Tralee

Hi Fiasco That's a great black and white close-up. It could win a prize. :D Traditionally, Golden Retrievers were a copper coin colour. Very nice. Times change and people's taste change too. My dogs are often mistaken as retrievers, if retreivers were still the original colour, that could never happen. Changes in some breeds are astounding, in others quizzical. Nevertheless, it's up to the particular fancier I guess. Px

Hi There are always three considerations which need to be canvased when making determinations about when to home a puppy. Which practise, in which situation, with which dog will be the most efficacious. As steve has intimated, rescuing young pups is different to placing good dogs in good homes. When it comes to Breeders, I think we have to allow the community to judge them on their outcomes. I don't subscribe to the 'early age proposal' and specifically with my dogs I follow the Italian's lead. The Breeders who I consult do not release their dogs until 10 weeks of age. This I think is relevant to the great demands placed on the dog. Working dogs in Italy work with other dogs, other people and often traverse through the rural community. They must be dog and people tolerant as well esteemed workers. Out last litter, Arawn Caergwydion Litter, were all retained untill 10 weeks of age. However, the pups were out in the paddock with the other dogs, and had human interaction on and off-site. The feedback I have recieved sways me considerably towards continued socialisation until ten weeks old with litter mates, mum and siblings. http://webs.dogs.net.au/arawn/homed-puppies.asp Of course, Arawn Caergwydion Heraldus could not be delivered until 12 weeks because he went overseas. So for my approach, different breeds/dogs will have various needs and requirements when age of homing is to be considered. Px

Hi At first I thought you meant vaginismus. You need another Vet, antibiotics are not much good for a fungul infection and could make it worse. And since your dog's condition has not changed, then the Vet has not treated your dog. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/vaginitis.htm Good Luck :D Px

Hi and Congratulations to the other 6 families. I really adore this time when the dam becomes exceptionally affectionate. I seriously want to bring her indoors but we are in a new place and if the owner even gets a whiff of dog we have to go so !!!!! I will try my negotiating skills as she gets closer and she might be allowed in for the birth. Anyway...... Good Luck everybody.

Way to go trojka Some things I like to keep close to my chest but:- Beagles, Maremma Sheepdogs (of course), Chinese Crested, Saluki. Px

Hi All. Unless I have missed something, the Dogs NSW Accredited Breeder Scheme, being promoted and canvased on the Dogs NSW website, is identical in every respect with the DOGS NSW Registered Breeder application except that a breeder must have bred and kept records for five litters. Both programs require adherance to the 'DOGS NSW Code of Ethics' and the 'Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs & Cats.' I am not sure it takes five litters to get 'due diligence in the care of animals' right or that responsibly keeping records for one litter is very different to keeping records for five. However, I might have missed something if not I think the money might be better spent on an alternative program/scheme. Px

oh boy Well, how about just showing the dog on its merits. That might be a novel idea. :rolleyes: You have to excuse my OCD, but I remember the clumsy way I started showing but then don't start me talking about how exhibitors and some Judges antagonise, intimidate or provoke a guardian breed and then decry that the dog is out of temperament. Well, that is sport, but more exactly it is poor sport. I am all for encouraging people to show and giving them assistance but you can't have low standards and then claim high regard. Maybe some people take it too seriously, but I don't think it is funny when dogs are reported out of some misguided idea of competition. And to the matter of your litany of other distractions, personally I can't say I think they present the dog on its merits. However, my dogs have soiled and I take full responsibility for that. For my money, I applaud dogs that are awarded over my dogs when they deserve it but never if they hedged my dogs out. I say lets keep it real.

Hi LizT In line with the Dog NSW Accredited Breeder Program some settling in time is not only warrranted but recommended. Quote: 8.2.2.2 Newly acquired dogs or cats or dogs or cats visiting from another location should not be mixed with the permanent population for a minimum of 48 hours. end quote. I like the way you think. Px

Have you considered having the owner do progesterone testing so that the bitch arrives when everyone knows she's ready - less stress on everyone I reckon Thanks lils mum and Fordogs With my own dogs which have an extended courtship, and I have a pair that are unbelievably monogomous, the 'bitch' only presents when she is well into her cycle. From my observations, the size of the litters have increased with each pairing and I expect that to continue. Of course, we are only receiving the 'bitch' so progesterone testing cannot be vouchsafed or guaranteed. While I am not adverse to boarding a 'bitch' I am aware of how much of a PIA management of the others, both bitches and dogs can be at this very active and sometimes frantic time. Thanks again Px

Hi Miranda Well, we have planned for a maiden bitch to arrive on or about day 6 so it looks like some serious work is going to be done. I have also been looking through the Code of Practice for the Dogs NSW Accredited Breeder Program and I was glad to take note of several aspects that I might otherwise have overlooked. Thanks for your reply Px

Hi It seems obvious to me that if soiling the ring makes other exhibitor's dogs drop their head then it should be penalised. Soiling between exhibitions should be banned since some people cannot or will not use morals or ethics, or they claim that it is sport. It is not.

