Bed Hogs-Round Two -Icelandic Sheepdogs in Canada

Here is Ch Tofra Lagsi of Greenstone Kennel with his two favorite Kitties, Sherman and TickyBoo.. Its a good thing it a queen size bed, as these three know how to hog a bed.

In this photo he is being kind enough to share his new Christmas stuffy with his mom.. so kind, now please throw it :)

Merry Christmas Hailey Pearl and Hayden Anne!!

Merry Christmas Everyone, I just had to share my Chrismtas Photo of my brothers daughters!!

Hailey Pearl is 2 and half and Hayden Anne is 6 weeks old in this photo..

Congrats to all my friends and Family that are expecting right now.. I can not believe how many new babies are due to be born in 2008.. last night I got a wonderful letter with yet another new baby coming annoucement.. that is... what for it.. number six due in the spring!!

We are sending our best wishes for a safe pregancy and a very healthy new baby to everyone who is expecting.

Jingle Bells..

Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone- OFA Rate is "Good" !

Hello Folks

Here is Greenstone Cool Hand Luke aka Olof, out for a run outside, goodness the snow will just not stop.. another half foot in the past two days..

Well, Runa has finished her heat, and so we are expecting the litter to be born around Feb 20th.. will keep you posted on how the Ultrasound goes! in a months time. Runa's formal adult OFA has come in and she is OFA Good!!! This is wonderful news, Now both of her living siblings have been tested and the whole litter is OFA Good, as is both of her Parents and all her Grandparents are tested in Iceland, Three are Fri-A and one is C. In the coming litter, it is a overwhelmingly postive mating in terms of clean Hips.

Well, I am so looking forward to the holidays, even though its just Jason and Myself, it looks like it will be a very good holiday none the less and we are planning our normal special treats for the barn critters, I make everyone treats and on Christmas morning, everyone gets health special visits, apples slices are the goats favorites, Sweet feed is the sheeps favorites, Sunflower seeds are the birds and rabbits favorites, Cats and dogs get fresh turkey in a nice warm broth..

I hope that the critters enjoy their treats as much as I enjoy getting the buckets and different treats together.

Have made my own homemade bird food this year for the wild birds and they seem to be loving it, all the recipes came from Mother Earth Magazine, but if you want to try one for Christmas, here is my birds favorite.

* 1 pound lard* 16-20 oz. crunchy peanut butter* 3/4-1 cup raisins* 3/4-1 cup black oil sunflower or mixed birdseed* 6 cups cornmeal* 5 cups all-purpose flourMelt lard in microwave. Pour into a really large mixing bowl, stir in other ingredients in order above. Pour mix into cake pan, cool and cut into blocks to fit your feeder.

Freeze in zip-lock bags.

Yields 6 blocks roughly 4" square and 1-1/2" thick from a 9x12 cake pan, and these fit perfectly into our suet 'cages'.

http://www.a-home-for-wild-birds.com/bird-food-recipes.html

This is a great site as well for information on how to make homemade bird food, just rememeber that the birds that stayed because of your food, need you to feed them all winter and well into the spring, so keep those feeders full and before you know it, you will be having to buy bird books to figure out who all is visiting your feeder, and if you are like me, it will become a high point of the day, watching the birds off and on thoughtout the day.

Duke got into something that upset his tummy yesterday so have been keeping a very close eye on him yesterday, but he seems fine by today.. was very unhappy that I brought out the pink.. but afterwards so much better and will watch him very carefully today.

Well, had better get busy on my daily chores, have a great day.. Don't forget I am still looking forward to those bed hog or christmas photos of any Greenstone dogs!! so crack out those Camera's over the next few days..

Barks

Winter has arrived!

Hello Folks

WOW, did we have a storm yesterday, and the wind blew from a very strange direction for us, it came from the east..and that is not normal, we got just over two feet of new snow in a day to go with what had already, the drifts are amazing.. two of my dog runs (20 feet long by 8 feet across and six feet 3inchs high, and the snow is over them.. that means that the drifts are higher then 6 feet, 3 inches.. so that will be a ton of work to dig them out. They are so bad that my husband is using the snowshoes to get to and from the barn.. yikes. We have not seen snow and drifts like this since Iqaluit.. ok, so Iqaluit was worse, we could have drifts that covered houses, but still you get the idea LOL

There was only one dog that wanted to be out in the storm for any length of time and that was Olof, everyone else would go out and come back in fast, but not Olof, he thought the storm was SO much fun.. and he would stay out and play for five or ten minutes at a time, and when he would come in, he would be covered in snow, but if you put your fingers into his coat.. he was warm and dry for the last two or three inches of coat.. no wonder he didn't care at all.. he is a furry little polor bear.. I have never seen such a thick heavy full coat on a puppy as young as him. I know that Monika asked if his coat was to soft, and I didn't think so as his guard hairs are quite harsh, and after watching him come in and go out thoughtout the day in the storm and always coming back in just as happy as a bunny.. I am going to guess that while it might be a bit soft (the undercoat anyway) that its very weather proof..

