Regular Club Meeting. May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. March 2011

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1 March 2011 Regular Club Meeting Thursday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. Webster Groves Animal Hospital 2011 General Meeting Schedule Second Thursdays of the following months at 7:30 p.m. held at Webster Groves Animal Hospital February March May September October November May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. ~Irish Blessing The SHELTIE VIBES is the official newsletter of the Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club. SHELTIE VIBES is published monthly. The Deadline for printing in the VIBES is the 20th of the month. Payments for listings or ads must accompany copy. Display ad for a full page is $8; half page $5. SUPPORT PAGE will run your business card size ad quarterly for $5.00. (MEMBERS ONLY). Send all news, ads, materials, checks, etc., to the Editors. Make checks payable to GSLSSC. Claims made in ads or opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily endorsed by the VIBES or GSLSSC. Articles may be reprinted by other club publications as long as proper credit is given the author and this Newsletter. Sheltie head is owned exclusively by GSLSSC for their use only. All other artwork can be used if proper credit is given. OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Terri Poirier VICE PRESIDENT: RECORDING SECRETARY: Debi Vetz CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Marianne Glisson 7701 Dittmer Road, Dittmer, MO fireside_shelties@yahoo.com TREASURER: Tim Cutshall BOARD OF DIRECTORS Darlene Cutshall Ben Middleton Rick Thompson STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AKC COORDINATOR: Debi Vetz ARCHIVIST: Darlene Cutshall AWARDS: Darlene Cutshall CLUB PICNIC: Ben Middleton CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS & POLICIES: Marianne Glisson EDUCATION, HEALTH & WELFARE: Sandy Ganz Rick Thompson EQUIPMENT: Donna Clifford FINANCIAL: Vicki Piccirillo MEMBERSHIP: Tammy Riggs goldenskip@msn.com SHELTIE INFO: Marianne Glisson SPECIALTY SHOW COMMITTEE: SHOW CHAIRPERSONS: Tammy Riggs OBEDIENCE CHAIRPERSON: Darlene Cutshall SHOW SECRETARY: Sherry Spavale 2012 AGILITY SHOW COMMITTEE: SHOW CHAIRMAN: Terri Poirier ASST. SHOW CHAIRMAN: Lori Schulz SUNSHINE: Sarah Middelton VIBES EDITOR: Debi Vetz mdvetz@sbcglobal.net WAYS & MEANS: Deb Spaul WEBSITE: Amy Stoub astoub@earthlink.net American Shetland Sheepdog Association WEBSITE: ASSA BREEDER REFFERAL

2 News & Highlights National 2011 Plans are well on the way and everyone is working hard on their jobs and responsibilties. We will be having a meeting soon which will include a plastic cutting party. Look for information soon. In the meantime if anyone needs any assistance or help please let Allison or me know. Our souvenir orders are coming in faster now and exciting to get s daily from people loving the items being offered. We have received s from all over the world with questions on the show and looking so forward to meeting everyone who we have corresponded with. I will be contacting each committee chair to make sure all is going as planned and if there are any loose ends that you may need assistance with. In the meantime keep plugging away and thanks to everyone for all the dedication to making this a National to remember. Debi Proposed Judges for 2012 Specialty Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the February meeting and voted on in March. Conformation Judges Robin McTaggart Nipoma, CA; Can also do Junior Showmanship Carl Skinner Placerville, CA Carolyn Ing Carlisle, MA Gail Miller New York, NY; Provisional Floor nominations for Judges: Barbara Thompson Barwood, NC; Bev Llewellyn West Fork, AR Sandy McInstoch NY Sweepstakes Judges Cindy Holmes Belton, MO Vicki Hutchinson Bolivar, MO Jonna Vollmer Kansas City, MO Jeanette Zoss Iowa Floor nominations for Judges: Jerry Parrisck IL Tasuko Danforth KS Obedience/Rally Judges Fred Buroff Mokena, IL Randy Capsel Ogden, IA Rick Garvin Manhattan, KS Pat Strong Indianapolis, IN Rich Strong Indianapolis, IN FINAL NOTICE? DUES ARE DUE! It s time to renew your membership and are due by January 1, $20 Individual Membership $25 Family Membership $5 Junior Member $15 Associate Membership Make checks out to GSLSSC and either pay at a regular club meeting or mail to our Club Treasurer Tim Cutshall. St. Patrick s Day Parade Unfortunately our application did not get in on time, so we will not be in the parade this year. Look for our involvement next year and mark your calendars for Saturday, March 17, Shetland Sheepdog Breed Requirements Hip Dysplasia OFA Evaluation - OR PennHIP Evaluation Eye Clearance CERF Evaluation Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9. von Willebrand's Disease OFA Evaluation from VetGen. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage Multiple Drug Sensitivity Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab test results registered with the OFA WSU VCPL. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage Autoimmune thyroiditis (Optional) OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory Recommend testing at ages 2, 4, and 7. Collie Eye Anomaly (Optional) Optigen test results registered with the OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage Congenital Cardiac Database (Optional) Recommend exam by board certified cardiologist, or board certified specialist in internal medicine. Elbow Dysplasia (Optional) OFA Evaluation Temperament Test (Optional) American Temperament Test Society results submitted to OFA via the Canine Health Foundation 2

3 Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club Vibes 3 GSLSSC 2010 Awards Award Dog's Name Owner's Name Championship Cameo Farms Smooth Sailing Robert A. & Victoria L. Piccirillo & Mary Grace Fish Championship Rapporlee Spirited Away Robert A. & Victoria L. Piccirillo Grand Champion Cameo I Have a Dream Marilyn Marlow Utility Dog Excellent Blueskyes Devil In a BluDress Darlene Cutshall Obedience Master 1 Blueskyes Devil In a BluDress Darlene Cutshall Obedience Master 2 Blueskyes Devil In a BluDress Darlene Cutshall High In Trial Blueskyes Devil In a BluDress Darlene Cutshall Excellent Agility Raisin Mischief In Motion Theresa Corcoran & Patrick Corcoran Master Agility Excellent Raisin Mischief In Motion Theresa Corcoran & Patrick Corcoran Open Fast Raisin Mischief In Motion Theresa Corcoran & Patrick Corcoran Master Agility Jumpers Raisin Mischief In Motion Theresa Corcoran & Patrick Corcoran Rally Novice Casino's Desperado Darlene Cutshall Rally Novice Indian Creek Shenanigan Tim Cutshall Rally Advanced Indian Creek Shenanigan Tim Cutshall Master Agility Excellent Saranac Enduring Promise Therese Poirier, Anne & Lawrence Foreman Master Agility Jumper Saranac Enduring Promise Therese Poirier Conformation Breeder of the Year Ch Cameo Farms Smooth Sailing Robert A. & Victoria L. Piccirillo Ch Rapporlee Spirited Away Agility Breeder of the Year MACH7 Saranac Better in Black Therese Poirier Saranac Enduring Promise MX, MXJ Breeder of Agility Titled Dogs MACH7 Saranac Better in Black Therese Poirier Saranac Enduring Promise MX, MXJ

4 Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club Vibes 4 Osteochondrosis OCD, osteochondrosis, osteochondritis dissecans, shoulder/elbow/stifle dysplasia, joint mice Overview: Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects cartilage formation; the cartilage, due to an abnormal thickening, is unable to receive a normal supply of nutrients from the joint fluid, causing it to become weaker and more susceptible to damage. Cartilage provides a protective gliding layer between the bones in a joint, and when it is injured and lesions form, the dog will experience pain, lameness, and arthritis. Lesions may occur on one or both sides of the body. 1. Scapula 2. Humerus 3. Humeral Head 4. Floating Cartilage and Bone 5. Detachment Site In all animals, osteochondrosis can affect many different joints, but in the dog, the most common sites of disease are the shoulder, elbow, stifle or knee joint, and tarsus or hock. Generally, osteochondrosis occurs in young, large to giant breeds, although it is also seen in mixed breeds. The most commonly affected breeds include the German shepherd, golden and Labrador retriever, rottweiler, Great Dane, Bernese mountain dog, and Saint Bernard. Clinical Signs: Lameness, pain, crepitus, and swelling of the affected joint(s). Symptoms: Lameness and pain. Description: Osteochondrosis, or OCD, is a disease of cartilage formation that results in weakened cartilage. Because cartilage is the contact layer between bones forming a joint, joint pain, lameness, and progressive arthritis result when the cartilage is damaged. A form of the disease called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) occurs when a weakened layer of cartilage forms a flap that becomes elevated because of joint fluid dissecting between it and the surrounding cartilage and bone. Mineralization