Wheaten Whispers
The combined newsletter of the formalised Soft Coated Wheaten Societies in Australia.
From the Editor
Letters to the Editor
State Roundup
Health
Feature Article
Bragger's Page
Achievements
Double Digit Club
Grooming Tips
Dog Friendly Accomodation
Training
Publication Schedule
Welcome readers to the belated 3rd edition of what has become the combined newsletter
of the three formalised Soft Coated Wheaten Clubs in Australia.
The decision to make this a collaborative effort was conveyed from the presidents of the
Victorian and Queensland Clubs at the conclusion of the
SCWTS NSW 2008 AGM and sits very comfortably with the new editor as I make the transition
from NSW to Victoria.
In the late 1990s Victorian Enthusiasts published a newsletter called Wheaten Whispers
and it has been decided to run with this name but this is not set is stone.
I said when taking the editorial role that this would be a basic newsletter and it could
grow as the clubs grow in membership.
This edition will be just that, conveying the makeup of the Clubs and starting to build
Sections for an ongoing structure that will make future editions easier to put together.
This is your newsletter so please make suggestions.
The other exciting news was that I attended the World Dog Show, the World Wide Wheaten festival
and the International Breeders Seminar as a consequence there in now an international website
www.wheatenbreedersgroup.com.
I was honoured to make the presentation at the Breeders Seminar on behalf of Australia –
and that is what happened to the Winter edition of this newsletter!
Enough from me now as you will get an extra dose in the SCWTS NSW Presidents Report.
Please feel free to make constructive comment and this would mostly be appreciated in the form
of contributions as this is your newsletter.
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
Note on the website edition: please visit the state websites for latest calendar of events.
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Contributions welcome for the next newsletter!
National issues for possible discussion at State level (Stuart):
- Writing of extension of breed standard to assist judges in interpreting the standard
- Change of current standard to FCI Standard
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
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Approximately 20 SCWT fanciers gathered at Heywood Park in Adelaide on September 13 for an enjoyable afternoon.
SCWTs came and went according to the commitments of their owners but the following kennels were represented at various stages:
Larnook, BwitchD, Javenfield, Southdale, Dancestar, Toftingale, Tralgil, Bayadere.
John Collard gave a short presentation on current health issues in the breed and the formation of the Wheaten Health Australia Project (WHAP).
There was a strong consensus to form a SA club and Rita Markey and her helpers have an event planned for later in the year.
South Australia will be able to send 2 delegates to the WHAP Meeting to be held in Sydney on Easter Sunday 2009.
However, the most enjoyable part was definitely mingling with the dogs and exploring their varied connections.
The SENIOR DOG was Ch Larnook Sapphire Serenade (13+) - owner Mary Beale.
I am sure we all wish the South Australians well as they journey down the road of SCWT enthusiasm.
Folks who want to join the SA initiative should contact Rita through the Yahoo! groups forum
(to subscribe, email scwt_australasia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com).
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On Sunday, April 13 we started the Walk Our Wheatens (WoW) program for the year with a visit to the Brighton Dog Beach.
We had six wheatens and their owners turn up for an enjoyable afternoon.
While any wheaten is an attractive sight, a group of them is spectacular – and if they're wet, laughing and playing! – well they collected lots of compliments.
The only cloud over the day was a big grey one, which kept the temperature a bit lower than forecast.
The humans tried to stay out of the cool breeze. The wheatens didn't notice it.
The club again participated in the RSPCA's Million Paws Walk in May.
This year we had nine wheatens who completed the walk around Albert Park Lake.
The day allows us to raise some funds for a worthy cause, while owners and dogs gain some exercise,
have an opportunity to socialise and again attract a lot of positive attention. It's a definite win/win situation for the club.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Victoria
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Notes from the President for the National newsletter, June 2008
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Society of Queensland is celebrating its first anniversary!
This “social club” has a small but enthusiastic group of members who have certainly helped put our breed on the dog show map so far this year.
A special thank to Kevin Hetherington assisted by Christine) for his secretarial duties and to Glenys Sloper as treasurer.
At all breeds championship shows in Queensland this year, Soft-coated wheaten terriers have so far taken
one Best in show to Ch Lindywheat’s Macciato [imp Swd] (Johnson), three Best in Groups, two to Ch Dancestar Aramis (Collard and Sleep)
and one to Ch Lindywheat’s Macciato [imp Swd] and two reserve in Groups one to Ch Dancestar Aramis and the other to Ch Larnook Louis Roederer (Rowley).
