Belgian Sheepdog Puppies Spring 2008
Sire and Dam
TuT Puppy Hero Puppy
ANKH TUTANKHAMUN CD, RA, CGC TEMPEST LOVELIGHTSTAR of GEKA CDX , RA, CGC
OFA prelim: HIPS Excellent, EL Normal, CERF Normal CHIC OFA: HIPS Good, EL Normal, CERF Normal
HIS PEDIGREE at Belgian Pedigree Database HER PEDIGREE at Belgian Pedigree Database
Hero” w: 9/4/2001,
bitch
HERO Full Dentition , scissors bite Height 23.50”
TUT: Full
dentition, scissors bite Height:
25.3/8”, w: 3/7/2006, dog
THE
NEWS: X-RAY on Feb. 18 shows two distinctly, maybe 3/4 puppies, BUT there were only two!
Why this breeding?
I
personally want another Belgian, a potential
who I’ve found to be one of
the most trainable, biddable & apt, cheerful & bold, ie, stable Belgians possible.
Maybe
this breeding will produce that kind of character.
I
trained Tut & Hero in tracking in 2007 throughout
the spring. Both were apt & eager.
I
started Tut in herding & he was bold & rated
well for a beginner.
We have
to travel some distance to do herding; family constraints make this training
hard to perfect.
Tut adores agility &
started once at trial this spring. I am not a handler-yet-who is able to
control a fast dog like him,
but I am learning,
& think we will have big fun with
it. He jumps clean & tries to do
what I ask.
Tut has learned Open
obedience & some exercises in Utility-signals, articles, gloves.
Because
he is still young, he is still a work in progress. He still shows immaturity typical of young
Belgians,
(it’s those lengthy out of sight stays!!) So far, I am
impressed. He loves being out in the
hubbub.
With
another qualifying leg, both Tut & Hero will have
Rally Exc titles.
Hero trained
thru Utility, began to trial in 2007, & is now on maternity leave.
Hero
likes stock but was prepared for being around horses, so she now acts inhibited
about chasing stock around.
As a
young thing, at Dallas Natl Specialty, she tested
“interested” in sheep at a local farm.
Hero
has a clean jumping style, but only trialed in agility once at WI Natl Specialty, then was pointed at obedience work
because I had experience
with that, and really didn’t know at the time how to train an agility
dog..
.
Tut’s one flaw is an undescended testicle; he will be neuted
at some point before age 5.
Puppies
may or may not be monorchids, their get may however be prone to this if bred.
This
flaw can be quite inconvenient, but it is not the worst of faults, if progeny
have redeeming qualities
in sporting venues, or as
useful service dogs, SAR, or working in therapy.
Monorchidism IS a
“disqualifying fault” in the conformation ring –dogs cannot
be shown there,
but can in performance
events.
A monorchid breeding
is NOT within the
Belgian Sheepdog Club of America Code of Ethics.
Subscribing
to this code is a sound plan for Belgian breeders.
Flagrant
disregard would tend to create shunning from the very people who would be
necessary
to form cooperative
alliances, if one were to become a serious, respected breeder of Belgians.
One
could not continually breed alone. So, my best advice is to adhere to this important
C.O.E.
Tut is athletically sound
and passed health clearances appropriate for his age. (2yrs on March 7, 2008)
OFA
evaluated his prelim x-rays in Dec 2007.
He was CERF tested “normal” in summer ’07.
My Hero
girl is a kind & sincere, intelligent Belgian. She is CHIC,
structurally sound, & time has proven her healthy.
She is
6.5 this winter, now running out of time for a safe first breeding. I wanted spring puppies,
to get out & around
with, socialize & train, as the year progresses, in good
weather.
Both
parents have very nice heads, excellent earsets, full
dentition, good coats and are reasonably pleasing,
within the breed
standard. They both have a dark brown, not black eye.
Tut is a tad long of body,
as his sire, a group winning Amer/Canadian CH, but Tut also has long legs
&
good balance & powers up from the hindquarters, with remarkable ease in
lift on forehand.
His is
an outstanding hard abundant coat like a bear’s. Neither parent has allergies.
If a
“special”, Westmin or BISS puppy came from this breeding, I would be mildly surprised,
as that is not my aim, but I do expect some to be able to finish a
CH if shown.
My
foremost expectation is for structurally sturdy, loyal, stable, biddable
companions of good working health.
With Belgians some health recessives may be lurking, & every
breeding has some risk.
I have
studied the pedigrees intensively and consulted with others.
I will
be glad to discuss health risks with serious puppy people.
This is
a reasonable gamble, weighted on the positive.
The
following may be a moot point, as I am tempted top keep the two puppies who
were whelped on March 1.
If there are enough puppies for others, preference
will likely go to experienced performance or Belgian homes &
I am
especially looking for people who find a co-ownership a comfortable &
insuring way to own a Belgian.
Some
*very* reasonable contractual arrangements will apply, not about breeding
obligations.
My
stiffest requirement is that if in trouble, if thinking about relinquishing
your dog, as your first resort,
you will contact me, & I gladly will take back, bring
back, come get, drive/fly back your dog at any time,
for any reason. Some
$$ refund may be possible.
Belgians
are a more protected breed & not sold on the open anonymous market, or
simply dropped off at a shelter.
Belgian
people tend to stay in touch (at least annually) with the breeder of their dogs
& update on health news, etc.
All
puppies will be micro-chipped via AVID with myself as co-responder upon leaving
here.
I will
be evaluating these pups very well, so will not hustle them out at 8 weeks.
If you
want to bond with a puppy early, please talk about it with me.
We
should be able to come to a working agreement.
A huge
lot of pictures will be up, at the Photobucket site, and 8 week Puppy Puzzle Pat Hastings style table photos.
Do
write me if you want to talk about this, & please tell me your
circumstances.
If you
have never been a Belgian owner, that might be OK, but please remember young
Belgians require
a lot of training time. THIS lively line of Belgians is thirsty for
tasks & appropriate training.
Especially
in the first two years, you will want to be on top of the early socializing,
puppy play training,
developmental
exercise & obedience experiences so important to developing a legendary
Belgian character.
If you
have multi very young children or a time consuming job, this breed might not be
perfect for you just yet.
A puppy may become available after evaluations
Whelping on March 1, 2008
Special thanks to Alfirin Technologies for direct links to Belgian Pedigree Database
All photos are copyrighted & may not be used for publication wo permission