Sizing Up the Ideal Dog

Alot of times, we get phone calls from those who have no idea what type of dog they are looking for. It is essential to look at every aspect of your life, your living arrangements,
your budget and write down the dogs that you feel would make the IDEAL dog for you and your family. After writing down the breeds you and your family have selected, read as much about each breed as possible and then break down the list until you come down to one single dog. (That is unless you plan to purchase more than one type of breed.)
America’s love affair with dogs has gone on for eons! There is a growing population of older people who share their home with dogs. About 1 in 10 senior citizens have a pet in the home. Also, baby boomers are aging and are getting a bit grayer which could explain the popularity of small breeds.

Owning a dog has alot of physical and psychological benefits. When trying to determine the dog best for you or your family, there is alot to think about! Can you afford it? Do you have the room? Who is going to take care of the dog? Do you have the time to invest in a dog? Do you want a lightweight or heavyweight dog? Do you want a small breed or a large breed or something in-between?
Do you live in a quiet area where alot of barking would not be a GOOD thing? Do you live in the country? Do you have a fenced area to keep the dog in or will this dog stay in the house? Do you want a short hair or long hair dog? Can you afford a dog with alot of grooming requirements? Are you allowed to own a pet if you live in a condo or an apartment? Do you need spousal approval? Do you need anyone’s approval?

Many people play the “What kind of Dogs do you have?” game with a breeder and personally, I find this very aggravating. I am sure other breeders find this aggravating as well. It is very frustrating for a breeder to go into detail with someone over the telephone about what type of dogs they have and then, not only do you have no idea what it is you want but you also have to get someone’s approval before getting back to the breeder. Your mind should be made up regarding the type of dog you are seeking well before calling a breeder. If your dog is a family issue, then this should be discussed before contacting a breeder. You should also ONLY call a breeder who is advertising the type of dog you are searching for. If you have not yet figured out what kind of dog you are looking for, don’t put it on a breeder to figure it out for you.

If you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to say so to the breeder IN THE VERY BEGINNING of your call and let them know what you can afford. Don’t just ask how much a dog is. Chances are, you are just “Comparison” shopping and where dogs are concerned, this is completely the wrong thing to do. Just because you have calling breeders advertising the same breed, does not mean you are buying the same quality of breed. If you are looking for a show dog…you are not going to want a dog who has no champion ancestors or lineage and if you are looking for a pet, don’t expect to pay just a few dollars from a breeder who has taken the time to research their dogs’ CHAMPION LINEAGE. If you are on a budget, you should try to obtain a dog that has little grooming requirements, medical needs, upkeep and who has just a pet/average lineage or ancestry…….. perhaps you can even look into adopting a dog from a rescue agency, human society or animal shelter. Breeders have to charge a certain amount for their dogs in order to recoup their expenses and pay for overhead & costs involved with their business, whereas, a shelter or rescue agency are compensated through the state or through public funding and donations. Private breeders and kennels do not get reimbursed from the state or receive public donations. Everything regarding raising, breeding and producing a puppy by a breeder is an out of pocket expense for a breeder and Kennel. Very few people have any idea just how expensive and time consuming it is for a breeder, let alone appreciate the difficult, long hours this kind of job requires . It is very frustrating to hear people make the nasty comment to a breeder that they just “live off of their puppies” or are a “puppy mill” and on and on with the name calling. It amazes me how cheap some people can be when they desire to obtain a puppy or dog from a breeder and then have the audacity to do the name calling if they have some kind of issue down the road….it’s absurd! If you live in a condo or apartment, you may want to look at purchasing a “social” dog or breed. It is important for dogs who live inside apartments to get out and mingle. It is also imperative that you NOT crate your dog for hours on end. A dog needs to get out and romp around……..they need to stretch and build up muscles and use their legs. They can not live their lives for hours on end in a crampy crate. Some of your small breeds who adapt very well to apartments and condos are:

*Toy Poodle hybrids
*Yorkshire Terrier
*Maltese
*Poodle
*Papillon
*Miniature Schnauzer
*Chihuahua
*Bichon Frise
*Boston Terrier
*Japanese Terrier
*Dachshund
*Cairn Terrier
*Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
*American Cocker Spaniel
*Sheltie
*Lhasa Apso
*Shih Tzu
*Basset Hound
*Pomeranian
*Pembroke Welsh Corgi
*Chinese Pug
*Schnoodle
*Pom-Chi
*Goldendoodle
*Schneagle
*Puggle

Many of the above breeds are small, nice and easy to get along with. Some small breeds can cause BIG trouble for people….especially the INDEPENDENT THINKERS such as the Jack Russell Terrier and any that tend to be yappy or high strung such as your purebred toy poodle, Pomeranian and Rat Terrier. Breeds that are traditionally bred to hunt do far better with someone who has a house with a nice large fenced in yard. Those breeds can be the Beagle, Pointer, The English Setter, The English Springer Spaniel, The Harrier, the Black and Tan Coonhound, the Bloodhound. There are many hunting breeds and retrieving breeds that do far better outside than inside. Now here we are in 2006 and there are many very nice small hybrid dogs available that would work out just fine in various living situations.

Dogs that have grooming requirements should be passed over if you are NOT able to afford the time, cost and care they require to keep their coat in tip top shape or feel comfortable taking on this task yourself. Such breeds can be the Bichon Frise, The Poodle, The Borzoi, the Maltese, The Yorkshire Terrier, the Shih Tzu, the Lhasa Apso, the Schnauzer, the Havanese, the Goldendoodle, the Pekingese, the Pomeranian, the Lowchen, Tibetan Terrier, the Bearded Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, The Old English Sheepdog and all long haired Poodle hybrids.

