aussie-talk

Fact verses Fiction Among Breeders

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:13:26 +0100

Fact: Not all breeders are alike.

Fiction: Getting a puppy from a breeder that owns and breeds show dogs will be more expensive. I only want a pet/family companion.

Reputable breeders are there for you for the life of your dog. At least in the Australian Terrier breed, which is not very common breed, most generally have a waiting list for upcoming litters.

We support health testing the Dam and Sire prior to breeding. Also some breeders, like us, temperament test their puppies to confirm their puppies personalities. This assessment helps to provide you with the best puppy possible for your family. (Ask for a copy of the health and temperament test results).

Do not be comforted by someone who might state they are "ethical" because they belong to a National Club for the example, the ATCA and signed their code of ethics. (Really... you have to sign something to be ethical!) From my personal experience, sadly, not all members abide.

The parent club, the American Kennel Club of America (AKC) has the same rules and code of ethics all breeders should adhere to.

Note: In either organization, member's are not monitored. Clubs even have a disclaimer that specifically states "we do not endorse any breeder".

Do not be fooled by websites either, what you see might not be what you get.

What should you do to locate a quality breeder then? Take your time, ask a lot of questions, (here is a list I suggest) do your research and most importantly...visit the breeder if at all possible and get references!

Quality breeders put much time, money and love behind raising healthy puppies. Getting a quality puppy from a reputable breeder, can actually save you money and most of all potential heart ache.

Theresa A. Goiffon

Owner/ Breeder/Author and Advocate of Australian Terriers

Best in Show Daily Visits with Ellie Goiffon

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:58:14 +0100

Posted in: Profiles, Terriers | January 18, 2012 at 6:04 am

Interview by Christi McDonald

It is our great pleasure to introduce Best In Show Daily readers to one of the many talented young people who are contributing to the sport of purebred dogs. Ellie Goiffon has been enjoying plenty of success with her home-bred Australian Terriers, and we’d like to share her story with you.

Ellie and Gabby in Orlando.

1. Can you give us a brief bio of yourself, including your involvement showing dogs so far? What are your interests outside of the dog show world?

I am 12 years old, a 7th grader and I am home-schooled. I live out in the country in Wisconsin with my family. I love it because we’re able to keep a variety of animals. My favorites are the dogs and horses. I also enjoy riding and fishing, especially ice fishing.

I first became interested in dog shows when I was younger. I’d watch the televised shows with my mom and when I was 8 years old, we decided it was the right time to choose a breed that my older sister and I could show and eventually breed.

I helped my mom research a variety of dog breeds, and narrowed our selection down to a few. We eventually decided on the Australian Terrier and started Dunham Lake Australian Terriers. We purchased two female Aussies, one for my sister, Lydia, and one for me, to show in Junior Showmanship and Conformation.

I began showing my first Australian Terrier, Dakota, when I was 9 years old, but it wasn’t easy to get started or to find a mentor in this breed. We didn’t know anyone else who was involved with showing dogs either. This was a completely new adventure for our family, but we enrolled in dog handling and obedience classes and I showed Dakota to her championship when she was approximately 16 months old.

2. Tell us a little bit about your success with your current show dog prior to the 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship show.

My mom, my sister and I are a team in the breeding of Dunham Lake Aussies. We are all part of the planning process, including deciding on sires for our litters. Dakota is my dog and the mother of my 2-year-old Bred-By bitch, Gabby, Ch. Dunham Lake Gabriella Touched by an Angel. I was there to assist with the whelping of Gabby’s litter.

I took Gabby to her first fun match show when she was 5 months old, and she won Best Terrier Puppy. Then when she was 6 months old, I showed her at her first AKC show and she won her first point. She also won Best Bred-by-Exhibitor Group First with many other Terriers showing.

Gabby received her first major win under Mr. Ronald Menaker when she was 7 months old and, with limited showing, she finished her championship when she was 16 months old. In October 2011, at the Devon and Hatboro shows during the Australian Terrier Club of America Specialty/Montgomery County weekend, Gabby won Best of Opposite Sex at two of the four shows under judges Mrs. Barbara Keenan and Mr. Terry Stacy.

3. How did it feel to be invited to show your dog at the prestigious AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, and then to go on to win Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Australian Terriers?

