Beyond Adolescence - part 4

[SpanielsGalore]

Didn't realise we were that close to the end of part 3. 😂

I read an article recently said that Years and AADF were linked, via the sane board member hence Years had a high rating.

https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/articles/a-statement-about-all-about-dog-foods-ownership

Just looked for the article and found this, a statement by the AADF owner, about the situation.

We had rain, proper you-need-a-coat rain this morning! Although it was still warm and I took it off by the end of my walk when the rain had stopped. We had proper puddles in the wood also. Not sure when i last saw them.

@SpanielsGalore I feel better for my slightly low opinion of AADF if lots of others feel the same! It's very useful to see the measurable differences in food (i.e. how much protein it has compared to other foods and the recommendation), but otherwise not great.

To be fair, I bet P would have loved just mince! Mine definitely would.

@Bupster what is he allergic to?

@Silverbirchleaf sounds a bit like the sort of behind the scenes back slapping happened there that happens on the 'facebook breeder recommendation' groups. 'Your my mate/I have a vested interest...so'

We had puddles as well! Absolutely lovely. I'll be sick of it in a week, but quite pleased now. Hopefully the garden will stop looking quite as dead.

Definitely can't have dairy (he gets itchy, sore ears); can't have chicken; and broccoli, salmon, oily fish, beef tripe and eggs all make him fart so I suspect he's mildly intolerant but can cope with small amounts. I think he also has environmental allergies and he's on Apoquel for those - you can do a panel to find out what it is but as the vet said, what are you going to do with the information, avoid trees and grass?

@Bupster gahh that broccoli is a killer as it's used in so much! You could try butternut box, quite a few of their recipes only have about 2% broccoli in them - which is about about half of what many other dog foods have. Forthglade has a similar amount of broccoli in their wet food, as do Wainwrights.

We have a bag of this, which doesn't seem to have any of Bill's allergies in it: https://scrumbles.co.uk/products/grain-free-turkey-wet-dog-food?selling_plan=711842562424 and also this

https://www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/products/lamb-dry-food-for-dogs?variant=45132598542505&country=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21675087506&gbraid=0AAAAAD6ctLJ87j5TYm6c-1LJ6O7dSVzxh&gclid=CjwKCAjwwL_UBhAjEiwAEhuT5OGp1ZRNkjv3XYas6NEhyhBmwxQwyyvCKvsXNLUb5Lz8Kcp7KZHMcRoCqH0QAvD_BwE

And yes, I did just go to check what's in my freezer/cupboards. The benefit of having so many dogs is I have enough dog food to feed a small army. On indeed five little piglets who all followed me diligently from freezer to freezer and cupboard to cupboard in the hopes some food might come their way.

Do any of them work?

@Bupster People usually just ask her directly on her FB page which food she'd recommend or what her opinion is of a certain brand.
I guess you can still use AADF to find suitable foods for Bill. Just don't worry too much about the ratings they give it.

Has your vet not heard of immunotherapy treatment? My sprocker had lots of allergies. We did testing and he had a special concoction made for him, which was given in monthly injections.
We also tried cytopoint, but that only helped for the first month.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks The nutritionist doesn't like AADF as it rates high protein, high meat content food above other more balanced foods with more vitamins and minerals. It also doesn't care if the food meets FEDIAF standards.
And she says it makes people, who feed to a budget or have a dog wih medical issues, feel like shit. My sprocker had to have hypoallergenic food, which AADF refuse to give a rating because it is such shit food. But it was the only thing that didn't make him severely ill. And if you can't afford Orijen so buy James Wellbeloved, you don't need to be told you're feeding your dog inferior quality food. (Nb - they were random brands chosen because I know how much they cost.)

I took K to the vets yesterday. They couldn't find anything wrong with her, but her gums and lips are 'the whiter shade of pale' so we did blood tests. Her red blood cell count is very low - on the edge of what is acceptable. And one of her kidney levels is elevated. (Don't really know what that means, but vet said as it was only one indicator it's not too concerning at the minute.)
The vet said they have had several dogs in with viral infections, so maybe K is recovering from that. She's on pain relief for a week to see if that helps. If no improvement after a week, we'll repeat the bloods. And I have to keep an eye on her gums. If they get any paler, I have to take her straight back in.
We went to the exciting, deer filled woods after the vet appointment and she practically walked to heel the whole time we were there.

