February 2012

Meeting The Needs Of Aussie Owners Globally

© 2010 Australian Terrier International

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Diana & Trevor Fenton

When Trevor and I first came into Aussies we did so after many years involved in the dog fraternity; we were “downsizing” from pointers which we then owned.

We had no real intentions of breeding but, as many who have been owned by Aussies know, we were beguiled by them. They are “big dogs” in a small package that have an addictive intelligence as well as an indomitable courage tempered by a loyal gentleness.

In 2003 an offer to judge the Papago Labrador Retriever Club show combined with Sahuarto State Kennel Club shows led me to Arizona, USA. Although not judging Aussies I was able to observe many of the top Aussies of that era strutting their stuff. Impressed is not an adequate description of how I felt but the variety of style yet with conformation to what is my interpretation of the standard imbued me with the realism that the quality I wanted to breed with was indeed out of Australia.

Subsequent to this I was invited to judge the Finnish Australian Terrier Club Unofficial Show in 2005 with an entry in the 70’s and have since judged Aussies at Finnish AB Championship shows in 2008 and 2011. I also attended the world show in Stockholm in 2008 and the World Terrier Show where an Australian judge was doing the honours. In 2006 I attended Crufts and observed the Aussies. At all of these shows I have been greatly impressed with the quality throughout the Aussies. I believe I have been fortunate to see some of the best ever Aussiesthroughout my travels.

My first visit to Finland was not long after tail docking had been banned in New South Wales, the State in which I live. The undocked tails of our Aussies were very poor, high set curling or hanging over the back, poor shape and detracting often from the outline of the dog. Finland on the other hand seemed to have by and large well placed tails which were held high. This gave me comfort that in Australia we could overcome this new problem and in 2012 we do appear to have been mostly successful. However, as an All Breeds Judge I have to contend with undocked tails in many other breeds that have fared very much worse than Aussies.
(I am originally a working gundog exhibitor and breeder.)

I simply ignore the tail and concentrate on the tail set and hindquarters.

I usually place my hand over the point of where the tail would be docked and stand back a little to observe the overall outline. Not a perfect solution but one that works for me.

I never penalise a poor undocked tail but I will penalise poor placement and incorrect hindquarters. My preference, you may ask, is a docked tail, but I acknowledge that the rest of the dog is emphasised far more in the standard and that is what I judge to. I would never and neither would I expect any judge to penalise an undocked tail over the docked one unless of course the standard of the country in which you are judging stipulates ONLY undocked.

I have also judged Aussies in New Zealand but they too are extending their breeding outside their own country for similar reasons that I have.

Australia also is importing more Aussies, from USA, New Zealand and Finland. This will ultimately extend our gene pool. A precaution here should be the different styles and how are they going to blend, if at all.

Judge Diana Fenton awarding a Best-In-Show

 The dog is CH Melukylän Q-luu Kauas and Handled by Kirsi Ola of Melukylän Kennels.  The show was Juva All-Breed held on July 2nd and 3rd, 2011.

Photo by Irma Harden

Coat colour in Aussies is an interesting area. The standard varies slightly but significantly between USA and other countries. In USA the colour silver blue is allowed and deleted from other standards.

However it is incumbent on judges to understand just what a blue coat looks like and not fall into the trap of awarding black coats. I would rather any varying shade of blue than black.

Coat texture is important in my assessment of an Aussie. The body coat should be harsh, dense and straight with a soft textured undercoat. Some would describe the texture to be that of human hair. The Aussie was developed for Australian conditions which are not equal to the harsh conditions for which Cairn and West Highland White were bred, and therefore their coat texture is not quite as harsh as these two breeds.

Soft coats are often a problem and expert groomers are adept at overcoming perceptions of “soft coats.” My only comment here is for exhibitors to be cognisant of the judge’s breed involvement and knowledge.

If asked what one feature might I forgive over another when judging Aussies is almost impossible to answer. For me an adult Aussie must have that “hard bitten expression” with a definite ruff, a correct coat and good bone (neither over done nor underdone). An excellent Aussie with a lighter eye would not be penalised over an Aussie with an incorrect coat for example. It simply depends on which hallmarks of the breed are evident (or not).

