Jed

Electric fence, or ping string, not on the top, but somewhere on the way up where he has to touch it. It has worked for me about 15cms off the ground. Second option is to string and strain 10 gauge wire from top of post to top of post. Thread it through a piece of polypipe the same length as from post to post, so the polypipe is sitting as a "top-rail" to the fence. Polypipe needs to be about 7 - 10 ml in diameter. The general idea is that when the dog reaches the top, he puts a paw on the polypipe which rolls - he then feels insecure when it rolls under his foot. I hope that makes sense, I am not sure how "understandable" my description is. Obviously, this wont work unless the dog is climbing, not jumping. Good luck,

Sorry Sandgrubber, "terrierman" was a typo, I did mean "retrieverman", although I don't think one is more learned than the other " I find stuff like this quite incendiary. "gene which caused dysfunction" What dysfunction? "is a net-increase in disease, infertility, and disorder in the breed". And the diseases are? What exactly is "disorder"? Infertility? I seem to see breedings of bobtails with large viable litters. I think the boxers are fortunate to have someone like Dr Cattenach to introduce the gene. Not everyone wants bobtails, but it does mean that those who want a boxer, but not a longtail, can still have one. I personally think this is a positive in a hobby where ownership is decreasing, breeding is decreasing, and showing is decreasing Animal Rights doesn't have to do anything to sink the hobby, fanciers are doing it themselves while they tear everything down - simply because they can.

I did mention to you when you bumped it and labelled it "low blood sugar" but you ignored me. I believe Steve also said something about it. This is what I said I will not be involved with anything incorrect, or leading to incorrect conclusions, so I have deleted all my posts in the thread. Shame really, as there are some good ideas in the thread And it was bumped when I deleted my posts. I asked the moderator to remove it, but nothing happened. I certainly didn't bump it on purpose. I don't want any association with it, now that such an incorrect conclusion is appended to it.

There will be no "horrid outcomes" with bobtail boxers. Rather than garner incorrect information from sites such as the terrierman who has never been noted for veracity, why not go to the source? This is from the boxer underground, telling the tale of the bobtail - with photos. Verified by Dr. Cattenach http://www.boxerunderground.com/1998%20issues/oct_bu_98/bobtail.htm http://www.steynmere.com/GENETICS.html Dr Cattenach

I don't believe that stiff pups are caused by hypoglycaemia. This thread does not prove these pups had hypoglycaemia - in fact, it proves the opposite. Although some pups probably died of hypoglycaemia, most did not. I will not be involved with anything incorrect, or leading to incorrect conclusions, so I have deleted all my posts in the thread. Shame really, as there are some good ideas in the thread. This is what a vet said ""In my experience with this, most of the pups that go rigid, stop breathing and then revived, tend to die soon after. extensive research has been done into the stiffness phenomenon, but no conclusions have been made about it. It remains a mystery in the vet world."

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Cross post at will. Anywhere you like.

I have posted details in Lost & Found. If you think you may have seen Minnie, please check there. She is 12 - 13 years old, and on medication.

Genetically, the 4th generation is accepted as pure (any species or breed) The project by Dr. Cattenach was sanctioned by the UK Kennel Club prior to commencement. The dogs were registered. Many have been exported, some to Australia, and many have been shown successfully. The ANKC also accepted these dogs. However, I believe the German kennel club has decided not to continue to register the bobtails. In his writing Dr Cattanech explains how he used ONE corgi gene to breed the bobtail gene into boxers. All other corgi genes were then bred out. The links Sandgrubber posted - to Dr Cattenach's site - explain it better than I can. Now docking is banned in Aust and UK, owners/breeders have the choice still of short tailed dogs.

I am so sorry, Fordogs. Losing a pup is never easy, losing one for such a pointless reason is sad and maddening. I had something similar happen, with an x-spurt grandstanding vet. I now have a clause in my contract that any diagnosis of hereditary problems has to be referred to my vet, and the dog may not be euthed without my express permission .. unless it is critically injured, and then I want to be informed. Unfortunately, I don't have any contracts now - but my solicitor wrote it up for me. I think we all need things like that now. Sadly.

