Camryn passes her CGC test

Camryn, one of the Surry girls, owned by Mardy passed her CGC test on Saturday. Most of the dogs in the class were Labradors. Mardy and Camryn are second from left. The Canine Good Citizen test is sponsored by the American Kennel Club. You can read a lot of details on the AKC website
Basically this is an overview of the test:

Your dog must appear for the test well groomed. The collar may not be a pinch collar, electric collar, or similar correction collar. You will provide the examiner with a brush to help demonstrate your dog's tolerance for being handled by a stranger. The dog must allow the examiner to brush it and to examine its body. The test also includes the dog sitting calmly while a stranger pets it.

Your dog must be comfortable with the approach of a friendly stranger. The examiner will approach you and shake hands. Your dog should accept the approach calmly, without shyness or aggression. A friendly dog can fail this by approaching with too much enthusiasm. A polite dog waits for permission before touching a stranger.

Your dog must be able to walk without pulling on its leash. A formal heel is not required. Your dog must be able to walk through a crowd of people. Often the people will be doing all the things people do - opening umbrellas, walking on crutches, swinging a sweater, crossing suddenly in front of the dog. Your dog should not pull at the leash, jump at the people, or show either fear or aggression.

The examiner will ask you to have the dog sit and lie down on command. You will be asked to tell the dog to stay, then to step away from the dog, about twenty-five feet or so and call the dog. The dog should stay until called, and come when called. Unlike formal obedience, repeating a command is allowed.

An ability to regain self-control after excitement is an important part of the test. The examiner will have you play with the dog briefly then calm it. The dog should calm quickly.

Your dog must allow the approach of person with a strange dog. Typically, the other person will approach with a leashed dog and shake your hand. Showing aggression, fearfulness, or even excessive friendliness is grounds for failure.

Your dog must remain calm if you leave it briefly, (I think its three minutes). You will secure the dog to some object as directed by the examiner, and go out of sight of the dog. The dog may move around but it must not whine, bark, pull or otherwise show distress. An important point to note is that the dog is not left alone but is being left under the indirect supervision of a stranger. You should try to interact with the examiner so the dog is aware that you are not abandoning it, but the examiner will not correct or otherwise soothe the dog.

The test is to basically demonstrate that the dog can be a good companion. Most therapy dog programs require that a dog at least have a CGC certificate. It's a great way to work with your dog and any breed is eligible including mixed breeds.

Congrats to Camryn and Mardy!

Long-haired gene in Labradors

The Labrador has been added to the list of breeds that can be tested to determine whether they carry the gene for long-haired coat. Long-haired coat length is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Therefore, dogs that are carriers of the long-hair mutation will appear to be normal (short hair) themselves, but will likely pass on the long-hair mutation 50% of the time.

Here is some history that I was able to glean from a few web sites:
The Labs behind the "quirk/throwback" in Switzerland were imported some 30 years ago. The two imports became champions, one became the Bitch World Champion with two puppies (one definitely carrying the gene) from her first litter gaining the titles of Junior World Champion.

A possibility is that the gene comes from the St. Johns dog, a progenitor of the modern Labrador. The drawing of the St. Johns dog portrays a shaggy dog with a long coat and the actual "Breed Points for the St. Johns or Labrador Dog", published in 1879 called for a very different coat than the one we now see as typical. Here is the quote:

"COAT is moderately short but wavy, from its length being too great for absolute smoothness. It is glossy & close, admitting wet with difficulty to the skin, owing to its oiliness, but possessing no undercoat".

Actually, one of the factors that influenced the formation of the LRC of Great Britain in 1916 was the problem of inter-bred Retrievers. Up until 1917, the KC allowed registration under the breed they most closely resembled and the 1915 Lab Crufts winner had a sire that was a purebred Flatcoat with relatives in that breed's ring.

Other thoughts from the LRC, Inc. are that particular dogs and particular bitches carry the same gene perhaps linked to an interbred retriever as far back as the 1930's or farther:
"It was not uncommon in the early days of the breed and after WWI to use, for example, to use the offspring of a Flat-Coated Retriever x Labrador Retriever cross to refine or adjust a trait in the Labrador Retriever.

Many old pedigrees note that a particular dog or bitch was "interbred". One of the well known Labradors imported into the United States in the 1930's had an interbred bitch in his pedigree 3 generations behind him. Those interbreds were probably short coated but may have carried a gene for long coat. So when two Labradors who carry the common gene are bred, it is more than likely a "long hair" throwback will result.

You will not find references to "long haired or long coated Labrador Retriever" because the trait is not part of nor recognized in the breed and breeders would quickly eliminate a Labrador that would produce the trait from the gene pool."

Happy birthday to the cookie lady!

Today is Nancy, the Station 12 Cookie Lady's birthday. Nancy sits in her red jeep in the morning at Station 12 on Sullivan's Island and gives out treats to all the dogs who come by. She started doing this because she liked to bird watch in the morning and then, over time, started giving something to the dogs who would come by. She is a happy soul who likes to talk about politics, the weather, and the different breeds that wander by with their owners in tow.

She had a nice birthday celebration tonight at Fonduely Yours in Mt. Pleasant. Although there weren't any dogs at the party, she did receive a gift from Stella, Cayenne and Cooper. They gave her a handbook to the breeds of dogs, a bag of their favorite treats, and a doggy bookmark. Stella was wagging because she knew that she would get some of those treats the next time she meets up with Nancy at Station 12.

Hope that you have many more Nancy.

Disguise for attack dogs

We are so lucky to have Labradors because they aren't one of the "vicious" breeds. Dog legislation is popping up everywhere, and it is becoming more and more difficult to own one of the large working breeds such as a Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, and Akitas.

But if you have one of these breeds, there is always an innovative solution that could fool even the most snoopy town councilman or neighbor. Here it is: the dangerous dog disguise kit
This is one of the funniest things that I've seen in a while. Unfortunately, dog legislation against certain breeds isn't funny. Be vigilant because you never know when the gentle Labrador may become a target because they are a large breed.

Pink is now with her new family

Pink, who is now known as Presley, went to her new home last week. I received photos of her today. She is enjoying her family, sticking to them like glue. Presley was never going to like the show ring as she didn't have the outgoing Labrador temperament that makes a great show dog.

That's one of the difficulties in living on a large piece of property where the only entertainment is the running of squirrels. I take the dogs to the dog park on Isle of Palms and Presley interacted fairly well with them. She was a happy puppy but as she aged, she developed more reticence about various situations. I think that now she is in a neighborhood and with her new family, she will be exposed to a lot more activities.

Labradors should be outgoing but sometimes the occasional one will not be as bouncy as I would like. Her sister, Vera, is outgoing and personable. Presley will get there in time and already is a loyal companion for her owners.

Howling

It is one of the things that we have to put up with when there are intact males and females in our kennel. At the current time, there are two girls in season and the boys are sending up a chorus of mournful howls, expressing their lust for these girls. We have Clara inside so she isn't nearly as enticing since she is out of sight but Meddle is causing a paroxysm of passion among the dogs.

Not only do the girls mount each other during heats but the boys mount each other as well. It's a nasal overload with all the pheromones wafting through the air. Almost as bad as walking through the market area on a Friday night.

Luckily, we only have to put up with the mournful noises for about a week. Then the boys quiet down and the girls, although still isolated, are not as enticing. I guess this is another reason that I have dogs instead of children.

Dog powered scooter?

Here is an interesting concept that I was emailed about: a dog powered scooter. The Malamute, Siberian Husky, and Rottweiler are all cart or sled pulling dogs. I would tend to worry about joint breakdown in Labradors since they aren't dogs that have been trained to "cart" or "mush". I can also foresee what a wild ride it might be if someone happened to toss a tennis ball while I was being pulled along by Labradors. Yeow, where are the brakes??? Anyway, I'll let you decide and comment.

Ann and Paul Key sent the following about their dog Neilley, aka the Pinkster:

This past weekend, Paul and I had SO...much fun with Neilley. We went camping
up on the New River, at Twin River Family Campground, near where the North and South Forks of the New come together in the tiny, tiny narrow spot in the road, Crumpler, NC. (In Ashe County...near NC/VA border.) This was NOT a first for us. We’ve been camping there for 18 years. It’s the most relaxing get away that we have. And one that Simba, our previous Lab, enjoyed many times. Neilley has accompanied us on the weekend for three years, but
this year was a breakthrough. She forgot that she has little short legs, and really got into the “swim” of things. The river was at the lowest we’ve ever seen it. Humans really bump their butts in tubes these days, but Neilley thrived on the change in the current flow and actually wagged her tail after swimming. She didn’t hesitate to swim out into deeper depths. We’ve always kept a “tow” rope on her, as we did with Simba, because not only do we not want her to drown, but also do not want her going out on unauthorized mountain exploration!

