RubyBlue

My entire boy gets targeted also. So much so that he is now not so relaxed about encounters with unknown dogs and I monitor the situation very carefully. Previously he would just ignore dogs charging and mounting him but now he won't allow a dog who's trying to stand over him to approach his rear end. So far he hasn't been bitten but I have. Ian Dunbar gave an explanation of desexed vs entire dogs that stuck with me. It was that desexed males still know they're males but smell like females to other dogs (kinda like they're dressed in drag). You can have a bunch of desexed males together and they all think they are the only male surrounded by a harem of females. When an entire male comes around one/some of the desexed males may get cocky (as to date they think all other males have avoided going near his females) and he may challenge the entire male. The entire male can't figure out this particular girl is being such a bitch.

You will be told what to do by either the people running the trial or the judge. Just tell them that it is your first time :) I'll see you there.

well this makes me feel a bit better :) keep thinking entering Dyson was a mistake....

I've entered both in Rally Novice. Milly should be up to it...as for the nutcase...well he seems to like the signs...keeping his attention on me, without bait, in the excitement of a trial.... all in all it could make for some interesting spectator viewing.

Ill keep an eye out for you. I will be the person being towed around by two black labs.

Congratulations Rantino (Leanne). I think I met Gidget (and you) at Gippslands trial. Congrats also to Lisa and Tamika and to Pirate on your success. I've had a great season too - Milly got her Tch at the beginning of the season and Dyson got all three titles, gaining his Tch in the last trial at Ballarat. Bit nervous about starting track and search but am looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.

The breeder I referred to is Not in SE QLD. You can probably find brindle-marked Labs in all states.White on pads is much honored. The first dual champion Lab, Banchory Bolo, had white spots in his pads and passed the trait on. Seehttp://www.lorkenfarms.com/banchory_bolo.htm My last boy had bolo marks :)

Excellent article. Don't just look at the pictures, read the text!!! There's an excellent discussion of the history of the retriever breeds with respect to coat type. I did read it. :) Very interesting. That was very interesting. Thank you for putting that up. I still think (given the expense of importing dogs into Australia) that the odds of a breeder importing a dog unaware of its pedigree and propensity to produce dogs not to standard would be very slim. As said before, occams razor says the bitch is a crossbred and given that curly coats and flat coats are not as common as goldens the bitch is most likely to have golden in her. I once saw a couple with what I thought was a yellow lab and a small black flatcoat, turns out both dogs were littermates and lab x goldens.

Hmm sounds interesting. ... maybe... only $20... probably.... Ill make a decision tomorrow - but I suspect it'll be a yes.

Hmm I use the sandpaper attachment on my labs and press fairly firmly. It usually only takes a second or two to have them at a good length. Both are black dogs with thick nails so I'm just guessing at what is a good length but so far (touch wood) its been working.

Do you plan on having the dogs travel in the crates as well as waiting or their turn whilst the car is stationary? Do you need to be able to set the crates up outside of your car too? Airline crates would probably be the safest in an accident. Wire crates would provide the most ventilation and allow for visibility whilst driving. Have you considered getting a tailgate barrier and effectively turn the whole car into a crate? One or multiple crates will depend on your dogs and what you are doing?

Might be worth having a look at 'db scooters' in melbournes eastern suburbs. Dave can custom make one for you and in theory shipping should be cheaper. Any reason a bike couldn't be used? At least initially.

It seems that the north eastern suburbs are a bit isolated as far as this stuff goes. I've been to woofpurneigh a few times and its great, but its the drive that kills me and the reason I haven't been in ages. With an absence of friends with available pools, I am seriously considering in investing in a decent sized circular pond that I could walk or swim the dogs around in. For my dogs I am looking at something fairly large so am saving up, but for a small dog you could probably manage this quite feasibly. There is a discrete place off Elizabeth st in Doncaster (or Doncaster east) that sells molded plastic ponds that to me certainly seemed suitable. If I was doing this as a form of therapy for my dogs rather than for conditioning then I would be initially consulting a canine physio to make sure that they are doing the correct sort of exercise and are not in fact making the condition worse. If you chose to go down this path then you also would need to be aware of water temp and cleanliness, and depending on the size of the pond potentially a pump and filter.

To be honest, I'm surprised she survived in a horders house. Maybe she has such a will to live that it is worth them devoting resources to her.

Wow - someone needs to have their meds adjusted....