Never purchase a large breed dog if you do NOT have the time to give this breed many walks outdoors or have an enclosed area to allow this breed to use its muscles. Breeds such as the Golden Retriever, the Rottweiler, The Mastiff, the German Shepherd, Great Dane and other large breed dogs need room to romp and stretch! Crating for hours on end can cause many medical problems for the dog. Many people who crate their dogs for endless hours each and every day mistake a dog’s difficulty walking for hip dysplasia! A dog who is not allowed to build up its muscles…….who is not allow the opportunity to have room to grow, stretch, run and be the dog it should be will have all sorts of aches and pains! Of course, there can be joint pain as well due to NOT using the limbs enough. If your dog is crated for endless hours, you are stunting the growth of your dog. There is no way its muscles can fill out and work the way they are suppose to work. Your dog is achy…..in muscular pain and stiff. You’d have to imagine YOURSELF being cramped inside of a crate all day long for hours and hours and never seeing anyone until the end of the day. Even if you have no fence for your yard…..there are kennel pens you can purchase that will allow your dog to be outside and able to jump up…..walk around and breathe fresh outdoor air. Make sure, however, that your dog has plenty of shade and water as he or she can die of heatstroke quite easily during the summer months. Canvas shelter tops can be purchased for as little as $79 for kennel runs and they last for many years. Some hold up quite nice if you do not get alot of snow in the winter. Kennel runs start at approx. $179- $299 and up. The nice thing is they are easy to put up and you can always add panels as your dog grows or as you need them. This is quite cheap compared to the vet bill your going to have should your dog begin showing signs of medical problems from all the hours and months you have kept him or her confined. So, small dogs fit in well for those who have small living areas or who do not have the time to take fido on long jogs or walks. Large dogs need lots of space! Large dogs also have to be walked regardless of the weather. With small dogs, you may be able to get away with paper training.. Good natured dogs give people a physical and psychological boost. People tend to lead a better life when they own a pet. They get more exercise……they get fresh air…..They can socialize more with others while outside taking their pet for a walk…..People benefit from their pet’s unconditional love.
But while a dog can bring benefits to your life…..they can also increase your financial responsibilities and hamper certain aspects to your life….especially if you travel frequently and can not take your dog with you.
This is why it is very important that you can fit a dog into your budget and life. This is why it is important to know what type of dog you can afford before you contact the breeder. Puppies are demanding like infants and Toddlers. They require alot of training, alot of your time and can be costly.
While many purebred dogs are great to own….there are wonderful mixed breeds who make great pets and will shower you with just as much attention. Sometimes the benefit of owning an older dog is that they have had all of their vaccinations…..they can be healthier than a puppy…..they have outgrown the chewing stage….they are use to noises and people…..they can be housebroken already and they can sometimes just fit right in with your home. Of course, there are downsides to purchasing an older dog as well. Some can have behavioral problems…..some can still have problems with digging and chewing….some can be wary, nervous and may have a tendency to bite out of fear…especially if they were abandoned, mistreated and abused. You can’t blame the dog! Some dogs can be scarred for life due to the way they were treated as a puppy from an abusive home. Abuse comes in many forms and is not always just about hitting. Abuse within the family unit home can spill over to the dog.
Older dogs may also already have developed illnesses or conditions that require medical care, so what may seem to be “cheap” can actually cost you more in the long run through many vet bills. Quite sadly, many older dogs make fine, instant companions, yet few are willing to adopt an older dog.
The downside to owning a puppy is of course the fact that they need vaccinations……they need to have obedience training…..they need to be housebroken……they need to learn NOT to chew on your furniture…..
they can cost you alot of money by the time they become an adult.
But, this is the territory that comes with owning a pet! There is NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT PET.
Dogs and cats have their flaws just like humans. They all have their quirks….the medical problems as they go through life….their need for attention and detail…..the need for a bath….the need for teeth cleaning and care…..eye problems……need for vet care and of course…the need to eat, sleep and be happy. No amount of medical testing will guarantee you a defective free animal! Puppy’s who have parents that are tested for everything under the sun can still come down with a defect , illness or a disease. That’s life! Don’t believe you can own an animal and never have to prepare yourself for emotional or financial loss. That’s not going to happen. As with all living things….they eventually die from one cause or another. Even dogs who have been tested for everything can still die from a hereditary disease or from age related or medical related problems. It’s a fact of life.
I personally believe that you SHOULD NOT purchase a dog based on the testing its parents had from the breeder. You are holding on to a false security blanket if you believe that because a breeder had your puppy’s parents tested for every ailment known to man (and dog) that your puppy will NEVER DIE OF ANY AILMENT, ILLNESS OR Disease or come down with any genetic ailment. Well, chances are your dog could get ran over by a car and NOT die of any ailment, illness or disease……There are no guarantees in life! I am not going to paint you a rosy picture where everyone lives happily ever after……you may live well and your pet can live well, but nothing is forever.

The Basics in dog care…….

