Welcome... Vol. 14, November 2014

Transcription

1 Vol. 14, November 2014 LeeLoo gets into the spirit of the season Welcome Welcome to the somewhat belated October Kooiker Chronicle. We hope that you ll find this issue so full of information and fun, well-illustrated Kooiker stories that you ll consider it worth the wait. If you made it to a Fall Frolic, you can bask in the memory and see how the other groups frolicked. If you didn t make it to one, you can see what you missed and feel inspired to join in the next round of frolics in the coming year. PLEASE do be sure to let Karen (karenldean@yahoo.com) know that you expect to make it to the AKC Meet The Breed in NYC on February 14, (See inside for details). We need to have approximate head and nose counts by December 1. Thanks! ~ Karen L Dean, Editor

2 October 24, 2014 Dear Club Members and Readers, This issue brings together the diverse opinions regarding the North American practice of early spaying or neutering. It is very interesting reading. There will always be differences of opinion, but after you have read this article, you will have a better understanding of the effects of this practice on your pet. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon a small but growing group of Kooikerhondje owners and hope you will heed this call and step forward to assist us in this endeavor. Kooikerhondjes are very sharp, smart, intelligent and determined little dogs who excel in all sorts of venues. Until recently, KCUSA has tended to emphasize conformation shows over performance events. There is, however, a growing number of performance Kooikerhondjes. We, as KCUSA Board, are proud to announce that for the first time a full contingent of five invited Kooikerhondjes will compete in agility at the 2014 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Invitational in Orlando, Florida over the weekend of December The KCUSA Board would like to follow up on a plan devised by some KCUSA members to have a monthly series of articles in our Chronicle, communicating statistics and stories about our performance Kooikerhondjes and their owners. It would surely enhance our newsletter and hopefully entice some new members to take a look at their dog and start participating in individual and team performance events. Sincerely, Jac M Knoop President KCUSA

3 Contents Perspectives on Spaying and Neutering 5 The Consequences of Sterilization 8 Looking at the Research 11 Preserving the Gene Pool 14 Carefully Working towards Goals 16 It s a Small World 17 Effects on Behavior 18 Careful Use of Contracts 20 Responsibilities of Owning an Intact Animal 21 Call for Entries: KCUSA Benched FSS Open Show Conformation Event in January 22 Meet the Breeds on Valentines Day in the Big Apple 23 KCUSA Delegates to Attend the Dutch Kooikerhondje Club Match and Symposium 24 Kooiker Kaboodle in the Pacific Northwest 26 Merrymaking in Maryland 28 A Lark in the Park in Illinois 30 Making New Friends in New York 32 More than a Few in Massachusetts 34 Worth the Trip in North Carolina 37 Wags and Brags 38 Announcements 42

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5 Health and Reproduction Perspectives on Spaying and Neutering Should you spay or neuter a healthy Kooikerhondje puppy? The nine statements gathered here present an assortment of personal and organizational thoughts about neutering or spaying a reproductively immature Kooikerhondje puppy who has not attained full adult size. This is not a simple question with a simple answer. It demands that we consider such matters as whether a puppy will be a family companion or a competitor in the performance ring; whether the new owner is prepared to deal with the downsides of living with an intact adult; design of the contracts between breeders and puppy buyers; keeping open communication lines between breeders and puppy buyers; different dog cultures in Western Europe and the United States; AKC rules requiring that dogs in the conformation ring are intact; and rules of boarding kennels, doggie day care facilities and public dog runs that exclude intact dogs, to name a few. Many and perhaps most American dog owners have given these questions little thought, having long heard warnings from veterinarians and dog shelters about the importance of controlling unwanted breeding that results in overburdened shelters. We are told that neutering or spaying a young dog shows that we are behaving responsibly. This common wisdom against the casual mating of dogs makes sense, particularly when one considers how many unwanted dogs are euthanized yearly in the United States. This advice usually comes with claims that spaying and neutering may prevent health problems later in a dog s life. The picture clearly changes, however, when the dog in question is of a rare breed with a shallow gene pool, as is true in the case of the Kooikerhondje. Breeders of Kooikerhondjes, as well as people who bring these special dogs into their families, are encouraged to give careful consideration to the questions around the spaying and neutering of healthy immature Kooikers. All of us who share our lives with our beloved Kooikers have accepted a share of curatorial responsibility for the breed. We re happy to share our breed s history and wonderful qualities with anyone who asks about them. We aim to maintain the health and appearance of the breed in accordance with the classic Dutch standard. Kooikerhondje breeders who list on the KCUSA Website have committed to following responsible breeding practices that support the physical and genetic health of the breed. These nine opinions about spay/neuter practices come from two dog clubs the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland, the Dutch Kennel Club and from seven KCUSA members who actively breed Kooikerhondjes. Breeders generally represent the front line of Kooiker health and genetic protection. The kennel clubs support the dog breeds and the breeders by maintaining registries of births of pedigreed dogs, and records of the dogs health and performance achievements. Collectively, the opinions voiced here represent concerns of the major segments of the US Kooikerhondje curatorial community breeders, conformation and performance people, and pet people. These groups are interdependent and interconnected, and are all living in a very different dog culture than their counterparts in the Kooikerhondje s homeland of the Nederlands and Western Europe. The commentators writing here do so in the strongly pro neuter/spay environment of the modern U.S., as they try to map the best course for the benefit of the breed. Let s briefly survey the themes that run throughout the comments. 1. The Dutch Kennel Club and four of the seven experienced KCUSA breeders agree that, absent any health problems, a Kooikerhondje should not be spayed or neutered before the age of 1 or 2 years, by which time Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

6 the Kooiker has attained maturity and can be properly evaluated as a breeding candidate. 2. Most of the respondents, however, acknowledge that the typical family who has adopted a pet Kooiker is not prepared for the responsibility and demands of living with an intact dog or bitch. Accordingly, most pet Kooikerhondjes are sold with a neuter/spay contract, or with some arrangement requiring the buyers to stay in close contact with the breeder, who maintains some input into the dogs future as a breeding Kooikerhondje. Education and communication are critical components of our responsible care of the breed. 3. Several commentators observed that the culture in the U.S. is so strongly pro-neuter and spay that most dog owners succumb to the pressure applied by vets, boarding facilities, and public dog runs that will not accept intact animals. 4. One breeder observed that an intact adult Kooiker is a fundamentally different dog than one who was neutered or spayed at an early age, who typically remains more playful and predictable. Anyone who adopts a Kooiker puppy needs to understand this and be prepared for the behavioral changes that an intact Kooiker expresses. 5. The Dutch Kennel Club and four of the five breeders argue against early spay and neuter of healthy young Kooikerhondjes, on the grounds that the health benefits of sterilization are not as substantial as many advocates have represented, and that the possible benefits do not outweigh long-term gene pool depletion. 6. The AKC and two of the six breeders regard early spaying and neutering as the preferred default course of action. One of these commentators reminds us that keeping an entire litter intact does not really expand the Kooikerhondje gene pool, but rather increases the number of Kooikers with the same genetic history. 7. It should be noted that the AKC implicitly acknowledges a double standard in that it has posted a position statement advocating early spay/neuter for most companion dogs, but it only permits intact dogs to show in the conformation ring. As you will see in the comments that follow, the spay/neuter debate brings in a range of complex questions that can be answered in many different ways by equally concerned and responsible people. The Kooiker Chronicle encourages all KCUSA members to share their opinions. 6 Perspectives on Spaying and Neutering

