poodlefan

She's absolutely gorgeous.

My guess is many of those warning you away have rarely, if ever darkened a ring themselves Fran or have their own agendas to push. Yep, there are arseholes but most folk I know are lovely. You avoid the arseholes at shows just like you do in every day life. They tend to start emerging from the woodwork when you beat them. If you want crazy, come down here! I still need to get my "show Olympics" off the ground for lunchtime entertainment.

It's hard to be friendly and inviting with one eye on progress in your ring and the other grooming your dog. Timing is everything but a lot of folk don't know that. I agree that information stalls are a great idea but I think it's not feasible at every show. Maybe one or two a year at the bigger venues with appropriate advertising would be good. We have this at our Royal. Of course don't forget that all those breed stalls at Pet Expos are staffed by volunteer breed club members.

The views expressed here by breeders suggest if you really want a pup, you're not wasting their time. Many breeders know who else in the breed has litters due and do refer on if they dont' have what a buyer wants.

Maybe I need to do the reverse of my previous post: IMO you are NOT a time waster if: * You contact a breeder having done a bit of research and want to know more about the breed. * You contact a breeder and tell them you're not in the market for a pup from their current litter but would like to know if they have any more litters coming up. * You contact a breeder saying you and your family would like to meet some of the breed in person and to talk to someone knowledgeable about what they are like to live with. As a DOLer, if I'm in a position to connect a potential buyer that's got some sense with a reputable breeder, I fall all over myself to assist that connection. Personally, I'd suggest any member here who's a potential puppy buyer ask questions in the Breeds 101 threads and seek contacts in the breed social threads off General. I have had the unpleasant experience of recommending a breeder who has great dogs but was rude to a pet enquirer. That breeder is no longer on my 'recommended' list.

The thing I value more than anything else (well, maybe except points) is positive feedback on my dog and my handling (when I get it right) No ribbon, no certificate compares with those.

Sadly Monah, I have two of those three - Bracco and PWD. If Troy permits a dog related classies in General, I'll advertise a heap but will give you first dibs on those if you like.

Can only talk to Minis. Quicker to mature than a Standard. Smaller dog means more bending to signal in obedience (or at least initally). They tend to be neat dogs. A confident drivey Mini (they aren't all like that) tends to do well in its height class in agility and can potentially do well against most dogs. Personally I prefer the Mini personality. No doubt Standard people will disagree but I find young Standards a bit too goofy for me. However a good Standard in obedience is very very nice to watch. I think the Standard's size would make it the better tracking prospect.

I didn't find them exciting. I've never collected ribbons outside of Group wins or specialty class places. I nearly fell over when I got sent a Class in Group certificate from a Vic show. We don't have them here. I thought winning RCC in good company was encouragement enough. I am not a long time winner. I don't see why the system as it stands should change.

I really should offload some of the books I accumulated tyre kicking. Have got The Complete Standard Poodle for one! Great book!

I've kicked a lot of breed tyres over the years. I've been upfront about said tyre kicking and breeders have still been happy to talk to me. I figure people who give every impression they're committing to a pup and then back out or disappear must be infuriating.

Baits, gates left open, dog disappears.... these things don't come out of the blue all the time.

J81: I'd be less worried about a camera coming over the fence than a bait. Here's the facts - you're not there during the day, you dog is and so are your neighbours. Do what you have to do to keep your dog safe, even if the complaint IS frivolous. Your dog is at their mercy.

In an ideal world, the dogs would be separated and rehomed with people who demonstrated capacity to contain and manage them responsibly while the owner was banned from owning any more dogs. But in reality, they will be PTS, and the owner will go on further feats of stupidity with new ones. RIP little dogs. Their poor owner.

"No time wasters" translates for me to: * Please dont try and haggle with me about the price of the pups, what register I want to put them on or the kinds of home I'm asking for them. * Please don't ask me to spend an hour on the phone with you going through a whole bunch of stuff, say you'll get back to me then never call me again. * Please don't put your name down for a pup and when its 8 weeks old say you're going overseas for 6 weeks and can I hang onto it for you (free of charge) or that you got one cheaper from the Trading Post last week. Yeah, it may be a bit rude but gee some breeders get dicked around a fair bit.

Do you want to escalate the problem or resolve it? If you involve the police or council, brace for further trouble. All the righteous indignation in the world isn't going to improve the relationship with your neighbours. My advice: 1. Go and talk to the neighbours. 2. Thank them for contacting you direct rather than going to council 3. Apologise for the inconvenience caused by your dog and explain that his friend has just died and that you'll do whatever you can to fix the barking. 4. Encourage them to keep a diary of his barking and to contact you by phone if there are further incidents. Now for the dog. 1. I babysit a dog that howls uncontrollably when I leave unless I stop him. Because he's a pig it's not difficult. I scatter a handful of kibble on the back lawn and by the time the dogs have found and scoffed it, I'm gone. 2. As he is an only dog atm, I'd be setting him up with something like a kong filled with treats. If you can get him distracted when you go, the problem may resolve itself.

Can't help on Boerboels but I wonder if the Italian Corso Dog might be another possiblity for you. Sorry to hear you had to leave your Dogo's behind.

The French popularised the smaller poodles and in particular whites..

You had me going until you said it was a puppy!! Howie prefers squashing some real puppies with a shoulder drop... or giving them the Whippet bum slam. :p

It ain't just the puppies that do it.

You could only write that on a dog forum

My guess is when they see what a Lagotto costs, they may reconsider that.

There are three community based clubs in the ACT; Belconnen, the Companion Dog Club (Narrabundah) and Tuggeranong. Belco would be closest to you. If you want a recall, reward reward reward every time she comes. Practice on a long line if necessary.

Do you want the pup to walk close by your left hand side, stopping when you do or do you want it not to pull on the lead?

That's beyond irresponsible behaviour - that's criminal. ;)