minxy

Yea, I think if for some reason I couldn't still have Akitas, I'd probably go a Frenchie. I think they're adorable. I would hate to not be able to have a big dog still. I like that when I'm sitting at the computer in the study when Kyojin comes over we can have a massive hug without me moving anything more than my arms. Perfect for when I'm old and frail ;)

Tried to complete this earlier today but my internet connection at school is useless. Home now and just tried again but it now goes back to the old message of saying that it's coming soon.

Depends on what my next Akita is like. (Kyojin's my first, so I can't be sure that what he's like is what the next one will be like). If the next one's anything like Kyojin, then I can't see any reason why I wouldn't have an Akita even at retirement age. He doesn't need much exercise so for walks I could hire someone to be a dog walker for me. Which isn't really an issue since I don't walk him now. OH always holds the leash since Kyojin's so strong. He doesn't pull or anything, but we just know that if I walk him and he DOES pull, I'm going to be hopeless. Other than that, I can't see an Akita being too difficult to manage.

Kyojin loves them too! My husband's addicted to eating them so we buy a packet every time we go to the shops. Kyojin loves them. He enjoys spitting them out and then licking them again, then spitting them out, then licking it again etc..

Just spent the last half hour continually spamming 'No' votes. Will do some more later tonight when I'm home. Ridiculous that this is even up for debate.

I've had two family Rotties so this makes my blood boil that so many ignorant people have voted on the poll. I bet the majority of them have never actually met a Rottweiler in their lives. I have met countless Rotties over the years. Most of them have been owned by your average Joe. Yet, not ever have I met one that wasn't an absolute sweetheart. Even ginormous, entire males that I have met. I can honestly say that I have never met a breed that is more gentle or loving.

Err Mervin, no one said that all or most bad owners were male. They were purely giving an example of people they knew.

