Good Bloggie!

Our dogs are SO smart, we’ve sent them to an Ivy League school . . . in a test tube!

What they actually did is dontate samples of DNA to a Cryptorchidism research study at Cornell University in New York. What is this? It’s when a male puppy’s testicle or both testicles don’t descend from the abdomen.

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/cryptorchidism

This is a very common issue in French Bulldogs and an EXTREMELY common issue in English Bulldogs. (The British have actually altered the British Bulldog standard to allow showing dogs with only one testicle in conformation events.) The purpose of the research study is to find genetic markers or mutations causing this disorder. Then dogs who carry this gene can be identified, and breeders can alter their breeding program so two carriers aren’t paired or the carrier dog might be removed from the line.

Cryptorchidism doesn’t effect the quality of life for the pup, as long as he is neutered and the vet removes the undescended testicle. The true danger is leaving the testicle in place and running the risk of it becoming cancerous later. If a breeder has a puppy who is a cryptorchid, the puppy is usually is slated as a pet. In US conformation events, a missing testicle is a disqualification. However, being altered or neutered does not prevent a dog from participating in Obedience, Agility, or other non-conformation events. It does NOT keep the pup from growing up to be a wonderful pet.

This study is not limited to Frenchies. Any canine breed is eligible. Providing the DNA of a parent pair, the affected offspring, and any normal male siblings, is the best sample set for the study. This is only one of the ongoing studies.

For more on this study, please visit:

Baker Institute, Cornell University

Democracy in action. The title of the blog has now changed from “Good Blog!” to “Good Bloggie!”

Thanks to all those who participated.

Are you thinking of adding a Frenchie to the household, but don’t want to deal with the housebreaking and other puppy damage? A fellow breeder is retiring several of her older girls and a few of her boys. In most cases, these dogs have struted their stuff in the ring, so not only would you save on puppy pad costs, you’d have bragging rights to owning a prior show dog.

To read descriptions, see pictures, and contact information, look for Available McKee’s Dogs and Pups to the left of the screen, under Pages.

You might find your new best friend!

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We have been learning the wonders of Benedryl with our pups lately. Helps tremendously with allergic bug bites and to stave off possible allergic reactions to puppy shots. It’s just those late-night runs to the emergency vet clinic which are a bit inconvenient.

Additional info added Feb 3, 2007:

If your dog is having mild allergic reactions to food, environmental elements, or vaccines; Children’s Benadryl is often prescribed by vets. Dosage is based on weight and need. Please check with your vet before using and for correct dosage for your pet.

A Benadryl shot can be administered at their office for almost immediate relief in the case of bug bites or vaccine reactions. (Your SharPei-looking dog will be back to normal in hours!)