Dogs NSW Dog of the Year - Jan 28

Close to 200 award-winning pedigree canines will gather at Orchard Hills on Saturday 28th January to compete in the Dogs NSW - Dog of the Year event, promising a night of great excitement and atmosphere!

Labradors, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and more! “The dogs on show are the crème de la crème of the dog world,” said Lyn Brown, President of Dogs NSW, the controlling body of purebred dog breeding and exhibiting in NSW and a member body of the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC).

“These top dogs will compete for the ultimate award which celebrates the best overall appearance, construction, unique breed features, health and temperament.”

Photo (and above) Credit: Ffire Photography

For the Dog of the Year, an entrant must have won a Best in Show at an All Breeds Championship Show in order to qualify to participate. 
For Puppy/ Neuter of the Year, the entrant must have won a Puppy/ Neuter Class in Show at an All Breeds Championship Show.

Canine winners and runners-up will be determined by nine mystery judges to be revealed on the night. Dogs won’t be the only winners – there will also be a ‘Best Dressed Lady & Gentleman Handler’ award with a cash prize!

Hosted by the Dogs NSW Complex Fundraising Committee in partnership with major sponsor Royal Canin, the premier event showcases top show dogs and puppies in their breed for 2016.



The Dogs NSW Show Dog, Puppy and Neuter of the Year event is proudly sponsored by Royal Canin. 

When: Saturday 28th January 2017, from 5pm

Where: Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, Orchard Hills, NSW

For more information, visit www.dogsnsw.org.au


About Dogs NSW

Dogs NSW is the controlling body of purebred dog breeding and exhibiting in New South Wales. The association promotes responsible dog breeding, showing, obedience, agility, working and sporting dog trials and other canine-related activities, as well as the ownership of temperamentally and physically sound purebred dogs by individuals in NSW.

Dogs NSW has over 10,000 members, with over 300 affiliated breed and kennel clubs throughout NSW. More than 50 of these affiliated clubs conduct dog training classes as a community service in local government areas, normally on a weekly basis. Dogs NSW is a member body of the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC).

Australian Shepherd - Breed Profile

The Australian Shepherd known simply as the "Aussie" is a medium-sized breed of dog that was, despite its name, developed on ranches in the United States during the 19th century.

The Australian Shepherd has a great deal of stamina and is loving, bold, alert, confident, independent, smart and responsive. For many years, Aussies have been valued by stockmen for their versatility and trainability.

History

The Australian Shepherd's history is vague as is the reason for its misleading name!
The breed was initially called by many names, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, California Shepherd, and Austrian Shepherd!

It is believed by some that the breed has Basque origins in Spain and was used there by shepherds. Those shepherds might then have emigrated to the West Coast of the United States via Australia. 

However, scientific evidence has shown that the breed has lineage from American dogs that originally came over the Bering Land Bridge. 

What is known is that it was developed in western North America in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Australian Shepherd was a particularly tireless sheep herder in the Rocky Mountains because it is relatively unaffected by altitude. 

A theory suggests that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded. It is also possible that many of the dogs coming from Australia were blue merle and the adjective "Australian" became associated with any dogs of that coat colour.

There are different theories regarding the association of the breed with Australia, but there is no consensus on why it was adopted. Genetic research has found that Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are closely related to each other; both are slightly more distantly related to other kinds of Collies and to Shetland Sheepdogs. Aussies rose in popularity after World War II and became known to the general public through rodeos, horse shows, and Disney movies.

Whilst they continue to work as stock dogs and compete in herding trials, the breed has earned recognition in other roles due to their trainability and eagerness to please and Aussies are highly regarded for their skills in obedience. 

Like all working breeds, the Aussie has considerable energy and drive and usually needs a job to do. It often excels at dog sports such as herding, dog agility, canine disc and flyball. They are also highly successful search and rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. 

Appearance

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized breed of solid build. Aussie colours are black, red (sometimes called 'liver'), blue merle (marbled black, white, and grey), and red merle (marbled red, white, and buff).Each of these colours may also have copper (tan) points or white markings in various combinations on the face, chest, and legs. 

