lefty's random dog thread.

[xpress]

Originally Posted by pscolari

Before you decide to adopt or even go through a breeder, please read up on syringomelia and its prevalence within the breed. Our Boston Terrier was diagnosed with this about a year ago.

In short, it is a genetic disorder where the back of the brain is sloped in such a way that it puts pressure on the spinal column. As a result of this pressure, fluid builds up along the spinal column. Our dog exhibited symptoms where he would arch his back backwards and also scratched at the air. The latter symptom is what dogs do in this situation to try to relieve pressure on the back of their neck. Diagnosis of this disorder is made usually with an MRI (costly). Our dog is treated twice a day with lasix to reduce the fluid and also a compound called gabba pentin (sic?) which helps with pain. He was also recently weened off of prednisone which is a steroid that he was taking for about a year initially.

Luckily his condition has stabilized under this treatment and now he is at the point where he goes to a 2d vet twice a year to monitor his condition. The only other course of treatment that was offered at his diagnosis was to see a specialist at Cornell who could potentially perform an operation that would almost tuck the end of his brain in, so it would not put pressure on the spinal column.

When we got this diagnosis we did research on this condition and discovered it is prevalent in the CKCS breed, to the point where if you tried to get pet insurance for one, syringeomelia is excluded for coverage.


Appreciate the information.

I've read a few books written on the breed, and have spent some time with a (semi)local breeder.
I'm very analytical, and will still spend probably a year or two researching, to ensure this is the breed for me.

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by earthdragon

Oscar - our 5 month old Weim...

beautiful looking pooch there. those grey ones are quite striking.

 

[MrGoodBytes]

lefyt and everyone else who has contributed, thanks, this thread has been an absolute blast to read. heres my pooch, a havanese. Is it bad of me that I know nothing of the breed... but my god, the dog is an absolute dream.

 

[Rambo]

They are the cutest little F***ers. One of my therapists got a puppy a little while back and it was absolutely adorable. A little tiny for my tastes but I'm sure they're fun.

 

[Lusitano]

Originally Posted by earthdragon

Oscar - our 5 month old Weim...

Winston my 3 year old one, wants to welcome Oscar!

Beautiful dog!

Gratz

 

[NH_Clark]

Originally Posted by MrGoodBytes

lefyt and everyone else who has contributed, thanks, this thread has been an absolute blast to read. heres my pooch, a havanese. Is it bad of me that I know nothing of the breed... but my god, the dog is an absolute dream.

Congrats!! A cutie!! Havanese are great dogs! Mine just turned 5 yrs old this past Nov. It is very important to get to know and understand the breed. They are "cousins" of the Bichon but have colors; parti, brown, chocolate, sable, cream, etc. Also, my dog's color has changed since he was a puppy.. from black & white to sable & white. I keep him in a puppy cut because otherwise he needs lots of grooming to keep the hair from getting knotted. Although they are small, my guy weighs in about 18 lbs. Their original purpose was on ships to chase and catch rats. So they enjoy burrowing and getting in and on things. EXTREMELY intelligent!! They thrive on learning new things/tricks. Take him/her to obedience school and any other training program you can find. My "Milo" learned pad training very early and had a handful of accidents at most before his 18th month. Now, if he's by himself in the house, he has his pad in the bathroom and he knows to go there and no where else. They are voracious chewers.. my guy goes through toys quickly, so make sure to find the most durable "heavy chewer" toys possible. Also, get him one of those toys that you can stick/hide a treat inside. Milo loves this. He'll go to the top of the stairs and throw it down the stairs to see if the treat will come out. Rinse and repeat until he get's his treat. Enjoy as the Havanese is an incredible breed and a charmer!

 

[MrGoodBytes]

NH_Clark, he looks like a twin.

yes, intelligent doesn't begin to describe it. No obedience training necessary with my guy, picks up commands super quickly, has never destroyed anything (that wasn't his toy) and has never had an accident in the house (and he is a free range dog when I am at work).

I prefer the shaggy look and I think he does too, they do mat up quickly but I haven't found the maintence to be too bad

the dog is an absolute chick magnet... almost wish I was single.

 

[gnatty8]

I was surprised on Christmas Day with a brand new little 10 week old Rottweiler puppy who arrived at the airport the day before from a breeder. It's been close to 5 years since my last one died of osteosarcoma, so probably time for me to try this again. Will post pics. Beautiful puppy.

 

[earthdragon]

Originally Posted by Lusitano

Winston my 3 year old one, wants to welcome Oscar!

Beautiful dog!

Gratz

Thanks - What does Winston weigh? Great looking Dog.

 

[NorCal]

A few photos from over the holidays. The Mastiff is my brothers as is the long suffering D-Hound. The good looking Mutt is my friends. Baby is mine.

Last picture is from right outside my kitchen door as I was roasting turkey. "Hopeful" would be the word

 

[lefty]

How's the Bonny dog?

lefty

 

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by lefty

How's the Bonny dog?

lefty

Alive and on the mend. Eye has stopped oozing pus and will likely heal open. We are thinking eye patch with the Scottish flag or maybe a skull and cross bones. She still has a lot of snout problems and nasal bone chips/cartilage floating about. She has a lot of her energy back and was able to take a stroll of the heath with my parents and piss about with another dog. Still a little jumpy and gives the road a wide berth.

Thanks for asking.

 

[JLibourel]

Originally Posted by gnatty8

I was surprised on Christmas Day with a brand new little 10 week old Rottweiler puppy who arrived at the airport the day before from a breeder. It's been close to 5 years since my last one died of osteosarcoma, so probably time for me to try this again. Will post pics. Beautiful puppy.

I thought you already had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Sure the two will get along?

 

[Stazy]

I love weimaraners. Hopefully I have the chance to own one in the future. I would also like a German Short Haired Pointer. Both will have to wait until I have a house (At the very least).

 

[Lusitano]

Originally Posted by earthdragon

Thanks - What does Winston weigh? Great looking Dog.
Thanks! About 35-37 Kg. He's a a bit on the small site, although a heavy eater. Is yours as active as mine? The first year and half was really challenging, but now he 's settled and calmer.

Originally Posted by Stazy

I love weimaraners. Hopefully I have the chance to own one in the future. I would also like a German Short Haired Pointer. Both will have to wait until I have a house (At the very least).
Actually a house is nice, but more important is exercise. They don't need a place to stroll around, like german shepherds. If they get physical and mental exercise they are house dogs and very calm and relaxed indoors. Our uses ocassionally our garden, but most of the time he wants to be indoors with his pack