Page 80 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023
P. 80
An Interview with a Breeder
and maintained her Platinum Grand Championship used to do them at 8 weeks, but I’ve found that
and many All Breed Best In Shows. Then I bred Suzi I can see more when they are more up on their
to Syd and we got Adele and Icy who became All feet. We put them on the table and go over them
Breed Best In Show girls. from nose to tail. Then Becky takes the whole litter
from about 7 weeks up for long walks around the
Do you see any difference in today's Aussies yard to watch them move on the side. She has
compared to those from 10-20 years ago? If so, developed an excellent eye for seeing foot timing.
what are the biggest differences you see? She evaluates horses as well for showing. I truly
Absolutely, on one hand, our breeders of today are value her opinion. We’re partners in this.
breeding some of the prettiest Aussies around.
Their structure is so correct. Now when I go to Do you groom your own dogs? At what age do
the Nationals at Purina Farms every year, I see you begin to groom your puppies?
dogs that I could take home in a minute. They I groomed the dogs for years, and now I have Becky
have more finesse, and correctness, just so pretty. for that. She’s much better at it than I am and loves
I attribute this to a bit of social media, we can talk it. She starts brushing them at about 5 weeks,
to each other much easier now, we can see dogs grinding their nails, and baths come at 6 weeks.
we admire on Facebook and inquire about them. Then introduce them to the blow dryer; we have a
Our national magazines make it easier to advertise dryer that we can turn down the fan so as not to
and the ads are so much cleaner. scare the puppies, as they become better at it, she
increases it. By the time the dogs are 5-6 months,
they are putting their front feet up on the table edge
to be lifted up and groomed. Our boys especially
We tried to attend every seem to enjoy the brushing and line combing.
National Specialty we could Do you have any advice for our readers who
get to. I would introduce would like to become successful breeders?
myself to other breeders My best advice is to watch and talk to other
successful breeders of all breeds. Read any books
whom I admired. We talked you can get a hold of on good breeding. Most of all
dogs the entire week... find the best mentor you can and ask them to mentor
you on your first litter. Before you start, make sure
you have the best bitch you can afford. Your strong
bitch will produce the best puppies for you.
What aspect(s) do you think that breeders need
to work on improving? Who are your current show stars?
Well, I still see rears that move parallel instead Well, we have everyone finished as far as their
of converging toward the centre. I still see some championships. Becky is now training them in
rolling over the top-line. I want to see the dogs agility, rally, obedience, and herding. She wants
hold their top-line when gaiting. Kind of the usual to put performance titles on them and she’s done
stuff. Some of the Aussies of today are still fearful well so far. She wants people to know that McMatt
of noises. That is where temperaments can be dogs can perform in all venues.
improved upon.
Is there anything you would like to add?
At what age(s) do you evaluate your puppies for Please do everything you can to preserve our
show potential? wonderful breed. Everyone has a favourite breed,
Well, puppies that are born here in my house, and I’m not advocating that other breeds are not as
Becky and I watch every day for hours. As my good, but for me, there’s nothing like an Australian
puppies grow, I want to see them trot not hop Shepherd. Thank you for asking me to do this
when they move. I evaluate them at 9 weeks. I interview.
80 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023
