Austerra

Pretty much sounds like description of a kelpie to me, I've had them for 25+ years.

Haha maybe get them a toy rat to chase, what about a game of tug-of-war, just need to keep them moving, as with people small amounts often and build it up. If you want to meet up at Bulla let me know and I will bring along sample of what I would feed my two for the day and see how yours compare with their diet.

Kongs Wugga Ballistic Friends in 4 designs, 3 sizes, approx RRP $13, 17 & 22. Most shops that stock Kongs products should be able to get them in, especially if they deal with Rudducks wholesalers.

I would spend between $300 - 400 per month, depending on how many shows entered, that is for 2 Aussies, 1 kelpie and a cat. That is for most stuff at wholesale prices as I own a pet supplies store.

I haven't entered any shows at Bulla for a while but there is one on Sept 4th that I would be happy to come and do a groom for you, if you want to meet up there. How are the boys doing with their weight loss? That would be great if you could do a groom but Mr Tiddles does have a lot of fur. Maybe I could just watch you brush one of your dogs? The weight loss is going slowly. Bobby has dropped 600 grams which is good, he is down to 14.2kgs and I am weighing him again this morning but the exercise has been less for the last few days as I hurt my back so I am walking very gingerly. As we show regularly our dogs are groomed and stripped out continually so not much for you to watch on ours, you would be surprised how quickly a coat can be stripped out if the coat is blown (dead) and at least can show you the principals of how to do them. Keep up the good work with the weight loss, if you can't do much walking will they chase a ball in the yard?

Have a look at Kathleen's website http://www.taufield.com

Depends on temperament of the older dog, my aussies have half of the yard and the kelpie has the other half, they are fine together and have been from the start but the aussies are a bit too playful for the kelpie now at 13 yr old, she enjoys being left alone on her bed.

I haven't entered any shows at Bulla for a while but there is one on Sept 4th that I would be happy to come and do a groom for you, if you want to meet up there. How are the boys doing with their weight loss?

There was a club in Tecoma but don't know if still operating, otherwise Knox Obedience in Knoxfield

Any dog I've ever had has been given the run of the yard from day one, just make sure that it is thoroughly secure and safe.

Very cute, hope not as destructive as a certain cairn ;) (or is that just the Dane's bad influence, what do you reckon Missymoo??)

My first kelpie was 18 1/2 yrs when I had to make the "decision", she was still going for 6 km walks up until 2 weeks before having to be pts. I know of someone who had a dobe until 16 yr old.

His weight loss will be dramatic this week with all his coat gone, hope they left his ruff and topknot at least, if you get him clipped again ask them to do a #5 skip blade on his "saddle" and back of neck only, they should just scissor trim around feet, hocks, ears, tail and bum. Leave his furnishings, if need be just trim under tummy with thinning scissors. For yourself,invest in a double ended comb or shedding comb, they will get through the coat to get any knots and dead coat out, just finish with the brush. Also, if you don't have already, buy shampoo for wiry coats eg Biogroom Wiry Coat. Happy to teach you sometime, maybe organise to meet up at shows at Bulla.

This may also help understand grooming requirements: Hand Plucking and Stripping Basics: Wiry-haired dogs are supposed to look rough and their hair is meant to be coarse. These top-coat hairs grow to longer length than the undercoat and then fall out from the root. The hair doesn't "blow out" or drop as normally shedding hair does: it needs help. Wiry hair is naturally water and dirt resistant. Clipping this hair instead of plucking or stripping it causes its color to change dramatically over time and it will become soft, cottony, bumpy and too fluffy. Clipping also leaves a wire-haired dog itchy all-over and irritated because the dead hair shafts remain behind. Always pluck or strip before a bath. Wet hair is impossible to grasp and it's a good idea to bathe away irritation and clean any cuts or abrasions that may occur. Perfectionists always hand pluck. This involves holding the pelt down with one hand, grasping some hairs between thumb and forefinger, and giving a firm, fast tug in the direction of hair growth. Never twist the wrist. This cuts the hair rather than pulling it from the root. It also results in the hair being of even length which is not the aim. Dead hair comes out easily. If needed, apply powder or chalk to the dog's fur or your own fingertips for a better grip. Some swear by a rubber glove. Stripping is plucking with a tool. Make sure this knife is blunt. The purpose is not to cut the dog, the hair or yourself but to grip the hair. Grasp the stripper and hold it perpendicular to the dog's hair growth. Grab some hair between the stripper's teeth and your thumb, rotating the blade away from the thumb and give a quick pull.

