April
2000 Newsletter - Volume
3. Issue 4
In
This Issue
©2000 MB-F, Inc.
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edit.
Quality
VS Quantity
by Tom Crowe
I have given much thought and
analysis to the title of this article. It appears there is a great
deal of confusion between these two words when it comes to dog
breeders per se.
Much of what I read in the “Breeders
Forum” on our InfoDog web site seems to form the opinions
pertaining to qualified breeders on the basis of controlling the
number of litters whelped each year by the same dam and the number
of stud services furnished per individual dog each year. That’s
certainly not what Nature had in mind nor did our Creator perceive
such ideas. All I have read or gleaned in my 82 years on this
planet is that Nature and the Creator are more concerned with the
survival of the species whether it be Human, Beast or Bug. The
second equally as profound statement is the QUALITY of the
survivors by virtue of their strength and physical attributes. It
is equal in assuring the survival of the species. A third factor
in survival of the species is that SEX is a pleasurable experience
so designed to promote said survival. Estrus in females whether in
human or beast is a signal pertaining to the survival of human and
beast alike.
The fear or the misunderstanding of
the above facts is man-made to protect family values and the
responsibility of caring for the offspring of mating couples. (Try
telling the young virile male or the young love-struck female that
their breeding habits should be limited to once a year.) Birds and
beasts as well as humans share the instinct of procreation. We try
to teach our offspring the rights and wrongs plus the
responsibilities of coital relationships and I suppose this
interferes with our thinking about improvement of the breeds and
their survival. In other words we really are responsible as
breeders for the QUALITY of our efforts no matter how many or how
few litters we breed.
Breeding poor or mediocre specimens
to poor or mediocre specimens does not and will not improve
quality no matter how many litters are bred. However, being
selective by studying pedigrees and genetic backgrounds will
improve specimens of quality no matter how many or how few litters
are bred. I believe the formation of a “Qualified Breeders
Alliance” is the answer to quality. Breeders of quality will
prove themselves by consistently breeding litters representative
of their Breed Standards and of quality. Finishing many specimens
in those litters to Championships will lead the way in the fight
against the breeders of questionable breeding practices. NOW IS
THE TIME WHILE THE SUBJECT IS BEFORE US TO BEAR THE ARMS THAT WILL
MAKE THE DREAM COME ALIVE. QUALITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS NOT
NUMBERS.
I have preached time and again that
the AKC cannot solve the problem of irresponsible persons seeking
to beat the system. The AKC does not have the means or the
personnel to tackle this task alone. YOU as the breeder, together
with OTHER breeders, have that power. YOU together with all the
others of the same persuasion can solve the registrations problems
by YOUR banding together as a group and working with the AKC to
bring the turnaround about. Most of the responsibility for
improvement rests with YOU as a dedicated group (Qualified
Breeders Alliance). MB-F and INFODOG have paved the way for YOU to
act. More than 11,000 persons have already signed on in the fight
to improve the puppy mill situation. More are joining everyday.
JOIN WITH US.
Top of
Page
From
Where I Sit
by John S. Ward
Each year around Westminster time
several prestigious awards are announced, usually to the owners of
the dogs which have the greatest number of wins or which have
defeated the greatest number of dogs in breed competition during
the previous year. These awards are well deserved and the owners
of these outstanding specimens are indeed entitled to our respect
for the significant contributions they have made to the sport.
Since ours is a competitive
society, it is logical to single out those individuals in the
different aspects of our sport such as breeding, handling, judging
and even dog writing. Such recognition provides goals and
incentives for the rest of us to stiffen our resolve to do better
in the coming year.
Unfortunately however only a
handful of dog exhibitors can reach these pinnacles. Many of us
fall into the category of “they also serve who only stand and
wait”. Indeed, without us there would be no awards since
otherwise there would simply be no competition. In fact, there is
a significant number of other achievements in breed competition
which have largely been unrewarded and for the most part
unrecognized. These achievements are well within the capabilities
of the average exhibitor and need only to be defined to provide
instant recognition.
