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I'm another who'd suggest a field spaniel. As an owner of one of 2 years. I researched all spaniel types, I had specific desires in a dog. My girl loves to shadow me or other family members, she comes to work with me and can switch off quite well - however this has been a process and has come with maturity. If I had more time (I work full time and have 2 kids, 4 and 1) I would be doing dog sports with her. Her family members have been successful in flyball, agility, lure coursing, endurance trials, pack dog trials, possibly nose works as well? Cant confirm. But I know my girl would Ace it - she's a wannabe customs dog with that nose. She's 17kgs, a great size. She often gets mistaken for an Irish Setter by my customers until they see her whole body - she's a shorty. She loves a good romp in the yard, we just live on a 700m2 block, the yard is obviously a lot smaller than that and she's quite happy there. She loves playing fetch and chasing the ball. She DOES shed, I have a dalmatian as well, so i'm used to it, but it's longer brown hair. It's either shedding or regularly getting the dog clipped with non shedding coats, so I'm content to live with it - she sleeps inside. We do take her to the groomer every few months as she's a show dog and I like to keep her head trimmed neatly. Honestly, she is such a fun dog. I chose fields because the cockers I had come across were not the right temperament. The springers were too much dog for me. Different type of spaniels, but Cavvies were not enough dog. I wanted a fun breed, trainable and with a little coat. I wanted relatively healthy and aesthetically they are a stunning breed. The first 18 months were definitely challenging at times with her energy levels, but at the same time, I was 9 weeks pregnant from the moment she came home (I had waited 18 months for her! I wasn't going to delay her homecoming!). She has truly settled into the most lovely dog now, and seeing her family members on FB, it is nice to see how they are all growing and their different temperaments. They aren't talked about a lot, but I truly believe that they are a breed that needs to be more well known, they are lovely.

Coming out of DOL-hiberation to agree that this is how i've certainly felt all along. Smelt a bit fishy

Update: over the course of the day, and with a bit of input from here she's going with a non local guy who has glowing recommendations and ticks all the boxes. My fur neice will be coming home in the new year.

Thanks guys. I've just told her to ask about socialisation, and she's let me know that she likely won't go with the local breeder after chatting with the other couple of guys. I always fear that it's just scaremongering when a breeder talks badly about another but some things ring alarm bells for me too. I also told her last night that HD is very much not 100% genetic and environmental factors can play a part. She'll be getting a run down on appropriate exercise from me for sure, although that chart is excellent Roova! I need that for my puppy pre school

Hi all, this question is not for myself, but my sister (who i've brought to the light side of reputable breeders and registered dogs) she's after a black lab girl, our old girl (as in family dog) passed away in January and she now wants her own lab. She's been talking to some local breeders and had just about narrowed it down but then had contacted some further afield due to an issue with one pup that was on the ground at the local breeder she had chosen, and is now confused again. The issue with the local pup is, I dare say, minor and not a problem with the breeder's dogs but my sister and I both agreed not to go with that pup as her current old boy is suffering hip issues and she couldn't stand the possibility of a new pup having issues from a young age again. This other breeder that's she contacted has given her some (good) advice and advised her to do some research on hip and elbow scores etc. Dogs of his breeding have scores of 0 while this local breeder's have about the breed average of 9. Now, I know that health testing, while fantastic, is not a guarantee and even a pup with health tested parents can develop issues. My sister is now getting quite upset, and overwhelmed, with information. She's asking what I would do, but now i'm getting confused too (probably because I'm not the actual one speaking to the breeders, but hearing second hand) I think that I would stick with the local breeder, despite her scores being higher than the guy who's further afield. She has been transparent about everything and for me, having a good breeder relationship is important. (I also know the breeder as she is a customer of mine) I know I probably haven't written everything possible about this situation but does this sound reasonable?

A dozen for $64.95 sounds extreme. We (a competing chain) sell 10 for $20, there is no shortage of pig ears, there is on roo tendons however.

Im in Coffs Harbour, i just asked a friend from the dog club and apparently we may be having a seminar soon, i mustn't be the only one keen.

I'm really interested in the idea of Nosework, for Cleo and for my future pup. Being in a regional town, I'm probably best off doing an online course like Fenzi I'm guessing? I'd love to teach this in my puppy school classes to a degree, I'm always harping on about enrichment, entertainment, keeping brains active.

