as some of you know I got my malinois off craigslist. Shes been panting a lot lately and after only a few minutes and also for no reason at night etc. She has a vet appointment tomorrow given since my last dog died rather unexpectedly I am paranoid. Shes been peeing more it seems too but drinking more but its been so hot. Anyway no chances here, going in tomorrow. of course reading google has me so worried something is seriously wrong with her. It got me thinking about her genetics.

her old owners went awol never to be heard of from again. Never got her vet records or breeder info. We were told she was from a local breeder and from a large litter. Guy said he paid $900 for her. They had started her in French ring. So we contacted the guy and he seemed to remember her. We went there and he said she was related to his dog, cant remember if uncle or dad. said her uncle was French ring three or something like that. Said breeder was named zack I think but never got last name. He said to the other people there when we came in something like ya that's the dog we thought, or that's her, it was a while ago so cant remember everything. Anyway we couldn't afford French ring during summer and I emailed him asking if he knew anything about her breeder as he said she was related to his dog. I never got a reply. I suppose I could call him but now I don't know if I'd be getting an honest answer. Im thinking in my gut something was wrong with the breeder or litter or maybe her. She has no breeder tattoo and don't good breeders want their dogs back if the person cant keep it, not sold on cl?

I mean I never thought she was from a good breeder being sold on cl I just wanted a malinois and she came up after my dog passed and a mal we wanted from rescue went to someone closer to where he was. so maybe not best decision of course but im not getting rid of her I just wanna know where she's from. Is there any way of tracing a dog with no tattoo? I tried googling breeders in the area and cant find anything. Was thinking of putting up ad on cl asking if anyone else bought a mal pup around same time. I got a mal to do all the things she does and will be devastated if she cant anymore, not that finding where shes from would change that but guess im just curious and a bit confused. Any suggestions would be awesome or maybe im just crazy

Is she spayed?

no, she was five months when we got her. don't know if we will or not.

A large litter of Mals would be something a vet might remember. Can't be that many people breeding them. Maybe type up an e-mail detailing what you know and send it around to vets in the area? They probably won't give you their client's phone number directly but may be able to mention you to them.

Rescues are often aware of local breeders either for better or worse.

Do you have licensing of breeders in your area? That might be another way to find them.

Don't know how close this guy is to you and looks like he tattoos his pups but he might know of another Mal breeder. http://weldonbayfarms.com/Home.html

In an unspayed young female, showing changes in water drinking, peeing and panting, the number one thing I think of is either 1) she's coming into heat or 2) she's developing a pyometra (if she was in heat in the last 5 or so wks) 3) false pregnancy is an option too, as is UTI

I know that's not what you are looking for in this post. Just was thinking that instead of some bizarre genetic defect I'd mention possible likely explanations for her recent behavior.

 Quote: Cat Richter

She has no breeder tattoo and don't good breeders want their dogs back if the person cant keep it, not sold on cl?

The breeder can be awesome about wanting the dog back but many people don't want to admit that they can't handle the dog and will get rid of them without contacting the breeder.

Many breed rescues have gone to pull a dog from a kill shelter and found it's the dog they placed 6 months ago with a family that swore up and down that they could handle it. Some will implant a micro-chip with their info specifically for that reason.

 Quote: Cat Richter

Was thinking of putting up ad on cl asking if anyone else bought a mal pup around same time.

I actually did this looking for Duke's littermates after we got the HD diagnosis. I don't think the BYB kept in touch with the buyers at all. One person contacted me after a month or so and I told them about our dx so they could watch out for it. I would absolutely do what you're thinking with an ad, a picture of her that doesn't give away location and all the information available to you (including partial breeder name).

thanks guys for the ideas, I will be trying all of that.

She was in heat a month or so ago. She had her anal glans expressed yesterday, smelled bad so thought maybe...seems to be panting much less, don't know if that would matter, still keeping appointment, as our last female basically died of cancer resulting from a shady spay and constant urinary problems so the mere thought of it sends me into panic/paranoia.

I thought that too that maybe they got rid of her without breeder knowing but if the French ring guy knows the breeder then I assumed he woulda told breeder that they got rid of one of his pups.