So far this year, Queensland members have bred one litter, this being Christine and Kevin Hetherington’s Ch Dancestar mated to Ch Lindywheat’s Macciato [imp Swd].
The Society has held 1 meeting earlier this year and held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday 8 June at the Ipswich kennel club Show, Durack,
when valuable wheaten-health related discussions were held with John Collard of Dancestar wheatens (ACT) who was visiting Brisbane.
These discussions resulted in the Qld society supporting the initiation of the national health initiative proposed by John.
As always we enjoyed some good food, wine and company.
Stuart Johnson was voted in as President, Glenys Sloper as Treasurer and Christine Hetherington as Secretary.
We hope to continue to gain new members and involve pet owners, exhibitors and breeders in wheaten-related activities.
Good luck and best wishes to the other State Societies and to all wheaten owners in Australia and overseas.
Stuart Johnson
President
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Society of Queensland
Editors note – this report was written for the “winter” edition and the editors apologies for late publication
Update of news as of 21 Oct 2008:
- A Curry night was held to raise funds for the Qld society at Christine and Kevin Hetherington’s on Sat 2 August
- Dr Christine O’Leary of the University of Queensland Veterinary School has agreed to support the Qld society
with information in the area of Wheaten health and genetics
- The Hetherington’s and Stuart took 4 wheaten’s to the QCCC’s judges training on 14 October.
Dogs and owners were reasonably well behaved except for the little tangle between Mac and a collapsing trestle table
that unfortunately took down Kevin as well! No major damage fortunately!
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What a day! What a year! How many major life events can one person pack into one year? How can I possibly tell how happy I am to be here today?
I cannot start this report without acknowledging John Collard. The day I met John and my first Wheaten I realized our skills were complimentary.
John’s ability to engage people has been his great contribution to the formation of this club. I just do the paperwork (and keep the peace).
He has asked me to convey his best wishes for a great day.
Firstly I need to thank Vice President Lori Ann for her support and hard work.
The Secretary’s Report which follows summarizes the year; affiliation with Dogs NSW, the raiser event and now our first Championship show.
I would like to talk about the future as I move interstate and am forced scale back my role in the club.
I wanted to utilize the analogy of a puppy rather than talk about handing over “my baby”, but puppies grow and mature too fast and so in line
with current life events for me I will talk about “our” baby. Just like my special new grandson this is a Team event.
As most of you are aware we have had a messy time these last few weeks. I see it as a baby’s first steps where learning how to fall and recover
is such an important part of learning to walk alone. The club is a baby; it needs to be nurtured and cared for, supported by members who provide
good role models for each other, to plan for its future, make adjustments along the way to meet the needs of all its members, and to grow.
The nurturing part is well in hand. The friendships are made and continue to grow, especially as we work together at special events like this
and the ‘annual Bungendore Palerang catering fundraiser”. The support given and received at critical times is also wonderful to see, whether
it be at the sad early passing of one of our dogs or over unfortunate misunderstandings of matters of fact that have recently occurred within the membership.
And so to the future; as I give you the baby’s hand as it takes its first few steps, just starting to walk on its own, I want to share some of my personal vision for its future.
Health issues continue to challenge. The year has not passed without the loss of dogs at an early age.
Even at these sad times we must support those involved, perhaps making health funds available to allow as much as possible to be learnt from these sad events.
But let’s not be overwhelmed by the health challenges. Other breeds have problems too.
Some have been resolved, often through the guidelines set out by good breed clubs and some are like the Wheatens still struggling with diagnosis that are difficult to forecast.
By sharing experiences we can try to address the matters.
Before my closing remarks can I just reiterate my thanks to everyone and offer that you are all good examples of “the breed” to quote the standard
re temperament “Standing (four) square with head (and tail) up, giving the appearance of a happy (dog) people, full of character.”
I would like to offer for thought for the club membership the closing comments on character from the Boxer standard (my other breed)
“He is the soul of honesty and loyalty. He is never false or treacherous even in his old age.”
Margaret Gray
Co-founder, President 2007/2008
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Society of New South Wales Incorporated
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In the past few months consultations have occurred with SCWR clubs in four states (Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia).
All 4 jurisdictions have lent support to the creation of WHAP which will work with other major SCWT health initiatives throughout the world, especially the UK and the USA.
