Dog News, April 22, 2011 by Dog News

Best In Specialty Show Winning

Gunner is a third generation Best In Specialty Show Winner!

Breeders: Christopher Vicari & Manny Comitini

Editorial

The Way It Is

Inside the Sport

BY SARI B. TIETJEN BY PAT TROTTER

Contents APRIL 22, 2011

22 Question of the Week BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

26 Brace Yourself BY ANDREW BRACE

30 Display of Affection BY NICK WATERS

34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLIE BOYES

42 Rare Breeds of the World BY AGNES BUCHWALD

46 A Nation of Pet Lovers Loses Its Way BY CARLOTTA COOPER

50 A Salute to Old Dogs BY M.J. NELSON

54 Veterinary Ethics PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM

56 Are You Disaster Ready? BY CHARLES ROBEY

58 Treibball

BY SHARON PFLAUMER

60 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN

62 A Weather Debacle, Sir Bateson... And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

64 The RKF

BY DESI MURPHY

66 True North BY ALLISON FOLEY

68 Our Literary Legacy BY SEYMOUR WEISS

76 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

84 Click – Sacramento Kennel Club BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

96 Click - The Hound Classic BY KIT RODWELL

106 Click - The Way We Were 112

4 Dog News

BY LESLIE SIMIS

Letters To The Editor

114 dog show calendar 118 handlers directory 120 subscription rates 122 classiﬁed advertising 124 advertising rates

All advertisements are copyrighted and owned by DOG NEWS, Harris Publications, unless received cameraready. Permission to reprint must be requested in writing. DOG NEWS (ISSN 0886-2133) is published weekly except the last two weeks in December by Harris Publications, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010. Periodical Postage paid at New York. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DOG NEWS, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010

Editorial

The Way It Is

Inside the Sport

BY SARI B. TIETJEN BY PAT TROTTER

Contents APRIL 22, 2011

22 Question of the Week BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

26 Brace Yourself BY ANDREW BRACE

30 Display of Affection BY NICK WATERS

34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLIE BOYES

42 Rare Breeds of the World BY AGNES BUCHWALD

46 A Nation of Pet Lovers Loses Its Way BY CARLOTTA COOPER

50 A Salute to Old Dogs BY M.J. NELSON

54 Veterinary Ethics PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM

56 Are You Disaster Ready? BY CHARLES ROBEY

58 Treibball

BY SHARON PFLAUMER

60 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN

62 A Weather Debacle, Sir Bateson... And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

64 The RKF

BY DESI MURPHY

66 True North BY ALLISON FOLEY

68 Our Literary Legacy BY SEYMOUR WEISS

76 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

84 Click – Sacramento Kennel Club BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

96 Click - The Hound Classic BY KIT RODWELL

106 Click - The Way We Were 112

4 Dog News

BY LESLIE SIMIS

Letters To The Editor

114 dog show calendar 118 handlers directory 120 subscription rates 122 classiﬁed advertising 124 advertising rates

Number 1* Silky Terrier

GCh. Brenda

Thankful for “Pure Silk” Moments April 7, 2011 Arizona Toy Dog Fanciers Judge Mr. Bradley Jenkins

Brenda “Bags” Another One!

Multiple All Breed Best In Show Multiple Specialty Best In Show Multiple Toy Group Show Best In Show Owned by Diane Adamcik, Debra Caselli, and Pam Laperruque Conditioned and Owner Handled by Pam Laperruque, Ramona CA *The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed

Dog News 5

PUBLISHER

DOG NEWS COVER STORY - APRIL 22, 2011

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

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sharon Anderson Lesley Boyes Andrew Brace Agnes Buchwald Shaun Coen Carlotta Cooper Geoff Corish Allison Foley Yossi Guy John Mandeville Desmond J. Murphy M. J. Nelson Robert Paust Sharon Sakson Gerald Schwartz Kim Silva Matthew H. Stander Karl Stearns 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. 6 Dog News

*The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed points

Dog News 7

8 Dog News

ALL - BREED POINTS

Dog News 9

THE UPS AND THE DOWNS

AKC reports in the April Board Minutes that overall aggregate Entries were up by 5.29% for January and February which trend continued through the end of March. Conformation was up by 3.78% while Agility was even higher! That sounds good but keep in mind that the rise in gasoline prices nationally may have an adverse affect on show entries but let’s hope not. Many people may elect to stay closer to home which could benefit local shows and clusters in the more heavily populated metropolitan areas. For now though the outlook for entries generally looks most promising. Not on the upswing however were the revenue’s in AKC’s first quarter which were down 6% lower than the prior year with operating expenses 1% higher than the previous year. On the other hand AKC investments generated close to $500,000 more dollars in the first quarter of this year than it did in the same period last year. Also the Board has increased the recording event fees for first entries in Agility,Rally and Coonhound events to $3.50 which makes all fees consistent with all other AKC Events. So use these figures as you will-some will find them negative others positive! So what’s new--is this any different than what is going on in our national political financial debates? Some find problems with everything, others see no problems at all. People use figures most frequently to their own advantages in all walks of life so why should dog people react any differently.

SOME DELEGATE ACTION

Presently Article VI, Section 5 of AKC’s Bylaws provides that “any individual found to have stolen, embezzled or misappropriated funds from an AKC club, is barred from being a Delegate for ten years.” The Board wants to expand this to include The AKC itself,any AKC subsidiary or afﬁliated organization to be grounds for the same disapproval or removal of a seated Delegate. Sounds reasonable to most anyone except of course for the Member Clubs which seem so protective of their right and/ or privilege to seat anyone the Club desires to so anoint. Therefore to sweeten the additions to VI-5 the Board has added to VI-7 the right of an appeal from anyone so removed by the Board in the part of the Delegates. This appeal to retain or remove the seat must be conﬁrmed by a 2/3rd vote of the Delegate Body! What pandering to the Member Clubs is the reaction of these pages. Is someone really saying that the indicted Treasurer of Dog Writers, were he to be voted in as a Delegate by a Member Club would have the right to appeal a Board refusal to seat him to the Delegate Body! Really when does common sense enter the picture instead of worrying about how the Delegates will react to their socalled right to appoint whomever they want to represent them. How far should this interpretation be carried one must ask with chagrin!

Editorial APRIL 22, 2011

10 Dog News

GET IT IF YOU CAN

A fascinating and extremely informative Report was recently issued by The Kennel Club in the UK entitled the DOG HEALTH GROUP Annual Report.It is a 33 page document, including covers, which analyzes in depth the creation of (DHG) speciﬁcally and its interaction working with the Kennel Club on health-related issues with the monitoring and measurement of the results of its work.The fact that for decades now the Kennel Club has donated signiﬁcant sums of monies to support research into canine diseases as well as to establish various health screening programs as well as working with other organizations on canine health issues is oft overlooked by those in the UK and elsewhere in their attempts to question long established breeding practices. Whether or not one agrees with all of the methods used by the Kennel Club in achieving its objectives the reality of the situation is that work in these areas has been developed for decades now. The double standard reaction of the RSPCA and the BBC in that country to the alleged problems raised by PDE whilst ignoring the past efforts of the Kennel Club are impossible to ignore. Furthermore both RSPCA and the BBC have condoned actions far more serious affecting for instance horse racing in that country where year after year horses are subject to death at facilities such as the Grand National. Such that the disproportionate reaction to PDE as compared to the Grand National makes one sit back in astonishment. The DHG report goes along ways to answer the legitimate critics of a system as well as the knee-jerking overreacting ones of those with a “mere bone” to pick.

OPEN THOSE DOORS

When if ever will the Delegate Body eliminate its selective and discriminatory rule which prevents certain people from being seated due to occupational ineligibility?Must a lawsuit be brought against AKC to open these doors as with each day seated Delegates find new methods of evading this restrictive and outdated Bylaw. The latest fiasco in this area is of course the Delegate/Judge who requests that a designated amount, equivalent to a fee charged by a professional judge, be contributed to a charity in his or her name. Come on this is one of the worst evasions of the rule which precludes a professional judge from being seated that has ever been perpetuated upon the Fancy. But get away with this certain people continue to do while all the Committees and all the Kings men sit on their you know whats ignoring the basic flaw in the system--yes that’s right the continuance of an arbitrary and discriminatory method of selecting people to represent the Fancy. Until this is changed the antiquated and antediluvian reaction of the Delegate Body to progressive changes in the existing system will continue.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Well it sure looks like the Reserve Best in Show is soon to be a fait accompli!! Are points to be awarded too?? Is it really a necessary placement with which to begin. When the Best American dog in show was eliminated years ago it looked as though AKC had realized that superﬂuous awards were unnecessary. Well today is today and the philosophies have changed in that area for sure. But is the Reserve Best in show a real need or just another frill meant to assuage a disgruntled exhibitor or a Judge fearful of making a total commitment?

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TheWay It Is It is the season of Annual Reports as our inboxes and postal boxes are being flooded with these reports reflecting the fiscal health and well-being of a particular company. Annual Reports are often designed to serve as a comprehensive review of a company’s activities and financial performance during the prior year. Typically an Annual Report provides the following: • Financial Highlights • Letter to Shareholders • Narrative Text, Graphics and Photos • Management’s Discussion and Analysis • Financial Statements • Notes to Financial Statements • Auditor’s Report • Summary of Financial Date • Corporate Information Nonprofit and Not for Profit organizations are not required to publish an Annual Report. If they do, they do not have to be as concise and detailed as that of a publically traded company in providing information to its shareholders. The nonprofits can be more generalized in their reports. The American Kennel Club’s Annual Report for 2010 is an interesting document for what it does and does not state regarding the kennel club’s activities and fiscal standing during the past year. A departure from prior years, it is evasive regarding financial matters and provides no details or notes of explanation. However, on request someone can receive a copy of the separate consolidated audited financial statement. It does provide data concerning number of dogs and litter registrations, various events, judges operations, an update regarding AKC’s affiliated and supported organizations (although vague when it comes to the Canine Health Foundation), various information services, government relations, and other ventures under AKC’s purview. But, best of all, what the 2010 Annual Report does is pay tribute to its knowledgeable, dedicated breeders. Using photographs throughout, it highlights individuals and dogs, their activities and events, their achievements and accomplishments. Using the words on the cover “It all begins with the Breeder,” AKC is acknowledging the important part its responsible breeders play in furthering the image of the kennel club. AKC’s most valuable asset is these responsible

By Sari B. Tietjen 14 Dog News

breeders and the more AKC gets the message out that these are the individuals who have pledged to protect and promote purebred dogs in particular, and all dogs in general, the greater the opportunity to separate itself from other registries. Instead of hiding behind a cloak of perceived elitism, handwringing and pandering to “puppy mills,” brokers and middlemen, AKC should be proud of what its responsible breeders have done, the sacriﬁces they have endured, and they achievements they have made. This Annual Report is a step in the right direction – and should be acknowledged as such – but much more needs to be done. Already the public relations tools used by shelters have proven to be extremely successful in reaching the hearts-andminds of people wanting to have a dog(s) in their lives. Unless they are looking for a carefully bred, purebred dog, the belief that they are saving a dog from certain death trumps all else. AKC needs to promote what responsible breeders do: the health screenings, the studied matings in a quest for healthy, quality puppies, the care taken to ensure good homes for those puppies, the pledge to take back any unwanted dog purchased from them at any time, the clean, socialized environment, and the participation at and support for events and educational activities. AKC does have a Breeder of Merit program which was started last year, but it needs to get information out to the general public about the virtues of this new program. It needs to not be afraid to distinguish between a responsible breeder and a “puppy miller.” It needs to tout what responsible breeders stand for, the services they provide, the care and concern for their dogs. It needs to get to reach out to the public at large and not just those involved in the dog world. AKC’s highlighting its breeders in the 2010 Annual Report proves it acknowledges their signiﬁcance to its business model. It is essential that it does more to promote them, thereby promoting itself and enhancing its own image. Responsible breeders are AKC’s backbone!

