SkySoaringMagpie

Good one! The "why would you buy one from them, euw!" thing happened to us once when we started out and I can think of at least two people in my peer group that it happened to as well. As well as being rude it's not very smart. The new person doesn't walk away from those discussions thinking "gosh that person must be right and I should ask them for a dog instead" they walk away thinking "wow, that person is a fruitcake". A dog is a dog and is deserving of a base level of respect and good will as a living creature. Just because I wouldn't have the dog in my yard as show or breeding prospect doesn't make it necessary to be rude.

This. Also, the front looks OK, but it's hard to assess a dog that isn't standing. This is also a medium to large breed, but not one of the large sighthound or giant or molosser breeds that have a lot of long and/or big bone to grow into. Edit: Also, I am not a zealot about this. If the dog is not going to be asked to compete in performance events or keep up with a family of mountain hikers or cross country runners, then I don't think it's a huge drama to desex. However, I also think it's a reasonable decision not to.

Well, they won't be able to do it this show as the schedule is already final, but if they have people reminding them and saying they'll enter then people will be less likely to forget next time. As for the Miffster, will be lovely to see her again. Usually we get more than one, yes

No, my guess is it was probably overlooked as people are still getting used to it. Maybe email the administrator and let him know that you will enter next time if they run the classes? Some of the clubs are running them in October, Hound Club definitely is.

Entries are still open for the DogsACT fundraiser show on 2/3 July. You can drop your entries off under the DogsACT office door if you are showing this weekend or enter online at OzEntries.com. If you're in the ACT please support your canine control and encourage your friends to do the same.

Living With Infidels. Want a Saluki? Read this first :D http://livingwithinfidelsdiaryofasaluki.blogspot.com/ Longdog or lurcher fan? http://walkingollie.wordpress.com/category/walking-ollie/

Yes, it was me - Poodlefan is the smart one, I'm the naughty one

Oh well, hoping for better luck next time. All the best with your litters everyone, I'm very envious.

Really agree with this. Recently I was fretting a bit about social media, the behind the scenes bagging, and the breed politics. Someone said to me "words don't change a dog". That really struck me as sensible advice. If you care more about the dogs, the standard and your own plans then the fact someone is being snarky just noise. Of course, it also means that flattery is just noise too. :D I used to be impressed by people standing ringside who appeared to know so much, now I know there are a lot of armchair experts but not a lot of real experts and that time in a breed doesn't always equate to a long distance travelled in the breed. OTOH, as an exhibitor, I still think "never miss an opportunity to shut up" is good advice

My first concern is the welfare of my dogs. There are plenty of sensible and knowledgable dog folk who will identify their most beloved breeds as being frequently inclined to dog aggression. I'll take that honesty and insight over facile political correctness anyday, sorry if that shocks. For what it's worth, I own a breed that isn't dog aggressive but is triggered by small running prey, and I agree with Diva. If a toy breed owner saw a bunch of Salukis running free in a paddock and decided not to put their dog in the same area, I would call them smart, not prejudiced.

I am more cautious around some breeds but I don't think it's breed prejudice. I know that my dogs aren't keen on strange Border Collies. Having observed a few Sighthound reactions to hard eyes and staring, I've theorised that it's the "eye" that is the issue. So I will take more care around them, even tho' I think they are lovely dogs. Do I have breed prejudice? Well, if I see an offleash Akita running around having escaped its crate I will have a different reaction to seeing an offleash Pom and a different reaction again to seeing an offleash Whippet. I'm factoring in what I know about the likelihood that the dog will either eat or be eaten by my dog. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with Poms, or Akitas, or Salukis for that matter - it just means, as PF says, that it pays to be a bit smart about breed characteristics.

Ultrasound tomorrow. *chews nails*

I agree with this, but the UK KC has been doing a ton of work on these issues and made fast progress compared to other KCs, including our own. The difficulty is that in any group of animal owners there will be people doing the wrong thing - pet owners, the racing fraternity, farmers, hunters, dog sports and yes, show. It comes down to how widespread it is and what harm you think is being done. My difficulty is that her position seems not to be "you people need to fix this problem over here" but "there is a fundamental program with pure breed dogs". I think dog shows are the low hanging fruit, and once we are dealt with, they'll go after the others.

