#BUT his breeder health tested and cleared his parents

[pangur-and-grim]

here are Belphie's x-rays from a couple weeks ago! I'm not a vet, so I don't know what to zero in on here, but they show a "dilated right sided heart with moderate amount of pericardial effusion".

in other words, the right side of his heart is too big, and there's fluid all around it. which is bad! we don't want fluid!

it's very possible that FIP has messed with his heart (and there is precedence of the virus doing this exact thing), which means that it should improve with more time on the medication. but it's also possible that this is an underlying structural problem. I'm hoping it's the former, because if it's the latter, he'll likely have a shortened lifespan.

the only way to find out is to let him recover from FIP, and then check all his insides again. and in the meantime, he'll be getting plenty of medically prescribed kisses to the forehead!

[lunod]

Nearly $400 vet bill for a little boy and the answer is basically either genetic disease that he definitely does not have because both his parents are clear, or owie big booboo.

[doberbutts]

Dobermann anon here, yeah I’d thought you’d say that, wishful thinking on my part tbh. I don’t know if you have a lot of experience with Euro imported dobies but do you think they might be a bit healthier than American lines since most have to have working titles to breed and you need a healthy dog to breed? Sorry I’m asking so much but we’re still in semi lockdown here (in Europe) and the only way to get breeders to talk to prospective owners is through events, which are cancelled rn

This is an older ask and I kept meaning to answer it and then forgetting.

This is a common lie that is told both in the US and also in Europe, that European dobermans are healthier and better workers because the DV in Germany requires health testing and titling prior to allowing the dogs to breed. And like all good lies, there is some truth buried in there.

The DV requires hips and elbows (I think elbows anyway), as well as a genetic test for one of the two markers correlated with DCM and a basic VWD genetic test, and an EKG.

The DPCA does not require for registration but does highly recommend within its code of ethics hips and elbows, the genetic tests for both markers correlated with DCM and the VWD genetic test unless the dog is clear by parentage or a known carrier by parentage, blood tests for the kidneys, thyroid, and liver to be repeated yearly, an EKG repeated yearly, and a 24hr holtor repeated at least yearly but ideally every 3 months.

While the DV has a base requirement vs the DPCA's just a strong suggestion, it is untrue that the DV has more robust health testing as a general rule. Most dobe people in Europe aren't doing holtors and are relying on an EKG and the incomplete answer of the genetic test to make their breeding decisions.

Similarly, the DV has a titling requirement, stating that dogs either need their IGP1/BH or their ZTP or similar breed/protection survery in order to breed.

Again, the DPCA strongly recommends taking dogs through the WAE and rewards people whose dogs have done so, but does not require it. The DPCA also strongly suggests those who are more protection minded work closely with the UDC, which is a non-AKC club and thus is allowed to host protection sport trials (AKC clubs ARE NOT allowed to do this thanks to political posturing from the Animal Rights crowd- if you have a problem with this your enemy is the ARA movement not the AKC) and the UDC again heavily rewards any dogs with IGP1/BH or the equvilant, ZTP or BSA ratings or the equivilant, or a successful WAE or TT or the equivilant.

The DPCA also recommends any doberman, protection-oriented or not, have a 'job' to do and for owners to be active in training and sports. They host a lot of events to get owners new and old engaging with the breed more and fund a large amount of projects dedicated to solving the problem of the breed's bad health.

So... are European dobermans more healthy than American dobermans? I don't think they are. Stastitics say they aren't. Statistics actually say that European dobermans are more likely to die from cardiac related complications, and that American dobermans are more likely to get cancer. My 100% European doberman died from cancer. His parents from cardio. Their parents were imports and died from a mix of cardio and cancer. So it's clearly not an American genetics thing.

Additionally while I hate to accuse without cause, I've also heard that a large number of these so-called great European dobermans with great titles are operating on, er, bought titles. Fraud is something really prevelent in parts of the European doberman community and big name kennels have gotten in a lot of trouble for bribery and paper forgery. So... on paper these dogs might have good titles and health testing... but the truth of the matter might be something entirely different. When I looked into Creed's pedigree history I saw an awful lot of "struck by lightning" young deaths in the Russian chunk of his pedigree. I don't know how so many dobermans could be struck by lightning in Russia at 4 or 5 years old. Convenient that lightning struck right when DCM is most common to, in my opinion, if you know what I mean. I think that kennel might need to invest in a rubberized field to run their dogs in...

I've seen dogs coming from so-called great working titled IGP3 x 10 dogs and, well. I don't think their papers are worth using on the toilet, honestly. Learning how to read a pedigree and doing your own pedigree research is a required skill when in this breed no matter what country you're in or if you've imported or bought locally.

[darkwood-sleddog]

Hi! I was wondering if you know any breeders that produce similar dogs to Sigurd and Zombie? I like that they’re not so big boned and fluffy like a lot of the malamutes in my area, and would love one for bikejoring where I live in northern OK

It really depends on how far you are willing to travel to get a puppy and/or if you are willing to import as this will widen your options considerably. I imported my dogs because really there are not a lot of people in the United States working malamautes in large expedition style teams (My dogs are all from Nordiclight Alaskan Malamutes in Quebec, Canada). Understandably there are not a lot of serious working breeders with dogs of a similar pedigree to my own in Oklahoma because the warm temperatures pretty much ensure the dogs cannot be worked as extensively as a lot of serious Malamute folks like to do with their teams (I never run my dogs above 50 F and while dogs can acclimate to temperatures, running above this, especially in humid areas, is a pretty big risk to the dogs).

But there are some people doing great work across the southern United States:

Wayeh in Tennesee is doing some great work (Weight Pull, Backpacking, sledding, conformation & obedience!) and would probably be your best bet on the southern east coast for like-type dogs. She has some very nice short coat females imo.

Gery Allen of Malamute Ranch LLC is in Flagstaff AZ has some dogs related to my own and does extensive work in harness, but I'm uncertain if he's bred anything recently (or if he even breeds for sale).

Nichole Royer of Kwest Malamutes is in Southern Californian and has a small program. She has extensive genetics knowledge (and some pretty black & white dogs like Slash...not that I'm biased towards that color or anything I just think its nice).

Lots of show breeders are likely to have smaller dogs also as they are breeding to the standard of which my dogs also fit in size, body type and weight. They may or may not have the drive to work in harness, but there are lots that have extensive other titles such as Ralley and/or have had offspring that have been successful with working titles. Look for more of a Kotzebue influence vs a M'Loot type influence in the dogs of breeders (there will be both in the pedigree, but what does the breeder aim to produce is the question). When looking at potential parents in addition to health testing and CHIC numbers I would also look to see if the dogs have been genetically tested for coat length. Many breeders use carrier coated dogs, but picking parents with genetically short coats (and being clear this is what you want with your breeder of choice) is your best bet for a less fluffy dog).

I find looking through the Working Dog Titles database a helpful exercise, but would steer clear of looking at dogs that have JUST the Weight Pull titles. They're not bad by any means, but weight pull folk tend to prefer a bigger boned dog than those doing sled work.

[thepoodlepack]

What's wrong with goldenpoodles? I'm genuinely curious because almost all of my dogs are mixed breeds and behave fine. So I'm curious if there's something else I'm missing

jeez this feels like bait but u kno what, you got me

alright, so it goes like this. the doodle really began with a guy in australia being like i need the temperament of a lab for a guide dog but these ppl are allergic to dogs, so i need a poodle bc they have hair, not fur. so he bred em together. years later he’s like damn that was a mistake.

now, why, exactly? alright so first of all he only needed that mix bc labs on average tend to adapt better to situations that are largely exclusive to service dog work than poodles do. i can go into what this means at a later date, but that’s basically how it is. but either way, people jumped on this creation and it kinda spiraled out of control. soon, poodles were being bred by everyone and every breed. suddenly, they were a marketing scam more then they were a dog breed.

oh theyre hypoallergenic! all of them, all the time cause zero allergies! look theyre so much better than poodles! theyre friendly and easy to train, not like poodles of course, just like labs! they’re better than labs bc none of them shed, ever! they’re super healthy bc breeding labs and poodles together wipes out all their health problems, of course!

lies, lies lies. the aussie guy, whose name i’m not going to look up bc i’m lazy but who you can find if you google creator of doodles, straight up says that even the first litter(s) of labradoodles he bred had puppies that the people he bred them for were allergic to. he very carefully tested the litter and the reaction the person had before placing a puppy that was not going to hurt them.

think of the punnet squares we all learned about in 5th grade science class. you draw the squares and one parent has two fur genes and the other parent has two hair genes and what do you get? well if you have four puppies, one might have hairhair and the next one might have hairfur and the next one might have furhair and the next one might have furfur. and so guess what? only hairhair pup is going to be the best choice for allergic people. additionally, you can see why the non-shedding thing can be bullshit, and that in particular is also a guessing game. you may be able to test allergy sufferers against the pups, but that does not necessarily mean they won’t shed. hairfur, for example, may be a good choice for some allergic people, but perhaps they’ve got just enough fur to shed anyway. also, lets look at salukis (and frankly, most long-haired sighthounds). salukis are still considered dogs with fur, not hair. they also still shed, even though it’s just a little. and yet they’re still considered good for allergy sufferers.

(ps poodles do actually shed. but they shed like humans shed. your hair comes out, doesn’t it? like, esp folks with long hair, aren’t people always complaining how you clog the shower drain? yeah, like that. ALSO obviously the situation is more complicated then super simple punnet squares and as an ex-groomer i have something to say about doodle coats but i’m going to save that for later, put a pin in it.)

oh and wait a hot minute there. i said best choice, didn’t i, not hypoallergenic. well, that’s because no dog is hypoallergenic. poodles, and a few other dog breeds, they have hair, like we do. but the thing is both humans and breeds with hair still produce the dander, though they’re different kinds. breeds with hair happen to produce the least amount possible that dogs can produce, which is why they’re a better choice for allergy sufferers, but that’s still not a guarantee. my roommate Dakota is allergic to dogs. if i don’t wash my dogs for an extended period of time (which has never happened, ever, in my life, idk what ur talking about), thus giving the chance for the dander my dogs still produce, he will have a very, very mild reaction when touching them. it can be countered by him washing his hands after touching them and also me just giving them a fucking bath, i need to stop forgetting, but still, there you go. ALSO people might not be allergic to dogs bc of their dander. they might be allergic to the saliva of dogs, which poodles or any other breed with hair still produces about the same as other dogs. so, yeah, not hypoallergenic, not at all.

the people who taut their hypoallergenic dogs for sale largely don’t do the testing required to check if they’re actually providing a dog to someone who won’t react to it. not acceptable at all.

so, labs are friendly and easy to train right? not at all like poodles, right? no. absolutely incorrect. some labs are friendly and easy to train. some labs, a lot of them when they’re puppies, are nightmare fuel. personally, i have a theory that everyone’s vision of labs in their heads are either a) service dogs or b) those old labs who are slightly pudgy (or morbidly obsess, which is a different topic) and who are graying in the face and just want to lounge around because they’re seniors now. alright, so here’s why thats bad. labs are a working breed. a retrieving breed. they’re supposed to be bulky and strong and driven. service dogs are highly trained, to a point that most pet dogs will never see, and if you see them with their actual disabled handler, they’ll probably be around 2.5 yrs of age and out of their most wild days. old labs are well. old. sleepy. maybe a bit achey. and well out of their most wild days. oh, and it’s the same type of thing with goldens by the way, the other most popular doodle type. poodles are also easy to train, especially if their parents have a decent temperament. they’re all about equal if you actually start training them when they’re puppies and just pay for some training classes, like everyone should. in the puppy classes i’m in right now, Euphoria is leaps and bounds ahead of doodles, goldens, and labs that are her age or older. I train her properly and she’s got amazing parents. that’s it, that’s the trick. not breed, not necessarily, and def not in this case.

