Steve

Well a bloke not far from us was found with a black mamba, breeding pair of king cobras and a tank full of piranha. If its possible to own one of these in Australia an imported restricted dog is a walk in the park Bloody Hell! You're dead right on that!

Thank You ! And Thank you also to Sarah - I dont know her dogz name who is bringing the calendars to me today from Sydney which saved us a bundle on postage so I can post them out from here !

Thankyou Steve you make excellent points here, I notice the ones having the heart and eye test I haven't seen any offering MRI. I agree it must be fantastic for breeders to have champions and it is good to see the blood lines but as you say my main concern now looking for a new baby for me is its health and genetics. Lochie who I mentioned in my first post here had insulin dependent Diabetes from a very young age now I know this could be just one of those things but I believe as in us humans that there would have to be a possibility of a hereditary factor. He suffered badly again from rashes and then in the end this damned cancer. He had been fed everything healthy so I couldn't see a factor coming from canned dog food etc. So this is why I am very particular I notice where some breeders want you to prove you are a fit home for the puppies to go to I in turn want them to provide me with a healthy dog. This is why its so important to get this stuff entered on the pedigrees so people looking at trying to choose which dog to use are able to see if there is anything like these things in there over several generations and take that into account. At this time we have had to rely on word of mouth and people's honesty in order to spot immune system issues and other possible genetic issues - Its why the MDBA registry is encoraging pet owners who have dogs on limit register to enter their dogs details on the registry too so the health and genetics are able to be seen for siblings and relatives even if they are not used for breeding. This knowledge as well as the test results and health issues of the breeding dogs coupled with testing is the only way to try to eliminate or at least decrease genetic issues especially those which are not simple recessives and have no DNA test for them.

Well several of them are doing MRIs and if you can find the ones that are - thats where Id be going. Under NO CONDITION buy a Cav from a breeder who doesnt have their breeding dog's heart tested by a specialist and certificates for their eyes and they can show you their results. No Cav puppy will be registered on the MDBA Registry unless the parents have been DNA profiled,hearts eyes and MRI's mandatory.

Everyone who has an entire dog pays the fee .Dogs Q members get a reduced rego fee per dog. Made a lot of sense in some shires where they called all breeders in and told them of the new plans to make them pay registrations on dogs that in the past had never needed to be registered because they live in zoned rural areas and that they also had to apply for a breeders permit which they never needed before - Its cold comfort to them to hear the rego is a slightly reduced rate when it never existed for their dogs before. We have one member in one shire in Queensland who has 8 dogs in rural zoning on 116 acres. She was a good girl and owned up and said she had the dogs and was breeding just as she has done for 15 years. All of her dogs are house dogs and sleep on her beds and floors. Then she is hit with orders for quarantined areas, concreted dog runs, wirly birds on shed rooves to be called whelping rooms which her dogs never go into and certainly will never be in when they are whelping. Three choices either comply and pay out tens of thousands to build pens which will never be used, move or desex them. She is fighting it for now. Who doesnt mind doing all of this and paying the extra fees - having council come in and inspect your home and how you live to get approval to think about breeding? Commercial breeders and as we walk away because its become too bloody pathetic and over regulated all that does is give them more demand . Again I say the ONLY breeder group who was in favour of breeders permits was the commercial puppy breeders group. And that didnt tell them they were on the wrong track!

Thank You

The cook books are being sold via the dogz website. Julie

Do you mean thats what it does on this website or the Pacers website. Sounds like a mistake Id make not Troy - are you buying a cook book or a calendar ? woops meant to say Steve. Its early ok. I'm buying a calendar, on the pacers website, when it gets to postage options, you can choose Australia post for $10 or free postage. I didn't think you'd have much left after giving away postage! Yep I knew it would be my mistake. Its $10 postage for the first one as they are A 3 size but max no matter how many you buy its $15 .Im going after someone giving me a hand to fix that so please dont pick the free postage option.

Do you mean thats what it does on this website or the Pacers website. Sounds like a mistake Id make not Troy - are you buying a cook book or a calendar ?

