Sayly

I don't have any addition info for you but I have been watching your thread with interest, Dusty is just gorgeous and I'm sorry you have to go through this. I am thinking of you and Dusty.

evjorgo....have you been in touch with Dusty's breeder?

As a breeder I know that I appreciate puppy people letting me know and I try to give them the support they need.

I agree.

Irish Terrier? There are some lovely ones at my agility club who are great with children, I've heard they can be dog aggressive, but the ones I've seen don't go looking for fights and aren't eyeballing other dogs!

Cocker Spaniels? Miniature Poodle?

They can be dog aggressive if not well socialised from a young age, but Irish from a good breeder and well socialised are awesome, but I am incredibly biased.

Border Terriers are robust dogs without being as full on as most other small terriers. Good size (not too small for kids but not too big either).

I hope you can find someone to help you out.

Vic is very competitive for Aussies.

Yup, wiggle bums here on my natural bob tails. Maizie wiggles her whole body and is much more noticable than a normal dog's wagging tail, lack of tail certainly doesn't mean you can't tell when they are happy.

I've seen rear dew claws in several new born puppies, isn't uncommon in some breeds/lines.

We have several dogs with dew claws and several without, one with dewclaws has caught them several times and hurt herself. They stick out alot. The others with dew claws have no issues but theirs are much better set.

We call this the frog (sorry about the bad quality, from my phone)

Peach does it all the time. She even gets off the lounge in 'frog position' front legs hit the floor, then she drags her back legs off, as she stretches into a playbow

That's because she's copying Big Twinny!

It's a common old wives tale, I've been told the same thing several times. All of our lot do it except the Irish.

He is an absolutely lovely person and I wished we lived closer to the clinic. I love his way with the dogs too.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I wasn't 100% sure, and after doing the sums on everything I have to do for her anyway, like vaccinating and desexing (and that's assuming she has no underlying health issues, such as the knee thing Chihuahuas are known for) I'm be better off to go through a breeder, cost-wise. That's completely removing the cuteness factor from the equation.

Also I definitely don't want to fall in love with the little darling only for it to have to suffer through whatever health issues she may have, regardless of whether I can have them fixed them or not. I want a dog for life (well, their expected life-span I guess) and the happiest life he or she can have.

Again, thanks for all the advice I am definitely going to a proper breeder. On that note, any recommendations for Chi breeders in SE QLD? Or even Nth NSW.

Good move.

Yes they can still get it if they have been vaccinated against it, it just reduces their risks of getting it if they are vaccinated. Imagine it's like a flu shot in people, it protects against some but not all strains/types.

Lindsay, we're on same day. Catch you there!

Hopefully the breeds are benched close together!

Ahh I see, thanks! Gee how early do people get there on the Sunday then in order to grab a good spot??

Gates don't open until something like 7, 7:30 I think but there is always a big line!

I think they do allocate for giant breeds on Sunday though, so you may well have a bench for Sunday, otherwise it's sit where you want! All the other days (except general specials) are set benches.

Showing is important to me too Megz. It's not important how I do in the ring (sure a win occasionally is nice but losing doesn't make it a bad day), what's important is what I learn from being there and being around those more experienced than me within my chosen breed, and the awesome friends I get to spend the day with.

Most of my closest friends are show people, both here and interstate and dog shows are my chance to hang out with some great people surrounded by gorgeous dogs. Being at a show is the one time I don't have uni stuff going through my head., I can forget what I'm stressing about and have a great day out and that is important to me.

And I started to enjoy shows more when I worked that all out, and I am having a much better time which isn't dependant on how I go in the ring.

Anyway, back on topic.

I completely agree with everyone who's said organisation. Occasionally people make mistakes with dogs or numbers or handlers but experienced people who are consistanly disorganised and take forever to do something frustrate me!

Being nice to newcomers within your breed, even if you don't agree with their choice of dog. They are new to the world of showing and don't have the same experience or knowledge of breeders or lines experience people may do. Just because you disagree with their choice of dog doesn't mean you need to be rude or make them feel unwelcome.

They did the same thing last year but Ruby came in season and was off being mated interstate so it didn't matter in the end. Same thing might happen this year unfortunately but she's not actually due until after the Royal, so fingers crossed she waits!

I certainly hope so because I haven't entered my baby puppy yet but we'll definitely be there!

If you need someone to sit with, Holly is in SA bred bitch so we will be there, unless your bub grows quick enough to need a BIG box by then!

Why yes, yes I am

I'll be there on the Friday for Lowchen, Sunday for baby puppy and quite possibly Monday for Afghan Hounds

I'm in on the Monday with Aussies and Irish!

Our vet campus doesn't allow those living on campus to own dogs but bringing pets along isn't really a big deal, most of the uni staff have their pets on capus, and they often get used for teaching handling pracs. I take my girls in when they need to see the vet and they spend the time I'm in lectures/pracs in the vet hospital in the kennels and then during my breaks I take them out and walk them around. But I couldn't imagine taking them in to the city campus.

The wait for a show quality bitch may be a lot longer than you think - even if youhave a breeder willing to sell you one. Breeders will almsot always keep the best bitch in the litter themselves, hence why it is not as easy to obtain a main reg bitch as it is a main reg male. Also breeders will need to know who you are usually before they will sell a show quality bitch to you.