I'll try and remember to do it once it opens up

Done Pandii

Afghan Hound: Sir Walter, Faxon, Lochie, Bluey, Miffy, Airedale Terrier: Abbey Akita: Kyojin, Kuma Alaskan Malamute: Indiana, Kira American Staffordshire Terrier: Tua, Max, Juno, Cash, Loki, Jessie Anatolian Shepherd: Trojan Australian Cattle Dog: Elvis, Matilda, Katie Australian Cattle Dog X : Frosty Australian Shepherd: Banjo, Archie, Lottie, Millie, Alice, Hannah, Hudson, Flynn, Gossip, Ava Australian Silky Terrier: Holly, Rolle Australian terrier: Bailey, Brandy, Jasper Australian Kelpie: Revan, Abby, Bluey, Cahill, Franky, Izzy, Safire, Milky, Kinta, Banjo, Rosie, Skye, Emerald, Gem, Meg Australian Kelpie X:Toby, Cooper Basset Hound : Gemma Beagle : Teagan,Ollie, Ellie, Dusky, Brodie, Billy, Piper, Briar, Scarlett, Buffy, Emmie Bearded Collie: Charlie, Bonnie, Bailie Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael): Fleming, Ivy Bichon Frise: Jag Bichon Frise X: Harper Bloodhound: Earl Border Collie: Roy, Molly, Kirra, Rory, Rumour, Diesel, Kobie, Emma, Kenzie, Maggie, Ella, Shelby, Jayde, Ashli, Mia, 'Bubba', Wyc, Echo, Topolino, Sally, Xena, CK, Wikki, Gemima, Carter, Maddy, Charlie, Border Collie x: Anna, Cally Border collie x kelpie: Jasmine Border Terrier: Tammy Borzoi: Oberon, Boris, Sonya, Kurgan, Ursula, Apollo, Atlas, Adonis, Argus, Alektos, Arinyes, Athena, Aphrodite, Aidos, Andromeda, Ares, Alexander Boston Terrier: Archer Boxer: Bruno, Nelsson Brittany: Zora Bull Terrier: Bonnerville, Atlas, Stitch Bull Terrier (Miniature) Lainie Cane Corso: Ali Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Ben, Bree, Ingrid, Jersey, Lacey, Fern, Floyd, Indy, Arnie, Joey, Renae, Bailey, Murphy, Maggie, Millie, Chloe,Toby,Zonda Chihuahua: Chelsea and Pansy, Heidi, Bertie, Moose, Archi,Pepe, Squirt, Limpet, Jasper, Bella, Dobby, Bud Chihuahua x Maltese: Midget Chinese Crested: Louis, Daisy, Cyrus, Madeline, Sarge, Pepper, Fletcher, Darla, Oz, Xander, Faith Chinese Crested Powder Puff x Tibetan Terrier: Dee, Carrie, Benita, Jenna Cocker Spaniel : Maggie,Jesie, Bonnie, Chelsea, Darcy Curly Coated Retriever: Angus & Freddie Curly Coated Retriever x Labrador Retriever: Maggie Dalmatian: Appollo, Cleo Deerhound: Rhys, Calleigh Deerhound X: D'Arcy Doberman: Opal, Brutus Dogue De Bordeaux: Moose, Chevy, Bella, Molly, Digby, Dexter, Viva, Vegas, Griffen Dogue De Bordeaux x Boxer: Madeline English Cocker Spaniels: Jesie,Bonnie, Chelsea English Setter: Spartan, James English Springer Spaniel: Buddy Field Spaniel: Moo Finnish Lapphund:Halo, Vienna, Jaana,Magnus,Aurora-Rose,Niina,Paddington,Maximus, Ahsoka, Fable, Demi,Varda, Asha, Boots, Echo, Alera, Annika, Ella Flatcoat Retriever: Moraig, George French Bulldog: Lola, FeeBee, Alexis, Claire, Lilly German Coolie: FlashBazil, Latte, Razzle, Willow, Dusty German Shepherd: Java, Odin, Tlaloc, Rebus, Indi, UnoBuffy, Bronx, Sabre, Kynan, Brennan, Jack, Santha, Molly, Max, Jenna, Acteon, Roxy, Scout, Rumour, Skye,Banzai,Imba, Kira, Chloe, Duke German Shorthaired Pointer: Pip, Coco, Polo, Riley German Spitz (Mittel)- Amber Golden Retriever: Onslow, Matilda-Rose, Chester, Genie, Ella, Rosie, Bruce, Chloe, Chaos, Ruby, Sasha, Aria, Archer, Lexi Great Dane: Sparkles, Whitney Greyhound: Harry, Kiff, Sally, Clyde, Ryan, Amethyst, Stan, Maddie, Skye, Rosie, Ruby, Roxie, Jazz, Gypsy, Ernie, Gus, Rufus, Joey, Woody, Coconut, Cleo, Freckles, Ziggy, Candy Griffon Bruxellois: Mocha Hungarian Vizsla: Flynn, Rogan, Kobi, Ari, Belle, Monah Irish Setter: Fionneaghan, Maia, Aneira Irish Terrier: Kate, Duke Irish Wolfhound: Zac Italian Greyhound: Bella, Tari, Blaze, Zoey, Italian Spinone: Roisin. Enzo Jack Russell Terrier: Ringo, Nandi, Chief, Louis, Matilda, Tess Jack Russell terrier X: Thomas Japanese Spitz: Emmy, Angelo Keeshond: Jedi Kerry Blue Terrier: Juno, Joxer, Bahsha, Louie, Cinders, Solo Labrador Retriever: Lestat, Bailey, Tia, Mieka, James, Harry, Lily Rose, Zep Lagotto Romagnolo: Rizzi, Lucca Leonberger: Singe Maltese: Luna, Mia, Basil Maltese X: Chase, Pipi, bella, byron Maremma: Dennys Dog, Grace,Gina, Angel,Honey, Hollie, Snotto, Hairy Beary, Tadea Miniature Fox Terrier: Cleopatra Miniature Long Haired Dachshund: Mini, Rover Miniature Pinscher: Mischa, Cleo Murray River Curly Coated Retriever: Aggie, Soona Neapolitan Mastiff: Miniera, Pacchia, Bruno, Pasquala + 3, 1 week old pups Newfoundland dogs: Annabelle, Katy, Lukey, Xanthe, Maddy Norwegian Elkhound: Odin Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriver: Nova, Darcy, Jovi Papillon: Blaze, Minka, Portia, Tyson, Coco, Tonka, Mailka, Sarge, Dodger Pekingese: Edwina, Lyle Pointer : Kite Audrey Poppin konrad, Badger Poodle (Toy): Chilli, Maggie Poodle (Minature): Caroline, Brody, Prada Poodle (Standard) Merry & Pippin, Poppy & babies. Pomeranian: Daisy, Comet, Jester, Polly Pug: LotusFlynn, Elyse, Ted, Misty, Elly, Poppy, Sally landers,Archie, Beau, Haidee, Millies, Ivee, Jack, Bert, Cheddar, Maggie, Swank, Monte, Boof, Olivia Pyrenean Mountain Dog: Sasquatch Rhodesian Ridgeback: Meisha, Bakari, Boss, Sierra, Kei Rottweiler: Roxy, Feonix, Radar, Neo, Abby, Dyzney, Fame, Jag, Nellie Rose, Baylee, Dee, Zephyr, Mini, Diesel, Fire, Flint Saluki: Bella, Arella, Moss, Lucy, Jadir, Mab, Floyd Samoyed: Mistral, Alchemy, Yngvie, Dante, Bundy, Kamikaze, Fergus, Kato Samoyed x: Jenna Schipperke: Taz Schnauzer (Miniature): Maximus, Coconut,Betty,Jigga, Riva, Amy, Indy, Amber, Grace, Guy, Blue, Connie, Paddington Schnauzer (Standard) Baillie, Remy Schnauzer (Giant): Tara, Darcy Shar Pei: Askari, Acheron, Asante sana, Sirius, Chippy, Christina, Diezel, Cassie, Orsana, Cimba, Sebastian Shetland Sheepdog:Shady, Ruby Shih Tzu : Gizmo, Daisy, Zeus Siberian Husky: Akira, Tikaani,Romeo,Baby.Riddick,Indie, Esky, Blacky, Zuess, Zero, Mya, Suggen, Freyja Siberian Husky x: Luki Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Shaemus, Nellie, Ciara Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Kiara, Zola, Diesel, Kaos, Brutus, Monty, Chaos, Bean, Brock, Benson SWF: Zoe Tibetan Spaniel: Annie, Nina Zena, Lily Tibetan Terrier: Prue, Mindy, Holly, Tara Tenterfield Terrier: Cinder, Zoom,Spirit,Heidi,Kimi, Heidi, Dotty Rescue Bitsa: Keely, Fred & Ginger, Ozzie, Tess, Maverick, Bosco, Kyah, Charlie, Astrid, Mala, Bella, Tiny Tim, Jen Jen, Lilly, Judy, Mini, Pixie, Ozzie, Dozer, Alaska, Logan, Buddy, Leela, Rusty, Pip, Brembo, Satchmo, Henry Welsh Corgi (Cardigan): Shandy White German Shepherd: Casper White Swiss Shepherd: Rakim, Whippet: Herbie, Buzz, Lewis, Rommi, Daphne, Elliot, Mindy, Whiz, Arizona aka Zassy , Griff , Penny, Kibah, Feather, Tag, Puck, Orlando Weimaraner: Ariane, Lulu, Louie West Highland White Terrier: Penny, Mac, Daisy, Mac, Sarah, Andy, Sweep, JJ, Flash, Fergie, Crystal, Glen, Jingles, Jinnie, Loui, Mitch, Maggie, Smiekie, Zac, Roxy, Winnie, Cricket, Nova, Jo Wire Haired Fox Terrier: Zedley aka Tawnyoak Dream Weaver

