Thursday, July 12, 2012
Boleyn x Viking: Next week the fun begins!
So here it is: our first official update - Boleyn has her xray scheduled for Tuesday which will give us an approximate head count and maybe even let us know a more exact date for pups to be born! Our Bella Boleyn is starting to get uncomfotable these days and is kind of in the '8 month' phase we go through as women:... is it almost time yet?! She's been healthy and gaining nicely throughout her pregnancy and started to show a little early so for everyone who is waiting in the wings to see who we have, but didn't manage to get in on official reservations spots, we have hope yet for a couple of amazing pups like last years for some.
For the moment, I'm sticking with my original projection of the 15th - 18th of July, but I'll reserve final guesstimate for after xrays when we can all have fun counting little heads and spines and see how solid they are (the more solid on the xray the closer to due date). A birthdate of July 15th would land us for a mid-September home time for those of you planning time off with pups... but if you can hold off another week or two to book those dates I can firm those up when the pups arrive.
I'm getting very excited to see what combination of blue brindle pieds and blue fawn pieds we'll have this year and to start my sleep deprive Rorschach interpretations. ;)
Everyone cross fingers and toes (so to speak) and join us in our little chant for this pregnancy: seven, seven, seven. (I'll settle for healthy healthy healthy, and just like last year - big, beautiful, robust and great natured!)
More soon....
Monday, February 27, 2012
Why Blue and Chocolate?
What do you think: Are breed standards static or gradually changing?
Should they be static or gradually changing?
I see the horrific battle between the "do's" and the "do nots" of 'rare' coloured bulldogs out there and have stayed on the sidelines for years. I do my own thing - do it well and with confidence, and by staying quiet I procure some ability to stay low and out of musket range. Have I been asked why? Yes. So, to take my chances of coming into the melee combat and getting bludgeoned: This is my reasoning:
I do it because we had the same bias in Danes for years. But good breeders with amazing ethics produced some serious quality in colours like blue and merle and the standards changed. The quality, health and conformation of those once DQ'd colour is indisputable - and there are many multiple champions now of both colours.
I believe that with the right ethics and determination the same can be done for French Bulldogs. Blue has forever been my favourite in any breed... or species for that matter. I try my very best to help further the breed by creating unbelievable quality in 'alternative colours'. Please note that there is a major cost involved with doing this. The investment of the level of quality in a dog of the highest caliber French Bulldog breeding dog in a 'regular colour' can be daunting. Then track down recessive genes. Not just 'rare' colours but say, maskless, or bright red. Each of those are more difficult to produce and the prices match the fact that you may try through four litters and get one specimen in each (if you're lucky) and THEN you need the rest of the package (in conformation, health soundness) in order for that dog to be considered worthy of breeding. It must be an absolutely remarkable specimen of a dog. This is not an easy feat.
Now look for MORE recessive traits for that remarkable specimen.... you get the picture.
