JAG

How common is Sebaceous adenitis in the standrad poodle? Do breeders screen for this?

QUESTIONS 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) I have been breeding and exhibiting toy poodles since 1995 under the Zillara prefix which I took over from my mum who established the kennel back in 1960. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? From my understanding the breed was established in Germany where they were used as water retrieving dogs. They were then taken on by the French as lap dogs. 3. How common is it in Australia? The breed is very common here in Australia. Even more so with the advent of the cross bred dogs that have been appearing over the past 7 or so years. Ther was also a big rush on red toy poodles around 5 years ago as they were the :have to have toy" comanding a rather high price for the time. 4. What is the average lifespan? The average lifespan for a toy poodle is 12 years but I have heard of them living to around 17 years of age. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Generally they should be happy, friendly little fellows who love to please. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? A good walk around the block will keep a toy happy. They like to know what is going on around them and love to see the outside world. The also enjoy a game of fetch with the owners if a walk is not possible. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? That is difficult to say as I have had both new dog owners and previous poodle owners not cope with their new addition and vice versa. If the new dog owner is diligent, willing to put the time and effort into a toy poodle and listen to what the breeder has to say about their new charge then yes they will cope. If the new owner thinks they know all there is to know because they read it on the internet and in books then no they won't cope. Owning a toy poodle (or any other poodle) is a challenge. They make you think, they test you out and they will train you if you are not careful. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Yes if given the right environment and training. Poodles are a social dog but can cope very well by themselves if raised the correct way. 9. How much grooming is required? LOTS!! They are not a dog you can just leave in the backyard and forget. They need to be shaved every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the face, feet, tail and tummy clean and short. They should be bathed and groomed regularly to keep the coat fresh and knot free. A poodle coat will matt if left wet as it shrinks back into itself. It is a coat that does not shed so needs to be brushed and scissored/clippered regularly. Most pet people opt for the lamb trim (a short coat left all over the body) which is easy to maintain for the busy family and looks smart and tidy. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Toy poodles are generally a busy dog when young. They love to play and will get into mischief with what ever they can find. I do not recommend a toy poodle for very young children as they can try to dominate the young child and elevate themselves up in the pack order. A lot of toys are quite fine in build and are not suitable for young children as the risk of injury is higher. Older toy poodles are perfect for elderly or infirmed people. They are loving lap dogs that like to sit on the lounge with their owners being petted. They will happily go for a short walk or a potter around the yard. They will alert the owner to stangers in the area and are great company. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) a blindness that can occur in the toy poodle. Many breeders DNA test for this disease. Slipping patellas and Legg Perthes although less common . 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Puppy buyers should feel comfortable with their chosen breeder. They should be asking a variety of questions no matter how silly they think they are and expect a range of questions in return. Breeders ned to be sure their puppy is going to the best home available as well. They should be asking about the DNA status fo the parents for PRA. If the reply is the puppy is pattern A or normal/clear by parentage then the buyer should ask to see certificates of the parents to verify this is the case. If both parents are pattern A by parenatge then ask to see the grandparents certificates. At least one of the parents should be a pattern A which means that the worst the puppy could be genetically is a carrier of the disease or pattern B. Breeders should not state that the puppy will never go blind as there are many forms of PRA and currently there is only one test for the most common form PRCD. From the Optigen Web site More than one form of PRA in Poodles: The prcd gene is the cause of most but not all cases of PRA in Poodles. There appears to be at least two different genetic forms of PRA in Poodles, even though the clinical signs of PRA in all diseased dogs are very similar. One form cannot be distinguished from another form based on a clinical exam. This is significant – a dog that is Normal/Clear for prcd-PRA could still be at risk for having or carrying another form of PRA. More information can be found here Optigen Buyers should ask about slipping patellas and if the parents have been screened for this. Has the puppy also been checked at the time of its first vaccinations? Where has the puppy been raised? What type of environment has it grown up in todate? What is the temperament of the parents? What should they expect from their puppy? Explain to the breeder what they are looking for in a new puppy. Do they want to take it to obedience classes or agility. If they want a quiet pet or one that will be high energy. Has the puppy been socilised, vcaccinated, wormed and mirchipped? Most breeders will not let you select your own puppy. This is not uncommon and if you are comfotable with your breeder should not be an issue as the breeder has spent many hours with the litter observing and getting toknow the new pups individually. When you specify what type of puppy you want your dog to grow into then the breeder should nbe able to select the right little pup for you. Often one of the parents (usually the stud dog) won't reside with the breeder so the chances of you meeting both parents are not possible. If you have done your homework, you have been honest with your breeder then your new puppy will be exactly what you are looking for.

