Hi from Australia

Good day from the land Downunder.

I was surfing the net tonight and enjoyed reading about your kennel.

I noticed an Email regarding Retinal Dysplasia testing.


Dear Don,

Retinal folds are caused by multiple factors and they have a variable clinical significance. The significance largely depends on the breed in which they occur. We will soon be offering a DNA test for a condition called OculoSkeletal Dysplasia (OSD) that occurs in Labrador Retrievers and Siberian Huskies. This condition can cause retinal folds as well as more severe disease (blindness and dwarfism). One of the other DNA tests we offer (CMR) can also be useful in preventing retinal folds. The CMR test can be used in Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Pyrenees and Coton de Tulear. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding DNA testing for retinal folds.

Sincerely,

Sue PK


Posted by Doindogs Kennel


Could you please let me know which company will be testing?. Any other information feel free to add also.

Thankyou,

Julie Cramond

Bred Bella this evening with Storm

I bred Bella this evening with Storm, yellows and blacks expected around 26th August. Mud is ready to have her chocolate litter at any time.



db

Rose teaching her new pups to swim

New Picture of Tech

Pictures of Angus Also

Here is the latest information on retina folds.

Dear Don,

Retinal folds are caused by multiple factors and they have a variable clinical significance. The significance largely depends on the breed in which they occur. We will soon be offering a DNA test for a condition called OculoSkeletal Dysplasia (OSD) that occurs in Labrador Retrievers and Siberian Huskies. This condition can cause retinal folds as well as more severe disease (blindness and dwarfism). One of the other DNA tests we offer (CMR) can also be useful in preventing retinal folds. The CMR test can be used in Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Pyrenees and Coton de Tulear. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding DNA testing for retinal folds.

Sincerely,

Sue PK

Another good day for Storm and Mutt

Another good day for Storm and Mutt. Storm won, giving him 5 points. Mutt won, giving her 3 points and then Storm and I got HIC (High In Class) with a score of 192.5. Storm only requires two more points and Mutt four, for their CH (Champion) titles. Storm has qualified each of the two times I have entered him in obedience, once more gives him the title "CD" (Companion Dog). I think the next time I will enter him will be in the Dartmouth shows 9th and 10th of August.

Don

Storm (High in Class)

I entered Storm and Mutt in the Lunenburg (south Shore Kennel Club’s) show today. Storm was entered in both Obedience and Conformation and Mutt in Conformation. Storm and I got the highest score in the Novice B class of 192, I have attached a copy of our score sheet. Notice that she wrote “lovely”, she was very impressed with his attitude. Storm and Mutt were both placed Reserve Winners, no points but a good performance!

Don

Sable Update

Hi Don,

I just thought you should know what she did yesterday;

The doorbell rang, it was a delivery of a large bag. Sable was already barking at the delivery lady. When she saw me coming, the lady walked back to her truck. She sat there to be sure that I picked up the package.

I told Sable to 'Sit & Stay', and then opened the door.

The bag was too heavy for me to pick up. I told Sable to "get" and "bring". Sable stepped out, bit the bag & backed up to pulled it into the house. She treated bag was like one of the 'laundry bags' that she pulls for me. The delivery Lady was stunned.

Sable is a Wonderful Dog!

Thank You Don.

Bigby Update (w/pics)

Hi Don,

I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd give another update on Bigby.

He's growing fast and he's been quite a joy to have around the house. He's a very clever and attentive dog with lots of energy and a great temperment.

Everyone I've met has been amazed at how clever and good natured he is. He's been great around friends and family and really good around kids. We took him to visit the local vet to pick up another heartworm pill and to check out the facilities there and he seemed to really enjoy himself. I got him to sit on the scale without needing to hold him, and he was really exited to meet the vet and her staff. Everyone was impressed with the commands he already knew and how good he was. He knows 'sit', 'stand', 'lay down', 'come' and 'off' now. He'll do 'sit' easily, while he others he'll do with a bit of prompting.

