Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine - Issue 14, December 2020

The Australian

WORKING

STOCK DOG Magazine

CATTLE TRIALLING

CA PART 2: Which dogs should be tested?

Alternative Therapies for Working Dogs

THE WAY WE WERE: Steve Weyman

Beginner’s Guide:

December 2020

RRP $10.00 (incl. GST)

Issue 14

A DOG’SLIFE:

SWAN SPUD

From the Editor As always, we rely on your support with subscriptions, Here in New South Wales it has been a remarkable season,

newsagent purchases and advertising to keep the magazine

with green as far as the eye can see. Certainly, a fantastic

in print.

change after several years of drought – The biggest issue currently is purchasing enough stock to stay on top of

We are looking forward to some improvements in 2021,

pasture!

including recurring subscriptions and a new website to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

The Corona Virus pandemic has continued with a second wave wreaking havoc in Victoria; however, we appear to

From everyone at the Australian Working Stock Dog

be over the worst of it with restrictions easing. Hopefully

Magazine we wish you an incredibly Happy Christmas and

in 2021 we will be able to resume trialling without too

New Year, with hopefully far fewer obstacles than we saw

many issues, with several bigger trials starting the planning

in 2020!

process including the Australian Yard Championships to be held in Armidale in April and the National Three Sheep Trial to be held in March in Hall, ACT.

The magazine is going well with some fantastic contributors coming on board to supply articles – Massive thank you to everyone who gets involved! www.facebook.com/WorkingStockDogMagazine

All material in this magazine is protected by copyright laws and may not be reproduced in part or full without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher and contributors does / do not accept liability for any opinions or techniques described within The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine.

Printed in Australia by Bluestar Pty Ltd.

Publisher and Editor: Lauren Vest Email: lauren@stockdogs.com.au Phone: 0431299186 Mail: 5246 Southwell Road, Wallaroo NSW 2618

Design Director: Kasie LoSurdo Chief Designer: Annette Ross Copy Editor: Luci Canning Advertising Designer: Kerri Hill Contributors: Jamie and Mani Sturrock, Patsy Trevor, Mark Pelley, Megan Rutherford, Ken Sykes, Angie Snell, Deb Maxwell, Sally Purbrick-Illek, Dr. Lauryn Stewart, Joanne Flavel, Nan Lloyd, Shadows Farm Photography, H Harold Photos, Joel Davis, Ryan Johnston, Wagga Yard Dog Club, Lauren Vest.

Front Cover Credit: Mani Sturrock Advertising, Articles & Stories Email: lauren@stockdogs.com.au

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2020

On the Cover

8.

A Dog’s Life: Swan Spud

26.

The Way We Were: Steve Weyman

46.

CA Part Two: When to Test

50.

A Beginner’s Guide: Cattle Trialling

54.

Alternative Therapies

30

Photo Essay

26

The Way We Were

50

Beginner’s Cattle Trialling

46

CA Kelpie Ataxias Testing

54 Alternative Therapies

8.

Swan Spud 8

A Dogs Life: Swan Spud

12

Rising Star: Will Cox

16

Stockman Profile: Adam Wrobel

22

Canine Snake Avoidance

26

The Way We Were: Steve Weyman

30

Photo Essay: Megan Rutherford

38

The Training Pen: Ken Sykes

42

Tribute To Floss

46

CA Part Two: When to Test

50

Beginners Guide To Cattle Trialling

54

Alternative Therapies

58

Vet Check: Working Your Dog in the Heat

62

SA State Championship

66

WA State Yard and Utility Trial

68

Wallumbilla 2020: QLD Championships

72

Wagga Working Dog Auction

73

Geurie Golden Collar Auction

75

WA State Arena Championship

78

Breeders Directory

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A DOG’S LIFE

Story Lauren Vest, Photos Danny Ruben & Peri Chappell

Swan Spud

Article and photos Jamie and Mani Sturrock

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here are 22 dog kennels at our home, Putta Putta, Dulacca. They have grown in number over the years, and they are not always full. For the last 13 years, the same kennel on the left-hand side, at the end has been occupied by Swan Spud. Top dog, foundation sire and undisputed heavyweight champion of the Craiglea Kennels.

Many talented dogs have come and gone over the years, some of which are still here and close to retirement. But none will be worthy of that ‘Top’ kennel in Spud’s lifetime.

I am currently 36 years old. Which means I have had Spud for just over a third of my life, three quarters of my working career, longer than any job I’ve held, home I’ve lived in, and longer than my wife and two sons. Many will not understand the significance of this, after all he is ‘just a dog’. Spud has been by my side, at work and play, for a significant part of my life and I doubt I will ever forget the impact he has made on me as a stockman, trainer, competitor, breeder and in more recent years as a teacher.

Spud was born in 2007, bred by the late Jack and Elaine Swan, of Swan Droughtmaster fame. Jack and Elaine bred plenty of good working dogs, and Elaine was a competitive cattle dog

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Article and Photos by Jamie and Mani Sturrock

trialler. I picked Spud up when he was nine weeks old. I had a bit of luck go my way, as Elaine was trying to pick the best of the litter for herself and had narrowed it down to two.

Worst case, I was going to get one of the better pups in the litter. Elaine demonstrated my pup on some sheep, and both parents on a small mob of cattle. I had no idea working dogs of this calibre existed! I will be forever in debt to my mate, Isaac Hotz for organizing for me to acquire Spud.

Spud wasn’t my first dog, but he might as well have been.

I often get asked why I only own Border Collies, and my answer is simple. Spud was special from day one, I decided way back then that if this is what Border Collies are like, from now on I’m a Border Collie man!

Looking back, knowing what I know now, I spent the first few years of Spud’s life doing everything I could to ruin him!

I had no idea what I was doing, so I took him straight to work. He was a very keen, early starting pup. The more he handled, the more I threw at him. I vividly recall roaring up the wing of a decent sized mob of steers, with a five month old Spud trying to get to the lead, yelling at him to ‘get hold of him, get hold of him!’ I fully expected him to block them

A DOG’S LIFE Swan Spud

Being a smaller feedlot, we did a lot pen riding on our own, particularly on the weekend shifts. If I needed a beast from a pen, I would open the gate, and have Spud block that gate. I would select the beast on foot or horse, and call Spud from the gate when appropriate. If we ended up with a couple of extras, Spud would run around and block the laneway, and we would sort the cattle in the lane until we had only the required animal left. It was unbelievable how good he was at understanding which animal I wanted and which I didn’t. I really regret not getting video footage of Spud doing this in his prime.

Spud was doing this kind of work from a very young age and doing it well. He was a very natural worker, had pretty decent formal command, but most importantly we had a bond! He always seemed to understand what I was asking him to do, no matter how challenging. I believe this was the secret to our almost instant success in the trial ring.

on his own at that age, and he gave it a red-hot go. Fortunately, not long after that, I attended a Greg Prince school with Spud, followed by another one twelve months later. This was a big turning point for us.

One of my biggest challenges early in my ‘career’ with dogs, was that I never had anyone close by to help me with my training or show me how to use dogs properly in my work. Because of this, I would spend a large percentage of my fortnightly wages on DVD’s and books on dog training, mainly from overseas.

I had a new one turning up in the mail every fortnight. Every time I discovered a new technique, poor Spud was the guinea pig. Often, I’d be training him a certain way for a while, then a new DVD would turn up, and that afternoon we were doing something new and totally contradictory to what we had been doing! It was a miracle he turned out any good at all!

I never realised at the time, how spoiled I was to have the amount and type of work I had for Spud in his early years.

This played a large part in how good he became. I worked in a 3,000 head feedlot, which ran a backgrounding operation on 11,500 acres. We also ran up to 1,000 Boer Cross Goats and 500 Dorper Ewes. This gave us access to a wide variety of stock work and plenty of it! We would work in the feedlot, pen riding, acclimating cattle and moving pens. In the paddock, mustering cattle, goats and sheep. We were turning over up to 15,000 cattle each year, and Spud saw every one of them. He was equally as talented on cattle, sheep and goats. He could back a sheep race and was fearless on cows and calves.

One of Spud’s specialties was cutting out cattle in the feedlot.

I was starting to think I had a good dog and wanted to find out if anyone else thought so too. The obvious choice was to give cattle dog trialling a go. Again, I am grateful to Isaac for encouraging me to start trialling. Spud and I debuted together at Killarney in 2010, our first trial. I travelled there with Mani and we knew nobody! The Open competition was first. I was very nervous, but we got out there and belted our cattle around for a full course. One of the first full courses of the morning amongst many retirements. I thought I was very clever until I received my score which was in the low eighties.

I had a lot to learn about the rules and subtleties of trialling. I found out that there was a bit more to it than just completing the course! We made the Novice final that day, but no placings.

Nonetheless, I was hooked!

Our second trial was at Widgee not long after. We won the Novice. I was very proud and couldn’t believe how well we had gone at only our second outing! Spud’s third trial was at the Roma show. We won the Open! Three events after debuting together, my one and only dog was an Open dog. We were having so much fun, I went to as many trials as I could get to in the months following. Despite being a two-year-old dog, with a beginner handler, competing in only the Open competition, Spud hardly ever came home without a place. I had no idea it was happening at the time, but this consistency was proving very valuable in the Dog of the Year points, and to my amazement this resulted in Spud winning the 2011 Australian Working Cattle Dog of the Year. To do this in our very first year of cattle dog trialling is one of the proudest achievements of my life. But more importantly, it is testament to Spud’s natural ability much more than mine as a handler.

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A DOG’S LIFE

Story Lauren Vest, Photos Danny Ruben & Peri Chappell

Swan Spud

Despite our success, travelling a lot of kilometres with only one Open dog was wearing thin. It was a lot of pressure to drive often 500km or more, with one dog, to compete in the first round of the Open on Saturday morning. If that score wasn’t in the mid to high 90’s and likely to make the final on Sunday afternoon, you might as well turn around and go home. You only had to draw one touchy beast and it was all for nothing. For this reason, I went away from cattle dog trialling for a couple of years, to get some more dogs trained and return to trialling again once I had a team of dogs to run, which would make the travel more worthwhile.

Whether it was imagined or not, I couldn’t help but feel that people thought I snuck under the radar and got lucky in the 2011 Dog of the Year. So in the 2014/15 season, with a well prepared team of young dogs, I set out with a goal to win the Australian Dog of the Year again, to prove to myself and my peers that 2011 was not a fluke. We led the Dog of the Year points from the first weekend to the last that season, resulting in Spud winning the 2015 Australian Working Cattle Dog of the Year. Another highlight of my life.

Spud won or placed in over 40 Open cattle dog trials, and a handful of sheep dog trials. What made him so successful was his ability to read any type of stock and squeeze the maximum score out of whatever cattle he drew. If we drew tough cattle, more often than not he would get them around for a full course and a respectable score, resulting in a place. If we drew excellent cattle, we could capitalise and get them around for a big score, and a win or place. He didn’t win as many trials as some other well-known dogs, and I have a painful number of red ribbons at home to prove this. He was still in the placings almost every week, and this consistency was rewarded in his ‘Dog of the Year’ results.

Spud ran two perfect 100 scores. Once at Roma QLD in 2011, and once at Tatham NSW in 2015. I have heard of others in years gone by, but these are the only two 100’s I know of in my 10 years of cattle dog trialling. I am very proud of these runs, as they both resulted in Open wins. But the trial runs I am most proud of, are some of his lower scores where we put tough cattle around for a full course when most would have retired. I won’t forget in a hurry a run in the Open final at The Caves in 2015, where Spud battled with one beast in particular for the full six minutes. We shut the gate with seconds to spare to a standing ovation from the crowd. We didn’t win that day, but we picked up a place, a few more valuable Dog of the Year points, and plenty of respect from our peers.

