Phoenix - the other Princess

Topaz might be the new Princess, but Phoenix is still Princess Number 1! (Or maybe #2 if Galena insists on top ranking...)

Whatever the number, Phoenix doesn't mind having a little twerp following hard on her heels in the Princess department. She says she's going to be the big mama around here!!

And BIG she will be - at barely over 4 months of age she is almost as heavy as our Amore (age 4 years!). At Tuesday's vet visit she weighed in at a hefty 8.2kg (18 lbs) - compared to Mo's 9.8kg (22 lbs) - which sets her on the path to mature to about 16kg (36 lbs) when she's full-grown.

Maybe she and Kodiak will be a good match down the road, to give us lots of lovely caramel and chocolate babies!

Health test results for Kodiak

Kodiak accompanied Galena on the visit to the veterinary ophthalmologist in January for his required CERF eye check-up. I am pleased to report that his eyes checked out as normal. 

Kodiak’s preliminary OFA hip assessment was done in mid-December. The official OFA report gave him a rating of “Good” for his hips and elbows “normal” – both satisfactory results. He was only four months old when this was done, but it is still a good indicator of the soundness of his hips and elbows. We will repeat the test when he is two years old to get a final certified rating. 

We also chose to do a first thyroid test in December, and all checked out well. The ALAA requires that the thyroid and CERF tests be repeated at least every 18 months, as conditions can change and disease can develop. Kodiak’s next thyroid test will be certifiable as he will be over one year of age, but this preliminary test is again a good indication of health. 

Kodiak has passed 

all his required health testing!! 

All he needs to do now is to mature before we use him as a stud. By age 10 months – early June 2012 – he should be mature enough to sire puppies.

Welcome to Aspen & Kodiak

DragonRam Doodles is pleased to announce that we have acquired

Melorich’s Kodiak

 a beautiful deep dark chocolate stud prospect puppy

from Melorich’s Labradoodles in Ohio.

Kodiak was born 3 August 2001, so is still a young pup at 2.5 months of age. He arrived in Syracuse, New York, on Saturday 8 October direct from Cincinnati, and was picked up and brought into Canada by Linda of Canadian Doodle Puppies, who co-owns him with us.

We chose his name, “Kodiak,” after the Kodiak bear, which lives in northern BC, Yukon and Alaska. The name therefore captures both his deep brown colour and his Canadian residence and American. Melorich is the name of the kennel where he was bred – thanks, Rich! He adds a whole new line of Tegan Park and Rutland Manor to our breeding program – some old Australian lines that we don’t yet have.

Kodiak has found a home with Sylvia & Gary & their two sons and one other dog, Snickers, in southern Ottawa. We know he is well-loved and well-cared for there!

We have also acquired

Desert Winds Aspen

a gorgeous caramel-and-white parti stud prospect,

from Desert Winds Labradoodles in Colorado.

Born 1 August 2011, Aspen is just two days older than Kodiak. He arrived a bit earlier than Kodiak, on Monday, 26 September, also flying into Syracuse and brought into Canada by Linda of Canadian Doodle Puppies, his co-owner.

The name “Aspen” was chosen for the well-known Colorado ski resort in the Rocky Mountains, which reflects his Colorado heritage and his snowy white (and caramel) colour. Desert Winds is his kennel of origin – thanks, Tracy!

Unfortunately, at his initial vet visit we discovered that Aspen has a serious overbite and his lower teeth were making holes in his palate. He underwent dental surgery on Tuesday 4 October to alleviate the situation and give his lower jaw the chance to catch up with his upper. If this does indeed happen it will indicate this issue is developmental and he is good to use as a stud; if it does not, it will indicate a genetic issue and we will not use him.

Linda kept Aspen for the first two weeks, but he is now with us where is very much enjoying playing with Lyra & Cassi. Ssurprisingly, it’s been Cassi more than Lyra the action figure that has been more engaged in playing with him – maybe Lyra knows not to beat up on such little pups!

Welcome here, boys!