Getting my deerhound fix

I'm heading out this morning for the Scottish Deerhound Club of America National Specialty in Lompoc, CA. It's just a little north of Santa Barbara. You know, near the federal penitentiary. Don't say we don't fly high in the SDCA.



As most of you know, a specialty is a dog show of only one breed of dog. It's an opportunity for breeders to exhibit their best dogs, for spectators to learn more about a breed in which they have an interest, and for fanciers to focus on health, behavior, training, and genetic information about the breed. And it's a chance for a judge, carefully chosen by the Club itself, to select the single dog she or he believes is the best in the ring at that show. It is an honor greater than any all-breed Best in Show, greater than winning Westminster, to go Best in Show at the National Specialty.



The SDCA has its National in a different location each year, and every third year it's on the West Coast. There aren't that many deerhounds in the country to begin with, and they're concentrated in the Midwest and on the East Coast, so numbers at the western shows are usually low. Given the fact that flying with dogs is iffy at best, and flying with giant breed dogs is a nightmare, most of us drive to the National, no matter where it is. I suspect this year's sky-high gas prices -- hovering around five bucks a gallon and more here in San Francisco -- will drive numbers even lower than normal. Still, I expect to see around a hundred dogs, which is around five percent of all the deerhounds in North America, and 99 more than I currently share my life with. What's more, I'll get to see them led into the ring by a kilted bagpiper -- a sight I never, ever get tired of seeing.



In addition to seeing dogs of all ages and all breeding from all over the U.S. and Canada, and seeing friends I only see once a year, the highlight of the event this year for me is the health seminar. Dr. Jeffery Phillips, Assistant Professor of Medical Genetics and Oncology from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, will be doing a presentation on osteosarcoma, the vicious bone cancer that claimed the life of my deerhound Raven, the sister of my dog Rebel.



Dr. Phillips, who has a deerhound himself, is conducting a genetic research project on the disease, and the Club has been supporting this research. I gave him DNA samples from Raven as well as from other unaffected deerhounds, and am extremely anxious to hear his presentation, because its goal is something every deerhound owner and lover in the world devoutly wants and desparately needs: a genetic screening test for osteosarcoma in our dogs. With such a test, we can guarantee that no deerhound will ever have to go through what Raven suffered. I've long said I'll never breed again until that test is a reality; this research may bring that day much closer.



I may possibly also be going to hug and cuddle some deerhound pups. It's been a long, long time since I had a puppy. Maybe too long.



Sir Walter Scott, who owned a few deerhounds in his day, described the breed this way in his novel "The Talisman":

A most perfect creature of heaven ... of the noblest northern breed ... deep in the chest, strong in the stern, black colour, and brindled on chest and legs, not spotted with white, but just shaded into grey - strength to pull down a bull - swiftness to catch an antelope.

So keep Gina company while I'm hanging out with the most perfect creatures of heaven, and when I get back, I suspect you'll be hearing about bone cancer research. Let's hope I have big, good news.

Comments

[Janeen]

We participated in the Morris Animal Foundation's osteosarcoma study. Sadly - we lost both of our Leonbergers to osteosarcoma in the last year.



It was utterly devastating. I'll likely not buy a giant breed pup until there are better screening tests. We'll stick with the small ones, fosters and adoptees in the meantime.

[Nadine L.]

The pomp and circumstance of tradition can be so beautiful and moving. Please bring back pictures of the deerhounds being led into the ring by the kilted bagpiper! Video would be even better!



Time for a new puppy for Christie perhaps?

[Paula J.]

Have fun, Christie. And get some hugs in for me, too!



pjj

[Alison Woolley]

Sounds like you may be getting a step nearer to a puppy there Christie ?

I have Rottweilers, so will look forward to hearing if any progress in the cancer research is happening.

Have fun, I know you will, nothing better than being surrounded by 'the most perfect creatures of heaven' is there :)

[JenniferJ]

The BCA Nationals will be in Redding PA this year. A long haul by car! And there will be Californians making that drive. I am judging bitches in Sweeps this year so I get to fly and the get my hands on a lot of pretty puppies then socialize as well as attending 5 meetings and a few seminars.



But I will still miss having a dog entered. The toy fox Nationals is in OK. They however fit under the seat to fly!