Steve

I think this is where the purebred community loses most people. It sounds like you are saying pets are somewhat inferior. Why does breeding pets = breeding for profit. My dogs aren't "just" pets - they are pets. That is the highest purpose of a dog IMO. An experienced breeder can still breed to better their breed without stepping in the showring. They can breed companions for people with teh right conformation and temperement. I could have said just show dogs, just working dogs, just agility dogs etc - I meant just any dogs for one litter . The point is whether they are pets or not we have to consider much more than what we intend for that one pup or that one litter .Thats to ensure that no matter what a pup is used for that its not inferior.

There is nothing which doesnt allow a breeder to breed companions as their first priority but there is restriction on them breeding pets as their only motive. Its the care and concern we put into each litter which we know will impact on future litters which make us different to a designer dog breeder or one who is only motivated by profit.

O.K. If you want Then Ill remove your name from the list but you did already accept it and the people who nominated you think its well deserved and so do I. You mentioned I had a couple early last year and heard anything since. I wasnt able to talk about it at the time. I dont know who nominated, how many or what was said. Apologies to those who took the time to do it. O.K. I understand Ill take it out but you do still deserve it. Thanks, hoping to get there still. Was fantastic last year. Excellent!

I had no idea, wow I wish I could go to the awards. Damn wedding! Im coming at you today if I can Your category and the vet category is a challenge.

O.K. If you want Then Ill remove your name from the list but you did already accept it and the people who nominated you think its well deserved and so do I. You mentioned I had a couple early last year and heard anything since. I wasnt able to talk about it at the time. I dont know who nominated, how many or what was said. Apologies to those who took the time to do it. O.K. I understand Ill take it out but you do still deserve it.

No those 3 were nominated in the category rescue

O.K. If you want Then Ill remove your name from the list but you did already accept it and the people who nominated you think its well deserved and so do I.

Its also important to work through the things which are not easily found in books or on the net. Most books assume you are coming at the subject with a basic philosophy or ethical start point and your goal is already clearly defined. You can work through the mechanics and the reproduction stuff by reading books, the net or via a mentor or simply asking and talking but in my opinion there are many things which you need to take into account before you get anywhere near the dogs. We get some people who have all manner of grand ideas and they tell us about what they intend to do before we give them membership sometimes we think they are not ready to become MDBA members so we advise them to do our intro course first and then if they still want to breed dogs as an MDBA member to re apply. It would be difficult for people to get through our first unit on ethics let alone the rest of the course and not be challenged by what it teaches them. Some come back and reapply but some decide not to breed dogs as its not what they thought it was.

Gunnedah has been rocked by claims of animal cruelty, after an Animal Rescue TV crew stormed into the Waterways Wildlife Park to 'rescue' koalas. Mayor Adam Marshall on issue of TV ratings over decades of good local work. http://www.2ue.com.au/blogs/2ue-blog/anima...00210-nqol.html

Yes I know Erny but unless I ring when all of the nominations are in I just havent been able to cover ringing people for every nomination. As long as you dont rush me I should be able to email you the originals so you can keep them.There were about 300 nominations this year!