7 Health and Reproduction Canine Legislation Position Statement SPAYING AND NEUTERING The American Kennel Club encourages pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs as a responsible means to prevent accidental breedings resulting in unwanted puppies. The American Kennel Club encourages breeders to discuss spaying and neutering options with puppy buyers who do not wish to participate in conformation events Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC Tel Fax AKC Position Statement 7

8 Health and Reproduction The Consequences of Sterilization Thinking about spaying or neutering your dog? Following is the statement paper of the Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club). translated by Ann Knoop-Siderius and reprinted with permission Dog owners usually decide to spay or neuter their companion animal without too much thought about how it may affect the animal, just as if spaying or neutering were something as common as the yearly vaccination that we routinely give. These days, sterilization of your animal is suggested by your veterinarian as if it were a routine and normal procedure. From several different viewpoints this is not a good development. If all our good breeding stock is falling victim to this trend, it will become increasingly difficult to find good breeding material. More importantly, sterilization is not an innocent procedure. It has consequences that may not be so positive. A significant observation is that some of the people that advocate sterilization often do not care about tail and ear docking. But is the unnecessary surgical removal of the reproductive organs not important? Docking of tails and ears is prohibited but the removal or surgical intervention of the reproduction organs is purposely not. Many animals suffer the consequences, such as cats, studs, bulls and other animals. This has not so much to do with the health of the animal but more with the convenience of the owner. Prevention of unplanned litters can be one of the reasons, of course. Sterilization of bitches is usually recommended for the chance of significantly reducing health concerns. This is a reasonable argument, certainly when the bitch is being sterilized after the first heat cycle. Sometimes the surgical intervention serves the economic interest of the breeder. There are breeders that start this practice with 6-8 week old pups to prevent competition from other breeders, who may want to use their breed stock. This practice is not unusual and can be seen in the case of the Labradoodle, this cross between Labrador and Poodle that serves the economic advantage. Question Marks There are several reasons to question the routine practice of spaying and neutering dogs. Most important is that the dogs are under anesthesia during these procedures, and there is always a risk with surgeries. Using this procedure for medical reasons may be a responsible decision, but what if the dog is healthy and does not medically benefit? Another unwanted consequence can be the hormonal imbalance which most often is not a desired effect. For example, when the bitch has pseudo pregnancy syndrome or the heat cycle is too extreme, uterine infection can be the result. The stud may show aggressive behavior, which can be difficult for the owner. These procedures may also have consequences and sometimes unnecessary effects, such as incontinence and infections that are difficult to treat. The coat may change, obesity may develop due to change in dietary habits. Very young spay and neuter may have a negative effect on development of hips, resulting in hip dysplasia. Most often the owner expects a positive response or behavior, that the dog will become easier to handle. But research has shown that too early intervention can have the opposite effect, the dog may actually show extreme behavior. Research also has shown that bitches with fear and aggression problems may worsen instead of improving. Most often this happens to bitches that have to compete with too many brothers. If the dog has had the procedure, you cannot go back. It is irreversible and you will have forever a dog with changed behavior. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

9 More Breed Stock Spaying and neutering the animal makes it impossible to have offspring and sometimes that is not the purpose. Looking from the viewpoint of specific breeds it may be not favorable to rob the gene pool of good genetic material. Recently in Lelystad, a city in the Netherlands, a conference was held, the theme of the day: How to handle the ever diminishing gene pool of specific dog breeds. This is an initiative from an organization called Stichting Zeldzame Huisdieren (SZH) or loosely translated: Association for Rare Breed Home Companion Animals, and the Centre for Genetic Offspring Netherlands (CGN) and the Dutch Raad van Beheer (RVB). Translated, this is the council to take care and conserve. At this conference several different speakers voiced their concerns and discussed the importance of using as many potentially available animals in the specific breed as possible. The risks in reproduction are best spread over a large genetic base. Therefore it is important not to use the same genetic material too often or some animals from only one kennel. Many of the problems that we see are a result of the classic breeding method. We need to change course and our methods need to become more like all hands on deck. Also the less known animals, when fitting the criteria for the breed should get a chance to participate in the gene pool. But if most of the public does not keep their dog intact, it will become very difficult. So the advice is not to put the knife in it too soon. Moral Duties Breeders already look at their puppies and look at the future; when their dog shows potential it will be able to share the desired qualities and traits. They are concerned and are choosy with medications, vaccinations and of course do not spay or neuter when there is no medical reason. Also with the home companion owner this scenario should be kept in mind, keep the young dog in condition, let the dog participate in all the usual requirements, genetic testing in some cases that the breed recommends. If there is a good outcome then in the future a breeding may be done. Obviously all dog owners are able to make their own choices. But we also have moral duties. Certain owners of dog Male kooikerhondje litter mates, here about 15 months of age: The dark dog is intact. The lighter dog was neutered at five months of age. Notice the difference in lengths of leg. The Consequences of Sterilization 9

10 The same dogs again. The dog on the left was neutered at five months of age, and has long legs and a longer narrower head. The dog on the right is intact. He has not been neutered. breeds that have a small gene pool or a breed that may demonstrate health problems should realize that their particular dog may be contributing to a traditional breed and if it is found good enough then it may be used to improve the breed. Healthy good-looking dogs can be of great value, and there is no difference between the breeder and the home companion owner. So if there is no reason, do not unnecessarily take them out of the gene pool. Hunting for talent Breed clubs in the future will have to put more effort in unknown but valuable assets to keep their breed healthy. If they do their job well they will encourage owners of these dogs to keep their dog intact and help them along the way with all the necessary recommended testing and requirements for breeding. Good combinations do not just happen and some of us may have never given it much thought. Breed committees do not do anything else! Breeders should be clear when selling their puppies in their sales agreement. If you are still convinced to spay or neuter, you can ask advice of your breed club, they may be able to calculate the genetic footprint that this specific dog could leave behind. Because of health reasons the Dutch Raad van Beheer in the Netherlands is not in favor of early spay and neuter practices, specifically if the reason is pure economical. Copied from Onze Hond 09/2011 Rubriek Raad & Daad van de Raad van Beheer op kynologisch gebied in Nederland. 10 The Consequences of Sterilization

