Origin:
The Carin Terrier originates from the Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye and is considered one of Scotland’s original dog breeds from back in the 1500’s. They were originally considered the same breed as the West Highland Terrier and Scottish Terrier, just simply believed to be different colours, however during the 1900’s the breeds were recognised as their own and began to be bred separately.
Their name comes from the fact they were small enough to squeeze into ‘cairns’ which are rock dens where badgers and fox live.
 
Purpose:
The brave Cairn Terrier was used to locate foxes and badgers and alert farmers to them by barking and keeping them in place. They were great hunting dogs with a braveness much greater then their size.

Coat care:
The Cairn Terrier does require a medium to high level of maintenance of their coat as it can quickly become matted and uncomfortable if left untamed. They should be brushed daily to remove knots from their shaggy top coat with gentle attention being paid to their softer undercoat. They require monthly bathing and will need the fur around their ears and eyes trimmed as needed. They are a breed that sheds little to no fur.

Health & Temperament:
Although mostly kept as companion and lap dogs these days, being bred as a working dog, the Cairn Terrier has some serious drive. They are still fantastic at tracking and agility competitions as well as brave watchdogs. Given they have a natural hunting instinct they are best supervised around smaller pets within the home and should always be well socialised from a young age to other animals, people and children. A nervous and anxious Cairn, or one who thinks they are the boss can quickly lead to serious behavioural issues, including snapping, growling and resource guarding. They have a fierce instinct to hunt vermin so can keep a mouse or rat issue under control.
They enjoy having a ‘job’ or feeling like they are ‘working’ so training them to do tricks is easily achievable. Without enough mental stimulation, they quickly can become bored and are a breed that enjoys digging. Daily exercise is a must along with firm boundaries to avoid them thinking they are in charge.
A well balanced and satisfied Cairn enjoys being part of the family with lots of cuddles and playtimes. They can enjoy socialising with other dogs and being involved with their family.
They are, in general, a very hardy little dog with no major genetic health issues. It is common among the breed to be allergic to fleas which is easily managed with flea prevention and they can gain weight easily if not following a suitable diet and exercise routine. They average a life span on 12 – 15 years. 

The wide array of options for dog treats can be very tempting, however they can often be full of un-natural additives or high in fat, which can be very dangerous for older dogs as well as those with any health issues sensitive to fats such as diabetes and pancreatitis. Did you know there are many healthy alternatives that you probably have sitting in your kitchen now? They are not only better for your dogs waist line but some are great for their teeth too!

Carrots are a fantastic treat for dogs, providing they are prepared to a size that is suitable for your dog. They are both nutritious and a great way to keep your dog's teeth clean. 

Raw or cooked, broccoli is great for dogs as it's high in fibre and vitamin C and low in fat. Served raw it is also great for their teeth and satisfies a dog's natural want to chew and break up food. 

Being high in water, cucumbers are great treat to give on warmer days to your pooch. They are low in calories and easy to slice up to the right size for your dog to enjoy. 

Providing the core and all seeds are removed prior to serving, apples are a fantastic treat for dogs. They are full of vitamin A & C and dietary fibre. They are high in sugar so should be given in moderation as a sometimes treat. It should be avoided by dogs that suffer from diabetes, pancreatitis  or who are overweight. 

Watermelon can be a fun treat, especially on warmer days. Although it is low in calories and has no fat or cholesterol it does contain sugar so should also be avoided by dogs that are overweight or suffer from diabetes or pancreatitis. 

The current Guinness World Record Holders for.......

Longest ears EVER on a dog belongs to Tigger, the Bloodhound. Check them out! His left ear measures at 34.2cms long and his right ear at 34.9cm! No dog has beaten this record since he was awarded in 2004!

Longest tail goes to Keon, the beautiful Irish Wolfhound, who's huuuuge tail measures in at 76.8cms! That's longer then the length of a Dachshund! Keon has held this record since 2015 and is yet to be beaten!


Photos and information credit to Guinness World Records: 
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/www.guinnessworldrecords.com/

​Origin:
As their name gives away, the American Bulldog was created in America and is believed to have existed as early at the 17th century.
The breed become almost totally extinct until a solider by the name of John D. Johnson returned to American from World War 2. His disappointment at the dwindling numbers of the breed lead him to collect specimens from all across the rural South and begin breeding. He is recorded as breeding the most American Bulldogs out of anyone else in the world and today is credited as saving the breed as it would likely be extinct had it not been for his and his families breeding efforts.
 
