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.
In both Britain and America, Gundogs were the headliners and groundbreakers of the modern dog world. Their proponents organized the first show, founded key organizations like the Kennel Club, Westminster, and AKC, and the list goes on. However, Terrier fanciers- like their dogs- weren’t on the sidelines waiting for an invitation. By 1860 Terrier breeders and judges were calling the shots at every level of the sport. Their concepts became ubiquitous hallmarks of the game, things like specialty publications, show grooming (and cheating), and professional handling. Fox Terrier popularity was the springboard for this preeminent position.
Last month’s CC includes an overview of registration changes of individual dog breeds over a period of 20 years, from 1993 to 2013. Some of the results were startling to me: the substantial growth in registrations of some breeds, and the dramatic decline by a factor of 2 for a few others. If we want to understand why that may be, the place to begin is to get more data. But instead of attacking the overwhelming number of data points that would have to be entered manually, hopefully looking at different kinds of information will be more instructive. One additional piece of information that may be useful is the number of Championships and Grand Championships earned and their relationship to the number of registrations. These data are available on the AKC website.
On July 14, 2015, the National Animal Interest Alliance released a Survey of Shelter Dog Composition: Mutts vs. Purebreds. The survey was produced as a part of the Shelter Dog project which is designed to “provide information about shelter issues to interested parties.” The description of the Shelter project found on the NAIA website goes on to say, “Without accurate data, we will never understand pet population trends well enough to define and solve the problems we face.” It is an oft-quoted truism that an accurate diagnosis is 90% of the cure. Our society’s struggle with pet population and euthanasia reduction is both fluid and complicated. The acquisition of objective information must be a priority for all stakeholders.
It has been a difficult time for people from Belgians and other breeds recently. Early in May, an exhibitor was reported by her landlord, and when law enforcement entered the property a number of dogs were found dead by starvation with a couple of others emaciated, but clinging to life. Rescues stepped in and breeders took dogs back, but tragic and irreversible damage had been done. Sadly, this happens with remarkable frequency, leaving responsible owners and breeders to ponder the motivation and circumstances that contribute to these horrific situations.
