CONYERS KENNEL CLUB APRIL 2011 NEWSLETTER

Hello Everyone, our meeting will be next Monday, April 11, 2011 at our regular time, 6:30pm

 to eat and the meeting will start around 7:30pm at IHOP as usual. 

CONYERS KENNEL CLUB

Meeting Minutes March 14, 2011

President Don Watson opened the meeting at 7:30 pm by welcoming members.  Don asked if everyone had received the newsletter and reviewed the Minutes from the February meeting.  Don asked for any corrections or additions to these minutes.  With no corrections necessary Merry Carol Houchard made a motion to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Jan Moore, Minutes accepted.

Treasurer Rhea Spence distributed copies of the Treasurer’s report for review and discussion. 

The August Show Premium is ready to be submitted.  The committees will remain the same as the February Show. 

Mike Shelton reported that the Handling Classes will begin on April 12^th and continue for six weeks.  The cost will remain at $5.00 per handler.

Sue Shelton reported on that the Match has been set and distributed copies of the preliminary flyer for member review and input.  The directions to the park will be clarified.  It was very hard to find an appropriate site as the Maxell Center is not available this year.  The new site will be the Earl O’Neal Sports Complex.  There is not any shade so we will need to supply as much shade (tents) as possible.  There will be no need for Porta-Potties as there are facilities on site.  We will have grilled hotdogs and fixings, like last year.  The set up will be done on Saturday morning.   Don suggested that we may want to do some type of pet match next year to bring more people out.

There has not been a date set for the next Cluster Meeting.  The Cluster Agreement needs to be discussed and agreed upon.  Don will try to give the Board Members as much notice as possible.

The Griffin Kennel Club has been approved to participate in the August show.

Mike Houchard reported on the number of votes received by each new AKC Board Member (see February Newsletter for these numbers).

Mike also reported that there is new information on additional degrees of the Utility Titles.  This information will be in the next newsletter.

Mike reported that the AKC is continuing to try to find creative ways to cut expensed and operate in a much leaner way due to the economy.  Expenses continue to increase and it is harder to make money from the shows as entries have continued to drop.  AKC Registration has dropped by some 12% in the past year.  Bringing on the Grand CH title has brought out approximately 30 thousand Champions into the ring. 

The Canine Coalition is watching the pet tax laws.  It is time for members to contact their representatives as there will not be a lot of discussion on whatever bills come to the floor.  Please see the February Newsletter for more information.  The law for adding a bittering agent to antifreeze is moving forward.  This will hopefully help to keep children and animals from drinking it.

Mike reported that the group re-alignment issue is starting to be discussed again with committees being formed.  He does not expect it to be fully discussed before this fall.

Mike discussed the saturation of shows and the AKC not approving any new shows at this time.  He said that the main problem is on the east coast with too many shows scheduled in close proximity at the same time it is causing the number of entries overall to be down.  He said the AKC will be reviewing the problem and see what the best way to address the problem.  Each club is allowed a maximum of two shows per year.  There are some clubs that have not had a show in many years.  There are also many small clubs hosting shows.   There will be close scrutiny on the location and dates of the current show schedule. 

Don Watson brought up the issue of a donation to be made in honor of Glen Jackson.  One of Glen’s favorite places was Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center.  The budget calls for a $50.00 donation and Don wanted the club’s input about increasing this amount for Glen.  Mike Houchard made a motion to donate $100.00, seconded by Mike Shelton. Motion passed.  Rhea will send a $100.00 donation in honor of Glen.

Don asked Mike Shelton to gather the Budget Committee to review last year’s budget and make recommendations at a future meeting.

Jackie Dilworth has the trophy list for the August show.  Please make your donations this week for the August show.  The trophy list must be in before the end of the month.

Don read the application for Bonnie Young for the second time tonight.  She is a member of the Chow Chow Club of Atlanta and America.  She would like to join the club to participate and help with the club events and to learn about additional breeds.  She has been recommended by Don Watson and Mike Shelton.  Renae Watson made a motion to accept Bonnie as a member, seconded by Sue Shelton.  Welcome Bonnie.  Secretary Jerri Dandelske will notify Bonnie and update the address list.

Merry Carol Houchard asked if we were going to sponsor the 4H camp this year.  This is budgeted for $600.00 and Rhea Spence will get a check sent for this scholarship.

We will need to pick a new UGA vet student as Cheryl is graduating!  Congratulations Cheryl.  Mike and Merry Carol Houchard will be attending the UGA Banquet and will get the names of students that have applied for scholarship money so the club can choose a new recipient.   

