The Poodle Papersdocshare02.docshare.tips/files/1240/12408380.pdf · Hal Kinne [email protected] The Poodle Papers Layout & Graphic design Editor: Leslie Newing Email:

The Poodle Papers /Fall Edition

The Poodle PapersThe Poodle PapersThe Poodle PapersThe Poodle PapersThe Poodle PapersOfficial Quarterly Newsletter of The Poodle Club of America

Fall 2007Fall 2007Fall 2007Fall 2007Fall 2007

CH RANDENN TRISTAR AFFIRMATIONBreeders: Dennis McCoy, Randy E. Garren. and J and J Lacey

By CH Eaton Affirmed -- CH Randenn Tres Chic.Owners: Toni & Martin Sosnoff .

Handler:. Tim Brazier

Poodle Club of America Regional 2007Queen Mary Events Park

Long Beach, CA


Coming SpecialtiesComing SpecialtiesComing SpecialtiesComing SpecialtiesComing SpecialtiesP.C.A. AFFILIA TE CLUB SHOWS

* Note this listing comes from Michael Knight

2007

PC OF OKLAHOMA CITY-NOV .1JUDGE:DONNA BUXTON

PC OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN-NOV. 30JUDGE:LORENE VICKERS SMITH

HUB PC OF ORANGE CO.- DEC. 8JUDGE-

ORLANDO POODLE CLUB-DEC. 13JUDGE-MARIA AIZCORBE

PC OF LEHIGH VALLEY-DEC.14JUDGE-ZELL VONPOHLMAN

2008TAMPA BAY PC JAN.7

JUDGE: MICHAEL DACHELTAMPA BAY PC -JAN 8

JUDGES:BILL CUNNINGHAMSAN BERNADINO/RIVERSIDE PC-JAN 4

JUDGE-JANET ALLEN JACOBSONTWIN CITIES PC-JAN 4

JUDGE-RICHARD BAUERPC OF CENTRAL INDIANA- FEB. 8

JUDGE- BETSEY LEEDYVALLEY OF THE SUN-FEB.28

JUDGE-DR HARRY SMITHGREATER MILWAUKEE POODLE CLUB FEB 29,

JUDGE: DR. ROGER PRITCHARDOBEDIENCE JUDGE: MS JULIANNECEPULIS

PC OF SAN ANTONIO-MARCH-5JUDGE-JOHN BOOTH

BLUEBONNETT PC-MARCH 14JUDGE-JORDAN CHAMBERLAIN

PUGET SOUND PC-MARCH 21JUDGE-WM HOLLBROOK

WATCHUNG MT PC- MARCH 22JUDGE- FRANCESCA CHRISTINA

GREATER WICHITA PC-APRIL 3JUDGE-MICHAEL DACHEL

PC OF LAS VEGAS -APRIL 3JUDGE-NORMA STRAIT

PC OF LAS VEGAS-APRIL 4

JUDGE-JOHN REMIRIERZPOODLE OBEDIENCE OF NY-APRIL 5

JUDGE-J.LANDISML MCCLASKEYW. DIELIL

TIDELANDS PC OF VA-MAY 24JUDGE-ELAINE MATHIS

* Note: If your show is not listed, please contactMichael Knight, [email protected]. I list only theshows that he sends me the information on. If thelisting is not complete, please contact Michael.Leslie

Tampa Bay Poodle Club willhold two specialties back to back inJanuary 2008. Come to Florida for a"Winter Thaw" The dates are Mondayand Tuesday, January 7 and 8. Thesedates immediately follow the long week-end in Deland, and give everyone a dayoff before the Brooksville Cluster startson Thursday, January 10.? Our insidevenue is the Ballroom at the Red RoseInn, located right off I-4 in Plant City,FL. Our confirmation judges areMichael Dachel for January 7, and BillCunningham for Janaury 8. For addi-tional details, please contact the ShowSecretary, Jordan Chamberlain at813.349.2497, or [email protected]. Looking forwardto seeing you in January!

Page 1.


2006-20082006-20082006-20082006-20082006-2008OFFICERS & COMMITTEES

President:Doris Cozart1st Vice Pres.: Michael Wahlig2nd Vice Pres.:Michael KnightCorres. Sec.: Peggy [email protected]

Record. Sec.: Sandy MarshallTreasurer: Connie Green

Variety RepresentativesToy:Nancy HafnerMini: Luis Aizcorbe

Stand.: Glenna Carlson

Publicity: Del DahlAKC Delegate: Scott Olund

Show CommitteeChairperson: Glenna Carlson

Performance Events ObedienceChairperson-Susie Osborn

Performance Events AgilityChairperson-Jan Hopper

WC/WCX Working CertificateChairperson- Joyce Carelli

Public Education CoordinatorArlene Scardo

Judges EducationBill Cunningham-

[email protected]

Affiliate Club Council:Michael Knight

PCA Foundation:Exec. Director Tom Carneal

Genectic Anomalies Committee:Director Michael Wahlig

PCA Poodle Rescue Central:Sally Poindexter

[email protected]

Poodles in America:Editor:Betsey Leedy

Breeder Referral:Poodleclubofamerica.org

PCA Home PageMia DiBenedetto & Leslie Newing

[email protected]

PCA InformationHal Kinne

[email protected]

The Poodle PapersLayout & Graphic design

Editor: Leslie NewingEmail: [email protected]



President's Letter, Fall 2007

It seems hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. We are fortunateand have much to be thankful for. We sometimes forget to appreciate what wehave.

In this newsletter, you will find lots of information about PCA. Betsey Leedyhas news about the upcoming volume of Poodles in America. One big requestshe has is that she is asking for all corrections to previous volumes to beincluded in this volume of PIA. Individuals need to send her corrections,documentation, and information. Hers is a huge task and a very importantone. We need to have accurate information in these volumes, and we knowthat there are corrections to be made.

We have started a Yahoo list for PCA members and one for Affiliate clubs.This should be a great way to improve communications. Michael Knight isthe moderator on the Affiliate Club List. The PCA Member List is moderatedby Peggy McDill and the PCA Board. Sally Poindexter is the moderator onthe PCA Poodle Rescue list. We have Leslie Newing to thank for setting upthese lists.

Glenna and her committees are working hard to put together the April Na-tional. Our performance-event chairman's are working hard as well. They allcan use volunteers. Please call and offer them your help.

There is information about the PCA Foundation in this newsletter. The PCAFoundation board is working hard to keep on top of all the health issues in-volving Poodles. I wish to congratulate Tom Carneal as new Chairman of theFoundation.

Sally Poindexter is Chairman of the PCA Rescue Foundation, this is anotherbig job and she makes it look easy. The ground work has been started andsoon it will be in full swing.

We are lucky to have so many talented people donate their time to make PCAthe organization it is. if there is any area where you would like to volunteer tohelp, please contact me or someone on the board. I would like many people tocontribute to the club.

Enjoy Thanksgiving and your Poodles.

Doris Cozart

President

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Poodle Papers!Poodle Papers!Poodle Papers!Poodle Papers!Poodle Papers!Deadline for the next newsletter is January 15h.Please get your articles to me by that date. Anyonewho has an interesting topic that they would liketo see in the newsletter, please feel free to email meat [email protected]

LeslieEditor of The Poodle Papers

PCA is not responsible for any statements or claimsmade by its contributors. PCA reserves the rights toedit all copy and make editorial comments wherenecessary and deemed appropriate by the editor.PCA reserves the right to refuse items submitted forpublication. Written permission must be received andgranted by PCA in order to reprint any editorialmaterial. Contributors reserve all rights to their ar-ticles and permissions must be granted by them forreprint purposes. © 2007 Poodle Club of America



What’s WhereNews from the Regional 5

Dogs shall not live by bread alone, by Joann Neal 15

Thyroid Disease and Autoimmune Thyroiditis, by Dr Jean Dodds 18

Affiliate Club News 26

P.C.A. Foundation News 29

Celie, Polymicrogyria, By Curtisy Briggs 31

Poodle Epilepsy Project Announcements, byBarbara G. Licht, Ph.D., Linda L. Hyson, B.A.,

and Kathleen M. Harper, DVM, Ph.D. 37

A letter from a potential adopter, by Madeline Patterson 39

Researchers Begin to Study Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Poodles, Purina Pro Club 42

Ch. Smash JP Win A Victory breaks Toy Poodle BIS Record 46

In Memorium 48

Page 4


Regional NewsPOODLES BEFORE

THE QUEENPoodles made a Command Performance before the

Queen in Long Beach. The Queen being the famous

ship in Long Beach harbor. Amid the beauty of the

Queen Mary and the lovely ocean harbor in Queen Mary

Events Park, Poodle lovers from all over the continent

came to see some of the most beautiful Poodles being

shown today. The large breed rings were covered by

huge tenting and the exhibitors had another huge tent

to groom their dogs. No one was disappointed with the

quality of the large entry received by the Poodle Club

of America and the host club, Poodle Club of Southern

California. Poodle Club of Southern California is the

oldest affiliated club of the Poodle Club of America

and was founded in 1939 by the likes of famous Poodle

breeders and owners, Ernie Ferguson and Lydia

Hopkins. There were exhibits from as far

away as Switzerland and Japan and our

friends to the North, Canada plus all over

the United States. A large wooden sign that

once hung over the famous Challendon

Kennels of Tom and Ann Stevenson was

visible at the Poodle Rings each day in

honor of Tom and Ann Stevenson. Tom was

past president of Poodle Club of Southern

California. They both became well known

and distinguished international judges. The

catalog cover was designed by Mr. Michael

H Faulkner of Center Cross, VA. Michael

is a well know Sporting Group judge, writer

and artist with many books to his credit.

The design was of a standard poodle com-

ing out of the smoke stack of the Queen

Mary and it was beautiful.

The first day, Wednesday, was Poodle Club

of America Regional and the judges were

Mr. Daniel Augustus of Bethlehem, PA, judging Toy

Poodles. His choice for Best of Variety was a white

puppy male Smash JP Moon Walk, owned and bred by

Yukiko Omura and shown by Toshinori Omura. This

lovely puppy won Best of Variety from the 9-12 month

class at the following Poodle Club of Southern Cali-

fornia shows the next two days under Randy Garren of

North Carolina and Maria Aizcorbe and won Best of

Breed the last show to finish his championship on Fri-

day under Randy Garren. Miniature Poodles were

judged the first day by Randy Garren and his choice of

Best of Variety was Ch. Ch. Zelon Driving Miz Daisy

Crazy owned by Denise Wilson and Kathleen Poe and

shown by Martin Gregory. The second day the winner

was a lovely black class bitch, Bar King’s Cinbren

Buttonwillow, from the Bred by Exhibitor class owned

by Kathleen Poe and Beva Wahl and shown by Kathleen

Poe. The judge was Daniel Augustus. The third day

was won by another lovely bitch from the Open Bitch

class, Escata’s Santa Fe Ree At Jaroz, owned by Roslyn

Maner and D Kaufmann and shown by Rachel Corbin.

The judge was Luis Aizcorbe.

Standard Poodles were judged on the first day by Janice

Pardue of California who was substituting for Dr.

Jacklyn Hungerland who was unable to be there due to

illness. We were very happy to have Janice Pardue to

step in for Dr. Hungerland. Everyone wishes Dr.

Hungerland well and our thoughts and prayers are with

her. Mrs. Pardue’s choice for Best of Variety was the

lovely black bitch, Ch Randenn Tristar Affirmation,

owned by Toni and Martin Sosnoff of New York and

bred by Dennis McCoy, Randy Garren and J and J

Lacey, and shown by Tim Brazier. This lovely black

bitch went on to win Best of Breed on the first day

under Luis Aizcorbe and the following day under Judge

Maria Aizcorbe. Best of Variety on the third day was a

“Yes and Tim” on to BIS at the Regional.

Page 5.


lovely black bitch, Ch. Canisy Shop Till U Drop AT

Poof, owned and bred by Sally Roberts and shown by

Antonia Fillingham.

Agility classes and Rally and Obedience classes were

also offered and lots of smart Poodles completed to

make this a very special time for our Performance

Events. Judges for the events were Betty Ribble and

Rosalie Alvarez and Shirley Indelicato for Obedience

and Rally. Agility classes were judged by Robert Long

and Patti Davis. Susie Osburn of Las Vegas was the

wonderful and dedicated show chairperson for the Per-

formance Events hosted by Poodle Club of America.

The banquet was held on Wednesday night at the lovely

Coast Long Beach Hotel with a view to die for of the

lovely Long Beach harbor with all the lights of the city

and the boats in the harbor. Entertainment was provided

by noted Bulldogger, Shane Twamley, whose lovely

singing of some Elvis songs and oldies by goodies was

very well received by the over 100 Poodles lovers that

attended. A special award and recognition was presented

by President of Poodle Club of America to two out-

standing members of the Poodle Club of Southern Cali-

fornia for their many years of dedication and hard work

on behalf of the club and Poodle Rescue. Those won-

derful people are Dr. Bradley and Madeline Patterson

who have dedicated many years and lots of time to the

Poodle Club of Southern California and the crowd gave

them a standing ovation in their honor.

As everyone knows that puts on a show….it does not

happen without the wonderful help and hard work of

lots of people. Recognition is given to the following

hard workers who made this Regional so

Fabulous……Charlene Smutny, Robin Green, June and

Ron Thompson, Susie Osburn (chairman of the Perfor-

mance Events), Michelle Mixon, Pam Woods, Patricia

and Bud Moulthrop(who along with June and Ron Th-

ompson and Beverly Jean Nelson made up loads of beau-

tiful Poodle Bags for the exhibitors), Velma Matthews,

Norma Strait, Judge Edward and Grace Davenport, Dor-

othy Cangson, Bradley Odagiri (who worked so hard with

flowers to decorate the rings and made the show so beau-

tiful plus center pieces for the banquet tables), Ray

Stevens, Bill Cunningham, Doris Cozart, Vickie

Holloway, Lisa Runquist, Peggy McDill, Madeline and

Brad Patterson, Sandy Thompson, Brandon Melanese,

Peggy McDill, Beverly Jean Nelson, Patty Stabler, Susan

Chusid (who created the beautiful Judges Baskets and the

wonderful Poodle houses that were auctioned off and

made lots of money to support the show), Catherine

Gouse, Kathy Essex, Richard Kortes and Barbara Aleck.

We had some wonderful ring stewards that did a great

job! They were Glenna Carlson, Doris Grant, Sally Vilas,

Scott Olund, Linda Strike and chief ring steward, Jerry

Roszman. Many of the performance stewards also came

from long distances to help with the Performance Events

headed by Rex Mincheff.

As show chairperson I was very proud to be part of this

wonderful event to honor and showcase our lovely

Poodles. I am sure the Queen would be very happy that

so many came to show before her…..

John Shoemaker

Show Chairman, Poodle Club of America Regional and

Poodle Club of So. Ca.

* photos by Vicky Holloway

Page 6.


SMASH JP MOON WALKBreeder: Yukiko Omura.By CH Smash JP Talk About -- Smash JPJubilant.Owner: Yukiko Omura .Toshinori Omura, Agent.

BOV- Toy

CH ZELON DRIVING MIZ DAISY CRAZYBreeder: Denise Yvonne Wilson & Kathleen E.PoeBy Cinbren Barking Buckaro Banzi -- CH BarKing's Ebony Daze.Owners: Denise Wilson and Kathleen PoeMartin Gregory,Agent.

BOV - Miniature

CH RANDENN TRISTAR AFFIRMATIONBreeder: Dennis McCoy, Randy E. Garren.and J and J LaceyBy CH Eaton Affirmed -- CH Randenn TresChic.Owners:Toni & Martin Sosnoff .Tim Brazier, Agent.

BOV-StandardBISS

Poodle Club of America Regional2007

Queen Mary Events ParkLong Beach, CA


Page 7.



Page 8.



Page 9.



AA big Thank Youto Vicky for the

wonderful photosfrom the Regional.

Page 10.


MINIATURE POODLES AT

THE REGIONAL

Luis Aizcorbe

Miniature Representative

The Poodle Club of America

The City of Long Beach, its harbor and the Queen

Mary ship made a fabulous backdrop for the PCA Re-

gional and the PCSC shows held at the Queen Mary

Events Park on September 19 through September 21.

A wonderful collection of Poodles, the beautiful venue,

ideal weather, and a cloudless deep blue sky combined

to make these shows as enjoyable as any I have partici-

pated in. The Show Chairman, Johnny Shoemaker, and

his staff deserve our appreciation and congratulations

for their hard work and creativeness, without which

these shows would not have been such a success.

The Miniature variety at the Poodle Club of America

show was judged by Randy Garren. He awarded Best

of Variety to CH. ZELON DRIVING MIZ DAISY

CRAZY, a dog owned by Denise Wilson and Kathleen

Poe and handled by Martin Gregory. Winners Bitch,

Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex over several

specials, from the Bred By Exhibitor class, went to BAR

KING’S CINBREN BUTTONWILLOW, owned by

Kathleen Poe and Beva Wahl and handled by Kathleen

Poe. LUNA’S KIYARA SOLO LAUNCH, a puppy also

entered in the Bred By Exhibitor Class, was Winners

Dog. He is owned by Karla Sovonick, Nancy Meyer,

William Jividen and Michael Lamb; handled by

Michael Lamb.

