Tralee

Are you kidding! What a goldmine - Denmark. We had a family of Danes where I grew up who were all so charismatic. I loved them all and still do. It's not too late to adopt a theme. Take the Aus/Dane connection. First one is Hamlet. Lots of characters in there. Then you've got Vikings, Norse mythology, Scandinavian identity etc. Px

Hi Trisven 13 Hmmm Just wondering if Trisven lends itself to a theme. It makes it easier to tie your litter names into a prefix. I reclaimed my Celtic heritage for my dogs prefix/litter names and I am having a lot of fun with it. See here for yourself. Arawn Maremma Sheepdogs The other idea is to link it to some characteristic of your dogs. Mine are a Guardian Breed so Bladewyn was our second litter. BTW I always spend many hours on naming our pups. Good Luck Px

Hi Nice idea but I think its been done before. Hmm Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver. Oh! And I think there are a couple of Cooking magazines around. Anyway. Is there anything on Redbubble and those places? Px

I believe that it is an offense to cause stress to a cat or dog, so your neighbour must comply wwith the statue. Socks. That's great, I've got lots of socks. I have been doing that for some time though; like "where's you sock" as a stimulus for games. Where's the gold star emoticon?? Px

I wouldn't let Tom C. see that photo Rebanne. Px

Hi Jumabaar. No gold star today I'm afraid. I should point out clauses 6.1.1.5 and 7.1.1.5 respectively. Where a facility houses both dogs and cats, cat housing must be a sufficient distance or otherwise isolated from dog housing to minimise the stress created by the sound, sight or smell of dogs. Dogs and cats that may be distressed by the presence of other dogs and cats must be housed in a manner that prevents visual and minimises or reduces olfactory contact. I hope the cat doesn't smell. :D Px

Nice Janba. 10/10 But 'that and that' pertains to clause 6.1.1.9 All sleeping areas for cats and dogs must have clean, hygienic, dry and soft bedding, appropriate to the species and breed, sufficient for the number of animals held, and sufficient to insulate them from the floor. Now if you were to claim that it is a specially constructed 'dreaming room' then that would satisfy me. :D Px

Hi All. Pursuant to the recently highlighted document: Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats, I refer you to clause 7.1.1.10 Dogs and cats must receive environmental enrichment, recognising the physiological status and special needs of differing ages and species, to ensure good psychological health. So I ask what are you doing that I might consider also? Px

I don't think that's legal. It would fall into a number of categories that I won't pre-empt but if that's what QLD is doing I would be very concerned. Px

Well, Mine are. ;) Thanks tdierkx Px

Hi. Some large breeds need to be able to negotiate steppes. ;) Px

As I did edit the previous post to say, As far as I am aware, we not only meet all the standards required, but cover the guidelines too. In fact I would argue that we go above and beyond the code in many areas. I could always tender our veterinary history as evidence. All is in order here, I wonder how things are in DOGSNSW. I have not forgotten our expensive and time consuming visit to Sydney for a totally unwarranted and completely unnecessary temperament test because the initial test at a regional show was bungled. Maybe they could invest in some portable photocopiers so they can comply with their own statutes. Px

Hi Fellow Breeders Had an unexpected and quizzical email from the President of DOGSNSW. Dear DOGS NSW Registered Breeder I have attached the "Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats" issued by the State of New South Wales through the Department of Industry and Investment in August 2009. This Code contains both standards and guidelines for the care of dogs or cats for breeding. Blah, blah, blah, ..... DOGS NSW, through past President Frank Pieterse, contributed to the development of this code and compliance with the standards contained in it now form part of the undertaking of Members through our Code of Ethics. In future this document will be provided to all new applicants for a Breeder's Prefix but I believe it is just as important that all current breeders familiarise themselves with the standards set out in this Code to assist them in understanding the requirements for the care and management of our much loved dogs. I don't want to sound like a but I downloaded and read the document over a month ago. I even made reference to it in a post here recently. Thanks to Frank Pieterse and Tom Couchman but I was already doing a lot of the things in both the standards and the guidelines. For example, our place out a Nimbin was double fenced and double gated. I am not sure whether to feel rankled or flattered. Px edited for clarity

It might be best to wait for pictures. I have to think about containing a litter of pups, next month, from leaving the new yard. It's a worry Px

Hi All I used this picture for the front of our business cards. Px

Hi StaceyB I have an escape artist here too. In fact all of them will wander off if not watched. You haven't said anything about your yard or the fences. There is no looking back from and electric fence, if your circumstances allow it. They operate on 3 volts which is a lot less than the hundreds of volts used for cattle. The electric wire is the white strand along the bottom.

