ABOVE IS “MILLIE” OWNED BY WC MEMBER LAYLA LOVELESS

A report from the 2009 Chow Chow Club, Incorporated National Specialty Education Seminar
By Paula Titon of Tienshan Chows
Margaret DiCorleto of Mad River Chows was the National Specialty education chairperson and Zola Coogan  of Redcloud Chows was the presenter. Framing the Evolution of the Chow Chow in the Global Arena was the title of this exceptionally well attended seminar.

The idea for this seminar derived from the convergence of two current matters of interest in the American and international Chow communities: the newly proposed AKC Northern Group and the evolution of a global arena for Chows in the twenty-first century.  As a member of the audience I took notes and I have tried to be true to the spirit of the conversation. I have not quoted people word for word.
Serving on the panel for the discussion were Ginnie Atkinson of Willogin Chows the AKC Delegate, Carmen  Blankenship of Chinabear Chows, director of the Chow club’s judges’ education and mentors a, Bob and Love Banghart of Rebelrun, breeders, exhibitors, mentors and national/.internationsl judges and Paul and Minnie Odenkirchen of Mi Pao Chows of Canada, breeders, exhibitors, mentors and international judges, and  Zola Coogan breeder, exhibitor, mentor and self-proclaimed Chow rights activist.

I. THE AKC NORTHERN GROUP, proposed for 2012 will initially consist of the following breeds:

NON SPORTING

American Eskimo , Sharpei , Chow Chow , Finnish Spitz, Keeshund, Schipperkee,Shiba Inu

HOUND

Norwegian Elkhound

HERDING

Swedish Valhund

WORKING

Akita

Alaskan Malamute

Siberian Husky

Samoyed

MISCELLANEOUS

Icelandic Sheepdog (7/01/08)

Norwegian Lundehund (7/01/08)

Norwegian Burhund  (1/01/09 )
In 2012 the Chow Chow will leave the AKC Non Sporting group to become a part of the Northern group.   The move to the Northern group provides an opportunity for us as breeders and exhibitors to consider the future of our Chows.

II. GLOBAL ARENA: We live a time of change for our breed and indeed for the world of purebred dogs in general, with the realities of rapid international email communication and global mass media, genome studies, health certifications, DNA testing, the increased importing and exporting of dogs and frozen semen, and powerful, well financed national and international lobbyists who are determined to effect and control the fate of our animals.
The 1995 Convention of the World Council of Europe stated that “breeders are responsible for anatomical, physiological and behavioral characteristics which are likely to put at risk the health and welfare of either the offspring or the female parent.” The National Council of Animal Ethics stated that “to breed or import these animals is in violation of and may be illegal under animal protection acts.”

While no responsible breeder would deny this responsibility, currently there is the increased force of media coverage and legislative interventions brought on by the activities of powerful lobby groups who want to regulate, control and in some instances eliminate the practices of purebred dog breeding.
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I.    Synopsis:  Part I the Impact of the Northern Group

1.    Why is the AKC making this change and eliminating the Non-Sporting group?

Ginnie:  The AKC Dog Show Rules Committee began discussing a change in the group divisions initially because certain groups were becoming large and unwieldy. New breeds are being admitted fairly regularly and there is a waiting list of 63 breeds that wish to be considered for approval by the AKC.

As this issue was opened the issue of the Non-Sporting Group was also introduced. For many years many breed fanciers have considered the Non-Sporting group as a group that made no sense except as a catch all.   It was decided by the committee that the group might best be divided into the Companion and Northern Groups and that all the breed clubs in the Non-Sporting Group would be polled at to their preference of which group they wished to move to.

Polling results for the Chow Chow community resulted in a large response with only 3 or 4 individuals objecting to the idea of moving to the Northern Group.  This means that the Chow will be judged at the group level with more like breeds, each however with individual characteristics and qualities.

2.    We need new fanciers, breeders and exhibitors for the breed.  Will this new group alignment help the popularity of the Chow?

Paul: Only sounder, healthier Chows will improve the popularity of the breed.

Carmen: There has been some progress in getting Chows out of the limelight in terms of breed specific legislation.  However, there is still evident bias against the breed.  In Britain for example, there is still a policy prohibiting Chows from being kept in military housing.

Additionally, current economic conditions mitigate against more people becoming breeders.  (more new committed and passionate Chow breeders is  what we need badly)

Love: Working families cannot afford unhealthy dogs.  When they select a dog they are looking for a  family member who can keep up with their lifestyle.  They do not want a dog which will incur huge vet bills or will lack the stamina.

