cowanbree

Just wondering has anyone used the ovulation pads on the website below instead of prog tests and have you found them accurate? http://ovulationpads.info/

When our local SPCA rescued a lot of in whelp bitchs from a local puppy mill I offered to foster a couple for them but was refused on the basis that I was a breeder and had other entire dogs. I can't see how that decision was for the benefit of those poor dogs which were left to whelp unattended in kennels surrounded by other dogs instead of tucked away safely in my purpose built facilities

I find it really odd that the vet isn't being a little more proactive after such a serious operation if he is not eating or drinking at all It could be anything, dogs don't stop eating for no reason and any more than 24hrs without drinking is very serious and I would have thought he would require fluids. In terms of what you can use to tempt him I have always found tinned cat food works for even the sickest dog but that is only treating the symptoms. Peritonitis is a possibility and would require a scan for diagnosis

It really does depend on the breed. In my breed it is quite difficult to breed a show quality dog that is really competitive and if I ever had one that I didn't want to keep it would be reasonably easy to place it with other established breeders. It is unlikely that I would entrust that dog with someone who may or may not show. A newcomer would have to be very keen indeed. That said it would be easier if they were looking at a male and easier still if they were happy with something that was nice but perhaps not top quality. Some breeds half the litter has show potential so it would be easier in that case.

My biggest tip is the gate that you let them out from is where they will spend much of the day so make sure it is undercover

Cash and sash at all breeds but at specialties I prefer prizes and sash as most clubs go the extra mile to get donated prizes or home crafted ones and they can be quite amazing. At one show I won a hand crafted pottery thing with 3 stunning sheltie heads on it, have also seen a clock with dogs of your choice on it as BIS. You generally can't buy those type of things and the amount of cash you would get would be a pittance.

I don't agree with this at all. Any dog that is going to be bred should be tested. In my breed which is normally 8-10kgs it is not unheard of to have hip scores in the 40s, HD and ED is not size related. Smaller breeds don't show as many visable signs of being affected due to their low body weight but they still need tested

So are you saying a breeders time is not worth anything? What else can you buy where you don't have to pay for labour? I personally don't really care what the price is. I am more concerned about the quality of the litter in terms of health/temperament and the intention of the breeder in breeding that litter. I don't support breeders who churn out litter after litter simply for money. As a breeder I have bred the odd litter where I may have made a modest profit over direct costs but that simply goes towards the next litter that is a disaster with huge vets bills or the new import I need that can improve the breed

Yes well put. There are many potential problems with desexing, and as best as I can tell Pyo & Mammary cancer are the two BIG risks with not.We have flip-flopped again, and are seriously considering a little bitch. Mammary cancer is not just a risk for a bitch. I currently have a male cat with it, just had the lumps removed

I have had many bitchs over the years, all desexed by 6ish and never had any pyo , mammary cancer or spay incontinence. I have had some start to have some odd seasons which has hastened me to desex but never had one actually develop pyo. That said I have many friends who have experienced it and it seems to happen in bitchs that aren't cycling normally. They may have missed getting in whelp. start to have shorter seasons or seasons that don't progress normally or have an odd discharge, that type of thing. I am also very careful to time my desexing mid way between seasons to prevent spay incontinence which seems to have worked for me - so far touch wood. Personally the main reason I desex is for an easier life. When you have dogs and bitch all living in the house, you really do want as few entire ones as possible

I currently have 11 which is down in numbers for me but I am enjoying it. I find it works as each dog has different wants, some live for cuddles. others love their exercise and 1 of them needs a job so that is my focus for them. Not all dogs are suited to being part of a pack and do need more one on one time so in that case I am forced to consider what is best for that individual dog and rehome but most love being part of the gang. Yes they don't get as much of my attention as they would if I only had 1 or 2 dogs but they have an entire houseful of friends here and for the most part they have a ball

That is what I suspect, have changed her diet and added a multi vitamin. I am hoping it will stop but have been monitoring her toileting and while she seems to be going with ease there are about 10 inch long stones in each one. Maybe an over reaction but I think I will be getting rid of the stones at least in her run, even temporality. There are actually concrete pavers under the stones so they will do in the interim. I prefer she is not on them directly as while she does have multiple options of things to sit on she never does so will end up spending 10hrs a day lying on concrete

