Lucca And George

One advantage of choosing Lucca as a stud dog for Siska is that he lives close by. Other than when I was lucky enough to be able to use my own males, I've had to travel distances to use studs. We are so lucky to have Lucca so close. He is considered by many in the know to be the best LSH male in the country. Lucca was imported from German at 4 months old and his bloodlines are in the purple, he is extensively health tested and was Vice LSH Sieger in the UK in 2023, an accolade I can only dream of!  Lucca has a super character, and as you can see from the video, Siska likes him .. well she always has. They are compatible on paper and I believe their physical attributes will complement each other.  

Lucca and Siska as pups - she is a month or so older . 

*****

You may have noticed that Lucca is a sable, like Ross, just with more coat! LOL George is also a sable. George belongs to my friend and "go to person" Katrina. He is 4.5 hrs away, but Katrina has had a chat with him, and he's happy to be Siska's back-up plan should we not get a mating with Lucca. George is mostly showline bred, his sire is "Jimmy," last year's top winning GSD (both sexes) George does have some working lines through his mother, but that does serve to bring the COI (Inbreeding Coefficient) down. So hopefully, whichever sire we chose we'll have Blanik's first ever sable pups. It will be possible to have 2 different colours and 2 different coat varieties from either sire - Oh god here's hoping! 

George

Vet, Siska Bloods And Librela

Loki was booked in this morning for his injection. It was 4 and a half weeks since the last one, and he did struggle to get into the van today. I wonder if that was down to needing the Librela boost or the fact he followed Beti everywhere yesterday. It's a week since her season was over, but till today, he still didn't get it!

We didn't know the vet we saw today, a rather inexperienced young man, but we all start somewhere and just for the injection, well no worries. I think he was rather intimidated by Loki's glares, but as I told him, Beth gives him biscuits and Loki expects to be given treats in that room! LOL 

The vet struggled a little more with Siska, he had to shave her leg to get bloods, and even then failed and went to try her neck. I felt sorry for him, but with the assistance of the vet nurse he got there. Hopefully in no time he'll be as efficient as Jamie who took the bloody on Tuesday, first time and without shaving her leg. The results today was only 5.1 nmol/L, but I'm well aware that last time she went up from 6.6 to 23 in 48 hrs - I think we'll go to visit Lucca on Sunday morning and make further plans from there. 

Loving Life

Yesterday I had long chats with two friends. One whose husband has had serious heart problems and is now slowly recovering. She said she worries so much about him and that he looks drawn and ill. Though Steve had two heart attacks, he was treated by fitting 4 stents, my friend husband had 5 heart grafts (5 bypasses) and therefore his healing time will obviously be longer. She said he is looking drawn and old, well that's exactly how Steve looked a year ago, but now he does look better. I told her that I had worried myself sick over two years of cancer and heart problems, but now I was refusing to let "What could/will happen in the future" ruin our lives together. Life is for living, and as best as we can, enjoying. 

Then I talked to Linda, Mark's widow. As you can imagine, she is broken and sees no end to her pain. My heart goes out to her as she tries to sort out the legalities as well as deal with heartbreaking loss. Yes life is for living guys ... and try not to think about what is around the next corner, just concentrate on the straight bit ahead! 

Zeus Walk

Zeus and I took Linda on one of our regular walks today. Fantastic views, such a shame it was quite wintery! 

Weigh In

Forgot to mention - I weighed both the girls at the vets on Tuesday. Beti was 27.3kg and Siska was 31.7kg - Siska half a kg heavier than her last weigh in back in Jan 2023 - Beti is the same weight as Siska was at the same age .. ideal then!

Happy 7th Birthday

Happy 7th birthday to the clown at the party, our lovely Ross. To celebrate, it's a new kong day .. woohooo. I guess he's a bit of a marmite dog, though most people love him .. a few have found him too "loud and annoying" over the years. For us, he's a bit of sunshine on a rainy day, full on fun, the best of characters .. and a lovely singing voice too! lol

Walk Number Four

                                                   

Well please remind me/us not to do that walk again. Though it was scenic and quiet, it was steep, muddy, slippery, full of twists and turns, steep steps and mostly overgrown .. yeah the bits in the pics look OK, but trust me the rest of it wasn't much fun .. Oh and those fecking retractable leads are going in the bin!

Walk One, Two And Three

With Loki still not getting the message that Beti's season is over, he had to walk alone. He tried to mount her this morning, she got all giddy and started to play, so he fell over. So for the sake of both it's yet another day apart!

Handsome hairy, don't ever doubt my love for this dog. Don't ever confuse my frustration for a lack of love. 

Orin and Siska still running free together!

Test One

 All was calm and quiet here last night with Siska and Orin relaxing next to each other, so it was no surprise that today, on day 11, test one was only 0.9nmol/L. Last time she was mated she was 6.6nmol/L on day 11 and rose quickly to 23.0nmol/L by day 13 - we will re test again on Friday - day 14, and take things from there. Kaiah took a week to be ready for mating after a test of 0.8 - so I guess it could be the end of next weekend before we try to get a mating. I wonder if she's slower going up because she's come in season a lot earlier than her normal cycle? Anyway what will be eh ...