Bob: There are other factors, too, working against us.  For example, there are new breeds competing for their “place in the sun.”

General Panel Consensus: The new group should help improve the health of the Chows because
they will be competing with breeds from the Working and Hound and Herding groups who will be in
good physical condition, and have good muscle tone and stamina.  Chows will have to show similar
attributes to win at the Group level.  This may encourage breeders to make different choices as to
which Chows would be suitable to special,

3.    Do you think that group competition is an important consideration in the choices that breeders make about what they breed and what they show?

General Panel Consensus: It would be desirable for a renewed more positive Chow identity to emerge in the eyes of the general public.

Love:  If man had not interfered with the Chow breed would such a dog as our modern Chow exist? Are we doing enough to produce healthy family members? Should a person buying a pet have to contend with skin, eyes or leg problems? As long as there is a high incidence of such problems in our breed will anyone wonder why the breed may not be popular with “John Q Public”?

4.    What are the various affects this could have on our breeding decisions, when the chow is competing in this new group? Do you think the Chow as a member of the Northern group will do better in the Group and the Best in Show ring?

Bob: The Chow style a judge picks to go into the group will be influenced by what breeders bring to
the ring.  Many breeders want to win in the show ring. If breeders want to win in the new group, they
may have to produce healthier Chows.

5.    Do you think that when the Chow competes in the Northern group against dogs from a hound, working, or herding background, the Chows will be expected to show the qualities derived from their history as hunting, herding, pulling and guarding dogs?

Zola: Chows have a mystique of surviving for thousands of years.  The Chow is an amazing dog with an active, intelligent, alert and dignified essence. This is what attracted me to the breed.  We can hope these qualities will be renewed; for they are in the breed genetically.  My hope is that  membership in the northern group will help to reinvigorate the breed.

Minnie: The Chow historically is a working breed. They must have legs.  In Canada when I go cross country skiing after a snowfall there is nothing more beautiful than to have one of my Chows out in front breaking a trail for me!

Carmen: Currently there is not enough quality in our breed.  In part this is a reflection of a decreasing
number of large kennels and the high cost of specialing a dog

Ginnie: we must always keep the general welfare of the breed in mind, and not be distracted by fads
that can do harm.

Minnie:  Paul’s mantra has always been “If it ain’t moving right, it ain’t built right.”

General panel and audience consensus: Those of us who have been breeding for many years have
seen this happen in the past:  Legs too short, shoulders too straight, the  loss of proper rear
movement, overly heavy heads, too much loose skin on heads, entropion.  This is a really good time
(when entering the Northern Group) to review the Chow standard and to try to breed closer to the
Standard as it exists. Accordingly,  judges and breeders need  a vital on-going education program.
They need to know that properly built Chows can move out!  They need to understand the stilted gait
and what a correct front looks like.

Love: before the judges in the Northern group can reward for the stilted gait breeders will have to
breed for it. It will need to be restored. Breeders will need to identify dogs who can produce offspring
with a stilted gait.

Minnie:  To do this, breeders will have to go back into the pedigrees of their dogs and see where the
stilted gait came from.  Among newer breeder there are many “open pedigrees,” that is, many
different  lines being brought together, so it is important to sort though the pedigrees to know where a
trait came from.

Paul: Structure determines the correct speed and gait of a dog. Different sized Chows have to be
moved  Individually.  A balanced moderately boned taller dog with a lovely stilted gait, may not win
over a heavier dog without the correct stilted gait.

Bob: Breeders will have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice for a few generations to work a
desirable trait, such as the stilted gait back into the breed. Furthermore, what may seem a desirable
trait now may not go over well in the new group line up.  A ponderous head with breathing issues will
not compare favorably in the Northern Group ring.

6.    Will being part of the Northern group helpor hurt Chow balance, gait, pasterns, shoulders, toplines, pigmentation. Ears, eyes or temperament?

General Panel Consensus: It will help if winning in the group demands sound dogs.

Bob: If you read the standard with care you will notice that balance is a theme.  But how much respect                   is it afforded?   Judges sometimes say they seem to give back to the breed what breeders bring to them.

Zola: We all need to continually reread the standard and envision the Chows we are looking for as
well as tracking down the genetic markers for desirable traits, using frozen semen when it exists from
the old stock that had the traits we would like to restore.  Everyone, Breeders and judges, must
continually reread the standard and pick up the subtleties.