O.K Good to go on the Pacers site. here Julie

This is a new fee on top of what they have to pay for registration etc - but ANKC and AAPDB get reductions in rego fees - they still have to have their dogs registered with council.

Me too.

Its best if you look for a breeder who states that they heart and eye test their adults and even better if you find one which does MRI scanning. Some have the results of these tests for their breeding animals on their websites and while its nice to see champions its much much nicer to see someone is doing the testing and eliminating anything which shouldnt be used for breeding out of the gene pool. Personally I think where the breeder is locted or how many champs they have is the least of your problems in this breed

Ruth spent a lot of time and energy on these calendars and footed the cost of publication and printing out of her own pocket. The calendars are A3 with silver spiral binding and a hanger. The covers are double-sided and printed on a beautiful 300gsm satin stock. The internal pages are printed on 150gsm and have plenty of room for writing birthdays, appointments, hot dates, etc. on each day. They come shrink wrapped and are posted in rigid mailers for protection. Ruth has donated these to help out Pacers and Silky Rescue They are truly beautiful and the perfect gift for any dog lover. They have been reduced to $10 http://www.mdbapacers.org.au/index.php?pag...rt&Itemid=2 Also same thing with Troy - He purchased the dogzonline cookbook from us to put in his store so if anyone missed out on one of these they are available here

Its not wrong unless it goes wrong. Ive got lots of kids and lots of grandkids and Im as confident as any that my dogs wouldnt guard their food but what if just once it does. Not worth the risk. Kids in my house stay the hell away from dogs when they are eating because in case is soemthing NO ONE can 100 % guarantee and the consequences of just one slip are too great for me.

Once again Margaret Coles of Moolarben Cocker Spaniels has been nminated for Master Breeder of the Year. Most will know that Marg has won this title for the last 2 years and she is one hell of a breeder and a hell of a lady. Margs nomination went for 10 pages and the content was inspriing to say the least. She most certainly is very much exactly what we feel is agreat breeder. Someone who not only leaves her mark in a very postive fashion in her breed but who has had such a huge impact on the people who she has handed one of her puppies to as pets and life long companions. Its very much my honour to say again - Job very well done Marg and its my honour and pleasure to know you and have you as an MDBA Breeder member See you in Melbourne. Julie

Lilli Grgat [dogz lilli] of Takas Anatolians and Volkodav Central Asian Shepherd Dogs has beeen nominated for Master Breeder of the Year. Lilli's nomination spoke of her passion for her breeds and the lengths she goes to ensuring she breeds the best possible dogs . It also spoke at length about her dedication and the way she has been able to build relationships with her puppy buyers with one declaring that Lilli was her ehro! Job well done Lilli and Im so glad you will be able to attend the dinner and awards presentations at the Jika on the 19th of March. Good Girl Julie

Kim Brooks dogz MadWoofter has been nominated for Best Pet sitter/ walker of the Year. This nomination spoke of all the extra things Kim does to help people as well as her reliability and concern for all things canine. See you in Melbourne Kim ! Job well done. Julie

