RiverStar-Aura

I've been pondering this question for a while now and I'm still not sure on the answer. It came about when I was reading the combined breed standard for the 4 variations, which states: CROSSBREEDING -- MATING BETWEEN VARIETIES: Any matings between varieties are forbidden, except in exceptional circumstances. Refer to ANKC Regulation Part 6 Clause 8.10 So I jump over to the ANKC regs to read up the clause and discover that Part 6 clause 8.10 is about Rotties and not Belgian Sheps. Scrolling further down, clause 9.11 talks about the Belgians so obviously the standard needs updating with the correct clause, however, it still leaves me confused. 9.11 BSD (Groenendael); BSD (Laekenois); BSD (Malinois) and BSD (Tervueren) ANKC Ltd permits interbreeding between varieties of BSDs when needed for promoting health and genetic diversity (in accordance with FCI General Assembly 2011) -- avoiding breeding long coated to wire coated or risk of untypical coat texture. Breeding combinations permitted: Groenendael x Tervueren Tervueren x Malinois Laekenois x Malinois The progeny of the inter-variety mating is registered in the ANKC Ltd Stud Book, each puppy according to its variety (10/12, 7.2.1) So my question is, does the above clause mean that no exceptional circumstances are truly required when crossbreeding the varieties above? Is proof needed when crossbreeding the varieties for 'promoting health' and 'genetic diversity' and how would a resulting puppy be registered according to 'variety'-- as in, what exactly would the 'variety' be or does it mean the pups would be registered as 'groenendael x tervueren' etc?

I actually really love terrier breeds for families, but I've grown up with terriers so that makes me biased. Provided the family are willing to do the research into their chosen breed, terriers are sturdy, hardy, tough as nails, loyal, loveable and very family oriented. They love a good rough and tumble with kids and have boundless energy. They can also be stubborn but as long as they know who's boss you shouldn't have a problem. Terriers also are low shedding and are generally low maintenance regarding bathing and brushing. I just love me a terrier!!

He really is a lovely looking boy Esky; very handsome. If you're unsure, maybe just reduce his food a little and see how he goes with that. If he looses condition or starts looking too lean, then increase it again. Being a giant (?) breed, I'd also be inclined to keep him a little more on the lighter side whilst he's growing -- it's so hard to get that perfect balance right. He doesn't look overweight or pudgy though and I think you're doing an awesome job!!! His foot from the above shot does turn out quite a bit doesn't it? Hopefully it's nothing serious that could impede his growth and development.

Awww Dodger is gorgeous HW!!! Will def have to pop over and say hi and get some whippy love!! I'm mostly going to check out the Aussie Terriers and to see who's representing them -- if anyone -- and I'm hoping to meet some salukis too.

Just wondering which DOLers will be attending with their dogs? I'm planning on going along and it'll be my first attendance to a dog show and I actually have the day off work. Huzzah!!!

Whilst I understand your lab came from a BYB, Tdx, I feel that her, and even the stunning young one below, aren't good representations of a lab. The bottom girl IMO is too leggy and not solid/broad enough to meet the breed standard as mentioned above and almost appears more Kelpie shaped than the true stockiness of a Lab. I don't know much about Labs TBH, but the 'leaner', more fine boned lines seem to go against everything I've come to know and understand about the breed. There are two gorgeous Canadian Labs at the dog park I frequent, one choc and the other black, who are stunning representations of the breed. They're both broad and stocky with nicely shaped heads and the male is more solid than the female -- and no they're not overweight!!

Neko's an Iggy I think Don But yes, def sooooooo cute!!! ^_^

I've seen a lot of set ups of older Taragos or other newer vans that have had their rear seats removed. They have heaps of cargo space and crates can be stacked 2 high and strapped together for safety. Otherwise, 4WD might suit? A Jeep ;)

Chester was stunning!!!!! RIP gorgeous boy and I'm so sorry for your loss CM.

You can't really say things like this because a dog might be in absolute pain but you're essentially saying that because you're PTS, the dog must suffer in pain for a few days whilst you wait for a day off? If I have to make the decision to have a pet PTS, it's because it's not fair to keep them living and it's certainly not fair to have them hang on for a day or so more. I was lucky enough to have the day off work when we found out Pooch was in the later stages of kidney failure and that there was nothing left we could do. I spent the following day at work between customers rushing into the toilets and bursting into tears. My co-workers were totally understanding and sad for me too but my management team we're complete arses.

If Collie won't back off then I'd be leaching him. I'm sure he'll soon realise that a dog growling at him means leash time and will hopefully learn when to back off. This next comment is not aimed at you Leah but I feel this is the main problem with off leash parks. Too many dogs are left to get over stimulated and when one finally snaps, all hell breaks loose. Time out/calm down sessions can be beneficial.

I actually like the ingredients used in a lot of Natures Gift products. My guys LOVE the energy treats in chicken flavour and I use those for any training we do.

