PANNUS IN THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

The more that I think I know about the breed, the more I realize that I don’t. This is just one of the things that I didn’t know that the German Shepherd Dog can be affected by. I never even heard of this disease before.

German Shepherd Dog Keratitis [pannus], medical name: keratitis superficialis vasulosa pannosa pigmentosa chronica, is a chronic inflammation of the corneal surface and, in most cases, of the conjunctiva of the eye. The reason it is called German Shepherd Dog Keratitis is because the disease is found predominantly in German Shepherds and is only rarely seen in other breeds.

Pannus is a condition where your dogs’ immune system attacks the cornea. Symptoms include changes in color and the appearance of red blood vessels. While there is no cure for the syndrome, it can be controlled for the life of your dog. Failure to treat the condition can result in blindness.

It is normally seen in dogs between the ages of three and five. It first appears in the outer regions of the cornea and, in almost all cases, affects both eyes simultaneously.

The cornea is a membrane that covers the colored part and white part of the eye. Canine keratitis is a syndrome where the cornea becomes inflamed and discolored (corneal pigmentation). Pannus causes tissue to accumulate on the surface of the eye and cholesterol to form inside the cornea.

The cause of Pannus is not well understood, but several factors are involved. The breed incidence suggests a heritable predisposition. Additionally, UV (ultraviolet) radiation plays an important role as an inciting and propagating factor. Dogs living at high altitudes and low altitudes are more severely affected. Also, autoimmune factors and possibly genetics play a part.

Initially, redness and brown pigment may be seen in the conjunctiva (white tissue of the eye). White infiltrates made up of inflammatory cells then invade the clear cornea. Next blood vessels invade the cornea. Finally pink connective tissue grows into the cornea and later becomes brown. In a small number of cases, two other symptoms may occur either alone or together. A thickening, redness, de-pigmentation and lumpiness of the third eyelid may occur. This is called a plasmoma. The other condition which may occur is chronic, erosive ulceration of the lower eyelid near the inner and outer corners of the eye. Pannus is uncomfortable to the dog. When treated adequately, your dog can be free of this irritation even though the corneas may not clear up completely.

What is the treatment for Pannus? Despite intensive research efforts, no permanent cure exists for this disease. However, in the vast majority of cases, the diseases progress can be halted and the problem kept stable. In other cases, Pannus may be reversed and the corneas will clear. This is most probable if therapy is instituted early during the disease. The inflammatory cell infiltrate and blood vessel invasion are generally reversible with therapy. The connective tissue infiltration and pigment deposits are often not reversible once they have occurred.

There are four types of therapy:

1. Corticosteroid (cortisone) therapy. This is the main line of defense against progression of the disease and in most cases is effective. If the pannus is severe, cortisone may be administered by injections under the white of the eye. In all cases drops containing cortisone must be applied to the eye many times a day. Treatment must be kept up for the rest of the pet¹s life. Even short periods of interrupted treatment, i.e., 2-to-4 weeks, may cause severe relapse with worsening of the patient's vision. The main side-effect of prolonged corticosteroid therapy is the adverse effect on corneal wound healing. Microscopic wounds of the outer layer of the cornea often occur. In a normal eye the cornea heals rapidly. If corticosteroid medications are being applied, minor wounds worsen leading to serious corneal ulceration. The main sign seen in patients with ulceration is pain. Therefore, should any patient on cortisone therapy show signs of pain, such as holding the eye shut or pawing at the eye, it is important that the medication be stopped and the doctor consulted immediately.

2. Cyclosporine is a new medication in the war on pannus. It does work on pannus and doesn't have the side effects of corticosteroids. Unfortunately, cyclosporine doesn't work as quickly and it is usually necessary to continue it twice daily for the rest of the patient¹s life. Often, we will initially prescribe corticosteroids to be used in addition to the cyclosporine. When used together, greater improvements are seen without the side effects associated with high levels of corticosteroids.

3. Surgery may be used when medication does not completely clear the pannus from the cornea. A 'peeling' of the cornea may be required to restore vision in eyes that are severely scarred and pigmented. Unfortunately, treatment is required following surgery to prevent the pannus from recurring as the cornea heals. This method is only used if medication doesn't work.

