TerrierGroup Spring 2024

Advertisers • Spring 2024

Muriel Lee

TerrierGroup Editorial

With signs of Spring in the air, everyone is hopeful that the show scene returns to the days before COVID, and masks took over our lives. However, two to three years have passed and life still has not returned to what we used to consider normal, but we look forward to a welcoming spring, budding trees, green grass and summer time flowers! Not to mention getting our youngsters out into the show ring, getting the veterans spruced up with new coats, and bringing home some ribbons and rosettes.

Westminster Kennel Club’s show is coming up on the weekend of May 11. The show will be held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I notice that tickets are almost sold out at the time of this writing, so get busy booking a seat if you plan to attend. This should be a great venue, easy to navigate, clean and comfortable…a true change from some of the previous sites. AND, a May weekend when there will be a spring breeze and a welcoming, place where you will see and meet up with old friends. Attend, with or without your dogs, and have a good time!

In this issue we welcome a new writer, who not only can write but has built the “better” stripping knife. Some of you may already have a few of them in your tack box. We are very pleased to have Nelson (Skip) Begeot Jr., join us as a new writer. Skip not only makes terrific stripping knives but is also an artist. We will feature his knives in this issue and in the next issue we will have an article on his art work.

Janet Tomlinson, historian for the Scottish Terrier Club of America, has done a terrific job for the Scottish Terriers in amassing a huge amount of Scottie history, pedigrees and photos, and sorting them into a proper order so that historians in the future will have easy access to whatever information that they may be looking for. Janet has an article

in this issue full of information for other national clubs who are looking for ways to store (and sort and sort…) their club history.

Various articles have appeared about dogs and terriers in the English and Scottish newspapers and magazines. Bits and pieces of them will be mentioned here. From The Guardian: “Scotties out, Bernies in – the nation’s favorite breeds. The Kennel Club is monitoring the Scottish Terrier breed after the number of puppies being born dropped to only a few hundred a year…The Scottish Terrier has been immortalized as a Monopoly piece, a mascot for Radley handbags and an emblem for Walker’s shortbread. But its place in history appears to have done little to secure its future. The Kennel Club will designate the breed “at watch” after only 406 puppies were logged by breeders last year. In its heyday in the late 1930s the Scottie was the third most popular breed in the country, behind Wire Fox Terriers and Cocker Spaniels.”

In the UK, the Kennel Club keeps a list of “at watch” breeds which first appeared in 2018. They monitor breeds of British and Irish origin that have fewer than 450 annual puppy registrations since 2004. This is the second time the Scottish Terrier will be placed on the at-watch list, first appearing in 2018.

During Westminster week the William Secord Gallery will be open to those who are interested in purchasing an outstanding work of canine art. Although Bill lives primarily in Palm Beach, his long-time assistant Gallina is on hand to assist. William Secord Art Gallery, 29 West 15th St, fourth floor, New York 10011.

Notes from King Charles and Queen Camilla, and their dogs: The King has been a terrier fan since at least the early seventies. Spirited, cheeky Jack Russells are his and Queen Camilla’s thing. She is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home where she rescued two Jack Russells in 2017. “Dogs are great levelers. They don’t care how much money you have in the bank. They’ll love you for who you are; or deliver a snub, just the same. And there’s no breed quite so irreverent as a Jack Russell.

You don’t train Jack Russells, you negotiate with them. They don’t need you like a doe-eyed Labrador might, and they don’t care what you think.”

All of you readers, have a wonderful spring and early summer, get the wins and when you do, don’t forget to put an ad in our magazine with Reita.

Muriel Lee TerrierGroup Editor

Good news from our European correspondent, Olga Forlicz, from Crufts - winning breed with her Sealyham KEVIN - Forlegd Onward Tai Lung - bred by Fredrik Åhs and Olga Forlicz, owned by Wiktoria Winowicz and Olga Forlicz

Standing Your Ground; Why Do We Spar The Terrier?

The art of sparring terriers in the show ring is a captivating and time-honored tradition that showcases the unique qualities and skills of these remarkable dogs. This practice, which involves carefully choreographed interactions between terriers, not only highlights their physical prowess but also demonstrates their intelligence, agility and temperament. In this essay we will explore the art of sparring terriers in the show ring, examine its historical significance, the arguments for its continuation and the benefits it brings to both the dogs and to their handers

Sparring terriers in the show ring is a carefully orchestrated display of the breed’s characteristics where dogs engage in simulated mock “combat” without causing harm. This practice has deep roots in the history of terrier breeds and serves as a testament to their working abilities. While some argue that sparring terriers may perpetuate aggression, proponents believe that it is an essential part of preserving the

breed’s heritance and showcasing their unique qualities.

The art of sparring terriers in the show ring has its origins in the working history of breeds. Terriers were originally bred for hunting and vermin control, requiring them to possess tenacity, courage and a strong prey drive. By simulating a “stare down” in the show ring we pay homage to their historical purpose and celebrate their innate abilities. This practice allows us to appreciate the terrier’s natural instincts and the skills that have been honed over generations. Topline, flatten tails are up and each exhibit is waiting for the other to “blink.”

Sparring terriers in the show ring is an effective way to evaluate and maintain breed standards.

Judges can assess the dogs’ conformation, temperament and overall suitability for their intended purpose. By observing how terriers interact with one another, judges can determine if they possess the necessary

qualities, such as fearlessness, agility and a strong desire to work. This ensures that breeding programs continue to produce terriers that embody the breed’s essence.

Note: SPARRING IS NOT FIGHTING. There is a difference between a dog pulling itself together to look at another dog and perhaps challenging it; there should never come a time where one observes a dog flinging itself at another with teeth barred and hackles raised in an effort to harm the opponent. This is aggression and should never be rewarded and should be avoided at all costs.

The art of sparring terriers allows us to witness the unique qualities that set these dogs apart. Their intelligence, quick thinking and ability to strategize becomes evident as they engage in simulated combat. The controlled environment of the show ring provides an opportunity for terriers to demonstrate their agility, strength and their determination. Through sparring, we can appreciate the breed’s exceptional qualities and understand why they are highly regarded in various working roles. In order to fully evaluate the spar, you must understand each individual breed’s temperament.