How many of you in the audience today had reread the standard before coming to the national?  (answer) 10 out of 48 attendees had.

Carmen: In the “Dog Show World” consistent judging doesn’t happen.  That is why we  keep coming back to the show ring.

A specific example of the problems we can create for our dogs:  Two words have been over
emphasized in our Chow Breeding program: “heavy boned.”  With “heavy boned” being elevated as a
priority, many other things were thrown out  the window.  So now, many of our Chows have no necks
and straight shoulders which results in a functionally crippled. dog  Loose skin on the head has
contributed to eye problems and is recapitulated internally causing breathing difficulties. Even when a
trait is listed in the standard as undesirable, little is done to correct the problem.
.
Furthermore, the conversation at ringside needs to change from one of finding excuses why a judge is
not putting up a particular dog on a particular day, such as dividing judges into those who like
moderate v. heavy, or saying the judge is too political and so forth.  Instead the conversation should
be about the dogs’ qualities..

Love:  Balance is more than squareness; it is the harmony of all parts.

Paul:  The increased importing and exporting of dogs has affected the consistency of types from different countries and in some places breeders are going to excesses.  One general observation might be that the newer, younger countries’ breeders look for the extreme for example believing heavy is best. This is not good for the health of the dogs; I believe the four year old mature dog should be what we look at to set the standard.

Minnie: In Beijing we saw a 100 dog kennel; all were heavy dogs; all were from the States.  The same seems true in Russia.

Bob: in Japan and Thailand entropion, elongated pasterns, bad palattes are evident; of course at our National we will see the same problems, too.

Audience participant: So we might say that what we see overseas reflects the excesses of the USA where the American mantra seems to be ”bigger and heavier is better.”

General Panel Consensus:  In the US today large kennels (of 30 and more dogs) are no longer feasible.  No one can afford them. This affects the gene pool available to each breeder.  Breeders have to find ways to work with more people.  The sad thing is that it is close to impossible to trust many people to be honest about what genetic problems their line may harbor.

Zola: The forming of cooperatives of breeders could be an answer to some of the issues.  It would allow us to keep a genetic pool going in a context where honesty about the strengths and weaknesses could prevail and different individuals could also bring their own strengths and weaknesses in working with the dogs to the table.

Audience Comment:  The CCCI should be the cooperative, perhaps requiring members to attend seminars and to encouraging further health testing.

Zola: Health testing is a high priority for some breeders. What we are doing is producing a dog that is a pleasure to live with, free of  health and temperament issues.

Love: we are no longer just a national Chow club; we are part of an international community.  The United States has more health testing available than any other country, we should set the standard for healthy Chows for the world.

Audience comment: Chow fanciers and “beginner breeders” need to go to mentors, not to the chat rooms on the internet for correct information.  And the breeders need to somehow project to themselves and to judges a consistent interpretation of the standard.

Audience Comment:  Where will the future generations to carry all this out come from?

Paul: This is a confusing time for novice breeders.  There are no perfect Chows; in each bloodline there are different strains; a breeder needs to learn how to read a pedigree, and avoid playing “Russian Roulette” when they make breeding decisions.

Love: Knowledge of gene pools and objective experience are essential.

Paul: When someone says: “I want to improve the breed.”  The response should be the question, “How?”

Zola: So we must make the education of a new generation our most important long term goal.

Ginnie: Sincere learners who approach a reputable breeder will be mentored.  New breeders must be willing to do their homework.

II. The Global Arena

Carmen:  Background information: The BBC began an upheaval which has impacted the Chow when it broadcast the documentary “Pedigreed Dogs Exposed” and referred to the dog show as “a parade of mutants.” The United Kingdom Kennel Club, which had until that point had a long supportive relationship with the BBC, was told by the BBC that there were some 13-18 breeds of dogs that could not be shown at Crufts, if the UKKC wanted it to be covered by the BBC.  When the UKKC refused to do what they’d been asked the BBC and other previously supportive agencies withdrew their support of Crufts.

So amongst other things the UKKC commenced a rewrite of the Chow standard.

This is important because although historically the “country of origin” for the Chow is China, and in theory the standard for the breed should originate there, there has been no Chinese standard for the Chow, and since in the modern age of Dog shows in the Western world began for Chows in Britain, Britain becomes the default country for establishing the standard.So for nations that do not have theirown standard, they follow the UKKC standard.