A black or red dog with copper and white trim is called 'tricolour' or 'tri', a black or red dog with white trim but no copper is called 'bicolour' or 'bi'. 

White, rather than pigment, on or around the ears is an indicator of increased risk for white-related deafness. Excessive white on the face and ears can place an individual dog at greater risk for sunburn and subsequent skin cancer.

All black and blue merle dogs have black noses, eye rims, and lips. All red and red merle dogs have liver or brown noses, eye rims, and lips. Red merle with copper points and one brown eye and one blue eye, blue merle with copper points with blue eyes.

Also, great variety is seen in the Aussie's eye colour, and they are often heterochromatic. An early nickname for the breed was "ghost-eye dog". 

Aussie eyes may be any shade of brown, or blue; they may have two differently coloured eyes, or even have bicoloured or "split eyes" (for example, a half-brown, half-blue eye), which appear to be linked to the merle coloration. Merle eyes occur as well, where one colour is mixed in and swirled with another. 

Some Aussies are born with naturally bobbed tails. Others have full long tails, and others with natural partial bobs, where the tail is shorter and appears stubby. 

For the Australian Shepherd Breed Standard, please visit Dogs Australia

Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is typically highly energetic, requiring a great deal of exercise and attention. Teaching them tricks keeps them focused and happy, which also keeps their minds working. 

The Aussie is intelligent, learns quickly, and loves to play. This means that a bored, neglected, unexercised Aussie may invent its own games and jobs, which to a busy owner might appear to be hyperactivity. Without something to amuse them, Aussies can become destructive.

Because the breed was developed to serve on farms, a job which includes being protective of its property, it is inclined to bark warnings about neighbourhood activity. Dogs may show reserved and cautious guarding behaviours with strangers but they are kind, loving, and very loyal to their owners. 

Aussies also do best with plenty of human companionship: they are often called "Velcro dogs" for their strong desire to always be near their owners and for their tendency to form intense, devoted bonds with select people.

The Australian Shepherd has a reputation as a highly intelligent and versatile stock dog with a range of working styles. 

A good working Aussie is quick, thoughtful, and easy with its stock. For this reason, the Aussie is often chosen to work unusual livestock such as ducks, geese, and commercially raised rabbits.

Health & Lifespan

Australian Shepherd can suffer from a number of health issues. Vision problems are common and epilepsy is also a concern.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is rare in the breed but both this and cataracts are a concern in Aussies. 

Hip Dysplasia is a genetic condition where the femur does not fit securely in the pelvic socket of the hip joint. This problem can exist with or without clinical signs, meaning some dogs feel pain in one or both rear legs. Ensure that both parents of any puppy have been tested for Hip Dysplasia and that both parents and pups have clear eye certificates. 

Double merle issues
In merle-to-merle breeding, the puppies that have inherited two copies of the merle gene have an increased risk of being born blind and/or deaf. However, deaf or blind Australian Shepherds can make wonderful pets given a home prepared for their special needs. They are an intelligent breed, which generally learn hand signals with ease.

Their average lifespan is between 12 to 15 years.

Grooming

Australian Shepherds have a medium-length, water-resistant coat. With the coat being somewhat long and wavy or curly, this breed does shed, mostly in the spring to get rid of the winter coat. The Aussie should be brushed weekly to maintain a healthy and clean coat and also to prevent matting. 

With being a "working dog", this breed should be outside to get its needed exercise. If your dog is dirty, a basic bath can be given, but not too frequently as this can dry out the dog's skin and coat.

For more information on the Australian Shepherd breed, please contact:

The Australian Shepherd Club of VIC Inc. 

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Dog Sports - Herding: the Joy of Working

Miele Compact C2 Cat & Dog Powerline - Review

Light and easy to store, the Miele Compact C2 Cat and Dog Powerline with its powerful TurboBrush floorhead and anti-odour filter that neutralises pet smells is perfect for dog owners.

