Golden Meadows Products and Paperwork

May 4, 2013 Moorpark, California

 

At the dining room table, Tim and Barbara Hoke went over their breeding practices and what each new puppy owner gets with their dog.  Most Vizslas, they said, go to empty-nesters and this is their second or third Vizsla.  Most have the puppy "started" and leave the dog with the breeder a few weeks longer for crate training, potty training, bite inhibition, no- ark training, sit, stay, and other basic commands.

 

This is some of what was in the booklet for each dog purchased at Golden Meadows.

It is 28 pages long: both sire and dam pedigree, all OFA's performed, vaccination records and general puppy-raising information and articles all in a plastic-covered binder.  This one was given to me along with the items below.

 

Information on the food they send and how to "change" to another brand

 

 

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A 40-minute DVD where Barbara  Hoke (co-owner) goes over 11 training tips

DVD on "the truth about dog food"

The product line of food they send with the pup

Vitamin supplement given with each pup.  Wafers. 
  I toss one to Bailey and Chloe each day.  They like them.


 

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I am neither recommending or not recommending Golden Meadows Kennels.
That was not the intention of the 5-hour drive down to visit them last weekend.  It was to see for myself a "high-volume" breeding operation and how they function.  Not all operations are the same.

This was an interesting visit with Tim and Barbara Hoke (owners), their grown daughter, the trainer, groomer, office staff, and maintenance man. All work at it full time. They have been breeding 21 years with Goldens and 7 with Vizslas.

Everyone was friendly and open. Nothing I could tell was hidden from me. I arrived one hour early from my appointed time and they were fine with my coming then.

Make up your own mind on breeders. When visiting the breeder, look and see for yourself. Take NOTHING for granted.

Knowledge is power. Objectivity is mandatory to get the best Hungarian Pointer.

If after visiting the breeder you don't like what you SEE, don't  get your dog there, who will hopefully, eventually, be a heathy and happy true companion for 15 to 20 years.

Bailey to Sire Puppies Next Week

O.K. I am excited about this breeding!  Bailey (Highlander's Bailey's Wildest Dream) should join up again next week with Sophie (Placergold's Autumn Moon) to create the second litter of RedBirdDogs!

Julie and I have been talking about this since last fall.  We are waiting for Sophie to go into her cycle.  We have both had the dogs checked this week for brucellosis (STD).  Just got the call from the vet that Bailey is clear to go.

 

The first litter is now 9 months old.  I am very happy with how the pups turned out both physically and temperament-wise.  That was important to me.

Sophie and Bailey's A.K.C. pedigrees go back five generations (plus) of very good dogs both in the field and the ring.  Health issues in the lines checked.  Health and O.F.A. tests done on both our dogs.  Healthy parents should pass healthly pups.
 

Boys and their dogs at 4-weeks-old and then 7-months-old.

Many pup pictures over the last year at different stages on redbirddog. 

Good times.






 

Why did I breed our Vizsla?

Bailey and Sophie doing the courtship dance.

I am not a professional dog person by any means.  I have never taken a husbandry class.  My thoughts on breeding are just from a guy who has fallen in love with the Hungarian Pointer and my desire to see the breed stay strong.

The Hungarian Pointer, Vizsla, with its rich 1,000-year history filled with glory and tragedy fascinates me.

At one of the earliest field trials that I ever attended, a judge called down from her horse.

"Handler, you have a good dog there.  I don't judge a Vizsla on how well it does against other Vizslas.  I judge a Vizsla against all pointing breeds.  That is the standard you should reach for.  To win against the best of the best." 

He placed second that day in the derby stake.

At 8 months old Bailey scored a perfect 112 at the Natural Abilities Test put on by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.

I think he is a great Vizsla.  I hoped, one day, to breed him to a very good female.  He is a strong athlete with a great temperament and has excellent hunting skills.

If we had chosen to give Bailey over to a professional handler to stay and train full time, he would be a field champion in short order.  This is according to knowledgeable friends.

Before breeding Bailey to Sophie, her owner and I talked as we walked the two dogs up in the hills together.  We were checking the dogs out and the dogs were doing the same.

We printed out the genealogy charts of both dogs going back five generations. We then asked some of the most knowledgeable people in the Northern California Vizsla world to look over the charts. 

I would never had known how all the parts of the breeding puzzle would have gone together without their input.   It was quite interesting to watch as they looked and made comments on Vizsla names on the two charts going back decades.  There were certain things they were looking for as they scanned the names.

They saw this breeding couple as a very good match.

We then proceeded to breed the dogs.  Here is the post from February 5, 2011:

http://redbirddog.blogspot.com/2011/02/natures-mating-dance.html


So, in three weeks Sophie is expecting to whelp the litter she and Bailey created.  I am excited.

The chances are excellent that they will be healthy.  We would expect them to also be physically and mentally ready to be good hunters. 

The genes and tests all point to some great pups.

I asked myself about who should get a Bailey pup?  I would hope for an owner who wants to get out everyday, rain or shine, and let the pup grow into their best friend and hopefully hunting partner.

 (I had never hunted before I got Bailey and now do it to watch this great creature do what comes naturally, but trained to be a team member with me.)

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but the moments that take our breath away."

It makes me proud to be a part of improving the Vizsla breed here on the West Coast.  That is quite a reward in itself.

Sexually Transmitted Diesese - Brucella in dogs

When the breeder told me I had to test Bailey for STDs, I kind of looked at her with the dumb look I can get. 

 "Are you serious?

  A sexually transmitted disease test?"

But she was serious and after reading the below article I understood. 

So once Sophie went into heat early this week, Bailey and I were off to our vet to get the "Brucella test."  $70 blood test and the results were available the next morning.