Just Saying ..

"Walter Martin was and still is considered by many to be one of the greatest breeders in the breed's history. He bred many dogs, some very good and some not so good.  Walter considered this dog, Zamb von der Wienerau, to be the closest male he had bred relative to the breed standard, and the dog he hoped would be the breed's future cornerstone and role model. Time does not stand still, but the German Shepherd Dog Breed standard has remained the same, other than for minor tweaks." 

I remember Zamp winning his title in 1992 and 1994. It was early days for me in the breed but there was such a buzz about him. At the time you were team Zamp or team Jeck (his half brother) ... Jeck had the same balanced angulation, but from memory he was shorter coupled and had the rounder/harder overline which for a time in the nineties became very fashionable. Though we still see it, I guess now we would consider that as extreme. 

Anyway, I was asked "Are you happy with your current breeding line?" Well yeah. I'm happy to still be team Zamp, I'm happy that as close as we can be, my dogs fit the "blueprint" of the breed. (Above) There is no perfection, that is impossible to get, but the simple comment put on by Fransisco owner on this photo of Beti really made me proud ... "A bitch for all." That is exactly what I want .. a balanced bitch that doesn't look out of place in any form of show competition.

Yeah I'm very proud of Orin's daughter, I'm very proud that generations of Blanik bitches has bought us here, not far from the "Blueprint"  .. thank you Orin and Zoe! 

I Made This

I'm considering not posting it on social media, for now anyway! I may just edit it if there is further success by the time she's 12 months. 

The Others At Home

A Lovely Walk

Linda and I enjoyed our sunny walk this morning, before the lunchtime rain came. We saw Alpacas and a Kite (Pics on Facebook) I found the leads extremely frustrating today, and Siska seemed to be pushing buttons and being awkward. Still 10 out of 10 to both when a dog rushed out barking and they ignored it, they also ignored the Alpacas, but as ever Siska was not to be trusted with the sheep. 

Still On Seasons

Today I tried Loki back with Beti, it was a no go .. and bloody hell Ross was trying to mount her too! I had to laugh at Loki, his legs were everywhere. He made me think of a drunken older man chasing after a much younger woman. A bit pervy eh Loki! Loki is always the last to realise when a female has finished her season, and I guess with Siska in season now he'll be more confused. 

Siska is booked at the vets on Tuesday for her progesterone test ... let's hope it will be a productive and successful week. Orin is starting to flirt, I have to be on the ball now with him as he knows the job too well and that would be a disaster! 

Dogs And Flowers

Bits About Bath

 Well it took 4 hrs and 15 mis straight drive to get there, but 6 hrs and 15 mins with one 20 min break to get back. I knew we'd hit Friday night traffic on the M4, but it was still frustrating. Would I do it again? Of course, next year! lol 

The judging was again beyond my understanding, particularly in males. I've said before that I understand a different interpretation to the standard, but the mixing of types for class wins is something that will never make sense to me. 

Orin was 4th out of 5, again disappointing but as I've said the game we play. He went well and looked impressive, apart from when he was air scenting me!  Beti lacked a little spark, but obviously gave enough to win her class and then be Best Puppy In Breed over the male puppy. With her handler in the adult group Beti was rushed into the puppy group and unfortunately didn't give the best performance, ah well, that's life! 

Before the judging of Beti's class Sarah overheard a conversation that another puppy was going to win, and that this would be the puppy challenging for Best Puppy In Breed, the satisfaction was immense!!!

The journey home was long, hot and tiresome ... after leaving Fron at 3.45am I got home at 11.15pm ... Wow .. What a day! 

Beti At Bath

The Best Bitch, Reserve Best Bitch, Best Puppy Bitch (Beti), Best Veteran Bitch and Special Beginner.

Beti challenging the best puppy male and winning "Best Puppy In Breed."

Bath Photos

Soggy Day

W+PBW Critique

Breaking The Rules

Orin and Zeus haven't eaten the last three mornings, but they are both eating in the evening. Eat it or lose it remains the moto .. but this morning Loki hasn't eaten either now that's where rules have to be changed. Loki's cocktail of drugs are in his breakfast, but even with cat food added this morning is a no-go! All I can do is try again later I guess! 

Beti is on day 15 or possibly 16 and the boys have been hyper since Friday afternoon, which was about day 12. I'd say she definitely ovulated on the first half of the weekend, so after today things should start to get quieter, and be over by the weekend in time for Siska to start giving off wonderful smells! My poor boys!

Beti has been so randy, I've seldom experienced a bitch so willing to be mated before, poor Ross!

Four Walks

There is no way I can take Loki with Beti now. Poppy decided she was coming with us - I'm not sure if she'd had permission but there you go. Loki didn't mind.