Hi everyone, missed you all

[shorkiejem]

I've been so so busy with too many things.
Update on Jemma.  She went thru her spay and teeth extractions with no problems.  since then she has gained some weight, yeaaaaaa.
AND she is still on the raw diet and doing fantastic with it.
Hope all of you are doing well

[Westyns~Daddy]

Well hey there we all missed u so much welcome back!!!fantastic news about jemma that makes me happy!!!!

[Mai Tai]

So glad to hear from you.  I post a lot less now too because my dogs, cats and children are keeping me busy.  How big is Jemma now.  Mo is set to be neutered on March 23, now that he is almost 4 lbs at 9 and a half months old.  Glad you are both doing well.  Take care.

[Kim]

Glad Jemma is doing well 

[TravisKR]

Glad to hear shes doing good I choosen not to get meika spayed yet, cuz i want one of her offspring

[Mai Tai]

Travis, I want to do the same with Mo, but don't know how to go about finding a female to mate him with.  In the meantime, he has started to lift his leg and pee on the hamper in the house.  He has been lifting his leg outside for months now, but this is the first time he has done it in the house.  I am afraid he is starting to mark and won't stop, so I made an appt to neuter him, but I really don't want to.  Any suggestions anyone?

[shorkiejem]

ummmm, don't want anyone getting mad at me....but.... if you are breeding are you breeding Shitzu to Yorkie or Shorkie to Shorkie?  Your Shorkie was a first cross. How you would be breeding is not. There hasn't  been enough research done on the Shorkie to Shorkie.  However the Shorki itself was developed almost 20 years ago.  Enough research under the Shorkie belt. You have a real danger of doubling up on recessive  genes.  Not only that but before breeding you should have all testing done on both parents. A must do.   And $$$ Just breeding female to male is not a positive thing nor is it healthy for mama to pass off recessive genes to their little babies.  I never bred Shorkies but I was a long time breeder of Show Golden Retrievers and it is super expensive to have all genetic testing done on both parents.
Final thing to remember is small breeds have a higher incident of needing a C section.
Research research and do more research on your breed. Look and see what problems the Shitzu's are known to have and the Yorkie.  And think about producing double those problems.  Which is why there is genetic testing.  Ruling those problems out. OK fire away at me.

[TravisKR]

I agree with you completely, like with any small bred there is a risk of developing problems thru pregnancy.  To breed a shorkie with a shorkie is caled a class 2 shorkie, but to breed a shorkie with shih tzu or a yorkie is class 1 shorkie, ive did enough reseach into this before i even decided that i would breed her. 

And Mai Tai, i know what you mean, i want to get her done because its healthier but then again i want one of her offspring, so i decided to mate her once then get her spray!! Too bad you wasnt closer

[TravisKR]

spayed not spray aha

[Mai Tai]

Totally agree with you Shorkiejem and would not consider doing it without the genetic testing.  Mo is already a 2nd generation shorkie, so even more problems could arise.  I think because he is the result of two shorkie parents it caused him to be much more yorkie than Shih tzu because he got yorkie genes from both parents.  The more I think about it, the more I am inclined to just snip his little testicles.  I think it is more of a fantasy I like to play with in my head, and neutering him will take away the possiblity, know what I mean?

[Westyns~Daddy]

Mai tai,
I agree with u 100%!when I saw these little babies,I wanted more and westyn is going to be a very good looking as an adult!!!but I think getting him snipped is the responibility thing to do although it kills me everytime I think about it!with these mixed breeds u just never can be to safe!!

[shorkiejem]

Yorkshire Terrier is prone to certain genetic disorders, including distichiasis, hydrocephalus, hypoplasia of dens, Legg-Perthes disease, patellar luxation, portosystemic shunt, retinal dysplasia, tracheal collapse and bladder stones. The above are among the most common congenital defects that affect Yorkies.

