Alyosha

Maybe get them to meet a Mastiff or similar that is actually nearer that size and see if they are aware of it's sheer size, food and medical requirements etc. Even just wormers and flea treatments etc are so much more for very heavy dogs. It's certainly a massive investment.

Maybe you could just let them know that if they're breeding specifically for oversize dogs they may not have the dog's well being as a major consideration? I would expect heart problems would be a serious possibility.

From the Australian Standard http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=173: Height at withers for males is 61-68 cm (24-26 * ins) 61-62 cm is small 63-64 cm is medium 65-66 cm is large , correct height 67-68 cm is very large Weight approximately 50 kg (110lbs) Height at withers for bitches is 56-63 cm (22-25 ins) 56-57 cm is small 58-59 cm is medium height 60-61 cm is large , correct height 62-63 cm is very large Weight approximately 42 kg (95 lbs)

My dogs eat anything and everything and BH was my first foray into a higher quality and higher priced food. And it was based on hearing nothing but good about the food. So when I started seeing problems in my dogs I didn't even think of the food and scrambled around looking for answers. But when I raised it on here I found many others with similar experiences, and a blanket ignore from the company. Which is fine. But when the food is touted as the be-all and and-all of Australian made dog foods, and anyone who raises an issue (which seems to be quite a number) is poo-poo'ed on the basis of "they're a great company and give to charity" sort of information, it doesn't help resolve people's queries, and the health problems of their animals. I'm sorry, but the problems seem widespread yet ignored, with no info on what may cause the issue or what recipe changes may be in the future to alleviate the problems. This is how the product's otherwise good name will continue to be questioned. Those questions go unanswered so increasingly customers go elsewhere. My dogs grew their coat (and skin!) back on a diet of far cheaper (not gluten or allergen free!!) food. The kibble they now eat is still Australian made and doesn't make them sick. Although it is little known and not hyped as the best thing since sliced bread. So the guilt trips about how awesome the company is, or how unwell the proprietor may be won't sway me to spend another cent on BH. Sorry, I wish well for the business. But their PR seems seriously lacking.

But he was also described as eating, drinking and playing with the police at the house? Bloated and distressed?? And if he was suffering so very badly why was he left overnight after his vet consult and determination? It sounds pretty disgraceful that the poor bugger wasn't given a hospital stay and chance to recover a little prior to a full assessment. I hope the family contest the will.

Is it just me or does it seem quite common for dogs to contract KC within a few weeks of a C5?

Nic - thinking of you for tomorrow. Baby steps.

Hopefully the increase in activity now that you're home more will help him feel less comfortable and find a new home!!!

Has BH ever had any releases or media about whether they will acknowledge or look into these itchy coat and ear issues it seems linked to in so many dogs?

Didn't the psychic know why you were running late?? :laugh: I'd be getting a refund!

Mine don't leave the property in season. I don't think other dog owners need in season bitch smell about.

Further to the "Behave Paste" - I was going to suggest you could try her on a course of B vitamins. Not expensive at all so little to lose. I'd try a B complex, and a B12 as well. We had a rescue Belgian shep (groen) who was a shocking circler, but we knew it was learned behaviour from his past environment. We didn't have him for long, he was snake bitten. But I later thought I wished I had tried it with him. It was heartbreaking and frustrating to watch him go until he was exhausted, then try to continue.

I think many people think so. And I'm sure some judges who lack faith in their own abilities, or think they are playing swapsies games with other exhibitor/judges could be influenced by them. People are just people after all and all are different. But I still like to hope that would be a minority, and that many judges have personal standards and judge dogs and not people. Maybe I'm naive? Or hopelessly optimistic? :laugh: I could never afford such ads either. Showing is an expensive enough hobby!!

SES and RFS would be unlikely to have any staff available. Nic did you try the local police station? Depends who is on shift but they also have trained snake handlers on staff.

