The dog show magazine celebrating the Toy Group of dog breeds - featuring articles, tips, and information provided with help from breeders, owners, handlers, club members, and judges.
GCHB CH WINDSONG’S SOMETHIN’ TO TALK ABOUT
*AKC STATS AS OF 9/30/21
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*
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B R E E D E R / OW N E R / H A N D L E R • C H E R I E M C D A N I E L 4 • T op N otch T oys , N ovember 2021
M B I S S B I S G C H S C H R E H - P I N ’ S I A M C H A R M E D F O R C H E R I S T A R
C H E R I S T A R M I N I AT U R E P I N S C H E R S
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GCH Legacy Chenin Blanc with Evera Our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Judge Mrs. Evalyn Gregory for including Bliss in the cut at Westminster Kennel Club. Congratulations to Best of Breed Winners and Westminster Kennel Club for putting on an extraordinary event.
Owned by Michele True, Co-owned with Dawn Stevens-Lindemaier Bred by Dawn Stevens-Lindemaier candid photography by©SueBee Photography
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FLASH SARASOTAKENNEL CLUB 6/16/2021 JUDGE: Mrs. Barbara Dempsey Alderman | OS/BOBOH JUDGE: Mr. Gary L. Andersen | SEL/BOBOH GREATER VENICE FLORIDADOG CLUB INC (2) 6/18/2021 JUDGE: Michael Canalizo | BOBOH MID-FLORIDA CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL 6/19/2021 SWEEPSTAKES JUDGE: Gwendolyn Wells | SEL/BOBOH
“Beautiful exhibit with a compact body and good spring of rib. Pretty face with kind expression and large round eyes with a well- cushioned muzzle. Excellent movement both coming and going. This gal has so many good things going for her!” Dr. Margaret Reed Thank you judge
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DEBARAH BILLINGS BREEDER OWNER HANDLER WWW.WINDSONGBIEWERS.COM
BRONZE AKC BREEDER OF MERIT
#1 ALL BREED * *AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 10/31/21
NATIONAL DOG SHOW BEST OF BREED
Heartfelt Thank You To Judge Eugene Blake and Handler, Susan Giles
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DEBARAH BILLINGS BREEDER OWNER HANDLER WWW.WINDSONGBIEWERS.COM
BRONZE AKC BREEDER OF MERIT
GCHB CH WINDSONG’S SOMETHIN’ TO TALK ABOUT THE ONLY BIEWER TERRIER TO WIN THE TOY GROUPS ON THE COVER
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TU CHU SHIH TZU KATHY KWAIT MARJA SHIH TZU MARK & JACKIE STEMPEL Sam RESERVE BEST IN SHOW • MULTI GROUP WINNING Priscilla A. Gabosch, Toby B. Frisch, Alice Watkins, Marge Calltharp, Dana Cline, Sandra Walker, Kathleen Kolbert, Marjorie Tuff, James E. Frederiksen & James E. Noe WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING JUDGES WHO IT WAS A TRUE HONOR TO RECEIVE AWARDS FROM THEM
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grand champion MARJA-TU CHU SINGULAR SENSATION
CH. TU CHU MARJA SUN BEAM ROM ELIGIBLE X BIS GCH. MARJA TU CHU SINGLE STRAND
#6 2021 ALL BREED SHIH TZU *
IN JUST A FEW WEEKS AS A SPECIAL *AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 10/31/21
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CONTENTS TABLE OF
TNT
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AJ ARAPOVIC CEO & Publisher aj@aramediagroup.com Office 512-686-3466 ext. 102 Cell 512-541-8128 HANIFA ARAPOVIC Vice President hanifa@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 104 Cell 512-541-8687 MICHAEL R. VERAS Chief Operating Officer michael@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 101 ALEXANDRA GEBHARDT Chief Marketing Officer, Head Of Digital Brands alex@aramediagroup.com 1-908-288-7733 SAMANTHA ADKINS Production Co-Ordinator Advertiser Relations samantha@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 103 DANIEL CARTIER Director, Social Media & Web Site daniel@aramediagroup.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR/EDITOR BONNIE GUGGENHEIM Advertising Director/Editor bonnie@aramediagroup.com 512-971-3280 SOCIAL MEDIA ELMA BEGIC Manager, Social Media & Creative Content elma@aramediagroup.com 1-512-686-3466
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14 Toy Talk 16 Toy Box
41
Why Do People Bash? Sharon Masnick
Bonnie Guggenheim
Submitted by Jo Ann White, Susan Kilgore & Nayef Homsi 44
You Know You’re a Dog Person When... Susan F. Shephard
19 AKC National OH Series: Do You Check the Box? Pat Bullard 23 Run Your Toy in Fast Cat Susan Thibodeaux 30 Canine Cognitive Dysfuction Kim Gillette, Esq. & Dr. Rafe H. Schindler 35 Smoke and Mirrors Bonnie L. Guggenheim
48 52 53 55 58 61
Pekingese Examination by an Expert Colleen Doolin Skinner
What is Meant by ‘High Stepping and Free?’ Italian Greyhounds on the Move Kim Brinker
The Breeder Author Unknown
Are You Having Fun Yet? Richard Paquette
MAILING ADDRESS PO BOX 18567 TAMPA, FL 33679
38 Safety Reminder: The Holidays are Approaching Sharon Masnick
A Beginner’s Guide to Examining & Judging the Shih Tzu Joe Walton
TOP NOTCH TOYS is published twelve times per year by AraMedia Group, Inc. PO Box 18567, Tampa, FL 33679. Postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska. No part of this publica- tion may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the editor. The opinions expressed in this publication either editorially or in advertising copy are those of the authors and do not necessarily constitute en- dorsement by the publishers. The editor reserves the right to reasonably edit all copy submitted. All articles become the property of the publishers. Subscription price for third class service in the United States: $75.00. Canadian and U.S. First Class: $110.00. Overseas rates upon request. In- quiries to: Michael R. Veras, COO, AraMedia Group Inc., PO Box 18567, Tampa FL 33678512 686 3466 ext 105 or michael@aramediagroup.com.
40 Candids:
The Shih Tzu Head Jo Ann White 63 Italian Greyhound Judging Harry Bennett
Salisbury Kennel Club Tom Weigand
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H E A R T L A N D B I E W E R T E R R I E R S & H E A V E N S E N T B I E W E R S
# 2 I N BREED I N NOHS F I NAL S *
Owned by Rose Kitta and Kathy Totten B R O N Z E G R A N D C H A M P I O N WINDSONG’S HEAVEN SENTTO THE HEARTLAND CM WINSTON *AKC NOHS STATS 2021 Bred by Debarah Billings
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TOY TALK ETCETERA by Bonnie Guggenheim, TNT Advertising Director & Associate Editor
SEE YOU IN ORLANDO!
living rooms of judges and Toy aficio- nados all over the country. You should be a part of this awesome Toy maga- zine that has been in business 30-plus years. Help make us bigger and bet- ter with every issue. Together we can do it! Tell me all about your great wins and hot news, because inquiring minds want to know. Bonnie bonnie@aramediagrp.com 512.971.3280
For those of you involved in any of the performance competitions, I’d love to talk with you about how Toy dogs can and do compete. Would you con- sider writing an article tomake it even more important and include ideas on getting started? It is another world out there for many of us and TNT would like to include you! The Owner-Handlers are more im- portant, more successful, and much more able to compete, with many looking just like the professionals. Statistics prove that Owner-Han- dlers are becoming a force in the Toy ring, and the OH experience has en- abled them to move right up in the statistics. This is another area that I’d like to request articles and suggestions for Top Notch
T he Orlando shows are wonderful, exciting, fun-filled, and a shopping extravaganza. (Plus, there are sur- prises inside and outside the ring.) There is no other way to describe the AKC Show sponsored by Royal Canin except to way, WOW! With a huge en- try of over 4,000 fabulous dogs, it is the perfect place to see top-winning Toy Specials from within and outside the country, as well as up-and-coming class dogs. Many of these class dogs are produced by parents currently in the Specials ring, which proves that a pedigree of quality comes shining through—generation after generation. Many of the specials and newcomers have been highlighted in TNT , where all the finest Toys are found. It’s a great place to see the dogs you have only seen in pedigrees. It’s exciting (and one of the best parts) for me to know that I will have an op- portunity tomeetmany of youwhomI only talk with on the phone. For those of you who have missed the last year in Orlando—or even Westminster— be sure that you stop at our booth and say hello. A smiling face with a name makes TNT lots more personal, fun for me, and better for advertisers who call or email.
Toys . Who is ready to write an article for our next issue?
The competition in Toys is very tough and becoming more soeachyear, so use your ads to celebrate your success and tell everyone what you have accom- plished during the year. Remember,
submitted by Susan Kilgore
don’t get lost in the other magazines—be found in TOP NOTCH TOYS . Our magazine is seen on the coffee tables and
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B I S S G C H S K A L L M E E T H E A E R I A L I S T
2021 NATIONAL SPECIALTY BEST OF BREED! 2020 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOB 2021 MORRIS AND ESSEX BOB FOUR GROUP 1’S, MULTIPLE GROUP PLACEMENTS NEWS FLASH!
Thank you Mrs. Nancy Liebes for Group 2 at the Greater Ocala Dog and Mrs. Patricia Nemirovsky De Alsina for the Group 4 at the Jacksonvil le Dog Fanciers Association shows! Thank you judges for the recognition and the comments—our favorite is “he’s a beautiful dog and sure knows how to use his legs!”
FLYER
SUSAN AND STEVE THIBODEAUX KALLMEE—HOME OF EXCEPTIONAL DOGS SINCE 1978, COCOA, FL
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TOP NOTCH TOYS
TOYBOX
submitted by Jo Ann White
submitted by Breeder Owner Susan Kilgore
Submitted by Breeder Owner Nayef Homsi
SUBMIT YOUR CUTE PHOTOS TO OUR TOYBOX DEPARTMENT. Any clear photo will do—black & white or color, regular photo or digital. (If sending digital images, send high resolution 300 DPI for best quality.) Please submit your name and the name of the dog.
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“Jackie” THE FIRST AKC BIEWER TERRIER CHAMPION & WESTMINSTER BOB WINNER 2021
CH KLUB LEO-BINARI DZHOKER
(WOODY OF SUNFLOWER X ROYAL ROSE CLUB LEO BINARY)
JACKIE EXUDES BREED TYPE: BEAUTIFUL HEAD PIECE WITH DARK ROUND EYES, SMALL EARS, STRONG TOPLINE, CORRECT TAIL SET AND CARRIAGE, CORRECT COAT TEXTURE, RICH TRI COLORS AND STRONG BLACK PIGMENT. JACKIE IS AVAILABLE AT STUD TO APPROVED BITCHES.