When you finally decide to select your canine….you hopefully will have also given some consideration as to where your new pet is going to sleep and what areas your pet will have free reign. For crate training tips,
CLICK HERE. Since puppies are well known for chewing on anything they can get their mouths on (just like a baby teething), it is important that you have plenty of toys, knotted ropes, large balls and other great items for your puppy to play with. Never entice your dog to play with your shoes, slippers, socks or other personal items. A dog can not differentiate between your new stuff and old stuff. Parenting a dog is much like parenting a child. They have to learn between right and wrong. It is important to “puppy proof” your home. This means that before you bring your new puppy home….make sure you do not have any extension cords laying about. Pick up any item that is small enough for your puppy to place inside its mouth and possibly swallow. A puppy wants to taste everything! They can choke to death if they get a small item lodged in their throat…such as a marble or other small toy that may belong to your child. Make sure you don’t have any glass near the floor or at “puppy level”.
It is a very good idea to have a crate….a nice large one….ready for your new puppy. Bedding can be placed inside and a stuffed toy to keep him or her company. But don’t mistake this crate as a substitute baby sitter. As stated before, never crate your dog for hours on end every single day. Your puppy wants to explore its new living areas….the same thing with an older dog. This includes the trash can, so make sure your dog or puppy can not get into the trash. Serious illness can occur from eating the wrong thing.
Food is another important factor regarding your new pet. The food you select during the first year of your pup’s life is critical to its adult development, health and growth. There are many products on the market and selecting the one that is right for you and your dog is important. Complete nutrition is crucial, so make sure you read the back label on the product you select. Corn meal is something you should stay away from.
For feeding tips, CLICK HERE. You will be faced with many choices……so, it is important to keep in mind that you don’t want a high protein food for your puppy because a high protein food can cause your dog to grow too rapidly. Rapid growth can then cause joint and bone problems. You should keep in mind the activity level of your dog. Is he a runner? working dog? couch potato? Science Diet, Pedigree, Eukanuba and Iams are very good products on the market. Pedigree cost less than Science diet. Science Diet costs less than Eukanuba and Iams costs less than Eukanuba. While some stores will tell you that feeding with Iams or Eukanuba is cheaper in the long run, don’t believe it! Some dogs absolutely LOVE the taste and will eat just as much as they would the Pedigree. Some owners like to feed with Alpo. I personally have never liked the consistency of Alpo. We have found very good results from Pedigree, however, we have also discovered that sometimes our puppies will develop an “allergy” to pedigree and get dry or itchy skin or not do well over a long period of time with this food. We don’t know why, but it is usually just one or two pups in a litter every so often. A dog can become sensitive to their food no matter how long they have been eating it. Many people don’t realize that when their dog has intense itching over a period of time and no fleas or parasites can be found, that it is their food causing the problem. Dogs can have sensitivities just like people. When hair loss, weight loss, itching or scratching develops and everything seems to check out fine, take the food your dog is eating into consideration. Sometimes changing the diet can make a world of difference. So, while we start all of our puppies out on Pedigree……not every puppy will do well with it as they continue to age.
Foods with antioxidants provides a healthy defense system. Free radicals attacks the cells, causing damage which can result in a weakened immune system and possibly serious diseases. The antioxidants such as vitamins E & C, Beta Carotene and Selenium have shown to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. They also help maintain your pet’s immune system and help reduce it against the risk of diseases.

VITAMIN E: One of the most versatile antioxidants. Vitamin E helps support the body’s healing process. It has also shown to help prevent heart and neurological diseases. Vitamin E reduces the effects of aging.

VITAMIN C: Works to boost the power of vitamin E in the body to fight the damage caused by toxins and pollution. For this reason, vitamin C is used to help protect against cancer and other diseases.

BETA CAROTENE: Research suggests that carotenoids, like beta carotene, helps build a strong immune system and are considered a powerful tool in the fight against many diseases. Current studies support their use to fight cancer and other serious illnesses.

SELENIUM: An essential trace mineral that works with vitamin E and helps to create important enzymes.
These enzyme systems help protect against cell damage. Selenium also works with other antioxidants in fighting cancer.

Your puppy needs alot of nutrition to get him or her through their first year. This will also keep your puppy and dog healthy and happy. Fat, protein and minerals like calcium and phosphorus help build strong bones and muscles and they also provide plenty of energy to grow and play. Too much of a good thing? Most certainly, too much of these nutrients can actually stunt the growth of your puppy and can also contribute to problems like obesity, bone disorders, heart and kidney disease and other serious ailments. Dogs come in many different sizes and shapes…so their nutritional requirements will vary. Feeding your dog cheap and poorly put-together food is also a very bad thing to do. This is why it is important that you can fit a dog into your budget. Think of how your system would react if you could not afford proper nutrition for yourself.

PRODUCT BENEFITS:

Controlled level of calcium: for healthy joints and bone development.
L-Carnitine: Helps develop strong muscles and healthy bones. Converts fat into energy.
High quality protein: Includes all 10 essential amino acids needed for proper growth.
Energy: Controlled levels of fat and calories to help large breed puppies grow at the proper rate.
Essential fatty acids: Help promote healthy nervous and immune systems.
23 vitamins and minerals: An ideal balance for growing, large breed puppies.
High Digestibility: Reduces stool volume, which makes for easier housetraining and clean up.
Omega 3 & Omega 6 fatty acids: Support healthy function of nervous and immune systems; promote healthy skin and shiny coat.
Digestible Carbohydrates: Supply abundant energy for lively pups.
Calcium: For strong teeth and bones.
Vitamin D: To properly absorb calcium.
B vitamins: For an appropriate metabolism and appetite.

