SengeChow

No, no, no - NOT the town. The POS I refer to is this dog killer... Sorry for the confusion!

Piece of S***'s town (not the town, the offender) - I was running out of polite ways of labelling him...

This won't actually punish this poor excuse for a human, but I offer a bit of retaliation if someone in WA can creqte the causes & conditioons to make this happen, in Imi's name - however, I preface this with the cautionary note that I suspect there is a certain amount of illegality inherent herein... find out where this piece of human excrement lives; Get a largish dump truck from a location some ways away; have it filled with fresh chicken manure; relocate truck to a nearby location to the home of this "person" wait til very late at night, early morning; obscure all identifying info on the truck; back truck up to front door of this anal sphincter's home; dump the load; drive away to safe location where truck can be cleaned prior to returning to a location some way away from this POS' town.

Interesting survey, Julie. I answered this morning and just logged in to see what results you might have had. While I am curious about how long someone owned before breeding, I am equally concerned about the light level of experience. Next/other question would be did you get mentoring in breeding? Cheers, Judith-Ann

QUESTIONS 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Breeder, exhibitor, owned by Chows for the past 35+ years 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? Chow Chows are a primitive breed, determined by DNA studies to be @150,000 years old and one of the first off shoots from the wolf. They developed in far north China and Mongolia in the sub-arctic steppes. The early domestication of the Chow was probably @15,000 years ago and for most of that time served as an all purpose dog – herding, hunting, guarding, pulling, marching with the Mongolian hoards and when necessary provided flesh as food and fur as clothing. 3. How common is it in Australia? Relatively “exotic”. There are approximately 30-35 ANKC affiliate registered breeders in Australia. In 2009, there were less than 200 registered puppies whelped. 4. What is the average lifespan? Approximately 12 years 5. What is the general temperament/personality? In general, similar to a cat – aloof, not into doing things for the sake of doing things; actually quite smart and good problem solvers, but easily bored with repetitive tasks. Affectionate under their own terms; very loyal yet very independent. Protective. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? 30 minutes to an hour, but if you and the Chow are fit, they can walk much longer. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? That depends entirely on how readily the first time dog owner is willing to learn as much as possible about canine behaviour and then forget everything they have learned, to engage in appropriate dog training (positive reinforcement) and appropriate socialisation (lots and lots for the life of the Chow), how much time and patience they have and how much research into the breed they have actually done. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Not recommended. They are not a destructive breed but can quickly become couch potatoes. They are a “pack” animal and will function much better spending as much time with their pack (humans and other animal companions) as possible. Socialisation is very important to the overall mental well being of this breed. 9. How much grooming is required? Approximately an hour a week brushing and combing, but depending on the dog and the quantity of coat, they may need more or less. Show grooming and maintenance will necessarily require a greater investment in time. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? Not a "boisterous" breed. Great companion dog for adult humans. However, adult humans must take responsibility to ensure that all small children are closely supervised and trained how to be around a dog, and the Chow should be similarly trained how to be around human puppies. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? The three main health issues identified are: • Hip dysplasia • Elbow dysplasia • Entropion (this structural eyelid flaw that can lead to eye disease) 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). At this time health testing is not commonly practiced by all Chow breeders in Australia. However, the puppy buyer can and should ask about health testing, about the breeders’ willingness to vouchsafe the puppy’s health and in what manner (some have contracts, some have health warranties, and so on). Check to ensure that the breeder is indeed registered as such with the local ANKC affiliate.

Chow = Am / Aus Ch Chen Chu Magic Cowboy - aka Kenny. GO THE CHOWS!

