2 nd Q tr E dition • A pr /M ay /J un 2023 HOME OF THE
E
www.mpbaonline.org
Putting Our Best Paw Forward What MPBA is accomplishing with your support T FFA Speaking Contest T Working with FFA, 4H, and JAG kids T Scholarships T Dog Shows T Woof for Vets Program T Kennel Assistance Program
T Elite Kennel Program T Educational Classes T Kennel Inspection Program
T Public Events (Fairs, Expos, etc.) T Member of Missouri Farmers Care T And many other Programs each year!
We thank you for your Sponsorship and Support. You are the Dog-gone Best!
Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors You all are the Dog-gone Best! Platinum Sponsors American Kennel Club
Avenue Vet Clinic A to Z Vet Supply Gold Sponsors American Canine Association Conrad’s Cuddly Canines Mullet Metal Works Pawrade Pet Xchange Puppy Travelers Tuffy’s Pet Foods Silver Sponsors AKC Reunite Down Home Pet Transport Lambert Vet Supply Merck ProMed
Revival Animal Health Bronze Sponsors America’s Pet Registry, Inc. Dreamaker Kennels Embark Innovative Green Energy Solutions Puppy Express Retriever’s Animal Supply
Select Puppies SouthPaw Pets Third Party Pet 1
the Prez Sez
It’s hitting summer time and I hope everyone has their air charged up. The
market is slow at this time, but we have been here before. Let’s hope by the end
of the year it picks up.
It’s also Fair time and MPBA will be at the Missouri State Fair in August for the 10th through the 20th.
If you would like to help out at the booth any day, please let us know. We are in the Ag Building again this
year, and we will be handing out information about MPBA and helping those looking for the next family pet.
Protect the Harvest is donating gift baskets again! There will be enough for one winner each day. Hope you
can volunteer to help.
Call 417-718-4182 or email 4agfriends@gmail.com for more details about helping out.
MPBA has already been to many events this year. The most recent were the Polk County Cattlemen
Dinner, PPA Seminar, and the Cattlemen Steak Fry.
The Canine Care Workshop for 2023 (MO Dept of Ag/USDA) will be held Friday, July 28, 2023. Remember
to sign up ahead of time!
Enjoy your summer!
Kevin Beauchamp, MPBA President
from your Publicity Director
I would like to introduce Mandy Griffiths, who
has agreed to begin helping us with the magazine. We are excited to have Mandy join us and for all
she will be bringing to the magazine!
Mandy owns and operates Red Cedar Saints kennel and raises St. Bernards and Brussels Griffons.
She is the president of the Northern Ozarks Pets & Exotics Club chapter.
Mandy has a lot to offer and we are glad to have her on board. Be sure to look in future magazines
for articles from her!
Ann Quinn, MPBA Publicity Director
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How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer By Donald Bramlage, DVM | June 30, 2022
Keeping your dog cool in the summer is crucial for his health and safety. The heat affects animals in different ways. Some lean breeds have little problems with the extra warmth if allowed to get out of the sun. However, elderly and very young animals have a harder time regulating their body temperatures. A young puppy’s world is a toy, and they get up in the morning thinking of playing. Puppies under one year can get so excited with attention that you need to force them to “cool off” between play times. What Dog Breeds Don’t Do Well in Heat? Some dog breeds require extra caution in the summer months. Examples are the “pushed-in” nose dogs (Brachycephalic), such as Pugs, or breeds that can’t pant effectively in the heat. Overweight dogs and dogs with extra skin, like Shar Pies, also require additional vigilance in hot weather. How to Prevent a Dog From Overheating Beating the heat is not easy for your pet. Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat. They get rid of the heat through their mouth and lips by basically “sweating through their
mouth” when they pant. They also release heat through their pads, so taking them to the county fair or outside market when temperatures are on the rise is asking for issues. Here are a few tips to help avoid overheating in your dog. • Cool grass will remove heat from a dog, but concrete or gravel will add to the issue. • Avoid walking your dog on hot asphalt. A sunny day can lead to asphalt and tar causing burns on your dog’s feet. • When temps are high, leave your pet at home where they can get out of the sun! • Avoid taking your dog on car rides when the weather is warm and sunny. Even a few minutes in the car can be deadly. If in doubt, leave your dog home. For extra safety, leave a large card with your cell phone number on the driver’s window so a good Samaritan can call you rather than smashing your window. • Feed animals in the evening when temperatures drop. If they are twice-a-day feeders, feed ¼ of the diet in the a.m. and ¾ of the diet in the p.m. Low fat/ protein diets are not only good for the waste, but they also create less heat in digestion than high fat, high protein diets do. • Make popsicles to control the
heat. Use electrolytes such as Breeder’s Edge Puppy Lyte in one gallon of water and add 1 tsp. of beef/chicken bouillon. Freeze in ice cube trays and give to your pets as treats. Feed them outside if your pet is not used to ice cubes, or they will make a mess trying to figure out the “eating technique” the first time. Dogs get rid of heat through their mouths so this works great. Freeze large dog popsicles in Dixie cups. Cheap and effective cooling! • For outside dogs, heat is difficult to deal with. Mix electrolytes in one gallon of the water. When the temperatures approach high 90’s, use in place of drinking water. • For a change of pace for puppies and kittens, freeze Breeder’s Edge Foster Care™ Milk Replacer in a Dixie cup for a cooling, plus nutritious treat.
