May 2012 Issue

We are retired and live in Vejle, Denmark. We have two Australian Terriers, “Silja” Surely Nothing To Lose and “Svea,” Pariservikens Good Luck Charm. My husband and I agreed many years ago that we should have a dog, but not just any dog, an Aussie. Our first Aussie was an older male. After he passed away we went to Finland to get Silja.

Silja was 4 years old when she was bred. There was indeed a long process to find just the right male for her. There was much to be considered: color, appearance, temperament, inbreeding coefficient, etc. Finally, after many months of searching, we found a beautiful male in Sweden with Marie Fast, kennel Fast Loves. His name was  “Gizmo,” Pariservikens Earth Boy. On April 18, 2011 she had 2 puppies. They went to their new homes.

We wanted to get one more female. Gizmo, the father of our puppies, also had a litter that was 5 weeks older than our puppies. They lived in Motala, Sweden, and we were able to get “Svea,” Pariservikens Good Luck Charm.

Silja and Svea

Silja loved her from the outset and Silja and Svea play games and have an incredibly good time together.

All photos are taken and have a copyright by Birthe Buch.

The finished product but we are getting ahead of ourselves!

Fergie in Finland
The Papa, Reimin Master of Puppets “Dio”

Fergie and her puppy.

The puppies in a puppy huddle.

Puppies are growing and enjoying running through the agility tunnel all together.
Playing tug-of-war.

This article was written and presented by Sue Holsinger, at the request of the ATCA President, in 2009, at our National Specialty. As such, some of the information, as presented, may be out of date.

 

The origins of tail docking are varied and contradictory. The first references go back to Roman times, when dogs’ tails and parts of their tongues were cut off to prevent rabies. In Europe, aristocratic families often had hunting dogs. At first, hunters decided a shortened tail would help the dog with its quickness and agility. This trend became so popular that noble landlords began taxing the owners of long-tailed dogs.

 

Tail docking seems to have emerged for a variety of reasons, but for some breeds it was proposed primarily to improve appearance. Books from different periods openly refer to docking of some breeds as a matter of pleasing appearance (e.g., The American Book of the Dog, 1891, p. 619, 6695; 6696).

 

AKC has taken the position that, “In the case of new breeds, if the breed is cropped or docked, they are required to describe a natural tail. This would include the Glenn of Imaal Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier, Pyrenean Shepherd, Swedish Vallhund. Standards that have recently been revised to address natural tails are:  The Clumber Spaniel and the Affenpinscher.”

 

The American Veterinary Association has held a position against ear cropping since 1976. Tail docking was added to their position statement in 1999. They strengthened their position in the end of 2008 to read:

“The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards. ”

 

Legislation in the US falls into 2 general categories. First there are stand-alone bills, which seek to ban cropping and docking. Then there are care and conditions bills, which would require cropping and docking to be done by a licensed veterinarian and address a group of medical procedures including debarking and cesarean sections. These later bills are designed to prevent puppy mills from performing procedures in an inhumane manner, but also to legislate hobby breeders. There are currently cropping/docking bills in New York and Illinois, and some 30 care and conditions bills across the US.

 

Worldwide, cropping and docking has been outlawed in the following countries:

England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Cypress, Greece and Luxembourg.

Some countries have exclusions for hunting dogs or dogs of specific breeds, but overall these are limited and require an excessive burden of proof. Several of these passed initial legislation that required that cropping and docking be done by a veterinarian, then followed with an outright ban or deemed it unethical for veterinarians to do it.

 

Breed Standards in the US describing natural tails include the Affenpinscher,Clumber Spaniel, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Swedish Valhund, Black Russian Terrierand Pyrenean Shepherd. Fifty-five breed standards mention docking. Thirty-seven specify the dog should be docked with ONLY ONE identifying a tail not docked as a fault.

 

Breed Standards abroad still dance around the docking issue. Many breeds have not rewritten their breed standards since docking bans took effect. Australian Terrier breed standards in some countries reflect this. The UK has added language indicating that the tail was previously customarily docked, and New South Wales indicates that dogs with natural tails were permitted to be shown. Scandinavian countries wait for the Australians to revise their standards. Only the Australian Silky Terrier standard seems to have addressed the issue, and states:

 

Tail: Preferably docked, set on high and carried erect but not over-gay. Should be free of feathering. If undocked, the first three vertebrae to be carried erect, the balance to be carried erect or slightly curved, but not over-gay. Must not be curled. The length to give an overall balanced appearance. In accordance with the docked description the undocked tail to be free of feathering.