Most lamps have a triangle or a ring on the top. Drill a hole in the ceiling, above the whelping box, and screw in a largish cup hook. Attach a chain with rings bigger than the diameter of the cup hook to the heat lamp, so you can hang the loops of the chain from the cup hook. You can open the links of most chains so you can fit it over the ring/triangle on the lamp. Then raise or lower the lamp over the whelping box(to increase or decrease the heat) by lengthening or shortening the chain. If you hang the lamp over one end of the whelping box, you can have a cooler end so the bitch can get away from the heat if she wants. Of course, you then have a cuphook in the ceiling, but if anyone that house proud probably wouldn't have pups in the house. No one notices.

This small brag hardly counts with those CCs and BOBs, but one I bred won her class for the 3rd year running. *slinks off*

I understood that this forum was solely for listing links to various interestng dog related research, not for discussion/argument. However Corvus Here is a link to articles written by Catherine O'Driscoll DVM, based on research conducted at Purdue. Purdue is a large university, where a lot of research is conducted, by people who regularly publish, such as Dr Glickman DVM et al. I suggest you read Dr O'Driscoll's article and the supporting research. http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/purdu...nation-studies/ I can assure you that the evidence is not anecdotal, and it is being taken seriously by everyone, including vets world wide, who base their statements on research and who are open minded. If you believe it is anecdotal, you either need new sources of information, or you need to do some research. Numerous dogs die of this in Australia annually, yet their vets assure them that the dog died because of hereditary problems leading to a poor immune system, or "just bad luck". This information has been available for years, yet the nay sayers continue to rebuff it. And that is detrimental to all dogs.

Just to let you all know that the quilt arrived safely - and to quote Fifi, who said it much better than I could "What an awesome gift to treasure" The quilt is awesome, and beautiful. thanks to everyone and anyone who did anything towards this marvellous project. To I:heart: Bindi~Boo, what a cute chick!! Is that a nest or a pocket he is peeking out of? To Dodo for the great looking kitties; to Hon Bun and dogbesotted, embroiderers extraordinary, what beautiful embroidery; Thanks for the sentiment expressed in No.22 - how true. Dogbesotted, I'll catch up with you; and Hon Bun whose fingers are far from clumsy!! to Christinex - I'll think of you everytime I see Duke on the quilt. It will be hard to forget Flat Chat and Alix (not that I would want to), with their signatures on the quilt; Boronia (and Lynn), thank you for the Westies and Scotties and Bones - little terrors everywhere. To whoever did the bay horses - great to have horses on the quilt too. I love the sentiment expressed in No 20, I love the wise owl, and No 24. To everyone who donated fat quarters - thank you - they are really nice, with the cows, cats, geese, dogs, and the many designs and patterns. All together to make something wonderful and unforgettable. To anyone who made any contribution at all - even if you weren't mentioned, or wanted to be anonymous, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Rainy, you did the most marvellous (and huge) job of tying it all together, looks fantastic. Thanks to Julie too for the original idea, for the encouragement, and for taking the quilt to the awards venue so people could see it - it deserves it. And thanks to Troy for posting it. This is a wonderul and meaningful memento of the lovely caring people of dol, and your ability to pull together to create a beautiful and lasting expression of that concern. Thank you all so much.

It appears that apart from everyone else Japanese exhibitors and breeders and their dogs have been very badly affected. Some of you may already know about this lovely site. The flames of the candles burnt so brightly last year when I was in desperate need of your thoughts and prayers and perhaps it helped because I am miraculously still here Perhaps it may help in a very small way to bring some comfort to the poor suffering people of Japan. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candle...ng&gi=JAPAN

A dog born with a disability has no other experience, and no comparison, so he is not sad about the disability, he knows no better. So the level of suffering seems normal to him. He may seem "happy" either because he is or because he knows no better. What criteria do we use to make a judgment on whether he is happy or not? What is the benchmark? Our emotions should not form any part of the equation. Our only query should be "what is best for this animal". The Ark Like fifi, I too find that remark quite offensive and insulting. Whether a pup is a candidate for breeding or showing is never a factor in decisions of this kind I and most others make as breeders. Plenty of pups are born with wrong colour/wrong markings - and there has never been any question of not letting them live. Decisions of those kind are made - and fortunately, I haven't had to make it often - on health issues, plus the quality ol life for the pup, not how I will feel if it is pts, not whether it is show or breeding or pet quality. It's not about me, it 's about the pup and the eventual dog. Breeders have power, they must use it wisely and well. I allowed a blind-from-birth pony to live for 29 years - because, properly cared for and handled, there was no suffering. Her other senses took over. Some accommodations were made for her blindness. If people were not told she was blind, they were never aware. Sweet-E- Newf, I am hoping you will answer my question soon?

