Blog Archives
Wellie
Undaunted by Adverse Conditions
Tough conditions yesterday for wild birds.
High winds made it tough on the dogs.
The above short clip show what I mean.
Notice the high wind and thick cover. Wellie isn’t afraid to find birds. It’s funny how he knows the spots to look. He’s got the drive. Hope all is well! ~ Tyler
Breeder Comment
- Wellie and Quinn
- Wellie (Avid Hunter)
- September 1, 2010 (The Wedding, etc.)
At Lake Michigan
The Water Retrieve 
Ringo loves Lake Michigan this summer (and Oakie still does too)!
Abbey Comments on Ringo’s Tail
We love it, and it’s never been an issue or gotten in the way. He gives us great big wags every time we get home. Oakie has a short tail, and it startles us every time we visit.
Breeder Comment
Oakie
Swimming is an excellent summer activity. It is cooling but also great exercise as well as being easy on the joints. You might notice that Ringo sports the undocked tail. Nick and Abbey requested the undocked tail. Oakley is Nick’s parent’s Weimaraner, and he has the traditional docked tail. They didn’t get him from us, so that is about all I know about him.
For those just took home a Mesquite X Stackhouse puppy, Ringo is from a previous litter born to the same parents. The undocked tail preference upsets a lot of people. Others feel you should be allowed to have a tail undocked by choice. In many countries, tail docking and ear-cropping are either illegal or discouraged. Personal preferences run deep.
More
Ringo
~ Part Two
Ringo loves the snow we got in early December, unusual for us here in mid-Michigan (usually we don’t get big storms until January). he follows my walking path around the yard, tearing around at full speed, just for the fun of it. He eats ice off our patio and gets grumpy when he can’t find the snowballs we throw him. He does pull the classic “never mind” in the evening – scratching to go out then refusing when the cold air hits him. All our snow melted over Christmas and now he’s back to boring activities like picking up sticks and jumping into the garden.
At the end of the day, no matter what trouble he finds, Ringo curls up on the couch with me with a big sigh to tell me he’s done for the night. He is very sweet and affectionate. I sometimes half expect him to start purring when he flops down on my lap! Having a weim has seriously changed our lives, but the joy of full-butt wags at the door when we get home and nighttime snuggles when we both want the same pillow make the counter-surfing, door jumping, and general teen defiance worth enduring. Ringo is a big sweetie who loves his pack and we love having him in it.
One final note: Ringo learned a new trick this week – opening doors in the house! I came home and found the bedroom open and a warm spot on my pillow! Since discovering this superpower, he’s let himself into the bedroom, the bathroom, and my closet, which opens outward! We’re not sure how he managed that one. Fortunately, the outside doors all have knobs instead of handles, but now it’s just a matter of time until he realizes all the doors in the house are openable. I’m thinking a trip to the hardware store is in our future. Maybe he was just reminding us he’s a Weim.
Thank you for giving us such a sweet, adorable, ridiculous pup,
Abbey, Nick, and Ringo
And Then There Was
Ringo
~ Part One
Bounding over soybeans
It’s been a big year for Ringo – we moved from an apartment to an acre of land outside of town this summer. It took some time to get used to the new sounds and Nick’s much busier and ever changing schedule, but he loves frolicking in his yard and finding good smells to roll in. Still, his favorite place in the world is visiting his human grandparents on “the farm,” 300 acres of corn and soybeans not far from Lake Michigan.
Short and long tails – Ringo following Oakie around his fields
The farm includes family who adore him just like a human grandbaby, his favorite canine elders Oakie (11 years old, also a Weim) and Buddy (a 10-year-old cockapoo), and mowed paths around the fields closest to the house – perfect for running at breakneck speed. The only part of the farm he isn’t keen on is the horse. He snuck into her pasture once and barked up a storm right to her nose. Lucky for Ringo, Cindy is 37 and has seen his kind many times, and couldn’t care less.
