Airedaler

I also think you should talk to the breeder. To my mind it would be easier on everyone and particularly the dog if returned to the breeder. It may be that all the training in the world is not going to fix your problem and then the dog ends up having to be rehomed - or worse - after an extended period of time with you. I'm not saying you should not attempt to sort out the issue but by speaking with the breeder perhaps something can be worked out between you. If it is not going to work out then IMO it is better to return the dog ASAP so he can be settled elsewhere.

KC you should be able to get all those answers from the breeder but first of all you need to join, if not already a member, Dogs NSW and when you get the registration papers from the breeder there will be instructions on how to transfer her into your name if that has not already been done. (I'm not sure of the procedure in NSW it may be that the breeder does that on your behalf) When you are a member of Dogs NSW you will receive the monthly journal which will have all the show schedules in and from these you will be able to see if neuter classes are offered. Is your new bitch to be shown as a neuter? In Vic and I assume other states as well the animal to be shown as a neuter needs to be registered with the canine society as a neuter. Sorry I am not able to help you with the Junior handler but I think a call to Dogs NSW would answer your question on that front. Good luck with your new girl and most of all don't get too serious just yet with the show scene......just enjoy yourself, watch, listen and learn.

Thanks Sway

Is anyone able to tell me the Group 2 BIG winner for these two shows please? Many thanks in anticipation

I had used Oster clippers for years but was not happy with them. I recently treated myself to a set of Heiniger Saffir cordless clippers and find them fantastic. They were not the cheapest set @ $365 but to date worth every $ and it takes me far less time to clip my dogs with them because a/ they are lighter b/ do not get hot and need to be let cool and c/ I don't have to grapple with the cord.

Not necessarily. I considered myself a good and reputable breeder but as I only had one litter a year I never had a waiting list because I did not think it fair to ask people (even if they would) to wait for that time for a pup from me. DOL is a commercial resource like anything else, I don't see it any different to advertising anywhere else. In part I agree with BalckJaq who says we need to breed more in order to make ethically well bred dogs more readily available but unless one has several breeding bitches that is not easy to do and having more than one breeding bitch is becoming more and more difficult for the average hobby breeder.

I have just read the VCA Code of Ethics and there is nothing like this in there so it is a porky by the Whippet Club. I see no difference advertising on a website or in a newspaper. What is important is how one evaluates the prospective buyers and the initial contact is IMO irrelevant. It is purely a sign of the times. when I started breeding in the mid 1970's the standard for advertising litters in Victoria was Saturday's Age Newspaper and the (then) Sun (now Herald Sun). We also sent adverts to some of the Interstate capital city newspapers. There were of course not the options but I'm not sure where this assumption that breeders only breed when they have enough sales. I always bred when I wanted something for myself and as this was mainly only one litter in a year I never maintained a waiting list.

We had a continual barrage close by from about 10.30pm and then at just before midnight the idiot neighbour (yes we all have them) started with the main event which went for at least 20 minutes all fired across our block. I had shut the dogs away but I've no doubt they would not have been happy for some time. At least with the legal fireworks they only go for about 5 minutes but we had about an hour and a half from the illegal ones.

Mention tail docking and they will be there before the phone is put down. ETA and no I am not trying to bring up that topic again.

There may well be more to this story that is being told but it would not surprise me if there is not. It sounds typical of my experience with the rspca. Target the easy target and play the political game but let's not do anything about the genuine cases of cruelty.

We have been having fireworks go off over the past few weeks. Nights like tonight they will start at about 9pm then there will be more at 12 and then someone will decided it is daylight saving so really 1 am is the real midnight and there will be another burst. Although this is more than annoying we at least can predict the idiots will be out. Australia Day weekend is another round we can reckon on having but the ones that are impossible to counter are those the ferals just feel the need to let some go. These are not just the old penny bangers etc. but huge explosives. For something that is illegal in Victoria there are an awful lot of them presumably bought online. A couple of years ago someone was killed when the firework exploded and pierced the guys eye. There was a big hue and cry from the police about how they would be cracking down on illegal fireworks but how can they because it is so hard to pinpoint exactly where they are and when. So OP don't move to the outer SE suburbs as someone else mentioned.

Sorry but I too think that is a ridiculous call. Not only did I work full time when I had puppies I also raised many litters while working full time. It sounds as though you would prefer to sell a pup to someone who was at home all day but not necessarily as committed to the dog as someone who worked full time solely on that basis.. Each to his own I guess.

I agree with everyone that says genetics play a part in the overall health etc of the dog and longevity is not just about diet but I do find it interesting that there are plenty of dogs out there that have had less than ideal nutrition - according to the pet food companies - and still manage to live long and healthy lives.

A Curly Coated Retriever could also be an option - great watch dogs but delightful with the family.

I have always fed my dogs a reasonable diet, mainly raw based with some kibble of mid price range with the occasional bag of premium brand kibble along the way and am happy with the health of my dogs over a long period of time however, I am minding my daughter in laws fox terrier/jack Russell/?? cross at the moment. While his care has always been good his diet has only ever been of the lower (supermarket) quality pet food and yet this dog is almost 18 years old and his teeth are pretty much perfect albeit a little dirty. Although in the last year he has had a couple of health issues overall he is pretty good and on no medication whatsoever. It does make believe I am right in thinking we have been conned by the pet food industry and vets for many years.

