Feeding

When I first got into dogs I fed what everyone else did...kibble, because that is what is best right? Everything is balanced with the perfect vitamins, minerals and protein and fat levels.......right? Well, I started to do some research on dog nutrition and found this wasn't really the case. I began to look more into the idea of feeding a raw diet, a much more natural diet for my dogs without the preservatives, fillers and all the nutrition cooked out of it.

My original breed was German Shorthaired Pointers and they got to be my guinea pigs. I couldn't believe the changes in them! One of the biggest differences was the amount of stool I was picking up....it was literally half the amount, and about a quarter of the smell! The ate their meals with gusto, and the feel of their bodies changed a great deal. Kibble fed dogs tend to have a much softer feel while dogs on a raw diet have a lovely hard, fit and lean feel to them. Their teeth were also very white...no dental visits for this crew!

Fast forward to the Doberman years...I started them on raw as well, again with the same wonderful results. I had a great, very economical meat source so everything was going along well. When I lost the meat source and started having to pay a great deal more for the food as well as had a few more dogs to feed I decided that I would try going back to the kibble. The dogs did ok on it, and it wasn't awful but nothing compares to a raw fed dog. I am now very happy to have found a good source for the raw, both economically and with lots of variation. The dogs are happily eating it with great gusto and the change in stool amount happens overnight. I still feed some kibble, usually when I am traveling as it is just so much easier than trying to pack raw food around with you, but for the most part my dogs are raw fed again and I couldn't be happier.

Running dogs...

I try to get the dogs out everyday for a good heart pounding run. This keeps them fit and strong physically, does great things for them mentally, and lets face it...makes them a joy to have at home. A tired dog is the best kind of dog. :)

I am lucky that where I live I have several options for off lead romps. I usually change it up every day which is nice for me(new scenery) and the dogs(new smells). I love to get out everyday for this run. Even if I don't really feel like going I know that the dogs are waiting and once I am out there I can't believe I even considered not going! The exercise makes me feel great, the quiet time by myself is a nice treat, and the pure joy of the dogs running puts a big grin on my face. So next time you think to yourself that you might like to stay sitting on the couch, take a look into your dogs eyes and that will be all the motivation you need. It's worth it!

There are exciting things happening at Braebrook. Coco arrives this weekend for her maternity stay. She is due on Aug 5th, so the countdown is on now with just over two weeks to go. Keep an eye out here for future posts as well as the website for photos of the new arrivals.

The crop/dock/dewclaw fight

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge supporter of the right to crop, dock and remove dewclaws. Not only do these procedures contribute to the beautiful look of many of our beloved breeds(174 different breeds registered in Canada are docked and/or cropped), but there are many health reasons for it too. I urge you to check out the K9 Alliance website for more information: www.k9alliance.com .

There have been some recent posts on various dog e-mail lists that I am on that there may be a c/d/dc ban coming into affect in BC in the very near future. Some say as early as the fall of this year! Please do what you can to make your voice heard, e-mail or call your c/d/dc friendly vet and let them know that you support them and how important it is to keep the choice to perform these procedures. E-mail or call the BC Vet Medical Association and the Canadian Kennel Club to let them know your thoughts. We can make a difference. If we just stand back and think others will do the job for us it will be too late and we will lose the ability to c/d and remove dc forever. If that is the case be prepared to say good bye to many of your favourite breeds. In the case of the Doberman, countries that have lost the right for these procedures have seen registration go down so far(as much as 80-90%!!) that the breeds may never recover.

Now is the time, so PLEASE make your voice heard!

Mariah

The idea of a blog....

After coming across more and more breeder website with blogs I decided it is something I just might have to try out. I love following along with people's doggie lives and thought maybe somebody might like to do this with me...? This will be a nice way for my puppy people to keep up to date with what is happening with the Braebrook clan, as well as keep up to date on future litters etc..

You will have to be patient with me, as two young children, the dogs and everything that goes with that does keep me pretty busy, but I will try to post here somewhat regularly. :)

Thank you to those who decide to follow along with me on this adventure!