Alyosha

Geez they grow up fast!! She just gets prettier and prettier!! I need more cuddles before she's too big!

Trouble with it is that you can't really remove the law enforcement context from this one. LP I can see what you mean about a comparable general situation with a pet dog, but the main issue that comes out with this one is the law enforcement context. This dog was doing it's duty and should be commanding a level of respect from the offender, just as a police officer would be expected to command a higher level of respect during a confrontation than an average citizen. The offender here brought about the use of the dog against him by his own actions. It was his actions that brought about the dog's deployment, so his continuing actions towards that dog were his own responsibility. He is an adult after all and under the law able to be held accountable for his own actions and decisions. He made the concisous decision to threaten the dog, that was all him. The lack of any regard or respect for the dog's position of authority is what makes for my opinion of the offender, which still starts with a big "L". Having no respect for anyone is one thing, going on from there to having no respect for authority is stepping up a little higher.

The Borzoi is pretty generic... Plus one of their listed downsides is "Slowness to housebreak"???? Where did that one come from??? Has this author met Borzoi from another planet?? I've never lived with such clean dogs as Borzoi, I've also never "housebroken" any of mine. They just don't toilet indoors. They don't even toilet in kennels unless absolutely desperate. They don't even like being near other dogs who have made a mess in nearby crates or kennels. My new boy arrived at 9 weeks old, had one accident in his crate the first night and got so upset about it he has never had another. Plus I find this line "They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you" is pretty ordinary, almost offensive. Independent thinkers yes, as people are. But does that make them uncaring about their people?? No. Not remotely. Anyone who has lived with them would never think that of them. They are more devoted than people can imagine. Their humans are their world and they hate if they are unhappy. I do notice that most of it is copy and pasted for Afghans, I would think they have a generic sighthound description they apply to most of them which is pretty lame. They also list Affies as slow to housebreak which is not in my experience with them. Salukis maybe... Yep... The other sighthound breeds come up with pretty much word for word descriptions for whole sections. The author is looking ignorant doing this. Sighthound breeds are vastly different to each other in many ways, they're not all Greyhounds in differnt coats and colours. ;)

PWD could be good. The foster greys I've had would all take pretty much any excercise I gave them, whether over an hour or none. But quite alot of people baulk at their appearance. What about a German Shorthaired Pointer?

What fantastic news!

Well said JJ. LP I can agree to disagree but that is all. You will never convince me that an offender threatening to kill a police dog is the fault of the police handler. The implication of the offender's previous behaviour is that the police were indeed justified in utilising the dog, as it is part of their tactical escalation of force - brought on by the offender. Police don't escalate force unless there is a reason. The other point that seems to have gone unnoticed is that the offender was charged with the threat he made to the dog. From the second article: Police said Cyrus had suffered muscle strain and soreness but had no other apparent injuries. The dog wasn't injured, the man was rightly charged with making a threat to that animal's life. Do people here honestly believe that a person who behaves in a criminal fashion should not be brought to bear for that? Are the police at fault for this guy making a threat to their dog?? And Hardy's Angel - anyone who thinks a police dog undertakes it's duties as a helpless pawn is drastically underestimating these dogs, their ancestry and training, their drive and passion for what they do, and has obviously never seen them at work. They know risks and how to avoid them, any dog can see danger coming and make a fight or flight choice. Police dogs are just courageous and trained to the point of not wanting to flee. If a police dog ran away from conflict like a normal pet dog it wouldn't be a police dog. If a human police officer knew the risks involved and found a way to avoid them they wouldn't be doing their job either. People like this offender take away the police (whether human or dog) option for avoiding the risks involved in coming head to head with him - because he is the irresponsible one who will not back down. Edit - still can't spell!!

Would they consider a greyhound? Not usually a guard dog I know but otherwise ticks all their boxes. In saying that some do guard, depends on the individual.