Many years ago I considered this
problem and was able to come up with a very respectable list of
forms of competition which might interest you. At that time
however I was unable to persuade any dog food company to accept my
suggestions and they went unfulfilled. With the passage of time we
have a new group of exhibitors and I thought perhaps you might be
interested in my suggestions. Herewith for your consideration is a
list of achievements by the unsung heroes of the breed ring which
might qualify for some sort of an award:
The breeder with the greatest
number of consecutive all male litters.
The exhibitor with the single dog
which has gone Reserve most times in a row.
The breeder who shipped his or her
bitch the greatest distance to be bred and then found out it didn’t
take.
The exhibitor whose dog has the
most number of single points without getting that second major.
The owner of the stud dog whose
breedings missed the most number of times in the past year.
The breeder who has walked the
greatest number of miles between the grooming tent and ringside.
The exhibitor who has spent the
most money getting weight and/or coat on his or her dog.
The spouse who has spent the most
weekends at home minding the kennel while his or her partner is
off showing dogs.
The exhibitor who has shown in the
rain the most times.
The judge who has had to turn down
the greatest number of national breed specialties because of
conflicts with all-breed club assignments.
The breeder of the greatest number
of pet puppies which he or she could not unload.
The owner of the male special which
has gone Best of Opposite the most times.
The judge who has put up the most
number of dogs in the Breed only to have them subsequently go lame
in the Group judging.
The exhibitor who has guessed wrong
the most number of times as to whether a show would have a major
or not.
The handler who has lost the most
number of times when the owner was sitting at ringside.
I hope I have given you some food
for thought. The list is by no means all-inclusive and I’m sure
you can think of similar forms of competition if you really put
your mind to it. All that remains is to find sponsors for these
awards and I look for your help in this regard.
P.S. And we haven’t even begun to
consider the possibilities in the performance events.
Top of
Page
Thoughts
on Registrations
by Dorie Crowe
If you have been following the
discussions on the Breeders Forum on InfoDog you may have seen
some interesting ideas on Registrations and what can be done to
help keep them pure, to help keep puppy millers out, to stimulate
registrations, etc.
To begin with, not everyone thinks
the lower registration figures are examples of impending gloom.
Many think the lower figures represent more responsible breeding
practices by those who truly care for the breed. Those with more
popular breeds applaud the lower figures for their breeds – they
don’t want to have to keep rescuing these dogs that have become
the Flavor of the Month because of some TV commercial or movie has
prompted irresponsible breeding and selling pups into situations
that are not appropriate.
Here’s one of the questions we
posed: “There appears to be another TV campaign ready to be
aired focusing on “bad” registrations. This is, of course,
also a smear against all the legitimate, responsible breeders who
continue to follow the rules and act in an honest manner. This is
certainly a concern for all those involved in the Fancy.
“While you can’t legislate that
someone be honest and ethical, what do you think should be
required when registering (1) a litter and (2) an individual dog
from that litter that would help insure the legitimacy of that
registration and protect the integrity of the Stud Book?
“Please be specific in your plan
and how it could be accomplished. Here’s a chance to help in a
positive way.”
For the benefit of those who have
not been to the Breeders Discussion Forum we present several of
these ideas here for your thought and consideration.
Understandably there were many posts in answer to this question.
In presenting the ideas we’ve included here some full posts and
some portions of posts that agreed with other posts but included
additional information or presented a slightly different twist.
The following posts continue to prove that we have a lot of
thoughtful dog people out there with good ideas. We’re
continually proud of the role we play in providing a forum for
these ideas to see light.
