August
With a Flick of the Wrist by Chris Zink, DVM
In the last several years, while doing sports-medicine consultations for performance dogs across Canada and the United States, I have seen many canine athletes with carpal arthritis. Interestingly, this condition is much more common in dogs that have had their front dewclaws removed.
Many American dog breeders favor the removal of front dew claws in their puppies. The reason generally cited is either "I like the way the feet and legs look without them" or "dew claws might get caught on something in the field." (I have never heard this from breeders who actually runs their dogs in the field.) You can read Dr Zink's important article in its entirety here .
July
One more from Hunting Hounds by David Michael Duffy
The third good hound requisite is sound, the noise a hound makes as he moves the line or brings his quarry to bay. Call it cry, tongue, mouth, baying, belling, or barking - it all amounts to the same thing. Individual hounds voice their excitement and keep the listening hunter posted about the goings-on with tones and tempos referred to as bawl, chop, squall, squeal, and scream. The only bad sound to issue from the throat of a hunting hound is that peculiar plaint which indicates he's been outwitted and is ready to throw in the towel.
"Spurlaut" is the German word for this sound that a hound makes as he moves the line. Translated, "spur" means trace, track, or trail. "Laut" means noisy, loud, or loudly.
June
Another from Hunting Hounds by David Michael Duffey
Nose alone does not a great hound make. Fine scenting ability must be coupled with another factor residing in the head of a hound. Call it level-headedness, intelligence, fox sense, coon sense, sixth sense, or just "hunting sense" - whatever your personal term for this factor, it must be there. Hundreds of hounds have failed, not because of any nasal deficiency, but for lack of that sense which correlates what their noses tell them with instincts and experiences, allowing them to "put it all together" when the going gets tough.
Tied in with the sense factor is a quality that might be described as desire or determination. It is the will to close with the quarry and to kill that drives a hound on beyond the limits of his endurance and results either in a breaking down or wearing down of the quarry, depending on whether the various hunting situations call for either a speedy or deliberate hound.
May
From Hunting Hounds by David Michael Duffey
As is often the case, what appears as one thing to one man may be described differently by another. To meet today's trial requirements a beagle must maintain constant contact with the line, even if it means walking astraddle it. He must anchor at the checks and work carefully and closely until he regains the line or loses it. This style is favored by some. Others, notably a large number of hunters, are bored by deliberate progress, abhor the anchoring on checks, scream "Potterer!" and sneer at "stylish losses." They prefer a gambling hound that won't dwell too long but will swing out at checks or even take liberties with the line. Inconsistency or flightiness? Swinging? Running hit-or-miss? "He really moves that rabbit, doesn't he? And he'll get me more rabbits quicker than any old walk-along dog will."
You argue about it if you care to. I don't. The criteria of a good hound remain simple. Drive the game without quitting until the chase is concluded, one way or another.
April
Hunting Hounds by David Michael Duffey, published 1972
Hounds can be handsome, and a handsome dog or a beautiful bitch can be a source of considerable pride. Theoretically they should have the physical requirements to make a top hunting hound. To the follower of the chase, however, "handsome is as handsome does," and much more pride is evidenced in the skinny, scarred-up veteran of the chase than in striking showpieces that haven't proved their worth.
March
Charlton Heston
Political correctness is tyranny with manners.
February
From an internet email telling it like it is.
We need to show more sympathy for these people.
* They travel miles in the heat.
* They risk their lives crossing a border.
* They don't get paid enough wages.
* They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.
* They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language.
* They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day ~ every day.
I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans ~ I'm talking about our troops!
January
From the Slash V Working Australian Shepherds website.
If the traits that give our dogs this desire and toughness are never tested it is dangerous to assume they will not be lost.
We can appropriately adapt it to our breed. If the traits that give our dachshunds working desire and toughness are never tested it is dangerous to assume they will not be lost. If field stamina and perseverance are never tested it is dangerous to assume they will not be lost. If nose and game voice are never tested it is dangerous to assume they will not be lost. Another way of saying this is "If you don't use it you lose it".
December
From "Oh Holy Night", composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Cantique de Noel" by Placide Cappeau. It is a well-known Christmas carol in which the singer recalls the birth of Jesus.
On December 24, 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor, broadcast the first AM radio program, which included him playing "O Holy Night" on the violin. The carol therefore appears to have been the first piece of music to be broadcast on radio. [This information is from Wikipedia.]
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn, fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices, oh night divine
Oh Holy Night is my favorite Christmas carol, especially as sung by Ron Kenoly!
November
From a plaque on the wall of the Triangle Animal Clinic in Conroe, Texas, sent by Sherry Ruggieri
Heaven is the place where all the dogs we have loved come to greet us.
Wow! What a lovely thought! Sherry, thank you!
October
Keith Curry, proud handler of CH Georgia Dachs Josiah W
Thank you very much for your acceptance. I thought I was coming here to be among a bunch of strangers, but I found I was among friends.
Keith made this statement during the awards presentation on October 19, 2008 at his very first field trials, hosted by the Louisville Dachshund Club. I jotted his words in my brace book. For me, they summarize the overall attitude and atmosphere found at dachshund field trials. "Friends" are among the reasons why I go.
September
Rudyard Kipling
I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.
I found this while looking for a Rudyard Kipling that my manager quoted on our unit recently. I didn't find that one but this one caught my attention.
|