Scare in the ring

I judged today in Atlanta at the Shawnee Mission Kennel Club show. It was a nice entry of 69 Labradors. Unfortunately, there was a medical incident that occurred that was scary. A lady who I know was showing her dog who was awarded WD in Best of Breed. I was getting ready to have the first special gaited when the lady fell to the floor. It was ascertained that her defibrillator was shocking her. Although she had been trotting with her dog, which may have been enough to trigger a shock, it was clear that she was in distress. EMT's were called and the AKC field rep came over as I had to suspend judging. Luckily, after about 20 minutes, she was feeling better and was cleared to be moved by gurney to a nearby hospital. Her friends who were there were able to take care of her dogs and finish showing the WD in the Best of Breed Class. I was very glad that she was okay and was in good hands with the EMT's.

Driving to Atlanta

I loaded up Tobias and took off to go to judge in Atlanta. Tobias is going back to a handler because of a mess up that occurred when he received a major that would have finished his championship. Unfortunately, the handler had the wrong number on (it was for another dog) so the major win was recorded for the other dog even though it was actually Tobias who was in the ring. In spite of letters being written by people who were there and a photo of Tobias from a previous major win, AKC awarded the points based on the number. Thus, the points actually went to a dog who did not win. It seemed so unfair but things like this happen. So now Tobias is going back out to try to get a major which will finish him. I think that he will have about 20 points when he actually finishes if you count the major that really was his!

I don't like the drive on I-26 to I-20 so I generally take the back roads along SC 78 through small towns like Branchville, Denmark, Williston and pick up I-20 near Aiken. It gives me a chance to see small towns and their main streets, which are much more picturesque than the interstates with their billboards. It isn't a bad drive at all and provides something much more interesting to watch. I judge tomorrow morning so will have to be up early.

Hair is everywhere

It's definitely shedding season at Surry. There are masses of black and yellow hair floating through the air and accumulating in the puppy room. I always get questions about how much Labradors shed. I wish that I didn' t have to answer that question. I would like to say, "Oh not very much." But believe me, Labradors know how to blow their coat. Twice a year, we see the blacks turn a lovely rust color as the dead undercoat starts to fall out. The yellows just send off floating hair balls and I have to take sticky paper rollers to my pants if I have a brain spasm and wear black around them.

So, just keep the broom and vacuum keeper handy. Invest in some wire brushes, especially slicker brushes, and get used to combing and raking. Your dog loves it and you'll get gratification as you watch those big wads of hair come off. I wonder if anyone has ever made a dog hair sweater??

Getting teeth cleaned

If you look in your dog's mouth as much as I do, you will start to notice that there will be plaque buildup as the dog ages. Most of our dogs have very good teeth but occasionally we have to schedule a dental cleaning for an older one.

The procedure will involve putting the dog under anesthesia while the vet will scrape off plaque and take care of any other problems that may have arisen. I recently had Abraham, my 9 year old cat, in for a dental. I had noticed that his breath was not great but found out that he had a rotten tooth. So the tooth was extracted and his other teeth scraped. Abraham now has just fishy breath and not rotten fish breath.

So if you've noticed a lot of plaque or bad breath with your dog, schedule a visit to the vet to see whether a dental cleaning is in order.

Ectropion versus entropion

There are two eyelid problems in Labradors. One is ectropion in which the lower lid tends to droop. A severe example of this can be seen in blood hounds in which the lower lid severely droops down and is red in color. Labradors should have relatively tight lower lids. However, a slight droop can occur, especially when the dog is tired. Generally, ectropion has to be very severe in order to be noted on a CERF form by a veterinary opthalmologist. Keeping the eye clean and use of opthalmic ointment can help with this condition but doesn't cure it.

Entropion is a more serious problem because it involves having the lid and eyelashes turn inward which causes irritation of the eye. If severe enough, rubbing of the eyelashes can cause scarring of the cornea and ulceration. Most dogs with entropion have eyes that continuously weep. Surgery can be done to clip the lid so that it doesn't turn inward against the eye.

If you want more information on either of these conditions, take a look at the Canine Eye Registration Foundation web site at http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html.

Passed pre-application for Weims

I met with the AKC field representative on Saturday morning and had a preliminary interview on Weimaraners. All went well with my qualifications so I'm now approved to put in my application to judge. The new breed application indicates a number of enrichment factors that must be accrued in order to proceed. For example, I've judged two Sweepstakes for Weims, have attended a breed seminar on Weims, have co-owned a Weim who produced two champions, and have had a strong breed mentor in Elena Smith Lamberson.

Once my application is approved at AKC, then I will schedule an interview with an AKC field rep at a show and proceed to discuss the breed with the field rep. After that, all being well, my name will be published as a provisional judge and after five assignments during which I'm observed, then I can proceed to full status. I'm excited about moving on with the process.

The Labradors that I judged at Penn Ridge Kennel Club were generally nice. I put up a black dog for WD, a black girl for WB, BOW and BOS and a black boy for BOB. The yellows at this show just were not as strong as the blacks. It was a nice venue and was thankfully air-conditioned. Thankfully the weather was great with cool temps in the morning and highs only in the lower 80's. It was a perfect time to get away from the heat wave in the Charleston area.

Applying for another breed

I've decided to apply for an additional breed to judge: Weimaraners. I don't ever want another breed other than a Labrador, unless maybe it's a lap dog like a French Bulldog. But I also enjoy judging so I've decided that a good ten year goal will be to eventually judge the entire Sporting Group. That means that I can apply for another breed now, and if approved, will then be able to apply for two more breeds the next time. It's basically the "rule of two" in applying for new breeds: if you are approved for two then you can apply for four, etc. At any rate, it's a long process. I may get worn out by the time it's all done but I do think that it will be interesting and a challenge.

I started going to shows a long time ago with Elena Smith Lamberson who has Silversmith Weims. She was an early mentor for me with dog shows. Elena taught me a lot about showing and being involved with dog shows through activities such as stewarding. She encouraged me to join the LRC, Inc. as she felt strongly that everyone should be a member of their national club. This was at a time when there was a lot of controversy about the LRC, Inc. and the revised Labrador standard. I always thought that Elena would be an excellent judge. But she seems to be enjoying her retirement, horses, and travels with Gary so her priorities right now are elsewhere.

I think that we all begin to rethink things after we've done something for a long time. For me, I do enjoy judging and going to shows as a judge. I have gotten a bit tired of exhibiting but know that it's the heat of summer that just puts the notion of dragging crates around at a dog show out of my mind. I'm sure when fall comes, I'll be looking forward to some specialty shows. In the meantime, I'm going to spend as much time as I can on the water!

The heat is overwhelming

The heat index is supposed to be around 115 degrees today. This is very dangerous for our dogs. If you haven't done so, you need to provide shade and lots of water for your dog. It's best if you can bring in your pet during the heat. We have the misting systems going in the kennel which is situated under oak trees. However, there isn't much air stirring anywhere. The old dogs are in air conditioning and chilling out.

During hot weather, it's best to know the signs of heat exhaustion in your dog. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy panting, hyperventilation (deep breathing), increased salivation early then dry gums as the heat prostration progresses, weakness, confusion or inattention, vomiting or diarrhea and sometimes bleeding. As the condition progresses towards heat prostration or heat stroke there may be obvious paleness or graying to the gums, shallowing of the breathing efforts and eventually slowed or absent breathing efforts, vomiting and diarrhea and finally seizures or coma.

Body temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit are dangerous for dogs and if prolonged can cause brain damage. It's important to reduce the body temperature by cooling the dog immediately using cool water. Ice packs can be applied to the stomach, armpits, or neck. You should always take a dog who suffers from heat exhaustion to the vet because there can be complications that may result.

So take good care of your dog and don't overdo anything in this heat.

Being a boat dog

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Stella has learned to go out on a sailboat. It isn't hard to get a Labrador to enjoy the water but Stella hasn't been exposed to being on a boat. At first, she didn't want to get on the boat. But after lifting her on the boat, she settled down and seemed to enjoy being in the cockpit of the boat. I took her to Cummings Point on the back side of Morris Island. After anchoring the boat, Stella went over the side and we swam to shore. She went under, went "Baloosh" as she went under, and then came to the surface paddling away. She then swam like a pro to shore.

