GREAT DANE CLUB
OF
CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
March/April 2013 ~ Newsletter
CH OVD Sir Gustav O”Galloway
Articles for the newsletter are welcomed. Please send articles and advertising copy to the editor:
Carol Ragan, 801 Nolstead Court, Raleigh, NC 27614 [email protected]
The Great Dane Club of Central North Carolina, Inc. was formed in March 2004. We are AKC
accredited and GDCA affiliated. We are certified to hold our very own specialty show. This
club was founded to provide a place where all Dane owners can come together to share their
knowledge and experiences.
Visit our webpage at www.GDCCNC.org
Board of Directors:
President: Chris Hepler, Graham, NC
Vice President: Pam Blackmon, Clayton, NC
Treasurer: Christy Balazs, Colfax, NC
Corresponding Secretary: Wanda Hepler, Graham, NC
Recording Secretary: Richard Cyr McMillon, Clayton, NC
Board Member: Terri Dillistin, Oxford, NC
Board Member: Carol Ragan, Raleigh, NC
Meetings of the Great Dane Club of Central North Carolina
01/19/2013
02/09/2013
03/23/2013
05/11/2013
07/13/2013
08/17/2013
08/31/2013
09/01/2013
11/09/2013
12/07/2013
home
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1st Board Meeting - Annual Planning Meeting - Done!
1st Club Meeting / 2nd Board Meeting - 12:00 @ Terri Dillistin’s home – Done!
3rd Club meeting - Meet'n'Greet @ Spring Tarheel
Spring Fling! + 4th Club Meeting/ 3rd Board Meeting 1:00 PM @ Hepler’s
5th Club Meeting/ 4th Board Meeting @ the CyrMcMillon’s
6th Club Meeting/ 5th Board Meeting @ Greensboro Shows
Specialty Show/ Sweeps with DKC @ NC Fairgrounds, Raleigh
7th Club Meeting @ NC Fairgrounds, Raleigh
8th Club Meeting / 6th Board Meeting @ Greensboro Shows
9th Club Meeting / 7th Board Meeting and Annual Holiday Party @ The Balazs’
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 03/22/2013 - We are supporting entries for the show in conjunction with the Durham
Kennel Club. Come on out and be a part of the show!
Saturday, 03/23/13 - 3rd Club Meeting after Danes show at Raleigh
Fairgrounds/SpringTarheel. Meet’n’Greet - following the club meeting. Join us for BBQ.
Trophies for Fall Specialties Needed:
We will need prizes for both specialties and for sweeps. BBE and AOH are in good shape.
We have competition with Lexington and Shreveport that weekend, so let's try to make our
specialty memorable.
Please send me what you would like to donate before April 12, so I can get it in for the
premium deadline.
Memory Armstrong
Trophy Chair
GDCCNC Fall Specialties
February Meeting Highlights:
The 1st club meeting/2nd board meeting of the year was held on February 9th at Terri Dillistin’s
home in Oxford, NC. Terri provided some delicious food. Thanks for hosting the meeting.
Committee reports were given for:
Supported Entry (Christy): The judges, prizes, refreshments, and meeting place were
discussed.
Spring Raffle (Tracy): the quantity of prizes, manning of the raffle & a suggestion to have
the Superintendent announce the raffle were discussed.
Fall Specialty (Wanda & Christy): The pros and cons of MB-F vs. the club doing the work,
entry fees, & judges were discussed.
Prizes (Memory): the prize budget & ribbon colors were discussed.
Specialty Advertising: Richard produced a greyscale ad that can be printed and
disseminated at shows that club member attend. A color ad has been posted on Facebook
and Website. Terri requested the ad so she could disseminate it at Westminster.
Judge Nomination (John): Voting options were discussed and a form of plurality voting will
be used for the upcoming judges selection. Each member will receive 5 votes to choose from
the list of nominees. The judges will be ranked based on the total votes received.
GDCA (Wanda): the ballot for 2014 National Specialty judges was discussed. The Club has
one vote based on all members and each member of GDCA can cast their vote separately as
well.
Newsletter: examples of newsletters from other clubs were presented &a discussion
ensued about what would make sense for our club. Ads will be available for a front cover for
$35.00 and for inside for $25.00.