Everything on the farm came though the storm safe and snug in the barns and house etc.. well back to working outside and everyone have a great day.

Well, we finally had to have a friend come over and plow us out , took him over an hour to clear the lanes to the house and then clear the lane down to the barn.. I am so glad that he came and it was SO worth the money he charged as snowshoeing was cool but not for everyday.

A few more photos of the dogs out playing in the snow.. the top photo is of Greenstone Duke, Greenstone Fire an Ice and Greenstone Cool Hand Luke out chasing each other in the snow.

Merry Christmas from Greenstone Cool Hand Luke

Merry Christmas from Greenstone Fire an Ice

Merry Christmas....from the Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Crew

Merry Christmas from our sweet Dukem, who is still looking for just the right Pet only home for this sweet boy!

Here he is acting the little poor ever so cute puppy out of the Grinch movie.. Got to love those Atlers LOL

Icelandic Update on a Grave Matter -Duke is

A Major! Bed HOG!!

I just have to write that baby Duke is the worlds worst Bed Hog!.. Somehow even though we go to bed with him near our feet and with me having my half of the bed.. somehow when I wake up.. he is on top of my head, or has his head tucked into my neck, and or he has managed to take the whole middle of the bed.. leaving only the edges for his human parents...

He sleeps like the dead and if you move him, he is will let you, with no issues, and yet somehow.. like magic within the time it takes to fall alseep and wake up.. he has wormed his little furry body back to where "he" thinks it belongs.. and he always has to sleep upside down.. belly up..

What a strange little ducky he is.. LOL

So guys, write me a story about your bed hogs, and I will share them if you give permission..

Bed Hog Story #1 -I love this photo!! Four in the air, and a feel of total contentment!

Here is a lovely Greestone Bed Hog down in the states!! So very cute, thanks for sending it.. come on folks..Get out those Cameria's and keep sending them in, and I will put them up to be shared with your fellow Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Family.

Herding News!! Greenstone Thunder HCT, HJD

Hello Folks

Well Breed History has been made again by Greenstone Thunder in AHBA!! Go Icelandics!

Greenstone Thunder HCT, JHD, went to a AHBA Trial this past weekend and he now has his first leg of HTD 1.. Way to go Deb and Thunder!!

Only one more leg to go and he will have his HTD 1.. very cool..

I wish I could say that there is photos but Doug was not able to make the trail and so no photos from the event.. they will see if they can get photos and video from the next one..

Happy Holidays.. Doug is getting his own Greenstone Herding Icelandic, Greenstone Cleo is joining the family! and I am looking forward to posting her own wins in the future! but most of all I am just happy that both Thunder and Cleo are happy and well-loved members of their Family.

I am also Honored as a breeder, because this is the third family that has come back in two or three years for a second Icelandic Sheepdog from my home to theirs! That means so MUCH to me, I can't tell you how proud and happy I am that my puppy owners like my dogs and me enough to come back for a second when the time is right.

I know that Jill at Pineridge had the honor this year of someone coming back for two wonderful ISD puppies, after their first Pineridge Icelandic Sadly passed away in her old age.. and of course they wanted another Icelandic.. While I do hope for my babies sakes, that its a long time coming! that I will have that honor someday in the future as well..

"Herding Trial Dog classes, with levels HTD I, II and III, take place on a standard course. All levels include an outrun, lift, fetch, wear and/or drive, and pen (the pen may be on the fence for the started level, but is free-standing for the higher levels). At the started level, the outrun is short and the handler may accompany the dog and sheep throughout the course. At the intermediate level, the outrun is longer and the handler may accompany the dog only partway through the course. At the advanced level, the outrun is longer, the handler remains at the handler's post until time to pen, and after the pen there is an additional exercise (removing a ribbon from a marked sheep). HTD trials are designed to be held in large fields, but may be held in arenas with special permission. "

Types of Breeders -Information for a Show/Pet Owners to be.

I first say this wonderful page of write ups was done by Peggy D Melton, and I have used her writings as a starting place, its been modified to fit our breed and what is happening today within our different breeders.

This is purely a subjective approach to helping the newcomer understand the differences in facilities that may be encountered while searching for their next family pet, or their first show prospect There are always exceptions to every rule. Every rule except never say never or always. Let the buyer be informed. Doesn't that sound better than, "Let the buyer beware."


BACK YARD BREEDER: The BYB is disliked for many reasons. The number one reason is that they are responsible for the development of many health problems seen in common pet animals of all breeds. It gives the dedicated breeder as well as the breed in general a bad reputation. This type of person has a registered dog and thinks it would be fun, or profitable to have a litter of puppies. Perhaps they want the children to enjoy the miracle of birth first hand. Without thought to genetic problems, eye problems, hip, thyroid, skin, inherited epilepsy. The list goes on and on. They find someone else with an opposite sex of the same breed, in Icelandic, they often buy two puppies and only ever breed to those two together, litter after litter, year after year!. Obviously the only qualification necessary and they have a litter. From this hastily produced litter they then sell (if they are lucky) the puppies without imparting any knowledge on the care the little guy will need. Often because they themselves do not know. They do not explain the breed's good or bad points and when these buyers have questions and problems, they receive no help at all from the people who took their money and closed the door. Without guidance with their new charge, problems often develop and often result in owner-turn in at the local Humane Society. Abandoned or just neglected in a small dog run in the back yard, allowed to run the neighborhood, or tied to a tree. If you couldn't tell, I have little patience with this type of person.

