Sayly

I would purchase a show potential pup from a new breeder depending on what I thought of the cross and lines, their mentor and their own morals.

I think the bolded bit above is really important. We are hoping to have our first litter later in the year (Irish Terriers) and every step of the way has included the help and support of our bitch's breeder who has numerous years of experience. We also have several other mentors in other breeds who we have discussed things like puppy raising and whelping tips with. You can do all the reading you want but I think a good mentor or multiple mentors is vital.

Gracie sees Matthew despite the drive.

Whether for the money or not, you chose to breed for colour as your highest priority. Instead of being able to choose from the best labrador available at stud, you restricted yourself to the best chocolate labrador, eliminating all of the yellow or black dogs that may have had better temperaments or may have been a better match for your girl. Yellow or black are not considered faults, so there is no reason not to consider using them if you are really breeding to improve the breed. You say you had to have a choc to choc mating to maximise your chances of getting your choc girl, but what were the chances of getting any other colour from that mating? Zero. The 2 dogs I narrowed my choice 2 were from the same kennel. Both dogs were recent imports and impressive specimens with new bloodlines, how shocking that they both happened to be chocolate. The owner of the dogs actually recommended that I use the boy who also did not carry the yellow gene, therefore creating a full choc litter (both dogs must carry yellow to produce yellow). With labs it is less desirable to have a yellow lab from choc parents, because if doubled up with another dog carrying choc there is the potential for choc point yellows (dudleys). Fine as pets, not desirable for breeding /showing. I have no problem with the other colours, I have a yellow girl, bred from yellow and black dogs, ie: she does not carry chocolate. I also have a black boy, he does not carry yellow. Apart from all of this, I had had several conversations with the stud owner who knew of my girls lines and felt they would be very complimentary together. My girls full litter sister had also had a litter to this dog, so there was plenty of research and info to draw on. So with labs, colour can be a consideration, as you are looking further into the future than just the immediate pup you want to breed. What about breeders who only breed yellow dogs? You would be hard pressed to find a well known breeder of yellows who would mate their bitch to a choc male. No one tells them that they are limiting the potential of their stock for not breeding to a choc male. I understand colour genetics in labs, but you haven't justified breeding for colour. The breeders of the yellow bitches that would avoid using a choc dog are trying to avoid breeding a colour fault. They don't always avoid using a black dog over their yellow bitch. That fits in with trying to improve the breed. The breeders of chocolate bitches that will only consider chocolate males are not trying to avoid a fault. Instead they are increasing the number of dogs that carry the gene that gives the undesirable dudley nose. I'm sorry did you miss the bit where I explained about the quality and new bloodlines in the male. Thats right, you're just picking out the bits you want to see. Looks to me like you are trying to make the argument that chocolate labs shouldn't be bred. Last time I checked breeding 2 chocolates didn't produce a litter of dudley noses. As I explained, a chocolate litter was bred to avoid this in my case. Last time around the same girl was bred to a black dog. Or is this also a no-no as this would potentially mean half of the litter was chocolate? Or would only the black pups be of any breed worth in your eyes? Damn those chocolate labradors ruining the pure, yellow ones. What the? I did not see Greymate say or imply that at all?

I love a moderate Aussie. ETA: I must say here in SA we have alot of moderate bitches and dogs that share the BOBs and challenges and classes in group. We had a moderate dog go BIS at the recent working dog club show.

Holly (red merle) has a red/orange/brown/white leather plated lead with minimal beading and a gold check chain. Bree (black tri) has a black and gold leather collar/lead. Maizie (blue merle) has a cream lead with blue and gold beads with a silved check chain. Ruby the Irish has an orange lead with see through beads on it. ETA: I have a bunch of other leads that I occasionally use if I am wearing a special outfit, purple lead for purple jacket, apple green for my apple green suit and so forth.

Jed I don't know what to say other than I am still thinking of you and your loss and pain. You are so strong.

We haven't bred yet but plans for our first litter with Ruby later in the year. Irish Terriers are known to be fiery and as the red devils. As breeders we don't want to get rid of this part of our breed but it is important to balance it. Irish should never be nasty towards people ever and make great pets when in the right home. It's about making people aware that they are a breed that requires ALOT of positive dog socialisation as pups and through out their lives. They can be headstrong and difficult to train and aren't known for solid recalls, especially if something small and furry gets their attention. We aim to breed dogs that are sociable with dogs but still maintain the Irish personality. The standard states: Which we take as they won't start an arguament but would happily jump in if someone else started something! Which is what I have seen from Ruby and others I have had anything to do with. Ruby lives in a household with another entire bitch and they run together. She is also very accepting of any other entire bitches (and dogs) that come into the yard. So it's about finding the right homes and making sure they are well aware of the requirements of the breed. I don't think I would sell a male to a household with another male Irish unless they were extremely experienced. Luckily we have a rare breed, and those that tend to enquire have done at least some research on the breed. It's important to maintain the breed personality or we will lose an important part of the breed. It's about balance (I wouldn't want to breed completely dog aggressive dogs of course) and making sure they go to the right homes.

I've actually gotten more nasty looks and comments when I have been walking my "police dog" looking malinois, than I ever did when walking my stafford. This has really surprised me! Although perhaps people were just too scared to look at me meanly when I was walking my gorgeous bull breed. I did have one woman at obedience school casually say "oh isn't he ugly!" about my stafford once. She was handling a poodle, but I was too polite to tell her pot... kettle... black... We have had this numerous times with Ruby. Ugly and funny looking, that's our Goober. Poppy's is my mongrel, and I'm quite happy to call her my mongrel, but then she is the biggest bitch ever born.