We've made several trips out to Saint's Rest -- a beach not far from where we live. He loves the sand but is still too timid to try the water. We've also been out to the Irving Nature Park, which he's quite fond of. He already does really well on a leash.

Bigby seems to be very happy and healthy and we're very glad to have him as part of the family!

I've included some photos we've taken over the last couple weeks.

-Greg

New Tucker Pics

Roo and Storm to be evaluated for the TPOC

I took Roo and Storm to be evaluated for the TPOC (Therapeutic Paws of Canada). The evaluator found that we were suitable; they now have two new teams.

Don

New Pictures of Jake Too

Doindogs News update

I have retired Roo and Rose. Mud was confirmed to be pregnant this week, due around 28th of June. Storm won in Bearsford, N.B. last week end giving him 3 points. This was his first show. I have entered him in both conformation and obedience at Lunenburg for next week end.

Don

Ollie update

Hi Don,

Thought you might like to see how big Ollie is getting. He is close to 50 lbs now and loosing his first teeth but still very much a "puppy" at heart. He is a wonderful dog and we are really enjoying him. Thanks to Ollie we now enjoy an hour long walk at the beach each morning at 6:30 which is good for all of us.

Regards,
Ed

New Pics of Nash

Rose expecting pups

Rose is preparing her bed; expect she will have her pups tonight.

db

Moka Pics

Hi Don,

Sorry I'm so long getting back to you, but I got a puppy to walk. Just joking, I have been busy, and Moka does take up a lot of time. She is doing well, she likes to "try" to get her own way, but we won't let her. She is "just about" trained, she will wake me up if she needs to go out at night. She loves the snow, whats left of it, and she has had her first swim.

I'll send more pictures,
Mike

Update on Bigby

Hi Don,

I thought you might appreciate a quick update on Bigby. He made the long drive back to Saint John very well, sleeping most of the way. He made some noise a couple of times when he got up and each time we made a quick pit stop for him to have a pee and then he was good to go again.

He's been fantastic the last couple of days. Lots of energy! He's also done really well with house training and he seems to pick up on things really quickly. I've been really surprised with the house training though. I did not expect him to do so well so quickly.

He's a lot of fun to watch in the yard too. He loves sticks, pieces of bark and twigs. He also loves wading through the tall grass. It makes me wonder if it's hunting instinct. Could just be that he loves the feel of tall grass.

I'll keep you posted on his progress and training. I'm trying to find a good trainer here in the Saint John area. If you know of any, let me know :)

-Greg

Pups ready to go

Both male and female pups ready to go. These pups are from Roo and Beau (second litter)

Call for information 902 462-4333

Don

Kia's First Swim

Hi Don,

I seem to recall that you mentioned Yew's pups can sometimes be a little hesitant during there first exposure to water/swimming. Well not our Kai !!! He bolted in after his stick and swam like a fish and just wanted more and more. He seems better at retrieving in water than land as he kept bringing the stick back to the shore rather than dropping it halfway as he does with his ball on land. I have attached some pictures.

David

Sable update

Hi Don,

I wanted to tell you what Sable just did;

Sometimes the Multiple Sclerosis effects my Equilibrium, I loose my balance and fall.
Unfortunately, that is what just happened.

After I fell, Sable was at my side, licking and nudging me to get up. When I didn't, she went the portable phone. Sable brought it to me...and kept nudging me to get up. I kept thanking her.

Eventually I got up, but she wasn't happy until I SAT down, and then she laid on top of my feet.
I guess that was her way of telling Me to sit/stay.

As I was resting, I thought you should know how wonderful she is .. sometimes.

Janette

Flint

Hi Don,

Flint is doing great. He slept through the last night... which was a bonus! He's already asking to go outside and we are not having too many accidents. We already love him...... even though he is very hard work at the moment. His crate was dry this morning and he went straight outside. I know we still have a long way to go but so far so good! He's a great dog and a tribute to you.

A couple of quick questions...... when can I give him a fresh meat bone? When can he start obedience classes?

Thanks
Gill Macnab.

