dogs .... dumb question

[tiki244]

I suggest you get your dogs spayed and neutered

 

[warcard]

The more barriers the better, and the panties are just to help keep your house clean.

Have the dogs been checked for hip dysplasia? It can be a problem in Elkhounds. Normally they have to be 2-3 years old to receive a rating.

 

[mistylady]

Thank you everyone! They yipped and yarped back and forth until just after 3 am. Silence. This morning I found the male laying outside the females kennel. She's in a 7 foot tall kennel with a roof. He jumped out of a five foot tall kennel last night. Now he's chained up. I hate to chain him up but unitl I can put a roof on the other kennel he's going to have to be restrained. He can't stay in the basement because the chickens are all in the basment until the coop is finished. The chickens are scared to death of him.

I had no idea they were so horny (for lack of a better word).

We bought registered ones and checked their bloodlines back four generations to be sure there was no hip problems or other health issues. They are from good stock. We want to help keep the breed going. When they hit two years old we have a vet that will xray them for us. He suggested two years old and then three to check and see if there is any change at all. They are super family dogs! They love the kids. They're good watchdogs without being mean. And they are very intelligent! He's 57 pounds and she is 48 pounds. Both are lap dogs. If you sit down outside you WILL have a dog in your lap.

He hates dirt. He'll hang his rump over the edge of the hill and poop down the bank. We had to watch him for a while to figure out where the poo was going. She's not as picky but she does have a potty area that she goes to.

I just thought of someone! I can see if one of our friends can dogsit for us! Sometimes my brain takes a while to work! Better call! Thank you again everyone!

 

[ninjapoodles]

Wow, reading all these responses is making me grateful for my apparently laid-back poos. My boys will stop eating as much when the girls are in season, but that's about it. They're crated right next to each other, in Vari-Kennels, and for the duration of the season, males and females are NEVER out at the same time. We alternate.

I honestly think it helps calm my boys when the girls are right there with them, but out of reach. (I would never do this with wire crates--I know too many puppies who were "begat" through wire crates or kennel fencing!)

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
According to the Norwegian Elkhound national breed club, the following health tests are recommended prior to breeding:

CERF Screening (Canine Eye Research Foundation)
Elbow Displasia (OFA, by X-Ray)
Fanconi Syndrome
Hip Dysplasia (OFA or PennHIP)
Patellar Luxation Test - OFA
Thyroid Function Test (blood test)

These are all tests we perform, except for the one for Fanconi Syndrome, which I believe is only found in Norwegian Elkhounds and Basenjis (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I think the test is an inexpensive urinalysis.

You can do Hips, Elbows, and Patellas all at the same time, to save money, and the dogs must be at least 24 months of age to have the results recorded with OFA.

The CERF test is REALLY not a big deal--just a quick, inexpensive eye exam by a CERF vet (we have one who visits our local clinic once a month). This test needs to be repeated annually.

The thyroid test is not the usual T3T4 test, but a "Complete Thyroid Antibody Panel," also certified through OFA, and also not a big deal.

There is NO WAY to predict hip dysplasia--parents with "excellent" hip ratings can have dysplastic pups, and parents rated "fair" can produce "excellent" rated pups. The best we can do here is try to increase our odds for good hips by removing bad ones from the gene pool.

 

[mistylady]

Wow! Thanks for the info ninjapoodles ! I had the breeders of the dogs we bought tell me about the tracing the lines back to make sure the dogs were less likely to have problems. Of course they were trying to sell puppies. We're going to have them both tested when they get 2. Our vet used to raise and show dogs and he said he could get it done for us. I don't know if he meant he could do it or his partner but I'll find out.

Through the kennel wire! I hate to hear that. He was at her kennel door this morning when I went out to feed critters. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he wasn't that creative.

 

[tiki244]

Sounds like your gonna have your hands full with those two. Good luck!

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
"Through the fence" breedings happen ALL THE TIME. Really! Mark the day on your calendar for reference later, just in case.

Pedigree research is important, but it's more important to have the parents' test results in your hot little hands. Lots of people talk a good game about their dogs being healthy, but I like to see that steps are actually being taken to ensure the very best odds for the pups.

Your regular vet should be able to do all of those tests (though some are more talented at getting accurate hip x-rays than others). Getting them OFA certified is important, because that becomes a tool for the future, not only for you, but for other breeders. What I do is fill out all the OFA forms online prior to taking the dogs in for their OFA tests, then all the vet has to do is fill out their portion of the paperwork, sign it, and send in the results.

 

[EngieKisses]

Hey Ninja, did you champion your poodles or a handler?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

maybe a chicken diaper?