Honorbul Bullmastiffs

12/24/2024

Before we commence with this morning's post, a word. We'll be signing off for the rest of the day and for Christmas Day as we follow the European tradition of celebrating festivities on Christmas Eve. We will "see" you back on the 26th.

Have a marvelous holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah which this year starts at nightfall on December 25th. We might check in here and there to ask for updates and photos.....

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There are other words in the first two sentences of the Bullmastiff standard, but we think three of them are hugely important: “Strength” and “powerfully built.”

Bigger is not better, but brawn is crucial in a breed that was essentially a battering ram. In football parlance, think of the Bullmastiff as a linebacker, or even a fullback, typically the player who lead-blocks for the tailback on running plays. While shoulders are often used to block an opponent, the “heads-up block” is the most common block in football, and not for nothing are these football players immense human beings with thick necks. Indeed, while he was playing, Takeo Spikes, a linebacker in the NFL, had a 20 inch neck that was bigger than his skull, and thicker than some people’s waists.

A large skull… and a very muscular neck that is almost equal in circumference to the skull. You’d think the sentence we just wrote in boldface was written in reference to Takeo Spikes, but in fact, it comes from the Bullmastiff breed standard minus three words. The full sentence is: “A large skull, a broad muzzle, and a very muscular neck that is almost equal in circumference to the skull (we didn’t suppose Takeo Spikes had a muzzle).

By now you’ve got the idea. The Bullmastiff is strong, has a large skull and muscular neck. And it has those features for a reason; the Bullmastiff was “designed” to apprehend and hold a poacher (a capital offense in those days) for however long it took for his or her master, the gamekeeper, to get the situation under control. A pencil-necked dog would not have been up to the challenge.

A neck that was too short would have likely been the result of straight shoulders, certainly no help in catching up to a poacher highly motivated to scram. A neck that was too long would have weakened the neck and impacted the dog’s proportions. As unpleasant as it is to think about, a poacher was going to do whatever it took to get a dog off of himself, and that surely involved leveling blows at the dog’s head. It took a big skull and broad muzzle to withstand the punches of a man fighting, quite literally, for his life.

If you’ll notice the dog’s ears in the photo, they’re not that big, and for good reason. Why give an opponent something to grab onto? Notice, too, the nostrils. They’re open and tilted up to enable the dog to breathe while holding on to writhing, punching body of fearful rage.

There is so much “form following function” in this breed, and that’s just from the neck up.

Image: DepositPhoto

12/17/2024

Remember no one is arguing the need for sterilization, it's the surgical technique that should be reevaluated. Hysterectomy and vasectomy achieve the same goal but leave important hormones intact according to science.

"The association between gonadectomy and timing of gonadectomy, and the risk of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract
Objective - To determine if gonadectomy in dogs is associated with the risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CrCLD) and to quantify the magnitude of the association.

Study design - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sample population - Comparative studies with gonadectomized and entire dogs, with CrCLD as an outcome measure.

Methods - A systematic search of the primary and gray literature was performed. The effect size of the outcome measure was defined as the OR and 95% CI. Subgroup analysis was performed with s*x, breed, and age at gonadectomy. A pooled OR (95% CI) was generated from meta-analysis of relevant studies. Certainty in the body of evidence was rated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.

Results - The literature search yielded 1398 results and 24 relevant studies were included for synthesis. Gonadectomized female (pooled OR = 2.293, 95% CI = 1.768–2.945) and male (pooled OR = 2.117, 95% CI = 1.665–2.691) dogs were both at increased odds of developing CrCLD in comparison with entire female and male dogs, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that gonadectomy at 1 year or less was consistently associated with an increase in odds of developing CrCLD in both s*xes. Overall certainty in the evidence was rated as moderate. All included studies were observational and no controlled trials were available.

Conclusion - In data with moderate certainty, gonadectomy is associated with increased odds of developing CrCLD in both s*xes, particularly in dogs gonadectomized at 1 year of age or less.

Clinical significance - This study provides an estimate of the true effect size of gonadectomy on the odds of developing CrCLD, which may be useful for clinical decision making surrounding gonadectomy and the timing of gonadectomy."

10/24/2024

Why does a purebred puppy from a reputable club breeder cost so much?

