August
August summer days
Hours of endless doldrums
No respite in sight
For those wondering the salutations at the home page for each new month and then also found at each month’s blog page are Haikus.
It is a form of Japanese poetry where a story is told in 3 lines that are written in 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the 2nd line and 5 syllables in the 3rd and last line.
Nature and emotions set the tone for the subject matter.
I am
what I appear to be
The love and passion that I have for Labrador Retrievers is what fuels my drive for my total involvement with the breed. The never-ending quest for the Betterment of the Breed is the legacy that I would
like to leave behind after it is all said and done.
This Blogging Off section reflects the "tell it like it is" persona that comprises one of the many hats that I wear in my daily activities with Labrador Retrievers and the people that own them.
"Questions are the keys to understanding,
answers are the open doors that will follow,
choosing the right door to proceed through will
determine if the correct path was taken."
V. Sandy Herzon
August 23rd 2017
The Tradition Continues
The new Chambray owners are giddy with excitement in anticipation for their very first outing to a dog show!
Each of the 8 new puppy owners have taken full advantage of their Chambray Owner’s Amenities Package of free lifetime training………………of course, since their puppies are all under 6 months of age…………………..these are the first ‘baby steps’ of training…………….which is mostly ‘focusing’……..very light conditioning since not much else can be done with soft pliable bones that don’t fully harden until they are over a year old……………not too much stress on immature joints…………….what we want is for the puppies to strut their natural breed traits and to have fun!
Of course, this being a competitive venue, each owner wants their puppy to be the star of the show, so the learning curve starts right away for puppy and owner alike!
Besides the 3 to 6 month old puppies, we also have on hand a couple of older puppies making their ICE debut and also an adult that is now to be considered for the AKC show roster and is being given these shows as a practice run for the fall shows.
As always, as we have done for the last 19 years of these International shows, we will be there the whole way as guides and mentors for all the newbie owners that will now form the Class of 2017! We will also have as part of our group at these ICE shows several of our ‘old timers’ that have been with us for many years and now each of them has added one of the newest top prospect puppies to start their show journey all over again.
Since the very first Chambray owner back in 1989, there have been hundreds that have joined us throughout the years. Each year, new owners come on board……………meanwhile those whose dogs have aged out and don’t show, more or less drop out of the show circuit…………………..however, most continue their relationship with Chambray with many of the other programs that are in place for those that choose to work in a positive environment with the betterment of the breed in mind.
The Pay It Forward movement, where owners that realize that they have the best of the best with their live-in pets………………….while at the same time, those household members of the family are also among the top show Labradors in the country…………………..those owners want to be part of producing the next great generation of Labradors…………….those owners willingly partner with either the Stud Dog Program with their males or take part in the Puppy Placement Program with their females by having a litter under the auspices of our breeding and raising program.
This program ensures that it will be done right! Following the guidelines that have been in place for over 40 years of breeding the best, those owners who experience their very first litter do so without all the blunders and beginner mistakes that those that do not have the mentorship program available to them go through.
Most beginners that stick with the breeding of their dogs take upwards of 7 years to produce anything of quality because the learning curve is fraught with trap doors, quicksand, smoke and mirrors and hundreds and hundreds of trial and error with error dominating the scenery!
Not so with the Chambray owners…………………………..so many of them have been the breeders of champions with the very first litter!
That is a major exception to the rule in the dog fancy………………of course, Chambray Labradors with the Owner’s Program for the Betterment of the Breed in itself is an exception to the rule in everything we do with raising, training, conditioning and exhibiting Labrador Retrievers. The numbers posted in every category tells the tale of the tape.
The great thing about numbers is that they can’t be argued with.
Having the most Grand Champions (7) in the AKC Top 100 in the entire country, by almost twice as many as those in 2nd place…………………………………..having the most Bronze Grand Champions (9) in the country…………………having the most Grand Champions (20) in the country……………………having bred more champions (32) in the last 6 years, more than any other breeder in the country……………………….having 3 times more champions bred (58) in Florida than any other breeder………………………well numbers are undeniable because it would take a greater number to best what has been posted…………………that’s the beauty of numbers………………………..there are those that can talk a great game and boast and brag, however ‘show me the numbers’ is the ultimate litmus test for those long on the tongue and short elsewhere!
So, the perpetuation of the system goes into full swing come Saturday morning in Lakeland FL. Because in a relatively short period of time, these little guys that will be as cute as pig’s ears………………in several more months, these will be the contenders…………………these will be the ones that others will have to contend with for those Winners Dog and Winners Bitch awards.
The Tradition Continues…………………………….round and round it goes and the best part, we are still having fun while we are at it!
August 28th 2017
I Looked Over & Saw 28 Years
There we were, the newest Chambray group of owners w/breeder; bright and early awaiting the action to begin........some of those waiting not having a scintilla of a clue what they waited for.................while others having been around the world in 80 days several times before, knowing full well what was to follow today, tomorrow and in months, years to come.
All around us, others with different breeds of dogs also anxiously awaited their anointed time into the appropriate ring.....all tingling with the excitement that the unknown brings that only comes when sharing time with man's best friend..............in this case, other men, women and of course our canine amigos that bring us humans together to these doggy congregations.
Waffling about there was the unmistakable invigorating and most inviting aroma of fresh brewed coffee in the air.............permeating all about this makeshift dog show arena..................this building in reality being a warehouse turned into a canine obedience and training facility.