BREEDER: IRINA SERGEEVA OWNERS: NAYEF HOMSI & ANDREW PEEL HANDLERS: ANDREW PEEL, TARA MARTIN ROWELL & MICHELLE M. JONES
WWW.ARC-EN-CIEL-BIEWERS.COM • INFO@ARC-EN-CIEL-BIEWERS.COM • (646) 415-1444
Westminster Kennel Club
OUR DECEMBER ISSUE
SPOTLIGHT ON PERFORMANCE SPORTS & TITLES
Featuring: yorkshire terrier papillon havanese new specials akc national championship, national dog show & NOHS winners
sent to: akc toy judges
DISTRIBUTED AT MAJOR SHOWS FROM DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY
international Judges 39k Email Subscribers shared on Social Media
1 Full Page $425 2 Full Pages $750 Deadline december 20th Contact Bonnie Guggenheim 512-971-3280 (call or text) • bonnie@aramediagroup.com
PREFERRED PAGES AVAILABLE • CALL FOR PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
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AKC NATIONAL OWNER-HANDLED SERIES DO YOU CHECK THE BOX? by Pat Bullard
I am one of those owner-handlers and my breed is Maltese. I started showing my own dogs ten years ago when NOHS was still in its first years of existence. Since its beginnings, the rules of the series have slightly changed, allowing dogs co-owned with professionals to be shown by their non-professional owner, and now we don’t see as many judges par- ticipating in the series today as in the earlier years. Make no mistake, the competition is much more fierce in NOHS today than it was in its begin- ning years, and the experience that a new owner-handler can gain from the series is even greater now, since al- most every show offers NOHS. The series also means longer days if you win the coveted brown ribbon for NOHS Best of Breed, but it gives you the chance to spend the day learning more by watching the performances of the pros you admire. I used to teach ballet, so it’s natural for me to think in terms of dance for performance, and each step and movement means so much while you’re in the ring. For in- stance, learning when to rest your dog during Group judging is just as impor- tant as a flawless table exam. In fact, it was through showing in the NOHS Group that I finally learned what a re- ally good table exam feels like in our performance dance. The excitement of that first NOHS Group placement, first Group win, and the overwhelming joy of your first NOHS Best in Show is something you will cherish for the rest of your life, and it is the biggest step you can
W e stand side-by-side with the most famous and experienced professional handlers and breeders in the country almost every time we step into the confor- mation ring as owner-handlers, and many of us are beginners. How do we gain the presentation experience to compete with those professionals?
AKC has given us the most powerful and free tool that we could possibly hope for in the National Owner-Han- dled Series (NOHS). To compete in this series, all we have to do is check the box for each day’s entries when we enter the show. This gives us a chance to win NOHS Best of Breed and a trip to the NOHS Group ring.
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THE NEXT GENERATION
T H E I D E A L P A R T O F B R E E D I N G . . .
THANK YOU MS. DEBORAH BARRETT AND MR. RICHARD PAQUETTE
ROLLA FINISHED WITH HIS SECOND FIVE POINT MAJOR WINNING BB AND THEN WENT GROUP ONE FROM THE CLASSES IN HIS THIRD WEEKEND SHOWN! IN ONLY A FEW SHOW APPEARANCES, HE RANKED #10 MALTESE (SEPT) AND #1 1 * (OCT)
C O - OWN E R DA R Y L M A R T I N *A KC A L L B R E E D S TAT S A S O F 1 0 / 3 1 / 2 1
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C H . S A L L I P E S H M A R T I N P U F F R O C K E T R O L L A GROUP-WINNING GCH ROCKY (OWNERS ROY AND JOANN KUSUMOTO/DARYL MARTIN) X BISS GCHB MARILYN (OWNER PAT BULLARD, SALLIPESH) I N T R O D U C I N G . . . G R O U P W I N N I N G F R O M T H E C L A S S E S
THANK YOU MRS. NANCY SMITH HAFNER
Rolla B E AU T I F U L LY P R E S E N T E D B Y B R E E D E R / C O - OWN E R PAT B U L L A R D
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“OUR BREED HAS ENORMOUS GROOMING AND PRESENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES, AND LONG DAYS ARE TOUGH ON THE DOGS AS WELL AS ON US. THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS CAME ON DAYS WHEN WE
WERE MOST SUCCESSFUL, WINNING BOTH BEST OF BREED AND THE NOHS BOB RIBBON.”
©George Bullard
take toward great performances and a chance in the regular Toy Group and Best in Show ring. So, pack your bags with all you need for a longer day of fun, and make sure you plan a good way to rest for yourself and your dog. As I’ve said, I am a breeder/owner- handler and I was fortunate enough to show my Bred-By-Exhibitor Maltese to #2 NOHS Maltese sev- eral years ago. I’m also older now and don’t have as much energy as I used to have, so I can speak easily to the downside of the series too. Our breed has enormous grooming and presentation responsibilities, and long days are tough on the dogs as
well as on us. The biggest problems came on days when we were most successful, winning both Best of Breed and the NOHS BOB ribbon. Many times, the Groups would over- lap and I got to the point where I felt that I had to choose between the NOHS Group and the regular Group. There were also times when I missed a Group by being in the other Group ring, and one time the regular Toy Group was interrupted (as the judge was finishing his final exam) in or- der for the breeds that had been held up in the NOHS Group to enter the regular Group ring. That was annoy- ing to the judge and also embarrass- ing for us NOHS exhibitors. I would
hope that most of the scheduling problems have been worked out, but the reality of showing a Maltese five times on a good day is tough on any- one—and there are now more week- ends with two shows in one day! At this stage, I don’t always check the box, especially when I have a highly competitive entry. If you want to grow as a handler, the best way that I’ve found is by using the NOHS the way AKC intended; which is to help level the playing field be- tween amateurs and professionals by giving us a chance to hone our skills and become the best handlers we can possibly be through the experience of Group competition.
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RUN YOUR TOY IN FAST CAT
by Susan Thibodeaux
A tiny white dog barrels toward me, running as fast as she can while I stand between two orange plastic fences, jumping up and down and screaming encouragement till my voice is hoarse. “RUN, PRECIOUS!” I hol- ler, “Catch that bag and kill it!” People around me laugh at the thought of the tiny dog killing a white plastic bag, but all express amazement at the zeal with which my little 5-pound Toy Fox Terrier chases the bag. We have been attending FAST CAT events for a while now and we notice that there are usually few Toy dogs participating. When Toy dogs run, it tends to get attention. Everyone expects the large dogs to race the 100 yards, but they are often captivated with the scampering tiny dogs coming down the runway. For thosenot familiarwithFASTCAT, it’sanoffshoot from the Coursing Ability Test (CAT). While the CAT is a pass/fail, within a maximum time, around a 300 or 600 yard roughly oval course, FAST CAT is a one-hundred-yard dash in a straight lane. The dogs chase a lure—the white plastic bag which is on a drag or continuous loop system. The lure operator controls the speed of the lure, working to keep it just in front of the dog as it runs. It takes two people for a dog to run—one to release the dog and one to catch it at the other end. The dog’s time to complete the 100-yard dash is then con- verted intoMiles Per Hour (MPH) using a formula provid- ed by the AKC. And because dogs come in all sizes, there are handicaps to determine the points the dog will earn using the time it ran. The handicap determines the multiplier used to determine howmany points the speed of the dog earns to- wards earning FASTCAT titles. If the dog is under 12 inches, it will get a 2.0 handicap. If it’s 12 to 18 inches, it will get a 1.5 handicap, and over that gets no handicap. The speed (MPH) is multiplied times the handicap and that’s howmany points were earned on that run.
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Points are additive. The initial title, BCAT, takes 150 points, and some dogs can do it in four runs in a week- end. The next title is at 500 points (DCAT), then 1,000 points (FCAT), and then they add a number to the FCAT for each additional 500 points. As breeds are all shapes and sizes, the AKC posts Top 20 Fastest Dogs by Breed by Year on their website. These are based on the dog’s average of its three best runs. At the end of the year, the fastest dogs of each breed are in- vited to run in the AKC Fast CAT In- vitational. Last year, the Invitational was televised by ESPN2. FAST CAT is becoming hugely popu- lar. For most dogs, it takes no special training. Some dogs don’t even care about the bag—they are thrilled to run in a straight line as fast as they can go back to their owner. Others take to chasing the bag like it’s prey, and they want to catch and kill it right away. Hence my instructions to Precious to “kill the bag!” She viewed it as vermin to catch and dispatch from her first view of it moving. If your dog is at least 12months of age, and registered or listed with the AKC, then your dog can run in FAST CAT. Many shows are running two trials a day—your dog can run in each, but no more than twice a day. Bitches in heat are not allowed to run, however. Watching Precious race down the lane and hearing the comments about her size, I realized that there were few other Toys competing. This has actu- ally been the norm for the events I’ve attended. I did some research and found that some breeds have been regularly participating while other Toy breeds have little to no represen- tation. While I’m sure you’re nod- ding your head and thinking, “Yep, no Pekingese would run.” —you’d be wrong! There are Pekingese partici- pating and they are having a ball! My favorite “Peke to watch” would run about 50 or 75 feet, stop, sit, and catch its breath while keeping a close eye on the lure. The lure operator would stop the lure, and when the dog stood back up, the operator would start the lure forward again. It took a bit longer
the dog, and then get ready to catch your dog because the average Toy run will be over in 9 to 10 seconds. Have a good time and don’t be surprised if your tiny little dog turns into a fero- cious beast, battling to chase and kill the plastic bag. Try it for fun. FAST CAT is a great event, and most dogs— even Toys—love it.
than the other dogs, but it got it done! 2021 rankings show eight Pekingese listed, with the fastest at 18.63MPH! FastestToy in theGroup this year isno surprise with an Italian Greyhound clocking in at 28.41 MPH. Even the Chihuahuas can run pretty fast, with their fastest at 23.38MPH—confirm- ing owners’ beliefs that when they don’t want to be caught, they can move pretty quick. So how do you get started? Many events have “fun runs” for as little as $5.00. Many lure operators will tell newcomers to let their dogs watch the bag go by from the side of the lane. That’s enough for some dogs to get the urge to chase. For others, when there is down time, the fun run consists of a half run, with the owner backing away from the dog while calling it. For my Toy Manchester, Ricky, the first few runs were about running to me, and on the fourth run the “lightbulb went on” and he realized he was chasing the bag. He loves to chase the bag now! He earned the FCAT title and represent- ed Toy Manchesters at the inaugural AKC FAST CAT Invitational. My Toy Fox Terriers have chased the lure from their first view and they struggle to get out of our arms to go after it while awaiting their turns. So, how do you get your Toy dog pre- pared to run? First, if your dog is a couch potato and lap dog, and never gets any real exercise, then you need to get him in shape. Brisk walks, chasing a ball, and running and playing with other dogs are all ways to get them fit. Second, capitalize on your dog’s instinct to chase. Encourage chas- ing toys and balls, even if they don’t bring them back to you. Finally, find a FAST CAT event and try it out. I like to be the catcher so that my dogs run to me. Bring a person the dog knows to be the releaser, as you don’t want him panicked about a stranger hold- ing him instead of excited about chas- ing the “prey.” I like to leave a collar on my dogs, snug enough so that they can’t get a foot caught in it, and with nothing hanging from it to trip them. On your first runs, start calling en- couragement before they ever release
BIO Susan has shown dogs for more than forty years. After three decades showing Vizs- las and Cockers, she and her husband decided to segue into Toys. She currently breeds and shows Toy Fox Terriers and also has two Toy Manchester Terriers. Four of her champions have earned FAST CAT titles, in- cluding the first Toy Fox to earn the FCAT title. Susan and her husband volunteer at their local kennel club’s FAST CAT events.
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Owner breeder handled by Karen Miller of the famous Loujon English Toy Spaniel Kennel
Co-owned by Mark and Karin Jaeger
W I N S T H E N A T I O N A L !
G R A N D C H A M P I O N
We would like to thank judge Bruce Van Deman for this most prestigious win. Thank you also to Patricia Cox for the breed win at the Clermont show the following day and to Nancy Liebes for the lovely Group 3 to top off these memorable days.
