BJean

Yes.

They are very dark! :) I found this summary on eye colour: http://www.kwestmals.com/malcolorEyes.html There is an enormous amount of mythology in various breeds regarding the reasons for preferred eye color and shade. The reality is that I have never found any scientific evidence that any shade of eye color is more functional than another. No good dog is a bad color, and for the most part that statement extends to eye color as well. In Malamutes and many other breeds (but not Siberians), dark brown eyes are strongly preferred. Again, there is an incredible amount of mythology surrounding this characteristic. It is very important to note that wild canid populations worldwide have quite a bit of variation in eye color. Irregardless of the environment they live in most of the population falls within the lighter shades, and they almost always have lighter colored eyes than most domestic dogs. If dark eyes had a functional advantage there would be considerably more selection against the lighter shades in wild canids. The “preference” for dark eyes appears to have little to do with function and considerably more to do with human perception. Light eyes give the dog a “harder” look. In a light eyed dog the pupil is very visible and this makes it easy to see exactly where the dog is looking. For most humans the resulting clearly visible direct stare results in an unconscious perception of threat. This is actually capitalized on by a few guardian breeds for whom light eyes are the stated preference. Dark brown eyes soften the dog’s expression, make it very difficult to see the pupil, and thus give the dog a much friendlier appearance. It is absolutely true that dark eyes contribute greatly towards the “soft expression” called for in the Malamute standard. As such they can be considered important from a cosmetic perspective. It should be noted, however, that there is no factual evidence for the idea that there is a functional basis for dark eyes in the breed. <Behluka, I'd love a black silver wolf sable ASD with black mask and yellow eyes.>

okay ta

He will be prone to sun burn and possibly skin cancer from repeated burning. You can manage that with screens or U.V fly masks,which would also protect his eyes.The eyes too are prone to damage from the sun from their extreme lack of pigment. Nope too studdy for flymasks. He likes to cavort around and gallop like he is king of the hills. He rears and pivots and makes all sort of triumphant displays. I do put cream on him though. But then he puts his head in the bath, strikes out screams and splashes. All in good fun of course. Funny horse :)

There is dilute in the sable. It has not been identified yet but it is there :) Not really sure what you mean the dilution gene is on a different locus to the agouti gene. I am not referring to the dilution of eumelanin, most commonly known as the 'dilution gene' . I am referring to the dilution of phaeomelanin.

Yes and I think there is dilute in the light fawn and light agouti, black and silvers etc If there is dilute in there as well the guard hairs will be blue rather than black. Amber is black/sable but has the amber coloured eyes. A lot of the sable border collies seem to have this eye colour. I think it is pretty. There is dilute in the sable. It has not been identified yet but it is there :)

I have a Perlino ASH Stallion and he definitely gets pink skin in the sun. He gets a sunburn look. Whether this is painful for the horse or if it will affect his lifespan I dont know.

Yes and I think there is dilute in the light fawn and light agouti, black and silvers etc

Yes, wolves have yellow / amber eyes, so do a lot of Anatolians. I actually like the look of the black mask with yellow eyes. So I'm biased. But I do know that most breeds prefer medium to dark brown eyes.

Why do most breed standards require dark brown eye colour? Is there any reason medium to dark brown eye colour is preferred over gold/amber?

and the most important and educational 'text book' :)

Sorry if it has been discussed before, and I cannot open the first page link. Roo is on her own, almost every day and is annexed from your day to day life. For an animal that has a strong need to belong and be part of the daily interactions of another, your situation is an impossible point to treat a dog with separation anxiety. I know you can not change your working hours and I know you have done all you can, but I dont know how effective meds and therapies etc can be, when the basic contact needs of Roo can not be met. Roo lives an isolated life. I believe she deserves the chance to rehome in an environment where she will live and integrate and enjoy security of pack dynamics, and know the sense of belonging without always being alone. Or feeling separated. Roo has been diagnosed with the human label of separation anxiety but at the same time Roo has been asked to live a human life not a dog's life. Monday to Friday, empty sterile, boring, lonely, dead quiet home 8am - 6pm is the house and timetable of a human. I can see it would be unbearable for a high energy dog with a strong instinct to interact and belong. Op, what shines through in your posts is all of Roo's good points; I think Roo must have the heart the size of your patience and love for her :) But because of Roo's needs and your human obligations, I dont think you and Roo could ever have been suited. Yes Roo is a problem dog to rehome. But if the home know what they are potentially in for, and you think the home can give Roo all the dynamism and contact that your schedule could not, then I would give Roo the chance to live in a different environment. All the best

If your young healthy dog did have an underlying kidney or liver problem, that at this stage was causing no symptoms or any aberration from optimal physical condition, according to the observation and physical examination of an experienced veterinarian, then it is dubious whether kidney and liver disorders at such an early stage would actually be dangerous with GA.

No a young healthy dog does not need the blood tests. The tests are a precautionary measure to 1. identify at risk dogs, and then 2. help with an alternative GA process, that the usual GA drug combination is likely to have an adverse affect on. ETA - OT: Everything's Shiny: Great siggy!