4. Beta-irradiation may be used when medication and surgery prove insufficient. This will not be recommended unless all else fails.

Although Pannus can be a condition that requires life long treatment, with the correct diagnosis and early treatment, the dog's vision can be maintained.


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My rating: Learning and educating yourself on the diseases of the German Shepherd Dog: (4)

SO YOU WANT TO BREED A LITTER OF PUPPIES - (Part 2)

Okay so you just invested in buying the best bitch that you can afford for your breeding program. You raise her until she’s at least two years of age. You have her x-rayed and submit them to the OFA for evaluation. You receive her OFA numbers for her hips and elbows. Then you once again take a look at the studs that you have been considering breeding her to for awhile. Hopefully you have done your homework and have investigated a little further into the bloodlines of the potential stud dogs and have talked to other breeders that have utilized these dogs into their own bloodlines. You would have discussed the faults of the lines and any health problems other breeders may have had. Perhaps you can even take a look at some of their puppies that they have produced from the stud dog that you are interested in using.

Once you’ve decided on a dog that you would like to use, your next step is to make sure that your bitch is up to date on any of her inoculations that she may need. Taking in a stool sample to your vet would be a good idea as well. This is a good time to have her thoroughly examined to make sure she’s healthy and ready to have a litter. Alright then, Mother Nature pays a visit to your girl and she’s in season.

You should get in touch with the stud dog owner on your bitches first day of season. This way the owner of the male can reserve the days that your bitch needs to be bred. Most stud dog owners will allow you to breed your bitch two times during her season to help ensure that she’ll get pregnant. Also the stud dog owner should let you know what tests he expects you to have on your bitch before the breeding takes place. These tests are to protect his stud as well as your bitch from contacting any infectious diseases. Some bitch owners will have tests done to determine when their bitch should be bred. I have never done this test and I have never had a bitch miss. But for those bitches that do have a harder time conceiving, these tests can prove to be very valuable to the bitch owner.

This is what the person that wrote to me about writing about this subject had to say about the actual breeding of the two animals. “You can of course leave out the copulation itself as I think most know how that is done.” Well you would think that that would be the case, but it’s not always that way. Most people think that you just put the two dogs’ together and let nature do what nature normally does. You would think. But it doesn’t always work out that way. Many a time the breeder has to be “hands on” when a breeding is taking place. If she’s not, injury may result or a breeding doesn’t take place at all. So let’s take a look at this eventful day.

So the time has come for you to breed your girl to the famous stud dog. Hopefully the stud dog will be a good breeder and there will be no problems. A good stud dog is an eager breeder and gets the job done without too much fanfare. The problem can arise when you have a young stud dog that is still “wet behind the ears” because he’s never been bred before or to very few bitches. I’ve written about my own experience with this. If it weren’t for me and the stud dog owner being there, serious damage could have resulted to the stud dog and maybe my bitch. Not to go into all the detail all over again here, I’ll just tell you that the stud dog tied with my bitch and then he wanted to play games and tried throwing himself on the floor like an overgrown puppy would do. That’s when the fun began! NOT! The poor dog was screaming in pain and he didn’t know what to do. The stud dog owner became so scared and yelled to me to hold my bitch very still. Thank God my bitch was an experienced brood bitch. She just looked at him like he was nuts and as if to say to him, “Are you done yet?”

Then you might run into the other side of the spectrum and have a dog that is a lazy breeder and is not really too interested in your bitch. I also had that happen before. Eventually we got the breeding done and had a large litter, but you would think that the stud would want to breed a willing bitch. Nope, he had to be coaxed.

And then how about the stud dog that is overly exuberant with anything that has four legs. He’s an aggressive stud dog and the owner has all he can do to hold the wild bronco back. This can result in outside ties and small litters or no litters at all. Then you can’t breed to him until another 24 hours at least and hope that the next time you can calm his libido down a little bit. And hopefully you’ll have a litter.

