51 – Finding the Genetic Test: Pat Fendley’s Fight Against Cerebellar Ataxia in Spinone Italiano

But I Don’t Have Spinone Italiano’s?

Every breed has something lurking in it’s DNA.  Pat Fendley’s sacrifice to “save” her breed is a lesson for all breeders.

Cerebellar Ataxia

Cerebellar Ataxia is a horrific disease that affect puppies.  They start with wobbling or stumbling.  Within months, the disease rapidly progresses until the young dog can not even stand on it’s own and is euthanized.

Breeder’s Secret

For many years, the existence of Cerebellar Ataxia was denied or ignored by some breeders.  In 1998, Great Britain publicly acknowledged the disease in the Spinone Italiano.  Lack of knowledge of it’s genetic origin caused many unaffected dogs to be removed from the gene pool.  Some even believed it was a communicable disease, rather than genetic.

Pat Fendley

Pat Fendley tells her story of working with the Animal Health Trust in Great Britain by breeding a carrier test litter to develop a genetic test to identify carrier dogs.  This test litter made it possible for many other dogs and owners to not suffer the disease.

MORE ON CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
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50 – Stud Dog: Progesterone – 4 Part Series with Sirius Canine Fertility

stud dog series

Progesterone: Part 1 of 4 on Stud Dog Management

Sirius Canine Fertility

Welcome to the first of four Friday episodes on understanding stud dog management and insemination techniques.

Bridgett Higginbothm, AKC Judge, Bulldog breeder, licensed Vet Tech, and owner of Sirius Canine Fertility (formerly ICSB Grass Valley) and Shannon Stone guest on PureDogTalk and answer many of the common questions about reproductive services.


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49 – What Was the Dog Show Judge Thinking? AKC Judge and Dog Show Mentor Lee Whittier

From the Judges Perspective

As an AKC Judge, Lee Whittier often saw quality, but untrained dogs with exhibitors that could use some help.  Digging a little deeper, Lee realized that the exhibitors that really needed a mentor were not just the beginners, but the Owner-Handlers that have been showing for 5-15 years.

Owner Handlers – Help from the Judge’s Perspective

Many owner-handlers have ring experience, but have also developed habits, attitudes, or beliefs about their breed, dog, or ring procedures that actually keep them from succeeding.

What is the Dog Show Judge Thinking?

Ever walk out of the ring wondering what the dog show judge was thinking?  Many exhibitors lay “blame” on the professional handler in the ring, rather than examine other reasons?

Dog Show Mentor is a program developed by Lee Whittier to mentor owner-handlers from the judge’s perspective.

Enjoy listening to Lee Whittier as she gives 3 tips and a few suggestions to help you improve today.

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48 – Mike Pitts: Teaching the Next Generation

From Apprentice to Master Handler to Mentoring the Next Generation

 

Mike Pitts, along with his wife Linda, are among the top tier handlers in the country, having run multiple top dogs over the years. Most recently, Linda piloted the Puli, Preston, to number one all breeds all systems in 2016.

 

Back in the day, they studied under top handlers, including Linda’s time working for Houston and Toddie Clark, now well-known and respected AKC judges, and Mike’s apprenticeship with top Cocker handlers of the day.

 

But they also carried their knowledge forward to the next generation, mentoring other aspiring young dog people. One of those folks you heard from last week when we talked to Jason Lynn about his second win at Crufts in the last few years.

 

Mike and Linda live in Knoxville, Tenn. Mike’s recommendation for new and hopeful dog people (handlers or breeders) is to bring your passion, your determination to succeed and a willingness to embrace brutally hard work. And, most importantly, to ask for help. “We will help anyone who has a legitimate desire to learn,” he said.

 

The operative phrase there is “desire to learn”… Mike expresses frustration with folks who don’t want to put in the effort to get ahead. “We had a kid, he was always on his phone…. With my dog on the table…” His expression spoke volumes about this lack of attention and focus on the number one priority… The dogs.

 

“It isn’t about politics, it isn’t about who you know…. It’s about doing the work, putting in the time, paying your dues,” Mike says.

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