How did Mr Tiddles go with his operation?

Went to the show on Sunday and was in love with all the dogs on show (admittedly one couldn't love my two more). Will have to drop the weight off them though, there was a massive (literally) difference between my two and the show dogs (who mostly were blue and tan - aren't reds popular anymore?) It was good meeting you, learned a lot just from the few minutes. Keep up the good work with the diet, they will feel like new pups if you can get them down to a reasonable weight, although they are very much on the larger side general build wise (probably why they were selected to go to pet homes originally)I would tend to think 8-10 kg a suitable weight to aim for, hope you now have bit more knowledge to advise your vet too. The blue and tans are much stronger in Victoria but NSW and Qld have quite a few reds being shown (have a look at the profiles on DOL). If you would like to learn how to groom them sometime let me know, lot of dead coat on them at moment, that would get some weight of them too ;). I did notice the difference in the coats of my two (who get regular brushing) and the show dogs. There is a new Best Friends franchise opened up near me so I am going to take Bobby there to have his first ever grooming. They are supposed to be very good. Hi, Here is a link about grooming an Aussie http://australianterrierclubnsw.com/grooming.html If you take them to be groomed at a salon, see if they will hand strip, clipping will soften the coat and your guys look like it will strip out very easily. What do you use to groom them now ie brush, comb, stripping knife, grooming block? Also, what shampoo do you use?

Went to the show on Sunday and was in love with all the dogs on show (admittedly one couldn't love my two more). Will have to drop the weight off them though, there was a massive (literally) difference between my two and the show dogs (who mostly were blue and tan - aren't reds popular anymore?) It was good meeting you, learned a lot just from the few minutes. Keep up the good work with the diet, they will feel like new pups if you can get them down to a reasonable weight, although they are very much on the larger side general build wise (probably why they were selected to go to pet homes originally)I would tend to think 8-10 kg a suitable weight to aim for, hope you now have bit more knowledge to advise your vet too. The blue and tans are much stronger in Victoria but NSW and Qld have quite a few reds being shown (have a look at the profiles on DOL). If you would like to learn how to groom them sometime let me know, lot of dead coat on them at moment, that would get some weight of them too ;).

Had a few crossbreeds as a kid (no puppy farms back then, they really were "woops" litters!) but used to walk a few of the neighbours dogs, fell for one which was a dobe so ended up with a couple of them. When I met my husband he wasn't a fan of big dogs so we "compromised" to kelpies and have had them for over 25 years, now as we are getting older we wanted something smaller and easier to handle, the only breed I would consider was an Aussie (walked neighbour's four when younger too)(haha kelpies are heaps easier but Aussies are fun-loving characters).

Mr Tiddles, why don't you come along and watch the Australian Terrier Club of Vic specialty show this Sunday (31st July) at Bulla, starts at 11.30 am. By the way I would ditch the My Dog too as others have said. Look at foods that are more natural but filling, canned foods are high percentage of water.

Love the "What ya doin'?" look on the other ones face

My Aussies are each fed 1/2 cup of Black Hawk dry food in the morning and approx an inch wide slice of Ecopet roll (approx 1 cup I guess)at night plus some treats ie dog biscuits, etc. My bitch weighs 6.5 kg and my dog is around 7 kg (as per the standard)

Try a Cantrolcord distributed by Prestige Pet Products, brilliant product and it does work, of the dozens I have sold only two have not been happy but they were the type of people that won't listen when you explain what they are doing wrong anyway. http://www.prestigepetproducts.com.au/index.php?pid=pro&product=3135&sid=&uhash=

When I had my dobes they were black and tan, kelpies for 25 years all brown/red and tan, now aussie terriers - blue and tan.

Maybe try around some markets if you aren't at shows on a Sunday eg Akoonah Park @ Beaconsfield or Carribean Gardens @ Scoresby, they may have some leather craftsmen. I will have a look through my catalogues on Monday for you, maybe one from Prestige.

Bunnings have those too, I have one as my recycling bin.