Obama’s Final Choice - The Portuguese Water Dog

On April 11 2009, Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, was given to U.S. President Barack Obama’s two daughters Sasha and Malia by American Senator, Edward M. Kennedy.

Obama promised his daughters a puppy if he won last year’s election and the gift from the senator was in response to the victory.

Dogs like Bo may look like Poodles, but are in fact water spaniel breeds of gun dogs originally bred to herd fish into nets, retrieve lost tackle and act as couriers from ship to ship or ship to shore. Such a hard working background makes them highly intelligent and loyal companions with great stamina.

However, the Obama’s would be well advised to recognise that such qualities also mean that regular time should be dedicated to vigorous exercise, thorough grooming and committed training routines. Taking these actions will help to address destructive tendencies that arise from boredom and loneliness.

Portuguese Water Dogs need a daily walk of 20 – 30 minutes at least with a regular swim at the local beach or Dog Lake. Importantly, their ears should be cleaned each week - especially after swimming - to prevent disease

And while we can assume that the Obama’s were seeking an energetic dog to complement their active lifestyles, another quality that gained much press was the importance of obtaining a dog that had a low shedding coat. No breed of dog is completely hypoallergenic, however, some – like the Portuguese Water Dog have a tendency to cause fewer problems. This quality has seen the Portuguese Water Dog gain in popularity in recent years although it is still a rare breed in Australia.

No-shed or low-shed breeds that are more commonly available include the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, West Highland Terrier and Scottish Terrier breeds. Purposely bred crosses like Golden Doodles also have the no-shed coat.

Regular grooming of such dogs is essential as the coats do not shed and need to be brushed thoroughly several times a week to prevent matting and tangling.

Bo can expect to be skidding and prancing across the marbled floor of the Whitehouse for the next 12 – 14 years and grow to a medium height of 40-50 cm high and weigh between 16-25kg.

The puppy was originally named Charlie, but Malia and Sasha Obama rechristened him Bo in honour of their cousin's cat of the same name. Their parents are said to call the dog "Diddley" because Mrs Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, after the musician Bo Diddley.

Looks can be deceiving!

In my work as an animal behaviour consultant I see many cases where people make inappropriate decisions when choosing their pet, basing their decision on looks alone. While most people find puppies and kittens simply irresistible, many do not stop to think; how well will this animal fit in with my lifestyle when it’s fully grown? Choosing the right breed or breed type is more important than most people think and can minimise the chances that the pet will end up in a shelter later in life.

Consideration must be given for characteristics such as size at maturity, coat length, exercise and nutritional requirements. In addition, owners need to take into account how much time they will have available to provide companionship, training (if they want a dog), grooming and exercise. Adults are often easier to care for than puppies or kittens because they are already toilet trained and have passed the destructive juvenile stage. An added bonus is that many dogs already know some basic obedience. For people looking for a pet that is less fuss from the onset, a shelter cat or dog may be the most appropriate choice.

Research (and lots of it) is the key to deciding on the most appropriate pet to suit your lifestyle, budget and living situation. Reading books, surfing the internet and joining chat groups is a great place to start. Select-a-pet is an online questionnaire that can help you select an appropriate cat or dog for your lifestyle. See SELECTAPET for more information. Also consider speaking to breeders and people who own the breed or breed type you are considering. The more knowledge you gain on the particular type of pet you are interested in, the more informed your decision will be and the greater the likelihood that you and your new pet will be a perfect match!

Winter walks

It’s easy to spend the winter months snuggled up by the fire with a good book, a box of chocolates and the dog curled up at your feet. Truth be known, the dog would much prefer you to put on your walking shoes, grab a lead and go for a walk.

In most parts of Australia there are very few days where the weather is so bad that a walk is unpleasant. Winter and early spring bring crisp mornings which are far more pleasant for walking than summer heat.

If the weather is nasty, both the dog and owner can wear rain gear. Pet stores have a large choice of dog coats ranging from the purely fashionable in an array of colours and patterns, to the very practical oilskin. It may not be possible to take the dog for a fitting but all you need is the dog’s measurement around the middle at the deepest part of the body, and also the length of body.

