Cairo1

Puddle, I have no idea what 'xb' means. . . . . Is it 'code' for something LOL Cheers Cairo1 ;)

That would be super, Chris!! Thank you. . . .. there hasn't been much response to my query! And I am a FIRM believer in Puppy Classes - but they have to be good ones - none of this 'free-for-all' stuff! I have seen a few dogs ruined because of that. . . I appreciate your efforts. Kind Regards Cairo1 :D

Hi All :D I am about to send a Working Line German Shepherd Dog puppy to a wonderful young couple in Townsville. I am in Tasmania and have arranged Puppy Classes for all my clients here but really want some information in relation to Puppy Classes in Townsville. Could some-one give me some recommendations? Or perhaps PM details of places to stay clear of? I am trying to give these people all the help they can get as they are too far away for me to be much help down here! BTW, in case you are wondering; I have chosen the right puppy for the situation :) I just want to help consolidate a support network. Cheerio Cairo1

I think that would be Carl Pew. We imported semen a couple of years ago from Texas and we went through him and his semen collection agency. Excellent service and knowledge YES!! Thats him!! Thank you so much! :) As I remember it, he arranges collections and all the relevant paperwork and when he has a cylinder full, he sends to Australia, right? I have heard great reports about him. Missymoe, would you mind giving me a bit of an idea of the costs incurred when you had your shipping done? Feel free to pm me if you would prefer. I am interested in bringing in GSD semen but it's very hard to fathom how you go about it without actually visiting the country itself. There is so much money at stake. . . . as I am sure you appreciate! Thanks again!! Cairo1 :)

What does ICSB stand for?? Thanks ;-) Cairo1

Hi All, I need to have my memory refreshed!! Years ago I was looking into importing semen from the US/Canada and there is a fellow who specialises in the collection, assessment of and shipping of semen and I am sure he was from the University of Utah. Can someone tell me who that is?? Thanks for your collective thoughts ;) Cairo1

This is an interesting topic!! I have been told that by giving human grade calcium and magnesium in the last week prior to whelping, that you increase the strength of contractions and reduce the length of labor. I have heard this from several breeders. Some people swear on it and some don't do any supplementation at all. A recent ultrasound showed only a small litter of very big robust pups so I am not too worried but it's the first litter in about 14 years and theories change over time. . . . Anyone else tried the CaMg?? Cairo1 :)

Thank you all for your responses! Ok, I did get some odour free paint that is suitable for bathrooms ie it can withstand some moisture and I have been painting madly! I also have some nice thick vinyl which I will be putting in the base. Just a tip for those that want to paint on a budget! K & D (like Bunnings) has an area for paints that have been mistinted. These can be up to 50% cheaper!!! I wasn't too fussed about the color but ended up with a dove blue which really wasn't too bad anyway. WIll post an image of said project upon completion! Once again - thank you Cairo1

Hello All! I am in the process of building my whelping box and wondered if I should paint it? It's made of form ply and will have a piece of lino on the floor but I was thinking that it would be helpful to wipe down the sides etc too when disinfecting. The puppies are due in about three weeks so if I did paint it would that be a problem?? I am not sure I like the idea of pups (and the dam for that matter) breathing in paint fumes. Can anyone suggest alternatives?? Thanks for you time Cairo1 ;-)

You could add to this list Garsova - working line GSDs - 30th Jan :D

A very enjoyable read! Thanks for sharing! Cairo1

Hi Missymoo! I am having the same issues with my young GSD. He is 5 months and 1 week and three of his four canines are still holding on tight!! My vet suggested to keep feeding bones and pigs ears etc and keep him chewing. They are now discolouring and he is sure they will fall out by themselves. His new teeth are only half erupted so they still have a ways to go. I am keeping finger's crossed that nature does it's work and I am not stressing!! Good Luck Cairo1

My Sheltie had one exactly the same in the same spot too!!! He licked it for a while and it became raised and bare and then gradually subsided. There was no infection and it didn't bother him too much so I left it alone and it healed and went away by itself! It was weird. He had it about a month and now there is no sign of it anymore!! I will be interested to find out what your vet says about it!!! Cheerio Cairo1

Thank you for all your input! It's been really useful! I think I will give it a go . . . . . In the mean time I will read up on the whip worm and find out what conditions they need to thrive in. We are lucky here in Tas in that the cooler climate seems to keep a lid on bugz 'n grubz We do have ticks but they aren't terribly common as they might be in NSW and QLD. Thanks a gain! ;) Cairo1

Ahhh, thank you for that! I obviously missed the whip worm information. . . . I did wonder. . . . I will have a look at your link and go from there. I have four GSDs and two shelties so never mind the cost of food; it's the worming that costs!! Cheerio and thanks again!! Cairo1

