Ok so I have a dilemma: this is the link for the two litters my breeder is going to have pups from this year: http://www.kennedysleddogs.com/plannedlitters.htm


My dilemma is this, time wise the first litter is favorable because the pups will be 8 weeks in October. My thinking is that this will give adequate time before the holidays to get settled. BUT I like the aesthetics of the kermit x arrow better. Those pups won't be able to go home until November, which is later than I would like. Am I being shallow about my future pups appearance lol?

Well, I think the Trigger x Roxanne breeding sounds better personality/temperment-wise if the descriptions are accurate. I wouldn't call it 'shallow' thinking about appearance, we all have preferences, but I wouldn't consider it a first priority when choosing a pup.

Have you met all the dogs listed? I would try to do that and see which ones you seem to have favorable temperment and personality for you and your situation.

That's why I initially liked the first because of triggers temperament too. Roxanne just has a different look about her I guess. I've seen previous litters she's had and most of them seem to resemble her. Obviously with trigger the pups will be different. He's never sired a litter before. Kermit's past pups are gorgeous! And arrow has never been bred before either. I haven't met the parents yet but I can do it any time she said.

I'd meet the parents first. See what you think of them. Since Roxanne has never bred with Trigger before, their pups may be different than her previous litters. They might not look like her at all if he's not carrying the piebald gene (and it doens't look like he is.) I'd feel more comfortable with an experienced bitch, only because you know that she has had successful litters before. Can't wait to see what you get!!

You're right. Rachel said she expects the litters to be mostly black and white or gray and white. Trigger is a gorgeous dog too. I can't wait, I want them to be here now!

“Kermit” x “Arrow” seem to me to be a better match, did any of you realize that roxanne is 7yrs old and for a female that is kind of old to be breeding, most stop a female at 5.

Is it the piebald coloring you don't like or is it something different about her appearance you don't like? Just curious because I'm pretty sure that genetically, it's unlikely there will be piebald pups. He could be a carrier, but its unlikely that all the pups will be piebald, even if he is a carrier. He has irish markings, which are dominant over piebald, so you won't know if he's a carrier until the pups are born. You're not being shallow to care about appearance, I think other things should take priority, but I wouldn't discount it entirely.

Quote :

did any of you realize that roxanne is 7yrs old and for a female that is kind of old to be breeding, most stop a female at 5.

I totally missed that part. I think I was distracted by her name lol. Then that would be worrisome. 

cinnamonbits wrote:

Quote :

did any of you realize that roxanne is 7yrs old and for a female that is kind of old to be breeding, most stop a female at 5.

I totally missed that part. I think I was distracted by her name lol. Then that would be worrisome. 

No I didn't even notice this! What are some the potential issues with her age?

Part of it is the piebald markings, but obviously you can tell the pups coats and markings easily enough. I think it's the fact that she seems a little... sharp(?) To me. Not soft n fluffy lol. If that makes any sense

i just know the best age is 2-5yrs old they have the same issues as us females, when we get older say past 35 our eggs can go bad and we have more issues with carrying a child, and birth. i just know when looking at breeder sites when they have females up for adoption they tend to be over 5 as that is when they stop breeding them, that is how we got Sierra. the fact this kennel only has 2 females it seems they just really have another option but to breed her. if she has been ok in the past with litters then its not really bad to breed her its just much harder on her body now.

Gotcha!

jbealer wrote:

“Kermit” x “Arrow” seem to me to be a better match, did any of you realize that roxanne is 7yrs old and for a female that is kind of old to be breeding, most stop a female at 5.

Just throwing this out there - Mechta's dam was 10 when she has Mectha's litter.  Both her dam and her had their first litters at age 8.

It mostly depends on the bitch and how she did through and came out of previous whelps. It also depends on the lines.

ccurran07 wrote:

BUT I like the aesthetics of the kermit x arrow better. Those pups won't be able to go home until November, which is later than I would like. Am I being shallow about my future pups appearance lol?

I think waiting for what you want is not shallow when you consider that this dog will probably be with you for the next 12-15 years.
I vote for “Kermit” x “Arrow” for aesthetics and temperament. It depends on what means more to you. The timing of getting the puppy isn't going to matter much years down the road. I like that Arrow is very smart and trustworthy according to her description. Just think of it this way: you will have 2 more months of freedom before that first week of hell that comes with a new puppy.

Good to know ceara! Thanks!