There I sat from a distance, pseudo-managing the whole pizza pie of the Herzon women, comprising of Johanna (the wife) and Jessica (the daughter turning 28 that same bright and early morn)...........................the dogs that owners dropped off at Chambray Acres for us to bring north to this 4-hour away city (Lakeland) that is nestled between the Magic Kingdom of Orlando and slightly to the west Tampa Bay of Buccaneer fame.............and of course the most important ingredient................the newest owners of Chambray puppies with those puppies in tow.....................some like me not so new, some like my Jessie, young.............some not so new to Chambray, as in old farm hands having had Chambray dogs years back, decades back too...............while others brand new with a brand newer Chambray puppy as their entry ticket to the ample enchilada.
For me, sitting back a bit away from the front row seats occupied by this newest group..............this newest wave, because there have been wave after wave of these Chambray owners, every year, year after year........................all the way back to 1989.
I built it and they came and still come, one wave after another adding to the existing owners that were the new waves several years before, that were the newest wave right before this brand new wave..................one wave rolling in as others roll away and some come back again some time down the road, adding to whichever group is the rage at the moment.....................now these newest owners will join the existing owners adding to the group of owners and follow on to the AKC shows with their puppies that turn into young dogs and then into the top show dogs.....................that we, the Herzon clan................under the banner of Chambray Labradors, lead into the ring to show off their awesome breed attributes.
Yes, I looked at all those owners holding court, entertaining among themselves, enjoying the camaraderie that being owned by a dog, which then brings folk together........................28 years worth unfolded right before my very own eyes.
PRICELESS!
August 17th 2017
Congratulations to BISP Bronze Gr Ch Chambrays Tank'd On The Boulevard, now moving up to Chambray's All-Time BEST OF BREED #5 spot with 19 BOBs!
Wow, what a fantastic run for the roses this boy has had.
*The youngest champion ever at 10 months of age,
*the youngest Group 1 winner at 8 months of age,
*the youngest Grand Champion at 14 months
and now just one Best Of Breed away from 4th place held by the greatest Chambray dog of all times, BIS BBE Ch Chambrays Out Of The Ruff 'Hogan' with 20.....................2 BOB's away from 3rd place held by BBE Bronze Gr Ch Chambrays Ruff Jewel Walter (21 BOB's).
This year, Tank'd sets his sights for the top of the BOB's charts where two of our greatest dogs of all times, BIS BBE Silver/Bronze Gr Ch Chambrays Celestial N Counter holds court over all the Chambray girls and the 2nd spot with 33 BOB's & the top BOB winner, BISS Silver/Bronze Gr Ch Chambrays Tucker Everlasting ranks atop of the totem pole with 36 BOB's!
That's 129 Best Of Breeds between the top 5 Chambray dogs!
Quite an accomplishment............what a fantastic and elite group these Top 5 Labradors. A special thank you for their owners to recognize and support them and take them to these once in a lifetime heights! There are many great dogs, however very few can go as far as these top tier examples of the breed have done.
August 19th 2017
It's Puppy Show Time
We are a weekend away from the debut of our Class of 2017 puppies!
That’s the 4 Chambray litters from this year that were born in April and one in May……………………now the top representatives from each litter will take their first little tiny steps into the world of dog show competition!
Of course, this weekend coming up is the perfect litmus paper test not only for these baby debutantes, but also for their newbie owners as well!
Yep, brand spanking new owners with still wet behind the ear whippersnapper puppies at their very first outing in a high social setting…………………should make great comedy videos to post on Facebook and YouTube as well!
I receive so much criticism for these International Show outings from those stick-in-the-mud ‘AKC-only’ purist………most with an air of elitism as they tend to look down their noses when talking about these less-than-AKC stature gatherings!
Well, yours truly totally loves the condescending attitude I receive while at the same time I am able to hand most of these lamenters their gluteus maximus on a silver platter with wins on top of wins by these same puppies that are brought up at the IABCA and ICE shows and later become the top winners at the ‘fanfare attractions’……….the AKC shows!
There’s nothing like using all the accouterments available to reach the goals established!
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Breeding the absolute best in conformation, proven generation after generation, now spanning 9 generations! How many breeders can lay claim to that track record. Most breeders can only document 2 or 3 generations of their input and contributions to the breed…………….most end up starting all over again and again, not developing anything that can be followed back.
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Conditioning and training, where we get it right! 30 years’ worth of doing it right and the results speak volumes for our ways….DOING IT RIGHT AT THE RIGHT TIME OF DEVELOPMENT! The preceding is MOST IMPORTANT………………………..because there are many out there that don’t know hide or hair about dogs, absolutely NOTHING about Labradors, NOTHING ABOUT CORRECT TRAINING METHODS………………and actually are ruining and injuring puppies and young dogs with whatever it is they are doing to them and with them! We get to see the results of dozens and dozens of trauma induced, premature arthritic conditions, early onset ligament damage, adolescent and early puppyhood injuries sustained by owners employing the WRONG TRAINING & CONDITIONING methods and techniques on their puppies and young dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Handling………….hands down, hands up…………….no one handles Labradors like we do! Proof is in eating the pudding! NO ONE CAN MATCH our winning record in the Labrador show ring and we post the proof weekend after weekend starting on January 2012 through this past weekend wherever Team Chambray competes at………..that’s all of 2012, all of 2013, all of 2014, all of 2015, all of 2016 and now through August 2017! Every dog show weekend that our team has competed at…………….WE HAVE WON! Every state we traveled to…………..NC and SC, GA, MS, LA, AL…………………..every FL dog show weekend.
Now here this, the secret to the overwhelming success starts at the International Dog Show level!
Yes, little old me, the Colonel at Chambray, unlike the Colonel at KFC……………….I give you the secret…………….our 11 herbs and spice secret is all of what I share with everyone that takes the time to read these memos and blogs that I compose.
