Planning, progesterone and dog sex (oh my!)

Cordie is somewhat predictable as far as her heat cycles go -- she came in season on March 2nd, which is a bit less than six months after her last heat. Plans were already in motion with Tanner's owner and co-breeder, Mary Grant, so I let her know right away about Cordie's heat cycle.

When doing any breeding, step #1 is to do progesterone testing. Good breeders do progesterone when organizing each breeding (whether "live cover" or an AI - artificial insemination breeding). 

What the heck is progesterone testing, you ask?

Basically, progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries that rises as the heat cycle progresses. Early in the canine heat cycle the progesterone values will usually read less than 1.0 ng/ml. The first significant, sustained rise in progesterone usually coincides with the "LH Surge". The LH stands for luteinizing hormone and is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. This is important because ovulation occurs about 48 hours after the LH surge. The progesterone value at the time of the LH surge is usually about 2-3 ng/ml. The progesterone will rise to about 5-8 ng/ml at the time of ovulation. Canine eggs are not ready to be fertilized at the time of ovulation and take about 2 days to mature. Once mature, the eggs remain fertile for 2 to 3 days and then begin to deteriorate. Of note: progesterone stays elevated for about 2 months whether the bitch is pregnant or not. We like to know when the "surge" is so that we have an idea of ovulation, when to breed, and to estimate the whelping day.

Cordie's first progesterone test was on Day 7 and came back at 1.5. We're looking for the LH Surge of 12+ to indicate ovulation. 

Day 11 her progesterone was 9.78 at Canine Cryobank, at this point we decided Cordie should meet Tanner and Mary arranged to take her to her home that day. 

FYI when progesterone goes over 10.0 we received advice to breed 2-3 times over next 5-7 days. 

Day 12 her progesterone 11.25 at Rose City Vet and Mary elected to test Tanner's semen, and we did our 1st Artificial Insemination (AI). 

Day 14 & 16 we did a second 2nd and 3rd AI at Canine Cryobank (Cordie was flagging all weekend, and flirting). 

Here is the happy couple at Canine Cryobank 💘

More details to follow . . . We will we plan to do an ultrasound in four weeks to verify a pregnancy. So please check  back . . .

Cordie . . . Mommie to the Hearts Afire

CH Moonlight's Eat Your Heart Out, RN JH CGCA TKI "Cordelia" a/k/a "Cordie" a/k/a "DeeDee"

DOB: 8/11/2013

Sire:  CH HRQ Ask The Expert, JH ROM “Beckett”

Dam: GCH Moonlight’s Rock’n Ow’t, RN JH CGC “Zene”

Owner: Karen Lake

Breeder: Karen Lake

AKC #: SR78929102 (Pedigree)

DNA Profile #: V715092

CHIC #: 110684

OFA Hips: VZ-14152G24F-VPI (Good)

OFA Elbow: VZ-EL2167F24-VPI (Normal)

OFA Thyroid:  VZ-TH1083/24F-VPI (Normal)

OFA CERF (Eyes): VZ-EYE429/27F-VPI (Normal)

OFA Advanced Cardiac: VZ-ACA57/47F-VPI (Normal)

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* Rally Novice *
* Junior Hunter *
* Trick Dog Intermediate * 

* Canine Good Citizen Advanced *

* Winners Bitch 4 Point Major out of BBE – SCVC Supported Entry/Palm Springs *

* Reserve Winners Bitch (Major) out of BBE – SCVC Specialty Show/Palm Springs *

* Reserve Winners Bitch (Major) at 6 mos. 5 days old *

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The name “Cordelia” means “heart” and ties back to her registered name and litter theme:  The Shout Outs. Cordie a/k/a "DeeDee" stole my heart early on – and around 5 weeks old I knew she was destined to stay. One of her nicknames is “small but mighty” because she is 21″ tall and 36.5 lbs. Her movement is a balanced and floating single-track with beautiful reach and drive, a correct tail set and she has a pretty and feminine head.

