Hobbit

[quote name='bk_blue']Thanks Hobbit. I do think the price is justified in the end but never really had any idea before I posted this topic! I guess with people taking working dogs and turning them into show dogs which unfortunately compromise their herding ability, this is why the price of a good working dog is so high? (please correct me if I'm wrong?) Or just because a good working dog is worth its weight in gold and always has been... What Koolie posted "I have heard this from a couple of people so I am guessing there might be something in it?" was referring to Don Burke's possible vested interest in promoting puppy farms on his TV show. :x[/quote] The price of a good herding dog is what it is because it really takes a lot time, love and devotion (worth its weight in gold :wink: ). I think devotion being the biggest thing. The dog is worth it and a person spending years selectively breeding his Kelpies and using them as herding dogs --- you don't want just anyone buying one. You want someone that is going to continue to breed selectively and/or use the dog for herding. I had never heard of Don Burke before you posted it. What a rat...promoting puppy farms!

Very good website! Neat-o dogs, thanks for sharing.

[quote name='corgilady']:o Well now wait a minute, y'all.... that IS one ugly couch.... it could damage their self-esteem, or something. :lol:[/quote] That's why they have their eyes shut!! :lol: :lol:

Well, maybe it is a "Dwarf Mala-mut". :lol: He's cute anyway, in a "short" sort of way.

These dogs are made to sleep on a butt ugly couch --- it's all theirs. They own it to sleep on it and be comfortable. [size=2]I told you it was graphic! Oh you guys are going to kill me, aren't you?[/size] [img]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e2d2be0e/bc/Three+Kelpies+napping+103102.jpg?bcblT69AF9tg69fU[/img]

I found this picture and they said it's a "Dwarf Malamute" --- hum, looks suspiciously like a Malamute/Basset cross. What do you think? It could be a dwarf...... :o [img]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e2d2be0e/bc/Misc+dog+pictures/Dwarf+Malamute.jpg?bcLtS69A9Ds3zMzR[/img] Then found this one, it a Husky/GSD cross --- absolutely beautiful, and up for adoption in California. I mean, this is a beautiful bitch. [img]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e2d2be0e/bc/Misc+dog+pictures/kala.jpg?bcLtS69AlK40RqK5[/img] This is a cross between a Shar Pei and a Terry Cloth towel.... :lol: :lol: [img]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e2d2be0e/bc/Misc+dog+pictures/dogtowel~.jpg?bcLtS69AblCT8uDe[/img]

[quote name='deepseasnake'] I'll bet Hobbits dogs would maim him if he left them in a crate :lol:[/quote] They LOVE to sleep in there, but aren't too keen on being "boxed" up. It's funny, because they all have their favorite place and will just stand there looking bewildered if someone else is in their favorite spot.

[quote name='gigishiba']SOOOO....any new pizzle purchasers here????? Anyone buy their dog a pizzle or bully stick?????? I'm gonna hound ya all until you try it.....[size=2]no pun intended.[/size][/quote] Don't you mean ***BULLY*** us into it?? :lol: :lol:

[quote name='Rowie-the-Pooh'] One thing I don't agree with you is the fact that you chain your dogs up? Not meaning to be rude or anything but why do you chain a dog up. Why not leave them in a crate? [/quote] If the ONLY choice and I mean ONLY choice would be to tie a dog out or leave them in a crate ---- which sounds more mentally soothing? A crate maybe safer, but at least with being tied out, the dog could use the bathroom instead of holding it until the pain was so severe that it HAD to use the bathroom in the crate and then stand in it or lay in it.

[quote name='deepseasnake']oh yeah! I'm suprised that presas havent surpassed pits yet, I figure the pits have had the hot seat for quite awhile its about time for a change. I figured 2 days after the whipple killing every gun toting thug west of the mississippi would have one :roll:[/quote] [b][color=red]NO KIDDING!! I have noticed an increase of advertisements of them after that, tho. [/color][/b]

[quote name='deepseasnake'][b][color=red]This is interesting I wonder what other dogs are viewed as bad A$$ in other parts of the country?[/color][/b][/quote] [color=blue][b]Yeah, that would be interesting to hear from the rest of the members in different locations. Anyone??[/b][/color]

