Sorry I thought you meant the Aussies :)

Happy to see some pics of aussies too, Natalie. Always excited to learn about new breeds. the only problem is, the more breeds I learn about, the more dogs I want!! Have to try to control myself (at least until I have much bigger premises and possibly a lottery win to fund this 'habit').

So if you can recommend some good websites, I'm more than happy to have a look.

The best general one (for recognised breeds) is the Kennel Club - click on 'Breeds' on the sidebar. Then you choose the group and click on whatever breed you choose - the standards all have a picture.
:)

And thanks again JG. You are so helpful.

Natalie, Aussies are lovely too!! Do they hav the same sort of temperament as say, BC's? I love BC's as we had one when I was growing up but I don't think I'm cut out to own one now. Too manic for me.

People tell me Aussies aren't as highly strung as BC's, but we had a Collie when I was a kid, and he was the most laid back dog we ever owned!! Mind you, he was 11 when we got him!!! Aussies have just as much energy though as a BC and they need a lot of brain exercise as well.

For some really nice pictures try http://www.thornappleaussies.com It is quite slow to load (even on BB) but it is worth the wait!! :D

hi dogdeli1 ive pmd you :)

Natalie you can put links on threads to websites if they are relevant to the subject, you're just not allowed to promote your own :d

I think Aussie's are gorgeous just not for me, but in a way mine are a curlier scruffier version of them :d

I saw an Aussie yesterday for the first time where I walk.  He was beautiful.  I bet he's/she's worth waiting for!

Annie

I have never seen one out walking, and believe me since February I have been looking!!! I am afraid if I did see one walking, I would be badgering the owner for hours!!

I used to do this with Newfie owner on the rare occasions that we saw them out walking. The OH had to keep reminding me that there are anti-stalking laws these days. We went to a champ. show just so I could drool over the dogs (and I did more drooling then the Newfies which is saying something :P ) I was like a kid in a sweet shop surrounded by all those big,hairy, drooling beasts :)

We went to Blackpool Ch. show a few weeks ago, Aussies-a-plenty!!! We still have a fair wait though for one of our own :(

Perrodeagua

What breed do you have?  You've got me intrigued!!

Annie

Perrodeagua

have just had a a look at a pic of your dogs on the web....how gorgeous!!!  I can see why you were so attracted to them in the first place.

Natalie :)

Just to add my 2 cents, two issues concern me after reading what your vet said.

1. That she said "a dog is a dog is a dog".  This is nonsense.  Of course there are never any guarantees with any animal but I fail to see how anyone can argue that the following have identical risks -  a puppy from a knowledgable breeder, when both parents have undergone any necessary tests and have been specifically chosen in order to produce good pups, when the dam has been well cared for during pregnancy and when the pups have been well looked after and loved for the first weeks of their lives... - or a pup of unknown parentage and history who comes from a pet shop/puppy dealer/God knows where.  At the moment we're seeing so many Staffie pups at my surgery, and generally speaking you can spot the owners who have invested time and effort in researching the breed, finding a breeder and waiting for the right puppy as opposed to those who have bought a pup on a whim from someone in a pub (no joke).  Obviously I'm generalising but I'd bet a fair amount of money that in 2/3 years we'll see a lot more problems with the pub-bought dogs.  Saying that all dogs are alike is IMHO a very out-dated view.

2. The second point that would worry me is not the fact that your vet didn't seem to know anything about your breed but rather that she didn't seem interested in finding out about them.  From the way you write you don't come across as a "know-it-all" owner in the slightest.  I have to admit that I've never seen an Aussie (although I looked them up, along with Bracco Italianos before posting this - both gorgeous breeds).  Nobody is going to know everything about every breed but when an owner comes into see us with an unusual breed I tend to bombard them with questions.  Of course, a few people might see this as unprofessional but I find the vast majority of owners are only too happy to talk about their dogs and if they have a rare breed they realise that they will know lots more general information about it than most vets and nurses.  I have a client with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who has taught me lots about her breed, which I'd previously never heard of.  Only problem is... now I want one!

Concern as an owner is only natural and should never be dismissed, after all one would never trust a hairdresser who said "Oh I know about highlights and that sort of thing, hair dyes are all the same!"

I hope that whatever your decision you have a great time with your puppy and find a vet who cares for him.

