tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62770193714842662582024-02-20T19:57:07.808-05:00Boxers 101A collection of information, education, thoughts and ramblings about the Boxer breed.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-68523924546188232172017-03-27T13:40:00.003-04:002017-03-27T13:48:08.827-04:00Estate Planning for Pets - Part 6<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and
are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and
website links, under that same reprint permission.</i> <br />
<br />
<h2>
OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES</h2>
In addition to consulting the statutes and case law of your own jurisdiction, the Estate Planning for Pets Foundation also recommends considering the following secondary sources:<br />
<br />
Beyer, Gerry W., <a href="http://www.professorbeyer.com/Articles/Santa_Clara_Law_Review_2000.pdf" target="_blank">Pet Animals: What Happens when Their Humans Die?</a>, 40 Santa Clara L. Rev. 617 (2000) <br />
Hirschfield, Rachel, <a href="http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/petestateplanning.html" target="_blank">Estate Planning Issues Involving Pets</a>, American Bar Association GPSOLO, (July/August 2009)<br />
<br />
Jensen, J. Alan, <a href="https://www.hklaw.com/publications/Tax-and-Estate-Planning-Involving-Pets-Stupid-Pet-Tricks-for-the-IRS-and-FIDO-08-01-2000/" target="_blank">Tax and Estate Planning Involving Pets: Stupid Pet Tricks for the IRS and Fido</a>, (Aug. 2000)<br />
<br />
Marquand, Barbara, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/barbaramarquand/2015/12/01/provide-for-pet-after-death-insurance-trust/#52a7a9447819" target="_blank">Trusts for Dogs? Providing for Pets After You're Gone</a>, Forbes (December 1, 2105)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.animallaw.info/intro/wills-and-trusts" target="_blank">MSU Animal Legal & Historical Center: Wills and Trusts</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.uniformlaws.org/shared/docs/trust_code/UTC_Final_2017jan25.pdf" target="_blank">Uniform Trust Code</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<h2>
WHERE CAN I FIND AN ORGANIZATION TO CARE FOR MY PET?</h2>
Depending on the circumstances, you may have to consider naming an organization as the caretaker for your pet. <br />
<br />
If the organization is a particular type of tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation or association, it may already have a legal duty to provide for the welfare and prevent cruelty to, animals. In any case, you should personally visit the facilities and discuss the matters directly with a party who represents the organization before making the decision.<br />
<br />
The following is a list of links to organizations, commercial and nonprofit, that have formal programs for the care of dogs upon the death or disability of their owners.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Permanent Care</h3>
The following organizations have specific programs to provide permanent care for a dog after the owner’s death, either through fostering or adoption: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.peaceofminddogrescue.org/lifetimecare.html" target="_blank">Peace of Mind Dog Rescue Lifetime Care</a>, California<br />
<br />
<a href="https://petallianceorlando.org/ways-give/paws-itive-care/" target="_blank">Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando</a>, Florida<br />
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<a href="http://www.petestates.com/?page_id=16" target="_blank">Pet Estates Inc.</a>, New York <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogretirement.com/" target="_blank">The Silver Streak Kennel</a>, New York<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wmranch.org/about/programs/127-perpetual-care-program" target="_blank">Watermelon Mountain Ranch</a>, New Mexico<br />
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<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/docs/lifetimecare.php" target="_blank">Lifetime Care Programs for Animals</a> (List)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/www.professorbeyer.com/Articles/Animals_More_Information.html#Organizations_Providing_Animal_Care_After_Owners_Death:" target="_blank">Organizations Providing Animal Care After Owner's Death</a> (List)<br />
<br />
<hr />
<h2>
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?</h2>
If you would like additional information about estate planning for pets, consider the following books, written with the non-lawyer reader in mind:<br />
<br />
Anderson, Mary G. & Frank Doyle, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Protection-Legal-Care-Plan/dp/098638724X/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=098638724X&pd_rd_r=S88EW5H542KDHKWXCSD8&pd_rd_w=zQ2El&pd_rd_wg=oCsGL&psc=1&refRID=S88EW5H542KDHKWXCSD8" target="_blank">Pet Protection Legal Care Plan</a> (Be Here Now Publishing Group, 2015)<br />
<br />
Congalton, Donald & Charlotte Alexander, <a href="http://www.newsagepress.com/whenyourpetoutlivesyou.html" target="_blank">When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animal Companions After You Die </a>(New Sage Press 2002)<br />
<br />
Hoyt, Peggy R., <a href="http://www.legacyforyourpet.com/" target="_blank">All My Children Wear Fur Coats: How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet</a> (Legacy Planning Partners, LLC 2002)<br />
<br />
<hr />
<h2>
MICHIGAN COMPILED LAWS §700.2722 </h2>
<h3>
Honorary trusts; trusts for pets. </h3>
(1) Subject to subsection (3), if a trust is for a specific lawful noncharitable purpose or for lawful noncharitable purposes to be selected by the trustee, and if there is no definite or definitely ascertainable beneficiary designated, the trust may be performed by the trustee for 21 years, but no longer, whether or not the terms of the trust contemplate a longer duration.<br />
<br />
(2) Subject to this subsection and subsection (3), a trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal is valid. The trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust. A governing instrument shall be liberally construed to bring the transfer within this subsection, to presume against the merely precatory or honorary nature of the disposition, and to carry out the general intent of the transferor. Extrinsic evidence is admissible in determining the transferor's intent.<br />
<br />
(3) In addition to the provisions of subsection (1) or (2), a trust covered by either of those subsections is subject to the following provisions:<br />
<br />
(a) Except as expressly provided otherwise in the trust instrument, no portion of the principal or income may be converted to the use of the trustee or to a use other than for the trust's purposes or for the benefit of a covered animal.<br />
<br />
(b) Upon termination, the trustee shall transfer the unexpended trust property in the following order:<br />
<br />
(i) As directed in the trust instrument.<br />
<br />
(ii) If the trust was created in a nonresiduary clause in the transferor's will or in a codicil to the transferor's will, under the residuary clause in the transferor's will.<br />
<br />
(iii) If no taker is produced by the application of subparagraph (i) or (ii), to the transferor's heirs under section 2720.<br />
<br />
(c) For the purposes of sections 2714 to 2716, the residuary clause is treated as creating a future interest under the terms of a trust.<br />
<br />
(d) The intended use of the principal or income can be enforced by an individual designated for that purpose in the trust instrument or, if none, by an individual appointed by a court upon petition to it by an individual.<br />
<br />
(e) Except as ordered by the court or required by the trust instrument, no filing, report, registration, periodic accounting, separate maintenance of funds, appointment, or fee is required by reason of the existence of the fiduciary relationship of the trustee. <br />
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(f) The court may reduce the amount of the property transferred if it determines that that amount substantially exceeds the amount required for the intended use. The amount of the reduction, if any, passes as unexpended trust property under subdivision (b).<br />
<br />
(g) If a trustee is not designated or no designated trustee is willing or able to serve, the court shall name a trustee. The court may order the transfer of the property to another trustee if the transfer is necessary to ensure that the intended use is carried out, and if a successor trustee is not designated in the trust instrument or if no designated successor trustee agrees to serve or is able to serve. The court may also make other orders and determinations as are advisable to carry out the intent of the transferor and the purpose of this section.<br />
<br />
(h) The trust is not subject to the uniform statutory rule against perpetuities, 1988 PA 418, MCL 554.71 to 554.78. <br />
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History: Pub Acts 1998, No. 386, §2722, by §8101 eff April 1, 2000 (see §700.7101)<br />
<br />
Please consult the <a href="http://www.michiganlegislature.org/" target="_blank">Michigan Legislature</a> website for the most current Michigan statutes online.<br />
<br />
Search your own <a href="http://www.newcastleboxers.com/statelaws.shtml" target="_blank">state's legislature website</a> for laws regarding pet trusts and estate planning.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-31510818577839867652017-03-27T12:50:00.001-04:002017-03-27T13:47:44.987-04:00Estate Planning for Pets - Part 5<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and
are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and
website links, under that same reprint permission.</i><br />
<br />
This sample language below is intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be used or otherwise relied upon in drafting legal documents without accompanying legal advice and making necessary changes to appropriately integrate such sample language with the other provisions of the applicable legal document.<br />
<br />
Language similar to the following could be used in the dispositive provisions of a pet owner's will or revocable living trust.<br />
<br />
<h2>
SAMPLE LANGUAGE FOR CONDITIONAL BEQUEST TO CARETAKER</h2>
I hereby give my pet, [NAME OF PET], [DESCRIPTION OF PET], [0] to [NAME OF CARETAKER], and the sum of $________, which shall be expended for the care of my pet during its remaining lifetime; provided, however, that this gift shall lapse if my pet is not living at the time of distribution according to this provision or if [NAME OF CARETAKER] does not undertake to use the funds gifted herein for the care of my pet.[1] [OPTIONAL: This provision is intended to be a gift subject to a condition precedent, and I do not intend impose any trust upon the beneficiary herein, under common law or statute.[2]]<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[0] As an alternative to specifically naming the pet (as provided above), the drafter could simply refer to "my pets" and define the term to include all the pets owned by the testator at the time of the testator's death. This approach takes into account the fact that the testator may have a different group of pets at the time of his or her death.<br /><br />[1] The assumption behind this language is that the pet owner does not desire to make a gift subject to a condition subsequent, whereby the beneficiary would be entitled to the caretaking funds even if the pet does not survive the pet owner. <br /><br />[2] Many pet trust statutes provide that language in a will may be liberally construed to impose a statutory pet trust upon the beneficiary. This language counters the application of such a statute.</span><br />
<hr />
<h2>
SAMPLE LANGUAGE FOR STATUTORY PET TRUST</h2>
The Settlor hereby gives [his/her] pet, [NAME OF PET], [DESCRIPTION OF PET],[0] and the sum of [AMOUNT OF CARETAKING FUNDS] to the Trustee of the [NAME OF TRUST] (the “Trust”), to be administered and distributed as follows:<br />
<br />
A. Trustee. [NAME OF INITIAL TRUSTEE] shall serve as initial Trustee; but in the event that [NAME OF INITIAL TRUSTEE] is unable or unwilling to serve, [NAME OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE] shall serve as successor Trustee. In the event that both of the above-named parties are unable or unwilling to serve, the successor Trustee shall be appointed by the [NAME OF ENFORCER], if she is unable or unwilling to do so, by a court of competent jurisdiction.[1] The Trustee may resign upon by providing 30 days’ written notice thereof and possession of [NAME OF PET] to [NAME OF ENFORCER] or any other party appointed by the court to enforce this Trust. The Trustee may be removed, at any time, by the [NAME OF ENFORCER] or by a court of competent jurisdiction, and upon receipt of written notice of removal, the Trustee shall relinquish possession of [NAME OF PET] and the remaining assets of the Trust to the duly-appointed successor Trustee, or if there is no such party, to [NAME OF ENFORCER]. [2] Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall [NAME OF ENFORCER] or any other party appointed by the court to enforce this Trust serve as Trustee.[3] Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall have all the rights, powers, duties, and obligations of a trustee under applicable law.<br />
<br />
B. Expenditures and Distributions. During the term of the Trust, the Trustee shall be entitled to expend such sums of net income, and if necessary, principal, as the Trustee determines to be necessary or advisable for the health, care, and welfare of [NAME OF PET], including (but not limited to) food, veterinary care and/or insurance, toys and other recreational activities, and temporary boarding and/or pet-sitting fees. In exercising such discretion, it is intended that the Trustee will maintain [NAME OF PET] in the same standard of health, care, and welfare as the Settlor.[4] The Trustee is also authorized to pay, or reimburse to the Trustee, any income taxes attributable to the Trust and other necessary expenses associated with the administration and distribution thereof. [5] [OPTION: In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee is authorized to receive compensation in the amount of $____ per year.[6]] <br />
<br />
C. Termination and Final Distribution. The Trust shall terminate upon the earlier of the following: (a) the net value of the Trust assets (other than [NAME OF PET]) decreases to less than $_______; [7] or (b) the death of [NAME OF PET]. If termination of the Trust occurs because of the death of [NAME OF PET], the Trustee shall, at the expense of the Trust, provide for the respectful and proper disposition of the remains of [NAME OF PET], pay any remaining debts and expenses of the Trust, and then distribute the remaining assets of the Trust to [NAME OF REMAINDER BENEFICIARY] OPTION FOR CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES: “; provided, however, that if [NAME OF REMAINDER BENEFICIARY] does not then qualify as an organization exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then the Trustee shall select an appropriate tax-exempt organization that provides for the care of similar pets to receive such distribution"]. If termination occurs for any other reason, the Trustee shall distribute the remaining assets of the Trust to the Trustee, who shall hold such assets outright and free of trust, but conditioned on providing for the continued health, welfare, and care of [NAME OF PET].<br />
<br />
D. Enforcement of Trust by Third Party. The purposes and terms of this Trust may be enforced, at any time, with or without court intervention, by [NAME OF ENFORCER], or if [NAME OF ENFORCER] is unable or unwilling to do so, by any party appointed by a court pursuant to [CITATION TO PET TRUST STATUTE]. To this end, [NAME OF ENFORCER] may (but is not required to) request an accounting for the funds of the Trust, not more frequently than quarterly, and inspect [NAME OF PET] and the conditions of the premises where [NAME OF PET] is kept, from time to time, to ensure that appropriate care is being provided by the Trustee. This provision shall apply even if the party granted enforcement powers is not a beneficiary of the Trust.[8] Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the rights of the Trustee and the beneficiaries to enforce the terms hereof.<br />
<br />
E. Purposes. While [NAME OF PET] is alive, the primary purpose of the Trust is to provide for the health, care, and welfare of [NAME OF PET].[9] Notwithstanding, if at any time, [NAME OF PET] suffers from a medical or physical condition or illness and the Trustee determines, based on a written opinion of a veterinary professional who has examined [NAME OF PET], that it would be more humane to euthanize [NAME OF PET], then the Trustee is authorized to do so at the expense of the Trust.[10]<br />
<br />
F. Spendthrift Provision. As a material purpose of the Trust, the interest of any beneficiary in the net income or principal shall not be subject to the claims of any creditor, any spouse for alimony or support, or others, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered. Except as otherwise provided, no beneficiary’s interest shall be subject to anticipation, assignment, sale or transfer in any manner, nor shall any beneficiary have the power to anticipate, alienate, encumber or charge such interest, voluntarily or involuntarily, nor shall such interest be liable for or subject to the debts, obligations, liabilities, torts or contracts of any beneficiary.[11] <br />
<br />
G. Applicable Law. This Trust is established by the Settlor and accepted by the Trustee under the laws of the State of [NAME OF STATE], and in particular, [CITATION TO PET TRUST STATUTE], and all questions concerning its validity and construction shall be determined under [NAME OF STATE] law, regardless of any change in the situs of the Trust.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[0] As an alternative to specifically naming the pet throughout the Trust (as provided above), the drafter could simply refer to the "Settlor's pets" and define the term to include all the pets owned by the Settlor at the time of the Settlor's death. This approach takes into account the fact that the Settlor may have a different group of pets at the time of his or her death. <br /><br />[1] The trustee succession provisions may be drafted in a number of different ways. In addition, the applicable pet trust statute may allow a court to designate a successor trustee of a pet trust.<br /><br />[2] In a statutory pet trust, the trustee has control over the pet and the funds, so at a minimum, the third-party enforcer should be able to remove the trustee without court intervention if necessary. As drafted, the above clause gives the third-party enforcer broad authority to do so, although such authority could be limited to removal for cause.<br /><br />[3] Even if it is possible under the statute, the whole reason for creating a pet trust dictates that the trustee and the third-party enforcer should never be the same person.<br /><br />[4] This provisions defines how the funds of the pet trust are to be used, and in doing so, attempts to balance the needs for detail in instruction with flexibility in execution.<br /><br />[5] As discussed in the outline, it is unclear how a statutory pet trust would be taxed in this situation. In any event, this clause ensures that any taxes paid by the trustee will be reimbursed from the trust funds.<br /><br />[6] This clause is entirely optional. In a perfect world, as a matter of incentives, the pet-owner would prefer to choose a caretaker who would be willing to care for the pet without compensation.<br /><br />[7] It is assumed that, when the value of the funds falls under a certain amount (e.g., $1,000), it would no longer be cost-effective to keep the pet trust intact. In the alternative, this clause could provide for the “exhaustion of trust assets”.<br /><br />[8] The enforcement of the trust by a non-beneficiary is one of the legal obstacles to creating a legal trust for the benefit of a pet that is intended to be addressed by the pet trust statute. See A.R.S. §14-2907(4). This clause is intended to define the third-party enforcer and certain rights that are essential to that function. However, as encountered with provisions trust protectors, the question remains as to whether such a third party has fiduciary duties associated with the rights to enforce the pet trust.<br /><br />[9] The degree of importance of the purposes of the pet trust should be expressly stated, especially considering its unorthodox nature.<br /><br />[10] Given the nature of the pet trust, the issue of euthanasia should be expressly discussed in the terms of the Trust. <br /><br />[11] This provision is intended to protect the assets of the Trust form the creditors of the Trustee and the beneficiaries.</span><br />
<hr />
<h2>
SAMPLE LANGUAGE FOR TRADITIONAL LEGAL TRUST </h2>
The Settlor hereby gives [his/her] pet, [NAME OF PET[0]], [DESCRIPTION OF PET], and the sum of [AMOUNT OF CARETAKING FUNDS] to the Trustee of the [NAME OF TRUST] (the “Trust”), to be administered and distributed according to the following provisions:<br />
<br />
A. Trustee. [NAME OF INITIAL TRUSTEE] shall serve as initial Trustee; but in the event that [NAME OF INITIAL TRUSTEE] is unable or unwilling to serve, [NAME OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE] shall serve as successor Trustee. In the event that the above-named parties are unable or unwilling to serve, the successor Trustee shall be appointed by: (i) the written designation of previous Trustee (who has not been removed) delivered to the Caretaker Beneficiary and the Remainder Beneficiary; or (ii) if the previous Trustee does not make such a designation, the unanimous written designation of the Caretaker Beneficiary and the Remainder Beneficiary; or (iii) if such parties do not make such a designation, by a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Caretaker Beneficiary serve as Trustee.[1] The Trustee may resign, at any time, by providing 30 days’ written notice to the Caretaker Beneficiary and the Remainder Beneficiary. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall have all the rights, powers, duties, and obligations of a trustee under applicable law, and in addition, may (but is not required to) inspect [NAME OF PET] and the conditions of the premises where [NAME OF PET] is kept, from time to time, to ensure that appropriate care is being provided by the Caretaker Beneficiary, as provided below.[2]<br />
<br />
B. Caretaker Beneficiary. [NAME OF INITIAL CARETAKER] shall be the initial “Caretaker Beneficiary”, but if [NAME OF INITIAL CARETAKER] is unable or unwilling to receive the benefits and meet the conditions set forth herein, then [NAME OF SUCCESSOR CARETAKER] shall be the successor Caretaker Beneficiary. Before any initial distribution is made, any party with an interest as Caretaker Beneficiary shall be informed of the conditions for possession of [NAME OF PET] and receipt of funds hereunder. If any party who is entitled to distributions as Caretaker Beneficiary is, in the sole discretion of the Trustee, unable or unwilling to provide sufficient care for [NAME OF PET] or the Trust’s ownership of [NAME OF PET] is jeopardized, then the Trustee may, without court intervention, acquire possession of [NAME OF PET] from such party, divest that party of any interest as Caretaker Beneficiary, and appoint another party as successor Caretaker Beneficiary who is willing and able to provide sufficient care for [NAME OF PET]. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, in no event may the Trustee, the Trustee’s estate, the creditors of the Trustee, or the creditors of the Trustee’s estate be the Caretaker Beneficiary.<br />
<br />
C. Distributions and Possession of Trust Property. During the term of the Trust, the Trustee shall distribute to, or for the benefit of, the Caretaker Beneficiary such amounts of net income, and if necessary, principal, as the Trustee determines to be necessary or advisable for the health, care, and welfare of [NAME OF PET], including (but not limited to) food, veterinary care and/or insurance, toys and other recreational activities, and temporary boarding and/or pet-sitting fees. In exercising such discretion, it is intended that the Trustee will maintain [NAME OF PET] in the same standard of health, care, and welfare as the Settlor. The Trustee is also authorized to pay, or reimburse to the Caretaker Beneficiary for, any income taxes attributable to the Trust and other necessary expenses associated with the administration and distribution thereof. [OPTION: In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee is authorized to pay: (1) to the Caretaker Beneficiary, compensation in the amount of $______ per year; and (2) to the Trustee, compensation in the amount of $______ per year.] In any event, the Caretaker Beneficiary shall be entitled to possession of [NAME OF PET] for so long as he or she is providing for such care for [NAME OF PET] and the Trust’s continued ownership of [NAME OF PET] is not jeopardized. <br />
<br />
D. Termination and Final Distribution. The Trust shall terminate upon the earlier of the following: (a) the net value of the Trust assets (other than [NAME OF PET]) decreases to less than $_________;[3] (b) the death of [NAME OF PET]; or (c) 21 years after the death of the last heir of the Settlor’s grandparents who is living at the time this Trust is established.[4] If termination of the Trust occurs because of the death of [NAME OF PET], the Trustee shall, at the expense of the Trust, provide for the respectful and proper disposition of the remains of [NAME OF PET],[5] pay any remaining debts and expenses of the Trust, and then distribute the remaining assets of the Trust to [NAME OF REMAINDER BENEFICIARY], the “Remainder Beneficiary” [OPTION FOR CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES: “; provided, however, that if [NAME OF REMAINDER BENEFICIARY] does not then qualify as an organization exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then the Trustee shall select an appropriate tax-exempt organization that provides for the care of similar pets to receive such distribution”[6]]. If termination occurs for any other reason, the Trustee shall distribute the remaining assets to either the Caretaker Beneficiary and/or the Remainder Beneficiary, as the Trustee determines to be most consistent with the intent of the Trust.[7]<br />
<br />
E. Purposes. While [NAME OF PET] is alive, the primary purpose of this Trust is to provide funds to the Caretaker Beneficiary for the health, care, and welfare of [NAME OF PET].[8] Notwithstanding, if, at any time, [NAME OF PET] suffers from a medical or physical condition or illness and the Trustee or the Caretaker Beneficiary determine, based on a written opinion of a veterinary professional who has examined [NAME OF PET], that it would be more humane to euthanize [NAME OF PET], then either the Trustee and/or the Caretaker Beneficiary is authorized to do so without court intervention.[9]<br />
<br />
F. Spendthrift Provision. As a material purpose of the Trust, the interest of any beneficiary in the net income or principal shall not be subject to the claims of any creditor, any spouse for alimony or support, or others, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered. Except as otherwise provided, no beneficiary’s interest shall be subject to anticipation, assignment, sale or transfer in any manner, nor shall any beneficiary have the power to anticipate, alienate, encumber or charge such interest, voluntarily or involuntarily, nor shall such interest be liable for or subject to the debts, obligations, liabilities, torts or contracts of any beneficiary.[10]<br />
<br />
G. Applicable Law. This Trust is established by the Settlor and accepted by the Trustee under the laws of the State of [NAME OF STATE] and all questions concerning its validity and construction shall be determined under [NAME OF STATE] law. Any questions relating to the administration of the Trust shall be determined by the law of the situs of the Trust at that time. [OPTION: In establishing this Trust, the Settlor does not intend to create an honorary trust or statutory pet trust, but an otherwise enforceable trust with at least one human trustee and a human beneficiary.[11]]<br />
<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[0] As an alternative to specifically naming the pet throughout the Trust (as provided above), the drafter could simply refer to the "Settlor's pets" and define the term to include all the pets owned by the Settlor at the time of the Settlor's death. This approach takes into account the fact that the Settlor may have a different group of pets at the time of his or her death.<br /><br />[1] The Trustee succession provisions may be drafted in a number of different ways. Nonetheless, in accordance with the practical purposes of the Trust, the Trustee and the Caretaker Beneficiary should never be the same party. <br /><br />[2] The Trustee, as the enforcer of the Trust, must be able to check up on the pet without court intervention. As drafted, this clause is lenient in terms of a Trustee’s duty to check up on the pet. If the pet owner wishes to impose a more affirmative obligation upon the Trustee, then the drafter should be as specific as possible without overburdening the Trustee – e.g., “shall inspect [NAME OF PET] and the conditions of the premises where [NAME OF PET] is kept, not less frequently than once a month, to ensure that appropriate care is being provided by the Caretaker Beneficiary, as provided below.”<br /><br />[3] It is assumed that, when the value of the funds falls under a certain amount (e.g., $1,000), it would no longer be cost-effective to keep the Trust in tact. In the alternative, this clause could provide for the “exhaustion of trust assets”.<br /><br />[4] One of the roadblocks to a trust intended to benefit a pet for life is that the duration does not technically fall within the appropriate common law or statutory perpetuities period, which must often be based on a human life in being at the time the trust is created.<br /><br />This clause is an example of a common law perpetuities savings clause, although the clause should always be tailored to the particular situation. For example, the above clause would not be of much use if the Settlor has no family. In this case, the clause could invoke the applicable statutory perpetuities period – e.g., in Arizona, 90 years after establishment of the Trust (A.R.S. §14- 2901(A)(2)).<br /><br />[5] This clause concerning the disposition of the remains of the pet is worded very generally. The drafter could add more specific directions tailored to the Settlor’s desires<br /><br />[6] This optional clause gives flexibility in the event that a charitable beneficiary is not in existence at the time of termination of the trust. The clause assumes that the Settlor would want the remaining funds to pass to an organization that cares for the same type of pet that the Settlor had, although this need not necessarily be the case.<br /><br />[7] In general, the Trust would terminate early due to a lack of funds, and the question becomes who should receive the pet and/or the funds. The above language leaves the decision up to the Trustee. Note that if the Trustee was also the Caretaker Beneficiary, however, this clause would likely be considered a general power of appointment for tax purposes, although the value of the property subject to the power would presumably be limited.<br /><br />[8] The degree of importance of the purposes of the trust should be expressly stated, especially considering its unorthodox nature.<br /><br />[9] Given the nature of the pet trust, the issue of euthanasia should be expressly discussed within the terms of the Trust.<br /><br />[10] This provision is intended to protect the assets of the Trust form the creditors of the Trustee and the beneficiaries. <br /><br />[11] If the drafter is preparing a document in a state that has a pet trust statute, this provision could be added to make clear that such statute, and all its special restrictions, is not to be applied. </span>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Language similar to the following could be used in a durable power of attorney (or revocable living trust[1]).<br />
<br />
<h2>
SAMPLE LANGUAGE FOR DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY</h2>
In the event that the Principal is unable to provide for the care of [his/her] pet, [NAME OF PET], [DESCRIPTION OF PET],[2] the Agent is authorized to: (1) take possession and custody of the pet [OPTION: or provide possession and custody of the pet to the Trustee of the [NAME OF REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST]]; and (2) expend or otherwise utilize such amounts of the Principal’s funds or other property as may be necessary or advisable to provide for the health, care, and welfare of the pet, including (but not limited to) food, veterinary care and/or insurance, toys and other recreational activities, and temporary boarding and/or pet-sitting fees. In exercising such authority, it is intended that the Agent will maintain [NAME OF PET] in the same standard of health, care, and welfare as the Principal. [OPTIONAL: Unless medically or physically impracticable, the Agent shall permit the Principal to have as much contact with [NAME OF PET] as the Principal did before becoming incapacitated.] For the purposes of this instrument, any such actions by the Agent taken for the benefit of the Principal’s pet shall be considered taken for the benefit of the Principal.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] This language could also be modified for placement in a revocable living trust, where the “Principal” is the settlor and the “Agent” is the successor trustee. However, it would be effective only if the pet animal actually becomes property of the trust. <br /><br />[2] As an alternative to specifically naming the pet (as provided above), the drafter could simply refer to the "Principal’s pets" and define the term to include all the pets owned by the Principal at the time of the Principal’s incapacity. This approach takes into account the fact that the Principal may have a different group of pets at the time of his or her death.</span>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-10508094742746902812017-03-27T12:42:00.001-04:002017-03-27T13:47:30.728-04:00Estate Planning for Pets - Part 4<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and
are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and
website links, under that same reprint permission.</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Drafting a Conditional Bequest to the Caretaker </h2>