Another highlight was at the NSW Championships at Pinkett in 2016. I made the third-round final with Spud, as well as his

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daughter Craiglea Twist (who had a big belly full of pups) and his grandson Craiglea Tex. Spud was Reserve Champion that day, only beaten by his two-year-old grandson, Tex. Not to be outdone, Spud won the NSW Championship the very next year at Red Range. As a very loud and proud Queenslander, winning back to back NSW Championships is something I enjoyed immensely!

I am the first to admit, that while Spud has been a decent sire, he has not been the most potent sire. He as bred some good ones, some okay ones, and some pretty ordinary ones. I have sifted through his progeny for many years, and I have some very good dogs that go back to him that I am breeding on with. Very few people saw half of what Spud was capable of.

Most of his career highlights in my opinion, were out in the bush just doing our thing. After a decade of working side by side, I have seen him at his best and his worst. He never gave less than 100% effort. It is this trait that is hard to replicate, but well worth the patience and persistence.

Spud has temperament, type, stamina, heart, and a sprinkling of that ‘secret sauce’ that only the very best dogs have. He belongs to the rare breed of proper, genuine work dogs that are also very competitive trial dogs. These dogs are few and far between, and this versatility is the goal I will always strive for, as a working dog breeder. If I can capture even a trickle of Spud’s greatness through his descendants, I will be doing well. Almost every dog I own, apart from a few purchased outcrosses, carries one or two crosses of Spud in their pedigree.

This line of dogs is getting better and better.

I have never been one to talk up my dogs. I have always been happy to let the dogs do the talking. This is one of the reasons I love trialling so much. Spud is one dog I am happy to make an exception for, because he has the runs on the board to back it up. It is an honour to be asked to write an article about my old mate, and I am only too happy to share a small insight into a dog that has bought my family and I such happiness.

RISING STAR

WILL COX Article and Photos by Lauren Vest

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our best chance of getting a talented pup is to find one with generations of proven workers behind it. If this also holds true in people, then 4th generation dog trialler Will Cox is a name to watch out for. All the way back to his great grandfather on his mothers’ side, the family is full of talented dog handlers and triallers. Nowadays his mother Jenny Rosten, and father Robert Cox are regular faces in finals throughout NSW. Having just turned 18, Will is currently finishing year 12 while living with his mother at Eugowra in NSW. Coming from a well established dog family it is no surprise that he started young, first stepping into the trial ring at 4 years old. The first dog he owned himself was a Kelpie cross called Bolt, the result of an accidental mating, but the first dog he trialled was Bonnie who was from his father’s breeding (Wheelers Kate X Fivemile Jock). Growing up he trialled all through the central west at places like Eumungerie, Coonabarabran and West Wyalong.

Bonnie has since passed away, but she was only the start of Will’s trialling career.

Will mainly competes in yard dog trials as well as a few utility trials. Coming up through the junior and juvenile ranks he was already collecting quite an impressive array of ribbons and trophies, and it seems set to continue, with his recent open win at the Tooraweenah yard trial.

Will has now registered his own prefix (Cox’s) and is starting to breed a few of his own dogs. His main dog is Heritagepark Pod (Karrobar Sargeant X Karrobar Kelly), a black and tan bitch that he has had a lot of success with. She is very handy

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in the yards but also has nice eye in the paddock. A pup out of Pod is also in Will’s team – Cox’s Maverick (Heartland Spur X Heritagepark Pod). Rounding out his current team is Heartland Casey (Heartland Luke X Heartland Jet). Casey is hopefully going to fill Pod’s boots as she gets closer to retiring.

When working he does a lot of yard work, so needs a dog who’s capable in the yards with bark and top knot – however he really likes a dog who shows style and ability in the paddock.

Moving big mobs of sheep in the paddock is where it all starts and if you do not have that ability you don’t have much of a dog. The main reason he started utility trialling was to help improve his paddock work.

One of the main advantages of coming from a family of experienced dog handlers is always having someone around to give you advice or support. There has always been a dog for him to work, help if needed, or just someone who understands the ups and downs of the sport and lifestyle. The flipside is that everyone knows you and your family, and it is easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself to live up to people’s expectations!

However he has always found dog trialling to be a sport with a great community of people who will always congratulate you on your efforts, which combined with his supportive family mean he is always raring to come back and do better next time even if a run doesn’t go as planned. He is proud to carry on the family legacy and is happy that he has been able to maintain his passion for the sport throughout the pressure of school and life in general. He spent a bit of time away from it while playing footy, and while he enjoyed the break, he was glad to get back into it. It can be healthy to have breaks every now and again to remind you what you love about it.

After he finishes school this year he plans to go and work on a property. He definitely wants to keep working and improving his dogs and continue dog trialling. He enjoys being on farm doing practical work – He’s not interested in going to university but might look into the Agriculture Certificates through TAFE. Will’s biggest piece of advice to anyone looking to start or improve their handling and trialling is to utilise the people around you. Be like a sponge and soak up as much as you can – a lot of this game is gained through experience and by listening to people with more than you have, you can really gain a lot of

knowledge. Every dog is not the same and you have to find the dogs that work well for you, not anyone else. You will know when you find the right dog – you will absolutely love it. There is no point having a dog you don’t get along with.

With such a supportive and knowledgeable family backing him, his passion and dedication to breeding and training his dogs and his open-minded approach to learning, Will is definitely a handler to watch out for. Passionate and innovative young people are the future of both the agricultural industry and the working dog industry, and that future looks to be in good hands.

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STOCKMAN PROFILE Adam Wrobel

Article and Photos by Patsy Trevor

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ocated on a picturesque property, on the outskirts of the small country town of Dalswinton in NSW, live Adam and Lisa Wrobel. The 120 acre property known as Kingston, lies on the Hunter River amidst old Dairy farms, cropping and hay growers. With the house, yards and stables complex set right back off the road, it was a lovely peaceful setting for me to spend the day with the young couple, talking all things dogs and horses.

I had been looking forward to meeting both Adam and Lisa, as my only prior contact was via some online video of his dogs working both cattle and sheep. His dogs impressed me, being exactly the type I would like to own myself.

From Kingston, Adam and Lisa run their successful horse training facility, known as Wrobel’s Horses & Dogs with horses and polocrosse in particular featuring heavily in Adam’s early years. In talking to Adam, it soon became apparent that he definitely has a passion for both horses and dogs. The word passion in referring to dogs came up more than once.

Adam grew up in the Nambucca Valley area on an 80 acre

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property, running predominantly stock horses with a small herd of Murray Greys. Whilst growing up on the family property, Adam didn’t really have any working dogs himself due to still being in school, however the family did have a beautiful red and tan kelpie named Lily. Lily was purchased from the same breeder as their neighbours Jeff and Lorna Richard’s much admired kelpies.

Lily would follow and play with the kids wherever they went swimming, exploring or horse riding, she doubled as the family pet but also taught herself to go round-up the Murray Greys when the cattle truck would arrive. Lily did all this with little to no training, which Adam thought was very clever.

Adam relates that the earliest thing he can remember that sparked his interest in working dogs, were his neighbour’s Dairy dogs. They were not necessarily broken in but had learnt their job over time and would go out by themselves and bring the cows in twice a day for milking, which he thought was very cool.

The stock horses on the family property in the Nambucca Valley, were used by Adam and his brother Alex to play high level polocrosse. Adam spent most of his teenage years playing polocrosse and when he was 15, he was lucky enough to represent NSW on a polocrosse tour of New Zealand. On tour, Adam stayed with the Mouat family on their family farm at Aria in King Country on the North Island, where he was able to see Huntaways and Heading Dogs working, which also helped fuel his interest and love of working dogs.

From the ages of 11 – 15 a family friend named Scott Welsh, who also played polocrosse, acted as his big brother and mentor. Scott owned collies at the time, his cattle were so quiet and dog broke due to the quiet but strong ability of his working dogs, Adam remembers being very impressed. He learnt many valuable lessons from Scott Welsh over those formative years - how to train and work dogs, with one of the most important being that when working cattle with dogs you leave the cattle – they don’t leave you. Meaning that the stockman and his dogs should always be in control of the situation. It was Scott’s working collies that got him really hooked on working dogs.

As he was so passionate about horses and dogs, Adam spent nearly every school holiday whilst his family went to the beach, down in the Hunter Valley at Alison and Darcy Richards property. Alison and Darcy being related to his neighbours in the Nambucca, Jeff and Lorna Richards. Here he learned to cowboy - mustering, drenching, tagging cattle, all the daily tasks which crop up. He worked alongside the Richards and their team of mainly working kelpies and some koolies. At this time Adam still couldn’t have his own working dogs, but he definitely developed the bug and wanted to get one as soon as the opportunity arose in the future.

At the tender age of 16, Adam left school and started a boiler making apprenticeship, working 6 days per week which left him very little time for anything else. He spent the next two years riding horses of an evening and working hard. It was also during this time that he met Lisa whilst playing polocrosse.

Together they eventually moved down to her parent’s small horse property at Singleton in the Hunter Valley and it was also during this time that Adam finished off his boiler making apprenticeship.

Adam and Lisa being firm believers in the old adage that if you want something bad enough, you will make it happen.

They both worked hard to purchase their first property at Glendonbrook near Singleton NSW. The property comprised 17 acres and was purchased when Adam was 21 and Lisa 20 years old. Adam now a tradesman decided to go out on his own and started up his own boiler-making business with his brother-in-law and father-in-law David Badior.

Both Adam and Lisa wanted more land, so after years of hard work they purchased Kingston and it was now that Adam could finally give in to his passion for working dogs. His first purchase was a 12 month old black and tan kelpie pup from his one of his best mates, Robbie Parish’s Mum. Robbie’s Mum, Kim Parish, runs the well know Peppercorn Kelpie Stud

and was talked into selling one of her good pups to Adam.

Although Adam had been around collies as much as kelpies, he felt he was more attracted to kelpies.

So, Peppercorn Tick (Capree Blue III x Glenbaba Lara) a good looking male kelpie pup made Kingston his new home in mid 2012. Adam decided on Tick, as he had researched the bloodlines of dogs he really liked and with Glenfaba Lara being a litter sister to Glenfaba Kenny, Adam felt he would mature out to be the type of dog he was after. Adam remembers being impressed by Tick’s good looks and also his big square head.

He saw early on with Peppercorn Tick that he will look at what the handler wants done and try and work with Adam to get the job done.

While living at Glendonbrook, Adam was still running the boiler-making business, however he started a long term plan to take in client horses. He began a breaking in and training business from home, which he did after work and on weekends as a sideline. He would have 3 – 4 horses in at a time for breaking and training of a night. He took in camp drafters, stock horses, quarter horses, thoroughbreds, as well as Dressage horses for training. He currently has an Andalusian stallion in his stables for training.

After 5 years of running the part time breaking in and training business, heavily influenced by his love of horses and dogs, also having his long-term goal to start his own breaking in and training business from home, Adam decided to give up his boiler making, to go full time into breaking in and training horses and dogs. So, Wrobel’s Horses and Dogs began in earnest. Adam admits it was quite a big move going from a paid full-time job, to instead fulfilling his passion – however he had built up a good clientele and the new business venture, went from strength to strength.

