Purdie

So sweet;....Teary eyes,

When some people say they want a dog for protection,what they realy mean is a dog that will bark and alert them to strangers and make them feel safer by having a dog with them.for company.It's about bluff.My friends have a Golden Retriever who is friendly and has a deep bark when you come to the gate.I would not go in the gate by myself as i don't know the dog .Most intruders would be wary of any dog for the same reason.You also need to consider if you have the strength to control a large dog out in public. What if the dog chased a cat and dragged you over.Or another dog wanted to have a go at your dog,what would you do? Perhaps put on hold the idea of a very big guarding breed untill you have done more research and have spent a bit of time around them.Start with a breed that you can more easily train and manage.What ever breed you get be sure to socialise them well and do plenty of training.

Another breed to consider,if you like training and going for walks is the Dobermann.My daughter's housemates have one.She feels safe with him.There was a man in the front yard near her car when she was home alone one night.She went out quietly and the dog went ahead and stood in front of her .The intruder turned around to a growling dog. The guy claimed he had the wrong house and backed off and left quick smart.

Just a few of my favourites;.....Irish Terrier....Airedale....Portuguese Water Dog....Curly Coated Retriever.....Irish Wolfhound.....Dobermann......Bull Terrier..... ...Belgian Shepherd Laekenois......Big scruffers in need of rescue.Oh and Dalmatian and Smooth Collie Least favourite.... ,any that want to bite my ankles.

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Also look at the Bouvier Des Flandres , A very interesting breed. Irish Wolfhounds are my favourite .

Irish Wolfhound.

I wish there was at least a Law as to how long / what age Pet Shops can keep animals.I have seen ''Pups'' as old as 7 months that have spent weeks behind glass;missing out on good social development.One store near me has 2 large breeds that have been there for weeks.They are still advertiseing them using a picture of when they were much smaller.They are in need of a clip and a bath.Thet look like grubby sheep.They are still asking over $800 dollars for them.

I tried it once and liked it.Now i do it all the time.It's an extra security blanket for my anxiety.I don't see why anyone would take offence if you are anonymous.

Whippets are one on my list to look at .I hope they are ok for me . .

Yes Steve;Thats why i'm still looking for a dog that i am not allergic to.Bichon Frise are one breed considered more suited to some people with allergies. With my allergies i can better tolerate smooth coated breeds with low doggy odour.

With allergies in the family ; a Bichon Frise. Google- compare canines ;This is a site that helps you compare different breeds.

People think just because you cross with a poodle that they are low allergy and non shedding. This is often not the case A.Family friend has a rescued Labradore x Standard poodle ,he sheds heaps of hair all over the house and when my daughter stayed there while studying her asthma returned and she needed to use her puffer for the first time in a few years. edited spelling. Have a look at Airedales.

Wonderful, Go Molly....

Sorry sas.

Fergus looks a real darling .I hope he enjoys his new home.

. .A slap in the face for the welfare of animals... ...,,

What a sweet little man!! Just want to scoop him up for a smooch.Love his name also.

Oh my goodness they are just gorgeous.

Do google -Parvovirus in the environment. ""A parvoviral infection can be picked up anywhere though it is easier to pick up an infection in an area where an infected dog has been present.because of the larger amount of virus present in a contaminated area.Freezing is completely protective to the virus.If the outdoors is contaminated and is frozen,one must wait for it to thaw out before introducing a puppy.Shaded areas should be considered contaminated for 7 months.Areas with good sunlight exposure should be considered contaminated for 5 months.""

I am so very sorry for your loss.The very same thing happened to me many years ago when i was a teenager.I purchased a Bull Terrier pup from a market and when i got her home she had the runs realy bad so i took her to the vet.Like your pup she was already ill and was given treatment but it was too late.Some weeks later she was having fits and foaming at the mouth.She was PTS.I urge you to wait 12 months before getting another dog .Even one who has been vaccinated as they could still get sick.I know it wil be hard to wait but it will be worth the wait to be confident the virus is out of the environment.When the time is right you can get a healthy dog from a good registered breeder. .

Here is one. http://www.petrescue.com.au/view/148625

Also Victorian dog rescue. http://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/

Luv a Lab in Victoria, . http://www.luv-a-lab-rescue.com/index.htm