GoldenWei

It looks cool. But I would think if she could smell it then she'd try to get into it??? Maybe you could put it up really high, like on a mantle piece, book shelf or something??? OT: But where do you do puppy agility, sounds cool!

The Leo's are gorgeous too. We looked at a lot of breeds, in the end it really came down to the Dally, LH Wei, and an Aussie. IF I didn't want to show the choice may of been different. I looked at the Aussie, and I think from what you have said they would be a good choice. I didn't want anything with too much grooming, preferably none but I do like the coated breeds. There is very little grooming to the LH Wei's, basically the feet, tidying of the tail & thinning on the neck IF they need it (which some don't), and that's it. I ruled out setters due to the grooming, same with Brittany's and springer spaniels. Actually what about a springer? Not sure if its been suggested or not. I also ruled out the Bernese Mtn Dog due to grooming. We ruled out the Husky's and Mal's due to their tendancy to jump fences, especially if they can see through it, like the fences we have.

I'm gone from about 7:30am until about 5pm. My OH is gone for about 12hrs. I do work from home one or two days a week though. I haven't tested these hours on her yet, the longest I have tested is about 4 hrs because I am on leave at the moment. Having said that I have left her outside for the majority of the day for a couple of days with the two boys and have just brought her in for meals. Just trying to get her used to being outside with them for a long time while I am still at home. She is fine with that, doesn't bark to come in or anything. At the moment she sleeps most of the time. We are on 3/4 of an acre, but we were suburban until April last year. When we were in the suburbs, if Phoenix didn't get enough exercise he'd be climbing the walls. We would also give him a 30-45 min walk daily as well as an offleash run in the off lead park that was above our street, we'd spend about an hour there playing frisbee or him running himslef ragged. When I say playing frisbee we would throw the frisbee and he'd run between the two of us trying to get it, he'd be pooped after 20 mins solid of this. He would still need the walk and his own offlead running and exploring in the park (it was fenced). The other thing is that we would also "train" him while doing the frisbee work. This would be come, or heel, sometimes down and stay... when he does this we'd throw the frisbee and he'd get a chance to get it. Sometimes he'd get it, sometimes he wouldn't. So, we were combing mental exercise with the physical. It worked well. When we were in the suburbs they'd only get the one walk/off lead park time because we would leave by 7am, and not be home until 6pm. I drive to work now as well so it's much easier. We still do the frisbee/training daily as well as a walk, but they also are able to have their own exercise by running around the acreage doing zoomies or what not. I encourage this by keeping them in a small dog yard and only letting them out for the whole 3/4 of an acre once we are home, so they run around it like an offlead park and sniff away etc. I've been trying to give them two walks a day, one before I leave in the morning, and one of an evening... It's difficult in winter though cause I don't like getting up in the freezing cold weather. Once Willow is older though this will probably be a must.

Please bare in mind that I am on my first Wei, and she is only 12 weeks old at the moment. She is a long hair, she is VERY good inside, at the moment, infact she is very good for a puppy. I too was quite averse to getting a wei initially because of the amount of time I am usually away. Long Hair's generally, but its not black and white, are a lot better with being separated from their owners. I spoke to 3 or 4 different breeders, letting them know how long I would be away for, but also letting them know that we have two other dogs and 3 cats. All said we would be fine with them. I can honestly say that she is fine being left WITH another dog at this stage. I have also left her inside by herself for a few hours and she seems to be ok, she is generally asleep when I leave though. They do require a lot of exercise though, which I am used to giving one of my goldens anyway, if I wasn't it would put me off. I looked at setters, and besides the amt of clipping they need for the show ring, one breeder in particular said that they need regular bathing even as a pet. If you like the Setters, why not look at the Large Munsterlander, there are not many in the show ring unfortunately, and that was one reason that put me off, not many LH Wei's either, but atleast there is usually 1 or 2 at shows, whereas the large munster I would be going it alone in NSW. The large munster does not need nearly as much grooming. The breeder I spoke to is planning two litters this year as well.