The pet owner may simply make a gift (either in a will or a revocable living trust) of the pet and the caretaking funds to the intended caretaker. This approach may be entirely appropriate in situations where the caretaker is very trustworthy or it is highly unlikely that the pet will outlive both the pet owner and the caretaker. <br />
<br />
If this is the case, the pet owner should consider imposing a condition upon the gift of the caretaking funds – that the funds will actually be used for the care of the pet. To be sure, it is practically unlikely that a condition of this type may be enforced after the estate has been distributed, but for what it is worth, it does impose a moral obligation. <br />
<br />
Furthermore, the pet owner should explicitly indicate whether the condition is a “condition precedent” (i.e., the caretaker does not receive the funds unless the pet outlives the pet owner) or a “condition subsequent” (i.e., the caretaker receives the funds regardless of whether the pet outlives the pet owner). If the sole purpose of including an express gift in the estate planning document is to provide for the care of the pet, then the pet owner would probably prefer the former. <br />
<br />
Finally, many of the pet trust statutes provide that a gift will be liberally construed to impose a statute pet trust upon the caretaker (as discussed previously). If this result is not intended, then the drafter should prepare a provision that to expressly remove the conditional gift from the statutory scheme. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Drafting a Statutory Pet Trust </h2>
If an outright bequest of the pet and any caretaking funds is not desirable, it will be because the pet owner, for one reason or another, is not entirely confident that the designated caretaker will be willing and able to care for the pet for its lifetime in the manner the pet owner would like. In this case, the use of either a statutory pet trust or a traditional legal trust for a pet may be appropriate. <br />
<br />
As an initial matter, establishing an effective statutory pet trust or traditional legal trust necessarily includes designating, at a minimum, the following two parties: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A caretaker who is willing and able to care for the pet (i.e., the beneficiary under the traditional legal trust, and the trustee under the statutory pet trust); and </li>
<li>A third party who can enforce the trust against the caretaker (i.e., the trustee under the traditional legal trust, and the untitled “individual” granted certain powers in the pet trust statutes). </li>
</ul>
In addition, the settlor may want to designate yet another party as remainder beneficiary (i.e., to receive any remaining trust funds upon the death of the pet) who, in avoiding conflicts of interest, should be someone other than one of the above parties. <br />
<br />
This series of articles does include sample language. Nonetheless, because of the inherent uncertainties and limitations surrounding the use of a statutory pet trust, some experts recommend avoiding use of a statutory pet trust altogether. As such, a discussion of drafting the terms of a statutory pet trust has been omitted in favor of the following more detailed exposition pertaining to provisions for traditional legal trusts. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Drafting Trust Provisions for the Care of a Pet </h2>
The following is a list of recommended provisions for inclusion in a trust for pets. However, note that the list is not specifically applicable to a statutory pet trust, although many of the terms pertaining to the “caretaker-beneficiary” below could be applied to the “trustee” of a statutory pet trust, and the terms pertaining to a “trustee” below could be applied to a designated third party enforcer under the statutory pet trust. (See discussion regarding the use of statutory pet trusts above.) <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Identifying the pet. The terms of the trust should identify the pet in a way that will, at very least, permit third parties to identify the pet after the settlor’s death, and preferably, prevent the caretaker from replacing the original pet with a new one to fraudulently perpetuate his or her right to distributions. An adequate identification of the pet depends on the circumstances involved. In most cases, merely identifying the pet by unique physical attributes is sufficient. In other cases, the pet may not be distinguishable from other animals of the same species, and the settlor may want to consult a veterinarian about having a microchip implanted in the pet or obtaining DNA “fingerprinting”. Such precautions are relatively inexpensive and may also prove to be very useful if the pet is lost.[1] </li>
<li>Identifying subsequent pets acquired by the settlor. Of course, including future pets in the terms of the trust saves the effort of having to formally amend the trust whenever a new pet enters the picture. On the other hand, defining the scope of covered pets too broadly may undermine the purposes of sufficiently identifying the pet, as discussed above. </li>
<li>Setting the amount of caretaking funds. If the trust is a traditional legal trust, setting the amount of caretaking funds passing to the trust should not be the issue that it is in the case of a statutory pet trust, whereby the court is authorized to reduce the amount to what it thinks is reasonable. Practically speaking, however, the larger the amount of caretaking funds passing to the trust – the more likely that disgruntled heirs will challenge its terms. One way to mitigate this potential problem, without reducing the amount of caretaking funds, is to designate a remainder beneficiary who would never make such a challenge (as discussed below). </li>
<li>Identifying any other assets to be used to care for the pet animal (e.g., a cage, a house, etc.) </li>
<li>Designating the caretaker-beneficiaries. The individuals or organizations that are willing and able to care for the pet should be named as caretaker-beneficiaries. That is, the terms of the trust should designate a successor caretaker-beneficiary in the event that the initial caretaker is unable or unwilling to serve. In addition, the trustee should be authorized to appoint a new caretaker-beneficiary (other than him or herself) in the event that the designated caretaker-beneficiaries are unable or unwilling to serve. In any event, as with fiduciary appointments, before the documents are executed, the settlor should be advised to discuss the matter with the proposed caretaker to ensure that he or she is willing and able to provide the same standard of care for the pet as the settlor did. </li>
<li>Designating the trustees. The trustee will oversee the caretaking funds, watch over the caretaker-beneficiary, and take care of any other matters pertaining to the trust (e.g., filing any fiduciary income tax returns). As such, the settlor should choose a party (other than the caretaker-beneficiary) who is willing and able to perform these functions. In addition, the settlor should designate a successor trustee, in case the first choice is unable or unwilling, or at least provide a mechanism for appointing a successor trustee without the necessity of court intervention. In any event, as with the caretaker-beneficiary, the settlor should discuss the matter with the proposed trustee before the documents are executed. </li>
<li>Defining the powers of the trustee over the caretaker-beneficiary. One of the primary purposes of using a trust is to provide a check upon the caretaker-beneficiary – if the caretaker- beneficiary is not providing adequate care for the trust, then he or she may be removed and replaced by the trustee without the necessity of court intervention. Therefore, the trustee should be given the power to remove the caretaker-beneficiary if the latter, in the opinion of the trustee, is not providing the level of care for the pet that is directed in the terms of the trust. That said, the trustee should not be permitted to appoint him or herself as a replacement caretaker-beneficiary, since this would undermine one of the primary purposes of the trust. </li>
<li>Defining the duties of the trustee. Because one of the primary roles of the trustee is to watch over the caretaker-beneficiary, the trustee should be charged with both the right and the duty to make periodic checks on the pet and the premises where the pet is housed. Depending on the size of the trust and the relationship of the parties involved, the settlor may desire to relieve the trustee of certain fiduciary duties that would normally apply. For example, the terms of the trust could exempt the trustee from having to post bond or other security. </li>
<li>Providing for distributions to the caretaker-beneficiary. There are a number of ways to structure distributions to the caretaker- beneficiary. The most simple method is to simply state a flat amount distributable on a consistent basis. But if this amount is too small, the caretaker-beneficiary may not have enough to cover the expenses for the pet, and if this amount is too large, the caretaker-beneficiary may end up being stingy in expending funds for the pet which he or she is already entitled to receive once the pet is gone. At very least, the terms of the trust should provide for distributions to reimburse the caretaker-beneficiary for out-of-pocket expenditures made for the care of the pet. In addition, the terms should cover any income tax liability of the caretaker-beneficiary – even if the only distributions he or she is receiving are reimbursements. The sample language presented on this series of articles uses a combination of both approaches, providing the caretaker-beneficiary with a fixed sum plus reimbursement of expenses. </li>
<li>Defining the standard for care for the pet. At very least, the terms for distributions to the caretaker-beneficiary should permit expenditures for food, shelter, medication, veterinary care, toys, boarding or pet-sitting while the caretaker-beneficiary is away on vacation, and costs for the respectful disposition of the pet’s remains. The settlor may also want to set more specific standards for such care – e.g., what type of food, how often the pet is to receive check-ups by the vet, how often the pet is to be walked. As long as the directions are not unreasonable in light of the amount of caretaking funds and leave enough flexibility for unforeseen contingencies, the settlor can be as creative as he or she wants. </li>
<li>Providing guidance for euthanizing the pet. One potential issue of controversy is euthanasia, especially if the caretaker-beneficiary’s interest in the trust ends with the death of the pet. That is, the settlor should clearly set forth the circumstances when euthanizing the pet would be appropriate – e.g., the veterinarian certifies that the pet has a terminal illness or will experience significant physical suffering for the rest of its life. In the alternative, the settlor should clearly indicate who has the discretion to make that decision – the trustee, the caretaker-beneficiary, or both. </li>
<li>Providing directions after the death of the pet. In most cases, the settlor has particular ideas about the disposition of the remains of the pet after its death – e.g., cremation of the animal and burial of the remains in a particular place. The terms of the trust should expressly include such provisions. </li>
<li>Designating the remainder beneficiary. The trust should designate a remainder beneficiary or beneficiaries or, at very least, provide a mechanism for the trustee to designate a remainder beneficiary (other than him or herself).[2] In considering this decision, the settlor should realize that the remainder beneficiary’s financial incentives run counter to the pet living a long life with the benefit of the trust funds. For this reason, the settlor should consider defining the class of remainder beneficiaries as nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that have a stated purpose of caring for animals. Presumably, such organizations would be bound by law (if not principle) to refrain from challenging the generosity of the amount of caretaking funds or the liberal use of such funds by the trustee or the caretaker-beneficiary in spoiling the pet. Moreover, if all else fails, there will be yet another eye with legal standing to look out for the pet’s well-being. </li>
<li>Terminating the trust. The terms should provide that the trust is to terminate upon the earlier of: (a) the death of the pet and disposition of the pet’s remains; (b) the exhaustion of the funds of the trust or a determination by the trustee that the amount of the funds renders continued administration uneconomical; or (c) the expiration of the perpetuities savings period. That is, if the trust is to be administered in a jurisdiction that retains the rule against perpetuities (in whatever form), the trust should also include a perpetuities savings clause to the effect that the trust must terminate within the applicable perpetuities period. (The sample language includes a perpetuities savings clause that is in compliance with the common law rule against perpetuities.) Of course, this means that the trust could conceivably terminate before the pet dies, and as such, the terms should include a provision directing who is to receive the pet in this situation. </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] For a good discussion of the various pet identification methods, please see www.lostpetfoundpet.com/Proper%20ID.htm . <br /><br />[2] Allowing the trustee to designate him or herself not only creates a potential conflict of interest, but may also have unintended income, gift, or estate tax consequences to the trustee. See IRC §§678, 2041, 2514. </span>
<br />
<hr />
<h2>
Drafting for Pet Care in the Event of Incapacity </h2>
Estate planning for pet care should always include a discussion of what would happen to the pet in the event that the pet owner is incapacitated. Planning for this contingency may be accomplished by one or more of the following documents: <br />
<br />
<h4>
1. Durable power of attorney </h4>
One of the primary tools used in planning for incapacity is the durable power of attorney, which permits an appointed “agent” (or “attorney-in-fact”) to conduct certain transactions and attend to financial affairs on behalf of the “principal”, regardless of whether the principal is incapacitated. The appropriate terms of a durable power of attorney vary with the circumstances involved, and a sufficient discussion of all of the potential issues surrounding the use of durable powers of attorney is beyond the scope of this series of articles. Suffice to say, the drafter should begin the process of preparing a durable power of attorney by consulting the law of the jurisdiction where the individual principal lives. <br />
<br />
In any event, if a durable power of attorney is used in the estate plan, the document should include provisions directing the agent to care for the principal’s pet and expend amounts necessary to provide such care. Including an express provision to this effect is entirely appropriate because the pet itself is legally classified as tangible personal property of the principal, and in some jurisdictions, making such expenditures for the benefit of the pet might be construed as violating the presumptive duty of the agent to expend sums only for the benefit of the principal. <br />
<br />
This series of articles includes sample language for a durable power of attorney that could also be modified for inclusion in a revocable trust, as discussed below. <br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Revocable living trust </h4>
One of the benefits of a funded, revocable living trust is that it may include provisions for a successor trustee to take over management of trust assets for the care of an incapacitated settlor without the necessity of instituting conservatorship proceedings. Ideally, portions of the trust dedicated to this contingency should also include provisions for the care of the settlor’s pet. <br />
<br />
If, for one reason or another, the pet owner does not desire to establish and fund a revocable living trust to hold all the assets of his or her estate, he or she should still consider establishing and funding a more narrow revocable trust for the benefit of the pet that includes provisions to take effect upon incapacity. The terms of such a trust would include a declaration that the pet is owned by the trustee of the trust and opening an account in the name of the trust to hold the trust funds. <br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-87828449598040084462017-03-27T12:36:00.004-04:002017-03-27T13:47:04.728-04:00Estate Planning for Pets - Part 3<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and
are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and
website links, under that same reprint permission.</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Traditional Legal Trusts for the Care of Pets </h2>
<br />
If the degree of trust in the designated caretaker is not sufficient to warrant the broad authority granted to the caretaker-trustee under a statutory pet trust, then the pet owner should consider establishing a traditional legally-enforceable trust that will accomplish the same objectives and eliminate some of the uncertainties associated with the statutory pet trust, as discussed above.[1] Under the traditional legal trust, the caretaker is considered a contingent beneficiary of the trust – as long as the pet is living and the caretaker is taking adequate care of the pet, he or she is a considered a beneficiary entitled to distributions. The “enforcer” actually serves as a trustee, with the power of management over the caretaking funds and the power to take possession of the pet from one caretaker and switch it to another person (other than the trustee). All this may be accomplished without the necessity of judicial intervention<br />
<br />
<hr />
[1] Under a traditional legal trust, unlike a statutory pet trust, the other beneficiaries of the trust would presumably have no right to challenge the amount passing to the trust. Because the caretaker is not the trustee and is only a contingent beneficiary of a present interest – i.e., his or her interest during the life of the pet may always be divested. (It is also possible for the caretaker to be the remainder beneficiary without a merger of title, although for practical reasons, this is probably not recommended.) Furthermore, because only humans are beneficiaries, the trust would generally be enforceable in every jurisdiction if accompanied by the appropriate perpetuities savings clause.<br />
<hr />
<h2>
Tax Considerations </h2>
<h3>
A. Federal taxation of transfer of pet and caretaking funds to caretaker or trustee </h3>
<h4>
1. Federal income taxation:</h4>
In general, the receipt of funds and other property (i.e., pet animal) by gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance is not subject to federal income taxation. In other words, there is no income taxable event merely because the pet and/or certain caretaking funds pass to a caretaker or a trust for the care of an animal. A separate question is what happens when the caretaking funds earn interest or dividends within the trust (discussed below). <br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Federal estate and gift taxation </h4>
Under current federal uniform transfer tax law, a decedent may, through a combination of taxable gifts made during the decedent’s lifetime or passing at death through the decedent’s “gross estate”, transfer up to $5.49 million to nonspouse/noncharitable beneficiaries without incurred federal estate or gift taxes. <br />
<br />
Within this general framework, it should be noted that any amount passing to a pet trust by reason of the settlor’s death will generally be included in the gross estate. Under Revenue Ruling 78-105, 1978-1 CB 295, the IRS has ruled that no portion of the amount passing to a valid trust for the lifetime benefit of a pet qualifies for the charitable estate tax deduction, even if the remainder beneficiary is a qualifying charity.[3] That said, the relatively wealthy pet owner should consider how the taxes attributable to such a trust should be paid under the federal and state apportionment rules. <br />
<br />
<h3>
B. Federal income taxation of trust for pet </h3>
Revenue Ruling 76-486, 1976-2 CB 192 provides that if a trust for the benefit of an animal is valid under state law, then the trust itself will be subject to income taxation – not the caretaker-trustee or the pet animal. If the net taxable income from the pet trust exceeds $100, the trustee is generally required to file a fiduciary income tax return (IRS Form 1041) and pay any income taxes. <br />
<h4>
1. Who pays the income taxes </h4>
Under the federal income tax law, if the caretaker is considered the beneficiary of the trust (which is the case with a traditional legal trust for pets), then under IRC §661, the trust is entitled to deduct the amount of “distributable net income” paid out to the caretaker, and the caretaker is required to recognize this amount on his or her own income tax return. Effectively, either the trustee or the caretaker pay the income taxes, depending on whether the income is accumulated or distributed each year. As a result, any trust provisions intending to make the caretaker whole should also take into account potential tax consequences. <br />
<br />
Of course, a pet animal is not required to file or pay income taxes. Thus, Revenue Ruling 76-486 provides that if the pet is considered the beneficiary of the trust (which appears to be an implicit assumption under the pet trust statutes), the trust receives no income distribution deduction for such distributions and would be required to pay income taxes. Nor would the trust qualify as a charitable trust, even if the remainder beneficiary is a qualifying charitable organization.[1]<br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Deductibility of payments for the care of the pet </h4>
If the pet is considered property of the trust, an argument could be made that any expenditures made for care of a pet represent deductible trust administration expenses – reducing the amount of taxable income to either the trust or the caretaker-beneficiary. IRC §212 allows a deduction for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred: (a) for the production of income; (b) for the management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for the production of income; or (c) in connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax. The accompanying regulations also state that a trustee may deduct expenses incurred “in con- June 2004 Page 11 nection with the performance of the duties of administration.”[2] In practice, trustee fees and professional fees (e.g., attorneys, accountants, tax return preparation) are clearly deductible; but expenditures incurred for the care of a pet, which is not an incomeproducing asset and is not inextricably related to the normal business of administering a trust, would not likely be deductible. <br />
<br />
<hr />
[1] See IRC §§170, 664, and 7701(a)(1); Reg. §§1.664-2(a)(3), 1.664-3(a)(3). <br />
<br />
[2] Reg. § 1.212-1(i). <br />
<br />
[3] The trust provided for an annual payment for the benefit of the pet during its lifetime with the remainder passing to the charity. The IRS concluded that the trust would have been classified as a statutory charitable remainder trust, qualifying for a partial estate tax deduction under IRC §2055(a), if the annuity had been payable to a “person” and not a pet. See IRC §7701(a)(1) (definition of “person”) and Regs. §§1.664-2(a)(3) and 1.664.3(a)(3) (requiring that term payments be made to a designated person or persons to qualify as a statutory charitable remainder trust). <br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-17998348806404271272017-03-27T12:33:00.002-04:002017-03-27T13:46:57.739-04:00Estate Planning for Pets - Part 2<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and
are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and
website links, under that same reprint permission.</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Statutory Pet Trusts </h2>
Several states have enacted statutes recognizing “valid” pet trusts, as opposed to mere honorary trusts. Seven states (Alaska, Arizona,[1] Colorado, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Utah have enacted the 1993 version of the Uniform Probate Code (UPC) §2-907, and the Illinois legislature is currently considering enactment.[2] Six states have enacted the recently promulgated Uniform Trust Code (UTC) §408 (Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming), and the legislatures in three other states (District of Columbia, Maine, and Tennessee) are currently considering enactment. Six other states (Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington) have enacted independent statutory schemes. <br />
<br />
Nonetheless, in addition to the statutory provisions discussed dealing with the duration of pet trusts and the rule against perpetuities, the following is a discussion of several common features to most (if not all) of these statutes: <br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>If there is no caretaker-trustee willing or able to serve, the court may appoint a successor. The pet trust statutes expressly provide for the appointment of an alternative caretaker-trustee in the event that the settlor has not designated one.[3] However, the statute requires court action and does not address the practical issue of who would be willing to step forward to take on this role. </li>
<li>The terms of the pet trust and/or its intended uses may be enforced against the caretaker-trustee by any individual designated in the instrument, or if none, by any individual appointed by a court.[4] Of course, as discussed above, the pet trust statutes do not address the issue of determining who may be willing to take action against the caretaker-trustee. This potential problem is aggravated by use of the term “individual” (in some statutes) to describe potential enforcers. In these states, it would appear that the ability of a settlor or a court to designate an animal welfare organization to watch over a caretaker-trustee is restricted.[5] </li>
<li>The court may reduce the amount of caretaking funds initially passing to the pet trust if it substantially exceeds the amount reasonably required for the intended use.[6] The drafters of the June 2004 Page 9 pet trust statutes intended to protect the human heirs from a presumably improvident bequest to an animal. However, from another point of view, this statutory provision gives any disgruntled heir additional subject matter for litigation that apparently cannot be drafted around. </li>
<li>Except as expressly provided in the terms of the pet trust, no portion of the pet trust funds may be used for any purpose other than the care of the pet. The pet trust statutes attempt to tie the hands of the caretaker-trustee. That said, many of these statutes appear to preclude the use of one important incentive for ensuring that the caretaker-trustee will take adequate care of the pet - the payment of reasonable compensation. In this regard, only two states (Oregon and Washington) expressly provide that the caretaker-trustee is entitled to compensation. Therefore, if the settlor intends to allow for compensation, an express provision must be included in the terms of the pet trust.</li>
<li>Except as required by a court or the terms of the pet trust, the caretaker-trustee is excused from making filings, reports, registration, periodic accountings, separate maintenance of funds, appointments, or fees normally associated with a fiduciary relationship.[ 7] The pet trust statutes place more trust in the caretaker- trustee than a trustee of a traditional trust, perhaps based on the assumption that pet trusts will be modest in amount and should not be burdened with the expense of meeting such duties. Nonetheless, whether this statutory relief is appropriate depends on the settlor’s intent – i.e., how much the settlor trusts the designated caretaker-trustee. </li>
<li>Except as expressly provided in the terms of the pet trust, any assets remaining after termination of the trust are to pass to the beneficiaries of the estate of the settlor.[8] As noted above, this provision gives disgruntled heirs an opportunity and standing to reduce the amount passing to the pet trust and make any other challenges to the trust. To close this door to litigation, the settlor should consider expressly designating a remainder beneficiary of the pet trust with interests that would not be adverse to expending monies for the care of the pet, such as an appropriate nonprofit organization. </li>
<li>Instruments are to be liberally construed to find a valid pet trust, as opposed to an honorary trust or precatory language. One of the primary purposes of these statutes is to bring poorly drafted bequests within the statutory pet trust regime based on the rebuttable presumption that the settlor’s primary intent in gifting the pet and any funds to an individual is to provide for the care of the animal. UPC §2-907, as well as statutes in several other states, go so far as to render extrinsic evidence admissible to determine the settlor’s intent.[9] What this means is that if the pet owner intends to make an outright bequest of a pet and a sum of money to a beneficiary within a jurisdiction that has a pet trust statute, then the provision should expressly state that a statutory pet trust is not intended.</li>
</ol>
Even in the jurisdictions with the most elaborate and contemplative statutes, the statutory pet trust schemes leave several issues unaddressed. Specifically, the drafter should consider the following: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Who owns the pet? The pet trust statutes do not address the question of who owns the pet – the caretaker as trustee or the caretaker as beneficiary? This ambiguity could create sticky legal issues if the need arises for a third party to take physical possession and custody of the pet away from the designated caretaker-beneficiary.[10] </li>
<li>How much money can be transferred to the pet trust? Under most of the pet trust statutes, the courts are authorized to reduce the amount of the property transferred if its determines that amount substantially exceeds the amount required for the intended use, and the amount of this reduction, if any, passes in the same manner as if the pet trust terminated. As noted above, if disgruntled beneficiaries (who could be heirs) and the court do not agree that the pet should have as high a standard of living as the settlor, then the amount passing to the pet trust may be reduced. The drafter should be cognizant of this possibility and the potential for litigation by disgruntled heirs and, if advisable, insert a clause providing that if a court determines that the designated amount is too much, then the excess will be distributed such that the challenging parties would not benefit (e.g., to a nonprofit organization). </li>
<li>Can the statutory pet trust be enforced if the caretaker-trustee moves into a jurisdiction that does not recognize such trusts? This is a question that deals with the complex issues of conflict of laws and trust situs. Without going into the potential outcomes in detail, it should be noted that the sample language for a statutory pet trust includes a governing law provision and a provision expressly stating that by accepting the benefits, the caretaker-beneficiary consents to the application of the desirable pet trust statute regardless of the trust situs. </li>
</ul>
<br />
The statutory pet trust statutes are intended to make the best of a poorly-drafted instrument. As such, relying upon these statutes in creating well-drafted documents may not be the best course of action under the circumstances. <br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Note that although Arizona has adopted UTC §408, effective on January 1, 2004, the corresponding provision of the UPC has not yet been repealed by the Arizona legislature. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] Note that the original 1990 version of UPC §2-907 was promulgated in 1990, but revisions were made in 1993, and it is the amended version that has been enacted by the state legislatures listed above with minor modifications. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] Note, however, that the statutes in Florida and Iowa do not contain an express provision to this effect. Although UTC §408 does not expressly address this issue, UTC §708 provides for the appointment of successor trustees to fill any vacancy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] Some statutes, including UTC §408, allow any person “having an interest in the welfare of the animal” to make such a request to the court. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] The term “individual” is used in the New York statute and the statutes in states (other than Arizona) that have adopted the 1993 version of the UPC §2-907. However, the other pet trust statutes use the term “person”, which, in the case of the Uniform Trust Code, includes a “corporation” or “association”. UTC §103(9). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] Note, however, that the statutes in Oregon and Washington do not contain this express limitation. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] Note, however, that under the Florida statute, the third party designated to enforce the pet trust is treated as a beneficiary entitled to receive accountings, notices, and other information from the caretaker-trustee. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] Under UPC §2-907, if the residue of an estate or trust was left to the pet without any provision for a remainder beneficiary, the intestate heirs would receive the excess over the amount needed for the pet. By contrast, UTC §408 merely refers to the settlor’s “successors in interest.” UTC §408(c). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] Note, however, that the UTC §408 does not include a provision for liberal construction. Furthermore, UTC §112 provides that the same rules of construction that apply to wills also apply to trusts, which, in most states, would preclude the admissibility of extrinsic evidence to contradict the plain language of the document. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] This concern may be academic since most of the pet trust statutes permit the court to order the transfer of property to another trustee if required to assure that the intended use is carried out.</span>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-62692821833220705162017-03-27T12:22:00.001-04:002017-03-27T13:45:47.255-04:00A Legal Primer on Estate Planning for Pets - Part 1<i>This series of articles was originally published
online by The Estate Planning for Pets Foundation, copyright © 2003.
