Clyde

I have tried all the foods in the title plus Taste of the Wild. I have 6 dogs of varying ages and sizes and they all did poorly on Black Hawk. Coats went dull, all had flatulence, sloppy stinky poos and dogs became 'slobby' looking. Artemis they did okay, better than Black Hawk but they do best on Holistic Select fish. Coats shine up, muscles look good, firm poos, no flatulence etc. They also do well on Taste of the Wild Salmon, I feed this sometimes and they do really well on it but the Holistic Select just gets their black coast extra glossy. Taste of the Wild is readily available from the natural pet food store online. Two of them are now fed BARF mix though and kibble as back up. eta: Ive fed the proplan fish too. For me, it rates way better than black hawk. Dogs did well on it but I still prefer TOTW or HS. My neighbours dogs are all on ProPlan and they look fantastic.

I wouldn't have a problem finding sitters if they could bring their dogs. Unfortunately I am a visiting dog free zone so it really limits things.

I am so so sorry about the tragic outcome I have been following this thread hoping for good news. I completely understand your sense of closure over life long wondering, a small positive through such heartbreak My Pug went missing for 5 days once and it was unbearable. Just the thought that someone could hurt him or not look after him was killing me, all I wanted was to find a body for closure - after finding him alive of course (which we did).

Another vote for Ruthless. I've had a collar and lead from them from when they first started up years ago. They still look fabulous! They're a life time investment IMO.

Would you consider a house sitter? I tried kennels after a nightmare experience years ago. The kennels were great and phoned me to say Esme the Stafford wasn't coping. I came back a day earlier and collected them. Now I use sitters. All dogs cope differently though and Esme is very sensitive. I just prefer having them at home. But then there's the drama of finding good sitters, it's been a bit hit and miss. I have found the best ones have been people through DOL instead of professional sitters..

Most playgrounds these days have laws preventing dogs within a certain distance. I'd stick with kids that you know are dog savvy. Something I have found with my dogs is that they get confused with the kids who want to pat but them, but are not quite brave enough. If they hesitate the dogs pick up on it. I mean kids that reach out to pat, pull hand back, reach out again etc - I am sure their little hearts are pounding too. Even the Pug gets a bit WTF suspicious. Best to have just calm, confident kids around your pup. I could post pak mine but might not send her with a return label :D

No sorry It would be a disaster with other dogs.

I saw this on the news last night. Obviously my heart goes out to the victim but the owner got my respect by facing the cameras, admitting fault and wanting to support the woman as much as he could. He genuinely seemed shocked by the out of character behaviour of his dog but didn't try to make any excuses for the dog either.

Katdogs, I am going away the last weekend of August if you want a country escape!

Another recommendation for CLipperworld.

I found the same. I started with Oster and then my wrists got arthritic so they were too heavy for me. They are a work horse though. Have had the same Wahls for about 8 yrs now and they have also been a work horse fbut much lighter and easier on my wrists. I haven't tried the Andis though.

It all boils down to personal preference and how they also feel in your hand. I prefer Wahl.

Do you mean red belly blacks? I have one here, very close to the house, but also have copperheads. I did have a lovely big bluey but he is no longer around

I wouldn't call this an attack. It was an accident. Sure the dog should have been under control but it sounds like it was just a bouncy, exuberant dog who loves kids I know the child could have hurt herself but if this is what the father defines as an attack, then yes my daughter has been 'attacked'. A Pug once launched himself on her lap and covered her face in kisses, a Stafford once launched himself in her arms and stole the top off her icecream. (no, not my dogs). The Stafford 'attack' resulted in tears of course. A 4yr old and her icecream get pretty attached!

Fingers crossed for you for a safe return.

My Pug is on his 3rd shot of cartrophen, Glyde and fish oil capsules for his hips. It's too early to tell if he's getting any benefit yet (ie Im not seeing any). I researched the Glyde tho and had a vet tell me it's what a lot of the ortho vets recommend . My old Maremma has difficulty getting up once down and has recently started defecating and urinating while she's down Im going to chat to the vet about cartrophen for her next week at the Pugs appointment,.

Sorry for your loss

I chose a black Pug over a fawn for this reason too. If there is a choice why not make it one that makes your life easier!

I don't think it's too much either. I would however, have the dog on some sort of quality joint support supplement. Sounds like your dog is certainly living the good life

Maybe at the time he felt he was saving the most vulnerable? Not realising his wife was snagged.... Maybe the wife urged him to save the dog first. Who knows with reporting these days!

The porblem with a weak patella is that the cruciate can then go too. Double whammy.

I agree I'd forgotten that dogs used to hunt large game are considered dangerous anyway. How is it the powers that be are forgetting their own legislation though? Obviously the owner is aware of this or he would not be emphasizing how this dog was "a family pet" when it clearly wasn't. I grew up with hunting dogs on chains, they were considered our pets as well. I don't believe that piggers cannot also be good family pets. My brother still has pigging dogs and children with no problems. My heart goes out to the the family. This is something no parent should have to go through, just so tragic I can't stop thinking about the horror that toddler went through, it's beyond words I guess I don't have any statistics to back up my opinion, but there seem to be an awful lot of fatal incidents with toddlers and working pig dogs in Australia. I would be very reluctant to have a working pig dog loose around children this young. I know that prey drive and human aggression are two very different things but in my experience, very young toddlers can often elicit a prey response from dogs, and not necessarily just pig dogs either. I would also be reluctant to let dog loose around a very young child like this if the dog was usually kept chained. Chained dogs also feature prominently in bite stats I have seen. Anyway, personally I don't keep my hunting dog, whom I also consider a pet, chained up out back (she only hunts rabbits and foxes btw) and if we ever end up having kids she will be crated inside. I think it's more about the types of owners IYKWIM. A lot of people who are attracted to piggers are rednecks. Poorer socio-economic areas and poor/minimal education. I chain my dogs when necessary.

I agree I'd forgotten that dogs used to hunt large game are considered dangerous anyway. How is it the powers that be are forgetting their own legislation though? Obviously the owner is aware of this or he would not be emphasizing how this dog was "a family pet" when it clearly wasn't. I grew up with hunting dogs on chains, they were considered our pets as well. I don't believe that piggers cannot also be good family pets. My brother still has pigging dogs and children with no problems. My heart goes out to the the family. This is something no parent should have to go through, just so tragic I can't stop thinking about the horror that toddler went through, it's beyond words

Not at all but I am warning you now not to do it! :laugh: He might live up to his name sake - who is CRAZY! It's taken me two years to fall in love with Alvin. He is an a hole of a dog but we have finally gotten there! Well, he has gotten me trained to his liking rather than the other way around *rolls eyes*

I agree. Victoria, one of my Saint Bernards, was one of my heart dogs - and my first heart dog, but not my first dog. I didn't get her until she was about 7yrs old and lost her when she was 12yrs. I still cant think about her without losing a breath and feeling like I've been punched in the heart. I currently have quite a few dogs and while I love them all dearly, two of them are heart dogs too. The thought of losing them makes me feel that same way as I do when I think about Victoria. Esme my 5 yo Stafford and Snowy my 12 yo Maremma. Both extra special dogs. That's not to say I won't be devo if I lost any of the others, but my bond with these two is something else. I feel like they know me and what I am always thinking. They are sensitive to my mood at the time and don't demand more from me if they sense I'm not up to it - there is just a different intensity there. Meanwhile Alvin the Pug is bouncing off the walls demanding my attention 101%, totally insensitive/oblivious to the vibe around him :laugh: