anne3149

Don't stop ranting and raving Hobbit, the more we publicise this awful practise the more people get to know about it. I can't see for the life of me why anyone would want to dock the tail of a Heeler. Mind you I should clarify I have a Rottweiler who has a docked tail. It was done when I got her from the breeder. The Rottweiler club in Australia insists that all the titled dogs have docked tails. Hopefully this barbarian custom will die out as it is doing in Europe. Rowie, the people advertising these cross breeds are in Melbourne Australia. They are the ones we are complaining hotly about. I can't for the life of me fathom out why people do not research the breed they want so at least they know something about it instead of buying these cross breeds. I would guess a large number of these dogs end up in shelters because they are bought by ignorant people who think they are buying 'designer dogs' as promoted by the gardener we all detest.

Jacsmom, It's more than just a look thing. Heelers need their tails for work. The stumpy tail cattle dog is born without a tail as the breed description depicts. They look a like heelers, I wonder if that is the breed they have on the farms over there.

that was interesting info. However even though is says Rottweilers are not included in the hyper, mine certainly is. This is the second Rott I have had and she is absolutely hyperactive, she's 21 months now and hasn't slowed down at all and she is on a BARF diet. I have had Rott and GSD's in the past but never a dog like this. The beauty of her is that she is such a sweet natured dog. Does not even try to defend herself if another dog goes at her as the little ones in the leash free park often do. She just runs back to me, even if she has a little dog attached to her neck. She does obedience training too.

Yeah Bensam that's the one. He's a doctor of something but not vet or medical doctor. A dead set puppy mill is what he runs. What a disgrace. Of course the RSPCA did nothing I suppose because the Wirthless head of the organisation has political aspirations.

Unfortunately I can't remember his name. I'll try and find out. I know he is in Victoria.

Someone posted earlier that Don Burke was a co-owner of a puppy mill. ACA are the ones who advertise these weird cross breeds in the paper every Saturday and state "As seen on Burke's Backyard". The trouble is it is not illegal and it should be. No one in power wants to do anything about it. Burke must be making a fortune out of these poor unfortunate puppies. Perhaps dog owners should have to have a license like the one we need to drive a car. Lessons and education in caring for a dog before passing a test and getting a license. (Have spelled licence both ways and they both look wrong - you know what I mean though). Maybe have the City councils, who take our money in dog registrations every year and do nothing for it could inspect dog owners properties at random to check that all is well. Ah well I can have pipe dreams!!! The RSPCA is useless too.

I have a 21 month old female Rott and a 13 year old male GSD and my next dog is going to be a Min Pin - promise. Tell me more about them.

thanks for the reply Bensam, I am going to put that gorgeous breed of dog up near the top of my favourite looking dog list.

I am not a breeder but I believe the Kennel Control Councils are doing absolutely nothing to stamp out puppy mills. There is a politician in Australia who has a puppy farm. There was a great fuss about this a couple of years ago but he's still in operation!!!!!! Evidently these Canine control people do nothing except collect the registrations fees of responsible breeders. Useless lot.

I think the greatest thing you can do for your dog is obedience train them. Once they understand what you want from them it makes life easier and more fun for them as well as you. People, usually with small, snappy dogs are just not doing the right thing by their dogs. I simply do not trust these untrained little dogs and leash my dog at the leash free park as soon as I see one of these little monsters approaching. Funny thing is that upon seeing my well behaved Rott, the owners of these badly behaved little sods will pick them up to prevent my big scary??? dog from attacking their little powder puff. Quite often these little dogs bite the owners too as they are being lifted off the ground.

Yes Jamie, I am the lucky one who gets to work with Mick. He is so good and my dog absolutely adores him. When she sees his truck coming down the road she actually cries she so excited to see him. What a trainer that man is. Unfortunately we haven't done anything for about 4 months as Sophie had TPLO surgery and is just about at the end of her recovery so in a couple of weeks we are ready to go again. By the way, Mick is the one that picked up that something was wrong with Sophie's weight distribution. She wasn't limping with the cruciate so I would never have known without Mick being so observant and knowing Rotts so well. I had a physio come in a few times and she didn't detect the problem. That man know his onions as my father used to say.

I just came across this post after having a good vent about the 'gardener' in another post. He is an absolute idiot. I didn't know he was part owner of a puppy mill but it sounds like something he would do. What about the Vet on his show, one who promotes Xbreeding yet breeds GSD's himself. What a hypocrit. This Don Burke would be responsible for a large population of dogs being dumped in shelters because they don't grow up to be as he says they will on his TV show. Wish we could stop him and his 'hybrid vigor'. That terminology belongs to plants, not dogs.

Hi Bensam, what breed are those gorgeous little dogs under your tag. They look like a mini version of a Rott with pricked ears. Just love em.

You posted that the pup is 6 months old. She is still teething but YES you need to show her that biting is not on. I used to yell ouch and turn my back on the dog and walk away. This has to be done every time the dog mouths you. Have you done formal obedience training with the dog. If not now is the time to start, this is a must. Look around and find a class close by you. you will be amazed at how quickly the dog catches on and they like it. This particular breed is a working, high energy dog so the sooner you go to obedience the better things will be. Good luck.