BackYard Hobby Breeders: Now "Hobby Breeders" are wonderful, but there are a few Backyard Hobby Breeders, these are the folks that have figured out that "you" will not buy from a Backyard breeder, and they have stepped up JUST enough to give the appearance of being a hobby Breeder, they do health tests (but if you watch close, their dogs are ALWAYS PERFECT or if they do have something.. it will never bother them!), they might show once or twice a year (JUST to Say they did it), they might take a dog class or two but their dogs have no titles in any of the dog sports.

Two Big Tip Off's for this type of breeder is breeding "rare" that does not meet the standard, they have a Rare coat color, or a Rare Eye Color, or a Rare Family line or a Rare Extra Small or Extra Large examples of the breed.. the best one I ever read on the website, was a rare super large, long legged untypical color..(this dog would no more win in the show ring nor did it look like an Icelandic).. to addesss each of the rares above with an answer, here goes..

Rare colors- this means that the color is not approved by the breed standard or that its faulted in the standard and the show rings -Often the colors that are faulted by the Icelandic Standard are done so because there are related Health risks to those colors or patterns but the breeder certainly won't tell you about that part of the deal! If they even know!

Rare Eye colors- Again these would be colors not allowed or faulted in the Icelandic Breed Standard and once again, these colors were made a fault because they either took away part of what "makes" the breed type or because their can have known health side effects, but its doubtful that these Hobby Back yard Breeders know or would share with you, what those possable bad side effeect are..

They often seem to breed the "smallest or the Largest" , now I would love to tell you why they choose to do this, but the truth is the best I can figure is that they start out with inferiour breeding stock and they have the hangover from the Backyard breeder mind set of " if its got a purebred pedigree- then you need to breed it!"


The second big Tip off- Total and Complete LACK OF BREED TYPE- When you go to a good Hobby Kennel or a Good Show Kennel, in the Icelandic Sheepdog Breed you can and most likely will see both coat types (Med and Long), and many different coat colors- Cream to deep reddish brown, Chocolate, and Black Tri, in terms of Coat Pattern, you can see very little white all the way up to Peids, and all are allowed by the standard, and are part of what makes our wonderful breed.

But they should at least look like the same breed!, they should have the same general look to their heads, their body outlines, their leg lengths etc.. now each kennel or breeder might have a slightly different look then each other but what we are taking about is "Within their own kennel" the dogs should look mostly alike..

But not in a the Backyard Hobby Kennel, they will still be breeding their "Pet Qaulity" which comes in all shapes/sizes/looks dogs.. you will look at them and each dog can appear to often be a different crossbred ISD.. Even when they start keeping back dogs, you will often find that their keep back dogs will all look different, this is because the breeder has no idea what to look for and often does not care that they are producing generation after generation of pet qaulity puppies..

If you just want a pet, and you don't care if it looks like a Icelandic To the breed standard, then this is perfectly fine kennel to get a pet dog from, but I would make sure that you are only paying a much lower price for a pet quality ISD out of Pet Qaulity ISD Parents, the only thing this kennel has going for it, is that it does its health tests.

If you are looking for a Typical looking Icelandic Sheepdog pet puppy or a Show/Breeding Icelandic Sheepdog, it would do best to stay away from the Hobby-BackYard Breeders.. I regret to say that we have a number of these folks within our breed.. and I highly recommend that you keep an eye out for them and steer clear.. They are getting better in someways at hiding what they are..so you as the buyer need to become informed and make a smart choice for your home and family


HOBBY BREEDERS: The Hobby Breeder is perhaps the kind of breeder that is encountered most often on Icelandic web sites. A family that houses between three and seven dogs of either sex and has one or two litters every so often. This is a well-planned event and treated with much reverence. Their dogs are mostly kept in the house and are part of their family. They do not pursue the CKC breed ring on a weekly basis, but do go on occasion and take great pride in their wins and accomplishments in all venues of CKC/UKC competition. There is so much more than just the conformation ring. Obedience, herding, coursing, agility, therapy dogs, the list is endless. You will often find an outstanding show-prospect puppy from this type of home as they do strive to produce the best based on their knowledge. When looking for your pet, you can ask a few questions and request copies of the pedigrees and any genetic test results of the dogs being bred. It is easy to spot the difference from a Back-Yard Breeder (BYB) and a Hobby Breeder based on the answers to a few well-worded questions.