I was very excited to be invited to the AKC/Eukanuba show with my first Bred-By champion. This was my second year attending the show, but it was the first time for my girl, Gabby. We were not going to attend at first, but we had two reasons to attend: She did very well at the National Specialty weekend shows and we wanted to visit with a puppy of ours that lives in Florida and was in an accident this past summer. I am very happy to report that he is doing quite well.

I was thrilled with the honor of winning the Bred-by-Exhibitor class, as well as the first Award of Excellence. It was an incredible experience! My family and I are very dedicated to this breed and do what is in its best interest. We breed to the AKC breed standard, perform health and temperament testing, and raise well-socialized puppies. For our breeding program to be recognized at this very special event was a very proud moment for my mom and me.

Ellie handled Ch. Dunham Lake Gabriella Touched By An Angel to Best Bred-by-Exhibitor Australian Terrier and an Award of Excellence under Dr. H. Scott Kellogg at the 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

4. Have you helped with the training of the dogs you show? Do you do the grooming on your show dogs?

My sister Lydia and I do the dog training using positive and food-motivated methods. This has worked well for us. I bathe and brush our dogs, but my mom grooms them for the conformation show ring. I’m learning to groom as well, and I always make the final touches before entering the ring, such as getting the topknot to stand up just right. I typically groom the dogs that are not being shown and do my own grooming for the dogs I show in Junior Handling.

5. What is your favorite part of showing dogs?

My favorite part is spending one-on-one time with my dog. I also enjoy seeing how our efforts at home come together as we work as a team in the show ring. I enjoy the experience of traveling to shows in different parts of the country with my dog and my family. I’ve met some really great people through our involvement in the dog shows.

6. Who have been your role models in the show world? Who are the people that you admire?

I have made many friends in the dog show world. I’ve learned a lot from Pamela Levy, a very good Australian Terrier owner-handler, and from Chelsay Paul, a former junior handler who is now a professional handler. Both have given me so much good advice. I have to say, most of the handlers have been very nice to me. My first mentor, Wayne Harmon, is a friend and judge from our local kennel club, the Cambridge KC. He is always helpful and has guided us in the right direction. I admire honest and ethical people who display good sportsmanship, and people who love their dogs as I do. My dogs are always my companions.

7. What do you feel you’ve learned so far from being part of the dog show world?

Dog showing is a lot of fun, but it is also a commitment. Sometimes people at the shows do not display good sportsmanship, but I have learned to ignore these people and just have fun. For me, showing dogs is an exciting and different way to include my dog in an activity we both enjoy.

8. What would be your advice to other young people who are interested in showing dogs?

Pick a breed that you enjoy. Practice and learn together to be good team. Never forget that you and your dog should always have fun. It does not matter if you win or lose — your dog will always be your best friend.

Tags: 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Australian Terriers, Best In Show, Best in Show Daily, Christi McDonald

Written by Christi McDonald

Sheila Dunn The Farm's Australian Terriers says:

January 20, 2012 at 9:55 am

I have been a breeder of Australian Terriers for many a moon and Elli (and her family) just make me beam with pride! And our breed needs breeders like Ellie! I am positive that she has begun a life long love of our breed and dogs in general. And boy! can she handle!

Marie-Francis says:

This is a very nice interview of a young Lady who loves to show and take good care of her beautiful Gabby. Congratulations dear Ellie and Best wishes.

Pamela Levy says:

January 20, 2012 at 11:02 am

It is my great honor to be mentioned in Ellie’s article as a mentor. Ellie, her sister Lydia and her mother, Theresa have exhibited wonderful sportsmanship and a great interest in learning about the breed, They have worked very hard with their dogs and their breeding program. It is to my great embarrassment that I was on the Board of ATCA and one of their sponsors for membership to ATCA (the Australian Terrier parent club.) Most of the people who voted to not allow them in the Club are still on the Board. Such a lovely family deserved better than that. I am so pleased they are being recognized for their wonderful contributions to our wonderful breed.

DiDianne Wall says:

January 20, 2012 at 12:48 pm

Ellie is a lovely, articulate young woman who will be successful on any path she takes. I enjoyed your article!

RJJanet Maas says:

January 20, 2012 at 3:22 pm

I met Ellie for the first time in Florida and she shows such poise and confidence for a young lady her age. She is a better sport than many who are much older than she is! She did a beautiful job showing her girl at Eukanuba and they are certainly a team.