Adam also undertakes contract stockwork for some of his neighbours and others. Which normally means he is called in when the property owner/manager are having issues of some sort that they need help dealing with, so Adam needs good dogs.

At about this time, he became friends with Lance Anderson and spent one day a week with him training dogs and going to a few local cattle trials, approximately 2 – 3 per year. Adam was well and truly into training horses, so dogs were just a natural progression for him. He credits Lance Anderson with giving him a method and a process to training dogs.

Due to his interest in training dogs, Adam also spoke to many people with working dogs around the cattle trial scene and also watched the dogs he likes at cattle trials, which are more of a social event to him. He then came up with his own method of training that suited him based on the teachings of Lance Anderson and others.

Another mate and mentor is Dan Matthews from Walcha, whom he met whist trialling. He credits Dan with teaching him, to let his dogs work more naturally and to really

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understand how to cast dogs out a long way. He is not a fan of over training the cast, instead letting young dogs enjoy their work and just training with a release command and letting the dog go to stock.

Adam relates that he has to be careful blind casting Peppercorn Tick, as he will just keep going and on occasion has crossed through different properties, across a road, a couple of kilometres away, and has been found bringing in the neighbour’s cattle. Adam has developed the cast in his own dogs over time by not concentrating so much on sides but more just sending them out to find stock and also developing a “look” command to get them to look for stock. I witnessed him using this command, on his young dog 7 month old Wrobel’s Straw when he cut out a number of beasts with Straw and then gave the ‘look’ command to get Straw to go back and bring the balance of the mob up.

Adam is not really a big fan of dog schools, although he has attended one run locally at Ben Crowes property with the trainer being Chris Stapleton and more recently one run by Jake Nowlan. He prefers to watch other people trialling dogs and learn that way. He does like the MacCallum style of dog trials which he believes promotes practical dogs that can get a job done – not the most accurately trained dog.

McCallum trials have different rules to your average trial, where you start with 100 points and lose points for handler or dog mistakes. In a McCallum trial the dog earns points for obstacles completed, which is a more positive experience Adam feels for both handler and dog. At a McCallum trial, the course might be made up on the day and may feature a blind cast, on 5 or more head of cattle with the dog gaining 10 points per head of stock successfully navigated through each obstacle, it is also able to be judged by anyone. Points are gained from good work, with the emphasis not necessarily being on technicalities.

Adam’s second kelpie purchased, was a yellow male 8 week old pup, also bought locally from Kim Parish’s Peppercorn Stud – Peppercorn Straw (Capree Blue III x Peppercorn Pinkie). In picking Straw out of the litter, he was looking for a pup with a stud dog head, good temperament and not waspy in any way.

Adam says he doesn’t mind a little bit of timidity in a pup as it will normally grow out of this. He trained Peppercorn Straw up from scratch and first trialled him at 11 months old at a cattle trial at Muswellbrook where he made the finals.

At 14 months, Adam took Peppercorn Straw to the Open Futurity Cattle Trial at Scone, which is a 2 day event running an open cattle trial on the first day, combined with the open final round and a working dog auction on the second day.

Peppercorn Straw handled by Adam made the open trial finals at 14 months, as did Adam’s mate Lance Anderson with a full littermate to Straw – Peppercorn Heidi.

On the night before the finals of the Open Futurity Cattle trial Adam and Lance were enjoying some post trial drinks whilst having a big night celebrating and commenting how easy this

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trialling business was. The next morning feeling pretty dusty they both spent some time practicing their whistles, thinking if they could get their whistles in order the trial should be in the bag. Things didn’t quite work out that way though. Their plans coming undone with Adam running right out of time on the course and running to the put away which is against the rules. Lance Anderson faired no better and got his left and right whistles mixed up, which totally confused his dog and put them both out. All was not lost though, as Peppercorn Straw was sold at the working dog auction afterwards for $5250, a good sum of money for a young dog.

After the sale of Peppercorn Straw, Adam purchased the black and tan bitch pup, Glenfaba Catie (Orjagarden(NY) Chance x Glenfaba Flint) off Ben Crowe. Glenfaba Catie was Adam’s first bitch and the foundation of his Wrobel’s Kelpie Stud along with Peppercorn Tick. She was bred on the successful Orjagarden(NY) Chance/Capree Blue III lines. Catie was not trialled however she was used for stockwork and Adam bred a few really good litters from her. She had lovely natural work coming from the Chance side and strength which came from the Glenfaba side. A very nice combination of bloodlines for cattle work according to Adam and many others.

Glenfaba Catie was bred to Peppercorn Tick for 2 outstanding litters as well as to Glenfaba Kenny with the same result. Five going pups out of Catie were sold at the Futurity Working Dog Auction with the average sale price per dog being $7720. Most of these dogs running in either the Open Trial or the Sale Dog demonstrations, which Adam believes gives the purchasers a chance to see what the dogs can do on stock as they are putting it all out there.

Adam kept 2 dogs and a bitch from the 2017 mating between Peppercorn Tick and Glenfaba Catie -Wrobel’s Flea, a black and tan male was sold at the working dog auction for $6600 at 14 months of age in 2018. Wrobel’s Tye another black and tan male from the sale litter wasn’t sold until 2019 as Adam needed him in his team and he was a bit slower to mature.

Wrobel’s Tye made the second highest price at the 2019 Working Dog Futurity selling for $6000 after placing second in a previous Open Trial. Wrobel’s Wes another good dog from the Peppercorn Tick x Glenfaba Catie mating was sold at auction in 2018 making $9000 however was lost to snake bite a few months later.

The black and tan bitch Wrobel’s Lane (Glenfaba Kenny x Glenfaba Catie) running in Adam’s current team and known as the ‘Chosen Child’ by Lisa is a lovely example of the cross.

Adam says she was outstanding from Day 1 being strong, calm and a natural worker. She has been trialled successfully by Adam and has won the Open Cattle Trial at Stroud and came second in the Open at Murrurundi. A sister to Wrobel’s Lane was sold via the Working Dog Futurity for $10,000 making Lane a very valuable brood and working bitch. Adam feels Lane is the closest he has owned to his ideal of a working dog.

Wrobel’s Lane is also successfully breeding on. Lane is the dam of Wrobel’s Soldier, a black male part bred kelpie, and also a key part of Adam’s current team. Soldier is sired by

Murray Wilkinson’s collie dog Zac. He was purpose bred by Adam to increase the size of his dogs as well as improve their trainability. Adam feels collies have the ability to bite, hold and then back off as opposed to a kelpie that will bite and hold, but lacks the back off and tend to keep pressure on stock. Wrobel’s Soldier has the bite and force Adam wants but will also just hold stock if necessary.

Wrobel’s Soldier won the King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge Cattle Trial in 2020. Lane Pendergast owns a littermate to Soldier who is also a very good cattle dog.

Adam has recently bought back a litter sister to Wrobel’s Soldier – Wrobel’s Poppy who was owned by his mate Robbie Parish. She is a cream bitch and had a litter of pups on the ground to Capree Blue III when I visited. Wrobel’s Poppy was to be sold overseas to Jaton Lord of Idaho USA, however Covid has put a stop to that for now, so Adam will be keeping this litter and plans to put Poppy in pup at a later stage to fulfill the USA order.

Wrobel’s Anzac a yellow male and another really good dog and littermate of Soldiers is owned by David Badior, Adams Father-in-Law. Adam feels that these dogs have plenty of strength, attitude and the ability to have a crack at anything, with the best still to come as they mature. Wrobel’s Soldier himself is breeding on, but with his oldest pups being 14 months its still early days.

Wrobel’s Ash, a black and tan dog pup (Wrobel’s Soldier x Wrobel’s Lane) at 14 months is working rank cows and calves and Adam believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

Interestingly Adam rates Soldier’s black pups as being better workers than his cream pups. Something to look out for in the future.

In regard to the training of pups, Adam starts right from early puppy-hood at approximately 8 weeks of age. He is a firm believer in teaching the basics early, so by the time the pup is old enough to do a day’s work, the training is all there.

Adam teaches stop when letting little pups out of the pup pen and making them wait at the gate, before being released on a command. He believes in tying their mind to a spot and will

sit them on crate or drum to focus them before releasing them.

He believes this sets them up for life as they don’t need to be tied physically later on, they can just be tied to a spot, as well as having a mental stop. This also flows through to mustering as he can tie a dog mentally to a spot, whilst working another.

A high level of obedience is Adam’s end goal. He also believes in being close physically in the early days, so he can enforce a command. He likes to ask once and believes working pup training is 75% obedience and 25% stockwork.

To introduce a young dog to cows and calves at around 12 months of age, Adam starts by working with the young dog in a driving fashion, taking some of the weight for the young dog and letting them get a feel for it. Once the young dog is confident and has been exposed to what cows and calves can be like, he will start to send the them to block and take full control when necessary.

Younger pups will be worked on a training mob, about once per week. Older pups will get a run once a day, behind a horse to keep up their fitness. Every day for about half an hour, Adam will work with all his dogs and just spend time with them, he does this 7 days a week, if he’s not away competing.

Adam has a small mob of poddy calves that he brings in twice a day morning and night for a feed of milk, which he believes is an ideal opportunity to train a pup and give it a little job every day. At about 18 months, Adam considers his dogs fully trained, able to cope with just about anything and actually understand their job. They have been taught inside and outside flanks as well as square flanks. At 3 years old they are fully mature.

Having seen Adam’s dogs firsthand, I can definitely attest to the fact they are well trained, as well as also being calm and natural workers. Finally I would just like to say a big thank you to both Adam and Lisa for letting me spend the day at Kingston with them and their dogs, I was just sorry not to be able to meet their little son Jayden, who sounds like he is going to make an awesome stockman one day, as he already considers the 8 year old Peppercorn Tick as his dog and, Adam needs to ask permission to use him!

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Canine Snake Avoidance Snake Aversion Training For Working Dogs

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very owner of a Border Collie, Kelpie, Heeler, Cattle Dog or other working farm dog, knows what I’m talking about when I mention “that look”, when their dog is working. Eyes fixed and focused, head down. Ready to move at a moment’s notice. There is nothing else in the world, that is more important except your whistle or call to send your dog in a certain direction.

Right now, your dog has “that look” of being at work again.

Except this time, your dog is not watching a sheep, or a goat, or a cow or other farm stock. Instead, your dog is staring directly at one of Australia’s extremely venomous snakes, who is looking right back in a striking pose, ready and waiting. The intense stand off continues, each attempt from the snake to move away, is immediately met with the dog covering in the same direction, to stop the snake from getting away.

Then, in a huge forward movement that happens so fast you’re not sure it actually occurred, your dog yelps. Your dog was just bitten on the nose. She responds by lunging forward and grabs the snake between the teeth. Helplessly, you try in vain to call your dog away and run towards the situation. In doing so, you witness your dog being bitten several more times as it shakes the snake to death.

Luckily you were there. Immediately, you race your dog to the vet as quickly as you can. Within minutes, your dog begins to vomit all over the back seat of the car. Next comes the diarrhea after about 15 minutes. Their eyes are all black, the pupils are completely wide and unable to dilate.

The closest vet is in town about 40 minutes away, calling ahead, you explain the situation and the vet says they’ll wait for you. It is now about 45 minutes since the first bite. Your dog has urinated on itself uncontrollably in the back seat and you notice blood in the urine. Soon, your dog is shaking, with restricted movement almost paralyzed. Then something sickening happens. Your best friend starts convulsing.

At the vets, oxygen is administered as well as anti-venoms and a drip. Despite all the anti-venom treatments, after an hour she is still very weak. Your dog is unable to look up at you properly and you can feel she is struggling for life.