Kaos is taller than that at 57cm! Hmmm, OK, I guess he is a BIG Kelpie :laugh: Cleo's a little girl :) very dainty and cat like! That's withers too, not head height

Is it a dalmatian? Strangely, I am always asked that. I'm not aware of many other black and white spotted dogs who look EXACTLY like the dogs in 101 dalmatians. Guess people just want to be sure! My grandma insisted that the dallies would be HUGE. Nope, 20kgs and 55cm high.

Maybe investigate Field Spaniels? A rare breed, but one that I discovered and have fallen for. I wanted a spaniel look like a cocker, but was a bit put off by the cockers I've met. So next we looked at the CKCS but the health aspect was very off putting (especially having a breed already that is pre-disposed to bladder stones) so I looked further and found Fields. They ticked all my boxes, are a bit bigger than cockers but having seen them in person, it's not too big (for me). They are relatively healthy, need a bit of grooming and are active enough (I personally have a dalmatian, so I'm used to high level) They are not easy to come by, and I'm on a waiting list, but they seem so worth the wait!

IMO two bull breed bitches is very high risk, but a bitch and a dog is still high risk. In my boarding kennel days, we found that bull breeds did not confine themselves to same sex violence . . . some will go any dog, particularly other bull breeds. As huski says, with proper training and management, it could be done, though I suspect there is some genetics involved, and a dog that is wired for dog aggression is pretty hard to get unwired. Why risk it? If you do go for two bull breed dogs, you might check with breeders and find a pup whose lines are deliberately selected to breed out dog aggression. I have Labradors and have kept mostly females. Never had a problem . . . they get quite attached to one another. Bull breeds are a different story. I have dalmatians, sorry, my statement was more I asked about 2 females in general, not a specific breed. Most people have no problem in dallies, I was not so lucky.

on the two female question: I asked a similar question about 3 years ago. I knew the risks, and I still went ahead and got a second female (same breed) as I intended to show her and hopefully use her as my foundation bitch but in February this year she was sadly rehomed via her breeder due to rising aggression between the two girls. We tried to manage it, but the risk to our baby son was growing, as they were viewing him as a resource worth fighting over. We could have divided the yard, but as half the time they loved each other, it was going to be too difficult for them. I will never again have two females of that breed, or certain other breeds.

Meg, gerty, megerty, meggles, Kobelco Meg in a Million. You are finally at peace. I can't believe we reached this point. For a lab you did pretty well, 14 years 9 months. The vet told mum and dad that you'd be ready when you weren't enjoying life anymore. But that was the problem, you never stopped. You couldn't get up and down off the ground, and nothing worked as it used to, but you always had a smile and a wagging tail. If all had gone to plan, you wouldn't have even been our dog. An unfortunate accident with the litter before you meant that you were ours, and on easter sunday, 2001, you were born. You were a confidante, a friend, a teacher. So many things. Easily the most patted dog in our town, with nearly every staff member at the PPP during your reign greeting you morning, and night. After 10 years, moving away sent you into a depression of sorts, with no daily visitors. So along came Benji the mini schnauzer who brought back that spring in your step. You've been there for so long Meggie, you watched me grow from a gangly 10 year old into a teen, into a woman and into a mother. I wanted just one photo of you with my baby boy but it wasn't to be. Your bark (happy, senile bark) scared him too much and he couldn't be next to you without crying!! But he knew you, for his short 6 months, and I will carry that in my heart. Rest in peace old girl, you've earnt a good long rest. Chase those rolly rocks along the beach for all of eternity, with no aching joints to bother you. Swim against the current, in the deep holes of the creek. Roll in the sand, and that perfect patch of grass that was different to all the rest on the walk home.

Thanks for the replies all, Aziah, she has moderate experience. She's nearly halfway to her title, i'd say we've entered around 20 shows? Haha mind wise she's immature...she's a dally!! :laugh: Jsk, we're northern NSW, the show is Dorrigo. Maybe, considering her mental immaturity and our combined re-entry into the ring (I won't be at my most confident, she will read that) I should go intermediate. Just suss it out, we have a bigger 3 day show in January that I can really focus on.