espinay2

Ok that's interesting. From what I've gleaned from hearsay and reading I was under the assumption that they were left all day and brought back at night. So we've kind of adapted the maremma to suit larger areas and larger amounts of stock protection on their own. Interesting. Yes, as I mentioned it was a method made popular first in the US and thanks (or no thanks) largely to the work of the Coppingers. The misinformation spread from there and the myth that the dogs 'work on their own' grew when traditionally that is not how they have work at all. Glad I found that video then Zoiboy :). I have watched it a few times before and every time enjoyed in particular the obvious relationship between the shepherd and his dog.

But is that what Maremma are traditionally bred to do? I know with Pyrs they were always bred in their country of origin to work generally with a Shepherd present for a lot of the time, and flocks were never in their thousands. My basic reading on Maremma in their country of origin had given me the impression that they were very similar in this respect Use on large 'range' style setups is largely a modern adaption and very different from their original purpose and use in many ways (and is largely thanks to the Coppingers in the US). In Pyrs at least, the misinformation that the dogs work in this way is one that breeders inmany countries (though the US and Australia in particular where the Coppingers have had the most impact) have been largely trying to re-educate about. Did I post these video's earlier? Worth a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=67ObjymUif8 While no Pyrs in this video (only the little Pyrenean Shepherds), it shows well the type of situation a Pyr at least would be living in traditionally: These from Italy are interesting:

OR in Quarantine here. Yes, IMO getting expert help is definitely the way to go. Can save a LOT of problems (and potentially a lot of dollars too)

Good luck and thanks for the photos :)

I saw those beagle pics too. They are fantastic :)

Pleased to say we are expecting puppies!! Confirmed today by ultrasound. Sire: International, Finnish, Baltic, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Champion Fago de Alba de los Danzantes (Spain), Hips: HD-free (A/A), Elbows: 0:0, Knees (Patellas): 0:0, Eyes: Healthy Dam: Australian Champion Despreaux Amazing Grace, CHIC #8735 - Hips: 3:3 = Total 6, Elbows: 0:0, Knees (Patellas): Normal, Eyes: Healthy, Degenerative Myelopathy Clear by DNA, Heart: Certified cardiac clear. Puppies due 08 May.

We have someone with an Ultralight near us who for some reason likes to go 'look' at people houses on surrounding properties (including ours). I can tell you it is quite distressing for a number of people, including us. Having someone flying around 'looking' at you and your property - like they are casing the joint - is not nice. It distresses the animals and us too. Now I know people who have had this done to them have had stock and property go missing. Coincidence? Nothing can be proven.... Complaints have been made to CASA, but as they want photos as proof, that is not always easy. Go out with the camera and he is off out of range of a decent shot. We have nothing to hide, but we also have a right to quiet enjoyment and to feel safe from intrusion. Note my OH flies radio controlled aircraft. But he darned well doesn't fly them around the animals and he doesnt fly them on other peoples property unless there specifically with permission to do so.Also note we do have other aircraft fly over - during the recent bushfires we were in the direct line of the water bombers and helicopters and we are also sometimes under the Sydney holding pattern for high flying jets. The odd helicopter also traverses our place further down the property. These we don't mind one bit as going over our place is just incidental of getting to where they are going.

lol but he even looks good from that angle Best profile pic ever :laugh:

Alright Yes Ready Right Now

Already nicked Nick of Time Nical Nickel Alconni Ready Con Nickal

If you are doing frozen AI, you have to be much more accurate and progesterone is going to be Important. I might consider not risking it this time around if I only had 1 prog reading like that and plan on testing early and frequently from day one or two next time around. JMHO.

In this situation, IMO neither will be accurate as you only have one of each. Both methods work best IMO used hand in hand and both work best if you have a series of tests/smears to see the progression of what is going on. What did the vet see in the smear to make him think she had not yet ovulated? (was she cornified? parabasals? ). Smears can not be used to pinpoint ovulation until after the fact (see Phillis Holst's book on 'Canine Reproduction') and no one can look at an isolated smear and tell when a bitch is going to ovulate. On day of ovulation, cells will have been cornified for on average 6 days and will continue to be for about another 5 days. So smears basically give you a 'window of opportunity' but not pinpoint accuracy. Regarding the prog test, did you retest to see if you got a false reading? Was it a laboratory error or did she ovulate early? Do you know what her usual cycle is and when she usually ovulates? (some go early and until I know a bitches cycle I start testing on day 4 or earlier and for every three days until she starts to rise (which is generally a good indication the LH surge is also happening) - then every day until ovulation occurs). Some bitches will rise fairly high and quickly afte rthey ovulate and some dont go as high and it is generally not how high they go, but the point at which they reach 5 nmol/L (you wil need to convert that to nanagrams if that is what you are using - generally around 10-15) that is important as that is when they ovulate. From there, fertilisation occurs 3 to 4 days later so after ovulation you have a little 'breathing space'. It is the point of ovulation that is important for calculations though, not generally what happens afterwards. Sometimes cysts can be responsible for higher than normal prog tests as well, so if you are concerned that her high prog result is not 'normal', (though from one test you can't really say) you may want to check this with a repro specialist as often dealing with the cyst can put the progesterone back in balance.

