tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27120559756164513562024-03-13T17:16:03.674-04:00Throw the Ball!Writing about the ins and outs of living with 2 terriers, 3 cats, and a double handful of German Shepherds in Virginia. The blog home of Blackthorn Working German Shepherds.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-69867987364068610472021-01-25T14:23:00.027-05:002021-05-13T14:50:44.418-04:00Crate Training, Puppies, and Misconceptions about Separation Anxiety<p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">When confined or "stuck" alone in an unfamiliar location, every puppy instinct says to cry out for help -- which is why puppies often get very upset when first crated.</span></b></h4><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8poFkwsuDA/YJ1zURzragI/AAAAAAAA6Jc/mAoj3zr0EZojzRyC5-GdjRud5CxXIvHewCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/142692466_10159328013781289_3596675697987120670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two puppies, each in a small wire crate with a food bowl. One puppy is calm, the other is yelling and pawing at the door." border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="828" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8poFkwsuDA/YJ1zURzragI/AAAAAAAA6Jc/mAoj3zr0EZojzRyC5-GdjRud5CxXIvHewCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h294/142692466_10159328013781289_3596675697987120670_n.jpg" title="First crated meal for these two brothers." width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Three primary factors that go into why a puppy cries in a crate when you first start crate training:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Isolation</li></ol><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Confinement</li></ol><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Unfamiliar environment.</li></ol>Later, when they've learned a bit more about the world, a 4th big factor comes into play:<br />A basic rule of training is to only change one variable at a time (when possible). So, with puppies, I try to introduce them to a crate first with their littermates (and/or mom), this removes all 3 factors from play so that the crate environment becomes familiar in a likewise familiar location.<p></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">4. FOMO (fear of missing out)</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">Later, I will crate them side by side or 2-3 puppies together for meals. This isolates the confinement factor for them to learn about -- without also being isolated or in an unfamiliar environment. Gradually, the isolation factor will be increased -- from puppies in sight or even touching distance of others to just having littermates in proximity (can hear/smell but not see easily).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pI5lft4sHO0" width="320" youtube-src-id="pI5lft4sHO0"></iframe></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;">First meal in a closed crate for both of these boys. The yelling lasted 30 minutes and was followed by a 30 minute nap before they went outside for a potty break.</p></blockquote><p><br />I don't believe most puppies are mature enough to handle isolation without stressing about it until after 7 weeks of age. (Of course, puppies worldwide have had to learn about isolation far earlier than 7 weeks -- whether because they were singleton puppies or because they were separated from mom and littermates at earlier ages. So often you hear of pups being sent home at 5 weeks -- just about the time they are eating and pooping and mom is no longer cleaning up -- that is, right when pups become work to keep clean and socialized to the world and people. And coinciding with this is a great number of pet dogs who end up with horrible separation anxiety.)</p><p><br />So I try to introduce the crate as a part of the environment in the whelping box and elsewhere at about 5 weeks -- puppies learn that they are shelter and napping places.</p><p><br />Around 6-7 weeks, I will start feeding pups in the crate(s) with the door open. And about 7 weeks, I shut them in the crate with a meal. Door closed. Locked in. And the crying is dramatic! But it will diminish and they generally fall asleep within 30 minutes. Because they are only facing 1 major stressor -- confinement -- without the elements of isolation and unfamiliarity/feeling unsafe.</p><p><br />Hopefully, by the time they go home at 8 weeks, they will be that much more prepared to face the new (necessary) and inescapable stressors of a new environment and the abrupt absence of their littermates and mom. I encourage new puppy owners to use the crate but not be super strict about it in the first 3 days. It's OK to be relaxed and let the puppies gain familiarity with their environment (outside of the crate and the new crate) and with the feeling of not having a sibling always right next to them. There's plenty of time to tighten the rules later - after the pup has adapted to the new family and new home.</p><p><br />So, when your 8 week old pup cries in her crate (or shut in the kitchen/laundry room/basement)-- it's not separation anxiety, it's *<i>normal</i>*. It's a rough part of learning about life with humans. It's instinct saying you're stuck and you're alone and you need to be rescued, so you better holler for help.</p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-68832036562268158092020-01-22T14:09:00.003-05:002020-01-22T14:13:06.799-05:00Fall in love with dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have been
asked many times about how one gets a start in doing dog training or dog
breeding or some other dog-related career. I really don't have a good answer
for that other than, Go out and do it; fall in love with doing it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorn's CDX, 1994</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I started with
dog training classes and reading about dog training when I was 10 years old. As
soon as I finished college, I bought myself a German Shepherd puppy and moved
to Oregon for grad school, and I took more training classes and went to seminars
and trained with friends and new people and went to competitions. I trained in
tracking with a friend, using Glen Johnson's book for a guide. I took agility
classes and obedience classes from the local clubs. I competed in AKC obedience
and found a schutzhund club and did a CD, then CDX, then a BH with my first
dog. I found a ringsport seminar, and I visited anyone who would let me come
bother them and went to any competition I could find to watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorn - 1996 North American Sch3 Championships, Maine</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I moved
back to Virginia, I lived in Yorktown, and I trained with several local groups
and would drive up to DC on Saturdays to go to a DVG schutzhund club. More
seminars, more classes, more training my own dogs. I moved to the
Charlottesville area, I took more classes and trained with a club first in Rustburg
VA and then one in Leesburg and then one in Berryville, and then another one in
Front Royal area. I drove a lot. I went to competitions. I trained my own dogs.
I read everything I could get my hands on. I put a Sch1, 2, 3 on my first
dog, and a CD and a Sch1 on my second dog. I drove even more. I put a Sch3 on my 3rd dog, and we traveled and competed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike's Sch1 (2000?)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I drove to
Leesburg and back 3 times a week for several years - that's 12 hours of driving
to training each week. I bred my first litter, bought my first young adult dog,
drove all over the US for competitions -- Texas, Alabama, Maine, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frostbite v Pantara, Sch1; Blackthorn's Ashen (Sch3) and Blackthorn's Asa (Sch2)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">All along, I worked at whatever job I could find that would pay me -- nothing related to dogs. I was really broke a lot of the time. I drove to NC to watch the 1995 Sieger Show with $20 to my name (Adrian Ledda bought me lunch, a kindness I still remember). I was a temp worker - a kiosk rental manager, a secretary, a computer helpdesk operator, a data entry peon, a call center operator. And finally, an editorial assistant - that job, I picked up and ran with it, and I've been working as an editor of some sort for 24 years now. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nemi's BH</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even today,
what I do with dogs is my passion, not my career. I am a freelance editor -- I
don't train dogs for anyone other than myself. I breed because I love the dogs.
