Hi,

I haven't posted in awhile. We had to put our female Ava to sleep last Friday. She was diagnosed with cancer. She had a malignant tumor according to the vet for a year or 18 months. It was in a spot that only would have been picked up with xray or ultrasound. During that time she never showed any sign or discomfort. Last, month I noticed a small swelling of the lymph nodes of her throat. Took her to the vet. She had slight redness in her ear. The vet said it could be infection from the ear or cancer. He took a sample and sent it off. Put her on antibiotics and she got worst. He switch to another antibiotic, the test came back inconclusive. The swelling went down and she perked back up for a couple days. Then the swelling returned. I didn't need the second test but it confirmed our worst case. It was hard to find out nothing could be done. She showed amazing strength. Until her final moments she wanted to play ball wanted nothing but to please. She was an absolute joy and I'm thankful for every moment.

She was with me for 24/7 for the last 6 years. I'd like to find a pup maybe in the spring with similar lines. But those dogs are not seen much in pedigrees these days. So, I'm looking for suggestions. Lines that are known for high drives, play, food and prey. Good hip production and long healthy lives. I'm familiar with mainly Belgium and West German working-lines. I wouldn't take a show-line if my life depended on it. I'd like to hear your comments on Czech lines and any other.


I want to Just looking into possible lines for a new pup. I plan on firming up Loco's obedience. Since, Ava's passing he's been showing his butt. It's funny how he never challenge the pack order until now. He's now 90 pounds (I need to update his photo), she was 60 pounds soaking wet and would put him in his place quick.

I know we'll never find another Ava. They are few and far between. Everyone that met her fell in love and had a friend for life. With one exception the drunk party guess from 3 years ago that tried to sneak in afterwards. He had made the comment that little dog like that couldn't hurt me. He found out the hard way. What a small female could do! Ava stitched him from wrist to collar bone before I got her to out. That was the only time it took more than one command.

Tracey,

Sorry about your friend Ava;
are both pictures of her? As the pic on the left looks like my Lacey girl, but at 15 months she keeps darkening every time she is brushed!

& good luck w/your new pup when you choose; sorry not much help with your question -- I got very lucky with my pup & pick!

Theresa

Thank Theresa, for the kind words. Ava is on the left. Loco was maybe 14 months old in that picture. He's filled out since then. I found those xtra large orbees on sale locally but they only had purple.

I remember Ava well. I am so sad to read this, but also so happy for Ava that she had you. It's almost difficult to be sad when the dog has had such a bond, such a great bond, with the owner, right up to the time when she was helped to leave this life painlessly and without fear, with you always right there.

She blessed your life and you blessed hers. Two fortunate individuals indeed to have had each other.

I'm so sorry to hear about Ava's death... these animals do work their way into our hearts, don't they? I'm sure by spring you will be ready for a new little pup, and from what I've read on this site, there are most certainly still great working line GSD's with all the qualities you admired in Ava. Best of luck.

Out of curiosity, what lines was Ava that you can't find anymore?

Sorry you had to endure that.

I guess I'm nostalgic. You can find them but they are 7th, 8th, generations in most of the dogs bred now. She had Bernd Lierberg in the 5th. You won't see that much anymore if ever. The dogs below you'll see them in the 5th generation but not in the 3rd and 4th that often.

Rick van Tiekerhook, His dam Esterea (sp) and Naton Vom Pacheco's Haus you can find that part in Ufo Guy's Hof progeny but I don't know how many are here in the US. Then some of the dogs like Eddy vom Vorderen Schalk,Greif zum Lahntal, Ork vom Wolfendobel, Gildo vom Körbelbach, Harro aus der Lechrainstadt, Umsa vom Bungalow, Afra vom Stoppenberger Land and V18 BSP Dax von der Kesmarker Tränke.

I like the fact almost every dog in her pedigree was 7 to 10 years old. Most had already shown they could produce well. Her pedigree wasn't just thrown together to sell the dog of the month. You could see the breeders saying I need this to bring out that. This dog has a track record we've seen his progeny and their traits. They didn't just say this is the hottest dog around lets make puppies to sell.

That's part of why I picked my male. His sire was 10, and there were many years in between generations. I think you learn a lot more this way than these 2 yr gaps between generations all the time. I think Bernd is in his 6th and his 7th a few times.

You can never replace them, unfortunately.