Tapua

How good is that lol

Best of luck a second opinion is always good.

IMO there is the need for physical stimulation - which you do by going for a walk and then the need for mental stimulation which is more challenging and combined with a walk helps to reinforce a positive relationship as well as satisfying some needs. Go for your walks - have fun but spontaneously throw in some sit, drop, stand, stay. Join a dog club and learn how to do it or get some lessons from a reputable trainer which is my preference. Be the leader with him and be consistent.

You will need an ABN, Accountant, to claim set up expenses you need to aim to be making a profit within for 5 years - if you are not making a profit after 5 years then the ATO will question the legitimacy of the claims. Look at diversification of products, budget for marketing. Business name must be registered with ASIC to open a business account - which only needs an ABN number to do - but the input on the computer is mind- numbingly detailed ugh. But you have to do it. sigh .... and there is more :)

sigh

Look up the NILIF on the net and go to you local obedience club at least

:) Good luck.

Yeah sorry I forgot to add he is a lab cross. A big solid dog, so we suspect he may be crossed with a rotti or mastiff. I was talked out of getting xrays as they may only tell me what I already suspect, then someone else said he's too young. I dont have huge amounts of cash to get hip replacements (I read $8000 a hip?) neither am I poor but $16000 is just cash I do not have. i want to try other things like physio, or supplements. I guess what I'm really afraid of is the vet telling me to have my puppy PTS. Is there anyone who has tried other methods other than hip replacement surgery?

What symptoms I am seeing...sits like a frog, waddley walk.

Could it be normal? I have only had one other dog and that was a kelpie. This is my first big dog.

Sorry didnt read this bit b4 my last post. He sounds like a big goofy pup - unless there is pain or lameness when walking all you see sounds normal. Post a picture that might help too. Young labs waddle it is a breed trait. Fat arse wombats that they are :)

You need to get Xrays if he is in pain.

It can also be a condition called oestio desecans which is a rapid growth issue causing pain and inflammation of the joints - not too uncommon it occures in many fast growing animal, large breed dogs, horses etc. Check weight a 4 month old should never be over weight and weight needs to be keep lean up till 12-18 months, any lame dog tends to be called HD by vets - it cannot be diagnosed unless there are Xrays. Check diet - reduce protien levels <25% helps too. Obviously money is always an issue just don't go to worst case scenario just yet. Get a second opinion if there is boney change it will show up, if it is inflammation only anti-inflammatory drugs will help.

Well we will keep working on it, will put a lot more work into the sit stays and see how we go, lucky she of course will do anything for food! I have to say she used to try and jump and pull towards people who were coming towards us when out walking on lead but I have worked really hard on making her stay in a heel which she nows does, so hopefully will get there with this too.

Welcome to living with Labs you manage to achieve in one area and another crops up that drives you nuts.

All Labs ( all dogs really) need training to live with humans - all humans need education to train their dog. Its worth the expense to get a trainer in to see what is happening and to address the problem. So hard to give advice when you cant see what the antecedent behaviour is. Have a look at the Nothing in Life is Free behavioural program it will help create leadership and elicit cooperative behaviour from your dog. But I would still get a trainer into your home so you can address the issues in your home environment.

Firstly I am sorry this has happened and I hope you poor pup isn't suffering. Please contact your breeder. If you specifically bought a pup with show/breeding potential and the breeder knew this and it was documented at the time of purchase then you have a case for a return of money or a replacement. However I am more concerned about your puppy it health and its prognosis long term. Some breeders will require the pup to be returned to them and will offer money or a replacement some will not. You can have generations of 0:0 scores and produce HD so to that point it is bad luck breeders don't intent to create HD and when this occurs all concerned are upset. You need to ask yourself 1) what is to become of puppy - return him or keep him? 2) Do I want a replacement puppy or money back

The breeder has a right to get a second opinion of Xrays by a radiologist.

Hi tapau, we had trials in Harden last weekend, wouldn't have been too far a drive for you? They will be there again in September and also canberra in September if you are interested?

Glad to hear Em and yourself are still hard at it TSD. They are so funny when they are trying to talk to you. I would love to go rough shooting, hoping it will happen in a month or so, just waiting for a few birds to arrive, not sure where they are all at at the moment! How much fun for you both!!

Novice is so hard to win at the moment, a few 2nds 3rds and consistently finishing, so I'm just going to keep up for training for restricted and hopefully enter both in September. We are on hold for a week, I came home the other afternoon to a very sore dog, I think he has hurt his back, so after a trip to the vet for some pain killers and a few days of rest he is now jumping out of his skin it's scarey! I'm worried he will hurt himself more. Anyway a few months now between trials to prepare.

Oh Rubyroo that would be fantastic I would be very interested can you PM me any contact details - is there anyone in the Central West I can spend some time with to get an idea of what to do and how to focus my training I would appreciate some help :)

Just a bit of Lab history did you know that Labs were originally used to retrieve fishing line off boats and that they have webbed feet. Known as the Lesser Newfoundland they were discovered by an English Lord who thought their retrieval skills and biddable nature would make them into good gundogs. Which is why they are mostly known as Gundogs. The breed and the standard was developed in the UK and the preferred colour was black & chocolate though often the chocolates were culled ( yes I do mean put down) and the yellows were a separate registration which I think was unified into 1 breed in the 1950s I think. Of course we know about their service dog/assistance dog skills. Falling more & more in love with this breed every day. :)

Tapua, what were the ages of your gorgeous girls when those pics were taken, as in fairness we cannot compare pups/youngsters to fully developed matured adults and it would be very helpful to know their ages at time pics taken. I know first hand the big changes that occur during a Labrador's development to maturity and of course the difference in sizes between females and males :)

Both bitches are just under 18 months the blacks photo was taken in 2013 Kura was taken this Sydney Royal. Daffy Dog also took 1st open bitch this year at 3 years old this year this is Daffy dog. More English in type with the typical chest development. Daffy whelped a litter in August 2012 her daughter took 2nd in the puppy class.