DEFINITE DON’TS:

*Don’t ever feed your dog chocolate! This can kill him or her.
*Don’t feed your dog cookies. High in fat…low in nutrition.
*Use caution on dairy products. Many dogs are lactose intolerant which can cause diarrhea.
*Bones: NEVER FEED YOUR DOG CHICKEN BONES! These bones are brittle and have sharp edges. Chicken bones can cause damage to your dog’s intestines and throat. They can also stick in your dog’s throat causing choking which can lead to death. Bones of any kind can also crack your dog’s teeth.

Good grooming and veterinarian care is of great benefit to both you and your dog! Regular check-ups and grooming habits can play an important role in keeping your dog healthy, but it is also a great way to bond and spend quality time together.
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is also important to good health. Senior dogs may require soft food if they have lost teeth or have bad teeth.

*Dental kits are available at most pet stores and from your vet’s office. Doggie toothpaste is usually included as well as instructions on how to keep your pet’s teeth clean.
*Professional teeth cleaning is available through your veterinarian.
*Selecting a professional groomer is just as important as it is making your selection on vet care. While grooming is healthy for your pet, selecting the wrong groomer can be deadly to your dog! We discovered that some groomers actually place your dog under anesthesia. WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN KILL YOUR PUPPY OR DOG! Using unnecessary anesthesia can be detrimental to your dog. It is dangerous and certainly NOT A PROPER WAY TO GROOM A DOG! While this can make a lazy groomer’s job easier,
anesthesia should never be used for convenience sake! We highly recommend that you use a groomer that you know, trust or check out carefully. Word of mouth is always a good way to find a good groomer too! The best groomer for a pet is yourself! If you are not placing your dog in a show event, you really should groom your dog yourself. There are many wonderful videos, books and other materials over the Internet to help you learn how to take care of your dog’s coat. Grooming your dog is a great way to bond and your dog has come to trust you. Getting your puppy use to having its coat brushed, ears cleaned and nails trimmed will also make your dog familiar with this routine. Each session will get easier and easier as time goes by.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING:

Every year in the United States, between four and six million companion animals end up in animal shelters. Many of these animals are euthanized. Animal activists and those who are holier than thou want to blame breeders for this problem. It is NOT always because of a breeder. The last place a good breeder wants its dogs is in a shelter. Animals make their way to shelters via their irresponsible as well as uneducated owners. Or sometimes they go to shelters due to an owner’s death or severe illness. Provisions for your pet’s care after your death is essential. Always include your pet in your will. Many people never give it a second thought. Dogs can make their way to shelters by being allowed to roam the streets and they can make their way to shelters due to irresponsible breeders NOT taking care of their dogs. The best age to sterilize your pet is before he or she turns six months of age. This is the age that male dogs are capable of siring a litter. A female will usually go into her first heat at the age of six months.
Having your dog spayed or neutered before the hormones kick in reduce many unwanted behaviors and also prevents unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. My personal beef with those who advocate spaying and neutering such as veterinarians and some kennel clubs is that they do NOT make it easy for dog owners to spay or neuter. Many owners WANT to have this procedure done, but prices on sterilization have gotten out of control and many Kennel clubs, such as AKC, who hold show events pretend to ADVOCATE the spaying or neutering of dogs, yet they REFUSE TO ALLOW AN ALTERED DOG IN THE SHOW RING….which is complete nonsense and shows a double standard!
As a matter of fact, it is BECAUSE of kennel clubs who don’t advocate this procedure that there are many unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. A male dog or a female dog can be just as beautiful whether they are intact or altered. Many vets charge outrageous prices and there are many people who can not afford their out of control fees.
A clear example: To have a cat neutered or spayed costs over $180! As of the year 2006, we have watched the cost of spaying and neutering reach over $400! This is the entire cost for having the procedure, hospitalization and other shots, etc; I personally believe that if vets would set their spaying/neutering fees on a sliding scale based on the owner’s income, we would have fewer puppies and kittens making their way to shelters where they will most certainly have only been born to die an early age. Homeless and unwanted. Dog owners would then be able to afford this procedure which could possibly help the population explosion of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies in their dogs.
Many shelters or humane societies are now spaying and neutering dogs prior to them leaving their shelters which is great….but you have to remember that they are getting state funding or donations from the general public to make this possible. It is important that you can afford this procedure when thinking about purchasing a new pet. Depending upon your area, spaying & neutering will vary in price.
DO NOT assume that a breeder will sell a puppy or dog to you with the cost of spaying & neutering included. There are times when canine will be advertised in a local paper or online who have been altered and the owner is not seeking any money or is only asking for a small, reasonable fee to allow you to adopt the dog. Most of the time such owners are having to suddenly move or their lives have changed that can not include their pet.
We are not above spaying & neutering our own dogs. As time goes by, our dogs do age or we no longer want to continue breeding a specific breed or specific dog. Many of our dogs are spayed and neutered “senior” dogs. Every year, as our dogs age and we remove dogs from our breeding program, they are spayed or neutered. Although we advertise these dogs to approved, adoptive homes…..the fact remains that those who call us only want puppies or they want dogs who have not been altered so they can “breed” them. Sadly, senior or dogs ranging from 4-6 years of age, have difficulty being placed into adoptive homes because of the lack of quality homes being available to them. We have learned, over the years, that when someone calls and claims they are interested in our older dogs….they are only seeking a “FREE” breeding dog. When we tell them they have to complete an application and that the dogs are altered and if they have not yet been altered, they must be altered before being allowed into their homes…we get the usual “okay, thanks anyway” response. This shows us that the home, number one was NOT a quality pet home we wanted our aging dog to go to and it also shows the lack of homes available to older dogs who could still contribute love and companionship to someone seeking it.