Purpose:
Sadly, the American Bulldogs were used in the sport of Bull Baiting but were also used as working dogs for farmers, serving as guard and protection dogs and hunting. They have also been used for weight pulling.

Coat care:
The short, firm coat of the American Bulldog is very easy to groom and maintain. It can be brushed with a bristle style brush every so often and they should only be bathed as needed. The natural oils in their skin will help to keep their coat clean and free of odours.

Health & Temperament:
Of all the Bulldogs, the American Bulldog is the largest, with long legs and built to be fast and more agile than any other Bulldog. They are a very confident, brave and determined breed of dog who are incredibly loyal to their family. They are naturally protective and have a love for children, so are popular with families. A well socialised pup will grow into a well rounded Bulldog. They enjoy daily walks and being with their family.
The breed can be prone to hip dysplasia and can drool/slobber a lot. They can live up to 16 years and are considered a sturdy breed of dog.  
 

Another beautiful story that we know will bring a smile to your face of the amazing impact an Assistance Dog makes to the life of the family they join. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Assistance Dogs are sometimes referred to as Psychiatric Assistance Dogs.
Luis has come a long way. He is an ex-policeman and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2017. He was medically retired from policing a year later.
With the life-saving help of Piper, the PTSD Assistance Dog, Luis can look back on his journey and be proud of how far he has progressed.
At Luis’ lowest point, there would be days where his wife, Paige, was not able to go to work. She was too worried about leaving him alone for the whole day, fearing the worst.
PTSD took control of Luis’ life, especially in quiet night-time moments. Luis said,
“I used to have really graphic and horrible night terrors 3-4 times a week. I would sweat through my sheets and wake up choking and struggling to breathe.”
Luis tried for so long to feel better. He did the PTSD therapy and treatments the doctors and specialists told him to do. But he needed something extraordinary to have the breakthrough he desperately needed.

In July 2019, Luis received his highly-trained PTSD Assistance Dog, a loveable chocolate Labrador named Piper. The main skill Piper does is “Visit”, which is where Piper lays her head in Luis’ lap and releases the weight of her head, which helps ground and relax Luis when he becomes overwhelmed. Luis said,
“I use ‘Visit’ a lot, both at home and in public, as it helps me to relax and feel more secure because I can focus on Piper and not get overwhelmed by all of the thoughts that start swirling around in my head when I get stressed or anxious.”
Having Piper by his side has been a huge help to Luis when his PTSD has caused him to feel extremely distressed when he is out in public. Luis said,
“Sometimes when I run errands in town I can get really panicky all of a sudden out in the open. I focus on Piper and pet her and look at her for five minutes and then I don’t have to go home straight away and can usually finish my errands.”
At the end of the day, it is Piper’s unconditional love that has been a life-saver so many times for Luis, he said.
Luis calls Piper his “offsider”, which is what police call the officer who backs up another. She has brought so much joy and peace to their lives, and enabled Luis to feel safer, less anxious and much happier on a daily basis.
With Piper in their lives, Luis and his wife Paige can get their lives back on track and feel better about the present – and future.

Want to know how you can support Assistance Dogs Australia? There are more options then just giving a donation. Check our their website HERE for the many ways you help support the amazing work that they do. You never know how much of a difference you could be making in someone's life! 

Has your dog recently had surgery or has an upcoming surgery? Are you unsure of how you will support them in their rehabilitation process following their discharge from the vets?

We are lucky enough to have a secondary Resort, We Love Dogs Resort, located a short 15 minute drive from our Country Club.
At this Resort, along with many other areas of specialised care, we are lucky enough to also offer our Post Operative care. 
This allows us to care for guest's who have been discharged from the vet following a surgical procedure and administer any required medication, physical rehabilitation and exercise around the clock as well as transporting them to and from any appointments with their vets and specialists. 
Our luxury rooms, fitted with heating and cooling and TV's have been purposely built in varying sizes, allowing us to care for post operative guest's in comfort but also with area restrictions, to limit their movement and mobility as advised by their vets to aid in their recovery. 
Our loving and skilled team of Doggy Doaters can closing monitor our guest's and keep a constant line of open communication with vets, specialists and our doggy parents to work together for our guest's full recovery. 
Some guest's we have cared for in the past and continue to offer care for have been recovering from surgeries for:

• ACL ruptures
  
• Spinal surgery
  
• Neck surgery
  
• Open wound recovery
  
• Limb amputations
  
• Broken bones
  
  We can comfortably accommodate guests who are using wheel chairs,  have waste bags attached, are wearing blood glucose monitoring devices and those wearing cones. 

