Monah

Breeder's decision. If I were a breeder the prospective homes would go through an in depth process, I think I would be one of those disliked breeders Obviously people do keep dogs in apartments and flats overseas quite commonly. I love seeing dogs enjoying their environment, ie. doing doggy stuff.. and they love it. Everyone is an individual, if a person were in an apartment but spent weekends or time in the great outdoors with their dogs, i would evaluate on this and if they had reasonable expectations of what is involved. we moved to darwin for a year, from 2 acres and beaches, to a tiny duplex with a 'patch' of grass.. and no beach to use. Our dogs didn't even seem to know the difference, but they were run daily in a park and swam in a lagoon along with dog sports. :D

Hey Tokkie, great news re Ringo! :D (another anxious owner here..) Mine go to the beach a lot, get thoroughly revolting esp the spin... her coat carries a few buckets of sand.. They go in the pool when we get home, if we did not have a pool, I'd rinse them under the hose.

Lovely. My girl is a water freak!! Have you checked out his big webbed swimming paws? If we go anywhere where there are lagoons, puddles, MUD, I have to keep my baby on lead. The viz will be good and NO disuades her from going in etc. The spin waits her chance and goes for it!! NO is ignored SHe spends hours swimming in the pool, she's an addict!! Enzo is growning already, beautiful boy...

OK that's different. I will more than likely bring imports into the country when I retire, so put me down for a 10 year wait. Yes. I am serious me too!

Many staffies have these issues. You could turn cartwheels and things may not change. If all else has failed, get the dog vet checked properly and see about some meds to help her. Often (not always) temp meds can assist the dog to be more open to training and help by helping them keep calm. It is very difficult to train and help a dog when they are in the 'zone'. I know this is not a popular way with many people, but I have seen it help a dog many times (often staffies!) and if it comes down to the dog living in mental agony (and we dont allow humans to) compared with a better quality of life, then its worth a try. Often you can do all the right things, but if the dog is genetically hardwired to behave this way, it is hard to overcome on your own. Behaviourists are terrific, the right one, and with a combination of assistance and time I'm sure things will improve. Most dogs dont like toileting in the rain/wet but the reactions of your dog need addressing. Good luck, it must be upsetting to see yourr staffie so distressed.xxxxxxxxxxx everyone on here has terrific advice to try. great posts. I'm not going to repeat what others have advised.

No No No I am a member of breed clubs that are not in my state. I enjoy the in depth info and articles and results and pedigrees and rehomes etc. and like to contribute. I also get a lot out of the endless knowledge of those who know the breeds and international news. All of which I would not have easy access to otherwise. Being a breed club member has never come up when I've been looking for a puppy though.

:D same here! as I have been buying for many years, the website thing is so recent that I'm not really interested. Anyone can have a flash website, anyone can hire someone to do it, or do it themselves, any information can be put on there. that is not to say I do not think they are very useful and enjoy reading them. I would never base anything on one though. I do prefer breed club interest, but it is more chance that I have had breeders who are involved than looking for one who is. I have waited years for several dogs. Not an issue. ;) I am a pet owner only.

That's a good question. Referring people to the MDBA website seems like it should be a good resource to help people find good breeders, if all the member breeders are listed? And it would also greatly help new and even more experienced people if the people in various organisations could supply the relative info when asked. I fell this lack of info and professionalism is losing the battle for buyers to use reg breeders. It gets all too hard. I'm sure there must be 'dog' experts out there who also have admin and IT skills. (and very importantly, people skills) Once a cliennt, customer, interested party is put off, it's extremely hard to ever get them back. So that's another person who tells 10 friends etc. not to bother trying to go reg. breeder. The people on the front line really need to be top class and behave as you would in any 'business'.

I was looking for a breeder a couple of years ago and rang Dogs NSW. The person who took my call asked me what group the kerry blue terrier was in. I said, after a fairly longish pause, 'The terrier group.' They probably employ people for their admin skills, not their dog knowledge. But that' s not such a stupid question when the Tibetan Terrier is in the non-sporting group, not the terrier group. And the Australian Silky terrier and Yorkshire terriers are in the toy group, not the terrier group. And the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is in the toy group also, and not in the gundog group with the other spaniels. While I completely understand this re admin skills, it is part of a persons job to be informed if they are responsible for information. It's not hard to know, there are hundreds of breed books and info out there in various places and I'm sure the office itself would have the information. It appears really unprofessional when you ring an org and the person knows nothing. Not a 'good look' at all. The lack of knowledge could easily put those who are 'newbies' right off the org and registered people when they are asking for info and the organisation does not know the answers. :D

I've rung a body in QLD a few times and got people ont he phone who have not even known certain breeds exist..Oh for the good old days...

The one I rang today about the puppy in the paper could not have cared less about the home I was giving it when I rang. Only interested in the $$$. Also advertises on the net. Could not care less about the buyer, just the cash. I've never used a breeder who has advertised in a paper. Not to say this is wrong in any way at all, it just is not for me. When I get a pup I set up a relationship first. In the case of my wolfhounds, lakelands, spinone,vizsla, giant schnauzers and irish water spaniels, this has often been years before. I'm not a 'I want it now' person, I research immensely. I've been after another breed for over 6 years, rare in aust, 2 here, so I have been in contact with the perons who has them, visited interstate, contact with OS breeders etc. for all that time. The buyer needs to put on effort too, you get what you get if a 5 minute phone call is the 'effort'. What did you say to this breeder re their no care attitude? It's important to me to choose a breeder as I would a friend. I have had relationships with some breeders for 42 years, others more recent. I cannot control how breeders operate, but I certainly can control who I deal with. So i've never had a bad experience at all. When a person has a relationship and does their research properly, things sould go very smoothly, If you are happy to hit and miss, be lazy etc., you have to take some responsibility for lack of communication. If there are bad experiences buyers need to put it behind them and do things differently next time. There are always going to be good and bad in every single area of life, we have to choose wisely. When I was showing years ago there were so many dogs/breeds etc. that you rarely see now, either at all or in numbers. And they could be bred in suburbia without any issues, run off lead in many places etc. a different world. It's hard enough owning a pet now, breeding is very difficult, and the cost!! So expensive to import too and australia is so far away, we need new blood badly.

