Monah

This is facsinating stuff. I've had to study it and there were not only many types of human caucasian, asian etc. but other 'peoples' all at the same time. They used to think they were around during different periods, but they were here with 'us' and it appears that we killed them off in one way or another As the world shrinks, we will become less diverse, pity.

If there are not many 'good dogs'? that means if you breed you will have to import, very large expense, even breeding is hugely expensive. I'm pretty sure that in Turkey the dog is named for the area, so Anatolian covers a huge area, including where Kangals are from. So Anatolian Shepherds can be 'Kangals'. Don't quote me on this as I have been out of showing for many years, and a LOT has changed. Lilli is definately the one to PM or message. She has a vast wealth of knowledge of livestock guardians and is a breeder with excellent dogs. They are certainly a magnificent looking dog, I hope this is not the reason for your interest though as they are very special. I think you will find any dog that is rare in Aust. will cost a lot, and pups on main are more for many reasons, hopefully one reason is to ensure only serious people are buying them, as well as they have to be excellent dogs to ensure the ongoing improvement of the breed etc. I no longer show and have limited reg. dogs. And I don't mind saying, still paid a very high price. Dogs are not a 'bargain' item.

I've only been to one vet with a resident cat, a brown burmese She is gorgeous. they have an extremely large waiting room and the counter is way over the other side several metres away. She is generally out the back, but also sits on the counter sometimes. The vet LOVES her to bits, she goes home at night. He is a specialist so only has appointments he knows about etc. I like it and have never seen any trouble there and asked the manager about it and they've never had an issue. My vets have kitten adoptions, so there is always a large cage of kitties behind the counter. Dogs cannot get to them although as we are friends mine pop behind the counter to say hello. I loathe anyone who brings in a cat not in a crate, really stupid! Not just because of other animals but traffic etc.

Ditto.......My dogs are scardy cats (newfoundlands) and they would bark if left outside. They would imagine big monsters. Especially our newf rescue, she hates the dark. She like to sleep on her bed inside. three dogs and they are quiet...... Keep that to yourself!! I told someone not to be scared of my wolfhounds years ago (always indoors), next day I went out for an hour and got ROBBED, they were still there when I got home!!! and the dogs were ASLEEP ;) I had to chase them myself!

He may have got into the habit now. Something could have started it, but now he just does it anyway. Even if he can hear something, because he wont stop barking, you'll have to take action and may need to bring him inside. Maybe he sleeps all day and just isn't tired? He is large active breed, and doing his job of looking after his territory, day and night is the same to him. I also would bring him inside, esp. if it is going to become a neighbourhood problem. Awful to be forced to make some sort of a decision later. it could be that the walk is not enough interaction for him. He has an exceptional brain too, and may need to use it. Bring him in

Sorry I do not know how to add to the list :D My girls have been: Eltrese Honey Gina Jade Sam Maggie Lola- still here Stella-still here Monah-still here Roisin-still here Pindi

Yes Em ;) spinone ARE wonderful wonderful wonderful!! Everyone loves my spin, even non dog people and kids who are scared of dogs. As far as min poodle and Brittany go, WOW. I adore both and would LOVE either. A difficult decision, both very intelligent, great at dog sports, good looking, comfortable size etc. All I can think of between the tow, and it may not even apply if can groom yourself (ooh. that sounds strange, I mean groom the dog yourself ), is that it can be very expensive having a poodle clipped every so often, add up. Many people do their own. What a difficult decision, both are also not that common either, although not rare. I'm no help!! Get both xxxxx

With my current breeds: I wanted a Bracco Italiano for years, none in Aust. (at the time) researched more and found Spinone were very similar had trouble getting one for 2 years, meanwhile 2 of my dogs passed away so I was feeling like the house was empty with just one oldie left have always admired Vizslas, but thought maybe they were too boisterous for me At a dog show I met a breeder who I had researched and she had a female pup ready to go and no home Decided to have a look, fell in love, the rest is history. I probably should have done more research as that's what I'd rec. others to do :D But I adore her and the breed and will never not have a viz!! Absolutely marvellous and perfect for me. Then, my spin breeder had good news about a litter to be born, so I took a deep breath and a year later got my spin. Fantastic!! She is wonderful. Now about that Bracci............ :D (OH says NO MORE DOGS )

Keep them coming Kelpiemum!! He is adorable. I'd love to see him 'grow up' on here and maybe you could tell us your experiences. This is a breed I'm extremely fond of and I would be really interested. Your other two are lovey too. I remember meeting them a year ago at a doggie meet, esp the lovely oldie you have xxxx

Wonderful!! My vet is the same. I swear I don't know how he makes money!! eg. My spin had ear issues, her canals are huge! so drops were costing about $45 every 2 days. We ended up on special mixed frozen stuff, anyway, they stopped charging me in the second week and this went on for 6 weeks, pathology went to the states, not charged. Any PTS, they come to the house, and don't charge even for the PTS!! There are many other instances. They sent all our meds to Darwin for us all last year, wholesale price and no postage! I can ring any time day or night, and they come. Must say, my own doc is the same I am very very lucky!!

