News From Australian Terrier International

Australian Terrier International
Meeting the Needs of Aussie owners Globally
© 2010 Australian Terrier International

January 2010, Vol 1, Issue 1

In This Issue

Mission Statement & Goals

Thank you from Canine Health

Choosing the right puppy

Tracking

News from Australia

News from Denmark

To Australia with Love

Educate yourself with CHF

Quick Link

ATI

Dear Aussie Friend,

Welcome to the first edition of ATI's newsletter. The Founders of ATI are working hard to meet the needs and answer many of the questions Aussie owners have.
We have a 12 month agenda, featuring information about health, education and best of all, camaraderie.

The yearly dues will be $20.00 and funds raised will go to the Canine Health Foundation. Your $20.00 dues/donation is 100% tax deductible.

Please enjoy the first two newsletters with our compliments. We do need your help....If you have Australian Terrier questions you would like to see answered or discussed, please send them to info@AustralianTerrierInternational.org

We hope, 2010 brings you increased love, abundance and knowledge about this wonderful breed.

ATI Mission Statement

Photo Courtesy Of Sue Holsinger

To encourage and promote education and health information for all Australian Terrier owners and breeders.

To promote open communication internationally, as well as, to host educational programs, share educational materials and hold open forums.

To support the work of Canine Health Foundation to better the health of Australian Terriers everywhere.

THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
AUSTRALIAN TERRIER INTERNATIONAL
FROM THE CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION

The Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is the largest organization in the world focusing solely on canine health research. We support scientists and veterinary professionals in innovative research that concerns the origins of canine illness, diagnosis of canine diseases, development of effective treatments, and the identification of disease prevention strategies. We work to raise the awareness and funds necessary to support non-invasive, innovative health research that helps dogs and their owners live longer and stronger. We have been successful at selecting quality research proposals from across the world with the goal to improve the health of dogs and, through comparative medicine, improve the health of their owners. Since 1995, more than 24 million dollars has been allocated to over 500 research projects which benefit all dogs.

CHF supported research projects have provided significant advancements in veterinary medicine and research which results in dogs living longer, healthier lives.

Examples include:
   * Mapping of the canine genome which enabled the discovery of genetic tests preventing the diseases in future generation of dogs. Tests have been developed for diseases such as Cystinuria, Cataracts, Exercise Induced Collapse, Degenerative Myelopathy, Neonatal Encephalopathy, and von Willebrand's Disease.

   *Improved clinical treatments for epilepsy and cancer among others which improve the dog's quality of life and keep their tails wagging.

   *Diagnostic tests for more accurate and earlier detection of diseases such as cancer, heart defects, and infectious diseases.

   *Disease characterization to better understand disease progression and identify potential treatment methods.

CHF sponsors programs such as the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), an open canine health database, which is co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and the Canine Comparative Oncology & Genomics Consortium (CCOGC). The CCOGC and the Pfizer Biospeciman Repository housed at the National Cancer Institute, was created to develop strategic partnerships and collaborations to advance the causes and treatments of cancer in dogs. These strategies could also have implications on finding new treatments for children and adults with cancer. Tumors collected include: melanoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, mast cell tumors and transitional cell carcinoma.

We have made great strides in advancing canine health. There remains much work to be done. Thank you for supporting the Canine Health Foundation. For more information, please visit our website, www.CanineHealthFoundation.org.

Sincerely,

Terry T. Warren, Ph.D., J.D. Canine Health Foundation, CEO/General Counsel

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies How to chose the right one for you!
Contributed to by 7 ATCA Breeders

Photo Courtesy of Theresa Goiffon

Let's face it Aussie puppies are cute and irresistible, but, how do you select the right one for you?

What general questions should you ask the breeder?

Some general questions to ask include, how long have you been breeding?
How many litters a year do you produce or have?
Do you have any other breed of dogs?
How many dogs do you have?
Where do your dogs live?
When you did this breeding what were you looking for in this particular breeding?

Generally speaking, the more dogs and litters a breeder has, the less time and attention is available for each one(regardless of what they say). This is particularly true of breeders with multiple breeds, and may indicate a puppy mill. Breeders without a clear answer for what they are looking for in a particular breeding may have insufficient knowledge of the breed standard or little concern for what they produce.

