Poodle Colors, Patterns and Disqualifiers

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,...

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Addison’s Disease

– 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)

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Service Animals

– 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

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Save those points!

Save those points!

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:

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Bloat

-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).

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