.

The results have provided some interesJng facts. Firstly, at

least one gene in the insulin gene region is associated with

clinical diabetes mellitus in both the Samoyed ad the Aussie.

What does that mean? In simple terms the researchers have

shown that the mutaJon either occurred well before the

development of the modern breeds, or that the changes

occur completely independently in all the breeds.

The next quesJon is to understand whether diabetes is

geneJcally passed on. Pedigree analysis showed that the

inheritance is polygenic sporadic. In layman’s English that

means mulJple genes are involved in the development of

this disease in Australian Terriers. The heritability of

diabetes mellitus in Aussies was esJmated at 0.18, which is

relaJvely low. Heritability of diabetes can range from zero to

1. This indicates just how much visible or phenotype

variaJon in a populaJon is due to the geneJc variaJon

within the breed.

When heritability is low, then the phenotype (that means

having or not having diabetes) is not a good indicator of

genotype. (That means all the geneJc variaJons associated

with diabetes). What does all this mean to owners of

Aussies? The research conducted in the US indicates that

whilst geneJcs do contribute to the development of

diabetes in the Aussie populaJon there, only a small amount

of geneJc variaJon is involved. The result means there is a

low heritability within the breed.

Canine diabetes mellitus is a complex disease influenced by

many factors influenced by many factors including geneJc

mutaJons, environment etc.

Safe and Sound

By the Jme you read this, the sounds of Halloween and

Bonfire Night will have diminished and we will be awaiJng the

Christmas and New Year cacophony of bangs, crashes and

whizzes. All these can make your Aussie and your life

miserable and we have featured many possible ways to help

ease your Aussie through the season. But this year there have

been many reports of dogs escaping the house and garden in

fear and being lost and worst sJll being killed on roads. So one

key message is to keep your Aussie safe.

However, Autumn can bring other dangers and with the

increased opportunity and in many cases need to walk a dog,

there are other things that are lurking out there which can be

harmful. This informaJon was shared by Hook Norton Vets.

Fading Light

It’s gehng darker, and so it’s always best to make sure your

dog is very visible when you are out walking in the mornings

or evenings. There is a wide range of high visibility wear that is

worth considering. Buy some as an early Christmas present.

And remember you need to be visible as well.

Food

Chocolate, raisins, grapes and nuts are the ones to watch out

for! Make sure they’re out of reach from ground-dwellers and

counter-surfers alike. Aussies can jump and climb and many

Aussie owners make the mistake a leave tempJng chocolate in

an Aussie accessiblle posiJon. A trip to the vets for them to

have the injecJon to make them vomit is not fun for

anyone. Plus with different vets approach to access

procedures, you may have to hand your dog to a

comparaJve stranger, whilst you sit in the car wondering

what is happening. Some owners have been reporJng it

has made their dogs more nervous of the Vets. So any

unnecessary visits at this Jme are not a good idea.

Allergies

Autumn brings its own allergens, so keep an eye out for

the signs. It could be scratching, rashes and sneezing to

name some reacJons. If in doubt, call your vet!

Conkers, acorns and Bulbs

Conkers and acorns are poisonous if chewed and

hazardous if swallowed. Do check where these trees might

be when you are out on your walks and be vigilant. If they

fall from trees and your dog sees them, it can encourage

the chase.

Don’t forget that gardening has grown in popularity and

you may be planJng more tulip and daffodil bulbs which

also are toxic. Ensure that any bulbs are planted where the

dog can’t reach. Remember some Aussies are fond of the

peat you put in planters and eat it. Small bulbs can be in

the peat.

Mushrooms and fungi

We all know that many dogs just love to eat anything.

Scavenging is something lots of dogs enjoy doing. As vets

we are oden asked about wild mushrooms.

With the milder climate and the recent rain plus people

who have not walked in the area previously, the reports of

Even in gardens.

Most species of wild mushrooms in the UK are edible.

That’s why at this Jme of year so many people in the

know are out and about in their secret locaJons hunJng

for these valuable commodiJes. But anyone who has read

an Agatha ChrisJe, or some other murder mystery, will

know there are others are extremely dangerous – sadly it

is not easy to tell the difference between the two.

These toxic varieJes contain a mushroom poison similar to

mycotoxin (the toxin contained in mould which is also

harmful to dogs).

Death cap (Amanita Phalloides) and Fool’s funnel

(Clitocybe rivulosa) are among the most likely to cause

toxic symptoms, with the la2er regularly growing on lawns

this Jme of year.

Symptoms can vary dramaJcally depending on what was

eaten, and can range from dribbling, vomiJng or

diarrhoea, blood in the stools or vomit, neurological

effects such as hallucinaJons or fits, kidney or liver failure.

Myth: Snails, insects or other animals won’t eat poisonous

mushrooms.

Fact: Just because a mushroom doesn’t hurt another animal

doesn’t mean it won’t hurt you.

Myth: Silver or onions blacken toxic mushrooms on touch.

Fact: All mushrooms darken or bruise if damaged.

Myth: Toxic mushrooms smell and taste horrible.

Fact: Some say toxic mushrooms actually taste very good.

Myth: Any mushroom becomes safe if you cook it.

Fact: You can’t make a toxic mushroom safe by cooking,

canning, freezing or drying.

It is best to consider all wild mushrooms potenJally toxic to

dogs and seek veterinary advice if your pet is suspected to

have ingested any. If your dog does eat a wild mushroom,

take them to the vets immediately. If you can, take along the

following:

> A photo of the mushroom

> A descripJon of where it was found growing i.e. on grass, in

shade or in a tree stump

> The mushroom wrapped in paper – not plasJc

The kind of mushroom that has been ingested will affect

how long these symptoms take to display – someJmes it

can be very rapid.

If your dog is prone to foraging and eaJng anything in

sight, avoid wooded shady areas where wild mushrooms

are more likely. If your dog is a parJcularly keen scavenger,

some owners have found success using a basket muzzle.

Although, we realise this is not always easy to train a dog

to be comfortable with one. Plus some owners find other

dog walkers assume your dog is unfriendly. But this is an

opJon.

Death Cap mushrooms (Amanita Phalloides) in

various stages of their growth.

There are lots of myths about mushrooms that you may

find when out and about.

Poisonous Mushrooms: Myths vs. Facts

And then there’s the lore. People pass along

misinformaJon about how to disJnguish edible

mushrooms from poisonous species, like the following:

Myth: Poisonous mushrooms always have bright, flashy

colours.

Fact: Toxic species can be pure white or plain brown.

Fools Funnel Mushrooms which are being found

more commonly in gardens.

What a Pain

One thing every Aussie owner knows is that our dogs are tough

and resilient. Probably the legacy of the genes in the dogs that

founded the breed a couple of hundred years ago. But many

owners have been shocked that a seemingly healthy and fit dog

is suffering a level of pain. The dogs seem to manage it and

accept it and many only start to show symptoms when they are

seriously unwell. Owners tell that by the @me they knew and

took their dog to the Vets it was really a bit too late. Looks not

so good for us as owners and we feel guilty that we missed any

signs. The problem lies in the fact we cannot communicate with

our dogs very easily. We say things like ’”I would never

purposely do anything to hurt you!" and "We are only going

on holiday for a few days. I promise we aren't abandoning

you." More importantly from a health point of view, we wish

they could communicate in the same language as ourselves

to lets us know if something is wrong. However, they can use

body language to give us a hint and although some@mes in

Aussies it is a very small and not always obvious sign. It is

there and we must react. ‘The Aussie’ looks into some of the

obvious signs that all is not well with your dog.

1. They're limping.

This is one sign you obviously won't miss. Now we all

know that an Aussie becomes quickly incapacitated if a

Jny leaf a2aches to their leg. However, If your dog

suddenly starts limping, there could be a variety of things

at play, from leg pain to an issue with the pad on their

foot. It could be a lump of mud dried or a stone in

between their pads, or even a damaged nail. In the

summer, it could be a grass seed and these are seriously

dangerous things to manage. If it’s an acute pain, like a

cut, or a broken bone or maybe a cruciate ligament injury,

as very extreme examples, and need emergency care. If

there are no obvious signs and the limping conJnues then

the vets is the next step to check the cause and, in many

cases, ease your mind. It could be a simple strain or

maybe the Aussie having a more serious underlying issue

and the limp s just the Jp of the iceberg.

Another common issue that can cause limping in dogs is

osteoarthriJs. While this is a chronic, progressive, and

irreversible disease and mostly seen in the older dogs.