Most recently the CCCI has tried to work with the UKKC.  A meeting was held in March, 2009. Rodney Oldman of the UKKC reported that a Swedish company that writes pet insurance policies is now operating in Britain and reports an alarming number of ruptured cruciate ligament repair surgeries for Chows, and that therefore the breed must have rear assembly issues. However,  it turns out that most of these, according to veterinarians are the result of trauma todogs under the age of 2 years, and are not a degenerative condition.

Love:  The CCCi has established a new committee with its own mission statement: to promote the sharing of data for health certification, etc.

Paul: In 1956 the first World chow Council was convened with representatives from England, Holland, France, Germany and Belgium. The goal was to establish a Chow Standard for the FCI.  This council recovened in 1980 with representation added from the USA and Canada.  North American representatives included Paul Odenkirchen and Joanne O’Brien,  the CCCI was rewriting its own standard at the same time. Currently the World Chow Council is not progressing too well. The issues coming out of Britain and the FCI are fairly problematic and because the Europeans have taken all the disqualifications out of the Chow standard it is arguably not helpful for the breed.   The FCI affects about 90 countries standards however.

Closing Comments:
Ginnie: These issues are a problem for all of us. However, the AKC is fighting the animals rights lobbyists and the CCCI has control of its own standards, so it is less likely that something like what has befallen the standard in England would happen here.

Carmen: “National Inquiry” TV is a reality, and the general public buys what it sees all too readily. No one has a problem free kennel; there are always heartaches. Problems are not unique to particular kennel. They are endemic to the bred and it is unacceptable to damn a particular kennel. Again, change the conversation at ringside; and in the chat rooms.

Bob: We need to sell good, healthy dogs overseas, to be sure we are not just dumping our garbage in someone else’s back yard .  We are a part of the world.

Love:  We are the cooperative.  We must promote, protect, and share our Chows.

Minnie: Come and show in Canada; a first step to greater international awareness.

Zola: It is important to monitor the growing influence of national animal rights organizations who use a preponderance of their money to pass legislation often detrimental to our breed. It’s vital to use our money to support local shelters, local humane groups and the Canine Health Association where we know  our money is being spent on animals rather than lobbyists.

A huge thank you to Paula for taking the time to write this up so fast and submit to Worldchow Magazine!!! And THANK YOU Margaret and  Zola and all who attended the Seminar for your deep interest in our breed and it’s future .!!!!!  This was absolutely fascinating!!!

Thank you SO MUCH Sherrie Determan for sending me the results of the Best of Breed competiton today!!!!
BOB: CH Paramount Maria Maria  (Vet Bitch)
Jeff & Susie Sedillos
BOW:  Pendleton Ginger (WB)
Dave and Pat Foose
BOS:  Rosewine’s Rockbilly Red
Joanna Olson & Bill Boyes
AWARDS OF MERIT:
Ch Rebelrun Chowlamar Dapper Dan
Bob & Love Banghart
Ch Sitze-Gou’s Glazz Paragon
Bill Buell
Ch Sunburst’s Patent Pending
Harvey & Penny Kent
Ch Fortune’s Rocky Mountain High
Jeff & Susie Sedillos

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND BEST OF LUCK AT THE REGIONAL SPECIALTY SHOWS THIS WEEK!!

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BELOW IS A VIDEO I DID SHOWCASING THE TROPHIES I CREATED. CLICK ON THE ARROW TO START

THERE IS AUDIO WITH THIS VIDEO AS WELL SO ADJUST YOUR VOLUME ACCORDINGLY!!

2009 NATIONAL SPECIALTY TROPHY SHOWCASE from Sandra Miller on Vimeo.

I put together this video to showcase the fused glass awards as well as some other paintings I did in 2008-2009 for the Chow Chow Club Inc 2009 National Specialty in Orlando Florida.

Congratulations to all the winners!!

WINNERS DOG AND WINNERS BITCH WERE A HUGE STRETCHED CANVAS WITH THE ABOVE DESIGN

Bonnie called me this morning with WD results but I haven’t heard from her about WB yet..will update here as soon as I hear who Winners Bitch and Reserve were ….the Veteran winners as well (UPDATE…thanks Sherrie Determan for the bitch classes report..I’ll get more details soon on breeders etc)

WINNERS DOG (from the Open Red Class)-  PARAMOUNT JUST BECOZ

Breeder-Lonnie and Regina Burr and Jill Stillwell

Owner-Jeff and Susie Sedillos and Lonnie and Regina Burr

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RESERVE WINNERS DOG-  MO TYS ROCK N HOSS AT REGALAIR

Breeders- Michelle and Larry and Morgan and Tyler Mote

Owners-Shannon Smith and Jeff Wright

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WINNERS BITCH:  Pendleton Ginger (BBY)
Dave and Pat Foose

