Boxer Shorts
March 1996 Vol. 2 No. 1
Quarterly Publication of the Boxer Club of Canada
Inc.
Hope to see YOU at the Boxer Club of Canada's National
Specialty on June 2, 1996
Send your news to the Boxer Shorts Editor:
Sharon Simpson
2539 Princess Ave.
Brandon, MB
R7B 0J5
(204) 727-1429
FAX (204) 728-9288
Next Newsletter deadline is June 1
Timing is Everything
Unsuccessful breedings result more often from improper
timing than any other cause. Proper timing using frozen or fresh-chilled
semen is even more essential than during natural matings or AI with
a fresh ejaculate. Since more breeders are investigating these options,
a full understanding of the fertility cycle is required.
The outward signs of heat and breeding time, such as
flagging and vaginal smears, are primarily controlled by changes in
the hormone estrogen. Unfortunately, these changes are only an approximating
of ovulation and can vary by more than a week. Many breeders can testify
to the bitch that eagerly accepts a male as early as day 4 and as
late as day 22. A much more precise measure is the LH (luteinizing
hormone) surge which actually triggers ovulation. Ovulation occurs
2 days after the LH surge. The ovacytes then require an additional
2-3 days to mature, and will live for about 48-72 hours. Thus, the
fertile period of the bitch falls between 4-7 days following the LH
peak, with the most fertile period of the bitch falls between 4-7
days following the LH peak, with the most fertile days being on days
5 and 6 post-LH peak.
Progesterone assay (a blood test conducted by your
vet which works similar to the home-pregnancy test kits) allows you
to identify the occurrence of the LH surge. Before the LH surge, progesterone
will remain low, progesterone levels will begin to rise, changing
from a baseline of 0-1 ng/ml into a range of 1.5-2.0 ng/ml. Progesterone
will then continue to rise as the cycle progresses, and remain elevated
for 2-3 months in non-pregnant as well as pregnant bitches.
Ovulation timing focuses on using changes in progesterone
levels to identify the LH peak in conjunction with vaginal smears.
At least one test should be run during the first 5 days of the cycle,
during proestrus, to determine the bitch's baseline level. If your
vet is experienced in interpreting vaginal smears, you may want to
use vaginal cytology as a guideline for continued progesterone testing.
Once the slides show 50% to 60% cornification, run progesterone levels
every other day.
If the bitch has had trouble conceiving previously,
begin testing even earlier and continue testing every other day until
you are certain of the progesterone rise indicating the LH peak.
The day that progesterone begins to rise is the day
of the LH peak, and is counted as Day 0. The fertile period spans
days 4 to 7 post-LH peak, with the most fertile days beings days 5
and 6 post-LH peak. ICG believes that this method of identification
of the LH peak is very accurate. By properly planned breedings or
inseminations, you will optimize the probability of success.
if you have a natural breeding planned, the fresh semen
of a normal healthy stud dog often lives up to 5 or more days in the
bitch. Therefore, a breeding occurring a day or two before the fertile
period will usually provide viable semen at the time of peak fertility.
If you plan a fresh chilled semen AI, fresh chilled
semen will usually live for 2-4 days, post collection -- one day of
this time is used in shipping. The reduced survival time of the sperm
requires the breeding to be conducted closer to the short fertile
period of the bitch. ICG recommends that two inseminations, using
separate ejaculates, be conducted 48 hours apart between days 3-6
post LH peak.
Frozen semen survives less than 24 hours once it is
thawed, so timing is even more critical than with fresh chilled semen.
It is important that the period of peak fertility is covered. Therefore,
progesterone levels should be checked daily, so that the accuracy
of prediction of the LH peak is within 24 hours. Frozen semen breeding
should be conducted on day 5 or 6 post-LH peak using surgical insemination
by a veterinarian who specializes in reproduction.
Progesterone levels slowly decrease during the last
third of pregnancy to a plateau of 4-16 ng/ml which is maintained
for 1-2 weeks. A further abrupt drop occurs 12-24 hours prior to whelping,
usually to a value of less than 2 ng/ml. If daily progesterone testing
is begun 2-3 days prior to the estimated whelping date, this abrupt
drop can help pinpoint the onset of labour.
For further information, contact International Canine
Genetics at their toll-free number - 1-800-248-8099. The staff are
extremely helpful. ICG can supply your vet with information, test
kits, fresh-chilled collection kits, frozen semen collection and insemination
information and much more.
Success doesn't always go to the head -- sometimes
it goes to the mouth!
1995/96 BCC Executive
President: Eve Whitmore
Vice President: Paul Dulong
Treasurer: Norm Walker
Recording Secretary: Alma Hasler
Corresponding Secretary: Bernice
Langley
Show Chairperson: Verena
Jaeger
Membership: Mary Dulong
Discipline: Gord Graffman
Publicity: Sharon Simpson
Trophy Chairperson: Shirley
Bell
Obedience: Debbie Carbonneau
Program: Lillian Wainwright
Regional Directors:
Why not let your name stand for election to the 1996/97
Executive?
