HEALTH AND NUTRITION
SROs
are healthy and strong dogs In general. However, there are some health
problems in this breed, like HD, entropion, heart failure, epilepsy. In
Europe and the US, breeders should x-ray their breeding stock for hip dysplasia.
This is not common (yet) in Russia, the former Soviet countries and the
eastern European countries.
When the dog is still
a puppy it is very important to give him the right food. This food should
contain no more than 25% of Protein and a Calcium level between 1-1,5%.
If the food contains more Protein or Calcium, the dog will grow too fast
and this will damage his joints and bones, which will give more risk for
HD.
A puppy's daily walks
should be adapted to his age. When he is 10 weeks, he can walk during 10
minutes. When he is 20 weeks, a walk of 20 minutes is sufficient. After
the age of 6 months the time of walking can be increased.
BREEDING
We
have Southrussians since 1987. My husband and I only have a small group
of dogs - no more than 4 - and we breed a litter only once in every few
years.
It's not easy to breed
Southrussians because it's difficult to find good "breeding material",
or an excellent stud dog. And it's even more difficult to find SUITABLE
new homes for puppies. The average SRO mother has 6-8 puppies (going from
4 - 11) and all these puppies have a right to get a good, knowledgeable
owner. The breed is almost unknown, so there aren't many people who wish
to buy a SRO.
Also
SROs can be difficult dogs and they are "not for everyone"; therefor a
breeder has to select his future puppy buyers very, very carefully.
It's recommended to
breed only when you have a list with at least 5-10 people who want to have
a puppy. It allows the breeder to have contact with future puppy buyers
before the puppies are born. It is of the utmost importance for the puppies
of this breed to leave the litter and go to their new homes at the age
of 8-10 weeks. They definitely need the socializing period (age of 8-12
weeks) to adjust to their new home and family. If they go to their new
owner at a later age, it can cause problems. If a breeder has "too many"
puppies and not enough buyers, he has a problem. And so have the puppies!
A future buyer should
ask for HD-results of both parents, and should visit as many owners and
breeders as possible. Go see the dogs not only at exhibitions but also
at home, in their own environment, where their character and habits are
really expressed.
Make sure you choose
a breeder who socializes his puppies in the best possible way. This early
good start is very important for the development of the character and behavior
of your dog.
It is possible to
have the puppies tested for temperament, to make a good match between the
pup and his new owner. This can be helpful. Also there is a regulation
in some countries that dogs used for breeding should be tested for temperament.
TRAINING
SROs
are stubborn, self-willed, and hardheaded. Most of them aren't dogs that
obey just for fun or because the owner asks them to and they have little
will-to-please.
But they can and have
to be trained nevertheless. A good socialization is necessary. A puppy
training is highly recommended. Some SROs did elementary or basic obedience,
some participate in agility and even enjoy it.
I strongly recommend
NEVER to practice police training with your SRO. For them this kind of
work is not for fun, not a game, but it's "the real thing". Don't do training
that makes the dog more aggressive or guarding than he already is. He doesn't
need it.
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OUR LITTERS:
|D-litter
1991 | Y-litter 1998
| S-litter 1999 | Z-litter
2002 | K-litter 2004
| B-litter 2005 | V-litter
2006 |
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2006 Diane Sari - Sarisin's. Nothing of this site may be printed,
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