(no subject)
I emailed Tabby the other day about breeding. I've been thinking really hard lately - especially with Shila in heat right now - about whether to keep her and Ri intact or not. Since she has Ri's sibs and she knows Shila and I feel comfortable talking to her I asked her advice and this was her reply.
As far as breeding, it depends on what you want. I wouldn't hesitate to breed Orion...he has a beautiful build and if his drive is anything like his littermates, and I am sure it is, he is of breeding quality for sure.
For my personal preferences, I would be hesitant to breed Shila becuase of her size simply because * I * tend to like larger dogs. Shila is a great sleddog and built well and her smaller stature maybe your cup of tea. So my choice was not keep her for future breeding in MY kennel, but that doesn't mean I think that has to be the next persons preference. Some people don't like a whole kennel of large Orions because they are a lot of work to get in and out of boxes when traveling, they are strong, and they physically straining to maintain several of them! For instance, Taylor like a few big dogs in her team, but she really prefers the smaller females that are easier to handle because we run such large teams it is freaking exhausting just to hook up all those big males.
I do think you have a high chance of getting 1 or 2 pups that will be her size and I wouldn't expect her to have more than 4 pups. So if you did decide to breed them, just be mindful of proper homes for any puppies you don't keep. MOST pet homes are not appropriate, but once in a while a great one comes along!
I may be still "new" to everything but even I agree that Ri is just... absolutely gorgeous. He's just a beautiful dog build wise, he's got great extension and after skijoring with him some I know he's got drive and will dig in to go. The older he gets, the more I am glad I put off getting him neutered.
Shi on the other hand is my "problem" child right now. As I told Tabby, there's not many qualities about her I don't like; even the fact she's small is good in its own way, even though she has to work harder to keep up with Ri. But when she's with him, she does go and she's a bit more focused than he is. I do like her devotion too; to me it's her best quality. And as I also told Tabby, I'm looking to possibly get her as a Therapy Dog where she does the hospital and seniors home visits.
The big problem with her is her size and how that might affect her pregnancy if she did get bred. The male would be bigger, which might make for bigger pups than she can handle I would think. As well - and I agree with Tabby - she would probably not whelp a large litter anyway (not that I'd want one). So I really need to think is the risk to her worth breeding her; is she THAT great to take the risk. Right now it's leaning towards no.
That said, there's nothing saying I won't change my mind. Or, that waiting for a bit - leaving me time to save money - will be bad because I may get a chance for a pup or older female that might be just what I'm looking for, either for myself or in someone elses kennel.
(And Tabby wrote back to say she shouldn't have problems with birthing pups and the size of the male shouldn't be that bad; as she said it's not like I'm breeding a St. Bernard to a Dachshund (wow the images with that were funny though!))
So right now, I'm waiting until winter's over to make my decision; until then it's steady as she goes. Going to start retraining sledding commands with Ri and Shi so when we get snow again to replace what our Jan-Thaw took away, Ri will hopefully know gee, haw, and the most important one, Woah! XD
As far as breeding, it depends on what you want. I wouldn't hesitate to breed Orion...he has a beautiful build and if his drive is anything like his littermates, and I am sure it is, he is of breeding quality for sure.
For my personal preferences, I would be hesitant to breed Shila becuase of her size simply because * I * tend to like larger dogs. Shila is a great sleddog and built well and her smaller stature maybe your cup of tea. So my choice was not keep her for future breeding in MY kennel, but that doesn't mean I think that has to be the next persons preference. Some people don't like a whole kennel of large Orions because they are a lot of work to get in and out of boxes when traveling, they are strong, and they physically straining to maintain several of them! For instance, Taylor like a few big dogs in her team, but she really prefers the smaller females that are easier to handle because we run such large teams it is freaking exhausting just to hook up all those big males.
I do think you have a high chance of getting 1 or 2 pups that will be her size and I wouldn't expect her to have more than 4 pups. So if you did decide to breed them, just be mindful of proper homes for any puppies you don't keep. MOST pet homes are not appropriate, but once in a while a great one comes along!
I may be still "new" to everything but even I agree that Ri is just... absolutely gorgeous. He's just a beautiful dog build wise, he's got great extension and after skijoring with him some I know he's got drive and will dig in to go. The older he gets, the more I am glad I put off getting him neutered.
Shi on the other hand is my "problem" child right now. As I told Tabby, there's not many qualities about her I don't like; even the fact she's small is good in its own way, even though she has to work harder to keep up with Ri. But when she's with him, she does go and she's a bit more focused than he is. I do like her devotion too; to me it's her best quality. And as I also told Tabby, I'm looking to possibly get her as a Therapy Dog where she does the hospital and seniors home visits.
The big problem with her is her size and how that might affect her pregnancy if she did get bred. The male would be bigger, which might make for bigger pups than she can handle I would think. As well - and I agree with Tabby - she would probably not whelp a large litter anyway (not that I'd want one). So I really need to think is the risk to her worth breeding her; is she THAT great to take the risk. Right now it's leaning towards no.
That said, there's nothing saying I won't change my mind. Or, that waiting for a bit - leaving me time to save money - will be bad because I may get a chance for a pup or older female that might be just what I'm looking for, either for myself or in someone elses kennel.
(And Tabby wrote back to say she shouldn't have problems with birthing pups and the size of the male shouldn't be that bad; as she said it's not like I'm breeding a St. Bernard to a Dachshund (wow the images with that were funny though!))
So right now, I'm waiting until winter's over to make my decision; until then it's steady as she goes. Going to start retraining sledding commands with Ri and Shi so when we get snow again to replace what our Jan-Thaw took away, Ri will hopefully know gee, haw, and the most important one, Woah! XD