AmandaJ

I tried the Spirulina - it didn't do a great deal, if anything, for my boy. My boy's health is still a work in progress. Moved from symptomatic hives to interdigital cysts. Controlling those at the moment. I could write pages on what I've done and how things have faired - nothing is conclusive ...... yet. I'm happy to talk to you by telephone if you want to chat about what I've done and what results (which are not always clear) I've achieved for each. If you want to do this, PM me and I'll give you my contact numbers. Spirulina contains natural tryptophan which the body converts into seratonin. Tryptohphan is being trialled with antidepressants in order to reduce the dependance on the antidepressants. I've not heard of it (Spirulina) being used for allergies unless the scratching is symptomatic of an anxiety issue. But if you do use Spriulina for anything you need to increase Vitamin C in the diet as it strips the body of Vitamin C.

Only problem we have ever had is Frontline turning Beardies white collars yellow. Not good 3 days out from a show. Told the vet, she called the Rep., Rep. called me - "wash it off with dishwashing detergent......" That wasn't very good for the coat either ;) but it got them almost white again.

Our first ---not our last - Well done to all involved - and thank you so very much. With out a doubt a magnificent evening. As with so many others - We did not have the opportunity to meet others - next time Bring on Melbourne

Lyndsay - you handle G5 dogs very well - stop doubting yourself! Have some fun. Other groups will come with time. PS you kick my ass every time

I agree with Gilypoo, it's the only way to do it. All 3 of ours were diggers. We even threatened to hire them out for earthworks. Our girl still digs just not as much - she prefers to climb trees now. They have their side of the garden which is fenced from the landscaped side. There are no plants left on their side (other than the tree SHE climbs) coz SHE ate them all.

As dogs of any breed or part thereof are of the same species they can and do often carry the same recessive genes which cause problems but they also have various other genes not necessarily in evidence in the dog which can be given to the pups. A minimum acceptable requirement is 1) knowing the parentage so you know what you may inadvetantly breed into the puppies. Unless you know the parentage you go in blind but there are gene interactions in which a gene at one locus masks or suppresses the effects of a gene at a different locus so you cant see it in the parent but you do see it in the babies.2) That you screen for various diseases common to all dogs and known to occur in the breed. The theory behind this kind of breeding is that even if there are recessive genes that there is little chance of them meeting up with random matings but this is only one type of gene interaction and mixed breed dogs actually have potential for more genetic issues than purebreds as was evidenced in studies done by George Padgett and as is clearly showing in our health surveys. If you get healthy puppies its more luck than anything else. Even many commercial puppy farmers want to know the parentage of their parent dogs and why Kate Scoffeld wants to be able to buy healthy pedigreed purebred dogs to use in her breeding establishment. Steve could you please point me in the right direction for Padgetts studies - wouldn't mind reading them.

Just getting back out showing will be a good start..... Get Bonnies title Have puppies Get new puppy out with mum

Basically if the Judge (or a member of the Judges family in some situations) owned, leased, groomed, boarded, trained or handled the dog in any way within the last 12 months they can not judge the dog – Vets are excluded. This also includes breeding services… (Refer Conduct of Judges 6 and 7 SAKA Rules) You can handle for anyone so long as the dog does not compromise the Judge. It’s supposed to be about the dog not the handler (yep – that’s what I’m told). I’ll be using a very good handler in future as I’m crap at it. And I'm going to assume it's Pt Pirie - so have fun.

Mine were fed Iams as pups but now on Enduro Lite.

Taken it down - stupid me it is there....rarely

Seems the article has produced another overgeneralisation. This time it's dearer to insure purebreds. I looked up the website of the Australian Vets Own Pet Insurance company. Figuring they'd have the sense to actually look for evidence. They say there's only a small number of pure breeds, which they claim are brought for vet attention more than the average....& list them. List is here: http://www.vetsown.com.au/faq1.asp (Actually that throws cold water on the overgeneralisation that the purebred group of dogs is extensively riddled with problems. If that were so, a hard-headed pet insurance business, would have higher premiums on them all.) By the way, the RSPCA runs a pet insurance plan....so there's some clash of interest in their making that statement. I just did the same thing - but I also found out that all the pet insurance is underwritten by the same group PetSure The RSPCA site has the same fee regardless of parentage - checked a few of them in the quoting systems and they are the same too.

Question on the article.....The RSPCA states that it's dearer to insure purebreeds - is that correct?

Yep - Ok - I can't spell today either - need to go back to bed and start the day again... I'll pack everything just incase.

What's the weather like in Sydney this weekend - I still need to pack..

Try Crazysales.com.au too

Damn it! I wish.... Mine love watching "Shaggy Dog" on the big screen....(yep ..spoiled)

I'm a "bean counter" Charlie is ...Charlie ...he's happy, friendly, loving, overweight and gets me up at 5am...would we change him - no way! Ollie is...aloof, indifferent but damn good in-front the camera and even better in front of a judge -you could not ask for better - he's the "put in place and shoot" type of dog and he loves it. Bonnie is - a hooker? - yep that would suit her - tart of the century...gotta love the girl

Testing is breed specific In some cases it can even be line specific Get the books out and learn the genetics of inherited diseases

Oh well - we can't test for everything can we. Otherwise we'd be doing a'hole testing as a part of prenups!

My experience with "scratchie" is that a reason exists even if you can't see it. You won't always see fleas, you can't see allergies. Our vet told us to treat both in the first instance to get the dog comfortable then trial from there. Put the dog on a bland diet - boiled chicken (not necks or frames) and rice or pasta. Give an antihistamine (we use Telfast 24hr) for the allergies only until the dog is comfortable. Stop the antihistamine for a few days but maintain the diet. If the reaction reoccurs it's most likely an environmental allergy - if not continue (yeast allergies are different). Next step was to gradually change the diet and monitor the reaction. That will tell you if it's diet related. If it was environmental we used the same process to identify the allergen - we gave up and ripped out the grass and put down fake lawn - it ended up being easier and cheaper (than all the testing). We monitor conditions before we start to flea treat (only do what is necessary) and are comfortable with the routine the dogs have. If it works for Charlie it will work for the others

Just checked - I'm on...

I've used Netobjects Fusion too for a few years now and have found it pretty good. JK at least you got the name the right way round....(doh!) It is easy to use.... I'm using it so it has to be! You were pretty close I had someone trying to remember the name of the program who called it "Netajinx Contusion" which seemed an ominous freudian slip JK Now I don't feel so blond......

I've used Netobjects Fusion too for a few years now and have found it pretty good. I got it for free with a CD on the front of a computer mag and, even though I'm not that IT literate and it's a few versions older than the latest Fusion 10, I managed to design and upload my website and find it easy to maintain by myself. I got slack for a while there about keeping it current but have been busy lately updating it. If you want to have a look at what I've done with Netobjects Fusion take a look at www.banobrae.com. If you have any suggestions for information or features (very simple ones!! :rolleyes: ) that would make it more useful for puppy buyers or people looking for info on the breed, I'd be delighted to know! :-) JK at least you got the name the right way round....(doh!) It is easy to use.... I'm using it so it has to be!

Noting the comments earlier (thank you to those who looked) I've altered our site. Not much I can do about the "buttons" (I still need to learn some more) but they do appear to be easier to read. I'd like opinions please :rolleyes:

I had a look, it took me about 5 pages to find where you are located And then the only thing I found was that you are members of SA Dog Association. Maybe a Contact Us Page? I like the pages about your dogs, good info with the test scores etc and a good insight into their personalities Ooops - thanks amypie - Didn't actually think about our location - I'll put the contact page on..Ta