The flyer for our Fall Specialty Show:
Member News:
Birthday greetings go out to Alice Corrigan, Gavin Britz, John Rider, Richard CyrMcMillon, & Carol Ragan who have March & April birthdays — Happy Birthday!
Newsletter:
Thanks to those who contributed to this newsletter—in addition to those specifically
mentioned in the newsletter, additional items were received from Richard Cyr-McMillon ,
Memory Armstrong, & Pam Blackmon.
Rescue
If you have room in your hearts and homes, you can help a Great Dane in need by
considering adopting from one of the rescue groups in North Carolina.
Great Dane Rescue Alliance
GDRA is in need of towels and blankets so any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Great Dane Friends
Great Dane Rescue
Triple J Great Dane Rescue
Treasurer:
1. Dues statements were sent out earlier in the week.
2. N990 filed for IRS
3. Insurance was paid and Insurance Certificate had been received
4. $9.00 Deposited.
GDCA News:
From JP Yousha, Chairman of the GDCA Health and Research Committee:
As some of you may know, OFA/CHF offers a free online health & welfare survey to CHIC
breeds like ours. For the past year I have been working with Eddie Dzuik & Robin Nuttall to
produce such a survey for the Great Dane. This is now active & I invite all Dane owners to go
to this link & answer the survey for each Dane they have owned:
http://www.offa.org/surveys/survey_greatdane.html
These online surveys do have their limitations, bear in mind. They must be formatted to avoid
text answers and only certain parameters, a certain length (which restricted the number of
questions) are possible; so certainly not every issue of all will be addressed with complete
satisfaction. Plus there isn't true scientific rigor when it comes to the sample being unbiased.
That said, I do feel the major issues and areas are addressed adequately. And given we get
a large enough number of respondents, we should at least be able to "take the breed's
temperament" (so to speak) as to majors concerns of health & welfare. This will both allow to
better direct research where choices exist, help with education efforts where relevant, and
even provide the basis for a more formal health survey.
It's been more than a decade since a health survey has been done on our breed. This one is
free, another pioneering program offered by OFA. Note please I insured this survey is open
to ALL Danes worldwide , not just AKC Danes. So please take the time to fill out the survey.
News from AKC:
From the AKC Canine Health Foundation:
One of the greatest challenges for the researchers working to prevent, treat and cure canine
disease is recruiting participation in research projects. You and your dog may be able to help
move research forward by providing a DNA sample or enrolling in a clinical trial.
Providing DNA generally requires shipping a blood sample to the researcher. Some
veterinarians will discount the blood draw if it is being used to support research. Enrolling in a
clinical trial brings with it a commitment to follow through on therapies and testing. The
benefits can include access to cutting-edge medicine and the chance to help future
generations of dogs.
Current requests for participation include:
 DNA samples from Cleft Lip/Palate affected dogs and relatives
 DNA samples from Boxers and French Bulldogs with Granulomatous Colitis and
healthy Boxers and French Bulldogs
 Clinical trial for dogs with Immune Mediated Polyarthropathy
 Clinical trial for experimental therapeutic to prevent Diabetic Cataracts
 Blood and urine samples from dogs with Leptospirosis
View the complete list of studies needing participation*. Each study has unique requirements,
so please contact the laboratory listed if you have questions about a specific project.
And don't forget that samples are always being accepted by the Canine Health Information
Center DNA Repository and the Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium.
From all of us at the AKC Canine Health Foundation, thank you for considering participating
in research!
*The AKC Canine Health Foundation ensures studies are Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee
(IACUC) approved and provide standard informed owner consent information before publicizing
requests
for participation. Not all projects listed are funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the
inclusion
of information about studies does not necessarily imply a recommendation for participation. This list
is
provided as a service to dog owners and breeders.
Health & Welfare:
Dog Dental Care from DogChannel.com
Edited by Kristin Mehus-Roe | Posted: Feb 20, 2013
Brushing your dog's teeth is an important part of your dog's health care routine.
