Re: unsubscribe
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Re: cancer advice
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Re: weaning off the crate...
Any suggestions? All the best, Heather Hi Heather, We just let the crate door open all the time. Cheyenne goes in and out of it when she wants. When I'm home in the afternoon and it's nap time (about1:30 pm) ho..hum.I nestle into my lounge chair, Sierra curls up next to it and Cheyenne lays in her crate.Sometimes I even find her there when I get home. That's her place to get away from us and she feel safe there. If the door happens to get pushed shut she hits it with her paw to open it. Crate door must be open at all times. Belly Rubs, Sierra, Cheyenne Ilene
Re: cancer advice
Ask me how much I hate AOL... g (after 8 yrs. on AOL, it might just be time for a change. =b) Sorry about the double-posts for those who saw this the first time. =) I ran across a site (The Mare's Nest) yesterday that states that Berners are liable to a high incidence of cancer (30% or so, as I recollect). You may remember that Hesse and I just fought our way through a bout w/cancer and when I asked about the why of this (bad luck, genetics, whatever) there seemed to be a consensus that Berner's were no more liable to cancer than any other breed. So, how do I balance the conflicting advice? There are several breeds with identified cancer issues also and many more with a high incidence of certain cancers but they're either too widespread a breed to be able to do an accurate count or have other issues which make understanding true percentages difficult at best. There is a saying in the Flat-Coat world that if you get them to 7, you have them forever. The Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America conducted a thorough health survey several years ago. This is a breed with an average life span of 7 1/2 years -- in large part due to cancer including hemangiosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis. The leading cause of _young_ FCRs death is accidental (Flatties being Flatties). The second leading cause of death in young dogs is cancer. When one of my FCRs was misdiagnosed with round cell sarcoma, I contacted one of the people involved with the cancer studies they were doing at the time. What they found with their study was : (going on memory here) approx. 34% of Flat-Coats die of cancer * Being the offspring of an affected dog increased your odds by slightly less than 2% * Being the sibling of an affected dog increased your odds by slightly over 4% * The same cancers were being found worldwide, however they were slightly different on the various continents much the same as red is different from maroon. A slightly earlier study found, at that time, that a great number of cancers were being misidentified or labelled with one name instead of another name of the same malignancy. So people weren't necessarily relating these malignancies together due to the disparity in names. Many a breeder of long lived dogs has stated that they have yet to see any rhyme or reason to one dog being affected and another entire litter going to graceful old age together. Some have had generation after generation live long then lose an entire litter by the age of 5, yet some of those dogs' get live to old age as well. If only it could be easy I totally agree with Ruth Reynolds that too much of the Berner breeders' emphasis is directed towards the coat due to the standard. This breed has been chosen in no small part due to coat genetics since the early days when it would have had to have been very strictly adhered to to generate the uniformity we see today. Additionally, all the clearances must be satisfied as well. That said, aside from being solid black or liver, the Flat-Coats don't have those concerns to any great degree (one *expects* to pass clearances -- failures are not common at all) yet they appear to have similar percentages if the data Jordan cites is correct. That is truly a puzzlement. Perhaps, the extreme narrowing of the FC gene pool during both World Wars tossed that breed into the same liferaft as the Berners? One thing in the Berner world that continually amazes me is the frequent use of underage studs (especially, since it's usually the boys being used young). Longevity aside, in a breed, such as Berners, where orthopedics, PRA and thyroid are such a concern, the use of dogs under 2 or 3 seems amazingly counterproductive especially in any great numbers. My own preference is to use older gentlemen -- boys who have proven their longevity in a way the girls can't safely before being bred. Trust me, I have yet to have an older statesman not be able to figure the whole game out when he's been given a young chickie to procreate with. ;-) I'm not totally condemning the use of _younger_ studs, there are plenty of times when the best dog for the job is a young adult and, if he is the best choice for a bitch, then so be it (tho I'd be peeking at his father, grandfathers and uncles, too!) But the key word is adult. I'm glad Hesse is responding to his treatments, Jordan -- may you have a long time to enjoy each other! All my hopes, Vicky and the Horde =P~ Nothing's as friendly as a wet dog!
Young studs (was: cancer advice)
In a message dated 12/28/2002 10:34:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: One thing in the Berner world that continually amazes me is the frequent use of underage studs It's a commonly held belief among Bernese breeders that boys have to get some experience when they're 'young and crazy' or they're prone to being a bit...uhhh, shall we say...inept...when duty calls as a mature adult. My experience is limited to one dog and I have to say, after years of being told leave it, performing as a stud dog was clearly not routine for him. He did get the job done but I wonder whether it would have come more easily to him if he'd been used as a teen so that 'memory' would kick in later on. I don't know, I've heard of so many Bernese males that aren't easy breeders...perhaps there's a genetic trait in the breed for low libido. Or perhaps it's a part of the Bernese temperament to be more of a 'Momma's Boy' than a Studly DoRight. Or maybe, regardless of breed, there's a biological reason for teenage dogs to have a higher concentration of testosterone circulating than at any other time in their lives. Perhaps nature intended for a dog to learn the ropes when he's driven by the testo-rush and his brain hasn't been delivered yet. ...or maybe using Bernese males at a young age is just a rationalization. I'd be interested in what others experience with their berner boys and with other breeds. -Sherri Venditti
Montana Raw and Real supplier anyone?
