Rita and Prince
A disappointing night for several handlers.
Highest mark in the CD trials went to a Golden Retriever who was handled by Jean Ray and this is the successful completion of the first leg of the trials.
In second place was a Labrador Retriever handled by Zoe Marshall who has now also passed the first leg of the CD trial.
In third place of the trials was my Bouvier Des Flandres who has now passed the third and final leg of the trials and so has achieved the CD title. Rita scored 180 out of a possible 200 points.
Passing leg A was the Pitbull Prince who is in the above photo and passing leg B was the Boxer.
Some handlers cancelled and some dogs which normally performed well had an off evening and so got scored under the required 170 points for a passing score.
Rhodeshian Ridgebacks at trials
There were no passing scores in the CDX trials.
And I will post later in the week, tips on passing the Novice Obedience Trials, especially with a lagging dog as I had that challenge with Rita.
Tags: Dog training in Barbados
Ripple
Missing from her home in Locust Hall, St George, Barbados, is Ripple. She is a female Golden Retriever, 16 months old. She is tattooed in her inner ear with an ID number and also has an ID chip. She had on a collar at the time she went missing. She has been missing since last week.
There is a reward of $2,500.00 for her safe return.
Please contact Mark or Adam at 256-8010 if you have any information which can help them get her back.
Golden Retrievers are very friendly dogs and she will probably come with her tail wagging if you see her and call her and her owners would be very grateful to get her back.
Today was the Thanksgiving Service and internment of Anthony Harris. “Tony” as most of us called him, had been around the dog scene in Barbados for a long time.
He would have served in the positions of President, Vice President and on the Committee of the local Barbados Dog Training Club. Besides being a trainer in obedience, he was also an obedience judge.
I believe the first time I met Tony I had my first Bouvier Nita and as a puppy I took her down to the club to be trained and also to socialise with other dogs.
Everything was going okay with the trainer, Tony Harris, until it came to his command “stand your dog, and leave when ready”. It took a little persuasion to get her not to follow me, but stay she did. And here, the trainer is supposed to approach the dog from in front and lightly touch it with the dog showing no fear nor aggression and remaining in a “stay” position.
Bouviers are a breed where, because of the fall of hair by their eyes, you cannot always see their eyes. Tony approached in his usual brisk manner, Nita did not move but a low growl came out. And Tony stopped and asked me what breed of dog she was. When I told him, he went and called some of the other trainers, who were females. It made no difference to Nita whether they were male or female. She gave a louder growl.
Tony told me to go and practice the exercise outside of class and also to trim her coat so he could see her eyes. Nita did not growl with people she knew but when we returned to class, and she did it again, Tony told me he knew the breed and it was a very dominant breed and although she was a puppy, he was not taking any chances of her biting his hand. Shortly after that, I received a letter from The Barbados Dog Training Club advising me that if I wanted to stay on the class with Nita, she would have to be muzzled. I did not return to the class with her. She was always one of my smartest and favourite Bouviers.
I did see Tony again last year and this time I had Rita at Novice level in the obedience ring. Rita, is a fun loving clown and a lagger, and after Rita had entertained people by trying to untie the rope which made up the ring, Tony, who was the judge, gave us a non qualifying score and said to me afterwards. “You are too soft on these dogs.”
As a trainer, Tony did not believe in motivation through food. A dog should be motivated to work he used to say. Some of Tony’s time in the UK had been spent with the Police force and in the Canine Division where he would have been exposed to various training methods. He used to compare the appearance of the German Shepherd dog of years ago with the version we are seeing now.
He did remember Nita as Rita is also large and black and we did have a laugh about the muzzle part. Nita did not discriminate, unless she had gotten to know and accept the person, she would not allow anyone to touch her. I can remember when I had to take her to the vet, giving her any necessary injections under the vet’s supervision and her card read “Do not touch”.
I will miss seeing Tony as we got on well, and we would usually exchange a hug in greeting. And I do recall his little smile when watching Rita clowning the ring.
