Pure Dog Talk

Safely Incorporating Our Dogs in Holiday Festivities Dr. Marty Greer, DVM and Host Laura Reeves riff on safely incorporating our pets in the holiday festivities, from electricity to plants to food to weather. Greer's recommendations include: * Electric cord safety – wrap thin cords with metal safety coil * Jingle bells on low branches for warning that the dog is in trouble * Unwrapped candy canes that aren’t dangerous on low branches * Keep the canned spinach on hand * Secure tree to ceiling or wall * Crate the dog during dinner with a stuffed kong or chew bone to entertain them. * Beware of alcohol consumption. Guests don't always take the dog into consideration when setting down a glass. * Make your dog part of the meal with snacks of raw carrots, small bits of meat instead of fats * Save broth cooked with bones, carrots, celery for food dressing * No more than 10% of meal should be additive. Commercial kibble is precisely formatted to meet the dogs needs. Substantially altering the contents of the meal can cause problems. * Mistletoe and Easter Lilly and Yew plants are highly toxic. Poinsettia actually isn’t. Macadamia nuts and raisins are food items less known to be toxic. * Boots are good for dogs in extreme cold or wet snow. Greer recommends the musher boots used in the Iditarod. * Pet safe deicer and antifreeze -- both products are excellent. If dogs walk on salt or deicer that isn't suited to pets, rinse their feet thoroughly as soon as you can. * Dressing up our dogs entertains us, but not all dogs find it funny. Let your pet make the choice on outfits. * Slushy snow is bad as it can freeze in the feet and undercarriage. For more information about preventing and dealing with potential intestinal blockages, listen here. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Ideas to Grow Our Sport: Amateur Champion, Critiques, Welcome Join a conversation between judges and exhibitors brainstorming ideas to grow the sport of purebred dogs. Lesley Hiltz, Karen Ericson and Sid Marx join moderator Laura Reeves along with exhibitors at the Whidbey Island Kennel Club. This is part two of the Pure Dog Talk Saturday Symposium posted last week. The Q&A discussion examined various perspectives on ideas to help increase conformation numbers and enthusiasm. Building on a suggestion from Marx in part one, audience questions focused on the idea of creating an actual amateur championship, akin to the same title in field trials, for the sport of conformation. “I’ve always thought there should be an amateur division and an open division everyone can enter,” Ericson said, similar to horse shows. “In Australia, every kennel club is only allowed one Championship show a year and are required to hold an open show, where no points are awarded,” Hiltz added. Marx spoke to the idea of a “breed level show” judged by provisional judges and “group shows” judged by regular status judges. Provisional judges can learn at the “breed level” where they can take more time. Critiques redux A common theme in our exhibitor conversations is the ongoing desire for critiques. Our judge panelists, who judge internationally, spoke to the practice in other systems. Hiltz noted that in Denmark, for example, judges receive extensive training in the skills required to offer useful critiques. She also noted that technology is such that the judges words are uploaded almost instantaneously. One exhibitor comment referenced the common practice in livestock/4-H judging whereby judges give reasons for each placement “We give critiques to the rep after we judge when we have provisional breeds. If we can do that, we should be able to give them for exhibitors as well,” Marx observed. Ericson noted that all judges have a learning curve. “It’s easy to pick out faults. There’s a real training process to pick out virtues and achieve positive judging.” On those same lines, Marx made a point about the process that judges go through and that while adult learners do best when they use their knowledge right away, the process in place functionally means judges receive provisional approval and it might be a year before they have a chance to judge. Ericson reminded the participants that dog shows can be intimidating for new folks. “We just have to be a lot more welcoming.” Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Inspiring True Story: From First Show to Best in Show Antoinelle Vulpis and "Archer" winning BIS Sunday at The Kennel Club of Philadelphia. Antoinelle Vulpis chose a Skye Terrier as her first show dog. Two years after their first show, Vulpis and Archer won Best in Show at The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show. Vulpis offers another inspiring “newbie” story as she shares her journey, the importance of her breeders/mentors and the support of the dog show community. "I grew up like any kid watching Westminster on TV. We had Golden Retrievers as family dogs, but I always kind of wanted something a little different. I was a total dog geek," Vulpis said. After college, Vulpis got a job at AKC that required her to attend dog shows. "I decided I wanted to try this myself. Then I saw Larry Cornelius and Charlie the Skye Terrier. THAT was the dog for me," Vulpis said. Parent