spanky

I've never given this topic much thought, but OH would keep the dogs if I died. If we both died then I'd think Callista would go back to her breeder or I'll nominate a rescue to rehome her. Griffin would be PTS, he is DA and has cronic renal failure so it would be the best option for him. None of my family would provide care to the dogs to my standard, so I wouldn't consider asking them.

The standard for male frenchies is to be around 12-13kg. For one to weigh 10kg it would either need to be an undersize male in general or underweight. Even bitches are supposed to be 11kg. Probably something she should have considered before purchasing the appartment.

I could do this today if needed. Have to take one dog for a blood test at 12pm, but nothing planned for the rest of the day.

Wow Blab. That's a lovely photo.

OH doesn't know I'm adding this, but he took me out to do some pregnancy shots today. In the two photos below he was hoping to be the 'black fade out' look around the edges by changing his camera settings.. he was very happy with these, though he said my positioning wasn't fantastic... I wasn't a very willing model ;) Not sure that he has photoshopped much, probably just removed a bra strap and such.

Mine are there pretty regularly for other things (acupuncture for one, renal failure check-ups for the other) so the vet doesn't see them for an annual checkup. We also titre test yearly... so they do the checkup at that point.

Comments against the article on the couriermail website are asking if Jed was allowed that many dogs, was it a registered kennel etc. I was going to comment, but decided not as I don't really know what to say. If anyone would like to clarify about Jed about her position as a breeder it might be worth making a comment... I just didn't know what to say beyond the fact she's a registered breeder that is respected in the purebred dog community.

Donation made. Thoughts are with Jed. Like other Brisbane DOLers if there is anything I can do to help, more than happy to pitch in (as much as a pregnant person can).

Hope the photo concept works out for you Rocco. Glad the frenchies got to take part, even happier that Griffin behaved himself.

Griffin will stay with me and he has a black collar that I can use on both dogs that will blend. Callista is a bit like Harry, if I have the ball she will stay where I am. Just a heads up to all, Griffin is a bit touchy with other dogs... depending on the weather / his mood / the other dog / the alingment of the planets... so I will be bringing an extra set of hands or a crate with me. I would really appreciate if everyone could not let their dogs say hi to mine, I'll be the pregnant lady with the Frenchies.

They are born with no tails, they aren't boston terriers and some do have lots of drive. Oh and it's not that they're so ugly they are cute... they are just cute.

I'm happy to bring Callista.... though she's a broken frenchie now with one ear up and one down. We're normally around most weekends and with any luck she'll even listen to me and stay put for the photo.

My OH tells me I'm a snob, but he loves our frenchies just as much as me. I love all dogs, but I choose to own a dog with predicatiblity in size, nature and looks.

My vet showed me the 1st photo in and email he received today... the caption on the pick was 'she said she'd meet me here'. Very cute.

Dotty I'm so sorry to read that Gherkin has crossed the rainbow bridge.

Er, WTF? I don't think this thread was ever actually about nominations for the awards, at least that's not how I took the OP... It would seem most others have taken it as a debate as to whether rescue animals should be allowed to be sold/promoted in pet shops, not whether said shops should be eligible for nominations. If we remove the means for puppy farms to make profits then wouldn't they cease to exist? If we educate the public and promote registered ethical/responsible breeders and rescue animals, perhaps the public would stop buying oodles? If they walk into a 'pet shop' and all they see are ads for breeders and rescue animals, instead of cute cuddly 'take me home now' kittens and puppies, and the staff in the pet shops were trained to educate instead of spinning some bullcrap spiel about how wonderful oodles are, the world would be a very different place... I think you'll find the OP asked about this issue in relation to a question on an MDBA survey about nominations for their annual awards. As Steve is a board member of the MDBA, she is providing an explanation on why this question has been asked in the survey. Perhaps you need to re-read the OP.

Very proud. Callista certainly gets her drive from Frannie. It's a shame that Callista's back can't handle the rigors of agility.

