121 – Randy Roberts Dog Show Photography Expert Tips and the Wet Towel Trick from Allison Foley
Dog Show Photography Tips from Randy Roberts
Randy Roberts gives us an advanced institute in successful show win photography.
Randy literally grew up in the sport. His grandparents started in purebred dogs in the ‘30s breeding Lhasa Apso, miniature Poodles and English Cocker Spaniels. His dad started dog show win photography in the Pacific Northwest in the late ‘40s after World War II. Randy himself shot his first show at 15 years old.
What’s your Best Side?
The exhibitor’s job is to properly position the dog for the photographer, to know where the camera is looking. Every dog has its best angle and each exhibitor needs to know what that is.
Case study: the long and the short of it
As an example, a beautiful headed dog on an animal that is perhaps a bit long-backed for the breed, use a three-quarter angle, bringing the front slightly toward the camera. Randy notes that the photographer should have read all standards and know the breeds. But equally important is for the exhibitors to have read their standards and to KNOW what’s good and bad about their animals.
Photography Time Limits
Be aware of a judge’s schedule and be courteous to the judge, photographer and other exhibitors by not spending an inordinate amount of time chatting about your dog. Dog shows don’t revolve around YOUR schedule. It is not recommended to ask for a win photo before the end of a “set” of dogs and then, only if the judge has time available before the next time slot is scheduled to begin.
Randy Roberts: The View from Shoulder Height
What the camera sees is very different from what exhibitor sees. The camera is at shoulder height to the dog, while the exhibitor is looking down. That difference in angle means the exhibitor doesn’t always have a grasp of what the photographer sees in the lens. Trust your photographer to give you guidance if you are unsure. Often a foot will be offset slightly in order to create depth to the image, and so on.
Get up, stand up!
Just like for people, posture is important for your dog! You can bring the body up by lifting the head so the dog isn’t slumping. Here it’s also important to use bait properly. Baiting is not just feeding the dog. You want to make the dog reach, make it come up over its front, reach up, then bring the bait down to get the arch of neck if that’s your goal.
Case study: “The camera is going to steal my soul”
Some dogs appear to think the camera is going to steal their soul. Whether the dog is shy, reactive or simply inexperienced, the camera is a big, scary piece of glass and the dogs can see light through the lens. This can be stressful for the dog. Get the dog to relax, change his focus to something other than the camera. Spend time just hanging out with the photographer — sit with the dog on the podium to desensitize him to the area. And remember, you the exhibitor may well be jacked up and the dog will react to your jangling nerves also.
Dog Show Photographer Pet Peeves and Innovations
Don’t stand across the room and tell me the shot wasn’t good, Randy says. “If you want to see the actual shot, by all means, stand next to me. I want you to get the shot you want. But if you can’t see what I see, don’t criticize.”
Online photos and digital images have been both a blessing and a challenge, Randy says. “We trained everybody for 50 years that you get two 8”x10” prints in the mail,” he adds. “Changing that culture is difficult, but digital is where we need to go.”
Parting words from Randy Roberts
“Don’t forget to smile,” Randy reminds us all. “The reason you see me is you just won. Smile, have a great time.”
Randy Roberts Biography
Randy Roberts grew up with a camera in hand. His experience with photography started in the dog show business shooting professional photographs by his father’s side. Randy credits his dad in guiding his career in photography by giving his his first professional assignment was at the age of 15 in Billings MT, and mentoring him in the business and art of professional photography. Developing thousands of prints in the dark room as a child helped give Randy a thorough understanding of presentation and developing a photograph. He spent seventeen years in the family business until it expanded out of photography. Then for the next 15 years he did photography for pleasure only.
Randy recently rekindled his passion in the photography world when digital photography emerged on the forefront of photography. Though originally he only shot with medium and large format cameras he finds that digital photography gives him a creative outlet that was not available to him with these traditional methods.
