Steve

I think it is different state to state. In DogsNSW code of ethivs states I know that some other states don't have the exemption for working dogs. ETA I don't imagine the intent of the exemption for working dogs meant working breeds kept as suburban pets. yes this is what i said, a registered dog cannot be cross bred but a registered breeder can cross breed as many dogs as they like as long as they are unregistered dogs. they only way to stop this would be to say no registered breeder can cross breed any dog I thought that as a registered breeder you could only breed purebred appropriately papered dogs fit to be bred from. I did not think reg breeders could also have a sideline business in mutts??? :rolleyes: They sure can and there are many examples including one who was raided and had over 300 dogs on her property on RSPCA rescue show breeding purebred and cross bred and still has her prefix. At least one advertises on dogz and breed purebred and is very vocal about how and why she also breeds cross breds. Think it through even if you could stop a registered breeder form breeding lots of dogs and cross bred dogs whats stopping them saying their partner does the other bit etc anyway?

If someone is a new kid and hasnt thought through the whole pet shop thing you can understand why it happens. The codes of conduct tell them they can sell to pet shops as long as they are PIAA registered. In fact when it first came in for Dogs NSW they actively promoted breeders being able to now sell to these pet shops. There were full page ads in the Canine journals for them. Even more recently there have been ads for Transpet which is a PIAA registered agent for purchasing purebred pups for export to an over seas pet shop.Many people see the fact they export their puppies as something to be very proud of - why wouldnt they any other product you can get an export market for is seen as a sign of success. The CCs make hundreds of thousands of dollars every year from export certificates given out for pet shop puppies. Some who sell to pet shops are well known and well regarded in the dog world. Trade laws in Australia are federal and they always win out over any others - they ensure that regardless of where you live you have equitability at law. If federal law allowed you to sell slaves in one state in this country you couldnt stop any other from selling them.

What ? Ive lived with them and loved them now for around 35 years and Im not sure that some of you are talking about the same breed! They are easy to train if you train them like hounds and not like labs or GSDs. They dont dig anywhere near as much as any other breed Ive ever lived with and the only management issue I would say is that they are scent hounds and when their noses cut in they are deaf and have no road sense. As long as you are consistent and everyone in the house knows the rules and sticks to them - they are great. When they are good treat them when they are not a loud noise - easy. Dont reward bad behaviour reward the good. They are fine on their own and with people who work as long as that's what they are used to. I often see someone who takes 6 weeeks off work when the puppy arrives and the kids are home on holidays. No one leaves the dog alone and it becomes accustomed to company and attention.Then they go back to work, kids go back to school and the dog is left alone. Give in once - you're a gonna. Cute puppy at the back door crying to get in - "Oh poor little thing isnt it cute - its just a baby let it in" - next thing complaint the dog is at the back door crying and scratching to get in - if we dont let it in it goes for hours. Shouldnt have rewarded it when it cried - should have waited till it was quiet before you let it in. I can have 6 week old puppies lined up with their toes on the crack in the floor between the dining room and kitchen -not stepping in the kitchen waiting for food. There's a crazy lady in there who makes big loud noises if we go in and if we wait here for a minute and be quiet we will be fed. Ive placed a hell of a lot of them in homes with first time owners, no other dogs, people out all day, with kids, with no kids,with landscaped gardens without a problem. You just need to know how to live with them from day one and ensure they know the rules.

Sorry, if it was just having a go at other dogs Id be inclined to be looking at solutions but if the blood has come back clear I wouldnt be living with a dog which had for whatever reason started having gos at me.

