FHRP

Interesting to see the difference when in work mode isn't it? I've run my boy in the field with a dog that he doesn't particularly like (both entire males of similar age) and when they are working birds they don't take any notice of each other, apart from in regards to bird work

As already mentioned, you need to look at the original purpose of the breed to get an idea of why it might be more suitable in a multi dog household, remembering like you've said, that all dogs are individuals and not every single dog of a breed will be the same. Hounds, escpecially the scent hounds, are/were bred to live and work in packs. It can only stands to reason that if they didn't get along, they wouldn't last long in the pack and therefore the breeding pool. Gundogs are not bred to work as packs, but rather in braces or with a couple of other dogs. They are also bred to work under the control of their owners, so it also stands to reason that Gundogs should be able to get along with other dogs and be highly trainable. The exception in the Gundog world might be the Chesapeake and the Curly Coated Retriever, that were also bred to be guard dogs. These breeds are known to have a sharper temperament and are less likely to be friendly to unknown dogs. My knowledge of herding breeds is minimal, but I often see on TV on the sheep/cattle stations a couple or more dogs working stock and the properties I've seen the dogs on have had several of them. Therefore you would think that these dogs must be able to live in multi dog households? Same with the sledding breeds? I do believe that dogs like their own 'type' quite often as they have similar traits and manners. My Vizslas and GSP boys get along fantastic and play hard and often. My Whippet and gundogs get along fantastic too, but they don't play very often as the games are very different. My old Vizsla does have a thing for Wolfhounds though, after one of his very early best friends was a Wolfie

I always assume that it is restricted to the breed unless it states otherwise? Is it a rule in NSW that they can only open it up to the rest of the group though anyway? So a Cav trial could only be for Toys, if they did open it up?? I think the listing as 'Open' trial is a Victorian thing? I remember when I first looked at their schedules I could not work out what they meant by an Open trial, thinking it was like an 'Open Show'....

Great Rugs sell Lambswool Pullovers for the trampline beds, is the sort of thing you mean? Great Rugs and click on Bed Covers.

Take the dog to the vet! I did just that in a very similar situation recently and was relieved that the vet found no major injury and did advise I could work my dog that weekend. The consult was worth every penny for peace of mind. If your vet thinks you're silly for going in with a lame dog, then look for another vet IMO.

I am amazed at how easy people make it sound to have entire boys around (but seperated) from bitches in season! I guess I'm one of those unlucky ones who's dog/s go crazy if there's a bitch in season around. When I had a bitch in season she went back to her co-owner and was kenneled. It was the only way I could get peace when 'the time was right'. Otherwise the incessant whinging and carry on from my Vizslas drove me insane! It didn't matter if they could see the bitch or not. When my 13 year old rescue Whippet surprsingly came in season she was eventually carted off to a friends place (no way would I kennel an elderly dog like that), thanks poodlefan As much as I prefer dogs, I am contemplating a bitch again for my next pup, but dealing with the boys when she's in season is really worrying me....

Most of my walking is done with dogs off lead. However, if they are walked in an area that is not off leash they are on a flat collar and normal lead. I do use a retractable lead when I'm moderating exercise on my old boy, or sometimes when I'm travelling and want to just toilet the dogs in an unfamiliar area. I have used head halters as a training tool on young dogs. Due to the ease that Whppets can slip collars, the Whippet wears a black dog Whippet collar, which is martingale. I prefer not to walk my dogs in a harness as I think it gives them more chance to pull, and I want them to associate a harness with tracking, not free walking.

Not here! My old boys snuggle big time and my youngest is the least inclined to snuggle with another dog, but he is the best snuggler with me

My dogs do snuggle and drape all over each other It's very cute. The Whippet will use any warm body as a pillow, he ain't at all picky. They have always done. I can't seem to access Flickr at the moment, so here's an older pic of my Whippet and Vizsla in a typical snuggle.

There are two different questions on your poll now, which are we answering?? which I think was your original question?? or which is below the other question and a different question.

I just did a quick pulse check of my 8 year old Vizsla and his rate while laying on the couch mext to me was 42 beats per minute. An active agility dog he is what I consider very fit. I would expect a slightly faster rate at the vets though and my Whippets heart races while at the vet as he does not like being there.

What a fantastic achievement Allerzeit, such a great story. I hope you do keep trialing Enya for as long as she's enjoying it

You're much better going on the look and feel of your dog in regards to correct weight than a 'graph'. As already mentioned, much will depend on the build and lines of the dog and what is a correct weight for one 6 month old GSD is not necessarily correct for another!

My dogs do not wear collars when home unattended for the reasons already mentioned, choking and hanging hazard. I watched my older boy get his collar caught over a fence paling when a pup, thankfully the clip broke quickly, before I even got to him. That added with the horror stories here and from friends (my old boss lost a Belgian Shepherd to a collar incident) has me keeping my boys nekkid at home. I did buy a couple of break away collars, and they do work well, but as my place is secure and the dogs are all microchipped, I don't bother with them. eta. Retrieving trials are run with dog nekkid, to avoid injury, especially in water where snagging and drowning is a real danger.