If I didn't breed dogs, I'd live an easier life with fewer expenses and more
time for training. I live where I live so I can do the things I love -- in the
country, with lots of space for the dogs. The things I do for fun tend to
revolve around the dogs, too. I've met literally thousands of people this way
and many have become lifelong friends.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dyJmGqciNQ/XiiZgUY3FcI/AAAAAAAA4v4/jVG512D5hWYDVSkWHZJFh3ilkZ2JxLuGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_MG_1698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dyJmGqciNQ/XiiZgUY3FcI/AAAAAAAA4v4/jVG512D5hWYDVSkWHZJFh3ilkZ2JxLuGACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_MG_1698.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mjolnir vd Liebenburg, IGP3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVqWmILN11A/XiiZjTPE_0I/AAAAAAAA4wE/m_Pu2uU3x7wukFm-Lo6GrdDiFzmkTZD_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/_MG_1747-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVqWmILN11A/XiiZjTPE_0I/AAAAAAAA4wE/m_Pu2uU3x7wukFm-Lo6GrdDiFzmkTZD_ACEwYBhgL/s320/_MG_1747-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mjolnir vd Liebenburg, IGP3</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">How do you
get started in dogs and dog training? Go out and do it. It will be a struggle;
it will cost you. You will fail. You will fail yourself, and you will fail your
dog. But keep doing it. Love the struggle; love what you learn from each
failure and each success, from each dog. Love the journey, because there is no
destination. Love the dogs, because they are why you’re doing it.</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xan, 2019 - grand-daughter of Nike</td></tr>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-30246077088135067642019-09-24T17:51:00.002-04:002019-09-24T17:56:48.564-04:00Early Puppy Socialization, ENS, and "Puppy Culture" - What does a young puppy need?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a post I wrote up for Facebook, but I decided to share it here, too, to preserve it and to perhaps make it more accessible to those interested.</span></div>
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I am frequently asked about what I do with my puppies and about puppy socialization and whether I do ENS or Puppy Culture. The answer is -- I do a lot, but it always varies.<br />
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Addressing "<a href="https://dignblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/10/early-neurological-stimulation/">ENS</a>" (or <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/puppy-socialization-series-2/">Early Neural Stimulation</a>) specifically, this is something I researched and looked into and tried many years ago, in my first litters. I did it with several litters and then with several other closely related litters, I didn't do it. And I found that it made no difference for my dogs. With more research, I found that no one could share or link or find the original story that it was supposedly based on. But I did read that it was supposedly created for puppies raised at Lackland Air Force Base -- these pups were born in concrete kennels and only saw people maybe once a day and were not regularly handled. So, of course, if a young puppy has no other interaction with humans, the ENS stimulation and it's specific activities and ways of handling would make a difference. But I don't think it's needed or even beneficial (but nor is it harmful) if the pup is handled daily and has regular, daily, human handling and interaction. Some researchers reached the same conclusion (and check out their References list for more):<br />
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<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251692240_Evaluating_the_effect_of_early_neurological_stimulation_on_the_development_and_training_of_mine_detection_dogs?"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Evaluating the effect of early neurological stimulation on the development and training of mine detection dogs</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Adee Schoon and Terje Groth Berntsen<br /><i>Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications and Research</i> 6(2):150-157 · March 2011 <br /><br />Early neurological stimulation (ENS) has been proposed to enhance the natural abilities of dogs. This kind of stimulation involves subjecting pups aged between 3 and 16 days to mild forms of stimulation leading to “stress,” and is said to lead to faster maturation and better problem-solving abilities later in life. ENS resulted from a U.S. Military program called Bio Sensor, and is currently being used in some other working dog programs. It has been part of the breeding program for mine detection dogs at the Global Training Centre (GTC, part of Norwegian People’s Aid) for 4 years.To investigate the effects of ENS on the basis of a previous study (Battaglia, 2009, J. Vet. Behav.: Clin. Appl. Res. 4, 203-210), 10 litters born since the spring of 2008 at the GTC were randomly divided into the following 2 groups: (1) those receiving ENS, and (2) those receiving the same amount of human attention without being subjected to the ENS exercises. Developmental parameters were monitored by the kennel staff. The pups were subjected to testing at approximately 10 weeks of age by investigators who were blinded to treatment. Their careers as working dogs were monitored.There was no observed effect of ENS on either the development of the pups when compared with those who were exposed to the standard GTC stimulation program within the same age range or on the later training results of the dogs in their careers as mine detection dogs. This lack of effect could well be the result of the very rich standards of the GTC socialization program that is given to these dogs.</span><br />
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I handle puppies daily and expose them to scents and sounds and different surfaces. As they get older, they spend more time outdoors if the weather is good, and they learn to engage and explore their environment in a natural--not induced--way. I find that exposure to the world of grass and trees and birds and airplanes flying overhead and FedEx trucks driving up and down the driveway and dogs barking and the smell of grass and dirt and rain and everything else in the "real world" creates an explosion of mental growth -- they learn so much on their own just by being in this open environment. My goal is to keep them safe and comfortable while giving them exposure to the world outside.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Q litter, born in 2011, at about 4 weeks of age.</span></b></div>
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As pups mature, I do more to familiarize them with crates, but I don't shut them in crates for long solo periods starting at 4 or 5 weeks. In fact, I think it important that puppies not be left isolated until they are older and more at a stage where they are ready for individual exploration and development. I start crate training at meal times with 2-3 pups together in a crate, in a familiar environment, so that the confinement itself is the only thing they are trying to get used to (location is familiar, crate is familiar, food is familiar, companions are familiar). They are not ready, in my opinion, to face stressors by themselves until they are closer to 8 weeks -- and really, more like 9 weeks. That doesn't mean that taking them out one-on-one is bad -- but in those cases, a human is stepping in and playing the role of the puppy's companion(s). Which is exactly what happens at 8 weeks when puppies go to their new homes.<br />
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More and more frequently, potential puppy homes are "requiring" that the person they get their pup from does "Puppy Culture" -- this is a program that puts a lot of the socialization and exposure ideas into a methodical program. And my response is that I don't do PC for two reasons -- one, I was doing many of the ideas and activities in PC before it was ever developed into a marketed program that is available for purchase. Two, it actually encourages and reinforces some things that I actively *do not want* for my own working prospects. In particular, something PC calls "Manding" -- sitting and making eye contact to request anything. This behavior may be very desirable in a puppy going into a pet home that only wants a calmly behaved companion, but it is *not* ideal for someone who wants a scent detection dog or a bitesports dog or an agility dog or a SAR dog -- I very much don't want my pups to default to sitting and staring.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A typical outdoor adventure</span></b></div>
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However, the idea of teaching this default behavior to a companion pup is a great one -- so I encourage people to do clicker training and manners training at home -- <a href="https://youtu.be/BGazhIhByXw" target="_blank">here's a video</a> that shows the default behavior that I'm talking about.<br />
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This doesn't mean I think PC is bad or wrong -- I think it can be invaluable for someone who is getting started in breeding and/or folks who want to try some different/new things with puppies. And it's great for getting some new ideas to try, even if you're an experienced breeder. But in general, I don't find much value added -- to me and my pups -- from following someone else's plan for raising pups -- especially one not designed for my breed or for the type of working dogs many of my pups will grow up to be.<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-62600688072898819282019-08-07T16:59:00.002-04:002019-08-07T16:59:55.424-04:00Available older puppies - Tanqueray and Jinx <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Jinx (6 months)</td></tr>
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This blog has been severely neglected, so I will start with an apology. I am still actively breeding and online. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackthornkennel/" target="_blank">Blackthorn Facebook group</a> has been the best way to stay in touch with information about me and my dogs. I have a few people petitioning me to take some of my Facebook posts and make them blog posts, so perhaps they will show up here in the near future.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanq - 8 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jinx (6 months)</td></tr>
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Today, I want to write about two gorgeous young sable girls that I have available -- <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2899163-blackthorns-tanqueray" target="_blank">Tanqueray</a> and <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2879077-blackthorns-u-owe-me-a-soda" target="_blank">Jinx</a> (click on their names for pedigree information). Tanq is 8 months old and Jinx is 6 months old. Both are house trained and crate trained and travel well. They have been raised in the house (and were not raised together -- they have both spent time living as house companions).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanq - ready to go, wherever that may be</td></tr>
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Tanq (born Nov. 2018) -- energetic and loving with a good foundation in tracking and some basic obedience work. DDR & Czech bloodlines. At this age, she is not interested in doing ragwork or bitework (she is more interested in being social with the helper). She could be a really fun dog to work in various sports or SAR. She loves to swim and train for food. Good with other dogs -- she's been around large and small dogs and cats. Reliable in the house while supervised. Not a couch potato, but she settles nicely in the house if given some interaction and exercise. </div>
