Odin-Genie

That is unusual. When we had the reccent heat wave here in Adelaide, our dogs were fine. If no one was home, they were brought inside and the air conditioner was set to come on at a certain time. If someone was home, they were left outside. They would rest in a shaded area but then go and play. They had plenty of icy water to keep them cool. When we had the really hot days, we would also pour water over them. They were happy outside. I guess that's because my dogs are mostly inside in a really cool lower level of the house. So they are not used to too much heat. My goldy doesn't cope well with heat either. And neither do I so they are never taken out on hot sunny days

I'll try to be there on 19 Dec as well. But would depend on the weather. My elky doesn't cope well being outdoors on hot sunny days.

Love the photos. Jedi looks amazing in all the photos you've posted. How do you ever get him to pose like that

The more experienced people here can probably answer this better but based on my elky: They pick up what needs to be done quite easily. But may not choose to do what you ask My elky was the teacher's pet in his puppy class since he got everything quickly and did everything he was asked to do. When he got home he would act cheeky. Still does. But I personally found it easier to train him than my goldy. My goldy would take longer to understand what she is required to do. Of course once she gets it, she is quite biddable. My elky likes food but is not food driven. When he is excited, not even fresh roasted chicken can budge him. What works in such situations is to use something equally exciting to train him. Elkies keep pushing the limits to see what they can get away with.

We can always organise an elky meet I am in Mount Colah. Are you anywhere close?

If you do get an elky we could have an elky meet since you are in Sydney too!!!

I am not going to get into a discussion about breeding since I know nothing about it. However, I would like to add that I got my elkhound from Elkie1 and she has been the most wonderful breeder I have come across. She provided me with all the info, kept in touch with regualr updates before I picked up Odin, continued to help and support later when I had any questions. I did not receive the same level of help from my other dog's breeder who has been breeding and showing for a very long time.

Thats a good idea.......thanks Obviously she's going to be the perfect pup and will be spotless when we collect her so probably won't need it but better to be safe than sorry Thanks to everyone for their ideas and top tips When I brought my dogs home as puppies, I put them on my lap on a towel. But after that, I always used a harness. They sit on the back seat of the car wearing their harnesses.

Ours only bark if someone is around the house. I second Norskgra's comment. My elky only barks if there is a reason. And his barking never last long. I've never had a problem with his barking.

They would not be suitable to people who are not prepared to give them some training. Personally, I would be hesitant in selling a male to an elderly person, purely because the males can be very head strong as well as physically strong. I would add that anyone not willing to commit to regularly exercising their dogs for at least one hour a day should not get an elky. They are a high energy breed.

From personal experience, My sister has a cross bred dog who gets along with all my elkies. My recent little puppy (5 months of age) loves nothing better then to play with all his puppy friends in sweepstakes We also have a bitch, socialised the same way all our elkies have been but since she had a urine infection as a young puppy, around the time when a dog lashed out at her and resulted in her splitting her ear open, she will not get along with anyother dog now. She is happiest on her own. But she loves greeting people in the comfort of her own enviroment. From purely personal experience my elkhound is excellent with other dogs. He wrestles and chases dogs that want to play, leaves those alone who don't want to play. Most people in the dog park comment on his good doggy manners. He is very gentle with puppies and smaller dogs and often sits down in front of them to make them comfortable, but at the same time he is never submissive. If any dog gets too boistrous, he just walks away. He has the best possible temperament I could have asked for.

Actually, Odin is now perfectly fine with chicken. But he can't digest beef and pork. I give him lamb bones.