His initial goal was to reestablish himself as one of the top dog show photographers in the US. In the last two years his vision has expanded into fine art photography. He has poured new passion, energy and love into creating prints that are a dramatic and beautiful. His desire is to share his passion for these beautiful prints with others.
Randy does the complete package of taking, editing, and framing his pictures. RandyRobertsPhotos.com
Allison Foley: Wet Towel Trick Tip of the Week
5 – 10 minutes prior to entering the ring, stand your dog on a wet towel.
- Traction – Wet pads help maintain traction indoors or outdoors.
- Don’t use anti-slip products that just pick up chalk and dirt, and prevent your dog’s pads from cooling.
- Mental preparation – Triggers the dog that it is time to focus and prepare to enter the ring.
- Creates a no-go zone for you and your dog – a private space ringside.
More tips and courses are available at Leading Edge Dog Show Academy.
120 – Canine Vaccinations with Dr. Jean Dodds – Part 4
Dr. Jean Dodds – All About Canine Vaccinations
In Pure Dog Talk Episode #120, we talk with Dr. Jean Dodds about the canine vaccination controversy and her recommendations to consider for your dog.
Hemopet and Canine Vaccinations
Protocols, Q & A, and further information on canine vaccinations from Jean Dodds can be found at Hemopet.org.
Pure Dog Talk Series with Dr. Jean Dodds
Here are the other episodes with Dr. Jean Dodds:
Episode 118 – Thyroid Epidemic in Dogs
Episode 116 – Wholistic Medicine
Episode 114 – Saving Dogs Lives: Canine Blood Bank
Author of the Week – Myra Savant Harris
Myra Savant Harris has released a new DVD series based upon her successful seminars. Thanks to Dogwise.com for giving us another great product.
MYRA SAVANT HARRIS’ Canine Reproduction, Whelping, and Puppy Intensive Care Seminar: Techniques for a Successful Breeding and Healthy Puppies
Attend Myra’s Breeding Seminar Without Leaving Home!
Myra Savant Harris’ breeding seminar that she has given to clubs and breeders throughout the country is finally available as a comprehensive 8 hour recorded seminar. Myra applies scientific approaches to every aspect of breeding, dispelling a number of popular myths along the way.
She explains how to:
•Set up the ideal conditions for your stud dog to thrive
•Calculate when ovulation occurs, and the ideal time to breed
•Determine when a C-Section really needs to happen
•Know what the ‘green discharge’ actually is
•Use the accordion technique and a delee to resuscitate puppies
•Enhance milk production, encouraging the puppies to latch to the breast, and when to tube feed or use formula
•Deal with common conditions such as mastitis, pyometra, eclampsia, and canine herpes
Along with great anecdotes and stories from Myra’s own experiences and breeders who she has worked with.
Myra Savant Harris, R.N. is the author of four books including Puppy Intensive Care and Canine Reproduction and Whelping. Myra combines her life-long interest in animals with her professional experience as a labor delivery nurse to bring breeders priceless information on reproduction and whelping. The hundreds of seminars Myra has given throughout the country have given breeders the skills, knowledge, and confidence to have healthy and successful litters. She lives in Tacoma, Washington with her husband Doug Harris, and her dogs.
119 – Heroic Newfoundland Dogs: Water Rescue with Lou Ann Lenner and Sue Raney
Heroic Newfoundland Dogs – Saviors of Seafarer and Fishermen
Every Christmas season brings to memory the heroic rescue of the 90 passengers and crew of the S.S. Ethie by a stalwart Newfoundland…It was more than 50 years ago, during a blizzard, that the Ethie was wrecked off the coast of Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. No boat could be launched on that stony shore during such a raging storm. There were more than 100 souls utterly helpless within sight of land.
