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CONTENT 20 let’s talk
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20 let’s talk INTERVIEW
peggy D. jackson peja boston terriers
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40 let’s talk POINT OF VIEW one question, many breeders. WHAT IS YOUR POINT OF VIEW?
56 let’s talk SHOWING
NY Metro specialties and westminster 2016
66 let’s talk DETAILS
what’s new with ofa by pamela preston
72 let’s talk REPRODUCTION
A SURPRISING REASON FOR SMALL LITTERS BY GALE GOLDEN
let’s talk
INTRODUCTIONS Hi there, Boston lovers, and welcome to our 11th issue of Let’s Talk BOSTONS Magazine. What a great edition that we have for you! Great articles about health and reproduction, show coverage, win brags and, of course, some of the top Boston Terriers in the world!
This is our BTCA pre National Specialty week edition. Flip through our pages and get a sneak peek of what’s to come down in the Bayou this May! We are so excited to share this great edition, and to continue our support of amazing Boston Terriers and their breeders. We care about our breed and love it so much -- Let’s Talk Bostons is a project very close to our heart and we would never sacrifice it in any way, we want to help our breed and good breeders to connect and share their proud moments.
Don’t forget that no matter if you are online or on the go, you can find a copy of our magazine to browse. You can connect to www.LetsTalkBostons.com and read any of our issues on your computer or tablet. Or you can order a print copy from us straight through our website. Our next issue will be the BTCA Post Nationals! If you would like to brag about your wins, don’t forget to reserve your ad space with Fernanda at ads@LetsTalkBostons.com See you guys soon! And have fun in Baton Rouge, y’all! Love from...
Our interview this time is with the great breeder Peggy D. Jackson, from PeJa Bostons. We have our always interesting article from Pamela Preston, who updates us on some new OFA stuff, you defintely don’t want to miss it. And our new collaborator, Gale Golden who is a Frenchie breeder and creator of the Breed Right program, starts off her series of articles about reproduction. It will surely help everyone! Our cover is the lovely Fawn, who is ready to go to Baton Rouge!
Fernanda Barlow, Matthew Dover, Vivianne Mello Let’s Talk Bostons Team
LET’S TALK BOSTONS Creative Director Vivianne Mello info@LetsTalkBostons.com
Advertising Director Fernanda Barlow
Collaborators Gale Golden Pamela Preston Peggy Jackson
Photography Fernanda Barlow Svenja Vonostrowski The Dog Sport Photographers
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INTERVIEW
Interview with Peggy D. Jackson PeJa Boston Terriers, USA Peggy Jackson has been involved with Boston Terriers for a long time. Under the kennel name PeJa, she has bred, owned and shown some of the most beautiful Boston Terriers in America. We had the opportunity to “pick her brain” and you can read the result of the awesome chat with this fascinating lady next. 20 - LetsTalkBostons.com
Let’s Talk INTERVIEW - Peggy D. Jackson
Did you have a mentor when you started out? If so, what was the most valuable lesson you learned from you mentor? My mentor was Shirley M. Kramer, the owner of CH Kramer’s Little Chappie, from Union Mills, Indiana. I had a Boston Terrier pup, Brass Q’s Sassy Pants--”Sassy”. Before my first dog show in Paducah KY, I sent Shirley a photo and pedigree and discovered that Sassy was descended from Shirley’s kennel’s bloodline Chappie, about five generations down. I had been told that Shirley was eccentric and a little bit hard to know, but that she knew Bostons and knew them very well. When I met Shirley she was in her late 80s, but Shirley took me under her wing. As I entered the show Shirley did not want me to be easily discouraged, so she wanted me to start showing Sassy in the Puppy class and then in Novice. After being pointed, Sassy went in the American Bred class where I finished her (back in Shirley’s day in the 30s, 40s and 50s the Am Bred class was often used). Sassy also competed in obedience and so became CH Brass Q’s Sassy Pants, CD. Shirley Kramer was a mentor to me in a lot of ways, even helping me submit my entries. I knew I had to send in my entries long before the shows, but I didn’t understand the premium lists. I thought if you got a premium list you had to enter. I thought I’d be suspended from showing if I didn’t! The most valuable lesson I learned was that I needed to study the Breed Standard. Regardless of whatever I learned, I learned the Breed Standard is the bible. Shirley asked,”Have you read it?” I said,”Yes.” She said, “Well, then keep reading it, and then read it again and again. Those points of the breeds is what is most important in the breed. And, do not become kennel blind!” I loved Shirley, and was sorry that I couldn’t get to her 100th birthday, so I sent 100 silk roses that I sprayed with rose oil. Her helper at the nursing home said they were amazed that the roses never faded. Shirley couldn’t see very well, but she loved the fragrance of that oil. Shirley died at 102.
