Dog News, January 27, 2012 by Dog News

Dog News The Digest Volume 28, Issue 4

Of American Dogs $5.00

January 27, 2012

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contents

JANUARY 27, 2012

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editorial 124 handlers directory irving’s impressions/ ronnie irving 126 subscription rates the lighter side of judging/ michael faulkner 128 classified advertising question of the week / matthew h. stander 129 advertising rates inside out / john mandeville All advertisements are obedience and rally musings/ minta “mike”williquette copyrighted and owned by DOG NEWS, Harris Publications, bests of the week unless received camera-ready. Permission to reprint must be ten questions / lesley boyes requested in writing. a thought to consider / seymour weiss something special in orlando /sharon sakson DOG NEWS (ISSN 0886-2133) is published weekly except animal rights vs. nature/ patricia gail burnham the last two weeks in December by the brussels dog show / karl donvil Harris Publications, 1115 Broadway, heelwork to music/ richard curtis New York, N.Y. 10010. Periodical Postage paid the not so lighter side of judging/ marjorie martorella at New York. israel’s top dogs 2011/ yossi guy POSTMASTER: breeds at risk of extinction in the u.k. / laura quickfall Send address changes to DOG NEWS, all in the family / charles c. robey 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010 gallbladder diseases in dogs/ sharon pflaumer off the leash/ shaun coen verbatim board minutes, finney on registrations and more/matthew h. stander the gossip column / eugene z. zaphiris click –brooksville kennel club / jeri poller click - the way we were/ phoebe booth letters to the editor

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Photo by Winter Churchill I Art by th-project

Dog News Cover Story - JANUARY 27, 2012 PUBLISHER

STANLEY R. HARRIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SEAN K. GAFFNEY ADVERTISING MANAGERS

SHAUN COEN Y. CHRISTOPHER KING ACCOUNTING

STEPHANIE BONILLA GENERAL TELEPHONE

212 807.7100 x588 FAX NUMBER

212 675.5994 EMAIL ADDRESS

dognews@harris-pub.com WEB ADDRESS: www.dognews.com SUBSCRIPTIONS

Ian Miller 212 462.9624

Multiple All Breed Best In Show and Specialty Winner

Grand Champion Caryolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antigua Ana is pictured starting off the New Year by winning Best In Specialty Show under former President of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America Judge Mrs. Janet Van Wormer.

Owners Malcolm and Naomi Barksdale Breeder Caryn Cooper Handlers Andy and Amy Linton For more up-to-the-minute results, video and Assistants photo coverage of the show, visit www.akc.org and to Michelle Anderson receive daily updates and show results via Facebook, Danica Eiswerth visit www.facebook.com/americankennelclub. 6 Dog News

Contributing Editors Sharon Anderson George Bell Lesley Boyes Andrew Brace Agnes Buchwald Patricia Gail Burnham Shaun Coen Carlotta Cooper Geoff Corish Michael Faulkner Geir Flyckt - Pedersen Allison Foley Yossi Guy Ronnie Irving John Mandeville Desmond J. Murphy M. J. Nelson Robert Paust Sharon Pflaumer Kim Silva Frances O. Smith DVM PHD Matthew H. Stander Sari Brewster Tietjen Patricia Trotter Connie Vanacore Carla Viggiano Nick Waters Seymour Weiss Minta (Mike) Williquette Dog News Photographers Chet Jezierski Perry Phillips Kitten Rodwell Leslie Simis

DOG NEWS is sent to all AKC approved Conformation Judges every week on a complimentary basis. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without written permission from the editor. The opinions expressed by this publication do not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit all copy submitted.

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*All Systems **The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed

JANUARY 27, 2012

the editorial

WESTMINSTER ROUND THE CORNER As has happened virtually every year since 1877 dogs from all over America and some from the rest of the world will once again head towards New York City for what many consider to be the world’s most famous dog show, the Westminster Kennel Club. With this, its 136 Annual Show, Westminster extends its reign as America’s second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Figures indicate a total of 2,077 dogs entered plus 105 juniors. Entries were further reduced this year to 2,000 from the 2,500 usual entry limit due to renovation work being done at the Garden. This new limited number, it is said, will be in effect for at least another year. Other changes include Toys and Terriers being judged in the MSG Theatre on another level within the Garden with no spectators being allowed to mingle with exhibitors in the Benching areas on that level. Additionally this year there will be a 7pm release as opposed to the normal 8pm release. Ronnie Irving in this week’s column goes back to the year 1912 when it was claimed an “even more traumatic disturbance to its regular venue than it is experiencing today” occurred. Indeed the club was forced to leave the Garden and go to a different venue in the altogether. A move that may eventually be forced upon Westminster, one would think, should the situation worsen at the Garden or the new renovations make the arena totally unusable for dogs. Meanwhile, with you we look forward to Westminster subject, to certain hardships we expect to endure and hope that the future brings an even more acceptable and usable venue for our dog show world. REGULATING THE SALE OF PUPPIES ONLINE The Internet has as we all know become much more than an information highway. It has become and continues to develop as a major source of sales for not only merchandise but for the sale of dogs which has sky-rocketed on so many of the so-called no-fee selling sites.

Unfortunately all too many of these no-fee selling sites have no set policy nor guidelines for the sale of these dogs. All too many of which come from the unregulated commercial breeder. Many of these sites claim that its pet sections are NOT intended to facilitate uncontrolled breeding, irresponsible aspects of commercial dog trading or the trade of dogs or any other animal for the purpose of fighting or stud service. Whatever the intentions—good or bad— enforcing them are totally unregulated and basically ignored. Who is there to determine whether or not the seller is responsible? Who establishes the policy to protect the dog in these situations whether or not it is a commercial or homebred sale? Similar problems arise in the rescue and rehoming of dogs where the extent of these practices have created a commercial aura unthought-of of five years ago. Indeed there are some people who believe that the shelter/ rehoming people will replace the pet shop as these institutions turn to the possible breeding of strays in order to fill its depleting supply of dogs to sell to keep these shelters opened. The word regulation 10 Dog News

rankles certain people but let’s face it unless and until local, state and federal authorities move into these situations and pass enforceable and do-able laws the dogs which are our main concern will continue to come out on the short end of the stick. THE AGILITY PHENOMENON Agility has topped the one million plateau entryways in 2011 becoming the first AKC sport other than conformation to achieve this level. That’s quite a milestone as Agility exhibitors and clubs represent the growth of our sport in today’s society. It was interesting to note that in the “public” Board Minutes recently released Board member Amen suggested that consideration be given to permit Agility Clubs to finally become AKC Member Clubs. Under Bylaws—here we go again—Agility Clubs are excluded from becoming Member Clubs! Yet another example of archaic and out-of-date Bylaws.These pages have been asking for years for this to be changed or even discussed. Finally it has hit home and perhaps just perhaps Mr. Amen will succeed in at least having this thorny problem discussed. And for everyone’s sake let’s not make a secret out of this discussion too. Let’s be more open with the constituents, a worthy goal for Delegates and Board members alike. TWO SETS OF BOOKS!!!! Really now, were you aware two sets of Board Minutes are published after each Board Meeting? One for the general public, which is incomplete and general, and one for the Delegates, which is complete I am told, referred to as the VERBATIM BOARD MINUTES on the Delegate Portal line! What kind of nonsense is that to censor the public transcript and give the Delegates an itemized one? Done in the interest of security and to protect the wrong information from falling into the wrong hands is the excuse used. Have you ever! When all that accomplished is for the disgruntled Delegate, which has occurred (see this week’s AND MORE Column) to post the email sent to him or her anywhere they darn well please. The idea for the policy may be worthwhile but implementing it in this day and age is impossible to do! So why not just let everyone know what is really going on is our advice to those so involved.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK The “Good Things We Do Campaign” implemented by Board and Staff last year is a cleverly designed effective tool outlying the beneficial services accomplished by AKC. It gives people good reason to register their dogs with that organization. Whoever designed it and wrote it up deserves an extra pat on the back, that’s for sure. The problem has been however in its implementation. How many of you are aware of this campaign and how many of you have seen it publicized out of AKC functions? The number is all too few and as a result it has under-achieved in its performance. However there is still time to recoup and go out and spread this word consistently nationwide. If that means invading one of those sacrosanct Reserve Funds these pages are all for doing it before there is nothing left to save at all.

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*The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed points

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Researched

BY RONNIE IRVING

Irving’s

WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 100 YEARS AGO

n this current year when we are all wondering just how the work at the Garden will affect the Westminster Show, I thought it might be interesting to look back at what was happening at the show 100 years ago in 1912. To do so I turned to the extensive archives of the UK weekly magazine ‘Our Dogs’ to whom we send our thanks for allowing us to reprint the material below. Imagine my surprise in finding out, from the pages of the Our Dogs issue of March 15 1912, that exactly one hundred years ago the Westminster Kennel Club was suffering an even more traumatic disturbance to its regular venue than it is experiencing this year. For that year at least, the WKC had to move away from the then Garden site to another venue. Here is an extract from the report included in Our Dogs’ regular column of those days, entitled “Dogs in Dollarland” written by one H. W. Lacy.

“Well – it’s all over. And the shouting is still on. I refer, of course, to the New York Show on February 20 – 23, 1912 – the thirty-sixth given by the Westminster Kennel Club and the first in the New Grand Central Palace, a venue that caused as much difference of opinion almost as the dogs. I think I have told you how the old Garden, with its great wide open floor circumference, was to be pulled down to make way for a huge office building; and so the WKC had perforce to seek new quarters in the New Palace, which is a huge building close to the Grand Central Station in the center of the city, and built primarily as a

Impressions merchandise exhibition building of several stories (sic) covering a whole city block. It is all windows and pillars. Great pillars a yard square are set in rows twenty feet or so apart all over the floor, and this, while admitting of ample aisles for the benching, obstructs the general view, which was such a delightful charm of the old Garden, where one could sit in one of the boxes and look upon every movement on the vast floor. Well, “Jimmy” Mortimer, as the Society papers call him, put P.T. to Barnum by running a nineteen-ring circus on three floors!

“On the lower or ground floor, were arranged the big all-round ring

for the general competitions and the sporting events, and all the bigger dogs; on the first floor up, the medium sized dogs; and then on the second floor all the Terriers; and so on to the tune of about 850 dogs. There were nearly 2000 dogs in all, but the building was so vast that a further two thousand might easily go in. Elevators carried the exhibitors up and down though many used the iron staircases, and one may imagine the feelings of an exhibitor trying to show three breeds on three floors at the same time. Fresh legs were at a premium on the first night. But everything was well handled Continued on page 82

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BY Michael Faulkner

The Lighter Side of

What is a Ribbon Worth?

f you never attend the Wine Country Dog Shows in Napa Valley, you are missing out on a delightful experience and all of the goodness that goes with a well-organized, fun weekend. A few years back, I received a phone call from a wonderful lady with a strong Austrian accent – “Mr. Faulkner, this is Inge Semenschin (IS). I am calling to inquire if you would be available to judge our show in Napa Valley. I have no idea who you are, but several individuals highly recommend I hire you.” Like all clubs dealing with the financial climate, IS was very concerned about expenses and the fact I would be flying in from the East Coast. “Also, Mr. Faulkner, your fee is a little high for only judging one group and several breeds in four other groups (I did not divulge my reasons for not applying for additional breeds over the past decade.) and I will only hope your entry and reputation will make it worth the trip,” IS clearly stated. Well, I must admit---after the initial phone call---I was madly in love with IS and her direct, straightforward manner, let alone finding out she is the mother of the hard-working Adorable Kim Russell (AKR). This discovery made the assignment even more attractive, coupled with the location---Napa Valley. With arrangements made, I fly into San Francisco a day early and rent a car, allowing for a day touring several favorite wineries prior to pointing my boney finger (as the late Ann Rogers Clark always put it) and passing out ribbons. I check into the host hotel, take a quick shower and waste no time in gathering the essentials for wine tasting---my wallet, my keys and taxi contact information in the event I choose to taste too much. The first stop on my list is Peju---A long-standing favorite winery of mine, producing a great Cabernet. “Come right in and welcome to Peju. Our first tasting will consist of a selection of whites,” the Lovely Young Lady (LYL)---looking very “Napa Valley”---shares with me along with an older gentleman to my left. “I will pass on the whites. I would like to taste the reds for the time being and if possible, would you include your Reserve?” I inquire politely. Within seconds LYL--- looking very “Napa Valley”---pours the blood of Christ into a fresh glass and I start my religious experience. “To the nose, a medley of cherry, cocoa, caramel and butterscotch. On the palate, a beautiful balance of richness and luminosity with flavors of boysenberry, Bing cherry, nutmeg and toffee leads you to a round, memorable finish,” LYL--- looking very “Napa Valley”--- sings while swirling her glass. “Now where are you from? We can ship to certain states if you choose to buy a case or two,” LYL--- looking very “Napa Valley”--- discloses. “I am from Virginia,” I quickly reply, shoving my nose half way down the glass, inhaling the goodness. “Are you on a little holiday?” she inquires. “Nope – I am in town to judge the local dog show,” I reply. “Wow – that’s so cool. I actually have a Mastiff. I don’t show her, but I would love to come and see the other dogs. Oh – and what do the dogs win at the show? Lots of money and big prizes I assume,” she offers innocently. I let the Cab Reserve linger on the back of my tongue for a few extra seconds before responding to LYL--- looking very Napa Valley---’s question. “Well, normally the dogs do not win any money. Occasionally, there will be a decent trophy or so, but mainly your dog wins points towards his or her championship title. If they are competing as a champion, they win points towards their respective breed and all-breed rating system. In reality, the only certain recognition comes in the form of a ribbon.” LYL--- looking very “Napa Valley”--- takes a moment to

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ponder the… no prizes… no money aspect of showing and blurts out in amazement, “You mean to tell me these folks spend all that time and money to show their dogs for points and ribbons?” “Yep, and all too often they are not thrilled with the ribbons. You see at the end of the day there are a handful of people happy with the color of their ribbons and the others leave rejected, disappointed, vowing to never show to you again!” I answer. The door to the wine tasting room opens. She turns and welcomes two new tasters. I finish the glass of reserve, purchase two bottles from the sales associate, and depart for winery number two --- Sequoia Grove. A one hundred and fifty year old barn houses Sequoia Grove winery. Walking through the large entrance door, I notice a sizable expansion since my last visit. A good-looking, middleaged man (GLMM) greets me from behind an expansive wood counter with a cheery, “Hello! Welcome to Sequoia Grove. Come right over here, sign our guest book, and I will hook you up with some wine.” “That’s the plan – sounds great to me,” I impart while nodding to the couple standing in front, who are well into their tasting experience. Once again, I choose the selection of reds, including their reserves for my individual tasting. “You are going to love this 2007 Cambium,” GLMM proudly informs me while pouring my glass. GLMM continues to impress. “Dark red-black in color with an intense nose of sweet tobacco and coffee mixed with dark chocolate, cassis, and boysenberries. Background aromas of vanilla and cigar box interplay with a hint of anise. The palate is full, rich, and structured, but the tannins are so supple the wine will come across light on your palate. The finish is long and filled with coffee and chocolate… just as intense at the end as it will be in the beginning. “ I sip slowly, traveling down the dark red-black, chocolate, cassis, boysenberry path. GLMM interrupts my driving, “So Michael--I notice from the guest book you are from Virginia. What brings you to Napa Valley?” “ I am judging the Wine Country Dog Shows here in Napa Valley tomorrow and on Sunday,” I respond. “That’s great ---what breed of dog do you personally have?” GLMM inquires. “I breed Golden Retrievers,” I proudly reveal. “No freakin’ way! I have two Goldens myself,” GLMM quickly responds, smiling from ear to ear. “Tell me what do you look for in a good Golden?” GLMM eagerly continues. Feeling a little warm inside from the two glasses of great wine, I welcome the opportunity to send a little of my own professional charm directly his way. “At first you look for various shades of gold, from light to dark, from vanilla to dark rum. You want a background of balance and symmetry mixed with form and function. From the very start, moderation, strength, companionship, finished with a gentle sweetness. There will be an intense dance between water and coat, ending where you started between various shades of gold.” I grin expansively while collecting the last drop from my glass. GLMM gladly tops my glass, while I retrieve my credit card to purchase four bottles. I leave Sequoia Grove clicking the unlock button on the rental car key ring while walking towards the Chevy Malibu. I add the four new bottles of wine to the two I purchased at Peju. “OK, not bad---two wineries, six bottles and only $530.00 spent,” I say to myself while leaving Sequoia Grove. With the Malibu’s turning signal engaged, I enter Highway 29 towards St. Supery, my third of four wine tasting locations. St. Supery’s parking is packed full. I enter the tasting room, walk up to a long L-shaped counter where upon, I am greeted by a young, energetic man, eager to make a sale. “Hi! My name is Sean and is this your first time to St. Supery?” he asks engagingly. “Actually, no, it is not. I have been here several times and I am also a former member of your wine club,” I reply. St. Supery Sean (SSS) follows with, “Your name?” I give my full name, while Sean enters my data, retrieving my customer profile. “Ah, yes Mr. Faulkner…can you tell me why you chose to discontinue your wine club membership?” “I stopped because I was never home when it was delivered and it requires a signature by someone 21 years of age or older. On Continued on page 86

jUDGING

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question week

JANUARY 27, 2012

AKC’s new “GOOD THINGS WE DO” advertising campaign started in 2011 has been hailed in most circles as a most welcomed attempt to entice newcomers to register their dogs with AKC as well as advising the public generally of the benefits of AKC registration. The QUESTION OF THE WEEK is HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CAMPAIGN IN ACTION AND HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK IT HAS BEEN?

the

of the

kenneth kauffman I must admit I have seen the campaign, but really cannot comment on its effectiveness.

ALICE AND STEVE LAWRENCE Steve saw the campaign when it was announced at the AKC Delegates’ meeting. Neither of us have seen it in action in the media. So, we have no opinion on its effectiveness. No one we know has mentioned it to us. CHRISTINA FREITAG The campaign is a jump-start to a marathon. It has been noticeable within the AKC’s print and online publications. Public level -local kennel clubs need to embrace it with publicity on an ongoing basis for it to succeed. Effective - a good start by reinforcing to breeders the value to the overall welfare to dogs by registering every puppy with AKC.

BARBARA SCHWARTZ My initial response to this question was “what are you talking about?” I vaguely remember seeing something in a registration package, but it obviously had little or no impact perhaps because of my familiarity with the content. A search of AKC’s website revealed that this program was launched through the delegate body. Unfortunately, although I belong to two member clubs, I do not recall hearing anything about it. While the program appears to have merit, wider circulation of its message and available materials would certainly be in order. Marketing any program 22 Dog News

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

primarily via registration packages has never enjoyed a great deal of success. I have not seen anything about the program that would constitute “advising the general public” with the possible exception of David Frei’s positive comments regarding AKC during the broadcast of the KC of Philadelphia’s show on Thanksgiving. If AKC pursues this program in its current format, I would suggest that the content be reviewed. Featuring financial support of Canine Health as well as for Search and Rescue Dogs, along with Lost Dog Recovery are strong points, but mentioning Kennel Inspections as a reason for a newcomer to register a puppy with AKC is, at best, questionable.