<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6XOjczmTpk/XUs3vUTav1I/AAAAAAAA4Mo/UCIXHPiNVcUoQG5pHN34icJEZRUXCulhQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1200" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6XOjczmTpk/XUs3vUTav1I/AAAAAAAA4Mo/UCIXHPiNVcUoQG5pHN34icJEZRUXCulhQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7631.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Tanq has her mom's (Nemi's) joyful and open approach to life -- she will keep you laughing every day and will be up for almost any activity you are interested in. She is available to a sport or active companion home.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jinx (6 months)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jinx (born Jan. 2019) is from working German, Czech, and DDR bloodlines. She has been started with some obedience imprinting and is showing promise in doing drivework/ragwork with a helper. She loves to train and is a wonderful companion in the house or out being active. She enjoys swimming in the pool and is very neutral with dogs she knows (and is OK with small dogs). She can be very crate reactive with other dogs and would do better with a handler who has some experience with GSDs. She is a dog who goes forward when startled or worried, so she's not going to be a marshmallow.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Jinx is available to a working/sporting home </span><b style="text-align: start;">only </b><span style="text-align: start;">-- but not to a kennel situation. Possible co-ownership with the right home. She's a gorgeous girl with a lovely temperament to match.</span></div>
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<br />More pictures of both girls can be found <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/MhMoTqwxz431YDdo6" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Both girls will be available only to situations where they will be companions first -- no kennel situations. They will be sold with my <a href="http://www.blackthornkennel.com/BlackthornSalesContract.pdf" target="_blank">standard puppy contract</a> (breeding rights only after xrays and performance title/certification). Price will reflect the foundation training and care that has gone into them, so they are not available for less than puppy price. Shipping not available for either girl -- you have to come pick them up in Virginia.<br />
<br />If you are interested or want more information, email me at <a href="mailto:info@blackthornkennel.com">info@blackthornkennel.com</a>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-79740103070222820902018-01-17T23:32:00.003-05:002018-01-17T23:32:47.513-05:00Happy 3rd Birthday to Journey and Pirate!Three years and 4 months and some days ago, I was planning to do a breeding using frozen AI. At the same time, a female GSD I had been a fan of for a few years was scheduled for an AI with frozen semen. Over the years, I have tried for four litters from frozen semen, and only one has worked -- this one three years ago. And of course, this other female GSD got pregnant too!<br /><br />
And that is how I ended up with two lovely girls who couldn't be more different in looks or behavior or attitude, but just four days apart in age -- Journey and Pirate.<br />
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Journey turned 3 on Jan 13 and Pirate on Jan 17 (today!), and so I took a few portraits of them to share how they have grown up.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2337013-sojourner-von-huerta-hof" target="_blank">Journey </a>is red sable, compact, small (about 58 pounds now), and lovely in temperament and looks. She has a streak of mischief to her, but her sweet personality and natural love and gentleness with children mean she's a heart stealer.<br />
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<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2364838-blackthorns-zhengshi" target="_blank">Pirate </a>is intensely bonded, affectionate, intensely interested in pleasing me (as long as that doesn't mean she can't jump on me), often silly and joyous, yet with a serious side, and no hesitation to let me know what she wants. She's solid black, tall, square-built, about 68 pounds, most of the time. She's got her dad's sweetness and her mom's no-nonsense approach to the things she wants. She's taken a while to grow into her legs, but I think she's finally starting to fill out now that she's three.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirate was NOT at all happy with having to stand still for a stacked picture.</td></tr>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-82208945209828744682018-01-13T20:42:00.000-05:002018-01-13T20:42:03.403-05:00November 2017 - IPO Trial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In late November, I trialed <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2104738-mjolnir-von-der-liebenburg" target="_blank">Hammer </a>and <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2289180-blackthorns-xanthippe" target="_blank">Xan </a>for their IPO2 and IPO1 titles. Hammer had some significant bobbles in obedience and didn't pass, but Xan got her IPO1 title! I got some fun pictures, though, so I thought I'd share! :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintaining my poise during the critique. It was NOT our day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loEALJqkg_M/WlqvVVLyY5I/AAAAAAAA1WM/Wr3q61z4SG0Z2pQV_CDWcCe7WFsFQNZJACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0116a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loEALJqkg_M/WlqvVVLyY5I/AAAAAAAA1WM/Wr3q61z4SG0Z2pQV_CDWcCe7WFsFQNZJACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0116a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xan and Armin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0BWQ69cyeY/WlqvV3e-LNI/AAAAAAAA1WU/lOpiNf64U_sK8zHrGcNAM84TefKcgRlNACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0117a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0BWQ69cyeY/WlqvV3e-LNI/AAAAAAAA1WU/lOpiNf64U_sK8zHrGcNAM84TefKcgRlNACLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0117a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Xan and Armin<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esqYGKjpqPY/WlqvXP7_PyI/AAAAAAAA1WY/qd4iXrVF1x8Gg0yZATYT7KX2GRKtB9tZQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0120a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esqYGKjpqPY/WlqvXP7_PyI/AAAAAAAA1WY/qd4iXrVF1x8Gg0yZATYT7KX2GRKtB9tZQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0120a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Xan and Armin<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGyFjl4WmC0/WlqvXzqAXRI/AAAAAAAA1Wc/D901W9QQf_kvkhM7htdBHmjsS2ub2gu-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0123a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGyFjl4WmC0/WlqvXzqAXRI/AAAAAAAA1Wc/D901W9QQf_kvkhM7htdBHmjsS2ub2gu-wCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0123a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Xan and Armin<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-27228431824077450452016-05-10T01:08:00.002-04:002019-12-05T00:23:43.350-05:00SADDLES AND BICOLORS<div style="text-align: left;">
In the past few years, <a href="http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/102/Suppl_1/S11.abstract" target="_blank">DNA research </a>has
determined that <a href="http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/tan.html" target="_blank">all bicolor and saddle dogs (of any breed) are At --Tanpoint.
</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/tan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></a><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCKIq8qSBJ0/VzFWfsI4KEI/AAAAAAAAvm4/PyoJ4gurIt89bIV4EMtDSmPPLLEqBU6oQCLcB/s1600/coonhound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCKIq8qSBJ0/VzFWfsI4KEI/AAAAAAAAvm4/PyoJ4gurIt89bIV4EMtDSmPPLLEqBU6oQCLcB/s320/coonhound.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In German Shepherds, a "bicolor" is a tanpoint dog -- where
the tan doesn't extend beyond the typical "points" that you see in many
breeds. The <a href="http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/photos/tananim.gif" target="_blank">masking gene</a> and the black recessive are what make a tanpoint GSD
be marked differently from, say, a tanpoint rottweiler or doberman or Manchester terrier or black-tan coonhound.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVSJ01jS0tk/VzFWfqK1nDI/AAAAAAAAvm0/cytmrPgIArsdvQnoh-IHfXlEm3tY6wG-wCLcB/s1600/ManchesterTerrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVSJ01jS0tk/VzFWfqK1nDI/AAAAAAAAvm0/cytmrPgIArsdvQnoh-IHfXlEm3tY6wG-wCLcB/s320/ManchesterTerrier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LClqaTNTn-U/VzFWyrlUuHI/AAAAAAAAvnI/QoOfrnX9zb0hpESFDMh3FpJHEK1d6h3egCKgB/s1600/IMG_1964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LClqaTNTn-U/VzFWyrlUuHI/AAAAAAAAvnI/QoOfrnX9zb0hpESFDMh3FpJHEK1d6h3egCKgB/s320/IMG_1964.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Coal, BH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVSJ01jS0tk/VzFWfqK1nDI/AAAAAAAAvm0/cytmrPgIArsdvQnoh-IHfXlEm3tY6wG-wCLcB/s1600/ManchesterTerrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVSJ01jS0tk/VzFWfqK1nDI/AAAAAAAAvm0/cytmrPgIArsdvQnoh-IHfXlEm3tY6wG-wCLcB/s1600/ManchesterTerrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVSJ01jS0tk/VzFWfqK1nDI/AAAAAAAAvm0/cytmrPgIArsdvQnoh-IHfXlEm3tY6wG-wCLcB/s1600/ManchesterTerrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
In GSDs, you can tell a bicolor dog from a dark black and tan (blanket back) by the following characteristics:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>toemarks </li>
<li>tarheels </li>
<li>no tan around the barrel of the chest </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ru881HTq268/VzFZzmF1k_I/AAAAAAAAvnc/0rkXY4jvsUMoC0B0patqPPzv4osxF8CMgCKgB/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ru881HTq268/VzFZzmF1k_I/AAAAAAAAvnc/0rkXY4jvsUMoC0B0patqPPzv4osxF8CMgCKgB/s320/IMG_0056.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Jedi (full brother to Coal) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNVAaEvO05c/VzFUuMdRhiI/AAAAAAAAvmc/mdzpaRhcL7gup0sJdwWpAc937pfO2wOzQCLcB/s1600/beaglesf3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNVAaEvO05c/VzFUuMdRhiI/AAAAAAAAvmc/mdzpaRhcL7gup0sJdwWpAc937pfO2wOzQCLcB/s200/beaglesf3.jpg" /></a>Some bicolor GSDs carry the black recessive, which causes heavier black coloring, some carry modifiers for heavier masking. <br />
<br />
If a dog has fewer modifiers for masking, the tanpoint/bicolor dog
might have tan eyebrows, tan points on the chest, or tan cheek marks.<br />
<br />
<br />