The Foundation appears to be now defunct and the website where these
articles were published is now owned by a private legal firm in southern
California. The articles were reprinted with permission in the Michigan
Boxer Club newsletter, The ChatterBoxer, from June - August 2004 and are being revived here, with a few updates to applicable tax issues and website links, under that same reprint permission.</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>Pets in the Estate Planning Process </b></h2>
Drafting estate planning documents to provide for the care of a pet first involves designating a party who is willing and able to take care of the pet when the owner dies or becomes incapacitated. For this reason, the clause delineating the beneficiary to receive the pet may resemble a clause appointing a trustee or other fiduciary. In any case, in drafting language designating the “caretaker” for the pet, remember that a pet animal is considered tangible personal property, which can be disposed of in a person’s estate plan in the same manner as a car, furniture, jewelry, and the like. <br />
<br />
The second issue concerns how the pet will be financially provided for after the pet owner dies. The most common approach is to place the burden upon the caretaker, either explicitly or implicitly. Practically speaking, this is an acceptable alternative if the caretaker also receives a significant portion of the estate and is completely trustworthy. However, if the caretaker is a specific individual or organization who would not otherwise be a beneficiary of the estate, then the pet owner should also consider gifting an additional amount of money for caretaking expenses and/or compensation of the caretaker (referred to herein as the “caretaking funds”). Depending on the circumstances, an outright gift or bequest may not be appropriate. What if the primary caretaker is rendered unable or unwilling to take care of that pet? What if the primary caretaker is a spendthrift? Worse still, what happens if it becomes apparent only after the owner’s death that the primary caretaker was incompatible with the pet? The only legal mechanism that can adequately address these issues is a trust, as discussed in the next section. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>The Law of Trusts for the Care of Pets</b> </h3>
There are several legal issues that must be considered in drafting a trust for the benefit of a pet animal. The following is a general discussion of the two problems most often associated with attempts to establish such trusts under the common law and how recent statutory changes in some states have addressed these issues. <br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>A. Enforceability of pet trusts </b></h4>
The primary practical problem with establishing a valid and enforceable trust solely for the benefit of a pet is that no human beneficiary exists with standing to enforce the terms against the trustee. That is, who could step into court to stop the trustee from simply expending the pet trust funds for his or her own benefit?[1] <br />
<br />
1. <i>Common law solution </i><br />
One way to avoid the enforceability problem under the common law is to simply designate a human being or organization as beneficiary of the trust and provide that party with a proper incentive to enforce the terms of the trust.<br />
<br />
2. <i>Statutory solutions </i><br />
Over the last decade, several states have enacted statutes expressly addressing the problem of enforceability. These statutes tend to fall into one of two categories. <br />
<br />
(a) <i>Honorary trust statutes </i><br />
An “honorary trust” may arise whenever a gift or bequest of funds or other property is made for a specified purpose, but there is no human beneficiary to enforce the terms against the donee or devisee, who is, in this context, the “trustee”. The legal effect of a so-called honorary trust is that if the trustee does not use the funds for the specified purpose, then a “resulting trust” This means that if the trustee fails to use the trust funds for the intended purposes (i.e., the care of the pet), the trust funds would pass to the person who would have received such assets if no trust had been established to begin with.<br />
<br />
Under the common law, an honorary trust could arise in a number of different contexts, such as the maintenance of a monument. Over the last few decades, California, Missouri, and Tennessee have all enacted statutes providing that a pet trust will be considered a honorary trust – i.e., the trustee must either use the funds to carry out the terms of the trust as intended or distribute the funds to the remainder beneficiary. In addition, Wisconsin has a very general honorary trust statute that would presumably cover pet trusts.<br />
<br />
Relying on the existence of an honorary trust for the benefit of a pet has its shortcomings. Obviously, if the designated caretaker-trustee is also the remainder beneficiary after the pet dies, then this type of trust offers no protection at all. Even if there is a third-party remainder beneficiary of the trust, it is unlikely that such a beneficiary would compel the caretaker-trustee to spend more of the trust funds on the pet.[2]<br />
<br />
(b) <i>Third party enforcement</i> <br />
The modern statutory trend is manifested in the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), and more recently, the Uniform Trust Code (UTC). Section 2-907 of the UPC, provides that a “pet trust” may be enforced by “an individual designated for that purpose in the trust instrument or, if none, by an individual appointed by a court upon application to is by an individual.”[3] Section 408 of the UTC, promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2000, similarly provides that a pet trust may be enforced by “a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if no person is so appointed, by a person appointed by the court.”[4] The same is true even in states such as Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York,[5] Oregon, and Washington, which have not adopted either of these uniform laws. <br />
<br />
In essence, such statutes add a level of protection for the pet that a true honorary trust does not have – i.e., virtually anyone has standing to enforce the terms of the trust against the caretaker trustee. Query whether a person designated to enforce the trust under the terms of the governing instrument has an affirmative fiduciary duty to do so. <br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>B. Validity under rule against perpetuities </b></h4>
The majority of states retain the infamous “rule against perpetuities”, which was originally intended to keep property from being tied up too long in trust. Several jurisdictions retain the common law rule against perpetuities – a beneficial interest in a trust must vest or fail within 21 years after the death of a human being living at the time the trust is created and is irrevocable. Many states have enacted an alternative statutory rule against perpetuities – e.g., all interests must vest or fail within 90 years after establishment of the trust. Some statutes have provisions for implied construction to avoid a violation of the rule or have adopted a “wait-and-see” scheme. Generally speaking, however, if the rule against perpetuities could be violated, within the realms of logic (as opposed to reality), at the time a beneficial interest in a trust is established, then the interest is invalid from its inception. In this regard, the life of a pet animal is not a measurable life in being for purposes of applying the rule, and as such, a trust for the life of a pet logically violates the rule against perpetuities. <br />
<br />
For example, consider a bequest of caretaking funds “to X for the life of the pet, remainder to Y”. Depending on the particular application of the common law rule against perpetuities, either the remainder interest to Y or the entire bequest would be invalid because Y’s interest might not vest within 21 years after the death of some human life in being. To be sure, this is an extreme example, but it does illustrate the need for the drafter to be familiar with the applicable rule against perpetuities in preparing documents. <br />
<br />
1. <i> Common law solution </i><br />
In reality, the problem with the rule against perpetuities can be easily addressed within the terms of a trust. That is, most trust agreements contain a so-called “perpetuities savings clause” providing that, regardless of what the rest of the trust agreement says, all beneficial interests in the trust must terminate or be distributable no later than some designated period in compliance with the applicable rule against perpetuities. If carefully drafted, such a provision would not practically effect the duration of the trust. For example, if the settlor has a large family, the trust agreement contains a provision requiring all beneficial interests to be distributed within 21 years after the death of the last living descendant of the settlor’s grandparents.<br />
<br />
2. <i> Statutory solutions</i> <br />
States with pet trust statutes directly address this problem by simply providing that the pet trust is valid notwithstanding the existence of a common law and/or statutory rule against perpetuities. Of course, this only begs the question of how long the pet trust is permitted to last, and in this regard, the various statutes take different approaches. <br />
<br />
The original 1990 version of UPC §2-907 simply placed the pet trust within the common law perpetuities period and provided that a pet trust terminates upon the earlier of: (a) the death of the last animal covered by the pet trust; or (b) 21 years after the establishment of the pet trust. While this statutory accommodation may be sufficient for a dog or cat, it would clearly create problems in trusts for pets with longer life expectancies, such as parrots and certain reptiles. In the Official Comment, the drafters of the original version of the UPC Code provision recognized this issue and suggested that if a state intended to remove the 21-year limit, it could do so by changing the wording. Although no state has modeled its statute on the original Uniform Probate Code provision, the same approach is reflected in statutes enacted in Missouri, New York, and Tennessee. <br />
<br />
In 1993, UPC §2-907(b) was amended to simply provide that a pet trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust. This approach is also reflected in the recently-enacted statutes of several other states that have not expressly adopted the amended version of the Uniform Probate Code. <br />
<br />
<hr />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Note that this legal issue regarding the right to enforce the trust is independent of the equally important practical issue of determining who has the willingness to police the caretaker of the pet. <br /><br />[2] This issue of counterproductive incentives could be addressed by designating a remainder beneficiary that is a nonprofit organization that already has a legal duty to provide shelter and prevent cruelty to animals. <br /><br />[3] UPC §2-907(c)(4) (as amended in 1993); UPC §2-907(b)(5) (before 1993 amendment). <br /><br />[4] UTC § 408(b) (2000). <br /><br />[5] Note that although the New York statute is entitled “Honorary trusts for pets”, it provides that the pet trust may be enforced by an individual designated in the trust instrument or appointed by the court upon petition. </span><br />
<hr />
<br />
<h3>
Articles in this series:</h3>
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Introduction and Legal Issues</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Statutory Pet Trust</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Traditional Legal Trusts and Tax Considerations</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-4.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Drafting Estate Planning Documents</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-5.html" target="_blank">Part 5 - Sample Language</a><br />
<a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2017/03/estate-planning-for-pets-part-6.html" target="_blank">Part 6 - Resources and Further Reading</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-87759035546490915042013-09-16T11:49:00.000-04:002013-09-19T12:39:59.950-04:00New USDA Rules -- Questions and AnswersThe new USDA rules, which basically change the definition of a "retail<b> </b>pet store" and increase Federal oversight of many breeders selling puppies sight unseen, have not surprisingly generated a number of questions from dog breeders. Some of the most common are addressed here. Again, keep in mind that I am neither a Federal employee nor an attorney. I've provided as
many citations as possible to support these answers and help bust the
many myths that have already sprung up regarding the rule. For the sake
of simplicity, I am limiting the information to the sale of dogs and
puppies only; if you also breed and sell other species, a more thorough
review of the rule is advised. This is not to be construed as legal
advice.<br />
<br />
<b>Items Used as Reference</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=11b02ebaf84714ccdb0731adf4f97407&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title09/9cfr2_main_02.tpl" target="_blank">Animal Welfare Act Regulations</a> ("Regulations")</i> -- current as of 9/10/13, do not include new rule (HTML)<i> </i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awa_glossary.pdf" target="_blank">Glossary of AWA Terms</a> ("Glossary"</i>)<i> -- </i><b>not</b> updated with new rules as of 9/12/13. (PDF)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/09/pdf/pet_retail_docket_2011-2003.pdf" target="_blank">Docket No. 2011-2003</a> ("Docket")</i> -- the Final Rule, as officially <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/09/18" target="_blank">published in the Federal Register</a> (PDF)<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/09/retail_pet_final_rule.shtml" target="_blank">Press Release Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Release")</i> -- dated September 10, 2013 (HTML)<br />
<a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/2013/faq_retail_pets_final_rule.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Questions and Answers Regarding Final Rule</i></a> <i>("Q&A") </i>-- Factsheet dated September 2012 (PDF)<br />
<i><a href="http://vimeo.com/74234294" target="_blank">USDA Conference Call Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Conference Call")</i> -- Held September 10, 2013 (Vimeo)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.saova.org/news/APHIS/APHIS.Conference_09.10.13.pdf" target="_blank">Transcription of USDA Conference Call Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Transcript") -- </i>Held September 10, 2013 (PDF)<br />
<a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-18/pdf/2013-22616.pdf" target="_blank"><i>The Published Final Rule</i></a> <i>("Published Rule")</i> -- as published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2013<br />
<br />
<i>* Note that the text of the Final Rule is identical to the text of the Docket, aside from housekeeping changes (such as capitalizing "Amendment" when referring to the Tenth Amendment, etc.). References to the "Docket" will also refer to the "Published Rule", however the published Rule is in a columnar format, where the Docket is not, so the page numbers will be different.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What is a "Breeding Female"</b>?</span><br />
Honestly, no one knows. It is up to the inspector to determine whether a female is capable of breeding, based on things like age, condition, illness, etc. (see <i>Docket</i>, pages 53, 55, 56). The safest bet is to look at other legislation and figure any intact female, four months of age or older, would be considered a "breeding female".<br />
<br />
There are three key points to keep in mind if you think you may qualify for the "four or fewer breeding females" exemption. One is that it applies to <b>all breeding female dogs, cats, and/or small exotic or wild<br />mammals, such as hedgehogs, degus, spiny mice, prairie dogs, flying squirrels, and jerboas. </b>If you have two intact adult female dogs, two intact adult female cats, and an intact female hedgehog, you have five breeding females and do not qualify for the "four and fewer" exemption. (See <i>Docket</i>, pages 48, 90, 91)<br />
<br />
The next key point is that the rule uses the word <b>"maintains"</b>. This is not the same thing as "owns". You "maintain" a breeding female if it resides at your premises, even if temporarily. (See <i>Docket</i>, page 60) This may have a significant impact on Boxer handlers who are also breeders, since they often have a string of dogs that live with them for at least a night or two. What is not defined is whether there is a time limit on when you must have "maintained" these females, or whether the count applies at any one moment in time. (For example, a handler returning from a show that is inspected on a Monday might have eight intact females; if she were inspected that Wednesday instead, after five client females had gone home, she might only have three intact females.)<br />
<br />
Finally, the rule states that to qualify for the "four or fewer" exemption, you must sell <b>"only the offspring of these [breeding females] which were born and raised on [your] premises</b>".<b> </b>(See <i>Docket</i>, pages 90-91). That means if you get a stud fee puppy back and later sell it to someone, you do not qualify for the exemption. (The <i>Docket</i> does state that the USDA would need to evaluate the situation to determine whether you would qualify for the exemption, but it's good to bet that you won't. See pages 59-60.) If you get a puppy back from a co-owned litter and sell it to someone, you do not qualify for the exemption. If you buy a dog from someone else to breed and show and later sell it to someone else to live out its retirement in luxury, you do not qualify for the exemption. <b>If you foster dogs for a rescue group </b>and sell (adopt, place, whatever) the dog in its forever home, you do not qualify for the exemption.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What About Co-Ownerships?</b></span><br />
<br />
One area where the rule was changed for the better was in regards to co-owned females. The rule is a little vague but the <i>Docket</i>, the <i>Q&A</i>, and the <i>Conference Call</i> all clarify that the rule is premise-based, and <b>co-owners will only be regulated based on the number of dogs on their own premises</b>. (<i>Docket, </i>page 62: "We acknowledge that co-ownership of breeding females is a standard practice among small-scale residential breeders. Provided that no more than four breeding females are maintained on his or her premises, these individuals would qualify for the exemption"; <i>Q&A, </i>page 3: "Owners (even if they only partially own the animals) with four or fewer breeding females on one premises do not need to be licensed by APHIS."; <i>Conference Call</i> somewhere in the middle, sorry, will get the exact time/quote later!).<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Does This Mean I Can No Longer Ship Puppies?</b></span><br />
<br />
Well, yes and no. You can ship puppies all you want, but you might have to become licensed if you do. If you have four or fewer breeding females and sell only their offspring, you can ship your puppies sight unseen and you do not need a license to do so. (This is a highly contentious bit of the rule and will be addressed more in-depth shortly.) If you have more than four breeding females, or if you sell animals that weren't born and raised on your premises, you must be licensed if you ship even one animal sight unseen.<br />
<br />
You can also, however, ship to someone who has seen the animal previously. If you have a buyer who lives out of state but is in town and visits the litter at six weeks of age, you can ship the puppy to that buyer when it reaches eight weeks of age. (See <i>Docket</i>, page 25, talking about a repeat buyer: "each purchase of a pet animal requires that the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/or taking custody of that animal after purchase. Accordingly, if the buyers observed this second pup during their visit, this condition is fulfilled.")<br />
<br />
Clearly, this is a problematic area for many responsible home breeders. Shipping dogs to buyers in other states is a long-practiced way to disseminate different bloodlines across the country. If you have five or more breeding females, however, you simply no longer have that option. The buyer must, at some point, see the dog in the flesh before it is sold or custody is transferred. The one saving grace is that a new owner may appoint a "proxy" of sorts to pick up the puppy for them -- the USDA allows that the buyer may not be the ultimate owner. (See <i>Docket</i>, page 28: "we consider the buyer to be the person who takes custody of the animal after purchase. This person may differ from the ultimate owner of the animal but cannot be acting as a carrier or intermediate handler.") Basically, if someone is not in the business of transporting animals, they can pick up the dog on behalf of the ultimate owner. (Some breeders may find contract modification necessary in this circumstance, just to keep the definitions of "buyer" in sync.)<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>I Meet The "Four and Fewer" Exemption. Can I Ship A Puppy Sight Unseen?</b></span><br />
<br />
Yes, you can. There are some who are holding fast to the notion that "if you ship even one puppy sight unseen, you must be licensed." As of yet, however, not one of them has been able to provide a source for that notion. It is not stated that way in any document from the USDA, and as above the exemptions are clearly written so that if you qualify for the "four and fewer" exemption, you are not subject to licensing. To help ease the minds of those who are struggling with this, here are some other citations:<br />
<br />
"Small-scale residential hobby breeders -- those who keep four or fewer breeding females on their property, and sell the offspring as pets, do not need to be licensed. If they choose to do so, these small-scale breeders can continue to sell their offspring in sight unseen transactions." (<i>Conference Call,</i> 3:40)<br />
<br />
"This final rule will primarily affect dog breeders who maintain more than four breeding females at their facility.and sell the offspring as pets to buyers who do not see the animals prior to taking ownership of them." (<i>Conference Call,</i> 4:13)<br />
<br />
[In answer to a buyer with eight breeding females who sells only in face-to-face transactions:] "It won't affect you because you sell dogs to people who come to your home anyway, but if you didn't sell them that way, if you did ship dogs, you would fall under this rule and have to be regulated, have to get a license, because you have more than four." (<i>Conference Call</i>, 26:54)<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What is a "Working Dog"?</b></span><br />
Retail sellers of working dogs are exempt from AWA licensing. Unfortunately, the USDA has not been clear about what it considers a "working dog", and appear to not understand the concept that a dog can be a working dog <b>and</b> a trial dog <b>and</b> a show dog <b>and</b> a pet dog. Specific examples that have been discussed in the various publications include hunting, security, and stock dogs, with the acknowledgment that "The examples cited in the exemption (hunting, security, or breeding purposes) are only intended to illustrate other purposes for buying or selling a dog at retail. As commenters pointed out, those examples are not exhaustive, and there are many other purposes that a dog can be used or trained for that are not included under the definition of dealer." (<i>Docket,</i> page 16)<br />
<br />
The USDA also acknowledges that some dogs will not be suitable for working for various reasons, and that some owners will not work their dogs even if purchased for that reason. The USDA's focus seems to be on the reason the breeder is selling their dogs, the vast majority of the time. The key words seem to be <b>"occasionally"</b> and <b>"intent"</b>. Dr. Rushin has invited working dog breeders to call him directly and discuss their particular situation, to see if they would be exempt or not. (301) 851-3751<br />
<br />
"So, if your intent was to sell the dog as a working dog, we understand that some dogs may not work out as<br />
working dogs, we are aware of that and we understand that. If you're [sic] overall intent is to sell that dog as a working dog, stock dog and that does not happen, we understand that and you will not be covered under this regulation." (<i>Transcript</i>, page 12)<br />
<br />
"Individuals who intend to breed and sell dogs at retail as working dogs may occasionally raise a dog that lacks the characteristics that would enable it to be sold or used for its intended working purpose. As long as the individual originally intended to raise and sell the dog at retail for that purpose and the individual continues to market his or her dogs for that purpose, the individual could sell that dog at retail and remain exempt." (<i>Docket</i>, page 16, <i>Q&A</i>, page 2)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What is a Dog Sold For "Breeding Purposes"?</b></span><br />
Another murky area, with much the same answer as the "working dog" question. The <a href="http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/article/the-retail-pet-store-final-rule-and-you" target="_blank">NAIA has reviewed</a> the Final Rule and has published their interpretation, which includes these statements: <br />
<br />
"A breeding done to maintain bloodlines or to produce [for example] herding dogs may
produce an animal not suitable for the purpose for which it is bred.
