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I just really needed to start another thing that involved drawing more grayscale dog heads

[find me: shops - instagram - twitter - ko-fi]

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Pretty doggies!

Cinder x2 and Ember > @losech

Kaine > @bambambambino

Basil and Altea > @wilderun

Wrigley and Holly > Wolfdogs of the Ebon Blade (not on tumblr)

And of course my own Torch!

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If you, or someone you know, are at all interested in my foster Malinois, Cade, now's the time to shoot your shot.

He has an interview with a police department next month. It's not what I want for him but unfortunately it's not my call to make. I have pushed back against this multiple times before however it seems I'm not able buy time again.

All I have ever wanted for him is a home that will love and appreciate him for who his is. A home where he can bite the decoy and get kisses on his stupid head afterwards.

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sorry if this comes off as insensitive, but why did you choose a belgian tervuren as your service dog? or did it just end out as a he happened to be the dog you had when you realized you would need help? im asking because i’d like to have a belgian shepherd in the future and i’d like to know if having one do service work is something feasible for me, especially from someone who actually works with one. :3

thank you!

I hope this hasn't been sitting for too long, I just saw it!

No worries, I don't mind answering why I got a Terv for service work.

There's a number of reasons I went with a Terv. After doing my research I was confident that a Terv suited my lifestyle and goals with a dog regardless of service work.

However, while they aren't common as service dogs, they do have a history of doing the work and it's mentioned in the breed history. So it wasn't a total gamble.

Most important is making sure the dog comes from solid/stable lines and that the breeder understands what makes a good service dog so they can appropriately identify/place one. I talked to several breeders before finding a good match. I was also very honest with Forte's breeder about tasks/things I'd need. She, in turn, was honest about which pairing might produce a good fit for me.

Hopefully that's helpful!

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Earlston Kazan and Earlston Caspian, russian wolfhounds, 1941

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Pretty Binches

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I think this fixed me.

After years training, two previous failed attempts and deteriorating Winters, my team and I successfully completed the nearly-300-mile trail and finished the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon last week.

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If you have a deep fascination with sled dog genetics, breed split, and sled breed histories this is a very interesting study.

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Books on sighthounds in my collection.

The Hounds of Heaven, by Stephen Bodio in 2016, covers mainly Saluki and the broader Tazi landrace. It was my first book about sighthounds, and one of the first hunting related books I bought as well. While it's fairly specific in scope, just speaking of the authors experience, it drew me in and sparked an interest in hunting sighthounds. Saluki still seem the most gorgeous of the sighthound breeds to me, and I adore the photos and descriptions of them in this book.

Dog's Best Friend, by Ursula Birr, Gerald Krakauer, and Daniela Osiander in 1996, is about a collection of different historic and ancient dog types. While not strictly about sighthounds, it has some relevant chapters about Sloughi and Idii 'n Illeli (also called the azawakh). I'm still hopscotching my way through this book, but I'm enjoying the look into a variety of dog breeds and cultures.

Hounds, Hares, and Other Creatures, by Steve Copold in 1977, covers a rather broad spectrum of information about hunting with sighthounds. I'm currently reading it still and am quite enjoying the balance of personal stories used to underline the principles covered in it. It was recommended to me recently and while it was pricey, I believe it very worthwhile in both contents and to add to my collection of hunting and dog books.

Gazehounds and Coursing, by M. H. "Dutch" Salmon in 1977, was also recommended to me by the same person who recommended Steve Copold's book, and I bought it immediately as it was far less expensive lol. I haven't done more than skimmed the chapters and photos so far, but another sighthound friend vouched for it being a good book as well, so I'm excited to read it when I finish Copold's book!

This isn't including the blurbs included in the various breed encyclopedia type books I have, and is surely just the start of my collection. I'm very open to more hunting sighthound book recommendations, and broader sighthound and hunting dog books! I'm forever envious of the breeds with good books that are written or translated in English, I've got a singular English book on the hunting Laiki, and two that are in Russian so I can only blunder through with translation apps right now. Individual covers and tables of content below the cut

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Alabai female, 2yrs, source

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Made a gif of the photos I took of Diesel on that free run from the other weekend.

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More info about my foster dog.

Cade is very social for a Malinois. Though he is suspicious of strangers he makes new friends easily when properly introduced. He's super physically affectionate and loves to give hugs, get pets, and even snuggle with people.

He has great possession without resource guarding towards people or dogs. He also has nice full grips most of the time. Though he can be a bit munchy on the tug/sleeve if he has it for too long.

He is a fairly forward dog and has worked with three different decoys, though not on the full suit so far. Four if you count my coworker messing around with him and the bite sleeve. No hesitation to play the game when given the opportunity. He does not hold grudges and is just as happy to play bitey games as he is to solicit affection from the same person.

We are currently working on dog reactivity as some dogs, particularly those with frantic energy or dogs who initiate (hard staring, posturing, or reacting). But he does participate in our socials, where multiple dogs are tethered and on place without issue most of the time. He did get into a scuffle with Faye when they both went for a toy and she told him to kick rocks. But there was no broken skin as neither were serious about the alteration.

That said, he absolutely adores Forte, my three almost four year old intact Belgian Tervuren. They chase either, wrestle, and enjoy just vibing together. When Forte tells him to calm down Cade will go find a toy to play with instead. He also enjoys the occasional playdate with his sister as well. So a home with dogs about his size shouldn't be an issue but I do have reservations about a home with small dogs.

Unfortunately due to getting him from animal control he does not come with papers so some sports are out for him. But PSA or even personal protection are right up his alley and very doable with him.

Cade absolutely loves to do. Training, playing, running on the treadmill, etc. He's up for anything if it means engaging. We've also done a bit of searches for food and toys which he's happy to do, though the toy search is harder for him at present. I've not introduced any orders to him yet.

He's not shy about carrying things and regularly carries sticks on our walks. He also has no qualms about carrying metal water bottles, buckets of various materials, or pretty much anything else offered to him. Plastic water bottles are irresistible to him. Though I've never just given him one, if he finds one he's chomping on it.

He is crate trained and clean in the crate. He rides well in the car (large ruffland kennel). I've taught him to go potty on cue and he's house trained to the point of stopping play to go to the door if he needs to go.

I honestly love him so much and would keep him if I had a different living situation. We regularly have snuggles and chill time time together. He follows cues just as well from me standing or sitting on the floor.

At one point he was a little weird about people touching him under the chin while on a bite but he's worked through that and doesn't have any known body handling issues. I clip his nails and bathe him 100% force free/cooperatively.

He is such an awesome dog and I know the right home is out there for him. Please feel free to share posts about him or ask questions. He comes with a lifetime support from me/the facility I work for and I will take him back in a heartbeat if a home doesn't work out for him.

I love him so, so much and want him to find the right home.

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The Book of Dogs by James Gilchrist Lawson (1934)

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Ember blends with the dry woods, Cinder blends with the wet woods.

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various smooth collies! 

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BOB greenland dog