11 Health and Reproduction Looking at the Research by Deborah Bean, Carousel Kooikers, Fair Oaks, California I am a scientist. I prefer facts to opinions and reason to emotion. I like evidence-based decisions stemming from well-thought-out research regarding whatever topic is being discussed. Because of my penchant for research, I do a lot of it and I remember most of what I read. My initial inclination was to provide all the research data then talk about what we do when advising new puppy owners about spaying or neutering their pet. But my friends have reminded me that most peoples eyes start to cross when they see endnote references. So, instead I am going to talk about what we do first as long-standing breeders of champion show dogs and those who want to know the research behind those choices can read further. We evaluate litters of puppies at 8 weeks of age, making a determination as to which puppies are show prospects and which are pets. Puppy parties are fun, with all our breeder friends coming to see the new ones, go over each puppy and provide feedback as to which puppy/puppies have the right stuff. All pups stay with us until they turn 10 weeks old, then the pets go to their new homes. It is very difficult to acquire a breeding quality dog from us. We only breed to replenish our own show stock. If there is a stunning puppy or two or even three in the litter, we keep those puppies until they are near adults in order to make better determinations. In fact, we are happy when we have litters of just a few wonderful puppies. We are not breeding for profit, but rather for the love of the dogs. Puppies at eight weeks of age It is extremely difficult for new people to break into the dog show scene with a top quality dog. Our show/breeding prospects are never sold outright, only on co-ownership agreements, as are those of most of the breeders we know. I can t think of the last time we sold a show prospect to someone we have not known for years. Stringent penalties are in the contract to enforce the animal remaining intact unless or until we grant written approval to spay or neuter. We re-evaluate show prospects at one year and again at two years after OFA health clearances are done. Pet female puppies are sold under a limited registration with a spay contract, providing a small refund of about 1% of the sale price if the new owners wait until the bitch is at least 12 months old before doing the surgery. Ideally they would wait until 18 months or longer, but English Setters typically have their first heat around one year of age, and few Americans are willing or able to manage the logistics of a bitch in heat. That having been said, the culture in the US is so strongly pro-neuter and spay that most succumb to the pressure applied by their vet, or the boarding facility that will not take intact animals or even the local dog park that also prohibits intact animals. No one has returned to us for the token refund granted to those who delay spaying their dog. Pet male puppies are sold with a strong recommendation that they not be neutered at all since there is no medical evidence that rou- Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

12 tine neuter has any health benefits and indeed has a lot of health negatives. BUT, living with a young male dog of any breed who has a strong libido is not fun. Our male Kooikerhondje, Piek, has kept me awake several nights running when one of the girls is in heat. He knows when they are ready and really really REALLY wants to have sex. Training only goes so far in this situation. He is miserable. I am miserable. Tranquilizers are sometimes in order for me, not him. So I can understand the impetus to neuter. I explain in detail the reality of canine sexuality. I explain the need for care with intact dogs, not allowing them to approach other dogs without close supervision. I tell owners what to look for with an intact female so they are not surprised by the onset of estrus. Some people learn and respond. Most just get their dogs fixed as soon as they can. Now for the science bits. Warning: there is a lot of math too. Many have heard that spaying a bitch before she comes in heat will prevent breast cancer. What it does is reduce the relative risk of developing breast cancer. 1 The odds ratio of developing canine mammary carcinoma are if done before the first heat, 0.08 if done after the first heat, and 0.26 if done after 2 or more heat cycles. Those numbers ARE NOT percent risks but rather the relative risk. Similar reductions in human breast cancer relative risk occur in women who lose estrogen production prior to age 40 either due to surgery or due to early onset menopause. 2 There is little question spaying reduces the risk of breast cancer. But other factors appear to be at work as well. Dogs with a high co-efficient of inbreeding (meaning they have more ancestors in common) are more susceptible. Certain breeds Boxers, Golden Retrievers, American Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, and Dachshunds are all at greater than average risk. 3 Data from Sweden where spaying is uncommon has found that 23% of female dogs develop pyometra, a uterine 1 Schneider, R, Dorn, CR, Taylor, DON. Factors Influencing Canine Mammary Cancer Development and Postsurgical Survival. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol 43, No 6, Dec Feinleib M: Breast cancer and artificial menopause: A cohort study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 41: , Moe L. Population-based incidence of mammary tumours in some dog breeds. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 57, infection. 4 Of those affected, 4% die. Spayed dogs can get the same disease in the remnant of the uterus left after surgery, but that happens rarely. Based on this study, 1% of intact dogs will die of pyometra. Spaying reduces that risk to near zero. On the other side, urinary incontinence is a serious problem afflicting up to 20% of spayed females compared to 0.03% of intact ones. 5, 6, 7 Urinary tract infections, vaginitis, and recessed vulva are all problems found almost exclusively in spayed females, especially those who are spayed before 6 months old. 8, 9 Some kinds of cancer are much more common in dogs who are spayed or neutered. Osteosarcoma, bone cancer, is 2 to 4 times more common in dogs spayed or neutered before one year of age, depending on the breed. 10, 11 Bladder and Urethra cancer risk is twice as high in spayed and neutered dogs. 12 Prostate cancer is four times higher in neutered 4 Hagman R: New aspects of canine pyometra. Doctoral thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Thrusfield MV, Holt PE, Muirhead RH. Acquired urinary incontinence in bitches: its incidence and relationship to neutering practices. Journal of Small Animal Practice Dec;39(12): Stocklin-Gautschi NM, Hassig M, Reichler IM, Hubler M, Arnold S. The relationship of urinary incontinence to early spaying in bitches. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 2001;57: Arnold S, Arnold P, Hubler M, Casal M, and Ru sch P. Urinary Incontinence in spayed bitches: prevalence and breed disposition. European Journal of Companion Animal Practice. 131, Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA. Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2004;224: Verstegen-Onclin K, Verstegen J. Non-reproductive Effects of Spaying and Neutering: Effects on the Urogenital System. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods for Pet Population Control 10 Ru G, Terracini B, Glickman LT. Host-related risk factors for canine osteosarcoma. Veterinary Journal 1998 Jul;156(1): Cooley DM, Beranek BC, Schlittler DL, Glickman NW, Glickman LT, Waters DJ. Endogenous gonadal hormone exposure and bone sarcoma risk. Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2002 Nov;11(11): Norris AM, Laing EJ, Valli VE, Withrow SJ. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1992 May; 6(3): Looking at the Research

13 dogs. 13, 14 Hemangiosarcoma, a common nearly always fatal cancer, was found to be 2.5 times more common in spayed bitches in a controlled study 15 and in a retrospective study, spayed bitches were found to have five times greater risk than intact ones with neutered dogs having a 1.6 greater risk. 16 Other problems are associated with spaying and neutering as well. Hypothyroidism, 17 obesity, 18 severe vaccine reactions, 19 and geriatric cognitive impairment dementia 20 all have substantially higher incidence in spayed and neutered dogs than in intact ones. The area of orthopedics presents significant issues with regard to spay and neutering early. Dogs spayed or neutered before sexual maturity have abnormal growth patterns due to the delay in closure of growth plates in the bones. Since growth plates close at different times in different bones, spaying or neutering before sexual maturity at 18 months to 2 years of age results in abnormal proportions which 13 S Teske E, Naan EC, van Dijk EM, van Garderen E, Schalken JA. Canine prostate carcinoma: Epidemiological evidence of an increased risk in castrated dogs. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Nov 29;197(1 2): Sorenmo KU, Goldschmidt M, Shofer F, Ferrocone J. Immunohistochemical characterization of canine prostatic carcinoma and correlation with castration status and castration time. Veterinary Comparative Oncology Mar; 1 (1): 48. predispose the dog to cruciate ligament tears. 21 Spay/ neuter before 5 months of age is associated with a 70% increased aged-adjusted risk of hip dysplasia compared to dogs spayed/neutered after 5 months of age. 22 In July of this year the University of California, Davis, Veterinary School published research regarding the effects of spaying and neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. 23 This study continued the research done earlier on the effects of early and late spaying and neutering in Golden Retrievers published in February While there were breed differences, the bottom line on orthopedic issues remained the same: early spay and neuter increases the rate of joint and ligament problems albeit at different rates in the different breeds. Those studies can be found at online at the PLoS One, a free online peerreviewed scientific journal. Conclusion Spay and neuter has become the norm in the United States for both dogs and cats. The literature suggests there is no medical justification for neutering male dogs and limited benefit to spaying female dogs. But the reality of living with an intact dog with a strong libido or a bitch in heat is impetus for many people just to be done with canine sexuality and get their pets fixed. 15 Prymak C, McKee LJ, Goldschmidt MH, Glickman LT. Epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, and prognostic characteristics of splenic hemangiosarcoma and splenic hematoma in dogs: 217 cases (1985). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1988 Sep; 193(6): Ware WA, Hopper, DL. Cardiac Tumors in Dogs: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine ;13: Panciera DL. Hypothyroidism in dogs: 66 cases ( ). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1994 Mar1;204(5):761 7 Panciera DL. Canine hypothyroidism. Part I. Clinical findings and control of thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practising Veterinarian 1990: 12: Edney AT, Smith PM. Study of obesity in dogs visiting veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Record Apr 5;118(14): Moore GE, Guptill LF, Ward MP, Glickman NW, Faunt KF, Lewis HB, Glickman LT. Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol 227, No 7, Oct 1, Hart BL. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2001 Jul 1;219(1): Whitehair JG, Vasseur PB, Willits NH. Epidemiology of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1993 Oct 1;203(7): Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA. Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2004;224: Benjamin L. Hart mail, Lynette A. Hart, Abigail P. Thigpen, Neil H. Willits. Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs: Comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers DOI: /journal.pone fJuly 14, article/info%3adoi%2f %2fjournal.pone Torres de la Riva, Gretel et al. Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers DOI: / journal.pone Feb 13, info%3adoi%2f %2fjournal.pone Looking at the Research 13

