Crazy Daisy

I'm sorry this comment on colour is something that really bugs me. Goldens originated in Scotland and they were from light gold to cream, never mahogany or red. Golden puppies are lighter in colour and as they get older they darken. White is a fault (I've never seen one) but cream is acceptable in Australia (not favoured in the US). A good golden coat can be light cream and is still very much acceptable. I prefer my dogs with a lighter coloured coat. I have english goldens and am not a fan of the American dogs. Each to his own. Every Golden sheds differently same as GSD's do. Goldens that are kept more as outside dogs grow a thicker winter coat and will have more of a major shed when the weather gets warmer. Also being outside you may not notice the hair as much as it gets blown away. I had a short coated GSD who shed a lot more than my friends long haired. I never said mahogany or red, I said gold, which is not white or near white. Some of the so called cream dogs today are really stretching the imagination. Sorry, can you clarify what you mean by so called cream? Cream is an acceptable colour in Goldens. It really is a preference. When it comes down to it it really is what you like. My light coloured Golden is more than acceptable in colour and will (hopefully) be judged on confirmation than the colour of his coat.

I'm sorry this comment on colour is something that really bugs me. Goldens originated in Scotland and they were from light gold to cream, never mahogany or red. Golden puppies are lighter in colour and as they get older they darken. White is a fault (I've never seen one) but cream is acceptable in Australia (not favoured in the US). A good golden coat can be light cream and is still very much acceptable. I prefer my dogs with a lighter coloured coat. I have english goldens and am not a fan of the American dogs. Each to his own. Every Golden sheds differently same as GSD's do. Goldens that are kept more as outside dogs grow a thicker winter coat and will have more of a major shed when the weather gets warmer. Also being outside you may not notice the hair as much as it gets blown away. I had a short coated GSD who shed a lot more than my friends long haired.

I've had both and love both breeds. I have three kids 22 month, 4 and 6. I lost my last Golden just over two years ago and the house just didn't feel the same without one. I went back to the breeder I got our original boy from because they breed for great temperament as well as doing all the health checks. They are fantastic dogs. Make sure you meet these breeders and have a good talk to them. If they show or trial, ask when their next outing is and if you can go and meet them and their dogs. Do you know the only thing that would sway me between the two is the sound of their bark? I can't stand the GSD bark, it radiates through me. Though all my dogs are trained to only give warning barks, I still cringe when I hear a GSD bark. Strange I know.

He has grown so much!! He is so adorable. You need to put a pic of him in your sig next to Ivy so we can see his sweet face more often. Love all the photos, thanks for sharing.

Happy Birthday dear man!!

Welcome back Jed I'm so sorry for you loss. I can't possibly imagine what you've been and are going through. I just wish you all the strength with your recovery.

Definitely don't do laces. I did once and my Golden stepped on the end and it came undone when we first went in and I spent the whole time in the ring hoping I wouldn't fall over. I did try after my turn to do them up but he kept licking me and I couldn't do it.

Name: Daisy Nickname: Dais, Crazy Breed: Shih Tzu Gender: F Age: 4 1/2 Picture: Where did you get them from? Reg Breeder on DOL How often do you exercise your dog? Everyday Do they know any commands? Basics, sit, stay, come, give etc Compete in any dog sports? Retired show dog Favourite treat: Cheese Favourite toy: Ball or anything that squeaks Funny habits or quirks: She likes to talk in a funny whingy growl What's their personality like? Very strong willed and loving to everyone she meets Do they get along well with other dogs? LOVES other dogs Are they scared of anything? Big fear of thunder, fireworks and the army range down the road What training methods do you use? Positive reinforcement? Corrections? Always positive with her Name: Freddy Nickname: Fred Breed: Golden Retriever Gender: M Age: was 1 on Sunday Picture: Where did you get them from? Reg Breeder How often do you exercise your dog? everyday Do they know any commands? Very basics Compete in any dog sports? He's a show dog Favourite treat: Cooked kidneys, gross Favourite toy: Soft bunny Funny habits or quirks: He likes to steal soft toys from the kids rooms What's their personality like? Very friendly, he loves everyone Do they get along well with other dogs? Yes Are they scared of anything? Not that I've noticed What training methods do you use? Positive reinforcement? Corrections? Only positive Name: Ruff Nickname: Ruffy Breed: Shepherd X ? Gender: M Age: 18 months Picture: Where did you get them from? Rescued from a farmer who wanted to drown the whole litter How often do you exercise your dog? Everyday Do they know any commands? All the basics Compete in any dog sports? No Favourite treat: Anything Favourite toy: An old piece of tug toy he likes to carry around Funny habits or quirks: He likes to play in the bio cycle water, gross What's their personality like? He likes to be on his own, not very affectionate, he is a bit of a challenge Do they get along well with other dogs? He prefers his own company but puts up with the others, some of the time. Are they scared of anything? No What training methods do you use? Positive reinforcement? Corrections? Positive