As a breeder and judge, terrier temperament is a must. I have no problem with an Aussie strutting his stuff in the ring or maintaining his dignity depending on the moment, and puppies are allowed to be less than perfect statues.

There have been many Aussies I would love to own and not all are the same style. As a breeder all you can hope for is that careful selection will result in an Aussiewho has all the hallmarks of the breed, such as appearance, expression, coat, colour, conformation with correct movement and an excellent temperament. An Aussie should be easy to live with and eager to show.

Diana Fenton

“The Food Critic “

Photo Courtesy Of Cheryl Mechalke

Homemade Dog Treats -Four Herb Tuna Tots

Don’t let your cat fool you, dogs love tuna, too. You’ll love giving these tots to your dog because tuna is very high in protein and is easily prepared into dog treats. Tuna also contains a high amount of Vitamin D, and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats  – 360 ml
• 1 cup cornmeal  – 240 ml
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour – 120 ml
• 1/2 tsp dried dill – 2.5 ml
• 1 tsp dried oregano – 5 ml
• 1 tsp dried thyme – 5 ml
• 2 tsp dried parsley -10 ml
• 5 oz can tuna in oil (do not drain) – 150 grams
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil – 45 ml
• 1/4 cup water – 60 ml
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1.        Preheat oven to 350° F  – 177 ° C

2.        In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, cornmeal, flour and herbs.

3.        In a blender puree the tuna, oil, water and egg.

4.        Make a well in the center of the oat mixture and pour in the tuna mixture.

5.        Stir until combined.

6.        Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

7.        Using a 1 inch/ 5 cm cookie scooper, pack the dough into the scooper with your hands and release on the baking sheet.

8.       Bake for 25 minutes.

9.        Cool completely on a wire rack.

Storing – These homemade dog treats will keep fresh in the refrigerator for about one week. Keep them fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Yield – Using a 1 inch/2.5 cm cookie scooper, you will yield about 32 tuna tots.

Tips & Techniques

• Substitute the Tuna – Make varieties of these dog treats with canned salmon or chicken. If you use other meats that are larger than a 5 oz -150 ml can of tuna, omit the 1/4 cup /60 ml of water. You may need to add a bit more flour, too.
• Different Herbs – You can use other herbs, too. Try rosemary or tarragon for variety.
• Fresh or Dried – If you prefer to use fresh herbs, you can. Substitute fresh for dry on a 3 to 1 ratio. For example, you would need 1 tablespoon of minced fresh thyme instead of the 1 tsp of dried thyme that the recipe calls for.
• Hand Packed – Be sure to hand pack this dough into your cookie scooper. It is very thick and needs to be packed together to create a solid homemade dog treat.

Besides being very tasty, this tuna dog treat recipe will help make your dog’s fur shiny. Also, because the aroma of tuna is so tempting, once your dog has had a taste, we’re sure you can use these tuna tots for dog training treats or just rewards for being your special companion

Copyright Dog Treat Kitchen.com  For more information about this recipe Click Here.

2. “Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings From Our Dogs and Cats” words by Eckhart Tolle and art by Patrick McDonnell.

All photos have copyrights and are taken by Kimmo Aaltonen

Australian Terrier Adoption Application

By Theresa A. Goiffon

To be a responsible breeder, there are many aspects to consider. Responsible breeders are naturally concerned with the health, temperament and structure of their puppies; it is equally important that they find the perfect forever home for their puppies as well. It’s our job to try and place the right puppy in the right home. That is essential not only for our puppies, but for the families that will love them forever.

Should you decide to add an Australian Terrier to your family expect to complete an adoption application, sometimes referred to by breeders as a puppy buyer application. Breeders that require this application process are not trying to offend potential families but are trying to make sure that the right home and the right puppy are placed together. This requirement tells you that breeders care about their puppy’s future care and life long happiness. Most of the breeders I have spoken with, in gathering information for this article, have a written Adoption Application. Some do not have written applications, but all have questions for prospective buyers, and some are more detailed than others.