1. How can I tell over the internet or phone that I'm not dealing with a puppy mill?

Puppy mill breeders have been quick to understand that people want high quality, well raised puppies from parents that receive a high standard of care. They build slick websites featuring children holding puppies in a home environment. So it can be challenging sorting them out from legitimate breeders that have an interest in producing the kind of pups that will make valued lifetime companions. Some questions to ask are:

Do you show your dogs? Breeders who do not show have no way to compare their dogs against the breed standard, and are likely breeding for the money alone.

Do you health test, and can you provide documentation?
If someone tells you their dogs are all healthy and don't need to be tested, run. Any dog can have health issues that should eliminate them as breeding stock, conscientious breeders want to produce healthy puppies.

Do you have a contract?
Contracts should protect buyer, seller, and dog. A good contract should provide a health guarantee, a policy for return of the dog if something should happen, and a policy for dealing with hereditary health problems. Buyers should be required to spay or neuter pet quality dogs. If there is no contract you would be advised to continue your search.

2. Why is it important to know about the health of the puppies parents?

Many health problems are hereditary. Do you know someone with allergies whose children also have allergies? It is the same with dogs. Many health issues are passed down from the parents. This includes aggression. So knowing the health of the parents, and grandparents, can be an indicator of the future health of your puppy.

3. What health problems do Australian terriers have?

Orthopedic: Patellar luxation, occasional Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Eye problems: Juvenile Cataracts, PRA, though this is fairly rare in this country
Endocrine: Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, Cushings Disease
There are other health issues but they are not common for the breed.

4. What health questions should I ask the breeder?

Ask what health tests they use and why. Ask whether the parents or grandparents have been diagnosed with any of the above. Also ask-have any of the parent's siblings ever been diagnosed with anything?

5. With regard to Temperament, is their a range?

Yes, from quiet couch potatoes to the wild and crazy. Most enjoy a moderately active lifestyle. They like exercise, and want to participate in everything you do.

6. I want a quiet Aussie is there such a thing?

Yes, but typically it takes several years for a puppy to mellow into a sedate adult, and working with a breeder to match you with a calm pup is crucial. Often an adult dog will be a better choice for someone looking for a quiet Aussie.

7. I work full time. Is an Aussie puppy for me?

If you work full time, have a plan for what the pup will do while you're gone. Puppies should not be crated for 8 or 10 hours a day. Plan to come home for lunch to let him out and play. Or have a neighbor check in or perhaps a dog walker or pet sitter stop by. There are options available for someone who wants to start with a puppy and works full time.

8. Should I get two puppies to play with each other while I'm at work (note article)

This can be a mixed blessing. Yes, they will keep each other company. But they can also get into twice as much trouble, and because they're together all the time they tend to bond with each other rather than you. They need one on one time with you, and should be trained separately as well to ensure they become good companions.

9. Should I ask to see the parents?

Yes. Understand that many reputable breeders do not keep both parents on site. It is not uncommon for a breeder to use a male in another part of the country. So having only the dam is not indicative of a poor breeder.

10. Does it matter if the puppy is raised in a home vs an out building or kennel

Ask yourself if you would live there. If it is clean and well managed, there is nothing wrong with pups raised in a kennel environment. The key here is the amount of time that is spent handling and socializing puppies. Typically puppies raised in a home environment get more attention. Cleaning up after them usually involves happy games like paper tug of war and mob the breeder and helps with their development. These puppies grow accustomed to the noises and interactions in a home environment. However, not all home environments are clean, and not all kennels are dirty.

11. I want a puppy for a performance sport (rally, agility, obedience, earthdog)-how do I find the right one?

Find a breeder that has produced performance titleholders in your field of interest. Most Aussies are performance whizzes, but a breeder familiar with the rigors of performance events can help you select the best prospect for you. Performance prospects should have excellent structure, but cosmetic issues that might preclude such a dog from the show ring can be acceptable.

Tracking by Heather Rife DVM

Photo Courtesy of Heather Rife

Following a scent is a natural activity for any dog.

In the sport of Tracking, a track is laid in a large field by a person unknown to the dog and aged for a period of time (anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5). hours). The dog and handler are brought to a flag where an article has been left by the track-layer. The dog scents the article and leads the handler along the track to the second article (often 400-500 yards The dog must learn to ignore other tracks and animals and stay with the original track, not an easy task and certainly one we humans would never be able to complete!

To find a potential tracking puppy, look primarily for the puppy who has a strong desire to please you. The work ethic and desire to please in your puppy will be the most important indicator of a good tracking dog. The puppy should be moderately independent and self confident, as tracking relies almost totally on the dog leading the handler along the track, through distractions,tall grass and woods.