15. Excellence in Contribution and/or Leadership in Canine Affairs 1.Tracey Golder 2.John Mc Kinnon 3.Angela Henkel. 4.Wendye Slatyer [ 2 nominations] 5.Stacey Ng [ 2 nominations] 6.Judith O'brien 7.Ann Walker 8.Jenni Haskard 9.Stephanie Betts 10.Scott McConchie 11.Emma [wish-4-cockerspaniel] 12.Jana Berg 13.Frederick Baldry 14.Kim [ double trouble] 15.Kat Wieffering 16.Wendy Herne 17.Beth [ happymommato3] 18.Greg and Lynne Christie 19.Marie Sheahan 20.Damian Mulally 21.Kerry McKinnon [ 6 nominations] 22.John and Joyce Caldwell 23.Ann Harris 24.Debbie Donald 25.Julie and Andrew Cowan 26.Felicity Prideaux 27.Lucelle Ellem 28.Chloe Priestly 29.Margaret Cole 30. Troy Cumner [4 nominations] 31. Clare Bartlett. 32. Debbie Murray 33. Anthony Mazzeri 34. 4 Paws and More Pet Supplies - 2 nominations 16. Boarding Kennel of the Year 1.The Furry Godmother – Marrara NT. 2.Narre Warren North Boarding Kennel – Narre Warren Victoria 3.Calabash kennels and Cattery – Sydney NSW 17. Pet Transport Service of the Year 1.Animal Travel Sydney 2.Dog Tainers Sydney 3.Jet Pets 4.Animal Transport 18. Best Vet Nurse /Receptionist of the Year 1.Adelle Smerdon – Caulfield South Victoria 2.April Davie – Caulfield South Victoria 3.Patricia McClean – Parramatta NSW 4.Ricci Morris – Caulfield South 5.Rosemary- MacCleay island Queensland 19. Best dog related Publication of the year 1.Dogs Life Magazine 2.Dog News Australia 3.Urban Animal 4.National Dog 20. Best Dog Supply retail outlet 1.Pet Super Savers – Murrumba Downs Queensland 2.Pets on The Park – Round Corner NSW 3.Big Dog Pet Foods – Lawnton Queensland 4.Pet Café – Greenslopes Queensland 5.Vet Product Direct – online 6.Collars and Scents – Brighton Victoria 7.4 Paws and More Pet Supplies - [2 nominations] 8.Wagsalot Online Pet Store – Online. 9. The Vet Shed – Online. 21. Best Dog Photographer /artist. 1.Ruth O'Leary Ruthless Photos 2.Karen Townsend 3.Cazzie Cathcart [4 nominations] 4.Julie Griffiths 5.Nikki Streedan and Adam Thomas- Fuzzy Monkey 22. Best Dog Insurance Provider of the Year 1.Pet Plan 2.Medibank Private Pet Insurance 23. Best Dog Friendly Tourist destination 1.Best Friends Holiday Retreat - Tarra Valley Victoria 2.An Oasis in the city – Sydney NSW 3.Tarra Valley Tourist Park – Tarra Valley Victoria 24 Best dog related product of the year 1.Lynn Phillips – happypaws treats 2.Stay Dry Mat – Snooza 3.Herbal Pet Shampoo – Green Pet 4. Polar Fleece Dog Coats – Passion Pets 5.4 Berth Dog Trailer - Trickey Trailers 6.Cool Champions Cooling Vest – Silver Eagle. 7.Daipers for Girl Dogs – Love My Fur Babies. 25 Best dog related service provider of the year 1.Andrew and Kay Hingley 2.Pets at Peace Central West - Orange NSW. 3.Poo Patrol – Sydney NSW

