Chewing

I had an inquiry about bones for Dals and thought it was a good chance to use this picture. Dogs chew as a stress reliever and to pass the time. It's something dogs do, some more than others. Of my current group, Coral, Josie & Argus are chewers, Watson rarely chews but he's also the most laid back of the group. Raw fed dogs get more opportunities to chew than kibble fed dogs, but many need more than that. The raw books talk about "edible bones" (like chicken backs & wings or turkey necks) and "recreational bones" like shank bones - those long marrow-filled leg bones. Shank bones are available commercially but because they are brittle, they can easily be shattered by "power chewers" like Coral. We occasionally give the dogs fresh raw shank bones or knuckles but always remove the shanks within a day or so as they become dry and brittle. Coral is a power chewer like her grandpa Morris was, and her goal is to shatter all bones. If left with an old shank bone she will start to bite off pieces. She actually fractured one of her carnassial teeth, a big triple-rooted tooth that is very expensive to have extracted, and has chipped one of her canines (we keep an eye on it but so far it has not caused any problems).

Because of Coral's heavy duty chewing, we've cut back on "real bones" except for pups who can chew in their crates. Although I'm into "natural" and these are NOT natural, we rely on the various kinds of Nylabones. For years none of my dogs would so much as look at one of them, but this whole group will chew them happily, even Watson on occasion. They are very tough and last a long time. We buy the larger sizes and when they get small enough to swallow we throw them away.

The Argus/Tess pups are doing well out in Oregon, and they all hear. Such pretty pups! Because three are patched, they will automatically go as companions, no matter how beautiful they are otherwise. The liver ear patched girl will be a heartbreaker! I'll probably take a stud fee puppy, and may have one or more pets available as well. I know several of you are looking for pet pups, so drop me a note and we can discuss it. Pictures tomorrow.