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.