All groups have decided that the key priorities are the education of SCWT owners, liaison with a network of SCWT specialist vets throughout Australia,
the promotion of health testing and the establishment of DNA collections which can feed into the Genome Project (USA) and pANCEA (UK)
which are both moving towards identification of marker genes for PLE?/N. other major priorities to be tackled down the track are Hip Dysplaysia and inherited eye diseases.
The first National Meeting of WHAP will be held in Sydney at the conclusion of the 2009 Championship Show on Easter Sunday.
Dr Karen Hedberg, Chair of the ANKC Health Committee will address the meeting. Other key vets and genetic researchers from Australian Universities are also being invited.
In accord with ANKC structures for national initiatives, each state club will be able to have two representatives.
These will be the President and a nominated Health Representative from each state.
John Collard has been appointed as Convenor and Executive Officer for this event.
If individuals have issues they want placed upon the agenda they should be emailed to him at
A draft paper and discussion issues is available upon request from John.
John Collard
Convenor
Wheaten Australia Health Project
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Members can read the feature article “Changing Vaccine Protocols” by Dr W. Jean Dodds in the full newsletter.
For a copy, please contact:
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
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From Brian Coppin re Ch Larnook Sugar Daddy CDX.
Dermott's details are as follows: Whelped 11/04/1995, died 10/2003 as a result of complications from a tumour in the pancreas.
ANKC certificates were issued on 040997 Australian Champion, 160997 Companion Dog and 270798 Companion Dog Excellent.
Thought you might like to hear about our lovable larikans herding adventure.
One day when we were at Tyers Deadly dog Derrmott escaped took himself into the big wide world by himself.
We were all searching for him but he was eventually found by our over the road neighbour a Truckie/Part time Farmer.
He tells the story that he knew he was getting close when he found some of his cattle stampeding wildly even though Dermott was nowhere to be seen.
He found Dermie three paddocks over and herding a half a dozen sheep just for fun.
Steve our neighbour says he sat in his four wheel drive and watched him for a while.
Fifty years on and probably twenty generations on since his ancestors were on the Irish farms he herding instict must have been still very strong.
He herded the small flock around the paddock then back down the hill into some blackberry bushes at the bottom of the valley and
despite their protest he insisted each one go through the narrowest openning and then back up the hill.
Steve said he did not think Dermott would come to him when he called him but he did.
Steve concluded he must have been too tired to refuse a ride home.
And the farmers serious comment at the end of the exercise.
“He was as good as any Kelpie he had ever seen.”
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Summary of 2008 Royal Results
Inaugural SCWTS NSW Championship Show Judge W Lewis (NSW)
Intermediate Dog
1st - Aust Ch Larnook Louis Roederer (M Rowley & M O'Kelly)
2nd - Bwitcht Swashbuckler (C Bates, R Hurley & J Collard)
Australian Bred Dog
1st - NZ Ch Larnook Kalidascope (M O'Kelly)
Open Dog
1st - Grand Ch Dancestar Pirate's Gold (M Gray & J Collard)
2nd - Ch Lindywheat's Macciato (imp Swd) (S Johnson)
3rd - Grand Ch Dancestar Zero O Seven (L Davis & J Collard)
Challenge Dog
CC Dog - Grand Ch Dancestar Pirate's Gold
Res CC Dog - Ch Lindywheat's Macciato
Puppy Bitch
1st - Saphyr My Cuppa Tea
Junior Bitch
1st - Dancestar Eureka Waltz (G Sloper)
2nd - Larnook Noin Mi Noin U (S Johnson)
3rd - Larnook Noisette (M Gray)
Australian Bred Bitch
1st - Ch Larnook Ever Present (S Johnson & M O'Kelly)
2nd - Ch Dancestar Jezzabel (F & M Peden & J Collard)
Open Bitch
1st - Am & Aust Ch Geragold Tinker's Wedding (L Davis & M O'Kelly)
Challenge Bitch
CC Bitch - Am & Aust Ch Geragold Tinker's Wedding
Res CC Bitch - Ch Larnook Ever Present
Best In Show
Best In Show Grand Ch Dancestar Pirate's Gold
Runner-up Best In Show - Ch Lindywheat's Macciato
Puppy In Show - Saphyr My Cuppa Tea
Junior In Show - Dancestar Eureka Waltz
Intermediate In Show - Ch Larnook Louis Roederer
Australian Bred In Show - Ch Larnook Ever Present
Open In Show - Grand Ch Dancestar Pirate's Gold
Veteran in Show - Ch Larnook Diamond Tiara (J Collard)
Neuter In Show - Dancestar Cabaret (A Eisman)
Property Classes
Best Coat - Ch Lindywheat's Macciato
Best Head - Gd Ch Dancestar Zero O Seven
Best Colour - Gd Ch Dancestar Zero O Seven
Best Gaited - Am & Aust Ch Geragold Tinker's Wedding
Parent & Offspring - Ch Larnook Ever Present & progeny
Best In Show Grand Champion Dancestar Pirates Gold (J Collard, M Gray)
Judge Wayne Lewis (NSW) with co-owner M Gray
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Larnook Glengay Ice Maid
A hug for Gemma! 17 this year
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Whilst keeping the coats brushed and free of knots we sometimes overlook the perimeters.