Please note that not all of us charge 'designer prices' for alternative colours. Bad breeders that look for the almighty dollar are not a question of colour, but of ethics - unfortunately there is a magnetic draw to anything that unethical people can try to get ahead with. But keep in mind that there are those of us who ARE investing sizable amount of money.... more than I care to admit to even myself... to ensure that if this is done some of us will do it wisely. By NOT charging those high prices I can (and do) take big financial hits. Do I blame the ones that price twice the amount for their blues than I do? No. Not at all. We all have to try our best not to lose the battle while we lose our shirts. But a few of us do choose to take hits financially to work toward killing the 'designer pet price' that tattoos the rare coloured world with such a nasty face: Greed. Am I taking the wiser course by pricing lower - I'll let you know if I make it through. ;))
The truth is that there are many out there that are led by greed. They cut the corners and lie about what wonderful genes their dogs 'carry'. But don't believe that every dog out there with a $5000 price tag is being sold by a hack. It is absolutely viable that the breeder has spent that amount (or will) in the generations, testing, and additions to breeding stock that got that litter here. Is it possible to tell the difference? ..... I'm still finding that out myself. It's a tough world out there and we all have hungry mouths to feed. I have seen too many that have done unbelievable things to get by. By the grace of God may we all learn to stand more firm. Truth be told even breeders, who have so much more experience than the 'average Joe', try so hard to sort them out and still get taken advantage of, shocked, and dismayed along the way. Money and the magnetism thereof is another topic for another philosophic heart. One that is stronger than mine. I'm the kind that feels the burn of the iron to learn my lessons (as do many others) and do not necessarily judge the intentions of others that well. My being 'Honest and trusting' can mean: 'broken-hearted and taken advantage of', yes, but it also makes me VERY proud that I have nothing to hide. And I have great respect for those few that I continue to have great dealings with. It's not easy to do the right thing. But someone has to, and so we try. Oh, I'm not claiming perfection, here, let it be known that my pedestal is as broken and stained as the next guy's. We all make mistakes in life, but I'm also not talking about a group of people that are making typos in ads or (somehow?)do not know the parentage of their dogs. We know that there are liars and cheats out there. What I am saying is that I am not one.... let me prove it to you. :)
...To add a thought on 'rare' genes. There is a school of thought that the rare colours do not have a large enough pool from which to draw. It important to remember that these are merely 'double recessive' and dogs who are genetically capable of producing blue and chocolate are actually pretty common, they just don't happen to have both sets of the recessive gene so they do not actually HAVE that coat colour. Although on another gene strain, cream works much the same way; maskless as well. There is no issue finding good genetics now when we can so easily look worldwide at pedigrees and communicate across the world via computer in seconds. To add to that, the pool can be filled to the brim with new carriers as soon as any double recessive dog bears a new blood line's puppies. More expense? Yes. Worth it? I think so, yes.
I think we need to stop and honestly evaluate how the dogs in those faded black and white photos and the hand drawn likenesses from a century ago would fare in the show ring today! :s In my mind the standards are living and breathing and if we refuse to work toward bettering the breed in a living breathing sense we will not have wonderful healthy purebred dogs of ANY breed. It is certainly not unethical to breed healthy, well-bred, well-formed and purebred dogs on a very limited basis - of any colour. Bad ethics are out there in any circle: dog breeding is only one in several million ways to express what your ethics and morality are.... or are not.
To steal a famous quote: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" in dogs as in any other thing. But good health is not.... The good structure of a dog, his good character, his longevity, and the great experiences of those who love them: that is the centre of it all. If I love a colour and can find a way to breed it ethically, lovingly, and with thought for the breed, it's character, it's long-term health, and it's loved filled life, then I believe that musket has some better targets.
... another rambling thought from: Sheila @ AMIaBULL
I see the horrific battle between the "do's" and the "do nots" of 'rare' coloured bulldogs out there and have stayed on the sidelines for years. I do my own thing - do it well and with confidence, and by staying quiet I procure some ability to stay low and out of musket range. Have I been asked why? Yes. So, to take my chances of coming into the melee combat and getting bludgeoned: This is my reasoning:
I do it because we had the same bias in Danes for years. But good breeders with amazing ethics produced some serious quality in colours like blue and merle and the standards changed. The quality, health and conformation of those once DQ'd colour is indisputable - and there are many multiple champions now of both colours.
I believe that with the right ethics and determination the same can be done for French Bulldogs. Blue has forever been my favourite in any breed... or species for that matter. I try my very best to help further the breed by creating unbelievable quality in 'alternative colours'. Please note that there is a major cost involved with doing this. The investment of the level of quality in a dog of the highest caliber French Bulldog breeding dog in a 'regular colour' can be daunting. Then track down recessive genes. Not just 'rare' colours but say, maskless, or bright red. Each of those are more difficult to produce and the prices match the fact that you may try through four litters and get one specimen in each (if you're lucky) and THEN you need the rest of the package (in conformation, health soundness) in order for that dog to be considered worthy of breeding. It must be an absolutely remarkable specimen of a dog. This is not an easy feat.
