Judges Seminar over the weekend.

Good Morning Folks,

I love this photo of the crew, with myself and Monika Karlsdottir visiting from Iceland. The dogs look sooo young, hard to believe that this was taken two years ago, I think I will have to try and get some group photos of the dogs this summer for the albums.

What a good long weekend, Jason took Friday off work, and stayed home to work on one of the new inside Dog pens that has a pop out door to their own private 20 by 8 by 6 doggy run. I still need to paint and do the finishing touchs but I am thrilled to have it come up for the girls heats, as I will be able to safely keep everyone inside, without having to use very much to almost no crate time, instead they will have large indoor pens in the attached dog room, and their own outdoor pen to hang in.

We have plans to set up three more in the same area so that will be a wonderful help in being able to manage the dogs while the females are in heat and the males can't be with them etc.

Otherwise, we worked outside on friday a bit, and got some more scrubs planted, we are creating a flower bed and garden with bushes to help provide shade in front of the dogs pens, will give the dogs more shade, and will make it look nicer for everyone.

So Friday night was getting ready to go Saturday for the judges seminar, so up bright and early on saturday and off we went, good drive, lots of rain but still it was a good drive, and we arrived on time, and the hosts where wonderful..

I loved their dog training area!, I want one LOL, they have a huge covered areana, half is smooth cement, with ring mats down, for show/obedance training, and the back half, a full size agiltiy training center, sweet! It was a great set up, and I would love to someday have something simular for my own dogs to train in on property.

So the semianar itself went very well, we gave out the Standard with drawings, and we have the DIF video, and many other books and four ISD's for the judges to see. We had two males, two females, two long hair, two med coated, Black tri's and yellow gene dogs. lots of white, and little white, so a good cross section of the breed in these terms.

The judges where interested and very kind to us, they asked lots of questions and seemed quite interested in the breed. All in all a wonderful way to spend a few hours, everyone who knows me, knows get me talking about ISD's and I can go forever LOL

However last week, we had those very bad wind storm (knocked the rabbit hutch over) and I was outside in it a bit, and got wind in my ears, and so over the week, my ears and throat just kept getting worse and worse, by Saturday, I was on full meds to appear normal :) and when done, got in the truck and my head felt like it would explode, so took some more meds and had a nap on the way home, thank goodness for willing hubbies that help in these things, Went to bed early saturday and most of sunday morning, was spent getting some extra sleep, Jason was in charge upstairs and the dogs seemed to think that is fine, but most of them piled on the bed with me and gave me much needed cuddles and kisses to make me feel better, nothing much better then a living, loving furry hot water bottle ;)

So after I got up, worked outside in my gardens for a few hours and then was tired again, so went to bed early last night and am a bit better today, and have started my normal chores, so far so good.

The dogs a fab, everyone is doing great, training is good, we are all loving the extra time outside, and they are all getting much more one on one time taking turns hanging out in the yard with me while I am working outside.. I try and switch them off, so they all get time out of the dog yard and out with me. and they all run and run and then they come back and hang with us.. and stick their noses into the ground, or boxes or whatever we are doing.. with this sweet, "What are you doing? look and a few of them know the word dig, and so we have to have a talk about, no digging in my gardens LOL

Otherwise found a stash of eggs in the barn, I knew those hens had found a place, tons of eggs, most of them fresh and good so that is great, barn critters are doing well..loving the new green grass, but today they are going to have to stay inside, I am not up to being out in the winds today to help graze them.

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and my goals for the week, painting, planting, gardening, cleaning the outside chicken area, getting better, dog training classes, (advanced agility starts tomorrow night) and getting packed and ready for my harris semianar in toronto this coming weekend.

Barks

Greenstone Voodoo Child "Pika" Update

Hello Folks

I got the most wonderful update from Pika's owners tonight and wanted to say THANK You to them and share their update with all the fellow puppies owners and friends :)

Pika is one of those very lucky pups who's owners not only have a great home but they also have a cabin, and his family has informed me that he loves his time outside with them, Sent a wonderful photo, but will have get permission to include on the website, (love! his curly tail but it has mom in it, and I don't post photo with family, without express permission) Ah, I cropped him in the photo, and I just have to share, he is STUNNING....WOW, I know that he is one of my babies, but I really like him..

So he is starting to learn to wade up to chest high and I have no doubt will be swimming well by the end of the summer, everyone that has a greenstone pup and cabin, tend to tell me that they have dogs that love to swim..

So Pika has done well in school, finishing Puppy Kindergarden and taking a " obility" class with is a combo of obedance and what sounds like puppy agility training.. what a great idea.. I have had some folks also talk to me about their schools offering family dog training or puppy agility, always interesting to see what is offered across the different parts of the country.

It sounds like Pika will be having lots of fun in "home study" for the next while, and that is great, I am sure he is going to enjoy his summer at both home and at the cabin, can't wait to see photos of him out in such a beautiful area for the photos backdrop.

I have to say, I was truly moved to see the photo of Pika on the sofa sleeping, he is his daddy! and he looks so much like him that it pulled my heart strings, when he is standing out in the snow, I can see his momma in him, but O my goodness he looks like his daddy.. and he is such a "macho boy" What a little powerhouse.. can't wait to see him as a fully grown adult.

Thanks again for sending new photos and the lovely update..

