Cadie's soapbox-

I have two "articles" on the blog Dog Laws At Large. The first one I wrote, Abandonment is Not Just a Dog and Cat Issue, as a result of the Nebraska "safe haven law" that gave parents the option of dropping children off at a hospital with out being prosecuted.
The second "article" was posted yesterday. It is called, An "Overpopulation" Problem? Maybe, but not with Dogs. I am a wildlife biologist by training and profession, and "over population" has a "real" meaning. I get very tired of hearing the AR groups state, "there is an overpopulation problem" when it comes to pets. So I did some research and wrote about it (this really is a tongue-in-cheek look at populations, but with numbers to back it up).

I thought that both of those were more appropriate for that blog, but I hope that you will check them out.

Read more...

Published in Dogs In Review

My Dogs In Review magazine arrived today and I am SO excited. I had submitted an "opinion piece" to them, and they published it.
This is the article as I sent it to DR: they did edit it a little (but really, not much at all or I wouldn't be putting this here.

AKC and the Mixed Breed
Catherine “Cadie “ Pruss, Acadia Shelties

As a breeder of AKC registered Shetland Sheepdogs who personally participates in multiple AKC sanctioned competitions, I have no problem with the idea that mixed breed dogs could compete in agility, obedience and rally. I own a 14 year old German Shepherd / Rottweiler mix who I love dearly and if this had been an option for him, he would have titles too. I do have a problem with the timing of this decision by the AKC given the current social and political climate.
My concern is that AKC is more than just looking for ways to increase revenue, but rather, they see the “writing on the wall” and recognize that currently proposed and passed legislation will make hobby breeders a thing of the past. We hobby breeders like to claim to be “the backbone” of the AKC, but in reality we just don’t breed enough dogs to sustain the organization. The United Kennel Club has long allowed mixed breed dogs to compete in obedience and agility. I used to think it was great to see “anyone” develop a personal relationship with their dog through training and competing, now I wonder if the new “backbone” of the AKC will be the “shelter adoptee”.
Hobby breeders understand that registrations are down. I don’t think it is because the demand for purebred dogs has decreased. I serve as the Pennsylvania breeder referral person for the American Shetland Sheepdog Association and I receive far more inquiries from people looking for puppies than breeders telling me they have puppies to sell. Many breeders don’t contact me because they get enough inquiries themselves to sell their own puppies. I think that most of us hobby breeders would acknowledge that the there are not enough “well bred” dogs for the demand. If that premise is true, and I think it is, then in theory it would be easy to breed more litters and sell more puppies.
In today’s society, it is not socially acceptable to breed more litters and sell more puppies. Even amongst us dog show enthusiasts and participants we degrade our competition by claiming, “so and so is a puppy mill”. The social pressures not to breed has even permeated our culture of purebred dogs and those who are “breeding with a purpose”. Hobby breeders are also facing increased regulations, inspections, penalties, fines, if they exceed a certain dog number/ litter number threshold- which is different for each inspecting organization, state, county, township, etc. Many people have decided that it is not worth it. Those who continue to breed dogs will most likely face increased paperwork documenting the care (feeding, watering, pen cleaning, sanitizing, breeding schedules), wellbeing (vaccination records, wormings, treatments, proof that certain practices were performed by a licensed veterinarian), and socializing (how long, what age, what surface, what experience) of those dogs- not to mention the inspection of your legality to breed including breeding permits and licenses.
Hobby Breeders are being regulated right out of breeding, while businesses (read: high volume, for-profit breeding facilities) will make the changes required by law and become our Nations’ primary source of purebreds. The AKC has taken a lot of criticism in the past for registering dogs from “puppy mills”. I see the decision to add mixed breed dogs to the ranks as a way of deflecting the inevitable. It is hard to claim “We’re more than champion dogs, we’re the dog’s champion.” if your organization is only supporting the “factory farming” of dogs. Timing is Everything. The timing of this decision by the AKC could not have been worse. I understand that the AKC is working to oppose poorly proposed legislation that would limit breeding, I just don’t want them covering all of their bases for the “worst case scenario” and that is what I feel is happening in 2008. I ask, “AKC- are you also the hobby breeder’s champion?” Please, I urge you, don’t make this decision now, demonstrate to your loyal supporters that you are our Champion too. When we have a healthy handle on our politicians, then issue numbers to mixed breeds.

© AKC and Mixed Breed Dogs, by Catherine “Cadie” Pruss Dogs In Review Annual Issue, January 2009 p. 278

Read more...