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INSIDE THE SPORT

MOTHER NATURE GETS OUR ATTTENTION Leave it to Mother Nature to get our attention! Her power is never ending and this year she appears to be out to prove it. It will be years if not decades before we know all the tragic repercussions of the historic Japanese earthquake/tsunami in March.

pril brings its own brand of Mother Nature’s bad behavior to the United States and our world of dogs, resulting in the cancellation of the final two shows of the Blue and Gray Cluster held in Harrisburg PA over the Good Friday weekend. In AKC’s home state of North Carolina, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms resulted in the death of more than 20 people and spread devastation across the South before moving on. The flooding of the Susquehanna River tributaries into the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Building last Saturday not only cancelled the Mason and Dixon Kennel Club shows scheduled for Sunday and Monday, it raised some questions of great interest to our sport. Exactly how should kennel clubs and all involved in our sport handle the financial fallout from an Act of God? Friday’s Lebanon County Kennel Club show won by the Ernesto Lara-handled Affenpinscher went off without a hitch. The trouble started during the Harrisburg Kennel Club’s group judging on Saturday when flood waters started rising rapidly in the parking lots surrounding the enormous building, threatening motor homes, set-ups and all involved with the show. With four inches of rain in a short period of time and drain pipes backing up with creek overflow, exhibitors and club officials had little time to deal with the sudden multitude of problems caused by the deluge. Public address systems told of flooding in the parking lots as electricians warned that all power in the building would be cut off if waters threatened the electrical system. According to official sources,

there was nothing that could be done to ensure the safety of dogs and people except cancel the shows scheduled for Sunday and Monday and get dogs and equipment out of the area as soon as possible. In the midst of this increasing confusion, the Andrew Green-handled Samoyed went BIS. Needless to say, such a decision was not casual. Even as Farm Building personnel were warning all of the dangers, officials pondered the question of whether or not the shows could go on the next two days. It is important for those in our sport to understand that such difficult decisions are always made with the safety of dogs and people first and foremost in the minds of the decision makers. The chaos of contacting those who had no way of knowing the flash floods would occur as they went to dinner and left dogs at the building in what they thought was a safe situation was immense. The Welsh Springer Spaniel National was celebrating its event at dinner when power went out in their hotel and exhibitors were told an emergency existed. If they had dogs at the venue, they were to return immediately and retrieve them. The shuttle driver who picked us up at the airport Saturday evening in the torrential rain could not believe what had occurred in the very short time while he was making the round trip to the airport. Emergency vehicles and closing of bridges necessitated many detours to get us to our hotel and all of it had happened in a short period of time. Soon there were tornado warning sirens going off, and then the Welsh Springer National judge DoroCONTINUED ON PAGE 102

Thecancellingofdogshows

ISALWAYSCONTROVERSIAL

aspeoplehavecomefromallovertoparticipate. BY PAT TROTTER 18 Dog News

PLUM Drives into another

Best of Breed - Judge Mr. James Covey

20 Dog News

Group First In the Motor City

Detroit Kennel Club - Group First - Judge Miss Dorothy Macdonald

The Number One Norfolk Terrier All Systems

Ch. Cracknor Cross The Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Owners Pam Beale & Beth Sweigart

Co-Owned By Her Breeder Elisabeth Matell

Presented By Roxanne Sutton and Co-Owner Beth Sweigart Dog News 21

There seems to be a growing movement among Delegate/ Judges to request and/or to demand that before accepting an assignment a club make a charitable donation to a charity of the choice of the Delegate/Judge in that person's name. The Question of the Week is, Do you consider this to be a form of payment to the Delegate/Judge and in violation of AKC's Bylaws or should the practice be encouraged or discontinued?

Patti Strand It is a wonderful thing when a club opts to make a charitable donation on their own, but when it's suggested by a delegatejudge in lieu of the fee they are ineligible to receive, not only does it violate the spirit of their service, it's tacky.

the judge's request. I hope judges are not demanding it! Most of the charities some judges are requesting clubs send money to are canine health foundations either for the AKC Canine Health Foundation or the Health Foundation for their breed club.

David and Sharon Krogh It should be the responsibility of each club to decide if this type of request is something they want to honor! Honestly, our club does not have a standing policy. Probably because it does't seem to be an issue for us. A judge/delegate knows going in that they cannot charge a fee when they judge. Asking a club to send the fee they cannot charge to a charity, seems like they ARE charging a fee? Personally we feel this practice should not be encouraged.

Susan Sholar As long as the show giving club is the one receiving ALL credit for the donation, I do not see this as a violation of the AKC rule. If that donation is given in the name of that judge, then the line has been crossed. The donation would have to be listed in the judges contract and should also specify that such donation will be made in the name of the club not the judge being hired. If the judge, requesting the donation, is truly requesting for the benefit of their non-profit with no personal gain to them I assume they would not care that the non-profit, show giving clubs were receiving the recognition for the donation. If the judge INSIST on the donation being made in their name then I see this as a backdoor to pay and special recognition. I am responding based on present AKC rules. I have no opinion on whether or not a delegate should receive pay for judging.

Johnny Shoemaker No, I do not ﬁnd it to be a form of payment to the Delegate/ Judge and it should be encouraged. The Delegate/Judge is not actually receiving any form of payment for the judging assignment but rather requesting that the club send a donation to the charity. The club has the option of not hiring that judge if they do not wish to honor their request or simple saying no to

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 22 Dog News

Dr. Alan Dorfman I believe that a donation in the name of a judge/delegate could be misconstrued as to the real intention's of the money changing hands. Why place more doubts in the minds of the fancy. Don't we have enough rumors and innuendo's to contend with! The hiring of a judge/delegate is not the time for solicitations to be made by either party. If a Club or a judge/delegate wants to make a contribution to a speciﬁc charity, then so be it. Don't make it part of the judging selection process. ! Betty-Anne Stenmark So far that has not occurred with judges for our show. It's an interesting point, and I'm sure a case could be made for it being a form of payment. Cody Sickle First, charitable giving is generally a good thing. Having said that, the AKC by-laws seem clear that a delegate cannot be a professional judge (one receiving a fee above expenses). Regardless of the form of payment, requiring a charitable donation is a payment. While I view this practice as a violation or circumvention of AKC's By-Laws, it's certainly not among the important issues facing our sport.

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BRACE YOURSELF

The Problems with New Breeds Even though the Kennel Clubs of both the United Kingdom and the United States of America each register upwards of 150 breeds, it would appear that those from the considerably more populated FCI registry are ﬁnding favour with foreign fanciers. Consequently more and more “new” breeds are appearing.

ow some of these breeds may be anything but new. In some cases they could be comparatively ancient, often having undergone something of a patriotic revival in recent years. Others are, in comparison with other breeds, relatively young or “new”, having been the result of a deliberate breeding program based on contributions from other long established breeds. The reasons for introducing a new breed to a country which already has a vast choice are varied. Some observers genuinely feel that the new breed has something to offer in either character or physical attributes that they have failed to locate in the longer established breeds. Others find the challenge of effectively launching a new breed somewhat appealing, whilst it is often argued that some of the would-be pioneers of a foreign invader are often those who have failed to make any great impact on their previous breeds and find the attraction of the “big fish, little pond syndrome” too attractive to resist. But that may be a tad cynical. Both in the USA and UK, the respective Kennel Clubs have an established system of progression for newly registered breeds. The Americans have the Miscellaneous Class, the British the Imported Breeds Register Class. Effectively both allow breeds to be exhibited to a certain degree at dog shows whilst the respective gene pool is growing to a sufficient extent that makes the breed viable at regular shows. During the embryonic period obviously a parent club is established and pioneer breeders and promoters of the new breed emerge. Usually it is found that the population of early fanciers tends to be a combination of established breeders from other breeds who are ready to face a new challenge, and reasonably inexperienced enthusiasts who have simply seen the new arrival and become fascinated. This usually makes for a good mix. Other formulae when a breed is being established in a land of adoption are not always as successful. In the past we have seen breeds that have floundered for many years, never getting any headway, simply because none of the people involved with its introduction and progress have any real experience in dogs on a “professional” level, much less public relations. Then there can be the flip side of that particular coin, when it is clear that two or more strong-minded individuals clearly have their hearts set on becoming the founding father of a breed and are quite prepared to eradicate any pretenders to the throne who happen to get in their way. This particular scenario usually spells disaster for the breed whose development is severely hampered by internal power struggles from the start. Then there is the case where you have one pioneering breeder who establishes a breed and appears to be ticking all the right boxes, but clearly wants to call the shots at every level. Having introduced and nurtured other enthusiasts, the breed gets established relatively quickly but once any of the underlings so much as challenge the opinion of their leader, they are excommunicated from the ranks. Before we know where we are there is a rival breed club being proposed and two warring camps emerge before the breed has the opportunity to walk let alone run. When a breed is introduced to a new country there is a huge responsibility on the part of the pioneers, promoters, governing bodies and judges, to do justice to it. This involves detailed research, adoption of the breed standard from the country of origin and an undertaking to maintain correct and authentic type at all costs. The idea of importing a new breed to simply change it is not admirable. In some cases ideals may be challenged as it is not unknown

BY ANDREW BRACE 26 Dog News

for a breed to have several distinct types or “looks” in its homeland. Different visitors may well decide that they prefer one over the other, will inevitably endeavour to compare it most favourably against the existing breed standard, and will attempt to promote and procreate this type rather than one of the others. This is where new breeds can sometimes get rather in the mire as often slightly different stamps of a breed can be owned and bred by equally strong minded enthusiasts, each equally convinced they are right and their rivals are wrong. Faced with this kind of situation the best course of action is arguably to speak at length with the senior all rounder judges of the breed’s home country. They will probably have seen the breed being revived, if not established from scratch, and they should – in theory at least – be in an ideal position to assure new enthusiasts what is the preferred type and why. Their reasoning will probably be based on the breed’s function, combined with aesthetics and other less crucial aspects. The selection of judges for these new breeds is far more important than we can ever realise, and possibly this is the area where untold harm can be done in a breed’s early days. It is imperative that people who are asked to judge a breed in its infancy have more than a passing knowledge of the breed, and should be confident in their interpretation of breed type. An example which I have cited in several articles concerns the introduction of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to the United Kingdom. When the breed first arrived, it was erroneously assumed that this was essentially a wire-coated Basset Hound and consequently in its early days when the breed was scheduled it was invariably given as an “add on” to Basset Hound judges. Not surprisingly the breed began to develop as a heavier, longer and lower breed than was the ideal in a Petit – it took a few years for the more enlightened breeders who had been visiting Scandinavia on a regular basis to draw attention to the way the breed should be built. Since those heady days the breed has progressed dramatically in the UK and now the level of quality is incredibly high, with exports winning top honours all around the globe. So, it is vital that the judges who get to judge a breed in its early days of adoption are tuned in to correct type. It was recently very heartening to hear one of the most respected Scandinavian all rounders making a speech to all present after he had judged the very first Championship specialty of a breed from his home country. He announced that most of the dogs present could compete in their native land very favourably, that most were better than the average dogs that would be found there and that overall the balance and functionality was far better than he would find at home. He pointed out the minor areas where there was room for improvement and ended up by giving a brief but very concise word picture of how this breed should be. Obviously these founder breeders had got it right. Other problems face those introducing new breeds, some as basic as whether or not type or soundness should be prioritised when it comes to obtaining key foundation stock. Is it more important to ensure that the early cornerstone dogs are as physically sound as possible, or are blessed with all the subtleties of breed type? Ideally I guess a combination of both would be a healthy place to start. Whatever, establishing a new breed in a new country is not for the faint hearted, but undertaken with respect and commitment it can be one of the most fulfilling of experiences.

Dog News 27

y d d u

ch. cragsmoor

owners carolyn koch victor malzoni, jr. handlers larry cornelius marcelo veras breeders eugene z. zaphiris matthew h. stander

28 Dog News

goodman

the number one skye terrier and number three among all terriers all systems

back to back group firsts judges mrs. patricia trotter and mr. desmond murphy onto best in show this past weekend three more group firsts Dog News 29

DOG PORTRAITURE

DISPLAY OF AFFECTION Situated in one of the most beautiful parts of England, the Stockbridge Gallery in Stockbridge, Hampshire, is the only commercial gallery in Britain to specialise in the dog in art. Running until the middle of May is the gallery’s latest exhibition, ‘Display of Affection’, which focuses solely on dog portraiture.

allery owner, Victoria Armstrong, says the aim of the exhibition is to “focus people back on portraiture with its long tradition and how it is carried through to today.” The work of over thirty artists is featured through painting, sculpture, drawing, prints and photography showing the multitude of styles in which artists like to record ‘man’s best friend’. Sculptors featured include the British sculptor, Bridget Baker and the American Joy Kroeger Beckner whose approach to their art could not be more different. Retired lecturer, Bridget Baker, who was inﬂuenced in her art by the work of Alexander Calder, works in galvanised wire, long-nosed pliers and enamel paints, whilst Joy Kroeger Beckner’s bronze Dachshunds, her signature breed, are realistically portrayed in their many mischievous ways. Pugs have long attracted artists and sculptors, a tradition started by Meissen, and the breed is featured in this exhibition with a charming bronze of a sitting Pug by award winning Colorado based Louise Peterson and an appealing bronze head-study mounted on slate by Marie Ackers who is equally well-known for her horses as she is for her dogs. The work of the artists featured also shows a great diversity of styles. Aron Gadd uses a stash of eighty different coloured pencils to create drawings that deﬁne every last detail creating an end result that is almost photographic. In contrast, Emily Burrowes approach is ‘a little says so much’ with the viewers attention drawn to her subjects’ expressions. Claire Eastgate, one of the UK’s foremost dog artists, paints portraits of subjects that are well observed,

BY NICK WATERS 30 Dog News

loosely painted and completed with a classical realism, set at times against sumptuous furnishings or imposing landscapes. Much of her work shows shades of Gustave Courbet who led the Realist movement in 19th century France. Claire’s pictures contrast greatly to the unfettered free style of those of award winning artist, Paula Vize, with her contemporary portrayal of rural subjects – she has made Foxhounds her own. One of the most popular artists featured in the exhibition whose work must be known to thousands in the UK through his published prints is Nigel Hemming. Although his Labradors, English Springers and Border Collies are legion, his portfolio does includes a host of other breeds, including less popular ones like the Italian Spinone. The work of the photographers featured is equally as contrasting as that of the artists and sculptors. Chris Pethick for example concentrates on the features that for him deﬁne the subject he is photographing, whilst Eloise Leyden’s photographs make more of a social statement, be it a much loved pet running through a spring meadow or the slum dogs of India. Victoria commented: “Man’s precious bond with the dog has long been commemorated in poetry, painting and sculpture. By the 18th century, such was the demand that artists began to specialise in animal painting. That proud tradition continues apace today and we have some of the best contemporary portraitists exhibiting in this show.” For more formation visit the gallery’s website www.dogsinart.com.

