E-SENNtinel Matters. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. Greetings from the President. Inside this issue: Mary Jo Rasmussen

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1 E-SENNtinel Matters Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America Greetings from the President Susan also has Top 20 video. Please contact her for the You Tube links. Thank you so much for your generosity, Susan! I know other clubs and individuals are taking advantage of the fabulous fall weather and foliage by hiking, sitting around campfires and romping in leaves. Inside this issue: October 2013 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE 1 TREASURER S REPORT National Specialty We will hear much more about the 2013 National Specialty in the printed SENNtinel, but on behalf of the entire club, we can give many, many thanks to Janelle Kaiser, Liz Coit and Allison Allen right here and now. And then repeat it ten -fold in the printed SENN! They zigged and zagged their way through unseasonal blistering heat and came out smiling every time real pros! Susan Justice took hundreds of photos at the Specialty and has made them available to all of us! Here is a list of the links: 9/10/13 Class Album 1 Class Album 2 Breed Album 1 Breed Album 2 Top 20 Fall Fun! Several of our regional clubs have either had or will have really great fall adventures for Swissy enthusiasts. The Crooked River club hosted the everpopular SwissAthlon in early October. I have heard nothing but high praise from everyone in attendance. Southbound s Swissypalooza was a real success last weekend with great weather and wonderful activities. Who can resist saying, Swissypalooza. The word is as fun as all of the folks in that terrific club. SCONE also held a fun festival a few weeks so check out their photos on page 20. The Chesapeake and Potomac Club is hosting it s annual three-day Draft Trial Extravaganza over Veteran s Day weekend. It is over-subscribed again this year. What a treat the Collins Farm is! Passing the Torch This is my final issue as editor of the e-senn. I am grateful to Cheryl Gerzabek for taking over I thank you and my computer thanks you! Cheryl is leaving her post as The SENNtinel editor and Alison Burns and Sandi Snyder are the new editors, starting with the November 1st issue. More about this in the Communications Committee Report on page National Specialty You will notice numerous pages of 2014 NS stuff. Many thanks to Mary Beth Usery s daughter, Stephanie, for the gorgeous logo you will see plastered all over the place! The NS committee is hard at work to make sure you enjoy the event. Thank you all for allowing me to be your president. Keeps this retired person busy! Mary Jo Rasmussen BY-LAW CHANGES 5 E-BALLOTING 6 ANNUAL BOARD MEET- ING MINUTES 2014 NATIONAL SPE- CIALTY TRIATHLETE CHALLENGE NS FUNDRAISERS 11 COMMITTEE REPORTS 12 REGIONAL CLUB RE- PORTS GSMDCA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

2 E-SENNtinel Matters Treasurer s Report Treasurer Chuck Kalupa 2

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4 E-SENNtinel Matters Treasurer s Report continued 4

5 E-SENNtinel Matters GSMDCA Board Business: Proposed By-law Changes The GSMDCA Board Members are proposing several changes to the club s Bylaws. The changes were outlined at the Annual Membership Meeting at our National Specialty in Purina Farms September, It has been five years since the By-laws were changed and it is about that often that we examine them to determine if they are up-to-date. Here are the areas we are asking you to think about now, and vote on in Spring 2014: 1. Reduce the number of board members from 11 to 9: delete the position of Second Vice President and reduce the number of directors by one member. Rationale: Most clubs our size have a fewer board members serving on their boards. Additionally, for the past several years our Nominating Committees are confronting a lack of interest in those willing to serve on the board. Self-nominations are not forthcoming, board members are limited to 3, twoyear terms and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find club members who will serve on the Board of Directors. 2. Change the number of terms the AKC Delegate is allowed to serve from 3 two-year terms to 6 twoyear terms. This does not apply to our current AKC Delegate because she was elected under the current By-laws. Rationale: New AKC Delegates must undergo a minimal background check to be eligible to serve and their name must also appear in two issues of the AKC Gazette. Our current AKC Delegate missed two of the four AKC Delegate meetings the first year she served because of these requirements. Additionally, if our club or AKC Delegate hopes to serve on an AKC Delegate Committee, six years is not enough time to nurture the friendships necessary to be successful in running for a committee position. 3. Allow the SENNintenel and e-senn editors to serve on the Board of Directors. Rationale: We have violated this clause on numerous occasions and are currently not in compliance. 4. Allow our balloting procedures (to vote on By-laws changes and Board Members and Officers) to be conducted on-line. In September, the AKC wrote language to allow club members to vote via e- balloting. The AKC has drafted language for AKC recognized clubs to use for this purpose. One of the requirements is for clubs to use commercial e-balloting companies. The AKC issued this statement September 1st: Parent clubs may conduct elections, votes on breed standard revisions, bylaw amendments and any other specific questions a club s board of directors shall determine, via electronic balloting. Such balloting must be conducted by an independent organization which specializes in electronic balloting. A member must sign a written authorization agreeing to this method of balloting, which is revocable, which agrees to release the club from any liability should the ballot be received late or not received by the member, due to circumstances beyond the club s control. Members not providing written authorization will continue to receive all materials via USPS. Rationale: It is less costly to use e-balloting (the Leonberger Club of America [LCA])piloted the process and it was about one-half of paper balloting) and the number of people voting increases. An article by Don James of the LCA is on the following page. Please contact any board member with questions about the proposed changes. The following link provides address of the board members: 5