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Our sincere gratitude to Judge Dr. John V. Ioia for the Owner Handled Best in Show GCH Desert High Hallelujah Franklin
Bred and Owned by Dr. Edward J. and Melody Campbell Exclusively Handled by Melody Campbell
*AKC NOHS stats 2021
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# 3 Owner Handled Shih Tzu for 2021 *
©Melody Campbell
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CANINE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION by Kim Gillette, Esq. and Dr. Rafe H. Schindler
C anine Cognitive Dysfunction, or CCD, is a combination of what we know as Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. The American Heritage Dictionary 1 defines these as follows: • dementia (di’ men’ she) n. 1. Irre- versible deterioration of intellec- tual faculties with accompanying emotional disturbance resulting from organic brain disorder. 2. Madness, insanity. • Alzheimer’s disease is (akts’ hi- merz, alts’) n. A severe neuro- logical disorder marked by pro- gressive dementia and cerebral cortical atrophy. CCD, sometimes called “doggy de- mentia,” is an age-related neurobe- havioral syndrome in dogs that leads to a decline in cognitive function. It is a unique disorder that is not breed- specific, but rather age dependent. It affects all dog breeds equally. The prevalence of CCD in smaller breeds, such asHavanese, arises only because these breeds tend to live longer, and the dog’s owners are able to observe more of the symptoms emerging over time. MANIFESTATIONS OF CCD: CCD is an umbrella term em- bracing four separate cognitive behavioral patterns: 1. Involutive Depression: This oc- curs in the dog’s later years and is similar to chronic depression in humans. Untreated anxieties seem to play a key role. Some of the symptoms include circling, wandering, house soiling, leth- argy, sleep disorders, decreased learning, and vocalizing. 2. Dysthymia: This causes a loss of awareness of body length and size. Dogs with dysthymia often
get stuck behind furniture, or in a corner. Other common symp- toms of dysthymia are disrupted sleep-wake cycles, constant growling, whining or moaning, and aggressive behavior. 3. Hyper-Aggression: Dogs with hyper-aggression tend to bite first and warn second. 4. Confusional Syndrome: This is the profound decline in cogni- tive ability. It is the closest thing to Alzheimer’s in humans. Con- fusional syndrome results in a decrease in activity levels, a de- creased desire to explore, and a decreased response to things, people, and sounds in the dog’s environment. The dog is less focused and shows altered re- sponses to stimuli. With confu- sional syndrome, dogs forget fa- miliar features in their lives, and in more advanced stages, dogs forget who their owners are. DISTINGUISHING CCD FROM OTHER PHYSIOLOGICAL CAUSES The changes associated with CCD are subtle, and the gradual variations in the dog’s behavior can be challeng- ing to notice for even the most atten- tive owner. In her book, Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction , 2 Ei- leen Anderson lists the most frequent signs of CCD: • Pacing back and forth or in circles. • Staring into space or at walls. • Walking into corners or other tight places and staying there. Lack of spatial awareness. • Appearing lost or confused in otherwise familiar places. • Waiting at the hinged side of the
door to go out. • Failing to get out of the way when someone opens a door. • Failing to remember routines, or starting them and getting only partially through. • Sundowning or mixing up wake and sleep patterns. A change in sleep patterns, or a disruption in circadian rhythms, is one of the more specific symptoms related to canine cognitive dysfunction. A dog that used to sleep soundly at night, now paces all night long. • Altered interactions with family members or other pets. Social be- havior replaced with crankiness and irritability. • House soiling; this is one of the most common ways CCD is dis- tinguished in dogs, especially if the dog was previously house- trained. • Changes in activity level. Taken together, these are the most common signs of CCD. However, in- dividually, they may simply be a seri- ous medical problem and not CCD. A thorough physical exam, including blood pressure measurement, urinal- ysis, blood tests, and a careful review of the medical history should be used to rule out health problems that have similar symptoms to CCD. Some examples follow. The behaviors associated with the on- set of impaired vision and/or loss of hearing in older dogs can frequently be confused with CCD. Loss of hear- ing and/or sight can lead to confu- sion and less interaction with family members, but [this may] not be CCD. Health issues in senior dogs, such as diabetes, millitus, Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, and incontinence, can all lead to unexpected urination
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ASLETT Silky Terriers
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SILKY TERRIERS AND PRESENTING
GCH ASLETT TESSIER PATSY CLINE
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TEAM FOR THEIR SUPPORT MARK BENSON & JIM DILLMAN: BENDILLSILKYTERRIERS@JUNO.COM SANDY MESMER: SANDY@SMESMER.COM BARBARA BEISSEL, AKC HANDLER: BARBARABEISSEL@AOL.COM SUSAN GILES, AKC HANDLER: SSGILES@AOL.COM
OWNER/BREEDER: JANET ASLETT • janetaslett@aol.com
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“The similarity of CCD to Alzheimer’s in humans is therefore not a coincidence, AS THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BRAIN CHANGES IN THE TWO CONDITIONS IS FOUND TO BE VERY SIMILAR.”
in the house, yet have nothing to do with CCD. Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC, or Cushing’s disease) is a common cause of dysthymia-like symptoms which are unrelated to the progression of CCD. Rather, it is a common endocrine syndrome that happens to affect middle-aged and older dogs. HAC is generally caused by tumors of either the pituitary or adrenal glands 3 and is sometimes the result of long-term steroid therapy. These examples show that when standard tests reveal no physiologi- cal cause for the CCD symptoms, it is time to consider CCD as the root cause. PHYSIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF CCD The underlying cause(s) of CCD are not fully understood, but its onset is always associated with the develop- ment of accumulations of sticky pro- teins called “beta-amyloid plaques” around neurons, and the breakdown of the neurons themselves, resulting in so-called neurofibrillary tangles. These plaques and tangles are seen to inhibit the normal functioning of the inter-cellular communication re- quired by the nervous system. In the body, nerve cells fire nerve impulses to release neurotransmitters, which are just chemicals that carry signals to other cells (including other nerve cells). These relay their message by traveling between cells and attach- ing to receptors on target cells. Some of the most familiar transmitters are serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, endorphins, and epinephrine. These are actually just a few of more than one hundred that have been identified and associated with control of one or more specific functions. Each neurotransmitter attaches to a unique receptor—for example,
dopamine molecules attach to dopa- mine receptors. Upon attachment, they trigger a specific action in the target cells. There are (1) excitatory neurotransmitters which encour- age a target cell to take action, (2) inhibitory neurotransmitters which decrease the chances of the target cell taking action, and (3) modula- tory ones which signal many neurons at the same time, as well as commu- nicate with other neurotransmit- ters. After completing their function, neurotransmitters are either broken down or recycled by the body. The brain, in particular, uses neu- rotransmitters to regulate many necessary functions, including heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles, appetite, digestion, mood, concentration, and muscle movement. One can therefore see that the interference in neural communication caused by plaques and tangles can change the normal functions into the ones we likely as- sociate with CCD. As a simple example, Serotonin has a profound affect over emotions and regulates mood, enhances a positive feeling, and inhibits aggressive re- sponse, while Dopamine helps to fo- cus attention and promotes feelings of satisfaction. A lack of these two neurotransmitters can cause irrita- bility, limited impulse control, over reactivity, including hyper-aggres- sion and anxiety, and greater sensi- tivity to pain. The similarity of CCD to Alzheimer’s in humans is therefore not a coinci- dence, as the manner in which the brain changes in the two conditions is found to be very similar. Both humans with Alzheimer’s and dogs with CCD get the beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles which block the normal communication between
