The Spotted Devil

Tor - where are you based? You would be welcome to meet my dogs at an agility trial. I'm also happy to point you in the right direction if you'd like to chat to some breeders. Remember that most of us only breed once or twice a year so it's worth making contact early. Established breeders may have waiting lists too.

Any dog will have a certain level of prey drive - my dogs are great with my own cats and foster kittens (exceptional circumstances with Em's recent litter - incredibly protective) but I would not trust them with the neighbours' cats/rabbits. Gundogs are bred for hunting - depends on the lines of course - so I would want to raise them carefully and have good supervision. Dalmatians similarly.

Of course I think Dals are SUPER dogs but yes, not for everyone. In my experience they are amazing with kids (and mine has not been raised with kids) or anything weaker than them. Shed a LOT. Love lots of exercise. Will trot all day and that's what they are designed to do. Very intelligent - can be too smart for some!!! Not bred to work closely with you like a Gundog but definitely are capable - my Zig is an Agility Champion - first Dalmatian in Australia. He is a hoot but I put the hard yards in during the first two years...however you will need to do similar for breeds including Viz, GSP, Boxer etc. I also love my soft Spaniels of course but that's a whole other story.

I think a number of breeds would suit you and finding the right breeder has tipped me towards breeds I wasn't even considering. Just watch the short haired breeds as some can moult like nothing you've ever seen! I always like to tell people the WORST things about my breeds and if they can embrace those aspects they will be fine!

She sounds like a lucky pup to me! Puppies sleep a LOT! My "rule" is that pup is up and active for 2 hours prior to me leaving - following me around, walk, training, food - and they will happily sleep for several hours after that. Normally I come home and they're rubbing their eyes as they wake up!

Love the oldies! Happy Birthday every day Feather

I recall a nutrition lecture where we were told that constantly taking vitamins does slow the body's natural production. The advice we were given was to take vitamins for a week or 2 during a stressful period and then stop.

Bless you Gruf for serving your beloved human so well x

Great that you've put in the effort! I have a kitty "powder room" in the laundry with a baby gate and built in cat door that I tie half shut as Em can still squeeze through it.

FOMDAC is awesome!

Love the video!

Did you tick "breeder" on the form though? It does give you that option and you can indicate how many litters you breed.

what's the name of your shire or council? I'm wondering how anyone in Vic gets permission to breed a dog now? Or do they all just flout the law? Which shire are you in Kirislin?

I'd also suggest that you have a chat to your breeder - my 4 week old Springer babies are about 70% accurate with the pee pad. Sometimes they forget when they are playing or just can't get there quickly enough once they wake up. Their mum still cleans them up too so they are sometimes stimulated to urinate in their bed but it's rarely an active choice.

I leave my pups indoors alone for a maximum of 4 hours (large crate or pen) - they have plenty of mental and physical exercise (includes training!), I make sure they have toileted and then pop them in the crate/pen with a stuffed Kong or a Turkey wing. Mostly I get home and they yawn drowsily at me with rarely an accident...straight outside for a pee.

Personally I wouldn't be encouraging a pup to toilet in the crate. I'd prefer a smaller (open) crate as a bed if you can't supervise and a play pen with a toilet area. It's much clearer for the pup. Ideally you want to be getting pup outside regularly but I understand that's not always possible. Pup needs distinct sleeping, eating, toileting and playing areas. Start as you mean to go on!

Love it :laugh:

Mine always get a bedtime treat - and they are both fantastic sleepers. One of those larger Euk biscuits.

Those ears :laugh: Too cute huski

Em is restless when she's too hot - she runs warm and will lie on the cool slate in the middle of Winter.

Twitter is calling it The War on Terrier-ism.

Yes! And what about the declaration you sign on entry...

Oh wow. I knew Leo. That's beautiful

Not quite so sure that US dogs can go anywhere without restriction. One quick google found this: Exporting Pets from the United States All resident pets leaving the United States must send relevant paperwork required for the destination country to the State USDA office for endorsement prior to leaving the country. Additionally, transiting pets whose permits or health certficiates have expired will be required to obtain these documents in the United States and have them endorsed prior to leaving the country. Pets returning to the United States are subject to the same passport requirements as those entering for the first time. This means that pet owners returning to the United States should have a new health certificate completed by a vet in the country you are visiting if you stay for more than 30 days.

Yep same. Clean Run with eyelets and bungee ties.