Dear Exhibitors, As an exhibitor, I understand this sentiment of not wanting to have to guess if my cheque is going to be cleared sooner rather than later; however, as a Show Secretary (and for a small club), I have to say that for my club, all the finances are handled by our Treasurer. So the process depends on my getting the cheques (and coins and bills and entries) that come in entered into our database, checked and double checked (is the chq amount correct in relation to the entries etc) and then mailed off to the Treasurer. If you think about how the process might work - i.e., most secretaries & treasurers are volunteers and have to make time in each day/week for a minimum of 3 weeks or so (we need time also to get the catalogue pulled together & printed and there is ALWAYS something quirky at the last minute). It's impractical for the show secretary to mail the cheques to the treasurer every day, so usually it's about once a week. Then it depends on the treasurer's schedule. And it depends on the Club just how well all of that is managed. Some secretaries are computer savvy and have the ability to do all the entries in a database, some are less technically savvy; the same is true of treasurers. I hope, from both sides of the issues, that someday BPAY or PayPal or OzEntry or some such system will make it all a lot more simple and immediate. In the meantime, for those of us who can't keep our chequebooks straight, maybe we can get postal money orders and forget the worry. And I can promise that I will have a chat with my club treasurer and see if there is some way we can make our system work a bit better for our members. Cheers, Judith-Ann

Hi BondiChow, Do contact the Chow Club of NSW - you should be able to get the club's contact details from Dogs NSW - you want to see if there is someone in NSW doing Chow rescue. Alternatively, go to the Chow Chow Club of Victoria website (chowchowclubvic.com.au) and on the upper left hand side is drop down menu that will give you the contact details for the Rescue folks down here. Also, contact your boy's breeder for advice. A Chow at 9 years of age that is a fear biter is a challenge to rehome. You might want to write up a biography about your Chow all his good points, why you think he is a fear biter & what you do to manage the situation and so on and then post that with some pictures on the DOL rescue pages together with information about what you are looking for in a new home/new human for him. As for rehoming a Chow in general, it is do-able - but it does require patience and personally I would want to ensure that the adopters had experience with the breed. It can take them up to three months to get used to having had their world changed so dramatically. And you will need to take an active role in ensuring that he goes into the right home, the right environment. Now, all that being said, you don't say how/why this boy is a fear biter. With Chows, they generally don't bite (even out of fear) for no reason. In addition, they tend to be quite protective of their "clan" and that includes human puppies. If you want some further advice, try writing to Vicki DeGruy who helps run the Chow Welfare program in America (you should be able to find her details through a search online) and often is able to provide advice and insight into training/retraining Chows. Feel free to PM me if you want more information or if you think I can be of any further help. All the best, Judith-Ann

We've been feeding raw for over 10 years now - before that, it was a mix of a high quality kibble and home cooked foods. My grandfather, who was still alive before we made the switch (in his 90s) allowed as how in his day they didn't have commercial dog food (he was a fox hound breeder) and their dogs lived long and healthy lives and he wanted to know what self respecting dog ever went into the wild, harvested grains, ground them and cooked them... We ended up with a little girl whose immune system was virtually non existent and the commercial foods simply didn't work. Found that raw foods did the trick and we never looked back. She lived to be six, four years longer than predicted. I do owe Ian Billinghurst cudos for his book, but found his menu too high in grains for my crew (instant hot spots) - prefer Tom Lonsdale's approach. Also, for supplements, can't go past the website/store - www.k9rawdiet.com - it's an American based company that supplies folks with all kinds of raw product we simply can't get here & they can't ship it to us; BUT the vitamin supplements and the like are a great find and reasonable cost and they will express ship things. Think they even take PayPal. If anyone is interested in perhaps starting their dogs on a raw diet or just seeing a diet plan set out, I have one on my website which is what I give to puppy buyers - its found at http://www.geocities.com/sengechow/chowdiet.html And for sourcing rabbit in Melbourne - try the guy at the Vic Market in the red meat section who has the pet meat stall - good prices; either that or try the small poultry stand across from the fish mongers at the Footscray Market - I've found rabbit at both for under $8 Cheers, Judith-Ann