I was very tempted to get a Borzoi, but I have been told in no uncertain terms, NO. We looked at a house once that had two of them, was during shedding season, and the amt of hair outside was unbelievable... since then it has been a definate no...hmmm. I was once told in no uncertain terms NO to a ragdoll as well, only took 3 years and the ultimatium of a Ragdoll or a Main Coon and I got my Raggie... so there is hope.

Mine get by on a 30-40 minute walk a day, none if I can't be bothered, and a frisbee run once a week or so. They are very laid back inside, generally just lie around looking gorgeous and angling for pats and treats. I think they would be a good match for collies, they seem to have similar temperaments. Maybe contact Kerry Webb (Ngalla kennels in Tas) she breeds both Aussies and Collies. She'd be able to give you a run down on how they get along together. How many collies do you have now? You had 3, didn't you? I am also considering a different breed for my next dog, after we sell our house and move, but I keep coming back to Aussies because they are just so easy to live with and so responsive. Other breeds I'm considering......Finnish Lapphund, Collies, Pointers (big departure there but I adore them), Tibetan Terrier. Yep I had three. I am really missing having more than one dog. I couldn't get one yet but is never too early to start getting into a breed. I know Collies do suit me and I would ALWAYS have one (or three, heh) but the only other breed I've had is a Shepherd. I love the LOOK of Aussies, but would have to be careful I didn't get a high energy one. I would do obedience, but not competition obedience. Samoyeds - I do like them but all the ones I've met have been hyper? No to Goldies (and labs) - too destructive as young adults for me AWWW, my youngest goldie is very good, he's not very destructive at all, never has been, but then yes, my eldest is and still is if he wants to be, so do understand where you are coming from. I was going to suggest one until you said no.

Is she desexed? I had a golden retriever, and the one time she tried to escape, and succeeded was just before coming into season. As others have said, the more times she does it, the more determined she'll become as she knows whats on the other side. We have put large heavy stones infront of the areas of our fence where they could dig out, fortunately mine don't try and escape, but they do like to dig in the garden bed close to the fence which is always a worry.

Thank you. Will get some today and start them both off on it. Having said all that, said coughing boy hasn't coughed again.

A bit of a story, one of the dogs we have MAY have KC, he is fully vaccinated. He may not have it but he has coughed twice this morning, and sneezed once. It's not really a honking cough. Normally I wouldn't be too concerned, but we have a 12 week only puppy who has only had C3 vaccination. She isn't coughing or anything. I am keeping them separated now (much to their displeasure). I thought I would try manuka honey on them both, just incase it is KC, and for the puppy, to try and prevent it if she has already been exposed. Puppy is already on 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin C daily as it was recommanded by her breeder. Puppy isn't due for her KC vax for another week and a bit.

ok cool, thanks Megz

ok, so if I am reading your answer correctly, it says cheques to xxxxx for all classes, so I can just do one cheque?

Two questions, I am filling in the entry forms for a show for Willow, the other entries have all been done online. I am entering her in 3-6 month S/stakes, and baby puppy. So, I am filling in two entry forms, do I need to send 2 cheques, ie. one for each entry? or Can I just do the one cheque for both? Also, On the papers it has Name of Exhibit: Sinaway Top Glory (LH) Breed: Weimaraner (Long Haired) On the form, do I need the (LH) in Name of Exhibit? I have put it in but wasn't sure if it was needed or if I could of just put Sinaway Top Glory

I assume said dog would still have to be on the main register?

yeah maybe I will do it that way. Best of both worlds.

You don't have to pay to sit and watch. But personally I'd be more inclined to bring Pheonix and learn how to handle as that can be transferred over to Willow. I would wait to bring Willow until she's fully vac'd. Yes, I was thinking that learning with Phoenix will transfer to Willow, the reason why I was thinking of bringing Willow is because there will be lots of dogs there, she hasn't really been in that situation. I opted not to do a puppy pre-school. I didn't want her to be overwhelmed on her first week with both lots of dogs around, and learning everything else. If she isn't overwhelmed I think she'll want to play with all the dogs.

