Dog breeding

[justasking]

My mum sold the last puppy she had bread today and i feel so bad. I loved it so much, we have kept one but i had a special bond with the one that went today and my heart is broken. Just wanna say to the peoples who are thinking of breeding dogs, don't do it unless you have a heart of steel. : (

[lankeela]

Provided the people were thoroughly vetted and wanted a pup for the right reasons then I am sure they will love it to bits. Just think, if breeders didn't let their pups go to people like this, you would never have had a dog in the first place!

I do agree though, it is difficult to part with them, as for the first couple of months you spend so much time with them that they become a very important part of your life. This is why I have seven dogs, I have the mother/grandmother and six of her children/grandchildren.

[maggie01]

When I got my dog, she was the last of the litter and when she was one year old I sent a photo of her to the breeder. Maybe the owner of your puppy will do the same.

[justasking]

He will do the same maggie he took my email and said he would send pics :D. Lankeela thats so sweet that you have the whole dog family.

[wolf63]

when my cat died recently I decided that I would become a puppy walker for Guide Dogs. Then I realised that after a year or so I would have to hand my baby back...I am just going to get a couple of cats instead.

Lankeela - seven dogs - wow! What breed? I like big dogs, little dogs scare me. Jack Russels terrify me.

[lankeela]

I have Lancashire Heelers - they are about the size of a Jack Russell but with a tail (and a sense of humour!). They are usually black and tan, although they can be liver and tan. They are a cattle herding breed, and are so called because they nip the heels of the cattle to make them move!

http:/www.lancashireheelers.org

[wolf63]

they look like stunted GSDs

Tell me that they don't have Jack Russel temperaments. JRs are "the spawn of the devil" according to my brother.

My first dog - 20 years ago - was a bullmastiff/GSD and a JR down the street from us used to bully him. Our 'little' angel had a scab on his nose from sticking his head through the blinds to see out, the JR used to jump up and nip his nose and start the bleeding all over again. He could have eaten the JR as a snack , but he was too busy shaking with fear.

[wolf63]

having said that, I have now looked at the site properly and they are actually quite cute. Like corgis.

[lankeela]

It is believed that they originate from a cross between a corgi type herding dog and a northern black and tan terrier type (like the Manchester Terrier) so they are good all round farm dogs, herders, ratters and poachers dogs too.

They have been pure bred in Lancashire for well over two hundred years, but it was people in Norfolk who finally got them Kennel Club recognised as recently as 1981.

[eyeshade]

Wolfe, - you are so funny, it is very often the big burly dogs that take the brunt. Our old feller was a rescue Bull Terrier, huuge paws and a large head with 1.5 ears where his mother bit it off whilst a puppy! He was big and awsome but a totally soft apath! Every dog used to have a go at him and the same with our rescue Shar-pei now, every dog except one attacks him, so he growls under his breath, looks up at me as if to say "are you ready with the defence attack" and people think HE is the vicious one!

Two black labs came past him with mega fat wobbly owner last weekend who said "oh these are little poppets" (trying to unwind the pathetic lead she had them on) . When she got about 10 feet from me, they both snarled and growled and pounced on mine together. She was so fat, she couldn't control them and they just did their own thing until I did what I always do when that happens when my dog is in risk of being hurt - she soon left, no doubt blaming me and my dog!

Lankeela, now I know why you have your name! You don't see many of the Lancashire Heelers - do you breed from them?

Justasking - I am sure he will send you pictures, it would be most strange if he didn't. If I knew where all my rescue beasts came from, I would do the same but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge of where they came from and how they were treated which grates a little but hey ho they have good homes now!

[wolf63]

imagine your mum biting your ear off!

justasking I really hope that you get at least an annual letter. When psycho cat George was alive I used to update the Cats Protection every Christmas telling them of his stupidity. I figured that they become attached to the cats too.

I hope things work out for you. All I wanted when I was younger, a teengager, was a house of my own (ie away from my parents) and a dog.

Dogs are brilliant animals, and seeing one born and grow into a little toddler and then going away to another loving home must be a great (and emotional) experience.

I am animal-less just now and don't know whether to get a cat or dog.

[lankeela]

I only breed very occasionally when I want a new puppy and if I can't find one I want from another breeder. My last 'puppies' are now over three years old, there were four in the litter, I have kept two bitches and the two dogs were sold, one to a show home, and one to a pet home. I have pictures sent from both owners, and have seen the 'pet' dog several times at local fun dog shows, where his young owner has great fun taking him in classes such as waggiest tail and handsomest dog, and also junior handling. The 'proper' show dog doesn't really like showing! although he has become a father a couple of times, so he has found something he likes!

You will probably start to see some around now you know what they are - speak to the owners and they will be impressed that you know they are Lancashire Heelers, as even many people from Lancashire have never heard of them.