goldchow

Have to agree with MissMolly, and could predict the outcome as soon as they removed the horse, from personal experience the horse would ultimately die, punishment for the foster carer for going public. Jed is quite correct re Mark Townsend, might be a nice bloke but 'run with hares, hunt with the hounds type', wouldn't bank on fair and just investigation in that area.

QUESTIONS 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Breeder, exhibitor & devotee of the breed for 30 years. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? The Chow Chow is not a man made breed and is one of the few orginal pure breeds in existance today and whose history dates back some thousands of years. Much about this breed has been lost or misinterpreted however references and sculptures of 'strong and square, powerful, lion like dogs with black tongues & mouths and with a peculiar stilted gait is made to describe the warrior dogs which accompanied the Tartars when they invaded China in the 11th CenturyBC.These were known as Man Kou dogs and is believed to be the Chow Chows ancestors. The Chow breed actually goes back further than this and is thought by many to have evolved from a bear/mastiff mating as the Chow shares some bilological traits with some bears, including the blue black tongue. 3. How common is it in Australia? The Chow is a minority breed in Australia 4. What is the average lifespan? Between 12 and 16 years 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Aloof, independent, proud and aristocratic, VERY stubborn, exceptionally loyal and devoted if treated with respect,wary of strangers, is naturally very protective of his territory and family. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? The Chow is very adaptable and can live quite happily in an apartment with a good walk twice a day. They are equally happy on acreage with room to run but overall do not require a great deal of excercise. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? Yes, providing the owner is prepared to forget everything they know about dogs in general and are prepared to learn and accept that the Chow is a very different & unique breed with different requirements in their handling, training and often diet. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Chows are essentially a companion breed, long periods left alone isn't recommended. 9. How much grooming is required? Thorough grooming is essential no less than once a week. Desexed Chows usually grow a massive and very fine coat which is more difficult & time consumming to keep looking nice.. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Generally not recommended for small children who can be unpredictable and not always properly supervised by their parents. The Chow is very well suited to older people, they are a naturally well behaved breed and are devoted companion & guardian for the elderly providing the owner is familliar with the breed. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Entropian, Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Luxating Patellas, Elongated Soft Palette 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) The prospective purchaser needs to do their homework and learn as much about the breed as they can. Ideally they should visit or speak to a number of different breeders for information about the breed and get a feel for one they feel comfortable with. Questions should be asked as to what health testing has been done, whether there is entropian in any of the lines behind the litter in question, are there any skin problems, what was the hip, elbow & knee scores ( hip scores below 4 is acceptable, elbows & knees should be 0/0 preferably), are there any breathing problems within the lines, what diet does the breeder use and recommend. If the parents cannot be viewed the buyer needs to know something about the temperament and possibly request photos. Anyone considering purchasing a chow MUST have a securely fenced back yard and they must be prepared to commit the next 15 years of their lives to the proper care of the Chow as this breed does not rehome well

I thought so too Jed, with the support of the Queensland Canine Control Council.

Working dog people usually have amazing remedies & knowledge regarding home remedies and the care of their dogs and who knows this dog was possibly only bruised or suffered a glancing blow. We have one particular lady here with working dogs who many of us with dogs calls on for advice at times. This fellow obviously approached the kennels thinking there would be someone there able to help with an AI, I don't see anything wrong with that, its common practice in these parts.

Breeders care for their dogs alittle differently to pet owners, they have to to be able to run numerous dogs together as Centitout has described, and yes dogs are dogs, much of todays dog problems are because people tend to humanise dogs far too much and dogs by their very nature are being put in impossible situations by todays 'modern' ideas. I have a high maintance breed and, shock horror. currently have 14 (down from 17 I might add) and all are well socialized with access to inside the house as they wish, kept groomed, well fed and disgustingly healthy despite the fact that they have a couple of acres to run in and like nothing better than rolling around in roo poo and eating rabbit turds. Some are rescues, some are oldies who have retired from showing and exhibiting, one is a puppy for which the right home never eventuated and one is a puppy I bred whose owners circumstances changed and could no longer keep him so he came home as an old dog. Unfortunately the label of Puppy Farmer is applied willy nilly by many pet owners and the general public to anyone THEY think has too many dogs, judged by their own perception when they in fact have no idea what really constitutes a puppy farm. Anne is correct, there are registered breeders who do have what I would call a puppy farm, very large numbers of a variety of breeds, dogs kept in appalling conditions and constantly bred purely for profit. No amount of legislation or new laws will stop this sort of activity. There are also breeders who have 20 and 30 dogs, one, maybe two different breeds and who do breed two or three litters a year using different bitches because they have the numbers to be able to do so and because of this also, these breeders produce excellent quality dogs because they have the choice of different suitable stud dogs) and they do make a profit and I personally cannot see a problem with this. All dogs in this situation are well cared for and loved, well socialized, all puppies go to carefully selected homes with lifetime ongoing support, nothing like the filthy puppy farms we know exist. There are already enough rules and regulations to deal with animal care and control, mandatory desexing will eventually kill off many breeds which one suspects is the motive. The current laws need to reinforced.