I am sorry that I did not know he was sick as if I could have helped him in any way then, I would have. Actually, some of the other people I talked with who are involved in training their dogs through that Club were also surprised to hear of his brief illness and passing.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Ch. Rick Lois From The Dogsfarm at Calliope
One of the common causes of an allergy in a dog might come because it is allergic to certain types of food, corn, soy, meats like pork and beef can set an allergic dog into a state of agony with itching and the poor dog will be constantly licking the affected areas, and might be seen to develop hair loss and infected hot spots.
I believe quite a few of the people who are feeding “raw” diets do this because their dogs are allergic to most bagged and processed dog foods.
Even one flea bite, if the dog is allergic to the saliva from the flea, can cause a serious reaction of itching, and rubbing, scratching and severve discomfort. For dog owners who know they have this problem I would recommend that they treat their dogs for tapeworm (because of the relationship of the tapeworm cycle and fleas) and also use FrontLine or a similiar product to prevent fleas from causing the allergic reaction. Flea eggs can generally be found on the dog even if the fleas are not are not easily seen. Best area to quickly see them might be the stomach area where dogs have less hair.
Some dogs can have inhalant allergies as a result of pollens, or other air borne bodies. And every year, around the same time, the dog will end up at the vet to ease its discomfort from the allergy.
Dr. Gus Reader, of Central Veterinary Clinic, usually sees my Bouvier, Rick (Ch. Rick Lois From the Dogsfarm at Calliope) once a year and either in late April or May.
I notice Rick will start with licking his paws, and develops a wheezing cough, and then quickly he begins to bite his tail (which is like an Akita’s, full of hair and curled over his hindquarters) until it is almost hairless. He does not go off his food but he is obviously very uncomfortable with constant scratching and licking.
So off to the vet we went this morning. And Gus Reader, the vet, when he pulled Rick’s card, smiled and said “yep, that time of the year again for you boy”.
And Rick got a steroid shot which will control the allergy for three months and after that Rick should be fine within 48 hours and by the time the steroid is out of his stystem, whatever he is allergic to is then gone from the environment.
I did discuss with this vet being proactive. Knowing that Rick is affected by an allergy in April/May every year but the vet told me that antihistamines do not seem to work very well in dogs and he would recommend instead as soon as I see the symptoms of the allergy developing in April/May to bring Rick in for a steroid shot. It is the only time Rick visits the vet and he is extremely healthy otherwise.
And when I visit the vet with any of my dogs, I always take the opportunity to walk them onto the vet’s scales. Rick weighs 117 lbs. but he is a very strong muscular dog and does not look overweight.
And Rick seems to enjoy his annual visit to the vet. I see some people pulling and lifting up their dogs to go inside. Rick marches in, tail wagging and full of bounce. And he is even polite enough to offer a paw to some people’s amusement 🙂
At this time of the year in Barbados most of our tropical trees are in full bloom and they are gorgeous – Flamboyant trees in red and yellow, all of the cassias, in pinks and yellows, the bauhinia tree with its pink flowers which look like orchids.
Bauhinia - orchid tree in bloom
Although I have flowering trees on my grounds, Rick’s allergy might be coming from the grass as the rains have finally arrived after a period of drought and everywhere is looking green and lush again. Or it could be pollen seasonable to this time of the year blowing in the wind.
Dealing with allergies must be extremely challenging for owners who purchase puppies from breeders who know the sire or dam has an inherited skin disorder, allergic dermatisis and still breed it. And then produce progengy that must live its life on a special diet and on steroids.
All of my Bouviers eat prepared and processed dog foods. Because I shop in PriceSmart, I will purchase Pedigree but now that they are carrying the Kirtland brand instead, I have been purchasing that with no problems. My dogs also get cooked meats and except for Rick’s annual allergy, I have no history of skin problems with Bouviers.
But for the dogs out there who are getting no relief for the itching and have owners who are too busy, don’t care or don’t have the money to go to the vet, it must be sheer agnony.
