Snovali Creations & Presentation

Snovali Creations & Presentation Snovali is dedicated to breeding quality Shelties and Toy Poodles and presenting dogs of many breeds

Countdown begins...  Lorena is looking like she is pretty close to delivery, but I don't know exactly when because she h...
11/30/2024

Countdown begins... Lorena is looking like she is pretty close to delivery, but I don't know exactly when because she had a split season and was in with the boy... Listened for heartbeats today and heard two very healthy heartbeats, one on each side, one up by her ribcage, the other back by her leg so they are facing opposite directions. This is the perfect size litter for her because if there was only 1, I would be concerned with it being too big for her to deliver, and if there were 3 I would be concerned with them being too small to survive... So 2 is perfect. Let's just hope she is a free whelper like her mama was.

They look so peaceful when they are sleeping...  She has them all on display tonight. I love fat babies!
10/11/2024

They look so peaceful when they are sleeping... She has them all on display tonight. I love fat babies!

This is why I keep front dews on all my pups.  Sheltie and toy poodle...
08/17/2024

This is why I keep front dews on all my pups. Sheltie and toy poodle...

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?"

08/04/2024

Pickle having fun chasing the geese off... His buddy had to stay inside because she doesn't come back good...

Tried to post this in the comments with his photos, but business suite apparently doesn't let me do that!

This is Pickle...  He truly chose his people...  He is a very active dog with a bouncy personally, but will also chill w...
08/03/2024

This is Pickle... He truly chose his people... He is a very active dog with a bouncy personally, but will also chill when the situation calls for it. He's a couple photos of him doing things he loves with the people he loves, I'll also post a video they shared with me in the comments.

08/03/2024

"Chester"
Born 3/6/2024
(so 5 months, not the 4 I might have mentioned in the video)
Sire: GCH Belmark Alaska Shakeout
Dam: Snovali Everybody Dance Now

He is now in a fabulous new home in Michigan

Hey, just wanted to share my affiliate link for Kuranda again.  If you are looking for something that is nearly impossib...
07/28/2024

Hey, just wanted to share my affiliate link for Kuranda again. If you are looking for something that is nearly impossible for your dogs to destroy (my oldest bed is over 10 years old and still looks new), you want a Kuranda! And pricing is reasonable for what you are getting! (and ordering through my link I get a little bit of a "kick back"

Kuranda Dog Beds are elevated dog beds with a patented, chew proof design. Comfortable, easy to clean and made in the USA. Free shipping on all dog beds.

Shelties bark, so do poodles...  Each dog is different on what their threshold for barking is but that ends up coming do...
06/19/2024

Shelties bark, so do poodles... Each dog is different on what their threshold for barking is but that ends up coming down to training. I have my dogs trained to not bark in the crate unless they REALLY have to go, but outside I pretty much let them be dogs. They are mostly quiet but if the cats or guineas are teasing them, or someone drives on the driveway, they let me know!

CHESTERBorn March 6. Out of my Zelda daughter, Chili (Snovali Everybody Dance Now), and sired by Kobe (GCH Belmark Alask...
06/15/2024

CHESTER
Born March 6. Out of my Zelda daughter, Chili (Snovali Everybody Dance Now), and sired by Kobe (GCH Belmark Alaska Shakeout).

Our loss is your gain, this stunning boy sadly has too much white to show, but has an amazing temperament and will make a fantastic companion and performance dog. He is very smart, good in his crate at night, doesn't get car sick, and is just so breathtaking!

As I type this, he is sitting on the table watching me! As you can see by the photos, he is totally not worried about being on the grooming table...

He does have a bit of a boo boo on his back where he got caught under a fence, but it is healing very nicely, and the hair should grow back normal within a couple months.

Chester does have his front dew claws, because I believe removing them could weaken the legs. The attachments of the ligaments for front dews are much more complex and involved than the back. I always remove back dews.

Please PRIVATE MESSAGE for more info.

If anyone is looking for good raised beds for outside (or inside), check out the Kuranda beds.  Please use my affiliate ...
05/02/2024

If anyone is looking for good raised beds for outside (or inside), check out the Kuranda beds. Please use my affiliate link (below) if you do decide to order...

These are the ONLY beds I've had that the dogs have not yet been able to destroy. And my first one is probably almost 10 years old now. I use one of the smallest size (18 x 24) as a raised bottom for my dog tub as well. I have the outdoor mesh. It works fantastic as a raised tub bottom because the water goes right through and it's sturdy.

