Sheilaheel02

KTB, I'm very sorry to hear that your friend is having a bad experience with their rescued ACD and that his mother has been injured. Just wondering if the rescue he originally adopted the dog from aware of this situation and has the owner been offered support, advice and assistance? Sharon

I tried a friends and liked it and have bought a 2nd hand one. It's still sitting in the box because I haven't had time to use it. The dogs are going swimming in a friends dam this WE, so will probably give it a go real soon. S

I think there's another that silvers out - maybe Schnauzers?? Silver poodles are born black. Someone told me ACDs are born white but I've never seen ACD baby puppies so I don't know PF, yes they are born white. OSF, you forgot one: Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. S

Years ago ACDR had a number of negative experiences when trying to assist Cattle Dogs in the ACT RSPCA, which left us very sad and disappointed. When Micheal took over I was encouraged by a friend to meet with him to discuss our concerns. I did and I had a very positive meeting with Michael. He listened to our experiences and he assured me that things would change on his watch. True to his word they have. He supports rescue and takes a collaborative approach to common goals. While I do still take issue with some National RSPCA policies and behaviour, ACT RSPCA are one of the most progressive branches in the country. There are a number of other Interstate branches who work extremely well with us also, although they will remain nameless as I suspect this may not always be sanctioned by their Management. Together we have been able to successfully rehome ACD's that would have otherwise had very few options. S

I was pulled over once by RBT. After Cop is finished testing me and before he tells me I'm right to drive off, he sees Sheila (my red ACD) secured in the back seat, so he leans his whole arm in the window behind me and roughly pats her on the head saying "D'day Blue!". Stupid! Thankfully, all she did was give him a filthy look. S

Go and get both your dogs as soon as possible. Collect proof of ownership papers and proof that you have paid their vet bills from your account etc. If he has possession of the dogs and it gets messy, he may claim that you moved out and left them behind. S

Cool, if you sell them already debarked and you don't BAER test or PRA test you may just be heading towards breed the perfect ute dog. Deaf, blind and mute.

Sure do. Do you want them bobtailed or not? Bobtail please, see example below. Also, can you make sure the pups are desensitized to gunfire? The Army tested my existing Blue Steeler and were poised to take him for bomb detection induction training but he spooked in the firearms test. Besides I think I could have a market for the pups with local pig hunters and they also have guns. I am happy to place an order by credit card, but can you advise whether you also have Red Steelers and if they are cheaper because they are not the rarer blue colour? Ta QS from TI

Dear Deshonko, Do you sell Blue Steelers? I'd be interested in a breeding pair so I can sell the pups as guard dogs.

My dogs and cat love Roo meat, yet the cat will not eat raw chicken necks. The dogs have had fresh rabbit and LOVED that as well. Personally, I can't stand the smell of gamey meat, but I can live with the dogs after they have eaten Roo or Rabbit, but NEVER again will I ever feed them fresh goat meat. OMG S

Surely there is an ethical conflict of interest here somewhere..... If I elected myself Queen Sh*t from T*rd Island and started cross breeding ASTCD's and ACD's for their amazing drive, intelligence and superior guarding ability - let's give them a wanky name like "Blue Steelers" for arguments sake - would I be subjected to a public DOL stoning? Hmm, possibly a beheading is more in context. I should be exempt because I'm titled....well OK, not really, but my dogs are in obedience and agility and they are very well cared for. Quite aside from that I have a charitable nature because I was President of ACD rescue for 12 or 13 years. All good right S

Hugs Teal. Long term relationship breakdowns are difficult. Been there, done that. In my situation the fact that I would keep my dogs with me was never in doubt. They were always entirely my responsibility, however, he did care for them if I was unwell or had to travel for work. I did suggest that if he wanted to he could take over ownership of my cat because they were quite bonded. He declined as he didn't want any responsibility and would rather an 'unencumbered' and 'nice' life. There was some heated debate about what would happen with our one joint property. We had other properties owned individually. In the end I sold my investment property and bought him out so I could continue to live rurally. I would by lying if I said it was all amicable, but at the end of the day I'm sure he knew better than to dare suggest, even in jest, that he had some claim on the dogs!!! In your situation, I'd do as others have suggested, have the conversation now about what happens with the dogs. Good luck. S

I'm a Natural Selectionist myself. As humans WE have decimated the planet, far more than any other animal, so I vote we legalise selective cannibalism. Yep, Oxygen Thief Stew slow cooked in the Crock Pot and served with a nice Chianti. They tend to be quite toxic to our environment, are in abundant supply and readily reproduce. I reckon I could happily knock quite a few off to negate the fact I drive a 4WD and keep animals as pets.

