Ernestine was my pick from my second litter. She is my cuddler. She loves to be held and smooched. Unlike her mama, she's got a voice! She barks at everything and nothing when she's outside. Erni was 25 lbs. of flab actually. Had a "low normal" thyroid.  But having her on thyroxin helped not at all. Have read and heard much conflicting information on the possible problems with breeding such a dog. If anyone out there in cyberland has any experience (please...not just "my vet says...") with breeding a hormonally challenged dog, I'd like to read your comments via e-mail. Or if you could direct me to some well-documented research material, that'd be wonderful.

After visiting the Stoffers and their beautiful "Champ" for 10 months last year and never coming into heat, I brought Ernestine home. She promptly came in heat 2 days later. Ooooo! I was mad. The Stoffers got her in fine shape. She lost weight and gained muscle. She's been home for 8 months now and is still nice and trim. She's on no medication and looks in wonderful condition. As soon as she comes in heat again, she's going back to Champ. 

Two lazybones.