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THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL DECEMBER 2004 – NEWSLETTER OF THE GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH Pat Embrey, Newsletter Editor1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504 PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com Website of the GSDC of GR: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events 2. Christmas Party Notice 3. November Meeting Minutes 4. Conformation Class Information 5. GSDCA Futurity/Maturity Information 6. New Lepto Vaccine 7. Christmas 8. AKC Obedience Adopts Rule changes 9. Warning 10. Twelve Days of Christmas
BOARD POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed: 1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled. 2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough, MUST have a current rabies shot. DON’T FORGET THE CHRISTMAS PARTY TO BE HELD AT CHOPS STEAKHOUSE IN CLAYTON ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2004.The Christmas Party will be held in lieu of our regular monthly meeting and unfortunately, we can’t have the dogs with us. Chops is a very nice restaurant in the neighborhood of the 42-40 intersections. If you are on Highway 40 going East, Take Exit 312 ( Highway 42 Exit) Turn Right going toward CVS Drugstore. At the Drugstore turn Left go about ½ mile to Chops on the left. If you are on Highway 40West, take Exit 312 and turn Left and follow the above directions. Minutes of the November 2004 GSDCGR Meeting
Several members of the GSDC of GR met at the Golden Corral prior to our regular monthly meeting for dinner and fellowship. We are going to try to make this a regular event and invite all members to meet with us at 6:00 PM prior to the meeting. We will let you all know where we will be meeting for dinner in the future, as in all likelihood we will be going to various places.
We had a wonderful speaker , Dr. Gallagher, from the Specialty Clinic in Cary who discussed the various orthopedic problems that can plague the German Shepherd. He has agreed to come speak with us again after the first of the year.
There were 16 members and guests present, and I think everyone enjoyed the meeting. I think Dr. Gallagher was impressed with how well behaved all the dogs were.
We read the applications for memberships on two prospective members. Doug Parker from Raleigh, and Steven D and Roberta Martin from Chapel Hill.
The applications for our Spring Shows have been sent to the AKC and we are waiting for confirmation from them.
We discussed the Christmas Party which will be held on December 1 at Chops Restaurant in Clayton. I will be sending more information very shortly.
Bill Pfeiffer is going to change our club link on the Parent Club website so anyone who is interested can go to our site on the internet.
We discussed the Tailwaggers program and we will reactivate our membership.. Tailwaggers is going to have a new name however and Bob Peters is heading this program. Bill Pfeiffer has agreed to be the delegate for the GSDC of Greater Raleigh. Apparently the anti-breeding legislation will be brought up again this coming year since the elections are over, and Tailwaggers is one of the main clubs who will lobby for sensible legislation, PETA and the HSOA are pushing for laws that would make anyone with more than one intact (non spayed or neutered) animals would be considered a commercial breeder and fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
CONFORMATION CLASS INFORMATION
Those of us who are interested in conformation had a great time meeting at Deeda’s house this past Saturday. We had about 10 puppies and young dogs there and practiced gaiting the dogs, and having them stand for examination, and setting them up and letting strangers examine them. It is great training for these young guys and good for those of us who have not been in the ring for a while. We had a ring set up and after we were all exhausted (showing how out of shape most of us were), we went inside and had lunch. We are going to try and have this get together every couple of weeks, to get these dogs ready for our Spring Shows in April. We will alternate where we meet. The only requirement being a good sized yard where we can set up the ring. Even if you are not interested in conformation, it is a lot of fun getting together with our dog friends and four-legged friends and socializing. Anyone who couldn’t make the last get together, Please call Deeda and let her know you are interested in attending a future one.
2005 GSDCA FUTURITY/MATURITY INFORMATION
Following is the list of 2005 judges, dates and sites.