*The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed & All Breed

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BY John MANDEVILLE

INSIDE

JUDGING

here are those who think making it as an exhibitor requires a much higher than average pain threshold. Others think the typical exhibitor fits a popular definition of insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Hmmm… if exhibitors don’t have to be flat out nutty masochists there’s a good case a touch of crazy combined with willingness to pay for being abused helps. Little wonder then one must be a survivor of that witch’s brew to advance to sadist… oops, judge status. I jest… don’t I… but the question, “What exactly should long suffering exhibitors expect from judges?” certainly suggests itself. Hey, you, gagging out, “Not much,” knock it off. We’re being serious here. AKC’s track record on the most important thing exhibitors should expect from judges is checkered. That would be breed specific knowledge and the ability to apply it in the ring. How many of today’s judges were approved when AKC had the cojones to develop and put in place its hands-on test? True, that was in the last century – but really just a couple of decades ago or thereabouts. Still, imagine that: There was a time when AKC believed judges should demonstrate competence judging a

breed before being approved. Hopefully the Smith Committee’s recommendations with its strong emphasis on in-depth breed knowledge will become a landmark in the right direction. Still, these days odds are we’ll see no judges’ approval system – none, nada – before there will be any substantive evaluation of judging ability: Let anyone judge whatever they want. How much different would that be from what we’ve had? I mean who thinks an open book breed standard test and a field rep interview have anything to do with judging competency? Oh, right, don’t forget the box-checking, seminar-attending and what-have-you requirements. Hey, breed seminars are worthwhile – some are terrific; just don’t pretend there’s a direct link between attending them and competent judging. Given AKC’s continuing financial morass, letting anyone judge anything could be just around the corner. Hands-on testing was short-lived and is now long gone but it demonstrated AKC thought judges should be competent before approving them. More important it made applicants prepare as never before – or since. Is there any better argument why handson testing should have been continued? Now any thought evaluation of breed competence before approval might return is delusional. Call me old-fashioned: I still think substantive evaluation of judges is necessary. Who’s to say judges wouldn’t benefit from having exhibitors assess their performance… say by filling out evaluation sheets after all major assignments. No kidding. Okay, that’s enough time wasted on idle fantasy.

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OUT

AKC isn’t interested in evaluating judges’ breed competence. They can demur all they want. The reality is they won’t fully confront what needs to be done. Wouldn’t I like to be proved wrong. It’s a credit to AKC and specifically the field reps that we’ve long since reached the point we take judges’ procedure for granted. There are worse things. When was the last time anyone heard a complaint about trampling on judges’ individuality? Real horror shows are a thing of the past – unless, which happens, a judge goes round the bend. Anyone remember seeing a judge move three dogs down and back at the same time? It’s almost impossible to write that but I was actually part of it once. Were it or any other outlandish procedure to occur these days the field reps would be all over it, and the judge would be on an extremely short leash – pardon the pun – if not ticketed for retirement. Still, the impression I got watching judging at AKC’s National Championship is some procedural tuning up is needed – combined with a short list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts.” All we’re really talking about here is plain old, everyday acceptable judging procedure. There is no obligation to take a second look at any dog, let alone re-gaiting every dog… and so on. The possibility exists some judges feel, as I was told, they owe “them their money’s worth” at a show such as the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Who “them” is or “what their money’s worth” is, I don’t know. What I do know is once a judge has individually examined and gaited every dog in a class the judge’s responsibility is to place them. Judges should be efficient, systematic, and decisive every time, no matter the show. We’ll all be the better for it. So, coming soon: The Garden’s renovation, good for man and dog?

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*CC System

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Obedience

Rally Musings

and A

nother National Obedience Invitational has come and gone and there have, as expected, been mixed reviews. When there is change in a long-standing format there are bound to be problems (real and perceived), and comparisons to previous events. As I wasn’t in attendance this year, the observations are from exhibitors I have spoken with. The format was two full days of each dog and handler team competing in eight rings both days. There were two or three exercises from open and utility in each ring. In prior years all teams competed on the first day and then the teams were seeded by scores for Sunday’s competition. The complaint concerning the previous format was that the top four dogs from each group automatically went on to the Sunday seedings, thus leaving out many of the teams that had actually scored higher than these twenty-eight dogs. Now, I agree this was not fair and changes should have been made, however, a middle ground could have been found with only the first place in each group moving on to Sunday’s event. This would have opened up twenty-four more spots for the seedings. With the change that was made it became an endurance contest for both the dogs and handlers. Many of the obedience handlers are now senior citizens or close, and it was exhausting. This fact was apparent for the older dogs as well, and older is relative to the breed. My PBGV was the oldest dog that was shown at almost thirteen, but there were Mastiffs for example that could be considered elders at eight years old. On Saturday a Junior competition was held for the first time, and it was very successful. We all support the kids coming up in obedience and rally as they are the future of the sport. Unfortunately, the awards for the Juniors were presented in the middle of the NOI competition on Saturday, therefore requiring the teams that had not finished their runs to sit for at least an hour before starting again. This not only made for a very long day, but it also caused the dogs to stiffen up from laying in their crates, and their handlers as well. Not an equitable situation for all the exhibitors. There also needs to be a more consistent system for posting scores so exhibitors can see theirs and their competitors scores for all of the rings on both days. What was missing was the excitement of the head to head pairing on Sunday, with all in attendance having the opportunity to watch the top teams perform. The Saturday night dinner was not held this year. This was when folks found out where they had placed during the day, and the seedings for the next day. The parent club awards were also presented at that time. This year all the awards and placements were announced at the end of the day Sunday.

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by Minta “Mike” Williquette

There were many positives I heard about as well. The organization of the event overall was good, and the judges were complimented on their friendliness and how smoothly their rings were run. This was in part due to experienced stewards, many being judges themselves. The Friday evening dinner included a video presentation of the 75 years of AKC Obedience. Many folks throughout the obedience world contributed photos from days gone by. I was pleased to see that two of the top four teams handlers were men. In a sport where women predominately show and train these days, it’s nice to see that men are still competing and winning. With this in mind, it was wonderful that an old (meaning long time) friend Dick Guetzloff is back in the ring with a new Border Collie and by being invited to the NOI, obviously winning. Another interesting fact, but not too surprising, is that the top eight dogs were Golden Retrievers. There was a very large entry this year with many breeds represented which is why the number of rings was increased. There is talk that AKC may limit the entry in future years. On a personal note, my old girl Gypsy made the trip with a friend, as I was judging that weekend. At her age, and with a handler she didn’t know well, she placed third in the Hound group and I am so proud. She is now retired from Obedience and will pursue advanced tracking titles. We may try another type of Rally, which I will discuss in a future column. I would also like to congratulate fellow judges Celeste Mead and Dave Mauer on their marriage. Exercise finished.

Ch. Spotlights Ruffian

Thank you Judge Mr. Robert Gregory

Thank you to all the Judges for making Ian the Top Dalmatian* and Number Nine** Non-Sporting dog for 2011 Bred By Connie Wagner (Spotlight) â&#x20AC;˘ Owned By Jim & Barbara Lyons (Quiksilver) Presented By Michelle & Michael Scott

*All Systems **The Dog News Top Ten List

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JANUARY 27, 2012

Puyallup Kennel Club Standard Poodle GCh. Brighton Lakeridge Encore Judge Mr. Norman L Patton Owners Toni and Martin Sosnoff Handler Tim Brazier Tampa Bay Kennel Club German Wirehaired Pointer GCh. Mt. View’s Ripsnortersilvercharm Judge Mr. Robert Slay Owners C. & K. Wisch Handler Phil Booth

Bests Week

Manatee Kennel Club Clearwater Kennel Club Standard Poodle GCh. Jaset’s Satisfaction Judge Mr. Joseph F. Joly III Judge Mr. Jerry Watson Owners Beth Harris, Michele Molnar & Jamie Danburg Handler Ann Rairigh Tualatin Kennel Club - Thursday Dog Fanciers Association Of Oregon Tualatin Kennel Club - Sunday Doberman Pinscher Ch. Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici Judge Mr. Carl Gene Liepmann Judge Mr. Dana P. Cline Judge Mr. William P. Shelton Owners Suzy & Dick Lundy, Jocelyn & Kevin Mullins Handler Jocelyn Mullins Fort Bend Kennel Club - Saturday Saluki GCh. DC. Shahtani Ivory Moon Judge Mr. Yoshio Mori Owners Lori May and Gerry Thornton Handler Gerry Thornton

To report an AKC All Breed Best In Show or National Specialty Win Call, Fax or Email before 12:00 Noon Tuesday Fax: 212 675-5994 • ,Phone: 212 462-9588 • Email: Dognews@harris-pub.com 34 Dog News

of the

Central Iowa Kennel Club - Sunday Shih Tzu GCh. Symarun’s Love T’Look Judge Mrs. Ann Savory Bolus Owner William Lee Handler Mandy Carlson Inverness Kennel Club - Thursday Standard Poodle GCh. Dacun Kaylen’s He’s A Heartbreaker Judge Ms. Victoria M. Jordan Owners Virginia Dorris & Kay Peiser Handler Kay Peiser

Carroll Kennel Club Annapolis Kennel Club American Foxhound Ch. Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box Judge Ms. Beverly Capstick Judge Mr. Edward Hall Owners Dr. James & Jane Fitzpatrick & Harry & Lisa Miller Handler Lisa Miller Pasco Florida Kennel Club Tampa Bay Kennel Club - Sunday Manatee Kennel Club - Thursday Miniature Pinscher GCh. Marlex Classic Red Glare Judge Mr. Charles Cyopik Judge Mr. Charles Trotter Judge Mr. Kenneth Falconi Owners Leah Monte and Armando Angelbello Handler Armando Angelbello Continued on page 103

Dog News 35

Eight Shows on the Florida Circuit resulting in Four Group Firsts and Four Group Placements International, Russian, Estonian, Finnish, American Champion Of Skyeline Captain Hook bred by Kirsi Sainio Helsinki, Finland Handled By Larry Cornelius Marcelo Veras Owned by Victor Malzoni, Jr. Hampton Court 36 Dog News

BARRIE

Dog News 37

photo by Croft-Elliott

ASKED OF Rita and Doug Holloway

Questions

What year did you start showing dogs and what breeds were they? Rita: 1969, Afghan. Can’t remember what show. Doug: Showing has been in the family all my life . I believe the first dogs I showed were Westie, Kerry, St. Schnauzer and a Golden Retriever in either Kent, New York or Carmel, New York. I was about 5, in those days there were match shows on a regular bases that my sister Linnea and I competed which she loved showing and I hated it.

Which dog no longer being shown would you liked to have shown or owned? Rita: No decision. ( PA ) St. Schnauzer - Ch. Parsifal Di Casa Netzer (which I did show and owned) and (Tiki) miniature poodle - Ch. J.L.C. Critique (which I owned and would’ve loved to have shown). Doug: That’s easy (PA) St. Schnauzer Ch. Parsifal Di Casa Netzer (I showed and he was my house dog. He was more like one of my dearest friends).

Why do you think most people want to judge? Rita: Hopefully to improve the judgment of the breeds. Doug: The joy of traveling thru airports and getting to the shows on time! Why else? Truthfully I would have to agree with Reet’s, to improve on the judgment of the breeds and in my case I just like looking at animals.

Born: Rita: Berlin, New Hampshire Doug: Mt. Kisco, New York Reside: Newark , Delaware

Married: Either not long enough, or too long depending on what day, (29 years, Jan 17, 2012). That’s not counting how long we lived together in SIN. >

How would you describe yourselves in personal ads? Rita: Shy, very passive and not a great conversationalist. Doug: Fat, bald, big footed, bad breath and ugly. If you ask Reet’s she will tell you those are some of my good features.

10 Who are your non-dog heroes or heroines exclusive of immediate relatives? Rita: Our armed service men and John F. Kennedy. Doug: Our forefathers (women & men) who have given their lives for us to have the way of life that we so cherish today! If you could change one thing about your relationship what would it be? Rita: It’s too late to change him now it’s been over 30 years. Doug: What! Are you crazy? You are not getting me to stick my foot in my mouth! We share a nice comfortable bed, she cooks (too many) meals for me and only beats the daylights out of me on occasions what else can I ask for and she is my best friend!

BY LESLEY boyes

38 Dog News

Do you think there are too many dog shows? Rita: No (it’s up to the person whether they want to exhibit or not). Doug: Yes! Honestly do away with allowing clubs to have two shows on the same weekend. I know it is impossible doing away with the 200-mile rule and making it 400 miles apart. The rule was made prior to the super highway and the frequent fliers. Which are your three favorite dog shows? Rita: Westminster, Chicago and Poodle Club of America. Doug: Westminster, of course, Chicago, and the last one would be any show I happened to have won at the moment.

Do you think there should be a limit on the number of times a dog may be exhibited in a year? Rita: No. Doug: You shouldn’t have to ask a true dog person that question. They should know the limitations of the animal. Hopefully. How do you react to people flying in and out of shows on the same weekend? Rita: As long as it doesn’t affect the heath of the dog then it is up to each individual. Doug: Ahh, what the heck,“have dog will travel!“ That’s a good synopsis.

Dog News 39

No question about it....

Who Is on First! Multiple group winning, Gold Level Grand Champion â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

With much appreciation to

Judge Mr. Frank Washabaugh Steve and Alice Lawrence

The Fuzzy Farm

Best In Show Cords Since 1972 AKC Herding Group Breeders of the Year 2011 AKC Breeders of Merit 40 Dog News

Dog News 41

AThought BY SEYMOUR WEISS

To Consider

Mentorship, Independence and the Weaning Process

ong before mentorship in the conformation dog sport became part of our community’s familiar landscape, aspiring fanciers sought out seasoned authorities to learn from. Dog people have always passed the baton to the next generation as a natural progression; it’s just that in an earlier time we lacked the structure that now identifies the mentoring process. Whether mentorship happens for judges at ringside during a seminar or a specialty or among rank and file fanciers at a dog show or in a kennel visit, knowledge is meant to be shared by teacher and student. Except in very rare cases, say where a dog fancier parent teaches his or her sons and daughters the craft, we all came to dogs knowing zip! Oh sure, we probably picked up a book or magazine that successfully whetted our appetite and drew us to an actual dog show. Or we might have learned about a show that was to be held in our local area and went over to see what all the fuss was about. However we first stuck our toe in the water, connecting to someone that could help us was an important part of our launch. If the smart newbie took the time to note who, among the exhibitors, made the most trips to the winners’ circle or whose dogs most appealed to him or her the next step would be to open a dialogue with the person behind these dogs. And so

begins the mentorship dialogue. The nature of the mentors to whom we can connect is as varied as the ever-growing list of AKCrecognized breeds. Some people in search of a mentor fall in with what can only be termed career malcontents. If you look you will observe them at every dog show, the chronic complainers who tell anyone and everyone willing to listen that all the judges are idiots and the dogs they reward are not only inferior specimens, but it is even questionable that they are purebred! It’s interesting to note, however, that most dogs being shown by these people would not earn house room with a fancier who is comfortable with the demands of their breed standard. It does make for an interesting 42 Dog News

dichotomy, to say the least. Typically, the most qualified candidate for a mentor often refrains from denigrating the judges and the competition. He or she allows their dogs to make the wordless statement on their behalf and no demonstration of vindictive billingsgate could be any stronger than that. It has often been said that “build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” That is nowhere truer than in the little island of madness we all share. Everyone wants to link up with the winner, hopefully to learn from him, to get one of his puppies and eventually to have the laurel wreath put on our own heads. Well, friends, it’s not that Continued on page 92

Ch.Criston Enchanted

“Rachel”

Thank you Judges: Best of Breed - Mrs. Sulie GreendalePaveza - Clearwater Kennel Club

Best of Breed - Mrs. Debra Thornton Inverness Kennel Club and Group Fourth - Mrs. Marilyn Spacht Best of Breed - Mr. Donald Martin Tampa Bay Kennel Club and Group First - Mrs. Keke Kahn Best of Breed - Dr. Anne Gallant Pasco Florida Kennel Club Breeder and Owner: Christine Pinkston - criston@aol.com Co-Breeder: Michelle Friesen and Tracee Elwess Handler: Marcelo Veras and Larry Cornelius - marceloveras@aol.com

PHOTO BY LISA CROFT-ELIOT

Dog News 43

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

“P

lease take us to the Orange County Convention Center,” Patti Fitzgerald asked the cab driver who picked her up at the Orlando Wyndham Hotel. “Which building?” Patti repeated, “Orange County Convention Center.” “Which building?” the driver grumbled, with a slight undertone of, duh! “The dog show!” Patti replied. “Okay!” he huffed. “But you have to know which building!” This was confusing for someone from upstate New York who is used to seeing convention centers that are all contained in one building. It turns out the Orange County Convention Center is three huge buildings on both sides of International Drive. Not only that, once you know whether you want the West Building, North Building, or South Building, you need to know which hall? Being left at the wrong end of one of the buildings will mean a 20-minute walk.

By Sharon Sakson

Photos by Robert Young/AKC

Something Spec However, that was not a problem, largely due to the 20-foot high inflatable pink and black Eukanuba dog statue out front. It was hard to miss. And once inside, “It was like a celebration, and got your heart racing!” Patti said. A ring just inside the door was a never-ending stream of agility, flyball, jumps, discs and other kinds of canine competition. Even though they had come solely for the conformation competition, Patti’s group was riveted by the intensity and drive of the dogs. “I’m a show person; I don’t care about agility, but it made me stop and look. The pet people were eating it up, yelling, clapping, so enthusiastic. There was a huge banner above us and all kinds of signs and streamers – I felt like we were at something really special,” Patti said.“The fresh flowers, the size of the rings, everybody having fun. It was like Crufts or the World Show.” The organizers of the AKC/Eukanuba

44 Dog News

National Championship will be glad to hear that. A show of that prominence is certainly their goal. At the conformation rings, people who hadn’t seen each other since Westminster or their national specialty rushed to hug. The air was full of foreign languages, and the foreigners were leading beautiful dogs. Since the show is invitation only, the exhibits being led into the ring were Best in Show winners, National Specialty winners, Top Dog in their country, or Top 25 of their breed in the US. On Saturday night, AKC delegates and other guests and spectators were dressed in tuxedos and gowns as they watched an Olympic-style Opening Ceremony Parade. A dog from each country led his handler into the big ring, followed by a flag bearer. As the patriotic reds and blues and greens and orange colors waved above them, 41 top dogs bounced

cial in Orlando around, full of excitement. 37 countries were represented, which seems a truly amazing feat in the canine world! As the announcer read each country and breed, it turned into an example of how truly international the sport of canines is. The top dog in Australia is a Hungarian Puli -- which was bred in the US! The Czech Republic was represented by a Maltese; Germany, a Basenji: both of those had been bred in the US. Top dog in Japan, a Siberian Husky. Top in Malaysia, a Shih Tzu. Finally, a country was represented by a native breed – Mexico, where the top dog is a Xoloitzcuintle, the dog of the Aztecs. Another match – Portugal represented by a Portuguese Water Dog. Italy, a Bracco Italiano. But most breeds didn’t match their country – Poland, Irish Setter; Puerto Rico, Ibizan Hound; Latvia, Phalene Papillon; France, Borzoi; Croatia, Kerry Blue Terrier; Spain, Newfoundland; Sweden, Saluki; Norway, German Shepherd.