Well done! I will hopefully see you in the baby line up for group soon then! :rolleyes: My baby Bree hits the ring next weekend and I am handling a baby dog Aussie Shepherd for the breeder who bred my girls.

I'll steal this one! Looks like a great day! All ya need's a roast chicken :D *plots* Me thinks I'll come to the next meet and bring some noms... Dad would love me! He's desperate for a red and white BT bitch. He will get one as his next dog! He grew up with them and his heart dog was a red and white, she died way too young. I think that it was you and your Dad that Pele and I met at the Dogs SA Open Day a couple of years ago at the Bull Terrier Club's stand. He loved Pele Yeah that would have been him! He loved the Bully cuddles he got. Are you going to the next open day?

I'll steal this one! Looks like a great day! All ya need's a roast chicken :D *plots* Me thinks I'll come to the next meet and bring some noms... Dad would love me! He's desperate for a red and white BT bitch. He will get one as his next dog! He grew up with them and his heart dog was a red and white, she died way too young.

I'll steal this one! Looks like a great day!

Aw I wish I could go to the meet and see her! She's gorgeous, let me know if you are ever going to come to a show and I will make sure I meet up with you!

Dad's breed is Bull Terriers, always have been and always will be. Although I have shown him how amazing non-terrier breeds can be, and Holly's sister, Maizie, has him wrapped around her little paw! Mum clicked with Irish Terriers, she likes lots of breeds but I doubt she would ever have anything else if the dog choice was completely up to her. She reads and reads and reads and we are hopefully expecting our first Irish Terrier litter later in the year. My breed is the Aussies. I love love love them. No other dog is as pretty or as perfect in my eyes. Any colour is fine, they are all beautiful. Couldn't imagine living without them now. I grew up with terriers but the Aussies are my breed.

I see your list and I raise you: Finnish Lapphund, Chinese Crested (hairless), Samoyed, French Bulldog, greyhound, keeshond and saluki. My grandfather bred Afghans - I don't think I could deal with the coat! His were always getting knotted when he took them out in the paddocks for a run. I love Aussie Shepherds, Irish Terriers, Bull Terriers, Borzoi, Paps, Finnish Lapphunds, Salukis and plenty more! Recently fallen in love with longhaird Dachshunds (Minis and Standards) too! Will always have Aussies and most likely Irish though, the others are hopefulls (eventually).

Wow, poor mite. There are several different 'types'/genes for bob tails, for example the Aussie Shepherds can have a 'bob' that is missing anything from one vertebrae to having a tiny bob. I believe some other breeds have bob tail genes that simply result in a small bob. I haven't heard of anything like that occuring in Aussies (not saying it doesn't of course).

Some basics are the way they work stock and Aussies can be born with bob tails. I'm not sure on what personality differences you would see though as I haven't had much to do with BCs. There tend to be more merled Aussies born than Borders and tri colour (any colour plus white and tan markings on the face and legs) are more common in Aussies. The ears can also be quite different (Aussies are allowed some what heavier ears). Australian Shepherds are actually an American breed despite the name!

Easy - Aussies are the prettiest, sweetest and smartest. But I'm biased! As far as getting another Aussie goes, you have the option with colours so you could go a different colour to what Clover was so it doesn't remind you too much of her physically. And each Aussie has such individual markings even within the same colour. In 2-3 years you may well feel ready for another Aussie. I love numerous breeds and would love to own most of them but the Aussies have my heart. I love the looks and I love the personalities. I love how easy they are to live with and be around and how much love they give back. I love the feel and look of the coats and don't care about shedding. I love when they grin and carry toys, I love the wiggle butts.

Hopefully Holly learns this with age. She is so rough with Gracie, drags her around by her scruff or fur, tries to body slam her. Gracie gives her a growl and Holly will then leave her alone, but she needs to be reminded. ETA: Although Gracie isn't really "small" (about 7-8 kg) and isn't fragile at all.

How does this breed cope in a suburban yard? If supplied with adequate exercise and stimulation they are happy pets. They aren't go go go dogs (generally) and are quite happy to chill when you are. I would reccomend they come inside though and are made part of the family. Holly is happier playing games with Dad or me than she is on a walk. When she spends time at the farm with me she doesn't bother to leave the house yard. She choses to be inside with me or doing whateve I am doing) and when popped outside when we are inside she will sit at the door waiting to come in. How do they cope with livestock - i.e. horses? Really depends on lines and individual dogs and upbringing. Holly ignores horses and respects their space, but I know of some who would chase them. Are they good off leash (yes with training) Yes, most would much rather be with their owners/family than anything else. They learn quickly and love to please. Are they good with small animals like smaller dogs, cats and chickens? Holly is great but again it would depend on individual dog and lines. Some would love to round up the chickens, some would love to play and some would love to eat. They should be good with other dogs of any size and many in the Aussie thread have a smaller dog. As pups/young dogs they can play too rough for some small dogs though. What are they like with other dogs? They should be good. Most love other dogs but may play too rough for some breeds. I know plenty of breeders who can keep entire males together even when a bitch is in season. All of the above is my opinion only and what I have experienced. I am in no way experienced within the breed and have only been involved for a few years. I have looked after several different Aussies are different times, at my house and in their own homes.

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