I think that she is enjoying her time on the boat, especially getting to swim and enjoy the water. But at the end of the day, I think that she then enjoys going home and lying on the cool floor. I think that the most important thing is to make sure the dog is comfortable and doesn't get overheated or stressed. Keep plenty of fresh water on hand and make sure that there is ample cool water from a cooler to put on the dog. If you intend to go out in the ocean, then it would be a good job to have a doggy life jacket. Most dogs will enjoy the experience of being in a boat as long as they stay comfortable.

Zelda and the guinea pig

Labradors are great dogs in general but when you see the photo above, it's hard to not smile. If you look closely, you'll see that Zelda is actually licking the guinea pig. Linda Davis wrote that Zelda is really good friends with Cosmo, the male guinea pig shown above. She often lays by his cage and puts toys in it. After Zelda was spayed, Cosmo would lie next to her and snuggle up to give her a pep talk:"I know this is tough but I know you can do this. I'm here for you if you need me". I don't think that I've ever seen a Labrador and a guinea pig snuggle up but Zelda and Cosmo appear to be best buds. What great dogs these are!

A new Am. Can. Champion

I got the word from Gerri and Steve Lubinsky that Simon (Ch. Surry Ol Salt Surf n' Turf) finished his Canadian Championship in five shows. They were very excited to have their first Am. Can. Champion. Simon looks very similar to his brother Ch. Surry's the Madcap Laughs. These two boys and their brother Ch. Surry's Umagumma at Fortune were the three puppies that finished out of Stella's litter to Angus (Ch. Dickendall Buckstone Thunderstruck).

Many congratulations to Gerri and Steve and Simon!

Puppies go to the vet's office

I took five puppies, Isabelle and the black cat Abraham to the vet's today for various vaccines and check ups. The puppies are great when they are in their crates but getting them to come out of the crate is a different issue. The girls like to go all the way to the back of the 36 inch long crate and turn their head the other way. So I have to crawl inside the crate and try to get a leash around their neck. It's great fun!

Then I lift each one down, and with some I have to move their legs from the spread out position (as in "No way am I leaving this crate!"). So after lifting 5 dogs in and out 4 times, I was more than a little dirty. Thank goodness there is a good chiropractor that I go to who helps with back strain.

Abraham has lost 2 lbs which was really good as he was one fat cat last year. The puppies did great in the office and they are little porkers at around 75 lbs.

I really like how Dr. Shong and Dr. Rockwell treat the animals. They hug on each one, give cookies and generally love each animal. They make all the trouble worth while and the puppies just loved them.

Now off for a good shower!

Annie Cogo

I had meant to post this last week but didn't. Annie Cogo, Windfall Labradors, died July 9 after suffering a massive stroker. Annie had been in the breed since the early 1970's. However, she really became serious about breeding in 1990 when she and her husband Rob built their home and kennel in Michigan and purchased two bitches that made Labrador history. One was Ch. Tabatha's Windfall Abbey JH who won many specialties.

Perhaps Annie's most famous bitch was Ch. Windfall's Black Piper WC who was one of the top specialty winning Labradors in the history of the breed. Annie also had several nice boys and the current popular Windfall stud is Am. Can. Ch. Windfall's Pipe Major.

Annie liked typey Labradors and thought that people should be able to recognize the dog as a Labrador, not as a generic dog. She was a character who enjoyed sending jokes to her email buddies. She also was a talented artist with an artist's eye. Annie was a frank person who was willing to provide information to anyone who asked her. She seemed to greatly enjoy the people and the dogs that she encountered.

I'm sure that there will be a tribute written about Annie and her Labradors in the Labrador Quarterly or International Labrador Review.

Timberrrrrr

One of the laurel oaks next to the kennel died this spring. It was a huge tree and had been doing well but in spring there was no new foliage and eventually all the leaves dropped. I'm not sure what killed it. There are a number of fungi that kill oak trees and there are borers that do considerable damage. I know that it was an old tree so perhaps it was susceptible to a disease of some kind. It appears that the heart wood was rotten.

Anyway, the oak had to be taken down because branches were starting to fall in the kennel area and nearby paddock. The tree had become a hazard and in every wind storm, another branch would fall. I was getting anxious that a large one would fall on the kennels or on my head as I went back and forth to the kennels. So yesterday Van's Tree Service came with several trucks and what was once a wonderful tree was reduced to a pile of logs. I examined the base and the rot had gone completely through the entire heart wood.

I really miss that tree. There are hundreds more oak trees at Surry but I always mourn the loss of trees. The stump remains and looks like a table. I'll put some potted flowers on it to brighten the place where the oak tree lived.

Spiders everywhere

I don't know about you but I'm not fond of having spider webs across my face. I like spiders but don't fancy the idea of running into webs every morning when I go to the kennel. There is a huge healthy crop of golden silk spiders this year at Surry. These spiders are sometimes called Banana Spiders because of their yellow bodies. They weave very strong webs which look like a gold thread in the sunshine.

Generally, you'll see the female because she is much bigger than the male. She is about 3 inches long, and the male is only 1/2 inch long. The webs are a work of art and are huge. I can't tell you how many I've had draped across me thus far. Thankfully, the spiders rarely ever bite people. The bite is supposedly similar to a deer fly bite but these aren't aggressive spiders so I've never been bitten by one.

Mostly the spider wants to get away from you when you hit the web. I've taken down a few webs but haven't harmed the spiders. I'm hoping that the spiders will relocate out of a pathway and will continue to eat up any mosquitos that happen to be around.

In the meantime, I'm pulling spider webs out of my hair.

Going on the water

If you like to take your dog boating you may want to consider getting a doggy life jacket. Labradors are great in the water but having your dog jump overboard when you don't expect it can be scary. It seems that Labs like the water so much that they may get a scent and decide to take a plunge. I think that it's worthwhile to get a doggy life jacket to put on the dog when you are underway.

At this time of year, if you decide to beach your boat and let your dog run, be sure to check up on what areas are off limits. Crab Bank which is a Heritage Preserve and bird rookery is off limits to dogs and people for much of the year. There are other Heritage Preserves that are protected as well. It would be good to check with your local marine law enforcement agency (here in SC it is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) before you turn loose your dog on a beach. There are also leash law in effect so be sure to check on that or you may get a hefty fine.

Recommendations for vets

I've been asked by quite a few people who I recommend for vets. We use Drs. Shong and Rockwell at Bohicket Veterinary Clinic and have been doing so for years. They are close by and available when we need them. They are excellent at surgeries and are very caring people.

There are several things that we want in a vet:
1. We want a vet to be available when we have an emergency.
2. We want a vet to spend time with us and our dogs, explaining clearly problems.
3. We want a vet who respects the knowledge that we have as breeders.
4. We want a vet who is compassionate about the animals and passionate about the work.
5. We want a vet who is good a surgeries or who can recommend someone when the situation at hand becomes more than the vet can handle.

These are very important things to us. It's important to interview a vet and not assume that all have the same talent and abilities.

Using a rake

We just bought at new rake to get dead hair out of the dogs. It is a wonderful tool. I've always used a pin brush in the past but nothing, and I mean nothing, clears out hair like this rake.

Tilly has an abundance of hair when she sheds. This morning I was able to get about a pound of hair off of her. It reminded me of a sheep shearing. The hair was everywhere because the rake would fill up so quickly. I'm not sure where we got ours but I believe that any of the major stores will have a rake like the one pictured above.

I've always liked the slicker brush in the past but I'm now a doggy rake fan!

Charleston Kennel Club match

There will be a match on Sunday July 15 sponsored by the Charleston Kennel Club. This is an all breed match that will be held at Exchange Park in Ladson at the Exhibition Hall. I believe that Jim and Elizabeth Bowron (Fortune) are judging the Sporting Group and Labradors. If you want to see what a dog show is like, then this would be a fun event to attend.

Matches are like dog shows but are generally for younger dogs. They don't carry points so things aren't as stressful. Matches are fun ways to socialize and get your dog some exposure to being in the ring. They are also a good way for someone who isn't an accomplished dog handler to see how they like being in the ring handling a dog.

I have always liked matches because the puppies and people generally have a very good time. So see if you can make this event and have some fun.