I would be interested in knowing more about your Airedales Cointreau if you would like to share.

As someone who is intently keen on old pedigrees and general history about my breed please offer the material you have to anyone who is seriously involved in the breed. This sort of material is so useful to anyone going through the breed history despite it may be sitting for years without any apparent connection to anything. I have recently filled in so many gaps because I was able to have access to some of the records past breeders had collected. Unfortunately much was destroyed by people that had no idea of the value, nor did they care. If after asking the breed club and breeders no one is interested then you may need to re think what you do with the material.

M-j never an easy decision and particularly not when the dog is still young. Rest easy in knowing the decision you made frees Boof from any more pain and suffering and that is the best care you can give him.

The breed data base I recently bought from the ANKC has listed where dogs have been exported to and the country a imported dog was born in. But of course this is breed specific and only ANKC registered ones. I would think that AQIS would be the only resource that would cover pets etc. Would dogs from NZ go through AQIS? Years ago when I imported from NZ there was no AQIS involvement.

Absolutely agree with this.

I'm not sure they actually had the pets there, rather facilliated the connections between prospective purchaser and breeder.

I think if the bitch has already had 4 litters, expecting her to have another two is a big ask for me. I would assume to have had 4 litters she is going to be around the age of 5 or 6. But perhaps that is just me.

The store confirmed the move this week saying it was based on ‘commercial factors only’. The department, called Pet Kingdom, which is located on the fourth floor, will become extra space for women’s wear, said a Harrods spokesman. However, those who want to buy a pet after the department closes will be helped through the store’s ‘by appointment’ service, the spokesman said. Harrods was asked what this meant and whether dogs and cats would instead be found for customers on an individual basis, but the spokesman declined to reply. It is also unknown when Pet Kingdom will close; both the store’s spokesman and the company itself refused to comment. Harrods said that Pet Kingdom employees had been told of the closure. “We are working with them to find alternative positions in the store where possible,” she said. “The Mungo & Maud concession in Pet Kingdom will be relocated to the second floor as part of the store’s lifestyle department. “Harrods will, of course, endeavour to continue to help any customer wishing to purchase a pet through our ‘by appointment’ service.” The spokesman declined to comment further. The department has been the subject of protest over the years by campaigners against puppy farming and those who believe animals should not be sold in shops. It became known recently that French Bulldogs were being sold for £8,000 in the store. In 2010, members of Puppy Love, Stop Puppy Farming End Cruelty and from the rescue site Dog pages delivered a 2,000-signature petition to Harrods saying that it should set an example by closing Pet Kingdom. One campaigner said they were against the sale of puppies in pet shops and believed that puppy buyers should approach a reputable breeder or a rescue charity. “Rescues are overflowing and thousands of dogs are being put down every year due to lack of homes,” she said. “People should look to an established rescue centre for a dog or go to a breeder who will have performed all the relevant health checks for their breed and where they can see the mother with the puppies. “ ‘Meticulous’ At the time a spokesman for Harrods said the store ‘worked closely’ with the Kennel Club and ‘numerous animal welfare charities’ to ensure that puppies were sold responsibly. Customers were interviewed and must provide a veterinary or professional reference and a copy of a tenant’s agreement if appropriate, he said. “We have the highest quality of animals and we are very meticulous in researching their background,” he said. “All of our breeders are reputable and breed their animals in a home environment. Full background checks are undertaken, breeding records are reviewed to ensure there is no under/inter-breeding, kennel registration is verified and home visits are arranged to ensure that they are maintaining impeccable standards and breeding animals who are healthy, happy, socialised and suitable for Harrods customers.” The KC and Dogs Trust welcomed Harrods’ decision, although the charity said it would have preferred the move to have been motivated by animal welfare not commercial interests. KC secretary Caroline Kisko said: “Both organisations have met jointly with representatives from Harrods over the last ten years to discuss the issue of canine welfare and the risks associated with buying puppies from pet shops, and see the move as a positive step in improving dog welfare. “Harrods has now followed the example set by the majority of the pet trade in recent years in stopping the sale of puppies in shops. We would very much like to see all stores which sell puppies follow suit, as the sale of dogs in pet shops can, unfortunately, encourage puppy farmers.” Dogs Trust chief executive Clarissa Baldwin said: “While we warmly welcome the news of the closure of the Pet Kingdom it is a shame that the stated reasons for it were motivated by commercial interests and not animal welfare. “A pet shop is not an appropriate environment in which to sell puppies and kittens, and our supporters have long expressed their concern about the UK’s most famous department store selling pets.” The KC and Dogs Trust will continue to lobby for a change in the law to prohibit the sale of dogs in pet shops. “We see this, along with public education on dog ownership and how best to buy a dog, as the best way to protect the welfare of puppies being sold and bought,” Mrs Kisko said.

I always used the long life goat milk for younger puppies and when they were weaned used the cheapest full milk powder I could find. Usually a homebrand one. Never had any issues with that and the pups thrived.