Perla Sighthounds

15/08/2024

The Whippet is a medium sized sighthound giving the appearance of elegance and fitness, denoting great speed, power and balance without coarseness. They are amiable, friendly, gentle, but capable of great intensity during sporting pursuits.

Are you interested in this breed? The OFA, working with the American Whippet Club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock:
- ACVO Eye Exam
- Cardiac Exam (Basic, Advanced, or Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam)
- Congenital deafness (BAER or GDC)
- Health foundation entry
Optional but recommended:
- Hip dysplasia
- Autoimmune thyroiditis

Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements are issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria.

For more information about the Whippet, please visit the parent club website: https://www.americanwhippetclub.org/
For more information about the CHIC program, check out the OFA: https://ofa.org/chic-programs/

14/08/2024

Art by the talented comic book artist Joyce Chin.

Proceeds to benefit Silken Windhound health and rescue as needed.

Please join the group if you have or are interested in Silkens.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/SoxbKjpsUcMDriJr/?mibextid=K35XfP

https://www.swhrswag.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR04TCwQw-qFXBQhm-gx6aP0rzq7UfZahAdHBqsXUwDCdFaieARdiW5zPDw_aem_4cGll7cCnzmtjs2j6bE6jg

Shop Tops | Bottoms | Sale | All Tops Bottoms Sale Black and White Logo - Heather Unisex t-shirt $25.00 View Options Black and White Logo - Throw Blanket from $40.00 Add To Cart Black and White Logo - Spiral notebook $20.00 Add To Cart Black and White Logo - Tote bag $25.00 Add To Cart Black and Whi...

14/08/2024

12/08/2024

Raising dogs is my choice. I give up things and do without for them. I regret nothing. My life was, is, and will always be, for my dogs, no matter what. They don’t ruin my life. They give me a whole new view of the meaning of life. Couldn't love them any more. 🐾❤️

Copy and paste if your DOGS mean the world to you! I did!

09/08/2024

🎉Congratulations🎉 to our junior handler for getting invitations with TWO of the top 5 Borzoi for the 2024 American Kennel Club All breed Fast CAT Invitational which will be held this October!

However, due to lure operator and run out safety concerns, we will be respectfully declining our invitations to this event.

Many congrats to the other Borzoi and all breeds who are also invited! Safe running to all!

📸DeanLakePhotography

09/08/2024

These photos don’t do it justice but loving the Borzoi engraved 40oz travel cup from https://www.ashzoi.com/

09/08/2024

This.

Many people are ✨shocked✨ to see that my dogs aren’t super dog-friendly. They’re a dog trainer’s dog, how can they be so mean?

“Mean” because they don’t run up to other dogs, mean because they aren’t dying to meet your dog, mean because they don’t tolerate inappropriate behavior..

To me, they’re an example of dogs with healthy boundaries and relationships to others. It seems to be the “norm” for a lot of dog owners to expect other dogs to tolerate all of their own dog’s behavior. If your child was being harassed by another child, would you tell them to tolerate it? Of course not; we would intervene and the same should be happening for our dogs.

Any inappropriate behavior (posturing, face licking, jumping, excessive sniffing), or really any behavior that makes the receiving dog uncomfortable, should be interrupted or punished.

This can happen in two ways: we intervene which is the preferred method. If your puppy is face-licking your older dog and your older dog isn’t enjoying it/is trying to get away, etc, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to remove the puppy from the older dog. We should not except any dog to tolerate annoying behavior and we certainly don’t want to raise our puppies to continue this. Or if your male dog is excessively sniffing a female dog to the point she’s uncomfortable, you can interrupt or punish that with a “no,” a nick on the ecollar, separating them, etc. It is your responsibility to manage your own dog and advocate for others.

The other option is to allow the receiving dog to correct the inappropriate dog, but this is rarely efficient and should only happen under very strict circumstances. We never want to allow a dog we don’t know to correct our dog. There’s a good chance they won’t, which will teach tolerance, and there’s an equally good chance they will overcorrect, resulting in injury or fight.

Often a puppy is raised where other dogs are expected to tolerate behavior. One day the puppy runs up to a dog and starts behavior that they’ve rehearsed, the new dog doesn’t tolerate it and corrects the dog/starts a fight...

Read the full article here:

https://www.horizonretrievers.com/post/socialization-1

08/08/2024

Sound temperament is our number one priority.

Let's discuss a topic I know that far too many breeders disregard or do not prioritize within their programs.. What is it, you wonder? Temperament. Something that is such a basic, fundamental aspect when it comes to breeding animals has become disregarded and/or not prioritized.

