Pjrt

My own mutt is young and very healthy. I selected a few based on the clients I see in my grooming salon. Sadly overweight, dental issues and skin problems are common. One that I see commonly that is not on the list is patella issues, mostly across the smaller breeds/ types.

As a side to this thread, I reckon if I ever had to live in an apartment with no yard, my pet of choice would be a giant breed rabbit!

Hi Cockers aren't always the best off lead. Nose down and they can go deaf on you! Maybe look at adopting a young adult that has been in a home environment, so you don't have puppy dramas. Other breeds that spring to mind are the right young adult Golden Retriever , or a retired greyhound from an org. like GAP. Dont quote me but I have met Welsh Springers that are quite placid and less energetic than expected. If you own the place could you fence of even a small area within the shared area. Not neccisarily to leave the dog in, but like a tiny private off lead place for midnight toilet or a quick throw the ball break during the day Its doable and great that you are thinking about it properly.

naaawww

Thankyou every one for your suggestions. I spent ages making up my mind. I wish I had a care package for everyone. I have made up my mind and will send out the goodies on Monday. I spent a while trolling through the pages...... Gruf needs a friend, maybe

First stop is the vet for a general health check. If all comes up roses with health, then behaviour is next on the list. Think hard about any little things that may have happened on a walk previously. It could be an interaction with another dog, a frightening noise, something as simple as wheelie bins on the kerb can freak some dogs. Be firm but fair in your attempts to coax him along. Make sure his leash & collar or any other exercise gear he wears is fitted properly and comfortable. Has your dog been to basic obedience classes? This might be a good place to start. If he has good basic obedience then maybe look at getting in a professional dog behaviourist to assess your situation and 'help you move forward'!!

I have heart palpitations when I see clients walking up the path to the salon with an unleashed dog! Most dogs kinda don't really want to come, much like the vet, and my salon door is about 6 metres from one of our busiest roads, not to mention they have walked along the footpath cms from the traffic before arriving at the salon door. Is it really that horrible to put the fur baby on a lead!

Thanks Leah I will look into those later. Bumpity bump.....

Can peeps please pm me with name of reputable rescue that could use some clipping gear. I have some used but very clean and serviceable gear I thought I would put together a package. Would include Laube Xpress clipper, a blade, scissors, nail clippers, a comb and brush ( a lespoochs slicker!!!) and might throw in a few other bits and bobs. Please only above board reputable rescue who operates with all paperwork and systems properly in place, only rehouse good canine citizens and not a save everything with a heart beak rack em stack em pack em type operation. Happy to post at my own cost. Cheers.

Yes the junior handlers. Ask around at the show or call Dogs SA and see if there is someone who oversees the juniors. Most of the juniors, dare I say, are as pro or more so than some of the seasoned showies... They are really enthusiastic and most of them love to try different sizes, types etc.

I can't agree with your thinking. It is not a vets responsibility to rehome or rescue but it is a vets responsibility to be an expert and advocate for the animal and present whatever options might be available. If a dog comes in with a severely broken leg the vet could present a couple of options which might include xrays, a cast, surgery to repair, surgery to remove, or euth if after discussion with the owner it becomes clear money and rehabilitation are going to be an issue. It is then up to the owner to decide which option they want to choose. I think vets have an extremely important but difficult job, constantly having to balance medical possibilities with the quality of life for the animal (who unlike people can't speak out and contribute to discussions about their care), expectations of the owners and cost. I don't think most of us expect vets to rescue and rehome but is it really so difficult to present surrendering to a known rescue group as an option for a young dog like this? Several vet clinics I know keep a list of resources like this behind the counter and the task is handed over to reception staff or vet nurses to share with the owner, leaving the vet free to keep consulting. Blackdogs I'm so sorry you were chastised for advocating other options for this dog. I guess the business values of that particular practice might not match your own, which is a bit soul destroying to discover. I agree absolutely that the clinic should make the client aware of other/all options. I just get sad for the poor overworked vets when some, seemingly a lot, of people seem to think they should all become charity rescue and save the world from less than desirable ownership decisions by offering to take the dog. I want my vet to have every moment available to medical care of my pets, not be weighed down by chasing up rescue options for owned pets where that is absolutely the owners responsibility. I personally would offer information for other options, and possibly refuse to euth the dog.

I think it would be hard to find any vet who 'happily' euths a pet.

Why do so many people think it should be the vets responsibility to rehome, rescue etc? I can understand some would, some could. but really it is not what a vet is there for. They have enough to do without playing rescue. I also understand some would turn the client away because they do not want to euth the dog. At the end of the day the client owns the dog and within the law they can do what they want. We don't have to like it, but it's the truth. It just eats me up that the poor old vets get a bad rap for not rescuing every badly owned pet.

I really want to write something here. I'm not sure though.

I'm not 100% sure but when there was a boom a few decades back on the 'mini foxy' I think people used the word standard to differentiate. I still have to argue it out when people try to tell me their small smooth coat white patched dog is a 'foxie' when it is a cross breed. The very same people wouldn't actually know what a Fox Terrier looked like if it bit them on the arse.

You know I was talking to my ex a few years ago about our local regions county ag shows. I live in Mannum and ours is abysmal. Then the town 25km up the road has one, and the town a few minutes up the road from them has one etc etc. They are all pretty piss poor these days. Times have changed. What I thought out loud was that local regions should pool their recources and have it in one town one year,the next town the other year and so on. That way their would be bigger entires and crowds at the one bigger show and the people who organize stuff could all work together on the annual regional show, whatever town it is held in. They need to think outside the box or perish.

OMG I'm in luuuuurve!! These guys are right up the top of my favourites list. :love: :love: :love:

Well done Jeeze they need to advertise it better though. I live in the next town and had no idea it was on!

Ta Da!!!! Give this woman a prize!! Thanks. They are very distinctive if you know what you are looking at!

is it one of those russian toy terrier types?

ANKC breeders are able to sell to PIAA pet shops - in most states Really! I don't think it is the case in SA . And what the hell sort of ANKC breeder would sell their puppies to a pet shop anyway? Not one I'd have much respect for I had a face to face altercation with the PIAA CEO about their stance on 'ethical puppy farms'

PIAA (pet industry association of Australia ) member pet stores will claim their puppies are from "registered breeders" and what that means is that the industry approved commercial dog breeding facility ( ie, puppy farm) that they source their puppies from is registered with the local council/ shire with all the approvals to operate. In other words, a 'registered' puppy farm. And yes, sadly, one of our main pet industry bodies really does encourage their member stores to source puppies from these registered council approved puppy factories. They justify this by telling you they only support ethical registered commercial puppy breeders, but not those dodgy puppy farms.

*beams with pride* .......see, I could never have done that with it!

was there a picture? It's probably and 'English Staffy' and they don't even know what it really is!