The dogs were showing their hearts out; the flags were waving; the announcer was excited. The crowd leapt to their feet and gave the parade a standing ovation. “Watching all those beautiful dogs gave me goosebumps!” Patti exclaimed. She wasn’t alone. The Italian standard-bearer, judge Paolo Dondina, was openly weeping as he marched around the ring. Then, Enrique Filippini of Italy had the job of judging the winner of the World Challenge. The first runner up was Ch. Zentarr Elizabeth, a Lhasa Apso from England, owned and bred by Margaret Anderson. When the judge pointed to her, Margaret had one of those really embarrassing moments.“I didn’t know he gestured at me! I thought he was talking to the Poodle! I was waiting for the Poodle to go out. So I sat back awhile. Then I realized he was gesturing again, like, ‘Would you please get out here, lady?’ I suddenly realized it was me! I think the poor man was

Continued on page 94

Dog News 45

Animal Rights VS Nature Save These Quotes By Patricia Gail Burnham

sed book stores occasionally turn up treasures. I couldn’t pass up a book titled “Animal Rights vs Nature” written by Walter E. Howard clear back in 1990. Dr. Howard was a biology professor at the University of California at Davis for 43 years. His Ph.D. was in vertebrate ecology with an earlier degree in Zoology. He wrote more than 430 publications and circulated reports on animal welfare, ecology, behavior, population dynamics, and management and control of wild animals. Is a self published book that is 22 years old relevant today? Oh, yes. Decades before the animal rights folks came after pet breeders, they targeted hunters, wildlife managers and experimental scientists. Dr. Howard was right in their cross hairs. And the AR tactics haven’t changed from his day. Mr. Howard’s quotes are entirely applicable to the present fight. As a plus, he gives folks who want to write to newspapers, magazines, or politicians a ready source of excellent quotes about the AR movement. If you don’t want to say in public that the Humane Society of the United States lies and misleads its contributors for fear that they might sue you, you can quote Dr. Howard and let him say it for you. So I would recommend saving this article and filing it away for a future time when you need to educate people about the fallacies in the AR agenda. Dr. Howard’s quotes are in italics. My favorite quote is “Animals enrich our spirit”.. My second favorite quote is actually the book’s conclusion, “It is great to be born, even if as a laboratory, domestic or game animal.” Here, in a sentence, is the heart of the AR fight. ARs’ believe that the solution to the occasional misfortunes that occur to every living thing on earth is to not be born. Those of us who oppose them, believe that life is worth some misfortunes and recognize that every living thing will die. Death is not a tragedy. It is a fact of life. The inevitable death is not a reason to want not to be born. As a wildlife expert and biologist Dr. How-

ard believes, “To me, it is wonderful that so many game, research and domestic animals get to be born, if we can assure that they will live a healthy quality life. It is unfortunate that their lives may be terminated prematurely, but such utilization means that even a greater number of animals well be born. Such a process is acceptable as long as their death comes humanely as possible. i.e., without the pain and suffering nature usually inflicts when terminating a life. “The only way to abolish pain and suffering to all animals is to eliminate (exterminate) these species.” This mirrors an argument I once made to a vegetarian, that if you really like cattle you should eat as much beef as possible so that ranchers will raise more cattle. Yes they will only live a few years before turning up in a supermarket but they have had several years of happily converting pasture into steaks. And there have been great movements in recent years to make slaughter more humane. If you get a chance rent the movie “Temple Grandin” which recounts Temple’s development of the more humane handling techniques for cattle that 50% of USA slaughter houses use now. Scared, bruised or injured cattle are bad for business. Calm cattle are good for business. Dr. Howard uses some memorable AR quotes : Likewise, some of the (AR) leaders have not helped where they make extreme statements approaching nincompoopery, as quoted in The Washingtonian: “Human beings have no right to the knowledge gained from experimentation on animals-even if done painlessly.” And ‘I don’t believe human beings have the right to life. That’s a supremacist perversion. A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Meat-eating is ‘primitive, barbaric, and arrogant, and pet ownership is fascism.’ “The time will come when we look upon the murder of animals as we now look on the murder of men.” And he adds the following information about the AR movement: Animal rights, which started as an ethical issue, has now become a political issue. Laws, not the users of animals, are now setting the rules. And it is the media that controls the dissemination of information. Animal rightists are not asking for more humane treatment of animals, that is animal welfarism. The real goal of animal rights is to prohibit any exploitation of animals, especially the higher forms. The animal rights movement has entwined what is ethical with what can be used emotionally. They have tunnel vision with a bleak, empty vista without many animals surviving at the end. They resort to fabrication and fraud, replete with inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and outright false accusations. Animal rightists have been Continued on page 96

46 Dog News

The Best In Specialty Show & Multiple Group Winning

GCH.PYRLESS NO-BRAINER

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A GREAT PYRENEES?

Our sincere appreciation to Judge Mrs. Andre Schoen for this Group placement

THE SHOW DOG

THE LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN IT’S A

“RALEIGH”

in limited showing when not guarding his flock

THE NUMBER FIVE* GREAT PYRENEES ALL BREED *The Dog News Top Ten List

“NO-BRAINER”! Breeder Dr. Valerie Seeley

Owners Sean & Rebecca Garvin Handler Sue Capone, PHA

Dog News 47

Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers The First Name In Smooths

ADAM Multiple All Breed Best In Show & Specialty Winner

Ch. Slyfox Sneaks A Peek

Owner J. W. Smith Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers 00 Dog News 48

Breeders Joan & Mark Taggart

Handlers Edward & Lesley Boyes Grass Valley, California 530.272.4940

Pictured with Judge Miss Dorothy Macdonald

Dog Dog News News 00 49

Dog News

The Digest

Of American Dogs

The Deadline For The Westminster Kennel Club 2012 issue of Dog News, which publishes on Friday, February 10, 2012 will be Friday, February 3, 2012 50 Dog News

THE BRUSSELS DOG SHOW

EXCELLENCE IN EU

52 Dog News

BY KARL DONVIL

russels dog show was excellent only one month after the Champion of Champions show. For its 115th edition the Brussels Dog Show, one week before Christmas, had a very nice entry of 3574 dogs. The difference of 400 dogs less than last year has probably two reasons. First there was the terrible weather that struck the exhibitors on Sunday. This probably made certain exhibitors reluctant to enter their dogs. But I don’t think this had so much an influence. Let’s not forget the last weeks and the busy year with all the festivities around the FCI Centenary. Only 5 weeks before there was the Champion of Champions Show in the very same halls. There was also Kortrijk and Amsterdam. This costs a lot of money if you want to participate in all those shows and probably a lot of exhibitors decided to stay home. All in all there were more than enough dogs and the 33 judges (out of 13 different countries) had enough to handle these two days. The Brussels Dog Show is always very special as all participants get a free breakfast offered at the stand of Royal Canin, a very nice initiative to welcome the people. There is also the Christmas Petmarket and every morning Father Christmas is brought

in on a sled pulled by a span of Huskies. It is fun for the visitors as there is always something going on in the main ring. The entry fee was free for children under 12 and thus an excellent day out for the family. The theme this year was “the dog in our society” and visitors could enjoy demonstrations illustrating the many aspects of the relation between man and dog. Brussels Dog Show offers a double CAC and is also a Crufts qualifying show. Of course this gives certain advantages over other shows but Brussels is the principal show and a combined result of all the clubs in the country. And since several years this show has evaluated in the positive direction. The main ring is gorgeous in one word and lighted with chandeliers. The podium was ornamented with Christmas decoration Continued on page 102

EUROPE’S CAPITAL Dog News 53

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Something About Barney

he one thing I enjoy about teaching handlers to do heelwork to music and freestyle is watching them progress. It gives me more pleasure I think to see one of my pupils do well than myself. For some it is more of a struggle than others to get the dog up to competition standard and many fall by the wayside as it can be a long process. One team who has had a bit more of a journey to competing than others has been a little terrier cross called Barney. He came from a long line of hunt terriers, which from my experience of owning terriers means he was probably going to be intelligent but with an independent streak. Loraine, his owner, has had dogs before but had never done training with them. As is often the case Barney was quite well behaved until he hit about

one-year-old, then the hormones probably kicked in and he started to be a bit more temperamental with some other dogs. It was in January 2006 that Loraine and Barney attended my classes after watching some heelwork to music at Discover Dogs the previous year. The first time Barney came to my classes he was a bit of a typical 18-month-old terrier who would get very excited. If there were other dogs rushing around he wanted to give chase and if he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t he might start barking with excitement. This meant that working him off lead in the class environment was not going to be possible to start with. It soon became apparent that Barney was a quick learner and took to some of the trick moves very quickly. Loraine did a lot of work with him at home perfecting the Continued on page 104

54 Dog News

Music

heelwork to BY RICHARD Curtis

The charismatic Barney jumping for joy after his win

Dog News 55

56 Dog News

Dog News 57

BY Marjorie Martorella

was invited to judge two shows in China in midDecember. It was for two weekends and the first show was to be held in Suzhou City, about a two hour drive from Shanghai and the second weekend’s shows were to be held in Huizhou, which is near Hong Kong. I accepted and was looking forward to visiting both Shanghai and Hong Kong. About two weeks before I was scheduled to leave, my left knee started to give me some problems. The Saturday after Thanksgiving landed me in the emergency room with excruciating pain. I was xrayed and given an ultra-sound. They prescribed me Percocet for pain and I was to have a follow up exam with an orthopedic surgeon. I found the Percocet definitely worked better when taken with red wine, lots of red wine. I was waiting for the doctor’s appointment and in the meantime realized that traveling to China was probably not a wise decision under the circumstances. I called several other judges trying to get a replacement. The timing couldn’t have been worse with all of the major shows at the end of the year not to mention the AKC Eukanuba show. I told the NGKC (Chinese Club that is closely associated with AKC) what was going on and that I was trying to find a replacement. They were in panic mode. I finally got in to see the doctor. He took more x-rays and gave me a cortisone shot as well as an anti-inflammatory. In a day or two I was definitely feeling better and had totally given up trying to find

someone else to go in my place. On Dec. 7th, I flew from Newark directly to Shanghai, a 15-hour trip. I was met at the Shanghai airport by Mary, the NGKC representative and interpreter. She told me that we had to wait for the other judge, Janet Allen, who was arriving on a later flight from San Francisco. We went into a Burger King at the airport to wait for her arrival. Four long hours later, Janet arrived. I was beat and couldn’t wait to get into our hotel room and freshen up. We had a two hour drive to Suzhou. When we finally arrived at the hotel, we quickly put all of the inconvenience of the trip behind us. Our rooms were beautiful. We both had a suite and Janet and I agreed, we had both lived in smaller apartments. We spent the next day or so visiting the city and doing some sightseeing. Janet was scheduled to judge on Saturday and I was judging on Sunday. Unfortunately for Janet, the day she judged was freezing cold and windy. The shows were outside under a tent. I felt badly for Janet as I knew she had to be uncomfortable in that weather. I was left on my own to do some sightseeing and had the opportunity to go indoors to warm up. I could just imagine how it felt to be out in the cold all day long with no break. The next day the weather was a bit warmer, but my knee started to bother me and I am sure it had to do with the

58 Dog News

THE NOT SO LIGHTER SIDE OF JUDGING

(EXCUSE ME, MR. FAULKNER)

cold weather. I was forced to take a Percocet while judging, which fortunately got me through the assignment. Janet and I were both were very impressed with the quality of the dogs. This was my third time to China and each time, the dogs are better and the handling and presentation are as well. Some of the dogs we judged could compete anywhere. As a matter of fact, there was a Black Cocker that was a half brother to our Number One Dog in the US. He was a lovely dog with beautiful carriage and temperament, definitely a merry little cocker. Other breeds with exceptional quality were Bichons, Chows and Pomeranians. We spent the next couple of days shopping. It seemed as though Janet and I had known each other for years as we got along marvelously and were really enjoying the trip and each other’s company. On Wed. we left Suzhou and took a flight to the next city, Guangzhou. We stayed in the Ginza Hotel. Not quite on a par to the hotel in Suzhou. This hotel had a sign at the elevator saying “No Minors Allowed”. That evening we found out why. Seems there were clubs in the hotel and in the evening, young ladies dressed in red uniforms would escort Continued on page 106

Dog News 59

Yes, I Cairn! Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Dog 2011

60 Dog News

As if winning BEST IN SHOW at a CACIB show in October was not enough, a Cairn Terrier named Happy Beit Dembin was also chosen as Dog of the Year 2011 at a competition held in December. Happy’s happy breeder and owner was naturally, elated.

Story & photos By Yossi Guy

small country such as Israel does not enfold too many surprises when it comes to dog shows. A handful of dogs keep landing in first place at most events, making them sometimes even bordering on boring. The only question is whether a particular dog will be placed first, second or third in a particular event. Some of the other breeders who compete against these dogs have already given up and don’t even bother sticking around for the group judging (ironically, leaving the field wide open and then they keep complaining). However, even these top dogs don’t always win consistently at group and BIS level. In October, the Israeli Kennel Club (IKC) organized a dog show in the desert town of Arad, a 20 minute drive from the Dead Sea. The town welcomed the canine invasion, helping the IKC with many aspects of the large production. Even the weather was favorable and the temperatures were mild enough for dogs and people to enjoy the day. The international panel of judges finally awarded top honors to a Cairn Terrier, followed by an Alaskan Malamute and Cocker Spaniel. Dorit Dembin, breeder of the Cairn Terrier BIS, was particularly happy that day after a dog from her kennel. Dino Beit Dembin, having placed 3rd in the Best Puppy competition and minutes later another dog, Champion Beit Dembin, was Best Junior. Dembin, an accomplished dog trainer, has been successfully breeding Cairn Terriers for the

Continued on page 112

Dog News 61

breeds at RISK of EXTINCTION in the u.k. By laura quickfall (from the Kennel Club in the U.K.) People are also favouring celebrity dog breeds such as the Chihuahua owned • English Setter risks extinction for the first time, as people shun by the likes of Paris Hilton, over old British favourites. More than 6,000 long and short Native Vulnerable Breeds for fashionable and exotic dogs coated Chihuahuas were registered by the Kennel Club in 2011, up by more than a • Celebrity impacts on breed popularity with 25 percent increase quarter on 2010. in the Chihuahua Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Celebrities, popular culture and • ‘Royal Wedding Effect’ popularises one endangered Corgi breed fashion play a big part in today’s society and unfortunately, dogs are not immune • Kennel Club warns against buying exotic breeds that we do not from our fickle tastes. The latest victim is the understand English Setter, a wonderful and loyal breed, while the number of Siberian Huskies have more than trebled in this county in the last 10 years. This unfortunately is reflected in the growing number of exotic breeds seen ne of Britain’s oldest native dog when it numbers less than 300 puppy coming in to our breed rescue societies, as breeds, the English Setter, has for the registrations in a year. The Irish Terrier people realise that they can’t give them the first time become at risk of extinction. returned to the list after just tipping exercise, grooming or other care that they The breed only numbered 234 300 registrations in 2010, but the breed need. registrations last year, according to Kennel declined by 22 percent this year. “With Crufts coming up we want Club registration statistics released today, a As Crufts approaches, the Kennel Club people to find out about the diverse range 33 percent decline on 2010. There has been a warns against shunning our historic native of dogs out there, that suit different types of decline of almost two thirds in the number of breeds in favour of more exotic dogs that people. There are around 200 breeds in the English Setters today, compared to ten years we fail to understand and for which we event’s Discover Dogs area, where people ago. are unable to offer the right lifestyle. Last can find out about the advantages of each, The English Setter joins another 24 breeds year, around 3,000 dogs were registered, judging for themselves what breed is best on the Kennel Club’s Native Vulnerable Breeds across all 25 Vulnerable Breeds, compared for them rather than via a reality TV star.” list. A breed is deemed to be at risk of extinction to 1,940 Siberian Huskies. The impact of celebrity may have had a positive effect on at least one native vulnerable breed, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, whose registrations shot up by 134 percent in BREED 2010 2011 2011. It is thought that the 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr YEAR Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr YEAR % Change ‘Royal Wedding effect’ and the breed’s close relation to Collie Smooth 9 18 12 15 54 15 27 16 17 75 38.8888889 the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Dandie Dinmont Terrier 20 39 65 27 151 14 29 17 38 98 -35.099338 owned by the Queen, may Deerhound 74 64 80 38 256 41 100 37 59 237 -7.421875 have had an impact. English Setter* 119 78 97 55 349 77 67 67 23 234 -32.951289 Caroline Kisko added: English Toy Terrier (Black & “There has been a dramatic Tan) 38 27 37 34 136 10 27 33 25 95 -30.147059 increase in the popularity of Fox Terrier (Smooth) 22 49 23 61 155 24 37 41 35 137 -11.612903 the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Glen Of Imaal Terrier 12 9 13 27 61 4 3 33 27 67 9.83606557 We can only surmise that Greyhound** 11 33 4 17 65 3 5 4 2 14 -78.461538 the increased interest in Irish Terrier*** 65 80 116 96 357 31 54 138 54 277 -22.408964 the royal family last year may have made people Irish Red & White Setter 14 27 39 3 83 20 56 35 8 119 43.373494 more aware of the Queen’s Kerry Blue Terrier 73 96 31 23 223 44 65 52 51 212 -4.9327354 favourite dog, the Pembroke King Charles Spaniel 73 35 65 26 199 60 30 38 52 180 -9.5477387 Welsh Corgi, and had a Lakeland Terrier 90 43 86 35 254 58 68 65 56 247 -2.7559055 knock on effect on the Lancashire Heeler 37 29 34 34 134 14 29 37 18 98 -26.865672 Cardigan Welsh Corgi as well. Manchester Terrier 28 34 25 20 107 34 36 38 44 152 42.0560748 We urge people to do their Norwich Terrier 34 44 48 46 172 41 30 37 50 158 -8.1395349 research before they buy but Otterhound 16 8 16 17 57 4 7 10 17 38 -33.333333 the breed is alert, loyal, non aggressive and can make a Retriever (Curly Coated) 31 0 26 15 72 22 21 18 1 62 -13.888889 great companion.” Sealyham Terrier 14 9 16 10 49 18 7 14 24 63 28.5714286 People who want to Skye Terrier 1 21 15 0 37 10 0 20 14 44 18.9189189 know more about the Spaniel (Clumber) 42 59 104 66 271 46 57 79 53 235 -13.284133 English Setter or any other Spaniel (Field) 20 14 16 5 55 15 15 3 13 46 -16.363636 breed should come along Spaniel (Irish Water) 32 30 33 22 117 38 20 31 12 101 -13.675214 to Crufts at the NEC in Spaniel (Sussex) 33 0 23 12 68 18 25 6 3 52 -23.529412 Birmingham from the 8th Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) 1 18 10 17 46 10 51 28 19 108 134.782609 – 11th March and visit the Discover Dogs area or visit TOTAL 909 864 1,034 721 3,528 671 866 897 715 3,149 -10.74263 the breed information centre on the Kennel Club website AT WATCH (breeds that formerly numbered less than 300 annual registrations, the number the KC deems as a www.the-kennel-club.org. sign that it risks extinction uk/services Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier 100 92 115 98 405 118 113 135 67 433 6.91358025

Vulnerable Breeds

Welsh Terrier

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102

106

108

116

432

147

415

-3.9351852

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Laredo... Shuffles Off to Buffalo and Wins

Best In Show Making a Wish Come True!