 Bailey tested negative.   The boy didn't have a VD. 

 I was glad.  For the life of me I wouldn't have figured out how he would have gotten it.  He has never had, what characters in the show "Deadwood," called "gettin' some strange." 

So one more thing I have learned about breeding. 

 The actual act will occur over several days this coming week.

Brucellosis (Brucella canis) & Abortions in Dogs

Race Foster, DVM

Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella canis, which is a bacteria that was first isolated from dead puppy fetuses in the middle 1960’s. It is the most common bacteria that can infect bitches and their fetuses.

 It seems that over the years much has been written on brucellosis in breeding dogs, but despite it all, infection rates may run as high as 8-10%. That is right, it is suspected that one in ten dogs in this country may carry Brucella canis.

Brucella canis also poses a significant public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Humans may develop a serious liver impairment or arthritis.

Medical advancements in controlling this disease have been few and far between. Contrary to some opinions, it is a very difficult disorder to treat, and in most cases, treatment is unsuccessful. A prevalent attitude among many people is that "if my dogs get it, then I will treat it." This is a serious mistake because you probably will not cure it, and if you do, the individual will probably be sterile or be a poor breeding specimen.

Transmission of Brucella canis

B. canis is sexually transmitted by the mating of infected males and females. Brucella canis in the female dog will live in the vaginal and uterine tissue and secretions for years, and except in rare cases, for life. The infected female usually appears healthy with no signs of disease or indication that she is a 'carrier' or harborer of the organisms. She can spread the bacteria to other animals through her urine, aborted fetuses, or most commonly through the act of breeding. Once pregnant, the bacteria will also infect the developing fetuses causing illness.

In males, the Brucella bacteria live in the testicles and seminal fluids. An infected male is just as dangerous as the female as he can spread the Brucella bacteria via his urine or semen. Oftentimes, there are no signs except in advanced cases when the testicles may be uneven in size.

Litters are commonly aborted, usually in the last two weeks of gestation, or the puppies may die shortly after birth. If a pregnant dog aborts after 45 days of gestation, you should be highly suspicious of brucellosis. Usually, the fetuses are partially decayed and accompanied by a gray to green vaginal discharge. This discharge can have very high numbers of Brucella canis. If embryos die early, they may be reabsorbed and the female may never appear to be pregnant at all.

What are the risks?

The risks are great. Since the Brucella canis organisms are transmissible to humans, it is best to avoid all contact with the dead fetuses and their associated vaginal discharge. The infected mother will likely be unable to sustain a pregnancy in the future. Furthermore, she would likely transmit the disease to any male which breeds her causing fertility problems in him as well.

Testing

Testing for Brucellosis usually requires a blood test by your veterinarian and all positives should be retested for a confirmation. Since Brucella canis is mainly spread by the act of breeding, it is paramount to test all canines, male and female, prior to breeding. Test between every breeding of different animals. In other words, if a male (or female) was tested one year ago but has bred since, he must be tested again. In the case of a male, if he serviced a female since his last test, then he must be tested again even if his last test was as recent as four weeks ago. Testing is the only sure way to detect carriers.

In cases of abortion, the bacteria may be isolated from the aborted fetuses. Blood tests can also be performed on the mother's blood to help confirm a positive diagnosis of Brucellosis.

Prevention

When possible, all incoming breeding dogs should be isolated for two weeks upon arrival at the kennel. At the end of two weeks, have the individual (male or female) tested by your veterinarian for brucellosis. Do this even if the dog was tested before shipment. This may seem excessive, but you will spend a lot more money if Brucellosis creeps into your kennel, not to mention the disruption in your breeding program and loss of genetic potential.

Artificial Insemination (AI) can lessen the risk of Brucella transfer at breeding. While rare, transmission of Brucella canis to a bitch can occur during AI, especially if infected semen is used. However, AI will protect an infected female from transferring it to a noninfected male.

All positive males and females should not be bred. Surgical spaying or neutering of these individuals is recommended. Various blood tests are available to screen breeding dogs (male and female) and identify those who are infected (carriers). All individuals used for breeding should be routinely tested prior to breeding.

Treatment

There is no reliable treatment for Brucellosis. Brucella canis lives inside of the dog's cells so it is difficult to reach the bacteria with antibiotics. Any attempt at treatment would require the use of multiple types of antibiotics. Various antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, and dihydrostreptomycin have been partially effective at causing a temporary reduction in the bacterial organisms after several weeks of treatment. A complete cure is unlikely. It is recommended that infected animals be castrated or spayed.

As a rule, do not breed your dog with an individual that is said to be treated and cured. (Unless of course it is the last of its breed and even that would be questionable.) 'Cured' patients often begin shedding the bacteria months to years after treatments... Do not knowingly take a chance.

Human health hazards

People can become infected with Brucella canis. People should avoid contact with dead fetuses or the discharge from aborting dogs. Transmission has also occurred from contact with secretions from male dogs.

In conclusion, test and isolate. Do not rely on an uncertain cure. If you do not heed these suggestions, then you are playing with fire in your kennel and perhaps with your own health. Remember, statistically one out of ten dogs may be carriers and those are very disturbing odds.

Copyright © 1997-2011, Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reprinted from PetEducation.com.

Matchmaker-Matchmaker.....

So here we go.  A whole new adventure. 

Breeding Bailey to Sophie.

 Sophie is a sweet, well-bred 3 1/2-year-old Vizsla.  

Her cute little sister Rose is just 2 years old.  She'll have to wait.

 

I have learned so much about the world of breeding over the last 4 months.  There is so much to this matchmaking.

Stay tuned.