Posts by Laura Reeves
372 – Bugs are Coming! Safe Products for Breeding Dogs + Coronavirus
Bugs are Coming! Safe Products for Breeding Dogs + Coronavirus
Dr. Marty Greer brings her pragmatic Veterinary Voice to the topic of Coronavirus and what products are safe to use for flea, tick and heartworm prevention in breeding dogs.
COVID-19 is not currently believed to be communicable between humans and dogs. Coronavirus is a general term for a *shape* of a virus and encompasses a variety of viral infections in many species. For more information on recommendations regarding veterinary care during this outbreak, click here.
As spring brings the reemergence of various creepy, crawly parasites that affect our dogs, Greer provides in-depth information about which products are safe for use on dogs in our breeding programs, including brood bitches and stud dogs over the course of time, as well as bitches in whelp.
Greer said, “I think it’s really appropriate for us to stick to the EPA and FDA approved drugs that we know have been tested and safe in breeding animals. So, for instance, Bravecto says there were no clinically relevant treatment-related effects on body weights, food consumption, reproductive performance, semen analysis, litter data, gross necropsy or Histology findings in adults and puppies. So we need to be looking for that kind of language on a label before we go slapping things on or popping things into our dogs … I just want to be perfectly clear for what products have or have not been tested.
“So there’s three basic categories of flea and tick medications. There’s the collar, there’s the topical, the oil that goes over the back of the neck or down the back and there’s the tablets or the chewables. So there are the three general categories and of those three there’s no collar …. labeled for that use in breeding dogs … the topicals, some are definitely labeled and some are not definitely labeled. …if it says like Frontline says safe for breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs and cats, then it’s safe. If it doesn’t say that you shouldn’t use it. It needs to be clear. And if we look at the oral there’s …. three oral medications that are not labeled for use in breeding animals. Bravecto is labeled for use in breeding animals. So we need to be really, really clear that we’re looking at the labels or reading the instructions and we’re thinking at eight weeks of age, what is the this dog’s future, not just is she pregnant right now, but what is her future.”
| Product | Active Ingredients | Purpose/Effective Against | Minimum Age/Weight | Pregnant/Nursing/Male | ||||
| Heartworm | ||||||||
| Advantage Multi for Dogs | Imidacloprid and moidectin | Flea, louse, heartworm, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm and mange. Topical every 30 days | 7 weeks/3lbs | Safety not established. | ||||
| Advantage Multi for Cats | Imidacloprid and moxidectin | Ear mites, flea, heartworm, hookworm and roundworm. Topical every 30 days | 9 weeks/2 lbs | Safety not established. | ||||
| Heartgard Plus | Ivermectin,
Pyrantel pamoate |
Heartworm, roundworms & hookworms Tablet every 30 days | 6 weeks | Safe in pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs | ||||
| Heartgard | Ivermectin | Dog: Heartworm. Tablet every 30 days
Cat: Heartworm and hookworm. Tablet every 30 days |
6 weeks | Safe | ||||
| Interceptor | Milbemycin oxime | Heartworm, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm. Every 30 days | Dog: 4 weeks/2 lbs
Cat: 6 weeks/1.5lbs |
Dogs: Safe
Cat: Not established |
||||
| Interceptor Plus | Milbemycin oxime and praziquantel tablet | Heartworm, roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), adult whipworm (Trichuris vulpis), and adult tapeworm (Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus) Tablet every 30 days | Dogs and puppies 2 pounds of body weight or greater and 6 weeks of age and older. | Safe
Not evaluated in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs. Only milbemycin has been studied and is safe. |
||||
| Iverhart Max | Ivermectin,
Pyrantel pamoate, praziquantel |
Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Tablet every 30 days | 8 weeks/6 lbs | Safe in pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs
Not evaluated in pregnant or lactating. Safe in males. |
||||
| Iverhart Plus | Ivermectin,
Pyrantel pamoate |
Heartworm, roundworms, and hookworms, every 30 days | 6 weeks | Safe in pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs | ||||
| Revolution | Selamectin | Dog:Heartworm, Fleas, flea eggs, scabies,
ear mites, hookworms, roundworms, lice (Trichodectes canis), ticks (Haemaphysalis leachi &Rhipicephalus sanguineus), Topical every 30 days.