Barks

Greenstone CERF Resuls 2001-2007

Last Updated on Oct 2007

Pineridge Vaskur (2000) - CERF Normal 01, 03, 04, 05,06
Tofra Tobba (2001)- CERF Normal 01, 03, 04, 05, 06
Folda (2003) CERF Normal 04, 05, 06
Tofra Dalla (2003) CERF Normal 04, 05, 06, 07
Belglen Runa of Greenstone (2005) -CERF Normal 05, 06


Greenstone Apollo -(2004) -CERF normal 05
Greenstone AJay- (2004)-CERF normal 05, 06
Greenstone Ada- (2004) -CERF normal 05, 06. 07
Greenstone Alexander the Great -(2004)- CERF normal 05, 06
Greenstone Alex (2004)-CERF 05-Other-Prominent tips of the post suture line tips
Greenstone Aristotile (2004) - CERF normal 05
Greenstone Athena (2004) -CERF normal 05
Greenstone Annabell (2004)-CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Athens (2004)-CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Ares 2004) -CERF Normal 05- Other -Moderate density to the post suture lines tips
Greenstone Ullo (2005)- CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Rudolph (2005) -CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Thunder (2005)- CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Lightening(2005)-CERF Normal 05
Greenstone Born in a storm (2005)- Normal and other marked
(Two early scars, Focal area of tapetal hyperreflectivity) 05
CERF Exam in 06-Right Eye Normal, Left Eye-Retinal dysplasia-geographic
Greenstone Beawolf (2005) -CERF normal 05
Greenstone Black Magic Women (2006)- CERF normal-06
Grenstone Boogie Man (2006)- CERF Normal-Other -"fuzzy" area of affected color (right eye), CERF normal- 2007 - No comments
Greenstone Sharp Dressed Man (2006)- CERF normal 06
Greenstone Voodoo Child (2006) -CERF normal 06
Greenstone Blue Moon (2006)-CERF Normal 06
Greenstone Blue Suede Shoes (2006) -CERF Normal 06
Greenstone Mystic Moon (2006) -CERF Normal 06
Greenstone Black Moon (2006) -CERF Normal 06
Greenstone Black Jack (2006) - CERFNormal -Other- Kind of Frosting of posterior suture line tips 06
Greenstone Black Pearl (2006) - CERF Normal 06
Greenstone Duchess of York (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 * PPM
Greenstone Marcus Aurilius- (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07
Greenstone Imperitritsa Maria - (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 * PPM
Greenstone Empress of India - (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 *PPM
Greenstone Marquesa Esmeralda - (2007) -CERF Normal Oct 07
Greenstone Duke of York- (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07
Greenstone Cool Hand Luke- (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 * PPM
Greenstone Cleopatra Jones- (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07*PPM
Greenstone Foxy Brown- (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 *PPM
Greenstone Outlaw Josey Wales - (2007) - CERF Normal Oct 07 *PPM


It is Greenstone Kennels policy to CERF test all current and past breeding dogs living in our kennel once a year. Greenstone Kennel also does a Puppy CERF exam for every single puppy in every single litter. The owners of our puppies get a photocopy of the puppies, the parent, and if possable the grandparent most current CERF exam.

Greenstone Kennel, does not pay to have their CERF results published on the CERF database, but they do send their CERF results with paperprood to the CISC for publishment in both the CISC newsletter every three months and also in the National report for all ISIC countries.

On a side note, althought Greenstone does not pay 15 US per dog, per year to list them in the CERF database online, all information on Greenstone dogs and their results are included in the CERF research and breed data information.

For further information on more results in regards to the eye health and CERF results please check out the CISC Health Databases at

http://canadianicelandicsheepdogclub.blogspot.com/search/label/CERF%20Results%20for%20Icelandic%20Sheepdogs

Both the CISC CERF database and the Greenstone CERF Database will be updated as soon as new information comes in.

Barks

Updates on Dogs/Weekend/Training classes/Puppies updates

Hello Folks

Ok, lets see, Dogs are all good, but starting to see signs of coming heat in Runa, so hopefully the other females will not be to far behind her.. not bleeding yet, but the males are alot more interested and so I will start checking her every day..

Everyone else got to enjoy a weekend mainly outside, as the weather was super fine and yard work, and outside building projects were some of the big ticket items, plus the agility seminar on Sunday.

So had the dogs in Training class this week, and it went great, they are coming along really well in all classes but the really fun one was agility, we finally have the full outside field available at Best Friends, and it was great fun to get to work on it yesterday.

Got six puppy updates in the last few days, so Greenstone Sharp Dressed Man *Selur has started is agility training, and loves it, his instructor had never seen the breed before, but was very impressed, and I hope that both SDM and his family continue to enjoy the training.

Greenstone Mystic Moon * Maggie is also rocking right along on her agility training, her dad has some top Agility dogs and so he is training her at home on his own course at this time, althought she goes with him on all his trips and trials etc, They went on a three week trip for trial in Florida, and they have some ACC trials that they are coming up for, so hope to get to find time in my busy days to get to go over and see her in person soon. She will be starting offical classes soon.

Greenstone Boogie Man * Boogie, I was informed is coming along very nicely and is showing good balance to himself and is going to be going out to a handler in the near future for some Show ring time in Western Canada, I can't wait to find out how my young man is doing in the rings..

Also got a report on Greenstone Alex , and he is much loved, he is very well trained, and is glued to his owners hip LOL I was informed that he is so well trained that he will never leave the grass on his lawn without permission and still loves his time at the lake. As his brother is very much the same with me, and they were so much alike, I can just see it. I was so glad to hear that he is healthy, happy and doing wonderful.

Greenstone Apollo and Greenstone Black Moon's owners also dropped me a note, and they are both doing wonderful, the boys are best buddies and Black Moon graduated from his family dog class training, and he is already 18 inches and 30 pds.. going to be a big boy! when he is full grown.

Can't wait to see photos of the dogs and how they are turning out. Everyone have a great day and catch you all later.

Barks

Herding Training last night.

Hello Folks

Well, time for a break this morning, so will sit down and do a update.. so the weather is fine, we have well above normal temps, getting up to 22, which is nice summer weather, even the wind is warm at this point..

So lots of gardening, and lots of extra daylight hours, means lots of energy to boot, so as my youngest set of twins lambs are a month old now, thought everyone was old enough to do some really basic light herding work last night, so worked two of the young/soft dogs on the flock of sheep, by the time I did training for the two younger dogs, the lambs where tired right out, but I was not and I had not worked my older harder dogs..