I would have loved to come, but Erskine Park will be too far for me.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) I have owned this breed for two years. 3. How common is it in Australia? The only elkhounds I have ever seen are at the breeders or my own (and his litter mate). Most people look confused when I tell them my dog is an elkhound. He usually gets mistaken for a husky x GSD or a Keeshond. So yes, they are quite uncommon. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Stubborn. Elkies have a mind of their own and training them can be quite amusing. They usually get most of the commands fairly easily, but wouldn't always do what they are told. They are also supposed to get quite creative with their training and do interesting things to make it exciting. But on the whole, I found it much easier to train my elkhound than my golden retriever, except in recall. Elkhounds don't do well off leash. If something exciting catches their eye, they would tend to run. Elkhounds are extremely friendly with family and friends, though they can be a bit wary of strangers. Though my elkhound has been wary of only a few people so far. He greets most strangers well. Elkhounds are also quite sensitive and seem to remember negative treatment. Punishment doesn't work with them. It only makes them more stubborn. One needs to be firm but gentle while training with loads of positive reinforcement. Elkhounds need to know you are the boss (though they will try their best to be the boss), but a boss who loves them. Elkhounds don't lick much. When they lick, it's short gentle licks, not a wet slobbery lick. Like most northern breeds they don't have a doggy smell and keep themselves clean. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? An least one hour a day. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? Only if the owner is willing to put in a lot of training and have enormous amounts of patience. They can be quite handful as puppies. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? I would not recommend this, though that is purely personal experience. Even though my elkhound needs some time by himself, he craves company, more than my goldy. When we brought our golden retriever puppy home, it calmed him down considerably. 9. How much grooming is required? I brush my elkhound at least once a week. When he is shedding heavily, I brush him daily. He gets bathed at least once a month, but that's because he sleeps on the bed and furniture. So I like to keep him clean. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Elkhounds can be great family dogs, but only if the owners are willing to train and exercise the dog. Otherwise they can get destructive. They are very affectionate and gentle with children.

Not bull breeds but my dogs are never separated. They are left alone for about 10 hours a day on their own (inside the house with access to backyard through dog door). They aren't possessive, they've never had a fight, and have no aggression issues. So I am entirely comfortable leaving them alone.

I feed sardines in springwater with no added salt. One tin is divided between two dogs and added to their dry food.

I'd be interested if we can find a time and place that's suitable.

Kody's_Mum, the Kuranda beds look great. I'll buy these next time

My dogs were big chewers and went through snooza in a day. I now have kennex mesh covers on trampoline beds which have lasted a year. I usually put a baby blanket on top of the trampoline bed at night. You might want to check out this thread as well: http://www.dolforums.com.au/lofiversion/in...hp/t166118.html

I've been using Advantix since we got Heidi but over the last 3 or 4 months, I noticed lots of ear flapping and scratching for a few days afterwards. Even had the vet come and check her ears etc,,, nothing abnormal noticed. The last time I applied it, I suddenly realised in the middle of the night what the problem was. No advantix next month, so we have decided to try Frontline Plus. Thanks vjb. I might try Frontline Plus. How frequently do you use it? I noticed you are in Thornleigh. That's probably a low tick area. I'm in Mt Colah.

That's not an option for me since my elkhound doesn't seem to be able to digest beef, kangaroo or pork meat. I get lamb bones for him but that's not always easy since most butchers stock mainly beef or pork bones. However, I am curious about the concerns relating to protein content. Aren't dogs mainly carnivorous? So their natural diet would contain only protein, not vegetables or grain. Then why is high protein content a concern?

Further on the topic, I use Advantix on both my dogs. My elky has no problems, but my goldie tends to scratch herself a bit for a day or so after I put the drops on her (I do spread it out over 3-4 spots). I have checked her skin and it doesn't look sore, but because of the itching I was considering moving to something else. However, I am in Sydney with my house backing into the bush so I am highly wary of ticks. My dogs have never had fleas or ticks so far. Are there any other products which are as effective against ticks as Advantix but are likely to cause less skin irritations?

Both my dogs have been on Artemis Maximal for about a year now. Their coats are much better, weight completely under control and firm poos. I am very happy with it. However, I did reduce the amount I feed them when I moved to grain free diet. My dogs also get bones regularly. And fruits and veggies as treats.

I have an elkhound (high energy working dog) and a goldie in a medium sized yard. They get plenty of exercise everyday (1-2 hours) plus they play with each other and have free access to the house (with some rooms locked of course). However, on days when they don't get at least one hour of exercise, they dig and chew their bed so I know they've been bored. I don't think I could've kept them in an apartment or a townhouse type yard. But saying that, even if I had an acre, they would still need the same amount of exercise everyday.

Hey, one more question, if your goldie stays in water all day, is she ok being wet all day? When my goldie had a hotspot, the vet told me to never leave her wet for hours. He said I should dry her immediately to avoid getting hot spots.