SkySoaringMagpie

I spent over $15K on fencing and gates, and about the same again on kennel runs. I am quite happy to open and close gates, but the tricky part is when others can't leave things as they find them. I don't like the invisible dog containment systems because they don't keep other critters including dogs out, and sighthounds often run through them when in high prey drive only to find they can't return home. I would not recommend them for all breeds.

The open gates thing worries me. They've been doing some surveying in our front paddock for some upgrades to the electricity supply. Yesterday morning I looked out the window to see that the gate was open by about a foot, with our IW in the yard. I called him and put him in the house and then went and shut it, but there are a hundred ways that could have gone wrong had I not looked up from my desk and seen the gate. And unfortunately, we also have problems with gas delivery and meter readers needing to be able to get in, otherwise I would lock the gates. If I know someone is definitely going to be on the property the dogs are put away, but they arrived while I was in the shower so I had no idea. Anyone got any suggestions? OH is saying some kind of sign on the gate that says to shut it might be a start. I'm thinking "shut the bloody gate" might convey my feelings accurately

Sonia, have only just seen this here in the bridge forum tho' I knew she had passed. Lovely tribute to an old companion. Run free Sally

:rofl:

I am still getting through the washing - had to wash all the show leads as well as the usual beds and towels

I picked up one of Keshwar's show jackets recently and the dry cleaner had hung a plastic bag from the coat hanger. Uh oh, thinks me - that could be any number of things. It was a chewed squeaky rat that was missing its tail. :o

Yep. Our guys are in enclosed runs with a concrete floor when we are away, not even a whippet is going to break out of that. You can responsibly keep sighthounds in the countryside, heaps of people do it.

In my experience most breeders in my breed will take back what they have bred, and most contribute to rescue in some way: transport, shelter liaison, cash, fostering, and/or placement. Fostering is not the only way to contribute to rescue. I think it depends a lot on whether your breed has a ton of BYB and rescue dogs or just the odd one - staffordshire bull terrier breeders can't hope to clean up all the mess created by staffie BYBing. I think it also depends how easy it is to place your breed, we don't get many, but they are much harder to place responsibly. That's why breeders and those familiar with the breed are in a much better position to place dogs than all breeds rescue is. If you'd raised this 6 months ago I would have commented that we don't get many rescues. We're in a bit of a spike at the moment tho'. IMO most of the rescue situations tend to arise because of not too rigorous placement or people deciding to sell or giveaway their dogs without the support of the breeder (or even consulting in many cases). The usual I guess. So while most do the right thing, you can still end up with a lot in rescue comparatively speaking, particularly if you get a large unregistered litter. I personally believe that part of my responsibility to my breed is contributing to placing or appropriately euthing those dogs in my breed that are in need. I know some feel that if they didn't breed the dog it's not their issue but I feel it's part of looking after the future of the breed, just as responsible breeding is.

I was down at Woollies the other day, waiting for the checkout operator to finish scanning my shopping and he says to me "dog or cat?". I didn't have any pet food, so was a bit confused but quickly realised he had noticed the hair on my jacket. "Dog" I say, thinking to myself that he's lucky I'm a fairly relaxed sort of character. I suppose I should run a sticky roller over my jacket before going out in public but if it's only Woollies, I can't see it happening soon. When were you last sprung as a crazy dog person?

Inspired by Bermie, Junee and Albury!

Are you going to be there tomorrow or are you bailing with Poodlefan???? I *think* I smiled at you today thinking it was you but then I wasn't sure so didn't say anything At this stage we're planning to be there, if it's pelting rain when we get up tho', we might reconsider!

I would make sure that you can split the house down the middle with doors if you want, or a 1/3 - 2/3 mix, with patio doors in the separate areas that open into a separately fenced yards. That's about managing dogs with bitches in season, or other separation that might be necessary.

Tris, we have to meet this show!! Will try and catch you by the hound ring.

A good example of how getting a dog "cheaper" can wind up being anything but in the long run. FWIW, desexing doesn't always give you behavioural change especially with stuff that is loosely described as "dominance problems". Have you explored training options?

Thanks for all your hard work Jan, looking forward to a great weekend!

Some breeds are routinely described as "not a breed for first time dog owners". Usually because of their specific training and/or management requirements. My first dog that wasn't a family dog, was my first Saluki. Definitely not something that most people recommend, but I worked it out eventually and now I have 4. Anyone else make a success of it? Any experiences where it really didn't work?

Are you on Aussie Terrier groups on Facebook and on International lists? That can be a good way to get a "feel" for people without the pressure of a sale where everyone is on their very best behaviour. It's also good to make friends in different countries - they might not ever buy one of yours but they can tell you about "do not sell" people and occasionally go in on your behalf and help fix messes. Unlike selling in Australia, once they are on the other side of the world, it's basically impossible to pull them back out of a bad situations.

It depends, and there are always variations within a breed, but I think they are correct to point out that the adult temperament is often quite different to a puppy temperament. Hugging and petting is usually not their style but ours like good skritch over the croup or a tummy rub. This is the King of Dogs we're talking about here, and while they are good at playing the fool, they are not a sickly sweet or needy dog. I consider ours affectionate, but OH and I are quite independent, and don't ask much of them in this respect. If they want to hang out with us, they do, if they'd prefer to be outside surveying their domain, that's fine too. They don't follow us around constantly, but every now and then they decide we could use some supervision. Like a Saluki, I think you really have to earn their devotion, and have to understand that that devotion is not "displayed" the same way it is by a cocker spaniel.

Save your cash, it's not reliable. I figure if knowing a dog's family tree is important to someone, they should buy a registered dog. Not suggesting it's important to you, I just think the bitsa test promises what it can't deliver.

It is true that some of the old school kennels had lots of dogs, but equally true that not all did, especially if they didn't have the luxury of staff. The latter would sell any dog that wasn't going to get them to the next step. The difficulty for breeders is that if you move on any dogs that are not going to contribute directly to your future plans you're seen as heartless, if you keep the oldies, you're seen as bordering on hoarding and "not serious". So they can't win. I am wary of "farmer" accusations, particularly within a breed, as it's yet another insult people can fling about. If the quality of the dogs' care is not up to snuff, and i include in that care for their mental health, then 2 can be too many, or 20 can be too many - it depends. My other measure this days is "how many of this breeder's dogs wind up in rescue". If it's more than the odd one, then they are breeding more than they can sell responsibly.

If that was Harden, there were some Brontosaurus sized poos out the back near the horse track. Some people (whether showies, pet owners or whatever) think they are too good to pick up shit and they won't change until they are made to change. I'm not usually a fan of DNA based big brother style regulation but I can see an argument for registering a dog's dna with the controlling bodies (or council) and pinging exhibitors (or pet owners) who don't pick up. The technology should be good enough and cheap enough within the next 5-10 years.

And my all time fave, or, "Ha ha infidels, I win again!":

$130 and only worn once? Foolish human.

As others have said, even if it eventually comes down, it being slow to come down is not a good sign. I'm inclined to go with the breeders I know who refuse to stuff around with testicles. If they are not down and staying down the dog is petted out.

Hounds today Deerhound BIG, Elkhound RUBIG. Junior in Group - IW :D The show was really well run and the BOB prizes of local produce (honey, olive oil and jam) were fantastic. Thanks heaps Ray, Dot and team!