For Dogs Without Boundaries - Dogs Naturally Magazine

What was the original purpose of
the breed and do you feel that Shelties
are still capable of doing it well
Shelties were an all round crofters dog
capable of many tasks , herding being
just one. They are very intelligent, eager
to please and make a wonderful
house pet. They love to be near their
owners at all times if it were up to
them: at least my shelties do. They
love agility ,obedience and Rally and do
well in these venues. Working and
herding are also tasks that they seem
to naturally love.
Are there any other events in which
shelties really excel
Sleeping on your bed or couch, walking,
playing ball, Frisbee chasing, running
on the beach, meadow, woodland
paths, hiking and lying by the fire in
winter.
What health issues are prevalent in
the breed
Sheltie Skin Syndrome, undescended
testicles, Hypothyroidism, Allergies,
cleft palates, hip dysplasia, epilepsy.
Most from years of crap food and over
vaccinating as with many so called inherited
or "genetic' illnesses.
Do you feel these disease are completely
genetic in nature or do you
feel that some can be caused by poor
diet, vaccinations or chemicals
Most are caused by diet, vaccinations
and chemicals. The more naturally
reared generations, the less problems;
no doubt in my mind.
When you first made the switch, did
you find some aspects of NR frightening
or did you have total faith in
it
Knew what did not work, so had total
faith in a more natural approach and it
made "sense", common sense!
Has your faith in NR breeding ever
been shaken
Never, even with the epilepsy, Parvo &
hypothyroidism. If anything it gave me
more strength to continue natural rearing.
What are your goals for the future
To have totally
healthy
dogs, free of
ailments,
long lived,
happy into
the golden
years. However
a great
deal of this
health is beyond
our
control: the
air we
breathe,
chemicals
others use,
additives in
food that we
are not aware of. Electromagnetic
fields and radiation to name but a few.
What advice would you give to new
breeders or breeders who are just
starting on the path to NR
Go with your gut. Mother Nature is our
greatest teacher. She was there for me
when I first started and is there for me
25 years later. She never has failed me..
When in doubt, I still close my eyes and
think like a wolf in the woods in the
wild and ask myself "what would I do"
and answers are there!
Is there anything else you would like
to share
Have faith in what nature provides for
every illness. There is a cure out there
that is not man made with big bucks
attached. The native Indians have
much to offer in their wisdom about
using nature to heal. They have a circle
that should never be broken. The ancient
Kogi people in Columbia have this
native wisdom that follows "mother
nature". They are a prime example of
how to live without the problems of
our civilization.
My favourite quote:
"Heredity Is Nothing But Stored Environment"
-Luther Burbank
www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com January/February 2010 | 7