A soft, cautious puppy lacking in self confidence will probably need much more training to become a good tracking dog.

Lay a track using a sock filled with smelly bait and let each puppy out one at a time near the track. Which puppy locks onto the track and follows it? Which one is easily distracted? Toss a sock away from the puppy, does he grab it and bring it to you? Which puppy is obsessed with squirrels and rodents? This one will be difficult (but not impossible) to teach to stay on a track through a field full of mice, moles, rabbits and deer! Tracking is a sport where the dog controls the activity, with the handler following along. It gets the dog and handler outside and requires very little equipment and money to train. After a difficult day of tracking , you've still spent some wonderful time with your dog, doing an activity we humans cannot even begin to experience in the same way as our canine companions.
Heather

Photo Courtesy of Heather Rife

From Australia by Gillian Bartlett

Photo Courtesy Of Gillian Bartlett

Australian Terriers in Australia Today

The Australian Terrier of today is the culmination of the work of some wonderful people who saw its potential as a working dog and as a companion. It has developed from the scruffy little dog of the 1800s to the handsome and well bred dog we know and love today, some even winning top awards in the show ring.    Distance has always played a part in the development of the breed, and at times it has been possible to identify the Australian State in which the dog was bred just by his conformation.

In the 1950s especially, the Breed was seen in so many Australian homes and was well known as ideal family pet. Others earned their keep on country properties in destroying vermin and protecting the family and their property.
The Breed was noticed by the Governor-General of Victoria the Earl of Stradbroke and his wife in the 1930s, and when they returned to England the Countess founded the Australian Terrier Club of Great Britain and established her Henham kennels.

Australian Terriers were exported to India in the 1920s by Glenside kennels of South Australia, but it was in the 1960s that Mrs Nell Milton Fox from USA fell in love with the breed and imported top dogs from Bluebell, Sevenoaks, Narrung, Taggalong and Tineetown kennels, all leaders of the breed at the time..   Pat Connor and Marjorie Bywater took 40 dogs by sea to the USA on one trip, many others went by air in later years - all top achievers in the breed.

While this was a good start for the breed overseas, it did significantly reduce the numbers of good dogs with potential in Australia. Other top dogs have been sent to Scandinavia and Denmark over the years, and the Breed is well established there.

Unfortunately, in its home country, the Australian Terrier has declined in numbers in the past ten years. This is a worrying trend and there are several causes.   Modern events have not helped to increase the numbers of the Breed.

Some of these factors are:

Many of the older (in age and or experience) breeders have given up because they disagreed with the anti-docking laws which were introduced five years ago. They disliked having undocked Australian Terriers, making it a suitable time for them to leave the Breed.

Some owners of top-winning dogs not only charge huge stud fees but also impose limitations on the number of puppies that can be registered and who buys them.

In some States, where it is not compulsory to register every puppy in the Breed, some Breeders only register the one they want themselves, the rest are sold as pets with no papers, so if they turn out well they are unable to be used for breeding.

Veterinarians encouraging all pet owners to de-sex their pets at an early age.

Local City Council regulations are tougher these days. To have more than two dogs in a Council area needs special licenses and permission, and also good neighbors. The days when we had 'large' Breeders who would have 40 dogs in their yard are practically over.   The few who do breed responsibly and consistently live in country areas and it is an effort for them to get to Shows. There are several breeders in this situation though that have done so much to help others in the breed - one even sending a stud dog by air across the country for a new breeder to use.

Many breeders' aim is to make money, not the future welfare of the Breed, and do not encourage new owners to show or train their dogs, nor even provide official registration papers.

Encouragement is needed for more owners to show - by the breeder of their dog and by other show exhibitors.   Shows should be a fun day out, now it is too serious.

We have Australian Terrier Clubs in four Australian States, and their main aim should be to encourage all types of Australian Terrier owners (not just show dog owners) to show their dogs as well as care for them intelligently and, if they are able, to breed responsibly.

Finally, our Breed Standard states:
SIZE - Height: Dogs approx. 25 cms (approx. 10 ins.) at the withers Bitches slightly less and WEIGHT: Dogs approx. 6.5 kg (approx. 14 lbs); Bitches slightly less.
This description does not match most of the dogs being bred and exhibited today in the show ring.   A dog that size would look like a puppy up against the modern day specimens.   Clearly we need some co-ordination between the Breed and Standard here.