neurons by the neurotransmitters. 4 In both human and canine brains, be- ta-amyloid plaques are commonly de- tected in extracellular space as senile plaques and also around the blood vessels. 5 While the neurotransmitter chemicals are themselves identical in dogs and humans, their detailed impact on behavior (such as the way emotions are processed) may differ between the species simply because of differences in the geometry of their brains. Nevertheless, the result is that dogs exhibit impairment in many men- tal processes that directly paral- lel human symptoms, such as dis- orientation, memory loss, changes in behavior, and changes in mood, which can include hyper-aggression, and these are all tied to degrada- tion in the performance of their CCD is currently considered irrevers- ible—there is no cure for CCD. How- ever, some of the four separate cogni- tive manifestations of CCD may be preventable, and some symptoms can be minimized. common neurotransmitters. TREATMENT OF CCD: Thedrug that isprimarilyusedtotreat CCD by improving brain functions is selegiline(Anipryl). It isamonoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) thought to improve brain chemistry by reduc- ing the breakdown of dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Other drug treatments include Nicer- goline, which is prescribed in the UK, and Propentofylline, used in some European countries and in Australia. The former enhances blood flow to the brain and is thought to enhance the transmissions of neurons. The latter drug is thought to increase blood flow by making the red blood
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cells more pliable and preventing them from clumping together. Pro- pentofylline is sold as the veterinary medicine Vivitonin. 6 A vet can recommend other medica- tions that will make senior dogs less anxious and sleep better. Therapeutic dog foods that support cognitive func- tions may be utilized. It is best to give senior dogs exercise, keeping him/her as active as possible. Finally, a vet can prescribe medications that help mini- mize the other symptoms of CCD. CARING FOR DOGS DIAG- NOSED WITH CCD Dogs with CCD need special precau- tions taken with them. Always make sure they have proper identification on them. The changes in their sleep and awake cycles can result in them wandering away and getting lost. Avoid leaving a dog with CCD alone. Remember, the aging process is just as scary for the dog as it is for the owner. If soiling inside the house be- comes an issue, a dog’s access to areas
live normal life spans, and indeed, the referenced study showed the group with CCD had slightly longer lifes- pans. Researchers speculate that this could be a result of the higher quality of medical care that these dogs got due to their underlying condition. 13 As indicated, several drugs are avail- able which potentially reduce the progression of the disease and can also address some of the symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no biologi- cal markers that would allow accu- rate and early diagnosis of CCD in dogs. In most cases, the assessment of cognitive functions through neu- ropsychological tests and by exclu- sion of other physiological condi- tions with overlapping symptoms is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis when the disease has progressed, but markers for detecting CCD in its early stages would be very useful in veterinary medicine. 14 This article has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Havanese Club of America, Inc.
can be limited inside by using gates and potty pads, or by utilizing doggy diapers or belly bands. Senior dogs should be taken outside more often and not scolded for having accidents. SUMMARY AND PROGNOSIS As dogs are living longer nowadays, there are many more cases of CCD being seen. Indeed, by the time a dog reaches ~14 years of age, he/she has a 40% chance of developing CCD. Overall, the disease affects up to 60% of dogs older than ~11 years. 8 As noted earlier, the prevalence of CCD does not differ between breeds 9 and there are no breed-specific differ - ences in clinical signs or pathology of the disease. However, as larger breeds typically have shorter lifespans than smaller ones, 10 clinical signs of CCD aremore often observed and reported in smaller dogs. 11, 12 Interestingly, the life expectancy of senior dogs is not impacted by the presence of CCD. 10 Dogs with CCD
1 American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition, published by HoughtonMifflin Company. (1982) 2 Eileen Anderson, Remember Me? Loving and caring for a dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, 1st Edition, ISBN 978-1-943634-00-2. Published by Bright Friends Productions (2015). 3 Overview of Hyperadrenocorticism, by Cindy Cohan, VMD, published by VetFolio/Veterinary Technician. 4 Cummings BJ, Head E, Afagh AJ, MilgramNW, Cotman CW. Beta-amyloid accumulation correlates with cognitive dysfunction in the aged canine. Neurobiol. Learn Mem. 1996 Jul;66(1):11-23. doi: 10.1006/nlme.1996.0039. PMID: 8661247. 5 Sonja Prpar Mihevc and Gregor Majdič, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and Alzheimer’s Disease - Two Facets of the Same Disease? Front Neurosci. 2019 Jun 12;13:604. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00604. PMID: 31249505; PMCID: PMC6582309. 6 Siwak CT, Gruet P, Woehrlé F, Muggenburg BA, Murphey HL, MilgramNW. Comparison of the effects of adrafinil, propentofylline, and nicergoline on behavior in aged dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2000 Nov;61(11):1410-4. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1410. PMID: 11108188. 7 Doggie dementia is becoming more common now our best friends are living longer. Published in ABC Science by Nadyat El Gaveley, September 11, 2019. 8 Fast, R., Schutt, T., Toft, N., Moller, A., and Berendt, M. (2013). An observational study with long-term follow-up of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Clinic characteristics, survival, and risk factors. J. Vet IM, 27(4), 822-829. 9 Salvin H. E., McGreevy P. D., Sachdev P. S., ValenzuelaM. J. (2010). Under diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction: a cross-sectional survey of older companion dogs. Vet. J. 184 277–281. 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.11.007. 10 Greer K. A., Canterberry S. C., Murphy K. E. (2007). Statistical analysis regarding the effects of height and weight on life span of the domestic dog. Res. Vet. Sci. 82 208–214. 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.06.005. 11 Vite C. H., Head E. (2014). Aging in the canine and feline brain. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. 44 1113–1129. 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.07.008. 12 Schmidt F., Boltze J., Jäger C., Hofmann S., Willems N., Seeger J., et al. (2015). Detection and Quantification of ß-Amyloid, Pyroglutamyl Aß, and Tau in Aged Canines. J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol. 74 912–923. 10.1097/NEN.0000000000000230
13 See Reference 2. 14 See Reference 5.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS Kim Gillette, Esq. is a recently retired Assistant County Prosecutor having served the citizens of Lorain County, Ohio, for 33 years. She has been involved in the Havanese breed since 1998, showing in obedience, rally, and conformation. She has been a member of the Havanese Club of America for over 20 years and active in the club’s Health Committee for 10 years. Dr. Rafe H. Schindler is a professor of Particle and Particle Astrophysics at Stanford University. He has chaired the club’s Health Committee since 2015. Having bred and shown Havanese for more than 15 years, Rafe is a Havanese Club of America Breeder of Distinction and an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit .
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SMOKE AND MIRRORS
By Bonnie L. Guggenheim
O nce upon a time, when the breed was young (at least inAKC terms) Shih Tzu had one rubber band in the topknot, had hair that had one or two strands out of place, and probably a less-than-sculptured look overall. Structurally, the dogs were not better… they did not move better… and they did not grow anymore or less hair. They did, however, have better heads!!! This is a head breed! Shih Tzu in the ring today are groomed to perfection, with topknots that are a work of art and scissored under, around, and underneath to create the impression of the “perfect” Shih Tzu. Skillful grooming creates the “smoke and mirrors” effect, but it is a dog show, beauty contest, and a game of sorts. It is also the presenter’s job to make his dog look the best it possibly can, and it’s the judge’s job to actu- ally understand what the dog looks like “undressed.” Reading the standard should give judges a clear understanding of the breed, with a few areas that need discussion. Of utmost importance is an overall, well-balanced dog without exaggeration. The neck is to be well-set and flow smoothly into the shoulders. This does not mean a long, exaggerated neck with a small head sitting on top. Lev- el topline with a rectangular body… SLIGHTLY longer than tall. The tail shouldbehigh set, curvedwell over the back (not a tightly curled doughnut)
“SKILLFUL GROOMING CREATES THE ‘SMOKE AND MIRRORS’ EFFECT, BUT IT IS A DOG SHOW, BEAUTY CONTEST, AND A GAME OF SORTS.”
and should give the illusion of being close to square. Shoulders are to be well-angulated and laid back, fitting smoothly into the body with straight legs, well-boned and wide apart, and fitting under the chest. Hindquarters should be angulated and in balance with the forequarters. The Shih Tzu going away should show smooth, flow - ing, effortless movement without ex - aggerated kick-up. I’m seeing more of this than I’d like, and while it is flashy, it is not correct. The Shih Tzu may be any color, andwhile symmetrical head markings do give a more striking ap- pearance and make the heads look larger, there are no disqualifications for uneven markings. Shih Tzu in the ring today often have an inordinate length of neck, a head of a less than desirable size and shape, andakick inthe rear that isveryLhasa- like. Top these thingswith a three-inch
topknot, and the “go-around” side picture looks elegant and correct, despite the dog being truly out of bal- ance. Careful table examination will give a true picture of the head if you have done your homework, and a loose lead at a moderate speed will tell even more. Strung up and flying around the ring does not give the true picture. One last comment: Do not swing your dog off the table by the lead and the tail. You could collapse a trachea or cause other injuries. Reprinted from The Shih Tzu Bul- letin. Author Bonnie Guggenheim, Former Vice President of the Ameri- can Shih Tzu Club, began breeding Shih Tzu before AKC recognition. She previously served as Shih Tzu breed columnist for the AKC Gazette and as chair of the ASTC Judges Education Committee. Her license to judge is on inactive status.
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SAFETY REMINDER: THE HOLIDAYS ARE APPROACHING
EATING CHOCOLATE CAN BE POISONOUS AND FATAL TO YOUR DOG!
by Sharon Masnick
Y es, eating chocolate can be fa- tal for a dog, depending on the animal’s size and the amount of chocolate eaten. While most dogs may not have a craving for choc- olate, there are few that will refuse a treat that is offered to them. A substance known as theobromine is the culprit that poses a danger to dogs. It is a bitter, caffeine-related alkaloid that may cause the dog to fall victim to chocolate Toxicosis. The size of the dog and the amount eaten will determine the effects of theobromine. Symptoms of chocolate Toxicosis are similar to those caused by gas- trointestinal conditions. Indicators of a problem are diarrhea, vomiting,
To prevent this problem, pet owners need to educate all members of the family, friends, and neighbors about the real threat that chocolate can be to a dog’s life, especially during the holidays when everyone is busy. Chocolate is, after all, a favorite gift and it is easily accessible to most. This information may seem elemen- tary, but it is important to refresh our memories and be safety conscious.
hyperactivity, seizures, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, and a lack of bladder control. Veterinary treatment should be sought immediately. The treatment will depend on how quickly the ani- mal is seen after ingesting the choco- late. If the chocolate was eaten in a re- cent period of time, the veterinarian might choose to induce vomiting to prevent massive absorption of theo- bromine into the animal’s system. If several hours have passed and theo- bromine has already been absorbed, the choice of treatment may be to administer activated charcoal to the dog to help remove the toxin from the dog’s system. The dog will have to be carefullymonitored for several hours.
“A SUBSTANCE KNOWN AS THEOBROMINE IS THE CULPRIT THAT POSES A DANGER TO DOGS. IT IS A BITTER, CAFFEINE-RELATED ALKALOID THAT MAY CAUSE THE DOG TO FALL VICTIM TO CHOCOLATE TOXICOSIS.”
