It is generally not recommended to breed till the dog is at least 1 year old and preferably on the 2nd cycle. Also, it is classed a good practice to skip a heat every 2 litters to give the mom some time off. The total number of litters a bitch should have over a lifetime depends on the individual dog. Most of this will depend on genetics, temperament, health, conformation, and other traits she brings to the breed as a whole. If she requires a cesarean section or intrauterine insemination to get pregnant, this must be taken into consideration as well. It is classed a good industry standard to not breed past 6 years of age. Also, some females have a poor reproduction system and should be moved on as pets.
Depends on the mutation responsible for the associated disease. Disease causing mutations affect normal body functions in different ways. Some mutations affect puppies very early in life. For example, the mutation that causes Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEWS) presents shortly after the puppy is born and most affected dogs do not live past 2 months. While other mutations cause progressive disease, like those responsible for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). These mutations may cause minimal signs when the dog is young but will become more significant as the dog ages. Finally, there are late onset conditions, like Lafora Disease or Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which do not show clinical signs until a dog is in their latter third in life. Because of this broad range of presentations, a breeder should become familiar with what mutations are known to affect their breed so they can take appropriate preventative steps. Where can you go to find this information? A good starting place is with the national breed organizations followed by The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) which consolidates health concerns for most breeds. Paw Print Genetics organizes genetic testing by breed, so you are welcome to reach out to us to inquire what mutations have been found to be of concern for your breed of dog.
Prior to constructing a new kennel, you will need to put a lot of forethought into what type or style of kennel will best fit your needs, based off the breed of dogs that you raise, the neighborhood that you live in, etc. You will likely need assistance, in order to make the best choices for your situation.
“So, where do I start?” Visit friends’ kennels, or get involved in kennel tours. Ask the owners if their kennel has any specific features that they especially like or dislike. The answers will be varied, and may sometimes even conflict, but you will pick up some valuable information. Another great way to gather ideas is to attend as many industry-related trade shows or expos as possible. The kennel building industry is constantly improvising new products and methods to improve the comfort and efficiency of the dogs and their owners, and many merchants will attend trade shows to expose these products directly to the consumer.
For Pennsylvania residences, PAWS is a non-profit organization consisting of professional dog breeders and business owners that, among other responsibilities, donate a lot of time assisting dog breeders with kennel designing and getting in compliance with the state. Feel free to call them at 717-964-PAWS. If you are outside of Pennsylvania, check with your local organizations to see if they are willing to assist you in the same manner.
If you wish to get precise building layouts or construction blueprints, or 3-D drawings of your kennel before it is built, you may want to work directly with a building design professional. Hire a designer that is familiar with kennels and has experience designing them. He should be willing to work closely with you until the design is completed, resulting in a well thought-through design that will provide years of satisfactory service. Feel free to contact us at 717-945-3612 to get started.
There are many reasons a company would need a website in today’s world. One reason is because your competition already has one! But the biggest reason is because your customers demand it. No matter what you are selling, having a website will improve your odds of success. When it comes to selling puppies, this is even more true. When someone thinks about adopting a new pet, they first think of what kind of breed they would like. Once they figure that out, they go to Google and start their search. If you do not have a website, you just missed out on that opportunity. If you have a website and they find it, they will then want to see what puppies you might have. Keep in mind they will also share this website and information with friends and family, which can result in more customers. Having a website will also build trust with your customers. There are so many scams out there when it comes to buying or selling puppies. With a website it will build that trust with your customer because they will feel that you are a legitimate company and breeder. Not to mention they will be able to contact you and be able to research your company, which in turn builds trust and confidence in you as a breeder. If you are interested in a website or have questions about your existing website visit us at www.cwdesigning.com
In today’s toxic environment, we and our pets absorb a lot of toxins through the food we eat and the air we breathe in etc. This can end up creating a toxic biofilm inside the digestive system, and the gut. This lining inside the gut resembles a latex glove and does two things. The first thing it does is it keeps nutrition from being absorbed properly, which can lead to compromised nutrition and overall well-being. The second thing this film does is it creates a safe place for toxins, parasites, bad bacteria etc. to stay in. So, getting back to the question, in this condition the dewormer you’re giving doesn’t get the chance to function the way it should, creating “immunity”. The best way to combat this problem can be to simply remove that lining from within, which can be done by feeding something like Juru Gut Support, which can help to remove that junk and actually strengthen the gut and immune system. By keeping your dog’s gut in optimal condition, the dewormer you’re giving can do a better job faster while using less.
The first thing to keep in mind when preparing to ship your puppy is to imagine yourself as the buyer of this puppy (how would I want to see my new puppy when he/she is being delivered to my door). Is the puppy healthy, are the toenails trimmed, are the ears clean, is the puppy being socialized to the extent that he/she will cope well with anyone, especially young children? You will need to have your local veterinarian inspect the puppy to ensure the puppy is in proper health condition. Being up to date on all vaccines before shipping is another major factor in your puppy’s health and wellbeing. Communicating with your new buyer regularly with photos/ videos of the puppy will make the shipping experience much less stressful. Lastly, just before you send the puppy on the road to its new home, be sure to give the puppy a nice bath. Not only will the puppy look nice and clean, it will also smell fresh and clean when he/she arrives at its new home. Preparing your puppy does not have to be stressful, but enjoyable.
Hormones are chemicals that serve as messengers, carrying important communications through the body. When these messengers are not balanced, there are unwanted side effects such as skin problems, hair loss, increased drinking and urinating, weight loss or weight gain, weakness, lethargy and/or excessive panting.
Dog welfare is more than just food, water, and good physical health. Several aspects of the environment can impact a dog’s welfare. Dogs have a very different sensory experience from humans.
The Dog Journal USDA Today As a USDA Compliance Coach, my first priority is to make sure that you understand the rules and regulations and
