becks

I didn' take any face shots as that didn't really change, jus tidied up - they hadn't committed the sin of shaving down the top of the nose.

I've been waiting for the April thread to start! lol

That is incorrect Here is the website, if you would like correct information www.steynmere.com 4th generation is accepted as genetically pure, so I suppose it was accepted for the Dalmations too, by the governing body -- and I suppose some breeders will embrace it, and some will continue to state the dogs are crossbreds, and should not be registered My point was about how many generations it took to breed a pure dog after introducing another breed for a reason. I was making no comment on the reasoning behind introducing the new breed into the mix.

Pyos can be closed, so there isn't always any discharge or the bitch can be keeping herself clean. Could be a UTI I would be inclined to get her to the vet and at least get her on some antibiotics while you are away, considering your OH isn't dog savvy.

This is a job that should be done by someone who knows what they are doing or a coat can be ruined, it can be painful for the dog or they can end up with a rash or hotspots, someone who knows about stripping will keep it pleasant for the dog and take care of the skin. It is worth paying the high fee and travelling to someone who can do the job properly - bare in mind this is a very intensive and physically demanding job to do compared to a clip or scissoring type groom and most groomers don't charge enough for doing stripping - which is why a lot end up not offering the service at all.

Not the best after photos as she isn't one to pose! Other groomers must have somewhat interesting before and after pics to share? We can all learn from threads like this.

another one I do is to get my giant to do a hand touch before sending her (just remembered as we are playing fetch atm!), outside I might do other things like get her to go around me to heel position, leg weaving etc. Sometimes I will just walk her away from the tthrown object and then send her 'blind' to the bell

In the UK we can do a retrieve from a down, this can be a better position for dogs who break early (my giant was like this) You can also keep hold of the collar and do pretend throws (don't let go of the bell) if she tries to break, then you are easily back at the start. Other suggestions above also help, especially going to get the bell yourself and leaving he dog in a stay. With the mouthing - check the size and weight of the bell, also what the mouthpiece is like, my giant prefers a light weight wooden bell with string around the mouthpiece, the minis prefer the light plastic bells. As others said, go back to just practising the hold, you can do this while the adverts are on TV, just drop the bell at your side and get the dog to pick it up

There are similar arguments with the boxers and the introduction of the bob tail gene.

I was watching 'Shear Genius' earlier today, and they had a challenge to groom a dog and then cut and colour the owners hair, so that they looked like their pet. It was interesting to see all but one hairdresser use comb with the clippers to trim the hair (as they would on a person) and only one used scissors to trim the dog. The winner did a very nice job on the owner but the dog (a pom) was badly trimmed and even had comments made about a big chunk of fur left sticking out of the side! I wonder if groomers would do a better job if the competition worked the other way?

There must be a new groomer in the neighbourhood, I've seen a few done like this now. She gets groomed about every 8 weeks.

Is it a schnauzer? Is it a cocker? No, it's a shocker! Not the latest designer breed, just the latest bizarre trim done by another groomer who seemed to think schnauzers have a spaniel style body! before anyone comments, the belly band isn't tight on, she's just a lazy dog who likes to slump into the support! I'd already clipped off 2 inches worth of hair from the upper arm before I began to look at what needed trimming off

Danielle, why do you think grooming is a highly stressful job?

Clipping will ruin the coat and be something that will have to be continued with as it will just become wooly and more likely to get matted. You can ask the groomer to give him a bath and tidy ie trim the feet, tidy up the feathering but not to trim the body coat.

Nice bow from you at the end! ;o)

Why not just buy a set of clippers and do her yourself, as her sight is going and she is getting older. Rarther then ask a stranger to work on her, she already trusts you.

This is the dog I mentioned. Litter of 9 from 28 year old sperm From the Camrose retriever website

Similar thing happend in the UK several years ago, there was a large litter of Goldies bred from 20+ year old sperm

Do you have a breed club/rescue? They often have homes waiting for adult dogs. Tell other breeders you know as again, they may have had enquiries from someone looking for an older dog. Times like these, use the breeder network.

I didn't realised Australian show rules were so strict that dogs peeing up your property is against the rules! WOW Or have I missed your point?

I'd buy it from a dog show van, haven't bought it on line. Google maybe your friend for this!

You could try adding Plaque-Off to her food.

I have a copy of the bitches pedigree and health testing. I also keep a database of things like number and sex of pups, colours produced, date bitch was served, DOB of pups. I don't keep notes on conformation as it would depend on it I got to see the litter and that isn't always possible. I do have a section for 'any other comments' for any other stand out point that wants keeping a note of. No, it doesn't really influence my decision on my dogs future unless something unexpected came up.

Why would you give a sterile dog a vasectomy? Not every fertile show dog will be bred from, so where is the problem of showing a dog that won't be bred from? doesn't mean the lines are 'bad' or that other close relatives are also unsuitable for breeding. I like to see as many close family members as possible when looking for either a future show dog or breeding lines to use.

sunlight often helps if it is winter nose.