QUOTABLE CANINE QUOTES. November Membership Meeting. Club Meeting Schedule... Mark Your Calendars

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1 t r o p e R b a L e h T Volume 2003, Issue 11 Huron River Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. President s Report, The Inside this issue: President s Report 1 Meeting Schedule 2 Meeting Minutes 3-4 Conception Article 6-9 Coming Events 10 Judge s Critique 11 Wins-n-Grins 12 Specialty Results 13 Directors & Officers President Pauline Mortier Vice President Cathy Culpert Recording Secretary Jeanine Asch Treasurer Al Reich Corresponding Secretary Mary MacLean November 2003 by Pauline Mortier final tally of all ex- penses and income is almost complete and it appears that our Fall 2003 Specialty will turn a profit, thanks to all the workers and exhibitors for making it possible. Let s repeat the success next year by volunteering to help our Show Chair, Gail Shearer, who can be reached by cell phone at , or home phone at , or by at bonaventurelabs@peoplepc.com Gail is currently working with the Monroe Kennel Club to have breeder judges on Saturday in addition to our Friday Fall Specialty date. If you have never volunteered before, try it now, you ll like it! If you have always volunteered to help out, Thank you, and please come again! Our show site will still be the Monroe County Fairgrounds, BUT we will have a section all to ourselves and behind the exhibition buildings on our own grassy site away from the terriers etc.! Plan on joining us at Cindy Skiba s home near Midland, MI for our annual Christmas get together on December 5th. Here s hoping her gourmet cook husband, Tom, may whip us up one of his superb specialties for the holidays. Have you sent your Christmas or festive winter photos to our editor? Where are your antlered Labradors? And how about your Christmas puppies in a basket? Directors Karen Brines, Kim Bryson, Mike Merians, Cindy Skiba, Annie Cogo Newsletter Editor Michelle VeuCasovic Membership Chair Jeanine Asch The LAB REPORT is a publication of the Huron River Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. ( HRLRC ) published monthly with deadlines on the 15th of each month. The publication is provided to the club membership, subscriptions are available to non-members for an annual subscription fee of $25. Material in this newsletter may be used for education purposes provided credit is given to the author and the source. Contributions in the form of articles, news comments, wins, litter and other items of interest to the membership are encouraged. Accuracy of information provided is strictly the responsibility of the author or advertiser. Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and not those of the HRLRC either in whole or in part. The Editor reserves the right to edit materials in the interest of space, literary clarity, good taste or timeliness. All deadlines will be strictly enforced. Send all information to the Newsletter Editor.

2 Page 2 The Lab Report November Membership Meeting The October Membership Meeting will be held on Friday, November 7th at 7:30 pm, at the Heartland Community Education building School St Hartland, MI Directions: US-23 to M59. M59 east to Hartland Rd (at 1st traffic light turn left). Follow Hartland Rd. into Hartland to School St (turn right onto School St.) The second building on your left is the Community Ed Building, a one story brick building with bright blue doors. Enter through the blue doors and the meeting room will be the first door to your right. US-23. M-59 Hartland Rd. I-96 School St. North Club Meeting Schedule... Mark Your Calendars Membership Meetings begin at 7:30 pm., Board Meetings begin at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. October 21 Board Meeting Max & Erma s (I-75 & Baldwin Rd) November 7 General Membership Meeting Hartland Community Education Building November 18 Board Meeting Max & Erma s (I-75 & Baldwin Rd) December 5 General Membership and Board Meeting Held at Cindy Skiba s home for a festive holiday gathering. January 9 General Membership Meeting Hartland Community Education Building January 20 Board Meeting Location to be determined February 6 General Membership Meeting Location to be determined ** Presentation by Cindy Cooke on Legal Contracts ** what should and should not be in puppy/dog contract February 17 Board Meeting Valley Family Restaurant (Miller and Linden Roads. in Flint) March 12 General Membership Location to be determined. March 17 Board Meeting Location to be determined. April 2 General Membership Meeting & Elections Location to be determined. April 20 Board Meeting Location to be determined. May 14 General Membership Meeting Location to be determined. QUOTABLE CANINE QUOTES "WE give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all - it's the best deal man has ever made" - M. Facklam "Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate." - Sigmund Freud "The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue." - Anonymous "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." - Franklin P. Jones "A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." - Anonymous "No animal should ever jump up on the dining-room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation." - Fran Lebowitz

3 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 3 Whelping Waggin, submitted by Laura Reich Disclaimer Clause: This list is for litters of our members that are in good standing with our Club and the American Kennel Club and has been made available for your assistance in finding a new puppy. But: The Huron River Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., makes no warranties, expressed or implied as to the condition of any dogs being offered for sale, standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their animals or the accuracy of any of the information contained within the HRLRC, Inc., newsletter listing, or within the HRLRC, Inc., website or any links from the website. HRLRC, Inc., does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee any kennel, breeder or dog listed. Reminder: Send $5 litter ad fee per month/per ad to Al Reich, 5558 Sunkist, Oxford, MI Please indicated in memo section of check the month that you are paying for. These litter ad fees go towards the HRLRC Rescue Account. Please call (248) or laura@lor-allabs.com to renew or update your ad. Deadline is the 15th of the month. NEW POLICY: No litter ad will be published without receipt of the fee. Also beginning July 1, 2001, for ACTIVE MEMBERS fee remains the same ($5 per month/per ad). NON-ACTIVE MEMBERS fee will be $100 per month/per ad. Refer to the Minutes in the March 2001 newsletter for detailed explanation of ACTIVE and NON-ACTIVE EMEMBERS. Epoch s Edward of Bonaventure Bonaventure Lubberline Viscount Classique s Count on Me X Coldwater s CK Catamaran Born: August 22 1 blacks male and female Available: October 17th Tom & Stacy Quake Three Rivers, MI Web: huntmorlabradors@earthlink.net Tjotte s Broken Arrow Mallorn s Toblerone Mallorn s Mmm Marabou X Epoch s Edward of Bonaventure Lubberline Chocolate Factory Lubberline Becket Whelped: October 3 7 choc. males, 2 choc. females Pauline & Maurice Mortier (517) Howell, MI Web: pmortier@ismi.net Lor-al s Direct Deposit WC CGC Lor-al s Direct from Tantara Wolvercote Galaxy Girl of Kimvalley X Tullamore s Just One Look Northmarks Excitement Inselheim Pineview Saffron JH Due: September 22 Yellows Karen Brines (989) kbrines@tm.net Keepsakes Gulliver Travels Keepsakes Windfall Solar Flare Keepsake Tiger Lily X Guideline s Monthly Review Keepsakes Flaming Banner Kelleygreens Lady in Red Born: September 12 2 yellows females Also, 1 black male and female, 12 weeks old, out of Ch. Windfall s Pipe Major and Banners Brown & Serve Nancy Chargo (810) Clio, MI Board Meeting Minutes September 18, 2003 Members in attendance were: : Cindy Skiba, Jeanine Asch, Karen Brines, Mike Merians, Pauline Mortier, Nancy Chargo, Mary MacLean, Annie Cogo and Angela Ewald Secretary s Report: The minutes from the August board meeting were approved as read. Corresponding Secretary s Report: Some legislative information from Al Stinson has been passed along to Cathy Culpert for follow up. This information should be included in an upcoming newsletter issue. Treasurer s Report: The treasurer s report was approved as read. Membership: No Report. Specialty: Barb Nowack will be judging at the fall specialty. The judges airfare plans have been finalized. For 2004, Winnie Limbourne has been asked to judge. Further efforts need to be made with Monroe KC regarding plans for Raffle: Nancy Chargo has a Waterford crystal dog she will sell to the club. This piece is to be used for the silent auction. Meeting adjourned 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jeanine Asch, Recording Secretary

