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That's true - the numbers might increase by opening up showing to dogs on limited register but I think we need to be mindful of and respectful to the breeders wishes and their decision to put a dog on Limited Register which means no showing or breeding. The breeder may in fact do this because they consider the dog pet quality only and don't want the dog in the show ring - I think this should be respected. As an example, there are two people I know n a breed who honestly fight like a pair of school girls about whether their dogs are any good or not, well several years ago, Person A managed to find a dog bred by Person B which Person B probably should have put on the limited register (they didn't) and proceeded to show it (only once) and parade it around the ground telling everyone it was Person B's breeding. While I realise this doesn't exactly match the discussion point, I think it's a good example of why the limited register exists, how it can be used and why it should be respected.

Yep - I understand where you're coming from - for 1., I think it's covered under option "I have a neutered dog and would enter if the class was offered". For number 2, I just wanted to check that you mean.....in the instance where you have entire and neuter dog/s to show you would go further afield to support a show that offers the neuter classes than do a closer show that does not? If you were only showing neutered dog/s the closer show wouldn't be an option anyway and you'd need to go to the one further away. On this I'd be inclined to agree with you and do the same thing however, for the purposes of this poll to not drill down too much I won't include it but happy to keep the additional subjective feedback to demonstrate that of those who would enter neuter shows, many would travel further away and bypass a nearer show if the neuter classes weren't offered. Thanks - it adds some good context about the level of support for neuter classes.

Here is the thread where DQ first outlawed the neuter classes as being inconsistent with their objects. http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/192106-no-neuter-ch-in-qld/ I guess the thing for me is that they only said it was inconsistent and didn't really go into much detail why. And I suspect that's probably because there's a fairly "thin" justification for it, but that's just my opinion. In talking to people locally about neuter mostly they think nobody is really that interested and some do say they don't agree with it because they feel it goes against the purpose of shows which they believe is supposed to be about breeding stock. I can understand this view and this is probably how it was in the past and shows were patronised in much greater numbers. Unfortunately, this isn't the case now and our society and laws have changed significantly to really push neutering dogs, so I see the introduction of these classes not so much as replacing or taking away from the "breeding stock" side of things, but a way of increasing participation based on the way things are now - some sort of change is required because what we always used to do is no longer drawing the numbers - I might be wrong though.

Ooops - my bad - TAS is now in! :)

Try Qld where we don't even acknowledge the title ETA - so neuter classes are offered, but you can't get your neuter title? I've actually asked DQ to provide an updated ruling on this as the last one was in 2010 and the basis of the ruling was that neuter title and points was not compatible with the organisations objects (?). If however, you read the DQ rules it defines challenge certificate means a certificate awarded at a championship show and having a points value as prescribed by the ANKC. As the rules offer neuter classes and neuter titles and points are prescribed by the ANKC, the DQ rules and what they have said about not offering neuter titles and points are inconsistent so they either need to provide a ruling in favour of neuter or against it and then amend the rules to reflect that position.

In the bullies I love a red or silver brindle best or a red with white markings. A pure white bully looks wonderfu but from experience it is just about impossible to keep them that way.

I agree with you that dogs that aren't up to scratch shouldn't be awarded no matter what class they're in. I think sometimes some judges think they're doing someone a favour by awarding their dog but in all honestly there's a real danger that it creates an incorrect perception about the quality of the dog. I'd see a neuter class as the same - if I had a neutered dog that was of show quality then I'd show it but I wouldn't take one in that wasn't up to it.

I think that the inferiority of neuters thought process is a bit of a fallacy really. Just as an example to back what you're saying up, here is a link to the current leader of the neuter pointscore for bull terriers. This girl has had enormous specialty and all breeds show success, is a ROM (recognition of merit specialty award for bull terriers), a grand champion and now a neuter champion. Please point out what is inferior about that...... http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/profile.asp?dog=35277

Hi All, This is my first go at a poll so you'll have to put up with my learning curve here. I was really interested to know what people's views were in relation to neuter classes being offered at shows. You're more than welcome to comment why you feel the way you do but please, this isn't about fighting, just opinions. A lot of clubs still do not offer these classes and to be honest, I think it might be a case of them considering that people aren't interested, so I guess I'm asking the question to obtain some facts. I've also added in locations and what type of shows you attend out of interst. If you wouldn't mind taking the time to respond, I'd really appreciate it :)

Not sure about a type of crate cover but I'd suggest a heavy blanket unless it would make it too hot....other than that you'd have build a "box" out of ply or someting - might as well get a kennel. I can definately sympathise about the noise - I had a habitual tap dancer on a metal tray (she'd push all of her ample bedding to one side because I think she quite enjoyed the noise she made), which stopped as soon as I wedged a hession sack between the tray and the bottom of the crate. Good luck.

Ummm, I actually think it's up to the council to go back to your neighbour and advise them that the report they made was investigated and resulted in being found to be incorrect. I think they should have some information to provide them about what actually constitutes an issue that would give rise for a legitimate complaint to be lodged while at the same time informing them that there is a cost for investigations arising from frivilous and vexatious complaints and these are unacceptable. If you know which neighbour it is, I would be reluctant to approach them over the issue as it could escalate. Good luck and I hope they move.