Eventually, after several days, your dog is able to return home with you. She is a shadow of her former self, requiring rest at home for months now. She is unable to properly move from

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Canine Snake Avoidance

By Mark Pelley - The Snake Hunter Follow up from original article published Dec 2018/Dec 2019

the bed to go to toilet, so you have to help her. She has barely any appetite, but with persistence you gradually help your dog recover.

Over the coming months, your dog begins to recover more and more, but never again will she be her former self. Her life expectancy has now dropped significantly, her quality of life is ruined and she’s just not the same. The vet bill, for the amazing work they did to keep your dog alive is about $7,000. Antivenom is not cheap.

This is a positive story and outcome after a snake bite, because the owner was there and saw the bite. If the owners are not present, they often come home to a dead dog lying next to what they think is a dead snake. Often, snakes when dying can look dead, even if they’re mangled, they often can still have one more bite left in them – so be careful.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP SNAKE BITES IN DOGS? You can’t be around your dog 24/7 to prevent snake bites.

You can’t protect your property from snakes, no matter what some company is trying to sell you online. There are no snake ‘repellents’ that actually work. If there was, I would sell them and be a millionaire and not risk my life daily to catch venomous snakes. Snake ‘proof ’ fencing doesn’t work either.

If you install it, the small snakes will crawl straight through it and the big snakes will crawl straight over it. I’ve seen this so many times.

Humans are often smart enough to stay away from snakes.

Dogs unfortunately, are way too attracted to a snake. Their smell and appearance is so different. To a dog, a snake is like a large chew toy – something to play with, kill or attack. Even if your dog does not have these prey drive instincts, their curiosity is triggered and they will smell the snake, which would result in a bite on the face. The best way to stop snakes biting your dogs, is through Canine Snake Avoidance training.

WHAT IS CANINE SNAKE AVOIDANCE AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Canine Snake Avoidance, as the name suggests, teaches dogs to avoid snakes. This was initially developed by Seth Pywell, dog behaviourist in Perth, W.A. The focus of the training is that it teaches dogs to avoid snakes on visual or olfactory (smell) identification. In other words, if your dog sees a snake or smells it, it is trained to move away.

The principles of training, involve both operant and classical conditioning. If you remember back in school: “Pavlov’s dog”.

Every time Pavlov’s dog was fed, a bell would ring. This process was repeated. Eventually, whenever the bell would ring, the dog would involuntarily salivate in anticipation of food. The dog was conditioned to develop a positive association between the bell and food.

In Canine Snake Avoidance the same principles of ‘conditioning’ apply, however this time it is the reverse effect involving the use of electronic collars, teaching the dog to develop a negative association with snakes. This training can last a lifetime and protect your dog from snake bites. There is much more to the training than just a dog, a snake and an electronic collar, but this is just a summary.

The training involves using real snakes. I use venomous and non-venomous snakes of all different shapes, sizes and varieties. It is essential to use real snakes to teach dogs to avoid real snakes. If I were to use rubber snakes or snake skins, the dog would only learn to avoid rubber snakes and snake skins.

Dogs are also taught what to do around snakes, once they learn not to go near them. Results can vary, as each dog is different in their personality, temperament and response. After the two-day training program, some dogs bark at a snake from a distance, while others will retreat immediately and try to go into the house. One of the funniest dogs I trained, was a red heeler named “Iggy”, who upon seeing a snake would find the highest point he could off the ground and jump on top of that.

Iggy then stayed up there, until the snake threat was gone.

Once, Iggy saw a snake in the backyard, then jumped on top of the outdoor dining setting and refused to come down until after the snake was long gone. For the most part though, dogs taught to avoid snakes, do simply that – they avoid the snake by giving it a couple of meters wide berth, then carry on with their lives.

ESSENTIAL CANINE SNAKE AVOIDANCE TRAINING IS BANNED IN MOST STATES Most states don’t allow the use of electronic collars to teach dogs to avoid snakes. Working on a farm, you will understand how important and critical your dogs are for farm life. Yet, despite the risk of snakes, every day I have the same battle with veterinarians and the state governments of Australia, to let Canine Snake Avoidance save dogs from the horrible pain and death of snake bites.

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In some states such as Victoria and Western Australia, canine snake avoidance using electronic collars is allowed. Victoria has recently passed tighter legislation meaning the training only occurs with very strict rules. Unfortunately, residents of NSW or other states either fly or drive down to Victoria to train with me, or Western Australia to train with my colleague Jake Kenny of Precision K9 training who also offers this course through his own company.

HOW DO ELECTRONIC COLLARS WORK? With all the fuss about electronic collars, it is important to understand them better: •Electronic collars provide an electrical pulse to the dog, that startles the dog but does not hurt it. This stimulus is applied when the dog approaches the snake.

•All electronic collars are different. The ones used in my Canine Snake Avoidance training program in Victoria, essentially use the same technology as a TENS machine at a physiotherapist.

•Before training, I show each client that e-collars are not dangerous. I put the collar on myself and press the stimulus. I offer to do the same for the dog owner, who hesitantly agree, then afterwards they all say the same thing: “Oh, it’s not that bad. I thought I was going to get a shock, but it’s just like a tingle”.

•Most electronic collars, including the ones I use in Canine Snake Avoidance, have a ‘dial’ starting at “0”, allowing myself as the trainer to gradual dial up the intensity of the collar, until the dog demonstrates a reaction to it during canine snake avoidance training. The intensity required varies from dog to dog, but this ensures that the dogs receive the MINIMUM stimulus from the e-collar to receive the message to avoid snakes and the training is tailored for each dog.

•All electronic collars are fitted exactly for the dog’s size.

I have specific collars for chihuahuas and others for a 70kg Maremma. Collars do not have probes that penetrate the skin of the dog and they remain outside on top of the dog’s fur.

•In the state of Victoria, all use of electronic collars require a

veterinarian to first check the dog’s health and ensure there are no issues which contraindicate the use of e-collars for your dog. This ensures that the dog is healthy enough for training.

Even if you are outside Victoria, I strongly recommend you get a vet to assess your dog prior to the use of electronic collars to ensure that there are no issues.

•During training, the dog is assessed after each training scenario, to ensure there are no health issues associated with the use of electronic collars.

•The only time your dog is at risk from electronic collars, is if they’re used improperly from someone not properly trained.

•If you were to weigh up the short-term temporary stimulus from an e-collar for a few training scenarios vs the pain and suffering of a snake bite in a dog, it is a ‘no brainer’ – these devices save lives.

CAN YOU USE “POSITIVE ONLY TRAINING”?

I’m frequently asked if “positive only” training can work, or if it is necessary to use electronic collars. Unfortunately, there is no other option that truly works or is feasible. The best training knowledge that we have today is the Canine Snake Avoidance method developed by Seth Pywell. This is backed by leading dog trainers in the industry.

SNAKE AVOIDANCE REFRESHER

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For those who believe in ‘positive only’ training, the main issue is that even IF you can teach a dog to avoid snakes when you are there, this method is not successful when you are not around. There is no incentive for the dog to avoid the snake when they’re by themselves.

IS CANINE SNAKE AVOIDANCE TRAINING NECESSARY? Almost all dogs are curious about snakes. As discussed, dogs see the snake and want to play with it, chew it, chase it or sniff the snake. This is how dogs get bitten – right on the nose, which is full of blood vessels.

I believe all dogs should be assessed for their suitability for

Canine Snake Avoidance, however in these assessments I’ve done of countless dogs, there is something very interesting that I have discovered. There is actually a very small percentage of dogs (rare) that just have no interest in a snake. They see it, smell it and proactively move away, before I do any training.

In these occasions, at least the owner has taken their dog for the assessment, to learn what their dog is like around a snake.

To date, I am yet to see a single working farm dog, that fits into the category of those not interested in snakes.

WHO ELSE BENEFITS FROM CANINE SNAKE AVOIDANCE Snakes can appear dead, they can be dying and not moving.

They may still have one more bite in them and that is all it takes to get a dog owner, who is wanting to throw the snake away in revenge for their lost friend. Canine Snake Avoidance prevents the dog owner from inadvertently approaching a dying snake and therefore, this training protects dog owners too.

Snakes play a crucial role in the environment and on farms.

If dogs are trained to avoid snakes, then snakes can carry on with their role of keeping vermin populations under control.

Without snakes, we can be plagued by pest creatures such as rats, mice and rabbits, as well as native animals including lizards, frogs and birds. In other words, Canine Snake Avoidance protects snakes and the environment.

SUCCESS OF THE TRAINING Never in life, can there be a guarantee that anything is 100% successful. The Canine Snake Avoidance training, involves the best techniques and training that we know to date, but that is exactly where any flaw may be. The training is what we know “to date”. I am always searching for and trying new and better techniques to teach dogs to avoid snakes.

To date, no dog I’ve trained has ever had the owner come back to me and state that the training was not successful. Instead, former clients call me regularly to say that their dog avoided a snake. Just before I wrote this article, I received an SMS on 11 October 2020 which I’m quoting below: “Hi Mark, just thought would let you know, you saved our little puppy’s life!!! We were at Alex’s parents place, sitting down having a meal outside, Ruby wandering around. We noticed she was standing still, very wary, started stepping backwards, thought something was very wrong and poked my head around the corner and a massive brown snake about 2m down the path.

Can’t thank you enough mate”. - Sam. The dog “Ruby” was a German shepherd and the interesting thing, she had only done one of the two-day training program and was already avoiding snakes.

• weakness followed by collapse • shaking or twitching • loss of bladder or bowel control • blood in urine • stiffness and paralysis • Dilated pupils • Collapse Remember, you do not have to confirm a snake bite in a dog.

If you SUSPECT that your dog has been bitten by a snake, immediately take them to the vet. This is a medical emergency.

There is no time to waste or wait for symptoms. Call the vet in advance to let them know the issue and that you are on the way.

FINAL NOTE Working as a venomous snake catcher for years, I could not help but see time and time again, dogs being killed by snakes.

It is one of the saddest things to witness in my life.

When I first met Seth and learned this training existed, I spent every waking moment perfecting the art and science of Canine Snake Avoidance, in becoming a dog trainer. That was years ago and today I’m very proud, to have trained numerous dogs to avoid snakes. It is something I’m so passionate about because our dogs are our working colleagues, our best friends, and are dedicated to us. We owe it to them to give them the best chance at enjoying life, and it not ending prematurely because of a venomous snake that has every right to exist, just like we do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Pelley, The Snake Hunter is the Director of Canine Snake Avoidance training from his home town in Diamond Creek, Melbourne. Mark has been working with venomous snakes and dogs for years and regularly appears in the media for commentary about venomous snakes, canine snake avoidance training and more.

To learn more about Mark or his Canine Snake Avoidance training go to: www.caninesnakeavoidance.com.au or check out his YouTube channel “Mark Pelley The Snake Hunter” at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCh8ofhc2D1BTbnQQQqNQSHw

SYMPTOMS OF A SNAKE BITE Whether you have or have not done the Canine Snake Avoidance training, it is essential to know what it looks like if your dog is bitten. The following symptoms are indicative of a snake bite: • vomiting and diarrhea • excessive salivation www.stockdogs.com.au AWSDM

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THE WAY WE WERE

STEVE WEYMAN Article and Photos by Lauren Vest

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here are a few dogs of yesteryear, that have had incredible influence on the Kelpie breed through to this day – One of these was the great Barambogie Mack (Liscannor Marco X Liscannor Kay). Every great dog had to be paired with the right handler to get the most out of them and in Mack’s case, it was Steve Weyman. Steve has been involved with working dogs and dog trialling for a long time, being involved in the beginnings of both Yard trials and Utility/Field trials.