In order to get the saddle pattern (seen in beagles as well as GSDs, for example), you need to have at least one copy of the "creeping tan" gene, a modifier gene that causes the tan areas of the dog to expand as the dog matures. The tan continues to "creep" throughout the dog's life, so that a 10 year old will have less black coverage than a 1 year old.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jP-iOntASkY/VzFVTlqApCI/AAAAAAAAvmk/8eTrL4kyDg4rO6jAKB4wr7VUpclR6soowCLcB/s1600/THRN-FAL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jP-iOntASkY/VzFVTlqApCI/AAAAAAAAvmk/8eTrL4kyDg4rO6jAKB4wr7VUpclR6soowCLcB/s320/THRN-FAL.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Bright Heart, CDX, Sch3, CGC </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A regular tanpoint GSD with 2 tanpoint genes (no black recessive) and no modifiers might look similar to Hunter. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ajUf81TQ4ss/VzFVvSNABkI/AAAAAAAAvmw/tmiN1CBybes5n4zXndW4CMR-Ju-bDo6jACKgB/s1600/d08_01_0053_dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ajUf81TQ4ss/VzFVvSNABkI/AAAAAAAAvmw/tmiN1CBybes5n4zXndW4CMR-Ju-bDo6jACKgB/s320/d08_01_0053_dd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Hunter, JHD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Note that Hunter has toemarks and tarheels and no tan around the barrel of her chest. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbcyc2JmhZY/VzFfoA0o8uI/AAAAAAAAvn4/MkDV-NJORbMpHBAgehzayCBo42ODajOYACKgB/s1600/Hunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbcyc2JmhZY/VzFfoA0o8uI/AAAAAAAAvn4/MkDV-NJORbMpHBAgehzayCBo42ODajOYACKgB/s320/Hunter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A tanpoint with 1 copy of the creeping tan gene with no black recessive might look like Nike. She had 1 copy of the modifier gene -- she produced saddles/blanket backs (Jubilee) and bicolors (Hunter, Coal, Jedi, among others) -- but never a solid black puppy. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4BeBnjqrlg/VzFapuII8AI/AAAAAAAAvnk/mQS4IieAX_IUwIRAOcYA2udHRv4AzzLCACKgB/s1600/Nike-Quin001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q4BeBnjqrlg/VzFapuII8AI/AAAAAAAAvnk/mQS4IieAX_IUwIRAOcYA2udHRv4AzzLCACKgB/s320/Nike-Quin001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nike" - Ike v Del U Haus, Sch2, and "Quin" Hellequin v Eichenluft, Sch3<br />Nike = tanpoint/tanpoint, 1 copy of creeping tan<br />Quin = tanpoint/black, 1 copy of creeping tan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A tanpoint with 1 copy of the creeping tan gene with the black recessive will look like Xita or Jubilee or Xan. These are often called "blanket back" black and tans. Notice how all of these dogs have no tarheels or toemarks--and they all have some tan under the barrel of their chest. Other typical features are shaded-tan areas on their cheeks and tan behind and inside their ears.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeb4WIsarAs/VzFgIW4nhkI/AAAAAAAAvoE/maJ3zsqDt888fIVqRTPQpafwB6VmnpQQQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeb4WIsarAs/VzFgIW4nhkI/AAAAAAAAvoE/maJ3zsqDt888fIVqRTPQpafwB6VmnpQQQCKgB/s320/IMG_2394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V-Xita vom Ludwigseck, IPO1, Kk1a</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnyhyC3cqY/VzFgSklVZiI/AAAAAAAAvoI/ud5yT_FQHmcrtP808QOlDVMjQFNKdVT0QCKgB/s1600/IMG_9713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnyhyC3cqY/VzFgSklVZiI/AAAAAAAAvoI/ud5yT_FQHmcrtP808QOlDVMjQFNKdVT0QCKgB/s320/IMG_9713.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how Xita gained more brown/tan as she matured.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly_HVsO82Eg/VzFh0SRKDfI/AAAAAAAAvoU/PrHdPAgYOyER27xPsQAe2r-rsbc190RlwCKgB/s1600/IMG_6526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly_HVsO82Eg/VzFh0SRKDfI/AAAAAAAAvoU/PrHdPAgYOyER27xPsQAe2r-rsbc190RlwCKgB/s320/IMG_6526.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Blackthorn's Jubilee, CD, HS, RA, JHD </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPkZP3y050I/VzFi8ucrcrI/AAAAAAAAvok/Xmmj0Z-e9ZIhAysBL-uEFljnau15OC1zwCKgB/s1600/905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPkZP3y050I/VzFi8ucrcrI/AAAAAAAAvok/Xmmj0Z-e9ZIhAysBL-uEFljnau15OC1zwCKgB/s320/905.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Xanthippe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A tanpoint with 2 copies of the creeping tan gene will have a saddle pattern, even if the dog carries the black recessive. Usually, this will be a darker saddle--less than a blanket back, but more than the most common saddle pattern. It can be hard to tell the difference between bicolor and a "blanket back" black/tan dog when they are puppies.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JahFMTrkZy4/VzFkGVVTztI/AAAAAAAAvow/ndF4CVOfP0cIvWcofwcDQyrb6dU-FmTUACKgB/s1600/bicolorJgirl5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JahFMTrkZy4/VzFkGVVTztI/AAAAAAAAvow/ndF4CVOfP0cIvWcofwcDQyrb6dU-FmTUACKgB/s320/bicolorJgirl5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee at 8 weeks old -- toemarks starting to fade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A puppy with the black recessive may have toemarks as puppies and they won't always have much black on their face. The toemarks may remain until the dog is as much as a year old--but they will fade once the dog is an adult. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9VM_SjxG8/VzFk1JQ9JUI/AAAAAAAAvo4/rTdf9tXXU18ghnMFsE6rglMUZQ7WuHJ7wCKgB/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9VM_SjxG8/VzFk1JQ9JUI/AAAAAAAAvo4/rTdf9tXXU18ghnMFsE6rglMUZQ7WuHJ7wCKgB/s320/IMG_1758.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicolor and saddle-back pups at about 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are some examples of bicolor and black/tan pups at about 7-10 weeks old.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4vK_qEUVnY/VzFmxOxecVI/AAAAAAAAvp8/A_zC3rzgLckNFoWcvcpqa08MIiGmxzCNgCKgB/s1600/IMG_1223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4vK_qEUVnY/VzFmxOxecVI/AAAAAAAAvp8/A_zC3rzgLckNFoWcvcpqa08MIiGmxzCNgCKgB/s320/IMG_1223.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl grew up to be a bicolor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aKv6BMJASE/VzFnLr6krII/AAAAAAAAvqM/_-DEzn2-b4wgEAfi1pIho3y5ZxASiQWUwCKgB/s1600/IMG_1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aKv6BMJASE/VzFnLr6krII/AAAAAAAAvqM/_-DEzn2-b4wgEAfi1pIho3y5ZxASiQWUwCKgB/s320/IMG_1382.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Both of these girls grew up to be bicolors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nv_X4aIHKB4/VzFoACLjFDI/AAAAAAAAvqY/zC1pnhAE-OI6g159HpYXWphBlF5-p9XkACKgB/s1600/IMG_1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nv_X4aIHKB4/VzFoACLjFDI/AAAAAAAAvqY/zC1pnhAE-OI6g159HpYXWphBlF5-p9XkACKgB/s320/IMG_1207.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-tan (blanket back)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jWWVt8xZtk/VzFom2AWrYI/AAAAAAAAvqw/3u5sKppBUOInCsW2aGo1gWW_W7nUUfqlACKgB/s1600/IMG_8930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jWWVt8xZtk/VzFom2AWrYI/AAAAAAAAvqw/3u5sKppBUOInCsW2aGo1gWW_W7nUUfqlACKgB/s320/IMG_8930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dark boy lost his toemarks and is a "blanket back" as an adult.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkqYhHNoe1U/VzFonH8wuRI/AAAAAAAAvqw/9fgjtSDpst8pQnu5sV2946jvbWrivwu_ACKgB/s1600/IMG_8996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkqYhHNoe1U/VzFonH8wuRI/AAAAAAAAvqw/9fgjtSDpst8pQnu5sV2946jvbWrivwu_ACKgB/s320/IMG_8996.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Xan - "blanket back"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHBtC1Qinos/VzFpwpHGX1I/AAAAAAAAvq4/EkQsWxscn9Y0iC6cfum6rGWrjBmX1WZhwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHBtC1Qinos/VzFpwpHGX1I/AAAAAAAAvq4/EkQsWxscn9Y0iC6cfum6rGWrjBmX1WZhwCKgB/s320/IMG_8962.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl looks like a "blanket back" at 2 years old, <br />
but I think she will end up looking like her grandmother Nike. </td></tr>
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The degree of masking will also play a big factor in how dark any of these dogs will be. Note that a tanpoint with 2 copies of creeping tan (so, your typical saddle-back dog, with a small saddle that doesn't cover the shoulders) will never produce bicolor because every one of his/her pups will carry at least a single copy of creeping tan.<br />
<br />
I am pretty sure that a black dog or a sable dog can carry the creeping tan modifier. I have had sable dogs who produce no black dogs, but only bicolor when the pup inherits black from one parent and sable from the other. Danca produced sables and bicolors, never black pups when bred to my Coal (who was tanpoint with the black recessive).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojZxClMEiQQ/VzIJwtFSTYI/AAAAAAAAvsQ/-JXi9gvGxL8-HAbsojcptsBJ025gP_34wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1536.danca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojZxClMEiQQ/VzIJwtFSTYI/AAAAAAAAvsQ/-JXi9gvGxL8-HAbsojcptsBJ025gP_34wCLcB/s320/IMG_1536.danca.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danca v Leibnitz, Sch1 - she had light tarheels and toemarks.</td></tr>
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Dance produced my M and L litters out of Coal -- the pups were bicolors and sables.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5bV_tcVWoM/VzILpwMBgjI/AAAAAAAAvss/D8jxiUEyF8w49tvaBFjd_kSMLjgTGqVWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5bV_tcVWoM/VzILpwMBgjI/AAAAAAAAvss/D8jxiUEyF8w49tvaBFjd_kSMLjgTGqVWgCLcB/s320/IMG_3899.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynx and Musket</td></tr>
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A sable who carries "saddle" tanpoint will have a saddle-like pattern and will not have toemarks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ORE9KOPlY/VzIKN5N5biI/AAAAAAAAvsU/NKo2EOwS4dsGtVkrTLk4yXkFN1QEunCTgCLcB/s1600/FrostGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ORE9KOPlY/VzIKN5N5biI/AAAAAAAAvsU/NKo2EOwS4dsGtVkrTLk4yXkFN1QEunCTgCLcB/s320/FrostGA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frostbite v. Pantara, Sch1, KK2</td></tr>
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A homozygous sable (sable/sable) will usually have toemarks, but I haven't seen enough to know whether they always dog. These dogs will only produce sable pups (when breeding "standard" color GSDs).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LToOy2f-9Us/VzIKtWo8aWI/AAAAAAAAvsc/Xbptsn6fiL8p03lTQ0R8_FYellAggfIcwCLcB/s1600/Ackypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LToOy2f-9Us/VzIKtWo8aWI/AAAAAAAAvsc/Xbptsn6fiL8p03lTQ0R8_FYellAggfIcwCLcB/s320/Ackypic.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acky vd Neuen Lande, SchH3<br />
homozygous sable, very richly pigmented. <br />
I think he had very faint toemarks, but my pictures are of poor quality,<br />
and it's hard to tell.</td></tr>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-8451926769711062572016-02-09T01:44:00.000-05:002016-02-09T01:44:30.057-05:00Go Xan, go! -- Joy in the Work<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blackthorn's Xanthippe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Django vh Jurjim x Blackthorn's Jubilee)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JOY</td></tr>
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Thank you to April Attai for these pictures from training at Schutzhund Village!<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-47191189935686321222015-11-21T03:17:00.001-05:002015-11-21T03:21:17.296-05:00Blackthorn T-Shirts available again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://teespring.com/blackthorn-hurdle" target="_blank">Available for a limited time through Teespring!</a> </div>
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All orders from this campaign should arrive before Christmas 2015.</div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/blackthorn-hurdle" target="_blank">https://teespring.com/blackthorn-hurdle</a></div>
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-38202598558472934142015-02-26T13:33:00.000-05:002015-02-26T13:39:53.947-05:00Chasing Dreams - Blackthorn's Z LitterA few months ago, I started trying to get puppies using frozen semen
from Coal. I didn't try to collect him until he was an older dog, so I
was only able to get about 2 breedings' worth stored before he became infertile.<br />
<br />
I
have seen more frozen AI breedings fail than survive, so I tried very,
very hard not to get my hopes up, but inside my head, I was jumping up
and down and crossing my fingers and feeling very superstitious. I
didn't want to jinx it, anything could go wrong at any time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oda--"lightly" pregnant</td></tr>
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I chose Oda for this attempt, a breeding I had planned since Oda was a young dog--only to find that Coal became infertile as he got older. The breeding of Coal's brother Jedi with Oda showed me that I had good reason to believe that I would get what I wanted from this combination--sound, drivey, intelligent, useful, beautiful dogs. Getting feedback from the owners of these puppies was invaluable in being able to make an informed decision.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First picture of the Coal x Oda pups!</td></tr>