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How to Cool Down a Dog Be sure the pet can get out of the sun – this is #1. • If you don’t have shade, create it! Using sun screening over the kennel is easy. Use the same stuff used by greenhouses or livestock and fasten with “zip ties” to the top of the kennel. You can use chain-link top rails for support if needed, but most will not need it. Temperatures can be five to seven degrees F cooler under the shade. • Water misters are great help as they lower the temperature of the kennel 10 degrees F without creating mud!
don’t inhibit breathing. Mendota is a lightweight leash that will relax when the dog is soft on the leash, allowing easier breathing or panting. If more control is needed, a simple pull on the leash tightens the collar. The Mendota leash is designed by a dog owner who did not like choking his dog and could not find what he wanted, so he made his own. Mendota is the last leash you will ever buy; it works that well! • Collapsible bowls are a must if you take your dog with you. Community water has more bugs than you want to expose your pet to, so it’s important to use his own bowl. It also fits in the backpack. • Take a small amount of cool water and pour it over the backpack to aid cooling. • Dogs CAN get sunburn, especially on the white or unpigmented parts of their skin. Avoid too much sun exposure and use a pet sunscreen for safety. Hot weather is hard on everyone. Help your dog tolerate the heat, and you can both enjoy the warm weather.
Turn on in the heat of the day for several hours or use a timer on your faucet that runs the mister 15 minutes each hour. Keep hoses high on the outside of the fencing and under the shade netting, attach with zip ties for easy removal – instant relief! • A wading pool or water sprinkler is a great and fun way for your dog to cool off in warm weather. Keep the water fresh by frequent changes. • We all use cool fresh water and electrolytes, but ice chunks will cool the core body temp when your pet replaces panting fluid loss. One cup-sized chunk will last through the heat of the day in a stainless water bucket. Jogging Dogs You will read “don’t jog with your pet in summer,” but that is not correct! Our advice is if you are having issues staying comfortable while exercising, both of you should stay home. If you do jog with your dog in the summer, here are some options to protect your dog from the heat when jogging with your dog. • Canine backpacks – These are light, nylon, and hold two water bottles half frozen, carried in the pockets. • They are simple saddles with balanced pockets on either side. Often used in young dogs to carry water in summer and bricks the rest of the year. They wear the dog out in half the miles and give the teenager something to concentrate on when training, “putting them to work.” • Use lightweight, neck-relaxing leashes that
If you need more help with how to keep dogs cool in the heat, call us at 800.786.4751.
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Meet the breeds! Here is a new section dedicated to those animals we love! Each magazine will feature a different breed. Here we celebrate the 2022 AKC National Championship Breed, the English Bulldog, and the 2023 Westminster Winner, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Bulldog Kind but courageous, friendly but dignified, the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose ‘sourmug’ face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. These docile, loyal companions adapt well to town or country.
You can’t mistake a Bulldog for any other breed. The loose skin of the head, furrowed brow, pushed-in nose, small ears, undershot jaw with hanging chops on either side, and the distinctive rolling gait all practically scream ‘I’m a Bulldog!’ The coat, seen in a variety of colors and patterns, is short, smooth, and glossy. Bulldogs can weigh up to 50 pounds, but that won’t stop them from curling up in your lap, or at least trying to. But don’t mistake their easygoing ways for laziness. Bulldogs enjoy brisk walks and need regular moderate exercise, along with a careful diet, to stay trim. Summer afternoons are best spent in an air-conditioned room as a Bulldog’s short snout can cause labored breathing in hot and humid weather. Did You Know? The word “bull” appears in “Bulldog” due to the breed’s historical connection with bullbaiting, a popular sport in medival Europe that is now illegal. Information taken from www.akc.org. For more information, visit https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen The low-slung, shaggy-coated Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a vivacious French rabbit-hunting hound known for a happy demeanor and durable constitution. Bred to work in a pack, PBGVs enjoy company and do well with other dogs and kids.
