BarbedWire

Just wondering but do you think overweight people tend to have overweight dogs?

Interesting article http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-14/images-of-overweight-show-dogs-online-normalising-obesity/6618404 Posting photos of overweight show dogs online 'normalising' obesity, study finds Posted 30 minutes ago Basset Hounds at Crufts PHOTO: Basset Hounds (pictured), Pugs and Labradors competing at Crufts were more likely to be overweight than other breeds, researchers say (AFP: Oli Scarff, file photo) RELATED STORY: Death of Crufts prize-winning dog prompts poisoning claim MAP: United Kingdom A quarter of dogs competing in the world's biggest dog show are overweight, scientists say, warning the posting of show dog images online may be "normalising" obesity in dogs. The analysis of canines at Britain's Crufts show, held annually since the reign of Queen Victoria, was posted in the journal Veterinary Record. Researchers from the University of Liverpool studied 1,000 images of 28 dog breeds placed between first and fifth in their class during competitions from 2001 to 2013. They found while 74 per cent were in ideal condition, 26 per cent were overweight. Researcher Alex German said while lower than in the general pet population, the proportion of overweight animals at Crufts was a concern, because show dogs were assumed to be perfect specimens of their breed. "These dogs showcase the ideal characteristics of the pedigree breed, and there is a danger that widespread media exposure might adversely influence owner perception of optimal body shape," it said. Obesity causes significant health problems in dogs, including arthritis and diabetes. The issue was most pronounced in certain breeds, with 80 per cent of Pugs, 68 per cent of Basset Hounds and 63 per cent of Labradors proving excessively fat. Researchers say while these breeds are prone to weight gain, given that these breeds were bred as companion, hunting or fieldwork dogs, meaning their ideal body shape should not be overweight. Standard poodles, border terriers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Hungarian vizlas and Dobermans were the least likely breeds to be overweight. The report said while shows such as Crufts had introduced criteria to encourage the awarding of prizes to healthy dogs, it appeared being overweight did not damage a dog's chances of winning. It said the finding that none of the dogs at Crufts was underweight showed that breeders and owners were able to recognise that condition, better than those who were overweight. "Further effort is now required to educate owners, breeders and show judges so that they can all better recognise overweight condition, thus helping to prevent the development of obesity," the report said. ABC/Reuters

I can't... It was never a consideration when my daughter was born. If you get a dog you are responsible for its life for the next 12-15 years. If you think there is a slight chance in that time that you will have a baby and can't have them live under the same roof then DONT GET THE DOG. It is all about responsibility and few people take the responsibility of dog ownership seriously. I totally agree and one of the first questions I ask my puppy people is, are you planning to have children and if you are how do you plan to deal with a puppy and a baby? There is no way in hell I will sell one of my puppies to someone who believes a dog is disposable. Bjelkier, not sure who you are totally agreeing with but that is just my Internet illiteracy, but I totally agree with Yonjuro. Sometimes you have to make a few adjustments but DOGS ARE FOREVER.

None of the dogs in any of the photos looked remotely oodle. Sorry for poor little Wags who was let down by everyone.

Parents can't supervise while they are sleeping. If it had been my baby the dogs would have been in crates or outside or the baby would have been behind closed doors and if I thought the dogs could open doors the doors would have been locked. I actually had to protect one of my babies from her toddler brother who thought it was okay to take the baby out of the bassinet. I put a lock on her door to keep him out.

It happened around 3am. The mother had just fed the baby and then gone back to bed. The baby was sleeping in its bassinet at the foot of their bed.

Tassie it sounds like a great program. I am not familiar with it.

Yes Mita. Perhaps someone could write some children's books about behaving appropriately around dogs, and perhaps the adults could model appropriate behaviour. I would be fairly confident that those dogs in the photo are okay with being hugged but I would not like to see the children try it on other dogs. For my own children I never thought they were safe around dogs until they could give the dog commands such as sit and the dog would sit. I think it sorted out the pecking order and my kids loved it. They thought they were clever.