Cat: Heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, fleas and mites. Topical every 30 days. |
Dog: 6 weeks
Cat: 8 weeks |
To prevent roundworm infection, REVOLUTION
should be administered at monthly intervals during pregnancy with a dose administered approximately 2 weeks before parturition. The next treatment should be administered to the bitch or queen, ten days after parturition and followed by another treatment 1 month later. This schedule of treatments for bitches and queens will prevent adult roundworm infections in suckling puppies and kittens for 7 weeks after birth. |
||||
| Sentinel | Milbemycin, Lufenuron | Heartworm, roundworms, whipworms, hookworms & flea eggs. Tablet every 30 days | 4 weeks & 2 lbs | Safe | ||||
| Sentinel Spectrum | Milbemycin, Lufenuron, Praziquantel | Heartworm, roundworms, whipworms, hookworms & flea eggs, tapeworms.
Tablet every 30 days |
6 weeks & 2 lbs | Not tested | ||||
| Tri-Heart Plus | Ivermectin,
Pyrantel pamoate |
Heartworm, roundworms and hookworms every 30 days | 6 weeks | Safe | ||||
| Trifexis | Milbemycin oxime and Spinosad | Heartworm, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, & whipworms. Tablet every 30 days | 8 weeks & 5 lbs |
Not safe in pregnancy due to fetal malformations, not evaluated in males. Caution in dogs with seizure history. Use with caution in breeding females. | ||||
| Flea and Tick | ||||||||
| Advantage II | Imidacloprid & insect growth regulator (pyriproxyfen) | Adult fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, lice.
Every 30 days |
3 pounds & 7 weeks | Consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing dogs. | ||||
| BioGroom | Pyrethrin shampoo | Kills fleas, ticks, lice, and ear mites. | 5 pounds & 12 weeks | Consult a veterinarian before using on sick, aged pregnant or nursing animals. | ||||
| BioSpot Active Care Spot on |
|
Fleas, Flea Eggs, Flea Larvae, Tick, Tick Nymphs, Tick Larvae, Brown Dog Ticks, Deer Ticks
Kills & Repels: Mosquitoes Every 30 days. |
12 weeks. | No | ||||
| Bravecto | Fluralaner | Dog: Fleas, ticks 12 weeks (Ixodes scapularis – black-legged tick, Dermacentor variabilis – American dog tick,and Rhipicephalus sanguineus – brown dog tick), and for 8 weeks (Amblyomma americanum – lone star tick). Topical
Cat: Flea, ticks 12 weeks (Ixodes scapularis – black-legged tick. Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) infestations for 8 weeks. Topical
|
Dog:6 months/4.4 lbs
Cat: 6 months/2.6 lbs |
Dog: There were no clinically-relevant, treatment-related effects on the body weights, food consumption, reproductive performance, semen analysis, litter data, gross necropsy (adult dogs) or histopathology findings (adult dogs and puppies). Bravecto has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks duration in puppies less than 6 months of age.
Cat: Not established. |
||||
| Capstar tabs | Nitenpyram | Dog and Cat: Fleas as often as 1 x a day | 4 weeks/2 lbs | Birth defects & fetal loss | ||||
| Certifect | Fipronil, Amitraz
S-methoprene |
Deer ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, Black legged ticks, Brown Dog ticks, American Dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, Yellow Dog ticks, European Dog ticks, Wood ticks, and Paralysis ticks | 5 pounds & 8 weeks | Can also be used on breeding pregnant and lactating bitches. | ||||
| Comfortis | Spinosad | Dog: Fleas. Tablet every 30 days | 3.3 pounds & 14 weeks | The safe use of COMFORTIS in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats has not been evaluated. Caution in dogs with seizure history.
Safety has not been evaluated in breeding males. Use with caution in breeding females. |
||||
| Credelio | Lotilaner | Dog: Adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and ticks [Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) & Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick). Tablet every 30 days. | 8 weeks of age & 4.4 pounds | The safe use of CREDELIO in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. | ||||
| FiproGuard | Fipronil & s-methoprene | Fleas & ticks. Every 30 days | 8 weeks | Safe for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs | ||||
| FiproGuard Plus | Fipronil, (s)-methoprene, and novaluron | Dog and Cat: Fleas, ticks, and lice.