DID YOU KNOW?

For the record, most people who desire to own a dog, desire to own their dog as a companion/pet. There are large numbers of people who do participate in the show ring and on the field in competitions with the dogs that they purchase, but the majority of people only desire to own a pet. People in other nations such as China, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian countries take pride in their dogs because they consume them as a meal. The manner in which they are slaughtered is completely outrageous! The beliefs are that if the dog is beaten, boiled alive, burned alive or hanged, they will release their adrenaline which supposedly makes their meat tender and the myth goes that the meat boosts a man’s virility. Of course there is no scientific evidence of such and this abuse is outrageous!
South Koreans consume over 1 million dogs a year. Horrific? This is of no concern to those who believe there is no wrong doing in consuming a dog for a meal. To those of us who love them & worship them as pets, it is mortifying!
South Koreans believe that there are health benefits such as easy digestion if they consume dog meat.
Fortunately since many groups have tried to change this practice, this tradition is dying out. JUST NOT QUICK ENOUGH!!! The practice of eating dog meat seems to be exclusively with the older generation living outside of South Koreans’ major cities. About 3 million (fewer than 10%) of the country’s 46 million people, eat dog meat and consider it a delicacy. This means that millions of dogs are killed each year for this country’s purpose. Many of the younger generation find this cruelty to animals (and indeed it is) and hope this practice will fade into history.
Thank God, this is not a practice within the United States, but there is still a large amount of animals who suffer at the hands of their owners & breeders. There is still a problem in the United States with dog fighting rings and those who beat them, train them for fighting purposes. We urge ANYONE who knows of this type of behavior going on to notify their local police. There are many breeders who breed their puppies and ship them to Asian countries and know full well that they are selling their pups to be consumed as meals or kept for breeding purposes to have puppies for consumed meal purposes. There are breeders who do not care where their puppies end up and sell them to pet stores or for commercial purposes. This type of breeder is a worthless human who should not even own a single dog. We have never sold a single puppy or dog to a pet store or for commercial purposes and we definitely will NEVER ship a puppy or dog to an Asian country.

To Micro-chip or NOT to Micro-chip….that’s the question:

We believe in micro-chipping all pets! This reality hit home for my eldest son who moved into a new home/area in California and his beloved Golden Retriever (which came from us many years ago) ran away with her pal, a Labrador, when a storm blew through and caused their gate to swing open. During the terrible storm, their dogs became scared and hit the road. For days, my son searched high and low for his dogs. Some weeks later, he happened upon a shelters’ website where he saw one of his dogs’ picture showing the dog up for adoption! Needless to say, he immediately drove down there and regained his dog. The Lab has never been located or found. Had his dogs been micro-chipped, as we urge everyone to do,
Their dogs would have been scanned immediately and found their way home. He is very fortunate to have been able to retrieve at least one of his beloved pets …..however, on a sad note, their Labrador who was their Golden Retrievers’ best pal, never made it back home. The two became separated during the storm. We urge everyone to join PETTRAC, the national recovery system backed nationally by state Veterinarian Medical Associations. Nearly every dog and cat that makes its way to a shelter is scanned upon entry. Unless you and your pet belong to this recovery system, there is no way to identify your pet or to know where it came from. Many animals lose their collars or are removed by those who steal them. Should your pet become stolen, this system also notifies agencies and vet clinics to be on the look out for your pet. Micro-chipping is NOT a luxury….its a necessity. Its a very simple procedure that can be done at the same time your pet receives his or her vaccinations and the cost is minimum. All of our canine are micro-chipped and we highly recommend it!

SO, YOU WANT TO PURHASE A PET FROM A PET STORE?