Don’t forget to keep foot hair and nails trimmed which will help with muddy paws over winter.
Ears also need routine attention and if they become clogged with wax or pinkish looking.
I use Oticlean (or a similar product) according to directions for a day or two.
The dogs love to have the goo massaged into the ear canal not understanding this massage is just a “functional” one!
The product dissolves the wax and the ears wipe clean easily.
Remember always to use caution if you choose to wipe with a cotton bud.
These products can be bought at the vet without prescription.
Of course if the problem dosen’t clear quickly a visit to the vet is probably in order.
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
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Time to start thinking about booking holidays!
You all know the drill.
Start saving, dig out your bathers, go on a diet, buy new neck to knee bathers, book the car in for a service,
polish up the hiking boots, book accommodation that allows pets, send up a prayer to the God of noisy bouncy
critters that your furry loved ones will behave, ... STOP!
Go back a couple of steps.
Before you book your accommodation, let me tell you about Best Friends Retreat in the Tarra Valley, Victoria.
We all know that there are places out there that will tolerate dogs, but let me tell you, Best Friends Retreat welcomes dogs.
There are cabins, caravans and tent sites - all fenced, and you are encouraged, yes, I said encouraged, to keep your dogs inside at night.
I stayed in a basic but clean cabin that had a verandah and a BBQ and outdoor furniture.
The park has a number of large dog runs, complete with tables and chairs, trees and toys.
One even has agility equipment! No one laughed when Dolly got stuck in a tunnel, and we did eventually get her out.
Doggy day care was definitely out of the question that day, but I did take it up when I participated in activities where my dogs
couldn't join in such as a beautiful rainforest walk.
Across the road is a swimming hole where you can swim with your dog, and a 30 minute drive will get you to the
90 Mile Beach where your dog can run off lead.
I had a great time, the girls had a great time, we are definitely going back.
And OK, Dolly didn't really get stuck in a tunnel, it was me.
Note: No mobile phone reception but public phone available.
Amanda Eisman
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Some suggested reading (and no, these are not paid ads!)
Your Positive Puppy Training Starter Pack, by Kaye Hargreaves
This is the second book in a series and deals with the puppy stage, covering early socialisation and training. It also covers the top ten topics in puppy training.
She has her own website kayehargreaves.com and books can be ordered directly from her.
Another set of books highly recommended especially even before you get your puppy are the Puppy books by Ian Dunbar
(Before You Get Your Puppy, After You Get Your Puppy). A version of these are now available on-line at dogstardaily.com/training.
Future questions welcome as we will seek a columnist to advise. Please contact:
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
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Developing a set of dates for the future - please fill gaps for your states and return feedback for next issue, especially Qld and SA groups (help please) – to balance the calendar!
| Edition | When | Content
|
|---|
| Autumn | Pre easter | - fund raisers
- NSW Specialty plans
| | Winter | Post Easter after NSW AGM | - NSW AGM outcomes
- NSW specialty Results
- Sydney royal results
- Vic sporting terrier get together plans
| | Spring | Late September after Vic AGM | - Vic AGM outcomes
- Advertise Christmas get togethers
| | Summer | Early December | - Plans for the new year
- Canberra Royal and associated get togethers
- Christmas braggers competition
|
We invite contributions from current members on any topic, in particular litter notices, new titles, major
wins and pet escapades. Regular features we would like to see include:
- Achievements of note – include any achievements in the public arena, titles gained or Show results
- Double Digit Club
- Grooming - tips to share
- Training – articles of note or tips to share
- Dog friendly accomodation
- Publication dates – please give your feedback with respect to advertising events and planning
Please send any contributions to:
Margaret Gray
Editor (newsletter)
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