Puppy Selection Process...... Make the first step a good one!!

I recently have had discussions with local trainers about trying to get a hunting dog to the level that their clients expect.  Many times, the dog just doesn't have what it takes.  The trainer can often get some improvements out of the dog, but if the dog just isn't interested in hunting, the trainer's hands are tied.  The question is then asked, how do we avoid this situation?

When you decide to buy a dog, keep one golden rule in mind, "Never buy a dog without being able to evaluate both the Sire (father) and the Dam (mother) of the litter"!  This may sound like it would be a hard thing to get done, but given the 10-15 year commitment you will be making, I would ask why wouldn't you take the time.

Lets create a scenario where two litters are born at the same time and at the same kennel.  For conversation sake, litter 1 is from two parents that are solid hunting companions with a strong willingness to please, acceptance of its owners as the pack leader, have no apparent health issues, and tend to be well behaved overall. Litter 2 comes from parents that have no hunting experience or drive, cause routine issues at the home either with kenneling issues or home destructive issues, show signs of nervousness or obsessive compulsive disorders and have health issues such as food allergies or poor skin issues.  How many of these differences will be visable in the puppies the day they are born?  How many the day they go home?  The answer in both cases is very few!!!

In either case you can make certain that the owners of each of the puppies from both litters will be brought home by new owners ready to give the same amount of love, attention, and care.  Both litters will have an emotional investment poured into them by their new owner's family.  Generally in both cases, you have made a 10-15 year decision that is hard to change or reverse.  But, the differences in the dog that you have at age 2 will likely be very different as well.  Chances are, the owners of litter #1 will be much happier owners that the litter #2 owners.  Given, the way you raise the dogs will have an impact but so does the initial background of the genetics of the litter.

As mentioned, I would argue that less than 1% of the potential issues can be seen the age the puppies go home. I have had the joy of raising mutliple litters of dogs and watching them grow day after day, week after week. When the golden 49th day of picking out the puppies and selling them has come up, there is very little difference from one dog to the next.

But, prior to the 49th day, prior to beginning the investment and bringing that dog home, all of the things you are trying to decide upon are visable in the parents of the new puppy.  There is a book called "Snakefoot : The Making of a Champion" written by Robert Wehle.  If you have never read it and are into dog breeding, it is a must read.  One particular story always stands out to me.  

I am paraphrasing, but in essence, Bob would excercise his dogs each day by running them in a sled dog fashion in a team.  This is often referred to as "roading" the dogs for excercise.  One particuliar dog always put her front legs onto the back of the dog next to her when they hit the midway resting point; a sort of streched out breathing position.  No other dog ever did this.  Ultimately, this female dog was bred, and when she neared her due date, another dog had to be chosen for that position on the road team. Bob selected the dogs daughter to put into that spot on the team.  When they got to the midway resting point, the daughter did the exact same thing, resting onto the adjacent dog with her paws up on the back of the dog next to her.  At no point had the mother or daughter ever been "road" together, but when the daughter was put into the spot of the mother, her actions where almost identical.

This story is so important to show that we really have no idea how deep the genetic path is in the actions of our dogs.  Remember the golden rule, "Never buy a dog without being able to evaluate both the Sire (father) and the Dam (mother) of the litter"!  If you keep this in mind, making a good choice should be easier.  Your chance of being happy in the end will likely be much more easily realized.

Keeping Dog Titles In a Balanced Perspective

I was reading a dog forum today and one of the subjects was about a television show filmed on the Potomac River.  In this show, there was footage of a dog fighting extremely fast running currents, almost rapids, as he was making retrieves.  The show commentary stated that this type of hunting wasn't for the field trial or hunt test dog, but required a true hunting dog.  

The site forum subject went into a heavy debate on what was intended by such a statement.  This forum subject,on a site which is heavily attended by field trial competitors, was quickly filled with members aghast at the statement that a field trial champion couldn't do something a regular hunting dog could.  This gave me the idea of reminding all of us in the dog world to maintain a balanced perspective when discussing dogs.

