ANIMALS


While we all love our animals and would like to show them off, please do not bring your animals to this festival. Due to health and safety regulations, dogs are not permitted on the festival grounds. The animals in this area all have received special permission and permits to gain access to the grounds. For more information contact our Animal Director, Pam Gardner at pgardner@airmail.net



 




  The Roux Crew, owned by Joy Sebastian-Hall, is performing the sheep herding demonstrations. The Roux Crew has been involved in herding for over 20 year, working and showing both Border Collies and Australian Cattledogs on ducks, sheep and cattle. Joy, our demonstration leader, has bred and raiser numerous AKC breed champions, competed in flyball, obedience and agility, and actively supports breed rescue. The Roux crew system has helped owners earn over 200 titles and over 400 awards in four trailing venues during the last 5 years. www.rouxcrew.com
 


Celtic Dog Parade

 The Celtic Dog Parade is a well received tradition every year. It will be led again this year by Ken Liechti, of The Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums.

http://www.silverthistle.org/main/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  Minis and Friends

We Come To You! We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is 100% donation and volunteer based and are located in the south/southwest/west Austin and Williamson County areas. Donations can be tax deductible and your donations help us to continue working in the community by sponsoring visits, feed and hay.

Our mobile herd of trained Miniature Horses come to your facility: assisted living/nursing homes, children's shelters, Special Ed/Lifeskills/At-Risk youth classrooms, Scout programs, community events, schools and church functions, birthday parties and much more!

Everyone young and old will enjoy a visit with our small, but mighty, equines. You will see big smiles during a visit with a small horse. We wish to educate people about the unique ability of the miniature horse to soothe the soul. The human-to- horse bond also warms the soul and opens the heart. We bring a little bit of love to everyone.

www.minisandfriends.org  

Scottish Terrier

No one really knows the origin of the Scottish Terrier, but some people believe it has been terrorising small rodents in Scotland for centuries. Indeed, it is possibly the oldest highland terrier and some believe, parent to many other dogs. Probably a breed with Celtic roots, these dogs may have existed as a distinct group by the early 16th century. Despite the mystery surrounding its origin, however, the dog has certainly been bred along pure lines for many years.

The name "terrier" comes from the Latin terra meaning "earth". Generally used for hunting, these short, sturdy dogs were designed for the purpose of rooting small pest animals such as badgers, foxes and rats out of their burrows.

 

 


The Texas Scottie Rescue Fund, Inc. was founded in 2002 to provide quality care and forever homes for rescued Scottish Terriers in the State of Texas.

The Scotties that enter our rescue programs come to us in a variety of ways. Many are abandoned by their owners or are turned in to animal shelters. Sometimes, owners must give up their dogs because of medical problems, moving into retirement homes, divorce, new baby, etc.

Some of the dogs we rescue become homeless because they outlive their owners. Many of these dogs have had little time or attention paid to them and they may not be housebroken. Some are grieving for a lost loved one. We have found that when they are placed into good homes where they are wanted and loved, they return that love many times over.

If you are interested in adopting one of our rescued Scotties, please contact the rescue coordinator in your area and/or complete the online application www.texasscottierescue.com

Daphne Branzell
SanAntonio/Austin
210-653-3723



 
Scottish Deerhound - Angus
 
The Scottish  Deerhound's development closely parallels its English counterpart , the Greyhound.   In Scotland, the Greyhound developed into quite a distinctive dog and became known as the Scottish Deerhound. Bred as a deer hunting dog of the Scottish chieftains in the Middle Ages, the dog gained size and strength. Due to the harsh climate it also gained a rough protective coat. The Deerhound was once so popular with Scottish high nobility that the breed became known as the royal dog of Scotland. No one ranking below Earl was permitted to own one. The advent of gun hunting, development of fenced agriculture (which cut up the wide open spaces needed for such deer hunts), and the fall of the Scottish clan system, resulted in the decline of the Scottish Deerhound. In fact, the breed almost became extinct. However, interest revived in the 1800's and the breed was saved, largely due to the efforts of two brothers: Archibald and Duncan McNeill. Queen Victoria became a Deerhound fancier, and Sir Walter Scott also owned one. During World War II in Britain it was very difficult to feed these large dogs, and many people destroyed their dogs for lack of food. Some dedicated Deerhound owners held out and saved their dogs.
  
