nyssel

It's a common myth. Historically pet food manufacturers stated their products were designed to be fed exclusively. The reason being they want your repeat business. We know porridge is good for us but eating it exclusively isn't good for us, it's not a balanced diet. Personally I believe variety (of decent quality foods) is the best way to ensure a balanced diet. Feeding a single kibble over a long period can make your dog intolerant of specific ingredients, and would eventuate to making them ill (vomiting or diarrhea) if they're switched to a different food. Some ingredients can become toxic over time, which is far more likely to happen if a poor quality kibble is fed exclusively. I rotate foods all the time and have never had issues doing so. Ah, thank you :) I'll keep this in mind for the future. The dogs have quite sensitive stomachs so I don't think I'll change the foods too often, but when the 20kg bag runs out we'll check some new brands perhaps.

I don't know, that's what I've read?

I've heard that changing the brand itself of kibble is not good for the dog, but I haven't extensively researched that. We just feed the dogs mainly on Black Hawk (rotation of flavours) with fish oil supplements, some days with raw eggs or yoghurt mixed in, and on occasion boiled mashed pumpkin/sweet potato and veggies when we cook it. They get raw chicken frames or necks three times a week as its own meal and just a bit of kibble for dinner. Kibbles are just more convenient as I don't have to keep an eye on them when they eat like with their raw (and its more convenient on busy school week days). The dogs have sensitive stomachs and if given to much raw consistently will get the runs. And they love blueberries as treats sometimes - they go silly for it! I like how they are looking at the moment on the chicken and rice (I think less fat content than Fish and potato?) and Bella's starting to look pretty pudgy at the moment. :)

I actually do this with our girls with their Black Hawk :) I bought a 20 kg bag though many months ago of Chicken and Rice that is soon to being finished, so we'll probably buy Lamb & Rice or Fish & Potato. When there's a bit left we just mix in the new flavoured kibble in. Stops them from being too picky without changing the brand of food (therefore a different formula altogether).

Bella and Dallas started had their 'fear period' at 7 months and were not their 'normal' happy selves and were noticeably much more anxious and nervous during this time. It'll really help if you are confident in what you do as she is probably looking to you for reassurance. :)

I'll show her the links and articles and that chart :) I doubt she'll read it through and not a lot of it will get through, but hopefully at least she gets the gist of it that 'pomskys' are not so ethical after all and that there is more to a dog than fluffiness and wolf markings. For some reason just the thought of someone breeding pomeranians and huskies (not sure whether anyone really does in Au) or pitksys (pittbull x huskies, of course for the eyes) just angers me more than Labradoodles, say. The thought of a both dogs' strong temperaments and sizes and activity levels in a pup going to someone who just bought it for its looks . . . I'll bring up those arguments as well, but I agree that some things can only be changed by the person changing their own stubborn viewpoints. :/ Do appreciate the effort though and I will keep trying to educate her. /sigh

I'm sorry if there is another thread lying around here somewhere but I really would like some help. I have a good friend who did make me a bit upset today as she proudly showed me a video (those humorous videos that have a huge range of topics mocking things) claiming that it has great reasons that 'reliably' explain why purebred dogs are 'bad' with basically a lot of bullcrap in it. Of course, my two dogs are purebred and I have NOTHING against mixed breeds or rescues (why is this such a common thought?) and I have owned several in the past. For some reason, when I tell people I have purebred dogs they assume I am a snobby, anti-rescue, anti-mixed-breed hater. And it is more upsetting when it comes to friends outside of the dog community. She is a huge fan of 'Pomskys', which really irks me and my previous attempts to explain to her about these dogs were ignored. She declared that 'Pomskys' are "wayyy better than purebreds" when I told her breeding purebred dogs were much more ethical than 'pomsky's' I would like to get a few articles or links on puppy mills/farms and WHY pure-breds aren't 'snobby dogs for those rich show people' and the importance of health testing and breeders. I have tried sourcing some but don't have much time this week at all. It is extremely disheartening when people refuse to listen but I'll give it my best shot. Sorry if it was hard to understand just needed to vent. :/

I thought I could be strong reading through this. I bawled by the middle of it. So incredibly beautiful, a sad yet loving ending to a much beloved dog's life. The photos really captured his last moments. He was clearly loved <3 Oh god I need more tissues

Too cute :)

I would leash my dog and leave if he chased a dog and pinned it down (he wouldn't because he doesn't do that).. I really dislike seeing dogs chase other dogs and especially puppies, just to tackle them at the end of the chase and it is obvious that the one being chased isn't having fun. I watched a puppy being chased by a dog at the leash free park once and the owner thought it was having fun, until I pointed out how stressed the pup was and she should take the puppy back into the puppy/small dog side of the park. Some pups can handle themselves and don't 'scare' easily but I would think most would be quite frightened by a bigger dog chasing them. Sadly some people really are clueless when they see dogs reacting with each other. This happens far too often, unfortunately. And people shake their heads at you and give you disgusted looks when you ask them to call off their dogs! When they are chased as soon as we arrive their tails are tucked in between their legs and they're trying to lay flat on the ground. If they were comfortable they would incite play not try to escape!