[quote name='working koolie']Black/blue I have heard this from a couple of people so I am guessing there might be something in it!?! [b][color=darkred]Not following you here Koolie --- what are you referring too? I lost that train of thought somewhere. :wink: [/color][/b] Hobbit I actually read a book on Working dog stories in Australia and a guy up North has been crossing his Blue heelers with bull terriers for years to get the lock jaw effect as he musters wild cattle(or ferals) These dogs latch on and hold the beast till the blokes get there to rope them .Aparently the cattle will seperate and hide in the scrub so the dog finds them and holds them , these are big Brahman cattle he was talking about and according to him he loses (gets killed) nearly all his dogs each season which is pretty sad. [b][color=red]Oh yeah, Brahman cattle (ones that aren't worked often) can be pretty gritty to work, they DO run and hide in high grass, brush, briars, thick trees, gullies, canyons, anything they can. Lots of folks here use Catahoula's, Yellow Mouth Cur, Black Mouth Cur, and combinations there of to work wild cattle (some of these have Pit crossed in there). Heelers are being replaced by these breeds plus the Border Collie and Kelpie --- at a rapid rate. It is very hard to find a good bred working Heeler. [/color][/b] [b][color=darkred]Knowing the Heeler like I do and their attitude, dog aggressiveness, etc..., why would anyone cross a Heeler with a Pit Bull or ANY breed that is also dog aggressive. They would spend more time fighting than working. [u]Good bred [/u]Heelers are gritty enough to work wild cattle without any other breed infused in there. Just my opinion. [/color][/b] How long have the Kelpies been in America ? I could look it up but Im being lazy( ha ha) [b][color=red]The Working Kelpie originated around 1870, playing a major role in the development of the sheep and wool industry in Australia. The Working Kelpie has been in North American since shortly after the turn of the century. [/color][/b] Its no wonder noones heard of a koolie in America I dont believe they have them we sent them a couple and they had to make em look like Lassie and chop their tails off!! [b][color=darkred]The Australian Shepherd is the American answer to the Koolie. They were all very good working dogs BEFORE AKC make them a recognized breed. AKC show people starting breeding just for "LOOKS" and not herding instinct. They have just about bred all the working ability out of the Aussie. Now, good luck in finding an Aussie that will work. There are very few around that have the instinct left to work. [/color] [/b] Koolies arent we known here in Australia they are considered a rare breed by the RSPCA Id have to agree with you Bensam about the looks of the showies(kelpies) although the solid reds are discriminated against by working owners (they call them show dogs!!) :-? [b][color=red]Some working Kelpies do come in solid red (Elfinvale Timmy, is a good example), but you are right all the show dog people prefer the solid red. The Buchanan line of working Kelpies produce solid black dogs sometimes (SSS Babe is a good example of an excellent solid black bitch that works). [/color][/b] [/quote]

bk -- you were talking about the price of the working dogs -- here is the website for the Red Bluff Gelding and Bull Sale in Red Bluff, California. It's held every year the last of Jan/first of Feb. Check out the site and look under "working cow dogs" --- it has the price listed of what the dogs were sold for. [url]http://www.redbluffbullsale.com/index.htm[/url]

Corgi -- something I didn't think about ---- has he ever been just a loose dog? Or do you know? Prior to your adopting him, was he always on a leash like maybe an apartment dog, or something like this? If you posted that, I have forgotten. So, he acts better on a leash or trolly thing?

[quote name='working koolie']Hobbit just to jump in on the end of the post My first dog had a heart murmur and he lived to be 15 yrs old He was totally hyper a kelpie x b/collie .My horse has also been diagnosed with a heart murmur and he is 22yrs old and my mums got one too Im surrounded!! Its not slowed any of them down at all (except for the dog hes dead) :wink:[/quote] It all depends on the individual. I was told I had a heart murmur when I was borned, then years later -- it magically disappeared, then this past April during an Echocardiagram --- it magically reappeared. :roll: Thanks for the words of encourage. Probably more animals, including dogs, have a heart defect that goes un-noticed that we'd like to admit. The pup will have all the opportunity in the world to excel in life---take one day at a time.

Yeah that IS exactly why I was nodding at YOU --- I was feeling the pain of ripping the blue thingy off your hand --- OUCH. I know that hurt. :-?