A loose translation of the name describes the dog well: Petit (small), Basset (low), Griffon (shaggy), Vendéen (from the Vendée region of France). Put it all together and you have a diminutive hound, standing 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder, with short but strong legs and a rough tousled coat, bred to hunt rabbits on the rugged west coast of France. Other distinctive features of these little extroverts are a proudly carried head, a saber tail, and a loud, houndy bark. Did You Know? His name in French reveals much about him: petit - small; basset - low to the ground; griffon - rough or wire coated; and vendéen - the area of France in which he originated. Information taken from www.akc.org. For more information, visit https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/petit- basset-griffon-vendeen
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Toy & Small Dog Breed Newborn Puppy Care
Getting Toy & Small Breed Puppies Off to a Great Start Raising well-adjusted, confident toy and small breed puppies begins in the whelping box. Breeders have a pivotal role in helping them become small dogs with big personalities during the eight-week countdown from birth until going to new homes. In “Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog,” behavioral scientists John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller attribute 35 percent of a dog’s ultimate behavioral makeup to genetics and 65 percent to the management, training, socialization, nutrition, and health the dog receives as a puppy. Carman Battaglia, PhD, describes in his “Breeding Better Dogs” the U.S. military’s “Super Dog” program that uses early neurological stimulation of puppies. “These exercises help to kick in the neurological system earlier than normal,” he says. “This helps to build a strong cardiovascular system with stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, greater tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease. These pups are more active, more exploratory, calmer, and less distracted when working.” “Super Dog” exercises are done once a day for three to five seconds each when pups are from 3 to 16 days of age. They include: • Tactile stimulation tickling between the toes with a Q-tip® • Head held erect stimulation holding a pup in both hands perpendicular to the ground so the head is directly above the tail in an upward position • Head pointed down stimulation holding a pup in both hands with the head pointed downward toward the ground
• Supine position stimulation holding a pup on its back in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling • Thermal stimulation placing a pup feet down on a cool, damp towel Purina puppy behavior expert Annie Valuska, PhD, encourages socialization of puppies that is enriched with physical and mental challenges. “The more experiences puppies have during the critical period of socialization, the better prepared they are going to be in their new homes,” she says. “Puppies need things to move, chew, climb, carry, and tug to develop strength, agility and coordination skills. They should experience different textured surfaces, such as carpet, tile, grass, and concrete, and be desensitized to household sounds, such as a vacuum cleaner, mixer, television, and music.” As to nutritional considerations, toy and small breed dogs that weigh around 20 pounds as adults grow and develop quickly. Maturing between 9 and 12 months of age, these breeds should be fed a complete and balanced growth food specially formulated for toy and small breed puppies for the first year. Purina veterinarian Callie Harris, DVM, explains, “Small- breed puppies reach skeletal maturity faster than large- breed puppies, so a lot of growing takes place in a very short time. This requires energy, thus they need a food containing the right amount of the energy-supplying nutrients, such as protein, which will help support growing muscles and tissue development, and fat, which aids in palatability. “A growth diet is ideal because it contains the appropriate 10
amounts of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, vitamins, and omega fish oils with DHA for brain and vision development. Also, the smaller kibble size of toy and small breed puppy foods is easier for puppies to chew and encourages acceptability.” Dr. Harris offers these tips: Introduce solid food when puppies’ teeth begin to come in, usually around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Note that toy breed puppies should continue nursing until they are 6 to 8 weeks old, as these breeds do not have the enzymes necessary to produce glucose from the liver until they are older. Wean puppies by preparing a gruel mixture by grinding puppy food in a blender and then soaking it in warm water. Initially feed puppies the gruel mixture one time a day and then go to two times a day. In between feedings, puppies should have access to a dry feeder containing puppy food kibble. Establish a feeding routine as puppies get older to help keep the digestive system regular and make housetraining easier. Feed three to four equal-portioned meals a day, not exceeding their daily recommended intake, to help avoid juvenile or puppy hypoglycemia due to low glucose, or sugar, which results in weakness from not getting enough nutrients to meet energy needs. Toy breed puppies may need four to six meals a day. Do not supplement with additional minerals and vitamins if you feed a completed and balanced puppy or growth food, unless your veterinarian advises doing so. “Breeders should feed pups to grow at an average rather than a maximum rate for their breed and thus not overfeed. If you follow the food manufacturing guidelines on how much to feed based on the weight and age of the puppy, this is a great place to start. Consulting your veterinarian, you can then make adjustments as a puppy develops considering its weight gain and addressing any concerns that arise.” Raising a happy, healthy litter of toy or small breed puppies is rewarding. The time and energy spent starting at day one in the whelping box until puppies leave with their new families is well worth the effort. Purina Pro Plan Nutrition Specially Formulated for Toy & Small Breeds Purina Pro Plan Specialized Nutrition Puppy Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula and Purina Pro Plan Specialized Nutrition Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula provide complete and balanced nutrition for toy and small breed puppies. Both foods provide these nutritional attributes: • High in protein to meet the needs of highly active small dogs • DHA from omega-rich fish oil nourishes brain and vision development
