Old hemp BCs

16/08/2024

Relic is looking for a new home!

As we all know, Frank is a very popular stud who’s been bred a lot and produced many awesome puppies which means issues are almost certainly going to pop up. But recently there has been an alarming number of his offspring testing with hip dysplasia, out of several different females. Of 31 hip tested offspring, there has been 13 with hip problems (41.9%) which is simply too much and too close for comfort for a breeding prospect. So despite Relic’s awesome temperament and all of her amazing traits, I am washing her from my breeding program and placing her into a permanent home.

Relic's pedigree is stacked with very impressive herding dogs and she has definitely turned on to livestock. She is absolutely a delightful little thing. Relic is immensely friendly, sweet, outgoing and social. She loves every single person and dog she's met and has a calm polite demeanor in her interactions with people. With dogs, she's very playful and silly. She has high toy drive and loves to play, equally enjoying tugging, fetch, balls, discs, soft toys, any toys she can get her paws on. She's just as happy to entertain herself as she is to play with a person or dog. Relic also has great food drive and loves to learn. She picks up on behaviors quickly and is wicked smart. She enjoys training and is a pleasure to work with, very focused and cool headed. In general, she has a cool and calm demeanor about her around the house. She is a high drive young Border Collie and can certainly be rowdy but she's showing a lot of signs for great clarity and an easy dog to live with, with a natural off switch. Another thing to love about her is how affectionate she is! She has a lot of time for love and cuddles, she’s super sweet and not a big licker. Relic has already been BAER and CAER tested clear and is DNA panel clear by parentage. I’m also willing to have her hips x rayed before placing her, especially if she’ll be going on to do sports, to make sure she’s sound for the work but even if she herself tests perfectly, with so many half siblings failing hips I’m just not comfortable moving forward with this line. It’s very sad but I’m sure she’s going to make someone super happy.

If you’re interested in adding Relic to your family, message me! I’m happy to chat and answer any questions.

29/03/2024

Friendly reminder that just because you don’t like a breeder or disagree with someone’s program, doesn’t necessarily make that breeder “bad.” The internet makes it easy for people to dehumanize others and forget there are real people on the other end. I have a lot of respect for those who choose to be kind despite differences in opinion.

Holding every breeder to your personal standard of excellence and demonizing them when they don’t fit it is unreasonable. It doesn’t make someone a bad breeder just because you don’t like them or their choices. Treating breeders as if they are not people with full lives outside of this space, with mental and physical health, with families, homes, careers, and personal limitations to what is accessible for them is unkind and unhelpful.

Sharing your experiences with the goal of being informative is one thing but personal attacks, slander, name calling, etc. are uncalled for and it really speaks more volumes about the individuals partaking in the hatefulness than anything else. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion and conversations should be had. I am not for standing by and allowing true wrong doings, heinous acts, or abusive behavior to slip under the radar. This goes both ways… how you conduct yourself as a breeder AKA a professional in the industry leaves an impression and speaks volumes. As breeders, I feel like we should be constantly striving to better our programs and build our community, not tear it down.

There are truly problematic people out there who are actually abusing or neglecting dogs/puppies, hoarding ungodly numbers of dogs (I’m talking 20, 30, even 50 plus dogs, numbers that no person can reasonably care for without staff onsite), who are completely unsupportive of their puppy owners, or are totally ill prepared to actually raise a litter. There are endless truly bad “breeders” who are perpetuating the poor outlook the general public has on breeding as a whole. I just can’t help but feel like if all this energy spent bashing breeders who are doing good by their dogs, puppies, and owners was put towards people who are actually problematic, maybe a positive difference could be made.

02/03/2024

My health testing standards:

Full panel DNA
OFA hips
OFA elbows
OFA shoulders
OFA spine
OFA heart
OFA patella
OFA eyes

I’ve been increasing my health testing standards over the years and I’m at a place I’m very happy with. Going forward, all of my breeding prospects (no matter the breed) will be screened to the standard listed above. I pride myself on offering above and beyond health testing in my program and test extensively outside of breed requirements. All of my dog’s health results are publicly posted on their respective pages on my website.

