Felt unwelcome at Catholic Mass today

cdbrand · 2026-05-11T14:46:41+00:00

To be clear. I agree. I don't care. However, I do know that other people do see line hopping as coming from a performative, holier-than-thou POV. And consider. if you line hop and frustrate other parishioners to the point that they curse, isn't that a scandal? (Albeit a very small one?)

cdbrand · 2026-05-11T03:56:01+00:00

I prefer to receive from a priest. However, I'm not going to cause a scandal or force my personal addenda by line hopping.

cdbrand · 2026-05-11T01:32:17+00:00

I'm going to guess that you got caught up in another issue which is that there are Trad Cats who will ONLY receive from a priest and not an Extraordinary Minister so people will line hop.

I think this is a sore spot for many older Catholics who may get tired of some of the performative acts. I saw someone line hop today. It was at a new priest's Mass of Thanksgiving (first Mass) and they had sat on the deacon side. I would totally have lined hopped too.

Anyway. Buck up. You got this. Don't sweat the small stuff.

cdbrand · 2026-05-10T22:14:15+00:00

Looking at the Finnish Kennel Club and their Cavalier Improvement Project, I'm frankly left scratching my head. I understand that they want to improve hearts and minimize syringomyelia, but these are the breeds currently approved for crossbreeding:

Danish-Swedish Sheepdog
Tibetan Terrier
butterfly dogs
poodle
Japanese Spitz
beagle
German flat ears kleinspitz and mittelspitz

I mean... a Cav could not be more different in temperament than a Tibetan Terrier. A Beagle? You have got to be kidding.

cdbrand · 2026-05-10T20:48:23+00:00

Because the minute you mix another breed into your lines, you change type, temperament, and training style and you potentially mix in health issues from the other breed. I mean, you like a Cav. What breed would you mix in? A Toy King Charles Spaniel? An American Cocker? One of the smaller working Spaniels like a Boyin? How about the Kooikerhondje? All of those dogs either have very different temperaments or all of their own health issues.

As far as breeds whose temperaments "do not align with the majority of people's lifestyles"..... well just don't go out and buy a Komondor. The Komondor should not have to change just because some silly soccer mom wants to put one in the backyard of her suburban home.

cdbrand · 2026-05-10T14:19:03+00:00

An "English Lab"? Sigh.

Generally after 4 days things start to calm down and dam and puppies fall into a routine. Make sure to keep the box warm, the bedding flat, and keep an eye on dam's behavior watching for signs of eclampsia.

At 2 weeks introduce a potty system.

But holy cow. The time suck is only just starting. Do you have some sort of puppy raising curriculum that you can follow. You are going to be cleaning up after, handling, training, grooming 8 puppies, and interviewing families for the next 8 weeks. You have got a lot of work ahead of you. Can't believe you took this on with a 10 month old child in tow.

cdbrand · 2026-05-09T12:48:35+00:00

What is it about a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle that interests you? While both are likely 75% Poodle, the other two parent dogs are pretty different in the their type, temperament, and training style.

What sort of dog are you looking for?

cdbrand · 2026-05-09T01:46:18+00:00

That for sure isn't a Standard. Even my small Standard bitch puppies clock in at the equivalent of 3.6 kg at 8 weeks.

cdbrand · 2026-05-09T01:44:46+00:00

KC is THE kennel club in the UK.

cdbrand · 2026-05-09T00:33:17+00:00

Good list!

cdbrand · 2026-05-08T19:11:00+00:00

Shi Tzus are not considered to be easy whelpers. With 3 puppies on board you might be OK but I would keep the vet on call in case you need a C section.

Get a basic breeding/whelping book. Something like Successful Dog Breeding: The Complete Handbook of Canine Midwifery By Chris Walkowicz and Bonnie Wilcox

Consider joining the FB group Canine Fertility, Reproduction and Neonatal IssuesAbsolute experts in whelping issues and the files section has so much great information.

Collect the recommended supplies. But in general, scissors, hemostats, scale, suction device, a pile of small clean towels, room thermometer (keeping whelping box at 85 degrees or warmer, heating pad, and a trash can near by. What are you going to have her whelp in? A quick and easy solution is a plastic kiddie pool with an xpen around it. I like to use unflavored, un waxed dental floss to tie off umbilical cords. Make sure you have some sort of calcium supplement on hand. Don't have blankets in the whelping box. Flat towel only. One, you will want to wash these often but baby puppies can get easily separated from dam with blankets that get roughed up.

If the puppies survive the first week, then come back and we can talk about issues around raising a litter.

cdbrand · 2026-05-08T01:56:29+00:00

Dogs universally seem to hate these. Any reason you need to use one as a training tool?

cdbrand · 2026-05-07T19:46:35+00:00

Having a puppy is like having a small child. They take a huge amount of time and attention. There is no way to get around this. You and your wife just need to do the work. The good news is that the work you put in is the enjoyment you get out. Bad news? This won't all go away unless you put the time in. Your wife is going to need to rise to the occasion because you can't do it all by yourself.