And Erica, very true lol. I was just worried bc I'm planning on traveling for thanksgiving and didn't want to throw a new pup off with a long trip shortly after he comes home :-/

I'm with ceara on this, if a bitch hasn't been over bred she should be able to have a litter at 8-10. The dam of the litter I'm waiting on ( to be born any day now) has only had one litter previously and she is 7. She's completely healthy, well maintained, still in the show ring and honestly does not look 7. Now, a dog from a less than reputable breeder or someone who bred a bitch frequently could cause an issue.

mbarnard0429 wrote:

I'm with ceara on this, if a bitch hasn't been over bred she should be able to have a litter at 8-10.  The dam of the litter I'm waiting on ( to be born any day now) has only had one litter previously and she is 7. She's completely healthy, well maintained, still in the show ring and honestly does not look 7. Now, a dog from a less than reputable breeder or someone who bred a bitch frequently could cause an issue.

As Megan had previous learnt me of this as well; I thought 5 was the cut off age as well. Does anyone know where this information came from?? Or is just like the whole "you don't need to bathe your husky" thing?? It's just kind of "passed down"??

From what I can tell it's a lot of factors.  Preference, fertility of the dog/line, ability (or lack thereof) to produce reliably/consistently and also how the bitch comes through the pregnancy.  If it takes a bitch a long time to recover etc you only stress her and risk her health by putting her through continued pregnancies.  It could also be a room thing.

Health of the bitch leading up to the possible breeding is the biggest thing along with all of the other factors. You would think a young bitch would come through a whelp well but such is not always a case. Just as an older bitch can come out of one better than any younger bitch.

Ok, so my understanding is that Roxanne has had one litter with her breeder (who then kept most of the offspring). Here's another question: Arrow is not even 2 yet and didn't take well to being bred at first (thy tried with another male or two and he wouldn't stand for it). This is her first litter. Would you have any concerns around that fact?

Generally breeding a female (or a male) under 2 is considered bad practice since they can't have their hip and eye clearances before that. I didn't notice anything about hip and eye testing on the site from a quick scan, but sledding kennels also are known to not do hip clearances because they are "harness proven".

Edit: I just went back and looked again and it does claim that they OFA and SHOR hips and eyes of their breeding stock. And Arrow is over 2. She was born January 2011. Hip and Eye clearance numbers are in the individual dogs' information.

I knew they did hip/eye clearance. I must have been delirious when I read her birthdate lol.

It's ok! It's already August and I still can't get used to the fact that it's 2013. By the time I do, it will be 2014!

The sires of these litters come from a very good kennel and because she obtained them later in life they had time to mature under a good breeder who do a lot of sledding as well as obedience with her dogs (a lot of her dogs are good offleash), she breeds for sledding and show. arrows breeder is also a great breeder but does focus more on the sledding aspect and a lot of her dogs are kennel/outside dogs, I'm very familiar with arrows breeder and all of her dogs are great temperament. Arrow I believe was sold as a puppy so I'm not sure of her upbringing although I've met Rachel and she seems very nice and loves her dogs. I know Roxanne's breeder just not as well, I know her dogs are mostly outside but also have great temperaments and are sled dogs.

I think that either way you go you're gonna get a great puppy, so if you want to see what the pups look like and make you're decision that way go for it! You could even wait til both litters are born and choose then one litter would be what like 4 weeks when the other is born?

Ashley&Kaia wrote:

The sires of these litters come from a very good kennel and because she obtained them later in life they had time to mature under a good breeder who do a lot of sledding as well as obedience with her dogs (a lot of her dogs are good offleash), she breeds for sledding and show. arrows breeder is also a great breeder but does focus more on the sledding aspect and a lot of her dogs are kennel/outside dogs, I'm very familiar with arrows breeder and all of her dogs are great temperament. Arrow I believe was sold as a puppy so I'm not sure of her upbringing although I've met Rachel and she seems very nice and loves her dogs.  I know Roxanne's breeder just not as well, I know her dogs are mostly outside but also have great temperaments and are sled dogs.

I think that either way you go you're gonna get a great puppy, so if you want to see what the pups look like and make you're decision that way go for it! You could even wait til both litters are born and choose then one litter would be what like 4 weeks when the other is born?

I was hoping you'd chime in here Ashley! Meant to PM you but haven't had the time. I have felt pretty comfortable with how things have been going with Rachel so i'm not really worried. Temperament is ultimately most important .

And yes, not long in between litters, I just know that when the first one is born I'm going to melt into a puppy cuteness overload puddle lol.

What are the names of the other breeders/kennels in Maine that you know of btw? I couldn't really find any.

Khatanga is a member of the parent club

http://www.geocities.ws/sibhus5/

I emailed them and never got a response I found them through the SHCA initially.