More on Westminster Kennel Club and Related New Changes to Crufts Protocols

Crufts Dog Show has announced that before entering the Group Ring, all Best of Breed (BOB) entries will be examined by a show official and a veterinarian.

In other words, they want to make certain that any dog who enters the ring during the televised competition is not spooked, shy or nervous -- just several concerning behaviors that may be witnessed by a million or more people such as what occurred at the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Dog Show.

For those watching the WKC Group Judging, we saw a few BOB dog entries that were nervous and startled, memorably the Pointer during her examination and gait pattern. So, if Crufts rules were in place at Westminster, then at least a few BOB entries might have been prevented from entering the Group ring for competition. However, wait a minute, let's look at what I believe is just one extenuating circumstance why one or more of these dogs were reactive.......

What's in a Name -- The 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Not sure if anyone else noticed while watching Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Group Judging that as the judging progressed on the two evenings, the winners of each group were identified by their call names and not their registered names. For example, the television screen would show:
Group Winners: Hound Group, Norwegian Elkhound "Duffy"

2017 Westminster Kennel Club

I can only laugh at the shortcomings, once again, involving the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. I cannot comment on all the other breed competition videos, but an elementary age child must have been tasked with the responsibility for videoing this year's Westminster Kennel Club's Irish Wolfhound judging. Incredibly frustrating as this is a highly respected dog show and one would not expect to encounter such poor quality video cataloging but also consider the importance of the lost archival aspect. In short, shamefully, there is no salvageable video of this breed competition, on that day, in that special time and place but only a tongue-in-cheek parody.......

Canine Neospora

Neospora Caninum is a different topic that most dog owners and breeders are completely unfamiliar with being that it is not a widely known diagnosis in our companions. What is it? It is a parasite detected by a serologic blood test for dogs that eat raw beef diets and who are experiencing various symptoms. Clinical signs in puppies six months of age or younger typically are a hindrear weakness, patellar restrictions, paralysis, muscle atrophy. In adult dogs, they range from ventricular tachycardia, seizures, hepatitis, dermatitis, to neurological symptoms such as ataxia and weakening hindquarters....

,

Pet Food Recalls

,

Commercial pet food quality has taken yet another hit with the news alert this morning that a popular canned dog food sold in 15 states contained a euthanasia drug. The pet food manufacturer of Evanger’s Hunk of Beef Canned Dog Food has recalled five lots because they contain the euthanasia drug pentobarbital.........

Instant Gratification

Many of you can sympathize with the frustration of having to deal with the likes of today's prospective puppy inquiries and owners. You know the type -- the people who contact you via email and without proper introduction ask for the price of a puppy, if and how many puppies are available and so forth.....It is as if you are a manufacturer and or distributor and they are contacting you to find out if a product is in stock and how soon can it ship out......

Ancient Egyptian Dogs

As I have been an archeology buff for most of my life, my husband and I took a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Egypt. This incredible journey was astonishing, stupendous, glorious, transporting us back to the time of the ancients....However, on a related and exciting topic, many academic, longtime students of purebred dogs who have not had the opportunity to travel back in time to antiquity will marvel at the following photos. This statuette, possibly Greyhound, that I saw in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and the carving and color renderings of the ancient Saluki and Pharaoh Hounds in the Funerary Complex of Djoser at Saqqara are extraordinary......

,

Propagating a Breed and the Responsibilities Incurred

,

This article was originally printed in the Irish Wolfhound Club of America's Harp & Hound magazine Autumn 2016 Issue.....

Canine Mammary Adenocarcinoma

This is a carry over from my previous Blog Post on "Lumps, Bumps, Masses, Tumors, and Cysts." I wrote on the removal of a mammary or breast tumor from one of our female veteran Irish Wolfhounds (8.5-year-old), and the biopsy test is back. Indeed, the results are that the tumor was mammary adenocarcinoma. Naturally, many people at this point may panic or, at the least, are profoundly concerned.......

Lumps, Bumps, Masses, Tumors and Cysts.

Lumps, bumps, masses, tumors and cysts. On an Irish Wolfhound, any one of these can spark alarm in most people's minds leading to the feared cancer diagnosis. Understandably, many companion owners are not well-versed as to how to appropriately respond and then deal with these issues. Frankly, depending on the location of the "mass," alarm bells may or may not be warranted. However, many Wolfhound owners overreact and fall in step, and I mean every step, of their Veterinarians counsel, some of which I would caution against as it is sometimes improper and overly aggressive......