A simple test for a owner to do to confirm the problem, would be to put his/her hand on the dog’s back and press, automatically the dog will begin to rapidly scratch
For readers in Barbados who use the Central Veterinary Clinic, it is of interest to note that you can now make an appointment. To me, this would make sense to utilise this appointment system as lots of people tend to get to the Clinic just before it closes.
Tags: dog allergies
Matter of Trust Org in San Francisco USA, a non profit environmental group, is appealing to hair saloons, dog groomers, wool farmers and other places where hair, fur, materials like clippings, and waste wool can be obtained to donate same to assist with the clean up of the Gulf oil spill.
The above video explains the process and is a great example of useful recycling.
Imagine, dogs’ hair being made into mats to clean the beaches, as these mats can absorb the oil like a sponge, larger mats can be used in the ocean and be towed by boats to soak up the oil, along with hair brooms.
Phil McCrory, a hair stylist from Alabama is credited with the idea of using hair to help with oil spills and his idea developed after watching television coverage of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Hair absorbs oil so the dogs like Akitas which shed and other breeds like Bouviers, Poodles, and Schnauzers which get hair cuts, can once their owners participate, donate the hair which would normally be thrown out in the garbage to a cause which will help save marine life and birds that are native to the Gulf Coast area. And this will help mankind as well as in some places which are affected by the spill, the livilihood of people is also affected.
It will be interesting to see further videos of how effective this part of the campaign is with dealing with the massive oil spill. Oil has already been washing ashore in Louisanna and it is predicted to be in the Alabama and Florida coastal shores in the next few days.
Of course, authorities are trying to stop the leak but it may still take months before it is fully contained.
Barbados, and other Caribbean islands depend very heavily on tourism and like the rest of the world, emphasis should be placed on protecting and preserving our environment.
Oil spills are just one more disaster which the world has to combact to protect its environment.
And it is nice to see that “garbage” as in hair and fur from animals may be of help. 🙂
Tags: dogs' hair, Gulf coast oil spill
It is interesting to read about the therapy dogs which visit hospitals and cheer up persons who may be sick and dying. I think it is also great of the handlers who probably feel empathy with the patients to take the dogs to do the visits.
And therapy dogs who help children, who have problems communicating even with their own family, by bonding with them and helping them control tandrums and help fit these children better in society.
And, of course, the therapy dogs who are so sensitive that they can be trained to alert humans when conditions like fits are about to happen. Dogs who can be trained as a guide for blind humans, those with hearing impairments and also dogs who are trained to assist handicapped people in their homes.
From as early as 1981, in the Washington State Correctional Centre for Women, dogs were being used to help rehabilate prisoners. Inmates have been used to train dogs which are then released to disabled people. I’m sure that these prisoners would have learnt new skills and maybe developed better self esteem as they would have helped other people by training the dogs for them. And, most of them, would have bonded with the dog they trained but would have had to give up as part of the programme. Places like Coffee Creek Correctional Facility also have a programme where inmates can work and train dogs.
But giving inmates a dog to stroke to prevent them from damaging cells is an interesting thought.
I believe the profiles of some sociopaths highlight the fact that they may not even like animals and, if given the chance, may torture and kill animals before they carry out their assaults and murders on humans.
So I was surprised to see in an article in the “Daily Mail” which was sent to me that a young Bouvier Des Flandres dog is at HM prison Hindley, a young offenders’ institute in the UK. Daily Mail article here
This Bouvier is supposed to help calm the prisoners’ rages through allowing them to pet the Bouvier. I understand from posts that I have been reading that the Bouvier is owned by a guard and the guard would not leave the Bouvier unsupervised.
Some of these prisoners are thought to have mental health issues and Hindley is known to house violent young criminals, including those who are in there for murder of other young people.
In prisons today, the criminals have tv., exercise rooms, can do educational programmes, can complain about meal plans and now I am seeing that they, as in Hindley, are getting a dog to pet. 🙂
I agree that some young criminals under correct guidance and counselling, can contribute to society and do have remorse for their crimes.