6 E-SENNtinel Matters E-Balloting by Don James Leonberger Club of America Making the Case for E-Balloting This article will attempt to shed some light on the process involved in casting an E-Ballot. Not only will it will show that E- Balloting is a great way for a club to save money it spends on the election process, but it s been shown that E-Balloting is a great way to increase overall participation in club elections. Let s have a look at how Simply Voting Inc., one Electronic Balloting provider runs its elections. Different companies might vary in some areas but the overall process is remarkably similar between several such companies I looked at. We ll then provide a comparison of the costs for a Parent Club to run a traditional snail mail election vs. holding that same election using Electronic Balloting. We ll use a Club s Board election as our example. Election Setup The designated club election manager uses the E-Balloting company WEB site to create and election specifying both the dates and times of the election. Ballots are defined specifying the parameters of the upcoming election. Pictures and/or candidate statements are uploaded. Voter Credentials Uploaded Every current member of the club will be entered as an eligible voter in this election. Unique authentication credentials are generated for each eligible voter An is sent to each eligible voter. This contains an electronic link to the ballot with a unique secure authentication credentials encrypted into it. Online Voting Voters are automatically authenticated when they click on the ballot e-link included in the announcing the election. Once logged in, the voter will be presented with a tamper proof official ballot for the upcoming election. When the vote is cast, results are immediately encrypted and remain anonymous. Following completion of the voting process, the member is issued a receipt, which allows them to verify their vote was cast as they desired. Once completed, that voter will be denied access to that election should they try to login and vote again at a later date. Results When the voting deadline passes, results are tabulated immediately. The Election Administrator (club member) can download and view election results. By default results are not published until they are reviewed by the Administrator who then makes the call to publish those results on the election Web site. Those results are then made available to individual club members. There is no way that a vote and the identity of the voter who cast that vote can ever be identified. Even the engineers of the E- Balloting company have no way of doing this. Encryption is a process wherein prior to transmission, a ballot s information is transformed into a digital code such that no one but the authorized election judges can read it using their digital keys. Even the Internet service provider cannot read the ballot without these keys, which are unique to each election. The election administrator has the capability of issuing reminder s and can view the up-todate reports (but not the results) at a midpoint in the balloting schedule. Many E-Balloting companies will also prepare, send, validate and count paper ballots for those unable or unwilling to use the electronic balloting option. A Financial Comparison For purposes of this discussion, I ll use data collected from the 2011 and 2012 National Board elections for the Leonberger Club of America (LCA). The LCA does a paper ballot election. The LCA sends ballots to all members in an envelope which also contains candidate statements and a pre-addressed ballot return envelope and a smaller envelope into which the voters inserts and seals his ballot before enclosing it in the return envelope. The postage on that envelope is the responsibility of the 6

7 individual club member. In 2011, the LCA mailed 949 ballots at a cost of $ In 2012, 1022 ballots were mailed at a cost of $ (The amount was higher in 2011, because an addendum was added to the ballot and there were more candidates in 2011). In 2011, 412 ballots were returned at a cost (postage) of $ In 2012, 517 ballots were returned at a cost (postage) of $ The total cost of the 2011 election was $ The total cost of the 2012 election was $1, The average cost is $ to run a paper snail mail election. Given these same figures, the cost to use an electronic balloting service to run the election would have been $ * Given this sample, the savings to a club the size of the Leonberger Club of America would amount to almost $500 per year for a club running a single election. *I used the average number of ballots between 2011 and 2012 to arrive at a figure of 980 ballots. The Electronic Voting provider Simply Voting ( has an online calculator which estimates the cost of running an electronic E-SENNtinel Matters election based on the number of ballots the customer would expect to be cast. Simply Voting also offers a demo of what an electronic election might look like to a first time voter. It s located at demo.simplyvoting.com/ index.php. Given the fact that electronic voting simplifies the process and generally results in more ballots being cast AND offers savings as demonstrated in the example above, this would seem to be a prudent course for clubs to follow in future elections. The article first appeared in Perspectives, on-line AKC Delegate publication GSMDCA Board Business: Annual Board Meeting Minutes 9/11/13 Holiday Inn Six Flags, St. Louis Meeting called to order at 8:57 PM Attendees: Bonnie Huett, Janelle Kaiser, Kelly Nevin, Mary Jo Rasmussen, Teri Stanger, Alison Burns New business: 1. MJ made a motion that the non-regular Generations Class is comprised of a linear three generation pedigree and that clarifying language in the Standing Rules are to be written to make it clear what a three generation pedigree is. Kelly second. Unanimous vote yes. 2. Janelle made a motion to amend the Standing Rules with regard to the Exemplary Junior Handler Club Award to include that the nominees must be AKC registered Junior Handlers. Alison second. Unanimous vote yes. 3. Alison made a motion to direct the working chairs to write guidelines for extreme temperature conditions in their rules. Janelle second. Unanimous vote yes. 4. Janelle moved and Bonnie seconded a motion to allow Amy Rupert to refurbish the Novice A OB trophy. Unanimous vote yes. 5. Alison moved that the board review the condition of all challenge and perpetual trophies. Janelle second. Unanimous vote yes. 6. MJ moved and Alison seconded that we examine the Standing Rules to make sure the GSMDCA board is within its authority to pass an Extenuating Circumstances clause that will be applied to our working event rules. Unanimous vote yes. 7. Alison talked about plans for the 2015 NS in Loveland, CO at the Embassy Suites. Unfinished Business: Alison volunteered to make a motion with regard to the Pack Hike rules on the GSMDCA BB. Kelly volunteered to make a motion with regard to the Weight Pull rules on the GSMDCA BB. 10:04 PM MJ moved we adjourn. Teri second. Unanimous vote yes. Respectfully submitted by Teri Stanger, as transcribed by Mary Jo Rasmussen 7

