Fourth Quarter 2003 - American Hairless Terrier Association

Transcription

Knows and Tales
... the official newsletter of the American Hairless Terrier Association
Oct/Nov/Dec Issue - page 1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
page number
AHRTC Minutes of Meeting
3
I Can’t Wait for the Raffle by Karyn Pingel
4
What’s Really in Pet Food
6
Breeder/Exhibitor Profile
7
AHRTC Dog Show
12
President’s Message
12
How Much does that Puppy Cost - Kady Harrington
13
Officers:
President Teri Murphy
Vice President Ryan Pingel
Secretary Kelley Williams
Treasurer Bonnie Turner
Board Members:
Sharon Blair
Robert Collins
Kady Harrington
Melissa Kidd
Helen Schrader
Minutes for the General Meeting
Held on September 11, 2003
Draft
American Hairless Rat Terrier Club
Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m.
September 11, 2003.
Attendees: President Teri Murphy, Vice President
Ryan Pingel, Treasurer Bonnie Turner, Karyn Pingel,
Michael Turner and Wm. Sutera. A quorum was present.
Reports from officers:
President’s Report: Teri Murphy reviewed
the AHRTC’s accomplishments including efforts to
develop the hairless variety of the Rat Terrier through
the sport of purebred dogs, articulating the breed
standard, separating our variety from the Rat Terrier,
developing membership, and hosting two annual UKC
shows.
The President reported the January, 2004 meeting of the American Hairless Terrier Club would
address the new UKC AHT Breed standard and the
club’s constitution and by-laws.
No Secretary’s Report.
Treasurer Bonnie Turner reported the club was
solvent with savings.
No committee reports were offered by those in
attendance.
Old Business:
The new club logo was discussed with unanimous approval.
Ryan Pingel reported on the club’s web site
www.ahrtc.com. Ryan reported that an online national
map, indicating the locations where volunteers to participate with allergy exposure trials, was in progress.
A discussion regarding potential liability concerns promoting hands-on allergen testing with prospective AHT owners. Mike Turner suggested the Club
include a disclaimer stating although we would like to
help, neither the club nor any club members participating with an allergy test, is responsible if an unforeseen
allergic reaction occurs.
Karyn Pingel said she will be submitting a
questionnaire to be answered by those interested in
allergy testing with a like article for the club’s newslet-
ter.
Bonnie Turner reported the AHRTC received
a letter of appreciation from the ‘Ratbone Rescue’
organization for our support of their effort to rescue
Rat Terriers in need of homes.
New Business:
Teri Murphy lead a discussion on how best to
develop membership. One suggestion was to create
and publish a members list so that our membership
was offered a means to contact each other and help
promote communication between members.
There is still time to become a “charter
member’ of the American Hairless Terrier Association.
After January 1, 2004 charter membership will no
longer be available. Mike Turner’s suggested we
consider offering a free initial year membership to
increase club membership. It was also discussed to
offer a free year to charter members, i.e., current members that have joined before January 1, 2004.
Motion: To suspend the annual dues for club
year 2004 for charter club members was made by
Mike Turner and seconded by Wm. Sutera, carried
unanimously.
Clarification was made regarding some of the
responsibilities of the Secretary and Treasurer. The
Constitution and By-Laws suggest it is the responsibility of the Secretary to supply new membership
applicants with an application and code of ethics and
subsequently receiving their initial membership dues
whereas it is the Treasurer’s responsibility to collect
dues from club members by sending out a dues notice
and collecting the yearly dues.
A draft version of the proposed Constitution
and By-Laws and the proposed UKC breed standard
was passed around for review. Teri Murphy explained
the process of submitting these documents to the
United Kennel Club for their review after which the
Constitution and By-Laws and Breed Standard comes
back to the Club for ratification.
There was some discussion regarding the
Club’s on-line newsletter “Knows and Tales.” Wm.
Sutera was asked to look into the viability of changing
the newsletter from a quarterly to a bi-monthly in the
near future.
A motion to adjourn the meeting made by Mike
Turner, seconded by Karyn Pingel and unanimously
carried at 9:05 p.m.
“I Can’t Wait for the Raffle”
Karyn Pingel
think that most would agree that raising funds is
not on the top of anyone’s “I can’t wait to do
it” list. Unfortunately fund raising is a necessary
part of helping dog clubs promote and improve their
breed through education, hosting conformation shows,
donating to rescue organizations, etc. Without money,
none of this would be possible. Clubs, like the American Hairless Rat Terrier Club (soon to be American
Hairless Terrier Association), primarily rely on monies
generated from membership fees and entry fees from
shows. However, club sponsored raffles are a fun and
easy way to raise money as well.
I
the amount of exposure their product will get). Also
include any positive things the club has done such
as yearly donations to a rescue organization. A line
like, “When thinking about where to go for donations,
we thought “you (insert name of company or product
info)” would be a perfect choice.” Make sure to thank
them for their support and provide them with a way
to contact you in the event that they have further questions or need more information.
Also create a “generic” thank you letter to send after
the donation was received. Something like this is
appropriate: “The American Hairless Rat Terrier Club
(or other club name) thanks you for your generous
donation to our raffle, which will be held on (date).
In order to make your raffle successful, organization is The (item donated) is a perfect raffle item! Supporters
key. Once you have a plan, it’s pretty simple. You will like you allow our club to continue to promote and
need to start with a raffle coordinator or two. Actually, protect our rare breed. Thank you again. Your contrihaving two people designated to the raffle helps divide bution is greatly appreciated.”
the work and makes the tasks more manageable. To
Before sending out any donation letters, you’ll need
get started, select a date for the raffle to be held. It
to create a database or chart to track donations. This
is always a good idea to have the raffle in connection
with a club sponsored dog show or event. Once that is should include the names of the individuals/companies
contacted, their address, phone number, date condecided, start collecting items. It is never too early to
tacted, what was pledged as a donation, date item was
begin identifying donors.
received, and date thank you note was sent.
Create a
“generic”
donation
letter with
the club
logo.
These will
need to be
personalized for
each contact.
Include
the following
information in
your
letter:
club’s
name,
event
details including city and state, date, and number of
entries typically expected (gives them an idea as to
Who do you
contact? Start
with other members of the club.
They are typically looking
for a way to
help out the club
and have several
ways to
“donate.” They
can donate
money that will
go towards the
purchase of
expensive,
highly desired
items that will
drive ticket sales
(e.g., dog
crates). They
can donate new items specific to a breed (e.g., AHT
“On Board” sign) , or for all dogs’ use (e.g., leads,
food, treats), or even people oriented gifts (e.g., jewelry, gift certificates for restaurants/stores). If it is
something that YOU’D like to win, then it is something that will work for the raffle. You can also help
the club members contact businesses in their area by
providing them with the donation letter. They can take
the letter to places that they frequent, as places that
know you are more likely to donate than those that
you “cold call.” An example of a good place to start
is your vet. Ask for flea/tick prevention, grooming
supplies, food, whatever your vet is willing to donate.
You can also try your local pet store or store where
you typically purchase your dog food. Larger stores,
such as SuperTarget and Petsmart, are often willing to
donate as well.
While your club members are trying to obtain donations in their area of the country, you should work on
YOUR local merchants. Another avenue is to attend
AKC shows that traditionally have multiple vendors
and ask for donations for the raffle. You can also
search the internet for unique dog items and request
a donation from that company. Sometimes, they are
unable to provide a “free” donation due to the number
of requests they get, but they will usually reduce the
cost, waive the shipping, or provide a free item when
one is purchased. You will have to use your judgment
as to whether the “deal” is worth using some of the
donated funds on or not. Remember, you are trying to
MAKE money for the club!