Today, this agile sighthound is primarily a companion dog.   Some of Deerhounds talents include: hunting, sighting, tracking, racing, agility and lure coursing.   He is a gentle and gentlemanly dog with elegant ways and polite affection. Quiet, loving, friendly and excellent with children. Very courageous and dignified, devoted and loyal, but they are not watch or guard dogs, for they just love everyone.
 
  


Austin Greyhound Adoption:

 www.austingreyhounds.org


 

Irish Wolfhound - Cormac

The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed of the greyhound family. He was used to hunt wolves and elk and to accompany Irish nobles to war. Even though this original purpose is no longer valid, the instincts originally developed for the chase are still very much a part of the modern hounds, so proper fencing is important.

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dogs.
Irish Wolfhounds are called, interchangeably, "Irish dogs," "Big Dogs of Ireland," "Greyhounds (or Grehounds) of Ireland," "Wolfdogs of Ireland," "Great Hounds of Ireland." Irish Wolfhound is the more modern name.

By the year 391 A.D., the breed was known in Rome, when the first authentic mention of it was written by the Roman Consul Quintus Aurelius, who had received seven of them as a gift which "all Rome viewed with wonder."

 
CorgiDane-Central Texas Welsh Corgi and Great Dane Rescue An independent rescuer dedicated to saving the lives of Welsh Corgis (both Pembrokes and Cardigans), Corgi mixes, and Great Danes.
www.corgidane.petfinder.com .


 

 

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed began in Wales. It is the smallest member of the dog's Herding Group. The Pembroke and the Cardigan are thought to be two distinct unrelated breeds. It is believed that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was brought to Wales by Flemish Weavers in 1107 A.D. and was named after the town of Pembroke in where they were used as farm dogs. They hunted birds, ratted, and herded cattle, duck, geese, and sheep. They often had to hunt for their own dinner. Around 1200 B.C. Celtic tribes of Central Europe brought the Cardigan to Wales. The Cardigan is similar to the Corgi except it has a tail. It is thought to be evolved from the Tekel class. The Cardigan got it's name from the mountainous county of Wales known as the Cardiganshire. Cardigan's were used to herd, hunt, and protect the family. In the 1920's both corgis were seen in dog shows as one breed. Sometimes a Pembroke would be listed under Cardigan. In 1934 they started to be judged as different breeds.
 
 
 
 
 
Bearded Collie

 Collie is a Scottish word for dogs that herd sheep. This may have come from the Coaley or black-faced sheep in Scotland. Because they love people, our Beardies make good therapy dogs, comforting, entertaining and snuggling up to patients and residents. Beardies are usually active, outgoing, bouncy, affectionate creatures. Within the normal range of temperament, they range from low-key, sweet and laid back to rowdy and bold.
 
 
  
 
 
Allie:
 is 14.5 yrs old
still very active for her age
weighs about 42 lbs
loves to investigate things outdoors
snores when she sleeps
Favorite sport:
herding sheep used to be her favorite sport but now its sleeping
Favorite food:
ice cream
Favorite thing to do
go for a car ride!
 
 
 
 

 
Patrick:
is 10 yrs old
thinks he is a small, lap dog
weighs about 61 lbs
is VERY laid back for a Beardie
loves everyone and every animal he meets
Favorite sport:
doesnt have one.
Favorite food:
anything on our plates!
Favorite thing to do:
chasing a Hula Hoop

Patrick has a million funny stories because he likes being a clown. There is one
that is really sweet. When visiting at a nursing home, he went up to a lady who had
Alzheimers and hadnt talked or noticed that anyone was around for a long time.
He put his head on her lap and she looked down and smiled at him. I was told
that she had not smiled in several years!

 
 
  
Westie Rescue/Austin is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, and we are delighted to accept donations that are tax deductible to the limit allowable by law. We do West Highland Terrier Rescue, Cairns, Scotties and frequently mixes of cairns and other terriers.

The dogs that come into our rescue program come to us from various means. Some are strays, some have been abandoned or left at shelters by owners who no longer can care for them due to circumstances such as moving, illness in family, new child, divorce, etc.

West Highland White Terrier - (Westies)

Brief History of the Westie

How the Westie came to be selectively bred for his white coat is an interesting legend. The short-legged terriers of Scotland are now recognized as the Scottish, Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terriers. All undoubtedly descend from the same roots. All of these dogs were valued as intrepid hunters of small game. Originally, their coat colors ranged from black to red to cream or white. Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland, is generally credited with breeding the white dogs true, although he took none of the credit unto himself. He had kept a pack of light colored working terriers for hunting. As the legend goes, a reddish dog of his, emerging from cover, was mistakenly shot for a fox. Malcolm is said to have decided on the spot to breed only for white dogs that could be readily identified in the field.

