Dogtracking

So if you raise dogs (to sell them for profit, I presume), how much do you spend on them before you put them down or give them to a shelter - or simply let them die?

I'm not meaning to start a fight.
Just wondering, because it can not be easy in any case.

 

A good question, and one that should be asked of any breeder.

1. I do not breed every year. Therefore, I do not have more dogs than I have the ability to care for.

2. When I do commit to a breeding, it is after extensive research into the bloodlines and genetic backgrounds of both sire and dam, as I wish to do everything I can to ensure there won't be any sad little puppies like those that can be bought at the local petstore. You know, the ones who are lucky to make it six months after purchase.

3. Most of my litters are spoken for by prospective owners who have undergone an interview process that makes getting a top-secret government job look easy by comparison.

Any pet that I take responsibility for, be it a puppy of my own breeding, or an animal I have rescued, is garuanteed the best quality life it is within my power to provide for the length of the animal's lifespan. Yes, I have had animals put to sleep in the past. But that has been when at a time when the animal is in pain, and the quality of life is no longer worth living. And after I have done everything possible to extend the quality lifespan of the animal.

My dogs are not simply sources of profit, they are my dogs. They give me more loyalty than I have recieved from most people. And when it is necessary for my dog to make that final trip to the vet, I go with them. I stay with them throughout the shot, and they come home to be buried right here.

While I still have Malamutes, and a few other rescues, I have not actively bred in years. The quality of available bloodlines are still very good, and if you are interested in perhaps adopting a Malamute puppy I can direct you to a few quality breeders of my aquaintance. However, expect to have your entire life gone over with a fine-toothed comb before you will be allowed to buy the puppy.

First, there will be my interview, where I decide whether or not you are actually ready for a puppy, much less a Malamute. They are not for the faint of heart. Then you will undergo the breeder's interview, which will be much more intrusive. Plus, there will normally be a home check. And an interview with your vet, if you have pets now. We don't make it at all easy.

It's not that we don't want people to enjoy life with a Malamute, we do! It's just that we don't want our puppies to fall into the wrong hands. Malamutes were long the favorite breeds for dog-fighting rings, and animal testing, due to their high tolerance for pain.

As I said, Malamutes are not for the faint of heart. They are about as close to wolves as you can get in a "domesticated" dog, and still share alot of the same traits. If you want a Malamute, you need to be sure about who exactly is the dominant personality in your household, and it should be YOU. And you had better be able to maintain this dominance without beating your dog. I am the Alpha in my household, and everybody here knows it. And I have not raised my hand to an animal in years. The sound of my voice, and my tone, is enough to handle all the disciplinary issues around here.

 

Being the good contractor that I try to be, when I get a trailer that tracks to one side it's usually caused by a previous driver hitting a curb with the trailer tires. So I hook a couple of curbs on the other side, sometimes it straightens out.

NOT !!

But seriously, the most annoying thing about pulling those sidewinding trailers is having to back them into docks ####eyed- you know if you try to back up with the trailer straight it goes sideways on you. So you back it up with one side hanging out- just like you pulled it to the customer.

 

Sight hounds single track too!

 

I wish all breeders were more like this.

 

Blame the "puppy mill" breeders, who are only in it for the profit. My breeding program had one goal, and one goal only. I was out to improve my breed of choice. I wanted the perfect Alaskan Malamute. A dog who could pull a freight sled for miles and miles (what the breed is intended for), and still be a great companion. And I was lucky.

My kennel produced two American/Canadian champion dogs who were also two of the greatest sled dogs I've yet seen. My second dog, HomeStone's Avenger, was possibly the best lead dog ever in my opinion. And Kicker (the dog's "house name") was also a great dog. Hanging out on the couch, sharing a sandwich. Kicker was also the Alpha dog of my pack. Never once started a fight, cause he didn't need to.

As great a dog as Kicker was, he holds second banana to Arctic, a rescue Malamute I got six years ago. Arctic was no show dog, to tall and to long in the body. But a smarter, sweeter dog has never yet existed. I remember a time when I was puppy sitting a friends little ####er spaniel cross by the name of Echo. Echo was very old, deaf and blind. So when Echo went out for his exercise, Arctic went out with him (along with myself, of course) to keep an eye on Echo. Arctic made sure Echo didn't get into any trouble, and guided Echo around the property so Echo didn't get lost.

A good dog is a special thing to have in your life. And when you have one, treasure every moment.

 

You also have the option of using a "plumb Barbara"!
http://mnmstudios.smugmug.com/photos/i-VWVVPx5/0/M/i-VWVVPx5-M.jpg

Mikeeee

 

Lets clarify some thing. If your alignment on your rig is out that will also put your trailer out of alignment with your truck. Saw a 5 axle rig carrier so far out of alignment once it looked like the guy was going sideways on the road. If your trailer is tracking right and you have strange wear on the tires the bushing or the bearings are getting worn and should be fixed, cost alot less than replacing tires all the time. Then again if you are a company driver chances are the village idiot in charge of maint. wont do a dam thing about it.

 

Oh you mean off-tracking? That's what I call it.
I've heard it can also be caused when someone slides the tandems while the trailer is not in line with the tractor.