All of them would have been lost and many would have been mourning families that Christmas, had not a Newfoundland and its owner appeared on the nearby shore. The dog went to the rescue upon an order from its master. The Newfoundland swam out through a sea in which no man could possibly have survived. The powerful dog made it to the ship and carried a lifeline back to shore. With this a buoy was rigged and all hands saved. Among the rescued passengers from the Ethie was an infant in a mail bag.” From The New Complete Newfoundland, Margaret Booth Chern, 1975
Developed in the eponymous islands off the east coast of Canada, the Newfoundland is an outstanding water dog. The dogs worked on fishing boats in the rugged, icy, stormy seas around their home island. While exact details of the progenitors of the breed are lost to history, written descriptions and paintings date back to the 1700s. Famed poet Emily Dickinson owned a Newfoundland and, of course, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer painted the breed frequently. In fact, the black and white color of the dog is known as a “Landseer” Newfoundland.
Newfoundland Dog – Katherine Payne Photography
“Seamen” the Newfoundland Dog of Capt. Meriweather Lewis
Amongst the breed’s most well-known individuals is Seaman, Captain Meriweather Lewis’ dog, who accompanied President Thomas Jefferson’s exploration group during their rugged, three-year journey across what is now the United States in the early 1800s. Seaman was mentioned repeatedly in the journals of the Expedition, including saving the camp from a rampaging buffalo and retrieving game shot or wounded by the expedition’s hunters.
Today, the breed serves as a living embodiment of the culture of ships and fishing villages in Newfoundland. Proper coat and soundness are critical.
Lou Ann Lenner – Sun Valley Newfoundland Dogs
Our first guest Lou Ann Lenner, Sun Valley Newfoundlands, is a breeder of National and Regional specialty winners since 1977, with four generations of homebred ROM dogs.
According to Lou Ann, she always has bred to type, line breeding consistently, incorporating primarily Pouch Cove blood lines. Health can be a challenge as are the cycles in the quality of the breed. Long-term breeders *recognize* when quality is slipping and “step up” to get the breed back on track.
Maintaining type while managing health issues in the breed, specifically orthopedic problems associated with giant breed dogs and cardiac concerns is a primary concern. Lou Ann keeps only bitches in her kennel and reaches out for stud dogs to incorporate into the breeding program. Her top three qualities to when seeking a stud dog are balance, soundness, and a complementary pedigree.
She observes that the best home for a Newfoundland is someone who is committed to grooming and familiar with the breed. On a personal note, she only places puppies with owners who have someone to be home with the dog consistently.
Lou Ann strongly recommends learning about what’s behind your dog in terms of dogs in a pedigree, and honestly sharing what you know with new folks.
Sue Raney – Sweetbay Newfoundland Dogs and Water Rescue Work
Sue Raney, our second guest, is a Newfoundland fancier who has spent 25 years working dogs in water rescue work.
“The dogs have an amazing ability to be companions in water in a way no other breed does. They are just joyful to be around,” Sue said.
She notes that in a form follows function capacity, a dog’s effortless, fluid motion in the ring, translates to a powerful swimming stroke in the water. She also reminds people that the correct coat protects the dog in its native frigid water. The standard describes the coat as “flat, water-resistant, double coat that tends to fall back into place when rubbed against the nap. The outer coat is coarse, moderately long, and full, either straight or with a wave. The undercoat is soft and dense,…”
Titles with Meaning
The fascinating work the dogs do to earn titles through the national breed club includes water rescue exercises that demonstrate the breed’s heritage…. saving people, and saving “things” that have fallen overboard.
Sue says she encourages owners to become involved with regional breed clubs. Her enthusiasm for the work these dogs do is infectious!
Grooming Tip Of the Week with Allison Foley
Right Tools for the Job – Brushes
- Brushes: Pin brushes are different lengths. Think about what you are doing – the longer the hair, the longer the pin.
- Take good care of your brushes – preserve the pins. Bent or broken pins rip or break hair. Keep the brush in a box to protect it.
- Don’t put them in the top of your tack box and close the lid!
- Keep clean hair and product brushes separate. Mark your brush so you don’t put product residue onto a clean coat.
