Leema

Thank-you for that. I will try to find some news articles.

I am looking for news stories on dog attacks in Victoria since Ayen Chol and the resulting legislation. These are the only two I've been able to find: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/dogs-attack-and-kill-family-pets-at-attwood/story-fn7x8me2-1226204725723 http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/dog-mauls-tot-good-samaritan-in-burnside-attack-in-melbournes-west/story-e6frfkp9-1226197871647 Would love any more that exist.

Yay! Thanks!

Hi. I'm looking for some news articles. I remember reading about a dog that was PTS by a vet because it met the description of a pittie. The vet's account was posted on Facebook and is spread like nothing else, and she spoke at a rally (?) about it. Can you please link me to anything about this story? I also remember reading about many dogs being released onto the streets as the amnesty ended. Though I have little faith this actually occured, I would love to have the article linked. I am writing BSL letters again, so if there's anything that has happened in Victoria since Ayen Chol's tragic death, that you think may be relevant, please link here.

Bitches may continue to produce antibodies in their milk, I'm sure. However, the puppies will be digesting them. The puppy's stomach is 'porous' for the first 24 hours which allows the antibodies to directly move into their blood stream and for them to have passive immunity. However, after 24 hours, any antibodies the mother may still passing on in her milk will be broken down just like any other protein and will not cause an immune effect. EDIT: Reworded for clarity.

Puppies only receive antibodies from their mother in the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, antibodies are digested instead of absorbed whole. That is, puppies weaned at 2 days will have the same amount of antibodies from their mother as those weaned at 42 days as those weaned at 56 days. I would not be concerned about this situation, either. Just monitor boobs to make sure that they look okay. You can also reduce mum's food to try to dry her up, but it should happen on its own, anyway.

I'd be concerned about getting two puppies and them bonding strongly to one another, even if they're from different litters. I always say that dogs should be happy and independent to one another. This can be achieved by making sure the dogs have separate time, sleep separately, go on walks individually, etc. I follow this with "It's very unlikely that both the dogs are going to pass away at the same time, and you don't want to have one dog upset and pining on the other dog's demise". It's a lot of work to raise two dogs to be happy without one another's company. This would be my first line of attack - I would really try to convince her to get one puppy, if any at all. I would be pushing this friend to get an older dog that has the foundations of good behaviour (e.g. doesn't jump up, mostly polite, house trained, etc) and settle this dog in in the next 6 months. Perhaps, once her human twins are a year old, then perhaps consider adding a puppy to the mix. If she was determined, I would: * Make sure both young dogs are raised as individuals, and learn to be happy and independent dogs. * Teach puppies polite and safe behaviours (no jumping up, no hooning inside, etc). * Extensively socialise the puppies with babies and young children. * Establish rules for the young dogs ASAP, the rules should be the same for when babies arrive.

I have found to just ring all vets possible, and enquire over the phone. Also, be specific - say that you are wanting this particular vaccination, and that you want the vaccination certificate to specify that her next vaccination would be in 2014. I'm not in Melbourne so can't give you a specific vet, I'm afraid. I know it's a pain.

I always write into my contracts that I will refund all monies if I determine the dog to be unsuitable. Though this hasn't happened as yet, I would be inclined to say that the dog is "too xyz" for the buyer and refund the money and be done with it. Saying that the dog is no longer suitable is a bit more charming than saying that you don't like her anymore. ;)

Thanks for that. Do you know how much? I don't even know what it was before.

I love these threads... I always aim to learn at least one more dog breed's pronounciation each time. Last time I learnt 'Keeshound' is not said 'keish-hound' but 'kay-zund'. This time, I think I have nailed Xolo... show-low-eats-qweent-lee And I'll remember Rott-vy-ler now. I thought 'Shih Tzu' was pronounced 'Sheed-Zoo'... There is some suggestion here that it should be 'Sheerd-Zoo' instead, but no one has actually confirmed the Tzu pronunciation...

I don't like bugging secretaries - I am one and people are annoying! I might just rock up and be ready to pay on the day, if needed - and if not, just find a caravan park nearby.