Don't want to scare you koalathebear but I have a 3 year old dog who still excitement/submissive wees When I get home I can not pat or talk to him without first making sure he's been outside for a wee. We still have some weeing in the house about once a week Thank goodness for no carpet, my shoes have copped it often though. Most puppies do grow out of it, every other dog I've had has! I don't believe it is a lack of confidence in my dog, he is an excellent, solid competition dog, he just tends to be a bit over the top and extremely excitable

paddles, perhaps you should pop into the GSP thread GSPs like Springers are gundogs and bred to work for humans, so they are highly trainable. With training they certainly can be let off lead, most of my boys exercise is off lead. I have found my GSP no more destructive than the average dog and far less destructive than my Labrador was. They are high energy dogs and do need regular outings. I know nothing about sledding, but GSPs do appear popular for the sport.

Didn't you have Champa at the vet last week? Could he have picked it up there and brought it home, without being symptomatic himself? My dogs hade KC a couple of years ago, it only affected my two youngest though, the youngest was probably th eonly one who had been vaccinated in the previous 12 months for it.

What a pain RubyStar! So lucky not to need to claim during that time. All is fine with our policy, I had to renew credit card details in March and payments are going out. Good thing as I'm about to put in another claim (only just banked the last one )

I am sure there is a previous thread somewhere on DOL about this company and their extremely slow delivery times. A quick google search found them on a Scammers forum, although they do appear to deliver the goods eventually but are totally uncontacable (is that a word?) http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic...?f=6&t=4422

I have a 12 year old dog who was diagnosed with Spondylosis 2 years ago. Amazingly he was competing succesfully in agility just days before he was diagnosed, he never ever refused or struggled to jump! His only sign was discomfort on rising, especially in the mornings. He was of course retried from all agility immediately. My boy is on Joint Guard and like others have stressed, kept warm. Even with heating in the house, at this time of year he wears at least a light coat nearly 24/7. He sees the chiropractor every month and has various drugs depending on his level of discomfort - previcox, tramal, codeine & valium. It's a case of finding what your dog responds best too. I have to admit with his age, I am less concerned about the long term affects of these drugs than I would be if he was young. I tried acupuncture with him but he did not tolerate it unfortunately. I have a ramp into my car and steps for him to get onto my bed and the couch, although he will still jump up at times. He moderates his own exercise pretty well now and most of his walks are off lead, although at times I do have to step in and make him slow down. He needs regular exercise and I have found when he is uncomfortable the best thing is to let him walk around, moving really helps. We had been managing the issue very well until earlier this year when he had a bad 'episode'. Before then drug use had been minimal. Thankfully we seem to be through the worst of it and back on to maintenaince. Re-xraying showed progression of the disease as expected. Sorry to hear of your dogue diagnosed so young. I know of many dogs who have lived a good life for many years with the condition. It does seem to be a very individual thing though.

I bought the XL crate, I have been wanting to add a second soft crate. I hope it's decent quality! I did manage to resist the big squishy bed... just! Thanks for the link CBL!

Litter was born by c-section at vets. Whelping box was in the spare bedroom with heating pad and column heaters to control temperature. Pups regularly handled and weighed from day one, tails docked on day 3. After a few days my other dogs were allowed to look in and allowed in the whelping box when the dam was comfortable. No kids in the house and only me, but did have 'visitors' (co-owner, vet and a close friend) in those first few weeks. Lots done after three weeks, but you didn't ask for that The litter I'm referring to will be 10 years old next week :D

A dog can officially trial in Obedience from 6 months old and in Agility from 18 months old. At what age a dog will be ready to trial in either discipline is an individual dog (and handler) thing. Have you trialed a dog before? I'd suggest trying to get to a mock trial before entering the real thing if possible?? If your dog is not going to interfer with other competitors then I can't see why other people would take issue with you entering a dog. My current dog started competition (Gundog Working Test which has elements of obedience) at 7 months and his first Obedience trial at 10 months. He was ready, but my previous dogs have been closer to 2 years old and definitely not ready that young.

I guess I 'copped out' with my Whippet. I never intended to compete with him dog sports and although we went through two levels of obedience at the dog club and started agility, in the end I gave up. I did not enjoy trying to train him, and he is a perfect pet with the little training he's had. He doesn't need the training that my other boys need to keep them and me sane. Herbie (Whippet) didn't appear to enjoy training and if I persevered I would say it was more for me than him. He did enjoy getting treats of course, but he still gets those I don't see a problemw ith concentrating on the dog that enjoys and needs the training. As long as the other dog isn't missing out on time with you as a result and that you're not letting them get away with undesirable behaviours just because it's too hard to train them.

You'd fit right in here at Retriever training I've had them land behind me when throwing and that's after years of practice Thank goodness for remote mechanical throwers