That animal may be sold as a pet if the intention in breeding was to
produce breeding or herding stock and not an animal for sale as a pet
and you continue to advertise your animals for sale as breeding or
herding stock or another purpose not included in the six dealer
purposes." <br />
<br />
"It is not the regulatory intent of USDA to regulate residential breeders, unless they are clearly breeding for the <u>purpose</u> of selling pets."<br />
<br />
Note that these statements have not yet been verified by the USDA. While many "show breeders" are taking this to mean that they are exempt from licensing because they are "breeding to maintain bloodlines", many show breeders also sell the majority of their dogs as pets, on spay/neuter contracts. Given the USDA's emphasis on <b>"intention to sell" </b>the dog for a specific purpose, and the acknowledgment that breeders of working dogs may <b>"occasionally"</b> have a dog that doesn't turn out, I would personally advise caution on taking this stance until and unless the USDA confirms that "breeding to maintain bloodlines" exempts one from licensing, even if most of the puppies are sold as pets. (I very much hope the NAIA is right, but the statements regarding working dogs has me skeptical the exemption would apply to the typical show breeder. Note also that "preservation of bloodlines" was specifically mentioned as an exemption for rabbit breeders, but not for dog breeders. (<i>Transcript</i>, page 2, <i>Release</i>, paragraph 7) If, however, your intention is to sell all of your puppies as breeding prospects, you would likely qualify for the exemption.) <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What's Considered "Face-to-Face"? Does Skype Count?</b></span><br />
If all of your sales are face-to-face, you are considered a "retail pet store" and exempt from AWA licensing. The USDA has stated "We consider a face-to-face transaction as one in which the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are <b>physically present</b> so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/or taking custody of that animal.<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[3]">" (<i>Docket</i>, page 21). Skype, webcams, and other virtual visualization media would not count as a face-to-face interaction.The Executive Summary of the <i>Docket</i> also addresses the "virtual" question:<br /><br />"A number of commenters asked why a buyer’s physical presence at a place of business or residence was necessary to protect animal welfare. The commenters pointed out that Web-based technologies allow buyers to “virtually” observe animals that are for sale. On the other hand, several commenters pointed out that virtual technologies can be manipulated to provide an inaccurate depiction of animal care at a seller’s premises.</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[3]"><br />"While many breeders use Web-based technologies to provide buyers with visual and other information about the animals they sell, we agree with the commenters’ point that such technologies can be used to inaccurately depict the health and condition of the animal for sale." (<i>Docket</i>, pages 28-29)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Does This Mean I Have to Let People Into My Home?</b></span><br />
Some home-based breeders prefer not to allow people to come into their home, for safety, security, health or various other reasons. The USDA has acknowledged these concerns, and has stated that the "residence" does not necessarily have to be the seller's residence. Further, they have stated that a "place of business" is essentially anywhere the buyer, seller, and puppy are physically together in the same location. That means you can meet your puppy buyer at a friend's house, at the park, in the shopping center parking lot, or at the airport -- as long as you are all together in person at the same time, it is considered a face-to-face sale. (Note that many municipalities prohibit business transactions in public places, so check the local ordinances of wherever you intend to meet the buyer.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>What If the Buyer Can't Come to Me? </b></span><br />
Some buyers aren't able to drive long distances or fly to breeders to pick up a puppy. If it's a timing issue, the buyer can come see the puppy at an earlier date. For example, they could come when the pups are 6 weeks old, and you could then ship the puppy to them when it was 8 weeks without needing a licensing. As long as the buyer, seller, and puppy are physically in the same location at the same time prior to the sale or transfer of custody, it is considered a face-to-face transaction.<br />
<br />
"One commenter asked how recently buyers must have visited a facility before a seller can sell them a pup remotely. As an example, the commenter wanted to know whether, if buyers visited her facility 2 years earlier to buy a pup, she could remain exempt if she shipped them a second pup without them visiting her a second time.<br />
<br />"As indicated in our revised definition of retail pet store, each purchase of a pet animal requires that the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/or taking custody of that animal after purchase. Accordingly, if the buyers observed this second pup during their visit, this condition is fulfilled. If they did not (e.g., if the pup was not yet born when the prior transaction took place), this condition is not fulfilled." (<i>Docket</i>, page 25)<br />
<br />
Another option is for the new owner to send someone to observe and pick up the puppy in their place. As far as the USDA is concerned, the buyer is not necessarily the same person as the ultimate owner. The only restriction is that it cannot be a paid agent -- no "carriers" or "intermediate handlers". (A carrier is an animal transportation business, basically, and an intermediate handler is a person in the business of receiving custody of animals in connection with their transport in commerce. (<i>Glossary</i>) Essentially, if they get paid to pick up the puppy, it doesn't count.) So a family member, friend, fellow breeder, etc. could pick up the puppy from you on the new owner's behalf; the person picking up the puppy would be considered the buyer for the intents of the "buyer, seller, and animal must be physically present in the same location at the same time" definition of a face-to-face transaction. <br />
<br />
What hasn't really been discussed is whether a seller can utilize an agent, as well. The summary does include the following statement:<br /><br />"While the seller’s presence at this [face-to-face] transaction was implicit in our proposed definition of retail pet store, we are amending the definition to actually include the word 'seller' in order to underscore his or her presence." (<i>Docket</i>, page 21)<br />
<br />
However, that does not necessarily mean the seller can't send the puppy with a friend or relative (again, no paid agents). I have requested some clarification on this point, so hopefully it will be answered soon.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Why Won't This Help Puppies in Substandard Facilities?</b></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".r[29897].[1][4][1]{comment656614264358278_656830701003301}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[6]">This
legislation might slightly decrease the number of sight unseen sales, but I
don't think it will do much of anything to get rid of substandard
breeders or improve conditions of the dogs in those facilities -- many of which are already USDA licensed.
Especially if the NAIA's opinion on what "breeding purposes" means is
supported by the USDA: none of the "Internet sale" breeders sell their pups on
a spay/neuter contract, and thus they're already selling dogs for "breeding
purposes". They're also breeding so that they have more dogs to breed in the
future. A tiny change in marketing, and those breeders can continue to sell sight unseen over the Internet. Breeders who wish to continue to market their puppies as pets can simply stay local and set up a weekly "puppy pick-up day" in the
Walmart parking lot -- it's not too difficult to clean up a puppy for
the five minutes a buyer will see it before the transaction is
completed. Either way, these breeders are exempt from licensing and essentially any oversight -- which was supposedly the purpose of this rule change in the first place.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Shouldn't We Wait Until the Rule/Regulations Are Published?</b></span><br />
As is the normal procedure for any agency rules, the Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register, and will become effective some time after that (in this case, 60 days). Some speculation has gone around that what will be finally published will be different from the Final Rule submitted by APHIS, or that the Regulations will somehow be different from the Final Rule. As far as I have been able to ascertain, neither of those are true. The Final Rule as issued is what will be published in the Federal Register, and the Final Rule details what changes will be made to the Regulations.<br />
<br />
Anyone who has belonged to a dog club, for example, that has changed the breed standard, code of ethics, or club bylaws will know how this works. An motion is made to amend the document (the proposed rule), the members discuss, possibly amend, and vote on it, and the motion as passed is the approved amendment (the final rule). The passed motion details what exactly will be changed in the document -- a change to the height or weight, and additional health test required for breeding, or a change in how new members are voted into the club. Those changes are then incorporated into the final document, replacing the old language, but nothing is changed between the vote and the incorporation.<br />
<br />
The Final Rule as issued by APHIS amends the following sections of the AWA Regulations:<br />
<br />
<b>1.1 </b>(definitions of "dealer" and of "retail pet store")<br />
<b>2.1(a)(3)(i)</b> (exemption of retail pet stores)<br />
<b>2.1(a)(3)(ii)</b> ($500 limit on sales of animals other than dogs or cats)<br />
<b>2.1(a)(3)(iii)</b> (formerly "three or fewer breeding females", now "four or fewer" exemption for wholesalers)<br />
<b>2.1(a)(3)(vii)</b> (formerly "hobby breeder/direct retail sales", now "four or fewer" exemption for retailers)<br />
<b>OMB citation</b> (housekeeping change)<br />
<br />
These changes can be found on pages 88 through 91 of the <i>Docket</i>. The current Animal Welfare Act Definitions (including Section 1.1) and Regulations (including Section 2.1 and subsections) can be found online on the <a href="http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=54716dbd9e545ed14ffb0bc68793c5a6&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title09/9cfrv1_02.tpl" target="_blank">Government Printing Office</a> website. Anyone who wants to know how the final Regulations will read can delete the relevant portions of the current Regulations and replace them with the amendments from the Final Rule. The Code of Federal Regulations is updated on an annual basis; Title 9, which includes the Animal Welfare Act, is next set to be updated January 1, 2014 -- until then, the <i>Docket</i> containing the Final Rule will be what is used as the official Regulations for those amended sections.<br />
<br />
<br />
-- This is my best understanding of the rule at this time, based on the references cited. Changes may be made as more information becomes available, and certain aspects are clarified. -- Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-111587429112046032013-09-12T13:21:00.000-04:002013-09-19T12:42:34.223-04:00The New USDA Regulations and How They Affect Boxer BreedersIn July 2012, the USDA issued a proposed rule seeking to close the "Internet loophole" regarding retail sales of puppies. On the surface, it was a sensible undertaking -- the Animal Welfare Act was written long before the Internet was a household staple, and many large-scale, substandard breeding operations were avoiding any kind of oversight by selling their puppies only at retail, and only by shipping them sight-unseen to the buyers. Unfortunately, the radical animal rights groups were the driving force behind the changes, and so of course what could have been a way to protect animals in poor conditions has become a way to further restrict responsible breeders of home-raised puppies.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The USDA <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/09/retail_pet_final_rule.shtml" target="_blank">announced</a> on September 10, 2013 that it had finalized the rule and expected it to be published in the Federal Register sometime that week. [It was actually published on September 18, 2013 and becomes effective on November 18, 2013.] This of course started a maelstrom of reaction from dog breeders on Facebook, message boards, email lists, etc. (though noticeably and, sadly, unsurprisingly, *not* among Boxer breeders, who in general it seems prefer to keep their heads in the sand and just hope no one comes after them). Predictably, the fear mongers have been screaming that the sky is falling and every single breeder must be licensed or the government will come and take all their dogs, and so on. Granted, this is not favorable legislation for home breeders, and as usual with anti-breeding-based laws it will do little to nothing to actually address the problem of animals raised in substandard conditions -- but it is not yet the end of responsible breeders and a few key changes were made that actually work in their favor.<br />
<br />
Keeping in mind that I am neither a Federal employee nor an attorney, following are the key points of the new rule as I understand them. I've provided as many citations as possible to support these points and help bust the many myths that have already sprung up regarding the rule. For the sake of simplicity, I am limiting the information to the sale of dogs and puppies only; if you also breed and sell other species, a more thorough review of the rule is advised. This is not to be construed as legal advice.<br />
<br />
<b>Items Used as Reference</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=11b02ebaf84714ccdb0731adf4f97407&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title09/9cfr2_main_02.tpl" target="_blank">Animal Welfare Act Regulations</a> ("Regulations")</i> -- current as of 9/10/13, do not include new rule (HTML)<i> </i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awa_glossary.pdf" target="_blank">Glossary of AWA Terms</a> ("Glossary"</i>)<i> -- </i><b>not</b> updated with new rules as of 9/12/13. (PDF)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/09/pdf/pet_retail_docket_2011-2003.pdf" target="_blank">Docket No. 2011-2003</a> ("Docket")</i> -- the Final Rule, until officially published in the Federal Register (PDF)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/09/retail_pet_final_rule.shtml" target="_blank">Press Release Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Release")</i> -- dated September 10, 2013 (HTML)<br />
<a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/2013/faq_retail_pets_final_rule.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Questions and Answers Regarding Final Rule</i></a> <i>("Q&A") </i>-- Factsheet dated September 2012 (PDF)<br />
<i><a href="http://vimeo.com/74234294" target="_blank">USDA Conference Call Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Conference Call")</i> -- Held September 10, 2013 (Vimeo)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.saova.org/news/APHIS/APHIS.Conference_09.10.13.pdf" target="_blank">Transcription of USDA Conference Call Regarding Final Rule</a> ("Transcript") -- </i>Held September 10, 2013 (PDF)<br />
<a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-18/pdf/2013-22616.pdf" target="_blank"><i>The Published Final Rule</i></a> <i>("Published Rule")</i> -- as published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2013<br />
<br />
<i>*
Note that the text of the Final Rule is identical to the text of the
Docket, aside from housekeeping changes (such as capitalizing
"Amendment" when referring to the Tenth Amendment, etc.). References to
the "Docket" will also refer to the "Published Rule", however the
published Rule is in a columnar format, where the Docket is not, so the
page numbers will be different.</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If you sell puppies as pets, you are considered a 'dealer' under the Federal <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/awa_info.shtml" target="_blank">Animal Welfare Act</a>. <b>This is nothing new.</b> (See <i>Glossary</i>, page 1; <i>Docket</i>, page 88; <i>Conference Call</i>, first five minutes)</li>
<li>If you sell puppies at wholesale as working or breeding animals, you are considered a dealer. <b>This is somewhat new</b> -- it used to be all sellers of working or breeding animals.</li>
<li>Dealers must be licensed by the UDSA. <b>This is nothing new.</b> </li>
<li>If you sell puppies at retail as working or breeding animals, you are not considered a dealer and are not subject to licensing requirements. <b>This is new.</b></li>
<li>If you are considered a dealer, you may be exempt from the licensing requirements if you meet <b>any one </b>of the following criteria:</li>
<ul>
<li><b>You are a retail pet store.</b> A retail pet store is defined as "a place of business or residence at which the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/or taking custody of that animal after purchase". (See <i>Docket</i> page 89; <i>Conference Call</i>,<i> </i>first five minutes; <i>Q&A,</i> page 1) <b>This is somewhat new</b> -- the previous definition of "retail pet store" did not include the requirement for the buyer, seller, and animal to be physically present. (See <i>Glossary,</i> page 3)</li>
<li><b>You maintain four or fewer breeding females and sell at wholesale</b> only their offspring that are born and raised on your premises. <b>This is somewhat new</b> -- previously anyone with three or fewer breeding females who only sold their offspring etc. was exempt. (See <i>Docket</i>, page 90, <i>Regulations</i>, § 2.1(a)(3)(iii))</li>
<li><b>You maintain four or fewer breeding females and sell at retail </b>only their offspring that are born and raised on your premises. <b>This is new</b> -- previously anyone selling pets at direct retail sale for the buyers own use was exempt.(See <i>Docket</i>, page 91, <i>Regulations</i>, § 2.1(a)(3)(vii)) If you fit this definition you are also considered a "retail pet store". (See <i>Docket,</i> page 89)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
That's the nutshell. The main change is that if you sell pets at retail directly to buyers for their own use, you may be subject to licensing now, where in the past you were not. It depends on how many breeding females you have, or whether you sell animals not born and raised on your premises, or how you sell them. In an effort to help relieve some of the confusion associated with this rule, I've created this decision tree. Please feel free to share it, so long as the disclaimer and copyright information remain intact.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR4B7w3yxEraDtPUH5lk7apnXzpt9hTq_Pvw5I_-ZB2azuq3AI3oeXgMp3XcDQnWqI-8VMf-pFPQYnOhvqzvSGAcgMWmhd3R9KQaOTK1eIPeFEZmrh6T-l0QawErtAM0-Zawzui2GhsU/s1600/usda_tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR4B7w3yxEraDtPUH5lk7apnXzpt9hTq_Pvw5I_-ZB2azuq3AI3oeXgMp3XcDQnWqI-8VMf-pFPQYnOhvqzvSGAcgMWmhd3R9KQaOTK1eIPeFEZmrh6T-l0QawErtAM0-Zawzui2GhsU/s320/usda_tree.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
Questions and answers regarding the new rule can now be found in <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-usda-rules-questions-and-answers.html">this blog post</a>.<br />
<br />
-- This is my best understanding of the rule at this time, based on the
references cited. Changes may be made as more information becomes
available, and certain aspects are clarified. -- Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-26041863956991627122012-06-26T00:20:00.002-04:002012-06-26T00:23:15.230-04:00Keeping Your Boxer Cool at Outdoor Shows<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj69FxtoZwoOdfaM6Id6ZB7Yi5feomA6VTG1gXREVdBifWsUxxl94kNe-jpnDWJlWZIjnP0hqCBF3vvKYtayMUaVksTEMrTj9TiXcKjbpMjdFhrjKoXaKfIjQKtLGQMCGkyfXxmKAVd8s/s1600/coat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj69FxtoZwoOdfaM6Id6ZB7Yi5feomA6VTG1gXREVdBifWsUxxl94kNe-jpnDWJlWZIjnP0hqCBF3vvKYtayMUaVksTEMrTj9TiXcKjbpMjdFhrjKoXaKfIjQKtLGQMCGkyfXxmKAVd8s/s320/coat4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy cool coats are <i>de rigueur</i> at summer dog shows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Summer is upon us, and if you show your dogs (and even if you don't!), odds are you and your Boxer will be spending some time outside in the heat and humidity. The smooshed face that we love about our dogs, of course, makes them less able than some other breeds to cool themselves efficiently, so keeping a Boxer from overheating is a high priority. At outdoor shows, finding shady spots can be difficult, and running your car's air conditioner all day is impractical. Try these tips to keep your dog cool and comfortable during the long hot show days.<br />
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<b>Crates</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>If you're crating your dog at a show, use a wire crate rather than a plastic or mesh one. Even though the mesh crates are lighter and easier to set up ringside, they don't allow as much airflow as a wire crate does.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Use crate pads that don't absorb heat (in other words, avoid fleece), or make a cooling crate pad using a pillowcase and absorbent polymer crystals. (A standard pillowcase will fit a size 400 crate; some brief instructions are available on the <a href="http://malinut.com/ref/library/kool/" target="_blank">Malinut</a> website.) In a pinch, wet a chamois or PVA cloth and use that in the crate in lieu of a pad. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Clip a battery-powered fan on the crate to provide or increase airflow. Although dogs don't sweat, so airflow doesn't help to cool them as much as it does us humans, if they're panting the air flowing across their tongues will provide a bit of relief. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fill 2-liter bottles with water and freeze them (it takes about a day, so plan ahead of time!). Put the frozen bottles in the crate. Your dog can lie against them to keep cool, condensation will form on the outside of the bottles, wetting your dog's coat a bit and increasing the effectiveness of a crate fan (or even a breeze), and as the ice melts you can use the water in your dog's bowl or a spray bottle.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Shade</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Shade can be hard to come by at outdoor shows, so your best bet is to bring your own. Pop-up canopies are relatively inexpensive and portable; finding space around the ring might be difficult, but many people set them up at their car. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you can park or set up near the ring, but a canopy is too big, use a shade screen over your car or the crate. Shade screens block sunlight while allowing airflow, and the temperature under the screen can be 14 to 20 degrees cooler than in the sun. "Space blankets" reflect the sun, but do not allow airflow so aren't as ideal as the screens. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you're keeping your dog crated in your car or van, it goes without saying to leave the windows down and/or the doors open. A shade screen over your entire car will keep the temperatures from skyrocketing; if you don't have a screen big enough for the whole car, place it over the side where the sun is coming in, and be prepared to move it throughout the day. Also, try to park where the largest open areas can take best advantage of the breeze.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Water and Ice</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Hydration is an important component of keeping cool, so be sure to give your Boxer plenty of water throughout the day (and plenty of potty breaks, too!). Refrigerate a jug of water the night before the show to bring with you -- this will provide cool water until the frozen 2-liters thaw. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fill a spray bottle with ice water and keep it handy; a cool spritz will help both your Boxer and you in the heat of the day. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Make your own ice packs by filling a zip top plastic freezer bag with a mixture of 1 part alcohol to 3 parts water. The alcohol will prevent the water from freezing solid. (If you have a vacuum sealer system, you can use those bags instead of a zip top, or as a second layer. Or, use a non-sealing plastic bag and create a permanent seal by covering the opening on both sides with a folded piece of foil, and ironing over the foil to melt the plastic together.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Bring along a cooler full of ice water. Along with storing your dog's water, your spray bottle, ice packs, and bottles of water for yourself, you can also use the ice water for dipping a cool coat or cool pad, dunking your dog's feet, giving him ice cubes to chew, or in a pinch wetting him down -- the belly, groin, and foot pads are key cooling areas.</li>
</ul>
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Regardless of the cooling measures you take, watch your Boxer carefully to make sure she's not overheating. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/heatstroke-boxer-dogs-signs-treatment-and-prevention" target="_blank">Heatstroke</a> is a concern during the summer, especially for Boxers, and can quickly lead to severe illness or even death. (As tempting as it may be, if you think your Boxer is experience heatstroke, do <b>not</b> dump the ice water from your cooler directly onto her; this can cause the temperature to fall dangerously low.) Keep a thermometer in your first-aid kit during the summer, and know where to find the closest emergency vet to the show site. By taking steps to prevent overheating, and preparing for it if it does happen, you'll give yourself the best odds of a safe, fun day at the dog show.<br />
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<i>(If you have any other tips for keeping dogs cool at outdoor summer shows, please share them in the comments.)</i>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-54084573954027724252011-08-31T14:11:00.001-04:002011-09-10T18:50:49.704-04:00Intrepreting Holter Reports for Boxer Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After you've successfully hooked up the holter monitor on your Boxer, they've left it on for the full 24 hours, and you've sent the tape/recording in to be analyzed, you get to play the waiting game. Some services are very fast, consistently offering 24-hour turn-around times once they receive your recording. Others takes days or even weeks. If you're not good with waiting, or if you need the results sooner rather than later, you might want to check out customer satisfaction and turn-around times before you rent or purchase your holter.<br />