For example, a Soft Coated Wheaten is a happy, alert dog that would likely wag its tail and approach another exhibit with curiosity. A Lakeland terrier is a pack animal that is deemed mischievous and friendly. You are likely to see a bit of “horse play” when sparring and shy, sharp and disagreeable dogs are to be penalized. The Lakelands should get along with one another

and other breeds. In contrast, the diehard Scottish Terrier has a heads up, tails up attitude. It says in the breed standard “while they are gentle and loving with other people, they can be intolerant of other animals.” Care and precision must be used in sparring diehards!

In the showring terriers engage in carefully choregraphed interactions that simulate combat. They display their agility by swiftly dodging their opponent’s advances, showcasing their abiity to think on their feet. Their strength is evident as they challenge one another, demonstrating their physical prowess. The terrier’s determination is showcased as they persistently pursue their opponent, never backing down from a challenge. These examples highlight the unique qualities that make these dogss exceptional in their respective roles.

The art of sparring terriers in the show ring is a practice deeply rooted in the history and purpose of these remarkable dogs. By simulating mock challenges we pay homage to their working heritage and celebrate their unique qualities. Sparring terriers allows us to evaluate and maintain breed standards while showcasing their intelligence, agility and determination. While some may argue against this practice, it is essential to recognize that sparring terriers in the show ring is a testament to their exceptional abilities and serves a platform to preserve their breed’s legacy.

PHOTOS: Melanie Feldges

Choosing A Stud Dog

As a breeder evaluates stud dogs at any dog show, how does he/she choose the best match for a specific bitch? Liking the “look” of the dog may not be the best approach. A specific dog may influence not only the get of one’s brood bitch, but the future of the breed. A stud dog who manages to “mark” his get in a positive way can have a positive impact on his breed. He can be used at stud many times compared to the limited number of litters a bitch whelps.

There are two basic approaches in choosing a stud dog. The first approach at stud selection is based on phenotype (physical attributes). The second is based on genotype (pedigree).

Selecting a dog based on a genotypic approach involves examining and selecting on the basis of the qualities (expressed genes) in the pedigree of both the dog and the bitch. This is a decidedly more scientific approach and is endorsed by anyone who has a foundation in genetic research. An approach that is purely genotypic would ignore the phenotypic characteristics. Such an approach would mean that the expressed characteristics of the mating pair would be ignored, and the pedigrees and how those pedigrees match up would be the sole determinant for breeding. Such a breeding would be classified as either inbreeding, line breeding or outcrossing.

An “inbreeding” is defined as breeding a closely related Terrier no further separated in the pedigree than one generation, such as breeding a sire back to his daughter. This involves concentrating the genes to one or more dogs and reduces the number of different hereditary combinations that can enter into the offspring.

A “line breeding” involves matching a stud dog with a bitch on the basis of pedigree, but not as tightly as inbreeding. This system involves breeding a bitch to a dog with which she shares a common ancestor. The purpose of the line breeding is to accumulate the genetic contributions of one prototypic dog/bitch. It is important that breeders who choose to line breed do so with outstanding ancestors.

The “outcross” involves mating a dog to a bitch with which no common ancestors are shared. This practice/ process/ strategy is actually rare in some breeds with a limited gene pool. If one traces the matched pedigrees further back in generations, a common dog can usually be found - again in those breeds with a smaller gene pool. However, we see outcross breeding with some Terrier breeds, because of the more diverse bloodlines available, both in the U.S. and other countries.

To lean strongly toward the phenotype approach involves selecting a stud dog who matches the bitch’s observable characteristics. One needs to be cautious with this approach for the breeding may produce the observable characteristics, but also the genetic negative qualities known in the two breed specimens. The ideal breeding would be a combinatory approach involving the use of dog and bitch and combines the observable qualities with one’s knowledge of each contributor’s pedigree, focusing on line breeding analyses. With any breeding, one should choose a sire that is dominant where the bitch is weak. Dominant sires tend to be closely bred (linebred) and stamp their physical attributes on a large share of their progeny. A dominant/ ‘prepotent’ sire can greatly improve one’s breeding program and can also impact the overall quality of the breed.

This article was previously published in a Cairn Terrier Club of America’s publication.

Jo Ann Frier-Murza

In the not-so-distant past British vermin hunting dogs carried broad identifiers like “wee Scotch Terrier”, “rough coated terrier dog”, or “fox terrier” which were enough to include most of the isle’s earth-quarry hunting or rat hunting dogs. Gradually, from the start of dog shows in 1859 through Victorian times, terriers were classified, identified and described into most of the distinct breeds we know today. These little warriors left the field and separated from the hunters who originally cherished and protected their working traits and became the darlings of the show world and the focus of a new pet owning craze. In today’s world the need for hunting terriers in our American landscape is limited, while their charisma as family companions and participants in organized sport keeps them in the forefront of popularity.

Those wonderful characteristics of strength, courage, tenacity, energy, curiosity and good looks are loved by all of us who keep these “bad boys” in our lives.

Underneath that charm is the hard-hitting protector of the barnyard and the hunting companion to the foxhounds and otterhounds. Terriers retain the hunting gene from their past as well as the size, coat and demeanor of the vermin eliminator they once were.

Fortunately for owners and terriers alike, there are some organized dog sports which celebrate those ancient instincts and reward the dogs in whose genes the need to hunt still lingers.

Sport for Earthdogs

Oldest of the terrier field sports is the sport of Earthdog. Most of the terrier breeds come from heritage stock who primarily hunted vermin underground to protect livestock, crops and food storage from damaging wildlife. In history and in some modern times as well, terriers entered the burrow of a fox, otter or badger, confronted it and drove it out, held it at bay for diggers or killed it.

In the late 1800s Germans developed an artificial den system for training their earth hunting dachshunds. That system has evolved into training for hunting dogs and trials for terriers all over Europe and we have an American form of the activity in the US. Started

by the American Working Terrier Association in 1971, and evolved into a more complex sport by the AKC in 1994, earthdog events are safe and fun for terriers.

Time and again people report that their pet terrier responded instantly to the opportunity to simulate a hunt and that the tightly wound terriers later became more relaxed and calm at home. Hunting is something that dogs do for themselves, and having that chance seems to relieve that genetic drive that can be misdirected when it is neglected. New owners of rehomed or rescued terriers have also raved that their sometimes withdrawn pet became animated when in the field, and the bond between the new team was strengthened by sharing a hunting-type activity.

Although dogs need a chance to gain experience with gentle guidance and discover their skills in a gradual way, Earthdog event behavior constitutes mostly the release of natural behaviors where latent genes are strong. There is little training involved and days at field sports with your terrier are going to be relaxed, fun and rewarding.

