NACA Winter 2015 Newsletter - North American Coton Association

 Coton Chronicles
Coton Chronicles THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN COTON ASSOCIATION
Our
NACA Star
Leila Mae, owned & loved by
Sharon Detro, breaks ground
as a therapy dog in Illinois.
2 In the
Doghouse!
It’s just SO CUTE when our
Cotons watch TV. Or is it?
8 Breeder
Spotlight
Meet Code of Ethics Breeder,
Dellann Kuhn of Maplewood
Cotons in Ohio.
6 Ask the
Groomer
Oh No! How do we clean up
the dirtiest of coats? Get some
good advice here.
Paws4News Club News & Events Our Cover Dog: Kayla Rose is a
darling Coton bred and owned by
Connie Shook, Cotton Blossoms
Cotons. Kayla’s alert expression
exudes happiness, intelligence and
love. She is Connie’s “special girl.”
Winter 2015 7 We’re back.
The New Year brings a new look to our newsletter! Since
our last publication for the Club, the NACA Board has been
working diligently in the background to continue building on
our 2008 foundation as the original Conformation Club for the
Coton de Tulear in the UKC. With new standing committees
in place and with some terrific member volunteers, 2015 is
sure to be a year of progress and growth.
We hope that this publication can help you get to know your
fellow NACA Members in addition to offering some helpful
information and entertainment.
Enjoy.
2 Our NACA Star: Leila Mae!
By Sharon Detro, NACA Member
It had been almost 25 years since we owned our Golden Retriever. My husband hadn't wanted another dog during that time-­‐-­‐ it was easier for us to go on spontaneous trips. But after a few years without her, I really yearned for another dog. Respecting my husband’s wishes, I bought a cockatiel instead and named her Precious. She brought m e some joy, but could never fill the void of not having a dog. In the summer of 2007, my husband attended a men's retreat at our church. One of the men shared a testimonial about his beloved canine companion and it was at that retreat that my husband had an epiphany. He returned home and had a change of heart. I couldn't b elieve what I was hearing! Without wasting any time, I pulled out my Chicago Tribune. I intended to browse through the ad section to look at the different breeds. Starting at the top of the alphabetical list, I didn't get past Coton de Tulear. What the heck was that, I thought. Is that even a dog? Having struck my curiosity, I had my cousin Google it. She read m e a description of a small, non-­‐shedding dog that adapts to your own activity level. With hair growth limited between 4 to 6 inches, I figured I could manage the grooming myself. I concluded that was just the kind of dog I was looking for at this stage in my life—a lap dog with added bonus features! It was Labor Day weekend when we brought home our 10 week old puppy. We named her Leila Mae. I introduced her to Precious. I will never forget when Precious walked over to the crate and climbed up the side. She looked down upon Leila Mae, went "peep, peep" and put her to sleep. That was just the beginning of their bond together. Leila Mae had a gentle spirit. When our son got a chinchilla, I could have Leila Mae, Precious and Chili all interacting on the kitchen floor. It was endearing to witness such an interaction of this particular mix of animals. Having done obedience with m y Golden, I began classes with Leila Mae. Although it took me a year to get her take the dumbbell, she earned several obedience titles. Agility was something I hadn't done before so we tried that too. Leila Mae was fast and loved running the courses. If I had been a better handler, she would have attained her Excellent agility titles much sooner than she did. I cannot begin to tell you how amazed I was at all of the attributes this rare b reed had to offer. From their unique cotton-­‐like coat to their clown-­‐like personalities, Leila Mae was excelling in both obedience training and agility as well. Don't let the breed’s size and shorter legs fool you. Cotons can be fast, agile and good jumpers, too! Earning an Obedience Title