The trouble Nic will be having is volunteers in all sorts of groups will be tied up with fire related things. This will include wildlife groups like Wires etc. Nic if you have one, a length of PVC pipe (like downpipe) with one end blocked can be used. But you have to have something like a screw on cap for the other end. Chase him in and quickly screw on the end after his tail. Then he can be put in the shade somewhere until someone can relocate him. Scary as it sounds, it is far safer than a shovel as snake is not stirred up and frightened, and the encounter is not one based on aggression where it feels the need to defend it's life with everything it has. You also may need to consider it may have been living there for a long time, years even, and that the current weather conditions are just making it move in areas it doesn't usually and so it's more visible. Sorry I'm not closer Nic - I would come and help. Try not to get too frightened. Hugs.

One of mine has decided this week in season she can easily climb six foot fences. Only to get to the back of the house as we have a secure bitch pen - but still not safe (we have males in the other part of the yard). So the bitch pen fence has gone up to 8 foot with a soft wire top to reduce grip and climbability. She has before turned into a rampant trying to escape monster around her seasons, and is very peaceful and placid normally. They really can do strange and surprising things and seem very different to their normal personalities sometimes!

Exactly! Well over 90% of bites in fact - up around the 97% mark! And a black is fairly placid. Why run the risk of upsetting it when it's moving around people and animals?

Awesome - thanks Kelscats!

Nic have you tried putting some water out for a little while, then trying again with chasing him off? Maybe he'll move on better if he's not thirsty?? Putting sprinklers on in the area in is trying to hang out may help too. They like water but tend to not like sprinklers on them so much.

Yes I do too. :) One of my bitches is our guard dog and rushes off to investigate and or bark at whatever moves outside the fenceline. And yes, most of the others rush about wondering what's going on. :laugh: If it's something she shouldn't bark at like people walking, horseriders etc she gets told off and stops immediately. But I kind of like having a dog about who is a little switched on and interested in guarding. The others would sleep through anything without her! And the one dodgy (human) visitor I can remember having at our front gate spotted her quicksmart - just standing and watching. And then later said, looking increasingly uncomfortable - "I don't like that white one". They never returned. Good girl! :D

Thanks guys. :) I did find the link as above but as it was "dogs available" I wondered if it included strays still waiting through their reclaim time. Awesome if it has gone home Shmoo!

Forgive me if this is a dumb question. But is there anway now to find a list of dogs at HP, that are not necessarily available yet? I've heard as of yesterday (10/1/13) there is a 1yr old Afghan in there. The only links I can find are available dogs - via HP website, or euth list dogs in a gallery on FB. I don't know whether it was a stary or surrender so the worry is that it may be stray and waiting it's time. It would be easier to arrange help ahead of time rather than waiting until it is at risk. Do they have a stray list? Or is it just that the subject dog is no longer with them?

Plan B didn't they grow up beautifully?? They were such little tiny puppy blobs when I saw them last. :D His parents had the most stunning temps, it doesn't surprise me they grew into lovely older dogs in the right environment. It's when they've been left in backyards alone and started to occupy their own minds that they can be challenging as teenagers. A few of his older relatives who went through pet stores as babies have been through rescue and have taken quite a bit of work and time to get them on track. ETA - sorry for slight thread derailment! I too wouldn't think bully in your girl Shmoo as they tend to get a broader foreface, and slightly sloped eyes for a few generations after a bully cross. You can try SkySoaringMagpie for behaviour advice - she might be able to assist if it is typical sighthound behaviours being displayed.

My argument with these coloured collars is they may consititute a form of admission that your dog is a problem in any legal action. Can you imagine legal people asking why, if you thought your dog was enough of a concern to wear a warning collar, you had it in public, unmuzzled etc? Or is that just me being paranoid? And yes, your average Joe Blow wouldn't have a clue a coloured collar meant anything. I can go to the pet store and buy collars in all those colours - why should people thing one in particular means anything special?

Victoria DPI are pretty switched on with prosecutions. It would be worth reporting to them.