When a disease like osteoarthriJs is diagnosed early,

providing comfort through pain medicaJons may mean

lower doses of the medicines are needed than if

diagnosed at a later stage.

2. They are whimpering or making other sounds (more

than usual).

It’s hearing a loud yelp out of nowhere, or maybe a series

of whimpers. Perhaps you suddenly touch their ear and

they make a noise. Other dogs will simply become more

vocal than usual. Just like some will visibly or audibly react

to only the slightest discomfort, while others will not react

unJl they are experiencing severe pain. Regular grooming

of your dog and touching it will highlight any obvious

issues. Then you need to look at the cause. Maybe it’s a

knot of hair, perhaps a small, sharp twig caught in the coat

or perhaps a scab or fresh cut where they have hurt

themselves or a walk. But it could be an ear infecJon that

will need some medicaJon, or something that needs more

invesJgaJon. As an owner, you look for the obvious and if

the problem area sJll seems to be troubling your dog and

this may not be making a sound. They may demonstrate

some of the other signs featured in this arJcle, then you

need to get an expert opinion.

3. They hesitate when jumping out of the car, or on

furniture.

If your dog, who is typically quick to hop in and out of

your vehicle or jump onto the couch for a snuggle,

suddenly pauses or refuses to do so, they may be in pain.

This is also true if your dog has started taking a longer

Jme to get up ader sihng or laying down. These are

things that we oden say are due to dogs gehng older, but

they’re actually due to pain. In other words, don't chalk

these behavioural changes as inevitable aging issues.

There may be things that can be offered to make it more

comfortable to move around, or equally invesJgate if

there is another cause. SomeJmes they are not jumping

as their eyesight is affected by old age cataracts. So pain

may not be the only issue.

4. They suddenly become aggressive, or simply don't want

to be touched.

When we don't feel well, we can turn into a monster. Dogs

oden react in a similar way. If your lovely natured Aussie

suddenly growls when you touch them, or even tries to bite,

they may be warning you that they're in pain... and that's

your cue to back off. The dog’s not doing it vindicJvely, but

just to let you know that they’re hurJng. Focus on being

extremely gentle, not jostling them too much, and even

puhng a sod muzzle on them if necessary and try to find the

obvious cause. Your Vet will find that helpful.

5. They are breathing heavily or panHng.

All dogs pant from Jme to Jme, but take note if your dog

seems to be doing it at random Jmes. If your Aussie is

suddenly panJng while relaxing when it is not a hot inside

your home, it may be a sign that he's uncomfortable.

Excessive panJng is a common symptom of discomfort or

pain. In fact, dogs who are uncomfortable oden exhibit

panJng well before they show the obvious signs like limping

or whimpering.

6. They lose their appeHte.

A sudden loss of appeJte can be a big indicaJon that

something isn't right with your dog. It might not be all the

meal that they leave. You could assume the meal isn’t up

to standard, or they have a slight stomach upset. But it

needs monitoring. It could be a dental issue causing your

dog's hunger strike. However, pain anywhere can cause

them to become disinterested in their once beloved meal.

One Aussie owner and even one vet was convinced there

was a teeth issue, but further invesJgaJon showed it was

an advanced case of pyometra.

behaviour change, or whatever is different, is due to pain

If you've noJced any of these signs, then you need to

monitor your dog and there’s a good chance a visit to the

vet will resolve the issue. SomeJmes, we know our dogs

well and we just get a nagging feeling that all is not well.

The earlier you catch and address potenJal signs of

pain, or illness with your Vet, the be2er your chances

are of gehng your dog back to a comfortable place. It's

much be2er to call with a "silly" quesJon and find out

you don't need to worry than to ignore the potenJal issue

and discover later that something is seriously wrong.

Whenever you are on the fence about taking your dog in

for a "just in case" check-up, remind yourself you are your

dog's only protector. And can you imagine being in pain

with no way to tell anyone? It's always be2er to be safe

than sorry.

7. They are trembling.

There are a variety of reasons that your dog may start

shaking, and pain is one of them. Trembling can indicate an

injury, nausea and even poisoning. If your dog suddenly starts

quivering out of nowhere, take note of any other coexisJng

symptoms, specifically vomiJng, diarrhoea, or limping.

Keep in mind that trembling can also be a sign that your dog

is excited or nervous. If there are no other obvious symptoms,

create a quiet, calm environment and see if the trembling

stops as your dog relaxes. But do monitor to see if it reoccurs

and in which case there may be a need to check it out.

8. They become lethargic.

Decreased energy is a common sign of pain in dogs. You may

noJce that your dog is spending an increased amount of Jme

curled up in the corner asleep, or perhaps they're suddenly

lagging behind on walks. Obviously, some dogs are naturally

lazier than others; it's a red flag if there is a sudden marked

change in their energy levels. If you know what’s normal for

your dog, it’s a lot easier to recognise when things become

abnormal, Most owners are very a2uned to their dogs, they

know that something is different, but what they might not

appreciate is that

Mistletoe and whine

At this Jme of year we are warned about many plants that

can be harmful to our pets. Mistletoe is one of them.

However, although toxic if ingested directly there are health

benefits of extracts from this plant. ‘The Aussie’ invesJgates.

Why is Mistletoe toxic?

Firstly there are two varieJes of mistletoe which can be

poisonous to pets. These are Phoradendron

seroJnum (American variety) and Viscum album (European

variety). Check out the photos showing these 2 types of

mistletoe.

The American mistletoe is less toxic than the European variety

which is mostly seen int he UK. The white berries, that we all

look for when buying at Christmas, contain polysaccharides,

alkaloids, and lecJns.

When these are accidentally ingested by our dogs, it can

result in mild signs of gastrointesJnal irritaJon (e.g., drooling,

vomiJng, diarrhoea, abdominal pain). When ingested in large

amounts, it causes abnormal heart rate, collapse,

hypotension (low blood pressure), ataxia (walking drunk),

seizures and death have also been reported. That is why

around this Jme of year the messages go out loud and clear

that many things we enjoy at Christmas Jme are not so good

for our dogs.

If you suspect your pet has ingested mistletoe, contact your

Vet, or Pet Poison Helpline (01202 509000), for treatment

recommendaJons.

The American

variety is slightly

less poisonous, but

that doesn’t mean

it is safe for your

dog.

The European

variety, most

common in the UK

What is Mistletoe?

The word Mistletoe comes from the Old English word

mistelän. It is a parasiJc plant that grows on various

trees, parJcularly the apple tree. If it is found growing

on an oak, then this is the ulJmate form when it

comes to myths and mythology.

When the trees lose their leaves, these evergreen balls

of mistletoe can be seen.

It has been documented and revered throughout

history. In fact the idea of being kissed under the

mistletoe came from the Greeks. But that is for other

publicaJons to discuss! It is known that the Druids

believed it was a miraculous plant that could cure and

treat a string of ailments. For many it could well have

been kill or cure as we know it is poisonous when

ingested. Those enthusiasts of Asterix the Gaul will be

aware of the magic poJons using mistletoe in the

tales.

Medicinal PotenHal

As with many natural products with folklore a2ached,

the medical world oden took Jme to understand the

potenJal. It wasn’t unJl the 1920’s when Rudolf

Steiner, the founder of anthroposophical medicine,

proposed that mistletoe could be used as a

therapeuJc agent capable of correcJng imbalances he

believed were ulJmately responsible for the

development of cancer in humans.

As many treatments for humans can apply to dogs it

was not surprising that it was invesJgated as an

opJon.

Clinically, mistletoe has been found to work equally

well for the treatment of cancer in dogs. In addiJon to

direct anJ-cancer effects, mistletoe can help decrease

the side effects of chemotherapy and radiaJon,

enhance immune funcJon to help fight cancer, relieve

pain associated with tumours, prolong survival Jmes

and promote a high quality of life.

It is not a case of squashing a berry of two, or feeding

the leaves as part of a meal. There are speciific

extracts from the mistletoe plant that are used.

Iscador and Helixor are the key ones and these are

converted into injectable extracts specially formulated

to treat cancer. These mistletoe preparaJons are

formulated from the European mistletoe (Viscus

album). These different formulaJons, or types of

mistletoe extracts are each prescribed to treat

different forms of cancer.

Can Mistletoe Be Used in CombinaHon with ConvenHonal

Cancer Therapies?