On another thread, someone who works in a vets has just warned against buying a red show cocker because they have rage syndrome. FFS. There's really no hope, is there?!

@SpanielsGalore 100% agree.AADF has it's place in helping you find out ingredients and ratios of food in one place - but it's not that illuminating. I.E. I don't think anyone will be surprised that Butchers is 'inferior' in terms of nutrients and 'Oujen' is better. But even then, it doesn't necessarily mean much unless there are specific things you are looking for (like the poster who's dog had bloat, so needed high quality meat products with small numbers of carbs).

Oh poor K. Sounds like more waiting then, I'm sorry! Always difficult when you don't get any answers and it's a waiting game. Hopefully she is just fighting something off and she perks up shortly.

I saw that. I am biting my tongue as you said what I thought better than I could 😁

Did you see on the other thread about doodles that Donna is up to her own tricks? Got another litter up! That's three in two months. I might keep half an eye on her Pets4Home page and use her as the 'example' of the average doodle puppy farm breeder at this rate.

I had the day off today and had big plans for a lay in. Twatdog woke me up at 05:00 with a cold wet nose shoved into my mouth. Not just onto my face. In. My. Mouth.😐

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I did see Donna has another litter for sale. I wonder how many on average she has in a year. She must be absolutely raking it in.

I've also just clicked on the link about how to recognise puppy farmers from the cockerpoo club. I think Donna would probably pass their standards.

And ewwww TD. That's a bit too loving. 😂
K came up to me in the garden yesterday and I went to plonk a kiss on her little schnoz. Then I remembered I'd just seen her eating 💩, so thought better of it.

@SpanielsGalore if she has 3 litters in 2 months, I think fairly safe to say she's having easily 10-12 litters a year...probably more if we assume she has more at Christmas. If we assume £1.5K per puppy, and average 8 puppies a litter (Golden-doodles would have bigger litters and cavpoos smaller). At 10 litters a year that's £105K. She's already made £30K in the last two months.

But I'm sure she loves her dogs 😁

Poor K! Rejected. You know she'd definitely have washed herself off and had a proper clean before she approached you😂

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I actually typed 'it's a good job she loves her dogs so much', but then deleted it. 😂
And no. Vile, little git was still licking her lips, savouring every precious morsel. 🤢🤢

Thank you so much all of you for reassuring me that Merry is normal and the vet is a dick. Honestly I feel a bit short/changed. I keep reading that one of the benefits of menopause is self confidence and a don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, but I seem to be constantly riddled with self doubt!

I was really surprised about how freaked out the vet seemed. My son is a support care worker (with humans) and he gets punched and kicked fairly often. He accepts that it is just part of the job, so surely a vet shouldn’t be surprised about an animal reacting to being poked. Anyway, I will get a muzzle and start training her with that.

Catching up with the rest of the chat… I agree with whoever said that cat deliberately goad dogs. They definitely do! There is one round her who sits on the garage roof, and I swear you can see it’s middle finger raised.

Interesting about the spaniel spots appearing after years. I am a total ignoramus about spaniels, in fact I have realised that I don’t even know the difference between a cocker and a springer! What kind would a totally black spaniel be? We keep bumping into one round here, he is very handsome but totally obsessed with Merry and chases and tries to mount her. His owners seem to have no control whatsoever. (Not that that’s the dogs fault).

Hope everyone who is having holidays is having a great time. I had a really hot sunny walk this morning, but just as we got back to the car the heavens opened, it was a huge downpour. I’m in bed now and I can hear it’s raining again. Far too late to save my garden I think.

I get muddled as well, although apparently you’re either a springer person, or cocker. On that other thread discussing dogs, a kookerhund (sp?) was mentioned which is a type of spaniel. Really like the look of these. I think they’re a slightly smaller dog.

