Southland Weimaraner Club
Retrieving Ratings
Prado Dog Park, Chino Hills, California
June 21, 2014
It seemed appropriate that the Southland Weimaraner Club retrieving ratings were held on the first day of summer. The warm weather and beautiful fields and ponds at Prado Dog Park provided the perfect setting for the gray dogs to show off their retrieving skills. For several of the dogs, this was their first foray into field events, and they showed very impressive skills at retrieving on land and in water.
Congratulations to the five teams that qualified for their NRD: (1) GCH Top Hat’s Hollywood Canteen at M and M, JH AX AXJ “Crack” owned by Mike Fields and Stephanie Schuster handled by Mike Fields, (2) Pearl Essence Aurora’s Echo ”Echo” owned and handled by Vicki LePenske, (3) Trax Edenrock Fireworks One “Sparkle” owned by Anabel Schafnit, Cindy Cerne and Shirley Nilsson handled by David Schafnit, 4) CH Aldemars Spontaneous Combustion, JH MX MXJ XF VX “Min” owned and handled by Patrice Gail, and (5) Pearl Essence Olive Grace “Olive” owned and handled by Vicki LePenske.
The event ran smoothly and efficiently due to the great team of people who helped pull it all together. Huge thanks go to the following people:
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Judges: Louise Brady and Nancy Rapaport
Gunners: Justin D’Alessandro, Bob “Dead Eye” Margolis, and Lee Meadows
WCA Rep: Rachel Aguilar
Trial Chairman: Mike Fields
BRAGS
GCH Aldemar’s Quick To Chaos “Katie Grace” owned by Walt & Sharon Freshour, won Best in Veteran Sweepstakes at the SWC Specialty show on 6/24/14 at the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach.
Copper Leaf’s Best Of Sundays ”Grayson” owned by John & Maureen Duffy, won Winners Dog at both the SWC & WCA National Specialty on consecutive days for 5 point majors! (10 points in 2 days!) Brianne Rock, handler.
Ch Silveroaks SurfCity Shades of Grey, owned by Brad Rosenberg MD and Jo Ann Rosenberg, was first place in the WCA Intermediate Futurity dog class on 6/25/14.
Copper Leaf’s Best of Sundays, owned by John & Maureen Di\uffy, earned a 2nd place in the WCA Junior Futurity dog class on 6/25/14.
Ch Windchymes First Break All the Rules, owned by Linda & Louis D’Alessandro, was 2nd place in the WCA Intermediate Futurity bitch class on 6/25/14.
GCh Silogram’s Rolls Royce CD, owned by Vickie & Bob Margolis, was Best Dog in the WCA Western Maturity class on 6/25/14.
GCh Ola Lola’s Anyone Can Cook! owned by Fredda Rose, Doug Davis, Skye Davis and Pat & Bill Van Camp, earned a 4th place in the WCA Maturity Dog class on 6/25/14.
Obedience News
GCH Silogram’s Rolls Royce, CD, owned by Bob & Vickie Margolis, scored a 194 & first place in Open A class and “High Scoring Dog in Trial” at the SWC Obdience Trial on 624/14. The following day Royce earned a 197 – first place in Open A , and again “High Score in Trial” at the WCA National Specialty Trial.
Ch Top Hat’s Surfin’ the Islands, RE “Duke” owned by Mary McElwee, scored a 95 and a first place in Rally Excellent-A at the SWC specialty 6/24/14 under Nancy Craig. This completed his RE title. Duke also scored a 97 and a first place in Rally Excellent-A at the WCA National 6/25/14 under Pauline Andrus.
GCh Star Synchronous Rotation, MH SDX RD VX BROM “Torque” owned by Louise Brady & Candice Gerson, scored a 193 – 2nd place in Novice B class at the WCA National Trial on 6/25/14. “Torque” also competed in Rally-Novice B and was first place in both the SWC & WCA Rally trials with scores of 98 & 99 respectively on 6/24 and 6/25/14.
