Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Must Love Progression

Well.... I've done it, with the help of my mom.

TANK AND BENTLEY ARE GETTING NEUTERED!



Has a nice ring, doesn't it?

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Still awake...

Just thought I'd drop a note on the status of Justice For Karley, the 6-month-old puppy beaten to death by an assistant fire chief earlier this year. The arraignment is scheduled, and I'd LOVE to see the book thrown at this asshole! You just don't hurt an animal without getting retribution, IMO.

Good luck, and hope you're sentenced to be tied nude to a tree, covered in melted marshmallows, and left to the destruction of various species of rainforest-dwelling ants with extremely large mandibles.

What do you think of this?

I'll admit it... not only am I a pro-speuter activist, I'm also a bleeding heart when it comes to animals overseas in poor situations where the owners

a) do not have the knowledge required to own an animal, ie no inclinations to vaccinate or speuter
b) have no money and are suffering themselves
c) do not have animal clinics near them
d) have to rely on other methods of euthanasia (because it is an unavailable option) like poisoning or hanging.

It breaks my heart to watch videos of people suffering in other countries without enough food to eat, let alone feed their pets. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across WorldVets.Org - an organization looking to overturn the pet population in foreign countries - for FREE. Of course, it doesn't come free to an applicant of the program - for starters, there is an upfront $40.00 fee for membership. I think that sounds a little odd, but hey - I'm no business genius. I am not the most job-savvy person; in fact, my only occupations have been a self-employed neighborhood car washer, earning me around $200 some on a few odd days of working with my siblings, and a sign flipper, earning roughly $80 a weekend for 8 hours.

They perform spay/neuter clinics abroad (usually exotic locales - fancy that!), and help hundreds of owners. They have a high fee, however - $550 and excess, airfare NOT included, and you are told that you will be sleeping in guest villas usually. They say that most of these places can sleep many people, but unless you are a vet (which warrants having your own bedroom and bed), you'll probably be sleeping on an air mattress.

I just don't know what to think of it. It seems like a wonderful and compassionate thing to do - I'm just not sure on it. I'm a little leery of websites, just because I've heard of too many frauds. I'm also quite tired, and don't know why I'm awake at 4:30 in the morning instead of asleep in my warm bed.

Give it a look - what do you think? From a business standpoint of view, are these fees reasonable? Do they look like a legitimate organization? My mind is racing a mile a minute as I envision a world where I can help promote the welfare of animals. I have definitely bookmarked this page and will be giving it a more inside look in the morning, preferably after a large cup of caffeinated coffee resulting in my eyes plastering to the screen for a good four hours. :o)

Check this out!

Check this out! How cute - a shoplifting Siberian.

Monday, December 29, 2008

A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Off the Chain - An Inside Look at the American Pit Bull Terrier


An interesting, if short, documentary on the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier. It is always best to combat unjust assumptions with knowledge. There is a full version available for download, but my computer gets temperamental and decides on some days what I can and cannot do on the internet.

However, I do have to disagree with the idea that dog fighters do not love their dogs. Certainly, in a more malicious and twisted way, but they do have affection for these dogs nonetheless. I do believe the desire for money, power, and status overrides any feelings of "love" these people have for their dogs. I am pro - APBT. There are a lot of debates that spark from the topic, but IMO, a dog is what YOU make it, regardless of weight, gender, or breed. When you deal with a dog like the APBT - be prepared to be tested. They are tenacious, like so many of their fellow terriers, and have a high prey drive. Not unlike other terriers, they need an outlet for all their energy, otherwise things WILL go from bad to worse. A firm handler (note "firm", not "mean") is a must. The APBT excels in many dog sports.

Contrary to popular belief, the American Pit Bull Terrier does not have "lockjaw", in which the dog bites down and will "never let go". What really happens is that due to their prey drive and their stamina, an APBT can hold on even when people are yanking at it's face. In truth, the larger an animal's head, the more damage it can inflict by PSI (pounds per square inch). A mastiff has much more ability to inflict damage than an APBT, and an APBT has more capability of causing harm than does a Schipperke.

When we hear the name "pit bull", our mind races over a broad variety of dogs. The only true dogs in the "pit bull" (alias "bull baiting") group are the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Terrier. Many other breeds confused with these guys include the Cane Corso, the Fila Brasiliero, the Presa Canario, the Dogo Argentino, and all other dogs of similar muscular build. It is indeed, hard for the average person to pick out a true American Pit Bull Terrier in the list of lookalikes.

For the record, I have not owned any APBTs. I have met my share of dangerous dogs, none of which fell in the "pit bull" category. I have seen nasty boxers, nasty goldens, nasty labs, nasty border collies, and, of course, a whole brigade of ankle-snacking lap dogs. It requires a special person to own a terrier; someone who knows how to stand their own and show a clear cut path between right and wrong, regardless of whether you're raising a Jack Russell or a full-bodied Gottiline APBT.

Who creates a monster on a leash? Why, the monster holding the leash, of course. All dogs, regardless of breed, must be raised with patience, understanding, and love. Keeping a dog chained is detrimental to his health and his mind, as is smacking him around for being a "bad boy". In the terrier world, this just does NOT fly. You must teach and master the rules of sit-stay-come-lay-leave it and recall. A proper time of socialization, standing from age 6 weeks (8 weeks being ideal for bringing a puppy home) and well up until the dog's first year, is always necessary. Many people like to cut it off around the 6-8 month mark, but learning continues all throughout life.

I have heard many aggressors speak out against the APBT - that it a vicious, vile animal with the will to snap at a moment's notice. APBT owners and lovers are often called out as "irrational". While I've heard the hysterics, I try my best to formally educate, but sometimes there is no fixing ignorance. I do not call it being "brash", or being "over-the-top" when it comes to defending any dog, regardless of breed. There are bad owners - no bad dogs. Because a dog follows commands, regardless of whether they are instructions to attack or instructions to sit, does not make it bad. I hear all too often that APBT lovers are "unreasonable" or "stupid", and that they're just trying to get more people to own a vicious breed, and how it MUST have been staged when they post pictures of a pit bull cuddling a child, or loving on baby chickens. What stand would you make to protect your favourite breed? It must go into account that while some breed lovers may be a bit too fanatic, they are often called out as "insane" for defending their dogs. I have yet to see an irrational response regarding the APBT on the defendant side. Most people try to calmly educate, but are told they're being unreasonable because it's just not possible for an APBT to be safe around other animals, let alone children. Well, there are many, many things and people that could disprove that theory. I'm an unreasonable jackass because I don't advocate killing off an entire breed based on horror stories and looks alone? Touche! Half the videos I've seen of "Pit Bull Attacks 3 Year Old!!!" don't even have a picture of the offending dog. Way to educate and teach tolerance! The mentality that people have regarding APBTs shocks me. How horrible would it be to come home and find that your beloved family pet has to be destroyed because it "looks like it may have Pit in it"? I don't think that's an irrational idea - it can happen, and it has. Breed-Specific Legislation affects more than pit bull owners.

Fortunately, the hooligans involved in the dog-fighting blood sport usually end up caught red-handed thanks to vigilant neighbors and caring SPCA members. This is what gives the APBT a bad name - the reputation to fight and kill, when really, all dogs have the ability. There are even incentives in the form of cash to encourage people to bust dog fighters.