Which Boston has made the biggest impression on you since you started in the breed? CH Peja’s Destin To-Win O’Bullpen “DESI.” She was my dog, my breeding, and absolutely could never do anything wrong. Oh, my, was she smart! You bond with certain ones. I almost got out of dogs when I lost her. Ch PeJa’s Lil’Rascal by Double J, foundation Stud and Tops Again Bloodlines. Spankee and Misty Rose produced Ch. PeJa’s Puttin on de Ritz, JoJo
Tell us a little about the breed scene from back when you started out. Do you see a difference in quality? Yeah, back when I started I think it was better and there
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Let’s Talk INTERVIEW - Peggy D. Jackson
bostons are a head breed. they talkwith their eyes and ears, and ther eyes and ears are on their head! was more consistency. AKC was supposed to represent purebred dogs and now they’re letting mixed breeds in, as performance. Also it has gotten too commercialized with big backers on the dogs. It would be sad if there came a day when this is not a family sport. When I started, there were more children involved. I’d like to see more of that.
What made you choose the breed? When I was six, my aunt and uncle gave our family a pet Boston Terrier, Twinkles, who became my best friend. I was an introverted tomboy, so if I wasn’t playing with the boys, I was happy playing alone with Twinkles.
Did you have a history with another breed before? As a child I had a mutt, Rin Tin Tin. I have owned Gordon Setters both that became both AKC conformation and field trial champions (one from Wazili, Africa that had to learn commands in English), two Dalmations, and a Lab. I also bred and finished one litter of French Bulldogs (one Frenchie grandpup, CH Merriment’s Flipside “FLIPPER,” went to #2! Now, of course, I also show and breed Boxers.
What difficulties did you have when you were first starting out to put together your breeding program? To blend the two lines that would complement each other, but to blend only those two bloodlines, not three, or four, or five.
Ch PeJa’s Puttin on de Ritz, 1st Homebred Champion
Do you consider that the Bostons coming from the bloodlines you had as foundations to your breeding program would still be competitive in the ring today? Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely! The Tops Again line had great headpieces, great toplines, and they could move. The Command line from Mrs. Parker Grant had lovely headpieces and also had astounding, fluid movement with perfect double-tracking. Mrs Grant got her dogs from Mrs Anders, the Royal line.
PEGGY JUDGES THE FIRST FUTURITY OF THE BREED FOR THE BTCA
GOODY
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Ch. Minnette’s Misty Rose, foundation bitch and Command Bloodlines
Let’s Talk INTERVIEW - Peggy D. Jackson
What are your thoughts on line breeding? What about repeating breedings? I do line-breedings, but don’t repeat until I see something better than the sire or dam. I don’t repeat unless I can improve! Don’t go backward.
Many people say our breed is a head breed. Do you believe that more focus should have been given in the standard to other aspects? No. Bostons are a head breed; they don’t have much of a tail. Bostons talk with their eyes, and their eyes are on their head! They talk with their ears, and their ears are on their head!
What dog from all times do you think that has made the most impact in our breed in a positive way? Grant’s Royal Command. He could have bred a stick, and the stick would have looked like him.
Traee, Ch PeJa’s Dark’n’Debonaire, ROM, peggy’s First Speciality win
Which dogs bred by you are closer to your ideal type? For a bitch, CH Peja’s Destin’ to Win O’Bullpen “DESI” and for a dog, GCH Peja’s N’ Ken’s Saddle’ Em Up for Suze “WOODY.”
