alpha bet

We had one result come back for a dog as Affected for HC - this should be impossible as the bitch was HC Clear and the sire has advertised HC Clear however I had not seen any paperwork to prove this I had just taken their word he had been tested. However we knew the bitch was tested Clear therefore even if the owner of the sire had lied, the worst case scenario was that this dog could be a Carrier. We queried the result for this dog with the company... they double checked and discovered they had made a clerical error... dog was actually HC Clear. I now ask for paperwork on any outside dogs as well as any of my dogs I choose to breed are all tested - even those that are Clear by Parentage - it is one way of double checking the results for the parents as well. Years ago when I was breeding GSD they had the Breed Survey Scheme, therefore all hip scores were published and therefore public knowledge, Wish there was a database of the testing results that could be accessed by everyone so that we could all share the results of these tests. Then things would feel more official and reliable. If there is would someone let me know!

One of the big problems with using semen (especially overseas) is that the breeder may have no real knowledge about the temperament of the dog... unless they know someone (overseas or interstate) who has a good understanding of what is acceptable or have a trust in the overseas breeder. I like to actually meet the dog and see him running around and get a feel for him and some of the offspring before including him in my program. Even visited a few dogs when I was in europe last year to meet some of the breeders and see their stock to get some good contacts for future breeding. Going back 20-30 I had seen litters from breeders who have used a dog who was 'a bit iffy' in temperament - sometimes just as the off chance it wouldn't be a problem. But sure enough (although not all pups) but there were always some offspring who showed these tendancies. Some stud dogs even gained a reputation of producing DA dogs. Hence why nowdays for me, I want to trust the temperament of the dog as much as the bitch. Can be difficult to assess sometimes especially when many of the males are kept in kennel environments or have had numerous homes thru importing etc and therefore not easy to understand whether the dog is solid and confident when they might have more limited life skills.

Have always been told the bitch will determine the number of puppies - just depends on the viability of the eggs and semen at the time of mating. Timed right - dog and bitch in good health - should be the optimum number of puppies.....One bitch might be prone to smaller litters sometimes nature is somewhat unpredictable. for example one of my girls had Litter 1 - 4 pups - live mating Litter 2 - 4 pups - live mating Litter 3 - 1 pup - AI (but suspect we were not at optimum Litter 4 - 3 pups - AI and used progesterone levels to seek optimum time. I suspect that she is just a girl who has small numbers (yet she herself was one of 7) however her daughter has had 2 litters one from live mating one from AI - both with 7 pups Then there is also a grand-daughter had her first litter AI and produced 9 pups - My experience with this and previous litters has lead me to conclude there is no evidence to show that the bloodlines or line breeding/outcross options will affect the number. The viability of the semen is another thing...... Nowdays, I love having the progesterone levels to help find the optimum time, makes things much easier to organise. days gone by it was just relying on the dog and bitch to show they were ready.

Why not just explore the option of a good kennel.... despite what many here think.... there is nothing wrong with putting a dog in a kennel, especially for a period of only 9 days. After all you could find yourself in an emergency situation and need to get your dog minded - better to have somewhere that suits you already. Check out the kennel, not just the reception, ask for an inspection of where the dogs live and exercise, make sure your not just being shown the best fancy ones. Consider the staff who are looking after your dog, talk to them and see if you feel comfortable. There are many kennels, big and small, you can easily find one to suit your dog..... often a dog can enjoy the experience.

The point is that we all have to teach our dogs (and horses) to deal with the unexpected. Sorry if i sound harsh but to some extent you sound as if you want to be a bit of a princess about it.... Not everyone is going to fit into what you want from life which is obviously why you don't like the small town environment, but this will also happen in the city..... We have to cope with the society around us and what is presented, it is not about whinging about the rules or pushing the council to create more..... thats all we need is more rules and regs to limit where we are even allowed to take dogs - on lead or off. We all have to teach ourselves and our dogs instead of making excuses. 95% of our training is to cope with the 5% of the time that sh#t happens.

