ravenau1

Wow what a great thing to do!

I am seriously considering doing agility eventually. Nothing like getting ahead of myself, our puppy isn't even conceived yet . I've been looking at the website for the WA Agility Club and it looks like alot of fun. I do have a question for anyone who does do it though, is it really something you can do casually for a bit of fun? I know that alot of people do it pretty seriously. Rach, it's a pain not being able to drive! Once you get started you'll love it , I didn't learn until I was 18 and my Mum refused to drive me around anymore lol (that was MANY years ago though!). I haven't been able to drive for nearly 2 years and I hate it lol. Unfortunately I didn't get along to the Winter doggie show, I could not tempt my Hubby out in that weather and it was a bit far for me to walk

Please excuse my newbie ignorance, but what is a Delta Dog?

Neither myself or my Husband play sports, but I live about 5 houses down from a largish local sports ground. Football in winter and cricket in summer, usually we just get to listen to the games from the house but taking the dog down there is a great idea. Lots of noise, lots of people etc, great idea! I think there are open air markets in the next suburb to me, I will check it out! Thanks again everyone!

Great advice everyone! So many helpful people on this site, thanks!

I'm arachnaphobic so I won't look at the first post just incase there is a picture but i just wanted to say that years ago my Mum was bitten by a white taled spider (confirmed). She was living in a remote area of WA and ended up being flown to Perth for treatment and was in extreme pain. She had redness and swelling that started off just around the bite site then spread all over her arm (while she was waiting they told her to use a ballpoint pen and draw around the outside of the redness at certain intervals so they could see how quickly it had spread etc) and the redness was really hot to touch. They ended up putting her on a heavy dose of antibiotics and she was in hospital for a few days. I don't like killing things either, and spiders (even though they terrify me) go through a 'catch and release' program here, unless they are a white tailed spider or a red back.

Thanks pixie meg

Thanks for your replies I can imagine it would be hard to know what to do, considering that having puppies can be dangerous and I imagine that the aborting process wouldn't be that great for the dog either.

That's quite... strange! Well, she may have layed down, but I am sure she wouldn't have been able to notice much happening!

Can I ask what the normal practice is for an 'oops' litter? Just out of curiosity. It seems that they happen from time to time. Are the pups given away rather than sold?

Hi everyone! Now, we don't actually have a puppy yet, but it's looking like we will have one later this year so I want to make sure we've covered all the bases. The puppy will be coming from a breeder who is raising the litter inside, with kids and cats so will be somewhat socialised with kids when we get her. Now the problem we have is how to continue that. We don't have kids ourselves, and in the 4 years we've lived in this house I can't remember there ever being children here (the odd teenage cousin, but no small kids), it's not really a kid-friendly house. We do know some children, kids of friends, but frankly the only kids I'd trust around a dog live on the other side of the country. So, as far as I'm concerned, having children of people we know interacting with the puppy/dog just isn't practical. This issue is pretty much the only one that we haven't 'got covered', and I'm not sure of a way around it. It's true that the dog won't be having much to do with kids on a day to day basis, but there are plenty of kids in the park/on the street that we will have to deal with on walks etc as I live in close proximity to a school. Plus somedays it seems like everyone in my street has at least 10 kids Any advice? Thanks

Awww! So cute! I love reading about Elbie too, and love all the vids

Wow, she's an absolutely stunning dog! I don't think I've ever seen one before!

Wonder who was it. Maybe me Example Was someone offline I was told that the working line dogs can be substantially smaller than show line dogs. But I guess perhaps some can be bigger then When I was growing up, my parents were often told that they shouldn't leave me alone with our German Shepherd! Because, you know, you can't trust them with kids! She was like my nanny!

This is interesting! I was recently talking to someone with working line Dobermanns, and he told me that working line dogs tend to be smaller than show line dogs, not bigger.

Great, just down the road from me! Thanks SparkyTansy! Unfortunately I only have Saturday free so I am happy to come and look at (ie drool over) the dogs that are there that day, regardless of breed

Hi everyone! I'm wondering if someone can please tell me where this event is this weekend? Is it at the Canine Association? I've been looking (obviously not in the right places lol) and can't where it is, though I found a schedule but it only has a PO Box listed. Is it open to non doggie owner spectators? I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to see some dogs. Thanks!