I have one of the original weight rated flexi leads. There certainly are a lot of badly made ones around now. Agree when used properly in a controlled manner they can be useful. I was taught to actively use the 'brake' and to NEVER let it run all the way to the end - always apply the brake first (and control the dogs speed so it doesnt hit the end etc). I also agree though that these leads are basically designed to teach a dog to pull!! And in that respect I generally always recommend against them, particularly if someone is trying to work on teaching their dog not to pull on the lead. Funnily enough when I put the lead on one of my dogs in particular, she has the no pulling thing so ingrained that just stands there and won't go anywhere unless I feed out the line :laugh:

Who knows why some dogs are in some groups. For example why some of the Livestock Guardian breeds are in Utility Grp 6 (Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Anatolian etc) and some in Working Grp 5 (Maremma, Komondor etc). Our Non Sporting and Utility were one group once upon a time too, before they were split (trying to remember when that was done - in the 80's ??)

I am sure it happens from time to time, but likely no where near as much as the excuse is used. A judge is always worth an entry at least once. As with HW some get a never again, but not many and that can be for all different reasons. IMO it is important not to try and make 'excuses' about why a dog wins or doesn't (though we are all prone to it from time to time - it is human nature) as it shuts us off from improving and working out ways we can improve.

Clear mucus is normal and somewhat expected in a pregnant bitch. I have heard it referred to as (excuse me please) 'twat snot' :laugh:

We have to fill out stock returns annually to say how much stock we have (ok that is a different body to the local councils). We get a rates notice sent to us annually though. Wondering if it is so hard for them to send out an 'update your dogs microchip details' etc reminder in the same envelope...

Edited to suit, and a big congratulations to the Breed for its 1st BIS in Spanish Championship histroy First All breeds BIS in Spain (and a lovely win for them), though not first Pyr awarded a BIS in Spain (as they have a specialty). Banzo BTW was also best male in Argeles at the RACP Nationale d'Elevage (the French National show for the breed) in 2012. Pyrs are well awarded around the world, including winning Best in Show at Crufts and Best in Group at Westminster. Pyrs have won and continue to win plenty of BIS here in Australia too, including in the past Best in Show at Adelaide and Perth Royals.

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Puppy Vaginitis is fairly common. Repro Specialist Dr Hutch considers it to be normal for a growing bitch: http://www.greatdane...y_vaginitis.htm (one of the many places where the below is quoted) Question: Dr. Hutchinson-what is the treatment for puppy vaginitis & does it lead to problems later in breeding? Answer Dr Hutchinson: Puppy vaginitis is a NORMAL mucous production in young bitches before their first heat cycle, the total treatment is warm water on a cotton ball and wipe these bitches DO NOT need to be on antibiotics it does NOT lead to infertility and it does NOT make them prone to pyometritis it is not an infection at all usually it's worse when the humidity is high. "

Pictures aren't much use without detail of who they are and what they actually won etc The dog btw is Ch Banzo de Todobe who won BIS that day. The show was in Spain run by the Castellan canine club and at that show no CACIBs were on offer only CAC. Which won't mean much of anything to those unfamiliar with pyrs or the dog in question.

Tralee those pics show one dog not liking it's teeth being looked at - for which we can draw no conclusions as we do not know the judges assessment. The other two show owners mouthing their own dogs. Which also gives us no conclusion as in Europe it is more common practice in ALL breeds for this to be done and gives no comment on the dogs temperament. I did post video however of a dog having it's mouth examined by the judge as part of the TMC which shows that judges do examine mouths at least some times. And you now have a statement from that authority in Italy for the breeding of maremma (which is made up of breeders and judges etc) on what they expect.. Most certainly write to the breeder you know and be sure to post the answer no matter what it says - along with your question for context perhaps?

Nice to have the view straight from those in authority in Italy. Thanks!!

Cut and pasted from my webpage here While OFA sais this, if there is no history in your lines, then I would be looking at first at environmental factors - what the pup was fed, was it allowed to do lots of jumping around/up and down, taken for very long walks on hard surfaces or had lots of rough play particularly with a larger dog which might have contributed to damage. Was the pup desexed and when? Did it seem to grow faster and larger than other pups or was it allowed to get overweight? At the same time though I would be paying close attention to siblings etc and watching for any further trends to be on the safe side.

Fwiw I disagree that a raw diet is unsuitable for growing giant breed pups BUT it does need to be done with care and knowledge as things can need to be done a little differently. I do agree with what others are saying about taking your breeders advice and the advice of those experienced in raising Dane pups as foods that may look great can be highly inappropriate for giant breeds. From my research TOTW is one of these. A food that is suitable for giant breeds can need to be lower in calcium and lower in calories for example. I have found that only a few foods tick the boxes (from my own research and experience for example eagle pack large and giant breed puppy - in the 'red' coloured bag not the holistic select one -and pro plan performance which is an all life stages food which I like slightly better than their large breed puppy as an option.) Different lines can grow differently too so if your breeder has found something that works for her dogs, then I would recommend following that at least in the beginning.BTW SAS that Dane owners guide is fantastic!