Cody and Dusty Toy Show Group WIN

Group First Judge Mr. Malcolm Moore

GCh. Windemereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dusting Of White At Pevyne The Number One* Pekingese in Breed points and a Top Ten* Toy

Owners Joe and Carla Sanchez SOUTHPORT, EST. 1982

Co-Owners/Breeders Cody Koch and Joy Thoms

Handled by Breeder/Co-Owner Mr. Cody Koch

*The Dog News Top Ten List

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32 Dog News

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BESTS of the WEEK Sacramento Kennel Club - Sunday Smooth Fox Terrier Ch. Slyfox Sneaks A Peek Judge Mr. Edd Bivin Owener J.W. Smith Handler Edward Boyes

Harrisburg Kennel Club Samoyed GCh. McMagic’s Candied Ham of Pebbles’ Run Judge Mr. William Cunningham Owners Amy Kiell-Green, Andrew Green and Patty McCallum Handler Andrew Green

Atlanta Kennel Club Pembroke Welsh Corgi Ch. Dalarno Nite Song at Morningstar Judge Miss Virginia L. Lyne Owners Kiki Courtelis & Linda Dossett Handler Frank Murphy

Austin Kennel Club - Saturday Whippet GCh. Starline’s Chanel Judge Mr. William Shelton Owners Carey & Lori Lawrence Handler Lori Wilson

Valdosta Kennel Club I & II Pekingese Ch. Palacegarden Malachy Judge Mr. Michael Dougherty Judge Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark Owners Iris Love, Sandra Middlebrooks & David Fitzpatrick Handler David Fitzpatrick

Euphrata-Moses Lake Kennel Club - Saturday English Springer Spaniel GCh. Darkover Don’t Dream It’s Over Judge Mrs. Noreen Gonce Cartwright Owners S. & C. Pelissero, B. Daniel Handler Ellen Cottingham

Bartlesville Kennel Club I Kuvasz GCh. Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Sixpence Judge Mrs. Paula Hartinger Owners Mercedes Vila, Lynn Brady, Connie Townsend, Claudia Muir Handler Diana Wilson Northeast OK Kennel Club II Bichon Frise GCh. Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy Judge Mr. Arley Hussin Judge Mrs. Peggy Haas Owners B. Weidner, L. Darman, K. Grifﬁn, C. Ruggles Handler Scott Sommer Sacramento Kennel Club Standard Poodle GCh. Brighton Lakeridge Encore Judge Mrs. Mary Ann Alston Owners Toni and Martin Sosnoff Handler Tim Brazier

Austin Kennel Club - Sunday Silky Terrier GCh. Snow Glen’s Tesoro Cover Story Judge Mrs. Pamela B. Peat Owners Diane Adamcik, Debra Caselli, and Pam Laperruque Handler Pam Laperruque Steel City Kennel Club - Sunday Tibetan Terrier Ch. Barnstorm’s TT CSI Judge Dr. Robert Indeglia Owners Patricia Bernardo & Mary Lou Laﬂer Handler Lynn Meyer Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America National Specialty GCh. Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery Judge Mr. James Reynolds Owners Cynthia & Vincent Savioli Handler Sherri Hurst Whippet Club of America National Specialty Ch. Brushwood’s Moxi Judge Mrs. Harriett Nash Lee Owner and Handler Raymond Yurik

Bartlesville Kennel Club - Sunday German Shepherd Dog GCh. Babheim’s Captain Crunch Judge Mr. Houston Clark Owners James Moses, Debra Stern, Janet Lange, Maria Deschamps & Carlos Novarro Handler James Moses

APRIL 22, 2011 34 Dog News

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

Dog News 35

Chindale,reg. JenniferStevens,Maripi Wooldridge,VincentAdams Mebane,North Carolina •chindalechin@aol.com

PresentstheClassof2011

“Marcel”

Our newest Import from theU.K.

Co-ownedwith hisbreedersIan Watt and DavidAnderson

NisyrosAlPachino At hisfirst American dog show Best In Specialty Showfrom theclasses handled by Maripi Australian Breeder-Judge Mr.Phillip Poulton 36 Dog News

“Farrah” The AllBreed BestInShow Winner

Ch.Chindale’s Farrah Fawcett GroupFirst Judge Mr.MarjorieUnderwood handledby Maripi

“Booty” Ch.Chindale’s Oriental Infusion now withhandler NancyMartin

Dog News 37

10 QUESTIONS ASKED BY LESLIE BOYES OF:

Alice and Steve

Lawrence

Born: Alice: Brooklyn, NY; Steve: Manhattan, NY Reside: Stafford Springs, CT Marital Status: Married 40+ years Age: Steve: See previous answer, you do the math; Alice: I was a child-bride.

38 Dog News

What year did you start showing dogs and what breeds were they?

Alice and Steve: 1972; An Old English Sheepdog and a Komondor.

Which dog no longer being shown would you liked to have shown or owned?

Alice: Ch. Covey Tucker Hill’s Manhattan - a great showdog. Steve: Ch. Fezziwig Ceiling Zero

Why do you think most people want to judge?

Alice: For the foreign travel opportunities. Steve: To stay connected with the dog show community.

Who are your non-dog heros or heroines exclusive of immediate relatives?

Alice: Dr. Jonas Salk - he saved all our lives. Steve: Dr. Isaac Asimov, “The Great Explainer.”

If you could change one thing about your relationship what would it be?

Alice: Steve won’t let me say what I want to. Steve: I should listen to Alice more.

How would you describe yourselves in personal ads?

Alice: Totally honest, very shy and loves dogs better than people. Steve: What you see is what you get.

Do you think there are too many dog shows?

Alice: Yes! Especially the weekday ones. Steve: Same.

Which are your three favorite dog shows?

Alice: Any show 25 minutes from my house, that means all the W. Springﬁeld, MA Shows. Steve: Bucks County, DelValle, Santa Barbara (for the food).

Do you think there should be a limit on the number of times a dog may be exhibited in a year?

Alice: Yes, showing a dog 200 times a year is inhumane. Steve: Yes, as Americans we tend to overdo everything.

How do you react to people ﬂying in and out of shows on the same weekend?

Alice: Alice: It’s ridiculous. Steve: This is not healthy for dogs or exhibitors.

O-O 4 TIMES

You Can Never Get Enough Of A Good Thing Four Group Firsts on the Tar Heel Circuit under Judges Mr. James Reynolds, Dr. Robert Smith, Mrs. Elaine Lessig Pictured with Judge Mrs. Susan Carr

Ch. Hetherbull Topline O-O Owners Mrs. Ellen MacNeille Charles and Breeders Jean Hetherington & Paula Turner Handled by Jean Dog News 39

40 Dog News

Dog News 41

Sarplaninac- Yugoslavski Ovcarski – Macedonia

hile president of the Brazilian Boxer Club, I always made a point to invite to judge our national specialties North American Boxer personalities whose knowledge and contribution with Boxer breeding (as 90% of the country’s import came/comes from the USA) could be instrumental for the betterment and evolution of the Brazilian Boxer fancy. I am proud to say that the judges who graciously accepted the invitation were worldwide recognized personalities, and real pillars of the breed whose name must be remembered whenever the history and the pedigrees of Boxers are mentioned; Mrs. Phoebe Harris (Ch Bang Away of Sirrah Crest – 1951 Westminster Kennel Club BIS Winner ), Mrs. Eleanor Haebelre (Ch. Eldic’s Landlord), Mr. Mike Millan, (Millan’s Fashion Hint), and the editor of the extinct Boxer Review (where for years I wrote about “Boxers in Brazil”) Mrs. Kris Dahl. Our judges also attended the after show very popular “round table”. At these great events we had beside the dogs also many breeders, handlers, and judges coming from many other South American countries, not solely for the show, but to learn from the judges, to interview them, to hear them to talk! During the years of my activities as the president both; Sao Paulo State and the Brazilian Boxer Club tens of North American (always breeder) judges performed, and did a great job. The Brazilian fancy, and myself, are thankful for all for sharing their deep knowledge, and great judging which always will be fondly remembered. Our readers must wonder why I am talking about Boxers, when in accordance of my article’s title I should focus on a Rare Breed. It is because of a picture of my late Yugoslavian born husband talking (he was our translator) with our judge at the time, the also Yugoslavian born Mike Millan. For Mike’s memory and the friendship we shared here goes my homage in the form of a Yugoslavian Rare dog breed. Slavs like the Celts and Germans are of one of the Indo-European nations. They lived in tribes most of them horse men half nomads, and half barbarians. Roman historians described them like very brave half naked warriors. They had short and dark hair and darker skin than the members of other tribes. The ethnicity and language of the Slavic people of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is not to be confused with the people of the geographical area of Macedonia in Greece, Bulgaria and Albania. In 1929 the Kingdom of Serbs, was renamed Yugoslavia. In World War II the Nazis occupied parts of Yugoslavia, including Macedonia. Macedonian resistance ﬁghters fought a guerrilla war against the invading troops. The Yugoslavian federation was reestablished after the defeat of Germany in 1945. Later President Tito recognized the Macedonian people as a separate region. (Josip Broz Tito Yugoslavian was Prime Minister from 1945 to 1953 when he was elected as President for life - Tito ruled the country dictatorially until his death in 1980 - all together for 35 years) recognized Macedonia as a separate region. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia existed from the half of World War II, until it was formally dissolved in 1992. Yugoslavia ended up divided in six socialist republics; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. While under the leadership of Tito Yugoslavia pursued a policy of neutrality, and became CONTINUED ON PAGE 70

BY AGNES BUCHWALD 42 Dog News

Pulling Rank -

Judge Mr. Robert Fetter

Judge Ms. Kim Ramey-LeBlanc

Judge Ms. Laurie King Telfair

Am. & Mex. GCh. Babheim’s Owned and Handled By James Moses • Owned By Deborah Stern, Janet Lange, 44 Dog News

Judge Mr. William Cunningham

Judge Mr. J. Donald Jones

Judge Mr. Fred Bassett

Captain Crunch Carlos Navarro, Maria Deschamps Dog News 45

A Nation of Pet Lovers Loses Its Way I’ve been an anglophile most of my life. I grew up loving all thing British, or English, from the language to the history of the British Isles. I spent some time in the country when I was in school. Inevitably, I segued into animals that were developed in Britain.

enjoyed the time I spent in Britain and the people I met were universally pleasant, though I do recall a few cab drivers with some rather colorful language. All that was a few years ago. Maybe things change. That was before I became aware of the animal rights movement and the RSPCA. The RSPCA has a reputation in Great Britain similar to that of HSUS in this country and is known for seizing pets and other animals unreasonably, based on cases highlighted in the media. If you google “RSPCA seizes pets” you will find hundreds of such stories, including stories about the RSPCA seizing overweight pets from their owners. They are also on record in the infamous documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed with comments about purebred dogs such as then Chief Vet Mark Evans calling dog shows “a parade of mutants.” Evans is quoted extensively in the program. In fact, the RSPCA received so much attention for their role in Pedigree Dogs Exposed that they had to set up Question & Answer pages for the public: <http:// tinyurl.com/4hope22> On these pages you can find such comments about purebred dogs as these: • The RSPCA is extremely concerned about the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease affecting pedigree dogs. • Hundreds of thousands of dogs are vulnerable to unnecessary illness, pain and disability or behavioural problems because they’re bred primarily for how they look rather than with health, welfare and temperament in mind... • We believe that both the selective breeding of dogs primarily for appearance and the intensive breeding of closely related dogs for anything other than scientifically proven welfare reasons is morally unjustifiable... • When choosing which animals to breed from, there’s often no merit attached to an animal’s health, welfare or temperament - and often the attributes rated most highly can result in disability or illness... • Pedigree dog owners that show their dogs obviously want their animals to do well at shows and/or produce popular offspring. So the dogs with the most

