Pure Dog Talk

Dogs Just Want to Have Fun: Increasing Focus in Performance Dogs Dr. Paige Pierce, veterinary behaviorist, speaks to the topic of increasing focus in overly social dogs during performance events. This presentation was sponsored by the Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation at the 2018 Clumber Spaniel Club of America National Specialty. Owners and exhibitors of the social butterflies in the dog world, understand the frustration of competing in performance events with a dog who wants to visit with the course setter or bird planter instead of continuing their task. Dr. Pierce provides outstanding insight in to understanding the dog’s mindset in these situations. “When the dog is overly excited, he literally can’t hear the command,” Pierce said. Once she rules out a medical condition, she wants to identify a trigger and then use the environment to *benefit* the dog instead of distracting them. Managing the dog’s environment so it doesn’t “use up” impulse control or so it is well conditioned to the chaos, depends on

Veterinary Voice: Brachycephalic Breeds’ Health and Legislation Dr. Marty Greer visits with host Laura Reeves about the health and recent international legislation impacting Brachycephalic breeds. Pugs In Holland Pug circa 1879. Our thanks to PureDogTalk listener Kelly Schur for making these images available. Recently the Dutch Pug Club announced, with immediate effect, that the breeding of any pug with a nose less than a third of the length of the skull has been banned. The following information regarding the breeding of Brachycephalic dogs in Holland is gleaned from several Dutch websites using Google translate: It has been against the law in Holland since 2014 to breed flat-faced dogs but the government has recently announced they will now be checking dogs, which has triggered this change. The ban affects popular dog breeds. In the very short term, according to the Dutch legislation, the muzzle of the following dog breeds must be adjusted: French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, Shih Tzu

Coloring the Future: Artist Creates Purebred Dog Designs Sandy Mesmer and her Silky Terrier Sandy Mesmer is an artist, Silky Terrier breeder and purebred dog enthusiast who has designed and published the first of a planned series of coloring books for each group. “Color Me Canine: a Coloring Book for Dog Lovers of All Ages!” is Mesmer’s debut book in the series, this one covering the toy group. Mesmer provides great insight about Silky Terriers in addition to her discussion of the coloring book, responsible breeders, taking back the conversation on purebred dogs and so much more. “This book is a celebration of purebred dogs,” Mesmer said. “This is a viable alternative to the ‘adopt don’t shop’ message for children.” “I am planning 7 more volumes of Color Me Canine, one for each AKC Group and Miscellaneous,” Mesmer added. “There are two areas that I could use help with: Part of the description I do for each breed is a crowd-sourced "In Three Words". It can be helpful for someone to hear how the breed i

Jeff Heim: “Dog Shows Are Not Dying” and Other Punditry Professional handler Jeff Heim with a Curly Coated Retriever in 1985. Professional handler, Jeff Heim, reflects on 50 years of learning, from cattle judging in FFA to observing handlers and judges at dog shows. As someone who is always willing to help, talk to a stranger or answer a question, Heim observed there is a fine line in mentoring. “You need to offer advice in a way people will hear it,” Heim said. He also encourages new exhibitors to watch other handlers to learn. “Find the handlers who are above average,” Heim said. “Watch them. See what they are doing, take that move home and try it on your dog… not everything works for every dog. Learn what the handler is doing and why, with that particular dog – they’ve done the trial and error to get to that point.” Heim repeats, for the umpteenth time in a row, the downfall of “drive through dog shows.” “You cannot come to the dog show, show your dog and go home,” Heim said. “Spend some time. You spen

Shetland Sheepdog – Smart, Versatile, Adaptable BISS Bronze GCh Solange Body Language, Flirt. Photo credit Cheryl Krajcar. Host Laura Reeves visited the American Shetland Sheepdog Association National specialty for a multi-generational roundtable discussion of Shelties -- what makes them good companions, fancy show dogs and fierce competitors in performance events. The roundtable participants captured the breed beautifully. Shelties are "fancy for their size," "athletic and eager to please," "smart, versatile and adaptable." A long-lived, healthy breed, these experts said temperament and training impact how much vocalizing an individual dog will do. While the experts agree that in years past, the quality of the sable color exceeded the others, today, they said, blue merle, tri and bi-black color dogs have improved in quality significantly. Correct Sheltie expression, head planes and size are imperative to success in the show ring, our panel noted. They added that aspiring exhibitors need to be prepared f