The key to getting the donations is to keep trying.
You will never know if someone would provide you
with a donation, unless you ask! When the donations
start arriving, and they will, keep the database updated.
Post progress periodically to club members to get their
enthusiasm up and include donors’ on the emails sent
out. The more publicity you provide them, the happier
they will be about their choice to donate.
Prior to the day of the raffle, I have found it useful
to prepackage the items in gift bags, baskets, or even
dog bowls. You will likely have items that are not
“worthy” of winning on their own, but when combined
with a larger prize, both are enhanced. Take some time
to create a handout that includes all of the sponsors’
information as well as some large banners for hanging
at the show site. Again, this is all a way to thank your
donors and provide them with advertising. Also, be
aware that people attending the dog show will likely
bring items to the raffle. You will need to be ready
to add them into the baskets already created or put
together some new ones on the spot.
That brings me to the supplies you’ll need to set-up
the raffle. Make sure you have a table or two to set
the items on. Also bring the raffle tickets, brown paper
lunch bags, numbers, markers, tape, and signage with
prices for tickets (e.g., $5 = 6 tickets, $10 = 14 tickets,
$20 = 30 tickets). There are different ways to do the
raffle, however, I have found that people prefer to put
their tickets towards the item(s) of their choice rather
than holding up an item and calling out a number. You
can imagine the disappointment of a German Shepherd
owner when they win a tiny t-shirt and tiny dog supplies! Instead, number the gifts and hang a numbered
paper bag for EACH of the items off the table. That
way, the participants can place their ticket into the bag
that corresponds to the item(s) they wish to win.
When show participants start arriving, have your fliers
ready and give one to every person that registers a
dog for the show. Give additional information about
the raffle, such as when it will be held, how you buy
tickets, describe some of the items available in order
to get interest up. Make sure you tell EVERYONE
about it!
Have one person at the raffle table at all times to
answer questions and sell tickets. Designate another
with the job of walking around to sell tickets. Don’t
be afraid to ask EVERYONE to purchase tickets. The
worst thing they can say is, “no.” Right??
Once last call for tickets has occurred, have a volunteer, junior handlers love to help, start pulling one
ticket from each bag. Tape that winning ticket to
the outside of the bag. The ticket holders will have
to check their tickets against the ticket pulled to determine if they won.
It makes all of the work worthwhile when the winners
collect their new belongings with HUGE smiles! Of
course, when you count the money earned for the club,
you’ll be the one with the smile!
Good luck and happy raffling! For additional information, please contact me at [email protected].
O
human food products have a captive market in which to capitalize
on their waste products, and pet food divisions have a more
reliable capital base and, in many cases, a convenient source of
ingredients.
There are hundreds of different pet foods available in
this country. And while many of the foods on the market are
similar, not all of the pet food manufacturing companies use poor
quality or potentially dangerous ingredients.
Ingredients
After investigating dog food, commercial feeds available
Although the purchase price of pet food does not always
and speaking with knowledgeable dog breeder/exhibitors, I chose
determine
whether a pet food is good or bad, the price is often a
to feed the best commercial dog food I could find supplementing
good
indicator
of quality. It would be impossible for a company
only small amounts of fresh, raw poultry on a daily basis. I
that
sells
a
generic
brand of dog food at $9.95 for a 40-lb. bag to
noticed shortly after adding raw poultry that their teeth sparkled,
use
quality
protein
and grain in its food. The cost of purchasing
their breath was puppy fresh.
quality ingredients would be much higher than the selling price.
The protein used in pet food comes from a variety of
I read the following article on commercial dog food
sources.
When
cattle, swine, chickens, lambs, or other animals
about a year ago. I was fascinated by it. This article was like
are
slaughtered,
the choice cuts such as lean muscle tissue are
“Commercial Dog Food 1.01” for me. I hope you find it as
trimmed
away
from
the carcass for human consumption. Howinteresting as I did.
ever,
about
50%
of
every
food-producing animal does not get
Editor
used in human foods. Whatever remains of the carcass -- bones,
blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, and almost all the other parts
not generally consumed by humans -- is used in pet food, animal
feed, and other products. These “other parts” are known as “bylump whole chickens, choice cuts of beef,
products,” “meat-and-bone-meal,” or similar names on pet food
fresh grains, and all the wholesome nutrition
labels.
your dog or cat will ever need.
The Pet Food Institute -- the trade association of pet food
These are the images pet food manufacturers
manufacturers -- acknowledges the use of bypromulgate through the media and advertisThis report explores products in pet foods as additional income
ing. This is what the $11 billion per year
for processors and farmers: “The growth of
U.S. pet food industry wants consumers to
the pet food industry not only provided
believe they are buying when they purchase
the differences between
pet owners with better foods for their pets,
their products.
but also created profitable additional markets
This report explores the differences
what consumers think they for American farm products and for the
between what consumers think they are
byproducts of the meat packing, poultry, and
buying and what they are actually getting. It
other food industries which prepare food for
focuses in very general terms on the most
are buying and what they human consumption.”1
visible name brands -- the pet food labels
Many of these remnants provide a
that are mass-distributed to supermarkets and
questionable
source of nourishment for our
are actually ge ing.
discount stores -- but there are many highly
animals. The nutritional quality of meat and
respected brands that may be guilty of the
poultry by-products, meals, and digests can
same offenses.
vary from batch to batch. James Morris and Quinton Rogers,
What most consumers don’t know is that the pet food
two professors with the Department of Molecular Biosciences,
industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture indusUniversity of California at Davis Veterinary School of Medicine,
tries. Pet food provides a market for slaughterhouse offal, grains
assert that, “There is virtually no information on the bioavailabilconsidered “unfit for human consumption,” and similar waste
ity of nutrients for companion animals in many of the common
products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines,
dietary ingredients used in pet foods. These ingredients are generudders, esophagi, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal
ally by-products of the meat, poultry and fishing industries, with
parts.
the potential for a wide variation in nutrient composition. Claims
Three of the five major pet food companies in the United
of nutritional adequacy of pet foods based on the current AssociaStates are subsidiaries of major multinational companies: Nestlé
tion of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient allow(Alpo, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Mighty Dog, and Ralston Purina
ances (‘profiles’) do not give assurances of nutritional adequacy
products such as Dog Chow, ProPlan, and Purina One), Heinz
and will not until ingredients are analyzed and bioavailability
(9 Lives, Amore, Gravy Train, Kibbles-n-Bits, Nature’s Recipe),
values are incorporated.”2
Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s Science Diet Pet Food). Other leading
companies include Procter & Gamble (Eukanuba and Iams), Mars
Continued on page 8 ...
(Kal Kan, Mealtime, Pedigree, Sheba, Waltham’s), and Nutro.
From a business standpoint, multinational companies owning pet
food manufacturing companies is an ideal relationship. The multinationals have increased bulk-purchasing power; those that make
ur dogs hold a special, unique place in our lives.
They depend upon us for their care and wellbeing in exchange they love us unconditionally. In part, that is
why we do our best to ensure their health is maintained beginning
with selecting the right dog food for them … but what is the right
dog food? The choice is yours but it should be made with an
understanding of what are the options.
What’s Really in Pet Food
P
Breeder Profile
A breeder/exhibitor question and answer interview
Wm. Sutera
St. Petersburg, Florida
1.
