Ruin Maniac

Thanks for the input, everyone :) I've downloaded the puppy manual from the Samoyed club of Victoria and watched a few videos, including grooming instructions, about Samoyed care. I also have a list of other resources to browse through when my exams are done. Good thing I love my research and reading, I guess. :laugh: Out of pure curiosity, I know that white, cream and partial-biscuit (... that sounds strange, doesn't it? Like half an arnotts) are accepted within the breed standard in Australia. How likely is it that a pup bred here, from mostly Australian/NZ lineage will produce a biscuit pup? I also read on some sites, the reliability of which I can't confirm, that Samoyeds can appear in black, but I can't find any more reliable information. Is that possible or was this something that appeared when the lines were far closer to the original dogs of the Samoyed people? Just to clarify, it isn't that I want one specifically. I trust breeders to know what to breed for :)

I can't offer you any advice, since I don't have the experience of other members here, but I do want to say congratulations! That must be so exciting :)

Oh, I know the right one may not be here for a while, it's all a part of being responsible to your pet. :) Admittedly, though, I am a little bit infatuated with the concept of having a puppy at home. More than a little. But definitely know it's not a drive-through service and shouldn't be. If I'm very lucky, there will be one with the right temperament that the breeder is comfortable to offer to a pet home. But I wouldn't want anything less than a perfect fit, so I'm not going to let myself go too crazy. Well, maybe only a little bit :laugh:

I wonder if that's a good or a bad thing. If it means more free shipping in future, whee! But if we keep crashing the site... oh dear. :laugh:

You're all a bad influence on me, but my future dog is grateful for it. Even I couldn't pass these prices up. Regardless of when and where I get my dog (though here's hoping there's a suitable pup in the upcoming litter!) the toys will still be played with eventually. I mean, I've looked in pet supply stores here and man are quality toys expensive! I'd rather spend ten dollars a pop on lots of toys that I know will last than 3 dollars every month on a poor quality toy locally. ... I've got to be careful not to spoil this baby rotten when he/she arrives :p

Oh my goodness, that sounds delightful! :D I actually have cup day free from exams, because our lecturer is a kind soul at heart, so I think I can make it to the event. And thank you, by the way. I can't get over how lovely and willing to help everyone is. The dog community is one I should have found much sooner.

I'm about 30 minutes north of the Melbourne CBD (suburbia!) and the breeder I'm speaking with is from Kimskova park. :)

The breeder hasn't requested anything of me, just offered the invitation to meet the dogs and learn the ropes, which is why I was asking here in case there was something more that may be expected without saying. I really am a newbie, and while the breeder knows it, I don't want to be too much of a pain To be honest, I'm so excited to meet the dogs I could about roll around on the floor with glee like that emoticon up there. I'm really not sure if I'll be able to control my delight, as I've admired this breed for some time without ever imagining I'd be capable of meeting their needs, and I only hope I'll remember to stop fawning over the dogs enough to pay attention to the breeder. Then again, from all my research and in all my communications with him, he seems like such a lovely, enthusiastic and intellectual man and I'm sure I'll enjoy his company and that of his family, if not as much as I enjoy cuddling his dogs.

So the breeder I've been in correspondence with has invited me to see his property and dogs after my exams. I'm super enthusiastic, as it's a big and beautiful property about 2 hours from where I am, with some beautiful poultry and other animals too. But one thing has been nagging on the back of my mind; are there certain unspoken expectations of a visitor and potential puppy-owner when they meet the breeder for the first time? Obviously I want to be clean, tidy and professional :p But should I be bringing certain documents with me? Would bringing a gift just look like a bribe or is that a courtesy other puppy buyers offer? What are the rules about their dogs? I'm not going to touch them without asking for permission first, and obviously let the dogs give me the okay too, but is it rude to enquire about their medical/show/family history? Obviously we've had a fairly extensive Q&A conversation, but what kind of things might I be asked when meeting a breeder? I just want to make a good first impression and don't want to trample on etiquette I'm not aware of. My pup hasn't been born yet, so other than potentially a deposit, I don't think any transactions will be involved. The breeder seems eager for me to meet his dogs and experience in person their antics and also the different personalities they have before I make any concrete commitments. Thanks everyone for putting up with my newbie questions!

