Newsletter of the

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Club of Southern California Volume XII

Number 1

Winter 2011

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SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT Connie Koehler clkoehler@pacbell.net

SECRETARY Jackie Whitham jwhitham@pacbell.net

BOARD MEMBER Rose Clime Moondance_scwt@cox.net

BOARD MEMBER Jeanine Flavell jflavell@socal.rr.com

BOARD MEMBER Miriam Kahan docmiriam@aol.com

WEBSITE www.wheaten.org

VICE PRESIDENT Karla Baer Cohen claddagh3@earthlink.net

TREASURER Barbara Zapf redhillwheatens@roadrunner.com

RESCUE Beverly Streicher beverlyathilltop@sbcglobal.net For More Information: and rescue application go to www.wheaten.org WEBMASTER Jon Apogee

jona@matters.com

MEMBERSHIP Jackie Whitham jwhitham@pacbell.net WOOF EDITOR Merrillee Ford PO Box 5336 Santa Barbara CA 93150-5336 merrillee@aol.com

WOOF is a publication of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Southern California. Opinions expressed in the articles are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Officers and Board Members of the Club. Published Quarterly. Annual Subscriptions $12.00 Single Issue Price $3.00

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Save the Date

The Great Western shows are just around the corner. Are you making plans to attend? Even if your interests don’t include showing, this is a great way to see more Wheatens than you can magine in action in the Conformation, Obedience and Rally rings. This is a good way to meet new Wheaten friends, shop at the many vendor stalls, buy Wheaten items at our amazing Wheaten Boutique ringside, and to buy raffle tickets and perhaps win one or more of our fantastic items. Mark your calendar. We hope to see you at the shows.

Friday, June 24th is our SCWTCSC Independent Specialty Show Saturday, June 25th and Sunday June 26th we have Specialities and the Great Western Terrier Association Shows.

IN THIS ISSUE President’s Message……………………………………………. A Wheaten Winter Pictures…………………………………….. Mother Knows Best……………………………………………… In the Kitchen with Karla………………………………………… The Terrier Group……………………………………………….. Canine Good Citizen Test Tips………………………………… How Many of These Apply to You? …………………………...

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Cover

Board Members

Save the Date

Presidents Message

Membership

Wheaten Winter

Mother Knows

Karla's Kitchen

Terrier Group

K9 Good Citizen

Do this apply

Back Cover

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President’s Message Connie Koehler

New Year, New Board The year 2011 has gotten off to a rousing start. Our new board took a fresh approach in its initial gathering: an all-day retreat to transition the 2010 and 2011 boards, and to plan important objectives for the months ahead. Our first general meeting followed two days later, conducted in a “town hall” format to elicit membership input on the club’s direction for 2011. Three show weekends in January also afforded us the chance to catch up with old and new friends after the holidays. First, I wish to extend my deep appreciation to my immediate predecessor, Dr. Miriam Kahan, for her four years of dedicated leadership to the club and invaluable help in my transition into this office. Secondly, it is my pleasure to share with you our major goals for the year ahead, and to report on progress that has already transpired toward achieving those ends:

Revamp Rescue: Bonney Snyder’s retirement as rescue chair at the end of 2010 left a huge void, following her years of devoted and selfless service in that role. The rescue task grew exponentially during Bonney’s tenure, fueled by the economic meltdown in southern California. A new rescue committee convened both to select her successor, and to spread the task across a regional network of area coordinators. Beverly Streicher stepped forward to lead the team, and has already climbed a steep learning curve in just two months. She has successfully placed several dogs in their forever homes, and coordinated multiple missions to area shelters. Volunteers have completely filled the area slots in our network—in some cases, three-deep. We continue to work with our three foster kennels to provide a safe and caring environment until our dogs are placed. My heartfelt thanks go to both Bonney and our new rescue team. Bravo!

Restore Financial Health: Again, as the result of the economic downturn in our hard-hit area, the club’s finances declined significantly in 2008 and 2009. Early last year, the board met to undertake new approaches to cut costs and raise funds. I am very pleased to report that those measures are working well. In 2010 we recovered half our prior losses, led by rescue and our events, especially GWTA. The new board will

continue its rigorous oversight of club monies and pursue new avenues of fundraising.

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Reinvigorate Membership Involvement: This is your club—not mine, not the board’s, but all of ours. We all have the opportunity to engage in club events and activities. Attend our meetings and speak up; even if you cannot vote as an associate, your voice counts. Volunteer for or chair an activity or event, again open to all members. Rejuvenate informal celebrations after dog shows and performance events, a longtime club tradition that Miriam graciously rekindled in January. Come up with new ideas for club functions, and e-mail them to me or other board members—be ingenious! Regular or associate, you can contribute enormously to the club’s success and most importantly, “to protect and advance the interests of the breed,” which brought us all together in the first place.

