dog geek

NO! Have a look at Charles Wentworth's health problems - he is a cav x bred, and his health problems have cost thousands of $$$$ to maintain. Please point out to them that if they get a pup from a puppy farm they are likely to end up with an under-socialised, high-maintenance, hard-to-train nightmare. NOT that I am saying that every pup from these farms is - just that inexperienced puppy owners will not have the skill set necessary to cope IF this is what they purchase. Why not ask them if they would like a Griffon Bruxellois - the smooth ones look quite similar to a cav/pug crossbred, except completely and totally gorgeous!!

I am taking the tablet form - 'Wagner' 625mg. I take 6 tablets a day.

I was in a lot of pain, and could feel the inflammation in my hips, after having a regular brisk walk - so I was also limiting the amount of walking I was doing. But within a week I was much more comfortable; and it took three weeks before I was pain-free. Again, I was also limiting my walking - but have done three walks in the past seven days, and yesterday's very brisk walk has left me conscious of my hips, but without twinges or pain. I should add, I am also taking D-glucosamine hydrochloride/hydrosulphate as a natural anti-inflammatory and cartilige-repair supplement. This compound is revommended for sufferers of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, asthma, lupus, sinus, and arthritis.

Hi guys After seeing the thread on Ester C and arthritis in dogs, I did a little research - I have early onset osteo-arthritis, and have been quite restricited in my activities because of it. Like, I have not been able to walk the dogs for months now, because my hips become so inflamed it is painful to walk, sit, sleep... After doing a little research in to the Ester C (which is vitamin c in a more easily metabolised form than the usual ascorbic acid) I found one trial in Norway, in which they ran a double-blind test of the vit c and a placebo on dogs which were referred because of arthritic changes to the joints. All dogs were firstly assessed - x-rays to establish arthritic changes in joints, and observations and scoring for degree of discomfort shown by dogs when moving. After a period of months during which some dogs were on the easliy metabolised vit c, some were not, they then x-rayed all the dogs to check the physical changes in the joints, and observed for degree of discomfort when moving = and the dogs on the easily metabolised vit c were showing little to no discomfort! When the later x-rays were assessed, they showed that the bone in the joints of these dogs was still affected by arthritis. However, the synovial fluid in the joints had increased - and so the conclusion was that the vit c was used by the body to produce the synovial fluid, thus cushioning the joints and allowing freedom of movement. Being able to find a further two studies (similar, if less thorough) with results indicating the same mechanism decided me - I would purchase Ester C and try it out on myself! SO: after one month of twice daily doses (total 3000mg; I am 60kg roughly) I am free of discomfort!!! I have been on a couple of cautious walks of roughly 2kms during the last week, with only minor pain from my hips - not enough to bother me, really. And yesterday, we went for a 'proper' walk, really stretching our legs and getting up a sweat - and TA DA!!! No pain last night, and only an 'awareness' of my hips!!! Hoping this helps those of you with doggies with dodgy joints - try them on Ester C!!

Hiya - you are right this is a great place for advice. I am no expert either but since no one else has replied yet: I do know that if this breeder is registered with the ANKC or state canine associations, and shows their dogs (actually shows, with physical evidence, like pix or ribbons etc), then chances are the dogs ARE Am Staffs. And that means they are not pit bulls. I also know from my years of lurking on the forums, that puppy jaws will sometimes grow out of sync with each other - but that they can indeed get back into the proper sequence (ie correct bite for Am Staffs). If this breeder is experienced, and has had this bloodline for long enough, they can estimate whether the pups' teeth are likely to self-correct. You could try asking the breeder what they think is likely to happen. Cheers, I recommend you stick around and ask lots and lots of questions on here in the various forums, you can learn the most interesting stuff!!!

Many Happy Returns, Julie!!

OMG - my kids think I have lost my mind I am cackling like a madwoman! Dearie me, DOLers are droll!!! You darling people, thanks for the laughs! In the years when his program was in production, I worked at the tv station in the canteen... and he was universally loathed for his completely obnoxious ways. I have never been able to figure out if he is delusional and deranged, or if he has some form of neurological difference, like Aspergers or something - which I suspect may be terribly unfair to those with Aspergers!!! I have no idea why I used to watch his show, he used to enrage me with his completely irrational and misleading statements... guess I just desperately wanted to see purebred dogs, and suffered through The Idiot in order to gaze upon the gorgeous dogs...

