AmandaJ

I agree with ReadySetGo and Luvsdogs. To many problems associated with early age spay/neuter especially with medium to large dogs. If you have a choice go for tubal ligation or vasectomy.

Well - that explains why my Beardie bitch did so well in her instinct test....she catches birds in flight (jumps to get them) and digs monstorous holes It was her first time out - did the practice in the morning and the test in the afternoon and passed in 2:40. Pitty the boy didn't do as well - he was not the slightest bit interested.

My 2011 Goals ---- Get back in the ring....It's been a while and my confidence is down but time to get back to it. Get Bonnies last points - well that's more Neeshas' job - I just need to get her entered more. Get Charlie back in the ring - Neuter title I hope - that's if he can stand still long enough and not kiss Judges. Get a puppy in the ring Have a litter later next year.

Hi Persephone, The same discussion is going here to http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=206273

Malawash/ Malaban (get it from the stock feed shop) in the yard - on the artificial grass, the pavers, and the garden bed areas. We also use a high pressure cleaner and biodegradable disinfectant every few months just to keep it clean. We treat the area so we don't need to treat the dogs as often. The less chemicals they get the better off they are.

We have a flea allergic dog so I know what you are going through (if that is it). We took a long term approach to the problem but it wasn't cheap. We ended up removing the grass and laying artificial lawn and using scoria in the border areas. There are no plants on the dogs side of the yard (they have plenty of shade). We treat the dogs, bedding and the environment. We spray the entire area - a month before summer starts, a few times during the summer months and then again at the end of summer. The dogs are flea treated with spot on application all year round but we do it less regularly in winter. If we do have an outbreak we increase the regularity of the treatments. Our house has no carpets so we don't need to flea bomb but I do use Penny Royal in the house if we have an outbreak. We keep antihistamine on hand if he does have a reaction (he's also allergic to spiders but loves to chase them). Not knowing what breed the dog is you may need to check whether he/she is MDR1 effected before you use most of the common flea treatments. Good luck.

Beardies are the same in summer (especially with Adelaide heat). When it gets to hot our neighbours let the dogs inside to the air-con but we also leave a kids paddling pool outside in the shade in summer.

Only thing I'd add to that is to probably have a pelvic ultrasound done to locate the testis. If it's in the pre-birth position high up not near the scrotum then it can cause infection as it dies from the excessive heat. That infection inturn causes a systemic infection affecting the immune system of the dog. If the testis is near the scrotum and appears normal on the scan leave neutering until the dog is fully developed. If the testis is found to be abnormal have that one removed but leave the other one. Unilateral cryptorchid can be caused by either environment, medical, or genetic issues.

All Canines have their origins in the wolf. Domestication changes the animal. Take a look a the Russian Silver Fox experiment - domestication changed the developmental stages which resulted in changes to the physical appearance, the cycle, and the temperament of the animal. The closer the animal to it's natural state the closer the animal to it's origins and it's original genetic state and therefore it's instinctive nature to hunt and feed.

Please be aware when buying pups from online adds that some are scams. There is currently an add on both the "au classifieds" and "muamat" sites which is believed to be a scam. The real owners of the kennel name used have been notified as have the site owners.

Excuse me but "snooty" not me - nor most of the breeders I know - "overpriced" - DNA testing is $100+ for each test, eye test $80+, vet check pre mating $150+, canine herpies test $100+, X-rays $150+, pregnancy check up $100+ each time, what am I missing people...oh sorry the education - check the MDBA course prices and then go google the books necessary to this properly. My breed generally sell for around $1000 - most cross breed mutts sell for almost that but what do you get with them. Mine will go with microchip, breeder ID tattoo, sterilized (tubal ligation or vasectomy), written vet check, Volhard puppy temperament evaluation, Vaccinated, wormed, 6 weeks insurance and all the documentation recommended by both the MDBA and ANKC. What does the BYB down your street do?

Out of interest, though no two dogs will ever be the same, do you actually have a better chance of getting a similar dog if you breed the dog you want, or can you get the same results by breeding close relatives of of the dog (ie go back to the same breeder you got your dog from) Line breeding is a way of ensuring the phenotype is maintained in the dog. Unfortunately unless you are careful and know the lines well you could be doubling up on any possible genetic problems. However introducing an outcross you could be bringing in something you don’t have now. In J Isabell - “Genetics - An Introduction for Dog Breeders” – she describes the best line breeding as being the successful grandfather to the most successful grand daughter – mostly because it is only in his old age that his genetic strengths and weaknesses are known. What they don’t tell you about cross breeds is the potential structural damage to the cross breed pup. The structure of each breed is different – skeletal, musculature etc. Since each pup takes an allele from each parent then you do have the possibility that not all the structure properly fits together. Then there is the risk to the bitch in whelp – what if the sire was a much bigger dog than her – will the pups all be too big for her to deliver naturally – will a c section be involved.

Can I do that and the Parasitology at the same time???

I don't intend to upset the raw food diet people (it's all personal choice) but with all the information on the increased incidence of Toxoplasma Gondii in our meat (especially birds, including chickens) and after having a Toxo effected dog (who is now on anti- seizure medication for life) from catching birds - I won't feed raw meat. Toxo has been found in all species of livestock over the years and I just won't rist it's effects.

After that which Charlie has been through....I will NEVER allow a steroidal drug (prednisolone) to be administered to one of my dogs without other opinions and/or options..NEVER AGAIN!

I am Proud to be MDBA...I am proud and ecstatic to be where I am now as a result of the studies. I do find it difficult to understand why people hide behind pseudonyms. Any mistake I make I am willing to accept and learn from.. And I am willing to learn from others.

Although I'm new to all of this - my first suggestion (and I know I'm late in)- would have been Colostrum re-placer (not supplement)..In Oz the best is marketed as a "food" by regulation not "supplement" and there is a BIG difference - So very important to get IgG into neonates as early as possible. You only have 24 - 48 hrs until full intestinal closure in a canine neonate. Hope the puppies do well...

Reverse triangles are embarrassing...especially after a couple of group wins I still did it.......... I am blonde :rofl: edited to acknowledge my hair colour

A Great Vet depends on what you are looking for. If it's general vet stuff then all the above are fine. If you are looking for repro or specific need, then look north. Noah's crossing or Adelaide Plains are specialist vets. Both are excellent. Noah's is used by many "show and breeding" ppl. AP is predominantly Greyhound (GH ppl very are pedantic) but still treats others with as much care. Happy to recommend either.

Well done Lindsay!

I'll have 4 please. Jnr Chef can have 1 and the others can go out at the next open day.

Personally I'd like to see the MDBA handle training, certification and compliance auditing nationally with the ANKC (and member bodies) concentrating on Breed Standards, registrations and events.

The MDBA ones are well worth doing

We had one show a few years ago where the Judge had awarded Best in Group before the last dogs had even entered the ring.

Our Neuter male only ever stole OH (Male) undies - never destroyed - just "mouthed". Our entire male never was not interested in undies or stealing at all. "Missy Witch"is a different story... she is a thief and hoarder of massive proportion. She no longer destroys clothes but by hell she is a thief! This girl wears a bra over her head or uses it to "cradle her cheeks". She is so funny to watch... I know it's wrong! It should not be encouraged! But it's funny:)