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Awards
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Links:
John Knox Photos of Mark and Serene’s Wedding
Austin Dog Friendly Guidelines Restaurants and Retail Parks and Hotels Bull Creek Park Supporters Project
The Dog Portion of the Site Bryan/College Station Friendly List Mouse and Basil on Weight Pull on News 8 Austin *MisoHungry Makes It With Moonshine! Hypermiling with Houston’s KPRC’s Amy Davis – The Honda CRV Challenge 48-Contiguous State World Record Fuel Economy Attempt How to Survive Anaphylaxis shock Jennie donates to Locks of Love
Harnessing and Hitching manual and photos *Photo Gallery 2 – Pictures from June 08- Present *2009 SouthBound GSMD pictures
General FAQs Who: Jennie Y. Chen, Maximus (Mouse), a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and Basil (Nat./Am. CH Taywil Brilliant Roman Basilia, NWPD, WDS), Lowchen. Mouse is otherwise known as: Multi. Int. /Am. CH Dixieland Blazing Maximus, CGC, HIT, SS, SWET, WETT, HIC, WETX, WTXX, WPD, DD, WWDS, RN. We are in the following clubs:
Why: I love large breed dogs and especially like to work. So it was natural that I fell love with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund). So why the Löwchens? I first met Pistol Pete (owned by Barbara Cecil), and just had to have one. They have the personality in of a big dog in a little dog body. The only difference between Basil and Mouse is about 120 lbs and some hair. Why Roman Reign: The historians of Swissies claims that they were developed from Roman War dogs (Mollasian). These dogs eventually developed into the large European breeds including mastiffs, rotties, and bernards. I chose a name that goes back to the roots of the breed and also reflects the breed’s function and temperament – bold and powerful. Where: Currently in Central Texas. What are your articles based on?: I’m formally trained in social psychology with a research interest in behavioral neuroendocrinology in topics ranging from human social phenomenon, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning. I’ve taught many psychology courses at major universities (since 2002), and have a background in biobehavioral research as well as training in behavioral genetics. My other research areas and interests are marketing and management (applied social psychology), attitudes and behavior change (particularly towards public policy), hierarchical linear modeling (and quadratic modeling), mating strategies, intimate relationships, health psychology, group dynamics, message framing, and social dominance behaviors. When: I’ve been interested in the breed since Summer of 2001. Got my first Swissy in July of 2002. I’ve also been a volunteer for Gold Ribbon Rescue since 2001. Basil came in July 2005, and Holly in Sept. 2005. Holly is now placed in a pet home with the job of professional couch potato. What: We are not a kennel nor into producing litters. I have a GSMD male who is currently drafting, packing, water rescue, weight pull, working on obedience, a little herding, and special in conformation. We also handcraft draft vehicles and courses. I also have a Löwchen who is also active in weight pull, packing, drafting, and conformation. We founded a working dog club for those who are interested in weight pull, packing, drafting, water work, and therapy dog. See SouthWest Working Dog Association. The club hosts weight pulls and working fairs on occasion. The purpose of the club is to allow dog owners of any breed an opportunity to participate in activities, keep a relatively updated calendar of events so all can join in, and tips on how to train for the various activities. We also give cart rides at local picnics, outdoor celebrations, dog shows, parties, and carnivals. Email to book us at your next event.
ccidental mixed breeds are NOT as sturdy. Sorry to disappoint, but I actually have friends who are in Genetics AND are in the vet schools. Regardless of your anecdotal evidence, mutts (accidental or purposeful) are not as healthy or unhealthy as purebreds. Ask your local vet to take a look at his/her clients. Take two unhealthy dogs (regardless of the breed) you run a higher risk of health problems. Take two healthy dogs (regardless of the breed), and you run a lower risk of health problems. Look at the numbers. Also, many genetic disorders are NEVER discovered in mixed breeds because they are asymptomatic or never diagnosed. When’s the last time you’ve taken your dog for a CERF exam? When’s the last time you had an echocardiogram done on your dog? I’m going to guess that most mixed breed owners don’t do those tests on a regular basis. Most purebred pet owners don’t do that either! I’ve seen many, many mixed breeds who had structural issues that were never noticed. Many small dogs have slipped patellas, but most vets don’t even notice. The dogs are carried into the vet’s office, and carried right now. The vet never gets a chance to see the dog move or even checking patellas unless the owner has a specific concern. Also, it takes a trained eye to pick it up visually. Vets are not formally taught how to do that in vet school. I know. I know LOTS of vet students. It isn’t in the curriculum. If you have a dog that bunny hops and can’t seem to trot (always walking, hopping, or full gallop), chances are very high that it has knee problems. Unless you do health certificates and the dog doesn’t look like it is in pain, it will probably live a happy life without anyone knowing. I’m the trainer for a service dog training group, and I had to pull one of their dogs out of the program for knee and hip problems. The vet never noticed, but I could see it clearly. The dog would never be cut out to support the weight of someone or be able to pull open doors. It went to a pet home instead. And it certainly was not a purebred. It was a mixed breed. Guess what kind. If you are interested in learning about dogstructure and function, there are other forums and great books to read about it. If you are interested in learning how, pm me and I can hook you up with a knowledge local person and send you to some dog shows. This takes years and years of practice. That’s why conformation judges are almost always senior citizens. Unfortunately, very few people like to actually look at the numbers or educate themselves on issues before jumping to conclusions. And dog-related issues are one of them. If you are interested in learning about canine genetics other than what you hear on the news (cuz you know everything in the news in true! Especially from AAA), there are other forums and books to do that. Also, Cancer is the number 1 killer of dogs. Statistically, you’re much better off making sure that you’re dog is fed a nutritious and healthy diet, kept lean, and well exercised than you are worrying about if your dogis a purebred or mixed breed. Chances are that it is diet and exercise that will have the most affect on your dog’s longevity. Same goes for humans too! And since it’s not obviously clear on my profile, in addition to participating in and judging dog sports, I’ve been active in 3 different breed rescues for 6 years. I spent much of my time doing public education, fostering, and transporting rescues. I’ve spent well over 30k in the last 6 years on my dog hobbies, and I have yet to see a cent from it. Any donations I get go right back into funding activities. So yes, there are people who are into dogs not for profit. Sorry, not everyone is as greedy and evil as you might think. That’s all I’m going to say. I’ll stay away from this thread. My experience with general dog forums (not specific like for rescue or training) is that people are going to argue semantics, stereotype others, make Mendel roll over in his grave, talk trash about certain breeds, and post pictures of their dogs once in a while. If you are interested in dog sports, dog rescue, dog training, picking out a dog for your family, show me pictures of your cute dogs, feel free to pm me. |
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Roman Reign Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Lowchens
Preservation Breeders of Sport, Service, and Companion Dogs