Crisovar

They can tell a dogs external heath - glowing coat, good muscle tone and fitness, clear and bright eyes, happy in itself etc. They can assess a dogs basic mental health - happy to be there, bright, aware, comfortable in what it is doing. They can assess a dogs structural health - how it meets the structural standard for the breed, how the dogs structure supports or hinders its ability to do its job, how the dog moves, that it is happy and comfortable moving at a pace and in a style suitable for the breed. They can NOT assess long term genetic or internal health or look into a crystal ball and see how the dog will be health-wise tomorrow or a year from now. But that is not the role of a dog show judge. A judge is there to judge TO THE STANDARD. The standard does not address health isses beyond the types of things I have listed above which can be assessed EXTERNALLY on the dog in front of the judge. Any further assessment of health is carried out by the breeder, sometimes under the auspices of official and formal schemes run by the ANKC, breed club or other organisations and sometimes not. Assessment in accordance with the standard by a show judge is just part of it and never ever have dog shows set themselves up to be a one stop shop assessment of all elements of the 'health' of a dog :thumbsup:

This thread highlights a very important distinction for me. The ethical breeders that handle, socialise and enrich the lives of the kennel dogs that they will one day place as pets, and the other ones that don't do any of that. I don't think we can define a puppy farmer by the number of dogs they keep or the fact the dogs are kennelled. Good, ethical breeders can also have large kennels full of dogs. The difference to me is whether the socialisation, handling and enrichment has been provided. Because providing those things is not profitable for puppy farmers to do. Ethical breeders will do it, because it is in the interest of the dog and the breed to do so. Yes but how realistic is it to expect that large numbers of dogs in kennels are socialised enough to be suitable to live in a household when they have spent the first 5 years or so of their lives in a kennel environment? Is this even possible without many trained and dedicated staff on hand, which I doubt these breeders have? (genuine question - not "breeder bashing" ) Of course it is, dogs can be rotated between house and kennels, go to shows, go to training, even Breeders have family & friends who visit, interact with dogs etc Busy large kennels often have activity all day, as opposed to a single dog in a backyard with working owners, you may be surprised how much time is actually spent doing activities with and around the dogs. Simple daily routines like cleaning runs etc which have to be done equal interaction.

Many people confuse hairy hairless with puffs. They are a complex breed and it is a great challenge for breeders due to the huge variation in degrees of hairlessness. Puffs are puffs they are fully coated.

I work with a Vet/Chiro, I see many success stories, Some dog handlers travel some distance to have their service dogs treated to keep them in top form. and I have had a few of my own treated with generally good results. It is important to remember that there is not one magic cure all for all conditions. Different dogs/conditions respond better to some treatments than others.

Vets all Natural Skin & Coat formula and Omega Blend oil added to a raw diet to boost her immune system.

To split them into separate classes would be wrong, both are needed for the breed to survive, to allow the powderpuff recognition as a separate variety would allow for litters that would never produce hairless pups. The Chinese Crested is a Hairless breed that has some coated individuals.

Lol, I always thought it meant Bones And Raw Food. Just making stuff up as I go along It does, in fact I understand that was the original meaning.

A great post that explains the issue very well. To be honest, I can't fathom why it is so offensive to some in this thread. Should nothing ever change in the world of breeding? Is breeding dogs so perfect that nothing should ever be considered or even discussed lest it upset some? To be fair, I can understand that some think they are forever under attack regardless of what they do though but the reactions in this thread work against them and simply reinforce poor perceptions. I agree Crisovar, personally I find the term 'furbaby' far more offensive than 'pet quality'. Although I agree with the sentiment you have expressed about the term 'furbaby', the term 'pet quality' isn't offensive, but it may be sending a negative message about the product (in this case a puppy). Whereas the term 'furbaby' gives another message all together in my view. Until this thread I have never been aware of any need to change the description of a pet quality pup. Resistant to change? well when it is change simply for the sake of appeasing the sensibilities of a couple of people on an internet forum, then yes. My pups are not a product and I have never found any need to market them. Happy, healthy typical pet pups in loving appreciative homes do that for me. Change for the sake of change

Some members of the public feel we should sell the pups at 6 weeks and for peanuts, do we bow to that as well. For heavens sake this is just idiocy, how about we just market them all as perfect pups, will that appease the snivelling from Sheridan and co, no, probably not they will just pop up with some other petty criticism probably relating to misleading the public. Most of my enquiries come from people who ask for just a pet. Maybe they have it wrong?. To me that is the highest grade of pup there is, a lifetime pet and loved companion. Just because you get it and know what you think and mean about a pet quality pup doesn't mean the general public do. The term pet "quality" makes me feel that if people think that is a lesser description that I understand why it is and Im suggesting we shut up and listen to them and try not to use it. The only people I've come across that don't get it are here in this thread. In 40yrs of dogs it has never before been raised.