A Top Ranked Boxer All Systems 2011

GCh. Jacquetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Laredo El Encanto Breeder & Co-Owner Linda Casella

64 Dog News

Jacquet Boxers

Owners David Sparks & Nance Sparks

Handlers Carmen Skinner Gerard Hughes

Thank you Judge Mrs. Barbara Dempsey Alderman

Thank you Judge Dr. Roger Pritchard

Dog News 65

All In The Family WHEN THE BARK IS LOUDER THAN THE BITE MAKING YOUR KENNEL SOUND PROOF

ou’ve probably heard the old idiom “the bark is louder than the bite”. However, the bark may still be annoying for you, your neighbors and the government powers-that-be. You cannot always completely stop this bothersome, irritating sound, but with a little innovative energy, you can certainly reduce the situation. Recently, I had a breeder inquiry, as to an effective way of controlling kennel dog barking both indoors and in outside runs. Obviously, dogs will be dogs and thus the barking problem. There is probably no definitive answer to the question or total prevention, outside of debarking. And since I do not necessarily advocate debarking, I will attempt to look elsewhere for a solution. Dogs are creatures of habit and the number one cause of dog barking is that the dog is communicating, either by imagination or by real contact with another animal or human being. And, dogs bark for a number reasons, such as being bored, becoming excited, being scared, wanting attention, being alarmed, and being hungry or thirsty. One cannot necessarily stop all barking, but good dog training and socialization certainly helps. So, what are some demographic kennel retrofits that may encourage the kennel dogs not to bark or reduce the noise? Most kennels are perfect examples of amplified noise, with the cement floors and cinder block walls. This type construction thus causes the sound waves to bounce around. To reduce the noise, these sound waves must then be soaked up or reflected, rather than being amplified out into space. Obviously, this type construction is mainly due to easy maintenance as the surface is easy to clean. In most situations, the problem is confined to the outside runs, rather than inside the kennel proper. However, here are just a few common sense suggestions for the sound abatement in kennels, both indoors and outside and some effective ways of controlling the dog barking both indoors and in outside runs. Note: Consideration should be given to a good professional acoustical contractor. This would not only assist in the prevention of the problem but will serve to support your concern in the event of neighbor complaints and/or governmental legal action. A brief word about dog barking punishment. As this article has suggested, the four reasons dogs bark are 1) extreme noise 2) visual stimuli 3) animals and 4) people. No punishment

66 Dog News

By Charles C. Robey

INSIDE KENNEL PROPER • Consider good sound barriers to cut down on the echoes and reverberations. Such items as side and top insulation and a good absorbent material for the floor base may help. • Consider good sound absorption drapes or panels for the windows to control the sound, as well as preventing the dogs from the outside world. • Consider sealing and insulating the empty overhead roof space.

• Consider regulating the heating and cooling, as dogs become restless under extreme weather conditions. • Consider preventing artificial light shadows from appearing on the walls. These sometimes will startle the dogs. • Consider separating the dogs in heat, and their boyfriends, from the other dogs. • Consider simply playing good soft music to help drown out the barking, thus calming the dogs.

OUTSIDE RUNS •Consider keeping the runs away from heavy foot traffic, especially, if in an area where children walk by from school. Often times, children will provoke mass barking. • Consider isolating the known trouble barkers as to not provoke the other members of the kennel into barking. (This may work indoors as well). Consider using a bark retardant collar on the trouble makers. • Consider the proper fencing, to absorb

the sound and limit the dogs’ outside view. • Consider installing a good outside lighting system shining inward, as to help prevent dogs from seeing the proverbial ghostly outside shadows or night wandering varmint. • Consider good landscape barriers, such as thick shrubbery, close to the dog runs. • Consider isolating the dominant dogs, both male and female, as not to excite the other dogs.

KENNEL FENCING • Wood fencing is a top choice for dog fencing because it is often beautiful as well as functional. Most types of wood fencing work well. However, those types with wide spaces between pieces such as split rail require a layer of wire mesh to be attached to them to be effective in containing even the smallest dog. • Solid panel wood fencing is the most popular of the wood fence choices for dog enclosures because it provides a complete barrier to your dog. It is excellent for privacy as well and may also cut down on barking because your dog can’t see what is going on outside of his yard. • Chain link fences have long been a popular fencing choice for all types of yards. This

will permanently prevent or reduce the response to these factors, as punishment will not teach a dog not to bark. Punishment will only provide a temporary solution. A positive reward system does, however, help as well as good training and socialization. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of documentation, when it comes to dog barking complaints. The barking preventive documentation is very important in support of your efforts of reducing the barking. Just in case a meddlesome

fencing is strong and durable and makes a good choice for all breeds. It does not do much to cut down barking as it is open so your dog can see everything going on outside the yard. Chain link can also cause some problems if there are children in the neighborhood who might tease the dog by poking things through the fence or taunting him from outside the fence. • If chain link fencing is used, you may want to consider placing heavy weight tarpaulins around the sides, to help prevent the above problems. The curtain needs to be taller than the dogs. • Various fencing may also be isolated by planting natural sound barriers such as shrubbery.

neighbor complains to the authorities or sound ordinances are enacted, on your behalf. Author’s Note I have experienced unscrupulous animal control personnel confiscate dogs for personal gain. And, when they could not use the excuse of a dirty kennel, they would try the excessive barking or noise ploy. Obviously, not all apples are bad but it only takes one rotten apple to spoil the entire basket. So, just be careful and don’t fall into this type of trap.

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Dog News 69

Gallbladder Diseases in Dogs BY SHARON PFLAUMER

he gallbladder is a balloon like sac that plays important roles in the dog’s digestive health: the storage and concentration of bile. Bile is necessary for the absorption of nutrients; especially fat. It is a mixture of water, cholesterol and bile salts. It also contains pigments produced from the breakdown of red blood cells. Gallbladder disease is defined as anything that causes the organ to be abnormal either clinically or sub-clinically; the latter meaning the dog may or may not have symptoms. “Gallbladder disease may be something that makes the dog very sick. Or it may be something that’s found incidentally when the dog is tested for another disease or autopsied after death,” says Audrey Cook, BVM&S, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine), Diplomate ECVIM (Companion Animal), a Clinical Associate Professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Multiple causes The three most common causes of gallbladder disease are the mucocele, infection and bile duct obstruction. Although rarely recognized in dogs prior to the 1990s, the mucocele is an emerging gallbladder disease now being diagnosed increasingly more often. “A mucocele occurs when the entire contents of the gallbladder turn into a big ball of mucus,” Dr. Cook says. “The reasons for this are unclear but it is thought that the bile becomes excessively caustic and irritates the cells lining the gallbladder. These cells respond by overproducing mucus which, in turn, makes the bile too thick to move down the bile duct and into the intestine. This causes discomfort and can result in rupture of the gallbladder.” Instances where there is infection in the gallbladder are very serious. Bacteria from the infection can enter the blood stream and cause sepsis, which can be fatal. The cause of gallbladder infection is thought to be the back flow of bacteria from the intestine into it. The bile system is supposed to flow one-way out of the gallbladder into the intestine and thus keep intestinal juices from backing up into the gallbladder. “When bacteria do ascend into the gallbladder, it’s probably due to problems with gallbladder emptying. The gallbladder squeezes or spits bile into the intestine through a sphincter muscle that connects the gallbladder to the intestine. Sometimes the sphincter doesn’t work as well as it should,” says Dr. Cook.

In the case of bile duct obstruction, the cause of the disease is often external to the gallbladder. It commonly occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed (referred to as pancreatitis). That causes the enlarged pancreas to press against the common bile duct and impede the outflow of bile. Again, this causes pain, jaundice and may result in rupture of the gallbladder. (The biopigments in bile are what cause patients to have a yellow or jaundiced appearance when the bile is obstructed or not flowing.) Commonly affected breeds Gallbladder diseases can occur in any breed, but they most often affect the Shetland sheepdog, miniature Schnauzer and miniature poodle. Ten years is the average age of disease in these small breeds. “Some Shetland sheepdogs have a mutated gene that predisposes them to developing a mucocele. These Shelties inherit an abnormality that causes their bile to be excessively caustic,” Dr. Cook says. As already indicated, the abnormal bile can irritate the cells lining the gallbladder and stimulate them to overproduce mucus. When mucus level elevates, bile becomes sludge like and a mucocele may occur. “For breeds other than Shelties that develop a mucocele, it’s believed that concurrent diseases such as hyperadrenocorticism, also called Cushing’s disease, may affect the components of the bile and make it more irritating to the cells lining the biliary system. As is the case of Shelties with the gene mutation, abnormally caustic bile stimulates the over production of mucus which, in turn, again may cause a mucocele,” says Dr. Cook. The miniature Schnauzer is subject to gallbladder disease because of an inherited predisposition for pancreatitis, which can lead to the bile duct obstruction already described above. Continued on page 118

Possible signs of gall bladder diseases in dogs Gastrointestinal upset: vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. Jaundice: yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin; and dark yellow or orange urine.

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*The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed points

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Dog News 73

dog be determined by law? Many of us have owned intact dogs (myself includs the owner of an intact dog necessarily a ed) without any intention of ever breedbreeder? Is someone who owns multiple ing them, for various reasons. I once intact dogs a “kennel” operator? These are owned an arthritic, dysplastic Labrador questions for dog owners everywhere to ponwho was left intact because he wasn’t der and to prepare answers for, if current proa threat to roam beyond our fenced-in posed legislation in Ohio is any indication. yard, would hardly ever leave my oldThe hearing scheduled to be held in Ohio est son’s side and was always kept on a on Senate Bill 130 on January 24 has been leash when out in public. After consultpostponed but the committee chairman ining with my veterinarian, it was deterdicated that it might be rescheduled for next mined that sterilization surgery would week, though no definitive answer has been be unnecessary. We had never intended given at press time. This gives all concerned to breed or show him, anyway. He was breeders and owners in the Buckeye State anmeant as strictly a house pet and family other opportunity to make their voices heard companion. Simply put: intact doesn’t on this potentially hazardous piece of legisladictate intent. tion. Likewise, the concept of being The substitute version of SB 130 made considered a “kennel” if one owns two several changes to the original legislation, inintact dogs is ridiculous, yet that’s what cluding deleting the provision creating a new may happen in Ohio. What’s to become Kennel Control Authority Board and instead of the many dog owners in Ohio who placing responsibility for implementation keep intact dogs for the purpose of parwithin the purview of the state Department ticipating in AKC conformation shows of Agriculture. The new version also seeks to and trials? They also may have absoluteredefine a “kennel” as any establishment that ly no intention of ever breeding a litter keeps, houses, and maintains adult dogs for or selling some puppies but run the the purpose of breeding the dogs for a fee. risk of being considered a “kennel” unHence, the questions leading off this column. der the new proposal. And what of the How can the intent of the owner of an intact hobby breeder that does a sell an occasional litter of puppies that was bred in their home? Are they really “kennel” operators? They certainly wouldn’t want to be considered as such, as they would have to comply with some new, costly regulations under the same proposal. Provisions in the new SB 130 would require breeders to rebuild kennels that may already be sufficient for their dogs’ needs. While these renovations would certainly be costly they will not necessarily enhance the wellbeing of dogs. Such provisions include indoor enclosure requirements for dogs based on weight, rather than size, which could actually result in dogs being confined to too small a space. Size, weight and age of the dogs must be considered when making such recommendations. The intention of the new version of the bill may very well have been to ensure that high-volume breeders are raising and breeding dogs responsibly, and if indeed it was, then high-volume breeders should be represented on the oversight board, as the AKC has suggested. An AKC parent club member is still included on the board but the high-volume breeders most likely to be impacted by the legislation should also be represented in developing regulations and overseeing the implementation of the new law. Contact information for Committee members is as follows: Senator Cliff Hite, Chairman, District 1 Phone: (614) 4668150 Email: SD01@senate.state.oh.us; Senator Tim Schaffer, Vice Chair, District 31 Phone: (614) 466-5838 Email: SD31@senate.state.oh.us; Senator Jason Wilson, Ranking Minority Member, District 20 Phone: (614) 466-6508 Email: SD30@senate. state.oh.us; Senator Troy Balderson (District 20) Phone: (614) 466-8076 Email: sd20@senate.state.oh.us; Senator Dave Burke (District 26) Phone: (614) 466-8049 Email: sd26@senate.state.

oh.us; Senator Keith Faber (District 12) Phone: (614) 4667584 Email: SD12@senate.state.oh.us;  Senator Eric Kearney (District 9) Phone: (614) 466-5980 Email: SD09@senate.state. oh.us; Senator Gayle Manning (District 13) Phone: (614) 6447613 Email: SD13@senate.state.oh.us; Senator Joe Schiavoni (District 33) Phone: (614) 466-8285 Email: SD33@senate. state.oh.us. With all the hard work in Ohio finally paying off in the effort to remove the breed-specific language that had been in statute for over 20 years, it would be a blow to dog lovers in the state should the new proposed SB 130 take hold. Maybe not quite one step up and two steps back, but it would certainly be deflating. There are current laws on the books that offer perfectly fine definitions of what constitutes a “breeder” and a “kennel”.The new provisions in SB 130 will do nothing to ensure the wellbeing of dogs in Ohio. They will, however, put superfluous and costly restrictions on hobby breeders and turn those in the market for healthy, locally bred puppies from responsible breeders to the shadowy alternatives of the shelter system and the Internet. Is that what legislators really want? If the powers that be in the Buckeye State can admit and correct the errors of their ways on BSL, then surely they must see the unnecessary burdens placed upon responsible breeders in Ohio contained within SB 130. It’s up to all dog owners and breeders to make sure of it. Contact your representatives at the above numbers and email addresses to let them know the concerns you have with the current proposal as written.

Offthe

CALL TO ACTION IN TEXAS exas breeders should also be on the lookout for regulations that may threaten their ability to breed dogs responsibly in the Lone Star State. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has just published a new draft of the proposed regulations for licensed dog breeders. When Gov. Rick Perry signed HB 1451 back in June of 2011, the TDLR was ordered to promulgate breeding regulations by March 31, 2012. Those meeting the thresholds set forth in HB 1451 will have until September 1, 2012 to come into compliance with the provisions of this bill and the subsequent regulations and to obtain the license. The AKC’s Government Relations Department is reviewing these regulations and will issue an official statement in the near future and offer advice to all fanciers on how best to proceed. A cursory glance at the proposal (which can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.license.state.tx.us/bre/ Chapter%2091%20Proposed%20Rules.pdf )reveals what we’ve come to expect from similar attempts at legislation: vague definitions; costly, required renovations; and higher fees for breeders and licensing. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 20, 2012 so there’s time to peruse the proposal and craft informed, respective missives that can be directed to Melissa Rinard, Legal Assistant General Counsel’s Office, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation P.O. Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711 Fax: (512) 475-3032 Email: erule.comments@license.state.tx.us

Leash BY SHAUN COEN

74 Dog News

Luci &Margie

Thank you Judge Mr. William Bergum

GROUP WINNING... GCh. Rio Luci In The Skye With Diamonds Owners/Breeders Rio Cyndi and Terry Chaddock

Presented By: Margie and Tim Sullivan

Dog News 75

76 Dog News

Dog News 77

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

andmore

VERBATIM BOARD MINUTES, FINNEY ON REGISTRATIONS...

was reading the January 20th issue of OUR DOGS, a weekly contemporary in the UK, when I came across what was for me a startling headline (which I will go into later) containing information and figures about AKC of which I was totally unaware. Now then I sort of pride myself about being up-to-date in matters AKC so I called up the New York office to find out from whence this information emanated. Candidly the person I called was as surprised as I was at what was printed and after a few minutes got back to me and said it was information contained ONLY in THE DELEGATE PORTAL. What in the world is a Delegate Portal I asked and why would this sort of information be contained there. Well it seems that since 2006 two types of Board Minutes have been released and posted it was explained to me. The Delegates receive what we call “Verbatim Board Minutes which are not released to the general public.” The reason being as told to me was to keep critics of AKC unaware of exactly what AKC

is doing as well as giving the Staff and Board the opportunity to work on new ideas without letting competitors know what they are up to. To me it sounded like a form of censorship, which thought I kept to myself. Admittedly I had heard of AKC’s desire to keep potential critical information away from adversaries as well as the business desire to keep secrets but I never realized it was being done on such a selective basis. No wonder I keep questioning what is in the Board Minutes as they are published and have been complaining now for years about the lack of information—IT IS JUST NOT BEING RELEASED TO WE THE CONSTITUENTS OF AKC!!!! Just to the Delegates who violate this trust by posting the information to the foreign press!!! If there is one area in which I have totally disagreed with the Menaker-Sprung administration it has been in the lack of press releases and the refusal to hold press conferences initially banned by David Merriam. I periodically have written about these problems, which are now even further highlighted by this Verbatim Board Minute policy. In this day of instant communication there is no way in the world anyone can partially release anything. Either one has to keep completely quiet about something or go the whole hog and release everything. The KC in UK tries to put a date embargo on certain press releases and information and this works or does not pending upon the philosophy of the editors and/or publisher. Personally I find this Verbatim Board Minute release a disgrace and cannot help but wonder what other little games are being played in these areas. 78 Dog News

Now for what was released in OUR DOGS-a $6.1 million loss in the first 11 months in revenues for AKC—of course $1.7 mil was an investment loss, which probably by December accounted for a major gain the way the stock market has been going. Nonetheless there was a $4.4 mil operating loss, which cannot be denied! No wonder that was not included in the so-called public board release. Jim Stevens was quoted as saying ‘The major sources of our revenues continued to be adversely impacted by a shrinking number of breeders, limited sponsorships and licensing opportunities’ and a dwindling number of affinity credit-card holders spending less money. Successful ongoing cost containment efforts resulted in total year-to-date expenses being slightly less than the previous year”. Of course if one adopts Mr. Finney’s philosophy about registrations even more dollars will be lost but more of that to come. Also Mr. Stevens announced that the lease for New York headquarters expires in 2018. He confirmed that a few years ago a number of factors had been reviewed in substantiating the benefits of having a headquarters location in New York as well as an out base in Raleigh. He confirmed that AKC management would be conducting a further comprehensive review in 2016 of the feasibility of combining two offices into one location as the current lease expires. Fascinating to think this kind of info is for the Delegates only—shocking is perhaps a better word to use. Insofar as North Carolina is concerned keep in mind one of the original purposes for the move was to reduce costs, which according to what I hear has not happened at all! Indeed I am told salaries in the Raleigh area are competitive with New York with a much smaller talent pool to boot! The golf maybe better, which was an original sub linear reason Raleigh was pushed so hard, as well as possibly some racial considerations as well, but those too were sub linear at best. As to Mr. Finney I am most disappointed with his most recent letter to the Delegates about his stand on registration. Whether his motive is health induced or not it remains clear that his kind of philosophy will in the long run not only make AKC less effective as a force representing the dog but also will result in an even greater diminution of income. I still have not ruled out supporting him but I anxiously await his answers to the Mandeville Questionnaire. Meanwhile I wish he would concentrate on AKC and not Steve Jobs and Apple. It’s just not an orange to orange analogy no matter how hard he tries to make it one.