Little did I know that there would b e something far more rewarding in store for Leila Mae and me. My training Club was going to host a therapy dog test with what was known back then as the Delta Society, now called Pet Partners. Knowing what a sweet disposition she had, and with her obedience training, I figured this would be a cinch for us. There were 12 dogs being tested and all b ut one had passed that night. That was Leila Mae. My heart sank and I felt embarrassed. However, there is a purpose for these tests; I respect the testers that don't just let dogs slide through that are not fully prepared for this work. 3 Some of the areas that Leila Mae did not pass were her reservations around m en with hats, glasses and beards. She was uncomfortable around a wheelchair, walker and a mock crowd of ''loud and disruptive" people. I was advised to socialize her more with people of all types and have her re-­‐tested. My husband and I had planned to go to Branson, MO. That trip would prove to be a pivotal point in Leila Mae's training. For example, while walking through the hotel lobby, my husband saw a boy in a wheelchair that was reaching out to pet her. This interaction was beneficial to both dog and boy! Needless-­‐to-­‐say, she passed the therapy dog test the second time around. We were good to go now. I never realized the impact she would make as a therapy dog and how rewarding it would be for me. We began visiting senior citizens in independent and assisted-­‐living facilities. The r esidents would share stories of dogs they once had, as they held her in their laps and stroked her hair. The elementary school children would give her treats, walk her in their classrooms and b rush her coat. I would put her in the laps of the wheel-­‐chair bound and see expressions of joy in their faces. Children who typically displayed allergies with dogs were allowed to pet Leila Mae and children that were normally "observers" couldn't resist the temptation to finally reach in and pet her. In December of 2009, we joined a newly created program of the Hinsdale Humane Society, in conjunction with Adventist-­‐Hinsdale Hospital. The program was named C.A.R.E. (Canine Assisted Rehabilitation). The focus of this program was for therapy dog teams to assist Occupational Therapists with treatment plans of their pediatric patients at Paulson Out-­‐Patient Pediatric RehabilitationI would soon learn that this would be just the beginning of one of the greatest impacts Leila Mae's therapy work would make. The first patient in the program was a 14 year old boy named Christopher. He became terrified of dogs after witnessing his mother get attacked by the neighbor’s German Shepherd. His fear became so intense that he would literally hold his family hostage, whether in their home or RV. W henever he heard a barking dog outside, no one in the family would be able to leave! Leila Mae was chosen in the pilot program because she was the smallest dog of five candidates. In addition, it was felt that a white, fluffy dog would appear the least threatening to someone who was fearful of dogs. Although Christopher was expecting to meet his therapy dog at his next session, he had a panic attack the first time he laid eyes on her. Leila Mae and I were sitting on a m at in the far back corner of the room. It took his therapist 20 minutes to get him from the hallway to step into the room that first day. N ot only was I holding on to her leash, Christopher insisted that I wrap it around m y waist so Leila Mae "couldn't get him". From that day on, each therapy session demonstrated progress between Christopher and Leila Mae. Christopher and Leila Mae
The therapy took m onths, but Christopher eventually became so comfortable with Leila Mae, I suggested he continue his treatment with a pair of Golden Retrievers and eventually a very gentle, Pit Bull. Christopher's treatment program with his therapist and the C.A.R.E. therapy dogs was truly a success story. By the age of 16, Christopher, along with his therapy dogs, was interviewed for a segment on ABC's Chicago CH 7 News. This once soft-­‐spoken boy became a confident young m an. He continued to become a spokesman at special events to raise awareness of the benefits of pet therapy. He told how it all started with a little, white dog named Leila Mae, who helped him overcome his fear of dogs. Leila Mae's current patient is 8-­‐year old Brady, who is severely autistic. She has a calming effect on Brady and he is able to focus better when she's in the room. Brady, according to his mother, didn't play with toys when he was little. "He did not like to touch things", she said. However, this is not the case between him and Leila Mae today. He willingly gives her treats, brushes, walks her, throws her dumbbell and pours her drinks of water. He is trying to say, her name as well as "Dog" and "Come". 