Should you have any questions, wish to visit We Love Dogs Resort for a tour or may need assistance with your dog's care following surgery, don't hesitate to reach out to us today. You can find more information at our website HERE or reach We Love Dogs directly at 5978-5831. 

​According to the Guinness World Records, it is believed that the earliest and first domestication of dogs is thought to have been done by Old Stone Age humans around 15,000 years ago in east Asia. Domestication was considered by breeding aggression out of wolves. This conclusion was made based on research conducted from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm in Sweden. This research suggested that due to the high genetic diversity of dogs located in east Asia, that these dogs have been domesticated the longest.  The oldest remains of a domesticated dog are believed to have been found in Germany and are over 14,000 years old.
For this reason, Dogs are considered the first domesticated animal ever as this evidence shows domestication earlier then any other animal, including horses, pigs and sheep. 

Source: Guinness World Records

Origin:
The Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland (now known and Newfoundland & Labrador) which can be the giveaway for how their name came about (also, the name for the Newfoundland too!) They were cross bred over the years to create the ideal hunter and retriever with other setters and spaniels to create the breed we know today, being one of the most popular breeds of dogs in both Australia and America. In the 1800’s, the breed began to be transported to England from Labrador, where the name has stuck with the breed every since.

Purpose:
The Labrador was breed and developed over the years to become an ideal companion for fisherman, catching any fish that would come loose from the lines. They would also jump into waters, sometimes freezing cold, to assist in pulling fish nets into the boats. They were also fantastic guard dogs.

Coat care:
The smooth, short, double coat of the Labrador is very easy to maintain and groom, needing a brush every other day and more often when shedding. Not over bathing them will allow their skins natural oils to repel dirt and smells and keep them shiny and clean.

Health & Temperament:
Today, the Labrador is one of the most popular choices for companion and family pets. They are well loved around the world and have made their mark as highly intelligent working dogs too, thriving in areas of police work, hunting, sniffer detection, guide and assistance dogs and many many more.
The Labrador loves to love and loves to work. When well socialised and trained from a young age they are fantastic with all other animals and children. They are highly trainable and with this intelligence comes the need for plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They are prone to weight gain very easily so a good diet managed to match their exercise levels is essential.
They thrive having a job to do so competitive obedience and scent tracking can be a great way to keep them busy. They so well with rules and boundaries which is why they make such fantastic assistance dogs.
The breed is unfortunately prone to serious health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia, mast cell tumours, eye disorders and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of inherited eye disorders that affect the retina, leading to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness in dogs. Research into the health of breeding parents should always be undertaken when looking to purchase a Labrador puppy.

Along with all the other amazing groups and organizations who provide dogs around to Australia to those requiring support, the team at Smart Pups offer a life changing addition to any child with special needs. 

Smart Pups provide specially trained service dogs to children with special needs, with the goal to have these amazing dogs assist these children every day to help improve their quality of life.
These incredible Labradors and Golden Retrievers are selected at 8 weeks old and begin training within their foster family. They are exposed to all different daily experiences and household routines.
Between the ages of 6 – 8 months old they enter the Smart Pups program of General Training Modules before entering the Advanced Training Program. At this stage of training they learn task specific modules, this way, when they time comes and they are matched with their child to assist, they will meet the exact needs of that child. How amazing is that?!|

The amazing team at Smart Pups train their dogs in 5 areas of assistance.
- Autism Assistance
- Diabetic and Medical Alert
- Seizure Response
- Mobility Assistance
- Vision Assistance 

Read below, from Cody's Mum, how Smart Pup Lulu changed Cody's life from the day she joined his family! 