Clubs and Handlers Vulpis made contact with Michael Pesare through the Skye Terrier Club of America. She then waited a year for the right dog from the right litter. Her puppy arrived exactly two years before her first best in show. "My mentors drove three hours one way without a dog entered just to cheer me on at my first dog show," Vulpis said. Her breeders helped her learn how to groom the rare breed and supported her at every step, she added. "My handler friends are so willing to help me and share. They're the people who inspire me. I try to learn from them," Vulpis said. "Asking someone more experienced than you will really pay off." Vulpis counts professional handlers from Greg Strong to Ernesto Lara in her list of people who have helped her along the way. Listen to the input "I asked all kinds of people for advice," Vulpis said. Vulpis' favorite grooming product is #1 All Systems Invisible Hold "It's the holy grail for keeping the part to stay in place." "I don't brush him every day because it takes hair out. Only once or twice a week to keep mats under control. I keep him clean, and bathe him weekly," Vulpis noted. "Now that I'm realizing I can make a difference in how he's presented and how he looks. I get to the dog show early and spend time bathing his under-carriage and blow dry him. The extra time and care really has paid off," Vulpis said. For more stories from new people to the sport, listen here and here. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Saturday Symposium – Preservation Breeding With Experts Host and Moderator Laura Reeves is joined by breeders/judges Lesley Hiltz, Sid Marx and Karen Ericson at the Whidbey Island Kennel Club with a robust conversation about preservation breeding. This is part one. Part two, including audience participation, conversation and more idea generation will be posted next Monday. Preservation of our breeds to save their place in history Lesley Hiltz "When you judge in Europe," Hiltz noted, "the average exhibitor age is mid 30s. There are lots of families, often three generations together. It's a family sport. But they also only have one show a month. If we had fewer shows we could see more support for the ones remaining." Marx observed that too often exhibitors haven’t even read the standard for their breed. "People become captive to what’s winning. Breeding to what’s winning rather than what’s correct. We want to get as many new young exhibitors involved in the sport as we can. But they need to make an effort to find mentors and learn the history of their breed," Marx said. Sid Marx Ericson encouraged folks to "Get our dogs out among the public." Clubs need to do things besides dog shows, she added. "To get a dog from a breeder, you might as well apply to be a CEO of a fortune 500 company," Erickson said. "Trust people with your best, not your worst. Tell them you are trusting them with a piece of my heart and legacy." "Dog shows in Australia are less stressful and more fun," Marx said. "Certainly more wine is drunk. It’s a party at their shows. It’s an event." Proactive policies Karen Ericson Some ideas from the panelists: * Encourage altered dog competition * Encourage anyone who shows a spark to come to the dog show. Stop what you’re doing and share with public. Share excitement about the show. * Bring back dog shows that stop at the breed level. Rankings are hurting us. The average person isn't at the dog show to fight for Group 1. * Follow Austalia's lead: "class in group awards." So if your 6-9 puppy wins his class, he competes in 6-9 competition in group. People stay for group, talk to other people in other breeds. Gives a whole lot of other people the chance to win something in group. To hear previous discussions on this topic, click here and here. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:  

History: To Understand the Present, Must Know the Past Lesley Hiltz, long time Beagle breeder and conformation judge, details a new history project launched by Beagle enthusiasts worldwide. “The Beagle History Resource is a non-profit website with the aim to preserve the history of beagles and the community surrounding it for the future. All is maintained by volunteers and beagle enthusiasts, and we rely purely on donations to keep the service free for the public,” according to the website. The driving forces behind this initiative are: Toke Larsen from Denmark, Hiltz from the USA, Jonathon Willis from New Zealand and Alice Cancikova from Czech Republic. Additional volunteers are needed, Hiltz noted. Email the committee to help in any way, she added. Saved to the cloud Hiltz praised Larsen for his technology skill and abilities to preserve the history utilizing the “cloud” into perpetuity “or whatever comes next.” The website has the capacity to host photos, writings and other documents. Other breeds also have developed similar concepts, including: https://whippet.breedarchive.com/home/index http://borzoipedia.com/ (currently under construction) Beagles at sea Hiltz’ story of transporting two of her early Beagles from England to Australia via cargo ship is mesmerizing and puts all current import/export complaints in context. Actively involved in Beagles since the early ‘60s, in Australia, England and the United States, Hiltz offers a wide ranging and compelling narrative of her personal history in the breed. Preserving her breed and its history is the driving force for Hiltz in working on the development of this online resource. But she envisions it as an opportunity to develop a worldwide, all breeds repository. “I can envision a kennel club taking up this project and having a central location for all of the information that’s out there,” Hiltz said. “To understand the present, we must know the past.” Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