I was a bit upset when the LDH wouldn't rehome to me because I'm not 25, but hearing about their high kill rates makes me feel even worse when I think about it

The average person seeking a dog is surprisingly uninformed. My parents had little to no clue when buying my childhood dogs. My friends had no idea about puppy mills when buying their pet shop dogs and BYB puppies. My current friend (who is now cooperating with me ) had no idea, when looking at rescue dogs, that her hour long walks and the size of her yard would be a bad set-up for a german shepherd x english mastiff puppy. I know a lot of people who look at bull-types and think they are the classic Aussie dog. Perhaps the prevalence of staffordshires has helped create that perception among people my age. But almost everyone I've ever spoken to about them, including owners of bull-types, were shocked to hear about Queensland's laws and even more shocked to hear what Victoria is implementing. I don't at all think they know what they're getting into. True, this would be irresponsible after the fact. But they are dog owners and typical ones at that, who keep their dogs at home and take them for a walk to the shops or the beach once in a while. No clubs, forums, sports and showrings. No research beyond what they eat and how big they grow. And when it's those same people that don't desex their dogs, due to costs or beliefs that a bitch needs to have at least one litter or a male will become depressed, we can assume that they aren't going to warn buyers about the restrictions, because they aren't aware of them themselves. I think those of us who absolutely love dogs as an animal, not just as our own personal pets, forget that not everyone who owns a dog is equally as much an enthusiast as we are. I still stand behind the opinion that breed legislation is a poor way to tackle a problem that's caused by irresponsible owners (of which there are far too many). More education for and regulation of dog owners, more regulation of breeding, more public education regarding dog attacks and how to handle a situation involving an aggressive dog. Of course, it's far easier and I'm sure more profitable to ban breeds and impose heavy fines on those who own them :p

Bjelkier - those answers are exactly what I needed, amazing. Thank you :) I guess I better start looking into buying a proper dryer. I'm not sure where to begin looking in Victoria though, any ideas? I was thinking about getting a child's clam shell (with a shade) with one side water and the other sand to keep the pup busy. We don't have a fancy garden, so digging isn't going to be a big issue, but I thought encouraging the dog to dig in their own special pit might be a good idea. Glad to hear a water pool goes down well too :) I'll keep that in mind about a growing dog, for sure. I'll be getting advice regarding healthy weights at certain ages, but how often should I be taking a pup to the vet to ensure that the little one is progressing well? I thought early desexing might be a bad idea, primarily because of the coat and the fact that dogs of their size and weight are prone to hip issues without throwing abnormal growth in there as a factor. I'll definitely get the breeder's opinion on this too, to respect the contract, but I won't ruin a dog's future if all I have to do is keep a closer eye on him in public spaces and with playmates until he's the right age. A good friend of mine had an operation performed on her irish wolfhound because he swallowed something and it got stuck. Very scary stuff. I'll be trying to get toys that aren't small enough to swallow and can't be destroyed easily. I'll also be doing a "puppy eye view" of my house before I pick the dog up to see what he might encounter (planning to cover cables, removed all chemicals from low cupboards, make sure there are no poisonous plants and such). I've already started investigating a cool mat, which is excellent. If I am fortunate enough that the right puppy is in an upcoming litter with the breeder I'm speaking to, then the pup will arrive home with me in January. So I want to be sure it can beat the heat. Thanks again! EDIT: Oh. And am I better off buying a round collar to protect the fur around the neck? He/she will be walked on a harness, but a collar with details is a precaution I'd prefer to take. :)