Just a wee bit of information. When I return to school on the 5th, I'll share an anti-BSL report I wrote a while back. It's very informative and eye-opening.

Until then, don't forget to hug your pooch!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

What's fair is fair... Right?

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my family, but they are certainly not animal-savvy, with the exception of my mom and I. I am solely responsible for walking my two dogs, bathing all four dogs (although sometimes my sister will bathe our Dachshund), and training, for the most part, has fallen on me. I love animals, and find them easier to be around than humans most of the time.

To the point - my stepdad spent an upwards of 1.5k on our English Bulldog, Tank. For the record, I reccommended to him that he take his business elsewhere and find another breeder, as the sire was extremely aggressive (tried to attack people through his fence, but my parents thought "It's okay, because he's protecting mama dog!". NO. Human aggression is NOT okay, in any circumstance, unless it comes when needed, ie, you're walking your dog and a stranger approaches with some nasty intentions.), and on top of it, the dogs were way off the breed standard. We all have heard my complaints about breed standards; even being age 15 at the time, I knew that if he was looking for a genuine bully, he'd be better off looking somewhere else. But of course, with the parent mentality, I was wrong about all aspects of the breeder and Tank was brought home with our two other dogs. Our intention was not to have any dogs at first, but after seeing Aero and Qrikket, we fell in love and were at their house nearly every day from puppyhood to handle them. Off the bat, Tank was aggressive, dominating, and was a bully. Even after being housetrained, he still has no qualms about lifting his leg on various objects in the house, and nor does our Dachshund. Interestingly enough, we got rid of Qrikket, who I had bonded to and taught 20+ tricks by age 4 months, for piddling (you know, hyperactive puppy stuff), and Tank continued to soil the house.

Fast forward two years. I have been the only one who has ever taken Tank for a walk in his three years of life, and I have only taken him around five times. The last time I walked him, he slipped his harness and chased a lady and her kids down the street to attack her dogs. Unlike many people, I do not try to fix problems that I know are beyond my range of skill because it can cause many more problems in the long haul. I have not walked Tank because I cannot control him if he decides he wants the dog on the other side of the street. He goes insane when any dog comes into view, female or male, German Shepherd or Yorkie. MY stepdad didn't take the effort to socialize him. IMO, if you don't have the time required to properly raise a puppy, you shouldn't have one.

My stepdad, who bought him purely on the premise of loving English Bulldogs, has nothing to do with him. Tank sits in a 6 x 4 cage almost 20 hours of the day, with exception to potty breaks and someone occasionally letting him out. I like Tank, and I think it is EXTREMELY unfair of my stepdad to keep him caged away. He cannot be let out with Aero and Buddy, as he is an instigator of fights (although he usually ended up in the vet with puncture wounds in his earlier days), so we have two packs going on in the house - Aero, Buddy, and the family, and Tank and Bentley. My stepdad refuses to neuter Tank (and trust me, I have suggested it on multiple occasions only to be waved away and told that "Tank will be a stud dog"), and he is, I believe, a cryptorchid. I cannot confirm this, as I'm not a vet, but one testicle appears to be undescended, which may mean he is sterile anyways. We all know the benefits of speutering, but apparently my stepdad was left out of this knowledgeable circle. There is even a lady wth four Englsh Bulldogs (the females are almost always bred on their heats, sadly), who offered a breeding to one of her female bullies. BIIIG no no. Never breed a dog with issues such as dog or human aggression.

My stepdad plays the computer for hours a day, whereas he could be walking the dog he loves so much. Recently, we have found someone who wants to adopt Tank - a good idea, IMO. He would be somewhere where he'd be loved, neutered (!), walked, and played with. He would be an only dog, so all their attention could be focused on him, like he deserves. Unfortunately, this hits a sour note - my stepdad refuses to give him up because he "loves him", and always suggests getting rid of OUR dogs (Buddy and Aero), although they are extremely well behaved family pets. The people are still willing to take Tank, but time and again it's refused. This is how I see it - Tank does not get exercise. He has spent most of his life in a cage, which I think is cruel beyond reason. My stepdad refuses to walk him, although he has plenty of time to do so and has more capability of controlling him should an issue with another dog arise. He also makes my siblings and I feed and water Tank... although he is usually sitting around 10 feet away from the crate, playing the computer. He loves Tank, but I think for him it's more the fascination with owning an English Bull. He certainly didn't do his homework when bringing the dog in, and now Tank is suffering for it. Sometimes I play with Tank, who loves nothing more than a good cuddle and playing fetch, but my stepdad has nothing to do with him unless it's the off occasion he decides he wants Tank out. He then spends about 10 minutes playing with the dog, and then goes back to his computer.

The situation angers me more than you know. I have told him to swallow his pride, it is in Tank's best interest that he goes to a home where there will be a more devoted owner, as has my mom, but he refuses to let go. It's sad seeing him sit around all day. My question is, what the hell do I do about this? As mean as it sounds, I've thought of letting Tank loose so that AC can pick him up and place him since my stepdad won't. My mom has tried to talk him down, as have I, but it just doesn't work. I am beyond frustrated by this.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Update on Buddy

I promised updates and Buddy, my obese lap dog, so here you go.

Buddy has lost about five pounds since I posted about him. The family is getting better at feeding, but there is still room for improvement. Currently (I know this will make me sound like a horrible owner), he goes on 3-4 walks a week with his brother about 45 minutes to an hour long. Also, my friend has brought my old GSD mix puppy Donovan to play with Buddy. At first, Buddy was a bit stand-offish, but them warmed up to him, realizing this was the puppy who he had spent three months with playing all the time. I've got to bring him over more often; Buddy spent nearly two hours running and playing with Donovan, and none of our other dogs are really that "into" playing with other dogs. They'd rather play with people. I'm working on upping exercise, but it has been gloomy and rainy on the days I have been home. None of my family is so inclined to walk any of our four dogs, so the job rests on me, even though I have 5 just-as-capable people in the household. I know I sound wimpy what with all you PNW'ers getting dumped on, but I'm a Cali girl whose town's temperature was somewhere in the mid 80's low 90's about two months ago, hehe.

I am now starting to be able to see a waistline, and his tummy is gradually shrinking upwards. I will post pictures as soon as I can. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

An old man in need of a home.

Found this guy on Petfinder. This chilly holiday season, it would be nice for him to find a warm home and a family to love. Older dogs come with advantages; they're more often than not housebroken and many know basic obedience and even advanced commands.

Doesn't he look like a sweetie? His name is Adam. He is currently homed with the Washington German Shepherd Rescue in Arlington, WA., awaiting a loving home.

About Adam: "Adam lost his first home with a family move and was given to a second family...The second family ended up leaving him at their vet when someone in the household became very ill..and there Adam remained for 4 months..without a home. The vet office asked us to take him in and find him a new home!

Update: Adam loves to hang out with his doggy friend in the yard, ignores the farm animals (horses, chickens) and he does his best to keep up with the younger dog's energetic antics. He loves getting out and playing in the snow and has enjoyed just being outside with his family on short outings to finish the chores. He is an affectionate boy with great house manners, great with the cat in the household and he happily enjoys being inside with the family. Adam can be somewhat shy at first, but warms up quickly when given a few moments to get to know new people. Adam is a great dog to have around. He is easy to please, happy to be loved and eager to return his affection. If you'd like to give an old guy a comfortable retirement, please consider Adam.....he most certainly deserves the very best in his golden years. Adam is best suited in an adult only home.