What part of the country do you live in?
a.
I recently moved from Nyack, NY to Saint
Petersburg, Florida.
2.
Have you been involved in dogs long?
a.
For about seventeen years now. My first breed,
living in Manhattan, was a Pug. I joined the local
club and found dog shows through club involvement.
After I moved to a house, I was introduced to the
American Eskimo Dog and the United Kennel Club. I
bred several double champions within this breed until
I was forced by litigation from my neighbor to stop
in this breed.
3.
Is your family involved?
a.
No, I fly solo. I did for several years have
someone that I went to shows, however.
4.
If anybody, who helped you get involve with
the AHT?
a.
Feeling disappointed and jaded from my
involvement with the American Kennel Club (AKC)
I began to research breeds that were not AKC recognized but United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized.
Cindy Cooke initially suggested the American Hairless
Terrier (AHT) to me. I contacted Robert Collins,
whom I enjoyed talking with very much, and that lead
me to Teri Murphy and the website. I went to the
“Officers” page and found the names, email addresses
and telephone numbers of several people involved with
this breed. I began to be interested in the AHT through
them.
5.
Are you involved with the AHT Association?
a.
Yes, I have enjoyed being a part of our breed
club and going to the club sponsored dog shows, very
much. I am so impressed with the people involved in
this breed.
6.
What skills, knowledge or background do you
have in regard to dogs?
a.
The sport of purebred dogs has been my passion for many years now. I have a broad understanding
of dogs. Primarily I enjoy exhibiting at UKC dog
shows. I am knowledgeable regarding the care, show
training and feeding of dogs.
7.
Would you describe your environment, e.g., do
you live in on a farm, house, apartment, etc.?
a.
Back in the 1980’s I lived in an apartment in
New York City. After finding the sport of purebred
dogs to be a demanding but thoroughly rewarding
avocation, I bought a house. I have continued to live in
a house since it lends itself to dogs much better than
apartment living. My dogs have a yard and it is much
easier to manage noise.
8.
Do you have one or several AHTs?
a.
I have two AHTs: “Ayrieanna” and “Emma”.
Ayrieanna is a little over a year and hairless and Emma
is a few months over two years and a coated outcross.
There personalities, like their coat texture, are opposite. The world revolves around Ayrieanna whereas
Emma is somewhat reserved.
9.
What, in your opinion, is the best thing about
the AHT?
a.
There are many things I love about the AHT
but maybe their play nature is what I love the most.
10.
Do you breed?
a.
Yes, the sport of purebred dogs is about producing and exhibiting dogs that best meet the Breed
Standard.
11.
How do you select a stud dog for a breeding? a.
Primarily I look at the puppies an available
stud dog is producing. Evaluating the pedigree to help
decide which stud dog would be best for my bitch is
also important.
Continued on page 17
industry, cereal and grain products now replace a considerable
proportion of the meat that was used in the first commercial pet
continued from page 6 “What’s Really in Pet Food”
foods. The availability of nutrients in these products is dependent
Meat and poultry meals, by-product meals, and meatupon the digestibility of the grain. The amount and type of carboand-bone meal are common ingredients in pet foods. The term
hydrate in pet food determines the amount of nutrient value the
“meal” means that these materials are not used fresh, but have
animal actually gets. Dogs and cats can almost completely absorb
been rendered. What is rendering? Rendering, as defined by Web- carbohydrates from some grains, such as white rice. Up to 20%
ster’s Dictionary, is “to process as for industrial use: to render
of the nutritional value of other grains can escape digestion. The
livestock carcasses and to extract oil from fat, blubber, etc., by
availability of nutrients for wheat, beans, and oats is poor. The
melting.” Home-made chicken soup, with its thick layer of fat
nutrients in potatoes and corn are far less available than those in
that forms over the top when the soup is cooled, is a sort of minirice. Some ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used for filler or
rendering process. Rendering separates fat-soluble from waterfiber, and have no significant nutritional value.
soluble and solid materials, removes most of the water, and kills
Two of the top three ingredients in pet foods, particularly
bacterial contaminants, but may alter or destroy some of the natu- dry foods, are almost always some form of grain products. Pediral enzymes and proteins found in the raw ingredients. Meat and
gree Performance Food for Dogs lists Ground Corn, Chicken Bypoultry by-products, while not rendered, vary widely in composi- Product Meal, and Corn Gluten Meal as its top three ingredients.
tion and quality.
9 Lives Crunchy Meals for cats lists Ground Yellow Corn, Corn
What can the feeding of such products do to your comGluten Meal, and Poultry By-Product Meal as its first three ingrepanion animal? Some veterinarians claim that feeding slaughterdients. Since cats are true carnivores -- they must eat meat to
house wastes to animals increases their risk of getting cancer and
fulfill certain physiological needs -- one may wonder why we are
other degenerative diseases. The cooking methods used by pet
feeding a corn-based product to them. The answer is that corn is a
food manufacturers -- such as rendering, extruding (a heat-andmuch cheaper “energy source” than meat.
pressure system used to “puff” dry foods into nuggets or kibbles),
In 1995, Nature’s Recipe pulled thousands of tons of
and baking -- do not necessarily destroy the hormones used to
dog food off the shelf after consumers complained that their
fatten livestock or increase milk production, or drugs such as
dogs were vomiting and losing their appetite. Nature’s Recipe’s
antibiotics or the barbiturates used to euthanize animals.
loss amounted to $20 million. The problem was a fungus that produced vomitoxin (an aflatoxin or “mycotoxin,” a toxic substance
Animal and Poultry Fat
produced by mold) contaminating the wheat. In 1999, another
You may have noticed a unique, pungent odor when you fungal toxin triggered the recall of dry dog food made by Doane
open a new bag of pet food -- what is the source of that delightful Pet Care at one of its plants, including Ol’ Roy (Wal-Mart’s
smell? It is most often rendered animal fat, restaurant grease, or
brand) and 53 other brands. This time, the toxin killed 25 dogs.
other oils too rancid or deemed inedAlthough it caused many dogs to
ible for humans.
vomit, stop eating, and have diarrhea,
Restaurant grease has
vomitoxin is a milder toxin than
become a major component of feed
most. The more dangerous mycograde animal fat over the last fifteen
toxins can cause weight loss, liver
Potentially cancer-causing
years. This grease, often held in fiftydamage, lameness, and even death
agents such as BHA, BHT, and as in the Doane case. The Nature’s
gallon drums, may be kept outside for
weeks, exposed to extreme temperaRecipe incident prompted the Food
ethoxyquin are permi ed at
tures with no regard for its future use.
and Drug Administration (FDA) to
relatively low levels. The use
“Fat blenders” or rendering compaintervene. Dina Butcher, Agriculture
nies then pick up this used grease and
of these chemicals in pet foods Policy Advisor for North Dakota
mix the different types of fat together,
Governor Ed Schafer, concluded
has not been thoroughly studstabilize them with powerful antioxithat the discovery of vomitoxin in
ied, and long term build-up of
dants to retard further spoilage, and
Nature’s Recipe wasn’t much of
then sell the blended products to pet
these agents may ultimately be a threat to the human population
food companies and other end users.
because “the grain that would go into
harmful!
