Jed

That would have to be the oxymoron of the decade. The legislation will drive more good breeders out, but make no difference to others.

Shonkypaws Kennels presents the toughest fighting dog available. Dogue de Dordogne Pit Mastiff. This pure breed is a ferocious guard dog, needing no training, and an unstoppable pit fighter, guaranteed to win every fight. As an illustration of the integrity of Shonkypaws Kennels, we will replace, free of charge (excluding postage and packing) any dog which is beaten in a pit fight against dogs or if he fails to do wet work on any intruder.

AlphaBet, the most successful breeders of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s line bred, and produced some beautiful dogs which bred on. However, I would be pleased if you could link to scientifically proven studies showing that breeding to the 2nd generation is detrimental to the breed? Celiidh X 2g People who take bitches who are whelping, or about to whelp to shows perhaps should consider their priorities - is a win more important than the whelping bitch and the welfare of the whelps? She might might whelp 2 - 4 times in her life - there is a show nearly every weekend, which is more important? Whelping bitches have psychological needs too - they need a quiet, safe dark secure place to whelp. 'Breeders' who do not understand what is required should perhaps consider their continuatiion as breeders'. And I am not talking about times when the bitches whelp early, or catch the breeder off guard. I am talking about when births are imminent, or taking place, and the breeder wont pass up on a show for the good of the bitch. Up until somewhere in the late 60s, ALL dogs entered for shows were examined by a vet prior to entry onto the show grounds. Dogs were checked to ensure they were not in season, not heavily in whelp, and not sick. Maybe we need that again?

I've been a member for decades, and surprise, surprise, I do believe that miraculously most people are waiting until they are told the bitch is old enough to mate. And I honestly believe that breeders stop mating their bitches when they are told they are too old. Many of us do believe that breeders are not having back to back litters. Perhaps you know different breeders from me? I know of several members who have been expelled for any or all of the above items. They weren't personal friends, but I knew of them. I know quite a few members, and if any of these are doing any of the above things, they obviously have another 50 dogs kennelled in secret out the back of Oodnagalarvy. Well I certainly didn't. I personally believe that instead of covertly accusing ANKC members of blatant disregard for the regulations, as well as forging pedigrees, if you have evidence of any of the above, you should either name the people involved, OR, report them to their state CC. Your remarks above are very derogatory to ALL registered breeders. You may know dishonest breeders. I certainly don't. If I did, I would have reported them long ago, for the good of the hobby. Maybe as a CC member, you should consider doing the same rather than making generalised and unprovable assertations? In support of my remarks, "older" breeders and others would not be walking away from their CCs, or ceasing to breed, if they were lying about pedigrees, and/or using bitches in a way that flaunted the ANKC coe. They would have no need. As far as the deleted rule #6 (discussed earlier in this thread), variety = breed. This rule forbids cross breeding - crossbreeds cannot be registered, nor can their progeny

UQ has been doing non recovery surgeries since 1985 to my certain knowledge. As far as I am aware, they were done before that too. I have never heard of any dogs coming out of anaesthesia. Where and when did "they" do recovery surgery,aussielover? That doesn't sound like best practice.

Congratulations melstar on Betty. What colour is Betty? Good on you for checking. And a warning -- no one ever stops at one Cavalier

Steve, you have misread this thread I think. No one suggested that the op buy cavaliers which were not health tested. Some posters didn't say it, because I had aleady done so Jed You should also be aware that 95% of exhibiting kennels health test their dogs, results are posted on their websites, and/or on cavalier email lists. The op asked about a show dog, and was given advice on that, including advice regarding health tests. The breeders website said the pups were health tested, which is great, but the parents should be tested too, as I suggested. The op wants, and should get, a dog which has had the health tests done, but which is also a satisfactory specimen of the breed which has sufficient quality, type and conformation for the ring. You intimated that those who answered the op told her to buy a show quality pup, and to ignore the health tests, which was far from the case. Unfortunately, there are people out there suggesting that the results of tests done 10 years ago are 'LATEST NEWS ON SYRINGOMYELIA IN CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS' and generally disseminating misinformation to the unaware and non breeders. Unfortunately, they are believed by the unknowing or uncaring. I am always surprised when knowledgable people or breeders believe this, particularly when the truth is only a website away The quality and health results of any breed you purchase is directly in proportion to the quality of the breeder you buy from, as it has always been.

Actually I do see a problem, when I took my dog into the vets and he crashed the vets didn't do a full run of blood tests which would have identified the problem. Now it's possible that they believed that a blood test wouldn't prove the diagnoses they were leaning towards, but it's also possible that due to his advanced and rapid state of decline they believed that the dog was 'going to die anyway' and so further investigation was a waste of time. Now I cannot confirm or deny that this was the case but it certainly makes me wonder whether the 'it's going to die anyway' mantra is as harmless as it initially appears. There is no correlation between the use of pound dogs in vet schools and your belief that your vet failed to do what you considered his best for your dog. Maybe he did think the dog would die anyhow and you wouldn't be prepared to pay hundreds for blood tests for a dog which was dead (a frequent scenario), maybe he was quite sure of the diagnosis, maybe he was an idiot