4 The Senior Occupational Therapist at Paulson has stated that by using therapy dogs, she is able to attain her goals with her patients, usually at a much faster pace than using conventional treatments alone. In addition, teachers, parents and librarians are seeing the benefits of the R.E.A.D. program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) in which Leila Mae has been a Registered Member since 2011. When children read to Leila Mae at local libraries, she does not judge them in their fluency or if they stumble upon a word. She poses no threat or intimidation like they may experience if reading aloud among their peers. She enjoys listening to each and every reader and the stories they read. I knew Leila Mae would bring us much joy and fulfill the emptiness I felt after living all those years without my Golden. But, I never truly realized just how m any more attributes and talents the Coton de Tulear breed can offer that are not always mentioned in their b reed description. Leila Mae was worth the wait. My husband and I are very blessed to have her in our lives. Leila Mae with Brady and his therapist
*Editors Note: I was especially impressed by two lines in this story: “Although it took me a year to get her
to take the dumbbell, she earned several obedience titles”, and, “The therapy took months, …” Sharon’s
patience and commitment to follow through with Leila Mae’s training and therapy work sets a great example
for all of us, whether companion, show or breeder owners! Our Cotons are intelligent active dogs, and thrive
on human attention, training and love. During the winter months especially, they can get cabin fever and
become bored, leading to depression, loss of muscle tone and weight gain, just as we can when we are
inactive. Try to work with your dogs everyday: outdoor walks, indoor training & games. Thanks, Sharon, for
the inspiration!
NACA to Host All-­‐Breed Show & Specialty By Kellie Bruce, Show Committee
We will be hosting our annual All-Breed
Conformation Show & National Coton de Tulear
Specialty for the UKC on May 30-31, 2015. The
show takes place in Belton, TX at the Bell County
Expo Center—a wonderful climate-controlled
indoor facility. With four great judges in four rings
there will be lots going on throughout the day!
Scarlett King, professional groomer, will share her
expertise at a Coton Grooming Seminar, and Fred
Lanting, internationally renowned judge, will be
conducting an informative and comprehensive
seminar on Canine Orthopedic Problems (all
breeds.) We will have a raffle table with many
wonderful prizes. There are RV hook ups on the
property or if you prefer a hotel stay, the city of
Temple, north of Belton, has some great options. This
is a fine opportunity to show off your fluffy Cotons and
to get to know fellow Coton owners. More details to
follow in our next newsletter! Please consider donating a gift, large or small, for
our raffle this year. If you have donations or any
general questions about the show, contact Kellie:
[email protected] or 817-946-5645.
Show entries are easy! Just go online to:
www.texasdogclubukc.com
Or visit www.ukcdogs.com. Go to “Upcoming Events”.
5 Show highlights from 2014
include (L) Sandee’s Hope
Jewel in the Ruf, aka
th
“Bijou”, winning 9 Place in
the Top Ten Finals at the
UKC Premiere Show in
Kalamazoo, MI! Bijou is
owned by Sharon Detro.
This was a truly a stunning
accomplishment!
Margaret Peck, (lower L)
is shown with Sandee’s I M
Hairy S. Dogg who she coowns with Rhonda Jones,
Tim and Betty Ann Hale.
Hairy earned his
Championship title at the
UKC Mason Dixon Dog
Assoc. Show.
Woodland Cottage Boule
de Neige, “Boulie,” (lower
R) took three Group 1’s and
RBIS at the American
Eskimo Dog Assoc Show in
Oregon. Judge Felicity
Trammel awarded the “big
ribbon” to owner Cindy
Robinson.
Showing off our Show Dogs!
