Small Batch Labradors

08/18/2024

08/17/2024

08/16/2024

We know that times are tough right now with inflation, housing costs, and more. And even in the hardest times, we also know that our community loves their dogs and wants to give them the care they need.

Requests for Every Dog's financial assistance are increasing: last month we gave financial aid to more people than ever before. And we truly can't keep up with the pace without your help.

We're committed to helping our community get the training and behavior support they deserve, and donations are the only way we can continue this work.

We need to raise $1,000 today to meet this additional need for financial assistance.

Can you make a donation today to help the people and dogs who need it most? Visit everydogaustin.org/donate to give the gift of pet care.

We are forever grateful for you 💙🐾

08/16/2024

Look for Wednesday at Upcoming Events!

We will be busy the next couple of months as we have lots of exciting plans! Mark your calendars and come hang out and see Wednesday compete at these exciting venues:

• Aug. 25: NADD Southcentral Regionals in Longview for Distance with our friends newlanders.whiskey.river 🌊
• Aug. 31-Sept. 2: We are in Nebraska for our first ever UKC Elite Shed Dog trial 🦌 with our friends blacklabel_kennels !
• Sept. 15: NADD Friendsgiving at K9WW (2025 Season). 🌊
• Sept. 21-22: Wednesday’s first AKC Retriever Hunt Test in Meeker, OK! 🦆
• Sept. 28-29: AKC HT #2 in Inola, OK. 🦆
• Oct. 5-6: I’m considering a HRC Retriever Hunt Test or a Barn Hunt trial, or both. 🦆 🐀
• Oct. 19-20: AKC confo show in Belton, TX. 🏵️
• Oct. 26-27: AKC confo show in Belton, TX. 🏵️
• Nov. 1-3: AKC Labrador Retriever SPECIALTY show in Selma, TX with our home-club Heart of Texas LRC! 🏵️

As created by Laura Cole 🫶🏻

08/15/2024

Wednesday tried Hydro Dash for the first time at K9 Water Worlds Night Lights event! She needed a little help figuring out the goal and now we just need practice. I am very excited to add Hydro Dash to our list of activities and even more excited to take Wednesday to NADD Southcentral Regionals next weekend!

📷: Jay Hill Photography

08/15/2024

Great information to consider if you’re removing front dew claws or considering removing them. We will not remove dew claws.

Dewclaws! They are IMPORTANT! Many dog breeders routinely, and without much thought, amputate puppies' front dewclaws when the pups are 3-5 days of age. Why? The thought is to prevent potential injuries, such as tears of the digit, later in life. BUT do you realize that the dewclaw is a FUNCTIONAL, IMPORTANT digit? I am thankful that my own dog's breeder did not amputate Dunkin's front dewclaws. Do you also know that with appropriate exercises, the muscles of the dewclaw can be strengthened to help promote and maintain appropriate function and close apposition of the dewclaw to the side of the paw? Below is an article by a friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Zink, that explains the importance, anatomy, and function of the front dewclaw.

"Do the Dew(claws)?
by Chris Zink, DVM PhD DACVSMR

As a veterinary sports medicine specialist, I work extensively with canine athletes, developing rehabilitation programs for injured dogs or dogs that required surgery due to performance-related injuries. I have seen many dogs, especially field trial/hunt test and agility dogs, that have chronic carpal arthritis, frequently so severe that they must be retired or at least carefully managed for the rest of their careers. I noticed that very few of those dogs had dewclaws and began to wonder whether these appendages might, in fact, protect a dog from injuries. What I learned might surprise you.

The Anatomy of Dewclaws
Miller's Guide to the Anatomy of the Dog, a veterinary anatomy text, has an excellent figure depicting the muscular anatomy of the distal forelimb. There are 2 functional muscles, the extensor pollicis longus et indicis proprius and flexor digitorum profundus, which are attached to the front dewclaw by 4 tendons (references in blog). Each of those muscle/tendon units has a different function in movement. That means that if you cut off the dew claws, you are preventing the muscles that were attached to the dewclaws from functioning.

In contrast, rear limb dewclaws do not have muscle/tendon attachments, so their removal might be appropriate, except in the breeds such as Briards and Beauceron in which they should be retained.

Dewclaws Do Have Functions
If there are muscles and tendons attached to the dewclaws, then they most likely have a function. Broadly speaking, dewclaws have at least two different functions:
1. Grasp the ground when the dog is turning to prevent torque on the forelimb. Each time the front foot lands on the ground, particularly when the dog is cantering or galloping (see Figure 2), the dewclaw is in touch with the ground. If the dog then needs to turn, the dewclaw actively digs into the ground to stabilize the lower leg and prevent torque. In Figure 3 you can clearly see the dewclaw of a Corgi herding a sheep extended, ready to grip the ground. And in the image at the top of this article, you can see the dewclaws of a dog extended, ready to grip the water!

Do the Dew(claws)?