In many parts of Australia, dogs are banned from beaches during the warmer months so winter can be an ideal time to take the dog for a walk along a deserted beach. Many beaches allow dogs off lead during this period and there are few dogs which do not react with joy at running free on the sand, sniffing unusual smells of the sea, and even having a paddle or trying to catch waves.

Dogs which get wet during a walk should be toweled off and an old chamois used after to remove water and mud from the coat. Long coated breeds should be dried with a hairdryer and then brushed or combed to prevent the hair from matting.

Both owners and dogs who continue to walk during winter will be trim, taut and terrific when summer arrives.

Just Walk Me on the Gold Coast

Alf Mikelat spent a lot of his working life getting his hands dirty. Before joining the Gold Coast City Council and working his way Team Leader position of Animal Management, he’d made his crust as a mechanic in South Western Victoria.

However, sitting at his desk, sending out reams of fact sheets with contact details of animal behaviourists to people having difficulties with their dogs just didn’t cut it for Alf.

“Experience has taught me that the average person can feel pretty confused with the kind of language we tend use in local government. It can all seem too confusing and overwhelming to people who just want a simple answer on how they can spend more time enjoying their dog in the community.”

So Alf and his team developed the “Just Walk Me” program. Here people that experience difficulty with their dogs can meet up every Sunday with members of the Animal Management group to walk their dogs and become socially responsible pet owners.

“It’s a great opportunity to show people what normal dog behaviour is. Owners can feel nervy about their dogs, but once they understand realise that their dogs are behaving like everyday dogs do, they relax and realise that they have nothing to worry about.”

By sending out flyers to promote the program to people in areas where high regulatory taking place, Alf can bring people having difficulty with their dogs together in open off leash areas.
“It’s a great way to get the dogs that are having problems right out in the open. It means we can deal with issues right in front of us.”

Since it began in October 2007, popularity for the Just Walk Me program has increased across the board. Initially the public open space was deserted but now Alf and his team find that more than 70 people are turning up to exercise their dog, seek guidance and make friends with neighbours.

“The first few times we came, we parked the dog truck in the middle of the park and hopped out in our AMO uniforms. And people took off, all running off in the opposite direction! We learnt that lesson pretty quickly,” he laughs. “We changed our shirts to a friendly green, stuck up some colourful signage and painted up the truck and it wasn’t long before word of mouth got around.”

Alf continues to do the Sunday rounds with two animal management officers, believing that face to face community contact is critical for the program to work.

“We’re here to provide information and answers,” said Alf. “If we can’t answer the questions, we take down contacts and send out whatever information they required.”

Communication is key to running one of these programs successfully, so Alf handpicked animal management officers he knew that community members would feel comfortable to approach.

So far, the program has been a success, with a plateuing of animal complaints just one of the benefits.

Someone like Alf doesn’t rest on his laurels however; Alf has in his sights a pet awareness strategy that takes a cradle to grave approach. With pre-natal programs being rolled out in hospitals, kindergarten programs with the Wiggles and Doris the Dinosaur, and a similar strategy to the Just Walk Me program is being developed to target senior residents with pets who can’t get out as often as they’d like.

“If we can fix just one complaint, one concern, then I reckon we’ve done our job,” says Alf. “Primarily I want to make sure that these Sunday’s are for people with dog problems. Sure it should be fun too, but it’s more important I think, that the dogs with difficulties are getting out where we can tackle those problems head on.”

“I’m really stoked at how well the programs gone. It’s not only been dead easy to run, but dead cheap too!”

How to run a “dead easy, dead cheap” Just Walk Me Program

· Turn one of your trucks into a Just Walk Me truck. Alf got the engineering team to convert his station wagon into a promotional vehicle that also converts into an information table.

· Turn the public image of AMOs on its head. Instead of your usual AMO officer uniform, pick up some shirts in “friendly colours”, green or yellow, and embroider them with the “Just Walk Me” program logo.

· Set up lots of signage in the area advertising the event. Tall “feather” signage like the colourful ones you might see at the beach or at outside events are just the ticket to get people’s attention.

