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Fancy Talk
Interview with Linda Maingot Eltorro French Bulldogs
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Fancy Health
The Eyes Have It! by Dr Lori Hunt, DVM
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Fancy Details Frenchies and Rally by Michelle Hrnchar
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Fancy Details
A surprise reason for small litters, by Gale Golden
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The Frenchie Fancy 2016 - The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of the services of products within those advertisments. The information contained in this online and print magazine is for general information purpose only. The information is provided by us and our collaborators, and while every efford is made to provide information which is both current and correct, we make no representations on warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliavility, suitability or availability with respect to the online magazine or the information, products, services or related graphics contained within the online magazine for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will Frenchie Fancy be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loos or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising for loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this online and print magazine.
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f ancy beginnings
Hi Frenchie lovers! Welcome to our 13th edition of the Frenchie Fancy! We are your online and print publication for everything related to Frenchies. This is our fourth year running, and we thank everyone who has supported us from the beginning!
As we enter this fourth year of our publication, we would like to remind everyone that although we are based in North America, we are a worldwide publication dedicated to our breed. We believe that there are no walls or borders when it comes to FRENCHIES, and nowadays the collaborations between kennels from different continents is getting stronger by the day. We welcome and encourage that. However, we are all breeders, exhibitors, and Frenchie lovers. We know what it takes to breed a litter, to raise well rounded puppies, we know of and have lived through the heartbreaks associated with having and breeding Frenchies, we health test our dogs and we put our hearts and souls into this crazy thing we call our lives’ passion. So our advice is to never just take someone’s word for it. If someone approaches you for a puppy, it does not hurt to look up their reputation, get to know them and where the puppy will be living, as well as their breeding practices. We are the guardians of our breed and what we do with it now can impact it for years to come. So choose your partners wisely. For this edition, we have prepared amazing articles for you. Rallies and Frenchies, Frenchies eyes and reproduction details are some of the articles you will be reading this time around. Our interview is with the great breeder Linda Maingot from Eltorro French Bulldogs
who has been in the breed for over 40 years. Wow! What an honor! Next edition, as always, will be our FBDCA Pre National Specialty edition. So get ready to advertise, and we are preparing something great for everyone! Don’t forget that you can order your Frenchie Fancy magazine hard copy online, or purchase a full year subscription with a special price! For more details, please access our website: www.FrenchieFancy. com For now, just sit back, relax and enjoy some of the very best French Bulldogs of the world. See you soon,
Fernanda Barlow, Matthew Dover, Vivianne Mello The Frenchie Fancy Team
Send us a message! info@frenchiefancy.com www.frenchiefancy.com | facebook.com/frenchiefancy
FRENCHIE FANCY Creative Director Vivianne Mello info@frenchiefancy.com
Advertising Director Fernanda Barlow ads@frenchiefancy.com
Marketing Director Matthew Dover mkt@frenchiefancy.com
Contributors Gale Golden Linda Maingot Lori Hunt, DVM Michelle Hrnchar Photography Bitten Oldereide Fernanda Barlow RedDogFoto.ru
Distribution
EUROPE
AUSTRALIA
Ana Jagtiani (Spain) Anna Denisova (Italy) Bitten Oldereide (Norway) Magnus Berglin (Sweden) Sarah Ventham (UK) Jakko Broersma (NL) Toni Saira (Finland) Daniela Akkad (Austria) Tove Rasmussen (Denmark) Mourning Chang (Taiwan)
Kelly McClelland UNITED STATES
Matthew Dover (East) Fernanda Barlow (West) Vivianne Mello (South)