New Elite Triple Superior and Triple Superior Versatility tiles for Acadia Rally Around the Flag

First weekend of the new year brings exciting agility successes for Phyllis and Rally. Phyllis competed at the Calera Fun-raiser and on Jan. 2 Rally completed the Elite Triple Superior & Superior Elite Versatility agility titles. What a great start to the new Year! Congratulations Phyllis and Rally!

Read more...

Does Your dog have “people”?

H&R Block thinks we need “people”. In their version- “people” help us do our taxes. Many times I have heard others reference their “team”- meaning their lawyer, accountant, tax preparer, financial assistant- and the list of experts we use in life goes on.

Dogs need a team of “people” too. No single person has all of the answers or provides all of the services a dog needs, so a team of people who collectively have the answers and provide services is important for them as well.

First- start with a good breeder. This “team member” should have breed knowledge, dog knowledge, and be a good resource. You should be able to ask them questions about nutrition, grooming, health issues, training, toys, teats, supplies and “other things dog”. Most breeders that I know love to talk about dogs and are always learning. Breeders should also encourage owners of the dogs they produce to “build a team”. Often times one question a breeder will ask is, “do you have a good Vet you are working with?” This question is important because a good local Vet is an important member of “the team”.

What are some of the things that make a Vet a “good” Vet? They listen to you. If they don’t know what is wrong, they don’t “fake it”- they figure it out. Vets should not be expected to know “everything”, but good Vets are interested in learning more and when a problem comes up they have not seen before, they take the opportunity to learn more about it- OR- they refer you to another Vet (also a good solution).

A good trainer would be a third team member. This member of the team is the most important for the first year of the dogs’ life. Good puppy classes are Very Important. I recommend going to a puppy class that is taught by an AKC or UKC affiliated club. As a generalization, trainers from clubs that are affiliated with these two registries keep up to date on the latest (currently positive) training methods. People who compete with their own dogs are always attempting to figure out the “best” training method and often modify training class curriculum to reflect what they have learned. Clubs are also good places to find a “new” trainer if the person who is currently teaching your class is not all you hoped for in an instructor.

I recommend finding a club near you even before you bring your puppy home. Go and watch a few classes. Watch the instructors. Talk to the instructors. Talk to a class participant. Ask what the general philosophy of the club is towards training. Ask what methods of training they use. A breeder (team member #1) will be so impressed by your “homework”. If you are having trouble finding a club, the breeder may be able to point you in the right direction. The breeder will also be able to discuss the training methods with you. Shelties can be a sensitive breed. Positive training methods (I use the clicker method) get the best results with shelties. Some think that shelties are “born trained”- but as I like to say, I feel that training strengthens the bonds of friendship in ways that truly allow them to become your "best friends."

A fourth team member is a good house sitter or a good boarding kennel. Personally, I much prefer house sitters. I think that keeping a dog in its home while you are away is much easier on the dog and the dog is much less likely to become ill as a result of your vacation. The trick is finding a responsible house sitter. This may be the teenager next door who loves dogs or an adult who is offering a “pet sitting” service. Of course boarding kennels are “predictable” and you can go see exactly how your dog will live while you are on vacation. Really, it is good to have both on the team. If you go away for a weekend, you may want a pet sitter, if you go away for a month, a boarding kennel may be your best option. It all depends on the members of your team!

A dog who has “people” is well looked after and loved.


© This article is protected by copyright- permission to cross post must be requested and if granted, citation is required.
Does Your Dog Have “People”, by Cadie Pruss http://www.acadiashelties.blogspot.com/ January 4, 2009

Read more...

Christmas Blessings

Genna's 2 puppies born on Christmas Eve.

Last year I was leasing a bitch named Sparkle and she was due to deliver around Christmas. My sister had invited me and Mike to come celebrate Christmas at their house. I asked, "may I bring Sparkle?" They said, "sure". Sparkle delivered 2 puppies- 1 boy and 1 girl on Christmas eve. I remember thinking of all the times I had asked (my parents) for a puppy for Christmas while I was growing up and I thought how sometimes you just had to wait 30+ years for the answer to be "yes". This year we were once again blessed with 2 lovely puppies- 1 boy and 1 girl on Christmas eve. I find it funny how things work out sometimes.

Read more...

Motherly Love

Dove and babies born 12/30/08

Read more...

Year In Review- 2008

As I looked back and reflected on the year, I was amazed at how successful it had been for Acadia. I hadn't realized it until I began compiling, and then I was surprised to see that some of the fun and "eventful" things I had done had not even made the blog!

