Pooch Scoop Spring 2014

SPRING

“ I went to the salon the other day and told them just take a little off the top. I think they got a little carried away.”

Tilly

News, views and opinions in this newsletter are those of the correspondent’s not necessarily those of the club, editor and committee. The Springwood District Dog Training Club Inc. reserve the right of rejection of material.

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COMMITTEE President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Chief Instructor Obedience Chief Instructor Agility Newsletter/Website Trophy Officer Table Manager Obedience Procurement Officer Sporting Representative General Committee

Lynn Olson Chris Lambert Leanne Brown Paul Kelly Ron Amann Nicola Read Lynn Olson Shane Grundy Wally Campbell Maryjka Kelly David Brown Vicki Cooper, Bonnie Sheather, Cathy Moran

Remember you are always welcome to attend our Club’s General Meetings at the Red Cross Hall in Macquarie Road, Springwood on the 3 rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30 p.m.. (There is no meeting in December).

Life Members – Dot Luker, Ann Moy, Sue Fell, Ron Amann, Wally Campbell, Pam Waters, Lesley Piggott, Lynn Olson Annual General Meeting – will be held on the last Thursday in August, 2015 at Lomatia Park. (There will be no training on that night).

Web Site:

www.sddtc.org

Email:

info@sddtc.org

Training Days:

Agility Spring/Summer Monday evening 7.00 p.m.

Winter Friday morning 10.00 a.m.

Obedience: Tuesday morning 10.00a.m. – Thursday evening 7.30 p.m.

Wet Weather: If it has been raining for a few days check the Blue Mountains Oval Closure Hotline. – 47805617 after 3.00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Also check our Facebook Page for training updates.

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l. Besides cute, what do you call a baby koala?

2. What do you call a baby echidna?

3. Which two Australian native animals support the shield on Australia’s national coat of arms, and why were they chosen?

4. Psssssst! Of the world’s 25 deadliest snakes, how many live in Australia?

5. Move over Bugs Bunny! Which two Australian marsupials have been immortalised as LOONEY TUNES cartoon characters?

6. True or false? The budgerigar is believed to have gotten its name from an Áboriginal word meaning ‘good food’.

7. Which endangered Australian marsupial is sometimes known as the rabbit-eared bandicoot and is often depicted in chocolate?

8. Which critically endangered critter is the only Australian marsupial to hibernate? a. Numbat b. Mountain Pygmy Possum c. Southern Marsupial Mole d. Woylie

MAC’S MYSTERY MUTT The breed was originally called the 'Gamekeeper’s Night Dog' as they were used to catch poachers. The base stock of the breed was 60% English Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. They were created in the late 1800’s. When the need for gamekeepers and the breed declined they were used in sport.

Someone would run off into the undergrowth and after a short time a muzzled dog would be released to see if the person could be found. They were not trained to maul or kill, but to overpower their target. All the records state the dog never lost. The Kennel Club in Britain first recognised the breed in 1925, and the American Kennel Club gave them recognition in 1933.

The breed is a powerfully built dog. They have large, square heads with large, muscular necks. A compact dog that is muscular all over and naturally large. Their coats are short, hard and weather proof. The colours of the dog can be fawn, red or brindle, some may have limited white on the chest. Dogs measure 63.5-68.5cms at the withers and weigh between 5059kgs. Bitches measure 61-66cms and weigh between 41-50kgs. It is a good idea to remember that when you decide on this dog that it does grow up to be a large, heavy dog.

These dogs are very protective of their family and other household pets.

They have to be socialised from an early age. The breed will only accept strangers if they are introduced to them by someone they trust. Intruders will be quickly halted in their tracks. It is not really a breed for the novice owner, due to its strength, stubborn and over protective nature.

The dog can be stubborn and firm handling is required from puppyhood.

They can also be quite headstrong and boisterous, especially during adolescence.