Now look for MORE recessive traits for that remarkable specimen.... you get the picture.
Please note that not all of us charge 'designer prices' for alternative colours. Bad breeders that look for the almighty dollar are not a question of colour, but of ethics - unfortunately there is a magnetic draw to anything that unethical people can try to get ahead with. But keep in mind that there are those of us who ARE investing sizable amount of money.... more than I care to admit to even myself... to ensure that if this is done some of us will do it wisely. By NOT charging those high prices I can (and do) take big financial hits. Do I blame the ones that price twice the amount for their blues than I do? No. Not at all. We all have to try our best not to lose the battle while we lose our shirts. But a few of us do choose to take hits financially to work toward killing the 'designer pet price' that tattoos the rare coloured world with such a nasty face: Greed. Am I taking the wiser course by pricing lower - I'll let you know if I make it through. ;))
The truth is that there are many out there that are led by greed. They cut the corners and lie about what wonderful genes their dogs 'carry'. But don't believe that every dog out there with a $5000 price tag is being sold by a hack. It is absolutely viable that the breeder has spent that amount (or will) in the generations, testing, and additions to breeding stock that got that litter here. Is it possible to tell the difference? ..... I'm still finding that out myself. It's a tough world out there and we all have hungry mouths to feed. I have seen too many that have done unbelievable things to get by. By the grace of God may we all learn to stand more firm. Truth be told even breeders, who have so much more experience than the 'average Joe', try so hard to sort them out and still get taken advantage of, shocked, and dismayed along the way. Money and the magnetism thereof is another topic for another philosophic heart. One that is stronger than mine. I'm the kind that feels the burn of the iron to learn my lessons (as do many others) and do not necessarily judge the intentions of others that well. My being 'Honest and trusting' can mean: 'broken-hearted and taken advantage of', yes, but it also makes me VERY proud that I have nothing to hide. And I have great respect for those few that I continue to have great dealings with. It's not easy to do the right thing. But someone has to, and so we try. Oh, I'm not claiming perfection, here, let it be known that my pedestal is as broken and stained as the next guy's. We all make mistakes in life, but I'm also not talking about a group of people that are making typos in ads or (somehow?)do not know the parentage of their dogs. We know that there are liars and cheats out there. What I am saying is that I am not one.... let me prove it to you. :)
...To add a thought on 'rare' genes. There is a school of thought that the rare colours do not have a large enough pool from which to draw. It important to remember that these are merely 'double recessive' and dogs who are genetically capable of producing blue and chocolate are actually pretty common, they just don't happen to have both sets of the recessive gene so they do not actually HAVE that coat colour. Although on another gene strain, cream works much the same way; maskless as well. There is no issue finding good genetics now when we can so easily look worldwide at pedigrees and communicate across the world via computer in seconds. To add to that, the pool can be filled to the brim with new carriers as soon as any double recessive dog bears a new blood line's puppies. More expense? Yes. Worth it? I think so, yes.
I think we need to stop and honestly evaluate how the dogs in those faded black and white photos and the hand drawn likenesses from a century ago would fare in the show ring today! :s In my mind the standards are living and breathing and if we refuse to work toward bettering the breed in a living breathing sense we will not have wonderful healthy purebred dogs of ANY breed. It is certainly not unethical to breed healthy, well-bred, well-formed and purebred dogs on a very limited basis - of any colour. Bad ethics are out there in any circle: dog breeding is only one in several million ways to express what your ethics and morality are.... or are not.