We all know that not all dog breeds are alike. There might be circumstances or life styles that fit one breed better than another. Therefore, questions the breeder might ask a prospective family wishing to adopt an Australian Terrier may vary from thoseadopting a different breed.

Here is a list of questions that you as the prospective family might expect to answer. If you are a breeder, and would like to know what type of questions other breeders are asking, here is a list of questions you might consider including in your adoption application.

General Information:

• What is your name, age, address, telephone number and email address?
• Who referred you or how did you find us?
• Who can you list as references (please list two) that we may contact?
• What is the name and telephone number of your veterinarian?
• What is your time frame for adding an Australian Terrier to your family?
• What sex are you interested in?
• Are you interested in a puppy, adult or does it matter?

Questions:

• Why do you or your family want a dog?
• Why did you choose this particular breed?
• Have you owned a dog before? If so, when, what kind and for how long?
• Do you currently have pets? If so, how many and what are they?
• Do you have children or grandchildren? If so, how old are they? How would they be instructed in the care of a new puppy?
• Do you have a fenced-in yard? If not, how often do you plan to exercise and walk your dog?
• If you live in a condominium or an apartment, do you know the rules and stipulations for having a dog? Also, where do you plan to exercise your dog?
• How long do you feel a dog should be outside each day?
• How often is someone at home to care for the puppy?
• How much time will you have to play and walk your dog?
• Will your dog be enrolled in puppy or obedience training?

Additional Remarks:

It is a heavy responsibility to decide on a delightful young being’s future. It is our responsibility to those we help bring into this world to make sure they have the best life possible.

One breeder suggested that because animals have very few rights, every dog owner should have a license to say they are psychologically ready and stable enough to own a dog. The breeder added that they should pass a 3 month course in dog training also. I am pretty sure these two statements were made with a bit of tongue in cheek, but these statements tell you just how important it is to a conscientious breeder to find the right home for their dogs.

In the next ATI newsletter I will review pet dog/puppy sales contracts. What are breeders requiring their adoptive families to comply with and why?

“We rarely get to hear about the well-researched and scientifically documented drawbacks of puppy neutering.

They include:

·  A higher incidence of obesity

·  Measurably reduced bone mass and density

·  A significant increase in vascular tumors and bone cancers

·  An increase in hypothyroidism, especially in larger breeds

·  A delay in the closure of growth plates, resulting in taller, thinner dogs.  Tibia-to-femur length ratios are often changed, resulting in ligament stress that can lead to possible rupture.

·  Thinner chests, and smaller heads

·  A higher incidence of incontinence in females

·  A higher incidence of adverse reaction to vaccines

·  An increase in the occurrence of hip dysplasia

·  A marked increase in canine geriatric dementia”

Click Here

ATI congratulates her!

She is the seventh Australian Terrier Breeder to receive this wonderful award.

The others breeders to receive this award are:

From the oldest:

Kennel Sassatown, owner Mr Harto Stockmari (prev. Hallikas) 1989

Kennel Reimin, owner Mrs Ingrid “Mimmi” Salo 1990

Kennel Avocation, owner Mrs Orvokki Lämsä 1995-1996

Kennel Bluepepper’s, owner Ms Marjo Ahola 1998

Kennel Selendia, owner Mrs Pia Nyberg (prev. Lindqvist) 2001

Kennel Melukylän, owner Ms Kirsi Ola 2010

The Vuolasvirta-prize is the highest prize the Finnish Kennel Club gives to dog breeders. To get the nomination for the award, the breeder has to have ten sequential litters for which a score of success in dog shows and other competitions is calculated. The breeder has to be a member of Finnish Kennel Club uninterruptedly for ten years and also be a member of the breed club. The breeder has to have a kennel name and her/his breeding activities have to be faultless and exemplary as mentioned in the Kennel Club’s “breeder’s commitment.” A kennel advisor has to visit the kennel and give a recommendation before the prize can be given.

Kirsi Ola and Krista Riihela

Her veteran, Heta, C.I.B. & FI & EE & LV CH Reimin Helter Skelter, won Best in Show 3 out of approximately 100 other veterans in the show.