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When the results finally come in -- after that five-seconds waiting with your heart in your mouth for the PDF file to open -- the first thing you want to look at is the section titled "Ventricular Ectopy" (or something similar -- different companies might use slightly different language). This section is where the abnormal heartbeats (VPCs) associated with ARVC in Boxers will be listed. Within the Ventricular Ectopy section, you want to look at the number of singles (isolated abnormal beats), pairs (two abnormal beats in a row), and most especially runs (three or more abnormal beats in a row). (Some reports list singles, couplets (pairs), triplets (three in a row), and call runs four or more abnormal beats in a row.) Runs of VPCs are what can lead to syncope (fainting) and sudden death. You also want to note the total time monitored and analyzed -- sometimes the tape stops working or the electrodes become detached in the middle of a recording. The time should be close to 24 hours.<br />
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This is the holter report from our "Fort Knox" model -- you can't ask for a better result. (Whew!) <i>(Click on any of the images to enlarge for detail.)</i> <br />
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Sometimes you'll get a result that's not as great, but in a grey area. This Boxer had 116 single VPCs in a 24-hour period. (It so happens that it was the dog's first holter.)<br />
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With this kind of result, we look a little further to see what might be going on. (The good news here is that the VPCs were all singles; if you have to have VPCs, singles are the best kind to have.) The next page of the holter report gives an hourly breakdown of events:<br />
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As you can see, the majority of the abnormal beats occurred in the first few hours the dog was wearing the monitor. This could be coincidence, it could be artifact from rubbing/shifting/adjusting the monitor, or it could be that the monitor itself caused anxiety which lead to VPCs.<br />
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Currently, 116 VPCs would be considered a grey area -- however, at the time of the recording the dog was 18 months old. Consultation with a board-certified veterinary cardiologist led to a "wait and see" approach. The dog has been holtered annually since that time, and has only thrown single VPCs, ranging from 2 to 23. The cardiologist cleared the dog for breeding based on the low numbers in the follow-up holters. (It should be noted that Dr. Meurs' current advice is to begin holtering
at 3 years of age, so these 116 VPCs may never have been seen. The American Boxer Club still recommends holtering beginning at 1
year of age.)<br />
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All too often, the holter report comes back with a high number of VPCs. This dog was 8 years old at the time of the holter -- the average age of onset for ARVC is 6 years.<br />
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Obviously, this is a less-than-desirable report. This particular dog was never used for breeding, but often a dog will have clear or low holter reports throughout its breeding life and then something like this will show up. This dog only had two runs of VPCs, each with three abnormal beats -- not a horrible report, all things considered. Some Boxers have tens of thousands of VPCs and multiple runs of four, five, or more beats.<br />
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Looking at the detail, we can see that this dog had abnormal beats throughout the day and night; there appears to be no correlation between time of day and VPCs, which is also the conclusion Dr. Meurs reached in one of her studies. When faced with this kind of a holter report, the next step is consultation with a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. They will want to see the full report, including the sample strips:<br />
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Most Boxer owners are probably better off not looking at these pages unless they're standing next to a cardiologist -- they can look quite alarming! This strip shows one of the runs of VPCs the dog had. The dog fainted twice while wearing the monitor -- one episode coincides with this run of VPCs, but the other was during a relatively calm moment of heart activity. (This particular dog was not placed on medication and has not fainted since; it is possible something other than ARVC was causing the syncope and/or arrhythmia. A follow-up holter will be done to see if there are any changes.)<br />
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Finally, sometimes you see some out of the ordinary results on a holter. Occasionally the area called "Supraventricular Ectopy" will have some numbers in it; these beats are also called APCs, or atrial premature contractions. In most cases these beats are inconsequential; however a large number of them, or several runs, might warrant consultation with a cardiologist. Then there are ventricular escape beats:<br />
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This holter report can cause some flip-flopping in a breeder's stomach! The zeroes across the board for Ventricular and Supraventricular Ectopy are great, but then the eye travels down to see 5,000 ventricular escape beats, and panic sets in. Even though nowhere in the literature about ARVC are ventricular escape beats mentioned, 5,000 is a lot of them!<br />
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Ventricular escape beats are basically internal pacemaker beats; the normal heart rhythm pauses a tiny bit too long, and so the ventricles "kick start" it back up again. These beats are apparently not uncommon in athletic dogs with slow heart rates. Three board-certified veterinary cardiologists have stated that they are nothing to worry about, however. If you do happen to come across them on your holter reports, don't panic, especially if all the other information is perfectly normal, as in our example above.<br />
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Of course, there are as many variations on holter reports as there are dogs being holtered. This information should give you some basic knowledge on interpreting your holter report, but if you're ever in doubt, consult a board-certified veterinary cardiologist.<br />
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Read past blogs for more information on <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2011/07/holter-monitoring-for-boxer-dogs.html">holtering a Boxer dog</a>, or on the <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2011/07/holter-monitor-hook-up-fort-knox-method.html">"Fort Knox" holter hook-up method</a>.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-24235742991962263492011-07-17T23:02:00.003-04:002011-07-17T23:13:44.805-04:00Holter Monitor Hook-Up: The "Fort Knox" Method<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hooking up a Boxer to a holter monitor -- a 24-hour ambulatory EKG -- has three main goals: One, record the dog's heartbeat for 24 hours; two, keep the electrodes attached to the dog's body for the entire 24 hours; and three, keep the dog from eating the wires that run from the electrodes to the monitor. To achieve these goals, proper hook-up of the holter monitor is essential.<br />
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Various holter hook-up methods have arisen over the years, as breeders have tweaked what does and does not work for their purposes. Holter vests are available for purchase, ranging from $50-200, that provide a pocket for the monitor and a covering over the electrodes. For most Boxers, especially with the super-sticky foam electrodes, a vest is probably adequate. This discussion will go a bit further, however, as our model has a special taste for holter wires and has chewed up two sets to date. For her, a vest does not work, because she reaches through the armholes to get to the wires. Thus the "Fort Knox" method was developed and, to date, has proven impenetrable. The process can be used with a vest, and we will note where a vest would be different from our method.<br />
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The first step, of course, is to gather all of your equipment together. Because we aren't using a vest with a pocket, we had to come up with a way to keep the monitor from sliding backward or to either side of the dog. The holter monitor we purchased from Alba Medical came with a case that has a loop on the back, so we attached that to a harness that the dog wears during the monitoring. <br />
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You will also need the holter monitor, lead wires (5- or 7-electrode, depending on the monitor), holter kit, and alcohol wipes for cleansing the area where the electrodes will attach. With a vest, this may be all you'll need. For Fort Knox, we also have a roll of VetWrap, some Zonas first aid tape, a child's onesie or t-shirt (size 24 months or 2T should work) and an adult t-shirt.<br />
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The holter kit, which we purchase from Alba, contains the cassette tape, 9-volt battery, patient diary, and StableBase electrodes. These electrodes are extra super-duper sticky, and have decreased the amount of tape we use when holtering by about 99 percent. They've also eliminated the need to shave the dog before attaching the electrodes. You will undoubtedly get an even stronger connection when shaving, but we haven't shaved for about 10 holters (on various dogs) and have only had one electrode come loose and no comments about excessive noise or unclear readings. Coated breeds should still be shaved, of course, but for our short-haired Boxers it is no longer a necessity -- provided you're using the StableBase electrodes. (We haven't tried other brands so can't attest to whether similar electrodes work as well.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_xGtBqBeMyjYhPUjb9QOPLADpwljFAUAeuWeNvaDVTGFUFv6fwjnO5Ws4DK3wAWdDbwJND_fbflu1e4rjrmsKOL7dszTm5pz7eTF60B76Eb1OXGje6ViEEgLuNVbqOCNuSV84I-nbas/s1600/kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_xGtBqBeMyjYhPUjb9QOPLADpwljFAUAeuWeNvaDVTGFUFv6fwjnO5Ws4DK3wAWdDbwJND_fbflu1e4rjrmsKOL7dszTm5pz7eTF60B76Eb1OXGje6ViEEgLuNVbqOCNuSV84I-nbas/s400/kit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holter kit from Alba Medical</td></tr>
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Next, get your dog ready for the hook-up. A grooming table comes in very handy here; if not, it's best to have a helper to keep the dog steady while you're working. Attach the holter case to the harness and then put the harness on the dog. If you're using a vest, do not put it on the dog yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0_oj2xhicFDhP9IdHxRGn3NtuoeffBSiFSd1knpk12aharFXuhFdayrT-7COF39Mc2Q_B4qc0JJH8Br8GiblU_DKud7HMRB1OkbkkFho9mdhyphenhyphenDvXeKEbEjQlDjBliNcAKYUUr-_PrSI/s1600/harness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0_oj2xhicFDhP9IdHxRGn3NtuoeffBSiFSd1knpk12aharFXuhFdayrT-7COF39Mc2Q_B4qc0JJH8Br8GiblU_DKud7HMRB1OkbkkFho9mdhyphenhyphenDvXeKEbEjQlDjBliNcAKYUUr-_PrSI/s400/harness.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog on table, wearing harness with holter case attached. The monitor is not in the case at this point.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Next, cleanse the area where you'll be attaching the electrodes. (If your Boxer is very dirty, consider giving him a bath first, and be sure he's thoroughly dry before you begin hooking up the holter.) The electrodes will go along the rib cage, behind the back strap of the harness. Use an alcohol wipe to remove light dirt and the natural oils of the skin and hair.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xDXBlutd3lIwlzajMaai1Pg765U9vx8sm4JEcmtVI7WigxEO7X-36sRnI3qGAAGRPzlHM5fWaFiSP_mTTvZT1I4Pi1OynTYGWUQ2zHRimoOHXz4-iWP9B1fVNZYRKuUR5a7AWGwyrSg/s1600/alcohol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xDXBlutd3lIwlzajMaai1Pg765U9vx8sm4JEcmtVI7WigxEO7X-36sRnI3qGAAGRPzlHM5fWaFiSP_mTTvZT1I4Pi1OynTYGWUQ2zHRimoOHXz4-iWP9B1fVNZYRKuUR5a7AWGwyrSg/s320/alcohol.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wipe the alcohol swab as shown, straight down to the belly of the dog. (Pardon the manicure!)<br />
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Next, attach the electrodes. Make sure the gel at the connection points is still wet; dry electrodes will not conduct a signal efficiently. Start at the bottom, as low as possible, and "stack" them vertically, keeping them even with a slight space between each electrode. You will have an uneven number of electrodes on each side, either two and three (for a 5-lead monitor) or three and four (for a 7-lead monitor). We are using a 7-lead monitor on our model dog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gNBXuv01GMoGpPhwKTfyh-eix_WoY6FlX_o4aTggKefUPGYdu82CSkSAlaBT9NE2n0sov76J5flikq-HYYC8PZSugTlI0b6vRshVF9sAKHCer3HJrhU2loJPTusi-yqLEYOwCaDzJOQ/s1600/electrodes_right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gNBXuv01GMoGpPhwKTfyh-eix_WoY6FlX_o4aTggKefUPGYdu82CSkSAlaBT9NE2n0sov76J5flikq-HYYC8PZSugTlI0b6vRshVF9sAKHCer3HJrhU2loJPTusi-yqLEYOwCaDzJOQ/s400/electrodes_right.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog's right side, three electrodes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTrujRi062hSD2AWx76co6Vu9P7j7vr4YuSL86movRmLLYdLEVr8i1zY3HDjIxu39VveXq7gk0liMVIiDLqbMsPF9PUHf2j1sn_c8bkm4r6b-x15R7rnkJH3A0Z-XOIkcFn7SPjdzcmM/s1600/electrodes_left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTrujRi062hSD2AWx76co6Vu9P7j7vr4YuSL86movRmLLYdLEVr8i1zY3HDjIxu39VveXq7gk0liMVIiDLqbMsPF9PUHf2j1sn_c8bkm4r6b-x15R7rnkJH3A0Z-XOIkcFn7SPjdzcmM/s400/electrodes_left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog's left side, four electrodes.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Next, snap the lead wires onto the electrodes. You will have received instructions as to which wires go on which side, and in what order, when you purchased or rented the holter monitor or purchased the holter kits. Align the wires so they're pointing straight up to the dog's back, to keep them from escaping out the sides of the covering. (The StableBase electrodes have a slit on one side that is used to keep the wires in place on humans; since they are on the sides they don't function as efficiently for dogs, but if you prefer to use them for additional sticking power, just be sure the wires are fully covered in later steps.) Run the wires over the top of the dog when moving from one side to the other.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaUrMKVmKIteFqb6wdFv4ax7qP-o2dKFCo1sDT5ta4Rt9qApQEv159KZCJpIv7eT4qieG7jllYLkB_E2ZcPJt1u3MWwXp0S6J7rjidlXYKKY_ySpaoZik_P3vkFxEcVwBTnxOVbAnjyc/s1600/hookup_right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaUrMKVmKIteFqb6wdFv4ax7qP-o2dKFCo1sDT5ta4Rt9qApQEv159KZCJpIv7eT4qieG7jllYLkB_E2ZcPJt1u3MWwXp0S6J7rjidlXYKKY_ySpaoZik_P3vkFxEcVwBTnxOVbAnjyc/s400/hookup_right.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead wires attached, dog's right side.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpmjjEqCLILzVLkELz73MexH5yXbq9tfdSTiYOAAdTQwNsLBbsa6sRNFCvUWTCQeVu_IxDjwBV6h_3bV_PqrVJQIjBQkePrlzz8k40xzKimh4nXks0VC57qerk74AMsHlutNrcI0N7yI/s1600/hookup_left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpmjjEqCLILzVLkELz73MexH5yXbq9tfdSTiYOAAdTQwNsLBbsa6sRNFCvUWTCQeVu_IxDjwBV6h_3bV_PqrVJQIjBQkePrlzz8k40xzKimh4nXks0VC57qerk74AMsHlutNrcI0N7yI/s400/hookup_left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead wires attached, dog's left side.</td></tr>
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Once the leads are attached, insert the battery and the tape in the monitor, in that order. The tape has a "bar" across the bottom that is opened to insert the tape, and closed two clicks to secure the tape and start it running. Make sure you see the tape turning before you proceed to the next step -- it moves slowly, but you can easily see it moving (and you may hear a quiet whirring, as well).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK3MvD3ERqqU_hpT3c2xggsSXjLfU6YtoGdY-xEqVxnsmAHlU6FroP6wFLltiAPozBi4rXll6auXLcsPv0S4Wn5Q5eUhGjoU4rFomKnGRO6y3yzAhEaz33O3A9DUmxBEleJHKGPu4qzo/s1600/insert_tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK3MvD3ERqqU_hpT3c2xggsSXjLfU6YtoGdY-xEqVxnsmAHlU6FroP6wFLltiAPozBi4rXll6auXLcsPv0S4Wn5Q5eUhGjoU4rFomKnGRO6y3yzAhEaz33O3A9DUmxBEleJHKGPu4qzo/s400/insert_tape.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape inserted, gate open. (Note battery should already be installed.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOF330hHHGtyWcZPGeXZATl7Tec8IIfvnh77FvLjC5Tyk-0Se_xGIfbrJqmaV3-nYKUmK4-KvG7Ton3u1JgpTtE4id4poskZ5VpXPhUifp2_RWUPCnLdBwFClk8Co9ndaLDhoUsDjzxA/s1600/close_tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOF330hHHGtyWcZPGeXZATl7Tec8IIfvnh77FvLjC5Tyk-0Se_xGIfbrJqmaV3-nYKUmK4-KvG7Ton3u1JgpTtE4id4poskZ5VpXPhUifp2_RWUPCnLdBwFClk8Co9ndaLDhoUsDjzxA/s400/close_tape.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing the gate -- the arrows should line up when fully closed.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVUDfC05bVh5V8vJBEuUgoi2q1KWCqNZ9FXDHoZtFLMYju5b_dZVUfJXycUHDemL_IAiZKID6FYk4P1Wku2UkbyuwIB8lAgLJODYQO-MxyxaeeYEvFm9tMUrPlmWFvdRGnBk8fG5g-I/s1600/tape_battery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVUDfC05bVh5V8vJBEuUgoi2q1KWCqNZ9FXDHoZtFLMYju5b_dZVUfJXycUHDemL_IAiZKID6FYk4P1Wku2UkbyuwIB8lAgLJODYQO-MxyxaeeYEvFm9tMUrPlmWFvdRGnBk8fG5g-I/s400/tape_battery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape and battery inserted, gate closed, tape is running.</td></tr>
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Record the time you started the tape on the patient diary. You may want to record the time when you finished hooking up the monitor, as well; this can help identify any artifact at the beginning of the tape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cCy8PHVgj4BIV8hUs6FqH1oX0nXKnKHYkmwfwlliwsMhFdwQWaTojWPQwmuzvaAj_K8ArWEFL5pBKBU9n6rMJcAdoIF_WaC1V-C6ekpjufd7Ld0reg1iF0YPkdccs_GY7AHqiyQaif4/s1600/hookup_notation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cCy8PHVgj4BIV8hUs6FqH1oX0nXKnKHYkmwfwlliwsMhFdwQWaTojWPQwmuzvaAj_K8ArWEFL5pBKBU9n6rMJcAdoIF_WaC1V-C6ekpjufd7Ld0reg1iF0YPkdccs_GY7AHqiyQaif4/s400/hookup_notation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Close the cover of the holter monitor and place it in the monitor case. (If you don't have a case, you might want to tape the monitor closed as a safeguard.) Gather up the excess wires and gently and neatly stuff them into the pockets of the case. If you're using a vest, the monitor and excess wires will go into the pocket of the vest, in a later step. Get as much of the wire contained in the pocket or the case as possible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRC1h9rdaFq28M4TO4pBApKLwjVwZgYD0LqJQcYCYjNr62Yx6kURajMXQOLBuNteN2BFpeKUWeXHOaGXaLuDK4Smp2ehXi1HJn81dxgby0IkTa1d_7FmrHop3Rr0BUPN-_j3MG0Mv8WY/s1600/case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRC1h9rdaFq28M4TO4pBApKLwjVwZgYD0LqJQcYCYjNr62Yx6kURajMXQOLBuNteN2BFpeKUWeXHOaGXaLuDK4Smp2ehXi1HJn81dxgby0IkTa1d_7FmrHop3Rr0BUPN-_j3MG0Mv8WY/s400/case.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor in case. The excess wires go in the pocket on the top of the case, on the left in this photo.</td></tr>
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For the Fort Knox treatment, wrap VetWrap around the electrodes, wires, and monitor. Cover all of the wires to provide an extra layer of protection. If possible, cover the monitor case from top to bottom to prevent it from sliding. We use a full roll to ensure adequate coverage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYRDXwtT-N8NMtqo9GRhDGN2IHg47M15GKi5QawRajNiiBe_wf4uS7reCnGNZn3c1-gKnb3lbPvXAIBu8KtYHJsZOxL8zEEQL-V_sR6WfhWAs16HFYVEYaIyK2RGF5Mvr3UQARc8dAXI/s1600/vetwrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYRDXwtT-N8NMtqo9GRhDGN2IHg47M15GKi5QawRajNiiBe_wf4uS7reCnGNZn3c1-gKnb3lbPvXAIBu8KtYHJsZOxL8zEEQL-V_sR6WfhWAs16HFYVEYaIyK2RGF5Mvr3UQARc8dAXI/s400/vetwrap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VetWrap around electrodes, lead wires, and monitor. This was not a completely full roll, or the back of the monitor case would have been included in the wrapping.</td></tr>
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If you're using a vest, you can probably skip this step, or you might want to wrap around the electrodes and wires before putting on the vest and placing the monitor in the pocket. If you have problems with the VetWrap sliding off of the electrodes, you could use Elastikon tape, which has an adhesive.<br />
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Ease the onesie or kid's t-shirt over the dog's head, underneath the loop of the grooming table arm, if applicable. Gently work the dog's legs through the sleeves. You may need to modify the onesie somewhat, by cutting off some of the arms or making a cut in the back of the shirt. If using a vest, put it on the dog as directed. Make sure the electrodes, lead wires, monitor and case, and VetWrap are all covered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7ybrVfHMGVIQ4P2WvkU4Yks3zu8bK7kysQGuUhJiFsDKh6yHc8Wy0JeDKEL0QvPv2_Q1UVIhugCKPOBKqmF-gqtiRLPypSZhGyTjv39y2P8nvUIhMot7i6zVJ3ZaetdNqhWnTx7ovLE/s1600/onesie_tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7ybrVfHMGVIQ4P2WvkU4Yks3zu8bK7kysQGuUhJiFsDKh6yHc8Wy0JeDKEL0QvPv2_Q1UVIhugCKPOBKqmF-gqtiRLPypSZhGyTjv39y2P8nvUIhMot7i6zVJ3ZaetdNqhWnTx7ovLE/s400/onesie_tape.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onesie, taped at the bottom. Notice the modifications at the sleeves and back of the neck.</td></tr>
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Tape around the bottom of the onesie to keep it from flopping around or riding up. This is the only tape we use, except a small piece to secure the end of the VetWrap. Before the SmartTrace electrodes, we used nearly a full roll of super-adhesive Curity tape just to keep the electrodes on the dog. The Zonas tape is not as sticky; it will keep the onesie in place but won't pull all the hair off the dog when you remove it.<br />
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With a vest, tuck the monitor and as much of the wire as possible into the pocket. Add reinforcements if you'd like; otherwise you can skip down to the removal section.<br />
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Next, ease the adult t-shirt over the entire contraption, again gently putting the dog's legs through the sleeves. You can modify this t-shirt as well, if necessary, but a size medium or larger should not need any additional room. Gather the t-shirt at the bottom, well behind the end of the onesie, and secure with an elastic band or pony tail holder. For males, gather the shirt a little further toward the front of the dog, and try to keep the bottom as snug as possible. (He will probably get some urine on it, so don't use your favorite t-shirt!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TQU3Jlvy_1FFAnK0AstAPqs_H64gjFMTane9mPZ5KeVcAEuEUqm_V0yYDyMapPY7WjEa3RxwU-up4hz-1JMHSSWDGMjDz4frP1Vtptsx9MOKDEq0e7gHgpgK0AFAlvrkpYxuadyA0gQ/s1600/ponytail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TQU3Jlvy_1FFAnK0AstAPqs_H64gjFMTane9mPZ5KeVcAEuEUqm_V0yYDyMapPY7WjEa3RxwU-up4hz-1JMHSSWDGMjDz4frP1Vtptsx9MOKDEq0e7gHgpgK0AFAlvrkpYxuadyA0gQ/s400/ponytail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathered t-shirt held with pony tail holder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmp13uFFTNNdZOz0DeuIHl906UYW3IgAR18_9pl94Yuen4aAaPxFMKTvGO03Sed-dXHts5RzWxdbuVYHRMukdDllR2gCWhW0BHg8C-N9DIDKSwH8bICO47SAg6uqBuLUrWzGkil8-9ZM/s1600/tshirt_gathered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmp13uFFTNNdZOz0DeuIHl906UYW3IgAR18_9pl94Yuen4aAaPxFMKTvGO03Sed-dXHts5RzWxdbuVYHRMukdDllR2gCWhW0BHg8C-N9DIDKSwH8bICO47SAg6uqBuLUrWzGkil8-9ZM/s400/tshirt_gathered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be sure the t-shirt is snug around the dog's waist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tie the gathered end of the t-shirt into a knot to secure it. If you don't have enough length to tie a knot in the gathered fabric as is, and are willing to modify the shirt, cut the gathered section down the middle and tie a knot in it that way. Tuck the knot underneath the shirt to keep the dog from chewing on it and opening it up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknVv7ulkOgylx-LUp2crpMeYuckdI5QF5DJoTa3JtsupxuQ50BeW69NOL-SHk8KDLjGZu1MAjOh0Td6UE3FtwIKc5Ye5-Z80-qKjU8BLt4b_yePk4Ozuymg2JH1l7xAPkcpFVYxqjvNI/s1600/hookup_done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknVv7ulkOgylx-LUp2crpMeYuckdI5QF5DJoTa3JtsupxuQ50BeW69NOL-SHk8KDLjGZu1MAjOh0Td6UE3FtwIKc5Ye5-Z80-qKjU8BLt4b_yePk4Ozuymg2JH1l7xAPkcpFVYxqjvNI/s400/hookup_done.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeMu6ukSoDXdg4yyZPGSZmRUuJyDH9lavaXqiepf_705AQ0vLEM8ArbOGshDwbuGXNSg0Ntasa7_1daQR7y36-IscuXBw79AbJLiMOYCp82kLfTBN324-bNAcQdnryCxiehfGL34q5k4/s1600/rubbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeMu6ukSoDXdg4yyZPGSZmRUuJyDH9lavaXqiepf_705AQ0vLEM8ArbOGshDwbuGXNSg0Ntasa7_1daQR7y36-IscuXBw79AbJLiMOYCp82kLfTBN324-bNAcQdnryCxiehfGL34q5k4/s400/rubbing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This system stands up well to the rubbing the dogs invariably do once they're off the table!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Removing the Monitor</b><br />
<br />
If all goes well, the monitor and electrodes have stayed attached for 24 hours and the wires are still in one piece. Now it's time to remove the monitor, which is basically the reverse of hooking it up. Remove the t-shirt; untape the onesie and remove it (or remove the vest); remove the VetWrap -- if you cut it off, which is usually easier, be very sure you don't cut any of the wires. Detach the lead wires from the electrodes and remove the holter monitor and harness.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
You're left with just the electrodes attached to your Boxer. The one disadvantage of the extra super-duper sticky SmartTrace electrodes is that you can't just pull them off the dog -- you're liable to remove all the hair and possibly some of the skin if you do. Use a hospital-grade adhesive remover such as Zo-Eze to thoroughly saturate the electrodes, and let it sit for a few minutes. (Saturate a cotton ball and rub/squeeze it along the edges of the electrodes to allow the remover to seep underneath.) You can sometimes then simply pull the electrodes off, but if they're still a little sticky saturate another cotton ball and wipe it right along the edge where the electrode is stuck to the fur, while gently pulling the electrode off. Always remove the electrodes in the same direction as the hair growth to minimize the amount of hair and skin you pull out.<br />
<br />
Once the electrodes are removed, a brisk but gentle rub with a warm wet washcloth will remove traces of the adhesive remover, the electrode gel, and any adhesive residue. If a significant amount remains, the dog might need a bath. When you've finished, let your dog enjoy the freedom of being holter-less again.<br />
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All that's left now is to send the tape in for monitoring. Remove the tape and the battery from the monitor. Discard the battery (holter services recommend you always use a fresh battery with every holter). Write the dog's name on the tape label. Fill out the holter form, include payment, and mail the tape to the appropriate service. Alba sends pre-addressed padded envelopes for their service; we send those via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, so that we can be sure the envelope gets where it's supposed to go. <br />