My first show quality bitch was from a breeder my family had a long assocation with as we had a pet dog from her for many many years and had always kept in touch. I showed that bitch for 3 yrs and got myself known. When I decided I wanted to buy a bitch of a different breed it was surprisingly easy to source one, but had I not been out in the ring showing my first girl regularly this would not have been the case. Breeders want to know that you are comitted to the breed and to the purebred dog world before allowing you to have a main reg bitch.

If you are serious about breeding then get your male into the ring, take him to obedience and get known by ppl in both areas. Saying dog shows are bitchy is a given lol. However if you are serious about your intentions why does a little bitching on the sidelines bother you so much? you dont have to get involved in that. I stay out of the ring politics and I get along with pretty much everybody. I find dog shows relaxing and entertaining and have made some great friends through it.

Great post indigirl.

We had a pet bitch from a breeder and kept in regular contact for her whole 14 years of life. When she passed on and it was time for another dog we went back to the same breeder. Mum mentioned I was interested in showing and we were offered a show bitch because we were already known and trusted by the breeder.

Jump ahead a few years of showing her and I was given a bitch to show in a different breed because I was known and already trusted, and then given a second when the arrangement with the first bitch was working out so well, because I proved I was in it for the right reasons, I was known and trusted to them, and I now co-own three dogs with the one breeder, own one outright from the same breeder and our Irish Terrier is also owned outright, plus there are several things planned/on the way at the moment.

I love showing and while it isn't for everyone I have met some awesome people through it and learn something new about my breed (or occasionally other breeds too) every single show. Spending hours talking to experienced breeders about lines, standards and breeding is priceless. It shows them how interested I am and that I am involved for the right reasons. Plus seeing so many gorgeous dogs in one place, who could complain about that? Also, seeing others of my breed only furthers my learning on the standard, lines and faults and gives me a better idea of the values and faults in my own dogs.

I also have no plans to breed in the next few years, I simply don't think I know enough. I am happy to wait and learn more every weekend.

Saying congratulations to the winners.

How soon do you want your dog? Are you willing to wait when you find the right breeder?

I live in SA and have an old fashioned straight back with Aust Champ Title. Last weekend, I handled my dog's aunty in the show ring taking out Best of Breed both days. This dog is ready for her endurance trial this month, has her CDX title and is being trained for jumping.

The breeder has numerous years of show and obedience lines behind her and I completely recommend her dogs.

If you PM me I can forward you the breeder's details.

I met the dogs the above poster owns and handles and I cannot fault their personalities. Fantastic dogs.

OH wants a 2 berth, I want a 4 berth. He is swearing that there is no way we're getting any more dogs than that, I replied that I want to be able to transport extra dogs if I need to and having the extra two berths will give us more room. We don't want it to be huge though and our dogs aren't big.

Will have a look around at others trailers this weekend coming.

Go with 4. We always use one bay for gear, and we usually end up taking someone else's dog or dogs with us when we go away. A 4 berth can be quite a nice size trailer and are probably easier to come across than a 2.

My first dog was a Border (I was 5). She was a wonderful dog, but jeez, she could CLIMB!!! She used to regularly scale our 6 foot fence, then freak out at the drop on the other side, so would hang there like a spider & whinge until mum came out & rescued her.

Awww! Our Grace has never shown any interest in climbing out but she sure knows how to dig out. Once she worked out their was better things on the other side of the fence she could chase (chooks, cats, other dogs, even roos ) it was a battle to keep her in when we went out. She now lives inside when we aren't home, just in case she ever gets the urge again, and she's quite happy chilling inside, I think she'd sleep all day if she was allowed.

If you do go with a Border Terrer have a read up about CECS: http://www.borderterrier-cecs.com/

It doesn't seem common in Australian Borders but it certainly is here. There's no testing which can screen for it yet but just something to be aware about if you do end up with a BT.

We have always had terriers and added a Border Terrier to the bunch several years ago. She is certainly the easiest dog 'within the pack' and causes no issues with anyone of the dogs. (3 entire bitches and a desexed bitch, she is desexed also). She's very patient with the other dogs and doesn't get involved in any disagreements, if they are too rough for her she grumbles and moves away.

Gracie never really destroyed anything, she would rather dig, and boy can she dig a big whole quickly! laugh: She alert barks and doesn't just bark for the sake of it, but often sees or hears something before the rest of the pack and sets them off with her yap or two.

Super tough little breed who are happy to be inside or outside. Robust and most seem to be great kids dogs. They are certainly popular with junior handlers here in the show ring.

They aren't as much terrier as most others, which makes them a bit easier to live with and possibly an easier introduction to terriers for someone who hasn't had much to do with the group of breeds before.

The forum member Leema breeds Borders and would be a good person to have a chat with for more information about these guys.

Holly was done at about 18 months and Maizie is nearly 20 months old and hers haven't been done yet. I'd personally prefer after 18months.

People are used to seeing the more solid Aussies I think Wuffles. Maizie is narrower like Ava where Holly is a solider through the body but isn't as tall.

Wohoo!

In regards to Aussies and shedding, it really comes down to the individual dog. I have two entire half sisters here with two very different coats, one sheds bucketloads (all year round but worse before seasons) and the other hardly sheds at all, even when coming into/during her seasons.

Mine don't get brushed unless we are going to a show but some need brushing occasionally behind the ears and through the pants as these areas can knott up, or when dropping coat a whole body brush occasionally is a good idea. You can trim ears and feet to keep them tidy looking if you like.

They get dirty but once they dry the dirt falls out, usually all over the floor of course. Takes a while for my girls to get any sort of doggy smell about them and if I wasn't showing I wouldn't be washing for months and months at a time.