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March 9th, 2010
 Protection dogs that get selected for breeding should always be the pick of their litter, and the best of their bloodlines. However, even the strongest and sturdiest protection dog will need special attention during pregnancy. This article will offer tips on how to ease the process of pregnancy and prepare your canine for labor and whelping.
After conception, the newborn puppies should arrive in about 54-72 days. The average is about 62 days, but you should always be prepared at least a week in advance. Unlike humans, the hormone levels do not change in a dog during pregnancy. Because of this, the only way to determine if your canine is pregnant is through an ultrasound. Puppies should be detectable through ultrasound after about 25 days from conception. After about 45 days, the skeletons of the pups should be visible through x-ray. While an x-ray it is not required, it can help to know the number and size of the pups beforehand in order to be better prepared for any problems during whelping.
During pregnancy, you should avoid giving your dog nutritional supplements. High quality dog food should be enough to give your dog and her pups the vitamins and calories they need. You should also start taking your dog’s temperature. The average rectal temperature of a dog is between 100 to 102.5 degrees, Fahrenheit. Approximately 24 hours prior to whelping, your canine’s temperature will drop by a couple degrees. This should be a good indicator that she is very close to giving birth
About a week before whelping is expected, you should prepare a suitable area for the whelping to occur. Encourage the Dam to sleep in this area in order to allow her to get comfortable with it. It is important that this area be a safe, quiet place, away from activity and noise. The purpose of the whelping box is to help keep the puppies warm and safe. The box can be built out of plywood or cardboard. The sides of the whelping box should be high enough to protect the puppies from drafts, but leave the front open to allow the Dam to enter and leave the box comfortably.
Regardless of whether your dog is a Protection Dog, Guard Dog or Security Dog, the above steps will help the pregnancy of your German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd go as smoothly and comfortably as possible.
Posted in Canine Health, Protection Dogs | No Comments »
March 4th, 2010
 Breeding guard dogs is a very specialized practise. It requires years of experience and expertise to recognize good bloodlines and to know which dogs are suitable for breeding. However, the process of actually whelping newborn puppies can hold a whole new set of challenges in itself.
If no problems occur, the puppies will be pushed out one by one. They will be contained within an amniotic sac which the mother will break open. She should then bite the umbilical cord in half, and start licking the puppy to help it breath.
The first problem that can occur is if the mother has trouble pushing the puppy out. The mother should not have to spend more than about 10-15 minutes per puppy. If a puppy gets stuck during birthing, it can endanger not only the life of that puppy, but that of the entire litter. If the mother spends too long pushing on a stuck puppy, you will have to help her before she exhausts herself and endangers the rest of the litter. Having some form of non-toxic lubricant on hand can help. Watered-down dish soup may suffice as a last resort. Pull on the puppy gently to help release it. If the mother exhausts herself before the rest of the pups are born, her contractions may stop. If this occurs, an emergency c-section will have to be performed by your veterinarian, or at an animal hospital.
After each puppy is born, the mother may not release the puppies, cut the umbilical cords, or lick the puppies to help them breath. If the mother fails to do any of these, it is up to you to them for her. Keep a disinfected pair of scissors nearby as well as some iodine. Releasing the puppies from their sacs should be fairly easy. However, cutting the umbilical cord requires more of a crushing cut than a clean cut in order to minimize the amount of bleeding. You should cut the cords about a half-inch from the puppy’s abdomen. You may have to tie off the ends using clean string. Dental floss works well for this. Finally, have clean towels nearby to dry off the pups and remove mucous from around nose and mouth. Try to encourage the mother to lick puppy by placing it in front of her, but be prepared to towel down the puppy yourself. If the puppy isn’t breathing, your will have to remove mucous from the puppy’s mouth yourself. Open the pup’s mouth and use a clean medicine dropper to suck out any mucous. Rubbing the puppy with the towel whilst cleaning it also helps to promote circulation.
Finally, you should keep track of the number of placenta after whelping. It is normal for the mother to eat the placenta, but you should not let her eat more than a couple, as it could upset her stomach. If the placenta does not come out along with the pup, you should remove it yourself to prevent it from interfering with the next pup.
Whether they are German Shepherd puppies, Belgian Malinois puppies or Dutch Shepherd puppies, the above steps can help to overcome the most common problems that occur during whelping. However, be on the lookout for large amounts of blood or green-black discharge before whelping. This could indicate a more serious problem that requires the attention of your veterinarian. Always have a phone near by for you to call your vet for advise, or in the case of an emergency.
