mita

No, the problem in the reporting, is over-generalisation. And this is another. 'Everyone thinks you are talking about someone else and not them.' To misquote Groucho Marx, 'Send out & get me an Everyone!' What most people associated with purebred breeding would ask for, is a balanced reporting on the state of purebred dogs. There is rigorous research to suggest that an overgeneralisation of all pure breeds going to Hell in a handbasket, doesn't fit the evidence. The evidence is that there's a mixed bag, of soundness & less soundness. And when compared along with mixed breeds re longevity, it was a group of pure breeds which emerged at the top. Reporting of the reality, then, should have incorporated a balanced view. It's as important to know what has been done 'right' and how....as it is to know what has been done 'wrong' and why. As it's said that this follow-up program will reprise the basic of the first program, then it seems to be a case of more over-generalisation and under-reporting to follow.

And I couldn't agree more with SSM's comments. The Pedigree Dogs Exposed program was an exercise in over-generalisation and under-reporting about what was already being done about the very issues raised. The producer herself admitted, in an interview quote, that she'd exaggerated in this way, in order to grab attention. Who'd want to watch a program called 'Some Pedigree Dogs Need Attention, Most Don't. And Here's the Evidence about Both Aspects.' Ah, yes, such a balanced report, based on evidence, would be delegated to a science program. Not exactly a crowd puller for ratings. So, for her follow-up, there'd be not a hope in Hades that she'd pop across to nearby Denmark & collect their evidence how a bunch of pure-breeds came out top of the list....over mixed-breeds, too...in the longevity stakes.

DogsNSW used to have a canine hero award. Tibbie, Angel, was nominated when she alerted people, via the special distress bark, that a lost toddler was standing in the middle of a busy street outside her home. I wonder if this DogsNSW award still exists? And if so, if it accepts out of state dogs as they did with the Qld, Angel? Onya for taking the camera to the hospital. Like Winterpaws suggested....how about alerting the local newspaper, too?

Good on you, K & P. I'll pass this on to all I know who live in the Ipswich area. For Gold Coast people who can't make it, maybe you have some good items for recycling & fund-raising, via the AWL Op Shops down there.

Well, done Gracie. You did indeed save a life. And you should receive recognition for Lassie to the Rescue work! IR, you're so right about the 'distress' bark that dogs use to alert to life-threatening danger.

Fun Day at AWL Qld now postponed until 2nd July (previous date was 25 June, but that clashed with Mudgeereba Show). Rebel FM Radio will be broadcasting from the site. So now from 10 am, 2nd July. Food stalls, face painting, balloon artists, party pod, raffles. AWL is at Shelter Rd Coombabah (northern end Gold Coast). Enquiries to AWL (07) 5509 9030 Pic of Rebel FM mascot with 2 yr old Cleo who's presently for adoption from AWL Qld: http://www.facebook.com/AWLQLD#!/photo.php?fbid=10150200687147547&set=a.10150200686957547.310572.157104907546&type=1&theater

Not a bad idea! Seriously, we'd always had working dog breeds..finishing with shelties. My 2 last shelties were senior dogs, when it was decided to consider another breed because of lifestyle changes. A smaller calm housedog type. A tibbie filled that bill. There was a transitional period when there were 2 senior shelties & a 3 yr old tibbie. Now it's only tibbies.

Me, too. Our puss is small, sweet, with no aggression, best friend to the little dogs. BUT when it became clear there was a mouse in the downstairs storeroom, I just popped her in the door. Instant transformation. She turned into a small mouse-seeking missile. Like lightning, she found the mouse instantly.... When the mouse was no more, she turned from super-heroine to being small, sweet, with no aggression etc.

There used to be an Asian breeds club of Victoria. May not exist any more. But the pres. of the tibbie club used to be an office holder. She may know people who represented the Shiba Inu. I'll send on this info about AAPS, in case she does.

I agree with this. In fact, it was a good vet who originally pointed out to me the awfulness of 'sedation' that just affects motor control....while the dog is terrified, unable to express it. Also agree with Christina's suggestion & RSG's take on it, from an experienced groomer's view.

Yes, but Em's eyes are saying, 'To hell with this elegance stuff. I'm all for comfort'

Tibbies impersonate cats impersonating Snoopy on top of the kennel.

Spotted D, those pics are a hoot! I hope you've got a single chair somewhere, too.

Kirislin, invest in a short-legged breed & your sofa troubles will be over. Then it's only necessary to supply the biggest, softest floor cushions, with covers that get washed & changed every few days. And some soft teddy toys from Vinnies for the dogs to snuggle into. Short legs sometimes go with short muzzles, so you may also have to put up with snoring like freight trains that drowns out the TV. But, then, maybe after all that, you might as well stay with the greys on the sofa & you on the single chair. We can't win.

Our Cardy didn't, I don't know anything about Pembrokes.

