Jumabaar

Thanks I am very proud! Sorry I got Demi and Abby mixed up. It's funny when we visit I usually go with Shan and Mawson and it's a real mix of people being drawn to the big black dog and the smaller fluffy dog, I can see why the lappies appeal to people they are beautiful, and although I've never met one in person if going by DOL they have wonderful natures. All good I get them mixed up too- and I now have a good reason to make a new sig!!

Demi is my Finnish Lapphund, although Abby made it through too- I was going to alternate them but all the residents want Demi!! So poor abby is just the substitute when Demi is on heat. I was told plenty of times that Abby was unsuitable for Delta but she loves people and so I went for it anyway!! Finnish Lapphunds however I think were put on earth to do this type of thing! Demi's father Magnus (owned by Sno Fyre) also does therapy work. I will admit that Abby does most of her work 'in drive' so it is a lot more draining for me to keep her from performing her tricks for everyone but it certainly doesn't mean she can't do it. Demi has had a fair few treats snuck to her illegally by residents. I couldn't work out why she would stop at random peoples door until I saw a tiny bit of biccy get popped to her. I have just made it clear to everyone that it is Milk Arrowroot biscuits only as I know they get them for morning tea and that she only gets a tiny piece. I figured it was better to put in rules than continue to have sneaks

Well done!! I have been doing with Demi for a few months now to an aged care facility. During that time she has danced with some performers, had snoozes on residents beds and generally been adored. She now is always on the lookout for a walker or wheelchair to go and sit next to because she knows she gets a treat for it. The residents now all love her, even those that were not really sure about having a dog come in. Totally worth the effort to become involved!!

Perhaps you could see a specialist? or a canine physiotherapist? My girl tore a ligament in her toe, I can't remember which as it was so long ago. It was 6 weeks of STRICT rest. She did not run at all- she stayed in the house and only went outside to toilet. Had she been excitable in the house I probably would have crated her. She has not had any problems, however I doubt it was as bad as your girl. I saw a k9 chiro who is used to greyhounds so he was confident in his diagnosis. I then was also very careful putting her back on it and she was very restricted for a further 6 weeks. I imagine the post surgery recovery would be drawn out as well. Is she on anything to reduce swelling to allow better healing?

Cant you have multiple breed specialties? These wouldn't have been a BOB, they would have beaten other (albeit) related breeds....

I actually based my decision not to revaccinate because I believe my dogs are exposed to these diseases relatively commonly. They are out 2-3 nights per week at training (mostly held in public parks so who knows whats passed through there!). I have worked in a vet clinic and I show or do sports most weekends. To me this means that they don't need artificial exposure from a vaccine because their immune system is being challenged semi-regularly with the real thing. Although in my area it is more likely to be Kennel cough although there were apparently some parvo cases in the general vicinity. We vaccinate for specific strains of Parvo that are most common here in Australia. There are other strains that are not covered that are quite rare and I believe there is some cross protection between them. It would be possible for a new strain to have emerged that was not cross protected by the vaccine. It is possible for a dog that is never naturally challenged for their titre results to drop below an acceptable level, however this does not mean that they do not still have immunity, just that it is not detectible which I am guessing is what Sandra's initial question was aimed at. For the time being titre tests are the best we have- its just a pain when you have a girl like mine that knows what a needle looks like and knows it aint going near her leg!!

I have one from Callicoma and a few from black dog. They have all regularly got wet and been generally abused and have lasted 6yrs (with the exception of the one the puppy ate)

This- a coated breed where the dog is still in puppy coat could get its title before you have a chance to see if it has correct coat. Or what about other breeds where mouths go wry at 10months? I think removing the 12mth requirement will mean an even faster turn around for some people with their dogs which means that as a breeder I don't get to see how these puppies turn out at 12mths of age. Makes selecting studs even more difficult if you can't track their progeny.

If it is fractured then I would be up to the vet NOW!! Leaving in fractured baby teeth can result in damage to the Adult teeth (which can weaken them and cause further dental problems later). It sounds as this one has become infected so at the very LEAST he needs to be on antibiotics. http://www.sydneypetdentistry.com.au/faq-vet/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-broken-pet-tooth/ If your vet is unsure on what to do get them to call Christine at Sydney Pet Dental and she will be happy to talk to them (Her mobile is on that website) *Just to add I don't work for Christine but I am a vet student that has seen her work, and how much pain dogs can be in and not show it.

Yes they can show pain, but their survival instincts do mean that dogs cover pain and wait to show it until the problem is advanced. Other signs such as swelling my precede indications of pain. One of my boys fell off a step and screamed and limped for an hr (no injury could be found and he didn't show any signs of pain 3hrs later), but didn't say boo about a fractured toe 6mths later. Swelling and redness are both signs of infection. It is impossible for someone to diagnose if this is the case without visual and tactile examination. I am just saying that these signs are far more important than a puppy that is still acting normally. Redness alone wouldn't bother me, but swelling of the face would- since this was the only indication that i had of a tooth root abscess forming after my pup fractured her canine (I didn't even realise she had fractured it until I had a close look). She was bouncing off the walls right up until the vet gave her the anaesthetic drugs

Acting normal with teeth means nothing. A dog that had lost half its teeth after biting a whipper snipper was still happy to eat with pulp exposed! If the face is swollen I would be going to the vet.

Ooops Right. See I can't even do it when I post How am I meant to do it when I am on a course. They were teaching it correctly My dogs just have a silly handler I was tricked by my obedience training of walking in straight lines, the finish was angled to the left which I didn't account for when I walked past finish.