 
We do not have a retail facility for you to visit. Instead, we foster the dogs in various volunteer homes. While in our rescue program, the dogs are provided with attention, care and medical treatment necessary, including spaying/neutering. You may view our current dogs available at www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX348.html

We can always find you the perfect pet, if not with our foster network, with some other rescue program.
If you have time to volunteer, we'd love to meet you! We're always looking for great foster families. Foster families are an integral part of any rescue program; they provide love and attention to a Westie in need and give us information about their foster Westie, which helps us find the perfect "forever home."

For an application, any questions you may have, or to volunteer please contact us via email at beott1@sbcglobal.net


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

Shetland Sheepdogs, or 'Shelties' as they are often called, generally resemble the Collie in miniature. Although they are often called 'Miniature Collies' or 'Toy Collies', the Sheltie is actually a distinctly separate breed and was not bred down from the full-size Collie. The breed evolved from hardy ancestors which lived on the Shetland Islands off the northeast coast of Scotland. The Sheltie developed as a hardy herding dog, alert guard dog, and an intelligent and affectionate companion. The breed's attentiveness and his willingness to obey were qualities desired by the crofter and the shepherd alike

 

Gordon Setters

Beauty, brains and birdsense: these words describe the Gordon Setter. History suggests the existence of black and tan setters as far back as the 16th century in Scotland and England. The Duke of Gordon is credited with establishing the breed with its present characteristics in the 1820's. George Blunt and Daniel Webster imported the breed to America in 1842, with the purchase of two dogs from the Duke of Gordon kennels, Rake and Rachael. These dogs founded the breed in this country, which AKC officially recognized in 1892.

Gordons were initially bred as bird dogs, for hunting birds like pheasant and quail. Although the hunting instinct remains strong in the breed, Gordons are equally at home as companion dogs, obedience competitors, and show dogs.
 

 

  
   

  Shetland Ponies

 Perhaps one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, today it is one of the most popular ponies in the world! The Shetland Pony is named after the islands where it originated, the Shetland Islands, lying off the northern coast of Scotland. The little Shetland is probably so shaggy because it was conditioned by its environment. The Shetland Islands are barren and have a harsh climate. For many centuries the Shetland Ponies lived out in the open, protected from the harsh conditions only by their thick hair, long manes, and forelocks. The Shetland Islanders domesticated the ponies to do useful work for them. The ponies were used to carry materials, such as peat, for fuel, and seaweed, for fertilizing the fields.

 
  

  Border Collies were originally bred as a working dog. They are considered one of the top sheep herding breeds worldwide. This highly intelligent breed instinctively rounds up livestock and guides them back to the sheep farmer by following various commands. In Scotland, when a sheep economy took hold, the sheepdog was absolutely necessary. James Hogg (1772-1835), a shepherd and poet from the Ettrick Valley in the Scottish Borders wrote, "without [the sheep dog] the mountainous land of England and Scotland would not be worth sixpence. It would require more hands to manage a flock of sheep and drive them to market than the profits of the whole were capable of maintaining." Border Collie has had several different names over the years. This dog has been called the Old-Fashioned Collie, English Collie, Working Collie, and Farm Collie. In 1915 this breed of dog was named the Border Collie by the International Sheepdog Society of Great Britain.

   

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers originated on the Isle of Skye, and in the Scottish Highlands as a vermin killing dog. They excelled at removing rats and other rodents from the stone cairns commonly found on Scottish farms. These dogs were not bred for looks, but rather working ability. Gradually, separate strains of terrier became the Scottie, the West Highland White, with the original terrier being defined as the Cairn. The Cairn is closest to its original ancestors, and still excels in flushing out vermin. This may not be terribly handy in modern life, but it can be very amusing.

Today, the Cairn is more of a companion animal. Like all terriers, they are frisky, independent bundles of energy. They are long lived dogs, with few health problems, and many live well into their late teens. They are also quite sturdy, and are much tougher than their small size suggests. The most famous example of a Cairn is Toto from the Wizard of Oz.

   







   
   

 







Last Updated: 10/22/2007