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This link is an article by Louis Donald, explaining some of the differences between all breeds and specialty judging with German Shepherd Dogs - you might find it interesting http://www.gsdcqld.org.au/Louis.Donald.all.breeds.vs.specialist.htm

Cages in the back of my wagon

He doesn't work every day but I'm sure if you call the clinc they can arrange things for you http://www.monashvet.com.au/contact-us/ You will have to contact your breeder or your state canine control body (dogs NSW etc) for a copy of your dogs papers

You won't be able to have those X-rays scored through the German Shepherd club scheme as you need to have the paperwork prior to having the X-rays done, and the form number noted on the X-ray. Ray ferguson at Monash vet clinic in Melbourne can score them if you arrange to send him a digital copy, I'm not sure who else to suggest. They do look like good hips to me, though I'm no expert.

I looked through some items until I found something that had free shipping, then clicked on the free shipping link which takes you to to page with the explanation and link to all the free shipping

It is still there, you just have to hunt for it - click the link on this page http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&Page_ID=139

If you're a member of their breeders club you can get it for around $90 delivered to your door. Do you know of a nearby breeder who could help? Or perhaps you could contact royal canin and ask if they would consider letting you sign up your rescue group to the breeders club

There is lots of info on the GSDCV website (and probably the Queensland club site too) about breed improvement schemes and GSD health. This is a good starting point http://www.gsdcv.org.au/puppies_forsale Hips and elbows are the main thing, sons of imported bitches need to be H-neg and breed surveyed animals have gone through a conformation assessment and basic temperament test

Could you put a bark collar on her, so you have proof she isn't barking without having to board her?

What a lovely thing to say westiemum :)

Any of the garbage about not needing to xray to know their dog has good hips due to it laying like a frog or never being lame or the vet felt them and said so

I just flew a 12 week old GSD pup from Melbourne to Darwin, including crate hire it was $400 (10kg pup). Flew one at 10 weeks to Canberra which was more around the $200 mark

This is how I feel too - so much stress for Perry

Thanks Jed. I keep waiting for some GSD folks to discuss or answer the cow & sickle hock questions... The banana back thing is odd yes but the hock structure seems even more concerning. And as part of the initial question of this thread it has been remarkably overlooked... There is a really interesting article by Louis Donald which includes discussion about toplines and hocks that you might be interested in reading http://www.gsdcouncilaustralia.org/louis_donald_article.pdf

What is wrong with the ORIGINAL test? Oh I forgot, the ANKC don't support it.. There's nothing wrong with it and I'd love for it to be a prerequisite here as it is in Germany - but I don't make the rules. Obviously I meant a better test than what is currently being done

The GSD clubs, at least the one in Vic anyway, are working towards designing a better test of working ability/temperament - plenty of things go on behind the scenes. There are people passionate about the breed who want and strive for the best of both worlds. There is a new working line male soon to hit Aus that is beautifully constructed and I imagine will be well used amongst the show and working breeders alike.

Yes thank you Pers, it was a month ago. I did call the vet when I got home and found the mess, they suggested I should make her vomit which I did and she was fine.

Chili's latest, which I didn't get photos of, was chewing open a bottle of vitamin D capsules and eating them all. Not sure why she found those appealing!? Still, maybe I don't give her enough credit - we don't get much sun during winter in Ballarat and she'd much prefer the couch in front of the fire anyway!

Name: Chili Rat Face Age: 10 in October Crimes: Butter & Cat food thief, Futon destroyer, General wrecker/thief, interrupter of my bath time and couch hog Wouldn't have her any other way :)

Clipperworld have the Lazor dryer for $195 and excellent postage rates. I'm another who loves this dryer

Nice to see some photos of D Vehs :)

I used this one but I don't like it because she looks miserable! She didn't want to look at the camera

Its $60-$80 locally here where they need to send it off to a lab via a courier. Takes all day for a result. We go to a vet with their own machine, pay $44 and have the results in a couple of hours. So your quote isn't excessive but it might pay to make a few more phone calls Best of luck with it all :)

I feed Royal Canin to my puppies and young dogs and Great Barko to the adults and retired dogs. Great Barko was recommended to me by another breeder and popular here - my dogs do great on it

If you do opt to get xrays taken, its very important you go to a vet who is experienced in taking and interpreting the xrays. If the pup is positioned incorrectly or the vet is inexperienced in reading the xrays you may be no clearer as to if the pup has problems or not. Your breeder should be able to advise you of the vet they use, or one in your area to use.