Exercise for the Veteran Irish Wolfhound

It is necessary to keep in mind that exercise for our veteran hounds is vital. Notably, those hounds who have suffered an injury, such as our Danny, but also, those experiencing an overall loss of muscle mass with a weakening of the hindquarters that gradually worsens over time. In many cases, the latter is often diagnosed via digital radiographs or M.R.I. as spondylosis, aka arthritis of the spine, which can be minimized with drugs such as anti-inflammatories, such as steroids. However, the disease is not reversible. Also, I use systemic enzymes such as WobEnzyme that are beneficial for addressing inflammation. Even more, holistic supplements can be utilized such as Shark Cartilage or Green Lipped Mussels purchased at Wholistic Pet Organics which increases synovial fluid levels and hopefully rebuild cartilage and elasticity.

As far as exercise, I am not necessarily referring to free bounding and galloping in the fields. Although his form can be both liberating, toning, and otherwise healthy; it can be harmful because many older hounds will overdo it and can injure themselves or further aggravate a pre-existing injury. I recommend leashed exercise for older hounds who will benefit from this method of conditioning of reserved but nonstop action.

If a hound has not been exercised previously then one should begin slowly with daily 20-minute sessions in a regular beat -- as my canine physical rehabilitationist refers to it as a "don't stop and smell the flowers" pace. This type of exercise is a regular body conditioner that can strengthen muscling, for example, the gluteal muscles responsible for extending and abduction of the hip and limb. As the veteran sighthound gets accustomed to the daily walks over two weeks or so, you can build up their distance by 1/2 mile or 10-minute sessions in the proceeding weeks, gradually building up to 2 to 3 miles daily. You will see and feel a difference on the hound, and hopefully, this training, and possibly the use of an anti-inflammatory steroid such as Methylprednisone, along with laser therapy, and the natural supplements I discussed above, can prolong their lives with us.

Danny's Cervical Neck Recovery Update

For some people, these health updates are necessary as they may have a beloved companion who has also experienced cervical neck injuries and rather than considering the unthinkable because surgery was not an option, they have another alternative being a physical rehabilitation protocol.

Tuxedo Park and Somerset Hills Kennel Club Shows Still Got It!

Just returned from two days at the acclaimed Tuxedo Park and Somerset Hills Kennel Club dog shows that are just two in the usual show circuit in Somerset, New Jersey this past weekend. What classic shows but, oh boy, was it hot! Excruciatingly and unbearably hot. Most of us had on our persons either a towel or paper towels to wipe our faces as the perspiration flowed off your body. In fact, the Show Chairperson announced over the loudspeaker that due to the temperature and humidity levels that all gentlemen exhibitors were encouraged to shed their sports coats and ties. As for the women, it was both senseless and useless to wear make-up, particularly not mascara, as it melted off our faces. It was so hot & humid that despite our hydrating with large quantities of fluids every 10 minutes or so; there was infrequent, if any, use of the restrooms. Literally, for all the water we took in every few minutes, the body used it to cool our bodies via evaporation, and it had nothing left to process.

As for the shows, Saturday is always a special time to attend as the Somerset Hills Kennel Club has a wonderful, old-fashioned band playing tunes throughout the day under an enormous shade tree. The Greek Gyro food truck was, as usual, present for the dog show circuit offering a wide variety of entrees, vegetables, salads and fresh fruit. Even breakfast sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and french fries. The Flip Bar smoothie truck was present as well and is always a popular option on stifling hot days.

 

Ballyhara Ki exhausted from the stifling heat

But hot, oh my goodness, Friday was unendurable forcing us to give up as we waited for Group competition to begin. I could not take it any longer and had to leave for the comfort of an air-conditioned room. My full ton, Super Duty dog show van with its heavy-duty alternator and battery ran for six or more hours straight as I attempted to cool down two Irish Wolfhounds with ice, air conditioning, and water. I went through a quarter of a tank of fuel to make certain the dogs were comfortable. Naturally, we cannot control Mother Nature, and I have attended this circuit in the past where I do not recall it being this hot before. Nevertheless, it is a famous dog show circuit that appears to possess its glory still. Though as I pointed out in my previous post on September 7, "More on All-Breed Dog Shows," this circuit is also experiencing difficulty attracting Major Entry competition even in a favorite breed such as Long Haired Dachshunds.

After returning home, I checked in mid-week with friends who also spectated at the Westchester Kennel Club show held on Sunday of this circuit. My friends are long-time dog fanciers of forty plus years who no longer are active in the sport but do enjoy coming out to observe at close to home shows. Interestingly, she remarked what a shame it was to see that few people stay any longer to watch Group Judging competition on the last or closing day of the circuit, this being a Sunday. Although this Sunday had lovely weather with comfortable temperatures as compared to the previous several days, she said barely a few people were observing, and it was a sad sight to see. Ah, yes, I said, it is a sign of the times......