14 Health and Reproduction Preserving the Gene Pool by Rod Beckstead, Ravenswood Kennel, Allentown, Pennsylvania During my 34 years of breeding purebred dogs, I have worked with several new breeds as they moved from Miscellaneous Class to Regular classes in the AKC... Tibetan Spaniels, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and now the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. I have seen many dogs enter the show ring that are an embarrassment to their breed because of poor control of the gene pool. With the very small gene pool that we have with the Kooikerhondjes, it is vitally important that we preserve breeding potential as much as possible. Yes, many vets now are pressuring new puppy owners to spay and neuter at a young age. But I feel that we must wait until the dog is at least two years old to make sure that we don t lose a valuable source of genes. My reasons No dog is fully mature until the age of two years. You have all watched puppies go from an adorable ball of fur and the cutest thing in the world, to (at about three to four months of age) become an awkward out of proportion wonderment (which I call the 16-year-old human syndrome), and then grow back to the beautiful animal we all thought we were getting. Although you might totally love your new puppy, it will have these growth changes. Breeders often refer to an 8-week-old puppy as a reasonable miniature of what the adult dog will look like. That is why many dogs are evaluated at that age for show quality or performance attributes. By 9 or 10 weeks they have already begun the maturing process. You cannot tell what you will have as an adult dog until the age of at least two years, and maybe even three years with some dogs. Two three-month-old female pups play tug-o-war Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

15 Why Spay and Neuter: Three reasons for your consideration 1. to avoid having to deal with the estrus cycle with the females. This is just a convenience reason for us humans. An average Kooiker may have her first estrus between the ages of 6 to 10 months and repeat approximately every 6 months. That means at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months we must deal with the physical activity. Kooikers are notoriously fastidiously sanitary. With the use of bitch diapers, you can protect your house from the normal dripping. That is usually only for about 3 weeks. That means we only deal with this 4 times until the second birthday. And keep her away from roaming males. 2. to avoid males learning to lift their leg and mark everything in the house. This is a learned activity directed by some natural forces to procure territory. A dog can be taught that this is not acceptable. Good potty training through house manners is not too difficult (unless you have a Chihuahua). Many owners have several intact males living in the house together. Just as social behavior is trained (no grumping or fighting), so can natural relief mechanisms be taught. Just work with your dog. 3. to reduce the chances of mammillary or testicular cancer in later life. In this case, it can be done in later life, after the age of two. None of these reasons benefits the dog nor the potential of the breed. If the dog has some particular characteristic, such as coloring or markings that do not meet the Breed Standard, or they have a physical deformity, such as hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, then by all means, spaying or neutering should be very viable... for the benefit of the dog and the breed. This procedure will protect from having this characteristic passed on. My advice is to maintain all dogs and bitch puppies intact until the age of two. Show careers and performance activity will not be harmed in the least. Only then, based on proper evaluations, medical and by an informed breeder, should this procedure be accomplished. Breeder contracts must include enforceable provisions that restrict any breeding without the appropriate testing and certification. We certainly don t want backyard breeding so I can recoup the money I spent on this bitch. Good sense and integrity is all that is needed for good breeding. Preserving the Gene Pool 15

16 Health and Reproduction Carefully Working towards Goals by Linda Culpepper, Vonlin s Kooikerhondje, Lake Jackson, Texas Should we spay/neuter our Kooikers? The answer to this question varies because the responses from trainers, breeders and veterinarians differ, not to mention the difference in viewpoint here in the US and Europe. That being said, as a breeder I feel that every breeder needs to do what they think is best for the lines they are breeding. As a breeder I believe very strongly in spay/neuter. Many people that contact us wanting a Kooiker are only interested in a pet/companion or for performance events. I have only had two Kooikers that I let go intact for breeding. Otherwise, I ask all of my buyers to spay/neuter no earlier than 6 months of age. Some of my reasons for spay/neuter deal with medical and behavioral effects. One of the main benefits of spaying a female is the prevention of mammary cancer which can be a difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer. Another condition in intact females is pyometra. Males being neutered will not develop prostate issues, which can be very painful. Other medical conditions that can be prevented by neutering are testicular cancer, certain types of hernias and perianal tumors. The medical benefits resulting from spay/neuter leads to pets that live a longer and healthier life. Still another argument to not spay/neuter early has to do with growth plates. Kooikers are a small breed and the argument in favor of waiting on the growth plates to close is not a valid concern in my opinion. Behavioral issues will not be a concern if spay/neuter takes place at 6 months. Undesirable behavior such as marking and wandering are greatly reduced, as these issues are a result of the action of hormones. Any cosmetic effects that may occur to the coat will not affect the animal s performance or temperament and this should be explained to new Kooiker owners. Another reason I feel so strongly in favor of spay/neuter is that not everyone is a breeder. It is not for the faint of heart. Breeding is not to make money. If I place an intact animal with someone who has never bred a litter or is not a responsible breeder then I am leaving open the possibility of hundreds of animals being produced that come back to my lines. That is a situation that I am not willing to risk. I have a specific goal in mind for my Kooikers and breeding program, and with every litter, I am working towards reaching that goal. A truly responsible breeder is dedicated to their breed and invests many, many years to try to improve the breed. Pet owners should just enjoy their dogs in whatever activity they choose and leave the breeding alone. It takes a lot of time, money and dedication to raise a litter properly and prepare them to go to their new families. The fact that ours is a rare breed with a limited gene pool does not justify dogs or bitches being bred indiscriminately by people who know nothing of ethical breeding practices, health concerns, pedigrees, or the dangers and complications possible in whelping a litter of puppies. Also keeping an entire litter intact does not expand the gene pool it just increases the number of animals with the same genes, thereby increasing the chances of someone breeding back too closely a few years down the road. Placing a puppy and asking a pet owner to keep it intact is not fair to the new owners who probably do not intend to breed at all. If someone is trying to develop their own line they need to have the room and time to devote to that task, not ask pet owners to do it for you. Also, by keeping all animals intact you increase the chance of accidental breeding or, heaven forbid, an animal ending up in a puppy mill. I don t think anyone will dispute that it is better for the animal s health to be spayed or neutered, so the question then becomes when. As a responsible breeder I feel that I am responsible for every puppy that I produce for its entire life. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

