Making Genetics better
Many breeds of dogs have a high frequency of the RD mutant alleles. Unless the RD mutant alleles are eliminated from breeding populations, end stage kidney failure in canines will continue to plague the future generations of dogs. Countless adult dogs will have their lives needlessly shortened. For breeds with a high frequency of a mutant RD mutations: 1. My dog is a clear. Examine this dogs good and bad traits. Can he/she be bred to a carrier in your kennel that can complement their traits? Yes. At this time, many breeds with RD have an very high frequency of the mutation, and in order to protect the gene pool, this type of breeding is necessary. You keep the clear puppy from this cross that has the traits from both parents that you were hoping to get. 2. My dog is a carrier. Ideally, this animal should be bred to a clear with traits that would complement this animal. - Clear progeny from this cross can be kept for future breeding. There is a 50% chance in this case of producing a clear in the first generation. If no other options exist, this animal can be bred to another carrier. In this case, your chances of producing a clear for your next generation are 25%. Likewise, there is a 25% chance that a animal that is homozygous for the mutant allele will be produced from this breeding. 3. My dog is homozygous for mutant alleles, but otherwise is sound in body and temperament, and brings positive traits to the breed. This is a two-step breeding to get a clear. This dog should be bred to a clear, if possible. All of the puppies in the first generation will be carriers. No need to DNA test at this point. A carrier puppy from the first generation of breeding can now be used in the second generation to produce clears as in example 2. DOWN THE ROAD, your ultimate goal is to breed clear to clear so that you have eliminated RD from your kennel without having to compromise the gene pool.
The above information is how we handle all anomalies that come up in a breeding program. We breed those who are affected or carrier to a collie who is clear. This gives us clear to move forward with and makes our lines stronger with each item we clear.
Thanks for following, Suzi & Marc All information for this was obtained from www.dogenes.com
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Renal Dysplasia"In loving memory of Key & Darby"
Even though this throws another consideration into the playbook here, we feel confident at the end of the day that we are raising the bar and preventing one more disorder from affecting the generations of Collie puppies to come.
This is so exciting to us! It just heightens our passion and drive to make the breed stronger. We also got back our first 7 DMS testing results and these were all "low risk" and 2 carried the little "c's" which is very exciting. Thank you for following us, Suzi, Marc & Family This is a MUST READ for any breed you are thinking about purchasing. You buy the less expensive puppy you will pay more in the long run with vet visits because of potential serious health issues. POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the puppy? BREEDER: $1,400+ dollars. POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!! BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price? POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than $500. You breeders are so overpriced. BREEDER: I am sorry you see it this way; why don't you try it yourself? POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it! BREEDER: For FREE, I can teach you how to do it, and you will also have the knowledge of how to do it again. POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you! BREEDER: To start, you will need a female (average cost $2000 and up) and a male (average cost $2000 and up) or semen (average $1500-$2000 and up). You will need to do & pass OFA Breed specific health testing on them, which averages about $400+ per dog. Let's not forget progesterone testingv, inseminations, ultrasounds, x-rays, semen collections, semen analysis, potentially semen overnight shipping, and so on ($1000+). Raise and provide daily care, feeding & grooming for two years. (minimal $200 per month) Oh, don’t forget monthly prevention, annual vet visits, and any other additional vet visits. POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money... BREEDER: For $1000, you can raise a litter and then keep one of the puppies. Obviously, you will pay the cost of whelping & care. POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that. BREEDER: OK, so I have a female due to whelp in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 9-12 weeks to help with delivery and care. ( a million loads of laundry) Another 4-plus weeks to monitor mom and puppies. POTENTIAL OWNER: Twelve weeks?? It's way too much time for me! I have to work. BREEDER: Plus, You will need to be available for puppy families to call you 24/7 with a worry or concern, no matter the age. You MUST also be ready to take back the puppy/dog at any age if the family has an unforeseen emergency. BREEDER: You will also need the reproductive vet to do progesterone testing ($110/ test ), X-ray to get headcount ($50) & C-section ($1600+ if needed), and initial vet care on pups until old enough to be placed ($600+). Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, puppy pads, incubator, oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, heating lamp, whelping box, puppy pen, blankets, toys, bowls, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, puppy formula, medications & hand feeding supplies in case of emergency... POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things! BREEDER: For $5000+, you can buy them. POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just buy a puppy. BREEDER: Wise decision. ________________________________________________ For us as breeders, there are no vacations or holidays; while you go to visit with family & friends, we are home at our dogs' side caring for them. It is a no-break commitment. THIS IS THE REALITY When you choose a reputable person, you aren’t only purchasing the puppy but also knowledge, support, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc... **Plus the cost of lifetime support to the puppy owners… These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, (best-case scenario!!!) As a reputable breeder who takes on this journey full-time! Very well said… *Copied, Edited, and Shared with you all. Thank you to another breeder* Laparoscopy Spay VS Regular SpayHello all!
