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westiemum

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Posts posted by westiemum

  1. Look, I'm a rescuer not a breeder - but even I understand some basics here - there is no 'fair' price for a puppy.  There are too many factors involved - supply and demand, breeder costs, 'trendiness', how many idiots believe the 'doodle' bullshit  at the time (which affects overall market prices), even micro-markets, state to state and area to area in some cases. 

     

    Rescue, like breeding is a loss-making business - big time.  I could have spent a year on the QEII for the money my rescues have cost me over the years - and I'd do it over again in a heart beat.  My point?  Buyers need to recognise this is not a stable  FMCG market seeling identical predictable goods - many factors influence prices. 

     

    The best advice I can give is  choose your breed wisely and carefully to match your lifestyle (and no, doodles are marketing terms not breeds), recognise the market you are in and its factors, nuances and characteristics, find a good breeder, build a great relationship with them - and suck up the price (whatever it is). 

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  2. I have two at opposite ends of the spectrum.  Mia is a fashionista and loves her raincoat, her jacket and her woolies - no problems.  My old Andy even hates a blanket over him let alone dog clothing of any kind - he's a miserable little fella if he's 'dressed'.   So whatever works, your dog tolerates and is practical. 

     

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  3. On 11/07/2021 at 6:30 AM, Pucapo said:

    While there are definitely more listings, note they are mostly male, or people advertising matings. It is hard to get a toy poodle female. 

     

    While am not promoting Gumtree, it is a good indication of current price 'trends', since the prices are actually listed.  

     

     

     

    Yep correct Pucapo.  While I don't like Gumtree either, for people like my pensioner neighbours who just want a companion animal of their favourite breed, often its the only option.   But man, do you have to know what you are doing and what to look for - and not be afraid to ask a lot of questions and walk away.  And I think Gumtree suggests that prices are starting to come down - and here in westie world we're certainly bracing ourselves for an influx of older puppies and dogs onto the rescue market.  :(

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  4. On 12/07/2021 at 11:19 AM, coneye said:

    Prices are scanadlous   freind of mine this week  paid $7000   yes you read it correct $7000  for a  poodle cross lab  or  a labradoodle has he chose to call it , Dont care what anyone says its a mongrel its not a registered breed , you can't tell me that this breeder   yes breeder is what she called herself was'nt in it for the money only , for my two penth worth  if there a good breeder they would'nt be mixing breeds  they would be breeding pure bred puppies , he was crazy ,, said he wanted a big dog , a black dog , that does'nt shed too much ,,  why oh why did'nt he just go get a giant shnauzer or something ,,, Good thing is   i do know of one guy who was selling  mastiff pups , started of at 5 grand went down and down until he was stuck with the parents and 3  massive 9 month old pups , which he gave away  he could'nt afford to keep them   a freind who took one had it put down because at just over 12 month old  it killed a neigbors dog , then killed another on the beach , he knew someone else who took one and they had it put down after it bit  there kid , yeh proper responsible breeding going on out there And i say good thing because they never managed to make all the money they thought they would

     

    Coneye I agree - you need rocks in your head to pay that price for a cross breed. Particularly when you can have a predictable pure-breed with a reliable track record.  Your friend deserves what he gets.   So many of these cross breeds are complete nutters.  Its happened multiple times here.  Friends of mine ignored my advice to stay pure-bred and bought a cavalier x poodle.  Complete separation anxiety nippy nutter of a dog - and then wanted me to pick up the pieces.  GRRRRR.  Then other friends also bought a cavalier x poodle puppy.  The thing is almost 12 months old separation anxiety and is constantly nipping at their elderly ankles!  Suspect it has more than cavalier and poodle in it!   Just nuts!  When will people realise what a huge risk they take in rolling the genetic dice like this!  Crazy idiots. 

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  5. OK - the stars aligned for my elderly neighbour.  Yes it was a Gumtree listing but as of last night she is now the proud owner of a new black female toy poodle puppy. :)  She paid 3k for the last puppy in the litter (originally listed at 4k).   

     

    I went with her to make sure it all was legit, went well and to stop her getting carried away. :) Two visits.  The first to view and decide and the second to collect. The breeder comes from a family who breeds poodles back in China and he clearly knew what he was doing.  While he is not a registered ANKC breeder, he was registered to breed in SA through the Dog and Cat Management Board and had all the legally required registration papers and vet records ready to go.   He also had a pile of micro-chip registrations from previous buyers ready to send in for registration in one lot (correct). 