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FANCY advertisers ARGENTINA CICCALE Romina (CIMABULL) .......................... 44, 45, 46 BRAZIL BORGES, Monik (sm CHEROKEE) ......................... 50, 51 GUIMARAES, Sergio (sm CHEROKEE) .................... 50, 51 CANADA MAINGOT, Linda (eltorro) ..................... 18, 19 ST.JOHN, Shelley (ROBOBULL) ....................... 8, 9, 46 CHINA LIN, Michael (ALPHA FADOU) .............................. 10, 11 LUO, Viva (OVERTOP) ......................................... 26-28 COLOMBIA ZULUAGA, Walter (LEON GEROME) ............................ 60 COSTA RICA ABARCA, Adrian (ADABAR & RAPENO) ........ 58, 59 PEREZ, Raul (ADABAR & RAPENO) ............... 58, 59 YIN, Siben & Stephanie (SAINT HONORE) .......... 64, 65 JAPAN YAMANAKA, Kazumi (COCO VIALATTE) ...................... 61 england CLUBLEY, Ben & Aisha (FRABULL) ................... 34, 35 FRIEND, Darren & Natalie (KINGFRIEND) ........ 34, 43 MEXICO KUCHEL, Erwin (KUVIBULL) ......................................... 7 VIANA, Ana (VIANAC) .......................................... 54, 55 PERU BEHR, Isabel (TRESOR B BOULE) ......................... 32, 33
UNITED STATES BARLOW, Fernanda (CARAMURU) ....................... 76, 77 BROTT, Karen (CHAMBORD) ................................... 48, 49 COVALUCCI, Billy (CAMPCOVO) ........................... 72, 73 DALTON, James (FABELHAFT) .................... 8, 9, 44-47 DENNY, Nicole (PINNACLE) ......................... BACK COVER DEVINE, Mary (DEVINE) ..................................... 36, 37 DOVER, Matthew (BELLA LUNA) ......................... 72, 73 FORGIONE, Karen (DIAMOND RIDGE) ................. 78, 79 GOLDEN, Gale (MORGAN MANOR) ........................ 62 JENO, Andrea (DELILLE) ....................................... 18, 19 HAMMAN, Blake (LA BETE) .............................. 14, 15 HUNT, Lori (ASSISI) ............................................... 66, 67 HRNCHAR, Michelle ........................................... 68, 69 MATTINGLY, Debra & Kenneth ............................. 74, 75 MELLO, Vivianne (VIXBULL) .............................. 76, 77 MIKLOS, Jana (LIONHEART) ........................................ 78 MILLER, Stephen (PECHE MIGNON) ...................... 36, 37 NORTON, Toni ........................................................ 25 PHOTOS, Peter (LA BETE) ........................................ 14, 15 RAFFIO, Bill (SANS PAREIL) ................................... 38, 39 RAMOS, Jennifer (DOLCE) .............................. 52, 53 ROSARIO, Rodney (STORMY MOUNTAIN) ............ 30, 31 SHAW, Patricia (DIVA) .......................................... 14, 15 SINIBALDI, Gus ........................................................ 25 SOSA, Patty & Luis (BANDOG) .............................. 29 SMITH, Robert (PECHE MIGNON) .......................... 36, 37 THOMAS, Kim ........................................................... 61 WILSON, Theresa (KOTUR) ..................................... 12, 13 WOLFINGER, Linda (LWOLFRANCH) .............................. 63 VENEZUELA CELIS, Diego (MOKAODC) ................................. 44-47, 64
THAILAND PHRUKWATTANAKUL, Viruch (NAPACHAI) ............ 16, 17
this issue’s stats > Frenchies from 13 countries, in 80 pages.
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FANCY TALK - LINDA MAINGOT “ELTORRO�
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the ancy talk interview with linda maingot eltorro french bulldogs - canada When it comes to North American breeders, there are few that are as knowledgeable as Linda Maingot. She has been breeding under the kennel name ELTORRO for over 40 years. A book author and an artist, Linda has devoted a big part of her life to breeding and showing beautiful French Bulldogs. We had the opportunity to hear more about her Frenchies and her start in this exclusive interview.
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FANCY TALK - LINDA MAINGOT “ELTORRO”
HOW WAS YOUR START WITH FRENCH BULLDOGS? DID YOU OWN ANOTHER BREED BEFORE FRENCHIES? My father imported a Sheltie for me from England when I was ten years old. She was sired by one of the top Shelties at the time, UK Ch. Jet of Oxford. I showed her to her conformation and obedience titles, in Trinidad, W.I. When I came to Canada, in 1970, I bred and showed a couple generations of Bulldogs. I remember my first time in the ring, going Gr. 2, with one of them. A handler told me: “Don’t get used to it, this does not happen all the time”. I laugh now, because, that comment fueled me to keep going. During those years, I bought a Frenchie, showed and bred her, the rest is history, we are now going on 40+ years of Frenchies.