Please fill out an application to meet me at http://www.washingtongsd.org/application.html The adoption process includes completion of an adoption application, a vet check, a home visit and a lifetime adoption contract."

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Pictures I dug up.

You know what it's like to go through a photo album. So, I present to you the dogs of my album. They are all either personal pets or pets of my relations. No sticky paws!

















From top:

1) My dad's Golden Retriever, Tug, playing with their friends Malinois puppy.
2) Tank my stepdad's English Bulldog, as a puppy. Cheese! I love the fat little paws.
3) My uncle's APBT/Dalmatian/Pointer cross hiding from a thunderstorm in the cabinet. Isn't it strange how a dog who has lived in Florida for his entire 10 years can still be afraid of storms?
4) Bandit, my uncle's elderly border terrier who passed away a few months ago. He liked to play hide and seek.
5) My old Basset, Alex, and my uncle. Cute, huh? Nothing makes the heart melt like wrinkly, slobbering hound dog. Childhood dog.
6) Sister to my dog Buddy and his brother Aero as a puppy. She was probably 4 weeks old in the picture. Smartest dog I've ever had.
7) Older Qrikket, this time around 3 months old.
8) More Qrikket, featuring me. I was around 14...?
9) Buddy and Bentley, our Miniature Dachshund, cuddling. Please note, that's not my toe in the picture.
10) Buddy, Aero, and Tank hanging out with my cousin while camping.
11) Baby Black Bear hamster, runt of the litter from our old hamster Kush.
12) My friend's blue APBT puppy.


Got any candid cams of your favorite four legged friends? I'd like to see them! If you do not know how to create a link, feel free to post the URL. I'm sorry about the funky way everything's arranged. I can't seem to get it right, but you get the idea, right? :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Keeping your dog safe in the backyard.

I'd like to share with you a few things I've picked up along the way that come in handy as a dog owner. Everyone has their tools and tried-and-true methods, so here are mine.

When someone says that they have an electric fence to keep their dog from jumping over, I shudder. I can't stress this enough: electric fences are dangerous and are NOT an effective tool. Electric collars are designed to zap your dog once it leaves the boundaries of marked fencing. The dog is expected to stay behind the fencing. But what happens when the dog ignores the collar and goes over the fence anyway? An unpleasant surprise and a nasty shock. Not only does it cause physical pain, but can damage a dog psychologically, so much so that they may even be afraid to enter their own backyard. What do I reccommend in place of an electric collar / fence combo?

a) Vigilance. Keep an eye on your dog at all times in the yard.
b) A long lead with which to walk your dog in the backyard (10 ft and excess is good). These leashes are often seen on dogs who are learning recall, or are sometimes used by the conscientious owner to keep a hold on their dog while it's swimming. Note, I don't reccommend you go out and walk your dog with this same leash.
c) A run. If you set up a cable to have your dog tied to, make sure they can move freely with probably a 7 foot lead. Also, make sure your cable is tied securely and away from fences to prevent the chance of accidental hanging. Yes, it happens. A dog can go right over and never reach the ground on the other side. Make sure to provide food, water and shelter as appropriate when the dog is outside.
d) This is the simplest solution of all, but a bit more costly. If your dog is a notorious fence hopper/climber... get new fencing! On average, you should go two to three feet higher than the previous fence, but of course, depending on the dog, you may only need to go a bit higher. Wood is the reccommended material, chain link fencing, not so much. Dogs may get their toes or paws caught and injured.
e) Keep the backyard interesting. Hide treats, play games, stash toys around the yard. Kong balls filled with kibble and treats will keep your dog entertained, and if not, a bone would do good (I like to give my dogs raw shank bones).

A few tips to help you keep your escape artist in the yard. Enjoy! I haven't had internet access the past few days, sorry.

PS: To clear up the confusion: There is no problem between Fugs and I. I'm not quite sure where that comment came from, but it's totally untrue.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Adopt-a-Kitty


I know this is a dog blog, but this one hits a personal note.

About a week ago, my mom woke me up saying she had found a hurt stray cat. Upon further observation, we found kitty had two large bite wounds in his right side. Kitty was sweet. He never hissed or scratched, despite the pain he must have been feeling. After giving him a warm place to sleep overnight, my mom and her friend brought him to the Lake Elsinore Animal Friends of the Valleys shelter. Kitty, now dubbed Chester, is up for adoption. Unfortunately, as with many cases, the owner did not come forward to claim him. He was obviously domesticated and used to handling. He is now looking for a new home. If you have room in your heart, please visit their website.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Ogle of the Day

Have a look at this. It's plagued me for a long time... "Old-Fashioned German Shepherds". Meaning an overweight, oversized, and generally unattractive (imo) version of a GSD. Something I certainly wouldn't breed, regardless of OFA scores. You see, I'm a person who believes that when you breed dogs, you should focus on the standard, rather than trends, eye appeal, or whatever other reason there may be for breeding poor quality dogs. Is it just me, or do these guys look like oversize, plush teddy bears? I'll give them kudos, as "Zack" is very cute. On the side of their page, it links more "oversize GSD breeders". OVERsized. Too big, wide load. Good thing you have OFA testing going on, because I have a feeling most of these guys' hips are going to cave in by the time they reach 6. While they aren't breeding the "roach-backed" GSD variety we so often see, it's still disheartening to see people trying to blow the GSD out of proportion and way off from the breed standard. And gluing puppies ears sounds kind of cruel to me. I know many people do it (we had a lady in our Schutzhund class glue her pups ears), but I just can't imagine how annoying it would be to have your ears glued together. I am a natural dog owner - let them stay as they sit! If your dog's ears aren't perky, then maybe it's time for better breeding practices (omg, yes, prick and non-prick ears are hereditary, who knew?) and maybe NOT letting your oversize drop-eared GSD breed so you can glue more drop-eared puppies.

I just don't get it - it's like breeding shortwide pits, IMO. I think "Old-Fashioned" GSDs are too bulky, and that takes away a lot of their utility and athleticism. The GSD loves to work, and the added weight just may hinder that ability. Maybe I'm a little stiff with my notions on breeding, but (with the exception of the brachycephalic breeds) the standard is there not only for looks, but with the dog's health in mind.

I'm not calling these people out as bad breeders or anything (most I have seen do OFA testing), but I don't support breeding outside the standard. If I had it my way, 3/4 of the canine population would be spayed and neutered... but I don't. :P

Have a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My Cuddle Buddy



Woah people, it's not what it sounds like. I swear, lol.

But, giggling aside, this is my dog Buddy. If you read my previous posts, he's my hybrid mix family protector / beanbag / aspiring lap dog. At about 120 pounds now, and his head just level with my hip (I'm about 5'6"), I'm afraid he may be a little too cuddly. He is overweight, and I'm concerned. My parents and siblings overfeed him. He's in a pen with his brother (that's their "house" when it's sleep time), so when it's food time, Buddy scarfs down a big silver bowl (no joke, like an industrial size mixing bowl) to keep Aero from eating. They never fight over food; Buddy just hogs it. Aero is a normal weight, about 95, and about a half inch shorter than Buddy. I do try to intervene. I take out the bowls, when I see them, and give each dog about 3 cups to eat separately, BUT... I'm not always there, and though I've spoken with my parents, they insist the dogs be allowed to free feed. I've tried to explain that yes, dogs can get diabetes, and yes, they can get arthritis and Buddy's fat isn't going to make him feel any better when it's bearing down on his joints. I no longer give Buddy table scraps. Next time I get money, I plan on buying him a doggie backpack and going hiking since it's getting cold outside.