Well everyone had the opportunity to have a say and only a small percentage of the membership bothered which is a shame. The board that was elected, were validly elected through the process in our constitution as passed by the members at the SGM, and there is no option but to work with those who were elected. I wouldn't say I'm exactly scared but I do really hope that these directors place a lot of emphasis of engaging with members and involving them in the issues and decisions of the organisation and approaching them for their thoughts and ideas rather than being reactive and just saying they're available to talk to. This will require a culture shift as many of the new directors were previous councillors, however, it's not impossible for that to happen.

Some do yes, but I find that the vast majority will put up the best dog. Regardless of the slight blemish it sounds like your girl is going to be just fine in getting her title - good luck :)

I guess that's the thing. While I don't think there are actually any rules against it, it would remain to be seen whether you'd do any good and whether the injury/scar etc would be a factor.

I've often wondered about this. I picked up a bitch from the local handy trader as a bit of a rescue and she's a lovely bitch except that she broke her leg when she was younger and reset wasn't a particularly good job. I've never considered showing her, as while she doesn't exactly hobble around, I don't think she moves quite right.

This - if there is a body corporate there may already be something in the rules about leashing dogs or a decision can be made to make it a rule. Unfortunately in a small shared space, sometimes people don't think about being considerate just what they've always done or what they feel like doing. Good luck in sorting it out.

About 7 year in the ground. VACCINATION SHOULD BE MANDATORY! In NSW it it mandatory by state law that all puppies have to be vaccinated, wormed and microchipped before changing hands at no less than 8 weeks. Doesn't matter if they are free or not, it still has to be done and anyone not doing it should be reported to council. I wonder if that's the same in Qld....the only thing I could find is that dogs or cats must be microchipped but was hoping to find vaccs and wormed as well. The number of numpties I see advertising around here saying they can't afford vaccs, it's up to the new owner to take to the vet and get wormed, immunized etc is more than I would have thought. I've actually been emailing links of the ads to our local council - I can't see them doing much about it though.

Yeah - I'd have to say that the owner of the dog is definately at fault here and the dog will probably pay the ultimate price for it. As an owner of dogs that many people are fearful of and have the potential to do significant damage if sufficiently driven to do so, there is no way that one of my dogs would be unrestrained in my car with the ability to get out of the car. If one of my dogs attacked someone in this way, even if I was having an argument with them, they would be being put to sleep immediately. I can understand dogs being protective but in most cases I understand that the dog does "warn" before going on the attack. This story doesn't provide all the relevant information and context to understand what really happened but it shouldn't have happened in the first place as the dog should have been under effective control - if it's unrestrained and able to get free from the car, it isn't under effective control.

Maybe I'm wrong, and please correct me if I am but I just saw an online ad selling 6 week old cross-bred puppies that the seller says they can't afford to vaccinate, with an interested person saying that they would have to save up for vaccs and can the seller hold because they have parvo in their yard.......... Is this just a whole lot of wrong?

If I was rehoming a dog, I'd ask them what they wanted it for? If it's just for a pet then there's no reason why it shouldn't be desexed unless through questioning it's someone you may want to place it with on terms if it's a breeding prospect. If they wanted it for show or breeding it would come down to a discussion on their commitment to it, intentions and experience so I can't give a clearcut answer except to say that unless there is a very good reason to leave entire, desexing would be the only option.

PS - OSS just looked through your set up photos and it's fantastic - you should be very proud of it.

That's fantastic. Did you build them yourself - what a good job, do you contract out?? :p Yep we did build them ourselves. Dad did most of the very clever stuff, but I designed them and helped. The yard we moved but yep I dug every hole, dug out a trench then shovelled in blue metal which totally stuffed my back, attached the chain mesh and maintain it. I even got my own little push mower for christmas especially for the dog yard :) The OH of course did lots as I am only so strong :) and he mixes good concrete There are some things I would change though. After building our boarding kennels from the groud up I am VERY over buidling so nope sorry I don't contract out :) They are at www.countrylaneboarding.com :D Damn (:p) but thanks for posting the pics so I can see what you've done. Unfortunately, I'm absolutely hopeless in terms of being a conceptual person and designing things so I'm very envious of your ability to do that - I need a set of instructions for everything and I'm usually ok - LOL.

I think that's a great set up. The dogs don't exactly look unhappy or badly kept to me - quite the opposite.......

That's fantastic. Did you build them yourself - what a good job, do you contract out?? :p

I'd just like to add that a few breeds I would like to watch in the ring would be a Bedlington Terrier and a Greyhound. In our area there are none shown which is a shame and I have watch videos on youtube etc but I'd love to see both of these breeds in action, in person. I absolutely fell in love with the Greyhounds at the EKKA this year (well as much as you can as a second favourite breed after Bull Terriers - lol). Eventually I'd love to own and show one.