poodlefan

Your dogs met a dog just diagnosed with Kennel Cough? If he's actively got it, forget about where that dog might have caught it. Your dogs have been exposed to HIM!! What on earth was his owner doing with a dog with KC out in public?

Agree. Shyness in a lot of dogs was the reason I didn't recommend one.

And there lies the challenge. Educating puppy buyers of the importance of selecting a breeder who breeds for soundness and type, not one single attribute.

Staffords dont' have a monopoly on colour breeding. Sacrificing temperament for colour has occured in at least one breed I can think of and if you haven't got good temperament, then you don't have a good pet. Sadly RSG, a lot of folk don't understand the link between sound conformation and good pet health.

It had to happen! I hope it gives some explanation as to the manner in which breed standards were developed. "Cute" is subjective. How closely a dog adheres to an objective description of desired breed features is less subjective. I've said it before here - criticising people's dogs is a bit like criticising their kids.. you just don't go there. However show exhibitors "go there" every time they exhibit. We know we all take the best dog home but gee don't expect every judge to agree with you. Dee-Al, if your dog will never darken a show ring, unless his conformation is bad enough to cause him problems, does it matter what people think of him as an example of the breed? I think you went in knowing that blues are generally considered to be less than prime examples from a show perspective . I recall the advice given about that at the time. Few dogs produced by "colour breeders" are because colour becomes the prime measure of ideal and other things fall by the wayside. But he's a pet. You think he's cute. What other people think certainly doesn't matter to your dog so don't worry about it. Of course if you decide to breed from him, then you'd really need to have a hard look at him in terms of the breed standard.

Julzjc: Highly trainable as a rule. They're a proper little working breed.

Congratulations Tracey!! Great to get such good results with plenty of competition AND under a breed specialist!

As the dogs were contained within the property, I don't think there's much action the council can take. I know this will sound blindingly obvious but I'd keep my dogs well away from any fence that has a dog on the other side. Dogs behind fences can't bite what they can't reach and barrier aggression can really hype some dogs up. My guess is that these two run that fence a fair bit and it can become obsessive behavior in some dogs

I use the vet grade Groomers one! Ososwift I use goats milk soap and the CC white on white on Howies legs. Sure makes them white!

Thought I had posted a response to this. It does sound like fear aggression (often more intense when a dog is on leash and therefore restricted in its ability to distance itself from others) but I'd suggest you call a behaviourist for a consult. In the meantime, I would avoid situations like asking him to line up close to other dogs at agility. Giving him more distance may relax him somewhat.

RIP Harry. So sorry to hear this Huga.

Very true! I thought my title might have grabbed your attention Poodlefan :rolleyes: I know another good anal gland story. Do you remember the AAMI ad where the car jumps through the sun roof of a car and makes it crash into a pond? The dog belonged to a member of the NSW agility community. She? was taught to jump through the roof of the car and then they added the "talent". Dog jumped as taught and young lady in the passenger seat screamed.. dog released glands into her hair!! Apparently no one was game to tell her what the smell was. Due to a tight shooting schedule they merely dried her hair with a hair dryer and continued the shoot. Eeeuuuu

No, it's actually another way for the COMMUNITY to give them a voice. Lets hope the RSPCA gets off its organisational arse and investigates rather than kicking in doors to harass breeders with a camera crew along. They're meant to be an animal welfare organisaton, not A Current Affair. :rolleyes:

You had a VERY close encounter with a dog's anal glands. :rolleyes: May not have been pleasant but at least he didnt' bite you.

I think I'm the only person on this forum who doesn't like Aloveen. I think its very expensive and does a pretty ordinary job. On both the Whippet and the Poodles, my current favourite is the Groomers Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo - great for skin and coat. :rolleyes: It certainly leaves your hands feeling great and it doesn't have any dreadful floral reek either. I've also used and like Plush Puppy, Fidos and Chris Christensen shampoos.