SHOW KENNEL: Another type of breeder you will see is a show kennel. A show kennel usually houses somewhere between 10 and 30 dogs at one time. This is the breeder who seriously hits the breed ring almost every weekend, hires handlers to go when they can't, and seriously advertises and campaigns their dogs to completion of numerous CKC awards. The difference here is usually the amount of knowledge and the amount of time devoted to their dogs. A show kennel breeder can quote the standard forwards and backward upon request, run down family lines at will. They can recall wins from the past and be able to equate those wins to the present as a comparison. They can discuss the current genetic problems that exist in their breed today and yesterday. They take great pride and care in the quality of the health of their breeding stock as well as in the looks. The Show Kennel Breeder as the Hobby Breeder, is deserving of your respect and your acknowledgement of their vast knowledge and willingness to help newcomers get started. This is also an excellent place to begin your search for your new puppy. Out of every litter produced for show quality, only a few of each litter will be deemed extraordinary enough to be placed in a show home, or kept as a show prospect. The others from that litter will be offered (hopefully on a spay-neuter agreement) to families that meet the qualifications of the breeder. You will get a lovely puppy that will be healthy and you can be proud to share with your friends and family. You will also get their phone number with a willing listener should difficulties arise..


PUPPY MILL: This type of establishment is the worse. At a puppy mill one can expect to find atrocious housing condition and poor nutrition of the breeding stock. Often these dogs are kept in small cages or pens and bred constantly to produce very unhealthy and unhappy puppies. These puppies are then sold wholesale to auction houses, web sites spouting several different breeds available, and pet stores where they are resold as valuable purebred CKC puppies at great costs to unsuspecting buyers. When the productive years are over, or health problem come to light, the non-productive stock is disposed of. Often inhumanely, always unfairly. This is the type of situation we hear about on the news, in many articles written in Time Magazine and other quality publications, and is the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel for ethics and kindness to our loyal companions.


PUREBRED RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS: An excellent source for a family addition. Many devoted people donate their time and money to rehome unwanted dogs with their only reward being the smile on the faces of the new families and the wagging tails as their charges finally get to go home. These dogs are usually older and have often had traumatic experiences that they may carry with them forever. A rescued dog can be a great find, but one must be careful and listen to the advice of the rescue people in regarding what to expect from this particular dog. Most all rescue people have the experience to rehab the most difficult personality problems and are willing to explain what can be expected of the new dog.

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy Photos -Foxy Brown..

Thank you goes out to Foxy Browns mom and Dad for the new photos that arrived in the mail box yesterday! She looks wonderful, clearly a puppy and loving her world.. I am putting up three of my favorites for everyone to see how she is developing.

Exciting news! - Runa has started her heat so the countdown as started, will update on when she is breed, and then update on her ultrasound and then before you know it... newborn puppies!!!

She was a tiny bit early, she is on a six month cycle, and was due to start her heat on Christmas week and has started it the first week of Dec..

I am greatly looking forward to this coming litter, I think they are going to be Darling puppies..

Barks

Icelandic Sheepdog and Snow!! A winning combo

This is Greenstone AJay out for a stretch of Leg.. Love this photo!!
Greenstone Cool Hand Luke "Olof" at 4 months of age, looking very fine!!

We always take a few dogs with us for chore time, and these were the lucky two that went yesterday afternoon.. I just wanted to share their photos.. Hope you will enjoy..

New Greensone Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Photos

WOW, some of these Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy Photos playing in the snow is amazing!!

Tons of new updated photos of the puppies.. Enjoy.. make my christmas folks, how about all my pet owners send me new photos of their dogs regardless of their age!!

Duke is still looking for his Forever home, here he is out playing on the deck in the snow, going for his 3rd health check and shots, he is a lovely med coated red/white/black male pet puppy.

Duke has his CERF normal, and is coming along very well in obedance and housebreaking.. he is going to be on the small side for a male, about the size of female ISD is my guess, maybe a little bigger, he is already 14 pds at 4 months of age, so a good size boy. Very sweet and Charming..for those that have meet him, he is very much like Zander in temperment

Here is a new photos of Greenstone Fire an Ice.. Enjoy..

Congrats to the new UKC Championships and wins by our ISAA Icelandic Sheepdog Friends in Washingston State.. Two new BIS by an Icelandic, Way to Go!

A huge congrats goes out to Sandi and Canadian Bred, (by Pineridge Kennels) Perla for going to the AKC Agility nationals, they did the Icelandic Sheepdog World proud!! Sunday was a very good day for them.

A amazing Congrats goes out to Katheryn and Viva (Granddaugther to another Canadian Bred dog, ARBA Ch Pineridge Elsaka CGC, UKC CD) for placing # 7th overall in the AKC Agility Nationals in the 16 inch catalog!

This was the first year that the Icelandic Sheepdog was able to compete in AKC Agility and we were so proud to have two teams be able to go this year, and they did amazing!!!

New Litter planned between Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone by Pineridge Vaskur, Both parents have CERF Normal and Normal Hips, for more details, email isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Snow and Icelandic Sheepdog puppy Duchess

Let it snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...and then let me go play in it...Throw the ball will you, please!!!!!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy.... buttwiggle of delight..