 

 

In light of the bans on cropping and docking abroad, and the volume of legislation in this country that would restrict or prohibit the rights of breeders to dock puppies, I think it is prudent to consider the future of docking in our breed. Allowing for undocked dogs to be imported and shown without penalty enhances our ability to breed for an attractive, undocked tail, and enlarges our gene pool. Sue Holsinger 
Puppy Buyer Contracts By Theresa Goiffon

Most reputable breeders provide puppy buyers with a contract at the time of purchase. Here are several things you may expect to see in your contract.

 

Breeders and new puppy owners both want the same thing, a healthy, happy puppy. Mutually agreeing on what is in the best interest of the puppy is important. Putting your agreement in writing is important for all parties involved in order to avoid any misunderstanding. I spoke with several Australian Terrier breeders across the country and abroad regarding this topic. Do they have a contract when they sell a puppy? Does their contract only apply to show homes or to companion homes as well? Here is what I discovered.

 

Photo Courtesy Of Pamela Levy

 

All of the breeders I spoke with have contracts. A contract for show/breeding Aussies is different from a contract for a pet/companion. Although much of the same general agreement is used in both, the show/breeding contracts often require co-ownership with the breeder and more specific conditions are required of the buyer by the breeder.

 

Most contracts include the obvious conditions, such as making sure the puppy is not tied or chained outdoors or kenneled extensively. Most include making sure the puppy is provided with a safe play area, with fresh food and water daily. Puppy contracts also require that routine veterinary care, in addition to following the vaccination protocol provided by the breeder, be provided by the buyer.

 

Some breeders provide a health guarantee; some do not. Many breeders perform health tests on the parents of the puppy and provide the results to the new owner as part of their commitment to breeding only healthy dogs.

 

Many include in their contract that the puppy buyer agrees to participate in providing information for health surveys and longevity surveys as well.

Breeders stipulate at the time of this sale that the puppy is to be a pet/companion puppy and that they register their puppy with the American Kennel Club. The privileges with the AKC will be on a limited registration basis, meaning they are not allowed to breed their dog.

 

Most contracts state the puppy is to be spayed or neutered prior to nine months of age and that the puppy will not be allowed to breed or be bred for any reason. If breeding occurs, the puppy and all resulting offspring are to be returned to the breeder.

 

Some breeders require the buyer to have their puppies micro-chipped.

 

Some countries, like Sweden, have both direct purchase agreements for companion Aussies and co-owner purchase agreements which include breeding rights. Thank you to Ewa Karlsson for providing me with a copy of The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) Dog Purchase Agreement, one with and without breeding rights retained.

 

Photo Courtesy Of Theresa Goiffon

Most of their requirements are not much different than the US agreements. Something that I have not seen in the US breeder’s contract is the requirement for insurance. The SKK requires that all puppies be insured and specifically states that the breeder has taken out insurance to cover hidden faults. This insurance is valid for at least three years from the day on which the dog is delivered. The insurance amount corresponds to the purchase price.

 

The buyer agrees to purchase life and veterinary care insurance for the dog. The insurance amount may not be lower than the purchase price of the puppy. The buyer agrees to pay the premiums for this policy without delay and to maintain the policy for at least three years once the puppy leaves the breeder and is registered with the SKK. In Sweden, most breeders require the new owner to provide them with the results of health testing, which are eyes and knee (Patella) at the age of one year.

 

Both pet/companion and show/breeding contracts, both here and oversees, are very specific about requiring, should the new owner no longer be able to care for the dog over the life time of the dog that the dog be returned to the breeder for re-homing. In some instances where travel makes returning the dog difficult, the breeder and the new owner will agree on a new home for the dog.

 

The reasons for a contract are fairly self explanatory. Every breeder wants to make sure the dogs they help bring into this world are in the best forever homes. The written contract provides a clear expectation and understanding between both parties.

 

The Story of Tippe Kennels

 

Tippe is the oldest active Australian Terrier breeding kennel in Denmark. Founded in 1975, Tippe looks forward to celebrating their 40 year anniversary in 2015. I have been fortunate to be a part of Tippe Kennel from the start.