In the USA & Canada quite a few frenchies compete in various doggy activities. Brenda Buckles' frenchie Magnum UD was an incredible dog who achieved just about everything going. I've seen classes at the US Frenchie Nationals and love to see these little guys in action. Not many people have committed to the task in Oz. Here's a bit of interesting history though: - The first frenchie on record was Ch Diwali Le Tigre CD (Ch Amlone Beau Robb x Ch Marteray La Solaire ) dob 28.8.1975 Competing around the same time Ch Diwali Fleurette CD (Ch Jesmalphi Beau Pierre x Ch Marteray La Solaire) dob 2.2.75 Le Tigre & Fleurette's daughter also gained titles - Ch Josshi Crepe Suzette CD dob 30.4.77 Following on many years later (2006 in fact) Vicki Scott's Frannie became the first french bulldog titled in agility jumping. FBCNSW published an interview with Vicki and Naomi Dunn (Fran's trainer and trialler) and one of the questions asked was "Do you think that it is responsible to allow a French Bulldog to compete in Agility?" Here is Naomi's reply:- "Well, this is the toughest issue in trialling a Frenchie. Ability to breathe well, and good spinal health are the most concerns. This is not for every Frenchie! Agility trials are not held during the warmest summer months for any breed, but even in winter we monitor the breathing comfort of the dog at all times. Any breed can incur skeletal damage from jumping and running, so I think that keeping the dog in peak physical condition, not overweight, and using common sense if the dog is not 100% fit is important. Fran is very competitive, very fit and loves the atmosphere of the trials. Her enthusiasm is infectious, people stop to watch her compete and she draws a lot of positive comment from judges and competitors. This wasn't always the case, I took a real bagging when I first started competing with her, as people are not used to a rare breed, let alone a Frenchie, appearing in Agility trials. She is a real show stopper and we are very proud of her. Here's a photo of Fran in action - isn't she great !! FBCNSW has implemented recommended breeding practices which includes spinal checks for all breeding stock. Obviously this would also be the club's recommendation for any frenchie before competing in agility. Health screening details can be found on the club website www.frenchbulldogclubnsw.asn.au Yours in frenchies That's Callista's mum!

Callista's dam is titled in agility and if I ever get off my butt and complete the TID with Callista I think she'd kill obedience. Unfortunately with her back issues I don't want to risk her at agility or flyball. It is not only food, prey drive does exist in the breed. Griffin works for food and Callista works for prey, so it just depends on the dog... like any breed. You would need to take the weather into account, but as long as the day wasn't really hot and you had a cool coat / mat for the dog etc they would handle it... well I think so anyway.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Rocco and Serena at the first K9 Force workshop I attended in 2008. Watching Serena walk in with Rocco made me smile as they were the human / dog 'odd couple' just as Ralph and Rocco were the dog 'odd couple'. The character Serena captured in her photos was evident that day, as was the bond dog and owner had with each other. My thoughts to Serena, Cindy and Ralph.

I'm one of Steve's failed students. Between me, easily injured dog, house reno's, broken video camera and now being pregnant... I'm sad to say I'm yet to move beyond module 1. No real excuses... I just suck. That said it has been great and Steve is wonderful and very helpful... I'm just an extremely poor student with a very willing dog.

I guess considering the group I belong to that me having that view might surprise a lot of people but for me its a rights issue. I dont like it,I think its a dumb thing to do but its their right to breed cross breds and its a persons right to want one and own one and not have to treat it differently because its not a purebred. I agree completely with the bolded bit. My OH thinks and calls me a dog snob because I prefer purebred dogs. The reality is I love all dogs and don't think any are less deserving than another... what I dislike is people telling me a cross is better because of hybrid vigour and the way many dogs used for cross breeding are kept in unsavory conditions. As for the public preferring oodles is it maybe more to do once again with the promotion of the available purebreeds and the public perception of the health of crosses being better and all that has been discussed on DOL previously. A more informed public may just swing back in favour of purebreeds.

The questions for me are: What is the purpose of the cross-breed? What is the compatability of the dogs being crossed Regardless of the temp and health of the parents the people breeding would need to be able to justify why they are doing the cross and what they hope to gain. They would need to justify that they have considered whether the dogs go together structurally and what may be the potential health issues caused by the cross. They would need to convince me that it's not just for money. I think if people step onto the path of cross breeding it should be in the quest to develop a breed to eventually gain recognition from the ANKC. I don't think someone continually breeding F1 crosses is ever a good thing, regardless of the quality / health / temperament of the breeding stock.

Awww he's doing the frenchie sad eyes to convince you to let him out. Good that he's getting better day by day. You may find the toe dragging never fully recovers. Calli kind drags her right paw occassionally. We're going to start swimming shortly to help stop some muscle wastage she has happening... might be worth considering for Snot once he's recovered to help with rebuilding his strength. We'll have to have a broken frenchie catch up once he's been released from confinement.

No special bowls here. They have stainless bowls and don't struggle to eat. I walk them on harness. This means training them as a puppy to walk without pulling is very important. Walking on a correction collar (check chain) is not good for brachy breeds. I do use a prong collar on Callista, but these are only accessible through certain behaviourist / trainers and you should be shown how to use them appropriately. Baby wipes are fine. I use salt water on mine on a cotton makeup remover pad. Both dogs here eat raw. No dry food. I've found they both do better on this for weight, coat, farts and poop. Like any dog if you overfeed and give treats and too much human food they will put on weight. Callista eats more than Griffin as she burns more energy than he does and sometimes it is hard to stop her looking skinny. They may or may not be food oriented. Both mine will sit for food, but Callista prefers to work for a game of tug. Just depends on what your dog is really motivated by. Callista is bathed in Malaseb every second or third bath to keep her skin ok, otherwise I use Avolen or similar... soap free.