You should consider yourself fortunate to be living in a small town that does have some great public areas..... I also live in a town this size and we don't have off leash areas, instead the council is happy to leave things alone and as long as people seem ok they don't get upset about dogs off lead unless near the playgounds or courts... It was terrific that the lady followed you to explain- this shows that she is genuine and a considerate dog owner who wants to do the right thing - this could be taken as a great opportunity to get to know someone new who perhaps you could start meeting up with at the park to let your dogs have fun social time.... Next time you see her, go up and explain that you are a bit nervous about the pup and stressed about hubby but you would love the chance to get to know her - perhaps she could help you and your new pup out by walking the dogs in the park together on-lead and let them get comfortable with each other and if this goes well then she would be a good candidate to invite over for her dogs to play with yours.... even if they are large dogs does not mean they can't learn to get on great with small dogs. You might just find you make a new friend.... at the very least you won't have the gossip working against you.

WDO firstly, I congratulate you on your discretion.... it is very easy online for people to misinterpret questions. It has happened before.... many times..... and the last thing anyone on here should do is to risk the reputation of a breeder or dog business (or any individual for that manner) without having all the facts.... Breeders are usually more than happy to discuss how they calculate their pricing.....and there is no problem asking..... after all it is a long term decision and the buyer is entitled to decide if they are being treated fairly. On price - years ago (and I mean many....) I purchased my first registered dog, a GSD puppy, including hip and breed surveyed parents. It did seem expensive at the time and my mum was a bit horrified that I was prepared to spend two weeks wages (I was only 19yo so not on a very high wage), but this breeder explained that she placed a value on her dogs that she felt was high enough to make people stop and really think is this what they really want?, but not too much that it would put the dog out of the price range of the average family. All her pups were sold for the same price and mine and two others were shown in all breed and speciality with her assistance. She believed that charging one weeks wage of the average Australian family income was a fair price..... I have followed this example for all my litters and it has always seemed fair over the years. Therefore the current national average wage is $69,165 (excluding overtime/bonuses). This means I sell my pups currently for $1,300 - It is a good way to have a system to decide what is fair and reasonable. I can also understand that if a breeder has a pup that they believe has show or breeding potential they might be inclined to charge extra for an outright sale or place on a breeders terms with a contract for future breed worth. But is it fair to charge more than 40% extra for a dog who (in the breeders opinion) is of show quality.....???? Personally I feel this only devalues the breeders belief in the other puppies. Pups with minor defects are expected in every litter and generally this will not affect the health and welfare of the pup in a family for the long term, however if pups have severe defects that do cause health trouble then the breeder has to consider the long term options available. If the pup is emotionally unreliable then I would run a puppy on until it is sorted or if proved to be unstable I would PTS. I have no wish to burden any family with a problem of this nature.

I remember seeing a colour list sent out with one lot of paperwork from Dogs Vic which had acceptable colour registrations..... but this was 2 or so years ago. Could have changed again However cant find where I put this form - I had a feeling the idea was to use three colour descriptions only and that they had dropped the option of Tricolour. Therefore instead of black tricolour - it was black with white and tan points..... Also think they might have dropped the term copper.....however you are best to ring the Kennel Council from your state and check. Reminds me I might have to ring myself and get clarification for future litters.

Our Aussie girl - Giget was successfully mated on the 3 and 4 February, which means pups potentially on the 2nd or so of April...... fingers crossed.

The ANKC doesnt even get their information straight. Let's look at an example of my own breed (perhaps this applies to others as well) The following is from the official ANKC breed standard for Australian Shepherds....... Docked: Docked tail is straight, not to exceed four inches in length. Undocked: Set on following the line of the croup. Of moderate length, not kinked. In overall balance with the rest of the dog. Moderately feathered Bobbed: May be naturally bobbed. Is straight, not to exceed four inches in length. I have queried this with the ANKC and Dogs Vic - neither have responded. They will to bring in rules on docking tails yet they havent sorted out their breed standardes.This is the standard as per the judges and exhibitors view - yet no mention of the fact that a Naturally Bobbed tail may be of ANY length..... it is very common to have aussies born NBT and yet have quarter, half or three quarter tails..... but under their standard if the tail exceed 4 inches it is not acceptable.....? Perhaps the ANKC should clean up their own information first.