These fats are sprayed directly onto
pet food is not a high quality grain.”3
extruded kibbles and pellets to make
Soy is another common
an otherwise bland or distasteful
ingredient that is sometimes used as a
product palatable. The fat also acts as
protein and energy source in pet food.
a binding agent to which manufacturers add other flavor enhancManufacturers also use it to add bulk so that when an animal eats
ers such as digests. Pet food scientists have discovered that ania product containing soy he will feel more sated. While soy has
mals love the taste of these sprayed fats. Manufacturers are
been linked to gas in some dogs, other dogs do quite well with it.
masters at getting a dog or a cat to eat something she would
Vegetarian dog foods use soy as a protein source.
normally turn up her nose at.
Additives and Preservatives
Many chemicals are added to commercial pet foods to
Wheat, Soy, Corn, Peanut Hulls, and Other Vegetable Protein improve the taste, stability, characteristics, or appearance of the
The amount of grain products used in pet food has risen
food. Additives provide no nutritional value. Additives include
over the last decade. Once considered filler by the pet food
emulsifiers to prevent water and fat from separating, antioxidants
to prevent fat from turning rancid, and artificial colors and flavors
to make the product more attractive to consumers and more palatable to their companion animals.
Adding chemicals to food originated thousands of years
ago with spices, natural preservatives, and ripening agents. In the
last 40 years, however, the number of food additives has greatly
increased.
All commercial pet foods must be preserved so they
stay fresh and appealing to our animal companions. Canning is
a preserving process itself, so canned foods contain less preservatives than dry foods. Some preservatives are added to ingredients
or raw materials by the suppliers, and others may be added by
the manufacturer. Because manufacturers need to ensure that dry
foods have a long shelf life to remain edible after shipping and
prolonged storage, fats used in pet foods are preserved with
either synthetic or “natural” preservatives. Synthetic preservatives
include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used as a
less-toxic version of automotive antifreeze), and ethoxyquin. For
these antioxidants, there is little information documenting their
toxicity, safety, interactions, or chronic use in pet foods that may
be eaten every day for the life of the animal.
Potentially cancer-causing agents such as BHA, BHT,
and ethoxyquin are permitted at relatively low levels. The use
of these chemicals in pet foods has not been thoroughly studied,
and long term build-up of these agents may ultimately be harmful. Due to questionable data in the original study on its safety,
ethoxyquin’s manufacturer, Monsanto, was required to perform
a new, more rigorous study. This was completed in 1996. Even
though Monsanto found no significant toxicity associated with its
own product, in July 1997, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine requested that manufacturers voluntarily reduce the maximum level for ethoxyquin by half, to 75 parts per million. While
some pet food critics and veterinarians believe that ethoxyquin is
a major cause of disease, skin problems, and infertility in dogs,
others claim it is the safest, strongest, most stable preservative
available for pet food. Ethoxyquin is approved for use in human
food for preserving spices, such as cayenne and chili powder, at
a level of 100 ppm -- but it would be very difficult to consume
as much chili powder every day as a dog would eat dry food.
Ethoxyquin has never been tested for safety in cats.
Some manufacturers have responded to consumer concern, and are now using “natural” preservatives such as Vitamin C
(ascorbate), Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), and oils of rosemary,
clove, or other spices, to preserve the fats in their products.
Other ingredients, however, may be individually preserved. Most
fish meal, and some prepared vitamin-mineral mixtures, contain
chemical preservatives. This means that your companion animal
may be eating food containing several types of preservatives.
Federal law requires preservatives to be disclosed on the label;
however, pet food companies only recently started to comply with
this law.
Additives in Processed Pet Foods
Anticaking agents Antimicrobial agents
Antioxidants
Coloring agents
Curing agents
Drying agents
Emulsifiers
Firming agents
Flavor enhancers
Flavoring agents
Flour treating agents Formulation aids
Humectants
Leavening agents
Lubricants
Nonnutritive sweeteners
Nutritive sweeteners Oxidizing and reducing agents
pH control agents Processing aids
Sequestrants
Solvents, vehicles
Stabilizers, thckener Surface active agents
Surface agents
Synergists
Texturizers
While the law requires studies of direct toxicity of these
additives and preservatives, they have not been tested for their
potential synergistic effects on each other once ingested. Some
authors have suggested that dangerous interactions occur among
some of the common synthetic preservatives.4 Natural preservatives do not provide as long a shelf life as chemical preservatives,
but they are safe.
The Manufacturing Process -How Pet Food Is Made
Although feeding trials are no longer required for a
food to meet the requirements for labeling a food “complete and
balanced,” most manufacturers perform palatability studies when
developing a new pet food. One set of animals is fed a new food
while a “control” group is fed a current formula. The total volume
eaten is used as a gauge for the palatability of the food. The larger
and more reputable companies do use feeding trials, which are
considered to be a much more accurate assessment of the actual
nutritional value of the food. They keep large colonies of dogs
and cats for this purpose, or use testing laboratories that have their
own animals.
Most dry food is made with a machine called an
expander or extruder. First, raw materials are blended, sometimes
by hand, other times by computer, in accordance with a recipe
developed by animal nutritionists. This mixture is fed into an
expander and steam or hot water is added. The mixture is subjected to steam, pressure, and high heat as it is extruded through
dies that determine the shape of the final product and puffed like
popcorn. The food is allowed to dry, and then is usually sprayed
with fat, digests, or other compounds to make it more palatable.
Although the cooking process may kill bacteria in pet food, the
final product can lose its sterility during the subsequent drying,
fat coating, and packaging process. A few foods are baked at
high temperatures rather than extruded. This produces a dense,
crunchy kibble that is palatable without the addition of sprayed
on palatability enhancers. Animals can be fed about 25% less of
a baked food, by volume (but not by weight), than an extruded
food.
Ingredients are similar for wet, dry, and semi-moist
foods, although the ratios of protein, fat, and fiber may change. A
typical can of ordinary cat food reportedly contains about 45-50%
meat or poultry by-products. The main difference between the
types of food is the water content. It is impossible to directly
compare labels from different kinds of food without a mathematical conversion to “dry matter basis.”5 Wet or canned food
begins with ground ingredients mixed with additives. If chunks
are required, a special extruder forms them. Then the mixture is
cooked and canned. The sealed cans are then put into containers
resembling pressure cookers and commercial sterilization takes
place. Some manufacturers cook the food right in the can.
There are special labeling requirements for pet food, all of which
are contained in the annually revised Official Publication of
AAFCO.6 The use of the terms “all” or “100%” cannot be used
“if the product contains more than one ingredient, not including
water sufficient for processing, decharacterizing agents, or trace
amounts of preservatives and condiments.” Products containing
multiple ingredients are covered by AAFCO Regulation PF3(b)
and (c). The “95% rule” applies when the ingredient(s) derived
from animals, poultry, or fish constitutes at least 95% or more
of the total weight of the product (or 70% excluding water for
processing). Because all-meat diets are usually not nutritionally
balanced, they fell out of favor for many years. However, due
to rising consumer interest in high quality meat products, several
companies are now promoting 95% and 100% canned meats as a
supplemental feeding option.
The “dinner” product is defined by the 25% Rule, which
applies when “an ingredient or a combination of ingredients constitutes at least 25% of the weight of the product” (excluding
water sufficient for processing) as long as the ingredient(s) shall
constitute at least 10% of the total product weight; and a descriptor that implies other ingredients are included in the product
formula is used on the label. Such descriptors include “recipe,”
“platter,” “entree,” and “formula.” A combination of ingredients
included in the product name is permissible when each ingredient
comprises at least 3% of the product weight, excluding water for
processing, and the ingredient names appear in descending order
by weight.
