Kavik

I might be able to get to one before the one I will enter (haven't entered yet ) Do I just show up and say I want my dog measured?

OK now that I have my paperwork from DogsNSW I can enter agility with them! Do I have to get Kaos measured before the first trial I enter or can I get him measured on the day? He is definitely a 600 jumping dog.

Actually, I'm pretty sure they don't have to be entire? Not sure about the pedigree bit - don't think they have to be pedigree though. Do have to be one of several breeds to do the character work part, but I think other breeds can do the obedience and tracking components.

She is a nice looking Lab :D

It's OK Quickasyoucan - I appear to have the same colour preference :D

Of course it is, but it was just the way in which some of the comments were said that some of us were particularly "sensitive" to. There are plenty of dogs I don't want to own for various reasons, but I wouldn't go and tell the owners those reasons as I'm afraid it would be quite offensive to them! I just reread my first comment in this thread and could see nothing to be sensitive about? I said very diplomatically that I liked a dog at work tht was not a breed I usually considered (there are many breeds I would not own btw, not just Labs!). Kelpie-i I'm sure they will be very happy with his progress

All I could get out of my vet is that the parvo part of it is different to the yearly vacine.

I've looked up Basenjis doing agility on Youtube - can be rather hillarious!

I think Basenjis are gorgeous! Just what I like in the looks department and a nifty size. But since I want to compete in sports I will keep my sanity and stick to my working breeds thanks ETA: There are a couple that come to my dog park. Lovely playful pretty dogs. Owners say they are a challenge to train though

Noooo, not Beagles - they are nearly as 'bad' as Labs

You are more than welcome to think that if you wish Personally I think non-Kelpie owners are jealous (well, not really I think they are the best though )

I'll let you know if I need to borrow a dog to train I haven't had much to do with Cattle Dogs, but they sound like they would certainly be a fun training challenge. Have to wait for finances to get a bit better before I get another one - certainly with Diesel being so expensive medically . Will definitely be from a breeder - OH won't let me consider rescue after the problems I had with Zoe and dog aggression (though I have told him they are not all like that, some have lovely temps, and it was not all her fault. I know a lot more now). And almost 100% will be another Kelpie. In the mean time, Diesel enjoyed an outing to OH's parents house (they adore him), greeted everyone including guests happily, put up with being picked up by his brother and even did a front and finish nicely for me when I did a demo for his brother's OH. Then when asked he lay quietly on his mat. He was cheeky and tried to get a pheasant carcass though but is a good boy and let go when asked.

Great pics You lucky thing, getting to see all that in person! Though funny you calling that girl decoy little She is quite a bit taller than me Would have been really funny if I had pics from the few times I was a decoy - one time it was a Rotty! When do I get to see your latest addition?

There are many procedures that can be expensive that the average pet owner may end up requiring. Broken legs, ruptured cruciates, slipping patellas, GDV, poisons (rat bait, snake bite, tick) are the common ones I can think of at the moment.

You are welcome to ask what the medication will cost in the consult? I've done that and no problem with them telling me the price.

Works for me!

I haven't said that all Labs are bad. I simply said that they are difficult to handle in a daycare (and it appears boarding) situation due to their size, exuberance and playing style. I discussed with poodlefan on another thread about dog personal space and playing styles, and pondered why some breeds like lots of personal space while others don't and like to get up close and personal and wrestle and body slam. Discussed that possibly they were bred for less need of personal space for the job they were bred to do, need to be in close proximity with other dogs. Was very interesting and I hadn't considered that before.

My vet is happy to tell me how much medication is going to cost in the consult before I have gotten it. My last consult ( a follow up to Diesel's skin problems) we discussed various options for treatment, some human antihistamines I could try if I wanted, the price for the ones they stocked, the price for some other medication (which even the vet said due to its high price they had never sold any! I don't think that was due to mark up - everyone has said that was expensive).

I met lots of dogs of many breeds in the daycare that I liked even though I would never have considered that breed before. Spunky Pugs and a gorgeous German Spitz (who was clever but very noisy!), along with various terriers.

Have you talked to your herding instructor to see what they think?

OK let me put it a different way . . . Say you worked in a place that had a play area/party room where parents dropped off their kids (mainly teenagers) to play and you looked after them. There were heaps of different toys (balls, frisbees, climbing equipment, books, etc) Some types of kids that came in were: Footballers, gymnasts, tennis players, swimmers, runners, etc and those that preferred to read books, play computer games, play chess, write stories etc Who do you think would need the most supervision to ensure they didn't play too rough, accidentally hurt themselves or other people or damage property (toys, walls, windows, play equipment)? Does this mean you think they are bad? No. Does this mean you hate them? No. Does this mean you may sigh inwardly when you know you are going to have several in that day? Yes. Also, who do you think you will have to watch on the other side of the scale? To make sure they have a quiet corner away from rough play, to help them come out of their shell, to make sure they are having a good time? That is sort of what it was like at the daycare.

He is stunning!

I am not attacking Labs, sorry if it comes off that way I am simply saying that in the environment at work that they were difficult. Their exuberance and size and strength when combined with a large number of other dogs, and a small space, can make them more work than some other breeds. It is a very stimulating and exciting environment, and excited energetic large dogs that are not worried about running into things in this environment are a lot more work. I don't think my breeds are suitable for the daycare environment at all. I saw several Kelpies come in (and BCs) and they were not comfortable or happy in the daycare environment. They don't enjoy it nearly as much as the Labs I went to the SAR demo with K9 Force and the Labs there were amazing! Very fast, determined and good at their job. I see many doing detection work with the police too. They can be great dogs, and my first post was stating how much I liked one of the dogs at work. The OP was asking if you had liked a dog you worked with that surprised you. They just are not my cup of tea, as you said it would be boring if we all liked the same thing :rolleyes: I am also more of a fan of more streamlined, agile dogs (hence why I have Kelpies). Doesn't mean that I think chunky dogs are horrible, I just prefer a leaner build. OH prefers chunky Staffy types and prefers my GSD to the Kelpies. I am finding I prefer the Kelpies. Kelpies have their negative points as well, all breeds do, it just comes down to what you prefer, what you want to do and what you can live with.

The only people who may be able to get some stuff at cost + 10% is staff with a staff discount (and may not get it for everything)

Well I have decided to stop the Polaramine and try Iramine again for his skin. The Polaramine wasn't as effective. I still actually think there is an underlying problem, I don't he should be so lethargic at only 5 years of age.