Alyosha

Wasn't there a blind foster with a thread on here called "Stevie"? A GSD maybe? I would personally consider a blind pup had better prospects than a deaf one, but wouldn't automatically consider pts. Sight is not necessarily a primary sense for a dog like it is for humans, having scent and hearing would be a major advantage.

I thought this was already n offence in States with BSL? It is in NSW. Last line is interesting though. http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/article/14986200/call-for-laws-to-ban-breeding-restricted-dogs/ A coroner wants politicians to make the breeding of restricted dogs a criminal offence as a result of the death of a four-year-old Melbourne girl who was mauled by a pit bull terrier. The dog attacked Ayen Chol as she clung to her mother's legs in her St Albans home last year. Neighbour Lazor Josevski, 58, was minding the dog for his son when it escaped from the backyard. He pleaded guilty to four charges and was fined $11,000. Coroner Kim Parkinson has ruled that Mr Josevski and his son Nick Josevski contributed to the girl's death by concealing the dog's breed from the council. She has recommended that the parliament introduce laws to ban the breeding of restricted dogs, and that veterinarians should be required to report them. She also said the onus of proving that a dog is a restricted breed should fall on its owner and not on councils.

It's funny, my girl who is now four years old, was always bonded super closely with my OH. But after she had her big litter last year, and I spent those first few weeks constantly with her and the pups, even sleeping together, we bonded more closely than ever. She's now very close to me, probably the only one of mine that is protective. We went through that very close time together and I think she depended on me like she hadn't done before.

There is one in that area to avoid like the plague, and for the life of me I can't remember their name. Not one of the ones you've nominated though, I've heard nothing but good about both of them.

Have you had her lashes checked? They're not growing inwards and causing irritation (condition called entropian) are they?

No. I have Hound Club in ACT that weekend, and it's full steam ahead for the Borzoi National the weekend after, so am saving my travel for that one. Which is possibly why this one has such a low zoi entry - everyone too busy getting ready! But have fun!

From their FB page: Afghan - 12 Basenji - 17 Basset Favue - 1 Basset Hound - 4 Beagle - 10 Bloodhound - 2 Borzoi - 2 Dachshund Long Hair - 2 mini long - 11 Smooth - 7 mini - 12 wire - 2 mini-1 deerhound - 2 foxhound - 8 Greyhound- 3 Harrier - 1 Ibizan - 1 Irish - 14 N. Elkhound - 4 Petit Basset - 5 Pharaoh - 1 Ridgeback - 30 Saluki - 6 whippet - 28. Total entry should be 176

Plus it's easy to buy farmed pups. You just pay the money and get what you want. In these days of people wanting less and less face to face interaction with others it is a big selling point. Right or wrong, many people don't want a drawn out process and scrutiny placed upon them when buying. Contact can be a quick call, text or email, and delivery. Fits with societies expectations unfortunately.

They don't unfortunately. All watchdog provisions we have are set up to monitor the public sector. And RSPCA is a private organisation. They seriously lack accountability, and adding to their powers without any increase in that is potentially a nightmare.

Sad thing about the arrogant puppy farmer is that he can still sell his wares and make such impressive profit - selling 40 pups a week and employing 10 people (maybe not full time...), plus running costs?? Either the prices are very impressive or he is selling more than 40. If nobody bought them he wouldn't breed them and his farm would close.

Poochmad don't put them in the kennels that mismanaged kennelling for another local person and ended up killing their dog very traumatically (heatstroke). Apologising and paying vet bills doesn't bring dogs back. And yes, they are still in operation.

Mine too have flown domestically from 8 weeks and never had a problem. And to overseas from 11 weeks and pups have still happily bounced out of crates at the other end.

BOB Borzoi - Ch Mistraka Vanessa Williams. Well done to all!! That is Sydney and Melbourne Royal BOBs this year for the lovely young girl.

The suspense is killing me! FB is all quiet too...

Would a Tibetan Spaniel be a possibility? Would be happy and playful but pretty low drive so not too likely to join in any chasey games. Or an American Cocker? Would need regular clipping, but I think they're lower drive than some other spaniels?