And the stud dogs are not the only ones that can give you a headache. How about your darling sweet little girl? If she is a maiden bitch, she may not want anything to do with the stud dog at all. She may be frightened or she may want to rip his head off! Most stud dog owners will muzzle all bitches that come in to be bred to their dogs. The smart owner doesn’t take any chances. Many times after they are tied, the muzzle will be taken off the bitch.

So no, it’s not just about putting the two dogs together. The breeders are very much a part of what goes when the two dogs are bred. Believe me many stud dogs owners earn their stud dogs fees and the bitch owner ears her puppy prices!


So if everything goes well, you will have had two breedings on your girl and you can take her home and wait until you see the signs that your bitch is pregnant. Your girl will carry her babies for nine weeks. While she is pregnant you will make sure that she has the proper nutrition and some breeders will give their bitches supplements at this time to ensure that she is getting the extra vitamins they she will need to nourish her babies and herself.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to invest in a good whelping box for the mother and her newborns.

(To be continued)….


DRYMATE WHELPING BOX LINER -

* Provide your pet with a clean sanitary whelping area.
* The soft, non-woven fabric absorbs and contains liquids.
* The bonded backing prevents leak through and protects the flooring.
* Machine washable and dryable.


My rating: breeding puppies: (1 - 4)

WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE WITHOUT A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

I got the theme for this subject after being slobbered on for the umpteenth million time this morning by three German Shepherds running around the house like maniacs! One has a chewed up bone hanging out her mouth that can no longer be distinguished as having ever belonged to any creature walking on this earth. The other one is trying to figure out how she’s going to get that “treasure” from her sister’s mouth. And the third one drops a limp, lifeless saliva encrusted stuffed toy on my lap. In between, they stop, gulp some water, come back to decorate my bare arms with their drool, smell my clothes, scratch their pleasingly plump bodies next to me assuring that some more stray hairs land on my keyboard. And the “Dog Whisperer” tells us to remain calm and assertive. I throw calm out the window and in my most assertive voice, yell (scream) “I’ve had enough.” I still can’t figure out how they can stand there with those “cow brown eyes” wagging their tail loving me anyway when two of them are shown the back door!

In the morning one likes to drink their cup of coffee, relax, open up their e-mails or look at the morning newspaper. If you’re a writer and anything like I am, I need and demand “quiet!” I can’t concentrate otherwise. I think my Amber must think I’m nuts sometimes because she’s the whining (I need lots of attention) type of dog. She lives in the house all day with me and many a time she is told to go to her bed when she’s in one of her “demanding” moods. She knows what I mean too because after a little fuss, I point the finger towards the other room and tell her to get into her bed.

So these are just some of the fun reasons why I “love” owning a German Shepherd. I wonder what my life would be like without them. Now let me think about this…..

I’d be wealthier for one thing. No more buying Holistic or natural food. No more looking for the meat bargains at the supper market to add to their diet. Oh yeah, no more buying a special supplement to add to their food. No more vet bills. No grooming bills. No more buying grooming supplies. There would be no need for a dog run in my yard. There would be no dog houses. No kiddie’s pools. No expensive dog toys. No more worn out bones to decorate my living room rug. There would be no need to upgrade my car to a van. No need to invest any money for cushy dog beds to line the corners of my den. No need to buy an industrial strength vacuum cleaner to pick up your never ending dog hair!

I would no longer have the need to call one of those dog handlers to show my dog at the local specialty club. No spending money on entry fees. No traveling expenses. I wouldn’t have to stay at one of those “Super 8” motels anymore. No more eating those shriveled up hot dogs that they pass off as food at the shows. Oh yeah, no more having my dog grab the rest of that hot dog when my head is turned talking to Gertrude who stops to have a chat.

No more stud fees. No more shipping my bitch across the country. No more x-rays to see how many little darlings we can expect. No spending money on the OFA for my dog’s hips and elbows. No buying a whelping box. No puppy food and supplements. No worming medicines. No need to buy any dog crates. Oh yes, and no more dealing with annoying puppy people!!!!!!!!!!

