Diva

I think it's nice you are bringing the curtsey back to the show ring. Weird. But nice

My worst thing is stacking them when they don't need it and then making a god awful mess of it. The weird thing is that sometimes I am reasonably competent and just do it - but mostly it looks like I've never even seen a dog before let alone shown one. It gets really obvious when judges come up and restack the dog themselves, or growl at me for sheer ineptness . On the other hand pf wins loud compliments from the judges when she handles my dogs . I think she gets to do it all the time now

I've actually found this thread quite distressing. I responded in good faith and then came back to read other people's responses. It's painful enought to recall the deaths of beloved pets and share that without finding out that someone thinks it was irresponsible to not do more 'research' or that my vet may not have chosen the most humane method of pts.

3 bitches, 2 entire and 1 undesexed, here and no agression between them, all run together. I don't know about GSDs though, maybe it's a particular problem for them as the breeder mentioned it.

I'm on the fence on this one, pros and cons on both sides. I have 2 large active dogs with front dewclaws and they have had no problems with them at all. All my previous dogs have had them removed. The only difference I can tell overall is that the ones with dewclaws on do use the them in running and to hold things and in grooming themselves. But if they jump up at all dewclaws can scratch you which could be a consideration if you have small children (yes, I know jumping's a training issue ). Agility and lure coursing people I know like them left on.

I have had to euthanise a number of times over the years, and except for one vet who wouldn't let me, I have always stayed with them. That one haunted me for years. I should have been there. But I was young and the vet was insistent and I allowed myself to be pushed out. Never again, as painful as it is to watch I owe it to them to be there.

Sorry you are upset but if it's not working out returning him as soon as you can is the right thing to do for him. If the bit I've quoted is the kind of thing that is upsetting you, I'd suggest you aren't in a position to get any young dog, as this is very mild behaviour for a 14 week old gundog. But maybe you just gave these examples to show how cute he is? I can't really tell from your post. Maybe a much older dog would suit you better.

Here's an idea - fix the damn fencing and put the dog behind it. Incredible.

I'll buy some too - but I can't imagine my dogs wearing those socks, they'd kill me first

Yes I have. I'd still only buy from a registered breeder. But I no longer assume that being registered, or being successful in the show ring, by itself means much in terms of ongoing interest in the health of their stock. Not sure what the answer is but I think initiatives like the Master Dog Breeders Association is a start, and personal recommendations as to who to buy a puppy from are also important.

Not in the local media

Ok then maybe the people that have an issue and the ones that are defending the RSCPA ACT should PM each other or start another thread, beacuse people like me who dont have an opinion either way as I have had no dealings with the RSPCA just wanted to know any updates on the GSD puppy and things are getting a little out of control... Like I said a debate is good for the soul but in the right place Soemtimes you can't just let misinformation and rumour stand uncorrected. The suggestion has been that it was right to steal that pup because it was at the ACT RSPCA. That is dangerous nonsense - dangerous for the pup itself. More broadly what is happening at the shelter in Canberra could be a model for improved outcomes at RSPCA shelters across Australia. But if it is not allowed to distinguish itself by its good actions and policies because predjudice against the organisation is blind and immune to truth, that chance will be lost. We're OK, we are in Canberra. But animals elsewhere will miss out on better outcomes.

I find 'snob' to be a very unconvincing insult anyway - to me it's just a way someone who is threatened by my choices seeks to invalidate them. Hardly likely to impress me much. Lilli is right about her dogs, because they have a very specific working role that they have been bred for, for a very long time. My favourite breed's original purpose no long exists, except in a reduced way in a few specific locations around the world. But when I look at them I see not only the characteristic look and temperament their original role produced, but the hundreds of years of cultural heritage they embody. Their typical breed temperament suits me better than any other dog I have ever met. I love the way they look and move. And I get extra enjoyment from knowing about their history and how their form is a product of their function. Only a couple of other breeds appeal to me anywhere near as much. If I couldn't get a healthy example of one of those breeds I just wouldn't get a dog. To tell someone like me I should be getting a pound dog is a waste of breath. Not because I have anything against mixes and crossbreds and rescue dogs - I think they can make fabulous pets. But they are not what I want.

[quote name='poodlefan' date='17th Apr 2010 - 08:12 PM' post='4469104' Scratch me from next weekend folks. Howie had a close encounter with a fence in pursuit of a rabbit at the dog club tonight and now has staples over his stifle (show side of course). Looks like I'll be sitting next weekend out. :D So sorry to hear this pf, hope he heals quickly and well.

I can't read it, the font is tiny and blurred. Whatever it is supposed to be, there is a pit bull up for adoption at RSPCA ACT now. What better proof could there be than that? He wouldn't be there if they don't rehome them.

Yep. I'm not saying the RSPCA ACT are saints. But they just don't have the breed related issues people talk about from elsewhere. And they take good care of the animals at the shelter. The little GSD puppy was safe there. The people who stole it are common criminals, nothing else. God knows where the little mite ended up but I hope they get him back.

The CEO of RSPCA ACT OWNS a Pitbull. Owns one, publicly states he owns one, has his photo taken with it for the media. But any fact like that, that doesn't buy into the 'RSPCA as Demon entity' gospel, won't be welcome here pf. Apparently the Canberra residents like us are making it all up and those who don't live here know better

Wrong. A complete oversimplification of the governance structure. Wrong. Not in the ACT. Go to their website to view the current APBT cross up for adoption. Everyone who lives in the ACT is telling you your statements about the RSPCA here are completely wrong. Why wouldn't you believe us, unless your predjudice is beyond all reason and fact?

No. ACT RSPCA is not 'the same'. Such generalisations are much more likely to damage the local scene here than to help. I repeat, no BSL here. No breed bias in the RSPCA. An RSPCA that rehomes APBT. And that certainly rehomes GSD. One place in the country that it isn't a problem, and people that don't live here still can't leave it alone.

Interesting. All of mine love the wild bunnies but one in particular gets quite hungry after a few days of them and seeks out fattier meats. As I also feed a far bit of pork and lamb it isn't a problem, but I thought it was just her (she's a skinny thing at the best of times) rather than a known issue. I considered that too, if you go that route I'd be interested to know how it goes. I get goat and venison at around $8 a kilo - hardly pet food prices but manageable for them. I don't feed them for allergy reasons, just like the idea of using the feral/game species when I can.

I think the most important thing is to get a dog you will be happy living with and looking after for the rest of its life. If it's an Aussie that calls your heart, and it's an informed choice, that is what you should get. I find people who use emotional blackmail to push their agendas onto other people's life choices quite offensive, whatever the cause.

I find that sometimes experienced non-professionals are more useful on these little things. I think we take a lot of notice of the small stuff - stuff that may not have crossed a vet's path before.

In the ACT where the puppy was? Treat them just like any other. We don't have BSL here, and we don't have anti-breed attitudes in the RSPCA.

Trust your judgement, you know how stressed they were. I have tried a few kennels here as I used to travel often for work and dog sitting friends can only do so much. I judge them by the state my dogs are in when I get them home, and how long it takes them to bounce back. Several I wouldn't touch with a barge pole ever again.

The bit about him being able to go home isn't right. Yes the Court found him to be an AST. But they also found that AST=APBT. So by being an AST he is also a Pit Bull, and therefore restricted. In effect they found him to be both breeds as they decided the breeds were one and the same.