
Dog News Australia 2010 Diary - Breed spots now selling!
June, 2009

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Vet nurses raised alarm over snacks
Enormous amounts of dollars are spent, weekly, buying the best in food and treats for the average family dog. Now there are increasing calls from concerned owners to make sure these treats, and indeed some foods, undergo the testing they require to guarantee they pose no health threats.
Dog publications, both here and in the USA, have been trying to raise the alarm for several years now about the link between illnesses acquired in association with consumption of chicken jerky snacks made in China. Vets and researchers have warned of possible links between consumption of the dental chews and proximal renal tubulopathy, also called Fanconi syndrome, in dogs.
It the latest health alarm Veggie Dent chews were subject to a product recall in Australia following research suggesting a possible link to acquired proximal renal tubulopathy. These chews had only been on sale for 3 months in Australia.
In May, Dr. Linda Fleeman, a senior lecturer in small animal medicine at the University of Sydney, told the media that an important fact in relation to her research into illness in dogs who had eaten the above mentioned chews, was that a significant number were owned by Vets or Vet nurses. She therefore considered the information from these owners to be reliable.
By John Bryson
Things may just be starting to change in the dog world. Those that are in power are starting to listen to the membership, and the old fashioned attitude of "we know what is good for you", is starting to disappear.
Recently the ANKC has done a turn around on the Grand Champion rules, and the All Breeds Best in Show requirement that was to come in to effect in 2010 has been watered down to four Best in Groups or four 25 point CC's. This comes on the back of intense lobbying by many of the members with breeds unlikely to win a Best in Show, and many letters to the editor in this publication. Those in power have listened.
Similarly the "allowable colours listing" has been dropped and will no longer be used for registration.
By Andrew Brace (UK)
In a past issue of the UK KENNEL GAZETTE the Chairman of the Kennel Club, in his Page 3 letter lays his cards on the table when he discusses his concern over "the trend towards over-exaggeration in some of our breeds - a trend which we have been trying to reduce for several years." Ronnie's "From the Chairman" piece is now underscored with the line "Supported by the Kennel Club General Committee" which may suggest to some readers that past "From the Chairman" offerings might not have been - but that's another story and nothing to do with the issue in hand.
His constant use of the phrase "fit for purpose" is laudable and I believe it is now the genuine desire of most all-rounders, if not all breeder judges, that we should have uppermost in our minds for the future of pedigree dogs the fact that we should only be rewarding sound healthy dogs in the ring.
There can be no denying that some of our breeds have seen gradual changes which can only be interpreted as exaggeration. To some "specialists" these changes may be seen as representing "wonderful breed type", yet in truth they actually constitute "over typing", a phrase not often heard in this country but often used overseas.
By Dr Rebekah Day
They say that bad things happen in threes and there are times in the veterinary profession when you see an unfortunate 'run' of illnesses. Over the past few weeks, we've had a number of bloat cases in the clinic and being a breeder of a mastiff breed, it is our greatest fear. Gastric dilatation & volvulus, or bloat, is one of the very few 'true', life threatening situations in the dog. It is most common in large & giant breeds, but in particular, in deep-chested breeds including Field Spaniels & Dachshunds. There is some evidence that it may be genetic, but for the most part, it occurs suddenly, without rhyme nor reason, and, for those of us unfortunate enough to witness a bloat, it is an unforgettable experience!
In what will surely be a blow to already hard hit entries at Sydney Shows, reports have come through that as of June 11 there will be no more camping at Sydney's Erskine Park dog show grounds.
Exhibitors have told DNA they were informed of the ban during phone conversations with Dogs NSW staff. The explanation given was that the move was required because of a Dogs NSW agreement with the local council and their insurance agents. A notice will be published in the Dogs NSW August gazette.
The Irish police have been called in by the Irish kennel Club, to investigate a scam which involves the falsifying of pedigree and export papers for purebred dogs bred by IKC members.
Con men, described as charming and likeable, have been purchasing the pedigreed dogs to resell at higher prices on the European market. The forgeries are very authentic with laymen unable to tell the difference.
The IKC was alerted to the scam when a purchaser attempted to transfer a dog whose papers did not match details on their records.