WHAT WERE THE FRENCH BULLDOGS LIKE BACK THEN WHEN YOU STARTED AS FAR AS STRUCTURE? AND WHAT ABOUT HEALTH? I have to say that the structure and health back then (early 70’s) were quite good. My start in Frenchies was with the Terrette lines. They were a nice combination of English, American & some French Pedigrees. They were pretty healthy, sound, and long lived dogs, which could win in the show ring today.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE FRENCH BULLDOG BRED BY YOU THAT HAS BEEN CLOSEST TO YOUR IDEAL OF TYPE? The closest to my ideal type, bred by myself, would be Am/Can. Ch. Eltorro’s Roch Voisine. I think that he was as close to the standard that I will ever get. In saying that, another dog that comes pretty close to the standard, that I bred lately, is BIS Ch. Eltorro’s Beau Esprit Libre (now owned by Diego Celis – Mokaodc French bulldogs). Both dogs are well balanced and depict exceptional breed type.
SPEAKING OF TYPE... WHAT IS TYPE TO YOU? For me, a good head is fist on my list. Shapely balanced body, good spring of rib, ample bone and good silhouette. Breed type for me, is the breed standard. In my mind that is what we are supposed to be breeding for.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE TRAIT THAT IS THE HARDEST TO FIX OR ‘BREED OUT’ IN FRENCHIES? Poor shoulder placement which makes bad fronts. Shoulder placement is so hard to fix in this breed, because, of the general structure of the breed and breed standard requirements in itself.
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS TO EVALUATE PUPPIES AS SHOW PROSPECTS? WHEN DO YOU START LOOKING AT THEM AND WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR? I look at them from the time they come out of sack and wet. I know most will think “That is baloney”. However, I am pretty old school and that is when a puppy will grab me. I monitor them until around eight weeks. I am looking for the type as I described above, and growth patterns. At eight weeks I refine the process to include movement and personality. Then I consider from there not only a show dog, but what will help my breeding program in the future. Sometimes these two items are not the same. August 2016
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FANCY TALK - LINDA MAINGOT “ELTORRO”
WHAT IS YOUR FRENCH BUllDOG PET PEEVE? Down faces, The sweet expression does not come through for me. I have to have good head and expression. The other pet peeve is exceptionally poor movement.
IN YOUR YEARS OF BREEDING, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE LITTER THAT YOU HAVE BREED TO DATE? In all my years of breeding, my favorite litter is the one that improved on the last. (laughs)
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT DO YOU THINK FRENCH BULDOG BREEDERS SHOULD BE WORKING ON IN ORDER TO COLLABORATE TOGETHER BETTER?
Am/Can. Ch. Eltorro’s Roch Voisine ‘ROCH’ (Ch. Cox’s Goodtime Charlie Brown X Eltorro’s Sweet Jasmine)
OPINIONS. Everyone has one and is entitled to it. That does not make your opinion right. Neither does it make it mine. Everyone is so quick to express their opinion in a negative way. If you hinge your breeding program on the opinions of others...you will have no breeding program. In my opinion (Pardon the pun.), Sharing of an experience and the results of it, in an earnest way, without the fear of ridicule is the only way to collaborate.
FROM A STUD DOG POINT OF VIEW, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE FRENCH BULLDOG SIRE THAT YOU HAVE OWNED? My favorite stud dog of late is AM/CAN CH Eltorro’s Capteur De Reve (Luc - pictured below to the left, with his sons Lucien and Beau). Luc line bred or out-crossed, always produces good health, good bone, very dark eyes, good upturn with a wide jaw and straight teeth. The rest is just icing on the cake.
Am/Can Ch. Imperiale Bella Ridge Leslie Caron - ‘GiGi’ sire: Am/Can Ch. Fabelhaft Too Hot To Handle - grandson of Roch dam: Ch. Imperiale’s Cindy Crawford
TO THE LEFT, first pictured: Am/Can Ch. Eltorro’s Capteur de Reves ‘LUC’ (Ch. Buntins Bossy Doctor Mark X Ch. Eltorro’s Bijou Precieux) MIDDLE and RIGHT, litter brothers: GCH. Eltorro’s Imperiale Chef-D’Oeuvre De Reve ‘LUCIEN’ Ch. Eltorro’s Imperiale Dreams Do Come True! ‘BEAU’ @ 6 mths (Am/Can. Ch. Eltorro’s Capteur de Reves X Eltorro’s Imperiale Shady Harbor Rochelle - daughter of GiGi)
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FANCY TALK - LINDA MAINGOT “ELTORRO”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON LINE BREEDING? WHAT ABOUT REPEATING BREEDINGS? Line Breeding is my favorite because it produces consistency and predictability. With doing line breeding first and then adding an out-cross gives a better chance of keeping what you have gained in the original breeding. I don’t generally do repeat breeding because I don’t breed enough to do so. However, it is my observation that repeat breedings do not always render the same result.