Upcoming Specialties & Boosters
April 27 - May 1, 1996
American Boxer Club Specialty
Holiday Inn (Francis Scott Key), Frederick, Maryland
Judge:
Bitches - Bonnie Linnel Clarke
Dogs & Intersex - Joe Heine
Futurity - Al Lee, Sr
June 2, 1996
Boxer Club of Canada Specialty
Holiday Inn, Burlington, ON
Judge - Duana Young
Sweeps - Margaret Krey
June 22, 1996
Dogwood Boxer Club Specialty
Cloverdale, BC
Judge - Bruce Voran
Sweepstakes - Judy Voran
June 23, 1996
Boxer Club of Canada Regional Specialty
Judge - Jack Ireland
Sweeps - Sharon Simpson
July 6, 1996
Boxer Club of Western Ontario Booster
Woodstock, ON
Judge - James Bennett
July 7, 1996
Boxer Club of Western Ontario Specialty
Woodstock, ON
Judge - R. William Taylor
Sweeps - Joan Johnson
July 14, 1996
Alberta Boxer Club Specialty
Calgary, Alberta
Judge - Donna Cole
Sweeps - Cora Verhulst
July 15, 1996
Western Canada Boxer Club Specialty
Calgary, Alberta
Judge - Neil Graves
July 15, 1996
Boxer Booster
Calgary, Alberta
Boxer Booster
Judge - Robert Verhulst
September 21, 1996
Northern Ontario Boxer Club Specialty
Sudbury, Ontario
Judge - Sue Ellen Rempel
Sweeps - Lynne Beilhartz
September 22, 1996
Boxer Club of Canada Regional Specialty
(hosted by Northern Ontario Boxer Club)
Sudbury, Ontario
Judge - Donna Cole
October 3 - 6, 1996
ABC Regional Specialty
Chicago, Illinois
Ramada Inn (formerly Holiday Inn Chicago South/Harvey)
Boxer Publications
BOXER REVIEW published 10 times a year
8760 Appian Way
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Canadian Subscription - US $$
1 year -- $45
2 years -- $60
BOXER QUARTERLY
published 3 times a year
Manor Farm, Lenton
Grantham, Lincs, NG33 4HG
England
Overseas Subscription rates
@14-00 (by airmail)
BOXER N.A
published quarterly
Isabel Gordon
c/o Harold Burton
PO Box 1032
Baldwin, NY 11510
Canadian Subscription - US $$
1 year - $38
2 years - $72
3 years - $80
LITTLE BLUE BOOK
published annually
by the South Western Boxer Club
Path Heath, Seefeld Boxers,
Biddisham, Azbridge,
Somerset BS26 2RS
England
$10 - available from Sheila Bowman or Shirley Bell at the ABC
Welcome New Members
Deborah Garland
Sherri Davis
Write to:
Mary Dulong
Membership Chairman
678 MacLaren Drive
Burlington, Ontario
L7N 2Z2
for membership application forms or more information
Health, Herbal & Holistics
How to Have a Healthier Dog - Wendell Belfield,
DVM
Dr. Pitcairn's Natural Guide to Health for Dogs
and Cats - Richard Pitcairn, DVM
The Holistic Guide for Health Dogs - NEW - Kerry
Brown, DVM & Wendy Volhard
The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog & Cat
- Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Out & About
Plans are well underway for the BCC national specialty
to be held at the Holiday Inn in Burlington, Ontario on Sunday, June
2, 1996. The awards dinner & much-anticipated annual auction will
be held on Saturday evening -- tickets are $25, see Mary Dulong for
information. Last year's specialty was well attended with beautiful
sunny weather -- and a great potluck luncheon between sweepstakes
and breed judging.
Thanks to Lee Muirhead for identifying the record holder
for the most champions produced by a boxer bitch -- Verwood's Lollipop
holds the honour with 12 Canadian champions to her credit! Lee also
corrected the information published regarding "Sassy" -- she counts
9 Canadian champions out of 16 puppies and a Philippine champion --
the youngest imported boxer to hold two championship titles! Ch. Dauntae's
Cameo is now working towards her Grand Philippine championship --
by working towards an additional 25 points from the specials class.
also in the brag bag this month -- Ch. Dauntae's Pendant of Sunar
completed her championship -- gaining 3 Best Puppy in Show wins along
the way!
Bracara Boxers had lots of news to contribute this
month -- Irene Waddell reports that husband, Len, is recuperating
nicely following 4 bypass surgeries. And partner, Isabel Levers retired
from her 32 year career at the end of January.
Gerri Ganske reports that Ch. Rasilon's Camelot Odyssey
is the proud sire of 3 males and 1 female, all brindle. The litter
arrived January 30th and the dam is Ch. Rasilon's Madison Avenue.
Congratulations to Barry Green's Lynbary's Pretty Boy
Floyd (Ch. Turo's Kristian Dior x Cachet's Garnet of Turo) on picking
up 2 majors recently and winning Best of Breed along the way.
The Dogwood Boxer Club is inviting boxer lovers to
contribute to the trophy fund for their specialties being held June
22 & 23. Donations can be mailed to Lee Muirhead, 5040 Ayum Rd., Sooke
BC VOS 1N0. Dogwood is also planning their 1996 Boxer Picnic for May
5th -- call (604) 271-3926 for more details.
Anne McDougall of Chieftain Boxers has a new litter
sired by her Tex son, Chieftain's Cool Canadian, out of her English
import, Sugarwood's Leading Lady at Rupik, 3 males, 1 female, all
fawn.
If anyone is interested in placing an ad in the 1996
ABC catalog or in ordering a marked catalog, contact Pat
Mullen (813)855-3877 -- deadline is March 29, 1996.
Peter Lariviere was curious to know if other boxer
fanciers compete in brace competition -- he was the proud recipient
of Best Brace in Show with a father/son duo at the Moncton shows last
August.
If you haven't already forwarded information regarding
your 1995 championship & obedience titles, and Sires & Dam of Merit
applications, you're late!! Send your 1995 data to Shirley
Bell, RR2, Hwy 17E, Corbeil, ON POH 1KO. Send the Sire & Dam of
Merit information to Mrs. Maurette Walker, 7720 - 6 Kennedy Rd., Suite
800, Markham, ON L3R 0N4. Hurry!!!
Plans are underway for BCC's annual Puppy Match at
Verena Jaeger's home on Sunday, July 21st -- watch newsletter for
more details!
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