CAPE CLUB SEPTEMBER 2017

CRANK TAIL IN THE BULLMASTIFF

From the Chair: The Bullmastiff Breed Standard refers to a crank tail as ‘highly undesirable’. So, what is a crank tail and how does it come about?

Let us begin with the definition of a ‘crank tail’ taken from by Harold Spira:

A crank tail is “syn. with crook tail (also referred to as a malformed tail). A tail carriage in which the root at first is arched out, then hangs down vertically, with the end angled out resembling an old- fashioned crank or pump handle”

Second definition “short crooked tail (as that of a ) resembling a crank tail – Merriam Webster

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The Bullmastiff is a recognised combination of 40 % and 60% Old English and it is therefore not surprizing that every now and again a Bullmastiff will present with a ‘crank tail’ or similar deformity…. this being a part of the Bulldog genes having been passed on and being a part of the present-day Bullmastiff.

For a ‘crank tail’ to be present it would be safe to say that both parents would be carrying the gene but in a recessive capacity and the penetration variation (strength) of the two genes could play a part.

To refer back to the BUNSORO kennel of the early seventies Fran Harris openly discussed the more serious problems in their kennel at that time…….. and crank tails were one of them. *

As no breeder can claim they have no problems in their lines at one or other time a crank tail will surface. The management of today would be to dock the tail for medical as well as aesthetic reasons (under veterinary supervision) or leave it be and place the in a home where the new owners are not bothered by the problem.

Some countries have a ban on tail however if done for medical reasons (discuss with your vet) there should be no problem.

Bulldog tail

Bullmastiff – normal tail

*Reference WOB Manual 2005 /2006 page 20: Bunsoro

From the family albums

************ THE CBC COMMITTEE WISH TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS THAT ENROLL THEIR NEW PUPPY OWNERS AS CLUB MEMBERS AND THOSE THAT SUBMIT CONTENT FOR THE NEWSLETTER. REMEMBER YOUR NEWS IS NEWS TOO ************ THE FIVE CRITICAL PERIODS IN A PUPPIES DEVELOPMENT

Period 1 Days 2-20 Basic needs Warmth, food, sleep & mother Mental capacity Nearly zero Trainability None Special Note Little or no handling by humans – if done – very gently

Period 2

Days 4th week 21- 28 days Basic needs Warmth, food, sleep, mother Mental capacity All senses functioning. Awareness of living begins Trainability Slight Special note Extreme critical period – do not remove from littermates or mother. Introduction to human society should be instituted but carefully controlled. Period 3

Days 5th - 7th week (29-49 days) Basic needs Canine socialization within the litter & human society Mental capacity Capable of responding to voices & ability to recognise people Trainability Developing Special note Awareness of differences between human & canine societies

Period 4

Days 8th – 12 weeks (50 – 84 days) Basic needs Remove from litter mates & mother influence, supervised human socialisation, love, security, supervised play with children, requires new mother image for security Mental capacity Brainwaves can be recorded, ability to establish permanent bond & man-dog relationship, ability to establish confidence, capable of accepting gentle discipline Trainability Ability to learn respect, capable of learning simple behavioural responses – come, sit, down, stay, no , begin housebreaking & fetch training Special note Children & other animals should not be allowed to scare or hurt the puppy, either maliciously or inadvertently. Intro to other human beings is very important now but must be closely supervised to minimise adverse conditioning. Expose to loud noises gradually – cars, vacuum, radio, gun fire etc.

Period 5

Days 13th – 16th week (85 – 112 days) Basic needs Love, attention, discipline, socialisation, security Mental capacity Fully developed, needing only experience, will attempt to establish self as dominant being, mind still being influenced Trainability Capable of undergoing formal obedience training, capable of adopting a positive / negative attitude towards training, and time to begin field training for hunting & field trials Special note Obedience training classes should be attended as a family unit with your puppy. Puppies mind still being influenced. Praise for correct behavioural response is a most effective training tool. Meaningful praise highly important to shape positive attitudes. This is also the time to start agility & tracking training if you want your dog to compete in those disciplines.

****************** Show Results East Shows - September 8/9/10 2017

Gr.Ch. & Ch. Chizelhurst Checkmate of Haaita going 4th in the Working Group under Judge Carine Buitendach with Leigh Beckman as handler

And the following week end at the Natal Working & Herding Show going 3rd in the Working Group under Judge Maria Heneke “Balto” is currently the CBC top Bullmastiff with 314 points ******************

************** RABIES ALERT IN THE WESTERN CAPE

The Department of Agriculture confirmed four cases of rabies in the WC during the month of August. Dog owners are urged to have their pets Rabies inoculations updated as soon as possible. ***************** The information in this magazine is confined to its members. Statements or opinions may be expressed in this communication that are personal to the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Club. Cape Bullmastiff Club Post Net Suite P/bag X 15 Somerset West 7129 [email protected] or www.capebullmastiffclub.co.za