This cross breeding is promoted in Australia by a gardener who has a TV show. He calls these cross breeds 'designer dogs' and promotes backyard breeders who are just in it for the $$$$ they sell for anything upwards of $400 Australian ($800 USA) can you believe stupid people go for it. Evidently he started promoting these Xs when he had an argument with the Australian Kennel Control and has never promoted a pure bred dog since. He is an absolute idiot and obviously does not agree with what he promotes because he has a pure breed himself. His latest effort was to promote Malatiers!!! a cross between Cavs and Malts. He rabbits on about these crosses being better dogs because of 'hybrid vigour'. He also has a vet on his show to back up his claims. Just shows you some people will do anything for money. That particular vet breeds GSD's but sings the praises of these 'designer dogs'. This idiot gardner hasn't worked out that dogs are not plants and the same practises do not apply. OK I feel better now!!

Jamie I do in fact have a Rottweiler. She is the one that keeps getting attacked by the poodle/schnauzer. I have a GSD too. As for Rottweiler.net. Yep been a member there for a long time, great site. No mucking around there. I have learned so much from them and that's where I found my trainer even though its a USA sit and we (the trainer and I) are in Australia. Not planning on a trip to Australia are you Goblin. There are a few parks around here with people with unruly dogs who could do with a dose of your 'wisdom'. Most of the untrained dogs are little ones and the owners are intimidated by my big Rott. She wouldn't hurt a fly. I just wish they would control their little sods.

Corgilady, there was nothing in your post to indicate whether or not the dog had obedience training. That's why I suggested it. I was not trying to be smart but to be helpful.

I am getting totally fed up with people who know their dogs are dog aggressive letting them run free or taking them to leash free parks. My dog is constantly harassed by a poodle/schnauzer cross at the leash free park. I have a Rott who is not only not aggressive but has been taught not to growl or bite to defend herself but to come to me. I have had to pull this little sod of my dogs neck twice now and I' m angry enough to give it a good kick in the butt next time. Never kicked a dog butt yet but if the owner does not do something about this awful mutt!!!!! Why don't owners of small dogs think they don't need obedience training? And again if your dog is aggressive then keep the darn thing under strict control.

I think in addition to the Clomicalm you need to get this dog to obedience classes. Has he done any obedience at all?? It would make life easier for you if the dog obeyed your commands and would give the dog some structure.

I would go to the vet and explain the situation. He will probably put the dog on a drug called Clomicalm. It takes a few days to work.

Jeff, I worry for you and I especially worry for the dog. This dog has no say on where his home will be and you don't sound too keen on him at all. I don't think you can love a dog you don't even like and good, well behaved dogs are loved dogs. As was previously mentioned a decent trainer/breeder would have given you training sessions with the dog prior to purchase. This situation doesn' t auger will for this dog at all. People like the seller of this dog should not be allowed to operate this way. He obviously has no respect for the dogs at all or he would not have gone the way he has with you. My stance on the whole thing is that I don't believe any dog should be trained to attack. Dogs can be family pets who are loved and cared for and still do personal protection if they have the drive and the correct training but these are not attack dogs. Most dogs will protect anyway. I truly wish there was some law against people who breed dogs for attack and a hefty fine for doing so. BTW I have a Rottweiler and a GSD. Neither of them have been trained to attack-both will protect me whilst being happy, friendly, sociable dogs.

What breed is this dog. Has it been trained to attack or is it an aggressive dog. Did you both discuss this before buying the dog??? I have never seen the need for a dog that has been trained to attack. I have a Rottweiler and she is gentle and loving and is well trained. I would be fairly sure that no one would enter my property upon getting a look at my dog. Most dogs will protect their home and their people as long as they are loved, fed properly, obedience trained and allowed to live with their family. Not tied up or confined outside all the time. You get out of a dog what you put into it. Dogs need care, attention and love. I am a bit worried about this one as you don't seem to know much about dogs and to have an attack dog without you knowing how to treat it is a potential problem. Where did you get this dog??

I am sure Aroura loves her dogs, it comes through in her posts. But loving them is not enough. You must be responsible for your dogs. You must know where they are at all times and you must make the place escape proof. To have your dog wandering around a barbeques eating god knows what and having them wandering around the streets is not cute at all. It's not fair to the dog and it's not responsible ownership. Also if the damn dog is wandering around with a bunch of drunks then I ask "How predictable is their behaviour". If Aroura's dog gets out and gets hit by a car - what then????? If it picks up a bait such as snail pellets in someones yard what then?? Rat poison - what then??? NO IT IS NOT CUTE AT ALL.

People who misrepresent themselves lose all credibility. Just be a dog lover Carrie and don't pretend to be something you are not. It is not smart to indicate that you are a vet when quite obviously that is not the case. It seems you know the person who posted initially or else you have nothing better to do. Your post would have had more credibility if you had just posted your opinion rather than try to pretend you are what you are not.

With the greatest respect Dr Carrie Jones I must say if you have had the education required to be a (1) vet or (2) doctor, your grammar and spelling would would be of a higher standard than we see in your post.