The Gateway Golden Gazette

A monthly publication for the Golden Retriever Club of Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Volume 39, Number 2 April 2014

“In just spring, when the world is mud-lucious and puddle-wonderful…” − e. e. cummings

Our next meeting:

May 21, 2014 General Meeting at 7 pm AKC Museum of the Dog

1721 S. Mason Road St. Louis, MO 63131

Directions: Queeny Park, home of the Museum,

is accessible from Highway 64/40 at the Mason Rd exit, then south 3 miles, or from I-270 by taking the Manchester exit west to Mason Road,

then north 2 miles.

Contents of This Issue: March Meeting Minutes 2 August All-Breed Health Clinic 3 April 16 Awards Dinner 4 Think Piece 5 Spring Is in the Air 6 Thank You GRCGSL! 7 Golden Goofies 11 Add to Your Puppy Packet: Puppy and Baby 12 Never Never Never Shave the Dog! 14 Calendar 15

Please join us for MEET THE BREED: GOLDEN RETRIEVER DAY at the Dog Museum SUNDAY, MAY 18 FROM 10 AM UNTIL 3 PM

FUN! GOLDEN GAMES! BRING YOUR DOG FOR A ROMP WITH GOLDEN FRIENDS!

This will be our second annual potluck club picnic—held jointly with Gateway Golden Retriever Rescue. Breeders: Invite your puppy families to share in the fun! If it rains, we’ll be indoors in the big room.

Contact Julie Goldman stargazr@charter.net or Suzanne Wakefield affabee3@aol.com for more information and let us know what dish you plan to bring. Or just bring yourself. We have plates, plasticware, and napkins on hand.

March 19, 2014 General Meeting Minutes Meeting held at the AKC Museum of the Dog

GRCGSL Club Meeting Minutes March 19, 2014 AKC Dog Museum President Judy Knobbe called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Members in Attendance: Judy Knobbe Margie Williams Julie Goldman Suzanne Wakefield Carol Hardy Mike Stemmler

Brenda Cavanagh Rebecca Casperson-Perkins Art Ottenad Chuck Ettling Mary Ann Ettling Rich Collegeman

Mirjam Collegeman Shirley Peskie Karla Sauerwein Bill Hackmann Kathy Hackmann

Guests in Attendance: Adam Lane Susan Wehrman A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the minutes, by Julie Goldmann and seconded by Brenda Cavanagh. The motion passed. Report of the Secretary: We received correspondence from the AKC regarding a change to Section 9(a) of the regulations. Report of Treasurer: February end Balance $53,331.08. As of meeting day 45,155.86 Report of the Board: No report. Reports of Standing Committees: Performance- (Obedience, tracking, agility) Sharon Rosenkoetter and Cindy Burrows Tracking 101 slated for May could be moved to June. Breeder referral/Public education-Suzanne Wakefield, Sue Lister: Steady inquiries. One couple is looking for an 18+-month-old mellow male. Meet the Breed Day will be May 18, 2014, at the AKC Museum of the dog from 10-5 with a potluck picnic. Field –Sasha Josipovic and Jeannie Greenlee: Field trial is April 11-13, volunteers are always welcome. There is a tailgate party planned for Saturday the 12th please be sure to let Joyce know what dish you would like to bring. Membership – Judy Knobbe and Makalah Boyer

Adam Lane of Centralia had a second reading and was voted in. Programs- Judy Luther present a program on Positive training. It was a really nice program thank you to Carol Hardy and Judy Knobbe for coordinating the program. Rescue-Mike Stemmler 4 in currently. 1 had to be put down due to agression Event committees Annual Awards- Rebecca Casperson-Perkins Annual awards banquet on April 16. Dinner will be $5.00 each and it is bring you own brverage. Please let Margie know whether you will be attending at least 1 week prior to meeting. Health Clinic- No report. Specialty-Sherri Spavale No report. Unfinished Business- No unfinished business. New Business- No new business. A motion was made at 8:13 pm to adjourn the meeting by Shirley and seconded by Brenda. The motion passed. Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Casperson-Perkins WELCOME NEW MEMBER ADAM LANE!

Golden Retriever Club of Greater St. Louis

ALL-Breed Health Clinic Eyes-Heart-Echocardiogram-Hips-Elbows-Patellar Luxation-Thyroid-Dentition-CBC-

Microchips

Sunday, August 17, 2014 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Veterinary Group of Chesterfield—17709 Edison Ave, Chesterfield, MO

DON’T DELAY!! APPOINTMENTS FILL QUICKLY FOR THIS CLINIC!!!!

−PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Deadline is August 10, 2014

−PAYMENTS ARE DUE IN ADVANCE (cash, check or money order—OFA fee is separate and is paid by credit card on the form)

−Forms for all tests with the exception of eyes can be download from the OFA website www.offa.org

Service Specialist Price Comments

Eyes Dr. Cecil Moore Ophthalmologist

$37.00 per dog

OFA fee not included

Hearts Auscultation Only

Dr. H. Cecilia Marshall

Cardiologist

$37.00 per dog OFA fee not Included

Hearts Echocardiogram

OFA Dr. H. Cecilia Marshall $175.00

OFA fee not included

*Hips or Elbows

OFA

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $75.00 No sedation

OFA fee not included

*Hips and Elbows

OFA

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $155.00 No sedation

OFA Fee not included

Thyroid

OFA Panel

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $90.00 Blood submitted to Michigan State

OFA fee not Included

Patellar Luxation

OFA

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $30.00 OFA fee not included

Dentition OFA

Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $28.00 OFA fee not Included

CBC Chem 19 Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $73.00 Complete metabolic panel

*Microchip Veterinary Group of Chesterfield $47.00 per dog

www.homeagainid.com

Contact Sandy Primovic for an appointment

cherushgld@earthlink.net 314-922-7649 (AFTER 5:00 PM OR ANYTIME ON WEEKENDS)

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER APRIL 16, 2014 A good time was had by all…Mistress of Ceremonies: Rebecca Casperson-Perkins; Catering Coordinator: Margie Williams; Slide Show, Art Ottenad; Photographer: Mike Stemmler. Well done, and congratulations, everyone!

CHALLENGE TROPHIES 2013 Sonoma Walks On Water Agility Trophy Huntleigh's Hand Made RN MX MXJ OF

Darleen Harmon & Collette Schuler

Top Show Golden GCH CH Hillside Futura London Bridge

Sharon Rosenkoetter, Judy Knobbe & Caron Rosenkoetter

Best of Opposite Sex to the Top Show Golden

CH Hillside That's A Winner

Caron Rosenkoetter & Sharon Rosenkoetter

ALL OTHER AWARDS ARE BEING

PUBLISHED IN A SEPARATE DOCUMENT

Think Piece Golden Retrievers are “designer dogs,” as are the majority of breeds recognized by the AKC within the past century. There are a few breeds with ancient lineage, such as the greyhound, mastiff, saluki, and a number of Northern and Asian breeds. But in the nineteenth century, as gentlemen farmers and sportsmen began exhibiting the pride of their breeding stock, stud books began to be maintained, and when these breeds were recognized by registering bodies such as The Kennel Club, the stud books were closed. From that point on, virtually no breedings to outside breeds were allowed. A couple of exceptions: in “backcross” projects, the Dalmatian Club introduced a Pointer in a very limited way to correct uric acid/stone production in their breed (but for a number of years failed to allow registration of the descendants), and Basenji fanciers were allowed to briefly open the studbook to introduce native African stock to reduce the incidence of Fanconi syndrome. The Swedish Clumber Spaniel Club allowed a cross to an English Cocker Spaniel to open their restricted gene pool. The decimation of many breeds occurred during the World Wars, and the number of breedable animals dwindled significantly. Today, by the definitions understood by geneticists, all breedings of purebred dogs, including those we call outcrosses and line breeding, should be considered inbreeding. When we speak of outcrosses, most breeders believe that going to a bloodline without common ancestors in the previous four or five generations is bringing in fresh genetic material. Unfortunately, it ain’t so. All of our Goldens go back to Nous and Belle and most to Am/Can CH Speedwell Pluto. And within this straitened matrix, we have created more recent genetic bottlenecks with the “popular sire” phenomenon. A well-known pedigree specialist in the Golden world has noted that Sammy (CH Misty Morn’s Sunset) appears in the pedigrees of 95% of current show Goldens—as many as 500 times in a 16-generation pedigree! In field bloodlines, look to NAFC FC AFC Topbrass Cotton and AFC Holway Barty and other famed dogs who appear in a multitude of pedigrees (including, of course, Nous and Belle). So while we scorn the efforts of those creating today’s ill-planned “Doodle dogs” and “Puggles” and “Chiweenies,” should we not adopt a more open attitude if serious, responsible breeders attempt to create new combinations that at least postpone hitting the genetic deadends we’ve reached in many breeds, including our own? Today we have the benefit of many “clearance” tests and the mapped canine genome to help guide intelligent crossbreeding decisions, and new breeds will inevitably be developed. Few breeds today have the opportunity to prove their aptitude for the tasks they were originally bred to perform; most dogs will live their lives as pets rather than working dogs. Would it not be a worthy goal to judiciously crossbreed animals to produce a healthy, trainable, long-lived, moderate-sized dog that makes an ideal family companion that can thrive in condos, suburbs, and city apartments? If we do not consider taking this route, how many of our breeds are ultimately headed for myriad debilitating health issues, or destruction? What’s your opinion? Share your views on this topic by writing to affabee3@aol.com. Your responses must be signed, and we will assume your permission to publish them in an upcoming issue of The Golden Gazette. We reserve the right to edit them for length and grammar.