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Digital monitor readings can be transmitted over the phone or online, following the instructions from the holter service. If your phone or Internet service won't support the transmission, you can mail the flash card.<br />
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The patient diary is used to record any significant events or syncopal episodes. For pre-breeding screening, you generally don't really need to send in the diary, but it doesn't hurt to do so. Keep a copy for yourself, however, so that when you get the report back you can correlate the holter information to the dog's activity. Alba's turnaround time is generally 1-2 days after they receive your tape; other services may take longer.<br />
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Read more about basic holter monitoring information <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2011/07/holter-monitoring-for-boxer-dogs.html">here</a>. Stay tuned for information on reading and interpreting holter reports.<br />
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Happy holtering!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-52768711416659346332011-07-15T18:53:00.005-04:002011-07-19T11:33:27.739-04:00Holter Monitoring for Boxer Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTYHppL-qW3YCGmXopNK_CkdEP2MH4waZL80pSPQiDQRozwJ7lH-zKtxNzt0b7TR-EFgktlnw7aJ_DAyIIcLNBovjEP33o4OyTQANCadfLHm7cvl5swgisXakwYFG9eyG7aewqa5eZ9w/s1600/hookup_left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTYHppL-qW3YCGmXopNK_CkdEP2MH4waZL80pSPQiDQRozwJ7lH-zKtxNzt0b7TR-EFgktlnw7aJ_DAyIIcLNBovjEP33o4OyTQANCadfLHm7cvl5swgisXakwYFG9eyG7aewqa5eZ9w/s200/hookup_left.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Boxer breeders who are concerned about producing long-lived, healthy puppies engage in health testing, which includes, among other things, holter monitoring. A holter monitor is a 24-hour ambulatory EKG, meaning the dog wears the monitor for 24 hours while it goes about its normal daily routine -- usually. (Some dogs dislike the holter and won't do things like walk, potty, play, etc., but most, especially after the first time they wear it, adapt quickly and act normally.) Holtering detects abnormal heartbeats, called VPCs (ventricular premature contractions) associated with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, or ARVC, a leading health issue in Boxers today.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Holtering is not a one-time deal -- a "clear" holter simply means the dog is not displaying symptoms of ARVC on that day. Research suggests that the number of VPCs varies by as much as 80% on a day-to-day basis, and ARVC is generally a later-onset condition, first appearing at 6 years or older. Due to these, one clear holter at any age does not provide a lifetime clearance for the dog. Although a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/boxer-in-national/dna-tests-for-boxer-dogs">DNA test</a> has been developed that detects one mutation associated with ARVC in some Boxers, it is likely that there are other genes also involved and so a "Negative" ARVC-1 DNA test result does not negate the need to annually holter breeding dogs.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.americanboxerclub.org/health-screening.html">American Boxer Club</a> recommends annual holtering for dogs in breeding programs, beginning at 12 months of age. Though Dr. Kathryn Meurs, the lead researcher on ARVC in North American Boxers, has stated that ARVC is unlikely in a Boxer younger than 3 years of age, sufficient dogs have been diagnosed and/or died at younger ages to warrant continued holtering even in young dogs. Additionally, holtering can provide baseline data to compare with future reports, and can detect other abnormalities in the heart's rhythm.<br />
<br />
Owners of dogs diagnosed with ARVC also holter their dogs routinely, sometimes as often as every three to six months, depending on the severity of the condition or when medication dosages are being evaluated. Some concerned pet owners may holter their dogs, to perhaps detect a problem before symptoms occur. (Unfortunately, in some cases the first sign of ARVC is that the dog drops dead; however with regular holtering by conscientious breeders in the last two decades, the occurrence of those situations -- in those breeders' dogs -- has decreased.)<br />
<br />
Regardless of the reasons for holtering -- pre-breeding screening, keeping tabs on an existing problem, or peace of mind -- Boxer owners who engage in repeated testing would do well to <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2011/07/holter-monitor-hook-up-fort-knox-method.html">learn to hook up the monitors</a> themselves. Renting a monitor from a cardiologist, and having them hook up the equipment, is the most expensive method of holtering. Many Boxer breeders, and a handful of Boxer clubs, offer their monitors for rental, generally for a much lower cost than a cardiologist, and if they're local some will help with the hook-up. Owners of multiple dogs would probably be better off purchasing a
monitor of their own, or in conjunction with another owner or two; in
the long run the purchase cost will be less than the cost of renting the holter every time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGJGQHV5m2Ae90eKi__mFtn6TVOL6smOLrPm_hNpvaMtQfAJVdTa0qfJD_JPaH6PlXJ89_4i1U91DUmG5wr01ZDWi4XtJLNdwIiE5SA_sP1IKbtw_g4XEsDFDVvzcCDGYNAyVVE8T9zY/s1600/tape_battery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGJGQHV5m2Ae90eKi__mFtn6TVOL6smOLrPm_hNpvaMtQfAJVdTa0qfJD_JPaH6PlXJ89_4i1U91DUmG5wr01ZDWi4XtJLNdwIiE5SA_sP1IKbtw_g4XEsDFDVvzcCDGYNAyVVE8T9zY/s200/tape_battery.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Analog holter monitor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Holter monitors can be either analog, recorded on a cassette tape, or digital. Analog monitors are available to purchase as refurbished units; they are larger than digital monitors but about 1/3 of the cost. Digital monitors are about the size of a pager and the recording can be transmitted via telephone or Internet, rather than mailing in a cassette tape. The cost of reading the recording is the same regardless of the monitor used. The software for digital holter monitors is proprietary, so recordings must be read by the same company that provided the monitor. Cassette tapes from analog monitors can be read by any company that processes the tapes.<br />
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Recordings are decoded by machine, and then scanned by certified technicians to evaluate abnormalities and determine whether they are truly arrhythmias or simply artifact, abnormal readings due to the dog's actions such as rubbing, bumping, or coughing. Some services offer only machine readings -- this is less than ideal, since there is a possibility of an artificially inflated number of VPCs due to artifact. A cardiologist's interpretation of holter results is also available in many cases, for an additional fee; this is probably not necessary for pre-breeding screening.<br />
<br />
Holtering is an essential, if nerve-wracking, part of a Boxer breeder's health-testing process. The few seconds waiting for an e-mailed holter report to open is agonizing, but the long-term benefit to the breed by detecting clearly affected dogs and removing them from breeding is worth the short-term stress. Even if faced with the heartache of a promising dog that fails a holter, knowing the dog has VPCs will allow the breeder to monitor its condition and, if necessary, start medication, which can be quite successful in allowing the dog to live a mostly normal life in both quality and length. Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-13315418658239123562011-05-19T15:15:00.102-04:002011-05-19T17:11:48.328-04:00ABC National 2011<br />
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I'm back and finally recovered from the 2011 American Boxer Club National Specialty, held once again in Ft. Mitchell, KY from May 7 - 13. I try to stay on Friday night so I don't have to check out of my hotel during Best of Breed judging, so arrived home early Saturday afternoon. As with past Nationals, I really needed a vacation to recover from my vacation!<br />
<br />
With 497 dogs entered in the Specialty, and 179 of those also in the Futurity, there is plenty of Boxer love to go around. As with any dog show, there are more losers than winners -- but the National is the time when placing 4th in the class is still a big deal, and even making the cut is sometimes a major accomplishment. In honor of that, following are the full results for the Futurity and Specialty, and the winners in Obedience and Junior Showmanship.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
(For streamlined results, photos, video, and links to the winners' webpages, visit the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">National Boxer Examiner</a> article.)<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>ABC National Futurity Show Results</b><br />
<b><i>Judge: Michael Shepherd</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Sea Salute's Chanticlear Diver<br />
2. Barbiloc's ByGeorge Better Hide Your Heart<br />
3. Mircoa's Bottom Line at Bix-L<br />
4. DC's Stones Throw to Summer<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Nivek's Stolen Treasure of Sharledar<br />
2. Utopia's Robin Hood at Nottingham<br />
3. PawPrint Show Must Go On <br />
4. Kelly's Time To Rock at Codack<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Ch Encore's Outta My Way<br />
2. Mircoa's Flying High With Attitude for Skyview<br />
3. BeeVee's Big Bang Britlyn<br />
4. Rocket's Escape Velocity to Gentry<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Britlyn's High Noon<br />
2. Brookwood's Prelude To a Dream<br />
3. R and G's Mystic Dream<br />
4. Ripn T's Riding Solo<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Krismyth's Hot Wire of Westhaven<br />
2. Krismyth Nestle Quik<br />
3. Pheasant Hollows Damsel In a Dress<br />
4. Special K's Day Dreamer<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Breho Fortuity Shared Treasure<br />
2. Draco Greets Dassin With Fourbears<br />
3. Marburl's Artemis<br />
4. Mistiblu's Heart of The Sea<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Indigo's Wynning Roulette Spin at Sunchase<br />
2. Heart Acre Haberl's ROTFLMAO<br />
3. Windsong's Greatest Gift of Avalon<br />
4.Ty-Can's Maestro Girl<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Encore's Over The Moon<br />
2. Indigo's Wynning The Gold<br />
3. Baibrook's Gold In a Penny Arcade<br />
4. Sapphire's Workin' The Strip of Streamline<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ox7HXOuOIXgxRFAecQzylfYpQIOIToh2Suopr15vD6BbB6dP3uvjHZKNXywhPLLRH1PB_Bo7OqNTbbpJwKkn3dXiQIoMIKUz6FwkxNWVvjwak7xe6hh3KaNiF7gshPJg7i7ThBRr3PM/s1600/Futurity69FB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ox7HXOuOIXgxRFAecQzylfYpQIOIToh2Suopr15vD6BbB6dP3uvjHZKNXywhPLLRH1PB_Bo7OqNTbbpJwKkn3dXiQIoMIKUz6FwkxNWVvjwak7xe6hh3KaNiF7gshPJg7i7ThBRr3PM/s320/Futurity69FB2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-9 Month fawn bitches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Best 6-9 Month Puppy</b><br />
Nivek's Stolen Treasure of Sharledar<br />
<br />
<b>Reserve 6-9 Month Puppy</b><br />
Breho Forturity Shared Treasure<br />
<br />
<b>Best 9-12 Month Puppy</b><br />
Encore's Over The Moon<br />
<br />
<b>Reserve 9-12 Month Puppy</b><br />
Indigo's Wynning The Gold<br />
<br />
<b>Best Puppy in Futurity</b><br />
Nivek's Stolen Treasure of Sharledar</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLl14-QjfRXyIN5Y562q78um8QiqrPLOU2gIfUZeHwjUAefo5E33J0NzPiSBmKj3T-IOmLH0178nVQ8wjmcsNJSifeYGkXZE_NKhj4lBO_92lWVbV4O3MYkP6XkzaQEJ3G7Z1ixsGMno/s1600/FuturityBest912Lineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLl14-QjfRXyIN5Y562q78um8QiqrPLOU2gIfUZeHwjUAefo5E33J0NzPiSBmKj3T-IOmLH0178nVQ8wjmcsNJSifeYGkXZE_NKhj4lBO_92lWVbV4O3MYkP6XkzaQEJ3G7Z1ixsGMno/s320/FuturityBest912Lineup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best 9-12 Month Puppy line-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>12-15 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Keil's Grand Finale<br />
2. Candy Kisses 'N Cinergy Mister Goodbar<br />
3. Uppercuts Touch of Brooklyn<br />
4. Dusty Road's Rock of Ages<br />
<br />
<b>12-15 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Nantess Caleno Numero Uno<br />
2. Wood's End Mr Majestic<br />
3. Bix-L's Ringing The Bell For The Biscuit<br />
4. Lando's Locked N' Loaded<br />
<br />
<b>15-18 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Ch Ensign's Justified<br />
2. GC's Don't Stop Believin'<br />
3. Olympic's We Knew<br />
4. Jenbur's Black Ice<br />
<br />
<b>15-18 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Moon Valley Momentum<br />
2. Bullet Vancroft's You Must Remember This<br />
3. Ivylane's Born On The Bayou<br />
4. Desert's Kid Rock<br />
<br />
<b>12-15 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. White Pines Hot Fudge Sundae<br />
2. Uppercuts Unchained Melody<br />
3. Springbrook's Dance Like No One is Watching<br />
4. Caymans Sweet Cayenne<br />
<br />
<b>12-15 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Hi-Tech N Tara's Iris Eyes R Smiling<br />
2. Bordeaux N Pro's Ms Grace D'Shamrock<br />
3. Logan Elm's Burn Notice Bombshell<br />
4. Liberti's Bangin' The Bell<br />
<br />
<b>15-18 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Ch Mel-o-D's Razzle Dazzle From Myde<br />
2. Pheasant Hollow Playmate Of The Year<br />
3. Yellow Rose Bad Moon Rising<br />
4. Pheasant Hollow's Next Top Model<br />
<br />
<b>15-18 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Daybreak's Bad Influence<br />
2. Ch Krismyth's Spirit at Red Fern<br />
3. Maxl's In Your Dreams<br />
4. Olympic's Healing a Heart Ache<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz614eprmZZnZigVBXAxb-0fP5Bob8k8kJbEfZV56UjzmH1-e0z_2NO8Nor1Cpzf4JwyM3wGGTIC6ybMy_YPAvLkliNzxknP0CVLi7zV1vJL0ZaJATCLchyThhZ6N2FIiy5GcOIZR_Z7I/s1600/FuturityBestJuniorLineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz614eprmZZnZigVBXAxb-0fP5Bob8k8kJbEfZV56UjzmH1-e0z_2NO8Nor1Cpzf4JwyM3wGGTIC6ybMy_YPAvLkliNzxknP0CVLi7zV1vJL0ZaJATCLchyThhZ6N2FIiy5GcOIZR_Z7I/s320/FuturityBestJuniorLineup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Junior line-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best 12-15 Month Junior</b><br />
Hi-Tech N Tara's Irish Eyes R Smiling <br />
<br />
<b>Reserve 12-15 Month Junior</b><br />
Nantess Caleno Numero Uno<br />
<br />
<b>Best 15-18 Month Junior</b><br />
Ch Mel-o-D's Razzle Dazzle From Myde <br />
<br />
<b>Reserve 15-18 Month Junior</b><br />
Daybreak's Bad Influence<br />
<br />
<b>Best Junior in Futurity</b><br />
Ch Mel-o-D's Razzle Dazzle From Myde<br />
<br />
<b>Grand Prize Futurity</b><br />
Nivek's Stolen Treasure of Sharledar</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNzBZVB7KXA1PtZ0PBTx8jiEIDMWzR9eMzG7YU8-w8aBfuYX2QlL_j_JGHUDCURkJ4ewcqV705p4zTSV4767X_S8oQA1O_5gkgSpoEwrNtSB4QMruKwrYJJV4I-vMyeU5UOvwhDb9hEI/s1600/FuturityGrandLineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNzBZVB7KXA1PtZ0PBTx8jiEIDMWzR9eMzG7YU8-w8aBfuYX2QlL_j_JGHUDCURkJ4ewcqV705p4zTSV4767X_S8oQA1O_5gkgSpoEwrNtSB4QMruKwrYJJV4I-vMyeU5UOvwhDb9hEI/s320/FuturityGrandLineup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Prize Futurity line-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>ABC National Specialty Show Results</b><br />
<b><i>Dogs and Intersex</i></b><br />
<b><i>Judge: Shirley Bell</i></b><br />
<b><i>Bitches and Junior Showmanship</i></b><br />
<b><i>Judge: Sharon Steckler</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Rodeo's Smoke'N On Da Rio<br />
2. Minstrel's Beeline<br />
3. Barbiloc's ByGeorge Better Hide Your Heart<br />
4. Mircoa's Bottom Line At Bix-L<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Marburl's Spartacus<br />
2. Utopia's Robin Hood at Nottingham<br />
3. Nivek's Stolen Treasure of Sharledar<br />
4. Gentry's Next Generation<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Heart Acre Haberl's Nuclear Power<br />
2. Mircoa's Flying High With Attitude For Skyview<br />
3. Pheasant Hollow's Fame Monster<br />
4. Insurge's Turn The Page<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Papageno's Arany Sarkany<br />
2. Denevi's Independence Is Absolute<br />
3. Brookwood's Prelude To A Dream<br />
4. Vancroft Bullet's No Reservation<br />
<br />
<b>12-18 Month Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Candy Kisses'N Cinergy Mister Goodbar<br />
2. Sig's Fire And Ice<br />
3. Uppercuts Touch of Brooklyn<br />
4. Keil's Grand Finale<br />
<br />
<b>12-18 Month Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Moon Valley Momentum<br />
2. Desert's Kid Rock<br />
3. Ho-Pa's Grand Slam<br />
4. Oakridge's Son Of Summer<br />
<br />
<b>Amateur Owner Handler Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Heavenly's Wave on Wave<br />
2. Newcastle's Expecto Patronum<br />
<br />
<b>Bred By Exhibitor Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Sig's Storm Chaser<br />
2. Moonlight's Secret Weapon<br />
3. Aboxa's Comfortably Numb<br />
<br />
<b>Bred By Exhibitor Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Draco's Bonfire<br />
2. Bullet Vancroft's You Must Remember This<br />
3. KZ's Go Directly To Jail From Camelot<br />
4. Ivylane's Born On The Bayou<br />
<br />
<b>American-Bred Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Olympic's We Knew<br />
2. Fairyland's Thief of Hearts of Pinebrook<br />
3. Sharledar's Stealin' Away<br />
4. Shadigree's Checkmate<br />
<br />
<b>American-Bred Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Winmere Only Time Will Tell<br />
2. Bavaria's Simply The Best One More Time<br />
3. Howlin's Jet Propulsion in Hi-Tech<br />
4. McCoy's Heart of Gold<br />
<br />
<b>Open Brindle Dogs</b><br />
1. Mantle N Irondale's Invincible<br />
2. Hi-Tech The King of Sherry Shoot JP<br />
3. CR-Newcastle's Bird In The Hand<br />
4. Rynwards Bondelero<br />
<br />
<b>Open Fawn Dogs</b><br />
1. Naja's Mi-T Alliance<br />
2. Draco's Sequoia<br />
3. Jetro Ramos<br />
4. Tickibou N Bellagio Nolstalgia<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Winners Dog</b><br />
Naja's Mi-T Alliance<br />
<br />
<b>Reserve Winners Dog</b><br />
Moon Valley Momentum</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTfkbaKDAfIrdd5zOmOCz7oCG-L30XomRq_CVlUzw2c_JFJVqq5-AgTl_wdz9K9nLIPywdmj8KXZx_EgaOLDaXxkYGSSRaTJlcusVzLqyr6w7mMhfOXRsFcSnzGUY-pDPHD6s8M9Pmg/s1600/OpenBrindleDogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTfkbaKDAfIrdd5zOmOCz7oCG-L30XomRq_CVlUzw2c_JFJVqq5-AgTl_wdz9K9nLIPywdmj8KXZx_EgaOLDaXxkYGSSRaTJlcusVzLqyr6w7mMhfOXRsFcSnzGUY-pDPHD6s8M9Pmg/s400/OpenBrindleDogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open Brindle Dogs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Veteran Dogs 6-8 Years</b><br />
1. GCh Raineylane-Studio DaVinci <br />
2. Ch KG Halcyon Fire King<br />
3. Ch McCoy's Hider Your Hearts<br />
4. Ch Randolph's Beau Jangles<br />
<br />
<b>Veteran Dogs 8-10 Years</b><br />
1. Ch Hi-Tech's Sound Investment<br />
2. Ch Summer's Blackjack of Shadigee<br />
3. Ch PRO's Original 501 Blues<br />
4. Ch Tadd's All American Hero<br />
<br />
<b>Veteran Dogs 10+ Years</b><br />
1. Ch BJay's Traveling Man<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Veteran Dog</b><br />
Ch Hi-Tech's Sound Investment</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Krismyth's Hot Wire of Westhaven<br />
2. Special K's Day Dreamer<br />
3. Pheasant Hollows Damsel in a Dress<br />
4. Asuncion's Gone Mad For Garnsey<br />
<br />
<b>6-9 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Breho Fortuity Shared Treasure<br />
2. Rummer Run's Excalibur Lollipop<br />
3. Marburl's Artemis<br />
4. We-R's Caught Ya Talkin At Farbeyond<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Cinnamon-Broadway Debut of Just-A-Wyn <br />
2. Mircoa's Glitters With Attitude For Skyview<br />
3. Irondale's What You Got<br />
4. Ty-Can's Maestro Girl<br />
<br />
<b>9-12 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Encore's One 'N Only<br />
2. Legacy's One And Only<br />
3. Ivylane-RuffianL Aleutian Ballad<br />
4. TJ's Wild Wild Whisper<br />
<br />
<b>12-18 Month Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Springbrook's Dance Like No One Is Watching<br />
2. Caymans Sweet Cayenne<br />
3. Oak Ridge's The Beat On Of Summer<br />
4. Uppercuts Unchained Melody<br />
<br />
<b>12-18 Month Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Daybreak's Bad Influence<br />
2. Tokalon's Heartstrings<br />
3. Liberti's Knells Bells<br />
4. Krismyth's Cowgirl at Brea Run <br />
<br />
<b>Bred By Exhibitor Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Parasol Struttin Her Stuff At Kelly<br />
2. Pheasant Hollow's Playmate Of The Year<br />
3. Amity Hall's Ticket To Vegas<br />
4. White Pines Hot Fudge Sundae<br />
<br />
<b>Bred By Exhibitor Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Encore's Over The Moon<br />
2. Destiny's The Spy Who Loved Me<br />
3. Nantess Shame On The Moon<br />
4. Maxl's In Your Dreams<br />
<br />
<b>American-Bred Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Salgray's Star Duster<br />
2. Telstar's Simply Irresistible of Ecot<br />
3. Cinnibon-Telstar Splash In The Rain With Saywin<br />
4. Draco's Golden Marguerita At Haberl's<br />
<br />
<b>American-Bred Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Glo-Star's Dream After Dreams<br />
2. Hi-Tech N Tara's Irish Eyes R Smiling<br />
3. Cope-Land's Sugar Kane<br />
4. Shiralda's A Wandering Nymph<br />
<br />
<b>Open Brindle Bitches</b><br />
1. Elharlen's Valentia<br />
2. Jesajay's Beaty Road Black Gold <br />
3. DC's Miss Eleanore Rigby Of Jerico<br />
4. Pheasant Hollow's Red High Heels<br />
<br />
<b>Open Fawn Bitches</b><br />
1. Carillon's Grand Monet<br />
2. Dajen "N" Magray's Piece of the Puzzle<br />
3. Draco's Nicole<br />
4. Hi-Tech Hi-Drama of Sherry Shoot JP <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Winners Bitch</b><br />
Carillon's Grand Monet<br />
<br />
<b>Reserve Winners Bitch</b><br />
Elharlen's Valentia</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmacaGxaHCht8B8whbYs9VXzJlyq4WCSBu-iT9zh6zZhwwXg9s51kgdiGW30v34bO1ghUGxflFrIfvzYV5M64Vzg3ig7phLVqvqOgkTWIhmv1naS8BewDlDRL6EOTCJeSWpySkbh3CBI/s1600/WinnersBitchLineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmacaGxaHCht8B8whbYs9VXzJlyq4WCSBu-iT9zh6zZhwwXg9s51kgdiGW30v34bO1ghUGxflFrIfvzYV5M64Vzg3ig7phLVqvqOgkTWIhmv1naS8BewDlDRL6EOTCJeSWpySkbh3CBI/s320/WinnersBitchLineup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winners Bitch line-up</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Veteran Bitches 6-8 Years</b><br />
1. Ch Bix-L's Photo Finish<br />
2. Ch BeeVee's Secret Celebrations<br />
3. Ch Merical's Lighting Strike<br />
4. Falmark's Enchanted Day By Day<br />
<br />
<b>Veteran Bitches 8-10 Years</b><br />
1. Ch Dreamweaver's Past Perfect<br />
2. Ch Chessel's Onestis Sine Qua<br />
3. Ch Wilmore's Second Hand Rose Kan-To<br />
4. Ch Firestar's Indian Summer CD RN<br />
<br />
<b>Veteran Bitches 10+ Years</b><br />
1. Ch Benchmark's Hot Topic<br />
2. Ch Sunchase's Blonde Moment UD MX MXJ RA<br />
3. Ch Raypat's Queen Of Hearts<br />
4. Ch Stevenstar's N JEMS Crown Royal<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Veteran Bitch</b><br />
Ch Bix-L's Photo Finish</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Stud Dog </b><br />
1. Ch Pheasant Hollow's Kryptonite<br />
2. Ch Illyrian's Trilogy<br />
3. Ch Pheasant Hollows All Time High<br />
4. GCh Raineylane-Studio DaVinci<br />
<br />
<b>Brood Bitch</b><br />
1. Ch DC's Precious Gem of Shadigee<br />
2. Ch Savoye's Honky-Tonk Gold<br />
3. Ch Sig's Solar Eclipse<br />
4. Ch Krismyth Reflection<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCQrgjFEfdF2RXnZmKImgML8kaipK9koejlJJJddVg5a9f-XqB5GRroL_aBlQzoQQamW9x0YUnSYjfSyHjX_0o5SuJYVeGNrVORaA7OlqwBmW6hqf8-AcxCadlKpKpyZMdIGm_hRzLbM/s1600/BOBLineup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCQrgjFEfdF2RXnZmKImgML8kaipK9koejlJJJddVg5a9f-XqB5GRroL_aBlQzoQQamW9x0YUnSYjfSyHjX_0o5SuJYVeGNrVORaA7OlqwBmW6hqf8-AcxCadlKpKpyZMdIGm_hRzLbM/s320/BOBLineup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOB line-up</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best of Breed</b><br />
GCh Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream<br />
<br />
<b>Best of Winners</b><br />
Naja's Mi-T Alliance<br />
<br />
<b>Best of Opposite Sex</b><br />
GCh Katandy's Fast Forward<br />
<br />
<b>Select Dog</b><br />
GCh LRM Gold N Rock<br />
<br />
<b>Select Bitch</b><br />
Ch Telstar's All That Glitters at Cinni-Bon<br />
<br />
<b>Awards of Excellence</b><br />
Ch Illyrian's Charmed I'm Sure<br />
Ch Carillon's MVP<br />
Ch Pearlisle's Trial By Fire<br />
Ch Nantess Royal Hot Rod<br />
Ch Hi-Tech's Sound Investment<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5RGTPNJYPByVI4Bi5JHx5kZbfJbkEOUJko6jkvkYvdezc-j1FuZjXUV2CBwrZQccJVR8rb29LSF2RV3uOdWLjBAiaUJjO5uqL9CrUQNszABNwYtXHnjQyR6WWWLZNOrZFZjGpRgktHY/s1600/BOBLineup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5RGTPNJYPByVI4Bi5JHx5kZbfJbkEOUJko6jkvkYvdezc-j1FuZjXUV2CBwrZQccJVR8rb29LSF2RV3uOdWLjBAiaUJjO5uqL9CrUQNszABNwYtXHnjQyR6WWWLZNOrZFZjGpRgktHY/s320/BOBLineup2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AOM Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Best Junior Handler</b><br />
Brooke Durnin<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB3E5_NGet5h1_GS84RJLBf8uXFVwVtPEMO_PAK24RFl-Zwpire41BF_5FyKzfc8B4JOlKn_kLFGsOLTTiyUDzCT0GmZdvARem-vuWCTMuqxoIa_ov7eD6qxt5OgBjSY9I14_uXOhBKE/s1600/TopTwenty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" id=":current_picnik_image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB3E5_NGet5h1_GS84RJLBf8uXFVwVtPEMO_PAK24RFl-Zwpire41BF_5FyKzfc8B4JOlKn_kLFGsOLTTiyUDzCT0GmZdvARem-vuWCTMuqxoIa_ov7eD6qxt5OgBjSY9I14_uXOhBKE/s320/TopTwenty2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Twenty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Top Twenty Winner</b><br />
GCh R and G's Mystical Daner<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy8XFbD0zQlDTx-h_rq36zPMu8y8GvhNIjP6Tvzn4DppVYBQ_AUp7BllZnRoXUpCgP4oUldWGpUSfeenTG3kzGjySkten5RUbZDJTwC5xGoxAEJJU3UYGLjy4awbEkxboLl6OnnfjgJA/s1600/TopTwenty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy8XFbD0zQlDTx-h_rq36zPMu8y8GvhNIjP6Tvzn4DppVYBQ_AUp7BllZnRoXUpCgP4oUldWGpUSfeenTG3kzGjySkten5RUbZDJTwC5xGoxAEJJU3UYGLjy4awbEkxboLl6OnnfjgJA/s320/TopTwenty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Twenty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Obedience - Saturday</b><b>High in Trial</b><br />
Ch OTCH Regal's Hereee's Johnny UDX<br />
<br />
<b>High Combined</b><br />
Sunchase's The New Black UD, NAJ, RN<br />
<br />
<b>Obedience - Sunday</b><br />
<b>High in Trial / High Combined</b><br />
Ch OTCH Regal's Hereee's Johnny UDX</div>
<br />
<br />
As always, the National was a whirlwind of events,
seminars, Boxers, vendors, friends, and acquaintances. There is so much
to do and so little time, but somehow we make the best of it and, if we
don't get to have long, in-depth discussions with people we only see
once a year, we at least get to say "Hello" and pass a few pleasantries
along. If you've never been to a National, you really should try to make
it -- nothing quite compares!