Her temperament is best described as perfection, she is eager to please, loves to cuddle but can turn it on for the birds or whatever I ask of her. She passed her Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) and with flying colors and earned her Trick Dog Novice (TKN) and AKC Championship (CH) on the same day! She earned her Junior Hunter (JH) in four straight passes with limited bird exposure.

Cordie is a natural in the field with a stylish point (can you see the bird?)

 Cordie and her 1/2 sister Emery and Grandma Csilla

Cordie showing off her show stack

 

Cordie watching the squirrels

Puppy Cordie on vacation in LA

Cordie’s pedigree reflects holds a proven strength in conformation and versatility:

Her Sire “Beckett” (CH HRQ Ask the Expert JH ROM) finished his AKC Championship in a handful of shows from the Bred By Exhibitor Class, earning a 5 Point Major at his show debut (6 mos. old) and 4 Point Major in his second ring appearance (the same month). He later won Best Puppy in Sweepstakes at the 2012 VCSC Specialty in Pasadena. Beckett is a proven producer earning his Registry of Merit (ROM) Certificate in 2018, from three litters. 

Beckett’s Dam “Q” (BISS GCH CH Tivoliz Now Pay Attention, CD RN MH AX AXJ VC TDI ROM) can do anything she sets her mind to! She is a Best in Specialty Show Winner, Group Winner, Multiple Group Placer, Multiple Award of Merit recipient, and most recently won Best Veteran in Sweepstakes and Select Bitch at the prestigious 2013 Vizsla Club of Northern CA Specialty. Not just a “pretty face”, she also loves her birds and earned her Master Hunt Title and the Hunters Gun Dog trophy; in April 2013 (at age 7) she received a Judges Award of Merit in the Amateur Gun Dog stake with 26 dogs (a 5 Point Major). She is also titled in Rally, Obedience, Agility and Therapy. No wonder her nickname is “alphabet soup!”

Beckett’s Sire “Skoda” (CH Tivoliz Expert Witness ROM*), is a Top Producer for 2012, and has twelve (12) AKC Champions (from four litters) including a Best in Specialty Show Winner (BISS), along with several Winners/Best of Winners and Best Puppy in Sweepstakes at Specialties. I have met Skoda in person and besides good looks he has a faultless temperament, both of which he passes onto his progeny. He qualified for his Registry of Merit (see vcaweb.org) in August 2013 (*pending submission).

Her Dam “Zene” (GCH Moonlight’s Rock’n Ow’t, RN JH CGC) completed her AKC Conformation Championship with a 4 pt Major; earning the majority of her points from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class. In 2011, she also won back-to-back Best Puppy in Sweepstakes at the SCVC in Walnut, and VCSC in Pasadena. The day after finishing her CH title, she took back-to-back Best of Breed wins for two 5 Point Grand Champion Majors – and she made the cut both days in the Sporting Group; she went onto finish her GCH title with FIVE GCH Majors! She easily completed her JH (Junior Hunter) title and Rally Novice (RN) title.

Zene’s Sire “Rocky” (GCH/Can CH Captivatin’ Ain’t He A Knockow’t, ROM) finished his AKC Championship at 7 1/2 months old with 5 Majors in only 8 shows. Before age 18 months, Rocky was awarded several Best of Breed wins and earned multiple Sporting Group Placements — all owner handled! With relative ease, Rocky finished his AKC Grand Championship (owner handled) in August 2010. In December 2015, he received his Registry of Merit (ROM). Rocky sired five litters with four females. His offspring include two (2) Best in Specialty Show Winners, Multiple Champions and Grand Champions, Agility, Obedience and Hunt titled progeny.

Zene’s Dam “Csilla” (CH Tamaron Okos Piros Csillag, CD RN JH CGC ROM) is a proven producer earning her Registry of Merit (ROM) Certificate; she produced a Best in Specialty Show (BISS) Winner, five (5) Champions, three (3) Grand Champions (two others are Major Pointed), seven (7) Junior Hunters, and a Rally Novice (RN) titleholder; along with Multiple Best of Breed, Group Placing, Award of Merit, and Multiple BBE Group Placements. Csilla has consistently passed her faultless temperament and good looks to her offspring. She hails from a successful litter with siblings earning (Multiple) Best in Specialty Show wins, and a Best in Show.