That was probably the most stupidest thing I've done in a long time. I was not laughing then, but can laugh now at my total blonde moment.

Some people think that sheep are so sweet and gentle. Oh my, they can be very NASTY sometimes. CarolK9's, we call those sheep that crowd around you "knee knockers", they can really smash your toes, too! The Lone Star Cattle Dog Futurity (Nacogdoches, Texas) was this past weekend --- the winner of the Futurity was a dog (Junior) that was Border Collie X Kelpie X Pit Bull cross; he also came in 4th in the Maturity. They use cattle, by the way. It was pretty good, lots of excellent dogs, handlers with dogs from as far away as California to compete in the 3 day trial. There were probably around 300 people there with dogs. Here is the website (they haven't posted the winnings yet), if anyone is interested in seeing a picture of "Junior", the winner. [url]http://www.lscdf.com/[/url]

[quote name='roo']K have you thought of councelling(sp) I can understand the trauma you went thru :lol: :D no not laughing :( Hobbit what is this about mouthwash and nose blowing :o Roo[/quote] Well, I am no longer allowed to use mouthwash unsupervised! One morning, after brushing my teeth, I took a big'ol mouth of LISTERINE (diluted) mouthwash and was just swishing and swishing....huming my favorite tune, just happy...happy...happy.... then, I thought, "hum, I'll just blow my nose while I'm at it". WRONG decision!! When I blew, still happily swishing --- it forced the LISTERINE into my sinus cavities. Oh dear Lord, the fires of he!! have descended upon me! I think I thrashed around on the floor for about 5 minutes before I could collect my composer. Then....I thought damn this BURNS and decided to suck water into the sinus cavities to stop the excruciating burn. About a second into the suck, I realized that most of the water was also going into my lungs ----- oh goody, now I've drowned myself. The extreme coughing caused me to vomit profusely thus spewing LISTERINE laced eggs and toast ALL OVER the bathroom, including on, but not limited to the wall, sink, toilet and bathtub. Total mess. Okay, so I didn't want to admit my total lack of any form of intelligence...so I stayed home and cleaned the entire bathroom, including the ceiling! I did have to fess up when my nose kept bleeding later in the day. Did I get any sympathy at all? NO. Not one tiny ouce of sympathy --- ONLY grounded from using the mouthwash unless supervised! :wink:

[quote name='Horsefeathers!']I dunno.... maybe it's a regional thing, but if you could see what the street thugs here and even some of the "professionals" are doing with the GSDs, too, it would make you cringe. Around here, when people get ANY kind of "protective" dog, they tend to want it mean. I don't know how to explain what I'm trying to say. For example, GSDs, though poorly bred ones, are fast becoming popular around here as "bad" dogs. Why? Because people see them on COPS and working locally and they want one that they think can do the same. Around here, GSDs are going to h*ll in a handbasket just because people have this image of a badarse police dog and they LIKE it. If I hear one more person bragging about their "police GSD" (as if that's a particular breed), I'll scream. In my area, Pit Bulls used in police work would do a tragic disservice to the breed IMO. It may be different in other areas, but I would hate to see it here. With the precarious situation of Pit Bulls as it is, I just don't see anything about watching them take down someone, regardless of the circumstance (work) as good publicity. Add to it the media hype the first time footage is shown of one taking a criminal down and it gets sensationalized to death. Any "good publicity" will be out the window. Keep in mind that Pits are under far more scrutiny than probably any other breed. What is all in a day's work for a GSD will be under scrutiny for a Pit.[/quote] It's a cultural thing mostly here (Texas). Hispanics want the Rotty's and Pit bulls >>> yep, stereotyped: spike collar, the dog leading (pulling at a fast pace) them with a logging chain, being pulled down the street, while they are wearing the hair net, t-shirt underneath the flannel/cloth long sleeve shirt only buttoned on the top button, baggy pants. GOT THAT VISUAL? The dog, totally uncontrollable, tries to kill anything in his path. And after the *walk* the dog is chained to an old broken down car in the front yard. *** definately not meant any offense to you Stiff *** we're talking about the Hispanics in west Texas. South Dallas -- African Americans, Rotts, "German Police Dogs" (as they call them), Pits and Dobies. Usually thrown in the back yard and just fed. Some do take very good care of their dogs (I'm talking about the scum that don't take care of them, just want a BAD A$$ DOG <<< you know the kind). Typical white trash --- yep, want those "German Police Dogs" like they see on TV and Pit Bulls to guard their house and KILL ANYONE trying to break in. Ohhhh yeah, as if I want your crap? Trying not to vent, here.

