Poofy

There is truth to the information. The US government gave and still gives, large grants or loans to any type of "farming" buisness, this includes dogs. You have to realize that dogs as *pets*...and I do mean *pets* has only evolved rather recently. Not long ago a good "working dog" was more valuable then a horse and while there were "some" breeds that were "pets", the majority functioned or died. Pets, years ago, were more like ornaments or valuable jewles...

Hobbit: They do have FCI shows all over the US. CA, TX, FL, and many more states. I am willing to bet you could go to an FCI show at some time or another with your dogs.

Youd said: In order to show conformation, the dog must be registered with AKC, right? They must be a recognized breed, right? Australian Kelpies are not a recognized breed. We, as breeders/handlers/herding dog trainers, etc... do not want AKC to recognize the Kelpie as a breed --- that would be the demise of the breed, just like the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dogs and several other breeds. We want to protect our breed from being exploited and ruined by someone that feels that they have to show and breed for *CONFORMATION*. Breeding only for conformation, while disregarding anything else, (especially natural herding ability) destroys the purpose of the breed. Do you see my point? If you are not a person that uses a herding bred dog for a living, you may not see my point. Actually no. There are FCI shows as well as international shows, even UKC shows and shows put on by the parent club to asses comformation to the written standard. AKC is not the only place to show your dog and prove its value *when compared to the written standard as set forth by the parent club*. No, a comformation show cannot asses working ability, that is up to the breeder or the breed club with seperate events...but showing is about selecting the dog, that is closest to the "rules" for "type" as set forth by those who created the breed. I have seen dogs that can work, that look nothing like the breed they are supposed to be...and dogs that are picture book perfect, but could not find their way out of a wet paper bag...there is a *balance* between both worlds.

Because...they are just ewwwwww..... Have you ever seen those dogs in person!!

Could get a thia ridgeback or a xolo....ewwwww..... if you really want a hairless dog.. ;)

A cross breed is a mix. Alicat...I think you are thinking of Cross Faulting. When you breed two dogs because they complement each other. Inbreeding and line breeding are the same thing. One is sticking in a toe, the other is stepping up to your knees. Out crossing is going for a COI of 0%. This means as unrelated, but within the same breed. Out Crossing is often done in a breeding program to bring in somthing that is lacking.

If i were to walk my dogs...if I lived in a neighborhood or in a village...I would do one of two things..maybe both. Carry a walking stick and a vile of pepper mace. By darn I would use both if need be.

BC may not kill sheep out right, but they would and could run them to death herding them and could do some serious damage biting on them herding them. Sheep and goats are pretty dumb and they shock easily, and die fast. A mal could DEFINATELY kill a sheep with no problem...so could several other breeds such as a larger husky, or shepherd.... I have seen BC ruin live stock trying to herd them when they are left unattended and untrained by owners...they don't really go for the jugluar...but they are capable of herding livestock to the point of death. Speaking of BC....right off the hwy there is a little house, and a BC that stands out by the mail box and walks/herds the edge of the road eyeing every car that passes....I know the day will come when that dog meets a terrible fate...its very depressing.

If I had a dog try to attack one of mine...the dog would be dead. I am sorry. I would have to tollerance for that. I love my little guys too much. I have good aim and I can kick hard enough to knock one out if not kill it and if thats what it took to protect one of my own I would. This is a constant worry of mine especially with my little guys...I won't even walk them on a show site where there are larger breed dogs. Years ago, when my golden boy was alive, I was attacked by some stray dogs. These dogs were true curs, living off the land, so to speak, and they were dangerous. If my dog had not been there I would have been badly mauled if not killed. He was an over sized dog (probably mixed with pyr looking back and knowing what i know now) and took on all the dogs and won. There was nothing I could have done to protect or stop him. Later on when I was working a pyr with livestock, he brought down many neighborhood dogs who tried to kill his goats and fowl. (he and the animals were fenced) Our neighbor who once had 14 + dogs who lived under her trailer, and bred willy nilly, wound up having none by the end of the summer. It was sad, but that was why the dog was there...to take care of predators. He's dead now, burried up on the hill he used to sit and watch over his animals. I sold all the goats...the geese are still around though. The remaining stray dogs in the area remember him though and still steer clear of our property. I cannot take my dogs for walks in this area because I know that other people let their animals run loose..and I am afraid for my own pets safety....so we stay at home, in our own yard, where it is fenced and secure from the neighbor hood strays. I would hate to have to kill some one else's dog in defense of my own...but I would do it.

I hate to even bring this up...but if you puppy does not make it...please DO NOT bring another puppy into your home. Parvovirus can live in the ground and the flooring and walls of your home for YEARS. Bringing in another puppy will almost guarantee a repeat performance. Its sad I know. But you will have to consider an older already vaccinated animal. This is a terrible thing to bring up I know...but its something you need to be aware of. You will also be able to spread parvo to other puppies and or dogs because you will be carrying it on your clothes and such...so think of these things before you pet some one's young puppy. I am sorry this has happened to you. I wish some one had been able to warn you of pet stores before you bought from one.