About bites

Vera will be going to her new home in another week. She is a gorgous yellow girl who has a slightly undershot bite. The AKC Labrador standard states that "the teeth should be strong and regular with a scissors bite; the lower teeth just behind, but touching the inner side of the upper incisors. A level bite is acceptable, but not desirable. Undershot, overshot, or misaligned teeth are serious faults. Full dentition is preferred. Missing molars or pre-molars are serious faults".

The Canadian illustrated standard for the Labrador is a good reference guide. It states:
Teeth are described in the standard as strong and regular with a level mouth. Most breeders have taken “level mouth” to mean a scissors bite. Although a level bite is acceptable it is not preferred. The standard says nothing about undershot, overshot, or misaligned teeth, but these
have always been considered by breeders as serious faults in a retriever. Missing teeth are also not mentioned in the standard. It is not uncommon to see one or two missing premolars in Labradors. In the past this has not been considered by most breeders to be a serious fault, but Canadian breeders and judges are becoming more concerned about missing teeth, particularly if this involves more than one or two premolars. Full dentition is preferred. However, as in all things related to the Labrador, the yardstick should be how this will affect work in the field.

Not only does an "off" bite keep a dog from doing well in the show ring, but being a recessive trait, it is also something that one doesn't want to perpetuate in their lines. There are lots of good articles on bite issues in dogs.

Here is a good site that shows photos of bite issues in Labradors.

Fireworks

If you are buying fireworks, be careful that you don't cause trauma to your dog. Some dogs, even Labradors, don't like fireworks. Mine generally sleep right through them! However, I would suggest that you don't fire off bottle rockets next to your dog. The Fourth is a great time to have grill out time and just enjoy chilling. I hope that you and yours have a great holiday.

Co-ownerships

One of the things that I've learned in recent years is that you have to be very careful with co-ownerships. I have decided that unless I actually know the person very well (i.e. the person is a friend), I will not co-own again with anyone. People simply can be weird, lie, or have different principles than another party. That is life. We don't always agree. However, when it comes to the dogs, I want the best care for them. I also don't want them to be bred over and over. Nor do I want them to be where they aren't loved. Life is too short to get into wrangles over dogs or with other people who don't share my ethics. I used to think that co-owning not only helped me but was an opportunity to help out others to get started in the breed. No longer--if you want to get started in the breed, then buy outright the best possible bitch you can providing someone will sell you one, and then make your own way. That's what I did and I've never regretted it.

Dog days

The heat seems to be upon us. The dogs are lazing around and not wanting to do much playing. They bounce around for a bit and they go lie down on the coolest spot in the paddocks. We've got the misting systems ready to be installed and will get those going this weekend. I've written about those in the past as they keep the temperature about 5-10 degrees cooler during the heat of the day.

Misting systems are available for a variety of uses but we purchased ours from Ecologic Technologies. They are used in zoos and horse barns. Misting systems are popular in the southwest where they are a regular feature in many outdown venues. Ours are set up on a timer and basically start at around 10 AM and run for 20 minutes every hour until around 5 PM in the evening. The dogs love to lie under the mist.

It doesn't look as if there will be too many cool nights remaining and the days are only going to get hotter. Even with all the trees, it's nice to have the dogs receive some relief from the heat by using the misting sytem.

At the Beach

It's beach time for the dogs. Just remember though that there are leash laws and stiff penalties for violating them. Most of the beach communities in the Charleston area aren't wanting dogs around when tourist season starts. So find out what the law is for your area and abide by it.

Another thing to remember is to take plenty of water when you take your dog to the beach. Water temperature in the Charleston area can be very unpleasant and like warm bath water in the summer. It's best to rinse off your dog with cool fresh water and give the dog a drink of fresh water after visiting the beach. Also, remember to wipe out the ears and dry them so that yeast infections don't get started. A Labrador ear is a great environment for yeast colonies and with the humidity in Charleston, the yeasty beasties can get going and thrive.

Special thanks to Betsy Roumillat for supplying the lovely photos of Maggie who is from the breeding of Surry's Fleeting Glimpse to Ch. Trendlewood Song for Guy.

I have my MMD

One of my hobbies is rowing. I also like photography and enjoy taking photos of boats and water scenes. With retirement coming up in a few short years, I decided that I wanted to get my Merchant Mariners Document or Z card as it is sometimes called. This is a basic original document for position as an Ordinary Seaman. What that means is that I'll be a Ph.D. who can paint decks, bust rust, handle lines and generally do other scut work on board a ship. It isn't glamorous but could come in handy for volunteering with the Spirit of South Carolina.

The Spirit is South Carolina's new tall ship. She is now in the water, rigged and ready to start education programs this summer. I've offered to volunteer as a crew member on the Spirit for some of the day trips. I'm hoping that my MMD papers will help since I've now passed the background check, drug test, and all the other necessary things that the US Coast Guard requires to get my card. It is a great opportunity for me as a marine scientist to go out on this beautiful ship. After retirement, who knows--maybe I'll sign on a cargo ship or a coastal tug boat. It all sounds exciting for now!

Shedding time

The kennels are filled with black mats of hair. The dogs are really blowing coat now. Labradors just look naked when they blow coat. One of the main characteristics of a Labrador is having a double coat that is harsh to the touch. My dogs all have shed that undercoat and now look pathetic. The puppies have still retained most of their coat so they still look good. Stella is starting to blow and there are big dust balls of yellow hair in the doggy room. Tilly is holding her coat but I know that when she blows, it is massive fall out!

The best thing to purchase is a slicker brush. Just keep brushing and brushing to get all the dead hair out. If you don't, the result will not only be hair balls everywhere but a hot spot might develop. Hot spots are basically a moist dermatitis and look nasty. A course of antibiotic medication and some Neopredf topical powder or Gold Bond medicated powder will help.

So brush out the old hair daily and even though you may have a naked looking Labrador, you'll save yourself some grief with no hot spots and less vacumning.

Judging in Wisconsin

I'm on my way back home after judging the Labrador Specialty at Winnebago LRC in Beloit, Wisconsin. I had a nice entry. My Winners Bitch was just lovely and my Reserve WB was a lovely puppy. It was nice to see many good Labradors and a pleasure always to judge bitches. They are really the strength of the breed.

Of course, you have to have those sperm donor males. Among the males, I really like Beechcroft Study in Black. He is a nice dog and seems to be producing nicely. What a lovely head he has! My WB was a daughter of his. I would like to breed one of my girls to Study at some point. I appreciate the good fronts that Mary Wiest has with her line. Her dogs go back to Bridget Docking's Ballyduff kennel in England and the heads are also so lovely.

I'm hoping to get into Charleston to enjoy a bit of father's day with Charlie's dad.

Rain at last

I'm really liking these overcast days with cool mornings and some rain. There was a real down pour on Wadmalaw today and it was so nice. The dogs sleep and are quiet when there is rain. It's as if they are enjoying the soothing sound of the rain as much as I do. We have been in such a drought that having a couple of days of rain will green up the yard in a hurry.

If you notice brown spots in your yard, they may not be due to any die off of the grass due to drought but to dog urine. The girls love to pee in the front yard and wherever that occurs there will be brown patches that develop.

Here is some technical information from Penn State that may help:

Dog urine and feces can often be a frustrating problem related to lawn care. Small amounts may produce a green up or fertilizer effect while larger amounts often result in lawn burn or dead patches. While most burn spots will recover with time and regrowth, dead areas can be large enough in some cases to require reseeding or sodding. For homeowners who are also dog lovers, this can present a dilemma, particularly when one family member prefers the dog and another prefers a well-manicured lawn. An understanding of the interaction between dogs and the lawn can keep the yard (and family) at peace, not in pieces.

Understanding the Causes: The fundamental problem with the presence of urine or feces on the lawn is related to the nitrogen content and concentration of these waste products. Urine, when produced as a waste product in animals, primarily removes excess nitrogen from the body via the kidneys. Nitrogen waste products are the result of protein breakdown through normal bodily processes. Carnivores, including cats and dogs, have a significant protein requirement and urine volume/production varies due to size and metabolism. Urine is a more serious problem for lawns because it is applied all at once as a liquid fertilizer, whereas feces slowly releases the waste products over time. since stools are usually solid, owners have the option of frequent manual removal. With more time for the nitrogen waste to dissolve into the lawn, stools that are frequently removed damage lawns less than urine.