BEFORE BEING ABLE TO REGISTER a
litter or puppies with the AKC, the breeder must be active in the
sport of dogs in some way other than just producing hundreds of
puppies every year. They must compete in AKC shows to prove their
dogs are at least worthy of the Breed Standard. They must compete
each and every year; no one-shot deal just to satisfy the initial
requirement…. If breeders were required to exhibit in shows or
other AKC sanctioned events, obedience, agility, field trials,
lure coursing, earthdog, etc., the majority of the undesirables
would be eliminated just by virtue of the fact they would have to
take the time to train and compete. If the occasional backyard
breeder were to begin to train and compete, this would not be a
bad thing, as it would mean this person would become educated as
to what a purebred dog really is. In the case of the ones who
choose not to compete their puppies would be unregisterable,
rendering them worthless to people who want a registered dog. If
you want a litter of puppies just for the heck of it, because you
think it may be fun, this could be a deterrent. The cost of
investigations and prosecutions should decline under this system.
Individual dogs would be able to be registered even though the
owner did not participate in events. It is those who want to BREED
dogs that would be required to participate in AKC events. If they
don’t compete they cannot register the litter.
IN ADDITION TO COMPETING there must
be minimal health requirements met with genetic testing for
whatever is of concern in that breed; dogs must be micro-chipped
or tattooed and to ensure proper documentation of a litter use
DNA. DNA will help eliminate mixed litters being falsely
registered. Puppy millers and backyard breeders won’t want to
spend money on tests, health care and entry fees.
ENFORCEMENTS FOR THE ETHICS
required/questioned by clubs before admitting persons for
membership. When actions that are frowned on by responsible,
respected breeders who are members of individual clubs take place
that club should have the authority and the gumption to take
disciplinary actions to protect the reputation of not only the
club but the sport as well. Stand outside the ring sometime and
watch some of the owners coming out as losers and see their
actions and hear their words. These actions are witnessed but
tolerated because no one wants to call that person to the mat
before AKC or question those actions at club meetings. Until we as
individuals stand up not only on Boards, but also at show sites,
and question the actions of these persons can we expect the sport
of dog showing to exceed the expectations and lend credibility to
the responsible breeders?
AKC THROUGH THE CANINE HEALTH
FOUNDATION should make DNA testing VERY affordable and should make
it mandatory that all applicants provide a sample for DNA testing
to determine both parentage and predisposition to identifiable
health problems. Also, the new owners should be sent notice that
if their new dog develops a hereditary disease or disorder they
should send veterinary information to AKC which will be made part
of the file and set up that it can cross reference the sire and
dam and other litter members. This information would be entered on
an AKC form that would be included with the registration papers.
It seems only logical that funding for the inexpensive DNA testing
should come from AKC as registration is their prime mission.
(Editor’s Note: Many people thought the breeder is the first
person to call when a genetic disorder is discovered.) Health
research, albeit needed and laudatory, is a secondary goal.
THE STATEMENT that a dog is “AKC
Registered” IS a false statement of quality to the uneducated
person looking for a puppy, so isn’t it about time, since that
false security to buyers exists, to give the term “AKC
Registered” some teeth? Why is it that under- and oversized dogs
are allowed to compete? Why is it that we are not required to show
proof of screening for genetic faults EVER? I would be happy to
produce proof of my dog being cleared of any problem I need to
screen for in my breed. At least it would show that someone CARES
about things being done right!
If a breeder ever had DNA come back
that they had been deceitful in registration I think the penalty
should be a permanent ban from ever registering with the AKC
again. The AKC needs to be stronger than they are now. Dogs
showing in conformation are supposed to be show quality with
possible breeding futures, so adult dogs that do not pass genetic
screens for problems should not be considered for showing in an
AKC event.
The AKC has made itself so much
more than a registry service. The purebred dog world centers on
them and the public sees them as the meaning of quality. Rather
than shrink from that I think it’s time for them to move into
the next century and use it as an opportunity to evolve and refine
itself to alleviate some of these problems….I for one do not
want the AKC to “devalue” itself. They could have too much
positive impact on this situation to justify doing nothing. As a
competitor I WANT the term “AKC Registered” to mean something.
As a breeder I would be delighted to see them enforce quality
where it can (by DNA testing, genetic screening, removing
obviously over/undersize dogs from a [conformation] show, etc.).
(Editor’s Note: Dogs with size problems, bite problems, etc.,
may still be shown in Obedience or Agility, etc. Dogs with size
problems may still also be used in breeding programs.)
