Munich, 17.12.2013 NEWSLETTER 3/2013 Dear EALC Member and Catahoula friends, The latest EALC meeting of 2013 took place at Krakow by the See in north Germany. Marion Fenner organised the event and provided a pleasant and interesting meet. We were as usual able to work with our Catahoulas. Dietmar Joerss made a training for Obedience and provided some great tips. Kyra Spenner, SAR Dog Handler out of Bonn and Antonia Wacker out of Munich shared their experience and knowledge of Man trailing.
Those Catahoulas present that are not already involved in Man trailing where able to show off their drive and ability in that work. The volunteer Fire brigade of Niegleve supported us by providing us with volunteers and also provided us with great facilities for the Man trailing work. The SAR dogs could show off their skills by finding hidden volunteers on the property. The open dialogue and willingness to share information was especially beneficial to the new Catahoula owners. The evening program also helped owners and fans to socialise and network amongst themselves. This is not a Catahoula, but a SAR Dog It was with great pleasure that we were able to welcome Catahoula owners out of the Netherlands. New faces and new dogs, though the event showed that we all have much in common! We managed to open our event to a more international stage and hope to see our newly won friends at a workshop in 2014 again. The last herding event in 2013 took place in Mitrov on November 22-24. There were 17 Catahoulas and 5 Australian cattle dogs taking part in training. The event was organized by Karel Kalny (Fasanhof kennel) and Hana Koutkova (Besavej kennel). There are more training events planned for 2014 including herding in May, therefore all owners will have an opportunity to check their dogs herding abilities. News
News 1. Current Members The EALC (European Association of Louisiana Catahoulas) currently has 40 Members with 42 Catahoulas. Our membership spans Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands, Slovak Republic. The EALC Membership cards should arrived these days. 2. Administration Team of the EALC: Organisation Team Anke Boysen, Stephanie Lang von Langen, Marion Fenner Beatrice Rosenthal - Memberships Sylvia Klausen - Merchandising Stu Jones English Translation Dr. Helena Synkova - Czech Translation We thank you for your support. 3. EALC events in 2014 The dates have been set and can be found here: http://www.ealc.info/en/events/ We will offer the following Workshops: Herding cattles in May on the Mitrov Farm in the Czech Republic. There will be opportunities for scent/tracking work also. Catahoula SAR in July is to be held on the grounds of the BRK in Guenzburg (formerly German Armed Forces training ground) in southern Germany. The workshop is beneficial to beginners as well as those who have limited experience with canine SAR. Working Dog gathering in northern Germany, to be held in October. Training in obedience, Scent/Tracking work, Man Trailing etc.
Simultaneous to the above listed events we will also, dependent upon the availability of presenters, offer workshops on Herding, Retrieving, Tracking, Draftdog sports etc. More information will be released closer to the event. Participation will be limited to guarantee effective work with the dogs and handlers. Non-EALC members can also participate, although EALC members will receive preferential registration within the registration deadline. The participation fee will also increase slightly for non-members in 2014. As with all EALC events, there will be plenty of opportunities for group walks, networking, changing experiences and presentations to be held. It is also an opportunity for interested people to learn more about Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs. 4. Conformation of our Catahoulas It is planned to hold a conformation during 2014 by an experienced Judge. This will not be a Dog show with i.e. V1CAC, V2 grading etc.. There will be no placing given. The purpose is to evaluate how sound your Catahoulas are respective to all criteria of the standard. HD evaluation will also be influential. A character test is not planned yet. But that may possibly take place on a different date. This is not really to be compared with a breeding approval, as character, health, working drive and ability all play a significant role as well as the experience of the Breeder with the breed and about breeding etc. Experienced Judges come from the Czech Republic only. As the Louisiana Catahoula is recognised in the Czech Republic and the Judges have been able to garner relevant experience.