1982 - Ch. Eltorro’s Angel of Darkness (Terrette line-bred bitch) She was BW at the 1982 FBDCA National Specialty
Ch. Eltorro’s Bijou Precieux ‘BIJOU’ (Roch’s sister) (Ch. Cox’s Goodtime Charlie Brown X Eltorro’s Sweet Jasmine)
Am/Can Ch. Gradon Eltorro Rochele ‘ELLLE’ (Ch. Bridges Gradon Magna X Gradon Eltorro Charmaine - granddaughter & great-granddaughter of Roch & Bijou)
Ch. Bella Ridges Eltorro Imperiale’s Caroline ‘CAROLINE’ (Am/Can Ch. Fabelhaft Too Hot To Handle - grandson of Roch X Eltorro Imperiale Bella Ridge Giselle - daughter of Luc X GiGi)
BIS Ch. Eltorro’s Beau Esprit Libre - ‘BENOIT’ (GCH. Eltorro’s Imeriale Chef-D’Oeuvre de Reve X Ch. Bella Ridge Eltorro Imperiale’s Caroline) - Caroline is a granddaughter of LUC & GiGi & great granddaughter of ROCH.
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FANCY TALK - LINDA MAINGOT “ELTORRO”
WHEN YOU CHOOSE A BREEDING, DO YOU PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON TYPE OR ON PEDIGREE? Pedigree is the absolute only way I breed. Type plays a part in the pedigree I choose, but, pedigree is the work horse of the breeding for me.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SINGLE WORST MISTAKE THAT A BREEDER CAN MAKE?
Ch. Eltorro’s Dejavu Il Est Tout Cela - ‘ETIENNE’ (Ch. Marianette Knowital at Dejavu X Am/Can. Ch. Gradon Eltorro Rochelle)
Not having enough confidence to choose the their own path. Using the flavor of the month trend. Just because you use a top dog does not mean it will produce for your pedigree.
WHAT DO YOU WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT? That life will not give me the time to do all the breedings that I wanted to do.
Eltorro’s newest star... Eltorro’s Jolie Esprit D’Art - ‘JOLIE’ (BIS. Ch. Eltorro’s Beau Esprit Libre X Eltorro’s Oeuvre D’Art)
Ch. Eltorro’s Imperial Un Et Seulement - ‘CHUBBY’ (Ch. Gradons Imperiale Envoy X Ch. Bella Ridge Eltorro Imperiale’s Caroline) Chubby is waiting in the wings, to prove himself, in Eltorro’s future generations!
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Eltorro’s Oeuvre D’Art - ‘DESIREE’ (Ch. Eltorro’s Dejavu Il Est Tout Cela X Ch. Eltorro Bella Ridge Bijoux Et Lacet - Lacey was a great granddaughter of ROCH & BIJOU)
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f ancy health
The Eyes Have It! A LOOK into Frenchie eye diseases written by LORI HUNT, DVM
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e all love those big round dark eyes of our Frenchies. But sometimes behind those beautiful dark liquid pools of love, we can find problems. Some minor and some more major. There are many congenital and/or inherited ophthalmic diseases in our breed and also others that may be found as a consequence of aging in our older dogs. Some have no negative effect on the quality of life of the affected dog while others may require extensive tedious care. Breeders are already aware of the eye exams performed by a board certified veterinary Ophthalmologist. They are the key to finding any congenital and/or inherited problems with our dogs and lines, which are neither visible to the naked eye nor on a routine veterinary exam. These are recommended yearly, so as to stay apprised of changes in our dogs’ eyes. Not all congenital problems are inherited. With some, it’s unknown how they are passed (idiopathic). I’m going to define several issues we see in French Bulldogs. However, this list is not all-inclusive; rather it represents my opinion of what are the most commonly diagnosed problems in this breed. Please visit the Orthopedic Association for Animals at www.offa.org for more information on various diseases. They have a wealth of definitions and statistics available as well as information on how to find eye exam clinics. Some of the issues in our breed I are as listed below.
