All natural: Jack Russell puppy Lola checks out the camera. The 18-month-old was born with a natural bobtail — a trait which appears due to a mutated gene. Only a handful of dog breeds carry the bobtail gene.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
An unusual puppy was spotted out and about on Easter Sunday at the Moora Working Draught Horse Muster. Walking around with Alexander McKinnon and his kids Lachlan and Grace, the 18-month-old Jack Russell was an example of a natural bobtail.
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Tell us about the puppy.
Her name’s Lola and she’s a natural bobtail. We haven’t be able to cut tails for 20 years and people used to cut the tails off so they could turn around in the fox den. We own the mum who has a natural short tail. She’s desexed now.
Have you always hunted?
Yep, and we’ve always had these dogs (Jack Russells) and staghounds.
Moora day out: The McKinnon family — Lachlan, Alexander and Grace, with precious pooch Lola.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Do you find it’s getting harder to hunt with dogs.
Finding the time is the biggest thing, so I haven’t chased it a lot in the last 10 years, since the kids. I’m originally from Charlton and Donald way.
Why bring Lola to the Moora Muster?
Just to socialise and see different things. We bred her so she hasn’t been away from home much. She’s whinging a bit but she’s doing all right.
Side shot: Tail docking was made illegal in Australia in 2004, making natural bobtails a standout feature on a dog. Natural bobtails are growing in popularity, especially among traditionally docked breeds.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Anything about her you like best?
She’s a friendly, happy dog. She’s just a great kids dog.
What sort of property are you on?
Just two and a half (acres) outside Tatura. We usually keep a couple of sheep for the grass and freezer but with the sheep prices where they are we don’t have any right now.
