LizT

No. it is not "fairly common". Given the number of Cavaliers in this country it is actually quite rare, but not unheard of, and has cropped up in a number of UK imported lines, hence many having imports MRI'd before coming out here. It is cheaper to have an MRI done in the UK but can cost up to $1000 here, and with many lines showing no sign of the disease the demand for MRI is fortunately not high. It is nowhere near as common in comparison to other diseases the breed can suffer from, but yes, like any disease it is devastating when it happens.

Hope Alvin is back home and safe asap.

The critical socialisation phase is between 5 weeks and 16 weeks of age. So all dogs are sexually entire and immature during socialisation. Handling should happen at all ages, kennel enrichment should happen at all ages. So the answer to your question is no, it isn't harder to do. Except in the case of infant desexing. Although I gather that it would not be so different from the sexually immature animal.

I keep "growling" at my kids but they don't listen either!!! They just continue on with their annoying behaviour too. But seriously, tread with caution, some dogs will only put up with so much.

I would rather take my chances with a good bite on a pup staying good than hoping on a bad bite improving with time. Not saying it can't happen I just prefer those odds personally.

I think you missed the point. Separate powderpuff/ hiarless as in short and log coated chi's Yes other breeds should be separted as in Europe. 4 different coloured cavs, 2 different coated Griffons. I disagree I don't believe there should be seperation of any breed based on coat/colour if the variation can be produced in a single litter. I agree Delcara but it would be nice to see some consistency in the ruling, particularly in breeds that produce both in a litter but are shown separately such as smooth and rough coated Griffons or smooth and long hairs Chihuahuas. Although I dare say numbers are what have dictated the seperate or non seperate classes in these cases???

I think you missed the point. Separate powderpuff/ hiarless as in short and log coated chi's Yes other breeds should be separted as in Europe. 4 different coloured cavs, 2 different coated Griffons. I wouldn't seperate based on colour BB. That would be racist.

Probably imagine it's some type of electrode attached to a collar!! goD I hate "do-gooders" some days. :rolleyes:

I'd be upset too. People like that make you feel bad and you shouldn't have to justify yourself yet you naturally feel you must explain/defend yourself too. Rant away.

Naah.. I'd just be a cat lady , I think....

Maybe hang a few of those old fashioned sticky fly strips above the pen too.

I have found as dogs get older the fly bites get worse. Poor elderly dogs seem to suffer the most and need constant application to their ear tips to protect them. My poor old GSD with erect ears was relentlessly attacked. Whereas the younger boy just "gave them the flick", but now at 6 years of age he too now needs to be monitored.

Dancinbcs...can you elaborate on the wood shavings please (ie. where do you purchase, is there a specific type of shaving etc)? Any pics of it in use? You would need to be very careful of where you source your wood shavings from. Many timbers are treated eg. pine shaving can be from treated pine and no doubt would not be safe for the babies. Make sure you tell your stockist what purpose you are using it for. Animal bedding.

I would happily place a bet that if that were to happen within 6 months there would be some unlikely canine (in need) co-habitating with you. ;)

If only it was so, I've seen BIG dogs with the most unstable, insecure temperaments which are so not within breed standard. A perfect top line goes further in the ring than a temperament within breed standard. Half the dogs in my breed out there showing wouldn't know how to work stock, or be functioning workers on a farm. I'm so passionate about people going on about breed standard, when the actual functioning ability of the dog is never tested. Why on earth there ever had to be a split in some breeds on different lines amazes me, and I have to wonder who actually drove the split? The showring breeders, or the working dog breeders, and the motives behind it. For looks perhaps? I have to agree that most (not all) of what is BEST about a dog will never be seen in a Show Ring. Sometimes I think "titles" should be certified by a Vet (or three) before being granted. But that is another thread.

You have just described the first miserable failed attempts of my parents (immigrants and WW2 survivors) for whom dog ownership was neither practical or possible during their childhood years. So when attempting to give their children a puppy, unsuitable breeds were purchased from unscrupable people who gave little information about the dog except that it would grow too big. My parents learnt the hard way big puppy feet meant big dog!! So when eventually they decided to adopt a small adult terrier everything was wonderful...until of course the poor dog (which came from a Lost Dogs Home) came down with Distemper and had to be PTS. It wasn't until their dogmad eldest daughte became a teenager and read, and read and talked to people and learnt everything she could get her hands on about dogsthat they had their first real success with a Miniature Poodle. Yes, she even learnt to save money and to go and buy from a registered breeder. The parents too learnt and forty years later they have had many years of happy dog ownership and the next generation are all responsible dog owners.