Awwwww! Such a cutie!

So happy to hear it I've been thinking about this old guy a lot.

Like most things mentioned in this thread, there are more accusations than people doing it. That said, people still do it. There is no fool proof way to avoid any kind of problem, but I think the best advertisement for good temperament is what other puppy buyers say about that breeder's puppies. If you can find people who have companion puppies from a breeder and they are happy with the temperament, chances are much better that you will be happy too. I know a lot of people say to meet parents but with artificial insemination etc sometimes that isn't practical. Thanks SkySoaringMagpie !

It's not just the breed standards, it's in the regulations for the canine controls. From the DogsACT Regs: 7.8 Dogs Improperly Prepared. A dog is considered to be improperly prepared if: 1. The natural colour or shade of natural colour or the natural markings of the dog have been altered or changed by the use of any substance whatsoever; 2. Any substance, preparation, powder or fluid used for cleaning has been applied to and remains on the dog during exhibition to such an extent as to deceive or be likely to deceive a judge whether it was applied with intent to deceive or not; 3. Any cutting, piercing, breaking by force, or any kind of operation or act which destroys the tissues of the ears or alters their natural formation or carriage, or shortens the tail or alters the carriage of the tail, has been practiced, provided however, that shortening the tail shall be allowable in the case of breeds accepted by. 4. At no time may a Non Registrable Docked Dog be exhibited or shown at an exhibition or show. I have a little saying - "The fairy Godmother doesn't have a magic wand - you have to find the Vet who does". Don't waste your money putting it in writing because you will be out of pocket. Would be interesting if they brought in drug testing like they do with greyhounds - how many dogs would be withdrawn? Some cheating is far more obvious than others and what is more surprising are the ones who are doing it.... For me doping is pretty close to surgery in the heinous stakes because temperament is a serious issue for the future of any breed. It's mostly doping them to adjust for excessive shyness or aggression I have concerns with. Giving them some caffeine for extra show ring zip and sparkle isn't something I'd do but it's not as disturbing. Wow, this thread certainly took a turn for the worst over the past day. I completely agree with you Magpie. While some people may just dope their dog up for shows and have no intention of breeding it (still wrong though IMO), there are an alarming number of people who do breed from known timid/aggressive dogs. They do it because they think it's not that bad because the drugs will 'manage' it. A few generations of 'managing' it and it will spiral out of control until you have a litter of drug resistant fear biters who need to be PTS. A bit of extra 'zip' is ok, that has nothing to do with their temperament, but drugging them to take away an actual fault is not good. Off topic, and I apologise! Please excuse my ignorance, but I've never been involved in showing of any kind and I have never heard of this before, nor did it ever occur to me as a possibility. How prevalent is this practice? This is a concern for me! How would I know that dogs I have seen haven't been drugged/sedated in some way? Temperament of parents is something that has been very important to me in my search for a puppy.

Poor guy, breaks my heart . I just don't understand people sometimes! What I wouldn't have given for my Malamute to live long enough to reach 11, I would have cherished every day, and this lovely boy gets thrown away like an old shoe or something.

I don't actually have a dog yet, but when we finally do get one walks will be in rain, hail or shine. I've actually been looking at dog raincoats for next winter and there are so many different kinds! I love your pics! Happy dog

Thanks for your replies nobul, the breeder is definately registered, and as far as I'm aware there is no price difference between a main registered puppy and a limited register puppy, only that mains registered puppies are difficult to get (as I understand seems to commonly be the case among breeders). The breeder hasn't said to me that papers will cost extra, I just though that if they were expensive if I offered to pay it might make it easier, but they don't seem expensive. Shaar, I can see now how important the papers are, even with a dog who is a pet rather than a show dog. I will speak to the breeder again now I'm clearer on what is usual etc.

Some neighbours of mine where I used to live had their two dogs debarked. It saved the dog's lives and the sanity of those of us around them. The dogs in question barked night and day for two years, it was hell to live with. I know the owners tried alot of things to help but nothing was effective. As far as I'm concerned the debarking was a win-win-win situation. The owners got to keep their beloved pets, the neighbours actually managed some sleep, and the dogs got to keep doing what they loved - barking! Though after the operation it was like a soft raspy sound, but the dogs really didn't seem to notice the change. I think it's certainly a good alternative to the dog or dogs being put to sleep.