• Antioxidants support a puppy’s developing immune system • Calcium, phosphorus and other mineral build strong bones and teeth • Bite-sized kibble makes chewing easier • Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health • Chicken is the first ingredient • Highly digestible for optimal nutrient delivery • Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A nourish skin and coat • No artificial colors or flavors For more information, visit www.purina.com/pro-plan/ dogs/puppy-food or call 800-778-7462. *The socialization period in totality is from 4 to 12 weeks Source: “Genetics and the Social Behavior of Dogs,” with socialization information from Purina veterinarian Dr. Callie Harris and Purina puppy behavior expert Dr. Annie Valuska
Article reprinted courtesy of Purina ProPlan. For more information, visit https://www.purinaproclub.com/dog- articles/health/toy-small-dog-newborn-puppy-care
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At Merck Animal Health, we’re focused on innovation. It’s the lifeblood of our industry and the path to tomorrow’s breakthrough products. Guided by our customers, we aim to offer products that are more than just effective tools for the treatment and control of animal disease. And because our customers come first, we strive to develop products that help improve the health of animals overall, and that benefit their owners as well. www.merck-animal-health.com
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A
The
RECIPES
Banana Pup Pops 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 banana (chopped into pieces), 1 tablespoon natural or organic peanut butter - make sure it is xylitol free!! Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Put all ingredients into food processor or blender and mix until well-combined and smooth. Divide the mixture into four paper cups. Position a jerky stick or a dog bone into the middle of the cup.Place the cups in the freezer for at least 4 hours. Peel the paper cup away from the pop and let your pup enjoy! Frozen Apple Dog Treats This super simple recipe only requires apples, greek yogurt, and water. If you use a conventional ice cube tray the recipe should make about 16 treats. Always be sure to remove the core and all of the seeds!
On a hot summer’s day, who wouldn’t love a big ol scoop of homemade icecream, or a popsicle to help cool down? Dogs love treats, so why not treat them with a homemade frozen snack?! Frozen Chicken Or Beef Broth Dogs love to chew on ice cubes, so why not give them some flavoured ones! You only need to freeze some low sodium broth in ice trays and you will have a easy, cool and flavoursome dog treat. Frozen Pumpkin Treats Pumpkin is very good for your pooch’s digestive tract and is easily available all year round. Blend some with a cup of yogurt, a teaspoon of honey and a banana, spoon it into ice trays and enjoy your dog loving it. Watermelon Summer Pops These delicious, summery, and easy-to-make treats only need you to puree some watermelon with some honey and some coconut milk (or water) and freeze. Make sure to remove the seeds or buy the seedless variety. Frozen Banana Treats Cut each banana into pieces. If you have a large dog, cut it into halves. If you have a smaller dog, try thirds or quarters. Place your banana pieces in the freezer. You may want to put them on a plate or inside Tupperware. Freeze for at least 30 minutes. Then pull out a homemade frozen dog treat and let your dog enjoy it!
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Canine Gaits – The Key to Your Dog’s Success and Health by Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR | May 11, 2023
Most horses are trained to walk, trot, canter, and gallop before they are ever entered in a competition event. However, most dogs are just left to figure out how to gait on their own, and this can lead them to develop abnormal and/ or less than optimal gaits. While many of us know how horses gait, those principles should not always be applied to canine gaits. After all, why would a prey animal with a minimally flexible spine, limbs that have limited rotation on their axes, and hooves move in the same way as a predator, which has a more flexible spine, limbs that rotate 270 degrees on their axes, and feet with separate toes? Dogs use four gaits: the walk, trot, canter, and gallop.
Horses use these same four gaits, but there are important ways in which the canter and gallop of dogs differ from those of horses. In addition, dogs have a transitional gait between the walk and the trot called the amble. Frequent use of the amble often leads to the development of an abnormal gait in dogs called the pace, which is a normal gait for some breeds of horses. With the increasing numbers of dogs participating in many different sports competitions, it is critical to thoroughly understand canine locomotion and gait. While most performance events require dogs to use a primary gait, such as the trot for conformation dogs, dogs use most or all of the gaits at some point in other events and they need to know how to transition smoothly and safely between those gaits. Table 1 provides examples of the primary, secondary, and other gaits that dogs use in different performance events.