Oh, and if anyone is interested in a bulk order, I might be able to get even better pricing, they would need to be prepaid (of course) and they would be shipped to me (just outside Louisville)... We would have to figure out how to meet up to get them to you.

Kuranda Dog Beds are elevated dog beds with a patented, chew proof design. Comfortable, easy to clean and made in the USA. Free shipping on all dog beds.

04/07/2024

Got a couple "projects" done this weekend... First being yesterday setting up my second dog yard... This involved setting up the fence, burning the dead grass/weeds/brush that I had raked up the previous weekend, and rearranging some existing fencing. Today I groomed my mini, Tyler. If I had been a good poodle owner, I would have given him a good groom LAST week as well, but no, I'm a bad poodle mama and just got to him today. He was a hot mess, but at least now he is a clean and matt free hot mess. Haircut is only partially done... He's gotta get into his adult haircut before PCA since he is over a year now. How long does coat change last? This is gonna kill me!

"Breaker"Snovali Breakaway(CH Brynmeres Doppelganger x Snovali Breathless)Won a major reserve at his very first show!  I...
03/17/2024

"Breaker"
Snovali Breakaway
(CH Brynmeres Doppelganger x Snovali Breathless)

Won a major reserve at his very first show! I'm so proud of him! There is some really nice competition here!

03/10/2024

Well, my email/domain is back up. The transfer actually went through very quickly. Only took a couple hours for it to finalize. Went through and read the maybe 5 important emails out of 1000... deleted the rest. what a pain. I just don't use email that much anymore, it's just so easy using text or FB Messenger... I still check my email, just not every day, or every week...

03/09/2024

Hope nobody had anything very time sensitive they were trying to reach me fore over the last couple weeks... Apparently my domain expired on Godaddy and my emails were bouncing. I thought I had it set to auto renew. So since it is down anyway, I'm going ahead and transferring it over to my other service (Ionos) where my other domains are already set up... So if you really need to reach me for anything time sensitive, please contact me through messenger. I check that a lot more often. I only check email about every 2 weeks when I do laundry! (gotta do something while I wait!)

AVAILABLE"BRUCE"Snovali Dancing In The DarkTricolor male, DOB: 12/7/2021Sire: Snovali Dancing With Myself, "Billy" (AKC ...
03/03/2024

AVAILABLE
"BRUCE"
Snovali Dancing In The Dark
Tricolor male, DOB: 12/7/2021
Sire: Snovali Dancing With Myself, "Billy" (AKC maj ptd)
Dam: U-CH Snovali Pyrotechnic, "Jubilee"

I had been growing this boy out as a potential show dog, and he is gorgeous and could probably finish pretty easily, but I just don't have the time, money or room for another boy right now. Not to mention he has an unfortunate cowlick in between his eyes on his face! He measures right at 16", weighs in at a lean and muscular 30lbs. He has a very outgoing and sweet disposition and would make a great performance, obedience, rally, therapy, etc, dog... He loves everyone, and even more so if you have FOOD! I'm also posting a couple videos in the comments of him playing with me in the yard while I was trying to get photos. I'm looking for a pet home but I would not turn away a show home under the right circumstances. Bruce has been house/crate trained but will need a refresher on the house part. He is also amazing for the bath and blow dry.

Please PM for more info. Thank you!

SOLDThis is "Buster"Snovali Busta MoveTricolor maleDOB: 10/15/2022Sire: GCH Brynmeres DoppelgangerDam: Snovali Breathles...
01/21/2024

SOLD

This is "Buster"
Snovali Busta Move
Tricolor male
DOB: 10/15/2022
Sire: GCH Brynmeres Doppelganger
Dam: Snovali Breathless (AKC ptd)
Buster is a sweet homebody who loves to just be with his person. He will play with, cuddle with, and train with his person once he is comfortable with them and is a bit of a one person/family dog. He's insecure in public but I think given some additional training for confidence, he should eventually come around. I adore his personality at home, but wish he would show it in public. I've decided to keep his brother as he is the better prospect for show for me. Buster will require a fenced yard because he simply will not potty on leash. At least not when he is nervous, which he will be for the first few days/weeks until he is comfortable in his new home. He has been getting regular chiropractor adjustments since the other boys kinda pushed him around at Christmastime. He will likely need another adjustment or two and he loves his daily "massages" that I've been giving him since his injury. He loves to hang out on the daybed and if I get off, he gets on but he will let me move him over so I can sit with him. He really needs someone who can give him more attention than I can. He is house trained but still has an occasional accident but only if someone else peed there first..

Located over the river, west of Louisville, KY in Indiana.

Please private message with any additional questions.

Address

Elizabeth, IN
47117

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