JENCOL

I fed BArf for a about 2 years to my GSD, she thrived on it. My Collies well they didn't, I couldn't keep condition on them and even though they where given more food, they wouldn't eat the extra as it was too much for them. 2 years ago I was completely fed up with trying to keep weight on the Collies so I started giving some dry food to see if that would help, which it did. I have fed raw and Eagle PAck Power for the last 2 years and am not about to change as I am happy with how my dogs do on it.

Ok After the fires recently my Smooth Collies all seem to be looking abnormally filthy. I have just washed the adult girl to gauge how I was going to go getting my babies clean for shows this weekend. Well She is obviously cleaner however still some blackie icky stuff is sticking to her whites!!!! I am guessing this is thanks to the soot and smoke in the air so completely unavoidable. Any suggestions on how I might get this out????? Jenny

You can add mine: Jencol My families: Carluke

We have a Mini Dachy Smooth, she is a great little dog. I have heard numerous people say they are yappy little dogs but have found the opposite with our girl, don't get me wrong she barks but usually for a reason e.g. visitors. She doesn't believe anyone who doesn't belong to our family should ever enter our house she does settle though when her antics are ignored. She doesn't bark out of boredom (but then she never really gets bored she entertains herself with her toys etc.) She is an active little dog, loves going for walks or doing zoomies around the house with hers or anyone elses toys. I call her my living breathing Cartoon Character. I'd have lots of them if my first love wasn't my Collie's.

I give mine whatever yogurt is brought home. My partner and I both work in a yoghurt factory. We do mainly try to gove them either natural or vanilla. Never had an bad effects.

Good quality diet, Mine are on Eaglepack Performance and the Satin Ball mix. I also add Megaderm. Coats are awesome! I've used alot of the missing Link etc etc etc but never saw them make a difference. Also regular grooming and no over exposure to the elements that means out of the weather, wind is just as drying as the sun and constantly wet coats are not healthy either. Exercise is also vital. A healthy dog glows from inside out. Jenny

Try the Satin Balls, have been using them for one of mine that needed to gain weight (although Collie not GSD)My guys all love them, even the fussy's. I also feed Eagle Pack Power to assist weight gain, At times its really hard getting the Max calories in which is what is required and where the Satin Balls come in. Coats come up brilliantly as well!

For those who are on a Health Care card or low income etc you can apply for assisstance to get your pet desexed here: http://www.ndn.org.au/ A hugely worth while organisation!

I am not involved in Shutzhund, however have a close friend who is starting out in Shutzhund. From what I understand she also had difficulties getting into the 'in' group. She had to prove herself to them as really being interested and not just a fly by night. It has taken her years ( I mean about 5 years) of maintaining contacts and building relationships with those involved. I think she finally is getting somewhere though. She also had the difficulty with the tyranny of distance, at one point she travelled over 3 hours to attend class and was met with people who where very wary and cautious although helpful. Remember there are alot of naive people when it comes to Shutzhund and alot of people continue to view it as illegal and detrimental to the canine movement. I can understand why the Shutzhund community is as cautious as they are. Good Luck and I hope you get somewhere!

My dogs all get their Vegemite on toast everyday (perhaps why I go through so much bread). I also use vegemite for my pups, I dissolve some in water and mix it into the mince when I am weaning them. Haven't had a complaint yet!

Currently my lot are getting fed twice a day, I am getting them ready for some shows so their exercise regime has increased alot so to maintain their body fat levels they get the 2 meals otherwise they would look like rakes. When they are over the big shows planned, then I will drop off their work regime and their meals will again drop to once a day. The big plus is I will again have the time and energy to do something other then work the dogs!

Tess' think you will find they are common as they are a very popular breed. Good luck with finding your puppy, make sure appropriate health testing is completed on parents especially if paying that kind of money for your new pup.

From my understanding, it takes a minimum of 6 weeks for a change in diet to have any effect on coats. Therefore it may still take more time and patience. I hope your dogs are back to being white soon. I also find that regular bathing helps, my girls whites if they haven't been bathed regularly discolour, it takes a few serious baths to get their whites back to white.

