Part three!
​BIRTH AND BEYOND


I feel it is important to have the Whelping Box a little away from your main kennel.
I like to have the pack experience the arrival of new members. But, the pen should be far enough away that the mother feels safe and secure.
My pen is between the kennel and right next to my chalet. I can see the pen from my window and hear all the action.
My pen consists of a whelping cabin with an attached wire (floor, sides, top and end)pen.
The cabin has an exit to the wired pen.
The whole pen/whelping cabin are raised on blocks from the ground.
I really like this type of setup as it keeps the puppies clean and helps prevent disease.
The mother can go out to do her business, which all falls through to the ground underneath.
The pen can easily be hosed down and everything is kept clean.
With this setup, I know when the mother is in labour and when the puppies are born.
I have found that the mother usually likes to come over to my open window and complain about her discomfort.
Cobalt was the worst for this and with each contraction we would have a little conversation with me comforting her. As I have said, I am very close to my canine family.
As soon as I hear a puppy's first cry, I go out, pick up the puppy, gently pet it, place it close to my mouth, blow in its face and then place it to its mothers breast.
This way, I am bonding with the puppy right at birth. This way the puppy feels secure with both the mother and me.
I learned this technique from Susan Butcher. She had a great rapport with her dogs.
From now on, I am out there several times a day playing, interacting and petting the puppies and also
giving the mother attention.
On the second or third day, I remove the Dew Claws.
To me this is very important to prevent irritation when wearing booties as an adult.
Of coarse in due time the puppies need to be wormed and vaccinated with Veterinarian supervision/consulting.
I feed the mother in the whelping cabin with her puppies so when they get older they learn to eat solids by sampling their mothers food.
This makes the job of weening the puppies much easier and less stressful.
By following the mothers example of going out in the pen to re-leave herself, the puppies also learn to go out there following her example.
It make house breaking puppies so much easier.
Usually, between six to eight weeks the puppies are weened and the mother is placed back in the kennel. This done slowly taking the mother away for short periods of time and then overnight.
It is important now to make sure the mother releases all of her milk over the next several days and drys up properly to prevent later complications.
Now you are the sole provider for your puppies.

WHY ARE PERFORMANCE RACING SLED DOGS SO EXPENSIVE
(part three)

BREEDING


Before you even contemplate starting a breeding program, take the time to figure out what type racing you want to do and the best type of dog that would fit your needs and temperament.
It is very important to have dogs that are suited to your personality and lifestyle.
That being said, now you should start doing your home work.
Studying pedigrees is very important to reproduce the type of dog you want. By matching dogs with a Line Bred pedigree to similar dogs is most likely to produce dogs that are similar in attitude, composition and stride.
There is nothing more rewarding than running a team of dogs that are running as a well balanced, smooth unit. It is truly an experience to be treasured!
Those are the results you should be striving for.
Breeding is only one part of the equation, but it is the base that everything else will build apron.
Without a good foundation, you chances for success are not very good.
If you start off with a very good female, then it is less expensive and cost efficient to go out and pay for a breeding to a proven top stud that has a track record of producing very good dogs.
Here to keep in mind that both the female and the male are of compatible pedigrees to maximize your chances of producing a very good litter of puppies.
Never be afraid to seek advise from people you trust to have your best interest.
I strive for a minimum of 80% of the litter to be of the quality I need for my team.
Over the years my kennel has improved to the point that I am now very selective of what dogs will fit into my team.
I am not a big breeder, only breed for my own usage, one litter every two years.
I like to keep a relatively small kennel that I can devote plenty of quality time to all my dogs.
Now you have done your breeding and are waiting for the litter to be born.
You need to take time to ensure the female has the proper nutrition and care while caring her unborn pups.
Prepare a whelping pen where she can safely have her puppies and feel safe/secure looking after her new family.
I feel it is very important to develop a close bond with her during this period with at least daily attention and one on one time comforting her through this period.
By doing this, it will make it easier for you to interact with the puppies and not stress out the mother.
Now it is that anxious waiting time looking forward to the puppies arrival.
Until next week......
​

 The second part:

​GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR OWN KENNEL


To the new, inexperienced musher a sled dog is a sled dog.
This is normal as I was the same.
It wasn't until later in my mushing career that I started to learn the difference.
Most of us started off with Siberian Huskies and at the time there were few kennels that actually specialized in Racing Siberians. From theses dogs I could see the difference in confirmation (body structure) that separated this type of dog from the Show Types.
The development of the Alaskan Husky and The Pointer Crosses are all further example of looking for the structural confirmation that will allow these athletes to run with the smoothest motion, with the least effort to produce the speed/endurance required to compete in their specialized field.
Probably the worst way to start a kennel is use your favourite dog Spot (of an unknown sled dog origin) breeding it to your friends favourite dog Bill (also of an unknown sled dog origin) and produce a litter of Billy/Spots.
After, a couple of years of training working with these dogs, you find that (if your lucky) you have one or two that actually want to perform as a sled dog.
Let me explain, this is not the fault of the dog. But, rather the unfortunate coupling of mediocre dogs as the base breed.
This method of starting a Racing Sled Dog Kennel is the most expensive and demoralizing way to start. Not to mention the unfortunate position these offspring’s have with a future in sledding or even finding them a loving pet home.
I remember someone telling me that you can't form an opinion of a great Racing Dog Team until you have experienced being on one.
It is for this reason, I highly recommend that you contact an experienced musher to talk too or even better work with them for a season.
Now you will be armed with the knowledge that few take advantage of.
Personally, I find I learn something new every year by observing top racers and asking questions of them and listening to what they have to say and then incorporating what I learn into improving my kennel.
Now if you want to start a good racing kennel go out and buy some of the best dogs you can afford. Most Racing Kennels have some good dogs for sale that are older that can give you a great start.
Next installment: BREEDING
​Until next week....... 



​

The Blog will be taking a little different approach over the next several weeks to give a deeper insight into the back ground/development of the Current Performance Canine Athlete.

WHY ARE PERFORMANCE RACING SLED DOGS SO EXPENSIVE?

​Many people getting into racing sled dogs wonder why they can cost so much.
On the Semi Pro and Professional Sprint Racing Circuit, performance sled dog can range $1000.00 up to $20,000.00.
I can understand that some people question why anybody would spend that kind of money on Non-Registered Breed of dog, in other words a Mutt!
However, if you were to check the documented pedigrees of these dogs, you find them as complete or more complete than the Registered Pure Breeds.
Before I go any further, I must decree that views responded here are my own and are not to be considered anything other than that.
The racing Performance Sled Dogs of today are the product of many years of selective breeding’s.
One of the major differences between Purebreds and these dogs is a result of the reasons for the breeding’s.
The racing sled dogs we are talking about were bred for performance only and not for a particular look, colour etc. The advancement from the earliest working sled dogs to these performance athletes of today was constant evolution to produce dogs that were faster, more durable and more capable of handling the needs to perform in the desired race categories whether it be Sprint or Long Distance Events.
Some of the earliest innovators in the development of the modern day racing dogs goes back to Attla, Wright, Redington, Saunderson, Butcher, Buser, Streeper and Ellis to name a few.
The above mentioned Mushers/Breeders were all instrumental in the development of the designer racing dogs currently seen on the racing circuits.
It is interesting many of today’s canine athletes can be traced back to some of the Original Attla Dogs.
The Performance Racing Sled Dogs of today are anything but a Mutt.
No, they are not recognized as a Registered Breed nor will they ever be.
These canine athletes of today are constantly evolving in their strive to achieve top performance.

Over the next several weeks, we will get more into the breeding, puppies, socialization, conditioning/training, nutrition and the insight to develop top performers.
​Until next.........

The forest is starting to change to its Autumn splendor!
Already, some of the trees and bushes are changing to their Fall colors.
The Fireweed has turned to silk (seed) and it is a prediction the the first snow is 6 weeks away. That means around the second week of October, we should see our first snow for the season.
The temperatures at night are now getting down to single digits celsius with the days getting shorter.
The dogs are also picking up on the changes and are getting more excited in the mornings anticipating the start of a new season running.
This week, we had several beautiful sunny days with a little rain on Thursday.
This week, I had to force myself to leave here on Wednesday to a big shopping trip leaving here at 7.30 am and returning here at 3.30 pm.
First such expedition in three months.
I can't imagine how others live with all the traffic and commotion with the denseness of population.
I have become a real bush person more comfortable away from society!
I can feel myself starting to relax as I start climbing in the mountains on the way home.
It is great to be back home in the forest with Nature!
​Until next week.......