8 E-SENNtinel Matters National Specialty Four New Opportunities!! Triathlete Challenge Two Concurrent Draft Trials AKC Herding Lure Coursing September 14-19, 2014 Bethlehem, PA Lehigh Best Western Hotel/Conference Center Plus Supported Entry September 12 & 13 Macungie, PA Plus Independent Specialty September 19 Leigh Best Western 8

9 E-SENNtinel Matters Stars from the Past! National Specialty The 2014 National Specialty will feature a slideshow of Stars from the Past ~ Those wonderful Swissies who have left us but still shine brightly in our hearts. Please send photos of your special Stars so they can shine over Bethlehem at the 2014 National Specialty! Be sure to include the following information: Registered Name Call Name Titles Owners Name(s) Year of Birth Year of Death LET YOUR PAST (PASSED) SWISSY SHINE! PUT THEM IN KATIE S SLIDESHOW Submit your photos to Katie Markley at ktmarkley@comcast.net rd SENNtinel Topic and Submission Date Topic: 2013 National Specialty Issue Deadline: November 1st Additional Information: Three published SENNtinels will be produced this year. Due dates for submission of articles, photographs and advertisements are March 1, July 1, November 1 Editor: Alison Burns Woods and Sandi Snyder senneditor@bitaswissy.com Please send your submissions!! Thank you! BACHELORS!! $25 FOR A HALF- PAGE AD IN THE SENN!! LET EVERYONE MEET YOUR AMAZING STUD DOG 9

10 The Triathlete Challenge New 2014 National Specialty Performance Award!! Earn 3 legs you & your dog are Triathletes! Is your Swissy made of Bethlehem Steel? The Specialty Triathlete trophy is awarded (at Awards Banquet) to each Swissy/handler team that earns a qualifying leg or passing score in 3 or more venues. *Eligible events are: Obedience Rally Draft Weight Pull Pack Hike Herding SPECIALTY TRIATHLETE CHALLENGE Award offered by Chesapeake & Potomac GSMDC To be eligible, download, complete and the Triathlete Challenge Form Handler s Name: Dog s Name: Identify venues & classes entering for Challenge Draft class entered: TRIATHLETE CHALLENGE FORM 2014 GSMDCA National Specialty Address: Contact Information City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Obedience Rally Herding Weight Pull Pack Hike class entered: class entered: class entered: class entered: class entered: What is the best way to contact you during the Specialty? Will you be staying at the host hotel? Yes No Please send completed Triathlete Challenge Form to: Megan Westenmeyer, mfletchrides@hotmail.com, 756 New Hope Rd, Cross Junction, VA Questions? Contact Megan at: *Only one score or performance in each venue will count towards the award. The performance must be at the titling class level or higher (e.g., PT or higher for herding). Pre-entry is appreciated, but not required 10

11 E-SENNtinel Matters 2014 National Specialty Fundraisers! A Special Offer For Stars of the Past Use our 8 GB Flash Drive! Open Up History NOW!! 30 Years of the SENNentinel: Years of the Swissy 30th Anniversary Issue Top 20 Programs Historical photographs All e-senns Reserve yours today!! Contact mjrasmus@gmail.com Only $25!! Holiday Collars Limited Availability!! Must Order by November 10 $15 plus shipping Air Collar Holiday design! Constructed of Nylon Aerospacer used in running shoes. Breathable. Washable. Quick Drying. Small (7" - 18") Medium (16" - 20") Large (20" - 26") 1 wide Contact mjrasmus@gmail.com 11