Some members of the public feel we should sell the pups at 6 weeks and for peanuts, do we bow to that as well. For heavens sake this is just idiocy, how about we just market them all as perfect pups, will that appease the snivelling from Sheridan and co, no, probably not they will just pop up with some other petty criticism probably relating to misleading the public. Most of my enquiries come from people who ask for just a pet. Maybe they have it wrong?. To me that is the highest grade of pup there is, a lifetime pet and loved companion.

How about we Breeders just stop evaluating and grading our dogs, stop selecting for the best and most suitable. Give them all an elephant stamp then everyone can feel all warm and fuzzy and encouraged. My pups placed as pets have been planned for, bred and raised to be the very best they can be. I can assure you their owners don't feel they have been tossed a leftover. They are the ones that matter after all.

So what would you have them called. As a breeder I do no see anything wrong with the term it certainly does not translate to rubbish as far as I am concerned.

I think this is one of the reasons why Joe Public are wary of 'show people'. If you see a dog with beautiful temperament, multiple sports titles or a great working ability yet are dismissed as not worthy of breeding because they have floppy ears or a white blaze on their chest, people are going to question the value of the standard. If you don't breed to the standard the end result will not be a generic looking non breed dog. The standard is the blueprint, if we make it as we go along what is the point. The total package makes a great dog worthy of passing on its genes.

Hi Ness1409 Yep. Its all very confusing. What you have to do is register you dogs with your local council. They will update the microchip details on the Qld registry. If you move to NSW then you will have to register the dogs again with the council from the area you are living in and they will update the microchip details. However, if you are travelling then the last recorded registry will need contact details. Wrong. Totally different to nsw. The chips need to registered with one of the databases Central Animal Records etc. The dogs also need to be registered with the local council.

Bless you for having the strength to allow him to pass with dignity. Yes, Coco will be waiting what a reunion they will have. Will be thinking of you both.

Milo's Ear cleaner between $13 - $15 buy online. Malaseb 1 part to 30 parts water very good as well and most economical. I am sure there are others.

Well the post Christmas influx of dogs that have been either fed or allowed to access Xmas crap has started, some people truly amaze me with stupidity. Maybe the Vet bills will be a wake up call. Sad thing is the animals are the ones that truly pay, some with their lives.

Be very aware of the dangers of cheap/imported treats, many are simply not safe and a sick/dead pet is not the way to spend Christmas. Don't buy imported treats and examine those pet stockings carefully the products they contain could well be dangerous. Our pets do not need Christmas crap they will be just as happy with their regular food and treats.

Most newsagents will have stacks of clean unused unsold papers, just ask them, you may have to wait a day or so.

It is commonly used by pound staff to id the database the chip is registered with, it is a wonderful tool.

I have not found this to be the case. Can you tell me which chip company does this? I have purchased numerous scanners over the past few years and have not come across whilst "shopping" that is brand specific. I have not come across a deal like that either, would be interested to know more.

I have to ask how can you be terrified of Bull Terriers, yet not know that is what the dog was?? She said that she was terrified of "white bully breeds" not necessarily only the Bull Terrier. I'd hazard a guess she'd react the same way to white Staffy's and Amstaffs. ;)

I have to ask how can you be terrified of Bull Terriers, yet not know that is what the dog was??

Oh for goodness sake anyone that wants to allow their dog to clear up their acne with a dogs tongue after it licks it's own butt and worse is welcome to it!

Both mumof4, some dogs do not see a comb or a bath in between visits to the Groomer, this may be monthly or yearly. Some owners do attempt to keep up but fail, often because they do not do it thoroughly or regularly. Generally the wrong choice of breed plays a part. Some people simply see it is the Groomers job to clean up their dog, treat the fleas etc. The one I despise are the ones that cannot even touch the poor animal, they bring it wrapped in a towel and ask if they can wash their hands after handing it over. It is ok for the Groomer to deal with though, that's what they are paid for. I have been asked to collect dogs that owners don't want to put in their cars, and have had dogs arrive in the boot of the car.