Re: C7 - Personally you couldn't pay me to put all those toxins into the body of one of my dogs. My "guru-ess" for all things vaccine related is W. Jean Dodds, DVM - the leading veterinary immunologist whose substantial research is responsible for the chage in vaccine protocols. Here's a direct quote from her: W JEAN DODDS: If you want more information about her research into vaccines & protocols, I would receommend the following website as the first step. http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

Jen wrote: Ann, this is the exact vet I was referring to in previous notes. Since I don't know Perth or its surrounds well at all, I can't advise where she is in relation to where you are. I do know that it can take 3 weeks to get in to see her, but all reports about her are excellent. Cheers, Judith-Ann

Hi Ann, I suspect your vet was not necessarily trying to hoodwink you with the legal obligation comment, just very misguided in her interpretation of her obligations as a vet. However, if she is seemingly unaware that a dog with a compromised immune system should be exempt from all future vaccines, I would check around til I found a vet that had a more open mind. Jen may be able to suggest some. An R+ trainer is a positive reinforcement trainer - eg, clicker training, Delta Society and the like. As for registering the dogs, call the local council and ask what's necessary - usually you have a grace period. Cheers, Judith-Ann

Ann & Mav, Can't comment on boarding kennels - have way too many dogs to be able to afford a kennel - much easier to have a niece or older child of friends house & dog sit if we're away for any length of time. As for training, talk to some of the R+ trainers - most of them are much more up to speed on health issues than many dog owners/breeders including the issues of vaccines so are a bit more open to dogs that have been at least vaccinate or who have titre tests showing adequate levels of antibodies. Ann, as for your vet saying she had a legal obligation to vaccinate annually, I would question that one. What law dictates this? Could be WA is different, but I've yet to see posted anywhere that a council/state requires a vet to vaccinate all its dog clients every year. How could this be enforced? What about dogs with compromised immune systems? What about elderly dogs who could easily succumb to vaccinosis because of their necessarily reduced immune response? I know the RSPCA (along with most GP vets and councils and...) recommend annual vaccines, but legal obligation? Do you have to have a vaccine card to register your dogs in WA? We don't here in Victoria. Cheers, Judith-Ann

There is a great deal of research available on the issue of vaccines. The American Veterinarian protocol is the precursor for what is being brought in here; however, it is *very* conservative in its approach and advocates what will probably be proven eventually to still be too frequent vaccinations. Personally, I would recommend anyone really interested in what the research is showing to read thoroughly the results of the research conducted by W. Jean Dodds and her colleagues. It is her research that has brought about the changes in the US protocol (and hence the Australian protocol). Much of that research isn't yet being full accepted, but it does show that immunizations shouldn't probably be given to puppies until two weeks after they are *natrually* weaned (as opposed to breeder imposed weaning) and only ONE puppy vax at that time, followed by one additional vax 12 months out and that that 12 month vax is pretty much sufficient for life (most vaccines have an efficacy of about 7-10 years. Further, most of the O/S vets who take the research seriously only suggest C-3 vaccines and don't recommend Bordetella, corona virus or leptospirosis (or in No. America -Lyme vaccines) unless these diseases are endemic either in the local area or specific kennel. However, most vets to whom we all go for our pet care are GPs and are often too busy to keep up with the most recent research - they rely on the AVA to let them know of changes in recommended protocol, and sometimes even those changes take a long time to be seen to be put into place. Don't hesitate to question your vets and don't hesitate to read for yourself all the research you can put your hands on, even if some of the medical jargon is above your head - you'll pick up most the important information or you can get someone to interpret it for you. And Ann, since you are in WA, there is a vet in practice in the Perth area, whose first name is Clare/Claire and who is both an allopathic vet and a naturopathic vet and is very familar with Jean Dodd's research. FWIW, Jean will be in Perth this time next year and I understand Clare/Claire is hoping to get her to do something for the dog/vet community specific to publically addressing just this question of vaccines. Cheers, Judith-Ann