Great photos. Phoebe doesn't seem too worried at all my the kitten crawling all over her.

Thanks for all the great info. Is there such a thing as "I'm on DOL, are you?" sign? That would be cool.

Yay I get to meet a Xolo :rolleyes: I'm showing my Golden on Friday 13th too. I only started showing a couple of months ago but thought I may as well give it a go. I'm really nervous and will probably fall over and make a fool of myself, but it will hopefully be a fun day For those who have been before what do I need to bring? Dog (obviously), collar, lead, mat for dog to sit on, water bowl/water, treats.... What else??

Congratulations, he is adorable. Very nice photos too.

I'd have to say I saw a bit of staffy in some of those photos too. I don't know what exact breed he is but he is definitely very cute!!

Love your shih tzu, that is one cute pup. Thank you, I think so too.

She has quite long ears. Maybe dad was a border collie x cocker? or border x Shih Tzu? I don't know but she is sure cute.

You have two adorable dogs there. Very cute.

There are shows at King Ave, Durack this weekend, 5th and 6th. Next weekend 13th and the public holiday Monday 14th. All start from 8.30/9am. I suggest you go along and have a look at the breeds in your top 5 and see if you can talk to some of the breeders there.

Airedales aren't small. They are quite big and a lot of work. I have groomed many over the years and they are very boisterous, especially when young and up to about 4 or 5. I believe they need an experienced owner. I wouldn't suggest one, especially if your wife isn't a doggy person.

Definitely don't go for a cross breed if you want an indication of temperament. You have no idea what will come out of a cross. I will have to strongly disagree about all Golden's being barkers. I can only go from experience but mine have never been very vocal. Barking at nothing is one thing I can't stand. I'm happy for my dogs to give a warning bark when someone comes to the door or if another dog wanders on to the property but to bark at nothing is a definite no no. My golden's have always been quiet most of the time. My Golden's have also never been too destructive. Unless you count destroying sticks and making a mess with them in the backyard. As long as they have heaps of toys and a reasonable amount of exercise they are great. Freddy has heaps of soft toys and has never destroyed one of them. He does have one hole though. It was the same with my last Golden, they find a place, dig a hole and lie in it to keep cool. One hole is fine with me, they are dogs after all. If you don't want to deal with a puppy, and let's face it, most puppies will chew and destroy things. Then maybe look at an older ex-show/breeding dog. Or a rescue.

I agree that going along to a dog show is a great way to see lots of different breeds. Also have you thought of maybe being a foster parent for a rescue organisation first to see if your wife and kids would like to have a dog in the house? I haven't had experience with the breeds you've mentioned so can't help there. I would say a golden retriever's personality would suit you to a tea but they shed, a lot!!

The worst I heard was from a friend who said their dog would get so excited and lick her when she went outside. She hated being licked so got rid of him. Wouldn't even let me help try and stop the behaviour. Any excuse will do for some people.

I have a rock and stick obsessed Golden retriever. The rocks was an easy on to stop, get rid of the rocks. The stick collection when we walk has been a little harder. I've managed to stop him picking them up while walking in the show ring and that's a big step. I don't mind him ripping apart the ones in the garden.

I know that feeling Becks. It's so hard to restrain yourself from wanting to talk to and pat a well trained puppy

What amazing photos, thanks for posting them Foxhounds are amazing looking dogs. I don't know much about them and have only seen ones at shows. I wonder why they're not more popular?

Well done. What a cutie!!