Young dogs of both sexes frequently squat to urinate. Leg lifting is often learned by male dogs around a year of age; castration or neutering does not seem to affect nature's timetable related to this behavior development. While most male dogs will hike their leg and mark once they are over a year of age, a few will continue to squat which is more common in female dogs. Female dogs may also mark although less commonly than male dogs. Once dogs begin urine marking, they often utilize many and numerous scent posts resulting in numerous, small volume urinations rather than large volume puddles. Grass can handle small volume nitrogen bursts easier than fertilizer overload. Unfortunately, the young bush, shrub, vine or tree sprout that becomes a marking post may have nitrogen (fertilizer) overload with repeated marking and may die if continually "marked."

The primary concern in addressing urine damage to lawns is minimizing the nitrogen concentration added to the lawn at any single time. Female dogs, being less likely to urine mark and more likely to squat, are the primary culprits of lawn damage since they will go anywhere on a lawn and usually all at once. This results in a single nitrogen dump confined to a small patch of grass. The brown spot that results will often have a green ring around the outside. The nitrogen overload at the center causes the burn, but as the urine is diluted toward to periphery, it has a fertilizer effect. This characteristic brown spot, green ring pattern has been called "female dog spot disease" by some horticulturists. As might be expected, lawns are most susceptible to nitrogen burns when standard fertilizers are maximized in the lawn. Homeowners making the extra effort to have a green lawn may be quite discouraged by their neighbor's dog damage or their own housepet's potty residue.

Speculations on the actual cause of the lawn burn has resulted in numerous theories on what else in the urine may be contributing to the damage. Dr. A. W. Allard, a Colorado veterinarian, examined numerous variations in dog urine and the effects on several common lawn grasses. His results support the fact that volume of urine (nitrogen content) and urine concentration had the most deleterious effects on lawns. The pH of the urine did not have any variable effect nor did common additives designed to alter the urine pH. Of the four grasses tested, Festuca sp. var. Kentucky 31 (fescue) and Lolium perrene (perennial ryegrass) were the most resistant to urine effects. In fact, the urine routinely produced a fertilizer effect on these grasses at diluted concentrations. Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) and Cynodon sp. var. Fairway (bermundagrass) were very sensitive to any urine concentration and severe burns resulted, persisting greater than 30 days after initial exposure to even four ounces of diluted urine. Even on the most urine resistant grass tested (fescue), urine concentration was a bigger problem than urine volume. Concentrated urine with volumes as little as 30cc (one ounce) caused lawn burn even on fescue grasses.

Problem Area Avoidance Technique: Where applicable, fences can be used to keep neighboring dogs from eliminating on the lawn. Advising neighbors of the legality of leash laws, where applicable, can restrict damage to areas near sidewalks and on tree lawns/median right of ways. Unfortunately, no repellents are universally effective, although a variety of home remedies have been tried. Hot and bitter products are most likely to have taste or odor aversive properties to dogs. Most repellents function better as taste repellents than to touch or odor repellents. Some odor repellents may actually encourage a dog to overmark the strange smell. Some of the better known commercial repellents have these limitations as well. A newly developed motion activated sprinkler, primarily designed to keep cats and rabbits out of gardens, may have benefits for some yards. The sprinkler may provide some benefit in small yards or at corners of front yards where damage is most likely to occur; however the presence of numerous squirrels, stray animals or children may result in over-watering and very high water bills if they continuously trigger the device.

In many cases, the problem dog is a housemate to the homeowner. While somewhat time consuming, walking the dog to a park or field away from the house is a simple remedy to this. The time can be well spent since exercise has physical and emotional benefits for both dogs and their owners. Homeowners are encouraged to choose an appropriate destination and not create problem lawns elsewhere that may affect the over-all aesthetics of the neighborhood.

A more feasible approach may be to train the pet to eliminate in a designated area of the yard. This area would be a landscaped area specifically designed for the dog. It will need a substrate like pea gravel or mulch that the dog finds acceptable and may even include a marking post like a large boulder, bird bath, lawn ornament or even faux hydrant. Collecting the dog's urine in a cup and using it in this area for several days can provide some odor attractant value to this area. Feces can also be collected and transported to the new designated area. Consistency for at least two-three weeks is important to establish this as a routine, trained behavior; several months may be necessary in some cases. Initially, training can occur with the dog on a short leash and food rewards employed to encourage use of this area. Dogs should not be unsupervised in the yard while this initial training is occurring. It is often easier to train a young puppy to a particular ground texture than an adult dog, but never impossible in any age dog. A variable reward system utilizing one standard treat if urinating anywhere outside and several treats or a special treat if in the designated area can be helpful in this process and avoid confusing the dog regarding the new housebreaking rules. Excessive food rewards in the form of meat or protein products will contribute to increased nitrogen content in the urine. Dogs that are being obedience trained should not be trained with treats on the lawn during this housebreaking or pets and reward systems can really become confused. Many dog owners will also find it helpful to train their dog to an elimination command during this time. common commands might include: potty, piddle, do your business, hurry up, etc. and take less time to accomplish the task when inclement weather is present or time schedules are busy.

Dietary Modification Techniques: A great many dietary modifications for dogs have been tried, often based on home remedies or anecdotal experience. A veterinarian should always be consulted prior to making any dietary modifications, whether they include additions or subtractions from standard nutrient guidelines. As stated earlier, the pH of the urine has little or no effect on the urine damage to the lawn. The addition of acidifying agents, including nutritional supplements like D-1, Methionine (Methioform), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) or fruit juices, will have no benefit for this problem and may predispose the dog to an increased incidence of certain bladder stones. Likewise, alkalinizing agents, including baking soda and potassium citrate, can predispose to other types of bladder stones or infections. The addition of any of these supplements has enough potential to cause harm, with limited to no known benefit for the lawn and are not recommended.

When owners have reported successes, as is sometimes the case on internet forums, liquids likely improved the situation because the urine concentration after treatment was diluted. Safer ways to accomplish more dilute urine include feeding canned food, moistening dry food with water prior to feeding and adding salt or garlic salt to the regular food. One particular home remedy, tomato juice, likely has its primary benefit through both increased salt and water intake. While salt will make the dog drink more and dilute the urine, increased salt intake can cause problems for dogs with existing kidney or heart conditions. Owners should not alter their dog's diet without consulting with their veterinarian.

Dogs with more dilute urine may have to go more frequently as well and need more frequent elimination opportunities. While specific breed differences haven't been noted, smaller dogs produce less urine than larger dogs so are dumping less nitrogen waste. Dogs with bladder infections often demonstrate an urgency to urinate and typically squat several times, leaving small amounts or drops each time. These dogs may be less of a problem for lawns than normal dogs who empty their whole bladder in one sitting. Dog owners who actually note that their dog's urine is no longer causing lawn burn without having made any changes should have their dog examined by their veterinarian and a urinalysis performed to make sure there are no medical conditions causing this change.

The other option to consider besides diluting the urine is to reduce the amount of nitrogen waste being dumped in the urine. The average family dog doesn't have the activity

level that requires as high a protein level as most commercial maintenance dog foods provide. Although dog food purchasing often reflects consumer perception that high protein equals better food, in fact moderate to low protein foods are often adequate for all but the most energetic working and hunting dogs. When examining a food label, protein content must be compared on a dry matter basis and unfortunately it is not like comparing apples to apples. Dry foods vary in how much moisture they have, so the protein percent listed can't be immediately compared to all other foods. Canned foods will have a much lower protein percent listed than dry foods but also have much higher water content.

The quality of the protein also has an impact since some proteins are highly digestible, meaning less is dumped in the feces and possibly the urine than other proteins. In general, the premium and super premium pet foods, available from pet stores and veterinarians, will have higher quality protein and more digestible proteins than standard grocery store brands. The higher digestibility translates into smaller fecal size as well. It is probably best to discuss individual pet needs with a veterinarian or nutrition consultant in the practice to determine what is the best fit, based on feasibility, palatability and economics. In many cases, if a dog food is currently providing good overall nutritional support for the pet, diluting the urine by simply adding water to the food may be the easiest place to start.

Repair/Recovery of Damage Area: A leash can function to bond owners to their dogs and increase the time pets spend interacting with their owners. A leash can also be part of a responsible neighbor policy, be a great training aid, and is also one of the best ways to be at the site to intervene when urinations occur. Watering the spot after urinations will accomplish the dilution with no ill effects on the dog. Dr. Allard's study looked at watering feccue at different intervals following urination. Water volumes three times that of the urine were used to assess their dilution effects. A fertilizer effect rather than burn was noted when the site was watered at any time up to eight hours after the urination. When the delay in watering was extended to 12 or more hours, progressively worse burns were noted. It appears that routine watering of the grass in early mornings would not be sufficient to prevent all urine burns.