12 Futurity Report e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America The GSMDCA held its 4 th annual Futurity in conjunction with the National Specialty at Purina Farms. There was an entry of 17 lovely puppies for breeder/ judge Phreddie Sienkewicz s consideration. She chose Shadetree s Keep Dancing with Swiss Run as Best Puppy and Matterhorn s High Plains Drifter as Best of Opposite Puppy. Ch. Matterhorn s Burning Down the House was Best Junior and Grand Prize Futurity winner and Best of Opposite Junior was Ch. Suma-Shadetree s Good Girl Friday. Don t forgot to nominate your promising litters before they are born and your promising puppies before they are four months old for next year s Futurity to be held in conjunction with the National in Bethlehem, PA! Cathy Cooper Futurity Chair cocooper@sitestar.net Communications Report Grand Prize Futurity Winner Many, many thanks to Cheryl Gerzabek for editing the SENNtinel from 2011 onward. It is a huge job, done on weekends and week nights. But she is not done yet! Cheryl is now the editor of this publication the e-senn!! Published three times per year, the next e-senn issue deadline is February 1st. Cathy Cooper will continue to be our hounder-in-chief! She ll be like a dog with a bone, tenaciously gathering your committee and regional club reports. Our new heroes are Alison Burns and Sandi Snyder! They join an illustrious club of SENN editors; Dan & Lois Curtis, Dorothy Brackney, Cilla Phillips, Brigitte Rhinehart, Karen Conant, Barbara Martinez, George Saxon, Steve & Dori Likevich, Cheryl Gerzabek. Please Alison and Sandi your stories and advertisements to senneditor@bitaswissy.com. Mary Jo Rasmusssen is thankful to be hanging up her hat as the e-senn editor delighted that Cheryl is stepping in. Nancy Kechner did a few e-senns along the way, too. Thank you! E-SENN deadlines: February 1st June 1st October 1st 12

13 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America The versatility committee would like to congratulate the following hard working dogs and owners on their new titles. Blumen owned by Troy Riewe and Irene Tan earned her Working Weight Dog and VGS on May 11 th, Ch Matterhorn's Blumen CD, BN, RN, DD, NBDD, WWD, VGS Lester owned by Mary and Clint Spaar earned his Companion Dog and VGS on August 31 st, Ch Matterhorn's Stealth Bomber CD, RN, DD, WPD, VGS Blumen and Lester are siblings and together with their half sister Raven, they have earned their mother Brandi (Ch Macalphine's Blackberi Brandi, CD, RN, JHD, NWPD, VGS, ROM) her VROM (3 VGS offspring for a dam). Brandi s VROM is the 4 th awarded in the history of the club. Continuing on with a couple of titles this newsletter after three the newsletter before, everyone keep up the good work. Kelly Nevin Versatility Chair Versatility Committee Report Agility Committee Report This year s Eukanuba invitees in alphabetical order: CH Cherished Nobody Doesn't Like AXP AJP NFP CH Liberty Run's Just A Little Sureshot CD RE AXP AJP MFP CH Shadetree's Xenia Of Twinpine UDX RE MXP2 MJP6 MJPS CH Suddanly Irish Draught CD RN AXP MJP GCH CH Sudnly Mundy Mnr Bless Her Heart CD RE AXP AJP PREF PREF PREF PREF PREF Good luck to all those who are able to attend!! Happy running, Megan Westenmeyer Agility Committee Chair 13

14 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America AKC Legislative Liaison Report Released October 24, 2013 USDA to Host Webinars on the New Retail Pet Store Rule USDA Animal Care announced today that they will host a series of webinars on the new Retail Pet Store Rule this November and December. You are invited to participate in any or all of these webinars to speak directly with USDA about how the rule may or may not affect you as a small/hobby breeder. Webinars will be held Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST for a four-week period. The schedule of topics for the webinars is as follows: November 7 Am I regulated under USDA s Retail Pet Store Rule? November 14 How will USDA implement the Retail Pet Store Rule? November 21 What is USDA s inspection process in a home? December 5 How will USDA enforce the Retail Pet Store Rule? For more information and to sign up for these webinars, visit the USDA Animal Care website below. Released October 24, 2013 USDA announces final changes to federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regarding new USDA definition for "retail pet store." The purpose of new rule is to bring internet-based pet breeders and sellers under regulation of AWA. Department of Agriculture s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised the definition of retail pet store under the Animal Welfare Act to restore an important check and balance that helps ensure the health and humane treatment of pet animals sold sight unseen. The previous definition of retail pet store was developed more than 40 years ago, before the Internet provided an alternate method of selling pets to the public. Some breeders were selling pet animals sight unseen, without providing an opportunity for the buyer to observe the animal prior to purchase, as was intended by the regulation. APHIS is revising the definition in its regulations to bring animals involved in these transactions under the Animal Welfare Act so that they can be monitored by our Agency for health and humane treatment. Requiring these breeders to adhere to the Animal Welfare Act standards is important because we know that if the federal standards are being met, the animals are getting humane care and treatment said Ed Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. By revising the definition of retail pet store to better suit today s marketplace, we will now improve the welfare of more pet animals sold sight-unseen. Today s announcement fulfills a commitment APHIS made in response to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit on dog breeders. The 2010 audit found that more than 80 percent of sampled breeders were not being monitored or inspected to ensure their animals overall health and humane treatment resulting in some buyers receiving unhealthy pets especially dogs. Instead, these breeders were selling pets 14

