Shepherd Sight

Good news at the vet for Roz

**Dr. Miller was busy and we had to wait a long time. I love that Roz relaxes in a new place.**

Roz went to see Dr. Miller today at Crossroads West Veterinary Center. I took her in because she had a tiny umbilical hernia, which I thought might need to be repaired. She also has a weird lump on her right rear leg. Not positive what it is, but it looks like a dew claw that did not develop properly.

Dr Miller said Roz’s hernia isn’t really a hernia at all because it has closed on its own, even though a tiny piece of fat is caught in it. He said if she were ever to be spayed or have a c-section, it could be repaired, but he wouldn’t just do that by itself. He also said breeding her should be fine, and her abdominal wall is strong.

“Yes, but, she has this lump on her leg…. and should we do both at the same time?,” says I. This is the big question. However, the lump does not bother Roz at all. It is noticeable, though, or is it? Would an AKC judge notice it? Maybe I really notice it….?

**As you can see, it is a little too high up for a typical rear dew claw.**

**Here it is compared** **to the normal** **leg.**

Dr. Miller took the attitude of wait and see. A conservative viewpoint: do nothing unless it is needed. Yay!

I really hated the idea of putting Roz through surgery, so, although we might proceed in the future, I don’t have to worry about it now.

As you can see, Roz has her ears taped again. She is such a good sport about it.

Out and about

At 6 months of age, Roz and Daphne go out into the community frequently to maintain their good social skills.

**Roz went with me to Home Depot. The flag isn’t really sticking out of my head.**

**Kevin has been going to VKC dog classes with me and taking Roz or Daphne in the ring. Here he is with Daphne looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.**

The Virginia Kennel Club (of which I am a member) has conformation handling classes on Wednesday evenings at the Zoom Room in Short Pump. For more info, go to: https://m.facebook.com/Virginiakennelclub/ or https://thevirginiakennelclub.com/

Six month birthdays for 5 GSD puppies

See See’s puppies– The Frasier Litter –were born on 1/11/24. There were 3 boys and 2 girls. I kept the two girls. Here are current pics and videos for your enjoyment.

Güenther (formerly Frasier) and Zero (formerly Niles) playing on Güenther’s turf

Duke (formerly Martin) playing with his Lab pal, Magic

Roz and Daphne playing, always to a truce. May they always get along so well!

**Güenther celebrating his 6 month birthday**

**Duke’s ears look great here, after a few days of tape**

**Zero on one of his very nice doggie** **beds**

**Roz’s ears look almost perfect here**. **Her face is quite muddy though**

**But here, Roz’s ears have a definite crinkle. Truth is, they actually flop sometimes. I gotta tape again!**

**Daphne with her perfect** **ears** **and dirty face**

**Is this an expressionist painting or a very dirty dog?**

Can you tell how much I love these sweet puppies?

Recent wins for Daphne Moon Out of Sight and GCh. Clydesdale Out of Sight

Here are the professional win pics from the last two weekends. As previously posted, Daphne, in the 4-6m category, got Best of Breed and First in Herding Group at the first Doswell shows on two of the four days. And Best of Breed and Group Placements the other two days of the four-day event.

**Daphne Moon Out of Sight with AKC Judge Cindy C. Lane**

Clyde was entered in the second set of shows, last weekend. He got Best of Opposite Sex on two days, and Select on the other two days of the 4 day event.

**GCh. Clydesdale Out of Sight with AKC Judge Leigh Ann Yandle**

My friend Lexi Showalter took this nice pic of Clyde going on the diagonal, “down and back,” from ringside:

Sideview of Clyde, going “down and back”

On the “down and back” dogs are judged on their movement from the front and back, checking for gait anomalies. In this pic, the judge is standing at the end of the mat as we are “coming back”, in front of us, watching Clyde’s front feet and legs, making sure there’s no “paddling”, throwing out of elbows, turning in or out of toes, or crossing. Basically, they are looking for “clean” movement.

When the dog is “going away” from the judge, the judge is looking for cow hocks, wide stance, wobble, or toeing in or out of the rear legs. I’m proud to say that Clyde is a very clean mover, both “coming” and “going.”

The boys, and the boys’ ears

At almost 6 months, the boys from See See’s litter: Frasier, Niles, and Martin (different names now) have all adjusted well into their new homes. I could not be more pleased with the love and care they are getting.

The only bad thing is ears. (Roz’s are still in and out of tape too) I’m going to have to retape Niles’, and he is due to come for taping next weekend. From the pics I just got of Martin, I’m thinking I need to do his too. Frasier’s look good, although they are leaning in, which usually corrects itself. See for yourself!

**Niles, now Zero, enjoying surround sound**

**Zero at work with his owner, taking a nap**

**Martin, now Duke, trotting in his perfectly grassy yard**

**Frasier, now Guenther, chilling at home**

Daphne continued her wins on Saturday and Sunday! And a small victory for See See.

Daphne did great on Saturday, taking Best of Breed and getting third in the Puppy Herding Group! On Sunday, she got Best of Breed and first in the Puppy Herding Group! My friend Kevin Brown took some great pictures that shows her in the ring looking her best.

**This could have been a better stack.**

**This is nice extension on the flying** trot, especially for a young puppy.

**I love her confidence, even at her first dog show.**

Keep in mind this was a puppy competition for 4 to 6 month old puppies, so even though I’m really proud, this doesn’t count for points towards an AKC championship like what her mama See See is going for. It’s mostly for practice and to get them used to the idea of being at a show with all the new sights and sounds.

See See finally won on Sunday, but it was not a big enough win for her to get her championship. But hey, a win is a win! See See, along with her brother, Clyde, is entered next week at another even smaller show, with only a slim chance of getting that elusive big win. She is still recovering from having puppies and getting back in shape, and she’s also in heat.

**This is SeeSee lying in my bedroom on cardboard.**

By the way, this is a great hack for dealing with a dog in heat. Sometimes, there is quite a bit of blood, and it lasts for at least a couple of weeks. Rather than confining/crating a female dog that’s used to being in the house all the time, just put cardboard down to protect your floors and carpet. After her cycle is finished, you can throw away the cardboard, and you have saved yourself a lot of cleanup. I hold on to my boxes and break them down for this purpose.

Daphne is a Star!

Daphne did better than her mom! See See is still getting back in shape from having puppies, so she did not win today or yesterday. But Daphne got 2nd place in 4-6 month Puppy Herding Group yesterday and 1st place today! We still have two more chances this weekend. Thank you Vera, for taking this ringside pic!

Roz’s ears

My observations and thoughts: One up, one down. Both up. Both down. Only up when physically active. Down right now. Let’s tape. She’s 5 months old! Time to get serious about this.

Roz on left. Daphne’s ears look great!

Thank you Kevin, for helping hold and doing the heavy lifting!

Niles found a home!

Emmanuel has been wanting a German Shepherd since college, and today, which happens to be his birthday (!), he gifted himself Niles. He visited earlier this week and decided he really liked Niles, but had to prepare his home, buy a crate, get food, etc. I am so happy he found such a good home. Emmanuel is a runner and will exercise Niles a lot. He also has a dear friend who is very dog savvy who can help him with his first dog.

**Niles just before he left, still in my backyard**

**Emmanuel brought his girlfriend Tiffany to help manage Niles in the car.**

It was very hard to say goodbye to Niles. He is such a good boy. He didn’t want to go, but that’s only because he didn’t realize how much special attention and love he was going to get. I’m sure I’ll get to see him again someday. He’s going to be living near his brother in Northern Virginia, and they will be getting together for play dates.