Canada2006

I agree that the temprement of dogs is heavily influenced by their owners, as is that of children by their parents. We don't, as a society, choose to limit who can and who cannot have children. It's a fundamental human right. So is the right to decide which kind of dog you'd like - but you make a choice and have to bear the responsibility of that choice.

Personally, I just have one thing I don't understand. I'm not critising here or trying to be nasty, just personally I don't get it. Why would you want a big potentially dangerous, bred to attack dog in your family home and near your children? You could choose something docile like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

For info we've decided to have no pets 'cos: 1. make home dirty, 2. need looking after, 3. like to see animals in nature

Almost Canadian

This link http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf - I know it paints a bad picture of Rotties as well - it's just that not all retrievers are the fluffy lovely pets that most people think they are. Unfortunately, Rotties attract that "tattooed *****wit brigade" (to quote Mr Connolly) that have no idea how to train or take care of any dogs which then results in the type of incidents seen in the last few days.


Facts and figures from you please (about dodgy temperament - The UK Kennel Club does not agree with you, see here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/59 - please note the "not aggressive or viscious" entry - no doubt you will know more about this that the UK Kennel Club)

Well bred ones do, those bred by the "local idiot down the pub" - probably won't

Didn't I say this ? All dogs will become aggressive when they feel threatened, all well socialised and well trained dogs are very unlikely to become aggressive even when threatened.

I'm not attempting to excuse the dogs involved in these attacks nor am I saying that retrievers are more "vicious" what I am saying is that it depends on the individual dog. Applying your logic all Muslims in the world should be judged by recent "terrorist" events.

You obviously don't like Rotties, which is a matter for you, we, and lots of other responsible breeders do, that is a matter for us

Almost Canadian

Is this aimed at me or Sinope ?

Our dogs are as "docile" as any dog we have ever met - I didn't obtain a "bred to attack dog".

With the greatest of respect, you appear to know very little about dogs - have you ever attended a Kennel Club show? Have you ever met a Rottie at a show that exhibited aggression?

I do understand that Rotties have a very bad reputation - largely because of the media - I accept that they are large dogs and that, some of them (Police, Army etc) are trained to be overtly aggressive. The local idiots that have bought them from a mate down the pub also do the breed no favours at all.

But not all Rotties are aggressive, vicious dogs, just like all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not docile !!

This could descend into a circular argument - I intend to leave it here

Canada2006

No-one in particular. I'm just curious about the subject.

I know a lot about small dogs having lived with them for 10 years. This is enough to know I wouldn't want one around the house today. To be honest, all I know about bigger dogs is that when they lunge, owners seem to have more problems controlling them, and they seem to have very big teeth and loads of drool.

To be honest, I would never see myself spending any time going to Kennel Clubs. And you're right in that I've never got close to a Rottweiler to know how aggressive or not they are. I'm basing my knowledge on what I read in the media - but was the breed not originally created to be an attack dog? Or is this another Daily Mail fabrication?

Can we muzzle the local idiots instead then? Why do the local idiots choose Rottweilers over other dogs?

Agreed. We're not all local idiots either are we? Dogs do, as we do, have their off days too! We keep our daughter away from all dogs just to be sure.

Thank you for educating me somewhat on Rottweilers. I still don't get their appeal, but it must be a taste thing I think!

Almost Canadian

No believe it or not they were herding dogs -cattle specifically - which is why they needed to be so large


I'd second that

I don't know other than "image" I guess, however, if they ever met dogs such as ours that "image" would be shattered


All dogs are a danger and should be treated as such and, with, sensible ownership, that danger can be limited but never totally removed.

sinope

Dying - you have just proved that Rottweilers are aggressive with the dog-bite info.

As for the Kennel Club - surely one of the more irresponsible organisations? I am afraid that I don't have much time for the 'dog-lover' brigade that just has to have a particular breed and stuff the cost. It just smacks of accessorising to me. I have always had rescue dogs and always will - I currently have a greyhound I rescued from certain death or worse as his track days were over. The KC is deeply irresponsible. How can you, as a breeder and presumably dog-lover, justify breeding endless puppies when thousands of perfectly good dogs are put down every year? Sorry, must stop ranting. And apologies to the OP for the hijack.

hot wasabi peas

Relevant links for AHCIP (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan) and moving to Alberta from abroad:
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/ah...igibility.html
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/ah...ng.html#Canada

Gillian S

Thanks for the links, very useful.

As for the hijackers, I didn't mind, it was interesting reading even though I fall into the category of dog-lover (big or small, drool or no drool, hairy mess or clean house - all of these are irrelevant when you're greeted with such love from a rescued staffy-cross every day ). The weimaraner just uses me for food but I still love him for it.

sinope

Sounds like my two cats.

tirrellz

Hello, I have had quotes from Zoom and Airpets. £1500 Zoom and £2700! Mmmm. I hear that they give them unlimited drinks though and they get their own toilet for that.

We are using White and Co because they are local to us and if we forget to pack anything we can run it around to them. Their quote was the cheapest. I heard good reports about them and they were on the level.

Don't know about pregnancy and the healthcare but hope you have heard something now, did you have your xrays while you were pregnant?

I think that covers it - hope this helps a bit, Jane

Gillian S

Thanks Jane, that was useful. I got some useful links re healthcare but not really on pregnancy care in Canada but then again I wouldn't have much to compare it to anyway as I'm a first-time Mum-to-be. I'm sure I'll soon find out once I get to Canada. I wasn't pregnant when I had the xrays thankfully as we had those in November last year. Thanks again for your help.