All pups should be of equal quality with regard to temperament and health - including testing. The only reason a show quality pup is sold for a higher price is that the breeder feels this is a pup for show and/or breeding quality, therefore must also be on a full register with the pedigree association - therefore they are selling not just a pup but the potential for ongoing breeding..... The pet should be sound and happy just that the breeder is unsure that this dog will have future breeding worth.... There are many many beautiful quality pups (of breed worth) in pet homes.... a pet price does not mean an inferior product.

My dogs have all been easy and happy, just difficult to keep weight on as they are so active on the farm all the time. Went to a conference in San Diego and heard what Wendy Volhard had to say and was very surprised when she informed us dry food kibble nutrients on the pack are all stated as prior to cooking. We brought home some samples of her packs of food (looks like muesli). Product not available here and so thought I would try the VAN Moved my Aussies over to the Vets All Natural on the 3rd December 2012 - now have found that the three dogs have actually holding weight much easier and do seem to have a shinnier coat - Also was a bit unsure about the cost as it seemed expensive but have only used half the 15kg bag so far and this is much better than piling on the dry food to keep the weight on. We have just had a litter of pups so will get the pup diet and see how they go.

There is nothing to state the maximum age, however it does state: "A member shall not breed a bitch causing it to welp more than six times without prior veterinary certification of fitness for further breeding, and without prior approval of the VCA Inc." (this is current as at Gazette November 2012) Personally I feel, this does seem fair......

We had our litter of Aussies born on 15th, Keeda's last litter - 2 black tri girls and 1 black tri boy All well and happy....

As we know this article is written in the States, i have been there at conferences twice in the last 3 years - talking with Trainers - it would appear to be reasonably accurate to what is actually happening there..... and this year i was in Europe and they are starting to see some of these issues developing as well. Perhaps we need to take heed that it is likely to start to spill out here as well... Even now Victorian Dept Primary Industries is restricting Registered Purebred Breeders from advertising stock without microchips however the pet shop and puppy mills can use their registration no and no one is monitoring the BYB - the Designer Breeders have elaborate websites and no particular monitoring of this as well as there is no education system for the public to even be aware they should not be buying any pup in Vic without a microchip..... Some of you have said " WHAT CAN WE DO" well lets be proactive - here are some suggestions.... We have to find ways to educate the public on a number of issues....... here are some starters and others here will have more ideas. PUBLIC NEED TO SEE MORE PUREBREEDS OUT AND ABOUT IN PUBLIC. Jo Average Public does not go to dogs shows/competitions these are generally held away from the public eye.... tucked away at the corner of an Agricultural Show or down at KCC park or Bulla (in victoria)... it seems the only time Public hears about the show scene lately is when there are shows critical of breeding/show practice and how the health of the pure breed is going downhill due to current fashions..... Even if he does try to wander into the show scene to look he is blocked off by Show Tents jammed together around the rings - perhaps he forces his way thru to see whats going on and then encounters exhibitors (not always being terribly polite) if he happens to stand in their view or stand too close to their darlings...... (Sorry SHOWIES but it DOES HAPPEN). Get your own pedigree dogs out and about in the public, down the parks, sitting at cafe's, into the nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, demonstrations.... anywhere you have a chance to show how great they are.... stop and talk to people when they want to know more.... tell them about the breed and about health testing.... educate them about the myths of the xbred vigour and the often hidden costs behind what seems a cheap puppy.... tell them about the microchipping and the disadvantages of puppy farms and pet shops. We take our Aussies everywhere.... and I talk to anyone who wants to pat them and happy to spread the word about this fab breed - I've sold puppies to some great homes because they have seen me in the street and struck up a conversation and they take my details and it is common to have people contact me because they or a friend has told them about my dogs. I've had people stop and take photos on their phones to send to their friends because they hadn't seen this breed before. Encourage your puppy buyers to do the same.... and arm these families with the information about health testing, breed advantages. It is fun to show off your dogs and you meet some great people..... if you change their view they end up telling people at work what lovely dogs and helpful the breeders are. BREEDERS NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT WITH PUPPY ENQUIRIES We can advertise and promote our pure breeds but then we have to back it up with - responding to emails enquiries - advising it can take up to six months before a pup might be available as not like puppy farms we arnt breeding constantly - keeping in touch or putting them on to other breeders who might have something suitable sooner. - Treat pet homes with respect and honesty and don't mess them around by pulling a sale at the last minute because it suits you. - Provide good follow up and even encourage buyers back for a picnic when the dogs are 6-9 months so you can see the development and help them thru any settling in problems.... this is great PR and they will spread the word about how wonderful their breeder is..... Thats just for starters.... we can be our own worst enemy or best advertisment.... make a difference and make an effort.....