WHAT IS THE MIELE COMPACT C2 CAT & DOG POWERLINE?

The Miele Compact C2 range is the smaller, lighter sibling of the C3 model. This Cat & Dog version weighs under 5kg, includes a TurboBrush head ideal for picking up pet hairs. It is also fitted with an air filter with activated charcoal to keep unpleasant pet odours at bay. It’s not large enough for on-board storage of accessories, but it compensates with a handle-mounted holster for the three detailing tools as well as a side clamp to store the telescopic metal handle upright.

The key point however, is that the Miele Compact C2 cleans just as well as the larger vacuum cleaners so if you're after a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner that won’t take up too much space, this model is a great option.

MIELE COMPACT C2 CAT & DOG POWERLINE – ACCESSORIES

The Compact C2 comes with Miele’s usual great selection of quality tools. 

In addition to the long flexible hose and telescopic metal tubes, this model stores its crevice tool, dusting brush and an upholstery tool on a clip conveniently placed on the tube handle.

Both main floorheads:
1. the AirTeQ (for everyday use) and 
2. the TurboBrush (for pet hair) are well designed and solidly made. 

The AirTeQ optimises airflow to improve suction efficiency, claiming the same performance of a traditional floorhead and a 2000W cleaner. The Turbobrush has an air-powered rotating brush bar to agitate dust from carpets and pick up stubborn grime.

To help keep pet odours under control, the Compact C2 Cat & Dog comes with Miele’s HyClean dustbags, claimed to hold an additional 20% more dust than paper bags plus a two-stage Active AirClean filter. The activated charcoal layer collects organic molecules - like a charcoal filter in a rangehood, which should ensure smells are suppressed when cleaning.

The filter has an integrated colour changing time strip to remind you to replace the filter every year or so. The cable and hose give a claimed cleaning range of 10m and you can control power in six stages from full-power carpet cleaning to gentle suction for curtains and upholstery.

CLEANING HARD FLOORS AND CARPETS

Miele’s AirTeQ floorhead is quite smart: the internal design has been ‘gas-flowed’ to improve airflow, and hence suction efficiency, the base of the unit has been sculpted to give maximum suction and minimum stick-down.

We found this head ideal for scooting around our tiled areas in particular, effectively picking up dust, dirt, leaves brought in by our dogs from the garden and our nemesis - stray pet hair tumbleweed! Its innovative flexible neck makes it incredibly easy to steer and use, further assisted by its two large wheels. The hard floor / carpet switch brings down stepped nylon bristles that glide across hard surfaces.

For carpets, the TurboBrush is unbeatable as its fast spinning brush bar agitates dust from the carpet and picks up pet hairs with ease. 

Both the AirTeQ and the TurboBrush floorheads are very good at cleaning right up to the edge thanks to small air channels in the base of each.

The flexible hose, telescoping tubes and supplied tools all work flawlessly. The reach is capable of getting easily to high cobwebs without lifting the actual unit from the floor, and the cleaner’s three small wheels means it follows you around like a puppy on hard surfaces. The small wheels do struggle a bit on thick carpet compared to models with larger wheels but as the Compact C2 is so light, a good tug easily gets it moving.

HOW DOES THE MIELE C2 COPE WITH PET HAIR? 

With three Belgian Shepherds running from the garden with muddy or dusty paws, the Compact C2’s pet credentials were certainly put to the test even during the summer season. 

For the tiled main living area off the deck, where the dogs first come into the house, the AirTeQ head is perfect. It picks up pet hairs with ease, glides over the titles with minimum effort and the stiff nylon bristles helps shift dried on mud. The power and design of the AirTeQ head are more than sufficient for general cleaning duties over smooth floors and the accessories make quick work of upholstery and curtains.

The TurboBrush head takes over for carpeted areas and rugs where the rotating brush bar really pulled our dogs’ hairs from even tightly woven nylon carpets. We noted that the brush bar itself is easily removed from the floorhead for cleaning if it gets properly tangled up with hairs.

The filter is very effective at combating those unwelcome wet dog smells and a small strip indicates when it needs changing – so keep an eye on it when you change the bags.

