Dogsfevr

Its an interesting topic ,vets are the first to complain if deaf puppies appear but then they can't be bothered getting the equipment . Its not like BAER testing sole purpose is for breeders so its amazing that such a simple & needed to tool is often put into the to hard basket

English Setters are BAER tested & i now a number of Border Collie breeders do so aswell. BAER testing can be done at any age on any dog & is also used with dogs that have had severe ear issue & as a result deafness may be happening

Good breeders will BAER test all there stock ,deafness occurs in a number of breeds which is why parents & litters should be tested. Some can still hear but one ear only this will also show up during testing

Guide source most of there dogs from show breeders as do assistance dogs certainly here they do & yes some are sired by the dual working dogs so have the best of both worlds AS for drug detection many are failed pets just like the beagle brigade . The prison dogs in this state where also failed pets & from the pounds .(GSD ) Lets face even the police dogs where failed pets at some stage . Lets face it dogs of unknown heritage have been used as assistance dogs for how many years especially through the prison training system ,it comes down to what each dog has to offer The bomb dog in this state many years ago was also a pound dog a Sibe/GSD mix . So its safe to say many assistance dogs in this world are mix & pure often rescued & given a second chance

I don't believe any breed is "suitable" as such. To many what ifs/ Boisterous young kids & a dog ,well i guess it depends what you call boisterous & how they behave all the time & what behaviour you expect from a dog & then the kid/dog combo .

Raise her food bowl ,many elderly dogs also struggle for balance when trying to eat low down & mutli task ,

I have no issues but we find it hard to convince our puppy owners that "cute" puppies grown into adults quickly & what was cute at 8 weeks may not be cute at 6 months .

[quote name='jasperwall' timestamp='1402463464' post='6501218' thanks for that. and yes, we've thought of our own work and school schedules. i agree with you that we definitely need to invest not just money and food to our pets but more importantly time. as much as possible, this new member of our family will be involve in everything we do because whatever we do, all family members are always in it together so our new puppy will never be left out. the only time i can think of when he will be left alone is when we do our groceries and/or go to church. during this time of unsupervised time, i plan on keeping him in a playpen with some interactive toys. i would definitely seek a good trainer to help me train him. i'm also looking for puppy schools. any advice on that would be great. my goal is to nurture and shape this puppy to be a good manered part of our family. i am committed to invest my time with him. Actually its very important the dog learns not to be with you all the time & how to deal with being left out especially in the environment it will be living in. An issue with apartment dogs is they are very reliant on the humans to cater for many things more so than dogs with a backyard so balancing the line of being independent & able to live happily in that environment is so important for life . Your collie will be to big for a playpen & not a safe option at all

My dogs aren't allowed to jump but i prefer my wire over the soft anyday . My wires have two doors so depending on which car it fits long ways or length ways

When i competed in agility in the 90's you would see a wide variety of breeds,it was a beautiful site to see all shapes & sizes with there proud owners. Then the courses started to become crazy & no longer suited all breeds & it saw many people turn away from the sport because it became to dangerous with the sharp turns & all about speed not about a sport for dogs of all shapes & sizes . People who traditionally used Goldies,GSD & the likes started to buy working BC just to be competitive & all about fast times. I now here numbers are dropping more & more & its the same faces competing all the time.You still get people competing & working on get passes but the fun where of after awhile. I attended the fly ball nationals last year & it was awesome to see a sport where all breeds where embraced & appreciated for the effort they put in & alot of them are rescue dogs . My breeds are highly affected by the show v working debate & the reality is a good dog should do both but like many dog sports extreme times are creating dogs that just aren't the breed anymore like the case of the Iditorod , In France the breed club has created there own standard so the judges don't even judge FCI,they consider this correct

Plus what they where originally breed to do required a strong dog

I show gundogs & see them all around & i disagree that show dogs are fat . There are Labs who are dual purpose (show & worked) . I also think people don't understand the breed standard where it asks for a barrel chest with well sprung ribs ,chest of good width & depth,you can try & fool people by making them fat but a fat dog is very obvious . Personally the photo of the OP Lab doesn't show a barrel chest with well sprung rib so its like comparing chalk & cheese . US Labs can sometimes be lacking leg which this one seems to be . If you watch the breed video the dog isn't fat but no legs & is in a good coat aswell something lacking in some Labs is correct coat

Vet wrap ,any horse place or stock feeds will sell it

I have a trailer for the gear & to use on hot days when packing as it is cooler than the car .The dogs rarely travel in it but i wouldn't do with out it We have a 4wd & a carnival . The Carnival is great with the seats out & if we put a false floor in would get more use but we don't need it . The air con vents are right down the back to which was important to us. We are looking at a new vehicle & again vents right at the back or a must have .

i trust my dogs 100% but if the rules say no then no it is & i will crate them inside. I enjoy the fact they can be inside & feel there is no excuse to not follow the rules . I stayed recently at a very dog friendly place & the people who blatantly abused the rules was disgusting

You can wear what ever length you like but the blue top looks very dull in the photo's & the black skirts may blend into her black spots .

German Shorthairs can be just as needy as Weis . For many people they are the perefct breed but you do need to be the right owner & someones who understands the worst of the breed to ensure training is on the same page from day 1

Ideally testing is better he may have a UTI issue BUT if you wish to try an option just buy some sudafed from the chemist ,has been used for many years for incontinence in dogs . Bedding wise vet bed would be the only option & washes easily ,dries quickly