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=9c3cd079-ea8d-42ac-8fe3-6d6ebfa36528" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-17621904533602526392011-04-17T11:52:00.001-04:002011-05-03T12:09:40.062-04:00Aortic Stenosis in Boxer Dogs: Genetics and Inheritance<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span class="zemanta-img separator zemanta-action-dragged"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AoDissect_Aorta.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aorta" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/AoDissect_Aorta.jpg/300px-AoDissect_Aorta.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="135" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 135px;">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AoDissect_Aorta.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></span><i>This is the second part of a series of articles on aortic stenosis in Boxers. View part one, <span id="goog_629067081"></span><a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2010/12/aortic-stenosis-in-boxers-physiology.html">Physiology<span id="goog_629067082"></span></a>. Further articles will be posted shortly.</i><br />
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aortic_valve_stenosis" rel="wikipedia" title="Aortic valve stenosis">Aortic Stenosis</a> is a common heart condition in Boxers, caused by a ridge or narrowing on the wall of the aorta, at or just below the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aortic_valve" rel="wikipedia" title="Aortic valve">aortic valve</a>. Aortic Stenosis is considered to be a genetic, inherited disease in dogs, and research on Newfoundlands and Boxers has supported this theory.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Originally the Newfoundland research revealed a dominant mode of inheritance, with variable penetrance. Further studies, however, have confused the issue, especially crosses to other breeds where the results did not meet the expectations of a dominant mode of inheritance. Many believe the disease is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_trait_locus" rel="wikipedia" title="Quantitative trait locus">polygenic</a>, involving multiple genes; a likely scenario is one "major" gene with additional genes that influence, trigger, or modify expression of the disease.<br />
<br />
As an example of how this inheritance might work, consider <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2010/08/coat-colors-and-marking-patterns-in.html">coat colors in Boxers</a>. Although one gene is associated with the brindle color, other genes effect the amount of brindling that a dog receives. Brindle Boxers range from having very few stripes -- what might be a Grade 1, mildly affected AS dog -- to having so many stripes they are mostly black -- a Grade VI, severely affected AS dog. <br />
<br />
Data collected through the UK Breed Council control scheme for AS during the 1990s and early 2000s showed that <a href="http://www.boxerbreedcouncil.co.uk/inheritance.htm">parental grade is related to progeny grade</a>. While dogs who test clear for AS may still occasionally produce an affected puppy, the degree of AS in the affected progeny is generally mild to moderate. The higher the grade of the parents, the higher the grade of the worst-affected progeny. This means that even though we do not know the precise genetics behind AS, we can decrease the incidence of the disease in the breed, especially at levels that would affect length and quality of life, by screening and removing the clearly affected dogs from breeding. This process has worked in the UK, where the breed went from being over-represented in severe cases of AS referred to vet schools to having only a very few cases referred.<br />
<br />
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Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-68584448206636232972011-02-17T07:50:00.001-05:002011-02-17T07:52:22.268-05:00Boxers at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show<span class="zemanta-img separator zemanta-action-dragged"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WKC_logo_2010.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Westminster Kennel Club logo" height="147" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/WKC_logo_2010.jpg/300px-WKC_logo_2010.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="200" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 300px;">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WKC_logo_2010.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></span>This week saw the 135th annual <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Kennel_Club_Dog_Show" rel="wikipedia" title="Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show">Westminster Kennel Club dog show</a>, a two-day event filled with pomp, circumstance, and the best dogs in the country. Westminster entries are limited to 2,500 dogs, and the top five dogs in each breed, from January 1 to October 31 of the previous year, receive invitations to the show. A win at Westminster is one of the highest achievements in the United States dog show world, and many dogs retire after the Westminster show.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Over the years, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxers-Complete-Pet-Owners-Manual/dp/0764110519%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dzemanta-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0764110519" rel="amazon" title="Boxers (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)">Boxers</a> have fared quite well at Westminster. Four Boxers have won Best in Show, the most recent in 1970. In the Working Group, Boxers have dominated the other breeds, holding the record for the most Group Wins (23), most Group placements (46), most consecutive Group wins (5), and most consecutive Group placements (19).<br />
<br />
In 2011, the Boxer once again claimed a spot in the Working Group placements, placing second in the Group. Scarlett the Boxer, also known as GCH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, was Best of Breed and Group second for the third straight year. Scarlett was the #1 Boxer all systems for 2010, the 2009 and 2010 American Boxer Club National Specialty Best of Breed winner, the ABC 2010 Top Twenty Winner, and the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba Invitational Best of Breed winner. The 3.5 year old has had a fantastic year, finishing as the #1 dog in the Working Group and the #4 dog all-breeds.<br />
<br />
Best of Opposite Sex went to the young male, CH MaSue's Virginia Gentleman of Aria. Whiskey is a young dog, just two years old, who finished his Championship in mid-2010. A BOS at Westminster is certainly a good way to kick off his year as a special in 2011!<br />
<br />
Awards of Merit were given to two Boxers at the 2011 Westminster show. The first was presented to Macey, GCH Winfall's I Dream of Style. As the name might suggest, Macey is a littermate to Scarlett. Macey was the 2010 ABC Top Twenty People's Choice Award winner, a 2010 ABC National Specialty Award of Merit winner, and the #5 Boxer all systems for 2010.<br />
<br />
The second Award of Merit was given to GCH R and G's Mystical Dancer, Danny. Danny also won an Award of Merit at the 2009 and 2010 ABC National Specialties, was the #2 Boxer all systems for 2010, and at the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba Invitational won Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Breed, Bred-By Exhibitor Group First, and an Award of Merit.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to all the winners at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club dog show, and to all the dogs who competed on the famous green carpet. Boxers have a long and strong history at Westminster, and all the dogs in attendance this year helped to continue the tradition.<br />
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/boxer-in-national/a-history-of-boxers-at-the-westminster-kennel-club-dog-show">A history of Boxers at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show</a> (examiner.com)</li>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2011/02/14/live-blog-2011-westminster-kennel-club-dog-show-first-night/">Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Diary, First Night</a> (blogs.wsj.com) </li>
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<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=ee88fdf8-5c9f-485f-8930-3f03459a6c65" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-69737893515734932242010-12-22T22:36:00.001-05:002011-03-25T14:50:09.395-04:00Aortic Stenosis in Boxers: Physiology<span class="zemanta-img separator" style="clear: left; width: 164px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52834118@N03/5236008880" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="AS" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5236008880_2a3abd3378_m.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52834118@N03/5236008880">HeartBabyHome</a> via Flickr</span></span>
<br />
<i>This is the first part of a series of articles on aortic stenosis in Boxers. Further articles will be posted shortly.</i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aorta, is one of the most common cardiac
diseases in all dogs. This narrowing may lead to exercise intolerance,
fainting, and in severe cases death. Aortic stenosis is not uncommon in Boxers,
but screening of breeding dogs has decreased the incidence of the disease in
the breed.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Physiology of Aortic Stenosis</b><br />
<br />
A fibrous ridge that typically forms just below the aortic valve causes the
actual narrowing, or stenosis; accordingly, the disease is also called
sub-aortic stenosis, or SAS. Because of the narrowing, the heart has to pump
harder to circulate an adequate amount of blood; the stenosis also causes the
blood to pass through the aorta at a higher pressure and faster flow rate. (A
similar phenomenon can be observed by pressing in on a garden hose with the
water running; the more you squeeze the hose together, thus narrowing the
opening through which the water can go, the faster and more strongly the water
comes out.) The extra work required to circulate blood through the stenosis can
lead to a thickening of the left heart wall, while the increased pressure can
lead to ballooning of the aorta.<br />
<br />
In addition to increased pressure and flow rate, aortic stenosis causes
increased turbulence as the blood passes through the aortic valve. This
turbulence creates a heart murmur, which can be heard by a cardiologist when
the heart is ausculted (listened to with a stethoscope). Not all heart murmurs
result from by aortic stenosis, especially in Boxers. Research conducted by Dr.
Kathryn Meurs, then at Ohio
State University,
found that Boxers have narrower aortas, in general, compared with other
breeds of similar size. This narrowness may result in what is called a
"flow murmur" or "innocent murmur", which does not have any
effect on the dog's health or length of life.<br />
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<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=28973a70-bb25-447a-8a65-89ba75fba1a3" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-84702667184007813562010-12-10T08:50:00.000-05:002010-12-10T08:50:24.412-05:00Dog Toy Review: Cuz the Walking Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztLV0xPdNiBLwz0KQFouQBjqrOYUTJ2NqRlkmSW7AR7v6MctA70zysSwkB0IlBZYfS0IgYaHuVZz8dBkvGKglPS_9MMsZYYeaoVgToUkX-U63f42g3P5VHmkdztsHBWce206_MhlDfhQ/s1600/cuz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztLV0xPdNiBLwz0KQFouQBjqrOYUTJ2NqRlkmSW7AR7v6MctA70zysSwkB0IlBZYfS0IgYaHuVZz8dBkvGKglPS_9MMsZYYeaoVgToUkX-U63f42g3P5VHmkdztsHBWce206_MhlDfhQ/s200/cuz.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Whether your dog is a little devil or an adorable angel, there's a Cuz rubber squeaky dog toy that's just right for him. These toys are fashioned of thick-walled, heavy-duty rubber and finished with a long-winded squeaker. This is the one toy that every dog in my house loves to play with. (A warning--the squeakers are LOUD--and the Good Cuz is much higher-pitched than the Bad Cuz.)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We’ve had the same Large-size Good and Bad Cuzes since 2004, and even our power-chewers hasn’t gotten the feet off of them. The smaller sizes seem to be a little less durable, based on reports of missing feet from other Boxer owners, but might be more squeakable. Only two of mine are able to get enough of the body in their mouth to do any effective squeaking--which may be good thing, at least for the humans in the house!<br />
<br />
<br />
Available in the original Good Cuz and Bad Cuz (with horns) characters in a
rainbow of colors and three sizes: Small is 2.5", Medium is 4", and
Large is 5". The Other Cuz has legs but no feet, for those dogs who like to chew the feet off. The Dino Cuz has a tail and dorsal spikes; we have a Medium-size Dino Cuz who has lost the end of his tail, but otherwise has lasted for several years. Around Halloween you can sometimes find MummyCuz and FrankenCuz.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-4237527-10445335?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.petcarerx.com%2Fpcrx%2Fproductpages%2Fproduct.aspx%3Fpid%3D11803%26mr%3AtrackingCode%3D70DA1CD6-A681-DE11-B712-001422107090%26mr%3AreferralID%3DNA&cjsku=11803%3A14028" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.petcarerx.com';return true;" target="_blank">
Good Cuz and Bad Cuz, Good Cuz, Large</a><img border="0" class=" gljagageqmsormwpwpda gljagageqmsormwpwpda gljagageqmsormwpwpda gljagageqmsormwpwpda" height="1" src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-4237527-10445335" width="1" />
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<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=a009fe27-4bd1-4616-82ce-f2c2c4c50d73" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-45495777422381977602010-10-19T01:15:00.000-04:002010-10-19T01:15:22.348-04:00Dog Nails: Keeping Your Boxer's Toenails Trimmed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefblxTPiwAgr0l2a2HBAcy8Of8oVnZjwNJz_y99N2O2eSZWotAg_WSXUDtcqVwBgAI8itLgZbhAHPVvbtyxx-e-aNUm7bEYQ8oYqIcz2gGCU686deBdeIBos6iZjW-evvVlgki4sFDSw/s1600/trimmed_dog_nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefblxTPiwAgr0l2a2HBAcy8Of8oVnZjwNJz_y99N2O2eSZWotAg_WSXUDtcqVwBgAI8itLgZbhAHPVvbtyxx-e-aNUm7bEYQ8oYqIcz2gGCU686deBdeIBos6iZjW-evvVlgki4sFDSw/s200/trimmed_dog_nails.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
Trimming your Boxer's nails can be a stressful experience for both you and your dog. Early exposure to trimmers and grinders can help, as can frequent, regular exposure throughout the dog's life. Start your Boxer puppy out with weekly toenail trimming sessions, and you'll have a far better chance of avoiding a wrestling match when you want to do your adult dog's nails.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The right tool is half the battle. While the common "guillotine" clippers are fine for puppies, small breeds, and cats, most adult Boxers will object to having their nails trimmed with these tools. The blade of guillotine clippers cut from the bottom up, squeezing the nail from the top and bottom, which puts pressure on the quick (the fleshy part inside the nail) and is uncomfortable to the dog. Pliers-style clippers cut from the sides, which in turn squeezes the nail from the left and right and puts less pressure on the quick. Many dogs who fight against guillotine clippers will accept a trimming with pliers-style clippers.<br />
<br />
With any kind of clippers, you need to be careful to avoid cutting into the quick; this is painful for the dog and generally bleeds quite a bit. (If you do hit the quick, dipping a toenail into styptic powder will usually stop the bleeding; in a pinch, you can use Alum, cornstarch, or flour.) Some pliers-style clippers have a "guard" intended to prevent you from cutting into the quick, but depending on the dog the guard may be too far or too close from the quick.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHqIAbQrmjaf_vcZAz-zfrDrR7IG3NTpeI7W1rVYCN4dv_zJW1xnaw-_CASxHuJEOIZH8Gdau5QRCAQmG-7SGoloqEqtLtjkpj5d39fQhrrYjrYYFF3LTkB_AA_0FSMM_1NGQ5t7b438/s320/nail_clippers_open.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="204" /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" hspace="5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS0w7dCM3SY31ySfxM4Q6TrRSCiuOEyiacjCl9UAAUTlx5sVnso8wZzrIWfCOrhOTS_62UkoVJJdySfSX-OQBiltEjJLCHbUKqVKjTx2bh2Osl8LmH6IlSpuM8Gh447iJCUeHxDMsmNs/s200/nail_clippers_stopper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="234" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pliers-style clippers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of clippers, showing guard in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alternatively, you can use a rotary grinding tool to trim your Boxer's nails. Several such tools are made specifically for dog nails; however, many of these are not powerful enough to trim the nails of a dog the size of a Boxer. (Or, rather, they could trim the nails but it would take hours rather than minutes.) Multiple-speed rotary tools made for home projects generally have the power necessary to effectively and efficiently grind Boxer nails. Pet nail grinders such as those seen on TV do work well with young Boxer puppy nails, and make a good transitional tool between clippers and a more powerful grinder.<br />
<br />
Most dogs object far less to a grinder than to clippers, though there may be an adjustment period. The sensation of the grinding tool on the nails is somewhat odd and slightly irritating, so you should slowly work your Boxer up to having all of his nails trimmed, rather than jumping right in to a full pedicure. While some people use grinding stones, these can get very hot on the dog's nails very quickly. A fine- or medium-grit sanding band grinds nails quickly and doesn't get as hot as a stone, but some Boxers may be less comfortable with bands than with stones. Test a few different options to see which, if any, your dog seems to prefer. Regardless of the grinding surface used, don't leave the tool on the nail for too long and keep it in constant motion; this will minimize the heat the dog feels.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHzNjmmr5-BHkHxSLAWw7mj3N2El_q5pWBZSdSPlB36SPk6ySqTAa2BCFGe-Lr-WU9d72x6KDjNrfnH0SsNjX0jn1AL1tXPo-I7Xv70JCJ2ImHWl8vBPYuDT0xMerKXvgNgdnLQ7i9w8/s1600/grinding_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHzNjmmr5-BHkHxSLAWw7mj3N2El_q5pWBZSdSPlB36SPk6ySqTAa2BCFGe-Lr-WU9d72x6KDjNrfnH0SsNjX0jn1AL1tXPo-I7Xv70JCJ2ImHWl8vBPYuDT0xMerKXvgNgdnLQ7i9w8/s200/grinding_1.jpg" width="250" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwkwZ3rRNg0UduZbw1N4vNmYvFAsK1X0Q5sUENP2owetLQBRP2U-fhy8PHDBpxMghsoM1oTLYQnrXpSRWce5ABC2Kv_Q5r6SBqQg8DgOoVyzPNNSdA8_OaImIrSIcgLPtcdhmyHR2FdA/s200/grinding_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="165" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">Hold each toe firmly but gently as you grind to minimize vibrations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Trim the toenails to just longer than the quick; if you get too close, you may nick it and cause it to bleed. The quick is visible through uncolored toenails; if you're having a hard time seeing it, try shining a bright light on the nail. Black toenails are more difficult to trim, since you cannot see the quick as easily. Most Boxers have at least a few uncolored toenails; if you trim those first, you can use their length as a guide for trimming the black toenails. You may notice a reddish-brown staining or coating on your Boxer's nails; this is a build-up of tartar or yeast, and is often found on dogs who constantly lick or chew their feet. If the foot also has reddish staining, it is very likely a yeast issue. Talk with your vet to be sure there are no underlying health problems leading to the overabundance of yeast. You can try having the dog stand in a shallow pan with a 50/50 mix of water and raw apple cider vinegar (deep enough to cover the feet), or water with a capful of anti-fungal shampoo such as Selsun Blue or Nizoral. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtRD_BI2FLn85N-7-nMVDLP8oJ9Prc_tg1i6uP8wwSL9njcAscoilrnHCZDcm6V3w9SoOVPiG-VLrJFdGs3iIhvgJSycMv7nDI_Hp4Zq_hsAc_wh4mi0iDTDwmRhunuyKAB_2GTr-iP4/s200/too_long.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFWNYcoOb_ZASmL7oYs17la2op83Bi5Eohp9sox7Bav5mSy5TgN6yYCAj64QSiGuFb93OY2dvn58oSj9rWDq3pHnqerouZ9YCR_bMYiALR3rX8UD0Tnzk2ffsTDMdK9Cc_-CIDAlD34s/s1600/trimmed_vs_untrimmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFWNYcoOb_ZASmL7oYs17la2op83Bi5Eohp9sox7Bav5mSy5TgN6yYCAj64QSiGuFb93OY2dvn58oSj9rWDq3pHnqerouZ9YCR_bMYiALR3rX8UD0Tnzk2ffsTDMdK9Cc_-CIDAlD34s/s320/trimmed_vs_untrimmed.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reddish-brown staining<br />
indicating yeast</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimmed vs untrimmed nails </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_rtFTF6cri42E3itJ5i-I3c3vj73GAvlZCyMHvzASha3-7aMCB-hWbUj12T1-G6GhJ61WVJ-eye5MymIlm7pJJTffJo6U1SBp7CoZu3_N-2XnQgszDEZaUv1WpBlF-I21soP9rF0uPw/s200/hairy_foot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="206" /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGQw73GV_Ysn-s4siVFSl2RnedVifFMLwi2WwQcwZXRARpSu-fdo2jXfryYHNcOrQwvvVlfW9vw6e1ei-4c1Q6jQr-wOI6pfuqvKz6kWNV4qzGPyHsFrZinJsD5eNHMFaqI40kcvEbeo/s200/trimmed_foot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="223" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hair between this Boxer's toes <br />
may affect its traction on certain floors</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same foot, with the <br />
excess hair trimmed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBy1XAgdJtZzJf8N8AvCLpKhz_kRIHgxQZH4sfHPboCVhtGnxv_O5toRdlWp8aS7wAC7Slpv8AS_04E3NN3bEY3mnizoo85_ziz3le9TAnqdo1mFwTZ2bEHNAjFcAhzQ73V99ynRlAwI/s1600/shorter_nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBy1XAgdJtZzJf8N8AvCLpKhz_kRIHgxQZH4sfHPboCVhtGnxv_O5toRdlWp8aS7wAC7Slpv8AS_04E3NN3bEY3mnizoo85_ziz3le9TAnqdo1mFwTZ2bEHNAjFcAhzQ73V99ynRlAwI/s200/shorter_nails.jpg" width="248" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCt6CUz0soDw4deHNugbBHfG3yLcqN8dnADGmCEgm23-S2sotFYVihEMoEpAw9jDc0rLwdWUO_OZZQ2SgtBA-ofOBeqwWKHtfZ25SHmBIti93dfiuLbPGQtAQknSb25Js95XRkh2lSmU/s200/trimmed_shorter_nails.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="162" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These nails are already short <br />
and do not need much trimming</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same foot, nails trimmed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCt6CUz0soDw4deHNugbBHfG3yLcqN8dnADGmCEgm23-S2sotFYVihEMoEpAw9jDc0rLwdWUO_OZZQ2SgtBA-ofOBeqwWKHtfZ25SHmBIti93dfiuLbPGQtAQknSb25Js95XRkh2lSmU/s1600/trimmed_shorter_nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Keeping the nails short does more than save your furniture, floors, and skin. Nails that are too long, as in the above "yeast" photo, interfere with the position of the toes, which can lead to damage to the structure of the foot and breakdown of the pasterns. This in turn may lead to other bone and joint problems if the condition continues for a significant length of time. As a general rule of thumb, if you can hear the toenails clicking when your Boxer walks across a hard surface, it's time for a trimming.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-6389675841462629992010-09-24T15:31:00.000-04:002010-09-24T15:31:49.595-04:00How Much is That Doggy in the Window?One of the questions you'll have when searching for a puppy is, "How much should I pay?" While it's a valid concern, it shouldn't be your first consideration--and in fact, many breeders are understandably turned off when it seems the only thing a person is interested in is getting the cheapest puppy they can find. You are not buying a toaster--you're buying a living, breathing creature that ideally will be part of your life for a decade or more. Take some time finding breeders who breed responsibly, <a href="http://www.americanboxerclub.org/health-screening.html">health test</a> the parents of their litters, and will stand by their dogs for life. Get to know them and find out if they're even someone from whom you'd want to purchase a puppy (and meanwhile they'll be getting to know you, too). If you're comfortable with them, then you approach the subject of price.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The price of a Boxer puppy varies widely, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. There is no one right price--many factors come into play, including location. Generally speaking, expect to pay around $1,000-1,400 for a well-bred pet Boxer puppy with health tested parents from a responsible breeder. This is an average range for the US and Canada; prices tend to be higher on the coasts and lower in the middle.<br />
<br />
Be wary of breeders who have a variety of prices for their puppies. Often this indicates a profit-driven breeder, rather than one who is concerned about the breed and the puppies they produce. Common questionable pricing is based on the following factors:<br />
<br />
