Salukifan

Hi Christina, why are toy poodles not recommended for agility? I only ask because I'm researching breeds. My boy is a whippet and I guess I'm not really qualified to answer because I didn't choose him for myself and I'm still getting to know the breed. :) I love this kind of discussion though - breed histories and functions. Sorry to go OT and not to add more to the discussion. There have been some cracking agility toys over the years. Obedience too. My Lily, while no star, got her CCD, AD and JDX.

They also have a history in France as truffle hunters! I think my Lily could find a truffle (or anything vaguely edible) through 6 foot of concrete.

As a Whippet owner, function fully informs the shape of the dog. So if you want to test form, it seems logical to test function. Coursing to me is a test of drive, athleticism and soundness. I've got a natural and talented courser and I love watching him do it. Some of the most common faults in my breed would impede ability to course but I expect that many dogs won't get the chance. Shame really but probably not in the interests of the dogs I suppose. ETA: The other thing about coursing is watching the pure joy in dogs fulfilling their natural instinct. I love that.

The breed club would be your best starting point. :)

Edited.

No Labrador should have blue eyes - not even the chocolates.

Now thats a very interesting idea - I know nothing about the new Costco here in Adelaide - but it looks very like it might pay to find out! You must, you must!!! I love Costco.

Society frowns on "not kid friendly". That's not going to change. Yes, we all have to suffer through the little monsters. Perhaps we were just like them once. I do know I"m not going to ask my dogs to share my suffering. On the other hand, don't you think a curious child should be able to survive a close encounter with a dog with her skin intact? I thought the "Bunnings Experiment" would last a month. We didn't even get a week. Don't blame the child for that outcome. I wonder how it feels to be the person who saw Australia's dogs having to be muzzled to be in a retail outlet. What a shame. Its the same sort of ignorance of dog behaviour that makes dog parks such a nightmare sometimes.

My guys big and small love their Courage Cord baskets from Bono Fido The other consistently big winner and perhaps the go on a trampoline would be one of the beds from Pods for Pets. Innards and covers are washable and replaceable. I have more of these in the house than I do dogs and 17.5 year Lily loves them. She's on a pod during the day and in a courage cord basket at night.

For the laundry, I"d suggest you get them up off the floor on a small trampoline bed and perhaps with a soft basket or other soft bed on those. Are you after brand recommendations?

I'd recommend you start with your State's breed club. Link is here Breed clubs usually have a puppy register. They know who's got pups and often who's expecting them. If there is nothing in WA right now, you should be able to get a steer on out of state breeders. They also tend to have great advice on the breed including health testing you should ensure any breeder you talk to should have done. I love a nice Lab. I'd encourage you to look past the chocolate fad and go for a breeder with sound healthy dogs who do something - showing, obedience, retrieving etc. There is also very useful information on Labs in the Dog Breeds 101 threads here

I was at a specialist consult in Sydney with my poodle with IVDD. On painkillers and still a very sore boy. Walked into the surgery.. small dog offlead. So I go and sit in the cat section which was empty. I pointed it out to the vet nurses and they requested the dog be put on lead. They ask me to weigh my boy is is fear aggressive. Over to the scales I go and before I can turn around, the dog is nose to nose with my boy who reacted predictably. I turn to the owner who is doing the usual "my dog is friendly" stuff and say rather loudly "which part of 'put your dog on lead' are you having trouble understanding"? Glare of death from owner, and the vet nurses rush out with a lead for the dog. Yep, didn't have one. And yes, I was wild too. There is a sign on EVERY vet surgery I have ever been to that says "cats in a box, dogs on a leash". And still people think they are too special to comply. :

No. Dogs are not children. Society cuts children more slack and as dog owners we'd best never forget it. I hate how so many of these bites on children stories turn into "dogs v kids" threads. Its a pointless comparison. Our dogs are not our children, they are not "fur babies" or "fur people". Its one of the reasons I really dislike those terms. This incident appears to have been caused by the kind of dog owner who didn't manage the dogs well in a stressful, volatile environment. I can hear it now "he's never done that before". Well folks, given the same circumstances he will again. As for the "only muzzled dogs in Bunnings"? Mine will be staying home, where I would have left them anyway to prevent them being put in a situation they found threatening or uncomfortable.