I'd so love to go but can't join you guys. Too far away for me

I have to ask is that a North Canberra/Queanbeyan game or Boomerangs/Queanbeyan or have I really missed the mark???? Been so long since I played in the ACT. It was North Canberra v Woden at the ACT championships on the long weekend (though most of the girls were wearing boomerangs knicker bockers as most of them play for boomers and we didn't want to buy ANOTHER uniform. Only had to buy hat and shirt for that one ) Who did you play for and when? Many moons ago, Boomers, QBN, All A grade then the ACT team U16's and U18's. Also North Canberra when I was at school. I did my shoulder in and could no longer play Sorry for the OT people :cool:

I have to ask is that a North Canberra/Queanbeyan game or Boomerangs/Queanbeyan or have I really missed the mark???? Been so long since I played in the ACT.

He/she is beautiful.

Fabulous work Such an inspiration. Thank you. Oh and you know we want more.....please

Pink Water

classic :cool: You guys are too good. I think I may give up

Ahh no fair !!! Cake is the bestest Glad it is your sister and not me that you took the mouth away from

Everyones pics have been awesome. Rocco - I have to say great pics as usual but wow girl pushing that boundry. I enjoyed the last series but also found them disturbing. Double dutch Here are a few more from me. Tree Portrait Best Friends

I'm so sorry yellowgirl to hear about the loss of your baby Chester. May he run free at the bridge.

Cute - so where's the traffic??

Lea that is a much better looking stamp then those at Aus Post!! Rocco just luvin them pics!! You get it right all the time. Your editing is also fab. Too many great pics to comment on. The night light ones are excellent. That is why I chose to go in another direction. Still to wet and yucky to get the pics I want so I may have to just post some same same ones

I have no idea Eza. I would say a lucky one! Lucky it didn't get seen by the poodles They like to chase the poor things Maybe someone else knows?? Here is my night light pic.

Ok here are some more. Old. This is my old boy. He could also be in the eys catagory becasue they are as the vet says "old eyes that are moth eaten" Poor little varmit. It just means that he can't focus as quickly as he used to. Eyes or lack there off. No Mum, no more photos!! La la la la you might just go away! Actually he was falling asleep sitting up Eyes The real mccoy

Thanks Quoll Actually it is a birds nest. It is very high in the tree so that is the best pic I could get of it with the zoom lens, a bottom shot We have a new family of wrens flying around - not sure but it could be their new home I did notice that there is some of my horses tail hair in that nest You can see it if you look closely enough (on the previous pic) Do you have Peewees around there? (Or magpie larks is another name they go by) It looks like a nest they would build. Wrens tend to build messy little cup shaped nests right in the middle of dense bushy plants, usually fairly low to the ground. Thanks for that j. Yes we have peewees and a variety of other birds around the place so quite possibly theirs. I will have to keep an eye on it and the other one in the next tree to see who lives there :D I know for sure it isn't the ducks ;)

Thanks Quoll Actually it is a birds nest. It is very high in the tree so that is the best pic I could get of it with the zoom lens, a bottom shot We have a new family of wrens flying around - not sure but it could be their new home :D I did notice that there is some of my horses tail hair in that nest You can see it if you look closely enough (on the previous pic)

Here are a couple of Home

Could have been the money shot but unfortunatley experience let me down

Ahh that cracked me up Kirislin - love that fly!!! Great capture ;)

Love it! Those 2 pull the most hilarious faces. Hey...that looks like Cessnock? Are you going again this year? It's one of my favourite trials. We will have to meet up & you can (pretty please) get some pics of my 2. Yes it was Cessnock I am not trialling any longer but if there are no shows on I will be there. Happy to take some pics for you - but you will have to understand they won't be any where near as good as yours!! ;)

Thanks Vickie. Love your pic. I am amazed how you guys always have the pics so focused. Even on auto focus I sometimes feel I am not getting it exactly right I fluked this one ;) Using P mode on my 400D. I have now started to venture off P and use the other settings.

Fabulous work everyone. Some beautiful pics with a lot of thought going into them. Here is my first one. Look Up Sorry having trouble with photobucket ;)

Thank you rubiton, that is exactly what I was after ;) . Anyone else willing to share please