moko81

Sorry to hear We had to euthanise one of our bitches who was only 6mths old mid last year. I didn't attend the euthanising my hubby did, me & the kids went & seen her a few hours prior to say our last good byes. The whole process for us absolutely broke our hearts & the hardest thing was having the kids ask whens Coco coming home Mum/Dad

after being out with friends last nite & also asking there thoughts on heat pad versus heat lamp, the consensus was heat pad as a few have said they cooked a couple with the lamps & they found heat pad to be a better fit for them. I still like the idea of a heat lamp & haven't ruled it out yet, but also have heat pads on hand incase all hell breaks loose with the lamp I too thank everyone who has replied to this thread, I've learnt more here then I could've ever imagined to you all.

Yay, box is finally built :D & I must say hubby did an awesome job :D ;) He wants to put a few finishing touches to it before I can take pics, Thanks to everyone for there suggestions, words & support it is much appreciated

www.perperonepetsupplies.com.au is the best and cheapest place to purchase @ $30 per meter I actually seen this on the dogzonline advert pop up, will definitely purchase from here if hubby allows me to buy it :D

Have just switched my doggies to UA. I had them on Coprice family dog, although 2 of my dogs were doing good on it my big boy just didn't look the same as before. Although stupid me never factored into account that going from a Premium kibble to a budget concious (spellchek) one was gonna be a huge change to there bodies. Anyway so I thought I'd give UA ago & see what all the hype is about, Hubby was a bit put off by the shape of UA & was like WTF my doggies seem to like it although there were a few upset tummies, probably from the change to the kibble again . A bit early to give my diagnosis of the brand, but if there eating it & it's not coming back up or out the bottom to frequently then it's a good start.

After spending much of the morning arguing in Bunnings & my hubby declaring "he is not making a whelping box & the puppies are gonna sleep in a plastic pool" I called Mr Plywood & was quoted (with cutting) for waterproof ply $80 for a 3ftx3ftx2ft box with base He said all we had to do was seal it or paint it (samething) before we screwed it all together, cool got a pot of acrylic paint in the shed. Very very happy with that :D :D :D Thank you all very much for your suggestions, pix & kind words it was really appreciated 1 more question VET BED (green or blue bottom) which is the best one for us to get?

We have a heat lamp which is good, 1 of hubbies many purchases when he discovered ebay A few other people have also recommended heat lamps rather then heat pads & it makes alot of sense. With the xposed wood on the melamine if you were to purchase some of that metal stuff (can't think of the name or rite phrasing ) would you still have to seal the wood even though it was covering it (hope u understand wat i'm on ;) ) sorry having a clueless moment.

A friend of ours has the same & sez the exact same thing about it. Usually I'm the type of person that always has to have brand new & the best, but unfortunately the best is a little outta reach at the mo' ;) . Would love to buy one but after they add the shipping cost to sydney which was an extra $130 that then puts the box at $650 which is way above what we can afford. Neva mind I'm sure we'll either find or make one that we can afford & will do us until we can get the heated one

Yea thats the place I called & we were quoted the same as you. Look in the long run it probably would be worth it but at present it's a bit to much money to fork out especially knowing we still gotta pay for our bitches caeser, (thats if she's preggars mind you ) but after seeing all the other home made ones we will definately be making our own.

Thanks all for your replies :nahnah: , definately think we gonna purchase materials & have a go at making one. I shouldn't be to rough on the other half, but sometimes it's just so much easier for me to buy something already built not as many arguments that way 1 last question, what type of wood should we use & could we get this at bunnings?

Wow Leanne, that looks great Mite have to let hubby have a look at the pics for inspiration :nahnah:

Hi Again We possibly could have a litter due mid next mth & are wanting peoples thoughts on Whelping boxes. Our last litter a friend let us borrow thier's which was a huge help as we didn't know what the hell we were getting ourselves into, with this possible litter approaching rather fast we feel we should do something quick smart. Hubby (god love him) thinks he can wrangle something up before then, but he's been saying this well before we even mated our bitch & still no whelping box . Another friend has recently purchased a Thermostatic (think thats how there spelt) one from a place in Melbourne, reckons it the best thing they've ever brought. I contacted the place & there over $500 bux, with the recession & all it's a bit much at the mo'. So the question is, to help keep costs low should we buy materials & attempt to make one, try & source one online (have looked not very many online) or do we save all the hassle & get the $500 Thermostatic one (which hubby has decided he would rather get now). Thanks in advance for any thoughts :D

Thanks all, Will definately do her tomorrow Cheers.