I have an 18mth old Aussie who has just finished her first season and I have noticed over the last couple of weeks since then that she has started eating the gravel in her run. Obviously I have concerns about this but before I rush off and spend thousands concreting the runs has anyone had this and been able to stop it? They are quite small stones and she is passing them but it is not something I want to continue. I find it strange that she has started doing this as she is not really a dog to eat foreign objects or chew things

I live on a no exit road, just out of town and heaps of cats are dumped here. When I first arrived here I caught them and trotted them down to the SPCA where they pts every single one and these were not feral, just dumped. Now days I catch them, advertise them on lost and found pets for 10 days, desex them and rehome them myself if they are at all rehomable. I am not a cat person but I find it impossible to ignore their plight

I would just do it. I have found over the years to go with my gut and it is seldom wrong. She hasn't picked up the puppy so I think that gives you an out anyhow

My old boy who I have recently had pts at 14yrs had immune related issues all his life. I tried everything, diet, natural remedy and normal with limited sucess. He had periods where he was ok but he also had much of his life where he wasn't. Looking back now without thr everyday emotion of trying to get my gorgeous boy right I can say I wish that after I had given curing him a really decent go without sucess that I had been brave enough to have him pts. If they do not have quality of life they don't have to suffer. There are many things you can try before reaching this decision but it pays to keep it in mind

in some breeds it's a disposition, but not in this one. The mode of inheritance isn't known. Is it common in the breed or relatively rare?

Sounds very similar to my experience with Cowan. He had a partial bowel obstruction caused a bone which pierced him internally and the scaring formed a lump. It took 4mths before we found out what it was because he was passing normalish stools and had periods where he was fine and then the next day he would lie around looking really sick and not eating. Tested him for all manner of things and nothing was really conclusive and finally decided to operate to see what was going on.

I don't know a great deal about AIHA. Is it just a breed disposition or is it known to be hereditary?

I am very glad she isn't anywhere near me as I love the oldies and she looks a gem. In all fairness the owners at her age overseas travel would be extremely hard on her if she even passes the health checks necessary to fly. She looks very well cared for and I am sure this is extremely difficult for her owners

Was he at Gore shows? Think I was set up behind him, small world isn't it

I have been breeding shelties for many years now. I didn't start out with the intention of breeding. Took my pet sheltie to a dog show and got hocked. Very quickly found out that in my breed if you want a top winning sheltie you have to breed it because they come along so infrequently they are rarely sold. I would prefer not to breed. I find it very stressful and a huge responsibility but there is a certain pride in owning generations of your kennel name and seeing familiar traits pop up many times over.

I think we will have to agree to disagree. As long as there is full disclosure and breeder support I don't have an issue with them being placed. You can't keep them all or you wouldn't be breeding long. I personally have a pet dog, purchased at full pet price with full disclosure prior to purchase of a reasonably serious eye issue that may or may not require major surgery. I made a conscious decision that while that dog may not be perfect she would fit into my life and if she requires surgery the breeder will pay for the surgery. As long as it is the right home and there has been full disclosure I don't have an issue

and just what should a breeder do with any that aren't born with perfect conformation?? No such thing as perfect. A dog that does not have sound conformation should not be sold as a pet at all. It is a 'faulty product' that should not be on the market. It depends on the fault as to the best course of action for the breeder, some things are 'wait and see'. Then when the pup matures they can be reassessed. Some serious faults mean that sadly the dog must be put to sleep. Very hard approach comparing a puppy with faulty goods, mine are members of my family. I don't think many breeders have bred 100% sound puppies and having them pts because they are not perfect isn't something I could ever do unless they were in pain. In the end all we can do is the appropriate health testing and the rest is in the lap of the Gods. There is a home for most puppies, even the special ones and it is just a matter of waiting for the right home to come along.

I have had this happen to me and I was livid. My dog is very well bred with all health testing done and someone popped their fluffy crossbreed over the fence as they would have cute puppies. Lets just say they will never do that again