Tanner . . . . Daddy to the Hearts Afire

MBISS GCHS CH Comynara Tanner Is The Silver Lining Ride JH NAVHDA NA Pz I "Tanner"
  

Sire: MBISS GCHS CH Russet Leather Ride To The Top JH AX AXJ

Dam:  Comynara Mostly Mayhem 

Owner(s): Mary Grant, David Hertzel & Susan Mulley, Breeder: Susan Mulley

AKC#: SR90751801 / DNA#:  V791064

Height: 22", Weight: 48 lbs.

DOB: 11/11/15

CHIC #: 132877

OFA Hips: VZ-1523E24M-VPI (Excellent)

OFA Elbows: VZ-EL2696M24-VPI (Normal)

OFA Thyroid: VZ-TH1513/24M-VPI (Normal)

OFA Eyes: VZ-EYE901/32M-VPI (Normal)

OFA Cardiac Specialist: VZ-CA709/24M/S-VPI (Normal)

What can I say, I love this dog! I watched "Tanner" grow up in and around the SoCal area and liked him from young puppy. Tanner has since matured into a lovely and versatile Vizsla. He has a gorgeous front assembly, perfect catlike feet and exemplifies the effortless movement this breed is known for. Tanner is a natural in the field and earned an NAVHDA Prize 1 in Natural Ability, and easily earned his Junior Hunter title, he is training for Advanced Hunt titles in-between his show schedule.

In the show ring, Tanner is currently ranked #5 All Breed (2019) and was #6 in 2018. He is a multiple Sporting Group Winner and Group Placer and has four (4) Best in Specialty Show (BISS) wins and SoCal Sporting Dog Group Win (May 2018) and he earned a prestigious Silver Grand Championship along the way.

Tanner is no doubt impressive with his birdwork and show wins, but he is a true stand out for his  excellent temperament. He gets along with all dogs and has never met a stranger, this type of  temperament is what I look for when choosing a Sire, and Tanner is all that and more in terms of biddability and and is an overall sweet boy.

Handsome "Tanner" with handler Lauren Lavitt

"Tanner" on his way to another Specialty win (BISS) at the prestigious Palm Springs Kennel Club

Multiple Group Winning "Tanner"

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Tanner's father "Teak" MBISS GCHS CH Russet Leather Ride To The Top JH AX AXJ is a versatile Vizsla who is titled in Show, Agility and Hunting.  "Teak" has been a very successful show dog and won Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club in February 2017!  In 2016, "Teak" was the #3 Vizsla in Breed points and #5 All Breed. He earned his Silver Grand Championship in short order. Teak has seven (7) Best in Specialty Show (BISS) wins.

"Teak" is a moderate male Vizsla with a lovely front assembly and return of upper arm and is clean moving coming and going. He is the sire of our 2017 Litter "The Goodies".

Check out his 2017 VCA Nationals ad for his performance highlights:

"Teak's" grandmother is "Kona" GCH Russet Leather Wild Ride RE JH NA OAJ is a beautiful moving bitch and hails from a litter of nine (9) AKC Champions! They also are versatile Vizslas who are titled in Advanced Hunt, Agility and Obedience titled, Multiple Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show Winners. W-O-W!

"Kona"

"Tanners's" maternal great-grandmother is "Geli" BIS MBISS GCH MACH2 Russet Leather Sacajawea RE SH MXG MJC XF ROM HOF who is one of most influential bitches in the breed. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person throughout the years and she was simply lovely.  In 2016, Geli was inducted into the VCA Hall of Fame! Read more on HOF requirements and past recipients here:  http://www.vcaweb.org/breed/hall_of_fame.shtml

"Geli"