ROBIN Australian Shepherds
C.K.C./ ASCA/ A.K.C.
Registered Australian Shepherds
~Since 1993~
Exceptional Full Tailed
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Natural Bob Tailed Aussies
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~Blue Eyed Tris~
NOTES & ARTICLES BY ROBIN DE VILLIERS
All articles authored by Robin de Villiers. © 2020. All rights reserved.
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blue eyes: all baby pups' eyes are blue until 8+ weeks of age
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BLUE EYES: All baby pups eyes are blue until around 8 weeks of age: Merle-blue eyes VS Blue eyed TRI
FYI: ALL puppies are born with 'blue eyes', ie absence of pigment.
Pigment begins at the back of the eye starting around 7- 8 weeks of age
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Greenish coloured eyes at 8 weeks are typically on their way towards brown.
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No breeder can truthfully determine, predict 100% or guarantee 'blue eyes' will remain in any pup under four months or age, when typical adult pigment is usually set.
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That said, often an ophthalmologist can state a 7 week old pup will have blue eyes, due to a thinner retina seen by ophthalmologist equipment.
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Currently, Ophthalmologists are recommending that blue eyed dogs due to thinner retina and lack of pigment ( ie typical type of blue eyes in aussies, but different from the blue eyes sometimes occurring in tris), that these dogs are not used for performance competition. With the less protection (pigment) to the eye, it is fact of some tragic accidents in agility competitions when the dog bursts out of the tunnel chute, into a flash of bright sunlight into the eyes that causes a temporary blindness from that sudden bright light.
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simple advise to keep your aussie slim, trim, in best health and in aussie athletic condition
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Simple Advise to Keep your Aussie Slim, Trim, in Best Health, and in Aussie-Atheletic Condition
“Why Is Fat a Problem for Dogs?
https://www.darwinspet.com/health-issues/weight-loss-dogs/
When it comes to weight, dogs aren’t all that different from people:
Excess weight can cause dogs discomfort, and obesity can bring on serious health problems. Here are some of them:
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Trouble breathing
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Lung problems
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Sore joints and orthopedic issues
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Torn cruciate ligaments (similar to the ACL in humans)
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Hip dysplasia
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Arthritis
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Immune system problems
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Skin problems
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Heart problems
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High blood pressure
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Greater risk of heat stroke
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Pancreatitis
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Diabetes
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Mammary tumors (particularly in females who have not been spayed)
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Reduced lifespan
Doesn’t that list make you want to put your faithful friend on a diet?
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https://www.canidae.com/blog/2018/04/free-feeding-vs-scheduled-meals-whats-best/
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Pros of Scheduled Meals
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• More control over diet
• Ability to monitor your pet’s eating habits
• Bonding
• More variety with diet
• More closely resembles your pet’s natural eating instincts/habits
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titre testing vs routine re-vaccinating without reason or need
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TITRE Testing VS Routine RE- Vaccinating Without Reason or Need, Prevents OVER Vaccinating that leads to Health Compromise
Titre testing is a current option that became an increasingly readily available alternative to routine, excessive, redundant- and harmful- over-vaccinating, over these past ten years.
While certain vaccines are certainly warranted, Parvo and Rabies Virus’ being the key two. it is important to only re-vaccinate when it is necessary (Parvo) or by Law (Rabies)
To find a Veterinarian who offers TITRE testing in their Clinic, is important, as such Veterinarians are current on vaccine information in general.
It is important to only vaccinate when necessary. Vaccine components are not limited to just the virus aspect, but many additional known harmful substances (mercury/ aluminum, etc). Further, they contain a variety of various DNA material from other animals.
Injected Foreign DNA should be examined as a cause to Auto-Immune Disease.
“Back in the day”, pre-1975 before the creation of the Parvo Virus, vaccines were limited to Distemper and Rabies.
“Back in the day”, Auto-Immune Diseases were rare and not overwhelmingly predominating as they have become in the past 35ish years.
The best approach to best health, is minimal vaccines and only as needed:
Titre testing is the option to determine IF a re-vaccination is necessary.
“Dog vaccinations are something that every dog owner should be educated about, and yet few seem to think about them at all, except to wonder about the need for them after they get a new dog. However, many people base this concern on the vet bill, rather than worries about the potential for side effects in their dogs!