The three most frequently prescribed convenJonal cancer

therapies are surgery, radiaJon therapy and chemotherapy.

Mistletoe is largely used as a complementary cancer therapy in

combinaJon with convenJonal therapies for an integraJve

approach to the treatment of cancer in both humans and

animals. This form of treatment falls into the holisJc medicine

that was featured in a previous ediJon of The Aussie

Magazine.

Mistletoe is commonly used with convenJonal cancer

therapies to prevent and decrease the adverse effects of

convenJonal cancer therapies. In other words, mistletoe can

help support the conJnued use of convenJonal drugs to fight

the cancer instead of stopping treatment due to side effects.

Mistletoe can be safely combined with chemotherapy and

radiotherapy, before, during and ader treatment. It can also be

given before and ader surgery to decrease development of

metastaJc disease and to boost immune funcJon postoperaJvely.

Mistletoe can also be used as a primary cancer therapy when

convenJonal cancer therapy is not possible due to adverse

side effects, weakness of the paJent and when convenJonal

treatment has proven ineffecJve. Mistletoe is oden combined

with acupuncture and other alternaJve therapies (herbal

medicine, nutriJonal therapies) for the treatment of cancer in

these cases.

What Kind of Cancers Can Be Treated with Mistletoe?

Mistletoe therapy can be used to help treat most types of

cancer due to its broad- spectrum anJ-cancer effects, however

it works best for solid tumour cancers. It is parJcularly useful

for the treatment of lymphoma, mast cell tumour, sarcomas,

mammary cancer, bladder, gastro-intesJnal, lung and liver

cancer. It is oden combined with convenJonal and other

complementary therapies for an integraJve approach to

cancer therapy in order to achieve the best clinical results.

Adverse effects are extremely rare in animals. Although, in

some instances there can be an allergic reacJon, either at

the injecJon site, or a more generalised reacJon. A

transient rise in body temperature is observed in some

animals, shortly ader being dosed.

How Is Mistletoe is Administered?

Mistletoe is typically administered by subcutaneous

injecJon using small gauge needles on a weekly basis. In

some cases, the Vet may also inject it into specific

acupuncture points. Although Vets will give the first

injecJons, owners can be taught how to do subsequent

injecJons at home. Just like those who manage diabetes in

their dogs.

Two to three injecJons of Mistletoe per week are required

to treat most cancers, and it is recommended that the

injecJons be given in the morning. Acupuncture points for

mistletoe injecJon are variable and depend on a number of

factors determined by the Vet.

Natural OpHons

Mistletoe is just another of the increasing list of natural

ingredients that when prepared can help us in our modern

world. But as with most, it has to be used in the right way

to get the true effect. The internet can provide so many

answers and many might feel that they will try an opJon

without the support and advice from professionals. But

without the right knowledge the effects can be

disastrous.To use the well-knownTV quote – ‘Don’t try this

at home.’

Kisses

The tradiJon of kissing under the mistletoe originates fromt

he 1700’s and became more popular in the 1800’s. The

origin is thought to have come from the ancient Greeks who

thought it was a symbol of ferJlity. But anyone with an

Aussie will know it doesn’t need mistletoe!

How Does Mistletoe Treat Cancer?

There is extensive research and clinical trials that support the

safety and efficacy of mistletoe in the treatment of cancer.

It is thought that one of the key funcJons is to sJmulate the

imune system to fight the cancer. Linked to this, it has various

chemicals that appear to boost the effect of the anJ cancer

drugs.

Another benefit is that the etracts from mistletoe do enhance

the endorphins in the body. Endorphins reduce pain, boost

pleasure and geneally give a feeling of well-being.

Are There Any Side Effects Associated with Mistletoe

Therapy?

As Mistletoe has been used to treat cancer since the 1920’

there has been considerable Jme to establish the effects of it

use. There have been no reports of significant side effects

associated with its use as a single agent, or in combinaJon

with convenJonal cancer drugs or radiaJon.

Enter the Dragon

Dragon showing she can work on the

farm and doesn’t need a certificate to

prove it.

The Aussie

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a wide range

of performance awards for dogs. Most are not

recognised in the UK, but these sports definitely

ensure the ‘fit for purpose’ concept is demonstrated

and acknowledged.

Many who have delved into the origins of our

Aussies will know that they were evolved on the

homesteads of Australia in the 1800’s, where they

were quite simply dogs on the farm. Although many

Aussies now have a role of companion, they sJll

have many skills in their geneJcs.

Enter the Dragon

This has been proven by Dragon, aka Tapa’s

Dragonfly FDC CGC TKN RATN. She is the first Aussie

in the world to be awarded the AKC Farm Dog Title.

And yes, this is yet another talent to add to the

increasing list where our Aussies are successful.

‘The Aussie’ interviewed Jenny and Dave Anglen

about this latest success for Australian Terriers.

CongratulaJons on your success with the AKC Farm Dog Award. I sure

the first quesJon everyone wants to know is how you got involved

with the breed?

Jenny and Dave

Living on a farm in New Mexico, we need dogs that can do a job

around the place. Our Maremmas protect our livestock, our Pointer

are great at helping to find our quail, ducks and geese when they

escape from their pens. We were thinking of gehng a dog to help

catch any mice straying into our farmhouse. We had come across

Aussies in the late 70’s and early 80’s. These were owned by Marilyn

Pawley and Be2y Harper, DVM. They were members of the same dog

training Club as ourselves. But when we a2ended the Albuquerque

ConformaJon Dog Show some Jme later and saw some beauJful

Australian Terriers, we decided they might be the perfect next dog for

us.

The Aussie

As one of the smaller numerically breeds worldwide, how easy was it

to find a pup?

Jenny and Dave

Our next step was to see if there were any puppies and we were in

luck as Tammy Gaudet and her mother Pat Werner had some Aussies.

Our first quesJon to them was ‘do your dogs have the ‘terrier ahtude’

and are they any good at obedience? The answers meant we were

hooked and Dragon entered our lives.

The Aussie

You have been involved with dog training for some Jme?

Jenny and Dave

Yes, for more than 35 years we have taught at the 4-H Dog Care and Training project. We

were very acJve and took our members to AKC Shows including conformaJon, obedience

and agility. As well as other working dog events like Police Dog ExhibiJons and herding

trials. We are commi2ed to making sure dogs all have basic obedience and our goal is for

our dogs to gain their Canine Good CiJzen Award.

The Aussie

Did Dragon prove to be good at obedience?

Jenny and Dave

Our original plan was to train some obedience, just for control and work towards a CD Jtle

or as high as we could go. But importantly we wanted a pet. We did start to train Dragon

for obedience, but postponed the training when we realise that the Instructor’s methods

really didn’t work with a terrier personality. However, we did not give up and Dragon has

gained her Canine Good CiJzen award.

Jenny with some of her dogs, including her Brittany Spaniel pup

and of course Dragon.

Dragon chased the mouse and you can

guess it headed under the door.

There are a few Aussies that do Barn Hunt trials and

here you can see Dragon in action.

And photographed with Dave on the day she gained

her Novice title.

The Aussie

You menJoned that your dogs have a role on the farm.

What is Dragon’s role?

Jenny and Dave

We did think a terrier might be useful for hunJng down

the mice that do creep into our Farmhouse. And we

weren’t wrong. Dragon proved to be a fantasJc mouser. So

much so that when we decided to try agility with her, as

soon as she was off the lead in the building where the

classes were held, her a2enJon was more focussed on

mouse hunJng than the agility objects.

The Aussie

Is this why you took up Barn HunJng?

Jenny and Dave

It was something we knew about and so we took her to

Barn Hunt trials. We do this with our Ca2le Dog and

Australian Shepherd as well. Naturally, with all the pracJce

at home Dragon was very successful and has already

achieved the Novice Jtle.

The Aussie

I am sure she will progress very quickly at this

sport. How did the Farm Dog trials come

about?

Jenny and Dave

We read about Farm Dog CerJfied in an AKC

email. Looking on Facebook, we looked at the

Group ‘New Mexico Dog Events’ and found a

tesJng group near our home. In our State, the

Farm Dog tests are mostly conducted by the

local New Mexico Herding Groups. When we

turned up with Dragon and Dakota, our

Australian Shepherd, to the test area near

Albuquerque, we saw immediately most of

the other dogs were Australian Shepherds

and Border Collies. Although there was one

Shetland Sheepdog. Dragon was the sole

representaJve of the Terrier Group. We are

delighted to say that the Judges and workers

were impressed by Dragon’s confident, happy

and well-behaved approach to new people,

animals and in a locaJon unknown to her.