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Irving’s Impressions Continued FROM page 14

on the two top floors where the rings were pitched so as to be most convenient to the breeds to be judged under natural light. The ring on the ground floor was, however, all the time under artificial light, and as everything there is fierce white except the floor, the strain on the eyes was felt by many. So smoothly did everything run along that, for the first time since I don’t know when, the judging was completed, with all the specials by the second evening, leaving the all-round specials and the pack competitions for the third and fourth days. This enabled a marked catalogue to be on sale the third morning – something I don’t remember having seen before. “Naturally with such a change of venue, the old timers and many newer ones shrugged their shoulders and longed for the old floor; but everything is so spotlessly clean and the various conveniences are so superior to the old venue, that we feel pretty sure, although the old Garden may be available next year – as it has been decided to keep it going for a while longer, - it is very possible the Palace would be used again. This year the show was a good deal on the homemade order, the only really foreign judge being Mr John Galloway,

who, with our propensity to try something new, got a billet in several breeds – like West Highlands, Yorkshires, Toy Spaniels and Maltese, - though he was entirely unknown to the folks over here, and is said to have mixed things up pretty effectually in Toy Spaniels and the white ones. His remark in the ring that he never considered heads when judging Spaniels, caused cold shivers. All the other judges were of U.S., except Charlie Lyndon, who comes from Toronto, Canada.” Having successfully put paid to the reputation of the foreign judge, Our Dogs’ American correspondent goes on to give a relatively gentle critique of a good deal of the other judging but the following was obviously just too much for him to bear in silence!

“There were, of course, great happenings in the Airedale ring

82 Dog News

upstairs, for the judge was one of our most noted amateurs, Russell Johnson. He is a “Quaker” as we call those who live in William Penn’s old burgh, and a great upholder of American institutions, even to the decrying of the importation of so many English dogs, and this spoiling the American market. Well, as is always the case, some things didn’t come off as expected. Stamboul won the open class with Clonmel Isonomy second with an American dog third. Some of the top dogs were not present so the excitement was not as great as last year except in the case of the pup, Past Master, owned by Mr Offerman. Well this pup was beaten to third by two good youngsters in the Puppy Dog class. Then went out, and came in shortly after for the American–bred class which he won beating the puppies already put over him and then went on to win the Limit class. He waited nearby for the Open

class judging to take place, then came in for the championship, and I’ll be darned – as we say sometimes on this side of the Atlantic when we knit our brows and puzzle out a situation, - the pup, third in his class, got the rosette as champion, beating the Open winner Stamboul! I tell you, there was some considerable sucking of canes!” That was bad enough but when it came to Best in Show the Our Dogs’ American correspondent just couldn’t conceal his disgust at the result.

“In the Airedale bitches Mr Woolcott’s Sorceress is still supreme, and afterwards won the President’s Cup and all sorts of glory by being declared the best of any breed in the show, even though she was trimmed down to her velvet! There are some who say that this decision should have gone to Mrs Morse’s Old English Sheepdog, shown in wonderful form; but Mr Woolcott is very popular, so it’s all right. But, oh dear! It’s hard to follow some of these judges!” As the French say, “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.” But the strength of the critical comments might even put our Matthew to shame!

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THE LIGHTER SIDE OF JUDGING Continued FROM page 18

more than one occasion my wine shipment was sent back to you,” I share my concern. “I see, well, Mr. Faulkner, based on your past purchases and your customer profile, I would like to welcome you upstairs to our VIP tasting area. We offer a much better selection and one, I am sure, that will appeal to your palate,” SSS declares while escorting me back into the lobby, through glass doors, and upstairs to the second level VIP tasting area. Without asking, SSS offers me a wide selection of cabernet and Bordeaux blends. First, I taste the Bordeaux Estate Blend Elu. “For the price, this is an excellent wine. I am happy to share we are actually having a sale on our 2007,” remarks SSS. “That’s wonderful – I will take six bottles of the Elu to start,” I say, not thinking how I am going to transport the wine back to Virginia. “The next wine we have for you, Mr. Faulkner.”---- “Please call me Michael.” I interject as SSS continues--- “is our 2006 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a showy, fleshy youngster offering supple currant, anise, tobacco and espresso. This wine is highly concentrated with flavors of black currant, cherry kirsch and fresh crème. The flavors are long and persistent on the finish, with firm but ripe tannins that let the flavors push through.” By now I am so totally mesmerized by the description, I can’t wait for SSS to ask me why I am in town so I can dazzle him with, “Oh yes, I expect to see several showy, fleshy dogs over the weekend, offering supple textures and colors to please every palate. They will be short, tall, long and square to the finish, with firm, tight muscling pushing through.” I shake free from my OBE (out of body experience) in time to hear SSS introduce the 2006 Dollarhide Cabernet with concentrated flavors of black cherry, white pepper, anise and spearmint. Upon completion of my tasting, I purchase six additional bottles, putting together an even case. I return to the Malibu, click the lock release. Eighteen bottles of wine totaling $1,210.00, I smile, take out my DROID, snap a photograph of the hillside and post it to my Facebook page. The Malibu returns to Route 29, drives a short distance and swings into the entrance of Cakebread, the last tasting of my adventure. Cakebread is last on my list to facilitate a positive finish to my glorious afternoon. I enter the tasting room door. The room is jammed packed with over a hundred individuals tasting and partying. Taking notice of several stretch limos in the parking lot, and I realize that either I have crashed a private party or there is some serious pre-wedding alcohol consumption going on. I inquire of a man standing to the side, wearing a green polo shirt adorned with a Cakebread logo on the pocket. “Excuse me sir – would I be able to participate in a wine tasting this afternoon?” I ask politely. “No, I am afraid we do tasting by reservation only and this afternoon we have a private bridal party.” Adopting a look of total disappointment, I respond, “How sad! I have traveled all the way from Virginia. I have been drinking and collecting Cakebread for years. What a shame ---I am in town judging the local dog show and I was hoping to taste a little wine and spend a little money. I actually have several bottles of Three Sisters in storage. That’s how far I go back with your wines,” I brag hoping to impress the official-looking gentleman. “You have to be kidding me,” is his wide-eyed response. “We don’t have any Three Sisters left for consumption. Hang on just one minute ---by the way, my name is Chris. What’s your name?” “ Michael Faulkner, like William Faulkner the writer. No relation… just spelled the same,” I remark. “Got it – hang on and I will be back in a minute,” he advises me. Cakebread Chris (CC) leaves. I turn to face the party crowd and watch the bride to be, wearing a veil with jeans, caress the neck of a very nice bottle of sauvignon blanc with her lips. I join in cheering her along with the other members of her bridal party as the entire neck of the bottle slides down her throat. CC comes back with a set of keys in his hands. “Follow me, Mr. Faulkner. I would like to first thank you for your years of support. I have some nice wines for you to try,” he declares. “Where are we going?” I ask. CC looks at me and smiles, “We are going to grab a cooler, fill it with wine, hop on the four-wheeler, and then I’m going to give you a tour of the vineyard, while we sample some of our best wines. “Holy Shit! It can’t get any better than this,” I think to myself. CC and I explore the terrain and I listen to every detail as he shares his knowledge of the various wines, grapes, locations, etc. CC brings the four-wheeler

to a stop overlooking the valley. He opens the cooler, uncorks a 2002 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet, and pours me a glass. “Michael – our 2002 Vine Hill Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a wealth of toasty blackberry fruit in the nose overlaid with a pronounced creamy, milk chocolate tone. In the mouth, the wine is deep and concentrated, with intense black fruit and chocolate flavors that turn spicy in the long finish…compactly structured, with firm balance,” he imparts with obvious pride. “Damn, these critiques are getting better by the minute,” I think quietly to myself--- planning my next verbose outburst of canine clarification, “Yes, and I marveled at her nose, overlaid with a pronounced upper-jaw. The mouth… deep and concentrated…compactly structured, with firm balance.” Yes, perfect for inclusion in my collection of descriptive words that I use in those on-thespot critiques to explain my placements at National Specialties. At this rate, I will be able to write all of my wine purchases off my income taxes as judge’s education. CC shakes me free from my OBE, “Michael….Michael….Hey there, tell me about the dog show.” “Well, I judge all day tomorrow, including Best in Show and Sunday I judge all day and finish with the Sporting Group.” CC thinks for a moment and declares, “Breeders must receive a load of money for winning Best in Show.” “Not, nope, nada… Nada…usually not one penny…..They get points towards their championship or towards the various rating systems. The only guaranteed take-away is a ribbon, if you are the winner or place in one of the various classes.” “No freakin’ way!” CC chimes in. “Oh, yeah, WAY,” I say in return. CC shakes his head in amazement and turns the ignition on. We head down the hill, returning to the tasting room. Thrilled that the wedding party has departed, CC and I get down to business filling out my purchase order. I choose a case of 2003 Dancing Bear Ranch, bringing my total to thirty bottles at a cost of $2, 610.00. Once again, I click the unlock button on the Malibu rental key chain, load the additional case into the back seat and shut the door. Removing my DROID from my shirt pocket, I gently slide my finger across the screen to unlock the device and push the camera icon with the tip of my right index finger. Holding the camera in front of my face, I capture the most beautiful sunset with rows of grape vines in the foreground, wondering if I really need this additional creative, visual proof that I just spent over two thousand dollars on wine in less than three hours. “Big Michael is going to kick my ass when I return home,” I chuckle while returning to the hotel. The dog show morning comes quicker than expected. Not knowing the directions, I choose to follow IS, with DRIOD carefully programmed in the event I lose her. Dodging numerous detours due to construction, we arrive at the show fifteen minutes later than expected. I am thankful for IS, as DROID would have continued, driving me through a cinder block construction wall while entering the show-site. IS leads me---along with several other judges---to the hospitality area. I grab a bottle of water, greet AKR with a big hug, and head to my ring outdoors in the sunshine. The grounds are beautiful. The music, filling every corner of outdoor space, immediately transforms me. “How absolutely lovely, I say to myself while marching to the ring.” The day begins with an outstanding entry of Vizslas, followed by Golden Retrievers. I quickly work through the puppy dog classes and the ring steward calls in the Amateur Owner Handler Class. Three dogs and their owners enter the ring. “Funny – I think to myself, I rarely get one in a class let alone three.” Evaluating the class of three from a distance, I notice the compactly structured, firmly balanced (I laugh internally) dog at the end of the line. I examine the first two dogs and then approach the third one with a smile on my face. The handler, an energetic, attractive women (EAW), who obviously has never, and I mean NEVER been to a dog show before, stands with her dog sitting at her side. I patiently move toward them. “Good Morning! First, I would like you to stand your dog.” EAW responds nervously, “This is our first dog show and our first time in the ring – I do not have a clue what I am doing,” she confesses. “OK, listen. Do exactly what I ask and you will feel no pain,” I share and laugh at the same time. Within seconds, the young dog stands foursquare, looking pretty damn good. I grasp his head in my two hands and say to myself, “sweetness, the color of dark rum, the moderate yet strong first glance. A background of balance and symmetry mixed with form and function.” The young dog does not disappoint on the move and I award him first place. “Oh my God! I am shaking like a leaf. What does all of this mean?” politely asks EAW. “Well, this is a blue ribbon which means you and your dog won the class of three. You have to wait outside of the ring until I finish judging the other regular dog classes at which time the ring steward (I point in her direction) will call you back in the ring for Winners Dog. Do you understand?” I direct. “Yes, I think so…I will wait by the ring until you want me to come back in for something else…Ok, Ok….I got it,” EAW exclaims and leaves the ring all puzzled, while I continue to attempt transforming future generations of breeding stock. “Sure – how many individuals really came here today for my honest opinion of their breeding stock, versus a chance to win points towards their championship,” I silently ponder while finishing the remaining regular dog classes. “Can we have the Winners Dog Class in the ring please?” announces the ring steward. EAW remains at the entrance, not sure where to go. I walk directly towards EAW, guide her into the ring and place her accordingly in the lineup. Continued on page 90

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Best In Show & Multiple Group Winning Bitch

GCh. Whistlestop’s Riley On Fire Starting The New Year Off On Fire With BackTo-Back Group Seconds Judge Mr. Dana

P. Cline

Owners Tom and Bethany Urban Owner/Handler Gregory Siner Poole’s Ide Irish Water Spaniels

Judge Mrs. Beth G. S

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GCh. Cumhil Hell Raiser IRISH IMPORT

Top Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog 2011* Multiple Group Winner In Ireland and America

“Ollie” Handled By Paul Catterson Owners Zane & Shannon Smith BULLSEYE America’s Top Winning Staffordshire Bull Terriers Since 1975 *Number Two overall, The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed points

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Dog News 89

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF JUDGING Continued FROM page 86

The ring steward comes to my side, “Mr. Faulkner, I forgot to tell you. There is an Amateur Owner Handler competition today. You will be awarding a best AOH after Best of Breed.” “Thank you!” I utter and turn towards the winner’s lineup and think to myself, “How strange, yet, how wonderful to have a competition honoring the novices in our sport.” I re-gait each dog, awarding Winners to the Open Dog and Reserve Winner to the AOH. EAW reaches out to take the reserve ribbon with eyes filled with tears. “OMG, I can’t believe we did so well…What do I do now?” “Alright, now listen – you have to stay here until I finish Best of Breed. You will then come back in with the first place bitch winner of the AOH class to compete for best AOH in breed. So, go back outside the gate, but do not leave,” I instruct. After Best of Breed, AOH returns along with the bitch winner. I gait each one individually around with EAW jumping in the air with joy, as I point to her as the victor. “Oh my God, oh my God, what do I do now?” EAW asks while I hand her yet another ribbon. “I am not really sure. Let’s check inside after photographs,” I share. “Wow – can I get my picture taken? Oh, this is so cool. Look at all of these ribbons. I don’t have a clue what any of its means!” EAW exclaims and follows me to the center of ring. “Now listen to the photographer and do exactly what they say,” I explain. With a little extra help, EAW finally gets her young dog---or should I say herself--- under control for the photograph. After which, we proceed indoors to inquire about the Amateur Owner Handler Competition. With EAW and her dog in tow, I lead them to the Superintendent’s table. “Marvelous M (MM) with a warm hug and a golden smile speaks, “It is so good to see you, Michael, and congratulations to you.” She directs her attention to EAW. “This exhibitor has won best AOH Golden Retriever and she needs to know what is next,” I inform MM. “Before the regular Group and BIS judging, there will be the group competition for the various BAOH breed winners. Then, after the seven group winners are selected, there will be a Best in Show AOH awarded with a cash prize of $500.00,” provides MM. My eyebrows stretch beyond the top of my head, when I hear MM say the dollar amount. “Damn! In all of the years of showing dogs, I never won five hundred dollars,” I ponder. MM continues to coach EAW. I excuse myself and go to lunch. I join ES, who is already seated, in the lunchroom. “I have had the most rewarding morning and thank you,” I share. “Oh and I love the AOH competition. A delightful woman with a Golden Retriever will be competing in the group and I can’t wait to see how she makes out. This is her first show and her first time in the ring. She does not understand one thing about any of it. I can only describe her experience today as a Beaujolais Nouveau,” I express while filling my plate with an unbelievable salad selection and a homemade Panini. I also grab the largest most beautiful slice of German Black Forest Cake I have ever seen. “Michael, I am thrilled you are having a great time and everyone--- including me---is happy you are here.” I give IS a little hug, finish my lunch and return to my ring to finish my judicious obligations. At the end of the afternoon, I smile proudly for each and every photograph. Looking straight over the photographer’s head, I notice several club members and spectators observing a Police Dog Demonstration taking place next to the main building. IS holds court, instructing people where to go and where not to go, while a German Shepherd and a Malinois work alongside their masters. For a small club, I marvel at the attention to detail, the beautiful rings, the music, the flowers, the scrumptious food, the additional programs for spectators, the added non-regular Amateur Owner Handler competition and… could there be more? I ask myself. Returning to the main building to watch the groups and the AOH finals, I run into Adorable Kim Russell (AKR). “Hey Kim, I am having a great time. What a wonderful show you have put together. Everyone is relaxed, enjoying their dogs. Oh…and I love the music.” “Thank you Michael! Tonight we are having live music and a cookout for the exhibitors. During the Group and Best in Show judging, there is a wine tasting in the main building. It’s a local winery with some wonderful selections,” AKR adds to the conversation. Well, I asked if there could be more…and there certainly is. Back in the main building, I find a seat in the roped off judges area. Trays of fruit, cheese and other assorted goodies are served at ringside along with… yes… you guessed it, wine. This is one of those moments a judge regrets saying, “I would be honored to judge Best in Show”… innocently unaware of the ringside service and wine tasting. I rotate in my chair, turning away from the gastronomic display and notice EAW approaching the main group ring like a little lost soul. She slowly ap-

