Sheilaheel02

I recently contacted an ACD breeder who is interstate by filling out the enquiry page on the website and was pleasantly surprised how quickly I got a response. I did offer quite a bit of information about myself, my breed experience and my lifestyle up front however. After the breeder responded, I also sent photos of my previous and existing dogs. They then invited me to phone them, which I have, but we are currently playing telephone tag - I'm sure they have a busy outdoor lifestyle the same as I do. Given I was very active in breed rescue for 12-13 years, I expect the breeder to ask lots of questions of me, as I do of anyone potentially wishing to adopt one of my foster dogs. I would be rather concerned if they didn't. ACD's and ASTCD's can be an active and challenging breed and it's critical to match them with the right home and owner. In the right hands and environment, you couldn't wish for a better companion, but get it wrong and it can end in disaster. The purchase of a pup from this breeder may or may not go ahead and both parties would need to be in absolute agreement and clear on the conditions. I have been passionate about my chosen breeds for for most of my life and spent a great deal of the past decade working with them in rescue, so I believe I have a reasonable idea about which breeders I would wish to consider dealing with and those I would not and which lines would best suit my requirements. A breeder who is prepared to offer advice and support to owners and one who is concerned about one of their dogs should they ever end up requiring rescue is a huge positive in my opinion also. S P.S. I met Connie from Landmaster years ago when I travelled to SA to compete and she was fantastic. She welcomed us into her home and introduced us to all her dogs. I still have many photos here somewhere and there was one 'special' dog that really caught my eye. Unfortunately, he was already slated for exportation otherwise I would have certainly been coming home with a spare dog! I can't remember the dogs name for the life of me now though. He was a big blue male with unusual face markings but the most amazing presence. I do remember a lot of the dogs names making reference to 'The King' though

Glad your little dog is now doing well. I rescued an ACD (x?) years ago who was a hermaphrodite. Apparently, other people who had met her didn't notice anything odd, but I certainly did. The 'normal' sized penis was clearly visible protruding from her Vagina. At the time I wasn't sure what, if anything, could be done for her, but the treating vet was amazingly generous and as the clinic was used as a teaching hospital at the time they did a reconstruction at very reduced rates because a lot of the younger vets had never seen the condition. The senior vet performed the operation and did an amazing job. She ended up being rehomed with another ACDR dog to a family on acreage (with full disclosure of her medical history of course). S

My cat HATES other cats. He was raised with Cattle Dogs. He is also OK with 'some' of the rescue dogs, but if they don't show him due respect he will beat the heck out of them. Well his name is Yowie! Interestingly, my horses have seen so many ACD's and ASTCD's come and go with out batting an eyelid, but a friend of mine visited who has a Belgian Shepherd and OMG, just the sight her sent one of my horses into hysteria. He did a whole Lambert routine...."it's the wooulf, it's the wooulf" and ran around like a lunatic and slipped over in the mud. Thankfully, no serious injury, mainly just humiliation and embarassment. Same friend also had an adult Briard, so it was an equine's worst nightmare - kinda like Chewbacca and Darth Vader had landed and invaded our yard. So, yeah, I guess some animals are breedist S

That is not justice in my book. Makes me sick to my stomach. If they were dogs that injured the pony they would be seized and PTS. Deemed dangerous and a menace to society. Seriously, if the red flag in the demented psyche of these two didn't pop up either before or during this disgusting act, one could reasonably assume they will not even comprehend the fine as part of actions = consequences. I guess at least this kind of cowardly scum has a name that identifies them. Cook and Hudson, your families must be so proud. S

Life is not always life in my opinion. It does come down to balance and if any being has no quality of life then it is just existence. In some cases a miserable existence at that. During my time in rescue I assisted a number of dogs, who for whatever reason, required additional support and care, but the deciding factor was always what kind of life will they have ongoing in their new homes with totally committed owners. I have made the sometimes difficult choice to set them free if the answer happened to be either none or very limited. Also, I have watched a terminally ill much-loved relative deteriorate to the point that she was crying and begging for someone to help her end her life. It was soul destroying to witness. If I could have legally given her that final gift you can bet I would have. I find it extremely offensive that someone or something else, be it from a legal or a religious standpoint, can determine when our human suffering is enough. I truly hope that if I am ever in that position I have the strength and presence of mind to facilitate my own end with some semblance of dignity. My independence is very important to me. S

Very much a case of do as I say, not as I do. Hypocrisy at its worst. S

I was looking at a breed site the other night and saw some dogs I really fancied. Some of the requirements for purchasing a pup were quite stringent and personally I have no issue providing references at all. However, I did baulk at some of the contract conditions surrounding ownership of the dog. I understand the Breeders reasons for the conditions, but I'm just not comfortable with it. S

That's an easy question KL.....NO! Go Super Tess. Congrats Jakemon. Go the ACD's S

These dogs are barking to alert other members of their pack to a perceived threat, not barking for the sake of it. If drunks rocked up here at 3am I would be mortified if my dogs didn't bark. If they were nuisance barking at every little noise and constantly that might be different. S