Table 1. Gaits Used in Various Performance Events Event Primary Gait Secondary Gait Others Conformation trot walk Agility gallop canter trot, walk Obedience trot canter walk Rally walk trot canter Hunt Tests gallop canter trot Tracking walk trot Fast CAT gallop canter
Nosework/ Scent Work
walk
trot
With the increasing numbers of dogs participating in many different sports competitions, it is critical to thoroughly understand canine locomotion and gait. While most performance events require dogs to use a primary gait, such as the trot for conformation dogs, dogs use most or all of the gaits at some point in other events and they need to know how to transition smoothly and safely between those gaits. The Four Canine Gaits The Walk When a dog walks, it first moves one rear leg forward,
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then the front leg on that same side. It next moves the other rear leg forward and then the front leg on that side. So, the pattern of footfall for the walk is RR, RF, LR, LF. When a dog is walking, there are either two or three feet on the ground at any given time. The walk is the only dog gait in which there are ever three feet on the ground, so if you ever see a photo or video showing a dog with three feet on the ground, you know it is walking. The Trot This is the most efficient gait for many breeds. Wolves have been known
The Gallop The gallop starts with the dog’s spine flexed and the two rear feet on the ground, one foot (the lead foot) slightly ahead of the other. The rear limbs and spine extend, creating a moment of suspension during which the front legs swing forward. The front feet then hit the ground, with one leg (the lead leg) slightly ahead of the other. As the front legs push against the ground, powering the dog forward, the dog experiences another moment of suspension while it flexes the spine and swings the rear legs forward to start the cycle again. The Amble – A Transitional Gait As a walking dog speeds up, each rear leg that swings forward is quickly followed by the front leg on the same side. Eventually, the two legs on the same side of the body are moving forward almost together. However, if you look closely or view with a slow-motion video, you will see that there still are moments with three feet on the ground. Thus, this gait is still a form of the walk—just a fast walk. Ambling dogs look very ungainly. The rear end sways from side to side, wasting energy that could be used to power the dog forward. In addition, the dog doesn’t lift the feet very high, often scuffling them along the ground. Further, an ambling dog often moves at the same speed as it could at an easy trot. The wasted horizontal energy of the amble is one reason why the amble is not a preferred gait and should be used only for short periods when transitioning from a walk to a trot or when a tired dog wants to rest its trotting muscles. The Pace – An Abnormal Gait Another reason why the amble is not a preferred gait 20
to cover 100 miles a day, mainly using the trot. When trotting, first two diagonally opposite front and rear legs swing forward (e.g., RF & LR). This is followed by a moment of suspension in the air, during which the other diagonally opposite front and rear legs swing forward and then bear the dog’s weight (e.g., LF & RR). That is followed by another moment of suspension, and the cycle repeats. The Canter The canter and gallop are the two gaits where the dog’s pattern of footfall is very different from that of horses. When dogs canter, first, one rear leg moves forward and bears the dog’s weight. Then the other rear leg and the front leg on that same side move forward and strike the ground almost together. This is followed by the remaining front leg. Therefore, the order of footfall is either RR, LR-LF, RF or LR, RR-RF, LF. This order of footfall results in a rotary canter. Of the two rear or the two front legs, the second one to strike the ground is called the lead leg, because it lands on the ground physically ahead of the opposite leg. So, in the first example above, the dog is using the left lead in the rear and the right lead in the front. (Note: lead legs only occur in the canter and gallop, not in the walk or trot.) In contrast to dogs, horses use a transverse canter in which they use the same lead in the front and the rear. Dogs use the transverse canter only about five percent of the time, usually when they are transitioning between gaits. The rotary canter allows dogs to turn very sharply and with greater power and drive from the rear. It is likely that horses’ relatively inflexible spines prevent them from taking advantage of the rotary canter.
is because it frequently evolves into a pace, which is an abnormal gait for all breeds of dogs. When an ambling dog gradually speeds up, eventually those two legs on the same side of the body that are moving forward together end up bearing all of the dog’s weight. The two legs on the other side of the body then swing forward and, after a brief moment of suspension, they in turn bear the dog’s weight. The pacing dog has only two feet on the ground at any given time, either both right or both left feet. The pace is an inefficient gait because the dog’s center of gravity keeps shifting from side to side and the dog has to use energy to keep recentering its weight. That energy could be used to drive the dog’s body forward instead. In addition, pacing dogs cannot readily change speed and they do not have a wide range of speeds at which they can move without having to slow down to an amble or speed up to a trot. Training Dogs to Gait With more dogs participating in a variety of different sports events, it is essential for owners to understand what normal and abnormal gaits look like and how to train dogs to gait optimally. Gait training should start with training dogs to trot, which is the foundation gait for dogs. It is important to train dogs to trot because: • The trot is the primary or secondary gait for many performance events, and the only gait used in conformation.
• The trot is the best gait for aerobic conditioning. This is because each front leg and each rear leg have to bear all of the dog’s weight without any help from the opposite limb. • The trot is the best way to detect musculoskeletal or neurological injuries. Early signs of lameness may be seen as an elevated head or pelvis during the moment when the painful leg is bearing weight. • The trot is the best way to monitor progress during treatment of the injured dog and to determine when the dog has achieved full recovery and can return to the games they love. For much more detailed information, with lots of images and videos demonstrating normal and abnormal canine gaits and information on how to train the walk, trot, canter, and gallop to optimize your dog’s performance and to help prevent injuries, visit https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ gaittraining. To get the latest cutting edge info about dogs from Chris Zink, see https://vimeo.com/chriszink With more dogs participating in a variety of different sports events, it is essential for owners to understand what normal and abnormal gaits look like and how to train dogs to gait optimally. Gait training should start with training dogs to trot, which is the foundation gait for dogs.