In South Australia, our Club tries to educate owners in the care of their Australian Terrier and support them if they want to breed and/or show.   The Breed is still very popular by the number of inquiries we get for puppies, but unfortunately there are not enough puppies to satisfy the demand. Whenever we have a club picnic with the Aussies in a park, it draws so much attention and favorable comments; we do need to have our dogs out more and recognized.

When I bought my first puppy in 1975 as a pet for my son, I wasn't interested in the registration papers - it was just an extra expense. Four years later I visited friends at a large dog show interstate and realized I had a very handsome Aussie at home, far better than those being shown. Luckily I was able to go back to the Breeder and get his official papers and start showing him.   The breeder of my second Aussie presented me with a 3 year old female and suggested we breed them, and she was a wonderful support. Breeders like this are a credit to the Breed, there should be more of them.

Gillian Bartlett 2

Photo Courtesy Of Gillian Bartlett

Breeding Aussies in Denmark BY Irene Thye and Jørgen Grønlund

Photo Courtesy of Irene Thye & Jorgen Gronlund

Most Danish Aussies grow up in private homes and also the kennels are private homes with no more than 5-6 dogs. We have very few registered breeders, actually at present we are only three and for the last three years only 14 puppies/year were born in Denmark.

A few persons owning an Aussie bitch but not a kennel do breed now and then. The number of imports last year, was four. In Denmark puppies go to their new homes at 8 weeks old, unless, special situations occur (vacations etc.). In that case breeder could keep the puppy a bit longer.

When selling puppies we write a contract with the coming owner, usually a standard contract made out by the DKK. This is to ensure i.e. that breeder must be offered the ability, to buy back the puppy in case buyer can no longer keep it.

It is also to ensure that if buyer wants to breed a litter himself, the puppies must be registered with The Danish Kennel Club (DKK), meaning that the DKK recommendations are maintained.

These recommendations are i.e. a limited number of puppies allowed per dog, a max. age for breeding a bitch, and that you can breed no closer than cousin to cousin (a max. coefficient of inbreeding of 6.25).

By establishing these contracts we are also trying to give the puppy mills a hard time, these mills being a nuisance to the breed.

We don't sell puppies on spay/neuter contracts.

We don't believe that there is such a thing as a Danish Aussie temperament, but in general you could say that over the last 20 years or so the Aussie in Denmark has adapted increasingly to the role of being a family dog. We're still talking about a terrier temperament, but moving towards a slightly more tolerant one.

Irene Thye and Jørgen Grønlund
Joron Gronlund 4

Photo Courtesy Of Irene Thye & Jorgen Gronlund

PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS

Photo Courtesy of Sue Holsinger
Razzie

Photo Courtesy of Pamela Levy
Jorgen Grunland 2

Photo Courtesy of Irene Thye & Jorgen Gronland
Jorgen Gronlund 3

Photo Courtesy of Irene Thye & Jorgen Gronlund

Baby It's Cold Outside

Photo Courtesy of Cheryl Mechalke

If you live in a cold climate or are traveling to one...here are a few good tips to remember:

Antifreeze and rock salt are poisonous to your pets. Make sure to keep these and other harmful chemicals out of your pet's reach or path. You may want to look into finding more eco-and-pet-friendly products.

Pets should not be left in the car. Most people know not to leave their pets in a car in the summer, but the same goes for the winter. A car interior can get as cold as an ice box and a pet can easily freeze.

A parked car can be a warm retreat for feral and stray cats. They sometimes hide underneath, under the hood and close to the warm engine. Make sure the coast is clear before starting your car.

Be sure to wipe your dog's feet (and stomach on small dogs) after a winter walk. Rock salt or other ice melting chemicals can cling to your pet's fur and he can ingest these poisonous chemicals when cleaning himself.

Check your dog's paw pads for ice balls. If your dog is lifting his feet a lot or seems to be walking strangely, his feet are probably too cold or ice may be forming, which can cause frostbite.

ALL PETS NEED TO BE INSIDE IN THE WINTER. Never leave your pet outside in the cold, even in a doghouse. When the temperature drops, your pet can freeze to death. *If you notice a pet being locked outside in the winter, be sure to report it to your local animal control facility.

Short-coated dogs are especially vulnerable to the cold and shouldn't be outside unattended or for too long.

Keep an eye on your pet's water dish to ensure it did not freeze.

Keep your pet groomed. Believe it or not, knotted or matted hair doesn't insulate properly. Brush your dog's hair regularly in the wintertime especially.

