I have read this forum for a long time before becoming a posting member. Over the years I have seen many posters come post a lot with lots of useful replies and then just disappear never to be seen again. Names that come to mind are Rhodach, blue, mastifflover, white lily and I am sure many others. Is there another champdogs in another dimension somewhere with all the missing members?

Interesting concept -sorta Champdogs Sliding Doors.
Beam me up !
Seriously though, I've noticed that too and have wondered the same.

I'm in contact with a couple of them.
Guess they got fed up giving an opinion and, because it was unpalatable, were accused of being judgemental.

Only so many times you can say the same things.

Mastifflover is still here, last posted a month ago. White Lilly was last posting in July.

I miss the lady with cockers, can't now recall her username

Isabel aka Stooge who once had a Cocker?

>I miss the lady with cockers, can't now recall her username

In addition to Isabel, Whistler was another with cockers - she was Viv or Val I think and lived near Winchester I believe

>Stooge

Thats it. I couldnt recall the name but Stooge was another one  who just disappeared into thin air.

Oh is she Stooge now then... Missed that bit lol

It was Isobel I was thinking of., goodness yes Whistler too

Even Huskygal is hardly ever in here now, even FB she's not on much either

I can remember when this board started and it was the busiest dog board on the internet - pages and pages exchanging  information everyday!

It was different to all the other sites, full of knowledge and experience and totally intolerant to backyard breeders, who would frequent another site!

But now it's role reversal - the other board shoots from the hip and tells people who are not breeding ethically exactly what they think - lol.  That is not allowed here anymore and so many who used to like to help the right sort of breeders have either left or sit on their hands, leaving the breeding posting to those saints who have the patience (and I admire them greatly because I don't have it!) to try to guide the "accidental matings" and those who think that it would be nice to have a litter, and make some money in the meantime....... :) :)

PS  I was under a different name then too so that's another name that's disappeared.  ;)

I don't know any other forum boards that are so easy to use as CD.
I only know a few posters here by their real names. I live in a bubble !!
Aileen

>I don't know any other forum boards that are so easy to use as CD.<br />I only know a few posters here by their real names. I live in a bubble !!

Me too. ;)

I remember those days too :-)

Used to take me all day to catch up if I missed just a weekend!   Not any more...

And yes, we've all had our leashes yanked and muzzles put on, when it comes to those who come looking for help for that 'accidental' or money crop

My guess is that some of the people who were very knowledgeable stalwarts here may be found on the 'other board', still shooting from the hip and talking straight, whilst we walk on eggshells in case we upset someone.  And of course, it's so easy to upset certain people because they aren't going to like anything we say.

I'm not aware of any other boards/forums but then I'm not very social media ,or whatever, savvy. I've always regarded CD as an excellent resource and have felt more than happy to post on here and offer and ( more often) get advice. Maybe a lot of stuff passes  under my radar but apart from a couple of exceptions most forum members are a well balanced and forthright bunch who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are generous enough to share with the rest of us. So what's wrong with that ? I post under my real name and this has caused me a couple of problems with trolls but Ignore Posts is a useful tool .
So please come back all those emigres. We miss you.

I've only posted occasionally for the last couple of years, mainly a reader rather then a writer. Sometimes there is a question on a subject that I know a bit about and can contribute, but have found there's an awful lot that I don't know. I'm a pet owner, but find the ins and outs of breeding and showing very interesting even though I won't be doing either. I've learnt an awful lot in the last few years.
I hadn't realised the forum had been so much busier then it is now.  I think forums come and go in popularity over the years. I belong to another dog forum and that one is less busy then it used to be, no idea where they've all gone to. :-)

>I belong to another dog forum and that one is less busy then it used to be, no idea where they've all gone to. :-)

Facebook??? which I hate but use, as so many people I want to keep in touch with do use it.

but it is so messy and you can't find anything it's of the moment and then largely gone.

I have had to unfriend lots of people just to keep up.  I have largely unfriended anyone that is a member of any groups I am with, as I will see the group posts anyway.

I like topic headings so I can read what interests me, or find info easily.

> I like topic headings so I can read what interests me, or find info easily.

Yes me too - unfortunately on these FB groups, posts are done and gone in minutes if it is a busy group. Plus there is so much misinformation, and very little chance to correct it before someone else jumps in with even more dangerous advice. I tend to not bother much any more but I'm appalled at what goes on, and what people are happy to try when advised to by complete strangers :(

We do have the odd person here who advises stuff none of us would really contemplate, but because a forum is more static, any rebuttal or criticism stays for people to read, and make their own mind up. Thinking of one in particular, banned from all other dog forums, who hangs around here.

Ahhhhhhh, the dreaded Faceache. Can't be bothered with it. Only read our village Facebook page just to be nosy.

>I belong to another dog forum and that one is less busy then it used to be, no idea where they've all gone to. :-)

>Facebook??? which I hate but use, as so many people I want to keep in touch with do use it.
>but it is so messy and you can't find anything it's of the moment and then largely gone.