You too, U-2 can have the same results by following my recipe………………….breed the best, train & condition correctly, handle at the top most level and start out with all of your puppies and young dogs at the International shows and let the lamenters lament all they want as you stand in the winners circle over and over again!
It’s that simple…………….try it you will like it!
August 14th
When You Build It.........There Are Some You Don't Want To Come!
Used to be…………………………..dogs were left tied up to a tree……………………….dogs could ride free willy in the back of a pickup truck………………………………….some would whack their dogs with a rolled up newspaper…………………….worse, kick a dog and even ‘worser’, take it out back to the wood shed along with a 2 X 4…………………yep, for dogs those assuredly were not the ‘good old days’!
Thank God, we as a society have moved ahead and now actively condemn those ‘old ways’ of dog ownership and management.
However, don’t go out and celebrate ‘Dog Day’ yet, don’t hoot and holler because even now in 2017, there are those that still have the ways of yore as their moral compass setting!
In the dog show world, I would say that a good 97% of the folk involved are the good-hearted, loving kind that take a puppy in and treat it like a member of the family. That percentage is even higher with those puppies that I place because of all the extraordinary steps I take in choosing who is who............... I would venture to say that I have reached a great 99% of those that welcome a new puppy as they would a member of the family.
Of course, I would have loved to have stated 100%, but reality is stark and true to form. There is always that 1% or more because we really never ever know what goes on behind closed doors. People put on airs about them and present what they consider to be their best side to make an impression and yet, every once in a while we hear about someone we thought we knew commit some atrocious act upon nature or upon other man/woman/child and beast alike!
Recently I placed a puppy with a nice ‘looking & acting’ family! They had been here for the initial Interview and then a follow up visit to see the litter at 7 weeks of age to see what I would be making available to them according to many criteria.
All appeared copasetic, except a tad of ARP (anal retentive person) coming from the man, but otherwise all the small loose ends seemed to have been tied and covered and I felt that a puppy placement was in order.
Like clockwork, right on time at 8 weeks of age for the puppy, with all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed the transaction went as designed and planned and the puppy went to its new home.
I received progress reports almost on an every other day basis from the lady and all seemed to be going well……………until I received a very terse email from the man complaining on how ‘dumb’ the puppy was for not pooping in one spot, instead insisting on walking while pooping making the cleanup 3 times as difficult because instead of one poop, there were always 3 to pick up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He wanted to know if he could bring it back and exchange it for another puppy……………one that only poops in one spot!
My reply……………….. ‘Bring the puppy back ASAP for a full refund!’
Which he replied, ‘Gladly', but that he had figured out how much he had spent in the 10 days of having the puppy and wanted to be reimbursed for expenses and time put it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus, he couldn’t make the time until the weekend which was 5 days away.
My 2nd reply…………… ‘Bring the puppy back today for the full refund…………..NOTHING ELSE or pay $100 per day that you have the puppy with you, so if brought back on Saturday, there would be a $500 deduction from the initial purchase price!’
The puppy was back that afternoon!
WHO DOES THAT????????????????
Who gives up a puppy, a member of the family as he had put it originally…………………even after only 10 days, even if it poops in 3 spots. I wonder how many diapers this guy has changed on his kids.
Who gives up a puppy or dog that has become a member of the family for something so frivolous?
Maybe 47 years ago when I first started with Labradors, but in today’s age…………..sound the sirens and raise the red flags for folk that ‘get rid’ of their dogs at the first hint of non-conformity! Who does that?
Goes to show that no matter what the procedures that are in place for the placement of a puppy, that eventually some unworthy folk make their way through only to show their true colors somewhere down the road.
August 13th
It Was Built & They Came
If you build it, they will come………………..and come they have and continue to do so, 47 years later!
It’s built, right here at Chambray Acres!
Built a long time ago and come they have come…………………. thousands and thousands have made the pilgrimage to our little Labrador world over four-plus decades of Labrador involvement and fulfillment.
They come to visit and hear about the unique endeavor when at first they are in search of a new family addition…………..those looking for a puppy or a trained dog to make part of their family. Those that take part in the Interview Process and like what is being offered and grasp the intent of the one-of-a-kind Owner’s Program that is the driving force, even after 47 years of involvement with just one breed, the Labrador Retriever.
From that Interview Process, those chosen for a placement of a prized, top breed specimen, then have the opportunity to learn all there is through the various program offered to all Chambray owners.
From the basics of training a new puppy to full mentorship in all aspects of the breed……………………thousands have taken advantage of all there is to know. Knowledge shared that only comes from time, energy, pride, expertise, acumen and the mark of excellence that comes from being at the top of what an endeavor entails.
Come they have, most on a private basis with their puppies for the Lifetime Free Training, hour-long sessions that the new owners set up and attend………..at first almost on a 2-week basis, then more than likely, once a month………………or as needed as ‘lifetime’ means ‘anytime’!
Then there are the numerous ‘puppy events’ that are held various times a year right where it was built way long ago………………where dozens, at times 50 or more owners attend with their puppies in tow…………………we have the photos and videos of each and every one of those gatherings…………………..you name them, they have come, sitting front row and center under our shady trees taking full advantage of our unique offerings.
There they are smiling wide and chirpy…………………… many of them having driven hundreds of miles from Jacksonville, Ocala, Brooksville, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee and dozens and dozens of other locales from up and down and across our sunny-faced state…………………some very recognizable named towns and cities and others, one stop traffic light sites, some out of the way, backwoods’ places!
Yes siree Bob, Moe, Larry and Curly……………………Latisha, Linda, and Lacey and way too many other names for me to remember, they have been here……………………….the photo albums on the computer hard drives are chock full of anyone and everyone that has ever had and has a Chambray Labrador and has visited our neck of the woods. The vast majority simple family owners and then there are a substantial number that are very involved with Labradors in many areas, especially showing and breeding.
