These Two

Siska and Orin are the best buddies. 

Love this of both of them on the bench together. He is just so masculine now, he looks super. He is such a lovely boy inside and out, I just hope he can get into the ring and catch up on all he's missed out on. 

Love This

Zeus with the Nantlle Ridge behind him.

At Home Today

Are they all related? says he. Well says I, almost. "Well who is not related and how are the others related?" says he .. "OMG" says I. LOL 

Seriously it's easy to start with the one not related ... Ross, bought from the Silkenwood kennels in Suffolk, hence Mouth From The South! 

 Now from the top, Nico was bred at the Conbhairean kennel in Scotland. The son of our Kai's sister. Kai died before he was 7 and a few months later a 17 month old Nico came to live with us. Nico was mated to Ziva from my bitch line, Asha's daughter, Jezi's sister (Going back through the generations -Asha - Tali - Krizzie - Seffe - Nikki) From that litter I kept Sammi. Loki is also a Nico son but he was bred by Ian and has a totally different bitch line. Kaiah is Sammi's daughter from her first litter, Orin and Zeus and her sons from her second litter. Siska is Kaiah's daughter. Quite simple until you start thinking that Orin and Kaiah are half brother and sister on the bitch line, but Orin and Siska are also half brother and sister on the sire's line. Looking at type from Ziva down you can see the similarities, even Loki has a similar "look" about him. Nico has really complemented my strong bitch line, one of my better decisions was to breed from him and Ziva and outcross to Merlot and Sisco later .. it just worked!

Happy 4th Birthday Ross

My Fransisco Babies

No Hard Feelings

The main man keeping an eye on things but not sharing the ditch!

As we went out through the gate today Zeus lost a couple of his gold stars, not that he had many left after refusing to come down from the field last night anyway. Oh god I was so frustrated with him, like a young Tali all over again! Anyway, back to today, in his excitement he nipped Jezi in the bum as we were going through the gate. That's a behaviour that goes on a lot between pack members, hence some carry toys, but you don't do that to Jezi. She has been so good and so patient with him, to be fair she has excelled herself, but today she told him a few home truths. The love of her life came to see what was going on, but by that time she'd said her piece and I sent him on his way. 

The walk was lovely with everyone enjoying themselves, it really is a good walk for Zeus to have joined and his grandad Nico would be a wonderful influence on anyone. The boy is just such a clown, honestly he warms up my heart, he has us in stitches every day. 

This is the style for wearing gencon's in 2021 apparently ... lol

Our Posing Pics

Things

As you can see Zeus is doing really well on the retractable lead. I hate the bloody things, I have always considered them dangerous pieces of equipment. I've seen people's hands and legs ripped by them and seen so many dogs almost squished on the road as the owner walks along unaware. I guess it all comes back down to the same thing, the person using it is the danger not the equipment. I would not use it near a road, on a pavement or in any place that I consider it to be unsafe. It horses for courses and I do hope that this lead will be of benefit to me and Zeus! Not that you can tell from this photo but I'm using it with a gencon not the dogmatic, the control is on the side not under his chin. I hope it won't get tangled as easily this way. 

Following an outburst of aggression from Kaiah directed at Orin this morning, I checked her out. Finally, she is in season, only about a month late! Now we need to prepare for things to get difficult with the boys. With an extra male in the mix I've no idea how we will manage, but mange we will! Clocking today as day one of her season. 

Group Photos

Gold Star

Another gold star for our Zeus last night. He was loose in the yard when Jamie toddled on in. Zeus ran over to him, Jamie collapsed in a heap and rolled over .. as he would. Zeus sniffed him and they both walked into the house together. This boys book is full of gold stars! 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Little Miss Buttercup

                           

Sunshine At Home

A Visitor

 I hope you are not getting fed up with Zeus posts, but these things need saying. Whilst I was out in the field with him last night The Princess decided to join us. He was loose and therefore I only had my voice to control the situation. Saying "please go away Isla" was never going to work, there was more chance of  getting through to Zeus. "Leave it," he looked over at Isla and then back at me. "Leave it .. where is your ball?" Yeah the ball was more important .. Good lad! He regularly now meets cats face to face, there is no doubt if they run he will chase, but mostly these don't run and he responds well to "Leave it!" I don't think he has it in him to harm them, but as with any dog the urge to chase is strong. 

