Calling all breeders...

Off topic I know, but you only test for eyes? And if I'm reading correctly Blue Diamond Goldens has some questionable circumstances with their puppies. I noticed you said you were a hobby breeder also. I'm sorry, but it seems like you have a backyard breeding thing going on. If I'm wrong I'm sorry, but that's kind of what I'm seeing.

Can you correct me please?

The eyes are only listed on the site. The hips, elbows, cardiac, and thyroid have been sent to the OFA. I don't consider myself to be a backyard breeder. I will confess to breeding a litter prior to knowing about all the health clearances, which i would agree is more along the lines of backyard breeding. We all live and learn and make better choices from our mistakes. thanks for your concern though.

Ok thanks! Sorry I just get wary. I know a lot of breeders who actually start their puppies on kibble. There's two breeders here that have had to deal with it before you hopefully they'll chime in. I haven't raised a litter yet, but I would give first priority to those that would feed raw. I know a few breeders do that too and that's probably what I'm going to do.

Realistically, most people feed their dogs kibble/canned. I would be worried that their GI couldn't handle it if they were switched from raw to kibble. I don't think theres much of a point...

hund said:

Realistically, most people feed their dogs kibble/canned. I would be worried that their GI couldn't handle it if they were switched from raw to kibble. I don't think theres much of a point...

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Except, more people are educating themselves and doing research on what really is in kibble, so I wouldn't be surprised that if given the right/proper info more and more people would keep their pups on a raw diet.

hund said:

Realistically, most people feed their dogs kibble/canned. I would be worried that their GI couldn't handle it if they were switched from raw to kibble. I don't think theres much of a point...

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There's definitely a good reason. One Boxer breeder compared two of their litters. One was kibble fed and the other was raw fed. The raw fed ones were heathier looking, stronger, developed faster, had more bone, etc. They now feed all their dogs raw.

I'm talking about reality not wishful thinking. The general public doesnt even know how to choose a quality kibble muchless how to feed raw. If you were to feed raw from the time they were weaned I would discuss it with the prospective adopters and see what they would choose to feed or educate them on raw feeding.

If I ever bred a litter, I would require that the raw feeding be continued. I would be more than happy to educate them on how to do this properly as well as point them in the direction of some good websites.

We breed and pups are weaned onto raw. It may be because of the variety of proteins they receive they transition easily to high end kibble. Most of my pups go to raw feeding homes but I have 4 pups in homes being trained as service dogs and one is on Ziwi peak, two are on pre-made raw and one is on Origen. They have all done well. The vast majority of my pups go to raw feeding homes. Once people know where you stand you placing naturally reared pups is not difficult. We currently have awaiting list on our collies and all are raw feeding, naturally rearing homes. There is a thread in the Health issues and question page on weaning to raw. Hope that it can answer some questions.

Guys I must say , unless you only selling the pups to people who sign a contract to feed RAW or you know very well AND TRUST THEIR WORD......I really cant realisticly see the RAW continuing once they go home or at home for a while with new owner...Just Being Realistic here!!!...and definitely not every owner of every new pup.....AND i FEED RAW...((PMR, PRE MADE RAW AND HIGH QUALITY GRAIN FREE KIBBLE)

nupe said:

Guys I must say , unless you only selling the pups to people who sign a contract to feed RAW or you know very well AND TRUST THEIR WORD......I really cant realisticly see the RAW continuing once they go home or at home for a while with new owner...Just Being Realistic here!!!...and definitely not every owner of every new pup.....AND i FEED RAW...((PMR, PRE MADE RAW AND HIGH QUALITY GRAIN FREE KIBBLE)

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I would chose a raw feeding home (as in, that is what they feed currently/have fed with plans to continue feeding) over an identical home that feeds kibble. Personal preference. But no, you can never guarantee that they will continue to feed raw

What our pups are fed is included in their contract and several things will nullify the guarantee. I also give alternatives in certain circumstances as in the handicapped who have our pups but I also give guidelines of kibble, pre made, and dehydrated I feel are of excellent quality. We also have extensive conversation, and sharing before deciding on a home for a pup. There is risk but we try to do everything possible to mitigate that risk and be supportive of new owners.

understandable^^^^

Liz,
I've never looked at your website but I just did; oh those sheltie puppies! It took me back to when I picked out our Tucker. It was a hobby home, it was a spur of the moment purchase but outside of marrying my husband & having kids, he was the best thing I've ever done. Thanks for making me smile, now I'm really missing my boy though!

nupe said:

Guys I must say , unless you only selling the pups to people who sign a contract to feed RAW or you know very well AND TRUST THEIR WORD......I really cant realisticly see the RAW continuing once they go home or at home for a while with new owner...Just Being Realistic here!!!...and definitely not every owner of every new pup.....AND i FEED RAW...((PMR, PRE MADE RAW AND HIGH QUALITY GRAIN FREE KIBBLE)

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Exactly what Liz said. Plus, there are only a few breeders who see actually affiliated with the NBRA. If you search for a pup on there you really want a naturally reared pup and will raise it right and feed it raw.

SaharaNight Boxers said:

Exactly what Liz said. Plus, there are only a few breeders who see actually affiliated with the NBRA. If you search for a pup on there you really want a naturally reared pup and will raise it right and feed it raw.

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This. If someone goes though the trouble of looking for a raw fed, naturally reared pup they probably aren't going to turn around and feed it crap food.

Thank you. I get a little grief for not listing testing info but if and when we get beyond hello's someone who is getting a pup gets all health records for puppy and parents. We started many years ago with temperament, structure and intelligence. That they are lovely has always just been a perk. Since going to Natural rearing small behavioral things have changed and we now get both shelties and collies who are amazing service dogs and i am really focusing on that. My dogs love their people and live to serve and I am happy they can be off assistance. Again, that they are beautiful is just a perk.

RedneckCowgirl said:

If I ever bred a litter, I would require that the raw feeding be continued. I would be more than happy to educate them on how to do this properly as well as point them in the direction of some good websites.

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The problem lies in the fact that even if it's in a contract, you can't enforce and the new owners are going to do what they want with their dog. Personally, I'd honor my breeders wishes, or go with a different breeder, but not everyone is like that. I don't want our pups to have digestion issues because i'm banking on the new owners following PMR.

We have not had issues like I said but it also depends on how sensitive your dogs are in the tummy. Mine are pretty easy about food changes but if you have very sensitive dogs then you might want to wean to raw and the switch them to the kibble the new owner will be feeding a week or ten days before they go to a new home. If they have strong tummies I wouldn't worry as they will be used to a variety of proteins and should switch pretty easily.

For me I feel if I can't trust the people I place my puppy with to follow a natural protocol I won't be selling to them. We have had good success overall and like I said before have 11 naturally rearing homes lined up for collies. They have been waiting a long time.