4 Page 4 The Lab Report General Membership Meeting Minutes October 3, 2003 Members in attendance were: : Mike Merians, Pauline Mortier, Judy Trevino, Annie Cogo, Stacy Quake, Dolores Richards, Frieda Paison, Stella Blair, Sheila Norgren, Laura Reich, Bill Gardner, Mary Mac Lean, Karen Brines, Cheryl Wellnitz, Cathy Culpert, Patty Wayne and Jeanine Asch. Guest: Juanita Pyles. Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Pauline Mortier at the Hartland Community Education Building. The minutes from the September general membership meeting were approved as read. President s Report No news to report. Corresponding Secretary s Report No news to report. Treasurer s Report The treasurer s report was approved as read. At the present time, it appears we will make a profit on our fall specialty. Al is still waiting on receipts for some expenses. Al spoke with someone from Fireman s Park who assured him a refund of our deposit money is being sent. Membership No news to report. Fall Specialty Annie thanked everyone who helped to make the show a success. An electronic copy of the premium has been saved for future use. We were fortunate that we were able to secure an obedience judge at the last minute. We had been informed by Monroe KC that all matters concerning securing an obedience judge for the specialty were handled. Monroe KC is asking for $450, a part of which is for the obedience. There was discussion whether we should pay the full amount due to the fact that Monroe KC made the error. This will be discussed with MKC. Some exhibitors felt $10 was too much to pay for the type of catalog we had. We need to determine if we will keep the price the same but have the catalog professional printed or reduce the cost and utilize the photocopy method we used this year. Additionally, if the photocopy method is utilized, we need to determine if the cost per ad will remain the same or be lowered. It was determined the cost of our catalog ads are comparable to those of other clubs. The silent auction was not a huge success. We probably need to provide more publicity about this as well as place the silent auction items well away from trophies and regular raffle items. The judges gifts were appreciated. Maryann Czerwinski mentioned she hadn t received a gift for judging at last year s specialty. Judy Trevino made a motion for Jeanine to make a tote bag for Maryann like those used for this year s judges. Motion passed. Jeanine will embroider the tote bag and send it to Maryann. We have used up our stock of pewter plates. If slip leads are used as prizes for 2004, we should place some by the trophy table so that exhibitors will be able to easily obtain them. For hospitality, we may want to provide the food and beverage towards the middle of the show rather than at the end so that more people will be aware of it and able to participate. For the 2004 specialty, the show chair is Gail Shearer. She is working with Monroe KC to have the Labrador rings apart from the others. If we can accomplish this, we could advertise this in our premium list. We may want to utilize 3 rings so that the show can be completed sooner. We are hoping we will be able to share some judges with Monroe KC so that they pay part of the expense. We could flip-flop judges Friday and Saturday. It might also be a possibility to offer sweepstakes both days. If you are interested in helping at the specialty, call Gail on her cell phone. Our 2004 show secretary may be Marty Couch. To help generate interest and draw more exhibitors, a mailer could be sent out several months ahead of our specialty. We could afford to send this to a broader audience than what we could afford to send whole premiums to. It was mentioned that several other Lab clubs have a judging committee that makes a list of possible judges. This list is then given to membership for a vote to determine specialty judges. When voting, members rank the judges in preferential order. Programs A speaker on dog behavior will present at the November meeting. Notices should be placed on our website advertising upcoming speakers. The February speaker is a lawyer who will discuss dog contracts. The committee is working on securing an orthopedic speaker for spring. Field Report Great Lakes Labrador Lovers WC was a success. A WC and WCX may be held next year. HRLRC may want to coordinate/co-sponsor a future event with GLLL. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jeanine Asch, Recording Secretary

5 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 5 Obedience Mouthing the Dumbbell Thanksgiving.. Labrador Style! LACASA Needs Your Help LACASA, Livingston County s first domestic violence shelter that also has a kennel facility is in need of donations. Sheila Norgren has graciously volunteered to collect donations from our club members and to provide them to Lacasa on our behalf. All of us dog enthusiasts have equipment that is no longer needed and is taking up storage space. If you have extra bowls, crates, rugs, toys, food, etc., that you are willing to donate, please contact Sheila or bring donations to the November membership meeting. With a dog that mouths the dumbbell (or dummy or whatever you happen to be using for retrieving), there are a couple of things you can do to cure this behavior. First, review the "hold" command. Start with a short hold and praise (verbally) for holding steady and not mouthing... first periods should be very short. Over a period of a couple of weeks increase this behavior of steady non-mouthing behavior until you are able to do it for minutes or better as you walk around the block or wherever. During the training process, when you see any mouthing, stop and repeat the hold command which the dog should now recognize as hold still -- based on the earlier practice above. Have him do this hold all sorts of times and places...for instance, put him on a long sit while you're running back and forth in the house doing chores. After a few weeks, you should have a dog that will happily hold the object (whichever one you chose to use...dumbbell, dummy, etc.) steady and for as long as you want. When kept positive, it is a very pleasant process and the dog's attitude will remain up and hopefully, the tail wagging throughout. Agility Terminology 101 Call off A maneuver where the handler calls the dog away from an incorrect obstacle, which in the course design has been placed directly in the dog s natural path. This is a planned challenge by the judge, differentiating it from a call-off that may be necessitated by a handler misdirecting the dog. Run by A specific type of refusal where a dog runs past the intended obstacle.