Steve was working as a carpenter in the early seventies, when he got sick of it he decided having always wanted to work on the land, that this was his time. He had always been into horses, being involved with polocrosse, racehorses and rodeo, however he had little experience with working dogs. He headed out to Mudgee and started work on a place. At this point they were only just starting to use double decker stock crates to cart stock - They were sending one of the first loads of cattle, when the truck turned over on a hairpin bend. The steers that fell off the truck went into private property – which it turned out this was owned by George Cover. The Covers are a well known working dog and trialling family. George being the brother of Ronnie Cover, who is in turn the father of Charlie Cover, who still competes in three sheep trials today;this was the start of a great friendship, with Steve spending a lot of time with George on weekends learning about working dogs.

George had all Border Collies and liked to three sheep trials

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– Steve remembers the dogs in three sheep back then being really good, practical sheepdogs.

At Mudgee Steve had 300-400 cows in an AI program which meant a ton of cattle work for his dogs. He moved out to Walcha, then back to a horse stud at Mudgee and finally settled for around 10 years at Reids Flat. He started there with 4,000 acres and 4,000 wethers and by the time he left he had built it up to 17,000 acres and 30,000 wethers as well as 2,000 first cross ewes and 200 cows. It was big, rough country – great for making good working dogs. Lots of work out of sight, long casts, difficult stock and testing situations. He had a few Huntaways, before too many people had them and said they were extremely effective in that country. He could send a Huntaway out and it would stand and bark – sheep would come out from all the nooks and crannies, under rocks and behind trees. Ask a Kelpie to do the same thing and it would have no effect.

Steve did a lot of travelling to dog trials while he was at Reids Flat. He can remember driving to Tubbo Station in the Western Riverina to trial on the Friday/Saturday/Sunday, then onto Hamilton in Victoria for Sheepvention on the Monday/ Tuesday, then driving back home to Reids Flat to get back to work. He has trialled in every state of Australia except the Northern Territory. When he started trialling there were

When it comes to breeding, Steve believes in breeding like to like. You can’t cross a paddock dog with a yard dog and expect all rounder or utility types. Dogs today have gotten better, but the gene pool is very scattered – lots of people breeding, without too much thought of bloodlines and work abilities. In his opinion, the real good dogs are around one in thirty – and you really need to start them from a pup – no one is going to sell a brilliant older dog, though there are exceptions. One of these was Glenlogie Lucky (Barambogie Mack X Kirribilli Lucky) – Steve had her and couldn’t get along with her, she was very sticky eyed. He sold her to Chris Stapleton who went on to win everything with her and she bred on really well.

only three sheep trials - He was one of the organisers of the first Utility trial in Boorowa, as well as secretary of the first Yard Dog Association committee and he was instrumental in gaining them incorporation.

After leaving Reids Flat, Steve went on to buy a place of his own and tidy it up, to then re-sell. He worked for the abattoirs at Cowra for a while and then bought a motorbike shop which he ran for around 10 years, that meant taking a break from working dogs. Once he sold the business, he started getting back into dogs again.

Having had many good dogs throughout his life, he remembers a few as notable, though Barambogie Mack takes the top spot.

Boree Troy (a Border Collie), Chobi Mindy (Barambogie Mack/Darrabee Rusty) and Capree Shep (Avenpart Zondo/ Glenlogie Lucky) are all dogs he remembers as being above average.

Mack was a very strong dog – great walk up strength which was also paired with covering ability, which usually don’t go together. He was a funny dog who didn’t like being offended.

Steve remembers mustering a big hill paddock at Reids Flat which had three big ridges – he would ride down the centre ridge on a horse with a dog working each ridge beside him.

He got to the bottom and there was no Mack – thinking he may have headed home he headed there to check – but still no Mack. The next morning when he still hadn’t shown up, he was really starting to worry. He went back and checked the paddock they had been mustering yesterday and there was Mack – holding a mob of about 20 sheep he had found and held there all night. In the eighties at the Kelpie Field Trial or the Australian Yard trial, three quarters of the final would be related to Mack. He proved one of the most influential Kelpie sires of his time.

His ideal type of dog is one that is a bit softer to handle, that goes around it’s sheep cleanly and balances up nicely. He looks for a dog that suits him when it is just working naturally – then he just puts commands on to suit the work. They are not easy to find though! He likes to leave a lot of dog still in them – if they encounter difficult sheep you can’t command them fast enough to cover, they must have it themselves. Capree Mindy III (Trueblue Josh III X Capree Sophie V) who he has currently, is as good a bitch as he’s had in a long time. Nowadays he has 400 ewes and 160 cows on a block to give himself and the dogs something to do.

He has gone off trialling a bit – in his own words he has gotten old and cranky! He thinks judging is getting too technical and finicky about little things. Judging whether the dog responds to commands, whether you do the gate latches up in the right order, etc. In saying that, he really enjoys watching trials like the USD (Ultimate Stock Dog) and the AUSDS (Australian Utility Stock Dog) where dogs are tested on sheep in the yard and paddock as well as cattle. Any dog that can excel at these is going to be pretty handy. It’s a real balancing act, to get one that is strong enough to work cattle, then have feel on three sheep and not too much bite in the yards.

Steve is a man with a wealth of knowledge and history that he is more than happy to share with those interested. He’s someone who has put in the hard yards in tough country with good dogs and has the runs on the board, having won three National Kelpie Field Trials and two Australian Yard Championships.

Steve is happy to run schools for those who want to learn and can travel to you within reason, preferring one on one, up to one on three so that you get plenty of attention. We are all lucky to have people like Steve willing to pass their knowledge and experience on and it only bodes well for the future of working dog handling and breeding in Australia!

Jerlauen Alice was a dog Steve will never forget. She was by an Alphadale dog out of Kirribilli Lucky’s sister, and she was mad!

Mat Willis bred and broke her in. He ran her in a yard trial at Wagga and he was flat out, opening the gates quick enough for her. He walked out of the ring and handed her straight to Steve as he exited! He took her home and put her on about five sheep straight away, to see what she would do. Well, they came down the paddock at a rate of knots, with Alice backing and barking them as they ran – Believe it or not! www.stockdogs.com.au AWSDM

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PHOTO ESSAY

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Photography by By Megan Rutherford Photography enquiries to Lauren Vest: lauren@stockdogs.com.au

My name is Megan Rutherford and my husband and myself run a sheep and cattle property near Blayney NSW with the help of our 3 young daughters. Having grown up on a predominantly sheep property in south-west Qld, I have had a passion for agriculture my entire life (which I expanded on at UNE in Armidale with a Bachelor of Livestock Science).

I have always been interested in photography, but I really invested time into learning the craft whilst on maternity leave and I haven’t looked back. I love capturing all things agriculture and showing the story that is our life on the land through my photography. I hope that my images give people a better understanding of a particular moment in time as a farmer, and what our life on the land is really like.

As working kelpies are a big part of our everyday lives, they feature heavily!

As well as capturing rural photos I also enjoy capturing lifestyle, family and couples photoshoots, as well as commercial product photography.

My work has been featured in calendars, on the Shotkit website, by The Land socials, and I have won awards in Australia’s Top Emerging Photographers and The Mono Awards competitions, as well as competitions for local government advertising.

Facebook and Instagram @meganrutherfordphotography

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The Training Pen Matching the Dog to the Handler Ken Sykes The Training Pen -“DO’s and DON’Ts” for successful sheepdogwith training

Ken Sykes

Ken Sykes has been working with sheepdogs most of his life. A successful competitor at sheep-dog trials, Ken runs regular training for livestock producers and gives workingdog demonstrations. He is a feature writer and speaker.

His expertise draws on a broad range of research as well as practical experience

D

uring my visits to rural properties as a company rep, I saw many different styles of working stock. Some of an exceptionally high standards, and some that would leave you shaking your head. I have seen good dogs disposed of, because they did not fit with the handler’s way of working.

A fairly extreme example occurred, when I was managing a property in the New England back in the days when it used to rain. A neighbour was due to start shearing the next day and clouds were starting to build. He had a fairly small shed and rang to asked if he could put some sheep under cover in our much larger shed. I said, “certainly bring them down”.

A short while later, sheep were streaming into the front paddock from the road. The next ten minutes or so, the front paddock was pure pandemonium. Dogs barking, motorbike revving, and sheep running in all directions. The neighbour came roaring up to the house “for God’s sake Ken get your dogs and give me a hand to get them in the shed, or the rain will beat me.” I said, “I’ll be happy to put them in the shed for you, if you put your dogs in one of my dog pens and hop off the motor bike.” His reply was rather colorful and cast doubts upon my ancestry. A huge roll of thunder changed his mind, and with much grumbling he put his dogs away.

By now the sheep had settled and were starting to graze. I sent my border collie Lass around the mob, and the kelpie Flip along the wing to get the sheep streaming out along the fence

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and through the gate into the yards. In short order Flip had the leaders heading up the ramp into the shed, and sheep being sheep the rest of the mob followed behind. We had them in the shed and the door closed just as the rain started to spit.

I invited the neighbour up to the house to wait for the storm to pass. We just made it to the verandah when there was a massive flash of lightning and the rain came down in torrents.

Over a cup of coffee my neighbour apologized for his earlier remarks and thanked me. His next remarks stunned me. “I was surprised how quickly your soft dogs with no real force got the mob in the shed”. I considered my dogs anything but soft. They would rarely bite or bark unless asked to do so and they worked calmly. On a daily basis they worked cattle, ewes and lambs, and feral goats. Our conversation automatically turned to dogs, their working styles and our expectations.

It was no secret how the dogs got the mob in the shed without difficulty. The company had a couple of thousand angora goats, a thousand cashmere goats, a mob of crossbred ewes for spring lambing and another mob for autumn lambs, as well as around a thousand merinos. With all the various shearing and crutching, there was rarely a month of the year without a mob going through the shed and the dogs were well used to the routine. My dogs were primarily from well-known three sheep trial bloodlines.

My neighbour ran merino wethers which were set stocked on his mountainous heavily timbered country. He only mustered four or five times a year. Judging by the odd double fleeced or wool blind sheep in the shed, it was not always a clean muster.

He also did a lot of work off farm. When he mustered, he wanted the sheep in the yards in the shortest possible time and liked a dog with plenty of bark and bite. He liked them to nip the heels of the stragglers to keep them moving. This was his concept of strength and force. He had no time for trial bred dogs.

We amicably agreed to disagree on the ideal type of dog. My dogs would not suit my neighbour and his dogs would certainly not suit me.

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TRIBUTE TO FLOSS A

koonah Floss was owned by Dale Formosa, and they had a special relationship which was evident to all. Dale often talks about how hard-headed she was as a youngster, how much he liked that, and that is why they went on to have success in the open class at three sheep trials over the years.

Floss was as good as any dog; this however is far from her greatest legacy.

Her greatest legacy is her students. Dale runs Shaundar herding at Greenbank in South East Queensland. A herding school where suburban dogs come to learn to be sheep dogs and utilise their natural instinct. There can be up to 60 plus students attend the herding school in a week and many go on the delve into the world of three sheep trialling, keeping the sport well and truly alive.

