I want to get a dog but I have to work, how does everyone on broadway market do it ?

Was closer to 10k when our first greyhound broke her leg.... I think our insurance covered 5k of it (as that was the limit on that policy)

The chaps downstairs to us with their elderly Frenchie are well over £15k on their dog now. Everything from hips popping out to slipped disk to an eye having to be removed.

This explains why premiums are high, inherently unhealthy breeds which have been over-bred due to demand/fashion/ prices/show standards.

If I had sighthounds, which I like a lot, I would definitely insure as they break comparatively easily and tend to do sighthound things at warp speed.

I grew up with 2 pedigree labradors that were absolute money pits. Thyroid problems, cataracts, endlessly hurting themselves or swallowing a toy.

If I had sighthounds, which I like a lot, I would definitely insure as they break comparatively easily and tend to do sighthound things at warp speed.

You're not wrong there. That said, by far and away the most common problem with sight hounds is skin wounds. Fragile skin and thin fur. They can be really quite horrific if your dog is unlucky. They're otherwise pretty healthy and sturdy. Perhaps not including Italian Greys which might as well be made of talc.

Yep, labs are mind-buggeringly dumb, the working ones considerably less so and much less prone to ailments (I'm on my 7th and 8th). Again, show standards have much to answer for.

Mine don't have toys because a) it would give them something to dispute and b) Stella the cute looking cocker would nick the lot and sit growling at the rest.

Not to be callous, but surley there is a point its humanly best to put a dog down. Maybe they're not at it, but many dogs get kept to long due to a weak owner.

I don't insure my boy, he's not a pedigree but I do cringe everything he jumps of something far too high.

that little list sounds like just typical French Bulldog problems. I like the efforts some breeders are doing now to make them healthier with longer faces.

Yes and I didn't mean those dogs should be put down, just replied to that as it tireggered a thought. I had read an article the other day about owners leaving it too long and I know I did too, in hindsight.

Overall, it's usually going to be a net loss with insurance, as the insurers will always get their money. We pay, and have never had anything that's cost more than a few hundred. But I know enough people who've been stuck with well upwards of £5k bills without insurance, and I know I'd pay anything for my dogs' health, so will happily keep lining the pockets of the insurers.

omg so I am not a callous old beast then? or we all are... thanks anyway will keep thinking on this.

You're not callous (to the best of of my knowledge), just so long as you're prepared to and capable of paying whatever is necessary for treatment.

Insurance is just licensed betting and the bookie always knows the odds better than you.

Total long shot. Does anyone know a black lab in SE London called Nero? Our dog walker witnessed an incident involving him and his dog walker and would like to be able to contact the owner if possible! She's seen him being walked at Crystal Palace Park, Norwood Country Park and Maberley Fields before.

A friend was working on legal stuff for pet insurance and told me categorically it's not good value.

If you can afford to self insure then it's all good, we're too poor not to pay something every month because a bill larger than a monthly premium would be ruinous, and we're obviously not horrible enough to just off the poor fucker and bury him in the woods if he gets ill.

Ours has insurance for similar reasons. Sad to report the insurance companies have very carefully worded policies to tip things to their advantage. Some of us will win though, it's kind of a mutual fund run for profit where all of us who love dogs chip in and help each other through tough times (really optimistic world view there).

I guess we all pay and hope we never need it too. When ours had an emergency operation we were very happy to have the insurance. Now I try to forget how much the monthly payments keep going up.

It's also near impossible to get registered with a non corporate conglomerate vet in SW London.

Odie has, all of a sudden, developed an issue with black dogs. Dogs who he’s been fine with previously now seem to make him scared and he’ll give them a wide berth.

I can’t think of a reason for it - he’s had no run-ins that could have caused it. Anyone have any similar experiences?

We're still trying to figure out which dogs Nori is most likely to react to but black seems to be the most common culprit. Frustratingly after a really good innings she properly went for a dog this morning whilst meeting a larger pack she's met and mingled with before. Only notable factor was the dog was black. Sadly her actions caused the pack to turn on her so she's got some making up to do.

Does anyone know of any dog specific charities working in Ukraine right now or would the Humane society be the best place to donate?

Dogs get a lot of info from other dogs facial cues, and dogs can struggle with darker faces to pick up on whether they are friendly or aggressive.

Similar with dogs with flat faces can get more grief as their faces hard for dogs to read.

That’s interesting. I’ve known my dogs become reactive with other dogs as they matured. For example, Reggie used to play every morning with a Beagle who is the same age, but the last two occasions they met they didn’t get on at all. They are both threatened/challenged by the other and won’t tolerate him.

Here is Reg with Luna, who’s now 6 months old.

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Crumpet can be a bit unsure of black dogs! Especially the big bouncy Newfoundland we see occasionally. I'd assumed it's because she can't make out much detail so a black dog can just look a bit like a weird void.

Our has always had an issue with black dogs, usually larger ones (he's only little) but just barking. He's also really particular about other dogs getting too rough, especially puppies. He's happy to run but if one puts paws on him he'll let them know that they have stepped over the line.

Looking great, how are they getting on?