Topical every 30 days. |
Dog: 8 weeks
Cat: 8 weeks/1.5lbs |
Safe for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dog and cat. | ||||
| Frontline | Fipronil | Fleas, ticks and chewing lice. Waterproof. Every 30 days. | 8 weeks | Can be used on breeding, pregnant & lactating bitches | ||||
| Frontline Plus | Fipronil and (S)-methoprene | Dog: Fleas including eggs & larvae, ticks, mites/mange, and lice. Topical every 30 days.
Cat:Fleas including eggs & larvae, ticks and lice. Waterproof. Topical every 30 days. |
Dog: 8 weeks/5 lbs
Cat: 8 weeks/1.5lbs |
Safe for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dog and cats. | ||||
| Frontline Spray | Fipronil | Fleas, Ticks and Chewing Lice. – Kills all life stages of ticks (larva, nymph and adult), including brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis).Wear gloves. Approximately 1 to 2 pumps per pound of the animal’s body weight will be required. Pets with long or dense coats will require the higher rate. Waterproof. 30 to 90 days. | 8 weeks | Approved for use on all dogs, including breeding, pregnant, and lactating bitches and puppies as young as 8 weeks.
|
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| Frontline Gold | Fipronil, (s)-methoprene, pyriproxyfen | Cats and dogs: Flea, tick and chewing lice. | Dog: 8 weeks/5lbs
Cat: 8 weeks/1.5lbs |
Safe | ||||
| Hartz First Defense | Fipronil | Fleas, ticks and chewing lice. Waterproof. Every 30 days. | 8 weeks | BREEDING, PREGNANT AND LACTATING BITCHES, | ||||
| K9 Advantix II | Imidacloprid, Permethrin*, & Pyriproxyfen | Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, biting flies and lice. Every 30 days, can reapply in 7 days. | 7 weeks/4lbs | NO CATS. Consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals. | ||||
| Nexgard | Afoxolaner | Fleas & ticks. Every 30 days. | 8 weeks & 4 lbs | Not tested. Caution in dogs with seizure history. | ||||
| PetArmor | Fipronil | Fleas & ticks. Every 30 days. | 8 weeks | Safe for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs | ||||
| PetArmor Plus for Dogs | Fipronil and
S-Methoprene |
Adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, chewing lice and prevents the development of flea pupae. It controls mites that may cause sarcoptic mange and kills deer ticks that can transmit Lyme disease. It also kills brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks and prevents flea reinfestations for 4 weeks. | 8 weeks. | Safe for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs | ||||
| Preventic Collar | Amitraz | Ticks for 90 days | 12 weeks | Not tested. No cats. | ||||
| Revolution | Selamectin | Heartworm, fleas & flea eggs, ear mites, Sarcoptes, American Dog Tick. Every 30 days | Dog: 6 weeks
Cat: 8 weeks |
Safe | ||||
| Scalibor Protector Band | Deltamethrin | Fleas & ticks. Every 6 months. | 12 weeks | Consult a veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant, medicated, or nursing animals. | ||||
| Sentry Capguard | Nitenpyram | Fleas. | 2 pounds & 4 weeks | Birth defects & fetal loss | ||||
| Sentry Natural Defense | Dog: Peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil & thyme oil
Cat: Peppermint oil, clove oil, & lemongrass oil. |
Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Every 30 days | 12 weeks | Attacks octopamine. Consult vet. | ||||
| Seresto collar | Flumethrin & Imidacloprid | Fleas, ticks, lice, sarcoptic mites. 8 months | 7 weeks and 18 pounds | Consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, breeding, pregnant, or nursing animals. | ||||
| Simparica | Sarolaner | Adult fleas, and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick), Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), and
Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)]. Every 30 days. |
6 months & 2.8 pounds | Not tested | ||||
| Spectra Shield | Zetacypermethrin & Piperonyl Butoxide | Fleas & ticks. Lasts up to 4 months. | 6 months | If used on pregnant or nursing dogs, do not replace medallion until puppies are at least 6 weeks old. | ||||
| Vectra 3D | Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, & Permethrin | Fleas & ticks. Every 30 days. Mosquito & biting flies, sand mites, lice repellency. Water repellency. “Hot foot” effect before they bite. | 8 weeks & 2.5 pounds | Label says “do not use” | ||||
| Vet’s Best Natural Flea & Tick spot-on | Clove Leaf Oil, Thyme White Oil, Cinnamon Oil | Fleas and ticks, repels mosquitos. | 12 weeks | Label is silent. |
371 – Pugs: Mischievous and Charming Companions CAN Work
Pugs: Mischievous and Charming Companions CAN Work
Three long-time breeders join host Laura Reeves to talk about all things Pugs. Kim Langlands, Brenda Belmonte and Patti Kolesar Stoltz share the joy of Pug dogs, their companionship, their functionality, their snoring and their health.
