The Spotted Devil

There are also plenty of puppy scams around - the grammar is often poor so if English is your second language and your email reads a little awkwardly it's possible the breeders assume it's a scam and disregard it. Particularly if you've sent the exact same email to all the breeders as they are likely to know each other and be in regular contact. I might be way off base but it's certainly possible.

In your first post you said you had zero responses. In your last post you said you didn't get many responses. Of course I think breeders should respond to enquiries but I am not so quick to judge when they don't. I had someone call me several times last week - little did they know I had been on 8 planes in 2 weeks, my frozen shoulder was playing up so badly it triggered a migraine and the hand I injured after falling on a metal post last year was sending burning nerve pain up to my elbow. I wasn't even taking calls from my boss. On top of all that, I'm trying to keep my website and Dogzonline profile up to date, train and compete with my dogs, research stud dog pedigrees and travel to meet them in preparation for my next litter, support my previous puppy buyers (this can be incredibly draining if you have even one person who is difficult to deal with), take back pups I've bred for holidays, volunteer on various dog club committees, run trials etc etc. It's not quite so simple as it sounds.

I always reply to emails, even the one liners that say "how much for a pup". However I also note on my website not to expect an immediate response as breeding is not my business, I work several roles which often require travel and I am very busy with my own dogs/life. It might take me up to a few weeks to reply. I talk to interested people for extended periods via phone (I didn't get home from the city until 8.30pm last week after work because I took a call), organise for them to meet my dogs and even invite them to training sessions. This is all extremely time consuming and I have no problem saying after all that effort: "awesome dog owner, but not the right breed for you." To get a puppy you need to build a relationship with me - it's about trust and understanding. My pups don't go to the next person interested. That's why plenty of people go to petshops. They decide they want a puppy on Tuesday morning and the pet shop will sell them one on Tuesday afternoon. This is not directed at anyone in this thread just to make it clear. And the weather is a bit unpredictable in QLD/NSW at the moment. I expect they've got other things on their minds.

My thoughts are on my web page....if that link isn't correct look under "health and diet" http://www.thornfield.com.au/health-exercise-and-grooming.asp

Yes agree with the above. Don't mess around with baby puppies. Give your vet a ring asap.

Just book direct with the airline. I have flown both Qantas and Virgin. The main thing is to consider the time of year and fly before 8am if it's going to be warm. You will need to be at the airport disgustingly early but it's worth it. Make sure your crate is compliant and that your dog LOVES being in there. Have fun!

I think whether dogs "like" cuddles is a moot point. In my opinion, we should be educating people to allow the dog (and cats for that matter) to INITIATE the contact. I've had well meaning animal lovers come into my house and unintentionally back my cats and dogs into a corner in attempt to make contact. Now I make it quite clear that the more you ignore them the more it will give them the CHOICE to approach you and they will undoubtedly be lying across your lap before you can say "Working Spaniel".

I'm not in WA but plenty of info about Working Springers on my website... http://www.thornfield.com.au/

@jemappelle I've asked my friend to pop into this thread. Remind me to remind her if necessary

Working Springers don't have much coat, make for awesome house dogs (says me with two on my lap right now) but are certainly not low-med energy. I trim their feet but they are still prone to grass seeds - I think any dog will be to be honest. I have a friend who breeds Border Terriers occasionally - cracking little dogs. She also has Smooth Colllies. Happy to get her to pop in here too if you are keen for more info.

Yes, considering using cardboard as treats. She gets a little intense (aka feral) when shaping

I've had arguments on DOL about the Scottish Fold cats, the breeding of which is now legislated against at least in Victoria (yes, enforcement is a different issue). People who cried "not fair"!!! Nothing like breeding a pet with guaranteed early onset arthritis (as young as 9 months) is there.

Yes! And YAY! I'm doing a working spot with Em!!!! I'm over the moon - this is a massive TICK on my bucket list. The organiser was toying with the idea of having multiple species - so I had crazy Dizzy on standby - but most people coming are dog folk so I'll be taking Em

The most important thing is regular evaluation of "where is the value" - I have mother and daughter so I understand this all too well. The questions I would ask on a daily basis are things like "can I recall each dog/puppy when they are running with the other? Will the dog/puppy choose to play (ie train!) with me rather than each other?" If the answer is NO then I limit the time they spend together and increase the 1:1 training and evaluate the level of distractions. Mine love playing together and hang out together when I'm not home but a nod from me and they are just busting out of their skins to play/train with me rather than each other. Em, the mum, has always been like that but it was a bit more work to get her daughter, Ginny, on the same wavelength. There are certain triggers too. If we are at the oval I tend to run and train them individually as Ginny is much more responsive. If I'm going to let them run together - they are both super high energy - I make sure I've got TIME and we are in a SAFE environment so I can wait until Ginny's run herself silly before I start working on recalls. Set them up for success is the key!

He has done quite a number of intereviews for articles stating this and it gets trotted out quite regularly. It's certainly been in the media quite a bit the last few years.

Yes and also why it's so important to worm pregnant bitches before they whelp. Pregnancy can cause dormant larvae to hatch and infect puppies in utero or via her milk. It's safe if done using the right product at the right time.

@asal look what they've done to my beloved Burmese. It's impossible to find a registered breeder who has the open faced Euro type. Everything is short, snubby noses (American type) with associated weeping eyes. It's heartbreaking.

I put them under the cat litter trays to catch any accidents. Works well.

2 years old is actually a good age in terms of growth and maturity. Personally I don't desex although I have an entire dog (10 year old Dalmatian) and bitches of different breeds (working ESS). Yes I breed on occasion but I also compete in several dog sports and the relationship between the absence of gonadal hormones and injury is not clear. It's extra work for me so I would say for a regular pet owner, go for it if that's going to make things easier for them.

Both my cats devour legs - but one got SEVERE constipation from the amount of bone. They are technically weight bearing so are more likely to splinter. I generally buy Maryland which are cheap, cut off the leg (cook it for us or use as training treats), take the skin off the thigh and feed that whole.

I've been well and truly hooked on working Gundogs - I breed and compete with (in retrieving and agility) working ESS and would love a working Irish Setter one day. The Spaniels, Pointer and Setter breeds have distinctly different characters so consider whether it's the look or behaviour that you like. I encounter many of the Gundog breeds in retrieving trials and the working ability really varies depending on breeding - whether you can channel that ability into something constructive depends on your skills as a trainer.

Take a million photos Offer them something novel and start snapping. My avatar is exactly that....baby puppy meets Dalmatian for the first time.

My friend in India shared it. Now you're really going global!

There's honestly not that much solid research around - which is why it's so tough to give guidelines. Yes the skidding motion after a moving ball puts a lot of strain on the joints. Self play is fine and if you videoed it, it would probably look different to chasing a moving ball. Nice grippy surfaces, balanced diet, keep pup lean and you'll give him the best chance. I'm not sure how my pups survive to adulthood sometimes! Crazy things!!!