Your dog will be working with a different part of his brain and loving the freedom to do so.

Beginner dogs can be introduced to the scene at a practice or fun day or taken directly to an AWTA

or AKC event. The first level of classes are designed for beginners and first timers. The lowest level class consists of a scented 9-inch square wood tunnel, 10 feet long with one turn. At the end of the tunnel resides the quarry. Not a fox or badger, as the ancestors faced, but a rat in a cage, protected by wooden dowels. No one gets hurt and the terrier is able to show his eagerness to engage with the quarry.

As the classes progress, the tunnels become longer and darker inside, with side tunnels, obstacles and new distracting scents. The upper level classes in the AKC progression add new features which more closely simulate the natural hunting experience that the dogs crave. Each time a dog tries an advanced Master Earthdog course the parameters change a little bit, depending on the time of year, vegetation or geology of the region, the creativity of the judge, the natural wildlife in the area and the weather. Each variation makes the day a challenge to the dog’s problem solving process as well as hunting skills. Not much changes for the handler because the handler’s role is mainly backup. Careful observation of the terrier’s work leads to a strong team and mutual respect in the field.

Sport for Vermin Hunters

All terriers have been prized for their vermin control skills. Their primary target has always been the common rat. This rodent has been a scourge to mankind worldwide since time immemorial.It is said that the adaptable beast is

Jo Ann Frier-Murza

responsible for more human deaths than all wars combined and accomplishes this by spreading disease, destroying crops and other farm products, eating and fouling stored food and compromising human dwelling places. Naturally, many methods for terminating these destructive creatures were legion and included the farmyard dogs as agents. Terriers were so skilled that their masters found sport in competing in rat killing extravaganzas in the urban rat pits fueled with rats captured by professional rat catchers.

Pegging rat control to modern times, there are still amazing opportunities to hunt rats with terriers in the twilight caverns of the modern city alleyways. Anywhere where people live, rats live in abundance and they are adept at evading

most kinds of control. However, a stroll through the alley behind restaurant row on an evening will offer satisfactory sport for any terrier and modern rat catcher.

Perhaps more to the liking of the average terrier owner, the Barn Hunt Association, LLC, has created a controlled, ring-based sport based on the timeless rat hunting skills used by ratters in times gone by. After studying the preliminary activities of a number of individuals and groups “hunting” encapsulated rats, in 2013, the BHA vastly expanded and formalized a new sport called Barn Hunt. Since then this all breed sport has grown in epic proportions and has become one of the most popular sports available to terriers.

Barn Hunt venues are controlled for the safety and comfort of the dogs, exhibitors and the quarry rats, thus making them one of the most pleasant places to exercise the hunting instincts of a terrier.

Bales of straw are spread, stacked and leaned in a large fenced ring. Among these bales, perforated PVC tubes housing rats are carefully hidden in a way that simulates rats hiding among the bales and equipment of a barn. Dogs are turned loose in the ring and along with their handler, roam the area attempting to pick up the scent of one or more lurking rats. Although the dog has free access to the entire ring, the handler is restricted to staying away from bales, observing the dog or guiding the dog with voice or hand signals. The team must alert the judge when a rat is found.

Terriers love this venue! They take full advantage of their freedom to climb, leap, sniff, dig and paw, explore at top speed and bark if they must!

It is a virtual amusement park for vermin hunters! In spite of the terriers’ strong intent to terminate their quarry, the rats are safe and sound inside their PVC homes and everyone is ready to protect their world from rocking unnecessarily. The tubes are wedged between bales and hidden under loose straw. As they are found

the dog is quickly restrained and the tube is removed from the ring, freeing the dog o continue the hunt for another rat, none the wiser that his enemy has been safely relocated.

As in the Earthdog sport, Barn Hunt newcomers are invited to participate in an introductory class where they have every opportunity to discover their instincts and acclimatize themselves to the straw underfoot. Once they discover their quarry and receive praise and recognition for success, their confidence shoots up and they gradually become ready for the more difficult titling classes.

As the class levels advance, more bales are added, the mandatory tunnel under the bales increases in length, and there are more rats to find. Just to make sure the dogs are really hunting rats and not abandoned rat nests, some of the tubes contain dirty rat bedding and these increase as well.

In the highest class, the RAT Master Class, there may be 100 bales, stacked four high in places, hiding up to 10 tubes. The hidden rats may number between one and five, randomly decided by the judge. The handler-dog team hunt the area and the handler must identify when a rat is found and when the dog has finished searching, or has “cleared the barn.” Respectful quiet among spectators always explodes into cheers and clapping when a handler calls “clear” correctly.

What will be your next step?

Embrace your terrierness as a fancier of the Terrier Group. Get your terrier and head for one of these two events which celebrate the unique character and practical hunting physique of the premier vermin hunter among dogs. Enjoy your day in the hunt field from your dog’s viewpoint and you’ll have the most unusual of days -- the first of many more to come!

For more information: www.akc.org/events/earth-dog/ www.barnhunt.com www.awta.org

Mary Larson

A Look at Books

Doctor Dogs: How our Best Friends are Becoming our Best Medicine

by Maria Goodavage.

Doctor Dogs takes a look at the varied ways in which dogs, through their noses, are assisting humans to make their lives better. This is especially evident in a University of California-Davis study showing that dogs trained to help people with mental health problems ranked fourth, behind the guide dogs for the blind, the mobility assistance dogs and dogs that are trained to help the hearing impaired, in leading better lives. And that is just the beginning!

Dogs have been trained to be alert to seizures, multipurpose superbugs and bacteria in hospitals, PTSD patients, along with being trained to act in a crisis or a disaster. In addition, there are ongoing studies in which dogs are equipped with vests that speak… and this is just the beginning of dogs’ capabilities. The author, in gathering her information, traveled the world interviewing researchers, trainers and people who depend upon these dogs for their day-to-day livings.

There has been a large amount of research as to how dogs noses are able to sniff out diabetes and cancers, and it comes down to the odor people give off that is different from other odors. It’s like the old Sesame Street song, “One of These is Not Like the Others.” These special dogs learn to sort out scents for diseases from individuals that are disease free. Using their sense of smell also helps a dog indicate if an individual is about to have a seizure. The same can be said for dogs that raise an alert for an autistic person, whether it is a child or an adult.