This morning I wanted to share our experiences with spay surgeries. Until recently, we only had the option of Traditional spay and although these have always gone well, with no complications. Recovery time has always been about 2 weeks limiting activity so they healed safely with no issues. When I asked about an appointment for a female last week, I was asked my preference on type of surgery, laparoscopic or traditional. I jumped at the chance to do laparoscopic! This was so exciting. And I wasn't disappointed either. On Wednesday we arrived early in the morning for drop off, and spoke to the nurse about their surgery medications protocols. They happened to be using Acepromazine so we asked to change the protocols and they did. At 2:30pm we picked her up and she bounced out to us! That was a first! She came home and we checked her tummy. She has two very small incisions about 1/2' each, and they stated she would only need a couple days to recover. Wow! Once getting home we offered her a meal at supper time and she refused it. So in the morning we offered her another meal and this time she gobbled it up. She hasn't needed anything for pain medication wise, and has been bouncy since right after! We couldn't be more pleased and Ellie went there today for her Lap Spay. I've shared an article below that compares the two types of spay for your viewing. Enjoy! Suzi & Marc Traditional Spay In a traditional spay, incision size actually varies. The wound on your dog does vary and that depends on what type of surgery your dog is undergoing. It depends on the size and body condition of your dog. If your dog is thin, they'll need a smaller incision. If they are fat and overweight, we will often need to make a larger incision because there is so much fat in the way. As a surgeon, I need to see what I’m doing and handle the tissue appropriately. REMOVING THE OVARIES AND UTERUS The ovaries and uterus are then clamped off and suture material ligature is used to close off the blood supply so that we prevent any bleeding. We remove the likelihood of any bleeding before we make our cut to remove the ovaries and the uterus (is a full ovariohysterectomy is being performed). Laparoscopic Spay Surgery Let's compare this traditional technique to a laparoscopic spay. Laparoscopic surgery is known as minimally invasive, or keyhole surgery. It involves one to three small half-inch incisions being made into the body wall that then go into the abdomen. The exact technique is again going to depend on the technique and the preference of the veterinary surgeon. Carbon dioxide is then used to inflate the abdomen. This helps separate all of the organs for visualization with a camera. The camera and the instruments are passed through those small incision ports, and the surgery is carried out without the surgeon’s hands entering the abdomen. A screen is used by the surgeon to perform the surgery, the camera is connected to a television screen. Rather than suture material being used to block the blood vessels, electrocautery is used to seal them which prevents blooding once the ovaries are removed. Benefits of a Laparoscopic Spay
SMALLER INCISIONYour dog is going to have a smaller incision. It’s not called keyhole spay for nothing! In a traditional spay, they have a three-inch incision compared to one-three much smaller incisions. LESS PAINFULDogs have been shown to feel up to 65% less pain after laparoscopy than they would feel after traditional spay surgery. They will have a faster recovery because they are more comfortable. LOWER COMPLICATION RATEThere is also a lower complication rate with laparoscopic spay compared to routine spay surgery. In one study, there was a complication rate of around 20% with laparoscopy. This compared to 40% of dogs suffering complications with a traditional spay. That being said, complications were mainly inflammation alone, which required no further treatment. FASTER RECOVERY TIMEA smaller incision, less pain and lower chance of complications all add up to a dog recovering from their spay surgery faster if it performed laparoscopically. A traditional spay requires a post-operative rest and recovery period of 10-14 days. With a laparoscopic spay, this is reduced to a rest period of only 5 days before normal activity levels can resume. Laparoscopic Spay Drawbacks What are the downsides of a laparoscopic spay compared to a traditional spay in dogs? MORE EXPENSIVEFirst off, these surgeries are more expensive, and understandably so. The training that needs to take place before this surgery can be performed is quite extensive. Most general practitioner veterinarians won't be familiar with laparoscopic equipment before they start performing laparoscopic spays and so the learning curve can be high. Also, the equipment that we need for this advanced surgical technique is much more expensive than with a traditional spay. Traditional spay uses very simple hand instruments, but laparoscopic spays require a more complicated, expensive setup. CONVERSION TO TRADITIONAL SPAYINGIf we do get a problem during surgery, your surgeon is going to need to convert to a traditional, open spay. You can't deal with any bleeding or other more serious complications with laparoscopic equipment alone. You need to open up the abdomen traditionally, using your hands and instruments to find and then fix the problem. UTERINE PATHOLOGYLaparoscopic spay cannot be carried out if there is a uterine infection or any other uterine pathology present. Remember that only the ovaries are removed in a keyhole spay. If there is a cancer of the uterus, or any other problem, then a laparoscopic spay procedure is not going to be the best option for your dog. This is not likely to be a problem in a young dog, but if you have an older dog there is an argument that a traditional approach is going to be best, given the potential for an unknown problem with the uterus being found. Spay Surgery Complications
