The Giant Hotline
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A Publication of the South Central Giant Schnauzer Club The Giant Hotline Volume X, Issue 1 September 2013 SCGSC’s 11th Annual FALL ROUND-UP AND RAFFLE The annual Fall Round-Up and Raffle is scheduled for October 19 at South Fork Ranch, 3700 Hogge Drive, Parker, Texas. The day’s festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. Each member was mailed a packet containing information about the Round-Up and the Raffle. If you did not receive one, request one from Jane Chism. Also, if you need additional raffle tickets and are unable to attend the Round-Up, request more from Jane. Those are due back to Jane by October 18. Of course, if you’re attending, you can buy additional tickets there. A meal of barbecue with all the trimmings will be served at 11:30 a.m. Your RSVP and lunch payment should be sent to Jane by Monday, October 14. Lunch is $13 per person. Make your check or money order payable to SCGSC and send to Jane. Her information follows: Jane Chism ● 214/547-9250 1502 Summerside Drive ● Allen, TX 75002 A block of rooms is being held at The Southfork Hotel in Plano until October 4. Be sure to tell them you’re with the South Central Giant Schnauzer Club. The hotel phone numbers are 972-578-8555 or 866-665-2580. If making res- ervations online, the code is GIANTSCHNG. Lunch will be followed by a brief club meeting, then on to the Costume Parade at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to get your cos- tumes ready! Hope to see you at Southfork! In this Issue . GSCA 2013 Southern Regional Specialty President’s Column . 2 So You’re Looking for a Giant fanciers from various parts of the country gathered in Monroe, Louisi- Giant Schnauzer . 4 ana for the Giant Schnauzer Club of America’s Southern Regional Specialty Grooming Hints . 5 on August 31, 2013. This show was held in conjunction with the Cotton Cooking for Giants . 5 A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows . 6 Land Cluster of four all-breed dog shows hosted by the Bayou Kennel Club Robyn’s Hints. 7 and Vicksburg Kennel Club. In addition to the Specialty show, three GSCA Senior Giants. 8 supported-entry shows were held during the 4-day cluster. Schnauzapalooza . 10 Schnauzapalooza Show Results . 11 The SCGSC supported these shows with a generous donation which spon- SCGSC Show Results . 13 sored many of the lovely prizes that were given during the cluster. Jack’s Corner . 14 Memorials . .15 The Regional Specialty will be covered in the next issue of the newsletter, SCGSC Application . .16 so get those pictures and show results in! Volume X, Issue #1 ● Page 1 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN by Tina Fields went to McDonald’s. Aha, the elixir! Luther scarfed down cheeseburgers (ok, minus the top part of the bun). Note, he only liked cheeseburgers – not ham- ell, 2013 is truly shaping up to be burgers. So, for a week, either Dr. Gowen or I made Wunique. My oldest Giant is diagnosed with dementia trips to the local restaurant. and has increased his daily medication intake three- fold. Like many elderly with dementia, Faulkner has After about a month, Luther came home. Jane drove his days and nights mixed up, so he tends to moan and down for the big day and, of course, brought her fa- bark for long periods of time whenever the lights are mous Italian Cream Cake for all the folks at the King’s off. Don’t suggest that I merely turn on the lights… Highway Animal Clinic. Even Luther got in on the lights are on, television is on…the only thing that cake. seems to comfort him is my being awake. The veteri- narian has placed him on nightly narcotics that she I had a ramp built for Luther so that he could go out- first thought would make him drowsy for about 12 side whenever he needed. He quickly learned to use hours. Alas, he sleeps about 4 hours unless it is a full the ramp. However, it was only a matter of time that moon at which time he sleeps less. However, I really he learned to maneuver the steps. He now is a little am not complaining. Faulkner was diagnosed over spitfire running up and down the steps. Of course, a five years ago with melanoma and was placed on an funny thing happened when Luther went to visit Pat experimental vaccine which proved so successful and Dave Krapf last month. He was enjoying their (increased survival rate up to about 26 months) that beautiful backyard but could not maneuver the steps the medicine is now in human clinical trials at M.D. up to their deck. So he went to the right side of the Anderson, Vanderbilt, and University of Pittsburg. house looking for their ramp (my ramp is on the right So, Faulkner has beaten the odds, and I am just thank- side of the house). How is that for a very smart dog? ful every day that he is still with me. As some of you may know, Luther has his own Face- Some of you know that I am fostering a very special book page. Thank you, Lisa Armitage, for creating boy named Luther. Jane Chism was called in January “Loot for Luther.” Luther has about 80 friends who by a shelter in the Dallas/Fort Worth area about a giant constantly demand new pictures of this celebrity. who was in need of medical attention. Despite her willingness to go over there immediately, the shelter Jane Chism investigated the possibility of getting a took a few days to let her have him. With great coor- prosthetic for Luther. Unfortunately, he does not have dination, Jane took Luther to her veterinarian until I enough of a stump to allow for a new leg. However, could get up there. Dr. Payne took new x-rays and we are getting a brace to help support his rear leg. found a horrible broken leg (a circular break from With all his weight (all 76 pounds I might add), we do about the “knee” to nearly the hip). Of course, I im- not want his remaining back knee to give out. Jane mediately called my veterinarian so she could notify auctioned a copy of Tina Stummelschwanz (Tina the surgeon that rescue would need his “magic” one Stubbytail) on E-bay. This proved very successful – more time. Unfortunately, the break was so old, that even when people had to bow out of bidding, they still whenever the surgeon inserted one of the screws, the made contributions. So, to all of you dear folks, thank bone shattered. So, after four hours of trying, we had you. to amputate the leg. The moral to this story is that there are so many good- In addition to being in pain, Luther had given up on hearted and loving people in this world. AND all of life. He refused to eat and was down to about 56 them seem to love Giant Schnauzers. Thank you for pounds before the amputation. I brought him the infa- being such caring people and loving our breed so mous “Leap for Liver” treats and satin balls, my veter- much. inarian brought in “fish juice” (do not ask me what that is) and tenderloin. However, nothing seemed to (see pictures of Luther on the following page) perk his appetite. Finally, in desperation, Dr. Gowen Volume X, Issue #1 ● Page 2 Luther Volume X, Issue #1 ● Page 3 about the breeder’s dogs, where do they live, how often they used for breeding and what their breeding practices So You Are Looking are. You should always ask about health testing. Prior to breeding, the sire and dam should have completed testing For A for thyroid, eyes, hips and elbows. Is the breeder willing to give you copies of testing? Ask some basic questions Giant Schnauzer about how the puppies are raised, what is included in the puppy price and how old are the puppies when they go to by Jean Erath their new homes. Does the breeder require a spay/neuter contract (the answer to this should be YES!)? As you can see, with little effort, you should be able to come up with lots of questions. et’s assume you’ve done all your research on Lthe breed, visited with families owned by Giants and un- Your potential breeder will most likely want to meet you derstand the breed is challenging. Then you can scan the and you should want the same. If this is not possible lo- Top 10 list provided in the September 2011 issue of the gistically, ask for references and be willing to share the Hotline and all of those items should be extremely appeal- same for yourself. I always like to receive family pictures ing to you. You are now down to finding the most im- that include the furry members of the family and anything portant person in your quest for the perfect family mem- else that will show me that the puppy will be an active ber…your breeder! There are lots of breeders out there, member of this new family. so you have much to consider. A reputable breeder will always, no matter what the age, First you should look for a reputable breeder. You can ask take a dog back if the unthinkable happens. Imagine a around for references, you can call both local and national debilitating disease which renders you incapable of taking breed clubs or you can source some great breeders care of the dog.