Allergies
	A signifigant number of Aussie ownersof both Standard and Minis are complaining of their dogs having allergies. Allergies are a form of auto-iimmune disease. The immune system exists to protest the body from foreign "antigens' invading the body and causing ilness. The immune system first trys to remove the antigen through by increasing mucous production in the airways and GI tract, increased movement through the bowels, sneezing, coughing and scratching. When that fails the immune system produces and sends out antibodies to attact the antigen. This is fine unless the immune system over reacts causing an all out attact on a relatively harmless allergen or on a substance that is not actually harmfull at all. Allergies are easily described as an over reaction of the immune system which causes an exagerated immune responce. There is a familial tendency to reproduce allergies, especially allergies to pollens. The fact that some breeds of dogs are more plagued with allergies than others also suggests a heritable cause. Dogs with multiple allergies should not be used for breeding.