Most employers already offer bereavement leave anyway and it's up to the individual to use it. I don't feel there should be extra bereavement hours allocated for pet death, but I do think that a person should have the choice to use their current allowance on the death of a pet. I think I'm allowed one day of bereavement leave per year and I haven't needed to use it for a few years. If I choose to use my allowance for pet death then that's all I get that year and any deaths following would be used as sick or annual leave.

TD comes in two sizes; one for small breeds and one for large breeds. I have a friend who feeds these to her dogs and it seems to work and when visiting with my dogs they just swallowed the pieces whole!

Winners can be found on their website: THE WINNERS

I thought you meant coat as in jacket.

The Bark Busters rep who attended our local Million Paws Walk was handing out free water spray bottles to try and attract some attention to the business. Such old school training methods; he was also seen yanking his poor, terrified dog on a check chain.

I'm still trying to convince my vet to get a Vet Path account to have titre testing done. *sigh* I'll have to book an apt soon before vac time and discuss my further options. I'm not paying $270 per dog for the tests.

I totally agree with you Huski. Zeus is an over-stimulated humper but I always make sure that if I haven't been able to put him in a time out before he hits over stimulation that I grab him and stop his behaviour immediately because I've seen some dogs snap at being inappropriately mounted (and I don't blame them for snapping either). Play can make dogs super excited and aroused that mounting almost becomes an extension of play in that the dogs are still jumping all over each other. With a dog who gets this aroused I find it best to anticipate and prepare in advance. I know how excited Zeus can get if I let his excited playing carry on for too long so I find it more advantageous to leash him (if he's playing off lead) and have him calm down beside me and away from the playing. Usually I find a few minutes is enough then he can be let to go play again. I liken it to him loosing his marbles -- he acts like an over excited toddler whose brain had just leaked out his ears with excitement!! :laugh:

Poor you, Fritz and Esky. I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice as I've been lucky with my guys in that they just seem to understand the 'this is my bowl, that's your bowl' concept -- I don't think I did anything training wise to cement this either. The only thing I did do was always feed them sitting next to each other and make them wait for my release word before eating; I've always fed them with less than 1/2 a metre between them. I know you said they're crated at meal times but do they wait for your okay to start eating? Also, how are they both if you want to take their food away? I've always made sure to pick their bowls up mid eating at random times and days and I also mildly annoy them whilst they're eating by doing things like excited patting all over the body, picking a leg/foot up and just being crazy. On the other hand, some dogs I guess are just wary/cautious of their food. Hope you can get some really helpful advice EtH!! Edited to ask: I know you've also just moved recently (not sure how long ago actually). Has this behaviour just started or has it been stirring for a while?

That all makes sense. I know there were quite a few forms I had to fill out when I got Kirah. There was the council rego, the microchip transfer and I can't remember but there may have been something I needed to fill out for the pedigree papers too. I'm grateful that my breeder made the process nice and easy -- I got copies of all paperwork (carbon copies of microchip and council transfers), the ANKC papers were posted out once processed (in her name but she'd filled out the transfer on the back which only meant I needed payment details then to send away again) and also the vac card and microchip cert from the vets and a breed info handout which had the puppy worming and flea schedule.

Just a question re limited register dogs and bitches. Can a litter be registered with the ANKC if one or both parents are on the limited register? I'm of the belief that no litter could be registered from parents of a limited reg but not 100% certain. If this is the case, then it shouldn't matter about sighting the parents' certificates because if your pup is having one processed, that would indicate the parents are mains registered wouldn't it? I guess the trick here is that pedigree papers aren't handed over with the puppy because from what I've experienced, the papers haven't been finalised by the ANKC by the time 8 weeks comes around and that breeders post the document out when it arrives.

I love the Nite Ize lights available from K9 Pro. The rainbow LEDs are awesome!! I tried it out at agility last night before the ground's flood lights were turned on and I was really impressed. Zeus looked like a rainbow UFO buzzing around! :laugh:

When I hear these types of stories -- ie the parents are from champion bloodlines but the pups will come without papers -- I can't help but think that the parents were sold as 'not for breeding' but bred from anyway. It must be such a horrible feeling for ethical breeders to think that they've done the right thing in by listing the dog as 'not for breeding' only to have owners go behind their backs and breed anyway. I'd run a mile from this 'breeder' as there seem to be too many red flags. Regarding the importance of the papers for a pet owner, it's not really about the paper itself; it has more to do with the health of the pup, and knowing that the puppy you're buying is THE BEST for your family.

The process is so completely different for everyone. I almost envy those who are able to get another dog immediately because that's not me. I did things a little different in that I was half heartedly searching for another Aussie pup before Poochie died because I wanted to prepare in advance. Instead I was fated to buy Zeus a pet shop dog but looking back, I wouldn't change my decision. Poochie died April 2010 and Kirah didn't come along until a year later when I thought I was ready. Even after a year's wait, I still hadn't recovered from her loss and it wasn't until Kirah came home that I realised. It's now 4 years after I lost Poochie and whilst I still miss her beyond words, I'm starting to really enjoy my time with Kirah and look past comparing her to Poochie. I'm sorry to hear about your dog but you'll move on when the time is right!