Choosing a dog | Walkerville Vet

July 9, 2021September 16, 2021

Having Trouble Getting That Dog Breed? Think Laterally!

I had two very enlightening conversations last week.

The first was from a frustrated ex- Cavalier owner who has been waiting over 12 months to get a Golden Retriever puppy. According to the breeders she’s talking to, she’s not even any closer.

The second was from the owner of a new (second) Golden Retriever puppy. She said that due to unprecedented demand, her breeder is only selling to people she’s sold to before.

Clearly, these two observations are flip sides of the same problem. So before I give you some suggestions, let’s look at what’s happening.

June 25, 2021July 1, 2021

What Causes Dogs To Tear Their Cruciate Ligament?

Tearing or rupturing a cruciate ligament accounts for around 20% of the leg problems in dogs. That’s a massive risk, especially when you look at what’s needed to fix them.

That risk isn’t evenly spread either. Some dogs are much more likely to tear an ACL than others. Two of those four risks are under your control.

February 5, 2021July 25, 2021

Buying A Puppy In Adelaide

Are you looking for a puppy in Adelaide? Then no doubt you have already seen how hard it is to get one. There’s a massive demand for new puppies, and seemingly a reduced supply since the new dog breeding regulations came into effect.

Traditional sources like breeders and shelters have long waiting lists. The only quick and easy way to get a puppy is from a pet shop. I perfectly understand if you’ve thought about it. But before you make the commitment, there are a few things to consider.

May 22, 2020June 30, 2021

Adopting an Older Ex Stud or Shelter Dog

Not long ago I saw two adult dogs in a row that had just been adopted from their breeder. The first one was not perfectly normal, but he would be OK. However, the second one, Jethro was in real trouble.

Right now, he is frightened of many things in an unpredictable way. He is frequently frozen and unwilling to move, difficult to walk, wary of strangers and not interested in food. At night he wanders the house unsettled. But we can also see signs of the lovely dog within.

Recently I told you that the best age to get a puppy is 7 to 8 weeks old. But there are plenty of dogs and puppies over 16 weeks old needing homes. Here are some examples:

Dogs held back at the breeder
Ex racing greyhounds
Dogs from rescue shelters

So what happens if you get them? The answer is that they still make great pets, but not all of them and not always in the same way.

July 7, 2019September 19, 2021

Giardia Infections In Pet Shop Puppies

Are you thinking of getting a puppy from a pet shop?

Or do you wonder if it’s OK to buy a puppy from a pet shop.

Or does your pet store puppy have the any of following symptoms?

Droppings that aren’t 100% solid
Difficult or slow toilet training
A fussy or picky appetite
Poor weight and slow growth

Then you need to read this.

October 7, 2018November 28, 2020

21 Healthy & Long Lived Dog Breeds

Trying to choose a puppy breed? There are lots of great reasons to choose certain dog breeds over others. Health should be one of these.

Of course, I would say that, wouldn’t I? I’m a vet after all.

September 26, 2018November 28, 2020

The Pros & Cons Of Greyhound Adoption

Have a look at the figures above. Any legitimate dog rescue charity would dream of numbers like these.

These are what greyhound adopters reported in a recent study, and I’m not surprised. I see tremendous levels of satisfaction among greyhound owners. They are a genuine alternative for new dog owners.

July 8, 2018November 28, 2020

Inbreeding In Show Dogs

Bad dog breeding makes me fear for the future of many dog breeds. Just the other day I saw a West Highland White Terrier with severe skin disease still being used for breeding. There’s no future if decisions like this keep being made.

However there’s a second and more insidious danger that ultimately might be more important: inbreeding.

I can only hope that by understanding the problem, we can fight it. The first place to go for answers is zoos.

April 29, 2017November 29, 2020

How To Pick A Puppy Or Choose A Shelter Dog

Welcome to the exciting path to getting a new dog. Please visit all three stages:

Deciding which dog breed to choose
Finding a good breeder or shelter
Choosing the best dog from the breeder or shelter (that’s this one!)

You thought you’d done the hard part: choosing your ideal breed, then finding the right breeder or shelter, and then you get that phone call. “Please come between 9 and 12 tomorrow to choose which puppy you want”.

April 28, 2017July 25, 2021

Choosing A Good Dog Breed

Welcome to the exciting path to getting a new dog. Please visit all three stages:

Deciding which dog breed to choose (that’s this one!)
Finding a good breeder or shelter
Choosing the best dog from the breeder or shelter

Have you done your research and already know which breed you want? If you have your heart set on a certain dog, it’s a great start. That way, you’re almost certain to love and treasure your puppy even when things are not so easy.

