poodlefan

Collie (Smooth) This is why extended breed standards are so useful. From the Collie Rough one:

WnH I agree. Start with eliminating ignorant irrresponsible breeders and educate the buyers. Did you not read the Uni of Qld study. Dogs bred by responsible breeders are the least likely to find their way to pounds. Breed is only one component of a much more complex issue that stems from peoples attitudes to dogs.

I've got these cute little tackers - white or parti as you can see. Nothing like a ferretoodle for Valentines Day

We're not talking about what the judges do here but what other handlers do. Someone squeeking a toy behind you in a line up is hardly fair to your dog.

WnH: There are already less challenging Spitz breeds around. If you don't want to deal with Sibe personality, buy an Elkhound or a Lapphund. Or go to a breeder that knows their dogs backwards and ask them to select you a less full on pup. Or get a more layback adult.

Kismetkat: That discounts the impact of socialisation and training. But yes, temperament of the parents is usually a reliable indicator of temperament in the pups. Kate's changed her tune Her website says that 70% of her dogs shed to some degree. Most of them have nothing like poodle coat - they are shaggy, not woolly. I quote. What she fails to tell her puppy buyers is that many of these dogs coats are a nightmare to maintain. Ask any groomer.

Could be as she was quite honest that she is breeding for profit. However she is also well aware that F2s are problematic. Cat breeders routinely desex kittens before sale. Do you have a problem with that? You really need to see the full transcript of what the various speakers said before you pass judgement. I will say here I was quite confronted by what some of the speakers said, particularly Kate, but each made some good and valid points (imho). I don't know anything about the health impact of early desexing of kittens so I don't have an opinion on it. I think Dr Schofeld has a hide like a rhino for even opening her mouth on the subject of responsible dog breeding. She breeds together two breeds that suffer from genetically identical forms of PRA and thinks that hybrid vigour will prevent problems. Oh pleeeze. I've never seen anyone move so fast to silence a puppy buyer on her forum when he posted that the pup he'd bought from her had developed HD.

And to advocate that it should have been rehomed unwell and undesexed?

Yet the "forprofit" cross-breeders are selecting for temperament over looks, while purebreed breeders may well put looks first. Says who? Kate? Where's her evidence? She can no more predict the temperament in her dogs than she can their coat type. A purebred dog that does not conform to the temperament requirements of its breed standard is not a good example of the breed.

Yes she did say that. And she breeds crossbreeds so don't u think she should? The more scientific people did say there was some advantages in F1 crosses (they stated the HD was less prevelant in F1 crosses even when both breeds could suffer from it) but genetic advantages were lost in F2s. But I also think she said she no longer routinely desexes (can note-takers elaborate?). No, I don't. The only reason I think she does it is to prevent breeding in competition to her. Dogs pay a price for that early desexing in terms of health and development. Her website says she's desexed all pups at 6 weeks for the last 13 years.

I didn't research my breed, should I not have a dog? Perhaps if you had, you'd not be saying things like this: Good on you for rising to the challenge but you know better than most the reason why Huskies end up in pounds. If you don't want a dog that climbs the walls if it misses a day of exercise, don't buy a Husky next time. If you'd bought from a good breeder, you'd have been informed about what owning one entails.

...like a crossbreed? I think it's entirely unrealistic to expect every dog owner to have done research before getting a dog. It doesn't even cross the minds of many dog owners. They just want a dog, so they go out and get one from somewhere convenient. It's not their fault and it doesn't make them unworthy of having a dog. It's just the way a lot of people have been brought up to deal with dogs. And that makes it OK? Or should we make it less 'convenient' in the interests of dog welfare. Dogs are not fast food.

Did Kate tell everyone she desexes her pups at 6 weeks?

No doubt those are the ones Kate Schofeld would say we should breed from Prey drive is sooooo inconvenient in a dog. :D

KK: Show one prey and you'll rapidly understand what that means Oh, that's just priceless.

WnH: And of course genetically we know what traits are linked do we? So while we select for less sniffy beagles, we won't worry about that all important breed temperament that is linked to their original purpose. Shall we make gundogs less mouthy because they carry stuff around and chew stuff as youngsters... and bugger up the high bite inhibition that gives them those gentle mouths while we're at it? The problem does not lie with dog breeds but with people who don't do their homework or who fail to meet a breed's needs. The person advocating less sniffy beagles has bred some of the worst temperaments on dogs I've seen at my club. Best she clean up her own breeding practices before suggesting that purebred dog fanciers dumb their dogs down so that anyone can handle one.

Tassie - I've been trying to access the aussie breed standards but obviously their servers aren't coping with current demand, I just get a white error page. Try this link

It's also what makes them the breed of choice for AQIS. What makes the Beagle an attractive breed for many people is the affability deliberately bred into a dog kept and hunted in a pack. It's the fact that he IS a scent hound that give him his character. If you don't want a scenthound then don't buy one. You don't need to stuff up a breed just so any idiot can own one. Beagles are trainable. The simple fact of the matter is the many owners with "problem" beagles don't bother to. The issues with many dogs are owner created. Start by changing the owner's behaviour, not buggering up the breed.

That is your opinion It is a lot of fun watching a GSD specilaty without being involved Yes, it is my opinion. I have no interest in seeing such antics in the all breeds ring.

Ok. Airedale ANKC Breed Standard for the Airedale Terrier. What the Americans choose to specify is of no concern unless the USA is the dog's country of origin

If you need to present your dog to it's full potential in the All Breeds ring, why not simply train it. If a dog isn't responsive to handler cues and can't be exhibited to its potential without distraction from outside the ring, what does that say about the dog? A class of more than a few dogs being double handled resembles a circus more than a dog show IMO. It's certainly no fun for uninvolved spectators.

Yep, I had a little "WTF" moment about that too. I can't recall any standard that doesn't specify temperament. For the Whippet: KK: There are plenty of studies that suggest otherwise.

I've been very happy with the quality and the service Whipit - hope you are too. My dogs get a treat every day when I leave for work and I use the jerky for training.

Oh thanks a lot PF!!! I just spent $100 after going to their site!! They didnt have roo tendons but had lots of other cool stuff, i ordered 4 kg worth of treats!! Ssshhhh dont tell hubby ... A few of my dogs crazy friends get together to do bulk orders. I never seem to escape from the website for much under $100 either. Check back frequently.. doesn't seem to take too long for the out of stock stuff to reappear. They usually toss a few samples into a big order too. I really like the tuna.. so do the dogs!

Ok, due to overwhelming demand for something a bit smaller for nannas and mums in flats, I've come up with a teacup protection breed with a lovely multicoloured coat. Whaddya think? I don't think putting bows on one of these is wise either by the way.