Mairead

A simple example: The BRCA1 and BRCA 2 are important for repairing damaged DNA and so prevent the formation of cancers. Mutations of these genes mean they don't work properly. However, not everyone who inherits a mutation will get breast or ovarian cancer. About 30% of women [men not mentioned] with a mutation get breast or ovarian cancer by age 70, compared with fewer than 1% of general US population. Reference: https://www.CDC.gov You can also search this site "epigenetics" for not so technical articles. So, something else is affecting how the genes are expressed. That is epigenetics.

Trendy garbage more likely at the dot com sites than the dot org or dot edu sites. Even then the sample sizes in dogs may be small and/or only one breed. Step up and volunteer for research whenever you can.

Have not been involved with shows for some years but have fond memories of that time. Sighthound people were almost all nice people, and yes the good judges were gems. They had judged all over the world and were happy to come to Australia and to share their opinions. We had written critiques too which were enlightening. The judges understood they needed to be subcontracted to offset costs. I remember telling one judge he had (in the days before they were popular) 42 French Bulldogs to judge at their specialty. "But I am not a specialist!" he replied. I told him he would be by the time he had judged 42 of them.

"Respect" is the word I want people to use to describe their relationship with their animals. I would rather people respect their animals than love them. Respect meaning you learn about what they need and respect their own culture not try to make them like people. I read too often the comment "so cute" or "adorable" for animals I think are so far from their original design they look deformed to me. How can there be respect for munchkin cats, extreme dish face Arabians or Tennessee Walking horses with nicked tails and weighted shoes?

This pony might have walked past a gypsy cob at some stage but also could have a draught further back, or a Welsh. Horse dealers have always had a well deserved shady reputation. Unfortunately with animals it is often kids pressuring their not- knowledgeable-enough parents to buy. On a lighter note, in the days when warmblood horses were first introduced here, I heard an eventing horse described (over the loudspeaker at the eventing world championships at Gawler, no less) as a Tasmanian warmblood. Probably a Clydesdale cross, I thought, and much less expensive than the imported variety. Love the Aussie sense of humour.

I'm never amazed. Blame sexual reproduction with the resulting diversity, then no selection of breeding partners for health, intelligence etc. Almost everyone breeds. The Darwin Awards recognise those people who have removed themselves from the gene pool in a spectacular and/or stupid way.

I've never liked the term backyard breeder. Some would be impulse breeders, accidental breeders, profit breeders or even oblivious breeders.

Did the OP want us to criticize the breeder and suggest possible redress? But others are reading this so it might be useful. My understanding is the breeder has done all they are required to by law, (though not by the standard for ethical, knowledgeable breeders) same as if you bought a faulty kettle. If OP is still reading, be aware that NOT treating a lower urinary tract infection may lead to ascending infection to the kidneys which is more serious. Found this in Canine and Feline Theriogenology [Breeding] Shirley D Johnston, Margaret V Root Kustritz and Patricia N S Olsen p235 Juvenile Vaginitis: "...Affected bitches usually are not systemically [sick]. ...Significant bacterial growth was not recovered from any of 15 vaginal culture specimens collected from dogs with juvenile vaginitis. For this reason, treatment with antibiotics, either topically or systemically, may not effect a cure. Antibiotic treatment is warranted if the vaginal discharge is cytologically purulent [has pus] or the bitch is showing signs of discomfort, such as excessive licking of the vulva. Antibiotic choices should be based on culture and sensitivity testing of a sample retrieved from the cranial vagina, and should be continued for 4 weeks."

Is it lower urinary tract infection or vulvovaginitis? What are the symptoms?

Good on you! I can imagine that you are now grading your relatives, friends, neighbours and acquaintances from quiet and animal savvy to boisterous and clueless before you send out the invitations and cordon off the places they are not yet allowed to enter. Also you now have the opportunity to educate others about the importance of early puppy experiences and how to interrogate breeders.

He's not necessarily had bad experiences, just no previous experiences with men who look, smell, sound and move like your husband. Getting puppies (or previously isolated dogs) used to the wide world is a lot of work, I always took leave from work to do it. I was lucky I lived not far from a fire station, a Hell's Angel's clubhouse and a regional airport. There are checklists for socialisation or you can make your own as part of your diary eg man in uniform, with glasses, with walking stick etc. but no forced interaction sounds like good advice to me.

Your observations and the time line will be very useful to the vet. You might want to write them down and take them with you so you don't forget anything

The pet detective's final comments are interesting, "lingering questions" indeed!

Far too many stories like this. Not the dog's fault, we humans are supposedly the superior intelligence in these situations. Does her breeder know?

Inside job, for the publicity?

Because the owners have no knowledge of dogs? I saw a person explaining to their little dog that it shouldn't run onto the road. Couldn't help myself, I had to say it wasn't the dog's responsibility not to run onto the road, it was their responsibility to keep it safe, and why didn't they just close the driveway gates? They haven't.

Are you even allowed to rehome a declared dangerous dog? Do the present owners fully understand the possible consequences and are still willing to take the risk of rehoming? If not, are you willing to transfer the dog into your name first then take the risk of rehoming?

Funny (but sad) story told by a vet nurse: Dog allowed to go to the end of the leash (not a flexilead), upsetting other animals in the waiting room. Nurse requests owner keep the dog on a short leash. Owner's response "But I didn't bring a short leash".

Amazeti, you are expecting too much of humans. Every few days there is a child run over in a driveway or left in a car, and then there is the road toll, mostly not 'accidents' at all but inattentiveness or recklessness. I don't know the answer. I don't know what has reduced injuries in other countries. My guess is a combination of education, regulation and compliance checking. I also think it is important to know who the dog was obtained from, and why people expect a dog to do the work of a security system.

Is it only when people approach him or crowd him, or also when he is allowed to approach them if he wants to?

You are expecting too much from humans, not the most aware of species generally. Best you can hope for at the moment might be to treat it as getting used to different people and dogs, but mention you are training and would appreciate it if they didn't come over next time. The general public in my suburb usually avoided my dogs because a) they had been taught dogs = rabies and/or bites and thought that a dog panting was baring it's teeth or b) they thought they were greyhounds and so were vicious, why else would they have muzzles (greyhounds not my dogs). So I haven't experienced this problem myself, but I'm sure people with far more experience will be along to help.

If the owner was correctly quoted as saying he was scared the horse would kick [and kill] him, then we have another problem of people believing that movies represent reality.

There are amendments to the bill. Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2022. Micro breeders up to 5 fertile females, recreational breeders more than 5 and under 10, and "commercial animal breeding businesses". I am ready to ask questions at the polling place. Can you tell me ... I'm concerned about ... Can you put me in touch with someone who does know?

Diva I thought you were going to say you asked your mother would she mind being put down, she was old and it would save all that money for the nursing home! Hope you aren't offended by me saying this!

My understanding from today's phone call to NSW parliament ( and wouldn't you know it the person who deals with tabled bills in the upper house is on leave this week - ideal time to go on leave I suppose) Emma Hurst needs to reintroduce the bill to parliament after the election, it hasn't been passed.