JRzipper

Taken from Dogs Qld Breeder Accreditation The Facts. HERE Maybe the Breeders don't feel the need to pay the fee to "prove" what they are already doing. I don't how you can call it going out of their way to comply IF they are already conforming with and surpassing what is already in place. Just a thought. When i say out of their way i mean pay more fees and the system also mentions mentors whom have to travel to other breeders and check on their kennels. Wouldnt you call this an extra activity for a breeder whom normally would be concerned with their own kennel,shows ect. I would call that going out of their way. They dont get paid for their service. I'm from a different state than you but there are plenty of Bullmastiff breeders who are on both the giving and receiving end of breeder mentoring networks across Australia and they are certainly concerned with more than just their own kennel or showing. It is not about being paid or joining a program or being told you SHOULD do it, these are people who are interested in doing their best for the breed and working with like-minded people and they would do this regardless of whether there was any accreditation system or not. JR

Hi Alyson, My advice is to have the vet check her out before you make any decisions. This is after a very emotional situation with my old Bullmastiff girl last month. She's a tough old bird but is almost deaf, blind in one eye and has had a couple of stroke-like epidsodes. In the preceding weeks she had lost weight rapidly but when she couldn't eat her dinner I feared the worst as she never fails to clean her bowl. She had her head on one side with her tongue hanging right out and had laboured breathing. She couldn't even drink water and it was heartbreaking to see her try. She looked so terrible and depressed that I thought her time had come so with a very heavy heart I wrestled her into the car and we headed off to the vet. I fully expected not to bring her home and was absolutely devastated. The vet quickly went over her and apart from enlarged lymph nodes in her neck and a raised temp couldn't immediately see the problem but on closer inspection found a large swelling under her tongue that extended right back down into her throat. Turns out it was a big deep abcess that burst while we were at the vets waiting for blood test results. Within minutes she was drinking and after a couple of weeks of antibiotics and metacam she is a new dog - happy, putting weight on and looking years younger. It is like a miracle to me to still have my lovely old girl with me after making the decision that it was "time", and although I know most times it doesn't work out like this, it just shows that it's worth a checkup to make sure our assumptions about what is going on are right. JR

What do you mean by the main characteristics Stonebridge? Most breeders of working kelpies don't care to knowingly adhere to the "appearance" dictated by the standard because it is completely irrelevant. For breeders of working dogs "form follows function" - if your kelpie has working ability, is smart, mentally stable and biddable, has the endurance to work all day, and the constitution, athleticism, soundness and resilience to work everyday, then it is usually a good Kelpie. When I was (a lot!) younger I bred a line of kelpies that were good yard and backing dogs and trained and sold a few pups from each litter. I worked in the shearing industry so it was a perfect environment to have a couple of training sessions with my pups everyday. In addition to the list of attributes above, in my pups I looked for a good sized foot that would provide balance while running over, or standing on, the sheep's back and that was not small enough to slip down the grating which can be painful and dangerous for the dog. They also had to be slim and flexible to be able to squeeze between and turn sheep in the counting out pens and races and then fly up the backs of sheep in a loading race or sheep truck to turn a sheep facing the wrong way. And confidence is vital in a yard/shed dog that has to work at close quarters with ditzy lambs, stroppy old ewes and murderous rams!Colour really wasn't a factor although I did like the black dogs as I could spot them easily working on the other side of 300 sheep in the yards through the clouds of dust. This is a photo of my top bitch Jedda with part of a litter of pups of which I ran two on to train and which went on to be very handy dogs in the district over many years. The sire was another reknown local yard dog that had a dash of Coolie in him which was common and often produced dogs of great working ability and drive. JR

I'm hard core raw too and have been feedig this way for more than a decade. The first thing I always try if the dog's stools are abnormal is pumpkin. Here's a little piece that I just wrote for our club newsletter: Pumpkin is one of the mystery foods of the dog world, some say it is for constipation and others say it is for diarrhoea, but the surprising fact is that pumpkin can and does relieve both symptoms. By adding a few tablespoons of pureed or pulped pumpkin to your dog's food the symptoms can often be alleviated in a few hours. Pumpkin is both a good source of fibre and has a high water content that will help either the constipation or the diarrhoea. The water will hydrate the intestines to relieve constipation and the fibre will absorb excess water in diarrhoea that is produced by an agitated colon. But be aware that any diarrhoea or constipation lasting more than 24-36 hours may have a serious underlying cause and requires vet care. Pumpkin can be prepared by cooking and mashing/pureeing, or by juicing and then recombining the juice and pumpkin pulp to retain all the vitamins JR

More Bullmastiff zoomies. On all occasions I had to move smartly to avoid being flattened LOL...