Yesterday afternoon I asked Linda to come into the house, to meet Zeus in the kitchen. During these months of lockdown we've hardly seen anyone, let alone had anyone in the house. As I would with any of the dogs and any planned visit I popped Zeus in his crate 5 mins before her arrival. He barked with natural guarding instincts, the same as any GSD would, "good lad, quiet now ... right decision." Lin sat down, I let him out, they said "Hi" and Ted came out, followed by a fair few more toys. Ted was originally Siska's travelling companion, but when she decided to remove his ear he was confiscated. Zeus loves Ted, and he may stay in one piece longer with him than with little Miss Mini Me. (I swear she is just like her mother - cocky, confident, obedient and sweet!) 

I was preparing our evening meal as I was chatting to Linda, she couldn't believe that Zeus never once tried to steal anything, she remarked that at almost 10 years old her Lexi would have grabbed the goodies. To be honest given the opportunity some of mine would have done too, but Zeus is no thief, unless you include kitchen roll of course. (I still chuckle as I think of it!)  Lin asked about the training I've done with Zeus over the last 2 months?  I had to confess I've done no formal training with him at all, I've simply taught him the rules and boundaries of life at Blanik. Yeah simply I've taught him how to live with us, what I expect of him and of course what he can get away with. I'm way past the days of obedience training, sit, down, show off, stand on your fecking head doesn't do it for me anymore, I did that all with Blade and I haven't done it since. Of course I still teach them but only as boundaries for everyday life, I also find they learn so much from the pack. To be honest I don't teach sit as an exercise now at all, I haven't for years, though I use it for photos and they pick it up there ... I teach down, "stand - wait" and wait obviously as a separate command, I don't teach stay any more, I simply concentrate on wait. (they can be helpful as different commands, wait until I call you, or change your position, stay until I return.. never move, stay) I teach a send away of sorts as simply go to bed .. go to lie down. No one is allowed to push first through a doorway here, the consequences of that could be disastrous with Jezi and Nico the other side of it. 

One thing I do still teach and expect is a recall. In my opinion the most important part of teaching a recall to a puppy is that they learn to want to come to you. A puppy/dog should always be praised for a recall; scolding, ending games instantly, grabbing at collars, putting leads on etc will only ever make them consider their options next time. As bright intelligent dogs next time they probably won't return and the vicious circle begins. Thankfully my younger generation are fantastic at it ... only really Jezi and Tali have pushed it over the years .. though I do remember too well that puppy Sammi and I had words about it, but by the time she was 6 months she was great, so a long time ago. Of course no dog is a robot and sometimes we have blips and disappointments, but we don't dwell on them we deal with it and move on. Zeus' recall is still unpredictable, but it is improving and he has realised, I hope, that being with me is more rewarding than being away from me. 

Boys Bits

Blanik Jackson - Kyle 

I was reading this morning on a GSD advice page about people who have young males with one descended testicle. So much conflicting advice from "people in the know" and their own vets. One told to neuter now whilst her pup is 7 months, another thankfully jumped in and said she had done her research and going against the vets advice leaving it till her pup is 18 months. I really feel for them, I've been there so I understand. Kyle was due to go to a show home but with only one descended testicle it fell through for him, of course he now has the perfect life, but I'd have loved him to have had a show home. Whilst looking to buy my own sable pup I had set my heart on "Sable2" in a friends litter - sadly neither of his testicles descended by 8 weeks and I had to pull out. (and they never did come down) Of course had there not been an issue with Sable2 then there would not have been a Ross at Blanik, I can't imagine life without a Ross to keep me on my toes! 

Sometimes in a young pup you can feel the testicle is on its way down but not yet in the scrotum, that of course is less concerning and the testicle should drop. As a breeder it is your responsibility to inform the puppy buyer of the situation and should they continue with the sale to give them advice on the way forward. I hope none of our puppy buyer will ask similar questions on advice groups, I hope they come to me first and if I can't help them then I'll find someone who can.

The way I understand it is, if these males are not neutered it can become dangerous for them in middle age. The temperature in the body is too hot for the testicle which is obviously designed to be outside the body, and it is likely to become cancerous. But there are other aspects to consider - as the body needs the sex hormones to mature and close the growth plates early neutering increases the risk of bone/joint abnormalities like H.D, and can cause a higher risk of some cancers and cruciate tears. Therefore, to me the obvious solution is to neuter at around 2 years old. 

