Poodle Colors, Patterns and Disqualifiers

by | Sep 17, 2023 | Education, News

Author: Wendy Coffey (UPA Education Committee Member)
Peer Reviewer: Barbara Hoopes, Ph.D.

The poodle has been at the top of the popularity charts for decades due to their intelligence; versatility in effortlessly going from stunning show dog to performance dog, service dog, or pet; and for their glorious coats that are ever-growing and able to be styled in seemingly endless traditional, fun, and unique styles. Often missed is the fact that poodles historically come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. In fact, almost every combination of colors and patterns, other than merle and albino, are inherently present in the breed. This article will lightly cover the various colors, patterns, mutations, injury effects on color, and disqualifying colors.
Click here to finish reading article as a PDF

Addison’s Disease

by | Aug 11, 2023 | Education, News, Poodle Health

– by Kelsey Dixon

Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the adrenal glands. “This leads to a deficiency in key hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate responses to stress and water/electrolyte balance.” (1) The cause of Addison’s is unknown, even though many past and ongoing studies exist.

There is no genetic screening test for this disease today; no way to know if a dog inherited it prior to becoming symptomatic. However, there is a clear genetic link, and a 2003 study found a “heritability of 0.75, which means that 75% of the factors that influence whether or not a dog develops hypoadrenocorticism are genetic.” (2) Unfortunately, “the genes responsible have not been identified.” (2)  A 2008 Study suggests that in poodles a recessive gene may not be in play, and “the condition is likely polygenetic—due to multiple genes.” (2)

Consequently, Addison’s is present within our breed and our pedigrees, and we currently do not have the applicable science to breed away, or remove what would be considered carriers, from our lines. Addison’s also does not present across the board; just because one dog within a familial line presented and tested positive for Addison’s does not mean any other dog within that generation or the next will have the disease. With that knowledge, we must not point fingers or place blame when the disease rears its head; rather, we should accept that it comes down to a matter of when, more so than a matter of if, when it comes to this disease.

Symptoms of Addison’s vary greatly and are often intermittent in the earlier stages of this disease, making diagnosis more difficult. Symptoms include “lethargy, depression, inappetence, vomiting, weakness, weight loss, dehydration, diarrhea, hypothermia, shaking, increased drinking and urination, weak pulse, low heart rate, abdominal pain and intestinal bleeding.” (2) Affected dogs can also show general signs of pain and nausea. “Many other diseases can cause signs like this and sometimes neither the owner nor a veterinary surgeon may realize that hypoadrenocorticism is a possibility.” (2)

“The course of this disease tends to be prolonged, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed or not possible.” (2)  This disease can have severe consequences if left unchecked. Affected dogs cannot function properly and can experience significant pain and may experience an Addisonian crisis. To diagnose this disease, a veterinarian can confirm suspicions of Addison’s by an ACTH stimulation blood test, “which measures the capacity of the adrenal glands to produce hormones in response to stimulation.” (2)

Addison’s cannot be cured, but it can be treated, and dogs can live full and fulfilling lives on treatment. Treatment for Addison’s is an injectable medication and/or oral medications. The injectable is “known as DOCP (brand names: Percorten-V or Zycortal),” and depending on the dog, it may be administered every 3-4 weeks and may be supplemented with oral medications. Not all dogs do well on the injectable medication. (3) An alternative is oral medication such as fludrocortisone (brand name: Florinef) “that replaces both the mineralocorticoid and the glucocorticoid.” (3) Other than medication, other changes to the dog’s diet or lifestyle are not normally required. The prognosis is generally good to excellent once a dog is on treatment. (3)

The truth is that Addison’s exists in all of our pedigrees to varying amounts. It is in our gene pool and we can only use caution and common sense when dealing with this disease. Pedigree research, longevity research, age, general health and transparency shared by breeders are our greatest weapons when navigating this untestable disease. This information can assist breeding programs in using dogs from lines “that have a lower incidence of the disease” to reduce “the number of affected dogs.” (2)  As studies continue and papers are published, there will be more knowledge to gain. Right now, we are our breed’s greatest assets. There should be no shame or hiding when faced with Addison’s; it is not something we can control or deny. It is within our breed and a hurdle we must face with transparency for future generations.

References:

  1. University of Minnesota College of Veterinary – https://vetmed.umn.edu/research/labs/canine-genetics-lab/canine-genetic-research/addisons-disease-mhc-study#:~:text=Addison’s%20disease%20(also%20referred%20to,stress%20and%20water%2Felectrolyte%20balance
  2. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare – https://www.ufaw.org.uk/dogs/standard-poodle-hypoadrenocorticism
  3. VCA Animal Hospitals – https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/addisons-disease-in-dogs-overview

 

Service Animals

by | Aug 10, 2023 | Education, News

– by Rebekah Undersander

​Service animals teams are protected via the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The ADA defines service animals as a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. The only species protected by ADA are dogs and miniature horses, but states can choose to allow additional species.

To qualify as a service animal dogs must….
1. have at least one task that assists the handler with their disability
2. be under control
3. must be potty trained

State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. Allergies or fear of dogs, do not allow an establishment to deny access to service dog teams. Teams cannot be asked to sit outside, isolated or treated differently than other customers. There is no breed limitation for service dogs; they can be trained by the owner or a professional organization.

Service dogs do not require certification, all websites that offer IDs or certification for a dog are a scam. Handlers are not obligated to vest or label their dog in any way. Many opt to, to avoid others distracting their dog or assuming that they are a pet. It is a crime in a majority of states to distract a service dog or to misrepresent your dog as a service dog. Under the ADA, service dogs in training do not get the same access as service dogs. States may provide additional protection for SDiT at their own discretion.

Housing access for service dogs is outlined via the Fair Housing Act. The Air Carrier Access Act and the Department of Transportation Air Transportation has its own policy and requirements to fly with a service dog. If you want to learn more about service dogs, please stay tuned for a continuation of this series. You can also contact Rebekah Undersander or utilize the following ADA links.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

Save those points!

Save those points!

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Education, News, Performance

by Marguerite Plank, UKC Senior Rally Judge

Sometimes you’ll hear the Rally judge say at a briefing, “You enter the ring with a perfect score. It’s up to you to keep as many points as you can.”

Primarily, you should have read the rules several times … after all, when you sign the entry form, you affirm that you did indeed read and understand the rules. When I enter rally trials, whether AKC, UKC, or WCRL, I have my rulebook with me at the trials. It’s a good idea to review the signs at your level so you know how they should be performed. Some of them are a little tricky. The time to ask the judge questions is during the walk-through. I’m always happy to help you understand how I expect a sign to be performed and keep most of your points.

Here are a few places where I see people giving back the points they came in with:

  • Tight leash. URO1 or Novice classes are on leash. A consistently tight leash (through the whole test), can lose you ALL your points, and failing that run. As a UKC judge, I ding you a point whenever I see tension on a leash … more than just a bop to the end of the leash and back. To avoid those points, you’re free to use your voice or pat your leg to encourage your dog to pay attention and stay close. Be sure to keep a “J loop” in the leash as much as you can. That gives the dog a little more room to be just slightly out of position.
  • Crooked sits. In Rally, there are no half-point deductions, as in obedience. So a dog’s sit has to be really crooked to be penalized. If your sit is 45 degrees off “straight,” it’s generally a 1-point deduction, and 2 points for 90 degrees crooked, and even higher for extreme deviations.
  • Going on the wrong side of a sign. I don’t see this error quite so often, except maybe in Level 1 and with inexperienced exhibitors. For almost all signs, the handler passes to the left of the sign. The side-step signs are the exceptions. Remember, “The one who is reading the sign is the one closest to it.” Depending on the judge, you could lose 2 or 3 points for passing a sign on the wrong side. That can be very costly if you do that down a whole row of signs!
  • No pause. Some signs, especially those that ask you to leave the dog and return to heel, specify there should be a brief pause when you return to heel. How do I define a pause? I look to see if you bring your feet together when you reach heel position and give a slight hesitation before moving forward. It’s at least a point off if you don’t pause … but if you pause when it isn’t specified, I probably won’t deduct anything.
  • A retry will cost you 3 points, but it might prevent a non-qualifying run. You only get one retry per sign. I take advantage of UKC’s rule that allows me to call “Fault” if the handler misses a sign or fails to perform a sign correctly. It’s up to you to figure out what went wrong. This is why you should be familiar with all the signs and how they should be performed. Also, pay attention to station numbers to make sure you’re not skipping one by accident.
  • Slow response. This is a penalty given if the dog isn’t responding to your commands. Generally, if you give a command and the dog does not respond, then you repeat the command, I’ll mark “SR” on the score sheet. If you really have to beg the dog, it may cost several points. I cut a lot of slack for older dogs who are in motion to comply.
  • Dog sniffing the floor. The dog should be paying attention to the handler. Sniffing the floor (or signs, or cones, or food/toy distractions) can be penalized. It’s not just the sniffing, but sniffing often leads to the dog leaving the handler’s side and following his nose. I’m not going to blame nosework training for this. It’s the handlers job to train the dog when it’s appropriate to sniff and when it’s not required.
  • Heeling errors. These errors are generally the dog’s being out of the “ideal” position by an arm’s length or more. These include going wide, forging, lagging, and perhaps exploring something in the ring that takes the dog off course.