This dog should not have long walks or be allowed a lot of free exercise until it is at least 12 months old. It has to be remembered that even when this dog is 6 months old, and is relatively large, it is still a puppy. Too much exercise too young can lead to bone and joint related health problems in later life. They have an average demand for exercise, only requiring a few walks per day. They do enjoy exercise and games with the family.

WHO

AM

I?

Last month’s Mutt - The Boston Terrier

Paul/Maryjka

Bree

12th October

V.Canty

Piraeus

17th October

C.Croft

Steptoe

24th October

F.Dyer

Sparkie

25th October

L. Strasser

Rani

25th October

J.Murphy

Basil

30th October

Fleas Now is the season of renewal of warmer weather, longer days, flowering trees and shrubs, and bright-coloured pansies…… and fleas The most common canine pest, the flea is actually a marvel of adaptability that would be much admired if they weren’t so pesky. However, since they often carry tapeworms, can cause severe itching and even allergy, and often bite humans, their jumping and survival talent are reviled instead of revered.

By late Spring, fleas begin to emerge from their pupae as adults and migrate to the nearest dog or cat for blood meals. An adult flea mates shortly after emergence and begins laying eggs within 36 hours. In her brief 50 day lifespan, a single female flea can lay more than 2,000 eggs.

An adult flea is the worst champ of the insect world. About the size of a pinhead, it can jump about 100 times its own height, a far greater leap than that possible for the multi-million dollar basket ball player. This ability to jump makes it possible to travel quickly from host to host and from host to hiding place for laying eggs. All over Australia, the flea life-cycle (adult flea—egg--larva—pupa—adult flea) takes about 35 – 40 days in early Spring and 17 – 21 days in Summer. We even see fleas in winter in the country but not so many if their bedding is clean and we use Frontline or such products.

Humidity is critical to flea survival. Eggs need relative humidity of 70 – 75 percent to hatch, and larvae need at least 50 per cent humidity to survive.

In humid areas, about 20 per cent of the eggs survive to adulthoods; in arid areas, less than five percent complete the cycle. All bets are of f when Fido brings fleas in for the winter. Household warmth can keep the cocooned larvae alive until conditions are ripe for emergence of the adults and may even allow life cycles to continue at a snail’s pace.

Signs of Infestation Fleas are masters of their universe. They can hide in a forest of pet hairs, especially on long-coated or double-coated dogs, and can zig-zag among and between hair shafts faster than an Olympic skier on a slalom course.

And then there’s the leap. Now you see a black speck with legs and now you don’t. So don’t depend on seeing the flea to know if he’s there.

Instead, look for clues.

If Fido scratches, he may have been bitten. (No kidding!) but he may also have dry skin, an allergy, or mange mites. If he bites at his rear end especially around his tail or the inside or outside of his thighs, fleas are a possibility.

Flea dirt looks like sprinkled pepper on the dog. If you drop some of this ‘pepper’ onto a damp paper towel and it turns reddish, it is fleas, not seasoning.

While your dog may be slightly bothered by a flea or two or may play host to a dozen or more with serious consequences, he may be the unlucky recipient of a tapeworm infestation courtesy of mama flea or he may be allergic to flea saliva and develop mild to severe skin reactions to even a single bite. The tapeworm or the skin bumps may be the only signs that the fleas are present.

So stay on your toes and watch your pet’s behaviour.

Taken from the Internet.

Club Members Shop – For all your shop requirements, please see Maryjka Kelly at the Sign-on table.

Halti’s all sizes

$22.00

Halti’s extensions

$8.00

Treat Bags (Large) Treat Bags (Small) Pigs Ears Bacon Treats Liver Treats One Meter Lead Small Water Bowls

$24.00 $12.00 $1.50 $ 2.50 $ 2.50 $14.00 $4.00

“I am just letting you all know that it is only 12 weeks till the Bearded One comes again – I sure hope they let me taste that red stuff this year.”