Dixie and Dallas...

[HollowbeadRanch]

These are my two girls Dixie and Dallas. Dixie is an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) and Dallas is a Silky Terrier (pics of Dallas range from 8 weeks old to present. I raised her from 8 weeks old... saved her from a Puppy Mill ). Dallas is spayed and Dixie is in heat right now (this will be her 5th and final litter of puppies. I am having her spayed after this litter. I raised her from 5 weeks old.) Hope you like the pics!! Let me know what you think of my girls!!!

This is Lee (my Hubby) playing with Dallas when she was a pup..

She decided that it was fun to lay on her side and paw at the flap on the box..

Posing for the camera!(before her ears stood up)

And here she is today!!!


This is Dixie!! Anywhere the 4-wheeler goes she thinks she has to go!!!


And these are some pictures of the pups from Dixie's last litter!!!

[Doglover1988]

How old is dixie? Do you show her or have any titles on her. Isn't 5 litters a bit much for one dog?

[HollowbeadRanch]

She is 4 years old. She had a litter when she was 1 year and 3 months old, a litter when she was 1 year 9 months old (didn't mean for the second one to happen she got out of the pen and sometime in that 30 minutes or so that she was out she got bred), a litter when she was 2 years 6 months old, a litter when she was 3 years 3 months old, and this will be her last litter at a little over 4 years old. We did not breed her her first time in heat (NOT a good idea to breed the very first heat cycle for the health of the animal). Dogs come in heat twice a year (every 6 months... which I am sure everyone on here knows... I have to keep reminding myself that I am on a Dog Forum now) we only breed her once a year to have fall/winter litter (summer in Alabama is way too hot for her to be that big and having babies.. plus during the summer you have more of a problem with fleas, ticks, flys, etc.) except for the one time that she got loose (still can't believe that happened). We only have 2 dogs and she is the only one that we breed (Dallas was spayed at 6 months old). But like I said after this litter she will be getting spayed.

We have never showed her. She is unregistered. At the time when we got her I was working and going to College so I wasn't able to train her for agility like I wanted to (of course she got the basics... sit, stay, down, and such). I wish I could have trained her for it though.. man can that dog jump! And she is SSOOO smart!! Sometimes I think she is too smart for her own good... and mine!!!

[Swiftwind]

Both of your dogs are really nice. So, is Dixie a working farm dog? It's funny that you have an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Silky Terrier!

I got Harley (the dog in my signature) when he was 5 weeks old (he's now 11 1/2 years old)... he's also too smart for his own good! haha

[Doglover1988]

I can't believe nobody else has said anything yet. Just wondering. Is your dog even health tested? I cannot fathom why on earth the poor little thing is going to have had 5 litters in only 4 years of life, and isn't even registered. These pups are considered mutts if they aren't registered. Do you have any idea how many dogs get put to sleep in shelters every year? Lots and lots of australian cattle dogs end up in shelters.

[HollowbeadRanch]

Originally Posted by Swiftwind

Both of your dogs are really nice. So, is Dixie a working farm dog? It's funny that you have an Australian Cattle Dog and an Australian Silky Terrier!

I got Harley (the dog in my signature) when he was 5 weeks old (he's now 11 1/2 years old)... he's also too smart for his own good! haha

Thank you! Dixie does help out around the farm some with my father-in-laws horses... but she has never really had the opportunity to herd cattle. She is the absolute BEST security system you could ever have though!! SHe only barks when someone pulls in our driveway or when a stray dog is in our yard. I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world!!!

And the even funnier part is the other breed I had considered before getting Dixie was an Australian Shepherd hehe... just love those Aussies I guess

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Doglover1988

I can't believe nobody else has said anything yet. Just wondering. Is your dog even health tested? I cannot fathom why on earth the poor little thing is going to have had 5 litters in only 4 years of life, and isn't even registered. These pups are considered mutts if they aren't registered. Do you have any idea how many dogs get put to sleep in shelters every year? Lots and lots of australian cattle dogs end up in shelters.