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But breeding via frozen (even with semen I own) is, in addition to being a very uncertain venture with a success rate generally lower than 80%, an expensive and time-consuming adventure. It involved three vets, multiple progesterone tests, 4 trips to Richmond over the course of 5 days, and a plethora of vet expenses over the course of the breeding and pregnancy--every step of the way cost money. Picking up the semen from the storage facility involved renting a container ($150), paying the "prep" fee for the storage facility to load the container ($75), and then a variety of expenses from progesterone testing (5 or 6 tests), semen quality analysis, surgical AI, DNA testing of the semen (to get Coal's DNA on record), and ultrasound (one more trip to Richmond) to check for the developing pups, and an xray (another trip to Richmond) to get a final count.<br />
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And, then, on January 17, Oda had four beautiful babies. Every cent and every second were suddenly worth it. <br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-68391246198403647572014-05-31T12:47:00.002-04:002014-05-31T12:47:31.573-04:00Blackthorn's Coal<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>September 25, 2002 - May 31, 2014 </b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodbye my friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You were <i>always </i>a good boy.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Coal, May 31, 2014</td></tr>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-12272517107044987512014-05-20T16:54:00.001-04:002014-05-20T16:55:06.660-04:00X Litter pups Jubilee x Django -- 2.5 weeks
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rEhwe1IjkZ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-5991179733496724142014-05-10T19:10:00.000-04:002014-05-10T19:11:17.687-04:00Oda and her W puppiesI suppose I should do an updated post talking about the V litter out of Xita and Lord (6 pups born Jan 30), and the recently arrived W litter out of Oda and Sumo and the even more recent puppies out of Jubilee and Django (3 girls, 1 boy; May 2), but instead, I'm going to go the easy route and share some adorbs.<br />
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Oda did not think that the Squarepants toy was appropriate for puppies, apparently. Here's the 9 "Soda" pups (for Sumo + Oda), born April 23 (5 boys, 4 girls)--getting their ruckus on.<br />
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<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Vi84DdV93Us" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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p.s.: At this time, all pups are reserved. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-58997725459534987152014-04-13T09:52:00.000-04:002014-04-13T09:53:10.085-04:00OK AgainOn the day Nike was dying, I had just begun to realize that this was not just a case of an upset digestive system when I had to call my father about another matter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike on her 14th birthday</td></tr>
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As I got on the phone with him, I lost control of my voice and started crying on the phone. He was at his office and understandably confused. I told him that Nike was sick and I was scared she wasn't going to make it. "But," I said, "she could be fine, she could be OK--I might be wrong."<br />
<br />
His reply is something that has stuck with me: "Christine, she's not OK. <i>She'll never be OK again.</i>" It took my breath away, because we dog people will lie to ourselves and to each other rather than admit this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorn and Frost</td></tr>
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But that is not my dad--he will not lie to you to let you keep lying to yourself. He had seen Nike the month before, at Thanksgiving--she was full of joy and happy to be surrounded by her family, but she was not "OK." She was having balance issues and her body wouldn't respond to her. She would fall while turning and fall down the porch steps if I wasn't there to help her. She was happy, she was alive, but she was not OK.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3czWD6rxP0/U0qQ0nVXyII/AAAAAAAAkew/BBd8uwDUJHk/s1600/AshenGate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3czWD6rxP0/U0qQ0nVXyII/AAAAAAAAkew/BBd8uwDUJHk/s1600/AshenGate.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know that when my dad said this, he was not just thinking of my Nike, my dog. He was thinking of his wife, my mother, whose body no longer obeys her like it once did. He was thinking of his parents and his friends. He was thinking of himself, his aging body that would <i>never</i> go back to being "all OK."<br />
<br />
And he was telling me the truth, the hard, painful, undeniable reality--they will never be "OK" again. There is no undoing old age. There is no taking back or fixing the failings of an old body. <br />
<br />
And yet... and yet, we go on. We must go on. We love the ones we love, we make them as OK as possible. And we make ourselves as OK as possible with the losing of them.<br />
<br />
We fall in love again with the ones who are just entering this world, who are just now becoming part of our lives. With dogs and humans--and all the other living things we end up loving. We must not let these realities shut us down, close our hearts--or let us deny that they are the truth.<br />
<br />
We who love dogs with their short lives enter into these relationships that we know will end in grief. We choose this grief for the sake of the joy that will come along the way.<br />
<br />
The dogs who have broken my heart--Knight, Frost, Thorn, Enni, Ashen, Nike--I regret none of them. I am richer for the part they played in my life. And there will be others, will be more.<br />
<br />
I have surrounded myself with their lives, so I must watch each of them eventually become <i>Not OK</i>, watch them unbecome, just as I watched them come into being.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiErpp0P7Ck/UzI32QYH0XI/AAAAAAAAkV8/ZXNPYDMCU2o/s1600/IMG_7903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiErpp0P7Ck/UzI32QYH0XI/AAAAAAAAkV8/ZXNPYDMCU2o/s1600/IMG_7903.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mjolnir (Hammer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And I am falling in love right now with two puppies. They are unfolding into complex, funny, intelligent, joyful beings, and with every new unfolding of their personalities, I gain in joy and love for them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBFWIM87Z8w/U0iJinAIo1I/AAAAAAAAkaw/kkyhI1nczDE/s1600/IMG_8095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBFWIM87Z8w/U0iJinAIo1I/AAAAAAAAkaw/kkyhI1nczDE/s1600/IMG_8095.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And one day, it will be me who will be <i>not OK</i>. And that's a truth too that I am facing more and more. But we go on. Because we must. Because there is no other acceptable option.<br />
<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-15405740568270083202014-01-09T23:01:00.003-05:002014-01-09T23:02:23.606-05:00Throwback Thursday: Nike and Quin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BskYQrBXmpU/Us9uuQER-lI/AAAAAAAAi78/1GmeiVgnNh8/s1600/Nike-Quin001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BskYQrBXmpU/Us9uuQER-lI/AAAAAAAAi78/1GmeiVgnNh8/s1600/Nike-Quin001.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike (left) and Quin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This picture was taken at Blitzburg Schutzhund Club, probably around 2001. I think it was a trial day, but I'm not positive on that. Picture was taken by Dana Gribben. Despite how similar these two girls were in looks, they are almost completely unrelated to each other.<br />
<br />
Quin: <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=410302-hellequin-vom-eichenluft">http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=410302-hellequin-vom-eichenluft</a><br />
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Nike: <a href="http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=512075-ike-vom-del-u-haus">http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=512075-ike-vom-del-u-haus</a><br />
<br />
Quin was owned by my much-missed friend Glyn Clayton. She is the dog in this well-known picture of Glyn's daughter Samantha, which appeared on the cover of the SV magazine in Germany. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y5yUhin_-s/Us9vipmq74I/AAAAAAAAi8E/a5Qo0rPNhNg/s1600/heeling5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y5yUhin_-s/Us9vipmq74I/AAAAAAAAi8E/a5Qo0rPNhNg/s1600/heeling5.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha and Quin, photo by Molly Graf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-27466521922926376452013-12-20T11:47:00.004-05:002013-12-20T11:47:43.315-05:00Nike - Ike v Del U Haus, Sch2, KK2 <h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
</h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Nike - Ike v Del U Haus, Sch2, KK2 <br /> July 27, 1998 - December 19, 2013 </span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><br />Nike
left me yesterday--her body, at the end, failing suddenly and
unrelentingly. She bled out, probably from a tumor in her intestines. </span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">She had 15 amazing years on this earth and touched more lives than I can
count through her own self, her puppies, and her grandpuppies. Her legacy will go on.<br /><br />She faced every challenge with joy and recovered from every setback with a grin. She taught me that if you can't change it, make it yours. Never do anything halfheartedly. Don't be afraid to demand the things you want. And always accept love when it comes your way.</span></span></span></span></h5>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ff9cp75B4hs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Thank you for sharing your life with me, Nike. </span></span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span></span></span></h5>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-6434983051549750402013-12-17T16:00:00.006-05:002013-12-17T16:03:48.382-05:00Happy XitaIn mid-November, Xita flew to Washington state to meet up with the <a href="http://www.timberhausk-9.com/Lord.html" target="_blank">Lord</a>, the sire of her future litter. All went well, so she should have puppies toward the end of January! <br />
<br />
It was a very tough decision to put her on a plane, but I thought she would handle it with aplomb. Indeed she did.<br />
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Nevertheless, both she and I are very, very glad she's back here in Virginia. Today, she held a little party for herself. :)<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-70682682561995970502013-12-08T14:12:00.003-05:002013-12-08T14:12:35.572-05:00Nemi's Lifelong Love Affair - with the Booda Ball<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5msFsDiZ58/TrGOrdaaqDI/AAAAAAAAQ1c/yT3C6Xij7uE/s1600/IMG_8942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5msFsDiZ58/TrGOrdaaqDI/AAAAAAAAQ1c/yT3C6Xij7uE/s640/IMG_8942.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 years</td></tr>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-7016940044081967052013-11-13T08:25:00.002-05:002013-11-13T08:25:44.392-05:00WW: Jubilee Does Good<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee earned the 3rd leg of her Herding Started title and won her class this Sunday.</td></tr>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-65504616739609309482013-11-06T15:02:00.001-05:002013-11-06T15:02:40.736-05:00(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: My Girls (and Flint, excluding Jubilee)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike, Ruffian, Flint, Oda, Xita, Bo, Nemi</td></tr>
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<br />
Three seconds later....<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-62930149701230362462013-10-24T12:46:00.001-04:002013-10-24T12:53:56.832-04:00How many litters?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was recently asked a question that
led me to write out a bunch of thoughts that have been germinating for some time.