Immunology expert Ronald Schultz, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine), has spent much of his career studying animal vaccines. Dr. Schultz is professor and chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, and has more than 40 years’ experience in the field of immunology. His long-time university employment – as opposed to a career in industry – has provided him with a unique position of neutrality from which to observe the dog vaccination industry.
Dr. Schultz is on the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Feline Vaccine Task Force; these two organizations provide guidelines to the veterinary industry for canine and feline vaccination programs. Recently, Dr. Schultz was also asked to help develop the canine and feline vaccination guidelines for the World Small Animal Veterinary Medical Association.
Known for his research on the duration of immunity (DOI) of common canine vaccinations through serological (antibody titers) and challenge studies as far back as the 1970s, Dr. Schultz co-published a paper in 1978 in which triennial vaccination was recommended over then-standard annual vaccination. It took 25 years, but in 2003, the American Animal Hospital Association (and the American Veterinary Medical Association) at last supported his thesis that canine “core” vaccines need not be given more often than every three years.
Dr. Ron Schultz was also one of the few canine vaccine experts to point out that the yearly recommendation included on vaccine labels was not based on any scientific studies nor ever scientifically validated!Antibody titers.
A titer is a measurement of antibody to a specific virus (or other antigen). The antibody is in the liquid portion of blood. With parvo, distemper, and adenovirus titers, the presence of any measurable antibody shows protection in vaccinated dogs older than 16 weeks of age. The positive antibody test result is fairly straightforward; it shows you don’t have to revaccinate for these viruses. A negative antibody test result shows you need to vaccinate or revaccinate.
Using vaccine antibody testing as a means to assess vaccine-induced protection is likely to result in preventing the animal from receiving needless and unwise booster vaccinations.
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/dog-vaccination-information/
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April 16, 2018
VACCINE TITRE TESTING
When should my dog have their titre’s tested?
1) It is now our recommendation that every dog coming in as a 1 year old, after having received their puppy vaccines on schedule, would have their blood titre levels tested. This allows us to determine whether your dog responded well to their puppy vaccines and does not need an additional vaccine at this time, OR if protective antibodies are low and an additional booster vaccine is needed.
2) Titre testing will also be recommended whenever vaccination is considered ‘due’ for these disease – so for dogs who had received the Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus combo vaccine 2-3 years prior.
3) Titre testing will also be valuable for dogs coming into rescue, or with unknown histories to determine if they may or may not have been vaccinated in the past. It helps us determine whether a vaccine is needed or not.
4) The option to titre test will be very important for our patients who have responded poorly to vaccination (vaccine reactions) or have developed conditions (allergies, auto immune disease, endocrine disease, etc) where minimal vaccination is ideal.
1) Titre testing can even be done as young as 2 weeks after your puppy has received their final 16 week puppy vaccinations – a test at this time will give you piece of mind that your puppy’s immune system has responded well to the vaccines and that they are indeed protected against these dangerous diseases.What will be the cost?
2) Unfortunately, titre testing should not be considered as a cost-saving measure when it comes to vaccinating your dog. Although this in-clinic test is much more cost-effective than our previous option of sending to an outside lab, it will still be more expensive to perform the test plus vaccinate (if needed) than to simply give the vaccine. The cost of this test is $53.80 plus tax.What if I do not want to do the titre test?
3) That’s ok! We understand that even though our recommendation to begin titre testing at one year old will be made as a ‘best medicine’ recommendations, this choice is not the most cost-effective. Furthermore some dogs are very averse to having a blood sample taken, so many of our clients will decline and opt to simply opt to give the vaccine without the knowledge of the titre test.What happens if my dog shows ‘good’ titres (protective levels of antibodies found)?
4) If adequate titres are found, your dog would not receive the Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus vaccine that day. Testing would then be repeated once yearly to check if titre levels are adequate and if vaccination is needed. Some dogs will go 7 years or more before titre testing reveals a booster vaccine is needed!
5) When adequate titres are found, a certificate similar to a vaccine certificate can be issued that should allow the dog to be recognized as having an ‘up to date’ vaccine status that can be used for kennels or grooming facilities.What happens if my dog shows ‘low’ titres (antibody levels are found be below the protective level)?
6) If inadequate antibody titres are found, we are prompted to give the booster vaccine for patients healthy enough to receive it! After giving the vaccine, we would resume titre testing 3 years after this vaccine is given.
