I wrote this tonight as part of a response to a person looking for a BT who was unsure of what a breeder was saying in their dialog.
I would invest some time and go see the puppies when available and meet the breeder. I think you may be more impressed than one email may suggest. Remember what I said about getting a leg up in the breeder's "puppy home list" by having a personal , face-to-face relationship with a breeder. You are basically an unknown quantity to her and are asking her to part with one of her "kids' kids". One of her extended family. Like many things in life, to get the one you want, you may need to sell yourself while evaluating her and her dogs. In some ways, picking a dog is a lot like picking a spouse - you just don't get to have as much of a courtship! Don't be afraid to go with your gut, but don't be afraid to not take one if none seem what you want. The worst mistake is taking a dog you dont really really want because you are afraid you won't find another one. There will always be another one. Keep hunting! What you want is as close to "THE ONE" as you can imagine at that time. None will be perfect. But you and I aren't either. These are great dogs and they will worm their way into your heart and make you a different person at the same time.
A dog is for life as we discussed on Sat. You are looking at 11 to 15 years with this dog. So do what's best for the dog FIRST and yourself next. You will make that choice many times in your life with your dog. Choosing a dog ain't easy but it's a heck of alot of fun! So go, enjoy the ride and have some fun while you learn!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Picking Breeding Stock
How does one increase the odds of getting a nice puppy from a breeding? Is going to a famous or top-name kennel sufficient? What about the small breeder who only breeds a litter every year or two? Would they be a better bet?
When two dogs are bred, the laws of genetics take over in all cases and will determine the quality of dogs produced. Two dogs of so-so genetics will produce only so-so dogs ON AVERAGE at best. Every once in awhile, even so-so dogs can produce a beautiful, show-winning specimen. But it will be rare, if ever. And it will likely not breed true.
When choosing a breeder one has to look beyond size and even reputation. Look at the dogs themselves. A big breeder whose emphasis is on breeding top show dogs may produce many puppies by a chosen sire using several bitches. If they take the top dog or dogs and show them, their reputaion as a "top breeder" based upon show results will likely remain intact or even be enhanced. But these litters are still governed by the statistics of genetic law. There will be a standard distribution (bell curve) about some mean or average quality level. That level is set primarily by the parents' levels of quality. There will be a few dogs of better quality, many about the same as their parents and a few that are worse in some respects. The advantage a big breeder has is that they get to see more of the distribution faster than a small breeder simply because the big breeder whelps more puppies every year. But the fact remains that the distribution of quality in the puppies from either breeder will have some standard deviation about the mean quality, and the tightness of that deviation (or how similar ALL the puppies are) depends on what the parents are like. Two very different dogs (or dogs with vastly different positive and negative attributes) will have wide deviation and a wide range of quality among the puppies. That's why some litters have puppy siblings that are so different. Take two dogs that have many of the same strengths, and maybe one has a weakness that is not in the other, and you will get litters that are very strikingly similar among the siblings.
So why doesn't every breeder do this? Because sometimes they need to go fix a fault that is hard to correct or they see a dog that is popular and has some features they want. If they don't look AT THE WHOLE DOG when selecting a sire or dam to bring this feature into their line, they may end up with more disimilarities in the puppies than they planned upon. A big breeder maybe can "experiment" a little to gain a certain feature or look. They rigorously select from all the pups and keep the best of the bell curve distribution. But the rest of the puppies may be very different from that one special puppy the breeder keeps, especially if they are used as breeding stock themselves.
Rather look at the parents. And their pedigrees if you know the dogs in them. Then look at the puppies. Is the litter tight within itself on most features and faults? Or is there a wide disparity between puppies in the litter. Better a litter that is consistent than one with a single super-star puppy and the rest average. Especially if you plan on breeding one of the pups yourself.
When two dogs are bred, the laws of genetics take over in all cases and will determine the quality of dogs produced. Two dogs of so-so genetics will produce only so-so dogs ON AVERAGE at best. Every once in awhile, even so-so dogs can produce a beautiful, show-winning specimen. But it will be rare, if ever. And it will likely not breed true.
When choosing a breeder one has to look beyond size and even reputation. Look at the dogs themselves. A big breeder whose emphasis is on breeding top show dogs may produce many puppies by a chosen sire using several bitches. If they take the top dog or dogs and show them, their reputaion as a "top breeder" based upon show results will likely remain intact or even be enhanced. But these litters are still governed by the statistics of genetic law. There will be a standard distribution (bell curve) about some mean or average quality level. That level is set primarily by the parents' levels of quality. There will be a few dogs of better quality, many about the same as their parents and a few that are worse in some respects. The advantage a big breeder has is that they get to see more of the distribution faster than a small breeder simply because the big breeder whelps more puppies every year. But the fact remains that the distribution of quality in the puppies from either breeder will have some standard deviation about the mean quality, and the tightness of that deviation (or how similar ALL the puppies are) depends on what the parents are like. Two very different dogs (or dogs with vastly different positive and negative attributes) will have wide deviation and a wide range of quality among the puppies. That's why some litters have puppy siblings that are so different. Take two dogs that have many of the same strengths, and maybe one has a weakness that is not in the other, and you will get litters that are very strikingly similar among the siblings.