No more planning my vacation around the National Specialty show. I mean who wants to go to “Anyplace, USA” in some cow pasture when I could be lying on the pink sands of Tahiti instead?

Gee after looking at these last few paragraphs, I feel richer already! So if money is no problem for you, let’s take a look at all the other things you’d miss without a German Shepherd Dog in your life.

There would be no need to wrestle a dog to the floor to clip their nails. There wouldn’t even be a reason for me to buy those “tasty” dog treats to bribe them with to do their nails in the first place. There wouldn’t be one single dog hair on my floors, my clothes, my computer, my car or any other place for that matter. They’d be no more muddy footprints decorating my floors. No more doggies breathe. Just think, no more doggie aroma assaulting my nostrils!

There would be no more jumping up on the counters, the stove, the table top or any other place that a food morsel may have been left behind. No more smudges on the sliding glass door or the living room window. My windows in my car would be free from this assault as well. No nudging me while I’m cooking dinner hoping I’ll share a piece of whatever it is smelling so “gosh darn good!” No more following me into the bathroom or hearing you scrape at the door if I close it in your nosy little face.

There would be no more cleaning up soiled dog runs. No more bleach splashing on my once dark pants. No more looking like a rag woman because I’m too tired to go to the beauty parlor after taking care of you all day. No more brushing your coat to make you look pretty. Now I’ll brush my hair to make me look pretty.

No more nose up my butt. No more tripping over you because when I turn around…..there you are! No more breaking my ankles on you scattered toys all over the house. No more listening to you snoring. No more sharing my favorite pillow with you. No more opening the back door telling you to be quiet with your unwelcome barking. No more interruptions from you while I’m talking on the telephone. Finally I could get an insurance company that wouldn’t hang up on me when he asks me what breed of dog I have.

Oh yes, life is beginning to feel simpler and better already. Yes sir, there’s more money in my pocket. I’ve got a cleaner house and a cleaner car. No more yellow stains on my lawn. You betcha’ life is good……..richer, but really poorer. Cleaner……but who cares anyway? Oh yeah and a whole lot lonelier! No more “laugh out loud” silly moments. No more unconditional love. No more loyal companion by my side. Oh no is that somebody trying to break in my cleaner bigger house? He’s after all my riches! Where is that darn dog when I need him anyway? I forgot I chose not have a dog in my life anymore!


My rating: owning a German Shepherd Dog: (4), not owning any pets: (1)

TO ALL THE DOGS I'VE LOVED BEFORE

To all the dogs I’ve loved before……..who traveled in and out my door………

From my very first scruffy looking, long haired black and silver coated pup to my top producing champion ROM bitch to my “wild child” and my girl who likes being pregnant so much that even when she’s not, she thinks she is! From my piano playing dog to my vacuum attacking “watch dog”…….they’ve all contributed to my life with dogs. Then there’s the 105 lb. male who scaled his six foot kennel to be with his half sister in her run, to the “escape artist”, who led half my kennel down the street for a leisurely walk on a spring like day. Yes sir, these dogs certainly did add some excitement to my otherwise “normal” existence. That cut on my finger, that bruise on my knee, that scar on my arm and the scars on my heart…….all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Photographs of my dogs encircled in ordinary looking black frames line the walls of my family room as constant reminders of a happy and rewarding past. Maryland, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey are just some of the places we visited to take some of those blue ribbons home. Tolls paid, hotels stayed in, jets flown across the miles, handler’s bonuses, pictures taken…….all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Stud dog services, bitches bred, puppies born, some live, some die, some stay, and some go bye bye. Good breeding, bad breeding, superstars, mediocre stock, ears up, ears down, full mouth, and missing teeth too……not in my line……must be your line. Good temperament, bad temperament, American lines, German lines, Champion titles, Obedience titles, ROM’s, some make it, some don’t, some are capable, and some aren’t. It matters not, because all were special and unique in their own way and they were part of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Some dogs long gone still come back to pay me a visit every now and then in my dreams. How I wish they would do that more often. They tease me for just a little while, running through my dreams and I never can reach out to touch them long enough because I awaken and then they are gone. It’s unfair. They make me long for them and I carry that dream with me throughout the day. Longing but never having…..they play with me just long enough to remind me of how much I truly miss them because they were a part of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Empty dog bowls, worn out collars and leashes, dried up dog bones, and ragged stuffed toys lay on scratched up floors and discolored carpets. A smudge still left on a window, a lone dog hair scattered here and there…..all reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Smart dogs, scheming dogs, spoiled dogs, lazy dogs, my “heart dogs”…..they all had different personalities and temperaments. Black and tan dogs, sable dogs, and black dogs too, coated dogs, light dogs, dark dogs, they all had different colored coats, but they were part of all the dogs that I’ve loved before.