17 Health and Reproduction It s a Small World by Jac Knoop, Kooikerhondjes van den Iserman Hoeve, Ogden, Illinois The history of our beloved Kooikerhondje has taught us that this breed is fragile. We are the beneficiaries of Baroness Van Ammerstol s dedication to restoring the population of this classic Dutch breed from the handful of Kooikerhondjes that she and her agents identified and bred during the mid-twentieth century. As KCUSA President, I often hear that some U.S. Kooikerhondje puppy will be spayed or neutered soon, on a vet s recommendation. While spaying or neutering puppies may be standard practice in this country, I think that North American Kooiker owners would be well advised to remember that Kooikerhondjes worldwide are a very small breed and as such have a very small gene pool. Early spay and neuter represents a risk of our eliminating the chances for many pups to assist in improving and increasing the gene pool, and we may actually be hurting the breed and diminishing the work the Baroness did. We should all know that Kooikerhondje females do not really become adults until they are 2 years of age, and Kooikerhondje males do not reach full adulthood until 3 years of age. You do not know what you have in your hands until your beautiful and loving puppy becomes an adult dog. For this reason, we should not spay or neuter a pup until we actually can determine how this puppy will develop, and when it reaches adulthood how it stacks up against the breed standard. Healthy dogs of a variety of ages Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

18 Health and Reproduction Effects on Behavior by Susanne Martin, MD, Golden Gate Kooikers, Mountain View, California This is not an easy topic to talk about. While brainstorming about the medical aspects, science and established research on this topic, I realized that there are bigger challenges we are facing. That is the reason why despite working in the medical field and being a researcher myself I will defer discussion of the health aspects of early spay/neutering in this letter. My focus will be on differences in Kooikerhondje behavior comparing intact and fixed Kooikerhondjes, differences in dog ownership of intact dogs between the United States and Western Europe and the dilemma we are facing given our limited choices of breeding stock. I have been a Kooikerhondje owner for 8 years in Germany and for 8 years in the United States. Differences in the culture of dog ownership are huge. My experience is based on living and working in, and visiting countries including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In Western Europe, most dogs remain intact during their lifetime, unless there is a medical or behavioral reason to spay/neuter them. Dog owners are on average (exceptions are always the rule) responsible and knowledgeable when it comes to keeping their dog in a controlled environment, especially when it comes to intact dog behavior. There are more opportunities for dogs to be off-leash and to interact with their kin. In the United States, my experience has been that off-leash areas are mainly enclosed dog parks. The expectation is generally accepted or normal to spay or neuter a dog at a young age which is way before his/her reproductive time starts, or before the dog is fully developed, physically and mentally. Dog interactions remain at a more playful puppy-like level, rank behavior is less understood and less accepted. According to the APPA (American Pet Products Association) from 2012, 83% of owned dogs are spayed/ neutered. I could not find similar data for the Netherlands or other Western European countries. However, male dogs remain intact about 80% of the time. One reason for stringent rules on early spay and neuter is the fact that there are about 2.7 million adoptable cats and dogs euthanized in American shelters (total 5,000 shelters). Of those, 60% were dogs and 25% of the dogs were purebred. For example, in San Francisco, CA, the city s animal shelter took in 21% fewer Pit Bulls just 18 months after passage of a law requiring sterilization of the breed. In most countries in Western Europe, kill shelters do not exist. One practice to decrease the number of shelter dogs across the board, is to spay/neuter them at a young age for obvious reasons. All of us have to admit that this strategy is effective to a certain degree. In the world of purebred dogs which are bred, placed and raised by responsible people, the expectation to spay/neuter a dog at a young age, creates a lot of challenges. An experienced breeder can see in an 8 week-old Kooikerhondje puppy some tendencies of good structure, size, personality and he/she can do the blood test for vwd and ENM at that young age. However, it will take the dog about 2 years or more to develop into a fully mature Kooikerhondje that can be evaluated phenotypically and that can undergo the last health tests. Many Kooikerhondjes with breeding quality as an adult dog are lost when they are sold on a spay/ neuter contract require a more experienced owner. The Kooikerhondje is a sensitive dog that can be reactive to its environment and requires good socialization. Intact Kooikerhondjes like other breeds are much more hormonally driven, and intact male Kooikerhondjes can be more territorial and will need a firm but understanding leader. Intact female Kooikerhondjes go through heat cycles every 6 11 months with waxing and waning mood. Once an intact Kooikerhondje has matured, it usually starts to play less with peers and can come across as dominant Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

19 while interacting with immature dogs. Owners need to be well educated about the breed, breeding requirements and the responsibility of owning an intact dog. This Kooiker is basically a different dog than one that was fixed at a premature age and one that remains more playful and predictable. In the United States, the number of Kooikerhondjes that are valuable for breeding by health clearances, pedigree and temperament is limited. We agree that one way of improving the gene pool is to import good breeding stock and to keep these dogs intact until a certain age when they can be assessed for breeding quality. However, owning intact Kooikerhondjes can be challenging and may not be an option for most people in the United States. If someone agrees to adopt a Kooiker and to keep this dog intact, he or she needs to understand the consequences involved. An alternative could be chemical castration (Suprarelin is one brand name) for stud dogs (less commonly used in female dogs) if an intact male is difficult to handle due to his sex hormones. Chemical castration is a shot or capsule of hormone that lasts for a total of 6 to 12 months and causes a similar effect to that of physical castration. It blocks the secretion of hormones from the hypophysis in the brain. After the time has passed, the dog s fertility and behavior should return to where it was before. It can give owners a good idea how the behavior would change with true castration, and the change is not always to the better. The male dog can develop physically before a decision is made on breeding. I cannot comment on whether boarding kennels would accept a dog with chemical castration into their vicinity. In summary, there is no clear answer to this question of when and if we should spay/neuter our Kooikerhondjes. My experience has shown me clearly that there is a difference in culture of dog ownership between the United States and Western Europe. Intact adult Kooikerhondjes can be challenging for inexperienced owners. Dogs that are considered for breeding should be placed in experienced hands, and education of owners should be the first priority. Spay or neutering at a very young age (before adulthood) is not a good option in my opinion. Dogs with non-standard physical characteristics such as a pirate eye, can make loyal and beautiful pets but would not be used as breeding stock. Effects on Behavior 19

20 Health and Reproduction Careful Use of Contracts by Dee Nichols, RedGold Kooikers, Grady, Alabama I personally sell all puppies on a spay or neuter contract unless the puppy is going to a show home, then I will co-own the female until testing is done. I recommend that people wait until the pup is at least 12 months old before altering the dog, to give the dog s growth plates time to close. A lovely female who had several litters of puppies and was then spayed when she was older Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