15 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America AKC Legislative Liaison Report over the Internet and claiming retail pet store status, exempting themselves from oversight by both consumers and APHIS. With this regulatory change, APHIS has acted on the recommendation made by the OIG and restored the definition of retail pet store to its original intent: a place of business or residence at which the seller, buyer and the animal available for sale are physically present so that the buyer may personally observe the animal and help ensure its health prior to purchasing or taking custody of it. Traditional, brick and mortar pet stores will continue to be exempt from federal licensing and inspection requirements under the Animal Welfare Act. However, Internet-based businesses and other businesses that sell animals sight unseen must now be licensed and inspected by APHIS to ensure the pets they sell to the public receive minimum standards of care. Many animal rescue groups, pounds, shelters and humane societies will continue to be exempt from APHIS regulations. Also exempt are the following: people who breed and sell working dogs; people selling rabbits for food, fiber (including fur) or for the preservation of bloodlines; children who raise rabbits as part of a 4-H project; operations that raise, buy and sell farm animals for food or fiber (including fur); and businesses that deal only with fish, reptiles and other coldblooded animals. The change in regulations will also increase from three to four the number of breeding females (dogs, cats or small exotic/wild pocket pets) that people may maintain before they would be required to be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act. This will allow APHIS to better concentrate its resources on ensuring the welfare of animals at larger breeding operations. Breeders who maintain four or fewer breeding females are considered hobby breeders who already provide sufficient care to their animals without APHIS oversight provided they only sell the offspring of animals born and raised on their premises for pets or exhibition. APHIS already regulates the commercial sale of pet animals on the wholesale side to ensure that animals bred at wholesale facilities are receiving humane care and treatment. With Agriculture Secretary Vilsack s leadership, APHIS works tirelessly to create and sustain opportunities for America s farmers, ranchers and producers. Each day, APHIS promotes U.S. agricultural health, regulates genetically engineered organisms, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and carries out wildlife damage management activities, all to help safeguard the nation s agriculture, fishing and forestry industries. In the event that a pest or disease of concern is detected, APHIS implements emergency protocols and partners with affected states and other countries to quickly manage or eradicate the outbreak. To promote the health of U.S. agriculture in the international trade arena, APHIS develops and advances sciencebased standards with trading partners to ensure America s agricultural exports, valued at more than $137 billion annually, are protected from unjustified restrictions. Ellen Bergfeld AKC Legislative Liaison ebergfeld@sciencesocieties.org 15

16 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America Pack Dog Committee Report National Specialty Pack Hikers! Draft Committee Report 2013 National Specialty Draft Test To put it into perspective, the official high temperature for the day was 99 o F. And for good measure, the early morning automatic sprinkling system at Purina Farms did a very good job of soaking down the maneuver course so that the humidity would be nice and high as well. The total registered entry for the test was 14 teams with three withdrawals prior to the start of the test. In spite of the heat, four teams earned qualifying legs: Debbie Fields and Elliott (DD); Todd Snyder and Twister (NDD); Cilla Phillips and Sidney (DD); and Jennifer Fink and Addison (DD). Congratulations to the qualifiers. You and your dogs did a very good job! I want to commend all of the handlers for the outstanding sportsmanship they all displayed. When we participate in an event like this with our dogs, we really are asking a lot of them. They spend hours trav- 16

17 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America elling in the car, sleeping in strange places without their usual comforting sounds and smells, and have to be on best behavior and perform under strange and perhaps adverse conditions. Our dogs don t do all this because they want to, they do it because we ask them to and they want to be with us. My hat is off to those handlers who respected their dog s wishes when they said, It s just too hot for me to do this today. Also, a big THANK YOU to the people who helped out as stewards and to the 2013 National Specialty Show committee and organizers who put in so many hours making the whole thing possible. A special shout out goes to Chris Lero, our chief ring steward, for stepping in at the last minute. Jim Rasmussen GSMDCA Draft Committee Chair rasmussen.jr@gmail.com Draft Committee Report continued 17