After writing it all up for her, I thought it might be worth sharing with a
larger audience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ---------</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my job as a humane educator, I
am often called on to promote the adoption of shelter dogs over anything else,
and spend a fair amount of time teaching people the difference between a
"puppy mill" and a "responsible breeder." I have a general
list of things that I give people to think about, but I am always refining my
own personal thoughts and feelings about such topics, so I thought I would
throw it out there for more input in tweaking my list and counseling people who
for whatever reason choose to purchase a dog rather than getting one from a
sheltering situation, as obviously I have myself on several occasions. I can
easily articulate my own reasoning and criteria, but I always like to add to
the list of things to look for and things to avoid.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have heard you should
"never" breed a bitch more than once a year or certainly never back
to back, and that a bitch should be never be bred more than 4 times etc... and
I don't know that these "commandments" are necessarily all that black
and white. How do you decide how often to breed a bitch and when to retire--even
if she is an exceptional mother producing wonderful pups like Xita is? How much
is too much? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">---------</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't think
it's that clear-cut — a single number is not going to be the right answer for
all cases, and I think it's a false premise to try to dictate one-size-fits-all
rules. I have bred Xita back to back once already—after she went 8 months
between heat cycles. So, I will breed two seasons in a row if the dog is in
good shape and it's the right decision for many other reasons. However, one
must always place great importance on the welfare and happiness of the dog.
That can't be broken down into a simple rubric of A is right and B is wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First off,
the question arises: What is the objection to breeding? What is really the
reason this is argued to be a bad thing?</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it
overpopulation? </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it the
fear of finding good homes for the puppies? </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it a
concern for appeasing someone else's agenda? </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it concern
for "oversaturating" the breed with a certain bloodline? </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it fear
for the health of the female in the short or long term? <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGY5M5nBJdE/URhV8I0YfQI/AAAAAAAAZBQ/Ssdo9_r7b-8/s1600/IMG_3087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGY5M5nBJdE/URhV8I0YfQI/AAAAAAAAZBQ/Ssdo9_r7b-8/s400/IMG_3087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Loch, RN, OFA Excellent, spent his first 4 years as an active companion. <br />
His owner was unable to keep him, so he came back to me. <br />
He is now training for his "second career" as a mobility service dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As far as overpopulation, I
think of the following questions: Are the puppies being produced likely to end
up in a shelter; are the people who would be interested in these puppies ones
who would otherwise be getting a dog from rescue or a shelter; are the puppies
able to contribute something that is hard to find elsewhere? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To reply, I look at what is happening with the
puppies I am responsible for producing. These puppies come with lifetime
support and also a “golden parachute”—any puppy of mine can come back to me at
any time. The homes that are found are carefully selected and no pup should
ever end up in a shelter or rescue situation (hasn't happened in 17 years as
far as I know). The people getting puppies from me have considered and discarded
the idea of rescue and shelter dogs for various reasons—but whenever it seems
like that might be the better choice, I do mention it as an option. The reasons
why they want a purebred GSD are varied—but in all cases, I know that it has
been a thoroughly considered decision.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The second objection depends
entirely on the breeder and the market--I have not had problems finding homes
and I have the means and space to keep any dog until such time as it finds an
appropriate home. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oKQ3HX1Mfc/TRjZanRnOwI/AAAAAAAALzY/d094T_2V_rU/s1600/IMG_6964.Outlaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oKQ3HX1Mfc/TRjZanRnOwI/AAAAAAAALzY/d094T_2V_rU/s400/IMG_6964.Outlaw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outlaw and Musket -- both stayed with me until they were young adults. <br />
Outlaw is now titled in Rally and is working as a Therapy Dog in a VA hospital. Musket is working toward SAR certification.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The third objection, appeasing
someone else's agenda, or making a decision just because it's "said"
to be the right action, I discard out of hand--I refuse to make my decisions
based on some generic dogma. I would rather base my decisions on facts, the dogs
before me, and current best practice as determined both by years of experience
and scientific research.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpx886ghIJk/UEwZTBRjXDI/AAAAAAAAWxo/DdL-2nXZILQ/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpx886ghIJk/UEwZTBRjXDI/AAAAAAAAWxo/DdL-2nXZILQ/s400/IMG_0108.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorns' Oda, RN, PT (OFA H&E)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As far as concern for
"oversaturating" the breed--from Xita's first litter, one female (Oda) has
been bred (in 3.5 years, so far), two more (Organa, herding titled, OFA Excellent, and Onyx, Int. Ch, RA, BN, TDI, OFA Good) may be bred but haven't yet been. In
her 2nd litter, no puppies will reproduce--the females have all been spayed and
the males have no plans to be bred (neutered, or in a non-breeding working
home). In her 3rd litter, the dogs are too young (about 18 months), but only
one of the females is unspayed; 2 of the males and 1 of the females are working
toward titles and health certifications and *may* be bred. Her 4th litter is
still younger.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In Xita's case, we are also
starting with some rare bloodlines that are hard to find and even more rare to
find where they are being bred with careful regard for health, temperament, and
titles. (So many good DDR bloodlines are now most commonly found in the hands of
breeders who pay no attention to titles, have little knowledge or regard for
the breed standard, and all too often don't even x-ray hips or elbows on the
dogs they breed.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10JVGCb3aFA/TAr6oEvZWKI/AAAAAAAAG-U/3cYI1fa4fmU/s1600/IMG_2394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10JVGCb3aFA/TAr6oEvZWKI/AAAAAAAAG-U/3cYI1fa4fmU/s400/IMG_2394.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V Xita vom Ludwigseck, Sch1, Kk1a</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Xita herself is V-rated
(“Excellent” conformation evaluation), schutzhund titled, and breed surveyed
(this entails hip and elbow x-rays, a dental exam, measurement of height and
weight, two separate conformation evaluations, a 12-mile endurance test, and a
working title in either IPO/schutzhund or herding), and she comes from generation
upon generation of V-rated, breed surveyed, working titled dogs. (Not all of
the dogs I breed are surveyed or schutzhund titled, but I still place great
value on the genetic history that comes with a pedigree full of dogs who were
screened carefully before breeding.) Xita’s breeder (and her family) have been
in the breed for more than 50 years in Germany, so she was produced with those
years of knowledge going into creating her. Her puppies are working as therapy
and education dogs, SAR dogs, service dogs (in various areas), and in herding,
obedience, agility, tracking, and schutzhund. They are versatile and generally healthy
and very sane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So I find the fear of
oversaturation inapplicable in this case.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSHxyBeArf4/UNfIrEEjMAI/AAAAAAAAYNQ/WdLyQ2mGz50/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSHxyBeArf4/UNfIrEEjMAI/AAAAAAAAYNQ/WdLyQ2mGz50/s400/IMG_2758.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn's Oda, RN, PT (OFA Good H&E)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The primary objection that I
place value on, then, is concern for the health and welfare of the breeding
female. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu4lt-r2SEE/UH22VoxgKSI/AAAAAAAAXmY/inP360Y3oNo/s1600/IMG_1204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In and of itself, having
puppies does not cut a bitch's life short, it doesn't "suck the life"
out of her. It doesn't shorten her lifespan, either. Some research has found
that females not spayed until after 5 years of age live an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">average</i> of 3 years longer than females spayed in their first year.