The following day, at the first of two Poodle Club of

Southern California shows, Daniel Augustus officiated

in the Miniature Poodle ring.. Winners Dog and Win-

ners bitch were the same as the day before; however,

the Winners Bitch was carried all the way to Best of

Variety over several specials, while the Best of Variety

winner at PCA had to settle for Best of Opposite Sex..

I judged Miniatures at the PCSC the last day. The Win-

ners Dog the previous two days garnered the same

award on this day, which made it a clean sweep for

him. Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Vari-

ety over a number of specials went to another puppy,

this one entered in the Open class. ESCATA’S SANTA

FE REE AT JAROZ is owned by Roslyn Maner and D

Kaufmann and handled by Rachel Corbin. CH ROSE-

WOOD RIGHT ON, owned by Rosemary and Noel

Wright and Mary Ellen Fishler and shown by Antonia

Fillingham, was awarded Best of Opposite Sex.

The color of the winners was not previously reported

as every winner in this variety, at each of the three

shows, was black.

I heard that Maxine Beam, who judged Miniature

Poodles at PCA this past June, expressed her satisfac-

tion with the quality of the entry presented to her. Al-

though clearly the quality of Miniatures at the 2007

National was superior to the previous year, especially

in the classes, it was difficult for me to determine the

degree of improvement from ringside, especially since

I was unable to sit through all the Miniature judging.

That is why I welcomed the opportunity to judge min-

iatures at one of the PCSC shows in Long Beach held

in conjunction with the PCA Regional, as it gave me

the opportunity to put my hands on a large entry for

this variety.

As it is usually the case, bitches were much more com-

petitive than dogs. This is by no means only a problem

in Miniatures. I judged Standards the previous day and

was also disappointed in the quality of class dogs in

that variety. For some reason, our Japanese friend, who

regularly participates in PCA shows, keeps bringing as

many, if not more, top quality dogs as bitches, even

when he has to adjust to a breed standard that limits

size to one inch less than the standard in his own coun-

try requires. The lack of strength in dog classes is both-

ersome, because although(brood) bitches are rightfully

considered the foundation of a breeding program, ( stud)

dogs are the foundation of a breed or variety as they

can be bred so much more frequently, therefore having

a wider impact on that breed or variety than bitches.

Obviously, I digress. Going back to my comments on

miniatures, the Winners Dog was beautiful, but he was

not seriously challenged. The quality in bitches was

better than expected. Several were considered for the

points. Both puppy classes, the bred by and the open

classes were competitive.

I was favorably surprised by the preponderance of good

to excellent feet. A few that had flat splayed feet had to

pay the price. There were two or three entries that I

was almost unable to examine, as they were completely

shy. I can understand an entry having a bad experience

that requires socialization, but shyness is atypical of

the breed and cannot be accepted in the show ring. As a

Page 11.

cont. on page 12


whole heads were satisfactory. Few had coarse skulls,

but I had difficulty finding the chiseling and strength

of underjaw that I like. There also were some that had

weak forefaces when viewed from the front, which

caused the muzzle to be out of balance with the width

of the skull. I have never been one to concern myself

with a tail carried somewhat over the back, but when

tails are carried over the back to such a degree that they

are almost flat on the back, the typical poodle outline,

with head and tail carried high, is lost. This is atypical

of the breed and a couple of entries with this fault failed

to win classes which would have otherwise been theirs.

There are some beautiful Miniature Poodles in this

country. The question breeders of this variety need to

ask themselves is whether their best compares favor-

ably with the best other breeders within the variety are

producing. If the answer is no, then they need to try

harder. If the answer is yes, then they have to ask them-

selves whether or not their best compares favorably with

the best in other varieties. If the answer is no, then they

need to try harder. If the answer is yes, then objectivity

went out the window and the chances of the quality in

miniatures being raised to be at least on par with other

varieties are diminished. This need not be the case.

Some of you bred miniatures that were as good as any

in other varieties. Others breeders are capable of being

just as successful. Just like AVIS, you need to try harder.

From Peggy McDill

PCA_on_LINEDear Members,We have a new and exciting yahoo news group for PCAMembers only. To join the discussion, please send anemail request to Peggy McDill, corresponding secre-tary, [email protected].

This will be a closed discussion group for PoodleClub of America members.This list is not for sellingdogs or show brags.This list is to create better commu-nication among the members of PCA. With this list itis our goal to have our members better informed aboutclub events and issues that effect our breed.

Only posts that are marked"permission to cross post"maybe sent to other lists.No post maybe reprinted with-out the consent of the person who posted it on the list.

This list will be monitored by a PCA Board Member orOfficer.

Keep in mind:The purposes of The Poodle Club of America, Inc., areto create, foster and promote interest in Poodles byencouraging their breeding in accordance with the Stan-dard of the ideal Poodle. To this end, to endeavor tomake the Standard of the ideal Poodle better known sothe best interests of the breed may be advanced. Also,to encourage the exhibition of Poodles at all-breed andSpecialty Shows and at Obedience Trials.(from the PCAMembership files)

Anyone who wishes to receive official PCA correspon-dence by email please send a request to:[email protected] That will include member-ship roster updates and all other official correspondence.

Thanks, Peggy McDill

[email protected]

Poodle Papersnext Deadline

isJanuary 15th!Winter Issue

This will include all the informationfor the National in April 2008.

cont. from page 11

Page 12.


Obedience, Rally, andAgility at the Regional

PCA sponsored the obedience, rally, and agility at theRegional in Long Beach, September 19-21, 2007. Wehad approximately 20 entries per day in obedience andalso in rally. We had approximately 60 dogs entered inagiltiy each day with 100 runs, as we offered standard,jumpers, and fast. The rings were just a few feet fromthe water's edge, with the Queen Mary in the back-ground. It was one of the most beautiful show sites aperformance trial could ever have.

I wanted to take a minute and thank the many peoplethat it takes to put on a trial of this size. The agilitywas organized and run by Lisa Runquist and CindyParish. A year and a half ago, they came to me andasked me if I would chair the agility for the regional asthere was no one else to do it. I was already chairingobedience and rally and didn't think that I could takeon anymore work at that time. They promised me thatthey would do the majority of the work, and they wouldhelp with obedience and rally too. I reluctantly saidyes but guess what? They actually did the lion's shareof ther work for agility, and helped with obedience andrally too. Thank you, Lisa and Cindy, for without youboth, there wouldn't have been agility at the regional.

I also wanted to thank the Poodle Club of Las Vegasfor providing most of the stewards for obedience andrally. They came from Las Vegas to Long Beach attheir own expense to work for the regional. A few stew-ards were also provided by the Los Angeles PoodleObedience Club. Everyone working together make thisa great experience for all of the exhibitors.

The obedience winners were as follows:

Wednesday Sept 19th:High in Trial: Janco Mark Of Excellence CDX-Stephanie & Robert Gomez-199+High Combined: Nobody qualified

Thursday Sept 20th:High in Trial: CH MACH Songbird SandstormSaketumi UD-Joann Neal-197High Combined: same as above

Friday Sept 21st:High in Trial: OTCH Ash's Mystical Bilbo Baggins

UDX4-Carol Brook-196High in Trial: same as above

And here are the rally winners:

Wednesday Sept 19th:High in Trial Champion: Nobody qualifiedHigh Combined: Lidos Peanut Parfait CD RE-Susie& Betty Osburn

Thursday Sept 20th:High in Trial Champion: CH Harptime Amazing Grace-Roxie PiphoHigh Combined : CH Kallista's Silver Sails Aloft VCD2MX MXJ-Suzi Cope & Marlene Miller

Friday Sept 20th:High in Trial Champion: CH Praver's Vagabond RAECD-Shirley IndelicatoHigh Combined: same as above

Once again, I wanted to say thank you to all those thathelped make these trials a huge success!

Susie OsburnAgility, Obedience, and Rally Chairman

Regional?Is your club interestedin hosting a Regional?

ContactMichael Knight

at [email protected](972)226-2837

Page 13.


Page 14


DOG SHALL NOTLIVE BY BREADALONEPoodle owners from around the country often contactme with questions about training classes. They findthat all that is available to them locally is clicker train-ing classes. Due to a variety of reasons, they are notfinding clicker training effective in solving their train-ing problems and helping them to progress toward theirgoals.

For anyone who does not know what clicker trainingis, I will enlighten with a short and simplistic explana-tion. Clicker training is a system of modifying behav-ior by positive reinforcement using food rewards. AHalloween noise-making device, a “clicker,” is used to“mark” the desired behavior, and food rewards followthe sound of the clicker. The principles of clicker train-ing were developed to manage zoo animals and marinemammals. Due to their size or danger to humans, theseanimals could not be physically manipulated to get themto move from one enclosure to another, or to allow them-selves to be examined by caretakers. Since many peoplework with each animal, and the sound of a singleperson’s voice could not be reproduced by other people,a mechanical noise-maker such a clicker or a whistlewas used. As “clicker training” began to be commonlyused, it was found that complicated behaviors could betaught to a variety of animals using these principles.Elaborate shows of marine mammals have becomecommon, and these tricks are generally taught usingthese methods.

For purposes of this article, the term “clicker trainers”refers to that puritanical group who will ONLY useclicker training, and no other methods, to train a dog. Iam not speaking of those who use clicker training asone of an arsenal of training methods, or those who usefood rewards, but use their voice to mark desired be-havior. The term “clicker training” has become syn-onymous with a “purely positive” approach, meaningnever correcting a dog. The most extreme will not evenphysically position a dog with collar and leash or hands.They simply wait for a behavior or any approximationof a behavior to occur so that they can “click and treat.”Others might use the food as a lure to get a behavior,such as sitting or heeling, started, and then fade its use

to a reward only. Many of these aficionados of clickertraining have taken on an air of arrogance and politicalcorrectness, and decry all other methods of training,labeling such trainers as cruel and heartless abusers ofanimals. The evangelical zeal and blind allegianceexhibited by its followers carries clicker training to thelevel of a religion rather than a training method.

Disciples of clicker training use the following sellingpoints for this method of training. Dogs often learnnew behaviors very quickly. The method does not re-quire the owner to correct or “punish” the dog for inap-propriate behavior, and this aspect appeals to almosteveryone with the exception of Michael Vick. Clickertrainers say that stress in the learning process is avoided,and dogs taught by this method are happier, althoughthis is not reflected in the show-ring performances Ihave observed. Clicker trainers also say that mostpeople are not able to be unemotional about the deliv-ery of praise and rewards, and for that reason, the clickeris better than using other methods of “marking” or en-couraging correct behavior, such as telling the dog aword, such as “good,” to perform the same function asa “click,” or praising it. Another selling point used isthat this method can be used to successfully teach any-thing, or get rid of any unwanted behavior.

To hear clicker trainers talk, it is the only method thatis needed, regardless of what one wants the dog to door not do. Unfortunately, few things in life are sosimple. My purpose here is not to belittle anyone whoenjoys clicker training and wants to use that methodexclusively. The nice thing about training dogs is thatpractically any method works when applied with skillto a willing subject, and one should be free to make herown choices. My purpose is to dispel the myth thatclicker training is a panacea, especially if one wants totrain for performance competition.

One problem with clicker training is that most dogsbeing trained are not hungry. Most get at least twogood meals a day without being required to do a singlething. Moreover, many of the clicker training fanaticsare also practitioners of the raw diet, so that not onlyare the dogs getting two good meals a day, they aregetting fresh meat, poultry, and fish that half the world’shuman population does not have access to. This wouldbe a little like giving one’s child a $1,000 a day allow-ance, then telling him that he will get 25 cents if hewill take out the trash. Whereas in the wild, an animal

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cont. on page 16


modifies its behavior to eat and therefore survive, andat Sea World, the fish given out as rewards in a por-poise show might be all the porpoise gets to eat, mostpeople are not willing to let their pets go hungry toincrease their “food drive.” Many poodles are pickyeaters, especially when young, and do not have a par-ticularly high food drive when compared to, say, a La-brador retriever. Many dogs are intimidated by thestrange surroundings and noises of training facilitiesand dog shows, and will not take treats when there. Afair number of dogs will not even eat their meals when“on the road.” The clicker trainer’s answer to this is tosearch farther and wider to find treats that the dog iseager to get. Many clicker trainers spend more time(and money) shopping for exotic treats than they dotraining, and still many dogs will not put out much ef-fort to get a treat. Few clicker instructors give the ownerthe obvious answer that if they starve the dog, it willdevelop a keen food drive, as this would not fit in withthe image of the “only” HUMANE training method!

Another problem with clicker training as a sole train-ing method is that it largely ignores the fact that dogshave many drives, or pleasures that motivate them, otherthan the food drive, and that many of the other “drives”are stronger than the food drive in an otherwise well-fed pet. For instance, if a male dog had a choice be-tween a bitch in season (or its enticing aroma) and atreat, it would likely go for the bitch, or at least work tolocate and stake his claim. There are always bitches inseason at a dog show. Many dogs such as terriers liketo explore, and find this behavior to be more rewardingthan eating. Many dogs like to attack other dogs, andapparently get quite an adrenalin rush out of it. Theylike their treats “still moving.” There are not manydogs that would choose a treat over chasing a running“varmint,” or perhaps a toy poodle running by in thenext ring that looks very much like that squirrel or rab-bit that they chase at home. Many dogs enjoy barking,as barking apparently does something great for the dog-brain’s pleasure center, judging from the number of dogsthat bark for hours at nothing. And some dogs simplyenjoy being king--playing the role of alpha over theirhumans, and don’t plan to give up the power trip for alousy treat. So, although complex behaviors can betaught using treats, the actual conditions at a dog showoffer a smorgasbord of other sensual enticements.

Clicker training may be great for quickly teaching a

dog to do something it has no aversion to. But if a dogis genuinely afraid of doing something (like bangingdown a teeter-totter in agility), or simply does not wantto do something (like picking up a metal scent article),a clicker trainer must wait for the dog to make the choiceto do this thing, and the wait may be long indeed. Ifthe training process takes longer than the dog’s naturallifespan, it might be considered to be of no value to thecompetition-minded person. One of the complaints Ihear from people involved with clicker instructors isthe inordinate amount of time—often years—requiredbefore the instructor deems the student ready to enter atrial.

Another problem that poodle owners have with clickerclasses is that, whereas most poodles are not aggres-sive to other dogs, they are often the target of aggres-sion. In traditional training classes, students are gener-ally given instructions for correcting their dogs imme-diately and effectively for any aggressive behavior (ag-gressive staring, growling, barking, lunging, hackling,etc.). In clicker classes, they are told to ignore the be-havior, or wait patiently for the behavior to play out sothat the dog can be clicked and rewarded for droppingwhat is left of the poodle. The owner of the aggressivedog is told to work toward substituting and rewardinganother behavior, such as sitting, for the “unwanted”behavior. This might be fine for the aggressive dog,but not too fine for the poodle. I have heard from manypoodle owners that have quit going to clicker classesbecause of the danger to their dogs. Clicker trainers ingeneral seem to believe that their dogs’ aggression andbarking is YOUR problem, not theirs.

Clicker trainers blithely say that physical correctionsdo not work, or that they cause an aggressive dog tobecome more aggressive. Thousands of years of dogtraining history say otherwise. It is generally thoughtthat dogs have been doing useful work for man almostas long as man has existed, and clicker training is ofmy generation. It would be safe to say that most if notall obedience trial champions have been trained usingsome physical correction, as well as a plethora of re-wards including food, play, and praise. Field dogs arealmost universally trained using a “force fetch.” Herd-ing dogs are routinely corrected for helping themselvesto the mutton. I’m sure there are at least some agilitychampions that have never been physically correctedin the course of their training, but they are in the mi-nority. When I speak of physical correction, I am nottalking about “punishing” a dog. I am including such

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cont. on page 17


actions as pulling or jerking on a leash, pushing a doginto a sit or a down position, placing a dog on a pieceof agility equipment or leading it over a low jump, plac-ing an article to be retrieved into a dog’s mouth, orrestraining a dog such as is done to groom poodles.

Clicker trainers often talk about the method’s successin “extinguishing” undesirable behavior. But their ideaof success is a REDUCTION in the occurrence of theundesirable behavior. The reduction that can registeras a “success” can be as much as 80% or as little as10%. If my dog bites my child even 80% fewer timesthan before, I would not consider the process to be a“success.” If my method resulted in 20% less nuisancebarking than before, I would not consider the methodto be a “success,” and I wager that my neighborswouldn’t, either. If an owner’s two dogs fought witheach other 20% less than before, one of them mightstill be dead. So these glowing reports of “success” indealing with problem behavior must be examinedclosely. I am not suggesting that other training meth-ods necessarily offer 100% solutions, but traditionaltrainers will usually be a little more realistic in advis-ing an owner that some problems cannot be satisfacto-rily solved with training.