OUR VERDICT

The choice of 6 power settings gave us plenty of control depending on the situation (tiles, carpets, couch etc.) and the eco setting is a lot less noisy for quick cleaning sessions.

We will now "come clean" and admit that we considered buying one of the earlier models for cats and dogs seven years ago when we last replaced ours. At the time, we were not convinced that it would clean significantly better and was worth spending the extra dollars...

I guess we were wrong and now having three dogs with full access to all parts of the house, the TurboBrush was certainly a “revelation”! We thought our previous vacuum-cleaner was fine however noticed a lot of pet hair remained stubbornly behind: only a rub with a damp cloth would lift the remainder from rugs and carpets. Vacuum-cleaning - if still not fun - has suddenly become easier and quicker and our life "Immer Besser"! The Compact C2’s light weight is an added bonus when you live in a multi-storey house and the Mini TurboBrush is a great accessory for use on carpeted stairs.

My only word of caution is to be careful if you have a rug with fringes (we lost a couple in our enthusiasm...) as these become easily entangled in the roller brush. Keep the TurboBrush also well away from the base of curtains, clothing and small items as these could get vacuumed in.

We found the Miele Compact C2 Cat & Dog Powerline to be an excellent, compact all-rounder vacuum-cleaner that tackled our pets’ hair with ease. If you want a cylinder vac that doesn’t take up too much space for storage, and you have pets, then it’s an excellent choice.  However if you're after a larger cleaner the Miele Complete C3 is worth looking at: it’s mostly the same, just bigger and heavier!

KEY FEATURES SUMMARY

• 1200W bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
• 3.5l capacity bag
• 6.5m power cord
• 4.7kg
• 3 separate floorheads (AirTeq, TurboBrush, Mini TurboBrush)
• Pet odour filter
• Manufacturers Express Warranty: 24 months

PRICE & WHERE TO BUY

RRP: $529 from www.miele.com.au, Miele Experience Centres nationally and select retailers.

Disclaimer: Product gifted by Miele Australia for editorial consideration.

Hunter Animal Rescue Pets Picnic 2017 - Feb 12

The 11th Hunter Animal Rescue Pets Picnic will be held on Sunday 12th February 2017 at Speers Point Park (near Newcastle).

With a quarter of a million healthy dogs and cats put down every year, the organisation will be educating dog and cat owners on how to look after their pets to ensure they don’t end up in the pound and put to sleep. 

“A four-legged friend is a lifetime commitment that can bring you endless joy, and we urge the people of the Hunter to please save the life of one who's already at a pound by giving them a loving home,” said a Hunter Animal Rescue representative.

Hundreds of pet owners and their pooches are expected to turn out for this free family event which will feature competitions including best dressed pet, best trick, fastest eating and the most unique pet as well as a dog kissing booth, demonstrations, market stalls and more!

Heisenburg sitting in an old cannon barrel (2016) - Photo (and above) Credit: Max Mason-Hubers

This is also a time to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable role of foster carers, volunteers and the wonderful animals HAR have re-homed into our community. This annual event is a way to say thank you to the community for their support and promote the message of responsible pet ownership.


There will be competitions and raffles to enter throughout the day. The first 100 persons coming through will also receive a ‘pet showbag’ containing product samples, discount vouchers and information for their pets.


When: Sunday 12th February 2017, from 10am to 3pm * Event postponed due to weather conditions - new date will be advised soon **

Where: Speers Point Park (17km from Newcastle). 

Cost: Free (dogs on leash are welcome)

For details, visit www.hunteranimalrescue.com.au

About Hunter Animal Rescue

Hunter Animal Rescue (HAR) is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers who dedicate their time to finding new homes for abandoned pets facing euthanasia. All animals are kept in foster carer homes where they experience a good quality of life and the carers get a good idea of a dog or cat’s personality and suitability for different homes.

HAR was formed by a small group of self-funded volunteers who were originally foster carers for the PAWS rescue group – fostering animals from various Sydney pounds and transporting them up to Newcastle to look after them until they found their new homes.