Retinal dysplasia (RD), also known as retinal folds, are just that; folds or wrinkles on the retina. A common clinical observation in many dog breeds, they can affect the vision of the dog in question, usually with tiny blind spots where the folds are located. However, it is not painful and is not progressive. Since many retinal folds are benign and of unknown heritability, veterinary ophthalmologists will often advise that breeding dogs with RD is an acceptable option. No treatment available nor necessary. Entropion is a conformational defect resulting in rolling in of the eyelid margin that may cause irritation. It is likely that entropion is influenced by several factors including skin wrinkling and other structures which make up the eyelids, eye socket and conformation of the skull. Ectropion is a conformational defect resulting in rolling out of the eyelid, which may cause irritation due to exposure. The same factors as entropion
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apply. Both Ectropion and Entropion can be corrected via surgical means in severe cases. Less severe cases can often be managed medically with drops. Distichiasis is the presence of abnormally oriented eyelashes, frequently protruding from meibomian gland ductal openings. Meibomian glands are within the eyelids themselves. Treatment is removal of these stray lashes, via laser, freezing or electrocautery. Cataracts are any opacity of the lens and/or its capsule, regardless of size or location within the lens. Cataracts are assumed to be hereditary unless associated with known trauma, ocular inflammation, specific metabolic diseases or nutritional deficiencies. In Frenchies, we have an inherited juvenile form, for which a cheek swab DNA test is available. Cataracts can be treated by surgical removal by a veterinary Ophthalmologist. Ectopic Cilia are aberrant hairs emerging through the palpebral conjunctiva, the tissue on the inside of the eyelids,
which often cause discomfort and corneal disease, i.e., ulcers. Imperforate lacrimal punctum, better known as blocked tear ducts, are a developmental anomaly resulting in a clogged opening of the tear duct. They may result in excessive tearing and an overflow of those tears onto the face, and possibly tear stain. Treatment is surgical removal of the cilia. Nictitans gland prolapse, colloquially known as “Cherry Eye”, is a protrusion of the tear-producing gland of the nictitating membrane (commonly referred to as the third eyelid) from its normal position behind the nictitating membrane to a position where it bulges from the inner corner of the eye. Many studies point toward cherry eye as a precursor to dry eye (see below). Treatment includes removal of the prolapsed gland or tacking of the gland back under the third eyelid. Both surgeries have pros and cons, which should be discussed with your veterinarian before undertaking either choice. Pigmentary keratitis is a condition characterized by variable degrees of superficial vascularization, fibrosis and/or pigmentation of the cornea. It may be associated with excessive exposure/irritation of the globe due to shallow orbits, lower eyelid entropion, and other abnormal eye conformations. Lifelong medications can help.
Persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) are persistent blood vessel remnants in the anterior chamber of the eye that fail to regress normally by 3 months of age. These strands arise from the iris collaret and may bridge from iris to iris, iris to lens, iris to cornea or form sheets of tissue in the anterior chamber. There is no treatment necessary. Glaucoma is characterized by an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) which causes optic nerve and retinal degeneration and results in blindness. This is usually very painful to the dog. Diagnosis and classification of glaucoma requires tonometry (measuring of the eye pressure) and gonioscopy, which are not part of a routine eye certification. Treatment is lifelong drops and sometimes the eye must be removed to alleviate pain. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also known as “Dry Eye”, is an abnormality of the tear film attributed to deficiency of the aqueous portion of the tears. Progressive KCS may result in ocular surface irritation, which can result in corneal ulcers and/or vision impairment via corneal opacification. The test for this condition is the Schirmer Tear Test, which is not part of a routine eye certification examination. Treatment is lifelong drops.