The “with” rule allows an ingredient name to appear
on the label, such as “with real chicken,” as long as each such
ingredient constitutes at least 3% of the food by weight, excluding
water for processing.
The “flavor” rule allows a food to be designated as a
certain flavor as long as the ingredient(s) are sufficient to “impart
a distinctive characteristic”to the food. Thus, a “beef flavor” food
may contain a small quantity of digest or other extract of tissues
from cattle, without containing any actual beef meat at all.
What Happened to the Nutrients?
Dr. Randy L. Wysong is a veterinarian and produces his
own line of pet foods. A long-time critic of pet food industry
practices, he said, “Processing is the wild card in nutritional value
that is, by and large, simply ignored. Heating, cooking, rendering,
freezing, dehydrating, canning, extruding, pelleting, baking, and
so forth, are so commonplace that they are simply thought of as
synonymous with food itself.”7 Processing meat and by-products
used in pet food can greatly diminish their nutritional value, but
cooking increases the digestibility of cereal grains. To make pet
food nutritious, pet food manufacturers must “fortify” it with
vitamins and minerals. Why? Because the ingredients they are
using are not wholesome, their quality may be extremely variable, and the harsh manufacturing practices destroy many of the
nutrients the food had to begin with.
Contaminants
Commercially manufactured or rendered meat meals and
by-product meals are frequently highly contaminated with bacteria because their source is not always slaughtered animals.
Animals that have died because of disease, injury, or natural
causes are a source of meat for meat meal. The dead animal
might not be rendered until days after its death. Therefore the
carcass is often contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella
and Escherichia coli. Dangerous E. Coli bacteria are estimated to
contaminate more than 50% of meat meals. While the cooking
process may kill bacteria, it does not eliminate the endotoxins
some bacteria produce during their growth and are released when
they die. These toxins can cause sickness and disease. Pet food
manufacturers do not test their products for endotoxins.
Mycotoxins -- These toxins comes from mold or fungi, such as
vomitoxin in the Nature’s Recipe case, and aflatoxin in Doane’s
food. Poor farming practices and improper drying and storage of
crops can cause mold growth. Ingredients that are most likely to
be contaminated with mycotoxins are grains such as wheat and
corn, cottonseed meal, peanut meal, and fish meal.
Labeling
The National Research Council (NRC) of the Academy
of Sciences set the nutritional standards for pet food that were
used by the pet food industry until the late 1980s. The NRC
standards, which still exist and are being revised as of 2001,
were based on purified diets, and required feeding trials for pet
foods claimed to be “complete” and “balanced.” The pet food
industry found the feeding trials too restrictive and expensive,
so AAFCO designed an alternate procedure for claiming the
nutritional adequacy of pet food, by testing the food for compliance with “Nutrient Profiles.” AAFCO also created “expert committees” for canine and feline nutrition, which developed separate
canine and feline standards. While feeding trials can still be done,
a standard chemical analysis may be also be used to determine if
a food meets the profiles. Chemical analysis, however, does not
address the palatability, digestibility, or biological availability of
nutrients in pet food. Thus it is unreliable for determining whether
a food will provide an animal with sufficient nutrients.
To compensate for the limitations of chemical analysis, AAFCO
added a “safety factor,” which was to exceed the minimum
amount of nutrients required to meet the complete and balanced
requirements. The digestibility and availability of nutrients is not
listed on pet food labels.
The 100% Myth -- Problems Caused by Inadequate Nutrition
The idea of one pet food providing all the nutrition a
companion animal will ever need for its entire life is a myth.
Cereal grains are the primary ingredients in most commercial pet
foods. Many people select one pet food and feed it to their dogs
and cats for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, companion
dogs and cats eat a primarily carbohydrate diet with little variety.
Today, the diets of cats and dogs are a far cry from the primarily
protein diets with a lot of variety that their ancestors ate. The
problems associated with a commercial diet are seen every day
at veterinary establishments. Chronic digestive problems, such
as chronic vomiting, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease
are among the most frequent illnesses treated. These are often
the result of an allergy or intolerance to pet food ingredients.
The market for “limited antigen” or “novel protein” diets is
now a multi-million dollar business. These diets were formulated
to address the increasing intolerance to commercial foods that
animals have developed. The newest twist is the truly “hypoallergenic” food that has had all its proteins artificially chopped
into pieces smaller than can be recognized and reacted to by the
immune system.
Dry commercial pet food is often contaminated with
bacteria, which may or may not cause problems. Improper food
storage and some feeding practices may result in the multiplication of this bacteria. For example, adding water or milk to
moisten pet food and then leaving it at room temperature causes
bacteria to multiply.8 Yet this practice is suggested on the back of
packages of some kitten and puppy foods.
Pet food formulas and the practice of feeding that manufacturers recommend have increased other digestive problems.
Feeding only one meal per day can cause the irritation of the
esophagus by stomach acid. Feeding two smaller meals is better.
Feeding recommendations or instructions on the packaging are
sometimes inflated so that the consumer will end up purchasing
more food. However, Procter & Gamble allegedly took the opposite tack with its Iams and Eukanuba lines, reducing the feeding
amounts in order to claim that its foods were less expensive
to feed. Independent studies commissioned by a competing manufacturer suggested that these reduced levels were inadequate to
maintain health. Procter & Gamble has since sued and been
countersued by that competing manufacturer, and a consumer
complaint has also been filed seeking class-action status for harm
caused to dogs by the revised feeding instructions.
Urinary tract disease is directly related to diet in both
cats and dogs. Plugs, crystals, and stones in cat bladders are often
triggered or aggravated by commercial pet food formulas. One
type of stone found in cats is less common now, but another
more dangerous type has become more common. Manipulation of
manufactured cat food formulas to alter the acidity of urine and
the amount of some minerals has directly affected these diseases.
Dogs also form stones as a result of their diet.
History has shown that commercial pet food products
can cause disease. An often-fatal heart disease in cats and some
dogs is now known to be caused by a deficiency of the amino acid
taurine. Blindness is another symptom of taurine deficiency. This
deficiency was due to inadequate amounts of taurine in cat food
formulas, which itself occurred because of decreased amounts
of animal proteins and increased reliance on carbohydrates. Cat
foods are now supplemented with taurine. New research suggests
that supplementing taurine may also be helpful for dogs, but
as yet few manufacturers are adding extra taurine to dog food.
Inadequate potassium in certain feline diets also caused kidney
failure in young cats; potassium is now added in greater amounts
to all cat foods.
Rapid growth in large breed puppies has been shown to
contribute to bone and joint disease. Excess calories and calcium
in some manufactured puppy foods promoted rapid growth. There
are now special puppy foods for large breed dogs. But this recent
change will not help the countless dogs who lived and died with
hip and elbow disease.
Many nutritional problems appeared with the popularity
of cereal-based commercial pet foods. Some have occurred
because the diet was incomplete. Although several ingredients
are now supplemented, we do not know what ingredients future
researchers may discover that should have been supplemented in
pet foods all along. Other problems may result from reactions
to additives. Others are a result of contamination with bacteria,
mold, drugs, or other toxins. In some diseases the role of commercial pet food is understood; in others, it is not. The bottom
line is that diets composed primarily of low quality cereals and
rendered meat meals are not as nutritious or safe as you should
expect for your cat or dog.
