blakkjackal

Just something to think about... If GSD's (or any other breed of your choice) routinely had to have surgeries to help their breathing and pull their tails out of their behinds, if they would need their bums wiped and skin folds cleaned every day & if they wouldn't be able to go for a jog in +22 degrees without fainting, would you still consider the breed to have "no major health issues"? Also, if BB's didn't have that restricting anatomy do you think they still would be considered "mellow, lazy dogs who don't really need any exercise"? Unfortunately I think these dogs are comparable to the American Bulldogs temperament wise, the poor things are just so limited because of the way they are built. I find it a bit disturbing that everything mentioned above is perfectly acceptable and even normal in BB's. If it was any other breed of dog having all those issues it would be considered extremely unhealthy and poorly bred. I'm not a hater but I'm a realist. British bulldogs need some serious outcrossing for all the health issues to be fixed. Olde English Bulldogges, Continental bulldogs and Australian bulldogs are great, healthier alternatives and I am a firm believer in crossing those breeds with the British bulldog to eventually recreate the fit, functional bulldog type that was capable of doing some real work.

This might be slightly off topic (apologies), but I never really understood why people seem to think that puppies have some sort of a magical safety barrier around them when it comes to them meeting older, possibly unknown dogs. That every dog not liking puppies is somehow "weird" or acting inappropriately. It's actually quite natural for adult dogs not to be too fond of unknown puppies; after all, as pack animals the offspring of outsiders would best be eliminated... I don't think every dog has to be tolerant of every other dog around them, puppies or not. Heck, even all people don't get along with each other and that's just fine. I'd probably not let her around boisterous pups anymore as it's obviously very uncomfortable for her.

Turkey carcass sounds very bony (if it's anything like chicken frames). I'd feed, but accompanied with extra meat as most of the time the carcass has been stripped off most meat. Bones aren't going to help her gain weight, she can't use them up as energy. Try adding some fat in her diet. :) Pork and lamb maybe?

I made my own. :) Has worked very well so far. I bought some "utility rope" (or something similar) from an outdoor & camping store thingy and tied a strong carabiner (using a noose knot) on one end & a loop for me to hold on to the other. Tied a knot every few meters so that I have something to help me shorten it if needed. It's lightweight, easy to bundle up and hang off my treat belt and very strong. :) Cost me about $10 all up and it's almost 50 ft long. I find it to be a good length for my use; I go to big parks and fields etc and so far the only thought about the lenght I've had is that it's a bit too short. :D

My boy loves the Everlasting Fire Plug -- and I'm telling you this thing is tough! Took him a good while to get stuff off the treat. The only con would be the stupidly high price of the treats, although you could be creative and use bully sticks and mince (freeze it in) etc for filling them instead of the Everlasting treats. I was skeptic at first as my dog demolishes most toys he gets his paws on but this one is still intact even though he has continuously tried to rip the toy apart. Kongs are pretty awesome too; once again stick a bully stick down the middle and put mince around it. Freeze for extra difficulty. Although I have to say my dog's favourite is propably the "box in a box"; several cardboard boxes taped up, put inside each other with treats in between. Oh the fun! (and the mess afterwards...)

Lovely, I really like sight hounds, especially greys. Here's another one -- I ended up watching it several times, it's stunning. Very well put together, breathtaking dogs too.

If your dog reacts to those meats in kibble the situation might not be the same with raw food -- worth a try, most dogs I've heard of that supposedly were allergic to e.g. chicken (in dry food) have been just fine with raw chicken.

Awesome, thanks heaps! See if we can make it then..

Is there an entry fee or a from that has to be filled out in advance or any other things that have to be done by a certain date for the SA event? We're really keen but I'm not sure yet if we can make it. :/

Very high bone content considering you are also feeding dry -- chicken necks are up to 80% bone and chicken frames have very little meat on them too. Quite honestly if you're going to feed half and half I'd focus on adding proper meats in the diet instead of bone and offal as kibble already provides plenty of vitamins and minerals.

I'm just giving the OP something to consider. I strive for ideal and choose my dogs to suit my needs and intended activities. If given the choice I won't choose the one that has major traits that are undesirable for my current lifestyle. No, they might not lead lesser lives but why would you choose something that would be happier doing something else? I know dogs don't know what they're missing, but generally I wouldn't intentionally pick something that is intended to do something very different.

Are those bulldogs still being bred for bull baiting? Didn't think so. I am not condoning any illegal activities FYI.

Is this how you guys discuss? Not once did I say they couldn't do all of these things, you just shouldn't neglect the actual purpose of the breed.I haven't heard of anyone using mini schnautzers as ratters anymore, they have been bred to a different direction for a long time. Pointers are primarily a hunting breed.

