Puppy Talk and Socialization: why I don’t breed a lot

Generally in this day in age when you tell people that you are a breeder, regardless of the breed, they think that you are surrounded by puppies every single day. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Most responsible breeders don’t have puppies around all the time, but for a few brief moments and then devote countless hours planning the next litter and following up with those produced.

My first litter of puppies was not something that I planned fully and just happened. My list of lessons learned is about a mile long. The next litter that I am even considering is 2016, I personally don’t see how a person working 40+ hours a week can breed a litter every year. I need some breathing room. This first litter was highly anticipated just because of the parents alone. So when Alice kept everybody on their toes then it was no surprise to me. Alice has always been a dog that kept everybody guessing. The emergency c-section was a two-fold situation. The first was that Alice’s temperature went from 100.6-98.7 between days 58-63. It is enough to drive any breeder crazy. Between days 60-63, I was having Alice go through an ultrasound to make sure everything was ok. After a solid 24 hours within 98F range and yet no puppy or any sign that she would ever push, I went nuts with my emergency vet who monitored her and then the final ultrasound at the reproductive vet showed signs of fetal distress. So the puppies arrived amid stress and freaking out on my part on May 21, 2014 around 11am. At that point, we realized the issue was a puppy had died around day 56/57 and was mummified.

As soon as Alice and her 4 puppies arrived home, the real work began. The puppies were monitored for weight, ability to nurse and other vital signs. Around day 3, I started the Super Dog program of early neurological stimulation. The Super Dog program lasted until they were 13 days old. It consisted of various movements, stimulation of the feet, and exposure to brief periods of cold. It may seem strange but it really worked, every puppy hit their milestones 2+ days ahead of schedule. All 4 puppies have no issues with any sort of anxiety and all are extremely friendly. After their Super Dog program ended, they were exposed to various people in a controlled environment. As such, these puppies seek out people for comfort and really enjoy the company of people. That is a huge change from their parents who have great temperaments but aren’t very affectionate nor to the truly seek out people for companionship (other than me, they adore me almost to a fault).

After the puppies started walking is when I started instinct testing them. They would be exposed to rabbit scent and pelts. Then they were exposed to fox scent and a fox tail. After they were old enough to run, I would take a rabbit pelt and tie it to a lunge line to see how their natural prey instincts were. During the instinct testing and exposure is when I started housebreaking and leash breaking.

All of these things take time and effort, and that is the main reason I do not breed that often. I am devoted to each and every puppy, not just the pick of the litter or the one I am planning on keeping. I make sure that each puppy is well rounded, healthy (both mentally and physically), and ready to leave before their new owners come and pick them up. Also, I have to think about every single time I breed that complications could happen. I want to have Alice with me as long as possible and to lose her while producing a litter of puppies seems very selfish. As such, Alice will only be bred one more time and then that’s it. Her daughters will never be breeding machines either, they will only be bred 1-2 times total. I don’t believe in repeat breedings (Rolo is a product of one, which I am glad but they aren’t for me). I believe in the Swedish model which is making sure that genes do not become too prevalent within a population and cause a bottleneck. 

Breeding is a joy in that I get to mold the next generation of Hamiltonstovare in America. It isn't for everybody because if you think of things in a financial speak, you will lose money almost every single time. However, when you breed you can honestly see the future of the breed right in front of you. I want what is best for them and care deeply about how they impact the breed as a whole. 

Rolo's Story

I am reluctant to write Rolo's story because it is very painful to me. Everything that I say here is true and I have documentation with photos. 

Rolo was imported on June 29th, 2012 from Kilcavan Hamiltonstovare in the UK. He had been up for sale since he was born but for reasons still unknown to me he was not sold until I was offered him. He was offered to me for free as long as I paid for his import. I said yes, going just on photos alone. His import was scheduled as quickly as possible with the promise that his registration would travel with him. ​

When he arrived, I was shocked at his condition. At 15 months old, he was grossly underweight at just 53lbs. The whole ride home we noticed a foul stench coming from him. So we let him use the bathroom and immediately gave him a bath. The water that came off of him was black. As he got clean, I hugged him and couldn't believe the condition that he was in. ​Within one month and on a holistic diet, he gained 20lbs and is now at his adult weight of 82lbs.

Rolo at IAD after he cleared customs, notice how skinny his is, dull coat and less muscle tone.