Apologies, double post. Gobfrey Shrudlu at work again

JoeK, have you imported GSD from guarding lines from Europe? Are you involved with training guard GSD?

Disgusting oafs. People like this certainly remove the "human" from humanity. It's embarrassing to be in the same universe.

Sweet-E-Newf Like Rebanne, I am rather confused, Sweet-E-Newf. Would you mind explaining what the deformities are that the above breeds have, and why life would be more difficult for them, than, say a Kelpie? Thanks.

There is anecdotal evidence that vaccinations combiined with flea/worm treatments which are ingested have caused fits. If this is the case the seizures should stop after time.

Magnus, TBCSITW, was a dominant dog. He made the rules. All the other dogs did as he told them. He was very intelligent. The boxers, twice his size, were happy with his leadership. He wanted to bite me when he was a juvenile - I patted him when he had a bone. Luckily (for him) he missed. We had some dialogue, and he didn't do it again. Attacked by a big black dog on the beach, he rushed up to it, bowled it over, put his mouth on its throat, and growled. Not biting, When he judged the dog knew what was happening, he backed off, and the dog ran back to his owners as fast as he could. He saw two dingoes in attack mode on our property, and rushed up to them, himself in attack mode. He liked to learn new things, providing the training was good. He spent his life bending the rules as far as he could, and if caught out, simply raised a finger at me. By the time he was 2 or 3, we had worked everything out to suit both of us. I asked him nicely, he always responded positively. I asked him, never forced him. He generally obeyed with good humour and grace. He checked what I did very thoroughly. He saw his job as caring for my welfare. I owned a very big Maremma x Pyrenean, which was always submissive to him, although not a submissive dog. He was totally confident in every situation.

The vet wont give a health guarantee, but should give a certificate of health - at the time he examines the pup. I have been giving a health guarantee for the past - oh - 20 years. It guarantees that if the dog suffers from any hereditary problem, I will either refund or replace. If the dog is over 8 years, the refund or replacement will be partial. I must be told immediately any signs are apparent, and I have the right to have the dog examined by a vet of my choosing. And I will not pay vet fees, my liability is restricted to refund of purchase price. My rationale is this - if I had known the pup would develop x or y, I would never have sold it. I might have given it away, or I might have PTS depending on what the problem was. Because the dog develops a hereditary problem when the new owners have it, makes no difference. I explain it very carefully. I have replaced once, and refunded once. One dog had a non-hereditary problem, but died, and my rule kicked in - if I had known, I wouldn't have sold the pup .... and he was only 14 weeks old. I wouldn't like that to happen to me, and the breeder to say "too bad, your loss". Having a proper guarantee also solves any problems of vexatious litagants, where there is nothing wrong with the dog, but they decide to sue for $10,000 - or to sue for any expenses they have run up. I don't mind being fair, but I expect them to be fair too. The guarantee needs to state exactly what it covers. I also think that this is good for all registered breeders, if the dog goes wrong, there is someone there to pick up for the owner - and I do health test my breeding stock, so don't expect much to do wrong. However, luxating patellas can be hereditary or acquired Edited to add - I would be VERY careful of anyone who wanted a health guarantee. I would like to know why they want one, as in my experience, few genuine buyers want this. there are some very difficult buyers out there (just read this forum), and even though you are doing the right thing, you need to protect yourself against them. I would investigate more closely anyone who wanted a health guarantee. I realise that sounds strange, as I give a guarantee, but believe me, you can still have loads of trouble.

Obviously, this is in America (Purdue) but it applies to Aus too.

What a hoot, all those registered breeders, line breeding purebreds, being castigated by the RSPCA - someone outcrosses, the dogs are deformed, the RSPCA is strangely silent. Apparently it's ok to have deformed pups as long as you aren't a cruel purebred breeder??