     

    The breeder immediately showed us both parents and he was honest enough to say he was fairly sure the sire was pure-bred but would not stake his life on it.  The dam was pure-bred and the puppies certainly looked pure-bred.  (No papers, but this was not a concern to my neighbour).  The parents and puppy looked very well cared for, clean and happy and the house was spotless (surprising for a male student!).  

     

    The puppy was happy to play and race around independently of Mum and Dad and they were all very happy with the breeder handling them, (no fear).  He had been feeding them Royal Canin dry food.  The only down side I could see is the lack of ANKC registration and that the puppy has probably not had a lot of experience outside. I think it had been socialised to some degree as there was no fear reaction whatsoever when we handled her at the breeders home.  Only one whimper on the way home in the car.   I suspect he is an international student trying to make ends meet through what he knows - and in some ways, although I would prefer that he had ANKC registration, you can't blame him in these times.  And he did appear to be trying to do the right thing.

     

    I must say, the puppy is gorgeous.  She was perfectly happy on the way home in the car (I drove), nestled in my elderly neighbours arms.  When she got home, she immediately introduced herself to the Shepherd in the family and they seemed to bond well pretty immediately.  The long-haired Chihuahua cross has her nose out of joint.  So one out of two isn't bad.  She then went to a bowl of raw beef and wolfed it down in preference to the dry food - which is good.  (Yes we realise that probably meant accidents over night but my neighbour is very experienced with dogs, litters and very capable and tolerant - and she will whip her toilet training into shape in a flash).  I suspect she spent the night on my neighbour's bed!

     

    So all's well that ends well.  Her name is Ella, she is 12 weeks old (IIRC) and I must say, that couple of extra weeks with Mum makes such a difference - I don't think I've ever seen such a happy confident puppy.  She will be off to the vet today for an introduction and check.  Then we'll work out when to introduce her to my two westies - Mia will love having a puppy next door.

     

    Mission accomplished! 

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  6. Hi All,

     

    Last August I posted about my elderly neighbours who can offer a black female toy poodle puppy a great home.  In the end I persuaded them to wait as prices were just sky high and I thought, as pensioners, patience may pay off.

     

    For the first time in ages I had a peek at the DOL puppy listings this morning and there were A LOT of litters listed.  And while many litters are still very expensive, I think I detected a lot more puppies available and a little more realistic prices and a few litters appeared to be at pre-pandemic level prices.  I also noticed that some ads had been there for quite sometime.  

     

    Am I right?  Is the puppy market heading to over-supply and lower prices?   Or am I being overly optimistic?

     

    Thoughts?

     

     

  7. On 03/05/2021 at 9:38 AM, Snook said:

    Just on your comment about wanting vet advice about which raw foods to feed and how much, vets get very little nutrition training and most aren't actually great resources when it comes to diet. It's a bit like asking your GP for specific dietary advice.. they don't get much training in that area either. 

     

    I was feeding my dog a diet that was was primarily raw plus sardines, natural Greek yoghurt and raw eggs for some variety, both nutritionally and from a taste perspective. I wasn't willing to try and get the right raw balance by myself (plus I hate handling raw meat and there was no way I was cutting up organs or grinding bones etc), so I fed him Big Dog Sensitive Skin BARF Patties. They're made in Australia from human grade ingredients and you can buy boxes of the patties from the freezer in places like Petstock. In terms of amount to feed, there's a guide on the box but it was about double what my senior boy needed, especially after taking in to account the other foods he got that I mentioned. I figured out the correct amount based on whether he gained weight on it or stayed the same. A vet we saw wasn't impressed that I wouldn't take him off of fresh, raw, healthy food and put him on the Hills dry food they sold, which is all I needed I to know about how educated they were on dog nutrition. 