To steal a famous quote: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" in dogs as in any other thing. But good health is not.... The good structure of a dog, his good character, his longevity, and the great experiences of those who love them: that is the centre of it all. If I love a colour and can find a way to breed it ethically, lovingly, and with thought for the breed, it's character, it's long-term health, and it's loved filled life, then I believe that musket has some better targets.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Unauthorized use of AMIaBULL name
Please note that after repeated requests for the content containing our company name to be removed from CKC Rare Color Frenchies (aka Juggernaut Rare French Bulldogs, aka Henessey's Rare Frenchies) website they have continued to refuse. Please disregard comments you may read as those documented with the AMIaBULL name on that site as they are misleading and do not accurately reflect the relationship between AMIaBULL and CKC Rare Color Frenchies. I apologise for the public nature of the statement, but realize that we do not all have the time to call each reference that is posted on a website. Please note that AMIaBULL is in no way affiliated with any other kennel and does not recommend, refer, or guarantee the legitmacy of any breeder or dogs other than the ones AMIaBULL themselves produce.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sierra x Viking @ 6 weeks
Anyone else out there have a hard time believing the pups are 6 weeks old already!? I find myself caught between feeling they've always been here and thinking they were just born last week!
These little guys are growing by leaps and bounds and I've discovered that this litter as a whole seems uniquely unfazed by almost anything. Each of them seems equally able to play on their own happily without their siblings. Each morning when I remove them from the sleeping area to clean it and to make sure everyone is happy, clean and healthy from head to toe I alternate who is first to the play zone. I haven't had one of them complain about being their alone while waiting on the rest yet. Now, to be sure, all frenchies are laid back, but let me assure you it is very normal to have certain ones in each litter who hate to be separated at this stage. And they are usually VERY vocal about it. ;) I have heard the occasional opera when they are confined to 'the bin' (a topless tote that I use to hold them when I carry them up the stairs or do a quick clean of the play or sleep zones) but yet to hear anything other than happy playtime when on their own in the play zone! These are very confident and happy puppies!! :))
Everyone is eating well and using the papers regularily... some mistakes happen when they have time in other parts of the house... but on the whole they are doing very well with their training. My son, Garrett, had all the puppies sitting in a row to say hello last night when he arrived home from school, and of course the camera was no where in sight to capture the moment!! The kids are enjoying playtime with the pups early in the evening and snuggles at bedtime. All puppies are great to come when called (Phoenix has decided that she no longer responds to that name but much prefers her permanent name of 'Lola'!) and enjoy our fun recall games back and forth. Unfortunately for me "stay" is never really mastered this young... as you can see from the photos attached the shoot yesterday afternoon was with one monkey after another (except for one or two sleepy monkeys who were worn out before their turn!)!
The babies are absolutely adorable at this stage.... they look like little dogs come into their own. It always seems unreal that such small creatures can move and play just like the dogs in the dog park! These are the times that I truly treasure and they make up for all the trials and tribulations involved in breeding dogs.
More soon...
These little guys are growing by leaps and bounds and I've discovered that this litter as a whole seems uniquely unfazed by almost anything. Each of them seems equally able to play on their own happily without their siblings. Each morning when I remove them from the sleeping area to clean it and to make sure everyone is happy, clean and healthy from head to toe I alternate who is first to the play zone. I haven't had one of them complain about being their alone while waiting on the rest yet. Now, to be sure, all frenchies are laid back, but let me assure you it is very normal to have certain ones in each litter who hate to be separated at this stage. And they are usually VERY vocal about it. ;) I have heard the occasional opera when they are confined to 'the bin' (a topless tote that I use to hold them when I carry them up the stairs or do a quick clean of the play or sleep zones) but yet to hear anything other than happy playtime when on their own in the play zone! These are very confident and happy puppies!! :))
Everyone is eating well and using the papers regularily... some mistakes happen when they have time in other parts of the house... but on the whole they are doing very well with their training. My son, Garrett, had all the puppies sitting in a row to say hello last night when he arrived home from school, and of course the camera was no where in sight to capture the moment!! The kids are enjoying playtime with the pups early in the evening and snuggles at bedtime. All puppies are great to come when called (Phoenix has decided that she no longer responds to that name but much prefers her permanent name of 'Lola'!) and enjoy our fun recall games back and forth. Unfortunately for me "stay" is never really mastered this young... as you can see from the photos attached the shoot yesterday afternoon was with one monkey after another (except for one or two sleepy monkeys who were worn out before their turn!)!