BY CARLOTTA COOPER

‘desirable’ attributes (i.e. those that most closely match the relevant breed standard) are bred from most frequently. The selected features may easily become exaggerated, causing dogs to suffer more health and welfare problems and a reduced quality of life... I think the impression left on the reader is that people who breed and show dogs only care for a dog’s appearance and give little thought to the dog’s health or temperament. There is certainly the impression given, in my opinion, that massive numbers of purebred dogs (or “pedigree dogs,” as they are called in Britain) are sick and deformed. The RSPCA also commissioned a 76-page study which denigrated The Kennel Club in Britain and the breeding practices of pedigree dog breeders. “The Kennel Club, breed societies, and the pedigree dog showing community have formally endorsed the inbreeding of dogs,” it said. This was stated despite the fact that it was estimated that less than 1 percent of dogs registered with The Kennel Club were the result of first degree matings. “Much of the suffering which some pedigree dogs endure is unnecessary and a substantial part could be avoided with revised practices.” Some of the suggestions that came out of the report included: • The banning of first degree and second degree matings (e.g., parent and offspring, siblings, grandparent and offspring or half-siblings). • Open studbooks. • Conducting a full ethical review of the health and welfare of current breeds. This could inform decisions, such as to enforce rapid out-crossing or (as suggested by some), in extreme cases even to phase out some breeds. • Make registration of pedigree dogs conditional upon both parents undergoing compulsory screening tests for prioritised disorders. • Training and accreditation of judges to prioritise health, welfare and behaviour in the show ring. • Development of schemes for calculating Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for disorders influenced by genetic factors. The EBV of an animal for any trait predicts the average performance of its offspring for that trait. The RSPCA isn’t an organization concerned with helping sad puppies and kittens. It’s an animal rights CONTINUED ON PAGE 72

46 Dog News

*The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed points

Dog News 47

48 Dog News

Dog News 49

A Salute To Old Dogs

Ordinarily, the stories I write for Dog News are about multi-talented, titled dogs or on occasion, tinged with humor about life with dogs. But, not this time. This is an unabashedly sentimental and affectionate tribute to old dogs in general and one in particular. That would be Bob, my old hunting dog but what is said about him would apply equally well to a lot of other old dogs.

’m sure you’ve all had one—a dog that may not have been your most outstanding show dog or your greatest field dog or your top carting/weightpulling dog or your finest agility/obedience/tracking dog but fit you like a comfortable old pair of boots with miles of fields and marshes behind them or faded jeans, soft and supple with age, that evoke a sigh of contentment every time you put them on. Certainly Bob’s not the greatest show dog to ever consider my living room couch to be his personal napping area. That honor belongs to his father, his grand-father and his great-grandfather who filled up an enormous plastic bin with best of breed, group win and group placement ribbons as well as overflowing a hutch with silver bowls, trays and tea services. Nor is he the best competition field dog as those honors go to his father, mother, grandparents and great-grandparents who left another enormous plastic bin jam-packed with orange, green and bronze ribbons. Yes, he’s earned his share of titles but his accomplishments are small potatoes when compared to those of his immediate ancestors. He may not even be the best hunting dog I’ve ever had. But he certainly is the most devoted and has been since the time he was able to recognize me as a baby puppy when he made it clear to everyone that the only place CONTINUED ON PAGE 74

Another great thing about old dogs is that they are modest. No wild transports of joy at the completion of a spectacular retrieve. Just a few simple tail-wags, the canine version of a polite bow acknowledging the applause and cheers, is sufﬁcient. He knows there is nothing for him to do when we set out decoys so he sits quietly and waits. His is a calm and steady presence that says, “When you’re ready so am I.”

BY M.J. NELSON 50 Dog News

Dog News 51

52 Dog News

Dog News 53

Veterinary Ethics & Animal Rights

My local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has an annual ten-day-long book sale that raises thousands of dollars for its shelter.

usually don’t buy the scattering of animal rights books that turn up in the animal section, but this time they had a “Journal of Social Issues” whose subtitle was “The Role of Animals in Human Society.” The Journal is sponsored by the Society of Psychological Studies of Human Society which didn’t sound like an AR group, so I bought it. Since they invite a variety of contributors, there were lots of points of view both AR and non-AR, but the one that struck me was a paper on “Veterinary Medical Ethics: A Focus of Conﬂicting Interests,” by Professor Jerrold Tannenbaum of the Department of Environmental Studies, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Be prepared to cringe. Jerrold lists the following twelve “Selected Issues in Veterinary Ethics”: 1. “Is it morally permissible for veterinarians to euthanize a companion animal just because this is requested by its owner, even if the animal is healthy, well behaved, and capable of enjoying a long happy life? 2. Is it morally permissible for a veterinarian to continue to treat an animal that is terminally ill and in great pain because the client cannot bear to part with it? 3. Is it ever morally permissible, or obligatory, to agree to euthanize a healthy, well behaved animal and then to secretly keep it alive or adopt it out to someone who would give it a good home? 4. Should veterinarians perform purely cosmetic procedures mandated by pure bred breed standards, such as the trimming of ears and docking of tails of dogs, if such procedures do not beneﬁt the animals and can cause them pain or distress? 5. To what extent might veterinarians be morally obligated to oppose breed standards for dogs and cats that cause disease, impairment, or discomfort for the animals? 6. To what extent is it morally appropriate for veterinarians to assist or participate in methods of rearing food animals that restrict the natural behavior of such animals? 7. Is it morally appropriate to engage in practices (e.g., not using anesthesia during the removal of the tails of pigs or the castration of pigs and cattle) that are painful to patients but are desired by clients for economic reasons? 8. To what extent is it ethical (even when it is lawful) to administer pain-killing performance-enhancing drugs to racing and show horses prior to competition, if such drugs enable the animals to compete but mask and sometimes exacerbate underlying medical problems? 9. Should veterinarians treat or rehabilitate sick or injured animals found in the wild, if doing so may be in the interests of the individual animal but may result in the propagation of animals that are less likely to survive in their normal wild

BY PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM 54 Dog News

habitat? Should veterinarians be more concerned with protecting or promoting the overall health and welfare of individual wild animals or of species? 10. Are certain experimental procedures (e.g., allowing the growth of large implanted tumors, allowing animals to die spontaneously without the benefit of euthanasia, confinement of non human primates in experimental restraint devices, the Draize Eye Irritancy Test) morally acceptable? 11. What should be the response of the veterinary profession to the claims of some that while it may be permissible to use animals in biomedical research, it is immoral to use them in psychological or behavioral research? In the testing of cosmetics or nonmedical household consumer products? 12. How should the profession respond to those who seek to end animal research or who advocate measures (e.g., prohibition of the use of abandoned pound animals) that can curtail research or increase its costs?” A lot of the above made my skin crawl, so let’s look at a few of them: Items 1,2,3,&10. I will bypass the euthanasia concerns of items 1,2,& 3 and go directly to item 10 “Is allowing animals to die spontaneously without the benefit of euthanasia morally acceptable?” He is talking about experimental animals but who is to say this “no natural death” principle will not be applied to companion animals? I have a friend who does not euthanize her old dogs. She takes care of them into extreme old age until they die as long as they are not in pain. I tried her method once. I was struck by the difference between the appearance of all the dogs that I had euthanized and Kira. All of my euthanized dogs looked extremely dead, with open sightless eyes and open mouths. Kira looked like she was sleeping calmly. In the absence of pain, I began to wonder if natural death was a viable alternative to euthanasia . I certainly don’t want some vet’s ethics denying my friend or me the ability to make that choice. As for item 3, if you take a dog to your vet to be euthanized do you want to worry that he has slipped it out of the back door for adoption or sale? I am present for all my euthanasias, but some owners can’t face the procedure. Items 4 & 5. These should make dog breeders cringe. 4. Should veterinarians perform purely cosmetic procedures mandated by pure bred breed standards, such as the trimming of ears and docking of tails of dogs, if such procedures do not benefit the animals and can cause them pain or distress? & 5. To what extent might veterinarians be morally obligated to oppose breed standards for dogs and cats that cause disease, impairment, or discomfort for the animals?” These two go together by saying that veterinarians CONTINUED ON PAGE 78

GCh. Le Coeur Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ange De Briardale Multiple Group Winning

The Number One* Briard

Group First - Thank you Judge Mr. James W. Maloney Breeders Rick & Liz Kenitz

Owner Peggi Weymouth

Handled By Christy Collins Improvtibetanspaniels@Yahoo.Com *Breed points, All Systems

Dog News 55

ARE YOU DISASTER READY

With the increased number of natural disasters occurring around the world, coupled with the ripple effects that result such as mass hysteria, how well prepared is your dog breeding program as well as your pets.

hen a disaster occurs, the various not-for-profit dog rescue organizations seem to swing into action. During the Katrina disaster, for example, many groups including AKC, responded quickly. Most of which were very cooperative. While others stayed rather distant. I was very proud of my organization, as the AKC was well received by the majority of the other agencies. And, most organizations adhered to the premiere objective of caring for the animals, rather than concentrating on fund raising or courting the news media. In the end, the Katrina disaster was a pleasure experience. I was just glad to be able to take part in such a successful rescue effort. Shortly after the hurricane Katrina, all AKC inspectors were required to complete the FEMA Emergency Management Institute’s Emergency Management study course addressing the management of animals in a crises. This was a comprehensive three part study addressing all phases of the preparation and administration of animal control in a time of crisis. The FEMA course reinforced that the key to a successful recovery is a proactive, rather than a reactive mind-set. Advanced preparation, is very necessary, with respect to all phases of the breeding operation. In other words, have a plan and be ready to work your plan. What about you? As a professional breeder, are you prepared to protect your animals in the event of a disaster, such as what took place recently in Japan? One must realize that a kennel proper may not be able to withstand a major disaster, as not much can be done to cost effectively strength the physical structure. However, a number of other preparations should be considered such as; If an advance warning is given, take your animals with you in the evacuation. Know which hotels and motels except animals in an emergency. Know which fellow breeders, animal shelters and veterinarians, except animals in an emergency. Keep medications in waterproof containers. Keep a supply of food and water on hand. Have several flash lights, extra batteries and a weather radio handy. An emergency telephone list, showing the available after hours vet numbers, should be ready available. Keep an emergency check list with certain unique supplies needed for certain dogs. A first aid kit, designed for dogs, should also be kept handy.. Dog identification is absolutely vital in a disaster. Preferable all dogs should be micro chipped, and the identification listed on the dog records. In addition, your registry may offer a dog information database, such as AKC’s, Companion Animal Recovery Department (CAR), to recovery important contact information. Also, record retention is a vital prerequisite . Copies of such records as the dogs registration certificates, pedigrees, vaccination and medical histories, should be protectively kept off premises. Also, current photos of you with your dogs,

By Charles C. Robey 56 Dog News

in case they get lost, should be secured. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion. And, have a dog notification sticker. This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes 1) the types and number of pets in your household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian’s phone number. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write “EVACUATED” across the stickers. Rescue efforts can take on many forms, from that of a few pets to the larger full scale breeding operations. And, advance preparation should be made according to ones needs. The following precautions are taken from The American Red Cross. • The behavior of pets may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive, so be aware of their well-being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals. • Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged. • Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home. • Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans. Have dog boots available. • Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist. Disasters often strike when you least suspect them and have little time to prepare. That is why it is good to have a disaster plan in place for your home and family that includes making provisions for your dog. Remember, dog breeders tend to get lax in times of disasters, as their concerns with the animals sometimes over shadow common business sense. Every disaster has its share of con artists trying to take advantage of disaster victims, so be careful who you give information to or let into your home. Author’s Note: Recent events remind us just how desperate disaster situations can be. It’s not difficult to put together an effective disaster plan and kit that will help you to protect your pets and livestock, so I encourage everyone to do it. It’s too late once disaster hits.”

