alpha bet

Eliz is absolutely correct with this comment and it is easy for breeders to lose track of what they are aiming for.....Years ago I bred German Shepherds, however in this day and age there are very few families that can provide the right environment for the strong working breeds such as the GSD - a dog with high prey drive is not a dog that fits well into most backyards - nowdays I prefer the easier going Aussie. The problem with dogs such at the APBT and Pit Bull is that if they are bred for what they are designed for (fighting) ... they should not be living within a community as almost no family would provide the right environment and supervision for this breed. The same can be said for many other common breeds. Communities these days require dogs be easy going and social with people and dogs in varied situations, hence why the attraction for the oodles as they are seen by the public as easy family dogs (debatable). Temperament is fixed at birth - sourced from BOTH parents - however the behaviours that present can be modified by the environment (either good or bad) - to what extent we can modify can often be determined by the actual Temperament of the dog..... Hence the importance of breeders choosing the best dna possible for their breed and then to ensure they sell to people who can follow thru with the appropriate environment for that breed.... This is a very big commitment and is a constant learning experience for the breeder. A very interesting experiment was held in Budapest with regard to temperament and domestication. Part 1: A group of research students each raised a puppy from 8 weeks of age from the same a litter from a domestic dog - a strict pattern of upbringing was used by the students and pups were raised till 6 months old and then re-homed with families. Part 2: The same group of research students then each raised a wolf pup from the same litter from a wolf living in a santuary - the mother was used to humans and the litter was seperated as soon as they could be weaned and then handled in the same way as the dogs and at 8 weeks of age the wolf pups went to the same research students and received the same strict pattern of upbrining. Initially the wolf pups were playful and interacted with the humans but quickly they noticed that the wolf pups did not make eye contact with the humans in the same way as the domestic pups also they displayed strong independence and then became uninterested in human activity. By the time they were 5 months old the wolves were becoming too difficult to live with and were removed from the homes and placed back into the sanctuary. Perhaps this is a good indication that you cant change the Tempement and sometimes it can be difficult to modify the behaviour.

One thing you have to remember is that there is a legal requirement for access to your front door - also any meters to be read or serviced. So either you need a bell/intercom on the front gate so people can contact you from the street - or you need to provide a clear run to your front door. If someone enters your front gate and is bitten by your dog you are liable...... Also if your dog charges the front street you can also be liable, even if the dog doesnt leave the property.... Dogs running up and down the front fence barking and panting are not being stimulated..... they are being placed in a stress position. Dogs are just protecting their territory, they need a buffer zone (front yard) from their territory (back yard) to the public area. This helps a dog feel more relaxed and safe. They don't need to worry about what is happening in the street, only warn when someone comes into the front yard and approaches the house. Even in the semi rural positions with farm type fencing is not adequate - The community has a right to walk the street with their kids, dogs or even ride horses past your property without the risk of harrassment from your dog or worse still the dog who charges thru or jumps over the fence.

Just came back from Europe....surprise surprise..... they don't allow pet shops to sell dogs and cats...... no one seemed worried about it.... pet shops still operated as product suppliers.... Can't understand why our Australian government says you cant stop them selling pets as it impedes the commercial business. Hell we changed laws for the sale of booze, cigarettes, guns, knives, even toys get banned if they are considered unsafe. Just change the law and ban sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, will at least stop the spur of the moment buyers.

I am shocked at the rude judgemental comments posted here. We don't have all the facts and we know how unreliable the media can be. Yet you all seem so ready to blame the parents anyway.... who here lives a perfect life that cannot be judged.......

SOI is that semen on ice?

hope they warn any prospective new owners......

Where are we going as a community if we are too scared to invite someone to come to our home and visit the dogs. We talk to them first and get a good feel as to how genuine and real these people are. When they arrive we get another chance..... Jesus do we have to put up walls everytime we meet anybody.... most people are genuine.... I just got back from Europe where 3 breeders opened their doors for me to visit and three others also were happy to but I didnt get down to them. One of these is in Poland and she told me they have a high crime rate so she is very cautious but she still organises to get to know people on the phone and then invite them out. We have lots of visitors to see the dogs, great for dogs and fun for me, ive made some great friends.

The boy is from Poland.... but from American Imports into Europe. I am looking for some new bloodlines as my bitches are all from my first girl. it is so difficult trying to even buy a nice bitch pup in Australia - very closed shop breeders seem to only have stock for sale on limited. Where is Brandyark..... Saw some stock there which come from JJ Kennels however they don't really fit what I need. Parkeye I did send a message back....

That makes me feel a little better - will have to seriously consider - after all the boy I like is pretty special.

Here's a new one...... What is this dog.... it is purebreed

Finally some comprehensive research that is completely dedicated to the Family Dog with research from large numbers of dogs who actually live within the family environment. Just came back from Hungary where I saw some of the studies in action and had the chance to speak with many of the participants.... some really interesting stuff that will have a big impact in the future on how dogs and humans really relate to each other. http://familydogproject.elte.hu/index.html

Angelsun - would love to bring the dog over but the costs are prohibitive and 30 hours travel each way would not be taken lightly by the owner. The best solution would be to purhase an older bitch in pup and then hope for a nice litter and still have the bitch with potentional for another litter but this is not an easy solution and so much rests on the breeder overseas. Even then I could be looking at costs of about $7,000 plus price for bitch. Importing seman and AI for bitch appears to be about $3,500 - and would hope for a few pups to help even out the costs. It is not about making a profit but it is about being practical. Breeders should be trying to at least break even or as someone else stated we could easily end up with less and less breeders and therefore what would be the future for pure breed dogs. Many breeders even make it difficult for others to even get into breeding as they are so restrictive about selling breeding stock to anyone else. If we are not careful in ten to fifteen years we could all end up living with 'Oodles'......