That's a silly argument! As long as you provide enough activity and mental stimulation, it is fine to get a breed for something other than it has been bred for! What about all of us who have herding breeds primarily for other sports such as agility or flyball? Or who get a GSD primarily for obedience? There are several people who are very successful in agility with various pointer breeds - GSP and Vizsla mostly. I don't think those things are any better. I think it's a little sad that the BC has become an agility and flyball dog instead of a sheep dog. I believe they should most definitely be used for herding too.GSD's were never shepherds in the real sense of the world, they were more a shepherd's dog and have been bred for SchH and other work (army, defense etc.) for decades. So many breeds have lost their purpose already, not every dog needs to become a "pet only". I'm sure there's plenty of breeds to choose from when wanting an all-round family dog. To showdog; the poodle has lost most of its utility traits and it's a real shame. Because they have been bred to be pets and show dogs for so long I don't consider them much of a hunting dog anymore. They even belong to FCI group 9 these days (companion and toy dogs). Although it is heartwarming to see those few breeders that still breed fit for purpose type poodles. Kavik; I never said they wouldn't do well in several sports including obedience and agility. They're most likely going to be absolutely brilliant in them. However, I don't think that should be their only purpose and job.

So those of us with sighthounds shouldn't have them if we don't allow them to course live prey? Is this activity legal here? If not then of course I wouldn't want anyone practicing it. Simulating hunting by lure coursing is often just fine and with other hunting dogs plenty of nose work (tracking etc.) will be better than nothing. Still, as it is very much legal to hunt and use pointers and other hunting breeds I'd leave them for those jobs. So using them as guide and assistance dogs is out too? Nothing is out if they also get to do what their drive and nature tells them to. I know plenty of dogs that compete in agility and hunt, do obedience and hunt, are service dogs and hunt (labradors).

So those of us with sighthounds shouldn't have them if we don't allow them to course live prey? Is this activity legal here? If not then of course I wouldn't want anyone practicing it. Simulating hunting by lure coursing is often just fine and with other hunting dogs plenty of nose work (tracking etc.) will be better than nothing. Still, as it is very much legal to hunt and use pointers and other hunting breeds I'd leave them for those jobs.

Do you intend to hunt? If not, then my first choice would definitely not be a gun dog (or hunting dog of any sort, actually). Whilst they make great pets and active companions the best thing for them would be hunting and I hope all of us strive to provide ideal conditions and activities for all of our dogs. Just like I wouldn't get a husky unless I was interested in sled dog sports etc. [unfortunately I see this is a growing trend] I too would suggest a dalmatian or even a standard poodle (although they require grooming every now and then -- easy though just to trim them down if you have no plans on showing the dog). Poodles don't even shed and make wonderful, active, social, easy-going companions. I know combinations like poodle-rotty, poodle-husky, poodle-doberman and all get along really nicely. e: Also... As your current dog is only 10 months old and being a staffy, he is not matured yet and things might and probably will change (e.g. how he goes with other dogs) so the safest bet would be to get a dog of the opposite sex.

No, but because the fatty acid balance in commercially raised meat is different to that of wild game (which is what I'd love to feed purely if that was possible) I have to supplement.

The one I got has a capacity of 300-ish kg's. That'll last us a while me thinks as we haven't really gotten that far at all... :D

Nope, wasn't trying to tell others how their method isn't working, I was suggesting something. Seriously though fish isn't quite species appropriate, but not bad to feed either. Just shouldn't make up a major part of their diet, that's all. If your dog thinks fish is the best thing in the world then sure go for it but don't feel bad if you can't feed fish. Also I'm sure you know this but IMO = in my opinion = personal opinion based on my thoughts and experience.

Really, no bull breeds at all? Interesting.. Overseas this sport is absolutely dominated by bull breeds, especially pit bulls. Maybe we'll be the first ones then!Currently we are mostly doing drag weights -- we're up to just under 12 kg "endurance pulls" at the moment -- and a little carting with one of those garden carts you get from Bunnings. I'd love to lay down some carpet on our driveway, it would make a great track. My aim is to get him to bring our shopping home every week or two. :)

Sheridan, yes of course I am talking about dogs. :) Not quite sure what you mean though?

Hello all, new raw feeder joining your chit chat. :) We do prey model raw, my dog has been fed meat since birth. Started off with 50-50, then at 8-9 months switched him to completely raw as I felt confident enough to do so. The next one I'm most definitely raising on PMR.

I just feed plain fish oil. Personally I don't feed canned stuff, but would feed fresh sardines if I got them for a ridiculously good price, but wouldn't go out of my way in getting them... Fish isn't exactly necessary, fish oil will do the trick and is a lot more cost efficient and very simple to feed. If you do want to feed fish, don't overdo it. Once a week is plenty IMO.

Esky, I have the ad photo from Facebook saved on my comp just so that I won't forget, I noticed it a few days ago and I am SO excited because we already do weight pulling and I am super interested in sprint racing too! Is that wp thingy at Paralowie again? I'm the noob with the transport issues... Atm we are only pulling at home but hopefully will enter him some time this year.