20/02/2024

Duckie update!

She has been living happily ever after with her new owner in Northern California for over 6 months now! Duckie is now a full time herding dog for a well respected herding trainer and judge, Deborah Pollard. I could not be happier with this placement! This is the trainer I’ve been going to for a little over a year now who owns Glen (Fabrics litter daddy).

I sent Vintage for a board and train with Debbie last spring, and since she’s worked hands on with both Abigail and Vintage in our lessons, I knew she’d be a great resource in finding an ideal home for Duckie. So I also sent Duckie to Debbie for a board and train to get her started in herding before finding her final placement! But it worked out even better and she texted me to tell me Duckie had wiggled her way right into her heart and that she wanted to keep her. She told me that what she saw in Duckie was the same thing she sees in Abbie and Vintage and that’s what made her unable to let her go. She loves their working ability, style, and their overall temperaments which is such a huge compliment from a very experienced person!

So proud to say that one of my bred bys belongs to this fantastic dog handler. And I get to see her every time I go down for herding lessons! She’s a breeding prospect too so we may even get to see more Ducklings over the coming years and she will likely debut in herding trials sometime 2024. Debbie decided to keep Duckie’s name and changed her registered name to “Old H**p’s Just Duckie.” 🥰 I love a happy ending! Sometimes you just find a dog’s perfect placement later on and that is a huge reason why I’m always ready and willing to take my pups back at any point, to make sure I can always do right by them. Huge congratulations to Duckie on the best life ever for a working bred girl!

08/01/2024

Lapis turned 5 years old yesterday!

Happy birthday to the first Whippet, the one who made us fall in love with the breed. Lapis is such a good girl through and through! She’s a perfect demo dog for our training business, both in person and virtually. She’s precise and moves with a lot of control which makes her easy and pleasant to view. She will work with anyone. She’s very neutral and friendly with dogs and people alike. She has fun doing stuff but she’s also the easiest dog to live with ever!

She became a mother last year and really was the perfect dam. Couldn’t ask for a better first time mom experience! She was attentive and so sweet to her babies, enjoyed just being with them and taking care of them, she handled her pregnancy and delivery very well.

She went on her first organized live hunt last year and was teamed up with a Saluki and an Ibizan. I was super eager to see her hunt with them but there were no rabbits that day so oh well. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Tough thing about those types of sports. Lapis also had her first official fast cat trial and she enjoyed that but certainly didn’t turn on the boosters like she does for live game!

We love our little blue Whippu and are so glad to have her. Happy 5th birthday to Lapis!

16/11/2023

Sapphire has been my favorite puppy of the litter and that is part of why she is still looking for a home! Her initial placement didn’t work out and while I have had several inquiries about her, none have been the right fit yet. I want her to go somewhere special where she will have an awesome life and get to do fun things! Someone with training goals, who wants to stay in close contact with me throughout her life. Someone looking for a beginner/entry sport dog or first time Whippet owner would be totally fine but maybe not first time dog owner. She is a handful! Saph is certainly the craziest of the litter. She has a lot of high drives and she would be a challenging puppy in the wrong hands. That said, she’s been quite easy so far! She is taking everything in stride, very social and outgoing, friendly, self assured. She is inquisitive and confident. Sapphire has been coming with me to events, get togethers, dog club meetings, etc and she’s doing great! She loves kids, people, dogs, she’s met horses, goats,

Whippets are known for being crazy for the first year and then calming down into their mature selves after that, but this girl will remain driven enough to have a lot of fun with. Whippets are different than herders and they do need an understanding handler who isn’t going to expect the same out of them that they would a herder or other non-hound breed. Whippets are definitely one of the sportier hounds overall, especially when it comes to sighthounds, but they are still hounds and they aren’t just going to hang off your every word just because. Some of the upsides of well bred Whippets compared to herders is that they are far less prone to reactivity, aggression, sensitivities to things, and they don’t “need” work/training to be satisfied. They are more than happy to have down time, slow seasons, whatever. But they are very get up and go when you’re ready!

Sapphire is a special pup and if I were keeping one, it would be her. She is going to be a really fun companion for someone.