Australian Shepherd temperament as defined by AKC and ASCA breed standards:

-- ASCA --
"CHARACTER: The Australian Shepherd is primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an intelligent, exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained: performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. This unusually versatile stockdog works with the power and quickness to control difficult cattle as well as the ability to move sheep without unnecessary roughness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable."

-- AKC --
"Temperament: The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition; he is good natured, seldom quarrelsome. He may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Faults - Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely penalized."

I, personally, have witnessed and experienced horrible temperaments within the breed. Far too many. As stated in the breed standards above, any display of fear, aggression, viciousness or shyness is intolerable or severely penalized.

Since when did temperament become the low man on the totem pole when it comes to your breeding animals? A 'pretty dog' that is structurally sound is worthless in my book if they have a bad temperament.

Then there are breeders who are producing these temperament that do not adhere to the breed standard, placing them in homes and then expecting that person to deal and manage it. When concerns are expressed, they don't do the right thing, often blaming the issue on the owner. A breeder should take responsibility for every dog they produce. It is not a buyers responsibility to manage your temperment nightmare.

I will personally take back any dog I produce that is not working within their home. We will discuss the issues at hand and I will do anything to make the situation right again - whether that's replacing the dog with another puppy or offering a refund. This is the right thing to do. I do not expect someone to manage a dog I produced that is not working within their lifestyle.

This is also why I take placements so seriously. This is why I temperament test my puppies. This is why I use extensive puppy rearing programs. This is why I keep extensive notes on my pups and their temperaments so that I place them in the right home that is able to meet their needs. We all know that no dog is perfect and they all need support somewhere. However, by giving them a foundation starting in the whelping box and by placing them in the homes I know they will thrive in, I am setting both them and their owner up for success. And if they don't? I take them back and make the situation right.

Temperament should be hand in hand with structure and biddability. A dog should be sound in BOTH mind and body. If you aren't prioritizing these things, then shame on you. And shame on you for making your temperament nightmares someone else's problem.

Do better, people.

If you got this far, you deserve a gold star. ⭐️ I apologize for the lengthy post, but it's all things that needed to be said! Pictured is Lyric, the best girl who never let's me down and has a heart of gold! 🥰

06/08/2024

I truly believe that if Steve Irwin were alive today, he would have a dedicated group of people who hated him for how he treated animals.

Steve always treated every species he worked with, as the species they were, not forcing them to change their nature.

More and more I find myself trying to convince people to "let the dog go outside, it's okay if they get a little dirty" or "your snake is arboreal and can't just be confined to a small tub." Or "Your working breed dog is not happy being still and lazy in your one bedroom apartment with nothing to keep them active and thinking."

It seems in this next generation of animal husbandry, we're deciding that all animals are now going to become (and be treated as) our little babies.

Now, is it okay to refer to your furry, feathered, scaly friend as such? Of course!
Is it okay to treat them as human babies...absolutely not at all.

As we see this change taking place, so to do we see more and more stressed out animals. Ones with a lack of structure and mental enrichment...but tons and tons of random toys and bags of treats.

What Steve Irwin did is create an environment that was enriching for the animals he had. Not attempt to force the animals to adjust to his environment.

Taking your Border Collie or herding, working, hunting, breed on a 10 minute walk (as long as you remember, it's not raining or just not feeling upto it) once a day, is not cutting it.

Locking your pyrenees or Shepherd breed in a kennel all day and then keeping'em in a small apartment, but still expecting the dog to be still and always cuddling...not cutting it.

Keeping your African grey parrot in a small enclosure with a few items that you've not replaced...is not cutting it.

When you bring an animal into your life. It is so important to understand what that animal is and have a structured enrichment routine and appropriate setup for the breed/species before you take in the animal.

Anything less than what your animal needs is a disservice to your best friend.

Be kind to your animals, enrich their lives (in a way that's appropriate for them). Keep them thinking. Keep them exploring. Give them understanding and structure and you will keep them happy.

~Benjamin McGill, M.C.B Owner of GoodBoy animal training.

Picture taken while visiting local aquarium store.

26/07/2024

💝

The Captivating Lure of the Soul Connection

Over the years, I’ve heard thousands of stories from clients and friends about how their animal companion found the secret passageway to their heart and home. I never tire of hearing those details and seeing the magic that occurs to bring two souls together.

