furballs

Heh heh. As Janba correctly mentioned above, that sort of price for a kelpie is for a working kelpie. Article is here: Dog Lovers Pay $6K for Aussie kelpies I'm not actually sure how much a pure bred non-working kelpie goes for To be honest, I think the cross bred kelpies are probably better working dogs

Because the ongoing cost of the bitch is part of the cost of breeding a litter. You need to factor in things like entry fees for shows, trials etc that are part of proving your bitch is worth breeding from. ETA the average pet isn't DNA tested as new tests become available, hip and elbow scored, yearly eye and other health tests etc that are carried out on breeding dogs. Ok, so what are the costs for shows, etc per year? If the bitch has a littler of 10 pups each time she is bred that's a fair amount of money. I have always wondered about this so would be keen to know the answer

or 5 or 6 depending an health tests, vet bills etc. And you do need to take into account the ongoing costs of keeping the bitch etc. Providing the breeder is ethical and does the right thing with health tests, breeding for a better dog (whether conformation or working), breeder support why shouldn't they make a profit? I don't understand when breeders talk about the ongoing costs of keeping the bitch.....isn't it the same as any other responsible dog owner? Or is there something special when it comes to breeding bitches? It costs me a crap load in food, toys, vet bills, etc to have my dogs so what extras are there for their mother?

All for education..but if people have it in their heads to breed then they're not going to desex. If you cannot afford to have a dog desexed then you shouldn't own a dog. In the scheme of things desexing isn't a huge expense. So you are telling me that a 70 year old lady that can not afford to desex her dog that she has because there is no one else around can not own a dog because she can not afford to desex because she is on a pension? Desexing is a huge expense in the year 2010, over $200 for the average dog/bitch. That is someone's shopping for the week, rent, petrol, bills.... My house payments have gone up by $500 a month in 5 months. Now explain to me why someone that can not afford to desex their animal shouldn't own a dog? Because it is irresponsible to own a dog if you can't afford the costs involved. Is it better for a dog to go to a person who doesn't have much money but will give the dog a life of love, keep it inside with them as part of the family and never dump the dog, or go to a rich person who leaves the dog outside in a kennel with no bedding, no attention and no love?

A pure bred kelpie for that money would probably be a well bred working dog who has been started (already had it basic training) and showing a lot of potential or a proven working dog and worth that money to a farmer. Not the dog you would want as a pet. When you take into account the cost of breeding breeders are lucky to make money, 1 pup for the sevice fee, 1 pup for feeding, worming etc (including feeding the bitch during pregnancy etc), at least 1 pup for vaccinations, vet bills, health tests etc and 1 pup to keep. That is if nothing goes wrong like a caesar. So what about when there are more than 4 pups in the litter?

That's very rare, though! Generally pedigree doggies are pretty expensive! We got our little mongrel for free but a pure bred kelpie can go for as much as $6,000. Also, I did want to reiterate that I have absolutely no problem with pedigree breeders charging money for their puppies - a lot of time, effort and money went into those puppies. I just think it's a little odd that one of the primary condemnations of designer dog breeders is that they do it for financial gain. Don't most people work for financial gain with job satisfaction being a side benefit? :D In any case, much as I love the look of the pure breed doggies (I would love to have a shiba inu!), I can't imagine ever spending so much money on buying a pedigree dog when there are so many other less fortunate dogs in need of a home. It's not that we're stingy either ... even raising a mongrel puppy becomes very expensive after all the vaccinations, desexing, puppy classes, obedience ... and the squillions and squillions of treats and dog toys [Ooops - I just re-noticed that I'm on Dogs Online - Australia's PURE BRED dog community. *slinks away sheepishly into the mongrelly shadows* :D ] $6,000 are you serious? I can't see how any breeder can justify that kind of money for an 8 week old pup?

I just love dogs, they are very special creatures, they make me laugh, give me love and companionship but most of all I love to see a happy, well adjusted dog who spends it life playing, warm and well fed. I believe in getting a pet for life, no matter what (unless of course there really is no other option). I have one dog in particular that at times I can't stand to even look at. I actually felt hate towards her a few months ago and it was seriously affecting my life because i didn't want her living with me anymore. To clarify, she savagely attacked my old dog when she was 14 years old and my pup when she was 10 weeks old and left her with a very nasty swollen face. I would never rehome her though because I know she wouldn't be happy being moved and I am the only one who really understands her and can predict her behaviour. It's not her fault she is moody, aggressive and a downright bitch sometimes because she has so many health problems. I can't blame her for feeling angry a lot of the time because she probably feels like crap. Given my feeling towards her, I would still dig up thousands of dollars for vet work if I had to because she is still my dog. I also foster dogs and I can't even begin to imagine how someone can just decide they don't want their dog anymore, it's completely beyond my understanding.

