Cuchulain

Ummmm, IMO designer breed dogs are a very different kettle of fish to rescue dogs. Rescue don't do the breeding, only charge enough to cover vet costs usually (most times not even that) and don't make cutesy names just to sell the cross breeds. As a foster carer I am obviously a big supporter of rescue dogs but also recommend ethical registered breeders. I think there is a place for both. Designer cross breeds - no way! I understand the need for rescue, perhaps in Australia it works better than over here? I can only speak from personal experience in my immediate area, i.e. Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp. The Humansdorp SPCA has no checks in place to prevent aggressive dogs being put up for adoption. I am aware of 4 adoptions in the past 7 months which have gone pear-shaped because the adopted dog either attacked other dogs or in once case, bit a child. I am also aware of several dogs who were adopted and were ill before leaving the SPCA. When notified of my friend's problem with Parvo they shrugged their shoulders and offered her another dog! ????? When questioned if they had done anything about treating the puppies still in their care I was informed that it was none of my business (which is true!) A friend who volunteered as a dog walker has told me she no longer goes to help out because the chance of carrying home something infectious is just too high. This SPCA has put me off of rescue in a big way.

My vote goes for a ridgie. I am a first-time dog owner and Max is the most awesome liver-nosed dog I know, but then I might be a tad biased. We began with puppy classes and moved on to formal obedience after the puppy class was over (4 weeks I think). He is social, loves other dogs but is reserved around strange people. We compete in the Beginner's Obedience classes at shows and he has just begun to learn drafting and agility. His stays, while not infallible, are up to 4 minutes for down (with me in sight) and 3 for a sit (also with me in sight). On the beach his recall is 99% reliable (I hesitate to tempt fate and say 100%) although he sometimes takes him time and ambles back to me. Walking him can sometimes be a challenge, especially when we first set out but he mostly settles down. He goes jogging with a friend (I can't run very far I have a buggered knee) and she says he is a great running companion. He is just as keen to veg in front of the TV or in the workshop when I'm busy. He does need a good run at least twice a week though or he becomes a little feral and the garden tends to pay the price. I find training with him needs to be frequent short sessions and there must be something in it for him. We are doing really well with clicker training and it has changed his attitude to "work". I have never had a Dobe, so couldn't comment really. The only one I have had close contact with in class seems very bright but isn't keen on other dogs. She is very protective of her owner - to the point that you can't even have a beer in the clubhouse without watching her very carefully - quite frankly I just don't trust her. I don't think that's a breed thing rather, that's just how this particular dog is and she just happens to be a Dobe. My 2c worth ;)

I've about given up on trying to help people. Friends of mine went to the local SPCA and got 2 puppies. They fetched them on Thursday and on Friday one was diagnosed with Parvo. Only one had been innoculated (the other, I was informed, was too young!). The sick pup spent a week in hospital and survived. We won't discuss the bill for that little exercise. Yesterday I went to the beach with my friend and her 2 pups - both of them are anti-social (people and dogs), one is very aggressive to other dogs and she hasn't bothered to get collars and leads for either of them. I cut the walk short as I was tired of having to fend off the aggressive little bastard and Max, for the first time in his life, wasn't enjoying the walk on the beach either. I'm so sad for my friend. She could have got a nice puppy from Max's breeder for way less than her hospital bill! She would have had a nice socialised pup with manners, from a known background where the parents are health-tested. Instead, she chose the SPCA where the puppies aren't even vaccinated or dewormed! I give up! Some people can't be helped! EFS and Grammar

Yes! Reading this thread has made me sit down and think seriously about this...was it the dog or the owner? Mostly the owner, in retrospect, but in 2 cases I can honestly say BOTH!! Interestingly, all the dogs I have "disliked" (hate is probably too strong!) are little dogs with very bad attitudes. Min Pins, Chis, Maltese Xs and JRTs. Without exception they are yappy, bitey, obnoxious and in 2 cases smelly as well! All of them "could have been nice dogs but...."

How awful for you! You were protecting your own, as somebody else has all ready said - it's the law of the land. How stupid of the owners...3 dogs in a short space of time...I just hope they don't get any more dogs!

Thank you all so much for the positive response. I was seriously concerned I had screwed up in a major way. Max is fine and was, in hindsight, probably just having an off day. I need to learn not to panic so quickly. He was thoroughly checked out before the vaccs. were done, even had a blood smear to check for biliary but it was clear. The vet felt that there was no reason not to do them, and I trust him implicitly. He has fielded my panicked phone calls with patience and a sense of humour. I am incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful vet. He understands that as a first time dog owner there are many things I don't know and doesn't mind me asking for advice and help. He has on more than one occasion said he would rather I asked or came in with Max than have something go wrong and I waited too long. I will, in future, rather check in with you guys than have my head taken off at the shoulders. I hope you don't mind

Maybe, like Max, she was having an off day? I dunno, but she really freaked me out!

I was also surprised that the vet vaccinated him but he's fine today and I was obviously over-reacting... again <sigh> I get so worried when something is wrong but I can't tell if it's serious or not. Thanks for the support guys, I was really worried that I'd done something wrong.