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RESERVE WINNERS BITCH:  Lionbear’s Oriental Red Dragon (12-18 Bitch)
Terry Sprong

THE FUSED GLASS PORTION OF THE RESERVE WINNERS BITCH WINDCHIME

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THE FUSED GLASS PORTION OF THE RESERVE WINNERS DOG WINDCHIME

A FULL PHOTO OF ONE OF THE CHIMES.  THEY ARE ABOUT 4 FEET LONG TOTAL

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES….MAGENTA WAS MY MODEL FOR THIS TROPHY DESIGN

ANOTHER DESIGN WE USED ON A CAPTAINS CHAIR FOR THE OBEDIENCE TROPHY

THE DESIGN ABOVE IS FEATURED ON BEAUTIFUL LEATHER COVERED FLASKS

ABOVE IS ANOTHER FUN DESIGN I DID FOR SOME OF THE CLASS PLACEMENTS

The above design is on the FIRST PLACE JOURNALS

Hello everyone!! I thought you all might like to get the”BARE BONES ” reports as I get them from Bonnie Young , the trophy chair for the CCCI National!!.  I can’t even guarantee I got the details right so dont’ “kill the messenger” if I messed up names etc. LOL! The photos you see here are examples from the Sweeps trophies I have been itching to show you all.  I took these photos at home before I shipped them.

Both BEST IN PUPPY SWEEPS AND BEST IN VETERAN SWEEPS TROPHIES PICTURED BELOW ARE WORKING INDOOR WATERFALLS WITH MY OWN FUSED GLASS CHOWS AND GLASS LEAVES ON SLATE AND COPPER.

BEST IN PUPPY SWEEPSTAKES…

Lo Re’s Sassafras….bred by Mona Cotie and Lonnie and Regina Burr

Owner Mary Russell Sevigny and Lonnie and Regina Burr

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BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX IN PUPPY SWEEPS

Gee Bee’s Maka Koa Miracle…breeder/owner  Gwen Benz

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BEST IN VETERANS SWEEPS

Ch. Sunburst’s Leila

Breeder Harvey and Penny Kent and Cathy Clapp

Owners , George and Carol James

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BEST OF OPPPOSITE SEX IN VETERAN SWEEPSTAKES

Ch. Chinarose I Like Ike

Breeder Sandra and Steven Miller (this is Megs litter brother)

Owner Bonnie and Harold Young

Bonnie tells me that both Veteran winners came out of the 9-12 year class!! AWESoME!!

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OBEDIENCE HIGH IN TRIAL AND HIGHEST SCORING CHAMPION OF RECORD

The obedience winner  came from the Novice A class and was

CH Fair Hill’s Sparkler, RN….owned by Michael and Lisa Leonzio,

this was Sparkle’s first time and  she got her first leg

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A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS.

THE FROSTED MUGS WERE ONE OF THE CLASS TROPHIES WITH MY ARTWORK ON ONE SIDE AND THE NAME OF THE SHOW ON THE OTHER

THESE FUN BAGS WERE ALSO ANOTHER SWEEPS TROPHY FOR THE CLASSES FILLED WITH GOODIES

AND ANOTHER DESIGN I CREATED FOR MORE SWEEPS TROPHIES…THERE WAS A SAFARI/NEUTRAL COLORS THEME

If anyone can email me a copy of the marked catalog I would be happy to post the results here in their entirety.  Also any photos whether cell phone shots or videos would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

TURN YOUR VOLUME ON FOR THE VIDEO BELOW!!

And as an aside……….I’m loving my new video camera I got yesterday so far!!! This is my first attempt at anything remotely interesting. I certainly need to steady my hand but am having an absolute blast practicing.  For those of you who dont’ ready my GRAFFITI GOSSIP blog, this is my present to myself using the money from my trophy gig!

Thank you CCCI and Bonnie Young for giving me the opportunity to create the awards for this year’s national!  I’ll show them as each day progresses and the awards are given out!!

This is the first in an ongoing series of Worldchow Member interviews. This week we will meet

Lene Shila Hedengran from Sweden…...KENNEL LONG FENG

(pardon the double post…that first one self destructed for some reason)

Lene has been owned by Chows for 19 years and the current chow residents in her home are XaSha (8 years old), Willi ( 1 1/2 years old),Vicki (2 1/2 years old)  and Penny 1/2 year old-  I’m having Penny for a friend in 2 1/2 year.

