Alyosha

It's not a Mastiff ("English Mastiff" is as much a misnomer as "English Staffy" btw). It looks most likely to indeed be a Bullmastiff, or could even be a Boerboel. Both Bullmastiff and Mastiff standards are here: http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=164 http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=169 Many mis-identifications are made by self proclaimed breed experts who are far from it. And consequently can do more harm than good. Little different to people who label anything, from shin high to waist high that is tan with a black mask a "mastiff x". Sorry. OT... Don't forget too that brindle, depending on it's shade, can easily be confused for grey by many people... Going off scant and unproven details provided by the press and forming opinions about what the dog isn't is just as bad as people using the same dodgy info to say what the dog is. Speculation doesn't help. edit - fix links...

Oh... I think there's something in my eye...

I have seen the big Australian Ravens successfully predate full grown poultry - both chooks and ducks, as well as smaller native ducks. And they would all weigh in at far more than a little pup... They don't have to be able to carry something off to kill it. They will kill something to just eat it - even if they can't move it. They are predatory birds and not just scavengers. Individuals may hunt to a greater or lesser extent. I would be very wary of them around puppies up to about 3-4kg, and even bigger. They do indeed go for the head and even if they don't make a kill they can blind or fracture a skull very easily (thinking here also of the many owls I have seen with their eyes/skulls ruined by magpies - it can be a similar sort of attack). I hat to be morbid - but I have seen them in action. They are also highly intelligent and will pick their moment appropriately. Hence the sitting back and watching - calculating whether it's worth a try or not...

I have fostered for Janet and Peter while living in the Canberra area.

Doesn't make it right. The lynch mob mentality can be alive and well on the internet these days. It's pointless and vile, and all too often interferes with the criminal justice process. But then we can turn around and whinge about court outcomes as well I suppose...

This boy's breeder is now aware of his need and a new home in Vic seems to have been arranged. Thanks to those who gave the heads up. An older dog like this boy is always best going through a breed rescue sort of process whereby he lands in a suitable and permanent spot.

Have emailed them this morning. Will let you guys know when I hear back. At 7 years old he wouldn't normally be on his last legs. Hopefully there's nothing medical going on.

You could try Sydney and Melbourne Universities, they both have big vet schools.

Thanks for the poodle link sandgrubber - very interesting indeed. Not sure on the mast cell tumour one Maeby. Could be a really good thing to get a study done on. Look for a vet seeking a PHD subject perhaps? Even some of the testing services may be interested. If they can get enough samples they might be able to find genetic markers for it. I think the deaf thing could also be a combination. Less culling, and more market for pretty colours (especially in Koolies). More market always results in more indiscriminate breeding, or breeding solely for colour... Which is particularly bad in merles...

No that's really good actually. I think half the issue is that some people worry it will be a huge cull process (sort of like a foot and mouth breakout) and valuable individuals and lines will be completely lost. And I guess some of that comes from past actions like you mention - where elimination attempts have maybe gone overboard. Leah it's very interesting that your boy has an odd colour as well. I don't know enough about genetics to know whether they are associated by coincidence or something more. Maybe he could be a genetic study all by himself! :) SSM I agree completely. All food for thought. Kirty that's another sad story. I presume the pups could have all been tested down the track. If the long dead sire was clear they may have been ok, although some may have been carriers. Depending on it's inheritance pattern of course.

I think that's part of the bigger problem sandgrubber - that people have a tendency to not accept advice and to only learn from their own mistakes. It's always a frustrating exercise trying to get people to learn from other's mistakes... But examples can help to personalise a message sometimes and if it just relates to one or two people on a deeper level it's worth it!!

If I was in your boat I would be trying a high dose of vitamin C while waiting to get into the specialist. Certainly can't hurt, and can give the immune system a good boost. I use Sodium Ascorbate or Ascorbic Acid. It is a powder and can be added to food - I would be using a dessertspoonful a day.

This is a question mostly for breeders, but as some experienced folk aren't in the Breeders Forum I thought I would put it here. I'm writing a short article on genetic conditions generally and their implications within pure breeds. I'm hoping to find some simple examples I can include (without naming names or breeds necessarily) of what has occurred as a result of people ignoring genetic conditions within breeds. So examples where it may have suddenly spiralled out of control, had an unforeseen dramatic effect, resulted in big impact on the breed population, cost a bundle for breeders, etc etc. Am happy for PMs if people are more comfortable. So any examples springing to mind? Bearing in mind that I am seeking stories of broader breed-based implications rather than individual stories of problems or heartache. I'd love to include those but it has to stay brief and focussed.

