Among other things, breakthroughs in genetic research have revolutionized dog breeding. It’s removed the guesswork from many aspects of the job, thus allowing us to focus on our real task of creating a living work of art. Since the first canine disease mutation was identified back in 1989, researchers have documented hundreds of mutated alleles that can signal a hereditary predisposition to various health issues.
The Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier were one breed until relatively recently, and called the Norwich Terrier. They were differentiated by their ears – erect (or prick) ears and drop ears. In 1979, the AKC followed the English Kennel Club and divided the breed, with the drop-eared variety now called Norfolk Terrier.
By now, I am sure most of you have seen at least one episode of America’s Got Talent. I love watching this show, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why the AKC Board of Directors has not been invited to audition! They are, in my opinion, among the best magicians I have ever seen….talk about sleight of hand, smoking mirrors, hocus pocus….what you think you see is not what you get. The new judging approval system has turned into a magic act that we are supposed to believe.
Most dog breeds, except for those outlined in the sidebar to this story, can swim. After all, there’s a reason the simplest stroke in swimming is called a “dog paddle.” It’s often the first stroke learned by young children because it mimics the way dogs and other animals swim as it is essentially “trotting” in the water instead of on land.
Animal welfare is an integral part of modern society. The major aspects are usually the problem of stray dogs and animal cruelty. These elements often cause lengthy and deep-rooted debates mostly between the breeder society and animal welfare activists. And from time to time you get the feeling it is a neverending struggle without real benefits or achievements. The hard to answer question is: for what reason?
DNA analysis has revolutionized many investigative procedures. But so far, the biggest consequence of this new scientific precision has been more controversy, starting in 1993 with Dr. Robert K. Wayne’s UC-Davis study. Rather like early canine evolution, that was way back in the dark ages of genetic research. Therefore, general skepticism greeted his team’s mitochondrial analysis of ancient dog genome sequences which dated the start of the dog/wolf split to 135,000 years ago.
They are frozen in time and sometimes deceptively real. Perpetuated in stone or bronze, looking over water, streets, parks or squares, they can be found all over the world.
At shows and at club meetings, I have heard novice breeders ask seasoned and highly successful breeders, “What is the best age to select your pick of the litter puppy?” On one hand, a puppy just minutes old and still wet gives you the best representation of genetic potential, but the most accurate answer to the query has to be, “When he is eleven months, three weeks and six days old.”
If you had attended the 2015 American Veterinary Medical Association Conference in Boston in July, you would have found a remarkable number of human-animal bond speakers as instructors. One instructor in particular, Dr. Marty Becker, brought his Fear FreeTM veterinary practice information to attendees. Full disclosure requires that I tell you I’m on the advisory panel of Directors of the Fear FreeTM veterinary method. After attending Dr. Becker’s presentation at AVMA I thought my dog show colleagues would like to learn more about this eye-opening new program.?(https://www.drmartybecker.com/fear-free/veterinarians-talk-fear-free-practice/) Why am I talking about this in my article in The Canine Chronicle? Because, even though I’m on the panel, I didn’t fully understand what this program was all about, how much additional income subscribing veterinarians are now making and that there is a better way for our puppies and older dogs to go to the vet.
It seems all too frequently over the last year that – while preparing to gather my thoughts for my Looking Back column – someone who was an important part of my life passes away and takes precedence over all else. As you all know, on Friday, July 3, 2015 Mrs. Jane Forsyth left this world. It doesn’t seem possible that one so important that I have known for so long is not invincible! I’m finding this to be true and occurring much too frequent lately.
