ellz

pffffft you should know better! That would take away from the high drama of the question! :p

Many people aren't aware that a bitches body tells her, each and every season that she IS pregnant, whether mated or not. This is one of the reasons it is safer for the bitch to desex her early in her life. Otherwise, her uterus takes a battering and it gets harder and harder on her with each season. Bitches who have phantoms or false pregnancies have hormonal imbalances that aren't switched off if she doesn't conceive. Not every bitch that has a phantom will do it again. And just because a bitch has a phantom doesn't automatically mean that she is fertile either.

Are you aware that you do not have to BE a member of the AKC or other registries in the USA? There is no requirement whatsoever to be a member anywhere to breed or exhibit animals there. The rivalries between the registries is not, in all cases, people refusing to get along. There are more serious issues such as the UKC allowing dogs that are on Limited Registration with the AKC to be re-registered and exhibited and bred from, even if they have disqualifying features. They require no proof, no anything from the breeder and will register almost ANY dog that has a uterus or testicles. They have demonstrated no morals when it comes to upholding the AKC and its registry and breeders, yet the AKC is expected to just turn the other cheek???? I have trouble demonstrating faith in such organisations and I would certainly require a little more moral fibre before I could completely trust the UKC and many other of the smaller, boutique registries that are popping up. I just can't see the relevance between the ANKC and PETA or the RSPCA. The whole point is that it is the ANKC and the state controlling bodies and associated breeders/exhibitors vs PETA and the RSPCA. And yes, the writing is on the wall and there really is very little that we (collectively) can do about it in the long run.

It's the infighting, ellz. No one can seem to get their act together You are very right, just like Ells statement about coat colours, stupid stuff in many instances to fight about but that is dog breeders for you. But be clear Ellz that ANKC also bans certain colours that have a very long and documented history in the breed and they refuse to change the standard to the country of origin to allow these colours. So it is on both sides, no group is free of silly ideas. Sorry but not changing to the country of origin has little to do with the ANKC. That is the responsiblity of the parent clubs of a particular breed within Australia. They have the responsibility of proposing the change to country of origin and if it is not done, then they only have themselves to blame.

Precisely why I've never allowed my children to join the RSPCA whenever there is a membership drive through schools. I do NOT uphold RSPCA values and therefore my children don't because they are minors.

Yes I hear you. So true. I'm a bit "on the fence" on shortstep's comments about other registries. It is the "other" registries which enable Pitbull owners/breeders to register their dogs "legimately" to circumnavigate BSL laws. They also allow registrations in some breeds in colours which are not historically acceptable in some long-established breeds. How is this constructive? How can it be seen to be legitimate?

LOL and who would donate 33 milllion each year to our side? And that is just what PETA gets in one year, then you have to add in RSPCA (which in part is your tax $ used agasint you) and all the other radical animal rights groups jocking for donation money. Not to mention the Green groups who want all domestic animals eliminated. Can someone show me where the RSPCA has put up a position (such as supporting dog breeder licensing in Vic or Tassie or QLD) to the general membership to vote on? While you are at it, I can not seem to find anywhere that the public can join the RSPCA, can someone show me a link to join? http://www.rspcatas.org.au/how-you-can-help/rspca-membership

A cat would have always been considered a thing. The only living entity would be a human.

If she was pregnant and has had them, then she'd look different...they really do look like an "unstuffed" sausage. If you're really concerned, then a trip to the vet for an xray wouldn't be out of order. That is probably the only definitive test at this stage.

Ahh..if you were truly jaded and cynical you would not bother to share the wealth of your experience and knowledge with others. Maybe it's just because I want to try and help spare others from some of the crap that I've experienced! I really did start out young and bright-eyed and full of trust and trying to do the right thing by everybody. Sadly, over the years, that has been replaced by cynicism, mistrust and watching out for ME and my puppies exclusively. Yes, I try to make things good for my puppy purchasers too, but not at the expense of my sleep at night or the safety of my canines. I'd far rather lose prospective purchasers because my rules are too rigid, than to relax them and wonder if my dogs are being cared for properly.

I would still imagine they would have to peruse the entire act to ascertain what the definitions are. Every local government has its own act and not everything is the same across the board.

If that is all the information you can give, then I would say that they can photograph anything.....a living animal included. You'd have to read the act in its entirety and see if it specifies directly that animals are NOT classed as "a thing" before you could safely rule it out.

I admire your approach LizT, and I hope that your optimism repays you well. All optimism has done for me is make me jaded and cynical.

It would depend upon the circumstances, when it comes to Fair Trading, animals are classed as goods and transactions relating to them come under the same laws as, for example, a refrigerator.

And if we listen to what people say, they are very successful with this tactic. Maybe we can be as well. The problem is funds. PETA has some very well-known, incredibly wealthy people who are willing to inject them with funds as required. Unless they can be matched, there is little that can be done to push PETA from the scene.

