KIDZ N’ K9Z

We had a very scary (and expensive!) few days last week, thanks Jordie 😣😣😣. Someone broke into the garage and decided to unpack a box of Advance! We were supposed to go to the Melbourne Comedy Festival playing at Ipswich Civic Centre but I decided my pregnant looking Jordie needed monitoring instead. Good decision because she became quite unwell and we rushed her to the emergency vet where they gave her pain relief and fluids. Our vet said she was a mess when we transferred her from emergency the next morning…why emergency didn’t tube her there and then is a mystery to me because the biscuits became a solid “plasticine like mass” and her lactate levels were over 10 😭. Our vet was constantly monitoring for a GDV and concerned that they would need to operate to physically remove the mass. Three days later, after gastric tubing and massage, intravenous fluids and various other drugs to make the over-stretched stomach work, she finally started to pass some of the huge mass! High temp, assuming some aspiration after all the drooling and tubing…came home with antibiotics needing soft food for ten days. My Angel 😇 had a moment… I guess we all can drop our crown from time to time but Jordie, don’t scare us like that again please! $$$$$$$ Thank goodness for pet insurance!! Thank you so much to Dr Lena Ferguson and the wonderful team at Marburg Veterinary Clinic for your wonderful care of our special girl and allowing us to have a visit 🥰

It’s a no-brainer really! We’ve seen the results first hand for years: improved attendance, increased engagement, improved effort from students as well as some surprising changes in behaviours such as cessation of property damage while dogs are present. While many of the positive effects dogs have on us are scientifically unexplained thus far, our eyes and ears witness the positive changes and our hearts feel the impact. Who needs science to explain?

Therapy dogs can help reduce student stress, anxiety and improve school attendance Research shows therapy dogs can be beneficial for students in many ways including reducing stress and anxiety, and helping students feel more excited about participating in classroom activities.

If you’re looking for a purebred dog (puppy or re-home older dog) in Australia or know someone who is…don’t look on Facebook or any other social media platforms. Please start with a site search to find one that actually has some regulatory controls and educational information to help guide you with such an important decision. Dogs Australia (previously known as the ANKC) https://www.dogsaustralia.org.au and Dogzonline https://www.dogzonline.com.au are great places to start your research. Both sites can also link you in with the registered breed clubs in your state to find purebred dogs needing homes if you’re prepared to be on a waiting list. Please share!

The Pure Breed Dogs of Australia Showcasing the pure breed dogs of Australia.

𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐏𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐆𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒?

This is Fern the beautiful mini Poodle, she is desexed with all her vet work done and is looking for the quiet life.

Check out Dogzonline for adult pedigree dogs seeking new homes:
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/dogs.asp

We are finally set to go again after a very long break with COVID restrictions…Jordie and Larry passing their reassessments with flying colours and graduating Level 3 Clinical Therapy Dogs 🥰

🥰

**UPDATE**
Welcome to KIDZ N' K9Z! **We have relocated to Sale, VICTORIA**
Looking forward to supporting young people in the Gippsland region when we are able to recommence face to face contact. Currently offline due to COVID-19 restrictions however feel free to message to inquire about our services.
Kidz N’ K9z is providing therapeutic canine-assisted support for young people in the Gippsland , VIC region. Specialising in Education Support Services for young people currently facing challenges with their education but also offering canine-assisted support for young people in building relationships, developing self-esteem and behaviour support through AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) and AAI (Animal Assisted Interventions). Support offered for young people also incorporates:
*Education Coordination - that is, working with their school or other education provider to achieve better educational outcomes.
*Mentoring - skill and relationship building tailored for each young person’s individual therapeutic care needs.
*Family Relationship Building - working with parents and carers to help overcome challenges currently affecting the development and potential of the young person.
*Family Contact Services - using Animal Assisted Interventions to help improve contact visits with family members.
*Dog Training for children - various individualised 1 to 1 programs available to teach young people how to train and take responsibility for their dog.

Another morning for Jordie supporting Maddy, volunteering at Red Cross. Colleen has also fallen for Jordie 🥰. Merry Christmas to all the fabulous volunteers!

Every Therapy Dog needs their R & R, Jordie knows how to get that on a lazy Sunday afternoon 🥰💜

Very interesting article that deserves sharing here for my Therapy Dog friends as it clearly explains how many of the modern day myths in cross breeding are just that, myths. I always support education and unfortunately our National Governing Body is not doing enough to educate the public and help the public avoid paying thousands for dogs that are destined for failure.

𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗨𝗬 𝗠𝗘, 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 & 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗠𝗘

They're cute right! Oodles became a fad over a decade ago, it started with the Lab x Poodle that was called a Labradoodle, a dog bred to be a Guide Dog for those allergic to dogs back in the early 80's, as you could probably fathom by the lack of Labradoodle Guide Dogs, the project was not successful for various reasons relating to the dogs suitability.

What happens when a type of dog becomes a fad is they become a money-making opportunity, inexperienced individuals, some with hearts of gold and others only with $$$ in their eyes jump on board and start breeding for demand - right now we're seeing that with French Bulldogs who for now seem to have overtaken the Oodle craze.

