Roanwood German Shepherds

01/09/2025

Ash/Archer litter
DOB 12/19/24
Roanwoodgsd.com

01/06/2025

Ash/Archer made some cute puppies!!

DOB 12/19/24

12/30/2024

While at the Texas Pet Sitters Conference recently, we had the chance to hear from Dr. Roy Madigan, a veterinarian, and the principal scientist in the Canine Chagas Treatment Study.

We felt it imperative to share with our clients, and our community, the surprising information we learned.

Chagas disease is a parastic disease that is spread by kissing bugs. Similar to heartworm disease, animals can become infected with Chagas if they're bitten by, or ingest, a kissing bug.

The symptoms of Chagas can show up in a variety of ways. For less severe cases, lethargy, decreased appetite and weight loss may present. In more severe cases, you may see fluid in the abdomen, heart failure, vomiting, and unfortunately, sudden death.

Dr. Madigan estimates that up to 23% of companion dogs in Texas currently are positive for Chagas (compared to about 3.3% that are heartworm positive).

Chagas tends to attack the heart tissue, and is a progressive disease. The most common symptom seen when this happens is arrhythmia. It is also known to attack the brain.

Testing for Chagas is not common. The pet owner usually has to seek it out. There is currently a reliable test called "ELISA" that costs around $120.00. Dr. Madigan tells us that by next year, a new version will be available that will cost around $35.00 and will include a heartworm test. It will be readily available to all veterinary practices. They are currently awaiting approval from the FDA.

The treatment for Chagas is in a pill form and lasts for 12 months. Dr. Madigan reports that while it is 100% effective, it does not fix the harm that has already been done to the body by the parasite.

Our best defense against Chagas is preventative action. Pyrethroid insecticides will kill kissing bugs. Oral flea and tick medicine will kill Chagas.

If you see your pet with a kissing bug, do not squish the bug. Use a plastic baggie to capture it (don't touch it!) and contact https://kissingbug.tamu.edu/contact/ for instructions on how to submit it for testing.

It takes up to three weeks for a pet to test positive after exposure to Chagas, so don't immediately get your pet tested.

It is not only dogs who get Chagas. Cats also are affected. Chagas is the number one cause of seizures in cats.

Humans can also get Chagas. If your pet tests positive, every pet in the house should be tested, as well as all humans.

Antibodies are not effective at preventing reinfection, so a vaccine is not an option. Researchers are currently working to develop a slow-release injectible to protect pets.

Our takeaways:

*Chagas is impacting more pets than most people know. If your pet is showing unusual symptoms, ask your veterinarian to test them for Chagas. The sooner it is detected, the better off your pet will fare.

*Chagas is a treatable disease.

*Be aware of your enviroment. Keep your yard clean. Turn off outdoor lighting. Bring pets inside at night. Remove piles of rocks, leaves or wood near your home. Keep vegetation trimmed regularly. If you find a kissing bug, submit it for testing.

*If your pet tests positive for Chagas, test ALL your pets. Also, test all humans in the house.

For more information, please visit https://kissingbug.tamu.edu and www.vidapharmacal.com

12/19/2024

Update:
4 sable males
4 black females
2 sable females

We need Christmas themed names!!
Praying for a safe delivery!

Puppies are being born now.
12/19/24
Ash/Archer

11/26/2024

11/26/2024

Happy Birthday to Ash and her littermates!!

11/22/2024

A truly tragic and horrific case to read.
A seven month old baby girl killed by the family pet in a hideous incident in their home.
The little one leant on to the dog as she was toddling and was bitten on the neck and very sadly died. A stark reminder of how fast dogs can turn, How quickly something can escalate and how fatal one bite can be.

A dog will correct other dog’s behaviour with a snap or bite and in an agitated state of mind will lash out before investigating the situation. The Malinois was fixated on a bag when the baby touched him, both parents were in the vicinity and present when the dog bit.

Owners who have asked for advice with young babies around dogs know I am incredibly strict and have a 0 tolerance for babies/toddlers/young children being next to, touching, climbing on, leaning on, sitting with or “petting” a dog and this is the worst case example of exactly why I am so adamant about it!
Dogs shouldn’t have any access to young children who are crawling for exactly this reason! It’s so fast!! And in this case the dog had been seen by behaviourists for “dominating” behaviour in the months before the incident.
I would have absolutely tied the owner down to ensuring the dog and baby were never in the room together whether or not the parents were present for exactly this reason so maybe some owners out there who think I’ve been too harsh with rules around babies will understand why now!!
“Oh we never leave them alone together” is absolutely NOT good enough!!!! The parents were right next to the dog and baby!! Please remember this!!

Everyone thinks being a dog behaviourist is a dream job working with dogs but I have to deal with child bites and injuries every week and it’s always upsetting and highly emotional!! The only way to deal with this is to PREVENT!
And if you need to hear it here’s your reminder!
Dogs are NOT a furbaby
Dogs are NOT thrilled for the arrival of your baby
Dogs are NOT protecting your baby
Dogs are NOT “kissing” your child
Dogs are an ANIMAL
Dogs are an apex predator in your home!

Please no hate or comments about the parents in this case they have suffered enough and I hope this post may just save another child from injury!

10/11/2024

Our evening walk.

10/01/2024

One male long coat, one female stock coat from titled health tested imported parents. DM clear through parentage.

SG Andi Mersak, IGP1 x SG Bosnia Kla-Sla, IGP2

Roanwoodgsd.com

09/02/2024

We appreciate Kevin Goede Photography for capturing stunning images during the PSA world decoy selection. Kevin Goede Photography

08/20/2024

Octavia x Rocky
Bicolor female
DOB 7/27/24

Roanwoodgsd.com

08/02/2024

Elektra Von Roanwood
Great working or Active pet prospect.
DOB 5/14/24

Granddaughter of Inigo Von Goedehaus.

Roanwoodgsd.com

07/30/2024

Chance, Harley Quinn, Inigo, & Margot

07/16/2024

Solid black females from Tinley Aritar Bastet, GSDCATT and SG Arm Kateniko, IPO1 at 3 weeks old- both parents are Czech imports and health tested as HD/ED normal. This is a repeat litter- the last litter is now a year old and thriving in sport and some in active pet homes, and we expect the same from this litter.

https://www.pedigreedatabase.com/breeding.result?father=2726224&mother=2989544