Dogs and things

Thursday 27th March.

It goes without saying that the number one priority for any breeder is to protect the interests of the breed. We do this in the first instance, by educating ourselves in all things relating to our particular breed, ie attending and participating in dog shows, attending breed seminars, membership of Regional clubs, keeping up to date with the latest research etc. When our puppies arrive we should carefully select prospective new owners and offer help and support as required. I like to think I do all of these things but one thing I will not do is tie new owners up in long winded contracts that protect the interest of the breeder rather than the dog. Most new owners want a pet, whether the dog is a correctly marked example of the breed or a pet quality puppy. Pet quality puppies should always be sold as such with a restriction to neuter at a sensible age.(not as a puppy) Sometimes someone comes along who stresses an interest in breeding at a future date. I always make clear that before breeding is undertaken, a sound knowledge of the breed is required and of course the dog in question should have the necessary health tests carried out.
I also encourage the new owner to be aware of health issues relating to our breed and to be able to detect dermoid sinus.

I was given enormous help and support by prominent breeders in Scotland during my first two litters and never once was I made to feel that my intentions were anything other than honorable.

I received a mail the other day which made me feel very angry and sad all at the same time. It was from a woman who bought a very nice bitch from me from my first litter here in the US. She stated she would be interested in breeding at a future date. She had bred dogs before but not Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I was very supportive of this and promised to help her any way I could , I also thought her dog would add some very positive attributes to the breed. She attended the local shows and was attracted to a dog who was owned by a lady who had a contract with the breeder. She fulfilled her part of the contract or so she thought, in that she campaigned him with the assistance of a handler to his championship title. She is not a joint owner which is the preferred method if the breeder wants to keep control of a particular dog.

It would seem the breeder is making things very difficult for these two people to go ahead with a mating even though they have both been responsible but what has made me furious is one of the requests the breeder is demanding is a five year generation history of my dogs and their relatives. He wants to know about ridgeless puppies, puppies with dermoid sinus, ridge history etc. To say this over the top is an under statement but It also calls into question my integrity as a breeder.

Which brings me to the subject of health screening. Of course I think It is a good thing but there are limits. In the Uk the kennel club asks Ridgeback breeders, as do the regional clubs, to screen for hip dysplasia. Some breeders are now screening elbows, but It is not required. The Ridgeback breed in the UK is not known for having thyroid problems, cardiac problems or eye problems. I visited the UK kennel club yesterday to see what the latest recommendations were. A recent survey of Ridgebacks showed a 2% incidence of hypothyroidism with similar levels for cardiac problems. The Kennel Club have 2 lists relating to health screening requirements, the first are breeds that must have breed related testing and the second is a list of breeds that are susceptible to certain conditions where it advisable but not compulsory to undertake testing. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is not on either of these lists.

My dogs are all from British /European lines and I comply with my kennel club guidelines. When I first moved to the US I had Kasidi and Raiza tested for thyroid function at my local vets, they were of course within normal limits. I know they are within normal limits and I do not have a burning desire to make It official through the OFA as I am yet to be convinced It is really essential. My next task is to discover whether American Ridgebacks have real health issues with their thyroid function, eyes and hearts or are they just tested for testings sake.

Yesterday I read on the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Of Great Britains website that there could be, as soon as this year, a test for dermoid sinus,now that is a test that is needed for our breed and I would be more than happy to test my dogs for that.

Lela, because she was born in the USA has commenced her testing and as previously stated on this blog, she has normal elbows and good hips. I will speak to my vet about the other tests but I suspect to (conform) I will get them done.

The girls are doing well. Ruby's appetite is hit and miss. They will go to the vets next week for X Ray and examination.

I have a young pig who is 4 months old that will be bacon come the autumn and 2 lambs are soon to be born that will also join the Kaskazini clan.

Dogs and things

Saturday 23rd of March.

Dermoid Sinus is a condition that is prevalent in our breed and although I have never had a puppy with this condition I strive to take preventative measures against It. Current recommendations are to administer high doses of folic acid to pregnant bitches.
Dermoid sinus can be likened to spina bifada in humans. The recommended dose is 5 mg and I have been administering folic acid prior to mating Kasidi as It was a planned mating and to Ruby from the first day of mating. Anything that can eliminate this condition from our breed is good enough for me.

All of my animals have fallen out with me this week as everyone has been wormed, the cats in particular are very upset with me. Kasidi arrived at day 40 today so she has commenced her daily worming regime. I camouflage the bitter tasting medicine with cream and It seems to do the trick. Both she and Ruby know the routine now of receiving their medication, the folic acid is presented to them either wrapped in a piece of ham or enveloped in philly cheese and they absolutely love it.

Both girls are growing by the day, Ruby outwards and Kasidi downwards. Its incredible how differently they carry their puppies.

My daughter Olivia, who usually is my right hand man during whelping will be in Spain this time around so I am currently looking for someone to help me with the puppies. Mark, I suspect will be in the Uk so I might have to tempt Alex, my son, with some financial incentive. Four out of the five litters i have had have arrived during the night. It would be a miracle if the puppies could arrive during the day but somehow I think they will come during the night.

Dogs and things

Monday 17th March.

I returned from my trip and although we can never be sure, It does look as if both girls are in whelp. They are both looking rather rotund and their teats are very enlarged, they are also very hungry all of the time. While I was at Crufts I was able to buy some panacur 10% which is a worming medicine that is safe to use for bitches in whelp. (For some reason It is not available in the US ) so I will begin a daily worming regime from day 40 which for Ruby is Wednesday and Kasidi Saturday. We always assume our dogs are infected with worms and I feel much more comfortable being able to start worming asap. This will greatly reduce the likelyhood of the puppies being infected.

Crufts was very exciting, spread over a 20 acre site in 4 halls and with visitor numbers in excess of 50 thousand over the 4 days, stamina was definitely needed. The Ridgeback entry was diverse in that we had a number of dogs from all over Europe and a couple from the USA. The judging was inconsistent but the best dog went to the American Kimani dog and best bitch went to Veltkammer Lady done a Bunk who also took BOB and went through to the final cut in the group. She happens to hold the British record for the amount of CC's awarded.

I have received the OFA results for Lela and they are elbows normal and hips good so that is a relief. All of that free running from an early age and the fact she was in season when she was X rayed have had no bearing on the result.

All of the dogs are sunbathing on the deck at the moment, a little taste of warmer weather to come , although It is sunny today It is still very cold.

My plan with Ruby and kasidi is to wait a couple of weeks and then have them X Rayed to see how many puppies can be seen. According to my dates, Ruby will be due on the 12th April and Kasidi the 15th. In the past Ruby has been early and Kasidi late so I am keeping my fingers crossed this will not be the case this time round.