7) For animals not healthy enough to receive vaccination (auto immune disease or severe allergy for example) knowing that antibody levels are inadequate for protection is valuable information to have, even if it is decided that vaccination on any level is not safe. Adjustments to life-style can be made to ensure risk of exposure is extremely low, or other precautions that would not have to be taken if antibody levels were known to be adequate.What about the other vaccines my dog receives (ie Rabies, Lyme or Bordetella/Kennel Cough)?
8) The Vacci-chek test checks titres for the Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus only, and will not give us any information on antibody levels against Rabies virus, Lyme or Bordetella/Parainfluenza.
There are titre tests available for Rabies, however they are send-out tests to outside labs, and are more expensive to run. The titre test for Rabies is also not considered the equivalent of having actually received the vaccine, so it is not our standard recommendation to perform Rabies titres instead of vaccinating unless there are extenuating circumstances. Because Rabies is a considerable public health risk, the prevention of the disease is highly regulated, with special rules we are obliged to follow.”
https://www.centralvet.ca/news/2018/4/16/vaccine-titre-testing
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ticks: no amount -or type- of veterinary prescribed toxic ingestibles or topicals will keep ticks off
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TICKS: NO Amount or Type of Veterinary Prescribed Toxic Ingestibles or Topicals Will Keep TICKS OFF your Aussie
It is only the beginning of April, and already I am receiving multiple messages from my Aussie Owners having found a TICK on their dog, and What do I advise?
I advise a logical approach.
LOGIC
I am asked,
what Veterinary Prescribed Prevention Pesticide/Medications do I advise for TICKS?
NONE
First up, ask yourself, are you yourself taking Oral Pesticides, or applying Topically, similar (Toxic) preventatives?
If you yourself are not taking Pesticides, why would one feed/apply this to our Aussie?
Consider, the first objective is we do not want TICKS ON our Aussie/s, NOR ourselves.
This is the 100% FAILURE of using the Veterinary Pesticides, as the TICK must latch ONTO your Aussie and FEED to get the poison from the dog to have the neutrilising effect on the TICK.
With the objective to keep the TICKS OFF of your Aussie- and yourself- look into the Pet Safe Essential Oils/ and Blends, with a key one being Rose Geranium
There are numerous on-line resources for ideal essential oils blends that are safe and effective to keeping ticks OFF. This is the best approach for your Aussie and yourself!
Just one simple link for Rose Geranium to start the information research.
https://www.wellnessaromas.com/rose-geranium-essential-oil/
an informative link.
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pandemic puppies: puppy fever: remember a puppy is for a lifetime
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asca dna: preserving our decades of dna investments
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surgical removal of part of a dogs body is no replacement for training
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THE BOOK: As You Have Chosen to Follow Your Passion To Be A Breeder: Let US Begin
“I WILL hold your hand, OFFER my recommendations, SHARE as I do, GUIDE you onto your path and let YOU find YOUR own way. To impart my knowledge is MY role. For you to embody this gift of information is YOURS. All of US must always KEEP learning.” robin de villliers
ARE YOU PREPARED TO ENTER THE WORLD AS A BREEDER?
Our PASSION of Breeding, self-elects our position of being the CATALYST to bring forth new precious lives into our own hands-and yours- and is a WORK of ART.
To work together as Breeders supporting, sharing, educating, being educated, creates a incredible living “Mural in Motion and Evolution”. The vibrancy and beauty resonates exponentially.
To divide and separate in the Breeding World is all too common: “Hand in Hand” in a destructive way, instead of “I will Hold Your Hand”, a positive, unifying, productive way. Outrage and despise towards other Breeders comes from the Breeders who have swayed away from the Mutual Passion of Breeding, and fallen to the human trap of EGO and SELF. This human nature divergence is the cause of disparity and the root to the demise and fall & failure of Purebred Dogs; their Breed Standard Purpose as written is ignored, and the ego, self, redesigns.
Infused in me, back 30 years by my own mentors, was this same wisdom as i share above. They imparted the well-known phrase:
“You know you are highly successful and excelling as a Breeder when you come under belligerent attack. “
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You have chosen to be a Breeder. Your focus must be kept on your passion. Don’t ever sacrifice or loose your vision. You cannot waiver under what WILL come to you as a Breeder: belittlement and public denigration. Angst and Malicious fabrications toward you as a Breeder are in the Dog World as simple fact, an integrated part of the Dog World everywhere. It is without fail, always derived from envy and jealously.
