Salukifan

Perhaps I should mention "no paralysis ticks"

Is lure coursing "unusual"??

Get a Whippet. I swear these dogs can detect gluten through concrete (and steal it)

Move to the ACT. :) It's something I consider from time to time. I actually quite like the sound of the ACT, who knows?! :) Just pick up a brown cardigan at the border :D I like it here and its not too bad from a dog friendliness perspective.

Kind of a Whippet sized Borzoi look alike. Developed in the USA by a Borzoi person who wanted to create a smaller, coated sighthound. All the hairy ones are large :)

Ah, the PON is a delight. Have friends who migrated from Poland to the USA. They chose these as 'their' breed. I thought they had an OES! :) There are a handful of these dogs here.

Move to the ACT. :)

No, there are quite a few rarer breeds that aren't here. I would like to see the Silken Windhound recognised by the AKC and then here.

My vet concerned dogs don't give a toss about how much I try to make visiting the vet a happy experience. They simply hate it.

The vets would have one they can use. It's not that unusual to have to muzzle a dog to examine it. I'm sure if you suggest she be muzzled for examination, they won't resist! :) If you want one for home, then one like this one would be fine. Just remember that these are only to be used while the dog is supervised and only for a short period of time.

Records never to strive for... see above. That photo shows the poor dog was appallingly constructed - I'm not surprised he didn't make double digits.

My suggestion would be to stop hating it and start seeing it as a method of safely managing your dog's anxiety. Muzzling a dog doesn't hurt it. It makes it far safer for the vet, far more relaxing for you and my guess is far less anxious for the dog. A soft muzzle is no big deal. It certainly isn't a bad reflection on you as a dog owner. Learn to trim your dogs nails if you don't do it already - agree that a Dremel is a wonderful thing.

You know the hardest part of owning a dog like this? No matter how much you know and how much you train and manage, you are at the mercy of every other dog owner and person the moment you leave your yard. If it goes wrong, the potential for a serious aggression incident is very real. The other thing to remember is that this is no cakewalk for the dog either. The stress and anxiety are generally on both ends of the lead. One thing I would recommend to Tippi is that her dog be muzzled when off her property. In addition to lessening the chances of a bite, it sends a very clear signal to members of the public that this dog should not be approached - and that is a good thing. It will help Tippi to relax a little too.

The OP sounds a very long way from being able to intellectualise ownership of a DA and HA dog as any kind of an opportunity. I'm not sure how being told to cheer up helps at this point.

It's a lot less "fascinating" for those who have to live with such a dog on a daily basis. No amount of reading about dog aggression will make that easier. Dog sports with a dog that is DA and HA with strange men is not what I'd call a realistic goal. I'm sure Tippi would settle for being able walk her dog in public and have strangers visit her home without incident. Hopefully she can get some decent advice on how realistic a goal that is. Sorry, but a large aggressive dog is not an "opportunity". It's a serious liability that requires constant vigilance. There's a fair proportion of anxiety and downright fear as to what might happe. Don't make light of what its like to live with one - others here have shared their experience and its not a sunny one. Its certainly an "opportunity" I'd not wish on anyone.

SSLF Given that this dog has NO history prior to her adoption, that's one hell of a call.

The first thing I'd want checked on a Golden Retriever with these symptoms is thyroid levels. What blood tests has the vet done? Throwing steriods at the problem masks the symptoms - it doesn't change the problem. I would not discontinue worming him but I would only treat for fleas if found on him. Millbemax is another all wormer kinder to the stomach than Drontal - you could try that. But I'd definitely suggest you discuss some blood tests with your vet.

This thread isn't about any other member here than Tippi and her dog. Red Fox, may I politely suggest that comparisons to your dog are not only unhelpful but unfair. You have never met the dog or her owners. No need to make the owner feel like shite. I have the greatest of sympathy for anyone managing a dog with aggression issues and frankly that appears to be the case here. A pet dog should bring joy and companionship, not anxiety and fear. It's a life of constant stress and in a big dog, worry about what she might do. Tippi, if the second trainer was great, can I suggest you either consult with them or another trainer recommended here and talk about what the long term future for your girl is. If the idea of having to manage these issues long term overwhelms you then, IMO there is only one responsible course of action and one that provides certainty for your dog. That is euthanasia. LDH have not done right by your or the dog. That doesn't help you going forward. Get a proper behavioural assessment and reassess your options. Rehoming should not be one of them. Don't do to another owner what LDH have done to you. The only failure that I can see is the failure of the shelter to step up. You have done what so many have recommended and rescued a dog. I'm very sorry it hasn't worked out better.

Anyone who raises their dogs or holds views on how dogs should be raised that are different to yours and that has a certain kind of character will do this. I don't worry about it. I'm happy I do right by my dogs and I honestly don't give a toss what other people think. The only thing I'm ever likely to say is to ask how they feel when people feel the need to comment on how they should be raising their kids. Most get the parallel and shut up.

Why are animal abusers given community service work with animals? They shouldn't be allowed NEAR animals!!

No, it isn't. I can think of quite a few Whippets that would respond to aggression in kind. The idea that all Whippets are shrinking violets is a myth. If a small dog did that to one of my entire boys, it would be on its back in a flash. He doesn't brook that kind of behaviour. Don't subject either dog to a situation that is clearly very stressful for them both. Leave your dog at home when you visit.

I do agree with you on that, but what happens to all the lines in my dogs pedigree if I tell all the breeders of my problem do you think that they will stop breeding? I doubt it. As I said one of the lines involves one of the best breeders in Australia. And even the best breeders produce less than perfect dogs. This pup is 9 months old. She's a good year or more away from even being able to be bred. Seriously, why are you even considering her as a breeding prospect at this age? The fact that she has a uterus is only one issue you need to consider. I would never risk breeding this on. Do what's right by the breed and don't breed a dog with a known issue. It's just not worth it.

Agree with the other posters who suggest the shotgun approach you are taking to your dogs health issues can't be helping. The fact that both are getting sick suggests diet or environmental issues. How stressed are you? Dogs pick up on this and frankly I'm reading this in your posts. STOP using chemicals in and around your dogs. What do you use in the house and around them? Dogs won't die from eating possum poo so chill out about that. Don't add more chemicals to their environment. Your dogs need a balanced diet that doesn't cause allergies (if indeed your dogs actually have any) and to be free from chemical assault. lDon't treat for fleas if your dogs don't have them and avoid all spot treatments - use tablets that don't stay in the dog's system. Get them out for fresh air and exercise. Find a vet whose advice you trust and stick with it. And chill out. Seriously that could be half the problem.

Yes, and possibly. I'd not have it where my dogs are.

Seriously, why risk it?