If you’re interested in her, please feel free to reach out!

16/11/2023

Puppy placement 4 - Larimar

Up next is our brindle boy, Lari! This puppy has been a total love bug since he first opened his eyes. He was the first pup to wag his tail at us, first pup to really seek out love and cuddles, just a super sweet hearted baby. He’s got a lot of toy drive and loves to do things, definitely one of the more driven and energetic of the bunch. But when you’re ready to relax and have a good cuddle, he’s all for it! He really enjoys training and structured play and he has some nice full grips and possession for toys. Structurally, he’s a well put together pup but he doesn’t have as much bone as his brother. He has a houndy head like his mom and he’s definitely built for speed. He’s already hitting the lanky stage at only 3 months old!

Larimar is my co-own male from the Gems and he’s staying local! He went to live with Brooklyn, .tattoos Tim, and has two big dog siblings Zeke and Morticia. Brooklyn plans to do conformation and some other sports with him, maybe even dipping into a little bitework if he continues to seem keen for it. She is also hoping he can work as a service dog for her when it’s inconvenient to take a giant dog along, and of the litter I certainly think this pup has the best aptitude for it. He is super in tune with his people! We’re excited to have him close by to go hunting with us and he may end up being a good little shop dog for Tim at the tattoo shop, which is very cute since he looks like he has a heart tattoo on his neck. So far he’s made his way right into his new parent’s hearts and bed, where he is comfortably sleeping under the covers for the entire night, following in Lapis’s footsteps!

Larimar’s new name is Lurk and his registered name is still to be decided.

So happy that Tim and Brooklyn got this little man and I’m excited to co-parent him together as he grows! Brooklyn is a wonderful dog owner and I’m super stoked for her to have her first Old H**p dog. 🥰

15/11/2023

Puppy placement 3 - Tanzanite

Next placement post is our beautiful big blue boy, Tanzanite! This pup is his mama’s little clone when it comes to looks but his personality is all his own. He’s a total ham, sweetheart, affectionate puppy who loves to play and romp and wrestle. But he has this calm demeanor that’s so nice to be around, even as a puppy! He has a very goofy side and kept us laughing often during his puppyhood. He is structurally a gorgeous pup, has great bone, put together so nicely. He was our biggest puppy but he never let it get to his head and although he loves to play he wasn’t super hard on his siblings. He’s a social butterfly, never met a stranger kind of guy. Plenty of drive for the fun things but a well balanced middle of the pack pup who isn’t going to be a problem child.

Tanzanite was our first puppy to fly the nest and he’s been living it up in Seattle for the last month! His new mom, Sonia, is a runner and Tanz will be a perfect companion for her outdoorsy endeavors. He is her first dog since childhood and I think a well bred Whippet is such an excellent choice for her lifestyle and what she was looking for in a dog! So far I’ve had nothing but great feedback about Tanzanite’s adjustment to his new home - Sonia says his puppy training from me has been extremely helpful and she is eager to continue his education and help him become his best self!
Another great placement that I’m thrilled with.

Tanzanite is keeping his call name and his registered name is Old H**p’s Precious Stone.

29/10/2023

Puppy placement 2 - Kyanite

Our second born sweetheart. Kyanite stood out to me the moment she was born with her beautiful dark brindle and small size! I joked right away “Oh, here’s my keeper.” She has grown over these three months of her life to be such an angel. She reminds me the most of her mama, she’s just a spitting image of Lapis’ sweet tender nature. Kyanite is an easy going puppy, laid back, gentle. She loves to play around and have a good time but she isn’t at all overbearing or pushy! She’s really very quiet and peaceful. She loves to get petted and massaged, to cuddle up to you and relax. But if you bring out a toy, she’s all game! I think she’s a perfect companion type of Whippet. She’s happy to do things when and if you are, but she’s also more than happy to just hang out.

Kya is going to live all the way in Chicago with a lovely couple who already have another Whippet, a one year old boy named Jasper who is doing agility classes and some fast cat. Kyawill get to try her hand at those sports as well as possibly therapy work, which I think would really suit her! Her new owners have a camper van and they love to travel and bring the dogs with on camping and hiking trips.