Sandra McCurry suggested Jessica Izlar from Dennis Veterinary Clinic as she is now attending as a Vet Student at UGA. 

Brags:  Merry Carol Houchard reported that Chris Miller’s Canaan Dog, Kate has achieved her Grand Championship!

Mike Houchard made a motion to conclude the meeting, seconded by Jackie Dilworth.

Goodnight!

Recorded by Jerri Dandelske,  Secretary

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB INTRODUCES PREFERRED AGILITY CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

-- New Title to Take Effect July 1, 2011 --

New York, NY - The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to introduce the new Preferred Agility Champion title (PACH). Created as a 

way to recognize the superior performance, speed and consistency of AKC's preferred agility competitors, dogs must achieve a minimum 

of 750 championship points and 20 double qualifying scores from the Excellent B Preferred Standard class and the Excellent B Preferred 

Jumpers with Weaves class to obtain this prestigious championship.

"The Agility department is thrilled to be able to implement the Preferred Agility Champion title almost two years ahead of the 

original scheduled start date," said AKC Director of Agility Carrie DeYoung. "The Preferred Championship is designed to recognize 

the excellent quality of dogs and handlers that are exhibiting in our Preferred Agility program at the top level."

The PACH title is a prefix title and is retroactive, so any dogs that earned the title prior to July 1st, 2011 will be "grandfathered" 

in and will automatically have PACH added to their AKC name in the AKC computer system.  Exhibitors will not need to request this to 

happen. Owners who wish to obtain a title certificate for dogs that earned the title prior to July 1st will need to order one by 

calling Customer Service at (919) 233-9767. 

The dogs that earn the title from July 1st onward will automatically be mailed a certificate.  

The retroactive points will be based on the new point schedule as of July 1st, 2011 that will earn all dogs 1 point per second under 

the Standard Course Time.  There will not be any point multipliers applied at any time for the points earned toward the PACH title. 

More about the PACH: 

* There are no changes to the PAX title and both the PAX and the PACH will exist.  PAX and PACH titles may be earned from the same 

set of double qualifying scores (although they may not be achieved on the same dates, depending on when the 750 points for the PACH 

are earned).

* One point is awarded for each full second under the Standard Course Time. (No partial points are awarded.)

* Dogs earn points from the Ex B Preferred Agility Class and/or the Ex B Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class.

* Qualifying with scores of 100 in both the Ex B Preferred Agility Class and the Ex B Preferred Jumpers With Weaves Class on the same 

day equals one double qualifying score (2Q).

* The PACH title points and 2Q's progression will be able to be viewed in the AKC online store reports after the title's 

implementation.

Requirements General Scoring: A dog does not have to obtain the Master Excellent Preferred title (MXP) or the Master Excellent 

Jumpers With Weaves Preferred title (MJP) prior to achieving scores that will count toward their Preferred Agility Championship 

title (PACH). A dog need not be in both "B" classes in order to start accruing PACH points. Any score of 100 (clear round) obtained 

in the Excellent B Preferred classes will count towards both the dog's Preferred Championship requirements, and the dog's MXP/MJP 

titling requirements.

Titles: The PACH title initials will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the quantity of times the dog has met the 

requirements of the PACH title as defined above, e.g., 1500 PACH points and 40 2Q's =PACH2.

For more information, visit www.akc.org/events/agility or download a copy of the Regulations for Agility Trials.

Podcasts on ACE Awards and Winner Taffy Released
March 11, 2011

This week, the AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to release two new podcasts. 

In the first podcast, Ron Rella, Director of Project Administration for the American Kennel Club, describes the Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE).  The ACE Awards were put into place in 1999 to recognize the extraordinary interdependence of dogs and people.  Mr. Rella explains the qualifications to be nominated for ACE Awards and the different categories for which awards are made.  Learn more about the awards, past winners and how to nominate a dog.

In the second podcast, we welcome the 2008 ACE winner for Search and Rescue, the Bloodhound Taffy and her handler, Doug Williams.  Lee Arnold, Chairman of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, and Mr. Williams discuss Taffy’s accomplishments, school visits, criminal tracking, and community outreach.

Stay tuned to the Genome Barks podcast series because more touching interviews with ACE winners will be released throughout the year. 

Listen to the Podcast about the ACE Awards

Listen to the Podcast about Taffy

New Podcasts are released every two weeks.  They are also available for direct download at Apple's itunes® or www.genomebarks.com.