So thought, why not try it, and I got the three goat kids out and to say they were not dog broke is a understatement, it was a blast, I worked Dalla first, and that helped a great deal to break the kids in to understand that I was the safe zone, and if you tried for the barn, you would get driven back to me etc.. Anyway, after Dalla, I worked Ada and then Vaskur.. by then my own legs were very sore from all my walking backwards and it was getting dark and about two hours after I started, so time to call it quits for sure.

Otherwise, up early this morning and out with the dogs, we are setting up more agility equipment, worked on some new fencing, put the goats to pasture, worked with dogs a bit on living fence patrol with the goats, moved the rabbit hutchs to their summer spot from their winter spots, got ambushed by the rooster and have a big nasty sore spot on my leg.

Jason has left for town, he is getting lumber to work on a new Dog pen, plus our regular two weeks of feed, and grocery's for the next two weeks..

Its just such a perfect day, that we are going to have steak/mushrooms/onions, with fresh baby potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, and a nice green salad for supper, and I am going to make a peach pie for dessert tonight.. Does that sound like a spring feast or what!

Well, had better get back to the grind, want to work up some flower beds and get them ready for planting later today.

Barks

Greenstone Puppy Application

Greenstone Puppy Application

If you wish to be put on our waiting list, you must complete and return the
questionnaire.

Thank you for your interest in our Icelandic puppies. We try to ensure that
people purchasing our pups have the best chance of success and each puppy finds
the right home for their personality. We ask all our prospective families to
complete a questionnaire to help give us the best chance of providing you with
the most appropriate life-long (12-15 years) companion. After approval, pick
goes in order of deposits received.

Your Name: _____________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City/Prov/PC: ____________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________Fax________________________
Please take the time to answer all the questions as only complete applications
will be accepted for review.

1. How did you find out about Iceland Sheepdogs? ______________________________
Greenstone
Kennel?__________________________________

2. Do you have a time frame in which you wish to acquire a puppy?
________________


3. Have you ever raised a puppy before? Yes___ No___ What breed(s)?
_____________
_______________________________________________________________________


Where are those dogs now? _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


4. Have you met an Iceland Sheepdog? Yes___ No___ Where?_____________ Describe
what you liked about that dog.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


5. Are there children in the home? Yes___ No___ What are their
ages?_______________
________________________________________________________________________



Have they been around dogs before and do they know how to treat and respect
them?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


6. Are there any other dogs? ___ pets?___ Livestock?___ What kind or
breed?_________
________________________________________________________________________


7. Iceland Sheepdogs are very devoted companion dogs. Are you prepared to have a
constant "shadow"?
_______________________________________________________________________


8. How much of the time would the pup/dog be able to spend with you or a family
member? ________________________________________________________________________



9. If left alone for excessive periods of time Iceland Sheepdogs may resort to
barking, digging, or other undesirable behavior. If you must be gone for long
periods at times, describe a plan or comfortable place where the dog will stay
so that it will not become a neighborhood nuisance.
____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________



10. What kind of home do you have? House with yard___ Farm___ Townhouse with
yard ___ Apartment without yard ___ Do you rent, lease, or own?_____ If
renting, does the landlord permit pets, and would you consent to my contacting
the landlord?
_______________________________________________________________________



11. How much time will the dog spend indoors?____ Outdoors?____ Alone while you
are at work? ____ Describe how the dog will be contained in your yard.
_____________
_______________________________________________________________________


12. What concerns do you or any family member have about getting a puppy? In
your situation, what would constitute a problem with a puppy/dog?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


13. Do you plan to crate train your puppy/dog? _______ Have you ever done this
before? ________________________________________________________________________


14. How might you react to an occasional indoor "accident"?
______________________
_______________________________________________________________________


15. Are you committed to providing premium quality food, routine vaccinations
and worming treatments and providing health care as needed and treating the
pup/dog as a valued member of the family?
________________________________________________________________________


16. How do you plan to provide exercise for your puppy/dog?
______________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Initial here:


17. How would you deal with barking? ________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________



18. How do you plan to train your puppy/dog? __________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


19. Iceland Sheepdogs come in a range of temperaments, body types, and coat
types. What is your idea of the perfect ISD?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________



20. Do you have a particular color in mind and just how important is that to
you?_______
________________________________________________________________________



21. Do you prefer male?___ female?___no preference?___ Why? ___________________
________________________________________________________________________



22. Although a well groomed ISD which is fed a quality diet usually does not
have "doggy" odor or excessive dander, are you aware that ISD may shed heavily
at certain times of the year (usually in the spring & fall). Is that a problem
with you?____________
________________________________________________________________________



23. Do you have an interest in dog activities? Working farm___ Conformation
Shows___ Obedience Trials___ Flyball___ Herding Trials___ Agility___ Frisbee___
Therapy___ Supreme Companion___ Other (describe)
_____________________________________



24. Would you be interested in an early neuter (before 8 weeks) or early spay
(12 weeks) for your pup?
Explain______________________________________________________



25. If breeding is in your plans, what would be the goal and purpose of your
breeding program?
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


26. If you plan to breed, do you agree to abide by the Canadian Icelandic
Sheepdog Club of Canada code of ethics, which includes clearing eyes and
submitting x-rays for OFA or PennHIP rating before breeding and to plan your
breeding only to further enhance the breed?
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Initial here:




27. Occasionally I have a pup of outstanding quality for which I would like to
retain breeding rights. In the case of a female, it is usually for one litter.
The dog would remain in your possession unless you wish for me to handle the
whelping and care of the puppies. In the case of a male dog I would reserve a
set amount of stud services to be agreed upon at the time of purchase. The dog
would be held in a co-ownership until the obligation would be fulfilled at which
time I would sign off of the co-ownership. The dog may then be spayed or
neutered, if desired. Would you be interested in a situation such as this? Yes,
No, Comments? _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



28. Are you willing to let me make a recommendation based upon your answers to
these questions and my familiarity with the pups for the most suitable puppy for
your situation?
____If not, why?__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


Name: ____________________________ Spouse's name: ________________________
Signature: _________________________ Spouse's signature: _____________________
Date: _______________________________


Thank you for filling out this form to help us better understand what you are
looking for in a puppy. We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to
your future companion. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask
them!


