The Australian
WORKING
STOCK DOG Magazine
National Kelpie Field Trial & Aus. Yard Championship
Stockman’s Profile Simon Bowden
RRP $10.00 (incl. GST)
JUNE 2024
872003 772205 9
ISSN 2205-8729
27
Issue 27
A DOGS LIFE:
M.G.H Rabbit
Editors Thoughts Sending the June issue of the Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine to print is always a moment of excitement and accomplishment. This particular edition is especially significant as it showcases some of the most remarkable talents and achievements in the working dog community.
Firstly, I would like to congratule Aoidh Doyle and Whisper Snip for their outstanding victories. Aoidh and Whisper Snip have won the 2024 National Kelpie Field Trial and the 2024 Australian Yard Dog Championship, an incredible feat which I believe has never been done before in the same year with the same dog. It feels like just yesterday that we first introduced Aoidh to the AWSDM in our 2022 as a ‘Rising Star’. To witness his growth and success over the years has been truly inspiring, and it serves as a testament to his hard work and passion. In May, I spent time in Queensland on the Queensland Working Sheep Dog Association’s Western Run. This was a wonderful experience, giving me a close-up look at the dedicated working dog scene there. I’m excited to share some stories, challenges, and successes of the handlers and their dogs in the September issue. The camaraderie and expertise I saw will surely captivate and inspire our readers, just as they did me. I am eagerly planning to attend the Australian Utility Championships in Nyngan, NSW, which will run from 31st July to 4th August. This event promises to be a highlight of the year, featuring some of the finest working
dogs and handlers demonstrating their incredible abilities. It’s a fantastic opportunity to witness the teamwork between dogs and handlers in a competitive yet supportive environment. I am looking forward to the Supreme Australian Championships in September at Geelong, VIC. This prestigious event will host the Wayleggo Cup, featuring a three-round competition of Australia vs. New Zealand. This friendly yet intense rivalry is sure to bring out the best in all participants. The Supreme Australian Championships always provide thrilling displays of skill and teamwork, and the inclusion of this international competition adds an exciting dimension to the event. The dedication and talent within the working dog community never cease to amaze me, and the camaraderie and sense of community are truly inspiring. I am proud to be part of a publication that celebrates and supports these incredible achievements.
a r u a L
The Australian
WORKING
STOCK DOG
Magazine
Publisher and Editor: Laura McKillop Email: laura@stockdogs.com.au Phone: Laura – 0459 031 729 Advertising Enquiries: Laura McKillop Advertising, Articles & Stories Email: laura@stockdogs.com.au Mail: PO BOX 3003, Grose Vale, NSW 2753 Front Cover Photograph: Emma Boland Photography
Contributors:
Catherine Atkinson, Ellouise Bailey - The Land, JEM Photography, Angie White, Al Rose, Jamie Sturrock, Wayne Wayte, Catherine Kimmorley, Scott Amon, Alan Leech, Ken Sykes, Boonah Working Stock Dog Club, Laura Tacey, WA Working Sheep Dog Association, ABC Central West, Amy Kerr, Barbara Lee, Dave Viklund.
www.stockdogs.com.au
The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine takes due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine, but is not responsible or liable for any mistake, misprint or typographical error. Articles that appear in The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine or its officers and employees. Nor does publication of said articles constitute an endorsement of views that they may express. Accuracy of all material
is the sole responsibility of the authors. Appearance of an advertisement in The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine or the goods or services offered therein. The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited material of any kind. No Part of Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the Publishers.