Those rare trainers with perfect timing, excellent dogtraining sense, time to burn, and the patience of a saint,can do marvelous things with clicker training. But theaverage clicker trainer teaches her dog that the more itresists, the more treats it gets. For example, I have seenmany clicker trainers trying to get their dogs to payattention heeling. The dog looks away, the person says“watch,” the dog looks back, and the person clicks andtreats. The dog finds that looking away is the key tothe chain of events that ends with a treat. If the trainerwere true to the method, she would just wait for thedog to pay attention before clicking and treating, butpractically no one is patient enough to do this, espe-cially if the dog only glances her way once a week.She bought those high-dollar dried venison treats, andby gosh, her “baby” is going to get them---ALL of theones she put in her $20 quick-fire treat pouch!!! So sheeither says “watch,” or runs the treat by the dog’s noseto lure his gaze, then clicks and treats. These peoplecan be seen marching around obedience rings in all partsof the country saying “watch,” clicking, and treating.As soon as they put their food away and walk into thering, the dog reverts to gazing about, sniffing the floor,strolling along the ring barrier looking for greener pas-

tures, or running out of the ring and high-tailing it tothe bait bag. At agility trials, woe to the poor fool orher poodle that steps into the path of a clicker trainerexiting the agility ring and being dragged by her bigdog at a dead run back to the bait bag. The averageclicker-trained dog learns how to get treats rather thanhow to obey commands.

I once attended a clicker class as an observer. The in-structor had a “trained” standard poodle that she wasattempting to use for demonstration. The poodle wasbusy strolling around, totally engrossed in cleaning themats of crumbs and examining the treat pouches andtraining bags of all the students to see who had the beststuff. After calling the dog numerous times, the in-structor finally walked over, grabbed the dog by thecollar, hauled it back to the center of the room, lifted itskyward with the collar before dumping it into a sittingposition, then clicked, and treated! An hour-long classwas not enough time for the instructor to either waitfor the desired behavior to occur, or to go shopping formore delectable treats. I also attended a clicker train-ing seminar given by a famous “purely positive” trainera few years back. Unfortunately, I missed most of whatwas said, as her large dog barked incessantly through-out the two days, even though she kept interrupting herpresentation to try to find a moment of silence to clickand treat.

My advice to people looking for an instructor or train-ing classes for performance events is to find out whatthat instructor has accomplished with her own dogs,what her students have accomplished, and see if theircollective dogs work as you would like your dog towork. Don’t be intimidated or fooled by rhetoric.

Joann Neal

Active Rescue liston line for those involved

in Poodle RescueContact Sally Poindexter

For more information

[email protected]

cont. from page 16Page 17.


THYROID DISEASE AND

AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS

W. Jean Dodds, DVM

938 Stanford Street

Santa Monica, CA 90403

(310) 828-4804;FAX (310)-828-8251

www.hemopet.com; [email protected]

Introduction

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disor-

der of dogs, and up to 80% of cases result from an au-

toimmune disease that progressively destroys the thy-

roid gland (autoimmune thyroiditis). Once more than

75% of the gland is destroyed by this process, classical

clinical signs of hypothyroidism appear. Because the

condition is heritable, it has significant genetic impli-

cations for breeding stock. Accurate diagnosis of the

early stages of autoimmune thyroiditis offers impor-

tant genetic and clinical options for prompt interven-

tion and case management. However, it is often diffi-

cult to make a definitive diagnosis.

As the thyroid gland regulates metabolism of all body

cellular functions, reduced thyroid function can pro-

duce a wide range of clinical signs (see Table 1). Many

of these clinical symptoms mimic those resulting from

other causes and so recognition of the condition and

interpretation of results of thyroid function tests can be

problematic.

Baseline Thyroid Profiles

A complete baseline thyroid profile is measured and

typically includes total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3,

T3 autoantibody (T3AA) and T4 autoantibody (T4AA),

and can include canine endogenous thyroid stimulat-

ing hormone (cTSH) and/or thyroglobulin autoantibody

(TgAA) (see Table 2) . The TgAA assay is especially

important in screening breeding stock for heritable au-

toimmune thyroid disease. Affected dogs should not

be used for breeding.

The normal reference ranges for thyroid analytes of

healthy adult animals tend to be similar for most breeds

of companion animals. Exceptions are the sighthound

and giant breeds of dogs which have lower basal lev-

els. Typical thyroid levels for healthy sighthounds, such

as retired racing greyhounds, are at or just below the

established laboratory reference ranges, whereas

healthy giant breeds have optimal levels around the

midpoint of these ranges.

Similarly, because young animals are still growing

and adolescents are maturing, optimal thyroid levels

are expected to be in the upper half of the references

ranges. For geriatric animals, basal metabolism is

usually slowing down, and so optimal thyroid levels

are likely to be closer to midrange or even slightly

lower.

Genetic Screening for Thyroid Disease

Most cases of thyroiditis have elevated serum TgAA

levels, whereas only about 20-40% of cases have el-

evated circulating T3 and/or T4 AA. Thus, the pres-

ence of elevated T3 and/or T4 AA confirms a diagnosis

of autoimmune thyroiditis but underestimates its preva-

lence, as negative (non-elevated) autoantibody levels

do not rule out thyroiditis. Measuring TgAA levels also

permits early recognition of the disorder, and facili-

tates genetic counselling. Affected dogs should not be

used for breeding.

The commercial TgAA test can give false negative re-

sults if the dog has received thyroid supplement within

the previous 90 days, thereby allowing dishonest own-

ers to test dogs while on treatment to assert there nor-

malcy, or to obtain certification with health registries

such as the OFA Thyroid Registry. False negative TgAA

results also can occur in about 8% of dogs verified to

have high T3AA and/or T4AA. Furthermore, false posi-

tive TgAA results may be obtained if the dog has been

vaccinated within the previous 30-45 days, or in some

cases of non-thyroidal illness. Vaccination of pet and

research dogs with polyvalent vaccines containing ra-

bies virus or rabies vaccine alone was recently shown

to induce production of antithyroglobulin autoantibod-

ies, a provocative and important finding with implica-

tions for the subsequent development of hypothyroid-

ism

A population study of 287,948 dogs was recently pub-

lished by the MSU Animal Health Diagnostic Labora-

tory. Circulating thyroid hormone autoantibodies

(T3AA and/or T4AA)) were found in 18,135 of these

dogs (6.3%). The 10 breeds with the highest prevalence

of thyroid AA from their study were: Pointer, English

Setter, English Pointer, Skye Terrier, German Wire-

haired Pointer, Old English Sheepdog, Boxer, Maltese,

Kuvasz, and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Prevalence

was associated with body weight and was highest in

Page 18.

cont. on page 19


dogs 2-4 years old. Females were significantly more

likely to have thyroid AA than males.

A bitch with circulating thyroid AA has the potential

to pass these along to the puppies transplacentally as

well as via the colostrum. Furthermore, any dog hav-

ing thyroid AA may eventually develop clinical symp-

toms of thyroid disease and/or be susceptible to other

autoimmune diseases. Thyroid screening is thus very

important for selecting potential breeding stock as well

as for clinical diagnosis.

Thyroid testing for genetic screening purposes is less

likely to be meaningful before puberty. Screening is

initiated, therefore, once healthy dogs and bitches have

reached sexual maturity (between 10-14 months in

males and during the first anestrous period for females

following their maiden heat). As the female sexual

cycle is quiescent during anestrus, any influence of sex

hormones on baseline thyroid function will be mini-

mized. This period generally begins 12 weeks from

the onset of the previous heat and lasts one month or

longer. The interpretation of results from baseline thy-

roid profiles in intact females will be more reliable when

they are tested in anestrus. In fact, genetic screening

of intact females for other disorders such as von

Willebrand disease (vWD), hip dysplasia, and wellness

or reproductive checkups (vaginal cultures, hormone

testing) is best scheduled during anestrus. Once the

initial thyroid profile is obtained, dogs and bitches

should be rechecked on an annual basis to assess their

thyroid function and overall health. Generation of an-

nual test results provides comparisons that permit early

recognition of developing thyroid dysfunction. This

allows for early treatment, where indicated, to avoid

the appearance or advancement of clinical signs asso-

ciated with hypothyroidism.

Canine autoimuune thyroid disease is very similar to

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis of humans, which has been

shown to be associated with human major histocom-

patibility complex (MHC) tissue types. A similar asso-

ciation with canine MHC genes in hypothyroid dogs

has recently been reported in Doberman Pinschers,

English Setters and Rhodesian Ridgebacks, who share

a rare dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotype

which contains a unique DLA-DQA1*00101 genetic

determinant. While the presence of this determinant

doubles the risk of a dog developing hypothyroidism,

it was not found in boxers affected with thyroiditis, nor

was it found in the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, or Si-

berian Husky, although more studies are needed in these

and other susceptible breeds to establish their true sta-

tus with respect to this marker DLA antigen. This ex-

citing finding of a common genetic determinant asso-

ciated with thyroid disease in several breeds hopefully

will lead to development of a genetic marker test to

identify affected breeding stock and allow for selec-

tive breeding to reduce disease incidence in pure-bred

dogs.

Polyglandular Autoimmunity

Individuals genetically susceptible to autoimmune thy-

roid disease may also become more susceptible to im-

mune-mediated diseases affecting other target tissues

and organs, especially the bone marrow, liver, adrenal

gland, pancreas, skin, kidney, joints, bowel, and cen-

tral nervous system. The resulting “polyglandular au-

toimmune syndrome” of humans is becoming more

commonly recognized in the dog, and probably occurs

in other species as well. The syndrome tends to run in

families and is believed to have an inherited basis.

Multiple endocrine glands and nonendocrine systems

become involved in a systemic immune-mediated pro-

cess. This multiple endocrinopathy often occurs in pa-

tients with underlying autoimmune thyroid disease

(hypo- or hyperthyroidism) and concurrent Addison’s

disease, diabetes, reproductive gonadal failure, skin

disease and alopecia, and malabsorption syndrome. The

most common nonendocrinologic autoimmune disor-

ders associated with this syndrome are autoimmune

hemolytic anemia (AIHA), idiopathic thrombocy-

topenic purpura (ITP), chronic active hepatitis, and

immune-complex glomerulonephritis (systemic lupus

erythematosus; SLE).

The most commonly recognized polyglandular endo-

crinopathy of dogs is Schmidt’s syndrome (thyroiditis

and Addison’s disease). Examples of breeds geneti-

cally predisposed to this disorder include the Standard

Poodle, Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie, Portu-

guese Water Dog, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever,

and Leonberger, although any breed or mixed breed

can be affected. Our study cohort of 162 cases of au-

toimmune blood and endocrine disorders in Old En-

glish Sheepdogs (1980-1989) included 115 AIHA and/

or ITP, 99 thyroid disease, 23 Addison’s disease, 7 vac-

cine reactions, 3 SLE, 2 diabetes, 1 rheumatoid arthri-

tis and 1 hypoparathyroidism. The group comprised

110 females (15 spayed) and 52 males (3 neutered).

Seven of the most recent 103 cases had two or more

cont. from page 18Page 19

cont. on page 20


endocrine disorders, and 101 of the 108 cases where

pedigrees were available showed a familial relation-

ship going back several generations. Data from survey-

ing the Bearded Collie breed reported 55 hypothyroid,

17 Addison’s disease, and 31 polyglandular autoimmu-

nity (5 were hypothyroid).

Aberrant Behavior and Thyroid Dysfunction

The principal reason for pet euthanasia stems not from

disease, but undesirable behavior. While this abnor-

mal behavior can have a variety of medical causes, it

also can reflect underlying problems of a psychologi-

cal nature.

An association between behavioral and psychologic

changes and thyroid dysfunction has been recognized

in humans since the 19th century. In a recent study,

66% of people with attention deficit-hyperactivity dis-

order were found to be hypothyroid, and supplement-

ing their thyroid levels was largely curative. Further-

more, an association has recently been established be-

tween aberrant behavior and thyroid dysfunction in the

dog, and has been noticed in cats with hyperthyroid-

ism. Typical clinical signs include unprovoked aggres-

sion towards other animals and/or people, sudden on-

set of seizure disorder in adulthood, disorientation,

moodiness, erratic temperament, periods of hyperac-

tivity, hypoattentiveness, depression, fearfulness and

phobias, anxiety, submissiveness, passivity, compul-

siveness, and irritability. After episodes, most of the

animals appeared to come out of a trance like state,

and were unaware of their bizarre behavior.

The mechanism whereby diminished thyroid function

affects behavior is unclear. Hypothyroid patients have

reduced cortisol clearance, as well as suppressed TSH

output and lowered production of thyroid hormones.

Constantly elevated levels of circulating cortisol mimic

the condition of an animal in a constant state of stress.

In people and seemingly in dogs, mental function is

impaired and the animal is likely to respond to stress in

a stereotypical rather than reasoned fashion. Chronic

stress in humans has been implicated in the pathogen-

esis of affective disorders such as depression. Major

depression has been shown in imaging studies to pro-

duce changes in neural activity or volume in areas of

the brain which regulate aggressive and other behav-

iors. Dopamine and serotonin receptors have been

clearly demonstrated to be involved in aggressive path-

ways in the CNS. Hypothyroid rats have increased turn-

over of serotonin and dopamine receptors, and an in-

creased sensitivity to ambient neurotransmitter levels.

Investigators in recent years have noted the sudden

onset of behavioral changes in dogs around the time of

puberty or as young adults. Most of the dogs have been

purebreds or crossbreeds, with an apparent predilec-

tion for certain breeds. For a significant proportion of

these animals, neutering does not alter the symptoms

and in some cases the behaviors intensify. The seasonal

effects of allergies to inhalants and ectoparasites such

as fleas and ticks, followed by the onset of skin and

coat disorders including pyoderma, allergic dermatitis,

alopecia, and intense itching, have also been linked to

changes in behavior.

Many of these dogs belong to a certain group of breeds

or dog families susceptible to a variety of immune prob-

lems and allergies (e.g. Golden Retriever, Akita, Rott-

weiler, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel,

Shetland Sheepdog, and German Shepherd Dog). The

clinical signs in these animals, before they show the

sudden onset of behavioral aggression, can include

minor problems such as inattentiveness, fearfulness,

seasonal allergies, skin and coat disorders, and intense

itching. These may be early subtle signs of thyroid

dysfunction, with no other typical signs of thyroid dis-

ease being manifested.

The typical history starts out with a quite, well-man-

nered and sweet-natured puppy or young adult dog. The

animal was outgoing, attended training classes for obe-

dience, working, or dog show events, and came from a

reputable breeder whose kennel has had no prior his-

tory of producing animals with behavioral problems.

At the onset of puberty or thereafter, however, sudden

changes in personality are observed. Typical signs can

be incessant whining, nervousness, schizoid behavior,

fear in the presence of strangers, hyperventilating and

undue sweating, disorientation, and failure to be atten-

tive. These changes can progress to sudden unprovoked

aggressiveness in unfamiliar situations with other ani-

mals, people and especially with children.

Another group of dogs show seizure or seizure-like

disorders of sudden onset that can occur at any time

from puberty to mid-life. These dogs appear perfectly

healthy outwardly, have normal hair coats and energy,

but suddenly seizure for no apparent reason. The sei-

zures are often spaced several weeks to months apart,

cont. from page 19Page 20.

cont. on page 21


may coincide with the full moon, and can appear in

brief clusters. In some cases the animals become ag-

gressive and attack those around them shortly before

or after having one of the seizures. Two recent cases

involved young dogs referred for sudden onset seizure

disorder shortly after puberty. Both dogs were found to

have early onset autoimmune thyroiditis, which was

clinically responsive to thyroid supplementation, to the

extent that anticonvulsant medications could be gradu-

ally withdrawn. The numbers of animals showing these

various types of aberrant behavior appear to be increas-

ing in frequency over the last decade.

In dogs with aberrant aggression, a large collaborative

study between our group and Dr. Dodman and col-

leagues at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medi-

cine has shown a favorable response to thyroid replace-

ment therapy within the first week of treatment, whereas

it took about three weeks to correct their metabolic

deficit. Dramatic reversal of behavior with resumption

of previous problems has occurred in some cases if only

a single dose is missed. A similar pattern of aggression

responsive to thyroid replacement has been reported in

a horse.

Tables 3-4 summarize results of complete thyroid di-

agnostic profiling on 634 canine cases of aberrant be-

havior, compiled by this author in collaboration with

Drs. Nicholas Dodman, Linda Aronson, and Jean

DeNapoli of Tufts University School of Veterinary

Medicine, North Grafton, MA. Ninety percent (568

dogs) were purebreds and 10% were mixed breeds.

There was no sex predilection found in this case co-

hort, whether or not the animals were intact or neu-

tered. Sixty-three percent of the dogs had thyroid dys-

function as judged by finding 3 or more abnormal re-

sults on the comprehensive thyroid profile. The major

categories of aberrant behavior were aggression (40%

of cases), seizures (30%), fearfulness (9%), and hyper-

activity (7%); some dogs exhibited more than one of

these behaviors (Table 2). Within these 4 categories,

thyroid dysfunction was found in 62% of the aggres-

sive dogs, 77% of seizuring dogs, 47% of fearful dogs,

and 31% of hyperactive dogs.

Outcomes of treatment intervention with standard twice

daily doses of thyroid replacement were evaluated in

95 cases, and showed a significant behavioral improve-

ment in 61% of the dogs. Of these, 58 dogs had greater

than 50% improvement in their behavior as judged by

a predefined 6-point subjective scale (34 were improved

> 75%), and another 23 dogs had >25 but <50% im-

provement. Only 10 dogs experienced no appreciable

change, and 2 dogs had a worsening of their behavior.