As the days went by, Rolo's registration never arrived. At almost 4 months after his import a false pedigree and incorrect registration arrived. I continued to request it until I contacted the AKC where they said that the Hamiltonstovare Club of America could start their own registry and register him that way, so I did. After nearly a 10 months since his import, he was finally AKC and UKC registered. ​

Rolo just 2 months after import

Rolo took to the show ring soon after and quickly finished his UKC Championship. During his show training is when I started to notice that something wasn't right. He would pace way too easily and I thought that was just his structure. Boy was I wrong...​

I took Rolo ​to a seminar to ask an expert on canine structure why he paced so easily. The woman running the seminar examined him and said he is structurally sound but his core muscle condition is very weak. My jaw dropped. Rolo is exercised for over an hour everyday running and playing hard in nearly an acre of fenced in yard. He is also a weight pulling dog, so how could his core be weak? 

The simple answer came when my first litter of puppies was born. My vet thinks that Rolo's issue stems from improper muscular development as a puppy due to being confined too much. Then I remembered something that his breeder said "he doesn't get to be in the house much because the other dogs don't like him..." My beautiful boy was confined, underweight and filthy as a youngster. ​

As soon as I could bought some balance discs and his transformation has been amazing. It has only been 2 weeks since he started his balance discs and I haven't seen him pace and he has enough core strength to "sit-up". ​

Rolo on his balance discs

It explains how Alice and Rolo are less affectionate than their puppies.​

How could somebody who is world renowned for her Hamiltonstovare do that to such a beautiful boy? I've asked the breeder some of the same questions and the response has been "he was going through a phase..." Whenever I asked about the incorrect pedigree and registration, no response. Whenever I asked about his coat being filthy the response was "I didn't notice..." After the revelation about his core muscle issue, I am tired of excuses. I've tried every way possible to make his breeder understand that what she did to him is abusive and neglectful but to no avail. I am in the US and basically powerless. The moral of this ongoing story is, just because a breeder has done amazing things, that doesn't mean that everything is ok with how the less important dogs are treated. ​

Rolo spring of 2014

However, having him here is the best thing for him. Here is pampered, given the best food, toys, groomed on a regular basis and in training to be the first Hamiltonstovare UKC Super Dog. I love him dearly and placed my life in his hands, he has never and will never disappoint me. ​He has also placed his trust in me and for that I am honored. 

Rolo watching me ringside 

Health Testing and the Proper Development of a Hamiltonstovare

Hamiltonstovare have been health tested in Sweden for 40+ years now. Traditionally the hips are tested in the international standard, the closest that Americas use is PennHip. The Swedish Hamiltonstovare Club also keeps records of cryptorchids produced and how many litters a stud dog has produced. This method has worked very well in that the Hamiltonstovare continues to be one of the healthiest breeds, with an average lifespan of 14+ years. 

Yearly, I talk with representatives of the AKC CHF and discuss what they would recommend for a rarer breed. Their recommendations are hips (OFA or PennHip), elbows, thyroid and OFA blood DNA. I tend to agree, however, use a vet that has done health testing on multiple breeds before. 

Health testing can be a very useful tool to prevent disease, however hip dysplasia can happen from non-genetic sources. The primary non-genetic source is carrying too much weight as a developing dog. Another source is too much high impact activities on a developing dog. 

Hamiltonstovare are very slow to mature with most females not having their first heat cycle until they are 15+ months of age. They are fast to grow to their adult height but getting to their adult body condition does take more time. The females have a weedy stage around 5-8 months of age and the males have a weedy stage around 8-12 months of age. The weedy stage can be helped by high quality food with a protein content of over30% and grain free. 

A Hamiltonstovare should be health tested when they are physically mature, generally between 2-4 years old. Hamiltonstovare should have their hips done in a similar manner of breeds that have a lot of rear muscle structure like American Pit Bull Terriers, Foxhounds, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pointing breeds, etc. basically breeds that are developed to have explosive speed from a standing position and can maintain that speed for long distances. For OFA, the vet should use the least amount of sedation necessary, then extend the hips and push back into the socket. For PennHip, only use a PennHip certified vet. The standard procedure for elbows can be used. The thyroid procedure is also standard as it is a blood draw, your vet should make sure that your Hamilton is not injured in any way before thyroid testing. 