I don't see any shift of responsibility. If a person is avoiding apprehension and as a part of that they threaten to kill a police officer, they are at fault. If that person is avoiding apprehension by a police dog and threaten to kill it it again it's their fault. You will notice that is the matter he was charged with, threatening to kill the dog. Police and their dogs (and horses) do suffer injuries in their line of work. Because people will not submit to the law when they are called upon to do so. That doesn't make it right, it doesn't make it the police's fault, and doesn't mean that people who do hurt police or police animals should not be brought to bear for their actions. If someone does deliberately injure or threaten police or police animals whilst resisting their legal obligations as a community member then they should wear the consequences. Put yourself in his shoes: you assault a family member/spouse, do a runner from them and police, resist arrest until a dog is deployed and despite all those opportunities you have had to submit you continue your unlawful behaviour and threaten to kill that dog? You're a loser. No respect for family, for the law, for animals. edit - sp

Ahhhh... Beautiful moonlight...

What a loser. This link has a bit more and a pic of PD Cyrus: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensl...f-1225928124828

Quite a thread guys! One example I can give you with certainty Poodiful1 is that at the RSPCA in the ACT, who regularly rehome pitbulls, (and lots of bull mix mutts) there has only ever been one attack on a staff member that resulted in hospitalisation of the victim. The cuplrit? A Chihuahua. Tore the staff member's hand and arm up so badly and so determinedly that he was hospitalised. You really are struggling to prove anything more that the fact that certain dogs are potentially more dangerous than others. I worked for a decade in country law enforcement and dealt with a great many dog attacks, on humans and animals. The culprits were everything and anything, I can think of examples from every single ANKC group. Plus a whole lot of mutts. The most dangerous dogs I have personally met were an akita, a cattle dog and a great dane who went from lying under a bush to my throat in a heartbeat. Were they bad dogs? From bad breeds? Nope. Or just creatures of their own environment and upbringing? Maybe that and more. We never know exactly what a dangerous dog has lived through to make it how it is. Sometimes we see a little of it and understand, other times we don't. Broad categorisation of dangerous dogs is just as difficult and pointless as doing it with dangerous people. It goes round and round in circles and doesn't achieve anything. Perhaps broader community education is more productive? Anything has to be more productive than finding ways to blame groups rather than individuals. Dog attacks are individual things. Media is profit driven. They have no regard for the truth unless it is their best interests. If it's not exciting they will ignore it or make it exciting... You cannot trust what you read and hear. :rolleyes:

Maybe you can contact the shop and ask to have your name placed on the pup as a back-up should it/they not sell, as an alternative to disposal. It might sound harsh, but if they don't make their dollars on the deal, they may be happy at the end to have someone take the problems away for free instead of paying to have them pts etc.

What a great Skipper! Going above and beyond.

Yep. Find existing breeders you can trust. Talk to lots of people, and take what they have to say on board. You'll be able to judge who wants to genuinely help you and who has other motives if you're careful!

Crap. What a horrible thing. I'm so glad your vets were there! Lots of positive thoughts and crossed fingers and toes here!!

Or get "milk money". Yep. There's always someone out there who thinks up a way to try and cash in

Hi Kate. If you Google "Friends of the Hound" and GAP QLD you might find some contacts.

'Tis a nice thought, but in certain situations you can be arrested if you don't comply with an evacuation order. Would there be a way to make your pets safe if you were removed?

We should see you at Harden Remember how Bond had his borzoi girlfriend Ursie to play with at shows? Well there'll be a new show ring boyfriend for Pandora... Borzoi and Elkie cuddles all 'round!

I know!! I'm completely stuck on it... hoping my keyboard is slightly drool-proof...

What about these ones?? Saluki Station Tassels

Just sitting here wondering about people in Victoria being evacuated etc. I know PACERS will no doubt jump in, but does anyone have any early thoughts on help that we might be able to offer long distance? It would be hard to evacuate with your dogs in tow, and I'm wondering if people with pets will be welcomed at the emergency centres, or sleeping in cars? Any thoughts?

Wow! They are pretty flash. But yep, I envisage lots of long hair all wrapped around those little beads... Very nice on smooth coated dogs. The spooky one would be fun - your dog could dress up for halloween!!

I'm excited to say I actually did mine on time for once!! We'll be there on Friday and Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it - it's a great weekend!

May well be dodgy, but could also be from someone genuine for whom English is not their normal language... Normally dodgy ones go straight into money or shipping talk don't they?