Is camping allowed at the Lancefield shows, on the grounds? If so, how much, and do I just add it to my cheque to the secretary? Can't see anything on the schedules.

well I think that's a bit disappointing. I realise the smaller breeds would be mature by 12 months of age but all the others, mine included, are being judged on potenial. It would be unrealistic to wait, for any breed, to be fully mature, in my breed we would be waiting for the boys to be at least 4 :D , but I think 25 points after 12 months was reasonable. Actually it wouldn't bother me if the age was put up to 18 months but I suspect I would be in the minority The rationale behind it was, why should a CC awarded at 6 months be more important to one which is awarded at say 11 months old. If a dog must be 12 months old to be concidered worthy to be awarded a title, then awarding a CC which states the dog is worthy of the title Champion at 6 months old is a bit contradictory. My view was either remove the 25 points after 12 months old or amend the age at which challenges can be awarded. Graham In my breed, there are lots of big dogs - that look within standard at 12 months, but by 24 months, they 'blow out' and get heavy and untypey. For these dogs, I would like them to be awarded 25 points after 12 months in order to gain their title. I don't really mind about grand titles either way.

I was thinking schnauzer - particularly standard or giant - when reading your description. You didn't specify what size dog you'd like?

This gave me goosebumps: This attack was preventable!!! The council has a lot to answer for with, a) not impounding the dog earlier and, b) not monitoring the dog after it's previous impoundments.

Very happy to say that Napoleon and his sister are now officially mine to rehome. I have a PetRescue profile for each of them, so if you'd like to share it, I'd be most grateful. I have honestly said in their medical notes that we are unsure of the long-term health of these puppies - but I very much hope we have now passed the worst, and all adversities are in the past and families just have happy healthy puppies to look forward to. Napoleon's profile: http://www.petrescue.com.au/view/131418 His sister, Pocket's, profile: http://www.petrescue.com.au/view/131416

I think the ANKC is doing way too little in promoting our purebreds and their benefits, and supporting their breeders in a forever-hostile environment to 'puppy farmers'. I would love if they were more supportive of their members and their breeds.

The more time I spend with dogs, the more I think dog behaviour is hugely genetic. Socialisation can help to band aid some genetics, but it's never going to solve innate behavioural problems.

My understanding is that sperm will survive in the reproductive tract for 2 days, so you can, in theory, be 'out' by 2 days in your mating with no ill avail. That being said, I always mate dog and bitch every 24 hours until they're no longer interested. Always supervised.

We went to the skin specialist today. He has concluded that Napoleon has a skin infection and the raised bumps on his muzzle were caused by folliculitis. The oral anitbiotics (which has been on for 2 days) have diminished this infection's appearance. However, he'll still continue to go bald as much of his hair will be damaged already by the infection. The specialist suggested that the skin infection may have been associated with his eye infection. i.e. The eye infection moved to his skin. He is to continue on antibiotics for 7 more days, and I've also been given a anti-bacterial shampoo to use on him once or twice a week. Thank-you for all concerned DOLers. I am so happy to finally have a diagnosis - though I'm a little bit sad about how much money I've spent!

Pearce? Kiss? (That's the only names I can think of that sound similar!) But I agree with everyone else - a new name isn't going to be much harder to teach than a similar name. Just go with what you like.

This boy's skin is looking a bit better today. His little pimples aren't as raised, but he now has bald spots where they were. He also seems to be going bald on his knees, too - but at least the pimples seems to be subsiding. Still have the specialist to consult with tomorrow, so we'll see what he has to say tomorrow.

What is the horse stud name? Perhaps it could be shortened or reworked? An anagram?

My first border terrier, Mac, was sold to me with a heart murmur. The heart murmur was not detected at 6 weeks at vaccination. Though this dog is slow and quiet compared to my other dogs, I think this is part of his personality and not just his heart murmur. He heart murmur has been graded from 3 to 5 by various vets throughout his life. He will be 10 years old in January, and has been probably the cheapest dog I have ever owned in terms of vet expenses.