1. Health Testing on Sire and Dam
2. Routine Veterinary Care
3. Breeding Costs. Progesterone Testing, Stud Fees, Brucellosis Testing, Travel to and from. TCI, Frozen Semen, Chilled Semen, Shipped Semen
4. Quality Puppy Food and Supplements
5. Whelping Supplies (boxes, pens, toys, expendables, supplements, other containment)
6. Vet Checks for Puppies, Vaccines, Dewormers, Microchips
7. AKC registration and Microchip Registration
8. My time. It takes about a week of my time arranging the breeding and to raise the puppies until 8 weeks that is a minimum of 1500 hours of work and effort.
9. Puppy kits, printed materials, and health information.
10. My time spent educating owners and continuing to give advice for the life of the dog.

I won’t include the club memberships, championships, travel to shows, advertising, hundreds of hours of time spent promoting purebred dogs. I won’t include missed vacations, sleepless nights, very high repro vet bills, missed breedings, c sections, singletons, or bad luck. All expensive and we do it for no other reason than to preserve our breeds.

If I hear another person say they are just looking for a pet and not a showdog then my advice to them is go ahead and buy a car with no warranty, no manual, no VIN or registration and the odometer is broken. Good luck with that. I hope you have a good trainer and good insurance. Most of what we produce are just pets. Loved cherished companions that go to carefully screened homes. it is only the exceptional ones we breed. That therein lies the difference.

10/18/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/XUWJuioSMXPgkMLK/?mibextid=WC7FNe

A Message from the Rainbow Bridge
Dear Mom and Dad,
Having spent a couple of weeks on the other side of The Rainbow Bridge, I thought I should send you a letter. I apologize, Mom, but I’ve been so tied up ‘across the bridge’ that thoughts of home haven't crossed my mind much. They reassured me that it's okay and that you’d understand. I truly believe you will.
Do you remember that night when I wasn’t feeling great and emotions were running high? While my memories are hazy, I clearly recall seeing and hearing all of you, feeling your gentle touches and warm embraces... I remember hearing “we love you” and that last instruction of “Go through.” I wasn’t sure what you meant, so I turned and walked into the mist that lay before me. Before me stood the most incredible bridge I had ever seen! And my friends awaited on the other side, all playing with toys and balls! You were right to encourage me to cross!
Though my paws moved forward, my heart felt the tug of home. Your touches faded gradually, and I longed to return and seek more of your affection, yet I was overcome by an irresistible draw to this joyful place across the bridge! My feet propelled forward as if guided by a gentle gust! I can’t quite put it into words, but I knew without hesitation that I was meant to go!
So, I crossed that magnificent bridge all by myself! I looked around for you, as you’re always alongside me, but this experience was unlike any other. There was no collar around my neck or leash attaching me to you ~ I was totally ‘free’! Even without your presence, I felt a profound sense of companionship! It was as if I had a great cloak of love enveloping me, and with each step, my breath became easier! So, I continued onward! The warmth of that embrace grew stronger, urging me onward! I finally reached the other side of the grand bridge – I accomplished it alone, Mom. Upon my arrival, all my new friends welcomed me and assisted me in stepping off the bridge ~ it was amazing! They gifted me a pair of wings and told me I was now a Guardian Angel!
The things I’ve discovered in these past weeks have been astounding and beyond anything I ever imagined! Here, we’re all united ~ we all possess wings and we all have Forever People to watch over ~ that means YOU, Mom! You’re my Forever Person, and I’m your Forever Dog! Our time together was truly special, and I miss you immensely, but rest assured that I am brimming with happiness in my new home across The Bridge!
I’ll send you another Earth Angel to keep you company. Shower them with the same love you gave me. I’ll check in from time to time to ensure they cherish your affection ~ I always did! When you find yourself missing me, picture a rainbow and know that I’m on the other side, eagerly waiting to walk with you once more. I’ll forever reside in your heart. Love you, Mom!

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
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We can’t wait to see you there! 💬✨

10/13/2024

Rupture of the CCL is one of the most common reasons for hind limb lameness, pain, and subsequent arthritis. The development of this problem in dogs is much more complex than in humans. Furthermore, dogs suffer from different degrees of rupture (partial, complete).