118 – Thyroid Epidemic in Dogs: Dr. Jean Dodds #3
Thyroid Epidemic in Dogs: What it is and Why it’s Important
My breed, the German Wirehaired Pointer, is currently ranked number 10 of all breeds for prevalence of this autoimmune disorder. And that’s progress! Ten to 15 years ago, it was ranked second. I learned about all of this the hard way at the beginning of awareness regarding OFA testing for autoimmune thyroiditis in the late ‘90s. My foundation bitch, originally tested clear in an in-house test of t3/t4 only, came back equivocal in the OFA test. In other words her thyroid hormone levels were out of whack, although fortunately she was negative for the TGAA (Thyrogobulin Auto Antibody) that would indicate that her body was attacking itself.
I have had to work twice as hard in my breeding program to weed out this disease occurrence than I would have, had I known then what I know now. A number of beautiful animals were washed out of the breeding program when they failed to come back clear for thyroid. I am so grateful to Dr. Dodds for her work in this area. It has enabled me to not “throw out the baby with the bath water” in my breeding goals.
But my early personal experience taught me the value of what Dr. Jean Dodds has to share in this podcast. Please, take 30 minutes out of your life and do your breed a favor. Listen to what Dr. Dodds has to say here.
The primary points of Dr. Dodds’ interview are as follows.
The thyroid gland is a “master gland.” It is regulated by the pituitary gland. Eighty percent of processing of thyroid hormone occurs in liver. Individual animals might have primary hypothyroidism in which the thyroid gland itself is not functioning properly or secondary hypothyroidism, in which the organs which process the hormone are not working.
We get a primer course in the basics of autoimmune disease. Essentially, the body attacks itself. This is a genetically inherited trait which frequently has environmental triggers.
In people and in dogs, what is heritable is the *propensity* for the body to attack itself, not the specific autoimmune disease. In other words, just because low thyroid is cheap to medicate and not “life threatening” in and of itself is NOT an acceptable reason to continue using those dogs in a breeding program. Other, more serious and often fatal, autoimmune diseases frequently occur in future generations. Dr. Dodds describes breeding affected hypothyroid dogs as a “ticking time bomb.”
Dr. Dodds describes hypothyroidism as consisting of four interlocking circles — inheritance… vaccines as triggers… stress… sex hormonal change … The triggers can cause disease to express itself that is hidden otherwise. Nutrition is at the center of that circle. Common thyroid disease has many indications.
What are indications of thyroid disease in dogs?
Some early signs of thyroid disease are: “easy keeper,” changes in cognition/“growly owly,” changes in hair texture, chronic ear/skin infections, chewing the feet, leaky gut. Only when 70 percent of thyroid function is destroyed do we see classic symptoms of obesity, aggression, patterned hair loss, cold intolerance and more.
Dr. Dodds recommends establishing a baseline for our dogs in the breeding program at the onset of puberty. For bitches 12-16 weeks following the onset of the first heat cycle. For dogs between 10 and 14 months of age depending on the breed. Dogs, particularly from breeds with a family history of the disease, should be re-checked every year until six years of age.
She also suggests maintaining a minimal vaccine protocol, avoiding heartworm/fleas/ticks preventatives if possible and good nutrition. (For more information on nutrition, listen to the second installment of this series. Next week Dr. Dodds will discuss vaccine protocols.)
Finally, for dogs affected by hypothyroidism, Dr. Dodds indicates the most effective treatment is to divide the dose and give it twice daily. And urges owners to not give the medication with any food containing calcium or soy, as this makes the medicine ineffective.
Summary: Weight gain, hair loss, and behavior changes are symptoms of thyroid problems. Learn how to recognize and get treatment for this underdiagnosed and misunderstood malady. Easy-to-read text with color photos and case studies to help you help your dog!
Author of the Week: Pat Miller
Pat Miller has been a dog trainer for over thirty years. She is the founder of Peaceable Paws Dog & Puppy Training Center and is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is a leading proponent of positive dog training techniques, and her columns on training are read by thousands in publications such as Whole Dog Journal. She is the author of Play With Your Dog; The Power of Positive Dog Training; Positive Perspectives, Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog; and Positive Perspectives 2, Know Your Dog, Train Your Dog.