You came in that door over there with your muddy paw prints to decorate my floor. You went out that same door everyday to bark a “good morning” to everyone in the neighborhood whether they were up or not. You were a fence runner. You were a fence climber. You liked to dig holes in my yard and you liked to dig up my flower beds. You were a dirt eater and then you were a “poop” eater. Never could cure you of that habit. You never seemed to mind. You didn’t think you needed a cure. The good, the bad and the ugly; just reminders of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Puppy dog shots and dog worming too. Oh don’t forget about the rabies shot or Uncle Sam will come and get you. Heart worm medicine, flea and tick medicine as well. Pay lots of dollars to poison my dog but it’s all done to ensure his good health. Holistic dog food, natural ones too, or if you like the stores own genetic ones are available as well. No soy, no wheat, no additives but how about some “road kill” just to add a little spice? More health problems, more illnesses, and more vet bills. Just a part of the joy of dog ownership and all the dogs I’ve loved before.

Lessons learned. Lessons taught. Some learned quickly. Others presented more of a challenge. Some were eager to please. Others looked to be pleased. Some loved rides in the car. Others decorated the back seat as a reminder of how much they didn’t like rides in the car. Beds shared. Sofa’s as well. Pillow stealer. Food grubber. Scratches on my back door. Toilet bowl drinker. Cold, wet noses. Kisses on my cheek. Bad breath in my face. Neighbors refuse to come for coffee because the dogs are in the house. Aunt Mildred called and said she won’t be coming for Thanksgiving dinner this year because of the stray dog hair she found in her mashed potatoes last year. Oh yes, all parts of all the dogs I’ve loved before.

I loved you best, than you next, and you were always a little pain in the neck. You listened to me, and you didn’t. You wanted your own way and most of the time you got it. You on the other hand took whatever you could get. You were first. You were alpha. You were the underdog. You were the pick of the litter. You were the runt. But no matter what pecking order you fell in, you were all a part of the dogs I loved before.

So now I live with some new and different dogs that may be a combination of any of the different personalities that I once shared my life with. Will I love them the same? Will I love them more? I don’t know yet, until they too are no longer here and become just a memory and a part of all the dogs I’ve loved before!

Photo albums and show dog catalogs lay sprawled on my coffee table. Some of you are on those pages as a testament to the life you once lived. Life ended too quickly, gone too fast. I can’t keep up. Here one day, gone the next. I can no longer wrap my arms around you, but you’ve wrapped your love around my heart. You learned from me. I learned from you. I gave you my love. You gave me yours. But I’m afraid I’ve fallen short because you loved without question. But I on the other hand questioned how I could love a dog so gosh darn much! Just another lesson to be learned from all the dogs I’ve loved before!


My rating: living with dogs: (4)


From the book: THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH; WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AROUND DOGS.....It matters greatly that people who love dogs understand enough about them to provide a good environment, writes McConnell (Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage Your Multi-dog Household) in her thoughtful exposition on improving human-canine communication. An animal behaviorist and adjunct professor of zoology at the University of Wisconsin Madison, McConnell offers sound advice for dog owners: Pay attention to your own behavior. Believe me, your dog is. Drawing on anecdotes from her professional practice (she specializes in canine behavior problems), research into the work of other dog trainers and personal experiences with her beloved Border collies, the author explains how a dog might be misinterpreting signals from its owner. For example, although humans express affection through hugs, a dog may feel threatened by them. McConnell also provides tips on how to play safely with dogs (she recommends games of fetch rather than rough-and-tumble wrestling) and how to get them to do what you want (the best way to get a dog to stop demanding attention is simply to break off visual contact). She has harsh words for trainers who tell owners to establish dominance over dogs by behaving aggressively to them when they are young, and also for owners of puppy mills. These dog factories, she says, create damaged animals and unsuitable pets. This is a helpful guide for pet owners by a specialist who clearly loves her work.