I am once again going to say that labs and goldens are more often used as service dogs than poodles because of their adaptability, but it’s the ability to adapt to situations that most pet dogs will never have to worry about.

jeez this is a long post. i’ve still got more to cover too. alright, on to super healthy, or “hybrid vigor” as the nerds call it. uhh, it’s bullshit. thank u for ur time.

okay, but actually why on gods green earth would breeding two completely different breeds with little to no research make them super healthy? now i want to preface this with i’m (generally) pro-outcross projects. Euphoria’s dad is half mini poodle and half standard poodle, which isn’t technically an outcross bc all the variations are of the same breed, but if we’re going by genetic diversity alone minis and standards are different enough to actually be different breeds.

so, to be clear, outcrosses, given the proper thought and planning: good, results in healthier dogs (see: lua dals). randomly breeding two very different breeds together with no planning other than to sell the puppies to randos who won’t continue the outcross: bad. especially when you’re doing it to cash in and don’t health test at all, or don’t health test the major health problems with both breeds (if you’re doing an f2 breeding or anything like that). no the poodle’s health problems don’t get canceled out by the goldens or labs or whatever the other party’s health problems are, and vice versa. and yeah, i’ve looked at a lot of doodle breeder’s websites and yeah, most of them don’t health test at all, or at least don’t health test properly. do you know i own one doodle and currently live with another? yeah, i got them both from breeders and do you know how much health testing their parents got? if your answer is none, good job, you’ve been paying attention. in my defense, i was like 13, i didn’t know what i was doing.

alright, so those are the big points. this is kinda gonna be just... a mix of my other complaints. here we go, hope you’re ready for more. argument the first: i feel like it’s pretty disrespectful to reputable breeders. now, i actually have two reasons why that is. reason one: most reputable poodle breeders don’t want their breeding stock bred with other breeds, for various reasons. i’ve even met a few who used to be okay with it and then as the doodle scam got bigger and more out of control, they stopped being okay with it, even to the breeders who they had been fine with it in the past. that means a lot of doodle breeders out there have their breeding stock because they scammed poodle breeders into giving them pet quality, not breeding quality, dogs or because they’re getting their stock from non-reputable breeders. i also feel it’s disrespectful to breeders who are actually trying to create new breeds. quite frankly, a breed with the size, strength, and adaptability of a lab or golden that doesn’t shed and that has the train-ability of a poodle, lab, or golden sounds pretty interesting to me. did you know you can actually make that breed? and it wouldn’t be a cross with unpredictable... well, everything. it would actually be a true dog breed.

Look at Silken Windhounds and Biewer Terriers who began both development in the 1980s. Biewer Terriers were recognized by the AKC this year, and Silken Windhounds still haven’t been. And yeah, that’s the problem isn’t it? Making a real new breed takes a lot of time, planning, and care. People would rather just cash in. I think it’s sad and I think it’s disrespectful to the breeders who do work so hard to make actual new breeds.

and finally, unpin being an ex-groomer goddamnit. guess what? doodles are awful to groom! they’re terrible on the grooming tables because people want to have in both ways: they want a dog that doesnt shed at all and they want a dog who doesn’t need to be groomed. well guess what, that dog doesn’t exist and you can have it only one way. and also, bring back the goddamn punnet squares because a lot of doodles have awful coats. if you have hairfur and furhair over there, guess what, their coat fucking sucks bc it’s not meant to be like that. it wants to mat bc hair but also it wants the mats to slide out bc short-ish fur but its too thick for the mats to slide out bc thick hair. and yes its more complicated then this and that means its often more awful then this. its awful, it makes me want to cry. and maybe it’s slightly easier to get away with it with a shorthaired dog like a lab, or, you know what, even a golden, okay, even a slightly long haired dog like a golden but people are doodling akitas? border collies? bernese fucking mountain dogs? i am crying. i am crying right now as i type this.

lets do a sum up to this disaster of a post. look, i don’t go out there attacking or yelling at every doodle or every doodle owner i see, alright? or any of them really. i might engage in conversation to one that’s interested, but that’s it. i love my doodly Isis, okay? shes tiny and she’s adorable and I love her more than life and i will never, ever get another doodle. i don’t like the way they’ve gotten so prolific, i don’t like the reasons they’re now widespread, and i don’t like almost all of the people that create them, including the ones i’ve literally given my (parents) money to in the past. i wish they were better but i just cannot approve of them, especially not in the environment they exist in now. that said, i do support them in their original use case as assistance dogs, and i do not care about them if they’re shelter dogs.

[omg-snakes]

Howdy! I’m looking into getting a corn snake and was wondering if you have any suggestions for morphs for beginners? I know it’s common for different morphs of leopard geckos to have more common health problems and temperaments and don’t know if that’s a similar occurrence in snakes or not, and if it was if you could help me? Thank you!

Hi there!

Happily, there are relatively few issues that are linked to corn snake morphs. One thing to watch out for is a recessive gene called Stargazer that was originally found in Sunkissed snakes, but is not directly related to the Sunkissed gene. Stargazer is a neurological fault that causes a snake to tilt their head upward and have difficulty righting themselves. This gene can be tested for and is being eliminated from most lines, and it will only appear if both parents of a snake carry the trait.

Another issue that you’ll be able to spot right away is bug eyes. These are eyes that are much larger and more exposed than a regular eyeball and it’s most prominent in Palmetto corns though it can appear in other morphs. Buggy eyes may be linked to the gene that causes leucism (loss of all pigment, like with Palmetto) and can also be caused by excessive inbreeding. If the eyeballs seem excessively large, steer clear.

The last thing to be aware of is that the fancier the morph, the more likely the snake is heavily inbred and the greater likelihood that they will be troublesome feeders, slow growers, or have invisible issues that may not be apparent for some time. A responsible breeder will be honest about their lines and the degree of inbreeding at play for a given animal, and should be willing to answer basic questions about a baby’s health and growth thus far. 

[thelostandforgottenangel]

Nightmare AU: Part 2 - Life in the Wind

@under-the-scarlet-reign88​ @fyreball66​ @betelgeusessonajblog​ @blossom-skies​ @narwals14​ @bluesakurablossom​​ @kokokatsworld​​ @midnightrebel669​​ @lonelyheart-clubband​​ @missbeautyandherbeast​​​ @midnight-chocolate-turtle​​​ @myheyheyheystuff​ @nikitaboeve​​​ @mistyroselove​​​ @waterstar2016​​​ @nights-legacy​​​ @janna-the-breaker​​​ @missmagellanic​​​ @darksaphire2002​​​ @aurora-the-kunoichi​​​ @moonlightflower21​​​ @queendice98​​​ @infintyfandoms @ravn-87​​​ @bmntgirl​​​ @vixie-chan233 @galaxy-dusk​ 

Her eyes snapped open fast, now breathing hard and unable to move her body for what felt like an eternity.

A few things told her it was all a dream even if it had felt real

For one, she was in a soft warm bed instead of on a cold concrete floor; from the corner of her eye she could see the intricate paintings that expanded across her walls rather than the metal bars and bricks she had grown up with finally taking a deep calming breath before forcing her body over once feeling returned her eyes following the painted vines across the ceiling while gathering her thoughts; having not had that specific nightmare in years it was enough to leave her shaken looking around realizing, for the most part, it had all been a horrible dream

Or at least parts of it had

Twenty-one years ago, Sacks industries unleashed a chemical into the air of New York City but, instead of bringing the city to its knees like they had hoped it killed hundreds of people instantly, created monsters like nobody could have ever imagined within days, and in a twist of unforeseen impossibilities had mutated a good portion of the cities population within a few weeks

Anyone not affected by the deadly chemicals was quickly evacuated from the city and it was officially barricaded off as a military quarantine zone

Only armed recruits were ever allowed in or out

For the unlucky people who had been changed and survived the second stage of the chemical a worse fate then death awaited them

They were promised one thing; to be cured and reunited with their loved ones once they were better what they got was imprisonment and no help in sight within the barriers that made nightmares reality and hell look like a five-star vacation resort

Sack’s industries was brought in by the government after the attack; still under the radar that they had been the cause of the catastrophe being funded to make a cure in hopes of bringing the city back but under the radar, they were continuing their malevolent ways already holding the cure in four mutant children but planned to line their pockets before releasing anything to the public

Two years later only those well off and able to pay ever saw the cure

From all over the city out of desperation families had come to them in need of help because as children were born weeks to months later it became clear the mutations didn’t stop, lots of parents were promised they could help and were promised they would one day hold their kids again

No one ever knew what really happened

That was where the breeders were brought in, a city-wide mandate that any woman unfortunate enough to be pregnant months after the chemical attack were brought in for round the clock care, once the test showed who was a carrier of the toxins they were separated into different floors

Blood work was done daily to keep the baby’s health in check all the way up to delivery to be sure their child wouldn’t carry the toxins gene passed on from their mother’s most never left if they did carry it unless they expired in birth, those who survived were never allowed to see the child because once it was out the baby was taken kept healthy and adopted out if it carried no mutation

If the mother did not show signs of mutation before the births and the child was born normal they were allowed to leave the city happy and free and it all went under the radar because level one was all anyone saw unknown to the world underneath Sack’s building led to level two and three where the others were kept

None of the families who turned in their children or family ever realized the error in their choices… or at least maybe they didn’t until they got those calls

It was announced that children couldn’t survive the chemical months after one by one those families were called with the heartbreaking news that their precious children had not made it succumbing to the toxins now running through their bloodstreams, when in fact; the children were thriving but being imprisoned and used for their own sick agenda to further their financial gains

None of them died at first; some were sold across the world to other organizations to prove they were of use, some as they aged were trained to be soldiers for the Master’s plan and added into his forces once they were broken, but it became clear the older the kids got the less controlled they became; some becoming violent even greatly unpredictable and for a long time it was disregarded until one of the higher-ups was killed by their pet in her sleep

It was then they started the slayings, one day a month where the test subjects were turned outside into the fenced-off areas of the city and made to run while being shot at before the cages were opened and the hunts commenced, there was no running away when getting to close to the walls meant getting shot on the spot; but if they could survive they lived until the next examination or were killed on the spot there was no telling what awaited the survivors when they returned

It was all a game with less than five percent chance of survival unless – they were of use to somebody

Anyone seen as useful was not put out in the hunts, but instead they were placed in a protective confined area where they were forced to watch as their friends or siblings were killed before their eyes – and she had watched way too many kids placed out there without a chance in hell of survival