When compared to 20 cases of dominance aggression

treated with conventional behavior or other habit modi-

fication over the same time period, only 11 dogs im-

proved more than 25%, and of the remaining 9 cases, 3

failed to improve and 3 were euthanized or placed in

another home. These initial results are so promising

that complete thyroid diagnostic profiling and treatment

with thyroid supplement, where indicated, is warranted

for all cases presenting with aberrant behavior.

Our ongoing study now includes over 1500 cases of

dogs presented to veterinary clinics for aberrant behav-

ior. The first 499 cases have been analyzed indepen-

dently by a neural network correlative statistical pro-

gram. Results showed a significant relationship between

thyroid dysfunction and seizure disorder, and thyroid

dysfunction and dog-to-human aggression.

Collectively, these findings confirm the importance of

including a complete thyroid antibody profile as part

of the laboratory and clinical work up of any behav-

ioral case.

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_ Nachreiner RF, Refsal KR, Davis WR, et al. Pharmacokinetics

of L-thyroxine after its oral administration in dogs. Am J Vet Res

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_ Nachreiner RF, Refsal KR, Graham PA, et al. Prevalence of

autoantibodies to thyroglobulin in dogs with nonthyroidal illness.

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_ Nachreiner RF, Refsal KR, Graham PA, Bowman MM.

Prevalence of serum thyroid hormone autoantibodies in dogs

with clinical signs of hypothyroidism. J Am Vet Med Assoc

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_ Overall KL. Clinical Behavioral Medicine for the Small Animal.

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_ Panciera DL, Johnson GS. Hypothyroidism and von Willebrand

factor. J Am Vet Med Assoc 206: 595-596, 1995.

_ Panciera DL. Clinical manifestations of canine hypothyroidism.

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_ Panciera DL. Thyroid-function testing: Is the future here? Vet

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Am Vet Med Assoc 204: 761-767, 1994.

_ Paradis M, Pagé N, Larivière N, et al. Serum-free thyroxine con-

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cont. on page 23


Table 1. CLINICAL SIGNS OF CANINE HYPOTHYROIDISM

Alterations in Cellular Metabolism

lethargy weight gain

mental dullness cold intolerance

exercise intolerance mood swings

neurologic signs hyperexcitability

polyneuropathy stunted growth

seizures chronic infections

Neuromuscular Problems

weakness knuckling or dragging feet

stiffness muscle wasting

laryngeal paralysis megaesophagus

facial paralysis head tilt

“tragic” expression drooping eyelids

incontinence ruptured cruciate ligament

Dermatologic Diseases

dry, scaly skin and dandruff chronic offensive skin odor

coarse, dull coat bilaterally symmetrical hair loss

“rat tail”; “puppy coat” seborrhea with greasy skin

hyperpigmentation seborrhea with dry skin

pyoderma or skin infections myxedema

Reproductive Disorders

infertility prolonged interestrus interval

lack of libido absence of heat cycles

testicular atrophy silent heats

hypospermia pseudopregnancy

aspermia weak, dying or stillborn pups

Cardiac Abnormalities

slow heart rate (bradycardia)

cardiac arrhythmias

cardiomyopathy

Gastrointestinal Disorders

constipation

diarrhea

vomiting

Hematologic Disorders

bleeding

bone marrow failure

low red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells, platelets

Ocular Diseases

corneal lipid deposits corneal ulceration

uveitis keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”

infections of eyelid glands Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

Other Associated Disorders

IgA deficiency loss of smell (dysosmia)

loss of taste glycosuria

chronic active hepatitis

other endocrinopathies: adrenal, pancreatic, parathyroid

Page 23


Table 2. DIAGNOSIS OF THYROID DISEASE

C Complete Basic Profile

— (T4, T3, FT4, FT3, T4AA, T3AA)

C Additional Tests

— (TSH, TgAA)

C Older Tests (T4, T4 + T3)

Serum T4 and/or T3 alone are not reliable

for diagnosis because:

— overdiagnose hypothyroidism

— underdiagnose hyperthyroidism

— fail to dectect early compensatory

disease and thyroiditis

— influenced by nonthyroidal illness and certain drugs

C Newer Tests

Free (Unbound) T4

Less likely to be influenced by nonthyroidal

illness or drugs

Valid

— equilibrium dialysis

— solid-phase analog RIA

— chemiluminescence solid-phase

Less reliable — liquid-phase analog RIA

Endogenous Canine TSH

In primary hypothyroidism, as serum free T4 levels fall,

pituitary output of TSH rises.

— elevated TSH usually indicates primary thyroid disease

— 20-40% discordancy observed between expected and

actual findings

— published normal ranges may need revising upwards

— affected by concomitant chronic renal disease

Canine TgAA

Thyroglobulin autoantibodies are present in serum of

cases with lymphocytic thyroiditis.

— positive results confirm diagnosis; false negative results can occur

— 20-40% of cases have circulating T3 and/or T4AA

— allows for early diagnosis and genetic counselling

Page 24


Table 3. CANINE ABERRANT BEHAVIOR *

___________________________________________________________________

Total No. Purebreds Mixed Thyroid Euthyroid

Cases Breeds Dysfunction

____________________________________________________________________

634 568 66 401 † 233

____________________________________________________________________

* Mean Age, 3.7 years ( Range 0.5-12 years ). Median Age, 2.5 years.

Table 4. MOST COMMONLY REPRESENTED BREEDS WITH THYROID

DYSFUNCTION AND ABERRANT BEHAVIOR *

_________________________________________________________________________

Breed† Thyroid Aggression Seizures Fearful Hyperactive

Dysfunction

401/634 251/634 189/634 55/634 42/634

(63%) (40%) (30%) (9%) (7%)_____

Golden

Retriever 50/73 12/16 22/30 4/6 1/6

German

Shepherd 34/53 10/22 14/16 3/7 2/2

Akita 27/38 24/33 0/1 0 0/2

Labrador

Retriever 8/30 6/11 12/16 2/15 0/3

Shetland

Sheepdog 14/25 3/6 2/3 2/4 3/3

Collie 8/9 0 7/7 0 0

English

Setter 4/6 1/1 0 1/3 1/2

Other

Purebreds 217/334 89/135 72/93 10/15 5/16

Mixed

Breed 39/66 11/27 16/23 4/5 1/8

______________________________________________________________________________

Totals 401/634 156/251 145/189 26/55 13/42

(63%) (62%) (77%) (47%) (31%)___________

* Some dogs had more than 1 abnormal behavior. Numerator = Thyroid dysfunction

Denominator = Aberrant behavior † Total 634 cases; 72 dogs breeds represented.

*Thank you to Dr Jean Dodds for giving us pernmission to use this article in the Poodle Papers!LeslieEditor of the Poodle Papers

Page 25


Affiliate Club News:

TOY POODLE REPRESENTATIVE:Your collected email survey has been received by thePCA Secretary and myself concerning the TOY sizeDQ within our Breed Standard at the Regional BoardMeeting. This has been sent to the Breed StandardCommittee for there study and review.

At the Regional a Japanese White Toy Breeder wonWD ,WB, BOW, BOV as a breeder owner handler inthe Toy Variety!! CONGRATULATIONS

Should you have any other issues for the Boards knowl-edge, please let me know. Give me a call, send anemail or see you at the shows.

Have a great HOLIDAY SEASON, TRAVEL SAFE .HOPE to see you at our National in APRIL!!!!

Nancy Hafner

Happy Poodle Days to All!Standard Poodle Breeders: As a Standard breeder my-self and Standard Poodle Representative for the PoodleClub of America, I am interested in you responses tothe following:

What is your opinion of crossing Standard Poodles withMiniature Poodles?

What do you feel is gained by cross-variety breeding?

What do you feel is lost by cross-variety breeding?

What other comments would you like to make regard-ing this subject?

I prefer signed e-mails, but you may comment anony-mously.

Responses to:Glenna [email protected](Until 11/1/2007)

[email protected](After 11/5/2007)

Please let me know if you have pups for sale - testinginformation is required. Calls seem to be on the slowside - but please let me know. Perhaps PCA needs toimplement a better breeder referral system as I knowinternet sales are a problem as are "designer dogs".

Have a great winter!

Glenna CarlsonStandard Poodle Representative

Page 26

Reminder:If you have puppies available or need informationor help with your variety contact your Variety Rep.

Toys :Nancy Hafner256-381-5744email [email protected]

Miniatures:Luis Aizcorbe305-233-8491email [email protected]

Standards: Glenna [email protected](Until 11/1/2007)

[email protected](After 11/5/2007)Winter-956-973-0927


Seminars and WC

WCX Tests in the

Carolinas a Recipe for

Success in the FieldSubmitted by Claudia Straitiff

In March of 2007, a group of Poodle owners

from within and around the Carolinas gathered for a

WC WCX Seminar sponsored by the Central Carolina

Poodle Club (CCPC). As a result of the enthusiasm

created by that event, a core group of participants

planned for and participated in a second seminar and

the first of what we hope will be many WC WCX tests

in North Carolina in September!

An amazing 21 Poodles (including 2 Minia-

tures) entered the Working Certificate (WC) test and 9

Poodles entered the Working Certificate Excellent

(WCX) tests. Even more amazing is the fact that 17 of

the 21 WC Participants and their Poodles passed the

WC and 6 of the 9 Poodles entered in the WCX passed

the tests.

Seventeen (17) Poodles entered the non-regu-

lar Stakes Class where owners could test the natural

instincts of their Poodles in a non-competitive envi-

ronment!

This is a model that really seemed to work for

the CCPC. First, people got to see if their dogs had the

“instinct” for the work by participating in the seminar.

Then, those that were interested focused on develop-

ing the instinct over the summer. And finally, they had

the opportunity to gauge progress by participating in a

follow up seminar and ultimately the tests.

Most important is the fact that, pass or fail, 20

new folks got involved with their Poodles in yet one

more performance venue.

If you or your club would like to hold your

own seminar but don’t know where to start, feel free to

contact Jan Gray of the Central Carolina Poodle Club.

She’s worked to refine the core materials to get you

started and would be happy to put you in touch with

people that helped her during the planning process.

Those who passed at the September WC WCX tests

are:

Working Certificate Excellent Passes

“Chip” Ch Carlyn’s Neon Moon JH WC WCX

owned/handled by Joyce Carelli

“Walker” Paradigm Walkn the Wild Side CD JH

WC WCX owned/handled by Margaret Fox

“Jamie” Ch Ascot For Your Eyes Only RN WC

WCX owned/handled by Dana Stewart

“Rio” Finesse All Jazzed Up CDX RAE MXP

MJP JH WC owned/handled by Carol Stone

“Ruby” Valentine’s Ruby ‘N The Rough CDX RA

OA NAJ JH WC owned/handled by Linda Miller

“Sassy” K. C.’s Sassafras of Weilerbach UD RAE

AX AXJ WC WCX owned/handled by Carol

Stone

Working Certificate Passes

“Dandy” Locksper Yankee Pudel Dandy owned/

handled by Mary Ann Eustis

“Rico” Glorias-Baywind Answer To Love owned/

handled by Beth Warren

“Andy” Ch Platinum’s the Answer CD owned/


“Y” . CH La Marka Litilann’s Y Not CD RE owned/


“Walker” Paradigm Walkn the Wild Side CD JH WC

WCX owned/handled by Margaret Fox

Page 27.

cont. on page 28


“Rio” Finesse All Jazzed Up CDX RAE MXP MJP JH WC owned/handled by Carol Stone

“Sassy” K. C.’s Sassafras of Weilerbach UD RAE AX AXJ WC WCX owned/handled by Carol Stone

“Chip” Ch Carlyn’s Neon Moon JH WC WCX owned/handled by Joyce Carelli

“Ruby” Valentine’s Ruby ‘N The Rough CDX RA OA NAJ JH WC owned/handled by Linda Miller

“Dash” Valentine’s Splash ‘N Dash owned and handled by Linda Miller

“MC” Tudorose McCheers NA NAJ WC owned/handled by Mary Ruth Calhoun

“Cooper” Southern Standards Red Calhoun handled/owned by Rich Louter and Angela Louter

“Rye” Ballad’s Catch Her In The Rye owned/handled by Jan Gray

“Murphy” Moonstone’s Island Boy owned/handled by Susan Parsons

“Drew” Platinum Once In A Blue Moon CGC owned/handled by Carol Hamblin

“Dunbar” Dunbar’s Trust-N-Justice owned/handled by Jenni Lough

“Ghillie” Tudorose Dreamcatcher Daventry CDX owned/handled by Jean Bedenbaugh

2008 -- 2009 Grooming Space Reservation GuidelinesTo benefit The Poodle Club of America, the first twenty grooming spaces for 2009 will be auctioned to thehighest bidder Wednesday, April 23, 2008. The auction will take place immediately prior to the Parade of Cham-pions. Spaces 1 thru 20 will be auctioned to the highest bidder; each space will be auctioned separately. Spacesare approximately 8' by 10'.

For 2008, all setup requests for number reservations must be mailed to Margaret Tauzin,1507-G KalisteSaloom Rd.,Lafayette, LA 70508 by March 22, 2008. Reservations will only be accepted through US Mail.Reservations delivered by courier, overnight , express mail, or any other form of delivery other than US regularmail will not be accepted. As soon as practical after MARCH 22,2008, ALL requests for set up reservationnumbers will be put in a drawing and names will be selected randomly by the set-up selection committee. Onceall set up requests have been given numbers, all other requests for set up numbers that are received after March22, 2008, will be numbered as they are received. Only one request per exhibitor; any duplicate names will bethrown out! One name per envelope.(Names submitted for set up reservation numbers, must be names of Ex-hibitors and or Agents exhibiting in the show in 2008.) Spaces from number 11 on will be drawn by this processin 2008, in 2009 it will start from number 21 and on.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all at PCA in April.

Page 28cont. from page 27


PCA FoundationPCA FoundationPCA FoundationPCA FoundationPCA FoundationStart the Fall off with a donation to the PCA Foundation. You can contribute to this worthy cause bysimply filling out the form below. The Foundation acknowledges all contributions.

I wish to contribute $ ________________ to the Poodle Club of America Foundation, Inc., in the

name of ______________________________________________________________________.

This contribution is made in memory/ honor of

_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

I wish this contribution to be used for _________________________________________

(Please specify a specific area, i.e. PRA, Hips, SA, vWD, or to the General Fund)

Mail your check to : (note Donations are Tax Deductible)The Poodle Club of America Foundation, inc.208 Crosbytown Rd, Quitman, Ga 31643

P.C.A. Foundation News

OptiGenOptiGen is happy to share the following informa-tion with the PCA for Poodlesbeing tested for PRA the 3rd quarter of 2007 (July1, 2007-September 30,2007):

Total Poodles tested - 309Normal - 204Carrier - 95Affected - 10

Miniature Poodles tested - 153Normal - 107Carrier - 39Affected - 7

Toy Poodles tested - 156Normal - 97Carrier - 56Affected - 3

Countries testing this quarter include US, Canada,Czech Republic, Denmark,Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Russia,Slovenia, South Africa &the UK.

Sincerely,Becky IddingsAdministrative Support Associate

**********************************************OptiGen, LLCCornell Business & Technology Park767 Warren Road, Suite 300Ithaca, NY 14850

phone: 607-257-0301fax: 607-257-0353email: [email protected]: www.optigen.com

Page 29.


Lots going on in Maryland - April 2008Lots going on in Maryland - April 2008Lots going on in Maryland - April 2008Lots going on in Maryland - April 2008Lots going on in Maryland - April 2008Before P.C.A. join us for theBefore P.C.A. join us for theBefore P.C.A. join us for theBefore P.C.A. join us for theBefore P.C.A. join us for the

April 18 - Washington Poodle Club SpecialtyJudge: To be Announced

April 19 - All Breed Old Dominion KC of Northern Va.Judges: Poodles Maxine Beam

Toy Group Michele BillingsNon Sporting Group Jane Kay

BIS Joe GregoryApril 20 - All Breed Baltimore County KC

Judges Poodles : Michele BillingsToy Group: Jane Kay

Non Sporting Group: Betty LeiningerBIS Michele Billings

April 21 - All Breed Catoctin Kennel ClubJudges Poodles:James Reynolds

Toy Group: James ReynoldsNon Sporting Group:Ken Buxton

BIS: Robert Hall

All Shows are judged indoorsAll Shows are judged indoorsAll Shows are judged indoorsAll Shows are judged indoorsAll Shows are judged indoorsMaryland State FairgroundsMaryland State FairgroundsMaryland State FairgroundsMaryland State FairgroundsMaryland State Fairgrounds

2200 York Road2200 York Road2200 York Road2200 York Road2200 York RoadTimonium, MDTimonium, MDTimonium, MDTimonium, MDTimonium, MD

Electrical Available for a feeElectrical Available for a feeElectrical Available for a feeElectrical Available for a feeElectrical Available for a feeMotorhome parking available for a feeMotorhome parking available for a feeMotorhome parking available for a feeMotorhome parking available for a feeMotorhome parking available for a fee

with limited electrical hook ups.with limited electrical hook ups.with limited electrical hook ups.with limited electrical hook ups.with limited electrical hook ups.

then its on to the 76th National in Salisbury , Md.then its on to the 76th National in Salisbury , Md.then its on to the 76th National in Salisbury , Md.then its on to the 76th National in Salisbury , Md.then its on to the 76th National in Salisbury , Md.