While Dale runs the school, it really was Floss’s, or at least she thought it was. Her pride of place was sitting behind the casting fence, where she would patiently wait until a student and their dog would lose control of the sheep and lose or nearly lose them down past the casting fence to the front of the property. With out any command from Dale (often he was busy in a smaller yard with a less experienced team) Floss would take it upon herself to go and bring the sheep back for the student. It was absolutely her job and she knew and took great pride in it. Other times if she could see a dog was not

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quite in control of the sheep, she’d come out and work in the background helping the young dog gain some confidence.

Some days when the students and dogs were all doing well, she wouldn’t have to help, but still sat patiently in the shade quietly watching and keeping an eye on things.

Naturally as the students learned and improved Floss would help them in other ways too, many students got the “feel” of working a well-trained dog by working floss during classes.

For many though their fondest memory of Floss is their first ever trial. Floss carefully guided countless student through their first trial, resulting in many of them coming home with a ribbon in the encourage, which is usually quite a large field of entries! Of course, this confidence boost usually resulted in the students becoming quite passionate about trialling, often then getting their own older dogs to compete with and then moving on to young dogs to train up.

It would be difficult to calculate just how much Floss influenced trailing and the people who are active trailers today. Both her students and her bloodlines feature regularly at trials, some having great success with their own dogs, others simply competing for fun.

Shaundar herding will never quite be the same without Floss’s watchful eye, but she will live on in the memories of everyone who have the pleasure of learning from and working with her.

“A great mate, great worker and wonderful teacher as she helped to teach many students to Trial”. – Dale Formosa “Floss was a wonderful dog, I did my first three sheep trial with her and she won us a 5th place at the Australian Supreme, as well as teaching many other students the ropes of trialing”. – Jessica Gall “I feel lucky to have been able to see her work both in trails and at Herding. She was definitely a dog in a million and loved by all”.

– Matthew Parsons “Floss was a great dog and one of Dales best mates. Always picking up the sheep students lost and helping start new students.” – Alex Noy +My first memory of Floss is from the first time I went to Shaundar Herding School. Dale showed me what he could do with Floss and it inspired me to want to do the same with my dog. Floss was a great teacher and seemed to love every minute of her work”. – Cathy Gibson I” used to love watching Floss help teach the students, to help them understand what they are trying to do to teach their own dogs and themselves. Seeing her come out in the mornings eager and ready to do her job. Picking up the sheep, when some of us lost them, without being told and just lay near the dam watching and waiting to help those when needed, and have a little sneaky creep up the paddock while some of us worked our dogs, just to be sure none of the sheep got away”. – Tammy Preston “Dale and Floss were a great team. She has left some amazing pups behind to follow in her footsteps. – Brad Anderson I worked Floss at Karara, which was my first trial, with a score of 96!” – Damian Veneris

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Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA) Kelpie Ataxias Which dogs should be tested and when?

Story by Deb Maxwell BVSc Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA) in Kelpies causes ataxia and other difficulties with movement.

While there are tests available, does this mean all dogs should be tested?

This article follows from last edition’s article that described the latest information about the new tests and, importantly, that CA is not a single disease.

Should a pup destined to be a worker, not a breeder, be tested?

This will depend on the age of the dog when purchased. Dogs over two years do not warrant testing as it is almost certain that signs would have shown by then, if they were affected.

Observe the dog closely for any indication of ataxia and fine tremors. However, some testing of worker pups is justified: test for late-onset CA, but early-onset CA testing is not a priority, although the extra cost is very little.

purposes if CA signs appear or would a refund be offered for dogs that later show CA signs that are confirmed through testing?

Although the late-onset condition is often apparent by six months old, it may not appear until between one and two years of age, either way significant investment can be made in the dog and its training before signs appear. Late-onset CA is progressive, and euthanasia will likely be required. The lateonset CA test is completely reliable and is cheap (under $60 including animal set up fee) compared to the investment in a pup through its purchase price, health treatments, feeding, and importantly but often under-valued, the time spent in training basic obedience and stockwork. Owners will also become attached to pups, so it can be devastating when severe signs show up after a bond has developed.

If both parents are tested clear of late-onset CA, then the pups will be clear by parentage and should not need testing—ask to see the test results of both parents. If none are available, the buyer would be wise to test the pup.

While “buyer beware” always holds, breeders just like manufacturers of any product, are responsible for producing an article “fit-for-purpose”, which among other things, includes dogs not becoming affected by CA.

On the contrary, early-onset CA should become apparent before most pups are sold, or soon after. Buyers should closely observe pups for any signs of early-onset CA at purchase and in the month or two after.

When should breeding dogs be tested?

Both dogs in a planned mating should be tested. However, provided one of the mates is tested as clear, even if the other is untested, then puppies should not be affected by late-onset CA, and few should be affected by early-onset CA. Realising that the current early-onset test will miss some carriers and affected, but it is a better test than no test at all.

Any dog should only need to be tested once in its life for the CA markers, not prior to each mating. However, the earlyonset test misses up to half affected or carrier dogs. A more accurate marker test for early-onset CA is under investigation, and if proven useful may be available in 2021.

Now that tests are available, buyers and sellers of pups are advised to discuss CA testing and the ramifications of a pup showing signs of CA after purchase. For example, who should pay for testing prior to or after purchase, or for diagnostic

Therefore, if you have already tested or need to test soon for a planned mating, in the future you should also carry out any additional test that is developed for the early-onset condition if the dog is still to be used for breeding. The only test house

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currently offering CA tests, indicated that there would be no extra set-up fee for a future test in animals already tested, just the cost of the extra test, likely to be about $14.

If you plan to mate an animal, but it may not be for some time, you might choose to wait until closer to the mating in case a new more accurate early-onset CA test becomes available in the meantime. However, test at least a few months in advance of a planned mating to allow time for samples to be collected, posted, received and tested, and to then review your options in case the animal is a carrier.

Testing of “sires for hire” With tests now available, testing of all sires before further use would be wise. Carrier sires that are outstanding workers should not be retired from breeding, instead, they should only be used over tested-clear bitches.

A history of no CA-affected pups from prior matings is not a reliable indicator of a negative CA status of a dog that has not been DNA tested. None of the bitches may have been carriers, luck may have seen no affected in a small litter, or some people may not have disclosed that there were affected pups.

The negative stigma of CA: it’s time for a change The Kelpie gene pool is not large. It becomes further restricted within a particular working type or style, and then by location as most people choose natural matings and sires not too far away.

People who condemn a sire (and its owner) because the dog is a CA carrier are not helping the Kelpie breed, particularly where those sires are outstanding and have been tested.

The breed cannot afford to lose great dogs from the breeding pool, just because they are CA carriers. Carriers are outnumbered by clears, so there will always be clear bitches available to mate with great carrier sires.

But equally important, owners of service sires have a responsibility to test those sires and make the results available.

Maintaining good working dogs and concurrently gaining a marked decrease in the incidence of CA-affected dogs and

carriers will only occur, when breeders become open with the CA status of each dog or bitch and when buyers and other breeders respect them for testing and making results available.

Absolutely no shame should be attached to an outstanding sire that has a carrier status. Until this can be done, we will continue to see breeders testing on the quiet and removing great dogs from breeding, or not testing at all and not mentioning any issues.

What if a dog intended for breeding is a carrier?

• A carrier mated to another carrier for the same CA type will produce about one quarter* of the pups affected and about half* will be carriers.

• If a carrier is mated to a clear for the same CA type, about half* will be carriers, but none affected (excluding those not yet identified by the current early-onset test). *Proportions are those “statistically expected”, but can vary from none to all of a litter.

If your dog or bitch tests as a carrier, consider its value as a breeder. There is no point breeding more carrier animals if it is not an outstanding working dog. If it is outstanding, choose a mate clear for that CA type.

Developing a CA-clear line of dogs Eradicating CA from your breeding lines is the ideal, because you can then be assured pups won’t be affected and they won’t require testing, you would just test any potential new genetic introductions and manage the outcomes. It also reduces the chance of future affected pups from unplanned matings.

Such a goal will value clear dogs over carriers, however before rushing to only keep or use clear dogs, strongly consider the working qualities and other characteristics of those dogs.

CA can be managed by testing, so top priority should go to breeding with great dogs and managing the matings through testing and ensuring a clear in every mating.

If any pups are to be retained as potential breeders from matings with carriers; test them early, keep clear ones as potential breeders and sell carriers as workers only. In this way you can gradually make your breeding lines clear of CA, with little if any sacrifice to working quality.

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Beginner’s Guide

Article by Lauren Vest and Photos by H Harrold Photos

CATTLE TRIALLING What is a Cattle Trial?

Cattle trials are competitions designed to test the skills a dog needs, to handle cattle in a work environment. While it is impossible to replicate real work in a trial setting, obstacles are designed to test the same skills used when working on properties. There are differences between each individual trial, however they all use similar obstacles, layout and rules.

Cattle trials are usually held in an enclosed area such as camp draft arenas, rodeo arenas, or temporary arenas created with cattle panels. Three head of cattle, ideally weaners, are released from one end of the arena, for the dog and the handler to work through the course. The dog and the handler wait at the other end, usually within what is called the delivery area – a section of the arena marked by cones, drums, or other markers – usually in a square or rectangle. The handler casts the dog from within this delivery area and stays there while the dog brings the cattle inside it. This is the point where the handler inspects the stock and can alert the judge if there are any issues such as vision problems or unworkable cattle. The cattle must all enter the delivery area before they can continue around the course.

This area is usually a free working area – this means the handler may move around as needed within it, while the dog is bringing in the cattle and while they are within the area. Once the handler leaves the delivery area, they must then move in straight lines between obstacles, following the corridors, not stopping or running and stand at the marked positions at each obstacle so they do not affect the stock. The corridors are the path that the stock should take between obstacles, a straight line and usually the same width as the distance between the wings on the race.

Obstacles can vary between trials, but the most common are a gate/gap, a race and a pen or put away. The gap is comprised of cattle panels or panels next to the fence, with a space in the middle of a minimum of three metres for the cattle to travel through. The race is also comprised of panels and has wings at the entrance to assist with guiding the cattle through, followed by a short corridor. Sometimes the race has a corner or two to increase the difficulty. The pen is either freestanding or the gate into the put away yard. The time finishes when the gate into the pen or put away is closed after all the cattle have en-

tered. Trials usually have a time limit, which varies depending on the size of the arena and the number of obstacles, though five minutes is a common limit. If you run out of time before completing the course, you still receive a score, but lose points for each obstacle left incomplete.

What do my dog and I need to be able to do, before we enter a trial?

Working cattle has a greater risk of injury to dogs than working sheep, so it is a good idea to try your dog out working well educated cattle before you enter a trial. They need to learn how and when to apply pressure, and how to get out of the way if needed to avoid injury. You need to have a reliable call off stock, and a reliable stop is also important. The cast can range from very short, up to 100m +, so you need to be confident sending your dog to retrieve cattle at this distance. Your dog should be confident balancing stock to you and working off balance is not always necessary but extremely useful, especially if the cattle go around an obstacle or get off course. Biting is allowed if it is warranted and not excessive.

What are the levels?

The levels used in cattle trials are like those used in other forms of trialling. For the dogs there are Maiden, Novice and Open classes, with dogs starting out in Maiden and moving up as they win trials along the way. Trials sometimes also run a class called Bush Handler, which aims to encourage those new to the sport who want to give trialling a go.

How are Cattle Trials scored?