You don’t see many King Charles or cavalier King Charles spaniels around much nowadays which were all the rage about ten years ago.

@Struckbylightning It can be quite difficult to tell the difference between cockers and springers (and sprockers) sometimes. Historically they were all one breed, separated purely by size, so I suppose it's understandable. I sometimes have to ask.

Typically springers are bigger and have squarer shaped heads. They only come in liver and white and black and white.
Cockers are smaller, with narrower heads. They can be solid coloured (black, liver, gold), parti coloured (black and white, orange and white etc) or roan (blue, liver, orange) like the dog in the photo I posted earlier.

Not sure about the colouring of sprockers. I have only seen solid coloured ones, but I don't know if that's all you can get.

So the solid black spaniel you see will either be a cocker or a sprocker.

Here's photos of all three types to hopefully illustrate the differences.

@Silverbirchleaf Yep. Whenever there is a cocker or springer thread, it's always split by what the person owns. Springer people say cockers are nutters and harder to train and vice versa.
I am definitely a cocker person. I've had one and a half springers and they have both been/are very barky. The cockers barely make a sound in comparison.

I don't know much about Kooikerhondjes. I went to see them at a dog show once, as they were suggested to me as a smaller alternative to a Toller. That one looks very cute though.

@SpanielsGalore I always find it interesting when people say cockers are nutters (it seems to happen a lot on MN) as always the ones I know/have met have been lovely - Satan excluded. I stand by the fact that if I didn't have my lot, cockers would probably be next on the list.

Your girls all look so sweet and innocent in those photos. I do love how they cuddle in bed together, it must make for some really precious memories/photos

@Silverbirchleaf it's the brain and heart issues that have made them less popular. They went the way of the pug/frenchie and the breed is pretty much beyond redemption at this point. Which is why I am always really annoyed when I hear about Cavapoos - because people think they're 'making better' Cavaliers, when they're not. The issues prevalent in Cavaliers are genetic (primarily heart - almost 100% are effected by 10 years old, apparently) so there's a high chance the doodle version will have it to.

It's such a shame what so many people have done to particular breeds. Really upsets me.

@Struckbylightning not at all relevant to the dog thread, but your son has an incredible job 😊

Has Merry reverted to coming back upstairs now it's a bit cooler?

Lucky you getting a walk without rain! I could soaked this morning, although I am still really enjoying wet walks - no one else is out. Was out for 90 minutes in the rain this morning with my lot and only saw one person...Twatdog's Golden Girlfriend. The way his entire face lights up when he see's her is a bit like how men look in soppy romance films when their finance walks down the alter. It's very cute.

Hope everyone has nice plans for the day! Outside of dog walking I plan on spending the day staring at DH and waiting for him to cook dinner. Steak with peppercorn sauce, mac and cheese and jacket potato. Oh and a side salad, cos we're healthy. It might only be 11:00 but I am ready and waiting 😍

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks The only reason I joined MN was to defend cocker spaniels. 😂 Posts kept appearing on my FB page of people describing them as being like someone with ADHD on acid. And it was always by someone who had never actually owned one.

It's a heavy drizzle here, which is an improvement on yesterday's torrential rain. I'm walking in my dry robe and wellies.
We're only doing half hour ish walks at the minute. It's all P is allowed and K doesn't have much energy.

I hope your DH takes the hint soon. Although I think you're in for a bit of a wait really.

Dogs at dog boarders for overnight dog taster session so feeling a bit lost. He found some balls in the garden so was very happy, prancing around as he does when he has a proud possession. (He runs and jumps like a horse frolicking). Eldest son is visiting so plan to go out for an evening meal without worrying about getting back for the dog.

@Struckbylightning Yes, full praise to your son.

@SpanielsGalore Thank you for the photo. I think what confuses me is when you see a white and brown cocker. I assume it’s a springer.

So in your photos, the white ones are springers, and brown is cocker?

@SpanielsGalore 😂That's as good a reason as any to join! I only joined as I got sick of people slagging off breeders and felt I had to make the point we're not all alike.