Doctor dogs can bring comfort and peace during times of agitation and they have also given comfort and strength to people suffering from mental illness and PTSD. The dogs actually use their bodies to help people relax. And there are more chapters in the book that are devoted to the powers of the dog in their quest to help people function and prosper in our world.

Not to be missed is the introduction, which gives readers a glimpse into the contents of the book. For those with a scientific bent, the author includes the sources she used to research her work. And not to be forgotten is the index, a source for immediate information. As I told my sixth-grade social studies students, “The index is your friend.” Incredibly readable, the index is a time saver.

Maria Goodavage’s book makes us happy that dogs became our friends thousands of years ago and for that reason, give your dog a hug and a treat - perhaps two treats!

Barnes & Noble – Paperback $18.00

Amazon – Paperback- $15.17

Jr.

A WINNING STRIPPING KNIFE

I don’t know about you, but I have an addiction…no matter what I get into it always seems to require tools. Metal working, woodworking, leather…etc. My barns have more tools in them than I could ever use and it should come as no surprise that when it came to my dogs, I needed more grooming tools.

I got started with my first Airedale. I didn’t know about hand stripping, or the time required to groom them properly, however I did find out that there were tools to buy and that I did. Classic, Greyhound, Sally stones, Mac knives, Mars and the list just goes on and on. Each tool had its own unique twist for grooming. We all have our favorite tools and they may even change at times. What can probably be agreed upon is that they need to be comfortable to use and at least make us feel confident in using them. Or… maybe you just like to collect grooming tools!

Skip Begeot

I started off with a course and fine classic carding knife, a Mars 320 and 329 knife. Slowly over time I picked up several other tools that were suggested, especially some good brushes and combs to get the hair into position for grooming, such as a Greyhound 3 in 1 knife and a muck raker. I quickly learned about not cutting hair with a sharp blade. Fortunately, I have had some great mentors and friends that recognized my desire to learn and they have provided me with advice and instruction on proper use.

By this time my curiosity to find a tool that didn’t cut hair had kicked in. I used natural and metal stones from various sources and they seemed to work, but there was still a problem. Due to nerve damage in my hands and arms I would continuously break the natural knives by applying too much pressure on them and the grit on the metal ones wore off after a couple of uses. The worst part was the shape of the knife caused my hands to cramp and hurt and I needed something that fit my hand more comfortably.

Being a longtime maker of hunting knives, I started working on different designs and I showed these to several friends to see what they

thought of them. Some of these concepts did not progress any further along so designs I kept tweaking. The funny thing is, the tool that I didn’t think was anything special, turned out to be the one that was a big hit!

I had taken a piece of 1/4 inch key stock and modified it into a usable tool that didn’t cause my hand to ache and fatigue. It was plain steel at that time and had a straight point on one end and a curve on the other and I used it for a couple of years. One day Dale Burrier happened to see it while we were grooming and he suggested that I bond grit to the end of it like the infamous pink stone, only now in metal. This would grip the hair and not snap it into two pieces if you looked at it wrong or dropped the tool. With this suggestion,, and a little ingenuity, I created several tools.

I decided it would be a good idea to have some people test them and get their opinion. I asked a group of fellow Airedale enthusiasts and friends that I trusted to be the “BETA” testers. Dale and Kim Burrier, Janet Baker that live near me, Heather Roozee, Sheila Tay Radcliffe and Devon Allen. It was also suggested by Dale that I should consider making a few more to give to some professional handlers.

Nelson

After a couple of weeks I talked to each to get their input and I was overwhelmed with the responses as they all really loved the new tool! The one comment I received was that the length was a little too short for a larger hand and I adjusted the length and that fixed the problem. Without the help of these individuals, I wouldn’t be making these tools today.

In December of 2019 Heather Roozee asked if I would like her to put them on her FB page and see how they would do. I thought sure maybe I could sell a few. She posted a video in the early evening talking about them and to contact me for any information. Unbelievably by 11 PM that night I had inquires from all over the USA and five other countries. I had so many requests for information that my phone died.

Not much later, Sheila published a YouTube video and went crazy extending the news of this new tool around the globe. I have thanked these two many times for helping me succeed in this endeavor as that word wouldn’t have moved so fast without them. I was overwhelmed with the response! I also have to give Dale Burrier credit for the name. Somewhere in the midst of the FB explosion he threw in the term “Skipper Stripper” and it stuck as if welded to the tools themselves.

The original “BETA” version was all steel with an advanced hi-grade marine resin epoxy to hold on the grit. This wasn’t the way I wanted the tools made, but Covid hit. I was getting a company to do the brazing and scintillating processes to adhere the grit to the metal that I wanted, and this was impossible to find and it took months of research to find a company that would be able to do the grit application processes at an affordable price. Additionally, I wanted to create a stone made of lighter material so the larger tools were not as heavy as the steel examples. I finally found a small family-owned company in southern United States that could provide the application processes I needed. With this accomplished we started making the tools I had envisioned in both steel and aluminum.

A true cottage industry, it was my wife Ginny and I doing all the initial work…the manufacturing of the tools, applying the grit

and shipping them worldwide. Since then, we have expanded, brought on a company to apply grit, and added distributors in four countries outside the USA. In Canada we have Canadian Grooming Distributors, in Australia we have DGS Imports, the Netherlands is Bellis Dog Store and in the U.K. we have Petcetera. Ginny and I still cover the USA and other countries not covered by our distributors.

I never realized how many breeds were hand stripped in part or in whole. The users of my stripper have far exceeded what I had envisioned in wire coated breeds and I would recommend them for both the beginner and the professional. This is a stone style tool that is going to last for a long time with little wear and not break when dropped or knocked off your table. If you have one of my tools, thank you for your support and if you don’t have one and have questions, you can contact me on FB @ Skip Begeot.

Nelson “Skip” Begeot Jr. is the creator of the “Skipper Stripper Grooming tool” and owner of Airerun LLC

Nelson (Skip) Begeot Jr.

TG Janet Tomlinson

WHAT MAKES A HISTORIAN

When you hear the word “history,” you might go back to Grade 8 in your mind and think of how hard it was to remember all those war dates and what years someone ruled where. These are important things to learn in order to graduate, but did you realize there are many different types of historians? For instance, if you weren’t in love with Scotties, would you know there is a historian specific to this breed?

A historian must have many communication skills, including research skills, problem-solving skills, and a good handle on writing skills. Analytical skills are also of importance since a historian must be able to examine information and data and draw logical conclusions from them, as well as in addition to collecting photos, facts and statistics.