Bullmastiff zoomie 1 \ JR

Hi GraceMcC, Do you mean receipes for treats or a home made diet? Just so you know, Bullmastiff is one word, "Bullmastiff", not "Bull Mastiff" - it's just a little thing but drives the Bullmastiff people crazy! JR

I have seen a difference in my dog now that he is off kibble, he looks much better and he has loads more energy then he did before. That was my experience with my girl too Mas1981. Remember though that your boy's body is pretty messed up if he is having immune system issues, so it will take a while to get his body working properly again. There is probably not one thing that will "cure" him, but think of all the little things you can do to reduce any stress on his system - nutritional, chemical, environmental. I believe that digestion is a big influence on the immune system so maybe also look at including a good probiotic to help there. I did this until I felt that my girl was pretty healthy again but even now she gets a big dollop of yoghurt in her dinner just to assist her digestion. JR

Edited - repeat post

I have a lovely old Bullmastiff bitch who is about to turn 10 years old but when she was a youngster I didn't think she'd make it to three! She is my million dollar baby :D She had skin issues from when I got her at 8 weeks old, continuous ear infections, multiple benign fatty growths and everytime she she went on antibiotics for anything she ended up with thrush or vaginitis. She also caught any virus going and if she was ill it took her a long time to get her mojo back. She saw a number of vets and specialists and tried a couple of different drug treatments but all they did was mask the problem - stop the drugs and the issue was back. I did some research to see what else I could do to help her. I started her on a raw diet and that was the turning point for her. Once I realised that starch was something her system couldn't handle we got on top of her problems quite quickly. She gets no grains now but I give her garlic, ginger, brewers yeast, parsley, and apple cider vinegar as part of her diet as all these things help make her unpalatable to parasites. I know a lot of people pooh-pooh this approach but for me it has worked - no fleas or worm problems in the last nine years and we've lived on dusty farms most of this time. She also gets natural supplements to address her arthritis. This is because the other thing (in addition to changing her diet) that I think made a big difference was to avoid chemicals and drugs as much as possible. No wormers, flea treatment, shampoos (unless they are gentle and ph-balanced), no antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, no rubbish treats, no steriods. My lovely old girl is in better health now than she was at 12 months old or even three years old and I put this down to a steady improvement in her immune system and digestive system over the years.

Good post Sylvia, The CoP sure did cause some confusion for the Victorian breed clubs whose breed was nominated in the CoP for a disease we'd never seen. I followed this up with Dr Tate at the time to try and find out what the basis for listing this disease for Bullmastiffs was. I never really got a satisfactory answer as he didn't seem too sure what the origin of the list of Breeds against each disease was, which I found a bit disturbing. PRA is listed against the Bullmastiff which surprised the hell out of the Bullmastiff community as we just don't see it here. Then it was discovered that the only PRA test we could do here wouldn't apply as the Bullmastiff form of PRA is dominant PRA for which there wasn't a test available in Australia at the time (I think there is now). Despite a pretty extensive search by breed club members and veterinary networks we weren't able to identify one confirmed case of dominant (or any other) PRA in the Bullmastiff in Australia. Looking overseas we found a couple of confirmed cases in the US. Given that is a dominant form of the disease which means it only takes one parent to pass it on, we should have at least seen some evidence of the disease if any affected dog had been bred from. Some proactive clubs in other states are now proposing a national program that will see any imported Bullmastiffs or semen tested for dominant PRA before they are used in any breeding programs, which I think is a sensible step even though I personally still feel that PRA in Bullmastiffs shouldn't even be in the CoP since there is no evidence it has ever been a problem here. JR

Hi all, This is not "new" news but I hadn't seen it before a colleague working in community safety sent me the link for dog bite injuries reported by hospitals from 2005-2007: Monash Uni Hazards Research JR