Tags: Belgian Malinois Puppies, German Shepherd Puppies, Guard Dogs, Protection Dogs, whelping
Posted in Belgian Malinois Puppies, German Shepherd Puppies | No Comments »
March 2nd, 2010
 All mammals, including both canines and humans, require vitamins and minerals in their diet. Although the nutritional needs of a dog are very different from that of a human, there are also many similarities. Each requires calcium, sodium, potassium, vitamins B, C, D, and a host of other common vitamins and minerals that naturally occur in our food. However, there are several options in terms of how to ensure that your protection dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals in its diet.
First and foremost, you should be feeding your dogs premium quality dog food. Cheap dog foods often contain little nutritional value to begin with, and many of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are destroyed by heat during the manufacturing process. Many high quality dog foods often include added minerals to ensure that the food meets the recommended standards for canine nutrition. Even with the active lifestyle of guard dogs and protection dogs, high quality dog foods should contain all of the nutrients your canine requires without the need for additional supplements.
Alternatively, there are a number of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables that can be given to your dog raw alongside raw beef and bones. Carrots, pears and apples are all suitable examples. However, it should be noted that a raw food diet requires much more thought and consideration on the part of the handler. While some fruits and vegetables are healthy for your dog, others, such as grapes, raisins or tomatoes, can be toxic. Also, switching your canine directly from a commercial dog food diet to a raw food diet can be hard on the stomach. Always consult your veterinarian before making any radical changes in the diet of your protection dog.
Finally, there are vitamin supplements. The simple truth is that vitamin supplements are in no way a replacement for a healthy vitamin-rich diet. In fact, too much of a certain vitamin can be toxic, and vitamin supplements may inadvertently make your dog sick. The only time you should ever give your canine a vitamin supplement is under the advice of your veterinarian. Whether you have a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd, a natural, vitamin-rich diet is almost always the best solution.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, canine diet, canine vitamins, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in Canine Health | No Comments »
February 26th, 2010
 The Labrador Retriever is a loyal, intelligent breed with a reputation for bravery and initiative. Whether they are putting their friendly and social nature to work as therapy dogs, using their intelligence to help the visually impaired navigate busy streets as a guide dog or putting their nose to work for the police as a cadaver dog, the Labrador can be found helping people all over the world. Arguably one of the bravest and most noble jobs this breed has been known to perform is the work of a search and rescue dog.
The work of a search and rescue dog, also known as a disaster dog, is a long, exhausting and often very dangerous process. It requires intense concentration and a keen sense of smell. Earthquakes, avalanches, land-slides, terrorist attacks and any other number of disasters can leave people trapped and injured. It is the search and rescue dog’s responsibility to navigate the dangers of a disaster site, locate survivors, and aid disaster-relief workers in bringing people to safety. Thick smoke, dust, burning debris, broken glass and ruptured gas lines make the work of a disaster dog extremely dangerous. These dogs put themselves in incredible danger in order to save the lives of others.
The calm and gentle nature of the Labrador Retriever makes it especially well suited to this kind of work. As a retriever, they naturally enjoy holding objects in their mouths. It is said that a Labrador can hold an egg in its mouth without breaking it. While a soft and tender bite may make the Labrador unsuitable for work as a police protection dog, it is ideal for helping pull a person to safety from an icy river as a search and rescue dog. Alongside the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are breeds that also make excellent search and rescue dogs. Large-scale rescue efforts often include a mix of these breeds. However, as a cultural icon, the Labrador Retriever remains a symbol of humanitarian effort on behalf of all canines.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Disaster Dogs, German Shepherd, Labrador, Retriever, Search-and-Rescue
Posted in Dog Breeds | No Comments »
February 24th, 2010
 The Beauceron, less commonly referred to as the Berger de Beauce, is a centuries-old breed that originated in Northern France. While the name might imply that the breed is specifically from the Beauce region, its origins are actually spread across several regions in the North of France. The breed was originally developed for use as a shepherd dog, and to guard livestock. Since then, the breed has gained a reputation in France for it’s abilities as a guard dog and its service in both World Wars.
Physically, the Beauceron is a large, muscular dog. The coat is short, course and most commonly Black and Tan. Several color variations also exist, but they are not included in the breed standard. Unlike many other breeds which may or may not have a dewclaw, the Beauceron is known for having a double dewclaw on each rear leg. Similar in appearance to many of the Pinscher breeds, the Beauceron is one of the breeds from which the Doberman Pinscher was developed.
The history of the Beauceron and its natural guard instincts make the breed a suitable candidate for use as a guard dog. However, the mental development of the Beauceron is slower than in other common working dog breeds such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. As a result, care must be taken to avoid rushing into vigorous training exercises before the dog is ready.
