Page 217 - ShowSight - February 2020
P. 217

                  THE
AUSTRALIAN TERRIER
  1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs?
2. In popularity, The Australian Terrier is currently ranked #139 out of 192 AKC-recognized breeds. Do you hope this will change or are you comfortable with his placement? Do these numbers help or hurt the breed?
3. Does the average person on the street recognize him for what he is?
4. An energetic dog—of any size—requires a special household to be a perfect fit. What about the breed makes him an ideal companion? Drawbacks?
5. Are there any misconceptions about the breed you’d like to dispel?
6. What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate?
7. At what age do you start to see definite signs of show-worthi- ness (or lack thereof)?
8. What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind?
9. What’s the best way to attract newcomers to your breed and to the sport?
10. What is your ultimate goal for the breed?
11. What is your favorite dog show memory?
12. Is there anything else you’ d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
SUSAN DUNCAN
I am privileged to have enjoyed the companion- ship of Australian terriers for 30 years. My breeding program has produced many AKC and foreign Champions, along with performance titlehold- ers and champions of the heart. My dogs are found in the pedigrees of many successful dogs.
I currently live in southern Ohio. I enjoy working to develop myself as an artist, and have done some sculp- tures in the past. The Australian Terrier is my favorite subject. I am currently working in ceramics.
Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfort-
able with the placement? We were ranked #124 not too many years ago, and I would like to see the breed climb in popularity to this level or slightly higher. Falling towards the bottom of that list is a slippery slope as breed visibility falls as well. If the public doesn’t know the amazing features of this breed they won’t search for one for their next companion.
Does the average person on the street recognize the breed? Sadly, probably not. They are commonly confused with Yorkie mixes.
What about the breed makes them an ideal companion? This is a very resilient breed that thrives on human companionship. They can do well in a variety of situations, from apartments to country settings, and are successful with seniors as well as families with chil- dren. That said, they are wild as puppies, and take consistent train- ing. It should also be noted that they’re proficient people trainers, and can be manipulative.
Are there any misconceptions about the breed I’d like to dis- pel? Because they’re in the terrier group people assume that they’re independent and difficult to train. Nothing could be further from the truth. They want to be with their people and will do anything for a treat.
What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate? It has become difficult to breed on many levels. The proliferation of anti-breeder legislation, complications due to low numbers that affect the actual mating, and the lack of breed visibility are all factors that make breeding difficult.
At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? I evaluate at eight weeks. I may keep one a bit longer if I’m not sure, but the really good ones usually stand out.
The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? Judge the dog, not the handler. Read the standard.
The best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? I think we need to improve our visibility. I favor advertising and social media provides a good platform for that.
My ultimate goal for the breed? I fear that over the next 20 years the breeds at the bottom of the popularity list are going to start dis- appearing. My goal is that Australian Terriers won’t be one of them.
My favorite dog show memory? I have so many. I’ve had so much fun, made so many friends and traveled the country and abroad. It’s hard to pick just one memory.
KERRIE BRYAN
Kerrie Bryan owned her first Australian Terrier as a pet in aus- tralia in 1950. In 1991, in the America, she joined the Wismiss Ken- nel established in 1970 by Carol Sazama. She continues to breed and co-own with Carol Sazama and shows as an owner, breeder and handler.
I live in Colorado. Outside of dogs, I am very involved in the sustainability of the natural environment in Colorado, specifically Boulder County. I monitor raptors for the County and work with a number of nature organizations. I have an extensive garden and spend many hours with the dogs there.
Australian Terriers are not alone in facing decreasing litter reg- istrations. I do not believe that the decreasing litter registrations are caused only by a lack of pet owners interested in Australian Terriers as to the best of my knowledge, breeders have not had a problem placing their puppies recently. In a changing society, many interests (and breeds and novel cross breeds) vie for people’s attention and demands on their spare time. Breeding purebred dogs is a serious and sometimes arduous hobby and demands an apprenticeship on not only the actual breeding process but on the nature of pedigrees and how best to preserve the structure and temperament of Austra- lian Terriers through a planned breeding program.
The traditional role of dog shows was as a vehicle for choosing the dogs that best portrayed the innate traits of
the breed. To some extent that remains a subsidiary object of dogs shows but the overall nature of shows has changed, and the competitive nature of shows is in the ascendency. That can be daunting for new owners and would-be breeders.
 ShowSight Magazine, February 2020 • 215
































































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