Shaking her thoughts away not really wanting to think on the past she eventually forced herself up from her mattress as somebody lightly tapped on her door calling out through the thin wooden barrier “Dae - you might want to get up otherwise your going to have a cuddle buddy in there- again” the deep authoritative voice made her chuckle even though it was clear they had all just got up themselves before the off-key singsong voice coming from downstairs had her grinning to herself knowing breakfast was probably almost ready

Well she knew it was; because the smell filling her room told her it was a good day to eat

Also, she didn’t have to cook for once

Stepping in the bathroom she looked into the mirror seeing the same face she had since coming to this place starting the flashbacks of seeing it in the glass cages they were held in while being drained of blood before getting tossed back into her cell or the metal walls of the labs as she was dragged away but still every day she had to remind herself that part of her life was over she was no longer fighting to live

They couldn’t hurt them anymore or at least she had hoped so after this long but she couldn’t help thinking about her first memory after waking up in the hospital

A week before the nightmare begun

Her parents who had been out of town meeting with doctors and specialists downstate in hopes of saving their child returning an hour after the chemical attack just before the city had been closed down arriving at the overfilled hospital to find chaos and panic, getting to the NICU they discovered doctors stunned in the halls refusing to enter

Within the room in question, they stepped forward finding a frozen over winter wonderland and two unmoving nurses who had been tending to the girl when the room had frosted over upon her opening her eyes, fearing the change of their two-year-old daughter who had gone from terminally ill to perfectly healthy completely in a matter of hours the two had brought her to the city’s savior

Eric Sacks

Her baby pictures from the files Bethany had stolen showed a normal boring yet cute looking toddler; short dark brown hair just above her shoulders and mocha brown-eyed innocence in its truest form but there in front of him stood a pale girl with eyes like ice and silver hair that hung down her back

They had sold her to the man in hopes she held the key to a cure not realizing how big of a mistake they were making if they had even cared, a few years later they returned with their second child not knowing what to do and both wanting to live normal lives after passing several tests proving neither of them carried the toxin but not willing to raise something like what had come from the woman only days before in a hospital east of the zone; a small girl who looked much like the daughter they had gotten rid of and told had passed away of unforeseen complications had very similar features to her older sister

Being, and

Subject 5862; or what she was supposed to be called was a tiny baby only a few days old and weighted less then six pounds at most, had a head full of white hair like fresh fallen snow much like the unseeing eyes that met the girl as night fell, she had named her Luna because the crying bundle was placed in the same cell given to her to care for on a full moon just after the hunts ended

The girl had cared for her like she was her own – no the baby was hers and that would never change no matter how long it had been since Luna’s death, she had fed her even if she couldn’t fend for herself at the age of five learning early how to care for infants becoming the protective mother to any child placed in with her

She had been called subject zero by the scientist being the first kid to be ever brought to them but to the younger children placed within her care she had been named ‘Daenery’ by a few of them old enough to talk

She never understood the meaning or how any of them pronounced the ridiculous name; the children were the only ones who knew her secret that scientist couldn’t figure out given she showed no unnatural abilities even though her file described differently nothing was ever found in the blood work and she was deemed useless

It did come as a surprise Sack’s had never thrown her out in the hunt, instead, upon seeing the caring nature towards other children as she protected them from the guards and how calm she made them he had named the child a caregiver for the younger mutants until they were taken away

This had also including the first four test subjects Sack’s had ever created, four small turtle boys she had grown fond of the first time they were thrown in the enclosure by the scary metal man that had loomed in the labs a few times, instantly she was very overprotective the moment she saw each of them and the first to show them any form kindness; they had formed a bond to her much like a mother out of all the young ones they latched onto her the most and were the four of five hardest to get away from her

What the boss might not have counted on was the oldest girl becoming extremely protective of each child that ever came into her care while in those walls

Guards feared going in to drag kids out for the experiments and for good reason knowing the tales behind the strange female child

The stories from the older guards told of many having lost teeth, being attacked to such severity they were rushed to the medical ward in critical condition, one had been stabbed with an unknown object thirty-nine times before backup could get to him, she had broken bones and dislocated limbs without blinking, and one had lost his finger daring to grab her Luna without containing the girl properly after taunting her through the bars

For years they survived only trusting one another teaching each other to talk when the guards weren’t at their post; learning secret languages they made up for when they needed to communicate and it wasn’t safe but sadly most kids that came in didn’t live long enough to even get a nickname much less learn anything but then again the ones who didn’t make it were the lucky ones

She yanked out of her flashback as a heavy fist hit the door hard “AY! Yer ass better be up an movin!” the deep baritone that followed sent shivers down her spine pulling a smile across her lips shocked that he actually sounded like he was in a good mood today tapping on the wood counter hard as she brushed her teeth not willing to jinx it

She changed her clothes as the images drifted through her mind before shaking them off fast and for good not wanting to upset the others, she brushed her hair back with her fingers on top of her head into a messy bun not feeling like brushing it out before heading down just as she heard the door at the end of the hall creak able to feel the heat of his glare even through the walls

He most certainly wasn’t jumping on the bed and trapping her under him today just because she didn’t feel like moving after the first two warnings – he was getting too heavy to do it anyway and next time if he didn’t crush her; the bed frame might just snap if it didn’t straight up fall through the floor

He was back in the room the second she opened her door loud music blasting just barely covered the sounds of his fist torturing his burlap sand bag as she heading down the stairs to help with food still a bit groggy swearing it was too damn early but knew it was probably close to noon if not later

“Morning crazy people who get up too damn early-” the woman smiled seeing the two youngest of the guys in the kitchen kissing the genius turtle’s cheek while stealing his coffee before he noticed ignoring his sassy comment that some of them had work to finish, heading towards the turtle at the stove she had a moment to take in his shell reflecting the beautiful hints of orange mixed into the mahogany-colored plates as the sun floated through the open window dancing to some song on the makeshift radio she had left on the counter last night before coming up hugging him from the side “Morning sunshine~”

In the last fifteen years all of them had shot past her leaving her the shortest and by far the smallest of the strange family even though she was almost two years older then the eldest, nuzzling at his neck in hopes maybe he had saved her some coffee before the inventor of the family had come up from his room

She was instantly overtaken by affection; squealing happily as he captured her into a tight hug giggling when the smallest turtle kissed all over her face still cooking with one hand without looking

Years of practice put to good use

“Finally – god since when do you sleep in! The day is practically gone!” his energy was already a bit much to deal with so early but she smiled knowing once they had eaten the levels were going to hit the roof between the four men “I made your favorite”

He wasn’t kidding the turtle had gone all out and made her favorite chocolate chip pancakes and bacon wondering what the special occasion was but wouldn’t question it because honestly, she loved when he made her pancakes

A quick look at the calendar revealed why they were being nicer today

It was fifteen years ago today that she got them out

None of them liked to think on the past but Mikey spoiled her and his brothers every year, squealing excitedly the woman kissing his cheek hugging him tight “You’re the best Mikey – tell me you didn’t forget-?” he held up a small glass jar of fresh syrup that he made that morning seeing her bounce around stealing another kiss and a thick slice of the flavorful meat from the smokehouse moaning in absolute joy before almost jumping out of her skin as a rough deeper tone filled the kitchen with a light chuckle behind her placing a heavy limb on top of her head using her as an armrest while looking at the setup swatting at the largest male even as he chuckled “You know I hate that! Knock it off before you snap my neck-!”

“But yer perfect height pipsqueak” she growled at him getting one back playfully from the turtle towering over her trying to pick up his arm before the eldest was there fresh out the shower moving Raph’s arm to the side for her rolling his eyes at the biggest turtles actions while pecking her forehead as she grabbed the food taking it to the table

The taller of the turtles placed his stuff on the smaller dinner tray before anyone could tell him to do so looking around when he reached for his purple mug; gasping at her as she sipped his coffee while grinning behind his cup not seeing his disapproving look dissipated upon noticing she looked a bit more exhausted than usual

“Daenery-?” her head shot up seeing all of them watching her but before he could ask she waved him off

It wasn’t abnormal for her to look tired but she had slept in they thought she would have looked more – alive

“I’m fine brainiac” she pulled a wad of cash out of the pocket of the pants she had been wearing for a few days dropping it on the table for him to add to the rest then pointing out the window showing the two huge stags hanging from the tree out back over the buckets downing the piping hot coffee fast

Leo chuckled seeing she had gotten a head start before seeing her light up happy for the fresh cup placed in front of her before winning Donnie’s mug back from the tight grasp giving it back after pouring him another full cup “Got in late from Mrs. Malone’s place after fixing the back fence again, huh?”

From time to time the young woman worked for Mary Malone, an elderly woman five miles away on her ranch after her son had left to join the military caring for her place and getting her groceries if needed to bring in any money to run them even buying a pig from her every spring never having the heart to actually do the deed of butchering them since she formed a soft spot for her animals

“Yeah - you four were out cold so - went hunting to wear me down plus we needed to restock the deep freeze anyway.” she rubbed her head trying to rid it of the migraine that kept sneaking up on her this week knowing the work orders would be piling up soon as the weather started to cool more “Oh hothead, David wants five orders of the jerky when you get it ready he’s willing to pay double if you make it same as last month and some ‘purtty little thang’ can deliver by the end of the week… I’m sending Mikey I can’t do another marriage proposal-”

The others tried not to laugh at her terrible accent but knew what she meant given old man David Prods asked her every chance he got to be his new wife and he was getting more persistent each time he saw her even if it was clear he loved his late significant other “You can’t send him and you know it”

Giving Leo a slight glare she practically stuffed half of the stack of pancakes in her mouth humming out a half-assed argument that got no response while looking out the window, she was going to enjoy the food before she hit the chores list hoping she could knock at least part of it out before tonight

All of this time up here had defiantly changed all of them for the best, the guys had flourished in the outside world finally getting real names after searching the encrypted files saved to the flash drive Chelsea had in her bag during the escape, and the fresh air had only seemed to help them grow to the incredible size they had gotten to in the past few years

They had found the safest location after getting away from Sack’s building and having no plans in going back they had made it home, it took a few years of living out the van but they never complained having been cared for the best the two females could do on the run before they stumbled across the cabin – there were a few things that needed to be fixed before it was livable being incredibly run down but over the years it was made into home

Their shelter was well hidden in the middle of nowhere camouflaged by the trees and the freshly painted roof they redid every six months made it to look like foliage from both above or the ground, it was practically inaccessible to human’s without the remote to the metal bridge made to sink into the bank and far from the city meaning it wasn’t anywhere near the outbreak

Sure it wasn’t easy being here by any means but compared to the way they grew up it was an upgrade

Much like in the labs they depended on her to get everything they needed to survive given she was the only human since Beth died eight years ago in an accident leaving a massive hole in the family driving Luca to move further up the mountain unable to handle living there without her

Here it was much easier to survive and death was nothing new to them but the woman’s death had been too much

It had been hard at first but slowly the roles reversed in their teenage years leaning on the males a bit more after they came into their own, they had to team hunt for meat to sustain them or struggle with fishing when the herds were moving out for the winter if they ran out like last year

Raph with the help of Luca; the mutant wolf hybrid that escaped with them had built onto the cabin up over the years any of the heavier jobs were done by the biggest turtle’s hands. Any furniture, building’s, even the cabinets in the kitchen had been carved out from the large trees around the property he truly was creative in his mastered skills

