LONE PINE PUDELPOINTERS

We lost our dearest Callie on November 19, 2016 at the age of 6. She was both a phenomenal hunting dog and loving member of our family. She was the wonder dog, the unicorn, the hair missile, and the house is unbelievably quiet without her ever present woo-woos. We realize now just how big that little dog’s personality was.

 

Otherwise in good shape and healthy, she had a congenital heart defect which enlarged the left side of her heart and caused the right side to give out eventually; she essentially died of a heart attack. We have been in contact with the breeders from both sides of her parentage and several other breeders and this has not been seen in the breed before.

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While not preventable once the symptoms began the morning we lost her, we learned that there is an x-ray or ekg test which can be performed on dogs at 4-6 years of age to check for heart defects. If the tests show this specific defect there is medication available that can help maintain the dog’s health. This was a congenital defect (she was born with it) and as of now we do not suspect that there is any hereditary quality to it. At this point, based on conversations with several other breeders there is no indication of a genetic association. However, we will be having her daughter, Ava, tested in a couple of years just to be sure.

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We want others to be aware of the situation so that they can decide whether or not to do the same. To know that it was something that could have been prevented if detected early, but that otherwise shows no outward symptoms until it is too late is heartbreaking. Hug your dogs a little tighter tonight. You never know how long they will be with you.

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The song in the video below is called "Nobody Knows" by The Lumineers.  It's from the Pete's Dragon Soundtrack.