Sayly

Yeah. I also knew of one in Queensland who was competing in agility but I don't know if he still is.

Doesn't surprise me! I would highly recommend Coolaney Kennels, and Anluan Kennels, both in WA. Everything I have seen and heard about their dogs has been positive, and they are both lovely people. Here is the website for the agility team! http://www.dogs.net.au/reddevils/

It is very important to get them from a good breeder who has good temperaments behind their dogs and socialise, socialise, socialise with other dogs. In breeding situations, I wouldn't trust two of the same sex together, our Irish is the most trustworthy of our all of our dogs with strange dogs, both out of home and at home, but she has an intense dislike for other female Irish. Other breeds are fine. However, there's a team of Irish (I think they are in WA) who compete in agility called the Red Devils, there's a picture of them all quite happily sitting together in a group. We had an Irish Terrier fun day a few years ago and had numerous Irish together, some off lead, and the only little niggle was between an older girl who was an ex-breeding bitch, and a younger breeding bitch in her prime. And it was only a little grumble. It's been said they might not start a fight but they would enjoy finishing it, I think we are seeing less and less of that these days. Ruby had a large dog of another breed slip its collar at a show and rush her, growling and ready to have a go, Ruby backed off as far as she could on the lead, she didn't make a sound or even lift a lip. If it had been another Irish, I think she would have. I think the temperaments have improved a lot with breeding in the past few years, but we stress the importance of positive dog socialisation to everyone who considers an Irish.

Yep.

If you are interested in terriers for agility, an Irish Terrier might suit. You may have issues getting a Glen in Australia, and they don't strike me as a breed suitable for agilty. Most terriers aren't what I would describe as 'obedient' though, they have minds of their own and can be stubborn but they certainly aren't impossible to train.

Vice President of the Junior KC of SA. For our recent shows we placed an advertisement in the paper inviting the general public down to have a look. At shows I have invited new people into my gazebo if I have room and they don’t have one, or invite them to set up next to me. Make sure I speak to them whenever I get the chance and congratulate them on their wins. Encourage them and when they feel low about their handling I let them know how terrible I was when I started! Whenever the subject is brought up I explain why pedigree dogs can seem expensive, why the price is worth it, what shows is about and the lengths breeders go to in order to breed the best dogs they can. I have a friend from uni who has shown a little interest in dog showing, I have let her know that she’s welcome to come with me to shows any time, and when she’s decided on a breed I am more than happy to help her find the right breeder. Another friend has come with me to a couple of shows so she can learn about lots of different breeds and I always let her know when there’s shows on near her. Go to the open days that Dogs SA runs with the Aussies or the Irish, or both.

Maizie, the litter's mother, passed away yesterday in a freak accident. The pups are eating some replacer mixed with mince and getting a little from another bitch who has an older litter. RIP beautiful Maizie.

I show a similar bunch of colours, a red Irish Terrier, a red merle Aussie Shepherd and a blue merle Aussie, and usually a black Aussie or maybe a black Lappie, and I try to go for blues or greens. I have a lilac suit which I love too.

It's about 20ish mins away so might be suitable for them. Pappy - are you really moving down here? You are welcome to set up with me at shows if you are! I'm hoping to for next year. I've been offered a place in one of my course preferences but holding out for a higher offer, should know sometime in January if I get it. ETA - And of course I'll take up your offer of hangsies at the shows! :D Sounds good!

Nothing. All Prefixes are published in every State gazette - even prefixes registered in other States. It states - Objections to an approved prefix must be notified to the office withing three months from the date of this publication. I haven't seen them in the Dogs SA journal. I think they should be if they are being put in all the rest!

It's about 20ish mins away so might be suitable for them. Pappy - are you really moving down here? You are welcome to set up with me at shows if you are!

And Bree, Issak's sister who is now living with a pack full of Pugs!

And the evil blue one! :D This is Maizie. My girls. They can be big goobers.

What a beautiful Aussie Braken was. Where did Braken come from?