Valerie Sharp
RR1 ST Main 2369 Robillard RD
Bourget, Ontario, Canada
KOA 1EO

isdpuppies@hotmail.com
http://icelandsheepdog.blogspot.com/


If you are sure that you are ready to add a Greenstone Icelandic puppy to your
life, a $200 non-refundable deposit (please make cheque out to Valerie Sharp)
will secure your place on the reservation list for the specified litter. If we
are unable to accept your application I will refund your deposit. If there is
not a puppy to match your choice (male, female, show, …) I will transfer the
deposit to the next litter or refund your deposit. If you no longer wish to be
on the waiting list or get a puppy from another source, you forfeit your
deposit. If for some reason you need to postpone getting your puppy, I will
consider transferring your deposit to a later litter.

Adopting a Greenstone Puppy.

Hello Folks

Been getting alot of inquires about puppies and having the same questions asked again and again.. So here are a few of the most common questions and answers



Question : Do you have any puppies available right now?

Answer : The Icelandic Sheepdog is a very rare breed and I have limited breedings of litters per year, some years maybe one litter, some years up to three litters, some years none. I maintain a waiting list, the puppy owners to be on the waiting list have spoken with me, filled out my puppy application, been approved and have put their puppy deposit in place. Most of the time, all my puppies are pre-reserved before even being born! The odd time, I will have more males or females or I might have a puppy I kept back to watch how it grows out for a few extra weeks as I myself are thinking about keeping it, and decide that it will in fact be placed as a pet puppy..

So the odds of having a puppy available right now, are slim to none..However if you are truly interested in the Iceland Sheepdog Breed and a Greenstone Puppy, then I would recommend that you email me, have a visit, fill out the puppy application and send in your deposit to reserve your spot and therefor your future puppy.

As it is likely that your Icelandic will live 12 to 15 years, needing to compete to waiting for a few months or in some case six months to a year to get just the right puppy for you and your family makes alot of sense.



Question: What is the cost of your puppies?


Answer: My pet puppies at this time start at a thousand dollars and range up to fifteen Hundred dollars, with my Show/Breeding dogs starting at 2500 and going higher depending on quality and bloodline.

and while this comment threw me the first couple times asked, NO, I do not know of any CROSS-BREED cheap ISD puppies available.



Question: Do my puppies have any vaccines done?

Answer: Good Question and yes, they do, If the mother has had her vaccine booster within six months of birth of litter, the puppies are done at eight, twelve and sixteen weeks so in that case if you got your puppy home at ten weeks, it would have one set of its required vaccine shots.

If the mother is in the second half of her year, I tend to play it safe and I will start the vaccines at six weeks, ten weeks and fourteen weeks, in which case if your puppy comes home at ten weeks, it would have two set of its required Vaccines shots.

My puppy are at min, vet checked twice, once at each vaccine and once before leaving for it new home, I like to have them formally vet checked between 48 to 24 hours before they leave, so that I know and have written proof from my vet that they left in picture perfect health.


Question: Do you do anything extra with your puppies?

Answer: Our Puppies have their Formal CERF exam and a photocopy of their results and their parent results will be given in their puppy package. Our Puppies have a formal temperment test, and a photocopy of their result are available if the owners are interested, to go into their puppy package. A formal structure evaulation is done, and photocopy of the paperwork is available to go in their puppy package. A formal Puppy Herding test is done, and the results are available and will be included in the puppy package for interested folks.

We also give a one year membership to the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club with each of our puppies. For possable show/performance dogs, I also have started doing a un-offical x-ray, to check on the hip health of the puppy before place it in its new home.


Well that's it for now, and I will update this information in the future.



A Greenstone pup is worth the wait! Expect the Best!

Spring has arrived!!

Hello Folks

Well, I swear it happened yesterday, spring is here, my tulips are up, tons of other plants are peaking their heads up out of the ground, I spent a good hour yesterday just checking to see if all our transplanted tree's made it thought the winter and they are all alive!! Yahooo!

All my berry bushes made it thought the winter, and are coming along great.. so its time to start working outside for an hour or so each day now on my garden..

In are walk about on the farm, we found an old hill of compost from the barn that had been dumped there well before us, and normally its a grass covered hill, but when we dug down in it a bit, its wel rotted rich black dirt, Black gold, so I asked Jason if we could haul it all up to be screened and used in my beds and different raised Gardens.. So that will save me from needing to buy another load of soil this spring which is great, and our compost pile from our first year on the farm is ready to be planted in sqaush this year.. should be wonderful..

I heard the most wonderful sound last night, frogs!!, singing frogs from every direction, I love the frogs songs and soon the fireflys will be out, the sky was so clear last night and the stars and the sliver of the moon, amazing.. we spent an extra three hours out last night, just grazing the goats and hanging out, walking the fields and farm.. The goats act like dogs and follow up everywhere we go LOL

Well to keep it even slightly dog related, we did take the dogs for a extra long run in the fields yesterday and they loved it, even if they did manage to find every single puddle and mud hole to play in, they got to stay in the attached canvis covered dog yard till they were dry with new bones to chew, and then a quick brush and they were good to go.

Barks

A lovely Poem for my little Honey Child

Hello Folks

I found this poem on the internet at a different breeders site, she does not have this qouted to anyone, so I can't give credit at this time, but really wanted to share it..

