

Mairead
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Everything posted by Mairead
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The dog you met might be typical or might be the exception. You would need to meet more, and in different situations to make an informed appraisal of the breed. Then too, different bloodlines may differ in temperament. The spitz breeds in general are quite - vocal (if you don't mind it) or noisy (if you do), aren't they?
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And you have to remember that dogs you might see out and about may not entirely resemble the ones you see at shows. A friend who had boarding kennels said it was quite educational to see the variations coming through the kennels.
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That's my guess too. Or possibly Finnish Lapphund.
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I have no experience with deaf dogs so I went to my veterinary textbooks. Veterinary Pediatrics and The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult. Congenital (present from birth) deafness can be either hereditary or acquired and in purebred or mixed breed. Acquired congenital deafness can be caused by viruses, drugs, heavy metals, antifreeze, chronic ear infections. Hereditary congenital deafness is associated with merle, piebald or hypo pigmentation. Over 30 breeds including the Amstaff are predisposed to congenital deafness. I would not be getting another puppy until you know more about what lies ahead of you and you have picked the brains of as many owners of deaf dogs as you can, and even then I would consider an older already trained and known temperament dog as companion. I searched "deafness in American Staffordshire Terrier" and many sites came up including deafness in Bull Terrier, Staffie or just deaf dogs. One thing I would do is keep using voice commands and voice praise. When you speak the words the intention will be reflected in your body language and your dog will pick up on that. Good luck.
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the emergence of the fawn in a pea hen chick
Mairead replied to asal's topic in General Dog Discussion
This reminded me of the dog breeder who wrote that one advantage of breeding poultry was, if it didn't produce the results you were hoping for, you could always eat your mistakes. Some dog breeders do work together, at least in my experience in the hound group. The not so popular breeds can't afford not to unless the owner is flush with cash. Imported dogs with multiple owners and dogs exported with some of the progeny from a suitable breeding coming back here, bitches leased for one litter etc. This is one advantage of becoming a judge and getting overseas appointments, and having overseas judges come here, getting to see dogs in other countries and visit other kennels, and have our dogs evaluated by people who have seen dogs in other countries. -
What does his breeder say about the ears? If you do decide to tape them ideally find a vet who shows and/or breeds staffies and be prepared for a less than perfect result. Every terrier standard seems to ask for a different ear - early example of point-of-difference marketing? T, jauntiness, countenance - are you a Jane Austen fan? I've just listened to Emma Thompson's Austenese acceptance speech for Sense and Sensibility.
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I found two SA sites about this: https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au in the section "Animals" "Selling Dogs and Cats" lists what information should have been provided to you. It also mentions free and confidential legal advice from the Legal Services Commission South Australia, phone 1300 366 424 Mon - Fri 9 - 4:30 https://www.sa.gov.au Australian Consumer Law, search for Refunds and Returns.
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Do you have a record of any vaccinations or a vet check? Microchip details? The more information you have the better. If you have anything with a vet's or clinic's name I would be contacting them to find out if they have actually seen your puppy. The other issue is do you want to keep the puppy? Because, as an animal is legally regarded as an object, the supplier can offer to take back the faulty item and replace it. Under Australian Consumer Law you could be entitled to "repair", replacement or compensation but it sounds like you may need a lawyer to handle it.
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Children/saying goodbye to old dogs/new dogs
Mairead replied to bece's topic in General Dog Discussion
I wouldn't get another dog now or in the immediate future. Everyone, even children, deserves to be told the truth. It doesn't need to be the whole truth but don't sugar-coat what is happening and will happen. Don't say the vet is coming to put Dash to sleep. You may find your children are then terrified to fall asleep. The vet is coming to take Dash's pain away forever? With special medicine? Respect your son's feelings and don't let anyone tell him to toughen up, or get over it or, God forbid, act like a man. I would let the children honour Dash's memory and grieve for as long as they need to, and don't be afraid to cry in front of them or with them. When/if they start persistently asking about another dog, consider the breed you already know but a different colour and/or sex. The Last Battle If it should be I grow frail and weak And pain should wake me from my sleep Then you must do what must be done For this last battle can't be won. You will be sad - I understand - Don't let your grief then stay your hand. For this day, more than all the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We've had so many happy years What is to come will hold no fears. You'd not want me to suffer, so, When the time comes, please let me go. Take me where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me until the end. Hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you'll come to see It is a kindness you do for me. Although my tail its last has waved From pain and suffering I've been saved. Do not grieve that it should be you Who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close we two, these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. -
In case OP is reading this, bones always raw never cooked.