Ch Windchymes First Break All The Rules “Oakley” owned by Linda & Louis D’Alessandro, scored an 86 – 2nd place in Novice B at the SWC Rally trial 6/24 and an 87- 3rd place in Novice B Rally at the WCA Trial on 2/25/14.
GCh Top Hat’s Hollywood Canteen At MandM, JH AX AXJ T2B VX, owned by Michael Fields and Stephanie Schuster, scored a 74 – 4th place in Novice B Rally at the SWC Trial on 6/24/14
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HOW TO SHOW YOUR OWN DOG
E. Katie Gammill, TheDogPlace.org Exhibition Editor – May 2013
Why did your dog NOT win today? Some decide the judge is a “handler judge” while others feel judges have color or “political” preferences.
Often driving home becomes a venting session but some who may consider a judge inept have NOT READ their own breed standard. Most judges truly attempt to do a credible job with the dogs that appear in their ring. This is why judge’s education evolved. So, before we take the judging community to task, what about the exhibitors responsibilities? Speaking for myself, I have no preferences except what is written in the standards. However, I will say this. “The CORRECT color is the BEST color!”
Desired markings are a plus, like “icing on the cake” whereas some markings are distracting. Many judges see beyond color. IF you choose to exhibit something different than the preferred colors as designated in your standard, don’t be surprised when your dog is not considered for Winners.
Most judges are serious about their judging and participate in continuing education. Being human, some make mistakes and most learn from these mistakes. Before looking for excuses as to why some dogs don’t make it to the winners circle, consider the below list as to what most judges want to see in the dog that is presented to them. They concentrate on virtues, not faults. Remember, a judge has only a scant amount of time to consider type, soundness, character, conditioning, and presentation. That’s why good handlers don’t show dogs out of condition and the dogs are trained.
Good show ring advice to help you win with a good dog
1) Show up on time at ringside. This means for your class, and the possibility of returning for Reserve. Don’t expect judge to
wait for you.
2) Take handling classes. Proper presentation is important.
3) Dress in appropriate attire that compliments your dog. Don’t wear anything that would take away from the dog’s presentation.
4) Be sure your dog is clean and properly groomed. “Holding coat” results in mats and knots. Some judges will place a good
dog with an inadequate coat if the dog is clean and brushed.
5) Trim those toenails.
6) Clean those teeth.
7) Train your dog to stand for examination. Teach it to allow a “bite” check or tell the judge you prefer to “show the bite”
yourself.
8) If your dog shies or pulls away, go back to training classes.
9) Clean the belly hair around the “plumbing” and make sure there is no feces under the tail.
10) Practice posing your dog in a large mirror to see if you appear a “team”.
11) Trim the feet if the standard calls for it. Do not over do “grooming products”.
12) Use a loose lead if possible on the “down and back”. Train the dog for a “go around” at a comfortable gait without breaking
stride.
13) STAY IN YOUR PLACE during the class, especially if the class is large. Don’t get lost!
14) Follow procedures set out by the judge officiating.
15) If you don’t win, congratulate the winners.
Another tip is to allow someone your dog trusts to present your dog. This enables you to evaluate your dog against the competition. Keeping records of particular judges “likes and dislikes” may be helpful but each entry is different on any given show. Good judges always look for structure, type, presentation, symmetry, and conditioning.
Too often the difference between “winning and losing” rests on the person presenting the dog. Pay attention in the ring as one never knows when a judge may “look back” for a quick comparison. Some judges (myself) don’t like exhibitors jerking, pushing, or moving the dog with their feet. Use the bait or lead.
As an exhibitor, YOU have the power to present your dog well. You know your dogs’ virtues and faults and can present it in such a manner as to accentuate your dog’s good points. Remember this is a dog show, not a people show. The way you handle the dog can make or break how the judge sees him.
If you are at ringside, on time and ready, and dressed appropriately (it’s not a cocktail party or picnic) for your breed, the judge will see your entry at its best. The overall picture you present increases your chances for the judge to point to your dog for those coveted points.
Don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help. Most people will be happy to assist and encourage you IF you give them a chance when they are not readying for their own ring call.