The Aussie

You must have been delighted.

Jenny and Dave

Of course we were. To gain her Jtle she had

to pass the test twice and this she did easily.

But she is a farm dog. She is not groomed for

the show ring, we just do basic grooming.

Every day she is out and about with our

animals. We have dairy goats, sheep, red

Angus ca2le, heritage breed pigs, llamas, barn

cats, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys,

ornamental pheasants and quail. Oh and

nearly forgot we have pet birds and a 30

gallon aquarium inside the house. Every day

she hears the sounds of tractors and other

farm equipment.

The Aussie

The list of 12 things that she has to do can be

seen in the arJcle. But I noJce herding isn’t

included.

Jenny and Dave

The test is very similar to a Good CiJzen one,

just moved into a farm sehng. As some dogs

might be afraid of larger animals, they tend to

use sheep and chickens. There is a separate

AKC Herding trial, but Aussies are not on the

list of approved breeds to do this. But

although we don’t need her to herd, the

photo does show that she might have an

ability to do this.

The Aussie

You now have 2 Aussies.

Jenny and Dave

One of Dragon's lieermates has mulHple show wins

earning her the Bronze level Championship in the

confirmaHon show ring. But we wanted to spay our

dog and not worry about raising puppies. We recently

adopted a young male that the breeder was asked to

re-home because the owner's cancer returned so she

could no longer care for the dog. His dam is Dragon's

lieermate. So Grady has joined our family.

The Aussie

So is Grady becoming a Farm Dog?

Jenny and Dave

Our plan was for other dogs to gain the FDC and the

Caele Dog and Pointer were obvious choices. But we

would like to show that Dragon is not the only Aussie

that can gain this Htle and Grady is being trained at

home. There are photos of him around our Farm

training to show how he is progressing.

The Aussie

What’s next for Dragon?

Jenny and Dave

We have a busy Hme with our farm and all the

different acHviHes for our dogs. We have a new

Brieany Spaniel pup to add to our family. But we

would like to try agility again, (provided the venues

are mice free) and maybe Rally with Dragon.

The Aussie

Do keep in touch and let us know when Grady

becomes yet another Aussie to gain the FDC.

What did Dragon have to do?

The Farm Dog CerJfied Test consists of 12 situaJons that a dog

might encounter in a typical farm environment. All of the

exercises are done on the lead.

Test 1: Greet the judge

The handler approaches the judge with the dog at their side on

a loose lead. The dog must not jump, or show aggression or

excessive shyness.

Test 2: Walk around the farm and a passive stranger

The handler walks the dog on a loose lead at least 200 feet

around a variety of objects and near a siQng person.

Test 3: Jump on hay/straw bale

Handler instructs the dog to jump on a bale and stay un=l

released by the judge.

Test 4: Walk past farm animals

Handler walks the dog on a loose lead in view of penned farm

animals.

Test 5: Walk over or through unusual surfaces

The handler walks the dog over three unusual surfaces, such as

a plas=c tarp, a sheet of plywood, and metal gra=ng lying flat

on the ground.

Test 6: Supervised separaHon

The handler places the dog in a crate and walks out of sight for

a minimum of 1 minute.

Test 7: Pass through a gate

The dog stays while the handler opens the gate, passes through

on the handler’s command, and stays while the handler closes

the gate.

Test 8: Handler feeds livestock

The dog is tethered while the handler approaches and feeds

livestock in an enclosure.

Test 9: ReacHon to another dog

The dog remains sta=onary on a loose lead while another dog is

walked by twice, about 10 feet away.

Test 10: ReacHon to noise distracHon

The dog is exposed to two common farm sounds (such as

hammering nails, leaf blowers, tractor engine, etc.) and must

not panic.

Test 11: Dog approaches livestock

The handler approaches penned livestock with the dog on a

loose lead. The dog may not lunge or be fearful or aggressive to

the stock.

Test 12: Physical examinaHon

The handler examines the dog for plant material or debris

collected while working on the farm—examining the ears, eyes,

mouth, coat, and toes.

The Aussie is sad to report that Dragon died

suddenly just before going to press with the

magazine. The Officers and Committee wish

to thank Jenny and Dave for allowing us to

feature Dragon and offer our deepest

sympathies.

Training Tips

Once again, we asked a southern dog trainer to talk about

training issues. They meet lots of dogs every year, but there

are always consistent things that trouble owners. In this

ediJon of ‘The Aussie’, they delve into the quesJon - Who’s

in Charge?

Everyone reading this Magazine will agree, you all love your

dogs; therefore, it is difficult not to indulge them occasionally.

Be it at a dog show, or a walk, perhaps in the local dog

friendly café. However, I have oden said, “dogs are far be2er

at shaping people than people are at shaping dogs!”

Wrong responses

Dogs are very quick to respond to triggers and acJons. Dog

barks – you distract with a great treat. They interpret bark,

get a reward. Job done. In order to change your dog’s

unwanted behaviour around the house, you need to become

as good at studying your own habits of reinforcement as your

dog has!

A dog’s goal is to earn reinforcement. If you bring out a

favourite ball or edible reward, do they immediately dive

towards your hand in order to take control of what you have?

I want, I want, I want! Would that be your dog’s plea if he

could speak?

If your dog is grabbing for the toy or treat, what do you do

next?

If you are like most people, you immediately raise the toy or

treats over your head or put them behind your back in hopes

of deterring your dog’s single-minded a2ack towards his

treasure.

That is the dog shaping you! By gehng you to move your

hand with his toy or treats, the dog has managed to get YOU

to alter YOUR behaviour rather than you gehng the dog to

alter his!

Moving to the posiHve

In Game Based or Choice Based dog training, changing your

dog’s behaviour so that he enjoys waiJng and “asking in a

more polite fashion” can happen.

How do you start to change the negaJve acJon into a posiJve

one? The next Jme your dog tries to get you to alter your

behaviour for the toy or treat, become as sJll as a statue. Do

nothing and say nothing, waiJng unJl your dog offers to alter

his approach. SomeJmes you feel you are standing there for

an eternity, but oden it’s only a minute or two before they

change their approach.

At first, it may just be that he stops barking at you, or he may

back away from your hand or go into a sit or down (without

being asked). When he does, you can reward this more

appropriate response with the release of the object of his

affecJon.

It is Jme to turn the tables on your dog and show him

that you are actually the keeper of the rewards!

Your acJons will not dampen your dog’s joy in the object

of his affecJon. Dog’s will sJll want a treat from you!

What this acJvity is doing is making you aware of your

responses. Then changing the unintenJonally learned

behaviour that you created to reinforce the right one.

Terriers are the masters!

Quite simply, your dog has learned to mug you for what

it wants and not what you are prepared to give it. Ader

awhile this is no longer an endearing acJon, but

something you find annoying and possible others will

have the same feeling.

It’s possible that you will find it more and more

frustraJng as Jme goes on, and you might even get

angry with your dog. This is certainly the final straw and

when you should be finding this arJcle and

remembering that much of the behaviour may have

been created without you realising.

Some breeds are very sharp at learning how to control

their owners. Aussies can be amazing at shaping us

humans and looking at the breeds that seem to arrive

with their frustrated owners – well the masters do seem

to be terriers.

Just be aware of this in daily life with your dog. Make

changes in your responses to make life be2er for you

and your dog. And remember to noJce and celebrate all

the good choices that your dog makes!

Talking

Point

Autumn is the Jme when we are

preserving the produce from the

summer. We don’t want to waste or

lose the fruit and vegetables that we

have worked so hard to grow and

collect. But it is not just our produce

that needs to be preserved, does the

Australian Terrier need to be preserved

so future generaJons can enjoy our

breed?

Most readers will be aware that in the

UK there are just not many Aussies. If

you want a pup, then you have to wait

paJently and yes, you will be the happy

owner of a great Aussie. This is not a

breed being bred in great numbers and

at Cockapoo prices of £3k and more a

pup. However, the low numbers – not

only due to supply/demand – does

mean that the breed is on a downward

spiral. As a non naJve breed, the KC

does not offer the same assistance as

they do for the UK vulnerable breeds.

We are on our own. ‘The Aussie’ looks

into the topic of PreservaJon Breeding.

What is PreservaHon Breeding?