The one sitting on her head is Maizie (of course). The red tri baby she is sniffing is from the Lou Lou and Boss litter than Maizie and Peach came from. I haven't found colours make a difference either, but like Gayle said there can be a big variation in lines. Holly and Dusty are very chilled girls, although Holly is easy to switch on and LOVES a game. She's a show off and loves the show ring, Dusty... not so much! Dusty and Holly are from the same kennel but different lines (I'm not sure if Dusty goes back to any of the same stuff, Gayle might know). There are some that are quite high drive though and need to be doing something most of the time. It's about finding a breeder who breeds the temperaments you want.

Maizie's babies are going well I've heard, eyes are open now! I haven't been able to get back to see them (or her) due to exams! What a fat belly! Hope it all goes well. Oh Wazzat, it must be terrible watching her go through that.

Reds need to be represented... Blue ones are evil! :p

Yep! Reds are the best. :p There seems to be a few admirers of the Aussies among the Lappie people I know. If I had known about Aussies before I got a Lappie it might have been a very difficult decision! They'd go well with a Lappie ;) They do, just ask Tobster. Ella loves the Aussies, and both Kim and I love each other's breed. I think a Lappie and an Aussie would be a wonderful household!

A friend who shows and breeds Aussie Shepherds also breeds and shows gorgeous Havs. Her contact details are available here: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/member.asp?name=SHARTOOZ

I think it's a good idea too, but you can't make people be involved by forcing clubs, if you did, the people who got to man the stands simply wouldn't be passionate about it and would resent it. And not all breeds have breed clubs, but hopefully people involved in the breed could get involved. The Dogs SA open day had numerous sports on show. Agility, flyball, dancing with dogs, obedience and herding. I believe several other sports also had stalls. I think it was fantastic to have it all on display. There was also a pet dog show and there were heaps of people and dogs involved in that.

Am I missing something? If she loves it that much, why not build the required housing?

Awesome pictures!

I didn't grow up in it. We had a dog from a reg breeder while I was growing up and always kept in contact with her. Fast forward to a few years ago, once said dog had passed away and we were looking for another of the same breed, we went back to the same breeder. Mum just mentioned I had always been interested in showing, and she offered us a show bitch, which we took. And then I got into handling the Aussies and now have some of my own. I have had loads of support from people involved in both groups and people have gone out of their way to help me, and continue to do it for others. I think it is really important that people provide help and mentorship for new people to the show ring, it made me feel like I was welcome.

Personally, I think they need to do more dog activities in areas the public go to. In some states (Vic and NSW, don't know about the others) most shows are held at specific venues that the public just don't know about, and have no reason to go to. Big Day Out for Dogs, for example, is held at KCC Park......if they want the general public to be interested, why not hold it in the city or in a suburban park where non-dog people or pet owners go. Cos they don't go to KCC Park. I also think that the ANKC needs to employ a media person with a high profile and get them talking on TV and radio about the benefits of buying pedigree dogs. Get out and flog it, talk about good breeds for families, good breeds for working people, good breeds for sports enthusiasts, good breeds for first time owners, good breeds for agility, obedience, herding, lure coursing and any other dog activity that involves pedigree dogs. Good breeds for first time show people. And how shows work. How they are used to keep the breeds pure and honest and looking like they are supposed to. They need to do the same as what the designer dog voices did for mongrels...they need to make pedigree dogs the preferred option. Do they have the money for that though? I honestly don't know what finances are like for the ANKC, and I wonder if they have enough to be able to go about that? Dogs SA held their open day at the grounds too, but they had a good turn out and it seems to be increasing each year. It lets the public know where the grounds are, and there's no cost. Our grounds are closer to the CBD than Vic's is though.

If public perception is a major factor, how can we and the kennel club go about improving it? We can educate (or try to) the people who think it's a beauty pageant to start with. Dogs SA does an open day and stands at the Royal purely for this reason. What else can they do, on a limited budget?