Conyers Kennel Club Newsletter

Text Box: Officers Board Members
President – Don Watson Anne Crum
Vice President – Randall McCurry Mike Shelton
Treasurer – Rhea Spence Jan Moore
Secretary – Jerri Dandelske Susan Puckett
AKC Delegate – Mike Houchard Steve Donahue

CONYERS KENNEL CLUB FEBRUARY 2011 NEWSLETTER

Hello Everyone, our meeting will be next Monday, February 21, 2011at our regular time, 6:30pm to eat and the meeting will start around 7:30pm.

I hope you all enjoyed the Westminster Show. The Scottish Deerhound won Best In Show. This dog was a female who was named “Foxcliffe Hickory Wind”. a.k.a. “Hickory”. She is the first of her breed to win the big prize.

Six new breeds debut at Westminster 2011
Six breeds made their debut at Westminster in 2011 now that they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club and made eligible for competition in conformation shows.

BOYKIN SPANIEL (Sporting Group)
The Boykin Spaniel is a versatile and compact gundog. The breed was developed in the early 1900's in the Midlands of South Carolina to fill the need of local hunters for a smaller retriever for hunting waterfowl. Their nickname is apropos: "the little dog that doesn't rock the boat". In the field, they steal the show as tenacious, assertive and enthusiastic flushing and retrieving Spaniels. In the home, they steal hearts as gentle, affectionate and fiercely loyal members of the family. They are truly companions for all seasons. In 1985, Governor Richard Riley signed an act making the Boykin Spaniel South Carolina's official state dog. www.boykinspanielclub.org

BLUETICK COONHOUND (Hound Group)
The Bluetick Coonhound is an athletic, compact, speedy and well-muscled hound, all of which helps it in trailing and treeing raccoons and other small game. A determined and steady tracker, the standard says that the Bluetick "should be a free tonguer on trail with a medium bawl or bugle voice." Its name comes from its dark blue coat pattern, covered in ticking and featuring black spots on its ears, back and sides. That color may come from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (French Staghound) as well as the English Foxhound. In America, Blueticks were referred to as English Coonhounds for many years. www.akc.org/breeds/bluetick_coonhound/

CANE CORSO (Working Group)
The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian Breed, robust and muscular, medium-to-large in size, yet still elegant and athletic. Historically found on the family farms, its primary function was minder of livestock and property, as well as hunting companion for large game. The overall demeanor of the Cane Corso is confidence and impressive presence. The Cane Corso is highly intelligent, and easily trained, being docile and affectionate with family and friends. The breed faced extinction in Italy in the early 1970s, but working dogs from rural farms helped to it recover. The Cane Corso was initially imported to the USA in 1988. www.canecorso.org

REDBONE COONHOUND (Hound Group)
With a pleading expression accompanied by a confident air, the Redbone Coonhound is a courageous breed. Known for being a versatile hunter of tremendous skill, they are used on differing game from raccoon, bear to mountain lion. Dating back before the Civil War, breeders and hunters strove to have a hound that could not only perform in the woods but have a strikingly beautiful look. A solid red coat, a personality to please and a natural tracking and treeing ability sets the Redbone Coonhound apart from other breeds. www.akc.org/breeds/redbone_coonhound/

LEONBERGER (Working Group)
The Leonberger is a large, muscular, and elegant dog distinguished by a black mask and medium-length weather resistant coat of lion-yellow to reddish-brown color. Males and females are easily distinguished by size, with males carrying a lion-like mane. The Leonberger combines confident calmness with intelligence and a lively temperament. For its size the Leonberger is graceful and light on its feet. Originating in Baden-WÃ¼rttemberg, Germany, in the mid-nineteenth century the Leonberger was kept as a farm dog and valued for its watch and draft abilities. Today the Leonberger is an excellent family companion, comfortable performing a wide variety of jobs. www.leonbergerclubofamerica.com

ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG (Herding Group)
The Icelandic Sheepdog arrived in Iceland on the longboats of the first Viking settlers. Its working method adapted to the struggle for survival, making it indispensable. A hardy and agile Nordic herding Spitz that barks, it is slightly under medium sized with prick ears and a curled tail. It is rectangular when seen from the side. The coat is thick and extremely weatherproof. A confident and lively bearing is typical for this dog. The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy. Being very alert, it will give visitors an enthusiastic welcome without aggression. They are cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful and unafraid. www.icelanddogs.com

The slate of Officers was read and a motion to accept these officers was made by Jan Moore and seconded by Merry Carol Houchard. Secretary, Jerri Dandelske, cast the one vote to accept this slate.

Don thanked Linda Jackson and Jackie Dilworth for putting together a wonderful Christmas party! Pictures are on the Conyers Kennel Club Facebook page!

Don asked for any corrections to the minutes as published in the newsletter. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Mike Shelton and seconded by Dixie Westmoreland.

Treasurer, Rhea Spence, distributed copies of the Treasurer’s report for member discussion.

Don passed a letter of appreciation from the people at Fort Mac for our Christmas donation. The UGA Awards Banquet will be held April 29^th. If any members are interested in attending, please speak with Don. We will also need to select a new UGA student for our scholarship as Cheryl Bettis is graduating. Please look at your last email from her and see if you can help.