Commentary: Fun Matches and Rethinking Rankings Host Laura Reeves sat down with Lori Wilson-Paust to talk about fun matches, the need for "picnics in the park" that build the sport from the ground up and rethinking the "rankings rat race." For more thoughts on the topic, following is a reprint of an article Laura wrote for the online magazine Best in Show Daily a few years ago. Sadly just as applicable today... As the Wheels Turn by Laura Reeves, PHA Rankings Remix The latest statistics, for the first half of 2015, hit the airwaves today. Everyone from junior handlers to owner handlers to the top dog in the country of any breed is ranked in every possible format. While I acknowledge the appeal, and certainly am not immune to bragging on the success of the dogs I show, I wonder, along with almost everyone I know, if this system is not a huge part of the problem we are all complaining about in modern AKC Conformation dog shows. Simultaneously, I received an unexpected gifty from AKC in the form of a Grand

Insurance Plans Go to the Dogs PetPartners President John Wycoff joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the how’s and why’s of insurance for our dogs. “Pets can get most of the same treatments people can get,” Wycoff said. “Costs of those treatments can be prohibitive.” Cost Prohibitive Treatments From foreign body ingestion surgery to chemotherapy for cancer treatment, these treatments for dogs can run in to the tens of thousands of dollars. “Having pet insurance allows you to avoid a big financial burden when something happens later in your pet’s life,” Wycoff said. Share the Risks "Buying insurance allows you to share the risk of certain conditions that can happen with you, your pet, car, house," Wycoff said. "You hope you never have these situations, but if they happen, you then have a plan to cover the catastrophic costs.” Pet insurance is similar to human programs, but with no “networks.” Owners choose the level of coverage, deductibles, add-ons and can use their regular vet. There were 1,828,126

Hounds on the American Frontier with Custer Author Brian Duggan with his Saluki Author Brian Duggan’s journey to the publication of General Custer, Libbie Custer and Their Dogs: A Passion for Hounds, from the Civil War to Little Bighorn was launched by Hickory the Scottish Deerhound’s Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club. Editor Denise Flaim asked Duggan for an article about Custer's Deerhounds for Sighthound Review as perspective on the breed's history. As he wrote the magazine article, Duggan became aware of a vast trove of unwritten history on the topic of Custer's passion for hounds. Duggan's meticulously researched historical biography examines the lives of General George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Libbie Custer, as wholehearted dog lovers. At the time of Custer's death at Little Bighorn, they owned a rollicking pack of forty hunting dogs, including Scottish Deerhounds, Russian Wolfhounds, Greyhounds and Foxhounds. Rich detail for dog lovers includes the Custers' first dogs during the Civil G

Tibetan Spaniels: From Monastery Walls to the Back of the Sofa Ch. Avalon Riker of Ebonstern, circa 2002. Host Laura Reeves caught up with three longtime breeders of Tibetan Spaniels, Kay Dickeson, Mallory Driskill and Carol Tyte, at the 2019 National Specialty in Albany, Ore. Tibbies, as their owners call them, are a small, low-maintenance, long-lived, affectionate but independent breed. The breed’s history takes shape from the mists of time. These were the alert watch dog that ran the along the thick walls of the monasteries in Tibet, alerting their much larger brethren, Tibetan Mastiffs, to any approaching danger. Weighing in at 9 to 15 pounds, Tibbies require no trimming for the show ring, are easy to maintain with simple brushing and frequently live to 16 years of age. The ancient breed is a big dog in a little dog body, Tyte noted. Their instincts still guide them to “be up high and watch things” Dickeson said. “They will get on the back of the sofa to look out the window,” Driskill noted, adding t

AKC Vet at the Junction of Tradition and the New Millennium Dr. Jerry Klein at the AKC Museum of the Dog Jerry Klein, AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer, is at the junction of tradition and the new millennium. AKC created the position in 2015 to serve as a focal point for outreach to fanciers, veterinarians and the general public. Klein shares his history and journey in purebred dogs. Klein started as a kid in the ‘50s with a “pet store” Wire Fox Terrier that he showed at his local show three years running in the Novice class. “I learned a lot,” Klein said. After observing poor sportsmanship at the show, he noted that “Learning how not to be was as important as learning how to show the dog.” Exhibitor, owner, breeder, judge and veterinarian, Klein brings well-rounded experience to his role. He works with Diane Brown at the Canine Health Foundation and with Mari-Beth O’Neil in her veterinary outreach work, as well as recording “Ask the Expert” episodes for AKC TV. AKC is an organization steeped in tradition, K