I suppose all this sounds very boring to you, and you are thinking of moving to a different article. I want you to know that I was so excited and honored when Muriel Lee asked me to write an article about historians. Now, everything I think of writing sounds anything but noteworthy and are things that you couldn’t find out yourselves by researching Google if you were at all interested. So, I guess it boils down to this: It takes a special person who would make a good detective to become a historian and a love of their subject matter.

Catherine Owen of the UK is most likely the top historian for Scotties in the world. Although her mother, Mrs. M. Owen, was not a historian, she created a large collection of material for Catherine to get lost in. Her mother could never understand how Catherine could spend days in libraries and frequently asked what Catherine was looking for. Catherine shared her

response to that question with me as being, “If I knew, I wouldn’t be looking for it!”

Historians are required to answer questions about the past. They need a collection of books on their subject of choice. More importantly, they need the ability to perform research, since they have to determine if a previous writer is accurate in their statements or just copying someone else’s error and/or assumptions.

In my early years as historian, I copied a bit of info about the Scottie being called Skye, Scots Terrier, Tod Hunters, Highland Terrier, Cairn, Die Hard, Poltalloch, Aberdeen, broken-haired, to name a few, in the 15th century. After researching many books, I came across a passage that cleared up the “The Tod Hunter” as actually being the gent who was hired by the town locals to keep the rodents, foxes, vermin, etc. at bay. He would use a pack of Scottish Terriers and was given the title of Tod Hunter, which usually came with housing and food for pay, along with being well-respected and highly regarded within his community.

Political, social, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, religious, medical, intellectual, and even military developments are all part of history. “Professional” historians usually specialize in a particular subject or aspect of history. My passion is for the Scottish Terrier and their very rich history, along with

the “detective” in me, makes me love being a historian for this breed.

While researching I came across this motion amongst some old documents: 1967

SUBJECT: STCA’S FIRST HISTORIAN (ON RECORD)

DATE OF MOTION: February 13, 1967 Page 3, Paragraph 3

MOTION MADE BY: Mr. Robert C. Graham

SECONDED BY: Col. Richard Weaver

MOTION: “… we have a ‘CLUB HISTORIAN’.”

NOTE: It was suggested that Mr. Robert A. Marshall be asked to do this and to make movies, recording and keep records up-to-date. “Motion carried.”

Historians that year (1967) were a committee made up of three historians: Robert A. Marshall, Jackie Seelbach, and Marjorie Cohen.

In the years since 1967 we have had many historians for the Scottish Terrier. If you own a handbook/yearbook on this very special breed, you might have guessed that much of the materials and information in these books comes from the historian at the time of its being written. For example, lovers of this breed have been blessed with the works by our very own, Muriel Lee, one of the historians that stands out as top researcher and engaging writer who still honors us with her talents.

If you go to STCA.biz you will find some terrific information about the Scottish Terrier. You will also find a pedigree database for the Scottish Terrier with over 224,000 dogs in it, to which you can add your dog to, along with a photo of your dog. If you don’t find your dog there, just mail me at aerohillscotties@gmail.com, and I will be glad to add any Scottie. Show dogs and pets are both welcomed.

I am inputting the 1930’s into the pedigree database at the moment and interesting history really jumps out. During 1929 through 1933 there were many imports from the UK to the USA and Australia due to the war years and breeders being requested to put their animals down rather than have them suffer due to lack of food availability. Many of our American Scotties can be traced back in history to the UK during these years that are certainly famous in and of themselves with regard to the history of the World, itself.

So please think twice before you throw out that old magazine, award pamphlet, or yearbooks. Contact your breed historian first or the archivist at AKC.org or, at the very least, try turning it in to your local library or if it is a big collection, your local university where historians of the future may look to find that next clue. •••••••••

Sources: Google, Bagpipers, Terrier Types, STCA records, AKC Stud Books, Catherine Owen, Dogs Of Scotland

Theresa Nesbitt

Native Irish TerriersThe Pluck of the Irish

I had the good luck this year to spend my St Patrick’s Day at the Dublin Show Centre attending the traditional opening day show for the Irish Kennel Club. Ireland is passionate about their purebreds and understandably proud of the nine native Irish breeds. A feature of the show is a parade of the best of breed winners along with a wee bit of breed history with trivia woven in.

It got me thinking about the terriers of Ireland - the Kerry Blue, the Irish, the Glen of Imaal and the Soft Coated Wheaten, and the characteristics that distinguish them from the bulk of the other terriers of the British Isles.

In Great Britain (England, Scotland and

Wales) terriers were bred to be specialists at vermin eradication and hunting of small mammals in specific terrain, and often after specific quarry. They frequently burrowed underground or in the rocks in pursuit of quarry…thus a small, short legged earth dog was highly valued. In contrast from parts of the Britsh Isles, Ireland terriers acted as generalists so the typical “form follows function” dictum doesn’t fit. Irish farmers used terriers for a variety of purposes including vermin control, driving livestock, herding sheep, hunting, guarding property, companionship and even “nanny duties.”

Glen of Imaal Terriers from Abberann Glens • Theresa Nesbitt

For modern-day working terriers, only the Glen of Imaal is permitted to compete in American Working Terrier trials and the Kerry Blue and Soft Coated Wheatens are allowed to compete in AKC Herding Dog trials.

The native breeds of Ireland include the dogs of the gentry - a sighthound (Irish Wolfhound), a scent hound (the foxhound sized Kerry Beagle), the gun dogs (Red Setter, Red and White Setter and Irish Water Spaniel) - as well as the farm dogs of the peasantry and poor. These farm dogs evolved into the modern Irish Terrier breeds.

It’s an undeniable truth that the 800 years of English rule and subsequent Irish rebellions influenced the development of the terriers of Ireland. This began with the Norman invasion in 1171, but there was only minimal impact on the native canine population until a much later date.

In 1649 Commander Oliver Cromwell brought his “New Model Army” to Ireland to quash still another Irish insurrection. Cromwell was permitted to compensate soldiers with Irish land. It’s likely that this is how the single retrogene common to all achondroplastic breeds (Bassett Hounds, Corgis, Dachshunds, etc.) ended up in Ireland. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is the only dwarf breed native to Ireland. It’ s believed to be a very old breed that existed in geographic seclusion in the Glen (valley) of Imaal nestled in the Wicklow mountains. Undisturbed by outside influences the modern Glen of Imaal Terrier has

stayed an old-fashioned breed as stated in their standard “Unrefined to this day, the breed still possesses “antique” features once common to many early terrier types.”