This is also the way I think we should move although obviously you have stated it in a very simplistic manner, but the gist of it is very much true in my opinion. The only way to alter the course is for concerned people to become the people who make the decisions. This was actually attempted but very few members of the canine controlling bodies actually had membership applications accepted.

Could also be a sign that she has been injured somehow and has bruised kidneys. Hope the vet visit goes well and your girl can get some help. Whatever it is, I wouldn't mind betting she's in some pain.

You're braver and far more "forgiving" than I am. I just hope that she doesn't forget her desexing agreement and the promises she has made when her friends get in her ears about such beautiful puppies and wanting one just like her. *slaps self for being a bitch* No, but seriously, congratulations for finding a home that you obviously trust will care for your baby. That is probably the absolute WORST part of being a breeder. Most non-breeders cannot understand the angst that can go into finding GOOD homes, especially for popular breeds or breeds which are prone to being "oodled". Every puppy that I put on earth deserves at a minimum, what I can provide for them, preferably more. I put them on this earth so it is my responsibility to find the best possible homes for them. This is partly why I don't breed often. Partly because I don't breed for the heck of it, only when I want or need something for myself, but mostly because of the dearth of suitable homes and excess of bogans who would like to think they are suitable owners for a Stafford...but aren't.

Gold! And....agreed!

It would be a no from me too. Once people who have previously been happy with a LR puppy suddenly change their minds and start asking for MR, the entire scenario changes colours and in my eyes, becomes a non-event. Even if it doesn't appear sinister, the possibility is that they will never be truly happy with a LR puppy now when they could have had a MR puppy to breed from. Regardless of your desexing agreement, they will do as they like. And I hate to tell you this, but in a court of law, it is unlikely your agreement will hold water. The law basically supports the purchaser. They paid money for an item (and dogs are classed as goods by law), and you cannot tell them what to do, or what not to do with their own property (as the dog becomes once paid for). I'd be sending them elsewhere.

Ummmmm.....live a boring life and don't have dogs!! The BEST method though is to keep the dogs and forget the guests!

Assumption much asal!!!!! Sorry, but aside from the fact that I find it incredibly difficult to read your posts due to lack of punctuation and capital letters.....a lot of what you say is absolute crap based upon your own misconceptions and pre-conceived ideas of dog breeders. sweetie, just talk to your own vet. thats not assumptions, the rate of bitches who have never had a litter naturally is amazing and some are generations of such mums. one breeders bitches wont even feed their pups past day 10 so they are hand fed from then, thats not assumptions. has been breeding for decades that breed. imagine a newbie starting out with a bitch pup from such lines. they will be wreaks trying to understand why the pups are hungry. another friend out coonabarabran bred their bitch and discovered she couldnt deliver so had to drive 200 km to nearest vet. to learn 4 generations of ceasers behind her. does not look like assumptions to me anyway DARLING, I've been breeding purebred dogs for 24 years and I know for a FACT that I don't tolerate consistently problematic lines and I do not take over from mother nature without a VERY good reason. I would also suggest that very few breeders enjoy having to spend a lot of money on sections that could be avoided. I would also hazard a guess that asking some vets may not be a good idea because some of them LOVE recommending unneccessary sections because it is a lovely source of ready revenue. So, until you are a dog breeder and KNOW for a fact what goes on behind closed doors, you should probably just keep your assumptions to yourself because each and every time you put your fingers to your keyboard, you show yourself to be a nasty, spiteful person with a lot of opinion and very little real knowledge about certain issues.We all KNOW you've had your issues with the RSPCA but to be honest, you are sounding more and more like that organisation and the gardener every day and that is of great concern IMO. Not meaning to be quarrelsome, Ellz, but I believe asal has been breeding for considerably longer than 24 years. And I don't believe asal was accusing you of anything - she was stating what she believed happens - which imho, does not make her a nasty spiteful person - but I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong Jed, highly uncharacteristic for you to be quarrelsome....but my entire "argument" with asal is not based upon what asal may or may not have been accusing ME of....what I have stated it is the impression that I get from many of her posts. Those of course, that I can actually read and understand that is.....

Gonna make it fun when trying to fly dogs out of Tasmania.....as if things aren't already difficult/expensive enough as it is.

Personally, I think the difference comes in the fact that she is perhaps wanted/needed in a breeding program. I've placed show quality "pets" in breeding homes in the past and the desired breedings have never eventuated because whilst the dog has been loved to within an inch of its life, the dog has been "spoiled" for breeding IYKWIM. Based on past experiences now, if I cannot keep an animal myself and I REALLY need it in my breeding program, then it will always go to a like-minded show exhibitor who understands the value of the animal. Pet homes are fabulous.....FOR PETS.

and they dont get "really friendly" with your guests ;) My boys don't do that whether entire or desexed. Maybe that is part of proper and appropriate socialisation and training and not a gender issue at all????