Page 66 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

Interview

physio treatments, I have done both. If I have can make all the difference. It’s not so easy with
had a dog with an injury and I occasionally have the girls but If the coat is starting to blow I bath
a McTimoney girl visit and give the show dogs them as often as possible and get that coat out
a check-up, but I don’t do it as part of the show as quick as possible to make way for the new. I
conditioning. I’m perhaps a little old school in the have to add that there is becoming a trend for over
sense that for 3 generations we have exercised our sculpting, straight underline is a real pet hate this
dogs the same way and it’s produced our kennel is a non-trimmed breed there is more talent in
over 100 champions in 6 different breeds. We presenting a dog natural then sculpting it.
believe in free exercise especially as youngsters.
Too many times you see people over exercise Is there always only one Aussie you prepare for
them by walking them too much on the lead that show year?
it spoils them. Of course, socialisation is extremely I don’t like to show too many dogs at once.
important but a trip to the British pub is always However I do feel that if you’re doing well with
great fun for both humans and canines alike. a male, the girls get a harder time and here in

the UK, we don’t have the luxury of picking and
I have both house dogs and kennel dogs. The choosing different Championship shows as we
kennel dogs run out in packs with a strange mix only have one all breeds Championship show on
of Beagles, Aussies and Dutch Shepherds, but it at any one time, so you either go or stay home. I
seems to work well. They get taken out over the think the most I have shown at any one time was
fields that are situated just behind our property. 3 and that was plenty.
We are very lucky that, although we live in the
suburbs, we have a disused farm sitting on Is it Crufts the most important show for you?
around 500 acres close by where we walk the Because we can say, you are the most successful
dogs. Over the years our feeding regime has Aussie handler at Crufts at all, because you are
changed somewhat and perhaps had happened the only one, who won BOB for Aussie four times
since having the boarding kennels. In the old days so far! 2015 Austin (Hearthside Man of Mystery
it was a mix of green tripe and Laughing Dog At Dialynne), 2019 & 2020 Mark (Wyndstar
biscuit but these days it’s just premium kibble Magic Marker) and 2022 Viking, our Cover Star.
with the occasional coat supplements. I also give Tell us more about them.
all my dogs Joint Care and Plaque Off. Crufts holds so many amazing memories for

me. It’s the show that keeps me awake at night
All my dogs get regular health checks; teeth, weeks before, gives me butterflies in my belly
nails and ears I always do the show dogs teeth and winning on that green carpet makes my
when I’m bathing them ready for the show. I don’t ‘bumcheeks’ tingle! I have had some fantastic
have many Aussies at the moment. I have only 5 wins at Crufts. Back in 2008, when I was 6
that are living with me, 2 of which I’m currently months pregnant, I won the Hound group with
showing, which get bathed before every show. BIS BISS Ch Dialynne Maximus who I believe
Our show season kicks off at the end of April is one of very few dogs to have won 4CC’s at
and slows towards the end of September. I do, Crufts, 2 with BOB and G1 and later 2 when he
however, work on their coats throughout the year, was 9/10 years of age. the last CC he won, in
keeping the shape in. There’s nothing worse the 2015, our kennel had an incredible day winning
going months without grooming only to have to try DCC,RDCC and BCC all owned and bred by us
and put the shape back before a show. If needed and it got even better when I won my first BOB
and this is more with the males I like to keep the at Crufts with an Aussie, Austin.
coat rolling so it’s never a full coat but there is
always new coat coming in. Yes they do require Crufts is definitely the show that I dream of
an undercoat but some dogs can carry to much winning BIS some day but like all shows it starts
coat and many times you will hear people say they with a having a great dog in the right condition
think the dogs look better out of coat because you and then it’s just luck of the draw or should I say
can see the shape. This is where good grooming judges. Getting the right 3 judges that like your

66 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023