Shitzu breed has a number of common health problems including: brachiocephalic syndrome (respiratory problems); eye and eyelid disorders such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, KLS (dry-eye), entropion, ectropion, and eye lacerations; orthopedic problems such as patellar luxation and intervertebral disc disease; kidney problems; von Willebrands disease (mild bleeding disorder); and ear infections. Information on some of these genetic diseases can be found in our article Hereditary Diseases in Dogs. Prospective buyers should ask for the breeding parents Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) test results and also the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent ophthalmologists report for eye disorders.

If you breed just remember you can't until they are 2 years old.  OFA will not give a Final OFA rating unil 24 months of age.  Trust me, they won't do it a day before 2 years.  Not a final anyway.  The only vets that can give you a CERF is a vet opthamalogist. (sp)

If you live in NJ I could help you out with some referrals.  For my Golden's Hips and Heart, I went to Garden State Vet Specialists. Orthro doc did hip x-rays and sent them to OFA for me.  But you also have to pay the OFA for the rating. The hospital also has Cardio vets, where my Goldens hearts were tested were for SAS.  Then on down to Medford, NJ to eye vet to get a CERF.  I have to send for the CERF though after the eye exam and the necessary paper work.  You have to pay CERF as well.  Although as I said, I bred Golden Ret., breeding responsibilities are identical.  Breeding is breeding. No skimping on the ethics of it all.
If you are going to breed, PLEASE know a vet well enough that you can call him 24-7 if Mommy appears to be having any problems with whelping.  Please have someone with you who is experienced in breeding and whelping, a mentor.  I'll just give you some examples of some complications that I myself encountered.  Breech birth.  Doesn't have to be complicated but pup can end up sideways as well.  You need to get in there and turn the pup.  Pup comes half way out and Mom can't push anymore.  Sure you can get a dry towel and grasp and pull but will you pull the cord and break it at the pups stomach?  What happens when the pup is born not moving, not breathing and listless.  Is it dead?  Most likely it can be revived.  Do you know how?  Pretty simple to do and it's not doing CPR either, lol  Nor giving it oxygen. And one thing that happens with long labor, contractions stop.  But there are still pups inside.  Does your vet trust you enough with a bottle of what I call pitocin and a needle for injecting?  You'll need it.
Am I trying to scare you?  If I didn't that's good it means you've been there and know all this.  If I have than please think. That is why a mentor is so important. These are just some of complications I faced, by no means  all of them.  And  you need to know when it's time your dog needs a C Section.  I had to go though that too.  For one pup and she didn't make it.  800.00 for the C Section alone.
And the most responsible thing to do is to make sure your pups are basically sold before you even breed.
If your dog has even visable signs of a defect, don't breed.  I had a beautiful Female Golden.  She had a duel Championship on her and was invited to partake at the Westminister.  When she was ready for breeding went and had all the testing done.  All was good.  Spent 800.00 on her first breeding.  Didn't take.  Was allowed a 2nd repeat breeding.  Didn't take.  hmmmmm. Just lost 800.00  Went and had thyroid tested.  Came back normal.  Decided to use a different dog on her next heat..  Same thing, no pups.  OK, now I've spent thousands of dollars to Professional  Handlers for her Championship in the US and Canada and no pups?  Contacted a Breeding Specialists in Ohio.  Re-did thyroid, full panel.  Yup came back normal but the low range.  Found out Goldens can't be in the low range.  They won't conceive.  OK simple enough, they get thyroid pills and by the next heat, will be able to.  Must be on the meds at least 4 months.  All is good right?  Wrong.  My heart was broke.  She could pass on low thyroid to her pups.  No good for breeding.  Need I add up my entire expense for testing, handlers, stud fees, vets and a final spay.  A most beautiful AKC standard with a fault that could not be beat.  Could I have lied?  Sure no one would have known.  It simply was not who I am.  Why do that to someone? 
So I hope you will take all I said into consideration.  If you breed I wish you the best and am here to help you in any way I can.

[Bailey]

Welcome back