Greenstone Maria Update

Hello Folks

Got a wonderful Update on Maria Aka Rowan, she is settling into her new home well, and starts puppy class next week, I love it when folks send in photos of their puppies as they grow up and I am always so thrilled to get any updates on my Greenstone Pups..

So without further waiting, here is Sweet Maria with her new furry housemate..

Keep the updates and photos coming..

Barks

New Blog- Show Information on our Dogs

Hello Folks

I have had a number of folks tell me that they are looking for certain information and find it difficult to find on the blog as its very chatty. So I have been working on a few new blogs for different areas of the kennel so that folks can easily find what they are looking for.

So here is the Icelandic Sheepdog Top Show Dog Blog.. enjoy

www.icelandicsheepdogtopshowdogs.blogspot.com

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy Available

Hello Folks

Well this update is going to be mismash of info, so first, a art type photo of a Greenstone Pup on the run in the fields and the camera got the pup no quite blurry but blurred the background.. I love it personally, so wanted to share..

Training news: Zander is in Rally-O training, doing ok at it, but mom can't figure out where her feet are to go.. I can see that it will be me that has more problems then him.. was that a turn left or a turn right.. o ya, read the sign again.

I have a handling class once a week, and I will be moving who is going around, but mainly Freyja and Duchess will be going..

Puppy Classes: Well at this time, Duke and Duchess are going.. with puppy Privates for Olof and Cleo.. everyone is coming along very well in term of housebreaking and training time.

New Call Name annoucement- So Greenstone DuchessofYork new call name is Aron, and so from now on, when writing about her in a non-formal way, I will refer to her as Aron.

Maria went to her new home on the weekend, and what a lovely couple and their other dog is very beautiful and well trained, I think that Maria is a very lucky young lady, Maria's new call name is Rowen.

Show Updates and Info

Well, As most of you have seen from the blog, I have been out of touch for awhile, Man, what a busy late summer/Fall.. between the first National CISC Booster in Calgary, my Family reunion in Aug, then getting the moterhome ready and driving it out late Aug/First of Sept, then Mother-in-law visits, Mother visits, and then late fall work (garden/canning/preserves) hit hard.. and on top of that, two litter of puppies that require and demand a great deal of time, so shows kind of went to the side.. but don't worry, we have plans to get out and about in 2008.

We are planning on starting our Showing again in Feb of next year, our year goals are:

Finish Ada to her CKC Championship - Needs four points

Finish Freyja to her CKC Championship - Needs one points

Finish Aron to her CKC Championship - Needs all ten points :)

and work towards having Top ISD in Canada with either Freyja or Aron.

As far as I know, Greenstone Black Pearl Aka Freyja is Canada's # 1 Top Icelandic Sheepdog for 2007. I believe she is also Top Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy for 2007. I could not be more proud of her.

Aron's father Ch Belglen Riddari, who I believe is Canada's #2 Top Icelandic Sheepdog for 2007, and her mother is Tofra Dalla, Mother to Ch. Greenstone AJay, #1 Top Icelandic Sheepdog for 2006.. I am expecting great things from Greenstone DuchessofYork akc Aron in the show rings for 2008.

Show information and updates to follow as it gets closer.

Hip Information:

Greenstone DuchessofYork has had her Puppy X-ray Prelims on her Hips, and they look wonderful! She is starting of life with very clean hips, now we just keep on looking forward and it will be interesting to see what her adult HD rates turn out like.

This year will be the first year that we will have adult two year old results to go up against Greenstone Puppy Prelims, and I am greatly looking forward to seeing how well they match up, but am fully aware that it will take many more years of tests (at puppy and adult) to confirm and create a databank of information.

Chocolate Gene: Exciting news, I love a good proper chocolate Tri, my goodess they are good looking Icelandic Sheepdogs, Now I will admit that I don't like Dilute Chocolate tri's or Brown pigmented dogs or even cream dogs with brown pigments..

But I do believe that the "real" Chocolate Tri in our breed is important and worth preserving, so in keeping with that, I am taking the proactive step of having all my orginal import dogs tested by VetGen for the chocolate gene, (this is a recessive gene, and now can be tested with a simple genetic test) and if any of my orginal import/Foundation stock dogs come back postive, I will then start testing their offspring that are in kennel or co-owned with me.

So stay tune in the future to see all the dogs results posted, and if we have a boy and girl pop back postive, you can expect to see a breeding in the future, and maybe a full pigmented, stunning dark Chocolate Tri Greenstone Icelandic in a show ring near you!

Well in other news, Hnuks Putti aka Ulli is going to committee on Dec 5th and so we will be able to get Greenstone Born in A storm done after that, and then his litter and offspring soon afterwards.. so that is good news, but still going to take some time to get that last grandfather's paperwork done.

Planned Coming Litters- Always a good idea to get on the reservation list if you are interested in a Greenstone Puppy, most of the time when it comes to pet puppies, most of them are reserved before being born, or very shortly afterwards.

