Pjrt

I was just coming back to suggest a few others that included Leonberger, Bernese MD, also.

Lol yes, but there aren't many dogs generally that won't be stimulated by possums at night!

Rottweiler

I grew up with a Mini Dachie, had him for 16 years, he was my best friend, so they hold a very dear place in my heart. From my experience, I would be more concerned about back issues with a standard then a mini. Perhaps we do just need to wait the years out until the Lab is calmer....and maybe invest in some sort of Lab sized hamster wheel...... I must admit I love minis too. More so than stds! I can understand your affection for the mini. My fave is the mini long nut if I ever got a mini myself I'd be torn over a wire too. I love love love wire coat anything!

If you like the Dachshund could you consider a standard instead. They are a much more substantial dog. I'd still have the same concerns as StephM mentioned but a bigger puppy would lessen those concerns a little. Another houndish / gundoggish breed with a bit more substance that might match well is the PBGV

I would also look for a specialist opinion. Others here will have better knowledge of local options for you. My main concern to get her back to full mobility is that while she's off gait, she is putting bigger and unusual pressures on other growing developing joints.

For the last month or so for various reasons I have been leaving Gruf at home instead of bringing him to work with me each day. Whenever he's home alone he has access to the whole yard and the laundry & bathroom areas of the house via his doggy door. He is separated from the main part of the house with a 1 metre baby gate. I am fortunate that he is not a dog to really test his boundaries and he is more than easy with the baby gate and being home alone etc. however, it occurred to me that through no fault of his, if the baby gate failed because I had failed to double check it was engaged correctly, or he leaned on it and it popped open or whatever, and he gained access to the main house, the gate would shut behind him and he would effectively be locked in the main house until I got home. I am away 12 to 14 hrs on work days so I really don't like the idea of him accidentally ending up in the main house with no access to water, appropriate toilet or any supervision! I'd been looking around for an extra layer of security that was quick easy to install and uninstall on a needs basis. I came across these little gems at Bunnings. Pretty much a reversible reusable cable tie system. They come in three sizes that I saw, super tiny, quite small and this one that is shown in the pics is a bit bigger. The super tiny ones might be handy to erect temporary puppy pens and join panels etc. It works a treat and gives me that little bit extra peace of mind when I leave each day.

I adopted Gruf in April 2014 from AWL. He was 10months old. He came out of the shelter with a c5 vaccine. He has not seen a vet at all yet since I've had him so in just over 2 yrs total $0. As far as I'm concerned he's vaccd for life and will only see a vet for illness injury or any other routine care that arises. He's been intestinal wormed a few times so that might be $50 max. He does not get heart worm prevention and is not flea treated unless he has fleas, which he has not at this point.

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A noise startle like a personal alarm or even old fashioned whistle would be enough to startle and divert most dogs.

I was also thinking if the costs are out of your range just sent the cats via air and drive the dogs. Could get quite tricky road tripping with the cats!

That's a great update. is your older girl desexed yet? If not you need to think about doing that, or how you will manage the situation when your girl next has a season. Remember that your new puppy can mate with a bitch by the time he's only 5 or 6 months old, both physically and fertile! The world really doesn't need more bull/working breed mutts. The pounds, rescues and sites like dumtree are overflowing with unwanted examples of breeding like this. Please put a plan in place now. You may be surprised how capable you innocent little baby puppy is when it comes time to manage this situation.

Gruf gets bathed and blow dried and combed through every week or two. I trim his nails at the same time, wipe out his ears with a wet wipe, and polish his teeth with a tissue and scale any tiny build up of tartar. He gets bones almost daily so his teeth are pretty perfect at this stage. I fully hand strip his wire coat twice a year. He does not get heart worm prevention, and intestinal worm about twice a year when I remember.

For a small dog who likes to curl up under blankeis just a small plastic carry box like you can buy at bigw for next to nothing would be fine. The sort you could carry a cat in. Cheap, portable(handle on top, and comes in half easily for storage and transport. ) cosy and with solid walls to push and arrange blankets against. Fits on the car seat with the seatbelt through the handle for travelling comfort and safety .

Can this be moved to the cruelty and abuse sub forum.

I'm not a fan of pet names that end in a 'y' sound so I'd definitely go with Secret if that's the only two options I had. ETA....or I'd use just Ink.

Oh haha everyone was thinking you were worried about the one that had changed, the one that had popped up.....but you are correctly more concerned about the one that is still down flat! He is still such a tiny baby and there is plenty of time for those ears to come good. Talk to your breeder about what are the typical time frames for these changes and what age you can expect the ear set to settle for life.

I echo what Mjosa said. Staffies ears shouldn't lay flat to their head. You pups ears will go up and down for a while as he grows and develops through teething. The 'up' ear in your second picture is more what they should look like once they settle but they will change throughout the growth period. You breeder should be the best person to ask about any methods you might use through this time to give you the best chance of correct ear set on your adult dog, and around what age you should stop trying and realise that's what you've got! Some times no matter how hard you fight it, you'll end up with what I call 'character ears' where you have two different ears set. Unless your puppy is destined for the show ring ear set is cosmetic and raising a healthy pup with a sound temperament is where you need to put your energy.

For size and coat this is a breed that fits........ However Basenji are a very unique breed with interesting and sometimes challenging temperament and behaviour. They are supreme escapologist first and foremost and not a breed that can be readily trusted of lead at all. I'm sure there are exceptions but Basenji are generally most suited to the most experienced homes that know exactly how much goes into making a Basenji and enjoyable pet.

Can you try entering differently. Go around the back and sit on a chair for a few minutes and then let the dog out. As it comes out the door don't just stand there, briskly walk off into the yard so the dog isn't on top of you flip flopping around all excitedly. Once it's calmed down ask it to sit and only pat it once it's sitting calmly. Sometimes just mixing it up with a bit of a different scenario is enough. If there is some one home text them from around the corner before you get there. Ask them to put the dog on a leash and take it into the yard so you can arrive and meet the dog while it's in a controlled sit on a lead out in the yard. Think outside the box a little

Thanks, I think this is a dog we will look at A bonus we have some excellent BT breeders right here in SA, a couple down south of Adelaide. If you go to the top of this page and click the home page link and the use the find registered breeders link you'll find a list of breeders under the BT . Don't be put off if none of the local breeders have puppies, it's still a great idea to ask if you can meet the dogs and discuss the breed in regards to your needs. you can go on a wait list for the next litter or the breeder may know someone with a litter or one due. Whatever breed you settle on, touch base with breeders as a starting point. It's unlikely you will just be able to ring up and find a puppy ready to go.

Just on size and grooming/coat requirements the German Pinscher also springs to mind.

I still think a Border Terrier is a good one to look at. Their wiry coat gives them some character but it's not as long as a Cairn, Aussie terrier, Wesrie etc, and on longer leg so less of a prickle mop. A good brush and rake over every week or two will be enough. They are a dog with a bit of coat character that you can maintain yourself without having to take it to a groomer. I have friends who live on prickly acres in the southern mount lofty ranges who were looking at other breeds. They wanted a family dog and had a toddler at that stage. Wanted a sturdy dog that could wander around the property and not slip next door and kill farm animals, that she could walk in the Main Street, that he could take fishing and it wouldn't bugger off, not be a prickle magnet or need much maintenance etc etc. They were looking at a large bull breed and I managed to convince them to look at the Border Terrier. It's turned out a perfect match for them.

First ones to come to mind are Border Terrier. They are a sturdy all rounder with a bit of a wiry coat but not so much that prickles would be a real issue. ( I lived on a 30 acre prickle farm so I know !) Others would be the Australian Kelpie, Australian Cattle Dog and the Collie( yes lassie comes in a short coated variety!) Or the good old Labrador. Or possibly the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.