Spring Is in the Air! March 24, 2014 Online Source: AMC Community Pet Health Tips

Spring is in the air! This is an exciting time for pets as they enjoy more time outdoors. However, as your pets resume more outdoor activities, it is important to remember to take steps to protect them from heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks.

Warmer days often bring mosquitoes which transmit deadly heartworm disease in both dogs and cats. While treatment for the disease is available for dogs, it can be expensive and physically harmful to a dog. Furthermore, there is not a treatment available for cats, so prevention is critical for this species, especially if your cat spends any time outdoors or on a screened porch. Fortunately, for both cats and dogs, heartworm disease is easily prevented. Dogs should first receive a heartworm check by a veterinarian to ensure they are not already infected, because in some cases, certain preventatives can actually cause an adverse reaction. If the test is negative, they can then start on heartworm preventative. A test is not required in order for cats to be placed on heartworm prevention however. As an added bonus, heartworm medication will also prevent or eliminate a number of intestinal parasites and in some cases, eliminate fleas.

In our part of the United States, fleas, unfortunately, can be active all year. When you see one flea, there are a hundred that you do not see. Furthermore, ticks can and DO survive year round in this area. As pets spend more time outside, they are at increased risk of a flea infestation that can lead to anemia, allergic skin disease, tapeworms, and other more serious diseases. Ticks can also cause their own set of diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and local painful reactions to the tick bite itself.

To help avoid an infestation of heartworms, fleas, and ticks, treat all dogs and cats in the household at the same time each month, using a monthly preventive product that can kill fleas at all life stages.

Finally, regularly vacuum places where your pet spends time and wash or clean all bedding regularly. Remember, prevention is the key to ensuring your pet is guarded against heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks throughout their lifetime.

One option: natural/organic flea and tick control: http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/natural-organic-c-31.html

Thank you GRCGSL! From Jeannie Greenlee

I just wanted to thank everyone that helped make the 2014 GRCA Spring Field Trial a great success.

John Gassner, Sue Lister, Colin Pennington, Sasha Josipovic, Nona Bauer, Pat Kasten, Lesley Albin, Cindy Burrows, Mike Stemmler, Carla Saubrwein, Luke Stobie, Joyce & Art Ottenad, if I have forgotten anyone I apologize, the past 3 weeks have been a blur for me.

Thanks to Sharon Rosenkoetter for donating a refrigerator for the club to put at the stables at Busch and to Colin Pennington for getting it there. The refrigerator was very handy!

Thanks to everyone that contributed to the tail gate party! It was a lot of fun and a great way to thank everyone for entering our trial and pitching in to help when we needed them. I would encourage you all to come out and stay next time and have dinner with us. The food was all great.

Here are some candid shots taken at the tail gate party.

Even the puppies had a good time! (BTW, the golden is the dog on top)

The bird boys had a spontaneous, just for bragging rights, duck throwing contest for accuracy. It was great fun to watch!

Thanks Again! Jeannie

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Golden Goofies

Monkey see, monkey do—Bill and Mary Page’s Stella-dorable and Michael Allen.

ACCOUNTS RETRIEVABLE

DEPARTMENT

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ADD TO YOUR PUPPY PACKET: PUPPY AND BABY

By Amy Shojai

[Breeders: To add this as a handout to your puppy packet, go to http://puppies.about.com/od/Training/a/Puppy-To-Baby-Introductions.htm]

Introducing dogs and babies properly means your puppy and baby can become great friends. Dogs with babies have positive benefits besides furry love. New studies show that infants that grow up with pets have a much less chance of developing allergies to dogs as they grow up. But clueless pups—and active infants—also have the potential to terrorize or hurt one another. When you expect a new baby (or a visiting infant, perhaps a new grandchild over the Christmas holidays?), prepare your puppy in advance to make sure interactions stay happy.

Why Puppies Like (And Fear) Babies

Most pups are curious about infants because they have so many interesting smells—milk, baby food, poop, what’s not to love? Confident adult dogs often are very tolerant of babies because they recognize that they’re not grown up.