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy,
For you to love her while she lives
and to mourn for her when she is gone.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
Or maybe for a day or two or three.
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?

Should her stay be brief
you'll always have her memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that she will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

But should I call her back
much sooner than you've planned
Please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.

Agiltiy Work Shop with Lynda Orton-Hill April 22nd

Lynda Orton-Hill, member of the 2007 CKC Canadian Agility Team and one of Susan Garrett's instructors at Say Yes Dog Training in Alberton Ontario will be in Ottawa from April 19-22.

The Greenstone Kennel has signed up for the day long seminar and training course

Foundation Day:Beginnings in Brilliance...Say Yes Dog Training Foundation Games....One day discussing and progressing the games of Its Yer Choice, Crate Games, Hand Targeting, Tugging and Play, Rewarding and Relationship Building ideas as well as more Shaping!

I am going to be taking my little Gal, Greenstone Black Pearl Aka Freyja for the day, she is just over seven months so this seemed like the perfect day for her. I am looking forward to learning more and new training games for the dogs.

Updates to Follow.

Barks

Greenstone Show Results update

Hello Folks

As most of you that are reading on a regular basis know, it had been a very long, very hard last week, I had been booked to go to the dog show for Friday/Saturday/Sunday and we had rented Jason's boss's moterhome for the weekend.

I had cancelled the trip due to helping the puppy, and was home friday when she very sadly passed away. As you can imagine I was not in a good mood, and went to bed early, much to my surprise the alarm went off early the next day, and Jason said.. Get up and Get ready.. you are going to the show..

He has taken care of everything the night before while I had slept and all was arranged for the farm, and I could see his point, a little time away, doing something that I love would be a good thing for me.

So we went to the shows on Saturday and Sunday at Petawawa, lovely drive out and back it was raining but still good drive.

So we had two dogs with us, Alaxander and Black Pearl..

So Saturday, Greenstone Black Pearl took Best of Breed for her first CKC Championship point at the tender age of just over seven months. She went on to show case the breed in Group Seven and Puppy Group Seven. Alaxander took BOS.

On Sunday, Alaxander took Best of Breed and went on to Group Seven, Black Pearl took BOS and Best Puppy, and she looked wonderful in Puppy Group,

It was a good thing to have a bit of time away from the farm.. it was also a good thing that when we arrived home, everything was fine and all well in the barn etc.

Barks

Sad news in regards to puppy

Hello Folks

Its with a heavy heart that I write that the little wee female puppy passed away. I had hoped that I would not have issues, but knew that when milk comes out the nose , and therefor can be taken back down into the lungs, that this was a very real possablity.

One of the hardest things about being a breeder is when things do not go right.. Little Miss Honey Child will be remembered. She was truly a sweetheart and so pretty..

Not a Barks today but a sad whine..

Grey Wet Cool day on the Farm

Hello and Good Morning Folks

Well snow and sleet and freezing rain have arrived thoughtout the night along with cool temp, but all is well on Misty Morning Farm.

I really don't have alot of update on today, I am very pleased to say that we had a quiet content night of nursing and growing from little honey child, and I finally Duh, figured out that I can sleep in the living room on the click clack sofa bed and the bed is so low that the box can be right there, so we tried that last night and it works wonderful, I got more sleep, everyone was content and Jason got a full nights sleep, which as he works off the farm, he does need.

So with everything seeming to be going smoothly, the rented moterhome arrives tonight for my show weekend get a way.. Jason will be home with everyone and although I don't have a cell phone, my handler does and so he can call to speak with me any time.

So while I had groomed the dogs early in the week the weather has not worked and they will need a quick new bath and groom out today to get ready for the shows for the next three days.

Timing on the rings is good, last ring of the day friday, so Jason will be home before I leave and I can always be home in three hours if needed

However if all goes well, Greatly looking forward to earning some new ISD CKC Championship points this weekend, and to see what the judges think of the two dogs I am taking out.. Photos and updates when I get home of course.

Otherwise, just a regular old house day and start getting ready for the weekend trip.

Have a good one folks

Bark

Puppy Update-Vet Check April litter 2007

Hello Folks

Well, its been a good day so far, we had a good night, mom is getting less milk which is in fact a good thing, and Puppy is getting bigger and stronger so less work from me is needed. Just think soon, I will be able to sleep for more then 20 to 25 min at a time..

So took little miss "honey child" (just a nickname folks) to the vet today for a full check up and I am so pleased to say, clean bill of health, everything is good, good heart, and lungs, passed all her little checks and the vet said "boy she is a strong little one is she not" which is always a good thing to hear. New photo of her, she says, my blanket is grey today, not so good for photos but o so soft and warm for me.

Momma dog also got a clean bill of health, perfect condition, and healing well from the birth, confirmed that I was right that all feels normal, and so that is good.

So vet's advice, swing her if she gets the milk coming out of her nose again and figures that within another few days, she will be strong enough and momma will have slowed down milk enough that all will be well..

Sometimes I think my vet thinks I'm funny, but I'd raither be funny then miss something..

Otherwise, nothing much else new, just working on club stuff, and prepping for the dog shows coming up this weekend.

Barks

New Puppy photo in natural light

Hello Folks

This is one tired breeder mom writing today, so momma dog is doing well, still producing way to much milk, but slowly its getting better. To be on the safe side, I am taking everyone in for a full vet check up tomorrow. I normally don't take my puppies to the vets till they get their shots, as normally its sick pets that go there, and if my guys are all healthy, I so want to keep it that way.

So first natural light photo of little girl, she such a flashy little thing.. Gaining at a nice steady rate daily, has already gained over 4 oz since birth, closer to five really. So should double birth weight within the first seven days, its normal to take up to ten days.

She has started her "Super Dog" or Bio sense training, and its going well.. for more information on this training, here you go..