Ancient history
Patti Kolesar Stoltz
“The exact origin of our breed is actually lost in antiquity,” Kolesar Stoltz said. “What we do know is that the Pug is of Chinese origin … he was known in the Orient as early as 700 BC … the breed was developed as one of three short faced dogs bred in China for the Imperial court … it’s believed that the Pug found his way to the western world via Dutch merchant traders … because when people from the Western world, at that time, would go to China and conquer, they would bring back presents for their Royals. Pugs were one of the presents that they brought back and they became the favored of monarchs throughout Europe. There is no doubt that the Royal patronage helped to establish the popularity of the breed. In fact, Pug dogs were twice the most popular breed in Europe, in the late 1600s and during the Victorian era… the wonderful thing about Pugs being so popular in the Victorian era is we can visually follow our breed through history because it was very often the favorite subject depicted in many forms of art — early paintings, sculptures, porcelains, so we can follow his history … the breed has a wonderful temperament. They make ideal companions. We were admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1885. We are the largest of the toy breeds and we are one of the most mischievous, also the most fun. And we still remain dignified loving and trusting of everybody.”
Myth busting
Brenda Belmonte
It’s a pervasive myth that these flat nose breeds can’t breathe normally, Belmonte noted, therefore they can’t do normal things.
“It’s unfair to our breed to just assume that because it’s a Pug it’s unhealthy,” Belmonte added, noting her work with the breed in nosework, agility and obedience. “I think the general public needs to hear that and they need to see what our pugs can do so that we can combat this belief that, ‘Oh my gosh our pugs are unhealthy,’ that’s very, very far from the fact. As a
Belmonte’s pug competing in nosework.
breeder and somebody who’s been in the breed a long time, I truly believe that good breeders have the best interest of their dog’s health at heart. So yes, it’s about being a good, responsible breeder and it’s about knowing that these dogs can breathe normally and they can do the things other dogs can do.”
Healthy habits
Langlands observed that, although the breed has evolved as time has gone on, the brachycephalic dogs were never intended to run marathons.
Kim Langlands
“This is a breed (that is) more than capable of doing agility and other performance events and going out and being good little happy pets and going for walks,” Langlands said. “They’re as healthy as people want them to be and take care of them to be. If you take good care of your dog, you’re going to have a happy healthy pet … and that includes taking care of their teeth, their nose roll, their weight. I mean the weight is a huge issue.”
Color questions
Pugs are black or fawn.
Kolesar Stoltz, who heads up education for the Pug Dog Club of America, reminds our audience that pugs come in fawn or black. Period.
“Fawn has various shades of real light blonde to what we call an apricot fawn, which has got a very, very pale, pale orange tinge to it… the fawn dogs also have black guard hairs … the fawn dogs all have black masks and black hairs and usually black in their head wrinkle. The black dogs are black … black can be various shades of black depending on if your dog’s been out in the sun and his coat is sunburned, so he might get a little reddish tinge to it or undercoat … grey undercoat …. but pugs are not albino. They’re not spotted. They’re not black and tan. They’re not brindle and they’re not blue. Pugs come black or fawn. Any other color is a disqualification in our breed and somewhere back in their pedigree is something that shouldn’t be there.”