Dog News 57

TREIBBALL

A Fun, New Dog Sport that Develops Teamwork Skills and Focus, While also Burning Excess Energy

ecause many owners are looking for fun activities to do with their dog, there’s a huge amount of interest in Treibball, an exciting new sport recently imported from Europe and Scandinavia. It was originated in Germany seven years ago by Dutch dog trainer, Jan Nijboer, who trained and bred purebred dogs professionally since 1984. While working on herding skills with his Australian Cattle Dogs, Nijboer noticed the left over energy they exhibited at the end of a lesson. Because his dogs weren’t ready to quit when training time was over, Nijboer began tossing around a round, rubber food dish for them to play with. The dogs initiated their own impromptu version of soccer with the dish, driving it along as it rolled down a hill, much like a soccer team driving a ball to the goal. After watching them, Nijboer wondered if his dogs would initiate the same kind of game with other objects. To find out, he let them play with fitness balls, i.e., the balls used in Pilates exercise classes. When similar play ensued, Nijboer decided to formalize the game and began Eloise alone, driving the ball with her nose. (German Shepherd Dog) teaching the activity as an adjunct to his herding classes; initially, as a means of tiring high energy dogs. Competition Rules Treibball means Driveball or Driving ball in German. Today, it’s a positive-reinforcement, clicker-trained, competitive dog sport. The first Treibball competition was held in Sweden in 2007. Its rules were inspired by those for herding competition, only in Treibball, the dog “herds” or drives 8 balls into a netted goal instead of sheep into a pen. Competition is held on a long, narrow strip that ranges between 100- to 164-ft. in length and 50- to 82-ft in width. The handler directs the dog to bring each ball to the netted goal. Competition begins when the dog is heeled out to a starting position to the right side of the 8 balls, which are arranged in a triangle similar to the way balls are racked at the beginning of a game of Pool. The point ball is positioned farthest away from the goal. At the Judge’s whistle or the handler’s cue, the dog is sent to stand in center field behind the balls. Then, it’s cued to “break” the balls and drive them to the handler one at a time. The dog has 15 minutes to drive all 8 balls to the net at Will Bruner and Eloise, Eloise moving Away to Me to gather the ball. the handler’s direction. (Many dogs can to do it in 9-minutes (German Shepherd Dog) or less.) The dog only is allowed to drive the balls forward with its shoulder or nose. After the dog delivers all 8 balls to net, it must lie down at the goal just as it would after penning Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior sheep. Consultants. “The handler directs the dog as to which ball the dog must “The handler directs the dog to bring a particular ball by drive to the net first, second and so on. In Excellent and Champion clicking the dog into position behind it. The dog is directed to level competition, the Judge might number the balls and tell the move backwards or forwards or left or right of the ball with herdhandler the sequence [for example: 6, 2, 8, 3, 5, etc.] in which the ing commands like ‘Come Bye’and ‘Away to Me.’ For example, the balls must be delivered. Or the Judge might call out, ‘Bring all of handler must direct the dog to back up and then send it to the the blue [or red or yellow or silver, etc.] balls first.’ Obviously, the left or right of the correct ball if the dog overshoots it.” dog can’t identify which ball to deliver by number or color. The handler must communicate that to the dog,” says Dianna Stearns, Bonus Points and Demerits President of the American Treibball Association. She holds naThe handler only may direct the dog with verbal and hand tional certifications from the Certification Council for Professional signal commands or whistles. No corrections of any kind are allowed during competition. The dog and handler, who must work together closely, are scored on the basis of their cooperation in

BY SHARON PFLAUMER

58 Dog News

CONTINUED ON PAGE 82

“Kiera”

Number Two* Giant Schnauzer

Thank you Judge Dr. Eric Liebes

GCh. SpicerackShe’s AllThat,RN Owner Melisa Davis Cadbury Giant Schnauzers

Bred by: Jean & Ed Biggins Robin Henderson *The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed

Professionally handled by: Rhanda L. Glenn AKC Registered Handler (205) 612-0284

Dog News 59

Off The Leash With the recent threats to shut down the government and all the partisan wrangling over the national budget, one may be lulled into thinking there’s not a whole lot happening on the legislative front but that is surely not the case when it comes to canine legislation.

here are several proposals that threaten the rights of individuals to own and breed dogs responsibly being considered this week in many areas of the country. In the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia City Council is considering changes to its animal code including limits on dog ownership, several new licensing provisions and the requirement of the sterilization of any animal sold. All concerned dog owners and fanciers should be aware that Bill 110210 requires that all dogs and cats sold be sterilized. Exceptions to the law will include dogs that have been obtained by a governmental entity for law enforcement or public safety, dogs obtained to be service or guide dogs, and —of most importance to fanciers—dogs “of a recognized breed, obtained for the purposes of participation in a recognized competition”. It remains to be seen exactly how the term “recognized breed” is defined, and how participation can be proven, but a newly created Animal Control Agency would determine the requirements for establishing its definition. Of particular concern to fanciers will be the determination at what age a dog must be sterilized. Even the most experienced of breeders, handlers and fanciers cannot determine at the time of purchase which puppies will grow up to be show quality dogs. Under the proposal those who violate this provision will be subject to a fine and may be asked to cease breeding and selling operations for one year. Under Bill 110210 ownership will be limited to two intact dogs or cats and no more than 12 adult dogs and cats. Exceptions may be made for those licensed as a kennel, which is defined as a facility in which 13 or more dogs or cats combined are kept, bred, whelped, harbored, boarded, sold or in any way transferred in a calendar year. In addition, there will be new increased licensing fees of $16 annually for each intact dog and $8 for each sterilized dog. Permanent licensing would cost $40 for each intact dog and $16 for each sterilized dog. This proposal would not allow the purchase of permanent licenses going forward, and increase the fee to $40/$16 each year. An additional license will be required for all animal shelters and animal retailers, which is defined as anyone “engaged in the business of selling dogs or cats to the ultimate owner.” It does not state if this would include anyone who ever sells just one dog or cat. All Philadelphia fanciers and club members are urged to contact members of the City Council to express concerns regarding Bill 110210, which is expected to be given a final vote on April 28th. For a list of City Council members and their contact information, log on to: http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/CouncilMembers.html. Other areas around the country are hearing controversial

By Shaun Coen 60 Dog News

bills this week that could significantly impact breeding programs. As this issue of Dog News goes to press, Texas, House Bill 1451 is expected to be voted on. HB 1451 would regulate and define as a commercial breeder those who own 11 or more intact female dogs or cats. In addition, and in further evidence that anti-breeding groups keep messing with Texas, a procedure move was made last week to suspend House rules that enabled the House County Affairs Committee to hear HB 2116, another bill regulating owners and breeders, without notice of a public hearing. HB 2116 was left pending in committee but it’s expected that the author will introduce a substitute bill shortly and ask for an immediate vote on this legislation, which will prohibit any dog from being left outside and unattended in an enclosure unless at least 150 square feet of space is provided for each dog. HB 2116 also defines a breeder as anyone who possesses 11 or more intact females. Fanciers object to arbitrarily arrived at thresholds for owning, breeding or exercising dogs, because these limits are not based on any accepted animal husbandry principles, nor do they take into account a breed’s activity level or size, nor the type of care the dogs receive. Limits simply do not equate with quality care nor do they negate the behavior of irresponsible owners. HB 1451 also defines a breeder as anyone who possesses 11 or more intact females, without taking into account the small hobby breeder or sportsmen who only produce one or two litters a year. In addition, it mandates unannounced inspections by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), or their designee, every 18 months. So not only will the TDLR be allowed to visit the homes of small breeders unannounced at any hour of the day but the TDLR will also be allowed to charge an unspecified fee for licensure and inspection. These fees are intended to cover the costs of implementing the inspections program, which is estimated to be $1.3 million. It is foreseeable under this provision that individual licenses may cost thousands of dollars annually. Though these provisions place unreasonable burdens on responsible owners and breeders, they do nothing to improve the welfare of dogs in Texas. Furthermore, implementing an inspections program of this magnitude in such troubled economic times without money earmarked for it in the state’s coffers will result in exorbitant charges being levied unnecessarily upon responsible breeders, many of who are engaged in small scale, hobby operations out of their homes. Dog owners and breeders support legislation that promotes responsible dog ownership and breeding practices and the well-being of the dog, but stronger enforcement of current anti-cruelty laws and local animal control ordinances would be more effective methods to bring irresponsible breeders and owners into compliance than the superfluous creation of a new bureaucracy, which would be funded in large part by breeders that are already in compliance with existing laws.

Dog News 61

AND MORE

A WEATHER DEBACLE, SIR BATESON...

aving no idea of what the ultimate storms of last week-end were going to bring I decided not to go to the Harrisburg shows based solely on the weather maps contained in USA TODAY which had been predicting rain for the entire week-end. I have found that through the years driving the

Pennsylvania Turnpike on good weather days is bad enough what with those trucks barreling down on you but in bad weather forget it altogether! So I decided to stay home. Reports reaching me about the Friday show indicated all was well and I was tempted to take the train there for Saturday’s show when weather reports came in predicting really torrential weather--again at that point not too much being said about the possibilties of the tornados in North Carolina and Virginia nor the probabilities of heavy ﬂooding in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. I heard the Affen of Ernesto’s won Friday and late Saturday the phone calls began! A merely bad weather scene had become a seriously dangerous one and that the parking lots at the show were already under six feet CONTINUED ON PAGE 86

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 62 Dog News

HARRISBURG PHOTOS BY JEFF MORGENSON

Sierra Rising & J to the ohn Top!

MULTIPLE BREED WINNER AND GROUP PLACING

GCH. VALHALLA’S ASCENT AT ROCHFORD SIRE: BEST IN SHOW & BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW WINNING CH. ALPINE’S SUMMIT AT ROCHFORD, HOF, AOM, HR DAM: CH. ROJON’S KIZMET V VALHALLA, ROM

Owners: Lourdes Carvajal and Janet Quick Breeders: Darlene Bergan and Sarah Wooten

Handled exclusively by: John Gerszewski

Dog News 63

Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) Around the holiday season David Powers, Mike Buckley and I got an inquiry to see if we would be interested in judging the Eurasia show in Moscow on March 26th and 27th, 2011. Since I had never been to Russia this inquiry was the highlight of the Christmas season. I immediately replied YES.

ometime around the middle of January, Alina Lyapina, who works for RKF started a long line of communications with David, Mike and me. Communication with foreign assignments always seems much more difficult than our domestic assignments. The whole system is different on how they deal with hiring judges and with a foreign speaking country there can be a bit of a language barrier. Right now I am communicating with a Spanish speaking country and the country in question thinks I am a lady, since I am addressed Miss in English and Senora in Spanish. When they receive my photo I certainly hope they will realize the error. Luckily we have a close friend in Moscow who speaks English with Mike and me and Spanish with David. (Ed. note: You mean David Powers does not speak English!!) He was very instrumental in helping to make our dealings with Alina much easier. Like a lot of foreign assignments there seems to be a barrage of communication and then lulls. In this case the lull was caused by the RKF who normally only pays the cost of the hotel for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. I am sure the reason is that the vast majority of the judges live somewhere in Europe and it is easy for them to fly to Moscow during the day on Friday. For David it would entail about 28 hours door to door traveling time coming from Los Angeles. Just from New York late in the afternoon I could not get in to Moscow until the following evening. There was no way the three of us were willing to arrive Friday night after traveling an entire day and would have been in good shape to judge on Saturday. Also if international flights were delayed it could be 24 hours or more and the entire first day of judging would be missed. If it had been another country I would not have been so willing to have worked on the negotiations of the condition of RKF. For over fifty years I have been fascinated with Russia. Growing up in America, Russia or the Soviet Union were such a large part of our day to day

life. We were in the “cold war” and there was always the threat of war breaking out which would have been World War III. Never having been to this part of the globe it would be a totally different culture for me. By the end of February, Alina had gotten all the details worked out that they would pay for the hotel for Thursday night in lieu of the 35 euros that we would receive for each of the fees for judging days. The hotel is very expensive and the 140 euros would not have paid the hotel for Thursday evening. With foreign assignments I do not CONTINUED ON PAGE 88

BY DESMOND J. MURPHY 64 Dog News

*Number Four overall,

Dog News 65

TRUE NORTH (Strong and Free) Here it is known that no self respecting Canadian would ever not go outside “because it is too cold!” but snow 27 days into the ﬁrst month of spring? Mother Nature must be angry!

s the dog show scene here in Canada gets off to a promising start with many shows seeing an increase, even if slight, in their entries. Even the Canadian Kennel Club seems to have good news in it’s reports to members. All things are seemingly moving in the right direction. Dog shows have now been held in all the provinces in Canada with the exceptions of Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Ontario saw increased entries at the previously reported Purina National, Northern Ontario had a nice entry at the 6 shows they hosted. Nova Scotia saw bigger entries at the Cobequid Dog club with its improved venue and all the way back to the West Coast the Renaissance Kennel Club hosted 4 all breed shows that were a huge success. So from coast to coast the Canadian Dog scene seems not only to be alive but booming as well! The Renaissance KC was held over 4 days in April. There were 4 All breed dogs shows and 15 specialties including the National Specialties for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bouvier Des FLandres and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. As well there were regional specialties for Newfoundlands, Alaskan Malamutes, Boxers and Siberian Huskies. Juniors were also given center stage as the Junior handling zone ﬁnals were held for both Zone 11 and Zone 12. Both winners will go on to compete at the Nationals which are being held in Winnipeg Manitoba in August of this year. Winner of Zone 12 was last years National winner Shianne Hamilton who proudly represented Canada at Crufts this year. Winning the best in shows here were the Alaskan MalaCONTINUED ON PAGE 100

BY ALLISON FOLEY 66 Dog News

Ch Mytuk’s Technical Knockout, Best In Show at Renaissance Kennel Club.

