benshiva

I wanted to give this dry food a try as I liked the ingredient list. I liked what it hasn't got in it as well.

Both of my dogs have special needs. Sonny can't have grain. Stella can't have wheat, soy or corn etc etc So if I can find a dry food that suits both my guys, I will definitely give it a go as I'm very limited to choice.

The Mayfield branch of my shop stocks this food. At this stage we've got the 1.5kg bags. If you'd like to give it a go, contact me

And for what it's worth, the rep for this product has been involved in dogs for more years than most of us. She is a really lovely person. Just my opinion :)

I wrote a really long post full of lots of stuff but accidentally deleted it........

So I'll just post this instead, have been interested in it for a while. The Pet Car Tube.

That is awesome!

Thanks for the answers. I've just bought a new Dyson but I'm wondering if one of these would be good as a quick vacuum option rather than pulling the dyson out all the time

How much hair/dust can it take before having to empty it? I think I'd get sick and tired of stopping it to empty it I think. I have a lot of dog hair floating around my place :laugh:

I've had my "show" girl's name picked since her mum was a baby herself. Hopefully mum will be in season in the next couple of weeks and finger's crossed I get a gorgeous girl out her her so I can use the name.

And the litter after that, I have a pick boy's name ready to go as well. I've had that name for years.

Here's hoping all goes to plan

I'm so sorry for your loss

I just bought a soft crate for the car and it has a door on the end and one on the side. I got it from Habenaro Hounds when they were at Hillsborough dog grounds

I'm sure they have a website as well

Advance small breed Turkey and Rice is great.

You sound like the ideal puppy owner. There is a lot of wisdom and great advice on this forum. You will be fine.

Most importantly, is secure housing to start with. Get baby used to time alone spent in his space and it will make life easier when you do have to leave him at home.

I don't know I'm not into anatomy. Maybe you should speak to a vet who specialises in GSDs if you're concerned. I have seen enough to know there is a problem but if people choose to ignore the obvious then i can't do anything about it. What i can do is acknowledge that the judges are (in Australia at least) rewarding the correct dogs so hopefully breeders will see this and adjust accordingly. That's all i will say. I'll leave the thread now as with all DOL conversations people have their own opinions and are immovable and I truly appreciate all differing opinions/standpoints and I have stated mine. Enjoy your chat :) Seeya

Then I would politely suggest that you need to see more. Caning GSDs is a popular pursuit (as evidenced by Pedigree Dogs Exposed) and I for one have engaged in it in the past when I knew far less and shot my mouth off far more. The dog you like has won BIS at shows in your area - go and see him and the other top GSDs for yourself.

With dog related opinions, as with many things, the more you know, the less you are inclined to be a mouth piece for a popular sentiment and the more likely you are to see the facets of a particular issue.

I doubt you attend that many GSD specialty shows MUP or that you know many top GSD breeders. Those are issues that you should redress before pronouncing judgement on issues. Otherwise, you end up where you are now - defending an opinion with very little knowledge and leaving the kitchen to escape the heat.

As do many of us from time to time.

Eloquently put as always :)

No one is perfect but this particular topic of cripple GSDs makes me wild...

It annoys me as well, especially when those protesting the loudest (and there have been MANY over the years on DOL) have rarely even been to a specialty and seen these dogs REALLY go through their paces. It's a sight to behold. I a good way that is :)

It took me a while to find this quote but I think it very relevant with all of the discussion about "type" and what people prefer or like.

It's a good reminder for the novice and the seasoned breeder alike.

There is but ONE standard. "Preferred breed type" is like a flavor of the month, very fleeting! BREEDERS, JUDGES AND EXHIBITORS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THEIR BREED STANDARDS

.

Excellent quote!

Mixeduppup, have you ever attended a GSD National? The workout that the dogs are put through at one of their specialties is VERY rigorous and there is no way an unsound dog could ever complete the workout these dogs have to do. The shows are truly amazing and I have to say, the top 10 open bitches at the last one I went to, gave me goosebumps. They were truly stunning animals.

I dont understand people who do this. I see many, and by many, I mean, at least 2-3 people a day in the city, who own corgis, huskies, japanese spitz etc (the "pretty" dogs) who are talking about how they are going back overseas!! It's not my place to say anything to them, but the owners are always students and seems like they only get their dogs for the time they are staying for their studies. It's so sad how people arent committed to the dog for its entire lifetime, and only in the puppy stage

Do they tell you they're not taking the dog with them? I know people who have gone back overseas as well and the dog has gone with them.

Personally I'm not a fan of online shopping. Whilst it's usually cheaper, (and lets face with those of us with multiple dogs we're after the best bargains) I can't help feeling by shopping online, I'm taking away from struggling small businesses (like the one I work at) that work so hard to provide great service and in the case of my shop, the best prices they can. We just can't compete with the big online stores though and I'm truly worried that someday independent pet stores like mine will be a thing of the past.

End rant, sorry for the takeover :)

Many small businesses are also online, just because a store is online doesn't mean you aren't supporting a small local business.

I always recommend having a crate, pen, obviously a food bowl and water bowl (I would go with something non spill for a pup). A light weight long line, harness, leash and collar are other things I also have at the top of my list with a pup. Appropriate toys that the pup can learn to self settle with and entertain itself with as well as suitable engagement toys for you to play with.