370 – How Judges Decide Placements: Conformation and Obedience
How Judges Decide Placements: Conformation and Obedience
Part two of our panel discussion at the Regina Kennel and Obedience Club’s Prairie Christmas Dog Show with an international coterie of judges focuses on: the details of breed type and presentation, exercising patience, judging uncropped and undocked dogs, legislation and growing our sport.
From Sue-Ellyn Rempel on making a final placement:
“I guess for me general outline for starters and then movement is very breed specific for me. So I kind of go by that…. they have to scream German Shepherd … a lot of times we get … a class of 5 and they’re all generic … they get from point A to point B really well they stack and their moderately angulated like the breed should be but they’re not smooth, they don’t flow in the correct way…. like the make and shape difference in the shape from a Great Dane to a whippet… whippets you want the beautiful soft gentle curves… that’s gotta hit me right away… when I look at them, that they are the right shape and then when they take the steps, that puts the picture together for me.”
From Frances Smith on what she sees in the ring:
“I find it very important to reward the breed specific, unique characteristics because (there are) a lot of generic dogs, too many generic dogs, too many dogs that finished championships that really… shouldn’t be … because supposedly a champion is a superior specimen of the breed. So it’s up to us to keep the quality and to reward those breed specific points because without them we lose those identifying points of each breed. I want to add another thing that’s very important, temperament, which is also one of the 6 points in type, … because the temperament has to belong to the breed …without the correct temperament I don’t care if a dog is extremely showy, he’s gotta have the breed’s temperament. I don’t want just a fancy dancer in the ring … I don’t want to see a dog jumping and doing things that aren’t typical of his breed.”
From Diana McKenzie on changes she’s seen in her time in the sport:
“There’s been a ton of changes over the years in obedience … even training methods OK these days are so different from what they were 20-30 years ago. … unfortunately a lot of people go into obedience and they think it’s easy. OK rally is easy, yes. Obedience is not easy. It is not a given and it’s something that you as a handler have to work with your dog to attain a nice working relationship with and train the behaviors. Rally is easy to me, I shouldn’t say it’s easy to everyone, but it’s a wonderful venue to train with your dog and teach your dog in a positive way how to move its rear end and be aware of its rear end movement which a lot of people don’t do. (That’s) just one small thing that you can think of to work with them. Fronts, finishes, drops, all of that are in rally obedience as well as the heeling, so when you see a team in rally obedience and they are true team it’s wonderful. … in obedience … over the years training methods are changing. Corrections, harsh corrections, are becoming less and less used (people are) more into the purely positive methods. That’s wonderful, if you know how to do it properly. A lot of people don’t, therefore they get a brat in a dog that goes in (and says) “I don’t have to ’cause there are no consequences…”
369 – Judges Share View from the Center of the Ring
Judges Share View from the Center of the Ring
The Prairie Christmas Dog Show judging panel on “pajama day”…
These judges share their 411 stories and their views from the center of the ring. This is part one of two from our panel discussion at the Prairie Christmas Dog Show in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Our panelists share common paths to involvement with purebred dogs. Frances Smith talks about family connections and, bonus, the story of transporting Yorkshire Terriers from England to Argentina by ship. Obedience competition that started with a mixed breed dog brought obedience judge Diana McKenzie to purebred dogs. Sue-Ellyn Rempel talks about coming to dogs from horses.
You only get one chance to make a first impression and these panelists agree it really is a critical piece to judging.
“I want to see type, quality, balance, and to know a dog is a dog, a bitch is a bitch,” Smith said. Rempel agreed, noting outline, angles and breed type are her first look.
McKenzie added that she wants to see that each handler-dog team to be a really a *team.*
Making the picture becomes a critical piece of success, as each judge has a picture in their mind of a “perfect” one of each breed.
Essentials of type
“Many people don’t exactly know what type is,” Smith observed. “Type is the essence of a breed. It’s what makes each breed unique and different from another.” Smith’s clear and concise definition of the six factors of type is magical.
The six elements that define each breed: head, color, size/measurement, temperament, coat, movement.
“Movement is breed specific. Temperament is type,” Smith said.
Applying breed type to obedience performances, McKenzie offered a fascinating perspective.