I have seen a puppy with hair growing from it's eye, which was surgically removed at about 8 weeks old, as far as I am aware it never grew back. Not sure if they would surgically remove it from the mouth but I would want it done as I can see it would contribute to bad breath as in the wet enviroment surely it could cause problems like mouth and throat and gum infections makings of a stinky breath and pain and discomfort for the dog. Jenny

I'll have a brag, not my doing other then breeding the bitch! Jencol Blonde Ambition, Smooth Collie gained her CCD title last weekend, she is owned in South Aust by Toni. Sully as she is known completed her title with all scores well over 90 and winning the ring on 2 occasions and a 2nd on 1 occasion. Am very proud of them and hope they continue to trial successfully.

I am pretty sure the Warragul Kennel and Obedience Club train at Darnum. They do have a website. http://www.warraguldogclub.org.au/ Cheers Jenny

Thanks Erny, have emailed you. Jenny

Is it still possible to attend only Day 2?????? Jenny

Kaff, So sorry to hear you lost Kaden, I was so hoping he would pull through for you. I remember the day that last pic was taken, such a lovely photo of such a lovely dog. He is at peace now. Jenny

I used to have a GSD bitch who would have a swollen abdomen after eating fish. No it wasn't a typical 'Bloat' as Vet checked her on the two occasions it occured as I worried. Both times her abdomen went down after a 24 hour fast. Never gave her fish again though.

I find the hardest thing with a Raw/Prey model diet or a Barf diet for that matter is the availability of appropriate foods. I used to have a great supplier of rabbits however am no longer able to get these. Most of the off cuts etc available at butchers and supermarkets in my area are so finely trimmed that it simply is bone left with no meat available. My dogs do get chicken carcass' regularly as they are easiest to obtain. Out of desperation I am back to feeding part raw and part dry whilst I search out sutible supplies who don't over price things! Rabbits locally from butchers are skinned and so expensive that I wouldn't buy 1 to feed myself let alone the dogs! Any hunters out there in the gippsland area who go bunny hunting please PM me!!!!!

OMG this has made me think about what I feed! So here goes nothing. Breed and age: Collie Smooth x 3 (ages 5 months, 18months and 3 1/2 years) Collie Rough aged 22 months. Product name, size and cost: Eagle Pack Power formula 18kg $106 Daily amount fed: varies from 1 cup per day through to 2 cups per day depending on dog, about 5 1/2 cups per day between the 4 dogs. How long does the bag last: 4 weeks Average cost of feeding/week: 26.50/week thats 6.60 per dog per week Hey just worked out that its costing about 1.00 per day per dog for dry food :-) Anything to add: I also feed chicken mince second daily, chicken frames twice per week, lamb offcuts twice weekly and add Omega oils to diets daily. What does it cost????? Don't care! Will be changing diet of oldest smooth girl this week as i'm having some weight issues with her as she isn't as active as the others. She will be going onto a Eagle Pack holistic formula. Have never been happier with how my dogs looked since I put them on Eagle Pack 12 months ago.

Hi Collie lover, Don't stress yourself yet. You need to remember that your boy is going to be a big boy and has loads of growing to do yet and possibly very quickly. He is going through that awful gangly/unco-ordinated stage that lots of pups do go through. All very normal! Relax enjoy him Jenny

I feel your pain Gail and all at Amarada...... She was a special girl Hugs Jen

Carluke Tinseltown Terror (Jani) 31.08.07~24.11.07 My baby boy left me on Friday night. I am yet to come to terms with his passing and am unsure I ever will. He brought so much to our home although he was only here for 1 very short month. I had such high hopes for Jani and now I feel lost without him. Watched over by those who went before him. Now I am unsure if I can keep going. Just thinking about you makes me cry . Many thanks to those who have passed on their condolences. Thank you to Mum and Kate who entrusted Jani to my care, I am sorry I failed Sleep peacefully my beautiful baby boy, you took my heart with you