It became apparent that there were many animals in our own backyard that needed help especially since there were many rescue groups in Sydney and none up here. So HAR was formed, and now we foster dogs and cats from the Upper / Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Stephens areas.

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Dogs & Dog Lovers

More than one in three pet owners (or 3.4 million Australians) were planning on giving their pet a gift on February 14. The biggest spenders were dog owners who were expected to shell out $23.3m, or an average of $6.82 per dog. [1] Americans were tipped to spend in excess of $700 million on Valentine's Day for their pets last year! [2]

It's hardly surprising with so many wonderful gift ideas now available for our canine friends: from custom accessories to themed treats and pink cuddly toys not to forget bespoke gifts for dog lovers, here's what we love for Valentine's Day!

Every collar at Collar & Ruff is 100% made to order, completely by hand, from a single piece of leather so your collar will be truly special to your dog.

The stunning Heartbreaker design by Collar & Ruff is a dual layer collar (50mm wide) with a 38mm top layer decked out with heart conchos, gemocite stones and matching studs.

Choose two stone colours and select which one you want closest to the centre heart; stones can be placed in either gold or silver settings. Durable hardware is added in either a stainless steel or brass finish. Available in 5 sizes which suit larger dog breeds (neck sizes from 36-60cm)

RRP: from $180 (Black, Brown or Tan) at www.collarandruff.com.au

This beautiful handcrafted Valentine's Day Heart dog collar from Dizzy Dog Collars is made to order in Brisbane. 

This handmade item uses strong but soft nylon webbing plus a stunning woven jacquard ribbon, finished off with a high-strength side release buckle. 

A matching lead is also available. Available in 7 sizes.

RRP: from $18 from the Dizzy Dog Collars Etsy shop

This Australian-designed Joseph Lyddy PetStyle cute dog bowl features a red heart on a purple background.

This non-slip melamine dog bowl contains a stainless steel insert, which makes cleaning in the dishwasher easy. 

Having used one for well over 12 months, we can vouch that it is hard-wearing and the best part has to be its price! Available in Medium or Large.

RRP: $16.50 at selected COLES stores nationally.

The PlushMat! is a luxurious, supportive and stylish range of indoor dog beds made by Rover Pet Products in the Hunter Valley.

You can customise your PlushMat! to suit you own style. Simply select from one of four sizes and ten on-trend colours then finish off with a contrasting piping colour for a touch of class!

This dog bed is water-resistant and easy to wash but is recommended for indoor use only as it can get dirty.

RRP: from $144.95 (free shipping in NSW and VIC) at www.roverpetproducts.com.au

The Rogz Luna Podz Dog Bed in Pink Heart will make your pooch feel like royalty with its stylish silver-embroidered design. 

This super soft designer bed is destined to get your dog into the sleep zone, and comes with a reversible cushion that can be easily machine washed.

Suitable only for toy or small breeds, it is available in small (48cm) or medium (56cm) sizes.

RRP: from $50.95 at www.petology.com.au

Dogs love toys that squeak, but soon lose interest when the "music" stops! If your dog loves to seek and destroy, give him long-lasting fun with this Invincibles Squeaker Pig dog toy! 

The new improved design features double-layered seams and with its Dura Tuff material, this toy will keep on squeaking even after being punctured.

This single-squeaker pig is approximately 12-15cm in height.

RRP: $9.95 from www.luckypet.com.au

Australian designer Peter Alexander loves to spoil his dogs and this inspired him to create the PA Pups collection of dog accessories. 

Your dog will fall in love with this cute new rope dog toy! 

Crafted in a 100% cotton rope, this love heart-shaped toy is the perfect gift for your pet this Valentine's Day.

RRP: $12.95 from www.peteralexander.com.au

No doubt our doggies have been spoilt over Christmas but there's always room in the toy box for one more plush toy!

Elli the Pink Elephant is a super plush dog toy with crinkly ears, a squeaker and shaker inserted for hours of enjoyment and companionship for your dog. Be careful if you have kids, because they may want one too!