I find it especially interesting when I hear details about certain appearances that someone is looking for in an animal companion... sometimes down to eye color! When people are drawn to a specific breed, size, or coloring of an animal, this is their soul remembering the preplanned soul contracts they have with the animal that they’ve intended to partner with. Humans and their respective animal collaborators will intuitively be guided to each other. I’ve found that we often partner repeatedly with the same animal soul(s) which can manifest an amazing soul recognition when you reunite. This can expedite the process of trusting each other so you can quickly sink into the learnings and growth you are hoping to accomplish together as you navigate through various life experiences.

The animals that grace your life are all part of a divinely orchestrated plan that you co-created. You can trust the timing and manner that you and your animal companions have carefully selected to (re)connect with each other. Your souls are acutely aware of what you both want to accomplish while in Earth School.

If and when you’re seeking a new animal companion, it can be a wonderful growth opportunity for you to surrender into the wisdom held within the heart of your soul and trust the higher plan. The right and perfect animal will show up at the right and perfect time. Follow your intuition but remain unattached to the timing.

Think of the animals yet to come into your life as gifts you are blessed to unwrap while you discover together what you both hoped to feel, heal, and learn by sharing your journey. 💞

25/07/2024

This song is 5yrs old but glad to see it making a come back… LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Keb' Mo'!!

24/07/2024

As we embark upon one of our busiest weeks of our kennel club's year, just a little friendly reminder...

22/07/2024

22/07/2024

17/07/2024

We have primarily Avalon Borzoi to thank for our success with Borzoi. Our first Borzoi came from them in 1999 and the 3 we have now are a product of their years of breeding.
Our Silkens are a mostly a mix of Kristull, Gryffyns Ayerie (first silken from them in 2005), Siendo, SummersSpirit & Avalon.
Our whippets are from TreasureChest Sighthounds & Whippendor.
Everyone has to start somewhere so do your homework and make sure your foundation is solid.💝

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Our Christmas in July sale is almost over! 🎅🏽 ShopCanineAesthete.com

16/07/2024

Can greyhounds see moving objects at night better than other dogs?

Yes, for many reasons. Due to the higher concentration of retinal rods in their eyes, they have the ability to see motion far better and in dimmer lighting. They have a unique "visual streak" which is horizontally aligned (as opposed to the "area centralis" of other breeds) in the retina and assists when spotting movement in the panoramic distance. It makes perfect sense when one considers the relationship between the words "horizontal-horizon." They also are believed to have an especially high reflective tapetum lucidum* situated behind the retina, so greyhounds (and other sighthounds) tend to see better in low light conditions than other dog breeds. That's why they see prey in your back yard so quickly at night, and why they can also run and chase the lure at a racetrack with the same natural ease and speed into the evening and night hours as they do during the day.

*https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/tapetum-lucidum #:~:text=A%20tapetum%20lucidum%20is%20a,they%20inhabit%20deep%20or%20turbid

09/07/2024

Exclusivity in parent clubs can hinder purebred dog progress. Learn how opening doors benefits breeders and the whole dog community.

30/06/2024

20/06/2024

Saw this on one of my groups, thought it was rather nice!

18/06/2024

The Italian Greyhound Ch. Flaminia of Alpine, the only one of her breed to win the Group at Westminster, shown winning her third IGCA specialty, held with the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills, probably in 1965. The judge, left, was Edith Nash Hellerman, the handler George Payton. The lady of the right is Mrs. Kendrick Muckle, then president of the Italian Greyhound Club of America. There was a breed entry of 45.

Flaminia was sired by the English (but all Italian-bred) Ch. Winterlea Piero out of the German import Ch. Xena von Bayerischen Meer. The German kennel sent several dogs over to the U.S.

Flaminia won 4 all-breed BIS and 17 Toy Groups in 1965. In both 1964 and '65 she was Kennel Review's Best Western Toy dog. She was owned by Louis Russo and Jerry Dwyer of Russo's Italian Greyhounds in Hollywood, California.

Photo Joan Ludwig.

18/06/2024

Beware of foxtails while out and about with your dogs! Foxtails have barbed razor-sharp needles that are dangerous to your dog. If you are exposed, thoroughly inspect the hot spots (ears, nose, eyes, underbelly, between toe pads).

- Foxtails can go up the nose and migrate to the brain.
- Embedded foxtails can cause pain and even death in extreme cases
- Pets with long fur and long ears are especially prone to getting foxtails
- Foxtails move in one direction. They dig in, and they do not come out on their own.
- Foxtails love paws and can easily embed between toes.
- Foxtails can dig into any part of the body, and they don't dissolve.
- Foxtails pieces can easily be inhaled & puncture a lung!

Learn more about how Dog Mocs can help save your dog's paws from foxtails at www.dogmocs.com or email us at [email protected]