Cherry Eye
Corneal Ulcers will take a bit more to explain exactly what they are. Let’s start with the cornea. A thin layer of cells called epithelium, the same cells that make up skin, covers its surface. The epithelial cells protect the cornea and keep it waterproof. An ulcer develops when part of this epithelium becomes scratched, exposing the underlying tissue. The eye becomes painful and cloudy, and the white of the eye may become reddened and inflamed. Simple corneal ulcers can occur in any age French bulldog. Eye
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epithelium is generally one of the fastest replicating cells in a body. Hence most simple corneal scratches heal rapidly within a few days and minimal treatment, such as drops or ointment. However, in some dogs this healing process does not occur and they go on to develop what’s known as an ‘indolent’ corneal ulcer, one which refuses to heal. This is something we see most commonly in older Frenchies, generally around 8 years old, give or take, but I have also seen them in younger French bulldogs as well. This particular version can be quite a nuisance to the dog and owner of the Frenchie. It can often go hand in hand with the above-mentioned KCS. Indolent ulcers are painful for the dog and left untreated can persist for months and even longer. This is because the epithelium at the edge of an indolent ulcer is loose and unable to ‘stick down’. In order for healing to occur, this non-adherent epithelium needs to be removed so that normal healthy epithelium can form and spread across to heal the ulcer.
OPTIVIZOR
The aims of treatment are to remove the loose epithelium and to encourage newly formed epithelium to anchor to the underlying cornea. Sometimes, a qualified veterinarian can perform these treatments in the conscious animal using local anesthetic. However, it may be necessary to sedate the patient to avoid undue stress and inadvertent damage to the eye.
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CONE
Initial treatment is to perform debridement with a small cotton bud. If this fails, options include Grid keratotomy, with a very small gauge needle to scratch the loose edges on the surface of the cornea to allow the epithelium to spread across and ‘stick down’. If this doesn’t work, there is a more invasive procedure called a superficial keratectomy, which requires a general anesthetic and surgery. The top layer of the corneal ulcer is removed often with a diamond burr to allow regrowth of the epithelium. Lastly there is a procedure called a conjunctival graft, who’s is taking tissue from under the eyelid and suturing it down to the edges of the ulcer to provide blood supply to the cells. After healing, sometimes the graft us cut loose and a small link scar remains on the cornea. During all of the above-mentioned treatments, a variety of pain medications, anti-inflammatories, drops and even sometimes serum are used to help with healing, as well as a cone collar. In my opinion, these are the most common Frenchie eye ailments. It’s important we are all aware of them, not only to make the best breeding choices we can, but also to help our dogs live the best life they can, especially our elders. See you next issue, - Lori Hunt
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f ancy details
ARCHIE CH Captivate The Crowd D’Assisi, CGC (Cathi Winkles Photography)
FRENCH BULLDOGS AND rally
written by MICHELLE HRNCHAR
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f you and your French Bulldog are looking for a good introduction to performance dog sports, AKC rally is great places to start. It will also help get you ready for any other kind of competition or training, from the breed ring to the agility ring. Rally provides a link from the familiar Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, and introduction to the AKC companion events for both for dogs and handlers. Rally is designed to promote fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition. The dog and handler compete as a team on an original course that has been designed by the rally judge. While open to all AKC breeds including mixed breeds (who register with AKC), Rally is particularly attractive to those who want to compete at a less intense level both with regards to physical and mental aspects of training. There are many French Bulldogs competing in rally, with nearly 20 titles having been earned in 2015 alone. There are three levels of Rally, each with a set of required stations and increasing levels of difficulty. Although judges are required to use certain stations at each level, they are encouraged to be creative in the patterns they set, so that each competition experience is unique. Teams compete one at a time, and are scored against one another based on the perfect score of 100. A minimum of 70 points required for qualifying score.
Photo Sheldon Smith
Once judge instructs the handler to begin, they proceed at their own pace through a course of 10-20 standard stations. Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill that is to be performed, and the team heels between the stations. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience; minor deductions are taken for a dog not maintaining proper position, and more substantial ones for performing the stations incorrectly. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the stations and between the exercise signs. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position as is required within the more formal rules of obedience. The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections during the course. The course is timed (time is used to break a tie in case two teams score the same), and typically takes 1-2 minutes to complete the course. Rally has three levels of increasing difficulty: Novice, Advanced and Excellent. Each level requires 3 qualifying scores in order to earn the title and progress to the next level. Each new title replaces that of the previous level, and are suffix titles - so listed after a dog’s registered name. Novice Rally (RN title - which the introductory level), is performed in its entirety as an on-leash exercise. There are no more than 15 stations to complete. The exercises required vary from turning 360 degrees to changing through a variety of paces during the course, as well as stations requiring the dog to sit, stand, and down on their handler’s command. Points can be deducted for a tight leash – so dogs must still heel in a proper position and the leash cannot be used to pull or correct the dog. In Rally Advanced (RA title) all the exercises are performed off-leash, with up to 18 stations. Exercises become more technical and must include a jump. The stations require a higher level of training and the handler cannot must do them without physical contact to direct with their dog. At the top level, Rally Excellent (RE title), there are still more challenging stations, all preformed off-leash. Courses are longer (up to 20 stations) and require more changes of direction and position. Handlers are only allowed to encourage their
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(top) Ike (CH Sumfun’s Ican Do It GN CDX RE) retrieving a dumbbell in the Open class. (bottom) Ikon (Greenmont Hidden Agenda UDX2 VER RAE MXP MJP) working through the scent articles in the Utility class.