For more information contact:
Erika Werne
Director of Education & Communications
eaw@akcchf.org
1-888-682-9696

AKC HUMANE FUND SEEKS CANINE HEROES FOR 12TH ANNUAL AWARDS FOR CANINE EXCELLENCE

New York, NY - Heroes, like dogs, come in all shapes and sizes. Since 2000, thousands of dog lovers have nominated special canines 

for the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). ACE nominees range from skilled assistance dogs and law enforcement K-9s 

that keep U.S. citizens safe to Search & Rescue dogs who have aided in recovery missions. Equally important are the Therapy dogs who 

provided much needed comfort in the wake of tragic national events such as the attacks on 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as well as the 

companions who aspire to be champion leg warmers at the foot of their owner's bed at night.

"Over the past eleven years, the AKC has had the honor of recognizing some truly outstanding dogs through ACE," said Ronald Rella, 

Director of Project Administration. "We encourage anyone that owns or knows of a heroic dog to submit a nomination as a way to pay 

tribute to the canines that devote their lives to making ours better."

Each year, five dogs that have performed an exemplary act or series of acts that have significantly benefited a community or 

individual, whether large or seemingly small, are selected for an ACE. One award is given in the following five categories: 

Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, and Service.  Honorable Mentions are awarded to outstanding entries in each 

category.

In addition to the prestige of being chosen from hundreds of entries, each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an 

engraved sterling silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Orlando, Fla., to be honored at the eleventh 

annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December 2011.  The engraved names of the five recipients will also be added to the ACE 

plaque that is on permanent display in the AKC's Library in New York City. Dogs receiving honorable mention will be awarded an engraved bronze medallion. All entrants will receive an ACE Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgement of their nomination.

Anyone, including the dog's owner or handler, may submit a nomination.  Submissions for the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine 

Excellence for 2011 must include: 

* A non-returnable, original photograph of the dog. Hi-resolution electronic photos provided on a disc are permissible, but not scans. (electronic requirements: 300dpi and at least 5x7 inches or, 72dpi at least 20x30 inches) 

* A 500-word-or-less description of how the dog has demonstrated excellence.

* Dog's call name, registered name if applicable, breed, age and sex.

* Owner/Nominator name(s), address, phone number. E-mail address if available.

*Please note that to be considered, dogs are not required to be AKC registered but must be an AKC recognized breed.

Nominations will be accepted until June 1, 2011 and should be sent to:

      Ronald N. Rella: ACE Awards 2011

                               The AKC Humane Fund

                               260 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

                               New York, New York 10016

For more information about the ACE awards or to download a nomination form visit http://www.akchumanefund.org 

Below is an update on proposed bills in the Georgia General Assembly after crossover day.

Crossover Day, which is the day legislation must have passed either the Senate or the House in order to still be alive for the last 10 days, was Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

The proposal to tax Veterinary Services is still alive and everyone who lives in Georgia needs to contact their state Representative and tell them that you oppose a tax on Veterinary Services.  Therefore, tell them you oppose House Bill 385, House Bill 386, House Bill 387 and House Bill 388.  These bills include language that will tax “veterinarian expenses for pets.”   Sponsors of the bills are Jones of the 46^th, O’Neal of the 146^th, Peake of the 137, England of the 108^th.   While none of these bills have moved, the Senate Majority Leader has stated that they are not affected by cross-over day, so they are still active.  We don’t expect the tax on Veterinary Services to move, but we are watching it closely.

HB 440 which deals with changes to the State Cruelty Law was placed in the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.  The GCC does not expect this bill to move.  Sponsors are Williard of the 49^th, Dobbs of the 53^rd, Jacobs of the 80^th, Golick of the 34, Benfield of the 85^th and others.  The GCC had concerns with this bill and expressed them to the appropriate leadership.  This bill did not crossover. 

HB 148 which makes major changes to the State Dangerous and Vicious Dog sections of the Law had a short Judiciary subcommittee hearing Wednesday, March 9, at which time the sponsor stated that he knew the bill would not pass this year and that there were a number of people who opposed the bill.  The GCC opposes this bill but has told other stakeholders, including the Sponsor, that we will work with them concerning major changes in this bill.  This bill is not expected to move.  Sponsors are Maddox of the 172^nd, Black of the 174^th, Taylor of the 173^rd, Battles of the 15^th and Atwood of the 179^th.  This bill did not move out of committee, we do expect to see some version of this bill next January.

HB 409 This is a bill affecting Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.  It relates to licensing and registration and seems to be a “housekeeping” bill for the Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.  The GCC at this point has no concerns with this bill.  Sponsor Maddox of the 172^nd.

This passed out of House Committee but did not crossover.