If you have stumbled upon a very cute dog at your local pet store….here’s what you need to know about the puppies who make their way to these pet facilities. Breeders who sell their puppies to pet stores are irresponsible breeders who have difficulty selling their pups to the general public or They can also be private uneducated breeders who don’t want to “deal” with their litter of pups that they just HAD to let little Susie watch being born. More than likely, they sold a few and then had pups they just didn’t want to “deal with”. People always assume that puppies in pet stores come from “Puppy Mills” or “Commercial Breeders”. NOT ALWAYS SO! More uneducated, private breeders sell their pups to pet stores than any one else. Unfortunately, we are even seeing Goldendoodles being sold to pet stores from the kinds of breeders mentioned above.
Pet stores scour the nation through newspaper and Internet ads for breeders who are either giving their puppies away or who have very low prices because they know that by marking them up by at least 300%, they’ll make their money back and then some.
Pet store owners purchase many of their puppies under false pretenses and present themselves to the breeders as a family seeking to replace a dog that has died or seeking a puppy for their “children”, knowing full well that the puppy they just bought will go to their store to sit in glass cages for the general public to view. Many become sick and unhealthy from being shuffled from one pet store to the other, if the store is a chain. Believe it or not, the majority of puppies inside of pet stores are registered with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB…the supposed GOD of all Kennel Clubs who has “nothing but responsible” breeders registered with them!!! Hmm! Yeah, right! Another sad fact is those who sold their puppies to the pet stores don’t even care who buys them or whether or not they will be taken care of properly. No responsible breeder would ever dare sell their puppies to a pet store or any kind of facility like this. One of the ways a responsible breeder can deter pet stores from contacting them is to NOT bargain with a person who wants the breeder to “lower the price” or “give them a break” in the price. When a potential customer claims they’d “give the puppy a good home, but can’t afford much to pay”. This is a red flag. If a customer can not afford the price a breeder is asking, most likely they can not afford the dogs’ unexpected vet bills either. Most pet stores will ONLY purchase puppies from the above mentioned breeders that are registered with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. This is because they can get TOP DOLLAR for the puppies from people who believe that dogs registered with this kennel club are QUALITY dogs. What amazes me even more is how many people assume that all breeders who register their puppies and their breeding dogs with AKC, are RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS with quality dogs! Where do these AKC registered puppies inside of pet stores and pet shops come from??? If your first answer was “a puppy mill”…you just got an “F” for failure to respond correctly! These so called responsible breeders who sold their puppies to the pet stores and pet shops are private breeders and commercial breeders who register their litters with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB and other canine registrant services, who breed to make a quick buck! Yes…many quick bucks can be made when all you do is produce a litter of puppies and six weeks after they are born, sell the entire litter to the pet store. It’s very simple! Pet stores across the country buy entire litters and then spread them out across their chain of other stores. It is very sickening. The breeder never has to spend a dime in taking care of the puppies…never has to spend any time or effort either! Any breeder…commercial or private can make many quick bucks in doing this. WE KNOW! WE GET CALLS FROM PET SHOPS AND PET STORES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WANTING OUR PUPPIES and since I began in 1996….I can proudly claim and scream I HAVE NEVER SOLD A SINGLE PUPPY THAT I HAVE CREATED TO A PET SHOP OR A PET STORE! Private breeders who sell their puppies and litters to pet stores and pet shops across the country are the real “puppy mills” and this is exactly what I personally believe a puppy mill to be. The puppy mill is NOT the breeder who spends an arm and a leg on their litters….who has enormous outgoing expenses and who has put in an enormous amount of time with their pups and dogs. I don’t care how many dogs a breeder owns….that is NOT WHAT MAKES A BREEDER A PUPPY MILL. Private breeders who dump their litters off at pet stores don’t give a rats ass who buys their puppies…..what kind of home their puppies are going to…how long they have to sit being gawked at by passers by through a window…don’t care whether or not a pet store or pet shop will take good care of their created pups…all they care about is that they have dumped a litter of 5-12 puppies off and picked up their “pay” check from the pet store. That’s fact whether people select to believe it or not! I personally know breeders who do this…don’t condone it…don’t do it….but know it to be a fact that this practice happens all over the United States on a daily basis.
What you don’t know too is that a PET STORE AND PET SHOP don’t want anything to do with an older puppy. They also pay very little to the breeder for each puppy….but to the breeder who does this…they’d rather rake in $200 per puppy than pay out more than they know they will take in, by keeping the pups until someone calls them to buy one. They also have less hassle and don’t have to pay out any advertising costs. Breeders who dump their pups off at these stores do not have to speak to anyone about the puppies they have created, except the pet store and pet shop they sell to.
Hence, you never know about them until you buy one of their puppies from the store and see their name listed on the pup’s registration documents as the breeder.

About the Author

Dee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder since 1996. She founded Goldendoodle World in 1999 and has written about Goldendoodles extensively. Her Goldendoodle World website is very educational, extensive and shows a comprehensive look at the Goldendoodle hybrid. Dee Gerrish is the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle hybrid with a kennel club in the United States. Dee is also one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog in the southern region of the United States.

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Free Course – Pure Photographic ‘special Effects’ Without a Computer or a Darkroom!

The following is just the text from the free course on ‘special effect’ photography – THE MAGIC LANTERN

It was the accidental chance projection of a slide, without having the screen in place that resulted in a portrait appearing partly on some fabric and partly on the wallpaper. The curved fabric distorted the image and when the picture was clearly focussed the weave and texture of the materials forming a type of screen became part of the portrait. This was sufficiently intriguing to leave the projection as it was and to study the possibilities of this occurrence.

If this effect could be photographed, then one can photograph projected images on other textures or even on other objects. This proved to be the basic approach to gain full control of all images. Providing a completely new way of superimposing and controlling every aspect of photographs. Obviously if one can see it, one can photograph it!

The projector however offers so many more possibilities than the darkroom enlarger to create pictures. Take any image on any film; it is just as easy to project negatives or transparencies in colour or black and white on to whatever is desired. Consider the potential when projecting an image on to; fabrics (not always flat), textures, or even on to other objects, then try bouncing the projected photograph off a reflective surface and focus it on to a screen, or have a look at what happens if a crystal is placed near to the projector lens (behind the lens as well as in front). Colour filters can be used, or parts of the image can be masked (again compare the results obtained in front, as against behind, the projector lens).

With more than one projector it is possible to combine and superimpose with perfect control more than one image. By projecting these images, one on top of the other, and then masking away the overlapping parts of each image, that are no longer required, a totally new picture can be formed.

These are the basic principles, the projector provides all the magic, and such is the diversity that can be achieved with it. The older types of projectors are better than the modern automatic ones, because it is easier to gain access to the space behind the lens. An important advantage with these techniques – so one should look out for cheap second hand ones!

Adding Texture

The easiest way to begin is to experiment with the projected image, try projecting a favourite portrait on to a selection of textured surfaces, to be used as a screen. An enormous variety of textures are possible to use, they do not always need to be white, nor do they always need to be flat.

There is likely to be an element of distortion, as it is not possible to have the camera lens in exact alignment with the projector, but do not worry about this yet, distortion can be useful as described later.