Too many Breeders, and people in general in the Dog World spend their time making accusations and declaring dishonestly of other Breeders in the Breeding World. While they speak out one side of their mouths, the other side then finishes with their own proclamation by proudly boosting of their own lack of honesty and personal integrity. It is always a revelation of that well-known phrase above, as well, a clear reflection of those who are blind to their own oxymoron.
With that negativity woven into the Breeding World, this is a good time to pause and reflect and ask yourself, if are you ready to become the Breeder you have so long aspired to be?
THE BOOK! THE BOOK, THE BOOK!!
Over the past 15 years or so, it has been a frequently repeated request to me, “Will you write a BOOK!”, a declaration “You MUST write The Book!”, if not out right dictation, “Write THE BOOK!”
Over the years I have given countless hours sharing information. When my knowledge and experience can help other Breeders/ ALL breeds, save lives in utero and following birth, I give. Many times I have written The Book, Chapters and Sections of The Book, to each Individual who has contacted me for assistance. THE BOOK in progress, written in my ‘spare time’, includes these frequent Breeder Crisis situations and expands to a volume of other topics that I council on, as well, include the vast dimensions of topics that are all important to address.
The 30 page Autobiographical section is complete. I include a brief listing here:
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Where its all began: It’s all in the genes, family genes, my genes.
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the depth of a fully lived life in numerous intense and diverse studies including:
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Form, Function, Bio-mechanics, Kinesiology, all that felt and lived in every minute cell of self and any thing that moves, as comes from a lifetime (25 years) as a Professional Ballet Dancer (as well Modern, Jazz, Flamenco), and a following lifetime (20 years) Martial Artist (Go Ju Ru Karate, Jiujitsu, Shaolin Kung Fu, Weapons, Tai Chi
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Currently training Wing Chun Kung Fu and Tai Chi
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Artist: Painting, Drawing, Graphic Design, Sculpture, Pottery, Calligraphy
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Psychology
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Nutrition, Vaccinations, Homeopathy, Alternative medicine
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Study of Purebred Dogs since 12 years of age.
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Study of Animal Behaviour (Dogs/ Horses)
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30 years Canine Reproduction
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10 years Research and Case Study databasing of Luteal Insufficiency in All Breeds of Dogs, throughout North America
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Animal Husbandry
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Horse Breeding
CHAPTERS AND SECTIONS OF THE BOOK INCLUDE MORE THAN LISTED BELOW; here though are some brief glimpses into the Topic and Contents
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What I’ve learnt directly from the most successful Foundation Dog Breeders since the 1950’s;
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Choose your Mentor wisely, one who lives and breathes strong moral code and ethics, personal integrity, one who respects others and one who stays focused on the goal: Successful Breeding, Mentoring and Breed Preservation
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The Basic KEY simple concepts to hold foremost in mind before that first step and with each step forward
What I’ve learnt by studying Breeders & Famous Breeding Kennels Pre-Dating the 1950’s:
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To be a successful Breeder, you must BREED. The only way to know your bloodlines, proof and prove your bloodlines is to BREED -and keep detailed documentation about, well, everything. To only breed occasionally over decades, breed a variety of infusions of bloodlines from different sources, is a novice Breeder who remains trapped in an unknown, unpredictable Breeding “program”. A Breeder must know their dogs, and the only way to gain that knowledge IS by breeding and documenting the results over the lifetime of those offspring.
Why the Australian Shepherd:
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My childhood loves, the Collie and Alsatian (German Shepherd)- the demise of those loved breeds, and so many others
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The impact of the one photo of an Australian Shepherd in the LIFE Magazine issue 1976 of RARE BREEDS
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Go backwards, selecting the BEST, the 1980’s saved frozen semen on BEAU, #1 ASCA Hall of Fame Sire, Champion Briarbrook’s Center Ring, to go forward
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What I’ve learnt from hands on breeding experience spanning three decades:
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Experience. Nothing compares to hands on experience
What I council to Breeders all over the world on a continual basis at their requests to me:
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Breeding, Reproduction, Pregnancy, Whelping, Saving Puppies, Puppy Raising (feeding, training, vaccinations, Intact/Spay/Neuter, etc), Longevity
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Respect the mother
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C-sections
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Artificial Insemination
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Frozen Semen; Saving your asset, infinitely. Costs, Process, Process for successful use.