can occur when the flap breaks off and floats around in the joint. This complication, called a joint mouse, can result in a "pebble-in-theshoe" feeling of irritation for the dog, as well as intermittent or persistent lameness. Osteochondrosis can affect any joint, but generally, there are four commonly affected joints in the dog: Shoulder osteochondrosis, or shoulder OCD, causes a lesion to develop on the head of the humerus, which is the bone in the upper front leg. Although this condition occurs while the dog is growing, some animals will not show signs of disease until they have matured fully and more advanced disease is present. However, the majority of animals show lameness early on, between the ages of five and 10 months. In 25 to 75 percent of the cases, both shoulders are affected. The lameness is usually one-sided and tends to improve with rest. With exercise, though, the lameness recurs. Pain is seen on extension of the shoulder. The amount of arthritis present depends on the size and duration of the lesion. Because osteochondrosis is often bilateral, it is necessary to take x-rays of both shoulders to evaluate the extent of the disease. Primarily occurring in large to giant breed dogs, elbow osteochondrosis is one of three diseases that are grouped under the term elbow dysplasia. The other diseases, ununited anconeal process and fragmented medial coronoid process, are described under separate encyclopedia headings. With elbow osteochondrosis, the lesion is usually seen on the inside of the humerus. Most dogs with elbow osteochondrosis are presented for lameness at less than one year of age. As with the shoulder form of the disease, some animals may not be seen until they are much older, after the onset of significant arthritis. The lameness may be intermittent or persistent, tending to improve with rest and worsen with activity. Because it can be difficult to differentiate between elbow and shoulder osteochondrosis, x- rays of both joints may need to be taken. Even with x-rays, though, it can be difficult to detect a lesion in the elbow. Exploratory surgery may be needed in some cases before arrival at a definitive diagnosis. Stifle osteochondrosis, which occurs in the knee joint, affects the same breeds and types of dogs that develop shoulder and elbow osteochondrosis, but it is much less common. Dogs with this disease usually show a slow onset of lameness that worsens with activity. The lesion will occur on the femur, the large bone in the thigh -- usually on the outer part of the bone. The degree of arthritis depends on the size and duration of the lesion. Tarsal or hock osteochondrosis occurs in large dogs, most commonly the Labrador retriever and rottweiler. Hind-limb lameness and a straight-hocked stance are the most common signs. The joint will appear thick and will be painful on manipulation. With this form of the disease, arthritis tends to develop more rapidly and become more severe. Diagnosis: The veterinarian may presume a diagnosis of osteochondrosis if the dog shows signs of disease and is a commonly affected breed. A definitive diagnosis requires analysis of x-rays. Prognosis: The prognosis for shoulder osteochondrosis is excellent. Dogs with this disease often become normal after surgery, unless the lesion has been long-standing and arthritis has set in. The prognosis for elbow osteochondrosis is good but becomes guarded if significant arthritis is present. The prognosis for stifle osteochondrosis is good unless the lesion is very large or significant arthritis is present. The prognosis for tarsal or hock osteochondrosis is guarded because most of the dogs with this form of the disease already have significant arthritis. If the arthritis is severe, surgery may be no more effective than medical management. Continued on page 5

5 Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club Vibes 5 Transmission or Cause: The cause of osteochondrosis is unknown, but because the disease is primarily seen in large and giant breed dogs, a genetic component is suspected. Other factors, such as a high calorie diet, and diets that promote rapid growth, are also thought to be significant. Treatment: The treatment of osteochondrosis is surgical. A chondroplasty procedure, in which the cartilage is reshaped, involves opening up the affected joint to expose the lesion, removing the abnormal cartilage, and exposing the deeper blood vessels. Scar cartilage will fill in the defect, decreasing or eliminating the pain caused by the lesion. Medical management of osteochondrosis consists of weight loss and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, carprofen, or etodolac. Prevention: Prevention generally includes avoiding calorie-dense diets in large to giant breed dogs. Puppies should be fed adult diets or giant breed growth formulations, and vitamin over-supplementation should be avoided. Maintaining a lean body condition also seems to decrease the risk of osteochondrosis. 