6 Page 6 The Lab Report Maximizing Conception Rates Using Fresh Cooled or Frozen Canine Semen Submitted By Laura Michaels, Reprinted without permission Robert V. Hutchison, DVM Animal Clinic Northview, Inc. North Ridgeville, OH, USA Since the American Kennel Club's recognition of litters conceived from frozen semen in 1981 and the subsequent acceptance and fresh chilled semen, practitioners are being asked more frequently to assist clients with maximizing conception rates using these breeding techniques. The gratification one feels when successful is one of the great rewards in veterinary medicine. The basis of fresh chilling and freezing semen is energy conservation within the sperm cell so that the semen can be shipped or used at a later date. The drawback to these methods is that even though some energy is conserved, enough energy is used to shorten the sperm cell's life. Fresh semen is thought to easily live 4-6 days in utero. Some papers have reported live sperm found in the uterus 11 days post-breeding. The natural sperm length of life allows for successful breeding when the bitch first exhibits standing and acceptance of the male, even though in many cases the timing is 4-6 days before the prime fertilization period of the mature ova. Fresh chilled semen uses energy as it is cooled to 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) and eventually re-warmed to body temperature. The life in utero of spermatozoa having experienced the chilling and subsequent warming process is 24 to 72 hours, necessitating a more precise manner of ovulation timing and breeding. When sperm is frozen for future use, it is eventually stored at -322 degrees F (-180 degrees C). This extreme temperature preserves a sperm cell indefinitely, but not without stress and energy output. The thawed spermatozoa have a maximum life span of 12 to 24 hours after insemination into the bitch. The ultra-short life span makes success with frozen semen only possible with precise mapping of the bitch's estrous cycle with definitive detection of the LH release and the exact time of ovulation. When an individual receives a fresh chilled sample, the package should immediately be opened. Attention should be paid to the "impression of coldness." The ice packs should be at least cold, if not still frozen. The package containing the semen should be removed from the packaging material (usually newsprint). The tube should contain the extended semen in a liquid state. Unfortunately, occasional mishandling by the shipping company or by the shipper placing the semen package in a non-pressurized compartment of the airplane will cause the sample to arrive frozen. The freezing kills the sperm cell and renders the sample useless. One drop of the sample should be placed on a warmed microscope slide. The rest of the sample should be refrigerated. Allowing the chilled sample to warm to room temperature only allows the sperm cells to speed up, using precious energy and shortening their life span. As the drop warms on the slide, the accompanying paperwork with the Semen Collector's evaluation of the semen quality. Time of collection and post-collection motility should be studied. The semen drop is then analyzed and compared to the collector's evaluation. In many cases, the semen will appear to be no-mitle. However, as the semen drop warms gradually, sis to side motility becomes noted. The continued warming eventually shows the cells to have achieved a normal forward progression. If no motility is noted after 15 minutes, the sample is most likely non-viable. If this occurs, the collector of the semen should be contacted to determine, if possible, the cause of the semen's demise. In other cases where only partial semen recovery is noted, the inseminator must use judgment based on the concentration of the semen, estimated total spermatozoa numbers and the percent recovered. It may also be necessary to alter the insemination method to that of an intra-uterine deposition of the fresh chilled sperm to further reduce sperm cell stress and to aid its arrival at the fallopian tubes. It is recommended that the refrigerated fresh chilled sample not be warmed to room temperature or body temperature before insemination. Having the sample in the uterus as it warms makes maximum use of the conserved energy. All fresh chilled semen samples are handled in a similar manner, however, many different commercial companies sell packaging kits and extenders. One should always read their instructions for any specific handling recommendations before using the semen. FROZEN SEMEN Frozen semen does require even more precise handling than fresh cooled semen. Frozen semen will usually be shipped in a dewer with nitrogen vapor keeping the sample frozen rather than with actual liquid nitrogen in the container. When the shipper arrives, the tank will be in a protective shell. The shell should be opened and the plug pulled (not twisted) from the nitrogen tank. Visible vapor should be seen, assuring the recipient that the tank is charged properly and that the sample is still frozen. If vapor is noted, the plug should be replaced until the time of the insemination. If no vapor is noted, an attempt should be made to ascertain that the sample is still in a proper frozen state. This may be accomplished, by grasping the cane that holds the semen and raising it to the mouth of the dewer. If the sample is thawed, the semen will not be viable and a replacement sample should be obtained, if possible. If the sample is still frozen, the person that shipped the sample should immediately be contacted to discuss the tank status and determine if some liquid nitrogen should be added to the dewer to assure that the sample will remain frozen until time for the insemination. Canine semen is frozen in two different forms, 1) pellets and 2) straws. Both are extremely successful in achieving conception, however, it is essential that the doctor doing the insemination follows the thawing instructions precisely. Most thawing techniques require that the person using the semen has a form of warm water bath available. A form describing the semen's quality, both pre and post thaw, should have accompanied the shipment. These values can be used to judge the quality of the thaw before insemination. Each individual that freezes canine semen has a specific manner of handling and thawing their product. There is no room for error!!