The use of a texture in portrait work is particularly attractive, some of the beauty and character found in painted portraits is lacking in photographs. But the realism of the photograph becomes more abstract simply by adding a texture and this can bring out more expression or character than was evident before. This does not mean that one is copying paintings as totally different images are created from those ever painted, but that this abstract quality that so enriches portraits, can also apply to photographs.

Distortions

The only way of avoiding distortion is to project square on to the choice of screen and to photograph the image with a plate camera. Then one can correct the angle of view with the lens movements as used for architecture or perspective correction.

However, more often than not, distortion can be a very interesting effect if used carefully. It can even be a very dramatic tool. Any image can easily be elongated and stretched, or squashed and made wider. It just depends on the angle of the projector, or the camera, to the screen.

Reflections

So far it has been shown how an image can be influenced by; the addition of a texture, the effect of distortion, the use of colour filtration, and the use of negatives or black and white films.

Another fascinating way of manipulating a projected image is to consider reflections. The principle involved is basically to photograph a projected image as seen in a mirror, or bounced off a mirror. But instead of using a mirror, there are many other options. Try a piece of acetate film as this material allows one to bend or twist it, and so distort the image seen, by forming a flexible mirror.

There are two quite different effects achievable even with the flexible mirror in a fixed position and the same image projected. The first method is to project the image on to a screen and to photograph the reflection seen. The other is to project the image into the flexible mirror, so that it bounces off it, on to the screen; it is this new image that is then to be photographed.

There are many reflecting surfaces that can be used. They do not always need to be smooth, a highly polished old silver cigarette case, with a machine finished pattern as an over all design, has been used to advantage.

All photographs including those techniques already described can be made into patterns rather like a kaleidoscope by the use of mirrors. By positioning mirrors at right angles to each other, with the image projected on to a choice of screen in such a way, that the reflections are repeated in the mirrors will then form a pattern that can be photographed. The possibilities of scale and size are no problem when projecting images, the biggest building in the world can easily be projected between a couple of small mirrors or on to a small object!

Crystal Patterns

Spectacular patterns can be created by the use of crystals or prisms. Apart from the special effect types available for use on the camera, remember these can be used with the projector too, it is also interesting to use old crystals designed to form a chandelier.

Experiment with different crystals placed in front of the projector lens, not always square on, and see how the image scatters according to the cut. The best results are often found to be with a fairly small image within the transparency frame.

Quite a different pattern will be formed, by moving the crystal behind the lens. Obviously as these crystals are not optically perfect, the projected image will lose some definition, but it can still be useful as a background image.

Colour, Black And White Or Negative Images

Photography has the advantage of instantly reproducing an image in a number of ways. Just by the selection of film the image can be in black and white, colour or in either of these choices it could also be in negative form. All these can be projected!

Negatives can be unusually beautiful in themselves and they should not just be regarded as the means of obtaining a print. The choice of projected images should not be restricted to transparencies but include film in all its forms. Black and white images positives or negatives can be projected and used. Colour can still then easily be added to the black and white projected images by the choice of screen, as well as by the introduction of colour filters.

Filters

Many filters are available for the camera, and these can be used with the projector too. But any bits of coloured cellophane can also be used with the projector. There are hundreds of colours easily available, as one only needs such small pieces.

Even if they are not optically of use with the camera, if used between the projector condenser lens, and the film, they can influence the colour of the projected image, without any optical problems. With care it is also possible to change the colours of specific parts of the projected image.

Make Your Subject The Screen

It is not difficult to move on to other objects that can do more than just act as a screen. These are items that become an important part of the subject of the new photograph just as essential as the projected image.

For example an original portrait was projected on to a clamshell, amongst other shells, and the contours of the shell influenced the projected image. With careful masking using a diffused mask behind the lens, allowed light to illuminate other parts of the scene too.

There are a number of other objects that have been used in this way; a butterfly with a river scene, an orchid, a ball of wool and a Siamese cat, a coin, or a decaying holly leaf.

Even a highly reflective surface can be used such as coins. The camera was directly in front of the top coin, so that the projected image from the projector was to the left of the camera. This meant that the camera lens avoided the very bright reflection. Even the edges of the pages of a book have been used.

It can be fascinating to take your projector for a walk! Use an extension lead and just project a selection of slides on to everything in sight. By focusing on to a wide range of objects, you will be able to see what happens – expect to be surprised at some of the possibilities that will no doubt come to light!

Masking

Masking is best achieved by using black card that is stiff enough to stay upright; yet is easily cut into whatever shape is required. It works well in front or behind the projector lens. If masking in front of the lens it will quickly become apparent that the nearer to the screen the mask is placed, the sharper the shadow cast. The ideal is to always use a soft edge shadow so the mask will not be very far forward of the lens.

If it is possible to work behind the lens, then the nearer to the film, the sharper the shadows edge will be. It is then simple to perfectly blend different images when working with more than one projector.

There have been times when instead of masking with black card a transparent opaque plastic has been preferred, this avoids a black shadow forming, especially if the second projection is not adding much in that particular area. Tracing paper has been effective for this purpose normally placed behind the lens near to the film.

Before considering a second projector, with just one, there are now an amazing amount of possibilities that can be achieved with the projected image. However with two projectors the additional special effects are quite sensational.