· Link up to an existing health program that’s running in your council. Alf hooked the “Just Walk Me” program in with the Gold Coast City Council’s “Active and Healthy” program. In doing so, he was able to get assistance with signage and promotion.

· Target areas that are displaying the most regulatory action and high registration numbers

· Send out flyers for the programs when sending out regulatory notices or fines

· Handpick officers who have good people skills are and are capable of talking with people from all walks of life

· Evaluate the program both the teams’ progress and dog owner’s general ongoing exercise and training activities.

· Provide a simple healthy morning tea with fruit and juice.

Alf Mikelat has been with the Gold Coast City Council for 6 years. He also works as a chief training officer at Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club.

For further information on local government animal management solutions go to www.ccac.net.au

The Pug

"Multum in Parvo" - a lot of dog in a small space; a particularly apt description for one of the oldest breeds of dog, the Pug.

This endearing little fellow is thought to have originated in China around 400BC but has also been discovered in both Tibet and Japan. It eventually found its way into Europe where it quickly became the favourite of the Royal Courts.

The name "Pug" is thought to have originated from the nickname given to marmosets, a common pet in the 1700’s. It’s believed that the dogs’ facial expression was similar enough to the monkey’s to be granted its’ name.

The breed gained wide popularity throughout the Victorian era and is featured in many art forms of the period wearing either decorative collars or bows around their short, thick necks.

The head of the Pug is massive with a short, blunt, square muzzle. The eyes are large, and prominent, dark in colour with a soft expression. The body is compact and the tail curled as tightly as possible over the hip, with a double curl being considered the ultimate in perfection.

The coat is fine, soft, short and glossy and most commonly coloured in silver or apricot-fawn with velvety black ears and a clearly defined black muzzle or mask. There should be a clearly defined "thumb mark" on the forehead and a black trace down the centre of the back. Although not as common, the Pug also comes in a glossy solid black.

The Pug is an ideal pet for all ages and may be especially suitable for older folks as his exercise needs are quite moderate. It is important to ensure that the Pug is kept cool on warm days as this breed does not cope well with heat. As the Pug is very much a breed which prefers to be a house dog he will generally search out the coolest spot in the house - and certainly the most comfortable whatever the weather!

There are few more endearing dogs than the Pug. It has a natural affinity with children, craves human companionship and although he has a certain dignity about him, manages to combine it with a good sense of humour and a strong desire to be the centre of attention.

Have you heard of hearing dogs?

There would be few Australians who do not recognise a Guide Dog and acknowledge its right to accompany its owner onto public transport and into stores or restaurants.

Neither so well known nor as identifiable are the “Hearing Dogs” which alert their hearing impaired owners to a variety of sounds.

Hearing Dogs are often smaller crossbreeds obtained from animal welfare shelters after careful assessment of their temperament and trainability.

After months of intensive training using positive reinforcement methods, the dogs are carefully matched with a hearing impaired person.

A Hearing Dog alerts its owner to sounds through the use of its body. It may run back and forth between its owner and the sound or it may physically lead the owner to the sound source.

A Hearing Dog is trained to let its owner know when:

• The phone rings

• The doorbell buzzes

• There’s a knock at the door

• The smoke alarm sounds

• The alarm clock rings

• The kitchen timer sounds

• Its owner’s name is called


In response to either a smoke alarm or alarm clock, a Hearing Dog is taught to jump onto a bed or couch and alert a sleeping person using either a nose nudge or some other form of physical contact.

Because a Hearing Dog is able to alert the owner to the presence of others nearby it is also able to assist in providing a strong sense of security.

A Hearing Dog may also relieve some of the stress associated with communicating to hearing individuals and help the hearing impaired person socialize more effectively and freely. The dog may increase self confidence and esteem as they rely less on others for basic support.

Companionship is another positive aspect of a Hearing Dog with many owners and their dogs sharing a very special bond of friendship and trust.

The Grey Ghost Dog – The Weimaraner

Weimaraners are the grey ghosts of the dog world.

