Continuing Education

Since Linda insists on Maeve not having the babies under the woodshed, she is trying to find a place inside that meets her's (that is MAEVE's requirements). So far she has tested the down comforter, under the parson's bench and now - lets try the smallest dog bed in the house! Doesn't look like there is much room left over for babies!

Many professions require recertification and annual training - from doctors to teachers. BUT there isn't any requirement for someone to call themselves a dog trainer, much less require attending further training. I'm always leary of dog trainers who no longer continue to learn themselves. Always ask your instructor at puppy/dog class what their training and qualifications are. Do they continue training or take regular classes themselves? Even Tiger Woods has in trainer! Breeder and exhibitors can alway expand their horizons and learn more.

When the winter months set in Linda and I look for seminars to attend. I have always learned something at one - sometimes not as much as I had hoped, and others that far exceeded my expectations and left me wanting to know more. Of the 3 we have done in the past few months, 2 were in the very good to outstanding category, at least for us. Again, not everyone likes the teacher, the presentation, or any number of variables. But, I would highly recommend a Tellington Touch seminar for anyone who wants to learn how to massage their dog and connect on a very calming level. One of the methods we learned was working with dogs during thunderstorms. Corey does not like them and wants to crawl in my lap and be held. Not lots of fun with a 60 pound dog! Using TTouch methods he actually curled up on the couch and fell asleep during one last night. What a difference!

And then the tracking seminar with Ed Presnell just left me wanting more. Can't wait for his 5 day Urban Tracking Camp at Colby College in Waterville Maine. I tell everyone that Carina is going to college - Colby no less - over the summer for some college credits!

Toe Nails

Here is a picture of Maeve on Saturday morning - Day 59. Puppies should be due any day now. Probably Monday, since that is NOT a good day work wise for either Linda or me!

And today I MUST do every body's toe nails. The saying is that if you can hear the dog's toe nails click when they walk across a hard floor, they are too long. So, Corey's are clicking AGAIN, seems like I just did them the other day.

There are several ways to keep nails short, using a variety of nail clippers, grinding them, or just taking your dog to the local pet groomer or vet. I'm always amazed that some people pay such a large amount of money to have their vet do something that is easily done at home. Of course, one trick is to start early, and let the pup know that they don't have to like it, but they must tolerate it.

While I use to clip nails, I always seemed to cut them too short and make them bleed. While no dog has ever died from too short nails, it made them that much harder to do next time. Now I always grind, and start my puppies right off that way. I have heard very mixed review about the "PediPaw" grinder and would not recommend investing the money. I bought my grinder - a "Dremel" tool at the local hardware store. They also sell them at most Walmarts in the tool section. Mine to battery operated - no cord to hassle with - and variable speed. At the lowest speed it is VERY quiet and as the dog gets use to it you can increase the speed.

TREATS are always part of the procedure. When you start grinding you may have to do 1 toe - give a treat, do 1 toe - give a treat. Now when all the toes are done the dog of the moment gets several. And by grinding I don't have rough nails to catch on things and the look of so nice. Want further instructions just let me know!

Feeding Dog Food

While visiting my sister a few months ago I noticed that her Cardigan Welsh Corgi was having horrible coat issues. After questioning her I STRONGLY suspect food as a culprit. What was she feeding Merlin? Purina Beneful and Beggin Strips! Poor dog is getting no nutrition from his food, only poor quality protein, sugar and corn.

Beware of the use of food coloring in making horrible quality ingredients look healthy! Just because soy bean hulls are colored green that DOES NOT make them a vegetable! Yes, soy bean hulls are a major ingredient in Beneful.

Do your best friend a valuable favor and take the time to research the different dog food ratings and dog food reviews. When collecting information for your dog food comparison, know that a quality dog food will never be masked by cheap ingredients such as corn.