Yes! Thankyou, BMP - I had a vague recollection of this, but I do not know where I can check it. I rang someone from Poms NSW but wasn't able to clarify to my satisfaction. Would know where to look to settle this? Cheers

I found some of Jed's wisdom and experience to have a profound affect on my understanding of my dogs - my sincerest respect to her, and fervent best wishes for her recovery. To all those on location - my earnest admiration and support in your efforts to help her and her family. To all those contributing - my deepest gratitude, not just for your material contributions, but also for once again demonstrating the finer qualities of our commmunity. Best Regards and Sympathy Nicola

I turned up at the primary school to pick up my kids with my pom in the kids' old baby snuggly... now THAT earned me some incedulous looks!! Got to say, little Pom LOVED being so close to me and being up so high (lol I am all of five foot) was HUGELY appreciated by his shortness!

Makes the point quite well, I thought - specially about the current fad for Afghans becoming Pseudo-Poodles... http://www.britishdogbreeders.co.uk/conten...t-going-77.html Where is TYPICAL MOVEMENT going? By Hans Lehtinen and Chris Lummelampi When we look at dog shows in general and competition at group level in particular, we are often struck by an all too frequent trend towards a convergence of breed characteristics especially when it comes to movement. The question is: are we looking for an all-round show dog, flashy and sound enough, but not exactly epitomizing its breed type? Are we, as breeders and judges, tempted to ask for the same attributes on all show dogs, regardless of the breed? Movement is a measure of a dog's conformation. If we accept what might be today's barely perceptible changes in a dog's movement, we may gradually allow an alteration in the breed type. We may, in fact, contribute to a situation where an Afghan Hound moves like a Poodle and a Poodle moves like an Afghan. If this is the case, then we need a serious discussion on typical movement in today's show rings. The original functions of many of our breeds have become obsolete as our societies have changed from agrarian into urban societies. Add to this the pressures to alter breed standards in order to breed "sounder" dogs -- as if the existing breed standards were an impediment to sound dogs -- and the emerging "green values" depreciating pure-bred dogs, and we may be distancing ourselves from true breed type. When we look at the Poodle today, we hardly ever stop to think what the function of its long coat was as it performed its retrieving function in icy cold water: when the hair ends froze, the coat underneath formed an insulating layer keeping the dog warm; or that the Poodle clip with the hindquarters clipped short was part of maintaining the breed's ability to function just as a colorful ribbon was tied to the dog's topknot and tail to help the hunter see his dog out in the field. The Poodle's movement also contributed to its usefulness as a retrieving dog: it was expected to move with the light, effortless gait which continues -- or should continue -- to be part of the Poodle's breed type today. No one expects the Brussels Griffon or the Yorkshire Terrier to catch rats in today's urban environment, but surely this should not be a justification to change their original breed type. Neither do we expect the Shar Pei to function as a fighting dog, but this is no reason why it should not have enough fold of skin on its shoulders to enable it to turn, if gripped by an attacker. In some breeds, function dictates movement. In others, there does not seem much logical explanation why a breed should move in a certain way -- except when the movement is part of the breed's heritage and deserves recognition. If the Fox Terrier heritage -- or its standard, as the American one does in the case of the Smooth Fox Terrier -- calls for the dog move its front legs like a pendulum of a clock, there is no reason why we should not appreciate this movement when we see it, however rare it might be today. In the case of the "decorative" toy and utility breeds, the consideration of typical movement should not be any less important. We think of the Japanese Chin as a dainty dog who is expected to move with a graceful gait, lifting its feet high... or the Miniature Pinscher and Italian Greyhounds with their high-stepping Hackney gait, as required by the British and American standards. For Italian Greyhounds, the continental countries of the FCI used to have the same requirement, until the breed standard was abruptly changed by its country of origin to ask for "normal" movement. You are, of course, entitled to ask how this can be accomplished without changing the front assembly of the breed -- many of us do, especially as we wonder about some of the changes in the breed standards to accommodate the whims of the "country of origin." Although some of the breed standards drawn up by countries where the breeding of pure-bred livestock has not been a long tradition may leave a lot to be desired, in some cases comparing the British, U.S. and FCI standards is a useful exercise. Take the Maltese standard. The British