Norskgra

Thanks BB. Tyra was actually due yesterday but we are shocked that she kept them hidden and had them naturally. I also have to wonder how many she would have had if her progesterone was monitored.

Thanks BB. I hope they remain healthy. I am still trying to think of some names for them.

I would say, more shocked but we are definately pleased with the two little girls.

Thanks CL. It was a real shock and I had to come up with an excuse to get out of work early.

After the vet saying that Tyra wasn't in whelp, she delivered naturally three beautiful babies. Unfortunately, a huge male died but she has two little girls. One weighs 247g and the other 261g. Now I need to find some names. I was thinking about a surprise theme but I can't think of any names. Does anyone have any suggestions?

It looks like the vet was wrong and you can put me back on the list for an ooops litter. I got an urgent phone call from the boarding kennels this afternoon to say that Tyra had 3 pups. Unfortunately, a huge boy had died but she has two beautiful little girls. One weighs 247g and the other 262g. They are the smallest Elkie babies we have had but they seem healthy. Luckily the people who run the kennels also breed dogs. We had so much trouble having a litter out of Tyra previously and it took three goes because her progesterone level kept dropping. She then needed an emergency c-section. This time the vet said that she wasn't in whelp but she had her three babies naturally. They are now home with us.

I don't know yet. she is still at a friends. I will get her ultrasounded. She would only be day 29 if she is.

It is good news. I have to work right through Christmas and only have Boxing Day off. We are pretty much sorted and just have a few boxes to unpack when we get the time. There will hopefully be more wombats next year. I just have to decide whether to mate Prada or Angel again.

Luckily, you can cross us off the list for December. Our first oops mating didn't eventuate and Tyra is now back at the boarding kennels.

Elkies give the best hugs and kisses. i agree They are very gentle kisses and not sloppy at all.

Sorry, i should have said. My daughter is Vicsta.

I would definately be interested and would also bring my daughter.

I agree with Central Markets. I get the dogs chicken from O'Connell's Meats there. They have large meaty chicken frames that are, I think, $1 per kilo. You get about 4 to a kilo. They are so big that our 91/2 month old doesn't know what to do with hers. I stopped there on Tuesday after work and bought 8 chicken frames, 4kgs of chicken wings and 2kgs of chicken neck mince and it cost me about $17. Their chicken neck mince is $1.50 per kilo and the wings are 2 kilos for $5.

Elkies give the best hugs and kisses.

Logan is gorgeous. Beautiful photos, Ratty. They just go to show how badly Elkies get on with children.

That is unusual. When we had the reccent heat wave here in Adelaide, our dogs were fine. If no one was home, they were brought inside and the air conditioner was set to come on at a certain time. If someone was home, they were left outside. They would rest in a shaded area but then go and play. They had plenty of icy water to keep them cool. When we had the really hot days, we would also pour water over them. They were happy outside.

I forgot to answer this question. All of my Elkies have good recall normally but if they get the scent of something special, it is not as good as it could be.

Elkies are very food driven but you need to find the food they love the best. Each of mine work better with different treats. I usually make their treats. They do need to want to learn and will do anything you want them to do as long as they want to do it.

My Elkhounds are all the same. That is why I love them so much.

Machida's breeders are lovely. I saw his sister again, the weekend before last. She is very cute and looks very much like my youngest girl. That is not surprising really. My youngest girl's sire is related to Machida. His dam is a sister from a previous mating to Machilda's litter.

Sugee, I will be seeing his breeder soon and I will let her know how well Machida is doing.

Although I do agree with you MM, about health testing, I just want to say again that health testing in Elkhounds is not compulsorary in Australia. Due to prior experience, I swore 33 years ago I would health test my dogs. It is up to the breeder to do what they believe is right. This may be to health test or it may not.

The renal problem is why I have been having my Elkhounds' kidneys tested each year and when there is a proper test for the condition, I will have all of my dogs tested. There was a case of HD only a few years ago. Luckily, I was already having my dogs hip scored.

If you do get an elky we could have an elky meet since you are in Sydney too!!! Dont tempt me! I am being such a fickle tart in my breed choosing! I especially like the fact that they have less fur than most spitz breeds (who I am a sucker for ). My main concern is that everyone keeps emphasising the huge amount of exercise they need. My last dog was a high energy crossbreed who, when she was a pup, I needed to walk a minimum of an hour a day. She could go for a 40 min run with my OH, crash for about half an hour and want to go again! ;) We had to limit how often she did that because she just got fitter! Is that the kind of energy level you guys are talking about? Or is it worse? Also what are they like with kids? Are they affectionate? Very dominant? (oh oh, here I go again... ) Elkhounds are very adaptable. If you want to run 5 - 10 km per day, they will happily run beside you but if you prefer to sit and watch TV, they are just as happy sitting with you. I don't feel that they have the same energy level as your last dog. Mine get their exercise playing together in the backyard. They are great with kids. They are very affectionate and loving. The majority of Elkies are not dominant.

Thanks everyone for the support. I really appreciate it, especially when I haven't met some of you. Agreed as a elkhound breeder myself i didn't feel attacked by what norskgra had written. How's The Move going Norskgra Settling in well?? Thanks Ratty500. The move has gone well. We will have another trip to Sydney soon to collect the last of our stuff. We are really enjoying ourselves.