 

It all started in 1967 when my mother, Birte Lillian Steffensen, bought what was according to the ad, a German Shepherd in a small body. My mother’s parents had several German Shepherds when she was a child. In 1967 my parents lived in an apartment so of course a mini-German Shepherd was the dog for her! But Ravnegårds Apilak (Totte),of course, was not a mini-German Shepherd. He was the first Aussie in our home and a true great “big brother” to me. I was born in 1968 and I was practically born in a dog basket as Totte lay under my mother’s bed during my birth. I was introduced to him when I was 30 minutes old.

 

In 1973 we bought Ravnegårds Nefertite (Tippe) and named the kennel after her. She became a Danish champion and the mother of our very fine line of bitches. Our breeding was an unbroken line from 1973 to 1996 when my mother chose to put the breeding on hold for a while. She did this because during the 90’s she became a FCI show judge for all the terrier breeds. She was judging increasingly at international shows both in Denmark and abroad.

1981: Four generations in a kind of “progeny-obedience-class” of Aussies from Kennel Tippe, Denmark.  From the left: Arne Sørensen with DKCH NLCH INTCH VV85 WA82 WA83 BDSG WA85 Tippes el Gordito, his litter-sister DKCH VV85 INTCH KBHV83 WA83 Tippes Esta Divina de Chica, my mother, Birte L Steffensen (founder of Kennel Tippe) with their mother: DKCH Tippes Blue Chica and me with my first dog, the mother of Chica: Tippes Bluegirl and her mother: Tippes Aisha.   

 

Tippe’s first litter produced Aisha who was amazing at assessing people and a very sound and capable leader of our four generation pack of bitches living at home. She was also an incredible obedience dog, passing the Danish Kennel Club’s obedience classes I and II earning first place prizes. She also was the mother of my first dog, Bluegirl (Blubbe) who like her mother was an excellent obedience dog. She was our second generation to also pass the Danish Kennel Club’s obedience classes I and II. Blubbe was no show beauty but she produced Tippe Kennel’s first homebred Danish champion and our third generation in a straight line, DKCH Tippes Blue Chica.

 

 

Møffe mothered our fifth generation giving me my second bitch, the red Tippes Lindeza Roja Divina (Jubii). Jubii was a very special dog for two reasons: she was the first Danish bred red Aussie to become a Danish champion and, in 1996 at the age of 12 years, she became the Best Aussie Bitch of the Year and the fourth Best Aussie of the Year in overall competition. She did this by being placed 1-4 in competition of Best of Breed at all of the shows she attended throughout the year!

 

Jubii’s red daughter, DKCH Tippes Princesa Roja Divina (Así), was our sixth generation at home and our fourth generation of champions in a row at home. She produced three litters and from her last litter in 1995 we kept Tippes Te Quiero Tanto Divina (Tante). She was the seventh generation and the last bitch we kept from our line of bitches, a straight line that led back to Tippe and 1973.

 

From the beginning, Tippe Kennels has been true to the classic Aussie type. From the third litter of DKCH Tippes Blue Chica and onwards, we have had at least one champion from every litter. In several litters there also have been dogs who passed various obedience classes in different countries. We never have had more than four bitches at home, one from each generation, and that makes the high number of Tippe champions even more remarkable.

 

1970-1971 Learning to Groom.

 

The very best, however, are all of the lovely responses from our puppy buyers that we have received over the years telling us what wonderful four-legged family members they have had for a number of years. Many former owners return to Tippe Kennels for their second dog or for another dog after losing their old Aussie. To me, this is proof of the high quality in our dogs and proof of the pride we take in choosing the best quality dogs for our breeding program. Since 1975 producing true Aussie-type, sound dogs with a serious breeding program remains the trademark of Tippe Kennels.

 

Our kennel marked the beginning of a new era in 2011 but I have the same requirements for good health as my mother and I take breeding equally serious. Therefore, the parents of my new line of bitches have been chosen very carefully. Both parents are of the same good type that has always been the trademark of Tippe Kennels: the classic Aussie. So these top-winning dogs, DKCH LUCH DECH DEVDHCH KLBCH INTCH Surely Nothing To Lose “Silja” and SECH NOCH DKCH INTCH Pariservikens Earth Boy “Gizmo” are the parents of my U-litter and my new rising stars.