It’s all about our wonderful Wheatens, after all! Preview of Coming Attractions Please be sure to watch the Westminster KC dog show on Feb. 14-15. Check local listings and your cable or satellite provider for times, as they will vary over the two days. Wheatens are scheduled for judging at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 15, with results available at Westminster’s website, http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/. The Terrier Group will be judged immediately before Best in Show on Feb. 15 as well. Our March 15 general meeting, again at the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica, features W. Jean Dodds, DVM. A pre-eminent veterinarian and canine-health academician, Dr. Dodds will speak on the latest research into vaccination protocols and titers, as well as her work with the Rabies Challenge Fund. Dr. Dodds is also the founder of HEMOPET, the internationally renowned animal blood bank. Don’t miss this important event! Dues Reminder Don’t forget to send your dues renewal to our new secretary and membership chair, Jackie Whitham. Your renewal is payable as of Jan. 1, 2011, and your membership will lapse after March 31. Please contact Jackie at (818) 957-4263, or at jwhitham@pacbell.net, if you have any questions or issues. Thank you!

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A Wheaten Winter

Tucker and Bonnie at play in Idyllwild’s winter wonderland. Tucker is one of our many wonderful and successful

Wheaten rescue dogs. He is obviously happy in his new home!

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MOTHER KNOWS BEST Here are some tips from Mom that have been learned, some the hard way, over the past few years. Our dogs need regular exercise. Walk around your block, join some friends and do some obedience exercises together with your dogs. A fat dog is not a happy dog. Dogs love a routine and are dependent upon us to give them the things they need. You don’t need to run a marathon each day, just some simple exercise will make them happy and healthier. And it won’t hurt you either! Brush your dog’s teeth. If you haven’t gotten in the habit, make it your new year’s resolution and get started. February is National Veterinary Dental Health Month, too. There are many brushes, gauze, swabs and gel veterinary dental products you can buy that can help get you and your dog on the right path to good dental hygiene. Ask your vet if you are confused by which method is best for your dog. Keep your Wheaten bathed, well groomed and brushed and nails trimmed. The club has a grooming seminar each year. If you have questions about how to get started this is a good time to ask. You have a Wheaten because you love the breed and want yours to look like a Wheaten. Be a good advocate for our breed. Carry poop bags with you when you walk. Be a good neighbor and pick up after your dog when you are out walking. Use a leash; it’s the law in California and many other states. Wheatens are terriers and can be easily distracted. Even the best trained dog can have selective hearing when out and about. It can also save your dog’s life. Mom loves crate trained dogs. When you have a puppy they can have a rest period in their crates, it helps with housetraining and provides the dog with a spot that is its own. This does not mean the dog spends the day in the crate. It means they enjoy their crates and are happy being there when it’s in their best interest. It can keep them safe when workmen are in your home and It is the safest spot for them to ride when they’re riding in the car. Happy New Year and remember Mom loves ya and the dogs!

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IN THE KITCHEN WITH KARLA

A Stew to Warm Your Wheaten’s Heart (A Recipe for your DOG)

1 pound of stewing beef, cubed 2 potatoes, cubed 5 carrots, chunked 1 cup of warm water 1 1/2 cups of low salt beef broth 1 bay leaf Salt and pepper Added later: 1 tablespoon yellow corn flour mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water Mix the first 6 ingredients. Bake in a Dutch oven for 2 hours. Add The corn flour mixture and stir well. Return to the oven for another 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Serve over your Wheaten’s kibble for that extra special celebration day...remember St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Once cooled it can be frozen in single serving portions.

Books to Checkout By Ernie Ward, DVM, “Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter.” It’s a good read on how to keep your dog fit. Tips on how to tell if your dog is overweight and how to help him get trim. By Heather Lende, “Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs.” Lende writes, “I think I’ve glimpsed a preview of heaven, and it’s in an old dog’s eyes.”

Web Sites

Summer is around the corner; check out DogJaunt.com for ideas and good tips on how to keep your dog happy on the road or in the air.

May you have warm words on a cold evening,

A full moon on a dark night

And a smooth road all the way to your door.