Tks for clarification on your gorgeous youngster's ages and tks for posting pic of your gorgeous Daffy (love her name), great to see a closeup pic of a matured Lab bitch

Tapua, your dogs look perfect.

LOL Dame Aussie their weight is perfect IMO but not in conformation I'd like to tweek things on all my bitches I am hoping my boy will improve what I think is lacking. But he is just a baby he has no idea he has a harem waiting for him he is too busy chasing balls and retrieving his dummy. lol Big doofus little does he know.... just about to get his hips/elbows done next week.

Love your gorgeous black boy, will be interested to see his development to maturity :)

Yep hoping his brain matures soon too lol such a goose but I love him :) he is bred by Anne O'Conner.

Tapua, your dogs look perfect.

LOL Dame Aussie their weight is perfect IMO but not in conformation I'd like to tweek things on all my bitches I am hoping my boy will improve what I think is lacking. But he is just a baby he has no idea he has a harem waiting for him he is too busy chasing balls and retrieving his dummy. lol Big doofus little does he know.... just about to get his hips/elbows done next week.

Tapua, what were the ages of your gorgeous girls when those pics were taken, as in fairness we cannot compare pups/youngsters to fully developed matured adults and it would be very helpful to know their ages at time pics taken. I know first hand the big changes that occur during a Labrador's development to maturity and of course the difference in sizes between females and males :)

Both bitches are just under 18 months the blacks photo was taken in 2013 Kura was taken this Sydney Royal. Daffy Dog also took 1st open bitch this year at 3 years old this year this is Daffy dog. More English in type with the typical chest development. Daffy whelped a litter in August 2012 her daughter took 2nd in the puppy class.

Hey Rubystar I have my boy retrieving like a bullet I am hoping to get some books on Retrieval and go to some training in Sydney but OMG everything is so far away. Probably shouldn't complain given the distance you WA people travel hey :) He is coming along with his healing and general obedience too and only 12 months old - very happy with Kupa puppy :) Are there any book you can recommend.

I agree I dislike overweight Labs it compromises topline and overall look and its just plain wrong. I have lost places because my dogs are said to be too athletic but I prefer fit over fat any day. This is one of my girls Pania at Sydney Royal last year.

See - that is the difference between fat and not fat. No one expects Labs to look like conditioned APBT's or Greyhounds, just for them not to be carrying loads of excess weight and to have reasonable muscle tone. Your dog is gorgeous Tapua and it's disheartening to hear you've lost points for the dogs being 'too athletic'!

Eh I am used to it but they are consistent in the ring and I am proud of that we gained 2 1st and a second at the Royal this year and a 1st/a 2nd & 2 3rds at the speciality. To me they rank higher than a general specials win any day :)I am much more prouder of my quiet achievers with 3 gaining their RN, & CCD in he last 12 months :) then there are the service dogs - I like my dogs to have a purposeful life.

This is my BYB Lab at around age 4 - in prime condition and just the way I like her to be.

Still looks very much the same but a bit more "solid" now at age 8... and weighs in at 26-27kg.

I'd like to see some of the Labs I've seen in the showring (admittedly I've only seen them at the Sydney Royal) just a bit leaner looking - like this gorgeous looking girl...

T.

Glad you like her and that would be my bitch Tapua Kura Junior bitch at Sydney Royal this year :)

I agree I dislike overweight Labs it compromises topline and overall look and its just plain wrong. I have lost places because my dogs are said to be too athletic but I prefer fit over fat any day. This is one of my girls Pania at Sydney Royal last year.

German Shorthaired Pointer..However a Weimaraner may suit you too.Visit some breeders and dog shows,spend time with the breeders adult dogs and ask lots of questions.

Remember every dog is an individual and a good breeder will be able to advise which pup in a litter would be the best match for you..

Tapua you type faster than me.

Just call me speedy Gonzalas

Generalised preference can be narrow down the choices.

Inside dog or outside dog?

Long coat or short coat - sounds like you are erring to short coats

Giant, large, medium or small - sounds like erring towards larger breeds.

Research breed traits & temperament

When you have narrowed down to 2 breeds then VISIT the breeder's kennels or visit at a dog show. If you are open and honest and prepared to wait be upfront about researching and that you are not planning to be a time waister. I have people ring and I offer them the chance to visit if they wish (few take up the offer) but those who have are grateful for the opportunity. When you have narrowed down a couple of breeds visit a dog show and check them out and the breeders too. If it is worth you time to make a 12-15 year commitment to a furry family member then research is worth your time. IMO how the puppy is raised in the first 16 weeks sets the behaviour for the future so seeing how a breeder raises their puppies is important. Ask questions if the breeder reacts rather than responds to questions go somewhere else. This is just my opinion.

Congratulations to all the winners it was a great night the MC/Magician was amazing busy fun loud room great venue great food :) The night went off well.

Hi all

looking at buying a puppy and wanted to get recommendations of breeders around sydney people have used and any feedback.

ideally we are looking at straight back GSD,

Thank you in advance.

Have a look at the GSD Puppies on DOL you will probably be looking at working GSD lines

That's pretty cool :)