Ch. PeJa’s Steppin Out’n’Style, ROM EZ - The ROM was my 1st and was as important as finishing a Championship. It proved he worthy of producing Champions (17)
Lack of desirable markings should not be so penalized.
What positive or negative changes have you seen in the breed in the last decade? The negatives are inconsistencies in the look, and dogs that win in the ring but can’t move. The positives are better toplines, better ears, and better fronts.
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Let’s Talk INTERVIEW - Peggy D. Jackson
Compared to other breeds, Boston Terriers aren’t classically group winners, and a Best in Show for a Boston is not that common. Why do you think that is? It’s really a shame because this is the American Breed! It should be feared in the ring, we have a dog that now after over 100 years of the birth of a Boston that has become one of the best that we have and he should be feared and respected by his competition. He has broken records not only for his breed but other breeds as well. This is a breed that was Made in America! I admire and promote him as well as his breeder that has paid her dues and so proud that there is a bit of PeJa in him. He is an honest dog and I would suspect it will take years to see him again. He can’t be faulted and is one that will always be hard to compete with. The judges that deny him are showing their lack of knowing the BOSTON TERRIER!
Ch PeJa’s LaBelle of the Ball
Ch PeJa’s Southern Style Yankee, Rhett
What is the first dog you remember having that you felt truly represented the standard and why? My first one, CH Brass Q’s Sassy Pants CD “SASSY.” I could have gone to the moon with her. She actually was a produce of her Grandsires CH Star Q’s Brass Buttons & CH Star Q’s Pease Kuntu who were litter mates.
Are you satisfied with the current Boston Terrier AKC Standard? If you had a chance to suggest something to be changed in our standard, what would it be? The need for wanting perfect marked dogs. Lack of desirable markings should not be so penalized. There is too much emphasis on markings. Marking are the last thing I look at. We have too many people who don’t know how to interpret the standard now! There is more of a need for people to understand it. I ask breeders, “Have you read it? If not, why are you breeding dogs?” The standard is the bible of the breed.
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For you, what importance is it for a Boston Terrier to have a clean coat free of ticking? Moderate ticking that is in the skin is okay. Ticking that is in the skin and the hair is to be concerned with. It is an Irish Spotting pattern, and I can get rid of it in one generation, but I won’t tell you how. You’ll have to ask.
What is the most difficult characteristic to get rid of when breeding a Boston? A snipey muzzle. When you have lost that head you have lost twenty years of a breeding program. Twinkles, peggy’s 1st Boston and her best friend
How do you choose a stud dog for your bitches? When planning a breeding, do you place more importance in type or in pedigree?
What has been the biggest honor or achievement in your breeding life?
Type is definitely the most important. Besides, I never could trust pedigree, but the breeder until DNA testing came out.
My 2010 AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award—that’s my Best in Show.
What impact or influence are back yard breeding or mass breeding practices having on the breed?
If you could breed to any dog in USA or outside USA, which dog would it be?
I don’t believe in mass breeding. I believe in quality, not quantity. It doesn’t take 25 dogs to produce nice dogs.
Sharon Saberton’s GCH Sabe’s Simply Invincible “VINNY”. Sharon is one of the most honest breeders I know.
What is a trait you would like to improve upon in your current breeding program? A better front. I am the most critical on my own Bostons.
If you could recreate a clone of just one of your dogs in the past, who would it be and why? CH PeJa’s Destin To Win O’Bullpen “Desi,” because of her personality. She was a fun dog who loved the ball better than anything. Every morning when I would shower and dry my hair, she would put a ball at my foot and we would compete to get it through the doorway. She could have played soccer! We played that game every morning for years. I buried her ashes in all sorts of balls. Desi’s whole litter finished as champions.
Do you believe that overbreeding a dog could have a negative impact in the future of the breed? Yes, and I’ve turned down offers to breed more than I’ve bred.