Oh wow, you learn something new every day . We were told by other breeders not to use frontline, as it could harm the pups. To be honest I never asked our vet if it was okay, was just going by what other breeders said. Okay I'll wait til then to flea treat her, I know she's being irritated by them at the moment & we flea treated her before we mated her. If pregnant it is aproximately 5wks from 1st mating, is it too early to do now? Cheers Moko

Hi All Was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to use on a pregnant bitch as a Flea Prevention :D I've heard you shouldn't use frontline etc but was just wondering what I would use instead. Thanks.

Thanks for all ur thoughts. When I posted on here a few weeks earlier, for a cheaper alternative dry food the concensus was Uncle Albers or Great Barko. Unfortunately the store that used to supply it close to me has closed down. The place where I got the Coprice from said they would get it in for me but as my dogs were outta dry I went with this as they said it was very popular with alot of people & have heard good things about it. My dogs have been on it for a few days now & have not turned there nose up at it once, mind u it's mixed in with semi lean mince sardines/yogurt (alternatively) so maybe they can't taste it usually they'll just eat the meat & leave the kibble. They are quite fussy specially with dry hence the reason weve been through every premium brand u can think of. Once again thanks for all ur thoughts. ;) ;)

Hi, I have a bitch who was mated last week, way to early to say wether she caught, just wanting to know other breeders opinions on Coprice Family Dog Food? Is it a good dry food for her or should we change her to something else. Have read that pregnant or lactating bitches should be put on a premium high quality diet. Which would be what? Her dry is mixed in with her semi lean meat & yoghurt/sardines in alternate meals. I have had a pregnant bitch before but to the horror of alot of other people she most definately was not on any form of high quality dog diet, high quality human diet maybe :D she ate absolutely anything & everything & dry food was not on the menu . I have only just put all my dogs on Coprice Family Dog Food today (for financial reasons), they seem to like it but I guess it's a bit early to tell. Really interested in peoples thoughts.

I know people that have a few also lol. There 1's have the JRT body with a Staffy head & bounce around the house like kangaroo's, lol.

Hopefully I can get there on the day the Bulldogs are being showed, can't remember which day that is but will ask some1 at the Bulldog Specialty.

As we have been showing now for about a year, we have very quickly come to realise that it may not be the cheapest hobby around Since starting showing we have purchased. Oztrek 2.4 x 2.4m Gazebo (very good brand but definately very pricey) will have to purchase another soon as we are quickly growing out of this 1. So one for us & one for the dogs, lol. 2 lots for solid walls for Gazebo (also pricey) Silver Mesh Wall 2 dog trolleys 1 Soft Crate, 2 wire crates. 2 Chairs 1 mat 1 crate cover 1 bag to hold accessories a few pots of white chalk coat shine portable shaver to clip dogs whiskers leads (usually we forget a lead so it's off to Don for another) perfumes water bowls number holders brushes heaps of dog mats, & the list goes on. Now bear in mind, we have accumulated this across the year & everytime we go to a show we always seem to come back with something new But for yourself & it being your first time, all u need is shade maybe a huge umbrella or gazebo (shop around) a crate or trolley for your dog a chair for urself, bag to hold all ur bits in pieces in lead & arm band or pin to hold ur number, make sure you have iced water, or maybe grab a bag of ice to put in with water for ur dog as it can get very hot at shows. A dry towel, very smart attire for urself with comfortable shoes. Biggest must have of all is knowing that regardless of the outcome ur dog is a WINNER

My next dog will be more than likely 1 we have bred, if not, will hope a friend who is a registered breeder is able to send 1 ova for us. (fingers & toes crossed for this one)

Normally how much protein should there be in your dry food if you are mixing it with semi lean pet mince?

Do you follow the recommended feeding plan on the packet or do you have your own method? Do you both mix either of these dry food with pet mince? & how often do you feed?

Thank you so much to every1 for your advice, will look into it all & I guess it'll come down to trial & error. Regards Moko