Bjelkier

I was away in Sydney over the weekend and I was telling Mr Bjelkier how sometimes I think about how nice it would be to live in the inner city, have no dogs and spend most of our time just going to gigs, out to dinner etc However by that evening all I wanted was one of the dogs to cuddle with. I missed them so much, their sweet little faces, their company, the warmth and weight of them on the end of my bed. So in a round about kind of way I'm trying to say that although sometimes I'd like things to be different I don't feel that I sacrifice anything to have my dogs. It's just a little different but worth every single moment.

My other hobby would be going to metal gigs. It can be difficult as most of them are in Sydney so I have to organise someone to watch the kids for the night and it does take a bit of money so I am forced to sacrifice going to the occasional show but it's totally worth it :D

Welcome fairystar Look forward to seeing photos of your new baby :)

Nope, I have favourites. Some just click with me better then others. Doesn't mean I don't love the others dearly though.

:laugh:

I don't think it's an issue. The males of my breed are always bigger then the females, often by quite a bit.

I leave my old Labs coat on all day. He's not well and would freeze without it.

I recently rehomed one of my older girls. She wasn't happy in a multi dog home, was picking on one of the younger girls, she was never going to be bred from and quite frankly she and I never really bonded. I was super fussy about finding Allie the right new home and I'm really glad I was. The people she is with now are amazing, they think the world of her and I've never seen her so happy. Things she hated doing with us she loves doing with them. Sometimes the best thing you can do for the dog is find it a more suitable home.

Dinner Plain I think is one of the only dog friendly snow areas.

What about a Newfoundland? But if you gush over Borzoi every tie you see one maybe this is the right breed? I admit I adore Borzoi but don't have sighthound safe fencing.

They probably do grow, but active dogs wear them down. Some people think dogs dont need dew claws and although I know they can tear them and it's dreadfully painful when they do, they still use them. My dogs are very active, they run on concrete as well but I still have to clip them regularly. I think some dogs nails just grow faster then others.

We have both double coats, single and non shedding here. I can handle the coat drop of a Samoyed. What comes out is more like wool, it's easily to clean up and brushes out easily without tiny little hairs flying everywhere. Our Havanese doesn't really shed at all, instead required a lot of grooming and maintenance. The constant dropping of my Lab however drives me crazy insane. It sticks to everything and is almost impossible to get out of clothing, chairs, shoes, my eyes etc. It also makes me sneeze like crazy these days which in turn has knocked a lot of possible dogs off my one day list. Honestly I don't think people realise how much work goes into the non shedding breeds. I think for most people vaccuming a little more often would be the more simple solution.

At least once a fortnight for the Samoyeds and once a week for the Havanese, his nails grow like crazy!

I use Vanish Preen Oxyaction. So far it's removed pretty much everything (even the pure evil that comes out of the Lab) but you will need to test your carpet before using it. Thankfully mine is ok.

He's adorable

Um can't say I've ever bothered with a raincoat, even at dog shows. I would worry that the dog would overheat, even on a cold, wet day?? You could check here though, they seem to have some in heaps of sizes http://www.bowhouse.com.au/p/730959/dapper-dog-rain-coat-for-dogs-of-all-sizes-by-prestige-pet.html

Agree. Sadly some people at shows seems to think that it is ok for their little dogs to behave badly. Ain't that the truth. One of my Samoyeds was attacked by a Chi when he was a puppy. The owner thought it was hilarious. They didn't think so after I had my say about it though

It's not ok of any dog, no matter the size.

If my 11 week old Havanese (tropical dog) can go to the toilet in the dark, freezing Canberra nights your Cocker Spaniel will be fine. You have to remember they're bred to work in pretty cold climates after all. If you can try moving the puppies dinner to around 5

Where are these numbers written?

I use to feed Pro Plan to my lot as well but have moved to Kirklands. I've been very happy ever since. In the end it's about what your dog does well on. I use to have an ABPT who would never put on weight, looked awful. I fed him every kind of high end food and nothing worked. The only food he did well on was (of all things) Pal. So don't be too quick to dismiss the cheaper foods.

Pailin if you have a Costco near you there is a food, Kirklands All Natural or Natural Selection (or something similar it's in a blue bag with a Sibe on it) that is grain free and about $40 for 15 kilo. My dogs love it and have been doing great on it.

My Samoyeds and Havanese love everyone they meet and on the few occasions the Sammys have reacted badly to someone I've trusted their instincts.

Would a Bearded Collie be too big?

A JS could have a ball yapping incessantly at the noise of the planes. They also don't do well left alone all day so I don't think a JS would fit the bill except for size. I totally agree, I wasn't recommending so much as asking why they decided against it.