Lesley Stewart - dogz goldchow has been nominated for Excellence in Service and has refused the nomination as she is on our board of directors for both the MDBA and Pacers and felt it was a conflict for her to accept. So in respect for her and the person who has nominated her I would like to share this with you all because I think you will agree that she deserves the recognition and if not by nomination at least acknowledgement. I would like to nominate Leslie Stewart for the Excellence in Contribution and/or Leadership in Canine Affairs. I would like to nominate her for the effort that she has put in with the 12th of May tragedy where an ex -member of MDBA was seriously burnt and a number of her dogs were killed by a house fire. I have known her for a number of years and have seen the work she has put into both MDBA and Pacers. I met her at a dog show with her beautiful 4 legs kids. I would like to explain the events of that terrible day in May. My day started as normal with getting the children off to school. It was 8.00am in the morning and Margaret, who lives in our granny flat and also a MDBA member was leaving for town for an appointment. So I decided to get a coffee and relax for a while the house being all quite. While having my coffee on this morning I could hear Margaret's phone ringing and ringing repeatedly. I was thinking that whoever it was must need her. But knowing she was out I let it go. I went by doing my usual chores of the morning when my phone rang. I answer it and it was Lesley and she was in tears she was asking me where was Marg. I told her she was in town at an appointment. She asked if I knew where and I did luckily. Lesley told me that there had been a fire at Jane's house and dogs had been killed and Jane was burnt and she needed Marg's help to rescue the dogs that didn't get killed in the fire. I told her to hang on and I would get back to her as I would endeavor to find Marg. Well then it was all action I phoned where Marg had her appointment just catching her as she walked out the door. I told Marg what had happen and she said that she would be at Leslie's in about ½ hour. I rang Leslie back and told her to sit tight and Marg was on her way. Within and hour of receiving the news Leslie had organized a rescue mission to retrieve the dogs that had survived the fire. She had her dog trailer on, blankets, sheets, water, leads, collars, Pet packs and was ready to go when Marg arrived at her house. With numerous people on the telephone trying to find out information about what had happen, Leslie and Marg set off as it was a three hour drive to Jane's house. As I also knew Jane personally I started to ring around and find out where she had been taken. I also had the news on and was watching for news updates as I had been to Jane's house and knew some of the dogs she owned. Once I found information I was on the phone to them both telling of them where Jane had been taken and I saw on the news the RSPCA taking the dogs from the burnt out ruins of the house. As I knew some of the dogs I could tell them that I had seen Shandy, Marjorie, boxer puppies and Cav's. As to how many no one knew. It was a very daunting trip to Brisbane for both ladies as it was a much unknown thing they would face. They first went to the house to find it totally destroyed by the fire. Both of ladies knowing Jane so well went looking for any dogs that didn't make it. They found some and wrapped them up in blankets which they had brought with them. Both of them were totally gutted at what they found. But both of them kept going which was no mean feat for anyone being faced with tragedy. I know I could not have faced what they did on that day. With people from MDBA, Paces and I we found out information that help them continue their rescue mission. We had found out that Jane had been taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital and the dogs taken to RSPCA. With this information and names of people they needed. They were off again to RSPCA which is on the other side of Brisbane. This was a mammoth task in itself, with the dog trailer on and map in hand they set off for RSPCA. When they had arrived it was around 4.30pm in the afternoon which of course was peak hour traffic wise and with a trailer on even made it more stressful. They met the RSPCA official and he was so nice (from their reports), Leslie and Marg went with him to see the dogs that had survived. When they saw who was there it was very upsetting as they knew that a lot of Jane's beloved dogs had not survived the fire. In total there was 14 Cav's, 2 Cocker Spaniels, and 3 boxer puppies. All the dogs were terrified as you could well understand as what they had been through that day and not knowing where their mum was would have been more distressing for them. The RSPCA released all the dogs to Leslie that afternoon. So Leslie and Marg packed them all up and made them all comfortable for the long trip back to Leslie's place. It took them many hours to get home as they had to stop to check on the dogs and give them water and toilet stops. With 19 dogs on board this took some time. I kept in constant contact with them all the way as to the progress knowing it had been a heart retching day for all. They arrived at Leslies late in the night. Both ladies along with George help to settle the dogs in. Both Leslie and her husband worked late into night and wee hours to do this. Marg had rang me before she left and said that she was bring home some dogs. I had already fed all her dogs and put them to bed for the night. When I knew she was bring home some of the dogs I started to organize dogs trolleys for them as I didn't know how many she was bring home and their condition. When Marg finally arrived home I was ready for her, she had the two cockers and the boxer puppies. I help her settle them in for the night and made a cuppa, with ever one settled it was off for some well deserved rest for all. The next day was the start of 6 very busy months for Leslie. I simply don't know how she coped with all the extra dogs. But Leslie was simply amazing a tower of strength. Leslie simply didn't just have to feed 14 extra dogs she had the welfare of all of them to consider too. The very next day it all started with her having to get the vet to come out and check all the dogs over to make sure they were all well and any injuries could be treated. As with 14 dogs Leslie had and the 5 more Marg brought back, to look at the vet spent most of the day with the dogs checking them over, giving them medication etc. Leslie even organized feed and people to go and look after two horses that were at the property where Jane lived. She called on lots of favors from people all over Brisbane and all were happy to help anyway possible. The next weeks were a blur to everyone, but Leslie stood strong, organizing feed for the dogs, vets to come and check and also organizing the many volunteers that offered time to help. All the dogs needed weekly grooming so a roster was put into place with volunteers coming and going helping her with many jobs that needed to be done. Along with other MDBA members she set up places where people could donate items for the dogs. Jane was well known in the dog world so many people wanted to help. Leslie coordinated all of this while looking after the extra dogs she now had housed in her boarding kennels. She had people picking up donated dog food for her from all over the place. All while she was in constant contact with Jane's daughters about the health of their mother. With all the extra work that came with caring for 14 extra dogs, Leslie was a tower of strength to everyone throughout the whole 6 months. I think a lot of people didn't and still don't realize what Leslie has done. I saw what went on behind the scenes that most people didn't see. Leslie would be up at the crack of dawn every morning to start what I would call a hectic day. Along with the 14 extra dogs she also had her own dogs to care for and them being a breed that needs a lot of grooming her day would only end when the sun went down and then it would be for her a night on the phone trying or organize things for the next day and answering the many messages that had been left during the day. So many of a day would end around midnight for her as she would be working on paperwork when it got too late for her to ring anyone else. Then the next day would be here sooner than you could think and it would start all over again for her. In between all of this she would find the time to make the trip to Brisbane to see Jane in hospital and give her reports on how her dogs where doing and also the sad news that many dogs didn't make it. Which was heart breaking in itself? The stress that Leslie has endured over the last six months is simply indescribable. But not once have I heard Leslie complain. She has been a tower of strength for all people connect in this tragic situation that occurred in May 2010. She put her life and business on hold to care for these dogs. She has gone beyond the call of a normal human being and for this I would like to nominate her this award as I believe that she truly deserves the reconnection for Excellence in Contribution and/or Leadership in Canine Affairs. Kim

