YOLO

Should also mention that when previously feeding pet-grade raw food and/or speciality pet food, had a never-ending problem with flatulence. No problems at all on the current diet.

Yes well put. There are many potential problems with desexing, and as best as I can tell Pyo & Mammary cancer are the two BIG risks with not.We have flip-flopped again, and are seriously considering a little bitch.

Our family discussed many names, and finally wrote down all the names and put them in a hat. We agreed that whatever name by wife pulled out first would be it, notmatter what. And that is how she came to be called "Akubra."

Indeed, and it is undoubtedly these BYB "Maltese," sold through pet stores and gumtree, that have been the problem.Unfortunately the ignorance of some people is overwhelming. I know a family, love couple, bought a random "Maltese" from somewhere, bought another soemwhere else, and voila, puppies that they sell as "pure bred."

Ok, this will somewhat be an airing of my personal opinions, and will perhaps provoke some controversy (which might be a good thing.) Before I start with my ranting, these are the facts (as best as I can find.) • Approximately 1/3 of Australian households have a dog (ABS.) • In 2009 it was estimated that the dog population in Australia was 3.41 million. It is estimated that 10% need to be replaced annually which indicates a demand for 341,000 puppies per year. (TNS & BIS Shrapnel) • Membership of the ANKC continues to drop. From 54,500 in 1995 to 32,500 in 2012 (ANKC.) • Registration of pups with the ANKC continues to drop from ~96k in 1986 to ~64k in 2012. (ANKC) • In 2009 the ANKC registered 66,500 pups. They estimate that 275,000 (80%) were bred by unregistered breeders. Of their 33,855 members, only 4,869 bred that year. Of those, 70% produced only one litter. In my opinion, this supports the anecdotal evidence that the number of people actively breeding pedigreed dogs continues to decline, whilst unregistered breeders and puppy farms proliferate. I am personally interested in four breeds. Over the past 30 years that I have purchased dogs, and intermediately looked at purchasing dogs, their numbers have certainly dwindled especially in WA. There has always been a strong (healthy link) between those showing dogs and those breeding. Only natural since most aren’t doing it for profit, but to promote and perpetuate the best of their breed. My concern is that this circle of people is becoming increasingly smaller. And (without wishing to offend anyone) that some are becoming almost insular. There is essentially no regulation of breeding in Australia, other than self-regulation by the ANKC and its affiliates. Hence it is not in the best interests of dogs or owners for the numbers of registered breeders and pedigreed dogs to dwindle whilst more and more people resort to pet stores for their next dog. Please understand THIS is the REASON for my post. Personally, I have never understood why the limited register prevents dogs from being shown. In my opinion that decreases the potential for generating further interest in the breed. One of the Breeds that I have long held an interest in, has no breeders left in WA and only a handful throughout Australia. Of those, so many now only produce a litter every few years when they wish to expand their own stable. I even had one “breeder” who said that she only sends her pups to “other breeders.” Of these few remaining breeders, some that I have contacted to discuss the breed have been incredibly arrogant, condescending, and completely uninterested in furthering the breed in WA. In the case of another breed, there is so much petty bitching and sniping that the breeders have effectively split into factions. Apologies for the rant. As I indicated; my concern, and the reason for my post is that the number of pedigreed dogs (and the interest in their breeds) will continue to diminish and many beautiful breeds will ultimately fade away in Australia.

Hard to beleive isn't it. Unfortunately so many councils have figured out just what a great money spinner RESPONSIBLE dog owners are.

If I can read between your lines a little, it sound as if you WOULD spend $1,500 on your pup when you have saved it up, that you ensure your dogs are well cared for, and by the sounds of it you WOULD find a way to get the money needed if your dog required expensive vet treatment.The comments are generally NOT directed at people who don’t happen to have $1,500 in readies and may need to save up, but at those who refuse point blank to pay $1,500 on the grounds that it is “too expensive” or because they think the breeder is profiteering.

