KJJ

I must say I am skeptical about just how much quality of life that dog has, personally I would prefer to see the resources that are devoted to keeping it alive go to other dogs that have the misfortune to be boring and normal when in need of rescue and so do not tug at the heartstrings of some people so much, but I guess that is the choice her rescuer is happy making

For some reason I keep thinking of a Diane Fossy like character oooh I like that one

Jane Bamboo - I have no idea what image that might conjure up

would you mind shooting me a pm with the name and surgery of your vet? I have been in Canberra for a few years now but am still interested to try out vets that others recommend. (BTW - I think I met you not long after I moved to the ACT, when you had rats and a rescue litter?)

keeping in mind that we are talking about 30 or more years ago when I was a youngster (which gives more away about my age than I am usually comfortable sharing online!) - I remember some fairly extreme aggression against both dogs and in some cases humans, in one case a dog attacked the bitch he was supposed to be paired with (please excuse me if my terminology is wrong, I am used to dealing with another species so far as breeding goes) and the bitch ultimately died, I also remember when visiting these breeders there were certain dogs that had to be locked away because they were unpredictable with visitors, even those had been on the premises before. Why do you ask?

I have been reading this topic with interest, I am one of those who had previously not considered buying a purebred dog from a registered breeder - the reasons for that ranged from a negative experience of purebred dogs when growing up (knowing and in one case owning german shepherds and dobermans with truly awful aggressive temperaments, the shepherds with the terrible posture and hips that were all too common back in the seventies and eighties that were still considered fine to breed with), a perception that all registered breeders were interested in was conformation at the expense of health and temperament, added to that was hearing from people about not being able to inquire about price without causing offence or even people who wanted to get into showing being shut out and told that they had to 'earn' a show worthy dog. Now however, after deciding to keep an open mind, I do feel that there are many breeders who do care passionately about their breed and not just about showing, they are concerned about all aspects of the animal, it's still not necessarily easy for an outsider to figure out the difference between a 'good' breeder and a 'bad' breeder though.

I think what to do for your pup has already been well covered, and as far as that goes I would say the same thing - keep things bland, introduce new foods gradually, if worried try some mashed pumpkin to firm the stool (apparently it also works for constipation - a stool normaliser perhaps) and beneficial gut flora can be helped along by some yogurt or probiotic. I'm a raw feeder and the bone content certainly helps with stool firmness :laugh: however just because that is what works for me does not mean it is the best choice for every other person - people do seem to get a bit 'evangelical' (not to mention heated) over dog diet :)

even without mention of an article mention such issues I would have suspected that was the case, however a reasonable percentage of owners / breeders must have managed to rear giant breeds on whatever they deemed an appropriate diet, or maybe the difference is that breeders were more inclined to cull pups or dogs that had 'issues' back then?

I am curious to know how breeders got the ratios right prior to the advent of commercial food? Giant breeds like Great Danes have been around for many centuries and commercial dog food for less than two (and that was by no means a balanced product). Please note - I am genuinely curious to hear peoples opinions, I am not trying to suggest one way of feeding is better than another.

My guess is a lot of the time, dogs got what we didn't want or need. But it seems that historically, cereal (often bread) has formed part of the domestic dog's diet ever since we've been harvesting it. Given that dogs and horses were often housed and worked in close proximity, its not surprising that many dogs got what horses got to some degree, with meat added. I am inclined to agree, dogs are not obligate carnivores and are known to have far better ability to utilise carbohydrates than wolves (I still am not convinced that processed manufactured kibble is the answer though). Anyhow - apologies for straying a bit off topic

totally agree - I was looking into switching to raw and found that there was a relative scarcity of independent rigorous research for either side, in the end I ended up feeding raw anyway and deciding to use my own judgement about the condition of my animals (in part because I could never find an adequate explanation of how - if specific manufactured diets were so necessary - did anyone manage to raise healthy pups (giant breed or otherwise) before the advent of kibble?)

love it :D

I tend to agree with both of these comments - if you are home most of the day and into running and dog sports (or other activities that challenge the mind of the dog), there is probably no reason you couldn't keep something like a border collie in an apartment, so depending on your lifestyle and level of commitment many different breeds could fit in well, but that said something with a known compulsion to bark may not be the best choice for remaining on good terms with the neighbours. My personal choice would be for a large rug like dog, many of those would be quite happy snoozing on a couch most of the day so long as they were walked (and in my experience had some lap time :) )

I have two dogs and an eclectus (also a cat, budgies and several rats), while the dogs quite happily hoover up dropped fruit etc from under the parrot's cage without bothering him, I don't mix them as the consequences if something went wrong are not something I'm willing to risk. If the parrot is free ranging, the dogs are shut away, same thing for the rats.

it's unfortunate that there are no accessible organisations that could help puddles maybe you should have a think about where you want to draw the line in terms of assistance and then clearly and calmly let her know where that line is? (I'm all for being there for the dogs, but you need to be there for your own dogs too - not to mention taking care of yourself as well)

the first thoughts I have are sympathy for the woman in question, you mention she has no family there which with her health issues at a young age sounds like she is doing it tough That said whilst dogs can be the best medicine in some circumstances, it does rather sound as though she is sharing her life with the wrong dogs for her circumstances (particularly the young lab!) I think older dogs of a more sedate 'rug' type breed would be better suited. It sounds as though you feel obligated to help out and are starting to feel a bit resentful? There is nothing wrong with feeling that way (if indeed you are) as you did not choose to put yourself in the situation (other than being approached to help out with the feeding etc) are there any charities or rescue volunteers in your area which could help her out?

glad to hear Sammy is ok you must be relieved to have it over and done with :)

:laugh: love it, as for the rest (ie this entire thread), as a new poster (if not new member) - it's certainly been educational (I would be laughing lots at some of the screen shots of what seem to be the ramblings of a massive ego, if not for the fact that it involves animals in need)

worked

when I try the link I get the message "the URL is incorrect"

according to the tbox tv guide 'The Great South East' will be on from 1130 - 1200 on Saturday the 15th on 7two/Prime (that's in the ACT, so I would imagine it would be similar for NSW and Vic)

Merlin (BCx) is mostly not bothered by cold or rain, Molly (staffy) will tend to stick her head out of the dog door, notice the weather and then go into reverse, you can see her thinking "um ... no thanks, I can hold it for a while yet". If I want her to go out though I just point and say "go on" and she will comply (but race back in as soon as she's done).

it brought a lump to my throat that's for sure (anything else I will just blame on dust in my eyes)

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/03/police-dog-figo-bids-farewell-k-9-partner-officer-jason-ellis-picture_n_3377560.html

whilst it does not have the certainty of a pure breed (especially one from a good breeder who can match the temperament of the dog to your family) - I'll put a vote in for a rescue x of a breed you like. I love BC's (and can never see myself without one as a family member), my current BCx is a rescue (he took some finding because at the time I was looking for a small BCx) and he is what I was looking for - all the biddability and drive of a BC in a smaller package :) I would also agree with piper - they do not necessarily need the huge amount of exercise that is often assumed, my heart girl was from working BC's and was happy with a walk and a play (in saying that though - she always had another dog as companion and was with me for the majority of every day)