Storm

Hi Don,

Just saw the new site. It looks great! Very much refreshed. I also saw that you got a new dog. Storm looks great! Are you happy with him so far? I’m in the woods most weekends just now, but once the blackflies pick up I’ll be backing off on that a bit, so if you want pics we can arrange it (although you’ve got some decent ones on there already). Morning or evening works too most days. Had Ruby out to see Don R. for her annual checkup and shots yesterday. All clear and good (I’d go so far as to say GREAT, but perhaps I’m a bit biased). I was in the high Arctic for a week last month in Resolute. There was a bear in town the day before I arrived, so I didn’t get out for too many hikes in that land of ice and sky, but the meetings that I had to plan work for this summer all went very well, and it was neat to see some real Arctic blizzards (from inside my room!!!). The flying was not much fun though – we landed in Nanisivik on northern Baffin and I shot this little video of the poor lads re-fuelling in 85 km wind… It was a bumpy ride for sure!



Cheers,

-Dave

C.J

Mud (Litter in June)

I just brought Mud home from her breeding, I expect a chocolate
litter around 28th June.

Don BATES

Article about CH Banchory Trump of Wingan

I just wanted to let you know I agree and really appreciate this article. Would you mind if I passed this article around, of course giving you credit as author?

I have been in labradors (breeding) for 7 years, but have had them for awhile longer . I do all events (obedience, agility, conformation, and finally field) and am doing my first (sorry to say I am just doing them now) WC's in May. I have some that are "very English" and some that are moderate, which would be a field show cross in my opinion. They are smaller & compact but not cumbersome in any way. They are full of drive but relaxed when not working. They are my favorite as they can do everything and are not completely wore out all the time and are not hyper when not working.

My lines include the old styles such as Cambremer, Rocheby, Poolstead, Could Be, and now I have a Dickendall boy. I breed my dogs to have titles on both ends.

But anyway... I agree with you... at the AKC specialities all I see are overdone, fat, short, tubby dogs. I want to blame the breeders, but actually it's the judges; if the judges wouldn't put those dogs up, I am sure the breeders would be changing their program. However, if you take a more moderate lab (as the standard calls for) in the ring you will not get put up so it is a waste of $27.

I found the UKC and this Kennel Club focusses on dogs that are conformationally correct but can also do what they are bred to do. I have seen a few of the fat, tubby labs compete but they weren't even looked at as the judges felt those dogs would not be able to do what they were bred to do.

Thanks again for this article, I hope many people read it and appreciate the value of its meaning....labs as true retriever!

Best Regards,
Mary Gehlhoff
Golden Path Labradors

Storm DNA Test Report April 21, 2008

DNA Test Report April 21, 2008

Owner's Name and Address:
Don Bates

16 Memorial Drive
Dartmouth, NS B2W 3P1
Canada

Registered Name: Puddleducks Artic Storm
Registration #: SR14485003
Tattoo/Chip #: 4723216374
Call Name: Storm

Breed: Labrador Retriever
Date of Birth: January 11, 2004
Gender: Male

Optigen Accession #: 08-3976


Test Performed: prcd Mutation Test for PRA

Sample Type: Blood

Test Results: Genotype of your dog is Normal/Clear.

Risk for developing prcd-PRA: This dog will never develop the prcd form of PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy). So far, the only inherited PRA disease known in dogs of your breed is the prcd form of PRA.

Significance for breeding: Genetically Normal/Clear dogs can be bred to any dog and will produce no pups affected with the prcd form of PRA.

For further information, please consult the OptiGen website at http://www.optigen.com.

Hips

Hi. Just cruising around the internet looking up pennhip results and came across your site. I am very impressed with the work you are doing and that you're taking the time and money to do it right. We breed bulldogs and are finding it VERY difficult to find "kennels" that want to do things properly.

How do you go about improving hip quality in your dogs? We are still waiting for our results to come back. We were heartbroken with some of our results but want to build and produce better pups. If you can provide some guidance from your experience it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,

Teresa

Updating Website

We are updating the site with a new look, you may notice some links, pictures, and other things missing over the next day or so, thanks for your patients!

Paul W (web design)