WreckitWhippet

The breeder will need to complete the down grade from main to limit. I would make sure that is done to protect the breeder in the future. If you and the breeder think the dogs ring days are over for whatever reason, the down grade will make sure it stays that way and a dog that has been retired, doesn't pop back up in the neuter class.

I cannot understand why any breeder would want a non refundable deposit. You really want your puppy to go to a home that really wants it, not feels obligated because they have paid a deposit that they can't get back. Bostons are in very high demand and if a sale fell through for whatever reason, a pup would be snapped up in an instant.

if you don't know the basic anatomy of a dog, then you've got a long way to go before you should even think about offering your dod up for stud. Blue dogs are a dime a dozen, what the breed really needs is some more quality studs to choose from.

What do non VCA members do? Pray they don't take it to the ANKC and make it national. Just a thought Steve, but will they take this a step further and somehow make the rest of us criminals or code breachers, if we send an under age bitch to VIC to be mated ?

I like to be able to choose when I mate a bitch, if I back her straight up or leave her for a couple of seasons, at what age I first mate her. Like the countless others who think about what they are doing, I don't count down the seconds until a bitch turns 12 months, rubbing my hands together in anticipation. Do you also think that I should be restricted to one litter a year ? As it stands at the moment, I'm lucky if a breed a litter a year but I certainly don;t want that choice taken away from myself or others. The SBT always has countless litters listed on DOL, but you try searching for a quality puppy from an ethical breeder and your choices narrow pretty quickly, try searching for a show prospect and you'll find you have even less.

" that is harldy helping the dogs " sums it all up for me. I don't agree with puppy farms, how they currently operate, care for the animals and raise the puppies, but they aren't going to go away and the reality is , the best we can hope to achieve is to have them out in the open and have regular inspections carried out. One farmer withdrawing one application is hardly a victory and it means nothing to the thousands of animals that recieve substandard treatment and have appauling living conditions. If DA's are too hard to obtain, they'll simply do what they do now and hide away and it's certainly not going to encourage others to apply.

I don't want to live with an allergic dog, so I therefore do not want to knowingly breed with one either

I like the Pet Essence high performance pink shampoo from Groomers friend

I wonder what it would take to challenge rule. I would think that if my vet certified that my bitch ( let's sat SBT under 18 months ) was fit to breed after 12 months and prior to the 18, that Dogs Vic may not have a leg to stand on.

I agree with you 100% Steve.

Absolutely. Whatever happened to breeders making decisions in the best interests of the individual bitch. Mating age is not a one size fits all line in the sand. I'm a long way from an expert on breeding having never bred a litter but I would think that this was a self-evident truth. Decisions such as this need to be made taking into consideration each individual situation. Yep and you might find for example one SBT bitch is mature enough to handle a litter first season after 12 months, others might be 18 months and you might think another at three. It's not just the maturity of the bitch that you consider but also how often they cycle, if there have been any reproductive issues in the lines etc. A bitch that in normal circumstances you might be happy to wait a season or two upon maturity, given the history, may become a bitch that you'd mate sooner rather than later. It just gets harder and harder, the costs of keeping dogs and raising litters is going up, council restrictions on numbers are getting tougher, the CC's come up with brainwaves that further restrict your activities. I know of breeders that are suddenly finding themselves at the end of a line and it's as simple as being resticted to running on one bitch from a litter and then finding or whatever reason she doesn't produce. An extra 6 months may not seem like a long time to wait to have a litter, but bitches don't always follow the text book and that 6 months could easily turn into a year or more.

Absolutely. Whatever happened to breeders making decisions in the best interests of the individual bitch. Mating age is not a one size fits all line in the sand.

But do you really think anyone else who is considering doing the right thing and applying for a DA is going to feel all warm and snuggly and want to comply with the laws after seeing this? Nope, you'd just make sure that your own a significant number of acres and that your sheds are located well away from your fenceline and sound proofed. There's a puppy farm within a stones throw of Bathurst and you'd never know it was there, they've got it well hidden on just a few suburban acres.

screw that for a joke, 18 months and your season miss times by a month and before you know you could be staring down the barrel of a maiden three year old.

nope but I now have one that we can't work out what's wrong with her. I may be able to tick a box after more investigation

I wonder too, is 50 the new magical line in the sand ?

ask the kennels that you like, which breeders they would recommend.

check to see if they are alcohol and perfume free but they are pretty much a waste of time and money. If your dogs smells enough to need a bath, then give it a bath. If your dog gets dirty between baths, wet a towel with hot water, wring it out well and wipe the dog over with that. What you feed your dog will make a big difference to it's skin condition and if the dog has that " doggy smell". When you do bath the dog, use a quality shampoo and make sure you dry thoroughly.

LOL I've been researching that all week and so far the only one I can come up with is the Eagle Pack anchovy and salmon.

I give up - life's too short; AND 'aloof' was only an example! and a very poor choice of an example

it wasn't refused it was withdrawn and my bet is they'll be back lawyered up and ready to argue against any submissions.

I often have dogs that I've bred or rehomed back here to board. The upside is, they fit back in easily and they don't stress. Your breeder will be able to provide exercise, diet and socialisation appropriate for your dog. A month is a very long time to be locked up in a cage for the majority of time at a vets or to see a pet sitter for an hour or so a day. They are certainly going to pick up bad habits of they are left alone for long periods of time or suffering from boredom while you are away. Have a chat to your breeder and ask them if the level of care and requirements that would give you peace of mind can be met. I know I cater for exercise, diet, obedience, one on one time and living in the house.

feed them raw , shell and all

The ANKC does not recognise it, so why should it be on a pedigree

go anyway, they always need tweaking and adjusting. I take my guys at least three times a year and more often as youngsters, as they manage to do all sorts of things to themselves, although they may not be lame