7 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 7 Maximizing Conception Rates Using Fresh Cooled or Frozen Canine Semen Continued TIMING OF INSEMINATION Historically, methods of timing the estrous-cycle of the bitch such as color of discharge, swelling of the vulva and flagging of the tail allowed breeders to get bitches bred. But using these signs, in many cases, created more confusion than answers. Vaginal cytology, a rough gauge of estrogen level, has been used by veterinarians and breeders to "pinpoint" the time of ovulation. Vaginal smearing, at best, gives a retrospective view of the cycle with estrus, day 1, occurring six days post-ovulation. However, vaginal smearing does not allow prospective timing, other than giving information as to when other testing needs to begin. Vaginal cytology is not useful by itself in timing fresh cooled or frozen semen. The same can be said of vaginoscopy, a visual method of evaluating vaginal fold swelling and crenulation that equivocates with estrogen rise and fall. The serial testing of serum samples from the bitch for either progesterone testing or luteinizing hormone (LH) testing will give the veterinarian a prospective view of the ovulation, ova maturation and the prime fertile period for using the fresh cooled or frozen semen. PROGESTERONE The release of progesterone from the ovary and its subsequent rise to an average of 2 to 3 ngm corresponds with release and signifies the start of the ovulatory process. The rise of progesterone to greater than 5 ngms (5 to * ngm) indicates that ovulation has occurred. Once the ovulation day has been confirmed, fresh cooled semen insemination is 2 to 3 days or frozen semen insemination in 3 to 4 days, can be planned. Progesterone not being species specific can be tested for by many methods. Numerous ELISA kits for in office use is currently available. Progesterone can also be evaluated by radio-immune assay (RIA) by many human and veterinary laboratories. Progesterone rises and continues to stay elevated for approximately two months in the bitch, whether she is pregnant or non-pregnant. The bitch needs to be tested every 48 hours to anticipate the prime breeding time. When using the progesterone ELISA kits, negative features include that hemolyzed blood samples will give lower than normal results. If the ELISA kits are not handled properly or warmed to room temperature, and artificially high result will be recorded. Ideal testing for progesterone level would include screening with the ELISA kits, but obtaining RIA progesterone numbers, will define the day of ovulation and the corresponding breeding time. Cortisol release needs to be a concern when doing progesterone testing as stressed bitches may have a delayed period between a rise of 2 to 3 ngm/ml and the time that the progesterone rises greater than 5 ngm/ml. Some bitches under stress have been shown to not ovulate even after a rise of progesterone above 2 ngm. It is essential, if using progesterone testing, to confirm that the bitch has risen above 5 ngm/ml and has indeed ovulated. LUTEINIZING HORMONE Luteinizing hormone is a species specific (describe type of hormone) hormone arising from the pituitary gland. The release of the hormone spikes over a 12 to 24 hour period. The release of the LH triggers ovulation in 48 hours, allowing for a final merotic division of the ova and shedding of the polar body (approximately another 48 hours). An accurate evaluation of the LH spike can give the veterinarian and breeder 4 to 5 days anticipation of the prime insemination dates and reasonable confidence as to the maximum chance of conception. Unfortunately, LH assays are not easily available for canines at the time of this writing. As LH is species specific, human laboratories cannot run this assay. An immuno chromatinographic testing kit is currently available for in office use. The test, status LH, (International Canine Genetics, Inc., Malvern, PA USA) uses a wicking paper with a reaction zone of test and is run with 4 drops of serum. The test develops a distinct colored line (red) when the serum lh rises above 1 ngm/ml. When the line appears, one would anticipate prime breeding time to be in 4 to 5 days with fresh cooled semen and 5 to 6 days with frozen semen (the variation based on anticipated sperm life in uter). Negatives to the LH test are that daily samples must be drawn (even greater than 24 hours between tests may miss the LH rise). The cost of daily testing, owner compliance and veterinarian availability for testing every day have created some problems for this testing method. Serum samples that are hemolyzed or lipemic also affect the testing results. LH testing is especially useful in bitches previously tested by progesterone assay that did not conceive to that showed irregular progesterone levels. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION Artificial insemination has been a commonly used procedure in small animal reproduction. However, the advent and common usage of canine frozen and fresh cooled extended semen has refocused clinicians' attention to more precise methods of insemination. The shortness of spermatozoa life, loss of sperm cell energy in fresh cooled extended semen and especially in frozen semen has necessitated the development of new methods of semen delivery in the bitch. Frozen semen especially benefits with techniques by-passing the cervix and

8 Page 8 The Lab Report Maximizing Conception Rates Using Fresh Cooled or Frozen Canine Semen Continued the cervical mucous and being deposited directly into the uterine lumen. Two techniques of artificial insemination are routinely performed and are amenable to the veterinary practioner dealing with canine reproduction. The two techniques to be described are vaginal insemination and the surgical intra-uterine deposition of semen. VAGINAL INSEMINATION When proper timing of the estrous cycle is performed on the bitch and proper semen handling and delivery is accomplished, conception rates should rival those of natural breeding. Delivery technique problems such as improper placement of the insemination rod, improper semen placement, or semen damage due to mishandling, have convinced many dog breeders and veterinarians that artificial inseminations are only used as a last ditch desperate measure. PROCEDURE The estrous cycle for the bitch should be monitored using serum progesterone assaying or some other reliable manner to ascertain that ovulation has occurred. Semen motility is evaluated as previously described. The bitch is positioned with her rear elevated either manually or on a breeding ramp. Care should be taken to avoid pressure on the bitch's abdomen. The semen is drawn from the collection tube through the insemination rod of proper length is used. It is important for the semen to be deposited at the entrance to the cervix sot hat the semen can be drawn into the uterus. With gloved hands, the veterinarian gently inserts the insemination rod through the lips of the vulva at an upward 45 degree angle. The rod is gently passed over the pubis and along the dorsal median fold until it is parallel with the lumbar spine and localized in the area of the cervix. If resistance is encountered, the rod should be gently twisted or withdrawn a short distance, then re-advanced. When the insemination rod is properly positioned, the semen should