Dea was still amazed by the work he had put into the fireplace once the back wall had been taken out one summer after the storms; each of the mud bricks placed with care remembering with clarity how pissed he had been trying to get the design just right for the chimney but when lit it warmed the place greatly even on the worst winter nights

Donnie being the little child genius he was known for inside the institute had created the perfect cloaking device shielding anything that could spot their home just in case Sack’s ever tried to find them; he had them completely off the grid and a natural well they dug out provided the water to the cabin keeping them all comfortable over the years

His craft knew no limits

Mikey of course was the main cook of the group besides her, he had taken to it as a little kid loving looking through a torn-up cookbook that had been inside the home and although some of the meals were strange they were always delicious

Beth had taught all of them anything she thought they would need to know for surviving outside the hellish prison having grown up on a farm in Missouri, cooking anything to keep them from starving had been at the top of the list and – they all managed pretty well she mostly helped on Leo’s nights just to be sure the food poisoning scourge of 2008 never happened again and although he had greatly improved since he was thirteen they all gave him a hard time for giggles

But the oldest of the turtle’s skills lay in something only somebody with a strong stomach or no real emotion towards butchering could enjoy without complaint and it was easy to trade out with him given she and Raph tended to the meat once he was done

It was also a deadly skill he had picked up in Sack’s torture experiments given he was too precious to risk putting in the yard with the slayers he was locked in a room with older subjects and given a weapon; three days in there fighting for his life as punishment and he had never been the same kid she knew taking years just to see him smile again

Leo was a god with a blade of any kind able to make the cleanest trims and most precise cuts with the kills they managed to bring home it was weird but it seemed to relax him, although he was against killing others if it was to provide for his family he could easily fillet a rabbit or a deer after Mikey had put a no-touch rule on his chickens

Today she would be helping him with the bucks after tending to the garden going to start canning the remainder of preserves they needed in the storage cabinet and pantry, she also needing the entrails for a personal task and not wanting him to forget again like last week today was actually perfect to start prepping the fur and hides for later when she would be making them warmer garments

They were halfway through eating when her eyes landed on the fridge seeing the two full lists Leo had to have made the night prior with everything they needed to stock up the pantry and at this point she had stopped eating lost in her head, there was still so much to get done in the next few weeks

Since she couldn’t just go out and get a job in one of the shops in town like a normal person seeing as her odd appearance was noticeable her and the guys made goods from hand and she sold it in one of the closest three towns during the market

Raph’s carved sculptures and hand-knitted winter sets and blankets were always a big hit much like Mikey’s wood art paintings around the holidays, Leo had the knack for making candles or nature-inspired dream catchers with little treasures he found on his walks while the mastermind of the family liked to make odd metal creations and wooden jewelry boxes spending hours just to be sure each was unique and one of a kind

She was more into sewing making rag dolls, teddy bears, purses, and wallets from old clothes or random fabrics, and although her stuff wasn’t as big of a seller her baked goods more than made up for that

The world had shut down closer to the cities where the outbreaks were more abundant given containment hadn’t been key in the beginning it had spread in the bigger parts of the country but this far out people hadn’t heard of it since the months after the attack had initially happened so if she acted like a young adult around people nobody questioned the odd color of her hair or pale complexion

She was curling one of the silvery pieces that had slipped free of her bun as one of the guys asked her a question the room falling silent before somebody else called her name but she didn’t hear them remembering fondly the week before the first time she had ever had to go out alone and although she had tried to dye her hair every color possible to cover the weird silvery color nothing had ever taken; Donnie had tried his best to explain it was because her hair might not have had any melanin but she still didn’t understand

A set of green fingers snapping in front of her face snapped her back to reality before her head was being felt by Donnie touching his hand in question as her eyes clearing to see her family looking at her with concern

It was then she realized the cup of coffee she was holding had frosted over and the dark beverage within had turned to solid ice

“Maybe you should take the day off to just relax” Leo sounded more like he was telling her she was going to rather than proposing a question but she just smiled shaking her head it had been a while since she was so out of it she froze something

Actually, it had been close to ten long years since she had done it unintentionally

She held the cup up breathing out a small blue flame that melted the contents fast making it bubble within the mug before taking a long drink “I told you dorks, I’m fine – just thinking of…” she looked at her plate in a way that was easy to read before smiling as she finished her cold breakfast taking the dishes to the sink; finishing her coffee on the way

“Dea”

She still didn’t respond grabbing the last piece of bacon out of Raph’s hand before he could take a bite kissing each of them in a sweet gesture feeling the biggest turtle holding her hand in his looking up at the woman in concern “It’s nothing... I got dishes today, just leave them there I’ll be in later – if you four need me I’ll be in the garden with Luna. Love you!”

She was out the door with her bandana and gloves before any of the males could say a word.

[qualitykryptonitesheep-blog]

Breeding the Best Dogs

My dog is a cross between a Schnoodle and a Puggle. I’ve had him DNA health tested for over 140 different genetic diseases and he is clear on all of them. I’m getting a female pup that is a cross of Cockapoo and Labradoodle as his breeding partner. I call my dog a Schnooggle. The breeder of my next pup calls the cross a Cobradoodle. I’m going to call the puppies Schnoobradoodles. They will be Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Beagle, Pug, Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever! A six-way cross is one of the healthiest you are going to get. I’ve got a pedigree on my current dog going back three generations and my new puppy comes with a 5 generation pedigree.

Look for Schnoobradoodles within the next few years! I paid $750 for my boy and I’m paying $640 for the new girl, so I’m probably going to ask around $695 for the Schnoobradoodle puppies. This will cover health checks for the parents, which will all be of public record to the puppy buyers, nosodes/homeoprophylaxis and herbal worming medication for the puppies, Dog Registry of America papers and more.

[susannespiritmusicaldogs-blog]

More Pictures of:

Our Little Mr. Red Buttons . . . .One sweet sweet loving puppy dog. Almost ten weeks old, just adorable. And Gorgeous!

Fill out our application at www.greenlandhollerpets.org, then text us you are interested at 909-208-6889, and lets get you an appointment to see this most precious baby boy. Hes extraordinarily intelligent too.  

Cairnoodle Cairnoodle The Cairnoodle is a mix of the Cairn Terrier and the Poodle. This cross is also called a Poocan, CairnPoo, Cairnpoodle and Cairn Doodle, or just a Cairn Terrier/Poodle Mix. He has a life span of 12 to 16 years and is a small dog with skills in agility, competitive obedience, tricks and watchdog. He is an independent dog but still very social and affectionate.

Here is the Cairnoodle at a Glance Average height 10 to 15 inches Average weight 13 to 20 pounds Coat type Short, wispy, curly Hypoallergenic? Can be – Poodle is Grooming Needs Moderate Shedding Low Brushing Three or more times a week Touchiness Fairly sensitive Tolerant to Solitude? Low Barking Rare to occasional Tolerance to Heat Very good Tolerance to Cold Good to very good Good Family Pet? Excellent Good with Children? Excellent with socialization Good with other Dogs? Very good to excellent with socialization Good with other Pets? Good to very good with socialization A roamer or Wanderer? Average A Good Apartment Dweller? Excellent due to size Good Pet for new Owner? Very good to excellent Trainability Easy to train Exercise Needs Slightly active Tendency to get Fat Above average Major Health Concerns Addison's, Bloat, Cushings, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes, Patellar Luxation, Eye problems, Von Willebrand's, Other Health Concerns Hip Dysplasia, Skin Problems, Life Span 12 to 16 years Average new Puppy Price $600 to $900 Average Annual Medical Expense $460 to $560 Average Annual Non-Medical Expense $680 to $780 Advertisement

Where does the Cairnoodle come from?

The Cairnoodle is mixed or cross breed that has been deliberately bred and as such is now referred to more commonly as a Designer dog. Most of these dogs have two different purebred parents and a lot have Poodle in the mix because of their low shedding coats, intelligence and temperament. Many have a name that puts together parts of the parents names. A lot of breeders have joined the trend but not all of them are people you should be buying from. There are a lot of puppy mills and bad breeders who are deliberately cruel or just ignorant and really know nothing about careful breeding practices. Take care who you buy from. Without much known about the Cairnoodle's origins we look at the parent purebreeds to understand them better.

The Poodle

A very old breed is the Poodle. You can find pictures of Poodle like dogs on old Roman and Egyptian artifacts and in tombs from as far back as the 1st century. Despite most regular people thinking the Poodle is a French dog, in fact he comes from Germany and was used for hunting ducks and other waterfowl. But he became a more distinct breed when he made it to France. There have been three sizes of Poodles for centuries, the Standard, the Miniature and the Toy. French aristocracy adopted the toy Poodles as companions to carry around with them. When the Poodle was adopted into traveling circuses to perform they clipped them into interesting shapes and the aristocracy copied. He was registered in the Kennel Club in England in 1874, and the American Kennel Club in 1886.

Today he is known for being super intelligent, eager to please and easy to train. He is very devoted and loving and while energetic, can be calmed with training, socialization and enough exercise. He may seem to be aloof but in fact when you talk to Poodle owners you discover he has a great sense of humor and loves to clown around and play.

The Cairn Terrier

Scottish terrier breeds were originally classed as Scotch Terriers but in 1873 a new system came in to play and there were now two classes, Skye Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. Cairns were included in the Skye terrier classification. They were developed 200 years ago on the Isle of Skye by a Captain Martin MacLeod. Eventually in 1912 the Cairn-terrier had its own designation and was so named after Scottish burial sites. He came to America in 1913 and was granted membership of the AKC that same year.

Today he is a friendly lovely dog, always happy and eager to meet new people. As a terrier he is independent though and very alert. He likes to dig, chase things and he is a barker. He is a devoted family dog, good with the kids but can be sensitive and does not do well if you scold him. Early socialization and training are important to help keep him more stable.

Temperament

The Cairnoodle is an affectionate and loving dog who while enjoys being around people is also quite independent also. He is very loyal and protective and enjoys moments of cuddling as well as moments of playfulness and energy. He loves to get attention and be at the center of anything going on. He is an interesting mix of being sensitive like a Poodle but still able to be bold like a Terrier. He likes to have company and prefers not to be left alone for long periods. If he gets bored or is left alone for too long he can become destructive. He likes to entertain people, is eager to please, alert and confident. With strangers he is wary.

What does the Cairnoodle look like

He is a small dog weighing 13 to 20 pounds and standing 10 to 15 inches tall. He has a compact but strong body and looks quite tough with his wide head and large dark eyes. His coat can be wavy to curly, wispy and is short on the body. His ears are flappy and common colors are brown, black, grey, cream, white and golden.

Training and Exercise Needs

How active does the Cairnoodle need to be?

The Cairnoodle is just slightly active so is suitable as a pet for most owners, even those who cannot be that active. With a good selection of toys to rotate through he can play indoors and then he should also have one or two short daily walks as well. It is important he gets mental and physical stimulation and has enough interaction. He is well suited to living in an apartment as he is small enough and does not require a yard. A dog who is not walked enough and given enough stimulation can become frustrated, bored and will start to act out with barking, digging and other such behavior.

Does he train quickly?