Nike had 7 litters, her last one born when she was 9 (her last litter was going
to be the I litter, but she made no girls in that litter, so I tried one more
time to get a Nike-Ash daughter--the J pups). She's now 15 and in better shape
than any GSD I've ever seen at this age. Another friend of mine had a bitch
live to be 16--that female had 4 or 5 litters in her lifetime. Breeding does
*not* reduce a female's lifespan in and of itself.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GapOmiMVQpI/UBNfqg_i3jI/AAAAAAAAWJ4/i-hQ0-lSwhM/s1600/IMG_1612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GapOmiMVQpI/UBNfqg_i3jI/AAAAAAAAWJ4/i-hQ0-lSwhM/s400/IMG_1612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike (Ike v Del U Haus, Sch2, KK2, OFA) at age 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If proper nutritional support
is given, a female will should recover quickly from her litter. In her last
litter, Xita <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gained weight</i> after
giving birth and while nursing her pups. Breeding back to back is not
inherently a problem for a female--in fact, many reproductive vets recommend
breeding back to back to back while a female is young--they say it is harder on
a female's uterus to go through heat cycles without getting pregnant. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu4lt-r2SEE/UH22VoxgKSI/AAAAAAAAXmY/inP360Y3oNo/s1600/IMG_1204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu4lt-r2SEE/UH22VoxgKSI/AAAAAAAAXmY/inP360Y3oNo/s400/IMG_1204.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xita, after caring for a litter of 12 puppies (S litter) for 7 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However, if a female is left
to fend for herself in a rabbit hutch in the back yard or chained to a dog
house in the mud, yes, of course she is going to go down in health with the
nutritional drain of the puppies. But the problem there isn't that she is
having puppies, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it's that she's not given proper care or nutrition in the first place.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All that said, having puppies
is inherently hazardous to your female. Bitches can die during or after labor.
A c-section is major surgery—one that will risk her life. It is not a decision
to be made lightly--for human or animal. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-08ULD-lqTrc/TBwiD9iWcpI/AAAAAAAAHn4/2AqndENp1Hg/s1600/IMG_3377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-08ULD-lqTrc/TBwiD9iWcpI/AAAAAAAAHn4/2AqndENp1Hg/s400/IMG_3377.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter with one of the N puppies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When looking at how many
litters a female has and at what age you stop breeding her, I think it’s as important
to look at when a female starts having puppies. Hunter had 2 small litters at
ages 4 and 5 and was done—not because of any decision of mine, but because she
could never get pregnant again. Jubilee’s first litter was at age 4, and I
think that was too late—I think her body would have been more receptive if
she’d been bred younger (she had a more difficult time breeding and giving
birth than I would have liked). Xita’s first litter was after she turned 3.
Oda’s first litter was when she was 2.5. Nike’s first litter was born when she
was nearly 3.5. These are adults who begin having puppies—they’ve been given
the chance to mature fully both mentally and physically. They had time to
demonstrate both their true personality and their general health—they’ve been
evaluated as adults, not based on how they seemed at 8 months or 12 months or
18 months. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kB3E5RPb_8Q/TGRA_vCexAI/AAAAAAAAJsk/cMOmTRLy4Y0/s1600/IMG_3790.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kB3E5RPb_8Q/TGRA_vCexAI/AAAAAAAAJsk/cMOmTRLy4Y0/s400/IMG_3790.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike age 13, surrounded by grandchildren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One thing I keep in mind, too,
is the desirability of breeding for long-lived dogs—not dogs who die at age 2
or 3 or 5, but trying to breed for dogs who will live, as a matter of course,
10 years or 12 years or 15 years. It takes a very long-term outlook to try for
this—because, of course, you pretty much can’t breed a bitch who has already
demonstrated her longevity (although, there is some opportunity using frozen
semen from males), because by the time she has demonstrated her healthy
long-lived genes, she is too old to have puppies. But, at the minimum, in
seeking to breed for longevity, there is much to be said for breeding an older
female who has demonstrated her physical, genetic, hardiness and overall good physical
and mental soundness well into maturity (as well as her ability to pass on
those elements to her puppies), and much to be said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">against </i>breeding a bitch or dog who is very young.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsISzil99ck/Ug7sKUadYzI/AAAAAAAAgDc/MoGDb_6anX8/s1600/IMG_5803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsISzil99ck/Ug7sKUadYzI/AAAAAAAAgDc/MoGDb_6anX8/s400/IMG_5803.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xita and a couple of the U puppies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The other question I never
hear brought up is whether a bitch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likes</i>
having puppies. Danca was very clearly *done* at age 7--the pups hit 3 weeks, I
started feeding them, and she pretty much walked away with hardly a glance
back. She was bored with it and didn't want to take care of pups any more.
Nike, at age 10, was still trying to convince me that she could take better
care of Danca's puppies than Danca could and that I should just give them all
to her. She felt that way until she was about 12--then she finally stopped
trying to sneak into the whelping boxes. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Is a bitch bored or fulfilled
by having the pups? Do they enter into the endeavor happily and enjoy the process—breeding,
pregnancy, tending puppies, feeding, weaning, and then playing with them? In
Xita's case, she absolutely enjoys every part of the process--she especially
seems to love hanging out with and teaching her puppies from the age of 4-8
weeks--she teaches them to nurse without biting her and lets them nurse up past
8 weeks! She teaches them how to play and how to read dog language. Even though
Oda is 3 now, she still enjoy her daughter’s company in a very motherly way.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ey4MfX-b2GY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, for me, in my decision
process, I don't weight the number of litters very heavily. My general rule of
thumb is that if I do a back-to-back breeding (which I very seldom have done),
then I will make sure the mom gets a year off afterwards. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlAUn4QNlQQ/UHi5dZYJeBI/AAAAAAAAXWQ/o3_nzEAXfsY/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlAUn4QNlQQ/UHi5dZYJeBI/AAAAAAAAXWQ/o3_nzEAXfsY/s400/IMG_2215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee and her son Storm (Reckless)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I try to make sure my females
are happy and fulfilled and healthy. I try to make sure that they enjoy being
bred, they enjoy being mothers, and that they enjoy living here whether or not
they are pregnant. The pregnant girls get lots of extra attention, so they also tend to enjoy that aspect of motherhood.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO51KtF6skQ/UHi5g-EL-fI/AAAAAAAAXWs/YI1_Fz-vcbg/s1600/IMG_2216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO51KtF6skQ/UHi5g-EL-fI/AAAAAAAAXWs/YI1_Fz-vcbg/s400/IMG_2216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lO51KtF6skQ/UHi5g-EL-fI/AAAAAAAAXWs/YI1_Fz-vcbg/s1600/IMG_2216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One final aspect that I
haven't mentioned so far, and that none of the propaganda talks about, is how
are the puppies turning out? Are they healthy? Are they physically sound? Are
they attractive physically--are they correct for the breed? Are they good at
whatever their jobs may be? Are they capable of doing what they are bred to do?
In the case of my dogs, I am breeding for versatility—not just for one sport or
one job or just to be pets. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, then, are they better than <i>most</i>
of the other GSDs out there? Are they an improvement on the breed? (Tens of
thousands of GSDs are bred in the US every year. I haven't seen the more recent
figures, but back around 1999, I think it was 65,000 AKC registered GSD pups in
a year!)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L567zAjFp80/UHi5jNb2X4I/AAAAAAAAXXA/PobK8vzvjEE/s1600/IMG_2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L567zAjFp80/UHi5jNb2X4I/AAAAAAAAXXA/PobK8vzvjEE/s400/IMG_2227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, I have come around to
thinking that it is far better to produce <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">healthy,
sane, handsome, correct</i> puppies, as long as there are people who are
interested in them from me, than it is to try to bend to someone else's idea of
what is OK or not OK to do.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyQBPCXQHcA/T7bQLk89tdI/AAAAAAAAUBE/xWBQYXnv2Rg/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyQBPCXQHcA/T7bQLk89tdI/AAAAAAAAUBE/xWBQYXnv2Rg/s400/IMG_0494.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy momma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If all the good, responsible,
careful people who want to breed are deterred by all the rules and propaganda
from breeding because they are trying to do what they are told is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right,</i> then we will be left with the
vast majority of puppies being produced by those who don't care what others say
is right, who don't care about the well-being of their females or their puppies,
and who don't try to take a responsible and well-educated approach to breeding.
