AmandaMJL

So happy to hear the surgery went well! Here's to a speedy recovery!

I will start off by saying I won't judge anyone who uses invisible fencing however it is not something I would purchase to use for my pets for a number of reasons. I won't go too far into my personal thoughts on the fencing, but I'm not one to use a negative device to train - we have an actual fenced in portion of our yard for our dogs. Some other concerns are that should your dog/s become enticed by something, they will typically run right through the fencing (yes there are dogs that will stop when they should) and then won't come back into the property once the adrenaline has worn off, that is also should they not get hit by a car, etc etc. As well it doesn't keep other animals/people out of your property that could as well cause your dog/s harm. I've picked up 5 dogs in our small community that use this type of fencing that had run off. One was only just a month ago. Jack & Co I agree about the crating!

My lab mix Chilli has had 2 mast cell tumors removed over 2 years ago. My vet took very wide margins and when they sent them away for biopsy they came back with clear margins (and was graded a 2)! NO repercussions at all! (Knock on wood!) They are very common, and can return. If I were you and I were worried, I would have her blood work done and an xray to see if you see anything internally "fishy". But STAY POSITIVE!! I do give Chilli Quercetin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercetin) as a supplement. We'll be thinking of you and crossing our fingers & paws! ~Amanda & Chilli

What Vick did was disgusting. I have no problem with him continuing in his career, but I do not believe he should be praised as a role model, etc. I believe there are MUCH better suited athletes and the like for awards like this.

Root Beer I find your arguments very thoughtful considering all levels of partnership, unfortunately in my very short time on this board, there are a few posters here that cannot see all sides of the coin and pass judgement, which is unfortunate. I truly think that not everyone has to agree on something but they should be able to see all sides of the story in order to make their judgment, but that doesn't always seem to happen here. Back to reading now!

My oldest girl is a lab, and none of those traits are coming out in her (yet)... she'll be 11 in July. The only thing I notice with her is she's way more stubborn than she used to be! LOL

One other suggestion (chiro/massage is great!) is if your vet can do some laser treatments on the spot too, that helps greatly in healing. I've seen a few dogs with major issues heal quite quickly with the laser. Good luck!

Very cute Allie Oop!!! BCJetta, Drama gets what I call "Grinch feet" so hers get trimmed, but the others don't at all... here's Drama getting getting ready to have her grinch feet groomed, as you can tell she's mortified they are so bad LOL:

Oh photos of Moth - when he was a puppy that is at his breeders farm, and the other one was taken at Hilary Flowers, I believe when he was working with Kate. I can't go in the ring, I'm a freaking disaster LOL!!!! edited to add - for the record I've never paid $1,000 for ANY of my dogs!

My apologies as I don't know how to multi-quote... (anyone care to PM me how to do that?! Thanks!) So I will try to remember to answer all that I remember reading! Holy crap, Dogster! I haven't seen those pages in a good year! Funny to see the pups old pics! Moth's breeder has a farm uses his dogs there, yes, not sure how often etc. He is however getting set up to teach, and hopefully will start in the spring and I've already signed up! I have gone to Hilary's a few times, in fact I worked with Sue Jewell there and Kate Broadbent. That said Hilary doesn't offer any formal lessons, she has a lady there that has done lessons but it's not a steady thing. Hilary's farm is gorgeous, and Hilary is a very nice lady. I have been to Roy's to herd.... I do hope you are correct that in 20 years time that there are still as many people using BCs as they should be, I really do. But I also know that we are in a century of luxury and ease as well, and times are changing, like it or not. What do I consider responsible breeding? I think I've answered that over several posts (and YES the people I got these dogs from I do find reputable or else I wouldn't have bought them), however I will try to sum it up again. Responsible breeding to me is (and in no particular order) making sure the dog and their lines are sound in health (mental/physical), work ability, finding out where their pups are going to - not just limited to a contract, I mean you drill and get references on the places the pups are going, you have a spay/neuter contract AND follow up on it to ensure it has happened, make sure you match the right dog to the right home, you help in the animal rescue world because if you breed it you should also help rescue it!, you aren't breeding to make a living, and I could go on and on. I *think* I've summed up all the questions asked of me...?