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Progesterone testing: a gift of a tool we now have at our hands, to maximise breeding timing and optimal breeding results
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Progesterone testing for critical importance of understanding Luteal insufficiency and proper management
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Luteal insufficiency; cause and how this is impacting dogs on an escalating rate and how this effects HUMANS equally. What we learn through the dogs, we learn of our own species- we MUST pat attention:
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https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-edcs
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https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/endocrine_disruptors_508.pdf
I am honoured to be the guiding person to have asked to stratigised and advised many breeders to successful conception, supported pregnancies that came to term and produce beautiful viable results both in dogs and humans. Supporting LIFE is what is it singularly, ALL about.
Our dogs are always teaching us SO much: Are we listening?
To have my knowledge I have shared to others following their deep tragic and repetitive losses that then led them to me, to see their dreams become a reality following as they embrace the new life/ lives, in their puppies’ born, is a blessing- for all. To see my imparted knowledge I’ve learnt through my years in dog breeding to bring those blessed human babies to full term when no specialists had been successful, well...perhaps that was the WHY of why my journey in dog breeding, was all about.
Purebred Registries I have been a Member of since 1993: ASCA and CKC:
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Memberships
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Creating a unique Kennel name: I can assist: I have created 8 for other Aussie breeders overwhelmed by how to create and what to choose. Kennel Names must be crossed referred to Registered Kennel names in use with ASCA and AKC
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Private Breeding Records
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Registration of Litters/ Individuals/ Import/ Leases
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CKC Disciplinary Process https://www.ckc.ca/getattachment/CKC-DISCIPLINARY-PROCESS-English.pdf.aspx
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BOOK LIST
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Structure & Movement, Form & Function
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Specific, select Australian Shepherd Manuals and Resources
Training
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When all things are positive, within and without, how we interact,
communication without imposing upon and free of harm, possibilities are infinite and the journey is of harmony and enjoyment for all involved.
Showing!
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Where do I begin?
Performance!
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Let me Connect you
Health Clearances; Tools
Current new DNA Tests available: a welcomed breeding selection TOOL
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The blind ignorance of the single focus on a DNA panel CLEAR is this era’s fast track to our Breed’s demise
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Forgotten in this current era ( if you can believe) are the critical genetic issues that have been listed, added to and increasingly prevalent in our once healthy, hardy, long lived breed, Over 35 health issue topic headings of compromises and aspects that all must be investigated and factored in, before considering any breeding, are listed on our Aussie Genetics Web site. Only 10 ( and some only in part) is there any DNA testing available for. http://www.ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/educational-offerings/handouts
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Any DNA testing is simply a TOOL, a valued too, but does not confirm a healthy, well-bred, disease free aussie. All health aspects ALL, must be studied for prevalence- or exception- for any dog we select to breed.
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NO DNA testing will guide you to full dentition/scissors bite on one end of the spectrum nor away from auto-immune destroying diseases and Epilepsy on the devastating other end of the spectrum. Sadly, critical demises have been FORGOTTEN in this new era of blinded belief that a (limited) DNA panel comes back CLEAR, thus the Aussie has perfect clear genetics.
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NO DNA testing can replace OPHTHALMOLOGIST exams!
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“Throwing out the baby with the bath water”
Breeding Strategies
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Pedigrees, the lost ART: everything is in the pedigree
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Line breeding, In breeding, Outcrossing, father/ daughter breeding
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the overlooked brilliance of the female tail line: Mother to son breeding
Beware the Co-effiency % and the thin and risky advise to simply outcross:
- An Out-Cross too often brings in more unknown troubles, deep troubling genetics and characteristics, than you could begin to dream of. Just because the COE % seems reassuring to a COE fixation, it an easily be a worst night mare than a COE of 50% or higher, of proven genetically clear dogs.
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In any wise breeding, you must KNOW the dogs: this means knowing them DEEP and WIDE. It means knowing first hand the 30 ancestors behind that one dog, it means knowing the siblings, aunts, uncles and what their traits were and how THEY all produced and of who all they were bred to and what that produced. In wise, intelligent, informed breeding, as is the ONLY way in my option, and all successful breeding kennels, that we can maximise the best possible outcome. As in the end results, it is all about Mother Nature and how those genes line up in her rule. We must provide the best of all strengths and attributes of all kinds. We thus, increase the odds to the highest possible probable outcome.