3rd Annual Dog Owners Choice Awards Proudly Sponsored by Master Breeder of the Year 1.Pauline Gill and Peter Levett – Tapua Labrador Retrievers. 2.Narelle and Graham Nicolson – Clearidge Australian Cattle Dogs 3.Jackie Winders - Warley Staffords and Pugs. 4.Anita Strikwerda – Shepherd Hill German Shepherds 5.Lilli Grgat – Takas Anatolians and Kangals and Volkodav Central Asian Ovchakas 6.Maria Cranny – Midniara Belgian Shepherds 7.Margaret Coles - Moolarben Cocker Spaniels. 2 Master Responsible Pet Owner of the Year 1. Anne Harris 2. Shirley Devine 3. Bridgett Jacht 4. Scott McConchie 5. Phil and Karen Martin 6. Vincent Banks and Aaron Lum 7. Linda McFarlane 8. Mandi Goldring 3. Master Puppy Buyer of the Year Phil and Karen Martin Linda McFarlane Anne Harris Jasmine Pike Master Rescuer of the Year 1.Anne Millard – Pug Rescue Sydney 2.Trish and Steve Smith – Albury Dog Rescue 3. Stephanie Kent - Sharpei Rescue 4. Tam Burke - Beagle Rescue Victoria 5. Amanda Booth – Sharpei Rescue 5. Breeder of the Year 1. Karen Gaye - Charnnah Gordon Setters and American Cocker Spaniels 2. Judy Gard - Barrajy Tibetan Spaniels 3. Stephanie Johansson – Towilla American Staffordshire Terriers. 4. Jana Berg - Yanbellakin Cocker Spaniels 5. Lang and Suz Dowdell – Rythmnblu Amstaffs 6. Georgie Hampson - Cubet Havanese 7. Ruth and Peter Fazey – Wintergem Field Spaniels. 6. Responsible Pet Owner of the Year 1. Cecelia Myers 2. Catherine Sultana 3. Dani Steinhardt 4. Lyn Hunt 5. Ailsa Turrell 6. Sara Hill 7. Rescuer of the Year 1.Anna Faulkner - Silky Rescue 2.Raelene Stewart – ARF 3. Elizabeth Simpson – Chow Rescue 8. Foster Carer of the Year 1.Jennifer Scott - Sharpei Rescue - 2 nominations 2.Julie Norman - Wagga Dog Rescue 3.John Brunnenmeyer and Andrea Merkle - Albury Dog Rescue 4.Belinda and Darcy Buck - Beagle Rescue Victoria 5.Sue Armston - Sharpei Rescue 6.Des and Barbara Bownds - Albury Dog Rescue 7.Nicole Burford - Hawkesbury Pound 8.Tracey Dierikx - NSW Animal Rescue 9.Judy and Ron Mitchell - Beagle Rescue Victoria 10.Heather Robey - Shar Pei Rescue 11. Marilyn Bottrell - Shar Pei Rescue 12.Vanessa Stocks – Ballarat. 9. Pet Sitter /walker of the Year 1.Scooby Lou's - Sydney NSW 2.The Pet Butler – Sydney NSW 3.Scott Mc Conchie – Cranbourne Victoria 10. Most Supportive Vet of the Year. 1.Dr Tony Mosman - Bondi Junction Vet Hospital NSW 2.Dr John Watts - Werribee Victoria 3.Dr Kate Murray – Kinglake Victoria 4.Dr Scott Plummer – Clayton Victoria 5.Dr John Watts – Werribbee Victoria 6.Dr Susan Dawson & Dr Rod – Kedron Queensland 7..Dr Charles Kuntz – Moorabin Victoria 8.Dr Peter Wright – Goulbourn NSW 9.Dr Adrian Burstein – Clarkson W.A. 10.Dr Trinity Bywater – Nanango Queensland 11.Dr Flora Adams - Caulfield South Victoria 12.Dr Addelle Smerdon – Caulfield South Victoria 13.April Davie - Caulfield South Victoria 14.Dr Jess Kelly – Caulfield South Victoria 15.Dr Onn Beb David – Caulfield South Victoria 16.Dr Rishi Shah – Macleay Island Queensland 17.Blayney Vet Hospital - Blayney NSW 18.Dr Amy Jones – Hallem Victoria 19.Rooty Hill Vet Clinic – Rooty Hill NSW 20.Dr Victoria Jordan – Dundass NSW. 21.Dr Ian McBride – Deagan Queensland 22.Dr Christopher Simpson – Highett Victoria 23.Dr Avril Williams – Cranbourne Victoria 24.Dr Richard Woolley – Highett Victoria 25.Dr Inge Dous – Alice Springs NT 26.Ballarat Vet Practice Best Groomer of the Year 1.Tracy Tapiolas 2.Julie Chapman – Peninsular Vet Clinic - Redcliffe Queensland –( 8 nominations.) 3.Laurie Beaver – Angel Paws – Kaleen ACT. (7 nominations ) 4.Nadia Fletcher – Brookvale NSW 5.Nikki Fallon - Doggy Day Spa Kambah ACT. 12. Best Dog Trainer of the Year 1.Sidney Arrons - Wonga Park Victoria 2.Steve Courtney K9 Force – Kurrajong Heights NSW 3.Jane Harper - Woodford Queensland [10 nominations] 4.Underdog Training – Tamara and Stuart – Southland Vic [2 nominations ] 5.Hollie Edwards – Glenhuntley Victoria 6.Lucy Ellem – Austral NSW [7 nominations] 7.Alpha Dog Training – Macclesfield Victoria [15 nominations] 8.Pro K9 – Judi Buchan – Cranbourne Victoria [5 nominations] 9.Laurie Beaver – Angel Paws [8 nominations] 13. Best MDBA Student of the Year 1.Amanda Grice 2.Elizabeth Kalpus 3.Emily Simpson 4.Christine Manning 5.James Hurbut 14. Best Dog related Website of the Year 1.1 Fit Mutt - http://www.1fitmutt.com/ 2.dogzonline – www.dogzonline.com.au [12 nominations] 3.Dogs NSW - http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/ 4.Deathrow Pets http://www.deathrowpets.net/ 5. Essential Pet http://www.essentialpet.com.au/community2/

