Grand River Dachshunds

25/08/2024

just had their first Vax. You see them waiting for easy cheese that we use for rewards. Everyone was very good. The only peep came from Now they are back chewing on their cow tracheas.


with the cheese on his face.

25/08/2024

I picked up 3 more gallons of goats milk on thursday. These pretty ladies provide the pups with nutrious milk that they love.

25/08/2024

The pups get a mixture of freeze dried food, raw hamburger, and fresh goats milk. You can purchase the freeze dried raw on websites like Amazon or chewy.

Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Meals for Puppies Grain Free Cage Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 25 oz. Bag

25/08/2024

Reorganized night pen for the puppies today. Took the big litter box out so hopefully they will continue to be consistent using the 3 litter boxes. Such good puppies!

24/08/2024

This is a similar to the puppy pen we got and we love all the space they have now! Also love the fence feature to increase air flow.

PawHut Whelping Box for Dogs Built for Mother's Comfort, Dog Whelping Pen with Removable Doors, Puppy Playpen for Indoors, Newborn Puppy Supplies & Essentials, 81" x 39" x 20", White

18/08/2024

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?"

18/08/2024

18/08/2024

August 2024 Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison The Edmonds, Washington City Council, with a vote of 4:3, adopted a so-called backyard breeding ban on July 23, 2024, to reduce the num…

18/08/2024

It's important to keep your dachshund at a good weight to protect it's back. Consider putting them on a diet if they score 6 and above. Just like humans, decreasing the calorie intake will help them lose weight, so decreasing treats or food.

14/08/2024

Sharing this again because we had a scammer comment today. If you see anything please let us know.

14/08/2024

While we are home with the puppies...Luna, GCH DC GRD's Stop This Crazy Thing Mw CGC HH is having fun with her handler Amanda.

14/08/2024

The puppies are so cute & smart! They just love going outside in the morning to go explore & play. I took them out then came back in to get their food. When I went back out they were having a ball. Then came running when I did the puppy call. Inside at night we have not had one accident outside the litter box! I'm going to expand their inside pen today. Hopefully they continue to keep it clean.

08/08/2024

Merci letting her little baby sharks nurse. 🤣

04/08/2024

Fly free my boy January 23, 2008 to July 26, 2024. You were my ❤️. Always by my side. Life is going to be completely different without you. FCI Inter CH / PanAm CH / Mex CH / UKC BIS CH / AKC Abs DC Doxieville That's Why Bentley At Grd Mw RN FDC ME CAX BCAT MHE RATS CGC VC

04/08/2024

Miss Lunartic was awarded select at the Western Pennsylvania Dachshund Club designated specialty today in Ohio with Amanda Barron showing her. There was quite a bit of competition too.

Luna is GCH DC GRD's Stop This Crazy Thing Mw CGC HH out of GCHG Donatello Vom Jagerburg & Abs GCH DC GRD's V MoonLight's Bright N Bubbly Mercier Mw ROM

22/07/2024

Babies are doing great! Growing like weeds. Teal is now 1.7lbs & the others are 1 to 2 ounces over a pound. In the picture, notice the awkward one. 😂 Yellow had to lay the wrong way.

13/07/2024

Puppies are thriving. This has been the best litter! They are 11 days old.

11/07/2024

Follow us on Instagram!

09/07/2024

Otto, Cruizer, & Shasta had their OFA heart & patella exams today. Journey has hers last week. Mays will have her exams done after she turns a year old. Now to find someone who can do eye exams on Otto, Cruizer, Journey, & Mays.

09/07/2024

One of our friends has three 6 month old wirehair dachshunds available - 1 black & tan boy with a tight coat, 1 red boy with dark overlay, & 1 red girl with a tight coat. Pets only - no show or breeding. Pm us for more information. Pups are located in the Denver area. Celli Jones

07/07/2024

Well I can tell which was nursing all night long... he's up over an ounce this morning compared to last night. 🤣 I told him he needed to save some for his sisters.

02/07/2024

Milk bar is open....

02/07/2024

There seems to be spammers posting under comments with links to other pages. Do not click on these as they are scammers. They steal puppy pictures from other fb pages and post as their own.

01/07/2024

Mom & pups

3 were born over 12 hours ago. The other 3 are under 11 hours ago. Weights this morning:

Green boy 5.71 oz
Pink girl 6.63 oz
Light blue boy 7.73 oz
Purple girl 6.62 oz
Yellow girl 6.6 oz
Teal boy 7.5oz

01/07/2024

Merci had 3 boys & 3 girls tonight. All red wires that carry for wild boar.