21 Health and Reproduction Responsibilities of Owning an Intact Animal by Barbara Ritenour, Noah s Kookerhondje, Keymar, Maryland I believe whether to neuter or spay a dog is up to the owner. The owner must be prepared to monitor an intact male s behavior so that it mates only within the breed. Many puppies are born that are not wanted and wind up in shelters. Owners must take responsibility for their dogs. We have previously owned male dogs that we neutered because we were concerned that they might get loose. An owner who doesn t spay their female must also be prepared to take on the responsibilities of not spaying. I had a collie that I didn t spay. When she went into heat, we could hardly walk her because we were in a populated area. Male dogs would show up and take a great interest in her. If an owner wants a kooiker for a pet and the dog has no outstanding character or markings, or does not meet the standards for the breed, then it probably should be neutered or spayed. If the kooiker is an outstanding dog, then the breeder and owner should discuss the dog s future. As for the appropriate time to spay or neuter, a discussion between owner, vet, and breeder is a good approach. As a breeder, I try to find the right owners through the puppy application process. I put in place several ways to assess applicants to find caring owners who I can build relationships with. Having one breeding female at a time is the right level of involvement for me. As a person who is not breeding and showing dogs full time, I feel as though I would want assistance from a more-experienced person to help recognize superior puppies in a litter. Seven-week-old puppies snuggle Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

22 Kooikers in Competition Call for Entries: KCUSA Benched FSS Open Show Conformation Event in January KCUSA will sponsor a Benched FSS Open Show Conformation Event in January The AKC has approved KCUSA to sponsor a Benched FSS Open Show Conformation Event on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Cow Palace, in Daly City, CA, in conjunction with the Golden Gate Kennel Club Show. An FSS Open Show is an informal American Kennel Club sanctioned conformation event at which Championship points are not earned, but rather Certificate of Merit (CM) points are awarded to this introductory AKC conformation suffix title. These shows provide an opportunity for FSS and Misc breeds (like Kooikerhondjes) to show in a conformation show environment like fully recognized breeds. The show Superintendent, MB-F Inc., will oversee participant registration, judging, and record keeping, and KCUSA will be responsible for all ribbons and trophies. This is a great opportunity for KCUSA to partner with another group and host a show that will count toward KCUSA s fulfillment of its requirements as a Miscellaneous breed working toward full recognition. Our full club Specialty will be held later in the year, so this is a bonus opportunity to show off your Kooiker. This show is also one of the few benched shows left in the country. (Westminster is another.) This means dogs entered must be displayed in their designated area for show attendees to see almost like a massive meet-thebreed. This provides a great opportunity for folks coming to the show to get to see the breeds for longer than just the time they spend in the actual conformation ring. For a premium list and for more information, contact Deborah Bean at carouselkooikers@ gmail.com. The closing date for entries is 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 10, For more info about FSS and Open shows, see images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/fss_open_show_ Regulations.pdf Dogs participating in the event must be at least 4 months of age on the date of the event. The following breed classes will be offered at all FSS Open Shows: 4 6 Month Puppy Class, 6 9 Month Puppy Class, 9 12 Month Puppy Class, and Open Class. KCUSA is offering special ribbons for Kooikerhondje entries with art glass trophies for Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex, as well as rosettes and art glass trophies for the FSS and Miscellaneous Group placements and Best in Open Show awards. It is anticipated that KCUSA will collect more than enough funds in entry fees to offset the costs of the ribbons and trophies. We strongly recommend all participating dogs be immunized for kennel cough at least 7 days prior to this event. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

23 Kooikers in Public Meet the Breeds on Valentines Day in the Big Apple Come to the Valentine s Day Westminster Kooikerhondje Love In! Regular readers of the Kooiker Chronicle know that the AKC s annual Meet the Breeds will be hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club in The MTB will be a one-day event (Saturday, February 14, 2015) event held concurrently with the Westminster Master Agility Championship, as part of the Westminster Dog Show weekend in New York City. KCUSA will have a booth, as we have for the past 3 years, and we encourage all KCUSA members who live within a few hours drive of NYC to bring your Kooiker(s) and join the fun. The MTB will be held at Pier 92, located at the West Side Highway and West 55th Street. AKC advises that there will be affordable roof-top parking at the Pier. We need to request booth passes for all the attendees, so please let Karen Dean know (karenldean@yahoo.com) by December 1 that you expect to come, and how many people and dogs will be coming with you. A modest travel and parking subsidy will be available. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

24 Paws Across the Water KCUSA Delegates to Attend the Dutch Kooikerhondje Club Match and Symposium Vereniging Het Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (VHNK), the Dutch Kooikerhondje Club, is holding its annual Championship Club Match and International Kooikerhondje Symposium from November 21 to 23, KCUSA members Deborah Bean, Sheryl Fuller, Ann Knoop-Siderius, Stephanie Lowe, Lucinda Paganin, Cheryl Short, and Betty Wathne are planning to attend, and Jac Knoop and Susanne Martin hope to be able to join them. The Championship Club Match, held on Saturday, November 22 in Zutphen, the Netherlands, provides an opportunity for breeders to show and compare their Kooikerhondjes, and for fanciers to meet the current generation of breeding Kooikerhondjes. VHNK logo Four skilled judges will assess puppies 4 to 6 months old, and evaluate adults according to the current breed standard. An extensive critique of each dog can be viewed at the Secretariat, after judging is complete. The best dogs of each class will receive prizes, the best male and female Kooikerhondjes will be selected, and the Club Winner chosen. The organizers invite human families to meet the participating Kooikers, who could possibly include the parents and littermates of their future Kooikers. The VHNK describes the championship club match as being, above all, an event where one can see many Kooikerhondjes together and chat with other decoy fans. They expect nearly 150 entries, from at least 11 countries, to compete in the Club Match. Debo- At a past Championship Club Match, VHNK President, Jan van den Berg speaks with a participant. At a past Championship Club Match: Dutch breeder and judge Carla Snells and American visitor Eve Perara with Eve s new puppy. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

25 At a past Championship Club Match: the judges table. At a previous Championship Club Match, Dutch breeder Diny de Wit and her dog Ashley look over the program with American visitor Rose Shenk. rah Bean s Kooiker, Piek, and Rod Beckstead s I-Ron will be on the list of competitors. This year s Club Match features VHNK s Third International Symposium on Kooikerhondje health and breeding. The two previous symposia focused on networking and exchanging information about the Kooikerhondje population in all countries: How many litters? How many dogs? What are the diseases of concern? In the past, neurologist Dr. P. Mandigers reported on his research on ENM. This year, the ENM research is nearly complete, and the ENM DNA test is well-developed and functions reliably. The most dangerous illness affecting Kooikers at present is polymyositis. VNHK investigators are in the initial phase of sampling blood from sick dogs, and they hope to collect blood samples from all healthy dogs attending the show. At the last Symposium, VHNK s health committee filled the Zooeasy database with data about dogs from all countries, and data on illnesses known in the Club register. Zooeasy will be an important subject at this year s Symposium, with the organizers presenting a workshop for Zooeasy users on Sunday. This database makes it possible to analyze the Kooikerhondje population over the entire period that Kooikerhondje pedigree records have been maintained, from 1942 to the present. Watch for a report on this major Kooikerhondje event in the next issue of the Kooiker Chronicle. At a previous Championship Club Match, winners pose for the cameras. On Friday evening, a population geneticist will discuss the population, inbreeding, and strategies to minimize inbreeding in the future. Another speaker, Diana Striegel, is a breed specialist whose comprehensive presentation on the Kooikerhondje breed standard, with illustrations, explanations, and many pictures, is an invaluable resource for every judge. VHNK is pleased that Kooikerhondje club members from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States will attend the events. Having sought input from all the countries that breed kooikerhondjes, VHNK will share the resulting numbers and survey the differences in breeding regulations. Many thanks to Ms. Kerstin Ueckert, VHNK Board Member, for providing details of this upcoming event. KCUSA Delegates to Attend Dutch Club Match and Symposium 25