(Lene tells this editor that the jackets keep snow balls from forming on the coats! CLEVER)

LENE, WHEN DID YOU ACQUIRE YOUR FIRST CHOW?  …TELL US A BIT ABOUT HER.

I got my first chow in 1990.  she was the most wonderful creature – fawn quite heavily build. and already by 6 montsh of age stated with severe HP (e). She only lived for 4½ year and I still miss her and now I did so much wrong and there is so much I can’t forgive myself or vets for so I still cry about her.

I wanted a fawn girl from Karen Tracy to fill out the gap she has left in me, unfortunately I couldn’t come up with the money at that moment and I think she stayed with Karen – don’t know if she was one of those that lost their lives – if she was don’t tell me because then I won’t be able to forgive myself again. Just sitting here I start crying again – I’m crazy.

(from Sandra…if that is the same fawn bitch I almost  got from Karen I know she is still alive and well)

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE QUALITIES THAT ONLY A CHOW CHOW CAN POSSESS?
Once a Chow always a Chow. If they change the standard more we move to a country where the Chow is accepted as it is and where they hold the breed specifics about/of the Chow dearly. Their independence and differentials. Their love and strength and their laziness Their look – their walk….everything!! A Chow is so different from everything else. What is there not to like.

WHAT ARE SOME FAVORITE ACTIVITIES THAT YOU AND YOUR  FAMILY SHARE WITH YOUR CHOWS?

I’m hidding treats around in our yard or in the house if the weather is bad and let them find them. Lots of good nose work. XaSha loved blood-tracking/tracing. Vicki is very good at shows.

” Here Vicki is (below) ready to being “dipped”
She really likes swimming and swims round and round and even jumps
from our little boat if we don’t get a shore as quickly as she wants and
then she swims in and waits to be carried on board again
Willi is also a good swimmer but he is not as happy for the water
as Vicki is.

We think it’s good to swim since it’s very healthy and very kind to all
muscles and joints – therefore we swim “

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE OFFER TO THE FANCY?
We need something international to work for our breed. We shouldn’t be afraid of helping each other and share between the countries. More than ever it’s important that we co-operate for the sake of our beloved breed. We need to be more alike in health issues to make sure that nothing is suddenly pressed down on us because we are so far from each other

OUR DOGS HAVE A WONDERFUL WAY OF BRINGING HUMAN BEINGS TOGETHER.   TELL US ABOUT SOME CLOSE FRIENDS YOU HAVE MET VIA YOUR CHOW PASSION AND A LITTLE DETAIL ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS
Gerard O’Shea (professional handler & rottweiler breeder) whom never thought I had any chance of handling a Chow the way he handles dogs (which for me of course is a perfect way since you are not pressing the dog into something – all comes from willingness – and the dog looks happy when showed. I’m his GOOD example now when other says it’s impossible for their breed………(to him the Chow is the most stubborn and difficult )

Aira Setälä (Kennel Samsaran – Finland) this has just been the most wonderful friendship and we hve so much else in common – like jewellery which is a hobby for her and before were my work She also made sure that we got Willi Tineke van der Heide-Dass (vanJutterburch kennel – Holland) one of the first I tried to get a pup from and we have been friends ever since even though I never have gotten a pup from her since that first time

She is my help in all homeopathic’s which is a very big part of my life. I’m very holistic and very “green” and tries to not use to much chemicals and always checks what the vets prescribe to the Chows and if they do something wrong I’ll be the first to tell them (which is actually quite often) It’s so nice to discuss with Tineke about different ways to care for our chows in a natural way.

TELL US ABOUT A GROOMING OR FEEDING REGIME THAT HAS HELPED KEEP YOUR CHOWS COAT IN GREAT CONDITION.

Since XaSha had allergies (she had allergy for everything – I don’t think there was anything that she was tested negative to….) I have been stuck on Hokamix30, HokamixForte and HokamixJoint mixed with Salmon Oil (one without ethoxyquin, which is thought to cause cancer).

The one with joint I use when they grow up and if an injury. Forte I used for XaSha’s allergies. When they are grown up I use normal Hokamix30.

Now I have also begon with Bio Active Dog which is a pill only containing amino acids in their normal “look”…like “L’s” – since they often get altered in processing dog food so they become “D’s” giving the dog even harder to make it back + to retrieve all the necessary amino acids out of the food in the small intestine.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE TRUE ESSENCE OF OUR BREED IS IN THE YEAR 2009?