The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system.

Each workout involved handling puppies once each day.

The handler completes the series from beginning to end.

1. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
   Tactile stimulation -- holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
   
2. Head held erect -- using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
   
3. Head pointed down -- holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
   
4. Supine position -- hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
   
5. Thermal stimulation -- use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned.

In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results.

These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance.

Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises:

1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
   
2. Stronger heart beats
   
3. Stronger adrenal glands
   
4. More tolerance to stress
   
5. Greater resistance to disease

So otherwise, just missing my dog training to be home with puppy, and cleaning house and doing laundy, now doesn't that sound exciting.. :)

Barks

Litters 2007- New puppy update

Hello Folks

Well everything is going very well, Wee one is growing well and gaining steady and sure per day, she has lighten up a bit now that she is a little bit older, from her newborn photo, but If I can go by my past experances I am expecting the puppy to turn out to be dark red in main coat color.

At this time, I can find no black hairs or black tipping in her coat, so I think? she might be a clean coat in color with no sable (this is hard to get in our breed, so many folks are breeding with the sable factor that is hard to get a clean coat)

So forgive the red hue folks, but I have the heat lamp out and in the birth box as its a single pup and she gets cool much faster then normal if mom leaves to go eat or outside etc, and so as I don't want her getting chilled.. I have got it set up that she can go under the heat lamp to keep warm.

Well, that's about it for now, going to go spend some time with the puppy and momma dog.

Barks

New Icelandic Art- Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone

Hello Folks

Well it arrived by UPS today and I just have to share it with you folks, so here is the Pencil Portrait of Belglen Runa of Greenstone. I love this photo, Monika K hubby Runar took this photo of Runa in the hay fields on my little farm when they came to visit the Greenstone Kennel on one of their trips to Canada.

This is also the Picture used for the Dogs Annual for the breed in 2007..

Portrait was done by Kathryn Kirk of Pet Portraits by Kathryn

portraitsbykathryn@yahoo.com

If you would like to have a drawing done off of your favorite photos, please contact Kathryn.

My new Icelandic Art work already has a place of honor picked out on the wall in my living room, I can't wait to get it frame to my colors and on the wall.. it is a 11 by 14..

Barks

Birth of a Puppy

Hello Folks

Hope you are all having a good easter weekend, ours has been interestings.. so on Friday, my momma dog to be, starting hanging out very close with me, she kept going into the crate in the living room and then coming back out again.. hmmmm

Then she tried to climb under the living room sofa, hmmm, she followed me into the bathroom and openned the closet door, reached up and pulled down towels and layed down with a, "just shut the door will you" look on her face.. so they went into the wash, and she followed me back out, well by nine that night, she was asking me to go downstairs and so down we went..

Labour had started, with some signs of contracts off and on, it was a very normal progress, and we had her set up in her birthbox and boy did she give those towels a good dig and pull session to work out her pain..

Finally at just after 11pm, she got down to business, and got quiet and started laying down and really pushing.. well within a few min, that lovely sound happened.. I don't really know how to explain it, but there is a sound to a dog giving birth and It can wake me up within a heart beat if I was dozing, which I was not at this time, so slurp, slurp and baby starts making noise.. Afterbirth is accounted for, and all is going well.. I can see that its a very dark brown baby with lots of white, but otherwise, I am letting momma bond and keeping a close eye on how its going..

At this point, if all is well, I try and stay out of the way.. and within seven min of being born, puppy number one is nursing and momma dog is settling down a bit.. so at this point its time for a puppy check.

So here is my run though

Sex : Female

Color: Yellow Gene

Pattern: White muzzle, wide White blaze, White collar, White Chest and front legs, White socks on rear, white tail tip

Dewclaws : double on rear, single on front

Check for Cleft: negative

Check for sounds of fluid in lungs: negative

Check cord: looking good

Check the rest of the body: normal

Weight : 13.1 oz or just a touch under 400 grams, nice big active baby.

And then back with Momma dog, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait..and I start to doze off and on, and I wait, and I wait.. and finally, at four am, I have to admit that it appears that all is done and well.. and I have my first single litter of puppies!!

One puppy, a lovely puppy to be sure, but what happened to the rest of the litter.. I know that dogs can absorb puppies, and I have had it before but it was still a big surprise to me, she did not look small enough to only have one puppy, and I know that I am going to have some sad puppy owners to be, but I will be breeding for more litters in 2007, but I am afraid that the wait will be a little longer then any of us thought..

I still can't believe that I only have one!

So here are the newborn non-flash blurry photos of little girl, I managed to sneak them when Momma had to go out for a pee, I will take more in a natural light soon. So the puppy is growing and gaining weight well, Momma dog is doing great, eating well, tons of milk, but very much, I only have one, so is very attached to her.. but we are slowly learning to share, I have never had a single puppy to raise, and I would imagine that I will need to learn a bit about if I need to do anything different for her.

Updates to follow on a regular basis..

Barks

Nikkita in Loving Memory

Hello Folks

It was a shock this morning to go into the kitchen and realize that something was missing, no morning chirps from Nikkita's cage, after being with us for just over seven years, our lovely blue and white female budgie Nikkita had passed away..

I still remember having moved to Yellowknife and it was Midnight night madness days and street fair, and Jason and I were still young and in love (well we are still in love now, just older :)

We went into the pet store and they had baby budgies free with the starter cage, and we picked out what was the sweetest and prettiest baby budgie from a whole group of them.. Nikkita was my bird song of the north, I was raised in Alberta and my folks always feed the birds for the winter, and the sounds of songs outside was something I grew up with, but in the north, the only bird that stays is that amazing big black bird the Raven, and I missed the sounds of little birds so much, and Nikkita was my songs for years up there.