“Fatal” Errors

There are some events or actions that will result in a non-qualifying run and perhaps having the team be excused.

  • Failing a sign with or without a retry. UKC does not have an “IP” 10-point penalty for failing a sign. If you do the sign incorrectly and also do the retry incorrectly, you cannot qualify. Not all judges will use the “Fault” option, so if you do a sign incorrectly and continue, you will likely be NQ’d.
  • Prohibited items. Entering the ring with a mobile phone or video recorder on the exhibitor OR the dog will result in excusal.
  • Wrong collar type or slip leads. Tags and certain types of collars are not allowed. In Level 1, some exhibitors fail to change collars from the conformation slip lead—that will also result in being excused.
  • Dog eliminating in the ring. A steward may hold the dog, but the exhibitor does the clean-up—that’s actually part of the UKC rules.
  • Handler touches dog. There are some signs that will allow the handler to assist the dog to stand, if done without force. Pulling the dog’s front feet forward to get it to lie down is not permitted. Neither is taking the collar to redirect or get the dog under control.
  • Giving the dog a treat in the ring. I’ve actually seen this, which is why I emphasize reading the rules. That’s definitely a strong “no.” You should not even have a treat in your pockets. Leave them all on the dog’s crate for a reward when you return.

Rally is a fun way to get started in performance competition. Poodles are very smart and love to learn and love to perform. Give it a try!

Thanks are due to Kim Alexander-Thomson, my fellow UKC judge, for her valuable feedback and suggestions.

Dog Not Heeling

Dog Lagging

Crooked Sit

Bloat

by | Nov 8, 2022 | Education, News, Poodle Health

by Michele Harvey

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition. Gastric Dilatation is commonly known as “Bloat”; gas builds in the stomach and pushes against the posterior rib cage making the dog appear swollen or “bloated”. This condition may progress to Volvulus which is where the stomach flips and traps the gas and food/water in the stomach. Circulation in the abdomen may then be compromised and veterinary intervention is required (3).

Dogs who are tall and narrowly built have increased susceptibility to bloat. Additionally, dogs who eat or drink quickly or excessively are more susceptible. While there is no scientifically proven reason for bloat, veterinarians agree that certain precautions can reduce the likelihood of bloat: 1) feed 2-3 small meals a day rather than a single meal 2) control the rate of consumption if the dog is a fast eater (use slow feeder bowls and reduce anxiety by feeding away from other dogs) 3) require a resting period of at least an hour after eating 4) preventative gastropexy (tacking the stomach to the abdominal wall) (1).

Signs of bloat: swollen abdomen, restlessness, pacing, retching, vomiting, excessive drooling, panting, abdominal pain, pale gums, collapse (2)

Treatment for GD: reduce gas, treat shock symptoms, administer fluids (2) (3)

Treatment for GDV: confirmation by x-ray/scan, treat shock symptoms, surgery to deflate the stomach and turn it back into position. Remove damaged stomach wall as required. If elected, tack the stomach to the abdominal wall. (2) (3)

Post-Surgery Care: pain medication, limit movement/exercise

1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bloat-in-dogs/
2. https://www.vmccny.com/gastric-dilatationvolvulus-bloat
3. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bloat-gastric-dilatation-and-volvulus-in-dogs