SOUTH PACIFIC; Judge: Frank Fasano; Alternate: Ginny Altman Date: Friday, April 1, 2005 Site: Dog Fanciers Park, Las Vegas, NV
MID-PACIFIC: Judge: Al Gibson Alternate: Larry Gilbert Date: Friday, April 29, 2005 Site: Carmichael Park, Carmichael, CA
SOUTHEAST: Judge: Kathy Castell, Alternate: Paul Johnson Date: Sunday, May 2, 2005 Site: Springbrook Recreation Center, Alcoa, TN
SOUTHWEST: Judge: Darol White Alternate: Edwina Trocki Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005 Site: Biltmore Hotel, Oklahoma City, OK
MID-ATLANTIC: Judge: Joan Ford Alternate: Ken Downing Date: Monday, May 30, 2005 Site: Howard Johnson Motel, Fredericksburg, VA
GREAT LAKES: Judge: Michael Cheeks Alternate: Bo Vujovich Date: Sunday, June 5, 2005 Site: Ionia Fairgrounds, Ionia, MI
NORTHEAST Judge: Nancy Harper Alternate: Sue Godek Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005 Site: Regency Inn & Sites, Albany, NY
NORTHWEST: Judge: Cathy Darnell Alternate: Randy Chestnut Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005 Site: McCollum Park, Everett, WA
MID-WEST: Judge: Robert Slay Alternate: Jean Whalen Date: Friday, June 24, 2005 Site: Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN
NEW LEPTO VACCINE
Submitted by Lew BunchCopied from the GSDC of Greater Kansas City November/December 2004 Issue of the Schaferhunde News
Overland Park, Kan (May 2004) Fort Dodge Animan Health, a leader in the animal health care industry, announced today its introduction of Lepto Vax TM4, the newest member of the Duramune line of Leptospira vaccines. Providing a unique standard of protection against canine Leptospirosis,. Lepto Vax 4 includes the most relevant Leptospira servars grippotyphosa, pomona, ieterohaemorrhagiac and canicola.
Leptospirosis is a potentially life-threatening disease, and it is reported to be the number one infectious cause of acute renal failure in dogs. The primary reservoir for these newly recognized serovars are commonly encountered wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums, skunks and rodents. This means virtually all dogs are at risk of being exposed whether they live in a rural environment or in a suburban neighborhood.
The number of canine Leptospirosis cases has risen dramatically in recent years, with most cases caused by emerging serovars grippotyphosa and pomona, says Mike Largish, DVM, Director of Companion Animal Professional Services for Fort Dodge Animal Health. Lepto Vax 4 and other Duramune Leptospira vaccines are the only vaccines proven effective against the two emerging serovar threats, as well as the traditional serovars. Vaccines that only protect against the traditional serovars may not offer cross protection against the new emerging serovars leaving dogs at risk for serious infection.
To minimize the safety concerns historically associated with the use of vaccines containing the entire Leptospira bacteria, Fort Dodge uses an innovative process to manufacture our Leptospira vaccines. This exclusive process known as subunit technology, results in a product proven to be both safe and effective under field conditions.
Subunit manufacturing technology, which is unique to the Fort Dodge Animal Health canine vaccines containing Leptospira serovar, involves separating the surface immunogens of Leptospira from extraneous intra-cellular debris, says LaRosh. The final result of this process is a purified vaccine containing the majority of surface Leptospira immunogens necessary for protection. Other manufacturers of canine vaccines still rely on whole-cell products, which contain the entire Leptospira organism. In a study of more than 144,000 doses given, the reaction rate for Fort Dodge’s Leptospira vaccines is just (point) .27 percent for all breeds of dogs.
This new stand-alone, four =-serovar vaccine will be available for purchase to licensed practicing veterinarians in the second quarter of 2004. For veterinarians who prefer to offer Leptospirosis protection in combination with live virus vaccines, Fort Dodge continues to offer its Duramune line of combination vaccines.
For more intormation about this or any other Fort Dodge vaccine, please contact Fort Dodge Professional Services at 1-800-533-8536.
CHRISTMAS
Subject: Be especially patient with your humans during this time
1.Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans
2.They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours
3.Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers
4.They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: Don't pee on the tree - don't drink water in the container that holds the tree. Mind your tail when you are near the tree-if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open - don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.
5.Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - don't eat off the buffet table - beg for goodies subtly – be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach
6.Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house - tolerate children - turn on your charm big time.
7.A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!
AKC OBEDIENCE ADOPTS RULE CHANGESBy Cheryl May
In July I attended an AKC obedience seminar in Des Moines presented by AKC rep Bill Thayne.
Bill is traveling across the nation informing judges and exhibitors about the new rule changes that took effect October 1.
There are two items I thought especially pertinent.
The first is a potential money saver – clubs do not need to put date and location on qualifying ribbons for obedience.
