Bjelkier

well I don't know if its really doing that. It did say that adoptions had increased by 1.4% which is a very small amount and could be down to anything really. I agree that it is a shame that the term 'mutt' has become a dirty word. I personally think it's one of the reasons that so many people with a mixed breed dog refer to it as a breed name and why others get caught up in the oodle phenomena. My mutt gets called a mutt when people ask me, and their reaction is one of such frustration... "but what breed is he?" they ask me... people have forgotten what the word mutt actually means. That's exactly what my x bred dogs have been called as well. I never felt the need to make up a name for them. They were mutts, I'm not ashamed of it and fail to see why anyone else would be. If you love your dog you love them regardless of the name they go by

Contrary to what people seem to think pedigree owners/exhibitors/breeders DO have a sense of humour but how, tell me PLEASE, is this any different from a 'breeder' or owner slapping a fancy name on a cross breed to find it a home? It just seems to me that it's ok for one group to do something and not for someone else.

There's always 1 (or 2 or 3) God forbid people disagree with something......

I am aware it's to get exposure to the rescue dogs and I'm glad, as I said, that they're finding homes. However they were exactly the same dogs before they got their silly new 'breed' name, why are people suddenly interested in them with a name change? Is it because the dog got more exposure or is it because many people are foolish and believe some big fancy name makes the dog more worthy of buying? I'm sorry but I have to wonder and I fail to see the humour in perpetuating a problem we already have in people making up new breeds all the time. Yes some of the dogs had long, fantastical names but how is the name a mini chocolate goldendoodle any less long and silly? (and yes I've seen that one before) Can you imagine what would happen if a proud new owner came on here naming their new dog by it's fancy new breed name? They'd be crucified.

It's lovely that they're finding homes for these dogs but is this really any different from giving a poodle x a name like Labradoodle?

As it's been pointed out in this thread before if the undercoat is brushed out correctly the dog will be absolutely fine. There are heaps of Sibes/Mals/Samoyeds/Poms/Akita's in QLD and other very hot places (Sibes are very popular in the show scene in Asia) around the world and they are fine. My Samoyeds survive summer easily, much more so then our Lab. The Sammys are cool to touch on hot days.

Yeah I used to used a furminator on my LabxKelpie's coat but I think I would do some damage to Treble's coat if I used one on him. I was looking at a mars coat king though size 18 double. Would that be any good? --Lhok That has blades doesn't it? If it does I wouldn't. Best thing with a spitz is a good comb, slicker and pin brush

I wouldn't recommend a furminator for a spitz coat. Don't know about Akita's but it shreds the top coat of Samoyeds

Some coats would be thicker then others depending on breed but I know plenty of Samoyeds who live outside in QLD and have never needed to be shaved off.

I'm with Espinay on this one, a force dryer will be your saving grace. Also if his pants are really dry and nasty might be worth running some Plush Puppy Reviva coat through it to make it softer and easier to brush out.

My thoughts exactly

Casper is adorable! I keep trying to get photos of Freyja but she never stops moving! We don't call her Pandemonium for nothing :laugh:

Breeders all do different things. Most within my breed (who I know well) charge the same for show or pet and I do the same. But I've also got another two show dogs for free with conditions, for example the male will be used by the breeder at stud and is co owned with her and the bitch however is owned solely by myself and her agreement is something different again. Honestly if you want to know what they charge best just to ask.

I had a Samoyed that would lose it big time whenever we used a certain 'scentless' bug spray. He wouldn't come anywhere near the spot it had been sprayed or the person who used the product for a day at least. First few times it happened we thought there was something seriously wrong with him but as time wore on we worked it out. Act like everything is normal and give your boy time to get used to it all. If he's anything like my lad he will get over it soon enough.

Fantastic doco. I love seeing the arctics in their true homes

A Tibetan Mastiff?

My first litter wasn't an easy one. Mum had a normal pregnancy but she ended up needing a c/s (the only one she has ever had out of four litters)due to Uterine horn torsion. The only sign anything was wrong was that she was shivering a tiny little bit. She was bright, happy, eating and drinking. All I can say is thank god for my wonderful vet. Matilda didn't want much to do with the puppies after the first week. I ended up having to place her in the box to feed them and weaned them earlier simply from necessity and did all the toileting myself. One of the little boys was a piggy eater and was always snorting milk so I was forced to clear his nose after every single feed but he didn't get sick even once so my vigilance paid off. The litter was born in the middle of a Canberra winter (it snowed that year, it was freezing!) and because mum refused to sleep in the box I had a hell of a time keeping them warm. I ended up opening up the whelping box and they would crawl out and curl up with me on the bed I had on the floor. It was hard, I was exhausted, grumpy, sore. I'd lost my heart dog and first Sammy 2 weeks before the puppies were born and it was my birthday too :laugh: but I'd do it again.

I have my dream dog. My darling Beowulf

I'd save my dogs first and I'd expect my OH to do the same

My Wolf is a very lean dog and keeping weight on him is near to impossible. He gets fed twice a day. Meals alternate between biscuits, lamb flaps, egg, fish, chicken wings, meaty bones and the latest addition is oats mixed with blood. That has made a real difference and he loves his blood porridge

No matter what my OH does he can't get my Wolf to pay any attention to him. If I'm around Mr Bjelkier doesn't exist. Same goes for my Havanese.

Wolf, Tyrion and Freyja are very much my dogs and will always gravitate towards me. In fact from the moment Tyrion could see it was all about me. He had very little interest in anyone else, including his breeder. Dante loves everyone and Daenerys is my OH's girl

If the condition is uncommon in the breed I wouldn't expect the breeder to do anything and I'd just chalk it up to bad luck. I wouldn't expect anything from the breeder except support and a kind ear. I would certainly hope that they test their other dogs from that line though (if a test was available)

He's a chunky lad! Gorgeous!

He's a darling! All the best with him