One example of a missed blog entry- I showed at Westminster! I can't believe I didn't write about it. It was a wonderful experience and I have Chris and Madeleine Griffin-Cone to thank. I showed the lovely Ch. Gryphyn The Aviator for them. He was a pleasure to show, and they were a pleasure to show for.

Another happening that I didn't write about- I was elected to serve as an American Shetland Sheepdog Association Regional Representative. I attended my first ASSA board meeting in September in St. Louis. It is exciting and also a responsibility to serve this breed I love so much.

I had two sweepstakes judging assignments- one for Three Rivers Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Pittsburgh and one for the Northern California Shetland Sheepdog Club. I enjoyed both assignments and noticed that both times Blue merles were Best in Sweeps. In Pittsburgh a Bi-color was Runner-up and in No. Cal a sable was Runner-up.

While in No. Calif. I got to meet and stay with Amy- Quill's mom. That was a pleasure.

A Fun and exciting surprise was when I discovered that I had been quoted on Shelties On Line (see June 7th). What a thrill!

The magazine ShowSights asked me to participate in the "Tell us about the Herding Group" for a second time this year (I participated in 2007 as well).

Dogs In Review accepted an Opinion piece I had written and it is in the Annual Issue due out this month. I couldn't believe it when I found out that I would get paid for my opinion. My husband says that I have so many opinions, if I could figure out how to get paid for even a fraction of them I would be rich!

Then of course there were the many successes of the dogs and their owners- these are the ones I am most proud of. All-in-all, in 2008 Acadia shelties earned:

5 new Rally-O titles

23 new Agility titles (I think I got them all- if not, then there are more than 23!)

1 New Obedience title

5 New Herding titles

1 Canadian Championship

and I finished 1 champion for Ken and Gloria Hansen- Belaire Shelties

The titles that were earned in 2008 are in italics.

Sunburst Bright Sunny Day won a 5 pt. specialty major (I bred her). Shown by her owner Sharon Crawford, Sunburst shelties (and also a co-breeder)

Belaire's Little Bit Country won a 5 pt. specialty major (I showed her). Owned by Ken and Gloria Hansen, Belaire Manor shelties and corgis.

Acadia Aquilegia, RN,RA,RE, CD, AX,AXJ Owned, loved, and trained by Amy

Acadia Catcher In the Rye, CDX, NAJ, TN-N, WV-N Owned, loved and trained by Dr. Amy

Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HIAd Show Low is owned, loved, and trained by Penny

Acadia Cierra Like a Rock, OAJ, AXJ, HT, RN Owned and loved by Merrylee and loved and trained by Arlene.

Acadia Sweet Emotion, AXJ, OF, PT, OA both Molly and Valerie are now owned, loved and trained by Pam

MACH 4 Acadia Color of Passion, HSAds, MX, MXJ

NATCH, V-NATCH Acadia Rally Round The Flag, O-TN-N, S-WV-E, S-HP-N both Rally and Rumor are owned, loved and trained by Phyllis

Acadia Rumor Has It, NAC, NCC, NJC, TN-N,O-TN-N, HP-N

Acadia Paint The Town, O-EAC, NATCH-Jump, HP-N, S-WV-O, NATCH-Reg Both Hannah and Hope are owned, loved and trained by Sharon

Acadia I Hope Ewe Can, NAC, NJC, O-TN-N, TG-N,HP-N

Acadia What Ever It Takes, OA, OAJ, AD, OAC, OJC,OCC,TG-O,TN-O, TN-E, HTAD II-s, HTAD III-s, HRDII-s, OTDs Both WIT and Kaibab are owned, loved, and trained by Morene

MACH, ADCH, NATCH2, V-NATCH Acadia's Candidate, MS, GS-E, JS-E, RS-E, HSAs, STDs

Acadia Livana Heirloom Jewels, RN Lizzy is owned, loved and trained by Luann

Acadia Sweet Confection, RN Candy is owned, loved, and trained by Jan

Can. Ch. Grandgables Acadia Accolade Allie is owned and loved by me, but was loved and shown by Guy.

Ch. Belaire's Town N' Country Owned and loved by Ken and Gloria Hansen and shown and loved by me.

PLEASE- If I missed any of your great accomplishements- let me know!!!

And finally- 2008 ends with 7 healthy puppies born on Dec. 30. What a great ending- really, a beginning.

THANK YOU to all who have made 2008 so memorable, successful, and fun.

Read more...