Breed 'Improvements' - Page 2

Sunny, I'm not sure what you mean by 'how he might do': Herding against other shepherds in trials, or on the farm in the real world. She looks very keen and very much on the job. In fact, from what I can see, he looks great. On properties they use highly trained sheep dogs - smallish, quick, bluish animal - its amazing to watch owner and dog at work. I'm afraid a Shepherd couldn't even begin to compete with these smart little critters - on a warm day it be flaked-out by heat in first half hour! The sheep dogs will work in 40 degree heat plus for hours on hand - they're also very good in giving sheep 'the eye'! Our animals are better at rounding up the cats! Regards, sjeune FRAU

Hi GSD4, Worthwhile comments - nice to see someone who thinks along lines I do! You also highlighted one of major inherited/transmitted problems: HD. I was focused on the ones more superficial, and readily played with, when I raised topic. Clubs seem to convey that measuring/interpreting it is a 'scientific' exercise: surely hasn't been my experience! Had one vet tell me it was largely genetic, and another that host of other factors combined played larger part - take your pick! I've got no objection to making ears stand up by encouraging pups to use jaws more; but glueing!!! It's all really a way to try and 'beat' the Standard, or mislead prospective pup buyers! Same with this artificial colouring business. What about a bit of surgery to 'fix' really bad ears? Regards.

I brought up the Olewo on the 'Enhancing Pigment Colors' thread because it's nutritional value is excellent, along with the fact that it naturally seems to bring out more color. Carrots will do that though. Eating only carrots for a week will give even you a nice orange tint to your skin. And unlike carrots, it is an easily digestible source for Beta Carotene for the dogs. Yes, it does tend to enhance the richness of the dogs actual color, but it will not turn a black and tan dog into a black and red dog. There is a noticable difference in the dogs I've seen on this product, but it's not drastic. It's not magic, but it does seem to give a nice 'glow' to the dogs coats, and somewhat deepen the actual color of the dog. It will not completely change the dogs color from what I've seen. What I'm curious about is why people have such a hard time admitting they own a black and tan dog anymore? Why MUST they be considered black and red? I have seen very few dogs that I would actually truely consider black and red. I'd even go so far to say the the black and orange-ish colored dogs could be considered black and red, but what is so wrong with a good black and tan anymore? Most Shepherds out there are a good black and tan, but the owners and breeders refer to them as black and red. Many owners and breeders seem to enhance the dogs 'red' color in photoshop before advertising their dog with an enhanced photo. Look closely to the grass color in most of these enhanced photos. The lighter spots of green may have a slight orange tint to it. I've even noticed it in the more recent Urma books. Why can't we advertise a dog the way a dog is? Why do colors need to be fixed? Why do we have photographers advertising 'digital enhancements'? I see more of a problem with these sort of things than I do with feeding a dog a healthy supplement that just happens to also naturally add to the richness of the coat color.

Hi Elizabeth, (She, who lies in wake) Thank you for input. The ins and outs of bloat - torsion - I think should be opened for discussion to far greater detail than I've seen so far. You leave that good man Moe alone! Cheers.

Hi Elizabeth, (She, who lies in wake) Thank you for input. The ins and outs of bloat - torsion - I think should be opened for discussion to far greater detail than I've seen so far. You leave that good man Moe alone! Cheers.

Alexis, I'm totally with you! All the dogs we had when I was youngster were black and tan - the tan was nice light brownish, and the black a real black - nice contrast - if that makes sense ( then I didn't think there was anything else!) What's it got to do with working ability anyhow? That's probably why when I see animal now with exotic, rich colours, it doesn't look quite normal to me. Saw two pups from same litter not long ago - not vaguest idea what owner used - one with pigment added to food was extraordinarily richly coloured - the special 'darling'- the other fairly average/normal - the difference here was amazing. Tell you what. these damned additives work! Regards.

Howdy all, just logged on the enhancer is carotene, the best laugh I had, was at the Sieger show a german gal told me they use all the worst carrots in germany.. Dry them out to the powder which they sell for a killing.. it would save alot of time and money to do it the natural way boil grated carrot and add to food I think it would be a lot healthier to, I had to bring some back for a fellow breeder, she swears by the stuff.. Personally I think it defeats the purpose, the dog either has a good pigment or doesn't.I did notice that a lot of the dogs at the show had very red coats and those incidently placed very well....

Hi Charisma (Nice name), Came for quick look - thought I was only one here, and just about to log out. Are you in US time zone, or elsewhere? Even red is apparently not good enough anymore - 'gold' appears to be even better! Regards.

Hello Patrishap, thanks it is my kennel name... I live in South africa, my posts used to be quite quick, but I have noticed of late it takes 2/3 days so I generally get left behind on these nice chats and end up picking up the tail end so to speak.. Some threads have even just dissapeared....:)

Hallo Charisma, Whereabout? Did name originate from anywhere special? Take my word, threads disappearing is sometimes all for the best! Good Cheer.