Inexperienced or simply unethical breeders went ahead and started breeding programs without understanding structure, coat genetics, disease genetics, genetics in general and temperament so what we started to see was dogs with poor structure that meant many would end up with expensive surgeries to fix conditions such as slipping patella's - this is where the kneecap of the dog dislocates, they were also being affected by conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and that's just the start of it.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 '𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗼𝗿' - consumers were led to believe that by crossing 2 breeds you would get rid of the genetic conditions associated with those 2 breeds but what they were effectively doing was potentially doubling up on problems because they had very little understanding of those issues and the mode of inheritance so they would breed for an example, a Poodle to a Cavalier that were either affected by the same condition or came from a bloodline where that problem occurred.

Take-home point, if you breed a dog with a structural fault to another dog with the same structural fault then you're not creating hybrid vigour, you're creating a problem.

Let us have a look at one of the most common Oddles, the Cavalier x Poodle commercially named the 'Cavoodle' (there is no such breed) and what conditions they are more prone to:

𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗟𝗘 (𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜)
Diabetes Mellitus
Cushings Disease
Allergies
Atopic dermatitis
Otitis Externa
Pododermatitis
Sebaceous adenitis
Sebaceous gland tumour
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Periodontal disease

𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗟𝗘 (𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗗)
Allergies
Atopic dermatitis
Sebaceous adenitis
𝗛𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝘆𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗟𝗘 (𝗧𝗢𝗬)
Diabetes Mellitus
Cushings Disease
Allergies
Atopic dermatitis
Sebaceous gland tumour
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Epilepsy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (X-linked)
Periodontal disease

𝗖𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟
Chronic Valvular Disease (CVD)
Keratitis sicca
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Atopic dermatitis
A**l sac impaction
Otitis externa
Syringomyelia

You may notice that '𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻' occurs in both breeds so breeding 2 breeds together with the same issues does not make it Hybrid Vigor, it just increases the risk of that condition occurring, no different to breeding 2 purebred dogs of the same breed together who are affected or come from lines with dogs affected by that same condition.

This condition is often seen in dogs with straight stifles, the dogs rear legs don't bend at the knee in a standing position as much as they should, this also means that they are at an increased risk of knee injuries. Cruciate ligament injuries are always one we worry about in such dogs whether it be from a strained cruciate to a fully torn one that needs surgery.

If a Poodle x is a dog you really really want to buy this would be my advice:

- Don't buy from an individual who doesn't do health testing for the conditions the breeds they are using are affected by - these are not tests carried out by the local vet, they are often DNA tests, Imaging and so forth - I strongly suggest you do a lot more research into this before looking at any Poodle x.

- Ask what the grades are of the Patella's of both Dam and Sire - Patella's are graded 1-4, anything 2.5 and above is generally considered a surgical case. If they can't answer this question, I would suggest you look for a different breeder, I would also encourage you to consider a registered ANKC purebred breeder who does all the relevant tests for their breeds and does not breed on with dogs with structural issues.

- A crossbreed should not cost you more than what a purebred does, so please don't pay thousands of dollars, especially for one whose Dam & Sire have had no genetic & health screening.

- Please never buy one from someone you can't meet in person and see the conditions the dogs live in - Oodles are often overbred in large-scale breeding facilities and sold online and through pet shops.

- If you're looking for a low/no shedding dog then a Poodle x is not necessary for you as it cannot be guaranteed what their coat will be like - they may shed a lot and need a lot of grooming.

- Get Pet insurance before you go to your first Vet visit so nothing can be called an existing condition by your insurance company.

- If your dog is diagnosed with slipping patella's or another ortho conditions, please ask your Vet for a referral to an Animal Physio, here in Sydney we recommend Whole Family Health at St Mary's - they may be able to help you avoid surgery or if surgery is required, they can help prepare your dog for this and help them recover as well.

No matter how lovely the breeder of your current or future Oodle is, if they're not genetic testing, health screening then they're not doing the right thing for the dog and they don't deserve your money.

Whilst Mother Natures gives no guarantee's, selecting a breeder who is trying their hardest to breed healthy puppies by doing all the relevant tests is the right place to start.

There's plenty of very adorable and unique purebred dogs you may like to consider and talk to breeders about the screening they do and if they are a suitable match for you, such as:

Affenpinscher
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/affenpinscher.asp

Bedlington Terrier
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/bedlington-terrier.asp

Bichon Frise
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/bichon-frise.asp

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel.asp

Chihuahua (Long Coat)
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/chihuahua-long-coat.asp

American Cocker Spaniel
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/american-cocker-spaniel.asp

Finnish Lapphund
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/finnish-lapphund.asp

Griffon Bruxellois
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/griffon-bruxellois.asp

Havanese
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/havanese.asp

Japanese Chin
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/japanese-chin.asp

Japanese Spitz
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/japanese-spitz.asp

Keeshond
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/keeshond.asp

King Charles Spaniel
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/king-charles-spaniel.asp

Lhasa Apso
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/lhasa-apso.asp

Lagotto - Check this one out
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/lagotto-romagnolo.asp

Lowchen
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/lowchen.asp

Maltese
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/maltese.asp

Papillon
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/papillon.asp

Pekingese
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/pekingese.asp

Pomeranian
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/pomeranian.asp

Miniature Poodle
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/poodle-miniature.asp

Toy Poodle
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/poodle-toy.asp

Schipperke
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/schipperke.asp

Yorkshire Terrier
https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/community/yorkshire-terrier.asp

Important note about this post: This post is not a beat up on the Oodle, it is simply putting a myth to bed about Hybrid Vigor and outlining how you can make safer choices. We still have a long way to go to understand the mode of inheritance in a lot of diseases but we can first start by not supporting breeders who breed 2 dogs together who have the same defect/fault.