Does anyone on the list feed Montana Raw and Real dog food? What is your source? Or if you don't feed it and do know of a source, please share. My supplier, Jane Morrill of Morrills of Maine, has just gone out of business. The web site for the Montana Co. is a nightmare :-) and impossible to order from, although they claim they are after the manager to fix it - not likely before I run out of the stuff. And talking to the fellow who answers the phone there, when he does, is, well, shall we say, not productive in getting an order of food out? Can anyone help??? Libby Kesner and the Berner girls of Maine Voorheesville NY USA -- 26 inches of beautiful snow on Christmas Day, along with the 9 new puppies who arrived at the same time, along with 11 family members for celebrations a Christmas to remember :-)
Re: Young studs (was: cancer advice)
In a message dated 12/28/2002 12:59:24 PM Eastern Standard Time, BernerFolk writes: My experience is limited to one dog and I have to say, after years of being told leave it, performing as a stud dog was clearly not routine for him. He did get the job done but I wonder whether it would have come more easily to him if he'd been used as a teen so that 'memory' would kick in later on. LOL, I used a 7 1/2 yr old boy once who had spent his entire life being told to leave it and he sniffed the girl, went up on his toes, sniffed again, snurfled in her ear, then looked at his 'mother' and backed down. He was sure he was being 'set up.' This went on until we sent mommy out of the room. Then he tried to mount the girl but she squeaked and he backed down again. Finally, we took them outside into their fenced yard -- one lap of the pool later and clandestine peeks from Dot and me from our vantage points and they were tied. Poor Homer was trapped in the act tho he relaxed when he was praised as to what a good sort he was being. Two days later, he showed 'Mom,' 'Dad,' and anyone who wanted to watch, just what a clever boy he was. My girl got 3 hours of 'romancing' the first time, 5 minutes the second. And Homer impressed his 'Dad' with that neat trick he could do turning around mid-tie. ahem... LOL! All my hopes, Vicky and the Horde
montana raw
http://www.morrills.com/montana.htm what about this source? andrea, woofit and chi shavertown, pa http://www.brin.org/Woofit_and_Chi/
BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser.....
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas/Holiday. Since we are approaching the end of 2002, I just wanted to remind you that you can still make a donation to the BARC LOC Challenge Fundraiser this year. We have 83 super Berner items that you can try to win. If you haven't seen them, then you need to go to the web site that Karen Pickel made for us and check them out: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/BARC/ I know that once you see the fantastic prizes that you will want to run to your checkbook to send in a donation to BARC and/or LOC. This is a terrific way to make a donation to two tremendous organizations and at the same time have a chance to win some very nice Berner items. This is a Challenge Fundraiser - we are trying to raise a lot of money for BARC and LOC and the challenge is to see which group can raise the most money. So far, we have raised a total of $1,862.69. BARC has raised $1,003.69 and LOC has raised $859.00. Come on you folks who support LOC - we need to catch up with that BARC amount.I'd like to see this fundraiser end with a lot of money for both organizations and a Tie would be fine as far as I'm concerned. Have a great end of 2002 and may 2003 only hold good things for you and your Berners. Go hug your Bernersthen go write a check!! Joye Neff and Winston (Samantha and Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA
raw hide bones or Chew-ezee
I am sure I am using trademark names but never the less I am sure everyone is familiar with the products, raw hide bones or Chew Eze. First of all. I have raised at least two labs on these products over a span of 20 years on one or both of these products. They lived 14 and 13 years, respectively. My last lab died of liver failure. I heard these products might cause 'liver parasites', in spite of the fact the products are being marketed in every pet store such as Pet Smart. I heard the products are not governed by the FDA or USDA therefor the products may contain parasites. Many of these raw hide products are manufactured in other countries like Brazil and Mexico where safeguards are less monitored. I am aware the difference in inspection process of the U.S. versus other countries is significant. I would like to give my berner raw hide treats but only if they are safe. What is the berner-l position ongiving this product to our breed. My berner loves her chew-ez. Terry Bering
Swollen Eye
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Swollen Eye
I am fairly new to this list and I have only sent one or two emails before.. ..I have had several of you respond to my questions, which I am extremely grateful for. My husband and I have our first bernerhe is a rescue baby that we got when he was 8 months oldhe is now 13 months. I noticed tonight that his left is a little bit swollen and we have no idea whyany suggestions on what it might beor what we can do for it? Thank you very much Jim, Karen and Thor (the poor baby with the sore eye)
Carl Seibert
Looking for Carl Seibert however the email address that I have ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) keeps bouncing back. Sorry to the list for this post. Any help locating Carl would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks Peg Dale Peg McQueary http://www.geocities.com/thunderingpinesbernese/index.htm Northern California U.S.A.