I was thinking the same thing, I guess not wanting to be the "bad guy" by being the first to say something.

HallowreadRanch, I'm not finger pointing, like you are the only one who has ever done this, and you may not realize or think there is anything wrong with breeding an untiltled, unregistered, non-health tested dog. But many of us here are against it, and have seen first hand how many dogs end up in shelters and rescues. Even so far (for me anyway), to see the garbage bags full of euthanized animals being carted past me while volunteering at my local humane society.

There were a few parts of your posts that hit a nerve for me. One, the amount of times your dog has been bred. Two, that her first litter came while she was just over a year old, and still a pup herself. And Three was this quote

Originally Posted by HollowbeadRanch

Dallas is a Silky Terrier (pics of Dallas range from 8 weeks old to present. I raised her from 8 weeks old... saved her from a Puppy Mill

.
You say you saved her from a puppy mill, but what is so much different from a puppy mill compared to what you are doing to your dog? So you saved one, only to have your other endure countless breedings.

Ok, I'll hop down off of my soapbox, I mean no offense, just trying to shed some light on what you yourself don't seem to be noticing or taking into consideration. Your dogs are gorgeous BTW, but please stop this unethical breeding. If you want to breed, join a breed club, get a mentor, and start anew.

[HollowbeadRanch]

Originally Posted by Doglover1988

I can't believe nobody else has said anything yet. Just wondering. Is your dog even health tested? I cannot fathom why on earth the poor little thing is going to have had 5 litters in only 4 years of life, and isn't even registered. These pups are considered mutts if they aren't registered. Do you have any idea how many dogs get put to sleep in shelters every year? Lots and lots of australian cattle dogs end up in shelters.

I can't believe what I am reading here... Are you judging me? and you don't even know me? I really think this is very rude to be practically harrassed right after joining a forum... Is this the way this forum operates or is it just this one particular user? Because if it is I will cancel my registration immediatly!

We take VERY much pride in all of our animals! I gaurantee you that Dixie is the healthiest Dog you will ever see!! She has her annual shots and is VERY well taken care of and spoiled! I myself do not see anything unusual in breeding a dog once a year and giving her a break in the summer... you better believe that if it was hurting her it wouldn't be happening and if she had ever had any complications with delivery it wouldn't be happening either! I love my dog VERY much!! Also we do not sell these "mutts" as you call them to just anybody.. I have refused the sale of puppies to certain individuals a few times and will do it again if I am not satified that they are going to good homes! As a matter of fact I received a phone call from a man just the other day who bought 2 females from my last litter. He was calling to tell me that they were doing GREAT and were VERY intelligent! He said they were already herding cattle at 7 months old and that he was taking them to have them spayed the next week! As far as breeding "mutts" goes... I understand that there are some people out there that shouldn't be breeding their dogs and I also understand that there are some people out there that do cruel things like run puppy mills and don't take care of their animals... I am NEITHER of those things and if the person that I got Dixie from (my full blooded Heeler) didn't breed "mutts" then I wouldn't have her today! And if I didn't breed her then that exstatic man that called me the other day to tell me how happy he was with his two females wouldn't have them either! I think it is outragious to say that only registered purebred Dogs should be allowed to have puppies... yes I do agree as I said before that there are alot of people out there that have no clue what they are doing and shouldn't be breeding, but I am not one of them. Dixie is my only breeder and she will be fixed after this litter... but frankly I really don't know why I am even attempting to explain myself to someone who is being nothing but rude asking me if I know how many Heelers get sent to the shelters each year... Like I said if this is the way this forum treats new comers who are trying to show pride in there HEALTHY LOVED animals by showing them off and talking about them on here then I would really like to know now! I thought this might be a nice place to post photos and maybe get help with questions I might have in the future, but judging by this user Doglover1988 I may be sorely mistaken.

[Doglover1988]

I can't believe what I am reading here... Are you judging me? and you don't even know me? I really think this is very rude to be practically harrassed right after joining a forum...

