Salukifan

You do it knowing that the prognosis going forward is only going to be worse and because it is the last, greatest gift you can give them to ease them from this world before they suffer more. But it is never easy. I will tell you though that I have had a number of people tell me they know they left it later than they should have to give a dog their wings but never that they did it too early. Hugs to you. It is tough but focus on what is best for her. Your grieving comes afterwards.

Traditonal power cord Dremel. Mine is four years old and going strong.

Speaking for Whippets, the NSW Club rescue rehomes about one dog a month. With the exception of two dogs (which were rehomed with support from their breeders), ALL Whippets have been BYB. Some issues relate to temperaments. There have been some hard luck stories but frankly many issues relate to dogs inappropriately placed with people who have neither the knowledge nor the lifestyle that suits the breed. And of course with the pound dogs, who knows. Yet it is the registered breeders and members of the NSW Whippet Club that provide advice, support, get the dogs out of pounds, arrange foster care, vet bills (no shortage of those) and rehoming. The funds for that are provided by individuals connected to the Club. Maybe they should be charging MORE.

No offence to the OP (heaven knows so many ask this question) but the more I think about this issue generally, the more annoyed I get. If you want "just a dog" and don't want to pay a fair price for a well bred, well raised animal, then there are plenty of "just a breeders" out there willing to supply you. Of course, if you happen to have issues with puppy raising, or further questions about the breed guess who'll be answering them in places like here.. those responsible breeders being sniped at for charging a decent price for their efforts. And of course if it all goes south and puppy needs a new home, guess which breeders line up to provide breed rescue?? And guess who put their hands in their pockets to do it? Not the Gumtree brigade, that's for sure.

You're right. Linky I was using the Whippet colour wrongly.

I can guarantee you that from my side, there won't be an opportunity for a repeat.

It's not all profit. And GSD folk routinely pay $50K to import quality dogs. That's just the cost of the dog! Steve has a point. Why shouldn't people who breed good dogs charge a decent price for pups? You'll pay big bucks in a pet shop for a dog of unknown parents, with no health testing and separated from its litter mates far too early. It's my personal view that people who think decent dog breeders make $$ out of dog breeding don't know any dog breeders. Leading that push are the AR brigade who just love the term "greeders". Generally that mob know SFA about dogs generally.

Blue in the bully breeds is connected to health problems - especially skin rashes and mange and immunity problems. Blue in Weimeranas - not connected to health problems. Strictly not true - Weimaraners, like many blue dogs, can suffer from thyroid issues. Can you reduce the health risk by buying a different colour Weim? I thought blue was it - but I could be wrong. I don't see as many skin problems with them. I think genetically they are all still "blue". I know the WLH doesn't tend to suffer from thyroid issues which is a good reason to keep them in breeding programs but you probably need a Weim person for detaial.

Blue in the bully breeds is connected to health problems - especially skin rashes and mange and immunity problems. Blue in Weimeranas - not connected to health problems. Strictly not true - Weimaraners, like many blue dogs, can suffer from thyroid issues.

...that's not how a responsable breeder does it.... Good pick up. It would be a breach of the ANKC Code of ethics for a breeder to breed bitches twice a year. The exception permits ONE back to back mating and then you have to have 18 months off for the bitch from memory. I certainly don't know any responsible registered breeders living it up on litter profits.

Same here. One dog won't eat any kibble but his favourite.

Fair question. I think the answer as to how much a breeder charges tends to be set by the market. More popular breeds often cost more and less popular breeds less. I think there is a difference between breeding with profit as a motive and breeding and making a profit. Yep some litters will go like clockwork, produce large litters and make the breeder a profit. Although if you factor in the costs of showing that profit soon erodes. Others make a loss. Health testing, importing semen, semen transplant costs, caesars, small litters.. happens to everyone eventually. No breeder breeds for charity though and I don't see why they should. The challenge is finding the right breeder - and its easy to sift out those who churn out the pups for $$$ and cut corners with their breeding dogs. I know plenty of people who will drop $2,000 on a trip or a new TV without batting an eyelid. I find the more interesting question is "why do they expect to get a carefully bred and raised pup for less than that"???

Glad you don't need advice. We've seen blue pup buyers come to this forum after being ripped off and battling with serious health issues with their pups. I think the aim was to prevent that happening to you.

