SparkyTansy

Not a question I know the answer to. I will tell you what I think though. I think heavy set doesn't mean that they can't work. Think of heavily set work horses - I think labs should be similar. They aren't built for speed, they are built for steady work all day. Put too much fat on any dog and it will impair their ability to work. I do know that his mother who has great bone and muscle has more stamina, an effortless gait and enough rear end muscle to jump two feet up in the air (straight up). I can't say the same for my skinny, rangey lab who is very agile but doesn't seem to have the same stamina even when he's at his fittest. Gosh he's fast though and he can lurecourse like nobody's business when he's in the mood! However I am not about to make judgements based on my own dogs because that really doesn't do the argument justice. I agree - their overall structure, which of course is what any breed standard is about, is what is going to determine whether a dog can work all day doing the work they are required to do... but then this is when the debate starts... it's not about weight on the lab, but it's overall structure and being able to determine (as a breeder, or a judge) whether the dog you have has the ability to work all day based on it's conformation and temperament. By having excess weight on a lab in the ring actually reduces the chances of seeing the dog in it's true form.

although here in WA we don't seem to have as many shows which are country, both at our regular grounds and the other grounds, I dont think i have ever seen anyone not clean up after their dogs. Our grounds are used for obedience, agility, and showing, and there are no issues. I think that the more bins and/or bags supplied, the more likely someone will clean up after their dog... however i wouldn't have an issue with making a rule for exhibitors to clean up, but it would make it a lot easier if bins/bags were supplied, regardless or whether or not it is the responsibility of the club.

was just thinking - our thread has really taken off, and yet no one else from other states has tried to start a state thread? I guess we are just feeling the isolation enough to start a thread... or we think we are so important we need our own state thread!!

oops - Doodlebliss welcome to DOL!! Ozzie is very cute I certainly have no issue with your dog there are plenty of crosses on this forum... please share more photos as he is so cute!

wow - that is one stunning looking dog - thanks for posting it PF... The shit fights occur because people passionate about their point of view can't stick to forum rules. Personally I think these are subjects that should be discussed here. If people can debate the issues without becoming personal, there's much to be learned from hearing both sides of the argument. I tend to agree - I wish that people could maintain their passion and enthusiasm but with healthy debate, not arguments... I have seen many a thread in this forum as well as others regarding working vs show - the debate is extremely live and well in most gundog breeds and other working breeds too i am sure... if you ever see a working type setter and a show setter THAT is extreme... I find that the only time the debate is not over the top is when there are plenty of the breed who do both and succeed - weimaraners, chessies etc... in weims the debate is certainly not as lively, although "type" throughout the world (europe vs UK vs US vs AUS) is part of a similar debate. My question, BL, is that if he was a keen dog that had all the instincts to work, would his structure and build slow him down or be an advantage to him?

RosieFT i read it that way too was picturing you doing some kind of meditation to "become one with your dog"....

First of all - RosieFT you are exhausting me just reading your posts! I'd love to know what you are running on and where to get some?!! ValleyCBR I love that photo of Lincoln... similar to the one of James pulling a face in my avatar... I'd love to come to the next meet... but it will have to be on the Monday for me... i think! I also plan on heading to tracking but only if Ari doesn't come into season this week... which is actually what i am hoping for so she doesn't come in smack in the middle of the national!! She is due but she is trying to kill me i am pretty sure...

Thanks CnR - yes James is my special man, he is very good with the babies and most dogs... although he took a special dislike to the labs at our last meet!! poor things they were just being friendly and he got all overwhelmed! I really liked that poodle you showed... must have been a thrill putting those last points on him for his grand!

AP thanks yes Charlie is rather fluffy! You can see my reluctance to bring him to a dog meet anywhere where tehre is burrs etc... even at piney lakes he'd probably take home a pine cone in his coat!!

RS that is the most beautiful picture of a Lab i have seen in a long time.

HUGE congrats to you!!