INFECTION Minor surgical site infections are not common but are the next most frequently experienced complication. There is a slightly increased risk of infection in a traditional spay along with a slight delay in wound healing. In general though, very few of these infections need any major treatment apart from a course of antibiotics. INTESTINAL UPSET Other complications that are frequently seen, and are the same with both surgical techniques, are diarrhea and vomiting. These are likely due to the anesthetic and the pain medication given, rather than the specific surgical technique performed. BLEEDING This is the most severe complication risk. Spaying a dog involves cutting some really big blood vessels. If they have not been securely blocked the severe bleeding can happen, and this can even be life-threatening. The risk is slightly higher with a traditional spay. If the suture material ligature is not tied tightly enough, or the knot is not tied securely, then it has the potential to slip. The result of this can be rapid blood loss into the abdomen, With laparoscopic spay technique, electricity is used to effectively seal the blood vessel. There is no potential for slippage, and so long as the appropriate technique is used, and there is no equipment failure, the risk of bleeding is minimal. Thankfully, this severe complication is very rare regardless of the technique used. It is a very uncommon risk with a traditional spay, but there is a slightly higher risk nonetheless. LAPAROSCOPY IS (MARGINALLY) SAFER Overall, there are benefits of a laparoscopic spay compared to a traditional spay in dogs when it comes to the risk of complications. But it's important to remember that safety is very high in both procedures. The likelihood of side-effects varies just as much with surgeon experience as it does by the actual technique performed. When Is Traditional Spay Better than Laparoscopic Spay TOO OLD While there is no upper age for keyhole spay set in stone, age does play a role when it comes to deciding which surgical technique is right for your dog. The reason for this is that the older a dog is, the higher the likelihood that there are some abnormalities within the body of the uterus. Leaving these in the body could make it much more likely that your dog will suffer from a significant disease of their uterus later on in life. Remember that in a laparoscopic spay only the ovaries are removed. One compromise, if you have your heart set on a keyhole spay, is to understand that your vet may need to convert to a traditional spay during your dog’s surgery. This will however also mean a longer anesthetic and procedure time for your dog. Similarly, if your dog is known to have an existing disease of their uterus, for example pyometra, then it is a traditional ovariohysterectomy that they need. Even though laparoscopic spay may not be the right option, there are still definite benefits of spaying an older dog. TOO SMALL Laparoscopy is more challenging in small dogs, and for those under about 12 pounds (5kg) it is likely that a traditional spay is going to be their best option. The reason for this is that, not only will the incision be much the same size, there is simply not enough room in their tiny abdomen for all the laparoscopic spay equipment to fit! There is smaller equipment available, but this will not be available to the majority of veterinarians. TOO FAT While a laparoscopic spay may actually be safer for the majority of dogs compared to a traditional surgical approach, for dogs that are truly obese, many surgeons will prefer an open approach to allow full visualization of the ovarian pedicle and blood vessels that need to be ligated. For those dogs that fall into this category, a pre-surgical weight loss program is still going to be beneficial to reduce the surgery risk as well as improving long-term health. And it is vital for all dogs that diet is adjusted to focus on healthy weight maintenance following surgery, with energy requirements falling by up to 25%. Superior TechniqueA laparoscopic spay is the superior technique for the majority of female dogs. That said, even with the standard, traditional approach, our dogs are still pretty comfortable and are back up and running very quickly after surgery. Especially considering how major the surgery is. In fact, keeping your dog quiet after surgery might be your biggest challenge! If laparoscopy is not available in your area, or if the cost is too high, then you should have no qualms at all about having your dog spayed traditionally. This is a technique that is performed in veterinary practice daily, and so a procedure that your veterinarian is going to be very comfortable performing. Laparoscopy will become more common in time, but there will always be a place for the traditional approach. SPAY TIMING Technique is only one important consideration when it comes to spaying a female dog. Spaying your dog at the right age is really important to optimize their future health and reduce the risk of long-term complications. All info shared from: https://ourpetshealth.com/info/dog-laparoscopic-spay Is your collie too heavy for you to carry?Hello all! I have heard so many times that some have chosen a smaller breed dog due to the size of the Collies. Their statements include, "What if he gets hurt? I wouldn't be able to carry him to the car?" For myself, I can relate that I don't have the strength to pick some of them up anymore. A few years ago I got a grooming table that is hydraulic because getting them up on table to groom was so difficult. This has been a lifesaver for me. (link below for a table like mine) So, back to having to lift them in a pinch if injured or other need arises. I found a stretcher with wheels that fits in an entry closet for easy access, and I can roll them onto this and get them to the car! I love it! A solution finally. I was even thinking that this would assist with a human also if need be to get their torso lifted and supported and get them to the car. What a great invention!! So I had to share these things. I'll be 59 June 30th, and lifting them just isn't a good thing for my back. And to the young ones... take care of your back now and it'll take care of you later. hehe Here are the two things and links that I got... Stretcher - www.pinterest.com/pin/491033165635969903/ Grooming Table - www.pinterest.com/pin/491033165635970000/ Hope this helps some of you like it did us! Suzi SOME EXCITING CHANGES...