When gathering your dog food comparison and comparing dog food ratings, Again, many large dog food companies like the ones you see in supermarkets or the large pet store chains, entice innocent pet owners with cute television commercials, magazine ads and colorful packaging all displaying a nice balance of meat, grain and veggies. Yet, many of these foods are anything but nutritionally sound. There primary source of protein is often corn or corn gluten. Unlike humans, dogs lack the necessary digestive enzymes needed to break down and digest grains. This is why many dogs suffer with chronic ear, skin and other health problems. CORN is a major allergin cause for dogs and should be suspect in reoccurring yeast infections including ear infections, scratching, red spots, dry and flaking coats.

The best way to determine the quality of your pet food is to carefully read and understand the label. While reading the label, ask the following questions: Does the food use high quality ingredients? Is there a quality meat source as one of the first two ingredients? The primary ingredient and protein source in any quality dog food should be meat, not meat by-products, not grain, but MEAT. If the source is beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, etc., that first ingredient must be the source of where the meat comes from. Better yet, are the ingredients human-grade? An example would be: chicken or chicken meal; not chicken by-products which could contain parts that a dog in the wild "would not eat". Not corn meal, flour or corn gluten meal; the name of the MEAT should be first.

A Dog Food Comparison Is Well Worth The Time

Finding A Good Breeder

You want a puppy so bad. You miss puppy breath, clumsy paws and snuggling up with a warm puppy. So, you've decided to get a dog. You're prepared to feed, exercise, train, clean up after, work through problems with, and love a dog every day for the next 12 to 15 years.


With the ease of the Internet, many people shop around for puppies from different breeders. While we hope you will consider one of our puppies, we realize there are other quality breeders whose litters you might also be considering. Take the time now to find the right breeder and you'll thank yourself for the rest of your dog's life. Here are a few recommendations when selecting where to get your puppy.

How do you go about finding a good, ethical breeder?

Good breeders don't sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. Too often, unsuspecting people buy puppies from breeders (or neighbors) who breed their dog to make a little money or simply because they have a dog "with papers". The result of such practices includes puppies with poor health or temperament problems that may not be discovered until years later. Unfortunately, these new pet families often end up heartbroken, with dogs who have genetic health problems or who develop significant behavior issues and result in grief and heartache as well.

Remember, a reputable breeder will never sell her dogs in any way that does not allow her to thoroughly meet with and interview you to ensure that the puppy is a good match for your family and that you will provide a responsible lifelong home.

So to avoid these pitfalls and choose a good breeder, look for one who at a minimum:

• Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family---not outside in kennel runs

• Has dogs who appear happy and healthy, are excited to meet new people, and don’t shy away from visitors
• Shows you where the dogs spend most of their time---in a clean, well maintained area
• Encourages you to spend time with the puppy’s parents---at a minimum, the pup’s mother---when you visit
• Is knowledgeable about what are called “breed standards” (the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament)
• Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian and shows you records of veterinary visits for the puppies and explains the puppies’ medical history and what vaccinations your new puppy will need
• Explains in detail the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed (every breed has specific genetic predispositions) and provides documentation---through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)---that the puppy’s parents and grandparents have been tested to ensure that they are free of these genetic problems
• Offers guidance for caring for and training your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home Provides references from other families who have purchased puppiesDoesn’t always have puppies available but rather will keep a list of interested people for the next available litter. Minimal advertising for the litters available; they don’t advertise widely, because they don’t have to.
• One breed of dog offered. If you see a number of different breeds in the same kennel, leave immediately.
• Is actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in the specific breed; good breeders may also compete the dogs in conformation trials, obedience trials, or tracking and agility trials
• Encourages visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy. Provides answers to your questions readily and efficiently; addresses any concerns and offers to help you in the future.
• Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly.

In addition to those criteria, you’ll want a breeder who requires some things of you, too. The breeder should require you to:

• Explain why you want a dog
• Explain who in your family will be responsible for the pup’s daily care, who will attend training classes, where the dog will spend most of his or her time, and what “rules” have been decided upon for the puppy---for example, whether or not the dog will be allowed on furniture
• Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively involved in showing him or her (which applies to show-quality dogs only). The contract will also state that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog’s life

If the breeder you’re working with doesn’t meet all of these minimum criteria, walk away. Remember, your dog will likely live 12 to 15 years, so it’s well worth investing some time now to be sure you’re working with a reputable breeder who breeds healthy, happy dogs. Take the time now to find the right breeder and you’ll be thanking yourself for the rest of your dog’s life.