My boxer puppy buyers all tell me that when they walk the dogs, they are always being stopped by people to tell them how wonderful the dogs are. Happens with the cavs too - but no so often. Everyone knows what boxers are, of course. Friend takes his Vizla out for morning coffee each Saturday, and he always attracts an admiring crowd - he gives people his paw, and they find him enchanting.

cavNrott Not from me :D Not this one The show is not an instruction manual on "how to be a vet" or "Veterinary Procedures for the Homeowner". It's a show, entertainment - the show features a couple of blondes dealing with animal illnesses. And it's about entertainment - if you fnd it objectionable, don't watch. He dealt with the chi as he did because it is entertaining - as the snake in the pool was also entertaining. Hairless roos are almost impossible to rear. I am quite sure Chris knew that...... but it gave him the opportunity to warn intending rearers about cows' milk which is one of the major causes of roos found by the "public" dying. By the time they are taken to a vet/carer because they wont drink the cows milk, the damage has been done. It also allowed people who had never seen a baby roo (most of the population) to see one. I didn't think much of the comment about the dog with the congenital problem being "inbred" but the specialist said that - and it showed people this problem which is relatively rare. Chris paid for the specialist surgery. For the past 15 - 20 years, only those who rate in the top 2% academically may enter vet school, which explains why the minority of graduands began vet school after Yr 12. He was in that 2% which makes him a lot smarter than the other 98%. So I don'r think he is stupid. Also, most vets don't get rich, unless they have their own TV show --- so exactly how dumb is he? Not at all. I'd rather watch him on TV being a showman than some shuffling old toothless horror with halitosis and a green cardi who mumbles his way through 100% correct (and dead boring) diagnoses and treatments. Give me entertainment any time over boring as bat excrement. And if it is entertainment which offers a few tiips, so much the better. I watched Big Brother a few times, and learned nothing. :D If I want correct and relevant diagnoses and treatments, I'll go to my own vet and pay for it. Not expect to get it from the TV. *goes back to TV remembering to keep knees together, having noticed Mr. Raz' dire note*

Universities which do not allow operations on living dogs/animals have a reputation for not producing the calibre of graduating vets as those which do. Vets from "better" unis are likely to score better jobs, be allowed to do more procedures and generally expand their knowledge base, so they become better vets faster. There are some excellent vets out there, but there are some ordinary ones too, and I am against any move which is sure to produce more ordinary vets. I cannot see any drama about dogs which are going anyhow being used to provide non painful assistance to veterinary students, which use assists everyone with a pet. More animal rights nonsense. Dead is dead. Suffering is suffering. If there is no suffering, there is no problems in my opinion.

I agree with Atua about Cavalier Breeders - it is very difficult to buy on main register, particularly from the better "recognized" breeders. There are breeders with good stock who will sell on main register, provided they believe the person does want to show. Finding them is the difficulty, and sometimes you would be surprised at how successfull they are, and how easy to deal with. I have sold some on MR to be shown, and they have been....and done ok, bless their hearts. I have three concerns - first is that if you do want to show, you are going to find it difficult to get assistance with showing, and very few people in your home state will help you to show a dog you bought elsewhere. However, there is puppy training, and your friend who shows should be able to help. Second is whether the breeder is actually able to pick a show pup from the litter? It's not that easy with Cavaliers. Third is - and this is very pessimistic - Victoria is the strongest state for Cavaliers - and to win, you need a dog which is pretty well up there, and whether this breeder is breeding dogs like that is another question. Not much fun to be showing and to be last. But on the bright side, if you do show, breeders in Vic will see that, and you will get to know them,and they will know you, and it will be easier to access another show dog. Good luck! Oh, don't forget the photos!!

Factor into the equation that it takes more resources to build a Prius than a Landrover.

It can happen to ANYONE. I will not continue with a line with inertia, so none of my bitches needed caesarians for that. No one can guarantee that it wouldn't impact on them ..... unless they weren't breeding.

So, now, if the bitch needs a 3rd caesarian, the pups will not be able to be registered, so that member will leave the UKC and most likely the ANKC as well if the rule is enforced here. Bitches aren't always caesared for inertia, or to have elective caesars. Sometimes pups are stuck, too big etc. I had one have a caesar and the 3 pups were so huge, the uterus was bulging, and the pups were basically glued to it. The next litter was fine. However, I can see a scenario where that happened, then at the next litter, 2 pups met at the junction, and neither allowed the other to pass, and on the third litter, there were 10 whelps, causing the bitch to suffer from inertia, so a caesarian was necessary. 10 pups would not be registerable. Options would be to not register the pups (against the COE) or have the bitch pts, pups and all. All breeders will choose each method. At first, the regulations were more or less reasonable - very few people do first generation matings; very few people breed more than 4 litters, and in Q it was fine with a Vets certificate; very few people have 3 caesaers. But they are removing the autonomy of the breeders. I spoke to several on the weekend who do not think someone who loves their breed would abandon breeding, but they are not prepared to abide by the new regulatons, and those which will follow, so they will not renew their membership next year. Others will no longer breed. And we have hardly any registered pups now. so sad.