I like that it looks like the bones have become stronger – heavier. The breed is shrinking and that is bad Given heavier structure and growing smaller will give problems. It’s very important that we keep breeding on those that are big and more like “spitz” together with for example smaller and heavier like my Willi.

If XaSha would have been healthy they would have been perfect She very big (52 cm) and he little and quite heavy

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WHEN PRESENTED WITH A LIST OF 6 CHOICES, LENE CHOSE THESE AS HER BIGGEST CONCERNS FOR THE BREED RIGHT NOW:

• Health Issues
• Loss of overall breed type and balance
• Need for Judges education

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And if any of you are  familiar with the  TALLGRASS INSTITUTE ….. Lene has been taking
their courses and hopefully in August will be finished as a Canine
Acupressure Therapist

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH LENE FOR YOUR VERY INTERESTING ANSWERS AND AWESOME PHOTOS.  IT’S SUCH A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AND YOUR DOGS AND FIND OUT SO MUCH MORE ABOUT YOU THROUGH OUR

WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

Please feel free to comment below and continue asking Lene questions about her interview and her chows.

This is how we grow in the Chow fancy

“Vicki and my husband Urban on our little boat – I’m sailing it”

THERE ARE SO MANY NEW CHANGES…WHERE DO I START?

Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when a website makes a major change such as we have this week at Worldchow.  Digesting all the new information and format can take a few visits to work out but I hope this post will help clarify any questions you might  have, and as always..don’t hesitate to write me and ask questions.  [email protected]

WHERE DID OUR FORUM DISAPPEAR TO ?

There are 3 main areas to the site now vs. the original FORUM most of you started at a few years ago. The new WORLDCHOW  MAGAZINE homepage which is where you are at now is the “cover” to our magazine so to speak.  Before, last week, this address http://worldchow.com used to bring you directly to the FORUMS.  Now that address brings you to the MAGAZINE

TO FIND  THE ORIGINAL FORUMS, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS CLICK THE “FORUM ACCESS” BUTTON IN THE UPPERMOST RIGHT HAND CORNER OF ANY MAGAZINE PAGE.

The FORUMS still require you to be a forum member to post in them however, EVERYONE , member or not, can comment on the WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE posts

WHERE DO I POST MY CHOW PHOTOGRAPHS?

I also created a special page located in the tabs under THE WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE title that says “YOUR PHOTOS”.  This button is also accessible from ANY WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE  page and describes in detail where you can showcase your Chow photos and videos as well.

WHAT IS THAT THIRD AREA OF WORLDCHOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?

WE HAVE COVERED #1 and #2 below:

1.  WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE ..our homepage/blog

2. WORLDCHOW MEMBER FORUMS… the original forums most of you signed up for

3. THE BAMBOO TEAHOUSE…our Worldchow social networking site and photography showcase

THE THIRD AREA IS ” THE BAMBOO TEAHOUSE”….HERE’S THE SCOOP!

• Start a MY BLISS page at the BAMBOO TEAHOUSE This is our newest and most interactive photo showcase created just for Worldchow.  It’s kind of a Facebook type social network format hosted by NING…. but WAY cooler and more image based.   You can decorate your personal pages in hundreds of ways with cool applications and brilliant themes!!
  

• Each member gets a personal mini blog, unlimited photo albums, and a “wall” where members can leave comments to the “friends” they acquire. It is very new but already I am seeing a fantastic interactive process going on over there..Come join us and see how much fun it is .
• You will need to SIGN UP FOR THE BAMBOO TEAHOUSE first to start your page

You can find the link to the Bamboo Teahouse in the right column of  THE WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE  on any page you are visiting.

So I hope this helps some and if you start drooling over any of the new features or ones you would like to see….. like Lillian below..let me know in any of the comments areas located below every post

HAVE A GLORIOUS WEEKEND MY FRIENDS!!!

Hi all…I was wondering if you could help me .I am currently testing this new magazine format and what I need to know is if you have gotten this update via email .  Please leave a comment in the post below this text  if you could.  There is a comments field and you do not need to be logged in to comment.

Also I am looking for Chow videos to be added to the VIDEOS page which is located in the tabs toward the top of the page.

Keep adding your images to the Worldchow Gallery at the forum as well because I will be pulling member photos from the gallery and forum posts to feature on the magazine with each of my articles.  There are so many wonderful shots already it’s hard to know which to use first.