The vast majority are still part of the Chambray family and stay in touch even decades later……………many have had multiple Chambray dogs……………….there are still a few that started with us back in the 1980’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Several dozen are still active with us today that got their first Chambray dog back in the 1990’s! We have a whole bunch that began their dog show journey with us at the beginning of the new millennia……………now 12 to 17 years later……………still with us and taking part in all our Owner’s Program offerings!
Then there are the ever-growing new families that join in each year with our very best produce……………..many of those destined to become the continued driving force behind the avant garde breeding, raising, training, conditioning and showing Labrador Retriever Owner’s Program.
A few have moved on and are still involved with the breed and we even hear and see those from time to time……………they having gotten their toes and feet wet with our offerings, they too add up.
Build it and they will come and come as long as there is a tomorrow.
That's what being the leader of the pack entails.
August 12th
RSVP For The True Blue Purist Breeder
All Others Need Not Apply
For the true-blue breeder………..a purist breeder, a long-standing show breeder operating from the highest most reaches of thorough breed conformational acumen……something that those new to the breed, that have never, ever produced nor raised a litter……that have never, ever followed a litter from birth to final fulfillment of seeing them in the show ring………………….seeing them going head-to-head against other qualified, quality-minded breeder’s produce………………..& consistently come out on top, setting records and benchmarks that others relish………………….an experience that can only be conjured by most who have never ever had the earned reality to expand upon……………………….even some that have been breeding for a ‘novice’ period of time, not yet at the level of producing the depth that will even be semi-competitive………………….even those that have paid their dues, with years of time put in and a dozens or more litters of trial and error, with error more of the operating modus operandi…………………….none of the preceding can gauge the overwhelming emotional starburst moment of seeing firsthand the newest contribution to the individual breeding program……………..to the breed at large and to the ‘giddy with excitement’ new owners when that next generation of puppies debuts at their very first exposition!
WOW, OMG………………………….Wahoo and every other emotionally charged shout out that has ever been quietly uttered or hollered out loud, comes to mind, comes to mouth and then to tip of tongue before it goes wildly public!
That is what a true blue, purist show breeder feels each and every year with their newest puppies that emerge for the very first time at a dog show! That feeling is RSVP territory…………………..yep, RESERVED FOR TRUE BLUE BREEDERS ONLY!
Only a ‘real’ show breeder knows for sure! You can’t feel it if you don’t own it! You don’t know it if you have never felt it! It is that simple, so I write this blog from a very lonely latitude/longitude!
Each year for the last 27 years, there have been each breeding year’s produce that have been raised, then placed with prime show candidate owners……….each then personally trained and custom-conditioned on a private basis with their owners…………………then all of them included into the night training classes………….then those that exhibited the top show conformation and attitude have been specially selected as the top prospects for show……………then those have received more individual training and conditioning sessions……………………those that are primed, locked and loaded………….the absolute best from the top of the mountain climbers have been chosen to represent the entire existence of Chambray Labradors at a breakout conformation event!
From the local yokels the singing anthem would be, “They be representing”
So, here we are at that monumental point in time…………….that breakout moment reserved for the truly worthy………………the best puppies from the best breedings…………………………….the pinnacle of breeding, the certifiable best to the best………………producing the best, which will now be showcased at an up and coming event.
Here now, showing the Chambray Class of 2017………………..some now the 10th, the 9th and the 8th generation from Chambray Labradors…………………….we announce the SHOW ROSTER for the
2017 Lakeland Sunshine State Summer Grand Prix August 26th & 27th
These puppies are the future, coming from the top Labradors ever in Florida.
Most sired by Florida’s top champion producer of all times……………..one of the dams, the only Best In Show winning Labrador female………..ever from Florida, also the winningest, most titled, highest ranking Silver Grand Champion Florida female……………………..several of the puppies debuting scoring in the Top 10 of all times……………………………3 of them the #1, #2 and #3 highest rated puppies ever……………at 8 weeks of age………………..where the truly gifted breeder, that can see by the dawn’s early lights, can see what many others with blinders on obviously can’t see and these puppies are guaranteed to be the trend setters for 2018!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, the excitement runs deep and the expectations are great…………………..many of these debutants will be on the frontlines for Chambray by mid fall and if their puppy predecessors are any indications……………….with 3 recent dogs finishing their AKC champion’s title before the age of 1 year, and 5 more finishing before turning 15 months, we are in for a grand old time at the dogs shows this last part of 2017 and the beginning of the New Year!
August 9th
Dogs Die After Vaccinations
The Purdue Vaccination Studies and Auto-antibodies
It is also widely acknowledged that vaccines can cause a fast-acting, usually fatal, disease called autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Without treatment, and frequently with treatment, individuals can die in agony within a matter of days. Merck, itself a multinational vaccine manufacturer, states in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy that autoimmune haemolytic anaemia may be caused by modified live-virus vaccines, as do Tizard’s Veterinary Immunology (4th edition) and the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.(6) The British Government’s Working Group, despite being staffed by vaccine-industry consultants who say they are independent, also acknowledged this fact. However, no one warns the pet owners before their animals are subjected to an unnecessary booster, and very few owners are told why after their pets die of AIHA.
CONTINUE READING BY CLICKING THE FOLLOWING HYPERLINK http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/purdue-vaccination-studies/
The preceding in reaction to 3 Labradors in different parts of the country suddenly dying within a week of being vaccinated and the cause was AIHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 8th
Forever Driftwood
Throughout the years that have come and gone………………….for me, now 47 years’ worth of Labrador Retriever involvement…………………….I sometimes think that I have seen and heard it all!
