Leema

My puppies are fed a few raw bones before they go - things like chicken necks, wings and drumsticks are normally about all the can handle (border terriers, so small dogs). I don't think either of my pups that I have acquired through breeders had bones before they left, but I'm not sure. Border terriers are pretty foody dogs, so they don't take long to get stuck into new foods.

Bandit went to his new home today! His new family has taken over his Facebook page, if you would like updates: https://www.facebook.com/adoptbanditsa

I had a bitch back for a litter, and she came here 2 weeks before her due date to settle in, and went home 4 weeks after whelping as she had weaned them and had no more interest in them. I had planned to keep her until the pups were about 6 weeks old, but didn't see much point keeping her an extra 2 weeks when she wasn't doing anything with her puppies! I also had plenty of dogs for the litter to interact with, so they didn't miss out on adult socialisation just because their mother wasn't here. EDITED TO ADD: The contract actually said that the bitch may stay with me for up to 12 weeks post whelping, 'just in case'.

I feed a bunch of different dry food to the dogs that come through rescue - pretty much anything donated I will use. For my own dogs, I feed raw, but will feed them pretty much any dry food if I forget to defrost. I normally have Advance, ProPlan or Uncle Albers for my own dogs, but these foods are selected with no real thought. I hear Advance and ProPlan are good, while Uncle Albers I've used and have had dogs do well on it (especially dogs that I struggle to put weight on).

Hi Bundyburger. I don't actually need any now, but I always am on the scout out for pictures for my blog... So I'll PM you and we can talk about other fame opportunities. ;)

I am in need of a vizsla photo or two for my blog, Some Thoughts About Dogs. I am doing a post on cancers and behavioural issues in the breed, but I can caption your image with a note that you dog doesn't have any health or behavioural issues (if important to you). I can also provide a linky credit or other forms of credit. Please let me know if you can help - you're welcome to PM or email [email protected]

I initially thought tetanus, too, but masticatory muscle myositis seems probably from the quick read I have about it. I hope the owners can get it sorted. Poor dog.

I agree that some people are using the term 'rescue' to simply mean 'a dog I got second hand'. This is not the intended use for the term 'rescue'. While there might be a better term, at the moment, the term 'rescue' is used by 'rescue groups' to describe dogs they bring into care. Some of those dogs might be genuinely rescued (from poor conditions or a pound where they are at risk of euthanasia) and some might be privately surrendered but in good condition. To me, it might not be the best term, but it's the term we're using now, and it's unlikely to change soon. I am totally in support of rescue groups getting discounted rates. It's good for that rescue group (if prices are cheaper, then they can theoretically help more dogs) and it's good for that vet (dogs go to new homes with advertising [e.g. the desexing certificate and vaccination certificate has their logo on it] and they get more business, and the business they get is somewhat 'easier' [not numpty average joes, but people with some experience]). Once a dog is in their forever home, it's weird that any pet owner would expect discounts because of that dog's past... But then it's that vet's prerogative of whether they offer a discount or not. And I'd lean to not. I am appreciative of this original article being posted as I enjoyed reading it.

Can you expand on what you mean by ethics, Haredown? What makes an ethical breeder? What are deal breakers in the field of ethics?

When someone wants to use your stud, what do you ask them? I am particularly interested in your 'other' responses and having a conversation on this topic. :)

I think taking puppy to work with you sounds great! More socialisation and habituation opportunities!

I think what Wazzat means is that you say "All pups are desexed before sale", but once you have a relationship, you explain that that's not the case. I do this with my international enquiries.

Anecdotally speaking, is your breed at a high risk of mammary cancer? My response: I have border terriers and I haven't heard of a border terrier with mammary cancer (yet).

As a small rescue, I 'mark up' dogs that are more desirable - puppies and small-breed purebreds. They cover the costs for my less desirables, who routinely see me lose a couple of hundred dollars. If people are buying dogs at $600+ then that's prerogative.

Thanks so much! I was wondering where all the FB likes were coming from. I keep saying with his PetRescue profile: I change it all the time. Sometimes it's long, sometimes it's short. Sometimes it's more a bio, sometimes it's more wordy, sometimes it's first person, sometimes it's not. The current profile is what PetRescue wrote for him, so it's going to stay like that for a while.

Bandit now has his own Facebook page. Here: https://www.facebook.com/adoptbanditsa

Dogs end up in shelters for a variety of reasons. This is only a small percentage of pets compared to the rest of the dogs that stay in homes. The media in the past tend to spin dogs in shelters in a very negative way. Promoting the idea that most people are good is a good idea. Good people adopt animals from shelters, or foster, or donate. We don't want to get good people off side because of a few. There's enough homes for dogs in Australia. We need to get beyond the overpopulation myth and start being proactive. And being positive is part of being proactive. http://leemakennels.com/blog/rescue/are-you-willing-to-be-wrong-about-that/

I made this flyer. If anyone would like it, just email [email protected] and I'll send you the .pdf back. Bandit also had a brief moment on the Project 'whip around' in Adelaide on the Friday night last week, but of course who used the opportunity to woof and shy at the camera (he's a confident dog and that's the first thing I've seen him spook at!).

Sorry for not checking back on this thread recently. You're right, AQIS is probably the ones with the data - whether they share it is another issue.

Thanks for positive comments on the video, and for those who have shared it. It's been seen by something like 200 people, which is cool. Bandit's PetRescue profile has gone through a lot of changes. The current one (targeting tradies) was one PetRescue wrote for him and then promoted him on their page and their newsletter. I worked out I have spent about $240 on advertising this dog. Ads on Facebook, Gumtree, and in the local paper. I want to make a flyer for him to put around the place, but I do find lots of places seem to take pet-advertisements really quickly in my local area. But that's the next plan of attack.

Yes, I would expect that pedigree exports (NZKC and ANKC) would be 'easy' (relatively) to find documentation for, but I'm interested in all dogs. :)

Just wondering if there was any way to find what breeds are imported into Australia annually? I am particularly interested in a breed breakdown over the past 10 years or so. Not just for ANKC breeds, either, but for any dogs (including crossbreed pets). Hope someone can point me in the right direction. :)

Awesome promotion by the RSPCA SA. I think this is great. If someone decides a pet isn't for them, then they just don't cash it in - like probably 70% of vouchers out there. :laugh:

"We can't see any trends that there is an increase in surrenders or dumpings after Christmas" - Kerrianne Campbell, RSPCA SA http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/watch/20423667/pets-can-be-for-christmas/

Couple of more pages on refuting the 'Christmas surplus' myth: http://www.savingpets.com.au/2010/12/pets-as-gifts-the-same-old-xmas-rot/ http://www.border-wars.com/2008/11/myth-of-christmas-puppies-2.html