:).... Off topic slightly, I'd be your least favourite client!  I get terribly nervous when I get my hair cut, due to a couple of utter disasters.  I now have a great hairdresser but I still annoy him by saying
"What are you doing?  How much are you cutting?  Are you sure this colour will be OK?" etc. etc. even though I know he's a professional and knows what he's doing.  I'll remember your comments next time and try to keep my mouth shut!

All the best

Hi Mary-Caroline :D

Thanks for all of your input :D

Re. point 1: I felt exactly the same, I hope she was doing as another poster said, and was thinking more along the lines of rescue, but she certainly didn't make that clear. I am glad I am part of CD, because with out being on here, and hearing all of the horror stories about puppy farms, a vet saying that to me would have been very confusing! It would have been a case of why wait till November when (if you could find Aussies at puppy farms) I could go down the road and get one? I didn't like her tone with that at all, but if she was thinking that Aussies were a designer x breed, she may well have thought she would do anything to stop me getting one of them - some people are very dead set against them.

Re point 2: This is exactly what I said before, it wasn't the fact that she didn't know of Aussies, it was as though I had just turned into her owner from hell, that will be trying to tell her how to do her job. I wouldn't have minded in the slightest to give her some info, or if she was pushed for time, a few websites/books she could have had a look at. But for both of these things she has done, as I said, everyone speaks very highly of the surgery and the vets, and the first vet I met there was very nice.

BTW, I have had many clients that are worried about what the end result will be with their hair, there is a major difference in saying something like "Oh my goodness, that seems like an awful lot you took off then!" (even if it was only a cm!!) and "my usual hairdresser/old hairdresser/friend usually does it like this" you stand there thinking, if you know how to do it, do it yourself next time!!! There is nothing wrong with nervous chatter, but I bet you haven't sat there and said "you are supposed to hold the scissors like this, not like that!!!" :D

Thanks again for your post :D

Nat

Hi Mary-Caroline

What a sensible post!  When I first took my Bracco to the surgery my vet did bombard me with questions and in fact I had all the staff in to have a look.  Ruby absolutely adored the attention!  He also took photographs so that he could put them up on the screen in the waiting room.  He has one of those video screens showing different types of breeds etc.,  I have recently moved vets because I moved house and my new vet treats The Dogs Trust dogs.  He is absolutely wonderful.  I haven't had to take Ruby in yet but she will be due to go within the next month or so.  However, the nurses are all keen to see her and hear more about her, as is my vet.  There's nothing like a proud owner talking about their dogs!  But then you must hear that every day.

Best wishes
Annie

Natalie,
         There is a vet in Preston used to aussies. He looks after 3 of my friends dogs and is knowledgable.
Is this any good, or still too far ??
Gabrielle x

Sorry Gabrielle, I have only just seen your reply.

Preston is about 30-40 mins away, way too far in the case of an emergency. Thanks for trying to help anyway :D

surely in an emergency you could use the nearest vets ?

That is a possibility, but then if an emergency does occur, we will have the stress of the emergency and wondering what the vet is doing at the same time.

Natalie - you have to go with what is best for you. My normal vets is fairly far but I have an agreement with my local vets that they will see mine in an emergency. This works well for us - I have complete faith in my existing vets and do not want to change. I guess it is a slightly different situation though, as we have been at my current vets for a very long time (even before I was born, my parents took their animals there). If you find a closer one which you are happy with then go with them, however if you specifically want a vet that has experience in Aussies then think about the possibility of approaching local vets should you ever need them in an emergency.

:)

I am sure we will work it out. I may look into doing as suggested, but will probably do as most people have done in my situation and learn a lot more about differing illnesses, and find out about any other medications that Aussies can't have.

That's what I did (and am still doing) - neither my existing vets or my local one had seen a mal before our two, so I have supplied them with the breed specific information :)

Some vets do charge extra for non-regular clients out of hours. It would also be a little awkward if an emergency did arise as the vets would have to take all your details and phone your vets for the history etc, it could waste precious time.

Yes I hadn't thought of any of that LucyandMeg. I suppose it would cause havoc with the insurance as well. Also I would feel a bit guilty about getting a vet out in the middle of the night, when I wouldn't use them at other times.

We have this covered - the local vets have all our details already and I have copies of their entire medical history :) I guess it all depends on how thorough you are and what situation suits you the best.