117 – Desi Murphy: AKC Judge, Breeder Showcase and Grooming Tip of the Week with Allison Foley
AKC Judge Desi Murphy – 3rd Generation in Dogs
Desi Murphy was born into the sport of dogs. His grandfather managed kennels in Scotland, his father managed a whippet and greyhound kennel in the U.S.
While surrounded in his youth with 125 sighthounds, Desi’s found a love of terriers, bully breeds and Chows.
Bullies are different…
Desi, now a legend in the sport, is licensed to judge the sporting, terrier, and toy groups.
Santa Barbara Breeder Showcase
Desi Murphy is co-chair for Breeder Showcase at Santa Barbara Kennel Club, and event in it’s ninth year.
Now an in-demand event, the Breeder Showcase is extremely competitive. Dogs are often brought out of retirement for the competition or young dogs held out just for their debut.
A perk for the exhibitors is dinner and wine at the event.
Desmond Murphy – The AKC Judge
Laura Reeves asks Desi what he first looks for in the breed ring.
Evaluate breeding stock…What was the dog bred to do?
For example, the three setters work in different terrains, so their structure must meet their function. In bicycles, you have a mountain bike, road bike and beach cruiser – each are built to work in different terrains.
Some breeds are getting carried away, and showiest is not always the best. Basset Hounds in Mexico, for example, are getting too big. Remember, if a Basset Hound meets a fence on the trail, the hunter has to pick him up and place him on the other side of the fence. You can’t lift an 80 lb basset.
Condition is second…
Dogs need to be fit and in good health and condition.
Movement is a test of structure
The structure standing should be seen and confirmed in a dog moving.
Advice to Exhibitors
Have the best dog. Often exhibitors ask what they can do to win with a dog… have the best dog. Ask other breeders and professionals to evaluate your dog against the breed standard. Know your standard.
Future of the Dog Sport?
As an international judge, Desi see younger exhibitors, and younger breeders in other countries than the U.S.
Russia is strong in most breeds, and Korea and China are close behind
Some handlers started showing at eight years of age, and have bred multiple litters by the time they are 21. We need youth willing to be breeders.
AKC Biography of Desmond Murphy
Desmond Murphy, of Monroe, New York, is a third-generation dog man¿his grandfather, father, and two uncles all having been handlers. Born in Scotland, he was reared among Greyhounds, Whippets, and terriers at his family’s Mardormere Kennels in upstate New York.
He began handling in 1958, working under his uncle John Murphy, a distinguished handler and judge. Mr. Murphy, known as Desi, points to his handling of seven different Best in Show Chow Chows as his proudest achievement.
Mr. Murphy has been an AKC judge since 1976 and is approved to judge 93 breeds. He last judged at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in 2003.
Mr. Murphy is a member of the Tuxedo Park Kennel Club, the Santa Barbara Kennel Club, and the Saw Mill River Kennel Club, and is treasurer of the Non-Sporting Group Club of the Garden State. He considers “learning the value of preserving breed type” to be the most valuable lesson he has learned in dogs.
Allison Foley’s Tip of the Week:
How to Use Bath Products Properly
Shampoos and Conditioners need to be used properly to achieve results. The best scissors, training and handling can’t compensate for poor cleanliness or coat condition.
Listen to Episode # 107 How To Properly Bathe Your Dog for more on how to bathe properly.
- Use your shampoo according to the directions. It’s formulated for a reason so measure it out!
- Leave the product on the dog long enough to work. 5 minutes for shampoo and 7-10 minutes for color or deep conditioner.
Allison’s Conditioner Trick
Conditioners don’t mix well with water. Use a cheap immersion blender to mix thoroughly and smooth out all the globs.
More tips and courses are available at Leading Edge Dog Show Academy.
116 – Wholistic Medicine with Dr. Jean Dodds – Part 2
In Part 2 of Pure Dog Talk’s Dr. Jean Dodds series, Jean discusses Wholistic Medicine, food as medicine, and how to test your dog for food sensitivities.