“With different breeds in obedience competition, you still have breed type,” McKenzie said. “Different dogs sit differently and at different speeds, for example. How straight they are affects score. Just because you’re fast doesn’t mean you’re going to be good. Sometimes slower workers are more precise workers.”
368 – Beauceron: Rustic Farm Dog and Living Fence
Beauceron: Rustic Farm Dog and Living Fence
Our Love the Breeds panel discusses Beauceron, the ancient French farm dog described as a “living fence” in their native country.
Beauceron may be shown with cropped or uncropped ears. This is a litter with dam at center bred by Elaine Giannelli.
According to breeder Elaine Giannelli, in France, the Shepherd would go out to the field with his sheep and the Beauceron would go out like a fence and keep the sheep where they were supposed to be while they grazed …
“The Beauceron was a farm dog so he did a lot of things besides just move the sheep… he would take the sheep out during the day to graze, move them to another graze and then bring them back home and then protect the farm in the evening,” said third-generation French breeder Eric Vavassori.
Beauceron were developed more than 600 years ago to serve as rustic farm dogs and a “living fence” to move stock to new pastures and keep them where they belonged.
Moving sheep and cattle required a substantial, hardy dog, the panelists noted. The Beauceron stands up to 27 ½” tall and is considered a stronger, lower key type of dog than the German Shepherd Dog or Malinois.
“They definitely have an activity level,” Beauceron owner Sidney Wilcox said, “but they’re not manic … they’re not a Border Collie, they’re not constantly go go go go go go go go go …. they don’t have the focus, the intenseness of a Border Collie or
Panelist Sidney Wilcox and her harlequin Beauceron.
Malinois, but they are high-energy with a sense of humor.”
New Beauceron fancier Sara Reid agrees. “Never laugh at a Beauceron! They’ll just keep doing whatever made you laugh.”
The Beauceron was accepted in AKC’s registry in 2007, but the history of the breed dates back centuries.
“They say that when the French settled in Louisiana that they brought a couple Harlequins with them,” Giannelli said, “and that’s where the Catahoula (Leopard Dog) got (the merle gene)… that was from way, way back when the French first came to Louisiana.”
Panelist Sara Reid with her Beauceron, Misha.
The breed has a strong personality, the panelists observed. It needs firm, fair and consistent training and above-average amounts of socializing, they noted.
“Temperament could be an issue,” Vavassori said. “Why? Because a long time ago, the Beauceron was a farm dog and he was on the farm only to protect the family and to manage the sheep. So, the dog was not socialized. The dogs must be socialized early, early by the Breeders and after by the owners, more than German Shepherd or Labrador…”
A healthy breed, the Beauceron is generally long-lived by large breed standards, with a strong worldwide population. Learn more here.
367 – Dog Breeding is Art AND Science with DNA Testing
Dog Breeding is Art AND Science with DNA Testing
Ryan Boyko, co-founder and CEO of Embark, shares specific information about what DNA Genetic Testing can and cannot tell us and how it has exploded since the mapping of the canine genome 15 years ago.
“We can test for almost 200 disorders that affect most breeds,” Boyko said. “We can come up with a genetic coefficient of inbreeding, which is exact to the individual dog versus a “pedigree” calculation. We can be predictive now, also, on inbreeding coefficient and traits.”
Art AND Science
“There’s always going to be an art to dog breeding,” Boyko noted. “That’s the magic. We’re never going to take that away. I’m never going to know as much about your individual breed as you do.
“The best breeders have been doing this for decades. And they’ve been producing healthy dogs that are champions. We are driving awareness of how the tools we offer can fit into a breeding program.”
Academia to Application
“I came out of an academic background,” Boyko said. “My brother helped design the original dog array. We use data to discover new things. Can use data from the array combined with phenotype data to discover new genes. Over the next five years I think we’ll be able to learn about more complex traits like cancer.”
Genetic testing helps scientists learn more about the underlying genes for complex disorders affected by multiple genes and environmental impacts, Boyko noted. Genomic risk scores are a tool in development to utilize this information.
“When traits are affected by lots of different genes, this tool allows breeders to learn the probability of this dam/sire to produce a specific disease or trait and compare to other combinations,” Boyko said. The Doberman Diversity Project episode discussed this in more depth.