This is what caused the original problem.Annie became aware of a breeder who told her they were registered and she assumed that meant ANKC registered - they werent.They were registered with another group and as a result what Annie thought they were dong which was breaching what she thought the ANKC code of conduct was they were perfectly able to do. Obvioulsy it got heated and was deleted but it was caused by the fact that like you she thought a registered breeder meant ANKC registered breeder and it didnt. thanks. I realise reg. does not neccessarily mean ANKC, which is why I feel it's better to only have one body Australia wide. Then there is no confusion. Dog people are usually in the know, but it must be a minefield for others. :D

I've had issues with CCCQ re complaints about a few people blatantly breaking 'rules' inc. one who sold very young pups .. no breeder I've dealt with myself, I dont feel qualified to really have a take on it, I've been out of the loop for many years, but would love to get back into showing some time. I know what I like in a breeder and have often built up very strong relationships with them long before,(a few times years!!) I've been ready for a pup, (or kitten) I'll leave it up to those who know. I've been blessed to have wonderful , supportive, caring breeders in a very large variety of breeds, not one issue with any of them. :D :D I think it goes both ways though, buyers also need to do the right thing too.

Jed :D I've had many many reg. purebreed dogs over the years, and shown, and had a stud dog (not a breeder but used by his breeders). ANKC reg. Never a problem, well researched. I know what I look for in a breeder and have never been disappointed. I can't remember, but I thought years ago there was only one body and you were either reg with that body or not reg at all? I may be way off, I'm sure someone can correct me. With one body you know exactly where to go etc. and who to access. I dont know how you educate the pubic. It is complicated now, once , papers were papers. that was it. Now it's all a mine field. I think if a body is going to represent breeders (or anyone) they should make sure (consequences) the member abides by the regulations of the body. I know this does not happen and this reduces the respect and face of other breeders.

Photos!!! :D :D

Well, I have to agree with this, nice pegs.!

I'm so sorry. It is awfully tough. xxxxxx that link is terrific lils mum. have printed it to keep, hope not to need it for many years..

eep. Agreed. :D :D

Zenchel, I was worried about that too which is why I was asking about the labs prognosis as I missed a bit. However something was going n with the 'rest' of the lab as he appeared to have other incissions etc. and I'm guessing there was a lot more to this story that did not make it to the doco. I dont htink he needs to make money (his equipment is worth the debt of a small country ) and he obviously has a LOT of work and will forever amen. Pioneering surgery treatment is fantastic for animals, we are going where no one has been before. I am very happy about it as long as it is for the improvement of the animal. I want to know what is possible, you never know.... and it encourages others to go outside the square. IF no one took the chance to do this we would never progress. I was so glad they showed the cat, I am a massive cat lover and often people can relate to a 'dog' thing but dimiss cats Seeing a person spend on their cat and the vet so excited over the outcome was wonderful I have a fantastic specialist on the sunny coast, Richard Mitchell, who is very similar to this guy re attitude. and my own vets here are also incredible, I'm very spoilt. Flick, wouldn't that be a fantastic experience for an intern!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd love to do this, great advice everyone!! My viz has been running next to the bike for years and is just wonderful, but I leave a lot to be desired having come off many times.. I am hoping to move back to SA fairly near to the german shepherd club (we lived opposite for many years) so am pleased endur is held there. There is a great track very nearby along the River Torrens, you can ride from the beach to the city centre Will get all this info together for training for later events ;) Must remember to have a spares list,,, WINE

It's worth a try. I do know several dogs, often staffies! who are on or have been on this. That is quite a high dose for your dog, so she must be fairly anxious. meds are normally used to assist the dog so that the dog can learn new behaviours and training without all the anxiety/aggression. It is not a cure all etc. but it certainly does help. the dog may be quieter and things that cause a violent or over the top reaction should be better tolerated in order to teach the dog new habits etc. I'm pretty sure the dose is usually 'worked up to' ie. start with half for a week, the up the dose etc. Never go off the dose without seeing the vet and the dose should never be stopped cold turkey, but lowered gradually. The meds may also take a while for you to see a difference, she will not be 'transformed', try not to have any expectations and take one day at a time. good luck with her, everything is well worth a try.xxx

Ive never seen Bondi vet so dont know the difference but I also liked his down to earth attitude when telling the lab lady to say goodbye etc. and how he worded it etc. No hysterics or promises or anything, just plain truth. It seemed to help her a lot, she knew he would do his best and if things were not in the best interests of the dog he told her exactly what the outcome would be. Everyone appreciates honesty and calm in this situation, Us animal owners are not stupid, we just need the truth.

Thanks MTD. Yes , he is pretty damn amazing. (bloody hot too, but that's beside the point... )

Oh dear, I dont like him....

Yes, wasn't the cat incredible, and the vet obviously loved it too!! I was wondering why the lab had got to such a bad state with it's wrist? I may have missed a bit that said why it had gone so far without treatment. The equipment was simply amazing. It's great to know what is possible esp for the future etc. and his ethics and morals are also excellent. great program.