Creekside Puppy Blog: September 2008

I would like to clarify AGAIN that this is not something we would ever normally do. We are not in this to make money, if we were, our own Kap would be used and Tap would be bred a lot more than 3 times in her life!

However, to opportunity to bring this new pedigree and talent to North America is an opportunity that I doubt anyone with a fit, healthy, working Border Collie would pass up, if they were in my shoes! Believe me the decision was NOT easy, as I do not picture Tap as simply a brood bitch.

Tap will still only have only 2 more litters in her lifetime -and the next one, if sufficient interest and she is healthy will be in 2010 as planned, when Tap is 6 years old. After that she will be spayed.

Just some food for thought...

While there are, of course, many conflicting opinions, many breeders and veterinarians feel it is more healthy for the bitch to have two litters back to back litter. Dr. Billinghurst is definitely one of them, although the "barefoot and pregnant" theme is a bit much for us!

Dr. Hutchinson, one of the top canine reproduction specialists in the country, states unless there is a health concern*, it is advisable NOT to skip heats between breedings. He also states that a pregnant uterus is healthier than a non-pregnant one in dogs. It has to do with how the progesterone affects the dog's uterus.

Here's a copy of the transcripts from a chat session with Dr. Hutchinson: http://www.doghobbyist.com/CanineRepro.html and a quote from the above transcript:

"Question: I have been told that back to back breedings are actually safe for a bitch. What are your feelings on this and if you agree at what age do you feel the first breeding is best planned?

DrHutch: I normally suggest the first breeding after 2 years of age because that is when the health clearances are...this varies by breed...because the bitch is unique in that their heat cycle is progesterone driven...the progesterone in a non-pregnant bitch lasts just as long as in a pregnant bitch...there is NO ADVANTAGE to skipping a cycle in a bitch...and a uterus is probably healthier in a pregnant bitch than in a non-pregnant bitch"

So, call us unethical or call us smart. It is done and we are hoping for a nice healthy, good sized litter at the end of November - a perfect time for puppy raising - no travel, no trials...And Tap will be in tip top shape ready for early spring training and trials!

Not so good for the Nursery class though - sorry folks!

*Note on Tap's positive Anaplasmosis Snap 4DX test this spring: She was ill, but both my vet and I believe it was the Doxy that made her ill (and she was not as ill as poor Blaze) rather than the actual TBD...She was asymptomatic for Anaplasmosis at the time of treatment, but the belief by most vets with experience with TBD is to treat all positives. What I have found out since from my vet (who consulted with the folks at IDEX, is that there are 2 types of anaplasmosis - one that is harmless and one that isn't, but the Snap 4DX does NOT differentiate between the two. At any rate, her bloodwork was NORMAL just prior to taking her to Wales and she was running like her old self again.

...But couldn't pass up the opportunity to breed Tap to Kevin Evans' 2008 International Supreme Champion, Mirk while in Wales for the World Trial. We would not normally breed back to back heat cycles, but Tap is young and fit and this is a tremendous opportunity to bring in this dog's pedigree to North American soil.

The scoop on Mirk:

We watched him at both the International in Abergele, North Wales and at the World Trial in South Wales. We also met him and watched him work a bit at his home farm. He has a very nice temperament, is well put together and has good power and loads of style on his sheep. He is biddable yet also looks stronger than Tap, which hopefully will compliment her! Finally, I may get another smooth coat, pricked eared pup! He is NOT hip scored, though. They don't seem to do hip radiographs over there. If you saw the hills these dogs have to work, then you'd see that an unfit dog or a dog with bad hips would not last 2 seconds.

Here's what I mean...