LyLynne Dahlen says:

January 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Great article about a great handler! Congrats Ellie – wonderful job! It is my pleasure to have Ellie’s family as neighbors! Theresa and her daughters are the epitome of responsible, caring breeders and exhibitors. I’m so happy to know them and proud that they’re members not only of the dog community, but of our little town in Wisconsin.

Nathalie says;

January 21, 2012 at 11:11 am

What a wonderful article about a very special person! Ellie is by far the most mature 13 year old I have ever met and I am so blessed to call her my sister. She is very skilled at dog showing and it is always fun to watch her show! I am so proud of my little sister and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her:-)

Carolyn says:

January 21, 2012 at 2:51 pm

I have been interested in this breed for a long time and have been following this little girl and her dogs. I have seen her show her dog locally and I am so impressed. I think I have found my breeder after seeing this accomplishment! Ellie, I can’t wait to see you at the next show!

Jan says:

January 22, 2012 at 9:27 am

Thanks for this piece about Ellie. It really shows the dedication and love she has for raising, showing and playing with and having fun with her Aussies! We met Ellie and her family several years ago and her love for her dogs was definitely one of the reasons we decided to bring an Aussie into our home. She’s a great role model for other junior handlers and a real sweetheart whose grace and kind spirit are not only reflected “in the ring” but outside of it as well.

Diane says:

January 23, 2012 at 5:53 am

FANTASTIC!! My husband and I have met the family a handful of times and just love the integrety and passion they have for their chosen breed, the Aussie – which just happens to be the breed of dogs I have owned for the last 40 years. I have watched Ellie on a couple of occasions and agree with all that she is a charming and hard-working young lady and I hope she continues on with the breed for many years to come. The Goiffons are great ambassodors for the Austrailian Terrier and for being the Best in Breeders!

RMichael says:

January 23, 2012 at 7:35 am

Nice article! It has been so fun following this breed, and especially, Ellie Goiffon. Keep up the good work.

Kathy D says:

January 26, 2012 at 6:31 pm

Ellie does an awesome job with her dogs. Always a professional….
Such a great family!

Dunham Lake Australian Terriers 2011

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:39:33 +0100

Dunham Lake Australian Terriers look back at 2011!

What a year it has been for Dunham Lake Australian Terriers. We started 2011 with finishing our girl Kaih, to her championship and ending the year with winning the Best Bred-by Australian Terrier and 1st Award of Excellence, at the annual invitational only, AKC National Eukanuba Dog show with our first Bred By Champion Dunham Lake Gabriella Touched by an Angel "Gabby".

There were many accomplishments and some tragic news along the way.

The year was full of excitement. Our boy Gch. Dunham Lake Scoutmaster "Scout" who we co-own with the Steinmetz family finished his Grand Championship as the youngest Australian Terrier to accomplish that title. Scout along with our dog Beckham (who is co-owned with Pamela Levy) and Gabby were all invited to participate in the 2011 AKC Eukanuba National Championship.

Scout had a fantastic year, consistently ranked and finished in the top 10 Australian Terriers and All-Breed for 2011. He just turned 2 in December! Scout had multi-group placements, including a few Group 1 placements. In his free time, Scout loves living in the country with his wonderful family and has even started running with his mom. Thank you to the Steinmetz family for their dedication to this wonderful dog.

Our first International litter was born May 18, 2011 with our girl Kaih and Zippy.

Thank you to Jim and Cheryl Mechalke for allowing us to breed to their gorgeous boy Gch. Nellyson's Don't Skip the Zip "Zippy". The Mechalke's imported Zippy from our friend Tina Nordgren's kennel in Sweden. Five beautiful puppies were born. We kept one red boy for ourselves named "Jake" who won at his first show.

We co-own another beautiful red girl "Reba" with our friend Luisa. The other three puppies all have wonderful and loving homes.

In August our family took a 10 day trip out west and we had our very good friend and dog show mentor, Wayne stay and care for our gang. What a great trip and how wonderful to have a friend like Wayne.

While we were on our trip, our first International Champion Dunham Lake Moon Dream "Miles" was in s very serious car accident. He was traveling in his crate, however, upon impact his front elbow was crushed. He needed to have two separate surgeries, it was unlikely he would ever walk normal again. Luisa (his owner and our very dear friend) took him to the best surgeon in Florida. Months later, after physical therapy and the excellent care from his family, it appears he will be completely healed. We can't thank them enough for all the care and expense they endured for Miles.

One of our best friends in the breed, lost her loving dog Alfie in an accident. It was a sad time for her and her family. Sadly, we could relate to such tragedy when we lost our Harley. We were very sorry for her loss. There are better days ahead.

We had a wonderful visit with our dear friends Chris and Brian from the United Kingdom. Chris is an Australian Terrier judge and owner/breeder. We later met up with them at the Australian Terrier National Specialty weekend in Pennsylvania. What a fun time we had and then to meet their beautiful friend and handler Felicity and spend time with her as well, was fantastic.

My two younger daughters and I rented an RV and traveled 22 hours cross country to the show. That was quite an experience, one I'm not sure we would do again, but we did have a wonderful time and life time memories were made.

At the National Specialty, two out of the four days with up to 70 Australian Terriers present, Ch. Dunham Lake Gabriella Touched by an Angel "Gabby" won Best of Opposite. Handled exclusively by her breeder/owner/handler 12 year old Ellie.

I want to take just a moment to thank my daughters, both Lydia and Ellie, for their dedication to our dogs and their excellent handling skills. I especially want to give credit to my daughter Ellie, for her patience, love and passion for our dogs. Sometimes it's stressful, sometimes is frustrating, sometimes I'm irritating, but most of the time it's exciting and a fun new adventure for all of us!

The National Specialty weekend was thrilling! We are very grateful to our many Australian Terrier friends, breeders and owners for their kind words and support, we love you all.

Then the end of the year, the 2011 AKC Eukanuba National Invitational Dog Show. We had not planned on attending, but because it was located in Florida, where our puppy Miles lives with his family, we decided we had to see how he was recovering. This provided another reason for us to attend the show.

We were happy to have spent time with Miles and his very gracious family and visit with him and his sister Reba. He was very happy to see us and it was great to see him recovering so well.

The Australian Terriers represented at Eukanuba were lovely. For Champion Dunham Lake Gabriella Touched by an Angel "Gabby" to win the Best Bred-by exhibitor and 1st Award of Excellence was quite an honor. As a breeder it is a positive testimony to our breeding program to be recognized at such a prestigious show.

The Best Bred-by award has such meaning to us, beyond the excitement of this win. We love our dogs, they will always be our companions first and our show dogs second. We never have nor ever will, compromise our ethic's or standards.

What a great way to end the year. We look forward to a great 2012. We thank all our family, friends, our wonderful loving families that have our puppies and just website visitors for your support. The Australian Terrier is a wonderful breed, so dear to our heart and we will continue to maintain and improve the breed as best we can for our future generations.

We hope and pray that you too have a wonderful 2012, filled with everything you seek, including; health, prosperity and fun!

Blessings,

Theresa A. Goiffon

Grooming your Australian Terrier

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:59:50 +0100

Australian Terrier Grooming Revisited

By: Theresa Goiffon

I would like to preface this with, I am by no means an expert groomer. I have learned to groom my Australian Terrier on my own. However, over the past couple years, I have also had the privilege to have a few experienced Australian Terrier Breeders and Handlers show me a few tips as well.

This blog was created because of the many inquires I receive regarding grooming and to update my previous blog Grooming your Australian Terrier 101. I share with you what I have learned about grooming, over the past 5 years, and what has worked best for me.

The best way to groom your Australian Terrier, is to maintain the coat and strip away the overgrown hair. The dead hair is painlessly pulled from the dog's skin, providing a place for their new hair growth to keep their coat hardened.

The best tools to complete this task besides hand stripping with your own finger tips are as follows:

Tools Recommended:

Stripping Knives
Stripping Stone or Pumice Stone Sticks
Pin Brush and Metal Comb
Toe Nail Clipper
Thinning Shears

Optional:
Rubber Tips (for your fingers)
Terrier Chalk (white powder sprinkle about 15 min prior to stripping)

General:
Your Australian Terrier needs a bath only 3-4 times a year, or if he is exceptionally dirty.

He should be brushed every week. A pin brush for the body, bristle brush for the face.

Always, strip in the direction of the hairs natural growth, never against.

Technique for stripping:

Brush your dog and remove any knots, pay close attention to the under arm area, the fine longer hair tends to get snarled in that area.