Cardigan Corgi. Slightly bigger than the Pembroke Corgi, but with a more laid back nature. Great all-round, adaptable family dog but still compact. We had a Cardy as a family pet when we were kids. Biddy could switch readily into all the family action. Calm little housedog with my mother, reliable & happy with children, sensible to take walking or on family outings, and even brilliant as a 'crew member' on my father's boat.

The most unusual hint I've heard about managing a dog with a fear of thunderstorms, is to put on a load of washing. It was said that the noise & vibrations of the washing machine take focus away from the storm noise. Maybe that came from the days when washing machines rumbled & vibrated much more. I've also seen a puzzling thing at first hand. Tibbie, Lily, next door, is terrified of thunder storms. She gets terribly agitated & becomes frantic to be picked up. She has to be held for the entire time the storm goes on. BUT, on a couple of occasions, her 'mum' was not in a position to pick her up. So Lily ran out, into the storm, to the side fence where she barked & barked to come over here. When she was pulled over the fence, she ran straight to our 2 tibbie girls who don't have a care about storms. As soon as she was with them, she changed completely. The storm was still raging with dreadful noise, but Lily just hung out with our Nina Zena & Annie as if everything were normal. And, no, she made no demand to be picked up by the people. I don't know if this is a one-off peculiar to Lily.....or if the presence of unfazed dogs can dampen another dog's anxiety level.

Here's a current call for help from ACD Rescue. Who've been approached by a genuine couple posted overseas for 12 months. And who made plans for their two ACDs to be cared for, in that time. Now 6 weeks before leaving, those arrangements fell apart. ACD Rescue has asked for any ideas that might help these people who dearly want to keep their dogs. http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/221350-long-term-care-for-two-acds/

We've talked often on DOL about the need for facts about the benefits of getting pets from registered breeders to get to the public. One example, I'd like to see informative material handed out to the public, in those pet supplies stores that refuse, on principle, to sell puppies & kittens. So many pet people do not know what they're missing out on. A while back, I was in a pet store getting some item only available there. The assistant asked me what dogs I have. When I said 'Tibetan Spaniels', her face lit up. 'You'll be so pleased to know that we're getting in some Tibetan Spaniel X.....!' She never finished the sentence. I pointed out that was appalling, watering down one of the finest, well developed breeds & selling them to people whose only screening was that they had the money to pay. At the same time, I knew excellent registered breeders who had puppies & older dogs for adoption....to only well screened homes. And the prices were nothing like the highly inflated prices being charged for the crosses from god knows where, in the pet-shop. When walking our 2 tibbies, I'm continually approached by strangers who admire them. And then express surprise that it's possible to get such lovely purebreds....as pets. They think pedigree dogs are for showing.

Scroll down for the logo for the AWL Qld's Pregnant Paws Program. They may have some printed material which they'd make available. http://www.awlqld.com.au/community-education.html#Pregnant%20Paws%20Program But Kirty's right with her advice about Cosmolo offering such a course in Victoria.

Yep, Erny, good point about size of dog. I'm used to dealing with dainty shelties & tibbies. And another fair point, Corvus, it could help to look further into his work than the bits in that article. As to genetic diversity, I'm used to dealing with a breed where there's international cooperation by the breeders, in widening bloodlines.

Thanks, Ams. The elderly lady must be devastated & in total shock at losing her only son so tragically. Whippets are lovely dogs.

And I agree back. The ignoring bit just teaches the dog what will not work for getting attention. It has to be paired with the dog learning to earn 'good things', like attention, on the owner's call & command.' I find with the tibs that the penny soon drops...only time they'll get attention is when bottom is on the ground. So they give up, jumping up. And bottoms start hitting the ground! Same approach for teaching children. Negative rules tell what not to do, but what counts is learning what to do.

What about if it's the other way around....& your dog originally travelled from overseas to you? My girl flew from Sweden as a pup, along with her litter brother. To highly respected Australian registered breeders. Now she's a desexed pet, after her 'show' career. And she's a wonderful all-round lovely, confident dog. I can't believe my luck to own her! But I've noticed something that makes me wonder. Only place into which she will not go, is the small shed in the backyard. The other dogs & cats happily go there. There'd be no way of proving what I've wondered. Does that interior remind her of the long flight in the hold of a plane?

The two examples re pet dogs he gives are sensible. Like when dogs jump up, demanding attention, there's nothing like the BIG IGNORE (arms folded, facing away) to 'not reward' them by giving it to them. But when the dog is told to 'Sit' first, then it can get some attention. Also I agree that dogs have to be taught to spend time alone at home, without getting anxious or demanding to have their owner back. But, as someone points out in the Comments, a lot of this is not new & names another long-term, well-known writer about dog behaviour. I notice that in Dr B's extended remarks that he gets in, on the UK-based 'bashing' of purebreds as 'wrecks'. Which came from a certain amount of over-generalisation and over-dramatisation for a TV program. At my feet is a Swedish-born purebred who has a lot of UK dogs in her pedigree. She's magnificent in looks, temperament & shining good health. The groomer continually asks what she's fed! Then answers her own question....'It's the breeding!" OK that's just one dog, but it shows that all generalisations can be false.