How One “Dog Person” is Revolutionizing Flying Our Dogs Pilar Kuhn is revolutionizing flying purebred dogs. Kuhn and her husband Rod Ott are breeders of Scottish Terriers and Bouvier des Flandres. They also run a shipping company transporting dogs for breeders and exhibitors world-wide. In her work, Kuhn has established strong relationships with the major US carriers. When she identified a problem, specifically crate sizing and helping her clients meet the needs of the airlines, she just naturally decided to devise a solution. “After six months working with the airlines, I said, ‘how can we solve this!’,” Kuhn said. K9 PreCheck Kuhn’s solution was enabled by understanding both sides of the equation: * exhibitors and breeders’ needs to get their dog from point A to point B without any hassle or concern about the dog being in the proper crate for the airline’s requirements, and * airlines’ needs to provide safe, reliable transport for the dogs in their care. Kuhn’s new domestic service means your dog will fly in cargo with zero complications. A nominal membership fee with K9PreCheck, means your dog is “in the system” and is guaranteed to fly. Kuhn also has negotiated lower rates with the airlines and can often save owners money on the flight. The basis of the service is that exhibitors and breeders need (not just want) their dogs to get to point A at a certain time and get home again. Clients provide Kuhn with photos of the dog, crate, buckets, etc, as well as proof of entry or other timeline. K9 PreCheck assures the airlines the dogs and owners are “following the rules” and removing the “discretion of the agent” worries aside. Kuhn’s service is not for exhibitors flying *with* their dogs as “excess baggage.” It is specifically for clients flying dogs as “cargo.” Contact Kuhn at her pet shipping website, www.casafairviewk9s.com or call 310-742-2242 for more information. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

The Uber Dog Needs a Job: German Wirehaired Pointer The German Wirehaired Pointer is generally the smartest dog in the room, according to panelists at the GWPCA national specialty show. "They’d rather break in to your house than out of your house. They want to be with you. They want lots of attention and want to be part of the family. I want to sell a dog to someone who is active, does a lot, tries new things. You need to do something with the dog." -- Breeder and Judges Education Coordinator, Judy Cheshire Robin Nelson "They do require a tremendous amount of time. You have to be with them. You cannot not have a plan regarding all the events you do with them and commit to that from day one. I can’t even imagine not crate training a wirehair. I love how they learn, I love how they think. They’re people in their previous lives." -- Veterinarian and GWP owner, Robin Nelson Laura Myles "Owners with small, furry, edible pets are screened out from the beginning. They’re incredibly smart loyal and manipulative. To successfully live with GWP, you need structure. Left without structure they are sort of like Dennis the Menace crossed with Home Alone. It's not enough to just exercise the dog. They enjoy doing things. But they tend to thrive in a benevolent dictatorship." -- Breeder, Conformation, Hunt Test and Field Trial Judge, Laura Myles Versatile hunting dogs, versatile performance dogs Judy Cheshire "The Germans in the late 1800s wanted a dog that could do everything. Hunt fur and feather, retrieve on land and in water, track wounded game, dispatch small predators, guard hearth and home," Cheshire said. "A lot of breeds were being developed at that time. This splinter group broke off who decided performance was most important. The early GWP motto was 'Breed as you like, be honest, tell what you’re breeding to, make progress,'" Cheshire added. "They don’t quit. They go til they’re dead. I love their drive. I truly believe you can teach them anything," Nelson observed. "If you can break it into the steps, there is nothing you can’t teach them. They get bored easily and they rewrite the lesson plan for you. The dog needs to buy in to the lesson plan with you. You have to be prepared. And always stop on a positive," Myles noted. For more information, visit: https://gwpca.com/ Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Crowd Sourcing Knowledge of Devastating Disease Barb Jenness, chair of the Newfoundland Club of America Forelimb Anomaly Committee, joins host Laura Reeves to talk about the crowd sourcing their group is doing to identify and research this little-known but crippling disease. A 1981 case study conducted in Norway first described the condition: ABSTRACT