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Fact: resulting pups most often express their grandparents. If you only know the sire and the dam, you have little idea of just who will arrive in that litter you planned if only based on the sire and dam
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Prospective owners to be of the puppies often ask to meet the parents as THE indicator of how the puppies will be. Novice Breeders assume the same. Recall, the puppies express their GRANDPARENTS
Everything I choose to do, encompasses all I have lived and learnt. Learning is continuous. As a Dog Breeder, this is crucial to be open, welcoming, and searching for new information.
Every decision I make in my Breeding Program is done with my own Mentor, Sue Franciso Leibitzke, BRIGHTWOOD Aussie.
Kennel Blindness
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When EGO and SELF-importance supersede the original purpose: the passion and love of dogs and successful dog breeding to preserve your beloved breed
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Is Dog Breeding about YOU or the BREED?
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Always have a mentor, some one better than ourselves, someone who will be objective and will help you keep on your original path to the breed the best of the best, should you loose objectivity to what that is.
Contracts:
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Companion/ Show/ Breeding/ Co-ownership
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My Word is My Bond
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Lawyers, Legal transmissions, documents in writing
Hard Facts:
Dog Breeding is a Selfless Art
Dog Breeding is NOT a money making venture. As the Accountants term it, it is never a business , as Business means making money, but an Expensive Hobby
Dog Breeding is not for the faint of heart
Dog Breeding is HUMBLING as we are under the powers of Mother Nature;
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No matter how we cover and prepare for every single possible conceivable action without a single penny spared, we are not God, and Mother Nature is the governing force. This is an honour and a blessing, even if at times She seems cruel, harsh. Trust in Nature. Count the blessings.
Dog breeding while a celebration of lives we ‘create’, is also about dealing with Loss and Grief
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a litter, a stillborn, a puppy, the mother, the senior dogs in our family pack; how do we manage this?
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COMPASSION and EMPATHY to all others: Breeders must be there for all their puppy owners for a lifetime and beyond: how do we help others through loss and grief even as it affects us too?
Always remember that classic statement:
“You know you are highly successful and excelling as a Breeder when you come under fixation and belligerent attack. “
View that be your badge of honour and never deter you from your passion and determined goal.
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Let it be your guide to who really shares the common goal of “For the dogs, For the breed.”
Chose wisely your Mentor and the company you keep.
Let US begin.
I invite you to post in the comments, Dog Breeding questions you’ve had in your mind but that you have not yet had an answer to.
As well, if you have been aspiring to be a Breeder, comment to what main aspect stands in your way.
There exists a strong body of dedicated Breeders who support each other, share with and learn from each other and keep our passion for dogs as our single focus.
I invite you into my fold.
(additional photos will be included when time allow)
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My Planned Duo Sired Litters=Success!
Its a wise move to do controlled, planned, Duo Sire breedings. I’m so grateful for the DNA lab testing process that enables this option for many reasons, starting with, when you plan and set time aside to have a litter, it is best to maximise to that plan.
Just because WE choose a male, it does not mean anything towards actual conception. Not every male to female is a merge, so to speak. Females can be selective in alot of ways, including in utero= conception. Every breeding I do is done by several progesterone tests to determine the exact time to breed. The additional bonus to this is by knowing the day of ovulation, you know the Due Date as due date is always 63 days from OVULATION, no matter what day a breeding/ insemination takes place.
Knowing the mathematical due date, saves lives, Mom and Puppies:
ie if the female has not gone into labour by due date, one is immediately at the veterinary for assessment and c-section. By acting on this factual timed due date, a breeder isnt sitting around second guessing that ‘oh maybe she’s not due for a couple days yet, maybe her due date is from a later breeding date’, etc”. That sort of delay compromises the pups as the placentas breakdown past 63 days, leading to their death before delivery, and which thus compromises the mother. In such delays past actual due date, a C-section ‘after the fact’ for deceased pups, infection setting in on the mom, and devastating sense of loss for all, surrounding the whole critical event.
Progesterone testing is money well spent!!!
Cost of progesterone veterinary blood draw test, is 135$, each time. It normal to run up to 6-7 progesterone tests to point of ovulation, and not uncommon to run 8-12 in a heat cycle. That’s a committed investment of time back and forth to vets, and $$$. ..just to get to Ovulation, and still days before an actual breeding/ insemination.
Factor in, one might do this progesterone testing through several heat cycles, for even two, three years with no resulting pups from breedings, inspite of all the testing to timing.
Some times, breeding time for a female, seems to be 'running out'- ie while CKC allows up to 12 years being the breeding window for a female, we tend to approximate at 8 years, to retire the females, unless of course, there are certain individual circumstances and situations to consider a litters after that.