Further article: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1789400/rspca-staff-may-be-disciplined-over-dog-deaths-poll/?cs=2373 Rutherford RSPCA kills family's dogs THE RSPCA staff who were involved in the decision to euthanise two Jack Russell terriers, despite attempts by their owner to reclaim them, may soon face disciplinary action. The case has also sparked new calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the animal welfare organisation. The RSPCA’s executive manager of animal care services, Brendon Neilly, said he was investigating all aspects of the case involving the dogs’ being euthanised. ‘‘At this stage it would appear that it was a genuine error,’’ he said. ‘‘I am focused on getting all of the information that I need to work out what went wrong ... If this means that systems have to change then that will happen. ‘‘If we have staff that need to be disciplined, that will also happen.’’ The Newcastle Herald reported yesterday that the dogs Nikki, 1, and Rocket, 2, were euthanised despite their owner Kylie McCrea negotiating for their release. She was attempting to raise the $960 fee required, she told the Herald. Despite not failing any health or temperament tests, the dogs were a deemed a ‘‘nuisance’’ because they had been impounded three times in the past two years, Ms McCrea was told. Society of Companion Animal Rescuers spokesman David Atwell said a parliamentary inquiry into the RSPCA’s operation was urgently needed because such incidents were not isolated. ‘‘It’s clear there is a cultural problem in the RSPCA; there are serious recurring problems in the organisation that have not been addressed,’’ he said. The National Party passed a resolution at its state conference in June for a parliamentary inquiry into the ‘‘charter, powers, public accountability of the RSPCA’’. Mr Neilly said steps had already been taken to ensure this week’s incident could not be repeated. See your ad here ‘‘We are looking at all of the information that we have available to see how often we are getting animals that have been impounded on multiple occasions,’’ he said. ‘‘The second part is reaching out to those people and say why is [their dog] getting out all time. Is it a training issue, is it a housing issue? What can we do to make sure that doesn’t happen?’’ edit - text didn't all copy in the first time!

I do like in Canberra generally you see lots of purebred dogs. Lots of rescue crossbreds too which is nice, but good to see breeds as well. I had a neckbraking sighting yesterday - a lady walking a nice Beagle and (wait for it... drumroll) a SUSSEX SPANIEL!! :dancingelephant:

It's all a bit old school. This is RSPCA, not a council pound. It seems an outdated notion for them to put payment of money over an animal's life. I would've thought that some positive interaction with the owner could have had a far better result. Not to mention how much fencing improvement could have happened for that amount of money. Maybe I've just seen too much of RSPCA ACT so have higher expectations. These were homeable dogs, with a home to go to. So they were killed for what? Out of frustration? Out of bloody mindedness? Out of stubborn administrative drive? Are we still living in the dark ages of shelters here? I thought people in this community would expect a lot more from a modern animal shelter.

:laugh: There is a gentleman on the sth coast with two boys - one silver & white and the other red & white. Don't know who else. And... When are you heading to shows in the Canberra area??

As far as I have seen in worldwide campaigns, the slogan "don't shop. adopt" is normally inclusive of buying from breeders. Correct me if I'm wrong of course... But it's often hand in hand with the other slogan, "If you buy, shelter pets die"... Personally I think they're both atrocious slogans, as I know most people around here do too. I've never seen how buying a pup from a registered breeder is less worthy of the title "adopting" then is buying a pup from a reputable rescue. Both are informed choices, both involve money changing hands, to a varying extent... One of my last litter I gifted to his new family - did they not "adopt" him into their family and home? Another way of actively dividing dog lovers up into little camps that don't like each other.

To all your assumptions - yes. In saying that, I will have a litter ready to leave home near Christmas this year - but the thought horrifies me! Why oh why did she come into season over a month early??? I feel like a right tool. But yes it has been years in the planning, yes there is interest already, etc etc. And yes, it will certainly cost me a fortune - not to mention I have had to buy leave from work and will be paying that back for well over a year as well! The timing, to my mind, is bad. I was actually hoping for them to be born just before Christmas so pups and my leave would co-incide with school holidays as the kids love to be involved. Plus it will have been nearly 2 1/2 years since my last litter - it's taken me that long to feel ready to go again! It's an exhausting and expensive exercise. Hugely rewarding, but utterly exhausting... :laugh: But I also had a very large litter last time. In a breed that can be hard to find suitable homes for, that's a scary thought in itself. I have only advertised on Dogzonline previously, but wouldn't rule out more generic sites. Homes can still be screened the same - but you may just find that extra perfect home that might not know about DOL... Many pet buyers turn to generic sites first. I think our carefully bred pups not be on there waving their flag alongside the byb and mixed breeds - it's all about positive exposure.

OMG Trisven that dog is the spitting image of my mum's old dog!!! Other than a slightly wider blaze... And even the thin coat in the blue areas - we used to say Max was part pig... as the hair was always so thin on his blue patches. :D If a black dog carries the dilution gene but doesn't express it can they develop dilution alopecia?

Does anyone else find it mildly irritating that a photo of an unusual purebred dog (Boston Terrier) is used to attract interest, but with the slogan "Don't shop, adopt" attached? Seems that purebreds are ok so long as they can be utilised for publicity...

Yep, it became a beaten dog. Which actually sounds pretty terrible!! But ineligible to compete against other unbeaten dogs for further awards.

I do agree Angeluca. Folks, if the thread doesn't relate or interest you, feel free to comment elsewhere.

There's been much discussion of this on a US breed list that I'm on. There is a clause for another person to see the pup on behalf of a buyer, like an independent person. Sort of an agent thing. Plus there is some confusion over who is subject to the rules, those with less than four breeding females are not required to be licensed? And no one has specified what age groups the definition of breeding females covers either. It may well be based upon the opinion of the AHPIS inspector... Which seems a little disturbing...