Road Trial

Carina is shown at the Dalmatian Club of Greater Washington’s Road Trial last October. It was a beautiful site, located on an old Civil War battlefield. I rented my horse, a Tennessee Walker named Maverick. He was a very good boy and worked well with Carina. Carina did the Road Trial 12.5 miles test. The Road Trial Excellent test is for a distance of 25 miles .

I started working Carina with my own horse Roxie in the summer and made the trip to Virginia in October. Carina already knew basic obedience, she just had to learn to listen when I was on the horse and in a variety of distractions. On our local trails we got to practice past things like snowmobile bridges, barking neighbor dogs, deer, turkey, ATV’s and just the general sights and smell out on the road. She learned that treats came when she was at my side, and I WOULD get off and get her if she did not come when told. Carina’s weak point is sitting under any circumstance, so doing so when I was way up there on the horse was really difficult. She didn’t score as well on the test because of that, but still managed a beautiful performance and a new title.

From the Dalmatian Club of America website:
A Dalmatian Road Trial is a performance event designed to evaluate the Dalmatian's ability to "coach", or follow the horses. Exhibitors compete as handler on horseback or in a horse-drawn cart or carriage, with dog(s) off leash. The Dalmatian Standard of the American Kennel Club states that the Dalmatian "should be capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed", qualities essential to his successful use as a horse/rider and horse/coach escort. The purpose of a Road Trial is to demonstrate the use of purebred Dalmatians as a companion of man in the role that they have been bred to perform.

In the RD and RDX classes, a qualifying score shall be required to earn a title. A Qualifying Score shall be comprised of Pass Ratings (51 - 100) on each of the exercises (Recall, Hock, Hock With Distraction, Long Sit or Down, Speed); PLUS a Pass Rating by the veterinarians/Vet Tech at each of the course's start, mid-point, and final vet-check, PLUS the dog's having completed the endurance portion of the Trial within the designated time limit. In the Coaching Certificate Test, no scores shall be recorded, but a Pass Rating must be received from the judge in each of the exercises for the dog to be awarded the CC title.

Therapy Dogs

Carina visiting children during a Christmas Party

The primary objective of the Therapy Dog and handler is to provide comfort and companionship by sharing the dog with patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions and wherever else the Therapy Dog is needed.

This is done in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people.

Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.

What are the requirements for joining TDI?

To belong to Therapy Dog International, Inc., all dogs must be tested and evaluated by a Certified TDI Evaluator. A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament. Each dog must pass a temperament evaluation for suitability to become a Therapy Dog, which includes the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). The test will also include the evaluation of the dog’s behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.).Before getting started, you should know what we are looking for in a TDI Dog.

A Therapy Dog is born, not made. Yes, one can teach a dog mannerly behavior, but one cannot change a dog's inherent temperament. When a dog is put under stress, poor or marginal temperament will surface. Therefore: What are we looking for?

A Therapy Dog must have an outstanding temperament. This means that the dog should be outgoing and friendly to all people; men, women, and children. The dog should be tolerant of other dogs (of both genders) and non-aggressive toward other pets. Before you consider having your dog evaluated, you should ask yourself if your dog has these qualities.

The dogs bring sparkle to a sterile day, provide a lively subject for conversation and rekindle old memories of previously owned pets.

For more information visit the Therapy Dog International website, or contact Robin Crocker at Telling Tales Dog Training in Fryeburg ME.

This is where Maeve really wants to have her babies - on the down comforter!

Maeve was busy on Sunday helping Richard set up the whelping box. Dogs would really rather nest in the place of THEIR choosing, but who wants to let them pick? Maeve's mother Gracie was convinced she was going to have her first litter under the wood shed. Linda had to be very creative on methods to block her out and then just keep her under constant supervision. Grace didn't see anything wrong with sharing the space with dirt and spiders!