What dog/bitch not from your lines that you wish you could have? Sam (Woody & Madee’s 1st Son)
That black-legged bitch that Danielle Campbell has! I love a black front legs. Yep, I love a black-legged bitch!
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Let’s Talk INTERVIEW - Peggy D. Jackson
Do you believe that inbreeding could improve the breed in the future? Yes, because what inbreeding with good dogs gives is consistency in type. When I outcross, I’m scared, because I don’t know what I am going to get. I like line-breeding.
Do you have any exciting upcoming litter plans that you could share with us? Yes, I have twenty-year-old frozen semen out of my CH PeJa’s Steppin Out’n’Style ROM “EZ” and am planning a breeding. Then, I would love to have a bitch out of that litter to be bred to GCH Sabe’s Simply Invincible “VINNY.”
In your opinion, what is the single worst mistake that a breeder can make? Champion-chasing, that is, wanting to breed to a dog just because he’s winning. You don’t go out there to breed just to be breeding. You’ve got to decide if that dog will complement your bitch. Evaluate! What is it that you need to improve on? Will you get it through that breeding?
Do you believe health testing should be enforced by the club or encouraged by fellow breeders? I think it should be enforced if you want to be a part of the club. There is nothing like falling in love and losing a dog because of somebody else’s negligence.
What do you think is the signature look of your lines? Headpiece, topline, and movement.
We know that success attracts a lot of gossip and it is no secret that you have bred some of the most desired bostons in the world. What are some of the funniest things you have heard about yourself? Oh, my, how long do you have? I’ve heard that I’m a cougar, but there ain’t no man out there that I’m looking for—young or old. I once almost lost my pantyhose in the ring, but that’s true. Somebody else had to pull them up for me. The judge sent me around the ring again, and I had the lead in one hand and the waistband of my pantyhose in the other. I won, but didn’t pay the judge. I’ve never paid a judge, and I’ve never slept with one either.
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Ch. PeJa’s CJ Royal Rita for Arbonne producer of 3 GCh and dam of Woody.
AKC has been known to discourage people from sustaining Co-Ownership. What are your thoughts about it? If I don’t trust you, I’m not gonna co-own with you, but I do co-own some.
If you had to start over, what would be your focus and what lines would you look after? I would stay with the same two bloodlines of Bostons: Tops Again and Command.
Is there anything that you wish you were told when you were staring out in the breed? Not to believe everything that everyone says. Come to your own decisions.
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POINT OF VIEW
When you choose a breeding, do you put more emphasis on type or on pedigree? Cecilia Crouchet (KeanBostons)-- Louisiana
Type! Pedigree is important, but if I don’t like the type of dog I won’t breed to it. It’s too easy to lose type.
Brook Nugent - (Gunther) -- Wisconsin
Type. So long as they are from similar families. But I think the dogs I like tend to come from similar families as well. I usually have an idea what the stud dog should look like phenotype wise. The problem is finding the dog.
Loretta Dolan - (Loredo) -- New Jersey
Actually they go hand in hand. I breed to dogs whose pedigrees reflect the type of dogs that I am hoping to produce.
Katie Cleary - (Kandee) -- New Jersey
Definitely pedigree. Type means nothing if there is nothing behind it. I also like to see all the progeny I can, to see if type is there and reproduces with frequency. I do not breed much but I am always researching possibilities.
Adrienne Hullender - (Kayas) -- Virginia
Ideally they will match, if they don’t, then type.
Cindy Pagurski (Di Amore’s) -- Illinois
Emphasis on type, health & pedigree Leslyn Slagle (Iowana) - Iowa
I like matching up pedigrees and linebreeding, but if it’s not going to be a good match body/type wise, I usually won’t do it even if the pedigree is great. Dog first, bloodlines second and breeders also have to take into consideration what we know certain pedigrees will produce (like the tail thing!) and what shouldn’t be crossed, or what has nicked well in the past.
