puppy help wanted please

Harwen looks lovely Booboos. I hope your new pup brings you many years of fun and happiness.

Paddy555 - Degenerative myelopathy can only be confirmed absolutely when the spinal cord is examined under a microscope when a necropsy is performed after death (there are degenerative changes in the spinal cord characteristic for DM and not typical for some other spinal cord disease). DM is often diagnosed by a process of elimination ie vets look for other causes of the weakness using diagnostic tests like myelography and MRI. When those have been ruled them out, there is a presumptive diagnosis of DM.

There are other diseases, such as herniated intervertebral disks, infection, injury, tumour etc, that cause similar symptoms to DM such as a loss of coordination and weakness.

The loss of a dog is such a traumatic event that we often don't even consider having a necropsy done. However, with the new test for DM it is essential that any owners who dogs have signs of DM at death to have the necropsy so that more can be learned about the disease and that there can be an absolute diagnosis.
 
WorkingGSD said:
My friend imported a working GSD pup from France a few years ago. He is a gorgeous dog with a great temperament. And this is his father, who I think is awesome. (although I appreciate working line GSDs are not for everyone).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdg2lnOrwW0

http://www.lacitedesloupsgris.fr/
Click to expand...


A truly magnificent dog.I do like watching shepherds work. I did consider doing that when I was a lot younger and did a bit of obedience with my first GSD but then horses got in the way and I felt I could not do justice to both from a time POV.


this is more my sort ATM. If they were nearer I would be tempted. I would be interested in what people think from a health POV. Are these scores good enough? Would people look at the advert and say no way. (not based on the sort of shepherd but the health, breeding, condition of the pups etc) Or would they say "grab one" . What are immediate thoughts to the advert. There is a comprehensive web site for this breeder.

http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classif...ongcoat-kc-health-tested-parents-bedford.html

just trying to hone my GSD puppy selection skills!

I have E mailed the lady whose pups I may be interested in today with my questions so will see what comes back.
 
paddy555 said:
Lovely site and beautiful dogs especially Harwen. I am very jealous! Of course if you don't want your LC baby she could come to me. LOL

After reading your earlier comments re DM I now realise this is very probably what my first shepherd died of (PTS) many years ago. Thanks for letting me know about this.
Click to expand...

Don't worry he won't need rehoming!


It's an awful disease. My poor dog was only 10yo and such an active, energetic dog. He started having problems and the CT scan showed a herniated disc which was operated on but he still had problems so the vet then found a further herniated disk which apparently is possible. So he was operated again but still no improvement. In the end he was paralysed in his back end and finally PTS. He had the gene for DM, which doesn't prove it was DM, but the vet was quite certain from the evolution of the problem that it was DM. Never again if I can avoid this!
 
PM'd you Paddy.

We lost two to DM, at 12 and 14, unrelated. It is misdiagnosed as dysplasia quite a lot because it starts in the back end. But haven't heard of any cases in my circle for a long time, thankfully.
 
paddy555 said:
A truly magnificent dog.I do like watching shepherds work. I did consider doing that when I was a lot younger and did a bit of obedience with my first GSD but then horses got in the way and I felt I could not do justice to both from a time POV.

this is more my sort ATM. If they were nearer I would be tempted. I would be interested in what people think from a health POV. Are these scores good enough? Would people look at the advert and say no way. (not based on the sort of shepherd but the health, breeding, condition of the pups etc) Or would they say "grab one" . What are immediate thoughts to the advert. There is a comprehensive web site for this breeder.

http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classif...ongcoat-kc-health-tested-parents-bedford.html

just trying to hone my GSD puppy selection skills!

I have E mailed the lady whose pups I may be interested in today with my questions so will see what comes back.
Click to expand...

The elbow scores of the parents are excellent, the hip scores are good (and even), and DM clear is positive (but as I said there are queries over the accuracy of the DM at the moment).

