Mashlee08

Belgium Shepherd. Every. Single. Time. (for non doggie people) It's Belgian Shepherd!! Although I am impressed that the people know the origin and don't say German Shepherd :)

My girl has a zoom session at the end of agility, because I trust most owners and dogs at the club. Pretty much never at the beach or off leash areas unless there are no dogs in sight. Not because of her recall (hers isn't that flash anyway), but because of other dogs non existent recall. We did set weavers up at the park tonight for half an hour.

I like fast cars (just cars in general so of course I am gonna comment on a car thread :p), so am picky about cars even when it comes to dogs, so for something a little different as a wagon, Nissan Stagea every day. It comes in 3.5 litre v6 or 2.5 turbo v6 and everything in between pretty much, 4 wheel drive option, can get heated leather seats, sun roof etc etc depending on what you wanna pay. Storage under the floor of the boot and the sides, we always had towels, sleeping bags and dog food and water stored underneath. Lots of room when you put the back seats down. We filled the car to the brim, literally couldn't see out the back window, and the car drove like normal. It's funny the look on peoples faces when you pass their v8 in a wagon. Not bad on petrol either. Attached some photos, that is a 40kg GSD in the boot and he only just took up half the boot, we still had room for our luggage and washing etc etc as we were making a big trip.

Out with my young Belgian Shepherd pup, someone approaches and says "Oh I LOVE German Shepherd puppies" (that part is fine, people get them mixed up) To which I replied no, he is a Belgian Shepherd, they look quite different as adults" His reply was "oh yes but they used to be called German Shepherds, so I am gonna call him that" GAAAAAAH! Out with my older Belgian Indie, she is a pretty dog I must admit, all the time I get, OMG she is beautiful when is she having a litter, when I reply that she is desexed it's like they can't even fathom the thought! Another couple recently, Jäger (11 weeks old) had peed in his crate at work, which was my fault because he had just woken up and a customer was taking aaaaaages to collect their animal. One of my co workers said to him, "bad dog, bad dog for peeing in your crate" This one was yesterday, I was with my personal trainer (he knows I am a doggy person) and he asked if i wanted a purebred with papers english bulldog pup, his neighbour had got one but realised it was too much work so was giving it away. I said I would think about it and that I would make sure she was desexed before finding her a home. He was like, "but she is purebred, why would you fix her, PUREBRED MAN!" Frustrating because it makes you realise what sort of unintentional ignorance that is ingrained into society that we are up against to be able to make steps forward and get people to fix their dogs. Sad thing is I think I lost any chance of helping when I mentioned I would sterilise her.

It would totally break my heart if Mallies became as watered down and in a sad state as whats happened to the GSD. Heck, I have Tervs and the thought of owning a Mal totally freaks me out! Hope he ends up with breed specific rescue.

You could get intradermal stitches done to reduce the chances of her pulling anything out? My vet tried to send me home with a cone when I didn't want one and she kept advancing on Indie (who is terribly shy and doesnt like new things, hated the cone) with the cone trying to put it on her after I asked her repeatedly to stop because she was freaking her out. I have a cloud collar for Indie if I ever need it since she gets allergies and sometimes needs it.

Oh yeah, bringing DOL together :p lol jokes jokes! It was beneficial for me, but extremely tiring in the end. There are a few things I would like to try, however with the case of differential reinforcement I think I would need to work on dexterity and timing before I even thought about trying it. I like it in theory though.

WTH is why I desex my pups at around 10 to 12 weeks. A toy breed & the most popular for puppy farm, mongrel/DD's. The alternative if pup ends up in the wrong hands is worse. I would not desex a large breed this young I would do tubal/vasectomey on those. Its not only a case of can't trust the owner, although some swear they would never breed the entire dog on limited pedigree but then these dogs do get bred. Its also what if the dog got lost/stolen. Once a pup leaves a breeder they don't have any control over its life then so they can only trust the person they hand it over to after giving it the best start they can & ensuring the best home. This isn't always foolproof so at least I know no matter what none of mine will be puppy farmed. To the OP I would suggest you take the breeder as someone who cares about their dogs not someone who is personally insulting you. If you are happy with things overall ask if the puppy could have a tubal ligation for now & desex when older. While I do understand desexing smaller breeds at that age by tubal ligation or vasectomy to stop the nasties from getting puppies, and I think it is absolutely fair enough. But to fully desex a working breed at 8 weeks I have an issue with. If it were zinc neuter, vasec or tubal, then again a little different, as long as they have their sexual hormones to aid growth and development thats alright, otherwise just no.

I think the most important thing to consider her is if the OP's bitch is even worth being bred too if it is what she is implying. Passing health tests and showing doesn't automatically mean that it is good enough to be bred from. What if the dog stays timid and it isn't a puppy phase, I wouldn't be breeding from questionable temperament. What does the bitch have to offer that is not already out there in Australia? It is left field, but before I would even think of importing a dog, I would make what you have at home matches the dog you are looking at and that together the combination would produce outstanding off spring that contribute to the wellness of the breed. Pick lines and dogs that you like, lines that you think would match what you want in a Pap , and work with the breeder, don't settle for anything less just because that is all you can get. If it means a trip overseas for the right dog, then so be it, if your that serious about it, then you will do what it takes.

Desexing a dog at/before 8 weeks? WTH!

I have no other words except I am so so soooo sorry for the loss of your dear boy God losing a pet sucks so bad, it sucks when someone I have never even met loses a pet!

Come on, it's Rolf! Never too many photos :) Hope you recover from your fail :p

Hey I took one of those piccies remember :p hehe, I so so love Rolfie boy, surprised you didn't put the slobber face level 10 ones up! He has that mastered.

Yay! One in Perth. Booking now :) excite.

I only watched about 8 seconds before I closed the window, got too nervous watching it! I may have bit all my nails off if I watched the hole thing. Love Rottie cuddles :) they really are an amazing breed! Never met a nasty one :)

That was my understanding of it. I also think one puppy needs to have a bubble saying " I will go on to produce more puppies"

Love it, shared.

VIP pet foods from the supermarket is okay and cheap.

I would think so too, and a great way to teach kids about disposable pets

Just thought I would share this, sorry if it has been brought up before. http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-19896-rent_a_pup.html It is in america, the shop pays for food and decides on what treatment the pet would get if something were to happen, you just pay a monthly fee of $66!

Hahahahah oh thanks for the morning laugh!

In my research I have also read about increased risk of osteacarcoma with early spey. Anthropomorphising here but I see it as taking a boys or girls bits out before they hit puberty, think about how many physical and psychological changes happen through that period that you would essentially be taking away from them.

Not everyone ;) Chessy thinks you are the bee's knees! :D It's cos I am a ball throwing machine :p and I give her butt rubs hehe. Sneaky, you changed your name!

Fully agree that everything seems a bit more further in. I am getting used to it slowly, every now and then I get brassed off because something I might wanna do is all the way NOR. Having that trouble at the moment, really wanting to get into SES with Indie but its an hour and a half each way! (and my car is turbo so it loves petrol!) I know I am new here, but I would love to tag along, I really need more doggie orientated friends here! (everyone thinks I am nuts)

I am in rocko, I would consider that close :) ( I have recently just moved to Perth from NZ and still getting over how BIG and FAR AWAY everything is lol.)