Wholistic Medicine – How traditional medicine works with conventional medicine
Dr. Dodds quotes Hippocrates:
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food – Hippocrates
Food As Medicine
Food should be dense, have variety, be readily available and safe.
Every animal’s genomic structure is unique. Historically, dog’s were carnivorous. As dogs followed man, they ate scraps and cereal or grain was added to their diet. The dog genome changed from the original wolf genome. But basically dogs are still carnivorous and require whole meats – bones, organ, tripe, flesh, and muscle.
Diet Preferences: In order
- Raw is the first choice – either fresh, freeze dried, or frozen.
- Homemade Balanced Diet – Grain and Gluten-free, no wheat, corn or soy.
- Grain-free Premium Dry with Grain-free Premium canned food added.
Food Intolerances – Nutriscan Test
Dr. Jean Dodds created Nutriscan, to test for food intolerance and sensitivities for dogs and cats. Based on unique results, appropriate diets can be recommended.
Nutriscan – Dr. Jean Dodds
Food Sensitivities – How Do I Know?
Dr. Jean says that if your dog is itching, excessively biting or chewing on himself, or rubbing his face that food sensitivities should be tested.
Another sign is gas. Listen to your dog’s belly to hear if there is excessive gurgling. We have all had an upset stomach so listen to your gut instinct.
Don’t Miss Next Week! Thyroid with Dr. Jean Dodds
Here is a teaser from Dr. Jean on her Dogwise Book – The Canine Thyroid Epidemic – Answers You Need for Your Dog.
115 – Commercial Kennels and Show Dog Breeders: On the Same Side with Craig Curry
A Personal Note from Your Host: Laura Reeves
Commercial Kennels are a good thing? What the, what??
The awareness process that resulted in today’s podcast has been a challenging one for me. Like most of you, I was raised in the heyday of PETA/HSUS/ALF “documentaries” on the horrors of “puppy mills.” Starving, beaten, neglected, bred to death animals. These images have informed my view of commercial kennels for well over two decades.
Mr. Bill Shelton
Imagine my surprise when, from the mouth of one of my idols, Mr. Bill Shelton, comes the notion that the purebred dog fancy *needs* commercial kennels… I almost choked on my pizza. What about ethical breeding? What about proper placement? What about preservation of a breed?
His response (in a nutshell): The pet owning public in the country is 85 *million* homes. Depending on whose numbers you like, 4-9 *million* new pets are acquired each year just in the US. So I start doing the math… 170 (+/-) AKC recognized dog breeds. Let’s use a nice round number like 5,000,000… That is a LOT of zeros. So let’s say EACH of those 170 recognized dog breeds produces 294,117 puppies each year. Um, except endangered breeds like Otterhounds and Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Sussex Spaniels produce MAYBE 100 puppies *worldwide* each year. So now our odds are skewed significantly higher for the top 10 most popular breeds.
One report I found from 2013, conducted by the Swedish canine organization, showed *worldwide* annual registration of 293 breeds with a *total* of 2,276,864 dogs registered in the reporting year. These figures include the US, UK, Canada and much of Europe. In other words, every single purebred dog in the *world* registered with their respective countries of origin would not meet the annual demand of the pet owning public in the US alone.
So Where Will The Dogs Come From?
So what I’m trying to tell you here is that hobby breeders, preservation breeders, those of us who devote blood, sweat and tears to producing the very highest caliber of purebred dogs for discerning pet owners simply *canNOT* fill the demand for pet dogs in this country.
Where do the rest of the dogs come from? In some cases from the retail rescue market, including documented importation of hundreds of thousands of dogs from overseas. (Please listen to NAIA’s Patti Strand on this topic in episodes 43 and 104 if you haven’t already.)
In many, many cases, these dogs come from commercial kennels. Some of those facilities, remain, without doubt, far below our standards of expectation. But what this interview shares is the results of one person going above and beyond to help the commercial breeders learn, improve and step up in their role of meeting the public’s demand for healthy pets.
