Alyosha

Yay! Go Magic!! :p

I have to agree with this. I wouldn't adopt from many rescues (apart from having purebreds of course!) because I think they're too invasive. I've seen adoption forms that even ask your monthly income! I can see where rescues are coming from with their adopter interrogations but it's certainly not for me. I like to be treated as a responsible adult and I certainly hope I give that impression. The breeders of my dogs were very respectful of that whilst still having utmost concern for the pups they were selling me. There has to be a middle ground, because too many people don't want huge waiting lists, and invasive personal scrutiny. They will take an easier option if they can find it.

Black brindle? He looks to have brindling under his neck/chest.

Many don't I'm afraid.

If we read the details of this case elsewhere would we think it was a good win? This person had at least a dozen dogs in a house she admitted she was only living in part of the time at the most. Are we now saying that is ok? And nothing seems to have been disputed about the claim that they were wounded. She was convicted in a court - beyond reasonable doubt - of animal cruelty. But we are applauding her having a small win in court which somehow vindicates her? I am not really following you guys on this one at all. Are we trying to see this woman as a victim here?? Is this a case of wanting to see the bad in any charity-based enforcement agency no matter what? She has been awarded her legal fees only, the OP states that two Courts have overturned her claim for punitive damages. So on the balance of probabilities both those courts cannot see fit to award in her favour.

Good on you Puggers. Spreading the word about!

You mean he may have eaten a spider?? Silly big bugger! Glad he's still gradually on the mend.

Oh Trish, I'm sorry this has happened to you all. I hope he pulls through. I only ever met him once, at Albury in August last year and he was more legs than anything else - except for the big goofy smile that is... Hugs to you guys, all fingers, toes and paws will be crossed here for him.

Vitamin B6

Police have full powers under prevention of cruelty to animals Act in NSW and it's interstate equivalents. But they too are restricted by jurisdiction issues in croos border issues. You could have called the police in Wondonga to attend.

Gorgeous video Borzoimom! Lindsay is such a happy girl isn't she? It looks so lovely and cold... Mine are all flaked out in the heat here - I'm sure they'd love to see some snow!!

Sneaky little blighters!

Hey Dzyney, do the pads really dry out so the dogs can lie on them and not get wet coats? I'd really love these for my guys at shows, but it would be a bit disasterous to get them out of their pen to go in the ring and find one side all wet and scrunched up! Would it mean soaking them the day before and hanging them up for the covers to dry? I'd be worried that the weight of my dogs on them would squeeze water out of them.

Have signed this one Kreed - well done for all your work.

I don't currently own an Afghan but did for 12 years and just want to add my two cents to this question: 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Our boy was four months younger than our oldest child and came to us as a four month old pup. He was always exemplary with the kids, and never crashed into them etc. They could lead him around gently by a long ear when they were toddlers, or lie down with their heads on him as a pillow. He also used to do regular nursing home/hostel visits with me. He was a great favourite and very gentle and careful with infirm and elderly folks. He was also quite successful in obedience on a local level and only limited by my opportunities to train and not his ability. However I did have another on once I used to babysit who would run flat out and crash into anoyone he could, seemingly just for fun. A dangerous habit with that sort of speed involved. He was a completely different individual, great fun but very different to be around and manage. So like with most dogs individual temperament and management of that individuality is paramount when considering a family pet. Good breeders should be able to pick different temperaments and suitability for their pups from a young age. Edit to add: regarding the common statements that they are dumb... We would not consider a human who followed issued orders blindly and automatically to be intelligent but we commonly consider that an indicator of intelligence in dogs. Conversly, we admire individual and creative thought in humans, as well as the ability to question and even interpret instruction. Does that make sense?? Afghans are intelligent, independent and often creative creatures. A relative once said to me that Afghans were the dumbest of all dogs. She then went on to tell me how her old GSD still carried around a small remnant of her old soccer ball for almost 24 hours a day. I could never see the intelligence in that... my Afghan would've thought a dog that did that was insane...