     

    Snook is completely correct.  I worked at a Vet School for a while a few years back.  Sadly vets have one or two, one-hour lectures on canine nutrition in their six years of training and its usually a pet food representative who delivers the lecture.  Go figure.  Its the same problem as GPs and drug reps. (Independent non-drug company funded studies clearly show drug reps have enormous influence on GP prescribing behaviour). So of course vets come away with the notion that industrially made carb heavy full of fillers dog pellets (I won't even call it food as in my mind its not) are fine for dogs.  But in actual fact they are made solely for commercial profits and for the convenience (IMO) of lazy owners who won't see through their BS. It's a very cunning strategy the dog pellet companies have run - make the highest profit pellets possible full of rubbish, then by controlling both the vets and the supply chain (pay for vet training, control the vets and their training - then they will strongly advocate their cheap nasty nutrition-less pellets for us and our dogs) - and they get happy and rich on the profits. And meanwhile chronic disease, allergies and itchiness in our dogs soars... (fact).  

     

    I need to declare up front I'm a completely convinced raw feeder who won't let her dogs touch pellets, who believes we all get strung up and overthink dog feeding to a ridiculous point when as you say OP, they all thrived before the advent of commercial dog pellets and lived long healthy lives.  And funnily enough, like us they ate whole foods, not processed pellets.  I find it fascinating that the disease trajectories in dogs (and in us - increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc etc) are all on the rise since people started feeding (and eating the human equivalent), highly processed dog pellets with no moisture and full of fillers (cereals, grains, carbs, processed waste etc).

     

    I find the best person to read and listen to is Dr Conor Brady an Irish animal nutritionist (not a vet) who has finally published his book called simply 'Feeding Dogs' (cheaper than one vet consult) and a page on Facebook called 'Dogs First Ireland'.  www.dogsfirst.ie.  OP if you do nothing else I suggest you have a read of the book and FB and then get on FB and ask him some questions.  He will also do (paid) online consults as well.

     

    I've just started reading Conor's book and will always be a raw feeder. I look to balance my dogs food roughly without turning it into a major drama, as I think all this balance to the gram stuff is nonsense in the bigger picture (who balances their diet to such as degree?) and simply plays into the hands of the commercial dog pellet companies who sprout the 'whole food in a pellet' BS.  So here, my raw feeding is a bit of this and a bit of that, whatever is on special or available - seasonal eating with plenty of variety.  No 'Maccas for Dogs' here.  Here it's good healthy whole foods for my dogs - raw meat and fish from a raw supplier for dinner, chicken wings for breakfast, offal, chicken necks, turkey, WW cans of sardines and mackerel for when I forget to get their meat out of the freezer, pumpkin, carrot, swede (raw and cooked), and pure dehydrated liver (Australian made) and raw carrot and swede treats. RMBs for a good ol' weekend gnaw.  And my westies are thriving.  

     

    Andy is 15/16 and he looks like he has years left in him yet, touch wood.    I find it easier now there are good raw suppliers popping up everywhere (there are some really good ones in Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills - Pete's Petfoods and Buddies Bites for a start). I buy human grade meats on special when I shop, ensure my westies are well hydrated and I sleep at night.   Found fresh salmon heads and tails at Buddies earlier in the week - and the westies thought they were marvellous - wonderful watching dogs chow down on raw food. - really tucking in and enjoying food as they should instead of becoming addicted to salt in pellets.  And neither of mine are itchy, have allergies or skin conditions that westies are notorious for.

     

    Anyway you get my drift.  I know some will vehemently disagree - and you're welcome to.  Just would like you to produce the strong INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED research evidence that shows unequivocally that pellets enhance your dogs health and longevity.  (Bet you can't!).

     

    Flame suit on!  :)

     

     

    • Like 2
  8. 2 hours ago, Rik said:

    Thanks all, 

     

    Still thinking hard about it, I can't seem to imagine actually saying that last goodbye to her so maybe thats my answer ....

     I know exactly what you mean - I can't ever imagine a time when I say goodbye to mine either so the choice becomes fairly simple - they come or I don't go. Good luck Rik, with whatever you decide.

  9. Very helpful post from Corvus above as usual.  I have only one experience of the breed - a visit from a 6 month old puppy.  He was beautiful!  But very puppy boisterous and his very dog savy owners were finding him a bit of a handful.  I'll be very interested to see him again as he gets older (he now lives in Darwin).

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  10. I found the University of Adelaide vets very good with my itchy westie girl.  There's an internationally renown vet dermatologist there, Peter Hill, who is excellent.  Really helped my Sarah.  As a last resort, they would be worth a call and see if they will work with your vets, university or elsewhere.