(Oakie looms over his “nephew.” Not pictured: Ringo’s tail thumping on the floor in delight at the barking)
Breeder Comment
Ringo was requested as undocked. We do accommodate clients wanting the smooth coat undocked (European Style). There is a very specific protocol. It takes planning, and you have to jump through all the hoops to get one from us.
Part Two of Ringo’s post coming soon!
Grayson
Did You Notice?
Grayson is unique. First his father was a Longhair (Duck), and his mother was a Blue (smooth-coat Longhair Carrier). The fact the parents both carry the DNA marker for the Longhair (one a Longhair and the other a Carrier) means 50% of the pups will be Longhairs. There were three pups born to the litter–one was a Longhair. Looking at Grayson you would not imagine that his parents were so unique. There is something else unique about this boy too! He sports a full length (undocked) tail.
OwyheeStar gets quite a few inquiries that specify that they want the tail left intact. The Longhairs always have the undocked tail. The American Weimaraner Breed Standard calls for the tail to be left about six inches long. They suggest it to be a bit heavy on the length–not a shorter stubby tail. Tail docking happens sometime in the first week. Therefore, the person wanting an undocked tail must commit early. It also requires a larger than normal puppy deposit. Nonetheless, many people prefer this option to Show Breeder’s chagrin. Some countries have a ban of tail docking.
OwyheeStar Summer Puppies
Mousse and her babies…
We wanted to have a litter of summer pups. One can never guarantee these plans will come to fruition. There were folks waiting for a puppy, and we hope to help them fulfill their dream; however, it might take some time. We have the one litter this summer, and it is a doozy. Over the years, we have had so many small litters; this is not a small litter. Mousse’s litter has ten puppies. They are shown above nursing in the puppy yard. This photo was taken by Deven, our helper this summer. He is excellent with the puppies.
A mixed Litter
Our stud dog “Blue” was the sire of this litter; 
therefore, we have some blue pups. You should easily be able to distinguish which pups are blue, and which are a shade of gray. There is something else in the mix. Did you notice? One of the blue females has the undocked tail–this is by request.
We had ten days of rain. I joked, we should bail the puppy yard, along with the hay. Pictured here you can see this little blue girl in the jungle, before we were able to mow it. She didn’t seem to mind the blade-forest. You will also notice she is the one with the undocked-tail. For those wondering, this is by request only. 
The arrangements must be made in advance of the litter’s arrival. We require a larger puppy deposit. The reasons are many, and we won’t go into them at this time. We get several serious requests every year from folks wanting to forego the tail-docking. This (docking of the tail) is done within days of their birth. We might also note here, that Longhairs are never docked. We are willing to do the full-length tail (on the traditional smooth-coat), because in other-than-American Weimaraner Standards, they occur. In some countries tail-docking is illegal.
Sporting Breed Tail Docking
The sporting breed that sees field action is prone to tail injuries. This is the reason for the docking. It is cosmetic, and a safety factor. Tails, and ears that get nicked bleed profusely. They are difficult to heal. The reality is that fewer dogs see actual field action than in previous years. Many hunt clubs (Versatile Hunting Dog Federation, as well as the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) have mentoring programs. Whether you believe in hunting, or not–it is a deep American tradition. It helped establish this country, and fed our ancestors. Yes, they had gardens, but that would not have sustained life. More often than not, pioneers ate what they could get in a stew, or a dried jerky-pocket-meal. We should not forget this, in our day of supermarket shopping. More and more, folks are returning to natural foods.
The OwyheeStar Protocol
A lot of folks come to OwyheeStar wanting to investigate us. We understand this mentality. It is tough to trust people you don’t know with one of the biggest decisions you are going to make. Nonetheless, we must stick to our protocol, and way of doing things. It is the only way we can accomplish all the things we need to do. For those who have gotten and OwyheeStar puppy, we believe almost without exception they understand what we mean. The new person making a query, might consider us a bit too eccentric. We are always open to inquiries; however, even the initial inquiry is screened. It doesn’t require a lengthy email to net the application invite. In fact, a simple note stating a bit about yourself will do. You can save the lengthy description of who you are, and what you want for the application process.
Getting the details in the application is important to us. It allows us to focus on you, and to respond to everything is a systematic manner. Nothing gets forgotten, and everyone is scrutinized with the same measuring stick. The application reply, is where we look for information. During the process, and especially during the placement segment, we refer to this on many occasions. We like to ensure that we have the correct contact information, as well as all the specifics regarding the Weimaraner puppy you hope to bring home in this one location. Shela, normally spends at least an hour working up our application reply. We do not take this process lightly, nor are we less than grateful for your trust. It is in our heart to do what is in the best interest of the puppy, as well as for you.
Folks wanting to engage us, must be willing to do things in this manner. We believe our outcome speaks for itself. Thank you everyone for your vote of confidence, and willingness to work with our protocol.
Grayson is a Joy
Here is the Undocked Gray Ghost Look
Grayson is now 12 weeks old, adjusting well and growing fast, currently at 19.5 pounds. The wire crate in the kitchen/family room immediately became his favorite go-to spot, he even self-crates when the humans sit down for dinner, all on his own.
The Cats are Not Interested
Outside the crate he keeps trying to play with the cats but they’re not having it, the occasional swat and some hissing continues if he gets too close but overall they’re coexisting better than I expected…. and he’s figured out the cat door but his days are numbers as he gets bigger. Bedtime is a breeze, he’s happy to curl up and sleep the night away. It’s amazing to watch him grow and change daily,
He’s such a joy. -Steve
Breeder’s Note: For those of you wanting to know more about getting a pup with an undocked tail,please click here. There are many interesting facts surrounding this pup’s early life. He was born to a litter raised exclusively for the OwyheeStar future. It was an ultra small litter, and yet, there was this one potential male. You might remember Duck–he sired this litter.
Wellie and Quinn
“Quinn, do you see my ball anywhere?”
Carrie Reports: This is Wellie (and our little girl Quinn) from February when we got the snow. He really looks like he’s protecting her, but I think he was waiting for someone to throw his ball. 🙂
Wellie has not been hunting recently. He recently ripped off a toenail jumping out of the truck in our driveway, and has been out of commission as it heals. Of course, he and Tyler have brought home many birds over the last few years. Wellie is versatile–he hunts upland game, and waterfowl. He also is an integral part of our family.
Breeder’s Note: Carrie and Tyler wanted their Weim’s tail undocked. They like the way it looks; and the fact the docking was not necessary. The American breed standard calls for the docked tail; in some countries, it is illegal to dock tails. OwyheeStar docks tails as per the breed standard. There are a couple of exceptions: 1. The Longhair is never docked. 2. A person can make arrangements in advance to have their pup’s tail left intact.
Zula Blue
Just a note from our busy lives to say thank you!
Beach Duty
Zula Blue is a gem. Not only is she strikingly beau-ti-ful, she is so well behaved, mellow and loving. She has been such a wonderful addition to our family. We just adore her (and her undocked tail).
This note was over due, but as we approach Zula’s 3rd birthday, we wanted to loop back and say she has flourished, is well loved and just an all around lovely family dog. I hope you all are wonderful and making more families happy with these wonderful dogs. We adore everything about her. She keeps an watchful eye over the kids (at beach, in bath room), just being a pillow/cuddle bum, her love of being in the middle of things (not to mention her adaptability), checking out the garden from an upper vantage point and going to work with Emre.
Much thanks to you and Cliff. Kriste, Emre, Ezra, Zeyda and Zula Blue
Breeder’s Note: Getting the undocked tail requires planning ahead. Tail docking must be done very early in the pup’s life; therefore, if you are set on the tail not being docked, it will require advance notice.
Owyheestar Weimaraner's News 