owner: Dana Turnbull Our very Special boys
There is a lot that goes into owning and managing a stud dog. Much more work goes into it than most people who haven't owned one, would ever know or could appreciate the work involved. It is a very dog eat dog world out there, and in the world of stud dogs ownership. It is much different than owning bitches. The stud dog gets all the "blame", if there is a problem of any kind with his offspring, but on the other hand, he also gets the fame for the litter, it's as if there wasn't a mother involved in the litter. We think the stud dog gives a maximum 40% and at least 60% of the credit and input of the outcome of a litter goes to the bitch. This is not to take any heat off the stud dog, but the dam has a greater deal of impact on the outcome of a litter. Yes people often say: "It takes two to tango" but we know the stud dog is truly an absent dad he will not care for mom, nor help raise the children.
The quality in a litter comes from the dam, so it takes a good quality, producing bitch, to pull off a good breeding and litter, she must however, also take some blame, as well for problems that may occur during the development phase of the litter. What she eats, how she is cared for (indoor or out) what pollution she is exposed too affects how the pups develop in her. How she raises those pups and nutures them also may affect their behaviour. Nervous bitches will often have nervous puppies. Mom is there to model appropriate behaviours, just like our children model our behaviour, likes and actions. That's why we believe she plays a much greater part in the outcome of a particular litter.
Breeder duties:
Many hours are spent, making sure guest bitches get bred in a timely manner, and just at the right time of their heat cycle. We make sure that the girls have all proper veterinary checks done, before we breed them to our stud dogs.
The money you get paid for the stud service is exactly that. It is for a service. This service involves all kinds of things. Foreign bitches that come in for breeding that you must go pick up at an airport. Some girls are virgins and present a real challenge to the stud dog. No matter how long it takes in hours or days to get that breeding, we try our hardest to get it done.
First timers (girls) are usually the ones that a stud dog gets in the start. They can be stressed, moody, and fearful away from home. After all they are in a strange place, so naturally this is not uncommon. We never breed a girl that would be nasty to people. That is truly incorrect for this breed.
We usually ask the owners of these girls to send them a few days in advance so they can warm up to us. Usually that works well and the girls get settled in our house. Once they are bred the owner comes pick them up or we drive them back to the airport.
Most girls are here for about a week but some stay as long as two. all depending how early in their cycle they were when they came to us. With modern technologies a breeder can test for LH surge announcing that she will be releasing her eggs. This helps us to know when the girl should be bred.
Dusty Our Foundation Outstanding Sire