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PICTURE BY: svenja vonostrowski www.boston-bandito.de
Danita Gilmour (Danbro) - Canada
Victoria Wilt (Heartbeats) - Maryland
Well as I am fairly “green” to the world of breeding I can only tell you what I have noticed quietly watching and researching from the side lines and my few attempts thus far. I am always on the look out for a beautiful dog, bitch etc so I suppose you could say at first glance I place more importance on type over pedigree. However, when one catches my eye I immediately dive into pedigree research. Can this dogs type be seen repeatedly throughout many generations, or perhaps it is the stand out dog among a line of what I would consider mediocre dogs lacking in type? What are my chances of producing a like or better quality dog then the ones in front of me today? What qualities do they share both in terms of faults and attributes? How do these pedigrees mesh when written out together, any like dogs? Has anyone done a similar breeding and what were there results? And lastly how will I incorrupt this pedigree into the grand scheme of things in two, three or four generations down the road, ie will this be an outcross or a linebreeding how close and if all turns out well where will I take that next generation? I don’t think you can successfully breed without heavily weighing both spectrums, including any Health and Temperament components into the decision making process. Without a pedigree to research it would be like playing darts blind folded just hoping to hit that bulls eye of “type” with every dog you threw together.
Personally I do put more emphasis on type than on pedigrees I have to like what I see before I even consider anything else. If I don’t like the type personally I don’t get to the pedigree. I’m sure many breeders breed solely on a pedigree but I don’t have the luxury of knowing alot of pedigrees of the past. I do as much research as possible but because of being in this breed for less than 20 years my hands are slightly tied. I like knowing more about a dog than just a pedigree. I want to know about the health, temperment, as well. There are many breeders that are wonderful and then there are also ones that are not forthcoming with details. When I can combine type and pedigree I have more consistency of what I am looking for.
What about you? Do you have any tips or questions that you would like to see here? e-mail us your suggestion: info@letstalkbostons.com
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You can enjoy our issues both DIGITALLY on your computer or tablet at www.LetsTalkBostons.com and in PRINT as a hard copy. Order yours today on our website and collect it forever!
Our eleventh issue will be out in August 2016. Want to be a part? Don’t miss out! Reserve your pages today. E-mail us: ads@LetsTalkBostons.com Ad guidelines + rates on our website.
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BOSTONS a quarterly publication
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Calling all Boston Lovahs! big bad boston is proud to announce the launch of our new online apparel brand this June. Be the first to ordah our wicked awesome stuff.
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SHOWING
Boston Terriers @ Westminster Kennel Club 2016 February 2016 - New York - USA Pictures courtesy of The Dog Sport Photographers
Westminster Kennel Club - Boston Terrier Judged by Mr. Elliott B. Weiss (Feb 15, 2016) Best of Breed GCH SABE’S SIMPLY INVINCIBLE sire - GCH Candar’s Fame Monster dam - Sabe’s Simply Scrumptious Best of Winners & Winners Bitch WAYLIN’S BADASS BEATCH sire - CH Waylin’s John F Kennedy dam - Iroc Waylin Irish Eyes Smiling Best of Opposite Sex GCH GUNTHER’S GUSSIED UP EDNA sire - GCH Ken’s N’ Roobarb N’ The Horse Ya Rode In On dam - CH Gunther’s Purty Gertie RN Winners Dog DIAMOND’S CHARMING SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED sire - GCH Sellano’s Ridgewood’s Charlie Thomas dam - GCH Diamond And Sellano’s Bad Romance. Select Bitch GCH KC’S ROLLING AND A STROLLING sire - CH KC’s Repeater dam - KC’s Reach For The Skye Select Dog GCH KENNEDY’S IT WAS MEANT TO BEE @ M & M. sire - CH Kennedy’s Bumble Bee dam - Kennedy’s Tell Me No Stories Awards of Merit GCH NAUGHTY NORTENO’S CLIK CLIK BANG GCH WAYLIN’S BAJA ROSA CANMOY’S BOSTON GIRLIE TOUR
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SHOWING
Boston Terrier NY Metro Specialties 2016 February 2016 - New York - USA
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Saturday 02/13/16
Sunday 02/14/16
Sweepstakes Judge Ms. Loretta Dolan
Sweepstakes Judge Mr. Stephen Regan
Best in Sweepstakes SIDESTREET STATE OF GRACE sire - GCH Motif Will Shock An Zap U At Guardian-Sidestreet dam - Guardian’s Miss Congeniality
Best in Sweepstakes SIDESTREET STATE OF GRACE sire - GCH Motif Will Shock An Zap U At Guardian-Sidestreet dam - Guardian’s Miss Congeniality