Not trying to be rude but are kelpies REALLY low to non shedding? All the ones I have come across seem to shed quite abit? Obviously not as much as some dogs but i would never have thought of them as low -non... happy to be corrected thou There is quite a variation amongst Kelpie coats. My two have different coats, Zoe's being longer, softer and thicker, Kaos's being shorter, harsher and less undercoat. I don't know if I would say they are low shedding, but anything is compared to my GSD Lyndsay - Are Irish's OK with other dogs? What I have read on them says they can like a scrap. Beautiful dogs - love their size, build and appearance Kelpies with a correct coat (since this is a requirement for the OP who wants to show) will be low shedding compared to many other breeds. Mine do a complete coat drop twice a year where they lose all their undercoat and some of their top coat which takes around two weeks. For the rest of the year I get very little hair off them. I had a Dalmatian in my car for half an hr two years ago and am still finding hair. I have upto 6 kelpies in the car every second day and can clean the car in about half an hr and get 99% of the fur out.

WOW- I participated in a mock comp tonight and managed a score of 90! I however didn't realise how hard it is to count to one, nor how hard it is to keep signs on my left (accounting for 5 lost points lmao). The dogs loved it so I can see it being a permanent sporting addition for them I will be entering here in sydney on the 7th and 28th!! Thanks to everyone who got the ball rolling for us with the sport!!!

Glad you got to sneak a go!!

I use high drive to describe individual pups/dogs but I always say that it is a "High drive example of this breed". I have seen "high drive cavaliers" bought by people expecting a typical cav temperament. I understand on a technical and practical level that they in no way compare to a Mal BUT if someone is looking for a pet in this breed they would appreciate this description of a dog to steer away from, as opposed to someone looking for an agility prospect that is looking for that pup. If I use the term High Drive to them then they are able to grasp the concept. You have to look at definitions as well as the audience that you are talking to. Breeders are often (not always) talking to a different audience than sports people and so will use terminology to portray their meaning. Other breeders just don't know the difference- and they are the ones that drive me insane.

wow I was about to put in my order last week then thought I would ask a friend I am seeing tomorrow if they need anything.... Now I can spend the money I had put away for shipping

Its also better than some of the 'training methods' I have seen to stop barking. Better than a dog being hit for making noise, or being dumped outside and ignored or being surrendered or abandoned...... I wouldn't do it to one of my own dogs due to preference (the sound debarked dogs annoys me far more) but I do not judge anyone who has had it done.

I will be titre testing at 15 months and then every three or so years (depending on what clubs we are members of and what their requirements are). My pups had two vaccines at 7 and 11 weeks and hopefully that will be it for life.\ ETA- most vaccines are only registered for yearly coverage so vets are required to tell clients it is required yearly- not revenue raising but protecting themselves.

I have opted for my third choice of breed instead of my second first- LMAO try saying that 10 times fast! My second choice in breeds is would just not fit into my current life style. So I went for the breed that I still loved but was the perfect match for right now. I couldn't be happier. You need to look at what is happening in your life for the next 10+ years and decide if your dog will fit in and then make a decision. And if you are happy to wait for this pup to grow up so you can get your next dog, and if IT will be the right fit at that time.

I would ask the vet if they actually know the requirements of an agility dog. No point having the vet say that the dog is good for agility when they think agility is more along the lines of obedience!! All things being equal if the dog has a chance at a quieter home then I would give it a pass. The dog could possibly be fine, but you will be putting a fair amount of pressure on the leg that wouldn't be placed on it in a pet home. If you do take it then I would be going to a canine physio to strengthen the dogs entire body as it would have compensated while the bone was healing.

Wow talk about a duck to water!! Great photos with the new set up!!

I can in the long term- how many breeds have been distancing the gap even further in the past 20years between working and show lines. Not relevant to the ESS, but the Kelpie is an example.

I would love to have 'profit' from a litter to put money into research for the breed but demand means this will never happen. Well done to anyone who can make someone value the commitment they have for the next 10+ years and make it possible for the next person to also have an amazing dog. Buying a dog is an investment in that one, but it should also be seen as an investment into makings sure your chosen breed will be around in X number of years when you want another!

Part of the problem with this is the apathy of club members. I have been involved in Obedience and Agility Demo's for different clubs because I have been on the grounds for flyball and the other clubs have had no one turn up!! One of my Breed clubs has no inclination to do any marketing of the breed- we were offered a breed stall at sydney royal and they turned it down because it was two much work. I was the ONLY one interested and at that stage only had two dogs so couldn't man the stall alone for the required number of days without pushing my dogs too hard. My other breed club has only just started and will need a dramatic boost in numbers before we can actually do anything. I enjoy showing my dogs- I don't win often and get told my dogs are too skinny, I am there to educate the judges on working dogs with waist lines! Yes there is bitchiness, I have reduced the effort I have put into one of my breed clubs because of this, and limit my contact with other breeders. I was not mentored so it has all been a hard slog so I can understand why people give up so quickly! So I guess my answer for declining numbers is apathy from existing show people about getting new exhibitors, apathy in encouraging exhibitors to stay and the nastiness that competition brings out in people! And not enough good stories being shared with the public. I don't dwell on the negatives when I talk about showing, instead all the time I get to spend with my dogs etc. BUT I think these are only having an effect because the general public doesn't know these sports exist so we are not getting as much turn around. The Dogs NSW open day was not publicised well- surely getting on some radio stations and pushing it as a family friendly free day out would get more traffic??