mersonmalinois

The Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) looks very much like a good specimen does today. The Flat Coat too. Funny how the GSD back then was a square dog. Here is a website that has several corded Poodle pics: http://moondancestandardpoodles.piczo.com/...;linkvar=000044

I am currently working on that. It is just annoying that I can't get it here or even shipped here. If I can organise it, I will be getting spares like I normally do. Norskgra, sorry I didn't respond sooner. You know I will be happy to get whatever you need. Just email me the details and we'll get the collars for you.

There are still corded Poodles shown here in the states. They are gorgeous!

Ahh, one of my fav show topics! Classy, comfortable, clean, complementary to the dog(s) and functional are good rules to remember when shopping for show clothes. Some shows up the ante as far as style/bling here in the USA (Westminster, AKC/Eukanuba, National Specialties), but I don't think this level of flash is commonplace at Oz shows. *If you have big boobs, invest in excellent bras that will hold you in. Bouncing melons are distracting. *Wear age appropriate garments *Be safe in your clothing/footwear selections, but also don't look like a buffoon by wearing a lovely skirt outfit with runners. *Take pride in what you wear Yes, yes, YES! A dog show is about the dogs, but c'mon people, don't look like you just crawled out of bed and rolled into the show ring with your dog. Put as much effort into your personal grooming/clothing as you put into grooming/preparing your dog for the show ring. I've said this MANY times over the years...remember, you are the frame for a work of art (your dog). No museum in this world frames a van Gogh, Picasso, Pollock, Dali, Monet or any other masterpiece with a frame from the dollar store. Show clothes don't have to be expensive. Common sense and basic style go a LONG way and it's not hard to look clean & tidy. eta: Pick colours that make your dog stand out - black/white dog look great against jewel colours: green, red, blue, purple, etc. They also look nice with pastels.

Regarding possible liver shunt(s), it is possible for a dog to have them for many years before becoming symptomatic/ill. A dog we bred started to have problems in upper level obedience - would go to the scent articles and would become confused. To make a long story short, it was found that he had multiple liver shunts and was pts whilst on the operating table. There was no history of this problem in the lines/breed and the specialists had no answers for why this occured. Jake was 9.5 years old when this problem reared its ugly head. I hope this is not the situation with Grover. Please hug the sweet boy for us.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Breeder, owner, judge 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? It was developed in Belgium as an all-purpose farm dog. 4. What is the average lifespan? 12-15 years ~ our oldest lived to be 16 years, 7 months of age 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Intelligent, athletic, curious, protective, devoted to home & family, extremely biddable 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? A nice long walk at least, running around the property/yard, interaction with the owner is important 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? No, it is not. It's a breed best suited for experienced dog people. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Not sure about "easily", but they manage if left alone. They prefer the company of their family and/or other dogs. 9. How much grooming is required? Weekly nail trim & brushing. The coated varieties require more care than the Malinois. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? I believe it does better with older children and active adults. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) Ask the breeder for references from prior puppy buyers. Minimum health certifications should be: annual eye exam, free of hip/elbow dysplasia. Since I am in the US, I have no idea what an acceptable hip/elbow score would be via the Aus scheme.

Hugs and well wishes to Grover from all of us here in Dallas. Get well, sweet boy!

Here are some pics of our puppies at 6.5 weeks. On Tuesday, "dots" will fly to her new home in North Carolina. On Thursday, "pink" will fly to her family in Illinois. "Blue" will fly with me to California and I will meet his owner at the airport when I fly out for the AKC/Eukanuba show. They have grown up so fast. I'm so happy we had three healthy babies survive from the litter.

Pretty baby, ellz!

Ethical breeders health check their dogs because they WANT to and because they really care about their breed, not because a governing body requires them to do so. Health checking is the right thing to do in ANY breed. It's important to teach prospective puppy buyers to do their homework before choosing a breeder and that health certifications vary from breed to breed. No line or breed is free from health problems. Breeders who do not test are dodgy.

thank you mm but I am already aware of all this and have already read all this and many more of potential health problems with the elkhound. and I know your not having ago at me. - As I said if we need to go further with testings we will. I can tell you now, I am not one of those breeders whith their "heads in the sand" I know of potential health risk as I asked the first breeder we got our first elkhound from and am always in conversation with fellow elkhound breeders on health and on the breed. - The main concern with elkhounds in Australia is renal failer. years ago there was a case of HD is Australia but all puppies were PTS and those elkhounds bred from were never used in any Australian breeding stock again. If we ever imported an elkhound. We would surly have them tested as the incident started with an import so I am very particular with that. I'm just going to let this all rest now and answer question of people who are interested in the breed. - not saying that you are not interested in the breed Why are you avoiding having your dogs tested? This thread is not just about how wonderful the breed is to own and enjoy, but rather for potential buyers to learn who is testing their breeding stock, who is not and why buyers should go with breeders who health test their dogs. I would NEVER buy an elkhound if the breeder didn't certify their dogs' hips, eyes and kidneys. You are VERY new to the show world and especially the breeding world. Best for you to get on board now with the health testing for your breed. That will let others (breeders/buyers) know you are truly serious about the breed's well-being & future. eta: If you are already aware of all this, why don't you test your dogs? I think that is a fair question.