I'm also looking at getting a puppy, and facing challenges over selecting the right breeder. This is equally true even with a popular breed such as the Malti. There was some coverage a few years back over the explosion in indiscriminate Malti breeding with the emergence of aggressive & antisocial traits. This led to them becoming “Australia’s most dumped dog” and they were even listed on “dangerous dog” lists. Should be no problem if you buy from a reputable breeder who breeds for temperament. Cooping up a pup is not so much a problem as the lack of companionship. Dogs need company more than they need space. I would not recommend leaving a pup alone for 8 hours. Maybe you can find somebody to puppy sit for you whilst it is very young. If no other choice, be sure to leave plenty of things for your pup to play with and chew, and hide treats for him to find. I have HEARD that young dogs find the radio or even TV comforting (although personally my dogs don’t appear to have even noticed the TV.)

Really depends on how many people there are, what you want out of the dogs, resources and council regs. I would always prefer to have two. I can walk two comfortably on my own if needs be, or missus and I can walk one each together. Two large dogs fit nicely in the back of the wagon, and there is plenty of love and affection to go around. Coco would try to steal Jasper’s food, so I we had to feed them apart. They could have become tiresome with too many dogs. I reckon we could have handled 3 (and almost did at one time) but I think beyond that it becomes challenging to give sufficient care and attention. Of course if you can devote yourself to dogs fulltime, then you could probably handle more. Many metropolitan councils limit the number of dogs you can own.

Coco had a few seasons, Jasper was around for one or two. One resulting in a false pregnancy, which had her vet amazed considering how ill she was. He thought her treatments would have put paid to anything like that.Jasper always doted on Coco, so it was never a problem. I'm leaning towards a puppy, and knowing Jasper I think he will grow to love either a bitch or a little brother. I was completely ignorant of these two diseases when we had Coco, but now the prospect of an entire bitch is a bit scary. IMHO the issues with a Male dog are very straight forward and keeping entire doesn’t give me any cause for concern.

It’s all a bit scary. I’ve owned one bitch but Coco had other problems so these never became an issue, and she passed away at a relatively young age. I have no immediate desire to become a breeder, so maybe a male puppy would be easier…

The stupid thing is that the term “pit bull” originally referred to any dogs (of a variety of breeds) that were bred (or crossbred) and trained explicitly for the purpose of dog-fighting or similar abominations. The abolition of such horrors and therefore of dogs bred and trained for that purpose is long overdue. Unfortunately the name also attached to dogs from the same lineage that were recognised for their other qualities, and the so now the vast majority of “pit bulls” are not bred or trained for such horrific purposes. There are some that are working dogs, and many that are loyal loving family pets. (Not a good choice for small children, but fine for responsible adults.) Are they inherently more dangerous than other breeds? Well yes, in the way a carving knife is inherently more dangerous than a butter knife. You can breed and train a variety of dogs to be nasty and vicious, so again the control needs to be on the people not on the dogs. And putting the determination in the hands of council rangers is nonsense.

Ultimately, it is always a Person’s fault. Dogs are a product of their breeding and their training (or lack thereof.) The underlying problem with every piece of dog legislation is that it is mostly effective against responsible dog-owners. Irresponsible owners (and worse,) the minority who give dogs a bad name, are less impacted by laws and continue on their obnoxious way. Rottweiler’s are beautiful dogs. We had a neighbour who kept them, they were lovely well-bred dogs and he would bring them over to socialise with our dog and children. NEVER had a problem, but he always kept them on a leash and he was a BIG enough guy to manhandle them if the need ever arose. Unfortunately there are those that have been deliberately bred with poor temperament for security work and worse. They can be trained to fight and can (and have) kill people. Comes down to the Breeders, the Trainers, and the Owners.

how could they determine anything from such a sample?How many of each breed are there? How many of those in houuses with children? What time periods are those dogs given unsupervised time with children? etc? etc? etc?

Yes, this is another “desexing” thread. When we get another dog or puppy I am contemplating a bitch, and am in two minds. Please, I don’t want another thread on the pros or cons of desexing. These two diseases are the most forceful arguments for early desexing of a bitch and I would like to know just how prevalent they really are. One study I read said Pyometra occurs in 25% of entire bitches, which seems extraordinary??

