Dog education from #BoarmanBernards

30/10/2022

https://houseofswitzerland.org/swissstories/history/st-bernard-making-alpine-legend?fbclid=IwAR0WFJpdM4yKdd_Ri-ikXF-6asYZLQYJnictJTjTtuOLdbETpr5yydgl2cs

According to the breed’s official motto, the St Bernard embodies dignity, devotion and sacrifice. So, how did this breed of dog become one of Switzerland’s most iconic ambassadors?

11/10/2022

The basics of hip dysplasia in dogs
12/29/2020

Dr Carol Beuchat PhD
This is a basic but good video about hip dysplasia. I like it because it makes a clear point that puppies are not born with dysplastic hips, and that the development of the socket as the puppy grows is not genetically programmed.

The development of the joint is the result of biomechanical forces, so the correct position of the head of the femur in the socket is critical. The deformity of hip dysplasia is not caused by a "hip dysplasia gene"; it is the result of abnormal biomechanics when the ball is not properly positioned in the socket. This is what Riser is talking about when he says that the hip will develop normally as long as the joint is "coherent", with the ball seated deeply in the socket.
https://youtu.be/anuw6WwfyzE

11/10/2022

Hereditary is a very small risk factor for hip dysplasia. There are many things you can do as new puppy owners to ensure your dog gets the best chance of a pain free hip and elbow life!

https://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/the-10-most-important-things-to-know-about-canine-hip-dysplasia

By Carol Beuchat PhD Hip dysplasia is a hot topic in dogs, if it's possible to stay "hot" for 50 years. Researchers have been working hard for decades looking for solutions, and breeders have been...

25/02/2022

Diet selection and growth rate management are equally critical in preventing developmental orthopedic disease in growing large-breed dogs.

25/03/2021

28/02/2021

07/01/2021

This is why I don’t recommend wearing collars in the house.

05/01/2021

Purebred doesn’t always mean well bred.

When you’re adding a new dog or puppy to your family, there’s a lot to think about and it can get very confusing. Let’s say for a moment that you want an Australian Shepherd puppy…

26/12/2020

HOW MUCH FOR A PUPPY?

Let me say a few words to you, the person who writes an email to simply ask the price. The person who also calls and is surprisedly states: “I can buy a cheaper dog elsewhere”. I also address you; the person who just wants “a pet”.

Not a single dog is just a dog.

Behind every pure bred dog is a BREEDER. I’m using capital letters to differentiate a breeder from a pet factory, I have puppies available for all types of people. When you select to buy a dog from a breeder, this breeder is responsible for the health of every dog; owned and also sold. This breeder will skip holidays, sleeping, laying in bed and most of their own house space as this will be turned into space for their dogs. The truly passionate breeder who loves what they breed, puts their whole heart into it. Not only in puppies that are sold but also in those who get sick and die.

A breeder will get their hands dirty, often covered in placentas and mud. Because that’s what life is about: birth and death.

In the middle of birth and death is life. The wheel that keeps turning. A breeder will do progesterone tests, echos, xrays, analysis, c sections, vaccinations, research pedigrees, deworm, as well as chipping their puppies and getting them evaluated by specialists.

Last but by no means least, a breeder CHOOSES the family lucky enough to have one of their puppies. Yes, you read that right. A true breeder chooses who they sell to.

Because it is not “just a dog”.

Written by: Sr. Eduardo Loredo Muller
Translated into English by: Angel Sophia Nogga

09/11/2020

Dog fanciers (people who show and/or responsibly breed their purebred dogs) tend to talk a lot about “angulation,” but pet owners should know what “angulation” means too because it can impact, for example, their decision to jog with their dog, for how long and on what kind of surface.

Simplistically put, “angulation” refers to the angles formed when a dog’s bones meet when standing up. Angles form in a dog’s shoulders, hip joints, pelvic area, rear assembly, and other places we’ll discuss over time. For now, however, we’re talking about a dog’s rear angulation.

“Proper” angulation for a dog’s breed enables the dog to do the job for which it was originally bred. Generally speaking, too much angulation (the diagram at the left) can lead to joint, nerve and muscle damage. Too little (seen at the right) is called being “straight in the rear.” Too little AND too much angulation results in a dog with reduced endurance. A dog’s loyalty and big heart will compel it to keep up with its jogging owner for miles, but if the dog is built incorrectly, it will suffer. Over time, the dog may become arthritic and it’s owner will never know that all that jogging wasn’t helpful because they didn’t know the importance of structure. Don’t be that person.

There are many books on the subject, but we prefer books that are easy to understand and well illustrated. The first would have to be the classic by Rachel Page Elliot, “Dogsteps, Illustrated Gait at a Glance.” Another book is “What’s Your Angle: Understanding Angulation and Structure for the Performance Dog Paperback” by Helen Grinnell King. We also came across a web page you may want to review to learn a bit more: http://www.worldwideboxer.com/movement3.html

Reprised from June, 2014

20/08/2020

One kind of elbow dysplasia -UAP

The anconeal process is a small projection of bone on the ulna, the longer of the two bones of the forearm. If the anconeal process does not fuse to the rest of the ulna correctly during growth, it causes a condition called ununited anconeal process (UAP). This problem appears to be hereditary mostl...