HOW MANY OF US have sent a bitch
out to be bred in another part of the country or even to Canada
and have only the stud owner’s word that the dog has been bred
to the right male. I hope it has never happened, but since we are
dealing with human nature who is to say it hasn’t. The poor
unsuspecting bitch owner should not loose AKC privileges because
of the acts of the stud owner. (Editor’s Note: What would YOU do
to resolve this situation?)
IF DNA WAS MADE MANDATORY and
register all new litters by the DNA process that would eliminate
… problems.
Require a swab to be done by a vet
who has verified via microchip or tattoo…that the swab is of xyz
dog or bitch. If they were to send the sample directly from the
office the owner would have no opportunity to tamper with it. I
would have a lot more faith in a vet not wanting to risk being
caught lying than a breeder.
The DNA test itself would detect
some misrepresentations. The specimens sent in on the sire and dam
would by definition HAVE TO BE THE REAL PARENTS. If not, the test
would show the discrepancy. This would eliminate “guestimates”
of parentage when the breeding was not witnessed…. I suppose
there will always be someone clever enough to get around these
things, but verification by microchip or tattoo seems to be a
reasonable safeguard.
BREEDERS REALLY HAVE TO GET OUT
THERE with the average Joe and shake off that elitist image of the
“show dog”. People want good pets but many don’t realize
that most/many “show dogs” are good pets and they produce good
pets. Is it that it’s easier to ask/expect AKC [to] change in
order to meet the public’s expectation of quality in
registrations rather than educate the public?
I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING IF
THE AKC DID NOT ALLOW registration of puppies out of parents who
were not tested for those type of breed specific [disorders].
SINCE DOGS WITH LIMITED
REGISTRATIONS cannot produce registerable offspring why doesn’t
AKC simply mandate that any puppy sold from a pet store or through
the commercial channels be sold with Limited Registration? In
fact, why is it that if you neglect to check a box you are
automatically sent Full Registration? Since the breeder can lift
the Limited, but not take back the Full, why isn’t the default
registration the Limited option instead of Full?
Having worked in a pet store I can
tell you that a lot of customers looking for “pets” wouldn’t
buy if there was a Limited Registration on the puppies. Also, by
having it set up that way puppy mills couldn’t get the prices
they are getting now because pet stores would have to lower their
prices….. Pet stores sell these puppies for these big bucks by
telling [the new owners] they can turn around and breed or stand
at stud these things. I work for a vet and know this from asking
pet owners. One lady told me Petland told her not to neuter her
Corgi because she could stand him at stud for $1,000 because he
was registered….If these pups must go Limited, they won’t be
able to get away with this…if they can’t sell for big bucks
they won’t buy and the millers won’t be interested in
breeding.
WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY of getting
a law passed banning the sale of puppies and kittens from pet
stores? Without this convenient outlet would that help reduce the
number of “AKC registered” dogs that were bred for purely
commercial purposes?
POINT SYSTEM: The basic idea is to
add a “quality ranking” to the registration papers. One point
for every Champion parent listed in the pedigree to a specified
number of generations; a point for Obedience, Agility and
Performance titles; a point for each of the appropriate genetic
tests performed with appropriate results; possibly a point for
inspections done. You get the idea; low number of points is “bad”,
high number is “good”. Of course there would be a great deal
of targeted publicity needed to initiate such a system and promote
it. Could this system cut down on puppy mill registrations? It’s
likely it could have an impact.
PREMIUM PLATINUM PUREBRED PUPPY
PAPERS: The Five-P plan is this: Five-P puppies are guaranteed to
have both parents certified free of genetic defects with stable
temperaments, at least one parent will be an AKC Champion of
Record, will have been raised in sanitary conditions, socialized,
immunized, will be at least 8 weeks old or more, and any other
items felt important, and a spay/neuter agreement attached to
those specimens not worthy of breeding. The Five-P papers would be
certificate quality suitable for framing. These puppies would be
offered at reasonable prices, which would probably be less than
pet shop puppies and since these pups would be healthier in the
long run they would also cost less to maintain throughout their
lifetime because of the careful breeding practices.
