DKC-Nov01c

Brussels Griffon.jpg The Brussels Griffon is alert, sturdy and intelligent, with a thickset, short body and a smart carriage that attracts attention. It has an almost human expression.

Because of its small size and sensitive nature, the Griffon is not recommended as a pet for young children, although It does make an excellent house dog and devoted companion. It is intelligent, alert, sensitive and full of self-importance. The Griffon is a barker.

Background: During the early 1800s, it was the custom for coachmen to keep small terrier types as ratters in the stables, and such dogs of that period in Belgium were Affenpinscher-like, known as Griffons d'Ecurier (wire-coated stable dogs). These dogs originated from the German Affenpinscher and the Belgian street dog. There are no detailed records because the stablemen who did the breeding were not record keepers.

The Brussels Griffon was featured in 1997's hit, "As Good As It Gets", starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

Approved: September 11, 1990 Effective October 30, 1990

Show Ring: Weight: 8 to 10 pounds, and should not exceed 12 pounds. Type and quality are of greater importance than weight, and a smaller dog that is sturdy and well proportioned should not be penalized . Eyes: Set well apart, very large, black, prominent, and well open. The eyelashes long and black. Eyelids edged with black. Ears: Small and set rather high on the head. May be shown cropped or natural. If natural they are carried semi-erect. Jaw: Undershot. The incisors of the lower jaw should protrude over the upper incisors. Lips: Edged with black. Coat: The rough coat is wiry and dense, the harder and more wiry the better. The smooth coat is straight, short, tight and glossy, with no trace of wiry hair. This coat type generally does not do as well in the ring. Color: Red, beige, black & tan and black. Feet: Round, small, and compact. Black pads and toenails preferred.

Breeding and Whelping: Whelping problems occur most often in bitches under 7 lbs because this is a large headed toy breed. Litters of 3 to 4 are average, but 6 is not rare.

Most pups are born with dewclaws on the front legs only. Normally all dewclaws are removed on the 5^th day when the tail is docked to one-third. Ears are generally not cropped until the pup is 3 months old if they are done at all. Cropped ears do better in the show ring.

Disqualifications: Dudley or butterfly nose, bite overshot., hanging tongue, white spot or blaze anywhere on coat.

Recognized Problems: Cleft palates, with or without hare lips are common in pups. Hydrocephalic pups occur. Leaker puppies occur is some lines who cannot control urine flow. Once past puppyhood, the breed is hearty.

From: Ross D. Clark, DVM & Joan R. Stainer. Medical and Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs; AKC. The Complete Dog Book (20th ed.) and the AKC web site.

May Meeting

The next meeting of the DKC membership will take place on Monday, May 19^th. Do plan to attend and bring a dish for our potluck dinner.

Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend to share at 7 and furry friends at 7:30.

May Program: This is the meeting at which we vote for all the elected offices in the DKC.

PLEASE COME AND VOTE!!

Committee Chairs

Conformation Classes/Breeder Referral Nancy Adams

Obedience Classes Marge White

Spring Show Connie Howard

Fall Show Peggy Schmidt & Jan Gray

Agility Trials Tracy Fletcher

Obedience Trial Lynn Reagan-Hull

Tracking Jack Sappenfield

Membership/Newsletter Terri Toohil

Rentals(building/land), Cheer Dana Pritchett

Obedience equipment & Yard Sale Sharon Pitz

Social Jeanne Stringall

CGC Program-/Maintenance (outside) George Beglane

Librarian, Recycling Denise McDonald

Agility classes Lisa Roberts

Education Kirk Ridge

Legislative Liaison, Tail Waggers Joanne Harrar

DKC Membership Meeting—4/21/08

The minutes were not available at publication time of the newsletter.

New Members

The following were voted in at the March Membership Meeting:

Candidate Membership:

Ann Cole, Susanne Hughes, Lisa Phillips, Hanna Sjoblom

Regular Membership:

Rena Mansi, Cathy & Scott Wells

Congratulations all. We are very glad to have you.

Show: Rally

We had 111 Rally entries at DKC's March show. We got lots of compliments for a job well done which was due to the very hard work of Patty Thomas, Debbie Kodros, Brenda Vogel, Laura Anne Welch and Joanne Harrar. What a great group to work with and I appreciate them so much.

Thanks.

Ann Carter

Rally Chair

Note: This should would have been in the last issue. Editor error.

Spring Agility Trials

On April 18-20, we held our Spring Agility trials at our Harris Road property. Our judge was Cynthia Tilly.