Direct descendants of the St. Hubert Hounds of eight century France, the Weimaraner came into being when a genetic mutation occurred. It created the distinctive colouring that makes the Weimaraner one of the most readily recognised breeds.

In the early days of the breed, the Weimaraner was used by the noblemen of the Court of Weimar as a big game hound, taking scent from the ground, hunting dangerous quarry which it brought to bay and held it for the huntsmen.

Not long after the breed came into being, the hunting of large game became a rarity in Germany because the large game died out with the encroachment of civilisation. The sportsmen then concentrated on smaller game and required a dog which would work on both game and birds. The Weimaraner was then crossed with native bird dogs to develop the breed into the all purpose dog.

The breeding of Weimaraners was jealously guarded by a select few fanciers who selectively chose only the most intelligent dogs to produce the finest stock possible. The Weimaraner was recognised as a breed in Germany in the nineteenth century.

Today the Weimaraner is kept as a sporting dog and used in the very competitive world of field trials but he also is a wonderful family companion. He has a strong sense of territory and makes an excellent watchdog. His temperament and trainability make him a great companion for owners willing to meet his requirements for exercise.

An aristocratic large dog, measuring up to 69cms, the Weimaraner has a short smooth and sleek silver grey coat with the appearance of a metallic sheen. Although rare, there is also a long haired variety in which the coat measures up to 5cms in length on the body with longer feathering on the back of the legs and tail. The eyes of the Weimaraner are a shade of amber or blue-grey, unlike the darker brown found in most other breeds.

When walking the Weimaraner appears rather awkward, but when trotting he has smooth coordination. The Weimaraner is not a breed content to be a kennel or yard dog as he does best when allowed to share in family life.

A Decade of Progress - Pet Owners more environmentally Responsible

The latest research into pet ownership, conducted with approximately 1,000 Australians by Roy Morgan Research has shown that pet owners are more aware of their responsibilities to the environment than they were a decade ago.

Pet ownership brings many benefits to owners and the communities they and their pets are part of, but it is vital that the responsibilities of being a pet owner are understood and acted on.

In 1994, when the last research was done, 63% of owners reported that they kept their cats in at night, whereas in 2006 the comparable figure is 78%.

There are similar improvements in the number of owners who report cleaning up after their dog. 64% of dog owners now report that they ‘always’ pick up their dog droppings, compared with 33% in 1994.

It is particularly pleasing that 61% of the general population felt that the extent to which dog owners pick up droppings had either ‘increased a lot’ or ‘increased moderately’ since 1994.

Carl Carthy, pet lover and CEO of Greening Australia is the owner of two dachshunds, a breed that was originally bred to hunt badgers. He is highly conscious of the need to check the garden because he is lucky enough to have koalas, echidnas and blue tongues lizards visit from time to time.

He checks the garden before letting them out in the morning and never leaves them outside in the garden unsupervised.

Next week, leading animal behaviourist, Kersti Seksel, provides 10 top Eco tips for pet owners

Rough Coated Collie –a lovable Lassie

The Rough Collie started life as a rough-and-tumble sheep herding dog in Scotland many years ago.

It was not until Queen Victoria's interest in the breed elevated his status from that of a lowly shepherd's helper to a favourite of royalty and the wealthier classes, that he started climbing the popularity ladder.

Becoming immortalised for all time through M.G.M.'s "Lassie" films, the Collie has gone on to become one of the world's most recognisable and beloved breeds.

No longer in demand as a herder, today's Collie has transferred these abilities to serving as a devoted family dog, with a particular affinity for small children. Never happier than when he has a job to do, the Collie delights in adopting the dual role of family companion and watchdog.

The Rough Collie's abundant two-ply coat, which comes in tonings of sable and white, tricolour, or blue merle, is without doubt his crowning glory. Although it obviously needs regular grooming to keep it clean and in good order, it helps that the Collie is not so profusely coated around the legs as many of the other heavily coated breeds.

Like all working dogs, the Rough Collie needs regular exercise to keep him in trim. Intuitive and anxious to please, he also responds well to training.

