badboyz

I agree that it does depend highly on individuals as well. I fed by beagles for years on supermarket brands and they did perfectly well on them. Nice straight bones, healthy coats. Only when I changed to shar pei, I realized that those foods just would not work with this breed. The need much higher quality to do well, and prevent problems. I have experimented with alot of the brands recommended here. The only one thing that really showed me a huge improvement has been switching to a mostly raw diet. The dogs now get about 80% raw bones and mince and 20% kibble, which I have downgraded to a cheaper brand with no adverse affects. I now consider the kibble as a filler and emergency food. They have never been healthier and are always excited by the variety of their meals. I wish I had done the same with my beagles.

I really worry about pups of any age sleeping on beds. I've heard of too many accidents where pups have been seriously injured jumping off. Not something I could ever risk. Anyway the cat owns the bed and generously share's it with us. I doubt she would extend an invitation to those lowly canines.

Mine rarely get bathed even when showing - maybe once in 6mths. One thing I have learnt with shar pei is that if a dog is particularly smelly or has skin allergies it is almost always caused by their diet.

Name: Jazz Sex: Female DOB: 05-07-07 Age: 11 weeks Colour: Blue Breed: Shar Pei Hobbies: Playing with toys and everyone Loves: people, other dogs, chasing the cat Hates: baths

20mins playing with one toy is fabulous in my opinion. Puppies love the things that smell most like you - she adores you and anything that smells like you is irresistable!

I used to use Scotty's Premium dog rolls as a regular part of my dogs diet - until they stopped delivering to my home - I'm still angry about that! They are probably the only ones worth feeding regularly. Supermarket ones are pretty crappy, but I have used them cut up small for obedience training treats.

Try Big Dog Pet Foods for pre made raw diet: http://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/index.htm. My dogs are thriving since I've started feeding it. I was also tired of the big dollars for the super premiums. They are doing so much better on the raw food. If you have a freezer and can buy in bulk you can get $20kg for $38. This would last you ages. But still economical if you want to buy in smaller quantities. I've also been trying Great Barko, which is only now available in some places in Brisbane. Very economical at $35 for 22kg and the dogs seem to love it - but I only give a small amount of the dry and mostly the raw as above.

Just an update - I am about 3/4 through a bag of Great Barko. So far dogs are doing as well as ever. I do of course feed my dogs alot of raw, so they only get about 3/4 cup a day maximum, but so far I have no complaints. I have not yet tried it much on my oldest girl as she can get a bit smelly (yeasty) on dry food. She currently is getting Nutrience Derma, so that will be my next test. Will wait till the Derma is finished then give her a go on it also. If she does well, then I am sold! I paid about $35 for a bag. I know others down south have paid about $25 - but is that a transport issue or am I being overcharged? Still a bargain next to the super premiums!

I go to Pine Rivers currently with my boy for obedience, and have also taken pups through puppy preschool there. I have no complaints. All training is gentle and food rewards used. I think they do have flyball and agility, don't know about the others. Pine Rivers is very inexpensive in comparison also and classes not too big. I have heard Chermside (Metropolitan) is very good, though I have never been and I don't know much about them. I did go to PADS (Brendale) years ago. It was fun while in a large beginners group, but it got boring when we separated into sizes - we were at the top end of the small breeds at the time and in the minority. No doubt things have changed since I was there. I think alot depends on the trainer you have at the time also - I do tend to get bored if we are standing around waiting too much.

Rebecca, apart from the vaccination/health issues, I can give you an example of why it is best that pups leave no earlier than 8 wks of age. \I currently have a litter of 8 week old pups ready to go to new homes. At 6 weeks they were quiet, sweet little pups, some a little timid. Now, 2 weeks later the difference in their confidence is huge. They are all more confident and outgoing. Bold and happy to meet everyone. One smaller pup was quite the bully at 6 weeks, where now she has been put in her place by the other pups and is a much nicer puppy because of it. I can see why breeders with fewer ethics would like to ditch their pups earlier - they are certainly much more demanding on my time now, than they were 2 weeks ago, but for the puppies sake the extra couple of weeks has made a world of difference to their personalities and to the life lessons they are learning. They will be much better dogs for the sake of 2 extra weeks. If this person is a registered breeder they are doing the wrong thing and should be reported.

With regard to seeing his pedigree - from which state did you buy your pup and was it from a registered breeder. In all states except SA & WA, I think, all pups bred by registered breeders must be registered, and the papers, whether main or limited, must go with the pup. Your breeder may not be playing by the rules me thinks!

So glad you have an answer. Let us know what you find out about it and treatment.

An update if anyone is intersted. I received an email from NSW distributor telling me that there are now 3 places that will be stocking these foods on the northside. They are: The Animal Warehouse, 13 Aerodrome Rd, Caboolture 07 54990511 Northside Produce,1961 Gympie Rd, Bald Hills, 07 32618124 Brendale Produce, 124 Southpine Rd, Brendale, 07 38811711 ( Should have it by next Tuesday) I am sure if anyone on the other side of Brisbane were to contact him (pm me) he would be able to advise you of other places. eta. Ellz & Freckles are you still happy with it for your dogs, as you have been using it a while?

Would happily consider any of them but would all depend on prices.

I'd be interested in trying it too.

Does she wear a collar? Fleas look like little black dots that crawl and jump. Bathing once a month should be sufficient. You don't want to wash her too often as it strips the natural oils from her coat and likely make her itchier. You can treat her with Frontline or Advantage if you think she may have fleas. Good idea, especially if you live on a suburban house block where you are in close proximity to neighbours pets.

My dogs have had some on the odd occasion, with no adverse affects.

Have they tested for thyroid problems?

I have a preference for chicken frames and Kangaroo tails. Both are too big to inhale and must be chewed. But both can be eaten in about 5/10 minutes so are not lying around for the dogs to fight over. I do also feed chicken necks as they are easiest to get hold of.

I think it is the fact he is a wei. They are very determined hunters. I had one who was forever digging snakes out of my rock wall. He would stay there all day if necessary waiting for his chance. Was always getting bitten. Luckily not the deadly kind, but did swell up a bit in the chest area.

It's no longer available in Qld, not sure about the other states. I am using Greenpet at the moment. You can order that direct from their website.

Dylan and I got our first promotion tonight from class 1 to class 2 after 3 weeks. I am very proud of him - he is such a champ! I'm not at an ADT class but the local CCC associated training club. Dual title - here we come!!!!!! ETA what's the bet that he sits in the showring on Sunday? - it will be our first show in a month, as we thought we deserved a break when he got his title.

Well, I have blown (very softly and briefly) in my dogs faces (beagles & shar pei) if they atttempt to lick my face. Never had one try to bite back, they just back off. Saw another beagle breeder do it and it worked. Have not done it for mouthing though. That is a more serious problem and needs firmer action.

I have just started obedience with my boy, so defineately not up to the trialing stage. Peibe did say she had done training with her boy for a while, not sure how far she got though. I would like to do agility with him, but need him to be reliable off lead first. I think that will be the biggest hurdle for us. I am pretty sure I would have no problems with my young girl. She is bright and well behaved, but my boy is so much more fun to work with, with his enthusiasm. I find Pei to be very intelligent and very quick to pick up on things. Once they learn they do not ever forget (unless they choose to of course!LOL).

Jack&Sandysmum, here is a link re eye tacking: A procedure often preformed on shar pei puppies to prevent damage to the eyes from in-rolling eyelashes while the head is still growing. Can in some case prevent entropion occuring, if done correctly, on a puppy. You are not alone in not knowing about it - unfortuneately many vets don't either!