The Cairnoodle despite being independent is easy to train, he listens and obeys and even needs less repetition than many other dogs. He likes to perform for people so as well as learning basic obedience he would also do well at learning tricks and the like. However he is not as easy when it comes to house training and in most cases it is a good idea to use the crate training method. Early training and socialization are important to see him become the best dog he can be. Use positive methods, reenforcing his successes with rewards, use treats and praise to encourage and motivate. Stay firm making it clear you are pack leader and be consistent and patient.

Living with a Cairnoodle

How much grooming is needed?

There is a moderate amount of maintenance and grooming to be done with the Cairnoodle. It will need regular brushing although it at least does not shed much at all, it does get tangled. It will need to be bathed with a dog shampoo just as it needs one. Too often and it is not good for the coat or his skin. You will also need to brush his teeth two to three times a week, check his ears for infections and wipe them clean once a week and then clip his nails when they get too long. Make sure the nails are not cut too short as this will cause pain and bleeding. Groomers can do it for you if you are not knowledgeable about them.

What is he like with children and other animals?

With socialization this dog is very good with children, he is playful and affectionate with them in fact. He also gets on well with other dogs and even other pets especially when raised with them. He may like to chase smaller animals though.

General information

He can make a good watchdog but otherwise his barking seems to range between rare and often! He will need to be fed ¾ to 1½ cups of good quality dry dog food each day, split into two meals. He can handle most climates and conditions.

Health Concerns

Health issues the Cairnoodle can be prone to include Addison's, Bloat, Cushings, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes, Patellar Luxation, Eye problems, Von Willebrand's, Craniomandibular Osteopathy, Cryptorchidism, Krabbe's disease, Liver problems, Hip Dysplasia and Skin Problems.

Costs involved in owning a Cairnoodle

The Cairnoodle puppy can cost between $600 to $900. Most Poodle mixes are a bit higher in price than other designer dogs though compared to some this is still one of the cheaper options. Other initial costs will include getting a crate, carrier, collar and leash, having the puppy examined by a vet, blood tests done, vaccinated, micro chipped, dewormed and neutered. These come to between $455 to $500. Annual costs for medical essentials like flea and tick prevention, check ups, further shots, pet insurance and heartworm prevention come to $460 to $560. Annual non-medical costs for basics like food, toys, treats, license, grooming and training come to between $680 to $780.

The Cairnoodle is a sweet and very entertaining dog. He is smart but while obedience training may go very well, house training is going to need more patience. He gets on well with other pets and children and could be a great family dog or companion to a single owner or couple. He is also a good option for those who are less active and could be hypoallergenic though that is something you would need to confirm.

[justslowdown]

Hope you don't mind me asking! I was planning to get a crossbred puppy/dog last year, but ended up with a purebred anyway because none of the litters/parents I looked into had been tested beyond a once-over and "appears healthy," and I didn't have the heart to risk it. Most of the people I spoke to claimed it wasn't necessary (ew) bc u kno crosses and magic. What health tests did you prioritize on Kai and Callista before breeding and how did you choose?

Are you kidding THANK you for asking! You’ll regret it after scrolling past this overinvolved answer, though.

Yeah, the first thing I tell people when they start looking for a crossbred puppy: just like there are more breeders of purebred dogs who don’t test than who do, the same applies for crosses. It might take more legwork to find the ones who do (and we’re out there!) though…

Tldr; plenty of breeders across the board, pure and crossbred, do not health test stock as thoroughly as they should. Many others use tests to justify risky high-COI pairings. It’s tougher to track down the breeders who both test and breed for maximized genetic diversity, but imo, it’s worth it if your goal is stacking the health odds in your favor. Purebred dogs from good breeders have their own merits but even going that route, COI (coefficient of inbreeding) is important.

To answer your question: Kai has been tested for all the problems OFA recommends checking for in both of his breeds. The website’s really handy for looking at statistics when deciding what tests are important to you, too. 

Both breeds can have eye issues so he’s been CAER tested by a vet ophthalmologist and cleared. Shelties have some common testable diseases (CEA, MDR1, PRA) though the ones Siberians have are extremely uncommon. He’s tested clear/non-carrier for a huge range of diseases so I’m comfortable breeding him to Callie, a dog from a pure breed where genetic testing isn’t really necessary. I decided hip scoring WAS important for both breeds, and luckily both are OFA “Good” (Kai’s are prelims but his growth plates are closed and by the numbers, his score is extremely unlikely to change). Callie has only had her eyes looked at by my normal breeding vet, not officially, but he says he’d be comfortable breeding her and Kai’s CAER test was perfect. This is my last chance to do this pairing, so. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Choice made.

Why are we harder to find? Some of it’s the “hybrid vigor means I don’t have to test” myth but a lot of us just…. kind of do our thing and keep quiet about it. We can’t compete in AKC sports with our intact mixes, are gossiped about or targeted for harassment by show breeders (Desertwindhounds has a story about basically being kicked out of the saluki breedclub for it. don’t think she’s still active on here tho), we aren’t allowed in a lot of Facebook groups. I’ve been booted from or not accepted into a ton for talking about it. It’s the kind of thing that you can’t be super open about if you want to fit in with the more health-testy side of the breeding community, a few breeds excluded. 

Definitely a big thing in non-AKC sports, especially agility and flyball, though! The “Sport Bred Mixes” fb group is a good place to find crossbreeders who health test if you want a higher drive puppy. There’s also a secret group that’s a little involved to join. pm me about it… people came in, screenshotted discussions, and stirred up shit in other fb groups about individuals in this crossbreeding group. Gotta love… online dog communities…… :/ 

There are actually a lot of good breeders who allow people to use studs for crossbreeding projects with the stipulation that word doesn’t get out about it. Sad some feel that’s necessary but so glad people are becoming more open to it. And breed club outcross projects are becoming more common in some countries!

Finally… more soapboxing…

Health testing is important but so is inbreeding management. Due to the invention of closed studbooks, and ideas of “bettering breeds” and “only breeding the best of the best…” diversity has fallen by the wayside in most breeding communities. When buying or adopting a mix, you get the bonus of higher genetic diversity than is possible within a single breed. Still plenty of risks but at least the COI is likely to be low.

Research is starting to illuminate the benefits of mixing breeds (or maximizing genetic diversity within a breed, like the standard poodle lifespan survey) when it comes to health. It’s pretty basic inheritance that recessive, breed-specific diseases are much less likely to double up and become an issue in a mix or pairing with exceptionally low COI. Keep in mind that tests have only been developed for a relative few of such diseases. This ICB post sums it up pretty well.

Despite what many say, a growing and already substantial body of research points towards higher fertility and lower puppy mortality, lower prevalence of genetic disorders, longer lifespan, etc etc etc in mixed breed dogs, even without health tests being used to breed the vast majority of them. There’s posts gathering together resources on that here, here, and here. Or just poke around the ICB website.

That’s why, personally, I was comfortable buying otherwise perfect-for-me puppy Kai despite his parents’ lack of health testing, while I probably wouldn’t for a purebred. Because… yeah. I feel you. It’s pretty damn hard to find a crossbreeder who both has what you want and does adequate health screening. 

[creaturecompanionsofficial]

English Cocker Spaniel - Creature Companion

English cocker spaniels, intelligent and naturally curious, are small hunting dogs that have been bred to retrieve and flush game. This medium-sized breed is a great choice for family pets. They are friendly and easy to care for. Find out more about the temperament, size, colors and sizes of English cocker spaniel here.

Lady and the Tramp. The White House pets. That mischievous Coppertone sunscreen dog. For decades, English cocker spaniels were some of the most loved and most well-known faces in advertising and media. It's easy to understand why. Their expressive eyes and doe-like ears make them hard to resist.

English cockers can be more than a pretty face. The breeding of this breed is rooted in North England's hunting fields. The English cocker spaniel, a loyal, intelligent, and athletic dog, is an affectionate, friendly, and playful breed.

Appearance

English cocker spaniels can be a little smaller than springer spaniels. Males reach 16-17 inches in height and weigh 28-34 pounds while females are around 15-16 inches and weigh 26-32 pounds.

English cockers are squarish with dark-colored eyes and a long, square nose. They also have pendant ears. The silky, soft coats of English cockers are long and thick with feathering at the ends. Show dogs and family pets will have their hair cut shorter than working dogs. English cocker spaniels most often come in color combinations that include black, red, liver, and tan.

If left alone, an English cocker's tail can grow to 8-9 inches. It's common for centuries that a hunting dog spends time in thick underbrush to have their tails docked to around 4 inches. This is to prevent injury and to keep them safe while working. Especially for family dogs, docking is often not necessary and sometimes skipped.

Health

Although English Cockers are healthy in general, some health issues can occur as well. Although not all English Cockers will be affected by these diseases, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers for this breed.

Find a reliable breeder to show you the health clearances of your puppy's parents. A dog's health clearances show that it has been cleared and tested for a specific condition.

English Cockers should receive health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. They will be able to provide certificates of normal eyesight from Auburn University for thrombopathia and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. Check the OFA website to confirm that health clearances have been obtained.

·        Eye problems: Cockers can develop a number of eye conditions, including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which is a degenerative condition of the retinal visual cell that leads to blindness. Cataracts are cloudy films that form over the eyes. Glaucoma, where pressure builds up in the eyeball, and other eye abnormalities. You should take your Cocker to the vet if you see any redness or rubbing of his eyes.

·        Hip Dysplasia: There are many factors that can cause this hip deformity, such as genetics, diet, and environment. Although affected Cockers can live normal, healthy lives with minimal restrictions, you should be careful to not let them overdo it. Your Cocker may need hip replacement surgery in severe cases to be able to move around more easily.

·        Renal Failure: Kidney failure at young ages (between 9 and 24 months old) is a common condition. It can also occur occasionally and is thought that it can be inherited.

·        Congenital Sensorineural Decayness: This condition is only found in particolored English Cockers. Affected puppies are born with the condition. It causes degeneration of their hearing and eventually leads to deafness at 4 weeks. A few English Cocker breeders have begun to test their dogs for deafness prior to breeding them.

·        Dilated cardiomyopathy: A condition in which the heart muscle becomes too distended. This appears to be a problem with mainly solid-colored English Cockers. You may notice weight loss, weakness and abdominal distention. Echocardiography and x-rays are used to diagnose the condition.

Care

English Cocker Spaniel can adapt to any environment and can live in apartments as long as they get daily exercise. This breed is very active and will enjoy long walks, games with fetch, or other sports like agility or flyball.

Different exercise requirements are different for puppies. Puppy kindergarten is an excellent way to help your puppy get some exercise, training, and socialization. It can be held once or twice per week for puppies aged 9 to 4 months. Toss a ball for them.

Weekly obedience classes, daily half-mile walks, and playtime in the yard will be available for children aged 4-6 months. Play fetch with a ball from 6 months to one year old. Limit walks to one-half mile.

Your English Cocker puppy can start to jog along with you after a year. Keep the distance to less than a mile, and give him breaks as necessary. You can increase the distance you run and the time that you run as he matures. This will help protect his bones and joints.