I use the Ranvet Sprint Oil which a blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids in the correct ratio. The blurb says it has been specifically formulated for high performance greyhounds and although it doesn't make my Bullmastiffs run much faster, it does make them shine! You can buy it in a 1 litre or 5 litre container which is good for multiple large dogs. I just splash a big gluggy gloop for each dog in the weekly batch of raw food that is make up and frozen. I also make sure I include Vitamin E with each feed as well. JR

http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-news...0/dachshund-un/ Dachshund U.N. 04 May, 2010 The German delegates. Source: Bennett MillerPerth-based artist Bennett Miller has been camping out in a rugged West- Melbourne warehouse for six weeks constructing his Next Wave Festival installation, Dachshund U.N. He’s building a timber model of a United Nations meeting room to dachshund-scale because in Bennett’s performance piece, the 47 delegates, speakers and interpreters of the UN Human Rights Committee are represented by live sausage dogs. For this year’s festival theme – “No risk too great’ – the dachshund is the perfect medium. “There’s an inherent risk in the idea of the UN. What I’m doing is similar but on a smaller scale.” Bennett’s playful artworks often feature animals cast in human roles and he’s used dachshunds before, but never so many at once. Local dachshund owners have embraced the project enthusiastically. They will participate in the three performances with their dogs, albeit concealed beneath the wooden installation that will sit on the Melbourne Museum plaza. Says Bennett, “it’s a dream spot for me to put the work to expose it to people who aren’t necessarily looking for art projects.” The backdrop of the Royal Exhibition Building – the site of Australia’s first parliament – also emphasises the contrast between officious, serious themes of politics and diplomacy and the playful absurdity of dachshunds en masse. “They’re my favourite dogs, mainly because they make me laugh,” says Bennett, who has a dachshund called Otto waiting for him back home in Perth. “They’re restricted in their movement but they always look really proud, and I like watching how they persevere, which is good for this project as well. They also have racial diversity – long, short and wire haired, red, black and tan and dappled– so there’s the potential to have a breakdown similar to the UN.” Exactly how the canine stars will respond to their debut in the performance art world is, as Bennett says, “a big unknown. It’s meant to go wrong a little bit, like the UN often does. But, equally, it’s important to try and make it happen.” Dachshund U.N. is the third Next Wave Festival project that has been partnered by Melbourne Museum and is also supported by the Western Australian Department of Culture and the Arts, Australia Council for the Arts and the Keir Foundation. Performances will be held from 2 – 3pm on 15, 22 and 29 May 2010. The sculpture will remain on site throughout the Festival.

Thanks everyone for your replies :D I should have mentioned that I wasn't intending to use anything until the incision had healed completely and the stitches were removed. I had heard of Bio Oil and it seems to get a good review from people who have used it for scars so hopefully it would work for dogs as well. Another thing I found in my online search was a horse product that sounds interesting: ,I'm thinking that maybe this or Bio Oil used to massage the area around the scar might help. JR

Thanks SecretKei, She is getting Omega oils & Vit E in her food but I hadn't thought of putting the Vit E straight on her skin. JR

Thanks Poodlefan, I have some pawpaw ointment. Did you have any problems with the dog licking the honey or paw paw ointment straight off? My girl has an Elizabethan collar on at the moment - Would I need to leave that on for the time that I was using the manuka honey or the paw paw ointment? Also, I wondered how sticky that form of honey is. Being that the scar is on the outside of her leg, she will be lying on the scar when she is on her bed or anywhere else and I thought maybe it would get a bit messy. At least it's not summer so she shouldn't attract too many insects! JR

Hi all, One of my dogs has undergone surgery in the last couple of days that has left her with a fairly big row of stitches on the outside of her stifle on her show side (naturally! ). It looks awful at the moment with all that shaved turkey skin, swelling and bruising. I know all that will eventually disappear, but I wondered if anyone had success with any product or supplement in reducing the appearance of scars and regrowing the hair. I would love to be able to show this girl again if she comes back sound, but am wondering if that will be possible with this scar. She has a short smooth coat so unless I can find a way to minimise the scar, it will be pretty obvious. Any ideas? Thanks JR

I took 2 of my Bullmastiffs to Sydney to show over Easter and thought I'd give it the K9 Naturals freeze dried food a go since taking the dogs' normal raw food, RMBs etc can get a bit messy. I had to have a stiff drink to settle my heart palpitations at the price (which worked out to 2 days food for my two girls) but after trying it, I do think it is a very good product. My dogs are normally quite wary of "new food" but dived straight into this food and licked their bowls clean. It smelt great and there were no upset tummies or any probs at all. I soaked it for about 10 mins before giving it to the dogs and although it didn't seem to absorb all the water, it didn't worry the dogs at all. They ate it all and lapped up any remaining liquid in the bottom. It is not something I would use unless I'm going away with the dogs for a couple of days, but it is excellent for that. The price is pretty outrageous but when I think of the convenience and extra room in the car (no eskies, ice packs etc) I think it's still worth it for the odd trip away. JR