If you are using your fingers, brush the top coat forward, just a bit to see the longer hairs standing up. Pull those longer hairs in the direction of the hair growth or toward the tail. Repeat over the entire top and sides of the dog. If using a stripping knife of stone, place it in your hand similar to a way you might peel an apple. Keep the knife level, don't angle it toward their skin.

Comb over the top hair grasping the longer hair between the comb and your thumb and pull again, in the direction of the hair growth, or toward the tail. Do not go deep into the undercoat. If you have a bulky undercoat, you can simply comb down into the undercoat with the stripping knife to remove some of the bulk.

The feathery hair around his feet should be trimmed, and his tail and ears neatened. Until you are comfortable with using scissors around their ears, use a small dog electric shaver for their ears. Shave around the shape of the ears and shave the entire back of the ear in the direction of the hair growth, not against it. It’s not correct for showing, however, it is easy and safe if you are new to grooming and in 2 weeks, you achieve the look you want.

I strip the hair on the back of their ear and use a stripping stone to smooth out the back of the ear. Make these sessions, short and happy, and do a little at a time.

Eyes should be cleaned. Check that the nails are not too long, if you do not like to trim nails your vet will be happy to do it for you. Check that his ears are clean (don’t use q-tips) and also under his tail.

Grooming for a Show of if you want your dog to look its best:
Your breeder should give you a demonstration of show presentation if you require it. This is best done by practical demonstration, although looking at photos can help.

Top Knot: (The longer, silky hair on the top of the head)

Should be brushed forward to stand upright, but not hang in their eyes.

Ears: Short and kept free of long hair.

Ruff: (The collar, longer hair that stands out from the neck)

Brush forward and outwards. Ruff should not be cut.

Apron: (Longer hair under the neck and on the front section of the chest)

Brushed down and encouraged to grow.

Feet: Trimmed between pads, top of feet to be stripped and cat-like.

Body Coat: Brush down carefully untangle knots and knots that form on

stomach and arm pit areas.

Eyes: Keep the hair short and plucked around eye area

Neck: Brush and groom so that the neck appears long and arched.

Tail: (Envision the shape of a carrot, from tip being the point to the body being the thicker part)
Remove all long hairs from tail, both around the tail and behind it. So that the tail appears natural, straight and set on high. Thinning scissors may be used to reduce the bulk of the tail.

Hindquarters: For cleanliness, keep hair short around the vent and in

case of males, around the prepuce.

Elbows: Shorten or brush down any hair at elbow which makes your dog

look out at elbows. Sometimes it may be necessary to thin hair slightly.

Muzzle: Should be free from long hair.

The beard under the muzzle should be trimmed neatly with scissors to the

shape of the muzzle, but not too severely.

Some general questions:

What is rolling a coat?
Rolling is removing the old layers of coat to make room for new growth. You can strip off the longest hair. This is done by pulling only about the longest third of the coat, leaving the rest for a week to two weeks depending on the dog, and then repeating until there is always new coat coming in underneath.

Is Knife or 'hands only' stripping better?
If a stripping knife is used properly, it works as well as pulling the coat only with fingers. For some, it's easier and quicker, certainly less work on your fingers. Despite the name 'knife,' it is not used to cut the hair, only to help grip it.

Looking at Australian Terrier photos can help you visualize the proper look. I hope this helps you. If you have other questions, please never hesitate to call or email me.

There is a grooming CD available for sale at www.AustralianTerrierInternational.org. I recommend it.

Australian Terrier Breed. Is it right for you?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:49:41 +0100

Is an Australian Terrier Breed right for you and your family?

Choosing a dog that is right for you and your family is very important. There are many factors for you to consider. There are many breeds to choose from. Large dogs, small dogs, active and passive in personality. What best fits your family and your lifestyle. It can be a difficult decision, but a very important one. So, take your time and make sure you pick the best breed for you, remember they will be a part of your life for many years.

Based on our personal experiences with the Australian Terrier, I will honestly share with you what this breed is like.

Size, Temperament and Activity Level:

The Aussie Terrier is a small dog, the average height is 10-11 inches and length about 1 1/2 inches longer than height. They weigh on the average 15-20 pounds. They have a great deal of energy and spunk, yet at the same time are very happy just to lie around and do nothing. Like all dogs, a brisk walk daily is recommended.