It wasn’t just soldiers that Cromwell left behind after reconquering Ireland. As a devout protestant Cromwell instated the “penal laws” which sowed the seeds of religious divisiveness that has plagued Ireland for centuries. The Penal laws are very much like apartheid except instead of suppressing the majority population with extremely punitive edicts based on race, the penal laws subjugated the majority Irish Catholic population using religion. Penal laws barred Catholics from owning land, voting, holding public office, possession of firearms or serving in the armed forces, and teaching. The Irish peasantry was not allowed to own a horse or a

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (right) Bluestar WheatensJennifer Langguth • Orla Fire of the Hearth showing proper Irish coat (below) - Nancy Draper.

Native Irish Breeds

dog worth more than five pounds, or to own any dog over 19 inches at the shoulder. Dog ownership was also heavily taxed and proof of payment was a docked tail.

As a result, dogs owned by the farmers and fisherman of Ireland tended to be medium-sized with short or docked tails. They performed a variety of duties, a veritable jack of all trades. What developed over time were several geographic clusters of landrace “terriers” that with selective breeding became the longlegged terriers of Ireland.

The first clear example of this was the development of the Irish Terrier near Belfast. The racy red daredevil dog we know today was heavily influenced by the dedicated efforts of William Graham. He promoted his distinctive terriers at so many dog shows outside of Ireland that he became known as the “Irish Ambassador.”

The Irish Terrier Standard was drawn up in 1879. The breed enjoyed great popularity in Ireland and England and were the first members of t he terrier group to be recognized by the British Kennel Club as a native Irish Breed. The first Irish Terrier was exhibited at Westminster in 1881, when the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed. The breed was felt to be quintessentially Irish - fiery in looks and temperament - earning them the nickname that has lasted centuries - “The Daredevil.”

But the worldwide appeal of the Irish Terrier soon took on a more ominous tone; they became the dog most closely associated with World War I. It began when retired British officer Colonel Edwin Richardson considered that dogs could be quite useful on the battlefield, particularly in delivering messages. They were faster and more agile than human soldiers and were much harder to catch or kill. In 1917 Richardson established a War Dog School in association with the British War Office. Col. Richardson believed Irish Terriers to be the ideal war dog - spirited, brave and intelligent. They were highly recruited and beloved by the troops. They were called “Micks” and they served as more than messengers. In the grim trenches these entertaining charmers did much to boost morale.

The popularity and service of the Irish Terrier proved a near death sentence for the breed in the aftermath of the war. Over 200,000 Irish

Irish Terriers from Thunder Winds Kennel

soldiers fought for the Allies under British leadership, but Irish Nationalism was at a peak in the wake of the Easter Rising in 1916. Neither the humans nor the brave red dogs faced a warm welcome back in their homeland. Meanwhile, in the rest of Great Britain, the distinctive Irish Terrier became a symbol of a war they wanted to put behind them.

The sharp decline in Irish Terrier numbers was balanced by a massive burst in the popularity of the Kerry Blue Terriers. At this time the Kerries were closely associated with the struggle for Irish Independence. The Blue Terrier Club formed in 1918 became a convenient meeting place for many of Ireland’s young revolutionaries. The club held their first show in Dublin in 1920. The show was notable in that one of the exhibitors was the notorious insurgent Michael Collins who had a £10,000 price on his head.

In the following year, Michael Collins signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty on behalf of the provisional Irish Government, ending British rule in the 26 counties of Ireland. It took only months before a bitter civil war broke out in Ireland. Collins found himself fighting against many of his old comrades in arms, but he still found time to draft papers to officially recognize the Kerry Blue Terrier as Ireland’s national dog. These plans, as well as many others, ended with the assassination of Collins in 1922.

Michael Collin’s passion for the Kerry Blues

resulted in a huge surge in popularity that continued for many years after his death. Following the success of the Blue Terrier Show in Dublin in 1920, the club decided to have an all-breed show the following year on Saint Patrick’s Day. There was an entry of more than 250 Kerry Blue Terriers - certainly an enviable number today!

The show was momentous for two reasons. First of all, it was held without the required license from the British Kennel Club. Secondly, it took place on the same day that the British Club held their own show in Dublin. The all-breed show was a smashing success. The Blue Terrier Club became the Irish Kennel Club. Every year the Irish dog show season opens with the St. Paddy’s Day show in Dublin - the tradition I was so thrilled to attend this year.

Kerry Blue Terriers from Turbo Kerry Blue Terriers

Dangers that Lurk in the Dirt

Poisonous Plants and Trees

Plants That Are Poisonous to Dogs

Autumn Crocus: A plant that blooms in the fall. This purple to white flowering plant is extremely toxic, causing gastrointestinal bleeding, severe vomiting, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory failure.

Begonia: A perennial flowering plant often used in planters can cause mouth irritation and difficulty swallowing when ingested.

Chrysanthemum: Sometimes called Mums can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, skin rashes, and loss of coordination. It is not lethal.

Daffodil: A Spring flowering perennial, can cause severe vomiting, drooling, tremors, respiratory distress, convulsions, and heart problems. Ingesting the bulb can cause more severe symptoms than any other part of the plant.

Foxglove: This biennial is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its vivid colored flowers. Ingestion of any part of this flower can cause cardiac failure and possibly death.

Geranium: Also commonly known as cranesbills. Over 422 varieties of this common plant can cause lethargy, low blood pressure, skin rashes, and loss of appetite.

Iris: A common flowering plant with showy flowers. can cause skin irritation, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy if ingested.

Lily: Lilium grows from bulbs with large prominent flowers. There are different varieties of lilies. Some are dangerous and some not so much. Daylilies cause gastrointestinal upset. The Calla lily will burn and irritates a dog’s mouth and stomach.

Lily of the Valley: Woodland flowering plants with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring. Ingestion includes diarrhea, vomiting, a drop in heart rate, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Azalea and Rhododendron: Flowering rhododendron and azalea shrubs have long been mainstays of the garden and is extremely dangerous for dogs. Eating a few leaves can cause serious issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, paralysis, shock, coma, and death.