Dog in a Ute

April 5, 2008

The Corrigin Apex Club with assistance from the Corrigin Community is once again organising and running the Dogs in a Ute event. 2008 is the 10 year anniversary of when the small Western Australian town of Corrigan broke the World Record when they attracted 699 Dogs in Utes from right across Australia.

What is it?

The Dog in a Ute event involves the coming together of two great rural Aussie icons - the 'Ute' and man's best friend, the 'Dog' to raise funds to donate back into the community.

In 1998, the event raised $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and then in 2002, the town smashed it again with 1527 dogs in utes. This time around they raised $60, 000 and again donated the funds to the RFDS and local Community Emergency Services.

Since this day, no other town has been able to break the record.

Any queries about this event can be directed to Coordinator Jenny Barratt on 0439 901 784 or email jbarratt@corrigin.wa.gov.au

The 2008 Royal Easter Show

March 20 – April 2, 2008

All creatures great and small are waiting to meet you at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

From baby bunnies to huge horses, animals of all shapes and sizes are making an appearance.

Get up close to the action during a performance or learn about various breeds in one of the many interactive displays including:

• Grand Parade and Horses – one of the traditional highlights of the show
• The Sunday Telegraph Animal Walk – entertaining, educational and interactive. Suitable for all ages, but particularly great for the kids
• Dairy Farmers Farmyard Nursery – hugely popular – baby bunnies, cuddly calves, little lambs and perfect piglets.
• Milking Barn and Working Dairy – interact with the animals first hand; learn about milk production and dairy farming.
• Dog and Cat Shows – over 3000 dogs strutting their stuff and lots of kittens, cats and laughter.
• Yard Dogs – watch gifted animals working and performing at the Show with demonstrations running throughout the 14 days.
• Dog Flyball – an exciting spectator sport that draws massive crowds to cheer on the dogs while they race.
• Shearing Demonstrations – fun and fast world champion shearers will be showcasing their skills every day at the show in exciting displays.
• Chook Washing – good, clean fun! Watch these cheeky chooks be preened and styled to look their very best.

The Royal Easter Show is internationally renowned for being fun, energetic and educational! So why not take the family? They’ll love you for it!

For more information click here.

Aussie workers - a dog for the job

Unlike other domesticated animals put to work or used for food production, dogs have a unique position in our lives, as faithful companion and best friend. We usually own them simply because we love them, they need serve no other purpose, however there are dogs who are trained to perform specialised tasks and whose services to man cannot be overlooked.

In Australia the most common working dogs are those that work with livestock. Australia has developed breeds of dogs, the Australian Kelpie and Australian Cattle Dog and the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog to work in our unique climate and conditions. Of sheep dogs, the Kelpie is one of the best in the world. A good Kelpie can do the work of six men. As Australian as a kangaroo, the Australian Kelpie has a natural instinct and aptitude for the working of sheep, both in open country or in yards, and is renowned for the way in which he runs over the sheep’s backs.

A “true blue” Aussie, the Australian Cattle Dog’s prime function is the movement and control of cattle in both confined and wide, open spaces. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful and courageous, this breed is a tribute to the ability of the Australian stockmen who knew what they wanted in a cattle dog and set about producing it.

The rarer Stumpy was bred to do similar work to his better known cousin, the Australian Cattle Dog, and his courage and tenacity are second to none. He has a distinctive appearance that led to his unusual name as he has a gene for a natural bob tail.

Not all Australian breeds were developed to work sheep and cattle. The Australian Terrier evolved from a variety of British terriers that had been brought out to Australia by settlers. Specifically bred for Australian conditions, this hard-bitten tough little terrier was used for everything from guarding the farms and mines to hunting, and killing rats and snakes. Believed to be basically a cross between the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, the Australian Silky Terrier was bred to fill the need for a small terrier which would be suited to life in a small house or cottage but, at the same time, would be effective in hunting and killing domestic rodents.

It is important to remember that not all working dogs can adjust well to suburban, backyard living. Extremely active dogs such as sheep and cattle dogs often become bored if they have little to occupy them. If you want a working dog as a pet, it is important to consider how well they will adapt to your environment. If you are not sure seek advice from your vet and other people experienced in dog breeds.