Kyanite is keeping her call name and her registered name is still TBD.

I’m super pleased with this match and so happy for Kya and her people! They drove all the way here to northern Nevada from Chicago to pick up their new baby and it was wonderful getting to meet in person. Miss this little girl already!

23/10/2023

Puppy placement 1!

Very late on posting these but things have been crazy over here. 🤪 Better late than never!

First puppy placement is for our firstborn, pretty miss Opal. She’s been a lovely middle of the pack kind of girl throughout her babyhood, she loves to play and is very human oriented but she isn’t a super pushy puppy. She’s well balanced mentally and physically! She is probably the best show prospect of the litter; she’s a gorgeous girl. Opal loves water, she was the first puppy to jump right into the kiddy pool and zoom all around afterwards! She’s brave and funny, loves to snuggle, loves to bite and tug and zoom. A perfect little Whippet girly!

Opal is going to a couple of dear friends, Darby and Kaylin. Darby has been hoping for a Lapis puppy since she first met her years ago! Darby and Kaylin both are Border Collie people, sport dog people, and great pet owners. Opal is going to be super well loved, trained, and cherished! She will get to try her hand at dog sports (like dock diving, which I think she’ll love!) and conformation. She is a co-own as well, so we may get to see more of her in the future here! 🥰

Opal is keeping her name and her registered name is Old H**p’s Opalescence.

Couldn’t be happier for these awesome humans to finally own a dog from me! Thank you both for giving Opal a wonderful life.

01/10/2023

Happy first birthday to the fabulous Fabrics litter!

I couldn’t be more proud of these amazing puppies and their equally amazing owners. This litter has been so special, so capable, so talented from such a young age. They are all perfect dogs and I would gladly make 10 more! Everyone who has one is so happy with them and that makes me endlessly happy myself. Everyone has also been just awesome about keeping me in the loop with their puppies and for that I am so grateful! A few of these pups went to second time Old H**p owners and people with half siblings which is also very cool!

In this litter, we already have performance dogs, herding dogs, sport dogs, and stable wonderful companions. I’m eager to see how everyone continues to grow up over the next year as we make our way into adulthood with our Fabric babies.

Thank you to all of my awesome puppy people for giving these guys picture perfect lives!

28/09/2023

Since in the previous posts we go over each pup's individual temperament test results, let's go over what the test items are!

This is the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT). While I find the test to be a little outdated, especially in terminology, it's still a fine tool and it doesn't hurt to do. It always seems to confirm my findings through raising and knowing my litter well.

Social attraction - This test is done right when the puppy enters the test area and is first met with the tester. The tester calls them over and scores based on what they do. Shows social attraction and reaction to strangers.

Following - Tester walks and encourages puppy to follow them, scoring their reaction. Another test of sociability and also biddability.

Restraint - This exercise is when the tester lays the puppy on it's back and holds them there to see how they react. Gives insight to how the pup handles human spacial pressure and being restricted.

Social "dominance" - But I like to call it Social forgiveness. It's done right after the Restraint exercise and you see if they quickly "forgive" the person for making them uncomfortable. Tester kneels there and strokes the puppy to see what they do. Can show a pup’s level of independence, confidence, sociability, softness, etc.

Elevation "dominance" - This is another that uses the word dominance in a way I wouldn't typically use it, but the test is holding the puppy elevated just over the ground with both hands, seeing how they react. Another gage of the pup’s reaction to restraint and human pressure as well as body handling.

Retrieving - This test is tossing a crumpled piece of paper and seeing what they do. Score can give insight to the pup’s toy drive and natural cooperation.

Touch sensitivity - This one isn't major and is very easily trained to be better. The tester squeezes the webbing between the toes firmly but not hard and scores based on how quickly the pup reacts by pulling away. This is done for 10 seconds or until the pup reacts. Can give some insight to the pup’s ease of body handling/cooperative care.

Sound sensitivity - Someone on the sidelines of the testing area bangs a spoon on a metal bowl and scores how the puppy reacts. Tests the pup’s reaction, sensitivity and recovery towards loud noises.

