Where Do Gordon Setters Rank?

As for AKC Registered breeds, Gordon Setters ranked 90th in registration last year, out of 156 breeds.

AKC Rankings for Gordon Setters over 10 years:

       2008  -  90
       2007  -  91
       2003  -  87
       1998  -  78

Am I crazy, or what? Did a Bouvier des Flandres and a Schipperkes, really beat out the Gordon Setter? No Way, REALLY?? And just what the heck is a Bouvier des Flandres and a Schipperkes anyway? Do they hunt birds?? There are dog breeds listed that I can barely pronounce, much less recognize! Do we really need 156 breeds? And that was last year. They have 3 more now! More Flavors than Baskin Robbins! I'll stick with my Gordons!
        
    Okay, these are a  Schipperkes and a  Bouvier des Flandres













The Schipperke is mostly known as a boat dog or ship dog. Although, in World War II the Schipperke was used to run messages between the various resistance hideouts and cells, fooling the Nazis.

They don't hunt birds, but the Bouvier des Flandres,  were used in World War I as message and rescue dogs and were almost totally killed off by the end  of the war. In 1923 a small group of people helped to revitalize the breed and a breed club was formed in Belgium.

Internet Scams Hit Dog Breeders Too

The last litter of puppies we had, we received an email response to an advertisement I had place for 2 puppies. The person was interested in my puppies and wanted to buy one, right away. The email was written in sort of a broken English way and just sounded weird to me. No questions about the puppy's or their papers or registration. No questions about their nose or hunting ability or pattern. So I wrote him back and asked several questions like, Have you had Gordons before? Do you hunt? Where do you live? Basically he wrote back and evasively did not answer the questions. I made it clear I did not sell puppies to anyone whom I have not met. He just kept pushing the issue and wanted to send me a money order for MORE than the amount owed. I was to take what he owed me, then send him back the rest. Well, I may be a little southern girl, but I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. I knew this was a scam from the first email I read. Would you believe, for that litter, I received about 6 different calls or emails which were scams.  That was when I learned that anyone can have a phone through a computer and they can not be traced or found. The scam is this; I accept their check for say, $2000.00. The pup costs $750.00, plus $250.00 for shipping. A total of $1000.00. So I deposit the check into my business account. Ship the puppy, and return a check for the balance of $1000.00, cut from my business account.  Immediately,  I will learn that no one is on the other end to receive my puppy. So I have to make arrangements or fly the puppy back, at my expense. In about a week, I will receive notice from my bank saying the money order I deposited into my account is a FAKE. Not only I am stuck with the expense of getting my puppy back, but also the original shipping cost. AND, if I mailed him a check for the so called "balance owed to him", I am out $1000.00 of my own money, which is now in his pocket. And of course, the info he gave me is fake also.

It never ceases to amaze me the ways some people come up with to take advantage of, or just plain steal from, other honest hard working people. Be careful out there. Pay attention and don't become a victim. Know your buyers. Be sure your puppies are going to good homes. Make contact with the buyer at least 3 or 4 times, before you actually let the puppy go out the door. Taking these simple steps will protect your puppy and you.

28 Ga. Belgium Guild Shot Gun

   This little 28 Ga. Hammer Gun was a gift from a client who has become a good friend. It was made at the Belgian Guild. I believe it was made in the 1930's or so. The barrel is stamped " EPROUVE OFFICIELLE POUR POUDRE SANS FUMILE " which translates to, Officially Approved for Smokeless Powder. I think the conversion from black powder came about that time.

   The gun is incredibly dainty. It weighs in at 4lbs. 11 oz. The fore end and stock wrist are about the size of a broomstick. It is equipped with 28 in. barrels which help with the swing, and the gun actually shoots pretty nice. It has a case colored steel butt plate and because of the light weight it does tend to kick a bit. Hell, it kicks a lot.

   I took it to a gunsmith and had the chokes measured and found that it is choked backwards. The front trigger is choked .002 and the back trigger is choked .000. The gun was made specifically for driven game and most likely for driven grouse shooting.  It has sling swivels and was definitely made for the European market.