Specialty Judge Mrs. Judy Webb
Specialty Judge Mr. Clayton G. Haviland IV
Best of Breed GCH SABE’S SIMPLY INVINCIBLE sire - GCH Candar’s Fame Monster dam - Sabe’s Simply Scrumptious
Best of Breed GCH SABE’S SIMPLY INVINCIBLE sire - GCH Candar’s Fame Monster dam - Sabe’s Simply Scrumptious
Best of Winners & Winners Bitch SIDESTREET STATE OF GRACE
Best of Winners & Winners Bitch TARA’S APPLE OF MY EYE
Best of Opposite Sex TARA’S LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
Best of Opposite Sex GCH KC’S ROLLING AND A STROLLING
Select Dog CH HEARTBEATS DAUNTLESS
Select Dog GCH KENNEDY’S IT WAS MEANT TO BEE @ M & M
Select Bitch CH CANMOY’S BOSTON GIRLIE TOUR Winners Dog TARA’S BEELINE TO DELMIST Awards of Merit GCH NAUGHTY NORTENO’S CLIK CLIK BANG
Select Bitch GCH TARA’S FLAMENCO Winners Dog TARA’S BEELINE TO DELMIST Awards of Merit TARA’S LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
GCH TARA’S FLAMENCO
GCH NAUGHTY NORTENO’S CLIK CLIK BANG
Best Veteran GCH TARA’S FLAMENCO
Best Veteran GCH TARA’S FLAMENCO May 2016 - 59
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DETAILS What’s New With OFA? by Pamela Preston
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or those of you who do cardiac testing, you will be interested to know that OFA is expanding its cardiac database. The OFA worked with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) to develop screening for adult onset cardiac diseases (not just congenital cardiac disease), as well as to collect better information on cardiac disease prevalence and progression. Right now, the OFA’s cardiac database only includes information for congenital cardiac disease. The test results are for dogs at least 12 months of age; however, the auscultation can be performed by general practitioners, specialists, or boarded veterinary cardiologists (ACVIM/ Cardiology Diplomates). Given there are many canine cardiac diseases that develop after 12 months age, the existing congenital cardiac database does NOT clear dogs for the disease that occur in adulthood. The reality is most dog owners (and let’s face it… breeders) who have their dogs tested, whether it be patella exams, eye exams, BAER tests, or other health tests, often do not send in results if they are negative/failing, so the results in the database they currently have is greatly skewed and do not accurately portray accurate data. To illustrate this fast, I reviewed the cardiac statistics by breed. As of 2015, after 40 years of collecting data, Boston Terriers had only 650 cardiac submissions. But even so, Bostons are rated in the top 25 breeds for being affected with some type of cardiac issue (~1% of submissions were noted as being “affected”) and Golden Retrievers with over 30,000 submission indicated only 0.3% as being affected. If the number/percentage of affected dogs was REALLY that low, do you honestly think over 30,000 dogs would be tested? That many are tested, obviously, because cardiac disease is viewed as a valid issue, but sadly, owners do not send in the bad/negative results. OFA has not yet determined the actual transition period from the existing database to the expanded database, so the current OFA Congenital Cardiac forms are still available for a while longer. There will be a transition at some point, but beginning April 1, 2016, OFA will begin offering the Advanced Cardiac Database (ACA). That will become the new standard for cardiac exams and will eventually replace the existing
PICTURE BY: svenja vonostrowski www.boston-bandito.de
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Congenital Cardiac database. A BIG CHANGE is that the exams for the new Advanced Cardiac Database can ONLY BE PERFORMED by board-certified veterinary cardiologists with Diplomate status in either the ACVIM or the ECVIM (European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine/Cardiology subspecialty). Regular veterinarians and other specialists may not perform Advanced Cardiac Database exams. With the new exam, comes a new form. The new form is NOT available for download on the OFA website. Instead, it will be similar CAER eye exam, in which the three-part forms will be provided directly to the veterinarian cardiologists by OFA. In fact, OFA has already sent forms to all the participating cardiologists. This new triplicate form will allow ALL results to be submitted to OFA for statistical reporting purposes as the cardiologist who performs the exams will submit one copy of the form to the OFA and the results contained on the cardiologistsubmitted copy will remain confidential and OFA will not issue clearances from that copy. The purpose of this copy, much like the triplicate CAER (eye) form, is to collect better information so as to more accurately determine disease prevalence and