Reprinted from North Shore Animal League of America, eTails

Propylene Glycol: Anti Freeze & Pet Safety

permission to reprint this article from Diana L Guerrero

http://www.arkanimals.com/2009/03/12/propylene-glycol-anti-freeze-pet-safety/

Ark animals has many wonderful ideas and if you sign up for the monthly newsletter you will get a download link for her animal disaster preparedness booklet.

One of the dangers facing animals each year is accidental poisoning by antifreeze. The numbers of antifreeze poisoning animal victims escalates in the spring and fall when vehicle owners perform cooling system maintenance and flushing.

An estimated 10,000 dogs and cats are poisoned annually from just a few licks. Contrary to belief, animals do not have to drink much antifreeze to suffer from the poison or antifreeze toxicity.

Most brands of commercial antifreeze contain at ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic chemical and as little as 1-2 teaspoons can be lethal to small animals.

Wildlife suffers from antifreeze poisoning too. Probably the most well known antifreeze toxicity incident was the 1992 death of an endangered California condor.

Ethylene glycol antifreeze that has been spilled, leaked, or carelessly disposed of is responsible for the needless suffering and death of all types of animals.

High risk animals include pets that are allowed to roam free and dogs that are confined in garages without adequate amounts of fresh drinking water.

In the past an odd source of antifreeze was the decorative "snow globes." The snow globe liquid included antifreeze and was very toxic. If you bring such toys or décor into the home it is best to check the ingredients and keep them safely stored.

Antifreeze Poisoning Symptoms
Animals that have ingested antifreeze go through different stages of symptoms:

Drunken appearance (staggering, loss of coordination, and disorientation)
Increased ingestion of water
Excessive urination
Vomiting
Listlessness and depression
Seizures
Coma

Early signs of antifreeze poisoning often mimic other illnesses but lab tests performed by your veterinarian onsite at the clinic can result in a diagnosis of antifreeze toxicity.

Problems escalate if the pet does not get help and the liver begins metabolizing the ethylene glycol.

If untreated, central nervous system damage can occur within a short time and death may result from kidney failure.

So, getting pets to a veterinarian is critical within a short time following the suspected ingestion of antifreeze.

Emergency First Aid
Immediate veterinary assistance is the only thing that will save your pet from antifreeze toxicity.

Inducing vomiting and giving your dog activated charcoal to absorb some of the antifreeze that is in the animal's system will help reduce the poison in the system. Be sure to take any vomited fluids with you to the vet.

Also use caution and keep other animals secluded away from any vomited fluids because ingestion can result in multiple antifreeze toxicity cases.

Hydrogen peroxide or Ipecac can be used to induce vomiting but always check with your veterinarian before taking action on your own:

A hydrogen peroxide solution of one teaspoon per five pounds of body weight - with no more than three teaspoons given at once can be used to induce vomiting.

Treatment
A veterinarian will induce vomiting and use activated charcoal if you haven't already.

In addition he or she will most likely use a catheter to start intravenous fluids. Additional treatment and drug therapy will depend on the progression of the antifreeze toxicity.

Animal Friendly Antifreeze?

Fortunately there are less toxic alternatives to ethylene glycol now on the market. The antifreeze containing propylene glycol is the safer alternative and is apparently less appealing (less tasty) to animals.

Propylene glycol, although not entirely nontoxic, is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol and has been reported to affect the central nervous system but not the kidneys.

Tufts Veterinary Newsletter reported that a medium-sized dog would have to ingest about 20 ounces of propylene glycol before getting seriously ill. This is in contrast to the mere two ounces of ethylene glycol that can kill a pet.

However, if a large amounts are ingested it could still be toxic.

Since it has anti-corrosive properties, is biodegradable, and is recyclable, the propylene-based antifreeze is considered a better choice for the safety of pets and wildlife, personal health, vehicle engine protection, and for the environment

Prevention is the Key
The best way to prevent antifreeze poisoning is to keep all antifreeze locked up and stored securely.

If you discover a leak or antifreeze spill, clean it up immediately.

Use cat litter to absorb most of the liquid and then follow up by mopping the area with rags-dispose of both safely.

Finally, rinse the area of the spill thoroughly with water.

Never pour used antifreeze down storm drains, sinks, toilets or on the ground.

Antifreeze is biodegradable but some formulas take longer to degrade.

Pet Safe Alternatives?
There are several nationally available propylene- glycol antifreezes on the market, including:

Bio-Safe Anti-Freeze/Coolant

Camco Anti Freeze

Engine Ice Coolant

5 Star RV Anti-Freeze

Get more information about recycling anti freeze in California.