Well, yes and no! I have seen and heard all that appeared and resonated around me, but as surely as the world is not flat, there is always more to come! It just hasn’t made its way around to me yet!
That my good friends is life……………………..that my ‘not so good’ friends is life as well!
I liken people to driftwood!
No need to go over that last statement, yes………………………..driftwood!
Now, to put things in a perspective from my point of view………………I love driftwood!’
There are no two driftwoods alike! Each piece of driftwood is as distinct as the very next one that floats in with the tide!
What most people don’t know is that not all driftwood floats!
“Whaaaaaaaaaaat?” I just heard several of my readers yelp with incredulity.
Truth be told…………….now, and cross my heart and hope to die (just in case I die shortly, it had nothing to do with this exclamation of veracity! There are just as many pieces of submerged pieces of driftwood, down deep in Davey Jones’ locker that just didn’t have the fortitude, the authenticity and the good nature to be gifted with buoyancy.
Yep, there are just as many dead-weights, waterlogged and destined to rot members of driftwood as there are the light and airy, good natured, floating kind that make their way to new found worlds where gentle folk will value their independence and individuality and take them in for the good value that they are to brighten our decorum and environment.
Not so with those way down deep under what lies beneath…………..mired in muck and silt, destined to forever not make it to the shore’s edge……………………never to be picked up and caressed for their intrinsic one-of-a-kind beauty………………………never to see the light of day or the luminous of a showcase beam on someone’s wall or shelf!
Those that are so heavy laden and full of water, covered up by the layers of whatever else cannot float and pervasively makes its way to the lower depths where they don’t contribute, other than the decay that follows their sunken plight.
I love driftwood……………….the kind that sways back and forth just above the ebbing and flowing tide, making its way to a sandy shore where they can keep on giving as they did when they were breathing, living trees.
August 8th
More Info On Effects Of Over-Weight & Spay/Neuter
On Joints & A Higher Incident Rate Of Cancer
http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/blog/celebrating-five-years-a.html
click on link above or click on graphic below for more info on this new study which correlates overweight conditions and also spaying and neutering as being a major contributor to joint disease and cancer.
August 7th
The Inner Workings Of Chambray's Stud Service Program
Can you give details on the stud program as I couldn’t find information on the site? I would assume that the male is made available to stud and the male owner takes that pick of the litter, is that correct? Also, what is the cost for the last male? Thank you!
I receive inquiries from one end of the spectrum to the other on all things to do with Labrador Retrievers...........from total newbies that may not even have a dog yet, to long, long time aficionados at the highest levels of involvement.
The questions about stud dogs abound and come in quite frequently, so here's a gist of an answer to a recent inquiry.
Now a days, stud service is a fee.......................people with stud dogs don't want the burden of taking puppies, plus the price of puppies at the levels that we operate at are anywhere from 2 to 5 times the price of stud service, so top show female owners will not use one of their puppies that they could get $2500 to $5000 to trade for stud service that runs $1200 to $1800.
So, all the stud dogs in my program that are champions have a fee of $1400 paid in 2 installments or $1200 paid at the time of first collection.
See https://www.chambraylabs.com/stud-service-contract
When there is an interest in one of our males, I notify the stud dog owner and find out if the dog will be available around the time that the female is expected to come into season. When the female owner notifies me that she has started and will need the semen in 9 to 11 days, I then contact the male's owner and let that person know the exact timing that the dog will be needed for collection. The dog would need to be here for me to collect at the exact day that progesterone indicates for the semen to be made available to the female................either here with me or to be shipped elsewhere where the female is.
The stud fee is then divided 50/50.................half for the stud dog owner and half for me for my end of the business.
We have some dogs that are used once a year and several may have 3 to 5 per month. Of course the ones in the limelight that female owners see at shows and through advertising receive the lion's share of the business. The top stud dog producer earned considerable $$$ with over 100 breedings in 8 years of service. There are 2 dogs now that will probably top that before it is all said and done.
Although the economic considerations are indeed welcome as compensation for my time, energy and expertise in all matters that concern breeding dogs and dealing with the owners of both male and female.....................................the greatest payback comes from having the largest pool of available top level Labradors in the entire world at my use! There is no other entity that has over 75 stud dogs to use in perpetuating the great qualities of the breed.
So, besides the advertised stud dogs that you see at the website...................there are over 50 more males that I have placed, just as I have suggested with this top show prospect black male that I am currently making available.....................that I can use if I feel that any of them can contribute to the betterment of the breed.
August 6th
The Muculent Mind
OMG! I have received so much Fake News, Conspiracy Theories, totally made up BS, you name it-I have seen and read it…………………..folks have been sending, forwarding, copying and pasting, screen capturing all types of ‘worse than science fiction’ offerings that they have found on Facebook and other social media that at the beginning were humorous, but know it’s not funny and I am scared!………………………ENOUGH ALREADY!
I have had enough and I can’t take anymore………………my sides are splitting from the stupidity, incongruency, absurdness, total lack of judgment and inability to think rationally by sooooooooo many!
I can’t honestly believe that there are that many loony tunes out there!
If there is, then that’s why we are in such a sad sack way with our social and political ways and means!
I am truly scared of the level of low brow mentality out there and the willingness by those propagating the absurdities left and right without regards to how moronic they are making themselves out to be!
What’s the scariest part are the ninnies that follow along with the putrid fomentations that are regurgitated at will by these people that conjure these dimwitted and half-baked thoughts!