Drives me insane that people can't keep their dogs away from yours at the vets. Frankly, I don't consider from what you've described, that you have anything to worry about. Your dog defended herself and showed good bite inhibition. As for male dogs that would attack a female, I don't care what breed they are, that is unacceptable temperament.

I strongly recommend you talk to a professional and have them present for any desensitisation. Given the body language displayed by some dogs whose owners assure me they are "friendly", I'd not take the word of a pet owner that they have the dog for the job. Unless you both know precisely what you are doing, the other dog may also be at risk You will be on edge and that will radiate to your dog. Some SBTs can be fine with any dog that doesn't question their dominance. Put them with another dog who isn't going to allow that and you can have fireworks. It could be the same with your girl. I know you are concerned but unless you want professional help, you might be better off simple avoiding situations where there can be contact between your dog and others in such stressful places (for a dog). If neither dog has any holes, you might just have to put it down to "one of those things dogs do".

Mostly chasey games. They have a fair bit of size over my Whippets. My current boarder is a Border Collie (minding while my friends are O/S) Its full on wrestling, bitey face and chasey with her! They also get on very well with my friends' Cocker Spaniel. My Whippets live well with my poodles. The Toy Poodle plays daily with the Whippets - her rules of course. They are tough little tykes.

The first problem you're going to have Henrietta is that there are no "smaller" wash and wear gundogs. All the smaller ones are spaniels with coats. Given a gundog's function, that's not surprising. About the smallest you are going to find is the Hungarian Vizsla. My Whippets get on very well with FHRP's Vizslas. And yes, you don't get much more low maintenance than Whippets - the close coat does tend to mean they have no odour. You could try for a more outgoing Whippet - one of mine is like your Mr Whippet. The other is a tearaway!!

Already a lot of shonks in breeding Dachsies

A lot is going to depend on the weather forecast. Unless you have a well shaded area, lots of water and a cool mat, I'd not leave a baby puppy outside in the heat. For me, the easy and permanent solution to this issue is to install a dog door, give the pup some room inside and teach the pup to use the door. :)

Is there any reason you aren't looking at another working breed? I honestly think dogs love have a companion that they 'get'. Same body language, temperament, play styles etc. Often the easier way to ensure that is to go for another of the same breed. No need not to change if you'd like something different but I also think a Kelpie might not be the best companion for a few breeds.

Where do you live? I don't treat for parasites that we don't have issues with. No ticks here and rarely get fleas. So I do regular heartworm and intestinal worming but don't treat for fleas unless a dog has them. Agree with order online - way cheaper than buying at vet or pet store.

You can always split tablets if that's what you use. I just buy in two weight ranges.

Not for long. ANKC is changing rules to see all dogs of colours described as "highly undesireable" placed on Limit register and not to be upgraded. You'd be pushing it uphill showing a dog of a highly undesireable colour. I doubt any of these are shown. I wonder how that colour got into the breed and my guess is that a lot of Dachshund people are too. Do you know where "Cream" sits? Was having this discussion a few months ago with Huga. It's not mentioned in the standard, but they have black noses like yellow labradors so they aren't dilute. It will depend on the breed standard. I've seen what looks to be cream Mini Longs shown - very pretty. Which kind of Dachie?

Kirislin: Not for long. ANKC is changing rules to see all dogs of colours described as "highly undesireable" placed on Limit register and not to be upgraded. You'd be pushing it uphill showing a dog of a highly undesireable colour. I doubt any of these are shown. I wonder how that colour got into the breed and my guess is that a lot of Dachshund people are too.

I have the 20 litre little wheely bins you buy from Bunnings or Big W. I put the whole bag in. Occy strapped shut to keep out nosy Whippets.