One of my first dogs was a retired racing grey hound, we got her when she was 9 years old. She had made her owners some mega bucks winning on the track, but could never produce good offspring. Her name was black nose and she loved to run. Her eye site began to fail as she aged and there were many times when she would run head long into the pet goat. Her favorite past time was to stand with her head in a bush and rock back and forth, stand on the porch and let the cats jump up on her back so they could reach the deck...and her FAVORITE thing was trying to squeeze her body into a tiny round fleecy bed that was bought for the cat. Only one end at a time could fit of course. She died at 14 from cancer. I still miss her today.

It sounds like entropian. A common problem in many breeds of dogs. First you need to talk with the breeder...I am willing to bet more then one puppy in the litter is affected. Second, you will probably have to have his eyes tacked. This is not a super difficult procedure...usually a general practice vet can do it for little cost. Entropian is genetic and if left untreated can cause problems such as scarring and ulcers. I would have the surgery done asap...since you have not had him that long, perhaps your breeder will be willing to help you pay for the cost?

It all depends on how the breeders react. When a breed gets sudden recognition breeders need to be willing and ready to take on the extra work. This means education for the public. Breed clubs should distribute information and breeders needs to be able to answer the questions. By re-coiling and hiding, refusing to breed, etc...they only open the doors of opertunity to the byb and miller.

Grammy is back in the hospital today. They want to treat her with steroids again...but they need to give her something to coat her stomach as well to prevent the bleeding. So she will be there through the day for treatment. Hopefully things will begin to look up.

Grammy seems to have perked up again..no more vomiting during the night. This morning she even acted a little spunky and offered to play with the others for about 5 seconds. She is on sofa duty, where she sits and watches TV...the only thing I see strange right now is a bit of head bobbing. So we will see. Thanks for all the good thoughts.

She went to the vet after the incident on an aemergency call and was put on steroids over night. She was ok'd to come home in the morning. She did okay yester day...a bit dizzy acting and such. But I was told to expect that. Now she is vomiting larg amounts of dried blood...she just vomited again. I am hoping that this is not a sign of some sort of internal bleeding or such. Rather old blood from the initial injury. Her color is good, although she doesn't feel real well...she thew up her eggs too by the way. Hopefully I won't have to take her in tonight...I will keep a close eye on her...

This morning at about 3 am she seemed to be doing really well. This evening though, she vomit large amounts of dried blood. Not good. She is walking around, but she doesn't see quite "right". She ate some scrambled egg and has held it down for an hour or so. I am hoping she doesn't have pressure on her brain...which can cause vomiting. She will go back into the vet in the AM. Since the blood was dried, old, it was probably a result of the trauma.

Why not offer them help with the barking problem. That is probably what is causing the frustration. Perhaps training advise, or maybe redirection...and if nothing else debarking. Sometimes when people don't know how to handle their anger/frustration at a situation they take it out incorrectly...if they are taught other wise or offered a solution, maybe they will take it... maybe even offer to baby sit the dog for a few days to give them a break?

She ran head long into a door and knocked herself out cold for about 10 minutes. I have had them leap off the sofa and hit the floor and knock some of their sense loose...but never had one out cold for that length of time. Just a stupid accident.

No need for religion, just send healing thoughts...those who are religious, pray to god, buddah, ala, mother earth whom ever.... So far your thoughts are working...she is up and around today. She walks like she is drunk still, but seems a bit confused.

Its very common though, in the show world, for juniors to be *given* expensive dogs by successful breeders, to be shown. Those breeders often do not wan the dogs altered, because they are still apart of their breeding program. The "strings" Are there to keep the other part from selling or getting rid of the dog without the breeder's consent. I trusted one person, and had a "no strings" agreement...I am STILL regretting that decision, till this very day.

Maybe he asks to come in and see the dogs to see if they are a threat...and if he thinks he can get by them at night if he makes friends during the day. Then he comes back to do the crime? Maybe he doesn't do the dog thing to everyone...maybe he does a "church" scheme to others...or a gas main break. Or maybe he doesn't need to do the "dog catcher act" with people with no dogs as he knows he can get in. Just a thought.

Hounds are pretty okay. They are made to be pack dogs, of either sex. They have low dog on dog agression, which is why they can run in a pack. I would never bring a b*tch in heat into the equation or even allow them to be around each other, if one has been exposed to a b*tch in season, without a very good baking soda bath. Beagles don't worry me as much as other breeds would...I think you might be okay...but just play it safe, and make sure you never leave them alone together unattended.

You don't have to reply to this message, but I would like to ask you to please think of my old chin grammy tonight. She was injured and has suffered head trama. Things are serious, especially since she is elderly. Please think about her and wish her well. Hopefully I can sleep tonight.

Dang...you say that that is high? I say its cheap! Agility classes, even obedience is scarce in my area...you will pay AT LEAST 65.00 PER HOUR for a training class...and sometimes 85.00 or more for an hour of agility.