Saturday April 19 & Sunday April 20: Retriever TrialsSunday April 20: WC/WCX

WC/WCX Medallion Awards DinnerMonday April 21: Agility(INDOORS ON TURF)

Tuesday April 22: Obedience & Rally(INDOORS ON TURF)

Wednesday April 23 : All DogsJr. Showmanship

Thursday April 24 : All BitchesVeterans Sweepstakes

Friday April 25 : Intervariety

General Meeting & Dinner

Page 30.


I want to tell you about Celie, my black Standard bitch

who died in late September, three days shy of her fifth

birthday, due to a congenital brain defect called

polymicrogyria. I want you to know a bit about her,

her struggles, and this disease, which is showing up

more frequently in Poodles (both Standards and Minis).

My hope is that everyone—especially Poodle breeders

who have had a blind puppy in a litter—will support a

new research study at University of Missouri aimed at

finding the genetic marker for this disease.

Celie was born blind; a rescue dog that I adopted at 10

weeks. I learned that her eyes were normal, and the

blindness was “something neurological,” which I as-

sumed meant some small disconnect in the sight wir-

ing. I was told a neurologist had been consulted, but

no one could explain why she was blind.

From the beginning, she was an odd mixture of behav-

iors: smart in many ways, yet sometimes unable to put

things together. The night she arrived, I watched her

run out in the snowy yard, and every time she was

headed for a tree or fencepost, I instinctively yelled

“Watch!” and she changed her course. I thought she

was amazing. I named her Celie after the character in

The Color Purple, because I hoped she would be strong

and able to overcome adversity.

She was full of energy, bold, and fearless. When she

smacked into obstacles with her head, she never cried,

just shook her head and kept going. Her bravery

touched me. I cut down all the low-hanging branches

of trees and shrubs in my yard, put carpet squares at

the tops and bottoms of all stairs, and put orange oil on

the corners of walls to help her learn the path through

the house. I realized quickly that she was not com-

pletely blind. She seemed to see shapes, and could fol-

low my other dogs unerringly in a chase. I sometimes

saw her avoid obstacles in her path that she had never

encountered before.

She seemed to see better in bright light. She would sit

in front of the glass storm door and look out into the

bright sunlight, as though she were watching the trees

or the sky. I wondered if maybe her eyes were seeing,

but her brain could not organize the picture. Right in

front of her face, she apparently saw nothing.

Apart from her vision, Celie was physically perfect,

and exquisitely beautiful, from her perfect mouth to

her perfect tail set. Her hair was jet black and silky;

she could easily have been a show dog in terms of con-

formation, coat, and movement—except that she car-

ried her head tucked, like a horse doing dressage. She

had the typical Poodle high energy and playfulness, and

always carried her tail up.

Only one of my other dogs tolerated her in the begin-

ning; Celie stood in the yard, head cocked, listening

for him or for me (the other dogs snarled at her any

time she stumbled on them). She adored jumping on

the friendly one, biting him on the back, and chewing

his collar off. She loved playing tug and “reverse fetch”

(I helped her find the tennis ball and then chased her

around). She also loved running around in circles in

the yard, and whenever I would come outside, leaping

on my legs, nibbling on my knees, and hanging onto

my jeans with her teeth. I had holes in both legs of all

my jeans; she used them to get a better grip on the hu-

man tug toy that was me.

She learned to go up and down stairs by herself during

the first two weeks. Going down was particularly chal-

lenging: I was asking her to step out on the air on faith.

However, many tries with a harness, one step at a time

(as well as a plate of hot chicken) helped her learn this

skill. The night she went down the stairs by herself

(partly on her belly), awkward but determined, I felt

like Annie Sullivan at the water pump, in “The Miracle

Worker,” as Helen Keller first understood words.

Helen Keller was actually an apt analogy (picture that

scene in the dining room with Helen crashing into

people, grabbing food off plates, and throwing it

around). As I watched Celie careening around the yard,

barking wildly and grabbing onto things with her teeth,

I began to think of Helen before she had language; I

also thought of autistic children.

Celie had to learn that food she dropped was some-

where on the floor or ground near her, and had not fallen

into some abyss. She could not find the tennis ball that

was inches away from her, and never seemed to feel or

perceive the ball when it was at her back feet. She had

to be shown where her food dish was. I assumed her

sense of smell was poor, too. And then I saw that she

Celie

PolymicrogyriaBy Curtisy Briggs

Page 31.

cont. on page 32


knew before my other dogs when a new per-

son was in the house: she came flying in from

the yard, clambering up the stairs to the front

door, nostrils flaring.

Although as a baby she had much cuddling

and holding (I held her in my lap and sang to

her throughout her first few months, chang-

ing the lyrics so the songs were about her),

you could not, in the beginning, grab her

around the midsection in a playful hug—do-

ing so made her rear up with a sudden loud,

explosive bark as she whirled away from you.

Being groomed elicited a similar reaction, al-

though she eventually became completely

comfortable with this, as she did with full-

body hugs and kisses. Feeding her anything

from your hand meant risking getting bitten,

and hard, as she lunged at the food, unable to

perceive where it stopped and the human hand

began. She did learn bite inhibition eventu-

ally, but it was a lesson she would lose some-

times when she became excited.

She became sure-footed around the house,

except during a stressful or excited moment,

when she would lose her way and bump into

things she previously avoided. She became

extremely reactive to sounds, and gave that

explosive bark whenever there was a new one

she didn’t recognize (nail clippers being used, wire

hangers in the closet, the espresso machine, a motor-

cycle out on the street). When a song came on unex-

pectedly from an unknown source, she barked and

circled. I instinctively began to sing along in the same

key, and she quieted immediately. I thought she was

brilliant.

As she grew, her excitement level in the yard increased.

Originally I thought her running in circles was an ori-

enting device, something a blind dog would do to feel

where she was in space. But I began to see that there

was a pressured urgency to her running circles, as

though she were in the grip of something, and not play-

ing or orienting at all. She wouldn’t come in the house

and would keep circling, sometimes barking wildly,

scattering wood chips and grass and waking up neigh-

bors. Getting her in became a daily battle of wills.

Treats did not work, nor did corrections or distractions

like a shaker can.

We worked for several hours each week with an expert

behaviorist and trainer. Celie also stayed with him twice

for two weeks at a time. When she returned, she was

much calmer, but that calmness did not last long once

she was back at home among three other dogs. But

Celie learned how to walk straight on a leash (rather

than crisscrossing my path), how to “place” at my side,

how to sit and lie down, and eventually, how to jump

on and off my bed and in and out of the car. Some les-

sons were not only hard for her, but painful to watch.

When she attempted a new behavior like jumping, she

would hurl herself into it frantically, rather than slow-

ing down to figure it out (this meant bumping and scrap-

ing her knees, and sometimes, flying straight out of the

back of my station wagon, as she had no sense of

heights). She launched herself at everything, and never

quite lost her awkwardness on the stairs, or her talent

for tripping people.

cont. from page 31

Page 32

cont. on page 33


Taking her to strange places like the vet’s office was an

ordeal for both of us. She was also distressed by slip-

pery floors or other new surfaces under her feet. As

she became stressed, I noticed she would smack her

lips a bit and shake her head. I saw her do this riding in

the car, even when she was just a few months old. I

figured it was the way she expressed nervousness.

Celie’s spirit and beauty charmed everyone, although

her exuberance was always a bit over the top. What

Celie wanted most was to play her tug-of-war or re-

verse fetch games. But eventually, these games had to

be stopped altogether, because play aroused Celie to

the point where she could not think, had no impulse

control, and no sense about stopping. I began to think

of these as her “fugue states.” She would run in faster

and faster circles, even in 90-degree heat, and the more

she ran, the more pressured her running seemed. Once

she came back into the house panting so hard that I

thought her heart would explode. I bundled her in ice

wraps to help her calm down and cool off. In her “fugue

states,” she slammed into obstacles that she knew how

to avoid otherwise—as well as people in her path. When

she was calmer, she avoided everything.

As Celie grew out of puppyhood, it became clear that

she had a special, spiritual quality unlike any dog I

had ever known. A kind of sweet, angelic spirit that

she exhibited, whenever she was calm. She was affec-

tionate and tender, and she craved closeness. When I

lay down on the living room floor, she lay down be-

hind me and draped her front paws and muzzle over

my neck. She would come and rub her face all over

me, like a cat, or lean into my legs wherever I was stand-

ing. Once it was safe for her to share the bed without

falling off, she would sleep with her muzzle in the hol-

low of my throat, or sometimes, laid gently on my

cheek. She wanted to be touching, all the time (the

exact opposite of what she wanted in the yard, which

was not to be caught or intercepted). When she heard

me go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, she

would stagger in, half asleep, and sit in front of me to

be hugged and kissed. After she came home from emer-

gency surgery, she put her muzzle in my hands and let

out a long sigh, relaxing her whole body down onto the

floor, as if she were saying, you are my safe place, and

I am home. I was pretty sure that no human deserved

this level of trust.

It was a trust she never lost, in spite of our battles in the

yard and my attempts to get her to calm down there.

My struggles to control her arousal level and yard be-

havior took me down to my last nerve, and sometimes

I got so frustrated I yelled or dragged her back into the

house (after tackling and catching her). Corrections

and time-outs never fazed her, although closing the back

door and leaving her outside for several minutes when

she refused to come in eventually did work (usually

after about the tenth time).

Apart from wrestling sometimes with my two male

dogs, she could not be part of the pack, but remained

separate. In the house, she began to spend most of her

time upstairs in my bedroom, next to my bed. But any

time I returned home, she was there at the door with

the other dogs—sometimes ahead of them. When I

came into the living room where the other dogs lay

sprawled out, she was often sitting at the top of the

stairs, with her back legs turned out, frog-like, on one

step, front legs planted one step below, head down and

ears cocked, listening. She reminded me of a girl on

the sidelines at the dance, looking down into her lap,

waiting and wanting to be asked to dance. Her vulner-

ability, along with her sweetness, touched me and ev-

eryone who knew her.

Our days were punctuated by the ups and downs of

Celie: sweet, affectionate, and tactile in the house, and

a wild banshee in the yard. When she went out the

back door, she would always turn back and wait, tail

wagging, to see if I was coming out. It was clear that

she wanted me to come out and play with her (and the

other dogs didn’t play with her much anymore). It was

also clear that the idea of play with me set her off: the

moment I stepped out, she was like a tight spring re-

leased, spinning off into a place where I couldn’t reach

her, physically or mentally. I tried putting her on a

leash and doing training exercises, but the minute I re-

leased her, off she spun again. Eventually I gave up

and decided I simply would not walk out into the yard

when she was out there, or else I would take her out on

a leash.

Once in a while I wondered if she would do better with

a quiet, retired lady who had no other dogs and no dead-

lines to meet, and who would adore having such an

affectionate dog to sit by her as she knit in the eve-

nings. But then I thought of the little old lady with her

kneecaps broken. Celie was not placeable. There were

some days I resented this and simply wished she would

go away. I felt that Celie and I were both imprisoned


cont. on page 34


by her compulsive behavior. I was tired of it, and I

wanted out. But then, inside the house, she would come

and rest her head on my knee or my shoulder, or rub

against my legs, sigh, and then slip down onto the floor

next to me, totally relaxed. And I would feel the sharp

tug in my chest: she was part of me, and that was that.

She bloated a month before her fourth birthday. The

biggest clue (after she retched once and nothing came

up) was that she walked out of the house with me and

stood there perfectly calmly. Then I knew that some-

thing was terribly wrong.

My vet offered me the option of putting Celie down. I

thought what a relief it would be not to have to deal

any more with her hyper-arousal or her bursting through

doors or running in dog dirt, or barreling into me all

the time. But then I pictured her bravely trundling up

the stairs, shoulder against the wall to feel her way, or

coming in to find me in the bathroom in the night, or

sitting listening at the top of the stairs. She deserved

better.

After the surgery, I asked the vet to give her something

to calm her down. He prescribed Clomipramine, which,

miraculously, took the edge off her behavior a bit. She

was even calmer in the house, and less reactive gener-

ally. It seemed she could listen a bit when outside

(though she still circled all the time) and she stopped

trying to irritate my 14-year-old bitch. She spent more

time up in my bedroom.

But after almost a year on Clomipramine, the drug

seemed to be losing its effect. Celie seemed more

stressed, and I saw her smack her lips and shake her

head more often—I kept getting up to see if she had

something in the back of her teeth. The manic circling

in the yard, and the crazy figure-eights she spun around

me when I walked out, were getting worse again.

One day I walked out into the yard to clean up, and she

lunged forward and bit me, hard, on the leg. I could

feel the puncture go through my jeans and into my flesh,

and sure enough, there was a small hole, and blood run-

ning down my leg. I yelled, grabbed her, shook her,

and dragged her into the house, giving her stern ad-

monishments along the way. In spite of the force of

the bite and the fact that it was unprovoked, I knew

that it was somehow an attempt to play, to engage with

me, rather than an aggressive act. I understood this

about Celie, and the fact that her greatest desire was to

play with me, but I had to avoid play to keep her calm.

We returned to clicker training, which seemed to have

some good effect. She was more willing to come in

the house when called and sat, head down and ears

cocked, to get her treat. But she was poking or nib-

bling on my knees when I walked downstairs to let her

out, playful again in the way she had been as a puppy.

She bit or nipped me several more times out in the

yard—not hard enough to break the skin, but hard

enough to bruise. In one of her spinning circles, she

ran over to bark and give me a quick bite above the

knee, and as I yelled, she spun out and slammed into

one of my friends, almost knocking her over. Once I

turned around to find her a few yards away, hunched

over and about to spring toward me, and for the first

time in my life, for a split-second, I was afraid of my

own dog.

Through a friend in Poodle Rescue, I learned that Dr.

Gustavo Aguirre, the renowned ophthalmologist from

University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital, was

coming to a Poodle Clinic in New Jersey. My friend

told me that he had written an article on neurological

blindness in Standard Poodles and I should come up.

Dr. Aguirre examined Celie’s eyes and said that the

problem with her vision was a genetic defect in her

brain called polymicrogyria.

I raced home to search medical sites for information

on polymicrogyria. I learned it was a “defect of neu-

ronal migration” in the developing brain that caused

multiple, small, irregular folds on the surface of the

brain, instead of the smooth, large folds that are found

in normal brains. It was a disease that occurred in hu-

man infants, as well. In humans, there were different

kinds of polymicrogyria, and it was usually associated

with mental retardation. I told Aguirre that Celie was

not retarded—she was very smart in a lot of ways—

she just had this problem with arousal states in which

she lost her impulse control and couldn’t think. He

said that mental retardation presented differently in dogs

than it did in humans. He described the Standard

Poodles they had studied previously who were born

with this condition, but most of them had gait abnor-

malities and epilepsy, as well as blindness. They had

all been euthanized before they were a year old, and

Celie was almost five. I couldn’t believe she had the

same problem.


cont. on page 35


I continued to do more research, finding that some

autistics, including high-functioning ones with

Asperger’s, had polymicrogyria. Maybe it was the same

with dogs, in terms of the ability to function well and

have normal intelligence. I knew Celie could not be

retarded—she just had a couple of loose screws. At

the same time, the idea that she was a canine version of

an autistic seemed more credible.

I took her for a neurology consult at Penn—maybe there

was a new, calming medicine we could try. Dr. Carrie

Jurney, the neurologist, watched Celie circling around,

smacking her lips, and shaking her head, and told me

she was having ‘partial complex seizures.’ I was dumb-

founded: although I had taken care of a dog with epi-

lepsy, I did not know about this kind of seizure, which

also occurs in people, including people with

polymicrogyria. I decided to have an MRI.

The MRI confirmed the polymicrogyria. The images

showed Celie’s “multiple small disorganized gyri,” but

no enlarged ventricles or hydrocephalus (which some

of the previously studied dogs had).

I learned that Clomipramine lowers the seizure thresh-

old, so she needed to be tapered off that. As she was

tapering off, she still seemed to be having seizures. As

I watched her out in the yard, so much now made sense.

If what I had called her fugue states were really sei-

zures, she really was not quite “here” at all when ex-

cited or stressed. It explained why she could not change

her behavior, and why, sometimes when I called her in

and came out to get her, she seemed to be lost, and I

had to show her the way back into the house. I won-

dered what Celie really did perceive, and how much

she knew about where she was and what was going on

around her. I wondered how frightening it was to be in

and out of these seizures. Most of all, I thought how

hard Celie had to have worked to cope in the world

around her.

I was sick at the thought that, had I known about this

diagnosis earlier, maybe I could have done more to help

her. Had I had the MRI and neurology consult at Penn

much earlier, I would have found out about the sei-

zures, and maybe they would have been treatable then.

But that was speculation.

Dr. Jurney informed me that researchers knew of no

other dog, apart from Celie, who had lived this long or

been as functional for so long with this disease. They

wanted her test results to be included in the new study

at University of Missouri, led by renowned neurolo-

gist Dennis O’Brien, to find the genetic marker in

Poodles.