She flew in a little hamster cage under the seat to Iqaluit from yellowknife when we moved there, and she was so quiet almost to the end of the flight and then she burst into song, and half the plane went, Did you just hear a bird?? so the flight attendent had us show her off to the plane, and everyone thought she was a very pretty bird. She was a tough bird when it came to the kitties and if they were silly enough to put a paw or nose into her new big cage, she would nip them, and they quickly learned to respect the bird LOL

We had gotten two CD's to help teach her to talk but her most famous sounds were the cats sounds, she learns to meow just like a cat, purr like a cat, sound like a lost cat and even to make a short bark like a woof.. Vistors were always amazed at my cat talking bird, and once my mother and stepfather spent an hour trying to find the lost "cat" that was clearly stuck in a closet or a cupboard, only finally to realize that it Nikkita playing tricks on them.

She flew down south with us to Ontario and loved to sing back and forth with all the outside birds that came to the bird feeder, and her favorite treats was fresh apple and strawberry.

Ok, most likely more then most folks want to know about my little blue and white bird, but it made me feel better to write it.

Barks

Good Friday to you all, Easter is coming!

Hello Folks

Hope you are all set to enjoy the wonderful long weekend, I know, we are.. I have my dear hubby home for four whole days! Love it..

So we woke up with yet another dusting of light snow, but that didn't stop me from taking the dogs out for a good long run in the fields today, and while I was wishing that I had grabbed my woolly instead of my leather head gear by the end of the walk, the dogs loved it.

I snapped this great photos of Greenstone Alaxander out in the fields and used my photo program to make it a black and white drawing, I loved it when I saw the him standing there and I am going to get it made into a coffee mug..

So otherwise, the game plan today is to just work around the farm, I had hoped to do alot more outside yard work, but its so cold and damp right now, guess it will have to wait, but its still a good day to get those feet trimmed on the sheep.

So in general, we are having a movie day today, Jason rented two last night and so we are going to crack out the blankets and invite the dogs up on the sofa's with us and have a few hours of down time for everyone :) Never a bad thing.

For the rest of the weekend at this point, we have a farm sale on Saturday, Easter on Sunday and we are planning on building a few new pieces of agility equipment for my own training fields.. Was pleased to see that we have bits of green starting to show in the hay fields so hopefully it there will be more soon.

Hope you all have a amazing and wonderful family weekend!

Barks

Greenstone Ada HI CKC Pointed - Planned Litter 2007

Hello Folks

I am pleased to bring you one of my new up and coming ISD breeding Females, Greenstone Ada is a med coated ISD. She is a darker sable and white with Black Mask, she carries both Long Hair and Black Tri genes, as well as Chincilla genes.

Ada has Graduated from Puppy Kindergarden

Ada has Graduated from Family Dog.

Ada has Graduated from Level One Obedance.

Ada has earned her Herding Instinst Test

Ada has a CERF normal for 2005, and 2006. CERF renewals for the whole Greenstone Kennel due end of June 07

Ada had a HD Normal Prelim and will be going in for her OFA Formal X-rays in the near future.

Ada's has six of her CKC Championship Points to Date, including a number of BOS, Best Female including a 3 point major BOS win last spring at the Ottawa Kennel Club show.

Ada has Graduated from Beginners Agility and starts her advanced Agilty training in 2007, she will be starting her agility trials this year! Watch for her in a Ring near you!

Ada will continue her Herding Training this year.

We are looking forward to working with Ada in Agility/Herding and we are looking forward to earning her final four CKC Championship points as well as her CGN title.

Updates on Ada to Follow..

We are planning Ada's first litter in 2007, we are planning on breeding Ada with a lovely long hair stud called Narri from Pineridge Kennels in B.C. Narri just got his CERF normal in March/07 and will be going for his formal OFA x-rays and results in April of 2007. Updates to follow. Narri carries Black tri and Chincilla genes.

This means we should have a very colorful litter, we are expecting med coated/Long coated mix in the litter, and we could have yellow gene (tan to dark sable red brown) chincilla(wheaten or cream colored dogs) and Black tri puppies.

Both parents have nice strong double dewclaws, as well as strong prick ears and well curled tails, Narri should help to greatly improve the coat on the coming planned litter.

We are now taking puppy applications on this coming litter for both Show/Breeding and or Performance and Pet homes. Greenstone Kennels only take six puppy applications per litter, and at this time, we have one Show/Breeder Application on Ada's planned litter, I will update as more information becomes known

Please contact me at

isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Put in Ada Litter as email title..

Have a great day

Barks

It Snowed overnight! The Icelandic Sheepdogs are loving it!

I on the other hand, want spring!!! LOL So in keeping with this, I am putting up some of our spring/summer hiking at our local river, that is only five min away or a good half hour walk, I love that our little area is ringed by the river and a creek..

Such a lovely quiet area to live in.. We had the most amazing sight the other day, we must have had thousands of geese fly overhead, the sky was just black streams of them, for a good hour, the noise was overwhelming and we just went outside and stood and watched, peaple on the road just pulled over and got out to watch it happen..

We are on the flight path so we always get a good number of geese coming though in spring and fall but not like this, I have never seen this many birds all at the same time since I was working at Black Dog outfitters Duck hunting camp in Alberta.. Truly a stunning site..

We normally take one dog per person or if its the older dogs and very well trained, we can take a extra dog, they love it, They like to go swimming and wading and are very happy to be there.. Right now the rivers is huge and swollen and would be very unsafe to even consider taking the dogs or ourselves near but in another month or so, we will be able to start our trekes again, and greatly looking forward to it..

We will be starting to take the dogs out for runs in the hiking trails and forest park near our place about a seven min drive the other way, its got just over 300 km of trails for walking, and cross country sking in the winter.. I love to go walking in it, its so peaceful..

Otherwise, not much else new at this point, birthing box is coming out of storage this weekend and we are planning on building more agility equipment for my own set up, and trimmng sheep feet this easter long weekend..