OMG, OMG, OMG, what is the world coming to? People have no morals or scruples nor any pride to write and then submit these asinine diatribes without a 2nd thought as to how they make themselves out to be.
Reading some of this muck on Facebook and other social media exposes the authors to be total morons without a clue what they are spouting about. I would hope that the vast majority of folk still have two cents worth about them and can easily cipher through the gobbledygook and discern that the writers are truly morons in every way.
The old axiom, “All folks look the same………you never know anything about a person until they open their mouths and spout forward their identity………………….it’s what they say and do that make them dumbasses”!.....................and boy oh boy, are there some doozies circulating about!
So, let’s take a break, please don’t send me anymore of the imbecilic, nonsensical stuff that comes from these muculent minds.
My own mind is truly on overload and what really, really makes it worse, is that I actually know some of the 'guilty as charged' culprits spreading the festering mayo!
August 6th
Upping The Ante
The Mark Of Excellence
Winning the World Series in baseball is the Mark of Excellence for that sport………………winning the Super Bowl in football is the Mark of Excellence for that sport.
The Mark of Excellence is accomplished when an entity puts it all together over a course of time and is the victor over all those others that were in it to win it as well.
In football and baseball, that period of time from beginning to the crowning of that year’s champion spans 6 months.
What follows here is a period of time that is still ongoing after 6 1/2 straight years! Spanning from January 2012 to August 2017!
That is really a ‘whaaaaat’ period of time.
Team Chambray just logged the 159th consecutive dog show weekend of winning………….that’s 6+ years’ worth with at least 1 win in every weekend of dog shows attended by Team Chambray!
We are talking about 35+ weekends a year, over 200 weekends tallied………………..with some weekends of show having 4 shows, some 3 days of shows and more than half having 2 days of shows…………….easy over 500 shows!
The above doesn’t take into account any wins or weekends by Chambray dogs handled by other handlers, other than the core Team Chambray handlers.
That is the Mark of Excellence in Labradors that may never, ever be equaled because nothing comparable to these numbers…………………..not even a whole years’ worth of consecutive winning has ever been posted by any breeder/handling team in Labradors and here we are tendering half a dozen years of excellence.
Whenever that mark comes to an end at, as it is still ongoing with the latest, #159 at Kenner LA where ‘wins’ were posted every single day, all 4 days, from Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, BOBs, Selects, at a major-pointed weekend’s worth of shows, whenever it reaches it's high-water benchmark, it will be an indelible mark for the ages
Through the thick and thin of those 6 ½ years, wins have been posted at every weekend that Team Chambray traveled to out of states shows, from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and every dog show weekend in Florida, weekend in and weekend out and there were wins in each and every venue, site, city and state that we ventured to.
Come heck and neck deep water, at all-breed dog shows, at every specialty, at every Eukanuba week of shows 2012, 2013, 2014 and the very last one that was held in 2015………………..then the inaugural Royal Canin week of shows in 2016 that replaced the Eukanuba shows……………….at every Florida Winter Circuit since 2012 to 2017………..at small shows and 5-point major shows…………..at shows with over 150 entries vying against the top Labradors in the country and a few from out of the country as well.
The Mark of Excellence in raising, in training, in conditioning and then putting it all together under the lights with the ultimate of presentation/handling, with all the other great Labrador breeders vying for the exact same awards and accolades and coming out way, way ahead with a mind numbing 159 consecutive winning streak............cements the ultimate Mark of Excellence for each and every aspect that leads to that distinction!
One Mark of Excellence that may never be duplicated by any………………if it ever does, I will be the first to take my hat off and bestow a hardy congratulations to.
August 4th
Batter Up
Some of you have commented and many asked for more information on joint formation of our dogs, especially those dogs that don’t develop as they should and end up with none-passing results.
Well, that essay that I re-posted below this blog was as thorough as we currently have available to us after more than 50 years of research, implementation and follow up by thousands………..actually hundreds of thousands of the top PHD’s, geneticists, Veterinarian Organizations and Foundations.
The sad thing that has come from all that time, energy and money is that there is nothing in sight that will be in use to right the ship in its course to a ‘cure’!
For me these last 25 years, there has been that expectation that sooner or later those brilliant minds working together would cross that line of a ‘eureka moment’ and we as dog breeders would have a DNA sequence available to us that would define those dogs that were CLEAR, that are CARRIERS and those that unfortunately are AFFECTED…………………………a DNA test just as we have for PRA, for EIC, for all those other diseases, anomalies and conditions that are found in the Labrador gene pool.
That is destined NOT TO BE! At least, not in the remaining years of my lifetime!
This sad/bad news comes from the leading-edge researchers, those PHD’s, those that know for sure and not those that don’t know squat.
The overwhelming consensus for joint problems in dogs is that environmental issues by far and large are the main contributor that determines whether there is a problem or not in an individual dog!
At the forefront of concern is the day-to-day development of the growing puppy and the natural wear and tear that occurs with the growing curve versus the weight curve!
There is a tremendous correlation between overweight puppies and joint problems later on! It is an alarming number that is close to 5 times greater for ‘fat’ puppies versus the leaner puppies.
Overweight puppies are putting substantial more weight bearing pressure on all supporting joints and those puppies have a greater possibility of injuries from ligament, tendon, muscle and soft tissue…….strains, sprains and partial tears to full out ruptures.
Once there is a deficiency to any section of the joint area…………..overcompensation occurs that requires shifting of weight to other joints that then have to do more of the work, which causes deviations in correct growth.
These joint issues at times causes plate growth to be stymied which throws the entire growth curve off, adding more issues to improper development.
Adding more woes to the above, is that many owners overwork and over-exercise their puppies causing irreparable damage to young, developing joints.
