Giveaways

GIVEAWAYS

Win!

A TEXICOATS Gift Pack!

Each pack comprises of: • A Custom made Texicoat Fleece PJ’s (value from $10-$40 depending on size) • Fleece Blanket/snuggle mat – crate size (value $10) • Tug toy (value $2-$4) • Tote Bag (value $10)

Now the weather is getting colder it is the ideal time for your dog to snuggle up with Texicoats fleece PJs, blankets and snuggle mats. Reasonably priced, hard wearing and in great bright colours, you can colour co-ordinate with the same design and have your dog decked out in some custom made, fun, winter gear. There are even tug toys and tote bags to carry them all in.

TEXICOATS

www.facebook.com/Texicoats-151246058226089/

To Enter:

For your opportunity to WIN one of three custom-made Texicoats Gift packs, simply tell us why you would like your dog to win one. Don’t forget to include your name, residential address, phone number and DOGS NSW member number on your entry. One entry per person. Australian residents only. Entries close: 30th June 2020. Winners will have their prize posted.

By Email: By Post:

With ‘Texicoats’ Competition ‘Texicoats’ Competition in the subject line: DOGS NSW magazine competition@dogsnsw.org.au c/- DOGS NSW PO Box 632, St Marys NSW 1790

Puppy

COMPETITION

May’s puppy competition winner is Margaret Fittler’s Airedale Terrier puppy, ‘Chuck,’ who has won a year’s membership with DOGS NSW, ROYAL CANIN® products plus Oakwood puppy products.

Your puppy’s favourite sleeping

place: His bed has to be somewhere he can see the family.

Your puppy’s favourite trick:

He sits before he has his dinner and gives a high five.

Why is your puppy the best:

Even when you correct him, he comes back to give me a cuddle.

Enter Now!

To be in the running to win a years free membership with DOGS NSW, Oakwood puppy products plus ROYAL CANIN® products, visit the DOGS NSW website or email:info@dogsnsw.org.au to enter your pup. Please give us your full name, email / postal addresses, social media handles, plus phone details. Australian residents only please.

SPOTLIGHT

Kerry Blue Terrier

History

The Kerry Blue Terrier is one of the nine native breeds of Ireland. The Kerry, sometimes called the Irish Blue Terrier, was a peasant farmer’s dog. It was bred with great courage, adaptability and intelligence and was used to bring horse, cattle and sheep in from distant paddocks. Then, at night, the dog would sleep on the hearth and guard the house.

The Kerry Blue Terrier was also bred to hunt vermin. Irish farmers from the Ring of Kerry reported that the breed was bred in both light and dark colours as a way of disguising it on hunts, as the peasant farmers were not allowed a hunting dog. So, on moonlit nights, they would run with the lighter colour dog to poach hare and various other small game, and then when the night was dark they would use the dogs with darker coats.

Appearance

The breed is of a medium size in body, and muscular. It is a square dog with slightly longer legs and is an ideal family member. The Kerry Blue Terrier will play untiringly, then comfortably relax with you at the end of the day. It is well adapted to being a house dog with the family and has a non-shedding coat that is soft and wavy – this starts out black but over time the colour changes to any shade of grey-blue, from pale silver to gunmetal.

Temperament

The temperament of the Kerry Blue Terrier is disciplined; you need to be in charge and a young pup will look to you as pack leader. It is always good to fully socialise a new puppy, at puppy preschool and possibly some Obedience training, especially the basic commands of sit and stay. These days, most puppies are raised in the house and some have even become lifelong companions with house cats.

Apart from making an excellent watchdog, the Kerry Blue Terrier is devoted to children and will play with them for many hours. If you consider obtaining a puppy, most breeders will have a waiting list so you will have to be patient.

Maintenance

Because it does not shed coat, the breed will need a weekly brushing. It can be clipped as a pet by any grooming parlour. You can have the Schnauzer trim or a total clip off and this will keep your pet in good shape as a member of the house.

Remember, if you leave the Kerry’s beard and moustache it will require some washing on a regular basis.

Health & Suitability

Kerry Blues have been bred very carefully in Australia and have very few health issues, the most common being ingrown hair cysts.

To keep them in top condition, the breed does require some exercise, either a half-hour walk or 10 minutes of fetch to help keep it fit and healthy. You can expect your Kerry Blue Terrier to live up to the age of 12 to 15 years.

Please remember that a Terrier is not for all families. It does thrive on attention and responds well to being part of the family. When left to its own devices, without interaction or exercise, the breed can be destructive to gardens. It is best to always leave it with its own toys and a Kong or other device to entertain it when left for long periods. Words: Wayne Lewis

Images Page 22 (top): Submitted by Michelle Cranna. (bottom): Photography by Cabal Canine Candids.

Page 23 (top): Image by Will Harris, pet4homes.co.uk (bottom): Shutterstock image.

This page (top): Image submitted by Debbie & Phil Veevers. (below): Images submitted by Michelle Cranna. (right): Shutterstock image.