1
2
6 Breeder Spotlight: Maplewood Cotons
By Dellann Kuhn, NACA COE Breeder
So I began researching and talking with different breeders and in the fall we brought Scarlett home-­‐-­‐ such a joy she was. Scarlett and I went to canine therapy training classes and then started visiting my parents in Hello. My name is Dellann Kuhn their nursing home. It wasn’t long of Maplewood Cotons, where I am until I decided we needed another the head Pooper -­‐Scooper, Bather Coton, so we added Hayden De and Cook for my six wonderful Letoile Procyon, aka “Hayes,” from Cotons. We are located just north France. He is beautiful. After of Columbus, Ohio in a small town attending therapy training classes where I grew up, called Sunbury. with me he went on to begin his My husband and I live on a farm show career. where we have raised our 4 children. Our 7 grandchildren come over regularly to visit-­‐-­‐ especially when we have a litter of Coton de Tulear puppies! Hayden has attained his grand championship this year. I have since added 3 Cotons to our family and recently finished my female that I purchased from Sandra Bearden and Connie Fox, both NACA Breeders.yes they are As a breeder, health and maintaining the integrity of the breed are my main priorities. I get many happy notes and pictures from puppy families each year and really appreciate hearing from them.And then I say the heh I recently accepted the position of NACA Club Historian for the coming term later this year, and look forward to meeting and getting to know more members. I have already met so many new friends through my Cotons. We welcome you to stop by our farm anytime you get into Buckeye Country-­‐-­‐BTW, we are huge Ohio State fans!we sare not After 23 years as a school bus driver I now drive my 4-­‐legged friends to dog shows. Before getting involved with the Coton breed, I raised Miniature Schnauzers with a family friend for 18 years. We also rescued a Yorkie and a Golden Retreiver who now live with our daughter and her family. Because of the commitment we had to helping our elderly parents, we were without dogs for about eight years. But during that time, a friend called me over to meet her new dog, a Coton de Tulear. After meeting her Coton I was hooked with this little white ball of fur! What great personality they have! I was so impressed! 7 Trouble. Trouble. Trouble.
You want your Coton “to be able to be a dog,” right? So you try not to worry about
the elements and let your freshly-fluffed beauty bound gleefully outdoors on a
romp. But NOW what do you do when he’s had too much fun?
Grass.
Wet, freshly-cut grass is not only
hard to remove, it also has
potential for staining the coat. This
actually happened right after my
dog was groomed for a show
happening the next day!
I allowed the dog to dry off naturally,
while confined in our entryway
during that time. After 2 hours, the
grass had dried and most all of it had
sloughed off of his coat. The
remaining bits were easily brushed
out. All that was left was a greenishyellow tinge of color on his feet.
After more brushing that night, the
stain was completely gone the next
day! Never use a warm dryer on
stained coat. Not all Coton coats are
the same when it comes to staining so
you may need to use a whitening
shampoo for immediate results.
Cindy Robinson
Raindance Cotons
Apply a laundry pre-treatment
suitable for grass stains, follow up
with regular bath routine.
Linda Brookes
Aliika Tia Cotons
Snow.
Mud.
The long hair on our Cotons grabs
dry snow that forms into sticky
balls that cannot simply be pulled
off. What do you do?
This pathetic creature ran on the
mudflats at low tide. Caked with
slimy, briny mud, how do you
begin to get him looking good
again?
SnowbalIs? Lots of them here in
Canada! I simply put the dog in the
tub and use a detachable shower head
to melt the balls off with luke-warm
water, then towel dry, and blow dry if
desired. On mornings where there is
packing snow I may have each Coton
in the tub twice to remove snowballs
before I go to work!
Linda Brooks
Alika Tia Cotons
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Have a grooming question?
Would you like to share your
own grooming tips or an article?
We can all benefit from each
others’ experience.
EMAIL:
[email protected]
1. In this extreme case I would first
use a plastic laundry tub in the yard.
Attach a gentle sprayer to the hose &
spray out most of the mud in the
laundry tub letting it drain to the
ground. Finish the cleaning in the
house.
2. Put a filter screen in the sink or
tub drain, shower off the remaining
mud with a sprayer, and use a very
diluted shampoo. Rinse, condition,
rinse, dry. Clean out the sand from
the tub with paper towel as much as
possible, then once the remaining
sand is dry in the bottom of the tub I
vacuum it out.