Dog News 67

ver since the conformation dog sport ﬁrst captured the passion along with the imagination of those inspired to breed and exhibit ﬁne animals, many of those same people found themselves irresistibly motivated to write about their experiences, sharing their knowledge via the printed page.

es, from Stonehenge to Stander, dog fanciers have always made it their business to “read up” and keep up with the ever changing tapestry of the dog world. Even when our own version of the information super highway was just a dirt track pockmarked by wagon ruts, we dog people have always made keeping informed a top priority. Books, magazines, pamphlets and newsletters have all had a share in the ongoing, enhanced sophistication of our community. Today it really shows. Also significant is the roster of those who have set themselves the honorable task of expanding the pool of knowledge for all who sought to learn. Whether it was breed books or texts on management, training, breeding or the numerous subjects that we all need to digest to be the best dog people we can be. Many of the earlier titles have long since achieved the rarified status of “collector’s items” and are greatly prized today. But it is the people who put their knowledge on paper since the beginning of the 20th Century that deserve special recognition. What follows will attempt to do this. During the first half of the 20th Century, Captain Will Judy published and promoted a number of breed books and general titles.

Our Literary Legacy CONTINUED ON PAGE 104

BY SEYMOUR N. WEISS 68 Dog News

MULTIPLE GROUP WINNER

GCH. BARKSHIREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Nick of Time Thank you Judge Mr. Del Richards Group First

Thank you Judge Mr. Jon R. Cole Group Second

Owner/Handler: Christine M. Pesche Tehachapi, California

Barkshire Kennels Neenah, Wisconsin

Co-Owner: Jane Collen Neenah, Wisconsin Dog News 69

RARE BREEDS OF THE WORLD

Sarplaninac- Yugoslavski Ovcarski – Macedonia CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

one of the founding members of the NonAligned Movement. After Tito’s death, rising ethnic nationalism in the 1980s to the 1990s led to dissidence among the multiple ethnicities within the republic, which led to the country collapsing on ethnic lines which were followed by wars with ethnic discrimination and numerous human rights violations. The Republic of Macedonia occupies the western half of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. In A.D. 148 Macedonia was defeated by Rome and became a Roman province, by 395, Macedonia was ruled by the Byzantine Empire. In 1371 the Ottoman Turkey took possession of the land, and the Turks dominated Macedonia for the next five centuries. On Sept. 8, 1991, Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia and asked for recognition from the European Union. The country became a member of the UN in 1993 under the provisional name of “Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” which was changed simply to Macedonia. Violence between Albanians and Macedonians erupted in March 2001, and the government sent troops into the heavily Albanian section of the country. After six months of fighting, the rebels and the Macedonian government signed a peace agreement that allowed a NATO force to enter the country and disarm the guerrillas, and giving broader rights to its Albanians, and Albanian became one of the country’s two official languages. Macedonia is defined by a central valley formed by the Vardar River. The rugged terrain is located between the Sar Mountains, and Osogovo. Three large lakes – the Ohrid, (This is the largest and most beautiful out of three tectonic lakes-18 miles long, and 945 feet deep. With its unique flora and fauna characteristic of the tertiary period (2-4 million years ago), Ohrid is one of Europe’s great biological reserves. (In 1980 Lake Ohrid was proclaimed by UNESCO as a locality of the world’s cultural and natural inheritance),. Prespa, and Dojran lakes lie on the southern borders. The region is seismically active and has been the site of destructive earthquakes in the past - most recently in 1963 Skopje was heavily damaged by a major earthquake, killing over 1,000. Skopje – the capital city - is the cul-

70 Dog News

tural hub of Macedonia and, therefore, is home to many of the most important museums. One of these is the Museum of Contemporary Arts created as part of the reconstruction following 1963 earthquake. Large park areas, which contain many sculptures, surround the museum. The Skopje Jazz Festival has been held annually in October since 1981. It is part of the European Jazz Network, and is a member of the International Festivals and Events Association. Of course there is the famous Macedonian cuisine with its Greek/Turk inﬂuence. There you will never have a coffee other than the Turska Cafa which took me a long time to be used to. The barbecue (cevapcici, and razsnici), the gibanica (a salty cheesecake), the ajvar (egg plant paste) the dance, and the balalaikas’ music, the famous artists (ﬁlm director Peter Bogdanovic, and the late actor Karl Malden - born Mladen George Sekulovich - included). The joy of life, and at the same time the old regional disputes between the several ethnicities makes the whole package worth to be opened, seen, heard, and tasted. The general public would never realize the existence of the place Shar-Planina if wouldn’t be for its own dog breed. The Sharplanina shepherd is a (MacedonianYugoslav) dog bred from the North-West part of Macedonia. This is a wonderful site, and previously in the city of Tetovo at the foothills of Shar Planina Mountains were the Turkish Pashas had built their harems enjoying the place’s climate, and fresh air. Sar Mountain has the largest compact area covered with pastures in Europe, and is a country of lakes and mountains. The mountains have 27 glacial lakes, and the place has always been densely populated. The cattle breeding is the most important way of living of the inhabitants, and without their guard/shepherd dogs this would be an almost impossible task to accomplish. The Sarplaninac is an ancient breed of dog that originated in southern Kosovo, and the northwest part of Macedonia. In 1939 the breed was registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale initially as the Illyrian Shepherd dog – Sarplanina (later shortened) after the Sar Mountains, where the breed is most common. The American Rare Breed Association published the standard in 1970

naming it as the “Original and Valid Standard”. The Sarplaninac dog of today - due the geographical isolation- is the result of close inbreeding, and mating also with the local’s wolves. During the years of evolution the dogs became tough, rough, excellent and often aggressive guardians, accepting only one master, who is considered as their ownership. This is a very intelligent and independent breed but never too amicable toward strangers. Make no mistake he is perfectly capable to differentiate the amicable from the unfriendly approach. Kind of ‘”if we are provoked; we are in business”. The Sarplaninac is considered to be one of the oldest and original Molossers believed to be possibly 2500 years old. Although the exact ancestry is unknown there are some theories as to descending from the Molosser dogs of Epirus the ancient tribes’ dog that centuries ago inhabited the Balkan Peninsula. It is possible that these dogs even came from the great Tibetan Mastiffs who most likely developed from Tibetan wolves. The years of many wars in the Macedonian territories the breeding of the Sarplaninac almost totally stopped. Thanks for the successful exports around the world in the 70’s the breed has escaped the imminent extinction.

he Sarplaninac is a large breed of dog that measures from 22 to 30 inches and weighs 77 to 140 pounds. The dogs have a thick double coat measuring up to 4 inches long, very dense and evenly distributed allowing the dogs to live outdoors in the worst weather. The coat colors include: Iron grey, white, tan, red and black. Due to their superior guardian characteristics these dogs are also used by the military, police, and border patrols. Very courageous they fight often with mountain lions, wolves, and with Balkan bears. They are highly intelligent dogs, and choose their friends carefully and trust no one completely. They are more responsive to their own code of proper behavior than to accept commands from humans. The Sarplaninac is very loyal to his master. Usually very calm in most situations, the Sarplaninac can be very ferocious in their efforts to protect the flock or their family. This dog will never retreat and in most cases will fight to the death. This breed of dog is not for the new or weak dog owner, and constant training and early socializing is necessary for the dogs to be manageable. The Sarplaninac is slowly but firmly gaining the much deserved recognition around the world as a hardworking and very versatile member of the family. Our readers can find the complete standard at the F.C.I - Fédération Cynologique Internationale’s site, and the CKC = Continental Kennel Club, and the ARBA. = American Rare Breed Association. .

GCH. BOCA ROYAL PALMS SMARTY’S GOLDEN GIRL Multiple Best In Specialty Show Wins and Multiple Group Wins

“ CHLOE“

Thank you for recognizing our girl! • Group First - Lakeland Winter-Haven Kennel Club - Judge Ms. Rita Biddle, Esq. - February, 2011 • #1 Best In Specialty Show - Southeast Florida Boxer Club Specialty - Judge Mrs. Sandy Orr - March 11, 2011 • #2 Best In Specialty Show - Southeast Florida Boxer Club Specialty - Judge Mrs. Cheryl Robbins - March 11, 2011 • #3 Best In Specialty Show - Tampa Bay Boxer Club Specialty - Judge Mrs. Dorothy Collier - March 12, 2011 • Group First - Palm Beach Dog Fanciers - Judge Mrs. Mildred Bryant - March 13, 2011 • Group Second - Atlanta Kennel Club - Judge Mrs. Faye Strauss - April 16, 2011 • #4 Best In Specialty Show - Georgia Boxer Club Specialty Judge Mrs. Cheryl Robbins - April 17, 2011 Owners/Breeders: Gloria Bower, Jack Bower, Alan & Joanna Dorfman Handler: Kay Palade-Peiser Website: www.bocaboxers.com • Email: Bocaboxers@aol.com Gloria Bower (941) 627-1898 (941) 740-1069 • Alan & Joanna Dorfman (248) 361-3061 Dog News 71

A Nation of Pet Lovers Loses Its Way CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

group of exactly the same ilk as HSUS, with a similar agenda and the same attitude toward dog breeders and purebred dogs. I think it’s hard to judge just how the British dogowning public feels about pets and pedigree dogs these days. Pedigree Dogs Exposed seems to have certainly had a very negative effect on the perception of purebred dogs and dog breeders. A list member of the Pet-Law e-mail group looked up the following comments following stories about dog shows or dog breeding in the British popular press, but comments like these are easy to ﬁnd on British web sites: http:// www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/07/ crufts-kennel-club-vets-inbreeding • Dog show-breeding stinks. The people who breed these dogs don’t give a toss for their animals’ welfare, no matter what they say. • The people who breed those dysfunctional monstrosities ought to be jailed. *There’s only one breed: DOGS (read: cross-breeds, mongrels). Those which are given the label “breeds” are inbred mutants (sic). • These kennel clubs are disgusting. The poor creatures are just status symbols for the owners and nothing else; owners who are usually loners - childless, anti-social, eccentric, vain, pompous creeps who are completely ignorant of biology. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1363354/ Fiona-mongrel-spot-bother-Crufts-Impure-dalmatianangers-traditionalists-elite-pedigree-dog-show.html • Those dog breeders should be ABSOLUTELY ashamed of themselves!!!!!!! • Crufts breeders can be disgusted all they like, the reality is the rest of the rational thinking public is disgusted with them for breeding dogs with deformities and health problems! • These people are beneath contempt • Then quite simply these people are not dog lovers, if they would rather have a sick and deformed dog than a healthy dog. I used to want to go to crufts as a child, as a dog lover, now i wouldnt touch the place. • What utter morons these dog breeders are, more concerned with “correctness” than the welfare of the dogs they breed as usual. * Some of these dog breeders really sound like a bunch of Nazis !!! Try to imagine if the same practices were applied to creating genetically pure breeds of humans . . . oh wait, that did happen, in WW2 by . . . the Nazis !!! As mentioned, comments like these are by no means rare following stories about dog shows or dog breeders or breeding in Britain. There are virulent attacks online about pedigree dogs now, since the ﬁlm Pedigree Dogs Exposed. Just how common this feeling was prior to the documentary, I don’t know, but Britain does not seem to be a friendly place for dog breeding these days. It’s possible this is a very

vocal minority, but there are few people writing in defense of dog breeders or pedigree dogs, at least online. As if this kind of bashing weren’t enough, it’s not unusual to see headlines like this one in the popular British press: “Nation of animal lovers? Study shows 10m pets suffer mental or physical stress.” http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362392/Animalloving-nation-10m-pets-suffer-mental-physical-stress. html Is that really possible, you may ask? Out of a nation with approximately eight million dogs, and eight million cats according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association in Britain http://www. pfma.org.uk/statistics/index.cfm?id=83&cat_id=60, this study claims that 10 million of these pets are suffering mental or physical stress? Of course, this study, conducted by the PDSA (Never heard of it? Apparently it stands for pets in need of vets, but I can’t ﬁgure out the acronym), claims far higher numbers for cats, and includes rabbits in the study. They also sell pet insurance. http://www.pdsa.org.uk/ I’m not quite sure how they are a charity. They take people to task if they don’t feed a commercial dog food; and they are very unhappy if animals are left alone for more than four (yes 4) hours per day. I’m not sure how people are supposed to leave the home and work to buy pet food. They claim that rabbits are “neglected” and forced to live on their own, which leads to boredom and stress. In short, they have their ideas about how pets should be treated, and they want to bash millions of pet owners who have different ideas. This sort of sensational report is common in Britain and it makes front page news. All too often it seems to lead to changes in the way people actually think about animals and treat them. It can even lead to legislative changes — all based on ideas that are pulled out of the air, with absolutely no science or experience to back them up. There can even be misstatements of facts in these reports, such as the disagreement about the pet population numbers above. Could it possibly be that the RSPCA, groups like PDSA, and others are following in the footsteps of Jemima Harrison and Pedigree Dogs Exposed? They have seen that the more they can rile the British public about animals, the more they may be able to cash in on the public’s concern for animals? I think it’s true that the British are great animal lovers. It’s just a shame that they have been led so far astray that so many of them no longer recognize when they are being taken for a ride. They think dog breeders are their enemy, and pedigree dogs are mutants. They take advice about caring for pets from organizations like the RSPCA which seizes pets, and the PDSA which has very suspect ideas about how animals should be treated. Whatever happened to British common sense?