The babies are absolutely adorable at this stage.... they look like little dogs come into their own. It always seems unreal that such small creatures can move and play just like the dogs in the dog park! These are the times that I truly treasure and they make up for all the trials and tribulations involved in breeding dogs.
More soon...
Sierra x Viking @ 4 weeks
Four weeks have come and gone since watching our dear little Sierra roll that big belly into the vet's office and come out with 5 beautiful babies!! It's been a whirlwind of a week with everyone finding footing and learning to run and wrestle, and with the bunch fighting off a cold as they wean and leave Mom's immunity behind leaving me sleepless and with a few more greys, but filled to the brim with puppy cuddles. I mentioned last week that I would have a bit of an idea of personalities at this stage, and though they are still budding, it never ceases to amaze me how the milk slurping, warmth seeking, sleep drawn little hamster-like creature turn into full fledged little dogs in the span of a week and a half!! This is by far my most favourite time.
Our sniffley snorters have been vet assessed and diagnosed with the puppy version of a common cold. They were put on clavamox (antibiotic) to stave off anything that might take advantage of their lowered immune (one or two had some green boogers that have since passed) and rest assured that all will be right as rain in no time and (though I watch like a hawk through the night regardless) it's a pretty common occurence with weaning pups.
McKinley is one of the two smallest pups, but just like his Mom now one dares tell him so. He's an action packed little man that seems to love being in the middle of everything. Very agile and one of the first to walk and run this guy is usually on the top of the pile up and then leaving the others in his dust. He's also a sweet little man and loves to cuddle almost as much to chase... well whatever that was that just rolled by. Very curious and outgoing he loves people and will sit on a lap and absorb as much attention as you are willing to give.
Everest, our other boy, is the polar opposite in the weight and energy department. A heavier set and laid back boy he seems to let everything roll off his back like water off a duck and smile the whole time. He reminds me very much of Hemi from our last litter and I will not be surprised in the least if he becomes my husband's favourite - lying back and watching football with the boys and enjoying the spurts of energy that come with it. You can do whatever you like to Everest - he seems to enjoy having his toenails cut as much as tugging a rope or lying on his back for a good belly rub in front of the TV.
Phoenix is our tiny beauty of the litter. She is graceful and stoic, a fairytale princess that is not afraid to fall on her face in the pileup with the boys. Calm and consistent but always ready to get in there to play she is a very sweet little Diva who wraps everyone around her finger instantly. She's not a complainer and will allow the necessities of life from cleaning to nail clipping... even lying on her back when rolled over without a peep, but with the same look her father gives me: "You know I'm too pretty for this, right?"
Mauna Kea is the outgoing friendly girl of the bunch. She's just plain amiable (bull?)! Adorable and sweet, but ready to play at a moments notice, she seems to be ready for anything that is your speed and take it all in without blinking. She's a go with the flow girl that seems content as long as she's part of the party or with you at your side. Not afraid of the food bowl, Mauna (soon to be Zoe) is usually first to the food bowl and walks away with the most gorgeous rounded belly!!
And finally Mariana - our available girl, who quite frankly has only been posted for a week and I'm not sure I won't retract it and keep her despite the fact that I really should wait until next season to keep back from Sierra. This girl is the litter's sweetheart; she's definitely inherited her mothers soft cuddley side. Just lovely through and through, she snuggles in like a teddy bear and comes running to anyone offering her love and affection. She has one of those young innocent personalities that only those dogs get to keep - the understanding that everyone is wonderful and loving in her world, and embracing it wholeheartedly.
