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A bit of er......lubricant makes it more comfortable for the dog. I sterilise mine with Milton afterwards. Needless to say it is for canine use only (w00t) I like farenheit thermometers but they are harder to get now. The last one I aquired was from a local pharmacy. While I'm on the...

Have you taken her temperature? If it is elevated this will make her lacklustre. Hope she feels better soon. :luck: A thermometer is a piece of first aid kit that every dog owner should have and use when their whippet seems off colour. You should know the normal temperature of your dog...

Why don't you call Pam and ask her? Cathie

Have you spoken to your whippet's breeder? If not please do. I would be devastated if one that I had bred was rehomed and I wasn't asked to help. The new owner should have the breeders phone number at the very least. That is assuming if you had a good breeder in the first place who cares about...

  "Perhaps the greatest barrier to a paradigm shift, in some cases, is the reality of paradigm paralysis, the inability or refusal to see beyond the current models of thinking." That is a perfect description, It is rather like the day it was announced that the world was round. We certainly...

If that happens and previously unconsidered dogs and bitches are used it will have the added benefit of increasing genetic diversity....excellent news. Mind you I am glad I am not a Peke judge, it will be a nightmare, you would really annoy nearly everyone no matter what you did (w00t) I can...

Annie, the point is that if we take steps now to test our dogs, increase genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding levels we will have a healthier population as a whole and be far less likely to run up the cul de sacs currently being experienced by breeds such as the cavalier (inevitible if the...

I'm not their biggest fan either but this is a step in the right direction. At last they are going to consider genetic diversity and the size of the gene pool. There are plenty of us who feel that is many years overdue and they have only been dragged from the dark ages by the adverse press which...

I agree that a low COI will not guarantee a healthy dog. The point of the low COI is for the good of the breed as a WHOLE. Low individual COI's will eventually translate to healthier individuals as a result of increased genetic diversity in the whole population. This will of course take time...

Sorry everyone ...thanks for pointing out my mistake...clumsy fingers! 3% is a mistype. I meant to put 6% which is what the Swedish KC ask for. I know that it is not practical for everyone to get down there straight away but it would be something to aim for. If we can reduce the coefficients...

What about education for breeders. Many have a very limited understanding of genetics and therefore struggle with concepts such as "genetic diversity", "COI's"and "reducing gene pool". They therefore find it impossible to look at the breed as a WHOLE and understand the need to breed in a way...

More negative and unhelpful comments.........oh dear! How can we expect novice breeders to ask for help unless we are supportive and positive of those who have made a mistake. All responsible breeders should promote a culture in which everyone feels comfortable to air their problems and...

The puppies are very sweet looking, but if this litter had been born in certain European countries they would not be allowed to be registered. Obviously most well informed breeders would prefer not to see this type of breeding occurring and I really hope that it was accidental. It also appears...

A KC press release dropped through my door the other morning along with a defensive letter from the KC regarding all the recent bad publicity surrounding pedigree dogs. I was encouraged by the odd ray of light appearing, such as this statement near the beginning of their letter. “.....we need...

Well done Louise, that is a fabulous photo. :cheers: Cathie

The article is Ok but the response is excellent. Everyone should read it and think about their own breeding programme. There are people in many breeds who have concerns and questions over KC policy and the health of the pedigree dog......thankfully. Cyber space is thick with breed forums...

Excellent stuff Mister Butters and his substitute handler! Many Congratulations to Kristen and Karen, I hope you have got a special bottle of something with bubbles in it cooling nicely for the next time you two meet up (w00t) Cathie

Massive Cogratulations.............A first CC is really special. :D Well done to all the winners. Cathie

That is a great link. Thanks Susanne and congratulations on your wonderful success in Sweden. Cathie

Much more testing of breeding stock is done in the USA. There are tests for PRA, deafness & heart defects. Maybe we should all start testing in addition to studying the pedigrees of dogs with known conditions. In that way we can make our breeding decisions more wisely. Cathie