progression data by breed. If an echocardiogram is performed, the echo section of the new form is also much more detailed, which will yield better statistics including flow rates, velocities, etc. For owners, there really is NO CHANGE. To obtain an official OFA certification, owners will still need to submit their copy of the completed signed form to OFA along with the required fee. Once processed, OFA will issue a number for all passing dogs. Right now, certification numbers begin with “CA” to indicate a cardiac clearance. The new forms submitted that owners submit will have certification numbers beginning with “ACA” for Advanced Cardiac. For those breeds participating in the CHIC program and the breed’s CHIC criteria include that require a cardiac exam, the new ACA clearances WILL QUALIFY. This is not relevant to Boston Terriers, but I wanted to mention it as many of us have other breeds that do require a cardiac test to receive a CHIC number. Just as it has been, only normal results submitted by the owner for official OFA certification will automatically be placed in the open database and viewable by the public on the OFA website. For dogs with abnormal results, owners can still authorize disclosure by initialing the abnormal release block on the exam form and ONLY those authorized for release by the owner will be viewable on the OFA website. There is NO FEE to owners who authorize the release of abnormal results. The new ACA has a two-tiered clearance for normal dogs. One is for the congenital clearance and the other is clearance of adult onset cardiac disease. The new OFA certificate will specifically indicate one of the following: “This dog has been found to be free of congenital cardiac disease” “This dog has been found to be free of adult onset cardiac disease” “This dog has been found to be free of congenital and adult onset cardiac disease”
The OFA website will also indicate which clearance type is included. The minimum age for cardiac certification remains the same (at least 12 months of age) for each clearance type. The congenital clearance will only need to be done once in a lifetime (like BAER tests) and the certification will be valid for the life of the dog; however, the adult onset clearance will only be valid for one year from the time of the exam (similar to CAER/eye exams). In order to keep the adult onset clearance current, exams will be required annually. This is the only way to monitor and address cardiac diseases that may develop throughout the life of the dog. The one year validity period and subsequent expiration for adult onset clearances is deemed a critical component of testing by the ACVIM/Cardiology group in order to even consider diagnosing dogs as normal when many cardiac diseases of concern to breeders can develop at any time in the dog’s life. Although I realize that not every state has easy (or affordable) cardiac testing by board-certified veterinarian cardiologists available, I hope this spurs dog clubs to sponsor more health clinics to make it more affordable, convenient, and available to dog owners and breeders. This type of testing (with submitted results) will help us to better understand which diseases affect different breeds and hopefully, provide a mechanism for us to learn more about the dogs we so dearly love and cherish. If we test annually, perhaps we will catch any issues and be able to treat it. There are certain breeds, which may also require other cardiac tests in addition to the auscultation and echocardiogram. For more information on what may be necessary for other breeds, please visit the OFA website at www.OFFA.org.
See you next time! Pamela Preston
LetsTalkBostons.com | May 2016
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REPRODUCTION A Surprising Reason for Small Litters
by Gale Golden, Creator of the Breed Smart Program – 4 Steps to Bigger Litters and a Better Breeding Program
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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.
Small Litters Made Me Better
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.
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.
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.
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 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?
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.
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.
But, it isn’t. And you’re wondering what happened.
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.
If this sounds like you, keep reading!
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PICTURE BY: svenja vonostrowski www.boston-bandito.de
once i started tracking their whole cycle, the guess work disappeared.
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
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