The study was welcome news, but Celie’s condition

was not. Celie had now tapered down and was com-

pletely off Clomipramine for three days before the next

tests. During these three days, she was wilder, and now

spun around inside the house, too.

Dr. Jurney reminded me that seizures caused brain dam-

age, and told me it was unlikely they would get the

kind that Celie had under control with medicine. I could

not bear the thought of putting Celie down, and yet

that seemed to be the inescapable conclusion from all

that we knew. I thought of a favorite quote, from dog

trainer Suzanne Clothier: “We are accountable for what

we know.” I knew that Celie had to be suffering in

some ways I could not even fathom, and that my other

dogs had also paid a price for her living among us. I

knew that there was no hope for her to get better. What

I did not know was how I would survive, not only los-

ing her, but understanding how hard her life had been.

I was holding her head in my hands when she died. In

her last breaths, I heard a softer version of her familiar

sigh. I was pretty sure the message was the same one I

had heard before: you are my safe place, and I am

home.

"Curtisy Briggs is a writer who lives with several

Standard Poodles in Pennsylvania.

[email protected]"

Donations for research on polymicrogyria

in Poodles may be given directly to Uni-

versity of Missouri (please indicate that the

donation is for the Neurology Support

Fund), c/o Dr. Dennis O’Brien, VMD, Ph.D,

at College of Veterinary Medicine, Univer-

sity of Missouri,900 East Campus Drive,

Columbia MO 65211. They may also be

given to the PCA foundation, which will be

supporting this research. In either case,

they should be designated as donations to

support polymicrogyria research.


cont. on page 36


Polymicrogyria (Blind

Puppy Syndrome)

By Dennis O’Brien, VMD, Ph.D

In 1995, Dr. Tom vanWinkle and his colleagues

reported a new hereditary disease in standard poodles,

polymicrogyria. The normal surface of the brain con-

sists of a series of folds called gyri which gives it the

wrinkly appearance that everyone recognizes as a brain.

The term gyri is derived from the same original Greek

word that gave us gyrate and gyroscope. In

polymicrogyria, the normal folding of the brain during

development is disrupted. Instead of forming the nor-

mal, large folds, the surface of the brain becomes folded

into many (poly-) small (-micro-) folds (-gyria). The

normal fluid filled spaces in the brain may also be en-

larged by this malformation producing the appearance

of hydrocephalus. During the formation of the folds in

a normal dog’s brain, the connections between differ-

ent layers and areas of the brain are also formed, and in

polymicrogyria these connections are also disrupted.

Thus the affected areas both look and function abnor-

mally.

The brain is not affected evenly in

polymicrogyria. The frontal lobes, the area at the front

of the brain, appear to be spared in polymicrogyria.

The frontal lobes are primarily involved in controlling

movement and some higher brain functions. The back

of the brain, the occipital lobes, are primarily involved

in vision and are the most severely affected in the dis-

ease. Thus the most obvious sign is typically problems

with vision. The mechanics of vision still function.

The pupils will constrict and the affected pup will squint

and turn away from a bright light. However, the abil-

ity of the dog to understand and respond appropriately

to what his eye is telling his brain will be as disrupted

as the surface appears. Thus while they may appear to

have some vision, it will not be normal. The area be-

low the occipital lobe is the temporal lobe. The tempo-

ral lobe is involved in emotional responses and may

also be affected in polymicrogyria. Thus some affected

dogs have personality issues. They may resist being

touched and could lash out aggressively. This type of

malformation in the temporal lobe in children is also

frequently associated with intractable seizures and some

dogs with polymicrogyria have seizures when they get

older. While polymicrogyria does not appear to be a

fatal condition, affected pups typically have a poor

quality of life, thus most are euthanized when the signs

are recognized.

Polymicrogyria differs from neonatal encepha-

lopathy, another neonatal disease we recently described

in Standard Poodle, though both produce signs in very

young dogs (neonates). Pups with neonatal encephal-

opathy are abnormal from birth. Pups with

polymicrogyria may appear normal until they reach the

age when they begin more actively exploring their en-

vironment and their vision problems become apparent.

Pups with neonatal encephalopathy develop severe sei-

zures and die before weaning, whereas pups with

polymicrogyria can live to be adults and seizures are

not a consistent problem.

Because polymicrogyria is an early-onset dis-

ease, the prospects for finding the gene responsible are

good.

Poodles in AmericaPast Errors?If there are errors in Poodles In Americathat you wish to correct please send themto me by email if at all possible and we willtry to correct them. I have no one to helpopen mail and answer letters so email isreally easier. As I have said before this is avolunteer project and there will be mistakes,but we will try to akjnowledge them in thenext volume.

If you wish to help we can use proof read-ers. It is a monumental task.

Editor, Poodles In Americaoklapoodle@sbcglobal6147 S. Victor Ave.Tulsa, OK 74136

Page 36


Poodle Epilepsy Project

Announcements

Barbara G. Licht, Ph.D., Linda L. Hyson, B.A., and

Kathleen M. Harper, DVM, Ph.D.We are pleased to announce that we have joined the Ca-

nine Epilepsy Network at the University of Missouri.

The lead geneticist is Gary Johnson, DVM, Ph.D., and

the neurologist is Dennis O’Brien, DVM, Ph.D. This

group is highly committed to finding the genes that cause

idiopathic epilepsy in all varieties of Poodles, as well as

all other breeds. Drs. Johnson and O’Brien were the ones

that discovered the gene and developed the test for Neo-

natal Encephalopathy in Standard Poodles. Although it

is not possible to predict how long it will take to dis-

cover the epilepsy gene (or genes) in Poodles, we know

that with this new collaboration, progress toward our

goal will move forward at a much faster pace.

As always, we depend on the cooperation of Poodle own-

ers, and particularly Poodle breeders, to provide us with

information on Poodles with seizures (even very mild

or infrequent seizures). As always, all data we collect is

kept confidential. The only change in procedures is that

blood samples will be shipped to the University of Mis-

souri instead of to UCLA. If you have not done so al-

ready, please contact us (see contact information below)

about Poodles with seizures, and we will provide fur-

ther instructions. If you have already talked with us about

your Poodle’s seizures, but have not yet provided any

blood samples, please contact us.

As always, Barbara Licht will be available to provide

guidance with respect to your Poodle’s seizures. How-

ever, for general background on the diagnosis and treat-

ment of epilepsy, we encourage you to see the Canine

Epilepsy Network website for excellent information. Go

to www.canine-epilepsy.net and click on Canine Epi-

lepsy Basics. You may also wish to check out their mod-

erated Canine Epilepsy Forum.

We also are very pleased to announce that some of our

research will be published in the peer-reviewed scien-

tific journal, the Journal of the American Veterinary

Medical Association (JAVMA). This article, which will

appear within the next couple of months, demonstrates

that the mode of inheritance for idiopathic epilepsy in a

large family of Standard Poodles is simple autosomal

recessive. This means that for a Poodle to inherit epi-

lepsy, both the sire and dam must be carrying the mu-

tation. We are continuing our work on affected blood-

lines to determine if the same mode of inheritance is

found in other bloodlines as well. Our preliminary work

suggests that it is, although there may be additional

genes that play a role as well.

We know that many of you have participated in the UC

Davis study on epilepsy in Poodles. It is to the benefit

of Poodles that there are two research groups actively

working to find the epilepsy genes in the breed. We

hope that even if you have provided data for the UC

Davis study, you also will provide data for our research.

The more DNA samples from Poodles that we receive

(from both affected dogs and their non-affected rela-

tives), the more likely we are to reach our goal of find-

ing the epilepsy genes and developing a test for breed-

ers. Please help us reach our goal!

Barbara G. Licht, Ph.D.Florida State University

[email protected]

Department of Psychology (East)

(850) 644-6272

145 Convocation Way

PO Box 3061270

Tallahassee FL 32306-1270

Looking forinformation!

Two Bronze SculpturesMr. J. Sherman Hoyt, son of Mrs. HayesBlake Hoyt, is looking for the two bronzesculptures which once graced thegateposts of Blakeen Kennels inStamford,CT. They are finished in a lightgreen patina and were likenesses of ChBlakeen Jung Frau and Ch. BlakeenEiger. Anyone with information shouldcontact him at 908-391-5378.

Page 37


POODLES IN AMERICA VOLUME XI

DOGS WHO HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE AKC AS HAVING FINISHED THEIR AMERICAN CHAM-PIONSHIPS FROM JANUARY, 2004 THRU DECEMBER 2007 WILL BE INCLUDED IN VOLUME XI.

THOSE DOGS FINISHING BETWEEN THOSE DATES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE TOP PRODUC-ING TOTALS OF THEIR SIRES AND DAMS.

KENNEL PRESENTATIONS MUST BE AS BEFORE, NO MORE THAN 2 PHOTOS PER PAGE WITH A LIMITOF 3 LINES OF COPY PER PHOTO. THE COPY MAY BE EDITED BY THE PIA EDITORS. REMEMBERTHESE ARE NOT ADS, BUT RATHER PRESENTATIONS OF THE RESULTS OF YOUR HARD WORK.

THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE $275.00 PER PAGE IF SUBMITTED BY MARCH 15, 2008 OR $300.00PER PAGE IF SUBMITTED AFTER MARCH 15 AND BY APRIL 15, 2009. WE OFFER A 10% DISCOUNTFOR THOSE USING 2 OR MORE PAGES SUBMITTED BY THE MARCH 15 CUTOFF.

WE CAN TAKE MONEY ORDERS, CASHIER CHECKS, VISA OR MASTERCARD. OUR CANADIANFRIENDS MUST REMEMBER TO SEND THEIR PAYMENTS IN U S FUNDS.

NB: IN THE PRESENTATIONS WE WILL ACCEPT ONLY 1ST GENERATION PHOTOGRAPHS, DO NOTSEND COPIES OR TRY TO EMAIL PHOTOS. THE PHOTOS DO NOT REPRODUCE WITH SUPERIOR CLAR-ITY IN THE BOOK IF THEY ARE NOT 1ST GENERATION QUALITY.

TOP PRODUCERSDOGS MADE ELIGIIBLE FOR TOP PRODUCER STATUS FROM GET FINISHED BETWEEN JANUARY,2004 AND DECEMBER, 2007 HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO A PHOTOGRAPH IN THE HONOR ROLLSECTION OF VOLUME XI FOR A COST OF $10.00.

PLEASE SEND A 2X2 PHOTO IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE. THE PHOTO MUST BE PRINTER READYAT 2X2 OR WE CAN NOT USE IT . DEADLINE FOR THESE PHOTOS IS APRIL 15.

THIS IS FOR POODLES WHO HAVE REACHED TOP PRODUCER STATUS BETWEEN JANUARY 2004AND DECEMBER 2007.TO QUALIFY

STANDARD MALES WHO HAVE SIRED 10 OR MORE AKC CHAMPIONSMINIATURE MALES WHO HAVE SIRED 8 OR MORE AKC CHAMPIONSTOY MALES WHO HAVE SIRED 5 OR MORE AKC CHAMPIONS

STANDARD BITCHES WHO HAVE PRODUCED 5 OR MORE AKC CHAMPIONSMINIATURE BITCHES WHO HAVE PRODUCED 4 OR MORE AKC CHAMPIONSTOY BITCHES WHO HAVE PRODUCED 3 OR MORE CHAMPIONS

SEND ALL PHOTOS WITH DOG IDENTIFIED ON BACK OF PICTURE TO:BETSEY LEEDYPOODLES IN AMERICA6147 S. VICTORTULSA, OK 74136PHONE: 918 712 8622E-MAIL: [email protected]

Page 38.


From Madeline Patterson & Johnny Shoemaker

A letter from a potentialadopterOk, so I've been looking for dogs and cats for a whilenow, and already have adopted a cat from the BerkeleyE.B. Humane Society. I was originally going to adopt adog, but found myself in a ratherfrustrating experience.

The problem is that the shelters, and these local "Non-Profit RescueGroups" are charging crazy amounts forthe adoptions of dogs.

The ASPCA/PETA animal shelter in Oakland, the costfor a dog, adult is $225.00. This is the PETA people,the ones who are really supposed to be out there tryingthe hardest for dogs.

Never in my life, in any other part of the United States(and I've been far and wide over this country) have Iseen something so outlandish as this. The most I haveever seen a dog up for adoption through a shelter orsociety is $75.00 (and thats for a puppy). Adult dogsare usually less that that even. And they are all spayed,microchipped, vaccinated, etc. So I don't think that is avery viable excuse. Besides that, they usually have vetson staff so it's even cheaper for these things to be done.Plus, they have state funding.

You call yourself animal caregivers? You are perpetu-ating the risk of euthanasia, what you are all complain-ing about all the time. I see people on here that adoptthe dogs and then try to re-home them themselves foras little as $20.00! So these individuals know how toget dogs adopted, why can't the organizations providethe skills to do so in an efficient manner? And what'sworse is that you would turn away hundreds of dogsbecause there isn't any space left, or you put them tosleep which costs more then handing over a leash tosomebody with an open hand.

Just because someone doesn't want to pay $225-250,$300 for a dog does not mean that they cannot care forit and provide it with love and attention, be it love ormedical. If the shelters are overflowing, then have a$20.00 "sale" on dogs. They came to you free of charge,you did some work, and now they are almost $300?You people are crazy.

Wake up and see that the love of animals is not yourway to make $1,000,000.00. Maybe you got in wayover your head? Solutions are easy, money grubbing isselfish. Make the decision for the lives of the animals.Not your pocketbooks.

Dear Potential Dog Adopter.

You say you are having a frustrating experience adopt-ing a dog. But you don't say why you have not justgone to your local shelter or SPCA and adopted one ofthe thousands of dogs who will end up being euthanizedeach year. City run shelters charge anywhere from $75-$125 for a dog. My guess is that you don't enjoy thatdepressing trip through the shelter looking at all thefaces begging you to get them out of there, knowingyou are only going to be able to take one. And youprobably don't want to bring a filthy, potentially dis-eased dog into your life with no knowledge as to tem-perament except what you might be able to assess withinthe barking chaos of most shelters. That's why youhave been looking into the private non-profit rescuegroups.

I am one of those. And I for one charge the "outland-ish" prices you mention because I want to make surethat the poodles I adopt out go to people who haveenough money to pay for the $40-$100 monthly groom-ing and have the money to spend should a real veteri-nary issue come up. Unfortunately to many people,the value they place on their possessions is directly re-lated to what they have invested in them. If I were tohand over the leash to just anyone with $20 and an openhand, as you suggest I would undoubtedly see many ofthose dogs right back in the shelter again. But beyondall that, the single biggest reason to charge at least $300for a rescue, is that I want my rescue dogs to cost theperson more than they could get if they happen to bebuying dogs to resell for medical research, and morethan they would have to pay for a dog at the shelter incase they're buying little dogs to use to train their pitbulls how to kill.

You obviously don't know what it takes to care for adog in rescue. Here are a few things to consider:

Most rescues come in deplorable condition--filthy,matted, fleas, ticks, ear infections, rotten teeth, fox tailabscesses, skin sores, kennel cough, intestinal parasitesand if you're lucky they don't have Parvo or Distemper.

Page 39

cont. on page 40


Many of these things require lab costs to diagnose andveterinary products to treat. They require intensivegrooming---often it's the first time in their lives andthat requires a caring gentle professional with lots ofexperience and lots of time.

Most rescues aren't brought to your door. They requirethat awful trip to the shelter or other horrible place andthat takes driving time and of course gas for the car.

The time it takes to care for a healthy dog is one thing,but when you're giving medications and treating infec-tions, often two or three different medications severaltimes each day, it can be pretty time consuming.

That's beyond the regular feeding, cleaning and caretime. The money that is left over (when there is some)goes into the "kitty" to be used for the dogs with bro-ken bones, tumors, fight wounds, hit-by-car dogs, andto repair knees and hips on the backyard bred or puppymill dogs which make up the largest percentage of thepoodles we rescue. Then there was that poodle we gotfrom a shelter in Mexico whose head had been cut al-most off with a Machete. She required eleven surger-ies and months of intensive aftercare to make her wholeand adoptable. Anyone who thinks I'm making this upis free to Email me privately and ask for photos ofFrankie. Named that because she looked like Franken-stein for months! But I digress....

Then we have the hours downloading and studyingadoption applications to try and match the right dog tothe perfect people. Some dogs can't go to homes withkids, some not with other dogs, some without cats.Hours spent on the phone screening prospective adopt-ers. You can only imagine the phone bills as the peopleask you every question under the sun that you've al-ready heard and answered one thousand times. Theywant to tell you about their last dog that they recentlylost and are trying to "replace." Then you have to nicelyturn down the people who work 10 hours each day andwant a well trained, housebroken dog (nothing over ayear please) that will behave perfectly and wait patientlywithout accidents, for them to return.

Then the phone calls after they adopt to try to solveproblems of dogs with abandonment issues, separationanxiety, can't seem to be housebroken, destructive be-havior, health problems. What is our time worth?

But in case you think that rescue is just a thankless

drudge, let me say that there is nothing more gratifyingthan to see a dog who couldn't even be touched, beginto trust you and then to look forward to your touch andbecome a dog that can be integrated into someone'shome to begin a whole new life. And when you re-ceive letters signed with the dog's paw print, or Christ-mas cards with the family photo and their new poodlemember proudly included, it makes everything worth-while.