Even more of an issue to poor and improper development of joints is nutrition!
It is now estimated that more than 80% of all cases were dogs have failed their hips, elbows, and patella, hock and/or shoulder joints is directly the result of environmentally induced accidents and nutritional deficiencies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That would explain why after more than 50 years of x-raying dogs and submitting those views to the different clearance organizations, that we are no closer to ‘fixing’ the problem than we were way back when.
Sad indeed! Each and every time we have a dog x-rayed and we mail/email those views, we collectively hold our breaths awaiting the verdict from whichever agency is looking and passing judgment.
In baseball a batter goes to the plate and swings away hoping to make clean contact with the pitched ball. In baseball batting 300, or 1 good hit out of 3 at bats is worth millions to that player………………..with our dogs we are praying for 3 out of 4, or a batting average of 750!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s the number that after 50 years we are still working with, 3 out of 4 will pass and 1 out of 4 is destined to be on the sidelines!
Sad indeed!
August 2nd
By Popular Demand:
Reprint Of The Most Requested Blog This Year
By Carol Beuchat PhD
Hip dysplasia is a hot topic in dogs, if it's possible to stay "hot" for 50 years. Researchers have been working hard for decades looking for solutions, and breeders have been doing their best to reduce the risk of producing affected puppies. But still the problem remains.
There are some simple things we could do to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia now if we understand a few basic things. Here are the 10 most important things you need to know.
1) All puppies are born with perfectly normal hips
Hip dysplasia is not a congenital defect; it is not present at birth. Multiple studies have demonstrated that all normal puppies are born with "perfect" hips; that is, they are "normal" for a newborn with no signs of dysplasia. The structures of the hip joint are cartilage at birth and only become bone as the puppy grows. If a puppy is going to develop hip dysplasia, the process begins shortly after birth. The cartilage tissue does not show up on an x-ray until the minerals are deposited that form bone. Proper development of the joint depends on maintaining the proper fit between the head of the femur and the socket (acetabulum).
"The hip joints of all dogs are normal at birth. The joints continue to develop normally as long as full congruity is maintained between the acetabulum and the femoral head... The acetabular rims are stimulated to grow by mild traction applied by the joint capsule and gluteal muscles attached along their dorsal borders, and from pressure by the femoral heads upon the articular surfaces... The morphologic characteristics of the complex hip structure show that biomechanical behavior is the prime influence in the growth of this joint." (Riser 1985)
2) The genes that cause hip dysplasia remain a mystery
Hip dysplasia tends to be more common in some breeds than others and in some lines than others, which indicates that there is a genetic component to the disorder. However, scientists have been looking for genes that are responsible for the development of hip dysplasia in dogs for decades without success.
Genes that are associated with hip dysplasia have been identified in some breeds, but they are breed-specific; that is, the assortment of genes is different in every breed. (For example, see studies on the German Shepherd dog (Marschall & Distl 2007, Fells & Distl 2014, and Fels et al 2014), Bernese Mountain Dog (Pfahler & Distl 2012), and Labrador Retriever (Phavaphutanon et al 2008). Genes that could cause hip dysplasia have not been found in any breed.
It's unlikely that researchers are going to discover an easy genetic solution to the problem of hip dysplasia. It is a complex trait that is influenced by both genes and environment, and there is no simple solution just over the horizon. We should be able to improve genetic progress by using selection strategies that are as efficient and effective as possible such as estimated breeding values, EBVs.
3) Environmental factors are also important
Although there is a genetic influence on hip dysplasia, the heritability of the trait is rather low. Many studies have shown that genetic variation accounts for only a modest fraction of the variation in hip scores, usually 15-40%. This means that some fraction of the variation in the quality of the hips is the result of non-genetic, or "environmental" influences. This is one reason why decades of strong selection has resulted in only modest reductions in hip dysplasia in some breeds. At the current rate of progress and selecting only by phenotype, it could take decades to achieve a meaningful reduction in the incidence of hip dysplasia (Lewis et al 2013).
Understanding the specific environmental factors that play a role in the development of hip dysplasia should allow us to reduce the number of animals affected by hip dysplasia even if the genetic basis is not yet understood. This would reduce significant pain and suffering as well as the expense and heartache endured by owners of an afflicted dog. There is no reason why we should not be taking active steps to do this now.
The top three environmental factors that have been found to play a significant role in the develop of dysplastic hips are: a) joint laxity, b) weight, and c) exercise (see below).
4) Joint laxity is the primary cause of hip dysplasia
Puppies are born with perfect hips, and if the hips do not develop laxity the dog does not develop hip dysplasia (Riser 1985). Joint laxity occurs when the head of the femur does not fit snugly into the acetabulum. This could be the result of traumatic injury, overloading of the joint by weight, lack of muscle strength, or adductor forces (e.g., bringing the legs together). Joint laxity is the primary factor that predisposes a dog to the development of hip dysplasia.
In dogs as well as many other vertebrates (including humans), the head of the femur in newborns is held securely in place by a strong ligament variously called the "round ligament" or "teres ligament".
One end of this ligament is attached to the head of the femur and the other end to the inner wall of the acetabulum (the cup-like socket on the pelvis).
You can see the teres ligament in this illustration (labeled "LIGAM. TERES").
If this ligament is damaged or severed, the femur will not be held tightly in the socket, which will cause the joint to feel "loose".
If the femoral head is not positioned properly in the socket, the forces on the hip will be abnormal. Instead of being distributed across the inner surface of the socket, the forces on the joint will be concentrated in a smaller area on the weaker rim of the acetabulum. The result will be damage to the rim of the socket when a load is placed on the hip joint.