[quote name='working koolie']I too agree that as an owner of working dogs I would not select from non working parents as if the pups not old enough you want to see the parents work at least. As for temperment I wasnt talking in particular about your dogs Hobbit just from my general experience and I would hate for someone to read the posts thinking they are always even tempered .I would have to look it up but I think the kelpie makes the top ten biters in Australia I agree totally about the crossing with APBT we are lucky in Australia that we have a diverse range of kelpies that you can select from an eye dog to a hard hitting cattle dog( even seen them back cows) In my trialling it is perfectly legal for a nose bite or on the top knot and many of the kelpies do this it is not a fault but an effective means to either move sheep or to protect themselves.I agree that soundness and instinct are the most important qualities in a working dog and that is what I look for[/quote] You are right, they ALL aren't even tempered (no breed of dog are ALL even tempered). I guess, on an average, they are pretty good tempermented. Yes, some can be nasty sometimes. Out of the one nasty, there are 50 that are good even tempered (speaking of here, USA). When I say they "swing" on the tail, nose and ears. I am talking literally taking hold and won't release until whatever they have ahold of rips off (piece of the ear, part of the tail, piece of the nose, skin, etc). That is certainly not something I would want to work my stock. Work stock then spend 1/2 a day suturing up the bloody ones ---- not my idea of a good working dog. If the animal is being belligerent or trying to kill the dog -- oh yeah, absolutely bite the snot out of him and I'll be right there helping to get the animal off the dog. But to be biting just because a dog is too rough, that's no excuse. The Kelpie is not one of the top ten biters in America. Most people (non-working) have never even heard of a Kelpie. :wink: (or a Koolie!! LOL)

Still.......not.......laaaaaughing. No, not laughing. That was a terrible ordeal to go thru. Certainly NOT laughing at you. No, not me....as I'm not allowed to use mouthwash and blow my nose at the same time. :-? :) :D :lol:

Please think about Duck. You've said before that NO ONE could possibly give her a better home than you. Geez, hate to be grouchy here....but, she isn't in the best environment NOW. Please consider her feelings, consider how much she wants to get out and play, consider how she doesn't understand why you are being mean to her by leaving her in a crate all day and then 1/2 of the evening and then all night. I know you think that you saved her by adopting her, but what about HER quality of life? She doesn't have much of one. You never answered my questioned...does your building NOT have an elevator? If not, it's not very physically challenaged friendly, huh? Not one person on this forum would think less of you if you re-homed Duck, we would all think of you as being responsible, considerate and a saint. :wink:

[quote name='roo']:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: pleeeeeeeze K tell us we WILL understand :P We will not LAUGH Promise :roll: Roo[/quote] We? Um.....does this include me? Promise? Um.....again, does this include me? [size=2]Not laughing......not laughing......not laughing......not laughing......[/size]

[quote name='Guest Pat']Hobbit, most vets will give you a grade on the heart murmurs detected by stethoscope. the grade usually makes a difference in regard to the quality of life the pup will have. Most heart murmurs in very young pups are outgrown. Most reputable breeders will always give these pups a chance, by either selling them at a reduced fee, that it should be spayed/neutered, and by telling prospective parents right off the bat that the dog has been diagnosed with a grade ___ heart murmur. I thought it strange that experienced, reputable breeders would ask a previous buyer from them what they should do. I don't mean this to sound nasty or question your knowledge, but I was questioning theirs.[/quote] Let's back up here a moment. The conversation was between friends; not business associates. I have never dealt with a heart murmur, neither have they. They were inquiring my thoughts because we have never experienced this before. I asked this forum because of the vast number of people that frequent it, in hopes someone else has had to deal with a similar problem. I have faith in their knowledge and actions. I just don't have room for him, right now. We have one going in for orthopedic surgery next month and several other things going on. They were going to keep him (found this out after I posted), if I didn't want him. We know each others kindness for animals and how we care for them (no matter what). It was merely a question. Sorry if I gave any indication that I was questioning their integrity, I wasn't.