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THE TERRIER GROUP Can you name all the breeds in the Terrier Group? Did you know the Terrier breeds can be roughly divided between the vermin hunters and the bull-and-terrier types? Several breeds also herd livestock. The vermin hunters include the breeds that kill small animals that are often considered to be pests. Most of this developed in farming communities where the dogs were a working component of keeping the barns and fields clean from vermin. Because they were trained to hunt on their own, terrier breeds tend to be independent and feisty. The bull-and-terrier breeds were most often used for bull baiting or pit fighting. They tend to be biddable but tough. Currently the Terrier Group consists of the following breeds; Airedale Terrier Manchester Terrier (Standard) American Staffordshire Terrier Miniature Bull Terrier Australian Terrier Miniature Schnauzer Bedlington Terrier Norfolk Terrier Border Terrier Norwich Terrier Bull Terrier Parson Russell Terrier Cairn Terrier Scottish Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier Sealyham Terrier Fox Terrier (Smooth) Skye Terrier Fox Terrier (Rough) Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Glen of Imal Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier Irish Terrier Welsh Terrier Kerry Blue Terrier West Highland White Terrier Lakeland Terrier This makes a grand total of 27 different breeds. They range in size from small to big. The tallest, the Airedale is known as the “king of terriers.” The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated as al all-around farm dog, perhaps serving in this function for hundreds of years. In addition to it’s job of vermin extinction, it helped round up stock and guarded the homestead. Both the Kerry Blue and Wheaten Terriers are approved for AKC herding competitions. The plucky Skye Terrier may be one of the shorter breeds, but a male’s average weight is 35-40 pounds due to its long length. The short legged Norwich, Norfolk, etc are the smallest of the breeds

If God sends you down a stony path,

may he give you strong shoes.

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Canine Good Citizen Test Tips If you want your dog to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test here are some of the things your dog needs to know: 1. Accepting a friendly stranger. The evaluator and handler meet and

greet. The dog should be passive when his owner meets a stranger.

2. Sitting politely for petting. This demonstrates the dog can sit quietly while the owner is out in public. The evaluator will pet the dog’s head and body during this portion of the test.

3. Appearance and grooming. This shows the dog will allow a stranger, his vet or a groomer to evaluate him. He should exhibit signs of being well groomed and will tolerate being softly combed or brushed.

4. Walking on a loose lead. This test demonstrates the dog under the control of his handler. He may walk on either side of the handler. He does not have to be perfectly aligned as in the obedience ring, but must demonstrate he is under control. The handler may speak to him throughout the test.

5. Walking through a crowd. Can you maneuver your dog through a crowd and still maintain control?

6. Sit and down on command and staying in place. Does your dog respond to your commands? You must have control and be able to do all three commands to pass this part of the test.

7. Coming when called. The handler will walk ten feet from the dog, turn to face the dog and call the dog. You can use encouragement to get the dog to come.

8. Reaction to another dog. This demonstrates the dog can act politely around other dogs. Two handlers with dogs approach from about 20 feet away, stop, shake hands and chat a bit, then continue on their way anther 20 feet. Can your dog do this?

9. Reaction to distraction. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. This can include dropping a crutch or cane, having a jogger run in front of the dog, dropping a chair, etc. The dog may express interest, but must remain calm and not bark, attempt to run away, show aggressiveness, etc.

10. Supervised separation. This test shows that the dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. The dog does not have to sit or lie throughout this exercise, but must show anything more than mild agitation or nervousness.

The dogs are on leash throughout the testing. The evaluator provides a 20 foot lead for the long line exercises and the owner/handler should bring the dog’s own comb and brush. With a little practice you and your dog can soon have a CGC title. Testing is offered at our Wheaten Fun Day in October and by many obedience clubs.

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How Many of These Apply to You

You believe every dog is a lap dog.

If you are cold, you put a sweater on the dog.

You have a picture of your dog in your wallet, but none of your kids.

You often claim it was love at first sight with you and your dog.

You have your dog talk to your friends on the phone.

You can’t fully enjoy yourself without your dog.

No matter how large your bed is, it’s not large enough for you and your dog(s).

You spend more on clothes and food for your dog than you do for yourself.

You have no reservations about kissing your dog on the lips, even when you know where his lips have been.

You believe it is your duty to talk to, pat, and even feed every dog in the neighborhood. You know all their names.

You let the neighbor dog sleep over.

You believe there is no such thing as a naughty dog.

Your vet and grooming bills exceed your rent.

When you need someone to talk to, your dog is your first choice.

You sit on the floor if the dog got in the chair first.

You talk to your dog when you are driving. He answers.

Your dog taught you to fetch and roll over. A toast to your coffin.

May it be made of 100 year old oak.

And may we plant the tree together, tomorrow

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