As you can see we have some very
good and workable ideas out there in the Fancy. Brainstorming in
the fashion provided at our web site has given breeders a place to
go to rationally discuss some of the problems they face. They’ve
given these problems a great deal of thought and through
discussion have been able to refine some of their ideas into
reasonable plans. What about you? Can you get behind any of these
plans? Do you have any ideas to offer to further refine them?
Start talking and then start doing something to help!
Top of Page
A
Word From the AKCCHF
Review
Year 2000 Grants at June Meeting:
Since its inception in 1995 the AKC
Canine Health Foundation has approved and funded 82 Grants. The
selection process has several steps. The first step involves
submitting a pre-proposal. This short outline gives the Grants
Committee of the Foundation an idea of what the study will entail,
so they can match the studies with the interests and mission of
the Foundation.
Those pre-proposals approved by the
Grants Committee and voted upon by the Board of Directors then
moves to the next level, which is full application. These
applications are much more detailed and are sent out to be scored
by peer reviewers working in the same field addressed by the
proposal. The Foundation’s grant cycle is currently at this
point. Thirty pre-proposals have been approved for full
application. These 30 applications will be sent for peer review
and voted on by the Board of Directors at the June distribution
meeting. This year topics for the full applications include the
canine genome map, eye disease, canine cancer, kidney disease,
epilepsy, heart disease, behavior disorder, thyroid disease, elbow
dysplasia, obesity and alternative medicine.
If you are interested in obtaining
more information about the Foundation’s currently funded
projects, visit our web site at http://www.akcchf.org or call or
write: AKC Canine Health Foundation, 251 W. Garfield Rd, Suite
160, Aurora, OH 44202. Ph: 330-995-0807.
Samples Needed for Yorkie Liver
Shunt Study:
Karen M. Tobias, DVM, MS is
conducting a study of liver disease, at Washington State
University. The study is titled, “Determination of Genetic
Relationships Among Yorkshire Terriers With Single Congenital
Portosystemic Shunts,” and the objectives are to determine
whether heredity plays a role in development of portosystemic
shunt in Yorkshire Terriers, to determine common ancestry among
affected dogs, and to identify the mode of inheritance. For
criteria and other information on how you can contribute a
pedigree, contact Dr. Tobias at her address: Dept. of Small Animal
Clinical Sciences, PO Box 1071, Knoxville, TN 37901-1071. E-mail:
ktobias@utk.edu.
Universities Form Consortium for
Epilepsy:
A consortium of researchers from
the University of Missouri, University of Minnesota, the Ohio
State University and the Animal Health Trust in Great Britain are
working together to discover the mutations responsible for
hereditary epilepsy in many breeds of dogs. Owners of epileptic
dogs and close relatives of affected dogs from any breed are
encouraged to participate in this research by submitting samples.
Canine epilepsy information and research participation details can
be found on the Canine Epilepsy network web site,
www.cvm.missouri.edu/cen/ or by contacting project coordinator Liz
Hansen at 573-884-3712 or hansenl@missouri.edu.
Future Dog Now in Second
Printing:
The first printing of the handbook
on canine genetics, “Future Dog: Breeding for Genetic Soundness,”
by Patricia J. Wilkie, Ph.D., was sold out between October and
December of 1999. The second printing of the book is now
available. The book is published by the Minnesota Agricultural
Station in cooperation with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. This
educational book begins with the history of dog breeds and
addresses such issues as the continuity and diversity of life and
genetic mapping. The book details gene selection and applications
in dog breeding, and includes a glossary of genetic terms.
Illustrated with 55 color photographs and 20 diagrams and charts,
this 107-page book makes complex concepts accessible to breeders,
veterinarians and other professionals. Price for Foundation
members is $17.95, nonmembers $19.95. Prices include tax and
shipping costs. To order call the AKC Canine Health Foundation
toll-free number 1-888-682-9696.