My name is Sharon Masnick, and I have owned a Pomeranian since I was 18. I began to be interested in the entire Toy Group when, for 17 years, I han- dled the advertising and editorial for Top Notch Toys. I resigned in 2011 to pursue judging. I am now happy to say that I can judge BIS, the Toy Group, Junior Showmanship, Azawakhs, Shetland Sheepdogs, and several Non- Sporting breeds. I am a breeder-judge for Poms, Toy Fox Terriers, Japanese Chin, and Pekingese. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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GR CH SUNSATION RAISED ON COUNTRY SUNSHINE
Many thanks to Breed judges: Mr. John Wade, Mrs. Toddie Clark, and Mr. James Reynolds Many thanks to Breed and Group Placement judges: Mr. Mark Kennedy, and Mr. Kenneth Kauffman
OWNED AND BRED BY: B I L L AND SUS I E FAGAN, SUNSAT ION HAVANESE
HANDLED BY: NICK GRUBB AND CHE L SAY PAUL GRUBB
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SALISBURY KENNEL CLUB
Salisbury, Maryland . November 12-14, 2021 photos by Tom Weigand
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WHY DO PEOPLE BASH?
by Sharon Masnick
I n our society, social media has been an excellent avenue for people to express how they feel, and to share experiences and opinions. Also, so- cial media is an avenue to comment about others. Sadly, some comments are not always positive and some can become abusive. There are people who think they know more than others. When you try to discuss or argue a topic that they think they know well, they turn to bashing if you do not agree. There are times when people can’t accept or won’t accept a situation, and this is why they would rather bash, thinking that it makes the situation better.
directly. Most people can handle constructive criticism. Years ago, it was suggested to me to write down how I felt and what I want to express, and file it away for 24 hours; reread the next day and see if I still wanted to share on social media. Making comments on social media is so different than expressing them in person. I think it allows a feeling of strength and makes it easy to be bold. Soon we will have a New Year and I think each of us should really try to be kinder and more understand- ing of each other. I hope we will look for something positive in every day, even if some days we have to look really hard.
Sometimes, jealousy will moti- vate people to bash, and this will, in turn, make them feel better. It is a way for them to get back at those who have more or who have been more successful. Lots of times, kennel clubs, officers, exhibitors, and judges are bashed on social media. I read comments at times and think that making these statements public is not helpful to others. It appears to be a method to get others to agree. I feel the com- ments would be better directed to the actual person or situation that they feel they need to bash. Men- tion those things that bother you to the club officers or to the person
“THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY KNOW MORE THAN OTHERS. WHEN YOU TRY TO DISCUSS OR
My name is Sharon Masnick, and I have owned a Pomeranian since I was 18. I began to be interested in the entire Toy Group when, for 17 years, I handled the advertising and editorial for Top Notch Toys. I resigned in 2011 to pur- sue judging. I am now happy to say that I can judge BIS, the Toy Group, Junior Showmanship, Azawakhs, Shetland Sheepdogs, and several Non-Sporting breeds. I am a breeder-judge for Poms, Toy Fox Terriers, Japanese Chin, and Pekingese. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ARGUE A TOPIC THAT THEY THINK THEY KNOW WELL, they turn to bashing if you do not agree.”
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TOP FIVE O W N E R
H A N D L E D S H I H T Z U *
*AKC NOHS STATS AS OF 11/3/21
OMI
SU CHEN MONUMENT MAN X CH KEOALOHA AND SU CHEN STEAL A LOOK
BRED BY: P. SUSAN CHENEY OWNED BY: CHR I ST INE PAUL , J EREMIAH PAUL , ESQ. & P. SUSAN CHENEY
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Multiple Owner Handled Group Winning Multiple Owner Handled Group Placing G C H S U C H E N O M E G A M A N A T O H M Y
Our sincere appreciation to Judges Joanne (Jan) N. Paulk (OH G1) &Mrs. Judith A. Brown (OH G2)
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YOU KNOW YOU’RE A DOG PERSON WHEN…
by Susan F. Shephard
Y ou know you’re a dog person when... • Your dogs see the vet on a regu- lar basis—immediately—for any- thing out of the ordinary. (You have lived in the same area for 10 years and don’t have a doctor.) • You meet someone at a show and within 30 seconds you’ve memo- rized all their dogs’ names, but it will take you the rest of the day to learn the owner/handler’s name. • You can quote all of your dog’s pedigree’s back five generations, including coat colors and spe- cialty wins, but know nothing of your own heritage beyond your grandparents. • You use kennel disinfectant in the house. • All breeding, vaccination, etc., records are in perfect order, but your checkbook hasn’t been bal- anced in three years. • All vacation time is spent at a dog show. • You justify the purchase of a new van because it has dual air… for the dogs. • You have your vet’s phone num- ber programmed into your speed dial on all phones, including your cellular. • Ninety-nine percent of your In- ternet time is dog-related. • You don’t work late or socialize, as you need to get home to take care of the dogs.
“You can quote all of your dog’s pedigree’s back five generations, including coat colors and specialty wins, BUT KNOW NOTHING OF YOUR OWN HERITAGE BEYOND YOUR GRANDPARENTS.”
• Your desk at work has photos of your dogs, yet none of your chil- dren or spouse, unless they are holding a dog. • No one at the office asks you to bring food in anymore for office parties… they know it’ll have dog hair in it. • Your dry cleaner rescues your bait and “squeakies” from your jacket pockets and saves them for you. • Your mother gives you a “hair roller” for your birthday. • Your spouse shops exclusively in the dog supply catalogs for birth- day and holiday gifts for you, and when you receive a case of kennel disinfectant for Valentine’s Day, you say, and mean it… “You are so sweet and thoughtful, it’s just what I wanted.”
• You use dog crates as part of your living room décor. (They do make fine end tables.) • You absolutely refuse to have your picture taken unless it’s in the Breed ring when you’re first in line! • Your clothing, furniture, and carpeting are all pretty much “Pekingese” color as to disguise the hair fallout. • Nobody except another dog per- son wants to ride in your vehicle because they’ll get dog hair on their clothes. • You think nothing of spending $25 for a bottle of dog shampoo, but you use whatever’s on sale on your own hair. • Your social life totally revolves around dog shows and other dog people.
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