But clueless puppies have no experience with infants or toddlers, which can prove scary if they chase your pet, pull his tail, and make weird high-pitched noises. Babies that crawl may mimic prey behavior in their sounds and actions. Wary pooches may switch into play-aggression or become defensive and try to drive away the scary creature with growls or bites. Neither option is good.

Children also are on the puppy’s level where all of his most prized possessions are at risk. Your new baby won’t know any better than to play with dog toys, climb into the puppy bed or explore the food bowl. It’s a natural behavior for dogs to protect such things, and react with aggression when your infant doesn’t understand the pup’s clearly communicated growls or other body warnings.

Before Baby Comes Home

Expectant moms have nine months to prepare before the infant comes home. Planning ahead of time ensures that new routines, furniture and even some of the smells become familiar to your dogs by the time the baby arrives. Here are ways to help your puppy accept the coming changes.

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• Let Puppies Explore. Allow your pets to investigate the redecorated nursery. This is especially true if the pup previously had free access to the room, because banning your puppy may cause behavior issues when they’re left out. Think about puppy-proofing the room so baby toys as well as the diaper pail is out of dog-munching range. • Manage Access. Install a baby gate in the doorway so your pet can see into the room and be a part of the joy but is kept out when you can’t supervise his actions.

• Practice Crying. Fussy babies sound similar to prey so it can be upsetting for some dogs to hear this. Record infant cries and play back to your pup to acclimate him to the sounds. Your puppy may ignore the sound or act curious, and reward either behavior with calm praise.

• Offer Positive Associations. Give the puppy special treats when he acts in a calm way near the baby’s areas.

Puppy and Baby, continued

• Dab On Baby Smells. Begin wearing baby powder or lotion weeks in advance so your pup associates the scent with a beloved and safe human he already knows.

• Adjust Your Schedule. A new baby throws routine out the window. Prepare your pup so he’s already adjusted to the new timeline, and be sure to include special DOG TIME so he won’t feel totally neglected. While you’re understandably happy, excited (and exhausted!) with a new baby in the house, excluding pets from your joy only confuses them at best.

• Give An Advance Sniff. When the baby finally arrives, bring home something scented with the infant so that your pup has an advance introduction. Bring home a tee shirt or baby blanket.

• “Sock” Your Dogs. No, I don’t mean to hit the puppy. But for nervous pups that might act fearful, use a bit of the Comfort Zone with DAP and spritz on baby socks. That way the footwear contains the canine “no fear” pheromones that helps keep puppies calm. Then have the baby wear the socks, and voila! Your baby now smells like something safe so your dog more readily recognizes the infant as a safe and acceptable member of the household.

Introducing Dogs and Babies

When you bring home the baby, treat the event in a matter-of-fact manner, and don't make a big deal of the introduction (even though it's momentous, of course!). You want your puppy to understand this is a normal, expected part of his life.

• Act Normal. Don't force the introduction. But if he acts interested allow the pup to sniff the baby's foot, perhaps with that scented sock. If you have more than one dog and they get too excited, allow the toe-sniff only one dog at a time so you aren’t overwhelmed. By allowing a puppy to actually look at, smell, and touch that creature that's so very different, he'll understand there's nothing to fear.

• Give Ownership. Try referring to the child as “Rex’s baby.” Yes, it sounds silly, but just saying the words changes your attitude which can be comforting and calming to your pets.

• Reward Calm Confidence. Praise pups when they behave well, and ignore shy or fearful behavior. • Associate Good Things. Puppies quickly learn to associate the baby with what’s important to them. So if you ignore or yell

at the puppy when the infant is near, the baby will acquire negative associations. Figure out what your pup loves and link it to the baby’s presence. Maybe you can toss treats or play with a favorite toy when the baby naps on your lap, for instance.

By following these tips, you create a safe and happy environment for both your puppy and the new baby to grow up together as friends, perhaps even best buddies. Of course, you should never leave even friendly dogs alone unsupervised with your baby. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. If you have visiting youngsters who are older, follow these tips for introducing puppies to toddlers and older children.

This space, and much more, reserved for you.

We need your photos and brags!!! Send candids to share, even

if your dog is not presently in performance/show/field events!

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ADD TO YOUR PUPPY PACKET: NEVER NEVER NEVER SHAVE THE DOG!

To shave or not to shave, that is the question. The mercury is steadily rising each day, and I have seen more and more Facebook postings about dog shaving. I have a lot of friends who live in hot climates and of course have dogs. I have fielded questions, comments, and tried to educate the masses on dog shaving. I must admit, this is a huge pet peeve of mine. And what’s more, it’s dangerous. For Pete’s sake…DON’T SHAVE YOUR DOG!