Itcanevenleadtolegislativechanges—allbasedonideas

THATAREPULLEDOUTOFTHEAIR, withabsolutelynoscienceorexperiencetobackthemup.

72 Dog News

Our Appreciation to Judge Mr. Jon Cole

Dog News 73

A Salute To Old Dogs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50

he was going was with me. So, when it suddenly dawned on me that not only had Bob hit double digits and both of us were sprouting about the same amount of grey hair and the Social Security Administration was making a monthly deposit in my bank account, it didn’t exactly take a Mensa member to understand that, in the poignant lyrics Maxwell Anderson penned for “September Song,” When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, one hasn’t got time for the waiting game. There’s something very satisfying about living and hunting with an old dog especially when you are something of an old dog yourself. There’s no upstart puppy foolishness to exasperate you to the point where you are certain the dog is destined to be worth less than two dead flies. He spends much of the off-season snoozing on the pillow beneath my desk where he can keep an eye on my activities. As long as the keyboard is clicking, he knows there is no need for his skills. That’s one of the good things about old dogs. They are easy to please and they radiate gratitude. Sure they don’t tear around the house like someone lit their tails on fire and when they go out to make a retrieve it is a far more deliberate action than it was when they were two. Those wild, crazy, furiously fast runs are for young dogs. But you can watch old dogs sleep and you can step over them like a bunched-up throw rug that is always in the wrong place without bothering them. They don’t leap to their feet the second you reach the point of no return in the step-over and deposit you athwart the coffee table the way young dogs do. If you are vacuuming the carpet and they happen to be in the way and don’t feel like moving, well, you can just slide their bed, dog and all, to a more convenient location or simply vacuum around them. That’s not to say that there is no action when you live with an old dog. Occasionally they’ll gambol about like a newborn foal or do some silly puppy thing just to remind you of

Bob’s not the greatest show or ﬁeld competition dog to ever consider the living room couch to be his personal napping area. 74 Dog News

He finds a comfortable spot to sit on the carpeted floor where he can poke his head out of the end of the blind to serve as a long-range search radar although the “enemy air” in this case yodels, has brown spots on its “underbelly” and flies in massive but sloppy formations that an old Navy pilot friend scornfully calls “same day, same sky” flying.

what they were when they were young. When we’re hunting geese, Bob knows there is nothing for him to do when we set out decoys so he sits quietly by my shotgun, back pack and the swivel chair I use in my haybale blind and waits. His is a calm and steady presence that says, “When you’re ready so am I.” When I do get into the blind, he follows and finds a comfortable spot to sit on the carpeted floor where he can poke his head out of the end of the blind to serve as a long-range search radar although the “enemy air” in this case yodels, has brown spots on its “underbelly” and flies in massive but sloppy formations that an old Navy pilot friend scornfully calls “same day, same sky” flying. The dog’s goose detection skills are something to behold, honed by years of hunting. He has them targeted long before I’m even aware they are in the neighborhood let alone getting close enough for a shot and as long as I’ve remembered to put my contact lenses in that morning, I still have 20/20 vision, at least where flying geese are concerned. But, just to remind me that he’s not turned into “Mr. Dignity,” every now and then he’ll barrel out and back on a retrieve like he was two again and then take two or three parade laps with the bird just to show off. Frequently it takes hunters a long time to realize and appreciate just how skilled their dogs really are with “hunters” meaning anyone who hunts with a sporting breed, hound or terrier. No doubt the same is true of people who compete in herding, agility, obedience, tracking or do carting or Schutzhund work with their dogs. It is easy to take a fine dog for granted, seeing their day-in, day-out season-after-season performances as commonplace when they are really quite extraordinary. Bob drifts over the frosted wheat stubble, methodically seeking the wisp of scent that will lead him to a downed goose he did not see fall taking it on faith that you have some vague idea CONTINUED ON PAGE 121

Best In Specialty Show Winning

Grand Champion CAS Cobo Haul Eudora AOM FLASH ck Ba o t k c Ba irsts F p u o r G uri o s s i M ia Columbnel Club Ken

Group First - Judge Larry G. Kereluke Owned by Cindy Smith & Ronnie and Chris Ann Moore www.akitascas.com

Professionally Handled By Chris Ann Moore bisacd@aol.com *Akita, The Dog News Top Ten List, Breed & All Breed

Dog News 75

The

GOSSIP Column T

he SACRAMENTO KENNEL CLUB, is one of those city/country shows that offers the best of both worlds. Good restaurants and hotels and a very laid back atmosphere at the show grounds. It also coincides with Spring, so with the warm, sunny weather the flowers and trees are busting with blooms. The biggest surprise and the best part of the Sacramento weekend was the long awaited return of the unsinkable TAFFE MCFADDEN. Her first outing since her surgeries looking better than ever, and one would never know the ordeal she had been through. MATT STANDER always called her TUFFY, and she has lived up to that name. Welcome back… Unlike warm and sunny Sacramento, this weekend’s HARRISBURG dog shows which had to cancel their Sunday and Monday events due to the rainy weather. My veterinarian made a contribution to CORNELL UNIVERSITY in memory of my dog which passed away. It had a double effect as it was an act of kindness to me and financial donation to a worthy institution. If you recently lost a dog or just would like to donate to the University, the address is BAKER INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NEW YORK 14853. LESLEY & EDDIE BOYES and several little Boyes are off for a week in Hawaii. RON MENAKER is off to judge in Budapest. The Wednesday April 20th edition of the WALL STREET JOURNAL had a feature written by

BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS 76 Dog News

MIRIAM GOTTFRIED titled When a Pug and a Beagle Fall in Love, It’s a Puggle. She goes on to explain not to call these dogs mutts. So you may be interested to know that the most popular of these mixed breeds are the goldendoodles, cockapoos, puggles not to mention the cavachons, shih-poos, schnoodles and shorkie tzus. To me they are just very expensive mutts, regardless of how they are described by the AMERICAN CANINE HYBRID CLUB. At the last meeting of the board of directors of the American Kennel Club, the directors were seated on diﬀerent committees. The one committee that people are always curious about is who sits on the Appeals Committee (not that any of us ever get into suspendable situations). So ﬁle this in back of your mind, the three-member committee is chaired by BILL NEWMAN with LEE ARNOLD and PAT SCULLY. Celebrating Birthdays… JENNIFER STEVENS, CAROL SIMONDS and daughter JAN SIMONDS, GERARD HUGHES, MADGE FISH, ROBERTA DAVIES, MARLENE DEPALMA, BARBARA BEISSEL, GINGER SCOTT and husband RAY SCOTT, JEAN FOURNIER, BRYAN MARTIN, JOHN RAMIREZ, STAN FLOWERS, MICHELE FEDERMAN, POLLY SMITH, DAWN HANSEN, JEANNE POPOVITS and NICHOLAS VIGGIANO. Happy 25th Anniversary to Dog News’ Creative Director SEAN K. GAFFNEY and his wife LORRIE! Wishing you all a Happy Easter or Passover or whatever.

That which go’s around come’s around GCH. RIVERSIDES TWO SISTERS OWNER WENDELL SAMMET “DALMATIA”

“SISTER”

AMERICAN & CANADIAN C H . B O O T B L A C K F R O M D A L M AT I A 1950

M U LT I P L E G R O U P A N D S P E C I A LT Y W I N N E R

CO-OWNER - RICHARD BAKER

HANDLER - RICK KRIEGER Dog News 77

Veterinary Ethics &Animal Rights CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54

should have input into breed standards. First they would not perform the elective surgeries required by breed standards, and second, they want to oppose breed standards that “cause disease, impairment, or discomfort for the animals.” This could lead them to oppose breed standards for toy breeds that suffer tooth loss and subluxing patellas, Giant breeds with Bloat and bone cancer, brachycephalic breeds with breathing restrictions and whelping problems, osteochondrodysplasic breeds with dwarfism, or extreme white breeds with deafness. This is the first place that I have seen where the goal is having vets actually oppose the standards that we breed to. Item6. Towhatextentisitmorallyappropriate for veterinarians to assist or participate in methods of rearing food animals that restrict the natural behavior of such animals? Let’s get real. Building fences restricts the natural behavior of animals. When the west was fenced with barbed wire, the entire goal was to restrict the free ranging of cattle. And Animal Planet is advertising a new show called “Hog Wild” that depicts the current war on wild pigs. These are pigs with unrestricted natural and very destructive behaviors that are spreading across the United States. I prefer hog farming to having to go out and shoot pigs for pork. Although the landowners with infestations of wild hogs would be happy to have you shoot them. When we build fences and kennels we restrict the natural behavior of dogs and now AR legislation is turning up that wants to restrict our ability to confine our dogs. I want new owners to have good fences. The AR folks apparently want them to have none. Item 7.” Is it morally appropriate to engage in practices (e.g., not using anesthesia during the removal of the tails of pigs or the castration of pigs and cattle) that are painful to patients but are desired by clients for economic reasons?” Actually I am surprised that anybody hires veterinarians to dock pig tails or castrate pigs and cattle. I thought that was what old time cowboys did without the aid of veterinarians. But perhaps the vets want in on that practice like they do on the tooth cleaning which is also often done by non vets. One way of expanding a vet’s practice is to require vets to perform procedures that are now being done by non vets. How many calves and piglets would die if they were anesthetized for castration and tail docking? It is customary practice to dock tails

and remove dewclaws from puppies without anesthesia. Does anybody really want to anesthetize a day old puppy for these procedures? Doing so would be life threatening to the puppy. And finally Item 12 “How should the profession respond to those who seek to end animal research or who advocate measures (e.g., prohibition of the use of abandoned pound animals) that can curtail research or increase its costs?” I call this the “be nice to AR folks” ethics issue which is not really an ethics issue at all. Veterinarians should respond to all of the AR proposals by saying that the AR folks are not their clients and that vet ethics do not concern the AR community, no matter how much they want to create new AR-based ethics for our vets. One of the Journal of Social Issues articles was titled,”The Movement Is My Life: The Psychology of Animal Rights Activism” by Harold A. Herzog, Jr. Mr. Herzog spent three years interviewing in depth twenty three ground roots animal rights activists. He would up with 400 pages of transcription and some of my favorite AR quotes: Bernadette said, “Take, for example, fleas on my dog. I don’t use toxic chemicals on my dog to get rid of fleas. Instead, I try to pick them off and put them outside. I know they do not feel pain or anything, but I feel it is important to be consistent. If I draw the line somewhere between fish and mollusks or something, it isn’t going to make sense.” I thought that dog fanciers would find that amusing. Then there is the ultimate problem of what an AR person can eat. If animals are off limits, how about killing plants? Gina, a graduate student, said, “I cannot draw a line in my mind. I try to do as little damage as possible, but if I don’t eat plants, I can’t live. I have to eat something and it is the least evil. I guess even plants are a dilemma to me to some degree.” Herzog said that “Several participants mentioned that they had given serious thought to the notion that consuming fruits and nuts is preferable to a vegetarian diet composed of plants that are killed through the act of harvest.” This makes the AR folks the ultimate right to life believers. They don’t want animals, or plants killed. This overlooks the fact that everything that lives dies: plants, animals, and people. There is no way to avoid death for any living thing. Instead of necessary end to life, AR folks seem to think it can be somehow avoided.

Whenwebuildfencesandkennelswerestrictthe

NATURALBEHAVIOROFDOGS... 78 Dog News

Rottweilers R Loved Coalition Dog News 79

THE TAIL DOES NOT WAG THE DOG

A reply by Catherine Thompson to “A Tale of Tails” printed in Dog News, April 8th Edition) (Catherine M. Thompson has been in Rottweilers for over 40 years, is a charter member of the American Rottweiler Club (ARC), past President of the ARC, Chairman of the ARC 1990 Standard Revision Committee, Illustrated Standard and AKC video committees and co-author with Linda Michels of The Rottweiler: Centuries of Service.)

The American Rottweiler Club Tail Docking Committee no longer exists. A Standard Revision Committee is now looking at possible changes to the Standard. For a comparison of opinions, please re-read the April 8th article in Dog News reprinted by Linda Michels to compare to this reply.

Compare this to the original Standard in the United States in 1935: “Tail should be short, placed high (on level with back) and carried horizontally. Dogs are frequently born with as short stump, and when tail is too long (emphasis added) it must be docked close to body.”

The Rottweiler We Recognize Close your eyes and visualize a Rottweiler without tan markings but with a tail. If all you see is a Bull Mastiff or Labrador Retriever, either you have a poor specimen of a Rottweiler or have not studied in detail the Standard for the breed in this country and elsewhere in the world. If you live anywhere in the world other than the United States, and not even here to some extent, the dog you visualize as a Rottweiler may in fact have a tail. Whether that dog wagged his whole rear end or his tail when greeting you at the door makes him no more or less a Rottweiler as described in the Breed Standard concerning structure and temperament.