standard simply calls for free movement, whereas the original Italian standard describes what we have come to expect of a typical Maltese in motion: quick, short steps giving the impression of the dog sliding forward with its feet barely skimming the ground. Or compare the Poodle standards: the French one warns against the dog covering too much ground when it moves, but the American one calls for springy action -- just as the Afghan standard does, although the movement of the two breeds could not be more different, with the Poodle waltzing around the ring in true "Poodley" fashion and the Afghan moving as if it had springs under its feet. Variations in breed type in different continents also seem to play a role in our expectations of how a typical example of a breed should move. We see Shih Tzus in some parts of the world who would be much more at home in the Lhasa Apso ring, and vice versa. We hear a lot about the controversy surrounding their movement -- flick-up or no flick-up for Lhasa , showing full pads for Shih Tzu -- and lots of special expertise seem to be called for when assessing Lhasa's "jaunty movement" when, in fact, it is a very moderate, normally constructed dog who should move with light feet, effortlessly like a trotting horse. Not so the lower-to-the-ground, heavier bodied Shih Tzu whose conformation (if correct) alone dictates that it cannot move with the same style as the higher-legged and differently shaped Lhasa. Ideal Dog All too often, we seem to be using the same yardstick to measure the quality of a dog, and we are too easily impressed with flashy showmanship and clever presentation. Someone once observed that, all too often, we believe a dog is a good mover if it covers the ground like a German Shepherd, comes and goes like a Beagle, and, to top it all, has the Setter topline, the animation of a Cocker Spaniel and the general attitude of a Poodle. Never mind if it is a typical example of its breed, epitomizing its written and unwritten breed standard. Never mind if its attitude is that of a composite, outgoing, animated show dog of no particular breed type, as long as it meets the generally accepted criteria for soundness... It will, no doubt, keep the Council of Europe happy and avoid scare headlines of "unhealthy" or "unsound" breeds of dogs. But it should raise alarm bells among us who work to maintain true breed type and who are convinced that we do not need take the Council's at times misguided recommendations on "sound breeding principles" at face value -- and we certainly do not need to take precipitated action to change our breeds standards to the extreme where a Brussels Griffon might suddenly be transformed into a reddish rough-coated Border Terrier. (Isn't it rather that there is nothing much wrong with our breed standards from the soundness or health point of view -- but there could be something wrong with our interpretation of these breed standards if we err on the side of exaggeration?) It might be useful to look at the Pekingese standard which states: "Slow, dignified rolling gait in front. Typical movement not to be confused with a roll caused by slackness of shoulders. Close action behind. Absolute soundness essential." A Basset Hound with a sound, crooked front (in the English standard) will move soundly - for its breed. Straighten the front legs, and you will get an unsound dog with a heavy body hanging between the front legs instead of being wrapped by them. A well-constructed but typical Chow Chow hindquarter, strong enough not to knuckle over, will allow the dog to move with its typical stilted gait, just as a typical, but sound construction will allow the Puli to move with a stride that is "not far-reaching. Gallop short. Typical movement short-stepping, very quick, in harmony with lively disposition. Movement never heavy, lethargic or lumbering." The gait requirements of quite a number of breeds do not conform to the general conception of "sound dogs", well angulated in front and rear, moving with a ground-covering gait. There is no reason why they should, unless our aim is the identikit show dog. The Faster the Better It does not seem to be enough that most of our dogs move, and are often expected to move, in the same manner. They are also expected to move with the same speed regardless of the breed. Would a Rottweiler be a better, more invincible defender of its master and his property if it were to move with the same agility as an Australian Kelpie, a shepherd, running on the backs of the sheep in tight spots if needed to perform its function? Or would the St. Bernard be a better rescue dog in the Alps if it raced around the ring with the same effortlessness as a Saluki? In fact, many of the so-called "rolling" breeds are moved around the ring so fast that they never have the opportunity to display their characteristic gait. Again, it might be useful to take a look at some of the breed standards. The Bulldog standard states: " Peculiarly heavy and constrained (gait), appearing to skim the ground, running with one or other shoulder rather advanced." Or the Clumber Spaniel: "Rolling gait attributable to long body and short legs. " Or the Old English Sheepdog: "When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear..." To mention a few more examples of typical gait: take a look at Cocker Spaniels and ask how often they display the typical bustling movement, or at Irish Water Spaniels whose typical movement is often described as that of a drunken sailor. Some Poodles and Spaniels are, it is alleged, moved so fast that their hind feet never touch the ground (not to mention that, nowadays, you hardly ever see the old-fashioned Cocker Spaniel movement...) In fairness, you could say that quite a few Terriers -- and others, for that matter -- are moved on such a tight lead that their front feet never touch the ground! "Hanging" dogs on tight leads may be appropriate when there is something wrong in the dog's front and you want to reduce the weight on it, hopefully improving movement. This practice may not cause any major harm since it will certainly draw the judge's attention to the problem. But it is unfortunate when dogs with excellent front movement are never allowed to show it to their advantage. It is also unfortunate that many breeds shown on tight leads show an unnatural or an untypical head carriage as handlers forget that the Deerhound or the Borzoi does not have the same outline in profile movement as the Afghan does. Not all breeds of dogs were developed to be fast moving dogs. Note the American standard for the Alaskan Malamute which states: "In judging Malamutes, their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting must be given consideration above all else... He isn't intended as a racing sled dog designed to compete in speed trials with the smaller Northern breeds." Contrast this with the Siberian Husky whose required gait is quick and light on its feet. The Basset Hound, for its part, was originally bred to be a slow hunting dog to enable the hunter to follow him on foot without difficulty; therefore, a Basset with its true and deliberate movement should not be expected to compete in speed with the Sighthounds in the same group whose original function and style of working are entirely different. Again, compare it with the smaller French hound, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, whose movement differs from the heavier, low-to-the-ground Basset Hound because it was created to work on a different terrain, in the thick undercover in Brittany. Conditioning All show dogs need exercise and conditioning beyond the few rounds around the show ring to keep them in top form and peak condition, and to enable them to present their typical movement to advantage. But the right exercise and proper muscle tone will never mask basic structural weaknesses or shortcomings in breed type. They will only enhance good, typical movement. With coated breeds we, as breeders, exhibitors and judges often struggle to balance the show ring requirements of keeping the coat in top condition with the requirement to maintain the dog underneath in peak physical condition with proper exercise. Often we end up with a flabby dogs with flowing coats, or well-muscled dogs with broken coats when we, in fact, should be looking for a happy medium. (One of the ironies of life is that some of the coated dogs who are kept in wire crates and exercise pens, as they often do in America, have wonderful muscles -- could it be that they spend their days bouncing up and down in their crates?) The same applies to other forms of technology which are being introduced into the world of show dogs. We need a happy medium between exercise machines, or treadmills, and other forms of exercise. Some blame poor front movement on the excessive use of treadmills, others tend to think that treadmill exercise, if used excessively, may constrict the dog's movement by shortening its stride, resulting in a peculiar gait behind. Instead of condemning treadmills outright, it might be useful to see them as excellent aids in exercising dogs in adverse weather conditions when outside exercise is impossible, to be supplemented by other forms of exercise -- walking, bicycling or letting the dogs gallop in the fields. Not many of us can go as far as a famous Afghan Hound kennel in the U.S. where the dog runs include an L-shaped ring going up and down the hill, forcing the dogs to turn and stretch when they gallop. Nevertheless, versatility in exercise will ensure that the dog uses all its muscles to the full and is in peak condition. But, to return to the point of this article, a dog, however well muscled and however well moving, is not a typical example of its breed if it does not have typical movement. And if we accept small changes in the movement of a breed, we accept small changes in conformation, proportions and overall breed type until we end up with an identikit show dog. (And talking about proportions -- have you noticed how many of today's show dogs are losing the length of leg?) Understanding sound movement is important, but understanding typical movement is essential if we are to preserve breed type. Learning to quote the breed standard may not be enough, because, to paraphrase the late Tom Horner, any child can learn to recite the Lord's Prayer, but understanding it will take years. Therefore, we should not be in too much a hurry.