So... thus begins the transformation. I can only try to get people to stop feeding him so much, but I can definitely up the exercise. Every once in a while I'll let you guys know how he's progressing (it's like having his very own Lifetime drama, lol).

I'd also like to request some information from the readers. If my parents are going to feed him so much, I'd actually prefer it be diet. I've never had to put a dog on a diet before, so I was wondering if any of you more experienced readers could drop me a tip. What are some good brands to look for when putting a dog on a diet? Right now they eat whatever gets picked up from the store (yuck I know, but at least we never bring home Ol' Roy or Kibbles 'n Bits or Beneful), but they're usually on Canidae... which, I heard, went through some nasty ingredient changes and kind of ruined it.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Oh, dear lord...

I cringe whenever I see stuff like this. Puppy boutiques (even tough it may sound cute), are just horrible, IMO. There are WAY too many puppies there. Teacups Puppies currently has 78 puppies available. Here are the problems I see right off the bat.

1. WHO is going to be responsible for socializing 78 puppies? This is a 2-month long procedure, not including how owners choose to socialize after the puppies are brought home. I certainly don't like having to work out ingrained problems in young puppies that could have been easily avoided. Unless Teacup Puppies Boutique is fully stocked with about 25 staff (and that is saying a lot, because that is almost 3 puppies per person), I doubt these puppies are going to have the more desirable personality traits people look for when buying a puppy.

2. I counted at least 18 breeds/crossbreeds. On the subject of staff, I'd like to know... do you guys perform health testing? With so many small dogs and toy breed mixes, genetic defects can and will surface. And, is your staff knowledgeable on these breeds? BTW, a paragraph describing the dog and it's history doesn't really count, asshat. If I were to buy, I'd like to know what ailments the specific breeds suffer from, grooming information, all that good stuff that many puppy boutiques like this one fail to provide.

3. Outrageous pricing. I'm sorry, but I will not pay $1,500.00 for a Teacup Morkie Pom-a-Poo when I could adopt one of the many in shelters. And I'm sure with such devoted people as yourselves, you only place the puppies after a speuter procedure? Right? Because we all like to make sure no breedings take place. We wouldn't want to see the thousands of other Toy Chorkie puppies being put down in shelters globally, because that's just not what happens... is it?! I hope the extra $1,400 you make off of your dogs a pop goes towards a good cause.

All I can say is WOW. I cannot even comprehend the ignorance of some people. Shame on the many magazines that condoned this type of sale operation. And to imagine, I could be making thousands by breeding my mutts or Dachshund... Fortunately, I'm one of the people that practices responsibility in these areas. Snip, snip all the way. Always for mutts, and for most purebreds.

It's kind of disheartening to watch dog sales of this magnitude and the unsuspecting people who flock to them. In general, the population is in need of a good whoopin' with the smart-stick, don't you agree?

Friday, November 21, 2008

Check this out!

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/540972

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Of COURSE it's a pit bull farm...

Just what we all need - another APBT breeder with too many dogs, no knowledge of (or at least adherance to) the breed standard, AND they like to put their dogs on those 40 pound chains we all love so much.

Presenting... Mugleston's Pit Bull Farm! Producing beasties like the one seen at right since 1993. I'm not saying the dogs aren't nice in their own right. I'm sure they have good temperaments (right?), but honestly, with nearly all their dogs topping off at over 100 pounds (and the one at right is 142 lbs.!), they are grossly bypassing breed standards to make bigger, "better" bullies.

Their facilities leave a bit to be desired. I would not house an APBT outside during winter, especially in Oklahoma, regardless of their weight. I would never house a bitch outside with a litter of pups, either. But, that being said, I am impressed with the shelter they provided.

Nonetheless, I am not impressed with anyone who claims to have taken prizes in any of the Bully Expos because they are full of Razor's Edge and Gottiline shortwide pits that look nothing near the breed standard. I don't think winning these warrants breeding a dog, either. If you want my approval, compete in a Kennel Club recognized/sponsored breed specific special and take home the blues. Then you can see where conformation, purpose, and temperament shapes the breed, rather than focusing on making massive dogs with little purpose other than to look imposing or impressive. I don't believe that because celebrities buy your dogs, that makes you a high status breeder or elite showman, either. There are many websites where they are obviously over-breeders with no proper breeding ethic or conduct that claim to have sold to celebrities. Well GEE, aren't you speshul?

Overall, this kennel is not that appealing to me and I certainly wouldn't look into it if I were to buy an APBT. There are many much more impressive APBT breeders who don't charge an upwards of 2 grand for a dog (one dog was listed for sale at $7900. I could buy a car with that money.) and will give you the quality you're looking for when choosing a dog.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Cash incentives...

Well, I'm not one who really needs an incentive to turn in nasty animal abusers or dog fighters, but I think this is really great.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pet/923516954.html

That's a five grand incentive right there, for those who may be a little unsure about turning in perps. I'm just glad to see that the law concerning animal welfare has been growing increasingly strict, and hope to see many people come to justice, as well as many people being served the lovely ban on animal ownership (I've seen a couple of these). It makes me happy to know that somewhere out there, people are taking action.

Also, on another note - please help get justice for Karley the puppy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3XntJHbEdw

I love how Riverside will lock you up and throw away the key for smoking a bit of reefer, but let a man like this evade criminal prosecution.

And MORE shocking news - a Riverside Asst. Fire Chief beat a 6-month-old puppy so severely she had to be put down. He claimed she was trying to attack him. Does anyone besides me smell bullshit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2y8h573g3A&feature=related

Friday, November 14, 2008

Fugly gives fodder...

"dawdler said...
OT, BUT . . .

A woman from Windsor, Ontario just plead guilty to two counts of animal cruelty after starving seven dogs (two dogs died). She was fined $1000 and was banned for LIFE from ever owning dogs again. Hopefully this will become the norm in all animal abuse cases, at least in Ontario . . .
"

Link

All I can say is, wow. That is a policy I'd like to see enforced in the US. How helpful would that be...?

Sunday, November 9, 2008

BYB, much?

Look at this lady.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au.w.cPU0NK_CAJ_iYiLC6_L7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20081109160936AAzluLX

Yeah. My first words were "WTF, greedy bitch." Do we not already have a surplus of dogs? Are they not dying in shelters every day because of irresponsible people like this. And she wants to KEEP breeding? I'd like to see her shit out about 20 kids a year and see how much she "loves" it. According to her, her dog just loves being a constantly bred puppy machine.

Friday, November 7, 2008

A present for you, my friend.




Found this and lol'ed. Give it to any of your favourite asshats. Happy Friday!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Disposable Pets

Why is it so many people can just throw away their animals like garbage? After all the loyalty and companionship they have provided, I don't think it's that far from unreasonable to provide food and shelter.

On my local CL, I found a few such ads.

