tdierikx

A well bred Labrador, Goldie, or Rottie pup would be fine IMHO - check out some of the breeders on the DOL breeder pages for listings... call them and have a chat about what you are looking for, and they may have something to suit that particular family's needs... I can't speak highly enoough of the folk at Goldir Rescue also - they match dogs to families very carefully, and have heaps of very happy forever families. Check them out at http://www.grr.org.au/ - give them a call, and I reckon they will be able to find you a match... T.

I'm a little on the fence about animals being "born bad" - there are a lot of factors that influence behaviour patterns - both positive and negative. That said, if you have a very young pup that displays overtly aggressive behaviour, then the sooner you start working on the issue, the better - preferably with a well qualified trainer. My 12 year old girl was not exactly the most evenly balanced critter when I first got her at around 5 weeks old from a BYB FTGH ad in the Trading post - we started her behaviour modification training right away... and she has developed into a well balanced and friendly dog that interacts perfectly with everyone and everything in public places. Without that early training, who knows what kind of monster she could have been... T.

There isn't much that is cuter than a Lab puppy, is there? Congrats Tua and all! T.

Figure 3 on page 4 is a pretty pure looking Stafford... doesn't look like Pit Bull at all... T.

I'm just glad I don't live in Victoria. They already have the most draconian dog laws in the country... typical that they would add more idiotic ones... grrr! T.

I'd love to see the written standard they have developed... with the pictures... T.

Way to go Charlie - not letting your condition get you down! Hugs from me and happy "woo-woos" from the girls... T.

Male or female... some people still look for a certain breed type to "improve" their machismo rating. It seems to be about a "tough" looking dog, rather than good stable family pet, for those types... *sigh* Personally, I like the larger breed dogs, and bull type breeds do feature in the list of dogs I really do like the look of... but the last thing I'm looking for is a dog that will dominate me or any of my family and friends - that would be just stupid IMHO... Anyone still doubting the nature of a well cared for and loved Pittie cross, come on over and meet my 12 year old girl Zeddy - she will help you get over the prejudices about what the "breed" is like... if you can handle 30kgs of lap dog... *grin* T.

I agree completely pixie_meg... I call them "dickless wonders" and would never giv/sell them a dog myself... T.

I do like the look of a nicely turned out bull breed... and would happily share my life with one. That said, I'd be looking for one as a pet to love and adore - not to guard or protect specifically. I have met quite a few people who look for a specific type of dog to "improve" their manhood (so to speak)... it's kinda sad really... *sigh* T.

Thanks Steve - I wasn't going to say it myself... *grin* While "Oscar's Law" appears to be a noble effort towards a tangible goal - there is some concern as to the methods and actions of some of the people involved to get attention. Do your research on not only the proposal, but the people and groups behind it as well, OK? It's all public record... and Google is your friend... I'm just naturally leery of anything that draws attention to an issue, but doesn't actually put forward achievable (or real) proposals to try to "fix" the problem. Come up with a tangible solution to the problem and I'll follow just fine - jump up and down and demand someone else formulate and enact the solution, and you will lose your audience pretty darned quickly. T.

There is always at least one person at a dog park that seems to think that everyone else is a complete novice at owning a dog... I tend to not let them near my dogs... and if anyone tried to pin one of my dogs CM style, then they'd probably end up sporting a very nasty HUMAN bite from me! True "dog whisperers" don't march up and start manhandling a dog. The usual method is to observe said dog for a good while and sum up it's actual body language before deciding to talk to the owner and ask if they want any tips. If they say "no thanks" (or anything vaguely resembling that phrase), then leave them the hell alone... duhhhh! One thing I've learned over the years is that understanding dog body language is not necessarily something that can be easily learned - especially not from a TV show that is highly edited to show a favourable outcome... you either have an innate "skill" for it, or you don't. T.

Salt water gargles and lots of hot honeyed black tea can soothe an irritated throat... and if that doesn't work - a large glass of brandy will do the trick (and give you a good night's sleep) T.

Is there any as yet? T.

Damn Jules... that's not the best news... *sigh* Crossing fingers she gives you some good years before she's ready to go... T.

I've noticed that females can be right grotty little buggers as pups... I've fostered quite a few pups for rescue, and it's always the girls that are the messiest in the toileting regard... *sigh* All good advice from the others above... but I thought I'd just let you know that I feel your pain, and you are not alone, OK? *grin* T.

My entire Rotti male a few years back wouldn't touch a bitch in heat unless I told him he could... damn, I miss that boy! Just to be on the safe side though, I would board my bitch at the local vet clinic when she was in the receptive time of her season... better safe than sorry I reckon, and my girl loved our vet clinic staff... *grin* I have seen dogs tied through a paling fence... not a pretty sight! And they are very loud when stuck like that too! T.

I didn't get to the Rotties... but I did snuggle with some very sweet Ridgies... The highlight was definitely the Xolo's though... I think I'm on love!!! Simply gorgeous looking dogs, and striking eyes... love the eyes! T.

I met the stunning Xolo's today! They are amazing to look at and to stroke... the softest skin! I'm quite partial to Naca... he is gorgeous!! Thank you so much for bringing them to Spring Fair Wazzat! T.

Interesting question... The ones I've noticed that have been bred will have larger and maybe unevenly shaped nipples - and the ones that have never had a litter will have smaller and more even nipples. Dogs carrying a bit of extra weight can have the appearance of having had an udder, but it may just be looser (or fattier) skin on their underbelly making it look that way. T.

I foster pups for rescue... and I can understand your aversion to the toilet training, the chewing, etc... lol! For me though, the puppy breath kisses make up for it - and I'm a glutton for puppy cuddles. Fostering (un)fortunately caters to my puppy addiction, so I'm pretty set... *grin* Adopting an older dog comes with exactly the same considerations as adopting a puppy as far as I've experienced... each dog is as individual as you or I, and come with their own set of needs and/or habits... Changing a dog's name isn't a big deal to the dog (I have found through experience), and all dogs will learn at their own pace, regardless of age. The old dog/new tricks thing is actually a fallacy too - any dog can be taught new things... some may just need a different "focus" to do so - find that, and you are set... *grin* T.

Apart from hearing that you have been sick... it's so good to know that top trainers can have their dogs become totally unruly at times too... lol! I probably would have started crying if that had happened to me and I was feeling crook... and that would have made my dogs stop what they were doing... they are a bit sensitive that way... *grin* I had a couple of wisdom teeth removed a week ago, and one of my dogs has been sitting and gently licking at my swollen cheek to try to make it better... then again, she might just be tasting me up in case I die and she has to pick which bit to eat first... hahaha! T.

Of the ones I've met in rescue, I've found that the Shih Tzus can be a little more laid back and less flighty... but we aren't exactly talking the best bred "lines" of either breed found in rescue... *grin* That said - the ones I've met in rescue have all been delightful little dogs... both Maltese AND Shih Tzu. The craziest/nastiest of both both breeds I've met have had doting owners... err! If I wasn't averse to brushing and grooming, I'd happily share my life with either breed. T.

Pure Pit Bulls? Scarce as hen's teeth I'd say... Anything that looks like a badly bred Stafford/AmStaff - or a cross of same? Lots... ... and unfortunately quite a few of those are owned by people who aren't concerned with giving their "breed" a good name... *sigh* T.

*note to self - must find the "Xolo's" tomorrow... and learn how to pronounce it* Ummm... I'll be the crazy person who will be asking everyone if I can touch, pat, cuddle, or kiss their dogs... ... I've been wormed and de-flea'd and had all my shots... honest!! Me at a dog show/gathering is very much akin to a kid in a candy store... err! T.