When one is looking at a last chance to get the female successfully bred before she, guestimating, " should" be retired, given the years that have past, one looks to maximising the efforts to best bring to success.
Going all out, do you just ;'repeat' the proven sire of her first litter, many years ago? or do you use the young male you’d like to alternately plan for? Factor in, the young male is an unproven male, or perhaps that younger male is not proven to conceive with that female. Faced with an imperative to have this female bred for her bloodline value and that she herself is exceptional, and produces that as has been proven, what is the best approach so to give best chance for conception and resulting litter:
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You plan a controlled Duo Sire breeding:
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We use the unproven male, and with planned controls, also use the proven sire that crossed well with her, 4 years previously.
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Duo sire breeding is also done, in certain plannings, of using a younger proven male, with a proven but much older male, as even if all the semen evalutions show everything is perfect of the semen, thats notalways fact to what can and may happen, in utero/ for conception.
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When you set the time aside to dedicate to a litter, have invested hugely just up to the ovulation date, you want, for the best interest of the MOM and the PUPS, to best assure for a litter of more than ONE. A single puppy in utero results in a scheduled Csection to assure it arrives alive. As labour is triggers by the bio feed back from the placentas, with only one placenta, most often there is not enough feed back to start labour.
Singleton pups require huge dedication, including orchestrating for the singleONE to find litter mates,,,else where, so that the 3-8 weeks growth times, where the pups learn social skills more than we can ever perceive to teach them...that we have provided to that single one. Not to overlook, a higher risk of mastitis to the mom in litter of just one or two. Those are just a few of many reasons, but simple ones to convey basic importances (I have another NOTE written about singletons)
Over the years, I have had 7 planned and wonderfully successful, duo-sired litters.
Each of our females heat cycles were tracked by progesterone testing all through their heat to day of LH surge, and then to Ovulation.
With this imperative progesterone level information to precise fertile timing, one can approach the breedings as when the female is actually ready to be bred. This takes away any guess work to when the girl ‘might be’ ready for insemination, natural or AI. 100%, we know when the breeding need to occur.
Progesterone testing also keeps any untoward stress off the female. Too many breeders just go by text book day numbers of when a female should typically be bred, or by just going by the ‘outside signs’ of a female, or just going by a male in their household that the breeder trusts to know.
Assuming the female must be ready to be bred, based on assumption, is extremely unfair for both the female and the male/s. It’s very stressful for the female to be put with an eager, determined male, before she is at her true receptive time. It is also very unfair to the male, to be put into a breeding state with a female who can be aggressively charging the male away due too the simple fact, they are not ready to be bred. Only progesterone test can 100% be that guide to a stressful, amicable breeding.
Once we have confirmed the day of Ovulation, we then WAIT 2-3 days til the ova are mature and thus ready to be fertilised. We then proceed with the Primary selected male at day 3 from ovulation and wait 24 hours, to use the second male. If we are seeking to have pups (hopefully) from both sires, we breed day 2 post ovulation to one sire, and again 24, to the other chosen male.
As the eggs are only viable 2-3 days once mature, there is no need for any more breedings to either male. While any successful conception only ever needs ONE insemination (as is the process for every frozen semen breeding, only one) the KEY is the progesterone timing, and not repetitive matings day after day over a week to 10 days of attempts before multiple matings.
Really, progesterone timing and ONE breeding is the professional way to success.
Duo sired litters we have done over the years, are:
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Paisley x Myles and Myles’ son Maxx: Myles is a proven sire, his son was not.
this litter of 8 was a successful split litter of both males
2. Paisley x Charlie and Maxx
Charlie was coming 10 years old, and had not yet been bred...life got away on us! So it was a long shot, giving Charlie first chance. Maxx now proven, was the back up male.
We were thrilled! to have ONE lovely Charlie daughter, and 7 Maxx offspring
3. Minx x Cruise and Myles
Minx had had one litter of two, sired by Bobby. As Minx was now 5, to approach was to try to conceive a full litter. The resulting litter of 7!, was 3 Cruise daughters, and 4 Myles sons.
4. Marbles #1 x Cruise and Myles
Resulting in 3 lovely pups, that sure are Cruise!