18 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America Obedience Committee Report I attended the GSMDCA National Specialty at Purina s Event center in St Louis in September. What a nice venue! The center was large enough to easily hold an Agility course, Ibizan and Pharaoh Hound Obedience/Rally plus our obedience ring with plenty of room for crating. I was very impressed with the Swissies I saw working in obedience and rally. The dogs were attentive and worked with their human partners as teams. The dogs that NQ d, did so due to one little mistake or distraction during an exercise. Tails were wagging and the dogs looked happy to be in the ring. They all looked like they belonged in the classes they entered, and will certainly qualify at another show soon. I was very happy to see 3 open dogs entered, although none qualified; they showed that our breed can do it well, and our trainers are impressive. I want to thank our stewards, Kelly Nevin, Allison Woods, and Kris Van Laningham. It was Kris s debut as an obedience steward, and I think she had fun. This show would not have happened without them. Stewards are so important, and these women were fabulous. Thanks again for working throughout our trial. Congratulations to all those that qualified for legs, and for new titles! Many of you may have already seen the results, but if you haven t, this is directly from my catalog (thanks Kelly, for marking my catalog!) I m only listing 1 st place winners here, look to the next SENN issue for all the results! 1 st place in Novice B, High in Trial, & the winner of the Schonste Enga Robertson UDX Challenge Trophy, was my own Sami, Ch Suma I-Am-Sam By Lonestar RN BN TD. I have to tell you, I was shocked. I entered to qualify for a green ribbon, and to show Sami with no frolicking in the ring- as he has been doing lately. What a proud moment for us & no frolic! The winner of our Bill Faure Memorial Challenge Trophy, (high scoring dog with a GSMDCA working title) was Cilla Phillips with GCH Bermuda High s Pick Up The Pace also from the Novice B class. We did not have a winner for the Carolyn White Memorial Challenge Trophy (high scoring dog from Novice A) as we did not have a Novice A qualifier. Next year I m sure we ll have Chris Lero a winner. The Novice dogs worked very well and looked great in the ring. We did not have any Open dogs qualify and although they were all impressively trained, each dog made one small error these dogs are ready to earn CDX s and they will all qualify soon. In our optional titling classes, Beginner Novice A, 1 st place went to Amy Ruppert with Ticino s Lucerne De Mardi of Blossom Hill. Pat Runde with Jotunheim Chuao took 1 st place in BegNovB. In the Non- regular classes; 1 st in Veterans went to Jennifer Fink with Cinderella s Addison, and 1 st in Wild Card Novice was my dog, Ch Suma I-Am-Sam by Lonestar RN BN TD. The Swisies in the Rally ring shined, with lots of qualifiers! Our 1st place winner in Rally Novice A was Holly Webb and Ch Snowy Mountain s Deep Space Wookie. Debra Echols and GCh Derby s Xotic Daisy O Spot won 1 st in 18

19 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America Obedience Committee Report continued Rally Novice B with a perfect 100. Our Advanced B 1 st place winner was Sandra Strait with Ch Remington s Pride Love at First Sight CGC. The Excellent A- 1 st Place winner was Deanna Never with GCh Swiss Run s Jamacian Me Crazy and Debbie Fields with Ch Cherished Deb s Perfect Pot of Tea took 1 st place in Excellent B. I was very pleased to see our entry numbers this year; some of the dogs entered were a bit too happy J but better that than drooping tails. There were no droopy tails from dogs or handlers at the National this year. I think even those that didn t qualify had a good time. There is nothing in this world prettier to me than looking across a building and seeing Greater Swiss everywhere, especially in the obedience ring, heeling, jumping and fetching! Congrats to all those that entered & showed your dogs - you re all winners! Keep on heeling! Chris Lero Pet Disaster Relief Trailers Some of us are at risk of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, explosions and wildfires, and clubs and individuals along with AKC Reunite (formerly AKC CAR) can help communities prepare for the unexpected by mobilizing AKC Pet Disaster Relief. With our support, AKC Pet Disaster Relief can donate a stocked, mobile trailer to deliver essential, nonperishable necessities for sheltering pets when and where needed by our local emergency management team. The trailers can provide animal care supplies required to care for pets during the first critical hours following a disaster, before FEMA support and services can be deployed. These trailers are used for co-location shelters where people can stay with their pets in the event of an evacuation and/or as emergency lost and found pet shelters for pets displaced after a disastrous event. AKC Reunite has pledged $250,000 toward the program over the next two years. We would appreciate your assistance in this worthy cause. In recognition of donations from our club members, the GSMDCA s logo will be featured on an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer. Not only will we help improve community preparedness, resiliency and disaster response efforts, but we will also play a very important role saving dogs and their human companions when the unthinkable happens. For more information, click HERE. Donations are tax deductible and accepted online or via the AKC Pet Disaster Relief Donation Form. Be sure to list the GSMDCAwith your donation. Let s help roll out help! Delegate Meeting Minutes are at the following links: September 2013 I was unable to attend this meeting because I was enjoying our National Specialty! Mary Jo Rasmussen mjrasmus@gmail.com GSMDCA AKC Delegate AKC Delegate Report 19

20 e-senntinel Matters A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America SCONE Club Report SCONE had a few events this summer. We did a walk at Stodder's Neck Park in Hingham, MA on August 3rd. Was a very nice day and the Swissies and humans took to rounds of the park with a few breaks to play in the ocean. We also were in charge of manning the GSMD booth at the AKC Meet the Breed in New York City, which was a bit of a challenge this year as it was the same day as the local Long Island shows and C&P club s specialty in Virginia. Special thanks for Mike Warburton, Alex Carmody, Robert Seibert and Ellen Bilello for taking the time to man the booth. Our fun day is 10/5 and we have some fall pack hikes scheduled. Information for upcoming events is on the club website. 20