If you are looking for a Possable Show/Breeder Qaulity Icelandic Sheepdog, then Greenstone Kennel is one of the best to look at, we stand by our show record. We would be happy to send you a complete list of our Canadian Success.

Runa is due to come into heat at the end of Dec/07, and we are planning a breeding between her and Vaskur, for chincilla (cream) and Black Silver Tri, med and long coated puppies.

Folda is Due to come into heat in March/08, and we are planning a breeding with her as well. Stud to be annouced.

Then much to my amazement, Freyja is old enough and will be ready to be breed, it will depend on how she is doing in the show rings, but if she is to be breed, we are hoping to breed her to Greenstone Josey Wales.

Then comes Dalla again in late 2008/2009, and we are hoping to take her to Greenstone Voodoo Child, and for Greenstone Ada, we have our eyes on Greenstone Sharp Dressed Man.

Its going to be a couple very exciting and busy years ahead of us.. My older girls are on their last litters, and my younger girls are just starting to have their firsts.. I guess its just going to be a few years of crossovers.

Available Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies.

One Red Pied Long coated Male Puppy available for co-own, I would really like to see this guy grown out and maybe shown in the future. Please contact me if you would like more informaton.

isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Barks

Structure Evaluations- Icelandic Sheepdogs

Hello Folks

Well, went to have a outside view on the three "possable" keep backs, because in truth, I only want to keep back and grow out and hopefully show one puppy from the 2007 litters..

I was stumped on how to value different strengths and weakness on Greenstone Cool Hand Luke, Greenstone Cleopatra Jones, and Greenstone Duchess of York. How do you ever pick between three such hot bodied and sweet tempermented puppies.

But it has to be done... LOL

So the little pup that is staying with Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel and I can't wait to get her out in the show ring in 2008, is Greenstone Duchess of York..

It looks like I have a wonderful home for Greenstone Cleopatra Jones, so she is spoken for, and I will let you know if for any reason she becomes available again.

So Greenstone is pleased to let you know that Greenstone Cool Hand Luke is available as a pet male, I would love to find a home that would consider keeping him intact but he can go to a home that would like to alter him.

Cool Hand Luke - Nickname is Olof, is a big boned, long coated med-darker Red Sable Pied, and what a handsome, an striking male he is, the only reason that he is pet quality is because, he has single dewclaws on all four legs, and I would like to keep only Double dewclawed puppies, having said that, you can show him if you want, the standard does allow single dewclawed dogs to be shown but doubles are to be given preference. Luke is so sweet, a typical male ISD, a total love bug, and he loves all peaple, this is one pup that is comfortable in his own skin.. would do well in any type of home.

Greenstone Duke of York, just had his health check up today and he is doing great, wonderful little pup, so pretty and what a striking face, and great temperment.. Duke is available as a pet puppy, and would do well in any home, loves children and is a major snuggle bunny.

Scroll down to see photos of each of these males. If you would like more photos, or more informaton about their temperment tests, their CERF tests, their health tests or any other kinds of questions about the breed or their pedigree, please just let me know.

If you are interest in more informaton or in either of these male puppies, please let me know at

isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Barks

Greenstone Empress India

Good Morning Folks

Here is new photos of India for you to enjoy, what a pretty pup she is.. and I love the photo of her with her kitty friend, I can just see that kitty foot coming out to take that little chew toy away..

Love her Ying/Yang Face markings and she has just such a cute face..

Barks

Two Show/Breeding Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Available

Planned Icelandic Sheepdog Litter for 2008 - Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone/PineridgeIcelandic Vaskur - Reservations Recommended.

This just touched my heart and I had to share..

Jason's Aunt sent this my way, and it is wonderful, she also sent along the snopes address to prove that it was real :)

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/abbey.asp

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced.
I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul
working in the dead letter office of the US Postal Service.


Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.
The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was
crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.
She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when
Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that
I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday
and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy
that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and
to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her
you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.


We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredithand addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.
Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope
because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the
way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at
the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter
yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front
porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.
Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called,
'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we
had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was
the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays
in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our
bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in,
so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and
have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for
helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother
you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy Updates

Hello Folks,

Well it looks like Greenstone Maria has found her new home, and she is going to be one lucky little dog, she even has a playmate of the woof kind.. The great news is that she is going to a home in Ontario, so I hope that at some point, I might get to see her again as an adult.

Well, I have had some interest in what my coming planned litters are, and the one that is for sure will be between Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone and PineridgeIcelandics Vaskur. Mom is a med coated Chin carrying Black Tri and dad to be is a Black Silver Tri, Long Coated, so that means that all puppies should be Med or Long coated Chins or Black Silver Tri's.. Excellent clean health info on both parent dogs, and great show prospects are hoped for.

Reservations recommended.. to give you a idea of what I am expecting in terms of what a long coated Black Silver Tri looks like.. here is Greenstone Black Moon.. Now I would expect more refinement in the offspring, I will include photos of Black Pearl, I would expect the puppies to be more in type to her, but for what a Black Silver Tri looks like.. her brother Black Moon is the better example..