"I have a blue merle chihuahua male I need to rehome. I have had him about 2 years (Two years?). I dont think he is much older then 2 and a half years old. He will come with his kennel... some food (you will prolly wanna switch him) and his dishes and his leash and collar. He is licensed to riverside county animal shelter and he is current on his shots. He has been living inside/ outside.. He is awesome with children other animals. I also have a female. she is brn and white. not spayed. i been calling her Bella. someone tossed her in my yard. asking only 15 for her. she will come with her leash collars bandana and some food. Please take them so they dont head to the shelter

I just cant keep him. Asking 50$ rehoming fee. He has till the weekend then I have to take him to the shelter!"

"Blackie is 3 years old, she is well behaved & sweet. She is not fixed, had 1 litter & was a very good mom. Never been around children, but is gentle & submissive & I think she would be ok. She needs a yard & a caring person or family." Good; an unspayed APBT. Do we really need to be breeding any more dogs? Isn't there something stating on CL that unaltered animals (dogs and cats) aren't allowed to be rehomed?

This is on a six month old lab puppy. I hate it when people get animals and somehow don't realize the responsibility that goes with ownership. "We are looking to re-home our Black Lab. He is very loving, great with kids and other dogs. He is healty. There is no dog registration papers.

FREE TO GOOD HOME...HE IS GREAT, UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO SPEND WITH HIM. HE NEEDS DAILY EXERCISE OR PLAYTIME." What puppy doesn't? Anyone?

Just a few I dug up. There are many more, but not enough time for me to fit them all in.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Yet More Cruelty

This is a little story I picked up off FHOTD. I have to ask myself every day - why don't people just humanely euthanize? I know it hurts to let a loved one go, but it certainly beats whacking your dog on the head with a hammer and burying it alive. Don't get me wrong - I do believe that if you have the skill (!) necessary to put a dog down by means of a bullet or home euth, go for it, but what the HELL is wrong with these people?

I see it a lot. I've had many friends whose parents simply refuse to put down their dog who is suffering from cancer and has crippling arthritis on top of an enormous malignant tumor... yet though they see the dog daily as it just lies around in obvious pain, they claim the dog is not hurting, and they're going to let it pass naturally. THAT, in my opinion, is blatant cruelty. If I were suffering from a disease I knew would take me painfully and slowly, I'd rather be taken around the back of the barn. It isn't that scary to put your dog to sleep - sure, you have had many years of faithful companionship, but when your pet is suffering, it's time to let go. It just sickens me when people refuse to euth because they're afraid of death. I guess they'd rather watch their pet deteriorate before them than let them drift off slowly and comfortably in the arms of the one they love.

Happy Halloween! DIY Doggie Treats



Happy Howl-oween everyone! I know many of you like to take your dogs on Halloween and have a nice trick-or-treat, but if you're staying at home, why not whip up a few goodies for the odd canine trick-or-treater? Here are some nice, dog-friendly recipes I found on bullwrinkle.com.

Peanut Butter Puppy Pops

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. --- This is the original recipe, but I have found the cookies burn easily.

Beef and Rice Moochies

Ingredients:
1 jar babyfood, dinner, vegetables and beef, strained
2 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rice
1 package unflavored gelatin
1 whole egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup powdered milk
1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 beef bouillon cube

Instructions:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Add yeast, egg, oil, baby food and dissolved beef bouillon. Mix well. Mixture will be very dry, knead with hands until it forms a ball. Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness, cut in 1 or 2 inch circles. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet 30 minutes at 300 degrees.


Boo Biscuits

3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 cup Quaker oats
1 cup milk
1/2 cup hot water
2 beef or chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup meat drippings

Dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water. Add milk and drippings and beat. In a separate bowl, mix flour and oatmeal. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well. Press onto an ungreased cookie sheet and cut into shapes desired. Bake at 300 for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave in the oven to harden. Refrigerate after baking.



Also: if you are dressing your pooch up for Halloween, show us some pictures! Because we all know there's nothing cuter than a pug in a pumpkin suit or a devilish Golden.

Be safe out tonight! My reccommendation is to put your dog on a harness rather than a collar to avoid them slipping a collar. There are many scary things out there, especially on Halloween. Happy Howlidays, everyone!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Looking for information...

A reader asked if anyone had heard of/had any experience with a large commercial "dog broker" of sorts by the name of Bonnie Sue Schindler. She lives in Missouri and is quite the largescale operationist.

She and Herman Schindler are the owners/breeders of:
Mettoville Kennel in Mexico, MO,
Teachers Pets of Mexico, MO,
QD Kennels of Frankford, MO,
MO Puppy Expo in Wentzville, MO, and
IL MO Puppy Expo in Quincy, IL.

If anyone has any information on these people or their business, feel free to share. In fact, crossposting to this link on other chatboards may help. I'd like to acquire a fairly large number of readers (or at least contributors!) in order to get more information on the dog's world. I like insight, opinion, snark, and praise in a blog, and the more people who contribute, the better. We're more likely to get answers to our questions that way.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Kennel Club Changes

A reader by the name of Esme dropped me a note. In response to the video link posted earlier (Pedigree Dogs Exposed), the UKKC has made a frantic scrabble to realign breed standards to comply with modern day. What do you think of all this?

I say kudos - endorsing health testing for ANY breed is a great idea. Wouldn't it be nice if they required all of their registered dogs to be health tested? Veterinarians just might go out of business (kidding, kidding). I think that it shouldn't have taken a film to explain to the United Kingdom Kennel Club what they and breeders were doing wrong, knowingly or not; it's quite obvious that many of our beloved breeds suffer from genetic disorders and are continually passed down. I'm just shamed that it took this long for a realization to dawn.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4902952.ece
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2089/23/5/3
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bpP0e-V18M0

Friday, October 24, 2008

In Response to the post below...

I have to admit, I'm very curious as to what GGR is up to (of course, in a neutral light). As said on the boards, I'm going to visit GGR myself as soon as I can, and gather as much information as I can. There is a lot of mudslinging on both parts - many people are attacking GGR antagonists, and the ones working to stop Gentle Giants are certainly very outright with their opinions. This is good though; it could change the lives of the thousand some odd dogs they take in yearly.

So, before I do go out, I'd like to come armed with some knowledge on the place. Does anyone have personal experiences with it? I've read the few horror stories on the place, and if you have any information on Gentle Giants Rescue, negative or positive, don't hesitate to post.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Attention big dog lovers!

This is Dylan, a Standard Poodle/Irish Wolfhound cross. He is one of the many big dogs available at the Gentle Giants Rescue of Norco, California. They are one of the largest "big dog" rescues around. Even though they are large-scale, each of the dogs gets individualized attention and training. If a dog is not trained, it will be by the time it is available for adoption (unless in the case of puppies, but training is half the fun, IMO). So visit today if you have room in your heart and on your lap for another big dog.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Human Race; the worst there ever was.

Honestly, can you believe the treatment many dogs are getting around the world? Dogs do not create war, they do not kill for pleasure, nor do they deserve the cruelty inflicted on them every day around the world by ignorant assholes.

Here, we have an amazing example of just how low man can go in his quest to torture this dog. Yes, the dog is for the meat market. Does that mean it needs to be strung to a tree, beaten, and kicked? No. I'd like to string this guy up to the tree and form a never ending line of people (I'm sure there would be many volunteers) to kick him right between the legs. What is most disturbing to me is the fact that the dog's tail is still wagging even as it is being strangled and beaten.