The Australian Terrier is not a Toy Breed but a Terrier. They would not be a good choice for someone that is looking for a lap dog. They do love to be with you, near you, next to you, but to be carried around in a purse or held like a small dog that are not.

I think they are best described as a small dog with a large dog personality. They are not barky or yappy. They will tell you when you have a visitor and alarm you when they hear something, but that's all.

They are highly intelligent and very food motivated. That combination makes them very easy to train and teach them tricks.

The Aussie is very adaptable, love adventures, car rides, walks and they love everyone. They are great with kids, with cats and other dogs. They are an excellent dog to take to local nursing homes, or schools where allowed. They would make a great theropy dog.

Like most dogs, their human interaction needs are strong. No dog should be left home crated or otherwise hours on end. They are a very social breed.

They are not good with small rodents such as rabbits, or hamsters. They still have their ratting instincts.

It is very important that you either plan to walk your Aussie on a leash or have a fenced in yard. They can be stubborn in the sense that if they see a squirrel and begin the chase, it doesn't seem to matter how well they are trained they just can't help themselves and they are off!

Health:

They are a sturdy and healthy breed. As a breed, we are watching and testing them for Thyroid issues, Diabetes and Patella problems. These problems are not common, but have been identified as potential issues within the breed. A quality breeder will health test these potential issues prior to breeding any Sire or Dam. Upon request, the breeder should provide you with the results. Expect your Aussie to live up to 14-15 years.

Climate:

Aussies are native to Australia, so they are use to warmer weather. That being said, because they are a double coated dog, they do well in cooler climates as well. They are not an outside breed and must never be left outside in the cold or unattended ever.

Grooming Requirements:

They are a non-shedding breed. The Aussies are either hand stripped or stripped with a stripping knife. The technique takes a bit of practice, but once you learn what to do, it's quite easy. Stripping a companion Aussie should be done, every couple months. Brushing their coat every few days, trimming their nails and brushing their teeth every other week is all that is required.

Diet:

No special diet. As with all dogs, buy the best, all natural product in your area. We feed Taste of the Wild or Fromm. Both great products in our area of the country.

I hope this over-view provides you with some detailed first hand information about the Australian Terrier Breed. This information was based on our personal experiences with living, loving, and breeding Aussies for the past 5 years

The First Australian Terrier Puppy Cam!

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:00:57 +0100

This is not about "self promotion" or " puppy sales" that's not the intent in any way. All of our puppies have their forever homes, as it is, we have a hard time keeping up with the demand for one of our puppies. Anyone with a computer, a webcam and a bit of computer sense could do what we have done.

Actually, truth be told, my 12 year old daughter Ellie did the research, picked the web stream provider and got it all set up. Thank you Ellie :) Yup, that's the truth. But it does takes some time and some tweaking.

Dunham Lake Australian Terriers had a litter of puppies on May 18, 2011. We were very excited about this breeding. This was our girl, 4 year old, Ch. Benayr Kaih Catch the Wave's first litter, she is a very special part of our family.

This litter was a total outcross with a handsome red sire owned by friends of ours Cheryl and Jim Mechalke, GCH Nellyson's Don't Skip the Zip. He is an imported Aussie from Sweden and was bred by a wonderful breeder Tina Nordgren.

The breeding produced 5 healthy and very spunky puppies. 3 reds, 2 boys and 1 girl and 2 blue tans both girls. We couldn't be happier.

So why broadcast our puppies? Well, it was an idea that was suggested to me by a lady that has one of our puppies, specifically, our puppy Gus. His mother, Debbie, told me how much she has enjoyed watching the Shiba puppies and how much she would like it if we put our puppies on a webcam.

We certainly thank Debbie for her suggestion! Our puppy cam has been a huge success and a great way for people, particularly those not familiar with the breed, to see them "live" growing and developing before their eyes in a good environment.

Our puppies were born and spent their first couple weeks in what we call our "puppy room". It is a room in our house located in the lower level area. The room includes a sink, windows, a door to the outside and the best part is it has its own thermostat with in-floor heating so we can adjust the temperature specifically to this room. This room is away from all of our normal activities, our other animals and is a great place for our puppies and their mother.

As our puppies grow, our mother dogs really dislike being in this room. Why? Because they are part of our normal life and don't like the feeling of being isolated. They bark, they complain, they scratch at the door. Therefore, when the puppies are entering their 3rd week of age, we bring them and their mom upstairs. They spend the entire day with us in our kitchen in a play pen until they outgrow that.