Hi t-time I've flown chow pups to Perth and in from NZ and they have never ever made a mess Last puppy I flew to Perth had been crated for 7/8 hours due to delays, no mess or stress, did a HUGE wee once out on the grass though. Depending on how they have been raised ie in a home situation they will cross their legs and hold on for all its worth until they get out of that crate. Good luck with your chow puppy Spirrall, might I say an excellent choice of breed.

Yes Angelsun, Dianne was a very special lady and whoever is nominated for the Dianne Memorial Award has to be somebody very special in their own right. We thought Troy fitted the bill very well with his ongoing support for purebred dogs through his website which provides such a valuable educational and social outlet for all doggie people. Together with the support & sponsorship of the MDBA who wouldn't be in the strong position it is in now without him we thought he fitted the criteria very well.

There's been nothing reported locally about another Puppy farm seizure, wondering if this isn't as Jed has said unless one of the other puppy farms have been raided and its being kept awfully quiet but find that an impossability in a small community.

Don't know yet, we're working on it, we'd like to see her there too.

Well done DR, we'll have to make sure your initiation is a memorable one. I have yet to contact the bank about withdrawing the diamonds for the night

We're really happy with the Banner, looks great, thank you Merryn. Well its just on a week for those planning to attend the Awards to get their bookings in, there are still tickets available so please get those bookings in so we can get the tickets to you in time. Trophies, flowers and all the glitsy stuff, the gold sashes and tiaras all ready and waiting. Anne has checked the room out, says its fabulous, Andrea is all set to give another excellent preformance so it should be an excellent night.

Have to agree with alot of what alpha-bet has said. I grew up in rural Victoria on a farm with workings dogs and don't ever remember losing any of them to snake bite. Have been in regional Qld for 20 something years, have had a few brushes with snakes who as alpha-bet mentioned are territorial and often it is the luck of the draw as to how bad the snake problem is in your specific area. We also have a boarding /breeding kennels here and in 14 years have not had any major problems although my own dogs are kept in runs around and close to the house where I can keep an eye on them. We have a huge mice problem here with a small feedlot 500 metres cross country and the snakes periodically come in around the chook yard for the mice so we are very consciencous about keeping the vermin down. We run geese and guinea fowl, both great snake deterrents and we always make sure there are several strategically placed large containers of water outside the boundary fence because snakes get thirsty too and I don't particularly want them looking for water anywhere near the dogs and their water buckets. We have a red bellied black living somewhere in the large cracks in the ground under the house for the last 3 years, hasn't been a problem and of all the snakes to be in residence that would be the one I would prefer. They usually keep well out of the way and aren't likely to attack unless cornered plus they supposedly keep the eastern browns, browns and taipans away and we haven't seen any of these snakes since the black moved in. I always think there is a danger in trying to make yards snake proof. Snakes are amazing creatures and can get through the smallest of holes so if a snake does happen to get inside a supposedly snake proof yard and is attacked, the snake is trapped and can't get away which is what most snakes will instinctively try to do. The keeping yards mowed and no rubbish being allowed to accumulate has already been mentioned Like others, have heard good and bad reports about the snake sensors and I think the only way you would know is to give them a go but ultimately you have to learn to live with and be aware of snakes and if all precautions are taken you shouldn't have any problems,

Thank You Steve, you put that very well.

Had a Fairmont wagon and loved it. Couldn't find anything else with the room I needed and finished up with an X-Trail, absolutely brilliant on fuel (can get to & from Brisbane, round trip of 600 ks on $50 worth of fuel) and more room than the Fairmont. Can fit two large crates in the back with seats down and still have room for a show trolley, umbrellas, chairs etc. Also tows the five berth dog float very well although fuel consumption does increase noticeably, particularly uphill on the way home. Great to park, around town and on our rough roads in the boonies, won't be in a hurry to change models unless to uprade.

Thanks for that Erny, have pm'd you the details. Don't be too fussy about cleaning the car out, reckon I can just about fit in anywhere

There will be two of us Erny, Steves flight gets in about 8.00am, mine arrives 8.25am Will pm the flight details if you are able to assist.

We used to have the Google ads on the MDBA website but cancelled out for this same reason. We were not only getting ads for puppy farms but Lonely Hearts organizations, Sexual related stuff etc which we felt was not only confrontational to many but also totally unprofessional for what the site was about. With the 'new' name they possibly have a new site currently in the pipeline.