A developing Hamiltonstovare should be exposed to different sorts of stimuli and situations. I generally shoot for 100 people, 7 different floor surfaces, and exposure to various loud noises all before the puppies are 8 weeks old. I never let a puppy leave for its new home until it is 10 weeks old so that it can learn more crucial levels of socialization from adult dogs. The mental development of a young Hamiltonstovare is something that should be done with patience and a sense of humor. Harsh punishment, consistent confinement and other forms of outdated “methods” should never be used on a Hamiltonstovare. 

Proper muscular development is just as critical to a developing Hamiltonstovare as proper bone structure. Hamiltonstovare should never be crated together. A developing Hamilton should get at least 30 minutes twice a day of good solid exercise. Hamiltonstovare should never be crated for more than 8 hours at a time. Hamiltonstovare are not a breed that should be kenneled, the require space to run and human interaction. The consequences of that can be detrimental to your hound’s overall health. 

My vision for the breed in America

Like so many of us, I work in the corporate world to pay the bills. I view the paperwork side of my line like a business. Things like pedigrees, health testing, vet records and my vision for my line are very quantifiable. The individual dogs involved are not a business, they are living, breathing animals that deserve a happy and fulfilled life. 

My vision for the breed is America is complicated. I want more public awareness of the breed in America. However, I do not want them to ever be popular. Popularity generally brings irresponsible breeding and the wrong people owning the breed. I want the breeders in America and abroad to cherish their breeding stock and the resulting puppies like a prized possession. I want breeders to continue to screen out the great homes versus the homes that aren't a right fit. 

I want the Hamiltonstovare to be versatile and never to have a true differentiation from hunting, performance and conformation lines. I want the top Hamiltonstovare in America to also have multiple titles in front of and behind their name. I want a total hound that can transition from the show ring to hunting to performance seamlessly.  

Most of all, I want a sound and healthy breed in America. I want this breed to be health tested to prevent the spread of genetic diseases. I want this breed to have very minimal structural faults like slipped hocks, weak pasterns, flat feet, etc. 

Finally, I want the breed to have a stable and adaptable temperament. I never want to hear of a Hamilton being aggressive to people or dogs. 

Health testing and all things responsible

Currently, I am the only person in America that is health testing Hamiltonstovare. I test for hip displaysia, elbow displaysia, autoimmune thyroiditis, and have DNA samples on file with AKC and soon to be OFA. Health testing is extremely important to a rare breed that is just starting out in a country. 

My goal with health testing is to make sure that my foundation stock will pass the best and healthiest genes on to their offspring. I will never not stop health testing because I feel that it is my duty to my puppy owners to give them the most accurate information possible. I also require that any bitch owner that wants to use my stud dog have a minimum of testing done prior to my approval. 

To use Rolo at stud, for example; the following MUST be done as it is considered standard practice for a responsible breeder in America:
Hip displaysia testing done and evaluated by an appropriate governing body in that country
Negative brucellosis test (unless the country is brucellosis free)
Show record
2 photos, one of the dog's front and head, another of the dog in a standing position
1 video of the dog in motion

As a responsible breeder, I screen all future puppy owners. There is an application process and I try to build a relationship with every person interested in one of my puppies. I want to be involved in their future and make sure that they have the best life possible. There are some things that are red flags to me and I will not sell to a prospective owner if any of the following have happened: giving an animal to a shelter, giving an animal away, or returning an animal to its breeder unless dire circumstances were involved (divorce, job loss, death of family member), pre-mature death of an animal directly in your care due to a preventable accident, currently owning a rabbit, hamster, gerbil, mouse, rat, etc., your primary goal is to have a hunting dog to hunt the game that you specify (I will sell to hunters but require a home visit and require that the dog lives in your home and not outside in a kennel). Also, as a responsible breeder, I will take a dog back regardless of the reason. I do require a contract to be signed that details things further. 

Generally, most people that are interested in a Hamiltonstovare have asked me about price fairly quickly and I feel that I price my puppies quite reasonably. My guys are $2,000 regardless of quality. This price may change at any time and can vary from one litter to the next. The reason behind my price is several, most imports from other countries will cost at minimum of $2,000 including shipping. Another is the cost to raise a litter is extremely high, my first litter was born via emergency c-section, shots, feeding, socialization, general care, and some early training, all put my litter cost at well over $2,000 a puppy. I lost money with this breeding, but I don't breed for the money and never will. I breed to better the breed as a whole. While the financial sting may hurt temporarily, watching my puppies grow up to be extraordinary examples of the breed is something that nobody can put a price on. 

