Oliversmum

Karen is at North Richmond Veterinary Clinic, PH 45712042. She is away at the moment and will return on approx 23rd March.

I certainly hope that Australian breeders aren't breeding for this trait. Attacking without warning is not a desirable trait in any dog, especially since these are becoming more popular in suburbia. Agree with you here - imagine if this huge powerful dog gets into the wrong hands!!! I've spoken to several south africans and they have all said to beware of these dogs in the wrong hands - they are mainly used for guarding - and can cause immense damage if not contained, trained and socialised properly. I think this is the last thing we need. I agree though that they are lovely looking dogs, and I'm sure in the right hands will be great dogs. OK, I thought I'd just pop in with a little info in regards to the strict standards the breeders in Australia are following. Firstly, all South African Boerboel's go through what we call an "Appraisal" at around 12 months of age. The Appraiser is flown out from South Africa and each dog is carefully scored as follows. 1. Temprement - each dog is put through a temp test and is given a score. Aggressive or unstable temprements are frowned upon and will be given minimal scores. This portion of the total appraisal score is the largest. 2. Other aspects of the "Appraisal score" are made up of confirmation (head, neck, ears, topline etc, etc), pigment, health (hip & elbow scoring, vaginal hyperplasia etc) 3. Each dog will get an overall score out of 100 - dogs that don't score over 75% will not be put on the breed register, therefor, not offspring can be registered with Boerboel Inc. The people working with the breed are working very hard to protect the integrity of the breed and to ensure only the very sound, stable of temprement and true to type boerboels are being used for breeding.

Wish I could be there, just a little bit too far to travel...hope the day goes well.

Clyde, I'm pretty sure that foxes would not leave any evidence, only a few feathers, if you actually found your chickens dead, it was not a fox. Don't be too hard on yourself, you've ogt to do what you got to do. To the OP, no flaming, ultimately, you had dogs on your property killing your stock, you were well within your rights. I'm sorry you feel so bad, and I'm sorry to all involved, including the dogs.

King Charles Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier Jack Russel Terrier (after the Rev John Russell)

Hi Rebanne. Usually we recommend that the bandage is changed at 3 days. We usually also clean the area (i'm assuming it didn't require sutures) and then swabs are applied to the injured area and then the entire ear is bandaged with elastoplast to stop it from coming off. The dogs usually look like they have an icecream cone for an ear. You say she had a shot of long acting antibiotics - was that all or were you given some more for at home? Also, an anti-inflammatory might help with the swelling and inflammation. If you have Metacam, I'd give her some (provided she has no kidney or liver problems) Anyway, not much else to add, but I would follow the vets instructions and leave it for 3 days.

People who throw bait all over the ring, and when you bring your baby puppy in for his class, all he wants to do is sniff out the bait, refuses to walk and be stuffed if I can get him to stack and looked interested in anything else but whats all over the ground.

Get in touch with your breeder, they will be the best person to advise you on how to grow your giant breed puppy. Very important to do it correctly and I'd be very careful when being advised to feed RAW only.....not for a growing giant breed IMO.

Teamsnag...they are just adorable

Thanks everyone for your replies... I feel much better and will post piccies. cheers Shells

Phew, thanks so much, I feel alot better now. I really want him to enjoy it so I've tried to keep it all fun & happy....and, I didn't want to make a complete goose out of myself...OK, now I'll relax and enjoy.

Hi all, My baby Frenchie has his first show next weekend. He is walking well on the lead some of the time, other times he throws little tanties on the ground or if he doesn't feel like walking, he will begrudgingly walk beside me but lays his ears sideways , making him look absolutely miserable. I use treats, a little squeaky toy and lots of praise and we are getting there, but I guess my question is, what is expected of baby puppies in the ring? I hope it's not too silly a question, I'm just very nervous and want us to have fun. thanks Shells

OT but is the Butcher in Wilberforce? One of our clients (a cattle farmer) also has a small bit of land in rural Sydney where they raise a few steers and mentioned they send them to a place in Wilberforce to be killed etc. I've wanted to do it on my current property but just had no idea how to go about it. Unfortunately I now have to move and not sure I'll be lucky enough to get on land again. If you go ahead with it, I'd love to, ummmm, share your meat with you :D That's the one Stormie....OH and his Rugby club had a big end of season celebration here a few years ago and raised a lamb at a mates property and took it to Wilberforce and it came back on a spit rod...I know it sound sad, but, hey it fed 25 people and I know that it lived a good life.

:D It is very sad at first, however if when you compare the lifestyle of animals its a far better option for them, whilst it may not be as guilt free as picking up the shrink wrapped parcel from the supermarket you are making a small difference in the end. I'll just have make sure I don't name them....that is the condition OH tells me because he knows if I name them, there here for good Another thing too, I know that there will be food for the dogs afterwards. Owning several giant breeds, what could be a better diet for them? Sometimes I can't get offal and such for the girls. Methinks this might be a great idea and one I will feel good about :D

We live on a small rural property and my OH has been saying for years that we should grow some meat in our top paddock as we have nothing on it. I would always say no as I have an aversion to raising something then killing it for the table. I have to say that recently I have been starting to rethink my stance on this. Considering the appalling conditions that commercially raised meat animals are kept in and the entire abbatoir scenario, I think I could give a couple of calves, lambs or pigs a great life. They have plenty of feed and room to roam, will have all of their needs met and will live a pain free, stress free and comfortable life. After reading this thread, I've just told me OH that I think it might be a good idea as long as when the animals are ready to go, they are sent directly and killed humanely and when they get there. We are in a good position where their is a Butcher in a nearby town that kills and dresses your meat. No mucking around, it is done properly and humanely. No more plastic wrapped, miserably raised, tortured steaks for us.....