RETRIEVERRCI On-Line Newsletter - Year 2 – Number 3 Magazine
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RETRIEVERRCI on-line newsletter - year 2 – number 3 magazine The Flatcoated Retriever The judge’s Diet and cancer Endal and Allen: type and function view in dogs return to a life fully-lived l’editorialel’editoriale In a famous speech, when asked what the state intended to do for its citizens, J.F. Kennedy replied by asking in turn what citizens intended to do for their country. Let me be clear: this is a very “lofty” quote – and of course no one running the RCI feels like Kennedy – but I would like to ask our members the same question: are you ready to give us a hand? Many times I have heard people ask what the Club is doing for its members, almost as if in this issue: they we talking about two diverse and separate entities – on one side the “members”, and on the other the “Club” – as if one and the other did not constitute, together, the same reality. And here I arrive at another consideration. It’s true, in the course of its existence - almost thirty years - the Club has passed from being practically family run to the size of a company. RCI editorial – by Laura Sgorbati Buosi • Once everyone knew each other, and with a few phone calls they were ready to organize •The Flatcoated Retriever type and function – by Edward J. Atkins an event, pass a day together or share a meal in the countryside. Now a club show, a •Flats versus the rest – by Chiara Berzacola retriever competition or an all breeds expo involve tens if not hundreds of dogs and their •The judge’s view – by Andrea Pandolfi owners. And the task of organizing these events has become much harder … Whining in the retriever – by Martino Salvo • For an association to function well, each member must feel a part of it, so that everyone •Mrs. Jennifer Hay – Holywear Golden Retrievers – by Alessandra Franchi will act together in its common interest; the feeling of not belonging leads one to believe •On the road to dual purpose: A day with Leospring Labradors – by Patty fellows that, once annual fees are paid, all the rest is owed. •Diet and cancer in dogs – by Patty Fellows and Alessandra Franchi We should all make an effort so that everyone feels a part of the RCI, for the pleasure of Behavioral genetics – by Denis Ferretti • being together and to share a common passion: in all of our interests, we ask everyone •Through play they’ll grow and learn – by Cinzia Stefanini to become more involved. •Endal and Allen: return to a life fully-lived – by Alessandra Franchi •Notonlyretrievers – books, tv, gifts, news Laura Sgorbati Buosi – RCI council member edited by Patty Fellows and Alessandra Franchi Martino Salvo editor Patty Fellows writers Alessandra Franchi writers Many thanks to all those who collaborated with this issue, and especially to Lucia Casini and Susan Street. Leonardo Langiu *The photo on the cover was kindly provided by Minna Sihvonen. layout/graphics The RCI does not necessarily agree with or support the ideas published in every article, which freely express the opinions of individual authors. retriever breeds retriever breeds When standing approximately 65% of the weight is on the front assembly and in action over 90% of the concussion of striking the ground is absorbed up front. The proper front also allowing for a smooth ground covering action; the efficiency of fewer steps also minimizes shock to the system, and encourages both endurance and durability. The flatcoat topline should be generally level, never sloping or Correct Flatcoat Incorrect Labrador type Incorrect Setter swayed. If the neck is properly type and with Labrador skeletal ype with set and shoulders set well into skeletal structure structure Setter structure the back there will always be a very slight but perceivable dip just behind the withers. Any This is essential for a proper front end and makes softness of back or longer than square loin region is the back of the dog appear square while the overall seriously faulty and tends to render a hard worked THE FLATCOATED RETRIEVER profile shows a long (from point of the breast or prow dog unsound at a relatively early age. In this respect, to the last rib) deep ribcage that tapers up to a strong upright shoulders, weak or upright pasterns, a soft square loin. The forechest is only moderately broad but back and loose loin region (open couplings) are as Type and Function viewed from front or side will show a distinct prow. This crippling to a worker as moderate hip disease. prow is a physical structure not a groomed fluff of hair. by Edward J. Atkins The shoulder blade (top point of withers to shoulder The rear of a flatcoat should be well muscled with joint), upper arm (shoulder joint to the elbow), and angulation in balance with the shoulders. The The development of man’s ability to shoot larger numbers of flying and running game required forearm (elbow down to the pastern or wrist) are each second thigh or gaskins (knee to the hock) should developing dogs for the retrieving function. During the middle 1600’s the British Royal family and of approximate equal length. With the shoulder blade be of a good length at least equal to the thigh (hip to many of the nobility took refuge with the French aristocracy during the English revolution, and up to and upper arm set at about a 90- degree angle. This knee), with hocks well let down (short). The optimum the Restoration. The French Royals had developed the sport of shooting large numbers of birds into structure with the round well-arched foot and strong but function for a retriever is to propel itself forward a grand social pastime and when the British bluebloods returned to England they brought this with sloping pastern of moderate length provide the shock using the rear as an efficient lever not as a pushing them. Various types of dogs were used to drive, locate or recover the game. Early prints of shooting absorber system to protect the integrity of the skeletal instrument. Dogs that are over angulated must push scenes in France show many Spaniels, and some very sturdy setter like dogs retrieving. system and the internal organs. in a constant uphill position, squandering needed energy for endurance and placing greater As the shotgun technology improved there was a and shooting man. He was very instrumental in stress on the hips and spine. need for a specialized retrieving dog to collect game helping to standardize retriever shape, size and in from land and water. Each landed family or region providing the “right sort” to wealthy patrons such as In summary the flatcoat is a strong but elegant, developed strains of retrievers from whatever worked. S. E. Shirley, of Ettington, who was for the next 30 Edward J. medium size dog with substance and bone. The heavy type setter seen in the early prints seems years the breed’s great patron and also founded the Deep rather than rounded in ribcage with a very to have been the basis of this development. These Kennel Club. What evolved is a strongly built dog Atkins distinct blunted triangle shape formed by the were crossed with working farm dogs (“collies”) to of medium size with a dense weather resistant coat level back, deep brisket with prominent prow, make them more trainable, the shipboard dogs that lay generally flat as opposed to being curly or has owned flatcoats tapering up to the last rib to form a tuckup. brought back from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland rough. First referred to as Wavy Coated and then and Chesapeakes A flatcoat is never compact or cobby, nor is and Labrador to add strength and water working with the current breed name, Flat Coated. In no since 1953, and it overly rangy (length of body). The general ability, and truthfully anything else that man or critter manner should these terms be confused by a show currently uses the appearance of the breed; “showing power could perceive. By the mid 1800’s the fashion was to trend to excessively groom for a smooth coat. prefixes Wyndham without lumber (excess flesh) and raciness favor solid black as the color for a retriever and this in the USA and (higher stationed on legs) without weediness led to some standardization for conformation that The one thing that separates a quality flatcoat from Wyndhamian in the UK. Over the years he has (slightness in bone or general build). Any bred many champions around the world from a suited the dogs to the work required. This can be other retrievers is a very distinctive and practical attempt to stylize or change the shape of limited-breeding program aimed at producing seen in prints, paintings and bronze statues of dogs outline. The head is long and clean with the strength the dog by shaving, barbering, fluffing, etc is gundogs for his own use in North Dakota, a from the period. to carry any game. It is a one-piece head with little reprehensible and more often than not is a red region noted for plentiful upland game and distinction between skull and foreface and these are migrating waterfowl. In addition to horses and flag calling attention to the very faults it seeks When shows began the animals exhibited were the equal in length. Stop is slight and gradual but a down cattle, he has judged Chesapeakes, flatcoats and to hide. A bit of tidying of the ear fringes, throat better-looking workers. Dr. Bond Moore a country face or collie like head would be atypical.