I like a Congress of Cattle dogs and loyalty of Cattle Dogs However, a group of them hooning around here closely resembles a full contact rugby match, so I'm going to suggest: A scrum of Cattle Dogs. S

Another question, does anyone else here train on a sand based arena at home? S

Linda makes sense to me. Go for it, you don't need to limit to 5. Reminders never hurt. I've just returned from a work event where we did two days of refocussing on our goals and why we sometimes stop doing stuff that we know works. Some of the points listed the dog already does reasonably well, such as lead outs and sending to tunnels. Other points could use some more work. Handler could use a lot more work....and possibly clomicalm S

Thanks Vickie, I can't see Youtube on this computer but I should be able to borrow a computer to look. I love Linda! S

Hi All, I'm interested in hearing suggestions on exercises you have successfully employed to specifically improve a dogs obstacle focus in agility, as opposed to predominantly handler focus. Cheers S

I know there have been some issues at the clinic that treats my horses where people either could not or did not pay. Occasionally, I have to travel for work and someone else may be looking after my horses. So to save any stress in an emergency situation I rang and asked them to keep my credit card details on file and gave them an upper limit to charge to it pre-approved. When I know I'm going to be away I ring ahead and give them the dates I'm away and the name and phone number of the person who might be calling if my horses need a vet. Both horses are microchipped so they can check who they are treating. I believe the horse clinic also has an option for a line of credit you can have pre-approved for such situations as well. Now that I think of it I don't have this back up plan for the dogs as they generally board, but I'm going to investigate the possibilities. S

I am surrounded by ACD's, so I'm the dumb bunny of the family Don't get me started on the Appaloosa who is the master of manipulation and escape! S

This might be the series that features Rusty (aka Little Red) the Cane Toad Detector Dog and former ACDR foster dog from HP. Keep an eye out for him just in case. S

Well done wayrod S

In light of recent events and with an impending work trip coming up I thought I would ask the question as to whether the boarding kennels you use has an emergency evacuation plan for the animals (as well as people) or if you own a kennel set up whether you have such a plan? I've just asked some questions and I think I will now be working on a back up plan for my animals with a couple of friends should a situation arise and I'm not able to get home in time to collect them. This thread is not to criticise ANY particular establishment or organisation, but rather to encourage some discussion and ideas in advance of any such situation. S

I'm Shazza and my beloved dog's name was Sheila the Red Heeler (RIP). Shazza still has Trevor (red) and Mick (blue) though and yes, we probably do have some similarities in personality/characteristics. S

I am in LOVE with my breed/s of choice. They are my pets and companions first, but the fact that they seem to enjoy working, training and competing with me is a bonus. I definitely do find myself admiring other breeds, but I always tend to go back to the Cattle Dogs. I don't even mind if they are 2nd hand S

Agree with what others have said regarding the safety and comfort of the dog/s. I have a friend from Agility who was travelling on the highway with his dogs in his ute (very similar to this one) and one of them was missing when he stopped. Very fortunately for him, she did turn up again at a pound some distance away. He has since had a fibreglass canopy fitted to his ute. Another Agility friend travelling to Albury discovered at Holbrook that he was missing a dog from the back of his station wagon! Apparently, the back had not been closed properly, bounced open, dog went out the back and it must have slammed shut again somewhere along the highway. Despite searching constantly, the dog could not be located and he had given up any hope of him being found. Through my rescue contacts I managed to discover that the dog had been picked up and taken to Yass pound and subsequently adopted by someone who felt sorry for the old dog. Thankfully, the person who had saved him from death row was very understanding and returned the dog so I could take him home to my friend. That was one emotional reunion I can tell you. Both of these of these real examples could have easily had a less than happy outcome. I have a high top canopy fitted to my Hilux and while it is nowhere near as 'cool' as a big silver roll bar, I feel that my dogs are much safer travelling that way. The highway I travel to and from town has a reasonable amount of traffic and a lot of semi-trailers which barrel along it. There are always lots of wildlife carcasses littered along the sides. I have a large crate inside the canopy as well. I have had a rescue dog squeeze out of a fully closed crate and through the smallest opening in the canopy window while I was briefly stopped. I just couldn't believe this dog had managed to get out of where he was, but he did! I found him safely as well thankfully. The crate is now double secured with heavy duty cable ties and I'm investigating heavy duty mesh screens for the inside of the windows for additional security. In conclusion, when you think it's safe, think again and have someone else also check it over for you for another perspective. S

Sadly yes, I own Licky Micky Apparently, my Mum tastes better than anyone, he's obsessed with her. Not OCD but ACD LOL. Old Pippy (RIP), one of my fosters, was not really a licker but more Jar Jar Binks impersonator. She'd wait until you weren't paying attention and then jump up while simultaneously sticking her really long tongue right in your mouth .......GROSS! S

Both my ACD's do BOC, but probably not the right 'type' of dog + I'm ACT area. S

Hi macdog3, If you are located in SA I can personally recommend George from Sit, Drop, Stay training: 0416508549 www.sitdropstay.com.au Excellent, very experienced trainer/behaviorist and in one private consultation with him you will learn a great deal about what is going on here and how to begin to resolve it. Sharon