I would hope that the Bouvier Barney is very closely monitored as from reading about that facility, he could be walking a dangerous path among very sick minds with so much built up anger that petting a dog might not help them and I would hope that this dog and its owner/handler who is looking to help, do not pay a price which might result in injury to the dog, or the dog having to defend itself, and in that case, injury to its attacker.
Tags: therapy dogs
Barbados East coast
The Icelanic volcano left many tourists, especially from the UK stranded in Barbados. Barbados is regarded as a favorite destination in particular for UK visitors. And some visitors might actually regard Barbados as their second home as they might own property here, have relatives here or just be repeat visitors.
Nobody likes to be stranded as people would have been looking forward to returning home to their various commitments as well as to their friends and family. But I noticed on local television, the tourists talking about having a great time on the island, enjoying the climate and the beaches, and the food and the people. Some say they could not have been stranded in a better place 🙂
I know that some of the dog show scenes overseas took a hit. Knut Andersen from Norway should have been presiding over Bouviers and stakes classics and other European judges should have been at the Working and Pastoral breeds in Wales. Boxer, Dobe and Flatcoated Retriever clubs who had shows around the time of the volcano were also affected by the absence of the European judges some exhibitors would have been looking forward to showing under.
To me, it is healthy to bring in different judges from other parts of the world as they could have more exposure to larger and stronger numbers of the breed, and, of course, there could be less politics.
A judge who is scheduled to come to Barbados next year, Jeff Horswell, judged the Bouviers at the Working and Pastoral breeds in Wales and he did not put up anything unusual, the Bouviers which usually win and who were entered received the top placings.
The Working Group was judged by Dr. Monica Boggia-Black. I have yet to see this judge place a Bouvier in the Working Group. 🙂 She judged in Barbados in 1999, I believe and put up an imported Akita as Best in Show, and then an imported Rottweiler puppy as Reserve Best in Show.
Once dogs are made up as champions, their exhibitors may become more picky about whom to show to. Some exhibitors will still show and participate in the show where they know their breed is not favoured by the particular judge and like the Chinese proberb I believe says “Expect nothing and when you get nothing, you will not be disappointed.” 🙂 🙂
Of course, it is a judge’s preference and once they have the judging assignment, they can do as they please.
In Barbados, as our numbers are so small, one judge will judge every breed, and the groups and Best in Show.
But clubs should always remember that it is the exhibitors who make a show and exhibitors and breeders do talk. And everybody has a choice where they wish to spend their time, energy and money.
For me, personally, once the dogs I show are made up as Champions, I would probably not be willing to show a Bouvier to any judge whom I know from their track record, does not appear to appreciate the breed I show.
I make no excuses for that as it is my money, time, and energy and I feel my time would be better and much happier spent taking my dogs for a walk in the countryside. 🙂
I guess the UK exhibitors would have a good feel for which judges to show under with of course, a lot of choices. And the shows which do not give “tickets” to their respective breeds also see a drop in entries although the judge for the breed might be well liked and respected.
The world is seeing changing weather patterns, and already this year, we have seen a lot human suffering though natural causes like earthquakes.
It makes sense for all of us to try and play a part in protecting our environment where ever possible. And also trying to aid our neighbours when they are affected.
The world is large enough for everyone not to be affected at the same time and while there are places who have been affected by volcano ashes, Barbados’ air remains fresh and pure with breezes coming off the Atlantic ocean.
Liz Cartledge and Tommy Bentley of B'dos. Kennel Club
Firstly, the critique should be about the dogs in the ring on the day of the show.
All dogs should be judged by their individual breed standards.
Of course, how they are presented to the judge can make a difference.
A dog given a Challenge Certificate signed by the judge means that on that day, the judge thought the dog judged worthy of the title Champion, according to the breed standard.
In my opinion, a good dog according to the breed standard, cannot appear to be poor even if handled by an inexperienced handler. Sometimes, here, I have seen a judge help a handler by allowing the dog to do a particular gaiting pattern again and may also in a stack, place the dog’s feet in a better position. I have no problem with that as handlers can learn a lot from judges who are willing to pass on knowledge.