be gently inseminated. The syringe is then removed from the rod. It is not necessary to push large amounts of air into the rod nor normal to get semen backflow if the rod is properly positioned and the bitch in the estrus stage of estrous. Excess air "bubbling" through the semen is detrimental to the fragile plasma membrane of the head of the spermatozoa. The bitch is then "feathered" digitally for one minute, the rear of the bitch is maintained in an elevated position for 6 minutes to allow gravitational feeding of semen to the anterior vagina. The bitch owner is instructed to confine the bitch or restrict her activity for 1 to 2 hours post-insemination. SURGICAL INTRA-UTERINE DEPOSITION OF SEMEN A technique for surgical insemination in the bitch was first described in The intra-uterine deposition was initially used to increase poor conception rates in the use of canine frozen semen. Since that time, surgical deposition of semen into the uterus has become a routine technique used in numerous situations encountered in canine reproductive medicine. A) Frozen semen--due to the lack of spermatozoa energy, buffer chemical makeup, or cervical resistance, the conception rates from cryo-preserved canine semen have been historically low when used with a vaginal insemination. Surgical deposition into the uterine lumen has resulted in conception rates equal to those from natural breeding. B) Fresh cooled extended semen--shipment of semen rather than shipping bitches has become common place. Due to shipment time and spermatozoa energy depletion, numerous clients have chosen surgical semen insemination for their bitches in hopes of increasing conception chances. C) Bitches with suspected uterine or ovarian disease--the ability to access uterine and ovarian health at breeding time is advantageous to clinicians presented with bitches with histories and reproductive failure or problems. D) Giant and toy breeds-- individuals on the extreme ends of size have historically been recognized for conception difficulties. The ability to overcome anatomical barriers and inseminate directly into the uterus has increased litter numbers and relieved client frustration. E) Males with lowered or compromised spermatozoa numbers--little work has been done in the canine to definitively define minimum semen parameters necessary for conception. By directly depositing the semen into the uterus, bypassing the cervix and vaginal vault, conception can possibly be achieved with lesser sperm numbers and lesser overall semen quality. TECHNIQUE A pre-surgical evaluation is performed on the bitch. Anesthetic induction consists of coning smaller individuals with isoflurane. Larger bitches may require an intravenous injection of a standard short acting anesthetic to achieve relaxation for intubation and maintenance with isoflurane (i.e., propofol). The bitch is prepared in the same manner as a bitch undergoing an ovarian-hysterectomy. The ventral abdomen is clipped and the bitch is placed in the surgical theater in dorsal recumbency. Prepping of the surgical site is done in a routine manner. The abdomen is draped in preparation for the surgery.

9 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 9 Maximizing Conception Rates Using Fresh Cooled or Frozen Canine Semen Continued A 4 to 6 centimeter incision is made midway between the pubis and the umbilicus. The incision is made in the skin, subcutaneous fat and through the linea alba. The uterus is identified and elevated to the surface through the incision. The uterus is draped with a saline moistened laparotomy pad if the semen is not ready for the injection procedure. A volume of semen varying between.5 ml and 4 ml is prepared for insemination. If the volume is greater than 4ml, the semen should be centrifuged for five minutes. The supernatant is decanted and disposed. The semen pellet is gently re-suspended with the remaining supernate or with a semen extender. The semen to be injected is gently drawn into a 6ml syringe through an insemination rod. The rod is removed and a 22 gauge 3/4 inch needle is attached to the syringe. The surgeon inserts the needle into the lumen of the uterine body at a 45-degree angle with the bevel of the needle up. The semen is slowly injected into the uterus. The semen should flow easily with obvious distention of the uterine horns. If the injection cannot be achieved or is difficult, the needle should be repositioned. A Saline moistened gauze is held over the injection site after the needle is withdrawn. After one minute, the gauze is removed and the uterus is replaced into the abdomen. Closure of the fascia, muscle, subcutaneous tissue and skin is routine. The bitch's rear is elevated as she recovers from the anesthesia. The intra-uterine pressure during the surgical deposition of the semen may cause mild backflow through the cervix into the vaginal cavity. This appears to be of no concern. If the surgeon has doubt as to the semen being placed in the uterine lumen, a post-operative vaginal smear will confirm spermatozoa, if the technique has been performed properly. Good News for Michigan Dog Owners [Wednesday, October 01, 2003] With growing frequency nationwide, families are being forced to give up their canine companions because of skyrocketing homeowners' insurance premiums or companies outright refusal to cover certain breeds. Dog owners in Michigan may now have some reprieve, however, thanks to an important victory by the Michigan Association for Purebred Dogs. Troubled by countless stories from owners who were cancelled or denied insurance based on the breed of dog they own, the association contacted Michigan's insurance commissioner earlier this year with their concerns. They encouraged dog owners to report specific incidents to the commissioner and also brought the issue to the attention of several state representatives. Ironically, this AKC-affiliated federation was in the process of trying to introduce legislation to end such discrimination when the insurance commissioner issued a statement saying that existing law already prohibited such practice. Released in September by the Office of Insurance and Financial Services, Bulletin INS states that insurance companies who exclude liability coverage due to ownership of a particular breed of dog are in violation of Michigan's Essential Insurance Act. The statement goes on to say that insurers may cancel or deny coverage to owners based on a dog's bite history related to paid claims, but only after written notice to the policy holder and the Office of Financial and Insurance Services. The American Kennel Club believes that insurance companies should determine coverage of a dog-owning household based on the dog s deeds, not the dog s breed. If a dog is a well-behaved member of the household and the community, there is no reason to deny or cancel coverage. In fact, insurance companies should consider a dog an asset, a natural alarm system whose bark may deter intruders and prevent potential theft. AKC commends both the Michigan Association of Purebred Dogs and the Michigan Office of Insurance Services on their efforts to protect the rights of responsible dog owners. We strongly encourage owners in other states to pursue this issue with their own commissioners and legislators, as similar code may already exist to guard them against unfair insurance practices.