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Owner, exhibitor, future breeder.... General adorer of this fantastic breed. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? See Diva's post above - I think it's covered. 3. How common is it in Australia? Not as common as it should be. Most people don't know what a Borzoi is, and think they are everything from a Greyhound cross to a Rough Collie cross or anything in between. There are good breeders in almost every State, but you may need to go to a show to see one - even then you may not as there are often very few at smaller shows in NSW and the ACT. Victoria enjoys slightly higher numbers. 4. What is the average lifespan? 12 years +. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Devoted to their owners and families, but not in a fawning or grovelling way at all. Like other sighthounds some are aloof around strangers. Many Borzoi are quite attentive to their owners, being good at "reading" moods and their surroundings. Many have an uncanny ability to appear quietly at their owner's side when their owner is unhappy or worried. I was told for many years that they might not be suited with very young children and was put off, for a few years, having them as a result. What a shame, as they are some of the best family dogs I can imagine. Mine will happily be handled by my young children, and love nothing more than being sprawled out on the living room floor being stepped over and generally in the middle of everything and everyone. My children have also met Borzoi belonging to other breeders and I have seen a simliar gentle response, particularly from female Borzoi. They don't respond to rough treament and will sulk as a result. If they do anything unacceptable a sharp word is generally more than enough to change their behaviour. They also don't enjoy rough and tumble play and aren't suited to rough handling by unsupervised children, but this would be the same for nearly all breeds. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? If I get busy and don't get out for a walk mine love a game of fetch (yes, some sighthounds play fetch!) or tug of war in the yard, and will run around together. They love a 30 minute of so walk, with a good off lead gallop if a safe fenced area is available. Again this is individual, some loving longer or shorter walks. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? That depends on an owner's expectations of their dog. I find them very relaxed to live with, easily trained in the sense that they don't like being told off and remember well. They are often undemanding in many senses. Sighthounds in general enjoy short periods of activity punctuated by long period os lying about conserving energy for the next burst. As a consequence breeds like Borzoi make excellent house pets. They don't often suffer from destructive of noisy tendencies, and are generally calm and quiet - in between zoomies that is! I would recommend them for a first time owner that didn't necessarily want a dog that fetch the newspaper on command or be instantly obedient with minimal training. They need to be kept safe and on lead in public as they will run fast when they feel like it and will not pay any heed to hazards such as roads etc. They are a beautiful coated dog with quite minimal grooming requirements so are good for new dog owners in that respect. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? That would depend on the individual. Some are happy to wait for their owner, and sleep the day away. Some are more suited to being included in a pack and having another dog (and yes, they actually do really enjoy the company of other Borzoi). For example, my male dog is unconcerned about being alone, as long as he gets his one-on-one time with me. 9. How much grooming is required? A brush once a week with a pin brush and comb is sufficient. The long fringes can be fragile and shouldn't be brushed with hard slicker brushes. The hair is not prone to matting in general. Males have more coat than females. Males will shed a little seasonally but won't "drop" their coat like females will. This happens like clockwork 8 weeks after a girl is in season. The up side of this is that they tend to drop their coat all at once, so you have a snowstorm for three days and then they are finished for another six months. The heavy fringes, trousers and neck coat on mature males can take some time to dry after bathing and a good dryer is recommended. A good dryer also comes in handy for blowing out coat during changes - saving hair from your couch or carpet! As with all coated breeds watch for seeds and small mats between toes and in ear fringes etc, and any soiling of trousers which can happen sometimes. Borzoi have lovely "wash'n'wear" coats. They can be covered in mud in the morning, and white and clean in the afternoon. Dirt falls out of their dry coats very easily indeed, like magic! 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Mine have been raised with young children but have also been selected as pups for temperaments that are suited to family life. They can certainly be lovely gentle dogs with young children if raised and socialised correctly. I find them generally lovely with older people and they can make lovely therapy dogs for nursing home visits and similar. They are a height that makes them easily reached by infirm folks, and they are usually not jumpy or licky dogs. They are acutely aware of their personal space, and may jump away quickly if startled. This doesn't necessarily denote nervousness. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? They are generally a healthy breed. Like mentioned above, thyroid problems have been seen in the breed. 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) As with any large breed ensure that a puppy is selected for soundness of mind as well as body. Meet parents of puppies if possible. Good breeders will openly talk with you about your thoughts, whether good or bad. Good breeders will also offer ongoing support to puppy buyers. Borzoi puppies go through many weird and wonderful growth stages before they become elegant adults at between three and four years of age.

Hey SSM. Umm. I just add a little bit to water bowls, as long as it's not too strong. Between a teaspoon and a dessertspoon a day is a good amount for a dog about your size anyway. Also particularly good for pregnant bitches as it is a ready source of potassium which in correct balance plays a huge part in reducing dyscotia (birth difficulties). Potassium also relieves muscle cramps and spasms.