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I'd stay with two particularly as you are renting, and stay with the breed you know. When the time comes for the older one to leave you, I'd suggest you make sure the younger one sees the body. When I took my old dog (sighthound) to the vet the younger one grieved a lot and didn't like going out the front door, even for walks, for ages. I learned from that - vet came to house, other dog/s could see and sniff body before it was removed. That way their companion doesn't just disappear never to be seen again. You might want to look into solving or lessening the anxiety of the younger dog before it becomes an only dog. It may just teach dog three the same habit. After many years with two to four dogs my last dog coped very well as an only dog.
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Kibble meaning complete balanced dry food? (which doesn't have to be fed bone-dry) Because there used to be a greyhound kibble, mostly grains, which was formulated to be mixed with fresh or cooked meat.
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There are many more options than those two. Meat only is not a balanced diet for a dog. Very very few dogs cannot digest grain so wheat-free sounds like a marketing gimmick like gluten-free for people who have not been diagnosed with celiac disease. The best diet for your dog is the one it does well on. Usually this is dog food of some sort (dogs are not furry humans) and not a home prepared diet unless you really know what you are doing and only if you have time after exercising, training and otherwise caring for your dog. There are also other important things about diet than the actual food, such as feeding at the same times every day in a peaceful place, measuring how much you feed so you can adjust for weight gain or loss, never abruptly changing the diet so making sure you don't run out of the usual food. You will find that some people treat the subject of diet almost like a religion and swear by a particular ingredient or mix but be guided by how healthy your own dog is. I'll just step down from my soap box now.
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Liver Shunt Diagnosis And Vet Recommendation
Mairead replied to digitalwingx's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
I'm in Sydney with no experience of this but I have put a notice in the News section to have a look here. It may help to read all the posts on this thread, make notes and have questions ready for your vet and for here. Also may help to make it a new topic instead of tacked on to an old thread. -
Update: Vet Condemns Couples Outrage Over $37,000 Vet Bill
Mairead replied to Deeds's topic in In The News
Can someone help with a suspected liver shunt and Melbourne vet recommendation posted recently, but at the end of an old thread in Health? -
For any who dont realise AJP and PETA are hand in glove
Mairead replied to asal's topic in In The News
Oops, already sent an email. I suppose I'll be on the mailing list now. Keep your friends close ... The street name doesn't appear to have been changed but maybe we'll see the campaign in an episode of (Aussie) Utopia. -
Sounds like this person is treating all his animals as livestock rather than work partners.
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There is even folklore about this - Gelert the Irish Wolfhound found with blood on him and baby missing. Enraged owner kills him but then finds baby OK and a dead wolf.
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Update: Vet Condemns Couples Outrage Over $37,000 Vet Bill
Mairead replied to Deeds's topic in In The News
I wonder if, in these "it is always someone else's fault, I am the victim here" times, vets have to be aware of suggesting everything else before euthanasia because it is such a fraught decision, even for rational people. I came across the poem "The Last Battle" in a Hound Club show catalogue and kept it because I thought one day I would need to make that right decision. "...for this last battle can't be won. "... stay with me until the end." "we've been so close, we two, these years, don't let your heart hold any tears." -
I found that my first generation from English imports dog showed signs of tapeworm in between regular wormings. So did another breeder.
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Off topic
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Which option is likely to mean best quality of life?
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No experience with hip denervation but had a cat that needed FHO from a road accident. We were not convinced he would have adequate quality of life but he was just a bit less agile in climbing. In 5 Minute Veterinary Consult this operation (called excision arthroplasty) is 'primarily a salvage procedure - for significant DJD; when pain cannot be controlled medically; when total hip replacement is cost prohibitive' and 'best results - small ,light dogs <20 kg; patients with good hip musculature' and 'slightly abnormal gait often persists'. What is your objection to pain medication?
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Australian Ex-Racing Greyhounds to Get New Lives as Therapy Pets for US Cops
Mairead replied to Deeds's topic in In The News
I heard on the radio that Aussie greyhounds are preferred. I wonder if that is because they are more likely to have been in less intensive racing kennels or with more hobby owner trainers. I have seen photos of US kennels which are two tiers of not much bigger than crate size enclosures with shredded paper. And perhaps the Aussie post racing rehab systems are better? -
French Bulldog Owners Call Out Vet Over $37,000 Bill
Mairead replied to Deeds's topic in In The News
Do you mean all pets or just dogs and cats?