10 Page 10 The Lab Report Coming Events AKC, submitted by Jeanine Asch Date Name of Show Judge(s) Entries close: Location Comments 11/8 Kalamazoo KC Mrs. Robert (Carolyn) Thomas 10/22 Gr. Rapids, MI 11/9 Gr. Rapids KC Constance Barton 10/22 Gr. Rapids, MI 11/13 Sandusky KC Roger Hartinger 10/29 Columbus, OH 11/14 Dayton KC George Heitzman 10/29 Columbus, OH 11/15 Lima KC Gerald Schwartz 10/29 Columbus, OH 11/16 Central OH KC Laurie Doumaux 10/29 Columbus, OH 11/22 Oakland Co KC Sherrie Bercklin Morgan 11/5 Pontiac, MI 11/29 Jaxon KC 11/12 E. Lansing, MI 11/30 Ingham Co. KC 11/12 E. Lansing 12/1 Ingham Co. KC 11/12 E. Lansing 12/11 Lorain Co. KC 11/26 Cleveland, OH 12/12 Medina KC 11/26 Cleveland, OH 12/13 Richland Co. KC 11/26 Cleveland, OH 12/14 Western Reserve KC Donald Sturz 11/26 Cleveland, OH 1/2/04 Columbian Co KC Richard Chashoudian 12/17 Tallmadge, OH 1/3/04 Rubber City KC Betsy Yates 12/17 Tallmadge, OH 1/4/04 Rubber City KC Ann Yuhasz 12/17 Tallmadge, OH 1/16/04 Livingston KC Frank Washabaugh 12/31 Novi, MI 1/17/04 Livingston KC Gloria Kerr 12/31 Novi, MI 1/18/04 Oakland KC Bettyann Hale 12/31 Novi, MI Coming Events Canadian Kennel Club Date Name of Show Entries close: Location 11/21-23 Kent Kennel Club 11/4 Chatham, ON (eye clinic w/ Dr. Wheeler 11/22) Update time... Mark Your Membership Books! The following members have recently forwarded a change in their contact information. Please mark these changes in your Membership Directory. Address, Phone & Name Change: Gary Cooper tradesmanlabs@sbcglobal.net Stacy Quake Cindy Skiba new area code is 989 Laura Michaels laura1@woodhavenlabs.com or labfeet1@comcast.net Web Address Change: Judy Trevino Address Change: Helen Bronson 7129 Crosswinds Dr. Swartz Creek, MI

11 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 11 Judge s Critique by Carole Coode I was most impressed by the quality of the dogs that were bought under me today, I had quality at the top and down the line, which makes the job harder but also so much more enjoyable. You should be congratulated on breeding some very fine dogs. Veteran Dog 4 (1ab) 1st Day's Ch Hampshire Am I Blue, nine years old black dog, good balanced outline, kind head and expression, good lay of shoulder, upper arm could have a little more length and angulation. Superb topline, good ribs and loin, well made rear end, in great coat, moving well on good legs and feet. 2nd Reich's Lor-Al's Direct Deposit, a yellow boy of 8 years, excellent type, kind head and expression, well made front and rear quarters, moving well on good legs and feet, coat of correct texture (hard to the hand), but had rather a strong wave to it. 3rd Eakin's, Enterprise The Cutting Edge. Puppy Dog 6-9 months 9 (1ab) 1st Flaherty's, Hedgelawn Sharp Dressed Man, nearly nine months yellow, super balanced outline, kind and gentle head, excellent neck and shoulder, good rear end, topline and tailset. Sound mover on good legs and feet. 2nd Plocek's East Hill Tucker Riley, just 6 1/2 months kind head and expression, good lay of shoulder, upper arm could have more angulation, not quite the balanced outline of 1, good topline and tailset, well sprung ribs, strong loin and good coat. 3rd Ewald's & Cogo's Wit's End Windfall Gandolfini Puppy Dog 9-12 months 5 1st Smith's, Citadel Cool Waters, nine months old pup with a great balanced outline. Two in better coat at present. This pup had good confirmation front and rear, with strong topline and good tailset, a scopey dog and sound mover. 2nd Witt's, Minfalls Instant Replay, 9 1/2 months, kind head and expression, excellent neck and shoulder, good spring of rib, strong loin & good legs and feet, excellent coat, 1 had the edge on movement. 3rd Reece's, Ridge View Jack Bunny Junior Dog months 14 (1ab) 1st Kirschner & Head's, Tabatha's Icon, nearly 18 months, superb balanced outline, kindest of heads and expressions, excellent neck set into well angulated forehand - topline to die for. Strong loin, excellent well sprung ribs, great rear end, low hocks, very sound mover in full coat. My Winners Dog with CM. One I could easily have taken home. 2nd Norgren's, East Hill Fergus, yellow boy with loads of breed type, kind head and expression, very well made front and rear with good angulation, low hocks, deep chest, strong loin, moving well, not quite so positive as 1. 3rd Reich's, Lor-Al's, Direct Northmark. Novice Dog 2 1st Tarkington & Skiba's, Epoch Farms Talk of the Town, a little strong in the head for me, good neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm lack length and angulation, good spring of ribs, strong short loin, good topline, nice rear end. Well bone legs, feet could be tighter, in excellent coat. 2nd Pfeifle's, Hampshire Back in Tyme, more compact than 1, Good head, neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm lacked length and angulation, which made him toe-in in front. Excellent rear end, Not the coat of 1. Bred By Exhibitor 5 1st Heidl's Tabatha's Sport WC Yellow?, kind head and expression, balanced outline. Excellent forehand, well sprung ribs, strong topline, well turned stifle moved very well, which won him the class, although not in full coat. 2nd Arnold's Twin Cedars Diamond in the Rough, sweet headed dog, good balanced outline, full rich yellow coat, nice neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm could have more length and angulation which caused him to toe in on the move, very good spring of rib, drove well from behind. 