Proudfoot's Tad Bit O Tina

Dora and the Horse Show

2010-10-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

On the weekend of October 22, 2010, Dora, Jiggs, myself and my friend Rebecca set off to London, Ontario for the ORHA Finale show; with her horse entered in the 3 year old Futurity.

I help Rebecca out by driving the truck and trailer, being her backup to remind about show equipment needed and providing bed warmers (Jiggs/Dora) and trailer security (Dora).

Dora waiting for us in the bunk

Dora and Jiggs waiting for us in the bunk

Dora is an excellent guard, very intuitive as to what is appropriate and what is not. We had our first example of what is not; when we were waiting for a left turn to get to the showgrounds. A homeless man was crouching on the centre island with his sign; hoping for some spare change. I personally thought it a bit dicey to be at this intersection hoping for handouts; since anything dropped or tossed his way would put him under the wheels of passing traffic. So I opted on not tossing him a toonie. When we pulled up, he was crouching down; while we were waiting for an advanced green, so I could get the truck and trailer into downtown London without issues; the man stood up. The deep-throated grumble from the back let us know that Dora felt he was inappropriate in his sneaky-ness and in his proximity to the truck and trailer.
As Rebecca stated; good thing I didn't try to hand him money out the window -- if Dora went off on him; he'd have thought we were setting him up.

We were at the show from Friday night to Sunday afternoon; and both dogs were exemplary. Little Mr. Jiggs learned that horse shows aren't all about him; which is the most important lesson (in my opinion) for dogs to learn at horse shows. As a dog you are a guest, and if you don't behave well, you will not be welcome back, at least not in the arena; where your owner is trying to watch the show.

Dora has been to a few shows already; so she knows the deal; however Dora can sometimes be dog reactive. She is not overtly aggressive; she doesn't go looking for dogs to grumble at; but if a dog insists on pushing itself into her face; she is not above a correction.

She was excellent! She grumbled at two dogs (Golden Retrievers) who were trying overly hard to get her to love them; since everyone loves them, but they were also easy dogs to deter and Dora was satisfied that they weren't in her face. She ended up sitting near one in the stands; and as long as they were settled and not trying to get her attention; she ignored them.

Back at the trailer; she spent her time sleeping in the bunk (see above picture) and guarding the trailer space. Very good dogs all the way round, and both earned the right to come back to future shows.

Dora guarding the truck

Dora waiting for some fun; horse shows being all about the horses.

Proudfoot's Tad Bit O Tina Update

2010-10-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

So; it's been nearly a year since a Dora update. Funny how life takes over and you just don't have time to blog about your favourite dog.

She's well, gone through her 4th season; we are narrowing down our focus on who her potential mate should be, for her first litter.

She has firmed up her temperament into a very serious dog in guarding her owners and her property; but has a delightful sense of humour when interacting with the family.

We sent her Central Asian Shepherd friend back to the breeder and imported from the U.S. a Rat Terrier; which was a switch for Dora; but she is doing well with him.

She was appraised last October and was Top Scoring Dog in Canada, Top Scoring Bitch in Canada, Top Scoring Canadian Bred Dog/Bitch at 16 mos. old and 87.1 score.

On Saturday October 2, 2010 her full brother Proudfoot's Muskoka Polar Bear was Appraised at 28 mos. of age and was Top Scoring Canadian-Bred Dog/Male with a 90.1 score.

Very nice job on behalf of their breeder, Marcella Burgess. Congratulations to both Marcella and Dora and Hankie's sire and dam -- Afrika Tina X Sunjika Muskoka Gator.

South African Boerboel Development

2009-11-05T20:36:00.001-08:00

Just a small note here; Boerboels seem to develop into "adult" looking dogs very quickly. Some pups start out looking like little adults; some start out looking like little pudge balls; but by 6 mos. they develop quite quickly.

It's a bit of an illusion however; you have this 90-100 lb. dog that has developed physically very quickly (muscle-wise) but the bone, and ligament and tendon strength isn't there yet and mentally they are just babies.

Can be a bit tricky to remember they are still wee ones at heart.

The Long Drive To Dora

2009-10-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

We drove up on a Friday night; my son Mitchell and I. I told my husband that we were going to visit a friend. My van of course (since it has its moments during times I need it) decided that it would not be making the journey; because it's rear-end was breaking down; so my mother generously rented us a cargo type van and off me and my son went!

A four hour trip; north of Toronto; about half way there; I told my son the real reason we were going; to pick up a puppy. The boredom of going to visit his mom's friend turned into the very real pleasure of going to pick up a puppy of his very own; who can resist a puppy?

We were slow (as I am notoriously known to be) and we arrived well into darkness (drove really slow when I saw the angry moose signs) and Marcella and her hubby Gord met us on their road -- thank god; or I really wouldn't have found their house.

Both Savannah and Kasy; Marcella's and Gord's girls were there and we had a nice little visit before bed. We were staying for Friday night and Saturday night and coming home Sunday. The next day we went for a walk with Hannah; the pup's dam and later a walk with Gator; their sire. Stunning dogs both; although Hannah touched my heart; she reminded me so much of my old APBT Indy. After that we had lunch and then puppy evaluations.

I was to be the "stranger" to the pups; so as eager as I was to interact and see them all; I didn't get to see them until we tested them in the garage; where they hadn't been; new person and new locale!

Marcella already had her opinions on the pup we were going to co-own; but there were two assertive females to consider.

Ultimately after the tests (Volhard type) we decided that Dora would be coming home with us. She was the strongest pup with regards to temperament; but very respectful to humans; dominant in attitude and a bit laid back in demeanour; which suited me personality wise.

On our drive home; the little girl was very good; took her out for a quick potty 1/2 way home and she was good as gold the entire trip.

A Puppy is Born

2009-08-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

In the beginning; I wasn't looking for a Boerboel. Dora (as Proudfoot's Tad Bit O Tina is known) just sort of happened. Her breeder was looking for a set of leather collars for a previous litter; and I just so happen to own a custom leather company; known as First Dog Off the Porch Custom Leather. When Marcella Burgess contacted me to purchase some collars; we got to chatting. I had visited her website and seen her stunning dogs; specifically Afrika Tina and Sunjika Muskoka Gator; her breeding stock. They were amazing; as was the story of Hannah (Afrika Tina) and her encounter with a bear; subsequently saving Marci from an attack.

Throughout our many conversations; Marci asked me if I would ever be interested in being an owner of one of her dogs; she was looking at rehoming an adult female. I was interested and could see myself with a 'boel; so we discussed further my acquiring one of her adults.

At the time she was awaiting a much anticipated litter between Hannah and Gator; she kept me up to date on the delivery and the pups development. We spoke further about the adult female; and she mentioned having second thoughts to rehoming an adult into my house with small children (my kids were 8 and 3 at the time). She then offered me pick bitch puppy (of the HannahXGator litter) to raise and continue the bloodlines with (if the dog would prove worthy). I was very interested and we spoke at length about the contract and her and my expectations.

Dora was born June 6, 2008 and I was very intrigued to see the baby pics.

Please see next post about driving 4 hours to Kearney Ontario to pick up my little baby girl puppy!