FHRP

I found out the hard way that raw broad beans do not agree with dogs, and can be quite toxic. I included them in some BARF mix and all the dogs vomitted afterwards. Thankfully no other effects. So, don't feed broad beans.

At this point in time my list is: German Wirehaired Pointer Italian Greyhound Bracco Belgian Shepherd (Groen, Terv or Mal) Enlgish Springer Spaniel (working not show) English Setter (working not show) Irish Setter (working not show) American Cocker Spaniel Lurcher Mini Bull Terrier (edited :rolleyes:) I haven't included breeds I own or have owned (Labrador, Vizsla, Whippet, Italian Spinone & GSP) but would own any of them again!

Why only for Working/Utility breeds? I don't think it's unique to these breeds for breeders to select puppies for their buyers as they know them the best. I have had all but one of my pups selected for me.

Thanks for the link 16paws! It put pretty much what I already knew into a structured makes sense format! Now to find out about Sigma and Tamron lenses...

Yep especially since the trial secretary is still driving home from WA. I did wonder how I'd go trying to call them!

We have quite a few 400 border collies in agility around here and I know of one Kelpie. However I also know of several bc's and kelpies that jump 600!!

Have entries closed for this trial? Can anyone tell me what journal the schedule is in? I can't find it from a quick look in March which I expected it in, haven't downloaded April.

Not quite the other end of the scale Vizslas are medium sized gundogs and can make fantastic agility and obedience dogs. The majority will be jumping 600 in agility, however the smaller females can be in the 500 class. They are extremely active dogs though and definitely not small and not for everyone! As poodlefan has covered, there are shy and nervous Shelties around which makes it a battle for dog sports, and not terribly enjoyable for you or the dog. There are plenty good ones out there, but be aware of what you're after It sounds to me like you really need to do some more meeting of breeds to see what clicks now!

My first thought is Mini or Toy Poodle. They are agile, active and trainable. They enjoy and can be competitve at agility, obedience, tracking etc. Be prepared for a lot of grooming though. Other small breeds that came to mind were Shelties (important to select for a solid temperament), Papillons and Cavaliers. I'm sure if you decided the Tibetan Terrier was for you that they could enjoy doing agility & obedience also. We also have Min Pins, Machester Terriers and Italian Greyhounds competing succesfully in agility. The smaller terrier types are also active dogs that can give agility and obedience a go, but can present more training issues. As long as you aren't choosing a breed of extreme body type (long, low set, solid, too flat faced) then the dog will probably enjoy trying agility and obedience. You have to enjoy living with the dog first and foremost. Maybe go to a few agility/obedience trials and shows and have a look at what small dogs are competing and interest you.

I hope it's OK to come and and a brag since I've never posted in the thread before! I do read it though, enjoying all the DOL dogs achievements I have been very pleased with my GSP over the past two weekends! Last weekend he won his third Restricted Retrieving trial stake up in the Blue Mountains to gain his RRD title This past weekend we competed at our Royal & State Obedience trials and yesterday Polo won the Open A class at the State Titles with 192 Neither weekend was smooth sailing, with Polo bombing out of the retrieving trial on the first bird of the first run on the Saturday and blowing a 190 2nd place in Open obedience this Saturday by laying down in the sit stay, as we were returning However I am particularly happy with his obedience work as he has tidied up quite a bit and gave some lovely fronts and finishes which have been a bit sloppy until now. He managed perfect scores in many of the exercises over the weekend although his heeling was not as good as he trains (we don't train during the day which doesn't help I'm sure). So am very pleased with what my young boy has been giving me lately!! We had planned to be at the Agility Nationals these past two weekends, and as much as I would have enjoyed it, I'm kinda glad now we stayed over East

Great photos What lens did you use?

I don't believe the breed is in Australia and as you've already said, they certainly aren't an ANKC recognised breed at this stage. The closest breed you will find in Australia is the German Wirehaired Pointer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Wirehaired_Pointer or perhaps look at the Italian Spinone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Spinone

Shuddup! No fair I look forward to seeing the end result of the shoot, even if we can't make it

Awww, an opportunity to have rocco photogtaph my dog (even in a group ) I wish I lived in Brisbane!!! Might be worth the drive

Happened frequently when I was exhibiting a rare breed, often when the dog hadn't even been moved, so the judge hadn't 'seen' her yet. 99% of the time she was the only one of her breed exhibited at the show. I found it a good indication that the judge did not care for or know the breed well. I would just continue to place the dog while they were going over her, the dog didn't mind. The breeds I've shown with more of the breed entered or usually exhibited generally seem to be given more time, I think perhaps because the judge needs to actually compare them to other exhibits, or their knowledge/ideal of the breed??

For many years my big dogs were outside only when I was at work. As long as the yard is secure (both from the dog getting out and people/dogs getting in), the dog has shelter from sun, rain etc., a bed and the usual access to water etc. then he will be fine. I have since installed a dog door and my dogs now have inside/outside access, but only once they have proven trustworthy in the house alone. Until very recently my youngest dog was kept in a dog run by himself during the day.

According to my vets 'Cost of keeping a dog' information sheet, speying with them costs $350 - $517 depending on weight. I'd say a 6 month Bloodhound would be in the 21-30kg range?? which is $395 from my local vet.

I think men have a more competitive streak than women, and when they do something they have a far greater need to be the best and be at the top, just my opinion and observation. As an example, I'd say in Canberra 90%+ of the people doing agility are women, but of the 4 Ag Champs titled here, 3 are by men! You will find that the ratio of men to women at the top level of competition is greater than at the lower and starting levels. Women are happier to give it a go just for the fun of it. I also find that men are more likley to dedicate themselves to just one sport where many women like to try any and everything Me included If you or your partner want to compete in a male dominated dog sport FionaC then get the boys into field trialing Retrieving is male enough, but field work is even more so...

What did you put in the mix?

I'd love to see it here as I have had my access to Off Topic purposely removed because I didn't want to see all the off topics when I hit "view new posts", I have no interest in 99% of them. But,I'd also like to see a dog related market place available outside of off topic... although maybe it's a good thing I don't see what's for sale ;)

At the lower levels in agility I see lots of variety winning! At the top level, when all heights are competing against each other, I see far less variety of breeds consistently winning. It's not physically possible for many breeds to beat a good run from the bcs, koolie, kelpie type dogs.

What breed? Italian Spinone How old was the dog? nearly 9 years old Was there a familial component? Not that we knew of. Her son suspected bloated not long after her though. What was the dog being fed? Need some detail of what exactly - if dry food, which one, if raw, what it was In general a BARF diet. The meal prior to bloat was a chicken frame. How often was he fed? Once daily or more? 1-2 times a day Was his bowl elevated, or on the ground? The meal before bloating was not fed from a bowl, neither was the one prior to that. When fed from a bowl it was on the ground. What was he doing when he bloated? (ie, at a show, at home, playing, at home alone) Home, sleeping. It was in the early hours of the morning. Has he bloated more than once? No, she did not survive the first. Has he had a gastrowhatsit? LOL (too lazy to look it up, but you'll know ) No

Thanks all! I have looked at digitalcamerawarehouse and Teds already I think I'd like to buy Australian stock, but when DWI has the body $700 cheaper it's just so tempting!

I'll waive my boarding fees for the Wonder Dog ... that should help. :D You should be paying me for that privilege anyway! Although, I guess I do owe you.... Anyway, unless you're prepared to foot the entire cost from the local Camera shop get out, I want some serious answers to my original question! ;)

What I want and what I get may be two different things ;) I'm looking at a Canon 7D.