So, a little about Miss Lulu and Cody. Before Lulu, Cody was a 14 year old boy who would rarely engage with anyone in or out of the home, he was like a shell of a boy with not many words or emotions. Since Lulu, Cody has changed in so many ways… he laughs, he smiles, he plays, he goes to school, hospital appointments and all his therapies with a smile on his face. He asks every day if Lulu is his best friend and if she loves him. It makes all our hearts smile, everyone who knows Cody comments on the changes in him and that the smile he has on his face each day is because of Lulu. We never knew a dog could love the way Lulu does, unconditionally.
Lulu hasn’t only changed Cody’s life, she has changed all our lives, in more ways than we could ever have imagined! Cody’s two younger brothers suffer from severe anxiety (which has stemmed from seeing Cody in emergency situations and watching paramedics saving him more times than they should have ever seen). When they are worked up or they just need a cuddle and kiss Lulu is more than happy to oblige, she has an endless supply of love to give. As for Scott and I, well she has definitely brightened our lives for different reasons. What she has done for Cody gives us relief, simple things like laying with him on the couch, sleeping on his bed and watching him overnight. Lulu does what we can’t, stays by his side overnight, being near him while he sleeps. Not only does Lulu alert to Cody’s seizures, she is so perfectly in tune with him, she has stepped into action when Cody has been upset, unwell or even just a little bit off, checking him, comforting him and making sure we know exactly what is going on. It’s truly amazing how a dog can make you feel calm, when Scott and I are feeling a little overwhelmed or down she brightens our day too.

We have never seen a dog that loves as much as Lulu does, she has so much love to give! She gets very excited at the simple, “Hi Lulu!” Her whole body wiggles but nothing more than her wiggly bottom and waggly tail (we get a lot comments on her excited tail wag when we are at appointments). Kisses, kisses and more kisses is definitely one of Lulu’s quirks. First thing in the morning Lulu runs out of Cody’s room to our room and runs straight to me and kisses me until I give Lulu her morning back scratch. Then she goes to Scott waiting for him to take her to the toilet and then she comes in and lays with Cody until breakfast, it’s a daily routine and Lulu loves routine (maybe not as much as a back scratch though!)

When Victoria continued to go in and out of lockdown, Cody and Lulu have had PLENTY of time to fall in love!

Again thank you to all for their help and support in training Lulu to be the perfect match for Cody.
​
Best friends for life.

Want to help support the amazing work that Smart Pups does?! There are many ways you can help, including tax deductible donations, fundraising, donating your time or even fostering a puppy! Find out more about how you can help support a Smart Pup at their website here! Your help and support will make a huge difference in a child's life!

The below tips can help to keep your anxious or nervous dog safe and secure during fireworks and other loud experiences. 

When possible, plan ahead for when your dog will be exposed to loud noises. Aside from thunder storms, you are often aware of expected loud construction work or fireworks beforehand. 
In these instances, walk and exercise your dog prior to the noise beginning. Get your dog as tired as possible. The less energy they have when the noise starts, the less energy they have to put into their stress.
Make sure to feed your dog well in advance. Some dogs, when they become stressed, can vomit. If they have had the chance to digest their food in advance, they will be less likely to do so. If you are unable to feed them earlier then normal, consider reducing their meal size. You can always offer them the remainder at a later time once they are calm again. 

As mentioned above, getting your dog out for a walk and exercise is a great way to reduce their energy levels.
If there is the risk of storms or something could occur during a time when you are not home, leave things for them to play with that can keep their busy. Puzzle toys and bowls are a great way to keep them entertained and burn lots of mental energy. 

If you dog can react in an erratic way when they are scared, be sure to have them in safe space prior to the loud event occurring. In same cases this is inside your house, sometimes inside a room or sometimes outside if inside is not an option.
Make sure there is no possible way for your dog to escape, even dogs who normally don't jump or climb can be capable of reaching heights when they are scared. They can also squeeze through gaps when needed too. Make sure to check there are no spaces of escape. 
​If there is a safe space you can keep them inside, ensure there are no items that they can break or damage in an attempt to get out that could cause them harm. 

If you are home with your dog during a time when they are anxious, be cautious of your behaviour and if this is encouraging your dogs anxiety.
​For example, if the situation is making you anxious or nervous or you are rushing around trying lots of different methods to sooth your dog, you will only create more anxiety for them. As their pack leader, they look to you for guidance, if you are stressed, they are stressed.
Remain calm, talk to your dog in a nice calm and gentle voice. Avoid holding them or trying to shelter them from the noise. This only confirms to them that there is something to be scared of. Simply pet them in calm, gentle strokes and reassure them that they are okay.