My girl had infected anal glands and showed no symptoms at all. It was only that she went to a Vet Chiro about her pelvis being out and the impaction/infection is apparenly a common secondary symptom of pelvic misalignment. Id take her to the vet to have them expressed, and she may need antibiotics if they're infected. In the meantime you can increase her raw bones and add psyllium husks to her food to try and express some naturally - at least it can't hurt!

So excuse a nub question - is there an organised NSW anti BSL movement? I gather that there is...? Cases like this should be forming part of a submission to Parliament to review the legislation and particularly the appointment of testers and conduction of tests. These tests need to be recorded - visual and audio - as well. The inability to appeal Restricted Breed decisions needs to be reviewed in line with the Constitution. But unless a group is really organised, they aren't going to be obtaining Constitutional Law advice...

Don't move them, they're lovely. I think it just saves on double posting the ones that are already in the other thread, people can go over there and have a look as well.

And this is going to be where this legislation needs to be challenged - the appointment of these people, and their qualification to undertake these tests. The ridiculous section about the restriction not being appellable needs to be circumvented by questioning the validity of the assessor's appoinment.

Is this under the Local Government Act or Companion Animals? No right to appeal?? That sounds bizarre to me when you can appeal anything from a parking ticket to a murder conviction... I'm not doubting you PPS, I just think that maybe this needs a decent Court challenge as I don't think it would last long... Edit to add after some reading - Yowch this is a bodgy bit of legislation: COMPANION ANIMALS ACT 1998 - SECT 58C (6) Any written statement provided by an approved breed assessor or approved temperament assessor for the purposes of this section may not be challenged, reviewed, quashed or called into question on any grounds before any court or tribunal in any legal proceedings. Considering that the above section says this: (2) Certification in relation to dog’s breed or temperament may be provided An authorised officer of a council is not to declare the dog to be a restricted dog if, within the period of 28 days following the giving of the notice under section 58A, the owner of the dog: (b) provides the authorised officer with: (ii) a written statement by an approved temperament assessor to the effect that the dog is not a danger to the public and is not likely, without provocation, to attack or bite any person or animal. From the sounds of it the temp test done in this case involved provocation and thus should be worth zilch... But you could only go to court and appeal the appointment of the temp tester - this is the only way I can see to have the test nullified...

If it's like a red staining around the nail where they've been licking - you can try adding Apple Cider Vinegar to their drinking water. It is a PH balancer. Red staining from saliva (and tears) can be a sign of an overly acid system.

Thanks guys. He's been here for nearly three months and seems to be eating enough as he is in very nice condition now - he's a big tall boy anyway but he's very solid as well at the moment (not fat though :p). All the foster greys I've had have been very keen eaters, and I've had a couple of skinnies as well. He gets it in two meals a day. If he gets hold of extras they're gone, he can just keep on going... hence my worries about him bloating if he gets a chance! I suppose I should be fair to him and say he has improved a bit, he knows his commands to wait for his food etc it's just the full on gutsing when he gets anything. It would just be nice to be able to get him to take a treat from a hand without taking half my arm with it! :D

Ok. I have this foster Greyhound who is absolutely food OBSESSED. That is fine, he was skinny when he arrived, I can understand it. But it just isn't reducing over time. He bashes his nose into his food bowl when eating - and hard - trying to grab bigger mouthfuls. He knows the command "wait" so that he has to be still, pause for a moment and watch me for a command before being allowed to eat, but that doesn't slow him down once he gets his food. I worry a little about him bloating. Gobble bowls or rocks in his bowl don't slow him down, he just hits his nose into them in his lust to gobble so hard that he can and will injure his nose. I also cannot get him to take treats from my hand - it is a real risk to fingers. He's not aggressive at all - but if you give his a release command to take the treat he just grabs without thinking or pausing. I have been reading through the triangle of temptation, which is great but much of this he does. It not so much the approach to eating but that actual act of eating I'm trying to work on. The only issue with the TOT that he has is that he will not relax if there is the possibility of food anywhere in the vicinity. It doesn't matter how long you leave him. And getting his attention in teh vicinity of food is difficult for more than a few seconds. I'd really like to get him to settle a little bit before I re-home him. Especially with the grabbing treats. Any ideas?