This is ideal for the puppies, the mother dog as well as the other animals in our family that walk around the play pen getting use to the new life here.

Have Web cam will travel :)

We move the puppies and their mother back to the puppy room over night. It is a temperature controlled room, the whelping box is very safe and the mother dog can come and go as she wishes.

When we move the puppies and Kaih, from downstairs to upstairs, we move the puppy cam as well. Generally, we have the audio off now because either Kaih is barking because she isn't happy about being away from her bed "Lydia's bed" or the puppies are in our main living area.

We have used several different web cam's, as well as having fried a computer, but I think we now have it figured out, and our routine as well.

We hope you are enjoying watching our puppies grow as much as we are. If you would like to learn from our trials and errors on how to set up a web-cam, please let us know, we are always happy to help!

Grand Champion Dunham Lake Scout Master "Scout"!

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:17:21 +0100

We are proud of all our Aussies at Dunham Lake Australian Terriers, whether they are Grand Champions, Champions, show dogs in training or simply a loving family companion. Our focus is and always will be about breeding healthy, well socialized Australian Terriers for families. Sure, we share our excitement when our dogs do well, either in conformation, obedience or the joy we get from an email or a call from one of our families sharing a story about their Aussie that came from us.

We'd like to take a moment and share some exciting news with you, but first a bit of history...

Initially, finding a quality Australian Terrier breeder in our area, willing to help us get started in this breed, was difficult for us. However, that was far from our most difficult obstacle, so we found our own way. We found the Australian Terrier people of South Australia our friends and mentors particularly early on.

Now several years later, I am a co-founder of www.australianterrierinternational.org, we have had 3 wonderful litters and we have enjoyed some show success as well. We have found wonderful mentors from all walks of life and many friends in the Australian Terrier Breed. My family and I are so glad to be a very small part in the future of Australian Terriers, even if it's just providing helpful information.

On December 7, 2009, our Aussie, Dakota had her second litter, a litter of 5 beautiful and healthy puppies, 3 males and 2 females. Our waiting list, as always, was full before these puppies were born. However, shortly after they were born, I received a call from a wonderful family in Wisconsin that was looking for a male Australian Terrier to show. Sadly, I didn't have a puppy for them. I recommended they contact another quality breeder.

Later, while talking to my very dear Aussie friend who had planned to get a show male from this litter, she generously gave up her place on our list for this family.

We evaluated the puppies as always, for conformation, obedience, temperament and one puppy stuck out to us. Not only having nice conformation, but the right attitude.

We consulted and received valuable feed-back from many experienced breeders in the US and abroad. Because the litter was so consistent it was not an easy task to pick the "show" puppies in this litter. But in the end we picked the puppy we called Jim as our male show prospect.

At 12 weeks old the puppy we called "Jim", who was renamed Dunham Lake Scout Master "Scout" went to live with his family. Like our "show" home, he lives with his loving family, first as their companion, but also enjoys the show ring.

From the moment he entered the ring, he seemed quite confident. When Scout was 6 months old he won his first point, at 7 months won Best of Breed, with several Australian Terriers competing. Scout became a Champion at 13 months, including beating his father, GCH Just for Kicks, "Beckham", (the 4th Australian Terrier to acheive the AKC Grand Championship in the US).

At 15 months Scout won his first Terrier Group placement. To date Scout is the 5th top Australian Terrier in the US.

We are thrilled to announce that Scout is the youngest Australian Terrier to achieve the AKC Grand Championship title at the age of 16 months. Dunham Lake's first bred by Grand Champion, Scout.

I want to thank all the judges and his handler/owner Jackie Steinmetz, her mother Terri, as well as his family, Jane and Tim for their faith in me, a new breeder and for their dedication to Scout. We love you Scout!

GCH. Dunham Lake Scout Master "Scout"
Owned by: Tim and Jane Steinmetz and Theresa and Ellie Goiffon

Looking for a responsible Australian Terrier Breeder?

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:23:44 +0100

What can we do as a breeder to improve the health and temperament of our puppys? Heatlh Testing how Important is it?
Once again the Popular Sire Syndrome, is addressed, which is quoted to be "the greatest threat to overall breed health and vitality". Some breeders are ignorant to this serious problem. Here are some bullets that address these questions and a link to the complete newsletter from the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

Spring has Sprung... So Have the Wood Ticks!