I am not harrassing you. I'm just worried about your dog. I love dogs and always have their best intrests at heart. I am judging you by what I have read in your posts. You see nothing wrong with breeding a dog 5 times in a row to me thats just insane. I'm not trying to be a bad guy here.

Is this the way this forum operates or is it just this one particular user? Because if it is I will cancel my registration immediatly!

I think my views are the same as most other members views. Nobody on this forum supports unethical breeding. None of us want you to leave and we can't stop you from breeding your dog but we will do our best to inform you in your decision.

We take VERY much pride in all of our animals! I gaurantee you that Dixie is the healthiest Dog you will ever see!! She has her annual shots and is VERY well taken care of and spoiled!

Her getting her annual shots means nothing. Breeding dogs get health tested to make sure there are no genetic problems that could be passed down to the offspring. Breeders on this forum get their dogs hips and elbows tested at the age of 2 before breeding.

I myself do not see anything unusual in breeding a dog once a year and giving her a break in the summer... you better believ that if it was hurting her it wouldn't be happening and if she had ever had any complications with delivery it wouldn't be happening either! I love my dog VERY much!!

I'm sure you do love your dog. Having bred her 5 times in four years is not breeding her once a year...I'm glad you wouldn't breed her if she had complications.

Also we do not sell these "mutts" as you call them to just anybody.. I have refused the sale of puppies to certain individuals a few times and will do it again if I am not satified that they are going to good homes! As a matter of fact I received a phone call from a man just the other day who bought 2 females from my last litter. He was calling to tell me that they were doing GREAT and were VERY intelligent! He said they were already herding cattle at 7 months old and that he was taking them to have them spayed the next week!

I'm glad that the person you gave those girls to is a good owner. He sounds like a terrific owner since they have a herding job and are getting spayed.

As far as breeding "mutts" goes... I understand that there are some people out there that shouldn't be breeding their dogs and I also understand that there are some people out there that do cruel things like run puppy mills and don't take care of there animals... I am NEITHER of those things and if the person that I got Dixie from (my full blooded Heeler) didn't breed "mutts" then I wouldn't have her today! And if I didn't breed her then that exstatic man that called me the other day to tell me how happy he was with his two females wouldn't have had them!

Since you adopted your dog at the age of 5 weeks than the breeder you got her from is a terrible breeder. Dogs should be at least 8 weeks old before they leave their mothers. You aren't considered a puppy mill but people here would call you a backyard breeder.

I think it is outragious to say that only registered purebred Dogs should be allowed to have puppies...

Why is this outragious? People want healthy dogs. I'm not just saying you should only breed registered purebred dogs but you should breed registered, purebred, and health tested healthy dogs with good conformation that represents the breed well. Yes I could get any 2 dogs from a puppy mill who are registered and breed them together but why on earth would I do that?
I have a beautiful unregistered boston terrier with good conformation but did I breed her? Nope she is spayed, because breeding her wouldn't be doing anything to improve the breed.

yes I do agree as I said before that there are alot of people out there that have no clue what they are doing and shouldn't be breeding, but I am not one of them. Dixie is my only breeder and she will be fixed after this litter...

I'm incredibly happy that she is getting fixed but I wish you would do it now instead of after another litter.

but frankly I really don't know why I am even attempting to explain myself to someone who is being nothing but rude asking me if I know how many Heelers get sent to the shelters each year...

Again i'm not trying to be a bad guy. Many of the dogs in my local shelter are heelers or heeler mixes and that makes me incredibly sad...

Like I said if this is the way this forum treats new comers who are trying to show pride in there HEALTHY LOVED animals by showing them off and talking about them on here then I would really like to know now! I thought this might be a nice place to post photos and maybe get help with questions I might have in the future, but judging my this user Doglover1988 I was sorely mistaken.

Again we are not trying to be mean. We are just informing you. This is a great place to post pics and everyone here loves dogs...I am usually very nice to people here. And I really enjoyed your pics. But your unethical breeding really makes me sad...