Holly: Over 600 species of shrubs and trees in the family, distributed nearly worldwide. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals for their distinctive foliage and red or black fruits. Consuming the leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal injury due to the plant’s spiny leaves. Lip-smacking, drooling, and head shaking are common symptoms.

Hydrangea: Pillowy blooms in an array of colors with highly concentrations of toxic substances in the flowers and leaves. The leaves and flowers can cause lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting if ingested.

Ivy: Most ivy species creep or climb and typically produce flowers in late autumn. Certain types of ivy plants are dangerous to dogs. Symptoms of ingestion are excessive salivation and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing. It is not lethal.

Oleander: Is a shrub or small tree. The yellow oleander is more toxic to dogs than the pink. This ornamental shrub is toxic to humans and dogs. Ingesting oleander will impact the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurologic systems of your dog and symptoms will occur between 30 minutes to a few hours after the plant was consumed.

Peony: A popular choice for birthday bouquets, these flowers are also toxic to cats and dogs. Peonies contain paeonol, a toxin known to be harmful to both cats and dogs. If ingested, peonies can cause mild to moderate poisoning. Some common signs to watch for would be gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Sago Palm: Used as an ornamental shrub, it’s considered one of the most toxic plants for dogs. Sago palm contains the toxin cycasin, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. If the dog doesn’t receive treatment, neurological signs like ataxia and seizures will develop along with liver failure.

Trees That Are Poisonous to Dogs

Black Walnut: The tree itself isn’t dangerous, but the nuts can be. Ingesting moldy husks and nuts from the black walnut tree are in particular danger because the mold is a potent fungal neurotoxin. Tremors and seizures are seen at the height of the poisoning. Aggressive treatment is required with black walnut poisoning in dog.

Chinaberry: These trees sprout delicate light purple flowers in the spring, which develop into yellow, berry-like fruits in the summer. Poisoning occur most often from eating the ripe fruit, however, the bark, leaves, and flowers also contain smaller amounts of the toxic substances that can result in anything from vomiting and diarrhea to weakness, slow heart rate, seizures, and shock.

Fruit trees: The fruits of trees, such as plums, apricots, peaches, and avocados, contain pits and the seeds of cherries and apples contain toxins that can make your dog sick and are also choking hazards. Even if they only eat the fruit, eating too much can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Horse Chestnut: These trees can reach nearly 120 feet tall and contain aesculin, a neurotoxic glycoside that can cause gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, spasms, and in higher doses can even result in death. The entire plant is known to have an extremely unpleasant flavor so large enough quantities to induce central nervous system related symptoms are rarely consumed. Symptoms of ingestion includes vomiting and diarrhea, dilated pupils, convulsions and coma.

Japanese Yew: All varieties, from the dwarf to the giant trees are a commonly known cause of fatal poisoning in dogs. The toxic chemicals in the plant, taxine alkaloids can have a severe effect on the heart. Oil irritants in the plant can also trigger gastroenteritis. Symptoms include tremors, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and seizures.

If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, follow these steps:

Contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) advice.

What to do if your dog or cat is poisoned:

Remove your pet from the area.

Check to make sure your pet is safe: breathing and acting normally.

Do NOT give any home antidotes.

Do NOT induce vomiting without consulting a vet or Pet Poison Helpline®.

If veterinary attention is necessary, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Detailed Instructions:

Immediately remove your pet from the area, and make sure no other pets (or kids!) are exposed to this area. Safely remove any remaining poisonous material from their reach.

Check to make sure your pet is breathing normally and acting fine otherwise.

Collect a sample of the material, along with the packaging, vial, or container, and save it – you will need all that information when you talk to your veterinarian or to a Pet Poison Helpline® expert.

Do NOT give your dog any milk, food, salt, oil, or any other home remedies! Also, never inducing vomiting without talking to your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® – it may actually be detrimental or contraindicated to induce vomiting!

Don’t give hydrogen peroxide to your pet without checking with a vet or with Pet Poison Helpline® first. For you cat lovers, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t work well to induce vomiting (it just causes massive foaming and salivating instead!), and stronger veterinary prescription medications are necessary to get your cat to vomit up the poison Kitty ingested!

Get help. Program your veterinarian phone number, along with an ER vet and Pet Poison Helpline®’s phone number (855-764-7661) in your cell phone so you will always have immediate access to help.

Keep in mind that the prognosis is always better when a toxicity is reported immediately, so don’t wait to see if your pet becomes symptomatic before calling for help. It’s always less expensive, and safer for your pet for you to call immediately. Remember that there’s a narrow window of time when we can decontaminate (induce vomiting or pump the stomach) in the case of a poisoning!

Source. Wag - wagwalking.com, Pet Poison Hotline -, petpoisonhotline.com

Raymond Formanek, Jr.

Purdue Scottish Terrier Study Indicates Early Detection, Regular Screening May Improve Bladder Cancer Outcomes

A newly published study of Scottish Terriers suggests that regular screening and early treatment in dogs without symptoms may result in improved longevity and outcomes in dogs with bladder cancer.

The study was conducted by Dr. Deborah Knapp, irector of the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program and co-program leader in the Purdue Center for Cancer Research.

The article titled “Identification of a naturally occurring canine model for early detection and intervention research in high grade urothelial carcinoma” appears in the scientific journal Frontiers in Oncology. [Link to full article below.]

Dr. Knapp’s research team found that it was possible to detect a type of bladder cancer called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) early in asymptomatic dogs through regular screening. The researchers also found that screened Scotties, whose TCC was detected early, had a much better response to therapy than did dogs that had a more “typically advanced” cancer, often diagnosed after symptoms appear.

“The physician or veterinarian often is left ‘reacting’ to the cancer and playing ‘catch up’ in cancer therapy,” Dr. Knapp said. “Exceptions to this in humans would include the treatment of early cancer found through colonoscopy, mammography, or PSA screening. But most other cancer types in humans and most cancers in dogs are found ‘late,’ when therapies are less effective.”

Lisa Hills, Dr. Deborah Knapp, DVM, Dr. Marcia Dawson, DVM

The Scottish Terrier Club of America’s Health Trust Fund provided much of the funding for the study. STCA members and the Scottish terrier community at large were instrumental in getting the word out to Scottie owners and helping to recruit dogs for the study. Fundraising events held by groups such as the Door County Scottie Rally, Inc. in Wisconsin and the St. Louis Scottish Terrier Rescue helped make the study possible.