RIDING ALONG IN MY AUTOMOBILE

Some dogs LOVE going for rides in the car and others, absolutely HATE it! The best time to start training your dog is when he is a puppy. OMG, all of us have some horror stories to tell when it comes to taking puppies in the car. One puppy in the car can be enough to make you not want to ever take him again but have you ever taken a litter or puppies in the car? If you are a breeder, you most certainly have. Be prepared to take loads of newspapers with you and rolls and rolls of paper towels and a bottle of a good smelling disinfectant! You’re going to need it! You’re going to be making many stops along the road.

Going for a ride in the car might sound like a good idea to you, but what does it evoke in your dog? He might get anxious just hearing the car keys rattle in your hand as you walk to the door calling his name to come to you. And if he’s a true car hater, he just might put the brakes on altogether as you TRY to coax him out of the house and into the car. Try lifting a 90 lb. German Shepherd who goes dead weight on you as you try to get him into the crate. His legs stiffen, his paws and toe nails are sticking out at “attention” and as you try to battle his uncooperative body into his crate, his stiff legs prevent you from even getting his front part of his body in the open door. Don’t expect him to help you by making this easier on you. All he knows is that you are TRYING to make him do something that he absolutely HATES!

Just what makes a dog hate riding in the car so much? It’s usually due to his not so fond memories of a sick tummy and throwing up all over your nice clean car. Hey he didn’t mean to do it, but you forced him into this torture chamber and now you’re paying the consequences for it. Many times when a puppy is first introduced to the car, he is anxious or excited and many times fearful of his new surroundings. It’s unfamiliar to him and he’s not quite sure what to make of it. Then you turn the key on and all of a sudden his firm footing is not so firm anymore. Add to that all the bumps and turns in the road and it can all add up to a very unhappy little fellow with a sick little tummy.

So what can you do to make the car ride more enjoyable to your puppy? First of all, let the puppy get familiar with the car BEFORE you start riding down the street. Let him smell his new surroundings and make it a fun experience for him. Maybe take him for some short rides at first. Perhaps just down the street and back home again all the while talking and reassuring him that everything is alright. For dogs that get sick tummies, some people swear by giving the dog ginger snap cookies. Ginger is supposed to be calming to sensitive stomachs. What you are trying to do is to make the puppy’s first car ride an enjoyable one, not something that makes him sick. If you don’t want a sick puppy or dog, DON’T FEED HIM BEFORE YOU TAKE HIM IN THE CAR for a few hours. (Except for the ginger snap cookie)!

Here are some tips to ensure that the car ride is safe and enjoyable for your dog.

Your dogs should always be in a safe and secure crate that is well ventilated. The wire crates and the hard plastic ones (shipping crates) are usually the best for the size of a German Shepherd. Make sure that the crate is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, sit and lie down. Also make sure the crate is secure in the car so that it’s not going to shift back and forth and it won’t roll or fall over especially if you have to put the brakes on and make a quick, unexpected stop. Many times if you crate your dog at home, he will associate the crate in the car as a friendly place because he is already familiar with it. Leaving a dog to ride loose on the back seat is not safe. Truth be told, I have done this more times than not. My bad…….! I have done this when I’m taking a quick little ride and won’t be gone long and want the company of one of my dogs.

Feed your dog three to four hours before you make the trip with him in the car. Also don’t feed him in the car when you are traveling. Your sweet gesture towards your dog can backfire……all over your car!

Never leave your dog in a car when the temperatures are extreme. Even with the car windows open on a hot day, your car can become a furnace in no time and heatstroke can develop. If you are showing your dogs, pay special attention to your dogs that are left in crates in the parking lots. If it’s very cold weather, your car can feel like a refrigerator holding the cold in and in turn having your dog freeze to death.

