Linny

Hi all,

Thank you for your poems. I think this one is beautiful:

Treasured Friend

I lost a treasured friend today

The little dog who used to lay

Her gentle head upon my knee

And share her silent thoughts with me...

She'll come no longer to my call

Retrieve no more her favourite ball

A voice far greater than my own

Has called her to His golden throne.

Although my eyes are filled with tears,

I thank Him for the happy years

He let her spend down here with me

And for her love and loyalty.

When it is time for me to go

And join her there, this much I know...

I shall not fear the transient dark

For she will greet me with her bark.

Author Unknown

Best wishes,

Linny

Hi Genevieve,

That is terribble. Poor you, and poor Ruby I don't have any advice, but I'm sending lots of prayers your way. Which version of the surgery did she end up having?

Best wishes,

Linny

People who are allergic to certain dogs may not be allergic to some poodles and poodle crosses. Guide Dogs and other Assistance Dog organisations use labradoodles for visually impaired people who are allergic to certain other breeds.

I had heard that they do not use lab x poodles any more because they were finding they could not guarantee them to be hypoallergenic and they did in fact shed!

Hi Mickatie,

No, they still use Labradoodles both in Australia and overseas as Guide Dogs. I know someone in Sydney who's daughter just recently received her Labradoodle Guide Dog.

This is from the Guide Dogs Victoria website:

In Australia, we use mainly Labradors. We have also crossed Labradors with Golden Retrievers, Curly-coat Retrievers and more recently, Standard Poodles, to produce the now well-known Labradoodle. In response to special requests, Guide Dogs Victoria may source other breeds, including German Shepherds from overseas Guide Dog Schools with whom Guide Dogs Victoria has a special relationship.

In Australia, the Labrador is the main breed of dog used as a guide dog. Recently, however, there has been cross-breeding of Labradors with Golden Retrievers, and more recently, Standard Poodles, to produce the Labradoodle (which was specifically bred for people who have an allergy to normal dog hair).

First cross Labradoodles can shed, but by selectively breeding the ones that don't, they've now produced ones that are fairly reliably non-shedding, and Guide Dogs Victoria alone has trained over 100 Labradoodle Guide Dogs. They mainly use Labradors, but use Labradoodles when people have allergy problems.

Best wishes,

Linny

I wanted a poodle cross as I was after an allergy friendly dog, that wasn't a full poodle (I had poodles growing up, and wanted something different). I thought I was getting Ruby from one of the 2 most reputable breeders of labradoodles in Australia. Can breeders of crossbreeds be registered? Inform me , don't insult me.

Poodle Xs arent 'allergy friendly' and Norskgra has answered your question about whether byb can be registered so I'll now ask you to direct me to where I set out to insult you.

Hi Raz,

People who are allergic to certain dogs may not be allergic to some poodles and poodle crosses. Guide Dogs and other Assistance Dog organisations use labradoodles for visually impaired people who are allergic to certain other breeds.

Best wishes,

Linny

PS I don't think Genevieve was implying that you had insulted her - she was just asking that people not. At least that's how I read it , anyway

Hi Genevieve,

I hope you got my PM (Personal Message). If not, you can see it by clicking on "My Controls" at the top of the page, then looking in the "Inbox".

Goodluck with Ruby. She's a beautiful little girl

Best wishes,

Linny

Linny

i really don't think this is appropriate for this board, maybe PM her in private instead.

Thank you, Mickatie. I've sent Genevieve a note.

Hi Linny - where did you get your gorgeous dogs from?? I am considering spoodle next time - haven't had much luck with my miniature labradoodle! Love her to bits but!!

Hi Genevieve,

Thank you - I love my "mutts" to bits, too! I've just emailed you.

Spoodles are great little dogs. However, both Cocker Spaniels and Poodles can suffer from HD, patella problems, and PRA, so it's very important to test for these.

Where are you located? There are quite a few Labradoodle get-togethers in Sydney.

Best wishes,

Linny

Hi Ruby's mum.

I'm so sorry to hear about Ruby. She's a gorgeous little girl. May I ask who her breeder was, and if they mentioned whether they test their breeding dogs hips and knees?

I've heard that Cosequin can be very effective.

Good luck and best wishes,

Linny