A description of a litter of Newfoundland dogs of which six out of seven puppies suffered from, more or less, deformation of the elbow joints, is presented. The two male dogs were, because of the condition, destroyed at 20 weeks of age. The patho-anatomical examination revealed abnormalities of the joint cartilage of all the major joints of the extremities. The condition is described as a generalized fibroid, proliferative degeneration of the joint cartilage. Photo courtesy of NCA Charitable Trust, Forelimb Anomaly Committee. Jenness said puppies affected with FLA “their front legs bow out. It’s not dwarfism, but that’s what it looks like. Dwarfism affects all the legs, this is just the front legs.” According to the FLA website: "We believe it is not viral, bacterial, caused by rapid growth, or a specific diet. Most researchers believe it is genetic but the exact mode of inheritance is unknown." The defect is often not recognized until eight to 12 weeks of age and the puppies may be in their new homes before anyone determines there is a problem, Jenness said. Not Just Newfoundlands A current study, and working with OFA, has enabled the Committee to identify other affected breeds, including Tibetan Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Jenness noted that all of the breeds with affected puppies have some relation to the Newfoundland. Jenness’ committee was established to create a clearinghouse of xrays and information because the disease is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Her other primary goal is to “get the word out” to owners and club members so that if a puppy is affected, it’s xrays, DNA and case history can be added to the committee’s crowdsourcing approach to gathering data. “Nobody wants to come face to face with such a crippling disease,” Jenness said, addressing the challenges of working with breeders on the problem. “Overcoming stigma is a challenge.” Jenness said a test breeding was done in the ‘80s, before the availability of DNA and genetic testing available today. The test breeding mated two affected dogs, which produced zero affected progeny. From that test, Jenness said, “We have determined it is not a simple recessive. At this point we believe it is a polygenic trait with a trigger that turns it on or off, although this still unconfirmed.” “It’s hard to get studies funded that are focused on just one breed,” Jenness said. “As we’ve identified other breeds affected, we have ongoing studies and promising information is coming out. But we need more samples, more x-rays, more confirmed cases to be reported so we can add to the information.” Anyone with questions or concerns about their dogs, or who would like to participate in the studies, contact Jenness at forelimbanomaly@gmail.com Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Intestinal Blockages: Prevention, Treatment, Recovery Dr. Marty Greer DVM shares some horror stories of what and why dogs eat things they shouldn’t that cause intestinal blockages. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Greer said. Puppy Proof Your House Puppies explore their environment with their mouths, Greer noted. “If it’s smaller than their head, they may swallow it,” she said. Be careful with your pets’ access to anything they can eat, bottom line. The dog that eats things often will repeat the behavior. The owners need to learn from the dog’s mistakes and be sure their environment is safe. Even a crated dog isn’t always out of danger -- be sure not to put anything on or near the dog’s crate. Retrievers at High Risk Teaching young dogs to trade something inappropriate in their mouths for a treat is a helpful way to set the dog up for success and avoid dangerous blockages. Induce Vomiting We have all been told to use hydrogen peroxide to make the dog vomit if you see it eat something inappropriate. Greer strongly recommends, instead, a trip to the vet for a dose of Apomorphine. This is a safer alternative than the peroxide, which can have dangerous side effects. Difficult Diagnosis Even when you suspect the dog might have eaten something, the x-rays are not always successful at showing a blockage. Cloth and non-metal items won’t show up. A lethargic dog that doesn’t eat and has repeated vomiting, can’t keep down food or even water, is one that is going to be suspect for a blockage. Pregnancy Increases Danger Pregnant bitches may have nausea that they will try to assuage by eating whatever they can get ahold of, Greer said. Hyper awareness with them is imperative. Treatment Intestinal blockage is a life-threatening situation. The dog will need emergency and often exploratory surgery. The recovery is extended and difficult. After surgery, the dogs are required to stay on IV fluids for 48-72 hours. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Black & Tan Dynamos: The Wash & Wear Manchester Fun loving, smart, active, long-lived, wash and wear... The Manchester Terrier is an all-around favorite as a companion. The Manchester Terrier has two varieties, Standard and Toy, both descended from the extinct black and tan terrier, according to a panel of experts at the American Manchester Terrier Club National Specialty. The Manchester’s job was to hunt rats and other vermin in England and they retain the high prey drive today. Our experts encourage new owners to be sure their Manchester is on lead when outside a fenced area. “You can have a good recall, but a squirrel will always take precedence,” said Marla Zoz. Key Manchester Points: * High drive, are food motivated but easily distracted. * Very smart, pick up new skills quickly. * Get very attached to their people. Suitable for a house or apartment. * Need lots of physical activity. * Require a lot of attention. * Love being a part of the family. * Need to spend time to develop well balanced companion. * Low maintenance grooming… nails, clean teeth, wash and wear. * Longevity – 15+ years. * Health issues include cardiomyopathy and vWD, a bleeding disorder. When visiting with a potential breeder, be sure to ask if he/she is testing for these conditions with available DNA tests. Standard Manchester Terriers are allowed to have naturally erect ears, button (shown here) or cropped. Toy Manchesters are only shown with naturally erect ears. “You want to go, they’re ready at a moment’s notice. You want to cuddle on the couch, they’re right there,” said Jim Burrows. Toy Manchester Terriers are under 12 pounds, Standard are 12-22 pounds. These dogs are terriers, whether standard or toy sized, our panelists noted. They can “talk a lot.” Everyone agreed that the “four-footed burglar alarm” breed can be vocal. “They’re going to bark if they see something they don’t know,” Burrows said. While generally aloof with strangers, the Manchester will warm up to new folks quickly. The breed needs a lot of socializing to develop a well-rounded dog, the breeders all agreed. Dog aggression, typical of many terriers, is manageable with appropriate socializing and training. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

20th Century Secrets in a 21st Century Format, Jaraluv MBIS Ch. Jaraluv Ouija – Faith’s daughter who holds the BIS record for Deerhounds in the US with 21 All Breed BIS. Pictured here at 8 years at the SDCA national specialty. Part two of the powerful interview with Ray and Jana Brinlee of Jaraluv Scottish Deerhounds applies their breeding secrets to today’s society. The small number operation modeled by the Brinlees is far more applicable to today’s world than the huge kennels maintained in the heyday of the sport. “We need breeders to mentor new people,” Ray said. “There might be 20 good breeders and 80 people who breed dogs. There's a difference.” Ray’s solution to the “more exhibitors, fewer breeders” matrix that is at the center of dog show’s perceived decline is – it’s part of mentorship “Breeders need to encourage pet people to show dogs,” Ray said. “We need breeders to tell folks, ‘that’s a heck of a dog I sold you, let’s try this, let’s go to this show, don’t waste those genes.” The subjective nature of dog shows often is a driving force for exhibitors who turn to companion events, but the Brinlees see a different perspective. “The difference is, as a breeder, you are doing it for the love of the breed,” Jana said. “You are trying to maintain the breed in the best way you can. All these other events are nice, they are fun, but they are not about preserving or maintaining your breed.” Form IS Function “We have to be concerned about the function of our dogs,” Ray noted “but many of our breeds are not allowed to do their historical jobs.” The Deerhound, for example, hunted in mountainous terrain. The flat track racing style of lure coursing doesn’t accurately test the breed’s function, Jana observed. On the other hand, Ray contends that the classic “Deerhound movement…. Easy, active, true… if they do that, they will get around eight hours with the Hunt Masters hunting deer.” Breed standards were written to describe the dogs that were best at their job. “We have to rely on that written word and be careful when you read it. That scares me about the generic show dog judging … the race to get more breeds makes me uncomfortable,” Jana said. “It is important to us breeders that judges are a custodian for our breeds,” Ray added. Listen to part one of the interview here. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Jaraluv Scottish Deerhounds: 7 Secrets to Success BIS & MBISS Ch. Jaraluv Keep The Faith, shown here at Eukanuba. Three-time consecutive national specialty winner -- 2002, 2003, and 2004. Ray and Jana Brinlee, Jaraluv Scottish Deerhounds, have a truly notable record. Breeding on a very limited basis since the early 1980s, they have produced a total of 94 dogs. Of which, 75 are champions of record and 11 are Best in Show Winners. A 12 percent ratio of BIS winners to puppies produced is remarkable in any breed, never mind an aloof, tousled sighthound. The Brinlees are world-renowned for producing a very identifiable style of Deerhound. They were selected as AKC Hound Breeder of the year in 2016. In this part one of a two part interview, Ray and Jana share what developed very organically through their time in the breed, which they have distilled into seven “secrets to success” for any breeder. Secrets to Success * Imprint * Experience, mentors * Foundation stock * Dedication and commitment * Breeding plan * Presentation * Sharpen the Saw Imprint the