Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

Carmen's Update  
Breeding Better Dogs Newsletter... 21 June 2006
Building a Better World of Breeders - Courtesy Dr. Carmen Battaglia **
In addition to this newsletter, I will continue to add materials to the Breeding Better Dogs website for breeders and  those who attended the Breeding Better Dogs seminars.  Keep up by clicking on “homework."  For a seminar in your area, click on “seminars,” then “schedule.”        Carmen

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PET AIR CARRIER

For those of you who ship dogs in and outside the United States and would like professionals to help, I recommend that you make note of this excellent service.  The Pet Air Carrier Company is based in metro Atlanta.  It is a USDA, TSA registered, Professional Live Animal Shipping Company dedicated to the safe and efficient relocation of live animals on a Global Basis.  They manage the process for you by obtaining all required documents such as:  Permits, International Health Certificates, Endorsements, Customs Clearance, Flight Patterns, etc.  Safety and successful shipping is their priority.  For more information, contact them through their web site at     petaircarrier.com     or call toll free   1(888) 293-2210.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
BREEDS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED

The threat to owner and breeder rights and privileges has been gaining momentum at an alarming rate across the country – it comes  in the form of breed-specific legislation. (BSL).  The term means the banning or restricting the ownership of specific breeds.  It usually begins with a tragic incident where a person, very often a child, has been attacked by a dog.  Rather than address the real problem, many legislators rush to ban the breed.  Penalties include mandatory spay and neuter, muzzling on and off the owner's property, and excessively high licensing fees. There are other detrimental trickle-down effects that impact the homeowners' insurance, shipping on airlines whose policies prohibit their specific dogs, and the cities where specific breeds have been prohibited at dog shows.

Laws should establish a fair process by which a dogs behavior is evaluated based on the deed rather than the breed.  If your club asks you to...help. Take a few minutes and contact your elected official. They know you vote them in and out of office.  Protect your right to own your dog and your breed.
 


GRANTS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZTIONS.
If you know of a Not-for-profit, Search and Rescue organization that needs funding assistance,
have them contact:  Kim Macklin at:     AKC/CAR (919) 816 3564      or e-mail to:  krm@akc.org

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MANAGE YOUR RECORDS

AKC now offers Online Account services to help breeders manage information.  I tried it with my own dogs and found that it works well.  This new feature allows breeders to gather in one place information on all of the dogs and litters you own.  It also lets you keep up with "dogs of interest" that you do not own.  This is a good way to follow the pups you produced and their show careers.

The primary goal of this project is to launch a platform for future services.  Record keeping is just one step in the process.  All you need is an account.  Start at the AKC home page and click on "Create Account" located at the upper right corner of the home page.

For help call AKC Customer Care, Telephone:
919-233-9767, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
DID YOU KNOW?
Registration Rule (Chapter 3, Section 5) that went into effect on June 1, 1932.  It specified the minimum breeding age of 8 months for dams and 7 months for sires.  In those days, the minutes basically just listed the rule that was adopted.  No discussion follows.  My guess is that the Delegates wanted to set
some minimum age.  This provision has been in effect for 74 years and, to my knowledge, has never become an issue.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
THE LAW AND YOUR CELL PHONE

By the time this News Letter reaches you, all cell phone numbers will have been released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive calls. ..YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.... To prevent them, call the following government number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.  It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time.  It blocks your number for five (5) years.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MICROCHIPS AND YOUR DOG

In troubled times such as Katrina, the identification of dogs has become extremely important. Lost dogs can only be reunited with their owners if they have current contact information on file with the AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR).  If you have moved or changed phone numbers it might take longer before you and your lost dog are reunited.  That’s more to worry about and more stress on your dog. The CAR database uses the owner’s name, address and telephone numbers, which are linked to the pet’s unique identification number, whether it is a microchip, tattoo, or AKC CAR-issued collar tag.  Update your contact information at  http://www.akccar.org  or  call 800 252 7894 or send email to:   found@akc.org

Far too many owners believe they will never lose their dog.  But the records at AKC CAR show that they reunite an owner with their lost pet every 7 minutes, 24/7.  That should be proof enough that everyone should chip their dog.

Those who enroll their pets with AKC CAR share in its highly-regarded philanthropic history of veterinary school scholarships, small grants to animal rescue groups and, donations of free scanners to non-profit shelters.

The worldwide view has also changed.  Europe and all of its trading partners. They have mandated microchipping as a condition of positive identification.  This rule applies to pets being shipped in and out of the European Union.  Switzerland's Federal Council has taken this even further and introduced compulsory microchipping for all dogs.  Their goal is to have all dogs clearly marked by 2007.

The US government is considering a microchip requirement.  It could impact those who ship dogs/cat to shows on commercial carriers.    If your dog or cat is not microchipped or if it is microchipped but not enrolled in the AKC CAR database, you can go online and enroll them at http://www.akccar.org.

Breeders that have dog/cats already microchipped but not enrolled in AKC/CAR can enroll them on-line http://www.akccar.org.  There is a one time fee of $12.50 for the life of the pet, with free updates of owner information.  It’s a bargain.  Don’t worry, CAR enrolls all brands of microchips including Home Again, Trovan, AVID, ISO etc. and has over 3 million dogs, over 450,000 cats, and 40,000 horses enrolled.  Responsible dog owners should chip and enroll all of their dogs and cats.  The Katrina and other hurricane victims serve as a constant reminder since over 90% were not microchipped.

The positive feedback from breeders and clubs has prompted the AKC CAR to offer microchipping clinics.  The benefits include:
1.     Permanent ID
2.     A microchip that serves as the id required by OFA and CERF before their data will appear on AKC certified pedigrees.
3.     Protection against theft.  (Microchipping discourages theft.)
4.     Assurance that the recovery time will be short if lost or stolen.
5.     Outward sign of responsible dog ownership
6.     Meets AKC requirements during on-site kennel inspections.

The club program includes:
·        A supply of chips on consignment along with a scanner for the clinic.
·        Clubs are charged $25 for each microchip which includes a lifetime enrollment. After 25 chips have been sold, the cost drops to $20 each.
·        Clubs provide the veterinarian or tech to implant the chip.
·        Clubs can set their own price.  Clinics can use it as a fundraiser.
·        Clubs return to AKC CAR used microchips, scanner and the completed enrollment forms with payment.

Contact Kim Macklin at 919 816 3564        or mai lto:    krm@akc.org

////////////////////////////////////////

**Past GSDCA President Carmen L Battaglia is GSDCA delegate to the AKC and president and CEO of  AKC Companion Animal Rescue (CAR).  He holds a Ph.D. and Masters Degree from Florida State University.  As an AKC judge, researcher and writer, he has been a leader in the promotion of breeding better dogs and responsible dog ownership. He has written many articles and several books.  Dr. Battaglia is also a popular TV and radio talk show speaker.  His seminars on breeding dogs, selecting sires and choosing puppies have been well received by the breed clubs all over the country.  Those interested in learning more about his seminars on weekends, at nationals or after a show should contact him directly.                                cbattaglia@mindspring.com        or         FAX 770.998.1576
Top of Page / Links  / Updates / Home Page / Impact Articles / Info-News-Tips / The SV Says...