Some new people will “catch fire” and others fall by the wayside. The first step toward success, for both exhibitors and our sport, is to make new people feel welcome. In turn, those seeking assistance need to give the more seasoned participants the respect they deserve.
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BRUCELLOSIS IN DOGS
By Dr Karen Becker
Brucellosis is a venereal disease caused by bacteria that invade the reproductive organs. It occurs in a variety of different animals through infection with several species of Brucella bacteria. In dogs, the bacterial culprit is usually Brucella canis (B. canis). After exposure, it takes the bacteria about three weeks to show up in the bloodstream, and then it sets up shop in the reproductive or urinary tract, and also continues to feed into the bloodstream.
If you are thinking about breeding your dog, it’s important to be aware of this disease. Have your pet tested for Brucellosis, and insist the owner of your dog’s potential mate do the same.
Symptoms of Brucellosis
Most adult dogs with brucellosis don’t appear sick initially. Others develop symptoms like enlarged lymph nodes and/or inflammation of the spleen or liver. Left untreated, chronic immune stimulation by the Brucella bacteria can result in inflammation of the discs of the spine (a condition known as discospondylitis), uveitis (deep eye inflammation), glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys that results in protein loss), and multiple joint arthritis (polyarthritis).
However, most of the time, the only sign of a brucellosis infection in female dogs is an aborted pregnancy that occurs late term. Less common variations are a pregnancy that is lost early term rather than late, stillborn puppies, or the birth of live puppies that are infected. In male dogs, there can be swollen scrotal sacs that signal infection, shrinkage of the testicles, and/or infertility.
How Transmission Occurs
Brucellosis affects both male and female dogs and is passed from dog to dog in bodily fluids. The main route of transmission is through sexual activity. But the infection can also be transmitted through inhalation of contaminated urine or fetal membranes, through the eyes or the oral cavity, or ingestion of contaminated fluids such as urine or vaginal discharge. Airborne transmission is very rare, but has been reported.
Brucellosis spreads fastest among dogs living in close quarters, especially during breeding, whelping, or when a female dog aborts a pregnancy due to a Brucella infection. In the latter situation, the female will continue to secrete contaminated fluids for four to six weeks, making every dog that comes in contact with her susceptible to infection.
Brucella bacteria can survive in the environment for a long time. In moist, cool, dark conditions, it can survive for months. It’s very important to note that brucellosis is a zoonotic condition, which means it can be transmitted to humans, though the chances of infection are quite low.
Diagnosing a Brucella Infection
The most common method for diagnosing brucellosis is a test called the rapid slide agglutination test. If your dog’s results are negative for this test, he or she does not have brucellosis. The drawback to this particular test is that while it’s very sensitive and can detect small amounts of bacteria, it can’t distinguish between closely related bacteria types. This results in a lot of false positives for brucellosis. If your dog tests positive on a rapid slide agglutination test, further testing should be done to confirm a diagnosis of brucellosis. A version of the agar-gel immunodiffusion test is considered the most accurate test for the disease.
Treatment Options
Unfortunately, there’s no dependable treatment available for brucellosis. Long-term antibiotic therapy is sometimes used. But in most cases, the drug only reduces the level of bacteria in the bloodstream. It doesn’t successfully destroy all the Brucella bacteria present in the dog’s body. Dogs diagnosed with Brucella are considered positive for the disease for the rest of their lives. Interestingly, dogs have been known to recover from brucellosis naturally. However, it can take as long as five years for their immune system to clear the infection completely. Dogs who naturally recover from this disease can’t be re-infected, whereas dogs treated with antibiotics can acquire the infection again.
Animals that have been infected with Brucella should never be bred. Infected dogs should be separated to prevent transmission to healthy animals. Because brucellosis is zoonotic, people with weakened immune systems or those who have had autoimmune disorders should not be exposed to an animal that is positive for Brucella.
Holistic veterinarians often use immune supportive herbs, nutraceuticals, and homeopathics to help bolster a dog’s positive immune system response. And of course there is always a focus on excellent nutrition, including whole fresh foods that nourish the immune system.