LizT

Having multiple dogs is great and I was just thinking the other day what it would be like to have an "only child". I haven't had just one dog since I was 15 years old. So it's been multiple dogs for 35 years. Somedays I wish I just had one to devote all my attention to, but most days I like the way our pack runs. :) It's always a risk when introducting an Adult dog into an esablished home. So much easier to bring in a puppy, though not necessarily more work, just different work. What you need to ask yourself is, is your breed a breed that will adapt to a multiple dog dynamic and what is Plan B should, down the track you find the dogs do not get along, as has sadly happened to many people before.

This is interesting as I have heard similar lament of damaged tails in Boxers but have not seen such with regard to any examples of thin, weak tails that literally break!!! Urban myth perhaps? I mean there were plenty examples of these breeds that were "oops bred" pure and cross bred that I have seen over years with full tails and no problems.

Precisely how does one monitor the amount of time a dog spends in a crate and how much exercise it receives anyway without actually being there? I do however get the impression dogs do spend a lot of time in crates in the U.S. based on what I have read on U.S. forums etc. Again, this is purely speculation on my behalf.

It make me happy to knowthat Busta had been given a fair go and a lived happy last year of life. ALso, that he didn't meet with a violent end. R.I.P Busta.

I would imagine it is more a case of those the ANKC cannot/will not accept such as purpose breed cross breeds (dare I say D.Dogs?) and those who breed for the Pet Shop Industry. Oh, and of course working dog lines of variable and non determinable 'type'.

....and hopefully it would be interpreted correctly and not made to feed any "big Dog phobia". Sometimes with the Media you can't win.

If the dogs are indoor dogs you can use a garden hose or watering can and rinse off the grass if you are present when they go out to pee. It's the only things that works for sure. I found Lawn Rocks in the water work sometimes but not always. It could well be the time of year and the amount of rain, dew on the grass contributes. I have found some dry foods seem to be a bigger cause than others too.

I would be worried about this too, as my Aussie terriers like to attack anything that moves on the floor. :laugh: I suppose I could always put them outside for a while though, while its doing its job. I'm very interested in getting one of these too....my Dyson Vacumn cleaner does a fantastic job,but it would be nice to have one of these for the inbetween days that I don't vacumn. :) That's what I'm thinking too, my automatic vacuum system goes back to Uni next week (my son) so it would be nice to run it while the dogs and I nap during the day (I work at night) in a different part of the house. It can run where the dogs aren't at the time. Even if they are in their crates at night, it would be good as it has a timer so won't go indefinitely. I'll have to save my pennys.

Yah! This is the first time I'd be happy with an APPLIANCE for Mothers Day!

My ex's family had a Kelpie with this kind of problem. She would wag her tail madly while sitting and it rubbed on the concrete path. Then she would chew at the scab and make it a terrible sore. The Vet called it "Happy tail syndrome". It went on for a while and finally the vet docked a few inches off the end to clean up, stitch and finally heal what became a big mess after failed attempts with Elizabethan collars and bad tasting ointments. This made it just out of her reach and the tail finally did heal.

Not an excuse but a possible reason. When we were kids back in the dark ages we would cut through peoples yards to save going right around the block. A couple of quick "over the fences" and you were at your mates place. Maybe that's why the kid ain't talking. I KNOW, I KNOW.... totally unacceptable...but we were kids. (hangs head in shame hoping no one sees the slight chuckle as she remembers the other things they got up to!)

I think in esssence we must agree that all creatures, human, canine or otherwise deserve respect. Once it was said that a mistreated person was treated "like a dog". Some societies today still do not have any respect for dogs and so for someone to say they treat their dogs as if they were their children could well mean that they have the greatest love and consideration for the canine companions. This is a good thing. YES, treat dogs as part of the family, they ARE!! But to refer in serious lament that your dog is your "child" belittles the dog. A different species with entirely different needs and to substitute these needs to something akin to what you would treat an immature or pre-school human, and to feel this is better than fullfilling it's canine requirements really does shortchange the dog, who becomes an ADULT dog very quickly, with ADULT dog needs.

Congratulations BB and BBJ. I know how much this means to you both and how hard you have worked for it! Well done Ruby Rose you beautiful Lady.

