September-October201.. - Dogs Naturally Magazine

ient and that is prey model. Sometimes Ijust have the time to mix up the Barfdiet. I travel to shows a lot as well andthat can be easier with pre-packedground meat frozen in little baggies andput in a cooler.I treat homeopathically and with herbalswhen necessary and try to avoid antibioticsand other allopathic treatmentsunless absolutely necessary. I also feelthat exercise is paramount in keeping adog healthy and so accordingly my dogsget several miles a day of off leash exercise.I continue to learn about holisticalternatives and eventually would like touse it exclusively.What is your take on Vaccinations?Well I have to admit I am still on puppyvaccinations but that's the extent. I donot vaccinate after the initial puppy shotand Rabies is done at a year old and thenas we feel is needed depending on thearea and incidences. I would like to getaway from the 'need' to vaccinate. Iknow for the most part that they are notas necessary as people make them out tobe but unfortunately old habits die hard.As I venture further into the holisticrealm I hope to have confidence to eliminatethem totally.What breeds of dogs do you currentlyhave in your house?Currently I have some very old souls. A15 year old Kuvasz, a 14 year old CaneCorso, a couple of Staffie Bulls, severalAm Staffs and a couple of Akitas.What do you see for the future?With the upcoming litter of Am Staffs, Iwill hopefully be keeping a puppy to continue on in the show ring and in ourbreeding program. I am not a bigbreeder, having had only a couple of litters,but I still consider myself a very importantpart of the breeding pool. I believein thoroughly health testingprospective parents, placingpuppies in responsiblehomes and making sure thatno puppy of mine ever ends upin a shelter situation. We haveto support the responsiblebreeders or all dogs are atgreat risk.I have also been involved inAkitas for a number ofyears and for the first time Iwill be breeding a litter in acouple of years. As soon as Ifinish my youngest Akita’schampionship, cleared herhealth tests and foundthe appropriate stud dog I hope to enterinto preserving the quality of thesemagnificent dogs.Skyline’s Northern Lights ‘Poco’R-U-N Powerstroke’s Born Ready ‘Socks’www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com September/October 2010 | 9