The use of gypsum or lime has been advocated, but it is uncertain exactly what mechanism this would have in helping prevent urine damage. Improved soil quality over time may result in better drainage and less urine concentration at the grass and root level, but additional information is needed in this area.

Lawn burn, when mild, will often repair itself over time, especially in the case of the warm-season turf grasses that spread by stolons and rhizomes. Dark green spots and taller grasses may remain for several weeks. Sodding can be a quick way to patch severely damaged individual areas that would otherwise be invaded by weeds.

While a high fence and dog-less lifestyle can ensure that "female dog spot disease" is not a problem in your clients' yards, homeowners and dog lovers have several practical solutions available to manage this problem. Coordinating these options can keep their four-legged friends on good terms and out of the dog house so they, too, can enjoy romping in your clients' well-manicured yard.

Lick sores

I've had a couple of Labradors over the years that have developed lick sores. The lesions that these dogs have had have been small oozing areas on the front part of the forearm or foot. The real name for this condition is a lick granuloma. Generally, dogs who develop these lick sores are bored. Some may suffer from separation anxiety. What happens is the dog will start licking the paw or foreleg over and over, gradually wearing away the hair and the skin underneath until there is a sore area. It's a similar motivation that causes horses to crib or weave in their stall. It's also possible that these are a result of an allergic reaction that results in inflammation which triggers the dog to lick at any area nearby. It has also been reported that hypothyroidism can play a role in Lick Granuloma. It would be good to test T4 levels as certain lines are prone to hypothyroidism.

Treatments for lick granulomas include laser surgery that removes the sore tissue. For the most part nothing works though because it appears to be a psychological compulsion to lick and chew the area. Some anti-anxiety drugs have been used with mixed results. Cortisone injections have also been used and may alleviate the itchiness. Cortisone cream can be especially useful. One solution that has been useful is long-term use of antibiotics. It may take from 3 to 6 months though to make a difference. If lick sores develop, consult with your vet about what kind of treatment is advised to keep the sore from getting worse.

Submitting preliminary radiographs

I generally get preliminary radiographs done of hips and elbows when the dogs are around 18 months of age. It's important to wait until the growth plates have closed. Taking x-rays too early can indicate subluxation on young Labradors.

Dr. Shong at Bohicket Veterinary Clinic does a wonderful job. He gets positioning perfect and also takes multiple shots. He is conservative in his assessment as well. I've always felt confident in his abilities and assessment for OFA submission. He always uses sedation for the positioning because he wants to be able to manipulate the legs into the correct position.

Once the x-rays are processed, we review them and he will point out what he likes and doesn't like. We don't submit them at this point. If the joint structure looks great, we keep our fingers crossed until the finals are submitted at 2 years of age.

Getting OFA hips and elbows done is a major milestone with breeders. It is imperative to have good positioning and a good x-ray machine when getting radiographs done.

Elbow calluses

Labradors are heavy dogs. They also tend to be laid back and most love to get their snooze time. Over time, you might begin to see red rough areas on the elbows. It's not at all uncommon for Labradors to get elbow calluses. It's nothing to be concerned about. I recommend getting Bag Balm and putting that on the elbows to keep the area soft. Most of the time though, the calluses will turn grey and will thicken no matter what you do.

If you are showing your dog, you can use cosmetic methods such as chalk to cover up the callus. However, I do think that Labradors should be shown naturally and without a bunch of froo-froo stuff done to them. Handlers will inevitably chalk, blow dry, clip, trim and generally do all kinds of things to these sporting dogs. I don't like to see Labradors all clipped with whiskers trimmed. It's just my preference since I think that they should be just given a brief brushing to knock the dust off and then presented in the ring. I don't like smelly dogs though so a bit of Listerine mixed with water will do the trick to freshen them up and cut the odor. Labradors don't need to be bathed often but regular brushing will keep their dander down and help get rid of old hair that can start to smell.

The Pinkster

Once upon a time, there was a litter being birthed at Surry. The humans stayed up for many hours assisting Annabelle deliver her babies. There were lots of babies and one of the little ones birthed was very small. She weighed so much less than the others. She was kept snuggled in a heating pad next to her mom.

The humans worked hard on the little one. Elizabeth stayed up most of the night and was beginning to think that the little one wasn't going to make it. She kept getting pushed off the teats by the bigger pups. So, something had to be done to save this wee baby. Elizabeth opened a can of formula, mixed in some water, and gradually got the baby to latch on to the nipple. The baby didn't want to eat at first but after giving a dose of dextrose, the baby became ravenous. She latched on and nursed! After that she had supplemental feedings every couple of hours. It was a tiring process but Elizabeth didn't give up. Between supplemental feedings, the Pinkster, as she was now known, began to feed from her mother's teats.

Gradually, as the days passed, the Pinkster gained weight and began to be a strong baby. She still enjoyed being nursed with the bottle and would work her little paws when she nursed from it.

At several weeks of age, some nice people came to visit and they fell in love with this tiny puppy who had quite the heart. Pinkster was chosen to be their companion for her life. She grew to be a fat healthy baby who could run and jump with all the other babies.

Her new parents, Ann and Paul Key, dote on this girl who is now called Neilley. Neilley goes with them everywhere and is the model for their great line of Scottish doggy clothes and accessories. Neilley still sends cards and emails to us. She will always be the wee one in our eyes.

A story about Jack

I want to share an email that I received from Mavis who owns Jack, an Anna son:

Dear Elizabeth,

I wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear of Anna’s passing. She will always be in your heart, and I am sure you must have had wonderful times with her when she was alive. I have always loved your web site and your blog, and all those stories about your labs. I didn’t realize at first that Anna was Surry’s High Hopes, until you mentioned her full name and her daughter’s. Then I suddenly realized that Anna is Jack’s mom, and it hit me pretty hard too. I held Jack tight and told him his Mom had gone on to heaven. Jack’s (Ch. Surry Jack of Hearts) dad is Trendmaker’s Tycoon.

Jack is an absolutely super, kind hearted, gentle and goofy lab. He loves to play and run a lot. I am blessed to have him with me. I have another lab too, Buzz – and Jack thinks the world of Buzz. He adores Buzz, but Buzz is a lot more mellow and laidback, and you can see Jack trying his best to make Buzz play with him all the time. It is wonderful to have labs.

I am attaching two photos of Jack for you. He is the black one, the yellow one is his best buddy, Buzz. Does he look like his Mom too?

I live in Los Angeles with my husband and the two dogs. My labs are my kids, and they are spoilt rotten!

If you ever happen to be in Los Angeles, we would very much like for you to come and visit us. The dogs will love to meet you!

I hadn't heard anything about Jack for sometime. It's a long story and one of the reasons that I don't like to sell to "show" homes--ever, unless I know the person or they come highly recommended. Even then, there are dangers such as what happened with Jack.

A lady that I was mentoring and helping really wanted a puppy from me. I had known her for a while and she had some nice dogs, several of which she had gotten from a breeder friend. She came to see the Morgan x Anna litter and really liked a cute black boy. All seemed well for a while but then I began to get the thought that this lady was breeding too much. She had a personal hardship and then seemed to totally want to breed for money. I visited and found that the care of the dogs was not up to standard. I bought back a bitch that I co-owned with her and took another dog home. Jack was owned outright by her and she promised to find him a good home. I regreted ever having sold him and regreted that he lived in a kennel as just another dog.

Jack made his way to another breeder who I think took care of him. Yet, I still couldn't get it out of my mind that he needed to be in a companion home. I emailed his new owner who assured me that he was well taken care of.

Now, after this time, I am so glad to hear that Jack has a wonderful home. I think that every Labrador deserves a couch. And yes, I have a kennel but I know that the dogs are cared and loved with me. I didn't get that feeling with Jack's first owner for a number of reasons that I won't go into here. These aren't just dogs. They have a soul.

Thanks Mavis for writing. I can rest easy now.

Having more than one Labrador

I often get calls from people who want another Labrador because they want a companion for their current Labrador. I do think that Labradors like company and are happy when there is another dog to have as a playmate.