Now you maybe wondering what "Chin" or Black Silver Tri vs Black Tri means.. So a Chin Icelandic Sheepdog is a Yellow Gene ISD, that has the Dilute Chin Gene, which means that all "red" hairs on the body are lightened by this gene till the dog is a darkish cream color.. The Chin gene does not work on Black hairs, so if the dog is a Black tri, the tan tri markings can also be effected by the Chin Gene, (see below, Black Moon's tan markings are cream colored, as he is a Black Silver Tri, and Black Pearl's are a deep dark Tan color as she is full pigemented.)

Greenstone Cool Hand Luke

Hello Folks

I am so excited, The Canadian Association of Dog Trainers is finally holding its yearly three day semiars close enough that I can get to it.. I will be booked in as soon as possable to get to this seminar.

http://www.cappdt.ca/public/jpage/1/p/2008Conference/content.do

The wonderful long hair puppy above is Greenstone Cool Hand Luke aka Olof, and he is showing off his lovely long coat and show qaulity marked Pied markings, in the second photo, he is show off one of his trick commands, which is of course, Kiss, you can't see the clicker in my hand but its there.. Its such a sweet photo that I had to include it, I rarely put photos of myself up, I know this, I don't really take great photos of me, but this one was just so sweet and cute, I had to share.

The second reason I love this photo, is that Olof is showing off the wonderful breed trait of the ear fold, Icelandic Sheepdogs don't just put their ears back on their heads, they have the abiltiy to fold the ear in half in the middle, this is a very old and rare breed trait that I work hard to keep in my breeding dogs.. now I am sure you are asking.. why would you want to breed a prick eared dog with enough movement in their ears to be able to not only move around and lay down but to fold in the middle.. well in Iceland, the wind blows ALL the time, as it did in Northern Canada when we lived in Nunavut, and the dogs will fold over and close their ears off from really bad winds, now think about how great that would be.. its like having built in ear muffs for blocking wind!! to the best of my knowledge, the Icelandic Sheepdogs are the only ones that do this.. if other breeds do it, I have never found anyone yet that knows about it.

So enjoy the cute kiss photo but also see the old much wanted trait of the Icelandic ear Fold..

Barks

Greenstone Duke of York

Hello Folks

Here is a wonderful new photo of Duke of York, aka Dukums.. A wonderful dark red/white, with black Mask male Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy.

Dukums is looking for a pet home at this time, he is a very small, med coated puppy, I would not expect this little guy to be a big male at all.

Wonderful curling tail, very cute foxy face, so expressive in his face, a total peaple ISD, but he loves his play time with the dogs.

Nice Double dewclaws on this tike, and of course a great temperment test and a CERF normal, but he does appear to have a grade 3 heart murmur, it has appeared to get better between his first and second puppy check up, but if you are looking at him, he would make a wonderful family dog, but given his heart, I would not recommend him for a performance dog and he must be altered and never! used for breeding.

If you are normally the person that gets their dog from Rescue or the pound but are madly in love with Icelandic Sheepdogs, then this might be the guy for you.. He has a VERY small adoption fee, mainly in place to weed out someone who would want a free puppy only, I need to know that you are committed to giving him the best home!

I think he would do well with another dog, with cats, or children or in a older folks home, and he is smart!! this is one cute and smart little by and he loves to snuggle and be a lap dog..

If you think you could offer this little guy a wonderful home, please contact isdpuppies@hotmail.com with Duke in the contact line, and tell us all about yourself..

Barks

Chris Zink Seminar - Education for Greenstone Kennel

Hello Folks

Well, Greenstone Kennel firmly believes that you always! need to keep learning, and about all area's of Dogs, Dog health, Birthing, Raising, Training, you name it and the amount of new information coming out in regards to dogs is wonderful.

Greenstone tries to attend at min two different seminars per year, and has been quite successful at this for over eight years now, I will try and sit down and write out all the different dog related areas of Education or Training Seminars I have attended.

But yesterdays was by Chris Zink and it was wonderful, if you ever get the chance to attend her seminars, I highly recommend that you try and get to one. She is the Auther of a number of different books/Video's and she gives one or two day seminars around North America.

Yesterdays Seminar was broken down into different area's, some lecture and a equal amount hands on.. always a good thing to get to put what you are learning into hands on time..