When I describe a balanced perspective, I am referring to the open minded approach we all need to take with one another's dogs.  Many times, a dog's accomplishments has as much to do with whom the owner is and what he is willing to do with the dog, as it has to do with the dog's abilities.  When you get a talented dog and a dedicated owner together, it can be golden.  It is unfortunate though when, with loads of effort, and often times money, being spent on a dog, people (and not the dogs) get bent out of shape if anyone was to think their dog isn't "one of the best."  

When I look back onto the dogs I have owned, it started with a dog that was only a hunter.  My dog, Dakota, and I did not enter any competitions, hunt tests, field trials, or local dog club events.  Instead, we spent many sacred hours, alone, side by side, enjoying a duck hunt or pheasant hunt.  I still look back on to these times with as much pride as any trophy I earned with my latest dog.  If  I, as an owner, would have been ready to enter a dog competition arena, Dakota could have easily been recognized for her talents beyond those solitary hunting moments.  

The best way to maintain an open minded approach to someone else's dog is to try and listen not just to what they say about his or her hunting companion.  Conversely, try to listen how they describe their dog and to the level of excitement they tell you about their dog.  We can all be proud of our dogs accomplishments from the amateur training a dog on its first flush (even if neither party knows what they did right or wrong) to the multi-arena champion.

A long time friend of mine taught me a simple saying that I continue to use today.  It is a saying that can almost not be overused.  When hearing from another dog owner describe his dog, an energetic "Good for you!!" response will always work.  You can even say it many times in one conversation, and it is usually never questioned.

So.... until next months blog, whatever work and times you have been able to spend with your dog, I profoundly say, "Good for you!!!!!"

Kevin

The Beginning - Lets Stay Focused On Health!!

The beginning to all things is a special moment.  As I write this first blog entry, I feel a bit overwhelmed at the "beginning" stage of the huntingstuddogs.com website.  So, lets break the ceremonial bottle of wine on the bow of the ship and get down to business.

I hope my intent of trying to supply the hunting dog community with stud dogs that are targeting health issues first has become clear enough within the pages of the website.  With this in mind, I want to begin my first blog on a note that was raised to me this weekend.  A friend of mine, who also raises hunting litters, had a litter out of one of his yellow labrador females this past summer.  He decided to keep a female pup, with the highest intentions for her.  He named her Abby, and gave her to his 20 year old son to own.  

Abby was a rock star from the get go.  At age 4 months, she was already running 80 yard blinds and working doubles.  With her potential, my friend admitted the training was addictive for him.  He was astounded at Abby's abilities. Each day he trained her was with the enjoyment of seeing if she could figure out the next challenge.  By all accounts, things were going better than anyone could expect.

Abby not only got the eye of her owner!!  I attended many dog events this summer and early fall where the conversation was centered around Abby and her abilities at such a young age.  Unfortunately, life sometimes isn't perfect.  On Halloween day, Abby had her daily training session and was then fed and kenneled for a brief rest. After resting for less than an hour, my friend noticed Abby was shaking, had vomited, and looked to be having a serious issue.  He immediately took her to the vet.  When she was examined, they found that Abby was septic, with a fading heartbeat.  Upon further tests, it was determined that Abby had been affected by the Parvovirus.  She passed that same day.........

I write about this incident to continue our mission of healthy efforts for our pets.  Parvovirus is an extremely deadly virus that can affect dogs, especially within their first year.  The following link details a full explanation of the virus and what we as pet owners should be watching for and doing to try and prevent such an incident. 

Parvovirus Link

By keeping our kennels meticulously clean and minimizing contact with other dogs until they are older, we can minimize the risks to our young pups.  Interestingly, I have found out that in some cases, if the puppy does receive vaccinations, but the mothers milk is still present, the antibodies in the milk can offset the vaccination, rendering it useless.  

By no means do I feel my friend was at fault, accidents do happen, however the more informed we are, the more we can do to protect our pups.

On that note, I would ask that all of you continue to spread the word about our the great dogs showcased within huntingstuddogs.com.  I am always open for comments, compliments, or complaints.  

Sincerely,

Kevin Kimmes, Huntingstuddogs.com