   I have used it on Ruffed Grouse and out to 20 yds. it is deadly. The 28 ga. has a short shot string and a skeet load of #8 shot will tumble a bird right now. I have a few friends that hunt Ruffed Grouse with a 28 and they are under no handicap to a bigger bored gun. If you ever purchase a 28 ga., be sure it is on a 28 ga. frame. Many manufacturers space 28 ga. barrels on a 20 ga. frame and the guns made that way are heavier than the original 20.

   I use this piece for shooting pigeons and quail during puppy training sessions and it is perfect for that purpose. A sling leaves hands free for other work and the open chokes are great for close shooting.

Remmington's Ruffed Grouse Society Model 20GA.

Our friend Tim showed up this past Dec. with a new shotgun, the Remmington Ruffed Grouse Society Model 20ga. He has been looking for a new Grouse gun and certainly made a fine choice. This little 20 ga. weighs in at 6 lb. 4 oz. and is nicely balanced. The 26 in. barrels are equipped with choke tubes and the other end is capped with a tastefully thin recoil pad. I am a big fan of the single trigger and straight grip. The barrel selector is set up like a Browning. The safety is pushed from one side to the other to select the firing order of the barrels. I have seen many Brownings not fire because the selector hung up in the middle when the safety was pushed forward. By the time things get straightened out, the Grouse is long gone. I much prefer the set up on my SKB's where the barrel selector is near the trigger, much like the safety on Karen's Winchester pump, and totally independent of the safety. In reality, I have never once used the barrel selector in over 30 yrs. of Grousing around the woods.
 This 20 ga. came with nicely figured wood and the engraving and the gold inlays look beautiful against the deep blue receiver. Perfect Grouse gun Tim. Run a few boxes through it at the skeet range this winter and get ready for next season.  DWT

Dog-Napping Is On The Rise

Hang on to your pooch! Dog napping rose 30% in 2009 alone, according to Lisa Peterson on Good Morning America. Be careful where you leave or tie up your dog.  Even if he is in your own back yard, keep an eye out.  Don't leave him in the car alone while you shop or do errands. You also may want to have a microchip inserted in to your dog which will contain your personal information, if the dog should turn up in a shelter or vets office. You also may want to sign up for AKC's Lost Pet Alert. It's like the Amber Alert for kids. You can go to the AKC website for more information on that. What is wrong with people? Either they are dropping off a dog they intend to abandon, or they are stealing a dog that does not belong to them! Good Grief Charley Brown! What has the world come to?!


Source: Good Morning America/ABC

Glossary of Dog Diseases - A to Z

Bookmarks. I love bookmarks. I lost a great deal of mine when my computer crashed a few months back. It will take forever to recupe them all, and maybe not even then. So I've been spending some time trying to remember all those great reference sites I had bookmarked. In the process, I found a new one. It's called QualityDogs.com. It is for, and about pure bred dogs and their owners. They have an A to Z list of dog diseases complete with definition. This is one I will bookmark. Check it out. It's quite extensive.

This is a reference only site and should in no way, be a medical diagnosis. If you have a real problem with your dog, you should see your vet.

NO AFFILIATION with QualityDogs.com

First Case of H1N1 in Dogs

 H1N1 Virus

According to DoggedHealth.com, the first case of H1N1 has been identified in a dog. A mixed breed dog, who is 13 and lives just north of New York, was taken to the vet on Dec. 13 because he was having trouble breathing. Because of this symptom, and because the owner had previously suffered from H1N1, the vet decided to test the dog for H1N1. The dog tested positive for the H1N1 virus, also known as the Swine Flu.  Although this is the first known case in dogs, cats and ferrets have been known to get the H1N1 virus.

There is no evidence that the virus can move from a dog, to a human, but it may not be impossible. If your dog or you, become ill with the H1N1, it is wise to take the same precautions with your pets as you do with your other family members. Wash your hands constantly, no lip to lip kissing, sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow. 

Symptoms of H1N1 in your dog may be: coughing, runny nose, fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, and/or breathing difficulties. These are pretty much the human symptoms as well.


Source: Doggedhealth.com