Crisovar

I think you have misunderstood the OP altogether.

Not once in my time with docked breeds (since 1970) did I ever have one person question docking or request a tail be left on their pup. I do not actually recall any breeder that I know being requested to leave a tail either.

Allergy to the dog saliva is very common, and one of the reason why testing before buying a dog is important for allergy sufferers.

We remove vital organs from animals when they are desexed, is that also arrogance?

There is nothing at all wrong with human names for dogs, it is people who treat their dogs like humans that disturb me, they are dogs not little furry people.

I have owned docked breeds since 1970, and I too tried to gather support to fight the docking ban from the time it was first whispered about. "It will never happen" so they all sat smugly on their butts till it did and now it is all history. Watching them now fall over themselves to import docked dogs after a couple of years of living with tails just makes me laugh. Many of the new age of anti dockers didn't open their mouths till the widely publicised RSPCA campaign splashed cruelty accusations across their TV screens and in the print media. As all of us that have bred docked breeds and loved them understand it was not an act of cruelty when performed correctly, and in my experience Breeders outshine Vets hands down. The laughable claims that it is impossible to read a docked dog properly and that they cannot express themselves still makes me shake my head.

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I don't understand your post, the dogs only bark during the school holidays, they do not normally live next to you?? Regardless the Council is the place to complain even if the dogs are just visiting.

The health testing required for some breeds can be very very expensive, if a breeder is bringing in animals or semen from overseas the costs associated with that are again very expensive. It can be difficult to actually land a litter on the ground in some breeds, caesarian sections, surgical implantation of semen, Flying animals around the country for matings there are a lot of expenses that the normal pet owner wouldn't have a clue about. AT the end of the day Breeding dogs costs money, often really big money, why should Breeders not end up with a little back for their efforts to produce the very best they can, after all the puppy buyers expect the very best service and product and the after care goes on for years. You could not put a price on that.

Having parents that have been exhibited does not make a litter of pups genetically superior or healthier to any other.

It is going to be an individual dog that fits your need not a breed, in any breed you will get dogs that vary. Probably an adult dog that is already proven to be trustworthy with cats and not too rough for the Chi, a young pup will learn to be accepting of the cats but may be too rough for your Chi. You want a dog that will play wrestle with your bigger dog, that is a playing style not all dogs use, so somewhere you are going to have to compromise. Whatever you decide you will have a period of settling in or growing up and maturing to deal with.

I find all that a bit sad if it is supposed to represent a good cross section of the community. My dogs are a very special part of my life but the most important things walk on two legs.

The first most responsible thing you can do as a dog owner is TRAIN your dog. Untrained it doesn't matter how many testicles the damn thing has, it will be a nuisance on four legs.

They have their place and like every thing else it is about balance and moderation.

They were probably in the bag when you bought it, we have had perfect weevil weather and I have seen a few in the shops in different things.

I understand that breeders of working Kelpies need to cull - it just seems like it's not always done very humanely. Drowning would probably only be suitable for very young pups - my understanding was that a well-placed bullet would be the most humane and painless way to terminate the life of a 3 month old puppy if you're not going to take it to the vet. Some of the dogs would make lovely pets though, and as long as they were desexed I wouldn't see a problem if they were permitted to go into households. Even Tony Parsons wasn't totally against this idea of placing his Karrawarra working line Kelpies in pet homes if they weren't suitable for work. Also, to the point about rescuing working dogs, while they can be difficult to place in ordinary homes, it should still be on a case by case basis ... As long as they're well-occupied and don't have temperament issues, there's no reason why such a dog can't be happy in the suburbs. And again the RIGHT home, otherwise they simply become pound fodder. Yes they can be excellent pets, but in the right hands.

I don't either, you only have to look at the number of working dog types that are filling the pounds and shelters around the country to understand the choice not to add to it. There are always soft hearted souls who put their hands up to take pups to "save" them, unfortunately not many are suitable homes for the dog.

Somewhere the buying public need to take responsibility. It is not a Breeders responsibility to create "pets", it is the Breeders responsibility to breed, sound, healthy and true to the Breed Standard. If a Breed is such that it needs above and beyond what the average person can provide then so be it, they shouldn't own one. Some people when it comes to choosing a suitable breed are just plain stupid, many are truly ignorant but stupidity and arrogance also come to play. Not every home is suitable for a dog full stop, the emphasis must be on choosing a breed that suits if indeed a dog is a suitable choice. There are many breeds that I admire but am not in a place to own. Our consumer society need to realise that.

It is the responsibility of the breeder to only sell those pet pups to suitable homes that understand and can manage the breed traits. I don't agree with dumbing down breeds for public consumption. We have hundreds of lovely breeds it is the buying public who need to adjust their want dial and understand they may not be suitable owners for some breeds.

You seriously would cut someone off because they are not a dog person? I find that really bizarre.

Well other people, including myself might use dog park time or the beach or playing in the backyard for relaxation, I like to use the walk as training time and to exercise her mind (and my body lol). She has more than enough park time to smell the roses and other dogs bums etc. Apparently, I don't "do" relaxing walks- my friends are always complaining that I walk too fast! I agree, if I'm walking my dog, it's walk time and I expect/require him to remain at my side and focused on me. He is not desexed, so he would otherwise happily sniff and pee on every single bush/pole/fence etc if left to his own devices and we don't make any progress. But there are times when I release him, like in parks or at the beach etc and he can go do as he pleases, so long as he stays reasonably close. I see owners of dobes and GSD's and other dominant type breeds who let their dogs lead the walks, and it's not a pleasant or safe situation. It depends on the purpose of the walk doesn't it, if my dogs are out and about with us in public, they are at heel and paying attention. Walks for us are different they are for fun and relaxation and the dogs know the difference. We have no one else to worry about when we walk.

That is why it is so important for people to choose their breed carefully. I can see the day coming when it is not going to be acceptable for dogs to be "typical of their breed" and I find that sad.

We dawdle along but we walk for relaxation and the dogs cover much more ground than us. Our dogs don't get walked to tire them out, we work their minds at home for that, walking for us is leisure time for us and the dogs. I feel sorry for some of the dogs you see out hitting the pavement with their owners, no time to smell the roses.

Why is it so hard to respect another persons house rules.

Exactly! It really won't kill her or you to put up or shut up for a weekend. Not everyone is a dog lover, or a cat lover or a noisy car lover, some people don't like kids.