Rosebud

:-? pup1, are you referring to that breed puppy, or the puppy owned by ferky1. I ask this because the way you came across to me with your comment was that you know ferky1's pup. I'm sure that you are just experiencing the joys of puppyhood and that as your baby matures he will calm down and decide that the couch is actually the best and softest place to be. I am not knowledgable of the personality traits of shih-tzu, I will tell you that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are notorius coach-potatos. The problem is that they don't figure that out until sometime around 2-3 years old. Puppyhood with an RR can be a night-mare. RR's are mainly sight hounds but are also pretty good scent hounds, so can you imagine living with 2 8 week old hounds that have high prey drive and a curiosity streak that doesn't end. And even at 8 weeks old they're pretty dang fast. :angel:

:D What a clown. Great pics :angel:

:D First thing I would do is get Stainless Steel bowls. If you are using them already, steralize them after every meal. Have your water checked or put the baby on steralized water. Spray your entire yard with a bleach solution, and wash all of his bed clothes with either a color safe bleach or vinegar. Shampoo your carpets with a vinegar solution, and mop the floors with a bleach solution. It could very well be that he got a bug as a baby and it's still living in his environment so it keeps coming back. :angel:

[quote name='ayb2101']Rosebud, Don't shoot anything!!! AS A LAST RESORT: Before yelling at me, keep in mind that this has NO PERMANANT EFFECTS! A directional high-power ultrasound gun might be pretty effective for this kind of thing. What it does is set up resonating vibrations in the ear. There is no permanant damage, but it is EXTREMELY unpleasant. It works on most animals(including people and dogs). Its a bit like pressure points(although is more powerful). The sound waves trigger sensitive nerves causing temporary pain, nausea, and other unpleasant things. It also interferes with balance, and can cause vomiting and maybe diarreah. In short it gives a worse-than-migraine headache. Most of the tests I've read about have been on people. Its probably about the same for dogs. You would have to be careful to avoid you or your dog getting some of the effect! The gun would also have to be tuned. But if it works, it would be a very effective deterrant. Heh or you could just use it on the owner :wink: (just kidding. Don't!)[/quote] ayb - don't worry, I don't know how to shoot a gun, I just got really, really mad reading about Goo's problem, I don't know what I would really do under that kind of situation, I don't want any babies to go to a shelter and be put down, I would not be able to bring myself to cause harm to any babies nor would I be able to live with myself if I did (I cried when I hit an animal with my car) I would also be scared that if I approached it from a legal standpoint that the guy would retailiate and I would be forever watching behind my back. Goo - maybe you should install a security camera on the area where all this happens and keep ALL of the tapes where his dog is in your property and attacking your dog, that way if he does ever try to have Goo put down, you have proof that it is his dog that causes the problems, not yours. :angel:

:-? Lablover are you the friend Julie45 is referring to, or do you also have an 8month old pup you fear is with pups. :angel:

[quote name='K'][quote name='Rosebud']Oh and about your weakness for Red-Nosed Pits. :angel:[/quote] :oops: ....Does it show?[/quote] Show, K it [b][size=7]SCREAMS![/size][/b] :shock: :angel:

:-? Lisa - I just don't agree that someone should try to create a new breed by cross-breeding two "pure breds". In my own honest opinion I feel that it is just not necessary. However, if someone is breeding these crosses for a working purpose, (and I also do not feel "they are cute" to be a working purpose), making sure that the stock they are starting from is coming from sound, working and structurally correct lines, doing all of the required health tests on each breed involved and analyzing the possibility of the emergence of new health problems, only breeding the best of the litters and altering the rest (and I'm not talking about just a couple of gens, I talking years of gens), being ethically and morally responsible for all the offspring of their crosses, etc, etc, etc. then I can believe that this breeder is not trying to make a pretty penny off of the current fad and is being a responsible breeder, therefore, even though I disagree with there being a need for any new breeds I can respect that breeder for being responsible. If that's not the case, then yes I will label them a BYB or Mill. :angel:

:( Check out this link, it's an article on msn [url]http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/Insureyourhome/P35342.asp[/url] Here's the part about Dogs: [quote][size=2]Dogs If you own a toothless Chihuahua, your insurer probably doesn’t care. Buy a pit bull, Rottweiler or wolf hybrid, however, and you may find your insurance gets more expensive -- if you can persuade your insurer to cover you at all. Dog bites cost insurers about $1 billion a year, and an increasing number of companies have a blacklist of breeds they won’t accept or charge more to cover. Pit bulls, which lead the Centers for Disease Control list of deadly breeds, are particularly unwelcome. Other troublesome breeds include German shepherds, Rottweilers, wolf hybrids, huskies, malamutes and Dobermans. If your dog has ever bitten anyone, regardless of its breed, you’re probably going to have trouble getting coverage as well -- particularly if it was an unprovoked attack. Each insurer has different policies, though, so you may be able to find affordable coverage if you shop around. You also can ask the insurer to exclude your dog, meaning that you’ll pay for any damage it does. advertisement If you have a dog that bites or lunges at strangers, however, get rid of it. The risks to your pocketbook and your neighbors are too great.[/size][/quote] Yourstruly- Basically, with what the State Farm Rep said at the Kennel Club meeting I went to you are SOL when it comes to owning a Pit. :angel:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Oh my, this is soooooooooooooo true, Sally is a flirt and see loves to flirt with the intact boys, even when she is not in heat she sticks her butt in their faces. She is also very determined to get her own way. This completely explains why my litter girl is a hussy. [quote][size=2][b]Princess: [/b] Your pet is a pleasant, social animal who responds best on a one-to-one basis. This animal has a strong sense of self, and his/her presence is always felt. This animal loves a challenge, takes direction well and will definitely be the 'leader of the pack'. This animal has a pleasant disposition and enjoys the company of pets of the opposite sex. This is an animal who is quite intelligent and adaptable with a gentle nature. Your pet insists on neat and tidy living quarters. This is a curious, loving pet who's a real 'people' animal. Your pet is certainly never dull. You may find this animal has a dualistic nature being very communicative one minute and sullen the next. Your pet is sexually oriented, clever, and definitely knows how to go after what he/she wants. Your pet can be manipulative and domineering. Sensitive areas are teeth and bones. [b]Sally-Rose: [/b] Your pet is sexually oriented, clever, and definitely knows how to go after what he/she wants. Your pet has a real need for adventure and has very little fear, so keep an eye on this one! This is a tolerant and affectionate animal who cares about his/her appearance and prefers beautiful surroundings. Your pet may become highly emotional and nervous if surrounded by disharmony. Your pet is obedient, learns quickly, and can be a bit standoffish. Being exceptionally bright, this animal can be very noisy trying to communicate his/her desires. Your pet has a highly developed sixth sense, especially when it comes to home and family. This animal is very tenacious and intensely loyal. Your pet can be manipulative and domineering. Sensitive areas are teeth and bones. Your pet is excitable and hyperactive and may experience nervous disorders if not given the freedom to release this nervous energy. [b]Starr: [/b]Your pet is sexually oriented, clever, and definitely knows how to go after what he/she wants. This is a shy, affectionate animal with a gentle soul. Your pet is best suited to a tension-free enviornment. Your pet has an aggressive streak; - obedience is not this pet's strong point. Being exceptionally bright, this animal can be very noisy trying to communicate his/her desires. Being exceptionally bright, this animal can be very noisy trying to communicate his/her desires. [/size][/quote] :angel:

:lol: :lol: Oooh I can see it now, someone asking you what perfume you are wearing and you reply "Wet-dog in heat" :angel:

:D I talk about you K! Very, very good things. Oh and about your weakness for Red-Nosed Pits. :angel:

:-? I might get chastised for saying this, but I think that if that was my situation then I might have to shoot his dog the next time it comes after mine, especially if it's on my property, and guess what when the cops arrive, I will just politely say the dog tried to bite me, but I would deny saying "because I could" to the dogs owner. :angel:

[quote name='Malamum']I think I could fully go into production with all of Indy's fur. :lol: :lol: I have even had a friend say she is getting me a spinning wheel for Christmas :lol:[/quote] My first order is for a pair of fitted mittens to keep my hands warm in the winter and a matching scarf. :angel:

[quote name='stacer126']I read the fine print Rosebud :D It's true. I log in at work and now at home all the time. I even repeat peoples sign in names to my boyfriend he looks at me funny. Everyone should join, its nice to have conversations with different people.[/quote] I kept talking about what so and so said or what so and so's dog did or what troll was passing through to a friend and well know you all know her as Elsastarr. :angel:

[quote name='visiting'][b]BECAUSE AFTER ALL THIS BREEDER IS ALREADY IRRESPONSIBLE IN YOUR MIND BECAUSE OF BREEDING FOR MIXED PUPPIES[/b]. I'm also sorry to think of how judgmental some people can be. I can understand caution, I can support licensing, etc., to prevent puppy mills, etc., but again, there are shades of gray which I accept, which you apparently don't so we'll just end here w/ an agreement to disagree.[/quote] Our questions are for you to educate us as to why we should feel this breeder is being irresponsible, as I stated regardless of breeds being bred together. You asked in a round about way for us to be a little more open-minded and my questions are asked with honesty and with sincere interest as to what the answer would be. I would be more accepting of a breeder that considers the whole picture and not just their litter than I would of someone who is just making a pretty penny off of the current pet-shop fad. I will restate my main opposition to cross-breeding is that there are enough breeds currently available that should be able to fill a persons needs. Although your secrecy with who [u]you[/u] are is starting to be a little suspicious in my own mind. :angel:

:D [color=red][b][size=6]WELCOME TO THE GUESTS![/size][/b][/color] Wow! I've noticed that we average 8-10 guest regularly now. We would love to meet you guys and see pictures of your babies. [b][size=6]Join Us![/size][/b] [size=1]You will get addicted![/size] :angel:

:D I hate to hear about that, maybe you should tell him about how liable he is if his dog bites someone. How he could lose his home-owners insurance, etc, etc, etc. Hope Gooey is o.k. :angel:

:D I think it's great that you are asking for opinions on the breeds you are interested in. I also think it's great you would rather rescue than adopt a puppy. I am not familiar with any of the breeds you mentioned in your original post, if Akita is your primary choice then I would suggest you contact the Breed Clubs Rescue Coordinator and set up a meeting to discuss whether or not your family and it's schedule is compatible with the breed. If it is then great you can apply for a rescue, if not then you know to eliminate that choice and move on to the next one. Good luck and my hat's off to you for opting for rescue. :angel:

[quote name='stacer126']I'm going to try Animal Planet, she gets freaked out when she hears barking. I wouldn't want to worry her.[/quote] Actually it has helped my dogs to not join in on the neighborhood barking choir. :angel:

:D I think she will look darling with pink toe-nails. :angel:

:( Oh no Behle, I am so sorry to hear this. We will keep pawpaws crossed for your family. :angel:

[quote name='meehs']Sorry Rosebud but you probably won't be able to knit any scarves or sweaters out of the shed hair from your Ridgebacks! :wink: The same is true for me![/quote] :( Not even with super glue! :angel:

[quote name='Sanvean'][quote name='Anonymous']I'm in this debate because I think it's unfair to automatically label any breeder who deliberatly breeds 2 separate breeds as a bad breeder.[/quote] But you still haven't told us the kind of breeder you're getting YOUR dog from, if you think that some folks who breed mixes can be so great. Do you mind answering my questions from my previous post? Again, here they are: What tests does he/she run on the parents? What are the parents' temperaments like? What does this breeder do when people can't keep puppies?[/quote] [b]I would like to add a few more question.[/b] What is the main purpose this breeder is trying to acheive by breeding these particular lines, regardless of breed, together? Is s/he trying to establish a more reliable temperment, a dog with less health problems, etc, etc.? Is this breeder currently showing the registered dogs to have others evaluate whether they are breeding stock to begin with? How many generations has the breeder bred and were the ones sold to families outside the kennel sold on a spay/neuter contract? :angel:

:D Love the sheen on that scarf. Looks like wool with the added benefit of positively knowing that there is absolutely no way you can get it to [size=6]shrink[/size]. :angel:

:D [quote]People of, say, 15th-century Malta [color=indigo](or anywhere)[/color] didn't have access to hundreds of breeds of dogs to choose from when they wanted pets. We do. [/quote] Sanvean: This is probably the most forgotten point. Today's society has more resources, it wasn't even 10 years ago that you had to actually call breeders to research a line you wanted to breed to, today you can pull the pedigree up online, look at pictures of dogs 20 generations back and then go to that breeders web-site to find out what there breeding standards are and how their line has changed. You know I think 15th-century Malta would probably have done some research and networking if they had had the same resources that we have today. :angel: