Alyosha

I concur. Grass, and adult food. Are the knuckles spongy-ish (especially at the top o fthe joint) - ie if you press a finger in there does it leave a small dent that takes a second or two to fill? That can be a sign of calcium issues. If not, running on grass should correct it without diet changes.

Lucky pups being found!

Yep. A dangerous dog diary to start with. Keep contacting the police, when the dog is out or something happens. Unless you're in a really small town you're likely to get different people on the end of the phone with different levels of enthusiasm. Some cops are better versed in animal laws than others.

I saw a couple a few years back when there was a Mastiff National next to ours. Some had been customised into sections inside, with a high shelf inside where the curved roof starts. This made a fantastic space for sliding in all the gear - gazebos, chairs etc.

To me it's the physical equivalent of shouting "OI!" at two humans who are embroiled in a heated argument, or like a tap on the shoulder from behind in the same situation, it breaks an intense moment of concentration.

And long noses at crotch height can be very insistent in wanting a pat... Fantastic pics Kirislin!

Great pics (as always!). Thanks so much for sharing - very drool-worthy indeed!! Oh, and no, there's no separate deerie or 'zoi thread, we tend to be all lurking about in the sighthound thread!!

That's amazing!

Fantastic PM - it will be great to catch up! :D Bumping this one - for any other lurking Borzoi owners out there in dol land It will be a great weekend of shows, with international judges and a fantastic chance to do lots of catching up and meeting new people.

Ours is in Newcastle so we miss the Sydney get-together. We were going to do the Sighthound show on easter Sat but changed our minds. Travel to Newcastle with the fur-gang and kids, setting up camping etc is a tiring enough thought without showing on the way there!! Hope you all have fun!

The Borzoi Club of QLD are holding their annual June Championship and Open shows on June 11, at Durack. The schedule and details, including Judge profiles, can be found on their website: Borzoi Club of QLD - June 2011 shows Mr Keith Prior - UK & Australia (Zomahli Borzoi) is judging the Chamionship show, and Mrs Catherine Walker will judge the evening open show. They are hoping for good entry numbers, and are offering free design and layout for advertising in the catalogue. Also, entry fees for the evening Open show are free if the morning Championship show is entered. There is also three all breeds shows over the same weekend, all with international judges for anyone travelling and wanting to make a full weekend of it. It will be a fantastic weekend of great showing and great company - well worth the trip if you are outside QLD! :D

I think GayleK was making a simple example rather than a scientific, evidence based argument. No two dogs are the same, some might benefit from or be less affected by desexing early. To my way of thinking, with the sheer numbers of unwanted dogs out there - the risks of unplanned pregnancies stemming from "just let her have one season", or "just let him grow to sexual maturity" is too great, and I think non-breeding dogs should be desexed. Fullstop. There are huge risks with unplanned pregnancies or whelpings as well, but that doesn't seem to rate in this argument. Example, some people I know with a pet entire whippet bitch, lovely secure surroundings, pet male has been castrated, etc etc. Bitch is in season, owner looks out the window and there she is tied with a local mutt who has gained access to their yard. All too easily done. And if they hadn't been able to scrounge up the money for a fast desex and get local help with vet transport? More unwanted pups in the world, and big risks to a little bitch whelping to a big dog.

Ah ha! That does make sense. I wondered why I'd never had to tick it before and all of a sudden I did!

I think it also has to do with how the entry is set up on there. Normally it is automatically ticked, but sometimes it doesn't seem to be. But yes, they will be at the show.

What a great win for a lovely breed!!

Was just about to say the same thing. Canberra Vet - they're on the corner of the Federal and Barton Hwy. It's not normally busy, but I'd always ring and check so you're not stuck waiting.

I agree wholeheartedly. But the other side of the coin is the lack of ability the average pet owner has to keep a bitch in season safely contained, or a really keen dog from escaping to get to a bitch in season. Which on the whole is going to be nil, or as close to it (on average) as is practical. DOgs and bitches that really want to breed can outwit the most experienced people on occasion, so having them around can be a big undertaking. So I can see the point of pushing for early desexing as well as the potential downsides for individual dogs.

What a horrible thing to do. Poor little mite - lucky he was found and treated. Sounds like lots of happier times ahead for him now he's recovering!

My brother has a jack russell x stafford. Which doesn't seem too unusual I suppose. But she looks pretty much like a red stafford, quite pretty, but her legs are half length! It's really odd. I did also meet a GSD x corgi when I was a kid - it too looked just like a GSD - only with very short legs...

Nice choccies SSM! Thanks. But I'm a bit upset, we forgot the matching family knits and shotguns.

Love the Cocker pups. But other than a few, there's a shortage of scrumptious, squishable spaniel pups in here... Some of my faves: Clumber: Sussex: And Field:

The night before is fine. I have found with big coats they are even better if you can leave them at least 24 hours between bathing and showing. They look awesome right after a bath, but after a few hours can go a bit fuzzy and flyaway. But our climate is a bit drier than yours - the humidity up there should help Oberon's stay non-fuzzy. (I hate trying to tame 'zoi coats in warm, dry winds!!) But nevertheless, Boris is normally bathed the night before, and yes, wakes up with some morning hairstyley-bits... But a spritz with water - some conditioner added if you like, and brush/fluff the odd bits is usually plenty. I actually do this at the show, as he will scrumple up again a bit in the car or trailer anyway. If you find him a little damp, a little warm-up run around and another brush should see him right. Another thing you might find usefu - if you haven't got it already - is potato flour. You can get it from vendors at shows, or online (I get it from Pet Network). If he gets a really wet bit - ie tips his water on himself just before a class, or needs a spot bath or emergency sponge-off (as he gets older - peeing on his fringes just before a class is a handy one... or an over-excited slightly runny poo into the trousers... ) you just brush it through the coat and it will dry it beautifully without making it harsh and stiff like powdered chalk.

I was about to say PBGV - they are GORGEOUS pups!!! But I am biased, and love the Borzoi babes - those big clumsy legs and wacky ears?? Who can resist?? Although we fostered some working kelpie pups once and this one just took the cake - she was the cutest thing out! And a bright little button.

Meg I think it is $10 per kg for excess baggage with Qantas. Which is expensive for us... But, if you check no other luggage, can a bigger dog take up your regular baggage allowance?

Oooo IL! Pups!! Fingers crossed.