5. Members Meeting and Treasurers Report At a EALC-Gathering in 2014 a Members Meeting will be held. The exact date will be dependent on the amount of members that register their participation at a 2014 event, as it will be best suited to a time where the most members can be present. The treasurer s report will also be given at this time. Even though the Club Culture is something new to the three in the Organisational Team, we believe that the Members Meeting is important in order to be able to openly discuss the direction of the European Association of Louisiana Catahoulas. We will inform you of the exact date as soon as possible per Email. 6. Test results, Seminar, Workshops Catahoula male Aran, along with Lorena Kufner, has passed the first Man trail test at the Bernhard Meyerhofer Canine Sport organisation in Regensburg. Aran
The Catahoula male Indigo Louis Sumici kridla, along with Anke Boysen, successfully completed both SAR tests for Rubble and Area searches in October. Indigo Louis This SAR exam need to be repeated every 18 months as members of the BOS Aid Organisations, to confirm the operational capability of the SAR Dog. Test results, Seminar Workshops or competitions held/participated in as well as any other experiences can, at any time, be forwarded to the EALC. These will then be published on the website as well as be included in the newsletter. It is a priority for us to advertise the Catahoula as a working dog as compared to a pet. Suggestions for Seminars are also welcome. 7. EALC Catahoula calender For 2015 we are planning a Catahoula Calendar. Please send us your favourite Catahoula pictures, wether portraits, action shots or themed photos. Please forward all pictures with the Kennel name and given name of the dog. 8. Health Here are some useful links: For members who wish to give their dogs a Merle Gene tests: http://www.ealc.info/en/links/ Questions can be forwarded per email or made personally per telephone to the EALC contact as below.
Information for HD-Evaluation Evaluation according to OFA, USA (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals) http://www.offa.org/ The HD evaluation is almost exclusively performed by OFA in the USA. Relevant X-rays need to be presented along with precise naming of the dog. Applications must be sent with completed paperwork. For further information and pricing: http://www.offa.org/pdf/hdedapp_bw.pdf In the event of any difficulties we will be glad to help. Evaluation according to VDH/FCI This is the standard evaluation method within the EU: HD A1/A2, B, C etc. There is currently only one Vet who has the relevant years of experience evaluating HD in Catahoulas. Dr. Peprik is a Vet in Ostrava, Czech Republic. He also judges the Catahoulas in the Czech Republic s CCEU. Members interested in the HD evaluation can apply through the EALC. The cost will be approx. 30.-. An ED Evaluation is also possible. The necessary form for the radiologist and for the evaluation by Dr. Peprik can be requested at catahoula@ealc.info 9. Notice to interested people After deliberating whether a Catahoula is right for you, here is a breeders check: http://www.ealc.info/en/breeders-check/ We will gladly give advice and answer your questions per Email or on the telephone. Breeders within the EALC will be published in our website
10. Current Litters Fair Mate Catahoulas Australia Birth date 18.10.2013, 1 Male, 5 Females Sire Ares Besavej Red Leopard, Merle Gen Mm, HD B Dam Windridge s Aphrodite Black & Brindle trim, Merle Gen Mcm, HD B The litter is NALC registered. All pups are reserved. Further information: www.fairmatecatahoulas.com We reserve the right to withhold information of questionable breeders on our website and associated media. We rely on our Members trust in supporting our decisions. As usual we have, on our EALC website, Catahoulas rescue. Please drop by for current information and see if you can help.
11. The EALC T-shirts, Cappies und Stickers EALC-Sticker oval 5.- T-shirts size XS, S, M, L, XL in Green, Khaki, Ash 19.- Cappies 15.- Universal size in Khaki, with and without Black piping and grey with black piping.
12. Questions and comments catahoula@ealc.info or Anke Boysen +49 151-1410 1907 Marion Fenner +49 178-8366 366 Stephanie Lang von Langen +49 178-462 3000 The EALC Team wishes you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Ashanti (Amabiel Splená touha)