Type vs Style in the Saint Bernard: Breeders’ Discussion Panel Host Laura Reeves moderated a Breeders’ Discussion Panel at the 2018 Saint Bernard Club of America National Specialty. Three long-time breeders talk type versus style in this fascinating conversation. Type defines a breed. Style informs the breeders' understanding of the standard. A conversation with successful breeders provides information that’s applicable across all breeds. From descriptions of developing a breeding program that establishes a recognizable style, to addressing specific pieces of the standard, this wide-ranging conversation is inspiring, enlightening and entertaining. The standard defines the Saint Bernard as "proportionally tall and powerful". What does that mean to the breeders? Interpreting the standard from three different perspectives provides unending opportunities for learning. For example, the Saint Bernard standard has no description of correct movement or gait. By understanding the breed history, these breeders appl

Veterinary Ethics and Building a Relationship with Your Vet Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD, president of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics visits with Host Laura Reeves about how breeders and veterinarians can work together for a positive outcome. “Vets are not held in as high esteem as they have been in the past," Greer said. "And that’s concerning to me. As veterinarians, we touch so many people in a positive way. It’s truly a calling. It’s not just a job that you get in your car and drive there. It has to be a passion, people don’t get rich doing this.” Too much Dr. Google "Communication is a really important piece," Greer said. "Many vets and staff are introverts by nature. Honest open frank communication is the best way to handle any situation." Greer recommends that if owners have a particular opinion on diet, vaccines, etc they need to interview vets to find someone they enjoy working with, even if it means driving further. "Bring ideas but listen to what vet has to say," Greer said. "Start a conve

Dachshund Field Trials and Earthdog Tests Preserve Instinct Dachshund breeder and field judge Jennifer Milosavljevic shares the excitement of Dachshund field trials and Earthdog tests. The Dachshund is first and foremost a hunting breed. Hunters created the breed and by competing in Dachshund field trials, breeders and owners work to preserve the breed. Dachshund field trials have the objective to “track the game,” meaning to follow a scent trail that a rabbit or hare has left behind. The goal is not to actually catch any prey and no animals are harmed in field trials. Dachshunds being released in a brace at a field trial. “The gallery lines up and in a line walks forward beating the brush,” Milosavljevic said. “Once a hare is spotted you yell “Tally Ho.”” Dogs run in packs of two (called a “brace”) and are judged on their ability to search and explore; to pursue and keep control of a trail; the accuracy in trailing; obedience to commands; their “willingness to go to earth” (into a tunnel or underground

John Reeve-Newson: Be Kind and Show Good Manners John Reeve-Newson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1964 and soon after that returned to Toronto to establish The Animal Clinics One and Two, where he is still in active practice. He was also the founder of the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Clinic Partnership of Toronto, the first veterinary emergency clinic established in Canada. In 2006, Reeve-Newson founded the Companion Animal Wellness Foundation, a registered charity that provides funding assistance for the treatment of the critically ill or injured pets of those financially disadvantaged. In 2014, he was made a Companion of the Order of Caring Canadians by the Governor-General. Richard Meen and Am. Can. Ch Kishniga The Tempest, "Sebastian" With Dr. Richard Meen, they established Kishniga Kennels in 1971. In 1977 Ch. Kishniga’s Desert Song, a Borzoi, bred by Reeve-Newson and Meen, and shown by Meen, was Canada’s top dog all breeds. The following year “Moustache,” as he was called, wa

Karelian Bear Dogs Saving Lives in Washington Nick Jorg is an officer in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife who works with Karelian Bear Dogs to manage bears and large predators in a non-lethal way. The Wildlife Service Dog (WSD) Program was established to provide an additional non-lethal option for resolving conflicts between humans and potentially dangerous wildlife. WSDs and their handlers respond to such conflicts. They also educate and assist citizens to reduce future conflicts. Five working Karelian Bear Dogs are helping investigate poaching cases, providing a deterrent to bears growing a little too comfortable with civilization, and even assisting police in a homicide investigation. The Karelian bear dog has been bred and used for centuries by hunters and farmers in Finland and Russia, but today they fill a unique role with the department. Among their many jobs: Responding to complaints of problem bears and mountain lions throughout Washington. Assisting in “hard releases,” a non-