Hi everyone. Some of you might have encountered my question thread in Puppy Problems. Well, after doing a lot of research, speaking with my housemates, students and professionals in my field and with my parents (who are, admittedly, biased, since my mother owned and adored a Sammy herself) I have decided that a sammoyed may be the right dog for me. I've spoken to two breeders, and the one who was happy to answer all of my questions honestly and elaborately, although I understand that the other was probably far too busy to deal with an inquisitive novice like myself, has invited me to meet his dogs. I've researched his facility and prefix and it sounds as if he's a real samoyed enthusiast, has had them for about 35 years, and has produced some champions in his time. He seems incredibly kind and informed, and has admitted that grooming (particularly during shedding time) and keeping an eye on their health involves some know-how, which he's offered to teach me to do. Honestly, I thought a samoyed would never work for me until I read up on them. For one, I thought they'd never tolerate warm conditions (and my mother's boy lived in the Tasmanian midlands) but I've learnt that, while airconditioning indoors and a cooling mat will be a good idea, that their coats reflect sunlight and they can tolerate cold and heat well (like polar bears - amazing). I've discovered that an adult dog would meet my exercise needs, and that they are extremely people-orientated, so travelling with groups of different people will be alright if I put in the effort to ensure the dog is well socialised in puppyhood. I know that while the coat repels dirt, brushing and bathing is necessary to maintain it and neglecting that and damaging or clipping the coat will ruin the natural sun-protection and insulation the coat provides - so I'll make time every morning to take care of that. I'm not gone long hours and live in a house with 5 others, and they are all eager to spend time with the dog whenever I'm not home (we have different schedules), but whenever it's possible I plan to take my dog with me wherever I go, as he or she will be joining me at work (to the delight of my current group of student and professional volunteers) and I want the dog to be comfortable going in cars and on public transport, and being surrounded by people. I did have a few other questions, as while I am admittedly smitten with the dog and the very idea that I may own one, I do want to cover all my bases. I'd e-mail the breeder, but I know that having multiple sources of information is a wise idea and being wise about this *huge* decision is in the best interest of the dog. What kind of sun protection does the dog need? I know the coat offers good protection, but what about around the face and paws where the coat is thinner? Should I be applying dog sunscreen to these areas during the summer? Is a cooling coat a stupid idea? Would it just make the dog feel hotter since the coat has its own way of repelling sunlight? Do they enjoy swimming, or do their heavy coats make them feel vulnerable to sinking in water? I'd love to teach my puppy to swim over the summer as I enjoy it and I thought the water would help to keep the pup cool, but I'd want to make sure it would be a fun experience. Is it worth investing in one of those cool-air dryers that the groomers use, or would I be better to take the dog to a groomer to help when they shed the woolly undercoat? If taking the dog to the groomer, what should I do to ensure the dog won't be terrified of the dryer? Can I use a no-heat hairdryer to get the puppy used to the sound and sensation? My dog will be indoors when I'm gone, but is likely to never be alone more than 2-4 hours of any day, as even when I'm gone, others are home. We have a large, fenced in backyard, but I don't want to leave the dog alone there because I know they are clever and intelligent, and since there's a lot of interesting wildlife around, would probably get into mischief. If the dog is alone in the house, it has my room where its belongings and crate will be, with water and airconditioning. Is this an appropriate set up? All puppies get up to mischief and I've accepted that at least one of my belongings will be sacrificed in the name of teething. What kind of things can I give my pup to distract them and satiate their desire for chewing? The breeder I'm speaking with has not mentioned anything about the dogs being desexed before they leave (of course, it will be on the limited register, vaccinated, wormed and all those good things) but I have made it very clear in our correspondence that I am going to desex the dog so he may not have felt the need to clarify his terms. What is the general consensus of desexing at a young age (under 6 months) among samoyed breeders? I know that some breeds can grow up abnormally when this operation is conducted too young. And if it is bad for the dog, at what age do I need to get it done? I cannot handle a litter, and I do not want to put a dog at risk by letting it either run after females or be approached by males. Not on. What about the diet? I've heard they don't eat much for their size, but I've heard they can be finicky. How do you offer your dog variety whilst maintaining a balanced diet? I'm leaning more towards a male at this point, admittedly, as I'm used to male dogs. But the breeder will be the better judge of which pup has the best temperament for my needs, that I know. So what are the pros and cons of male and female samoyeds? Which tests should have been carried out on the pups or their parents by the breeder? I believe they're hip and elbow scored? Does anything else need to be done? I hope I haven't brainfried you all with my questions! :p Any help you can offer will be appreciated more than I can say. Any input at all.

I would love to know of any dog-friendly cafes in Vic. I want my dog to travel and spend time with people in diverse environments. Being able to take him on a girl's day would be fantastic.

Urgh, they pulled her under a wire fence? That's despicable. :/ I've seen pictures of the breed and they are stunning, and distinctive too. I hope somebody locates the poor little lass.

Hi everyone. One of my childhood dogs had this little metal canister on his collar. It could be screwed undone, and a little bit of paper with all his ID details could be rolled up and put inside it. Does anyone know where I might be able to find one of these? We had it well over a decade ago, but having it alongside his other tag was really useful, with extra phone numbers and such. Thanks in advance :)

What I find most entertaining about this, is that I was considering naming my dog Loki... when my friends said "are you suuuuuuure that's a wise idea?" Apparently they believe naming a dog after certain figures may then lead to them behaving like said figures. Mischief :) But I'm glad the pancakes won't hurt him. Silly boy.

Moon related names are beautiful. So many ancient gods and goddesses were named after the moon, and poems and song lyrics, and there are so many beautiful words regarding the night's sky... I think you'd have plenty to choose from! I'm definitely expecting puppy mischief to start with. I'm planning on taking puppy classes beginning with "kinder", but also to keep up training at home. But I know these things take time and patience. May as well pay my respects to my slippers now :laugh:

Well, that's true enough. I've seen them fly through dog parks like bullets. Tiny, adorable bullets.

Thank you so much, Simply Grand. That really helped to illustrate the concept for me. It's all a bit exciting :) Also, fluffies! Look at those little faces. I wanted a small dog initially but I wouldn't be able to take one with the amount of exercise I do and I want to spend as much time with my future dog as possible. But I admire them from afar.

Thank you, Mixeduppup. The cheeky dog in your avatar is gorgeous, by the way. :)

If they are doing "showings" of the rescue dogs, meet and greets, I will definitely start supporting the pets co chain. That's a great improvement :)

Do all dogs with papers, including those on the limited register, have pedigree names? What is a pedigree name like? I know they have the prefix, but are they all given a name by the breeder? Do breeders ever allow buyers to choose the name (assuming the buyer has been with them since the birth of the litter) or is that way out of line? Do most people base their dog's name on or use the pedigree name? Sorry, I thought names and prefixes only applied to dogs on the main register. I was looking through some resources today and discovered I was wrong. I don't mind at all, but I'm curious.

I got the same impression reading this article through. It frustrates me to no end that people continue to recycle the "some breeds are vicious no matter how you train them" myth. Dogs like that need good handlers. Unfortunately, they don't end up with them often enough. I'd blame lack of regulation on dog breeding and sales, not the breed itself. I'd also like to see mandatory dog training classes for first-time owners, and education programs for children about how to approach dogs (and how to avoid them) in schools.

Although I think there are some rescues that do intimidate me a little, most of them I feel the questions are extremely legitimate. The best rescues, from what everyone's said, are the ones that ask all the questions but also encourage the potential adopter to ask questions too. Some of the home rescues I've looked at worry me a little, but that may be me being overly cautious. Most seem like they're really good, and I'm willing to travel to NSW, the ACT and Tasmania for the right dog and would otherwise consider flying one with a company or with a friend if the rescue feels the dog is up to it. It's all down to finding the right one. I've made one enquiry to a rescue in NSW, but ideally they want the pup in question to go to a home with another dog (since he thrives on socialisation, and was denied that in his previous home - apparently they kept him in the backyard his whole life since being bought and he barely saw a living soul, the poor baby ) Basically the kind of dog I'm looking for is a small to medium size, though preferably medium, and should be energetic (as I love exercising outdoors for between 1.5-3 hours a day). The dog should be comfortable travelling, as I'd love to bring one with me on family visits and fieldwork and should be able to tolerate hot and cold climates (understanding that I will do the necessary grooming and purchase a snow jumper too). My house is air-conditioned with a large secure yard, and I generally spend a lot of time in the house (I don't work during the day, but I study full time and thankfully my hours are spread out so I'm never on campus for longer than 3 hours or so at a time, my longest day now being friday 9-11 AM and 2-5 PM and I live a short walk away - always sign up for my tutorials nice and early :D ). I have the summer free from November through to the end of February to help a dog adjust to the house, myself and my housemates. I'd prefer a non-shedding coat but am willing to brush a coat daily to reduce shedding. I am okay with puppies and mature dogs, but I'm not thoroughly experienced and am not comfortable taking on a dog with serious behavioural issues because I'm not sure my abilities will meet their needs. Therefore, I will not be giving them the chance they deserve. I refuse to adopt a dog and then return it because I made a bad decision. It's not the dog's fault. Smaller issues like lack of training, timidness/shyness and behavioural issues that aren't extreme (digging, chewing, doing things they haven't been taught not to) are things I'd be okay to work through with some guidance (I'll be enrolling in a training class and will try to find a local community for support). I have breeds I'm investigating actively, but I'm not only seeking purebreds. Any dog that will benefit from my lifestyle is okay by me. Should I be sending something like that info above to rescue groups, by the way?