Linda Brookes
Alika Tia Cotons
8 IN THE DOGHOUSE!
Everyday Problems & Solutions
PLEASE HELP: Two of my Cotons bark at absolutely anything on TV that is not “human”, be it the GEICO
Lizard, a cartoon character, or God forbid, a dog! I used to love watching “Animal Planet” while grooming
my Cotons but forget that. Is it possible to curb the obnoxious barking short of keeping the dogs crated or in
another room if the TV is on? How come some dogs don’t see what is on TV while others do?
Cindy Robinson, Raindance Cotons
Domestic dogs can perceive images on television
said. "Some are territorial, some are not; some like
similarly to the way we do, and they are intelligent
people, some hate people; some are predatory, some
enough to recognize onscreen images of animals as
aren't;
some
are
pushy,
some
are
shy.
they would in real life—even animals they've never seen
Some dogs not only bark at animals on the screen, but
before—and to recognize TV dog sounds, like barking.
also run behind the TV looking for them. "It takes all types
A 2013 study published in the
of dogs to make the world go round,"
journal Animal Cognition showed
he added. Hearing a barking dog on
that dogs could identify images of
the set often gets TV-watching dogs
other dogs among pictures of
excited.
Others
"have
been
humans and other animals, using
desensitized to television. When they
their visual sense alone.writ some
see a dog on TV they may think,
However,
there
are
some
'Those guys just hang out on the
differences between ourselves and
television. They never actually walk
man's best friend—for one, dogs'
around,'" Dodman said. Write someth
eyes register images more quickly
What breed a dog is may influence
than do ours. So older television
its reactions to TV. Hounds, which
sets, which show fewer frames per
are driven by smell, aren't as
second than modern televisions,
interested in visuals, but herding
would appear to a dog to be
breeds, such as terriers, may be
flickering like a "1920s movie," said
more stimulated by moving objects
Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary
they see on the small screen.
behaviorist at Tufts University, in
Many of us leave a radio or TV on
Massachusetts.
when we leave the house to keep
Dogs also have dichromatic
our dog company, hoping that the
vision, which means they see a
sound is more comforting to our pets
range of two primary colors, yellow
than silence. Channels that feature
and
blue.
Human
vision
is
animals might be preferable to news
trichromatic, so we see the full range
programs, but, like many humans,
dogs often just half-watch TV
of colors, according to Binghamton The Coton is beside himself watching a dog
anyway.
University's Ask a Scientist web show, while the Schnauzer could care less!
"They orient to things they're
page.
interested in, look at it for a couple of minutes and go
DogTV, an HDTV cable channel designed for dogs,
'hmm, interesting,' and then look away," said Dodman.
interests canines because HDTV has a much higher
Even so, "that's better than spinning your wheels all day
number of frames per second and is specially colored to
while your owners are away." accommodate dogs' dichromatic vision, said Dodman,
who is the channel's chief scientist.writesomething here
(Above information adapted from National Geographic,
DogTV has modes for relaxation, which shows
Liz Langley)
images like dogs chilling out in a grassy field;
stimulation, which depicts scenes like dogs surfing in
Do you have suggestions for Cindy? We will publish
southern California; and exposure which shows a dog
reacting to a ringing doorbell and obeying commands to
your input in our next edition.
acclimate them to such situations at home.
Does your Coton have a behavior issue you
Beyond biology, how dogs react to TV—whether it's
running around, barking excitedly, or just ignoring it—
would like feedback on? Email your concern to
may come down to personality or breed. "Different
share with our Members.
dogs, like people, have different personalities," Dodman [email protected].
9 PAWS4NEWS…. What your dog would tell you.
Ouch! Salty Paws!