Supplies are starting to be gathered. A heat lamp will be turned on once the babies start to arrive. Puppies cannot generate their own body heat and are entirely dependent upon Mom's body heat and in our case the heat lamp. Linda even has a specially made puppy incubator for when puppies are temporarily separated from the Mom. That, too, is ready and handy.

Puppy Preparation Part 1

Maeve is getting larger by the day. Soon she won’t be able to sneak into her favorite hiding spot under the bench. She is now getting feed 4 small meals a day. As the puppies grow they take up so much room that there’s not much left for food! Laying down and getting comfortable become more difficult, too. The puppies are moving around and you can see and feel when they seem to actually kick out at the sides.

Maeve is ALWAYS telling Linda how hungry she is and Linda is doing the fine balancing act of making sure she is getting the proper amounts of food with the right nutritional needs without having her get fat. To make the whelping process easier Maeve needs to be in good weight and good muscle condition. The muscle condition comes from several walks around the property a week and ensuring lots of yard time for free exercise.

This will be the weekend to set up the whelping area. Although puppies aren’t due for over a week, that week will fly by. And it always seems like you need to add one more thing – to make sure there are plenty of necessary supplies on hand. Breeders use a variety of whelping boxes, large cardboard boxes, plastic swimming pools, pre-fabricated boxes are just a few. Many years ago Richard made Linda a wonderful wooden box, and painted it white with spots – of course! This box will be set up in a corner of the living rooms, surrounded by wire pens and draped with blankets for privacy.

And the Other Grandparents Are

Ozzie is a very sound and healthy dog owned by David and Cheri Durdel in Michigan. He was the pick from Zena's first litter and everything they wanted in a show pup. Ozzie has Sawyer’s handsome good looks, his Mommy's showy attitude, and a tail that never stops! He or brother Hagar won the first nine dog shows they were entered in. Not a bad way to start off a show career! He finished his Championship easily with multiple breed wins over Specials and had multiple Specialty Award of Merits in 2002. Ozzie was a wonderful show dog and his traits complimented Carina very well.


Ch PatchMt C Pepper N Paisley (with all her performance titles!)Carina is small, only about 40 pounds at her idea fit and trim weight. She loves all dogs and people, and loves to play with everyone she meets. And because she gives off such good signals, all dogs seem to like her, too! It took Sara and Carina a while to develop their communication and team work, but then they started earning many performance titles. On the agility course Carina seems to know where to go with little obvious effort, although when the mood hits she may still decided to pick her own obstacles.

Last year Carina and Sara traveled to Northern Virginia to competed in the Dalmatian Club of Greater Washington’s Annual Road Trial. Carina added the RD title to her name. Her titles also now can included the CPC (Champion Performance Certificate and PAC (Performance Accomplishment Certificates) letters, as special recognition from the Dalmatian Club of America. Carina was only bred once, and had 11 puppies, 5 of which became champions and 4 of those also have performance titles. Her daughter Daisy has an all breed Best in Show win and several Dalmatian speciality wins.

Carina will continue to compete in many events, including VST (Urban tracking) and more agility trials. She is not done adding letters to her name yet!

Grandparents

Ch Aberdeen's Sawyer Brown ROMX

Ch Paisley PatchMt Amazing Grace Am/Can CD NA RN RD ROMX

As proud as we are of Corey and Maeve, we are equally proud of their grandparents and the dogs of the past.

The letters ROMX stand for Register of Merit Excellent. The purpose of the Registry of Merit (ROM) program is to honor these top producers. By awarding a ROM title to deserving producers, it gives the club a permanent record of Dalmatian history and will serve as a learning tool in pedigree study and research. The eligible number of champion offspring for a ROMX is 20 for sires and 8 for dams.