Richard Lopaschuk on Form and Function, Education and Judging Richard Lopaschuk, an all-breeds judge from Canada, said his priority in the ring is form and function. “All these breeds have a specific function,” Lopaschuk said. “If the form doesn’t match what they’re supposed to do, that’s how I assess what I have in the ring.” Richard and Nancy Lopaschuk, 54 years married and involved in purebred dogs. Lopaschuk and his wife Nancy started in dogs 54 years ago with a German Shepherd Dog they showed in obedience. Like many other breeders, they competed in their first fun match, won a ribbon and were hooked for life. They bred GSD for 25 years, later moving in to Miniature Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers and most recently Papillons. The Lopaschuk family stayed deeply involved in breeding, showing, judging, founding kennel clubs and competing in performance events with their dogs. Health testing, Lopaschuk said, was always a priority for their dogs in breeding programs. One of their first Papillons participated in

Brian Cordova on Poodles, PCA and the Definition of “Poodly” Brian Cordova and Daniel Chavez with CH DANFOUR AVALON after winning Best of Breed at PCA. Miniature Poodle breeder Brian Cordova visits with host Laura Reeves about all things “poodly,” PCA (hint, Christmas in April!) and meeting “god.” Poodle Club of America, currently hosted at Purina Farms in Missouri, in the early days was an outdoor event on the East Coast, for many years in Maryland. Cordova said the decorations at Purina Farms will make it seem like the dogs are being shown at a park, but with the convenience of being indoors. Poodles, while attracting luminaries of purebred dogs, can be controversial, Cordova said, because of the trim. The continental clip, which served a function for the breed when retrieving waterfowl, is just window dressing he added. “Ignore the trim and look at the legs and bones and what you’d judge on any other dog,” Cordova said. “The dog has to be sound. The rest of it is just fancy. When you say 'poodly,' peop

Pat Hastings Wants to Make YOU a Winner With New Book Pat Hastings awarding Best of Breed at one of four Doberman Pinscher Club of America national specialties she has judged. Author, breeder, handler, judge. Pat Hastings has worn an array of hats in the dog world. Her new book “Let’s Make You a Winner: A Judge’s Perspective on Showing Dogs” is the most recent offering in what she calls a sort of accidental journey. "Puppy Puzzle," Hastings first and most well-known project, started with structural engineers. Separating hearts from minds enables people to see the structure. It isn’t difficult to understand, Hastings said, but dog people have failed to see the obvious. “Whether it’s dog breeding or bridges, if you don’t build them for the purpose you use them, they break.” The more we learn, the more our dogs benefit Pat Hastings' new book, "Let's Make You a Winner" is available for purchase at her website. Hastings noted that one critical “engineering” concept that made an impact on her was that a majority

Hunting Poodles at Poodle Club of America... No, Really! Jaci Bowman hunting with two standard poodles Jaci Bowman, owner, trainer and handler of hunting Poodles, joins host Laura Reeves to talk about retrieving, upland bird hunting and the history of poodle participation in hunt tests. Bowman began hunting with her poodles in the 1990s. She said that Poodle Club of America originally created a working certificate for the breed, but later poodles were accepted to compete in AKC licensed retriever hunt tests. Three years ago, poodles were also approved to participate in AKC’s hunting tests for spaniels. From the PCA website: “Upland hunting traditionally consists of walking through the fields, locating birds, flushing them out of cover, and shooting and retrieving them. Upland hunting varies widely from the sparse vegetation of the high desert, to the high cover of corn fields, to the dense cover of fence rows, to woodlands. The type of bird varies, based on the habitat. Game birds include pheasant, chuka

Trafficking in Deadly Diseases from Foreign “Rescues” Our guest blog post today is from Nancy Melone, with additional information about the deadly diseases arriving with foreign "rescues." Thank you for this outstanding research Nancy! Protecting North American Dogs from Imported Disease Pathogens: The Cases of Dog Flu and Distemper* By Nancy Melone, PhD, ThornCreek Bernese, Reg’d. and Eendenkoi Kooikerhondjes Abstract: Protecting dogs and people from imported disease pathogens is a difficult and never-ending task requiring international cooperation and continued vigilance. The recent cases of dog flu and distemper offer vivid examples of the costs, both financial and emotional, of failure to responsibly import animals. This article describes the obstacles to such protection and the process of tracking and identifying unknown pathogens using dog flu and distemper as examples. Protecting companion animals in the US from infectious organisms brought in by imported companion animals is not easy. Unlike the