image of perfection in your breed in your mind’s eye. Be SURE that the vision you breed to is accurate to the standard! Gain experience and seek mentors who will guide you, both in the breed and in other breeds. These folks can give you direction and encouragement. Start with the best foundation stock you can get your hands on. Whatever your goals are, start with best and do the research to find complementary breedings. Breeding dogs successfully requires dedication and commitment of time, money and effort. As Jana notes, nobody is getting rich doing this. Every breeder needs a breeding plan. This is a point of distinction that is worth noting. Plan ahead. KNOW what you want to do and how you want to do it. Admittedly plans can change, but start with a plan and work the plan for the best chance of success. Outcross? Linebreeding? What’s your plan? Presentation is a major key to success. If you’re breeding show dogs, they need to be in condition, in proper weight and trim and they need to be immaculately presented whether that is by an amateur or a professional, don’t ask judges to “find the diamond in the rough.” Sharpen the Saw is a great “Rayism”… Ray describes this as a wrap up, as a continuing striving for success. Of knowing history – “you can’t mow the lawn in the dark because you can’t see where you’ve been.” Join us for Part 2 on Thursday of this valuable series. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Golden Retriever Breed Education with Michael Faulkner In honor of the Golden Retriever National Specialty, currently under way in Southern California, Host Laura Reeves visits with legendary judge and breeder Michael Faulkner. Actively involved with Goldens since 1969, Faulkner is deeply passionate about his breed. Primarily a hunting dog “This is the GOLDEN Retriever,” Faulkner said. “They have a coat of lustrous gold, they are a water dog, their form and function is to retrieve. “The standard says ‘primarily a hunting dog,’ moderate, to be shown in good, hard working condition,” Faulkner said “Yellow Wavy Coated Retrievers” The double coat protects and wraps the body, Faulkner said. Early historians talk about the development in Scotland of “yellow, wavy coated retrievers.” “Quite often when you’re judging my breed you’re going to see a coat that wraps the body and it may have a slight wave. That’s perfect. We love it when you can see the natural wrap and frame. The coat should never be curly, but wave is perfectly acceptable,” Faulkner said. Moderation in all things Faulkner compares the correct Golden Retriever to a cow: “Moderate, legs underneath them, big rib cage, short loin, level back, thick thigh, tail straight off the back. It’s not a complicated breed.” A well-known stickler and “old guard” in the breed, Faulkner insists that Goldens were never meant to be “fluffy” and that they “should not look like a baby Newfy.” Proportions are the biggest thing next to grooming, Faulkner said. The breed standard calls for the body to be 12:11, just off square. They should never be long and low. Gentleman’s gun dog “The dogs are not supposed to roll, or lumber (when they move),” Faulkner said. “They are supposed to converge to the center line of travel. People forget that they are supposed to be primarily a hunting dog. “They were kept by the nobility. Bred to go out with the hunter, work close to their side, bring the bird back, shake dry and lie next to fire.” The cold water and rocky terrain of the breed’s native Scotland made endurance essential, Faulkner noted. Any exaggeration would hinder the working dog’s efficiency. Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by:

Pyrenean Shepherd: Small, Smart, Rare Joni McKeown with Pyrenean Shepherds Pyrenean Shepherd fancier Joni McKeown shares details of this endangered herding breed from the Pyrenees mountains of France. The small herding breed accompanied the Great Pyrenees guarding the flocks that moved between the isolated and remote regions of the mountains and valleys. “When people come to shows, everyone thinks they are cute. They have a mischievous, funny sense of humor, and a really cute little head, but this is a working dog. It should not just be a pretty face,” McKeown said. A brindle PyrShep showing cording on the back half of the dog as is correct. From the AKC website: These tough, lean, and lively herders, famous for their vigorous and free-flowing movement, come in two coat varieties: rough-faced and smooth-faced. Roughs have profuse, “windswept” hair above the muzzle and a generally harsh coat; smooths have short facial hair, a finer-textured coat, and a slightly longer, pointier muzzle. Both varieties of this sinewy, rectangular breed come in many colors and patterns. Pyr Sheps see the world through dark almond-shaped eyes conveying an alert and cunning expression. Pyrenean Shepherd puppy PyrSheps are a prime example of why pet owners should learn the history of a breed in order to better understand its temperament and behavior. “Because of their job, the breed is just hardwired to see the world as friend or foe. There's not a lot of grey area for them. Preserving that heritage is so important. French judges fuss at us for how friendly our dogs are. We kind of live