So why doesn't every breeder do this? Because sometimes they need to go fix a fault that is hard to correct or they see a dog that is popular and has some features they want. If they don't look AT THE WHOLE DOG when selecting a sire or dam to bring this feature into their line, they may end up with more disimilarities in the puppies than they planned upon. A big breeder maybe can "experiment" a little to gain a certain feature or look. They rigorously select from all the pups and keep the best of the bell curve distribution. But the rest of the puppies may be very different from that one special puppy the breeder keeps, especially if they are used as breeding stock themselves.
Rather look at the parents. And their pedigrees if you know the dogs in them. Then look at the puppies. Is the litter tight within itself on most features and faults? Or is there a wide disparity between puppies in the litter. Better a litter that is consistent than one with a single super-star puppy and the rest average. Especially if you plan on breeding one of the pups yourself.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Why Do We Breed?
This came to me as I was sitting with one of my dogs tonight. Maybe it was triggered by an extra glass of Chardonnay and the fact that I received a call today from a person looking for a BT puppy.
One of the things I think a person looking for a dog should ask the breeder (and I hope the breeder has already asked and answered this question for themselves!!) is why are you breeding? What type of dogs are you trying to produce and why? Can you describe the perfect adopted home for your puppies?
I know some BT breeders that breed to produce the top winning BT in the country- showing and winning in the conformation ring is paramount. I know other successful breeders that breed for temperment and want to produce the perfect companion. Others want to retain that stellar hunting drive or breed the best all-'round performance dog. And others have a picture in their minds eye of the "perfect BT" (whatever that is!) and want to reproduce that in their dogs.
Whatever our goals as a breeder, we should have answered these questions way before we did our first insemination of a bitch. And we should have these answers ready for any prospective new home for our puppies.
In a future post, I will pose (and try to answer) a few questions that I have asked myself about breeding. Mainly, how is the Border Terrier to function best and remain most true to his original reason for existence in today's 21st Century? What makes him a Border Terrier first and foremost TODAY, as opposed to just another dog? And how should that be reflected in the dogs that I breed? I hope you will think carefully about this as a "keeper of the flame" for our wonderful breed and have your answers to compare with mine!
One of the things I think a person looking for a dog should ask the breeder (and I hope the breeder has already asked and answered this question for themselves!!) is why are you breeding? What type of dogs are you trying to produce and why? Can you describe the perfect adopted home for your puppies?
I know some BT breeders that breed to produce the top winning BT in the country- showing and winning in the conformation ring is paramount. I know other successful breeders that breed for temperment and want to produce the perfect companion. Others want to retain that stellar hunting drive or breed the best all-'round performance dog. And others have a picture in their minds eye of the "perfect BT" (whatever that is!) and want to reproduce that in their dogs.
Whatever our goals as a breeder, we should have answered these questions way before we did our first insemination of a bitch. And we should have these answers ready for any prospective new home for our puppies.
In a future post, I will pose (and try to answer) a few questions that I have asked myself about breeding. Mainly, how is the Border Terrier to function best and remain most true to his original reason for existence in today's 21st Century? What makes him a Border Terrier first and foremost TODAY, as opposed to just another dog? And how should that be reflected in the dogs that I breed? I hope you will think carefully about this as a "keeper of the flame" for our wonderful breed and have your answers to compare with mine!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Getting Connected with Your Dog
You've maybe seen it in the obedience ring or at an agility trial. Some dog handlers always seem connected to their dogs as if they have a telepathic link between them. Want to get more connected to YOUR dog?
I've been reading a book by Brenda Aloff titled "Get Connected with Your Dog". Brenda has several dog training and dog "understanding" books in print. I have also been trying some of Brenda's methods with my dogs. This book is NOT an easy read. Lots of text and actually a lot of pictures to augment the text, but A LOT of text!!! Comes with a nice DVD depicting an example training session. At almost 400 pages it's not an one-evening read. You will make margin notes and dog-ear pages and refer to it forever.
You need to read it once almost 100% and then RE-READ IT. Especially if you are going to try some of Brenda's techniques. But it's well worth the effort as THEY WORK!! I have made huge strides with Devlin's and Ellie's walking on a loose lead (well, almost loose!) even in the middle of a field of ground squirrels! Brenda's understanding of the psychology of dogs is fascinating and enjoyable reading. If you are like me, you'll be nodding your head in agreement as you read! Her emphasis on positive training and her love for, and respect of, her dogs comes through on every page. She employs many "games" (exercises) to help you get connected with your dog. She gives excellent guidelines for how to treat (reward) your dogs and when and how much to treat. There is a method to using rewards! She also explains how to use YOUR body language to communicate with your dog at all times in many different situations. Well worth the $49.90 cover price (less at discount book sellers).