07/08/2020

I have recently seen a few discussions on the cost of different purebred puppies. A common theme amongst these discussions is people being surprised at the cost of a well bred purebred dog. There are typically two kinds of responses to hearing these higher costs:
1. They are astounded by the price and think it is a scam or ridiculous.
2. They think you are insulting their $300 purebred by saying it is not worth as much.

No one is saying that your dog is worth less as a companion based on what you paid, but well bred dogs cost what they cost for very good reasons. A well bred dog can be thought of as an investment, you pay more up front to ensure a higher likelihood of paying less over the dog’s lifetime for health and behavioral issues.

The cost of a well bred dog varies heavily amongst breed and more slightly across different regions, but the averages for each breed can be roughly estimated. For example, a well bred golden retriever is likely to cost you between $2,000-3,000 for just limited registration pretty much anywhere in the US. So, if I see someone selling a golden for $1,000 or less that tells me that massive corners are being cut in regard to health testing, veterinary care, or titling. Reputable breeders so rarely even break even, so they certainly could not afford to take a hit like that, so this would tell me that most likely those puppies are not well bred.

To demonstrate why well bred dogs cost what they do, let’s dive into the details of what all goes into producing the litter. To make it simpler, we’ll continue our example using the golden retriever and I will be giving averages based on estimates from clinics in my area and from breeders I have spoken to regarding this. Individual costs for each breeder will obviously be different based on location and how long it takes to title the dog.


𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $3,000

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗛 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $10,000-$15,000
This includes entry fees, travel costs such as gas, hotels, meals, etc, grooming supplies. Breeders often have to travel very far out of state for shows, so these costs will vary. This cost can also be significantly higher if a professional handler is used, and goldens are a hard breed to finish so they often are.

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 (𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $5,000-$10,000 per sport
This includes entry fees and travel costs.

These are important steps because they prove through an unbiased third party that the dog has proven itself worthy of being bred. Conformation is meant to serve as judgement of breeding stock, which means that the judges are comparing the dog to its breed standard to see how well it represents it. Titling in sports proves the dog has the drive and trainability to excel in these activities that will hopefully be passed on.

Health testing is one of the most important parts of breeding responsibly. The goal is to produce an overall healthier next generation, so doing all breed appropriate health tests and only breeding those who will pass on better genes is of the utmost importance. For goldens to receive a CHIC number, which is a certification given when the dog has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly made available, there are four required tests:

𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Radiographs: $100-200
Sedation if necessary: $100
OFA submission: $35

𝗘𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Radiographs: $100-200
Sedation if necessary: $100
OFA submission: $35

𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆:
Exam: $55
OFA submission: $12 new, $8 resubmission thereafter

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗰 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 >𝟭𝟮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀:
Exam: $100
Echo: $300-500
OFA submission: $15

In addition to these tests required by the CHIC program, many breeders will often do DNA testing to screen for common heritable issues in their breed. For example, PRA and Ichthyosis are commonly screened for in goldens.
𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: $200 through Embark or $80 per test through other companies.

Costs associated with breeding or a pregnant bitch:

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲: $1,000-3,000
There could also be extra costs associated with shipping the stud or costs associated with artificial insemination.
𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁: $50
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: $100/each
𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘀/𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: $150/each
𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝗲𝘁𝗰: $200
This is assuming the bitch has an easy pregnancy and birth as an emergency C-section could easily cost $5,000.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗻: $250
𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗲𝘁𝗰): $300
𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: $300-500
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗱: $50/week
𝗩𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: $100/puppy
𝗚𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝘀: $50-100/puppy

Taking all of the low end estimates and assuming immediate conception and a flawlessly simple pregnancy and delivery of an average sized litter already breaks $20,000, and none of these figures factor in the time and expertise of the breeder which cannot be quantified. They often take days off work to travel for shows and sport trials or during the first week or so after the puppies have been born. They spend years studying the breed, studying pedigrees, and carefully choosing their pairings. They spend at minimum 8 weeks with the litter once born following puppy raising protocols that ensure the puppies will be as socialized as possible by the time they get to you. They examine the puppies closely looking at structure and personality to decide which puppy is the best fit for you and your lifestyle. After all of this, they also provide a lifetime of support to you and your new dog.

I know that I too was a little shell shocked the first time I learned what a well bred dog costs, but the more that you learn about all that is involved and how important each of those steps are, the more you understand how incredibly worth the investment a well bred dog is.

Photos are of Berry and Carter, two golden retriever show dogs provided by Anna Vosko

20/07/2020

Bloat and GDV. What is it and why is my St Bernard at such risk?

https://youtu.be/V9qvhlPPqGQ

What are the signs of bloat (GDV) in dogs? Dr. Andy Roark discusses the causes, symptoms and breeds that are most likely to suffer from this life-threatening...

14/07/2020

Please don't give your dog rawhides! Pork skin is a great alternative!

04/05/2020

Save this...what to do if your dog CHOKES

18/04/2020

Interesting article on the benefits of waiting to spay or neuter.

“Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered” (Barker). If you were a fan of The Price is Right like I was when I was younger, then you likely heard this phrase often. Not only was it a statement that was made on every episode and continues to be said today, it demonstrates...