Your English Cocker will learn quickly if you are patient. The spaniel temperament is sensitive and he won't take to harshness. Use positive reinforcement methods such as food rewards and praise. play is also a good option. You'll be amazed at his ability to learn quickly if you keep training fun and consistent.

English Cockers, like all dogs, have a playful side. They are also chowhounds. Especially during their curious puppy phase, keep food and garbage out reach. A crate can be a great way for your English Cocker to keep them from getting into trouble if you aren't there to supervise.

 For more information visit our website Creature Companion.

[miki-agrawal]

From Carole Baskin to Leslie Jordan, the Unlikely Stars of the Quarantine

A look at the people and products who captured our imaginations (and, in some cases, our hearts) during a strange moment in history

Originally Posted On lamag.com By Paul Schrodt On May 17, 2020

It’s hard to think of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact as anything other than a series of downturns: in global health, the economy, our cultural lifeblood, and moods. But as in any crisis, there are positives deserving praise. Dr. Anthony Fauci, unknown to many of us months ago, now has his own bobblehead—and deservedly so. But other experts and personalities—some with direct ties to the novel coronavirus, others who are delightful distractions—have captured our collective imagination. Here are 20.

Carole Baskin

Netflix’s zeitgeist-defining docuseries Tiger King is teeming with wilder-than-the-last characters, but one rises above the rest. Baskin—the 58-year-old former big-cat breeder turned conservationist and archrival/attempted murder victim of central subject Joe Exotic—sports an enviable feline-inspired wardrobe; coos her memed-around-the-world tagline, “Hey all you cool cats and kittens”; and prefers not to answer questions about her mysteriously missing ex-husband. A morally ambiguous figure for our uncertain times, she’s also sure to be one of Halloween’s most popular costumes—so stock up now on the fiercest tiger prints you can find.

Dua Lipa

The British singer, 24, didn’t want to release her second album, Future Nostalgia, into a pandemic—she announced its arrival with tears on social media. But its neo-disco bangers are exactly what a lockdown dance party demands, and the release is her first Top 10 LP in the U.S. She’s liberated the masses to move while (fabulously) self-quarantining with her model-celebrity-spawn boyfriend Anwar Hadid. But how hard is that?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAayNagnmHF/

Ryan Heffington

Heffington, 46, had already been motivating Angelenos to hone their hip shaking 
at his Silver Lake dance studio, the Sweat Spot, but the Grammy-nominated choreographer has turned his Joshua Tree house into a makeshift gym space. For his five-day-a-week Sweatfest cardio class on Instagram Live, he coaches around 8,000 viewers at a time through unique moves. Fans are known to end sessions with a cathartic cry.

D-Nice

Born Derrick Jones, 
D-Nice had a moment as a hip-hop
 artist in the ’90s that
 quickly faded. But 
the 49-year-old DJ 
reached newfound fame streaming his live Club Quarantine sets from his downtown L.A. apartment, drawing hundreds of thousands of stay-at-home revelers, including Rihanna, Oprah Winfrey, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama. The funk-and-soul-heavy playlists are more than a sonic escape—they’re an act of communal transcendence against all odds.

Zack Fox

A previously undersung L.A. comedian and internet provocateur, Fox, 29, racked up more than 300,000 views with a stone-faced parody—which made perfect use of Three 6 Mafia’s “Slob on My Knob”—of Gal Gadot’s viral-for-all-the-wrong-reasons “Imagine” sing-along.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B98XjQ7AK9X/

Juan Delcan and
 Valentina Izaguirre


The local artist couple, based in View Park-Windsor Hills, illuminated the power of social distancing with their “Safety Match” viral video, in which animated matches light up in a row until one of them steps out of the way. Viewed roughly a million times, the contemporary art piece achieved what no government PSA could.

Alison Roman

The New York Times cooking writer (and native Angeleno), 34, had already achieved food-world stardom with two best-selling books before lockdown. Under quarantine, Roman’s simple yet flavor-packed recipes for dishes like caramelized shallot pasta—and her unfussy-but-particular Brooklyn boho banter—have become required reading and eating. Roman went from darling to pariah in May when controversial comments she made about Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo went viral. If only shallots made you immune to Twitter backlash.

Ina Garten

More than 3 million people on Instagram watched the tranquil Barefoot Contessa, 72, demonstrate how she keeps her “favorite tradition,” the cocktail hour, alive under desperate conditions. The Food Network star has been a rightfully beloved figure for nearly two decades, but her mixing a gigantic cosmo was a hilariously refreshing reminder of what a true treasure she is.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cJUwUpxbM/

L.A. tap water

You’re not good, we never loved you, and yet without gallons of overpriced filtered alkaline H2O, we’re suddenly overjoyed to guzzle you.

Bidet attachments

After hoarders cleared out the toilet paper aisles, the makers of bidet products began cleaning up with their water-jet-shooting self-cleaning devices. The brand Brondell saw a 300 percent spike in sales, while the cleverly marketed Tushy sold out entirely. The future may be wipe free.

Zoom

The video-conferencing platform—which has raised security concerns and provides the same service as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Facebook Messenger—has become a key part of life under quarantine. Zoom stock has jumped more than 100 percent since January.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAihoslm_O/

The brothers Cuomo

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, 62, has been lionized for leading his state through the darkness. But his cute younger brother, 49-year-old CNN anchor Chris, stole plenty of shine when he 
tested positive for 
COVID-19 and 
without missing a
 beat continued hosting 
his show in self-isolation
from his basement. Despite regular potshots from 
right-wing critics, the younger Cuomo managed to come off 
as more sincere and urgent than ever. One NYC matchmaker says the duo are topping her “most wanted” list, beating out even the Jonas brothers.

Reply All’s “The Case
of the Missing Hit”


Podcast Reply All delivered a blockbuster with a mind-bending search for a song—which might not exist—that a man says got stuck in his head in the ’90s. A reflection of the unanswered questions inundating our lives, except with far lower stakes, the March episode has sparked a 35 percent increase in the show’s listenership.

Trolls World Tour

Universal’s Trolls sequel, with a bizarre rock-versus-pop premise and a message about cultural appropriation that will likely go over the heads of its intended audience (and perhaps that of star Justin Timberlake), set a record for the biggest debut for a digital release, topping every relevant platform during its opening weekend in April. The $20 two-day rental price seemed steep to some, but to parents with stir-crazy kids it was a bargain.

The Womanizer vibrator

With Tinder hookups on hold, we’re turning inward—and reaching for sex toys. This cheekily marketed device has seen
 a 152 percent year-over-year rise in U.S. sales thanks to quarantine orders. Its resonant new slogan for those hungry for pleasure: Stay home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAp1cWNpQz6/

Sourdough
bread


It’s a cliche at
 this point, but
 making it ourselves is truly com
forting, if not always Tartine level. No wonder more than 100,000 posts have been tagged with #crumbshot on Instagram.

The new class of badass reporters

Journalism is never more important than during a national emergency or the mass dissemination of misinformation. We happen to be living through both. A young crop of reporters in the White House briefing room—including Weijia Jiang of CBS, Kaitlan Collins and Jeremy Diamond of CNN, Yamiche Alcindor of PBS, and Kristin Fisher of Fox News—has resisted President Trump’s theatrical boasting and mugging, pressing for straightforward information and fact-checking on the spot.

Leslie Jordan

The 64-year-old veteran actor from Will
 & Grace and American Horror Story has amassed more than 3 million Instagram followers since March as a result of absurdist check-in videos in which he appears to be either very bored or very stoned. Pointing to his DIY painted toenails, he shares: “I messed this one up.” Relatable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtA9Nfhat7/

My Year of Rest
 and Relaxation


Ottessa Moshfegh’s
 2018 best-selling novel, about a beautiful, lazy, pill-popping
 young woman who attempts a yearlong 
hibernation in a Manhattan apartment, had
 been celebrated at the time of its publication for its dark humor. Now its wit is hailed as beautifully horrific, as evidenced by the literary critics who are circling back to it. Vice declared of the book in one recent headline: “Blacking Out in a Juicy Couture Tracksuit Is a Lockdown Mood.”

The smart bike

Already a cult obsession, Peloton’s $2,245 souped-up stationary bike has never been more covetable as gyms lie dormant. The company’s stock bounced 50 percent in March, leaving an offensive Christmas-ad debacle in the dust. Cheaper competitors are also racing ahead. Echelon, whose bikes start at $839, reported a tenfold increase in sales the same month.

Tushy is a bidet startup which aims to replace toilet paper, Tushy was founded by Miki Agrawal.

[petobsessions]

Delilah - she started it all. I had just been hired as a dog trainer at Petsmart not because I had any actual experience with dogs (I never had one growing up, my mom didn’t like them, and most scared me after I was tackled to the ground in greeting repeatedly by extended family’s dogs most of my childhood) but since I had a background in elementary education and they figured working with Kindergarteners is close enough to dogs (accurate haha). I had recently dropped out of what I thought was my dream school and career path because of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I walked outside during a shift and saw Delilah’s eyes staring right at me. I had moved back in with my mom and knew I couldn’t bring a dog home, so I started training her on weekends and showing her and the tricks I was teaching her off to anyone that was interested. The problem? She had severe anxiety about being indoors and was a feral pickup off the streets. BARK had never seen her trust anyone before me in the 6 months they had her. Three weekends of this and I knew she was my dog. I moved out to adopt her and I have no regrets. She taught me so much as we patiently and painstakingly worked through her anxiety and subsequently my own panic disorder and agoraphobia that was developing as my depression lifted. She later became my Medical Alert Service Dog and was able to alert me to subtle changes in my body and keep me safe-all things she started herself and a job I wouldn’t have even known how to ask her to do at the time had she not taken it upon herself. We have legitimately spent the majority of our time together these past 14 years and can read each other like books. At 15 now she slows down a bit more each day, is almost fully deaf, and losing her sight. She panics when she wakes up and cant find me so during the rare times I leave the house in 2020 she always comes with me. I know our time left together is limited but I cherish every moment and hope I age as gracefully as she does.

Oliver- I knew I wanted a second dog and was going to start looking soon for a Sheltie mix to compete with me in agility. Ollie and his (then second set) of parents were in my group dog training lessons at the time. As soon as he walked in there was just something about him that drew me to him. I thought he was a puppy at the time-I had never seen or heard of mini Aussies. A few weeks later his former family contacted me around midnight on Facebook asking if I knew of anyone who was looking for a dog like him as they were about to be evicted for his separation anxiety barking and he kept harassing their cats. Ollie has been more of a challenge than I anticipated with his multiple anxiety disorders, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world. He also knew how to alert to my medical issues, but struggled in public to not worry too much about me and everything else going on in the world around him. When Ollie looks at me I feel like he is staring right into my soul.

Ash- Oh my little demon. I knew he was going to be a project too as home number 4, but looking back wouldn’t have taken him on if I had realized the extent of it. The amount of malice this dog has when something comes between him and food or when a child exists is extraordinary. He has taught me so much patience, the ability to recognize triggers before the dog does, and I am able to much better empathize with similarly struggling clients after living through his problem behaviors. Prozac helps, but he will forever be my demon and I’m glad I was able to take him and keep him from behavioral euthanasia <3 He loves cuddling and is forever my littlest spoon.