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Coat Care: Preventing Matted Hair WHY IS HAIR OR FUR IMPORTANT TO DOG HEALTH AND WELL-BEING? It protects the skin from chemicals, bacteria, and physical injury. It also helps regulate body temperature: • Coat glossiness reflects sunlight to aid in cooling. • It also acts as a barrier to block wind, rain, and snow to aid in warming. • Color, length, and density can help retain or dissipate heat.
DID YOU KNOW? Mats are commonly found under the collar, behind the ears, and in the armpits—areas where there is rubbing. In order for the coat to be healthy and protect the dog, it’s important to keep it clean and free of mats .
l be painful l cause skin irritation l hide foreign bodies, such as ingrown collars l hide tumors, injuries, or other skin disease l trap foreign material such as leaves, twigs, mud, urine, or feces MATTED HAIR MAY:
l interfere with vision, hearing, and chewing l interfere with urination and defecation l interfere with normal movement l interfere with temperature regulation, both cooling and warming
How Do I Keep My Dog’s Coat Healthy and Mat-Free?
Don’t Forget Feet and Ears!
It’s best to prevent mats by regular brushing and grooming. The frequency of brushing, whether daily or weekly, is going to vary by breed, type, and length of hair. When mats occur, they can be removed by shaving with clippers or cutting with scissors even if the dog is not due to be groomed. PRACTICAL TIP Clippers get hot with use and may burn the skin. Try using a clipper cooling product or alternating between two pairs of clippers. Scissors can cut the skin as well as the mat. Try using blunt-tipped (bandage) scissors.
These areas mat easily and can trap moisture that may lead to skin infections. Removing hair from the top and under the ear flap and the bottom of the feet in between the paw pads is the best way to prevent problems.
This Animal Care Aid is part of a series developed to provide information about skin issues in dogs. Refer to the other topics covered in the series for more information on skin, feet, and ear care.
Questions? Email us at CenterforAnimalWelfare@aphis.usda.gov The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Animal Care Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service AC-18-001 • Issued June 2018
Credit: Dog illustration at upper right created by Cristiano Zoucas from the Noun Project
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ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS ARE LOBBYING CONGRESS FOR ANTI-BREEDER DOG LAWS Here’s Why Their Chances Are Better This Year, and What You Can Do to Stop Them. by Sheila Goffe May 10, 2023
Every year, the AKC Government Relations Department (AKC GR) tracks and responds to dozens of federal bills and proposed regulations that could impact our rights as dog owners to breed our dogs responsibly and participate in our sport. GR also tracks approximately 2,500 bills and regulations each year that impact dog owners at the state and local level. However, federal legislation carries particular weight because passage of even a single anti-breeder bill in Congress could wipe out hundreds of breeding programs—and our sport as we know it. Recently, AKC GR put out an urgent alert urging all club members, exhibitors, owners, and breeders to contact their member of Congress in opposition to two anti-breeder bills that animal rights/ “protection” groups are seeking to pass by including them in the 2023 farm bill. If you haven’t done so yet, please take action. Fancier involvement is urgently needed to stop the animal-rights supported Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) and Goldies Act (H.R. 1788). About The Farm Bill Although dog bills typically don’t top the charts of concerns in Congress, once every five years, the threat of extensive federal canine legislation expands exponentially. Most federal legislation and regulation impacting dog breeders, including breeder licensing programs, are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. Agricultural programs, which include nutrition and food security, represent an enormous chunk of the federal budget. It’s so large (approximately $500 Billion over five years), that budgetary reauthorization for USDA programs occurs only once every five years, in a bill simply known as “The Farm Bill.” And 2023 is the year. The Farm Bill funds crucial programs so it’s “must-pass” legislation. As a result, just about every interest with a related bill recognizes the farm bill as an opportunity to attach their own favorite projects to the bill. Extreme animal rights or “protection” (AR) groups (and many other mainstream organizations) are no exception. This year, groups such as the Human Society of the United States (now simply calling themselves “The Humane Society”); the Animal Wellness Action Network, a new extreme animal group led by Wayne Pacelle; and the ASCPA are among the groups with high- powered lobbyists and coffers into the millions pushing legislation that could harm all breeders and particularly devastate small hobby breeders. Understanding the Context of AR Lobbying & Legislative Impact Lobbyists for animal extremist groups and others have been trolling the halls of Congress since the beginning of the session, but they’re prioritizing two anti-breeder bills: the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) and Goldies Act (H.R. 1788).