Potential ACD owners should have to sit a mandatory test before being allowed to own one. The first two test questions need to be directly related to literacy and comprehension. 1. Can you read the Breed Standard? 2. Do you understand the Breed Standard? If they can't get past the first two questions, don't bother with the usual ones about basic animal care, training and exercise requirements and responsible dog ownership. Politely refer them to Bluey's Ute World or the Teddy Bear Shop where they can get the inanimate versions of the real thing - no questions asked. JMHO. S

Massive Congrats FHRP. S

Yep, the dogs and horses here wear Weatherbeeta. The dogs have the waterproof ones with the canvas outer and they are good quality and fit well - as long as I remove the hair from the velcro closures regularly. I have one of the polar fleece ones and it's quite good too. I recently bought Caribou polar fleece dog ones but they are thinner material, really staticy, move and bunch up. Quite a while back I bought two dog rugs (I 'think' they are also WB brand but will have to check) which are the bib style ones that go through their front legs and clasp at the top of their back. Well the dogs HATE them. All OK while they are walking around but when they lie down to go to sleep and tuck their legs up they often get one or two legs caught up inside the bib part. Not good on deeper chested dogs. S .

I am about to build an exercise yard for the rescue dogs and will bury weldmesh underneath the soil so it is not uncomfortable for the dogs to walk on but if they try to dig out they can't and the holes will be limited to small ones which are easily filled rather than moon craters. If you still have the weldmesh indigirl can you draw a mudmap of where the irrigation lines are and at least bury it above where that runs to protect it and limit the constant replacement costs? S

Hi Indigirl, I've owned a very destructive dog, so I realise how frustrating it can be....... She would go to obedience training and agility training classes through the week, have training sessions at home and go out and compete most weekends. Each morning we would do a 5km power walk or cycle. I would take her swimming in the warmer months as well. Bedding and toys lasted minutes (the one exception was her kong), she dug up the lawn, pulled large conifers out of wine barrel pots - and bit the heads off the terracotta ducks that sat in them - pretty much anything was fair game. She was never allowed access to some toys, especially tennis balls, unsupervised but found one at a friends place when we visited and I very nearly lost her at 6 years old because she swallowed a huge chunk of it and it caused a bowel obstruction! She was often hard work and tested me on many levels, but she was also, tough, loyal, arrogant, incredibly intelligent and likely the best dog I'll ever own in my lifetime. I learned a great deal from that dog and I miss her dearly. So, chin up girl, no doubt you've got a really fabulous dog there, you're probably just feeling really down because you're sick. S

Gosh, I must be the only person on here who isn't convinced a really enthusiastic tugger is wonderful! My chiropractic bills are through the roof I reckon I've got pretty strong shoulders and arms but Mick can nearly reef me off my feet if he's really pumped. Maybe, that's the problem, I've got a launcher and a reefer rather than a tugger S

Like people who call one of them the Wombat on Steroids? :rolleyes: Ah, no. I'd call that teasing. Besides, if you think MM is a wombat on steroids, then you will have to think of another more dramatic name for Diesel - maybe DOGZILLA?? :D S

I have a foster dog who I believe to be an ACD x ASTCD. He is broad, strong and muscular and his head is also massive. Recently a friend of mine saw him again and was adamant that he must have APBT in him because of the size of his skull and the shape of his jaw. While I wouldn't say it's impossible, I can't see it myself. It seems any dog that is medium to large and intimidating in appearance can be labelled a Pit Bull or Pit Bull x. As for owners of other breeds not getting hassled - you've got to be kidding right? I've owned ACD's for most of my life and could fill the next two pages with posts of examples where I've been really insulted by peoples narrow-minded, uneducated attitudes towards my beloved dogs. S

Posting for friends of a friend, fingers crossed these guys are located soon. We are currently travelling and we have just been notified by our house-sitter that 2 of our dogs have gone missing from our property in Burra – they are a young desexed male black and tan kelpie and an aged approx 14 yr old desexed male faded tricoloured beagle. They have been missing since Sunday. We have contacted our immediate neighbours but they have not seen them. Both dogs should have collars on and are microchipped. If you have had any reports of these dogs could you please contact Roseanne Long who also lives in Burra as we are in and out of mobile reception range as we travel. Ph 6236 3223 or 0413967598. Your assistance is much appreaciated and any news - good or bad is welcome. With thanks Peter and Kellie Woodger BURRA Mob 040 040 9807

Dear Jed, I don't know you personally, but have read your posts and respect your opinions and input. We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of many of your family members. ACDR will make a donation of course, but if there is anything else we can do, we will. Thank you also to MDBA Pacers Amazing, inspiring and caring work Steve, which will have a major positive impact on Jed's tragic situation. Indeed, thank you ALL the DOLers who have pulled together to help. Sending you healing energy brave Jed. Bravery in the face of adversity is such an admirable quality. Please get well soon. Magnus, please show yourself, your Mum needs you! Sharon ACDR P.S. Although small, there will be another donation made in honour of you courage Jed. Sent with love from a from a big rescued Appaloosa who's name is WW Bravado - aka Brave.

Oh, how tragic. Bundy will always have assistance from ACDR should he need it. S

Agree 100%. Leave the poor kid alone, he watched his pet dog be killed in a horrendous way. He's only 13 and will probably be traumatised for a long time to come. I'd would use whatever means necessary to try to save one of my animals if I was in the same situation. If anyone is charged it should be the owner of the other dog. S