10/09/2024

❤️🐾

I love Dogs
Doɢ
dogloᴠᴇʀ
Pᴀᴡ
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09/28/2024

Having been a veterinarian for almost 3 decades, I have seen the tide of how animals are treated change drastically. When I graduated dogs were dogs, now dogs are considered to be higher ranking than people. In our crazy world, people love their dogs more than they love their own families and they treat their dogs better than they treat other humans and I am sorry to say that we are destroying our dogs mental health because of it.

It is increasingly common to go into an exam room and have a dog that is growling at me and trying to bite and the owner is petting it telling it that it is a good dog. It is NOT being a good dog and it should not be rewarded for growling and trying to bite. It is important that we train our dogs properly and we use right language with them. Never is it ok for a dog to growl and try and bite in an exam room where nothing horrible is happening to them and feeding into that behavior does not make it better for your dog, it trains them that their fear is a good thing and it is not.

Mental disorders are exponentially increasing in our dogs and it is us owners fault. Please stop treating your dog like it is some fragile child and start treating it like it is a dog. TRAIN them and teach them commands and correct them when they are wrong and stop thinking you are going to hurt their feelings if you do. Dogs are dogs, not small humans. They need training and proper instructions or it leads to horrible anxiety issues in them and I can assure that that behavior is going to hurt your feelings way more than being an adult and training your dog to be a good dog instead of a spoiled child.

The following are a few copied excerpts from an article that I read this morning from a dog trainer. I feel like there are a good reminder for all of us on exactly what are dogs are and what they need.

"Your dog is a dog, not a human child. Constant unearned affection is a killer and creates an unhealthy addiction for both dog and owner. Your dog will love you unconditionally but will never respect you unless you give it reason to.

The most basic of basics, your dog must learn how to be still in any situation. If your dog can’t be still around any distraction, you will never have control.
Recall
Sit
Down
Walk nicely on leash
Out, meaning release anything in your mouth

You MUST have a language dedicated to your dog that your dog can learn by you being consistent and applying meaning to the words you use. Your dog MUST know what yes means, but also MUST know what NO means. If nothing comes after those words, yes equals reward for good, no equals correction for bad, your dog will never give meaning to either. Your dog’s name is not a command, or correction. NO should not be your dog’s middle name.

The training starts the second you bring the dog home."

09/10/2024

THE INVOLUNTARY MOHAWK

Technically called Piloerection – when the fur on a dog’s back area stands on end.

Piloerection in dogs is an involuntary response – not within conscious control. It’s usually linked to feeling a strong emotion and could be compared to a person getting goosebumps.

It’s far easier to see in short haired dogs than those with a longer coat.

A breed like the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a clear distinctive ridge of fur on their back. This is formed by a selected gene mutation which causes that particular fur to grow in the opposite direction from the rest. This ridge is standard for this breed and is not related to an emotional state.

Piloerection is commonly thought only to be seen in reactive or aggressive dogs, but that’s not always the case.

Dogs that are feeling aroused, excited, fearful, startled, stimulated, conflicted or insecure in some way, also exhibit this.

As with all behaviour, it’s important to look at the context, in conjunction with other body language, the environment and specific situation in order to establish the cause and decide on the best way to intervene if necessary.

Dr Karen London - an ethologist and highly qualified behaviourist, trained in observing animals and behaviour, has made some very interesting observations about different patterns of raised fur being linked to different emotional states.

In Dr London’s professional opinion -
A thin patch of fur all along the back to the base of the tail is associated with a high level of confidence. These dogs are more likely to be on the offensive and react more aggressively.

A thick patch across shoulders to around ¼ way down the back is associated with a low level of confidence and is seen in dogs that are more fearful.

A patch of fur raised at the shoulders and another patch at the base of the tail – the fur in between is not raised, is associated with dogs that are conflicted and unsure of how to react. These dogs may be unpredictable and more likely to be reactive.

Dr London states that there are many exceptions, but in general, this applies to the majority of dogs that she observes.

09/01/2024

💙💙💙
Sammy is an upstanding canine citizen who loves to give. Thank you Cindy Thiessen & Anneke van der Wijst for a job well done. You should be proud. 🙏🏻