CKC Dog Trivia

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Last month we posed a Trivia Question to our readers that we were sure would stump everyone.  WE WERE WRONG!  In less than 3 hours from the time the newsletter went out, we received the first correct answer.

Congratulations to:  Carol Kash of Ocala, FL  for being a loyal reader and taking the time
to enter the contest.  Below is the original Trivia Question and Carol's answer.

Question: What are the names of the two famous dogs shown below,
and what are they famous for?

Answer:  Strelka and Belka, two Space Dogs that flew on Sputnik-2.

FEATURED ARTICLE II

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Feeding the Working Dog
By Denny Hughes, Profile Pet Nutritionalist

 Most of the food energy consumed by warm-blooded animals like humans, and/or dogs, is used simply to keep warm. The remainder is used to support physical activity and for productive functions such as growth and milk production.  

 To maintain body temperature, heat generated from food metabolism must replace heat lost to the environment. The fullness of hair coat, area of exposed skin, and the differential between the dog's body temperature and its surroundings are all variables in the amount of heat lost. Healthy, normal animals adjust energy intake to match energy requirements. Therefore, when given the opportunity dogs will consume more food when exposed to lower winter temperatures, largely because of hair coat differences. For instance, energy requirements of Labrador Retrievers are influenced more by changes in environmental temperature than are requirements of Beagles or Siberian Huskies. Also, relative feed needs increase more for small dogs than larger dogs when it gets cold, because small dogs have more surface area for heat loss in relation to their body weight.

 Energy derived by the dog from food consumed is stored internally in two different forms: 1) as a carbohydrate in the muscles and 2) as fat in fat deposits stored in the body. Oxygen from respiration is required to recover energy stored in the form of fat but is not required to recover energy from carbohydrates.  The dog's oxygen needs quickly exceed their supply during high intensity activity like sprinting. Therefore, the sprinting dog must rely on muscle stores of energy from dietary carbohydrates. However, the amount of energy that may be stored in the muscles is very low in relation to the amount that is present in fat stores, even in a well-fed, well-trained dog. The prolonged lower intensity activity required of most hunting dogs is sustained by their aerobic capacity (the dog's ability to oxygenate the blood) and by energy from fat stores in the body. The amount of energy stored as fat is influenced by both the nutrient composition of the diet and by the level of feeding above that required for maintenance.

 Dogs that are adapted to high-fat, high-energy diets like PROFILE Performance and PROFILE Elite use fat as the preferential energy source and have increased stamina. Dogs not adapted to the use of fat as their preferred energy source are good sprinters but have little stamina. An abrupt change to a high-fat diet will temporarily cause a depression in performance until adaptation can take place. In general, dogs should be adapted to the appropriate feeding regimen several weeks prior to the hunting season or other activity for which the dogs are being trained. Body condition of heavily worked dogs should be regularly observed, and at times it may be necessary to adjust or change the amount and/or type of diet fed. The main daily meal should be fed following the period of exercise or work to allow adequate digestion, although lesser amounts may be fed  (and should be for under-conditioned dogs) at other times during the day. During the off-season, offer only a maintenance amount of food, and it may be advisable to switch to use of lower fat rations like PROFILE Adult or PROFILE Active to prevent excessive weight gain, particularly when feeding certain obesity-prone breeds like the Labrador.

 For further information or questions regarding proper nutrition for working dogs, visit www.profilenutrition.com and click on the "Ask Our Experts" link.

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The (True) American Mastiff
"Every home should have a mastiff."

Origin:  United States
Group:  Mastiff
Coat:  Dense, Short & Thick
Color:  Apricot, Fawn or Brindle, with Black Mask
Weight:  140-180 pounds for females, 170-200+ pounds for males
Height:  28-35 inches

Infinite, gracious and nurturing are only a few words that can describe this months "Breed of the Month".  The size of their heart is only surpassed by their size in general.  They are born with a certain dignity and quickly grow to become wise beyond their years.  They touch the lives of everyone they come into contact with.  They give the elderly a warm and watchful companion, they give the handicap a new set of eyes, ears or legs, they give children a warm and caring keeper to grow up with to love and be loved by. 