To ensure good dental health, a dog’s teeth need to be brushed daily using a special
toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. This dental care regimen should start when your
dog is six to eight months of age, once the adult teeth are in. For dogs who aren’t willing to
have their teeth brushed but have a problem with rapid tartar buildup, veterinarians
recommend feeding the dog a special dental diet that’s designed to have a crosshatch effect
on teeth, scrubbing them all the way to the gum line. Other dry dog foods and biscuits can
help crack off tartar but don’t affect the gum line area.
Other preventive measures include providing dog toys and treats that have a tartar-removing
effect. These include hard rubber chew toys with hollow interiors that can be stuffed with
treats, as well as rope or sheepskin toys, which have fibers that help keep the dog’s teeth
clean.
If a dog’s teeth aren’t cared for, the result is sure to be periodontal disease, the most
common dental condition affecting dogs. Periodontal disease is the inflammation and
infection of the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth. It begins when bacteria-laden
plaque and tartar (calculus) build up on teeth, especially below the gum line. Pockets form
under the gum line and food lodges in the pockets. These bits of dog food that remain on
teeth are breeding grounds for bacteria. The resulting infection causes bad breath, bleeding
and inflammation of the gums, receding gums, loosening of teeth, and eventual tooth loss.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of dogs over the
age of three years develop gum, or periodontal, disease. Any dog can develop periodontal
disease, but it’s seen most commonly in toy dog breeds. These dogs have the same number
of teeth (42) as larger dog breeds, but the teeth are crowded into a smaller area. Regular
brushing is the best way to get rid of dog food residue so it doesn’t harden and form the ugly
brown deposits known as tartar.
Routine periodontal treatment performed by a veterinarian typically includes ultrasonic
scaling, subgingival manual scaling, and polishing. For advanced cases of periodontal
disease, some dental specialists use antibiotic therapy, which involves cleaning and
polishing the teeth, regular home brushing, and administering antibiotics for the first five days
of every month. This dental care regimen decreases the progression of the disease. Another
new treatment is Doxyrobe, a gel placed inside the socket to sterilize it. This sustainedrelease form of doxycycline is used in periodontal pockets to increase attachment. If the
dog’s teeth are in really bad shape, periodontal surgery such as bone grafting and guided
tissue regeneration can be performed. For the most severe cases, extraction is the only
option.
Endodontic conditions involve broken or abscessed teeth that require root canals or
extractions. Endodontic problems are most common in large dogs, especially shepherd and
retriever dog breeds. These dogs chew a lot on such things as fences, cow hooves, and
bones, wearing their teeth down and sometimes breaking them. Even chewing on ice cubes
can cause a dog’s teeth to fracture.
Dental fractures are common in dogs, and treatment is a must if the pulp, the soft tissue that
fills the center of a tooth, is exposed. This is not only painful, but it can also lead to tissue
death and abscess. A root canal is the preferred method of treatment for such cases,
although occasionally extraction is the best choice.
Don’t ignore a broken tooth, even if it doesn’t seem to bother the dog. The majority of dogs
are happier and more active once a tooth repair is made.
There are cases where a dog may require oral surgery. Oral surgery is done usually to
remove teeth or repair fractured jaws. Extractions are performed with minimal pain and
discomfort, and jaw fractures can be repaired using new techniques that minimize damage to
the dog’s teeth and ensure a rapid return to normal function.
Dogs may also need oral surgery when they’re diagnosed with tumors of the mouth and
throat, which are common in dogs. Radiotherapy and recently developed surgical techniques
for removing oral tumors are now available. These techniques often give excellent results,
both in terms of cosmetic appearance and prognosis, provided they are applied at an early
stage of the disease.
Examine your dog’s mouth monthly. Oral tumors can go unnoticed until they’ve reached an
advanced stage of development, making successful treatment more difficult. Bring any
suspicious swellings or persistent sores to the attention of your veterinarian. Besides oral
tumors, dogs can also develop noncancerous masses and swellings such as gingival
hyperplasia.
Excerpt from The Original Dog Bible with permission from its publisher I-5 Publishing, LLC.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-health/dog-teeth/dog-dental-care.aspx?cm_mmc=16269360
Dog Food Recall: Nature's Variety from DogChannel.com
Dog food company issues voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct Raw Organic Chicken
Formula for Dogs & Cats due to possible health risk. Posted: February 20, 2013
Nature's Variety has issued a voluntary recall on its Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula.