One lady talks on there about it being hereditary .. well yeah it is, but that is where it is quite complicated. We had one male with a retained testicle in the "E" litter of 2003, all others have been entire from the "A" litter of 96 until we get to the "J" litter of 2016. Both males there had a retained testicle and needed surgery as both were retained near the kidneys, which is where they start their journey from shortly after birth. As my bitch line did not seem to have carried the defect I couldn't really blame Sammi who was the dam of the litter. Also her sire is Nico, and to my knowledge he has not produced any retained testicles in 8 litters. Therefore, I looked at the sire of the litter, a well-used and popular dog, there seemed to be very few issues with him in that department. Confusing me further, Sammi then had 4 males to Fransisco, all were entire. Kaiah, who is the female from the "J" litter also had 3 males from Fransisco, 2 were entire at 8 weeks, one had a retained testicle which has since made it's way down. Therefore, the combination of Merlot and Sammi produced retained testicles, but the combination of Fransisco and Sammi did not! Why? 

The J Litter

Katrina explained it to me, and I will try and explain it in the same way. (If I can and it makes sense) If you use as an example, a puppy with retained testicles must have had 10 defective genes from his parents to be affected, but some must come from both sides. To try and make it easy if you consider the genes as buttons in your hands. For example in the left hand you have the bitch who may carry 4 buttons, in the right you have the dog buttons, therefore to produce the defect the dog must carry 6 buttons, if he only carried 5 or less the litter would all be entire. So between Merlot and Sammi they carried more than 10 buttons .. but between Fransisco and Sammi ... they did not. So even if the female only carried 2, the male could carry 8 ... etc. So it really isn't as easy as I use to think. I use to say, well it's not a problem in my bitch line ... but really I guess I had always just been lucky with my combinations. Though I must admit having had a litter of entire males from Fransisco to Sammi I was hopeful that things would work out the same with him and Kaiah, thankfully they seem to have done. (though of course being a combination of Merlot and Sammi, Kaiah may carry more buttons than Sammi!) 

It will be a coupe of years at least before there is another Blanik litter. Whether I get Kaiah to Zalu or whether it'll be Siska I really can't tell at the moment. Fransisco is getting on, or I'd probably have taken Kaiah back to him. I've never used a male twice before, so the fact I'm even thinking of a third time means this boy is special! 

Last Night At Ring Craft

Siska and Callan

Orin

Siska

Callan

Well done you three, you did so well. 

Archie

My lovely little man glad that the rain is over, for a few days anyway. 

Extra Weigh In

Following a necessary trip I took a detour to the vets to pay the rather hurtful bill. £80 was added on top of Asha's bill as we were out of hours, I guess we were, but only just. Things really have gone to pot there, there seems to be no consideration given to long-standing customers. I was just 16 when I first used this practice, I seriously must consider finding an alternate! 

Anyway ... I weighed Mini Me and she was 17.4kg - I kind of hoped she would have been over 18kg .. but there we go, I doubt she'll make it to the average bitch weight of 20+kg by 5 months, but I guess she'll be close! Looking back the smallest bitch here at 5 months was Tali at 19.55kg and 50cms - as an adult she was just under 59cms and about 30kg. Ziva is slightly smaller in height but a heaver set bitch than Tali. It would be ideal if Siska was about the same height as Tali or Ziva as an adult ... but as Ian always says ... It is what it is! 

I decided to take Zeus in to be weighed too. He was 35.2kg. His weight is and has been spot on for his size and build since his return, but it does go to prove what is obvious to the eye, under that coat he is a smaller dog than Orin. Orin was almost 38kg at 12 months, I guess he'd be just over that by now. 

Ring Craft tonight, can't wait ... 

I Shouldn't Laugh

Mr Zeus had fun this afternoon. Bored with being indoors in the dreadful weather and left unsupervised, he emptied the toy box, moved the box to the middle of the room and shredded a new kitchen roll. He was so pleased with himself, I couldn't help but laugh with him as I tried to clear it up. Such a big puppy, such a clown. I've told him if he does it again I'll batter him, he says he doesn't believe me!!!! 

Lazy Afternoon

Well we are all walked, thank god for decent waterproofs! Now you may think I'm nuts going out in that, but think of it another way ... 10 unsettled dogs in one house, 7 of them in the living room doesn't call for a pleasant afternoon. The alternate was walking followed by soggy towels and now a happy sleeping family and a restful Sunday afternoon for us. No contest! Though we've dried everyone we've also covered the sofa in dry dog towels. I guess it stinks of wet dog in here now, but when you're in it you don't notice. 😏

Though I hate retractable leads, I've ordered one for Zeus off Amazon last night. I was really not managing that long lie at all but to add insult to injury the clip broke on it today. Luckily Zeus was already under control so no harm done. I want him to have some freedom on the walk but I can't risk letting him run where livestock graze freely, of course we do let him run in the fields. I've had the long line for years, but I'd never used it before, quite scary really that a bolt clip could break so easily! 