Maximum points able to be granted are 100. An ideal run is one where the cattle flow smoothly through the course with forward momentum, straight through each obstacle and into the pen with no disruptions or breaks in flow and staying within the corridors between obstacles. Points are deducted for larger errors such as tail turns, dog crossing between the handler and the stock, rough work, etc – as well as course errors such as the stock going around an obstacle instead of through, deviating from the course, loss of forward motion or moving backwards. You will also lose points if the handler moves off their designated position or deviates from their line of travel between obstacles, or if your dog goes to the toilet on course.

How do I enter my first trial?

To enter a trial, you either need to join your state trialling

association or purchase a day membership at the trial to be covered by insurance. Some associations require dogs to be registered with them to be able to trial, though they often have exceptions for your first few trials. In Queensland the association is the Queensland Working Cattle Dog Trial Association Inc. In New South Wales it is the New South Wales Working Stock Dog Association and in Victoria there is the Victorian Cattle Dog Trial Association. Unaffiliated (Not associated with a governing body) smaller trials are often run by local committees and are usually advertised via word of mouth or on Facebook.

Most of the state associations have websites that show upcoming trials, entry forms, membership forms and contact details for committee members. Some also use Facebook to advertise upcoming trials. Look up your state association and find out which trials run near you. Entry forms for trials always include contact details for the organisers if you have any questions or need help with entering.

When you arrive at a trial, make sure your dog is always under control and does not go near the ring when someone else is working or near other people’s dogs when exercising. There will usually be a scorer’s tent or shed and this is where the draw will be posted, and questions can be asked. At the start of each class there will usually be a judge’s talk – this is where the judge will walk the competitors through the course and explain how they want you to work the course and any special instructions. This is also the time to ask the judge any questions you have, so do not miss the judge’s talk! Check things like where to stand at obstacles, where the corridors are, where the delivery area is and anything else you can think of. This is also a great time to introduce yourself to the judge and let them know you are a newcomer. They will usually be happy to help you while you are having your run if you get lost!

All that is left do to now is watch a few runs to get a feel for the course and then go out to have your go. Make sure you have emptied your dog out well before your run, as going to the toilet on course will lose you points. Try to relax and enjoy the experience – and prepare to get hooked!!! *This article is written from the perspective of someone who trials mostly in NSW and VIC – rules differ slightly between states, so make sure you clarify things you aren’t sure of with the judge or committee at the trial.

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Alternative

THERAPIES for Working Dogs

Get Physical with Alternative Treatments for Your Working Dogs Most working dog owners will take their dog to their vet, for serious or chronic health issues. An increasing number of veterinarians, and other practitioners also employ “non-traditional” treatments that rely on natural substances like herbs, homeopathic remedies, or physical manipulation and external devices such as red light therapy, massage, chiropractic or acupuncture. An accurate diagnosis must be made before you begin any type of treatment, but many dogs can benefit from a skilled and sensible combination of traditional and alternative therapies.

This short article briefly touches on alternative physical therapies available in Australia, and another article on non-physical treatments will be featured in a future issue.

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Acupuncture and Acupressure The use of acupuncture and acupressure is thousands of years old. These therapies were developed in ancient China and are based on the theory of energy flowing through a system of channels, called meridians, that flow through the body and are linked to certain internal organs. Disease is seen in large part as disharmony in this internal energy flow, and the purpose of acupuncture is to restore the balance. An acupuncturist may do this by using needles, finger pressure, heat sources, or other methods to manipulate certain specific points, or acupoints along the meridians. Western scientific research is still at a loss to explain why acupuncture works. Some theories suggest that inserting the needles increases the body’s production of endorphins, substances that make you feel better and more comfortable, and blocks the transmission of pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain. In veterinary medicine, dog acupuncture has been used to treat allergies, arthritis, constipation, diabetes, kidney disorders and liver disease.

Acupressure can be beneficial for dogs with arthritis, digestive disorders, and muscle strains.

Chiropractic Developed in the 19th century, chiropractic is based on the idea that nerve energy flows through the spinal column. The energy becomes blocked if the spinal column is misaligned.

Chiropractors manipulate the musculoskeletal system with fast, gentle motions, called adjustments, to restore normal movement or function to joints and surrounding tissues. As with acupuncture, there is little solid scientific explanation as to exactly why or how chiropractic works, but it has been used to treat a number of problems, from upset stomachs to arthritis.

Physiotherapy Physiotherapy encompasses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose and treat functional disorders and injuries. If your dog seems to have a neurological or orthopedic problem, physiotherapy could help. The main objectives of physiotherapy are to ease pain and help the dog regain its fitness. Physiotherapy includes techniques such as: • Passive Kinesiotherapy (manually moving the limbs in a natural motion, which can benefit arthritic dogs, those recovering from surgery and canines combating the effects of severe muscle atrophy)

• Active Kinesiotherapy (exercises for stimulating balance or targeted muscle building) • Electrotherapy (the passing of low to medium levels of electrical current through the body for building muscle and pain management) • Therapeutic Ultrasound (deep heating tissues to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and swelling. Therapeutic ultrasound can also decrease pain and muscle spasms and speed up wound healing and increase range of motion around a joint) • Hydrotherapy (walking in water which enables important muscular movement without putting weight on the joints) • Massage (a rubdown can help a dog recover more quickly from injury or illness, improve flexibility and mobility, stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and help keep tissues supple. Giving your dog a regular massage is a good way to become familiar with the feel of its body, so you’ll notice any unusual lumps, bumps or other changes) • Therapeutic Laser and LED Red Light Therapy (light therapy can be defined as either LED or laser, which have their respective differences. LEDs installed in pads usually deliver infrared wavelengths that penetrate the skin to target wounds and infections, as well as providing deep-healing for tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones. Laser therapy delivers cold-level light energy at specific frequencies that can reduce inflammation and decrease pain sensations and transmissions) • Osteopathy (osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging muscles and joints. Osteopathy is based on the principle that the well-being of a dog depends on its bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together).

Please keep in mind that before you consider holistic or alternative treatments, it’s important that you also have a discussion with your veterinarian. Many vets do not oppose combining forms of treatment or seeking out alternatives to medication and invasive procedures. They can give you plenty of great advice about how to administer some of these treatments at home as well!

Sally Purbrick-Illek lives on the Gold Coast with her working border collies. She advises urban dog owners about the health and training of their working breed dogs via her Facebook page Dog Works@cityworkingdogs.

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VET CHECK Working Your Dog In Hot Conditions Physical Burns

Respiratory Disease

The footpads of dogs are thickened and adapted to withstand abrasions and harsh environments. They are not designed to cope with hot surfaces. The classic example is the tray of a ute, where your dog might stand on a section of steel that has been heated directly, or indirectly, by the sun. It’s not just steel that heats up significantly – think of how hot all sorts of surfaces can get, including rubber, plastic, carpet, tarmac, concrete and other types of metals. As a rule, if you can’t place your palm on the surface and leave it there comfortably, your dog’s foot shouldn’t go on there either.

Key points to reduce the risk of physical burns: • If working stock along roads or rocky country (or anywhere on surface that may conduct heat – such as metal grating alongside yards), consider investing in a set of boots to prevent burns to the footpads • Non-heat conducting flooring should be provided in all areas where dogs work or live (ie in the back of utes, quads, bikes and other vehicles, in housing or yards where working).

It is best to install soft, light-coloured material to reduce burn risk.

• Cover should always be provided where dogs are housed (permanent housing or when travelling on vehicles). This ensures they are out of direct sunlight to reduce the risk of heat stress and physical burns • Check your relevant state legislation to ensure the way your transport dogs on the back of vehicles is compliant • If physical burns have occurred on the feet, take your dog to the vet. Bandaging and medical therapy is likely required to reduce pain, speed recovery and prevent infection

Many of you readers would have worked a day in dry dusty yards and then spent the rest of the night blowing out and coughing up black dirty snot. Dust represents a problem for our respiratory tract and that of our best mate. We have the ability to reduce the intake of dust if conditions are unavoidable by lifting up our bandana to cover our nose and mouth. But dogs can’t do this! It is up to us to reduce our dogs’ exposure to hot dusty conditions, or at least reduce the time that they spend working in them. Dust is inhaled in air through the mouth or nose. It accumulates in the upper respiratory tract and can be carried into the lungs. This physical accumulation can cause tissue inflammation, increase allergies and over time will result in irreversible fibrosis – which means thickening of the lung tissue. As you can imagine, working in hot dusty conditions also increases the risk of heat stress as it reduces the effectiveness of panting, heat exchange and oxygen input.

The dust can also irritate the eyes and ears to where your dog may require vet attention.

Key points to reduce the risk of respiratory disease: • Don’t use your dogs in hot dusty conditions – save the work for another day that is more suitable where possible • Water down yards before work and intermittently as required to prevent dust becoming airborne • Rest your dog adequately to allow it to cool off and rest up, as well as give the body a chance to expel the inhaled dust via bodily secretions – for example, rotate with other dogs so that they can rest every second run, or work day-on-day-off • Provide ample fresh cool water – both for drinking and swimming in to cool down • If there are any abnormal respiratory signs, call your vet – in severe cases where there is collapse and difficulty breathing it is an emergency. In other cases, the vet might schedule an appointment to check out excessive coughing, sneezing and/ or discharge from the nose

Check out this free App for your phone First Aid for Pets Australia 58

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VET CHECK Working Your Dog In Hot Conditions Drowning

Chemical Toxicity Ingestion

Vets see more chemical ingestion related to contaminated water over the hotter months. When your dog looks for water, he may find and drink a toxic mix with the array of chemicals used on farms and around the home today. The effects are wide-ranging depending on the chemical and include caustic burns, diarrhoea, heart issues, agitation, vomiting, seizures and death. Ingestion of toxic feed/baits is another issue that occurs year-round and is a constant concern for all dog owners.

Contact

Dogs working in hot conditions have an increased need to cool down. This is best achieved by jumping into water and can inadvertently lead to chemical toxicity if the dog gets into contaminated water sources. The usual culprits are old dips, or tubs of mixed chemical and water left laying around on farms. Some chemicals will burn the skin, stick to the hair, and represent a risk if the dog then licks the area. Other chemicals are absorbed through the skin and can kill or make your dog very sick through contact alone.

Key points to reduce the risk of chemical toxicity • Always carry fresh water and stop the dog regularly to drink and cool down, using a command for this. Your dog will be less likely to need to seek alternative water sources • Have a command to stop eating/drinking/moving – whatever it may be, to stop the dog when caught about to jump in, eat or drink something it shouldn’t • Consider muzzling your dog when working in areas with baits.

• Ask property owners about risks such as chemicals and baits.

Cover over, fence off or avoid risk areas completely where possible • On your own property, ensure chemicals are stored properly and open water sources such as dips are covered up and not accessible.

• If chemical ingestion or contact has occurred, call your vet immediately. Get information about the brand name and active ingredient of the chemical where possible. The vet will decide if you need to wash your dog or make it vomit prior to getting on the road to the vet clinic urgently

Through their need to cool down and drink, dogs in working in hot conditions can sometimes drown. It is a shocking, but real problem. This can occur in natural water sources such as dams and rivers if the banks are too steep or water flowing too fast. It can also happen in water sources such as old wells, dips, swimming pools or tanks. Pups and dogs that have worked hard and are tired are more at risk due to being physically smaller and potentially weaker.

Key points to reduce the risk of drowning

• Always carry fresh water and stop the dog regularly to drink and cool down, using a command for this. Your dog will then be less likely to need to seek alternative water sources • Have a command to stop eating/drinking/moving– whatever it may be to stop the dog when caught about to jump in, eat or drink something it shouldn’t • Consider using a GPS tracker on dogs if working remotely from you so you can find them should they not come back - because they might be stuck somewhere not just being disobedient!