Available in Mini (16cm) or Large (24cm).

RRP: from $11.95 at www.gummipets.com

The Dexil luxury range is brought to you by Friendly Dog Collars who also offer a colour-coded range of collars, leashes and harnesses spelling out your dog's temperament to the world.

This Candy Pink Vest Harness is padded for a comfortable fit and waterproof. It is also easy to put on: simply slip the harness over your dog’s head and fasten the girth strap. 

Made from high-quality soft polypropylene fabric for maximum durability so you can throw it in the washing machine. Available in 4 sizes.

RRP: from $24.00 at www.friendlydogcollars.com.au 

Just because dogs should not eat chocolate does not mean they can't have their own box of treats on Valentine's Day!

These home-made dog treats by Aussie Doggie Bag only use human-grade ingredients and the selection changes every month!

In your February Valentine's Day box, you will receive the following:

• 1 bag of “Aussie’s Fish Cakes” meat jerky
• 1 bag of “Strawberry Love Hearts” biscuits
• 1 bag (200g) of "Healthy Dry Mix" to add a nutritious boost and some excitement to your doggie’s everyday food!

RRP: $35 per box  at www.aussiedoggiebag.com.au (includes delivery Australia wide).

Are you looking to spoil the furry love of your life? 
These pretty Valentine noodle boxes from Jojo & Lola's Jerky Chompers come with a love heart ribbon and a handmade heart-shaped gift tag and are available now to make your pet's Valentine’s Day extra special. 

Filled with your choice of dog or cat treats, they can be shipped by Express Post Australia-wide or you can collect them for free at one of the Brisbane markets.

RRP: from $9.00 at
jojoandlolasjerkychompers.com.au

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Doggie Hearts Pack from Laila and Me will melt your canine friend's heart with its selection of Giant Heart Cookies plus six small biccies.

All these treats are made with buckwheat flour, homemade peanut butter, coconut oil, eggs, unsweetened yogurt drops and food colouring.

Also available are pupcakes, barkday cakes and Laila and Me can run custom pet events where they do everything for your pet’s special celebration!

RRP: $20.00 from www.lailaandme.com.au

If like us, you are inspired by your dogs daily, this boxed set of 12 greetings cards features a great set of rules to live by...

These Inspired by Dog greeting cards are full of sage doggie advice such as “Make time to play”, “Keep your eye on the ball” or "Aim high".

Each card measures 18 cm x 13 cm and comes with an envelope.

RRP: $36.80 at www.khatalapetlodge.com.au

These fine silver pendants from Silver Pet Prints are the perfect way to capture the paw prints of the furry members in your family and keep them close to your heart. 

Handcrafted in a variety of shapes, your pet’s paw print will be showcased on your choice of a stylish sterling silver chain with their name stamped on the back. 

If you have more than one pet, you can hang two same sized pendants on one chain, or choose two descending pendants. This is a unique gift for the dog lover in your life!

RRP: from $190 at www.silverpetprints.com

A custom portrait of your pet is a wonderful way to celebrate him/her and decorate your home and it also makes a great and meaningful gift.

For her paintings on canvas or board, artist Michelle Phong works from high-resolution photos that best capture your pet’s personality. She uses acrylic paint on canvas with a finishing layer of protective water proof varnish. You can also select the background colour to suit your home decor.

You can choose from four different sizes and Michelle also offers digital drawings as a more affordable option.

RRP: from $150 for acrylic paintings (allow 3-4 weeks) and $65 for digital drawings at www.michellephong.com

This Valentine’s Day why not give the gift of time? If you know a couple who has recently brought home a puppy or rescue dog and spends all their time looking after the dog, then you know a couple who probably won’t be going out for a romantic dinner! 

Give the gift of love on February 14th and let someone you know take a break from doggie parenting. It won’t cost you a thing, and you get to play with a dog all night, what’s not to love?

1. World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Survey (2013)
2. National Retail Federation (USA) Survey (2015)