21 e - S E N N t i n e l M a t t e r s A publication of the Greater Swiss Mountain Club of America Mid-Atlantic Club Report Pack Hike Training, Sunday, Nov. 17th The Pack Hike Training will help you and your dog get ready for the Back-to-Back Pack Hikes on November 23rd or 24th. Or, maybe you just want to join in the fun of a pleasant Autumn hike! The hike will be approximately 3 miles long. There is no cost to participate. Meet at French Creek State Park by the playground at 10:00 a.m. Contact Doreen Holly for directions. dholly8@verizon.net Back-to-Back Pack Hikes, Sat. Nov. 23 & Sun. Nov. 24 The hikes on both days will be 10 Miles. Entry fee is $15 per day for MAGS members, $20 per day for non-members. Please bring Cash or Checks to the event along with the entry form. Make checks payable to MAGS Please R.S.V.P. to Doreen Holly by Tuesday, November 19th. Saturday, Nov. 23 Meet at The Laurels. Contact Doreen Holly for address & directions. Weigh-in will be at 9:00 a.m. Start time is 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 Mid-Atlantic GSMDC Pack Hike Training Saturday, Nov. 17th, 2013 Back-to-Back Pack Hikes Sat. Nov. 23rd & Sun. Nov. 24th, 2013 Meet at 120 Timacula Road, Coatesville, PA Weigh-in will be at 7:00 a.m. Start time is 7:30 a.m. Enjoy Lunch after the hike at 11:00 a.m. The Whip, 1383 N. Chatham Road, Coatesville, PA. Photos with Santa! Plan to hang around after lunch and get a head-start on the Holidays by having your Swissys picture taken with Santa! 21

22 Chesapeake & Potomac Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club Sponsors GSMDCA All Breed Draft Test Extravaganza Veteran s Day Weekend November 9-11 Three Glorious Days Six Fabulous Judges One Stupendous Collins Farm Two Apprentice Judges Location: 5139 Perry Rd., Mount Airy, MD Entry fees $40 per entry Ring prizes for every entry Qualifier ribbons and brass plate To sign up contact trial secretary: Karen Pyle kpyle@rochester.rr.com Judges Slate: Melissa Jarriel Bethany Karger Jim Rasmussen Mary Jo Rasmussen Sara Steele Megan Westenmeyer Karen Pyle Sat Sun Mon X X X X X X X X PLEASE NOTE Lunch served each day! Please sign up to volunteer Monday morning early start to get you outta here! Apprentice Judge Karen Pyle 22

23 Results 2013 C & P Eastern Regional Specialty Friday, September 27 Supported Entry Judge Eric Ringle Best of Breed CH Breezy Ridge Maximus, Tom Conway & Kristin Krumpe Best Opposite GCH Alastair s Smokey Mountain Rain, David & Cheryl Gerzabek Select Dog GCH Painted Mtn Oliver Twist of Fate, Katie and Randy Markley Select Bitch CH Jotunheim Daphne, Meredith Garrett & Mark Harris & Lori Price Winners Dog/ Jotunheim Nelson, Kris Shields & Lori Price Best of Winners Winners Bitch Palisades Dancing the Rhombus, Lynne & Josephine Kenney Reserve Dog Suma Milo, Laura & Eric Hendrix Reserve Bitch Double Q s Double Olive Martini RN CD CA, Tracy Brainard & Darlene Ward Saturday, September 28 Supported Entry Judge Patricia Hastings Best of Breed GCH Painted Mtn Oliver Twist of Fate, Katie and Randy Markley Best Opposite CH Jotunheim Daphne, Meredith Garrett & Mark Harris & Lori Price Select Dog GCH Derby s All American, Michael & Amber Rusk & Chrissy & Brad Selleck Select Bitch GCH Alastair s Smokey Mountain Rain, David & Cheryl Gerzabek Winners Dog/ Jotunheim Yogi, Ann Telnaes & David Lloyd & Lori Price Best of Winners Winners Bitch Double Q s Double Olive Martini RN CD CA, Tracy Brainard & Darlene Ward Reserve Dog Suma Milo, Laura & Eric Hendrix Reserve Bitch Tosseman s Sudnly Holy Cow, Dan Campeau & Kris Featheringham Sunday, September 29 Specialty Judge Alberto Berrios Best of Breed CH Breezy Ridge Maximus, Tom Conway & Kristin Krumpe Best Opposite GCH Alastair s Smokey Mountain Rain, David & Cheryl Gerzabek Select Dog GCH Painted Mtn Oliver Twist of Fate, Katie and Randy Markley Select Bitch Palisades Dancing the Rhombus, Lynne & Josephine Kenney Award of Merit GCH Derby s All American, Michael & Amber Rusk & Chrissy & Brad Selleck Award of Merit GCH Derby s X Marks the Spot, Alan McFadden & Debra Echols Winners Dog/ Dahlgren s Patriotic Heart, Rebecca & Giuseppe Brancaleone & Jenna Starr-Farling Best of Winners Winners Bitch Kismet s Winner Takes It All, Carol & H Joseph Neuman Reserve Dog Suddanly Quiet Valley Post Driver, R Ann Gallagher & Pat Cole Reserve Bitch Sevaridge s Wind Beneath My Wings, Dr. Christie R Gisewhite Veteran Dog CH Shadetree s Xango Catherine Cooper Veteran Dog CH Dufenhof Just Wild About Harry, Ellyn Signet Stud Dog GCH Nox s George Bailey s Irish Creme, Nancy Kechner, Julie Comer, Colleen Robson Brood Bitch CH Tejas Caddo Mia Jotuheim, Lori Price & Kristin Krumpe Sweepstakes Sunday, September 30 Judge Jim Owens Puppy Dogs 6-9 Months Double Q s Come Fly With Me, Jan Collins 9-12 Months Sennenhund Rossii International Sensation, Catherine Cooper & Mary Beth Usery Months Dahlgren s Patriotic Heart, Rebecca & Giuseppe Brancaleone & Jenna Starr-Farling Months Jotunheim Nelson, Kris Shields & Lori Price Puppy Bitches 6-9 Months Aegis Bronz Bomber, Kristin Krumpe 9-12 Months Shadetree Keep Dancin with Swiss Run, Deanna Never & Ben Never Months No entries present Months CH Jotunheim Daphne, Meredith Garrett & Mark Harris & Lori Price Best Puppy CH Jotunheim Daphne, Meredith Garrett & Mark Harris & Lori Price Best Opposite Jotunheim Nelson, Kris Shields & Lori Price Best Veteran CH Shadetree s Xango Catherine Cooper Best Opposite CH Shadetree s Quixote s Dulcinea RN OAP OJP DD JHD, Jim & Mary Jo Rasmussen 23

