Diversity–Meet the Breeds
DIVERSITY–MEET THE BREEDS! Effective January 1 the following breeds will be eligible for the miscellaneous class–Argentine Dogo, Boerboel, Peruvian Inca Ochid, Portugese Podengo, Pequerno Pumi, Sloughi and Wirehaired Vizsla. These are breeds most of us probably cannot identify, let alone pronounce their names. Want to learn more? Circle October 15 and 16 for an event that promises to reveal all about breeds–MEET THE BREEDS IN NYC.
Add to the canine diversity a human side. The infamous sheriff– Joe–who painted Arizona jail cells pink is now being applauded for managing the animal shelters in Maracopa County. Prisoners are caring for the dogs and the animal control budget has been cut. With the new and controversial illegal immigration Arizona legislation we may have more Spanish-speaking prisoner/dog trainers. (Already HSUS is translating its literature into Spanish.) Perhaps it won’t be long before the AKC publications will also be in Spanish and we will have bi-lingual judges. Will the MEET THE BREEDS have Spanish language advertisements?
The AKC has proposed new rules for agility and in the process has reemphasized the rule that dogs who show aggression in or out of the ring to either person or another dog can be permanently disqualified from participation in all AKC events. This is a good rule as long as it is fairly and thoroughly investigated. I remember a West Highland White Terrier, a champion, who nipped a careless and rough judge. (Yes, unfortunately some of these incidents are the fault of people. I have seen dogs snap when another dog–usually not carefully monitored–makes an unwanted advance. Then the person holding the leash is at fault and not the dog. And, in the case of the Terrier the judge handled the dog roughly, frightening this very ringwise competitor!) The dog was reinstated after passing a CGC evaluation–and yes, the late Dixon Cuff was the dog’s advocate.
More on the Joe story–Prisoners feed and care for the strays, walking them twice daily. They even give classes for people who want to adopt an animal. The animal control budget has gone from $18 million to $3 million. A dog which has been neutered with all shots and a microchip cost $78. The prisoners earn 28 cents an hour.
You probably read about this in the June AKC Gazette. “The best obedience teams appear to perform a kind of interspecies voodoo as they glide through intricately choreographed rituals attached by nothing but mental moonbeams.” Think of that the next time you go to class.
NEW CAREGIVER. We have a new caregiver in the house. Among her many talents is working with special ability children in the Olympics. She is great with my blind and hard-of-hearing Cagney. Somehow her enthusiastic praise and positive energy have made Cagney more confident. I love watching them walk together, with Marlene telling Cagney, “You go girl”.
Aug 06, 2010 | | Uncategorized