Craigieburn vet has a great system.... one door one side goes into a dog waiting room with a greyhound waiting room off that again, is large with couch seating around. They also have two or three clinic rooms off that area so you dont walk down corridors with the dogs. A seperate door from outside goes to a cat waiting room both waiting rooms then have a circular reception desk and you can see each other but dogs and cats are apart. Very well thought out and easy to work - thumbs up for this vet clinic.

If you want to set up a website that you can use long term.... it is worth looking up JOOMLA - I was put on to this format when I went to a dog conference and many of the trainers recommendedthis type of website. Can be set up with the opportunity for you to do all the updating and adding loads of photos.... quick and easy once you learn how. Cost me more to set up initially as I also had some lessons, however now am able to add new pictures, change old pics, add new pages or sub pages. I have built heaps more onto my site over the last 12 months and have had fun doing this. Some web designers run short courses in how to set up. So by outlaying more I have ended up saving in the long run - also gives me a few email addresses that are processed thru the website so if i change my internet provided I dont loose my email address. You can check my site if you want for comparison www.alfoxton.com.au

Number one thing - WEBSITE DOWNLOADS QUICK - make sure any photos are web friendly and pop up quick..... Have had a couple of lessons with my web guy who is teaching me to admin my own site, which is confusing at times and sometimes end up with things in the wrong spots because I get my articles, sections, categories, menus mixed up. but it is actually good fun and I love being able to add new pics and play with the layout myself. Can also keep information about my dogs etc. all up to date. Also building new ideas as I have had quite a bit of email/phone feedback that public have found my site interesting and easy. So starting to think about new things such as making the site more interactive - starting private access for puppy buyers to their own Litter page where they can leave info and pics for other people who have the litter siblings. We also are setting up a private newletter system so that I can mass email information to the owners of our pups. Came in really handy when someone sent me some info about the MDR1 drugs that can effect Aussies. So perhaps you can think of providing a website that is more interactive - better than facebook as it is just about the dogs.

Grab a few bags of clean river sand and spray the sand over the area, this will help to absorb the wee and poo is often rolled up, then just sweep the sand together and throw on the garden and spray handfuls of sand over the area again. I used this system when I lived at my parents and it was pretty easy and much better to have pups with sand in their coats rather than poo and wee. Shavings and sawdust are a nightmare on concrete, I use shavings in the stables on top of the sand base for the horses - makes good compost then.

