Frostypaws

I don't have a dog yet, but being in a similar situation to yourself (working couple) I considered getting two dogs to keep each other company. I decided against it for two main reasons: the grooming upkeep (for a Samoyed) and the limited time I have for training.

Training one dog is something I want to focus my whole attention on, and if I have two I fear that I won’t have enough time to give them the attention and time that they need to be well-adjusted, well-trained, obedient and happy dogs.

I have the added bonus of having my own occasional 'puppy day care' available with my sister, who has dogs ;) I would also consider a pet walker once or twice a week if my dog was showing signs of boredom that weren't being remedied with lots of before-and-after work walkies, training, treat-filled dispensers, chewing toys, and sacrificial destruction toys!

I'm just tickled by the analogy

He probably doesn't enjoy the feel of raindrops pelting into his eyes so he stays out of the rain.

As for the humping, if you had your testicles removed do you think all your sexual urges would go away ?

I was told (by a boxer breeder many years ago) that white boxers can get skin cancer because it's the colour (ie red/brindle etc) that protects their skin from sun damage. Don't understand how that works, but that was what we were told.

Like other mammals (including humans) dogs have pigments called melanins which are responsible for their colouration. Melanins help protect the skin from high-energy solar rays (ultraviolet light) like built-in sunscreen. Light coloured animals have less pigment than darker animals and are more susceptible to damage by ultraviolet light. For white boxers and other breeds with pink skin and short white fur, they are more at risk of sunburn and pre-cancerous legions, which could develop into cancer undetected.

Bull terriers and white cats also have this problem, and it in itself is no reason to cull an animal. Precautions such as keeping indoors, reducing sun exposure, and using sunscreen are all viable ways of managing light-skinned animals.

Deafness often co-occurs with hypo-pigmented (under-pigmented) animals. The genetic causes are multiple, differ between species and individuals, and do not share a single genetic loci. In other words, there is no 'deafness' gene, and just because an animal is white doesn't mean that it will be deaf. Rather, in certain breeds/species whiteness may indicate a level of inbreeding predisposing to other common diseases of inbreeding (such as deafness, hypo-pigmentation, congenital heart problems, etc.).

I ask because in the same pet classifieds there was a 1 yr old lab being given away by a registered breeder because he (as it turned out when I rang to ask) is deaf. Is this regarded as good practice by breeders? IE giving away dogs that are not allowed to be sold or have some kind of "issue".

I think giving away pets is dangerous, as it may attract attention from the wrong sorts of people. Responsible pet owners should always expect their companions to come with a price, whereas irresponsible people looking to make a quick buck will snaffle up a freebie pup.

I agree that deaf is not unmanageable and can live a normal life but the high cancer risks ?

I don't think culling is the answer to what essentially boils down to a lifestyle issue of slip-slop-slap... all mammals with pale skin have a higher than normal incidence of skin cancer compared to dark skinned mammals. Even humans. This doesn't mean that all caucasian people should be culled due to their susceptibility, it means that they should take precautions

Hahaha thanks for sharing! The video showing the sheep washing over the trainer made me giggle a little Go Elbie go!

This is so sad to hear I feel sorry for the husky, and hope the breeder will cotton on to her history. Assuming she goes to a breeder.

It's times like this you wish people had to be licensed to own pets, rather than pets licensed to live with people. So much suffering in this world could be averted.

Don't forget to wash bedding and bowls frequently - tape worms exiting the anus will end up in bedding and in food bowls (and wherever else the animal's tongues go!), and fleas + eggs will accumulate in bedding. Consider a carpet clean.

Well said Corvus A peer-reviewed, controlled, reproducible, well-conducted scientific study may "only" confirm what dog-handlers have known all along... but importantly the study can be built on by others in the same controlled, reproducible way It can be disseminated and read by other researchers and bring about scientific collaborations and breakthrough, something that anecdote is not well-disposed to (unless you wait for Mythbusters to get around to it!).

Some people are unbelievable. Hit it with a stick?? You'd be hauled up in front of a judge for doing that to a stranger's lost child so why should it be acceptable for an animal? :laugh:

I hope the germy finds his home, thank you Saxonpup for at least trying. Ignore the useless people, you're doing the right thing. I hope he has just slipped out the gate by accident.

Fantastic news, you must be so relieved.

Wow, the colours and crispness really pop. Every photo is more than the sum of its parts, they are beautiful.

What an irresponsible parent. Dangerous dogs or big sooks, you should not be encouraging your child to go up to strange dogs without the owner present. Especially on their home territory.

Would it be possible to cover the fence/gate with flywire or shadecloth? This would allow visibility but stops fingers and sticks being poked in.

Oh a whole thread about Sammies! I'm drowning pleasantly in the Spitz thread under all the gorgeous breeds

I joined up recently to prepare myself for a little puppy arrival hopefully next year, and I've gone into Sammy-overdrive looking at all the handsome fluffballs around here Kelza it's lovely to see you on the forum (and Linda if she's on!) - I am watching Zoe's Sept. litter with such anticipation (even though I can't commit to this year - new backyard is a sandpit and no place to raise a pup!). I hope that she will be a mum again in the near future

Woohoo Samoyed!!

I had great fun trying on names using the Google translate website - translating things from English ("Snow" "Ice" "Mist" "Frost" etc.) into northern European languages (like Finnish, Danish, Russian, Norwegian). They didn't have the right sound that I was looking for though, and I ended up going through Greek deities and deciding on Zephyr

On the topic of small dogs and exercise - my parents own a lhasa apso x shi tzu who spends a good quarter of his day playing with toys and chasing balls. In the past we have tried to take him on walks but he gets pooped after a kilometer of brisk walking and we have to carry him the rest of the way! He's in the ideal weight range and healthy, but he seems to get all the exercise he needs chasing around after his toys in a game of fetch/tug of war. He has never had destructive tenancies either (he snoozes when my parents go out), and has always been a happy little man (if very territorial about his home!).

Well done for steering her away from pet stores. The ones that sell animals are generally a disgrace to animal welfare.

Doggy-friendly cafes are a brilliant idea, especially ones bordering on open parklands and dog beaches. It would add a new dimension to socialising, and I would imagine that there exists a very fertile market for well-run businesses.

Buahahaa! I love his name - Stanley! Doesn't he look like a Stanley too, look at those big paws! His expression makes him look either very sage and wise, or like he just did something very naughty

Waaaa the Akita was my next choice! They are gorgeous big dogs.

Plenty of time for you to 'try on' a name in the meantime

Hullo yes I'm another of the puppy-less My partner and I are waiting for our backyard to be completed (it's currently just construction sand) next year before we get a pup. I'm set on a male Samoyed, with the name Zephyr in mind :D

I would be worried about cancer for a large dog at that age. If it is far enough along then she may be in pain (hence the grumbliness) and off her food.

I hope it can be resolved quickly