What API is Doing
API is a liaison to the AAFCO Pet Food and Ingredient
Definitions Committees. By attending AAFCO meetings, we hope
to learn more about the industry itself and about potential avenues
for bringing about change. An API representative attends other
petfood industry meetings to give voice to our and the consumers’ concerns about pet food. API is involved in lobbying for
the federal regulation of pet food and the development of more
stringent standards for the quality of ingredients used.
API will continue to provide information to the public about the
pet food industry and the products it promotes.
API is preparing a detailed scientific paper documenting the
numerous problems associated with commercial pet food, for
presentation to veterinarians.
Who to Write for More Information
AAFCO Pet Food Committee
Dr. Rodney Noel -- Chair
Office of Indiana State Chemist
Purdue University
1154 Biochemistry Building
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1154
www.aafco.org
FDA -- Center for Veterinary Medicine
Sharon Benz
7500 Standish Place
Rockville, MD 20855
301-594-1728
www.cvm.fda.gov/
Pet Food Institute
2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
202-367-1120 Fax 202-367-2120
References
Association of American Feed Control Officials Incorporated.
Official Publication 2001. Atlanta: AAFCO, 2001.
Barfield, Carol. FDA Petition, Docket Number 93P0081/CP1,
accepted February 25, 1993.
Becker, Ross. “Is your dog’s food safe?” Good Dog!, November/
December 1995, 7.
Cargill, James, MA, MBA, MS, and Susan Thorpe-Vargas, MS.
“Feed that dog! Part VI.” DOGworld, December 1993, 36.
Case, Linda P., M.S., Daniel P. Carey, D.V.M., and Diane A.
Hirakawa, Ph.D. Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for
Companion Animal Professionals. St. Louis: Mosby, 1995.
Coffman, Howard D. The Dry Dog Food Reference. Nashua:
PigDog Press, 1995.
Corbin, Jim. “Pet Foods and Feeding.” Feedstuffs, July 17, 1996,
80-85.
Knight-Ridder News Syndicate. “Nature’s Recipe Recalls Dog
Food That Contains Vomitoxin.” August 28, 1995.
Morris, James G., and Quinton R. Rogers. “Assessment of the
Nutritional Adequacy of Pet Foods Through the Life Cycle.”
Journal of Nutrition, 124 (1994): 2520S-2533S.
Newman, Lisa. What’s in your pet’s food? Tucson & Phoenix:
Holistic Animal Care, 1994.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. 1994
Commercial Feed Analysis Annual Report. Albany: Division of
Food Inspection Services, 1995.
Parker, J. Michael. “Tainted dog food blamed on corn.” San
Antonio Express News, April 1, 1999.
“Petfood activist.” Petfood Industry, September/October 1991, 4.
Pet Food Institute. Fact Sheet 1994. Washington: Pet Food Insti-
tute, 1994.
Phillips, Tim, DVM. “Rendered Products Guide.” Petfood Industry, January/February 1994, 12-17, 21.
Pitcairn, Richard H., D.V.M., Ph.D., and Susan Hubble Pitcairn.
Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats.
Emmaus: Rodale, 1995.
Plechner, Alfred J., DVM, and Martin Zucker. Pet Allergies:
Remedies for an Epidemic. Inglewood: Wilshire Book Co., 1986.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Agriculture. 1994 Report of the Inspection and Analysis of
Commercial Feeds, Fertilizers and Liming Materials. Providence:
Division of Agriculture, 1995.
Roudebush, Philip, DVM. “Pet food additives.” JAVMA, 203
(1993): 1667-1670.
Rouse, Raymond H. “Feed Fats.” Petfood Industry, March/April
1987, 7.
Sellers, Richard. “Regulating petfood with an open mind.” Petfood Industry, November/December 1990, 41-44.
Smith, Carin A. “Research Roundup: Changes and challenges in
feline nutrition.” JAVMA 203 (1993), 1395-1400.
Strombeck, Donald. R. Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Foods: The
Healthful Alternative. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1999.
Winters, Ruth, M.S. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives.
New York: Crown, 1994.
Wysong, R. L. “The ‘complete’ myth.” Petfood Industry,
September/October 1990, 24-28.
[Wysong, R. L.] Fresh and Whole: Getting Involved in Your Pet’s
Diet. Midland: Wysong Corporation, 1990.
Wysong, R. L. Rationale for Animal Nutrition. Midland: Inquiry
Press, 1993.
Notes
1. Pet Food Institute, 2.
2. Morris, 2520S.
3. Corbin, 81.
4. Cargill, 36.
5. The conversion is: ingredient percentage divided by (100 minus
moisture percentage).
6. Official Publication, Regulation PE3, 114-115.
7. Wysong, Rationale, 40-41.
8. Strombeck, 50-52.
9. Smith, 1397.
(Revised 01/29/02)
©1997-2002 by The Animal Protection Institute.
Reprinted with permission from http://www.api4animals.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Hairless Rat Terrier Dog Show
Charlo e, North Carolina
September 12th, 13th & 14th, 2003
The AHRTC Multi-Breed Dog Show was a
huge success. It was well a ended which included a
large entry of AHTs.
Some show highlights: Bonnie Turner Championed her dog, Melissa Kidd’s dog ‘Spot’ won BOB on
Friday night, Ryan and Karyn’s bitch ‘Freedom’ won
BOB at Saturday’s first show and 3 of the 4 Gr. Ch.
classes overall, Darice Ragan’s dog ‘Bailey’ won BOB
at the 2nd show 2 on Saturday, and Wm. Sutera’s
bitch ‘Ayrieanna’ won 2 legs towards her Grand over
the weekend with a BOB amd a Reservee Best In
Show on Sunday.
------------President’s Message
As I sit here thinking what I want to say, the
one thing that consumes my mind is our impending
separation. I don’t usually wish my time away, but I
am so looking forward to the end of this year and
the start of the new year. It is then that the American
Hairless Terrier will stand alone as a breed within the
ranks of UKC.
I have dreamt of this for years and did my best
to stay focused on that one goal. I made a promise a
long time ago to Edwin Scott that we WOULD one
day see it. I asked for patience and time. It is with the
small steps that many of us have made all put together
that allowed this goal to be met. It would not have
happened without all of YOU!
The New Year will bring about many ‘first’ for
us as a breed. I am looking forward to seeing this
unfold. Let’s do our best to keep our dogs first and the
breed’s best interest at heart.
We extend our most sincere “Thank You” to the
United Kennel Club (UKC) and Cindy Cooke for her
guidance and support.
As a Club we have accomplished a lot. We
have put on numerous Events including 3 Classics. We
have the dubious honor of having put on the very first
Classic for UKC. Our membership has grown steadily
and within that membership we are finding future leaders who will in turn branch out and start regional AHT
clubs.
We have a growing European membership
whose enthusiasm for the breed will inspire others to
get to know our special breed worldwide.
We have loyal and supportive families who love their
AHT’s and proudly tell everyone they meet about them
with positive interactions at different venues.
We have our dogs.... our special friends.... We
are building memories and making history. Thank you
for being here and making it all happen!
Teri
How Much Does That Puppy
REALLY cost?
By Kady Harrington
O
ne of the biggest remarks we often get is related
to the cost of a puppy. Either that we 'must be
rich' or 'making lots of money' with our rare breed.
Occasionally we get someone who feels that the average puppy price is awfully high (without realizing
that the average pet puppy price in this breed is very
reasonable compared to some!). So we thought we'd
address this line of thought with some real figures to
consider. What does it cost both to raise a litter and to
care for a dog all his life? The answers might surprise
you.