Double exposure – With the Magic Lantern

The first option with the projector is to mount two pieces of film, sandwiched in the same mount, and project the combined images on to a screen. By focusing on one of the images, the one in true focus will dominate and soften the other. Much depends on the slide carrier used, but if there is room to insert more than two mounts in to the carrier, then the more space between the two films the greater the effect of one image dominating the other. Should both images need to be in focus then the closer they are to each other the better.

When sandwiching films in this manner it is possible to insert one or the other upside down, on its side, or the other way round. But there is little more opportunity with this technique of controlling the end result, so it is only a little bit better than double exposure as at least one can see what the result looks like first.

Two Projectors

This method involves using two projectors, but one has then an exciting way of blending any two previously created pictures, with far more control!

The technique is simple; just project both images separately on to the same choice of screen. However, these images can now be positioned whichever way one might wish, one image could be much larger than the other, or by masking parts of each image, a different blend of the two pictures can be created. This is how any parts, of any picture, can be blended together and all the time one can see exactly what is to be photographed.

Ideally, two identical projectors should be used, if possible with zoom lenses. Should this prove impractical then variations in performance of the second projector can be allowed for, by masking the brighter of the two, just in front of the lens to achieve the same brilliance from both projectors.

To enhance the quality of the results one can achieve with this technique, there is an advantage in obtaining a screen designed for rear projection.

Image Blending

Once the full potential of using two projectors is realised, there will be a need for quite different types of images, these are what are referred to as background shots, in the advertising world. A completely new stock of photographs will have to be taken, with blending potential in mind, no matter how many pictures are available from the past.

Now each image can be simply modified: The brightness of one image, as against the other, can be controlled. By masking and shading just parts, of each image, can be blended. Colours of certain areas can be altered with filters. The position of each image, relative to each other, can be adjusted. Or even the size, of one image as against the other, can easily be altered. One of the images could be distorted, reflected, or be changed in to a pattern by the use of a crystal. The possibilities are quite staggering!

Best of all, the combined images are there to be seen all the time, until the desired result is formed. There is no need to rely on guesswork, as so many other special effects seem to demand, with these methods so no film really should ever be wasted.

With two projectors it becomes possible to mix film effects together in a way not possible before. It is so easy to blend negative images with transparencies, in colour or black and white. Instead of transparencies in both projectors, one of them could be projecting a black and white negative or a colour negative just as easily.

Plate 3

‘Spirit of Spring’ is a well-known award winning study that won much acclaim for the author. This transparency of a portrait was projected over; a second projected colour negative image of a red tulip. A variation of this concept (plate 59 Poetic portfolio) is where another profile of Susan was blended with a colour negative of the centre of a tulip. (See this and other photos in the author’s ‘Poetic portfolio’ at www.jncohen.net).

More projectors

There are no reasons why more than two images should not be projected all at once, providing the projectors are available.

There have been a number of occasions when four projectors were in use together. However three have been the most that have normally been used, with the fourth one occasionally; simply projecting the author’s signature in to the scene.

Rear Projection

There are some valuable advantages in having a rear projection screen especially when owning more than one projector. The first advantage that comes to mind, after the obvious one of avoiding distortion, with at least one of the images, is the opportunity to add a light coloured background when photographing projected images on to other objects.

Should the rear projection screen simply be used to provide a background scene, often expected to be in a softer focus, an expensive screen is then not needed. Even tracing paper will do!

Inspired Accidents

Hoping that readers having reached this far will agree that the possibilities described, offer photographers working in colour so much more than simply recording reality. Trusting readers will also agree that this form of photography really justifies recognition in the art world, as it has certain qualities that are quite unlike those of any other media.

This has been published with the hope that photographers will not just create strange pictures or gimmickry, but produce works of true artistic merit.

The most satisfying time spent is without doubt in the creation of the work. Frequently regardless of the medium used, if an artist is truthful, the end result obtained is not always exactly as initially conceived.

Often the author has decided on a theme, or it could be just a thought about a pattern or composition that exists in the mind, in an abstract way, as yet unexpressed. Perhaps the last portrait taken inspires the desire to do more with it. Whilst considering and projecting certain images, to blend with such a portrait, something can suddenly be seen that fires the imagination.

At other times an idea occurs and a clearly defined image forms in the mind. However, whilst trying to create this picture, it is not so unusual that one strays across a certain amount of accidental inspiration. This can be the chance blending of two images in a way never thought of before, that looks just too good to ignore! The best thing to do then is to be prepared to change direction, and pursue the new study, rather than the original concept. The first attempted creation can always be tried again later on.

The excitement and pleasure one feels when inspired in this way is hard to describe. So even if one starts with just a vague concept, it is worth spending some time experimenting. Think of it as being the stage where the artist is selecting and mixing the paints on his palette, still unsure of what he might paint, but just feeling the need to make a start. Whilst thinking of the various possibilities, surprising relationships can develop, that might well become the basis of the final picture. It is only really by actually making a start that you create the opportunity for something exciting to happen.

About the Author

John N. Cohen A past director of Jacey Cinemas Ltd. Later the proprietor of a design & photographic studio, now a director of Jacey Homes Ltd., a property development company. Interests and Hobbies: A top international award winning photographer who created new techniques of ‘special effects’ without any darkroom or computer! He also became a well known Asian antiques collector and an enthusiast of Jensen British classic cars. Other interests are skiing and Salsa dancing. For John’s other interests please have a look at: – http://www.jncohen.net

To see a more detailed version of this article with all the Plates please visit: – http://www.jncohen.net/magic.htm

Animal Experimentation – MarsCandyKills