Salukifan

Many dog owners are horrified when their dogs aggress. I don't know what these dogs owners thought their dogs were capable of but my guess is that it wasn't this. Seeing your dogs attack a child, would be an absolutely horrific experience. i think more than a few dog owners would PTS their dogs if they maimed a child.

Mars make Advance in Albury/Wodonga.

Meals for Mutts has a grain free and it is Australian made. My dogs liked it but it didn't like them. I suggest you shop for your dog at the big pet stores or online. Most supermaket brands aren't much chop.

Amax: Can't say I think this is a good analogy but I'll run with it. If you want to own a high performance vehicle, well and good. Make damn sure its serviced regularly, that its brakes work and that you don't allow people with minimal driving skills behind the wheel. Don't leave it parked with the keys in the ignition so some young joy rider can steal it and write themselves off. And if you drive to the speed limit and the road conditions and a child steps in front of your car? You'll never forgive yourself if you harm that child but you can put your hand on your heart and say "I did everything possible to make my car safe".

The child entered the territory for which the dogs were defending.....the dogs were not targeting attacks on children. Yes, that's normal behaviour for dogs defending territory in unison to stop entry of an unfamiliar person. Mum and dad could have educated the child not to enter the neighbours yard especially given that the yard was signed. I doubt the neighbours didn't know the dogs were there? The dog's weren't targeting attacks on children, they were defending territory which is what dogs of territorial drive do. Perhaps the dog owners have been victims of serious assaults or home invasions and territorial driven dogs help them sleep at night. Territorial drive doesn't reserve it's self for only children. The dogs may have been quite social away from their territory and be fundamentally good stable dogs. Parents need to educate children that dogs can defend territory and not to enter enclosures containing dogs without the dog owner's presence. If you have not socialised your dog not to see children as such a threat to property that they will be maimed and if you wish to own dogs whose drives and temperament will see them do this then you have a responsiblity to contain them in a manner that does not see them do this. The consequences for the dogs and their victims are dire. As a community, we need to understand that kids are not adults, they don't think as adults and the consequences of behaviour may not be considered before action. Hands up everyone who as kids did everything their parents ever told them? Not many hands are there. And I'm sorry but I do not consider the sort of dog that will commit this kind of attack as merely "defending territory". If you have a dog that sees a 10 year old child as such a serious threat, then lock it the hell away from your front door. Most dogs do not maim intruders as a first response. 20 puncture wounds is one hell of an opening "warning".

TAKE YOUR PUPPY TO THE VET NOW This is a baby. He is ill. At this age, they can do downhill VERY quickly. Better safe than sorry.

You own dogs that have committed a sustained attack on a child who did nothing more than walk in the front gate of your property. You had to beat them off. It took time to do it. The child has sustained over 20 punctures to chest, arms, legs and buttocks. He had to be evacuated to hospital in Sydney for surgery and is in a serious condition. This child belongs to one of your neighbours. And you think that putting dogs to sleep that you struggled to get off this child was "idiotic"? What sort of a future would these dogs have? And what sort of life would you have wondering when the next child might be attacked? And I do mean "when" because for these dogs, it wasn't speculation that they could and would maim a child. They'd done it. I adore my dogs. But if they'd done this, they'd not see another day.

An incredibly traumatic and difficult situation for everyone involved. And a bloody good reason to keep your dogs separated from access to your property by locked gates.

If you haven't considered it, I would be contemplating the future of his flyball career. It's hard enough on sound dogs, let alone those with structual issues. If he were mine, and I wanted him to make old bones, I would be looking at backing right off on explosive, repetitive forms of exercise completely. I would be discussing it with my vet. The fact that he does not appear to be suffering any ill effects may be more due to his temperament than his health.

When my Darcy was diagnosed with a spinal problem, his ball chasing stopped that day on vet's advice. The only retrieving he gets to do now is from throws into water.

Lots of current and former horse people in sighthounds. Yours truly is one of them.