This post  features one of my own dogs (Megawatt) but will be the last  of my own images for a while.  It’s all about the members and their chows from here on in.  The old girl was basking in the spring sun and sleeping while she was sitting up.  I couldnt’ resist taking pix as I was already outside with my portrait lens on taking photos of the birds at the feeders.  That dear girl…I just adore her!!!

Big hugs!

Sandra

Photos of BISS. Ch.Chinarose Megawatt  by Sandra Miller

A fledgling Song Sparrow watched me closely as I watched the dogs to make sure the baby stayed safe

Photo by WC MEMBER Franck Leroy

Wow it’s hard to believe the National Specialty in the U.S. is almost upon us!! I am getting sadder by the minute that I can’t be there this year but I hope to get a lot of reports from you all via photos and videos..I’ll fill you in later on how you can upload images for me to put on the blog right from the National.

THE  ENTRY BREAKDOWN

Sweeps total entry 58

BELOW IS THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday April 25

CERF Testing, North Florida Chow Chow Club Fun Match, Top 20, Parade of Titleholders.

Sunday April 26

Education Seminar, Rally, Obedience, Sweepstakes, Judges Seminar, and Annual Meeting

Monday April 27

Auction, Dog Judging, and Bitches Judging

Tuesday April 28

Junior Showmanship, Breeders Seminar, Grooming Seminar, CGC Testing, and Best of Breed Judging.

Wednesday April 29

North Florida Chow Chow Club Regional Speciality *

Thursday April 30

Chow Chow Fanciers of Atlanta Regional Speciality *

———————————————————

Judges:

Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes:Vicki DeGruy *
Conformation Classes: Dr. Gail Forsythe *
Obedience and Rally: Steven Picciuolo *

A lot of buzz as been circulating around the dog scene the past few months about what EXACTLY does a CHIC score mean when it comes to purchasing a puppy or chosing a mate in our breeding programs.

FIRST AND FOREMOST….HAVING A C.H.I.C NUMBER DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THE DOG HAS BEEN DEEMED “CLEAR” OF THE TESTS IT HAS UNDERGONE TO QUALIFY FOR IT’S CHIC NUMBER.

What it DOES mean is that the dog who has received the C.H.I.C number has undergone the required health testing to qualify for it’s CHIC number…REGARDLESS of whether the dog passed these tests or not

In other words, the point of the C.H.I.C REGISTRY is to create a more transparent database , incudling all dogs who have PASSED or in some cases NOT PASSED their health clearances. The registry allows breeders and buyers a broader picture of the overall health status of a breeders stock to better make decisions in purchasing puppies and breeding litters.

THERE HAS BEEN MUCH CONFUSION AMONG OVERSEAS BUYERS THAT A DOG WITH A C.H.I.C NUMBER INDICATES THE DOG IS NOT AFFECTED WITH THE HEALTH PROBLEMS IT WAS TESTED FOR WHICH CAN BE EXTREMELY MISLEADING. IN THE U.S. ONLY OFA, CERF ETC. “PASSING” SCORES GIVE YOU AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL DOG’S STATUS IN THOSE AREAS TESTED.

C.H.I.C. NUMBERS ONLY INDICATE THE DOG UNDERWENT THE TESTS AND THE SCORES ARE PUBLISHED…GOOD OR BAD.

I fully support C.H.I.C and it’s objectives below….but since Worldchow members have contacted me and I have seen mention of this on other all breed boards, I felt it was important to clarify what C.H.I.C is about.

Sandra

——————————————————

THE CHIC WEBSITE
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/chicinfo.html

You have all heard the saying “When one door closes, a new one opens”.  Well this could not apply any better than to this letter I got from Karen on Easter Sunday.  OMG what a miracle…

FROM KAREN

I wanted to let you know that I have some good news for a change.
Kampbell, who is out of Dr. Sam and Desi’s frozen semen from Ch. Foon
Ying Morningstar Magic and Georgie Girl (Lov Chow’s Risen Star
granddaughter) just had a litter of six puppies.

Kampbell was bred to
Maddox’ father.  Four boys and two girls and they are alright.  I was so
worried because she was in the fire and she had smoke inhalation and
burns and that happened right in the middle of her pregnancy,

I am so
grateful for these puppies.  This is a true miracle.
Karen

Please take a moment to leave Karen a message here in the comments box below.  I know she will be thrilled to hear from you all!!!!

ALSO LEAVE COMMENTS ON ANY OF THE POSTS HERE AT THE WORLDCHOW MAGAZINE.

This is my first post since I opened up the site and I need to see if you all are getting the updates ok