3rd Jacko's Saddlebrooke Green Knight American Bred 6 (2ab) 1st Jessup's, Can Ch Beecham of Blackamoor, well muscled up boy, not in full coat, that will grow back, kind head and expression, good forehand assembly (upper arm could have more length) excellent ribs, topline and tailset, good rear end with low hocks, a sound mover. 2nd Black's Pradoc's Tabatha's Stonehenge, sweet head and expression, lay of shoulder good, strong topline, 1 moved more positively, not quite the rear end of 1. Good legs feet and had better coat. 3rd Curtis-Dwyer's, Special Occasion Revolution Sundial Open Black Dog 14(3ab) 1st Cogo & Norgrens Sunrise Windfall Tailor, - soundest dog in the ring. Very pleasing in head, neck and forehand, best of ribs, strong topline, short loin and well turned stifle, low hocks, good legs and feet. In very good coat. Reserve Winners Dog 2nd Smith's Kreekside Citadel's Rainmaker, super dog cover the ground well, excellent head, deep ribs, well ribbed back, strong topline, In best of coats, tail a little thin, 1 pipped him a fraction on movement. 3rd Black & Heidl's, Tabatha's Stonehenge Absolute Open Chocolate3 1st Norgren's & Cogo's East Hill Windfall Kodak, excellent coat colour, I would have preferred less head and a darker eye. Good neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm lacked a little in length & angulation, well sprung ribs, excellent topline, good tailset, sound rear end, a very sound mover on good legs and feet. 2nd McCormick's (no name in catalogue) Good head and nice coat and eye colour, carrying a little too much weight. Good forehand, excellent ribs, topline and stifle, moved well, in full coat. 3rd Arnold's, Twin Cedars Sky Walker. Open Yellow 1 1st McCormick's Keepsake Brickhouse, good fox red yellow, well balanced outline, kindest of heads and expression,

12 Page 12 The Lab Report Judge s Critique Continued by Carole Coode excellent neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm could have more length and angulation, causing him to be wide in front on the move. Good spring of rib, topling straight, good legs and feet in excellent coat, drove well from the rear. Field Trial Dog 1 1st Jessup's Can Ch Buckley of Blackamoor JH, 7 years old, kindest of head, good neck and lay of shoulder, upper arm a little short, topline good well turned stifle, moved really well in excellent coat. Veteran Bitch 4 (1ab) 1st Pannicke's, Hunts Club Towncraft Mistori, 7 years old, not in coat but had good balance, kind head and expression, with sound confirmation front and rear. Well sprung ribs, short loin, good topline and tailset, very sound mover. 2nd Jessup's Can Ch Ballyclare of Blackamoor JH, 8 years old black, well balanced outline, not the same drive of 1's rear movement. Lovely head, well sprung ribs, level topline, short loin and good tailset. In good coat. 3rd Jessup's, Can Ch Blackamoor Junior Miss Field Trial Bitch 1 1st Jessup's Can Ch Ballyclare of Blackamoor JH (2nd in Veteran Bitch). Best of Breed My specials class was of very good quality, 9 plus Winners dog and Winners bitch. From these I chose for Best of Breed I chose the Mortier's lovely yellow dog Lubberline Martingale, three year old just oozing breed type. Kind and gentle head with good expression, nice length of muzzle, neck sweeps into well laid shoulders, great spring of rib, well ribbed back, short strong loin, good turn of stifle, low hocks, Strong topline amd good tailset. Moved so well on good legs and feet, with correct double coat with good hard feel to it. Best Opp Sex & JAM Went to Heidl's Winners Bitch Tabatha's Gale, very smart classic outline, correct angulation front and rear, sweet head and expression. Great topline and tailset, excellent otter tail, good legs and feet, such a sound mover and in great coat. JAM also to Bell's Ch Boradors Mr Wizard, and Winners Dog Kirscher & Heidl's Tabatha's Icon. Best Puppy in Show Saldan's nine month old black bitch Zinfndel Circus-Circus spot on movement, great balanced outline, good body depth to leg length (i.e. equal) sweet head, good all through right down to her tail - one to watch. Signed, Carole Coode - Judge Wins n Grins Nthmrk N Synergys At the Bat Casey Kim Bridgewater-Bryson New Junior Hunter! Completed his JH title in four straight hunt tests at the age of 11 months! 