I'm in two minds about tonight, should I bring Phoenix to training or Willow and just hold her??? What to do. I'm leaning towards bringing Willow. She is due for her 12wk vac next Wednesday, which I assume is still a bit early to bring her for actual training on the Wed night. Do you have to pay if you just bring them and watch?

Well I have taken the plunge, I have entered Willow in a couple more shows. I didn't put her in the Bathurst Royal, but her first show will be Castle Hill Ag, followed by Liverpool the week after, I figured I need as much practice as I can get while in baby puppy

I will be in the same boat as you with Willow. I went and visited her breeder yesterday and she gave me some tips... Willow just won't stand still if she is on the ground when I am stacking her, it seems so obvious now, lol, but she said put your thumb under her collar and don't let her get away with the squirming around, once she realises that you will make her do it, it will be much easier! She is a pro at doing the stacking as well, lol, I have a lot to learn, she had Willow doing pretty good stacks within a minute! Willow's lead training is going ok, she still chews the lead a little, and plants her bottom on the ground occasionally, but she's getting there!

Thank you

It will just give a total. ok thanks... I new at this

Can someone please tell me how many LH Wei's are entered... thanks. Does it give you a breakdown, ie how many open/junior etc or just the total??

Ok, cool thanks for that, wasn't sure if I was stuffing it up or something. Won't be at training tonight, I enjoyed it last week, and Phoenix was very well behaved, but thought while I am waiting for Willow to be old enough I'd only take him every 2nd week... so will take Phoenix next week, and then bring Willow the first week of March, will come regularly from then.

OK, so I am looking into entering Willow into her first show.... I don't want to go overboard, but I do want to make the most out of baby puppy where it doesn't really matter how much I stuff up These are the shows I am looking at: Bathurst Royal on 6th/7th Castle Hill Ag show on the 13th March Liverpool and District on 21st March Yass Show 27th March Wei Club on 2nd April Sydney Royal Sweepstakes 10th April So I don't think I will be entering all of these, I would like to do Bathurst because I grew up there, but she will only JUST be 3 months (3 months on the 3rd), so am leaning towards giving it a miss this year (not sure if entries have closed now anyway) The last 3, Yass, Wei club and Sydney Royal are definates, I'm taking her to Yass as my parents live close to there and I'd have free accommodation as well as they get to meet her (and help me) So, I guess my question really is, should her first show be an Ag show like Castle Hill or the Liverpool one. I am leaning towards Castle Hill as there is more shade, and it's where I used to take my boys to obedience. Liverpool does have cash prizes though.... but I'm sure I wouldn't win anyway. Opinions? Oh, and if you enter online, on oz entries, if it's the first time you do it, do you need to put all the info in such as name, sire dam etc etc, when I entered Sydney Royal, all the info was there, but I tried the OZ entries and it didn't find the rego number or something???

My two males are about average for a golden, height-wise, Indy, the old man is 29kg, and he's a bit thin (not overly) however as he is slightly arthritic I would prefer him that way. He has so much hair as well so sometimes its a bit hard to tell just how thin he is. Phoenix is around 31-32kg, has a definate waist, he's probably at his perfect weight. From the pics I can't really tell very well, but she looks quite healthy.

A friend of mine told me there is one at Castle Hill as well on Tuesday nights. Not sure what time. I thought there was also one with Dogs NSW out at Erskine Park but can't find the info. I think that was on Tuesday nights as well. I am a newbie, so have only been last week to Luci Ellem out at Austral, but no, its not just for pups, infact last week there were more older dogs than pups there. I took my 3 year old golden while waiting for Willow to be vaccinated at 12 weeks. There was another guy there that was in the same boat, took his 3 year old Wei, who like Phoenix had been obedience trained only.