• Cover any unsafe water sources so that your dog cannot get to them on your own property.

• Ask property owners about the risks on their property and in the area such as old wells, how the river flows, where the best access point to the dam is.

• If drowning has occurred, take straight to a vet if alive. Even if the dog was resuscitated or appears fine, they will always need medical treatment to prevent pneumonia and may still relapse and die.

Heat Stress This topic was discussed with a tale of a near death experience due to overheating in the last edition of AWSDM (September 2020 issue).

Dr Lauryn Stewart BVetBio/BVSc (Hons) Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic, SA

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Story & Photos by Lauren Vest

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WORKING SHEEPDOG ASSOCIATION Article by Joanne Flavel Photos by Shadows Farm Photography & Joanne Flavel

T

he South Australian Working Sheepdog Association, recently held their State Championships at the Paskeville Field Day Site on the Yorke Peninsula, following another trial which was held nearby at Maitland.

Phillip Dreckow from Cleve has taken out the double, winning both trials with Mykita Malt. Malt is a 3.5 year old Border Collie bred by Don Maddern. He is by Cromarty and out of Old Mill Kellie.

In other results, Ben Williss won the Encourage event with his Kelpie Carinya Fred and Anthony Ireland won the Novice Championship with Oakdowns Reg. Lee Mickan was successful in the Farm Dog event with Waramara Joker.

At Maitland, Jennifer Horne won the Encourage event with Max and Lee Mickan won the Novice with Kamarooka Nellie.

The relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions meant the NSW-SA border opened, just in time to allow Josh Marshall to join us from NSW and take out the Improver event with Olboa Time.

These two trials on the Yorke Peninsula, have been on SAWDA’s trialling calendar for well over 30 years. However, the region has become a strong cropping area, making securing sheep for the trials very difficult. We were grateful to get a different mob of sheep for each trial, but both mobs proved to be quite challenging to work, as the scores demonstrate. The sheep at our State Championships, were particularly opposed to going through the obstacles.

We are most grateful to Paul and Cameron March for the use of their sheep at Paskeville and to Jono Pillow for the use of his sheep at Maitland. Both trials were supported by Dogpro, our major sponsors.

Although COVID-19 restrictions meant we couldn’t welcome our usual competitors from Victoria, we are delighted to have a group of 8 enthusiastic encourage workers who have joined us over the last couple of years.

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Story by Lauren Vest

WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATE YARD AND UTILITY TRIAL Article and Photos by Nan Lloyd

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est Australia only held two yard and utility events this year, as two were cancelled due to the Covid outbreak.

Both events were held at Ken and Jenny Atherton’s property “Yallambee” and run by the Mayanup club. The Athertons breed purebred Dohnes and have their well-known Kelpie stud Ramulam. Yallambee is near Arthur River, about 200kms south of Perth, down the Albany Highway.

The state championship was run over the same course and used some of the same sheep from the previous trial. The weather was unusually warm on the first day, but a strong breeze helped keep the temperature down, although the wind got quite strong in the afternoon and evening, causing a few problems. The last two days of the trial were cool, but pleasant and made for excellent trialling weather. A crunching frost on Saturday night bought out the gloves and beanies the next morning.

For the utility trial, the course started with a cast lift and draw, and the five sheep were put into a small pen on the outside of the yard section. The competitor then went in and completed their yard course, which included a tricky gather, a race, a draft and put away. The five sheep previously penned where then released by the handler and worked through the outside course. The course outside consisted of a gap, a trap, and a pen. The trap had two separately pointed sections, whereby the dog worked the sheep into a short race and then had to hold them while the handler opened the gate at the other end to let them out. If they broke back over the dog, only the first section was awarded points. 17 minutes was allowed for the entire course.

The novice yard course was the same yard course that was a part of the utility events but for the open yard trial dogs had to load and unload a trailer which caused quite a few issues, as the sheep did not want to come out. The sheep, purebred Dohnes were excellent trial sheep, but could be a little unpredictable especially in the yard, working well for one person then jamming up and splitting for the next. The yard course was challenging but showcased the best dogs. The

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first gather could be tricky, and many people lost a fair few point trying to get them through the gate. They worked nicely until they were almost through the gate, then broke back and raced towards their mates behind the fence. Strong eyed dogs had more trouble with them, the sheep tended to turn and face them. Outside they were quite good but did need careful handling at times and could run fast if pushed too much. They were not easy to pen, so some handlers struggled to get them in, there were not a lot of successful pens.

It was a great social trial. A BBQ was held each evening with plenty of delicious food and the telling of many tall tales and memories, some real, and some a little embellished.

In WA judges are permitted to run their own dogs. They are then judged by two people to make it as fair as possible.

Otherwise with only a few trials per year, it is a bit much of an ask to expect trailers to travel a long way just to judge. This system has always worked very well.

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Article by QWCDTAInc. Secretary, Joel Davis

WALLUMBILLA 2020

QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS R

oss and Pauline Kehl, Anita Albeck and Helen Finlay have again delivered another fantastic Championship Working Dog Trial for members of the Queensland Working Cattle Dog Trial Association Inc. in Wallumbilla on the weekend of the 7th, 8th and 9th of August 2020.

Last year the team and their band of helpers hosted the Australian Championships and were awarded ‘2019 Community Event of the Year’ in the Australia Day Awards.

This year they hosted the Queensland Championships and certainly did not disappoint.

Despite everything that 2020 has thrown at us, the committee persisted and put together an extensive COVID Safe Plan to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all competitors and spectators. Not even the Friday morning down pour and vicious winds could stop the event going ahead.

Competitors donned their driza-bones and gumboots to

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navigate the course and everyone enjoyed the well over-due catch up, that has resulted from the cancellation of most of our events for the year.

Approximately thirty competitors travelled from throughout Queensland and New South Wales to compete, with one hundred and one dogs in the Open, seventy-nine in the Novice and seventy-two in the maiden. The Bush Handler also brought in some local talent with Kevin Kehl and Cindy taking out first place.

Congratulations to our 2020 Queensland Champions: Glenn McKay and Wildash Nellie (Open), Anita Albeck and Double K Tommy (Novice), and Jamie Sturrock and Craiglea Ruby (Maiden).

Thanks go to sponsors AGL, Cobber Dog Food and Santos, as well as cattle donors, Christina and Graham York. A huge thanks also goes to the Wallumbilla State School P & C and the Bendaroo Bulls Junior Footy Club for running the bar and canteen.

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Article and Photos by Wagga Working Dog Club

WAGGA

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WORKING DOG AUCTION H

eld in wet, muddy conditions, the annual Wagga working dog auction proved to be one of the best yet.

The planned move from an autumn sale to a spring sale, has taken the event to a new level. Challenging weather wasn’t the only problem, with COVID-19 lock downs not allowing sellers and buyers to be present from all states, which meant the use of the online platform Auctions Plus became a great asset.

seven dogs selling for more than $10,000 - any of which could have topped the sale.

The top price working dog was offered by Lucy Sellers and made $20,000. Her dog, Alfie, described as ‘the complete package’ a 2.2year old black and tan kelpie, is a powerful stock mover that is easy to control and works sheep or cattle in the yards and paddock.

The auction was held at the Wagga Yard Dog Club’s purpose built facility at Euberta just west of Wagga. Dogs were put through their paces in a yard and paddock and had the opportunity to work cattle. Buyers had the chance to see what the dog could do on stock, in a range of working situations.

The Wagga Yard Dog Club thanks the club sponsors Walsh and Blair for their ongoing support and specialty assistance.

Coprice for the support and generously giving all vendors and buyers a bag of working dog food, which was greatly appreciated by all. Thanks also to the Riding for the Disabled Wagga branch for manning the gate.

A good line up of nearly 60 bidders attended, and another 280 bidders viewed the sale and bought a number of dogs online.

Dogs were sold to NSW, Vic and Qld in a sale that saw 30 out of 32 lots sold. A sale average of $6817 was achieved with

A huge thanks also goes to all the people who step in and lent a hand on the day of the auction, it is the little things that make all the difference to achieve a great result.

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Article by Ryan Johnston

Geurie Golden Collar Auction Photo Left to Right Mick Hudson holding 3mth old ‘MGH Fly’, Golden Collar co-organiser Ryan Johnston who sold his dog ‘Dusty’ for $4600, Les Everleigh with top priced dog ‘Whites Milo’, selling agent Matthew Weber - director of Carter Lindsay & Weber, Stephen Flatley holding 8wk old ‘Brutonvale Rouge’ who sold for $3,600 and Golden Collar co-organiser Kevin Bell with his 5mth old female pup ‘Bells Sally’ who sold for $6,600.

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What a Sale!

18 of 22 dogs sold to a top price of $17,050 to average an impressive $5,696 - a huge $2,256 higher than last year’s sale average. Taking out the top price for the day was Les Everleigh’s ‘Whites Milo’ (Nix Bundy x Whites Chloe III). He will be heading to Northern Victoria.

This set a new Geurie working dog auction record price.

Another notable sale was three month old Border Collie ‘MGH Fly’ offered by Mick Hudson, who sold for an astounding $5,610 to a White Dorper Stud at Cobar, NSW.

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34 registered bidders attended the sale in person and a staggering 109 accounts were active through Auctions Plus.

7 Kelpies sold from $1,700 to $17,050 while 11 Border Collies sold from $2,000 to $13,000. 12 dogs were sold on the day through the Auctions Plus platform with dogs selling to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The Geurie committee would like to thank all the vendors for their support. We look forward to another successful sale in 2021 and hope to see you there!

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WA State Arena

Championships Article and Photos by Nan Lloyd

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agin was the venue for this year’s State Arena Championships, which was run by Centrals Sheepdog club.

Wagin is a small town about 230, south of Perth and is famous for The Woolerama, which is run in March every year.

The Woolerama is a huge Agricultural show, encompassing displays, wool and livestock showing, and all manner of interesting inventions, products and competitions. Trials have been run in conjunction with the Woolerama for many years.

As the ground is well set up, it is used at other times of the year for trials and training events. It is a beautiful ground with great facilities. Improvements include a brick office and a new white fence.

The state dinner was held on Friday night at the Palace Hotel. It was well attended and very much enjoyed by all, with delicious food and a lot of wine. Unfortunately, we were not blessed by the weather and the sheep were somewhat difficult.

On Thursday and Friday morning the weather was fairly mild, but with chilly nights and there was a light frost on Saturday morning. However, the freezing wind started on Friday and worsened as the weekend went on. By the time the open final was run it was blowing a gale. Modifications were needed to the race mid final, as the wind kept blowing it over. It was bitterly cold, and dust was flying due to the dry conditions.

The sheep were small Merino’s that could run extremely fast and refused to settle for most dogs. Many people retired at the race as the sheep kept making mad dashes back to the let-out.

Occasionally they settled for a team for some unknown reason, but basically it was luck of the draw as to how the sheep reacted. If the race was negotiated early then they were a bit easier going up the bridge but difficult to pen, in some cases going in and just coming out again. They were so reactive, it was not easy to place the dog in a position of control to settle them. Some of the more experienced dogs managed to put a score on the board, but it was hard going for most teams. It was however an action-packed trial and provided a worthy challenge.

The trial was well attended, and it was great to see such a good roll up.

In the novice there were 56 entries and 12 scores.

In the Improver 51 entries and 17 scores.

In the open 81 entries and 26 scores.

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BREEDER’S DIRECTORY

ADVERTORIAL

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