The February show is set. Pole wrapping will be on Wednesday at 10:00 am. Mike Houchard will bring the shavings and regular supplies. Vendor Chairman, Bill Kelley, reported that all vendor sites are full. RV Parking reservations are down about 30%. Don reported that Jackie Dilworth has been able to get approval from AKC to have the trophy’s given as usual. The flyers will be distributed Saturday morning with the cards to each ring as usual. Any members available on Friday at 5:00 pm are asked to help set up the trophy table. Merry Carol will have the 4H people set.

Thursday night will be the Cluster Meeting at 7:00pm in Lawrenceville. Griffin KC and the Cluster Agreement are the topics to be discussed.

Steve Donahue had nothing further on the Field Day event except that it will probably take place in the fall.

Rhea Spence will reserve the Pavilion in Conyers for the Handling Class spring session.

Mike Houchard reported that he would need feedback from members at the next meeting on which AKC Candidates the club wants him to endorse. He will forward all of the Candidate’s letters to Sandra to be included in the next newsletter. Mike also reported that there is more information on the AKC website. The AKC is considering a Reserve BIS and Group placements.

Mike reported that HSUS has gotten 32 states to introduce legislation to instate a Crop & Dock ban.

Sue Shelton has agreed to work on the “B” Match again this year. Jerri Dandelske and Sandra McCurry will assist and Merry Carol Houchard will do the books.

With no further business to discuss, Mike made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Rhea.

Located in Lawrenceville, GA at 2156 Oakland Industrial Ct. It is very easy to get to and accessible from the HWY 316 and Sugarloaf. We are snuggled in a small industrial park that is quiet and with very little traffic.

Directions to the Training Building:

From Highway 29

Turn onto Oakland Road. Follow Oakland to Old Norcross Road, then turn left onto Old Norcross and the first right will be Oakland Road. Turn right onto Oakland Road, go past Shade Tree Court, past the Church, past Oakland Chase Court, then turn left onto Oakland Industrial Court. The Lawrenceville Kennel Club Training Building is the second building on the left.

Turn Right onto Sugarloaf Parkway, go to the second traffic light, and turn right onto Cruse Road. Follow it to Old Norcross Road. Turn Right onto Old Norcross Road, Look for the second road on right which is Oakland Road. Turn right onto Oakland Road, go past Shade Tree Court, past the Church, past Oakland Chase Court, then turn left onto Oakland Industrial Court. The Lawrenceville Kennel Club Training Building is the second building on the left.

House Bill 148- Dangerous Dog bill- Sponsored chiefly by Representative Maddox of the 172^nd. This bill was introduced and had its first reading in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2011. The GCC does have some concerns with this bill as it is currently written. The GCC will be expressing those concerns at the appropriate time.

House Bill 52-Dealing with Guide and Service Dogs- Sponsored by Representative Bearden of the 68^th. This bill is intended to add public and private schools, public and private colleges, and public and private universities to the places where disabled persons may use a guide or service dog. It would also prohibit the requiring of extra deposits for those guide or service dogs. The GCC is studying this bill but it appears at this point to be a good bill.

The bill that would put a bittering agent into anti-freeze has been or will be introduced. There was a similar bill last year that the GCC and its members supported.

The GCC has been told that a bill dealing with Animal Cruelty is currently being analyzed and may be introduced. The GCC will study any bill presented carefully.

Please let the GCC know of any activity in your area concerning animal legislation or ordinances.

Podcast on Dermatomyositis Released
February 13, 2011

In this edition of Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, a member of the faculty at Clemson University. Dr. Clark’s research has focused on canine genetic disease. In this podcast, we discuss Dr. Clark’s work in dermatomyositis. Dr. Clark defines the disease, and discusses prevalence, clinical signs, and tips for breeders to help future generations.

Dr. Leigh Anne Clark attended Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2000. She subsequently entered graduate school and joined the Canine Genetics Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Clark's thesis work concerned both the development of microsatellite DNA-based tools and pancreatic acinar atrophy in the German Shepherd Dog. She received a PhD in 2004 and remained in the Canine Genetics Laboratory for her postdoctoral work. Now an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University, Dr. Clark's research continues to focus on canine inherited disease.

Podcast about Vaccinations and Infectious Disease Released
January 13, 2011

The AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to release the next podcast in the Genome Barks series. This week, we welcome Dr. Kate Creevy, Assistant Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Georgia with a specialty in small animal medicine and infections disease. Dr. Creevy discusses the myths of vaccinations and infectious disease, susceptibility to vaccination reactions, regular vaccination schedules and the canine flu vaccine.

Dr. Creevy grew up in and around Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Georgetown University for her undergraduate education. She earned her DVM from the University of Tennessee in 1998, and completed a rotating small animal internship at the University of Minnesota. She spent the next four years in private practice, initially in a small animal and exotics emergency-only practice in the Twin Cities, and then at Friendship Hospital for Animals, the only 24-hour general and specialty practice in Washington, DC. She joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 2003 as an emergency medicine clinician, and subsequently completed both her residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and her Master’s degree in Infectious Disease at UGA. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Georgia.

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

Podcast on Dermatomyositis Released February 13, 2011

Podcast about Vaccinations and Infectious Disease Released January 13, 2011

Podcast on Dermatomyositis Released
February 13, 2011

Podcast about Vaccinations and Infectious Disease Released
January 13, 2011