in a world where we need the dogs to be friendlier. But we’re losing genetics if we start turning a Pyrenean Shepherd into a Golden Retriever (temperament). You can’t expect to have that across the board,” McKeown said. Faces rough or smooth Differences between the two “types” are notable. Head and body structure are different and both types are born in the same litter. Traits definitely pass together, McKeown observed. The rough face develops a characteristic “windblown look” of hair on its face, she added. "This is the only breed that only cords on the back half of the body. In France all the adult dogs are corded. Different dogs have different types of cords. In the US you don’t see that many people cording the dogs. It's a very rustic look. But you can keep them brushed out," McKeown said. The standard offers no preference for corded or not in the show ring. PyrShep on the move. The coat is described as half way between sheep and goat hair. It has a very coarse texture. Exhibitors are encouraged to not do a lot of bathing or blow drying as it changes the coat texture. The standard also includes strong penalties for trimming anything but the pads of the feet. Best owners PyrSheps can live 17 to 20 years. They need a dedicated owner who will give them lots of activity, McKeown noted. "These dogs really, really need a job. The breed is brilliant. Almost frightening sometimes the things they figure out. They're not always the best breed for a novice dog owner. More intense even than other herding breeds because they're closer to the roots," McKeown said. For More Information: http://www.pyrshepclub.org/breed-info/history/ Pure Dog Talk is sponsored by

Secret to Success with Owner-Handler Matt Palmer Missouri public defender Matt Palmer, with his Golden Retriever, on his way to winning Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club with his first show dog. The 2019 Secret to Success award goes to owner-handler Matt Palmer winning Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club with his first show dog. Host Laura Reeves gets up close and personal with everyone’s newest hero. A Missouri State Public Defender, Palmer discovered Golden Retrievers at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia dog show he visited on a whim. He took AKC's advice on how to find a reputable breeder, winding up with "great mentors, breeders who took a chance on selling a nice puppy to someone they didn't know." "It's remarkable the number of people who have “scaffolded me” in this sport," Palmer said. "People have been amazing. Everyone I’ve come across has helped me in one way or another." Palmer said his secret to success came when he was working his dog at a handling class. An instructor noticed the dog tensing up when he was hand-stacked. After working through the problem, Palmer said he realized he "was worried about my jacket riding up and basically mooning everyone." He bought a pair of suspenders on Amazon and his confidence skyrocketed. The team's success took off from that point. "I now own 10 pairs of suspenders and have a couple pair of extras in my tack box," Palmer said. "I wanted the purple and gold" Palmer said his high school sports experiences left him "competitive to a fault," and gave him the drive to achieve more. While he competed in the National Owner Handled Series his first year or so, glad to have extra time in the ring to practice, "I wanted purple and gold, not the maroon ribbon," he opined. Missouri to Manhattan Deciding to attend Westminster Kennel Club was sort of a lark for Palmer. "I thought it would be cool to go see it. I had absolutely no expectation of significant success," he said. As his case load was starting to build up at work, Palmer had planned not to go. After visiting with professional handler friends at the dog show, he finally decided to go ahead and make the trip with them. Professionals, not adversaries "I think there is a divide between owner-handler and professional handler when there doesn’t need to be one," Palmer noted. "I tell people I'm happy to help, hold dogs, etc if they could give me a few minutes of feedback. "Any chance to learn from professionals is invaluable. I try to absorb things that are second nature, reflexive to them. "My (professional handler) friend came early to meet me at the Piers so he could be ringside for the breed. He could have been in bed, but instead he grabs a bucket and a towel and stands ringside and cheers me on." Poop strike The most terrifying moment of the Garden experience, Palmer said, is his dog wouldn't potty. "He grew up in Kansas and Missouri, he'd never seen all that concrete. He wouldn’t poop! I was mortified he was going to touch that green carpet and decide it was a perfect place to poop," Palmer said wryly. "Dog shows have been a great social outlet," Palmer said. "We'll keep going. It's so cool, everywhere you go, you see somebody you met somewhere else… "Sometimes we win, most the time we don’t. But when we do, it’s pretty fun." For more inspiring stories of owner-handlers check out some of these past episodes: 57 – Best in Show: How an Owner-Handler Competes with the Pros – Tricia Stanczyk 318 – Owner Handler Secrets: Make a Plan and Be Consistent...