What I don't advocate is getting siblings or dogs that are too close to each other in age, such as two puppies. It's hard enough working with one puppy. However, if there is an age separation, then things can work out well. Getting a retired show dog is a wonderful idea because they are generally quite mellow, crate trained and already highly socialized. They also have the ability to cope with a younger dog.

So if you think that two is a good idea, I would agree. Labradors are gregarious and really enjoy having another dog to hang out with. Two can be better than one.

Clara is inside

It seemed like such a void not to have a black dog inside so I brought Clara, Annabelle's daughter to the house. She stays in the puppy room with Tilly now. It is good to come home in the evening and have a black girl greet me. Clara looks so much like her mother that it's incredible. It makes her very happy to be inside also.

Clara has a lot of the similar traits as Anna also. She has a wonderful even temperament and is very kind. She is a bit more independent minded and doesn't seem to want to come as quickly when called. She likes to sniff and be a typical Labrador.

It does my heart good to see a black dog be in the house again.

Enjoying watching the puppies

The puppies have graduated to the large paddock where they have more room. They had started to outgrow their small puppy paddock. It's nice to watch them stretch out their legs and run and play. There's a lot of young dog behavior starting with the boys picking on the girls. However, Maya and Crinkles seem to be able to hold their own.

The puppies are now absorbed with chase behavior and pouncing. They will all take off, run as fast as they can and try to catch another one of the puppies. Maya is usually a good target but she decides when she has had enough and lets them know it.

I've also separated them by moving the puppies into separate kennels. Maya and Crinkles stay together, two of the boys stay together and a third boy rotates out to be by himself. They were simply getting too to fit into just two kennels.

I can't wait to take them to doggy park.

Cleaning up nails with a dremmel tool

I use a dremmel tool with a sanding attachment to neaten up nails. I think that the method is much better than cutting a nail with clippers. With the dremmel tool, you simply apply the sanding drum to each nail and then go back over the nails again until they are the length that you want them. The trick is to not sand too long on each nail because you are sanding away the nail and the friction of sanding makes it hot against the nail.

I start out by using clippers on the young puppies and then switch to the dremmel tool when the puppies are around 5 months of age. They quickly get used to the sound and feel of the sanding drum. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a grooming shirt because the dust from the nail debris can get into your eyes and will get on your clothes and hair.

Once the nails are done, repeat this about every week until the "quick" has receded and a nice short nail is the result.

Many thanks

I am grateful to all who sent emails of condolence about Annabelle. She will always be in my heart. It's nice to know that there are people who care enough to write. For those of you with get of Annabelle, I am especially grateful that you cherish your days with them. One never knows when something will take them away from us.

Our Labrador community is a small one when you think about it. One always hears a lot about the gossip and the bad stuff that is said about people in the sport. I like to think about the good things that people do and that the sport is filled with people who care about their dogs, much more than winning. Winning is the icing on the cake for me. It has never been about the ribbons and the accolades; but having a sense of accomplishment that a small kennel, such as the one we have, has produced some nice dogs that have made me and others happy. In my wildest dreams, I never thought that we would accomplish the things that we have or that I would be a judge. I always think back to my early days and watching at the dog shows, wanting so badly to be a part of something but knowing how hard the road would be to get there.

Thanks again for your words. You make me smile during the most difficult of times.

Surry's High Hopes

On Saturday, Surry's High Hopes was euthanized. Anna had been getting weaker and had lost more weight. Charlie had to help her up and down the stairs and finally it appeared that the time had come. Drs. Shong and Rockwell kindly did their job and Annabelle was wagging up to the time that she lost consciousness. She will be cremated and buried next to her dog and cat friends at Surry.

Annabelle was from the first litter of Ch. Castlewood Whyaskwhy at Surry. Her sire was Ch. Tabatha's Drifter at Dickendall JH who had the most wonderful temperament. Anna was definitely one of the sweetest dogs that I have ever owned. She was such a love and enjoyed being with the people she loved. She was a wonderful mother to her babies and seemed never to want to stop nursing them. We are fortunate to have Ch. Surry's Rolliing Thunder and Surry's Eclipse, two of her get, here at Surry.

I'm not sure what else to say other than she was loved and will be greatly missed.

Thinking about how great dogs are

As the years have gone by I've had many wonderful loving dogs. These have been companions, show dogs, obedience dogs, and trained for hunt tests. But most of all they have been loved and adored by me and their owners. I have only run into a couple of people over the years that I wished that I had never sold a puppy to. It wasn't that they were bad people or unkind, they just weren't right to have a dog. Dogs shed, they make mistakes occasionally, but how many people are there who are as wonderful and forgiving as a dog? I can't think of many at all. Dogs love you no matter what and Labradors have that unique quality in which they can talk to you with those eyes. Their expression tells it all.

I've known people who never had an animal as a pet nor did they ever really understand dogs. These people are missing out on one of the greatest creatures ever. I think that there is something missing in people who don't like animals, especially dogs.

Update on Annabelle

Anna is still holding her own but getting weaker and thinner. We are still getting food in her and she is still wagging her tail. Every day it's hard to know when will be the day that she gives up but for now it hasn't happened. Lymphocytic liver cancer must be a quick type of cancer because she went from a very healthy happy dog to one that started to lose weight and stopped eating. We are feeding her Hill's AD which has a ton of calories. She also gets a lot of Neutrical at every feeding. I wish that I had better and happier news to report.

It's official

I received news that I am now a regular AKC judge for Labrador Retrievers. It's been over a year since I applied. In order to become a regular judge I had to complete 5 provisional assignments and be observed on three of those assignments to make certain that I had proper procedure. Now that I've completed the provisional assignments and received good scores on my procedure, the AKC board approved my regular status.

This is very exciting for me and it's been a long-term goal for me. Now after this approval, I'll be able to apply for other sporting breeds. I'll probably apply for Weimaraners next. It generally takes about a year to complete another breed. I've done Sweepstakes twice for Weims so they seem to be a good breed to try for next.

Anyway, it's another part of enjoying the sport of dogs.

Puppies and their moms

Today is Mother's Day. Although I don't have any human children, there are the dogs. Fortunately, they didn't wake up too early this morning. I'm thankful today for all the wonderful dams that we have had and their wonderful puppies. Breeding is a tough job and a very emotional and stressful one. I'm always sorry to have to put the girls through the whelping process. I'm sure if they could speak up about it, they would choose to eat and sleep, rather than give birth and raise up puppies. Thankfully, I don't have to think about any puppies for a while and am just going to enjoy the ones that I have.

I got back very late from judging in MA. Hartsfield in Atlanta was closed due to a large storm so there were many delays and planes circling. The plane had to go to Columbia to refuel and then back to Atlanta. I finally and luckily was able to get home by 2 AM. What a day! But I had great dogs to judge and very friendly exhibitors. I loved my Best in Sweeps bitch and the chocolate boy that went BOS in Sweeps was a wonderful example of the breed. Anyway, it's nice to be home for the weekend and have a few days off before the next travel time.

Hope that all the puppies are good to their human mothers today.

Made it to Massachusetts

I'm at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Pioneer Valley's specialty show today. Right now, I'm sitting in a hotel waiting to be taken to the show site. Unfortunately, I wasn't as organized as usual for this trip since I forgot my rain coat and it's supposed to rain on and off today. I think that I've had too many things on my mind lately what with a lot of projects at work and worrying about Annabelle. I seem to be burning candles in a three-dimensional direction instead of at both ends. Anyway, I'm sure some kind hearted soul will share a rain coat with me.

I'm looking forward to the day in spite of the weather. But after judging, it will be a long day as I don't get home until 11:30 tonight. I would rather do anything than have to go through Atlanta since that is always iffy. I just hope that I make it home and don't get stuck at the airport there.
I'll provide more information on the show later.

Going off to judge

I'm heading up to Mass. to judge sweepstakes for the LRC of the Pioneer Valley. I've never been to this show before but have always heard that it is a wonderful specialty. I'm looking forward to meeting the club members and mainly seeing some lovely dogs. The Northeast always has lovely Labradors and the competition is fierce.

With this weird weather we're having I'm hoping that the weather up north will be good. I think that this system is moving south which is fine with me. Get past and dissipate is what I'm hoping for. There will definitely not be any rowing tonight as there are 3 foot seas in the harbor. Not even the tugboats are working today.

Well, until I get back with news from the specialty, have a good week.

spider and ant bites

I haven't had any experience with spider bites and the dogs but do know that fire ant bites can cause raised up places on the skin. The hair generally pulls away and a "bump" appears. Venomous spiders are a different story. The two that we have to worry about in the Southeast are the brown recluse and the black widow.

