sandgrubber

Evidence for probiotics isn't great https://skeptvet.com/Blog/2019/10/no-good-news-for-veterinary-probiotics/

Carbs aren't just a filler. Dogs have enzymes to break down carbs. If you read very old dog books, bread and milk were commonly used to feed weanling puppies. I'm not saying you should feed hi carb diets to pups...but there's a lot of stuff written about dog diets that has a weak scientific basis, and a lot of pressure to feed expensive products.

I can see your point of view, but it could also be argued that low fertility bitches aren't the best breeding stock. IMO the ideal brood bitch throws large litters without problems and is an excellent mother. No real disagreement though. I have never seen any evidence that a bitches health is harmed by having many litters, given proper nutrition and care. Indeed, the risk of pyometra is reduced by periodic litters. (Repeat singletons would seem, often, to mean repeat Ceasars, which is a health risk).

While I agree that many governments make stupid decisions about dog breeding, I'm not sure whether a large litter is any harder on the bitch than a singleton.

For common, non-extreme (apart from shedding) breeds, eg Labradors, it's not hard to insist on the ability to mate naturally without compromise on health, temperament, or conformation. Decisions are more difficult for rare breeds or breeds that have been bred for extremes that create problems for natural mating, eg British bulldogs.

Here's a link to the article https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jas/skab028/6123189?redirectedFrom=fulltext I don't have access. The abstract is interesting, though.

I hate articles that talk about a scientific study and don't bother to give the title, date, or journal. The popular press often twists results.

Routine Ceasars are IMO BAD. I see nothing wrong with AI, especially as a means of introducing new lines. These days, being called a byb is almost a compliment. Seems all breeders are accused of being either a BYB or a puppy farmer. P. S. There is a 3rd category "Qualzucht" (torture breeder)...reserved for those who breed for extreme and unhealthy traits. I think it's this category that pedigree folks should be most concerned about.

Interesting point of view with some lovely photos https://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2021/02/skid-row-dog-training.html The crux... So what *do* they do? Basically three things: They take their dog everywhere, which means the dog gets exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation, as well as constant owner contact. They don’t tolerate unwanted behavior that makes life on the street more difficult than it already is. They teach the dog to be calm and lie down or sit for hours at time — essential to panhandling and sleeping rough with a hangover.

I'll bet high script prices are found in practices where a practice manager, rather than a vet, calls the shots.

I claim no expertise, other than having read many many accounts of fully blind dogs doing remarkably well. Would it be worth having the other eye removed, given that it is causing pain and not providing much in the way of vision?

It requires far more than the normal puppy check to diagnose this condition. Unlikely that it will be diagnosed when pups go for their jabs. From a specialist vet website "a full diagnostic work-up is advised. Some of these diagnostics may be completed by your primary care veterinarian, but you may also be referred to an ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon or veterinary specialty center for additional diagnostics. A full work-up may include blood work, urinalysis, liver function tests, radiographs, ultrasounds and potentially advanced diagnostics such as a CT scan with contrast or nuclear scintigraphy." There MAY be a genetic component to the condition, but there are no genetic tests available. Due diligence is not sufficient to prevent or catch it. There are a lot of complaints about the price of pups these days. If breeders are held responsible for this and like congenital conditions, expect those prices to keep rising.

Scraps of high pile carpet are good

I sympathize and agree with your intent, but I don't specially like the farmer analog. Farmers generally care about reproductive capabilities, true, but generally they don't care much about longevity or morbidity in middle / old age, and breed to meet market demands. What I would call true puppy farmering, like the Amish puppy mills in the US, are likewise inclined, although they see $$ in number and cuteness of puppies instead of weight gain or milk yield. I may be wrong, but I suspect there are few, if any, true puppy farmers in Oz. As to ANKC tendencies, health testing, etc.... yes there are some snobs who think they are superior because they check some boxes concerning health tests, but do a poor job of breeding for overall health and temperament. There are also many breeders who will remove a dog from their breeding program for reasons such as chronic skin problems, aggressive behavior, uneven temperament, or being slow on the draw when it comes to learning things expected in the breed. As for testing, I'd almost rather see several generations of good health and longevity than any formal tests of health. The need for formal health testing is, in part, testimony to many generations of breeding pedigree dogs without due regard to health.

If you get nowhere, there are a few working cockers breeders in NZ. More upland game hunting there.

In the US you can buy the C3, C5, C7, etc. and DIY. When I left it was under $10/jab, and half that if you buy in bulk. The only problem with DIY is that you don't have certification as required for kennels, etc.

No lockdown in NZ. Puppy prices are up, and mixes are often more expensive than purebreds. Trademe prices seldom exceed $4k (this seems to be the going price for a daschund). I've been following Springers.... usually $1500-$2000. Lab Springer crosses are a bit more expensive, as are pups near big cities. Huntaways and heading dogs and mixes thereof are still under $1k.

Curious. Is the fear of GST levy another factor driving people away from pedigree breeding?

I agree, in general. Harsh punishment to a baby puppy for wound up behavior is like giving a human baby a belting for messing its diaper.

At 10 weeks, be very careful about freshness, especially with chicken. Healthy mature dogs can handle Salmonella. It can kill baby dogs. I've encountered chicken mince sold for dogs that smelled putrid.

Thought : might be worth trying a whistle. I've been doing whistle based recall training with a Springer who does more alert barking than I'd like. She gets a treat when she comes. If she's barking when the whistle sounds, she immediately stops barking and comes.

Can't you talk to a vet nurse?

I don't know about mini poodles, but bitey Springer babies can often be convinced to cuddle and stop biting.

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I think once you have had several lipomas diagnosed, it's fairly safe to assume further lumps that look familiar are more of the same. Of course there's a risk, and a lot of dogs die of cancer. But I don't think many of the cancer deaths present like a lipoma. Based on experience with Labs, yes, some old dogs get lipoma like some teens get pimples.