A lovely story but I am not comfortable with those children hugging the dog in the second photo. Edited: changed first to second

I just heard on the news that the parents were actually asleep in the bed when it happened. The bassinet was at the end of the bed.

Have to say I agree. I get this a lot with the Samoyeds. People have heard that they're 'safe' with children and the things they allow their dogs and children do together makes my blood run cold sometimes. In the end they're a dog, a primitive one no less but because people feel that they're in the safe category they're not as vigilant. We really need to instil in puppy buyers that any dog can and will harm a child if the circumstances are right and no breed is automatically 'safe'. Often on Facebook you see pictures of babies snuggled up with the family pet and the parents think it's so cute. The other day I saw a photo of a toddler taking food out of a dog's bowl while it was eating. Again parents thought it was cute but what makes it worse is that those parents were involved with rescue and the dog was a foster dog.

Well, what I've determined out of this is that I don't have friends, I have people on FB and people I work with. Sorry I should not have replied. I suspected this might be your response and it is not what I intended at all. I say 'expand your friendship group' which means including different types of friends - for example friends with young children. I will bow out of this thread and I am sorry I seem to have upset you.

It even shared the bone with one of them.

Yes people should have dogs. Life without them would be unbearable. I do understand what you are saying though. One of my dogs has had very little to do with children and I don't trust her with them because I don't know what she would do. (She is 8 years old). I guess the obvious answer is to expand your friendship group, but I know that is easier said than done. Good luck! They sound like gorgeous puppies.

This is the attitude (acceptance) I have problems with. Any dog can bite a newborn baby. The parents are responsible and should have kept their baby safe. Dogs (no matter how wonderful) should not be with newborn babies.

There's something strong about a solid coloured dog, and a black dog adds a mystical quality. Actually I think a totally black dog is fairly rare. I would love one. The posted photos are beautiful.

Is there a standard? Are they inspected? Do they have to be registered?

I am constantly amazed by people who leave their dogs at a facility they have not even seen, sometimes on the recommendation of a friend of a friend or (forgive me) because some anonymous person on the Internet recommended it. Sometimes it might even be that the facility organises convenient pickups, such as a vets, which people think means the place is okay. sas That photo of the accommodation provided horrifies me. No way would my dogs be going to a place like that.

I have just made a donation. This is the link if anyone else wants to do the same. https://act.rspca.org.au/start-your-donation-story ETA I think I sent my donation to RSPCA Australia and I meant it to go to RSPCA ACT. Oh dear! ETA2 I just rang the RSPCA ACT and because the donation went through their website it will end up with the ACT. RSPCA Australia processes it but then sends them on. Phew!

There is a golden retriever 11yo at the RSPCA in Canberra. Link http://adoptapet.com.au/animal/animalDetails.asp?animalType=3&state=8&tpage=1&searchType=4&animalid=433151

I just adore black dogs. :)

They would be able to investigate anywhere within the state, but they do definitely have regions that they work in. NSW inspectors have certainly come and assisted ACT on occasion Thank you j

Visualize yourself trialling successfully. Practise without your dog. Check your breathing because dogs pick up on your stress and sometimes your voice will come out funny, sort of high and weak, so rely more on signals. When it is your turn just go into the zone and forget everyone other than yourself and your dog and what you have practised. Oh and judges are human, don't be scared of them. Good luck!

I have another question for the knowledgeable DOLers. I am going off topic but that's okay since I started the thread. :) Re the RSPCA inspectorate. In the ACT there is only the one RSPCA so I assume they are responsible for animal welfare matters within the ACT, but in NSW where there seem to be more than 20 RSPCAs who is responsible for animal welfare issues? Do they have an area each with a definite boundary? Or are inspectors from NSW RSPCAs able to investigate animal welfare issues anywhere within the state?