Contents
10
42
24
60
36
70
10 Joni Tietjen
41 Trevor Percival
14 World Records Broken at
42 A Dog’s Life - M.G.H Rabbit
Rockhampton Dog Sale
48 The Training Pen
20 Deadly Disease in NT & QLD
52 Colouring Competition
22 Red & Blue
53 Kellys Kennel
24 Stockman Profile - Simon
54 Coming Events
Bowden
56 - 77 Around The Grounds • Boonah Yard Trial 28 Round Yard Checklist, Part IV • Rockhamptn Working Dog 36 The Maremma, Part 3 - Bonding Trial & Auction
•
2024 Australian Yard Dog Championship
•
Where to this time? Tarana Charity Trial Manilla Yard Dog Trial 2024 National Kelpie Field
• •
Trial 80 Business Directory 81 Breeders Directory
AWSDM
5
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Lifeline: 13 11 14 Aussie Helpers: Virtual psychologist - call 1300 665 234, text 0488 807 266 or visit https://aussiehelpers.org.au/aussie-helpers-virtual-psychologistfor-drought-affected-farm-ers/ Donations
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Joni Tietjen Joni Tietjen is a highly respected, leading figure in the Border Collie world in the United States for over thirty years, or what feels like a lifetime in Joni’s words. From an equine and ranching background, she has a vast amount of stockman experience with both sheep and cattle. Originally from North Dakota, USA, Joni has been living and farming in Wyoming for the last eleven years. Surrounded by cattle country and large sheep flocks, Joni is fortunate to have a decent amount and different type of work for her dogs. Considering herself more of a dog trainer rather than a breeder, Joni thoroughly enjoys working with younger dogs and watching them go on and do well for other handlers, as well as trialling. From the minute you first speak to Joni, it is incredibly clear how much these dogs mean to her, and just how much she cares about how well they do. Initially Joni started trialling with her dogs on sheep, and these same dogs worked her cattle on their home ranch. Chatting with Joni about how styles of dogs and finding the dog you want has changed over the last thirty or so years, she describes how in the 90’s it was almost easier to find a more all-round type of Border Collie. Recalling, Joni bought her first dog and went to her first training clinic in 1990. Following on from this, Joni imported a couple
10
AWSDM
of dogs from the UK in the mid 1990s. In the 2000’s Joni visited the UK where she met Bobby Henderson, who took Joni to see many handlers in the UK including Johnny Robinson, Johnny Wilson, John Templeton, and Michael Davidson. During their time in the UK Joni also attended several ISDS nursery trials. Bobby sold Joni a dog called Spot, who was the start and base of Joni’s breeding genetics. Joni recalls how Spot was one of these old fashioned, stronger type dogs that also had a lot of natural feel. Over the last thirty or so years, Joni explains how she has seen changes to the Border Collie breed, in that there are almost breeds within the breed now. There’s a wider variety of types ranging from lighter dogs to dogs bred primarily for a hard bite for cattle. She feels it is getting harder to find that dog in the middle; the one that has a real nice gather and can think but is also courageous. Joni likes a relaxed, calm dog which will walk right into the pressure, and not hold tension. Talking about the similarities and differences in UK ISDS trialling and the USBCHA (United States Border Collie Handler Association), Joni explains that initially the USBCHA trials were based around an ISDS style but over the last few years she feels like they have drifted a little away from this. Whilst the USBCHA have some excellent
judges, Joni admits that she thoroughly enjoys running under foreign judges at trials as they can sometimes judge more strongly and be fussier about those critical things that need to be pointed more harshly, such as too many commands. Joni likes trials being pointed more harshly as she says it really sorts out the best of the best. Mentioning working styles in a dog and what contributes to this, we discuss how it is hard finding a stylish dog which is also relaxed. One of the things Joni enjoys most is to bring out the best in whatever dog she is training. When Joni starts a pup, she wants to see them think and cover. When she’s working them, she wants to see a pup right on the edge of the bubble, but also can confidently and calmly walk past that bubble. If a dog will just take that next step confidently and quietly, that’s sometimes all it takes to move stock. Joni schools with the train of thought that they come to you, and you don’t need to go to them unless they aren’t moving. Listening to how Joni starts her pups, it’s clear they have an exceptional start in life where they are allowed to develop that foundation of confidence that Joni then very skilfully builds upon when she starts them on stock. Joni describes how she takes her pups with her everywhere and will leave them loose until they start to show interest in stock. Laughing, Joni says this can sometimes turn into a bit of a ‘fun mess’ if she’s working another dog when her pup switches on, as the dog working certainly learns a lesson from that..! Occasionally, Joni will then take them and put them in a smaller pen to see what they have. She doesn’t let them chase and make a big mess for very long but starts to shape them a little from the start without the pup realising that she’s doing it. When and how often she trains them, will depend upon how much pressure the pup can take. From 6 to 7 months, if they’re keen enough, Joni details how she’ll take them to stock maybe once or twice a week and teach them to move off her when she wants them to, and then gradually builds upon this. Joni describes how
“If their first movement towards stock is correct then the rest will follow, and they will find where you want them to be”