Tags: Beauceron, Berger de Beauce, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Guard Dog
Posted in Dog Breeds, Guard Dogs | No Comments »
February 23rd, 2010
 On Saturday, February 20th at approximately 5am, we were deeply disturbed to discover that our house on the CCK9 facility had been forcefully broken into. Three of our Belgian Malinois puppies at 9 months of age were being kept within the home, and have been stolen. These pups were undergoing training to become Executive Protection Dogs and they are extremely important to us. The pups, Brutus, Nero and Caesar, were litter mates from Cindy and Ducko, and had enormous potential.
Local police are conducting a full investigation, and we pray that these gorgeous Belgian Malinois pups are returned to us without harm. If you have any information that may help us find our pups, please contact us at our toll-free number: 1-866-865-2259. A reward is being offered for their safe return.
Tags: Belgian Malinois Puppies, Reward, Theft
Posted in Announcement, Belgian Malinois | No Comments »
February 18th, 2010
 Cadaver dogs perform a grim task, but it is a task that is every bit as essential to modern police forces as the work of a detective or a crime-scene investigator. A cadaver dog is a special type of sniffer dog trained specifically to recognize and pin-point the location of human remains. Extensive research goes into the training of cadaver dogs in order to make them as accurate as possible. Some cadaver dogs are even able to detect the presence of human remains under flowing water. This is especially important to the investigation of homicides. Locating the body of the recently deceased in a homicide case is crucial in obtaining the evidence required for the police to make an arrest, and for the jury to make an informed verdict.
Even in the case of accidental death, locating the body is often an important step in the process of grief and recovery for the families involved. After the attacks of 9/11, while search and rescue dogs were on the look out for survivors, cadaver dogs were also deployed to locate the bodies of unfortunate victims. For many, locating the remains of their loved ones was an essential step in accepting the terrible tragedy that had occurred.
Being a cadaver dog is a trained skill requiring both obedience and a strong nose. Common tracking breeds such as the bloodhound often rely on recently shed skin cells that naturally fall from the skin of living beings. It is because of this that these breeds have greater difficulty in tracking the deceased. The most common breed of dog used as a cadaver dog is the German Shepherd. However, other working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd, as well as retriever breeds such as the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever also make excellent cadaver dogs.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Cadaver Dog, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Human Remains Dog, Sniffer Dog
Posted in Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd | No Comments »
February 16th, 2010
 The bloodhound is a classic working dog with a long history. As with many hounds, it is speculated that the bloodhound was developed by the Belgian and french people, centuries ago. The bloodhound is mentioned in writings dating back as early as the 14th century, where they were bred for the purpose of hunting deer and wild boar. The bloodhound’s long history of use as a hunting dog have given the breed a reputation for remarkable tracking skills. It is a misconception that bloodhounds were frequently used in packs. In fact, most bloodhounds track solo in order to minimize noise and to avoid startling their game.
As hunting changed over the years, so did the role of the bloodhound as a working dog. Local police forces began to take note of the breed’s incredible ability to track human beings by scent. Before the abolishment of slavery, bloodhounds were imported to the United States and used to track runaway slaves. Since then, they have found more noble work with police forces who have used them to track criminals and locate missing persons.
Today, bloodhounds are a popular cultural icon and often seen on film or on TV. However, the actual use of bloodhounds by the police has diminished. The gentle nature of the bloodhound combined with difficulties in training and obedience have caused the police to take on more protection-oriented breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd. However, bloodhounds are still sometimes used in tracking situations where there is little to no risk of danger to the police officer and the dog.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Protection Dogs, scent tracking, Sniffer Dogs
Posted in Dog Breeds | No Comments »
February 12th, 2010
 There are many misconceptions about the purpose of hormones in the development and temperament of a dog. For instance, while many people believe that more testosterone will produce a larger dog, the truth is that testosterone causes the bones of a dog to stop growing earlier. In this article, we will outline the facts of how having your guard dog spayed or neutered will affect it’s growth, temperament, and ability work.
Firstly, you should always wait until your dog is at least 2 years of age before having them spayed or neutered. While it is true that having them spayed or neutered early may produce a larger dog, their bones will not develop evenly, and they will have problems with balance. After 2 years of age, it is mostly a matter of preference. For house pets, having a dog spayed or neutered is an effective method of lowering the number of accidental births and the creation of stray dogs. However, this not something that the responsible owner of a working dog should be concerned with.
We at Command Control K9 don’t spay or neuter our guard dogs, whether they are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois. We feel that this is unnatural and it does nothing to change the temperament of your Protection Dog. In fact, spaying or neutering your protection dog ruins his or her ability to judge their world correctly.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Neuter, Protection Dog, Spay
Posted in CCK9 Policy, Canine Health | No Comments »
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