International Kennel Club and
Ralston Purina raise more than $87,000 for Canine Health Research:
The AKC Canine Health Foundation
launched its year 2000 fund drive at the International Kennel Club
of Chicago Millennium show sponsored by Ralston Purina the weekend
of February 24-27. CHF Event Chairs were Lee and Romana Arnold and
Bruce Korson. More than $87,000 in donations was raised, exceeding
last year’s total of $70,000. The four-day cluster also includes
Park Shore Kennel Club and the Blackhawk Kennel Club.
The Saturday evening main event was
the Ralston Purina Charity Ball which culminated yearlong
fundraising by Purina for the AKC Canine Health Foundation. The
Foundation was presented with a gift of $21,870, the result of
matching funds received from Purina and the IKC for adult-dog
entries in the Saturday show. In addition, Purina contributed
$55,000 from ticket sales to the Charity Ball and donations for
samples of Purina brand pet foods and treats received in 1999 at
the Purina booth at dog show events.
During the Saturday and Sunday
shows, the Foundation worked with Ralston Purina to present
seminars to visitors interested in canine health. Deborah Lynch,
Executive Vice President of the Foundation, gave talks on the top
ten canine diseases and the latest research projects in these
areas. Lynch also answered questions from the audiences comprised
of veterinarians, breeders and pet owners.
On Friday, the Foundation Board and
President’s Council members staffed the admissions gate to raise
donations for the Foundation. The Foundation booth was featured at
the show to raise funds through T-shirt sales, memberships and
donations for Dollars for Dogs. A raffle coordinated by Schnauzer
Club of America members Penny Duffee and Liz Hansen raised $1500
for the Foundation. This was held in conjunction with the
Schnauzer-ama, a Specialty Show featuring Miniature, Standard and
Giant Schnauzers.
Dollars for Dogs Campaign
The AKC Canine Health Foundation
will work with MB-F, Inc., for a drive to expand its endowment.
The drive will ask everyone who owns, works with or cares about
dogs to donate at least $1 toward the development of a canine
health research endowment. Tom Crowe, Chairman of the Board of
MB-F, the world’s largest dog show superintending organization,
will chair the campaign. “How can anyone refuse the contribution
of $1 to help dogs everywhere?” asks Crowe. “We expect
veterinarians to be key in this campaign by putting donation boxes
in their offices and asking their staff and clients to chip in.”
The goal of the campaign will be to
raise $43,000,000 over the next three years. All the money raised
will become part of an invested endowment wherein only the
interest may be spent on canine health research. “We spend $26
billion a year on our pets,” said Crowe, “but less than 1% of
that total on canine health.” Recently the Journal of the
American Cancer Society and Discover Magazine noted that advances
in canine health also lead to advances in human health. “We have
already seen this happen with the recent discovery of the gene for
narcolepsy in Doberman Pinschers by Dr. Emanuel Mignot, at
Stanford University,” said Deborah Lynch, AKC/CHF Executive Vice
President. “Now that scientists know the genetic components of
this disease, treatments and therapies can be developed that will
help both dogs and humans.”
The Dollars for Dogs campaign will
be directed at the 43 million dog-owning households, dog events
with their attendees and spectators, dog clubs worldwide, the
16,000 practicing veterinarians and their clients, 27 veterinary
schools, dozens of dog food companies, and all other
dog-interested organizations and persons connected to canine
health. People will be asked to donate at least $1 to the AKC
Canine Health Foundation through mail, the internet and donations
points at dog shows, veterinarian offices and other locations. The
position is to encourage all dog-related persons to participate on
a small basis toward a very large goal.
To make a donation to Dollars for
Dogs, log onto the Foundation’s web site www.akcchf.org or
www.infodog.com Donors will be thanked online.