I'm not sure I actually knew enough to be 'scared' of much. He had kibble on demand 24/7, I took let him loose in the offlead dog areas. My saving grace I think was that I thought all dogs need training and knowing nothing about it, joined a dog club. I was paranoid about strange big dogs off lead near my puppy. Sadly, due to experience I'm probably more paranoid about that than ever. :rolleyes:

Well, it doesn't result in anything that needs to be cleaned, or any disagreeable odours. It's not especially annoying unless you can't walk around the room because you have a dog attached to your leg. It often doesn't directly impact humans at all. It comes down to whether you're embarrassed by a non-human animal engaging in sexual behaviour right in front of you and the welfare of those that might get humped. Fact is a lot of dogs and humans don't like being humped, so I would stop it. That's the only reason why, though. Sexual behaviour is not IMO inherently rude. I certainly never bothered trying to stop my hare from masturbating. He's a boy. He has urges I have no control over. Humping isn't always sexual behaviour in dogs or in other species. It certainly isn't gender specific in dogs. It can be a dominance, rather than a sexual display. There are plenty of dominant little dogs (including terriers) around, or those looking for something they can dominate. Young dogs can practice dominance displays as much as behave sexually. I wouldnt allow a dog to masturbate or to indicate its dominance by humping me or my dogs. Wild animals aside, we expect our domestic pets to control undesireable urges every day. I don't see humping as different. How much exercise does the little humper get? How much training does he get? What outlets is he given that bring him genuine pleasure - toys, games, bones etc.

Oh, I"ll add another breed to the list for consideration. OK, its a Terrier but the ones I've seen have been pretty amiable and great kids dogs. Have a look at Cairns. :rolleyes:

julzjc: I'd have to call my experience limited but I find them to be very smart, quite outgoing and inclined to take the lead if their owners fail to. Sounds a little like your Pap's issues might have been fear related - when did he display possessiveness - was it at home or around strangers. He may have been like the fear aggressive dogs who display aggression to keep other dogs away. Honestly what kind of young man beats a toy dog FFS.. just sick. :rolleyes::

In terms of bang for buck, one of the 'show circuits' might be your best bet. Lots of shows in shorter periods of time. Not necessarily the greatest facilities but linked to a big weekend or the right specialty in one of the big smokes it might be the go. For example, Sydney Royal is surrounded by specialites and shows in Canberra - just 2.5 hours down the road. I'd say March/April or September/October are the height of the show season in NSW/ACT

Start a new thread Joelle - that way you'll get a range of input!! But think of it this way - if your dog 'guards' you from others like it would guard a bone, how do you think your dog percieves you - as leader or possession?

I think a range of breeds might suit this situation. You're clearly giving this matter quite a bit of thought so provided you can manage these issues, I'd buy the breed whose temperament appeals: Are there any breeds that- As has been said in the past, this is probably more about the kids than the pup. Smaller pups are more fragile, need careful handling and can be injured if roughly handled or dropped. In terms of temperament, look to the right breeder to help pick a resilient pup. You kids will need to understand that the person who feeds, exercises and trains the dog will probably be the person the dog bonds to most strongly. That said, I do believe some breeds have a genuine affinity for children. :D Dogs that are possessive of their owners are often a reflection of their owner's management. Resource guarding owners says "boundaries need adjustment" to me. Carefully managed, most confident pups will play with larger dogs. The more important issue will be the kind of play your larger dogs want to indulge in. If you've got the kind of dog that favours full body contact style play, no small dog will be up for that. Not all dogs modify their play to suit their playmates. Separation while you're not at home may be necessary for life. Prey drive and tiny pups can end in disaster until its clearly imprinted that the small fluffy is a dog. Choose a breed bred to be with or work with people. Dogs of more independent spirit can be affectionate but in my experience breeds bred for companionship excell at that function. I think this would be more a function of body mass than temperament. If you want a dog that won't frustrate the hell out of a kid that wants to take it to training then again, select a breed bred to look to people for direction. That says some Toys, the smaller working breeds and poodles to me. My short list (excluding the poodles) would be: CKCS - choose a bold one - they are out there. Papillon (smart as whips) Corgi - both kinds Pug Chihuahua- tough as teak in the temperament department but their fragility must be managed. On the list for consideration but less obvious choices: Whippet (not as 'trainable' as some) but great kids dogs IMO Staffordshire Bull Terrier - opposite sex to your Amstaff and in my opinion, one of the all time great kids dogs. Strong though.

PMing you.

I'm heartbroken they discontinued the Adventra

that makes me very annoyed because it is a puerile argument and just plain wrong and sets pedigree and cross bred against one another....we are on the same side Its no more puerile than the argument that any dog other than a registered purebred must be an inferior animal. Both sides need to work together for the benefit of dogs and families.