I remember attending a training workshop with a breeder of GSD - he didnt allow his dogs to socialise at all.... not even with other dogs - his view was that he wanted the dog to become totally dependant upon him for food water stimulus and thus create an unbreakable bond.... he applied this technique whether it was a dog he bred or one that came into his kennels. When I questioned him he then gave me a 20 minute lecture about dna and avoided the questions like a good politician - apparently runs his pups on till they are about 8 months or so before he sells them on.... and he admitted that many were sold into families...... although he says that they are trained to a high standard and to the right families......... what a wanker ! Actually met one that he sold to a local family.... mum/dad and 2 young girls.... dog is 10 months old, still entire, fully trained! and cost $5,000. They have had the dog for 3 months now and are having trouble controlling him.

German Shepherds were my breed for 20 years....trained and bred them and worked thru the Breed Survey System..... In the past they were great family dogs, calm and steady. Was pretty hard back then for a dog to get thru Breed Survey with poor temperament - the Surveyors where pretty spot on as well as word got around pretty quick if there were dogs not up to scratch. I got out of GSD's (although I still have a soft spot for the breed). I stopped breeding them at the end of the 80's as it was getting more difficult to find the right sort of homes for the GSD - as yards have got smaller and people are time poor the average family can't provide the work and stimulus that a GSD needs. Even when I have gone out to buy a new pup it has been very difficult to find the temperaments i like. In my opinion there has been a few things that have caused this shift. Back in the 70-80's there were many breeders/showies who would attend the GSDC and even the show dogs were trained and socialised. Many of these breeders kept limited numbers of dogs and usually in and around the house - not that many had the formal kennel setups. These breeding dogs were also family pets and the breeders knew the temperaments of the dogs, litters were raised in the house or in the backyard and spent many hours with the family. Then we started to see a change. The suburbs became harder to keep numbers of dogs and often breeders moved further out, built pens seperate from the house. The dogs lives became seperated and perhaps the breeders where no longer aware of how these dogs were to live with. The end of the Cold War meant more bloodlines coming in from behind the former soviet, often much stronger prey drive more security lines, perhaps stronger working but harder to live with - which doesnt matter so much if you work a dog and put it back in the kennels but does matter if the dog is to live in someones house. I still have many GSD's coming to training, often over sensitive, hyperactive and erratic, but then these are GSD's who are living as pets. I can't see my life with a GSD in the future which is such a shame. However it has made me more aware that I need to raise the pups where they have plenty of inside time, as well as fun outside time. The more hours you get to spend with them just hanging out the better I know them and the more relaxed they become - the best way to do this is having the dogs inside with me in the evenings laying around the house while i watch tv or work on the computer.

She should get her "tiny puppy" out and about to socialise with friends and clubs, preferably controlled environments until SHE and her dog have build further experience and then a dog park is just another new experience.

Insurance companies cannot possibly continue to cover some of the things currently offered, let alone any breeding issues. Especially when they seem to offer claims of up to $10,000 each year when they charge $400 or so.... I suspect we shall see premiums rise significantly and the number of exclusions raised. We already have vets who ask whether you have insurance before they work out the cost for an operation. If the company doesnt make a profit, they will not continue.

Have been to a few private park setups in the states, one was great with walking trails and obstacles. There was also one which was council owned enclosed park (a large dog park and a small dog park) and you could get a permit to use the park from the council, cost was $15 for first dog and $10 for every other, you got a numbered coloured collar that the dog had to wear at the park. The permit lasted 6 months (I think) and then you applied for another and received a new collar, different colour. This helped council track dogs and problem dogs lost their collar or problem owners could not get their permit.... park was patrolled fairly regular. Seemed a good solution. We have our own dog park... private like mentioned. Lots of people come here to train and play. We have considered the possibility of opening up for a wider group but at this stage unsure if we want to cope with some of the issues people keep bringing up on DOL.

We take our dogs to dog parks, beaches, markets and cafes, whenever possible. The vast majority of the people are terrific and they and their dogs have a great time. We run classes and show people how to handle themselves so they can walk the streets and have fun in the parks - There is a lot to be said for creating the education to make this a positive experience. The more the dog fraternity complain the more rules the councils will end up bringing in to restrict dogs in public places. We should all be trying to help people enjoy their dogs not being so negative.