Top of
Page
Morris
& Essex Out of the Past
(Reprinted from the
May 11, 1930 The Sunday Call, Newark)
DODGE ESTATE AT
MADISON SCENE OF LARGEST OUTDOOR DOG SHOW
ANNUAL
COMPETITION OF MORRIS AND ESSEX KENNEL CLUB TO BE HELD MAY 23 AND
24 HAS MORE THAN 1,500 NOMINATIONS by H.G. Michelson
No event in dogdom stirs more
interest than the annual show of the Morris and Essex Kennel Club
at Madison. It is unique, not only in that it is the largest
outdoor competition in America, but because it is sponsored and
supported by one woman, Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, wife of
M. Hartley Dodge, daughter of the late William Rockefeller and
niece of John D. Rockefeller.
Giralda Farms, the Hartley estate,
one of the largest and most magnificent in New Jersey, will be
thrown open to the public on May 23 and 24, for the fourth annual
show of the club. Prize winners in 25 breeds from all over the
United States will compete and will be judged by some of the
foremost dog authorities in the world. With the closing of the
entries yesterday more than 1,500 nominations were made, including
a non-competing division of crowned champions of the important
competitions in this country.
Polo Field Scene of Show
The entire Dodge polo field, a
large expanse of velvet-like sod, rolled to the evenness of a
billiard table, will be the scene of the show. Large tents will
house the distinguished assembly of judges, who hail from as far
as Germany, Canada, Texas and California. Others will be erected
for the accommodation of 5,000 spectators expected and still
others for the pedigreed competitors who will vie for the highest
rank in their respective classes.
Roads, especially built for the
occasion, will lead directly to the polo field. Twenty-five acres
of level ground have been set aside for the parking of automobiles
and signs have been conspicuously placed throughout the entire
estate, directing autoists and pedestrians to and from the field
to avoid congestion at any point.
Giralda Farms will be a gay scene
on the night of May 23. Mrs. Dodge will be hostess to 500
exhibitors, breeders and dog fanciers at a reception…. On the
second day of the show, 2,500 persons will be Mrs. Dodge’s
guests at a luncheon under the main tent on the polo field.
Hundreds of prizes, in cash or
Sterling silver loving cups, have been donated by Mrs. Dodge, and
members of her family. Unlike previous shows of the club, entrants
this year are mainly from distant parts, as far as the States of
Washington and Texas. Although the number of breeds in the
competing list is smaller than that of the Westminster or Eastern
Dog Shows, the number of entrants in proportion thereto classifies
the Giralda Show as the largest in the United States.
Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge
inherited the love for animals from her father. William
Rockefeller was a breeder of famous dogs and horses. His daughter
is regarded today as one of the authorities in judging Shepherd
dogs and Beagles. Her interest in horses has been more or less
confined to the raising of Welsh ponies, but her stables house
some of the finest specimens of that type.
Details Carefully Planned
Mrs. Dodge has personally
supervised the arrangements for the show. Her painstaking regard
for details is evident at every step on Giralda Farms. The dog
kennels have been constructed with an eye for the utmost in
sanitation and canine comfort. Cork bricks cover the floors and
tiled walls separate the dogs, many of which are worth their
weight in gold. A staff of attendants is in every kennel and food
is prepared with the same precision and care exercised in a modern
diet kitchen.
All dumb creatures share Mrs. Dodge’s
interest. She has laid aside several acres as a bird refuge, where
crops are planted for the sole purpose of supplying food for
sparrows, pheasants, robins and other winged visitors. Marble
water troughs, on the rims of which are chiseled the words, “Fear
Not to Sow Because of the Birds,” are scattered all over the
estate.
The Dodge kennels in Madison and
Princeton comprise more than two hundred dogs. Included are some
of the most consistent prize winners…. Mrs. Dodge is a true
sportswoman. Although her dogs are among the finest in the land,
and she is president of the Morris and Essex Kennel club, she is
unwilling to enter the animals in a show held on her own grounds
in a competition where the judging might be attended by
dissatisfaction.
Judging Is Important Factor
Mrs. Dodge said yesterday that
authoritative judging at shows was the boon to the raising of fine
dogs. If improperly judged, the animals might be raised to heights
undeserved and thereby discourage the efforts of breeders, she
said. To insure the best judging possible, Mrs. Dodge will have as
her guest, Capt. Max Von Stephanitz of Germany. He will judge the
Shepherd Dogs.