1979: “Tail: normally carried in horizontal position - giving impression of an elongation of top line. Carried slightly above horizontal when dog is excited. Some dogs are born without a tail, or a very short stub. Tail is NORMALLY(emphasis added) docked short, close to body. The set of the tail is more important than length.”

History of Docking the Breed While references are made in Ms. Michels’ article to hunting breeds and injuries, those arguments are not applicable to the Rottweiler. There is no scientiﬁc support or documented evidence that Rottweiler tails were docked for “hygiene reasons”. There is no empirical data despite assertions to the contrary that stock dogs’ tails if left natural would be so fouled with feces in the barn yard that they would become sore, cut, infected, and result in the injury or possibly death of that animal. To assert that docking prevented “cruelty” and even death to working dogs, is simply not a supportable opinion. However, there does appear to be agreement that avoidance of tail taxes was one of the primary reasons of docking. The Neurological Development of Puppies The descriptions of manners in which tails are docked on puppies are not in dispute by the author. While the development of a puppies neurological system may be debated (as it relates to the effects of docking) there appears to be no dispute that docking an adult dog is major surgery and can certainly affect the balance of the dog. Docking is not allowed after seven (7) days by the American Rottweiler Club which obviously precludes that procedure being performed by ethical breeders on adult and/or imported animals. Rottweiler Structure A tail does not alter or set structural type. The tail set is determined by the structure described in a standard for the croup. Despite assertions to the contrary, the Standards for the ADRK (the German parent club), the FCI, and the AKC have not always described a dog that needed a docked tail. 1901 ADRK Standard for “Tail”: “very frequently a stump (congenital and always preferred); otherwise strong and of medium length, brush tail carried high and curved like a sickle.”

80 Dog News

Below is a vintage era photograph from 1908 showing what appears to be a natural “bob” tail approximately 8 inches long. (Additionally please note the structural changes which have occurred in the Rottweiler since 1908 from head to toe.)

Adding a tail to the current Standard and structure of a Rottweiler would require no changes structurally in the breed’s croup, the top line or description of movement. Simply put, the proof is in the pudding, and history. Below are two (2) photographs; one of a currently well known dog in Europe exemplifying what any breeder in this country would love to have in movement, type, and structure. Please note the dog has a tail. Below that, is a picture of one of his daughters born in this country, with a docked tail. The last 13 years in most of Europe, and longer than that in other countries including Sweden, have demonstrated that while their Standards have changed to add a tail, no other structural Standard changes have been necessitated as a result. The dogs being shown in Europe today with tails have the same Standard as before docking was banned. No structure alterations, changes, or deviations have occurred in the breed or in their Standards. Should anyone think that adding a tail would “lessen the Rottweilers’ ability as an endurance trotter” look again at the picture above. European dogs currently work and compete at a high

to change to accommodate an undocked tail. The tail and croup sets we have today may in fact be hiding from the public what some might not like to see namely, a tail that would not be “pleasing”. Regardless of whether the tail is pleasing to someone’s eye, if the current structure of the dog as desired allows it to be an endurance trotter and to perform weight pulling functions such as carting, then the set and look of the tail should be of secondary concern when compared to function. Breeding for Tail Type Ms. Michels’ beliefs that tail selection would result in breeders abandoning other structural “positive traits” for a better looking tail is simply that, a belief ...opinion. Only an unthinking breeder would overlook healthy, correct structure and temperament . . . for inferior animals with the desired tail. Further, to base decisions on the breed structure out of fear that some breeders might “break” tails to obtain a desired carriage is not the point. That practice would be a travesty for the breed but again, competent and ethical people would not do this. Rules cannot always be put in place to stop unscrupulous activity. For example even today the current policy of some to exclude natural tails from the ring has already created a problem in the form of docking adult dogs which are imported so they may be shown in the AKC ring and become “profitable” to the owners, without having to admit that they do not mind a tail. They have the genetic “merit” to be bred to, but those same breeders are ashamed to have them in the ring (or are afraid of losing to an inferior specimen solely because their exhibit has a natural tail). Tail Injuries Other than a few instances in actual hunting dogs, there is no documented evidence that where tail docking has been banned, there has been an “astounding increase” in injuries of previously docked breeds. This is mere speculation for any and all breeds other than some dogs actually used in hunting. The argument that docking at 2-4 days old to “prevent” possible injury in life would be tantamount to saying that we should amputate limbs early to avoid the potential of getting osteosarcoma. In actuality, the odds of a Rottweiler getting osteosarcoma are much greater than a tail injury. level in the sport of Schutzhund and in other venues throughout the rest of the world with a tail. For some to assert that adding a tail alters the structure of the breed such that they cannot perform the work they were originally bred for, is simply not supported by any empirical data or science. In fact, such beliefs are disproved by the dogs and Standards utilized in Europe today and the unchanging nature of the breed other than the tail being kept in a natural state. The drawings in Ms. Michels’ article showing a dog with various croup and/or top line faults with a tail added are simply that, drawings. Close your eyes and imagine for a minute that those drawings are the same except no tail. I am sure you will recognize that those faults are currently existing in the breed in this country and can be seen to a greater or lesser degree in show rings around the country every weekend. IT IS NOT THE TAIL THAT ALTERS THE STRUCTURE. The structure is created by the decisions of breeders which determines top line and croup .Keep the structure in the Standard which exists today and allow the tail to “fall where it may”. The problem is that because most domestic dogs are not docked at the present time, no one knows exactly what the tails are going to look like on “traditionally” docked breeds. However, you can gain a good idea of what that will be by looking at the docked tail set of the dog as it moves in an alert condition. A great many of the dogs with the often desired dead flat topline preferred by some breeders, will likely result in tail sets which are higher than currently described in the Standard. Is that wrong? Maybe, and maybe not. The “slightly sloping” croup described in the current standard is also not inconsistent with a tail set we could live with here, and as displayed in the photographs above. To presuppose that dogs with tails must necessarily be altered structurally in order for them to continue working in carting or endurance trotting is a false premise disproved by recent history of the breed around the globe since most docking was banned. In this case, hindsight is truly 20/20 . There are numerous other breeds in the varying groups that perform many of the same endurance trotting and/or load pulling jobs as have historically been attributed to the Rottweiler. Many of those dogs have tails and croup sets, depending on the breed and its standard, which may be longer or shorter, but all are slightly angled. Again, the tail does not wag the dog. There is no scientific basis for the belief that a Rottweiler’s desired croup and tail set would have

Summary The Rottweiler as we know it today, in fact, has not been the same dog over the last 100 years. Please look again at the picture of the 1908 dog compared to current animals with and without tails. Please review again the original ADRK Standard as well as subsequent AKC Standards for the breed noting that various descriptions of what a tail would look like are included. The words “normally docked” seem to have always been used when describing the need to shorten a natural “bob” tail. This dispute is not about ending docking of the breed in this country. Most people will continue to prefer the “look” of a docked dog. It may take many people some time getting used to the look of a tail in the ring next to their docked dog. This is about choice . This is about good, solid reasons for allowing dogs with and without tails to compete equally. This issue should not be about essentially “banning” dogs from the ring or severely penalizing them to the point that potentially good genetic stock is not allowed to be evaluated in the ring (one of the AKC’s stated mission goals for conformation shows is the evaluation of breeding stock). Choice is the future. Fear of change is not a good reason to preclude that choice. History has proven that some of the fears of what “might” happen to the breed were tails again allowed to remain on dogs are unfounded concerns. Dogs with tails around the world, including now in the United States, are no less capable of working or performing the functions they “traditionally” did.... and have required no structural alteration to the Standards to accommodate those tails. In conclusion a quote from another well known individual in the Rottweiler Community in this country states it succinctly and was truly prophetic: “In the United States, we have a tremendous responsibility to maintain this marvelous breed and one way to do that is to keep the AKC-approved breed Standard as close as possible to the FCI/ADRK Standard.” (Klem, Joan R. Rademacher, Susan C., The Rottweiler Experience, page 85 New York : Howell Book House, 1996) The FCI /ADRK Standards have included a natural tail for well over a decade.

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TREIBBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58

achieving the game’s goal. Bonus points or demerits can be accrued depending upon the dog and handler’s team performance. The dog can earn bonus points in 15-second increments deducted from its total time or demerits in 15-second increments added to its total time. Delivering the point ball first earns bonus points in beginning and intermediate level competition as does driving from the start position with the handler using only one to three verbal commands. The better the communication between the dog and the handler and the faster the game progresses, the more bonus points that can be earned by the team. Grounds for demerits include the dog using its paws to drive the ball, biting the ball, moving the ball from the wrong side of the triangle, barking disruptively, etc. The handler can receive demerits if he/ she does the following: steps into the field more than an arm’s length of the goal: approximately 18- to 24-inches; corrects the dog verbally or with a gesture; or uses his/her staff to drive the ball into the goal instead of using it to guide the ball in after the dog delivers it to the goal line. Disqualifications include the following: if the dog destroys any ball by biting it--the equivalent of killing the sheep in herding competition; and, if the handler exerts any pressure on the dog for the third time in a run or punishes it verbally or physically. The diameter of the balls used in competition ranges between 25-centimeters for small dogs and up to 85-centmeters for large dogs. The balls used must be appropriate to the size of the dog competing. Open to All Breeds “We’ve had Papillons, Cairn Terriers and Standard Poodles in our classes in addition to Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. Any breed or mixed breed may compete in Treibball, but the herding breeds may have a bit of an advantage,” says Stearns. “That’s why herding breeds and mixes compete against each other, and all other breeds and mixes compete against each other.” In response to the growing interest in Treibball in this country, Stearns and a Board of Directors founded The American Treibball Association (ATA) in August 2010 to establish the sport in the United States. ATA is its only sanctioning body in America. “We founded the organization to promote the sport as a positive reinforcement communication vehicle for dog owners and trainers and to establish rules in English for the American market. With the interest in Treibball growing rapidly across the U.S., we wanted to provide a competitive structure for the sport here so owners could compete and have their dog’s performance judged against other dogs.’ We’re building a network of regional trainers who will teach the sport, train trainers, and host and judge regional competitions. “ATA is a non-profit, 501c (3) member organization with membership available on three levels. People may just be a fancier who

Gina Biernat and Sakara, Sakara using her shoulders to bring the point ball to the goal. (German Shepherd Dog) 82 Dog News

Timmie Schones and Izzie, with Izzie in position to drive. (Australian Shepherd) wants to play with their dog. They may be a trainer who wants to teach Treibball. Or they may be a breed or training club that has a dedicated trainer that teaches the sport and wants to host competition.” ATA offers four levels of sanctioned competition that allow dogs to earn the following titles: American Treibball Beginner (ATB), American Treibball Intermediate (ATI), American Treibball Excellent (ATE) and American Treibball Champion (ATCH). Titles only may be earned in competition at sanctioned ATA Trials. A dog may acquire a title by earning a total of 15 points in its age or breed group, at three different matches under the aegis of two different judges. At ATA advanced level trials, there are changes in the course. Not only would the judge determine the order of the balls to be brought to the goal, but natural and manmade obstacles may be included in the playing field to create herding challenges. Obstacles might include trees, rocks, folding chairs, screens, etc. Oddly shaped balls that don’t roll as well as fitness balls also may be used or the balls may be weighted, i.e., filled with water or sand. Weighted balls are more difficult to move and thus present a greater challenge to the dog’s skill. Benefits of the Sport Like Nijboer’s Australian Cattle Dogs, lots of people own dogs that have an abundance of energy. Treibball classes and competition are a great way to burn it off because they provide lots of exercise. “The sport is mentally tiring as well because it’s a ‘thinking’ or problem-solving game dependent upon effective communication between the dog and the handler. The handler must give really good direction and the dog must really focus on handler. Our students, who also do Flyball or Agility, tell us their dog’s focus greatly improved after taking a Treibball class.” The sport is similar to Agility in that the handler directs the dog’s movement around the course except there’s no physical stress on the handler. In Treibball, the handler stays put while the dog does all of the running. That makes it a great alternative to Agility for handlers, who have bad knees or hips and thus aren’t up to racing around an obstacle course alongside of their dog. “Treibball also is a team building sport between the dog and handler. Because the handler’s goal is calm, consistent control of his dog, the dog doesn’t need to be hyped up like it would be before an Agility or Flyball run. Because dogs must work at distances of up to 25-ft away from their handler, Treibball increases reliability off-lead as well.” For more information Those interested may visit www.americantreibballassociation.org Beginning and Intermediate level Treibball Manuals, which are clickerbased training curriculums, may be downloaded at the site. Dogs participating in Treibball may be viewed on video at YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/americantreibball An in depth, 4-page history of the sport’s development may be read at www.Natural-Dogmanship.com

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