Linda purchased Maeve's mother, Gracie (Paisley PatchMt Amazing Grace CD NA RN RD) from Sue MacMillan in Minnesota. Gracie is one of those rare dogs who never would dream of being naughty. Once she had the house breaking down, she has slept on Linda's bed, always tucking into a nice ball at her feet, never crowding and asking for more. In performance competition she was rarely out of the ribbons, even being High Scoring Road Trial one year. Road Trials, horses and Dalmatians will be a subject for a later article - stay tuned!

Acting on Sue's advice Linda bred Grace to CH Aberdeen's Sawyer Brown. He was a lovely liver dog who lived in Chicago with John and Kris Benoit. Although he doesn't have any performance titles, he was a wonderfully temperamented dog and a great ambassador for the breed. He was also a ROMX, having sired xxx number of champions.

Many of Maeve's cute antics can be traced back to Sawyer, with heartwarming, similar tales from other people who have been privileged to enjoy Sawyer kids. We hope that fun loving personality continues on down through the pedigree.

Maeve's Titles

Linda and Maeve with the prize glove after earning her tracking dog title.

Maeve's official AKC name is CH PatchMt About Time CD RE NA NAJ TD VCD1

The CH in front of her name means that she has been judged to conform to the Dalmatian Club of America standard of what the ideal dalmatian should look like. She actually completed her requirements in very good style, winning well at regional Dalmatian only dog shows.

CD (Companion Dog) To earn this title Maeve had to heel (walk on a VERY loose leash) at Linda's side, and then off leash in the same manner, stay in place until called to come and sit in front, and then do a 1 minute sit and 3 minute down in a line of 10 to 12 dogs while the owners are 20 feet away. She had to successfully do this on 3 different occasions.

RE (Rally Excellent) In Rally Excellent a dog has to perform about 15 "stations" off leash, again on 3 different occasions. These stations can consist of things like downing at the handlers side, circling left and right, going over jumps and returning to heel position, standing while the owner walks around the dog, etc.

NA (Novice Agility Standard) was explained in the previous post for Corey

NAJ (Novice Agility Jumpers With Weaves) This is agility that is about speed. There are no dog walks, A frames or teeters. As the name sounds, jumps, weaves and maybe tunnels make up this course. Speed and control determines who passes this class.

TD (Tracking Dog) Here the track is 450 to 500 yards, usually in an open field and the track layer has left only 2 articles on the field. At the test in southern Maine Maeve made this look easy!

VCD1 (Versatile Companion Dog 1) This is a SPECIAL AKC recognition to dogs who have earned their basic titles in at least 3 events. In Maeve's case that is obedience (CD), tracking (TD), and agility (NA). Not an easy accomplishment and one to be very proud of!

Other titles you may see in the pedigree will be explained at a later date.

What do those initials mean

Corey shown competing in agility at the DCA National in 2008

When a puppy is registered with the AKC, the breeder and owner decided what it’s official AKC name will be. There is no requirement that the puppy’s call name be similar to its registered name. Most breeders use their kennel name, or some abbreviation of it, as part of the name, but the rest is the hard part!

After the dog starts to accumulate AKC or other organizations titles, initials start to be added to the dog’s official AKC name.

For example:

Am/Can CH Blackthorn Coreopis of PatchMt TDX RN NA Can TDX

“Corey” has been awarded his Championship title in both the US and Canada. This title is based on dog shows and how he conforms to the breed standard. After his name the letters designate performance titles. Any AKC registered dog is eligible to compete in performance events.

TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) To earn this title a dog must successfully followed a track “scent” left by a stranger walking approximately 800 yards through fields, over walls, across road, etc, and find 4 items dropped at random by that person. This track is at least 3 hours old.

RN (Rally Novice) This event is a demonstration of basic obedience, done on leash, doing such things as downing at the owner’s side, coming to sit in front, and walking nicely on leash. This title is a fun way to show how you have trained and worked with your dog. Now days many obedience classes work towards preparing dogs for their Canine Good Citizen test and Rally Novice title.

NA (Novice Agility Standard). Here the dog must negotiate a course of jumps, tunnels, dog walk and other obstacles in a course established by the judge on that day. This is done off leash and can take quite a bit of training to have your dog work dependably in an area full of many distractions, including other dogs anxious to do the same thing! Agility is a GREAT game to learn to play with your dogs.