Commercial Kennels in Indiana
Commercial kennels in Indiana over the course of the last 10 years have replaced subpar facilities, implemented health testing, maintenance grooming, socialization and even rehoming plans for retired animals.
As you browse through these photos, step back for a minute and ask if your own facilities are this good.
Now, am I so naive as to believe this is a 100 percent compliance situation across the country? Of course not. But I *have* learned that I was naive enough to be manipulated by groups who would like ALL of us to lose the right to own and breed dogs in the manner we see fit.
Keep An Open Mind
I understand this interview may push your comfort zone. It clearly did mine. But I also believe that we should learn lessons from these folks. United we stand. Divided, we fall. Helping commercial breeders improve the quality — and quality of life — for pets they produce for members of the public who are not interested in waiting two years for an exceptionally well bred companion is a win-win. Making healthy pets from veterinary supervised and approved facilities available to new pet owners, instead of feeding the retail rescue industry as just happened in California, keeps all of our pets healthier in the long run. As Craig says in the interview, it’s about the *dogs*.
I hope you will listen with an open heart and an open mind.
LR
Link to Swedish report:
114 – Saving Dog’s Lives: Canine Blood Bank with Dr. Jean Dodds – Part 1
Dr. Jean Dodd’s – Part 1 – Canine Blood Bank
Welcome to Pure Dog Talk’s 4 part series with Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM. In this episode #114 Saving Dog’s Lives: Canine Blood Bank, Dr. Dodds introduces us to how the first canine blood bank originated.
Jean packs an immense quantity of breeder information on blood types, herpes, plasma and more in this episode that I can’t begin to summarize it all… you will just have to listen!
Hemopet – the Canine Blood Bank
Founded by Dr. Jean Dodds, Hemopet provides state-of-the-art blood components and supplies for transfusions to veterinary clinics nationwide.
Hemopet also is a diagnostic testing lab that specializes in thyroid testing which will be featured in Part 2, Episode # 116.
Resources from Hemopet:
Greyhound Adoption from Hemopet Blood Bank
Greyhounds are the primary blood donors for the blood bank. Highly screened for infectious disease and tested prior to inclusion in the blood donor program, these gentle dogs give so other dogs may live.
4 -5 Greyhounds cycle out of the Hemopet program each week and are available for adoption. Find out more at Hemopet.org.
Book Bonus: Canine Nutrigenomics by Dr. Jean Dodds
Listen to our book bonus near the end of episode #114, as Dr. Dodds talks about writing and publishing her two books. We cover Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health today, and next week we cover The Canine Thyroid Epidemic.
Dogwise Books – All Things Dog
For our listeners that are unfamiliar with Dogwise Books, Larry and Charlene Woodward have been publishing books for the dog fancy since the 1980s. Dogwise is a small company out of Washington state that deserves our support. Many of our favorite books, especially breed-specific and training books, would never be in print without Dogwise.
113 – Laura Reeves: On the Road Less Traveled – Stories of Dog Show Journeys
On the Road Less Traveled, Laura Reeves reminds us of takeaways from the dog show journeys themselves, and inherent dangers too.
Stories and Memories of Dog Show Journeys
The annual road trip to National Specialties is a must for any serious breeder. At Pure Dog Talk we have covered this before. But beyond seeing each stud dog for generations, the continuing education for breeders, the treasure trove of mentors, and the reunions of crazy friends that all have your breed as a common bond, dog show journeys offer something else… the road less traveled.
The Road Less Traveled
Traveling in the Western U.S. equates to hours across Louis L’Amour deserts and desolate places. Tornado watches and a mindful eye to the sky are in the midwest as we drive miles of grassy plains. Dark, winding roads, often slick or snow-covered in the Northeast where a momentary lack of attentiveness can be treacherous…
We all have stories, and most importantly, memories of our road trips.