15th AKC National Agility Championship Draws Record- Breaking Number of Entries More Than 1,000 Dogs Will Compete April 1-3, 2011 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA The 2011 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC), sponsored by Eukanuba and J &J Dog Supplies, has drawn a total of 1,136 entries, the largest entry total in the 15-year history of the event. The 2011 entry grew 17% overall when compared to 2010 totals, including a 22% increase in the Preferred classes. We look forward to welcoming the nation s top agility competitors to this beautiful site in Virginia for our biggest and best AKC National Agility Championships yet, said AKC Director of Agility Carrie DeYoung. In addition to our growing entries, we are also very excited to be able to welcome for the first time two All-American dogs to our Championship competition. We wish all of our entrants the best of luck. For the first time ever, theamerican Kennel Club will use Twitter to publish real-time results of every run in every ring, making AKC the first dog sport organization to use the service in this manner. At the conclusion of each dog s run, a tweet will be sent to one of five Twitter accounts (one for each ring) posting that dog s time, score, and any faults incurred. In addition, at the conclusion of a jump height s round, a complete set of PDF results will be posted both to Twitter ( and AKC s Facebook page ( Followers will feel like they are sitting in the bleachers and exhibitors will be able to quickly check where each ring is at in the running order by following one or all of the rings on Twitter: A full run order listing of exhibitor s names, dog s call names, armband #s and ring #s will be posted to AKC s National Agility Championship s web page Thursday afternoon prior to the event weekend. All final results, courses and pictures will be posted each day on the AKC National Championship website. Also bookmark the AKC Facebook page to stay on top of the latest event updates; exhibitor interviews, photos and videos; and behindthe scenes information and results during the competition itself. RSVP to the AKC National Agility Championship Event Page and you won t miss a thing! 2011 AKC National Agility Championship by the Numbers: 2 All-American Dogs will participate for the first time since the AKC Canine Partners program began allowing mixed-breed dogs to participate in the AKC Companion events of Agility, Obedience and Rally. 5 Rings of competition with real-time results via Twitter. 13 Juniors Handlers, under the age of 18, the highest Junior entry ever. 23 Past National Agility Champions entered. 750 MACH (Master Agility Champion) Dogs competing, including one MACH16. 1,136 Record-breaking entry total! Highest Breed Totals: 244 Border Collies 222 Shelties 66 Australian Shepherds 62 Golden Retrievers 45 Poodles 41 Pembroke Welsh Corgis Largest Numbers of Competitors By State: New Jersey: 91 Illinois: 85 Pennsylvania: 82 Ohio: 75 California: 67 Virginia: 61 Texas: 59 Wisconsin: 52 New York: 51 North Carolina: 47 Dogs Titled in Other Arenas: 95 Breed Champions One Triple Champion 5 Herding Champions 4 Obedience Champions The AKC National Agility Championship consists of five rounds. The Excellent Jumpers with Weaves, Standard and Hybrid classes are open to all dogs. Round 4 s Challenger s Class will be open only to the top four dogs per jump height as determined by the previous three rounds. The top 7% of all Regular dogs entered and the top 7% of all Preferred dogs entered will move on to the Championship Round (Round 5) Judges: Sam Banks Mattaponi, VA Janet Budzynski Newtown, PA Bob Long Spring Valley, CA Ann McQuillen Somerset, CA Tom Slattery Afton, MN Scott Stock Lehighton, PA via AKC.org

6 FIRST CLASS MAIL PLACE STAMP HERE 5604 Milentz Ave., St. Louis, MO March 2011 GSLSSC Awards Banquet COME HELP CELEBRATE OUR CLUB MEMBERS 2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SHARE IN THEIR SUCCESSES! THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011 WEBSTER GROVES ANIMAL HOSPITAL