Pattycake

Got to love our brave little dog she took on a BIG great dane tonite. Was sitting here watching MKR when Bella ESS went off her rocker at the back door, we all jumped up thinking it was a cat in the yard, turned the back lights on OH went out and around the corner of the house there was a huge dog in our yard, with Bella in its face barking and growling, thank goodness it just jumped back over the 5.5ft fence and back down the driveway, OH saw it just casually jump the fence didnt even touch it. Poor little Dexter (6mth LAB) was so scared he hadn't seen Bella behave like that before. No idea whose it is , havent seen it around before, hope it doesnt come back. Very glad we were home, no idea what would of happened if it didnt see hubby and swiflty jump the fence as Bella was not happy, she usually carries on when a cat comes in the yard but this was very different, now need to make sure the other gate is closed along the driveway, though it would of jumped that one also, its a bit higher but hubby said it cleared the fence easily.

LOL I just love the looks on thier faces..like they know they done wrong but couldn't help themselves. I have one to add...

From what we understand, they were "carriage dogs". They would trot for many miles either next to or between the horse/s and carriage, guarding the carriage and sleeping in the stables with the horses at night. Thus they aren't known for their biddability as they didn't associate with people a lot. In the USA (and possibly UK?) they have carriage trials - the Dalmatian should be calm around horses and they also test their ability to retrieve a "dropped" whip amongst other things. All Dalmatians should be able to do an Endurance Test in their sleep - it's something I will do with Ziggy now that I (finally) have a bike. I also need to fit it around training/competing in obedience and agility with him plus 3 sports with my Springer. I imagine some would expect a Dalmatian to be struck off the ANKC for passing an obedience test :laugh: With the ESS, the horse rabbit has already bolted. The breed split many years ago. It wasn't unusual for an ESS to spend one day in the field and the next in the show ring but the showies didn't like what it did to the coat (I don't blame them :laugh:) and the breed diverged. The show and working Springers of today are very, very different. Working ESS are slightly longer than tall, have shorter ears and much less feathering. They tend to work like they are possessed by the devil - I have to be very quick on my feet to keep up with her mental and physical speed. The difficulty with gun dogs is that training and competing in field and retrieving trials takes a huge commitment - long drives even to train, camping rough is common, you need a gun license (not in WA), access to game, training partners etc. Instinct is really important but so is being a good trainer - it's complicated by distance and "factors" - water, cover, terrain etc. Whilst I think the retrieving ability tests are a wonderful start for someone interested in retrieving they don't go close to measuring breed function. PLUS I can't imagine an average pet owner wanting a little buzz box like mine that is so incredibly birdy - whilst she is a beautiful house dog, channelling all that instinct into something constructive is not a task for the faint hearted. I have no problem with the working/show split. Dogs have evolved alongside humans for the past 100,000 years. 100-200 years of controlled breeding by humans should not restrict our ideas of breed purpose. More importantly I want to see sound dogs that are physically and temperamentally suited to their environment, no matter what the purpose. No dog is perfect in all situations - even within Em's relatives are dogs better suited to hunting, field trials, retrieving, scent work or active pets. I spend hours talking pedigrees, working style/ability and structure with my Em's breeder. Wonderful stuff :) ETA: This is Em training at 7 months old. Her energy and enthusiasm has gone through the roof since then but she has learnt a little more self control ;) I just want to say I love watching Em ................we have a little buzz box also...Bella is almost 3 now.

Mack.....Cocker Spaniel x.....2008....12.5 yrs........PTS after an injury to his spine, prior to that he had been healthy. Chevy...... 2009....English Springer Spaniel .........13yrs 2 mths.......PTS after suffering a stroke, he was always a bit sad after losing his mate Mack, had been together since Mack was 7 weeks or so

Oh dear, I can imagine your reaction......I was even rofl at the computer , had to tell OH why I was laughing. Poor guy as you say least he has his dog and I hope family around for him. BTW Zorro is so lovely!

Lovely pictures and well done to riders, horses and dog

Didnt know macadamia nuts are a problem, my OH dog when we first met used to eat them by the bucket load, cracking them open when they fell to the ground, ate the nut and spat out the shell, he lived to a ripe old 13 or so, he was a BCx. I guess all things affect each dog differently.

:laugh: :laugh: Very Cute!

Ditto.......but we ended up with a English Springer Spaniel (field/working lines) bit smaller than the show ones our girl is about knee high and 15-16kgs. Will run all day, hardly ever barks (only at the cats that venture up the side driveway) medium length coat so some grooming involved.

He's beautiful! Glad you had a better night.