Oh Rozzie what a sad story!! It's been a topic of some thought in our breed community, we have lost a long term breeder and friend recently and everyone starts to question their own mortality and what will happen to their dogs. Your story is interesting Gillybob. It does seem to be the case with most. I think in our breed it worries people especially as we have large dogs with particular needs in the best of circumstances. And they can be startlingly devoted dogs, as can many of a variety of breeds I know. The old stories spring to mind, the terrier in England that sat each day by his masters' grave, and the Akita in Japan who walked to the train station every afternoon for life waiting for his deceased owner to return. In saying that, I think my lot would be ok. They must be more fickle than some!! But the loss of home, routine, environment, companion dogs as well as owners would be a tough call for many. But for the most devoted and sensitive of dogs it must be devastating.

A hypothetical I was discussing with someone recently, when talking about dog owners passing away and after watching an elderly man and his elderly dog pottering together. If you were dealing with an older dog, whether rescue or family or otherwise, that had changed circumstances and lost it's accustomed world - what would you do for it? I am talking about the sort of dogs that are very, very settled in a situation, and often very devoted to their owner, and whether they would ever be happy in a different situation. Is it enough for a dog to just eke out an existence? To just mope it's way through life? Would you be able to find a way to get that sort of dog to ever find joy again? I know many recover yes, but are there rare individual dogs that have found their one owner and life, and if they lose it, will never really enjoy anything else? edit to add - I would personally think yes. That some dogs find their one true match just like some people do.

The sheer numbers of a breed needed to obtain recognition can be a major hurdle. I think it is 500 breeding dogs?

You might find some rescues are a little cautious when their breed is commonly crossed with other things that may pose a problem. Deerhounds and Irish Wolfhounds spring to mind, and I'm sure Danes would sometimes see similar issues - when crosses (pigging mixes in particular) look somewhat like a purebred and therefore people contact breed rescue for them. Some sorts of crosses are a big call to take on as they can be (not always of course) prone to dangerous or very difficult behavioural issues. But being cautious doesn't necessarily mean saying a blanket no.

Low numbers for a central sort of show. Maybe the cold weather is getting to people? I know there has been quite a lot of shows on lately - it does get hectic. I'm entered Sunday.

Yes. Like noted, it can be a discretionary thing. It can depend on a whole lot of things, including the circumstances and nature of the attack. It is almost traditional in some senses to automatically destroy a dog that has killed livestock. I think it harks back to the old beliefs like once a dog has killed it will seek to do it again and again - the bloodlust theory. "You'll never stop them killing once they've got the taste for it". We do know more about dog behaviour these days, but the first response of destruction lingers. Some attacks are horrific and people find it hard to see the dog in the same light. In this case pts may be a better option for the dog, if sensible rehoming is not available or the attack was of such a nature that it is feared the dog has an aggression issue that may lead to more problems. Serious attacks on other dogs could fall under this umbrella. Sometimes an agreement to euthanase can avoid further action or criminal prosecution - ie a farmer agrees to not press charges if a dog owner agrees to destruction and compensation. A dog must be declared to be dangerous in NSW. And it can be a long drawn out and difficult process. Often, if owners agree to pts, then it is a much more efficient option. Sad but true.

Lynai have you tried your bitch on Fenugreek? It worked wonders for our girl last year - I was supplementing every feed like you, and after two days of fenugreek tea didn't have to any more. I bought the seeds from the health food shop, soaked them in boiling water for a while, then when cool mixed with a milk replacer powder. My bitch was guzzling it down - and raised all 12 pups without supplementing once the milk kicked in.

You can try rolled leather - it might not leave such a mark. If I have a collar on mine for any length of time I use a cloth martingale, Which doesn't seem to leave such a mark. Perhaps as it is not done up so firmly? Like this one: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Martingales-of-47905/1-Inch-Fabric-Collars-/_i.html?_fsub=469457919&_sid=9348899&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

To all the people who provided support in so very many ways, to NSW Borzoi Rescue in recent times - THANKYOU!! Our group of hounds who suddenly needed help due to tragic circumstances have all left their foster homes for fantastic, experienced and permanent homes - the last going on trial just today. They are lapping up love, comfy couches and idyllic landscapes, a far cry from the fairly dire situation they found themselves in just a few weeks ago. So many people have helped out, with contacts, donations, fostering, transport, advice, even just with moral support while some of us ran around like the proverbial headless chooks!! It means the world and is greatly appreciated. You all know who you all are - you do yourselves and the broader dog community proud.

Gotta love the google-based breed id... Sigh...