The Willis’s are 5 weeks old, and as you can see….not wanting for groceries! They’re living outside full time and will start going out to the pasture with mom now that the smoke seems to be clearing. The weather and smoke from the fires has been pretty rough on everyone; I’m just thrilled to have WiFi back, and clear skies! I will be scheduling phone calls during week 6 to discuss various puppies and transport plans, and answer any other questions. Here are individual photos, and a couple of videos taken yesterday and this morning. You may notice little Blind Date is missing from the individual photos…..because she is so much smaller than her siblings, for the moment I am holding her back. She is healthy and doing everything she should be doing, but she does tend to get pushed off food and knocked around a lot by her much larger siblings. Although she’s a tough little thing I just don’t think it’s in her best interests to keep her outside 24/7 like the rest, and until I get a vet clearance that she’s as okay as she appears, I’m just taking a watch and wait approach with her. I hope you enjoy the photos and videos!
This first video is just Yamir and Bella waiting for the gate to open so the new sheep on the other side can come through,…..something Bella and I have been working on with Yamir. Today, we exchanged Bella, who has been helping me teach Yamir proper sheep etiquette since weaning her puppies a few months ago, for Harley. The idea is to observe Yamir’s behavior without my close supervision, or fear of reprisal from Bella. This video is basically just Bella reminding Yamir who the boss is as they wait for the gate to open.
This second video is of Yamir and Harley modeling correct behavior when welcoming a few new sheep. Notice they are NOT welcoming them, they’re keeping their distance and almost seem to be ignoring the sheep. These are new sheep, who have only been exposed to herding dogs in the past and panic when they see dogs approaching. This can result in injured sheep and dogs, plus we wouldn’t want them running through our awesome, super secure fencing along the back of this pen……
While bonding between livestock and their guardian dogs is important, the shepherd/dog bond is all too often ignored here in the US. How can you build a bond and communicate what you want to your dogs if you don’t spend time working with them? The only dogs who are put in a pen next to the sheep are my 4 week old puppies and their mothers. By 6 weeks of age they are going out with mom and me into a pasture with sheep and other pack members for the day…I’m digressing….
Anyway, 18 month old Harley was born here and has been raised in a pack environment surrounded by sheep, while 2 1/2 year old Yamir spent his first several months in a kennel, with no exposure to livestock or even open spaces. Yamir is a big dog with a big personality and while he has been great with older sheep and goats who are used to dogs, (and surprisingly, poultry) he has had to learn to reign himself in with new livestock…this is his first experience completely on his own without me or Bella there to correct him. While it is hot, most of his panting is due to excitement. I swear he had test anxiety! However, he really did exactly what I was hoping for. These new ewes don’t have the opportunity for distance on a small pasture or pen, so it’s important for the dogs to understand the concept of giving them the space they need to acclimate, and eventually become familiar with their new surroundings. Yamir and Harley did a great job, but Bella will be going back in just to keep an eye on things for awhile.
By popular vote, Faith and Tomas’ litter, who is 2 weeks old today, has been named after Bruce Willis movies. Here are their first individual photos, enjoy!
You were such a fabulous dog, with such heart and so much potential. DM is a horrible disease that can be avoided by a simple DNA test. What a shame so few breeders are willing to spend the 130.00 and take the few minutes to send a swab in before they breed their dogs.
See you on the other side my beautiful boy, you are already missed 💔
On July 13th Faith delivered 11 beautiful puppies. Everyone is doing great! No puppies available at this time, but I do have a waiting list started for Marcia x Tomas which is planned for September.
They did it again! Because their first litter was such a success, Cabo and Bakira are going to produce a second litter of beautiful puppies on or around June 19th. These puppies will be varying shades of fawn and red. Photo included of Judge at 8 weeks old, as an example of what these two fabulous Spanish Mastiffs produce together. Cabo’s hips are OFA certified excellent, and Bakira received an overall DI of .51 through PennHip. You can also view x rays and certificates on the FB group entitled Working Spanish Mastiffs with x rays and Other Health Testing. I know, it’s a mouthful! Both parents also receive annual health checkups which include cardiac, liver, kidney and thyroid function. We are still taking applications for this litter. Send any inquiries to hoofandfang@gmail.com.
Just be warned, for some reasons, the questions were edited out so it sounds a little like I’m just arbitrarily jumping fromThanks so much to Sean and Bulldog Social Club for taking an interest in the breed.
Hoof and Fang Spanish Mastiffs 