 The American Mastiff was a breed developed by Mrs. Fredericka Wagner of Piketon, Ohio.  She wanted to develop a breed that is loyal to a family, superior with children and capable of good judgment when the time calls for it. The ending result of her efforts was the development of the American Mastiff we see today with all those wonderful qualities and without the drool.  Thanks to selective breeding she was able to produce a mastiff of the same size, temperament and appearance as the English Mastiff, but with a much drier mouth. 

She is not alone in her efforts to preserve and better this beloved breed.  Melanie and Kevin Ware of Orion Farms and Connie Hammond of Hammond Kennels are her collaborators.  Together they strive to promote the image of, and educate the public on the true American Mastiff and warn them against the more aggressive imposters.  (A good rule of thumb when purchasing a Mastiff puppy of any sort, the breed history should not include "first bred to guard 'rock houses'" and "Before being registered with the DRA in 1996 they were simply known as 'rock dogs'".)  The real American Mastiffs from Flying W Farms bloodlines are proven to be ideal in the family, not as a pet, but as a member.  The temperament of the American Mastiff, set forth by Fredericka Wagner and declared by the Continental Kennel Club is one that all true American Mastiffs fall under; Temperament; The American mastiff is a combination of grandeur, good nature, and gentleness. Dignity rather than gaiety. They are neither shy nor vicious. Understanding, patient, and loving with their family, especially children. Loyal, devoted, gentle and kind, will defend if needed, but not aggressive.

 The care and training requirements for these bighearted canines are pretty much the same with any other dogs.  They require only minimal exercise, light grooming, regular vet checks and a little obedience training mixed with a lot of tender loving care should pretty much confirm a life long and happy partnership with the American Mastiff.  These devoted canines will become most hesitant to let you out of their sight.  As long as they are here, they offer their company and all their love to you.  They care not what you look like and live only to adore and protect. 

CKC would like to offer a special thanks to Fredricka Wagner for all of her helpful information and the use of pictures from her website.

For more information on the American Mastiff you can email Crystal Simoneaux at crystal@ckcusa.com or visit the following websites:

Did you know that you could advertise on CKC's Website?

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CKC would like to see your canine buddies in action! Each month we will pick a theme and ask you to submit photos of your dog(s) relating to the theme of the month. You can e-mail or mail your snapshot ATTN: Snapshot of the Month, PO BOX 1627, Walker, LA 70785. The winner will receive a custom made CKC Coffee Mug. All we ask is that you please include your name, address and daytime phone number.

August's Theme of the Month
is
"Celebrity Dog Look-Alikes"

For "Celebrity Dog Look-Alikes" theme we would like you to submit pictures of your dog that looks like a Celebrity Dog. (ex:  Rin-Tin-Tin, Eddie from Frasier, Toto from The Wizard of Oz) We will accept pictures of all breeds, shapes, sizes and colors.

Congratulations.....

We had such a wonderful response to last month's theme, it made it extremely hard to choose just one winner.  We were finally able to decide that the winner of July's Theme of the Month, "Me and My Buddy", is Robin Smith. Below is the picture submitted. We would like to thank everyone for submitting pictures for the "Snapshot of the Month" & keep them coming!!

Note: All pictures submitted become property of Continental Kennel Club and
may be used at our discretion

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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

This month Continental Kennel Club recognizes Patricia T. for her remarkable accomplishments at CKC. Patricia exceeds the expectations of her supervisors and fellow employees. Patricia is the proud new mother of a beautiful baby boy, Eric born on April 3, 2003. She has been with the company for approximately a year now.  We are proud to have Patricia as part of the CKC  family.

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Click Here for an easy way to share this information with them.
 

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If you would like to submit an article or write a letter to the editor for upcoming issues, you can submit your article to: Continental Kennel Club (c/o CKCNEWS), PO BOX 1450, Walker, LA 70785 or via e-mail to editor@ckcusa.com.  You may also contact CKC directly at (800) 952-3376.

Note: All articles submitted become property of Continental Kennel Club and may be
used at our discretion.

Copyright© 2003 Continental Kennel Club, Inc. - No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission by the publisher.