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:09:47 +0100

Spring has finally sprung here in Northwestern Wisconsin! Time for yard clean up and just enjoying long walks again with our dogs. It's also time to think about flea and tick preventative.Depending on what part of the country you live in, these may not be an issue for you. We do not have a problem with fleas, however, for us wood ticks and deer ticks are impossible to avoid. There have been years where we literally pick up to 25 or more ticks off each dog every night!

Lyme's Disease is very common in our area, not only in our animals but humans as well. It can be very serious and life altering. The vaccinations for the disease are not very affective. However, we do vaccinate our dogs with the Lyme's preventative, because studies show if they are to contract Lyme's the symptoms are greatly reduced.

One suggestion that has helped minimize these ticks on our dogs was our fenced in yard. During peak tick season, which for us is generally in May and again in September we don't let our dogs go into the woods or in long grass.

We try to use only organic products whenever possible. We have tried and with some success used concentrated l emon grass diluted with water and put in a spray bottle. This helps to keep the wood ticks off and is the ONLY thing we use on our puppies for flea and tick control. However, as much as we try to resist, sometimes a more powerful solution is necessary.

What we have found works best for us is using the basic Frontline seasonally. I don't apply it monthly, typically every other month or less. We apply Frontline in April, just after the first big snow melt, than again in June, repeat again in August and generally that covers the season.

NEVER EVER apply Frontline at the same time you give your dogs their Heartworm oral meds. There have been reports of serious side affects.

We have not experienced any side effects from using this product on both our Australian Terriers and Australian Shepherds, but as always consult with your Veterinarian.

Oh...Aussie's it's cold outside!

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:58 +0100

Beckham and Gabby love the snow!

Life in rural Wisconsin in the winter can be so enjoyable. First there is the beautiful snow, which provides plenty of outside activities such as; cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, sledding and skating just to name a few.

Along with these enjoyable winter activities, there is the bitter cold, which generally starts in January and continues until late February.

So the question is, how do dogs like this weather, more specifically how do Australian Terriers like this weather?

The Australian Terrier as we know is native to Australia. The climate in Australia is quite different from the climate in the United States, particularly during the winter months in the Midwest part of the state. In fact, much of Australia is closer to the equator than any part of the USA.

So, how does the Australian Terrier handle the climate in our area and how should you as their family make sure they stay safe and warm during this cold time of year?

First and foremost you should know that the Australian Terrier is not an outside breed. It is not to be left out in cold weather period. The purpose for this article is to give you suggestions on how to enjoy your Aussie in the winter weather and to protect them from the cold.

Our Aussies love playing in the snow. Some like it better than others. The first snow fall of the season is always exciting for us and for them.

Generally speaking, our routine doesn't change too much with the cold weather. Our dogs are let outside in our fenced in yard to do their business, then they come in and have breakfast. They go outside off and on all day. The difference is how long they stay outside.

Australian Terriers are a double coated dog, so their undercoat actually helps to keep them warm, while the harsher top coat acts somewhat like a windbreaker. Even so, during cold weather having them wear a coat is a good idea, particularly if you're going to take them on a walk.

Another suggestion is to consider getting your Australian Terrier boots. An Aussie friend of mine from Minnesota, takes her dog for a walk twice a day regardless of weather. She suggests that boots are a definite necessity. Click on the photo of the boots for the link. These boots actually stay on!

Boots are also a sure way to keep snowballs from forming on the bottom of their feet!

Aussies love to play fetch and winter is no exception. They also like to go vole hunting under the snow. If allowed they would stay out for hours patiently waiting for the vole to surface. Squirrel chasing is always a daily activity at our house.

Make sure you shovel path way for your dog to use when the snow is high for them to potty outside.

A few precautions to be aware of also are:

1. If you walk your dog on sidewalks that have been salted to prevent slippery ice build-up, make sure you rinse the salt off the bottom of your dogs feet when you return home.

2. Anti-freeze is a very dangerous poison to your dogs. Make certain that it is not accessible to your dogs.

For more information about Hypothermia or Frost Bites in Dogs visit this link.

Mostly, this time of year, our Aussies, just love to curl up on the couch or by the fireplace and like the rest of the family, dream of spring and spending more time outside.