26 Kooiker Kaboodle in the Pacific Northwest Fall Frolics by Karen Watling Well, you couldn t have ordered up a nicer day for the Pacific Northwest s Kooiker Kaboodle, September 27 at Pipe Lake Pavilion in Maple Valley, Washington! A grand total of five Kooikers and (one honorary Kooiker) came from points north and south and a future Kooiker boss shared in the festivities as well! The dogs had an amazing time frolicking in the water and Braam W. debuted his awesome swimming skills to the pleasure and delight of everyone on the beach! Oliver P, Briar V, Meisje W, Braam W, and Yanni V. played games of chase, ran the small agility course and had a great time sniffing and showing us their version of the Kooiker dance! We talked about the upcoming Meet the Breed for the Seattle Kennel Club show in March and made plans to get our dogs into the conformation ring. Opportunities to show the Kooikers are far slimmer out there in the PNW than other parts of the country and we vowed we would get started and make our presence known out here! It was truly a wonderful time and if you missed us this year, be sure to make it for the 2015 Frolick! Meisje oversees the fetching of the water toy Yanni and Briar Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

27 Meisje thinks you re cute, Braam! Eve and Oliver The End! Fall Frolics 27

28 Fall Frolics Merrymaking in Maryland Nina W and Link L welcomed Kooikerhondjes O Keefe B, Kibo F, Tosca R, Duncan R, Rosie D, and Dunkie D and their 8 human companions to the rolling fields and well-equipped agility playground at Nina s and Betty W s home in Sharpsburg, Maryland on October 4. The morning s rain turned into a breezy fall afternoon with just the right mix of sun and clouds. Link and Nina L expertly helped Steph and Betty demonstrate basic training on the agility gear, and the visiting Kooikers had the opportunity to try out the equipment at their own pace. Youngsters Nina, Link, O Keeffe, and Kibo enjoyed supervised play and social time while the adult Kooikers milled around with one another and their bosses. People and dogs came from Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York. A couple interested in adopting a Kooiker spent the day meeting, observing, and hearing about the dogs we all love. Betty offered an assortment of wraps and other finger food during the early afternoon, and Steph prepared a late afternoon lasagna and salad feast that drew rave reviews. Jenny F s custom-decorated espresso cake brought a sweet end to the day of Kooiker fun and frolics, and the full moon rose over Betty s house to say an especially picturesque Farewell! to dogs and people as they headed home. Waiting for their turn to try the agility course, dogs cozy up with their owners. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

29 May I show them how it s done, now? Please! Nina and Kibo Dunkie Barbara R with brothers Duncan and Dunkie The full moon caming out from behind Betty s house Fall Frolics 29

30 Fall Frolics A Lark in the Park in Illinois Although the weather was a bit chilly, Greta II L, Jacey T, Friso K, Xena K, and Evie K loved the KCUSA Fall Frolic at Rock Cut State Park in Illinois. They asked if they could have another meet and greet next spring! We had such happy kooikers, a lot of lake, ducks and a beautiful park to enjoy, and great fall weather, we all enjoyed the start of Indian Summer! Ann Knoop-Siderius Larry and Deb T, and Ann K-S welcome kooikers and their owners to Rock Cut State Park with orange balloons. Some kooikerhondje lovers adopt orange as a kooikerhondje color. It is a patriotic Dutch color because the Dutch royal family comes from the House of Orange. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

31 One, two, three, say cheese! Xena K resting her busy body Relaxing at the picnic tables: Deb and Larry with Jacey, Friso, Ann with Xena, Marilyn and Brian with Greta II Fall Frolics 31

32 Fall Frolics Making New Friends in New York We really didn t DO anything except sit around and talk and eat. But it was a good afternoon just socializing and talking about our dogs and the future of the club. We were on Onondaga Lake, near Wegman s Dog Park. Some of us went to the dog park, and others enjoyed walking with their dogs through the beautiful area. I can imagine this lovely location easily becoming an annual destination for our kooikerhondje get-togethers. Everyone is invited, especially our newer members who still have not met many others in the club. Rod Beckstead Complicated kooiker dances were performed Barbara R with Daisy, Sue A with Elf, Nathan W (hidden) with Dunkie, Wayne R with Tosca (hidden) and Rosie D, a visitor, Rod B with O Keeffe, Philip D with Escher. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

33 Escher takes the Kooiker Dance to new heights, showing just how high he can get. Fantastic moves with pirouettes and graceful landings. Which hand holds the treats? Daisy whispers secrets to Barbara Fall Frolics 33

34 Fall Frolics More than a Few in Massachusetts Thirteen Kooikerhondjes and 16 humans gathered at the Pembroke, Massachusetts, home of Ron, Betty, and Kessel O Connor on October 12 for a day of nonstop romping and talking and eating and swimming and... well, you get the picture.... A scarecrow and a photograph of Kessel s face were mounted on the O Connor s mailbox, welcoming Kooikers to come frolic here. People and Kooikerhondjes came from all over Massachusetts, from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York. A woman who had wondered if her dog might have some Kooiker genetic heritage brought her dog to meet 13 real Kooikers and enjoyed comparing her dog s physical characteristics and temperament with those of the kooikers. Betty and a hard-working friend grilled an endless supply of meats, which frolickers enjoyed with salads and Kessel welcomes her Kooiker compadres Truman B shows Patty his paw-shaking tricks while Elsie M looks on in admiration Branni C and Darby V are ready to rumble Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

35 Rare New England Merkooikers were sighted! Some dogs leapt right in while others preferred to wade. Susan S, Nathan W, Don M, Steve C, Robin F, Lesley V, Ron O, and Betty O cajole dogs into posing for a group photo condiments and desserts throughout the day. Quite a few of the Kooikers were related, although they had never met, and most were more than a year old. A comment that we heard several times, with variations, went something like I was worried about whether my dog would get along with the other Kooikers, but look at him! He s having a ball! When the dogs weren t inspecting the well-provisioned lunch tables, they chased each another around the perimeter of the yard and enjoyed the bags of treats that Betty and Robin F had brought just for the dogs. Watch out more than a dozen Kooikerhondjes will expect goody bags every time they get together with a bunch of other Kooikers! All of the people and most of the Kooikerhondjes took some time out to admire the O Connors beautiful, luxuriant koi pond, teeming with Kooiker-colored koi fish. Amazingly, none of the dogs took a plunge into the fish pond. Maybe Kessel had told them they d get to swim at the nearby lake later in the afternoon? After lunch, several carloads of Kooikers and their loyal humans repaired to the local lake where Kessel often swims. A fenced beach gave the eager dogs access to piers and boat ramps into the lake. Some dogs leapt off the pier into the water, while others entered more cautiously, wading in along the ramps. Soon the lake was dancing with red Fall Frolics 35

36 and white swimmers, fetching floating toys and racing one another to grab the toys. As the afternoon temperature dropped, some of the dogs dried off on the beach, but several stalwarts namely, Kessel O, Darby V, and Elsie M tried to prolong the swim. Back at the O Connors house, after we d said our good byes and were taking our two tired Kooikers to our car, we ran into a neighbor walking her dogs past the O Connors mailbox. She greeted us with a big smile and exclaimed, Wasn t this a maavellous day for a daag paaty! Yes, indeed, it had been a fine day for a dog party! Roseann R, Karen D, Nathan W, Ron O, Robin F, a friend, Steve C, and Lesley V watch the dogs take to the water at a local park 36 Fall Frolics

