Shaar

We just bought a set of 3 solid white walls. I like the new way they attach, corner to corner rather than the old walls that used to go across one side, then half way across the next side... silly way to do it, love the new ones.

How many Great Danes are running through thick scrub? Fighting dogs were also cropped to prevent the opposition grabbing their ears but dog fighting is banned in this country so there is no basis to crop for prophylactic reasons. How many poodles do you see still being used to retrieve ducks? I don't know of any, yet until the law was changed they were a docked breed. I don't know what dog fighting has to do with anything, I was talking about legal, practical reasons. And those people who use "they break their tails" as an argument are you serious? What about Dalmatians or Danes or Whippets, are we going to start docking them because they break their tails? Really? I know one of mums Danes broke her tail several times whacking it on door frames, guess she should have picketed to make them a docked breed then. I know the majority of show people don't like that the rule has been changed and most people don't like not being able to dock their dogs but it is unnecessary. You can't honestly tell me besides looks and "they break their tails" there is one good reason for you to dock your dog... and original purpose is not a reason unless you actively hunt or actually own a farm and work your dog. Go ahead and flame me, I'm used to it.

This is probably just Tassie but Gunns have the deluxe model on sale for $199 at the moment.

I don't agree with cropping, as a matter of fact I just don't plain like it, however, some breeds are cropped for health reasons. Great Danes have cropped ears because when they ran through thick scrub the ears were less likely to be torn when rigid and upright than flopping everywhere and loose. So the argument health vs beauty doesn't work with docking vs cropping. Eventually neither cropped nor docked breeds will be allowed to be exhibited in Australia, it's just a matter of time.

I'm wondering this too! What are they and how do they work?

I know I seem to stir the pot here but neuter doesn't necessarily mean decrepit and old, if the standard calls for full dentition I would still expect to see full dentition. Worn down teeth are ok providing they aren't so worn down you can no longer tell the dogs bite. If your dog is missing teeth due to age, enter it in veterans not neuter.

I made my own show stackers for a couple of bucks out of some blocks of wood... I'm glad I did it that way and saved my $ because they didn't work for me. I have a very stubborn dog and for him, time was what he needed, not to be freaked out on some blocks.

All standards state 2 apparently normal testicles, so as long as they are apparently normal there's no problem with the implant. A lot of dogs do have a ridiculous amount of shrinkage in which case they testes are no longer 'normal'. It's a gamble, every dog reacts differently to the implant so you are taking a risk whether your dog will be able to be shown or not. EDIT - In terms of a decision needing to be made one way or the other, I have a desexed male here who still looked like he was entire for a year after the deed was done... I could have been showing him and pretended he had an implant... that's where I see a problem with it.

Sorry to those who have just bought one but don't waste your money. Pay the extra and get the deluxe. We had 3 regular ones break within a few months of buying them. All treated with care. The deluxe is still going strong.

At my local vet there is one vet nurse/receptionist who is bloody marvelous, she is so helpful. There is another one there though who when I see I have to stop myself from groaning. I can understand someone having a bad day but this girl is having a bad YEAR.

We usually get our numbers back 1 week before the show. If you missed the cut off date your entry is returned to you at the same time so you know if you made it or not well before you head off to the show. In Tas you must include a stamped self addressed envelope.

Isn't the point of shows to always breed 'better dogs' for the ring. If people are showing desexed dogs then obviously they can't be bred from. I wouldn't mind a rule where you are permitted to show a desexed bitch after 5 years of age or after 2 litters, but if the dog has never been bred from and is young then I don't think it is fair or right. Yes, some dogs can make excellent show dogs but not good breeding stock, but it goes against what shows are about IMO... bettering your breed. If they brought in a rule where you could show a desexed dog (at any age) then you could potentially be cutting off a lot of GOOD breeding stock by people who just can't be bothered dealing with a season twice a year. Some breeds have a limited gene pool as it is.

Rotties were originally bred to pull carts for butchers. Eventually the butchers realized they were better at guarding the carts but they were still bred to pull.

Thankyou gsdzrul, gazette says early entries would be appreciated so I will just make a very apologetic call and hope for the best.

I was just a bit stunned. Me and my little trolley vs the world lol I usually just do what I'm told, I need to learn to be more 'assertive'. I have always just been XXX's daughter who tags along at shows, I need to get in the mindset of "no, I am now an exhibitor, with my own dog, I'm allowed to be here!"

This is slighty off the subject but has anyone else not yet entered the am/pm Ulverstone show in Feb? I completely forgot about it as I have been pretty much bed ridden with pneumonia for the past few weeks and I missed the closing date. Am sending an entry off on Wednesday once the post office is open again, what do you think my chances are of them accepting?

Can I have a bit of a "spot" rant? A while ago I was "told" by an exhibitor that I could not put my trolley in front of their gazeebo. It was in front of the ring I was about to take my dog into and I left a gap of a bit over a meter for them to walk their dog through behind me (I was about 2 meters away from the ring) They were exhibiting in the ring over the far end from where they were set up and they said they needed to get their dogs out quickly so I had to move. Ummm ok... how about you move yours dog closer to your ring, because I sure as heck aren't putting mine all the way over in la-la land when I am also about to go in. We don't get there at the crack of dawn just to get a good spot so we don't have the luxury of walking from our gazeebo straight into the ring.

I don't care if parts were repeated or sped up, she still nearly strangled the poor dog while it writhed its head around in obvious discomfort, that part was real. Even if she only dipped the pup off the table ONCE, that is still one time too many for me! It is NOT a judges place to train a dog how THEY see fit. I hope someone saved that video, would love to take another look to see if it is actually doctored or not... it would be pretty obvious if parts were sped up or cut, video editing is not as easy as they are making it sound. At least I now know the name of a judge I will NEVER be showing under.

Yes, it's just a given that they do it, some people don't even realize their dogs have tattoos they are that well hidden, especially in drop eared breeds. It wasn't that big of a deal, but when I ask for something to be done (or not done) I expect the person I am paying that much money to, to listen to me. The reason I didn't want it done was just that I have tattoos myself, they itch and hurt for days afterwards, she was going to be in a lot of discomfort from the surgery, I didn't want to give her a sore ear on top of it.

When I had my bitch desexed we specifically asked them NOT to do the tattoo, but they did it anyway

Thankyou... he has some bad habits that we can't seem to break. I'm not sure if the scratching is actual itching or habit because he doesn't scratch anywhere but the back of his neck. I washed him every 2 weeks with triocil and no change. I tried not bathing him. I tried not using conditioners or sprays. I have changed his diet several times. Still with the scratching. I think I will give both those Plush Puppy products a try, he also sucks on his back feet (yes, actually lays there and sucks on them) so we are getting bitter spray for that too. Who said Cresteds were an easy breed! :D

What do you think is the best product to prevent hair breakage in between shows? My little monster has scratched half his neck coat out.

Both the poodles would prefer a walk over anything, they get so excited when the collars come out of the cupboard! The Crested however would take food over anything else, it doesn't have to be a meaty bone, any food will do.

Wow, overkill much?

I have a mower and catcher. It's only good if the grass is REALLY dry. If it's the slightest bit wet it still leaves clumps of grass on the lawn. Wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have a very naughty little poodle who likes to then roll in it and bring all the clippings inside.