Hi All, I am wondering what worming products those of you with multiple dogs use?? I am in Tas where there is no threat of heartworm and although there are fleas, our climate doesn't really support heaps of parasites (not like the warmer climates). Drontal is very expensive when you have multiple large breed dogs and I wondered if anyone uses Closasol?? It seems to cover most internal parasites but I am interested in how efficient people think it is?? I think it's only $59 on Vet Pet Direct. It sounds like a great deal but it is very cheap! What is the hitch?? Interested to hear your thoughts! Cairo1

I can also highly recommend Monsimbee! Your friends will be able to see parents, grandparents and also some of their puppy keepers. Puppies won't come cheap as most registered GSDs come in between $1500 and $2000. They will find the folk at Monsimbee to be very knowledgeable and supportive. And they insist on taking puppies back should the need arise. Hopefully your friends won't go to the Trading Post because there you get what you pay for. Here's hoping they see the 'light' Cairo1 :D

Well, I am not sure about it being illegal. The council inspected my kennelling and fencing facilities and were more than happy with it. I have normal lamb and sheep wire around my four acres and can't afford to make it higher so I have elected to put a strand of plain hot wire on offsets around the perimeter. It works a treat!!! The dogs are far more respectful of the fencing and don't even bother going near it anymore. Plain wire conducts better than the tape and the tape is prone to breaking and the plastics/nylon deteriorating. I have a mains power unit and it is always on. My dogs (GSD) were standing up on the fences and it would not have been long before they would have started climbing them so electric was essential. I also have sheep around me so there was no room for carelessness. I would recommend using offsets to keep the hot wire about 6" from the fence but you will need to ensure that there is no grass or anything touching the wire as it will short out. I would whipper-snip under the wire and maybe put Roundup down so that you don't get any growth. Believe me, it works better than anything I know! :-) Good luck Cairo1

Good Question Corvus!! I owned and bred Borzoi for about 15 years and they were not particularly bold, but not timid either. I would say they were reserved and a little circumspect in their interactions with people. My dogs were extraordinarily calm in their demeanour too although they were certainly capable of having fun and doing zoomies. In some ways they were clowns as well. They approached new things with caution but were certainly not fearful. They have a careful, calculated way of dealing with new situations and objects. When we talk about 'timidity', are we talking about 'people interactions' or general interactions with the world? Generally I would say they approach things with caution. I have also been involved with greyhounds and whippets and I think 'caution' sums it up better than timid. Sighthounds are a gentle group and that is reflected in their approach to life. Bare in mind that those are simply my observations based on 15 years involvement. Still love my sighthounds but I am on a different path now. . . . Cairo1 :D

I had a borzoi who had bulging discs in her neck as a result of running into a fence. Yes, they did eventually settle down but occasionally she would have relapses. At one stage I thought of putting her down because she was in excruciating pain and all she could do was lie on her side. She would scream if she had to get up and it was a really challenging time for me. Having had neuralgia myself, I can now understand just how debilitating this pain is. She had about three bouts all up and with anti-inflammatories and rest she managed to pull through each time. It was very stressful when she did have an episode and they usually occurred after she had been playing too rough and banged herself. She was 10 when she died of heart failure. So as far as your Cav goes, treated with care and barring any accidents, the inflammation should subside but you will have to take care that he doesn't over-do things by jumping or getting knocked around. Good Luck with him :-) Cairo1

A useful post Espinay! Thank you. . . . :D Will investigate your link and look at it more closely. Cheerio Cairo1

Thanks for your input I used to be able to get Turkey necks but my contact has moved on so that has fallen in a heap. . . . I have no access to an abattoir but there is a chicken processing plant not to far away. I will have a chat to them but I do think that I need to feed red meat too. I have a supply of Roo tails but the carcasses go to the local wildlife park to feed the devils! Guess I can't argue with that one I was curious about the cost of feeding raw because people say it's generally very cheap but I am resisting going all the way because I don't believe it is that cheap at all. . . . I remember when a bag of bones was free!! I was pretty resentful when I found out the cost of marrow bones . . . Thanks for the advice tho' I appreciate it. Cairo1

Anyone??

Hello All, I would like to change over to BARF but am wondering if it really IS cheaper when you feed multiple dogs. I have 3 GSDs and two Shelties. I pay a fortune for bones ie $5 for one shin bone so I buy them fortnightly but the dogs do get chicken frames/necks and other meaty bones like mutton and beef ribs etc. I am feeding a mix of Advance and Supercoat as their dry component. Oh and I do have a freezer so storage isn't a problem. ;) So I am wanting to hear from folk with multiple large breed dogs who feed BARF and how they go about it. Looking forward to some advice Cheerio Cairo1

I used to use Breathrite nose strips available from the chemist. I would clean the skin well, dry it and then apply the strip vertically followed by some plain cotton medical tape. I also used to use glue but it came from the States and I don't remember the name. See how you go! Cairo1