Please allow me to thank everyone who made a nomination for the opportunity it gave me to speak with so many wonderful dog people to tell them know how much they have been appreciated for what they do. Some have cried, some have laughed some have been too stunned at first to speak. Many have been able to use it to push themselves to go on in what is often a thankless activity with few opportunities for feeling appreciated. The wonderful people and heart wrenching stories Ive been able to share in has been wonderful and these things would have never been known to me if it were not for the awards. Everyday Im grateful for the honour its given me to say job well done. If its at all possible for you to make it to Sydney on the 20th of March to help us to make this a really really big deal and celebrate the contribution these people have made to so many dogs then please do all you can to get there. Its also a great opportunity for us all to get together and a hell of a reason for a party! Of course even better its a chance to catch up with Troy to let him know we appreciate him too for allowing us to meet here and share our lives with each other. Its a gala event with a red carpet [and even tiaras] and chance to dress up - share a 3 course meal and enjoy the evening with an MC and entertainment with Zenith Productions.The Novotel is a fantastic venue which is only 12 mins from the airport and overlooks Brighton beach and they have given us a great price on accommodation! We have reps from 4 or 5 Canine publications attending and Pet Talk radio will be moving around and interviewing nominees etc . We would love to share this evening with you - tickets are available here O.K. Lets do it!

Yes Kate is from Condobolin.

Your aptitude for understanding and seeing through fogs is excellent, Steve. I've noted that on several occasions on several different points of issue. And when you do point things out it makes it very clear ..... it is so easy to be hood-winked by proposals put forth as, especially people such as myself - where my mainstay interest is training & behaviour rather than breeding - who are likely to absorb only the surface of what others want us to hear and know. Well done for your letter - very well written. One question : Would it do to send a copy of our letter to our respective State Dog Body, along with a note that we (as members of the State Body) object to moneys being appropriated by (VicDog; CCCQ; etc) to this fund until the very real concern of bias data collection is resolved? I dont know if we are the only ones who saw it and maybe DogsNSW already have it covered but I dont think so.If they had I wouldnt have expected the response I got when we asked the question and it was why Im glad I got the chance to ask the question again in public and have Dr McGreevy acknowledge our concerns . Later when we discussed it privately he didnt convince me that he was in any hurry to to fix it or that it was even likely so I felt it wasnt in our best interest to just accept it would be covered. Yes please every CC member of any state needs to be sure they letthem know that they dont want money handed over without conditions.Thats why its an open letter because all state CCs need to know their members dont want them backing it until its in our best interests and the ANKC needs to know too.The only way to get to the ANKC is via the state CCs.

Nup they only have a couple of members and I doubt any of their own personal funds would be contributed. She did say she is now backed commercially by some group because when she tried this out a couple of years ago it bombed.

Mita - the full title of the seminar was "building better dogs - Using what we've learned about genetic and experiential effects to improve dog welfare" not "building better dogs - let's repeat what we already know and have known for years". :D From looking at the invite sheet, Kate was the only presenter who was not an academic researcher. Which is not what I thought would be at a university seminar. However, she was presenting something "new" in that she presented a model for commercial dog farmers, a model which, while not ideal, is much better than the reality of a puppy farm with cages and limited human contact. So it certainly fitted in with the idea that the seminar (improving dog welfare). STONE THE CROWS AND STARVE THE LIZARDS. THERE IS NO MODEL FOR COMMERCIAL PUPPY FARMERS. DOGS ARE NOT AGRICULTURAL ANIMALS FULL STOP THOSE PEOPLE CAN PONCE ABOUT AND POSTURE AS MUCH AS THEY LIKE (READ: TELL LIES) BUT THERE IS NO MODEL WHICH IMPROVES THE LIVES OF DOGS CONSTANTLY TORTURED BY THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS TO MAKE SOME SLEAZE BAG A QUICK BUCK. NO PROPER "ANIMAL WELFARE" UNIT WHICH HAD ANY UNDERSTANDING OF DOGS WOULD EVEN ALLOW A FRIGGIN PUPPY FARMER IN THE UNIT NEVER MIND PRESENTING A "PAPER" AT A SEMINAR. DOG HELP US ALL, AND PARTICULARLY THE POOR LITTLE DOGS. WHAT CAN YOU BE THINKING? Id love to be a fly on the wall when you get to hear the taped seminar