Flatties are typically slow to mature, and he still thinks he’s a big puppy. He is very boisterous and intrusively inquisitive around other dogs. This can and does upset less enthusiastic dogs, so I am worried that a mature dog unaccustomed to such behaviour will not accept him.But I worry if he might be too boisterous for a puppy?

Really?? Awesome generalisation there! How so?I've no wish to deny any family the joys of having a dog, but it is not cheap. And if your beloved pet gets ill, vet care is very expensive. On a purely financial note it is a better investment to secure healthy pup from a quality breeder. The suggestion that they won't care for it properly and will dump it, might have been the 'awesome generalization', that was in contention. I must admit. I found it offensive. But that's my tough bickies. Right? Unfortunately such owners exist. Pointing out their existence is neither a generalisation nor offensive.

He's a ~7yr old Flat-Coated Retriever.Which means he still thinks he's a puppy. :D

They have human-grade raw for dinner, with plenty of raw bones for calcium and dental health. Chicken wings, drumsticks, carcases, turkey, lamb & beef offcuts. I have previous bad experiences with “pet grade” raw food. The only stuff I will use now is fit for human consumption. On veterinary advice, they have a good quality dry kibble for breakfast. This provides additional vitamins, trace elements, etc. I would be interested to know what dry foods people use, which you have found provide the best blend of vitamins and trace elements, etc?

Since Coco passed away, Jasper has been an only dog. Our dogs are part of the family, so he doesn't lack for human companionship, but we feel its time for another dog. He & Coco loved to chased eachother, have tug-a-wars. Also whilst Jasper isn't entire, it didn't stop them trying. Jasper is a ~7yr flattie, and we would like either another flattie or a goldie. If we get a mature dog, it will be from a breeder so accustomed to other dogs. Does anyone have any expereince with this? Which is Jasper more likely to "bond" with? Will he get Jealous of a puppy? Alternatively what are the chances of two mature dogs bonding?

Really?? Awesome generalisation there! How so?I've no wish to deny any family the joys of having a dog, but it is not cheap. And if your beloved pet gets ill, vet care is very expensive. On a purely financial note it is a better investment to secure healthy pup from a quality breeder.

Naturally it depends entirely on the individual dog, but I will give you my experiences. Many moons ago, I was taken on a family holiday and left Ralph with his breeders. Unfortunately he was an only dog accustomed only to the company of adults. He was not accustomed to the noise and smell of so many dogs and got so upset he had seizures and wound up at the vets. More recently we rescued Jasper from the RSPCA. He had been left home alone frequently and then spent time in the pound. Somebody let him out of our yard, and a few doors down we have the neighbourhood banker who rather than simply return him phoned the council to collect him. As a result he spent the night at the pound and came home traumatised by the separation. I would not put him in a kennel for fear it would trigger unpleasant memories.

took the words...And again, its yet another concept that would apply only to responsible dog owners, and not those largely causing the problems.

I am so sorry for your terrible loss, and so angry too. This was completely inexcusable. It’s times like this when I envy the USA’s legal system, where you could sue them for damages and effectively put them out of business. Seems like the law is rather weak (in NSW?) I’d have thought that somebody should face prosecution over this. Wouldn’t bring your beautiful boy back, but might at least provide some comfort that it was less likely to happen again.

Temperament is definitely inherited, and subject to the complexities of genetics is inherited from both parents. Unlike people, dogs have been selectively bred for centuries. So just as their physical attributes can be radically different, so to can their mental attributes. That’s why with some breeds there are practically two distinct “strains” based on temperament. Those that have been bred for show or pets, vs those bred for security or worse. We one knew someone who randomly purchased a GSD to use as a guard dog for their car-yard. However he was a beautiful friendly dog and would simply lick any strangers that came to the fence. This is not to say there isn’t learnt behaviour. Most dogs can “learn” to do just about anything, so what you will finally see is the product of both.