TOP: First - Carmen (MACH3 Drama Queen D’Assisi CD BN RA MXG MJC MXF T2B2 RATN) Second - Bogart (Baohuao’s Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid BN RAE3 AXP AJP NFP RATN CGCA) Third - Brutus (MACH6 PACH Brutus CDX RE MXB3 MJC3 MXP2 MJP2 PAX XF RATN) Bottom: Rally sign and a rally course
dogs verbally, as physical encouragement (such as clapping) is not allowed at this level. A short sit-stay is required at the end of the exercise, when the handler leaves their dog to reacquire their leash, and then return to their dog to end the test. There is no “championship” title in Rally per se, however teams can continue on by competing in the top two levels concurrently. By earning qualifying scores in both the Advanced and Excellent classes on the same competition day, an RAE leg can be earned – repeating that ten times earns the RAE title. Multiples of that title (RAE2, RAE3, ect.) are then awarded for each additional set of 10 qualifying scores. There are some “nonregular” classes which can be offered, usually seen only at national specialties. No titles are offered in these classes, but they are fun for all – from the judge to the team and spectators alike. Rally can be offered as a team event, where 4 dog/handler teams complete a course relay-style. Each team preforms individually, but are scored collectively in both time and points. Although it is not offered frequently , Rally Pairs is a great crowd favorite. In that class one handler does the course with a “brace” team of two dogs. The dogs perform the stations in unison – at least in theory! One Frenchie can be steal the show from their handler if they decide to be a clown… So just imagine what two dogs can do together! Rally is a very popular venue for Frenchie teams, with over 350 rally titles having been earned by French Bulldogs since the Rally was introduced in the late 1990s. More than 200 of those titles are at the Novice level, close to 90 Advanced and 45 at the Excellent level. To date there have been 15 RAEs awarded to French Bulldogs, the highest being an RAE3. That breed-first accomplishment was recently earned by “Bogart” (Baohuao’s Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid BN RAE3 AXP AJP NFP RATN CGCA, owned & handled by Molly Brendenberg).
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f ancy details
a surprising reason for small litters written by Gale Golden, Creator of the Breed Smart Program – 4 Steps to Bigger Litters and a Better Breeding Program . photography by REDDOGFOTO.RU
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s your story like mine? You did it all right! You bought or bred a beautiful girl. She finished her championship in no time flat. You had major wins over specials…at specialties! Her health testing was rigorous. You did all the parent club said you should. The results were perfect -better than you could ever hope for. During this time, your lovely lady was given the very best care and nutrition. You even spent a fortune on all the latest supplements. She is the picture of health. Now, you have chosen the perfect stud dog. You visited and saw him. His pedigree is amazing. Your prospective prince has all the health clearances recommended. He has already sired litters. Others are showing his gorgeous puppies. He is known for passing on the traits you want. Next, your girl comes into season. She is right on time. You have lined up the best reproductive specialist available. They walk you through all the testing. It looks perfect. The breeding goes exactly as planned. You wait with great anticipation and go to the vet 28 days later for an ultrasound which reveals…two puppies…or one puppy…or worse, no puppies. In the vet’s parking lot, you sit staring into space. How can this be? You just spent thousands of dollars! It should have been a fairy tale ending. You had the best whelping box waiting and ready. In a month, it should have been full of healthy, beautiful puppies. But, it isn’t. And you’re wondering what happened.