Yes I've heard of these. Very handsome. As far as I know, none in Aust. However, Italian Spinone are also a pointing breed (HPR) and have the French Griffons in their ancestry (although spins are a VERY old breed) ans they do retain the griffon 'look' in many ways A very similar looking dog to the Griffon and also a pointer is the Cesky Fousek and I know there are some in NZ!! who are really gorgeous and regularly hunt. You may find some pics and video of them if you do a search. Lovely lovely dogs

I'm lucky as I have not ever had to do this. I know many people do and the dogs are fine I know mine would not cope. The only dog I've had who would have coped was a cattle dog. I suppose they are an independent breed. I agree that an older dog may cope best. But if they have their heart set on a puppy, a very independent breed would be the go. Personally I find most gun dog breeds would not be suitable. I have a book on PWDs which could be about all puppies which says on EVERY page: out of sight=in TROUBLE. I think this is very appropriate for most puppies. This may be really stupid, although it is an honest enquiry,but how do people toilet train a puppy when they are out all day? As long as they are very prepared for what a puppy is capable of when left alone for a long period, and have tolerance and understanding and realise that this behaviour CAN sometimes go on for up to 2 years (maybe show them on of our many 'destructor' threads ) , then I do think an older dog may be best. What is more important, the puppy or her best shoes? :p THe other thing to think about is that although ATM they may think they will do something with the dog daily, what about when they are really tired after a long day? And also, will the dog be indoors when they are home and have interaction, or be outside on it's own? Will they be spending most weekends socialising and being out for many hours? It really depends on the humans, I know many young couples who work and have puppies and put in the time when they are at home etc., and others who get frustrated that the dog needs it's needs met when they are home, and end up with a barking, unhappy, ill trained dog that they decide is too much work after a year or two Dogs can be very tiring, if you do work long hours (and most of us do), you need to REALLY REALLY want one and understand what having a 'dependent' means. Dotty, that is a great way of making sure the puppy's needs are met Miss Beridgerient, yes often breeders have slightly older dogs needing homes too. We've always had fantastic luck with older dogs and had them for many years. ;)

Sorry, just to add, HD dogs often run fine, some may 'bunny hop' when they run though, depending on the severity of the HD.

Dont' freak out if it is HD. Firstly get him checked properly, this will require an xray and to rule out HD, you REALLY need to do this. As untreated HD is awful for the dog, painful, even though they may not appear to be in pain to us. IF it is not this, great!! and you will at least know he is fine. Hopefully it is not HD. If it is, there are many many treatment options and drugs that can give a dog a good quality of life and a long life and this can include very simple things such as no long walks or jumping and vitamins to other treatments, so don't be frightened. One step at a time. IMO he does need checking (I also have had experience of this). He is really adorable. Do everything you can to make sure he is healthy and comfortable. Tests can be expensive, but well worth it, ESP if they are negative Tyson is very special, a really lovely boy that anyone would be proud to own, one in a million :p xxxxx

Sorry, forgot all about the waddle, I was fascinated by the baby miner video OMG! What an incredible boy Tyson is

I'm 50 today Monah.. :D I suthpect I'm a fair bit older than you? Yes you are!!! Actually, no, I was 50 on Jan 6th. Tell anyone and the poodle gets it! Happy Birthday Kendall

:D Many happy returns of the day Poodlefan!!!! OMG! so many January birthdays, Capricorns are taking over!! We've ( us 'experts' ) done a 'study' in the viz thread and we are all (um rather large exageration ) Capricorns. Trying to figure out what attracts us lot to Vizsss? And you are an honorary Viz auntie after all We even have a new viz owner being born this week!! another January owner have a wonderful day AFTER work anyway! I'm not sure if you are a week younger than me, or a year younger! Better be a week xxxxx '