I dont know about that one - I cant think of any other example but this is a big one especially because what we do and breed is under the gun due to pedigreed dogs exposed and co incidentally some of the the worst comments made about how we do things came from the person who is most responsible for putting it togther. It will mean the difference between it being a great resource or good for nothing - for us.

One of the many things that fascinate me these days is that I dont think they thought about it. When I had the opportunity to explain to a couple of people who I would assume were more likely than most to know what a registered breeder considers a purebred they had no clue. When I first spoke about my concerns about the data and how I felt we would be negated by the method of collection the response which came back from LIDA was [exact words - "I have been advised that the size of sample should overcome small errors emerging from an occasional lookalike and that LIDA will be recording crossbreds as such (e.g., GSD x)." end quote An occassional look alike ! Are they Kidding! We only breed about 9% of all puppies bred in this country each year and it's more likely they would see the occassional purebred! Exactly the opposite of what they thought would happen will happen! But they didnt know ! And Im no where near confident they get it yet because to them if it looks like a purebred it is a purebred. Im certainly not convinced they will take it on as a matter of high priority unless the funding is reliant on it and unless we make what we are concerned about public. If they do intend to make it a definite then thats good and we will see that happen but I want to cover our bases before we say O.K. here's the money and before the whole country [and others] embrace it as a way of tracking genetic diseases in purebred dogs. Once thats done we will actively support them and help them with their efforts to raise donations and support but until then - the MDBA is a pain in the neck for them and in my opinion so should the ANKC. Im sure they will understand when they truly see what our definition of purebred is.

I dont think she has a mini puppy farm in the back yard .She said she was on a large property with closest neighbours 7 kilometres away and to breed the numbers she has I wouldnt describe that as mini. Though I guess its all relative and there are some much bigger than that.

Mita I dont think Kate was speaking about mini puppy farms - she was talking about any breeder who breeds dogs for profit as their main priority. She also said she didnt like the term puppy farmer and preferred pet puppy breeder because the term puppy farmer was associated with dirty conditions etc.

They get their money back from the pet shop. Ok - so that is supposed to make the pet shop more careful about who they sell to? (I'm asking, not challenging - just to make sure I understand properly.) I'm thinking that this would make it all the more attractive for people to purchase from pet shops. They are more easily accessible and on top of that, a "life-time money-back guarantee?" Wow!! That makes it easy to buy a pup with even less care and responsibility being adopted than it already is, by many more people. That being the case, I don't think a pet shop would care too much about puppy/dog returns and cash back. The more they would sell, the more money they'd make and the amount of returns likely to represent a smaller percentage of profit. And the 'ease' with which the pups/dogs could be returned by their owners (with a "money-back offer", to boot!!!), and then shuffled off to a shelter is likely to increase the numbers of surrendered dogs. I don't see this as being good for dogs. The speakers talked of owner-education. Start at the place where the problem really begins. The above scenario is coming across to me as a 'curtain' that hides what is really going to happen in terms of dog welfare. But I seem to be grasping at understanding a few things that were mentioned at the seminar (and already brought up by me in previous posts). So maybe this is one more thing I am just not seeing clearly. Be careful - she didnt say she would refund she said she would take em back - there is a difference.She also didnt say the pet shop would refund either just that they would take the role of the breeder in taking them back or working with a shelter.

You also have to consider that Kate has credentials in Vet Science and at the seminar she said she majored in genetics so she fitted in I guess.

This forum is a tough crowd KK . In my opinion it wasnt kate who dragged em in.I would have gone whether she was there or not.