Photo Courtesy Of Krista Riihela

Mr. Reino and Mrs. Ingrid (Mimmi) Salo began the Reimin Kennel in 1974 with the purchase of two puppies (see The Australian Terrier, History and Origins, pages 255-262 for further details).

“Mrs. Salo was awarded the Vuolasvirta-prize on her sixty fifth birthday. She was made an Honorary Member of the Australian Terrier Club of Finland in 1993 and the Finnish Kennel Club in 1995. In 1995 she turned seventy years of age and although still keeping a strong interest in Australian Terriers, has wound down her kennel and passed her kennel name on to her good friend, Krista Riihela, who in 1997 imported AUST CH FI CH Tahee Trade in Red.”[i]

Krista has a wonderful history of being mentored by her mother Mrs. Marketta Sorjonen and Mrs. Salo. She has carried on the tradition of importing wonderful Australian Terriers into Finland. She has imported four Australian Terriers from the USA from Sue Holsinger’s Redwing Kennels. (See the article on International Partnerships in ATI’s December 2011 newsletter to view photos of co-owned dogs and learn more about Krista or click here)

FI & EE CH Redwing Mona Lisa Smile (Julia), 2006

FI & EE CH, FI & EE JCH Redwing Rhinestone Cowboy (Jekku) 2007

C.I.B & FI & LV & LT CH LTW-11 Redwing Kiss and Tell (Romeo) 2009

FI CH Redwing Under Your Spell (Noita) 2009 – sister to Romeo

Krista frequently co-owns dogs, with Satu Harden of Surely Kennels and with Satu’s mother, Irma Harden, of Tehill’s Kennels. They are all great friends who breed and raise litters together. Irma has mentored both Krista and Satu in the art of breeding and selecting puppies for conformation. Krista prefers to have Irma lead in the art of breeding because of her many years of experience. Satu is often seen in the show ring grooming area with Krista at the shows. Satu and Krista help each other show their Aussies as there are no professional dog handlers in Finland. Most dog owners show their own dogs, so showing more than one dog, as we in the USA know, is difficult. A helping hand from a friend is most welcome. Irma is seen outside the show ring today, often keeping track of the human children while their mothers are in the ring.

Krista has learned how to welcome and maintain new Australian Terrier families into our terrier family. It seems to have served her well in becoming a respected Australian Terrier breeder.

To see Krista’s wonderful Aussies, please visit her website,

http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/riihela-1/  

Endnotes

Photo Courtesy Of Henny van den Berg

It never ceases to amaze me just how smart our Aussies are so it also frustrates me that they are never on the top 10 list of smartest dogs.

How can it be that the dogs who obey and listen are always on the top 10 list?

Our brilliant Aussies think outside of the box. They are strong willed and many times don’t want to be taught, but they prefer to learn through the school of “hard knocks” and work things out for themselves. Surely that counts for something.

We know that dogs are very smart animals. We can find information in the literature backed up by scientists that estimate that the average dog is as smart as a 3 year old child. I believe our Aussies are as smart as 5 year old children.

The average dog is believed to be smart enough to understand more than 150 words. How many does your Aussie know?

Love is taking the time to work with your dog. Teach him many words. Test your dog frequently and see how many words he knows. Up, down, off, on, cookie, go outside, crate, kennel, walk are just some of the basics I’m sure your dog knows.

Does your Aussie know colors? Can he count? Share with us your story demonstrating just how smart your Aussie is and we will print it here.

Photo Courtesy of Henny van den Berg

It is so difficult to know the right thing to feed your dog. Your veterinarian might recommend what he sells, so you think that is best. You hear others recommendraw diets, or you hear that a good wet food (canned) is better than the dry. It is so difficult to sort it out. Even more alarming is learning that in the USA our hamburger meat for human consumption and most likely also for animal consumption is tainted by Agent Orange. Then we wonder why our dogs are developing hemangiosarcomas and other cancers. Is there a connection? We do not know the answer to that question, but by sharing this information maybe we can help to keep our dogs as well as ourselves a little bit healthier.

Reprinted With Permission From Organic Bytes

Beware of Agent Orange Burgers

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