It would be interesting if someone would go through the cc magazines to see how many registered pups are actually shipped overseas to the pet shop broker for Asia. Although the registered pup numbers are remaining reasonably static, that is because numbers of registered breeders breeding show and pets for Australia are reducing are the numbers of pups produced for the asian pet market are increasing. The distribution of those pups will increase as more registered stop breeding. Soon only puppy farms will remain.

It might be all about money in greyhounds, but it is not for most of the other breeders. I personally wouldn't use frozen semen - I would want to know about the temperament of the dog, and his ability to work naturally. The dog I mentioned was imported - he just happened to have different bloodlines and be clear of everything, so he was used a lot. And he is very atttractive, I don't know that frozen semen would have had the same effect. I used him, because he is good sort, lovely nature, and healthy + he complemented my bitch.

Greytmate I see the sense in this. However, just to be (as usual) the fly in the ointment. Consider A breed. 2 fatal diseases. DNA tests recently developed. Many of the better dogs are found to be carriers for one disease or another. The choices in stud dogs are limited - if they aren't carriers for one disease, the bitch is. Some dogs are carriers for both. Remember there was no way to identify the problem until the dog developed symptoms. A new dog is imported. He is clear of everything, so all the carriers can safely be mated to him. He does not have many genes in common with any of the bitches, so he is an outcross which gives breeders and opportunity to breed clear or carrier pups from their lovely, but carrier status bitches. So he is used very extensively at stud. However, the pups by him can now go on and breed without the risks involved in these diseases. Now the breeders have clear or carrier dogs they can go back to whatever lines they like. Limiting the number of services he was allowed would have seen the 2 problems continue in this country, for many many bitches, without any way forward. I would disagree with limited services - always. With Cavs and SM and MVD, if the genes involved are ever discovered (and I don' t think they will be), one or some dogs will need to be used quite a lot at stud to work the way around these problems, I think. Limiting the number of times a dog can be used at stud will retard breeding away from the problems.

Has the breeder offered to scan and send you copies of the health tests, particularly heart scans, conducted on the parents? Do you know which bloodlines are "good" in the Cavalier world? Please don't think I am having a go at you - if you have done a bit of research (apart from DOL) and/ or you have had Cavaliers, you do know. Personally, I would buy a puppy from someone in my own state - ie, Victoria. You can then see the parents, see the pups, and if there are problems, you can go to see the breeder, as well as having a good source of information and assistance close to you. I am in Qld, and I haven't heard of Regalborne, so please don't think I am being critical of them or their stock, but everyone does better with breeders local to them ... unless you particularly want a specific bloodline - but with Cavs, the same good lines are pretty well everywhere in Aus. I don't think there is anything specific to Qld.

That's where I would be going. Pip is still an advisor I think. And you could probably ask her to recommend a breeder. Google is your friend. Read the standard, check out as many dogs as possible. It's easier with an ANKC breed, but you can do it with another society. Edited to add - the site Bluefairy posted http://www.australianbulldogsociety.com/

Hope she makes a full recovery. Sheenas Gold and Geisha Girl are Durantas - and are poisonous. I don't think her symptoms line up with Durantas. Just about everything is poisonous at some stage of development. Question is, how poisonous, and how attractive is it? I think couch grass is poisonous at some stage, but the animal has to eat about a tonne!! May I ask, please, what is "bat disease" which is lethal? From bats eating the plants?

No refund without an autopsy and report. Pup may not even be dead. Pup might have been run over. Owner must produce evidence that the pup died of something which was the breeder's fault.

The American Bulldog is certainly not a designer dog. They have been around for a long time, are registerable. They are much bigger than Bulldogs and Aussie Bulldogs. More agile and faster too. An all round dog, but a lot of dog. There are a couple of recognised "strains" in Aus but both are registerable in the Am Bulldog registry - and ACK or UKC, not sure which. I wouldn't classify the Aussie Bulldog as a DD either. I think development of them began about 30 years ago. Now there are a lot of so called "breeders" breeding all sorts of things and calling them Aussie Bulldogs. For anyone who is interested in the breed, the original registry is the one you want, and a breeder who registers there. The real thing is a lot of generations away from x breds, and you can tell me all you like that an Aussie Bulldog is 2x Bulldog x something else, and hear me laugh. A true Aussie bulldog has a pedigree as long as your arm. The "real" ones are nice little dogs, quite like Bulldogs, and were developed for the greater heat and this country, and for more mobility without losing the temperament. Bulldogs are great dogs. Buy a bulldog from a GOOD breeder

Great Idea! dogsqld is now beginning to conduct seminars on breeding and keeping dogs. Sorry, I don't have the Dog World, so no dates, but I think there is one early next year (or has been this year) with Carmen Battaglia - someone in Qld might know more precisely.

Preventing pups being shipped o/s to a puppy dealer needs to be dealt with by rules enacted by the CCs. Like most other people, I'd like to see it cease, but the CCs need to do it. Maybe with the changes to dogsnsw executives, there is a possibility of changes Pups not being sold by pet shops needs to be addressed by either govenment or rspca - probably rspca lobbying government - providing the law was properly framed it would not be a restriction of fair trading laws.