Mairead

Reflects more on the breeders and judges than on the quality of the dog. Some judges are confident enough to be able to justify their decisions. Probably easier to do when written critiques are mandatory. I'm guessing most standards were written when there was more tradition and folklore than genetics and biomechanics, so some colours/markings were thought to indicate crossbreeding too recently? I met a silver and tan Weimaraner. You had to be standing in the right light to be certain of his tan points. He was destined to be 'pet only'. Why?

That was a general introduction to white markings. There are very probably breed specific variations and environmental influences. I'm thinking of Boston Terriers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dalmatians? and other breeds with very specific and not easily standardised markings requirements. What proportion of puppies don't measure up markings-wise? How much of a problem is this with show judges? Should the breed standards be modernised to reflect present knowledge of genetics?

Yes ask the breeder. I have no experience with Labradors but I know that usually solid-coloured dogs sometimes have small amounts of white eg Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Dogs can have not much white on the top of the toes but have white underneath around the toe pads and/or at the back of the pastern between the main foot pad and the stopper pad. I was often asked about it by trainee judges because it is not exactly specified in the breed standard. White markings can diminish as the puppy grows but I've not known them to disappear unless they were very small markings at birth. White markings are interesting (to a colour genetics nerd like me). In dogs if an otherwise solid coloured dog has some white it is more likely to be on the chest. If more white than that it follows a pattern - chest, tip of tail, front toes, face then if more white further up the legs, white collar and so on (called Irish spotting) eg Border Collie, then about equal white and colour (called piebald) until the predominantly white dog still has colour on the head especially around the ears, and base of tail eg some Fox Terriers. All-white dogs with dark pigment are coloured -and-white dogs where the colour has virtually disappeared (called extreme white piebald) eg most Samoyeds and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs. Contrast horses where a small amount of white will be commonly on the forehead and a horse usually has a lot of white in other places before any appears on the belly eg Clydesdales, some Arabians. It depends on embryonic migration of pigment cells.

Going well by the sounds of it. Remember chewing is in a dog's job description, daily duty really, and the getting into mischief is a cleverly designed test of how well you can think like a puppy and foresee opportunities for getting into mischief. If you think the games with one toy are becoming too serious about possession, try some distraction or adding another toy. I went to an Ian Dunbar seminar. When he said he didn't so much compete in obedience trials [with Malamutes] as partake of them, to have fun, I was the only person who applauded. I guess the other people were there to learn how to win?

You have taken on a mystery puppy with, I assume, no family history so you may have much work ahead of you or maybe it will all go well, here's hoping. Be aware that a mixed puppy may still have inherited diseases if the parents weren't tested for diseases known in any of the breeds in the mix. Did you and their vet meet both the parents and were they able to be handled, not aggressive, healthy? Begin as you mean to go on with standards of behaviour and boundaries etc, taking into account a puppy's short attention span. The breeders may have said she got to meet a range of people but best assume she hasn't. Tick off as many items on the socialising checklist as you can - sights, sounds, scents, surfaces, eg vehicles of all sorts, stairs, sirens, horses, people in uniform, elderly, male, female, other, in wheelchairs etc - at a distance to start with if she seems unsure. There are probably checklists on the web to prompt you. I would check with your vet whether a treadmill is suitable for a puppy of that age, even if a self activated one made for dogs. There is also the very serious question of whether you will be able to have control of her if she grows to more bullmastiff size and amstaff temperament. She will look like a dog that will attack, and in the present day with so many people having no clue how to behave around dogs you have to be very careful. Only a few days ago I stayed to guard a dog tied up outside a supermarket, because whatever happened the dog would be blamed unless I could be a dissenting voice. I explained that to the owner when he returned. Good luck and keep us posted.

Who was it who said no antibiotics needed? If an antibiotic injection was given that should have been the answer to your question. Were you charged for any antibiotic? May also depend on how many stitches or staples were used and whether she has a cone collar. Maybe you are known as an attentive owner who will know if infection develops and can be trusted to take home an animal earlier than other owners. Recently my female kitten had antibiotics and a cone collar but the males didn't have either.

Another vote for vet check up. And if there's anything that needs more explanation just ask.

All this before any mention of autopsy results?