“The study would not have happened without that support,” Dr. Knapp said. “It is worth pointing out that there were certainly skeptics who thought we would not find enough dogs and that we would not find early cancer. But this amazing team made it happen!”

The study was unique in that it focused on screening for cancer early, unprecedented in veterinary research. A total of 120 Scottish terriers were enrolled in the study. All were at least 6 years old and had no evident signs of bladder disease. All participants received a detailed bladder ultrasound exam, using a standardized protocol to detect irregularities or masses in the bladder lining, urethra, or prostate.

Researchers examined the Scotties every six months during the 3-year study. The exams included a rectal exam to detect abnormalities in the urethra, prostate, or lymph nodes, and a urinalysis with sediment exam to detect abnormal bladder lining cells. Blood samples were stored for further study.

A cystoscopy and biopsy were performed if a test was positive or suspicious. In some cases, a diagnosis was made at necropsy.

For Dr. Knapp, the Scottish terrier screening study is an important first step.

Dr. Knapp said the next steps related to the Scottie screening study include analyzing the environmental exposure data to determine whether exposures to various chemicals, diets, or other materials could affect bladder cancer risk.

Also on Dr. Knapp’s list: analyze urine metabolomic data to determine if patterns emerge that indicate bladder cancer is present, work to define the inherited mutations that increase bladder cancer risk in Scottish terriers, and compile and publish the “final outcome” data on dogs in the stud.

She described how her work has expanded to encompass prevention strategies; the cellular and molecular features that drive bladder cancer development and progression in dogs and humans and how to circumvent that process; improved use of existing drug therapies and new therapies, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, and selection of therapy for the individual dog.

Dr. Knapp emphasized that the key takeaway for all Scottie owners is: Screen your Scotties early. starting at 5 years to 6 years of age. Dr. Knapp said her future goals are to effectively

Raymond Formanek, Jr.

manage TCC in dogs, to add more good quality time to the lives of affected dogs, and to eventually learn how to avoid it altogether in our Scotties.

Frontiers in Oncology link: https://www.frontiersin. org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.1011969/full

Deborah Knapp, DVM DACVIM

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Purdue University

Deborah W. Knapp, DVM, is the Dolores L. McCall Professor and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology in the Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Purdue University. She earned her BS degree from North Carolina State University (1980), DVM from Auburn University (1983), and MS/ Veterinary Medical Oncology Residency from Purdue University (1988). After post-doctoral research in cancer pharmacology and tumor immunology, she joining the Purdue faculty in 1990. Dr. Knapp directs the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program (PCOP) in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and is a Co-Program Leader in the NCI-Designated Purdue University Center for Cancer Research (PUCCR). Her work is conducted at the interface of studies at the bench, animal model work, and translation of important findings to humans. Dr. Knapp’s research is strongly focused in invasive urinary bladder cancer in which the naturally-occurring form of the cancer in dogs serves as a highly relevant model for the human condition. Dr. Knapp is nationally and internationally recognized for her work in bladder cancer and comparative oncology. She serves on steering committees for the National Cancer Institute’s Integrated Canine Data Commons, and Pre-medical Cancer Immunotherapy Network for Canine Trials (PRECINCT)

-American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Reprinted with permission

Scottish Terrier Club of America, Bagpiper 2 -2023

Key Findings

• Cancer was detected in 32 of the 120 Scotties enrolled in the study (27%) without any outward appearance or symptoms of the disease.

• The remission rate1 of 42% in this study in dogs treated with single agent NSAID therapy Deramaxx, compared very favorably to the 19% remission rate in Scottish Terriers diagnosed later in the course of the disease and treated with a single agent NSAID.

• Patterns of gene expression were similar between canine tumors and human muscle invasive bladder cancer, further supporting the use of dogs as a model for the most serious form of bladder cancer in humans.

1 Remission Rate is sum of Complete + Partial Response Rates

Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRT

New Treatment Strategies for Canine Mammary Tumors

Canine mammary tumors are common in middle-aged or older bitches. Risk factors include increased age, exposure to ovarian and growth hormones, ovariectomy after 2.5 years of age, and obesity at a young age.

Approximately half of these tumors are malignant and local recurrence and distant spread are possible following surgical removal. Prognosis is affected by the tumor size, type (adenocarcinoma or sarcoma), grade (biologic aggressiveness), and clinical stage (spread of disease throughout the body) at diagnosis. While these tumors are rarely fatal, they remain a major health concern for intact females. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and its donors are committed to improving the health of all dogs and have funded several studies aimed at new treatment strategies for canine mammary tumors. New imaging techniques and a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment show promise to improve outcomes for dogs with mammary cancer.

Investigators at The Ohio State University are exploring the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to help clinicians achieve adequate margins during surgical removal of canine mammary tumors and soft tissue sarcomas. OCT uses light waves to generate real time high-resolution images of tissues to detect residual cancer cells immediately following surgical removal. Results thus far demonstrated that different tissue types have unique characteristics on OCT images, which closely correlate with standard microscopic biopsy images. With training, clinicians have been able to accurately interpret OCT images. Ongoing study is evaluating whether OCT can improve the accuracy of detecting residual cancer in dogs following surgical removal compared to traditional biopsy. Use of this technology shows promise in minimizing the need for additional surgeries or other treatments and to decrease tumor recurrence in dogs with mammary tumors.

Other advancements in the treatment of canine mammary tumors expand upon the discovery that the tumor microenvironment helps regulate biologic behavior in human breast cancer. Similarly in dogs, non-malignant cells and other materials surrounding a mammary tumor, specifically collagen, help regulate the growth and spread of cancer. Investigators at the University of Pennsylvania found that cancerassociated collagen signatures predict the clinical outcome for affected patients better than other commonly used biomarkers. They are now using these collagen signatures in a clinical setting to determine if they can predict clinical outcome for previously challenging tumor types. Ongoing studies are also examining what factors promote formation of tumor-favorable

collagen signatures and if biomaterials placed in the resected tumor site can help prevent tumor regrowth.

Surgical removal remains the gold standard treatment for canine mammary tumors. However, recent advancements in CHF-funded studies have introduced groundbreaking tools that may change the way we approach this treatment.

These innovative tools not only allow surgeons to completely remove tumor tissue in one surgery but also provide valuable biomarkers that offer insights into tumor prognosis and open up new avenues for treatment options. Learn more about CHF-funded cancer research at akcchf.org/caninecancer.

Updated October 2023

Originally published August 2018

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