The second is for our premium – Clubs must provide day of show contact information for someone on the show committee in the premium. A cell phone number is ideal.
With the October 1 rule changes, clubs may hold two trials in one day. Starting time for the second trial is after noon. Total judging time per judge may not exceed eight hours. Judges now are expected to judge seven utility, eight open, and nine novice dogs per hour
Specialty clubs may offer all breed trials. Clubs may give a specialty high in trial for their breed as well as an all-breed high in trial (two sets of awards) if desired.
Another option is to have one trial be for the specialty breed only and the second trial of the day be open to all breeds, or to all helding breeds, etc.
Also new—the club may give out the high combined award as soon as it is determined, which will be appreciated especially by exhibitors eager to get home on Sunday afternoons.
Clubs may offer a warmm-up area but must police it and must mark it off. It must not disrupt an active ring. We may provide jumps, etc. One attendee asked if clubs could charge for time in the practice ring. Bill said “don’t ask permission” ahead of time if clubs want to try it. This is a grey area, though.
Another option for us might be to offer a “C: obedience match on Friday late afternoon and early evening before our shows. Exhibitors could steward for each other and the club could definitely charge for this.
SCORINGExperienced exhibitors know that at lower scores, the errors are not a tabulation, but rather a matter of whether the dog should qualify or not. For dogs working close to 200, everything is marked. Generally, dogs scoring 195 to 200 are hit for every error. For the exhibitor scoring in the 170s, the judge evaluates whether that level of performance deserves a leg toward a title. A straight tabulation for dogs scoring in the 170s would actually be in the 160s, which would result in a non-qualifying performance. Dogs scoring in the 180s and 190s are scored a little closer to a true tabulation, and 195 and above reflects what the team actually did on that day.
A typical example of this less-strict scoring is a no-front and no-finish. Normally, failure to come to a perfect front position would be a three point deduction. Failure to finish is also a three point deduction. If both happen on the same exercise, it is five points off: three plus three equals five.
When a dog comes to the handler and goes directly to heel position, it is scored as a no front and an anticipated finish, which costs the handler five points.
HEEL POSITION Perfect heel position was defined as the handler’s hip socket in line with a spot from the dog’s nose to shoulder. The safest spot is the dog centered in heel position in line with the handler’s hip socket. The dog must maintain the same position throughout heeling patterns. A dog that moves back and forth, even within the correct heel position, will be marked for lack of teamwork.
Crowding can be marked even if only the dog’s hair touches the handler because it is interfering with the handler’s freedom of motion.
Thayne emphasized that handlers must return to heel position after the sit-stay and down-stay. If you return to something other than heel position, you can be non-qualified, though it rarely happens. Many handler, Thayne said, return to the dog’s rib cage area. This is not correct.
Forging and going wide are frequently missed by judges. Crowding and lagging are usually caught.
In AKC, the first sit before any exercise is NOT scoreable. This differs from UKC where a crooked sit in the set-up is scored.
Hand position must appear natural. No steering or leading the dog. Off lead, if you choose to have your left hand hanging at your side, that hand must move freely – exactly like the right hand. Alternate position is the left hand centered at the handler’s waist. Be sure to keep your elbow in close to your body if you choose this option.
On the fast, the handler must run.
There must be no stopping on the about turn and no stepping into or away from the dog on the halt.
Staring at the dog while heeling gets a deduction for lack of naturalness. Thayne doesn’t want handlers to always maintain eye contact on heeling. Also, don’t stare at the posts on the Figure 8. To do the Figure 8, center the dog and handler TEAM between the posts. The handler must maintain a constant speed around the posts. It is the dog that changes speed.
Body English with any command can be considered a second command and will be an NQ if it is done during the principle part of the exercise.
For the finish, the dog must go SMARTLY to heel. Dogs will lose a half point or more for a slow finish.
**NOVICE** In novice the dog may be guided only by the collar, not physically with the chin or chest. The live ring of a choke chain is OK, as is using the dead ring. The collar may even be on backwards with no penalty.
Constant tugging or guiding with the leash is an NQ.
Novice Stand for Examination – the judge will give three touches with an open palm (1) on the dog’s head, (2) shoulders and (3) hip. Exhibitors should be sure to leave from heel position and return to heel position. Stand up straight before you step away from the dog.