I would rest him for a couple of days before the vet unless he becomes very depressed and/or stops eating. The fact that he CAN move and is weight bearing is a good thing. I honestly suggest that you back right off on the ball throwing if it is something you tend to do every day. That kind of sustained and repetitive exercise involving hard stops or leaping is a recipe for repetiion injury. ACL rupture is one outcome I've seen from it.

I'm gobsmacked this dog isn't in a vet and receiving IV fluids while they try to sort out a diagnosis. Due to the joy of the the modern world, these sorts of mysteries can be forwarded to and discussed with specialits anywhere in the world. Dog's owner needs to DEMAND her dog receive some treatment for his symptoms while they work on a cause.

I thought the same. I'll cheer myself up with the thought that there are a lot of blokes that like dogs in prison. :)

He's been nabbed! Canberra Times story here

Quite a few hounds are easy enough to train for the ring. Tick the 'what's in it for me box' and most happily play the game. :) The key to success often lies in their stomachs. :)

I have to say, I think it would be a very unusual novice showie who would find showing in and of itself sufficient to sustain interest. IMO you've gotta love the dog.

Whippets are very strong pretty much everywhere but Victoria in particular. Didn't stop me getting one because I really love the breed. :) Got told I could have picked an "easier breed". I didn't want an easier breed. I wanted a Whippet :)

Bit difficult to name breeds based on "medium sized, not a bull breed and saner than a miniature fox terrier". Which is why I asked for a bit more information. Of course, those people prepared to pluck a dog breed out of thin air based on not a lot of information are clearly more "genuine" than I am. "Shit like this" is trying to actually make some sensible suggestions that may suit the OP, as opposed to naming breeds based on SFA information. If that gets breeders a bad name, so be it. i'm trying not to waste the OPs time by suggesting breeds that will ultimately be unsuitable for her. There are smooth coated medium sized breeds out there that are NOTHING alike beyond those characteristics. I show a medium sized, smooth coated breed. i can name others with those characteristics that I wouldn't give house room. You need to factor temperament into the equation.

Have used them quite a bit and never had an issue.

Yep, a retail therapy dog. You can be smart but ignorant about things. Doesn't make you dumb, just uneducated.

Very sorry to hear of your boy's condition. I'd be wanting a specialist neurological consult before any surgery. Have you seen a specialist?

Couldn't agree more. Your show dog will be a pet most days. Buy the breed you want to live with, whether you show it or not. If you're buying a show prospect as a keeper, if it doesn't make the grade then you'll still hopefully want the dog as a pet anyway. Then issues like how hard competition etc is fade away. Showing any breed isn't a cake walk - there is almost always competition and if you really love the breed, the fact that it's a hard road to a title won't matter. More competition will only encourage you to become a better handler faster and novices title dogs in EVERY breed. I don't really care about how easy or hard it is to title a particular breed. I care about the breed I show because I love them. My guess is there is one you will love too. If you list some of the temperament characteristics you are looking for in a dog, that will make it easier to give you a better steer. ETA: If you are a Smooth Fox Terrier kind of person, this is a breed that doesn't have the numbers it once had and has mainly older exhibitors. My guess is new blood would be welcomed and I know enough folk that I could steer you towards for advice.

WRONG UTTERLY, INSANELY WRONG. I cannot believe the kind of mentality that allowed this to happen. I really can't.

I don't think taking your other dogs will help them or you through the loss of your old boy. You will be upset and distracted - they won't benefit from that. I lost my beautiful Big Ted on Tuesday. To be quite frank, none of the other dogs have looked for him or demonstrated any behaviour that indicates they miss him. For them, life goes on. As to whether to be there for the last part or not - be honest and kind to yourself. I never questioned that Ted would die in my arms and he did. It's very peaceful. He passed within 2 seconds of the green dream being given to him. But some folk cannot handle that and I won't judge them. The only other thing I would suggest you consider and plan for is what to do with his body once he has passed. I've opted for cremation and an urn. Ted is now back home with me.