When Whelping Goes Wrong: What Breeders Need to Know About Dystocia
by sixgun | April 19, 2025 | breeding | 0 Comments
For those of us who dedicate our lives to ethical, preservation breeding, the miracle of birth is one of the most humbling, powerful experiences we get to witness. But not every whelping goes as planned. One of the most serious complications breeders must be prepared...
Inbreeding Depression
by sixgun | April 17, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
In my last post, I mentioned inbreeding depression — a concept that may be unfamiliar to newer breeders. I thought it would be helpful to take a moment to explain what it means and why it matters. Inbreeding depression is a term used to describe the reduced biological...
The Cellular Clock – Telomeres and Longevity
by sixgun | April 17, 2025 | breeding, Health, Uncategorized | 0 Comments
🧬 Telomeres and Longevity: Understanding the Cellular Clock In the quest to understand aging and longevity, telomeres have emerged as a significant piece of the puzzle. These protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes play a crucial role in cellular health and...
Is There a Perfect Recipe for Breeding the Ideal Dog?
by sixgun | April 17, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, breeding | 0 Comments
Spoiler: It's More Like a Balancing Act Than a Bake-Off Breeding dogs is often compared to baking—carefully measured ingredients, a trusted recipe, and a dash of heart. But here’s the truth: there’s no single recipe for producing the perfect specimen of any breed, no...
Poodle Pulse: UC Davis and Betterbred DNA Mapping – a deeper look
by sixgun | April 13, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, breeding, Health | 0 Comments
🧬 How UC Davis and BetterBred Map DNA – And What It Actually Means This is a follow-up to my post on Understanding Canine Genetic Diversity Research. When we talk about "mapping DNA" in canine genetic diversity testing, what we're referring to is the process of...
Poodle Pulse: Understanding Canine Genetic Diversity Research and What it Means for Poodle Breeding
by sixgun | April 13, 2025 | breeding, Health, Poodle Pulse | 0 Comments
🐩 Why Genetic Diversity Matters for Standard Poodles Preserving the Standard Poodle means more than producing pretty dogs with correct coat and adorable faces. At SPFL, we believe every litter starts with a purpose: to honor the breed's history while safeguarding its...
Poodle Pulse: Allergies and Ears
by sixgun | April 2, 2025 | Health, Poodle Pulse | 0 Comments
Allergies and Ears Standard Poodles are cherished for their intelligence, elegance, and hypoallergenic coats. However, like many breeds, they can be predisposed to allergies, which may lead to chronic ear infections and other health challenges. Understanding the types...
Poodle Pulse: Sportsmanship
by sixgun | March 11, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, Poodles | 0 Comments
Good Sportsmanship in Dog Sports (Including Conformation) Good sportsmanship is the heart of ethical participation in any dog sport, from conformation to agility, obedience, and beyond. It’s not just about how you act when you win but also how you conduct yourself...
Poodle Pulse: Performance Poodle Nutritional Needs
by sixgun | March 11, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, Health, Poodles | 0 Comments
Fueling the Athlete vs. Nourishing the Companion: Nutrition for Standard Poodles As a preservation breeder and performance enthusiast, one thing I often get asked is, “Do performance poodles really need a different diet than companion dogs?” The short answer is: yes!...
Poodle Pulse: To Be or Not To Be a Breeder
by sixgun | March 11, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Thinking About Becoming a Breeder? Here’s How to Prepare: 1. Find a Mentor and start with Quality Stock. Connect with a reputable, ethical breeder whose dogs are registered and titled with recognized kennel clubs such as the AKC, Canadian KC, or FCI. A good mentor...
Poodle Pulse: Movement Matters
by sixgun | March 10, 2025 | Poodle Pulse | 0 Comments
Movement Matters: Evaluating the Poodle in Motion A poodle can be picture-perfect when stacked, but true breed type and functional soundness are proven in motion. After all, a dog isn’t meant to stand still—it’s meant to move with efficiency, balance, and purpose....
Poodle Pulse: Kennel Blindness Can Occur in Any Breed
by sixgun | March 10, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Kennel Blindness: Protecting the Future of Our Breeds As preservation breeders, we bear the immense responsibility of safeguarding the health, structure, and purpose of the breeds we love. Yet even with the best of intentions, there’s a silent threat that can...
Poodle Pulse – Prey Drive
by sixgun | February 17, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Poodle Pulse - Prey Drive Understanding Prey Drive in Dogs & How We Assess It in Puppies What is Prey Drive? Prey drive is a dog’s natural instinct to chase, capture, and sometimes kill moving objects. It’s an inherited trait that varies by breed and individual,...
Let Dogs Be Dogs: The Problems with Unrealistic Expectations
by sixgun | February 17, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Let Dogs Be Dogs: The Problems with Unrealistic Expectations One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is expecting their dog to be something other than what it is—a dog. We often hear phrases like, "He should just get along with everyone," or "She should know...
A Discussion of Ethics
by sixgun | January 22, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Ethics, it's always on my mind, always on my mind. And my brain is full! Sorry for this long post in advance. I recently had a wonderful, thought provoking deliberation with a group of knowledgeable, experienced handlers/breeders from multiple breeds. It has set my...
Poodle Pulse – Dog Food Diet Quick Summary
by sixgun | January 15, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, Health | 0 Comments
Nutritional Breakdown by Food Type: Fresh, Raw, and Kibble Diets Below is a comparison of Fresh, Raw, and Kibble diets based on how they meet AAFCO nutrient requirements for dogs. Each section discusses protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water content,...
Poodle Pulse – Dog Food Diets
by sixgun | January 15, 2025 | Poodle Pulse | 0 Comments
This is a follow-up to the previous Poodle Pulse on AAFCO Guidelines. Diets AAFCO Nutrient Requirements for Dogs (2023 Guidelines) AAFCO has established minimum and maximum nutrient requirements for dogs based on two primary life stages: Growth & Reproduction:...
Poodle Pulse – Dog Food
by sixgun | January 15, 2025 | Poodle Pulse, Health | 0 Comments
Follow me down the rabbit hole..... Dog Food: Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Health I am going to break this into two sections: AAFCO guidelines, and then in a later post, choice of diets. AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Guidelines Overview The...
Poodle Pulse: Commercial Dog Food v. Raw
by sixgun | January 12, 2025 | Poodle Pulse | 0 Comments
Part 1 on Dog Food I have been researching food options for our beloved pets. I found this video, and highly recommend every pet owner watch it. I'll post my summary of my research in January. "Pet Fooled" is a documentary that critically examines the commercial pet...
Poodle Pulse – Early Neurological Stimulation
by sixgun | January 9, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Unlocking Your Puppies' Potential Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is a program designed to enhance the neurological and physiological development of puppies during the critical early days of their lives. Developed from...