Many thanks for the prompt replies! I guess I was just impatient and wanted to know right then, rather than waiting for Monday I will ring and ask the relevant authorities - and thankyou again.

hi all I am trying to find the youngest age at which a Pomeranian can sire a registerable litter. I have looked and looked on the two sites mentioned above, but cannot for the life of me see any mention! :D Could someone kindly post a link for me?

Just want to report prompt, courteous, and very detailed information from the people who make Eagle Pack - sent them an email with details of my various pets and asking their advice on what they might make that was appropriate. They put lots of thought into what I could feed each pet, and returned lots of info and links, and offered to send me samples. So - after seeing lots of people recommending it on here, I am about to give the product a go, and can certainly give the company a on staff helpfulness.

Aaaw - c'mon Christina, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease post pix!!! Ams - gaaaaaaaaaaw how beautiful is your first pic... and the last one (ALL of the pix are gorgeous, btw) made me laugh when I read the explanation for the pei's expression!!!

I love these threads - get ready for the same old same old, guys, I'm gunna trot out my pictures of the cathounds... Here is my Chocolate Silver Tabby Oriental, Ishbi, demonstrating the main use for a dog: This is my Red-Point Himi, Kizmet, having been dragged around the back yard by the scruff by my Whippet, Manny... they were both astonished and displeased when I erupted out the back door squawking and flapping to rescue her, and Kizmet slapped my hand when I went ot pick her up and stalked back up to the house in high dudgeon - they were PLAYING, mum! And here Manny is, demonstrating the main use of a fluffy cat in winter - as Winter Whippet Woolies: And Manny again, once more Ishbi demonstrates his Canine Foot Warmer (Manny is pretty much saying "eeeek! Your toes are COLD" but is too sweet to disturb the cat... Ishbi is just saying "shut up and stop complaining" And this is Kizmet, twining around her Afghans (who have just been bathed and blowdried - of COURSE they need to sit in the dirt!):

I have, in my 'animal geek' incarnation, found references to cats having a focal length that means they are unable to see things clearly if they are right near their nose. This, apparently, is because as predators, they have wonderfully acute vision to track the prey with, but which in the overlap at the end of the muzzle is not acute or focussed. By the stage the prey is close to their muzzle, their vibrissae guide them in the last space, and they can latch on with their canines (the big pointy fangs). Always made sense to me - ever watched a cat - or a dog - use its nose to locate a small treat in plain view, rather than zero in with its eyesight?

*earnestly wrinkles brow in bewilderment* CBF? Ooooo, what disease is that - sounds HORRIBLE!!! *scrolls up and down checking other posts to get context* OH! C(an't) B(e) F... oh.

*squeeeeeeee* OMG. Cuteness overload!!! Cavity Warning required! Hahaha - why on earth would you not want a dog in your bath??? I have never been able to understand that one... quick scrub with the creme cleanser and bob's your uncle. Although, the Teen Queen was always overly fastidious about using the tub for a shower after I had done the dogs in it, scrubbed afterwards or not... sadly, I am a baaaaaad parent (for teens) because I was completely unsympathetic - is it a dog-person vs non-dog-person thing??

Thanks for the feed back, Erny - and I am so pleased you had a session that was better than the last one... I have to say, I am taking notes on everyones' tips and tricks... thanks guys!

What is the ear problem, Erny?? What is in the ear drops? Is there a different emulsion or medication that the naturopath would be able to recommend? It may be that your dog is reacting to not just a 'tickle' but a 'burn' from the meds... Apart from that, could you keep us posted if you work out a solution - for general references! I have persistant ear mites at my place - possibly possum-related - and all three dogs here have to put up with me daily digging aroudn in their ears and then pouring greasy muck down the earhole... the only even vaguely helpful thing I can think of is wrapping in a towel, as for a cat: although maybe a sheet folded in half, given his size?