I guess it is what we are used to, even growing up all our dogs where outside, I dont see how it makes them any less a member of the 'family' if there is quality time spent each day with them. I can say living in regional NSW most my neighbours dogs are outside as well, there are a couple that bark more than others but for the most part they are pretty good. To me if a dog isnt 'happy' they would be destructive, bark ect, none of our dogs over the years have ever been like that. Sure, if a dog is left outside with no interaction its going to be miserable.

She has said they would like to get a dog before they have their next child. I don't know a lot about smaller breeds, I tend to think of them as a little more fragile than the larger ones and therefore don't cope too well with being outside. Am I incorrect in that assumption? Her partner has said that the dog will be outside only, but I will suggest a crate. They may not have thought of that. I am personally an inside dog person but we don't see eye to eye on that subject. They tend to go for the working breeds. Their first choices were blue heeler and border collie but I think they have realised that those breeds may not suit their lifestyle. Their current idea is a beagle. Based on their responses to breeds I have suggested, he doesn't like fluffy dogs like spitzes, woolly dogs like poodles or sighthounds. Ok so since nobody has suggested a breed, I'm guessing the consensus is that nobody can recommend a breed of dog that is happy being an outside dog? At the risk of being shot down as my dog is a very happy outside dog, she comes inside sometimes for a short visit so to speak she is a English Springer Spaniel ( field ) so their coat is much shorter than the show springers, still needs a weekly brush and to check for seeds burs ect. Even our first Springer who was a show springer lived happily outside (no we didnt show him). Very lovely gentle dogs, worst they would do is whack the child with their tails that never stops wagging........or maybe knock them over. She is only about 16kgs a male would be a bit bigger. She does like to run around the yard but doesnt dig nor does she bark very much and is very content. She gets walked a couple of times a week, Im sure if I was able to jog she would love it :) There is usually someone home here most the time and the dogs can see into our main living room so they still feel part of the family. Ps we have my adult son and his gf and their 4mth old choc lab puppy here too at the moment and so far he is fine outside too, though that may change as he gets older and they eventually move to their new home and he is alone more often. Good luck least they are thinking of finding a specific breed and not just rushing out to the pet store

Glad to hear little Oscar is going well. :)

She is looking great! So glad to hear she is doing well and she looks so happy now

Yep salt is what we used to use on ourselves when we got them..............or it will eventually fall off when its full, also expect a bit of blood when it releases.

He is cute, I hope he came from a breeder that does all the relevent testing. As said before try not to change his food from what he was being fed, or do it gradually over several days, dont forget he is settling in so may not want to eat too much just yet..........and yeah ditch the puppy milk, they dont need it once they are weaned, as this would fill him up as well, then he wouldnt eat his proper meal. As for the garden, I hope you dont expect it to stay that way :laugh: ..............or maybe that is the front yard :D Let us know his name when you decide.

I've been following Pearl's story and Carlo and Kelscats you have both done/doing a great thing for her. I too would like to give a donation to help with Pearls treatment. I grew up in the Gong........so it's kinda close to home (old home). I just can't understand why people have pets and then neglect them makes me so Kelscats I shall send you an e-mail about details.

and the drooooool I'm glad they didn't put music to it. Did anyone else think their panting sounded pretty cool? Yup I liked the panting :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I hope little Chucky is doing better.............and hopefully the council can view the footage and this person be dealt with.

They do it here, I seen Dr Chris do it on Bondi Vet.............and yes it was the bloke who wanted them implanted :laugh:

Our springer has a mild case so far, it first happened after a 'flying leap' to catch something and she landed on it yelping straight away but a min later was running around fine. I didnt know anything about it but the vet did say it was mostly in smaller breeds. She is a field springer and is only about 16kgs, she now has a 'funny gait' flicking the leg out at times to prevent it popping out, which it hasnt done for months. Not sure what we would do if it gets worse as no way we could keep her quiet after a big op she is a springer after all, still prances all around the place, it doesnt really bother her, she is turning 3 in july.

He had the op though they didnt remove the microchip as they couldnt find it without digging too much.. They took some fluid out and hes now on antibiotics, so not really sure what is going on now just more wait and see. Hes doing fine, it doesnt seem to be bothering him having a few stitches, still harrassing our springer :laugh:

In NSW it is NOT illegal to have a dog unrestrained in the car. Well there ya go, I cert thought it was.

Glad to hear you are all reasonably ok. Ours are always strapped in with a harness clipped into the seatbelt. I know in NSW it is Illegal to have an unrestrained dog in the car, is it the same in other states? You do still see some unrestrained, but then again some people are so stupid they still dont put their kids in carseats/seatbelts.