Otherwise, just the normal basic training and work with everyone, starting to gear up to my twice daily Show training for the two dogs going to the show April 13, 14 and 15th, and am up to daily grooming for them as well, they look wonderful and hope to keep it that way.

Barks

Icelandic Sheepdogs were Rocking! in Class yesterday

Hello Folks

A few things new, first check out the great line drawing of Tofra Dalla above, I think its a very good likeness of her..

So yesterday was very busy but a blast! I had three classes back to back, so dog training from 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock, got to love it.. so we had obedance class from one to two and then we had privates from 2 to 3 for Zander (show training, agility training) and then 3 to 4 for Freyja, and they all did really well, I was so proud of my Zander, he has come such a long way in regards to his show training, and I can't wait to see what he can do in the ring.. If he can hold it together as well as he did in training, he looks good..

Freyja rocked though her show training and we moved right into aglity training, she was working tunnels, table-auto down, but our main work was on weaves and I have decided that I just can't drive two hours each way to dream fields for a one hour class, when the dog in question is working at a much!! more advanced level. Jason's advice was take the 60 dollar tank of gas and have another private lesson each week with kim if you want and spend two or more extra hours training at home.

Have to agree that it makes more sense to do that then go back to training for a click and reward per paw on the low ground board.. on the other hand, Frejya did very well on her two on two off, and I was able to do a nice two step lead away and come back and release her at that point.

So last night was quiet and today is rainy, tons of rain coming down and lots of water everywhere, so I guess its a good day for laundry and maybe some baking.. and some indoor doggy games.

Trying to teach a new trick to Freyja, I am trying to teach, show teeth.. when I get it right I will take a photo of it for you.

Barks

New Tofra Puppy Photos so cute!!!

Hello Folks

I just had to share these ever so cute photos of Freyja, Bista, and the puppies.. The older female, is grandma Frayja(who is also Black Pearls Grandmother, and who Freyja was names after) and the younger female is Bista, momma to this colorful litter and my Tofra Tobba's little half sister.. and to make this litter even closer to my heart, Daddy is Hector, which is my Tofra Dalla's father so theses sweet little babies are half brothers and sisters to Dalla, and Aunt and Uncles to Greenstone AJay, Zander and Ada LOL

Enjoy the puppy photos, I can't wait for my own, .. well I have to wait but I am so excited!! puppy breath, soft little tiny baby puppy feet and shiny and o so kissable little forheads.. ahhh

I might have fly to Iceland and steal Karma out of the puppy pen and give her a snuggle! LOL What do you say Monika, can I have a little Karma for myself :)

Barks

http://www.tofradogs.com/english.htm

Icelandic Dogs and Weekend update!

Hello Folks,

Well, lets see what is new with the Greenstone Kennel and Misty Morning Farm..

Well in the dogs, they are all good, Momma dog is getting bigger by the day and we had puppy vistors this past saturday for about two hours, they got to meet the parent dogs to be, and got to feel babies in the belly :) and then we brought out a few more of the ISD's for them to meet, and I have to say, that I think they loved AJay, he is such a social butterfly, went to each of them and gave lots of extra love.. I was surprised to see that my Freyja played a little shy for a few min, she was very interested and wanted to be with them but it took a few min before she was ready to give kisses and face to face contact.. so It was a very good thing that we had company as she clearly needed to have folks come visiting, when the puppies come, I will have to make a point of Freyja being included as much as possable.

Well the snow is almost all gone, so this is a fun running and play photo from the last snow storm we had and I think from now on till winter, it looks like no more snow to play in, but lots of water now.

So the dogs are all well, we did a little tunnel training this weekend and I keep wanting to get the bigger pieces of agility out but so far its still a bit to wet and we would be ripping up the fields yet and that won't do.. so still only doing baby parts at this time.. sigh...

Spring has sprung and the hair is flying, I swear I am doing double brush duty and my vaccoom is so busy right now, no point in even trying to sweep, its so light it just flys about..

So on other news, we took apart the cat sitting area in the last covered Dog pen, so that we can use it for the coming litter, now that my kitty's are just loving pets and indoor and outdoor farm hunting cats, I don't need to have just a outside pen for them, so as its covered over for saftey and it has the nice canvis bottom for easy of cleaning etc, it will make a perfect puppy outside play pen.. given how nice the weather should be, I am hopeful that the puppies will be able to spend some time outside enjoying the good weather, once I get it the way I want it, I will take photos to show it off. Grandma is coming for a few weeks visit while I have puppies and I want to try and make sure that the puppies get what they need and at the same time that Grandma can come downstairs to the bathroom and not trip over babies..

So we also worked and built the frame for one of the new garden beds, and so that will be ready, have tons of things to plant as soon as the last frosts have passed..

So in the barn, the weather is good enough that we opened up the back pen and have started feeding them outside to get them to spend more time out in the fresh air and sunshine, watching them jump and leap is so! much fun..

We also had the goats and kids outside to run around and play while we worked in the barn area for a few hours, It was time to do trim some goat feet, what a job, takes forever, but then again I am still learning on that, I guess I was very lucky and always missed my folks trimming feet as a child, O well, they are done now, and the goats seem happier for it, next weekend, time to hold down the adult sheep and do their feet trimming as well, now that should be fun LOL

Otherwise, its a grey, overcast and raining morning right now, so have done dishes, and feed doggy, had them out for bathroom and they all came in soggy doggies, but at least they are not muddy.

So that gets you all caught up to date.. Nice quiet day at home today, just some grooming and dog training planned, along with regular house and outside chores..

Looking forward to tomorrow, I have a double up dog training class in the afternoons, starts at 1:30 and runs till 3:30, should be a great.

Barks

In the lead is Tofra Dalla, coming hot on her heels is Greenstone Black Pearl and they both ran right past, Greenstone Ada..