RESCUING THE PERISHING

A story has been paramount in my area for several weeks concerning ninety-nine sled dogs rescued from a farm further north by the Animal Protection Societies. The owner was unable to care for them.

This is a problem with sled dogs. They work hard during the snowy winter months in races, etc., but the owners must still feed and care for them over spring, summer, and fall. A huge task it is for anyone to take on ninety-nine?? From pictures, the dogs were somewhat emaciated, cold, and hungry, and the rescue team saw no water. Thirty of the females were pregnant, and at the last report I heard, four mothers had dropped (for example) ten puppies each. Twenty-six more mothers have yet to bear. Most of the dogs are huskies, but some are cross breeds.

When one thinks of the enormity of the task the Humane Societies must face in feeding and providing Veterinarian care for so many dogs, it is staggering. I understand they have a source for food, but they need donations for the Vet care, not to mention the advertising needed to place all of these dogs in homes across Canada and the USA. People are calling in, but such a program for all of these dogs and the puppies to come!!!

How sad that this occurrence happens all over North America, with even worse horror stories of dogs in far worse conditions. Lax tax laws and punishments allow for this, and even some owners are given back some of their dogs to start the process all over again--but one sees the winds of change. It is our task to press for firmer laws, and that owners receive more severe judgments so they will think twice before jeopardizing these beautiful animals.

We must do our part to help. The Humane Societies will be aware of this story if you wish to assist.

STANDARDS IN DOGS, AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS

I talked before about Standards when Showing dogs. I thought this time to write about the implications of that Standard, as shown in the 2009 Shetland Sheepdog Calendar to help you understand the dogs' points of difference. The more I looked at this Calendar each month, the more I realized they deserved a comment. Without looking at the Calendar it is difficult, but bear with me.

True, on the cover, there are two cute puppies, and beautiful dogs all through. There are, however, pros and cons I will offer. They are used in Shows to make decisions, and will help you when you make a purchase of a breed. You need to learn your breed. The Inside Cover shows a gorgeous Sable and White Sheltie head. She is perfect in every way, a credit to the breed. We would need to see the whole, but such a perfect head should have a perfect body.

January: A Blue Merle with excellent ears, and the blue eye. The head suggests a male, but the small bib and full skirt make her look female. Could be wrong.
February: The puppies from the cover. Left is an excellent Blue Merle male around six months old. Right is a smaller, younger Sable and White female. She has good ears, but her look is hard, rather than soft. It is in the eye.
March: A Sable and White male with ears back, and a Collie-like head.
April: A beautiful Sable and White mother and pup. Delightful! Right on Standard.
May: A lovely Blue Merle male with questionable ears.
June: A rangy Sable female up to Standard, and a large, gangly Blue Merle male, perhaps over six months. Her son?
July: A Sable and White bitch jumping in an Obedience setting.
August: A good Sable and White bitch, either young, or having lost her coat through breeding.
September: Left is a Blue Merle male with too large ears and a pinched look, hard eyes with unfortunate markings.
Sable dog beside him has hard eyes and sky high ears. They should tip over a third. A breeding fault?
October: Sable and White males, but I could be wrong. Muzzles are masculine. Usually males have a large lion-like bib, whereas females have a smaller bib and a full skirt.
November: Blue Merle male running with ears back by the wind (I hope). He has a beautiful coat and good bone, but with a brown eye. Usually Blue Merles have blue eyes. (Black iris with blue 'whites').
December: Mistake in breeding here. Left is a large Sable male with Collie head and askew ears. Right, another male(?) with flopped over ears--bad. Such ears must be trained when they are puppies. Both have excellent soft eyes.

All of these dogs re beautifully groomed for their photos, but I note these faults to show that one must learn the breed Standard. Unless you do, and you decide to breed your dog, then you can double up the faults and do the breed a disservice. A good breeder will only breed a bitch to a dog who will cancel out major faults and vice versa.

A dog or bitch who conforms to a Breed Standard is beautiful to behold.

I am putting up a picture of my Tri-color, JEWEL.