A mediocre dog can be made to look good by a very good handler as the handler might be good enough to hide or minimise its faults and point to its virtures.
And a poor specimen, according to the breed standard, should still end up looking a poor specimen, regardless of the strength of the handler.
Most UK judges returning to Barbados after an absence of at least five years, have noticed the diminishing numbers of pedigree dogs coming to dog shows. And these judges will take guidance from The Barbados Kennel Club, who realise that all of the breed clubs in Barbados have departed from the show scene and are currently non functional. The clubs were The B’dos. Akita Club, The B’dos. German Shepherd Club and The B’dos. Boxer Club and those breeds used to be strong in entries in All Breeds Championship Shows.
The B’dos. German Shepherd Club and the B’dos. Boxer Club were also strong enough to have their own breed shows, just Boxers or German Shepherds or maybe Working Group shows.
All judges are individuals and have their favourite breeds and certain qualities they look for in the standards.
But it should still come back to breed type, conformation in structure which will show in movement, and a presence in the show ring.
Seeing that judges writing critiques may be diplomatic so as not to offend and/or discourage exhibitors, there can be creativity even in writing something like a critique. 🙂 🙂
Taking the most recent critique on this blog, which was done by a well respected UK and international dog judge who has been the guest of The Barbados Kennel Club on several occasions now, here are some individual examples:
“mouth could be better” my translation, the dog has a poor bite.
“clean coat, but not a lot of it” my translation, the dog is out of coat
“I’d like a little more of her, and a shade more bone” my translation, the dog is too small according to the breed standard.
“a little extra weight”, my translation the dog is too fat
“failed in expression” my translation the dog lacks breed type as judges look carefully for “expression” which is in the dog’s eyes, and position of its facial features according to the breed standard.
“failed in topline” my translation the dog’s topline should have remained level when gaiting and standing. Sometimes this can be corrected through exercise.
“rather lazy attitude” my translation, the dog showed lack of interest in gaiting around the show ring
“failed in feet”, my translation, the feet do not conform to the breed standard
The diplomatic reference to the temperature of the day was the part that amused me the most and these quotes are all from different dogs:
extremely hot for a heavy coated dog.
but today he was feeling the heat
Very hot and not moving at all well.
it was much too hot for this breed to perform today
Bit tired on the move but who could blame her in this heat.
bit reluctant to get his tail going in the heat
My translation, dogs lacked drive and condition to move around the show ring according to their respective breed standard.
Of course, it was hot, it is Barbados and we have a tropical climate.
The dogs which performed the best according to the judge’s placings, were dogs which were imported from overseas, the United Kingdom and they had the drive to gait around the show ring, even in the heat :).
The local dogs should be very accustomed to the heat, as we would say here, “they born and bred in it”.
Mrs. Liz Cartledge did indicate that she, in writing her critique, tried to encourage the exhibitors and the debate will always go on among dog exhibitors and the ones who follow dog shows, how far should a judge go in encouraging exhibitors as when dogs in all breeds are given Challenge Certificates and Reserve Challenge Certificates, it can result in some unworthy breed Champions being made up.
Although I agree with judges being diplomatic and trying to encourage exhibitors, I would hope though that even new exhibitors can do simple translations of diplomatic phrases so that they can better understand the conformation areas which could be improved in their respective breed.
I have noticed that these judges are spending an evening talking to and answering questions from exhibitors who come to the meeting. This is good. However, I do not recall any judge telling the exhibitors how dogs are conditioned in the UK and other parts of the world for the show ring and the preparation which should be done if they wish to have top show dogs.
I agree if the breed type is not there, there is nothing the exhibitor can do with that particular dog, but for all the dogs lacking drive, I am sure that some planned exercise of those dogs would reflect in better movement and more drive in the show ring regardless of our sunny climate :).
Tags: Dog shows in Barbados
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