And aren't police supposed to help, not hurt? This man was walking his dogs (who must be very well trained to have stayed at bay while their master was mercilessly beaten) and attacked by the local police, who then focused their attention on beating the dogs. The man begs them to leave the dogs alone, hit him instead, but they had other things on their mind.

There's no end to the torture, and unless animal cruelty laws are heightened and fine-tuned, it's going to reoccur, over and over again.

Folks, remember that an act of kindness means so much, even to a dog. If you witness abuse, do not hesitate to report the person responsible immediately. If you can, whip out a video phone or a camcorder; the more evidence, the better.

Don't forget to hug your pet!

Friday, October 10, 2008

... Anyone?

WTF is with this? Just came across it. Understood that different tastes tie to different cultures, but really? It makes my skin crawl just about as much as the horse meat market. I do not support the fur market, nor the slaughter of companion animals, and most certainly don't condone animal experiments. View at your own discretion, it's a little gory and sad.

http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/dog.html

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Unjust?

How many of you have had a bad experience with a breeder, either due to monetary situations, their rudeness, or lack of knowledge of Club Regs and standards? I'd like to hear your story.

Here's one such complaint:

"Bella the Papillon pup (Talina Altman has SOME NERVE!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: comm-872928392@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-10-09, 1:02PM PDT



I also had a horrible experience with this woman. She is out for the money and if you don't offer her enough she will write you back very rudely and meanly telling you that she refuses to give away an AKC dog that she paid over $900 for and good luck fining a cheap dog. She even went as far as to comment on the reason I'm in a financial situation that I can't afford her high fees!! How absurd of her to question that and how RUDE! I mean, seriously Talina if you don't like the offer just say no thanks we're going to keep looking. Don't be a you know what about it! OR better yet- Don't sell your dog on a site that says you can rehome for a SMALL fee. $500+ is in no way small. AND if you insist as you do then at least tell people UPFRONT when they ask you how much the fee is instead of saying "right now we are just taking offers" since YOU ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO MAKE AN OFFER SO DON'T CRITICIZE them when they OFFER!!! You just want the highest bidder so why don't you sell your poor dog at an auction."

Poor girl. Why can't people be clear on things like this? It causes so much unnecessary tension. Breeders need to realize that word gets around, and it gets around fast. Fellow breeders, customers, and enthusiasts alike won't hesitate to rat your ass out and get the problem fixed. So, you're best off being compliant and helpful when it comes to your business.

Friday, October 3, 2008

My Opinion on Cesar Millan



Many of you are familiar with the show The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic, and how Cesar Millan and his pack have been helping rehabilitate dogs and "train" their owners.

Well, a few people have asked what I think of him, so I'm sharing.

I see Cesar Millan as a good trainer in general. I feel he is spot on when it comes to energy level influencing a dog. A dog can pick up on nonverbal cues and expressions that we as humans can't, even when we're the ones producing it. In order to keep your dog in a sane state of mind, you must be an even-tempered and "balanced" person. I feel dogs and humans share energies just like the assumed bonding between horses and humans. I also believe he is right about exercise. Dogs do need to roam, and regardless of breed, all dogs have energy that can be spared and frustrations that can be vented in a positive way by walks (on-leash, right folks?), fetch, hiking, etc. Keeping a dog confined somewhere is never acceptable, and in dogs caged or tied a lot, there is documentation of a deterioration of the mind - issues can begin to manifest themselves in a variety of ways such as developed obsessions (ie spinning, cage pacing, fixation on certain objects), aggression, unwanted digging, chewing, barking, or scratching, as well as a number of other things. Even aggressive dogs should be exercised. Putting a dog in a backyard for eight hours a day is NOT a substitute for exercise, unless you happen to own acreage. I own a dog who is human aggressive. I walk him at night, when no one is around, on leash, and for at least an hour. Sometimes, I'll take him on an offleash hike in some hills where I know no one will be.


Here's where I have the beef: Cesar is TOO hands-on with the dogs, in my opinion. Personally, I train using a clicker and Bil-Jac Liver morsels. Many dogs are food motivated, and it creates a positive experience for them. I believe in positive reinforcement the whole way, with lots of verbal praise and food rewards. Cesar's training is more negative reinforcement, ie, something done wrong results in a negative punishment rather than creating a positive for them to learn from. I would never recommend people "tchht" and "bite" their dogs when correcting - a nervous dog can make ribbons of your hand. Instead, I've found that something as simple as coins in a can can divert a dog's attention long enough to redirect it. I have never had to phsyically redirect any of my dogs. I'm a rather hands-off person when it comes to training, preferring to let the dogs nature come in to play. I do stay in a balanced state of mind the entire time, which comes easily to me. I have been bitten twice in my life (once by a Chihuahua in the face, once by an Akita on the arm), and if there is one thing I learned, it's that your mindset is the biggest benefactor when approaching a dog, no matter what your intentions. If you don't have your head on straight, a dog can, and will, sense it and react on it. In order to train a happy and mentally sound dog, you too must be mentally sound.

I do not see a problem with the Illusion Collar, so long as you are responsible with it, much as you would be with a choke chain or prong collar. I still use choke chains on my two larger boys, and they do not get hurt because
a) I know what I'm doing, and
b) The dogs have been trained not to pull.
If you want a real aide in training for dogs that pull, chase, or are a general nuisance on the leash, I'd recommend a Halti Lead, but again, this is another tool you must learn to use correctly. It is my personal favourite, having helped me train my mothers shy dog from bolting when he sees strangers.

All in all, I don't see Cesar as too much of a menace to the canine world. Personally, I'd rather handle my dogs myself. I think he is just a little overly pushy, and does bully the dogs into his way (alpha rolling is never a good idea, either... one of my big gripes there) some of the time. He's just a hyperactive man who gets a little too touchy with his canine clientele, IMO. I would never approach a dog with the intention of physically placing my hands on him/her to correct an undesired behavior.

Victoria Stillwell, however? I don't think she's let the fame go to her head quite yet and is a lovely trainer.

Monday, September 29, 2008

If you could have your dream dog...

What breed would it be, what would you do with said dog, and where would you obtain them?

My personal first pick would have to be the Karelian Bear Dog, a breed I've long admired for it's courage and striking facial expressions. At left, we have my absolute favourite Karelian stud, Ilo, of Runningbeardog Kennels of Upper Michigan. It's a very nice facility with a few dogs that are well maintained. I would /love/ to have one of his offspring and work it in Tracking, since these dogs do have a very strong sense of smell and a very high prey drive. These are NOT couch potato dogs and are best suited to life with a job. I've met three Karelians in my life, all of whom were in the mountains at my campsite, doing their job and holding the bears off.


Next, we have my second favourite dog, the American Indian Dog, a lesser known breed that has been around for centuries. This dog is a worker and would also do best in a working home. I've always been attracted to their beautiful coat varieties. I haven't yet found a suitable breeder, but would definitely invest in it. I'd like to show these dogs in a more active sport, such as Flyball or Frisbee, because they do have a strong prey drive and a good working head.


Maybe I'm just a sucker for the working/herding types... What do you think? :]

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

God, I hate breed profiling.