Adora- With a full time dog training business consisting of dogs regularly boarding and training in my home and two mini Aussie problem children, I decided to get a dog through a responsible breeder for the first time to ensure I had a bomb-proof demo dog, ability to tap her for service work should the need arise, and calm guiding presence for the boys. I brought her home last August thinking Delilah would only have a little bit of time to teach her the ropes before passing, and instead blessedly still have Lilah to help me raise her. Adora is one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever met and an amazing cuddler. She loves being pet and will gently direct me to her desired spots with such clear communication it blows me away. She has the silliest sense of humor and the first time she outsmarted me she was just 4 months old. I had hidden the toy she wanted behind my back while sitting at my computer since she was incessantly squeaking and throwing it around. She alerted that she needed to go potty, so I got up to let her out and she immediately grabbed the toy instead. I’ve been more careful since! Adora has never met a stranger in another dog or human and she deeply trusts me to do things like fix when a stick is caught in the roof of her mouth rather than panicking and flailing the way even Delilah will if in pain despite all our years together. I can’t wait to see how our relationship deepens and grows from here.

Jasper- Oh my kitten...now almost 3 but forever will be kitten to me. I had kept my ex’s cat after our breakup until his living situation stabilized and his cat had only recently moved out. I was grieving in so many ways and insisted I wouldn’t get another cat. Not long after I was teaching a reactive dog lesson outside of a dog park and she sauntered out of the woods screaming for food and following me and the dogs. It took some time and patience but I got her much to the relief of the feral cat feeders who had been trying for weeks. My ex was unfortunately continuing to harass me- I was so hurt and scared by his behavior I didn’t think I could love again but fell so deeply and quickly for Jasper that she reminded me how much unconditional love I have to give. Her health began to decline a few months later and she went blind despite repeated vet visits. Eventually we figured out she has leukemia and her first test was a false negative. But through it all she has stayed the most cuddly and loving cat. Jasper has taught me just how much you can train a cat! Not just tricks but practical things like commands to help her navigate her environment as a blind animal. She was given a few weeks to a few months to live over a year and a half ago. I love her even more for her persistent love of the outdoors despite not being able to see and how losing her sight hasn’t slowed her down one bit.

[aesthetic-pets-blog]

Taking Care of Your New Kitten

Raising a kitten is one of the most fun things you’ll ever do, but it’s also a big responsibility. The following guide will walk you through the basics of how to take care of that playful, purring bundle of fur.

Kittens are so cute, it’s understandable that cat owners sometimes wish their kittens could stay kittens forever. This is the when you, as the pet parent, lay the foundation for your cat’s future health and behavior. Not to mention, it’s the stage where you have to decide what food to buy, what vet to visit, and where to place the litterbox. Fortunately, all of your hard work during these first few months is compensated by loads of snuggling and adorability.

1. Verify Your Kitten’s Age Though it’s not something you have any control over, your kitten’s age is more than just a number. In fact, it’s crucial that you learn it. Kittens have very specific developmental needs for the first 10 weeks of their lives in terms of nourishment, warmth, socialization, and excretion. For this reason, most breeders and shelters typically wait until their kittens are of age before they’re put up for adoption. If you, by chance, find yourself in a situation where you need to care for an orphaned kitten under 10 weeks old, consult your vet for special instructions.

2. Find a Good Vet If you don’t have a vet in mind already, ask friends for recommendations. If you got your cat from a shelter, ask their advice as they may have veterinarians they swear by. Local dog walkers and groomers are also a great resource for pet recommendations.

One of the first things you should do with your new cat, if not the very first, is take him in for an exam. This trip is almost as important for the owner as it is the kitten, because it not only tests for health issues like birth defects, parasites, and feline leukemia, but it allows you to ask those all important questions including advice on litterbox training your kitten.

3. Get the Most Out of Your First Vet Visit Have your vet recommend a type of food, how often to feed, and portion sizes. Discuss kitten-safe options for controlling parasites, both external and internal. Learn about possible signs of illness to watch for during your kitten’s first few months. Discuss how to introduce your kitten to other household pets. Schedule future visits and vaccinations to establish a preventive health plan for your kitten. 4. Shop for Quality Food Feeding a kitten isn’t as easy as grabbing a bag of cat chow at the nearest convenience store. Growing kittens need as much as three times more calories and nutrients than adult cats. That’s why it’s important to find a good quality food designed especially for kittens. A name brand food, formulated for kittens, is the simplest way to ensure that your kitty gets the proper nourishment without supplements. Also, check to make sure your kitten’s food includes a statement from the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) displayed on the packaging, ensuring the food is nutritionally complete.

5. Set Up a Feeding Schedule To keep up with your kitten’s appetite, you’ll want to establish a daily feeding routine. The best way to ensure that you’re not under or over-feeding your kitten is to consult with you veterinarian about how much and how often to feed. At 3 to 6 moths of age, most vets recommend feeding your kitten three times a day. Once he’s reached six months, you can scale it back to twice a day. Keep stocking your pantry with kitten food until your baby reaches adulthood, 9 to12 months old. In addition, don’t forget to keep his water bowl fresh and filled at all times. But hold the milk. Contrary to popular belief, milk is not nutritionally sufficient for kittens and can give them diarrhea.

Get advice on the best way to litterbox train your kitten.

6. Be Sociable Once your vet has cleared your kitten as free of disease and parasites, it’s safe to let your new kitten explore its new surroundings and other pet roommates. Handling and playing with your kitten at least once a day will help him form a strong emotional bond with you. If you have children, monitor their introduction to the new kitten to make sure it’s a positive experience for both the kitten and child.

7. Prepare a Room Before you bring your kitten home, it’s best to designate a quiet area where the kitten can feel comfortable and safe. In this base camp, you’ll need to put a few essentials like food and water dishes, a litterbox (preferably one with low sides), and some comfortable bedding. Tip: Remember, cats don’t like their food and litterbox too close together. So place the food dishes as far away from the litter as possible within the space.

8. Gear Up Here’s a list of the most essential items you’ll want to have before bringing your kitten home:

Quality food, specifically formulated for kittens Collar and ID tags Food bowls, preferably metal or ceramic Litterbox and cat litter A comfortable, warm cat bed Cat carrier Scratching post Kitten safe toys, no small pieces that your kitten can swallow Cat brush Cat toothbrush and toothpaste (get him started at a young age) 9. Watch for Early Signs of Illness Young kittens are more susceptible to a number of illnesses, and it’s always best to catch a health issue in its early stages. Contact your vet immediately if your kitten displays any of the following symptoms.

Lack of appetite Poor weight gain Vomiting Swollen or painful abdomen Lethargy (tiredness) Diarrhea Difficulty breathing Wheezing or coughing Pale gums Swollen, red eyes or eye discharge Nasal discharge Inability to pass urine or stool This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian.

[thecatsyowl-blog]

How to build immunity to cat allergies?

Are you allergic to cats but want one?

You will see, that as you go through life, your immune system goes through many changes. People allergic to peanut butter have on occasion grown out of it. Strawberries that may have treated you fine, make you rashy now. 

As a child, hay fever never used to bother me. I developed strong seasonal allergies in my twenties. But, now they don’t seem to bother me at all. I think you’ll find that this is how it is with most people. And what is true for allergies is also true for your CAT allergies. 

In this article, “How to build immunity to cat allergies” you will find everything you need to know to make living with cats a reality.

Is building immunity to cats possible?

Actually, many people who are allergic to cats have somehow build up a tolerance to their own pets. These people report that they have cat allergies, just not to their own cat!

You would think this would be rare. But, it happens quite often.

Sometimes people simply outgrow their cat allergies. Many cat allergy sufferers who loved the idea of a cat so much decided to get one anyway. And many have reported losing their allergies altogether. 

View post on imgur.com

How Do You build immunity to cats?

This is a controversial subject. A few people who have tried to build up an immunity ended up making it far worse. 

However, I saw something in the news a while back. A research project to test this idea of overcoming allergies. The scientists were gradually adding peanut products to the diets of people who were very allergic. Everything was done in a controlled environment and doctors were on hand. 

They started out with very tiny amounts and slowly increased to larger and larger amounts. Surprisingly the results were very promising. Based on this evidence and the countless stories people tell, it would appear that it is possible! But, it is not recommended without doctor supervision. Especially, if your allergy is severe.

How long does it take?

Results and the time it takes will vary from person to person. Slowly increasing exposure has quickly removed the allergy for some and for others it had no effect. Some are able to build immunity and some never do. 

I have a friend who has had cat allergies his whole life. His girlfriend convinced him to try to build his immunity so they adopted a cat. They now have 5 cats! He’s not complaining. You would assume he’d be in torment night and day. This happened relatively quickly for him. I would say less than a year.

What are the risks to exposure therapy?

What can happen, although it is rare,  as you live with the allergen, your allergies can get worse. And in extreme cases, you can do actual damage to your body.  You could end up with an autoimmune disorder or lung problems.

So, this is something that should be planned out with your allergist. 

However, there are safe solutions. How to build immunity to cat allergies? With the right cat, you may not have any issues!

Is there such a thing as a hypoallergenic cat?

A specific protein is shed in a cat’s saliva, urine and comes out in skin secretions. The protein is called “Fel d1” and is transmitted to the fur during grooming. It is not the fur that causes your reaction but it is the protein. The saliva dries and then disperses everywhere as very fine particles. 

The severity of your cat allergy will vary from cat to cat.

Each cat is unique. Whether the breeder claims it to be hypoallergenic or not. This protein is produced in all cats. Hypoallergenic cats produce less. However, it varies from cat to cat. And so your symptoms can vary from cat to cat. 

Just because you may have had no negative reaction from a specific Breed does not mean that all cats in that breed can be tolerated.

So, the simple way to deal with this is by trial and error. You need to get around the cat that you are planning to bring home. Test yourself out with the kitten and her parents. 

These are my two siberian cats, never could live with a cat before due to allergies.

Hypoallergenic Cats

You may be very surprised. People have been calling the following cats, miracle cats. They are considered Hypoallergenic by their breeders. 

Here are the best cats for people with allergies.

Siberian

Balinese

Bengal

Burmese

Colorpoint Shorthair

Cornish Rex

Devon Rex

Javanese

Ocicat

Oriental Shorthair

Russian Blue

Siamese

Sphynx

Cat allergy shots

It is a good idea to see an allergist before you bring a cat into your home. Once you are living with a cat you may not be able to build up your tolerance in a controlled manner. 

It is advisable not to get a cat until your allergist clears it. The only exception to this is to get a cat you can easily tolerate form breeds that have been known to produce less Fel d1.  

It can take many years of shots to accomplish full immunity. So, pick your starter cat from the list of hypoallergenic cats. Keeping in mind that each individual cat will have a different effect on you. So, spend time with them first. 

The allergist will have a skin test done so she can formulate an allergy shot to help you develop your immunity. It is known as Allergen immunotherapy, also called allergy vaccine therapy.

You will be injected with the offending allergens in gradual doses. Your body will eventually build up an immunity against them and you will no longer be affected. If you do not like the idea of shots there is an alternative that you just put in your mouth.

