IT’S almost Royal Show time again and Nambeelup breeder Lisa Marwick is preparing her best dogs.
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Mrs Marwick runs Highcroft Cairn Terrier kennels and will enter four dogs this year, with puppies Terrific Tiny Tim and Chester set to perform well.
“Tiny Tim got his name because he was so incredibly small when he was born – I had to bottle-feed him when he was five days old,” she said.
“Dogs rule in my house and sometimes I feel like a parent with a child in a beauty pageant.
“I’ve been breeding for nearly 25 years and I really love getting into the ring and exhibiting the Cairns I’ve bred.”
In 2010 one of Mrs Marwick’s dogs Jealous Jewell won the best baby dog category.
Getting ready for putting a dog on show starts the weekend before the big day with baths and grooming.
“A lot of time goes into preparing the dog for show and making sure their coat looks perfect," Mrs Marwick said.
“Cairns don’t moult so I have to help take their old coat out by hand so the new hairs can grow.
Mrs Marwick heads around the state to compete in shows but said she took a break from competing this year to mind more litters of puppies.
“I’ve imported two Cairns from Sweden and one from Ireland to breed from – breeding lines are very important,” she said.
“The dogs need to have a straight front, a nice chest, a level top line and a straight tail.
“One day I want to be known as having bred the best Cairn Terriers in Western Australia.
The IGA Perth Royal Show runs from September 27 to October 4.