So many people fall for the “They must clearly be cooler in the summer months with freshly shaven skin” logic. And some groomers recommend it. NO, NO, NO!

A dog’s coat works like a thermostat. It helps regulate their body temperature in both hot and cold weather, similar to duck’s feathers and the underlying soft down. The undercoat and outer coat form an insulating barrier that keeps the temperature regulated. It becomes increasingly difficult for a dog to keep itself warm or cool with no fur. Dogs do not sweat like people do to cool themselves. The mechanism of cooling by sweating is through evaporation—they pant. Since dogs only sweat in the pads of their paws, this is not an effect method of cooling. A dog cools itself by panting. Their coat does not affect their ability to pant. Feral or wild dogs living in hot climates wisely dig a hollow in the cool earth in a shady spot and lie there during the hottest part of the day. Remember the song, “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun”? Left to their own devices, dogs will seek shelter during hot periods.

Not only does the dog’s coat act as the thermostat, it is also an efficient barrier to the sun and protects from harmful UV rays. Dogs have insufficient pigment in their skin to ward off these harmful UV rays and are very prone to sunburn and skin cancer. Would you hide your body all winter, then head to the beach in an itty bitty bikini without sunscreen? In essence, this is what’s happening to your dog when you shave it and send it outside even for a few minutes to do its business. Rule of thumb: If its too hot out for you, it’s too hot for your dog. Make sure your dog has access to plenty of cool water and shade at all times.

Other myths regarding shaving dogs: to prevent it from shedding and to help with allergen control. Allergies to dogs are one of two types, dander or saliva, not the hair. If a dog has skin, it has dander, so this is not preventable. There are some commercial solutions you can wipe on a dog to help with dander control, but nothing prevents it. A dog sheds, end of story. Regardless of whether the hairs are 1/2 inch or 12 inches, it falls out when it dies, and is replaced with new ones, just like human hair. The hair is not falling out because it’s hot. It is a natural cycle that all dogs and cats go through a few times of year, and there is no preventing it.

Dogs should only be shaved if it is medically necessary (surgery, hot spot treatment) or because of coat matting that is beyond hope (and this is completely preventable).

‘Nuff said.

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The Gateway Golden Gazette Volume 39, Number 2 April 2014 Newsletter Subscriptions are available for $10 per year. Make checks payable to GRCGSL and mail your request to the newsletter editor, affabee3@aol.com. Complimentary newsletters will be provided for two months on request.

Membership: Membership dues for one year are $15 for an individual and $20 for a family and include a subscription to the newsletter. Anyone wishing to apply for membership is invited to attend a club meeting as a guest and obtain an application from the Membership Chairman. The completed application shall carry the endorsement of two unrelated club members as sponsors and shall be returned to the Membership Chairman along with a check for annual dues. The applicant’s sponsors shall be responsible for introducing the applicant to the Club, encouraging participation in Club functions, and making the applicant aware of the objectives of the club. The prospective member’s application shall be read by the Membership Chairman at the first Club meeting following its receipt and the sponsors shall speak on the applicant’s behalf. The applicant’s name will be published in the next newsletter and his application will be voted on at the following Club meeting. Affirmative votes of ¾ of the members present and voting at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Litter Listing and Breeder Referral Guidelines: Litter listings will be limited to basic information about the litter: whelping or due date, sex distribution, sire, dam, grandparents, examination reports on the sire and dam, and breeder’s name, address, and phone number. Only GRCGSL members in good standing who are the owner or co-owner of the sire or the dam may list a litter in The Gateway Golden Gazette or with the GRCGSL’s Breeder Referral service. There is no charge for either service. The Newsletter Editor and Breeder Referral Chair must be provided with copies of the following prior to listing the litter: 1) Sire and dam’s OFA hip AND elbow registration or OFA preliminary hip and elbow evaluation: preliminary evaluations on dogs over 30 months of age by date of listing may not be used. 2) Sire and dam’s CERF clearances or normal eye reports from an ACVO board-certified veterinary opthalmologist dated within 12 months of breeding. 3) Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) clearance or normal heart clearance from a board-certified cardiologist. References to von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) and thyroid examinations may also be included, provided copies of these reports are furnished. Older dogs and rescue Goldens may be listed provided they have been neutered or if neutering is a condition of the sale or placement. Single copies of the GRCA booklet “Acquiring a Golden Retriever” are available free of charge from the Breeder Referral chairman. Club Website: www.grcgsl.org Breeder Referral: goldenreferral@aol.com