Too many people get large toys that aren't a suitable surface or size for pups so make sure toys you get are appropriate for the age and size of your puppy.

My store is online as well and we STILL cannot compete with the purely online stores. This is what I'm getting at, we cannot compete with their prices no matter what we do. I know this for a fact as I live it every single day of my working life.

Anyway, sorry to the OP for taking this off topic. Persephone has given you an excellent starting point.

Best wishes with you new dog and if you let me know where in NSW you are, I can certainly suggest some great stores to go in and browse around.

Ok so I'll answer seriously as yesterday I was generally in a pissed off mood. My apologies to the people.

How much to hip scores really mean when the dog can hardly walk? Maybe we should have hock scores too? I agree that HW's top one was a vast improvement on the breed from what I've seen and I've seen a lot of showline GSDs that have competed and are going to compete in the ring. I'm glad they are now rewarding better conformation than before and the issues are being recognised. Congratulations to them.

I see it in kelpies also, the vast difference between bench and working. I agree that some bench have working instinct but you would rarely if ever see a bench in a true working environment for a variety of reasons.

I'm starting to wonder if genetics are being altered as we we remove the dog from its original purpose to show it. Like in the silver fox experiment where the foxes were bred to be more docile and changed body shape and colour. I wonder also if this could be a similar thing and not fully on purpose just evolution of two unique lines.

I don't believe this can be placed firmly in the hand of those showing dogs. As has been discussed here, performance dogs in a lot of breeds barely resemble the originals of their breed either.

I said evolution of two unique lines. Sometimes three for sporting lines. I think we have taken the breed and used it for so many different things (for breeds with a show/working/sporting split that we now have 3 totally different types for the job in hand. That's fine as long as it doesn't negatively impact the dog's ability to live day-to-day. I know someone that shows and competes in agility with their dogs (BCs) and their dogs a generally thicker set (not fat) and have a much denser coat compared to the person who just breeds for sporting and working and their lines are much less coat, much more streamlined and generally of a rather more intense temperament.

I know several people who show and do agility/obedience with their BC's and are hugely successful at both. One of our breeding won the Goldstein GOLD medal at the Sydney Royal last year. I believe this particular dog fits the breed standard as it is written and what we, as breeders, have to measure our stock by.

Yes I believe there can be a variation in "style" or "type" but basic conformation SHOULD be the same. Well in my opinion at least.

Ok so I'll answer seriously as yesterday I was generally in a pissed off mood. My apologies to the people.

How much to hip scores really mean when the dog can hardly walk? Maybe we should have hock scores too? I agree that HW's top one was a vast improvement on the breed from what I've seen and I've seen a lot of showline GSDs that have competed and are going to compete in the ring. I'm glad they are now rewarding better conformation than before and the issues are being recognised. Congratulations to them.

I see it in kelpies also, the vast difference between bench and working. I agree that some bench have working instinct but you would rarely if ever see a bench in a true working environment for a variety of reasons.

I'm starting to wonder if genetics are being altered as we we remove the dog from its original purpose to show it. Like in the silver fox experiment where the foxes were bred to be more docile and changed body shape and colour. I wonder also if this could be a similar thing and not fully on purpose just evolution of two unique lines.

I don't believe this can be placed firmly in the hand of those showing dogs. As has been discussed here, performance dogs in a lot of breeds barely resemble the originals of their breed either.

Personally I'm not a fan of online shopping. Whilst it's usually cheaper, (and lets face with those of us with multiple dogs we're after the best bargains) I can't help feeling by shopping online, I'm taking away from struggling small businesses (like the one I work at) that work so hard to provide great service and in the case of my shop, the best prices they can. We just can't compete with the big online stores though and I'm truly worried that someday independent pet stores like mine will be a thing of the past.

End rant, sorry for the takeover :)

Where are you based in NSW?

No words, just hugs from someone who knows xxxx

OMG They're all together again. This photo fills my heart. I got to call all of them mine for a while

Thanks everyone for all your kind birthday well wishes :)

Sonny is an amazing & very special boy to me. He is a pleasure to own. The type of boy you never have to call nor tell what to do. He is just seems to know where he should be when I need him & has pretty much always been like that.

Very sensible. Having said that he is a very funny, full on goof ball when he wants to be as well. Playing is Sonny favorite thing to do. As soon as he wakes up in the morning it's 'game on' :laugh:

Belated Birthday Wishes to Sonny

I think you picked so very well, BC. Sonny is totally adorable.

I think she picked well also. No bias of course

I'll be there.

Is he fat or does he just look it, to you? You can't tell without laying hands on him.

I like this post! Photos can be deceiving and I wouldn't be commenting on a dog's weight unless I could put my hands on them and tell for myself.

I have a beautiful young bitch at home who when in full coat looks overweight. She is kept hard and lean yet I've had people ask me if she is fat when they've seen a photo of her.

I will say I have heard show people who do performance sports say they normally leave an extra kilo on their BCs if they are showing them in the show ring as against just trialling them and you do hear talk of show weight v performance weight. Maybe dogs in proper working condition are seemingly penalized in the show ring otherwise why such a comment.

I've never heard this comment in almost 20 years of showing Border Collies. Everyone I know wants their Borders in hard working condition whether it's showing or performance. Our dogs are NEVER penalised for being fit. I don't agree with that comment at all

Happy Birthday beautiful Grandbaby. Loved beyond words and such a gorgeous Border xxx