:rolleyes: That is just gorgeous - it really does make you feel wonderful after reading stories like this one! Check out the link, it has a beatiful picture of them all together...

*squeeeeee* I want to get a blankie and cover them both up... ...right after I wake them up and put a mattress protector on the bed.

I have to apologise for being somewhat snarky in the phrasing of the last of my previous post. However, as on objective observer of the RSPCA's PR over the last few years, it does concern me that there seems to be a growing cult of 'heroism' in the RSPCA. I distrust the constant, agressive marketing of the RSPCA as 'The Saviour Of The Animals' for the reasons I stated above. Sure, you may be a balanced and emotionally stable supporter of the charity, able to take criticism on board and look for improvements in matters of concern. But there is no 'can do and will do better' in the responses I have had from the RSPCA so far, just dismissals of the information presented as incorrect and/or irrelevant. ... and 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' presupposes a jealousy and lack of charity that I don't think I suffer from. I am attempting to highlight the dangers of falling into the trap of self-congratulation and of believing one's own PR. I have had a personal experience of the attitude of the policy makers at the RSPCA that leaves me concerned that there is too narrow a focus on saving animals according to rigid formulas. I have watched with concern some of the actions that other regional RSPCAs have taken, and believe that unless concerns such as those I raised in my first post are raised, then the policy-makers at the RSPCAs will have inadequate checks and balances. Whilst there are solid, admirable achievements that the RSPCA can be justifiably proud of, it demeans and undermines those same achievements when wordplay, shellgames, and bullying are used to puff up statistics presented as gospel to an uncritical and uninformed Joe Public. So - woe, woe is me, I wring my hands and badly imitate Cassandra... however, with the greatest respect, the fact remains that the RSPCA are involved in a practise that ends in euthanaesia for around fifty of the dogs surrendered to it each year. Why not utilise this sad statistic to prick Joe Public's conscience, it may make people think twice before blithely dumping their dog at the pound because 'the RPSCA has a no-kill plicy'.

I specifically followed the dogs pictured on the DAS website that were listed as from the RSPCA at Weston; I saved their pics and stats. When these dogs, from the RSPCA, were then posted in the DOL rescue forum after being temp-tested by the rescue volunteers (who do a wonderful, thorough job and are consistently successful with rehoming many of the dogs they put up on DOL) I saved their pics and stats. When any of these dogs, from the RSPCA, were subsequently unable to be saved, and euthenased, I saved their pics and stats. Over the period I was beginning to notice the trend, there would have been 7-8 of these dogs over a two month period euthanased. I began saving the data in the lead-up to Christmas, which resulted in stats out of line with the rest of the year - but which are standard for that particular period over the years. This was not deliberate timing. Five dogs that were transferred from the RSPCA to the pound were euthanased on Christmas Eve. If I could not identify positively a dog on the DOL rescue thread as being the exact same dog that came from the RSPCA - due to different camera angles and lighting, usually, although there were a couple of mixed breeds that I hesitated over because they were so similar - then I Flat Out rejected using those dogs in my little study, because it would call into question the credibility of my methods. Want to know WHY I bothered?? Because the RSPCA, when I approached them for comment on the transfer of dogs to the RSPCA, were dismissive of my query, and in fact point blank told me once again that the RSPCA no longer has to euthanase dogs surrendered to them. Which to me, was a waste of an opportunity to emphasise to Joe Public that despite their best efforts, the RSPCA will not be able to re-home all suitable dogs dropped off to them. Which further strengthened my suspicions that there is a growing culture of ... blind faith is sadly the best fit I can come up with, I am not able to come with a more appropriate phrase. Which alarms me, because when you have 'true believers' all worshipping at the altar of RSPCA, you have (in common with every other established religion) the risk of people unshouldering their burden of personal responsiblilty and personal agency, and allowing their critical faculties to be fogged with the warmth of 'belonging' and 'doing right'. Which is where dogma steps in, inflexibility takes hold, might becomes right, the individual suffers, and the truth is gilded because You Are Not To Question the established clergy, sorry, beauracracy. In case you think I have now overstepped the limits of credibility... I stand and point to my little survey, and the responses to my initial post in this thread the pro-RSPCA devotees are posting.