Yes, there is unhappiness here at Miortuk.
There are many females in Heat causing frustration for Blue.
As he was used as Stud with the last litter we had here, he thinks it is his duty to perform when the girls are ready.
Unfortunately for him, Indigo has not come into heat therefore not needing his service.
That has not stopped him from moping and going on a four day hunger strike!
Finally, Friday he caved in and had some supper and a couple of biscuits.
He had no problem drinking water through this period of resistance and therefore kept well hydrated.
Ah, the burden of responsibility!
The rest of the males are having no problems at all with the current situation.
Weatherwise, it was another wet week here with daily rains. 
It has been one of the wettest summers I have experienced here.
There also signs of the Fall Season approaching with the migration of mice into the chalet (caught 6 last week) and the Fireweed starting to go to seed. When the Fireweed goes to silk the prediction is the first snow will arrive here 6 weeks after. Also another indication is the leaves on the trees are starting to change color and the nights are getting cooler with temperatures below 10 celsius.
Training season is scheduled to commence on the 2nd of October when Jack arrives.
Time has a habit of flying by!
​Until next week........

It has been another hot/humid/rainy week here!
However, the flies are disappearing!
Getting things ready for the start of the training season and everything is just about ready to go.
Just to give a glimpse of things to come: here is a video taken Spring 2016 training puppies.
​Until next week....... 

Another crazy week here with unsettled weather.
From warm/humid sunnys days to Thunder/Lightning Storms!
It has been an incredibly wet Summer and recently with torrential downpours.
However, Fall will soon be here and another season of running the dogs will start.
The one photo above is of the Fireweed that is now in full bloom. When it goes to silk (seed), it will indicate in 6 weeks our first snowfall. You will be kept posted of when this annual occurrence happens.
On a positive note, the wild raspberries are plentiful this year.
Last night was the Annual Méchoui du club des épinettes. This a great party centering around BBQ'd Pork slow roasted/smoked over a wood fire, fresh Quebec Corn on the Cob and several side dishes. The Club had set up tenting for the participants to keep them dry. It was needed, as a thunderstorm/rains occurred throughout the early portion of the Get Together. 
No one got wet and the weather did not dampen the great time had by all.
 A special shout out to Denis Temblay for the BBQ'D Pork Roasts.
Until next week.......
​

It was hot/humid week here resulting several big storms with thunder/lightning and torrential rains.
However, Friday was the impediment of this of this freaky weather.
Around mid-day, we had a horrendous storm with thunder/lightning, extremely violent winds and a deluge of rain lasting for a little over one hour resulting in downed trees and flooding. On the service road here there was over 4" of rain on the road. Luckily the earthen base here is sand allowing the flooding to dissipate quickly. There was no damage around the kennel or with the chalet.
Never since living here for 20 years have I never witnessed a storm with this intensity here before. 
Throughout the weekend, waves of smaller rain storms passed through.
Today, the skies were still cloudy and the temperatures have dropped to the mid-teens Celsius.
It was still a great weekend as friends came up and we enjoyed fantastic food and great company.
​Until next week.......

Yes, this Musher is getting bored with summer and is getting anxious to start running the dogs.
Although Summer is a nice break, the hot/humid weather and the flies don't necessarily mix well with the mushing lifestyle.
The dogs are getting more hemped up everyday as the nights here are getting cooler (10C) and with the new diet, they are ready to go!
They are digging more holes and more excited anticipating the new season.
Slowly everything is getting in place here with plans being made for what races plan on attending and setting the calendar to mark down the dates.
Next, will be setting up the training plan to prepare the dogs for those races.
If all goes well, it should be a fun/exciting season.
The yearling from last year (Blue/Indigo Breeding) are looking great and after their performance last season, should be ready to perform.
The way things look now with a combination of experienced leaders, mature and young dogs, we should be able to produce a very competitive team with lots of depth.
Yes, it is the same the beginning of every season, the dreams of the musher are high.
Now, do everything possible to produce the desired results.
That is the job of the musher!!
​Until next week......