You make a good point here Blue Fox. Objecting on the grounds of personal moral outrage does not usually get you far when it comes to planning applications. Councils could not refuse an application just on the grounds that some residents find the proposed use morally or ethically offensive if that use meets all the zoning requirements. Evidence that there is broad community opposition to the proposal could have some legs if the objection was based on the grounds that the development would impact on the social fabric of the community. The application should be carefully examined to see what possible grounds for objections under the planning scheme there could be as per this advice from a planning advisory service: "Anyone who thinks that a proposal will have an adverse effect on them, or is against the public interest, can object to the local council against an application for a planning permit. The objector must give written grounds for their objection and lodge them with the local council. The grounds for objection could include such things as the loss of agricultural land, loss of amenity (such as increased noise from traffic or loss of views), unsuitable design, worsening of the quality of air or water, loss of important native vegetation, or the impact on the social life of the township. The grounds should be based on the objectives of the planning scheme and the policies within the planning scheme." JR

I don't think is quite fair. I am totally opposed to the application personally but there is no point getting stuck into Council before they have even had the chance to make a decision on the application. Local Governments are bound by planning laws that dictate how planning permit applications are handled. If the intended use is not specifically identified as a prohibited use in that particular zone, the applicant has the right to submit an application and have it considered under a strictly managed process that enables any residents who support or object to the application to have their say. The process also provides an avenue for appeal for the applicant, so if Council makes a decision without following this process carefully, or without having very good reasons (under the planning scheme) to support their decision, it can be overturned at VCAT. Actually it can be overturned even if Council has done everything right, but the better their process, evidence and arguments, the better chance they have of having their decision upheld by VCAT. For your information, the general planning permit process (1) Apply for planning permit. (2) The local council may refer the application to other authorities (eg the Environment Protection Authority, VicRoads, the local water authority). (3) The local council will direct the applicant to give notice of the application. (4) The local council may ask for more information (within 28 days of the application being made). (5) Opponents may object to the application (generally within 14 days of receiving notice). (6) The local council (or in some circumstances another decision maker – the Minister for Planning perhaps) must consider all objections, any comments of the authorities it has referred the application to, and the application, before making a decision. (7) The local council must make a decision within 60 days of the application being lodged (but this maybe longer if the local council asks for more information). (8) An objector may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for review of a decision to grant a permit (within 21 days of the notice being given to the objector of the decision to grant the planning permit). (9) The applicant may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for review of a decision to refuse a permit or of a condition of the permit (within 60 days of the notice of the decision or the grant of the permit). The applicant may also apply for a review where the local council has failed to grant the permit within the required time. JR

Hi all, I'm writing on behalf of Carol Hobday of the Eaglehawk and Bendigo Kennel Clubs who would like to remind everyone that there are two members competitions being held tomorrow (Sunday 28th March) at Eaglehawk (Bendigo). The Eaglehawk Kennel Club members comp will be starting at 11.00am with entries taken from 10.30am. The Bendigo Kennel Club members comp will start at 1.30pm or at the conclusion of the first comp. Classes for both comps: Baby, Minor, Puppy, Junior, Intermediate, Open, Champion, Veteran and Neutered. Non members $2 - associate membership on the day. Both comps will be held at Canterbury Park in Eaglehawk. It will be a lovely day out so bring your dogs along and support the aspiring judges, these two great clubs and their dedicated committees. See you there JK

I've used Netobjects Fusion too for a few years now and have found it pretty good. JK at least you got the name the right way round....(doh!) It is easy to use.... I'm using it so it has to be! You were pretty close I had someone trying to remember the name of the program who called it "Netajinx Contusion" which seemed an ominous freudian slip :rolleyes: JK

I've used Netobjects Fusion too for a few years now and have found it pretty good. I got it for free with a CD on the front of a computer mag and, even though I'm not that IT literate and it's a few versions older than the latest Fusion 10, I managed to design and upload my website and find it easy to maintain by myself. I got slack for a while there about keeping it current but have been busy lately updating it. If you want to have a look at what I've done with Netobjects Fusion take a look at www.banobrae.com. If you have any suggestions for information or features (very simple ones!! ) that would make it more useful for puppy buyers or people looking for info on the breed, I'd be delighted to know! :-) JK

That sounds perfect for when I'm travelling interstate for shows. Messing around with frozen food and eskies can be a pain and the motel fridges are always so tiny! Where do you get this from in Victoria? JR