2 passes at Ohio Valley & 2 passes at Eastern Tennessee Infinity s Boyd Bear Michelle VeuCasovic Holland KC Reserve Winners Dog Battle Creek KC Reserve Winners Dog Windfall s Be-Boppin Bobbi Socks CD NAJ Michelle VeuCasovic Midland KC Agility Trial 1st Place Novice Standard, New NA Agility Title! Holland KC Winners Bitch, and a New Breed Champion!! Dewey Dewey Mark Foster Midland KC Agility Trial 2nd Place Novice Standard Dewey s First Qualifying Leg towards his title! What a great run!! Alegra Sabo s Romeo Judy Trevino & Matt Pius Twin Cities LRC Day 1 & 2 2nd 15-18mo, 1st 15-18mo Show day after Twin Cities LRC Winners Dog, Best of Winners Monroe KC 1st mo and Reserve Winners Dog Alegra Sabo s Top Gun Judy Trevino & Matt Pius St. Clair KC Days 1 & 2 Best of Breed Oakhaven s Waynes Autumn Myst Patty Wayne & Pam Nichols UKC SHR 2nd pass earned on 9/21 Saturday: Best of Breed and Group 3 Great Lake Lab Lovers New Working Certificate & CGC London Canada Best of Breed (3pts) Wayne s Memories & Dreams Patty Wayne UKC Foundation KAI Club of America (UKC) Saturday: Best of Breed and Group 3 Great Lake Lab Lovers New Working Certificate! Jalin Wayne s Fame Us Affair Patty Wayne UKC Foundation KAI Club of America (UKC) Saturday: non-licensed Best Puppy in Show London Canada Best of Breed Puppy Epoch s Brown Baggin Cindy Skiba Mid-Jersey LRC Day 1 Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best in Sweeps, and a New Breed Champion! Mid-Jersey LRC Day 2 Best in Sweeps Wit s End Epoch Windfall Cindy Skiba, Angela Ewald, Annie Cogo Mid-Jersey LRC Day 1 Reserve Winners Bitch

13 Volume 2003, Issue 11 Page 13 Fall Specialty Results September 26th, 2003 SWEEPSTAKES: JUDGE JEAN- LOUIS BLAIS PUPPY DOGS 6-9 MONTHS 1. EAST HILL TUCKER RILEY--- Diane & Edward Plocek 2. HEDGELAWN SHARP DRESSED MAN---Tom & Tambra Flaherty 3. SHALANE I BELIEVE I CAN FLY- --Deborah Lewis 4. SPECIAL OCCASION WW AMERI- CAN IDOL---Diane Wehrheim PUPPY DOGS 9-12 MONTHS 1. CITADEL COOL WATERS---Pam Smith 2. MINEFALLS INSTANT REPLAY--- Gary & Laura Witts 3. RIDGEVIEW JACK BUNNY--- Donna Reece 4. WINDFALL S MAKEM LAUGH AT BRONCO---Mike & Joni Palumbo DOGS MONTHS 1. HYSPIRE WINDFALL COOKIE CUTTER---Annie & Ron Cogo 2. HAMPSHIRE BACK IN TYME--- Mel Pfeifle 3. EAST HILL FERGUS---Sheila Norgren 4. BIG SKY S HOME RUN HITTER--- Steven & Shari Kirschner DOGS MONTHS 1. LOR-AL S DIRECT NORTHMARK- --Laura Reich 2. CITADEL HOOK LINE AND SINKER---Pam Smith 3. ALEGRA SABO S ROMEO---Matt Pius & Judy Trevino 4. DOVETAILS PRIORITY---Frank Holding & Lori Isenhath PUPPY BITCHES 6-9 MONTHS 1. BANNERS SEA SHELL---Nancy Chargo & Lisa Lynch 2. WIT S END WINDFALL GRACE KELLY---Angela Ewald & Annie Cogo 3. FORSYTHE BLACK MAGIC AT HUNTMOR---Stacy & Tom Quake 4. SADDLEBROOKE HIFALUTN COWGIRL---Connie Jacko PUPPY BITCHES 9-12 MONTHS 1. ZINFNDEL CIRCUS-CIRCUS--- Gerardo & Joan Saldana 2. MISTI-DAWN STOCKING STUFFER---Nancy Schroeder 3. MISTI-DAWN FROGCREEK SHOWTYME---Chris Carroll & Nancy Schroeder 4. NORTHMARKS EXHAUST--- Karen Brines BITCHES MONTHS 1. BANNERS SEA LARK---Nancy Chargo 2. BEECHCROFT GINGERSNAP AT HEDGELAWN---Tom & Tamara Flaherty 3. TABATHA S THRILL---Carol Heidl 4. HUNTERS BAR BLACKROCK BERETTA---Stacy & Tom Quake BITCHES MONTHS 1. TREMONTS PORTABELLA--- Barbara Reisig-Paveglio 2. WINDFALL BANNERS MAGIC GEM---Annie Cogo & Nancy Chargo 3. TABATHA S FROCK---Carol Heidl 4. WITS END EPOCH FAM WIND- FALL---Cindy Skiba, A. Cogo & Angela Ewald BEST IN SWEEPSTAKES: TRE- MONTS PORTABELLA BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX IN SWEEPSTAKES: LOR-AL S DIRECT NORTHMARK VETERAN SWEEPSTAKES: JUDGE JEAN-LOUIS BLAIS VETERAN DOGS 7-10 YEARS 1. CH HAMPSHIRE S AM I BLUE--- Karen Day 2. LOR-AL S DIRECT DEPOSIT--- Laura & Al Reich 3. CH MISTI-DAWN S SO S MY MOM CD---Chris Carroll & Nancy Schroeder 4. SHADYBROOK S FOUR ON THE FLOOR---Carol & Peter Brech VETERAN BITCHES 7-10 YEARS 1. CH PINE EDGE MI BLEUDENIM JEANS---Diane Wehrheim 2. CAN CH BLACKAMOOR S JUN- IOR MISS---H. Price Jessup 3. HUNT CLUBS TOWNCROFT MIS- TORI---Lynn Pannicke BEST IN VETERAN SWEEP- STAKES---CH PINE EDGE MI BLEUDENIM JEANS BEST OF OPP. SEX IN VETERAN SWEEPSTAKES---CH HAMPSHIRE S AM I BLUE REGULAR DOG CLASSES: JUDGE CAROL COODE PUPPY DOGS 6-9 MONTHS 1. HEDGELAWN SHARP DRESSED MAN (Ch Surry s Brick In The Wall X Drifter Maidapromis At Hedgelawn) Tom & Tambra Flaherty 2. EAST HILL TUCKER RILEY (Sunrise Windfall Tailor X Ch East Hill William Sonoma) Diane & Edward Plocek 3. WIT S END WINDFALL GAN- DOLFINI (Ch Dickendall Davaron Gable X Ch Windfall Lubberline Regatta) Angela Ewald & Annie Cogo 4. SHADOWMYST DARE TO DREAM (Ch Janrod s Chasing A Dream X Shadowmyst Daystar Dream) Kim Brown & Julie Reeves PUPPY DOGS 9-12 MONTHS 1. CITADEL COOL WATERS (AmCanCh Whitewater Smoke On The Water X Kreekside Lemon Zest) Pam Smith 2. MINEFALLS INSTANT REPLAY (Ch Hampshire s Am I Blue X Windfalls Stormy Sunrise At Banner) Gary & Laura Witts 3. RIDGE VIEW JACK BUNNY (Ch Ridge View Bugs Bunny X Ridge View Tres Jolie) Donna Reece 4. WINDFALL HIGHLANDERS SPIRIT (Ch Dickendall Davaron Gable X Sure Shot Aim For The Stars) Cathy Culpert DOGS MONTHS 1. TABATHA S ICON (Ch Tabatha s Drifter At Dickendall JH X Tabatha s Token Talent) Steve & Shari Kirschner & Carol Heidl 2. EAST HILL FERGUS (Ch Windfall Pipe Major X East Hill Landofsun Konga) Sheila Norgren 3. LOR-AL S DIRECT NORTHMARK (Lor-al s Direct From Tantara X Northmarks Excitement) Laura Reich 4. CITADEL HOOK LINE AND SINKER (AmCanCh Nipntuck Arncha Bold JH CD X Kreekside Rumor Mill) Pam Smith NOVICE DOGS 1. EPOCH FARMS TALK OF THE TOWN (Ch Withara s Maggie s Singing Cowboy X Epoch s Oreo Cookie) K & A Tarkington & Cindy Skiba 2. HAMPSHIRE BACK IN TYME (Tonmar s Summer Shanley X Ch Stoneways Babbit Hill Bound) Mel Pfeifle