     

    And while I respect others opinions, I'm of the view that dry dog food has a lot to answer for.  The fact that its dry and contains no moisture (and dogs get a lot of their hydration from their food) and contains heaps of fillers of no nutritional value to is to me is a no brainer.  I haven't had any trouble with itchy dogs since I switched to a complete raw diet - chicken wings in the morning (Aldi, $3.80 a kilo) and raw meat at night (turkey and fish mixture bought from local man who makes it).  And as a bonus, the vet said my 14-16 year old puppy farm rescue westie had the best teeth she had seen in a long time in such an old dog.

     

    Lastly, have a really good read of Dr Conor Brady (canine nutrutionist, not a vet) and his 'Dogs First' website and join his group on Facebook.  He's a raw feeding advocate who has just published the definitive tome on the science of raw v dry food feeding for dogs (You might have to wait for the next reprint now, maybe?) and is also sooo helpful with itchy dogs.  But be warned, he is a raw food advocate and will try and get you off the dry stuff.   Well worth the time and effort to read what he has to say and then talk with him on Facebook.  He also offers online consultations (paid).  Well worth talking to.

     

    Hope that helps and good luck. 

    • Like 4
  11. IMO she isn't too old to move.  I've moved my elderly puppy farm rescue who is older than Mollie, all over South Australia and as long as I'm with him (even though I work full-time), he's happy as larry.  If your ex is OK with it, I'd bring her with you. But make sure you have somewhere pet friendly to stay on arrival, a pet friendly rental or are in a position to buy a house with a fence to keep her safe.  Good luck! :)

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  12. A different perspective.  I bought my Sarah (RIP) as a four year old ex breeding bitch.  She had had 3 litters of 2 puppies, 1 puppy and then 1 dead puppy (IIRC).  That last litter shouldn't have happened full-stop IMO as she probably wasn't very fertile. Similarly, my Mia came from a brilliant breeder who said she had a litter of 2 puppies and then 1 dead puppy and was very distressed I understand.  The breeder took great care of her and decided she was for a pet home - and luckily she chose me!   She came to me desexed and is the most brilliant natured and looking Westie - so she wasn't a brilliant breeder but is the most fantastic girl, as was my Sarah.

     

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  13. I'm not a breeder but the laws in SA changed a couple of years back and all litters regardless now have to be registered with the Dog and Cat management Board - or I believe there are heavy fines attached.  So its now become a complicated process so breeders need not only dedication around the breeding process but all the admin that goes with it.

     

    I have a friend who I suspect is going to BYB a litter of westies.  I think he went ahead and bought un unpapered Westie pup and then couldn't get any of the breeders to provide a stud dog for his girl.  So he's gone down the AI route but I suspect it will be another unpapered litter of my favourite breed. So very disappointed after all the time I spent helping him get it right.

     

    IMHO if you are going to breed purebred dogs then do it right as a registered breeder with the ANKC and learn from all the generous breeders here or don't do it at all.  

    • Like 3
  14. On 23/04/2021 at 6:24 PM, Loving my Oldies said:

    If I remember correctly, @westiemum did this.  She organised the day so people who loved her dogs could visit, organised the vet and the time to spend with her dogs afterwards before the cremation company arrived.  

     

    I’ve tagged her so hopefully she can come in here and give her thoughts.  

     

    Man you have a good memory LMO!   Snook I use paws2respect for all my babies cremations - 3 times so far and so does Matt (4 times for him).   I find them very good and reasonably priced (although you do pay travel but I felt that was reasonable and I really wanted to use these people).  

     

    With Mac, I organised a time with the vet for 6 pm at home (on his way home so he didn't have to leave the surgery and go back), then invited Mac's Godparents to be there if they wanted (they arrived at 5 pm, then the cremation ladies (Tracey or Pauline arrived at 7 pm) and wrapped him carefully and took him with them in a basket.

     

    They are the only people I could find who cremate individually and guarantee you only get your pet back (no group cremations).  Matt recommended them to me and I've been with them ever since (2 westies and a cat) They also offer a range of urns and name plate engraving.  Mac came back about a week later in his beautiful picture box with a lovely rose that I still have.  Highly recommend them.  Give me a buzz if you'd like to talk - mobile number is still the same.

     

    ETA: Snook if you did a paws2respect 'scatter pack' then you could easily use your own urn if you wanted to.  And don't worry about the vets, you don't have to use their cremation service - mine was happy to go with what ever I preferred.

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