Ditto Ditto Ditto

Faceache is so true.

I have been concerned about rhodach in particular as I know she has serious health problems and was having a tough time. I tried to contact her to see if she was  but no reply. Just hope all is well with her and she chooses not to be in contact

I'm in contact with a couple of them.
Guess they got fed up giving an opinion and, because it was unpalatable, were accused of being judgemental.

Only so many times you can say the same things.

I've only been here for a comparatively short time (these kind of places are addictive and in my restricted life these days, somewhere to pass the time!!)   However, as with other places I frequent, I do find I have to take a time-out on occasion especially re 'being judgemental'.   We can only give our opinion after all and if some find that 'judgemental' so be it.   Read and move on.   I also totally agree with 'only so many times you can say the same things.....'.  

For me, apart from trying to share, I am always learning and occasionally pick up a useful tip - especially as in my latter years, I find things do change!!

Mastifflovers dog was having some health probs, as far as I know it was not an old dog, last post below

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=1407243;hl=#pid1407243
.

Actually it seems my last post was flawed, their dog was 7 & I thought that was not considered very old, but the site below says their life expectancy is only 8-10 years, so 7 for that breed in UK would be quite old for the breed.

Life expectancy BM's.
http://www.mans-best-friend.org.uk/bullmastiff.htm
.

That is for Bullmastiffs, I think that the Mastiff being a Giant Breed life expectancy is probably even less.

:) Seems 7 is average:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Mastiff+life+expectancy&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&gfe_rd=cr&ei=OoeIVOPJMKrj8weL-oDIBg&gws_rd=ssl

I think of my breed as in their prime at that age, and don't consider one as ageing until over 10

I drift off from time to time usually when I'm busy or we have lovely weather (or both!) and there is a 'flat' spot on CD.  We sometimes have periods when there aren't any topics that a) I can help with or b) don't really engage me or c) there just isn't much going on.

The only other time I wander off is if it all gets a bit hysterical - often when one member has decided to light a fuse, or a bomb - or as happens occasionally we have a rash of 'puppy farming' type 'cuddly puppies are a good education for my children' etc....   I find that a bit wearing to say the least

That said: I like it here and have learnt a lot over the years so thanks all :) x

That is for Bullmastiffs, I think that the Mastiff

I dont know for sure if their dog was a BM or another mastiff type.
.

'Mastiff' or as the Americans call them (Old) English mastiff.

I am a newbie but very grateful that there are still breeders who are willing to advise and share. I am the same as Jodi. Don't intend to breed or show but find it all fascinating. It must be boring trotting out the same advice again and again so now try to google, or search on the topics on CD before I post and take up time.

None of us like being corrected. But if you are seeking expert advice you have to accept that you're misconceptions will be corrected and may offend breeders who have dedicated most of their time and money breeding and showing.

I think posters need to bear that in mind as there are lots of us (some who probably don't post) who really enjoy learning.

as the Americans call them (Old) English mastiff.

They used to be called that here, certainly up to later half of the 1970's, here there was an 'Old English Mastiff' club. I thought they still were but I dont know that for a fact as I never followed the breed or looked into it after period mentioned.
.

>>as the Americans call them (Old) English mastiff.
>They used to be called that here, certainly up to later half of the 1970's

Certainly in 1960 they were officially called 'Mastiff' in the several historical books of breeds I have.

Certainly in 1960 they were officially called 'Mastiff' in the several historical books of breeds I have

Yes i remember that  when i was looking into them in '70's, something about ancient english villages having to have one wandering around to guard the village, some mentions of them in Roman arenas... the 'Old English' thing was probably a KC invention thing.

> Mastifflovers dog was having some health probs, as far as I know it was not an old dog

I am still here :) Buster is also still with us, I'm very pleased to say :-D Yes, he is old for his breed at nearly 7 & half years. According to the KC website, the Mastiff life expentancy is over 10 yrs, but since Buster has been 6 yrs old every time he sees a vet they tell me how old he is for his breed. He is however doing great, fully recovered after his tumor removal and perhaps a little slower a little more lazy than when he was younger, but not really looking or acting like an old dog yet :)

I've not been about much because I have not been well myself, not quite had the energy or mental capacity for posting, but I do pop in from time to time to read through the posts when I have the concentration. Also my sister has a boxer pupy, so I've been getiing a 'fix' of canine behaviour discussions there :) I'm getting better, so unfortunately for you all, you may be seeing me about on the boards more often :-D

Some of us still pop in from time to time - but I've said before, it's a bit like a pub or cafe that you go to regularly ....eventually people start drifting away, others arrive and you find that you no longer have so much in common and you and the old regulars start meeting somewhere else.     But it's good to check in from time to time!

Still miss the old times though!  

mastifflover - so glad you are still around and its great news that Buster is doing well too.  I have missed your posts and missed hearing about Buster's various escapades!

Very pleased you are feeling better - long may it continue!
B  x

Ahh, thank you Blay :-)