Important Note: The costs you see here are compilations of surveys and experience.
It is a VERY conservative estimate in many cases,
taking the lower costs (i.e. my vet costs are nearly half
of that of a friend's on the west coast) and of course
there are some optional expenses that aren't added
(for instance a puppy whelping pen would add as
much as $200). Also it assumes a normal, healthy
dog, breeding, whelping etc and does not add possible
emergency costs or expenses for such things as prebreeding progesterone testing. These things can easily
run the cost up by $1000.00 or more. The totals you
see here are probably the very least amount that could
be spent and still 'do it right'.
Average cost per year to care for her? $500.00 x 2
years before Moola's litter.
Of course she was UKC registered ($16.00), and she
was also DNA profiled ($49.00).
Running total: $2065.00
Because showing is needed to help compare each
breeders lines and Cash was certainly deserving of her
title she was shown. She didn't finish her Championship until after Moola's litter was born but she was
working towards it. Average cost per show? $25.00 per
entry, plus $75 per day travel and expenses. Though
her owner was on a budget she still managed to show
about 10 times the first year.
Running Total: $3065.00
Shortly before her second birthday her owner began
considering breeding her. She knew she wanted to do
it right so spent several months doing research on various potential male dogs. While she did this she also
began doing genetic health screenings to be sure Cash
wasn't afflicted with a genetic disease she could pass
on to her puppies. She had a vet examine Cash's knees
for Patellar Luxation ($22.00) and sent the signed form
to OFA for certification ($15.00). She had Cash's eyes
checked by a certified ophthalmologist for any eye
problems ($30.00) and sent that form to CERF for
listing in their database ($10.00). She also has a BAER
test done to check for hearing problems ($20.00 at a
clinic). Fortunately Cash breezes through her screenings with good results.
First let’s take a fictional AHT puppy and follow
him through his whole life. Let's name him "Moola".
Before Moola even enters this world there's a lot going
on! So let's work backwards a little bit and see what
the breeder has invested in Moola before he's even
born.
Finally Cash's owner found the perfect male. Fortunately he belongs to another breeder within reasonable
driving distance so she will save the cost of air shipping (approximately $160.00). To get this breeding
done Cash must undergo a vet check-up ($65.00) and
brucellosis test ($45.00) to certify she is in good
health and free of communicable diseases. This is done
Moola's mom "Cash" was purchased as a show/
within 30 days of her coming into 'season'. When she
breeding prospect from a reputable breeder. She cost
finally comes in her owner makes arrangements with
$1000.00 as a puppy.
the stud owner and a few days into her season drives
to the stud owner's home 150 miles away at her own
expense for gas ($32.00), not to mention the time
She matured into a very nice adult thanks both to her
involved! The stud fee is $600 - however they have
excellent breeding and to the care given to her by her
arranged for the stud owner to take second pick puppy
owner. She received regular heartworm preventative,
in lieu of cash. They sign a contract stating their terms.
vaccinations and quality food. Of course she had a safe This stud owner includes one week free boarding in
place to sleep every night, protective clothes and toys! her stud fees (not all do that) so for now there is no
additional expense.
Cash has been bred! It took a few extra days but it was
well worth it. All went well and the stud owner calls
to say Cash can go home. Cash's owner owes for the
extra days (3 days at $10 per day). She drives back
to the stud owner's home 300 miles round trip again
($32.00). Once home she spends some extra spoiling
time with Cash.
Nine weeks later Cash gives birth to her litter. Fortunately all goes well - there are no emergencies
(although the vet is on call just in case). A litter of five
is born, all hairless puppies. Unfortunately within 24
hours the weakest puppy just couldn't hold on and dies.
The other four do well though and Cash has settled
in to be a good mom. At three days old the puppies
go to the vet to have their dew claws removed and be
checked over. Cost? $15 per puppy plus an exam fee of
$45 for a total of $105.00. Everything goes ok and the
puppies go home safely. Over the next couple of weeks
the puppies grow and become cuter by the day! They
receive regular dewormings at 2, 4 and 6 weeks old
administered by Cash's owner. Total cost for worming:
$36.00 A little past 6 weeks they also receive their
first vaccinations and a vet check at a total of $125.00.
Other costs include premium puppy food ($42.00).
The puppies are almost ready to go! Because Cash's
owner is careful she has screened potential homes and
pre approved several homes before now. She notifies
them and makes arrangements, including the purchase
of price of $600 each and contracts. But wait! Remember that the second pick puppy is going back to the
breeder for the stud fee payment. And Cash's owner like most reputable breeders - did this breeding hoping
to improve the breed, so she has chosen a female
puppy to keep as a show prospect. This leaves only
two puppies, including Moola to be sold. But there are
a few more expenses...she microchips each puppy ($30
x 4 puppies) and provides an extensive puppy pack for
each one going to it's new home as well ($35 x 2 puppies). Cash's owner has now invested over $3864.00.
Moola and his siblings at the age of nine weeks have
'cost' their breeder $966.00 each. Moola's new owner
pays a pet price of $600 for him. Cash's breeder is
thrilled with how this litter turned out, but keep in
mind she is still 'in the red' to the tune of $2664.00 she made no monetary profit when you consider her
expenses. This is often the case with most reputable
breeders - they breed to produce excellent dogs, give
greatly of themselves to their dogs and puppies as well
as the new owners, and rarely get financially compensated for all that work. But the fact they continue to
do this for the love of their chosen breed makes them
a better bet for a healthy puppy then someone who
breeds as cheaply, no frills and often as possible for the
sole purpose of making money. Think about it, which
generally has more value? Quality handcrafted or mass
factory produced?
Moola's new owners have been on a waiting list for
some time and are thrilled to finally get their longawaited puppy! Before he even comes home, they
have been in contact with the breeder and purchased
needed supplies with the breeder's recommendations.
They have purchased a new size 100 crate ($35.00), a
couple of soft fleece crate pads ($9.00 each), bowls,
toys, collar and lead (total $40.00). In addition they
are ready with a 20 pound bag of his food, the same
premium brand he has been eating ($32.00). Since
Moola is hairless there is no need for brushes, but they
have invested in a set of nail clippers and the recommended soap for bathing him (total $12.00). They also
go ahead and invest in a couple of books on training
and care ($35.00).
The exciting day finally arrives! They travel to the
breeder's home (fortunately in driving distance - only
$17.00 in gas.) and pay for Moola ($600.00). After an
enjoyable visit with the breeder they leave with Moola
and a large collection of information and supplies.
They arrive home and spend a few days getting to
know their new puppy.
Two days after arriving home they take Moola to the
vet for his first 'well puppy' exam. This is a needed step
to let your vet get to know your puppy and help you
set up a medical care routine as well as assure your
puppy is healthy. Many breeder contracts also require
it. While he is there the vet also does a fecal check
and deworming. Vet visit $79.00. While there they set
up appointments for his follow-up vaccines. Over the
next few weeks he will return for his vaccines (2 times
at $45.00 each) and a Rabies vaccine at 4 months old
($9.00). He will also return at 6 months (if not earlier)
for his neuter ($125.00) and begin routine heartworm
preventative. Fortunately Moola is a healthy little guy
and once this rash of 'puppy visits' is done he shouldn't
have to visit the vet again until next year. But emergencies happen and are expensive. Better put a little bit of
money away in case. You don't want to be faced with
losing your best friend because you can't afford at least
a down payment on emergency costs. Moola's owners
sock away $500 in a savings account. Just in case.