 

 1973 My little sister (aprox 8 months) and myself (5 years) with Totte (6) and Tippe Kennels stemmother Ravnegaard Nefertite Tip.

 

 

Buyer Beware Written By Lynn Hahn

 

Prior to getting my Australian Terrier, Betty, I had some good and bad experiences with other dog breeds.  My mother raised Collies for a short time when I was really young.  She bred a small number of litters.  All were healthy except one pup.  He ironically lost an eye.  That was a very long time ago but I believe it was not genetic but from an accident.  My mother had the puppy’s eye removed then gave our one eyed pup, Sparky, to our paperboy.  My experience with my mother’s Collies was very good.

As an adult I have owned a few different breeds.  My first breed was a Cairn Terrier.  I adopted her, in a manner of speaking.  She was being abusively tossed back and forth like a football by a group of boys.  I grabbed her and ran away with her.  No one came back to claim her.  She was wonderful.  She was healthy, intelligent and loyal.

My son was only a year old when we purchased “the doggie in the window” for him.  We saw our Border Collie mix at a pet store.  My son fell in love with her so she went home with us.  She too was healthy until late in life when she developed colon cancer.

Our next group of dogs was Yorkshire Terriers.  We bought three of them over a three-year period.  All of them had the same father but different mothers.  All had health issues from bad breeding practices.  Our youngest, Joe, topped out at two pounds.  We lost him at seven years of age when his organs outgrew his body.  Our second boy, Andy, was born with an oversized heart, liver issues, pegs instead of teeth and a very underdeveloped jaw.  He was not expected to live past four but lived to be ten.  We still have our oldest Yorkshire Terrier, Bob, who has mental issues.  He is on the medication Reconcile.

When Joe passed our middle boy, Andy, was lost without him.  He and Joe were inseparable.  I wanted to get him another buddy.  Our oldest Yorkshire, Bob, has no interest in other dogs.  My husband wanted more Yorkshires.  I did not.  I was afraid of the health issues.  We were at a festival one afternoon and saw a dog that resembled a Yorkshire.  It was an Australian Terrier.  My quest for finding an Australian Terrier began that day.

It was not easy finding a breeder.  I went online looking.  There was only one breeder I found close to my state.  I called her.  She is listed in Idaho but resides in Washington where I live as well.  She was going to the airport in Seattle to deliver a puppy to a client.  We agreed to meet at a mall close to the airport so I could see examples of her line of Australian Terriers.

I fell in love with the breed.  Her dogs had lots of energy and were very loving.  After I visited with her dogs we began talking about my time line in getting a dog.  I was thinking of waiting about six months and was very clear about my need for a healthy dog.  I shared that I have taken care of dogs born with health issues for the past 12 years.  I needed a break.  I wanted a sound puppy.

The breeder told me that was unfortunate because she had a little girl that needed a home.  She said she had one eye that was smaller than the other making her difficult to sell.  Her story touched my heart.  I asked if the puppy’s eyesight was affected and if the size of the eye was all that was wrong.  She said yes her eye is functional just smaller.  She said the puppy has some discharge but she would outgrow that.  The mother had another puppy with the same issues in another litter and the puppy outgrew the discharge problem.  I agreed to travel to Spokane to meet her puppy.

The breeder brought Betty to the hotel where I was staying.  It was love at first sight.  I had to buy this sweet Australian Terrier.  Getting a puppy is emotional for me.  When I fall in love with a dog it is deep.  My thinking gets a bit foggy.  I saw that her eye was smaller than the other, which made me love her even more.  She hugged me with her arms when I picked her up.  It was clearly love at first sight for her too.

The breeder sold her for a discount due to her eye.  The breeder pointed out the hand written comment on her contract,” Buyer recognizes this puppy has a smaller eye than normal right eye which may require extra care.”  Since we had discussed her eye and she assured me it was not going to be a problem I was comfortable signing her contract.  I did not fully read the contract before I signed it.  Not a wise thing to do but I had no intentions of ever letting go of my new little girl.

After I got home with Betty I was concerned because the mucous in her eye was green and Betty was clearly in discomfort.  I took her to my vet for her puppy check up.  My vet thought she had entropion.  She said it was possible she would outgrow it but we needed to keep an eye on it.  My vet also said Betty may have patella issues but it would be easier to determine when she was older.  Betty was 12 weeks old.