I've been reading a book by Brenda Aloff titled "Get Connected with Your Dog". Brenda has several dog training and dog "understanding" books in print. I have also been trying some of Brenda's methods with my dogs. This book is NOT an easy read. Lots of text and actually a lot of pictures to augment the text, but A LOT of text!!! Comes with a nice DVD depicting an example training session. At almost 400 pages it's not an one-evening read. You will make margin notes and dog-ear pages and refer to it forever.
You need to read it once almost 100% and then RE-READ IT. Especially if you are going to try some of Brenda's techniques. But it's well worth the effort as THEY WORK!! I have made huge strides with Devlin's and Ellie's walking on a loose lead (well, almost loose!) even in the middle of a field of ground squirrels! Brenda's understanding of the psychology of dogs is fascinating and enjoyable reading. If you are like me, you'll be nodding your head in agreement as you read! Her emphasis on positive training and her love for, and respect of, her dogs comes through on every page. She employs many "games" (exercises) to help you get connected with your dog. She gives excellent guidelines for how to treat (reward) your dogs and when and how much to treat. There is a method to using rewards! She also explains how to use YOUR body language to communicate with your dog at all times in many different situations. Well worth the $49.90 cover price (less at discount book sellers).
Monday, March 22, 2010
How Do They Know?
How does a dog know where you hurt? So many days when my knee is bothering me one or more of my dogs will come up when I am sitting and gently lick right on the sore spot. It's not as if there's a sign there. But they are uncanny at knowing exactly where to give aid. Maybe the sore spot is hotter than surrounding tissue. Or maybe there is some kind of throbbing that I can't feel underneath the normal pain that they can sense. Or maybe they just are God's angels. Amazing......
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Another Great One is Gone
Any website, email list or blog devoted to Border Terriers would be terribly remiss if it didn't mention the passing last Wednesday, March 17th, of "Spike", a BT owned and loved by Joke Miedema. Spike was essentially the "poster boy" for CECS, the Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, that afflicts some BTs. Originally nicknamed "Spike's Disease" before it was more widely known and studied, CECS is not completely understood even today, years later. CECS shows up in afflicted dogs around age two years and its affects remain with them for the remainder of their lives. Somewhat controlled by diet and medicines, CECS remains a mystery in many respects and a terrible experience for those watching their beloved dog suffer a cramping session. Spike did not die from CECS according to Joke, but rather suffered a gran-mal seizure and was mercifully put to rest.
God speed, Spike. Thank you, and thank you to Joke, for all you gave us through your too-short years.
God speed, Spike. Thank you, and thank you to Joke, for all you gave us through your too-short years.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Go Do Somethng With Your Dog!
I recently watched the Westminster Kennel Club show on TV- only 4 weeks after the fact! David Frey, the marketing voice of WKC, was saying something that struck home to me. David said, "People should get out and do something with their dog!" Whether you take your dog for a walk, teach him / her a new trick, take them to the pet store or try a new competitive sport, spring is a great time to "do something with your dog!" Spend some quality time together. It will do you and your dog a world of good.
After taking my dogs for a 2 to 3 mile walk most days in a big park near our home, I come back refreshed and re-invigorated. My stress level is way down and the walking is keeping my waistline in check as well!
Recently I have been spending some additional, one-on-one quality time with each dog. Sometimes I take one for a walk alone and the others as a group later. Other times I make sure one gets some extra, special playtime with me. Their attitudes change remarkably when they get this special attention. You bond improves and training becomes easier, more effective and more efficient.
Spring is a great time to be out with your dog. The hills and fields are greening, the weather is mild, many clubs re-start activities like earthdog and tracking trials, and others begin new training classes after a winter's hiatus. Find one or more activities you and your dog would like to try and "go do something with your dog!"
After taking my dogs for a 2 to 3 mile walk most days in a big park near our home, I come back refreshed and re-invigorated. My stress level is way down and the walking is keeping my waistline in check as well!
Recently I have been spending some additional, one-on-one quality time with each dog. Sometimes I take one for a walk alone and the others as a group later. Other times I make sure one gets some extra, special playtime with me. Their attitudes change remarkably when they get this special attention. You bond improves and training becomes easier, more effective and more efficient.
Spring is a great time to be out with your dog. The hills and fields are greening, the weather is mild, many clubs re-start activities like earthdog and tracking trials, and others begin new training classes after a winter's hiatus. Find one or more activities you and your dog would like to try and "go do something with your dog!"
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