Diva

As the owner of big dogs, so am I. That's why I really hate it when very aggro little dogs have a go at them. I feel obliged to really squash down my own dogs' natural responses so that there is no risk of a little dog getting even accidently badly hurt, even from a paw swipe. And that's not fair on my dogs, because I end up panicing and treating them like the wrong-doers, even when they are the ones being attacked, so then they get anxious about it because I am anxious, and I end up in a bad feedback loop. I try to just relax now - if an aggro little dog attacks my dogs when they are on-lead, ignores all warnings and gets hurt, I have to remember it's not my fault and not my problem. Easier to say then to do though. Sibe was on a harness, mine were on leads briard ran out of yard, mine were on leads labradoodle ran out of yard, mine were on leads lab/goldens were off lead as were mine, I was sitting at the beach all alone, they came up to me. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!!! No thanks, I don't smoke. I was just explaining that I also worry about the little dog getting hurt -or used to anyway. Less and less the more I read DOL ;)

As the owner of big dogs, so am I. That's why I really hate it when very aggro little dogs have a go at them. I feel obliged to really squash down my own dogs' natural responses so that there is no risk of a little dog getting even accidently badly hurt, even from a paw swipe. And that's not fair on my dogs, because I end up panicing and treating them like the wrong-doers, even when they are the ones being attacked, so then they get anxious about it because I am anxious, and I end up in a bad feedback loop. I try to just relax now - if an aggro little dog attacks my dogs when they are on-lead, ignores all warnings and gets hurt, I have to remember it's not my fault and not my problem. Easier to say then to do though.

For Am Staffs, the issue is addressed in the breed standard extension. While the standard calls for a black nose, the agreed ANKC standard extension notes that it is now known that a blue dog cannot have a black nose. The extension also notes that blue dogs have long been acceptable in the breed - so the nose for a blue is req'd to be dark charcoal, dark enough to appear to an observer as black, even though genetically it can't be true black. So you can certainly have Champion blue Am Staffs under that standard (I don't have Am Staffs - just interested in colour genetics).

A lot depends on the quality of the chocolate and the size of the dog. It affects their heart, so it's not a matter of an upset tummy. But a dog that size should not, I think, have a problem with that much cake. Depends on how much chocolate is in the cake. People get away with dogs stealing easter eggs etc because that chocolate has very little actual cocoa in it. The higher the quality of the chocolate and the darker the chocolate the greater the risk.

I get them in oil, although once I accidently picked up the sardines in tomato sauce, and the dogs loved that.

Everything you've said, but also get very familiar with the known health (and temperament) issues in the breed, if they are genetic then their modes of inheritance and any available testing, and to the extent possible research the health status, longevity, character and vigour of particular lines that may be considered for the breeding. That's a 'must do' to me, a 'nice to do' is to see a number of different major lines/types/styles of the breed, even if just on video, not be just narrowly focused on what may be winning in their locality at the time. And have either a very good and happy to be called out vet or an experienced local breeder on hand for the whelping if it's a first litter. Then after a few weeks invite me over for puppy cuddles.

Saturday Group 4 BIG Deerhound RBIG Basset

I had a look at the Rottie standard and the only place I found 'aloof' was in the breed extension - both the standard and the extension make much of a biddable and placid nature but the extension goes on to say that, in the show ring, aloof or reserved dogs should not be penalised. Hardly the same as requiring them to be aloof. Where it does crop up as a term, of course, is in the breed standards of many of the sighthounds. Either 'aloof' or it's equivalent of 'reserved with strangers' comes up in the standards or standard extensions for many (at least 7 that I can think of) of the ANKC recongnised sighthound breeds. It is part of the typical demeanour of many of the sighthound breeds, particularly the eastern breeds. And sighthounds as a group DO NOT have a predisposition or reputation for aggression towards humans. If you have a temperament problem in your own breed change whatever you like, but please don't out of ignorance make blanket calls to wipe specific terms out of standards which would affect breeds that ARE NOT a problem. Aloof DOES NOT mean shy nor aggressive.