LOL that could stop being "cute"after a while!!

Boiled rice and poached (boiled not stolen! ) chicken does the trick here. Usually a couple of days. It's gentle on the stomach and helps them get over it. Personally I don't feed the dog for the first 24 hours and then give them the chicken and rice.

<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(238, 242, 247); ">LOL!! I think something got lost in translation!

These are completely different things. It's perfectly possible for a BYB to breed dogs with "papers". The fact the dog has papers means absolutely nothing about the breeder's ethics. Some people who show are nothing more than BYB's who have an inflated opinion of their own stock. Some people who show are extremely ethical. "Papers" - Showing - neither has any bearing on the ethics or otherwise of the breeder concerned. This is very true Sandra777, but those who have the ability to produce with "papers' are also subject to following the guidelines and regulations set about regarding breeding back to back litters and continually so have upon them restrictions not enforced on those who breed sans papers. So I don't know how the OP can refer to these dogs who are being breed back to back and producing endlessly as being "Show Dogs". The breeders would be held accountable.

Wouldn't it depend on what the dog does whilst at the show though? Going from crate to ring and back again might not necessarily be great socialisation. I imagine the travelling, sounds and being exposed to different dogs (even if from a distance) would still be of some benefit though. A dog doesn't have to be in another dogs face to be socialised. Even just sitting on a grooming table can help a dog become comfortable with lots of people around. Then there is trying to negotiate your way into the ring and waiting around at the marshalling area, being handled by a total stranger in the ring. Then there is warming up and practising, toileting, going for a walk just to pass time or to stretch your limbs (and the dogs). Going up to the Kiosk for a coffee and snack. Stopping to 'chat' with an aquaintence. Always heaps happening.

I agree with most of your post but not the above. It does depend on your dog, the breed & where you live. When I lived in the city I had no issue with leaving my Great Dane in my completely paved yard with a 6 foot solid fence or even leaving my back door open for him to go in the laundry if he was inclined. Only an idiot would enter & mess with him, one big bark put most people off however I would not go out & leave my little poodles out. Here in the country many people do not take care of surrounding property & there is farmland. The risks of deadly brown snakes are vastly increased & little dogs have less chance of faring well if they meet. Little lap dogs are easier to steal too & often much in demand, especially entire small poodles. Weather wise they are not equipped to deal with extremes. A predicted daily temperature of 36 here can rise to 42 suddenly & quickly out in the garden. They are not a breed that is usually kenneled as they need to be around people & do not thrive well mentally in outdoor living. That does not mean that they have to be glued to your side 24/7 though they would like that Same with my Cavaliers Christina. Our German Shepherd is most definitely an outdoor dog and his bed looks into our family room where he oversees his "girls'. He loves our little Cavaliers so much and woe betide the idiot who would try to take one of his ladies!! They are the only thing of 'value' in this house were a burgular to break in.

Agreed...it's totally not what I meant. I worded it very badly (I blame lack of coffee). I was more meaning a bitch having endless litter after litter on every season without any thought to her physical well-being, as opposed to a well planned breeding plan. Not permitted within the guidelines of the ANKC, so hopefully not a Registered Breeder and someone who isn't even slightly interested in their breed as a whole.

Given that both my bitches whelped litters during a colder month in Melbourne I would relish the opportunity to have to worry about keeping them cool. Although I think it could be safer to heat a room than potentially expose a newborn to a chill?? Don't new borns like it hot anyway 35 degrees plus in the box? I guess provided they can have enough room to lay away from each other they will be comfortable just as they will huddle when it's cold.

Showing and breeding are not mutually exclusive either. I know of people who show dogs that they have neither breed nor intend to breed for a variety of reasons. There are also many good breeders out there who, for various reasons, such as location etc. do not Show. Some simply do not wish to get caught up in the politics of Showing.