On Friday, we offered Excellent Standard and JWW. We had 196 entries. The weather was wonderful…ok, so it was a little hotter than most of us like, but considering the alternatives, it was wonderful.

On Saturday and Sunday, we had 330 entries and 328 entries respectively. With the number of trials ever increasing, and the historically high fuel prices reducing many folk’s travel, this is a remarkable testament to the reputation our club has built over the past years for putting on a wonderful trial.

There are so many to thank. Cindy Hartman did a wonderful job of secretary, from getting confirmations to the exhibitors promptly when they entered the trial, to getting scores posted promptly, and for the countless other tasks that are involved when you’re an agility trial secretary. George and Emilie did anything and everything that was asked. Debbora Schweers tracked down volunteers even when it meant sacrificing her time to walk the course, ensuring the rings were fully staffed. Cathy Wells once again provided delicious food for lunch, over the 3 days serving well over 100 lunches to workers, as well as many others. Bill Gates efficiently built courses all weekend, 2 on Friday, 6 on Saturday, and 6 on Sunday. Peggy Schmidt once again announced all of our placements, something that continues to differentiate DKC from the other clubs. Sharon Pitz did a great job handling worker and judge hospitality. Roger Akers took care of cutting the grass, and it was wonderful.

Congrats to candidate member Don Roback and J for finishing their MACH. And congrats to everyone else “Q”ing and earning titles this weekend.

It takes a lot of volunteers to put on a trial.

On Friday alone, we had over 50 volunteers, many were members. I especially want to thank those who got to the trial early and/or stayed late to work. On Saturday and Sunday, we had over 90 volunteers; again, many club members. Many folks did multiple jobs.

Let me extend a special thanks to those who got there way before your runs and/or stayed long after your runs to volunteer. And a special thanks to those who helped even when they weren’t running a dog, like Ken Nelson on Friday, and Lisa Roberts and Mary Whorton and Dot McClenny all weekend. It’s so wonderful to be a part of an organization where the members support our events and are willing to fill undesirable roles at inconvenient times just to ensure that the event is a success.

The trials were a huge success and everyone who volunteered can take pride in being a part of that success.

I look forward to our fall trials September 26^th thru 28^th.

Tracy Fletcher

DKC Agility Chairman

Fall Show Trophies

Hi All! Yes, it is once again that time for you to sponsor your favorite breed, obedience or rally class or group for the fall show. The reason for starting so early is that everything sponsored must be in the premium list.

We were thinking of $25 per breed and it would include a cooler for best of breed plus nice, three streamer rosettes for BOB, BOS, BOW, WD and WB. Or if obedience/rally is more your thing, the $25 would get a cooler for first place plus nice three streamer rosettes for 1st through 4th place. Plus remember that we give out very nice 3 streamer rosettes for rally qualifying on Sunday.

If you would like to sponsor a group, we could come up with something for group prizes - let's say that would be $25 per group. That would include prizes for all four placements.

Remember that any class can be sponsored in a deceased person or animal's name but not a living one. And unfortunately, it does not make a difference if you say "in honor of "

Thank you for your consideration in sponsoring a class, group or breed.

Peggy Schmidt

DKC Fall Show Trophy Chair

Obedience Instructors’ Meeting

There will be an Obedience Instructors meeting on Tuesday May 13 at 7PM for all Obedience/Rally instructors and assistants.

In addition, any DKC Club member who may be interested in becoming an assistant or instructor is encouraged to attend. We also welcome DKC members who might like to participate in the discussions.

The purpose of the meeting will be to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the sessions this past year, and make recommendations for consideration by the new Obedience Committee for the 2008/2009 classes.

CGC Test

The Durham Kennel Club sponsored a CGC test on Saturday April 26, 2008. We tested eighteen dogs and handlers and all passed.

I wish to thank the following volunteers for giving up their Saturday morning and making the test successful: Amanda Stipe, Bonnie Nichols, Dee Wallis, Denise Kilpatrick, Diane Divine, Emilie Beglane, Ken & Kim Tyndall, Lew & Maria Walker, Sally Ridge, Sue Ivy, Terri Toohil and Jeff & Martha Traylor.

George Beglane

Election Slate

To be voted on at the May meeting

President	Roger Akers
Vice-President	George Beglane
Recording Secretary	Denise McDonald
Corresponding Secretary	Ann Carter
Treasurer	Emilie Beglane
Director	Tracy Fletcher
Director	Jan Gray
Director	Linda Kerr
Director	Terri Toohil
AKC Delegate	Linda Wozniak