HEATH & CARE

HEALTH TESTING & PHYSICAL HEALTH

All of our dogs are routinely examined by our vets to ensure they are in proper health before being bred. Our dogs have also been health tested through Embark to screen for genetic health conditions along with color & coat type. Embark screens for 250+ genetic health conditions.

The common breed-relevant genetic health results we focus on are:

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Von Willebrand Disease (VWD1)
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA3)
X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (X-SCID)

The coat type & color traits that we look for are:

Coat Length "Fluffy" (FGF5 gene)
Color Pigment “Cream” (E-LOCUS/MC1R gene)
Color Dilution "Bluie" (D-Locus/MLPH gene)

OFA X-RAY TESTING

OFA x-rays are typically taken after a dogs second birthday, but they do offer a “preliminary test” at 4-23 months. For accurate diagnosis, X-rays are taken while using general anesthesia to help position the dog properly. 1 vet scores the "preliminary test" films between the age of 4-23 months and 3 vets evaluate the films for "final" scoring. (Must be 24 months of age or older for a final score.) OFA scores PASSING with an Excellent, Good or Fair rating. All of these ratings are passing scores with no hip dysplasia present. OFA FAILING are scored as mild, moderate and severe.

MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR/AT:

HIP DYSPLASIA- Usually develops from an abnormal hip joint. It can be caused from genetic issues or from trauma to the joint. There are multiple genes that are working together for good joints, making it tough as two passing parents can potentially throw a dysplasic puppy. A vet x-rays the hip joint and sends the films off for evaluation and a score.

EYE CERTIFICATION- Dogs must be evaluated by a veterinarian opthalmologist for genetic conditions of the eye. They will receive what is called a “CAER” exam. Vet will decide if the eyes are clear from any issues and if there is a problem (such as a cataract) if it is genetic or not.

ELBOW DYSPLASIA- Is polygenetic disease in the elbow, there are multiple ways they can be dysplasic. A vet will take x-rays and submit them to OFA for a pass/fail score of their elbows.

CARDIAC DISEASE- Dogs will need to be evaluated by a veterinarian cardiologist, they will determine if the dog has a heart murmur or other heart issues.

PUPPY HEALTH

We do follow a strict protocol for deworming beginning at 2 weeks of age. All medications, dosages, and vaccines administered are documented and presented to you in a packet of puppy papers for you and your vet’s records. The puppies visit the vet at 7 weeks for a wellness exam along with receiving their 1st distemper vaccine before leaving to their new homes. Your puppy should receive 3 rounds of the distemper vaccine, 3-4 weeks apart to be effective in protecting them from communicable diseases. By the time the 3rd vaccine dose is administered, the vet will also give your puppy its first rabies vaccine and may suggest a bordetella (kennel cough) or leptospirosis vaccine at that time.

**I personally get the distemper and rabies vaccine at one visit and go back a week later to receive bordetella and leptospirosis vaccines.**

MICROCHIPPING

We microchip our dogs and puppies with Fi Nano chips, it’s free to register and update for life with owners information from any smartphone or computer. When we meet for puppy pick ups we would also be able to help you set up your account. The chip is also compatible with ALL microchip scanners as most microchips aren’t.

GUARANTEE & SUPPORT

We do offer a 2 year genetic disease and health guarantee. All puppies leave here healthy and if you have any concerns, please contact us right away so we can communicate with both you and your vet to develop a plan of action.

We do offer lifetime breeder support and will take the puppy/dog back at any time for any reason. We will ensure a new loving suitable home is found and take care of all necessary screening for a seamless transition as possible. We understand things happen, you’re are part of the family and we both want what is best for the dog and can work together to achieve this.

NUTRITION

We strive to ensure all of our dogs are getting a proper nutritional, healthy diet, we feed Nurti-Source as a base, commonly use their:

Trout & Rice
Turkey & Rice
Lamb & Rice recipes

Along with mixing it up between a variety of fruits, veggies, raw meats and organs!

We always add our *holy grail* Ultra Oil daily
Canned pure pumpkin is a GREAT topper
Plain Greek Yogurt- we often put some in ice cube trays & freeze them
Chicken/Beef bone broth- to add a little extra flavor & variety

What influences on who is bred

HEALTH

All of our dogs are health tested through Embark and will have OFAs done BEFORE their first breeding. Our dogs visit the vet for routine exams and receive vet clearance before a pairing is set. If an up-coming mom or dad fails OFA testing it will result in having the dog fixed.

TEMPERAMENT

Temperament is a hereditary trait, we want to ensure our dogs are “sound” which is confident, self assertive and social to, pass on to their puppies. If an up-coming mom or dad is too hostile, nervous or aggressive then we will try working with the dog to correct the issue, if its something we are unable to correct it will result in having the dog fixed.

AGE

Our females are at least 2 years of age before breeding this is the age they are typically sexual matured and the age their OFAs can be completed. We ”retire” our females no later than the healthy age of 5 with so much life let for them to be spoiled on.

MOTHERHOOD

Becoming a mother is quite life changing and stressful for everyone, dogs react to stress differently. Sometimes they take to motherhood right way and enjoy it, others may have a tough time and not take to it well. If any of our females have issues ”connecting” with their puppies we will simply have her fixed.

LAST LITTER

We always want to ensure that our females get a healthy, well deserved break between their litters. The bigger the liter usually the female will get a longer break as having a huge liter is hard on a female. Some dogs bounce take quickly and others may take longer.