Again good luck with your dogs and I really hope you decide not to breed your dog again....

[Punkygirl0101]

Welcome.

But I completely agree with Doglover and British Bandit. They are right on the subject.

You seem to know dogs, but you don't seem to understand that the ONLY dogs that should be bred are shown, and are HEALTH CERTIFIED, that does NOT mean they have shots and are "HEalthy" that means they have had their eyes tested, hips, etc...Breed genetic diseases have been tested. This is to BETTER the breed. There are millions of dogs being euthanized because people breed their dogs for no reason.

And I am in COMPLETE shock that your dog is 4 years old, and is on her 5th litter. POOR THING, that is TOO much breeding.

And by the way, no one is harassing you, we are looking out for the dogs well being. If you find a forum that agrees with you...than thats a shame..

And you got Dixie from a backyard breeder...5 weeks is WAAAAY too young to give a puppy away..they sound like they could care less about their dogs, and just want to make a quick buck,k especially since they were unregistered.

Just because a dog is purebred, does not mean it should be bred. and 5 litters in 4 years is appalling to me..but I guess it could be 10 litters.

[KennelMom]

I don't think anyone is personally attacking you or questioning whether you love your dogs...just that the experience of many of us with homeless animals is such that the repeated breeding of dogs that aren't done for the purpose of filling a need <working lines> or improving a given breed. Breeding b/c it's fun or a part-time income or whatever, just isn't a good enough reason. Doglover1988 pretty much said it perfectly.

Unfortunately, it's byb's that the impetus for the horrid mandatory spay/neuter legislation in California.

You say you saved her from a puppy mill, but what is so much different from a puppy mill compared to what you are doing to your dog? So you saved one, only to have your other endure countless breedings.

This is what struck me too

[HollowbeadRanch]

I am not going to argue over this anymore. I have never in my life been so frustrated... Dixie is very loved, very healthy, and NO ONE IS HURTING HER! You comparing me to a puppy mill just shows me that you have NEVER ACTUALLY SEEN A PUPPY MILL IN OPERATION or you would NEVER say that and I am offended by it. I would appreciate if you would keep your VERY RUDE and WRONG opinions to yourself and QUIT POSTING ON THIS THREAD!

I would also appreciate it that if you ever see another post of my please pass it by. One day maybe you will be harassed about what you KNOW is proper treatment for your dog and then you will know how it feels to have people tell you that you are treating your Dog that you love more than anything in the wrong way.

Thank you,
Brandi

[Doglover1988]

I am not going to argue over this anymore. I have never in my life been so frustrated... Dixie is very loved, very healthy, and NO ONE IS HURTING HER! You comparing me to a puppy mill just shows me that you have NEVER ACTUALLY SEEN A PUPPY MILL IN OPERATION or you would NEVER say that and I am offended by it. I would appreciate if you would keep your VERY RUDE and WRONG opinions to yourself and QUIT POSTING ON THIS THREAD!

I would also appreciate it that if you ever see another post of my please pass it by. One day maybe you will be harassed about what you KNOW is proper treatment for your dog and then you will know how it feels to have people tell you that you are treating your Dog that you love more than anything in the wrong way.

I guess you are talking to me. I will respond to whichever post I see fit. And no I probably wont be harassed on this forum for the treatment of my dogs because I do not breed my dogs and all my dogs are spayed (well my youngest is getting spayed as soon as possible) and they are all well cared for and very happy. And again we aren't harrassing you. It's hard to tell someones tone by just reading something online. Also it might be my opinion but read all the other responces in this post. It's other people's opinions as well I was just the first one to respond.

[Punkygirl0101]

Are you saying breeding your dog so often is PROPER care?

We ALL know what a puppy mill is. I personally rescue animals from horrid conditions, most coming from kitten mills.

[HollowbeadRanch]

Forget it... I am going to quit giving you what you want which is an arguement! Have a nice life!