Hawthorne Astrila "Ruuq"

[Hawthorne]

After much agonizing, we settled on keeping Hawthorne Astrila; the red collared female. Both females were very nice but there were a few things about this girl that singled her out in the end. We will post photos of her as she grows.
For now, she is enrolled in puppy class with our local dog trainer. First week: sit, come, let's go, and attention Full speed ahead!

[HiTenshi16]

Can't wait to see more photos as she grows! I really like the look of her structure in that photo

[Katlin]

She reminds me of how Woo looked at that age (but he didn't have socks). Wonder if they'll look similar when she's done growing

[firleymj]

May she be blessed with mom's disposition and her father's looks
May she be blessed with health and safety
May she be blessed with progeny come safely into the world
May she be blessed in her choice of owners

Love,
Her brother Kona

[JenTehLuv]

Congrats on the new addition! Hopefully she turns out healthy and beautiful like her parents. Freya is one of my personal favorite tams and I'm sad I'll never get one of her pups though. I'm also curious what made you decide on her in the end.

[Hawthorne]

Ruuq has better proportions than her sister as far as length to height ratio. That is an attribute that is difficult to keep. When breeding dogs, any breed who is supposed to be longer than tall will always "want" to go back to square. (If that makes any sense.) Also, Ruuq has a better prosternum than her sister. This is important in single tracking and proper gait. Don't get me wrong, both girls are great--Ruuq was just a tad better

Additionally, Ruuq has shown she is very outgoing in new situations and with novel items. I like a confident pup.

These things are written into the draft standard, which is what my kennel is judging pups by now, I won't use the original standard as I feel it is too vague. I have very specific things I want for my kennel and that draft standard really brings it home.

Granted she has a black muzzle and socks…but those are just markings--much easier to correct than bad structure or improper temperament

[chelle784]

awww she's so cute I want to squeeze her!

[Tatzel]

Very cute! Looking forward to see her dveelop

[JenTehLuv]

She seems pretty structurally sound and she is adorable! I can understand why you chose her, overall the breeder should try to maintain the traits to pass on to the next generations. If that means choosing a puppy with a better body and temperament than coloring (although a darker mask and socks aren't against the breed standard correct?) than that is the best choice from the litter.

Plus since it's an outcross who knows how she will look later on. I'm excited to see how she develops, but you MUST post more pictures of her!

[Hawthorne]

(although a darker mask and socks aren't against the breed standard correct?)

That is correct. Those things are down to breeders preference. I wouldn't normally choose a pup with those attributes all other things being equal but you are also right: this is an outcross litter so markings are further down on the list than structure and temperament. I am, however, starting to see hints of Freyja's coloration in her which makes me happy. Ruuq's half brother, Max, changed drastically from puppy to adult so I suppose she could do the same. BUT the Hedlund doesn't change like the Tams do so it might be what you see is what you get. Who knows! LOL