By Kels Lindsay, NACA Member
Winter brings some wonderful things like romping in
the snow. It also poses a challenge for many dogs in
that their paws are exposed to not only wet and cold
but various types of salt products used on sidewalks
and streets. It you are an urban dweller this is
particularly true with regard to salting. Some salts are
“dog friendly” while others are not. But none of these
are great for our 4-footed sweeties. Snow can cause
“snow balling” which is a snow ball type build up
between the toes and pads. With long haired dogs this
can be a potentially serious issue.
How do you know it’s a problem? Easy, your dog
tells you by limping and/or lying down and suddenly
not wanting to walk. It just plain hurts. Think about
it…would you rub salt into a cut? Not me!!! The paws
and skin close to the pads can have small breaks (hardly noticeable) or cracks (clearly visible). Creating a barrier is
one of the goals. The other is to condition the pads. These paw creams & ointments create a barrier as well as
condition the paws. They contain mineral oil and lanolin and may have wax. They also help to decrease slipping on
snow and ice. Be aware that these products may or may not stain your carpet.
WHAT TO DO:
1. Start with cleans paws.
2. Apply a paw protector ointment/cream to pads and between the toes.
3. Wipe paws off after each exposure. Apply paw cream multiple times per week not just once a week as some labels
state.
This is the same procedure for the summer to protect the paws from hot pavement. The paw cream is something to
use all year long.
ANOTHER OPTION: BOOTIES!
•
•
•
•
They do protect the paws but…
They are a royal pain to put on.
They tend to fall off and it’s not easy to get a good fit.
They alter the dog’s gait…at least that’s been my experience.
Some dogs will tolerate them while others work fast & furiously to get them off.
My results?? My little fellow tolerated the boots but they altered his gait and just wouldn’t stay on. The ointment has
worked well.
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS:
1. 21st Century Essential Pet Dog Paw Pad Protector 2 oz. $7.99 Pet Smart: In stores & online.
2. Petco Solutions Tender Paw 5 oz. $15.99
Petco: In stores & online.
3. Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Balm 2.1 oz. $14.99 - $24.99 Republic of Paws, Amazon, Petco: Online only.
What your dog would tell you? Oh, what a relief it is!!! 10 Coming Soon!
New Brochures for Members WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL COLOR BROCHURES
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR OUR
MEMBERS TO SHARE AND FOR BREEDERS
TO PROVIDE TO THEIR PUPPY BUYERS.
UKC & AKCWhat’s the Difference?
EMAIL [email protected]
Dear Members, Show Updates
We want to provide you with an informative newsletter four times a year, but we cannot do it without your participation. Do not be shy about sharing a story about your new Coton puppy, with pictures of course, or to write of your own experience with training, grooming, showing, and breeding. Take it from me, Coton People love reading about anything Coton! Starting in Conformation
The Hows-and-Whys
of health tests
Send us your questions or any new ideas for content. …and more!
Cheers & yips, Cindy Robinson, Editor P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who is like-­‐minded in your love for Cotons. Would you like to contribute an article,
photos, or announcements to our
newsletter? Email submissions to:
[email protected]
COTON CHRONICLES IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
AND SENT TO MEMBERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN
COTON ASSOCIATION. BY SHOWCASING MEMBERS’
COTONS WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR
MEMBERS TO GET INVOLVED IN UKC EVENTS:
AGILITY, OBEDIENCE, RALLY OBEDIENCE, AND
CONFORMATION SHOWING, AS WELL AS THERAPY
WORK. THE NACA ENDORSES THE UKC’S “TOTAL
DOG” PHILOSOPHY FOR THE COTON DE TULEAR.
Visit our website at:
http://www.americancotons.com
Please send photographs as full-size
attachments in jpeg format.
All content expressed in COTON CHRONICLES is the opinion and shared experience of the articles’ authors, and is not necessarily endorsed by the NACA. Any information shared here in regard to health issues of the Coton de Tulear should be considered but researched on your own or by referring to your veterinarian before following any advice given. The NACA is not liable for content, but publishes articles deemed of interest to owners of the breed.