I called the breeder about the possibility of Betty having entropion.  I told her how much pain Betty was in.  She said Betty would outgrow it.  She told me to just keep her comfortable until she did outgrow the condition.  I asked her if Betty was in pain before I got her.  She did not answer my question but again told me Betty would outgrow this condition.

Entropion is a medical condition where the eyelid, usually the lower one, folds inward and the eyelashes irritate the eye. It can be very painful as the eyelashes can actually rub against the cornea. The literature says it is usually caused by genetic factors and may be congenital.

Betty’s eye was causing her so much pain.  She would tilt her head and shake it while walking.  She kept her eye closed most of the time.  I was constantly cleaning green mucous out of it.  Watching such a sweet puppy in so much pain was wrenching.  I went back to my vet.  She said we should do surgery for the entropion.  My vet was concerned her cornea could be damaged.

I contacted the breeder again.  I told her Betty was in too much pain not to address this.  The surgery was not invasive.  A small section of her lower lid would be removed and the area sutured reshaping her lower lid so hair was not in her eye irritating it.  Her lower lid folded inward.  The breeder told me she would suggest waiting but to do what I needed to do.

I felt very alone with this situation.  The breeder never called me to see how we were doing.  She did answer my emails.  She did talk to me on the phone when I called her.  She was pleasant and expressed sorrow for my situation but did not reach out to help me.  I struggled to believe the breeder was not aware of the pain Betty was in prior to selling her to me.  I began to think perhaps she had not spent time with Betty.  That would be the only way she would not be aware of Betty’s pain.

I went in and out of anger toward the breeder.  I felt she had mislead me but then realized had she not mislead me I would not have Betty.  I never would have come to see her.  Then I would wonder what would have happened to Betty if I had not taken her.  I went round and round in my brain trying to figure it out.  I realize that was a waste of time but I was truly taken aback by the whole situation.

Betty had entropion surgery when she was four months old.  Sadly, the surgery did not help her.  She was still in horrible pain.  My vet gave her some pain medicine but it did not seem to help.  She dilated her eye to relieve the pain.  That was very tough.  I had to be careful when she went outside due to her eye being dilated.  The dilation made her eye worse.  I was feeling so helpless.  I could not find a way to stop my little girl’s pain.

When we were at our second home in Wenatchee, Washington,  I took her to our vet at that location.  This was his first meeting with Betty.  He was very alarmed by the amount of pain Betty’s eye was causing her.  He wanted me to take her to Dr Sullivan, who is a specialist in Seattle, to assess her eye.

When we got back home I again took her to my vet.  She also suggested that I see Dr Sullivan.  He is a much respected animal eye specialist.  Dr Sullivan took one look at her and said she has no moisture on the right side of her face.  He told me to look at her nose.  It was dry.  He pointed out the asymmetrical condition on the right side of her face.  It was sunken.  He tested the moisture in her right eye.  There was no moisture.  He explained how much pain she was in.  Can you imagine having sandpaper in your eye?  He told me that was what she was feeling.  Her diagnosis was Congenital Microphthalmos/Xerosis.

We talked about several options but Dr Sullivan said they all may lessen her pain but not take it away.  All of the dogs he did alternative care on ended up having their eye removed.  After removing their eye the dogs were free of pain and happy.  I asked if that would be the best choice for Betty.  He said if it were his dog he would remove her eye and let her be free of pain.

Thinking of all the surgeries my little girl would need if I did not remove her eye, seeing the intense pain she was experiencing and remembering the pain I felt before I finally agreed to have my surgery made me decide to have her eye removed.  I had three very good doctors telling me she needed help.  I saw the pain.  It was a very difficult decision to make but I knew it was in her best interest.  I cried for days after making the decision but knew I had to help my little girl.

Dr Sullivan suggested an implant be placed to prevent the area from sinking and to help with healing.  We paid the extra fee to include an implant.

I was taken aback when I picked Betty up after the surgery.  Her eye was so swollen.  I did not want to let her see how upset I was.  She was very drugged up.  When I got home I put her in her kennel, went into the bathroom, got in the shower and cried so hard I thought I would stop breathing.  I was so in love with her.  Seeing her like this broke my heart.

