dog geek

Saw a news report of an attack in Redfern (last night?) and the dog looked more like a hound-type...

http://www.theage.com.au/national/getting-the-lowdown-on-the-sausage-dog-trend-20140117-310gu.html OMG, kill me know.... this was what a VET had to say (apparently): " Dr Nicole Hoskin, from Prahran Veterinary Hospital, said...They are quite a popular apartment or family dog because of their smaller size. They do tend to cope quite well in smaller living arrangements, such as higher-density city living. They don't need too much exercise, some like to, but they are quite happy to cuddle on your lap... all pure-bred dogs carried the risk of hereditary diseases, so people should go to the pound and get a mix special." That little gem particularly caught my attention - fortunately, the article did, indeed, also have *sensible* advice from Dogs Vic... right down at the end of the article... The article in full: Every dog has its day, and if 2012 was the year of the cavoodle then 2014 could be the dachshund's time in the sun. Pet lovers are spending thousands of dollars for a pure-bred sausage dog, although the spike in popularity isn't all good news, according to some experts. Dr Nicole Hoskin, from Prahran Veterinary Hospital, said dachshunds were ''friendly and effervescent dogs'' that were becoming quite popular with inner-city residents. ''They are quite a popular apartment or family dog because of their smaller size. Advertisement ''They do tend to cope quite well in smaller living arrangements, such as higher-density city living. ''They don't need too much exercise, some like to, but they are quite happy to cuddle on your lap,'' Dr Hoskin said. When Damien Kirby, 21, was shopping for a pet, he wanted a dog that would grab people's attention. ''I didn't want to get a fluffy dog. I wanted a dog that turned people's heads around and Mojo did that,'' he said. ''Lots of people stop and stare, especially the ladies. So you get a lot of attention that way.'' Mr Kirby now has two dachshunds, having bought a companion for Mojo, called Ares, for $1800. Now dachshunds are in high demand, he is intending to breed Mojo and Ares, once she reaches maturity. ''Lots of my friends want little dachshunds, so once Ares is old enough I will breed them,'' he said. But a spokeswoman for Dogs Victoria had some concerns about a rise in ''backyard breeders'' once a dog breed became popular. She said this increased the risk of the spread of hereditary diseases that were often not picked up by inexperienced breeders. Dr Hoskin said all pure-bred dogs carried the risk of hereditary diseases, ''so people should go to the pound and get a mix special''. ''Owners need to be careful as dachshunds are known to have elbow and joint problems. ''We know that they have disc problems, they often need surgery, which can cost more than $6000 in medical bills, and they also have a predisposition to dental problems, particularly with their upper canine teeth. ''We see dogs on a monthly basis, with spinal injuries and some ongoing injuries with some nerves that haven't recovered after surgery.'' The Dogs Victoria spokeswoman said people needed to carefully consider whether a dachshund suited their lifestyle. ''People think dachshund dogs don't need much space, when in fact they are a miniature with the brain of a hound,'' she said. ''They are not apartment dogs and need room to play.'' Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/getting-the-lowdown-on-the-sausage-dog-trend-20140117-310gu.html#ixzz2qj8SqTVr

Heard on the grapevine that a close family member of the salon owners is starting up a doggie day care... as I said, grapevine, but still - surely not!!!!

Would you all recommend manual stimulation of the bitches' nipples from the onset of labour? I remember this as a homebirther's trick to stimulate production of of oxytocin and prolactin... and do it for all my bitches.

I try to follow the advice of the several authors of the breeding/whelping books I have - I only step in with bitches if I observe: * labouring/pushing for longer than half an hour with no pup being born (feet first, breech, big - I have had all these) * the bitch not seeming too interested in stimulating the first breath * signs that the bitch is too gung ho with the umbilical cord or with cleaning the new whelp That said... I have Toy breed bitches who seem Extremely Determined that I am Very Closely Involved in their whelping process... they all seem to get stressed if I try to encourage them to whelp in their boxes, and so far every litter HAS TO make its entrance into the world in my lap (with me sitting on the floor). So really, I might as well get in and help, they seem to expect it from me.

... oops - my bad, I failed to relay some relevant back-story. Lady in question and I are acquaintances through children having gone to the same school at the same time, we have lived on the same street for ten-plus years, she was so proud when she bought this little guy from the RSPCA and I have multiple Poms so she knew I would love to hear about him, we are both organic gardeners, etc etc etc. So, it is not quite as aggressive as randomly screeching to a halt in the street to accost her. Hmmm.... I am meditating on your various suggestions (except the ones that seem unnecessarily rude) and thank you all for your efforts to help. Further contributions eagerly awaited. :)

I am in considerable anguish over a little Pom in my area - about eight months ago I noticed he was 'bunny hopping' quite badly on his daily (his owner is so wonderful, cares for him beautifully, hence my quandary) walks. After about a month, I could no longer stand seeing him in such discomfort, so pulled over one day when driving past them, and asked his owner (after the basic social necessities of hello how are you etc) if she was aware that he was bunny-hopping quite badly. "Oh, yes he does that when he goes up the stairs at home..." No, I explained - I mean, he does walk beautifully at heel with you, I thought perhaps since he was not in your line of sight that you might not be aware that he bunny hops when you are walking him... and it is a sign of a problem with his patellas or his hips - what did your vet say last time he saw him?? "oh, no, vet has not mentioned anything about them... I am sure it is just he is getting a little old." She clearly was not interested in hearing her dog had a problem, and was definitely annoyed that I was interfering... Now, the poor little dog is still being walked regularly - and the condition has clearly progressed, he now gimps along gamely, back is now very hunched as he walks, stumbling along after his owner... It KILLS me to see it, any suggestions as to how to approach his owner again would be gratefully received!!!

Possibly...? Certainly I will link it to the others looking for info! Cheers DG

Help - once again I demonstrate how uselss I am at using this site's search function

A table to groom on, a groomer's arm, and a groomer's blast dryer!!!

Greytmate, the chocolate parti is the one with the 'clown face' and definitely has a chocolate nose... the orange parti has a 'snow nose' happening, but is not ee because she was sabled as a puppy, and does have some black whiskers. She does throw cream puppies, though... so she is Ee. The blue and tan has a blue nose...

Creme Parti and Blue and Tan:

Chocolate Parti and Orange Parti:

Oooookay... rare colours, recognised but not to be awarded if there is an equally correct but solid Pom in the class with them - solid get the class over parti. Chocolate: Chocolate and Tan:

I just can't get my pics to load... I used to be able to, using photobucket, that has changed too and I am having Senior's Technopobia now!