Most people are very lovely, it's just the few who assure me "Don't worry my dog doesn't bite!" letting their boisterous dogs (most big in comparison to my two nervous Cavs) run up to them and nip at them, chase them around and bully and try to pin them down. I get that people's dogs are friendly and some just boisterous, but my dogs just don't appreciate that! They take a while to warm up to other dogs, and are terrified when big dogs rush up at them chasing them especially after an incident with another dog off leash on a walk Decided the best course of action was just to not bring them anymore. Best way to prevent any incidents is just to see how many dogs are at the park and observe their energy levels, and if I don't feel comfortable then we go home. Just love it though when there are nice, well-behaved dogs that the girls get to play with. They have made a few new friends at the park that they really get along with. :)

Not sure whether some of my suggestions have already been said so sorry in advance if they are Victor/Vick - (after the state Victoria) Mel - (after Melbourne or Mel Gibson) Hugh - (Hugh Jackman :p ) Hewitt - (after tennis player Lleyton Hewitt) Ledger - (Heath Ledger) Baz/Luhrmann - (Aussie director of Romeo + Juliet) Irwin - (Steve Irwin) Bendigo/Benny Burnie/Bourne (Au suburb) I really like Murray and Darwin. I can imagine Darwin being shortened to Winny or something along those lines haha I also really like the suggestion of Boomer/Boom after Boomerang. Suits a big yellow lab :)

This! That would be fantastic. Bella alone sheds enough for two dogs! One of the reasons we don't have another Cavalier lol

Cavalier - shedding shedding shedding shedding shedding Hair sticks to everything but the dog :p

Dallas is not particularly crazy about her food but she loves spilling them everywhere and nosing her bowl around and eating from the floor of her crate :p She does it when she is hungry but not particularly enthusiastically. Sometimes we mix a bit of egg in the dogs' food just to get them to eat the whole thing :)

Great photos! Action shots are so very satisfying :)

As in Penang, Malaysia? Used to live there few years ago :)

Was about to suggest Cavs but then again they are not light shedders :p lol But I second rescues! There are plenty of little dogs in rescues unfortunately with great personalities. Sorry for not being any more helpful - I'm situated in NSW and not sure about the VIC region :)

2 meals throughout the day - usually a fully raw meal (whether it be sardines, chicken carcass/necks, salmon belly, etc.) for a late breakfast (usually at 10 am or so) and for dinner usually their dry food mixed with raw egg and fish oil (normally 6-7pm).

gorgeous photos of beautiful dogs!

Oh so gorgeous!

This. Train them separately, feed them separately, crate them separately. Bella and Dallas are very codependent and they always need each other and cry when the other's not around.

Bella is just the sweetest silliest thing and will do anything with great excitement for just a 'good girl', and learns very quickly. She was a dream to train - she learnt three tricks within one training session and is really good at associating signals and commands with the desired behaviour. Her motivation is just to make you smile and maybe even get a treat! Dallas on the other hand is much too clever to listen to me. I can see her calculating what I can offer her! "Why should I learn any other tricks when you always give me treats for just a 'sit'?"

Not sure what size you would prefer, but if you want a pretty-looking, small friendly dog that is good with kids then go for a Cavvie! They are happy to run around for ages with you outside in the yard and just as happy to stay inside to sleep (preferably on a nice warm lap!). They don't have the highest prey drive and assuming that you'll raise the pup/dog and help it get used to your cat then it should be fine. They love pleasing you and just thrive in the company of their family members (and anyone, for that matter!). They would love having little children fussing over them every day - they're a very delicate and gentle breed though. It really depends on what you are looking for in a dog - quite a few breeds can fit into your lifestyle and described home.

It's one thing being one-track minded and refusing to have anything else when a breed definitely not fit for your lifestyle, but it's another when you are capable and suitable for owning a certain breed. :) You managed to do all the research and ask others for advice to help you with your decision, so it is an educated decision and not one based completely on just "what you want"! Hope you find what you are looking for, and whatever you pick in the end will be the right breed for you and your family!