I would also take into account what may happen if you have longish treatment, if your vet is a long way away. For some people it may not be a problem, but when Tara had her bad paw last year, we were going to the vets for over 3 months at least once a week and at times almost every day. Would this cause you a problem ?? Ours, fortunately, is a mile away and I was so grateful for this :) I know distance alone shouldn't be the main concern when choosing a vet, but do consider this as it can be very time consuming and not every one has nothing else to do :D

Daisy

Very good point and one people would have to think about. Luckily it is not a problem for us and we are in this exact situtation. One of mine had to go in twice a week for over a month, then once a week for a further two months (this was after having to stay in) and they still go in for checkups. The fact that I trust my vets far outweighs the cost and the time :) (but I fully realise this may not be an option for everyone - i'm lucky in that I only work part-time).

See this would cause a bit of a problem, as although I don't work, I don't drive either and hubbie doesn't get home from work till between 6 and 7, so even though every once in a while he can get home earlier, he wouldn't be able to on a regular basis. I think that about clears it up actually, I hadn't thought of any on going treatment. :rolleyes:

Does anyone think it would be worth my while, ringing round the local vets again, and asking if they have a student that is working with them, then maybe the student could learn about Aussies with me? Or is this just asking too much?

Can't you just find out from the breed club if there are any issues other that the Ivomectin which is has now been dealt with really.  I think you might be causing yourself a bit more stress than perhaps is necessarily, fairly common in the expectant mother I believe ;)  I speak as someone who has owned a breed every bit as rare, if not rarer than all those mentioned on this thread so far and I have to say it never occured to me that my vet could not cope after all in these days of vast consumer choice they are regularly presented with entire new species as pets let alone new dog breeds nor do I image, in common with all intelligent graduates that they believe their days of learning are over when they walk through the university gates.
I think you have done well finding a vet close to you that other clients are recommending, when you are cooing together over your little bundle of joy I would not be surprised if a new, more communicative relationship will develop and I am sure you will feel more relaxed about it :).
If the breed club do recommend that you advise your vet of any other issues ask if they produce a health leaflet in which case you could just hand it in saying you thought it might be useful.

You are most probably right Isabel, but I am a bit of a worry wart when it comes to my pup :D I will get on to the breed club tomorrow, I hadn't thought of that, but as far as I am aware there are no other drugs Aussies can't have on the whole.

Natalie,
          You could also speak to your breeder.......... They should have some knowledge, having been in the breed for a while.......
As far as I know, it is just drugs that are based around Ivermectin that aussies MAY be sensitive to.....
If in doubt, just do what I do, and always ask your vet to check before prescribing anything........

Gabrielle

Yes I think that is what we will do, thanks Gabrielle. :D

BTW, did those pups find good homes? I have been wondering about them, like I knew I would.

Hi Nat,
       No, not as far as I know.........
There are just not people out there wanting aussie puppies at present. The list used to be full, but they all bought puppies at the beginning of this year. My puppy waiting list only has a couple of people waiting, but my rescue/rehome waiting list has about 30 people waiting....... !!!!!!!
The breeder did everything correctly, she had a few people waiting for puppies, prior to the mating and the sire and dam were hip scored and eye tested, but she was let down by one or two people before the pups went to new homes, so she still has them. She has reduced them in price, but in my opinion she was only asking the average price to start with........
The last time I spoke to her, she had vaccinated them, and was going to keep them, if she couldn't find homes,which is responsible breeding. She has also began training with them. If anyone comes via me for a puppy, I will just pass them on to her and to the other people who might have puppies available this year......

Gabrielle x

Oh no, I wish I hadn't asked now!! I saw that the advert I saw for them had gone, so I assumed she had managed to place them both, that helped me to stop thinking about them! It is hard to imagine perfect little puppies being left with the breeder, when there are so many people who go to puppy farms, and the like, to get their puppy. Such a shame, but as you say she sounds like a good breeder, so I am sure she will do the best for them. Awww can't I borrow one of them for a few months????? LOL :D

No, you have to wait and see if your puppy comes to fruition...........!!!!!!!!! :D
You can always come over and see our brood, told you that.......
We were up near you last week.........

Gabrielle x

Oh you big spoil sport!!! ;) :D

It doesnt seem to matter how often we see them, it just makes the waiting even more unbearable! I am getting a bit nervous as well, haven't heard any news for a while.... :( But I am trying to be positive, no news is good news right? What am I going on about? I am waiting on tender hooks all day waiting for THAT email to come!!!! :D

You just have to hope that they find a suitable mate and that she takes.........
Otherwise I will be sending you piccies to keep you happy !!!!!!!! :D

Gabrielle x

They are hoping to use a dog in Scotland, but he hasn't been used before, and as far as I know, the owner wasn't intending to use him at stud, so it is kind of cross everything and hope for the best!

