Steph M

Also one little point. Guard as in alert bark or guard as in a dog you expect to actually act when intruders come in? There's a vast difference and living with the latter, even as an outdoor dog would be a whole different ball game to the former.

Agree. A girl I work with has two (2 & 3y/o?) and she brings them to work when her partner isn't home as they go on a rampage. They ate through a dry wall to outside once just for kicks. And that was when they were home, but didn't get up early enough to entertain them. They're active people, the dogs are lovely but they're not placid!

How about rabbit? Hideously expensive in our area, you might have more joy though! Salmon heads might be a win too? Lots of good stuff in them. My lot are fine with pork bones but they can be pretty rich and sometimes they get the runs a little if they overindulge.

Agree, shocking representation of PB dogs everywhere of every breed. Crap like this will get dragged through the fray again and again and make Purebred dogs and breeders harder and harder to defend.

While that can be the case I don't think its unreasonable to expect a degree of quiet in your own home. We have a little, high pitched barker over the back fence and it drives me insane, I don't think this is my issue, I think the neighbours need to get off their bums and walk him more or let him in more. Dogs who bark at every little thing near me drive me mad! Rosie barks at next doors mower and I hate it so I don't leave her out when they mow. I'd feel like an ass if I didn't.

Seems kinda redundant to me too. No friend or father figure of mine keeps me on a chain either.

Perhaps she just isn't interested? Maybe she isn't big on dogs yet? It might come on later or not, but sounds like the dog isn't really for her. Doesn't make the decision any less important, but might pay to examine why you do want a dog. If its for you, that's totally cool but better to work it out now and tailor the decision to that.

Personally I love Uber. I'd never use another taxi again if we are honest. However I don't feel it's an altruistic thing, of course its a business move, a very smart one at that. It's not what my decisions are based on, but its still clever positive marketing. If the taxi industry is feeling left behind, its because it is.

I agree, no one loses!

Email the FCRAV http://www.flatcoated.org.au/ Rhonda will be able to assist there!

100% agree. Hahaha.

There isn't many, and the wait will be a while but it's quality over quantity. Most are just amazing with info too, any possible question can be answered by someone as there is many decades of experience floating about, it is one of those breeds where everyone seems to know everyone and everyone is super supportive. I don't know about elegant, I've lived with mine and seen him act distinctly not elegantly for too long. Finer I guess depends on lines too, I've seen some fine labs and some blocky flatties, aesthetics is the last thing I would take into account really.

I have a flat coat, but I don't know how sensible he is TBH...haha. He is very intelligent but with that comes the fact that if he gets bored with what we are learning or thinks he doesn't need to do it or the payoff isn't that great, he will tell me to jam it and wander off. Still super focused on pleasing people but does not suffer fools, which unfortunately I often am. At the same time as being very clever I've seen him do some dumb dumb things. He has no road sense or sense of self preservation, he is prone to swimming until he drops and will take off at the mere smell of water, which always worries me and he is a shithead with other dogs in the most loving way possible. Not good at taking subtle or not so subtle hints that some might not be interested in his special (very exuberant) greetings and always surprised when they snap at him or tell him to bugger off. I choose his playmates carefully now, huskies and border collies seem most commonly uninterested in being licked and loved up. He is almost 3 now and getting less interested in playing with other dogs, but when one takes his fancy he still approaches with his tongue and whole back end wagging, he does have a good recall but we worked very very hard on that, some are more headstrong and determined than others, Gus is pretty soft and forgiving. The exuberance isn't reserved just for dogs either, he licks people. Has been known to get the backs of your knees when you're not paying attention, he also wags his whole back end and a few FC people have given up on coffee tables, we have lost a lot of glasses and the tail thwacking against the wall near the bed when he needs a wee at 4am is the worst sound, haha. We have all copped a big thick skull to the head/groin before and teaching him not to jump is a constant thing. Give an inch and he will take a mile. That is the other thing, he licks. They all lick. We have FC days out every year and everyone gets licked by everyone's dogs, if that bugs you I would honestly say look elsewhere, it can be trained out but I've never met one that didn't have a sneaky tongue. Around the house he is awesome, he spends a lot of his day asleep but he is always where you are. I don't think he would cope being an outside dog although he does also shed a lot too. I haven't been to the loo alone in ooooh almost 3 years... he sleeps on your feet, or next to you on the couch/bed. We have a 5mth old baby and I often find him asleep on baby's rug in his room or when he wakes up licking his feet through the cot end while the baby giggles. He instantly adored the baby and for that reason I don't know if I will ever be without one, he loves everyone and everything (I've seen him approach a dropped sandwich with his tail/back end wagging) The only thing I would point out is that just because they can be so chilled around the house does not mean they do not need a loooot of exercise, they can run on very little but ideally a really good outing every day with a decent training session and in a perfect world a swim. Sounds great in Summer but wet dog in winter is hard and it wears thin pretty quick, especially if you have an inside dog. While forgiving they do act out when bored, as does every dog, but being slower to mature (I know a few still waiting for maturity at 8) there is so much mischief. Common complaints from other owners off the top of my head are counter surfing, digging, destroying hoses and pot plants, washing off the line, uprooting little trees and plants and lord knows mine still don't have an outside bed because they all get eaten. Even when they're stimulated enough I think there is just a cheeky streak that is always out for fun. Another thing to consider is the reduced lifespan and potential illnesses, while the small set of AU breeders are doing all they can the cancer risk is real and it does happen a bit. I guess it's just a risk you run for all the good stuff. I don't know much about labs but if you have any questions yell out, you're welcome to tag along for a beach trip one day with us if you're interested to meet one!

Some of those are really lovely photos!

I imagine dingo poop, being all raw to be pretty comparable to what my raw dogs put out, only moreso. We don't pick up much poop here, its white and dry within a day or so and disintegrates not long after. I really only pick up around the deck/doors, the rest is left to dissapear on it's own. Different however if they have processed food, oh the stink.... Edited, obviously I mean in our yard! We do pick up publicly, duh. :)

Noooo! I met a family when I was out walking our Tollers recently, they had lost their toller last year and were so thrilled to see another, there aren't many in our area. The dad said 'oh aren't they the best dogs for families, every family needs a toller' and the mum and I turned in unison going 'don't be ridiculous how crazy.... if everyone had them they would ruin them and they wouldn't be so special anymore!' I almost never recommend my breed - but lately I've been recommending stuffed dogs more and more often :laugh: Same here! I think I've only ever suggested them once or twice but no ones ever been keen. More for me! Haha.

FWIW I wouldn't label that socialising and I certainly wouldn't be cutting off all social opportunities because of it. Seek a really good trainer out and be ready to put the work in and you should be fine. Also worth remembering that dogs will pick up on your emotions so be observant when out but not wary or alarmist as that will travel straight down the lead and compound the problem.

To be honest I don't know if size should be your deciding factor, and as for guarding breeds I'd be concerned that for a first time dog owner who has what sounds like a pretty busy life some of those breeds mentioned might be a bit much. More so if not adequately stimulated and trained.

Have you ever met a dachshund that does anything they don't want to? Hahaha. Every one I've met has a stubborn streak a mile wide! Doubt they'd do it if it wasn't enjoyable or worth their while. I think its a fab idea!

Would posters in the couples local haunts be good too?

Although, on my lap as we speak I have an inherited 16, almost 17 y/o cat who has lived on nothing but tinned whiskas her whole life, so while diet is one part of the puzzle there's still no guarantees, sadly. Although I think even if I had a crystal ball that told me how long we had I don't think I'd want to know. I'd obsess.

Any idea what breeds you're looking at? How exciting!

You can drive yourself mad!

Okay, well enjoy your huge fine for holding an animal that isn't yours and the potential theft charges. That's not going to change suffering, your local dogs home is so busy I'm sure they'd love a new volunteer!

Genetics certainly play a part but so does environment, food, excerise and general care. To be totally honest its not predictable and you don't want to spend the next 9 years dreading that day, spend however long you've got loving each other and having fun! It could be less than 9, or much more but you're in it now, so may as well ride it out in the most excellent way possible. :)