Another exciting field of discovery for the future is epigenetics, which are the markers that can turn genes on and off. Learn more here and here.
366 – Winning the Messaging War with Better Marketing
Winning the Messaging War with Better Marketing
Dale Martenson of Touche Japanese Chin shares outstanding information about how to win the messaging war with better marketing and advertising of our purebred dogs.
I’ve included below some outtakes and quotes from a spectacular conversation.
For most of these people getting a puppy, it is a want, not a need. They aren’t going to do anything with it but love and cherish it. They don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on this dog, but our job is to share why our dogs are so awesome to live with and how they are going to enrich families and lives.
Reach people where they are
The foundation lies with the fact that what we want to avoid is impulsive decisions. Buying a dog, choosing a breed, getting a tattoo, none of these things should be done impaired or impulsively. They are long term commitments. Share the information about our breed so we get informed consumers who know this is the right fit for them, then this is a huge step to finding right homes, ultimate goal. Financing hobby and doing the things you want to do with and for your dogs.
Should be a self-funding hobby
We are bringing something to people’s families and lives. I love getting pictures of dogs in weddings and graduations. First thing we have to do is know the breed. Today’s knowledgeable, non-impulse buying consumer is looking for a breed authority.
We’ve had people mail us a kid’s Tshirt, put it on the puppy, mail it back, to see if it works. Know your customer, know your breed. Be knowledgeable. Make it so this is the right choice for them.
Join the 21st Century
Do you have a website? Do you use social media? You can have the best dogs in the whole world, but if nobody knows about them, what use is it?
Replying to emails with price question. We as consumers ask how much something costs. I prefer if I see the price in advance. Ultimately, it’s a transaction. Somebody is paying for something, that is a consumer transaction.
We need to be able to be polite and give a good message back. These folks may not know dog protocol 101. They’re buying a dog to lie on a couch. They’re doing us a favor. Give a little costumer service.
Always give breed information, including that health testing is important, early stimulation and socialization is important.
Just be nice!
Don’t be that person with an attitude of “if you have to ask you can’t afford it.”
Information should be given freely. It costs nothing to be polite. We are ambassadors for purebred dogs and the fancy, if we want it to continue. We have to keep our numbers under control. You will build a customer base that follow your dogs. They become a bit of a family.
Waiting lists are a thing of the past. A good online presence is a really important thing. I highly recommend having a website. This allows you to share great information about your breed, good and bad.
Work on your website, keep it current. When contract and health guarantee are on the website, you can use as a teaching tool. Everybody does better if they know the rules upfront.
365 — Junior Showmanship from Competing to Judging
Junior Showmanship from Competing to Judging
Marti Day and Sarah Congleton are a mother-daughter junior showmanship judging juggernaut. Sarah and her brother Tanner started showing in juniors in 2005. Marti was the support person and chauffer. Mother and daughter both judged the huge junior showmanship competition at Orlando before the AKC National championship.
The family traveled to dog shows regularly, putting 250,000 miles on the family Suburban’s odometer. Sarah and Tanner competed in 4-H, juniors and regular breed competition, eventually working for handlers and breeders.
“We were so fortunate to work with top notch breeders,” Marti said. “We had people who offered us dogs and helped the kids learn how to groom. Parents should never do work for the juniors.”
Marti said she was rarely worried about her children traveling with breeders and handlers. The siblings generally were together, Marti said, adding “the Dog show world, in terms of children, really look after each other in an incredible way.”
As a parent, Marti expressed pride for her children’s success.
“The sport has made them outspoken, compassionate, understanding, motivated, organized young adults,” Marti said.
Sarah observed that junior entry numbers are decreased in recent years and throughout the purebred dog fancy “more has to be done than just saying juniors are the future of the sport.”
Mentorship along the lines of “Jody’s Juniors” and building a “dogmanship” program are some of Sarah’s emphasis.
“It’s not just running around the ring in a Saint John’s suit, we need to teach basic animal husbandry,” Sarah added.
Marti and Sarah both emphasized safety in judging junior showmanship, as well as “who would I trusty MY dog to.”