Madeline Patterson

National April 2008Plans are quickly being made to make PCA 2008 ashuge a success as our 75th anniversary show was lastyear. An added bonus this year is that we are 2 month'searlier in the year for the first time so the heat will notbe a factor as we are trying to ship our dogs by plane.So make plans now to join us on Tuesday, April 22nd,2008, at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury MDfor a fun day of obedience and rally featuring poodlesonly. The 2008 judging panel is as follows:

Mr. Kent Delaney-UTILITY B & OPEN AMrs. Nancy Glabicki-OPEN BMr. Jerry Iermiero-ALL RALLY CLASSESMr. John Landis-NOVICE BMrs. Nancy Withers-UTILITY A & NOVICE AWe will also offer the following non-regular classes:

Pre-noviceGrad-noviceGrad-openBraceTeamVersatilityVeterans

We are planning to have our own separate Parade ofTitleholders this year to be held on Tuesday so makeplans to enter that too. And remember to stay for ourdelicious dinner afterwards, where you can enjoy goodfood with friends and the judges and talk about theday's accomplishments.

Susie OsburnObedience & Rally Trial Chairman



PCA welcomes new Members

The following poodlers were voted in as PCAmembers at our Regional in California:

Martha Doerner302 368-2144308 Deerfield Rd.Newark, DE 19713Tomar Miniatures

Linda Miller302 738-454810 Rudolf Ct.Newark DE 19702Valentine Standards

Joanne & Bob Steele513-697-85851867 Cole Farm LaneLoveland, Ohio 45140Banner Standards

Jan Steinhour719 386-3008525 W. Cheyenne Rd.Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Anne Stokes336 855-15144014 Duplin Dr.Greensboro, NC 27407Dreamquest Standards

Pat Forsyth503 621-960119924 NW Gilliham Rd.Portland, OR 97231Sauvie Island Standards

Respectfully,Peggy McDill

An Open Letter ToPoodle Club of America As a long time Toy Poodle breeder I have al-ways felt that we were very fortunate to have a veryclear, concise breed standard to use as a blueprint andthe more breeds that I have become involved in throughowning and judging the more I have appreciated ourPoodle standard for compared to some others ours isan easy read..

Several months ago I became aware of a peti-tion being circulated to increase the size of the ToyPoodle to eleven inches ,This being circulated by abreeder of twenty (?) years. who has finished a num-ber of Toy champions. Since I still show and finishpoodles myself I am well aware that many of the Toysthat finish their Championships today are significantlyover the ten inch limit so I am not sure what this changewould accomplish.. If you have been to England wherethe limit is eleven inches for a Toy Poodle you willsee that many of those dogs are well over that limit andso they have Toys that are considerably larger than ourdogs, also many with more bone weight.

I have bred Toy Poodles since 1963 and havefinished over sixty to their Championships, many ofthem owner handled and have managed to show teninch dogs so I would urge you to consider that many ofus do not want to change our breed standard to make iteasier to finish more poodles, rather I would encour-age breeders to try a bit more to breed to the currentstandard that has worked very well for a very long time

And last I would like you to consider that anoversized eleven inch Toy (should the standard change)would simply be another Miniature! Those of us inany breed who have been involved for decades knowthat breeding a top quality animal within the confinesof any breed standard is never easy THAT IS THECHALLENGE!

Thank you for your time and I do hope thatyou will give this considerable thought should this is-sue require a decision on your part.

Respectfully,Joan P. Scott, Ch. Breed Standard Committee

Page 41


Researchers Begin to

Study Patent Ductus

Arteriosus in Poodles

“Rufus” is a happy, active black Standard Poodle who

enjoys frolicking with his owner. Watching Rufus to-

day it’s hard to believe he was once critically ill. Born

with a congenital heart disease, known as patent duc-

tus arteriosus (PDA), his condition went undiagnosed

until he was 12 months old.

“Rufus was one of a litter of puppies born to my par-

ents’ Standard Poodle, ‘Sophie,’” says Laura Fox-

Clipsham, a graduate student at the Animal Health Trust

in Kentford, United Kingdom. “He seemed to be in

perfect health until the day he collapsed while running

in our garden.”

While Rufus howled in pain, Fox-Clipsham and her

parents bundled him in blankets and rushed him to the

local veterinary hospital, fearing the worst. Veterinar-

ians immediately began conducting a series of tests.

They suspected that Rufus suffered from a heart prob-

lem.

“They couldn’t confirm his diagnosis, so they kept him

under close observation until he could be seen the next

day by a veterinarian who specializes in cardiac condi-

tions,” Fox-Clipsham says.

After a number of tests and scans, it was confirmed

that Rufus had a hole in the heart between the left pul-

monary artery and the aorta that had begun to progress

toward congestive heart failure. Patent ductus arterio-

sus is one of the most common canine congenital heart

defects. It occurs in all three varieties of Poodle, Kees-

honden, Cocker Spaniels, King Charles Cavalier Span-

iels, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Border Collies.

Understanding PDA

PDA is a congenital defect in which the ductus arterio-

sus, a blood vessel that communicates between the aorta

and pulmonary artery in the womb, fails to close after

birth. The purpose of the ductus arteriosis is to allow

blood to bypass the non-functional lungs before birth.

Instead, the heart pumps blood directly to the aorta af-

ter the blood is oxygenated and cleansed by the dam’s

circulatory system. The aorta then directs blood out into

the body.

After birth, the ductus arteriosis should close as pres-

sure changes in the chest when a puppy takes his first

breath. When the ductus arteriosis closes, blood is

pumped from the heart to the pulmonary artery, and

then into the lungs to be oxygenated and pumped back

through the heart to the aorta and sent to the body for

energy. If the ductus arteriosis is still open after birth,

some of the blood is shunted back into the bloodstream

without being oxygenated by the lungs.

As time goes on, the heart and blood vessels can be-

come dilated due to increased blood pressure and even-

tually result in congestive heart failure. Clinical signs

of congestive heart failure include exercise intolerance,

coughing, respiratory distress, lethargy, weakness and

eventual collapse.

PDA can be detected before it progresses to congestive

heart failure, if the veterinarian detects a heart murmur

or swishing sound that results from the turbulence in

the blood flow caused by the shunting of the blood in

the abnormal vessels. Once the murmur is detected, an

echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, will deter-

mine if the source of the turbulence is from patent duc-

tus arteriosis or other heart defect. The majority of PDA-

affected dogs, about 70 percent, are females.

In Rufus’ case, veterinarians recommended immediate

surgery to close the hole in the heart. For the next few

months following surgery, he experienced a slow re-

covery. Medica_tions to decrease high blood pressure

and help the heart function more efficiently and a lim-

ited exercise regimen helped him to eventually bounce

back. Follow-up scans allowed the veterinarian to check

to be sure the hole had been fully closed.

“It was hard to keep such a young, fun-loving dog from

running around, but thankfully after several months,

Rufus regained energy,” Fox-Clipsham says. “He’s now

3 years old, has made a full recovery, and is expected

to live a full life.”

Despite her work as a graduate scientist at the Centre

of Preventative Medicine at the Animal Health Trust,

Fox-Clipsham was surprised to learn that PDA is a

growing health concern among Poodles and other

breeds. Her experiences with Rufus prompted her to

begin researching PDA in Poodles.

Page 42.

cont. on page 43


In Rufus’ litter of eight puppies, only Rufus and his

sister, “Lottie,” were diagnosed with PDA. “I’m work-

ing with my colleague, Cathryn Mellersh, head of ca-

nine genetics at the Animal Health Trust, to study the

genetics behind PDA,” Fox-Clipsham says. “We are

looking at how prevalent the condition is and have be-

gun collecting DNA samples from breeders and own-

ers of Poodles.”

Testing Poodles for PDA

Christine Scruggs, V.M.D., a Water_ford, Conn., vet-

erinarian who breeds Standard Poodles, agrees that PDA

has become an emerging health problem in Poodles. In

a litter of puppies born in 2001 to Scruggs’ sire and

dam, one female puppy was diagnosed with PDA.

“The puppy didn’t have a detectable heart murmur when

she left our house but three weeks later was diagnosed

with a murmur during a routine veterinary visit,”

Scruggs says. “It’s likely that PDA is carried through a

recessive gene, either single or polygenic in nature,

which explains why only certain puppies in a litter are

affected and why it can skip generations before appear-

ing in a bloodline.”

Scruggs has bred Standard Poodles for the past 16 years

and has only had the one case of a puppy born with

PDA. Still, she has seen a number of cases in her vet-

erinary practice and believes breeders should have

echocardiograms performed on sires and dams prior to

breeding. “If an abnormality exists in one parent, there

is a greater chance of it being passed on to the pup-

pies,” she says.

Some breeders have started providing dog owners with

a one-year congenital health guarantee. This ensures

that the breeder stands behind his breeding and helps

to guard against the possibility of puppies developing

PDA or other genetic conditions.

As Fox-Clipsham and Scruggs both discovered with

their Poodles, most puppies with PDA show no early

clinical signs. Generally the first signs are a continu-

ous heart murmur or bounding pulse that is detected

when a veterinarian examines a puppy between 6 to 12

weeks of age during the first round of vaccinations.

Other puppies, such as Rufus, may go undetected until

developing acute heart failure or experiencing difficulty

breathing during exercise.

“The diagnosis of PDA is normally determined by the

characteristic murmur,” says William Herndon, D.V.M.,

DACVIM, a veterinary cardiologist at California Vet

Specialists in San Marcos, Calif. “An echocardiogram

is recommended to both confirm the diagnosis and to

test for concurrent cardiac birth defects. Surgical liga-

tion, or a vascular implant placed through the groin, is

required to correct PDA and should be done as soon as

possible to minimize secondary damage to the heart

and lungs.”

Fortunately, of all the congenital cardiac malformations

in dogs, PDA is the one that is most easily treated. One

option is a thoracotomy, or open chest surgery, to iden-

tify the abnormal vessel. Once the abnormal vessel is

identified, the surgeon can tie a ligature around the ves-

sel and permanently close it. After the vessel is ligated,

the murmur is eliminated and the physiological abnor-

malities associated with the shunt are cured. A tempo-

rary chest tube is used to evacuate air from the thorax

and re-establish negative pressure for the dog’s lungs

to expand normally.

Another option is a “coil procedure.” This involves

feeding a coil through a large vessel that is catheter-

ized with a guide mechanism. Most typically the coil is

guided through the jugular vein down into the heart

and into the patent ductus arteriosis. Once the coil is in

place, it can be manipulated to close the abnormal ves-

sel. Occasion_ally, more than one coil needs to be

placed. This option is not available to every patient, as

the success rate depends on factors such as the size of

the abnormal vessel, the condition of the heart, and the

health and size of the patient. If the procedure is suc-

cessful, it is the least invasive technique for correcting

the defect.

After surgery dogs are treated for pain. If a thoracotomy

is performed, the chest tube is usually removed within

24 hours. After completing surgery at a young age, dogs

generally experience a greater than 90 percent success

rate and go on to lead a long, full life. If PDA is left

untreated, puppies typically don’t live beyond the first

two years.

Practicing Selective Breeding

“Dogs with a congenital heart problem such as PDA

should not be used for breeding,” Herndon advises.

“Both parents and siblings should be screened for PDA

and other diseases before producing puppies.”

cont. from page 42

cont. on page 44


To help breeders improve the health of their breed and

diminish the incidence of genetic disease, Herndon notes

that many board-certified veterinary cardiologists offer

discounted diagnostic services to breeders so they can

rule out potential genetic health problems such as PDA.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of

Veterinary Medicine studied PDA in Poodles and first

published a report in 1971. Recently, a report on non-

Poodle dogs was published. “Morphologic abnormali-

ties were observed in seven of eight dogs with PDA and

essentially were the same as those in dogs known to have

a hereditary form of PDA,” Herndon says. “These find-

ings suggest that sporadic PDA is caused by a genetic

defect in the structure of the ductus arteriosus that is simi-

lar or identical to that in the Poodle.”

The University of Pennsylvania researchers encourage

breeders and owners of dogs with PDA to screen rela-

tives, particularly parents, offspring and siblings, for evi-

dence of PDA. These dogs should not be used for breed-

ing since PDA could potentially be passed on to offspring,

they say.

“It’s a good rule of thumb to breed only dogs that have

been cleared of all congenital heart disease,” Herndon

says.

Meanwhile, research continues at the Animal Health Trust

to learn more about PDA in Poodles and other breeds of

dog. Once more information is available about the ge-

netic mutation that causes PDA, breeders can make more

knowledgeable breeding decisions that potentially will

help to reduce the incidence of PDA in the breed. N

Recognizing Signs of Congestive Heart Failure

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart de-

fect affecting all three varieties of Poodle. The defect

eventually progresses to congestive heart failure, but can

be caught early if a veterinarian detects a heart murmur.

Clinical signs of congestive heart failure include the fol-

lowing. Owners who notice these signs, should take their

dog to the veterinarian immediately.

• Exercise intolerance;

• Coughing;

• Respiratory distress;

• Lethargy;

• Weakness; and

• Eventual collapse.

Poodle Owners Can Contribute to PDA Research

Better health screening methods plus more knowledge

about canine heart conditions have helped to increase

understanding about patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a

congenital heart condition that affects all varieties of

Poodle.

Researchers at the Animal Health Trust in Kentford,

United Kingdom, aim to learn more about the preva-

lence of PDA in the breed and the mode of inheritance.

To advance the research, owners and breeders of

Poodles are encouraged to submit DNA samples in the

form of buccal cheek swabs from affected dogs and

their relatives. For information, please contact:

Laura Fox-Clipsham, B.Sc.

Graduate Research Assistant

Centre of Preventative Medicine

Animal Health Trust

Lanwades Park, Kentford

Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom CB8 7UU

+ 44 8700 50 24 24

[email protected]

Used with permission from the Purina Pro Club

Poodle Update, Nestlé Purina PetCare.

Judges for theNational 2008

Toys ... Mr. Norman PattonMiniatures ... Miss Betsy Leedy

Standards ... Mr. Jack MacGillivrayVeteran Sweeps ... Mrs. Gina Wisner

Juniors ... Mrs. Norma StraitIntervariety ... Mrs. Maria Aizcobe



Agility at the NationalThe agility judge is Dr. Sam Banks.

We will have the agility Champion parade onMonday between Standard and Jumpers classes.

Respectfully,Jan Hopper

Dogs on TV.Animal Planet Dog Championships - HoustonSaturday, November 10, 20078PM-11PM, 11PM - 2AM EST on Animal Planet

Thursday, November 15, 200712AM - 3AM, 8PM - 11PM EST on Animal Planet

Sunday, November 18, 20073PM - 6PM EST on Animal Planet

The National Dog Show - Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaThursday, November 22, 2007Immediately following the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

Topeka Kennel ClubSunday, December 9, 20072:30PM - 4PM EST on ESPN

Wednesday, December 12, 20074:30AM -6AM EST on ESPN2

Monday, December 17, 200710:30PM - 12AM EST on ESPN2

2008

AKC Eukanuba National ChampionshipPREMIERE - Saturday, Feb 2, 2008 - 8PM-11PM and11PM to 2AMSunday, February 3, noon to 3 p.m.Thursday, February 7, 8 p.m. to11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.Saturday, February 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.Sunday, February 17, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.Saturday, February 23, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

All airings of the AKC Eukanuba National Champi-onship are EST on Animal Planet.

Airtimes are subject to change. Please check yourlocal listings for most current show times.

EukanubaThe American Kennel Club and Eukanuba announcedtoday that the seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba NationalChampionship will premiere as a simulcast on AnimalPlanet and Discovery Channel Saturday, February 2,2008. Check your local listings to confirm air times.

The event will once again be held in Long Beach, CAin conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational andthe AKC National Obedience Invitational, showcasinga multitude of canine talents under one roof. In totalnearly 3,000 of the world's top dogs will vie for honorson December 1 and 2, 2007. The AKC/Eukanuba Na-tional Championship awards a total of $225,000, in-cluding $50,000 to the Best in Show winner.

This year the event will also feature the inauguralEukanuba World Challenge. This exciting new inter-national competition will feature the top dogs from 40countries and is the first event of its kind.

"This Super Bowl weekend air date is appropriate con-sidering that the AKC/Eukanuba National Champion-ship is the Super Bowl of dog shows within the worldof dog sports," said Michael Canalizo, Director of AKCEvent Management. "With the top show dogs plus thenation's most athletic and obedient canines -- and nowthe top international competitors -- we are gearing upfor the most exciting event yet."

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will re-peat multiple times following the premiere.

Salisbury MarylandKennel Club Agility

Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club willhave a 3 day agility trial on April 18,19 and 20th (Pending AKC Approval).

Judges will be announced later.

Location is Crown Sports Center,Fruitland, MD ( short distance fromCivic Center)

Page 45


Ch. Smash JP Win A Victory breaks Toy Poodle BIS Record!

At Somerset Hills Kennel Club, September 8,Vikki made history, she broke the previous record of80 Bests in Show to become the top-winning Toy Poodle in breed history under judges Mrs. BarbaraD. Alderman for her 80th Best In Show.

Page 46


Hi Poodle Friends!