Among the unsupported claims made by these groups is that there are “tens of thousands of puppy mills” in the United States (in fact, 10,000 is the approximate number of breeders regulated by USDA, underscoring the AR narrative that considers any kennel subject to USDA licensing a “puppy mill”). Another claim they make is that bills would not impact responsible or hobby breeders. This is also false. To understand the impact of this legislation and the false narrative put forward by AR groups; consider who is subject to USDA licensing, and likewise, who these groups are targeting as “puppy mills.” If you’ve ever maintained more than a few intact female dogs and/or cats and shipped a puppy sight unseen, you could be affected. For more information, and to see if you are subject to USDA licensing click here. The Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) This bill seeks to add new, arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates to federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations governing breeders subject to USDA licensing. It could require hobby breeders to build and place their dogs in industrial, commercial-style kennels, and undermine quality breed-based care. Though labeled as commercial breeding regulations, the one-size-fits-all requirements also apply to some small hobby breeders (see fact sheets). Specifically, it establishes government mandates that: Prohibit the breeding of a female dog: • Unless pre-screened by a veterinarian. No specific details are provided on what the screening would involve or who would make these decisions. • Based arbitrarily on the age and size of the dog. • If it would produce more than two litters in an 18-month period. Additional arbitrary requirements include, but are not limited to: • Mandates “unfettered access” from dogs’ primary enclosures to an outdoor exercise area large enough that it “allows dogs to extend to full stride.” This would create a potentially dangerous environment for multiple dogs that do not get along, accidental breedings, other poor animal management practices, etc. • Mandated annual dental exams. • Mandated indoor space sufficient to allow the tallest dog in an enclosure to stand on his or her hind legs without touching the roof of the enclosure. For family dogs that live in their owner’s homes, a primary enclosure may be considered the dog’s sleeping crate. • Prohibition on the keeping of dogs in enclosures above 85 degrees or below 45 degrees F, regardless of breed or acclimation needs for dogs that hunt, sled, detect
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explosives, or do other work and thrive in cooler temperatures, or that must be acclimated to cooler or warmer temperatures for their safety. • Completely solid flooring, despite scientific recognition that multiple types of high-quality flooring, including engineered slatted flooring, is beneficial in certain types of kennels and with certain breeds. Why This is a Problem While some portions of the measures include reasonable generalized guidelines for canine care, arbitrary requirements that ignore best practices for individual outcomes are not appropriate for federal mandates. One-size-fits-all requirements do not take into account the broad range of breeds and types of dogs, or best health and breeding practices. They also do not allow for creative approaches that permit expert breeders and owners to provide optimal care for their individual dogs and advance the art and science of responsible dog breeding. Arbitrary restrictions can be expensive and undermine small hobby breeding programs because of an overly-broad definition of “breeding female” that impacts who is subject to federal requirements. To learn more, see and share: Proposal Would Undermine Animal Welfare, DC Journal, April 20, 2023 Breeder Expertise, Thoughtful Analysis Demonstrate Dangerous Flaws in ‘Feel Good’ Dog Law. • Redefine AWA violations and undermine priority for the care and well-being of animals by removing a distinction between care and welfare (direct) violations and paperwork/non-welfare related (indirect) violations. While zero violations of any rules or laws should be the goal, the care and wellbeing of animals must always be a priority. Reporting paperwork errors in the same manner as care violations also creates a misleading perception about breeder licensees and creates a new target for animal extremists who use those public databases to identify breeders. • Require inspectors to destroy or remove an animal if they believe it is in “psychological distress.” The bill does not determine how “psychological distress” would be determined or by whom. This creates an environment for abuse and unnecessary euthanasia of animals. • State the intent to expand enforcement of federal breeder licensing requirements, but in fact throw out recent enforcement enhancements currently in the middle of a three-year implementation process. Instead of improving enforcement of the AWA, it creates confusing and onerous new mandates, and undermines recently established enforcement efforts. Constantly changing arbitrary rules creates a confusing, expensive, and potentially harmful Goldie’s Act (HR 1788) Establishes Government Mandates that:
environment for animal care in which neither licensees nor regulators may be certain of requirements. Who These Bills Apply To Anyone subject to USDA breeder/dealer licensing. Breeders are subject to USDA licensing if they maintain more than four (4) “breeding females” (a term that is undefined but is generally considered to mean an intact female) and transfer even one of the offspring “sight unseen.” “Breeding females” include any combination of cats, dogs, or other small pet mammals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. Your Involvement is Crucial! Here’s an Easy Way You Can Make a Difference.* Your member of Congress needs to hear from you. Please call, email, or write to your member of Congress today. Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center and scroll down to the box on the right rail (Find Officials). Type in your address in the “Find Your Elected Officials” box to find out who represents you and get their contact information. Tell them: 1.Ask them to oppose the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) and Goldies Act (H.R. 1788) because their one-size-fits-all mandates undermine animal well-being and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. These bills are “feel good” proposals developed without the experience and scientific expertise of breeder experts. The one-size-fits- all requirements fail to recognize the diversity of licensees and the types or breeds of dogs impacted, and could harm some dogs. 2.Explain you are a constituent. Respectfully share your experience and concerns as a dog owner/breeder/expert and based on the talking points above. Breeders: Relying on your experience, explain in practical terms how the new mandates could adversely impact your breeding program. 3.Ask them to not support advancing the Puppy Protection Act or Goldie’s Act in committee or in the Farm Bill. Tell them, despite claims being made by AR groups, these bills do impact responsible small breeders. 4.Ask them to instead support additional financial resources for USDA so they can appropriately enforce the requirements they already have. 5.If you can, let the AKC GR team (doglaw@akc.org) know that you contacted your lawmakers and if you received any response. Taking action today can help protect the future of our breeds, our sport, and the integrity of responsible, expert breeders. Your voice does make a difference!
For questions or more information, contact doglaw@akc. org, visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center or contact 919-816- 3720. *This information was previously published as an AKC Legislative alert on 4/26/23. 25
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Flea Control for Dogs Fleas are tiny insects that feed on warm-blooded animals. Beyond the intense itching and discomfort they cause, fleas can also endanger your dogs’ health.
Health Risks
Parasites Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs and pass the parasite on to a dog or to a person if accidentally ingested. Dogs are likely to swallow an infected flea while grooming or licking themselves. Disease Fleas can also carry the bacteria that causes plague, a disease that threatens both animals and people. The United States typically has several cases of plague every year.
Anemia Large numbers of fleas can consume enough of a dog’s blood to cause anemia. Anemia will make your dog feel tired and weak and can even be fatal. Smaller dogs and puppies are especially at risk.
DID YOU KNOW? If a dog has pale gums, it may be anemic.
Check for Fleas
Protect Your Dogs All dogs are at risk of picking up fleas from their environment. You can protect your dogs by taking a few simple steps: l KEEP YOUR PROPERTY WELL-MAINTAINED (cut grass, remove overgrown vegetation, etc.). This discourages flea-carrying wildlife and rodents from visiting. l CHECK YOUR DOGS REGULARLY. Finding and treating fleas early helps prevent an infestation. l USE PREVENTIVE TREATMENT. There are many options available that kill fleas before they lay eggs.
PRACTICAL TIP Flea preventives
come in many forms. While certain products work well together, others counteract one another and should not be used at the same time. TALK WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN about flea prevention to find the best option for your dogs.
Brush or comb your dog’s fur or part the fur to see down to their skin. The best places to check are the lower back, near the tail, or the abdomen. Look for adult fleas or flea feces (often called “flea dirt”), which resemble ground coffee. Flea feces are mostly dried blood and make reddish- brown streaks when mixed with a little water.
Learn more: www.aphis.usda.gov/animalwelfare/aids The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Animal Care AC-21-005 • Issued May 2021
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SIGNS OF KENNEL STRESS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR QUICK ACTION MAY PREVENT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS A well-maintained kennel that includes proper sanitation and odor control and is free of parasites and rodents helps to reduce stress in dogs.
Kennel stress affects dogs in many ways. If steps are taken early when signs first appear, problems can be averted before they become serious. On the other hand, prolonged severe stress can compromise immune function and put an entire kennel at risk. Stress is defined as anything that challenges a dog to change or adapt to new circumstances. Purina Research Scientist Ragen T.S. McGowan, PhD, says,
distemper, hepatitis, and rabies. In contrast, an indi- vidual dog is likely to experience long-term severe stress in response to a health condition, such as cancer or autoimmune disease. “The stress response is normal, and in many situ- ations of acute stress, it prepares the dog for chal- lenges ahead,” Dr. McGowan says. “Mild short-term stressors actually help a dog to build the skills nec-
“There are many factors that can lead to stress in dogs, and some dogs are better equipped to handle stress than others. Some individuals are easygoing, and others are more anxious, mak- ing it difficult for them to adapt readily to anything new.” Some stress is considered good for dogs and necessary for development. Short-term, low-level stress that occurs when puppies and adult dogs are vaccinated is necessary to provide protection from dis- eases, such as parvovirus,
essary to be behaviorally flexible and cope with anything that comes his way. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can be detri- mental from both a behavioral and physiological standpoint. Long-term stress can be detri- mental to the immune system, leaving a dog more susceptible to disease.” In a kennel environment, stressors could include crowding, lack of adequate shelter or food, noise, and negative or continual threatening behavior from other dogs.
SIGNS OF STRESS IN DOGS •Repetitive behavior •Extreme or abnormal behavior, such as hiding or cowering in the back of the ken- nel and excessive neediness or clinginess •Excessive self-grooming •Increased heart rate, panting or shallow breathing •Change in eating habits, such as not eat- ing or eating too little or too much •Diarrhea or constipation •Restlessness or sleeplessness •Chronic vocal behavior, such as barking, whining or crying •Total shut-down behavior
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