Hi OK you lot! It's been awhile since I posted a topic but I ask few questions. I have a bitch arriving on Friday for a mating with one of our Stud Dogs. The dog is 'mad keen' because his mother and sister have just had their seasons and he was very interested; as usual. I am a veteran of five litters and mating takes its course naturally here at home. But the introduction of a strange dog may present problems, more in regard to the bitch being disorientated and uncomfortable. So I am opening this forum to practices and processes which may avoid complications that others may use when siring their dog. I don't expect too many dramas but I feel that fore-warned is fore-armed. Px

Hi As the owner of a breed that typically does not get put up for Best in Show I still support the Supreme criteria. In fact, I am quietly opposed to the old regime for Grand. Just because someone swamps the competition, and travels the country for points, does not give the dog the merit Champion. I think a total restructuring would more truly represent our dogs. For example, Breed Champion, Group Champion and Show Champion. Anyway, this is for anyone who ever thought that Maremmas could not be Supreme. Px

Hi All Aust. Ch. Allarme Arctic Gem and Aust. Ch. Schaferden Celtic Sun are expected to produce a litter for Arawn Maremma Sheepdogs on, or around, Jan 11, 2012 or maybe Jan 12, 2012. We have had one disastrous, hellish nightmare one litter back when 'Sooki' contracted a virus. All steps towards biosecurity are in place, however, there is an outbreak of parvo here in Northern New South Wales and news of the loss of several litters has filtered through. Arawn Bladewyn Chalice had been arranged for mating but the Sire was withdrawn at the last minute. Cheers Px

Hi peeps. I put my dogs in Tradewinds Pet Resort at Woodburn, Northern NSW, today. Absolutely astounding 'nuff said.

Hi dwilds You need a second bump gate with a short driveway fenced on either side. I have used the same configuration to allow me to return home without having the dogs escape or the four of them jumping all over me and making my clothes grubby. It's basically a double gated drive. Good luck

Hi I agree that Linda van Bommel's Journal is an informative guide but it's not perfect. The husbandry of Maremmas, for the unitiated, is a daunting task and fraught with risks. However, with the correct attitude and the right support, these dogs can be an invaluable asset. Nevertheless, the privilege of owning a Maremma, or four, is unequalled. This video shows these dogs working in full splendour. •Marco Petrella Scroll to 4:00 minutes on the 'time bar' to see these amazing dogs at work in Italy. If the link is not registering try the original.

Hi lovemesideways. Dogs can and do mellow with age. My big dog is highly strung, and extremely intelligent - according to the Broken Hill Obedience Club. He was a problem as a pup and a junior in that he would react to people too, except he would complain rather than withdraw. I took him to a dog behaviouralist, obedience, shows and socialised him with other dogs as well. I think he just matured. He grew up. He in now a beautiful big bear who still complains if he has cause but that is thankfully very frequently. Now on the other side my big girl has always been very aloof. But now she is favouring much more attention. She too grew up So my dogs have changed over the years but I wouldn't want these two to be any different. Px

Sooki lost her entire litter on Friday/Saturday due to what we believe was a viral infection possibly caused by a short stay in a kennel two weeks before whelping. We have a hollow, empty feeling at the loss of all her beautiful puppies but still cannot find the words to convey our sorrow and regret. RIP Arawn Diogenes

You need to show where I've stooped to name calling. What's your thesis on, 'geographic mobility'? I cannot identify any capacity in your posts that even approaches a Doctor of Philosophy grade. Maybe you are really an authority, as you claim, on talking out of bottoms. What a junket! If I can suggest you and your ilk need to find another tune. This one's been stuck in a groove for over six years. On a social networking forum, you people really need to work on being able to accept another persons' point of view. All my post adopt a particular stance. I do retract or vacillate from them. Cyber bullying says more about those engaged in it than it does about their target. If you don't like what people say, put them on ignore.

As you might also remember, I have no emotional investment in what others want to say. And it's funny that you talk about remembering, like I've forgotten everything. I might go away and come back again in another six years, but I doubt the bullying and intimidation will have changed. BTW: You should be finished your PhD. Three and a half years should have been more than adequate.

It was exactly this type of behaviour, by both dogs & their apologists that started the B.S.L rolling in the first place. It appears we haven't progressed very far have we? Well, some haven't & that's disappointing. The arguments will see-saw but it can never be one sided. It will always be a two way street. There are responsibilities on both sides. For my part, I cannot see the inevitability in it at all. Perhaps the police office is not a dog person.

And that might mean something if you were 22, which is about the entry age into honours. And yet, only two? Not one in each of three disciplines, and no Masters? With all this smarts you'd think people would be able to get others to be more careful around dogs. Hey, I know! Why don't we have a dog awareness campaign starting in primary schools? Oh that's right! They already do. Why? Because, case in point, some people just aren't dog savvy. They still manage to get bitten, and that's the issue. Kudos to the press for putting it out there and keeping it in high profile.

you'd be surprised at how many PhDs are here. So next time you are tut tutting at us, the great unwashed mass remember that some of us are way ahead of you in tertiary education Oh yes. jdavis has a PhD. You told us so six years ago. And you might like to change; "some of us are way ahead of you in tertiary education" to "some of us were way ahead of you in tertiary education," although I can't see how it matters other than you think it's all about rankling feathers. I really don't know any other PhD's who'd bother.

Your words not mine. This is one policeman, but I admit he is no Robinson Crusoe. That doesn't mean I think the majority of Police are 'plods'. And you have no right making such an insinuation. Which is all I can see in most of these threads. Insinuation and innuendo. And the adolescents you besmirch may not be as sophisticated as some adults, but either do they share their corruption.