<b>Color</b> - With the exception of white puppies, which are addressed below, there is no valid reason to base pricing on color. It does not cost any more to produce and raise a flashy fawn puppy than it does a plain brindle one. Some breeders will try to pass puppies off as a "rare" color, and charge exorbitantly high prices for them. There are no rare colors in the Boxer; the <a href="http://boxers101.blogspot.com/2010/08/coat-colors-and-marking-patterns-in.html">Boxer colors</a> are fawn and brindle, with white markings that may cover some or all of the body. The latest fads of unscrupulous breeders are to sell "black" or "blue" Boxers as "rare colors". In reality, the Boxer does not carry the genes for black or blue--the coloring can only have come from another breed.<br />
<br />
<b>Gender</b> - Some breeders charge more for female puppies, with the rationale that you can make your money back by breeding her. That should tell you all you need to know about the breeder's motivations. If you aren't going to view your puppy as a money-making scheme, you probably don't want to buy from a breeder who views their dogs that way.<br />
<br />
<b>Sire </b>- A litter with a Champion sire may be priced higher than other litters from the same breeder. It is true that the stud fee for a Champion dog may be higher than that for an untitled dog, so it is possible that the breeder would be charging slightly higher puppy prices to offset their increased costs. In addition, frozen semen costs more and if the semen is imported, more still. For an average-sized litter, however, the difference would generally be around $50-150 per puppy, rather than the $400-600 typically seen in these situations.<br />
<br />
Following the same "cost-offset" logic, the breeder should be charging different prices based on the number of puppies in the litter - larger litters would be priced lower, since it would take fewer puppies to recoup their costs. Responsible breeders look at the long term, with the understanding that some litters will cost more and some will cost less; over time, the expenses average out and so they charge the same prices from litter to litter, with minor increases periodically to keep track with inflation's effects on their expenses.<br />
<br />
<b>Passport</b> - As with "rare" colors, a rising trend is for breeders to charge higher prices for litters with "foreign" blood--most often, "Euro" or "German" lines, as these are the latest fad. In most cases, these litters are from dogs already in the country who happen to have a foreign ancestor (or, sometimes, just a foreign-sounding name). Again, though, it does not cost any more to breed a litter from these dogs than from dogs with North American lines (save stud fees as already discussed). An exception would be a bitch that was flown to a foreign country to be bred, as this can become quite expensive. Some breeders who import bitches may charge more for her puppies than for puppies from a bitch they got in their own country; again, however, most breeders would consider this one an expense to be recouped over time, rather than in a litter or two.<br />
<br />
All of that said, some pricing differentials are commonly accepted. Responsible breeders typically offer three puppy prices: pet puppies, as discussed above; show prospects, which are often priced higher than pets due to the necessity of keeping them on a full registration; and white puppies, which are usually priced lower than pets due to the American Boxer Club <a href="http://www.americanboxerclub.org/ethics.html">Code of Ethics</a>. Some breeders will price all puppies the same, or two of the three categories the same. <br />
<br />
When inquiring about pricing, if something seems odd, just ask the breeder why they price the way they do--and be sure you're comfortable with the answer before you buy a puppy from them. <br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-61944606411420343142010-08-17T17:36:00.011-04:002011-03-25T14:56:03.878-04:00Coat Colors and Marking Patterns in BoxersThe Boxer breed is derived from early mastiff-type dogs used in hunting on feudal estates. Historical documents and drawings show that those early dogs were either fawn or brindle, with or without black masks. In the 1830s, English Bulldogs were crossed with Barenbeissers, the Boxer's immediate ancestors, which introduced white markings covering some or all of the body. Today, Boxer breed standards around the world list Boxer colors as fawn and brindle, consider the black mask an essential part of the breed, and allow white markings not to exceed 1/3 of the body.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In a very technical sense, genetically all Boxers are fawn - brindle is actually a marking pattern, and not a base coat color. However, convention is to call the coat colors fawn and brindle and for most purposes this is adequate. Modifiers affect the depth of color and the degree of brindle striping, as well as the amount of white markings. Fawn, brindle and white are the only coat colors/marking pattern genes that exist in the Boxer breed. Although many claims are made about "rare" colors such a black, blue, or black-and-tan, because the Boxer does not possess the genes for these colors, they can only have come from another breed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="0" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="A basic list of coat colors in Boxers, with pictures"><caption><b>Coat Colors in Boxers</b> </caption><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="Fawn Boxer" border="1" height="171" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/fawn.jpg" title="Fawn Boxer" width="200" /><br />
</td><td><b>Fawn</b>: Solid colored coat ranging from light tan to dark deer red.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Brindle Boxer" border="1" height="182" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/brindle.jpg" title="Brindle Boxer" width="200" /></td><td><b>Brindle</b>: Black stripes on a fawn background.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Light Brindle Boxer" border="1" height="162" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/light_brindle.jpg" title="Light Brindle Boxer" width="200" /></td><td><b>Light Brindle</b>: Mostly fawn with sparse black stripes (subset of Brindle).</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Reverse Brindle Boxer" border="1" height="215" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/reverse_brindle.jpg" title="Reverse Brindle Boxer" width="200" /></td><td><b>Reverse Brindle</b>: Black stripes so heavily concentrated that the fawn barely, although clearly, shows through (subset of Brindle.)</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Black Labrador Retriever. Photo by Eduardo Millo / Flickr" border="1" height="141" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/black.jpg" title="Black Labrador Retriever. Photo by Eduardo Millo / Flickr" width="200" /></td><td><b>Black</b>: Solid black coat. The Boxer does not carry the gene for a solid black coat, but some Boxer mixes display this color.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Blue Brindle Whippet - Photo by Paul L. Nettles / Flickr" border="1" height="316" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/blue_brindle.jpg" title="Blue Brindle Whippet - Photo by Paul L. Nettles / Flickr" width="200" /></td> <td><b>Blue/Blue Brindle</b>: A dilution of black which can affect coat, brindle stripes, and the mask. The Boxer does not carry the dilution gene, but some Boxer mixes display this color.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Black-and-Tan Doberman - Photo by Pato Garza / Flickr" border="1" height="316" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/black_and_tan.jpg" title="Black-and-Tan Doberman - Photo by Pato Garza / Flickr" width="200" /></td> <td><b>Black-and-Tan</b>: A solid black coat with tan points, generally on the legs, chest, and head. The Boxer does not carry the gene for a black-and-tan coat, but some Boxer mixes display this color.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
White markings occur to varying degrees in Boxers and are caused by the extreme piebald gene. A dog without any copies of this gene is called plain or classic; a dog with one copy is called flashy; and a dog with two copies is called white. While the difference between the three genotypes is usually obvious based on their appearance, because of modifiers some genetically flashy dogs may look as if they are genetically plain. Most Boxers in North America have some white on their belly and throat, even if they are genetically plain. In general, if the white on the feet is confined to the toes the dog is probably genetically plain. White Boxers are still fawn or brindle in color, it is just obscured by the excessive white markings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="0" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="A basic list of white marking patterns in Boxers, with pictures"><caption><b>White Markings in Boxers </b></caption><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="Plain Boxer" border="1" height="177" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/plain.jpg" title="Plain Boxer" width="200" /><br />
</td><td><b>Plain</b>: White markings confined to the tips of the toes, belly, throat and chin, and small amount on face. No white on the neck.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Flashy Boxer" border="1" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/flashy.jpg" title="Flashy Boxer" /><br />
</td><td><b>Flashy</b>: White socks or stockings on the feet and legs, a white full or half collar on the neck, white stripe, blaze or wishbone on the face.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="Semi-Flashy Boxer" border="1" height="171" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/semi_flashy.jpg" title="Semi-Flashy Boxer" width="200" /><br />
</td><td><b>Semi-flashy</b>: Less white than a flashy, more than a plain. White socks, stripe or small blaze on face, may or may not have white markings on neck.</td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="White Boxer - Photo by Mara 1 / Flickr" border="1" height="264" src="http://www.jenniferawalker.com/b101images/white_boxer.jpg" title="White Boxer - Photo by Mara 1 / Flickr" width="200" /></td><td><b>White</b>: White covers most of the body, but patches of color may be present. Typically patches appear on the ear, eye, or back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Canine coat color genetics is a complex field that is seeing significant advancement, as the mapping of the canine genome has allowed researchers to identify specific genes responsible for different colors and marking patterns. This is especially helpful for breeds with a variety of coat colors, such as Great Danes. Fortunately Boxer coat color genetics are rather simple, with essentially two colors and one marking pattern and straightforward modes of inheritance.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>For more information:</b><br />
<a href="http://dogbreeding.suite101.com/article.cfm/coat_colors_in_boxers" target="_blank">Boxer Coat Color Genetics</a><br />
<a href="http://dogbreeding.suite101.com/article.cfm/marking_patterns_in_boxers" target="_blank">Boxer Marking Pattern Genetics</a><br />
<a href="http://homepage.usask.ca/%7Eschmutz/dogcolors.html" target="_blank">Dog Coat Color Genetics</a>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-49634879371712574172010-08-15T17:49:00.000-04:002012-12-05T08:40:38.429-05:00What Do Pedigrees Tell Us?A dog's pedigree is like a family tree - it lists his parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so forth for however many generations are listed. Pedigrees give you the registered names of the dog's parents and ancestors as well as what titles, if any, they obtained. Often, pedigrees list other information about the dogs such as dates of birth and death, health registry listings, color, etc. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Unlike a family tree, a <a href="http://www.brighthub.com/pets/dogs/articles/82052.aspx">typical dog pedigree</a> does not list siblings. Pedigrees list one offspring of a sire and dam, throughout the generations. (Certain pedigrees, called "<a href="http://www.offa.org/hovanart.pdf">vertical pedigrees</a>" do include siblings; this information can be useful to breeders when making breeding decisions.) The sire is listed above and to the right of the dog, the dam is listed below and to the right. Here's an example of the pedigree of one of the most famous Boxers in history, Ch. Bang Away of Sirrah Crest, SOM, LOM:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="1" bordercolor="#3c3c7b" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td rowspan="4" style="color: #cc0000;" width="34%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Am/Int Ch. Ursa Major of Sirrah Crest, SOM</span></td> <td rowspan="2" style="color: #cc0000;" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Yobang of Sirrah Crest</span></td> <td style="color: #cc0000;" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Duke Cronian, SOM</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Madiera of Sirrah Crest</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td rowspan="2" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Umbra of Sirrah Crest, UD</span></td> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Whirlaway of Mazelaine, CD</span></td> </tr>
<tr style="color: #cc0000;"> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Oracle of Sirrah Crest</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td rowspan="4" width="34%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Verily Verily of Sirrah Crest</span></td> <td rowspan="2" style="color: #cc0000;" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Xebony of Sirrah Crest</span></td> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nightcap of Sirrah Crest</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Madcap of Sirrah Crest</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td rowspan="2" style="color: #cc0000;" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Quest of Sirrah Crest</span></td> <td style="color: #cc0000;" width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ch. Kobang of Sirrah Crest, SOM</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td width="33%"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ovation of Sirrah Crest</span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What this pedigree shows is that Bang Away's sire was Ursa Major of Sirrah Crest, a dog who was an American Champion, and International Champion, and a Sire of Merit (SOM). His dam was Verily Verily of Sirrah Crest - an untitled bitch, but she obviously produced well! We can also see Bang Away's "tail male line", the top lines in the pedigree - Ursa Major, who was sired by Ch. Yobang of Sirrah Crest, who was sired by Ch. Duke Cronian, SOM. Tail male lines can often illuminate trends in stud dog prepotency - the ability of dogs to produce puppies very similar to themselves.<br />
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Another important, though often overlooked, line for breeders is the "tail female line", the bottom line on the pedigree. Verily Verily, whose dam was Ch. Quest of Sirrah Crest, whose dam was Ovation of Sirrah Crest, make up the tail female line in the above pedigree. While much emphasis is placed on choosing the stud dog, many old-time breeders followed the adage that "the strength of a kennel is in its bitches". After all, it is the dam who raises the litter. She must have good health to manage pregnancy, whelping, and nursing puppies; she must have a solid temperament to properly socialize her puppies (with the breeder's help, of course); and she must have desirable genetic traits since the puppies get (at least) 50% of their DNA from her. (Horse people have figured this out, in general, and pay more attention to the tail female line.)<br />
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Pedigrees can also tell you what type of <a href="http://www.mbfs.com/compuped/bell.asp">breeding system</a>, if any, the breeders followed. If many of the same dogs show up in the pedigree, some form of linebreeding has occurred; depending on where the dogs show up, this may or may not be intentional. (Repeated dogs within the first 3-4 generations is probably intentional; repeats 5 generations or further back is probably not. Most people would call repeated dogs within the first 2 generations inbreeding rather than linebreeding.) <br />
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A pedigree full of unrelated dogs, such as shown in Bang Away's, may be due to outbreeding (often called outcrossing) - purposely choosing dogs that are unrelated for x generations (usually five, sometimes 10) or type-breeding (sometimes called <a href="http://www.canine-genetics.com/breed.htm">assortative mating)</a> selecting mating pairs based on physical traits rather than pedigree. Most breeders use all of the systems at various points throughout their breeding program. (And if you take Bang Away's pedigree a little further back, Duke Cronian shows up twice in the fourth and twice in the fifth generations.)<br />
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For the average dog owner, of course, these issues are of minor importance, though you should look for a breeder who understands the importance of a pedigree (without overvaluing it - the individual dogs are more important that the names on the paper). It can be helpful to know if your dog's ancestors obtained obedience, agility, or other performance titles, however, if you think you may be interested in pursuing those activities. If you're interested in showing, a pedigree that contains dogs who were successful in attaining their championships generally gives you <a href="http://www.steynmere.com/ARTICLES8.html" target="_blank">better odds</a> of attaining a championship on your own dog. And, yes, it's kind of fun to know that your dog has a famous ancestor, or shares a grandparent with the top-winning dog of the day!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-69121170265253671712010-07-31T14:35:00.000-04:002010-07-31T14:35:01.861-04:00News You Can UseSeveral Iams and Eukanuba dog foods have been recalled due to a possible salmonella contamination. The foods are sold in specialty pet stores and vet clinics in the US and Canada. Owners are advised to throw away the food and contact Procter & Gamble, the parent company for Iams and Eukanuba, with questions and for a product refund. Read more in my <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-60625-Boxer-Examiner%7Ey2010m7d31-Procter--Gamble-voluntary-recall-expands-to-include-specialized-Iams-and-Eukanuba-pet-foods">National Boxer Examiner</a> column.<br />
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Locally, Western Michigan residents are watching the effects of an oil spill in the Kalamazoo River. Latest news is that the spill has been contained, though some are skeptical of these claims. Residents are still advised to avoid the area as much as possible, and to stop any water activities including using Kalamazoo River water for watering lawns, plants or animals. Some homeowners in Calhoun County, near the origin of the spill, are under a voluntary evacuation recommendation due to benzenes in the air. Read more in my <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-54515-Detroit-Boxer-Examiner%7Ey2010m7d29-Michigan-oil-spill-affects-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-County-residents-and-their-dogs">Detroit Boxer Examiner </a>column.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-58949069277881146862010-06-27T17:52:00.000-04:002010-07-31T14:23:32.987-04:00Thunderbolt and Lightning: Very, Very FrighteningSummertime is also thunderstorm time, which can mean fear and anxiety for your Boxer. Dogs can develop a thunderstorm phobia at any age, and for several reasons. For most, the noise is the problem; behavior modification often helps these dogs. Other dogs react to the changes in the atmosphere that accompany a storm, either the electrical charge in the air or the barometric pressure. Hands-on therapies may be more helpful for these dogs; pressure wraps, TTouch, and massage can help your Boxer relax during a thunderstorm. Some Boxer owners report success using melatonin, Rescue Remedy, or other flower essences. Quite often a combination of remedies provides the best solution.<br />
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I have had one Boxer who was very fearful of storms, which started when he was about four years old. His thyroid levels were normal -- often hypothyroidism can lead to anxiety issues -- and he had no other known health conditions that might have triggered the reaction. We tried melatonin and Rescue Remedy, neither of which really helped. We also went through a behavioral modification program of desensitization and counter-conditioning, with no noticeable results. At that point we surmised that the root of his anxiety was the change in air pressure, not only because the desensitizing didn't work but also because he started to react the same to heavy rainstorms that did not include thunder.<br />
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At that point we tried a DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) diffuser. The results were truly amazing. He went from trying to bury himself underneath the couch during a storm to sleeping on a chair - right next to where the diffuser was plugged in. We used a diffuser continuously for one summer, and started using it the next year but found he really didn't have the anxiety any longer. Of course, there's no way to know whether there really had been some underlying imbalance in his body, or whether the diffuser helped erase his association of storms with "bad things" - but the timing certainly points to the diffuser. (On the other hand, we did not have any luck using a diffuser to stop our other dog from barking in her crate, and yet several trials that used the diffuser in boarding kennels showed a significant decrease in barking.)<br />
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At any rate -- if your Boxer suffers from a thunderstorm phobia, try some home remedies to see if you can help him manage his anxiety. You may have to try a few before you find the right one(s) for your dog -- but don't give up too soon, as some of them may take a while to work to their full potential. If your dog is so fearful that he's in danger of injuring himself, talk to your vet. When dogs are in an extremely high state of fear, their minds often "disconnect", making any kind of training or behavior modification basically impossible. Anti-anxiety medications can keep your dog from getting to that extreme state, so that you can work on desensitization and counter-conditioning.<br />
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Read more about <a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-54515-Detroit-Boxer-Examiner%7Ey2010m6d27-Thunderstorm-phobia-in-Boxers-Helping-your-dog-weather-the-storm">dealing with thunderstorm phobias</a> on Examiner.comJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277019371484266258.post-68116344278143652592010-06-25T14:06:00.000-04:002010-07-31T14:22:22.829-04:00Boxer BasicsIf you are not too familiar with this breed, I'd like to introduce you to the Boxer as it should be. If you’ve already owned a Boxer, you’ll recognize the unique set of traits that make this wonderful, intelligent breed a family favorite.<br />
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The Boxer takes an active - very active - part in your daily life. Their world revolves around you and they demand that you feel likewise. They will get into exactly as much mischief as you let them, but they are also content to follow the rules - provided those rules are consistently and fairly enforced. Boxers are dogs that think they are human and as such, they deserve to be treated the same. This does not mean their every whim must be given in to; indeed, on the contrary, firm but loving guidelines are a must if they are to live in harmony within your household. <br />
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Boxers are not a dog to languish alone in the backyard or in a basement. They insist upon being a part of your family and all of its activities; a part of whatever is happening. They can be totally exasperating as puppies, willful as adolescents, and overly intelligent as adults. Boxers can be too much to handle for some and complete pussycats for others. They are quick to learn and bore easily. They are sometimes old souls, but they retain their “puppiness” throughout their lives. <br />
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Boxers have a joie de vivre that can be matched by no other breed. They will greet you after an hour's absence as if you'd been gone a week. Their expressive face seems almost human at times, their eyes quickly relay what they're feeling, and their smile can light up a room. Boxers are devoted to their families, and are one of the best breeds with children. One of their most desirable traits is their fearless courage when they feel they or their family are threatened. Boxers have an innate ability to distinguish between friendly and threatening strangers - and are often more accurate in this regard than their human owners.<br />
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<i>Read more about Boxers in my article "<a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-54515-Detroit-Boxer-Examiner%7Ey2010m6d18-Boxer-dogs-in-brief-a-short-history-and-description-of-the-breed">Boxers in Brief</a>" on Examiner.com</i>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01698514186799299219noreply@blogger.com0