If she is drinking I'd try the chicken broth too, you can make it very weak and watery to start with and once she is accepting it make it more meaty. Nutrigel, as others have suggested, is also good. She may have a very inflamed or damaged digestive system at this point, poor bub.

Only if 'many people' don't understand English or are illiterate in it. There is no aggression implied in the term at all. An aloof dog is more likely to ignore a stranger than react to them, the only thing likely to be harmed is the stranger's sense of self-importance.

Are you a convert to the Hound Group, Bjelkier? Very good taste

I'm glad it turned out not to be major. It sounds like she has landed on her feet with you

Couldn't agree more. Blaming dogs for what they are seems wrong-headed to me. The bottom line for me is that we have a responsibility to manage the animals we own so that not only are their needs met but no-one else gets put at risk. It's not a matter of what a dog deserves or misses out on, it's just responsible animal management. There are lots of ways to exercise a dog. It's just that some are more effort for the owner. Of course all dogs can be agressive to some degree, at some time, in the face of some sort of provocation. Aggression is a natural part of behaviour. But if a dog has a known DA problem, it doesn't belong in a public dog park that I can see.

It could just be a soft tissue injury but if he were mine I'd start with a visit to a good canine chiropractor, to make sure he has nothing out of place. Or a Bowen therapist. Someone on here should be able to recommend someone local to you. If they can't help and it doesn't resolve with rest I'd be going back to the vet for further investigation.

Just a thought, but under the 'general dog discussion' thread there are breed sub-forums. Bound to be a Rottie one and although Tahli is a cross if you explain her history in there you might get some more specific advice. My breed doesn't seem to get panno, but I know it's not uncommon.

If it is panno I understand that while it is painful, it's also self-limiting and will resolve as the pup matures. So not too bad a diagnosis if that is what it is. Try not to worry too much, whatever it is she is lucky you are there to help her through it.

OK

I'd like to meet you and say hello . But I have to be up front that I have zero spare energy or time to participate in a new club of any sort and don't want to waste your short time in town.

I understood what you meant Kirislin. I had trouble loading it too.

Couldn't agree more. One of the aspects of the sighthound group that keeps me a fan is the cultural history they embody. It is painful when they get turned into a generic showdog, neglecting the subtle differences that define them and which have their roots in the prey they hunted, the type of country they hunted over, and people they hunted for.

Ooooh, how exciting! Welcome to Australia Pandora

Here's a link to a recent paper on the inheritance of the colour pattern known as domino in Afghans and as grizzle in Salukis. The inheritance of this pattern has not been well studied previously. In my lay person's summary, the study finds that domino and grizzle are a variation of black and tan, at/at, with the expression of the black and tan affected by a newly identified allele in the E series they suggest calling EG. The authors think that EG is dominant to E and e, but recessive to Em. Kb and ay seem to suppress the expression of EG, and therefore of the domino and grizzle patterns. A New Mutation in MC1R Explains a Coat Color Phenotype in 2 ‘‘Old’’ Breeds: Saluki and Afghan Hound DAYNA L. DREGER AND SHEILA M. SCHMUTZ Journal of Heredity 2010:101(5):644–649 doi:10.1093/jhered/esq061 Advance Access publication June 4, 2010 Journal of Heredity article on domino and grizzle

The only time I feed mince is when I want to mix something in it, or it's a meat I want to feed for variety and I can't get it in chunks or on-the-bone for a realistic price. That's not often.

Ditto. Well not Fauves, but the same principle - only happens in season. When I had male dogs I didn't allow it, because I thought it rude in dog terms and not exactly socially acceptable in people terms.

I must admit that was my first reaction too - if they are intolerant of something that is not essential why not just eliminate vegies. Or at least all root vegetables if they seem to be the issue.