Renaissance Havanese

The dog's daily diet consists of a high quality, all natural, baked dry kibble. Baked foods are highly digestible which helps to protect against stomach sensitivities.  Interestingly enough dogs fed baked kibble tend to produce less bowel movement too. I find this to be true.

The food is also suitable for all life stages, which means it is nutritionally complete enough to feed to a puppy and an adult dog, a delightful option if you own both.

The brand is called Flint River Ranch, the puppy/dog kibble.  I admire that Flint River Ranch pet foods has never been recalled and that the ingredients come from USDA inspected plants, which means it is 100% human-grade. It comes fresh from the manufacturer via UPS shipment. Shipping is included in the cost. Also, there are no animals harmed in the making of this food, like with many popular name brand foods.

Having access to a local all-natural pet food store, I have tested many, many brands of holistic food on my own dogs. Our standards are very high. This particular brand far exceeds all others. I have seen a dramatic improvement in the dog's energy, their coats and the fact that we are cleaning up less mess in the yard is an added bonus. I am hoping to be able to provide this food to our puppies’ families by spring/summer 2008.

For information regarding their products go to: www.frrco.com/indexFlash.cfm?

Additionally, I feed an all natural food roll a couple times per week as a treat; this food roll comes packaged like a roll of salami and has the same texture. Just slice off a piece and give it to your dog or cut it into small cubes to use for training rewards.

I do feed unseasoned table food* such as hardboiled eggs, cooked vegetables like Asparagus, green beans, peas, carrots, sweet potato, white potato, plain canned pumpkin, a dollop of low fat cottage cheese or yogurt is always appreciated and even plain whole grain pasta. When I am preparing them for the family, I will cook extra for the dogs. Their favorite - pizza crust!

*Note: When introducing your dogs to new foods, don't overdo it.  Check with the Veterinarian if you are unsure. Also, if you are interested in switching your pet's brand of dog food because the manufacturer conducts animal testing, I would be happy to email you a free guide on how to switch your dog’s food.

 Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

Dear Families,

 Here at Renaissance Havanese, your puppy's health is extremely important. I want your puppy to bring you happiness for many years to come. That is why I follow the latest vaccination protocols as recommended by over twenty schools of Veterinary Medicine and also why I think it is an important issue for you to be aware of.

 This topic is very controversial. While America's Veterinary schools are teaching our future Veterinarians the new, safer vaccination protocols - many practicing Vets are sticking to the old protocols. This is not only placing our beloved pets at risk, it is also a costing pet owners billions of dollars.

This is why it is so important for you to be informed. If your Veterinarian is still giving your adult dog a yearly Distemper shot, perhaps you should be asking him why? Over vaccinating has been PROVEN to contribute to tumors, cancer, immune suppression and death.

Even the American Animal Hospital Association, which almost every Veterinarian belongs to has published the new protocols. However, the AAHA have only recommended that Veterinarian use their own judgment. Which begs the questions, what on earth does the Veterinarian who continues to over-vaccinate base his judgment on?

Here are some reputable resources for you to consider you will have to cut/paste the links onto your address bar:

University:
http://home.gci.net/~divs/disease/vaccine.html

University:
http://vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2002&PID=2614

American Animal Hospital Association (this is a PDF, scroll down to page 4 of 28)
http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf

Veterinarian:
www.critteradvocacy.org

  I do not recommend the Leptospirosis (Lepto) vaccine for the Havanese breed. It is best to keep your Havanese away from environments where they may be exposed to wild animal’s urine (that may be deposited in standing water) as this is the mode of transmission. Most companion dogs (especially rare breeds) are going to be supervised by their owners, which puts them at less risk, in my opinion.

Keep in mind that DHLPP is a Distemper combination vaccine that includes Lepto (which we do not recommend for Havanese) the 'L' stands for Leptospirosis. You can call your Veterinarian and ask specifically for the DHPP vaccine that does not contain Lepto, this formula is easily available to the Vet, no one should tell you otherwise.

FACTS: 

There are over 200 types of strains of Lepto.
* Currently even the newest vaccination only covers four strains and offers no cross protection should your dog be exposed to another strain.
Dogs can be carriers of Lepto and transmit it to family members EVEN if they get the vaccine. Risk of transmission from dog to human is low and the Vaccine provides no protection to the household or other un-vaccinated pets.
Lepto can be treated if caught early, it is best to know the symptoms.
Having the vaccine does not ensure that they will not contract Lepto remember there are over 200 strains of the disease!
The Lepto vaccine is a high risk vaccination, especially for puppies under 14 weeks old and smaller breeds with most allergic reactions occurring not with the with the first shot but with subsequent shots. Lepto vaccines are a two part vaccination.

  Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)