Rayvale

You are so right Chi4me - they do mean the world when you have waited and then they finally arrive! I show in Sydney and have only bred a couple of litters.......I am on a waiting list with a friend for a show bitch puppy and unfortunately she hasn't had much luck since I asked her! So when this baby finally does eventuate she will be one of the big moments for me too! Congratulations on Charlie.........let us know how he settles & would love to see more pics (I love baby photos!) :-)

I have been lucky - the people that I have bought from in the past are Chihuahua exhibitors - so I just leave it to them! I am sure that if they are making leads for a lot of different breeds then they themselves have a good idea, but you could always measure a lead that you are currently using and use that as your guide! I don't always match to outfit colour. I show a black dog on a black lead also and my daughter shows her cream dog on a red lead. I am not as fussy with lead colour, shoe colour, outfit colour as I probably should be though! I know that there are a lot of people out there who put wwwaaayyy more thought than I do into it! If I am comfortable with the feel of the lead and the dog walks well on it - then I am happy to grab it out of the box & use it!

http://www.tonantzinchihuahuas.com/leads-by-design.asp This lady has some made up leads with prices on them. Snazzy pooch leads prices vary depending on the extras that you add to the lead (beads, crystals etc). Colour............well, depends on my mood. I regularly use black & silver leads with black pants on a light coloured dog (makes it hard to see the lead & you just "see" the dog). I used to use a red lead on my chocolate sable. I ALWAYS break out the red & gold lead at Christmas REGARDLESS of what dog I am showing (very festive with my red top)!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/BlingShowLeads They have started putting all of their stuff on their facebook page. Much easier to contact them that way & they will send you pictures of YOUR lead once it is completed before they post. (I have two new leads due here on Wednesday - SUPER EXCITED)

Mine arrived in Friday's mail.............FINALLY

hmmmmm - sitting here staring out my Sydney window & guess what...........ITS RAINING!!

http://www.polymerclay.com.au/xmm-silver-p...els-p-9694.html are these what you are after? Haven't been able to find gold ones yet!

Oh Angelsun - that absolutely brought a tear to my eye..........run free Journey........

No - I can't access any O/S forums, have done the whole google thing to death........LOL you know what the internet is like though - lots of sanitised versions of what & how something can be used for without REAL people's experiences. I guess I am just concerned about any long term effect on either the bitch or potential pups & that is why I thought there might be someone out there with their own experience to share! Will just pick my vet's brains to death and go with her best suggestions!

Yes guys I understand what you are both saying - and that is why I said that it was a discussion for the vets office, we missed conception last time due to incorrect prog results. What I was looking for was on the ground experience with this particular medication. There is a reason that I was considering its use and that is because my dominant bitch cycles annually and has brought all of the other bitches into cycling with her - I want to break that cycle and as it has been 8 months since her last cycle I feel that sufficient time has passed in order to consider options. Fifi your experience with Tara must have been devastating but as far as my vet can tell - this bitch is 100% in all other areas, other than she follows my dominant bitch with her cycling! Very Frustrating!

Hi Guys, I have an appointment with my reproductive vet on Tuesday and was going to discuss the option of using Cabergoline in order to bring my 3yo bitch in. I have had all of her health checks done and she has a clean bill of health, she is just one of those bitches that seasons irregularly and even though she has had sucessful matings when she has cycled - I have not yet had a pup from her :D . I'm not asking if I should or shouldn't - thats a discussion for the vets office.........I would just like to know if any DOLers out there have used this and what has been your experience with forcing a bitch into season for whatever reason? Thanks guys!

Two thumbs up from me! So many of us don't realise how much this man does to keep so many things happening behind the scenes!

Congratulations Chi4me!!! Where is your baby coming from? Cant wait to see pics!

Exercise seems to help too. Oh this little fella is VERY active - thats how she knew he was off last night, he barley moved when they came home and normally he is a constant whirlwind!

Thanks guys - never thought about Psyllium, will suggest that to her as well!

Hi Guys, I know that I can add carrot and apple and pumpkin to increase the fibre content of a diet - do you guys have any other suggestions. My friends Chi just came back from the vet with a ruptured anal gland (ouch) - and he has told her to increase the fibre content to help prevent any future re-occurance and possible surgery. He is currently fed on Pro-Plan small breed and raw bones. Thanks in advance guys!

Sadly it is true - laws were only meant for people who agree to follow them - this case shows that very clearly and so do our jails which are filled with people caught breaking them! These people broke the law - tried to argue about it, and got smacked down. There are plenty of places that dogs are allowed and I am sure they could find a dog friendly beach if they tried. Too bad incidents like this make the non-dog owning public believe that these people are like the MAJORITY of dog owners instead of the truth of the matter being that these owners are in the MINORITY!

Ask yourself this - would you want to know if it was one of your dogs? Yes, I am sure he could spread gossip and rumours around the ring and try to make it hard for you - but don't we see that anyway? And maybe you saying something will start the ball rolling to have something done about his behaviour, it only takes one person to take a stand and then surprisingly there are people who then find the courage to stand behind you! First and foremost should be the welfare of the dog being shown - and SHAME on the steward for doing NOTHING! Good luck with whatever course of action you take!

That has to be the best answer thinking on your feet that I have ever heard!

In my breed there are quite a lot of people who have absolutely NO intention of breeding - they just love to show! One particular exhibitor is just about to start entering her newly neutered boy over the next couple of weeks. I am guessing that there are just as many show folk who just exhibit (and dont breed) as there are people who just breed (and dont show)!

Fully Agree RSG - there is no accountability here. It is not the fault of the rescuer that this bitch could be in whelp to her brother........but, the litter of X-bred, In-bred, unknown genetic history, is a litter that CAN & SHOULD be aborted.....just IMO!

;) double thumbs up from me - definately a step in the right direction. Yes, there are people who do not deliberately set out to abuse an animal (ie - the elderly, who want to keep their mate but are not strong enough financially to care propery), but abuse is abuse and they are most certainly in the minority! I would DEFINATELY love to see something like this looked at and adopted here!

I feel the same way You know what will probably happen - all this hype on climate change & "La Nina"...............its gunna RAIN & we will be showing in gumboots & those of you who stayed home will be killing yourselves laughing anyhow!! This is my first Spring Fair & I'm packing the umbrella!

bbaaaaaaaahhhhaaaaahaaaaaaaaa I am in some serious trouble - I thought I had Chihuahuas - turns out I have a whole freaking pack of Pittys - will someone PLEASE SAVE ME!! ~priceless~

4 days (Specialty on Thursday) 3 to 4 Chihuahuas depending on which day! ~moan~ just remembered the damage to the bank account