I do try and match the right puppy to the right owner. In my last breeding, I made a concerted effort to place the most outgoing puppy in the therapy dog home. Griffin was a puppy that had to have something to do, so placing him in a home where he would be a pet and not stay busy would drive him and his owners crazy, so he is in a therapy dog home where he can stay busy. Henry was the most laid back of all of the puppies so he was placed in a home that would show him but he would primarily be a companion. With the girls, it is a different story because they live here. Raven is the pick of the litter and loves to be the center of attention so she will be shown, heavily. Selene is a dainty princess, she will be shown but it doesn't necessarily suit her personality. Selene might do agility in the future because her favorite thing is jumping.  

What is a Hamiltonstovare and are they right for me?

Hamiltonstovare are a Swedish scenthound bred to hunt hare and sometimes fox. Their hunting style is generally hunting alone or in a brace, never in a pack. They are bred to work with the hunter on a one on one level, using their voice to communicate their location to the hunter. They are bred to drive the hare or fox to the waiting hunter, instead of driving the game to a den. 

When they are not hunting they are expected to be well-rounded companions for the family. With that in mind, they make incredible pets. However, they are NOT for everybody.  

Hamiltonstovare have a high prey drive and it is something that will never be bred out of my hounds. They get along well with other dogs but they can be hit or miss with cats. Luckily, I have 2 very tolerant cats that put the hounds in their place if they get to be too much. I never recommend a Hamiltonstovare for a home that has any small mammals, such as rodents, ferrets, hedgehogs, etc. because they will try and kill them. It is their nature based on what they have been bred to do since the 1860's. 

Hamiltonstovare require a home that is patient and with a sense of humor. They generally aren't like labs and Goldens in that they want to please their owners. Hamiltonstovare are devoted to their people but are independent. They are highly intelligent and are great problem solvers. Their problem solving skills is generally related to things that serve them and may displease their owners. We have locking trash cans, keep everything out of hound reach on counters, and generally try to keep things that they want under lock and key.  

Hamiltonstovare require a sense of humor because they do things their own way. My guys know sit, down and several other things but they will back-talk and take their time to do a task. They generally sleep upside down. Alice loves to look at herself in the mirror and any mirror that she sees, she will just stop and stare at herself. 

Most Hamiltonstovare are required to be in a fenced in yard with a fence height of at least 5 feet. They love their people but they also love hunting, so they may not come when called, especially when they are on the scent of something they like. 

Hamiltons are FANTASTIC with children. They are very gentle and tolerant of kids. They would never harm a person and the instinct to be vicious is something completely foreign to them.  

If you think that sounds great, then let me know.  

The origin story

To those that know me personally, you know my origin story and the weird path that led me to the Hamiltonstovare. 

I started showing Beagles in 1998 when I lived in Raleigh, NC. When I moved to Midlothian, Va, I started showing Great Danes as a Junior Handler with Nuttree Great Danes. During that time, Animal Planet still aired Crufts on Saturday mornings. One Saturday morning, instead of sleeping in like a normal teenager, I saw I'm No April Fool I'm at Tedandi (Vincent) and fell in love with the breed.  

At that moment, I started researching and finding breeders. I learned quickly that my desire to own a Hamiltonstovare would be filled with many struggles. 

I got in contact with Michelle Longman in 2008. We quickly formed a nice relationship, where we swapped dog stories and shared conformation opinions. She educationed me on her interreptation of the standard. She kindly offered me Alice, and I was over the moon. I moved mountains to make sure that Alice arrived in the states. Within months of Alice's arrival, the Hamiltonstovare Club of America was founded by myself and Any Greenbaum and the breed was well on its way to full recognition by the AKC.  

Just after 2 years of Alice's arrival, Michelle Longman came to me after having difficulty placing a young male in a show home. This male, Rolo, was one that I liked as an 8 week old. Yet again she offered this stunning dog to me as long as I paid for his import. I moved mountains to make sure he got here.  

Now, they have had incredible success in the show ring. I look forward to what the future brings with them and their offspring. 

Welcome

Welcome to the new Oceania Hamiltonstovare blog. Here we will share updates about our Hamiltonstovare, information about the breed, service dog training, and general canine insights. 

Some posts may be brief and some might be much more lengthy depending on the interface we use.