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proaches. I open the conversation with, “Hi there – I hope you have had a wonderful day.” “I have, thanks to you and my dog. I must admit I am extremely nervous about going into this large ring with everyone watching me,” she replies. “Oh – you just relax. Don’t worry. Concentrate on keeping your dog stacked and when you’re moving him make sure you keep him on your left hand side, maintaining the proper gait,” I share. “We have been practicing all afternoon,” EAW says with pride. “Great – Go break a leg,” I say with a smile. The AOH Group is called into the ring. EAW and her Golden are third in the lineup. I secretly cheer her on from the judge’s section, watching her every move, wishing my DROID were directly wired to her ear, allowing me to strategically guide her through the process. EAW stays focused and does not break down during the individual examination. My heart skips a beat as she begins to move on the individual. “A little bit faster and put the damn lead in your left hand,” I quietly scream in my head. “Good girl, good girl, you switched hands, now stop, turn around and begin your journey back down the center mat. Slow down, easy --that does it. Now, take a little bait and free stack. Good… OK… not bad. Around the ring and don’t fuss with him,” I think with relief. EAW smiles in my direction, waving her fingers on her right hand. I pretend not to notice, hoping spectators and exhibitors will think her family members are standing directly behind me. The judge finishes going over the all the dogs in the ring and motions for EAW to move to the front of the line. She points – you will be one, two, three and four. Thank you very much. I slowly rise from my chair and walk over to EAW as she leaves the ring. “Congratulations, my dear---well done.” “Oh my God, I can’t believe I won again!!! Just look at the size of this ribbon,” EAW bubbles over as she leaves, grabs her cell phone and shoves it to her ear, while walking her dog to the podium for pictures. The remaining AOH Groups are completed in short order. “May we please have all the Group AOH winners into the ring?” the steward shouts. EAW follows, second in line. Other than a little excessive arm swinging while going around the ring, she makes no mistakes. She patiently and studiously stacks her dog for review. The AOH Best in Show judge graciously allows extra time for the novice handlers. EAW drops her bait in front of the dog. I watch in fear, anticipating him lunging forward to retrieve the tasty morsel, breaking his stack at such a crucial moment. EAW scrambles to pick up the wandering liver and chooses to stand in front--free baiting. “Perfect! Now leave him alone, don’t touch him,” I mentally say, wishing she could hear me. The judge slowly examines the young Golden. He does not move an inch other than his rapidly wagging tail. “Down and back – please,” the judge asks. I could not have been prouder, watching my newfound friend glide all the way down the center mat and back to the judge. “Picture perfect for a newbie,” I think. With all the dogs examined and having completed one last time around, I lean forward resting on the edge of the chair in anticipation. “Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen. Today’s winner will be the Golden Retriever,” the judge announces. EAW leaps into the air hugging her dog. I watch full of joy, happiness and pride as the other exhibitors express their congratulations. EAW exits the ring to my left. “I am so proud of you. You did a great job and I hope you continue to show your young boy,” I encourage. “Look, look at this HUGE ribbon we won,” she adds with glee. One of the so-called professional handlers, waiting to enter the ring for the first regular group competition, boldly states, “Too bad after all of that you did not win any points.” I turn and stare daggers into the insensitive fool’s eye. EAW looks directly into my eyes and remarks, “What are points? I am so thrilled with my ribbons and money; we can worry about that another day.” They run off to get their pictures taken. I walk over to wine tasting area to speak with the vintner in hopes of gathering information for my after-Best in Show tasting. “You look important with your badge and all. I guess I better be real nice to you,” Vintner says in jest. “Would you like a tasting?” he inquires. “I would love one. However, I will have to wait until Best in Show is over. I’m the judge and I think it best they do not see me over her sipping wine prior to the task,” I add. “I like big, bold reds with lots of body,” I inform him. “I have just the wine for you – here take a look,” Vintner says and hands me the bottle for inspection. “Come back after best in show and we will crack it open and have a glass or two. Here just take one little taste and you can spit it out no fancy talk just a great wine I am certain you will enjoy,” Vintner teases. I take the small clear tasting glass. Rich, dark in color with the smell of earth, oak and spice – I roll a small amount of the cabernet on the tip of my tongue. I allow it to linger for a few extra seconds and I swallow, sending a palette of tasting sensations with it. “To hell with spitting this out,” I say to Vintner, who is grinning from ear to ear. “This is incredible wine. I will most definitely be back after Best in Show to have a glass and buy a few bottles. Hey – can you tell me how many points this wine has?” I ask out of curiosity. “Are you joking? It’s not pointed, but, we have a few blue ribbons from local competitions.” I turn and witness EAW, her dog and a very large ribbon exiting the show building. No points…just a few ribbons won at a local show. A show I personally vote as one of the best in the country.

Dog News 91

A THOUGHT TO CONSIDER Continued FROM page 42

easy; nor should it be. The glitz and glamour of shows like Eukanuba and Westminster so seductively represented on the TV screen do not show the perils and pitfalls every breeder comes to know – if they hang in long enough. Those wonderfully dedicated souls who are selected as top breeders in their breeds, their groups or overall come forward bedecked in their finery. No one sees them when their hands are dirty or when their hearts are broken. The best mentor knows well triumph as well as tragedy. Just ask her, she’ll tell you. But it’s the success most admirers aspire to and in that aspiration they may fail to note the inevitable perspiration. If one is unwilling to do the work, the success that is being sought is unlikely to materialize. Now, if one is fortunate enough to connect to a mentor who is willing to undertake the work, i.e. training, conditioning, grooming and all the rest of it, that person could be enjoying all the pleasures of the sport with none of the hard work. They could, however, also be lulling themselves into a false sense of security. What happens, for example, if your mentor enters your dog for all the shows in an important cluster? The judges are good and there is a real chance that your hopeful will come away a new champion. But two days before the show your mentor calls to tell you that her mother was suddenly taken to the hospital out of state and she was leaving to be with her? There’s no time to recruit someone else, you can’t hire a handler. Oh horrors, you’re on your own. What will you do? What you should be able to do is to take over, grooming and handling on your own. If you’ve done your homework, this becomes eminently feasible. Whether your dog wins or loses is incidental. What’s important is

that you, the owner, are independent enough to take charge. Having the guidance of a caring, expert mentor is a wonderful advantage, but as with parents and children, there comes a time that one should seek a measure of independence being weaned from a mentor and able to make one’s own determinations – determinations that are comfortable for them and that work. Anyone who has been in dogs long enough will recognize those who look upon their mentors as being in possession of some sort of metaphysical power regarding the most banal aspects of dog showing. “Look how she puts on Baldur’s lead.”“Did you see how he used the towel to dry Sheena’s face, wasn’t that wonderful?” Gimme a break. Or as they say in my former home and birthplace, FUGGEDABOUTIT! The fact is many people seek out a coowner/ mentor so they won’t have to do the requisite work themselves. Perhaps working with a mentor allows their dog to be shown by its breeder without the high costs of a professional handler’s services. And with all this the owner can sit back and watch all this work being done with their dog without having to get directly involved. One can detect a slight whiff doing dogs through the back door in

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this approach, but that’s debatable. For the co-owner/ mentor, this approach allows a dog she bred to get into the ring with someone else paying the freight. The owner has the pleasure of enjoying the experience of showing a winning dog and the coowner (if she bred the dog) gets a chance to make up another champion without looking after the dog on a day to day basis. So, from this perspective, everyone wins. But then there’s the whole self-reliance thing. I have been blessed to be part of the dog fancy for almost six decades and I still stand in awe of those who have the ability to take a raw, unschooled animal and transform it into a thing of consummate beauty and a partner with the person at the other end of the lead. And every lead I have ever seen has two ends: one for the dog and the other for the being the dog views as its god. We dog people are called upon to do so many things to achieve the objectives we seek. Until you have held a wet newborn, trained a recalcitrant youngster to go on a lead, brought a dog to optimum condition or said a tearful goodbye to a special friend, you have yet to experience the greatest joys the dog sport has to offer. Thank you for reading.

Dog News 93

SOMETHING SPECIAL IN ORLANDO

Continued FROM page 45

getting worried this lady wasn’t going to come out!” Describing the win, she said, “It’s better than winning Crufts, really, because they treat you so well.” She said that the Eukanuba representatives had helped her with every aspect of the trip. Not only that, they paid for it. Eukanuba footed the bill for all the foreign dogs. Again and again, foreign visitors praised the company’s hospitality and organization. For runner up, Filippini pointed to a Toy Poodle who lives in Japan but is well known in America, Ch. Smash JP Moonwalk. Walker has had a long and impressive career in the US. At the challenge, Toshi Omura said, “Walker came back to my home in Japan but he likes showing in America!” Omura said Walker was the product of blending bloodlines from around the world. The ring was hushed as they waited for Best in Show… and it goes to… an American dog! The Australian Shepherd! The looks on the faces of the people in the ring were a combination of confusion and bewilderment, as in, “Wait – is this the AKC show? Or the World Challenge?” Obviously the AKC show was going to be won by an American dog. But the World Challenge? The spectators hooted and hollered along the lines of, “Our team won!” But there was little applause from the bleachers where the judges, delegates and guests sat. One of the guests said, “That was the low part of the whole show, having the U.S. win. It looked rigged! It put a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. All those beautiful dogs there from all over the world—the U.S. should not have been competing. They should have been ‘Exhibition Only.’” One of the judges on the panel was overheard the next day telling Filippini, “If you thought you were going to get more assignments by putting up the U.S. dog, it backfired.” The World Challenge winner was Australian Shepherd Ch. Propwash Reckon. Last year at this weekend in Long Beach, California, he won the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship! Quite a feat. Owner Judy Harrington was handling. Saturday night was long, with Bred By Groups and Junior Handling competitions, but the spectators were able to refresh themselves with cocktails from the vendors behind the bleachers. The Best Bred By was AKC’s Number One Afghan Hound, Ch. Thaon’s Mowgli, with breeder/owner/ handler Jay Hafford. Sunday night was the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. When the Best in Show judge walked to center stage, people were nudging each other and asking, “Who is that?” Polly Smith looked so elegant in a grey gown and pearls that people didn’t recognize her. Her BIS was the Standard Poodle, London, Ch. Jaset’s Satisfaction. The Poodle’s prize was a check for $50,000. “It was fun to be at a dog show in long gowns and tuxedos,” Patti Fitzgerald pointed out, “Although, some people didn’t get the memo.” The lesser-dressed lingered on the edge of the fancydressed crowd. Interesting to note that this is the only all breed qualifying show in America for entry into

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Crufts. Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex or recipients of an Award of Merit at the AKC/Eukanuba are invited to go to England’s top show. Another thing the dog show crowd loved were the excellent commercials Eukanuba broadcast on the screens which showed purebred dogs doing what they love – running, jumping, hunting, crashing into streams, and rushing back to their owners with the eager look on their faces, “Were you watching? Did you see me?” All the human faces in the convention center watching the commercials broke into big grins. Eukanuba’s celebration of purebred dogs was close to the heart of an AKC breeder: happy, healthy, loving dogs who want to share their lives with humans. At the Sunday night party, Julia Lobova and Ludmilla Barov of Russia were asked how they enjoyed the weekend. Their big smiles told the whole story. “Wonderful,” said Julia, who is show chair of the Elite Kennel Club in St. Petersburg.“We will definitely come back next year.” The entry of almost 4,000 was twice what the AKC was expecting. It was a fantastic week, with warm weather, plenty of room, happy dogs, and as everyone bid good-bye on Sunday night, the last words on most foreigners lips were, “Tomorrow, we’re going to Disney World!”

Largest entries: 64 Boston Terriers 61 Vizslas 58 French Bulldogs 57 Rhodesian Ridgebacks 56 Retrievers (Labrador) 51 Australian Shepherds 50 Havanese 50 Retrievers (Golden) 48 Dachshunds (Longhaired) 46 Rottweilers 45 Pugs 44 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 44 Border Collies New breeds competing: 3 American English Coonhounds 5 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 9 Finnish Lapphunds 8 Cesky Terriers 11 Norwegian Lundehunds 12 Xoloitzcuintli

Animal Rights VS Nature Save These Quotes Continued FROM page 46

short on facts and long on slick media manipulation. Animal rightists usually focus on individual animals, not the welfare of a population or species. In January 1986 the California Biomedical Research Association reported that a public survey n August 1985 showed overwhelming public support (79%) for use of animals for healthrelated research, and a substantial majority were in support of basic research (77%) and 69% opposed organizations trying to ban research on animals. The February 1990 issue of The Washingtonian says that nearly 90 research laboratories have been raided in the decade-old animal rights movement. In 1987 $4,700,000 of fire damage was done to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory under construction at the University of California, Davis. Activist animal rightist students explained to me that the torching was justified because “animals should not be domesticated.” Similarly, when a nearby livestock auction yard was burned, they said it was because: some of the livestock had been pastured on public grazing land, a practice they think is wrong. When it comes to agriculture he says, Some claim that the battery production of chicken eggs is inhumane. In contrast to the life of a jungle fowl are not laying hens always provided adequate food, fresh water, shelter from the weather, shielded from predators, and protected from diseases and parasites: True the hens have little space, and this is worthy of discussion, but does that cause suffering of the degree claimed to occur in a domestic breed that has no knowledge of what it may be missing? Is it better for an animal to have been born alive longer than its average wild counterpart even if it is going to die prematurely, but humanely? And on wildlife management: In nature, all species, including people are inherently programmed to overproduce. Both birth and death rates of most species of wildlife are high. For example, if any rodent had the

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same survival rates as humans, the species would soon cover the earth. Nature demands a high premature death rate if populations are to be maintained in a healthy manner. The prevention of natural death leads to overpopulation, disease, and starvation in wildlife species, just as it does in human populations or under harvested domestic animals. Dr. Howard on AR fund-raising: As a researcher, I eye with envy the millions of dollars raised each year by animal rights organizations. The only way to raise money is to polarize an issue. The vested interests referred to in this chapter refer to the “cheap shot/ half truth” technique too often used by extreme groups to raise money, largely for their own financial support, by tricking a well-meaning, highly concerned portion of the public into thinking all their donations will save animal lives. When often the contributions merely subsidize organization leaders and provide money to finance additional “anti” fires. Unfortunately, it is difficult sometimes for the public to sort out legitimate animal welfare concerns from the vested interest ones that require organizations to keep the pot stirred up, since public donations are what provide their livelihood. Of course, it is inherent with advocacy organizations that they literally cannot afford to have their propaganda issues resolved, hence the persistent efforts to emotionalize their pet issues and keep them in litigation. The more emotional their solicitations for funds, the less likely that your donation will be used to help animals. I, for one, hope the outrageous activities of ALF (Animal Liberation Front. Founded in 1973 as the Band of Mercy) prove counterproductive. The sad part is that they attract so much media attention without adequate exposure of the other side of the issues. The problem that donors and I have in helping animals is to sort out which are the legitimate organizations. If you are a contributor to animal rights, check to make sure you are not financing terrorism. Unfortunately, all activists have to continue being more and more dramatic or else be forgotten. The tyranny of an uninformed and misled public is difficult to surmounts, but with a better understanding of nature, the public may be able to look more closely at some of the solicitations for funds by these organizations. It is not always easy to discriminate between legitimate appeals and those by people who have to make their living from public donations….The more sensational the solicitations, the less likely it is that very much of your contribution will go to help animals. Continued on page 98

“Duke”

& Mari Lynn

A Top 10 Rottweiler 2011

GCh. Banshee’s Duke of Rott’n Acre’s CD RE Thank you Judge Mr. Robert Shreve Owned by

Expertly Presented By

Joyce A. Eaton, Rott’n Acre’s Rottweilers

Mari Lynn Davisson

Rottnacres@aol.com

www.mari-lynn.com Dog News 97

Animal Rights VS Nature Save These Quotes Continued FROM page 96

Much of he sensational, heart-wrenching animal welfare propaganda we receive in the mail is a hoax, for it does little to help this or that animal, but merely improves the lifestyle of the solicitors, who really cannot afford to have these money-making issues resolved. The more emotional the solicitation for funds you receive in the mail, the less likely it is that your contribution will help animals. That leads to Gail’s rule, “If an organization sends me pitiful pictures of animals I never send them money.” I used to use payroll deductions to send funds to a Greyhound rescue group in Southern California. They also had a great merchandise catalog. Until one day the new catalog arrived. Inside the cover was a photo of ten Greyhounds lying dead on the kennel floor where they had been euthanized. I cancelled my contributions. If you send money to organizations that send you pictures of dead or dying dogs, the next time they need money they will send you even more horrible pictures. Do not reward their bad behavior or you will see more of it. Dr. Howard on the AR Debate It is clear that we cannot manage animal welfare issues with law enforcement; instead we must have education, especially to neutralize the animal rights propaganda. In contrast to animal rights, animal welfare is an expression of kindness and concern for the well-being of animals that people use in the field at home, or in the laboratory. This is a philosophy that I strongly endorse. There has always been a need for welfare organizations doing their best to prevent unwarranted suffering of animals, but the increased radicalization by animal rightists is not constructive. Animal rightists, depending on the group, oppose any management, use, or exploitation of animals, and, for animals known to feel pain and suffering, they want to give them the same legal status now afforded people. All of us need better communications on the animal rights issues. We need positive,

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constructive debates instead of name calling and increased emotionalism that further polarize the matter. Open forums and symposium are required. It is not a question of whether we should be more humane to individual animals in biomedical research, with domestic animals, pets, game animals and furbearers, but rather how such a kinder treatment can be achieved. In our pluralistic society, public debates on animal rights are urgently needed instead of further polarizing the issues. Open forums that provide ample discussion time to permit the analyses of the broad spectrum of viewpoints might do much to clear the air on the animal rights movement and help us establish a clearer consensus on ethical and humane uses of animals. This last quote is from the last page of the book but it contradicts Dr. Howard’s own statements about open forums. He wrote, “In 1990 I attended an enlightening university conference on ‘Animal Rights and Our Human Relationship to the Biosphere’ Some of the key speakers and some of the university students preferred to use it as an animal rights activist rally. I object to having them dictate the ethics of others. With them, objectivity and constructive discussion was out. Animal rightists tend to convert any public debate on the subject into a rally, probably because it is impossible for them to demonstrate credibility in an objective discussion of animal rights. The audience wanted a rally, not constructive deliberations. Gail’s last word. I hope you find these quotes useful. I actually love to debate animal rights folks because they are usually at a disadvantage and it is an opportunity to educate them. I was engaged in a debate once with an AR supporter once. I gave up on the debate when she admitted to never having heard of Pete Singer’s book “Animal Liberation,” which founded the movement. Debating her would have been like debating Christianity with someone who had never heard of the Bible. Later, when I was engaging an AR at a California State Legislature meeting, she finally turned away and said to her friend, “They are just hunters and breeders.” It was the first time I had heard those words used as invective. It won’t be the last.