The brown recluse has a violin shape to the abdomen and is a dull brown in color. These spiders like dark places and are often found under lumber or in darkened corners of sheds or dog houses. Generally, a swelling will occur where the bite is. The spider's venom contains an enzyme that destroys cell membranes in the wound area with affected tissue gradually sloughing away, exposing underlying tissues. Within 24 hours, the bite site can erupt into a "volcano lesion" (a hole in the flesh due to damaged, necrotic tissue). The open wound may range from the size of an adult's thumbnail to the span of a hand. I've seen the results of a brown recluse bite in a human and it is a terrible wound. On a dog, the sunken, ulcerating sore may heal slowly up to 6 to 8 weeks.

Black widow spider venom is categorized as a nerve toxin. One bite can be sufficient to affect severely or even kill a small pet. The venom, a neurotoxin, generally affects small dogs more severely than large dogs. Signs of a black widow spider bite occur immediately after the bite. The primary prevention is to limit your pet's access to areas that might house black widow spiders.

I can't think of anymore lethal animals that the South harbors but if you think of something that needs to be posted that's gloomy and scary, send it along. I'll try to get some cheerful posts going shortly!

Puppies at the dog park

This afternoon Roberta and I loaded up the five puppies and took them on a trip to the Isle of Palms dog park. This is a fenced in doggy park and the puppies had a blast. They played with another 5 and 1/2 month old Labrador named Rufus as well as several dachshunds. The puppies chased tennis balls and generally ran and ran. They jumped in the water trough and seemed to enjoy getting as dirty as they possibly could. It was a great time. After about an hour, they were totally beat and slept soundly all the way home.

The Isle of Palms doggy park is one of the nicest because it is fenced and there aren't a lot of dogs that come there. The clientele are generally nice and the dogs have good attitudes. It's worth a drive for me to take the puppies where I know they won't get snarled at or hurt. I've been to the James Island dog park and it is much more of a free-for-all. Also, it isn't fenced. IOP park has a double gate which is nice and a separate fenced area for smaller dogs.

I don't think that the puppies will have any trouble getting to sleep tonight. I had to take a bubble bath when I got home because I was filthy from their jumping all over me. It was a fun time!

Another warning for the dogs

Plants can also pose a threat to dogs. Here's a list of some common plants that can be toxic. I was surprised to learn from a colleague that hosta plants can cause severe gastroenteritis. Her schnauzer ingested some and had a severe reaction.

If you notice vomiting or diarrhea and suspect that your dog has ingested something poisonous, don't hesitate to call your vet. It will be important to take a sample of what was eaten and approximately how much was consumed.

You can induce vomiting if requested by your vet. The recommended emetic is hydrogen peroxide, 3% orally at a dose of one tsp. per 10 lbs of body weight.

It's a good idea to order a book on canine first aid that includes a section on dealing with poisoning. I keep the book and an epipen on hand at all times.

Watch out for poisonous snakes

I thought that I would post my annual reminder to watch out for poisonous snakes this time of year. The weather is getting warm enough for copperheads to come out to sun. Some of you may recall that Charlie was bitten on the ankle by a copperhead in April 2006. It's his foot in the photo above. It was a painful bite and kept him in the hospital for a couple of days. Luckily, he suffered no renal problems from the venom.

While dogs do better than humans, venom from a rattlesnake can kill a young dog or puppy. We have put up fine mesh wire around all of our paddocks hoping to keep the snakes out. There are a number of venomous snakes on Wadmalaw. When I see one, I move it if I can to another location; however, all bets are off if one is in with the dogs. They have a peculiar bark that indicates to us that a snake is around. We like to see corn snakes, rat snakes, black snakes, king snakes, hog nose snakes, and all the other snakes that pose no threat to the dogs (or humans). We are careful now when we go out after dark and keep the dogs away from the edges of the woods when we walk them. Charlie also wears boots when he goes out in the evening or early morning. Be aware and take care!

Good weekend

I had a good weekend and was able to get past the sadness over Anna and just enjoy time at home and with the dogs. We did some gardening which is always fun. This year, we've added foxgloves and some other species of lilies to our gardens. We also got a lot of the small bush roses, having found that the hybrid tea roses just don't do too well in hot, humid coastal SC without a lot of care. I used to spray and spray and they would be okay but I just don't want to be a slave to the roses anymore. So we pulled out the old hybrid teas and put in the disease resistant bush roses.

On Sunday, I took Stella for a romp at the beach. She really enjoyed that and has been running over to the van every time that she is let out. Finally, she got to go. We started at Station 12 and walked down to the Sullivan's Island light and then back. She got to greet a lot of other dogs and people on the walk.

Annabelle had a good weekend too. She spent most of it in the house with us. She even managed to eat a little food on her own. Unfortunately, we know that the diagnosis of lymphocytic liver cancer is grave and terminal. We just take each day at a time with her and are grateful for having the days that we have had. Today isn't the day for anything to happen.
Berta came to visit Annabelle which was nice. She loves being stroked and hugged on. Her mother Tilly is still going strong. I never thought that I would lose Anna for many years. I know now that there is another plan other than mine.

The weather has been beautiful so I'm going to head back out to enjoy some more of it before bedtime.

Sad about Anna

Anna had her exploratory surgery yesterday. It appears that she has liver cancer and it is quite advanced. Biopsies of the liver were done and will be sent away. She came out of the surgery fine and went home with us last night. She was still very tired last night after the surgery. We plan to make her remaining time with us as good as possible. We don't know how long she has but will have her with us to love until she let's us know that it's time to say goodbye. She is such a dear one.

Spring weather

This week has been so beautiful. The dogs have been enjoying it too, although they tend to slow down in their playing when the temperature climbs. We haven't seen any hotspots so far which is good news.

Anna seems to be getting a bit perkier but still isn't eating on her own. We may have to have exploratory surgery done. I am hoping that isn't the case but it may be the only alternative at this point. We want to do everything that we can to make sure that she can recover. Right now, we just don't have a clear diagnosis of what the problem is. The endoscopy showed no obstructions but there could be other issues such as ulcerative colitis or a cancer that hasn't manifested as a blockage. We hope that you will keep Anna in your thoughts.

In order to relieve stress, I'm going to go for a long walk. No time for the beach today but hopefully I'll get to row tomorrow if the weather is decent.

Match on Saturday

We had a great time at the Coastal South Carolina Match on Saturday. Eugene Mah took a lot of photos and they are posted on his website at

http://radinfo.musc.edu/~eugenem/gallery/v/Dogs/CSCLRC/2007SpringFling/

You'll have to copy the link above into your browser because it appears not to work unless you do that.

I entered Deacon who won his class, Crinkles who got third in her class, Amelia who got second in her class and Aggie who won her class and went on to take Best Adult in Match. The weather was perfect and everyone seemed to have a great time. Since I live just down the road from where the match was held, I took one load of dogs home after they were finished with socializing and playing and then came back with another 4 puppies. They seemed to have a great time but were very tired out at the end of the day. After that I got Stella and brought her back for the human socializing part where we had salad and barbecue. It was a good meal and a relaxing way to end the day.

Today I took Stella to the beach and enjoyed walking all the way from Station 12 to the Lighthouse on Sullivan's Island. It was a beautiful afternoon for it. There were a lot of people just strolling the beach and a few dogs were out. I like Sullivan's because it isn't as crowded as Folly and Kiawah. Stella seemed to really love her outing.

Update on Anna

Several of you have expressed concern about Annabelle. She had an endoscopy done yesterday and no blockage or tumors were found. She does have a badly inflamed stomach lining indicative of severe gastroenteritis. All of her blood work was normal including her hematocrit. I am cautiously optimistic that she will be okay. She is still not her happy, tail wagging self and still doesn't want to eat anything but we are getting food into her. She is also on more antibiotics, Albon, and a stomach coater. I'm also giving her plain yogurt that has acidophyllic bacteria that may also help soothe her stomach. It appears that she has an overgrowth of bacteria in her stomach and that is why she has had diarrhea and vomiting. Hopefully, with all the medicines she will start to improve and be a happy girl once again.

Tomorrow is the B match sponsored by the CSCLRC. I hope to take the puppies for an outing. It will be nice to get them out even if it is down the road. I don't know how they will do in the ring as their attention span isn't all that great since they are babies. It will be good practice for them.