Ive only half looked at this but from what I can see its more about immune system issues rather than dilute colour alopecia - though there is definitely a risk of this too. Breeders of some breeds have done a good job in testing for things like HD,ED PRA etc - but there are many in all breeds who over looked the fact that immune system problems are also heritable and that dogs which show any symptom of an issue shouldnt be used for breeding. It doesnt matter what you go after with your breeding goals - for colour,conformation, health, temperament etc at the end of the day you get what you select for - but there are always potential consequences.If you are going to breed for colour and over look the health then over a couple of generations you will have lots of dogs with the nice colour but other things which you werent taking so much notice of start to show up. The reality is that regardless of colour, skin problems seem to be relatively common in this breed and SEEM to be more common in blue dogs.However, that may be because many of the breeders who are breeding soley for colour are pretty new to what we do and they are making basic errors in their selection of breeding dogs and that there are so many around. It may also be that its a myth generated by breeders who are against new kids who are breeding for colour. There may be anecdotal evidence that blue staffies may suffer more with skin problems than staffies which are not blue but until we know for sure or until they are diagnosed with dilute colour alopecia that may be untrue. No matter what colour you are aiming for or breeding with you have to know as much detail and information as possible on the ancestors,siblings,aunties , uncles etc and profiling a pedigree is reliant on knowing these things and not just what colour they were or whether there were lots of champions. Problem is this info to date is very difficult to aquire because purebred breeders have not recorded or shared this information and many dont know what to look for in a potential breeding dog and that its not just how the dog looks,whether that be because its a championship potential or a pretty colour. When a breed becomes popular other things happen. For example its assumed Labs have a high incidence of HD so the CC's made testing for them mandatory before litter registration.But Labs are one of the most popular breeds of dogs too.Do they really have a higher incidence of HD than any other breed or do we just see more of them because there is more of the breed? Same with staffies at the moment -just look at the number of pups on the ground advertised in one place right now. So how many of them will have skin problems? Some will - because they are dogs and because there are more of them and we will hear about the itchy ones before we hear about the non itchy ones. Will there be more itchy ones in this breed than there will be in any other breed? Will there be more itchy blue ones than any other colour if we take the amount of each being born into account? How many blue staffies are itchy per 100 born in the first year of their lives in comparison to how many staffies are itchy per 100 of any other colour ? If the blue staffies are more itchy are they being diagnosed with dilute colour alopecia? These are questions we need to have answered urgently in this breed because if it is true and dogs will suffer more because of this quest for blue dogs then there needs to be action taken to stop it. Such as banning the blue x blue matings etc. But you have to be sure first you are not just making decisions such as this based on mythology,old wives tales or supposition.We need the science and we need it now.Too manydecsions have already been made based on crap rather than science. My personal feelings on this are that until such time that there is science to back up or disprove the theories re the blue gene in this breed - why take the risk? There is already science to prove the existence of dilute colour alopecia so unless the breeder has ancestral information and is prepared NOT TO COMPROMISE in any way on health issues and they are VERY VERY confident that there will be no health problem in their litter because of this gene linkage why do it? Why do it anyway? Its not like the staffie gene pool isnt big enough to give you choices.

Have a look at the OP. Is that what you mean by "see" ? It goes from nine to fifteen?? As I work through each category Im adding them in - by the time Im finished they will all be there and then they will go up onto our website.

No - not yet we are still working through them. Many of them I have to chase down as the nominations come in without phone numbers etc and some have to be eliminated because they dont fit the criteria. Wont be long Im coming

Thank you - all fixed.

Thanks Ill check it out - it was working half an hour ago

For those of you who are planning on attending the Awards presentation evening please dont leave purchasing your tickets too long as they are going out quickly. tickets available at www.mdbaawards.net.au For those of you who have been nominated but cant attend please try to find someone who is attending to receive your award if you win. Julie

Category 15 up

category 9 up

Category 8 up.

Category 7 Now up

Category 6 Most Responsible Pet owner of the Year - This category not finished yet 1.Fran Evans 2.Ian Evans 3.Frederic Baudry This category sponsored by Erny - Pro K9

Category 5 Breeder of the Year This category not finished yet but Ive put up what Ive got so far.

category 4 now up

Category 3 up now.

I dont think so - these are MDBA members we have Responsible Pet Owner coming soon. If you think I have shoot me an email. Julie

Hang on Im coming Julie

Category 2 now added.

I will start moving through these now as I tick off all the nominees for each Category. Dont anyone panic I will get to everyone you have nominated. Yet again our Thanks go out to Troy dogzonline for his support and his participation as a Principal Sponsor. I believe as we get closer to the big night he will have some surprises for those who will be attending. Obviously he will be there to meet in the flesh too. Tickets are available now but are selling fast and all details of the event here. So Its my pleasure and honour to announce Category 1 Master Breeder of the Year 1. Margaret Coles – Moolarben English Cockers 2. Lynette Bardsley – Chinois Chinese Crested Dogs 3. Jan Clarke – Yetholme Yorshire Terriers 4. Sallie Grahame – Kandoen Belgian Shepherds ( both Gorens & Trevereuns) 5. Jacki Winders – Warley Staffords and Pugs 6. Lisa Marie Ford – Ellz Staffords and American Cockers 7. Pauline Gill and Pet Levett – Tapua Australian Kelpies and Labradors 8. Lilli Grgat – Takas Anotolians and Kangals and Volkodav Central Asian Shepherd Dogs 9. Trevor and Jenny Crisp – Gablehaus Shar Pei 10. Nerrida Scott – Rosebird Labradors 11. Nancy and Klauss Keck – Maggiormente Neopolitan Mastiffs 12. Anita Strikwerda – Shepherd Hill German Shepherd Dogs 13. Sheila Marchant – Safaree Shetland Sheepdogs 14. Ginnette Loft – Emerald City Cairn Terriers 15. Natalie Hann – Schwartzhund Rottweilers Category 2 Master Responsible Pet Owner 1. Debbie Donald 2. Scott McConchie 3. Rebecca Chin 4. Michelle Guerney 5. Emma Lee Hansard 6. Lauren Moss 7. Catherine Whitney Category 3 Master Puppy Buyer of the Year 1. Clint and Jane Brittain 2. Andrea Darley 3. Phillip Campbell 4. Julie Morrigen 5. Barbara and Jake Wilson 6. Phil and Karen Martin 7. Peta Hume 8. Desley Mathers 9. Cameron Dillon Category 4 Master Rescuer of the Year 1. Cheryl McCormick – Radar 2. Beagle Rescue Victoria 3. Tam Burke – Beagle Rescue Victoria 4. Amanda Booth – Shar Pei Rescue Inc</SPAN> 5. Heather Robey – Shar Pei Rescue Australia 6. Jennifer Scott - Peiradise 7. Linda Burgess – Seniors and Silky Rescue 8. Paula Zylstra - Canberra Greyhound adoption Service CGAS 9. Anna Faulkner - Seniors and Silky Rescue Category 5 Breeder of the Year This category not finished yet. Category Sponsor Eukanuba 1. Narelle and Ken Robertson – Kombinalong Australian Cattle Dogs 2. Nicole Whyte – Bravada Dobermann 3. Bernadette Smith – Bisart Doberman 4. Felicity Paterson – YYSUR Havanese 5. Bob Knight – deceased. Category 6 Most Responsible Pet owner of the Year - This category not finished yet 1.Fran Evans 2.Ian Evans 3.Frederic Baudry 4. Katrina Gibson Category 7 Best Canine Rescuer of the Year .This category not yet finished. 1. Sacha and Lance – Dane Rescue 2. Friends of the Hounds 3. Pets Haven Pro Life Animal Shelter 4. Lisa White – Friends of the Hounds 5. Wendy Donohue – Golden Retriever Rescue 6. Kylie Wilson - Iggy Rescue 7. Rachel Grover – Rover Rescue 8. David Atwell 9. Lynne Johannssen – NSW Animal Rescue 10. Peta McCrae – Albury Dog Rescue 11. Hawkesbury Pound 12. Sue Barker- Dog Rescue Newcastle 13. Anne Ward – Dog Rescue Newcastle 14. Mina and Anthony – Staffy Rescue 15 Di Edwards - Working Dog Rescue Category 8 Best Canine Foster Carer of the Year. This category not yet finished. 1. Lynda Smith 2. Marika Ginnings 3. Emma Falzon 4. Sara and Ben Grace 5. Judy Cox 6. Claire Mitchell 7. Nicola Fisher 8. Kim Brooks 9. Dallas Seargent 10. Chritine Lythollous 11. Rachel Chambers Category 9 Best Pet Sitter/walker of the Year 1. The Pet Butler – www.petbutler.com.au 2. Dinkum Dogs Pet Care – www.dinkumdogs.com 3. Pet Sitting Plus – www.petsittingplus.com 4. Kim Brooks 5. Leaps and Bounds - http://www.homepetcare.biz/ Category 15 best Dog Trainer of the Year 1. Pro K9 – Judi Buchan – www.prok9.com.au 2. Gayle O'Grady 3. K9 Pro – Steve Courtney – www.k9pro.com.au 4. The K9 Company – www.Thek9company.com.au 5. Carolyn Read – http://trainapuptime.com/ 6. Hollie Edwards - http://www.golden-acres.com.au 7. Underdog Training – www.underdogtraining.com.au 8. Lucille Ellem – www.carmanakennels.com Category 16 Best MDBA Student of the Year 1. Amanda Grice 2. Kylie Hibberd 3. Jessica Wade 4. Estelle Lucas 5. Yvette moody Category 17 Best Canine Related Website www.dogzonline.com.au www.dogslife.com.au http://web3.foxinternet.net/pep-lill/ http://www.xoloaus.com/index.asp?ID=17 Category 18 Excellence in Service and or Contribution in Canine Affairs 1. Ian Smith 2. Lynne Johannsen 3. Troy Cumner 4. Judi Buchan 5. Jana Berg 6. Illy Szilagyl 7. Rachel Grover 8. Tracey Dierikx 9. Nic Burford Category 19 Best Boarding Kennel of the Year 1. Just Like Home Pet Resort – www.justlikehomepetresort.com.au 2. Pinecrest Boarding Kennels – www.pinecrestkennels.com 3. Lisa Carter 4. Beaches Pet Boarding Kennels – www.beachespetboarding.com 5. Redgum kennels – www.redgumkennels.com 6. Homestead Boarding and Training kennels and Cattery – www.homesteadkennels.com 7. Moorholme Park Pet Care Centre – www.boardingkennels.com.au Category 20 Best dog Transport Provider 1. Moorholme Park Pet Care Centre - www.boardingkennels.com.au 2. Animal Travel – www.animaltravel.com.au 3. Dog Tainers Sydney – www.dogtainers.com.au Category 21 Pacers 1. Shane Oates 2. Nicola Fisher 3. Kim Brooks 4. Dallas Seargent 5. Chris Lythollous 6. Jennifer Scott 7. Jay Walker 8. Sheila Marchant 9. Jackie Winders 10. Julia Hennessey Category 22 Best Dog Related Publication 1. Dogs Life Magazine 2. National Dog 3. Urban Animal Category 23 Best Dog Supply Retail Outlet 1. Pets on the Park - http://www.petsonthepark.com.au 2. Adelaide Dog - http://adelaidedog.com.au 3. City Farmers Browns Plains - http://www.cityfarmers.com.au/store_locations.html 4. Petcetera - https://www.petcetera.com.au 5. Collars and Scents - (03) 9596 4738</SPAN> </SPAN> end_of_the_skype_highlighting 6. Passion Pets - http://www.passionpets.com.au 7. Silver Eagle - http://www.coolingvests.com.au/k9_cooling_vest.htm 8. Jenvin Emporium - http://www.jenvinemporium.com.au 9. Love my Fur Babies - http://www.lovemyfurbabies.com.au 10. K 9 Soft Dog Crates - http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au 11. Wagsalot.com.au - http://www.wagsalot.com.au Category 24 Best Canine Photographer 1. Rod Scott – http://www.thepetographer.com.au/ 2. Clare Garrett – www.Petrography.com.au 3. Alex Cearns - http://www.houndstoothstudio.com.au/ 4. Bi Ju Photography - http://www.bijuphotography.com/ 5. Paul Sparrow - http://www.preciouspetsphotography.com.au/ 6. Cazzie Cathcart - http://www.animalinfo.com.au/listings/view/2/32/192/l:Dog+Portraits+by+Cazzie+Cathcart 7. Ruthless Photography - http://www.ruthlessphotos.com/ 8. Ffire Photography - http://www.ffirephotography.com/ 9. Kerri Madison - 10. Shannon Plummer – www.shannonplummerphotographer.com 11. Alex Kennison and Alicia Adamopoulos - http://www.savvystudios.com.au/ 12. Paul Sleeman - http://www.paulanthonysleeman.com/ 13. Zoo Studio - http://www.zoostudio.com.au/ Category 25 Best Dog Insurance Provider of the Year 1. Pet Plan - www.petplan.com.au 2. Vets Own - http://www.vetsown.com.au 3. Pet Secure - http://www.petsecure.com.au Category 27 Best Dog Related Product of the Year 1. Dave Kelso – Ruthless leather - http://www.ruthlessleather.com/index.php?pg=about 2. Lovebird Collars and leads - http://www.freewebs.com/lovebirdanimalart 3. Polar Paws Treats - http://www.biscuitbuddies.com/polar-paw-dog-treats.html 4. Jollie Gourmet Dog Treats - http://www.jollie.com.au 5. Fresh for Paws Treats – www.fres4paws.com.au 6. Aussie Dog Wheel Chairs - http://www.aquapaws.com.au/?stg=12&view=12 7. Champet Animal Aromatics - http://www.champet.com.au/product_list.php?cid=1 8. Fair Dinkum Dog Coates - http://www.fairdinkumdogs.com.au

We have had some calls for help from some puppy farmers - just as we did in the bushfires. Makes no difference to us. If we can help them we do. We are working in both Queensland and Victoria. We have sent one truck load to Queensland which included vet medical supplies, first aid kits, snake bite kits, emergency packs, Eukanuba dog and cat food, beds, crates, cages and human food hampers. We also have an office in Queensland which will distribute animal feeds which in the main are donated by Eukanuba. Truck will go into Victoria at the end of next week and smaller van deliveries will be made where needed from Southern NSW. I have people packing mini and maxi first aid kits,snake bite kits ,emergency kits with razors, toothbrushes etc in them and human hampers to have them ready to be moved in. Its been full on but lots of fun.Every muscle aches from lifting cartons of dog and cat food but I needed the exercise anyway. For info. http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=213514 http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=213608

Experience tells us that these guys are going to need a hell of a lot of help and many things which wont be donated, fencing, penning etc for a very long time. We still get calls for help from people who were in the Victorian bushfires so cash donations give the ability to provide whats needed but it also allows us to use the local businesses to provide them with work etc too. People are really emotionally affected by watching this stuff - obviously not as much as the peopel stuck in the middle of it but peopel everywhere feel theywant to do something anything to help. Sometimes they cant afford to donate cash etc but there are many many things you can do to raise funds and make people feel they are contributing. Someone donating something in your area for a raffle, coffee mornings with a dollar donation, anything really big or small not only helps the peopel affected it also make people feel they are involved and doing something anything to try to help out. We even had one young girl who got sponsors for hooling a hoop - $1 for each second she hooled! . Pacers can issue approvals to fundraise and tool kit- all avilable from our website and even cover you with insurance, public liability insurance and volunteers insurance free of charge if you want to give it a go. www.mdbapacers.org.au My phone number is 0269276706. Julie

We will have a truck in there at the end of next week- I hope. Ive got people packing first aid kits and snake bite kits as well as emergency packs with razors,toothbrushes etc and of course a couple of pallets of Eukanuba for dogs and cats will come in too plus crates, collars, leads, bedding etc. We are sending all of the human food hampers to Queensland but may have more by the end of the week to go in with the other things. Im pretty sure The red cross dont help companies or businesses and most Farmers are registered as businesses.