Betty was back to wearing her protective cone.  She had worn a cone for three weeks after her first surgery.  This time it would be six weeks.  Betty was only five months old when she had her eye removed.  Her life so far was nothing but pain.  She remained so sweet.  Even the doctors remarked on her amazing temperament.

The recovery was very difficult.  She was use to being in pain so keeping her still was extremely hard.  I’m sure it was just a different kind of pain for her.  She became frightened of the dark and began barking out of fear.  I’m sure not being able to see out of her right eye was disarming.  She had always followed me around the house but now she could not be away from me without becoming highly distressed.

We did make it through the six weeks.  Now it was time for her to be spayed so another surgery.  She was six and a half months old when she was spayed, thus another two weeks in her cone.  But it would be her last time in the cone.  That is what I told her and myself so we could get through the two weeks.  I told her all the wonderful things we would be doing.  I’m sure she did not understand my words but she could feel my excitement and joy.  She, too, got happy despite her discomfort.

Once Betty was able to become active her knee started to show signs of issues.  Her right knee popped out several times when she was running hard making her cry from pain.  I thought OH NO not another problem!  She was able to get her knee back in place but was clearly in discomfort.  I took her to my vet.  She said if this kept happening it would be wise to see a specialist.

I wanted to do agility with Betty.  She had lots of energy that needed to be used wisely.  I was not planning on competing.  Having only one eye would make that difficult.  I just wanted to have fun with her.  I wanted to let her herd sheep or ducks.  I began wondering if sports would be possible with her knee acting up.

It was suggested by a vet in Las Vegas that Betty should be checked before considering agility.  She had loose patella in both knees.  I thought it was just her right knee but he made it clear that both knees were affected.

I went to a specialist in Washington when I got home.  He diagnosed her with Medial Patellar Luxation.  He said she should have surgery regardless of agility.  I was in shock.  I thought I was just going to be told if I could do agility.  I was not expecting to be told that my little girl needed two more surgeries.  She was only a year and a half and already had three surgeries.  I thought we were done!

I was very upset.  I sent the breeder an email.  I told her about Betty’s knees.  I told her it is genetic just like her eye.  I told her to stop breeding Betty’s parents.  The doctors all said the issues Betty had were genetic.  They are problems her parents passed down to her.  There was a chance another puppy would have to go through what Betty experienced and I wanted it to stop!

The breeder’s husband responded to my email expressing his regrets that Betty has had so many issues.  He assured me that her parents were grand champions and very sound.  I replied by saying they may be sound but at least two puppies from the same bitch had eye issues so the puppies are not all sound.

The breeder finally replied to my email telling me how terrible she feels about all Betty has gone through and continues to go through but her dogs have no knee issues.  She has had some grade 1 dogs but it is acceptable to breed grade 1 dogs.  She told me about the surgery that deepens the grove.  She said it has a good success rate.  She told me she did not know what to tell me to do.  She did not even respond to my request to stop breeding Betty’s parents.

I went to another knee specialist and he too said surgery would be in Betty’s best interest.  He graded her between a 1 and 2.  I told him I had heard no surgery was needed unless the grade was a 3 or 4.  He said since Betty has had symptoms she would most likely worsen.  Intervening while she is young would be the best course of action to prevent future problems.  I cried all the way home from our appointment.

So now I am researching MPL conditions and what choices are available to us.  I will not rush into surgery because she is not in the pain she was with her eye.  It was clear her eye needed to be removed. I have found a wonderful therapist and we are working on strengthening her rear to avoid surgery. To view her therapy session, click here. To watch her doing hydrotherapy click here.

We will not be able to do all the sports we wanted to do with her but will make the best of it.  We found a sport called “NoseWork” that does not require jumping and fast running.  She loves it.  We also bought a new buddy for her to play with because my Yorkshire, Andy, passed away a few months ago.  We knew his days were numbered because his condition was worsening so we got Betty a buddy before Andy passed.

Betty’s new buddy is a Norfolk Terrier named Beau.  When looking for Beau I did not make the same mistakes I did when finding my Australian Terrier Betty.  The breeder was honest.  She supplied a health guarantee and she spent time picking out the right puppy for our Miss Betty.  We met the father and got the puppy from her home.  She took lots of time teaching me about the breed and my new puppy.  I read the full contract before I signed it.  It was a wonderful experience and Beau is healthy without genetic issues.  It can be done!