$600.00. His owner's have joined a national breed
parent club to be more active in the breed and to keep
up with important concerns. Yearly dues of $25.00
include a regular newsletter they enjoy reading. And of
course his first Christmas means special portraits with
Santa at a local Humane Society Fundraiser ($15.00).
Moola passes his third birthday uneventfully and his
owners celebrate having him for 3 tears.
Disaster strikes the next year. Moola gets bitten by a
Running Total (NOT counting the savings account):
snake at a local park and is rushed to an emergency
$1,208.00
vet. Though he comes out of it just fine with the
prompt treatment, his owners' checkbooks feel the
Moola - being a typical puppy - decides that things like pinch. Emergency visit, follow-up visits and medisocks and furniture are great chew toys! He chews a
cation equals $450.00. Good thing they kept some
hole in a cherished rug, destroys a few socks. He's not money put back. And of course he still needs his
a bad puppy, just normal and in need of some training! regular care - another year another $600.00
Moola's owner's replace the destroyed items (total for
miscellaneous things: $100.00), buy him some more
Running Total: $4,384.00
chew toys ($15.00) and enroll him in a 6 week puppy
kindergarten course ($80.00). Of course this requires
A small breed dog can easily live 12- 15 years or
some time to go to classes, gas to get there ($4 each
more. Moola reaches his 9th birthday with no more
week) and time to practice at home. But the results
problems. Remember - $600 a year for everything he
are worth it as Moola becomes a much better member needs.
of the family. They decide to continue and take him
through a Canine Good Citizen class ($80.00) and
even pass his CGC test! Yea! As puppies also do,
Moola has grown, needing a new collar ($6.00), and
Just before Moola's 10th birthday his owners notice he
new clothes (An expense that's a given with AHTs!
seems a little stiff and uncomfortable. At his annual
They have to have protection from the elements.
vet visit they bring this up and it is determined he has
Figure $22.00 per winter outfit, $10.00 per t-shirt')
some minor arthritis setting in. Aging will do that to
Over the course of the first year they purchase a couple you. Moola is put on regular pain medication - which
of t-shirts and 3 winter suits. (Total $86.00). It's hard
adds another $100.00 a year to his upkeep cost. But
to resist cute new outfits, so be ready to buy more.
he's a happy beloved member of the family so there
By the end of his first year Moola has also eaten his
can be no other decision. Moola continues living the
way through $300 worth of premium food. Add in
high life and is every bit as active and bright as ever.
another $200 for miscellaneous supplies (shampoo, ear
cleaner, a new nail clipper to replace the one you lost,
etc.).
Moola moseys on contentedly through another 2 years.
No major problems and he does well on regular pain
medicine. He's obviously happy and healthy.
For the next couple of years, Moola does well. He
needs no emergency vet visits or special needs. Instead Running Total: $9,484.00
he is content with some new toys periodically, quality
food and care. Average cost per year for food, treats,
At just past 12 years old Moola begins having trouble
heartworm prevention, misc (toys, leashes, grooming,
seeing. After a visit to a vet and another to an ophthaletc) and one annual healthy dog checkup at the vet?
mologist it is determined that Moola has age related
cataracts. After much discussion of options his owners
decide he is still happy and enjoying life so they want
to give him every chance to enjoy it fully. They opt for
a surgery to remove the cataracts. It requires several
visits to the nearby University vet school, plus special
screenings to be sure Moola's advanced age won't be
a problem. Everything goes well and $1400.00 later
Moola's vision is improved and he is home doing well.
Moola's owners cherish the next few years with him
and are heartbroken when he eventually passes on at
the age of 14.
Total: $12,984.00
Because they have been responsible and caring owners
Moola led a great life with relatively few problems.
He truly became a part of the family and they no
more begrudged him the cost of the things they did for
him then they would have their own child. They have
discovered that raising a dog properly isn't cheap, even
with few outstanding issues or emergencies. They have
also realized that they got a much better start because
they did their research and learned about the breed, as
well as purchased from a reputable breeder.
____________________________________________
Photographs From Our Show
courtesy of the Pingels
The American
Hairless Rat Terrier Club
invites you to become
a charter member. Please
come and support the
Club and our breed by
being a part of it. For
an application, please visit
our website and download
the application and
instructions. If the AHT is
your breed, we would like
to have you join us.
Breeder Profile: Wm Sutera continued from page 7
12.
How do you select a brood bitch?
a.
I do not have many dogs so this has not been
a problem. I would not breed a bitch that could not
produce a show prospect for me, however.
13.
What problems do you feel breeders should
pay special attention too?
a.
Poor structure is my biggest concern. There are
not a lot of AHTs available, yet, there are enough
so that we can breed good dogs. Structural problems
are so difficult to breed out of your line once in so
therefore we should be careful not to propagate bad
structure.
14.
How do you prepare your bitch that is due to
whelp?
a.
Exercise is important for all stages of a dog’s
gestation.
15.
Do you have any suggestions for others regarding whelping an AHT litter?
a.
Relax – panic causes more problems for breeders. It is best to have someone available to discuss
what may be going on. Sometimes problems do
arise but often breeders are overtired and get frightened because the bitch’s whelp is not going as they
expected.
16.
What do you look for in prospective puppy
placement homes?
a.
I look for a placement that offers my pup love
and security. The decision to get a dog sometimes is
impulsive; I avoid placing a puppy if I feel that is
the case. I look for someone that has the time to care
for the puppy. I avoid placing puppies in homes with
toddlers because often a baby will pick up and drop a
puppy accidentally.
17.
Do you use a written agreement and if so why?
a.
Yes, I don’t think of it as a contract because
litigation is not something I am comfortable with. I
only would use it as a very last resort. However, it is
important to write down what is agreed too regarding
the placement of a puppy. I have in the past placed
puppies holding a deposit that would not be returned
until I received proof that the companion puppy was
neutered or spayed at the earliest appropriate age. I
also offer to board puppies I bred since I do never
commercially board my dogs and would not want a
puppy I bred to be exposed to that either.
18.
Have you “Titled” your dogs?
a.
Yes, I successfully AKC titled my Pug and my
American Eskimos both at AKC and UKC dog shows.
19.
Where would you like to see the American
Hairless Terrier in ten years?
a.
I think the AHT is in good hands. I hope we as
a club can continue to encourage good sportsmanship
at dog shows and friendship. The breed is developing
beautifully and we will be recognized as a new breed
within the respected United Kennel Club registry. I
hope we never allow our breed to be recognized by the
AKC because I believe that would put at risk all the
work breeders are doing today to develop the breed.
20.
Please share with us about one or more of the
following: skin care, allergy testing, sunburn, DNA
testing, Rat Terriers, U.K.C. involvement in our breed?
a.
I appreciate how the UKC has encouraged and
helped the American Hairless Terrier. They have recognized our breed and have encouraged its development. With the somewhat recent changes of all-breed
and multi-breed shows, yet retaining the insistence that
dogs need to be exhibited by their owner or friends
of their owner, has made UKC sponsored dog shows
viable, more fun, and rewarding.
Editor’s Note
As
the new Knows and Tales newsletter editor, I hope to continue
to give the club an online source of
Club information, insight into the AHT
world, and articles of interest. I
want to thank Kady and Karyn for
their excellent submissions. If you
have any suggestions regarding what
you would like to see included in
Knows and Tales, please E-mail me at
[email protected]

Fourth Quarter 2003 - American Hairless Terrier Association

Transcription

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