Suspension of all live exports to Indonesia announced: http://www.smh.com.au/national/live-cattle-ban-to-stay-20110607-1fr8b.html THE federal government has decided to suspend the export of all live cattle to Indonesia, following a public outcry and a threatened backbench revolt. The Agriculture Minister, Joe Ludwig, signed the order last night and said the ban would stay in place until safeguards had been adopted that would ensure the proper treatment of the beasts along the whole supply chain. The decision to suspend the $318 million-a-year-industry was taken by cabinet on Monday night and has the potential to upset the Indonesians, the cattle industry and the federal opposition, all of which have argued against a blanket ban. Advertisement: Story continues below The Prime Minster, Julia Gillard, said the government would work with the Indonesians and the cattle industry to ''bring about major change'' to the handling of cattle in Indonesian slaughterhouses. Ms Gillard met industry representatives in Darwin last night. Industry suspicions of a total ban grew late yesterday when a shipment of 1900 cattle bound for Indonesia was stopped from loading at Port Hedland, Western Australia. No-one was able to get a straight answer from the government about the reason for the suspension but the Cattle Council of Australia's executive director, David Inall, suspected a total ban was about to be announced. He warned this would limit Australia's ability to stay in the Indonesian market and improve the standard of its abattoirs. The ban is the first such move since the Howard government suspended sending live sheep to Egypt in February 2006 following television footage showing mistreatment of the animals. The outcry leading to the suspension of cattle exports to Indonesia began on Monday last week when the ABC's Four Corners broadcast footage showing brutal slaughtering methods and mistreatment inside Indonesian abattoirs. Initially, Senator Ludwig proposed an inquiry but such was the fury among the Labor backbench that he suspended the export of cattle to 12 offending abattoirs and commissioned an independent review. The independents Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon, animal rights activists and others kept demanding a total suspension and on Tuesday next week, the caucus was set to pass a motion backing a complete moratorium. On Monday, the cattle industry apologised and fought for a compromise. It proposed banning exports to all but 25 of the more than 100 Indonesian abattoirs that took Australian cattle, and offered to place inspectors in each. Senator Ludwig said last night the independent review would help inform the process of adopting new safeguards which ''will ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry while ensuring live cattle exported from Australia are treated humanely''. ''I know this decision will impact on the industry but a sustainable live cattle export industry must be built on the ability to safeguard the welfare of the animals,'' he said. The decision heads off a fight with the backbench but is likely to anger Indonesia, which relies on Australian beef for 25 per cent of its beef supply and may suffer sharp rises in prices ahead of Ramadan next month. ''The Indonesians won't like it,'' said Bruce Warren, who operates a state-of-the-art feedlot and abattoir in Java. ''If the trade stops, it will be hard to start again … The Indonesian government is already talking about this in terms of an opportunity for self-sufficiency.'' But, even as the ban is introduced, there are about 100,000 Australian cattle in Indonesia being fattened before slaughter. It is inevitable some will end up in abattoirs that are substandard and prone to use cruel techniques to kill the beasts. A recent audit by the government and Meat & Livestock Australia inspectors found more than three-quarters of the abattoirs in Indonesia that process Australian cattle don't adhere to world standards for animal welfare and only a handful are modern ''world class'' facilities. ''The concern is that there will be a period where these cattle will be showing up at abattoirs that are outside our control,'' said Mr Warren. The exports to Indonesia account for almost half the annual $753 million made from live cattle exports annually. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/live-cattle-ban-to-stay-20110607-1fr8b.html#ixzz1OcoHSuVa

No probs. It's not rocket science but I guess authors write it down because people do it! The list includes: - Being late for your class - not following directions - not paying attention - feeding bait immediately before the judge examines the mouth - asking the judge hours later why your dog didn't win - trying to influence a judge with comments about the dog's winning record - being rough with a dog - showing a dirty dog.

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I agree with Mrs RB. It will deter opportunists who have softer targets to hit, but if it is you specifically someone is after, and they are serious, then they will deal with the dog before going after you. I have always considered it my job to protect the dogs, not the other way around. That said, I've been doing a bit of wandering after dark with our Wolfhound, and if he wasn't mine and I saw him coming up out of a stand of pines I would be scared witless. The way they move in the dark definitely gets your attention.

How do you know someone is a good sport?

I recommended Caroline Coile's "Show Me" here yesterday so I picked it up again last night just to double check it was as useful as I remembered. There were some very useful things. One page 81 she has a handy list of "things that irritate judges". Towards the end of the book she says some really sensible things about good sportsmanship and sports psychology. However, rather than quote big chunks out of the book, what do you think are the hallmarks of a good exhibitor?

How'd you go ssm? RUBOB yesterday with the naughty minor monster, I was pleased with that. Only RCC today but he seems to be getting over the tantrum throwing which is a bonus Keshwar did the impressive stuff. Lochie got BOB on Saturday which was his title and Zac the IW got BOB both days. We missed you!

I'm assuming the breeder supports you showing the pup and is prepared to sell you the pup on the main register. Is the breeder local? If so, the best way to learn is to tag along with them. If not, do they know someone in your area who will take you under their wing? Whether or not the breeder is local, I would take the breeder's advice about which shows to enter but would steer clear of a Royal for one of your first outings. For a first show I would pick a low key country show for preference. There is no way any of us can predict your likely success without seeing you and your dog in the flesh. Mals are a competitive breed, and you will need to have realistic expectations. With training a baby, don't overdo whatever you do. They do need training but you need to be careful not to squash their spark and a baby is given a certain amount of license from most judges. You could do worse than book a lesson with a show trainer to start with if you don't have a breeder locally to help. I think there are a few in Victoria and DOLers could let you know their names. I think the best book for a beginner on showing dogs is Caroline Coile's "Show Me", she's writing about the American system but deals with most aspects of showing and targets her book to the complete beginner. Many of the other books don't. Edit: The grooming equipment. Those additional things give you an edge but are a big waste of money if you try showing and decide you really don't like it. Start with the basics and if you get hooked, there is plenty of time to spend $$$ later on.

Sunday BIS Pointer, RUBIS Deerhound. Can't help with terriers either day unfortunately.

Would you desex a Grey at 8-12 weeks tho'? Or is it that if a dog is not good enough to breed from, they are therefore not good enough for show or dog sport, so the side effects of early desexing aren't as important as keeping them out of the gene pool? I say that with kindness btw, being a companion is an important role.

This is the tricky thing. My first dog was an entire bitch and was sold outright to me. At the time I bought her I had no idea how lucky I was that someone reputable was prepared to sell an entire bitch to me outright. The breeder was concerned about early desexing which is why the bitch was entire - I remember her telling me it was up to me if when I desexed her, and she was also really helpful when the bitch had her first season and gave me lots of advice and support. We wanted a bitch because we already had a dog. He was a similar breed, and we had desexed him at 11 months and taken him to obedience class. FWIW, I never bred the bitch, but also never desexed her. The bit I am puzzling over is that I am not particularly special, a lot of people in my friendship group have had entire animals that they have kept responsibly. I have also heard a lot of horror stories tho'. I wonder what our characteristics are, because I'd like to pick them for my future puppy owners!