Small Litters Made Me Better I know all too well the pain and disappointment in these paragraphs. I cried tears in the parking lot of 2 vets. It happened to me 3 times with the same lovely girl. In fact, my beautiful princess missed 3 times in a row at 2 different reproductive specialists. A fourth attempt and a total of $10,000 in reproductive expenses gave me just 1 puppy. I started wondering should I stay in this breed? Is my girl a dud? Should I have bought a horse? All that time, effort and emotional upset for one puppy seems crazy. When I inquired of the professional what I did wrong…no one had a great answer. Sometimes this happens they said. As the creator of Breed Smart, an easy to learn approach that troubleshoots and prevents breeding issues like this, I hear this story all the time. I am not a scientist, veterinarian
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or doctor. I am a writer and breeder of French Bulldogs. I was confronted with the same dilemma I hear from many of our seminar attendees in every breed. How do I know what went wrong? How can I fix it if my vet couldn’t?
When my beloved Vivian, wasn’t producing babies, I vowed to find out why. Once I did, she produced two lovely litters – one was five puppies and one was four. I was now a much happier breeder. I decided not to get a horse! And, I learned the most surprising thing of all. The reason she was not producing was me! It was my mismanagement of the signs she provided that caused her to miss and have small litters. If this sounds like you, keep reading!
How I Began A Transformation Many of you are probably thinking…but I did everything, I followed all the expert advice! I felt as you did until… my friend, the late bulldog breeder and AKC judge, Bruce Smith…encouraged me to look deeper and showed me a way to do it. Armed with this knowledge, my breeding skills took off…this I can do…I can research…I can write my observations down…and I create a way to improve with each breeding. Fast forward 10 years and 4 generations. My average litters sizes are between 5 and 7 puppies. I have even had litters of 8 and 10! My girls easily conceive, carry babies normally to term, produce good size litters of healthy puppies and are great mothers. How did that happen? It happened because I was the problem. I was the reason for my small and missed litters. My lack of knowledge about how the canine reproductive cycle stood in the way of troubleshooting issues in the short term and prevented good decisions about who stays in our program in the long term. Yikes! Follow me for a minute. In the ring, all dogs are measured and evaluated against a breed standard right? It describes how they should look, how they should move, what their temperament is like and more. The same is true for reproduction. There is a standard called the canine reproductive cycle. This cycle is easier than a breed standard because it is the same for all breeds. In the canine reproductive cycle, four hormones must hand off to each other so your girl’s body knows what to do. It tells them when to start bleeding, when to ovulate, when to be fertile and when to stop. Each of these phases has a name and a particular hormone that dominates that phase. Once you know how this works, you’ll be able, to inexpensively, with simple at home tests, track the cycle from start to finish. You’ll know when to start more expensive testing, partnering with your vet if you need it.
Tracking The Whole Cycle Is Key Today, most breeders just track part of the reproductive cycle. They watch for bleeding and then guess when to start LH or Progesterone testing. They use those numbers to determine breeding and due dates. But you really only have part of the story…only two or maybe three of the phases.
When you track all four, you know the whole thing and it will teach you some amazing things. Once I started tracking the whole cycle, the guess work disappeared. I knew exactly -- when to start breeding, how long to breed, and when to stop. I knew my due date within 24 hours. I could troubleshoot issues and more. Most importantly, tracking from beginning to end maximizes my effort and investment. I get what I want -- more puppies. More puppies equals better selection and a stronger program. Knowing exactly how your bitch is cycling through the four stages is vital to your long term success. Here’s another reason why tracking is important…it’s inherited! That’s right! Your lady probably cycles like her mother or her grandmother. I have seen it happen over and over. Plus, because I keep the records, I can go back and know what to expect. I have a litter as I write this where she cycled and had the same number of puppies as her grandmother…she even looks like her grandmother. I am sure this is no coincidence.
Make Better Breeding Your Goal You are a dedicated breeder. You finished your girl. You completed health testing. You keep her in great condition. Now I challenge you to add one more goal – along with improving the beauty and health of your program, work to build your reproductive health. When you do, your program will move into hyper drive – your girls will conceive easily, have lots of puppies and be great mothers. And, you’ll have the selection you need to move it forward. All the other work doesn’t matter if you can’t have puppies, right? In future issues, we will talk more about tracking and troubleshooting your breeding program. These simple skills, once learned, can net you a lifetime of great selection. In the meantime, if you have questions you can reach me through our website at www.morganmanorfrenchies. com. I look forward to your feedback, comments and questions. We will look to address them in future articles. Till next time,
- Gale Golden August 2016
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