Ballyhara Kate and Lucy passed out on the couch after all the stifling heat

Ballyhara Kate and Lucy passed out on the couch after all the stifling heat

More on AKC All-Breed Dog Shows

A friend of mine and I were conversing about the decline of dog entries at AKC conformation shows, and I wondered how the loss of 384,000 entries over a ten-year span had affected her and her breed. She regularly exhibits and is well-known in Longhaired Dachshunds, not only here on the East Coast but she also travels great distances such as to the mid-west and Florida's Eukanuba. I was keenly interested in her feedback and the experiences she has encountered in her breed....

AKC Conformation Events, A Closer Look

After writing my post, "Sad to See," I decided to look closer into how many AKC conformation all-breed events are held annually. If you read my earlier article you would be familiar with the argument by many, many fanciers that there are too many dog shows today, and as a result, the number of entries are spread very thin but also membership and volunteerism as well.

First, do you believe that there are fewer entries at conformation dog shows? Take a look at the data concerning AKC conformation events and for those who disbelieve, this will change your mind........

Stats on AKC Registrations -- Now and Then

Not too long ago I read an article authored by Bo Bengtson titled "Best in Show Winners" in which he cited statistics for dog registrations after World War II. His thorough research revealed that by the end of 1949, or more to the point that decade, there were more than 240,000 AKC registered dogs in the United States. Upon reading this, I thought back to my earlier Canine Chronicle articles in which I too had performed extensive research on dog registrations as well as AKC dog event statistics from year to year.

This number of 240,000 struck me as intriguing, and I immediately started looking back through my older articles. And there I found what I needed. In my 2013 article "Metamorphosis", I had published an extrapolation from data issued by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the AKC Annual Reports as well as in the 2013 Canine Chronicle Annual Issue, "The Big Picture."

In 2010, there were 563,611 purebred dog registrations. This number represented a staggering 63% decrease in annual dog registrations from the pinnacle of AKC registrations during 1992 with approximately 1.5 million dogs recorded. Now, because AKC did not publish dog registrations in 2011 nor going forward, we are left only to extrapolate. While using the last known AKC registration data released, the CFO cited that, in 2011, registration revenue was $2 million or 8% less than 2010. Reported revenue is for both dog and litter registrations combined. Venturing forward, if the going rate was $30.00, per a single dog registration, then theoretically, registrations were down in 2011 by approximately 66,666 dogs or about 496,945 registered. Even if one does not use the single dog registration fees and decides to use litter registration fees -- the revenue numbers are close because each litter is $25.00 plus $2.00 per puppy.

From there, the CFO reported that 2012 registration revenue was down 10.6% from 2011. This way, using the same logic and approximations only, there may have been approximately 444,269 purebred dogs registered in 2012. Now, in 2013, AKC reported that there was an upward tick of 5% in registration revenue which is always welcome but worrisome as to where exactly this came from -- remember the high volume breeders fiasco -- so, we can estimate that there were 466,482 dogs registered in 2013.

2014 registration revenue was nearly identical to 2013 with $15,000 in revenue shortage from the year prior, or I estimate about 500 fewer dogs. What I do love about these reports is that the 2015 Annual Report stated that dog registration revenue was up 2% than the year prior but, this number is still less than 2009 which the AKC fails to mention. Going by AKC's revenue reports of the 2% increase over the prior year, I can only approximate that this means there were 18,500 more dogs or about 484,482 dogs registered in 2015.

If any of these numbers are to be believed, then the American Kennel Club purebred dog registrations are only twice what they were in 1949. Certainly, not a place that I think the AKC envisaged themselves to be in 67 years later.

 

 

AKC Revises Driving Distance for Dog Shows

I am providing an update to my earlier Blog Post titled, "Sad to See" which discussed the issue of far too many AKC all-breed conformation dog shows and the impact it is having on long-established all-breed kennel clubs. Now, the AKC has lowered the barriers for even more dog shows which, by the way, generates more entry revenue for the AKC. If many of you were not aware, every Premium List includes the following verbiage: "Including $3.00 AKC event service fee per entry & $.50 AKC recording fee first entry only"......

Update on a Previous Post "Here We Go Again, Foreign Dog Show Judges"

I recently have been told that one or more members of the Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhound Club were allegedly upset that I publicly aired their April specialty show debacle involving the foreign judge, Knut Olav Wille. Although out of politeness, I originally did not mention their specialty association by name, nor the Judge's, I am doing so now for several reasons......

Sad to See

I recently attended a dog show cluster that used to be called "The Adirondack Circuit, The Place to Be," which is a well-known eastern cluster of five back-to-back shows held in Ballston Spa, New York during August. Wednesday through Sunday, these shows have provided an opportunity for exhibitors to "park and plant it" for as long as I can remember and in years past attracted large entries. Admittedly, I have not exhibited at this circuit since 2009 but boy, what a surprise it was for me when I arrived. I entered one day out of the five being a Saturday and it was, as I alluded to, something of a shock for me and my friend....