Sight sensitivity - For this test, you have a cloth on a string of some description (like a flirt pole) and jerk it around the floor. All of my puppies seem to pretty much score 1s on this which is anticipated with my dogs. It means they looked, chased it, and bit and played with it. Another good indication of toy drive, prey drive, visual/movement stimulation.

Stability - This test item involves the tester unexpectedly opening an umbrella and setting it down, seeing how the puppy reacts. A good gage of the pup’s reaction to and recovery from the unexpected.

28/09/2023

28/09/2023

Larimar
Spy x Lapis Gems litter
Male
7.9lbs at 8 weeks old
Sweet, cuddly, playful, social and friendly, pushier compared to most littermates but not demanding, a little needy, very in tune and into his people type of puppy. Great toy and food drive.

•Social attraction: 2/3. Quick happy hello and then zoomed to go investigate the area. Social, friendly, eager to explore.
•Following: 3. Followed happily but more so wanted to check things out and explore. Interested in being involved but also an independent streak.
•Restraint: 4. Mostly settled but looked around and was a bit squirmy.
•Social dominance: 2/3. Got in lap, wagging and sweet. Forgiving nature.
•Elevation dominance: 3. No struggle.
•Retrieving: 3. Ran and got it, brought it right back to tester perfectly.
•Touch sensitivity: 1. No response.
•Sound sensitivity: 3. Went right towards the sound to check it out. Not sound sensitive.
•Sight sensitivity: 1. Chased, attacked, bit, gripped and good tugging. High prey and play drive, stimulated by motion.
•Stability: 1/2. Went and jumped right in it, no caution. Environmentally sound.

28/09/2023

Sapphire
Spy x Lapis Gems litter
Female
6.9lbs at 8 weeks old
Confident, bubbly, outgoing, playful, friendly and social, most pushy of the litter, energetic, more of an in your face type of puppy. Great toy and food drive.

•Social attraction: 2. Ran up, wiggled all over, zoomed a little. Outgoing, social, friendly.
•Following: 2. Followed and jumped around, walked away to check out environment. Interested in people and being involved but also independent.
•Restraint: 3. Struggled, then settled, then struggled. Whined some.
•Social dominance: 3. Forgiving nature, climbed in testers lap and wiggled around.
•Elevation dominance: 3/4. Brief struggle then settled.
•Retrieving: 2/3. Ran and got the object, brought it to the tester, then ran around the area with it.
•Touch sensitivity: 5. Three seconds before response.
•Sound sensitivity: 3. Went to investigate the source of sound. Not sound sensitive.
•Sight sensitivity: 1. Chased, attacked, bit, took a moment to really sink her bite. High prey and play drive, stimulated by motion.
•Stability: 1/2. No concern, not cautious, went to check it out. Environmentally sound.

28/09/2023

Tanzanite
Spy x Lapis Gems litter
Male
8.7lbs at 8 weeks old
Outgoing, silly, happy, bubbly, social, loves to cuddle, loves to play, “middle range” type of puppy. Great toy and food drive.

•Social attraction: 2. Very social, climbed up and jumped all over tester. Social nature, friendly, outgoing.
•Following: 2. Followed very eagerly, jumping around. Wants to be involved, human oriented, happy.
•Restraint: 3. Some struggle then settled, some eye contact.
•Social “dominance”: 3. Wiggled into lap, excited. Forgiving nature.
•Elevation dominance: 3/4. No struggle, then some struggle after about 15 seconds.
•Retrieving: 1. Ran and got it, took it away.
•Touch sensitivity: 4. Four seconds, then a small pull.
•Sound sensitivity: 4. No concern about it. Not sound sensitive.
•Sight sensitivity: 1. Chased, attacked, big tugging. Did some stalking/hunting when he let go. High prey and play drive, stimulated by motion.
•Stability: 1/2. Noticed, went to the umbrella and got all over it, no caution. Environmentally sound.

28/09/2023

Kyanite
Spy x Lapis Gems litter
Female
7.3lbs at 8 weeks old
Calm, not pushy or needy, quiet, loving, sweet, gentle, easy going type of puppy. Good toy and food drive.

