SkySoaringMagpie

OK, if we're doing photos, I guess the poll lady had better 'fess up a photo:

Over the ages, successful resource guarding has been the difference between survival and death for many animals. There are a number of behaviours that make sense when you consider the survival history of dogs but which don't fit well into our modern expectations or our human world view about sharing and being nice. Your dogs are just being dogs. While I understand it can be a shock to the system when dogs behave in ways that humans have trouble with, if you don't like the behaviour, you can manage so it doesn't occur as well as train. I agree with Kirty that separate feeding would be good for both dogs.

Happy to add new voting options, just let me know!

I agree, not trying to train anyone with this post! I post it mostly for those of us who are willing but occasionally clueless and who would like to improve their game. For me it is really about the dogs, if you piss someone off there's a much lower chance that they'll change their behaviour. I do know there are some people who don't care and won't try and I don't plan to waste energy on them

1 - The marker word or "click" that tells them: "you did the right thing" 2 - House training - if you don't have that nothing else matters.

I'm not talking about what you expect from your dog behaviour wise, but what you think people should ideally do. So, what do you think a well mannered human does and says when it comes to things doggie? Is it important to be polite about other people's dogs and dog choices at all? Some starters that I wish I was disciplined enough to do all the time myself: Listen to others, and avoid giving someone a 15 minute blow by blow description of how cute/clever/special your dog is when you should be having a conversation Dogs are like children, your own are always more interesting to you than other peoples. But it's a bore for everyone if you can't really listen to someone talk about their dog, show an interest and/pr ask questions about their dog/s once in a while. Never miss an opportunity to shut up. If it's not going to help the dog, and is just some version on "I told you so" or "you made a mistake" then I think it's better to zip it. No point saying to some hapless person struggling to control a 40 kilo dog "well, you shouldn't have got a Ridgeback X". Too late now, either help them or shut up. If you think that someone needs to hear something because it's in the dog's best interests that they change their behaviour, send it privately rather than engaging in public humiliation on a board or list. Self explanatory What else? Other thoughts?

I think that works OK for the trait if it's primarily independence. With the "toey" breeds tho' there's a lot less tolerance in society these days for anything that even looks like aggression, even if it's an appropriate ticking off between dogs. The Afghan standard says "a certain keen fierceness". A dog that displays that is often a lot of dog to handle, so even if they want to, your average punter might not be able to. I've heard breeders of both hounds and terriers say that society is too litigious, and they are going for a softer, family style friendlier temperament because of that litigiousness even if that means departing from the standard. I've heard other say they feel conflicted about it. I fall into the latter camp.

If you breed a breed that has historically been bred to be aloof, or scrappy, or independent how do you balance this with the need to place dogs in companion homes in a society that is intolerant of dogs that don't behave like Disney channel dogs? Have you decided to move to a "friendlier" temperament or are you aiming for solid temperament but still with the breed characteristics? Is it possible to retain breed characteristics in a responsible way in your breed? How do you select homes that will cope with/enjoy the temperament?

This. Snobbery is everywhere: rescue; dog sport; dog training; show; DDs; working dogs; DDs and beyond. If it bugs you, don't reward it by supporting their business.

Group 4 BIG - Basset (Trooper) RUBIG - Deerhound (Scrappy) Also, agree with Diva that once the fog and frost burned off, it was a lovely winter day.

As others have said, bitches who got on OK as puppies can turn out to have serious issues with each other on maturity. Not realising puppy behaviour doesn't last forever is an issue I've noticed a lot recently, I don't think you can speak with confidence about a dog's temperament until it has reached full maturity. If you have the option, get a dog as a companion for your bitch. Yes there are many people who have bitches together with no probs. We have two bitches who are fine with each other but I think part of that is to do with the fact that there is 4 years age difference between them. We have another bitch who is very close in age to one of these bitches and they are not so good together. Active supervision also means more than breaking up a fight, it means watching what both bitches are doing all the time and stepping in the minute the eyeballing and standover tactics begin. This is not a fun way to spend your life so I agree with the others who suggest separation for those who already have problem bitches and "get a dog" as the best option for someone looking for a companion for their bitch.

And um, we may have been slightly rowdy while singing happy birthday to Humphrey.

BIG Group 4 - Deerhound (Gr Ch Bhealaich Gotta Luv Me) RUBIG Group 4 - Elkhound (Ch Norvaan Roc Ya Sox Off) Don't have any other group results, sorry!

I'm sorry Nixon but it sounds like you have been burned. I would mourn the loss of the pup, and when your family is ready, seek out a new dog - either through reputable rescue or a reputable breeder. I would not go back to this breeder. There are always alternatives for whatever you are after.

Forecast for Saturday Early rain with possible thunder and small hail then fine after morning frost and local fog. Mostly sunny with moderate northwest to southwest winds. City Precis: Becoming fine. City: Min -2 Max 12 I hope that means the hail and thunder will occur overnight!

Restraint of trade seems to come up a lot in these discussions. Have lobby groups like the RSPCA or MBDA or ANKC approached the Government about this? If so what was the outcome? If not, why not? I am not closely familiar with it but if the Government can legislate to ban imports of products made of cat and dog fur from China, why can't/won't it exclude the domestic sale of dogs and cats from restraint of trade laws on welfare grounds?

Rowdy?? We are dignified, just like our dogs

While I'm a fellow fan of the "old fashioned" 'ghan and I agree with your overall sentiment I'd put a "some" before breeders in your sentence. There are still breeders producing functional hounds. I've only seen a judge physically check tails by running them through his hands in this breed once - was an international judge. Perhaps if you have a trained eye you can pick it without having to touch the tail. I can't, but I'm no expert Lord knows. The 'ghans are not my department

I've got mine Bel, what were you wanting to know?

Like most things mentioned in this thread, there are more accusations than people doing it. That said, people still do it. There is no fool proof way to avoid any kind of problem, but I think the best advertisement for good temperament is what other puppy buyers say about that breeder's puppies. If you can find people who have companion puppies from a breeder and they are happy with the temperament, chances are much better that you will be happy too. I know a lot of people say to meet parents but with artificial insemination etc sometimes that isn't practical.

If I take the lappy and post results I will have crossed the line from enthusiast to tragic. Might still do it of course.

So by newbie, you meant "new to the breed" not "new to showing"? You asked how unlucky you could be, I think many of us have had similar disappointments. As others have mentioned, one way to save heartache is to be clear upfront that potential is just potential until it is realised, and that realisation of potential depends on the handler/owner as much as the breeder. Not a magic preventive cure for drama, as some will hear only what they want to hear, but still..

There are no guaruntees, you'll note the breeder used the word "promising". Plenty of dogs on main don't fulfil their potential. It may be a breed that goes through the "uglies". She should be careful not to jump to conclusions about what is going on, the dog may yet turn out to be a nice example of the breed. Edited to put in a missing verb.

What ad are you talking about? These figures are released every year in the annual report. I have never seen an ad for DAS? Articles, quite often. One recently about the wonderful volunteers at DAS, but never an ad. Radio ad, about 6 months ago IIRC. I posted about in the rescue forum at the time.

If the towels have any urine stains I do a vinegar pre-rinse and then wash with BioZet. If it's mud, I use BioZet and the "soil and sand" option on the washing machine. So far no hassles. I don't use a lot of BioZet and I do an extra rinse. Indoor dried never smells as good as line dried, so unless you can still smell something clearly doggie I wouldn't worry too much. I don't use scented or odour masking agents because I want to know the towels are actually clean and I don't want to irritate the dogs. Don't use eucalyptus because it's not that good for dogs.