This is all about preserving something

which has a history and purpose. People

have cherished, cared, protected and

have been guardians of the breed for

decades. Each breed brings its own

unique individuality. And every breed

was created to serve a specific purpose.

In the case of the Aussie, guarding,

snake killing, herding and

companionship.

Over Jme, the purposes have morphed

to the point that many breeds are

merely companion animals. However,

they sJll have the predisposiJon to

behave in certain ways and do certain

jobs. PreservaJon breeding is ensuring

that these traits are not lost but work in

today’s society and that there is a gene

pool large enough for the breed to

retain them.

Future generaHons

Breeders who regard themselves as

‘PreservaJon Breeder’ concentrate on

selecJng dogs to keep the breed

healthy, maintain the core breed

features and temperament and ensure

that every pup born can conJnue the

breed and be a great member of its

family. The goal of the preservaJon

breeder is to preserve for the future,

ensuring it will be around for future

decades.

There is something special about

people who are passionate about

preserving the breed they have

borrowed from the previous

generaJon. Weaving pedigrees

together with the knowledge to retain

the breed and prevent unwanted

a2ributes. These people evolve and

then mentor those who will be the next

generaJon. Sharing the knowledge, the

passion and respect for a breed. Passing

on the ethos of keeping the essence of

the breed and not just throwing dog

randomly together for a short-term

benefit.

The Impact

People buy a dog as they like the

package – the look, the character and

yes, we have to menJon the lifestyle. It

is important that the elements in the

breed that the preservaJon breeders

are striving to retain and enhance are at

the core of breeding programme.

People who are happy and

saJsfied with a breed will have

another and spread the word to

like-minded people. Contact with

the new owners means the

breeders can monitor to ensure

their goals conJnue to be met.

Breed Clubs play a vital role, they

can offer a central point where

educaJon and training about the

breed can be shared and not just

from the judging a dog standpoint.

From understanding the quirks of

the breed to offering training that

is specific to the breed. These all

enable the breed qualiJes to be

monitored and more and more

knowledge gained, for the

be2erment of the breed.

Clubs also bring together the

breeders, successful preservaJon

breeding is not one or two people

ploughing their own furrows. It is

everyone working together for the

common good. It is not about

friends, it is all about making sure

that you have worked together to

pass on the genes and knowledge

to the next generaJon. Thus

ensuring the breed lives on forever.

From the Archives

How was the

Aussie made?

This ques@on is asked so many @mes and

there are so many different answers.

Many books and enthusiasts suggest a

recipe for the breed’s crea@on and from

these everyone has their own theories. In

most cases the theories are based on the

terrier breeds. However, there are a few

books that suggest that the forerunner

of the corgi might have found its way

into the evolving of the Aussie. Maybe

this is where they get the herding

ins@nct and as one person suggested -

their big ears!

Aussies from the early 1900’s

This arJcle was found in the archives of a dog enthusiast and not an

Aussie owner. They felt it shed some interesJng thoughts on the creaJon

of the Australian Terrier, so it makes an interesJng talking point for

readers who are curious about the origins of the breed.

The informaJons was first published in the 1930’s and wri2en by Phyllis

Robson, it makes interesJng reading. And please note the descripJon is

not the same as today’s breed standard.

The author of the ar=cle

Phyllis Robson ini=ally was a

Bulldog enthusiast, but ehen

the first Afghan Hounds

arrived in the UK became a

convert to this breed. She was

the first Chairman of the Club

and even sold 2 Afghans to

Zeppo Marx of the Marx

Brothers fame.

She was one of the longest

serving editors of Dog World

Magazine and a much

travelled interna=onal Judge.

she was described as being

one of the dog world’s

emerging interna=onal

celebri=es.

The smallest of the Terrier breeds is a product of which the

Commonwealth can be justly proud. A good Australian Terrier is an

animal of exquisite beauty.

To get a true picture of the Australian’s original makeup, one must

imagine the dogs taken out by the BriJsh emigrants – li2le terrier from

Scotland, Clydesdales, Cairns, Dandie Dinmonts: these went to make the

Blue and Tan and the introducJon of the Welsh Ca2le Dogs (the original

Corgis) produces the reds.

The result was a very beauJful all round dog: vermin killer, ca2le herder

and the pal and helpmate of lonely pioneers.

Australian Terriers are easily trained when kindly handled, but will not

stand for bullying. They are not quarrelsome and will follow perfectly to

heel. The bitches are most affecJonate and sweet mother.

The dogs are more independent, but are very capable all the same of a

very deep devoJon to their owners. They are very much a one-man dog.

Unlike most breeds, the Australian male takes a great interest in his

offspring and will oden help to bring them up.

The cocktail of breeds suggested that were

used to create the Australian Terrier

In appearance, the Australian Terrier is small, long

bodied and low to the ground. The ideal weight is

9-101bs in bitches and 11-12lbs in dogs. Tail is docked.

Clydesdale, or Paisley Terrier

An interesting fact: The

Ballochmyle kennel was that of Sir

Claude Alexander. He believed he

could recreate the Clydesdale

Terrier by interbreeding the Skye

and the Australian Terrier. It didn’t

work - as the breeds genes never

really mixed. You got either Skye

types or Aussie types. His

daughter Hon Wilhelmina

Alexander bred both Aussies and

Skyes with her affix Faygate.

Cairn Terriers

The skull should be flat, wide between the eyes. The

foreface fairly long with a pronounced stop, jaw level,

teeth strong. The topknot should be silky and lighter in

colour than the body coat. The hair in front of the eyes

and on the ears, should be short.

The nasal bone bare of hair and nostrils black. The eyes

must be small, dark, deep set and when in repose have

a faraway sleepy look, becoming varminty and full of

fire when alert. The ears are V shaped, either pricked

or dropped. The neck should be long, with full ruffle of

hair. The body is long with finely laid shoulders; chest

narrow. With ribs going well back to give the desired

length of body. Couplings short, with slight roach,

which give speed and ability to turn quickly.

The forelegs straight as possible with elbows well

under body. Slight feathering to knee, hair short from

knee down. Feet small, well padded, black nails. The

hindquarters have powerful muscles with well bent

sJfles: hocks straight when viewed from behind.

Colour: Blue and tan or red. The blue tan should have

a dark steel blue body coat, legs and face rich

mahogany tan; the reds and sandies should be a clear

bright colour. In both colours, the colour should pale at

the roots, deepening towards the Jps of hair with

definite sheen. The body coat should be harsh and

about 2.5 inches long.

Early examples of Corgis

The Scotch Terrier

Terriers from mid 19th

Century

Dandie Dinmont Terriers

Dog Eared

Clean is good

Aussies have erect ears and so they can be less prone to some

ear problems, but this does not mean ears can be ignored. They

should be kept free from long hairs, to enable air to circulate and

prevent ‘foreign bodies’ like seeds, mud etc to get caught on the

hair and penetrate the ears. One reason why when Aussies are

groomed, the long hair is removed.

Your dog’s ears should be clean, odour free, pale pink in colour

and with a minimal amount of wax. This will help to prevent any

infecJons caused by the build-up of wax and debris. Good canine

ear health starts with clean ears. It is most effecJve when done

regularly, by this it doesn’t mean every day, unless instructed by

the Vet.

To do this you need some dog ear cleaners, co2on wool and to

wear something you don’t mind gehng splashed. Dogs do shake

their head when they feel the ear cleaner! You should always

read the specific instrucJons for the product you buy. You can get

this on-line or from the vet. Some do make your dog react more

than others, so you might need to shop around to find one which

is the most comfortable for your dog.

Word of warning. It may be tempJng to fish out some gunk you

can see but not reach by using a co2on bud. Do not do this.

Never put anything solid down their ear. Any loose material will

work its way out of the ear canal as the dog shakes its head. Then

you can remove it with co2on wool.

Dog’s ears are very important, not just

because they have an incredible sense of

hearing, but owners do need to look ader

their dog’s ears.

‘The Aussie’ looks into the caring for dogs

ears and deafness that can happen as our

Aussies get older

What are the signs of ear problems?

Fortunately, the symptoms of ear infecJon are quite obvious and

easy to spot. If you see your dog shaking or JlJng its head,

rubbing its ear against the walls, doors or furniture or scratching

its ear, there is a high chance that the dog might have developed

an ear infecJon. Once you take a look inside the ear, you might

see the following things:

• Scabs, wounds or crusts

• Swelling and redness

• A sweet, pungent odour

• A red or brown-coloured discharge

Most infecJons occur in the outer ear and can be easily treated

with medicaJons at home. But if the dog has trouble maintaining

its balance, is walking chaoJcally or running in circles, the

infecJon might have spread to other areas. If this is the case, it

needs to be checked out immediately at the Vets.

