Dame Aussie

Yes kc, I agree, breeds that aren't as common are usually considered more likely to be purebred. A little OT but I had a customer asking me about the signs of a dodgy breeder/puppy farm the other day. I was really glad that the need to be careful is being communicated, I gave as much advice as possible and of course directed them to DOL to check out breeders :laugh:

Good luck! Collies are a beautiful breed :)

What has she been eating?

Yes, until I got Lili I would have thought that way to an extent. I'm still not interested in showing but obviously I know now that most are family pets. Re people's understanding, I do think sometimes that breeders do this to themselves by seeming a bit out of reach to the average Joe. I'm only referring to some breeders of course, but things like not getting back to people when they enquire, being obscure about the cost of a puppy/dog and setting rules relating to how much the person works/whether they have children etc etc can all turn people off, I have experienced a few of these issues myself. I know breeders can set whatever demands they like and fully support that, this is not posted to have a dig. I work in a shelter and often hear people complaining about how hard it is to get a dog from both rescue and breeders and I think its a mixture of preconceived ideas they may have, (which are usually incorrect) and experiences they've had which reinforce the idea that only certain people can get purebred/show dogs. I also notice a lot of people think show dogs are just pretty, poncey looking dogs, I don't think they connect showing with the function of dogs, just funny haircuts etc :laugh:

Love the one eye closed :laugh: these are classic

I would offer to rehome the dog and if they weren't interested I would advise them I couldn't assist.

Nawww! Lili my Aussie does this! She has Sharky and Monkey (a shark and a monkey, so original lol) and if we need her to settle we just grab one of them and off she goes, she will fall asleep sucking on them and kneading with her paws she is 6 now and still does it :)

Argh! So much cute! I so can't wait to get a grey one day

So sorry to hear this RIP gorgeous boy

Sorry to hear perse RIP gorgeous April

Beautiful :)

Very sad

The owners of these breeds that want to train them to have a reliable recall don't love their dogs less because they want them to be able to enjoy freedom off leash at the beach, park etc. As I said above I don't understand why any owner would choose not to train a the most reliable recall they possible can, even if they never intend to let their dogs off leash. Recall is essential in my mind, if my dog wasn't coming back to me every time I called I would see that as a serious problem. I don't think it should be assumed that people decide not to teach a recall because they don't spend much time off lead. Both my dogs will come when recalled (one took more time to get reliable than the other), but I do this so that if they get away by accident I can get them back.

Beautiful! Especially love the first 2

An example: a good friend of mine (very experienced with dogs and training them) with an extremely well trained dog. Walked off lead all her life, near roads, rabbits, other animals etc always had a perfect recall. Until one day, when she didn't, and now she's gone, hit by a car. Its just not a risk I'm willing to take

What would you do if you wanted to compete in dog sports ie obedience or agility where dogs are required to be off leash in unfenced areas? Genuine question as I have been to many trials where dogs bugger off out of the ring. Can't really answer as I don't and won't do dog sports, but hypothetically if it was unfenced and anywhere near traffic etc no I wouldn't do it.

Have to agree to disagree as I don't believe we can ever trust an animal 100% no matter how well trained. There's a first time for everything and it only takes once.

Yes but you cant be 100% sure, they aren't robots. That's all the article is saying.

My Aussie did the same at 4 months but it was a pigeon!

This is why my dogs are never offlead unless we're in a securely fenced area.

Sounds normal for a JRT, I tell people all the time at work not to get one just because they're small. Small isn't always easy :laugh:

The theory I see the most is that they originally came from Spain and came over to the US with shepherds via Australia :)

What she said. Hope a good nights sleep has helped everyone :)

Shite! I'm so glad he's ok DDD.

Sorry, but a qualified vet should be able to give a vaccination. No excuses.