I'm constantly laughing, while trying to be serious to tell my Rottie not to do things. If she decides she wants to get up early in the mornings, she removes the doona from me and drops toys near my face. It doesn't take long for me to get out of bed When she wants to go outside she stand on her back legs and with both front paws she plays with the door handle to try to open it (successfully when it's not locked). At 13 months old she still steals toilet rolls at any opportunity and is very sneaky about it. It's the only thing she takes that she shouldn't so I do find it quite amusing. When I give my two dogs a carrot or chew bone, the BC sometimes steals the Rottie's one so she's got both, the Rottie just lays there with her face right in the BC's face but doesn't try to take it back There are so many other things I could go on for hours.

One of my dogs used to howl when I pressed certain keys on a keyboard, the other one howls when the phone rings if she is laying close to it.

My ex from many years ago bought a Border Collie x pup. She was absolutely fantastic and never did a thing wrong, very intelligent. When she was about a year old he said he was taking her to be put down because she dug a hole. I went outside to have a look and the hole was about 5cm deep. Needless to say the relationship didn't last and I went back back after I left and kidnapped the dog and she lived with me until she died at an old age. He probably went out and go another one though

Personally i prefer not to be able to feel the heat of a warm turd on my hand, at least when they've cooled they more solid

You can make one for about $10, Look up "springpoles" That thing looks pretty dangerous, i wouldn't encourage a young dog to use it due to the high jumping involved.

My German Shepard was attacked by 3 dogs when she was about 6 months old and i automatically got in there without thinking about being hurt and kicked and beat them until they got off her. She was a very protective dog for most of her life but when she got older things turned around again and I became her protector. I like to have a dog that can protect themselves, I don't even think about them protecting me. My 13 month old Rottie could no doubt rip someones throat out if she wanted to, but I always put her behind me with a strange dog because i don't want her to get hurt. I love large breed dogs because they are fantastic, smart and funny companions.

I really like the idea of that Home Alone dangling ball dog toy but it's just so expensive ... Our kelpie would love it, though I'm sure ... I'm telling you, it is the best toy for dogs that like to tug at things.

my Rottie has one of those and it's one of her favourite toys. I was reluctant to spend that sort of money but it was definitely worth it. They are fantastic for dogs that like to jump up and chew (such as stealing washing off the line). My girl doesn't do anything like that but she'll spend ages out there playing with it. I also have a few of the other Aussie Dog toys and they really are strong. I recently bought some "toughies' toys, they are very good, but if your dog is going to play tug with another dog, don't get the toys with ears. The ear rips very easily when pulled on and pretty much destroys the toy. The ring toys they have are fantastic though. Mine also love soccer balls with ropes on them and rope toys in general are pretty good. You can also get hard plastic bone shaped chew things that are flavoured, they all seem to love those and as long as you get one big enough they don't destroy it for a very long time.

Right now, I'm getting bucket loads off my Border Collie. All I can do is keep brushing every day to minimise how much ends up in the house, on the couch, etc. My Rotty just needs a quick brush every now and again. My previous German Shephard never stopped shedding, no matter how much I brushed her. I tried using a damp cloth to pick up more hair but I think it hurt her so I stopped doing it.

Dogs seem to understand a lot of what we say to them. How many of us understand what our dogs are trying to tell us?

Ok, I don't agree that dogs only like people because they see them as a meal ticket. Perhaps when they're in a bad environment they would feel that way. Your comment about it getting something out of the deal is exactly my point, most humans have an alterior motive, animals don't.

There must be someone on this forum who cares about their dog?

I have rather long conversations with my dog, her head moves side to side and keeps me rambling on about nothing.....lol They definitely do understand a lot of what we say, I think it depends on how much time the dog spends with their human.

Yes, but they still need toys

I was about 12 years old and visiting my grandfathers house (which is about 600km from where I lived). My cousin had a Rottweiler which would have been a couple of years old at the most. This dog played with me, jumping up but not actually putting any weight on me and I totally fell in love with it. I wanted one from that day

I look at my dogs, or any other animal, and have so much respect for their ability to NOT feel hate or need power. Humans like to think they are superior, I don't believe this. Animals normally do things for a good reason, ie they are hungry or they are establishing pack position. Animals don't go around raping, bashing and murding for no apparent reason. I don't have a lot of experience with all animals, but I can say that dogs listen, learn from mistakes, protect us, care about us, give their life for us, love us, keep us warm, keep our kids safe, and unfortunately forgive the terrible things that humans do to them. How many human beings can honestly say they would do anything for someone or something else purely because they care about it, no matter the cost to them.

I have spent hundreds of dollars on dog toys and let me tell you, it's definitely worth it. Dogs like to chew, play with things and if you don't give them their own toys, they will make their own toys out of your things. Kongs are fantastic toys, anyone who tells you not to bother obviously knows nothing about dogs and doesn't care about them. IMO spend the money on toys, train them to only play with their toys, and you will save money in the long run by not having to replace items that your dog shouldn't have chewed.

Glad you found them both, I don't know what I would do if I lost mine