Use this link: realestate.com.au It has a pets allowed function. And dream away, you'll get one of them. Px

It won't matter you being away, they don't do much over Christmas, I don't suppose Casino is on your radar. If you get desperate that is. My old place - 4 bed, nice house, bad street. $250 pw Px

Hi ellazpupz. Well good news for you. I've just been through the hoops looking for a place here. I wasn't impressed with Mark Harley and you can tell him too. What you need to do is do a web search. Use the sites that have a pets allowed function to eliminate those that are "ignorant" The good news is one dog will not be a big problem here. I have four dogs with puppies on the way, and we live across the road from Lismore Base Hospital in an Art Deco house with almost an acre of yard. Go figure. There were many places recently that listed as pets neg, pets ok or fenced yard. I don't know where you are but it is a legal requirement to view a property before making an application. Who knows, you might even get one of the rural properties. Good Luck Px

Hi All too common. The last time it happened to me, and it has happened too many times, the owners of the dog had just finished complaining that my big dog was off leash on the road in a rural area where all of the people with dogs walked them off leash. You have a perfectly good right to protect "Life, Limb and Property" and your dogs are your property. It is an interesting issue because I believe you also have a perfectly good right to meet force with equal force when in fear of danger. I am not going to advocate hitting the dog, but defending your own dog takes a paramount consideration. My approach is to take a camera, send the pics to your ranger, and make it quite clear what his/her responsibilities are to you and other people who walk their dogs in that area. An $800 fine should get the dog restrained. Good luck Px

That is Arawn Caergwydion Lumen at work at Ponda Estate Wines at Wallington in Victoria. Cancer is not unknown in the Maremma and Helen Brennan at Coominya nursed one of her dogs through it. Cancer does not discriminate between depigmented dogs and dogs with full pigment. My dogs seek the shelter of full shade and I am sure that Lumen aka Louie has ample shade too. In fact I have been assured of it. Px

Not if it's unavoidable. It's not as if Jaybeece is setting one dog upon another. I don't get why you would bother even mentioning that Hi That would be in the Guide for Care and Management from the State CCC 2.1.2 Provision of protection for dogs, as necessary, from adverse natural or artificial environmental conditions, other animals and unwarranted interference from humans. 2.1.5 Protection of dogs as far as possible from disease, distress and injury. I believe jayceebee asked about the managemnet of the dogs and not what is unavoidable. I think the fact dogs fight is a given. Px

Hmmm. Your cost analysis seems to me to misrepresent the Maremma Sheepdog and I think that is unfair. If you have decided against procurring Maremmas or dogs to protect your property then I certainly respect your reasons. However, my dogs cost around $1 a day to feed and that includes fresh meat; chicken, lamb and beef. All this and I keep my dogs, sometimes in the burbs and other-times on farm. Veterinary costs add to my expenses but against your losses of quote; "up to 50 lambs per night (that's $7,500 in one night)" end quote I am easily able to maintain all my dogs for a year with money left over, which I should add includes fences when on farm. I think, to be fair, your reasons are other than the cost of keeping dogs and I am sure they are warranted. Anyhow here is a link to an equally large property using Maremmas with great success. Guardian Angels I wish you well Px

Hi jayceebee I have two dogs and two bitches and it takes foresight and experience to keep the tension to a minimum. Fortunately, most of the time they get along swimmingly and they only needed to be separated when the bitches are in season and when feeding them of course. However, there are many triggers that can set one dog off against another. Who gets to say hello first. Which dog is closer to 'daddy'. Is 'daddy' angry with another dog. Who has the toy, etc. It is interesting that only this week has my big dog entertained 'his boy/son' in a game of chase. He has been aloof and stubborn most of the last 5 years. I find the younger dogs spark up in reaction to the big dogs and that is what I aim to manage. My approach has been to keep the younger dogs 'respectful' to the older dogs but still accept them on their terms. It is a learning curve but I will maintain that the best thing for a dog is another dog. I should point out that dog fights are classed as animal cruelty so a learned head on calm shoulders is needed. I am sure you can do it, and you and your dog and your flatmate and her dog will be richer for the experience. Px

Well hello steve. Out of the five, three went exclusively to working homes. Lumen went to www.pondaestate.com.au where he keeps dogs off baby doll sheep, Gemelli is on farm at www.byronbeans.com.au and Heraldus is in Hawaii protecting goats www.diamondtlivestock.com Here's the link to their records http://webs.dogs.net.au/arawn/homed-puppies.asp Florenza has gone down to Sunbury near Allarme Maremmas and Schaferden Kennells and is being shown and held for breeding. Spiritus is a companion dog in Brisbane. I always have many calls from people looking for a working dog.