NORWEGIAN BUHUNDS
In last week’s notes when I talked about the Nordic show, I said sometimes it is affected by snow but not this year, if it had been a week later though it would have been a different story with freezing temperatures and snow in many places.
Alabama Rot, probably not something that will affect the dogs with the ground being so frozen, but it does thrive in the usual muddy conditions of winter, and we have even heard of a case now in the North London area.
The term “Alabama rot” was first used in the 1980s when greyhounds developed skin ulcers and kidney failure in the state of Alabama. It is also known now as Cutaneous and Renal Gomerular Vasculopathy, it is not breed specific in any way and its cause is unknown. It is incurable it damages the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, causes sores on the skin and can lead to severe organ dysfunction and kidney failure. Why am I writing about this now, there has recently been an article in one of the daily papers by a lady whose 2yr old Cocker Spaniel has just died from the disease, she asks for pet owners to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the disease. Little is known about it although researchers believes that wet muddy conditions during the winter months seem somehow linked to its cause. Originally it seemed to only affect dogs living in or around the New Forest, but now it has been seen all over the Country, and the KC has said reports of the disease seem to be on the increase, although it this could be due to the fact that owners and vets are now more aware of the condition, it is still fairly rare but it is still devastating for owners and dogs alike, over 150 dogs have died from the condition since it was first documented in 2012.There are a variety of symptoms which include skin sores ,visible swelling, reduced appetite ,drinking more ,vomiting and lethargy. The spaniel that died went off her food, was lame with a sore paw. She was taken to the vet but blood tests that were taken did not show anything, so she had antibiotics and pain killers for the lameness, but when she still did not eat, she was taken back to the vets, they said there was nothing more they could do, and she was put to sleep. The body is now going to be used for research as it was confirmed she had Alabama Rot. Our daughter has a Spaniel and lives in the New Forest, she washes his paws when he has had a walk in the forest if they are muddy, he is now 7yrs old whether it has helped one can’t tell, but as she says it is something fairly easy, she can do to try and keep him safe.
On a happier and more positive note I asked Lisa if she would like to tell us how she has been getting on showing here home breed puppy Raven who was just 6months a few weeks ago. Lisa writes. ‘It has been a busy couple of weeks for Raven and I in the show ring. I had entered Raven into a Limited Show in Oxford to gain practice in the show ring as she had been very bouncy at her first couple of shows and often had 2 feet on the floor instead of 4. It was an early start and unpleasant driving conditions due to lots of rain, but we arrived at a Donkey Sanctuary Wallingford where the Whitney & District Canine Society show was being held. I found an area to set up and Raven rapidly became friends with a Samoyed called Archie. This was Raven’s first show without her Mum alongside her, but she settled down fairly quickly. We were entered in AVNSC Pastoral puppy under judge Helen Laidlaw, there was another puppy entered. Raven wasn’t too fussed about the teeth exam but happily tolerated the body exam and even managed to keep all her paws on the ground when going round the ring. She won her class and made it through to competing for best Puppy in Show. Whilst Raven had a nap, I got chatting to some Gundog ladies and ended up helping them out running their dogs in the ring. In the Best Puppy in Show, she decided that standing wasn’t for her, but she moved reasonably well, unsurprisingly she didn’t get Best Puppy, but we had a good day.
The next weekend I packed the car up and Raven and I set off for 2 shows in 2 days whilst my Husband looked after the other dogs. The first show was Nordic where I was also stewarding as they were short, and the secretary had agreed to look after Raven whilst I helped the show out. I set up my gear, introduced Raven to the show organisers and then started the Handling classes off. As the Norwegian Buhund classes approached, I was relieved from my ring and went to give Raven a comfort break and get her ready for the ring. The Buhund judge was very considerate going over Raven and she was awarded First and the Best Puppy in Breed going through to her first Puppy Group but there was no luck there. I loaded everything up into the car and set off for Stafford where I had rented an apartment with a secure garden. We settled in, had dinner and then Raven and I snuggled up on the sofa to watch a movie. The next morning was a wonderfully leisurely start to the day as we were ten minutes from Stafford County showground, where the Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Premier Open was being held, we were not due in the ring until just after 11am with only 1 breed before us and only 2 dogs in that breed. On arrival I found a place to set up, let others in the breed who were coming know where I was, and headed out to let Raven blow off steam by charging around a field for 20 minutes. The show had lots of stalls and a huge raffle which had lots of hampers as prizes. Raven was entered in Junior and was the only Buhund in the class, but she cooperated with the judge and kept all four paws on the ground. She gained first place and also Best Puppy, so we were through to Puppy Group again. Whilst waiting for groups we cheered on the other Buhunds who were entered in various stakes classes and had a nosey at the stalls, bought raffle tickets and chilled. In the Groups Raven did ok when it was her turn but no luck again. Showing complete it was back to the car and homeward bound, but it was a wonderful weekend.’ ‘Thank you Lisa a busy weekend and great experiences and socialisation for Raven who is aka Draccus I have a Dream.
The Buhund judge at Sedgley was Derfel Owen Jenny Shorer-Wheller’s Ch Koromandel Tusen Tusk JW (ai)aka Muchly was BOB with Jacqui Walmsley’s Frostisen Blakk Zitter aka Penny BB & RBOB, she was handled as usual by Anne Marie Taylor. Muchly also won the Ch stakes under Melanie Raymond winning treat money.
Stay safe everyone, I think by the time you read these notes the wet muddy weather will have returned!
Margaret Deuchar margaretdeuchar@gmail.com
Any views expressed in Margaret’s Breed Notes are hers and hers alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Norwegian Buhund Club of the UK