Starkehre

Yep, very normal for an entire, healthy male. Some do it in their sleep, some do it awake, some don't do it at all. My boy likes to enjoy himself, fully awake, right in front of us. It is quite a spectacle, full of motion and sound affects, but luckily he is a clean boy, and does not leave anything behind OH is not impressed, but that's men for you. I just ensure he retracts correctly, and has no issues there, but other than that I have no concerns with it. It is better than him being frustrated.

Thanks Tassie and Huski. Very sweet of you guys. I only have these photos taken from our first CCD pass end of last year. Sorry, but they are tiny..... but does the photos being so small make me look smaller????? I wish. Thank fully I have lost 10kg since then.

Know what you mean Jules. I just skimmed over the 4 initial forms icons, and didn't even realise there were a plethera of them inside each one. So typical of me. I hate taking my time over things, when it comes to reading stuff on computers. :D ;) :D You didn't miss it Tassie, I didn't post a brag, but my Rotti friends have posted congrats in the Rotti thread. I am tickled pink about my nearly 7 year old Rotti Dyzney just achieving her 7th title in 4 different disciplines. It was a CCD title, so not a huge big deal, but just knowing what my girl has been through makes it a big deal for us. Funny how we waited so long to start her obedience, but we lost 18 months with her being unwell and convalescing. My same girl that nearly passed away 2 years ago, but we nursed her back to health, and she is out and about again, having a ball. I retired her after she got well, just so appreciative she was alive and still with us, but Dyzney got bored not doing sports, so here we are, at it again. She has such an amazing mind, gentle temperament and willingness to please it brings a tear to my eye nearly every time I think of her. Oh dear, I am welling up again I just love her so much. I am so proud of her. Now, with her new found passion for herding, if I can keep her slightly softening body together for another while, she will probably get a herding title also. Thanks guys, and have a lovely day.

Thank you Kynan. Yes, that is it. I didn't look properly through those damned forms did I. Typical of me, just skimmed the list and didn't take the time to check more thoroughly. Thank you so much and have a lovely weekend. properly

Hi all, once again hoping someone out there might be able to assist. I could have sworn I had a small pile of title application forms here at home, and I want to fill one in right now for postal or handing in on Monday morning.... but I have looked where I thought they were, and they are not there. Does anyone know how I can get hold of at least one, perhaps via printing off the computer or something. I checked the VCA website, and it is not listed as one of their printable forms. Any suggestions please? Even if it possible to use a copy, could someone please email me one? PM me for my email addy if anyone can help. Much appreciated.

I find quite the opposite with me and my breed. I find for all breeds shows (not specialties) that I have to put a tiny bit more weight on them than I would have on them when not showing. I like them super fit and lean, but find that most all breeds judges like a little but more cover on Rottis... not all but most. Letting your dog get fat just cause it is a pet is neglect IMO. Sorry if that seems a bit abrupt, but I call it as I see it. Having said that, I know many many people that simply cannot seem to manage to keep there dogs carrying the correct. They cannot stop over feeding, and will not exercise them enough. Sort of sad I think.

Only guessing, but I would say it has little or nothing to do with outside attack and more to do with the Bull Terrier bitch possibly coming into season and the Mastiff just growing out of puppyhood and starting behave and have teestosterone as he would as an adult. Your lad is feeling a slight threat by the Mastiff also being an entire, and he feels he owns the bitch and wants her all to himself, IMO. Looks like some serious separation is in order here before there is some possible blood shed or fighting. Mastiff is too young to be desexed IMO, regarding correct growth patterns etc. The bitch could be desexed, but if she is coming into season, then you should wait a couple of months until she is well and truely over the season and in between the next one. Of course until a professional has an actual look at the dynamics going on there, it is not possible for any of us to make an exact judgement for you. But, whatever is going on, I would be separating your boy from the others. And you will need to be vigilent with your bitch coming into season also, as apart from the fighting, there is also the risk of her being mated. Best of luck.

Hi ellz, on a breeder's website I like to see a lot of whats have stated, but also... pedigrees on each stud and bitch, including photographs of the other dogs within the pedigree, all showing each dog's hip/elbow and any other relevant scores and ratings. Also, in another section, any bred puppies that have later on had hip/elbow xrays and other relevant scores/ratings done, all displayed. Achievements of course, but also unusual and cute or slightly out of the ordinary achievements. All information to be honest, and not misleading.

Hi SecretKei, if you have no luck with the other suggestions, try Pet Pacific directly (they important sell Nutrience, Sole Australian Distributor) and ask them where the closest outlet is to you that fits your criteria. They can help and will. Supreme cat form is brilliant. I used it for years on my Cornish Rexs Good luck sourcing it. I get the Nutrience Dog from Pookinuk also.