A common misconcepJon is that dogs with long, floppy ears are

more prone to infecJons due to bacteria or hair build up. This is

not necessarily true – while floppy ears could someJmes be

associated with an increased risk of infecJon, they are oden

caused by other external factors such as bacteria, yeast or breedspecific

health condiJons, like allergies and hormone imbalances.

Regardless of the causes, as long as the dog is not acJng

unusual, ear infecJons are totally treatable and not a

reason for concern. Here are a few simple remedies that

you can safely use for your pet.

Regular ear washes at home are frequently needed to disinfect

the ear and control the recurrent inflammaJon.

ComplicaHons of Yeast Ear InfecHon

Aural Haematoma

Ear mites

This is something that when the signs are first seen, an

owner can panic. On the ear there appears to be what

looks like dried blood. Invariably it is the sign of ear mites.

These parasites are highly contagious, and will quickly

spread from pet to pet in mulJ-pet households. Even from

cats to dogs. The first sign is usually excessive ear

scratching and some head shaking. If you spot this, pop

their ear flap back and have a look for dark, crumbly

coffee grounds-like detritus in the ear. Ear mites can also

be treated with medicated drops, and some spot on flea

treatments will also kill ear mites.

When a dog with

uncomfortable ears shakes

and scratches vigorously,

a blood vessel in the

earflap may rupture. This

leads to bleeding into the

Jssues of the pinna

(ear flap).

The usual recommendaJon is to have the blood clots removed

and the ear bandaged and cleaned under anaesthesia. If the

haematoma is not so big as to occlude the ear canal (thus

prevenJng medicaJon of the ear canal), the opJon to

forgo exists; but without surgery, the ear may scar down into an

abnormal appearance. Haematomas can be caused by other

damage, like nip and bites from other pets. In Australian

Terriers, the result invariably means a loss of the ear carriage.

Certain condiJons, such as a build-up of wax and reduced

air circulaJon, are conducive to ear infecJons starJng.

Such condiJons keep the ear canals warm and humid,

ideal for bacteria and yeast to thrive. If it impedes

removal of debris and reduces air circulaJon, it is an ear

infecJon winner. In most cases of canine ear infecJons,

these present as a pair.

Yeast infecHons

Another ear problem that is not unusual. Some dogs just

seem to be prone to it, whilst others never seem to have

an issue. Yeast infecJon is the most common type of ear

infecJon in dogs. The yeast organisms are fungi

called Malassezia pachyderma=s and they are normal on

the skin and in the ears.

When the ear becomes inflamed and the canal

environment changes, the yeast overgrow and create a

brown or gray, greasy ear discharge. It is especially itchy

and somewhat smelly. It isn’t long before a dog is seen

scratching at his ears, shaking his head, or holding one ear

slightly dropped. Discharge and odor may be noJceable to

the owner.

Yeast overgrowth can have many underlying causes but

allergy is parJcularly common. If the ear infecJon involves

the ear flap or entrance to the ear canal rather than the

canal itself, this is a hint that allergy is at the root of the

problem. In these paJents, ear infecJons are oden

recurrent and accompanied by other skin disease.

Prolifera@ve Ear Canal Change and Middle Ear Infec@on

A rouJne ear infecJon is uncomfortable enough but if the

infecJon persists, it can become an even bigger problem. The

infecJon can lead to proliferaJon and scarring in the canal

which makes the infecJon especially difficult (and potenJally

impossible) to clear up. Yeast organisms are joined by resistant

bacteria and the infecJon becomes even more difficult to

address.

The ear canal may mineralize and the middle ear may come to

be involved, leading to nerve damage. Affected animals may

have a head Jlt, a lack of balance, and unusual back-and-forth

eye movements (called “nystagmus.”) These symptoms are

called vesJbular signs” and are a complicaJon of middle ear

infecJon. Middle ear infecJons can also cause paralysis of the

facial nerve, leading to a slack-jawed appearance on that side of

the face. Severe cases will lead to surgery.

PARDON!!

We are very fortunate that our Aussies have longevity. But as with ourselves, as they age

their faculJes do diminish. One area that many owners noJce is deafness.

The last week of September, is when owners and dog lovers support Deaf Dog

Awareness Week. This special week is dedicated to raising awareness and knowledge to

improve the lives of dogs living with hearing difficulJes.

A lot of informaJon was available to assist owners to manage deafness in their dogs and

‘The Aussie’ has included this in its ‘dog’s ears’ featured.

However, I will add , there aren’t many deaf Aussies that can’t hear a dog bowl ra2led at

meal Jme from a hundred metres, or the sound of rustling paper! Even the younger

ones can have selecJve deafness when they choose.

How do I know if my dog is going deaf?

As dogs age, their faculJes can start to fade and it’s not

unusual for them to experience some level of hearing loss

or to go deaf in their older years. Here are some signs to

look out for that your canine friend may be struggling to

hear properly. If your dog’s hearing is fine, it’s good to be

aware of these behaviours for the future.

If your dog has always appeared at the ra2le of a full food

bowl or barked on hearing a knock at the door and no

longer responds to these triggers, it could be a sign that he

has hearing loss. Some owners report ‘selecJve hearing’ in

their pets, but this is usually caused by a dog being

engaged in an acJvity that he deems more exciJng than

his owner.

If your dog has always greeted you when you get home

but then you start finding him asleep when you get in, it

may be because he can no longer hear your car pulling into

the driveway or your key in the lock.

Upon hearing a noise, most animals will look up or around

to find the source of the sound. You can test your dog’s

hearing yourself by quietly entering the room so that he

doesn’t noJce you and then clapping your hands from a

distance away to see if he reacts. This should be used as a

test only, as approaching a deaf dog without warning can

someJmes be startling.

Your dog may appear surprised when touched while

sleeping and can even snap out of sleep due to the shock

of being stroked.

If he’s no longer responding to being called, he may sJll be

responsive to higher-pitched sounds, so you can try a dog

whistle to see if he can sJll hear the upper range.

Ways to help a dog with hearing loss

Discovering that your dog may have such difficulJes can be

worrying, but there’s no reason why a dog with hearing

loss can’t live a full and happy life.

1. Get them vet-checked – If you’re concerned that

your dog might not be able to hear you properly,

it’s important you take him to your vet for a check

up. It could be that a temporary condiJon, like a

2. Keep them safe – The most important consideraJon

when you have a dog with hearing loss is his safety.

If he is deaf, he would be at risk of not being able to

hear dangers, such as passing cars. It might be best

to keep your dog on a lead during walks and to try

and keep them interesJng by taking different

routes so he’s sJll gehng lots of sJmulaJon.

3. Teach hand signals – This is the first thing to do as

dogs can learn hand signals very quickly. These

gestures can let him know when to sit, stay, lie

down and follow. As your dog approaches you, start

giving your chosen hand signal and then give him a

treat when he reaches you. He will soon come to

associate the hand signal with the treat and will

return to you each Jme expecJng it. There is a lot

of informaJon

4. Give noJce – You can get collars and leads that say

‘I am deaf’ on them, which is a really good way to

make other people aware that your dog can’t hear

– especially if you do decide to let him off the lead.

5. A li2le freedom – If you have an obedient dog who

has always previously come back to you when

called, there’s no reason why you can’t allow him

some off-lead Jme once he has mastered hand

signals. It’s a good idea, however, to keep to open

spaces where you can see him easily and he can see

you.

6. LocaJon services – Fihng a bell to your dog’s

collar is also a good idea so that you can locate him

easily, not just on off-lead walks but around the

home and garden too, as he can’t hear you calling.

There are a wide range of tracking devices available

and these may be useful if you do walk your dog

off-lead and they wander off.

7. Laser light. Another opJon is to use light. These can

be great to a2ract a2enJon and lead your dog back

to you. As with all laser lights you need to be

careful and they are less effecJve on a too sunny

day.

8. Good vibraJons – Your dog has to be looking at you

to be able to see your hand signals, so another

thing some owners use is a vibraJng collar, which

you can acJvate from a distance. These are not

electric shock collars. As to the benefit, there

seems to be mixed feedback on the success.