Just got back from Europe - visited quite a few dog clubs etc and they were all surprised to hear that pet shops here sell pups and kittens. There is no question - dogs and cats should not be sold by pet shops under any conditions. It is the only way to start the change of public opinion.

Im lucky that I live an easy distance to Michael Bell, so therefore should make it a bit easier. So basically I can add about $1,000 to the costs of Cyrogenics.... so a fairly expensive exercise but then if i get a good sized litter it can be worth it for the new bloodlines.

I have just returned from Europe where I have been to view some dog activitiy (as well as holiday). Have seen a couple of lovely dogs and although I would love to import a dog or bitch just don't feel comfortable with putting a dog on a plan for such a long time. Therefore would like some ideas of what the costs are for importing semen as well as the process and costs likely here for the AI with frozen semen.

I sent an email some a few months ago (just after the meeting about the new regulations) to the DPI asking just this matter. They replied that it is acceptable to advertise an upcoming litter or the litter born but you cannot advertise individual puppies unless the microchip number is displayed. Hence even on dogs online you should not show each puppy as ON HOLD, SOLD, AVAILABLE. but there is nothing wrong with having the whole litter displayed as how many boys girls colours etc.... Damm stupid really but they thought this was acceptable. If you wish to clarify then email the Department of Primary Industries - perhaps if they are bombarded with emails on this they might decide to allow us to advertise using our Vic Dog Registration Number.... just as the commercial puppy farmer can advertise using their breeder number.

didnt think you were meant to advertise in this part there is a section for Puppies for sale....

I suppose you saw the recent movie 'Hachi' with Richard Gere about the loyal Japanese Akita..... hope this is not what you base your dream dog upon....

Personally, I have to say that if you were someone who was experienced enough to have the breeds you mention - then you would also have the experience to NOT require opinions from anyone online. Given the fact that you would even ask here sounds to me like you shouldn't have these breeds and I'm glad you dont live down the road from me. Sorry if that sounds harsh..... but Ive had some experience with the BB and they are not for the average dog owner.

One issue with the new microchip laws - In theory we cannot advertise pups for sale without the microchip number on the advert..... This would also apply to any advertising on dogzonline.... Therefore we can microchip at 6-8 weeks and then send papers off to DogsVic - however in theory cannot advertise prior to the microchip....!!!!!! Another inconvenience for the breeder trying to do the right thing - as well as not being able to have the registration papers for puppies to take home with them. Seriously Dogs Vic really need to address this issue with the State Government and allow for a system of Registration Number for Breeders to be used in any advertising..... Just as any commercial puppy breeders can use their Breeder numbers for adverts prior to having any microchip. When I queried DPI they feel it is still okay for us to advertise future litters but not to state what individuals are available for sale. Therefore any adverts on dogzonline should not be stating what puppies are available unless there is the actual microchip number on the ad.

Cool, so have you got your kennels up and running now.... best of luck... let us know how things go

The safest option for the kennel (legally in Victoria) is to surrender the dog to the Lost Dogs Home as abandoned. They will then attempt to contact owner thru last known address and microchip - (which by the way a boarding kennel cannot access the microchip due to privacy laws). The Lost Dogs home is then able to rehome. The kennel is out of pocket. Kennels can end up with a dog that they take in good faith, however there is nothing to stop people lying about their details, and any bit of paper signed would be basically useless. I have been caught out three times over the last 15 years and have had to surrender two but was able to get a letter from one to allow me to rehome. Not everything always goes to plan there are often cases where there are people in odd situations where you give the benefit of the doubt and usually they do the right thing and pay the debt and collect the dog. It is one of the risks of business.

I got my first bitch back in 1982 on Breeders Terms It was a great way for me to learn as the breeder taught me everything and then supported me when I bred on further litters. - have had 3 bitches from the past out on the same terms as I had been given - two of these bitches i bred and then signed over to the homes and one I decided not to breed and so signed over. Currently have two bitch pups out on breeders terms - The registration stays in my name - The families take the dog (no cost) but pay all the normal expenses of having a dog, (vaccinations, food, kenneling) - I pay all expenses relating to DNA, hip/elbow and eyes and then the costs of the breeding - when the bitch comes into season the family can choose to send her to stay with me so they don't have to worry about her season. When the bitch is about 2 to 3 years old, she will come back to have her litter and when able to be separated from pups will then go back to the home - If I get five live puppies (including at least one bitch) and then will sign the bitch over to the family, if there are no bitches and/or less than 5 pups then we go 50/50 partnership on the next litter. The advantage for the people taking the bitch on terms mean they get a good quality pup who ends up with all the health tests done and is a proven breeding bitch - I get the advantage of having the chance to breed on with some of my own stock but not have to run on too many dogs. The dog has the advantage of having a permanent loving home. There is a lot dependant upon the people who you enter into this agreement. I have been lucky to have families who I have known for years and have lived nearby. One family years ago showed the bitch and then went on to breed two more litters of which two pups were successful in the ring. I have even a few families who have purchased dogs prior who are thinking that in the next year or so they might love to take on a girl on breeders terms. This is probably the best way for a bitch to go out on terms as these are families that have been successful and happy living with your breed and you have built a relationship and loyalty with.

Fabulous - finally science catching up to what many dog owners already have believed. Thanks for posting. Another great site for further studies : http://familydogproject.elte.hu/index.html Anyone else have other sites worth watching