The major problem will come if for any reason it doesn't work out, my son is so excited, I am completely besotted, and my hubbie is fed up of me going on, and on, and on!! If we have to start the whole process again, I think it might end in divorce :D LOL

We have been waiting since February, and we are still no closer to knowing anything for certain, than we were right at the beginning! It is more stessfull than being pregnant, at least with a baby you know it is on the way!!!

Gabrielle - can I just ask if you have found some colours to be more popular than others? Do breeders tend to be left with more of one particular colour, or is it just that there is a dearth of potential owners at the moment?

Many thanks :)

Hi Ice Cosmos,
                I had a large amount of enquiries when it was announced that aussies were going to get C.C's next year..... lots of new people seem to be coming into the breed.
There were a few good litters born end of last year, beginning of this year and hence the puppy list has diminished....
Individual breeders will also form their own waiting lists........ I think a lot of people also see the prices being charged for them (around £500-£800, sometimes more), and it puts them off, hence why my rehome/rescue waiting list is growing daily !!!!!
The colour everyone seems to want at the minute is red merle for some reason........ I would say that wouldn't be that popular, but there you go, how wrong could I be...... :D
Blue merle is usually popular and black tri, but in my own opinion, you can't beat a lovely red tri !!!!!!!! so, everyone seems to have different ideas.......

Hope that helps,
Gabrielle x

Many thanks for that - it was very helpful :) Have you found the price has risen since it was mentioned the breed would be awarded CC's? I remember reading the average was approximately £400 - £600 (though this was probably 18 months ago :) ).

Hi There,
           No the price seems to have stayed around about the same......... Some ''breeders'' charge 'large' amounts of money for puppies, but others stay within the range......... Even puppies out of a top winning dog went for sensible prices, as the breeder felt good homes were more important than vast amounts of money, which is good....
Also, people who know the breed will research pedigrees and what suits one person might not suit another..... There are 'old lines, new lines, show lines, working lines etc'......... so it really depends what the individual wants...... I suppose it is like every breed, there is good and bad. Most people are in it for the good of the breed and charge for puppies accordingly......
I personally prefer reds, but saying that I have a red tri, black tri and blue merle at the moment, all I need is a red merle to complete the set !!!!!!!!

Gabrielle x

That is quite intersting, I would have thought blue merles would have been the most popular colour, I personally really like the red tri's, but the blue merles always stick in my mind, but some can have funny darker markings which I am not too keen on.

With our pup, if the dog that is used is the one they are hoping for, the mum is a red tri and the dad is a blue merle, so if my understandings of the genetics are correct we should see all four colours. I must say though that although all of the colours are beautiful, red merles are my least favourite.

Personally I like blue merle, preferably without tan (copper) points. Though I agree, some blue merles have markings I am not as keen on. I'm not generally too keen on reds, but have seen a couple of stunning red tris.

I think it also depends on the sex, my breeder has a few different dogs, but the two I am thinking of are one female red tri, and one male red tri, both have full white collars but the male is just so much more... ummm... regal somehow!!! So much more coat, and much fuller, almost resembling the difference between a male and female lion, and this makes a big difference for me.

All this talk of puppies is making me soooooooooooooooo jealous. I so desperatley want another Aussie but I am not in the position to get one at the moment. I hope all your vet worries get sorted out & that you get a lovely puppy.

Thanks Freeway :D

I am hoping and praying we even get a pup, so it is a bit of a tense time at the moment!

You say another Aussie, how many have you got? Sorry just being nosy :D

I only have the 1 (& my first). His name is Tyler & he is a 4 yr old red merle. He doesn't live with me anymore as my parents moved to Lincolnshire & took him with them (& the rest of the pack), as I had to stay where I was because of work & couldn't afford anywhere with a garden. I miss him (& the others) so much.

Ahhh, well at least you can see him when you visit your parents :D

If you don't like the idea of having an Aussie with no garden, why not have a look at some of the toy breeds? I have heard they can do well with no garden. Or of course there are our feline friends you could think about :D LOL Sorry, just thought they would be good for company :D

We are still waiting to hear something, anything about our pup! To be honest, I think unless a miracle happens, we have missed the boat with our breeders, but we still have everything crossed in hope!

I have always said that this pup won't be the last Aussie we get, but the stress of actually obtaining one is enough to put anyone off for life!

Which kennel is Tyler from? PM me if you want. :D