My little brother just told me something that pissed me off so bad... Apparently their "sensei" who comes from their little tae-kwon-do classes told my dad and the rest of my family that because of three of the breeds (and species) [German Shepherd Dog, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, and a low percentage wolf] my two dogs are mixed with, that one day they'd turn on our family and attack us. He's apparently knowledgable, having supposedly (brother said) imported a GSD straight from Germany from a "straight Schutzhund line".

Now, my two mixes are protective of the family, and certainly out of our four dogs, these two have the most even temperament regarding our family. They haven't snapped at us, or instigated fights. Hell, they don't even piss in the house. My dogs are loyal to the family. They may not be the friendliest to random people, but love you once they get to know you. You have to build trust with your dog, regardless of the breed.

I HATEHATEHATE the bias people have towards these dogs. Sure, they aren't for everyone, but just because there aren't enough people out their who can handle dogs properly, let alone responsibly doesn't mean everyone is like that. No wonder we have the media on our breeds... Not only is there a surplus of shitty owners, there are also snots like the aforementioned family friend who have to spread incorrect notions about the breed around, claiming to KNOW the outcome of living with such "vicious" breeds. This guy's an asshole.

Leave some breed-specific labels people have slapped on your dog before - I can't resist listening to idiots pretend to know what they're doing and get crazy on the owner.

[picture of my other mix on previous post. He's the above dog's full brother from the same litter! We should explore how unpredictable things can be when people breed mutts.]

Sunday, September 21, 2008

You don't need an expensive tool...

To brush your dog. Items like the Furminator are a scam. They cost so much money, and there are so many inexpensive ways to groom your pet. The brush I have costed me three dollars at Wal-Mart, and it took me about five minutes of brushing to do all this:


So, before you go waste money on an expensive grooming tool... realize you don't need to. Just a normal brush will suffice. Expensive stripping and grooming tools really aren't necessary unless you show. I even got down to Aero's undercoat with just this REGULAR brush, and it hardly took any effort. You can go to Petsmart and pick out a topcoat brush and an undercoat rake for about a quarter of the price you'd spend on an item like the Furminator and similar commercial brands.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Idiots at the Park...

This is exactly why I won't bring ANY of my dogs to a park. There are so many irresponsible owners with aggressive dogs that visit, and, more often than not, when their dogs bites and or attacks, the owner refuses to take responsibility for it. Here, we have an example of some psychotic woman trying to justify just WHY she brought an aggressive dog to a park, let him off lead, and when he bit someone, her excuse is that he has "issues". Fuck that, lady. YOU have issues. Be responsible. If you know your dog is uncomfortable around other people and/or dogs, then the dog park nor the public park are not the place for you. If your dog habitually bites you in the vagina and goes after people, it's time to be put to sleep. She says when she "sees people, she tells them to run; the dog bites!" THEN DON'T BRING IT OUT IN PUBLIC!

I once took my Schutzhund pup to a dog park - where some lady promptly let loose some little un-neutered Chihuahua. The dog ran around humping and attacking everything in sight, and she sits there and watches with her kids. Now MY show dog has canine aggression issues - since the day at the park, where he was bitten and harassed by said dog. Thanks to asshole owners, they've potentially screwed over my chance at competing with Donovan (seen at left) - our Schutzhund trainer told us to come back when we worked through his aggression issues (mind you, this is a FIVE MONTH OLD PUPPY who now has behavioral issues. It's been a long, hard haul and he still holds on to the fear that all dogs he sees WILL bite him, so he has a "get them before they get him" mentality). All it takes is ONE negative experience during puppyhood to set up a ticking time bomb. Between ages eight weeks and six months, a puppy should be exposed to all types of activities, people, and dogs. A negative experience in this time frame is likely to come up troublesome at a later date. It's documented that all experiences during this time frame will have an impact on how the dog's behavior is moulded, so anything negative should be dually noted and avoided when raising your puppy.

Please be responsible at the dog park, and when taking your dog to a park in general. If your dog isn't friendly with people or other dogs, it's not the place for you. Go hiking or trail walking, but don't impose your problem on other people. I have a fear-aggressive dog and a human aggressive dog (trained for guardian purposes) that I wouldn't DREAM of bringing to a dog park, because I don't think people there deserve to deal with that kind of bullshit. If I want to take them out, I take them to an isolated park, ON LEAD, and let them play on the soccer field or hike in the local hills. There are other ways of draining your dogs energy, and if your dog isn't good around other people or dogs, it can and WILL cause them a lot of stress, which can exaggerate any behavior your dog is predisposed to.

Here's a good video on how to stay safe at the dog park. Make sure you've got all your doggy manners in a row before visiting the park - be a responsible owner!

Happy Saturday! Now, it's time for me to go back to my warm bed.

Friday, September 19, 2008

WTF.




Again with the APBT. I see SO many of these every day it isn't funny. THAT is NOT a dog, and that's not the way the APBT is supposed to look, or be bred. This dog is massive and fugly, and more than likely, costs an arm and a leg (these guys kind of display them like they're going to take an arm or a leg... literally).

The reason I've featured so many "pit bulls" on my site so frequently is that there's a neverending supply of dumbass breeders whose genitals I would personally like to go Lorena Bobbitt on and feed to said dogs.
Can you even IMAGINE what a hard time these dogs have breathing? Especially in the heat... dead dog, anyone? Collapsed trachea? I'm SO tired of seeing shitty breeders like this. Breed dogs for form and function, not looks! This dog's muzzle is far too broad, which could (and more than likely will) cause them several breathing problems. Take a look at the muzzle of a
standard APBT
- still broad, but with length, unlike the dog featured at top.

Directly from their CL ad:

"IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BIGGG BIGGG AMERICAN PITBULLS LET ME KNOW FOR ME AND MY PARTNER HAVE THE BEST AND BIGGEST PITBULLS PERIOD.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED CALL ME OR EMAIL IS GOOD TO
AMIR 001-480-747-43-02
OR amir_kohandiaran@hotmail.com"

So, there's his e-mail, bash away!

DUMBASS! Maybe someday people will stop breeding shitty dogs... or maybe thats just my wishful thinking.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

If you're considering breeding...

Please visit the following link:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uqYxvlfxvnk

You can follow the series. It really hits home and shows you what is going on in the world of pedigree dogs. In response to the idea of designers/miniatures, this is a good movie on exactly WHY not to breed. It's kind of heartbreaking, seeing what man has created. And W_T_F is with the eugenics idea?

Thanks to Susan Moore for the link.

I'm very busy, and this is just a quickie. I may post later.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

My God, is your penis miniature too?


If there's one thing I can't stand, it's Miniature and Teacup breeder. There is NO such thing as a good Mini or Teacup breeder. These dogs are created by breeding undersized, below substandard, more-often-than-not unhealthy dogs. And hell, just for variety, these breeders are known to throw in several other breeds to create the ideal "mini". Many smaller breed dogs are plagued by problems like slipped discs, horrible tooth decay, heart problems, and, shockingly enough, BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. Gasp! Who would have known that throwing a bunch of random breeds together for cutesy-wootsy puppies without any knowledge could go so horribly wrong!

So, congratulations, George and Karen Brausen of Dakota Winds Ranch, you guys are the BYB'er of the day!