If you don’t know, well done for reading this first! So many people choose the wrong dog for their home and lifestyle and by the time we see them, it’s too late.

January 15, 2017November 29, 2020

How Much Do Dog Breeds Cost To Keep?

Ever wondered how much it costs to keep different dog breeds?

Recently I saw a very unfortunate case. The dog was barely 12 months old and had already had LOTS of vet visits. The owners were at their wits end both emotionally and financially. It didn’t help when I said; ” That’s not uncommon for the breed”.

“How were we supposed to know?” they said. I had to agree there wasn’t an easy way. There should be.

December 2, 2016November 29, 2020

Weight Of Dog Breeds

Below is a chart of the size of common dog breeds we see in Adelaide.

Need help choosing a suitable dog breed? Other resources include our Guide to low maintenance dog breeds and 20 good family dog breeds.

October 1, 2016November 29, 2020

20 Good Family Dog Breeds For Kids

When I wrote an article about reducing the risk of dogs biting children I avoided discussing the elephant in the room. It’s time to face facts.

The truth is that all dog breeds are not the same around kids. You know it, I know it, but it’s hard to talk about without offending dog owners. However, if I don’t create a list of good dogs with kids, where will responsible parents in Adelaide find that information?

September 11, 2016June 6, 2021

Is Breeding Bigger Better?

Did you see the animals in this year’s Guinness World Records? That’s two of them above.

The world’s longest living pet cat was a Maine Coon called Ludo, who is a phenomenal 118.3cm long.

The world’s tallest living female dog was a 96.4cm Great Dane.

Why do these cute facts make all vets shudder?

September 3, 2016November 29, 2020

Allergy To Dogs And Cats

I love Devon Rex cats (that’s mine above) but they aren’t good for allergies. To cats, that is. (for allergies of cats & dogs, follow this link)

My previous Devon Rex was dumped at a shelter after 18 months being locked in a room. She’d been bought on the misguided belief that she wouldn’t cause cat allergy. It took me years to get her settled after that rough start, and it could have been worse.

I’ve seen plenty of animal lovers who are allergic to their pets. It’s heartbreaking to watch. The good news is there are things you can do to help.

July 30, 2016November 29, 2020

Introducing A New Puppy

Getting a new dog is an exciting time. Whether you’re bringing up a puppy or settling in a rescued dog there’s so much to look forward to…

Amid the fun are a couple of serious issues:

Training and feeding a second or third dog
Making sure your original dog likes the new arrival

July 24, 2016June 6, 2021

Should I Get A Second Dog?

Sam and Jesse are these two charming Cavaliers. The decision their owners made is the same one many dog owners face. I went through it three years ago.

However, it isn’t always a good idea…

May 8, 2016November 29, 2020

How Old Is My Dog In Human Years?

If you prefer a quick answer, visit our online dog age calculator. Just plug in a number and it does the rest!

We’ve all heard the saying: “multiply your dog’s age by seven to get the human age.” Like most simple rules, there’s a lot wrong with that:

February 6, 2016November 29, 2020

Are Staffy Cross Dogs Good Pets?

What do you think when you see a dog like this? Many people would say he’s not pretty, or pedigreed, and he probably doesn’t have too many fine manners. Of course we’d disagree. And more and more dog lovers are also seeing the rough diamond in these dogs.

January 19, 2016September 3, 2021

What Diseases Does My Dog’s Breed Get?

Most decisions to own a purebred dog are based entirely on positive aspects, like temperament, personality and lifestyle. These are important, but we should also focus on the negative, like what can go wrong.
Some people believe that genetic diseases are becoming more common in certain purebred dogs due to limited gene pools and close breeding. Regardless of whether this is true, genetic diseases are well-known and common and we should make ourselves aware of them. Read about diseases of cat breeds here.

February 4, 2015November 29, 2020

Myth 29: The runt of the litter

Runt. What a powerful word. It instantly brings to mind images of poor, sickly puppies destined to never be as healthy as their brothers and sisters.

What if the whole idea of the runt of the litter is a myth? Well that’s what I think, anyway. My 20 years tell me you can take home the smaller puppies without having poorer health, as long as you follow a few basic rules…

September 2, 2014November 29, 2020

Myth 23: Choosing a cute pet is harmless

Here I go again! Another unbearably cute puppy picture in the paper and all I can do is complain!

There’s no question that adorable images of a Shar Pei puppy and a Scottish Fold kitten from the Adelaide Advertiser melt the heart. So why do most vets see something different when we look at these pictures?