Elkie1, So your dogs have no hip/elbow scores or any other health results (other than an "exam") for kidneys, cardiac or eyes? Having an annual check up by the family vet is not the same as having breeding stock health scored by specialists. Is there a reason you don't go the extra mile and do the health certifications with your NEs? Not saying this is the case with you, but often breeders of any breed have their heads in the sand and say, "our breed doesn't have problems". The only way to know for sure is to TEST and share the information with the puppy buyers and fellow breeders. Please know I am not having a go at you. I just am a big advocate for health for all breeds and if a breeder makes excuses, I will ask questions of them. eta: Here is additional info on NE health and ethical breeding practices: http://www.neaa.net/breed_health_info.shtml From the page on ethical breeding on the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America website: "4. Animals selected for breeding should not have a crippling or life threatening defect such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), pancreatic deficiency or Hip Dysplasia. Known carriers of PRA defined as the parents or offspring of an affected animal should not be used for breeding. To reduce the chances of Hip Dysplasia all animals of breeding age should have pelvic x-rays read and pronounced normal by either a qualified radiologist or by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Ideally, the x-ray should be taken after 2 years of age."

I do health check my dogs before breeding and I do think it is important. Excellent! Glad to know you are one of the NE breeders in Oz who take the health of the breed seriously. What tests do you do on your dogs? In my breed we do hips, elbows, eyes and often cardiac & thyroid. What do you feel is important for your breed? eta: Oh yeah, how long have you been breeding?

Elkie1, what health checks have you done on your dogs? How long have you been breeding? Just curious as you seem like a complete novice by the way you come across in many threads. I hope I am wrong and that you do health check your dogs and agree that health checks are important before breeding any dog.

This statement is a bit harsh don't you think? Where is the proof that only 3 maybe 4 breeders do testing? with this statement, you are publicly attacking other fellow elkhound breeders - This is a public forum Are you serious elkie1? Norskgra didn't attack anyone. She was letting people know that some breeders don't test and that is a VERY important point to share with prospective puppy buyers/Elkhound fanciers. Telling the truth isn't "harsh". I think Norskgra should be thanked for sharing this information. We'll in that case, maybe she should have wrote "To my knowledge" That's obvious, isn't it? I always appreciate those who know a breed well sharing about health and what testings should be done for their breed. It lets buyers know to be informed and to make wise decisions when choosing a breeder/puppy. I don't understand why you are jumping her in this thread elkie1. How about embracing your fellow breeder for her dedication to health instead of scolding her for no reason? I don't understand why you are doing that.

This statement is a bit harsh don't you think? Where is the proof that only 3 maybe 4 breeders do testing? with this statement, you are publicly attacking other fellow elkhound breeders - This is a public forum Are you serious elkie1? Norskgra didn't attack anyone. She was letting people know that some breeders don't test and that is a VERY important point to share with prospective puppy buyers/Elkhound fanciers. Telling the truth isn't "harsh". I think Norskgra should be thanked for sharing this information. ;)

We cremate our pets. The thought of someone possibly digging them up if land were sold in the future is disgusting. Here are some pics of Ashley's box. It cost about $175 usd to cremate a dog of her size (Malinois). The company UPS'd her box to us and it was amazing how they packed it - in a velvet bag, flower, certificate of cremation, Rainbow Bridge poem, a sachet of rosemary, and a letter of condolence.

Seriously cute babies there MM, they remind me of little bears, are you keeping one? Thank you. They do look like bear cubs. No, we're not going to keep one. We have three wonderful homes lined up and they are thrilled. One is going to a former US ambassador to Slovenia. First puppy we have ever sold to a diplomat.

Do not feel to bad ellz. The two tris went late this afternoon. :) BB, I have PM'd you. :)

Some pics of our bubs at three weeks:

Ellz & Whipitgood, Positive puppy vibes are coming to you both from Texas. I hope to read about healthy bubs soon. Hugs to you both. Susie

Awwww, ADORABLE little puglets! Congratulations! I look forward to seeing new bub photos from others waiting tomorrow...GOOD LUCK to all!

STUNNING!!!! How exciting! Thanks for posting pics so quickly! I love your puppies.

Today we had to pts our smallest puppy. She was born at 11 oz last Friday and she had not gained at all. The other 4 littermates are quite large and she was still so tiny. She would nurse, but she was not getting the nutrients. Her stool was strange too. We gave her liquid Clavamox and also plain yoghurt, but no luck. So we said goodbye to her today. We sent her body to the diagnostic lab at Texas A&M University vet school. The pathologist is looking forward to doing her necropsy. When I get results, I will be sure to share them. She wore the ribbon with flowers, so we called her "flowers". RIP little miss.

WONDERFUL! Glad to hear the babies are here safe & sound. Pics when you rest up, ok?