Agreeing to disagree once again, and respectfully. Where we live, there is maybe one or two known BC breeders that would be what I consider to be responsible. We have breeders who have trialled their dogs and done well, however will sell to anyone and anything that shows up with money, with no contracts. Those same people continue to get dogs from what I understand from being on other BC lists as highly respected breeders. Why are these people still getting these dogs to breed the crap out of??? There aren't very many working farms here from what there were years ago, which is a sad thing. One such breeders barn is so sad to see with pups who've frozen to death, dogs with HD and yet this "breeder" is still getting new lines from across Cda and the USA. To find a BC with a good temperment here is very difficult, not impossible, but certainly not easy. That said, there are also some sports breeders that I would not recommend either because of their ethics and their goals for their dogs. I do want to learn things here and I am not close minded to not learn. I do like to consider all things in every aspect of life. I see a value to certain things that perhaps you all don't. I do however highly respect any one on here who DOES breed that follow responsible breeding/placing practices. And for the record when Moth's breeder starts doing herding lessons, I'm there with my pups, I do want them to do what they were bred to do, I love seeing them in their element. When I see them do what they are bred to do, it really does put me in awe, the instinct is really crazy to watch. Certainly if it was more readily available here I would be all over it. But I'm not prepared to go to an unethical breeders farm to do so. Moth at 3 months old. Adult Moth.

I'm not about to list the registered breeders here and what is going on, on a public forum!

I do not appreciate you putting words in my mouth. You know that is not at all what my statement was, you are taking it to the extreme. Beyond this comment there is no sense me explaining anything as you appear to enjoy twisting things and I don't enjoy that so much as you do

I guess to put it simply I find it rather upsetting that based on coat color etc that a BC is judged. I absolutely see a need for the working BC, as with any of the dog breeds, they were bred for a purpose! However, times have changed and I think it's great to give these dogs different jobs that they too will excel at. Sadly there are not that many working farms, not here anyway, for those dogs to do what they were originally bred to do. Absolutely I think a BC should be able to do their original job but I think it's great if they can do others as well. What happens in 20 years with this breed if they haven't evolved (a bit - not show ring - just to clarify)? Sure there will be die hard farmers who use dogs to do the job, but likely there will be a more efficient mechanical way to do things and that will be how herding is done. Then what? The breed dies out? This all said, there are some registered breeders who I have heard are quite "respected" in the ring, but are NOT breeding responsibly, so as someone who does to animal rescue I find it so frustrating to hear people sing the praises of these breeders. Again, for me, to be a good breeder is that the dog will work, the dog comes from healthy dogs (hips, CERF, optigen, etc), contracts (know who you are selling to), spay/neuter agreements (and to follow up on them), take the pups back if they don't work out, etc etc etc. I am SUPER happy to read some of the practices on here by those of you who have posted! SUPER SUPER SUPER happy! You have no idea what we are dealing with her in the Maritimes by these registered BC "respected" breeders. Very upsetting so my apologies for being passionate about this. I am well aware that most of you have way more knowledge than me, and I do respect that, but I will not be talked down to. I respect SueR's comments and her posts, and a few others (just hers stand out as we bantered a bit), however the self righteous attitude of others is very disappointing. IF I do decide to breed my dogs (not once have I said for sure I was!), it will be after VERY careful decision, based on a NUMBER of factors, and all health clearances are done. Contracts will be done and followed up on. So I guess if this all makes me a bad person, so be it! I've been called alot worse! LOL

Is your Tess related to Nat's BC? I have been watching what she's been doing with her boy and he's looking great! FYI - my statement is based on what is available here where I live.