Little Siska's coat is coming on a treat, she's so beautiful and so like her mum at the same age. So much of Nico in this bitch line now, one of my better decisions was mating him to Ziva. The combination of Nico and the Blanik bitch line clicked and has really taken me to where I want to be. Sammi, Kaiah and Siska are so alike, so to type, my preferred type. Then there is Orin and Zeus, again so similar in type. Orin is taller and the bigger heavier framed male, under that coat Zeus is without doubt a slightly smaller male, but there is still plenty of him. Zeus is also a little shorter in body length, but there is no doubt that both are brothers .. both are very much Blanik brothers! 

Siska Starting To Enjoy The Water

Long Line

Letting Zeus have some freedom on the long line on the mountain is really great,

but today I've been in absolute stitches. The trouble is you need someone who can manage the line, I've failed and so has Ian, but to be fair it was his first attempt and he was almost castrated!

Wonderful Walk

Photoshopping Siska

Love this ever so slightly photoshopped photo of Siska, no changes to her of course but Orin has been removed. I'm enjoying messing and hopefully I'm getting better at it. I do see a small mistake, ah well too late now. 

More Rain

As I'm sure you gathered from the post yesterday was not a happy day. I had an early morning visit to the mobile unit which is now in Tesco car park. My first visit there and to say I was worked up about it was an understatement. I am and always have been self-conscious, I cover as much as I can so I felt uncomfortable and humiliated ... no one's fault, needs must and though I had verbal diarrhoea I got on with it! 

The rain was relentless all day, the wind so powerful we could hardly hold the front door open. By mid-morning it wasn't safe to go outside. The young dogs were unsettled and a little annoying, again not their fault, so many shut in a house sometimes doesn't work. Thankfully by the evening the wind and rain had dropped and they were able to play in the yard ... there was so much towel torture yesterday that I think Siska may now be over the crisis! lol 

Getting Zeus to go to the toilet was quite stressful. He won't go in the yard and he seems to dislike wind and rain, it made me giggle as I thought of Dexi though. I used to say to him, thank god you're not a Police dog as all the criminals would get away with everything if the weather was bad! I did manage to get Zeus to pee in the front garden twice during the day which was a huge relief for us, well and him too I guess! The 10.30pm toddle around the field was non too pleasant, I must admit even then I was a little scared in the bottom of the field. 

Zeus really played on my emotions yesterday,  as I was already feeling low I just couldn't help but feel so sad for him. It would be so easy for him to live here with us, to go from kennel to kitchen with a walk in-between. He is seriously no trouble here, there are no behavioural problems ... I can even now get hold of him by the collar to lead him where I want him to go. He's happy, bubbly and silly .. but he is alone more than he should be. I honestly still believe that for the dogs sake he would be better off with someone else, someone who could give him more, much more than we can, but of course it has to be the right people. Zeus needs someone who understands the breed, he needs boundaries, rules, exercise and fun, that why I was very interested in discussing him with people who contacted me last night. People who came with high praise indeed, recommended by friends through rescue. A retired couple who had recently lost their GSD bitch. She was described to me as quite small, calm and well-behaved. Hmmm. Again my concern was their age, but I told them all about Zeus and thankfully they gave it some thought and came back with the right decision, he is too young, strong and energetic for them. I do like it when people put the dogs needs before their own desires! Anyway, I'm wondering if this would be the right home for Enzo? Could be! 

This afternoon I'm taking my dad for a CT Scan. I'm scared for him and it's been weighing on my mind all week. I guess it was a large part of my emotional state yesterday. Anyway answers are needed, there is no point putting our heads in the sand ... at least with answers we can move forward. 

Baby girl doesn't seem to mind the rain now, actually she was more than happy to play out and get drenched ... I wonder if the dip before the kissing gate will be a lake today? Sadly I've no time to go and find out, maybe tomorrow. 

Tears

I'm putting a stew on, my hairy assistant chef is with me, as usual. I sit on the floor and we have a huge cuddle and soppy kisses. I find myself getting all emotional and asking him, "how the hell did it all go so wrong for you?" In my mind I can hear him say ... "Don't know what I did wrong." Tears running down my cheeks .. "I don't know what you did so wrong either my mate, here you are nothing but pleasure and a privilege." I'm crying now ... so he gets his ball and makes me smile again.