Kia

how is it we still have Pit Bulls in Australia.....aren't they banned and any that were here needed to be desexed? Yes I know...people don't know the breeds and some lie on the paperwork......

well i think not giving back $1500 would be very unfair. and as people have said above, fine I could always take the dog then and re-sell on the trading post.... So you get the dog and re-sell it on....what health history will you pass on to the new owners? Also will it be desexed due to the health issues it MAY have? A proper discussion with the breeder should be the first thing you do.....

If you are worried about cutting too far you can file them down. It will take a bit longer to do. Depending on how strong the nail is an emery board or there are doggy nail files.

Hi all I am looking for feeding and management advise for dogs affected with this... I have Australian Shepherds and recently found out that 2 dogs from a litter have had to have surgery to remove these stones. I had never heard of this in aussies and it has come as quite a shock. Breed specific information seems to not exsist........ Thanks in advance

no you don't need to have another prefix for another breed unless you want to. Many breeders have had several breeds over many years using only one prefix.

I think that is an excellent question and am also very interested in hearing breeders' viewpoints on it. Yes Bedazzledx2 all sporting dogs should have excellent conformation to minimise the injuries. While obedience isn't quite so hard on joints agility is. This is where breeders have to make choices. We need those well constructed dogs in our breeding program but once they go to performance homes they are often desexed or the owners aren't interested in the breeding side of things and so the dog is unavailable. I have been stung on several occasions with dogs on breeders terms and co-ownership so these days I run on my most promising pups. Unfortunatly if these pups don't quite come up to expectation for the showring they end up in pet homes as performance people don't want an older pup or dog.

I have heard of bitches coming into season every 4 months and I have 1 here who goes about 5 months between.

I wouldn't recommend getting litter brothers or even a sister as they usually become extremly dependant on each other. If you really want to compete in the dog sports you would be better off getting 1 puppy and do the training and intoduce another pup in 12-18 months.

I hadn't heard of epigenetics......just thought it was a typo Now you have me curious....

RallyValley are you talking about the genetics associated with epilepsy? There are major studies in the USA currently looking into this. It is restricted to a few breeds at this stage.

I have found ASAP .....Australian Specialised Animal Pathology Laboratories located in Melbourne. Has anyone had reason to use them and were you happy with the service?

Thanks weiz4eva. I was hoping for a lab in Australia but obviously there isn't a big call for it.

Does any body know of a DNA testing company in Australia who can test for Canine Hyperuricosuria? Thanks in advance

It seems a shame that our vet students and nurses are being made to feel guilty about trying to learn. They all are animal lovers who have decided that they want to be able to help give animals a full heathy life. These young people need our support rather than adding to their stress. As to the use of these dogs .....what is the alternative....have them living in kennels for years waiting for a possible home? Let's give our students the very best chance to be the best they can.

thanks everyone for your replys. Would love the new diesel Subaru but that is just a bit out of the budget.......by a mile <g>

thanks for the replies.

Hi all....just after some recommendations for a vehicle that would be suitable what I am looking for is plenty of space, able to tow a dog trailer, good fuel economy, reasonable repair/maintenance costs and the biggy...seating that I can slide onto rather than climb into or out of

can you give us a bit more background information on the dog? Some aussies can be territorial which can be a crate or person.

he he Gayle....herding is totally adictive. If you can keep going with Dusty you will learn heaps....you learn so much more training a dog that isn't easy. For those in SA who would like to give herding a try there is a come and try day on 1st May. Piper have you put up details?

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Have to wonder what their understanding of "bonding" is. At 8 months aussies are just coming into their teen years. You have been more than reasonable hdr as it appears it might just be a case of the cute puppy stage is over. Michelle

the girls have the plan to keep us on our toes.....either waiting for them to come in or doing it early and catching you off guard

Hi Deneka, I can well understand your shock at this news in such a young dog as I felt that way when my aussie girl Jaffa was diagnosed at nearly 9 years of age. There are treatment options available. I didn't opt for treatment after speaking to a friend with a Border Collie who treated her young dog. It was just too expensive unfortunatly. We did get several months of quality life for Jaffa after the diagnosis but when she started showing signs of pain we gave her her wings. I have heard of someone in WA who had a well performing Border Collie in agility who did treatment and changed her dogs diet with remarkable results. Have you notified the breeder of Havana? While they may not have any experience with this it is important that they know. Thinking of you and Havana.......

Having had Poodles,BC, GSD, Shelties and an assortment of x breeds growing up, my dog of choice was the BC until I got my first aussie. I can't imagine having anything else but if I do it would probably be a Tibbie.

Interesting thoughts on a "gene" being responible for deafness in the Dals. In the breed I have, aussies, deafness is due to lack of pigment in the ear.