Websites very similar More info on Gold Coast facility on the change petition site. Autopsy results pending. Not much info on the Sydney change petition site but people still "sign". NB I'm not promoting these petitions in any way

Outsourcing is the fashion. And, unlike (I would hope) your local dog training club, a person in business would be less likely to say "just needs more exercise". What young Vizsla doesn't? The trainer's website has the option of an initial consult I assume to decide on classes or board and train. Also has a button "turn my dog into an attack dog" Their Facebook page has some comments and a [press release? legal statement?] Too small for me to read on this phone with these glasses!

I had that problem with boisterous dogs rudely invading my dog's personal space. She much preferred other civilised sighthounds or dogs who liked chasing or stalking games, not wrestling games. I took a golf size umbrella and opened it when I needed to.

On the one hand you are rewarding and supporting the worst breeders and using up a home that ethical breeders are in desperate need of, on the other it is not the dog's fault. The questions might need to be: will this dog be a good ambassador for the breed? And, is a dog with many health issues the best use of limited resources? There are people who seem attracted to the worst cruelty, health and disabled cases. Some odd psychology or emotional need going on there.

Wolfhoundish hunting dogs are more athletic looking than show wolfhounds. Can run down a coyote if working in a team. Wire hair is dominant so wolfhound or deerhound could be some way back. .

If latest reporting by commercial channels is correct: 1. wolfhounds were at first looked after by friend of owner while police searched for owner (?) 2. are now with the council, owner? says they jumped the fence and are sweet-tempered 3. dogs were being looked after by friend of owner and jumped back fence. People could unexpectedly end up with dogs they can't control when a child leaves home and cannot take the dog/s or goes to jail etc. Or maybe they feel sorry for the smallish cute puppy about to be put down.

Merle is a dominant gene. The original Merle individual could be way back. It has adverse or lethal effects in double dose (homozygous Merle) such as eye defects. It is why there are white deaf AND blind Great Danes. Not a colour for the breeder interested in 'adorable' appearance to mess with.

It can serve no useful purpose to know the breed or crossbreed of one puppy photo. Just print the photo and put it up as a nice photo.

Have you tried contacting the breed clubs or breed online groups for vet recommendations? If you are going to be asking breed clubs for advice it might be a good idea to join and/or volunteer.

Can be caused by panleukopenia viral infection of pregnant cat Ref: 5-Minute Veterinary Consult

Poorly worded. When I was researching Pugs, I found Retro Pugs info that referred to German breeders. The marketing was referring to the way animals are promoted presently. Saw a clip of a kitten with hydrocephalus and other problems that was "rescued". Kittens called dwarf often have problems as do dwarf ponies. Comments often (sigh) say "adorable". This sort of thing has a name "cruelty porn".

Yes I found those German Pugs when researching my Pug question. Apparently known as Retro Pugs. Also found Shar Pei x Pug known as Ori Pei. Marketing is the work of the Devil.

This was parallel lines all along the back to the tail.

I have just seen a pet pug with what I would describe as wavy skin. When I said I had never seen that on a pug before, they said "Maybe a mix?" She looks purebred but could she have a dash of Shar Pei? They bought her at age one year. She wasn't overweight. Is this just a variation or is it an indication of a health issue? She looks to have had a litter, not recently, nipples prominent.

You have accidentally found a dog that suits you very well, and that's great. If you want to get him a companion your best chance of success would be to contact the breeder of your dog and put in an order for one of similar temperament. As for breeding, it is not as easy as just having any male and any female. The dog you know and love is but one hand in a big deck of cards. His health test results, his siblings, parents, grandparents and other relatives will tell you what other cards might be in the deck but you will still be shuffling those cards and hoping you only get the good ones. Any breeder will tell you that people will say they want a puppy and then when the time comes circumstances have suddenly changed. That is why some breeders ask for a deposit (sometimes nonrefundable) and for people to fill out an application form, or only breed when they have enough people on a waiting list.

I find them deformed, and I find the people who call them cute ignorant and cruel. There are far many animals called cute who should be called unhealthy and suffering. It is no longer acceptable to have zoos or freak shows with humans exhibited. I hope freak shows with animals go the same way when people grow up, but I despair I'll be waiting a long time for both those things. I wish artist Patricia Piccinini would make sculptures of the human equivalent of these poor creatures. They would have concave faces.

It is a Labrador that has been declared a dangerous dog for attacking a cat and walks with a muzzle and special collar. Ideal situation is introducing a puppy used to cats to a cat used to dogs. If your cat is not used to dogs look to getting a puppy used to cats. Or get a rabbit, or cavies or a bird and explain the cat has priority. Kids (and partners) don't always need to get what they want when they want it if it would be too stressful for the other member of the family.