ABC's of Canine Genetics
by
Claudia Waller Orlandi, PhD

The ABC’s of Dog Breeding Home Study Program was developed to help fill the need for an affordable, easy-to-understand course of study on dog breeding, which is suitable for club structured breeder’s education and appropriate for breeders of all breeds of dog. The goal of the ABC’s of Dog Breeding is to take a practical, step-by-step-approach to the art and science of breeding. It is thanks to our understanding of the proven breeding strategies of livestock species that we know the importance of applying genetic principles to the breeding of companion animals like dogs and horses. The ABC’s textbook outlines 7 key breeding tools and concepts, which include:

1. Genetics
2. Breeding systems
3. Pedigree
4. Selection
5. Anatomy
6. Kennel blindness
7. Genetic defects

In addition to discussing the basic rules of heredity, the ABC’s of Dog Breeding also addresses many of the common misconceptions that have been handed down from dog breeder to dog breeder. The ABC’s of Dog Breeding Home Study Program includes a series of workbook exercises. Breeders who send in their completed exercises to the American Kennel club will receive a Certificate of Completion.

The ABC’s of Dog Breeding seminar is an introduction to the topics that are covered in the home study program and explains many of the practical genetic breeding principles that can benefit breeders of all breeds of dogs.

Claudia's involvement with the dog fancy began some 40 years ago as a junior handler. Although she has owned and shown various breeds since, for close to 20 years her passion has been breeding Basset Hounds. The Orlandi's have bred over 100 champions under the Topsfield prefix. The Orlandi's Topsfield Kennel is located on 200 acres in Vermont. Topsfield Bassets hold numerous Breed and All-Breed records, ranging from Number One and Number 2 All Breed Hound in 2001 and 2002 respectively, to winning multiple Pedigree, Dog of Year and Nature's Recipe Awards.

The Orlandi’s have bred the Top Producing Basset Hound Dam in the history of the breed and Ch Topsfield Bumper Cars, CD, ROM, is the top Group Winning Basset Hound in breed history and holds the record for the most Hound Group Firsts (117) of any hound breed won in a single year. For 7 consecutive years and counting, Topsfield has bred the Number One Basset Hound All Systems in the country.

Claudia has served on the Basset Hound Club of America's Health and Research Committee, Judges' Education Committee and is presently chairman of Member Education. She judges Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Junior Showmanship. Claudia's enthusiasm for breeding is matched only by her passion for teaching and working with other dog fanciers in the area of breeder's education. Her home study program, the ABC’s of Dog Breeding, is based on the enthusiastic response to her educational seminars on breeding and her belief that anyone can and should understand the practical rules of animal breeding and canine genetics in their quest to breed better, healthier dogs.

Terv First Aid from A to Z
by
Libbye Miller DVM
American Belgian Tervuren Club, Member Education Committee

From Allergic Reactions to Bleeding, Upper Respiratory infections to Upset Tummies you'll get practical advice on dealing with your Tervs' Medical issues. We'll talk about diverse topics such as how to treat that pesky diarrhea that starts in a hotel room in the middle of the night , what to stock in your first aid kit, and how to tell if you really have an Emergency.

K9 Advertising Photography
by
Dale Churchill and Kerrin Winter
(authors of "How to Photograph Dogs: a comprehensive guide")

Kerrin Winter and Dale Churchill are a husband and wife team with a passion for dogs, horses and photography. Their work has been featured in Dog World, Dog Fancy, Dog News, and dozens of other publications and books too numerous to list. The professional advertising community has presented them with ADDY'S and Diamonds. They have also won a Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America.

This two hour seminar covers:

• Camera basics
• Posing basics
• Lighting basics
• Composition basics

With special emphasis on Balance, both in Viewfinder (Ad Composition), and the dog itself (portraying a dogs confirmation in its "best light"), Dale and Kerrin will be using a digital projector to show the crowd the images as they are shot. Images will then be discussed, critiqued and reshot showing how to get the very best image you can of your dog in action. We will wrap up the seminar with a question and answer period.

To see some of their work: www.dogphoto.com/champs.html

The seminar attendees, only will be offered a 'Graduate Seminar' the next day on or near the show-grounds. Lights and tripod will be set up, and Dale and Kerrin will work as the 'Assistants' to the student while the student uses their own camera to capture an Ad-Worthy image of their own dog. A fee of $175.00 will be charged for the Graduate Seminar.

Their new book, "How to Photograph Dogs" Ver 2, digital photographic techniques" will not be available in time for our seminar so ALL seminar participants will receive a free copy on CD of their first book, "How To Photograph Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide". Register for the seminar using the Specialty Order Form. Discount codes will be available for participant-use-only when the book hits the shelves this fall.

Seminar contact and technical questions: Dana Mackonis.

** The seminar will be open to the public and held indoors so we will have a limited number of seats. Please feel free to pass this seminar opportunity on to non-Terv friends.

Judging Belgian Tervuren

Slide Show presentation, live examples, comparisons.

Friday morning: beginning with 1^st bitch classes of the day Ringside Tutoring with Parent Club approved Mentors hands-on examination.

Contact janinalaurin@cs.com for additional information.