Puppies?

I've been pointedly not making a decision about whether to mate Nina when she comes into season again in a few weeks. Pro - this is her last year of being able to produce KC-registered pups, probably my last chance to raise more pups, it's good timing (summer, I'm working from home). Con - health risks? I'll be stuck at home all summer.

However, just in case, I sent her for some health checks last Friday. Like most large breeds, dobes are prone to heart problems, esp Dilated Cardiomyopathy, where the heart enlarges. She was given the full test for this 18 months ago, but had some follow-up ones and also blood tests for liver and kidney function. Her heart was fine (she didn't even have to be sedated for the tests; what a good girl) and the blood results should come back soon.

And, rather predictably, that's tipped me into thinking I should mate her if the test results are OK. Otherwise, why pay for them to be done? I expect that decision was already made subconsciously anyway.

I'll use the same sire as for the Jazz litter. Temperament couldn't be better; behaviour, health and fitness good and they're all beautiful head-turners.

And of course, there's no way I'm going to keep one...

Update on New Year resolutions

Just looked back at the New Year resolutions. Mixed bag (not very mixed; most have been pretty much failures).

"My main wish for Max is that he stays happy and healthy. My resolution is to make sure he gets 2 walks every day to keep him fit." Update - he is happy and healthy. The spring weather has seen him out in the garden a lot and he looks really fit. Can't say it's due to my success in taking him for 2 walks a day, though...

"My wish for Nina is that she stays well and continues to do well at shows. I've just started taking her again and she's had a Best of Breed, a 1st and two 2nds in her first four shows. My resolutions for her are to continue working on her nervousness of unknown small dogs if they come bounding up to her (she's much better, but more to do) and to join an agility club with her." Update - she's well and doing pretty well at shows. RBOB recently. I've taken her once to the village field where everyone walks their dogs and once to Westonbirt Arboretum. Does that count as working on her nervousness? Not really, does it? Haven't joined an agility club, but she has had a couple of agility lessons at our normal place.

My wish for Satchmo is that he stops chewing everything! Are you listening, young man? My resolutions for him are to get him through KC Gold and SWDTBC Intermediate. And to improve my handling, especially to handle him well at Crufts. Update - as with all my dobes, Satch got to 20 months and pretty much stopped chewing everything - apart from his mother's ears. He's got his KC Gold and may take his Intermediate shortly. And I DID handle him well at Crufts - as witness his 2nd and 3rd places!

Too good - I'm suspicious

Satchmo has been pretty good. He got his Kennel Club Gold last Sunday. He was really well-behaved on his walk yesterday. He hasn't chewed up anything in the garden lately. Why is it that I feel we're building up to something?