Poodle Club of America Regional was beautiful and

great fun. It was total trip fulfillment to stand on the

balcony of our room and look out over Long Beach

harbor to the City of Long Beach – and then take a

slight turn and view the Queen Mary. What a show

site! Johnny Shoemaker, Peggy McDill and all com-

mittee members did a great job making us feel wel-

come! Beverly Jean Nelson gathered a wonderful wel-

come bag of goodies – and the bags were handmade of

the most cleaver materials – this arranged for by Johnny.

Little details make shows so memorable. I attended

the Board meeting, PCA’s dinner, PCSC’s Affiliate Club

meeting with Dr. Sondra presenting a very interesting

program on alternate health approaches to healing.

Additionally I stewarded the three days for Mrs. Pardue,

Mr. Aizcorbe and Mr. Augustus – the three Standard

Poodle judges. Dr. Hungerland was missed – she is in

our thoughts and prayers.

A couple of things that were discussed and implemented

at the Board meeting: AKC has raised their per dog

fee for Clubs, our entry fees will have to be raised. All

entry fees will increase $5.00 with the exception of

Junior Showmanship which the Board wanted to hold

at the lower price for our Juniors.

A few participants in our Field Performance days –

Saturday and Sunday – have become PCA members

(congratulations Linda, Dana and Claudia). We are able

to give Joyce Carelli some help with those two days

that have become much bigger and more work since

the inception of WC/WCX – too much for one person

with only volunteer help. Toward this end, the two

days have more PCA members sharing with the work

load as described below. Joyce will remain chairman

of WC/WCX. One of our new members, Linda Miller,

will be Hunt Test Chairman. New member Dana Stew-

ard will become Working Poodle Program Coordina-

tor overseeing the events and details of the two days.

Claudia Straitiff will Chair the committee on National

Certificate, Medallion, Ribbon and Education Admin-

istration as well as judges’ hospitality. With these four

members working to make our field performance days

a success – with, of course, the help of volunteers and

the full support of PCA’s Board and membership, our

opening two days of PCA field events are going to be

better than ever.

Our judging slate is complete with Mrs. Norma Strait,

PCA member from California, judging Junior Show-

manship. Poodle’s delightful friend, Gina Wiser

(former professional handler - now AKC Rep) joining

us to judge Veterans Sweepstakes. What a great group

of judges we have.

We have new PCA members – Linda Miller, Jan

Steinhour, Pat Forsyth, Martha Doerner, Joanne and

Robert Steele, Anne Stokes – welcome and congratu-

lations to all. As new members, it is important that you

call me to let me know what area of the show you wish

to be a member volunteer. PCA’s National takes the

time and energy of so many.

Contact information for Glenna Carlson, National Show

Chairman:

11/1/2007 at 715-635-2776 and after 1//5/2007 in South

Texas at 956-73-0927. Cell phone always is 715-222-

9615.

[email protected] until 11/1 and

[email protected] after 11/5/2007.

Gathering in April instead of June will be different for

all. Please remember the reason the Board of Gover-

nors made the date change. High temperatures are dan-

gerous for animals and humans – we have scheduled

PCA before the airline embargo is effective (5/15/2008).

Our goal is to provide temperatures suitable for ship-

ping and for travel of all. Please – let’s have an open

mind about the date change.

See you in Salisbury in April. Here is a very early wish

for Happy Holidays for each and for every Poodle on

Earth! Enjoy your dogs!

Glenna Carlson

National Show Chairman

Phone Number change!Fatima & David CrumpOur new phone number is 316-755-0031 .

Updated Member info

Address changeAdrienne Dorland10229 Paintbrush DriveKeller, Texas 76248Home 817-379-0250Cell 402-525-5138e-mail [email protected]

Page 47


In Memorium

Peggy HoggFriend, Mentor, Handler Extraordinaire

The first time I saw Peggy was about 45 years ago. Ilived in South Carolina and she was showing on theTar Heel Circuit. I was showing , ineptly, a little blackToy Poodle bitch in rather scraggly hair.. she was show-ing a big boned silver bitch with short legs that wasshaped like a shoebox, but was presented beautifullyin big hair and trimmed to the nines. Percy Robertssent me to a corner where I remained by myself. Hesent Peggy to a corner and lined up the rest of the classbehind her, with me bringing up the rear.

The next time I saw her was 5 or so years later. I hadlearned a lot more but I was to learn even more fromPeggy. I was looking at miniatures then and saw DelDahl’s “Wysteria” being shown by Peggy and I washooked. I bought a puppy from Del that was from thelast litter that Wysteria’s dam produced. Through“Laurie” (my puppy) I became better acquainted withDel and Peggy and they became very dear friends.

I traveled with Peggy and did a lot of driving and brush-ing and she would show my minis for me. We traveledfrom Coast to Coast and I did a whole lot of night driv-ing. Peggy was dedicated to the health and well-beingof the dogs in her charge and to their owners. Sheworked harder than her assistants to make sure the dogsin her charge were presented as well or better than anyothers in the ring, and won accordingly from hard workand no tricks. Many is the night we both spent all nightbrushing out dogs that were matting and stuffing dogsthat were too thin so they would be perfect to show thenext day.I remember 2 times in the many years we traveled to-gether when she did not speak to me for several hours.Once she had 10 or 12 dogs to show and we were re-ally hustling. She raced back to the set-up, grabbed theShih Tzu (#1 dog in the country) and grabbed the hairspray and sprayed his beautifully set top-knot. Onlyone problem, it was a water spray. The Chrysanthe-mum look became a Silky terrier look. Unfortunately, Ilaughed hysterically.

The second time silence prevailed was when my Pen-chant Pay Attention beat Wysteria, from the classes,and went BISS. I was the only one smiling.

Peggy finished many, many Poodles in all 3 sizes, in-cluding Penchant Paladin and Campbell’s Raz Ma Tazz.I think her top winning Poodle was Wysteria, Del Dahl’sminiature. She was probably best known for MayaDancer, the Maltese, and Gatsby, the Shih Tzu. Bothwere, at some point, top dog in the country. Probablythe most breath taking competition I ever saw was theyear at the garden when Teddy Young with Tacoa thecocker, Frank Sabella with Command Performance theStandard Poodle and Peggy with Maya Dancer theMaltese were in the BIS line-up. It was the show ofshows.

In her last Poodle judging assignment she gave a 6month old puppy sired by my young stud dog a major,not knowing who it was. She was pleased when shelearned who it was and I was thrilled that my friendand mentor approved of him.

I didn’t see a lot of Peggy during the last few yearssince she remarried and moved to a different area, butwe kept in touch, When we did meet we just picked upthe conversation from the last time we met, like you dowith dear friends. I knew she was around, like Del, andI would see one of them soon and catch up on the otherone.

The sport has lost another icon. I will miss her, as willmany others.

Submitted by Betsey Leedy, Penchant Miniatures

New Poodle JudgesNew Poodle JudgesNew Poodle JudgesNew Poodle JudgesNew Poodle Judges

Sue Goldberg- Warren, NJ

Page 48


Sharon Bittner-GravesSharon Bittner-Graves died September 1, 2007 in Yorkton,Saskatchewan from congestive heart failure. She was 54years old. She bred Labrador Retrievers and MiniaturePoodles under the Sharona prefix. She was president ofthe Labrador Retriever Club of Canada from 1995 to 1998,bringing the membership from 40 to 400 in that time.She was also a member of the Canadian Kennel Cluband the Poodle Club of Canada, as well as a foundingmember of the Shamrock Kennel & Obedience Club inYorkton, Saskatchewan.

Increasing health problems due to severe rheumatoidarthritis forced her to give up breeding Labrador Retriev-ers in 1998, but she remained active with MiniaturePoodles for the rest of her life. Her dogs have earnedtitles in obedience, agility, and conformation. She nevercompromised on quality or testing in her breeding pro-gram, believing that each generation should be better thanthe last. The limitations of being in a wheelchair did notslow Sharon down. She remained active in the dog world,helping out wherever she could, even ringstewarding a week before her death. She was a very spe-cial person. Our deepest sympathy to her beloved hus-band Derry and her many friends.

Submitted by Sue Bowering, Subria Miniatures

Pamm HallMany years ago, Richard Bauer showed my first stan-dard a bit. I had contacted him for a show and he said yesand later realized that he had already made a commit-ment for that show. He asked if it would be alright if hisassistant Pamm Hall showed Orca. Well it was more thanalright with me. I had admired Pamm on many occa-sions. She was tall, beautiful, talented and elegant. Shehad a natural hand with a dog and they just flowed whenthey were with her. I had wondered how one could askThe Handler if the assistant could show your dog andhere he was offering. Pamm and I just hit it off. She notonly finished Orca, she won groups with her, but this isnot about about the poodle. At first the only thing Pammwould let me do was to wash and dry her, then she be-came my teacher, and a good one at that.

Pamm grew up in a sheltie household, so she knew dogsfrom all sides. As a High school student, she saved herlunch money to buy an English Cocker, I think from theKenobo family of cockers. He became top winning if notthe top winning English. She was competitive and goodat what she did. She worked for Bob and Jane Forsythfor a time and was valued because she could "do hair". Ithink that Afgans factored in here. The first time I re-member seeing her was with a big win at the Garden witha white standard poodle called Winner. Very impressive,and perfectly put down and shown. She and Sam and MaryPeacock connected. Pamm was actually a coowner ofCh Bel Tor Blissful who had quite an impressive Best inShow record with Pamm. She told me a funny story aboutBlissy's first Best in Show out on Staten Island. Blisshad won the Breed and Pamm was pleased, but she hadhoped to maybe get to the beach that day and here shehad to stay for the group, Bliss was quite young and juststarting out. Well Bliss won the group and here was Pammthinking that now they would get caught in the beach traf-fic to get home, all worth it of course cause they wentBest. For a show carreer there was planning, strategizing,

Gloria KyleGloria Kyle who bred standard poodles under the Cherod

prefix died in a car accident on Oct 11th 2005. Fortunately

her 4 poodles were at home.

Gloria Kyle thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of

her poodles. She raised and showed blacks and whites

during the late 50s through 70s all relatives of Am Can

Eng CH Bibelot’s Tall Dark & Handsome CDX and Am

Can Dutch German Lux World CH Bibelot’s Clean As A

Whistle CD. I believe ten finished their Canadian cham-

pionships. She was a member of the Poodle Club of

Canada.

Then tragedy struck. A fire whipped through her home

and the majority of the dogs perished. It wasn’t until the

mid 90s when Susan Fraser presented Gloria with a bitch

to breed that her interest in poodles quickly revived. From

the first mating Gloria and Susan chose to keep the sil-

ver, Bibelot’s Cherod Tinsmith whom Gloria called

Thinker for he was exceedingly bright and quickly learned

to do so many things to help an older person around the

house. Tinsmith has sired 5 champions and many more

talented pups in various performance endeavors. Gloria

was now looking forward to working with Thinker’s

daughter SilverJoy.

Gloria was a lady who enjoyed quietly helping others

and sharing the knowledge she had gained. Her cheery

attitude will be missed by all.

Submitted by Susan Fraser

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and also having a nice day with your dog . Pamm alsoknew where all the Baskin and Robbins and Friendly'swere on the way home from any show.At some point she went to work for Richard and thatswhere I actually got to meet her. We traveled togetheron and off for several years and I learned alot aboutcoat care, trimming, showing, etiquette and generalcomportment, not that she said anything, but you couldlearn just from being around her. Also I learned whereall the ice cream was.

Pamm and I used to take my girls to the beach andother places, She is my youngest daughter's godmother.After a while showing dogs wasn't enough for her. Whatdid it mean, what did it help. She had become increas-ing interested in religion and music and was able tocombine both talents by going to work for the ArchDiocese of Greater New York as part of a team ofpeople, missionaries who would go out into the differ-ent communities and try to bring the community to-gether through music at the masses and programs atthe schools. They also had great masses, retreats andparties at their home base in Suffern,NY.

Eventually she decided to go back to school to becomean interpreter for the deaf and she moved to south Jer-sey. We kept in touch for some time, but time and dis-tance kept getting in the way. For quite awhile I wouldsee her if I could get to the Bucks show in the spring. Itwas always just like old times, the laughs and tears,and now the memories.

God Bless those who stayed in her life and helped herthrough this final journey.Submitted by Debbie West, Westsong Standard & Min-iature Poodles

THOMAS J. CROWE1917 - 2007

Tom Crowe, Chairman of the Board of MB –F, Inc.passed away October 9, 2007 He was almost 90 yearsold at the time of his death.

His kennel in Ohio housed many Champion poodles.Many of the Poodles were from the Highland SandKennel. One of his favorites was a miniature namedCh. Highland Sand George. He was shown andspecialed by Tom and lived with him till his death at 19years of age. After the loss of that dog Tom did nothave a poodle for many years till he got a toy named T

Kathy AureMay 14, 1946 - July 26, 2007

Many Poodle fanciers lost a dear friend on Thurs-day, July 26, 2007 when Kathy Aure died while vaca-tioning in Hawaii. A long-time Poodle and AfghanHound owner and breeder, Kathy's involvement in bothbreeds started in the 1960s. Kathy, with her husbandJack Marks, lived in Oakland, California and bredPoodles on a very small scale under the "Salute" pre-fix, and finished several champion Miniatures and Stan-dards.

A brilliant lawyer, for the last 10 years Kathy wasVice-President and Assistant General Counsel for Kai-ser Permanente’s national labor and employment prac-tice.

Kathy may be best remembered for her unique abil-ity to make each person whose life she touched feelspecial and cared for.

The cause of death was listed as heart failure, but forthose who knew her, that is an unlikely end, becauseKathy’s heart never failed. She had a great heart andgave back to the world and her friends more than sheever took. In the end, her heart really didn’t fail, it justwore out after working overtime for others.

Submitted by Paul Lepiane

J Fuzzie who would live with him for may years.

Tom handled many Poodles along with other breedsthat brought him many top honors. In 1961 he wasnamed Ken-L-Ration's handler of the year with theTop Winning Pekingese, Ch. Bettina’s Kow Kow andlater he went on to handle of the first Weimaraner towin the Sporting Group at Westminster Ch. Val KnightRanck..

Christina CampbellLong time member, John Campbell, Dhubhne, Regd.and poodle judge recently lost his wife, Christina, tocomplications following a stroke. Christina first bredunder the kennel name, Montawent, and finished sev-eral Australian, Canadian and American Championblack standard poodles. Our deepest sympathies goout to John and his family.Submitted by Peggy McDillCorresponding Secretary



PCA RescueRescue is up and running with many changes on thehorizon. Rescue will now be it's own 501(C)(3) foun-dation. The paperwork is in the works and hopefully itwill be complete within 60 days. At that time, all do-nations to rescue will be tax deductible. We now havea new Yahoo group compiled of all affiliate and nonaffiliate rescue groups and are working to network andsave the dogs throughout the country. I emailed allaffiliate rescue contacts but got many of the emails re-turned. If your rescue affiliate will get in touch withme at [email protected] I will send an invitation tojoin our list.

All of the new rescue plans would not have been pos-sible without the full support of the PCA board and myheartfelt thanks go to the board for supporting and stand-ing behind all the rescue efforts. I would love to seePCA rescue one of the strongest in the country. I wouldpersonally like to thank Mike Wahlig for his constantsupport, he has been super. My biggest thanks go toJan Steinhour, one of our newest members of PCA, forher work on the rescue foundation. Jan is overseeingall the paperwork for our 501(c)(3) status and is cur-rently setting up our rescue board and legal issues. Janhas worked so hard and all of it behind the scenes andshe deserves much praise. I could not have done anyof this without her.

I would also like to thank Leslie Newing and NancyMcGee for all of their fabulous ideas. They are both agreat support and have such wonderful input.

There are so many good things to come. We will havea rescue website complete with forms for downloadfor all the rescue groups and all the happenings in thecountry regarding rescue. We will start our fundraisingcampaigns. We kicked off our first fundraising at theRegional in Long Beach with our new Microchips. Iwill need committee members to help make our rescueone of the best and if anyone is interested in a commit-tee to do fundraising, to work on the website, or to helpin any way please contact me. There is room for ev-eryone. More information will follow as things get upand running.

Thanks,

Sally PoindexterPoodle Club of America Rescue

PCA April 2008Saturday April 19 & Sunday April 20

Retriever TrialsSaturday April 19 WC/WCXSunday April 20 WC/WCX

Running Order: Hunt Test & WC/WCXWC/WCX Medallion Awards Dinner

Monday April 21 AgilityParade of Agility Title Holders

(INDOORS ON TURF)Tuesday April 22 Obedience & RallyParade of Obedience and Rally title

Holders(INDOORS ON TURF)

Wednesday April 23All Dogs

Jr. Showmanship & Parade of Champi-ons

Drawing for set up number 1-20 beforeParade of Champions

Thursday April 24All Bitches

Veterans & SweepstakesFriday April 25 Intervariety

Do you have your reservationsfor The National in April

2008?

Reminder ALL information for thenewsletter is due by January 15th!

Email all information [email protected]

no faxes please!Please do not type your articles in

all caps!

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Documents

The Poodle Papersdocshare02.docshare.tips/files/1240/12408380.pdf · Hal Kinne [email protected] The Poodle Papers Layout & Graphic design Editor: Leslie Newing Email: