Show Catalog

A show catalog must be in a book format. The overall size of the catalog can be from 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" to 8 1/2" by 11".  Contents of the catalog should include:

• Armband number
• Complete registered name of dogs
• AKC registration number ( PAL number or foreign registration number)
• Name of owner and co-owner
• Owners agent if designated
• Address of owner
• Current schedule of championship points for the appropriate division of the country
• Prizes and trophies offered

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Cover or Title Page Of Show Catalog

The cover or title page of the show catalog should include:

• Club Name
• Date of Show
• American Kennel Club Logo
• This statement, "This show is held under American Kennel Club rules."

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Show Catalog

Things To Include In A Show Catalog:

• Show location
• Date/dates of show
• Show hours (opening and closing times)
• List of Officers
• Names and addresses for the judges
• Name and address of Show Secretary
• Veterinarian in attendance or on call
• Names and addresses of all exhibitors
• Information for all dogs entered in the event
• Junior Handlers
• Judging Program

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Ring Stewards

Ring Stewards do not mark, or erase anything in the judge's book.  Once the judging is completed; the ring steward returns unused ribbons, and prize money not awarded to the Show Secretary.  The Ring Steward does not take part in any of the judging; they should not discuss anything about the exhibitors or their dogs with the judge.  Ring Stewards do not show the show catalog to the judge.  The Ring Steward also keeps the entrance to the ring clear.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Ring Stewards

Ring Stewards should be familiar with judging procedures and breed classifications.  A good ring steward will take care of the details.  For example the ring steward will assemble the classes in a timely manner, this keeps the judging schedule on time and helps to avoid delays.  The ring steward lets the judge know when all the dogs for a class are in the ring; it is also their responsibility to let the judge know of dogs that are absent. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Premium List Info

Here are some things that should be included in a premium list:

• List of Club Officers
• Include address for the Secretary of the club
• Event Committee Members
• Local veterinarian
• Names and addresses of the judges
• Show Secretary
• Specify if show is benched or unbenched
• Location of show
• Date of show
• Show hours

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Two Saint Bernard Specialties Today

The Saint Bernard Club of San Diego is hosting two Specialty Shows today at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  Brandykegs would like to wish all the exhibitors the best of luck today!

Chinook Added To AKC Recognized Breeds

Chinook

For more detailed information on this wonderful breed visit The Chinook Club of America's Website. 

Hazards For Pets During Winter

Many enjoy coffee and chocolate no matter what time of year; both are very dangerous for our pets to ingest.  Chocolate even in small amounts can be deadly for our pets; seizures are also a nasty side effect related to chocolate.  The caffeine in coffee can cause seizures, abnormal heartbeat, and death as well.  So let's all be sure to keep coffee and chocolate away from our pets. 

Hazards For Pets During Winter

Your car engine may be a warm and inviting place for a cat or outdoor creature seeking a warm place.  If you leave your vehicle parked outdoors cats and other creatures have easy access to the engine area.  So before starting up the engine; make some noise so that they will leave the area. 

Hazards For Pets During Winter

It is the law in California that your residence has a carbon monoxide monitoring device.  If your furnace is not working, we often have to use portable devices to keep warm.  Gas or kerosene space heaters can emit carbon monoxide into the air (make sure these types of space heaters are working properly and vent them if necessary); never use charcoal briquettes inside your home to keep warm.  If you keep your pets in the garage never leave a car running whenever they are inside the garage.  Carbon monoxide not only kills people it will kill our pets as well.

Hazards For Pets During Winter

Just because your pet has their very own fur coat does not mean that they are protected from frostbite or hypothermia.  All our pets need protection from the harsh cold elements of winter.  Our older, smaller, and thin coated pets especially need protection from the cold; maybe snow boots and a dog jacket or sweater.  Insulated dog houses, warm bedding, and water bowls that don't freeze are a must have for those pets who spend most of their time outdoors.  You should always bring your pets indoors whenever near or below freezing temperatures occur; it's the humane thing to do. 

Hazards For Pets During Winter

There are several winter chemicals that are dangerous for our pets; such as ice melting salts, windshield wiper fluids, and antifreeze.  Windshield wiper fluids and antifreeze can contain methanol or ethylene glycol or both.  Methanol can cause lethargy, vomiting, and seizures when ingested by our pets.  Ethylene glycol can cause permanent kidney damage.  If your pet is exposed to ice melting salts there paws become very dried out; your pet will try to lick the salts off their paws and ingest chemicals that make them sick. Use a warm wet cloth to clean your pets' paws whenever they are exposed to melting salts that are not pet safe.  Whenever you suspect your pet has ingested something like antifreeze or other hazardous chemicals; get them to the vet quickly. 

Hazards For Pets During Winter

Fireplaces can singe or set on fire your pet's fur.  Smoke inhalation is also a real danger for our pets just as it is for us; make sure your fireplace is vented properly.  You should always monitor your pets whenever your fireplace is in use.  Pets may be drawn to the fireplace for warmth or the light of the flickering flames. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from Brandykegs!

More Tail Problems (cont.)

Finally, there is also a condition called limber tail syndrome that can impact any dog’s tail but is most commonly found in hunting and sporting breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. With limber tail syndrome, also cold water tail or frozen tail, your dog’s tail suddenly hangs limply for no apparent reason and the base of your dog’s tail might seem a bit sore if you touch it. Although it is not definitively known why some dogs get develop this syndrome, it is thought to be associated with strenuous exercise, swimming in water that is either too warm or too cold, and, more recently, studies have showed it may associated with muscle damage to the tail. The best cure for this condition is simply to let your dog rest. Applying warm compresses to the base of your dog’s tail has also been helpful, and, in some instances, anti-inflammatory medications have been used. Complete recovery, without any intervention, usually takes about 2 weeks although a dog who has gotten this syndrome tends to have more bouts in the future.

More Tail Problems (cont.)

Due to the physical attributes of their tails some breeds are also susceptible to specific tail problems. Bulldogs, for example, can be prone to a condition in which the twisted nature of their tails creates a deep crevice– called a tail fold – that holds moisture, bacteria and yeast leading to chronic infections. These infections are hard to resolve with medication alone and can be painful, so, in particularly severe cases, surgery can be the recommended option. The surgery is generally aimed at seeing if the tail can be reconstructed and if the skin fold can be removed.

More Tail Problems

Aside from the tail problems listed below which deal with injuries to your dog’s tail, there are a number of other medical problems that can also impact your dog’s tail including tumors such as lipomas, mast cell tumors and melanomas; skin problems that have taken root in the tail such as allergies; and neurological conditions and spinal problems such as cauda equina syndrome which is caused by a compression of nerve roots in your dog’s lower back and can cause pain and/or movement problems in your dog’s hind legs and tail.

Wounded Tails

Wounds on the tail most commonly result from a bite but also may be caused by banging the tail against a wall or other hard object that actually “opens up” a wound in the tail. It is important to take your dog to the vet to evaluate the wound and to have your dog put on antibiotics to prevent infections that frequently occur with wounds. At the vet, the wound will be cleaned and dressed. If the wound is quite minor, it might be sutured up and bandaged. More severe wounds are left open to drain but still covered with a bandage. As with broken tails, in the case of a very severe wound or neurological damage, partial tail amputation may be necessary.

Broken Tails

Broken tails are most commonly caused by accidently closing a door on your dog’s tail or from damage sustained when your dogs takes a fall. Although many tail breaks can heal on their own without long-term consequences, a broken tail will be very painful for your dog and will generally heal in a bit of a crooked fashion if not treated. Thus, the best thing to do is take your dog to the vet where the tail may be set and splinted and your dog will be given some medication to reduce the pain. Surgery is generally not necessary except in the cases in which your vet determines the tail has been severely damaged and/or neurological damage has been done to the tail. In these cases, a portion of the tail may have to be amputated. Amputation is done under general anesthesia. The damaged area or areas are removed and the remaining portion of the tail is sewn up and bandaged.

Bruised Tails

A bruised tail most often occurs when your dog’s tail has banged hard against something such as a coffee table or even a wall. In addition to having a drooping or sagging tail, you may notice swelling or discoloration at the site of the bruise. Bruised tails will generally heal on their own but you should make sure that your dog is kept relatively inactive during the healing process so as not to re-injure the tail. In addition, for more severe bruises, many vets will administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids to help reduce pain and swelling.

Tail Problems - (cont.)

Unfortunately, tail injuries in dogs are not that uncommon.  That normally wagging tail can be stepped on, hurt when it bangs into something, caught in a car door, or even bitten.  Tail injuries are painful for your four-legged friend.  Even if you did not see the cause of the injury or don't see any swelling or wounds, you can usually tell when something is wrong with their tail when it droops or lies flat against the dog's hindquarters.  Due to the painful nature of tail injuries, your dog may start to walk gently. 

Tail Problems

Your dog’s tail is basically a continuation of the spine. The tail is composed of little bones which are actually vertebrae along with muscles and nerves which allow the tail to move and control sensation in this area. The nerves at the base of the tail are particularly important as they help your dog to control bowel movements.

Are Dogs Really Pack Animals? (cont.)

We can and must help our dogs by providing a stable structure for their lives in the human world. For example, they need early socialization and a well-learned repertoire of mannerly behaviors, such as sitting to greet people and not charging out the door every time it opens. We can call our role “pack leader” if we want to, but it’s unlikely that that notion has much to do with what’s going on in the dog’s head. And worrying about our rank can even get in our way, if it primes us to see every problem that comes up as a potential conflict. As the great animal trainer Bob Bailey has said, “It’s just behavior.”

Are Dogs Really Pack Animals?

Dogs are social, yes – they communicate with one another and with us and they form social bonds. Sometimes dogs will form a temporary band, for instance to run down a rabbit. And obviously most dogs adapt well to living in households with people and other animals. But scientists have observed free-living dogs – city strays and village dogs, for instance – for decades, and those dogs just don’t form permanent, stable packs. You’ll see a mother dog with pups, or a bunch of males following around a female in heat, but you won’t see the dog equivalent of a wolf pack, with a long-term parent pair, an adolescent or two, and the current crop of pups.

Is That Dog Happy With The Wagging Tail?

Just too simple to be true. Not only does your dog use tail movement to signal a variety of moods from jolliness to stress and tension, but also she uses more than one body part at the same time to communicate her emotions and intentions. To understand what you are dog is communicating, you need to look not only at the tail but also at ear position, head position, eyes, and overall body posture. For example, a wagging tail at half mast together with loose body language – often the butt wags with the tail – is friendly and relaxed, but a stiffly wagging tail held erect and coupled with slow deliberate body language indicates a high degree of tension and is NOT an invitation to come closer or interact with the dog.

Playing Tug

Most dogs treat tug as a cooperative game – it’s no fun unless both parties have hold of the toy. And you can use tug to teach your dog to be super careful with his teeth (game ends if teeth touch clothes or skin! Too bad!). To let go of something on cue. To wait till you give permission to grab the toy again. And to respond to your cues even when excited, excited, excited.  However, playing tug without set rules can crank up an excitable dog till he’s out of control. And it’s unwise to play tug with a dog who has certain behavioral problems – for example, possessiveness over toys.  Tug of War in and of itself, however, does not condition your dog to be aggressive.

February 2013

Here's what is happening in February.

Special Days:

• Feb 2, 2013 - Groundhog Day
• Feb 10, 2013 - Chinese New Year (Year of the snake)
• Feb 12, 2013 - Lincoln's Birthday
• Feb 13, 2013 - Ash Wednesday
• Feb 14, 2013 - Valentine's Day
• Feb 18, 2013 - President's Day
• Feb 22, 2013 - Washington's Birthday
• Feb 24, 2013 - Purim (Jewish Holiday)

February 2nd
 

February 10th
 

February 13th
 

February 14th
 

February 22nd