Kavik

Vizslas are lovely and there are quite a few doing well in agility, but they are generally a 600 height dog :)

Yes BCs are the obvious choice, they dominate the sport worldwide. Kelpies are obviously my choice :) . If I was going to choose a breed other than a Kelpie that was not a 600 dog (600 would prob be Malinois :laugh: ) I would look at Koolies, quite a few of them doing well too (the most highly titled agility dog in NSW and who has won the Jumping Dog of the Year and Agility Dog of the Year and the cumulative pointscores for these events many times in the last several years is a Koolie or Koolie X - amazing dog and handler team!). Shelties, but you have to get the right one. There are some fabulous Shelties out there, and some spooky ones. Apart from Em I don't think I have seen other working line Springers in agility, but she is awesome and would be my pick for a non 600 gundog (600 gundogs vizslas and GSPs are popular) Mini and Toy Poodles and Papillons do quite well also, if that is your sort of thing :)

How exciting! That would almost tempt me even :laugh: Sorry for the OT :laugh:

I agree with the others. Vet check and weight check first. And here are a few more suggestions: Make him work for his food. Doesn't have to be much but no free meals! * 2 food game - toss piece of food in one direction, when they get it, call them and toss food in the opposite direction * No more retrieves in competition with other dogs. Start with short retrieves by himself. If he is not good at bringing the ball back, start at the beginning with that, might also help to build value for the retrieve object/ball * Body awareness exercises - good for coordination, balance etc and doesn't take long! Eg Balancing on balance discs perchwork (front feet on a platform, dog pivots around on back legs) walk backwards 4 feet in a box

So sorry you are having a hard time finding a place to do agility, it is so much fun! I don't know the situation or the clubs in SA, maybe someone else can point you to a good club? Or someone who trials and gives lessons? Anyone doing that over there? Maybe you can ask to join the Agility Australia FB page and ask for club or instructor recommendations there? We are lucky in Sydney there are a lot of agility specific clubs to choose from.

I have a GSD, but I think I would get a Mal over another GSD. A working line Groen could tempt me maybe (I have heard there are some coming into Australia!), if I could do the hair lol - I do like a black dog :D And I am not a huge fan of heavily coated dogs! LOL I visited my mum the other week and it was lovely to see our Sibe, Micha, but it just reminded me how much I love my short coated dogs! Yeah I love the short coats of the Kelpies, and definitely one place among others where the Malinois wins over GSD (OMG Diesel - the hair!!!) and the other Belgian varieties! :D But I do like black :laugh:

I have a GSD, but I think I would get a Mal over another GSD. A working line Groen could tempt me maybe (I have heard there are some coming into Australia!), if I could do the hair lol - I do like a black dog :D

I have Kelpies but am not that interested in Border Collies :laugh:

No need to clip the coat. For one, it would be difficult to clip a Lab's coat - it is already a short haired breed. Dog's coats also serve as protection against the elements including sun and the heat. If you clip it especially in an already short haired dog you will lose that protection/insulation and the dog may get sunburned and will have no protection against the heat. The best way to keep your dog cool in the summer is: * Make sure they have plenty of fresh cool water available * Groom them regularly - getting rid of dead hair and improving air flow through the coat to the skin helps them to better regulate their temperature and prevents hot spots * Don't exercise them heavily in the heat - exercise early in the morning or later in the evening, and if it is still hot don't run them too hard * Have somewhere cool for them during the hottest part of the day - either inside under aircon or if outside, somewhere shady where they can spread out to keep cool * You can provide a small 'swimming pool' using a kids clam shell pool or similar for them to lie in * You can provide ice blocks for them to lick

We are doing pretty well thanks Kavik Julie Thanks :) I haven't heard much from you guys lately so wasn't sure how you were going. So with this new one it makes 3 registries?

Hi All, On my news feed on FB I found out about a new organisation for pedigree registration, claiming to be an alternative to ANKC. Any thoughts? How is the other alternate organisation going? MDBA? http://www.australianallbreedspedigreeregistry.com/

CA is not a disease to be laughed at, it is very serious It affects some Kelpies, and would be heartbreaking to watch in your own dog. They are doing research into the genetics of it.

When I watched it back I was surprised at how Irish I sounded. I've lived here nearly ten years. I thought it was as good as gone! I've been here 24 years, came here when I was a kid, and I still have a bit of an accent :laugh:

You did really well :)

Mine do the same thing :) (except Diesel who doesn't have a crate, he goes onto his bed)

I have a GSD and 2 Kelpies. While they are young it is probably best to have them separated and only together under supervision. Large dogs don't always know their strength and size as puppies, and could accidentally hurt one in play. Although with my guys, it was my GSD who came out second best when there was a collision! (he broke a leg when he was 6 months old, collided with one of my other dogs when they were zooming around the yard).

I do the same :)

I really like these ones http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2938&ParentCat=504

And I bet she already has a waiting list a mile long :laugh: Didn't someone import a Pyr a few years back?? I heard through the grapevine that someone did import a Pry a while ago, with the intention of starting a breeding program and getting them recognised etc but the dog then developed some health issues and the program was halted. This new Pyr adventure looks to be exciting - can't wait to meet it!

And I bet she already has a waiting list a mile long :laugh:

Yes. And small munsterlanders. ooh yes small musterlanders look nice!

That is a decent sized dog!

Gorgeous!

Very pretty! Looks a lot like a wolf!

I'm not that all into hair either :laugh: . I think the Mudi looks the most interesting to me. There are a couple of Dutchie breeders in Australia Look interesting, I've only met one in person, but probably a little on the bigger side for me!