The only people I ever have this conversation with aren't particularly 'doggy' people, so specifics aren't really necessary. For this reason I will usually just say desex for both dogs and bitches.

I agree. Your little cherub was probably just making sure you didn't get any sicker! ;) ETA: Hilarious story btw :rofl:

If that's the one I think you're talking about, I'm pretty sure I put Boston.

I don't know about VIC, but it isn't illegal in Qld. There were 3 ridgebacks left in a car at IKEA when we were there a few weeks ago. We were supposed to find someone and get them to put a call out over the loud speaker as soon as we got upstairs, but we had a young baby with us and got distracted and forgot all about it. When we left about 3 hours later, the dogs were still there. No idea how long they'd been there before we got there. We rang the police and they said it wasn't a police matter and to ring the RSPCA. We also asked them about the legality of breaking in to a car if you see a distressed animal locked in it (as I had read on here before that you're allowed to do that). I was told it's completely illegal to do so even if it means the dog may die while waiting for someone to get out to it. We rang the RSPCA and they weren't really interested because the dogs didn't appear to be in any immediate danger.

Yup, I'd say the size and bad angles of some of the photos was intentional for those reasons.

There were a couple of occasions where I put "Amstaff crossed with I don't know" or "SBT crossed with I don't know" because that's what I thought they mostly looked like, but didn't look pure and I wouldn't have a clue what the combination is. I only have one friend with a bull breed, and I've never seen a bull breed at a dog park before so I just don't know them well enough. I think I would have gotten almost all of the purebreed questions though, except for probably some of the terriers coz I really don't know terrier dogs.

Awesome lovely to see some of your photos and Bruno's looking very handsome indeed.

Probably bath time. We take him to the hydrobath and wash him ourselves and we always end up with admirers at the fence giggling at him. I love giving him a good scrub and kissing his squishy face. When we go him to finish drying him off he's a bit unsettled with the force dryer but once that's turned off and it's just the brush he normally collapses into my lap for a good cuddle and massage. Or I love our late night spooning on the floor in the lounge with him rolling around on his back, limbs going everywhere and being showered with kisses :D

When Kyojin sees me grab his brush he immediately goes psychotic and does crazy laps around the yard for about 5 minutes until he's exhausted and then I can usually brush him for up to an hour provided I kiss him lots and tell him how handsome he is.

My boy has only ever been on ProPlan and we've never had any issues.

I started to type this big rant but I really don't know what to say except that this video, and the owners of the dog, are completely $%^*@! up.

Kyojin isn't costing us all that much at the moment really. We used to spend about $150 a month on training classes but we are having a break at the moment before we start at more of a standard obedience class instead hopefully next year. Food is probably $60-70 a month which is ProPlan kibble and his yoghurt and eggs etc. Toys we have bought loads of in the past as well as been given quite a few, but the company we buy his food from always gives us a free gift with each order, which often gives him a new toy so we don't really need to. He gets a bath at the hydrobath each month (one where we bathe him) which is normally around $15 and then we blow dry him with our force dryer at home. Pet insurance for him is only about $20 a month since we pay a cheap yearly fee. I can't really remember how much his worming and flea treatments would cost because I buy them in bulk so I haven't had to buy any more since when we first got him. We do buy him collars and leads and brushes etc fairly often though.

Is there something we're missing??

I'm no trainer, but that sounds like really crap advice to me. I'd try seeing someone else and see what they suggest. As was already said, you should feel comfortable with the advice given to you and not left confused.

Kyojin could be like this sometimes. We would take him out very frequently to toilet, but this wasn't always enough. He never used to show any signs whatsoever that he needed to go out at the beginning. After a while he started heading towards the back door, so any time we saw him go near it we'd take him out. Now he nibbles on our hands (an Akita trait, they nibble on your hands when they want to tell you/show you something). But when it came to number two's, there were a few occasions where I'd have Kyojin with me for hours and no issues, but the second I got up to go to the toilet or shower or be in another room for a minute or two I'd come back out and he'd have pooed on the lounge room floor. I know people say that you can't tell a dog they've done something wrong after the fact, but we did with Kyojin. The first bunch of times he did it we'd just clean it up. Then decided to see if we could let him know that what he had done was wrong, as well as whenever he did toilet outside he would receive ginormous praise. (He's 13 months old now and I still praise him whenever I see him toileting outside). When we did find out that he'd pooed inside, usually only a minute or so after he had done it, we'd say "What is this?" in a growly tone and point to the mess. We did this maybe 3 times and then he never had a single accident in the house again. It can be a bit frustrating. Kyojin pees quite a lot during the day, but even from when we first brought him home, he would sleep all through the night without needing to go.