As Pet Owners, We Tend To Forget That Weimaraner’s Are Nature’s Animals

Several thousand years ago dogs were initially domesticated for their functional value; hunting helpers, village and stock guards, even body-warmers in bitter cold climates. These basic functions are no longer required by modem civilization and, the dog’s capacity to cooperate within a group for the mutual benefit of its members is stifled - frustrated. Without some meaningful functional nurturing, dogs grow older, mature physically, but behave like puppies emotionally - seeking attention and care, totally frustrated, denied any competent guidance toward filling an acceptable role in the family.

On the human side of the equation, as we become increasingly dependent on verbal skills and electronic communications, a pet animal is sometimes our only meaningful daily contact with the animate, natural world. However, without an opportunity to develop nonverbal communications with animals, dog owners tend to use human verbal and physical abilities (vocal commands, scolding, manipulation, force, punishment) to communicate with their pets. Most people mistakenly think dogs must simply be “trained” if they are to learn how to behave properly. When training fails, both owner and dog become frustrated, and problems develop. While formal (deliberate) training is an important element in a satisfying relationship, informal training is at the root of most problem behavior.

Weimaraners learn from, and react to, the way people behave. Movement, stance and sound communicate with dogs. On the other hand, as dogs struggle to communicate with people through their own movements, postures and sounds, they are too often misinterpreted; or ignored. This only widens the frustrating communications gap for both parties.

It may seem far-fetched to propose that behavior consultants should help dog owners learn how to interpret their pet’s behavior, then use movement, stance and special sounds, in order to communicate effectively, and hence, live together harmoniously. However, it is not unrealistic at all. Once the basics of effective human/canine communications are learned and applied, they play a crucial role in correcting behavior problems humanely and effectively.

It doesn’t occur to most Weimaraner owners that shouting at a barking dog is, in fact, joining in the racket - responding with the human version of the same behavior. When their dogs do become silent, it is because they associate the owner’s tone of voice with disapproval and/or fear of impending pain from punishment. Excitable types, or those with some prior traumatic experience, usually become worse.

In the non-verbal world of dogs, silence means quiet, inaction begets stillness, and movement stimulates action. The fact that this patently obvious facet of non-verbal communication must be written or talked about to gain attention among dog owners further points up the extreme verbal orientation of humans. Spoken language is just noise to Weimaraners. It is a tribute to their adaptability that they actually learn the meaning of certain key sounds, which usually comes about through a combination of the dog’s intelligence and the owner’s almost accidental consistency when referring to certain events or objects.

Artificial Insemination For Breeding Weimaraners

Psychological and genetic studies, and other scientific advances, have made this age a most exciting one for the better-bred Weimaraner. Among these advances is artificial insemination, a practice now more than ever common to small animal husbandry. Following years of research, trials and errors, discoveries have been made that allow sperm collections to remain viable through a prolonged time period. As a result, breeding to a “superstud,” inaccessible before through “geographical undesirability,” has now become feasible.

“Artificial insemination” is the introduction of sperm into a female’s genital tract by instruments. The procedure involves sperm collection and evaluation of volume, quality and motility. When the female is not present for a direct breeding, the semen is separated by portion, then placed in “straws” for storage and transport.

Use of artificial insemination prevents spread of diseases by eliminating direct contact of the animals. This method overcomes incompatibility by personality or size in the mating pair, and it overcomes geographical difficulties. Superdogs can build up semen banks for worldwide use or use for after the dog is no longer capable of producing viable sperm or no longer alive.

Artificial insemination can produce pregnancy failure. When performed properly, however, artificial insemination reportedly achieves a pregnancy rate near that of natural breeding. While fresh extended or frozen semen offers breeders a greater geographical selection of possible studs, use of these methods does have certain drawbacks. Not all veterinarians have the training and facilities to properly prepare either fresh-cooled or frozen semen for insemination. The processes of cooling or freezing semen can weaken and kill sperm. Because of possible reduction in viable sperm, adequate facilities and preparation become paramount. There is now an expanding network of veterinarians who have been successfully trained in these methods.

There are a number of reasons why and when use of artificial insemination may be the best or only recourse to obtain a litter. There are females who, although in full estrus, may not give off the correct pheromones (scent) stimulating the male, enticing him to breed at the right time. She could have a physical abnormality such as a vaginal stricture or underdeveloped (juvenile) vagina preventing a natural coitus.

He may be an inexperienced or overeager male and ejaculate prematurely. A curved penis causing “aiming” difficulties can prevent dogs from achieving a natural union. Physical abnormalities may prevent a tie, and in certain cases be the cause of a prolonged one. Or, for a variety of reasons including medical, the stud may not be desirous of Weimaraner breeding.

For some, use of frozen or cooled semen remains controversial. Insemination by these means is nevertheless growing as a viable alternative method. While not necessarily less costly for the breeding of small or medium-sized dogs, the cost may be less than shipping a female, especially those of large and giant breeds. Breeding artificially becomes economically practical and feasible when faced by certain complicating factors such as shipment of a nervous female, perhaps one never before away from home, or inclement weather, being either too hot or too cold for safe shipment.

Are Your Weimaraner’s Gums Are Turning Very Pale In Color? It Could Be Serious…

Dermatologists place a high value on paleness because the less sun you get, the lower your risk for skin cancer. Veterinarians, however, have always preferred the color pink - at least when they are looking at your pet’s gums. When the gums change from bubble-gum pink to pale, oxygen is probably in short supply, and there is an internal problem that needs to be taken care of.

Pale gums usually mean that a Weimaraner doesn’t have enough red blood cells, a condition called anemia. Anemia is serious because red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. When there aren’t enough of them, oxygen levels fall, and pets get weak and tired. Parasites are one of the most common causes of anemia. dogs and cats produce just enough red blood cells to stay healthy. When fleas, hookworms, or other blood-sucking parasites are drinking their fill, there may not be enough blood to go around. Pale gums may be a sign of internal bleeding, resulting from ulcers or even cancer. Internal bleeding that goes on long enough can also cause anemia.

The light-colored gums can also be caused by a serious condition called autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in which the immune system mistakenly destroys red blood cells. This type of anemia may be hereditary, with cocker spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs, collies, English springer spaniels, Old English sheepdogs, Irish setters, and poodles having the highest risk.

Finally, anemia may be a side effect of medications. Drugs such as estrogen, chloramphenicol (an antibiotic), and phenylbutazone (taken for pain) may inhibit the blood marrow from producing red blood cells. Weimaraners that are taking aspirin for pain will sometimes develop ulcers and internal bleeding.

Pale gums don’t always mean that your pet has anemia. After a serious accident, for example, blood pressure can fall to dangerously low levels because the heart is so busy pumping blood to vital organs that it neglects more-distant regions like the gums, toes, or the tips of the ears. This drop in blood pressure and the resulting pale gums mean that a pet is going into shock and needs emergency care.

Giving Weimaraners a balanced diet will help them recover from many forms of anemia. Your vet may recommend putting your pet on a prescription diet that is high in minerals, protein, and vitamins. Don’t give pets iron supplements without your veterinarian’s advice because they can be toxic.

Even though anemia can be dangerous, it is usually not that difficult to restore the red blood cells to healthful levels. Pets that are plagued by fleas, for example, will often recover within three to four days once you get rid of the little pests. Since anemia can make pets very weak, however, it is a good idea to avoid flea dips, powders, or other strong medications.

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