•Social attraction: 4. Much more interested in sniffing the area than in saying hi. Low key, independent streak, curious.
•Following: 3. Followed but not super interested in tester, did a little zooming around the room. Playful and social but not pushy or demanding.
•Restraint: 5. No struggle.
•Social “dominance”: 3/4. Gave a little kiss, forgiving but not very enthusiastic.
•Elevation dominance: 3. No struggle, relaxed.
•Retrieving: 3/4. Went to object, brought it half way back to tester.
•Touch sensitivity: 1. No response.
•Sound sensitivity: 3/4. Somewhat curious, no concern. Not sound sensitive.
•Sight sensitivity: 2. Chased, not too bitey. Interested in motion, not super highly driven.
•Stability: 2. No startle, not cautious, went to check it out after a moment. Environmentally sound, not nervy.

28/09/2023

Opal
Spy x Lapis Gems litter
Female
7.6lbs at 8 weeks old
Sweet, happy, playful, bubbly, not too pushy, loves to cuddle, “middle range” type of puppy. Great toy and food drive.

•Social attraction: 2/3. Interested in the place but went happily to say hi and get petted. Social, friendly, but not over the top.
•Following: 3. Followed readily, wagging and looking up at tester. Likes to be involved but not a pushy dog.
•Restraint: 5. No struggle, a little eye contact.
•Social “dominance”: 3. Forgiving nature, wanted to continue petting and belly rubs.
•Elevation dominance: 3. No struggle, relaxed.
•Retrieving: 2. Investigated the object then left it.
•Touch sensitivity: 5. Three seconds before response.
•Sound sensitivity: 4. Ears twitched but no concern. Not sound sensitive.
•Sight sensitivity: 1. Chased and attacked, very into it. High prey and play drive, stimulated by motion.
•Stability: 1/2. No startle, no caution, went to check it out. Environmentally sound, not nervy.

27/06/2023

Ember
Ruari x Abigail Flames litter
Female
8 weeks old
9lbs

Ember is Abigail’s mirror image but she really reminds me most of her half sister, my Vintage. This puppy is very tenacious, high drive, and a bit of a wildling! She has been attempting to offer me a dog catch for a few weeks now, springing up into the air as if I will catch her. A couple of times, I have! She is very adventurous and outgoing, a bold puppy with a lot of push in her. She is small but she is mighty! She’s an angel when you get her in your arms. She gives the sweetest tender love, gazing into your eyes and touching you with her paws. I think she’s going to be a big lover but not too needy! She decided recently that she loves the hose and goes crazy trying to bite the water spray, not giving up even when she’s soaked. So there’s a good chance she will be a little water dog one day! She is more of a busy body than her sister, she loves to learn and is happy to focus for training and engage for play, but she’s also more than happy to be adventuring independently. Ember is a very fun, promising, spitfire little gal who is going to be a force to be reckoned with at sports and a darling companion at home.

27/06/2023

Kindle
Ruari x Abigail Flames litter
Female
8 weeks old
10lbs

Kindle, our beautiful little lady. She is a sweet soft hearted girl, thoughtful, cool headed, not a trouble maker. She reminds me the most of her mama, my Abigail. Kindle loves her people and I could see her growing into a dog like Abbie, who takes a moment to consider newcomers before making herself comfortable in your lap. A dog who is very loyal to her person and a real “ride or die,” teammate, partner of a dog. That is 100% who Abigail is for me and Kindle’s mannerisms remind me so much of how Abigail was as a pup. Kindle loves to tug her little heart out, she is brave and enjoys using her environment to her advantage, she is more of a thinker than a doer and she is very herdy already. She sneaks in on her siblings with a lot of style, she watches the goats in their pen from all the way across the yard, and she makes it a real challenge to walk around because she’s right there trying to herd your feet and bring you where she wants you to go. She is a total sweetheart who loves to snuggle, loves to get sweet on the big dogs and give them her belly and follow them around. She really loves her mom—both of the girls follow her religiously when she’s spending time with the litter. She is another nice, balanced, “middle area” pup with so much potential. She loves training, loves to play, is very biddable, and feels like an old soul puppy.