Now that you have all come to understand the unreasonable time I spend doting over your puppies ... :))
Yes, it's true, my sleepless life has some definite perks, and despite the bags under eyes and the loss of most memory at this point I still walk around mosrt of my day with a big smile on my face.
More soon...
Our sniffley snorters have been vet assessed and diagnosed with the puppy version of a common cold. They were put on clavamox (antibiotic) to stave off anything that might take advantage of their lowered immune (one or two had some green boogers that have since passed) and rest assured that all will be right as rain in no time and (though I watch like a hawk through the night regardless) it's a pretty common occurence with weaning pups.
McKinley is one of the two smallest pups, but just like his Mom now one dares tell him so. He's an action packed little man that seems to love being in the middle of everything. Very agile and one of the first to walk and run this guy is usually on the top of the pile up and then leaving the others in his dust. He's also a sweet little man and loves to cuddle almost as much to chase... well whatever that was that just rolled by. Very curious and outgoing he loves people and will sit on a lap and absorb as much attention as you are willing to give.
Everest, our other boy, is the polar opposite in the weight and energy department. A heavier set and laid back boy he seems to let everything roll off his back like water off a duck and smile the whole time. He reminds me very much of Hemi from our last litter and I will not be surprised in the least if he becomes my husband's favourite - lying back and watching football with the boys and enjoying the spurts of energy that come with it. You can do whatever you like to Everest - he seems to enjoy having his toenails cut as much as tugging a rope or lying on his back for a good belly rub in front of the TV.
Phoenix is our tiny beauty of the litter. She is graceful and stoic, a fairytale princess that is not afraid to fall on her face in the pileup with the boys. Calm and consistent but always ready to get in there to play she is a very sweet little Diva who wraps everyone around her finger instantly. She's not a complainer and will allow the necessities of life from cleaning to nail clipping... even lying on her back when rolled over without a peep, but with the same look her father gives me: "You know I'm too pretty for this, right?"
Mauna Kea is the outgoing friendly girl of the bunch. She's just plain amiable (bull?)! Adorable and sweet, but ready to play at a moments notice, she seems to be ready for anything that is your speed and take it all in without blinking. She's a go with the flow girl that seems content as long as she's part of the party or with you at your side. Not afraid of the food bowl, Mauna (soon to be Zoe) is usually first to the food bowl and walks away with the most gorgeous rounded belly!!
And finally Mariana - our available girl, who quite frankly has only been posted for a week and I'm not sure I won't retract it and keep her despite the fact that I really should wait until next season to keep back from Sierra. This girl is the litter's sweetheart; she's definitely inherited her mothers soft cuddley side. Just lovely through and through, she snuggles in like a teddy bear and comes running to anyone offering her love and affection. She has one of those young innocent personalities that only those dogs get to keep - the understanding that everyone is wonderful and loving in her world, and embracing it wholeheartedly.
Now that you have all come to understand the unreasonable time I spend doting over your puppies ... :))
Yes, it's true, my sleepless life has some definite perks, and despite the bags under eyes and the loss of most memory at this point I still walk around mosrt of my day with a big smile on my face.
More soon...
Supreme x Tarvaris pups coming in February!!
Supreme & Tarvaris: Supreme is in heat!! Brindle and Brindle Pied champion quality pups will be bred next week and arriving for February 2012. Please contact regarding reservations; Show and pet homes considered.
CKC Rare French Bulldogs - using AMIaBULL incorrectly as a testimonial in their website
It has come to or attention that CKC Rare Frenchies (aka Juggernaut Reg'd French Bulldogs, aka Hennessey's Rare French Bulldogs, aka CKC Rare Color Frenchies)is using a statement on their website intimating that AMIaBULL endorses their kennel. Despite written request for it to be removed the postings remain. Please note that AMIaBULL is in no way affiliated with any other kennel and does not recommend, refer, or guarantee the legitmacy of any breeder or dogs other than the ones AMIaBULL themselves produce.
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