blacklabrador

Dougie the plastic spring water bottles are only intended for single use. If they are washed, reused repeatedly the plastic will start to leach chemicals. It is disposible single-use plastic. They (the manufacturers) recommend that plastic bottles of a higher grade are used for repeated use (ie those that are sold for that purpose).

RIP Turbo... :rolleyes: My thoughts are with you Sas, Mrs Sas and Leila. He will never be forgotten

I would be taking to the vet right now. Her symptoms have changed - and could be very serious. Sorry to worry you - Worst case scenario could be meningitis or tetanus.

Erny it's "biotin" that is the nutrient in question.... but I think the general consensus on that one is that eggs are so high in biotin anyway that it's not an issue.... If you want to know more there have been quite a few DOL discussions to search through.

T-Time apparently the produce/greyhound place near where I live sells it. If you want some and can't get it I can bring it to a show for you.

What else does it cover?

Sorry I wasn't thinking of my terminology when I wrote that!

there you go - totally Off Topic!!

ahh there a plenty of photos if you search! There is a thread about Poppy on page two of the show subforum. Lots of pics in there Dont' have pictures of the Boston yet I NEED a camera!! :rolleyes:

I don't have much stuff - simply don't need it for labs! I have two different types of coat stripper (see Mars Coat King thread) a metal comb with rotating teeth($2 shop) and a natural bristle soft horse brush to go over Poppy before she goes in the ring. Black chalk, Some shampoo (usually horse as it's cheaper) and some spray on coat conditioner which is used more as a perfume than anything. For Kirri I have a Wahl groomsmen (a teeny little clipper) some cocoa butter moisturiser, a Mach 3 razor some hair clips/bows ;) and a comb. (yes yes and an extensive wardrobe :rolleyes: ) The Boston is so short coated that she only needs a shampoo and a bit of white chalk on her white bits prior to going in the ring. I don't think I could cope with a long coated dog!!!

I prevent heartworm with a daily tablet. Somebody recently suggested that a monthly oral dose of liquid Ivermectin is a good way to treat it (ie bought from a produce store). Dose would be titrated to suit dogs weight. I would like to know more about this treatment if anyone knows - both it's effectiveness and it's side effects/toxicity to the dog. I am interested in this but I really try to minimise the amount of chemicals I treat my dogs with. Unfortunately there is no way around giving medication for heartworm prevention - I would like to use one that has minimal problems.

I think it's a very cutsie marketing ploy. An attempt to humanise dogs - feeding your dog "Muesli" for breakfast. In reality it's probably of no benefit. Of course dogs love it - it's food isn't it??? (ok ok not every dog loves food like a lab does) Nicky - you'll probably find that it's not terribly cost effective either!

Ohhhh thank you Toohey! Pssst toohey can you fix your pm box so I can send you a message?

AAAHHH TOOHEY!!! I just put a plea in the "Wanted" section for a 20!! I NEED IT!!! I will pay you though! Heres my case. My show girl has an area on her lower back that has a slight wave to it. It's just one spot but it detracts from her topline. I used a coat king on it and it took it away entirely!! No wave and no "bumpy bit" I have some important shows coming up... I am trying to title my labrador....I am as poor as a church mouse I am a nurse ;) Is that a good case?

Pixie - having used both I would say that in my experience with using a Mars Coat King it takes out a lot more hair. I am after one but can't afford $60 or so for a size 20. ETA - Toohey the "fish scaler" style stripping blade is run teeth edge side down along a dogs coat the same way the hair lies. It takes out all the dead undercoat beautifully. It is really only suitable for short haired double coated dogs I think. Kitkat put me onto them - they are about $5 at "the Warehouse".

I probably groom more than most people who own a solid black short coated dog prior to going into the showring... (ie in the minutes before) but I enjoy it and she enjoys it. I want her to enjoy her day at a show - and that grooming time is some one on one time together. I give her a pep talk and tell her how beautiful she is. But besides stripping coats of dead hair I don't groom at home (cept the crestie of course)

Greytmate and Mr Greytmate... So sorry to hear about this... I just got home and was very sad to read this. Sam was such a lovely gentle boy. I know he will be missed.

Sorry to hear about your darling girl

May I suggest that you take the dog to see her at 12 months before you spend several hundred dollars on testing. Hopefully the dog is excellent - but if she is not the breeder might not want it out there with her kennel prefix on it. It would just be awful to see you spend all that money on testing to have the breeder look at it and go "no way". Sometimes it's not all about a glaring fault but just the way that the dog generally conforms. If you want to learn lots about Goldies and confirmation - obedience may not be the best place to do it!! Simply because your likelihood of running into someone who has great knowledge of showing goldies is slim. Go along to some shows and watch. Get hold of the golden retreiver standard and memorise it. Start applying it to goldies that you see - and ask lots of questions!! Lots of people are generally happy to share some knowledge with a newbie. Good luck!!

12 months is a more difficult time to start show TRAINING your dog if he hasn't been show trained before. It is easier if you have trained them from a pup but plenty of dogs are trained as adults for the showring. Even if you can't show him until then you can certainly have him in doing all the moves in your backyard. You don't have to start showing before a certain age - there aren't any rules there. It sounds like you should be having a chat to the breeder regarding the limited register stuff. Sounds like it's all up in the air at the moment. Some breeders are quite picky about which dogs are shown - and rightly so. After all it is their kennel name being shown off.

I would think that eventual height would be a difficult thing to assess at 6 months of age. What kind of breeder wouldn't be thrilled to see one of her pups a few months down the track??

In addition to behavioural issues, could you consider also that the dog may have developed a physical problem co incidently? It makes me wonder why he doesn't want to be touched - is he in pain etc? Is there a thyroid condition that has made him edgy and hyper alert? It's such a shame that he is not himself - I can imagine that it is heartbreaking for you. I hope you get to the bottom of his problems soon.

I am not qualified to give you advice - except to say that he isn't respecting you as his leader. Please don't stereotype labradors into being dogs that don't bite or show aggression. That is just not a realistic picture. They are DOGS! Best of luck with your solution

Is there any way to avoid giving puppies kibble at all? ie to feed them all natural right from the start?

Oh what a shame. Grieve for as long as you need to. When the time is right you will find another pair of big brown eyes staring into yours.... those big velvety ears and huge paws. When the time is right......