Spartan is a sulker - he is fine with the other two, but is just one of those dogs who i think would have just been happier if he had remained an only dog... he has never really played well or interacted well with other dogs... when I got James he was very sulky and was like that for a good few months... he eventually got used to James and then I got Ari! Still... Ari was entertained by James most of the time as a pup and it left spart to doing what he does best... lazing and sleeping!!

I hope you all had a great weekend guys You poor thing Hannah! What an average few days you have had! I didn't even know you were there on Saturday - i was on the other side showing Charlie. Which, btw, is a little brag for us.... it was a little open show, but Charlie took out Best in Group on Saturday - I am hoping we can crack a champ show this year... CnR, it was great to see you win again today... the poodle was lovely and you handled to perfection as usual RS - congratulations!! What pretty rosettes and medals you have there!!

Oh no not Brydee - i am so sorry carlibud... RIP Brydee - the angels needed you more...

OMG the chocolate ones are the best... my fave is probably the bakers delight ones... i do enjoy fruit ones but toasted choc hot cross buns with gooey chocolate and melting butter are just devine... plus sickly enough to ensure i have just one for at least every hour... is there a "next meet" thread started yet that i have missed? I was thinking about starting one, i have no idea on dates though!! (except it can't be after 27th April until 3 May if i want to come!) Hmmm must get onto the tracking thing... i wonder what the deal is with coming along if you didn't attend the tracking workshop... can anyone give me a run down of what happened?

LOL Sarah I am in the same boat, except i have had a puppy weimaraner sized crate sitting there waiting to send back to brissy since 07!

Spider is gorgeous!! welcome jules1 and congrats on your new dobie puppy. can't wait for picks I am sure he is uber cute I agree that you should consider adding meaty bones to your puppy's diet... not asa replacement for the raw meat but as a partial replacement... raw bones are great for teeth both baby teeth and adult teeth particularly as your pup is on a "wet" food diet, which reduces the opportunity of natural teeth cleaning. As long as they are very meaty bones they can be used as a meal replacement. If you are interested in learning more about feeding a raw diet there are a lot of raw feeding threads on here as well as a lot of book recommendations...to get your pup started though, smashed chicken necks are great (always under supervision). If your pup tries to swallow them whole, move up a size to a turkey neck.

hI spyke88 welcome to DOL I'm no expert in the training area but there are others here who are much better to ask for advice. We need some pics of Spider I think ;)

I use polony... and cheese... rarely do i snack on it though! At shows i usually use their cooked "dog sausage" lol... but if i remember i like to use roast chicken.

GW - Yes that is right, you will compete as normal so baby puppy of class, baby puppy of breed (Weimaraner Longhair) andthen you will compete against the SH weimaraner baby puppy of breed for Baby puppy in show.

oops double post!

Thanks Tiggy - i only know of one other person in WA with more than two ES... but no idea where they live... Whoever it is who has them, well, i am glad they are well behaved and calm like the breed is meant to be!! CnR I love the goldy you show, and the sire I like seeing them win! When i first started there was someone else showing very dark goldies... i think two or three... but not sure what happened to them....

Well done Skyehaven!!

QLD sounds like it needs to get with the programme...

Tiggy - I want DETAILS?! I don't think i have ever seen anyone with an English setter walking anywhere?! Hope you guys all had a great weekend I was a bit annoyed i had to work on the day of the tracking workshop... i Sooooooo wanted to attend!! I'm going to email the organisers and see what I can do since I have no idea about tracking yet i would still like to get started... I also prefer the dark goldens... with less coat And, even though my poor ES are a result of the show ring breeding, I really dislike the coated gundogs that carry too much coat that it would not be functional for them. Breeds such as the LH weimaraner to me carry the perfect amount of coat for a functional long haired working gundog. When is the next DOL meet? I hope i will be around to make it! i have a few shows coming up and on the 1st of may is the Weimaraner National in Adelaide. I am so excited, there are around 300 entries across the disciplines which is just awesome if you ask me! BTW, back to the part about pretending to have guide dogs to get into a pub... well i could bring James but i have a feeling his vacant expression would give it away that he isn't a guide dog!!