30/06/2024

Puppy parents heres some good info:

Fear and growth stages
Critical periods in puppy development
Neonatal Period (0-12 Days):
The puppy responds only to warmth, touch, and smell. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination.

Transition Period (13 - 20 Days):
Eyes and ears are open, but sight and hearing are limited. Tail wagging begins and the puppy begins to control body functions.

Awareness Period (21 - 28 Days):
Sight and hearing functions well. The puppy is learning that he is a dog and has a great deal of need for a stable environment.

Canine Socialization Period (21 - 49 Days):
Interacting with his mother and littermates, the pup learns various canine behaviors. He is now aware of the differences between canine and human societies.

Human Socialization Period (7 to 12 Weeks):
The pup has the brain wave of and adult dog. The best time for going to a new home. He now has the ability to learn respect, simple behavioral responses: sit, stay, come. Housebreaking begins. He now learns by association. The permanent man/dog bonding begins, and he is able to accept gentle discipline and establish confidence.

Fear Impact Period (8 - 11 Weeks):
Try to avoid frightening the puppy during this time, since traumatic experiences can have an effect during this period. As you can see, this period overlaps that of the previous definition and children or animal should not be allowed to hurt or scare the puppy -- either maliciously or inadvertently. It is very important now to introduce other humans, but he must be closely supervised to minimize adverse conditioning. Learning at this age is permanent.
This is the stage where you wonder if your dog is going to be a woosy butt all his life. Also introducing your puppy to other dogs at this time will help him become more socialized. If available in your area, a doggy day care is great for this.

Seniority Classification Period (13 - 16 Weeks):
This critical period is also known as the "Age of Cutting" - cutting teeth and cutting apron strings. At this age, the puppy begins testing dominance and leadership. Biting behavior is absolutely discouraged from thirteen weeks on. Praise for the correct behavior response is the most effective tool. Meaningful praise is highly important to shape positive attitude.

Flight Instinct Period (4 to 8 Months):
During this period puppies test their wings- they will turn a deaf ear when called. This period lasts from a few days to several weeks. It is critical to praise the positive and minimize the negative behavior during this time. However, you must learn how to achieve the correct response. This period corresponds to teething periods, and behavioral problems become compounded by physiological development chewing.

Second Fear impact period (6 - 14 Months):
Also called, "The fear of situations period", usually corresponds to growths spurts. This critical age may depend on the size of the dog. Small dogs tend to experience these periods earlier than large dogs. Great care must be taken not to reinforce negative behavior. Force can frighten the dog, and soothing tones serve to encourage his fear. His fear should be handled with patience and kindness, and training during this period puts the dog in a position of success, while allowing him to work things out while building self-confidence.

Maturity (1 - 4 years) :
Many breeds' especially giant breeds continue to grow and physically change well beyond four years of age. The average dog develops to full maturity between 1-1 1/2 years and three years of age. This period is often marked by an increase in aggression and by a renewed testing for leadership. During this time, while testing for leadership, the dog should be handled firmly. Regulars training throughout this testing period, praise him for the proper response. Giving him no inroads to affirm his leadership will remind him that this issue has already been settled.

29/06/2024

Cruizer, CH GRD's V MoonLight's World Cruiser Mw (field pointed) & Merci, Abs GCH DC GRD's V MoonLight's Bright N Bubbly Mercier Mw ROM are expecting 6 puppies any day now. We are looking for homes that will show and/or field trial the puppies. Pups will be all red wires, some may carry for wildboar. Send us a PM.

31/08/2023

20/08/2023

Sharing this info:

"📢 Calling All Dachshund Breeders! 🐶🌍
Embark on a journey with the Dachshund IVDD Reduction Initiative (DIRI) and help transform dachshund lives worldwide!

DIRI is actively seeking breeders in the USA, UK, and Australia to join a ground-breaking, long-term study investigating the impact of diet on IVDD (intervertebral disc disease).

Early results from a select group of dachshunds who underwent a therapeutic intervention are incredibly promising. This gives us reason to believe that DIRI is on the right path to create a meaningful difference within the dachshund community.

Ready to be a part of this game-changing initiative? 🔬🐾 Fill out this short survey to see if you're eligible to participate in the trial: https://bit.ly/DIRIsurvey

To learn more about the study, click the link above. For survey-related inquiries, kindly reach out to [email protected] .
"

We are looking to recruit a group of breeders of Dachshunds in the USA, UK and Australia to participate in a long-term study into the effects of diet on IVDD. A limited number of dachshunds have already participated with a therapeutic intervention, and the initial findings have shown great promise,....

13/08/2023

You can't tell they are related at all??? 😜😜
GCHG Doni x Abs GCH DC Merci