Importance of structure to performance

Introduction to the musculoskeletal system
How to evaluate your dog’s structure
How conformation showing fits into a performance career
Understanding your dog’s physical advantages and disadvantages for performance

Body size (gigantism vs. dwarfism) and shape
How to evaluate a dog's front and rear angulation
Dewclaws and tails – their use in performance
How you can use your dog’s structure to maximize performance
Locomotion and lameness

Gaits (walk, trot, canter) – what they look like and how they are used in performance
Pacing, crabbing – why they are not ideal gaits and what to do if your paces or crabs
How to train your dog to gait on cue

Videos demonstrating dog gaits and gait transitions
The use of ground poles in conditioning and gait modification
How to determine which leg your dog is lame on and how to help your veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis

Conditioning the performance dog
Organizing a fitness program
Strength and endurance exercises
Intensity, frequency, duration of training
Conditioning for specific muscle groups
Appropriate ages to begin strength and conditioning exercises

As you can imagine it was alot of info, and tons of notes got taken but also what I came away with that were huge for me, I have already been recommending that anyone that wants a performance dog wait to spay/nueter till 14 months, but after this seminar, I want everyone to wait if possable till after 14 months, pets or not.. the amount of new studies that show overall health risks and behavioural issues with spay/nuetered dogs is amazing.. and all the studies have been done in the past six years.. there were 11 new ones, and good ones at that..

Now, I am NOT saying breed your pet dog, I am saying keep it intact long enough to have all its normal growth plates close with full hormones in its body..

The second one that I found wonderful was in regards the Body Mass index for what requirements are the best for the overall natural performance dog, and a well breed ISD to the FCI/CKC standard with the typical breed bone and weight to height, we are ideal!

This is wonderful news, and it does not really surprise me :) after all how many peaple have said over and over again, this breed is still working in the fields and show rings at 13, 14, 15 or even 16 years of age.

In a nut shell, you want a Mesomorphic build, with a Body mass index of under 2, my very sweet and very good performance females range right about 1.5 to 1.6 and my stunning performance males sit just under 2 at 1.9 But my European breed bitch being so heavy for the same height frame as my Iceland breed females, comes in at over 2, and to be fair, we have had to limit her on her choices, that is why she does not do agiltiy, she does tracking, a low impact spot..

(I want to be very clear on this, if you breed to the new AKC Breed Standard, with its change in Leg length rato, the dogs become Endomporphic in build and the fact that many of the US dogs are being breed very heavy for their heights, that when you add the two together, they no long have the same body mass index and builds that the FCI/CKC Dogs do and therefor, they get much poorer results in the scores, so if you are looking for a Performance ISD in the US, ask the breeder what standard they are breeding towards, there are a ton of great US breeders that are breeding for the FCI/CKC standard)

The third thing I learned and I am totally lumping them together is how to use the poles to train trots, and a ton of new conditioning information on how to get and keep your dogs in peek health! That alone took up two hours worth of note taking.. and I can't wait to try it out with my dogs in the very near future.

Barks

One Pet Icealndic SheepdogPuppy is available for Adoption across Canada at this time, Two Show/Breeding Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies are looking for somewhat local homes in Ontario, Quebec..

My Dogs Live Here -Poem

MY DOGS LIVE HERE


My dogs live here,
they're here to stay.
you don't like pets,
be on your way.


They share my home, my food, my space
this is their home, this is their place.


You will find dog hair on the floor,
they will alert you're at the door.
they may request a little pat,
a simple "no" will settle that.


It gripes me when I hear you say
"just how is it you live this way?
they smell, they shed, they're in the way..
"WHO ASKED YOU? is all I can say..


They love me more than anyone,
my voice is like the rising sun,
they merely have to hear me say
"C'mon girls, time to go and play"
then tails wag and faces grin,
they bounce and hop and make a din.
They never say "no time for you",
they're always there, to GO and DO.


and if I'm sad? They're by my side
and if I'm mad? they circle wide
and if I laugh, they laugh with me
they understand, they always see.


so once again, I say to you
come visit me, but know this too..
My dogs live here, they're here to stay.
you don't like pets, be on your way.
they share my home, my food, my space
this is their home, this is their place..------------


Author Unknown

New Greenstone Ada Photo

Hello Folks

Here is a lovely head shot of Greenstone Ada, out of coat, but love the expression and one of her daughter in a self-stack, A little overstressed I know but I was just pleased that she is self-show stacking so well at such a young age, love her front, and she has great bone.. This would be her non-show side, her show side as seen in photos below has much more color on it.

Two Show/Breeding Quality Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies for sale in Ontario, Canada

One Pet Qaulity Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy for Sale in Ontario, Canada

Barks

Greenstone Duchess of York

What a stunning little pup this is.. Clean coat- No Black hairs in her coat, and she is at least to me, the spitting image of Grandma Tofra Frigg.

Love this little gal, what a sweet temperment and so quiet and calm but bright!

Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdogs has Available Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies for Sale at this time, both Show/Breeder prospects and Pet Puppies.

Greenstone "Cleo"

New photos of Cleo, and lots of puppy updates, the pups still at home and looking for Show/Breeding local homes are starting puppy class next week, and zander is doing well in his new Rally Class, and Freyja is rocking in her Show training Class.

Two Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Available for adoption at this time, we are looking for Show/Breeder homes within the local general area of Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal..

One Pet puppy that is available for adoption across Canada or the US.

Greenstone Outlaw Josey Wales

This wonderful big fluffy boy is now at his new home in Ontario. I look forward to watching him grow out, and seeing him in the show ring in 2008.