Shaeden Italian Greyhounds

Welcome to Shaeden IGs.   The name Shaeden comes from both my Daughter's name Shaina and My youngest son's name Braeden.  It also translates in Arabic to Little Gazelle.  Both very appropriate meanings for these little dogs that bring such joy and entertainment for our family.   While we are new to the IG (2006) we are not new to dogs.  I have been breeding/showing/competing with dogs since my early 20's and an owner/admirer my entire life.  Most times prefering the company of dogs to that of humans.  Dogs keep us honest and whole.  We currently share our home with 8 IGs, 1 German shepherd, 1 Dogue de Bordeaux, 1 Great Dane, 1 Chihuahua, 1 toy poodle, 2 coonhounds, 1 doberman and 1 Border Collie.  We live on 400 acres in southeastern Montana and participate in conformation, obedience, lurecoursing, agility and thoroughly enjoy our 4-legged family members. 

Our breeding philosophy consist of several things.  Ultimatly the emotional, mental and physical health of our dogs is paramount.  This includes proper nutrition, socialization, training and stimulation and exercise. 

What is proper nutrition?  Well we, along with thousands of others, realize that dogs are carnivores and are we feed consideratly so.  We feed a 100% prey model diet.  We have been feeding this way since 1990 and have proven on many levels that this is the ultimate in nutrition.  All our dogs are fed a variety of raw meat such as beef, lamb, rabbit, chicken, turkey, duck, quail, goat, venison, and other wild game.  By doing so we hope to eliminate all health issues that currently plague the domestic canine.  Think about it.. it really is common sense, dogs were never meant to eat processed food.  Kibble is a human convenience not an animals.  If you existed on packaged foods alone, what kind of health issues would you have? Any veterinarian, breeder or other that would argue that manufacturers of pet foods know more about nutrition than what nature provides is nothing more than arrogant and ignorant.  Would you believe a medical doctor who tells you a bowl of fruit loops is better than a bowl of fruit?  Did the makers of Fruit Loops actually think we would believe there was real fruit in there?

Along with proper nutrition we also do not feel that vaccinations are beneficial to our animals.  We feel that vaccinations were never meant to be given annually.  Strains do not mutate like the flu viruses and the vaccine do not change so why are we giving them EVERY year?  Big money, that's why.  The excessive administration of vaccines only serves to destroy the immue system.  Vaccine damage along with non existant nutrition from kibble equals an epidemic of degenerative, congenital and genetic disease. 

Socialization - All our puppies and adults are a part of our family.  They sleep in our beds, they jump on the furniture, they cause trouble and are spoiled rotten just like any dog should be.  HOWEVER, they also know boundaries, that no means no, and have their place.  They are crate trained, house-trained and have traveled several hundreds of miles before they leave home.  They have been to several dog shows, pet stores, nursing homes, coffee shops, etc.  They have also meet many different size dogs of various ages.  We offer training and boarding at our house so they have seen MANY different dogs.  We have several cats as well as chickens, ducks, goats, horses and anything else that happens to find their way here.  You could say that we strive for super dogs!!

Training - Puppies are started at 3 weeks.  We begin with housetraining.  Puppies are encouraged to keep things clean with the deligence of keeping them clean.  They are bathed once a week from 3 weeks on.  They are moved to several locations throughout the house.  The feeding spot, the play spot and the sleeping spot.  They are moved several times throughout the day and weather permitting the outside is introduced somewhere between 4-5 weeks at short intervals.  At no times is there ever feces or urine inside the puppy area.  We pick things up immediately.  Thankfully their Mom keeps them very clean for the first 3-4 weeks and sometimes longer depending on the dam.  All puppies are started on the grooming table from 3 weeks on.  Their nails are clipped daily, yep I said daily, they grow very fast.  They are weaned naturally but we do offer the puppies ground chicken with fresh eggs and fresh goats milk to help mom out at about 3-4 weeks old.   At about 5 weeks old they are introduced to the clicker and then their obedience training starts.  They are taught to stand on the table for conformation, they are taught to stand and wait for the treat, they are taught to bait, wait, stay, and of course walk on a leash.

Stimulation and Exercise - All adults and puppies have a secure large enclosed exercise area with agility tunnels, jumps, shoots, tables, kiddy pools, lots of toys and other things that keep puppies happy.  They are also walked a minimum of 1 mile, twice a day ( a little less for babies).  and not so much in the winter  (too cold for the IGs) You can see our walks on our boarding page at http://www.thecontroversialcanine.com/ all of these things are important to keep IG puppies healthy and happy.