Besides carrying all those newspapers, paper towels and disinfectant that I already mentioned, here are some other things you should take with you. Obviously you already have his leash and collar with you…….DON’T LEAVE THESE THINGS ON HIM without being supervised. I never leave a choker collar on my dog when he’s in the car or anyplace else for that fact. I put the dog in the car and then remove his collar. I don’t want to chance him getting his choke collar hooked to something and he chokes to death. You might be taking with you his grooming supplies if you are showing him, medication and a first aid kit, maybe his favorite toy, his food and treats and lots of WATER!

Make sure your dog has identification in case he should get loose. He should be micro-chipped or tattooed. You might have a collar on him with his identification tags which would have his home address and cell phone and contact information.

If you are one of the guilty ones like me that (occasionally) let your dog ride loose in the back seat, then please don’t let him stick his head out the window. I know, I know……he love’s to do this. This is one of the joys he has in life! But no matter how good it feels having the wind blow in Rovers’ face, this can give him inner ear damage and lung infections and he can be injured by flying objects and bugs that may get into his precious little eyes. If you don’t want to crate your dog, you can put him into a harness that attaches to the back seat of your car.

And what ever you do………DON’T LET YOUR DOG RIDE LOOSE IN THE BACK OF A PICK UP TRUCK!! This is one of my pet peeves. I want to pull up next to the driver and scream at him for allowing his dog to travel in this EXTREMELY UNSAFE way! But then when I see his tattooed, bulging muscles leaning out the open window and his tobacco chewing grin, I decide to quietly groan under my breathe instead! What are these people thinking when they do this? Obviously they are NOT THINKING at all! I’ve seen dogs up on their hind legs with their front paws on the rim of the cargo area that they are kept in. Oh the dog is having a ball alright……breeze blowing in his face…….free as a bird. But unlike that bird, if the driver has to put his brakes on all of a sudden, the dog will literally be flying free as a bird, but only without the bird’s wings to save him from hitting the pavement full force!

If you’re going to be traveling across state lines, it’s advisable to bring your dog’s rabies vaccination record. Some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings. I’ve personally never experienced this with my dogs, but it’s always better to be on the safe side.

As I said before, bring lots of water for your dog to drink. Its better that your dog drinks water that came from his own house or bottled water than to drink water from another area he’s not used to. Sometimes this can result in your dog’s tummy becoming upset.

If you do lots of traveling with your dog, it might be wised to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers. Let’s face it, owing German Shepherds we can all attest to this breeds constant shedding of hairs. It’s also a good thing to bring a hand held vacuum like a Dirt Buster with you for easy clean ups.

Traveling with your dog can and should be a positive experience for both of you. Taking a little precaution to ensure that it is will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run.


From the book "Living with Dogs"....In 26 stories and 400 full-color photographs of homes, collections, galleries, meets, shows, kennels, and camps, Living with Dogs celebrates the devotion and passion of the millions of Americans for whom a life without dogs is not worth living.


My rating: traveling with dogs: (4), "Living with Dogs": (4)

MISSING OUT ON ALL THE FUN?

Dog shows should be fun. For some people it is and then for others, it’s all about the winning and nothing else seems to matter. These are the people who are missing out on all the fun. Sure a dog show is a competition and everyone wants to win. But the fact of the matter is, not everyone is going to win. Maybe on a different day, but today might not be that day! So do you drive away angry that your dog lost or do you accept the fact that today was not the day for him to win under this judge?

The fun part of showing is the socialization with the different spectators and exhibitors. This is a time to play catch up with the latest gossip. It’s a time to talk about your new litters that you have planned. It’s a great time to promote your young stud dog. It’s a time to compare notes about the different attributes and hindrances in a certain bloodline.
Going to a dog show is a “feel good” type of experience. Some people truly only go to a dog show to win. That’s it. Nothing more. I know a very successful breeder who told me just that. He comes. He shows. He leaves. Then it’s on to the next show.