If a dog doesn't have dewclaws, the leg will twist on its axis, creating increased pressure on the carpal bones, as well as the elbow, shoulder and toes. A lifetime of this kind of torque and the result can be carpal arthritis or injuries to and subsequent arthritis in other joints of the forelimb, such as the elbow, shoulder, and toes. Remember, the dog is participating in the activity regardless, so there will be concussive pressures on the leg, and if the dewclaw does not help to stabilize the leg, those pressures will be transmitted to other areas of the leg, especially the joints.

2. Grip objects. We have all seen dogs using their dewclaws to grip an object such as a ball or bone (Figure 4). I've even seen many photos of agility dogs gripping the teeter for stability (Figure 5). But did you know that the dewclaws' gripping ability can, in fact, save your dog's life? Check out the video "Dewclaws Do Have a Purpose" for "gripping" views of dogs attempting to get out of water onto ice without the help of those ice picks on the inside of their legs. The video also shows dogs using their dewclaws to grip the ice and escape from a potentially fatal situation. I have known several dogs that drowned after falling through ice in the winter. None of them had dewclaws. If they had, perhaps they would have survived and spared their owners the incredible heartache of watching their dogs die unnecessarily.

Arguments for Removing Dewclaws
1. The dewclaws will get injured. This is the most common reason I hear for removing dewclaws. A friend of mine had such a severe dewclaw injury in one of her dogs that she swore she would remove them on all the dogs she bred subsequently.

But the data indicate that dewclaws are not injured very often. A study published in 2018 showed that the dewclaw was the LEAST likely toe to be injured in agility dogs, in which landing and turning from jumps and other obstacles put the toes at risk for injuries. Thus, it makes no sense to remove the dewclaws because of risk of injury. And, of course, no one would consider removing the 5th digits in the front feet, which are by far the most commonly injured toe.

2. Owners forget to trim the dewclaws. Surely this is a matter of education. Do we really want to remove a functioning digit in all dogs, just because some owners need to be reminded that they must remember to trim the dewclaws?

3. Dewclaws make the forelimb look less straight when viewed from the front in conformation. The AKC states: "The breed standard describes the characteristics of the ideal
dog to perform the function for which it was bred." While we could have long discussions about the veracity of this statement, it is interesting to note that there are VERY few breed standards that require dewclaw removal. I know of only one - the Vizsla breed standard.

A Plea
So, here's a plea to retain dogs' dewclaws. They are a functioning digit. They are the toe least likely to be injured. Isn't this enough to convince us not to do the dewclaws?"

08/12/2024

Austin Kennel Club, Inc. Premium List Info a 2024 Premium List ATT Temperament Testing Form 2024 Reserved Grooming 2024 Health Clinics EST 1944 AUSTIN KENNEL CLUB, INC. Austin, Texas

08/12/2024

If you need an eye exam, we have the Eye Clinic for you. Registration is affordable: Register by September 4, 2024, for $35.00/dog. Pre-registration closes on September 4, 2024, and will cost $45.00.

Southern Handlers Charity League George Armstrong Andrew DiGiorgio Pam Doster Whitley Amanda Kozora Patricia Witter Terri Galle

08/12/2024

There’s a CGC prep group class and test coming up at Black Label Kennels! Get registered!

Who’s ready for group classes?? Come join our first group class August 24th at 9am! We will be practicing skills for the Canine Good Citizen Test and then hosting the test on September 7th at 9am. These classes are open to everyone but you MUST register. Click on the link below for more information on the classes and how to register. Keep an eye out, more group classes will be coming soon🤩🖤🐾 https://docs.google.com/document/d/14TJ40weVQiYbiG-KZRqypqZPaP-rOzSC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103816472485977171111&rtpof=true&sd=true

07/16/2024

Does this count for ? 😛 We are ready to make a splash at K9 Water World this weekend. Who is diving with us?

📷:

07/10/2024

Watching Wednesday grow into this beautiful teenager has been a joy. She still has so much to learn and so much growing and maturing to do. She has her faults, and her sires line is slow to mature, so it might be a long ride. 😆 She is still purty at 12 months old, though! Have any of yalls dogs gone through awkward growing phases? Nothing dramatic for Wednesday, yet. 🤞🏻

06/25/2024

BREEDER HEALTH CLINIC IN STEPHENVILLE, TX NOVEMBER 8 & 9!

06/23/2024

Great day at K9 Water World Salty Dawg qualifier! This was not taken by Jay, but Jay Hill Photography is out there getting all the best shots yall! Come hang out tomorrow!

06/19/2024

There are no words to express how excited I am for our Specialty! We have a ton of fun, come relax, have fun and show with us!

Send a message to learn more

06/19/2024

We will be there Saturday and Sunday! Who will we see there?