Is it not too warm for you dry robe? Was still 19 here, despite the rain. Are P & K up to their usual tricks together or being quite calm?

DH has taken the hint. We're going to have 'dinner' at 14:00. I shall update with a photo if you wish (assuming it's suitably aesthetic) but put a content warning on (for anyone who might be jealous and/or vegetarian/vegan).

@Silverbirchleaf You got one correct. 😁
The white one with the mainly brown head is a springer.
The white one with the white face is a cocker.
The brown (liver) one is a sprocker.
The little black one is a cocker.

The vast majority of people think P ( liver and white cocker) is a springer. Some have even argued with me that I'm wrong. I've been asked if she is related to N, who is the springer. She's actually related to K (black cocker), but no one ever asks that.
TBH, I can't always tell the difference either. I know someone with a springer that is P's double.

I hope Dog gets on alright at the boarders and you have a lovely evening with your DS.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks It's 14°, but feels like 12° here. So no, it's not too warm for my dry robe. Plus, I only wear a vest top underneath it.
P and K spent the whole time chasing birds of one species or another. But they did recall when I blew the whistle, so I was happy.

I shall look forward to seeing dinner photos shortly then. You better pre warn DH that he has to be at the top of his presentation game. 😂

It was always breakfast, dinner and tea when I was growing up. And we had dinner ladies at school. Don't know when it switched to breakfast, lunch and dinner and lunchtime supervisors.

@SpanielsGalore oh dear, I’d never make a Crufts judge!

Had one of those very rare moments whereby I’ve been in the house alone, sans dog, young adult dcx2, and dh! I watched a film, gave up
on that, tidied a cupboard then did an exercise routine. Not a long one, but surprisingly tiring.

We were always breakfast, dinner , tea, with the main meal being at lunchtime, and tea being bread, ham, cheeses etc, followed by cakes. The table was laid with all the food.

Wet but not cold here.

@SpanielsGalore I forgot to take a photo as he kept me waiting until 14:45 (forgot to switch on the oven for the jacket potato), and I was so hungry I just gobbled it up. But it was bloody delicious 😍

Jeepers! Was like 19 here! I assume probably the same for Silver given how close we are to each other.

Both P & K recalled? Is it P who is sometimes a bit naughty when she's with K or K who's naughty when she's with P? I forget! I think it's K who can be naughty when she's with P (I vaguely remembering deer chasing incidents in the woods)

@Silverbirchleaf do the boarders give you updates? I've never put mine in kennels or the boarders, so I'm always intrigued as to how they might operate and how much information they give people!

I'm desperately trying to find some long lasting soft dog toys. Mine don't really like the hard ones that they recommend for aggressive chewers. My mission for today was to find something soft but indestructible, but I have not succeeded.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I hope your DH hadn't started cooking the steak before he discovered the oven wasn't on.
Is he liking being back at home full time?

P is the big sister, who leads the little sister astray.
That's not quite true. P does her own thing. And K will look at P and go "If she's not coming, neither am I."

Mine don't really destroy toys, so I can't help there. We do have a hairy coo, which I can imagine a GR with. It's nearly as big as K.

Bill has one of those! Except he already had a Big Coo, and a Coobeastie, and his bestie got one of these big square hairy coos but in brown, so hers is called Tattie and his is called Neep.

@SpanielsGalore where did you get one!? I do not see them on amazon (or am I just blind) and I have never seen that before.

Tbh any toy would be great if it lasts a reasonable long time. Mine seem to remember how to destroy them, so each time I buy a toy it lasts less and less time. Sexi-phant is down to about 5 minutes now.

K has such a 'butter wouldn't melt' face. I refuse to believe she's a poo gobbler.

He hadn't started the steak, thankfully! Jackets get 90 mins in the oven, and steak gets 3 each side on the hob, so he had plenty of time😀

He's adjusted pretty well although I'm not sure he's quite coping with all the dog fur or the drool on his pillows but otherwise he's happy. He's pretty ready for a few more years in the UK - money is less of a factor now (luckily) than it used to be, which was a big part of him being overseas