What do they all REALLY mean? Our dogs are such a part of our families that we enjoy doing a variety of things with them. We want to show the public how well trained, socialized and bred our Dalmatians are. And it is a wonderful way demonstrate what great work ethic and temperaments they have. They can and do so much more than just stand there and be pretty.

“A well balanced dog has a title at both ends”

Tomorrow we will explain Maeve’s titles. Her titles are slightly different, with their own types of challenges

What's Happening Now

Maeve is "hiding" in one of her favorite puppy places.

Maeve's puppies are now fully developed and look like little miniature dogs, complete with whiskers and toenails. Her abdomen is getting bigger and you can feel the puppies move when she is lying quietly on the bed. She is very affectionate now and loves sitting quiety beside you so she can be petted. Her activity level is slowing down although she loves going for walks in the yard. No jumping or strenuous activity for her. In fact, she gets time off from tracking, agility, obedience, and rally during her pregnancy. Her appetite has increased and she is getting 4 smaller meals a day. She is ALWAYS hunger and never turns down a snack.

Why CHIC?

What is CHIC?

In short, CHIC is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.

For breeders, CHIC provides a reliable source of information regarding dogs they may use in their breeding programs. Breeders can analyze the pedigrees of a proposed breeding for health strengths and weaknesses as well the traditional analysis of conformation, type and performance strengths and weaknesses.

For buyers, the CHIC program provides accurate information about the results of a breeder's health testing. For diseases that are limited to prototypical evaluations, there are no guarantees. However, the probability that an animal will develop an inherited disease is reduced when its ancestry has been tested normal. Further, as more DNA tests become available and the results are entered into CHIC, the CHIC database will be able to establish whether progeny will be clear, carriers of affected.

For further information, go to www.offa.org. If you search the data base you will find both Corey and Maeve listed.

Black Vs Liver Spots

One question we have been asked is: Will there be liver puppies available?" Unfortunately, no. Even though Maeve is a gorgeous liver color, this litter will be all black spotted puppies. How do we know? Because Corey had a DNA sample done that showed he does not carry the liver gene.

The black gene is dominant, the liver gene recessive. Since Corey does not have the liver gene, there can be no liver puppies. On the other hand, ALL the puppies will be liver factored. So, if any of them are subsequently bred to a liver dog or a black spotted dog with the liver gene, liver puppies are possible.

Interestingly, Corey's mother is also dominant for the black gene, and Corey's sire Ozzie was black spotted with the liver gene. Of the 5 pups from that litter that were DNA tested, Corey is the only one that does not have the liver gene.

And, why DNA for color? One reason is so that we can know ahead of time what to expect in the litter. Before DNA testing a black spotted dog would have been bred several times before it was known if they are dominant for black. And, there are other interesting color genes floating around out there. I know of at least 1 Champion female and 1 Champion male that carry the lemon gene. And then there are those even odder colors like liver tri-colors, and black tri-colors, not to mention long coat. No quality breeder wants one of those to show up in a litter!

Interested in more? Check out the color and coat pages at www.paisleydals.com

Maeve Day 45

This is Maeve at about Day 45. She is sitting patiently by the teeter in "McSherry Land", no doubt wondering why Linda won't let her actually do any of the equipment. Easy to tell there are puppies on the way! Maeve LOVES agility and will return to competition in the fall.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Carina, called "Getting Dressed". She is about 4 months old and I am putting her tracking harness on her. In AKC tracking events the dog following the smell "track" left by a stranger in a field, similar to Search and Rescue work. Carina, Corey, and Maeve have competed in AKC competitions and have earned various titles. They are indicated in their registered names by the letters TD and TDX. We will be starting the puppies in this litter while they are still with their mother. What a fun experience that will be. Maybe some future tracking stars in this litter!

First Post

This is the first post, and a test for Blackthorn and Patch Mountain Dalmatians. Follow this site to see the latest Dalmatian happenings in the beautiful Western Mountains of Maine.