Yes Kissindra there's VERY big differences. It seems she's come into some sort of commercial backing and the site is being upgraded extensively before the seminar.

The owner of the AAPDB site is one of the speakers at the Building Better Dogs seminar next Thursday. She has set up an association very very similar to the MDBA, except its for crossbreeds.

I do the same Centitout, but round trip 600 ks to have the dog correctly diagnosed and successfully treated in one trip for less than half the price I'd pay locally along with a few trips backwards and forwards because it could be this, or it could be that!! Emergencies are real worry here. Also note in the Sunday Mail that QLD vets are ignoring the new AVA protocols and contining to promote annual vaccinations.

Same as Angelsun here. I've run pups on for six months before the right home came along, lots more work keeping them socialized, well fed and cared for but its better that than letting them go to just anyone. Just keep letting everyone know they are available and the way they have been cared for.

I have no doubt at all that you shave many Chows & Samoyeds at the owners request. Even vets who know very little about the breed (and that would be most of them) will recommend that the chow be shaved or clipped 'so they can cope with the heat' Just about every rescue chow that comes in here has been shaved and its a curse because the coat is near on impossible to keep groomed and has grown back so thick that there is no other option but to keep him clipped for his own comfort. In 30 years I've known of three Chows who developed hypothyroidism after being shaved, all diagnosed by different vets, one of which is extremely famailliar with the breed and I'm not about to argue about a veterinary diagnosis, (and none of them died by the way) Very few vets are aware that the Chow has a very finely tuned & highly developed nervous system, much more so than other breeds and sometimes what the chow regards as a traumatic event can tip him over the edge so to speak which you also are obviously not aware of. I can provide the names of two vets in Brisbane who I feel sure would be happy to verify this for you. The Chow is a very ancient breed, domesticated in comparitively recent times and is still in many ways a very 'native' dog with quite a way to go before his system adjusts to what is still a completly alien environment, if it ever really does. Of all the Chow breeders I know who live in tick infested areas, all are very aware of the dangers, all precautions are taken and none have ever had to have their dogs shaved if they have picked up the odd tick. I had a chow arrive here from the Gold Coast; the symptoms were obvious as soon as he got out of the car. He went straight into the hydrobath with a tick rinse while his owner and I went over him with a fine tooth comb and found the offending tick. We didn't have to shave him. The locum who shaved the chow referred to in the previous post was thoroughly taken to task by the Chows usual vet' who stated that a Chow should not have to be shaved to find a tick. My own vet in Brisbane also believes shaving a chow is unecessary, subjecting the chow to further trauma, and has successfully found ticks on chows without shaving them. Obviously if the coat is so thick and matted there is no other option but to shave, and which to me, would suggest a very lazy owner.

Hi ncarter, we know of several chows who were shaved, one by a locum vet searching for a tick and without the owners permission. He developed hypothyroidism literally overnight, diagnosed by a different vet and the cause put down to the shock of being shaved. As this boy was doing very well in the showring at the time the owner was not impressed as it effectively finished his show care. The coat never grows back properly, the more the chow is shaved the thicker his coat grows and can become impossible to keep on top of. I have been told that Samoyeds can also be affected in this way. A Chow is not meant to be shaved, kept clean and well groomed his coat acts as insulation against both the heat and the cold. For those who can't cope with the grooming of the roughs there's always the smooths who many don't see as glamourous and aren't as laid back as the rough but they are nowhere near the work, much more energetic and cope with the Aussie climate much better. Great to see you Falgall, we've missed you

Totally agree that those making the guidlines for the keeping of breeding dogs appear to believe that a boarding kennel type facility is required which is totally incorrect if the aim is to produce happy well socialized puppies for good pet homes. This report opens a whole can of worms for me as I happen to live in a region often referred to as Puppy Farm Heaven and I know of a number of incidents where reputable registered breeders who do all the right things for their dogs have been approached to either use a stud dog or purchase a puppy. The registered breeder often gives in out of fear that these people, if they don't get what they want they'll come and take it anyway with or without papers. These people don't think of the dogs as we do and there is only so much one can do to protect your own dogs. Fortunately so far none of them have my breed and I have only ever had to refuse stud services for dingos and GSDs but its always at the back of ones mind. Its a threat that has always been there but since the advent of the 'designer dog syndrome' particularly here in Australia, it seems to have really unleashed a monster that no-one seems to know how or want to deal with.

http://www.dogswest.com/ The Canine Association of Western Australia Jess, they are the controlling body for purebred dog breeders in WA. Different states have different regulations re selling with or without papers, seem to remember that breeders in WA do have that choice but check with the above Assoc. In Qld the price of the pup includes the papers.