5) Controlling joint stability is key
The teres ligament should hold the head of the femur securely in the socket of the growing puppy while the muscles that will support the hip develop and grow stronger. But in some puppies, the ligament shows evidence of damage before they are even a month old (Riser 1985).
"The teres ligaments of the hip joints were edematous [swollen], a few ligament fibers were torn, and capillary hemorrhage dotted the surface of the ligaments at the point of the tears. These changes were considered the first findings that might be linked to hip dysplasia."
The abnormal forces on the femur and acetabulum that are caused by joint laxity result in the trauma that causes hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip.
"There is no evidence that a primary defect of bone exists but rather the disease is a failure of the muscles and other soft tissues to hold the hip joint in full congruity. This is further supported by the fact that bony dysplasia can be increased, decreased, or prevented by controlling the degree of joint instability and incongruity. No other malformations are associated with the disease. A causal relationship between muscles and soft tissue defects or pathologic changes other than lack of muscle mass or strength has not been established... Hip dysplasia is a concentration of factors from a pool of genetic weaknesses and environmental stresses that fall into a programmed pattern of progressive remodeling and degenerative joint disease." (Riser 1985)
6) Body weight is a MAJOR environmental factor
If there is laxity in the hip joint, the amount of damage done to the femur and acetabulum will depend on the magnitude of the forces in the hip joint. The heavier the dog, the greater the forces will be and also therefore the higher the risk of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.
Puppies that weigh more at birth as well as those with higher growth rates (so they get heavier sooner) have a higher risk of degenerative changes in the hip joint (Vanden Berg-Foels et al 2006).
As this graph shows, puppies kept on a restricted diet (gray line) have a dramatically lower risk of dysplasia and it develops much later in life than in puppies kept on normal rations (black line) (Smith et al 2006).
At four years old, less than 10% of dogs kept on a restricted diet (25% less than the control diet) were dysplastic, while at the same time more than 30% of the dogs in the control group were dysplastic. As an added advantage, dogs on restricted diets live longer, too (Kealy et al 2002)!
Unfortunately, many dogs (including show dogs!) are overweight (McGreevy et al 2005, Corbee 2013), and obesity could well be the single most significant environmental factor affecting the development of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. But body weight is a factor that we can control.
Although progress from genetic selection will take many generations, the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs could be immediately and dramatically reduced simply by practicing better weight management.
7) Exercise is good and bad
Exercise strengthens the muscles of the legs and pelvis, and this will increase the stability of the hip joint. But all exercise is not created equal.
Puppies raised on slippery surfaces or with access to stairs when they are less than 3 months old have a higher risk of hip dysplasia,while those who are allowed off-lead exercise on soft, uneven ground (such as in a park) have a lower risk (Krontveit et al 2012). Dogs born in summer have a lower risk of hip dysplasia, presumably because they have more opportunity for exercise outdoors (Ktontveit et al 2012). On the other hand, dogs from 12-24 months old that regularly chase a ball or stick thrown by the owner have an higher risk of developing dysplastic hips (Sallander et al 2006).
The most critical period for proper growth and development of the hip in dogs is from birth to 8 weeks old, so the type of exercise the puppies are exposed to is most important during this time.
8) Nutrition is important
While puppies are growing rapidly, it is critically important to get their nutrition right.
Growing puppies need to eat enough to support growth but they should not be fat, because any extra weight can increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia (Hedhammar et al 1975, Kasstrom 1975). An additional problem is that puppies getting too much food could also consume too much of specific nutrients. Puppies provided a quality commercial puppy food that is fed in the proper amount will have a nutritionally balanced diet and should not receive any supplements. Dietary supplements, especially of calcium, are not only unnecessary but could cause serious problems. There is no evidence that supplemental protein or vitamins will reduce the risk of hip dysplasia (Kealy et al 1991, Nap et al 1991, Richardson & Zentek 1998).
9) Early intervention is critical
Most treatments for hip dysplasia are easier and more successful in younger dogs. If early symptoms are overlooked and screening is done only after 24 months or more, the window of time with the best prognosis in response to treatment will have passed (Morgan et al 2000). Signs of lameness usually first appear when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old, but after a month or two the dog will often seem better. This is because damage to the acetabular rim such as microfractures will have healed and the dog is no longer in pain, but development of dysplasia and osteoarthritis will continue. From there, the dog might not display clinical signs again for years while the pathological damage progresses.
Laxity in the joint can be determined as early as 4 months old (either by palpation or PennHIP). If detected early, intervention to mitigate additional damage can include weight loss, modifying exercise and activities, or surgery - but it must be done early before skeletal growth is complete. Breeders should educate new puppy owners about the factors that can increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia and also advise them to get a veterinary examination immediately if there is any sign of lameness.
10) We can dramatically reduce hip dysplasia now
Genetic selection should continue to produce modest progress in the reduction of hip dysplasia. But a significant and immediate reduction in the number of afflicted animals could be achieved by better control of non-genetic, environmental factors. Weight management, appropriate exercise, proper nutrition, and early intervention at the first sign of lameness are simple steps we can take that will dramatically reduce the pain and suffering caused by hip dysplasia. The research will surely continue, but we already have the information we need to tackle this problem.
August 1st
Amen To Quiet & Solitude..........................& Good Smells
When it's quiet and calm with no need to banter or skulk, spending time with puppies, dogs and the kindest of folk...................those owners of Chambray dogs and those others with Labradors in general and several owners with other breeds as well, waking up and smelling the coffee, walking outside and smelling the roses..................even if I step in it, I still come out smelling good to me because there isn't nary a person that will say a contrary word to ruin my day.
The preceding in answer to several emails asking "Where's the beef?"