Sheridan

While there may not be enough dogs to fill a demand, particularly for the less popular and rarer breeds, it isn't just about demand or competition. To me, it's also about promoting quality over quantity. Joe Public may think that pet shops and BYBs are the place to go because of various reasons, not least of which is the image of the pedigree as only a show dog. That perception has to change. I've spoken before to howls of 'How dare you!' and flaming (including from you, Steve) about the terminology that's used such as 'pet quality'. Referring to a dog as 'pet quality' gives the impression of lesser quality. Now, don't start on about how it doesn't mean that because I know that and other people on DOL know that but the vast majority of Joe Public are not DOLers and aren't savvy. It's about marketing and (again) like it or not, marketing is everything.

GTChick, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Fly free, little one.

So would I. There is no way I would let a stranger into my home to determine whether or not I am a good dog owner. edit for clarity - ofcourse if I've built up a bond with a breeder over a period of time with the purposes of buying a pup they wouldnt be a stranger (but they'd know me well enough by then not to need to do a home check I would think) but if eg they lived interstate and made a request on a forum for any tom dick or harry to come through my home, I probably would no longer be interested in buying a pup from them anyway I didn't have a home check before I got my last puppy but the breeder wanted me to visit another breeder to meet a wheaten in a family situation. Of course, I knew that second breeder was assessing me but that was fine; I thought that was a good way of seeing what we were like and how we interacted with his dogs. We spent a lovely afternoon playing with his wheaten and kerry. The following day I got a call from the breeder saying we would get a male pup if there was one in the litter. I don't object to home checks but I understand the offense it may cause due to the inferred lack of trust.

At Sheena and Ruralpig's request. Mackerel biscuits Two cans of Woolies homebrand mackerel Four cups of wholemeal plain flour As much water to mix in the flour. Blend the mackerel then mix thoroughly in thoroughly through the flour, adding as much water as needed to make a thick paste. Grease a tray and spread thinly across. Cook at 200 C for around an hour so the biscuits become hardened (this will depend on the oven and how thick the spread is). Might be more time, might be less. This should make around three or four batches. When cooked I break up the biscuits by hand. I also use sardines or tuna. It doesn't matter if you use self-raising flour or plain flour but it won't rise. My two love these. Princess Mini is a fussy eater and while Grumpy will try anything once to see if it's edible, he's also very stubborn, and sometimes (not all ...) the biscuits are the only thing that will get him up in the morning.

After much googling and a chat to Merijigs, it seems okay. Certainly, they've wanted the chicken I've bribed them with and Grumpy wanted his bambi ear. Off to post the mackerel biscuits not really a recipe.

I baked some mackerel biscuits today for the kids and I've just noticed when picking one out, that it was patchily silver. It's the bloody teflon from the non-stick tray! They've had a couple of pieces each. It's not on all the biscuits, just some, so I don't know if they've digested any. I called the emergency vet and they said it should be okay, they might throw up a couple of times. They said they can induce vomiting if I want to take them in. They seem fine at the moment but I really don't know what to do.

I put some on a piece of chicken.

I wonder if he'd lick it off my hand?

Yeah, that's not going to work ...

Oooooh! I like!!! Yes, want one ...

Grumpy's been quite anxious because of the rain over the past couple of days. I was thinking of getting some rescue remedy for him but I'm not sure how much to give at a time. How do people give it? In water? Mini doesn't need it so I didn't want to put it in water. He's not a big water drinker anyway and generally only at night. Bear in mind that drops under the tongue is not an option; this is Grumpy, after all.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss, Moselle.

I hadn't intended to do this survey until I saw this post. ETA: well, they list the labradoodle as a common breed (common as muck but not a breed, thanks). Apparently, collie smooths need a lot of grooming (??). At least, the wheaten showed up on my list.

One of the things that people keep saying about oodles is that you don't know how they're going to turn out because they're a crossbreed. It therefore follows that not every oodle is going to have a fleece coat. But apparently fleece is one of the most desirable "types". Who says?

One of the things that people keep saying about oodles is that you don't know how they're going to turn out because they're a crossbreed. It therefore follows that not every oodle is going to have a fleece coat.

They are Great Pyrenees and the owner of the blog where the photo comes from never says they are anything else. Yep. Doesnt take much too actually look at the site. hell if i google my full name, a rusty old car with bulletholes shows up. I know that's not me. :D Moselle; I truely cannot wait for the day you leave this forum. Everytime I see your name on here I sigh. knowing your up to no good and stirring everyone up with your opinions that have to be seperated to everyone elses I believe someone's already suggested the ignore button.

Well, I'll give you your matted oodle and raise you one matted wheaten terrier in the same state: Matted wheaten terrier Matted is matted. Doesn't matter whether the dog is an oodle or a purebred. Of course how quickly they reach that state and how challenging it is to remove the matts DOES matter. One more thing that is not limited to one side of the oodle/purebred divide. :D

My previous wheaten wasn't afraid of storms. We used to live five minutes away from a railway yard so we were used to loud crashing and banging at all hours of the day or night so he just ignored the noise. He was completely fascinated by lightning, though, and used to sit up on my bed and watch it as if he was glued to a screen. It was very funny.

Well, I'll give you your matted oodle and raise you one matted wheaten terrier in the same state: Matted wheaten terrier Matted is matted. Doesn't matter whether the dog is an oodle or a purebred.

haha yes you're probably right, one of Mindy's friends is a wheaten and when he gets dirty he looks a lot like the oodle. In fact I embarrasingly thought he was a labradoodle :D when we first met him. The thing is though, I'm sure Wheaten breeders would let potential puppy buyers know what the grooming requirements are. Oh yes, definitely.

This would equally apply to any coated dog. If you want difficult try a purebred wheaten terrier that's soaked and covered in mud and see how long he takes to get dry. I'm betting your oodle would take less time.

I send a present to my favourite nephew, my sister's irish terrier.

It's a "kerry blonde" That is mismarked kerry not a wheaten. In fact, if you look at the wheaten head it's more irish terrier than kerry. I've posted that before along with pictures of black and tan kerries, tri-colour kerries. The irish, wheaten and kerry are closely related, of course. There are a number of mismarked kerries and there's a very good article from Dr Neil O'Sullivan (a geneticist and himself a wheaten breeder) about the genetics of kerries and wheatens (can't find the link). Wheatens are actually genetically sable (hence the brown and black colour they're born with) and only one gene turns them wheaten. It's like having a different dog each month until they're around 18 months to two years. This is an (in)famous photo of incorrectly coloured Kerry Blue Terriers. They're soooo pretty ... Merijigs, I am all astonishment. The correct term is 'big black nose'! :D

I think part and parcel of having and loving a particular breed is the hallmarks that the breed comes with. Otherwise, you may as well just opt for a crossbreed. If you took traits, such as the toller colour - which is there for a reason, as was stated - then why bother. It would be, for me, like having a wheaten that doesn't have a correct coat. If it doesn't have a correct coat, then it's harder for the dog to do its job. You may not think that job is important but it doesn't behoove someone who is supposedly a breed afficionado (and maybe you're not but I'm doing you the courtesy), to dismiss the entire reason for the breed's development.

I knew you would know this. :D Wheaten in my post was actually a reference to that specific colour, I knew they were kerry blues. I must admit I like them. Me, too. Merijigs tells me off when I say it's a perfect combination.