Thanks natsu. Yes absolutely awesome, can't you tell Thanks for all your advice everyone. and hope to see you at a clinic soon. Kate recommends the one in August for me, as there is someone from the states coming out, and apparently they are more used to dealing with breeds like Rottis, so think I will get in for that one. Seems like ages away, but time flies, and I am so busy anyway, it will come around quick enough. And I will get a few more lessons in between now and then and a test or 2.

Well, I hope you have a really great time Jules. I hope the weather is as good for the weekend as it was for us.

I reckon Jules. I think I might have the bug already.

I have a similar problem when chatting with prospective customers that are wishing to purchase a crate for their pup, but are unsure of what size I would recommend. When they tell me it is a "oodle" or similar designer breed, I find it challenging to gentle explain how difficult it is for me to accurately recommend a size of crate to suit their dog when there is no way of knowing how big it will grow. I am always careful not be condescending or judgemental or to upset them in any way, but they pose me with a genuinely tough question. I desperately want to take the opportunity to educate them in a nice way, but I feel it is not my place, as when they come to me they have usually already at least put a deposit on said pup and are as thrilled as ever. At least they are putting in the time and effort to best set everything up for when the pup gets home. I will however, always say "you do realise that that is a ------ x ------- don't you? and inevitably they say "yes". so, at least they are not fooled into believing it is a pure bred. they just enjoy using the designer breed name. It saddens me, but I am too much of a woos to do anything else. I explain as best as I can that I can make an educated guesstimate on size and that is the best I can do, no guarantees. Typically they understand.

Hi guys. Well home from our lesson with Kate. Dyz and I had the best time. We both loved it. I had absolutely no idea at all what I was doing , but Kate was fantastic and offered a lot of knowledge, advice and assistance. Dyzney was amazing. I have just posted several photos etc in the rotti, thread, so rather than me repeating it all again, if anyone would like to check them out, please feel free to pop in there and have a look. Cannot wait to do more herding. I have so much to learn

So so sorry LC. A very sad day for you. Condolences to the owners also. RIP little Beam

OP's dog's canine is broken, right down to the gum line. This means if it is not removed fairly soon, there could be an issue with all sorts of nasty mouth related diseases that then go into the kidneys and liver. It must be removed. If you monitor the gums Pom, check for redness, swelling and gently give a little press of them around the affected area. If pressing causes the dog to have discomfort, then infection is most likely setting in. If it seems fine, you can wait a little longer before surgery. If it has only just happened and it is not bothering Griffen, then it may be fine for a month or 2. That may give you a bit of time to save up for the surgery. I would also use a dental specialist for any tooth removal as because they are excellent at what they do, the surgery will be faster, therefore needing less anaesthetic. And that has always got to be a good thing. Best of luck with Griffen, Pom. Ain't money a pain in the ****

Don't feel silly LC. Animals often do that, they go into shock or are winded momentarily, then get up shortly afterwards. Or it could have even been playing dead. I hope the little dog is going to be OK.

Sorry, but rightly or wrongly, I am with SBT. I would not be able to help myself, aggressive dogs or not, I would have been over that fence in a flash and grabbed the supposed dead dog. Not suggesting you should necessarily do that too though LC. What an awful predicament for you to be in.

It's always the way isn't it Jules. I always see people I know everywhere I go. Even if I do not know them well, I will most likely know faces when I get to my first workshop or clinic.

Natsu, my lesson is tomorrow, so I will def come back and let you know how it goes. I am so excited I could pee myself Poor Dyz will not know what to do with herself. Having being trained all her life to leave things alone, she will definitely be unsure. It should be very interesting.

I absolutely will Jules, thank you. I always feel a bit lost entering into a new domain, but we all have to do that at times in life and there is always a good chance I will know people anyway. It is such a small world.

It looks real to me. Reminds me of similar photos I have of me spooning one of my foals in sleeping position, my dogs were also laying in the photo... only difference was my photos are outside in the backyard (mare nearby), not on the bed. Dammit thry are old photos. I should dig them out and try to scan them onto the computer. Very cute baby.

And added to all other side effects mentioned there is also the muscle atrophy. Much of the "pot bellied" appearance is owing to this as the top line disappears and the wasting of most muscles in the body cannot hold the tummy up where it normally is. So loss of head (muscle, cosmetic only) and a general weakness in the limbs, which of course can in turn cause breaks or general soreness. Care is needed if exercise is given. Once again this depends on the dose, length of treatment and type/size of dog. I have had quite a bit of experience using this drug and from my experience the muscle atrophy was always the worst side effect in all my dogs.

Darkrai, that is terribly sad and tragic news. I am so so sorry. Condolences to your family.