This one is the big one…
*
Our Salty Dawg “Regional Qualifier” is coming up June 21-23!
This is a packed event full of activities and doggos…get your splashes registered early!
* Book your practice time well before June 21st by booking online at www.k9waterworld.com.
*
Start thinking about how many splashes you will need to qualify for August Regionals☝🏻
*
*Jay Hill Photography is our official Salty Dawg photographer
*Powder Photo Shoots available Thursday night before the event begins
*Barn Hunt runs for absolute beginners and experienced!
*Photos with Captain Jack Sparrow
*Canine Trigger Point Therapy with Heidi Armstrong
*Puppy Pool Party at the Bone Pool for all dock divers in training below 1 year of age☝🏻on the Saturday from 12-1pm
*demo .pet.products dock diving bumpers!
*and more…
*
#512

06/19/2024

Do you have a dog that loves toys, likes to swim, and has a ton of energy? Then you might want to try the sport of dock diving!
*
This rapidly growing sport has become a family activity for all ages of human and dog!
*
Look online for upcoming dates…next one is a 2 hour beginner clinic on June 18 from 6-8pm. Register online at k9waterworld.com👍🏻
*
This beginner clinic is for those that want to learn about this sport. Best success for those dogs already swimming and have drive for some sort of toy!
*
Our dock is set up for which has 3 disciplines…Hydro Dash, Air Retrieve and Distance. Maximum 10 doggos per clinic!
*
Learn how to get involved and prepare for your first dock diving competition!
*

06/19/2024

Wednesday’s Paw Print Genetics results are in. I had a gut feeling she was BBEEDD and I was right!

06/15/2024

Weekend goal: create as much chaos as Wednesday.

📷: Hill Photography

06/13/2024

Alright y’all, the 4th of July is coming up: which means fireworks, BBQs, and (in many cases) a week of terror for dogs.

Some preparation can save you a LOT of heartache!

1- make a safe spot where your dog can relax/hide.

2- keep your dog at home instead of taking them to parties or fireworks where they might flee!!

We know you want to bring Fluffy to your friend’s party, but they’re much more likely to escape from a new environment.

3- watch for unsafe foods! One of the most dangerous parts of July 4th is actually the BBQ, not the fireworks.

With so many people (including kids!) walking around with food or leaving it on tempting tables, it’s very easy for dogs to grab something they shouldn’t.

This might include foods that are toxic to dogs, or major choking or blockage hazards like chicken bones or corn cobs.

4- update your microchip! A microchip isn’t a GPS device (though putting on your dog’s GPS collar is a great idea!) A microchip just stores your contact information in case someone finds your pup- so make sure the information is updated!

5- talk to your veterinarian. If your dog struggles with fireworks and is extremely fearful, medication can help!

What are your July 4th plans to help keep your dog feeling safe?

06/03/2024

We are thrilled to announce that Wednesday has a new personal best of 19’ 0”! 🤯 She had a great time this weekend at K9 Water Worlds Hawaiian Luau!

05/26/2024

🏵️ Look who earned another title last weekend at K9 Water World! Wednesday earned her Dock Senior (DS) and walked away with a Personal Best of 18' 3"!

🏵️ Pending AKC confirmation: GNJ's Child Full of Woe at Small Batch CGC DS

🌊 This morning Wednesday earned two more Senior Q's at Houston Dive Dogs and we will be back at K9WW next weekend for the Hawaiian Luau! I want to try Hydro Dash and Air Retrieve so bad!

📷: Jay Hill Photography (I can’t get it to tag 😠)

05/23/2024

I highly encourage everyone to work towards the CGC! There are even two more levels, a little more challenging with different types of environments. Great info here, as always!

Have you heard us talk about CGC and wondered what the heck we mean?

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification is a training and testing program that evaluates a dog's behavior in real-world situations. Developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the CGC certification is a testament to our belief that dogs, regardless of age or breed, can learn and grow. It tests ten key skills designed to help your dog become a confident and well-behaved member of society. Including:

- Accepting Friendly Strangers
- Sitting Politely for Petting
- Walking on a Loose Lead
- Coming When Called
- Reactions to Other Dogs
And more!

Once a dog successfully passes all ten test items, they'll be awarded the Canine Good Citizen certificate, making it "official."

Should you take the Canine Good Citizen Test?

🐾 Do you like to take your dog out in public? This could help them get crowd-ready!
🐾 Do you have a larger pup? The CGC can help if you have a dog-nervous landlord.
🐾 Do you like having fun? Training for The Canine Good Citizen test can be a great bonding experience for you and your dog.

If you're in the Austin area, we offer CGC training and testing! Go here to learn more: https://www.everydogaustin.org/cgc

05/20/2024

Wednesdays first dock diving trial and she went home with a DS 🏵️ and a PB of 18’ 3”!

05/20/2024

Pending AKC confirmation, we have a new Dock Senior! Wednesday finished her first dock diving trial with a personal best of 18’ 3”! 🥳 Posting videos shortly!

GNJ’s Child Full of Woe at Small Batch CGC DS