9. Try not to startle – It’s important that you approach

your dog from the front, especially when he is

resJng, as he won’t hear you coming up from

behind. If your dog is laying on the floor, he may

feel the vibraJons if you stamp your feet to

announce your arrival. You could also switch the

lights on and off a couple of Jmes on entering a

room so that he knows you’re coming.

Who were they?

It never ceases to amaze how many

fascinaJng characters have owned

Aussies over the many decades our

breed has been in existence. In this

ongoing series, we leap forward to

the 1960’s and a celebrity based in

Australia.

Introducing Tommy Hanlon Jnr and

his Aussie named Bonny Dan. Also

in the photo is the Silky Terrier

Dinky. It makes an interesJng

comparison of the two breeds at

this Jme.

As he was to become one of the

most popular TV people, he had the

fame that we wonder would bring

greater interest to the breed. Not

sure that it did.

Who was Tommy Hanlon Jnr

Born in the USA, he started in show business at the age of 4. His parents

were vaudeville stars and during an interview explained he was the 6th

generaJon of entertainers. Although there doesn’t seem to have been a

7th generaJon. His first marriage ended in divorce and his son, Tommy

Hanlon III, went on to invent a verJcal take-off aircrad and became vicepresident

of Bell Helicopters.

His first solo performance was as a Magician at the age of 14. When his

parents split, the 14-year-old Tommy jumped out of his father's motel

room window and headed for Hollywood.

To earn a living, he ran whiskey, dealt blackjack in Alabama, worked for

two years with Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre in Los Angeles, appeared

on stage alongside W.C. Fields and also appeared in a number of

Hollywood movies, including Follow The Boys (1944).

Life in Australia

He came to Australia in 1959 for a season at Melbourne's

Chevron and Sydney's Chequers nightclubs. He made

appearances on Graham Kennedy's In Melbourne Tonight,

and was an instant hit. Sensing opportuniJes in Australia,

Hanlon returned in 1960. His talents were picked up by

the emerging medium – the Television and was soon

working three nights a week on IMT, oden filling in as

host. ObservaJonal humour comprised much of his standup

act. He would always close by pulling a folded piece of

paper from his jacket pocket and reading yet another

“Le2er from Mom" which was a social commentary This

became a signature of his shows.

His talents were picked up by the emerging medium – the

Television. His debut was as host on the dayJme TV show

– ‘It Could Be You.’ This TV show launched his career in

Australia. It was a mixture of Game Show, human interest

and humour. It featured tearful reunions of long separated

families and friends. There were many sad tales and many

even touched Tommy’s heartstrings so much, he gave

financial help to people. Much to the annoyance of the

ProducJon Team, who worried it could get out of hand. Of

course ‘Le2ers from Mom’ were always the finale.

The success of this series was amazing. So popular was it

that when they filmed in Sydney, 60,000 people applied

for the 1,000 Jckets. To put this into perspecJve, it had

the biggest response snce The Beatles.

He typically closed each programme by sihng on a stool

with a social commentary presented as a ‘Le2er from

Mom’.

He was involved with many other TV shows and Australian

films appearing with with James Mason, Helen Mirren and

Jack MacGowran. Of course, we have to menJon one of

the famous Aussie superstars Skippy the Bush Kangaroo!

He was at one point the highest paid person in TV.

At Home

He enjoyed a quiet life at home with his wife and daughter

and liked to spend his downJme reading. He oden

menJoned that he liked to reJre to a quiet spot in his

South Yarra home, with a good book and his dogs as his

companions.

He wrote a couple of books as well. Both appear to be out

of print , but the first was enJtled ‘The Secret Life of

Tommy Hanlon’.

The Circus life for me

Ader his success with ‘It Could be You’, he went on to host

many other TV shows, appeared in TV series and films. He

even entertained the Australian Troops in Vietnam and

Thailand. But his love was always for the Circus and he

decided to invest in Ashton’ Circus. Then joining it when his

TV commi2ments ended. Later he became the Master of

Ceremonies for the Silver Magic Circus where he remained

for 23 years.

Tommy Hanlon used to write ‘Thoughts fro the Week’ for

the newspapers. This is one he wrote in 1963 and today it

it still pertinent. Especially at this time when there seems

to be a mad rush for pups.

“Momma once said to me, when I got my first dog - A dog

can’t speak and tell you its troubles. It can’t cry (although

sometimes I think they can.). They can’t laugh, but they

can be your best friend. And a dog doesn’t care if you

have a million pounds or just one. They like you because

you’re you so always treat them kindly”.

A scene from his TV Show ‘ It Could Be You’.

He was one of the first people to be

awarded the Gold Logie for his

contribuJon to TV. This is the highest

award in Australia for TV

He went on to explain - “And now we have a new addition

to the Hanlon Household, a little Australian Terrier. And if

you’re thinking of getting a dog for your boy or girl, I think

this is the best advice you can give them …..

Momma’s moral …..money will buy a dog - but it wont by

the wag of its tail.

Tricks

for

Treats

Although an Aussie might seem to be asleep, they are

constantly watching what is going on. Perhaps it’s the

watchdog insJnct emerging, but whatever it is, they

can be very sneaky at Jmes. But is this really the

case? Could we be puhng our human interpretaJons

onto the dogs. UnJl recently there was no scienJfic

evidence that dogs can be decepJve. The Aussie

reflects on some recent research

A Sneaky dog

This type of behaviour fascinated Marianne Heberlein, who

studies dog cogniJon at the University of Zurich in

Switzerland. She was keen to test the animals’ ability to use

decepJon to get what they want from humans. The idea to

look at subterfuge came from watching her own dogs. One

of them had developed the technique of pretending to see

something interesJng outside, so that another dog would

vacate a prime sleeping spot in order to invesJgate!

Proving the theory

The more she saw these types of acJons from her dogs, the

more she was convinced this was something that needed

further invesJgaJon. Not just anecdotal, but a true

scienJfic study to prove once and for all, whether dogs

were really being decepJve.

To do this, she iniJated a study to explore decepJve canine

Behaviour. This involved teaming up 27 dogs with two

different human partners. One who would give them a

treat in their bowl, and one who would show the dog a

treat and then withhold it.

The dogs were then taught to lead the humans to boxes

containing treats. The generous human would give the dog

a treat, but the withholding human would not.

The next step to test the theory was to present the dogs

with three boxes. The first had a delicious sausage treat,

the second a more boring biscuit, and the third contained

nothing. Also, they knew if any snacks remained inside the

boxes once they were reunited with their owners, they

would get a chance to eat them. So the dogs got a li2le

devious.

Researchers observed the dogs leading the cooperaJve

partner to the box containing the sausage more oden than

expected by chance. However, they led the compeJJve

partner to the sausage less oden than expected by chance.

And here’s where things get really interesJng: the dogs

took the compeJJve partner to the empty box more

frequently than the cooperaJve partner, suggesJng that

they were working through their opJons and engaging in

deliberate decepJon to maximize their chances of gehng

both treats.

It is as though the dog is thinking, 'Why should I tell that

selfish person where the best treat [is] if it means that I will

never get it?'.

They were exhibiJng flexibility of behaviour and decepJon.

The researchers concluded that these results show that

dogs disJnguished between the cooperaJve and the

compeJJve partner and indicate the flexibility of dogs to

adjust their behaviour and that they are able to use tacJcal

decepJon.

Intelligent Dogs

Of course, some of the dogs proved to be more intelligent

than others. A few quickly co2oned on to the behaviour

that would yield the most sausages and repeatedly led

compeJJve partners to the empty box.

Apparently, monkeys have not proved to be so quick to

learn this trick in similar tests. They have required more

learning steps and more repeJJons to co2on on to the fact

that deceiving compeJJve partners will gain them more

food.

The dogs learnt to differenJate between their human

partners in double quick Jme and so displayed advanced

cogniJve behaviour. There is an ongoing debate regarding

the cogniJve abiliJes of many species. These tests have

demonstrated that dogs possess sophisJcated social

reasoning.

What it means to us

Anyone who owns a dog or spends Jme with a dog will

doubtless find these revelaJons less than startling. Dogs are

adept at learning to do whatever it takes to get their treats.

Dogs have evolved to become skilled at what best serves

their own interests regarding food and to ignore almost

everything else.

They are quick learners when it comes to grabbing a few

sausages and mysteriously dim wi2ed when presented with

other tests of reason.

Our dogs have evolved a sophisHcated form of tunnel

vision.

Dogs have also been found to shun unhelpful people,

similar to behaviour shown in human infants and capuchin

monkeys.

