LisaCC

Oh good to know thanks :) The website recommends one smaller size for aussies than I normally get for back length. So I'll just go off the length then.

Yes! That's what i'm looking at. This one? Hurtta Raincoat I have 2 of these :) Very happy with them. They move really well with the dogs, as in when the dogs are off lead running flat out. In pissing down rain they look pretty soggy but the dogs are staying dry under them. The dogs are also not getting hot in them, which was the problem I was having with rugs with fill. How do you find the sizing?

What can I say, I look away for 5 minutes and he's trying on clothes BC Crazy, I had to cut and resew the belly strap of Novas Rainstop as it was way too big but any smaller size was too short. It's held up so far, but I guess we'll see how it goes with bucketing rain this winter if I don't get a hurtta in time.

Aww thanks you guys :) I need to get my act together and sort out the photos into something, but I have a series of photos I took in the same place since he was puppy. Might figure it out this weekend and put it up

Nova says: Nixon, this winter stay warm in style.

Yes! That's what i'm looking at. This one? Hurtta Raincoat

I have one of those Weatherbeeta Rainstop coats for Nova, they are super cheap at Horseland at the moment. But he only wears it when we are out exercising in the rain as in these temps he wouldn't dry before bed time. I'm looking at getting one of the Hurtta raincoats instead as they cover the chest. Not the insulated ones posted above though, although they look similar.

Please ignore the double chin angle, but Nova is being too cute not to share. He's asleep on my shoulder.

Something reassuring: My old lab once swallowed a whole set of keys (x-ray proof), and he pooped them out

Thanks Tikira and Aliwake I did just notice the destroyed bed foam all behind him in that photo It's taken him 10 months but he finally destroyed it!

Happy Birthday to my boy Nova! Already a year old! Human grade salmon for dinner tonight and celebrations (fun play date) tomorrow.

I can get hurtta Lisa, what were you after? Oooh really?? I'll PM you

Off topic , but can I ask where you buy Hurtta products in Australia?

You don't want to work up to an hour with a large breed puppy until he is much much older. A basic rule is 5minutes walk per month of age. So at 2 months, 10 minutes, and you probably won't go far if you are practicing loose leash walking. For socialising before vaccinations are done, either go to places that you know are parvo free, or carry him. If you are taking him to pet shops you definitely should not be putting him on the ground. I went to lots of places with my pup when he was young, I just carried him everywhere.

Congrats on both your shows DDD and Luvsdogs. Was that Nala's first points too DDD? Just incase anyone is looking, my friend had the best idea today about puppy coats! Since it was snowing back home, the whole town ran out of dog coats, so she bought a cheap childs vest and it fits her 6month short haired BC perfectly! Looks very cute too, great idea for growing pups!

Oh great Google map tells me it's closer to 3 hours so a 6:30-7am leave is much more civilised!

About 2 1/2 hours.

Do you mean the one at Wingello run by the Siberian Husky Club of NSW? Yes, that is tomorrow. The one run by the Canberra Sled Dog Club is the 18th May :) I've sent an email :) Very interested. Might bring along a friend with her staghound too. Hmm now whether to get up at 4am and drive or stay the night somewhere?

Oh wait I thought this was the one THIS weekend! Hmmm I might be able to make it...

Won't have time this year but going to try and get there next year my boy will be fully grown then too! I think a large Aussie would be capable! Is there much dog friendly accommodation in/around Canberra?

Very cute Nixon! Those puppy eyes His coat is looking nice and dark now too. Gotta say I'm impressed with your vet, with my lab we went through a few because they thought a lab "should be tubby"! Wow Dory, look at Willow! She's is HUGE! It really doesn't seem like it's been so long!

I'm not sure what it's like in terriers, but in a lot of breeds with a working/show split, working lines have a different temperament and sometimes a very different look. So make sure you like those aspects of the working lines too. If not so much maybe look for breeders who's dogs have dual titles in sports and conformation.

I use this too. Useful on different species too actually.

The Broad Institute which is connected with MIT and Harvard are doing further research https://www.broadinstitute.org/mammals/dog Not sure how reliable it is but this website says they do it. http://www.mydogdna.com

The science here is complicated. X-breeds -> more potentially problematic genes, but and much reduced frequencies due to dilution effects. Yes, it's a mess for genetic testing. But lets face it, the genetic testing available to us now isn't all that hot. For the most part we pay separately for each individual test, and not tests are available for many serious or very common concerns (HD, OCD, patellas, epilepsy, skin problems, cancer . .. name your breed and pick your problem). The big potential gains via the genetic testing route will come when we have reliable ensemble tests applicable to all breeds. I haven't heard of it being done in Australia, but you can do DNA sequencing and look for all the currently known disease causing genes and also look for things like colour genes. There's been a price drop in human DNA sequencing but I wonder if it's a good price in dogs now.