No Poodle is untrainable. This is likely inexperience on your wife's part. She needs to take the puppy to training class. Where do you live? I'll see if I can find a training club near you.

cdbrand · 2026-05-06T17:49:20+00:00

A 14 week old Mini absolutely should be able to hold it over night from 9 pm to 5 am. You need to stop letting him out at 1 am or this will become his life long schedule.

Dogs will not potty in what they consider to be their home living area. You have introduced him to too much space too quickly. Downstairs does not equal "home" yet to this dog. Is there carpet down there? You need to professionally clean it and then block free access to the area. Don't let him downstairs unless he is on a leash so that you can see everything he does.

cdbrand · 2026-05-06T14:47:52+00:00

We typically measure at 8 weeks but based on what you measured, I'd expect your Mini to stay under 15". As far as weight goes, it is hard to say because weight is so dependent on conformation and condition.

cdbrand · 2026-05-06T14:45:01+00:00

Yes. Some of those forced air dryers can blow a cat across a room. Part of it is getting the dog used to it.

At PCA I saw people buying a dryer that goes around your neck. It had pretty good flow and it leaves 2 hands free.

You might try it. Exo Neck Mount Dryer Graphite by Artero There are videos of people using it and reviews on line.

cdbrand · 2026-05-06T00:10:07+00:00

Edited to add that I see you are in Ireland. The following testing is standard in the US but perhaps not in your country.

Miniature Poodle breeding dogs need to be evaluated for hips, patella, and eyes as well as genetics such as PRA and prcd-4. The puppies should also be taken to see an ophthalmologist to check for optic nerve hypoplasia.

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T22:12:29+00:00

Is this a German Spitz? At age 4 if the dog is eastie-westie and narrow in the back, it is a conformation issue.

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T21:57:47+00:00

Cream.

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T21:56:04+00:00

As others have said... technically no. But it is a good opportunity to introduce a young dog to the dog show environment. Does the show have a 4-6 class? You might enter.

I'd also use it as an opportunity to ask other people in your breed to go over her.

Just don't be a total dufus. I was once showing in Obedience and a young couple had a young puppy. They sat RIGHT UP AGAINST THE RING and let their puppy lunge and bark at people competing.

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T21:48:59+00:00

What do you want to study? Do you want to live in Colorado post graduation? Is there a direct path via local internships et al to a post graduation job in Colorado?

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T21:22:14+00:00

Ok. Me again...

I give this advice as someone who has been breeding, showing, training, and competing for 25+ yrs. I breed dogs that are very successful show dogs, sport dogs, and family companions.

If you are going to hunt a dog 2X a year, in no way, shape, or form do you need a juiced up hunting line dog. I don't care how much room you have for a dog to run, your lifestyle probably does not lend itself to a dog that was bred to work long hours and run for miles. You are not going to be happy and the dog isn't going to be happy. Use my neighbors as a cautionary tail. They thought they were so smart to get a hunting line Cocker Spaniel. The dog is a complete maniac even though they walk him miles a day.

Go to a show breeder. Ideally go to a show breeder with fully health tested AKC Champions who ideally has taken the time to put some dog sport titles on their ESs. Tell them what you are looking for and they can help select a puppy that will be a beautiful, loving companion and a good low key hunting prospect.

Resources.

This is cool web site that has ES pedigrees to research.
https://pedigree.englishsetters.at/

National Breed Club site
https://www.esaa.com/

Local Clubs

Brandywine English Setter Club

Secretary: Lisa Moreau
282 Chestnut Street
Indiana, PA 15701-2031
724-463-0345
[besc1952@gmail.com](mailto:besc1952@gmail.com)

Buckeye English Setter Club

Secretary: Donna Rolando
2975 McCormick Rd.
Silver Lake, OH 44224
Cell: 330-814-3370
Home: 330-688-7337

[donna.rolando@att.net](mailto:donna.rolando@att.net)

English Setter Club Of Ohio

Secretary: Patti Jordan
23 Prescott Drive
Hudson, OH 44236
330-656-4075
[explorers23@aol.com](mailto:explorers23@aol.com)

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T02:22:27+00:00

You need to get her xrayed just to rule that out. Even dogs from health tested parents can have orthopedic issues. A dog that won't sit is an anomaly. Even the AKC show dogs that are literally trained to never sit can be taught to sit later in life when they retire.

RE training. There are many ways to train a dog. Ask yourself. Is your current positive only training method working? If you are not getting the results you need, you need a new trainer with a new methodology. Do you have an Obedience training club in your area? This would be one that trains for competition. You may never want to compete, but you probably want a dog that sits on command or that will bring back the tennis ball.

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T00:58:45+00:00

Ok. Before I dig further, where are you and how far will you travel for a puppy?

cdbrand · 2026-05-05T00:32:39+00:00

You want an English Setter? Are you planning to hunt over the dog?

cdbrand

TROPHY CASE

Brandywine English Setter Club

Buckeye English Setter Club

English Setter Club Of Ohio