In the November Dogs Vic gazette, I read with dismay the French Bulldog Club Of Vic's 'concerns': 31. The role of Dogzonline in the Australian Show Ring - handlers should be cropped out of online profiles on Dogzonline. Dogs Victoria Should lobby and address this issue. Serious? And The French Bulldog Club's push for an Accredited Breeder Scheme: 32. [A] Qualification System as 'Approved' Breeders in relation to involvement within mainstream Dogs Victoria activities and the relative pricing reflected in litter registrations People are breeding French Bulldogs for money, and not for the betterment of the breed. There should be a 'quality control' over the breeding of dogs. A possible scheme could be that a breeder must be active in showing or involved in some dog activity, if they do not abide, their pricing in litter registrations is reflected. I wonder where that club's head is at.

I dont think this is a point of difference or a 'problem' for buyers. It also presents as a numpty argument because all purchasers pay money for their puppy. It makes no sense to say byb are bad because they breed for money. You will miss your target every time with this. <It also infers having a litter and generating a profit is a bad thing, which is incongruous wrt 'breeding better'.> What causes problems for puppy purchasers is the lack of knowledge behind byb litters. When money is presented as the problem, or making money, it loses the efficacy of the argument. Most byb are sincere in the good intention for their litter. most puppy buyers believe this also.

Fortunately it is for bitches in Victoria only, and is dependent on the breed club / breeders. ie: The ASD and CAS min breeding age will be changed in 2013.

Totally OT: Keshwar: I clicked on your website link and had to write: I love the layout and writing style. Informative, simple, funny, honest. kewl

For a list of Papillon breeders o/s, try: http://www.eurobreeder.com/breeds/epagneul_nain_continental.html Email the kennel just as if you were looking for a dog in Australia. ie choose the sire/dam that you like the look of the most, whose pedigree appeals the most, and which breeder you feel you can communicate best with. I dont think it matters how many Papillon breeders are in Australia, you may like a puppy from another breeder, just further away :) Foremost, be sure to choose a dog based on what you want, not what you think others may want. If you want a male dog that is already titled and established as a stud dog, and you think this dog will match your female, the breeder may be willing to sell the dog to you. But before you ask the owner/breeder, make sure you know what you are looking for and why the dog is the total package for you. AND if you can, visit the breeder. Perhaps choose a breeder or two or three in Europe, and visit this Spring or Autumn. Once you visit, you are then in a better position to know what you want and to also ask for what you want. The breeder will also be more willing to sell to you, as you would have met them in person and verified your intention. Good luck !

Can you please refer us to this law. I thought that type of trade restraint was illegal. The product is not for sale to Australian retail customers because the specific product it is not approved by the APVMA http://www.apvma.gov.au/about/contact/index.php Veterinary and agricultural products can not enter the Australian market place, even if the product is developed & manufactured in Australia, at an APVMA approved facility, and the same product is sold under a different tradename. It is trade restraint, presented as 'government approved' protection, of course :)

We are also looking at hotwiring the pen, Sheena, we did look at doing this quite a while ago, but for some reason we decided against it, can't remember why, will chat with my husband this evening to see if it's possible. Believe me, even if I think I have managed to train them out of it, I will never, ever trust them unsupervised around the poultry. Fortunately the chooks have absolutely no interest whatsoever in leaving their pen, it's just these naughty turkey poults and guinea fowl. If you are going to use electric tape, avoid the cheap and dubious 'ping string' marketed at dog owners, and source proper stock fencing equipment. For dogs, heavy duty poly rope (1 cm diameter) is the best and safest conductor to use.

:laugh: Nope no feedback on the cat tactic to address the cat problem. As for tying dead fowl around the dog's neck et al, it is not something I could do, but farmers in Australia tell me that it works. Owners o/s also report the same. NB: these dogs are supposed to be living with the chickens / guinea fowl and after the incident continue to live with the birds without incident. Often the offender is an adolescent dog or a newcomer to the pack.

German Shepherd Rescue in NSW: http://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/209708 Nada is an exceptional young dog a rare breed that unfortunately found herself in a Sydney Animal Shelter. We are not sure why she was not microchipped and no one came to collect her. Nada is an Illyrian Sheepdog who we have taken into care and we have found her to be a beautiful natured and intelligent dog. We originally thought she needed to protect her flock so she was placed with a carer who had a working property but Nada prefers the company of people. Yes she is a large breed, heavy coated but nature wise she is gentle, placid and extremely loving. No, Nada is not. Great she has gong on trial to her new home in the past 24 hours but can you desist with the false advertising? She probably would have found a home sooner if your advert did not make up "rare breed" Illyrian Sheep Dog whatevers.

OT Rebanne is she grizzle? We have the same colouring in Coban Kopegi and Central Asia Dogs.

Re encouraging new participants: the very little Anatolian Club Of Vic, has slowly got multiple Anatolians going to shows. five are entered on January 27 in Vic. I don't think 5 ASDs have been exhibited in Vic since their arrival in 1985. The Treasurer and Secretary of the Club are pet owners. Members take their pet to the show because the breeders said yes come along its fun and nutty, but it's a good day out for you and the dogs. And so they came and are actually coming back. The dogs are not there to demonstrate breeding stock, they are there because their owners will take them. And it is a social exercise of owners and their dog. All new participants had NIL even negative interest of dog showing until dog showing was encouraged as a social activity, and they realised they were welcome as casual participants and saw the value of the hobby as a gathering of like minded persons and their dogs. Rightly or wrongly, Identifying the Best Exhibit didn't and does not really come into it, we're just there to have a go and a day out with the dogs :)