“I like to see the juniors and their dog relax. Everybody on edge isn’t good for either one. And, don’t be a prima donna. I want to see the rapport between you and your dog,” Marti said.
364 – Healthy, Happy Travels to Westminster Kennel Club
Healthy, Happy Travels to Westminster Kennel Club
Dr. Marty Greer provides thorough and thoughtful advice for keeping your dog healthy and happy on the way and at the big show.
Preparing the Dog
- Enter the dog.
- Assure the entry has been accepted.
- Arrange travel.
- Have an appropriate travel bag or crate, depending on if the dog will travel in the cabin under your seat or in cargo, with or without you on the airplane.
- Do NOT try to pass the dog off as an “ESA” – Emotional Support Animal if this dog is not certified as such. There is current proposed legislation that will restrict the use of this term as it has been overused and misused by many travelers.
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required for all animals crossing state lines. This applies whether you are driving or flying the dog to the destination. Most of the time, you will not be asked for this document. However, if you are without it, your travel plans may be interrupted. This must be issued by a veterinarian who is “Accredited” by USDA. Not all Veterinarians are accredited so be sure you have a veterinarian who can sign this paperwork.
- A current rabies certificate is also required for all dogs traveling.
- A “Letter of Acclimation” if the dog is flying in cargo. This will reflect the temperatures the dog has been acclimated to prior to travel. This is issued by your veterinarian.
- Microchip and identification collar with your current cell phone number.
- Anti-anxiety medication if indicated. Acepromazine and Benadryl/diphenhydramine are NOT anti-anxiety medications. Alprazolam, trazodone, or gabapentin may be suitable if indicated and prescribed by your veterinarian.
Preparing the Equipment
- Make a list of the least amount of equipment and supplies you can manage with. Consider shipping these ahead to the hotel.
- Arrange to rent equipment
- Travel bag, leash and collar. A quiet toy to keep your dog busy and avoid annoying fellow travelers.
- Travel crate, absorbent material, leash, collar, ID, small bag of food enough for one meal, bowls (the kind that flatten are easiest) and a toy to keep your dog busy.
Preparing you!
- Buy tickets for admission to Westminster.
- Make flight arrangements. Be sure you include the dog(s) on the reservation.
- Make hotel reservations. Be sure you include the dog(s) on the reservation.
363 — Reactive Dogs: Learn their Language
Reactive Dogs: Learn to Speak “Dog” for Better Outcome
Kristin Sandstede, Big Moose Dog Training, is back with some great conversation about “reactive dogs.” We narrow the topic down to reactive, non-aggressive dogs and learn to speak “dog” for some great solutions.
Dogs speak in body language, Sandstede reminds us. They use “distance increasing and distance decreasing body language.”
For example hard, sharp barks, growls and showing teeth are distance increasing signals. Dogs when they play bow and offer “circle wags” are telling their playmates to come closer. Drilling down on that behavior more, Sandstede observes that a “hip check is friendly, a shoulder check is not.”
Reactive dogs are often just plain scared, Sandstede said.
“Many dogs learn that the best defense is a good offense, Sandstede said. “The big reaction saves them from having to get into interaction that makes them scared.”
Lack of early socialization, negative experiences and a second fear stage at around 9 months, can all cause the problems the dog is experiencing, Sandstede said. “You can do all the right stuff in the 0-16 weeks timeframe and still have 2nd fear period. It’s a real thing and it happens.”
So, if this is happening to your dog, your first move is to avoid the “threshold” that causes the reaction.
Going forward
“Don’t get after the dog,” Sandstede said. “While we’re embarrassed and don’t want our dog to act that way, all (a correction successfully does) is stress out the dog, create more fear/anxiety. Scared dogs don’t know what to do. Give them things to do. If you take away a behavior you don’t like, you have to replace it with a better one. The more time focused on what the dog does right, also decreases his stress level.”
Traveling to NYC
Folks traveling to Westminster Kennel Club with reactive dogs need to consider the high traffic, lots of noise, lots of people as potential triggers to the dogs fears.
Counter-conditioning to solve the underlying issue takes time. So the next best option is to manage the dog’s anxiety. Cut down on their external stimulation when possible and utilize products such as CBD oil, melatonin or lavender oil to reduce anxiety.