We laugh about being stuck in the middle of nowhere, so remote that we can imagine “banjo music”.
Make Good Memories on the Road
Good memories result from good outcomes. So being safe on the road, preparing properly for your travels, and being aware of personal safety is something that we care enough to ask you to do.
Safety is not an accident!
This workplace sign goes for dog shows and road trips too!
So please enjoy some stories from Laura Reeves in epsiode #113, and listen and take heed to the “near miss” that could have ended in tragedy.
112 – A New Perspective on Westminster Kennel Club: Gail Miller Bisher – Director of Communications
A new public perspective and perhaps public outreach opportunity is offered by Gail Miller Bisher, the Director of Communications for Westminster Kennel Club, in this episode of Pure Dog Talk.
Winning Westminster Dog Show, or affectionately known as, the Garden, has been the dream of many breeders and exhibitors. Any change to the perceived purity of the “Garden” may be met with resistance from the sport.
But as we listen to Gail Bisher, consider this… Westminster has the public’s eyes and ears. Who better than Westminster to be the positive voice, to bring heartwarming stories of the love and dedication of our purebred dogs and fanciers.
While the Garden will always be… the Garden, maybe the show of shows has a greater role to play.
Greener Pastures for the Garden – Westminster Kennel Club
Here are a few highlights for 2018:
- $10,000 Scholarship for Best Junior Handler
- $10,000 Scholarship for Agility
- $10,000 Scholarship for Obedience
- Art Contest – $15,000 total ($5,000 each) – to be awarded to 3 Parent Breed Clubs for Rescue
Gail Miller Bisher – Westminster Kennel Club – Director of Communications
Gail Miller Bisher (pronounced By-sher) is a second-generation dog person with more than 35 years of experience in the sport as a handler, breeder, trainer, writer and spokesperson.
As with many exhibitors in the sport, her experience started as a family affair. Bisher was a team with her parents. While they handled most of the breeding (and her mother was a parent club president for many years) Gail did the grooming, training, conditioning and handling. In addition to conformation, she has earned titles on dogs in obedience, rally, advanced CGC and earthdog.
Bisher handled her first dog to its championship when she was just 12 years old. From her WD win at the first BCCA Specialty in 1979, she continued to handle her dogs and clients’ dogs to National Specialty BOB and BOS and All-Breed Best in Show wins, numerous top ranked positions and Junior Showmanship history. Gail was the first junior handler to qualify for the Westminster Kennel Club’s Junior Showmanship competition with a Beardie and the first to place, capturing second.
Since 1988 she has been judging regional specialties and supported entries and now is an AKC-licensed judge of Bearded Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Junior Showmanship competition. In 2015 she judged the BCCA National Specialty. Although time does not allow for much other than a limited number of judging assignments while raising her daughter, Gail has stayed involved by earning four titles each on both of her miniature dachshunds, who recently passed away.
Her club work includes serving the BCCA as a former breed columnist and club-approved breed mentor, specialty conformation chairperson and she is currently the club historian. Additionally, she is a member of the Dachshund Club of America, Morris & Essex, Greenwich Kennel Club and the Dog Writers Association of America.
She has nearly 10 years of experience directing the marketing, brand development and public relations for the American Kennel Club and Webvet.com. In 2003 AKC hired her to be an on-air spokesperson appearing on national media outlets to promote the sport and purebred dogs.
Bisher credits her Junior Showmanship experience for creating the foundation for a successful professional career where she has gained recognition in advertising, marketing and the public relations industries. She is a Clio and Mobius Award winning broadcast producer with 12 years of experience in the advertising industry; has managed licensing programs to LIMA awards and produced a TV PSA that was featured on America’s Funniest Commercials. Additionally, she is an ACE-certified personal trainer, has earned a Master of Arts degree in Communications and created the Super Fit Fido Club to educate pet dog owners about the importance of canine fitness.
Gail Bisher – Westminster Kennel Club – 2nd Place in Juniors
Gail Bisher – Westminster Kennel Club Jr Finals