Jonny

Germany or Austria for sure! Dogs are allowed everywhere!!! Imagine going into your local Myer store with people pulling clothes of racks with their dog patiently waiting by their side. Trams and trains in peak hour with a dog by your side. Go for a meal in the pub or cafe and their are dogs sitting under the table. In these countries dogs are well socialised members of society. They are not things that you lock up in the back yard that when they get out for the first time they chase after a small child. States like Victoria with more restrictions are taking steps in the wrong direction towards 'making it safer' and stopping dog attacks. Countries like Germany have significantly less dog attacks and hardly any fatalities per capita and as a whole number compared to Australia.

There is no specialist surgeon in Newcastle. As stated you will have to go down to Sydney. We send all our orthopedic referrals to Tony Black.

Ok here is the study I was referring to: Ilkin et al. 2011. In vitro solubilisation and mechanical kinetics of cooked versus uncooked bones. Australian Veterinary Practitioner. Volume 41 (2) June 2011. The AVP is a publication by the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association. cheers Jonny

This is untrue. A study just done by a veterinary student at Sydney University in collaboration with the engineering faculty proved that a cooked bone is actually more easily digested and easier to be broken than a raw bone. But unfortunately the conclusion of the study said more research needed to be done :p The paper was written by Chaves, Ilkin et al. Where was it published? I can't seem to find it. Published in a veterinary publication here in Australia. I'll try to find it at work on monday and get back to you.

This is untrue. A study just done by a veterinary student at Sydney University in collaboration with the engineering faculty proved that a cooked bone is actually more easily digested and easier to be broken than a raw bone. But unfortunately the conclusion of the study said more research needed to be done :p The paper was written by Chaves, Ilkin et al.

Last year 2 puppies in a litter in Italy were born with only 2-3 caudal vertebrae. They were sold for a mint. Way back in the dobermann history they used to cull dobermanns born with bobtails. Why I dont know but it was considered ok back then to dock. Now that the docking ban is spanning across europe into the eastern block as well these bobtails are being sought after. Wonder if they will start breeding for dobies with ears that dont flop as much

I drove across 3 states to look at different breeders for my next puppy. For me the 5-14hrs drive there to look at the parents then later to pick up the puppy is small in comparison to the 10+ years you will have your best friend for.

When I was in europe everyone had these. They are awesome but I cant seem to find anyone who makes them here. http://glawel.de/tier_hundeboxen.php

Done will await the reply as the natural ingredients sound great.

The thing I don't like about Blackhawk is that it is only formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profile rather than actually tested in a feeding trial as some other brands. When they formulate it to the nutrient protein requirement they can use protein from different sources such as vegetable as well as animal. This vegetable protein may not be able to be readily absorbed by dogs so would be wasted protein. They really need to do a feeding trial to ensure the dog can utilise the protein for growth. Also that they use lamb meal which can be bone, offal, cartilage etc to make up the protein. I would rather they use actual lamb meat only. Other than that the stuff looks pretty good.

When you ring around make sure you get an itemised quote. Some of the cheaper quotes may not include premedication(makes a anaesthesia safer), supportive fluids (keep blood pressure up=safer), pain relief (necessary if any teeth pulled), nerve blocks (if extracting they don't have to use so much inhalation anaesthesia making it more safe once again). Also ask what type of monitoring they use ie blood pressure, capnography, spirometry. This equipment helps them monitor the depth of anaesthesia your pup is under and will give them warning if your dog is too deep or about to go downhill under anaethesia. It allows them to forsee and prevent complications that may arise. In my book I'd go safety all the time if it were my baby. cheers J

I got this one. Works really well on small to large dogs. I use it with my dobermann. http://www.biketowleash.com/about.php

Yes they are still running. Not at Castle Hill tho. They are further out near Richmond. email Sanne on the address Jeff posted and she'll get back to you. PM me if any probs. cheers J

Try one from Schutzdobe good and hard. Another few reasons why they are not popular in Sevices 1. They don't transfer well. In the services, dogs are moved from one handler to another. The working dobes I have met do not bond well to to a new pack without testing the new owner. The problem is some of these good dobes see themselves number 2 after their original owner/family. Everyone else is below them and they will let you know. Thats why the good dobes want to dominate the decoy. They see themself as above anyone/anything else. 2. Slow to mature. 3 and a half years old and the dobe may mature properly to work rather than being a goofball. A malinois can take as little as 12 months to be ready to be serious enough to work. GSD about 2 years. The services want an extended service life of their investments(dogs) 3. Health. Dobes have been plagued by genetic problems such as DCM, Wobblers and von Willebrands. Many working breeders got out of them due to them succumbing to these diseases. You cant work a dog with a health prob.