As I said in an earlier post, the best person to speak to about any possible health problems in the lines is the GSD Breed Council Health Coordinator. I can send you her email address if you like? I also think it is worth pointing out that a healthy pup from parents with excellent temperaments is worth travelling for. So even though this breeder may not be local, it might be worth travelling to meet her and her dogs if they tick all your boxes.
 
paddy555 said:
A truly magnificent dog.I do like watching shepherds work. I did consider doing that when I was a lot younger and did a bit of obedience with my first GSD but then horses got in the way and I felt I could not do justice to both from a time POV.


this is more my sort ATM. If they were nearer I would be tempted. I would be interested in what people think from a health POV. Are these scores good enough? Would people look at the advert and say no way. (not based on the sort of shepherd but the health, breeding, condition of the pups etc) Or would they say "grab one" . What are immediate thoughts to the advert. There is a comprehensive web site for this breeder.

http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classif...ongcoat-kc-health-tested-parents-bedford.html

just trying to hone my GSD puppy selection skills!
Click to expand...

I would ask if they are so active in the canine world why are they advertising an upcoming litter on Pets4homes and what about the other recommended health tests?
Someone who puts their companion show wins on a webpage selling puppies? Personally I would avoid.
 
They do look lovely OP! Beautiful faces, extraordinary colouring in some of them and, personally, I like the upright (non sloping) backs. Nothing on the site rings alarm bells, they do have a lot of dogs but some people dedicate all their time to their dogs. The only thing that would concern me is why they have to advertise? Most decent breeders have waiting lists even before mating stake place and if a home pulls out there is usually someone else waiting.

We're driving 15 hours to get our pup. Other than the strain on the puppy on the way back I am not giving it another thought - what is 15 hours driving compared to 15 years with an animal?
 
Tbh Booboos, it's the weird and wonderful colours that would concern me . As you say, most health tests seem to be done , though no mention of haemophilia . But it's seems that they are wanting non standard colours which doesn't sit right with me.
Also , I wonder why they are breeding , maybe just to produce pups to sell, as they have already had 2 litters from the bitch and seem to have retained her offspring .
 
Although not my own taste, I don't have a problem with breeding from non standard colours, so long as health and temperament are right. And even though I personally prefer working lines and dogs bred for work, I don't take issue with a breeder who produces pets if they are doing it with the health, welfare and temperament in mind.
 
I am ploughing my way through breeder's websites to get further info. I understand that they are concerned what happens to their puppies and what could happen in the future. However there is something I don't understand.

I have bought several young horses from breeders. There has just been a normal contract of sale and the animal is then mine to do what I want with. I can sell it on if I want to anyone.

From many of the sites I have looked at dog breeders would require me to sign a contract saying the dog must be returned to them if I ever wanted rid of it for any reason. I don't understand this. I would have paid for the dog. Why wouldn't it be mine to sell on if I wanted to?

It is nice in a way if they care about the dog, nice if I was seriously ill and needed to rehome it. However if someone has paid for an animal why should they be restricted if they want to pass it on for some reason. Just curious.
 
paddy555 said:
I am ploughing my way through breeder's websites to get further info. I understand that they are concerned what happens to their puppies and what could happen in the future. However there is something I don't understand.

I have bought several young horses from breeders. There has just been a normal contract of sale and the animal is then mine to do what I want with. I can sell it on if I want to anyone.

From many of the sites I have looked at dog breeders would require me to sign a contract saying the dog must be returned to them if I ever wanted rid of it for any reason. I don't understand this. I would have paid for the dog. Why wouldn't it be mine to sell on if I wanted to?

It is nice in a way if they care about the dog, nice if I was seriously ill and needed to rehome it. However if someone has paid for an animal why should they be restricted if they want to pass it on for some reason. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Reputable breeders feel responsible for their puppies throughout the life of the dog and if, for any reason, owners have to part with the dog in future then they will take it back and find a suitable home. Often reputable breeders will also place a breeding endorsement on the pup's pedigree - which can then possibly be lifted in the future if said dog/bitch passes relevant health tests etc. It is common practice tbh.
 
You breed a life, you are responsible for that life for its duration. If the animal is at risk of falling into bad hands you are responsible for taking it back. Honestly for me the question is why horse breeders don't behave like responsible dog breeders rather than the other way round.

I would love a law that made any breeder responsible for their animals for life. Any time an animal you have bred needs a home you should provide one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top