Mistakes happen in breeding but to perpetuate them is horrendous.  It affects the breed and the people who purchase the dogs.  Breeders should be honest with people who are interested in their puppies with issues.  Then those who cannot afford the expenses can decline the puppy and those who can afford and want to take care of the puppy’s issues can do so with open eyes.  It is very hard to bring a puppy back to exchange it for another puppy regardless of the health issues.

I wish I was the only one with a sad tale to share but I’m not.  Please open your eyes and hearts.  Do your best to improve the Australian Terrier breed.  Be honest with the health of your puppies.  Do health tests.  Support and educate those who purchase your puppies.  Getting a puppy is an emotional situation.  Many, me included, see that puppy, fall in love and fail to truly read what they are signing.  Do not take advantage of that.  This is an amazing breed.  Do your best to keep this wonderful breed, the Australian Terrier, something we can all be proud of.

On March 7th, I received an upsetting phone call that Judy’s two dogs Lida Rose and Diamond Dust “Dusty” had been placed in a kennel.  Judy had lapsed into a coma as a result of her struggles with cancer. I was contacted, as a note had been left, that I was the responsible party. I caught the earliest flight once I secured care for my dogs, and was in Arizona at 11:44pm. Judy passed away at 11:35pm.

The dog carries two copies of the dominant “D” allele. The dogwill express a normal, non-dilute coat color and will always pass

on a copy of the “D” allele to all offspring.

Both the dominant and recessive alleles detected. The dog will have a  normal, non-dilute coat and is a carrier of the dilute coat color. The dog

can pass on either allele on to any offspring.

The dog has two copies of the recessive “d” allele and will have a dilute colored coat. He will always pass on a copy of the dilute allele to any offspring.

The puppies we have been following that have the “blue dog syndrome” are growing up. They are now 5 months old.

The dark grey puppy, “Koko.”

Coat Color Genetics

Australian Terrier International Named One of

Aspen, CO- March 20, 2012

Australian Terrier International (ATI) a provider of dog care information, has received the 2011 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than half a million small organizations worldwide. Each year a select group of Constant Contact customers are honored with the All Star Award for their exemplary marketing results. ATI’s results ranked among the top 10% of Constant Contact’s customer base.

Australian Terrier International was founded in 2009 and their newsletter launched in 2010.
The Mission of ATI:

    *    Encourage and promote  education concerning all aspects of the Australian Terrier breed.

    *    Promote open communication internationally.

    *     Provide members with learning opportunities by hosting educational programs, sharing educational  materials and  providing open discussion forums.

    *    Support the work of the Canine Health Foundation for improvements to the health of Australian Terriers everywhere.

Pamela C. Levy, Co-Founder, stated, “We’re proud and pleased to be recognized by Constant Contact for achieving strong marketing results for the past two years. Constant Contact’s tools have helped us to better manage member relationships and engagement.” For more information about ATI we welcome you to visit, http://www.AustralianTerrierInternational.org.

Constant Contact customers using any combination of the company’s Email Marketing, Event Marketing, and Online Survey tools are eligible for this award.

“There is nothing we like more than to see our customers finding success. It’s the reason Constant Contact was founded, and it’s a thrill to see the fantastic results that our All Stars are achieving,” said Gail Goodman, CEO of Constant Contact. “This group is really leading the charge when it comes to delivering relevant, engaging content that drives real business results. We salute this year’s All Stars for their success, and are honored to have played a part in their achievements.”

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Professional Groomer Tammy Ellis

I was planning on going to the Northern California Terrier Association show and I thought who better to teach her than “Petie” Schreeder? Tammy made arrangements to come to the show and from sun up to sun down for 4 straight days, she learned how to groom with “Petie.” We all thought she had indeed learned well and would do a great job in the competition.

Today she called to tell me she believed she had an Aussie in her shop for  grooming. The owners had gotten him from a shelter and were told he was a Yorkie-mix. He has dropped ears and a docked tail. He had been to her before to be groomed but she had never thought of him as an Aussie, either.

From the before and after photos we think she groomed an Aussie and did a wonderful job. It is so nice to have a professional groomer that now knows how to hand strip and groom an Aussie. If you live in the Salt Lake City area and want an Aussie hand stripped we will get Tammy’s info to you.

Australian Terrier Rescue Dogs