In my opinion, a dog show is so much more than just showing your dog. Sure, that’s the main reason one goes to a show, but it shouldn’t be the only reason. If it is, in my opinion, you’re missing out on some of the good stuff. I think its great fun when after the show is over that many of the exhibitors get together and go out for dinner. It’s not unusual to see twenty or more people squeezing around a table at a local restaurant. What great conversation takes place at these tables. It can be educational and oh so much fun! Get some of the people in the breed that have been around for a long time and get ready for some very interesting tails and tidbits!

Some of my fondest memories in dogs have been the parties that I put on or was invited to. Everybody is in a good mood. Good food, good conversation and good fun! We used to take videos of some of our parties and looking back on some of them, it saddens me that some of those people are no longer with us. I’m also grateful for those who still are.

We celebrated championship parties, ROM parties, New Years Eve and any other excuse to have a get together with our dog friends. We danced, we ate, we laughed, and we were having lots of fun together. Sometimes the dogs would steal a morsel or two off of someone’s plate, but who cared; we were just enjoying one another’s company.

Other ways to have fun in this dog game are the training classes. Here is where like minds come together hoping to achieve the same thing……a well trained dog. Someone teaches the class, many others give tips on how to handle a certain problem and sometimes someone else will take your dog in the training ring just so the dog is used to someone else handling him. Again we come to train our animals, but here too is another fun way to socialize with our peers. We exchange ideas. We help one another. And then maybe afterwards we all go out for a cup of coffee and enjoy some engaging conversation.

The same thing can be true when you belong to a breed club. Sure your objective is to talk about business and the proper way to run a club. But here is another opportunity for people to come together and talk and listen to one another’s view points. Normally coffee and donuts might be served. People take their cup of coffee and find a place to sit and listen to the night’s agenda. The young can learn from those who have been in the breed for some time. The seasoned “old timers” can learn from the young by listening to their concerns about the breed. A healthy back and forth exchange can be enlightening for both parties. The breed club should be a place of goodwill for all who come. All should be encouraged and welcomed.

Anytime you go to a big week-end of shows, most people will have to stay over at a hotel or in their motor home. Normally the hotel will have a bar and restaurant on the premises. Here you will find many dog people engaging in interesting conversation and usually welcome you to join them. You’ll find many people gather like this at the National Specialty show held once a year. This is a time for people to see other people who they normally couldn’t because of distance. It’s also a great time to meet new people. Most people have wonderful times at the National because of the availability of many people from all over the country gathering in one place.

Another fun time to be had is when local breeders get together at someone’s home to look at and help evaluate someone’s litter. Oh my gosh, I was so very lucky to live in an area that had some good breeders close enough so we could do this. It was me, Marge Dolan, Doris Farrell, Nancy Vaught and Edie Trocki (Edie & Bob would have the best Super Bowl parties)! We would get together for lunch and chit chat about all the stuff dog people talk about……bloodlines, shows, handlers, breeders, etc. Then we would go outside and look at puppies or older youngsters. Most of the time Nancy would gait the pups. She was good at that. The rest of us would “ooooh and awww” over the screaming, jumping, clawing “most definitely” not trained puppies. Geez, this was some of my fondest memories in dogs. It was the people. Not the dogs. The people were the ones who made it fun!

So as I said, if you are not having fun in this dog game, you are most definitely missing out on a lot of what makes this all worthwhile. The showing of dogs is not just about the showing of dogs! It’s about the people you meet. It’s about the friends you make and especially those who become life long friends. I have been fortunate to have some very long standing friendships in this breed that I am most grateful for. I miss those who are no longer with us. I can vividly see them standing up and talking at a club meeting. I can see them running around outside of a ring double handling their dog. I can still hear their voices over the telephone saying “Hello Barbara dear.” I can hear their hearty laughter. I can turn around and see their smile, feel their tap on my back for encouragement and I can still see the twinkle in their eye about something they may have said naughty about someone else’s dog. They are the ones who have made the showing of dog’s lots of fun, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

My rating: showing dogs: (4), friendships in this sport: (4), parties & socialization: (4)!