Not only do these people pop out more puppies than you can shake a stick at, they also breed fugly grade draft cross horses. But if it's profitable, let's make as many Mini Aussiedoodle puppies as we can and sell them off for a grand... that is, if they have preeeety colours. If they're plain, they're only worth $800. But HEY, look at the sire on the top we have here! Holy shit, I better grab one quick, because the sooner these ones are bought for ungodly prices, the more dogs in shelters who are EXACTLY like him and his offspring will be euthanized. Oh, and the puppies of all dogs on the site "may or may not be used for breeding" depending on circumstances. How about speutering instead? Sound pretty f'in awesome.

These people also breed Mini Saint Bernards. Lord above, give me a break. If they can find something to shrink, they will. Too bad it isn't their gene pool shrinking away. Rather, like many designer breeders, they will come forth and multiply. These types of people have the idea in their head that they're giving people a lifelong companion as well as getting some cash in their own pocket, and its just abhorring. If you're going to try making a decent mix, look for dogs that are compatible and could have an actual purpose. Like the Alaskan Husky, for example. A robust crossbreed with known and controlled ancestry, they're bred for their jobs - not to cost you money. So many miniature breeders over-breed it isn't even funny. There are so many genetic and hereditary problems within the purebred ring, so why is it a good idea to breed something that, more than likely, couldn't even pass a standard OFA test? That is going to cost someone SO much money when they have to bring in their Dakota Sheepdog and when they have to pay thousands for displaysia they inherited from mom, it's no skin off the breeder's nose. It's just a dog, and for fuck's sake, if it makes you money, who cares? Arrogant people piss me off. Poor breeders piss me off. These guys have WAY too many dogs, too many horses, and too little experience in dealing with genetics and the problems miniaturizing dogs causes. But hey, gotta love their reasoning! If I hear one more "hybrid vigor" argument, I'm going to vomit. I agree to an extent; by introducing different alleles in a gene pool, you have a slightly smaller chance of outcrossing negative traits, but with so many ignorant breeders not testing their dogs, harmful genetics are going to surface. Just because a dog is a mutt doesn't make it any less prone to disease.

Here's a very informative page on diseases in dogs:
Genetic Disorders by Breed.


So, having said all that, I'll leave you with a picture of another fugly called the "Ori-Pei" produced by Dakota Winds Ranch. What makes you think it's good to cross a dog that's known for being brachycephalic and prone to tracheal collapse with a breed of dog that is overly sensitive to temperature changes? I doubt the retardation will end. When will people learn that miniatures and teacups are nothing extraordinary, but rather the poor traits of a few breeds all slapped together? *sigh* I guess I'll just never know the appeal. Even the money couldn't lure me into this business. I'd probably be too buried in vet bills.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Thank you, FHOTD!


Well, since the subject of the day IS the American Pit Bull Terrier, let's show you a shitty breeder who doesn't even match up the UKC standard! Their website is called Danger Zone Horses. Not only do they ride like a sack of potatoes trying to jockey a bag of oatmeal into submission, they breed APBTS and horses... Poorly. Pet material, if at all. The bitches look withered and dried up... just look at poor mama.

Dear God... One litter of puppies and her nipples are dragging? I don't think so. How about a bath? They've been invented for a while and it'll endorse your animals better. But wait, don't we all want a dog from a thin, raggedy, dirty mother? Her jowls and skull are too narrow even for the female standard, and she is barrel chested and beyond that, has no muscling that I can see. She's also egg headed... isn't she supposed to be an APBT?




And then there's Lady Brenna. She's cute, but definitely far from standard. The prick ears are adorable, but they're an undesirable trait in APBT's.

"She has had two heat cycles and has not been bred".

Heard of spaying? I hope you're not planning on breeding her *headdesk* until she's had two more; three to be on the safe side.

What's with the pink? I'M BLIND! But hey, the puppies name makes up for it... Shorty Squatty Stubbs. LOL.

Gotti Breeders... Why?



Every reputable breeder in the American Pit Bull Terrier knows what and what not to breed - and unfortunately, some asshats have selectively bred APBTS with overexaggerated traits. On the right, we have a beautiful example of an APBT stud who sticks to the old fashioned regulations - perfect body condition, nicely barreled chest, a suitably-blocky head, and beautiful muscling. I do admit, he has a tad excess cheek muscle, but other than that, he's wonderful. These are the types of APBTS we should be breeding - the ones that stick to the breed standard and don't try to glam things up. He's a beautiful stud, and he's definitely what we need to produce more of.



And then, we have the monstrosity that is the Gotti-lined APBT. These dogs are bred for size - their heads often reach measurements of over 24" around. Imagine squeezing THAT out of your vagina. The dog below looks so stiff it could barely take a shit. But hey, if it can hump, let 'im loose!

These dogs are so far from the standard it's incredible - the UKC states "The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy." Gotti-lined APBTs regularly reach weights exceeding 110. Can you imagine the BYB'ers that pop these dogs out in masses? I think the only way heads that large are going to come out is through ceasarian.


So let's see - these dogs were bred for sport. Look what Gotti breeders have done - it's almost as if they've created a new breed in their own right, but not in a good way. People are already initimidated enough by the APBT - so why do these people find it necessary to slap on spikes, leather, studs, and chains to a a breed of dog that is even moreso feared because assholes want to breed a big, mean-looking dog? At right, we have a Gotti-lined APBT - a far cry from the stud above. And look, the boy on top doesn't need any "bling" to bring attention to him; he sparkles on his own. It isn't necessary to place more hype on a breed of dog that already gets FAR more negative attention than desired. People fear the STANDARD sized APBT, so how do you think they're going to feel when you're toting around a 120+ lb APBT with a two foot around head on a ten-pound chain with a spiked leather collar? I know that sounded stereotypical, but I've seen it more often than not. I'm denoting the look, as I've met several friendly GL'ed APBTS. But why put more negative hype on the breed?

For comparison, here are a few old-fashioned breeders of APBTs:

This will be edited later. After snooping around the pages a little more, I realized that there were only a few APBTS up to standard on each site.

I will look for more reputable breeders and list them sometime today. Thanks everyone, for pointing stuff out.

I'm always up to learning new things, so if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me. I still have years of studying to do, and the more I learn, the better for me in the long run.




And now, a few Gotti/Razor's Edge breeders:

http://www.calistylepits.com/index.htm
http://www.newenglandgottiline.com/yates-aka-mr-olympia-gotti-line-pitbull-males.html
http://www.homegrownkennels.net/index.htm

Notice the difference in the Gotti/Razors Edge structure as compared to the normal APBT? Oddly enough, most APBT breeders, regardless of whether or not they are reputable, have some pretty lame pages. I think I'd be more pulled in if your page didn't have lame music and glitter and sparkles and whatnot. My brain just can't take it all in at once. But, IMO, I'd go for the dogs that aren't massively mutated through inbreeding/linebreeding and aren't bedecked in spikes and harnesses (unless they're for pulling, of course!).

And you just know with heads that large and bodies that stocky, breathing is going to be a problem. Why not try to breed out health problems rather than try to make some business opportunity out of poorly bred dogs?

I'm a fan of all dogs, regardless of other people's views on them. I believe strong, consistent training is the key to any happy, manageable, healthy dog, and the difference starts with the owner. I'm not writing this post as a bash on the APBT, but I am saying that the breeding of Gotti/Razor's Edge-lined APBTs has pulled the breed down a few notches. The OLD APBT needs to make a comeback and quick - the dogs of tomorrow will no longer be the dogs of today.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!