In a study, a dog’s owner would ask another person for

help with a task, and some people would help and others

would not. There was always also a neutral observer in the

room. When offered a treat by both people, the dogs oden

chose the neutral observer over the unhelpful assistant,

potenJally showing community and loyalty

Humans may only be interested in the so-called

intelligence of dogs because we want to think they’re like

us – or brag that our preferred breed s the smartest.

Though, according to Brian Hare of Duke University’s

Canine CogniJon Center, there is no demonstrable

difference among breeds.

SJll, the research shows that the next Jme you withhold a

treat from your Aussie, they may figure out a way to get

what they want.

And all you Aussie owners out there will be very aware of

the many ways our Aussies can persuade us to do their

bidding!!!

Dear Santa

Paws -

some

things for

my

Christmas

Stocking!

Ever wondered what the world looks like

through your Aussies eyes. Well wonder

no more if you treat yourself to this dog

videocam by Eyenimal.The fastening

system adapts to a collar, harness, or

even a baseball cap (included) which

makes it ideal in many situaJons. 3

recording modes - conJnuous, moJon,

staJonary.

Sturdy and waterproof, it creates

fascinaJng viewing of a dog’s eye : view.

Whether you are hiking, on holiday,

watching your dog play, dog sports or just

your daily walk. Priced at around £85,

perhaps its something for Doggie Claus to

bring your Aussie.

Not sure what to buy for your

Aussie or put on your Santa’s

list?

Here are a few ideas which other

dog lovers are adding to their

wish lists.

Another rubber bone built to

last, free of toxins and ecofriendly

is the Beco Bone. This

one is made from rice husk

rubber (who knew?) and is

vanilla scented.

These fesJve lights made from a

sod silicone outer can be

a2ached to dog collars. They

provide a flashing or conJnuous

light. FesJve and safe - what

more could any Aussie want.

The Dog Water Fountain. There

are many types available ont he

market, but many Aussies do

seem to enjoy running water. So

one of these, could be a perfect

gid for your Aussie.

Is this too cute for your

Aussie? It is a vegetable

based chew that’s gluten

free and priced at £1.95

Aussies have road tested it

and rated it a 5 star treat.

This vintage image of an Aussie is a

jigsaw puzzle. Something to while away

the hours, but you need to invest

around £65 to buy this 1000 piece

wooden jigsaw.

£7.99 plus P&P can get

you your very own

walking your Aussie

socks.

Why not treat yourself, or add this to

your Santa’s list. These bracelets by

Notch are a great way to celebrate a

success with your dog. A good CiJzen

Award, a show win or two, another

great achievement. Rose2es are great,

but this can be with you always. Many

choose to create a bracelet for a past

dog. As a reminder of those happy

memories.

Check out the Notch website for more

informaJon.

The wolfclip. This is an innovative

way to attach collars, leads,

harnesses etc. The common clips

can be fiddly, especially when you

are hurrying to attache your dog to

its lead on a cold wet, day.

Wolfclip was iniJally invented in

Australia and was first introduced

into the U.K in 2017 where it has

undergone rigorous tesJng prior to

its launch in 2019. To prove its

strength. The photo shows a

landrover being pulled with only a

wolfclip as the connector to the

rope. Leads start around £20.

A bowl to stretch out the meagre raJons. The

Trixie Silicone Slow Feeding Mat is non-slip

and easy to use. Suitable for both wet and dry

foods, the flexible, shaped walls help to slow

down the intake of food, reduce gulping, and

prolong meal Jmes. Priced at £8.95, it is

dishwasher safe. Plus during the hot weather

it can have doggie ice-cream added and it can

be stored in the freezer.

Super Sniffers at Work

If successful, it could also add to Medical DetecJon

Dogs’ understanding of what the profile for cancer

smells like and provide more informaJon for their cancer

detecJon dogs to learn from in the future. Four dogs are

currently being assessed with a view to 2 working on the

full project. The dogs are a mixture of Labradors and

spaniels.

Urine samples from dogs with and without cancer have

been collected by Davies Veterinary Specialists and have

been used to train dogs to detect the difference and will

be used to test how accurate they are. The idea for the

project first came when Medical DetecJon Dogs CEO and

Co-Founder, Claire Guest, took her own cancer detecJon

dog, Daisy, to Vet Oncologist at Davies Veterinary

Specialists, Isabelle Desmas-Bazelle, for treatment for

cancer.

Sadly, some Aussies are diagnosed with cancer. For many

breeds it can be the most common cause of losing a

beloved family dog. Treatments to help cure and manage

cancer in both humans and dogs are becoming increasingly

more successful, but the key is diagnosing as early as

possible.

We know that the Medical DetecJon Dogs Charity has

made great in roads in detecJng some common forms of

cancer in people. However, recently they were asked the

quesJon -

Can dogs detect cancer in other dogs?

That was the quesJon asked by the Medical DetecJon Dog

Charity. At last they have begun to answer the quesJon.

A study into whether cancer detecJon dogs can sniff cancer

in another dogs’ urine sample is being carried out for the

first Jme in the UK by the charity Medical DetecJon Dogs.

The project will invesJgate what would be a cheap, rapid

and non-invasive diagnosJc test for canine bladder cancer

by training dogs to detect the cancer from the odour of

urine samples.

Canine Urinary TransiJonal Cell Carcinoma (TCC) can look

like several other urinary tract disorders when tested for,

meaning diagnosis can be tricky.

The 2 experts started to quesJon whether canines could

detect cancer in other canines and Daisy was presented

with some samples of urine from dogs with and without

the disease. She picked out the posiJve samples quite

easily.

Claire Guest says: “Dogs are renowned for their sense of

smell and we know from many years of the dogs’ ability

to detect human cancer, that it is a disease that has

characterisJc odours that they can pick out very

successfully.

“It seems obvious that they could do the same for canine

cancer and as the current screening tests are oden

inaccurate, not to menJon very unpleasant for our

beloved pets, we are very much looking forward to

showing that dogs themselves could be the key to

diagnosing this disease early in their four-legged

counterparts.

Isabelle Desmas-Bazelle says: “Current methods of

diagnosis can be slow and yield misleading outcomes –

for example a posiJve result can be because of other

non-cancerous condiJons such as infecJon. This means

that vets may target infecJon when in fact the dog could

have cancer.”

One possible method of looking for TCC is cystocentesis –

when a needle is inserted into the bladder to take a sample

of urine – but is best avoided as it can risk spreading the

tumour.

DefiniJve diagnosis requires taking Jssue from the

suspicious area so a medical scienJst can look at it under a

microscope which is invasive, costly and delays the results

and therefore treatment.

The proof of principle study, a collaboraJon with Davies

Veterinary Specialists and part funded by The Kennel Club

Charitable Trust, will invesJgate this innovaJve test, which

has the potenJal to make dramaJc improvements to the

diagnosis and outcome of canine bladder cancer.

Final Word

Dog Owner Sued ader collision with cyclist.

With lockdown, there seems to be more cyclists and

dogs being walked in the same open spaces. We hear

about many confrontaJons. Cyclists hihng dogs, cycling

into leads, dogs chasing cycles etc. However, the

situaJon turned more serious at the Central London

County Court, when a cyclist was awarded damages of

up to £50,000 when the judge decided in his favour.

The incident happened on a local common where the

dog’s owner was throwing a ball for her dog. The

direcJon of the ball, with the dog in pursuit, went across

a path on the common where the cyclist was travelling.

The collision occurred resulJng in serious head injury to

the cyclist.

Judge Patrick Andrews ruled that the dog’s owner was

negligent, having failed to call back the dog as he shot

towards the path and the oncoming cyclist.

Whilst it was likely that there were arguments made on

both sides of this case to miJgate what happened, it is

important for dog owners to be aware how the court

ruled and its implicaJons for dog owners. So remember

-

Great care must be exercised by dog owners when their

dogs are running free.

Owners must be able to call their dogs back or stop

them when necessary to avoid an incident such as this.

3rd party insurance need to be in place if the worst

happens.

It must be accepted that we are all responsible for the

acJons of our dogs.

This novel sign to remind people

to pick up ader their dogs was

sent by a reader. Hope it works.

Please note that the views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors of the arJcles and not necessarily those of the Commi2ee and Officers of

The Southern CounJes 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 reproducJon without consent from the owner(s) of the image.

The Aussie

The Aussie Magazine Autumn 2020

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