</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There's no way that can be a
good result.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-277673531270271462013-09-23T14:38:00.002-04:002013-09-23T14:43:15.884-04:00Guest blog: Are You a Dog Person? <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today, the Throw the Ball! blog is privileged to host a guest post by Julia Priest. Julia is a longtime breeder of many accomplished and useful working GSDs (<a href="http://www.vonsontausen.com/" target="_blank">http://www.vonsontausen.com/</a>), dog trainer (<a href="http://www.coachforcanines.com/" target="_blank">http://www.coachforcanines.com/</a>), former K9 officer, and someone I feel very lucky to call a friend (she is the one directly responsible for Nike joining my life!). She is a tracking expert, has titled multiple dogs to the Sch3 level, and has competed nationally with dogs of her own breeding in various venues, in addition, she has helped many a pet person find ways to happily live with and enjoy their much loved "pet" dogs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<h2 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent">Are You a Dog Person? </span></span></h2>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Why do you want a dog? I know why I want one.. or two or three.</span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">I want dogs so that I can share in their splendid natural abilities. I
treasure their phenomenal gifts for scenting, for hunting, for gathering
stock, for interspecies communication, their adaptability for service
and companionship, and because I think they are beautiful. They are
beautiful to touch and to look at. <br /> <br /> There are few things more
inspiring to watch then a beautifully put together dog or three running
full out in a verdant field or on a stretch of beach and covering ground
with joyful abandon. I love their ability to comfort us, to absorb our
moods and to forgive our poor communication skills and somehow "get it"
anyway, because they derive satisfaction from being with us. <br /> </span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></h5>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFEqasYawx0/UkCJKoKmq_I/AAAAAAAAhOQ/eXlaibhzLpU/s1600/Julia-Priest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFEqasYawx0/UkCJKoKmq_I/AAAAAAAAhOQ/eXlaibhzLpU/s1600/Julia-Priest.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-measureme="1" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="null">Reza von Sontausen Bh TD GN.SAR and LE Trailing K9,</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> romps with <span data-measureme="1"><span class="null">PAM Nick Nik von Sontausen SchH3 WD3 IPO3 UDT PT North American SchH2 Champion, NW Regional SchH3 Champion, multiple HIT</span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo by Micky Adams</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">
Anyone who says the dog only loves who feeds him has not observed the
myriad videos of dogs greeting their people as they return from months
or even years away. Someone else fed that dog the whole time, but the
dog’s unfettered joy at the reunion when “ daddy’s home” can not
possibly be mistaken for a ploy to be given a "cookie."<br /> <br /> But at
times I wonder why some people get a dog. I work with a lot of “pet
people.” This is something of a pejorative to those of us who deem
ourselves actual “dog people.” <br /> <br /> Pet people want their dogs not
to do lots of things. It seems they want an ornament or an object to be
stroked when they feel like it, and then it should shut up and go away
and not do anything until they wish to pet it again. When I ask them
their goals for their dog, they commence to recite a long list of what
they want him not to do: Don't jump. Don't lick. Don’t dig in the
garden. Don't take food. Don’t get in the garbage. Don't pull on the
leash. Don't bark. Don’t chew. Don't shed. Don’t step in this room. Oh,
and “I want him to mind.” Which means listen to me when I tell you not
to do something. <br /> <br /> I am not suggesting for a moment that dogs be
allowed to run amok and misbehave and damage property or annoy people.
But the “don’t ” can’t be the whole focus or your relationship. If you
embrace and guide what the dog can do, most of the “ don’ts” take care
of themselves. <br /> <br /> Sometimes I feel sad that their greatest wish
for this amazing little beast is that is contains itself and doesn’t get
into any trouble. They have no plans to discover and enjoy the dog’s
natural talents. For them, I recommend a stuffed or digital pet. Dog
people revel in what their dogs can do. But that by no means suggests
that our dogs are not pets, as in cuddling, stroke-able, play-worthy
beloved companions who often monopolize most of our waking thought.<br /> <br />
I am a professional dog trainer. But you know what? Sometimes my dog
gets on the counter and steals peanut butter. When she does, I think
about why I was so dumb as to leave it out on the counter, and I
certainly correct her if I see her going for it in my view, but she is
so much more to me than her naughty behavior. I am much more focused on
the fact that when I have been stuck and lost my keys somewhere in a 10
acre field , she can and has found them for me. That I can feel safe
traveling cross country and sleeping in motels with only my dogs for
company because of their remarkable trained ability to behave politely
yet effectively defend me against real threat. I think about how happy
and proud I feel when we compete in a performance event and I get
awarded a blue ribbon. Yes, I get the ribbon. My dog could care less
about “her” titles and placements, but I get to feel happy and proud and
if I am honest I must say I like it a little when others are a tad
envious of her retrieves or his heeling. <br /> <br /> Even more so, I am
thrilled and proud beyond measure when a dog I have bred and placed
changes lives by protecting a police officer, catching a dangerous
felon, guiding a blind person, tracking and saving the lives of lost or
injured people, locating vital evidence and closing cases. Its what they
can do that makes me adore them. The only thing I fervently wish my
dogs would not do is grow old and die so soon. Their lives enrich mine
so plentifully with all that they do. Maybe because I concentrate on
that and not so much on the “don’ts”<br /> <br /> copyright 2013-Julia Priest</span></span></span></h5>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-80131329549213276172013-09-20T13:17:00.000-04:002013-09-20T13:17:33.047-04:00What I Did This SummerThere was frost on my windshield Wednesday morning. I was up early (pre-dawn, omg!) to go herding with Jubilee and Oda. I have been dramatically remiss in updating this summer, and there's no reason other than I was doing stuff with my dogs! Good enough. Still, I took lots of pictures over the summer, and so I'll try to do a quick update.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXqZSjGta0Q/UYZxiPVykwI/AAAAAAAAbWk/XOJghec0rOk/s1600/IMG_4246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXqZSjGta0Q/UYZxiPVykwI/AAAAAAAAbWk/XOJghec0rOk/s400/IMG_4246.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie and HRD SAR K9 Nash (Nike x Ash - Blackthorn's Inigo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back in early May, we had a training weekend in Bath County. Lynx is the dog I was training in HRD work, and he went to live with a friend in Florida in April (he is now doing competitive agility, obed/rally, lure coursing, dock diving, personal protection training, and soon, nosework! He needed more "work" to be happy, and he's in the perfect place for that!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7FVOs5VEtE/Ujx2XkXyLMI/AAAAAAAAg5o/-CAOh2tm8Zg/s1600/Macy+%2526+Lynx+tug+of+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7FVOs5VEtE/Ujx2XkXyLMI/AAAAAAAAg5o/-CAOh2tm8Zg/s320/Macy+%2526+Lynx+tug+of+war.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynx and his sister Macy in Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't even remember June. Things happened. I tried to get the pool to go from jade green to clear blue, with slow, slow progress. The dogs swam nevertheless.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGNSjI68L_0/Ujx7abJX23I/AAAAAAAAg-w/I3kcb9QPG3Q/s1600/20130628_163156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGNSjI68L_0/Ujx7abJX23I/AAAAAAAAg-w/I3kcb9QPG3Q/s320/20130628_163156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blitz and Ruffian and Flint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
June 30th, the U-litter puppies were born! That always throws everything out of whack for me for a while--it usually involves at least one all-nighter if not two, and it just sucks all my attention for a while like a black hole of puppydom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xita and the Uppies</td></tr>
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July... wow, I don't even. Life occurred. It was good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nemi & Hunter in front; Flint, Blitz, and Coal in back</td></tr>
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Nike turned 15 on July 27, so she got cake and pictures with three of her kids:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter, Nike, Coal, Jubilee</td></tr>
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In August, it was surprisingly fall-like--cooler than normal. But there
were a few adventures and the pool stayed blue! Sunny came to visit while she was in heat, and
her sister Josie came for a play date. Nemi turned 2 on August 31. Sumo
came to visit for a week. And there were puppies....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny (Solstice) and Josie (Sweet Josephine)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny (Solstice) and Josie (Sweet Josephine)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nemi and Sumo</td></tr>
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That brings us up to September. I'll save that for another post!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-15897369390492854822013-08-23T11:54:00.001-04:002013-08-23T11:55:09.934-04:00The Xuper Duper Xumo Pups.... Should I name one Umo?I am so behind on updating, it's ridiculous. Don't have time now, instead, have a slideshow. (Warning--100s of pictures!)<br />
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Xita and Sumo puppies, born June 30, 2013. 5 girls, 3 boys.<br />
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/picasaweb.googleusercontent.com/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F100619446956993754435%2Falbumid%2F5876034315484958097%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2712055975616451356.post-47530205601805217342013-07-03T19:04:00.002-04:002013-07-03T19:04:11.322-04:00Blackthorn Gear StoreSome folks have been after me for years to create a Blackthorn Kennel t-shirt, so I finally pulled something together using some fabulous designs made from pictures of Nike working as a young dog.<br />
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<a href="http://blog.blackthornkennel.com/p/blackthorn-gear-store.html" target="_blank">Blackthorn Gear Store</a><br />
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I pretty much "created" this store from scratch, so 1,001 apologies if anything is wrong. I will order the first batch of shirts on July 10th--it will take 2-3 weeks for them to get printed and delivered. After this first set of orders, I will not always have shirts in stock or have the store "open"--I'm learning as I go along!
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604222824925980526noreply@blogger.com0