Nerrida Scott from Rosebird Labs has been nominated for Master Breeder of the Year. Nerrida's nominations spoke of sound knowledge of her breed and the extra lengths she goes to in order to try to get it right. Her puppy buyers speak of her with such high regard it was certainly a plasure to speak with her and tell her personally what a great job she is doing Well done Nerrida I hope you can make it to Melbourne. Julie

Clint Brittain and Jane Millard have been nominated for Master Puppy Buyers of the Year. I really enjoyed chatting with Jane who had the most wonderful things to say about her dogs ' breeder and her dogs. They are also coming to the awards evening in March and have accepted their free MDBA membership too! See you there! Julie

Peter Levett & Pauline Gill</SPAN> of Tapua Labradores have been nominated for Master Breeder of the Year. This nomination spoke of what these guys do to ensure they breed only the best puppies and the fantastic relationship they develop with their puppy buyers. It was my pleasure to speak to them regarding their nomination and cant wait to catch up again in Melbourne. Well done guys Take a bow! Julie

Lisa Marie Ford [Ellz- dogz] from Ellz staffords and American Cockers has been nominated for Master Breeder of the Year Her puppy buyers are certainly very happy with their dogs and the way Ellz has provided them with support and help! Job well done Lisa Take a bow and it will be good to meet up in person at the Jika.

Jana Berg [dogz cockerlover] has been nominated for Excellence in Contribution or leadership in Canine Affairs Her nomination spoke of how much she has done behind the scenes to help people and their dogs. Well done Jana Cant wait to catch up again in Melbourne! Julie

madwoofter is very nice lady and she has loverly guest room - doesnt pick her nose [in public] The house is neat and clean, her dogs have great manners and she deserves some help - surely someone can give her a hand????