Dog food maker Nature's Variety announced a voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct Raw Organic
Chicken Formula with a "Best if Used By" date of 10/04/13. Pieces of clear plastic might be found in
some bags and could cause a potential choking risk to cats and dogs. The source of plastic has been
identified and the issue has been resolved.
The affected product is strictly limited to a single batch of Organic Chicken Formula with the "Best if
Used By" date of 10/04/13. This includes:
UPC# 7 69949 60137 1 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 3 lbs. bag
UPC# 7 69949 70137 8 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 27 lbs. case
UPC# 7 69949 60127 2 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 6 lbs. bag
UPC# 7 69949 70127 9 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 36 lbs. case
The "Best if Used By" date is located on the back of the package below the "Contact Us" section. The
affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and
Canada. No other products were impacted.
Nature's Variety became aware of a potential issue after receiving a consumer complaint. The source
of the issue was identified and resolved. To date, there have been no reports of harm to dogs or cats.
Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature's Variety, stated, "At Nature's Variety we take quality and safety very
seriously. We believe that under all circumstances, the health and safety of pets comes first."
Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet's health, and
contact their veterinarian if they have concerns. Consumers who have purchased one of the above
products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging
or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.
Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature's Variety Consumer Relations team at
1.888.519.7387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Or, questions can be emailed.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2013/02/20/natures-variety-dog-foodrecall.aspx?cm_mmc=16269360
Photo Gallery:
Danes in the News:
Great Dane from Michigan named world’s tallest dog By Stephen Rex Brown / New York Daily
News /Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Guiness Book of World Records has recognized Zeus, a 3-year-old Great Dane who
measures 44 inches from foot to shoulder.
Zeus drinks from the kitchen faucet in Otsego, Mich.
Kevin Doorlag stands with his dog Zeus in Otsego, Mich.
Zeus is the Greatest Dane of all.
The 3-year-old behemoth named after the Greek god of thunder is the world’s tallest dog,
according to the latest edition of the Guinness Book of Records, measuring 44 inches from
foot to shoulder.
He’s a handful, but his Otsego, Mich., owners love him — which matches a new survey that
dogs really are man, and a woman’s, best friend.
It’s unlikely anyone would want to share a bed — or even an RV — with Zeus. The immense
animal measures 7-feet-4 standing on his hind legs. He weighs 155 pounds, drinks from the
kitchen sink without having to lift his head and eats a 30-pound bag of dog food every two
weeks.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/great-dane-michigan-named-worldtallest-dog-article-1.1158804#ixzz2MbyHUkwQ
Chandler Great Dane named world's tallest living female dog! by Tami Hoey,
azfamily.com Posted on December 28, 201
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- They say that every dog has her day.
And today belongs to Bella, who was just named the world’s tallest living female dog!
Bella is a lovable Great Dane who lives in Chandler. The Guinness Book of World Records
recently crowned her the tallest living female dog in the world.
"I was elated,” says Bella’s owner Andy Barbee. “I had no idea Guinness would actually
approve it, but it worked out beautifully."
Bella weighs 170 pounds and eats four cups of dog food every day, with a little water mixed
in.
When it comes to naming a Top Dog, the requirements for the Guinness Book of World
Records are very specific. Her owner had to use a special certified measuring stick to find
out that their pooch stands just over three feet tall, shoulder to foot, while standing on all
fours. That mean’s Bella’s even taller, if you count her head!
"She has to be measured 3 different distinct times in three different positions and there have
to be at least three witnesses,” Barbee tells us.
Bella has earned four obedience titles. But for now, she’s retired. Her owner says she
spends lots of time playing with her housemate, an eight month old pup named Mrs.
Calabash.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Chandler-Great-Dane-named-worlds-tallest-living-female-dog185076261.html?gallery=y&c=y#/news/Chandler-Great-Dane-named-worlds-tallest-livingfemale-dog-185076261.html?gallery=y&c=y&img=4&auto=slide
Just for Fun:
You Might Be A Great Dane Owner If… (from Serendipity is Sweet)
You use your microwave as a place to hide food because your dog can reach the top of the
refrigerator.