37 Fall Frolics Worth the Trip in North Carolina Janie M, Kerry and Dee N, Steve and Janet H with dogs It was a beautiful fall day. We just had a great day even though there weren t many members there. Kooikerhondjes are few and far between, so it was good to get together with other people and their kooikers. Janie McDonald The dogs took their people on a romp in the forest, and showed how well Kooikerhondjes can blend with their surroundings. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

38 W a g s and B r a g s Gibson This fall Gibson (UKC CH URO1 UAG1 Oorbellen Mel RN BN CA CGC) earned two AKC titles. He earned his AKC Beginner Novice (BN) Obedience title and also his AKC Coursing Ability (CA) title. Sarah Krueger Gibson proudly shows off his new title rosette after earning his AKC Beginner Novice (BN) Obedience title. Bodie In October, Bodie became the first Kooiker to earn a North America Diving Dogs title. NADD is the new AKC titling venue for dock diving. Bodie earned a DJ (Junior title) which requires 5 jumps between 10 and 15 feet. He already has 3 jumps for a Senior title which requires 5 jumps between 15 and 20 feet. Dock diving is great fun and requires very little training. Bodie is now UKC CH MACH 2 RedGold s Bodie Always On My Mind CD BN RE XF MJG MXS T2B CA DJ USJ. Bonnie Edmond Bodie goes airborne to earn his dock diving title. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

39 Rosy and Yorick October 8. Rosy (Ammerville s Rosalind Layka) was a good girly this weekend she got both her Novice Jumpers and Novice Standard title! and Yorick (Germanic) got his second Open leg in both Jumpers and Standard. Thanks, Wendy for being the best trainer! Elsje McDonald Rosy claims her ribbons Yorick in earlier competition, May this year Barbara and Kaytee with lots to be proud of Wags and Brags 39

40 Leo Leo (Ambermoon Frosted Toast Crunch CGC) is just a happy boy. He loves every dog and person he meets. Leo obtained his CGC very easily in October. We only have Leo part time for training as he lives with a wonderful family in Appleton, Wisconsin. Leo also needs one more win to finish his UKC Championship. We are soon going to be stepping into the Rally ring. Leo is a fun dog. Kathy Kimmeth Leo working with Kathy Fanta Fanta (INTER-CONTINENTAL CH Fantasie z Plouznicke Staje CGC) has been enjoying life as a puppy but now that she is a year old our little Czech girl is beginning more-serious training. She easily attained her CGC title and when a CGCA test comes around she will go for that. She needs one more win to obtain her UKC Championship. She has two qualifying legs towards her AKC Lure Coursing Test. Fanta also placed third in AKC Rally Novice and received her first leg. Kathy Kimmeth Halle Halle (Inter-continental CH BIS BISS UKC GRAND CH URO1 UAG1 UNJ Vonlin s Bronze Stardust CD BN GN RA NA NAJ NAP NJP NFP TDI THDN RATO RATI CGCA NJ-N ORT) has far exceeded my expectations. Among other accomplishments, recently she easily finished her AKC Graduate Novice Title in three shows. I decided to try her in Novice Agility fast. I didn t pursue it sooner because she is such a Velcro dog. However, the nose work training has given her confidence in letting her lead me instead of always the other way around. She did awesome in fast. We went 3 for 3 and she had great runs. We are going to pursue Open Fast soon. Kathy Kimmeth Fanta: Czech out this girl s achievements 40 Wags and Brags

41 Josie Josie (International & Inter-Continental UKC CH URO1 Ambermoon Christmas Star CD BN GN RN NA NAJ NJP NFP RATO TDI CGCA ORT) has been a busy girl. We have been training in Agility, Obedience, Rally, Barn Hunt and Nosework. She is a lively very enthusiastic girl. Among other accomplishments, she finished her RATO Barn Hunt Open title with a HIC and some really fast times. We have moved into the Senior level. Whew: FOUR rats. This is a hard one with so many rats and not a lot of time. Josie also easily obtained her CGCA Canine Community Good Citizen Test and passing her Therapy Dog TDI was a breeze. Kathy Kimmeth River, high flyer River River earned his MJC Master Jumpers with Weaves Century on October 18 and finished getting his qualifications for AKC NAC (2015 AKC Agility National Championships). Getting close to MACH3, no hurry though. On November 2, he earned his MAD (Master Agility Dog) title in USDAA Agility. And we ll be heading to Fletcher, NC, for the US Open (UKI Nationals) next week. These are tougher courses than AKC offers and all the top handlers in the country will be there (Daisy Peel, Linda Mecklenburg, etc.). Liz Barshack Josie with RATO Barn Hunt Open ribbons Share your dog s wags and brags Especially if your dog s achievements are not advertised through Facebook, your newsletter team may not be aware of what he or she has been up to. Send an with Wags and Brags in the subject line to karenldean@yahoo.com. Include a description and photo of the event. Members are encouraged to share not only competition-related achievements, but personal achievements, and those in other arenas (therapy work or search and rescue, for example). Wags and Brags 41

42 Announcements Members Info on the Web Review and update your info on the Current Members page of the website. Introduce yourself and your dog (up to 100 words) and include a photo. While there, take a look at who lives close to you. To get to the Current Members list Open kooikerhondjeusa.org. On the home page, click the blue button to take you to the Member Pages. Enter your first name, last initial as your user name (with no spaces and appropriate capitalization). For the password, type #1_Kooiker You re in! Click on Current Members and scroll down to your state. To update your info, send an at the top of the Current Members page, click on contact the webmaster to get started. Missing in Action? Don t see yourself or your dog on these pages? Our volunteer newsletter editor and team depend on members for suggesting topics and contributing content. They would love to hear from you. Especially wags and brags about your kooikerhondje, both in competition and in daily life. What has he or she been up to? Send your message to Karen at karenldean@yahoo.com. Kooker Chronicle Volume 14 October 2014

43 Announcements 43

44 Meisje W finds the end of the rainbow The Kooiker Chronicle is a publication of the Kooikerhondje Club of the United States of America (KCUSA). If you have comments, questions, suggestions, or feedback, please contact the editor at karenldean@yahoo.com. Editor: Karen L. Dean Layout: Joyce Y. Maxwell Technical Assistance: Linda S. Dean Other publications and media of KCUSA Website: kooikerhondjeusa.org Facebook: facebook.com/pages/the- Kooikerhondje-Club -of-the-usa/ News and Notes: Kooiker Kibble (via Mail Chimp) Board of Directors President Jac M Knoop, Illinois jac@amsincorporated.net Vice President Sarah Krueger, Wisconsin sarahinpaca@charter.net Secretary Stephanie Lowe, North Carolina sklowe3525@yahoo.com Treasurer Rick Schallhorn, Minnesota rick.schallhorn@gmail.com Director 1 Sally Birgl, Pennsylvania sbdelite@hotmail.com Director 2 Deborah Bean, California carouselkooikers@gmail.com Director 3 Lynann Lorenz, New York xcallstar4@yahoo.com Director 4 Jennifer Methlie, Colorado jmethlie@comcast.net Director 5 Julie Voetberg, Washington ghanaway7@yahoo.com AKC/UKC Liaison (appointed) Rod Beckstead, Pennsylvania birddogs@rcn.com