Dog News 99

BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

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and exhibitor, has passed away at 88 years of age. He was involved in the breed for over sixty years breeding Otterhounds with his wife NANCY under the Kalevala prefix. Our deepest sympathies to his wife NANCY and family. JANET WEISS, Skye Terrier fancier from New Jersey, has passed away. JANET was a big supporter of the breed and could be found most weekends attending the shows in the Northeast, where her entry was the only one. She was by profession a well known professional flutist and played in many famous venues. Our deepest sympathies to her husband MITCH and their children DAVID & CECELIA. Birthdaying…PEGGY HELMING and CHUCK KROTHE. The new 2012 AKC JUDGES DIRECTORY is now available from the American Kennel Club. Heading the thousands of judges that are listed are 22 all breed judges.

column

KENNEL CLUB and BONHAMS AUCTION HOUSE are hosting Barkfest at Bonhams on Sunday, February 12th from 10 A.M. to Noon to benefit the AKC HUMANE FUND. It will also afford you an opportunity to view all the art work that will be auctioned on Wednesday, February 15th at 10 A.M. as part of the “Dogs in Show & Field: The Fine Arts Sale”. Admission is $50 in advance or $60 at the door. For further information and reservations call 212.696.8306 or www.akc. org/humane fund/donations/ index.cfm. Leonberger fancier GINNY BARTHOLOMAY is at home in Illinois recuperating from surgery. A memorial service was held in New York on January 21st for JOHN WESSEL. JOHN and his partner WILLIAM O’CONNOR are Irish Terrier fanciers from Pennsylvania. All of us at DOG NEWS send WILLIAM our deepest sympathies. RICHARD WALLENS, well known Otterhound breeder

the

gossip

OBERT V. LINDSAY, one of the real gentlemen of the sport, passed away last week. Long associated with the Westminster Kennel Club where he held the office of president, he was also the Delegate to the American Bloodhound Club and a former president of the Long Island Kennel Club. Together with his late wife NANCY they bred Bloodhounds and Basset Hounds under the Lime Tree prefix at their Long Island home. Lime Tree dogs can be found in the pedigrees of many top winners in both breeds. RODDY was a former president of JP MORGAN and his work for the bank had the LINDSAYS move to England for several years. Upon their return to the States, NANCY judged best in show at the 1982 Westminster event. Every year at the Garden, NANCY, RODDY and MATT STANDER could always be found leaning on the wall outside the breed ring watching the Bloodhounds being judged together. Even after NANCY’S passing and RODDY’S health failing, he and MATT continued the tradition. The wall will seem empty next month. RODDY’S late brother was JOHN V. LINDSAY, the former Mayor of New York City. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to their children TINKER, TERRI, CAMERON and ROBERT and their families. A memorial service will be held in New York on March 3rd. Once again the AMERICAN

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EXCELLENCE IN EUROPE’S CAPITAL Continued FROM page 53

and a blue background. The catalog was very complete and paid much attention to all the people who kindly helped to organize this show. I think this must have been well appreciated. The exhibitors came from 21 different countries. No less than 1812 dogs were from Belgium, France and the Netherlands had 648 and 643 entries respectively, Germany was represented by 287 dogs. But there were also entries from countries as far as Finland and Sweden, and even one from Greece and one from the USA. The judges were very well chosen as some had far over 100 entries on one day. 21 of the 33 judges had over 75 entries on one of the days. Mr. Van Montfoord from Holland had 79 Great Danes on Saturday and 67 dogs on Sunday, 59 of them Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. From Norway we had Mr. Per Andersen to judge 95 dogs on Saturday of which no less than 59 Leonbergers. Mrs. Cuthbert had 81 dogs on Saturday, amongst them 34 Bullmastiffs and 27 Mastiffs. Doing all the Collies and Shelties (79) on Sunday she ended up with a total of 160 dogs. Mr. Ben Karpel came from Israel to judge 106 dogs on Saturday, 86 of them Bulldogs. Together with a smaller variety and also very popular, the 76 French Bulldogs that he judged on Sunday, he ended up with 182 dogs for the weekend. Mrs. Deridder had also good scores, 70 American Staffordshires and 72 Border Collies. Mr. Paul D’Hooge, also from Belgium, judged on Saturday only. He had 75 Newfoundlands. Mr. Javier Sanchez from Spain was most busy on Saturday with all the Pinschers and Schnauzers, a total of 104. Mrs. Martha Heine from Germany had 72 Terriers on Saturday and no less than 130 dogs out of group 5 on Sunday. Mr. Des Manton from Ireland also proved very popular . He had 138 on Saturday and 83 on Sunday. The 72 Staffordshire Terriers and the 70 Aussies contributed generously to his popularity. Together with the Romanian judge Mr. Ionescu Augustin he shared the title of most popular judge of the show. Mr. Ionescu had only 69 Cockers on Saturday, but on Sunday he had no less than 152 dogs all out of group 5 that he shared with Mr. Heine. Mr. Deschuymere from Belgium filled certain gaps on Saturday and had only 48 dogs, but on Sunday he concentrated on Shepherd breeds, good for 117 specimen. Mr. Czic Istvan from Germany judged Terriers on Saturday, 65, and on Sunday he also had an amazing score with 129 Companion dogs. The popularity of the Chinese Cresteds is growing if we look at the 52 specimen present here. Mr. Freddy Declercq from Belgium judged on Sunday only, but to give him only the Chihuahuas was a wise decision as he was more than busy enough with 97 specimen in his ring. Mr. Wieremiejczyk from Poland judged 102 Dog News

group 8 dogs on Saturday but on Sunday she had a good score with 87 dogs out for group 6, not included the Rhodesian Ridgebacks as they were reserved for Mr. Barnes Kelvin, who only judged them on this show, but seen the 74 who were present it proved another wise decision. And that counts for Mr. Frederik and Mrs. Muriel Hathaway who judged only on Saturday. Frederik had the 86 Golden Retrievers for his account, while Muriel took care of the 81 Labradors. Mr. Jens Witers from Germany took care of the Teckles, all varieties, on Saturday and had a free on Sunday. Same for Mr. Catalan L. from Poland, who judged breeds from group 7. They could have a look at the ring of Mr. Renaux Alain from France who judged on Sunday only. He had a total of 72 dogs, 52 of them were Beaucerons and that is a long time ago since we had so many together over here in Belgium. Or they could go to see the judging of sighthounds. Mr. Pordham Kenis from the United Kingdom was judging some of the breeds on Sunday only and had a nice score of 84. Mr. Norman Deschuymere was asked to judge the finals and place all 10 group winners. The winner of the Dachshunds was not present however. His 3rd place went to the American Cocker Spaniel “Very Vigie Century Fox” owned by Doucet Joelle. Century Fox was bred 4 years ago by Mr. Laurent Pichard. Mr. Ionescu judged him on Saturday when he was entered in Champion Class males winning the group from 24 other competitors. The very same judge made him later on BIG and granted him a ticket for Sunday. Res. Best in show was for the 3 yearold male Fox Terrier Wirehaired “Slicey Heart of Mine”. He was bred by Lorrain Denys and is proudly owned by Mr. Loubet Vincent also from France. The Fox Terriers were judged on Saturday by Mr. Czik Istvan Mr. M. Heine judged the group in the afternoon. Best In Show went to a Belgian Breed from a Belgian owner and breeder, the Papillon Siljans Truly Yours owned by Jan Roosens. Jan is a breeder himself but imported this 3-year-old bitch from Sweden. Siljans was another choice of Mr. Istvan, who judged the breed and the group. I suppose we will meet this dog at Crufts in a few months and on some other shows in the meantime. Jan Roosens has been BOB at Crufts with a Papillon a few years ago and even ended in the finals of the Group. Will we see him again in the main ring this year, and will it be again a finalist? Who can say, but be aware of him as he was a worthy BIS of Brussels! Next year the show is a little earlier, 8 and 9 December, and maybe this could positively affect the number of entries as not so close to Christmas and no Champion of Champions to stand in the way. Reaching the 4000 must be a possibility. Give us help and enter in time.

Bests Week of the

JANUARY 27, 2012

Continued FROM page 34

Oakland County Kennel Club - Saturday Akita Ch. Buckridge’s No Doubt About It Judge Mr. Arley D. Hussin Owners David Osborn & Ellen Vanden Avond Handler David Osborn Annapolis Kennel Club -Thursday Rough Collie GCh. Devinwood A Perfect Stranger Judge Mrs. Catherine DiGiacomo Owners Jacqueline A. Caruso & Ronald Caruso Handler Peter Denbow Central Iowa Kennel Club - Saturday Saluki GCh. Aurora’s The Song And Dance Man Judge Mr. Charles E. Trotter Owners Julie L. Mueller & Eugene Blake Handler Julie L. Mueller West Oahu Kennel Club Lhasa Apso GCh. Xeralane’s Kid Rock Judge Mr. Joe Walton Owners Xeralane Kennel, Susan Giles, Mary Vaden, Wendy Harper & Muriel Wolverton Handler Susan S. Giles

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heelwork to music There’s Something About Barney Continued FROM page 54

moves but at class Barney didn’t always behave himself with so many other dogs about. Loraine was a bit worried about what Barney might get up to if he was off lead so she started to work him with a muzzle on in class. The muzzle allowed Barney to do the moves without the lead being on and as there was no way he could get up to mischief with other dogs as he had a muzzle on, it meant Loraine could be a little less worried. Loraine took him to other classes to get him used to working around other dogs and slowly over a long period he started to get better with his concentration. I think that the wide range of moves that you can do in freestyle helped to keep him focused as I know from teaching my own terriers in the past they don’t do repetition of moves like some of the other breeds. It took Loraine three years to get to the stage of competing at a local event. I must admit I never thought he would get to that stage as most people would have given up, so I take my hat off to Loraine for persisting. It was for this reason that I nominated Loraine and Barney for the most improved team that year at a class I ran. Their first competition in 2009 didn’t go completely to plan as Barney decided it was a very interesting environment and he wanted to explore. The only trouble was he wanted to explore outside the ring thus getting disqualified. It’s often the case that dogs which have not been used to a show environ-

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ment from a young age get very distracted but as with Barney in subsequent competitions he gradually got better. When you have an “other breed” it can be quite daunting if you are the only one competing with that breed. Luckily the sport has had a very a good terrier ambassador in the form of Carol Wallace with her Jack Russells Tilda and Compo. Tilda was a short legged Jack Russell and I always loved to judge her as she had such drive and enthusiasm. Compo was a bigger male terrier that not only was a good freestyle/ heelwork to music dog but became an agility champion. Loraine continued to compete and in 2010 at Findon Barney gained a 3rd place then later in the year at Cornwall show he got 5th where he stayed with Loraine during the routine and didn’t run off. The running off has always been a problem with Barney and many times I have watched him working well only to get distracted by something. Loraine has not always been the most outgoing handler so it would have put many people off when you are left in the ring on your own with no dog. This year at the Cornwall competition I was delighted to hear that finally after five years of ups and downs with Barney’s training, he eventually kept it all together to win the starters freestyle class. Knowing the story behind this dog and the length of time it has taken makes this win even more special. I know Loraine will be the first to say that there are still many areas to be improved but on the day he was the best in that class and this team thoroughly deserved the win. The win now takes them into novice so hopefully Barney will

keep his brain in gear now that he has gone up a level. One thing that Loraine has always been good at is finding the right music. Sometimes when Barney was at his naughtiest I would tell Loraine to have a piece of general music which they could busk to so that she could throw as many moves at Barney as she felt necessary in order to keep his attention. Doing some busking with the dog in the ring also I find builds the handler’s confidence as they don’t panic if it’s not going right but just carry on doing some moves until they are back on course. The ability to busk will always be essential when working Barney just as it was when I was working my own Portuguese water dog Disco. I never knew what Disco would do when we were working a routine and many times I had to improvise parts of a performance. It doesn’t feel like it at the time but working a dog like Barney teaches you so much and I know if Loraine ever trains another dog for freestyle, the work she has had to do with Barney will be invaluable. Barney continues to be a bit of a handful even at seven years old but I hope that knowing some of the background behind this win will show other people who might be struggling that they should keep at it as you will be rewarded eventually. If you have any questions about freestyle or heelwork to music please email me via my website www.k9freestyle.co.uk.

Dog News 105

THE NOT SO LIGHTER SIDE OF JUDGING Continued FROM page 58

the male patrons to the clubs. We were kept up all night long with the loud music. We were very pleased to leave that hotel and drive two hours to Huizhou City. When we arrived at our hotel, a golf resort, we were checked into a villa. It too was lovely, a large modern house with several bedrooms with private baths and a living area on two floors. That night another American judge joined us, Diane Landstrom from Arizona. Diane was there to judge two specialties, one for Samoyeds and the other for Siberians. Diane was accompanied by her husband Carl. The club hosted a fabulous dinner party that evening in a great restaurant. Seems that Kenny, one of the club members, knew that Janet had some history with “drunken shrimp” and made sure that was one of the dishes he ordered. You have to ask Janet about drunken shrimp! The next morning I was to judge the show and Diane was judging the Samoyed Specialty. Janet had made plans to go shopping with one of our companions, Jackie, who owns a cosmetic company. He was delightful and great company. The weather here was much milder than at the other shows, but when I arrived at the show, I was sorry I hadn’t brought my coat as it was quite windy. I asked Mary, our interpreter, if she would call Jackie to see if he and Janet could stop at the show before they went shopping to bring me my coat. I was finishing my Sporting Group when they arrived with my coat. By that time it had actually warmed up and I really didn’t need it. They went off to shop and I continued my judg-

ing. After judging two more hours, I was told we were going to break for lunch. I went to the judge’s table, which was an eight foot table that was also being used by the club secretaries. It was a draped table. I had put my purse under the table and out of sight while I was judging. I looked for my purse under the table and couldn’t find it. I asked one of the secretaries as I thought perhaps they had moved it closer to them. Everyone started to look for the purse and panic broke out. Mary comes over and tells me that the purse wasn’t under the table as she had moved it to the chair. At that point I went berserk! I totally lost it and asked why she would have touched the purse. She then informs me that Diane’s Samsonite bag was also stolen and the police had been called. We had to explain everything to the police. There were at least five of them who did essentially nothing. They wanted to take a photo of me and the place where the purse had been. I kept asking them why they weren’t asking the people at the table if they had seen someone there who was not a club member. They had no real interest in doing any kind of investigating. Janet and Jackie came back to the show when they learned of what had happened. Diane went off to the police station and I finished my judging assignment. I explained to the club members that I would only do photos of the major winners as I too had to go to the police station. With Janet’s assistance with the paperwork, we were able to finish the assignment without any delays. When we arrived at the police station, it was sort of a three ring circus. They had to call in an officer from another police station who was able to take our

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statements in English and translate them to Chinese. Diane had already been there for hours and they were waiting for my statements. The officer kept saying “I lost my purse”. I corrected him several times saying “my purse was stolen, not lost”. They wanted to know the contents of my purse. Needless to say, there was money, credit cards, insurance cards, a digital camera and my PASSPORT & VISA! I was left with no money, no credit cards, no identification and no way out of the country! After my statement was transcribed I was asked to sign the statement. Janet was insistent that they read it to me. They refused and therefore I refused to sign it. Finally, Jackie translated it to us. We noted some discrepancies and made them make the corrections. I was then asked to not only sign it, but I needed to stamp my fingerprints by my signature and the date. You would have thought I had stolen my own purse. In the meantime, Janet was in communication with Rob Rein, who was house-sitting for her. He went online to see what I needed to do in order to replace the passport and visa. Janet also called the American Consulate office in the States. We got valuable information and had a pretty good idea of what steps had to be taken. The first thing we needed was a report from the police station. They would not tell us when it would be ready for us. Kenny, one of the club members, stayed at the police station for the report and the rest of us went to a local restaurant even though for a change, food was not high on our priority list. Kenny arrived an hour later with the police report but we still needed a lost passport claim. The police station told Kenny where to get that. The next morning after breakfast, Janet and Diane went to the show to judge. Kenny and Jackie took me to a different police station for the lost passport form. They knew nothing about it and told us to go to another police station. They too were clueless. Kenny then called a friend of his who worked in the immigration office in Huizhou. She came in on a Sunday, opened up the building and her office and was able to get us the necessary form. She was profusely thanked. It certainly helped to know people in high places! We then went to have another passport photo taken and then returned to the show for Janet to finish her assignment. Diane and her husband left for Beijing later that afternoon. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have her passport in the stolen bag, but did have some rather valuable jewelry. Janet and I had to go back to our villa to check out and drive the two hours back to Guangzhou where the closest American Consulate was located. When we were speaking to the American Consulate, I asked what hotel was closest. It was a Weston and I insisted that Mary make reservations for us there. I didn’t want to deal with the Ginza again… In the meantime all of our flight plans had to be changed as rather than fly from Huizhou to Shanghai, we now needed a flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai. First thing in the morning, Janet and I walked to the American Consulate. It took us approximately two hours to have my passport replaced. They were very understanding and courteous but warned us we might not be able to get the visa as quickly. That was an understatement! Janet and I were leaving the consulate when we bumped into Allen, another of the club members. He was there to help us get the visa. We took a cab to the Immigration Office. You had to get a number and wait to be called. The hall was packed with people. Continued on page 110

Dog News 107

CClick lick Brooksville KENNEL CLUB

Sacramento Kennel Club BY JERI POLLER

Photos by EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

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THE NOT SO LIGHTER SIDE OF JUDGING Continued FROM page 106