24 2014 Membership Renewal Form Return this completed form (both sides) with the appropriate fee and any donations to: GSMDCA Membership / Alison Burns Woods PO Box ; Littleton, CO Or visit to use PayPal Name(s) Address City State Zip Country Phone Comments / Updates Renewals MUST be received by March 1 st in order to receive all newsletters Renewals received after March 1, 2014 will result in a lapse in membership and will require a new application including sponsorship Donations: Check One Individual Membership: $25 Household Membership: $35 Associate Membership: $25 Canada International Associate Membership: $45 (includes $10/year Postage) International Associate Membership: $60 (includes $25/year Postage) Swissy Health Fund: $ Add this donation amounts to your membership dues check, payable to GSMDCA, Inc. GSMD Rescue Foundation: $ Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rescue Foundation, a organization, can be tax deductable. Include a separate check payable to GSMDRF.* AKC Canine Health Foundations Donor Advised Fund for the GSMD: $ Include a separate check payable to AKC-CHF Donor Advised Fund (Tax Deductable) All donors will be listed in The SENNtinel *A donation to the GSMDRF is tax deductible to the extent of your personal situation; please consult your personal tax advisor for more information to determine your own deductibility 24

25 The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America, Inc. (GSMDCA or Club) member guidelines reflect the Club's Constitutional mandate to protect and advance the interest of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (GSMD). In order to join the Club, prospective members must sign the following: GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. MEMBER GUIDELINES 1. Whether at home or away, members shall conduct themselves as good ambassadors of the Club and of the breed by displaying good sportsmanship and safe, sensible behavior. Members shall: a.) Be diligent in properly handling their appropriately restrained GSMD/s to minimize being a nuisance, causing a risk of trauma, or placing any person or animal in danger. b.) Protect the name and reputation of the breed. c.) Respect members and ensure that shared assessments of a member s GSMD are constructive, refraining from destructive criticism of another's dog and personal attacks upon fellow members. e.) Represent the breed with honesty when promoting the breed. Education involves both good and bad. f.) Educate themselves and others by seeking the advice and assistance of others and offer advice, support, and cooperation to fellow members. 2. All GSMDs owned or in the care of members shall be given a healthy environment, good nutrition, veterinary care, and proper training which include regular contact with people and the outside world. a.) No member's GSMD may be treated in an inhumane manner, abused, or subjected to any conditions that endanger the animal's life. b.) No member shall have more GSMDs than their facilities adequately hold. c.) Members placing a dog in another home should have reasonable assurance that each individual receiving a dog will provide a home with appropriate shelter, restraint, control and responsible care. d.) Members shall not sell, supply, donate or surrender any GSMD/s for raffle prize purposes, or to any dog wholesalers, pet shops, other retailers, catalogue house, Humane Society or Shelter, or any live dog to a research laboratory. e.) If members become aware of the maltreatment, misuse, or need to relocate any GSMD, they will notify any or all of the following for resolution of the problem: the breeder, GSMD Rescue Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors, or the appropriate authorities in their area. 3. Members are encouraged to track the health of puppies/dogs owned/sold and participate in club health surveys. In the event of a GSMD death of unknown cause, it is suggested a necropsy be performed. 4. Members who breed a litter are encouraged to follow the GSMDCA Breeding Guidelines as a means of promoting high standards for breeding. I/We have read the above guidelines and promise to adhere to the principles outlined therein as well as the Constitution and Bylaws of the GSMDCA, INC. Name/s: Address: Phone: Signature/s: Date: Revised September