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The Shaggy Dog Stories
A friend and I traveled to
Montgomery County Kennel Club’s October Terrier-fest a few years
back. We had several dogs with us including her veteran Champion.
During the weekend she would kid that if he did not win she was
going to leave him off somewhere or give him away.
Well, he did not win, but she was
nevertheless still pleased with his performance and nothing was
said about her comments after the show.
The next day we got up late, packed
leisurely, had a nice, quiet breakfast along the route home and
generally were in a congenial state of mind. We stopped at a rest
area in Northern New Jersey and, as usual, I went first while Sue
stayed behind to start exercising the dogs. Heading back to the
car, expecting just to take over her duties while she ducked into
the ladies facilities, I noticed her running across the parking
lot, a fearful expression on her face. I ran after her begging her
to tell me what was wrong.
She was incoherent, panic-stricken
as she madly dialed a pay phone into which she shouted the
statement that we had previously occupied room such and such and….
Before her question could be completed the person on the other
side acknowledged, “Yes, we have your dog. He’s safe and sound
in the manager’s office.”
That’s right. We packed all but
him. He had been lying alongside the bed at the hotel while we
packed. I thought she put him in the van and she thought I had.
(submitted by Jean Derench)
HELLO, MARYLOU
Guy is sitting quietly reading his
paper when his wife sneaks up behind him and whacks him on the
head with a frying pan.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“That was for the piece of paper
in your pants pocket with the name ‘Marylou’ written on it,”
she replied.
“Two weeks ago when I went to the
races, ‘Marylou’ was the name of one of the horses I bet on,”
he explained.
She looked satisfied, apologized,
and went off to do work around the house.
Three days later he’s again
sitting in his chair reading when she nails him with an even
bigger frying pan, knocking him out cold.
When he came to, he cried, “What
was that for?”
“Your horse phoned.”
(submitted by Rita Lynch via the
Internet)
TRADITION
An Irishman by th’ name o’
Pauly McLean moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into
the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his
eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly
at a table, alone. An hour later, the man has finished the three
beers and orders three more. This happens yet again. The next
evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time,
several times.
Soon the entire town is whispering
about the Man Who Orders Three Beers. Finally, a week later, the
bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. “I don’t
mean to pry, but folks around here are wonderin’ why you always
order three beers?”
“Tis odd, isn’t it?” the man
replies. “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America,
and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would
always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of
keepin’ up the family bond.”
The bartender and the whole town
was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three
Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet,
even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him
drink.
Then, one day, the man comes in and
orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy
heart. This continues for the rest of the evening - he orders only
two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the
soul of one of the brothers.
The next day, the bartender says to
the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer
condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know - the
two beers and all...”
The man ponders this for a moment,
then replies, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers
are alive and well. It’s just that I, meself, have decided to
give up drinking for Lent!
(submitted by Rita Lynch via the
Internet)
OOPS!
A police officer pulls over this
guy who’s been weaving in and out of the lanes. He goes up to
the guy’s window and says, “Sir, I need you to blow into this
breathalyzer tube.”
The man says, “Sorry, officer, I
can’t do that. I am an asthmatic. If I do that, I’ll have a
really bad asthma attack.”
“Okay, fine. I need you to come
down to the station to give a blood sample.”
“I can’t do that either. I am a
hemophiliac. If I do that, I’ll bleed to death.”
“Well, then, we need a urine
sample.”
“I’m sorry, officer, I can’t
do that either. I am also a diabetic. If I do that, I’ll get
really low blood sugar.”
“All right, then I need you to
come out here and walk this white line.”
“I can’t do that, officer.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m drunk.”
(submitted via the Internet)
Humor is a good thing.
If you have a favorite doggy laff
-- particularly a true story --
please send it in and share a good laff with fellow dog enthusiasts.
Send to:
MB-F, Inc.
c/o The Shaggy Dog
P.O. Box 22107
Greensboro, NC 27420
e-mail: mbf@infodog.com
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