Hmmm....there have been what I consider a few "highly disturbing" references recently of OP's referring to their dogs as in one instance..... "my son" who was taken by the 'authoriites". And "my child" who did not receive the medical treatment I felt he needed, nor the compassion he deserved. I'm sure as DOLers we all love our dogs because they are. Dogs.

Yes! To my eye, a docked tail makes the dog look chunkier than when it has a tail.

:laugh: You remind me of my friends old German shorthaired pointer. Her tail used to clear the coffee table and leave brusies on your calves!! Admittenly she was poorly trained and a hazard indoors until age slowed her down.

As a Dog Exhibitor I too cringe when I see it but I do believe that the terriers certainly would let the handler know if this were hurting them at all, as Nekbet says. It just doesn't look very comfortable and you certainly would not see a Peke or Cav being handled like that, they just aren't designed that way. The only not officially a terrier breed I can think of that I've seen handled this way is the Maltese, no, not a terrier but similar in structure. Now I'm wondering if a Havanese or Lhaso handler does this???? On a personal level I don't think not ruffling the coat justifies picking any dog up in this way myself. I know it's been done for a long time, doesn't hurt the dog etc. I just don't see myself ever picking a dog up in this way.

On the subject of "trimmings that enhance a fierce appearance". I've often wondered how the Rottie escaped the ear trimming that the Dobes/Danes were/are subject to in an attempt to enhance a fierce appearance?

Really!!!

Sorry but I can't see any "prices" only "bids" for these items.

I owned a Schipperke in the 1980's and believed her to be a tailess breed. I know some are supposedly born tailess but given the number I now see around WITH tails I'd be inclined to believe this is less than a handful at best. I have to say I did a double take when I saw my first 'Skip' with a tail. I do like it, they look so much more balanced. :)

The main gate, just past the front door (my front door is actually on the side of the house), is over 6 feet tall and is all vertical bars about 10cm apart - this is the one we use all the time. The other one around the side of the house is small but it would set off the 2 dogs next door if anyone went down there (2 rather big GSPs)... I have contacted someone about the CCTV things so we can get it sorted as soon as possible. He is going to come and have a look at how our place is set up and make some recommendations. Charjas, I have no idea why they would open the freezer on the back deck of the house - none.. Nothing really adds up to any motive or suggestion why someone would come into my backyard to begin with, let alone open the freezer and give a packet of barf patties to the dog and leave (leaving behind a hacksaw and a drop of blood on the freezer door)... If you can make any sense of it, I would be happy to hear it.. Some people keep their valuables such as jewels etc. in the freezer. Opportunistic thief may have come into yard, having seen freezer on deck at some stage, brought hacksaw in case it was padlocked, found it open, cut finger on hacksaw, checked freezer, saw only pet food, seeing dog decided to give food to animal in case he alerted owners to his presence. Although IMO anyone that did keep valuables in a freezer ON THE BACK DECK would have to be a complete nufty, but maybe the thief is too.

The ANKC Regulations Part 6 The Register and Registration was not altered when the Allowable Colours listing was implemented, revised and repealled. Clause 6.2.4 still states - "The registration of White Boxers is NOT permitted on any register". Graham And I think you will find the same with the GSD. They simply WONT allow whites on the Register as it is "not recognised" is the term they like to use. And that decision is not even associated with any health concerns real or imagined. No, you can limit register any dog of any colour EXCEPT white Boxers. They are the only ones not allowed on any register. Which is stupid! You are told you have to registered every living puppy, yet you can't register a white one? SOoo are they saying to you, you have to PTS at birth??? They should be put on limited registration. Soooo confusing, would really like to know what is the real implications and registration qualifications in all states and territories in the country, there seems to be so many discrepancies Who knows !! So, if you happened to breed a "freak of nature", such as the Albino, of any breed (except a Boxer) it would be registered on LR.

The ANKC Regulations Part 6 The Register and Registration was not altered when the Allowable Colours listing was implemented, revised and repealled. Clause 6.2.4 still states - "The registration of White Boxers is NOT permitted on any register". Graham And I think you will find the same with the GSD. They simply WONT allow whites on the Register as it is "not recognised" is the term they like to use. And that decision is not even associated with any health concerns real or imagined.