When you wake in the morning and open your eyes, you are staring nose to nose with your
dog even though you are laying atop of your queen size bed.
You go for a walk in the neighborhood and everyone stops to meet your dog and ignores
your kids.
You go to vacuum your car and most of the fur is up there on the ceiling.
You purchase a large screen TV and you still can't see the program when he stands in front
of the television.
Your dog can hide an entire tennis ball (among other things) fully inside his lips and give you
that innocent look that says, "What? I'm not eating anything!"
You have given up on water dishes because your dog prefers to use the sink.
You avoid the dogs on your way out the door, so they won't smear your makeup.
You tell your dog to sit and he backs up until his rear hits the sofa.
Your dog can swallow an entire stick of butter in one gulp.
Miscellaneous:
FOR DOGS- FROSTY PAWS! Homemade dog treats frosty paws
Recipe: 32 oz. plain yogurt 1 mashed ripe banana 2 tablespoons peanut butter 2
tablespoons honey
England Mandates I.D. Chips in Dogs from DogChannel.com
By DC News Team | Posted: Feb 14, 2013
Microchipping of dogs will become mandatory in England starting in April 2016 in the hope of
reuniting more lost pets with their owners, reducing the workload at animal shelters and
promoting responsible pet ownership.
Free identification chips will be implanted at 18 Dogs Trust centers and through local
authorities and housing associations, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs reported.
Owners who fail to microchip their dog after being advised to do so by police or local
authorities may be fined up to $800.
The new law won the endorsement of groups such as the London-based dog welfare charity
Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Association.
“This will help to reduce the number of dogs that needlessly end up with an uncertain fate in
council pounds and rescue centers when their owners simply cannot be traced,” says
Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of Dogs Trust. “We urge dog owners to view microchipping
as part and parcel of dog ownership and, importantly, also take responsibility for keeping
their contact details up to date.”
BVA president Peter Jones, BVSc, MRCVS, applauded the move and said pet owners may
find free microchipping through some veterinarians.
“The introduction of compulsory microchipping is a giant leap for dogs and their owners and
is something that vets have long campaigned for,” Dr. Jones said. “Microchipping is a small
cost in terms of dog ownership, with veterinary practices offering microchipping for around
[$23 to $32] or for free as part of a practice promotion.”
Dog owners will have to register their microchipped dog on an authorized commercial
database and update contact information when the owner moves or the dog is sold or given
away.
“Microchips are only as useful as the information on the database, and so it is essential that
owners realize that they must keep their details up to date,” said Mark Johnston, BVetMed,
MRCVS, president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
More than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost annually in England at a cost of more than $89
million to taxpayers and welfare charities, Defra added.
“It’s a shame that in a nation of dog lovers, thousands of dogs are roaming the streets or
stuck in kennels because the owner cannot be tracked down,” Environment Secretary Owen
Paterson says. “I am determined to put an end to this and ease the pressure on charities and
councils to find new homes for these dogs.”
The United Kingdom is home to an estimated 8 million dogs, 60 percent of which carry a
microchip. Microchips are compulsory only in Northern Ireland.
The United States has no such law, but the American Veterinary Medical Association
endorses the practice.
An AVMA policy statement urges that veterinarians scan all companion animals, birds and
equids for microchips and note the presence or absence of one in the patient’s medical
record.
“This routine scanning for a microchip not only aids in the positive identification of an animal
but also provides the opportunity to assess if the microchip is still functioning properly and
located appropriately, as well as reminding owners to keep their microchip database contact
information current,” the AVMA adds.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2013/02/14/england-mandates-microchips-indogs.aspx?cm_mmc=16269360
Doggie Lit:
A Dog's Purpose, by W. Bruce Cameron
Amazon Book Description:
This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of
several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the
universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically
short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving
arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to
be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet
again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the
emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on
human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This
moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are
always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.
Gripes & Grins
Wanda and Christy announced that their co-owned puppy, Winston, earned his first point in
Ladson, SC.
Memory announced Tosca was Best BBE in Ocala with a BBE Group 3 competition in Ocala,
FL.