I get ya!! I also get GSP a lot too. Funnily enough many people are really frightened of my viz???? Until they know her, then they are TERRIFIED!!! of the full on kisses and affection and she wont take no for an answer. Pixie Meg. that is one beautiful Borzoi. I met some at Maryborough show recently and one little girl looked a LOT like your boy, she was around the same age too, I wonder if they are litter mates? The couple were lovely and I think had about 4 dogs of different ages. The little girl was absolutely the sweetest thing EVER. Another one I met there, a male, had an Affenpinscher!!!!!!!! as a baby brother :D Inky he was called. The two of them together and the Borzoi was amazing, so gentle. Having had wolfhounds, Lakelands, Patterdales, Giant Schnauzers, Irish Water Spaniels, Viz and Spinone, I completely know how funny it can be when your dog gets called some strange combination. But I guess we must all remember that many people do not trawl through (and collect) hundreds of breed books on a daily basis like some of us here do, or go to shows. All the dogs I've had, except cattle/BCs?goldies , have been called CROSSES by the 'public'. I must admit, the funniest ones were being asked what sort of terrier cross my wolfies were UM, at a giant 38"!!!!!! tall,(he really was a giant!), I can't really think of any terrier that comes close

PWDs are one of my all time favourite breeds and I WILL have one one day ;) I'm a little surprised how important 'looks' are to this person. Yes, of course we all favour looks etc. but really you have to put temp. etc. and looks together. Poodles, no matter what 'haircut' they have, are fantastic dogs. I"d be more worried about energy etc. suitability. Poodles, Portugese (who also lay claim to what some consider an awful clip), and most other curly coated breeds (terriers etc) have enormous exercise and stimulaiton requirements. I really don't understand why the 'look of the coat' is a priority, but I can see that the appearance of the dog is a start. I have an aquaintence who bought a 'labradoodle' several years ago, it looks EXACTLY like a lab, and when it got to adulthood with no 'curls' etc. she was very disappointed. Poor dog, it's lovely, but not what they 'wanted'

Think we are all mad!! Ok, of course like everyone, spent HEAPS (thousands) on vets etc., travel many hours to specialists, bought a caravan for the dogs (for moving between states), bought several 'doggy' cars that had to have the right things (ie. aircon in the back etc.) for dogs, bought 2 acres with a pool for the dogs (for arthritis swimming etc)., knocked back cheap properties because the flooring, stairs, blocks were not suitable. Have not had any time away at ALL, not even a weekend, without dogs since 1985!!!!!! (except for surgery! and then even after a hysterectomy I left hosp early to get home) I am planning on an OS trip next year but have to organise my adult kids re dogs sitting at our place, so it is becoming a major major problem. I also may have to go to Perth for a few days soon and am freaking out, even though the kids are here to care for them. Also, have had many businesses and 'worked' my hours to suit the dogs. Ie. home every 3 to 4 hours to walk, feed, play etc. and much more often when they were pups, and if OH was home (we swapped times) I would ring to see if the dags were ok, what they were doing etc. have put my hands in orifices to check for things, AND saved a dog with mouth to mouth (well, you close their mouth and put yours over their nose!) resucitation! It really grossed everyone out (it was a friends farm dog) but worked ;)

Sorry, PS, we also held the gutter stuff in place with zip ties just to make absolutely sure. Not pretty, but, hey, the dog never ever got in there!! Dont' forget the gate area either.

We have always had a pool, no dogs in the pool area without an adult, no different to children. One of ours was a SWF (in my pic here) so we wove gutterguard through the pool fence, about a metre high and in and out of the palings. This worked and we had him for 15 years without anything going wrong. It was cheap and easy and effective. ;)

OMG!!!! What are you up to Bokezu? Anything to do with your import topic? xxxxxx

Sorry OT SPIKES PUPPY!!!! wire viz?? more info pllllleeeaaaasssee!! Where and whom and when??? I had lots of wire cuddles on the weekend and know a litter is due very soon!!!

How bloody awful for everyone! I too have a dog that is not keen on dogs, esp little ones, in her face. I do have control of her and we go to an offlead beach with our 3 dogs and have never had an incident in nearly 4 years (her age). But, I've lost count of the number of people who walk ahead of their dogs and have no idea where their dogs are or what they are doing. We have so many little dogs follow us and get in my dogs' faces. I always call mine next to me or else run ahead with them to get mine away from the 'roamers'. Sometimes I ask the owners to call theirs as I end up followed by several dogs, but the owners have no interest It's very frustrating. It makes for a less than relaxing experience and my dogs LOVE the beach and do not wish to 'play' with anyone else. BTW, I have nothing against small dogs, I have had many myself, all very well behaved EXCEPT a rescue SWF(who was never ever offlead) who thought he was a giant breed and would try anything so I picked him up everytime another dog entered our 'sphere', then would get told off as people thought I was frightened of their large dog eating mine, no, I was afraid mine would attack the large dog and be killed for being an idiot! You can't win. It's got to the stage where I never explain anymore, I just say that my slightly fearful dog will eat theirs (quickest way to scatter them is just SHE BITES) not true, but nothing else gets listened to.