They closed at 1 PM and reopened at 2:30. While reading the requirements, Jackie noticed that I would need yet another set of passport photos, one that had an identification number on it. We went to the floor where this was done and they were about to close. Jackie became insistent and they agreed to take my photo. We then went to lunch and waited for the office to reopen. After lunch Janet had to leave as her flight to San Francisco left the next day from Shanghai. By this point we had become so close I felt she was my sister. As a matter of fact, the Chinese club members couldn’t believe we didn’t know each other before this trip. Janet loaned me some money as I had none. She was actually more concerned over the ordeal than I was. I soon realized why! Jackie, Allen and I went back into the immigration office. I was finally called to speak to one of the government employees. I was told that I couldn’t get the visa until Dec. 26th! It was Dec. 19th and my flight to Newark was scheduled to leave Shanghai on the 20th! I explained this and was told to go up to the sixth floor alone and plead my case. Up I go, take another number and wait. Finally I am called and have to explain my plight. I was asked why I took so long in coming to the office! My purse was stolen on Saturday and I was there on Monday! I made my case and was told to sit down and I would be called. Finally at 6:30 I was summoned and told I should report to the 4th floor on Wednesday at 4 PM. My newly made Chinese friends were quite impressed that I was able to get things moving so quickly. In the meantime, I was really getting sick of all the red tape. Allen and Jackie did their very best to make me feel comfortable. They gave me some money so I would be able to get my car out of the parking garage when I returned to the States and also some RMB for spending money while I was there. Jackie took me to a museum and also shopping. They had me change to the Hilton Hotel as it was more centrally located. Everything was paid for by them. Finally Wednesday arrived and Jackie and I went to the immigration office. We go to get the visa and take a number. When we are called, I hand them my receipt and they can’t find the passport! They look all over for it and it is nowhere. They ask for a receipt for payment. I explain that I was only given the receipt I submitted to them. I am told to sit down while they continue to look. Finally they find the passport and then there is bickering amongst themselves as to whether it was already paid for. One person claimed it was, the other said no. I was certain it wasn’t and we were told to go upstairs to the cashier. We take another number and sit and wait to be called. Jackie tells me the cost is over 900 RMB’s (about $140) and between the two of us, we didn’t have it. He then calls Mary, who has wisely been told not to come near me, and she comes to the immigration office to pay for the visa. We have to wait 45 minutes for Mary to arrive. After she pays, we have to go downstairs to get the passport. We return to the same desk and are told to sit down. There was nobody else waiting for them and the passport was at her fingertips. Jackie had finally reached the boiling point and says “This is stupid”. With that, our friendly government employee throws the passport aside and says I am not getting it until we have a meeting with her boss. She goes upstairs and returns with a big, burly police officer. He starts screaming at us and asks for Jackie to explain what happened. I asked if he spoke English as I felt Jackie was so mad he might make things even worse. I start explaining what we have been through and he be-

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comes bored with my explanation. He starts yelling at Jackie and makes him apologize to the female officer. He then turns his wrath on me bellowing “This is China. You will not use bad language in China.” Good grief! He should have only heard the things Janet and I had been saying. I finally get the passport and go back to the hotel. I have a 7 AM flight to Shanghai the next morning and then an afternoon flight back to Newark. I don’t think I was ever happier to return to US soil. I had not planned on writing anything about the trip as I didn’t want to discourage others from judging in China. I do feel the people running the shows are trying their best. They go out of their way to make us feel comfortable while we are there. We were showered with gifts by both clubs and treated very well. I can’t imagine how I would have fared having my purse stolen had I been traveling alone as I often do. I might have wound up a street beggar! Kenny, Jackie and Allen did all in their power to help me out of a horrific situation. The club has promised to wire funds into my account to cover my loss. The problem was with the ineptitude of the police department and the inefficiency and rude treatment by the immigration office, not to mention the fact that my purse had been moved. I tried to explain to my sister as to how awful it was and the best example I could give was when we were living in Brooklyn and had to go to the motor vehicle department. There were always long lines. Inevitably you would be waiting on the wrong line much to the amusement of the clerk who took great pleasure in nastily directing you to an even longer line. My friends have asked me if I would ever go back to China and my reply is “Yes”. I am certain that more precautions will be taken with their judge’s belongings and I for one will leave the passport in a safe in my hotel room unless I am moving from one place to another. A friend suggested I duct tape my passport to my body next time. After what I went through, it sounds like a good idea! Moral of the Story: Listen to your knee!!!

Judge Mr. Paul Willhauck

Tahoe Multiple Group Winner

Judge: Mr. Thomas Nesbitt

Ch. Deja Blu The Road Less Traveled

Presented By: Robert A. Fisher & Kaki Fisher Akc Registered Handlers Owner: Beverly Barbaz Point Pleasant, New Jersey Breeder: Gail E. Bodisch Groomed By: Paula Grimaldi Dog News 111

YES, I CAIRN! Continued FROM page 61

past decade or so, in close collaboration with a well-known Swedish breeder. “All the dogs are between second and fourth generation of my breeding, going back to the best kennel in Sweden,” says Dembin. “The dog that went BIS, Happy, was sold as a puppy to a show home. He came from a very successful litter – his brother is Napo, Israel’s Dog of the Year 2009 and runnerup Dog of the Year 2010. I bought Happy back at the age of four. It took about a year to bring him back into coat and turn him into a show dog who can display his true temperament. I kept him apart from the rest of the dogs to give him special attention. At the first show I showed him he went 2nd BIS under Cristian Stefanescu. Since then he has gone BIS at club shows and won the group at the Dracula show in Romania in September. I am planning to use him at stud and last week froze some of his sperm. I plan to campaign him in Europe next year. “The junior dog, Champion,” continued the breeder, “is son of Rocko, European Winner from my breeding. He is coowned with Dor Bazdatny and goes back five generations to my breeding. “The puppy is also the son of a bitch that is my fourth generation and the sire is a new import and this was his second litter. When the puppy was sold, I was a bit sad to part with him, but he has been adopted by a fantastic family. He went Best Puppy at both club shows in which he was previously shown.” Best In Show judge, Ms. Carla Molinari, president of the Portuguese Kennel Club, was quite happy with the show.: How was the quality of the dogs you saw? “Much better than the last time I judged in Israel.” Which breed impressed you most? “In my ring there were not enough numbers in each breed to be able to answer this question correctly!” How was the organization of the show? “Excellent: on time, nice rings, hospitality, as usual, superb!” What, in your opinion, makes Israel special? “Everything is special about your country. At the show I must say that the atmosphere was very friendly and exhibitors were very polite. Presentation has improved A LOT!” What in your opinion could have made the show better? “All shows can always be improved but in Arad nothing was amiss. Ok the location is not beautiful but it was adequate and the weather quite pleasant. Perhaps a bit more light in the main ring would have been nice. However, I am always happy to visit Israel.” Waldwiese Wild Fire, another top-winning dog in recent years, is a Continued on page 114

112 Dog News

Dog News 113

YES, I CAIRN! Continued FROM page 112

Weimaraner, bred in Australia and campaigned by his owner and avid handler, Ilana Bar-Tal. This dog won the group at the show in Arad and Bar-Tal was also quite proud of the fact that a puppy by her bitch went Best Puppy at this show. Winner of the herding group at this show was an Australian Shepherd, A Excellent Weihaiwei New Acro. The dog’s breeder and owner Elena Simkova of the Czech Republic actually loaned him to Israeli breeder Niv Zadik. The dog has been shown successfully in Europe and will be staying in Israel for a while to be put to stud with several local bitches. Runner-up BIS was an American Cocker Spaniel, Fairies Cockers Calvin Klein. He was bred by Dr. Stella Schindler, an Israeli breeder, and is owned by her. However, the dog resides in Spain and was handled in Arad by his Spanish handler, who flew in to take part at this show. A few weeks after the show in Arad, the IKC held its Dog of the Year competition. This event is open to Israeli champions and the winner gets to represent Israel in international events, including the qualifier for the Eukanuba World Challenge. Three judges presided over the competition, Prof. Zeev Trainin (Israel), Mr. Alex Zee (Taiwan) and Dr. Milivoje Urosevic (Serbia). Approximately 50 dogs were first judged by each of the judges separately, receiving up to 100 points from each judge. The scores were added up and the top 16 dogs were then divided into pairs and judged in a knock-out contest. When the ultimate pair of dogs, a Cairn Terrier and an Alaskan Malamute, was judged, the audience was quite sure the Malamute would win. However, to their surprise, the judges preferred the Cairn Terrier who turned out to be Happy Beit Dembin, the winner from Arad! Sadly, the Malamute, one of Israel’s outstanding dogs, Nanuke for Ayla of Navarama Mal, a dog imported from the Czech Republic by local owner Ayelet Shushan, died about a month later of the local version of heartworm. This came as a shock to all who knew the dog and his owner was devastated. However, the dog has left some promising offspring, so hopefully he will live on in them. Two days before Christmas, the annual Gundog Show took place, an event organized by some seven breed clubs, this time judged by Mr. Alexey Belkin (Russia) and Mr. Carlos Saevich (Argentina). At this show, while everyone was waiting for either the above-mentioned Weimaraner to win, or a top-winning Hungarian Vizsla, the judge put up Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch, Dafne Beni’s Ridges, bred and owned by Benjamin H. Kiesler. It was hard to tell whether the smile on his face expressed pride or surprise when he was presented with the enormous trophy.

114 Dog News

Introducing...

Diane & Sugar Multiple Group Placing

GCh. Hunter’s Ridge She’s Outrageous PHOTO BY LYNDA BEAM

2011 Top Twenty Ridgeback* Breeders: Diane Engelking and Mary Beth Usery Owners: Carol & Jason Burridge, Diane Engelking, Stacey Ford Handler: Diane Engelking *CC Systems

Dog News 115

Multiple All Breed Best In Show & Specialty Winner Owner J. W. Smith Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers 116 Dog News

Handlers Edward & Lesley Boyes Grass Valley, California 530.272.4940

Dog News 117

Gallbladder Diseases in Dogs Continued FROM page 70

Symptoms While the various gallbladder diseases have different causes, essentially, their symptoms are the same for dogs that present clinically. Usually, there is vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and, depending upon how advanced the disease is, the dog may be jaundiced. Diagnosis Blood work is the first step in the diagnostic procedure. “A chemistry panel lets us evaluate the levels of the liver enzymes, particularly alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT],” Dr. Cook says. “Both tend to be elevated in dogs with gallbladder problems. The chemistry panel also would measure the bilirubin level, which increases when a dog is jaundiced. “If the blood work shows liver enzyme abnormalities or if the patient is jaundiced, we would quickly move to doing an ultrasound. That would let us look at the gallbladder and its contents. In cases where the

dog has a mucocele, the gallbladder’s contents would have the appearance of a kiwi fruit. In a healthy gallbladder, bile is a very uniform black color when imaged ultrasonographically. When a mucocele occurs, the bile has a classic striated appearance and is a lighter color.” Ultrasound would reveal a thickened gallbladder wall as well. Wall thickness is important because an abnormally thick wall often indicates the presence of infection. “Ultrasound also enables us to visualize the structures adjacent to the gallbladder. In patients with pancreatitis, the gallbladder may look huge because the duct is obstructed and bile has backed up inside it. Despite the organ’s enlarged size, the gallbladder wall and the bile would otherwise appear normal. In this case, the ultrasound indicates that the gallbladder isn’t the primary problem but the pancreas is.” In addition to the above, gallstones and sludge can be seen with ultrasound. Although sludge and stones occur in dogs, they occur less commonly than in people. “All of the factors that cause bile to thicken into sludge or eventually progress into a mucocele or stones are not known. While the presence of sludge and stones are not in and of themselves generally of great concern, they can become a problem when they’re associated with infection or gallbladder obstruction.”

118 Dog News

Treatment and prognosis While the cause of a mucocele can differ, treatment is the same. Surgical removal of the gall bladder is recommended. Otherwise, the gallbladder may burst, as the solid bile prevents emptying and causes excessive pressure on the gallbladder wall. “If the gallbladder ruptures, bile leaks into the abdominal cavity and scalds the organs,” Dr. Cook says. “Bacteria also can back flow into the abdominal cavity from the intestine through the rupture and cause peritonitis. Because a ruptured gallbladder is very difficult to treat, the patient’s prognosis is not good.” In cases where patients have a mucocele but are not symptomatic, owners still are urged to schedule surgery to remove the gallbladder. When the gallbladder is removed under these conditions, the prognosis is good. Infection in the gallbladder may begin suddenly and doesn’t improve until it’s treated. Generally, it requires immediate treatment in the form of antibiotics and possibly surgery to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder wall can actually burst if the bacteria eat right through it. “If there is compression of the bile duct due to pancreatitis but the gallbladder itself is healthy, then, we usually try to hold off on surgery. Pancreatitis often settles down on its own with supportive treatment. When that happens, the obstruction alleviates itself; the gallbladder starts emptying again and the dog’s condition improves. “If there is no spontaneous resolution and the bile flow is totally obstructed, however, we would perform surgery and insert a little stent to hold the compressed duct open. Alternatively, drainage systems sometimes are attached to the outside of the abdomen, extending into the gallbladder to empty out the bile temporarily. The gallbladder is sewn onto the intestine in order to bypass the obstruction as a treatment of last resort.” Gallbladder surgery in unwell animals has a guarded prognosis. One in four dogs wouldn’t survive. OTHER TREATMENT When the gallbladder is diseased there can be a problem with blood clotting. That’s because it’s more difficult for the body to manufacture some of the clotting factors. If clotting is an issue, the patient would need a plasma transfusion.

Dog News 119

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Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winning

Dog News 121

JANUARY 27, 2012

Ed. Note: We’ll try, Kate, we’ll try!

LOVE THE NEW LOOK Let me join the list of those saying how great the magazine looks on the new paper. I really enjoy Desi and Geir’s articles and please try to get Patty Haines to write more. All the best. Stephen Hurt Louisville, KY Correction TO BCA NATIONALS COVERAGE There was an inadvertent owner omission in a group of co-owners listed in the article. The correct owners of GCh. Cherokee Origin Just Johnny are: Cody Sickle, Connie Chambers, Henry and Miriam Martinez. Elizabeth Milam Newcastle, OK

WHICH SIGHTHOUND BREEDS SHOULD NOT TOE OUT? George Bell’s Jan. 13 article advocating toeing out for all sighthounds demonstrates the risks of generalizing from one breed to a group of similar but not identical breeds. I am surprised that George would make this generalization. I have judged his Greyhounds and don’t recall them toeing out. If he had written that Salukis should toe out, I would agree with him. Historic photos of early Salukis have shown many of them toeing out. And, aside from history, a Saluki’s structure is such that they often toe out when they reach adulthood. Saluki’s, however, are not Greyhounds. Salukis are long distance runners with top speeds that do not equal those of Greyhounds and Whippets. Greyhounds and Whippets should not toe out. Neither should Irish Wolfhounds. And the rest of the sighthound breeds fall somewhere in between Salukis and Greyhounds or Whippets. Of the two running Saluki sequence photos in George’s article, only the third frame on page 66 shows a right front paw rotated outwards. All the other pictures show paws pointing straight ahead. Why does the third frame show the front paw planted on the ground and rotated to the right? Does this mean that this dog’s paws toe out when he is running straight or standing still? That dog’s paw is rotated to the right to distribute the stress of the turn directly up the leg instead of sidewise across the paw. Any dog will rotate the foot to align with the stress of the turn. One should not confuse paw position in a turn at the gallop with a straight forward trot. Or with where the toes point when the dog is standing still. The pastern is able to perform an amazing range of motion. A dog’s pastern is a collection of small bones held together by ligaments. It is the equivalent of your hand from the wrist to fingertips. If you hold your forearm still you can move your hand from left to right. So can a turning dog. And pastern lay down in a running sighthound shows even more extreme flexibility. To demonstrate put your fingertips

122 Dog News

on the edge of a table and press down with the heel of our hand. Even as old and stiff as I am, I can bend the hand at right angles to the forearm. That is made possible by the stretching of the ligaments that hold the bones together. When you do this exercise, you can feel the tension in the ligaments of your hand and arm. That tension is energy stored in the stretched ligaments the same way that energy can be stored in a stretched spring. . The same thing occurs in a running dog when it demonstrates pastern lay down. When a galloping sighthound puts its front paw on the ground and its body moves forward, the ligaments of the pastern stretch to store energy and the paw from the stop pad to the toenails is laid flat on the ground at right angles to the upper leg. It looks like the dog has broken its leg but it hasn’t. It has just stored energy in its stretched pastern ligaments and when the dog’s body moves forward those ligaments contract and transmit their stored energy to the paw. This increases the pressure of the paw against the ground and that increases the dog’s speed. A dog’s paw position at high speed is not an indication of where it should be at rest or at a trot. Greyhounds and Whippets often toe out when they are puppies, but then they develop and their chests drop. Dogs grow from the toes up. First the pasterns and feet reach adult size (this is why you look at a puppies feet to see how big the dog is going to be). After the feet are grown, the forearms lengthen, then the shoulder bones (humerus and scapula) grow to full length. In Greyhounds that happens at about a year of age. Over the next six months, the ribs lengthen and the chest drops until hopefully it reaches the elbows for in Greyhounds and Whippets. When it does that it pushes the elbows apart and rotates the front legs towards the centerline of the dog. Usually this brings the front around so the toes all point forward and the feet are parallel. (If a puppy has a perfectly straight front as a youngster there is some risk that when the chest drops the adult legs may rotate too far and the dog may wind up toeing in slightly.) Why doesn’t this happen with Salukis? Because Salukis are both shallower bodied and narrower-chested than Whippets and Greyhounds. They never develop enough front fill to push the elbows out and rotate the lower legs towards the centerline. They are sort of perpetually like Greyhounds at 12 months. Their legs are full grown but their chests never dropped. For distance running this is fine. A distance runner needs less body mass and muscle than a sprinter does. A Greyhound the same height as a Saluki will weigh 30-40% more. Since a breed needs depth and breadth of chest to bring the front around straight, I would not expect any Irish Wolfhounds to toe out. Some of the narrower Scottish Deerhounds might toe out especially when they are young. For the rest of the breeds it would depend on the individual’s body width and chest depth. I would expect a fair number of Azawakhs and Sloughis to toe out. And some Pharaoh or Ibizan Hounds. In forty years of breeding Greyhounds, I have only had one that toed out. Ch. Suntiger Frosty Paws was actually built rather like a Saluki. She was narrow bodied and her chest never dropped leaving her with a permanent toe out, which led to a rather amusing exchange between me and a judge who had put her up. While we posed for the win photo, the judge asked me to straighten up her front and I had to admit that I couldn’t, that that front was how God made her. (Show judges rather liked her. I never thought she was correct.) And she was never bred. I have, however, bred six generations of dual champions, (Champion-Field Champions.) With a seventh generation waiting to grow up. And Ch. Suntiger Traveler’s 10 BIS made him the top winning male Greyhound of the last 80 years, and the top Greyhound sire prior to the use of frozen semen. George doesn’t lure course his dogs, preferring open field. But the truth is that dogs that have run a lot of live game are often not impressed with plastic lures. The only way to do both successfully is to lure train the dogs before they learn to run live game and most open field folks are not patient enough to do that. Patricia Gail Burnham Fair Oaks, CA

Letters ToThe Editor

ANOTHER CALENDAR REACTION Three cheers to Dog News for putting in a monthly show calendar with all the judges, like the late lamented AKC Gazette used to have. Can you do those of us with low vision problems (I use a magnifying glass) one BIG favor? Could you ask whoever has the challenge of setting this all up to make the actual date different - by putting it in bold face type, or underlining it or putting a little box around it? On the first version it was almost impossible to “see” the date. The new magazine is very lush and plush - and slippery - hard to handle with dog in lap! Even the BW ads look wonderful - congratulations. Best regards, Kate Romanski Hales Corners, WI

Dog News 123

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126 Dog News

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