She loves them as much as we do. Please welcome Joan Romo. She is being added as Admin to our groups and page so she will be here. She has bred for many years and entered the collie world a few years back. She is a Equine Riding Instructor and Mentor, and 4-H leader. She attends showmanship classes, and is just a wonderful friend and amazing lady. Joan will be taking our breeding females who have been back and forth between us for this past few years and continuing our program. We will be on the sidelines to help all we can as well. Wind Whispers will continue through her until we return, and we trust her fully. Even when we return, we hope to continue this wonderful working relationship with Joan and her husband Pat. They are family to us. Joan will be available if you have questions. The location of litters until our return will be Kalispell, Montana. We have discussed and planned some wonderful litters to come that you will all be so excited to see when they arrive.
Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayer and the time will fly by quickly as it always does. Much love to you all,' Marc, Suzi, Brittany, Lilli, Andrew, and our Collie family PS Any questions can be through phone call or text Suzi Newman - (406) 564-7260 Great prospect for Sporting!
Roxie - Wind Whispers Rox & Rolls |
There are 2 Smooth Boys available to reserve. Careful consideration will be given to reducing the amount that these normally sell for so they go to the right homes and get settled in with their new families. The two smooth boys have wonderful personalities, and temperaments. They will make amazing companions and family members. They are out of Nox and Neve. Both parents are fully health tested and just the salt of the earth in dispositions. Plus with the smooth coats you'll not have knots or as much coat to care for. They're very low maintenance. Just a quick brush once a day and they'll look beautiful always. Both boys are Sable color with white collars. They were born 9-19-2022 so they are 4 months of age. They'll never get CEA, PRA, CN, HUU, VWDII, DM, and are MDR1 clear or carrier. Please contact us for more information. |
Time to Shake, Rattle, and Roll!
Note: This blog applies ONLY to us. We do not judge or belittle anyone. We are always mindful about what goals we need to improve our own breeding program.
A lot of forethought is so important when choosing two dogs to breed. There is no perfect dog, so we have to learn to be our dogs best critic, carefully recognizing their flaws and looking at what they excel at, and work towards improving their offspring, while always working towards our Breed Standard. |
On occasion, since we do work to clean some lines, we have a dog who is CEA affected. We firmly believe all lines are important to the Collie breed. So we match this CEA affected dog to a CEA clear mate. All of the puppies will then be carrier of 1 copy and not 2 copies of the gene. In order to be CEA affected, a dog must have 2 copies of the gene. Thus the offspring of this match would never have to worry about being CEA affected. This makes sense to us, to our veterinarian's, and when used in conjunction with considering all other things has made us feel like we are making a difference for the Collie breed.
Our ability to improve our program comes with each new test available to us, and also by recognizing a puppy who stands out from the rest, and keeping this puppy to watch grow.
We will be adding testing in 2023 that we feel will greatly improve our confidence in doing our due diligence for you and our dogs.
We will be adding the following procedures/testing to our program:
- DMS Testing
- OFA Hips/Elbows
- Cardiac EKG
- Thyroid
- Kidney Dysplasia
As we have strived for in this past decade, we will continue to work at our contribution to improving the Collie breed. Nothing is ever 100% and things still happen in breeding animals of any species that we cannot predict or determine ahead of time, but we will continue to work at growing and working harder to bring you the best we can! We will rise to the challenge of changes to make things better. Thank you for following us, and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask,
Marc & Suzi Newman |
AuthorHi - We are dedicated to you and the Collie breed. We believe we can always learning new things and when we do we grow. apply new things we learn, and adapt to better serve you and our beautiful Collies. We raise some amazing Collies, and they are our family and first loves! If you have questions, please write us and ask. That's what we are here for. |
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