HB 40 “Chiefs Law” would add a bittering agent to antifreeze.  Passed the House and had its second reading February 24 in the Senate.  Assigned to Senate Special Judiciary.  Sponsors are Benton of the 31^st, England of the 108, Buckner of the 130^th and Kaiser of the 59^th.  The GCC supports this bill.  This bill did crossover.

HB 60 Service Cancelable Loan, State Veterinarian Board, deals with funding loans for Veterinary students who go into a practice dealing with Food Animals.  Sponsors are Maddox of the 172^nd and Black of the 174^th.  Bill passed the house March 8.  The GCC supports this bill.  This bill is in the Senate Higher Education Committee.

Gail LaBerge

President, GCC                         May Be Crossposted.

UPDATE ON PROPOSAL TO TAX VETERINARY SERVICE

March 28, 2011

The GCC, in the “Crossover Day Legislative Report”, stated that the GCC did not expect the tax on Veterinary Services to move, and the GCC is pleased to state today that the proposed tax on Veterinary Services has been removed from the proposed tax bill for this year.

The GCC wants to thank all of you who called your Representative and opposed this proposed tax.  Those phone calls helped convince the Committee the bill was assigned to, not to go forward with the proposed tax on most services which included Veterinary Services.

Gail LaBerge

President, GCC

A Mutation Causing Wrinkled Skin of Shar-Pei Dogs is Linked to Periodic Fever Disorder
March 22, 2011

An international investigation has uncovered the genetics of the Shar-Pei dog's characteristic wrinkled skin. The researchers, led by scientists at Uppsala University and the Broad Institute, have connected this mutation to a periodic fever disorder and they propose that the findings could have important human health implications. Details appeared on March 17 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics. Read the publication ins PLoS Genetics.  Purebred dogs are selected for defined physical features, and the inadvertent enrichment for disease-risk genes may have unexpected health consequences. The thickened and wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs contains an excess of hyaluronan, most likely due to the over-activation of the hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene. The Shar-Pei also has a high prevalence of a periodic fever disorder similar to human inherited autoinflammatory periodic fever syndromes. Hyaluronan may create a 'danger' signal to the immune system, analogous to the effects a pathogen may have. Because of the health implications, Shar-Pei breed clubs have strongly supported research into the cause of periodic fever. To find the genetic cause for wrinkled skin, the researchers first compared the Shar-Pei genome to that of other dog breeds. Simultaneously, they compared the genome of healthy and sick Shar-Pei to locate the mutation for the fever. Both studies pinpointed the same region, which contained the HAS2 gene. In this breed alone, a DNA segment located close to HAS2 was duplicated erroneously, sometimes multiple times.

Coming Soon to the Genome Barks Podcast Series: An interview with  Dr. Mia Olsson, co-author of the Shar-Pei Fever discovery. Sign Up for Podcast Release Notifications

"It was really exciting to realize that the two traits had the same genetic origin," says Mia Olsson, one of the authors. "Copies of the duplicated segment increase the risk for periodic fever in these dogs, and the overproduction of hyaluronan is the predisposing factor."

"With this genetic information, people can avoid breeding Shar-Pei with many duplications," said study co-author Linda Tintle. "Understanding the causes will also lead to more effective treatments."

The researchers have shed light on the role of hyaluronan in inflammatory disease. The association of HAS2 dysregulation and autoinflammation is of wide interest since the genetic cause of periodic fever syndromes in approximately 60% of human cases remains unexplained. "The finding that hyaluronan is a major trigger of fever opens a new research field in canine and human inflammatory disease," said senior author Kerstin Lindblad-Toh.

"The AKC Canine Health Foundation is excited about the discovery," said Dr. Christine Haakenson, Director of Research for the Foundation. "The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America has listed Shar-Pei Fever as one of its top 5 health concerns every year for the last 10-12 years. With the discovery of this mutation, Shar-Pei breeders can start to do something about the problem."

One of the AKC Canine Health Foundation's earliest research grants dealt with Shar-Pei Fever.  In 1996, the Foundation funded Grant 1301: Development of DNA Markers for Shar-Pei Fever from Dr. Gary Johnson at the University of Missouri, Columbia, which was supported by the Chinese Shar-Pei Charitable Trust.

Disclosures, complete citations, researcher contacts and information about PLoS Genetics are available on the AKC Canine Health Foundation website version of this news article.  

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BRAGS

Jan Moore’s Golden Retriever, Prism N Goldstrike Believe In Magic,  shown in Bred By Exhibitor, won Winners Bitch and Best Opposite Sex at the Newnan Show on Sunday for 2 points.

Newsletter-Sandra McCurry

 southforkgolden@aol.com