WA has BSL. This would be the life of a dog found to be of Pitbull type (if it didn't have an Amstaff pedigree)

Where are you? In nearly every state of Australia, it is a breach of a breeder's code of ethics to sell a pedigreed pup without papers. Are you aware that breeding for blue dogs can create health issues in a pup? Seriously, shop for a responsible breeder who is doing all applicable heath testing and buy a pup from them. Blue dogs aren't rare and shouldn't cost any more than any other colour Amstaff. But a good dog is worth way more than the currently fashionable colour regardless of what colour coat it has.

Check out their website. A company name based on an out of date training philosophy. More jargon on their website than you can jump over. Frequent assertions that they are the only trainers worth anything and that what they do is "new" and "revolutionary". Sounds more like a combination of an Amway franchise and a cult. I'd run a mile :laugh: I bet they have "new" and "revolutionary" ways of parting folk from their hard earned.

How much do you know about Bullmastiffs and what they were bred to do? Two things: * This is not a breed that was developed to be friendly to strangers. They have strong protective instincts and your girl is maturing. Is it anxiety you are seeing or is she simply not willing to interact with strangers. * This is the time of her second fear period. I'd expect some standoffish behaviours. I would suggest some help from a trainer. If you cannot get what you need from a puppy school, ask for recommendations. One thing though DO NOT force interaction. If she is unwilling to be greeted or patted, just back off a little, relax and have a chat and let her do the offering to greet. Pushing her may result in behaviours you don't want. I would also be discussing this with her breeder. They will know more about what to expect at this age.

It was me. Which one did you get again? I still have a half broken one that lifts with every gust of wind. How do you find your new one in the wind? It was the Staywell Aluminium Dog Door. No issues in the wind. You can also get replacement flaps.

No success yet but it is early days. I would also add NZ green lipped mussel to the supplements - quite appropriate really. Oh, and off topic.. I think it was you that wanted to know how the flexible flap dog door was going? Damn awesome. Dogs very happy to use it, wearing well and SO much quieter than the rigid ones.

Only anecdotally but yes. There have been reports from breeders of decreased frequency of seasons and decreased fertility linked to the feeding of flaxseed and specifically to the feeding of Black Hawk. Flaxseed and linseed are the same thing. I have certainly read advice that flaxeed should never be fed continually and should be rotated with other oils. This is mentioned in Dr Barbara Fougere's book. One of the key issues appears to be the quality of the seed or oil fed. Feeding stock quality flaxseed to dogs doesnt' seem to be recommended. You might have more luck joining one of the FB dog health or breeders forums. There are some Oz ones.

Oops - already there.

No, I haven't and no I wouldn't. But I'm not going to judge anyone who feels that's best for their situation and dog.

I'm happy to discuss this sensibly. I know I come across as an apologist for the current system but I'm not silly enough to believe there aren't issues. However, right now as far as I'm concerned its the least worst system out there. Without pedigrees, without health testing, you have nowhere to start improving. Outside of a few other registers, there IS no pedigree system other than CCs. The ANKC controls the register here but that is not a universal situation with kennel clubs so it pays to be VERY specific rather than generalist in discussing what the issues are and what needs to change. Ditto for breeds. Yes, inbreeding leads to issues. That's a no brainer. But at what point in a COI is it inbreeding? I know of people regularly doing matings (three I can think of right now) where the COI is less than 1%. Any less and you'd have to use another breed. But I will tell you this, without purebred dogs, without pedigrees you ain't got squat to work with when discussing genetic health issues. There is no such thing as a general genetic health test that I'm aware of. And to suggest that BYB dogs or crossbreds are automatically healthier is to ignore a raft of anecdotal evidence to the contrary. HD is not a breed specific issue for a start. But at least with purebreds, people are testing and are recording results. There is no such thing as a "breed average" hip score outside of that system. So yes, we need to do it better, starting with better breeding education. But at least in Australia, breeders are required to have some knowledge before they will be ANKC registered.

I have recently ridden this roller coaster. Things I've learned: * Some dogs are absolutely NOT going to perform for a vet and a collection cup, even with a teaser present and especially in a vet surgery. * Not all dogs are interested in any bitch. In Whippets I know of more than one that is not interested in other breeds. * Dogs are capable of withholding semen when they ejaculate if they are not happy. It is also possible that it can be channelled into the bladder with some dogs. A urine test afterwards will tell you that. * Issues with fertility can be caused by blockages caused by trauma or infection. * Some dogs when not used or stimulated by the presence of bitches in season stop producing * A dog that is infertile for one collection may not be permanently infertile. Agree with the try a few supplements and try again.

If you must, take the vasectomy option - hormones remain and dog doesn't pay the price for stupid laws.