5. Diva x Tex (myles son) and Maxx (myles son)
Again, Tex was an unproven male, Maxx the proven one. Half brothers. This being Diva’s last litter, we covered her with both boys. We are certain this too is a split litter of success, as we await the Pawprint results
6. Marbles #2 x Cruise and Myles
Marbles last litter (now retired)...resulting in 10 surviving pups (carried 12)! Still waiting on one last result, but 3 are Myles, and 6 are Cruises!
7. Rodeo x Kimber and Maxx (testing at pawprints pending)
Again, with Kimber being NINE for his first breeding, while his semen appears excellent, I covered the last ‘hour’ of fertility, with Maxx. I am so certain these newborns are Kimber kids. DNA process cant begin for 6 weeks yet.....
8. I also did that first one of Ella x Darren and his 7/8’s brother Adam, back in 2013
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One of the intriguing aspects of the Duo Sire approaches, is studying the pups from birth through to the DNA results confirming parentage, and trying to assess and figure, just WHO the sire is. Studying the structure, the bone, the head type, the colour, the nuances and antics...and just trying to figure who Dad is!. I am pleased to find, that I have a high success rate at this!
While the Ella litter I put through the AKC DNA labs, all my other Duo Sire litters have been done through Pawprint Genetics. The testing is done by 3 cheek swabs per each parent involved, and each puppy. This test swab cannot be done until after the pups are weaned. And to assure accuracy,I have each pup spend the night in its own crate, and be tested before any interaction with any other pup or dog or toy, etc,, first thing in the morning. Given that process, the pups aren’t cheek swab collected til around 7 weeks, a time they are comfortable to spend a night on their own in a crate. After all the samples are collected, there is the mailing time to Washington state, then the lab processing time.
All through this time, the new puppies’ owners are also sitting on the edge of their seat along with me, in anticipating on finding out just which male is the sire of their pup. It really is some extra fun and anticipation...and thrill to it all :)
I too have been as excited and over the moon as the results came back, for me to have the confirmation that my Minx daughter Margo, is a Cruise daughter.
And of the three Marbles pups I kept for myself, photo at top of this page, that i so got that right, and the Mini Marbles IS a Myles daughter as I thought- she has that same look as from Marbles’ first litter, sired by Myles. The two ‘twins”, one male one female, are CRUISE kids! Well NO surprise to me, as the female at birth..looked JUST like “Party”, such that i called her that, and Party is Cruise’s Aunt. and the male, I call ALSO, is a Romeo double, Romeo being Cruise’s brother.
I will find a way to add photos to this NOTE, and update with visuals as I can.
I LOVE this DUO Sire process! and results!
Yes it is time invasive to DNA test all the pups, more time expending for the special registry process of “MultiSire Litter”, and ofcourse, alot of extra costs for the DNA and registration process. BUT it is such a rewarding process in so many ways, so many more than I’ve mentioned and shared here.
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"Maybelline",marbles x myles!, littermate to Party and Also​
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/robin-australian-shepherds/singleton-puppy-process/1518548651608665/
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/robin-australian-shepherds/survey/1298638513599681/
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/robin-australian-shepherds/behind-the-scenes/1035374849926050/
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Robin Aussies: So much more than lovely, loving Companions; They are a Whole New Journey in Life
I've had a lot of people in the past couple years, express passionate interest for performance, breeding, showing, with my aussies, with a projected timing to their ideal to step into the adventure and journey.
I am reaching out to you all, collectively, as well others who may be coming to this readiness:
1) who out there is interested in: breeding, starting their own small breeding program under my mentorship?
2) who is wanting to get into the show ring, but looking for guidance and 'learning the ropes'?
3) who is keen to pursue performance avenues?
Not only does my own character, support, educate, guide, inspire and connect interested individuals towards their personal interest, dreams and goals, but as a long standing C.K.C. Member- and ASCA Member- of 26 years, it is also a membership purpose, to encourage and support new people into the world of Purebred Dogs, and the many rewarding aspects and life enhancing avenues of this world.
I do have current- and soon coming options- available- ideal to all aspects. If you are ready, or sitting on the fence waiting for a guiding hand, reconnect with me, soon.
a few photos, of others personal achievements from their own journeys with my aussies.
(more photos to come as well as the notes for each photo)
22Taylor Lee-Ann, Ann Hubbell and 20 others
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Deborah L. Strachan We have two beautiful Robin aussies boys and there is no words to express how much we love them, they love us or how amazing robin is as a breeder and friend.. Yes aussies are the best breed in my opinion but Robin’s Aussies are jus…
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