“I was extremely allergic to cats. My allergies were the worst, the doctor and her staff, had ever seen. We did the allergy tests. I was allergic to 40, out of 40 items tested! We put a plan together. I took the shots for 3 years. After this time I was fine, no more cat allergies. I now have 3 cats. Go get tested. It will be the best thing you ever do for yourself and your cat.”

CatsYowl Reader

View this post on Instagram

I met my love today 😍 . . . . . . . #startup #fifecat #cattery #workingmum #workingmom #empowerwomen #workingwomen #newbuisness #kittens #cats #cat #siberian #nevamasqurede #nevamasquarade #hypoallergenic #catallergies #furbaby #purebred #pedigree #catallergy #cats_of_instagram #kittensofinstagram #fifecat #breeder #instacat #instakitten #pets #furbabies #cute #supercute

A post shared by Harriet Williams (@hypoallergenic.kittens) on Jun 29, 2019 at 12:41pm PDT

How To Build Immunity To Cat Allergies, Naturally

It is also possible to get rid of your allergies naturally! 

Any allergy can be lessened using liver cleansing herbs such as milk thistle. According to recent holistic information, allergies originate in the liver. A stopped up liver can cause all sorts of health problems. 

People claim that they have rid themselves of cat allergies in as little as 6 months by taking milk thistle every day. It may take a little longer depending on your severity. And it is possible it may not work at all.

You eat food loaded with chemicals, you breathe dirty air, and you drink chlorinated water! This can clog up that overworked little liver of yours. The result, according to homeopathic professionals is an allergy. 

The Indian herb for the liver is Ashwagandha. You could try taking Milk Thistle and Ashwagandha every day. Or you could move to a super-clean tropical island. If only there was such a place!

Also, there are herbs that act as a natural antihistamine. Stinging Nettle and Butterbur are two herbs known to reduce allergic reactions. 

How To Build Immunity To Cat Allergies – 4 Easy Steps

Take your allergy medicines, but…

Strengthen your immune system. Take herbs to clean your liver.

Visit your allergist to get you started on a plan.  And if you just can’t wait…

Schedule a visit to a breeder that has that miracle cat that is hypoallergenic to you! Your starter kitten. After you are allergy-free you can fill your house with cats if that’s what you wish!

Important! Get Cat Communication Skills.

To be a good cat caregiver you need to be able to understand them! We believe that everyone should start their journey here… Whether you are just thinking about getting a cat or you are a long-time owner, you need to read this shocking but true article. 

Without it, you can NOT be a good cat caregiver!

How To Have Real 2-Way Conversation With Your Cat! Backed By The Latest Science

Learn what the tonality of each meow means, learn how to read their body language, learn how to read their moods, and understand what they’re thinking. And communicate back in a way that they understand!

Click Here To Read The Article

via http://www.catsyowl.com/how-to-build-immunity-to-cat-allergies/

[goalinfo]

Afghan hound

The afghan hound is elegance personified. This unique, ancient canine breed has an appearance quite unlike any other: dramatic silky coat, unusual face, and skinny, fashion-version build. Looks apart, afghan enthusiasts describe this hound as each aloof and comical. Hailing from afghanistan, in which the authentic call for the breed changed into tazi, the afghan is idea to date returned to the pre-christian generation and is considered considered one of oldest breeds.

Dog breed organization: hound puppies Height: 2 feet to two ft, four inches tall on the shoulder Weight: 50 to 60 kilos Lifestyles span: 10 to 12 years The afghan hound became firstly used for hunting massive prey in each the deserts and inside the mountains of afghanistan, wherein his considerable, flowing coat become wished for warmth. The afghan turned into relatively valued for his potential to run — fast and over terrific distances — courageously maintaining risky animals, consisting of leopards, at bay until his huntsman on horseback caught up. The afghan became additionally valued for his potential to assume and hunt independently, with out human path.

Present day afghan hound isn't looking leopards but this sighthound does retain the independent nature of a coursing hound. An afghan puppy will eagerly are searching for affection from family individuals, just like puppies of any breed, but this puppyhood behavior can fool unsuspecting owners. Adorable doggy antics lessen as the afghan matures. A mature afghan hound does no longer lavish interest on everyone, and once in a while doen't even need to be hugged or petted. The loose-questioning, independent afghan will decide for himself when he desires affection, and it will likely be on his terms — no longer yours.

Independence and indifference apart, the afghan hound is soft while he needs to be and can be very a laugh. Often called a "clown" by using his affectionate circle of relatives, the afghan hound is understood to be mischievous and tales abound of this breed's capability to thieve items from underneath the very noses of family contributors, even going thus far as to open cloth cabinet drawers and grab clothes.

With an ability to peer far extra distances than human beings and pivotal hip joints that permit him to cowl ground fast and easily clean barriers, the afghan is a herbal for a sport called lure coursing. In trap coursing, the hounds deliver chase to plastic baggage which can be used to create the impact of escaping recreation. This opposition exams the dog's ability to hunt by means of sight, and primary coursing intuition. In 1972, the american sighthound discipline affiliation (asfa) began, and maintains to operate and oversee a application a lot cherished through owners and dogs alike.

Whether competing in a coursing event, or playing life as a playful own family companion, the afghan hound is a one-of-a-kind breed.

Highlights

Grooming is critical. Best those who simply experience grooming, or are inclined to pay a professional groomer to do it, need to recall an afghan hound. The afghan's natural looking instinct activates him to chase prey (the neighbor's cat, your son's rabbit, the 1/3 grade elegance hamster, and many others.). The afghan hound may be challenging to educate because of his unbiased nature. Education can take a long term and calls for patience. House education can be hard. This breed can preserve having accidents within the house as much as approximately six months of age. The afghan hound has a low ache tolerance. A minor wound is extra bothersome to this breed than to other breeds, and this dog can every so often appear whiny or babyish. Afghan hounds are touchy and high-lively and do no longer reply well to rough handling--so be mild. Even though this specific breed is commonly true or even loving with kids, it's far exceptional if the domestic dog grows up with the youngsters he's going to stay with and the children are mature enough to recognize the importance of being considerate of this dog's touchy nature. To get a healthy dog, by no means buy a doggy from an irresponsible breeder, domestic dog mill, or puppy store. Look for a reputable breeder who exams her breeding dogs to ensure they may be freed from genetic illnesses that they might bypass onto the dogs, and that they have got sound temperaments. History

The afghan hound comes from afghanistan, where the unique call for the breed become tazi. The breed has lengthy been thought to date lower back to the pre-christian technology. Dna researchers have currently found that the afghan hound is one of the most historical dog breeds and dates again lots of years.

The first documentation of a western afghan breeder is that of an english officer stationed close to kabul. Afghan hounds from his ghazni kennel were transported to england in 1925, and then made their manner to the united states. The breed changed into identified through the yankee kennel membership in 1926 and the afghan hound club of the us become admitted for membership with the akc in 1940.

Zeppo marx of the marx brothers was one of the first to bring afghan hounds to the usa. Within the late Nineteen Seventies, the hound's popularity soared whilst barbie, who is liable for extra than eighty percent of mattel's earnings, and beauty, her pet afghan hound, discovered their way into the houses and hearts of infinite american ladies. At some point of this identical decade, the improvement of trap coursing competitions delivered to the breed's appeal. Within the Nineteen Eighties, the afghan became a popular akc display ring famous person and, in spite of its impartial nature, has branched out into obedience opposition.

Length

Males are 27 inches (plus or minus one inch) and about 60 pounds, and females 25 inches (plus or minus one inch) and approximately 50 pounds.

Persona

The afghan hound is typically a one-man or woman or one-family dog. Do not search for this hound to eagerly greet your visitors. Much more likely, he'll offend them with the aid of being indifferent to their presence. While some hounds may also bark once or twice when a stranger enters the home, this breed isn't always known to be an excellent watchdog.

The independent taking into account the afghan makes it a project to train. This hound is commonly no longer encouraged by food and does no longer own as robust a choice to delight as many different breeds (golden retriever, as an example). Although the afghan makes a stunning presentation in the show ring, for instance, more than one expert handler has been embarrassed inside the ring through a refusal to cooperative. Nevertheless, this breed is thought for outperforming other breeds whilst the selection to do so is his personal.

Tough handling can motive this dog to turn out to be withdrawn or mildly opposed. Mild dealing with, kindness, and patience paintings first-class with this breed, together with an expertise that there will be instances when the canine absolutely will not cooperate.

Fitness

Afghans are normally wholesome, but like every breeds, they may be at risk of certain fitness conditions. Now not all afghans will get any or all of those diseases, however it is crucial to be aware about them if you're thinking about this breed.

If you're buying a doggy, discover a appropriate breeder who will display you fitness clearances for each your doggy's parents. Fitness clearances prove that a canine has been tested for and cleared of a selected condition. In afghans, you have to count on to see fitness clearances from the orthopedic foundation for animals (ofa) for hip dysplasia (with a score of truthful or higher), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von willebrand's disease; from auburn university for thrombopathia; and from the canine eye registry foundation (cerf) certifying that eyes are normal. You may confirm health clearances by using checking the ofa net website online (offa.Org).

Hypersensitive reactions: signs and symptoms inside the afghan are the same as in people: sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, itching, hair loss, and lethargy. Treatment varies according to the motive and may consist of dietary restrictions, medicinal drugs, and environmental adjustments. Cancer: signs that can suggest canine most cancers include atypical swelling of a sore or bump, sores that do not heal, bleeding from any body commencing, and problem with breathing or removal. Treatments for most cancers include chemotherapy, surgery, and medicinal drugs. Juvenile cataracts: the dog eye registration basis (cerf) defines cataracts as a "partial or whole opacity of the lens," and warns this is the main purpose of imaginative and prescient loss in dogs. Relying on the severity, cataracts may now and again be eliminated surgically. Hypothyroidism: that is a ailment of the thyroid gland. Signs encompass chronic ear infections, bacterial infections of the skin, hair loss, lethargy, and melancholy. This situation is maximum typically dealt with with medication and food regimen. Care

Afghan hounds prefer being inner with circle of relatives. They are laid returned and calm inside the residence however are certainly lively dogs and need day by day exercising, which ideally includes a leash walk or run, plus a unfastened-run in fenced vicinity.

Excessive, comfortable fencing is a must in case you plan on keeping your hound in a backyard. The afghan is an adept escape artist and once loose, is genuinely difficult to catch. (remember, he can outrun horses!) steady obedience education is important and nice reinforcement techniques work pleasant.

Feeding

Endorsed every day quantity: 2 to two.Five cups of top notch dry food an afternoon, divided into  meals.

Be aware: how a whole lot your grownup canine eats depends on his size, age, construct, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are people, much like human beings, and they do not all want the identical amount of meals. It almost is going without announcing that a fantastically lively canine will want extra than a sofa potato canine. The excellent of canine food you purchase also makes a distinction--the higher the dog meals, the in addition it's going to pass closer to nourishing your dog and the less of it you may want to shake into your canine's bowl.

Maintain your afghan in properly shape by way of measuring his food and feeding him two times an afternoon as opposed to leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether or not he is obese, deliver him the attention test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him. You should be capable of see a waist. Then area your fingers on his lower back, thumbs along the backbone, with the fingers spread downward. You should be capable of experience but not see his ribs without having to press hard. In case you can not, he wishes much less meals and more exercising.