Thanks guys. Max will happily leave the bed if requested and I only have to ask once. Usually just pointing at the door without saying anything works but on a cold day I may have to actually say "off" as well. We are currently competing in obedience at beginner level and I don't think I have any leadership issues with Max. I thought he was ill, his behaviour was markedly different to normal and I was worried. As it turned out he was better by this morning and another vet visit wasn't necessary.

I have a good relationship with my 15-month-old Ridgeback, Max. He has slept on my bed since he was about 7 months old (I got a bigger bed ) and I have, to my mind, no problems with him. Night before last I saw he was not himself. His ears were 'down' - like when he's afraid or unsure of himself, he was restless, his tail was between his legs and he spent the night on the floor next to the bed. In the morning he refused his breakfast and was very clingy. We had an appointment at the vet for his annual vaccinations at 09:00 and when we got there I explained to the vet that I was concerned about Max. The vet could find nothing wrong and said to just keep an eye on him. He did the vaccs and we came home. Max was very lethargic and spent most of the day on his bed in the dining room which is most unusual. He normally follows me to the workshop and seldom leaves my side. I was quite worried by the end of the afternoon and SMS'd his breeder to ask advice. I'm not good and SMS'ing and eventually after a couple of backwards and forwards messages, I got one I couldn't understand (other than that she was so angry with me that she was incoherent in her SMS ) so I called her. Long story short is that I have totally f$cked up the dog by allowing him to sleep on my bed ... there were some other upsetting comments made which I won't repeat here. For the record, Max is back to normal this morning, playing and just being Max I am a first-time dog-owner and I tend to panic when something is not right. I do not yet have the confidence to "just leave things and see what happens" and I worry when things are not right. Have I really screwed up my dog by letting him sleep on the bed?

I think it is a South African thing! The more aggressive your dog the more macho you appear? I dunno...it just seems to me that socialising dogs, teaching them manners and above all keeping them in your yard or on a lead when out in public is too much to ask of the average South African. I'm not having a good day so perhaps I should refrain from commenting further on this issue at the moment.

Thanks for the support guys. Max and I are fine. Bless him, he thinks everybody is his mate and wants to play even after being attacked and bitten by an Anatolian Shepherd in June - he's fine with other dogs. Me? Now I'm the one with a bad attitude. I don't hold out much hope for anything being done. Unlike Aus, South Africa (and Jeffreys Bay in particular) is very lax about loose dogs and the chances of anything happening at all is very slim. However, I will follow the legal route until it fails (shows what great expectations I have! ) and then I will take matters into my own hands. Today I will be purchasing liquid pepper spray from one of the local security companies. I have a nice stick on order from a mate. God help the next dog that bails us up! I am over having to deal with other people's stupidity!

Max and I have been enjoying our evening walks. As the days get longer and the weather more pleasant it has been a lot more enjoyable and we have found a route we like and which, until now, has been free of loose dogs. This evening was a nightmare and I'm shaking as I write this but I know you will understand my need to vent! :rofl: About 20 minutes into our 45 minute walk I noticed a SWF eyeballing us from about 20m. I crossed the road to avoid it but this seemed to be like waving a red flag. Within in seconds it was joined by a Boerboel. I got Max behind me and screamed (don't ask about the language! ) Neither dog seemed to take much notice but as the Boerboel seemed to be be considering having a real go I figured WTF and ran at it, still screaming and swearing. It backed off to the top of a driveway but continued watching us as we moved up the road. The house had NO FENCE!! WTF??? You have 2 dogs and no fence? I heaved a sigh of relief and figured that was it. How wrong can you be??? Very, as it turned out! We took the next road to the right where I know there are 2 DA Boerboels securelyt fenced in (I have spoken to the owner and she knows that every time we walk past they attack each other because they can't get to us). We again crossed the road to be on the far side away from these 2 when we are surrounded by 3 Jack Russells and a Miniature Pinscher. I'd had it by this time, as one of the JRs came in behind us I spun and kicked it - it yelped and took off. While I was dealing with it the Min. Pin. decided it was a good time to have a go at Max...I turned in time to land a kick in its ribs and sent it flying. All this going on in the street and no owner in sight! I'm screaming and swearing and I honestly think a sailor would have blushed and nobody is taking the slightest notice! By now Max is getting twitchy (he's never heard me really raise my voice before) and I'm left with 2 JRs who aren't backing down. They are standing slightly apart in front of us blocking our way so I bent down and picked up a handful of stones at which they took off. I AM SO ANGRY I COULD REALLY HURT THE OWNERS OF THESE DOGS! Tomorrow I will be at the municipal offices with my written complaints when their doors open. This is just not acceptable. Thank you for letting me vent! EFS

OMG!! ROTFLMAO!! ;) :p :D Right, do you ship to South Africa? I'd like one of those Ghost Tiger Great Danes please.

yes, Mas I'm in South Africa. Hmm, while my ridgie is awesome I think it was, how shall I put this? A challenging choice for a first time owner? LOL I wouldn't swap him for the world but getting his attention when there are other dogs around is troublesome to say the least!