**OPEN** You need an immediate response to the drop on recall command. The dog does not have to drop like a rock in place, but must respond to the command as it is given.
If the dog knocks the dumbbell outside the ring, there is no rethrow, but the dog may leave the ring and get the dumbbell and return (as long as there is no second command from the handler).
Dog must go directly to the dumbbell, pick up cleanly and return.
On the broad jump, there is no penalty for LANDING outside the plane of the jump, but the dog must go over all of the boards just as in the agility broad jump.
**UTILITY** In the signal exercise, the dog will be marked for not stopping in heel position on the stand. Also don’t hold a signal. A signal should be a single motion and the hand must return to its original position.
On directed retrieve, the handler must give an audible verbal command. The glove command and signal may be either simultaneous or the command may directly follow the signal. It is safest to do it simultaneously. Otherwise you can get hit for a double command.
Turn in place for gloves, articles, etc. as if you were standing on a small paper plate.
For scent discrimination, do not look over your shoulder to see the articles after the judge has said, “Are you ready?” It could be a deduction or even an NQ. The scent discrimination exercise starts when the handler takes the article. Judges are required to ask which send you are using before each article, even if you have told them that you will do the same send for both.
DO’S AND DON’TS*DO consider responding “yes” as an answer to the judge’s question, “Are you ready?” Answering “Ready!” annoys some judges, Thayne said. (It definitely annoyed him).
*DO bring your dog into the ring and leave the ring on leash. For runoffs, the dog still must come into the ring on leash and leave on leash.
*DO feel free to guide your dog by the collar, if needed, in Novice.
*Do NOT guide the dog by the collar in Open or Utility. It could cost you one or two points off if you guide the dog by the collar – for example, after exercises, or simply on the way to the ring gate at the end of the performance.
*Do NOT “knock” on the dog’s head. This will be penalized.
*Do NOT Push on the dog’s rear end to get the dog to sit – and do not push the dog with a foot or a knee. Thayne says he see this frequently as handlers prepare to leave their dogs on the stays.
Finally, if anyone has problems or concerns about obedience. Thayne suggests Pat Krause, e-mail prk@akc.org: PH: 919-816-3575.
WARNING: MOLDY SNACKS CAN BE FATALLY POISONOUSBy Christine Wilford, DVM From the 2003 Red Book
A report in the January 1, 2003, issue of the Journal of the AVMA described two dogs from separate households that developed signs resembling strychnine poisoning after getting access to garbage. One dog was poisoned by moldy cream cheese while moldy macaroni and cheese poisoned the other. Both contained the toxins penitrem A and roquefortine. Ingestion of moldy dairy products can be fatal. Whether the mold begins in your fridge or after you discard foods into the garbage, chemicals produced by food molds or fungi can be poisonous. If ingested, symptoms of poisoning can begin within one to two hours. Signs can include vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, muscle tremors, and full-body seizures. In early stages or mild cases, dogs may become irritable or over-reactive to stimuli such as movement and sound. Prompt emergency treatment is necessary or death may ensue. Intensive care to control the seizures and monitor heart and lung functions is vital to saving the dog’s life. Inducing vomiting or pumping the stomach may be a useful way to reduce toxin absorption by removing the moldy food that has not yet left the stomach. However, because swallowing may be impaired by the poison and by the drugs used to stop seizures, vomiting poses a very serious risk to the dog. Dogs can easily accidentally inhale the vomited matter and suffer from severe lung infection called aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia can be very difficult to treat, and many dogs die despite prompt and aggressive treatment. Because of the risk, if a dog begins to vomit on his own, his head should be lowered far below his chest so that the vomit flows down and out of the mouth. This lessens the chance of aspiration. Furthermore, it may become necessary for a person to stay with the dog indefinitely until recovery is apparent and vomiting has subsided. In most dogs, signs will be clearly resolving within 48 hours. Prevention of moldy dairy product poisoning is simple - proper disposal of garbage and preventing access to the garbage. However, if a dog becomes ill after garbage ingestion of such types of foods, medical attention should be sought right away. This article first appeared in the November 2003 issue of the AKC Gazette and is reprinted here with the permission of the publisher and author. Christine Wilford received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University. She practices in Seattle.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season. I am going to Texas tomorrow and will return week after next, so will be here for the Christmas Party and hope to see all of you there. If not, have a wonderful Holiday Season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Pat
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