Message from the President Nancy Conner

The Green Sheet Irish Setter Club of New England

May 2016 Spring Issue

Vol 4 Issue 2

I want to express a big, public Thank You to all our club members and friends who have come together to bring us many successful events so far this year. I wish I could thank each of you by name. Here are some highlights. In March, ISCNE walked in the South Boston St. Patrick‘s Day parade. The public loves the dogs; it‘s great public relations! We were joined by friends, family and former members; I rode in the van with Jan Mathews and had a senior Irish on my lap who waved a silver paw at the crowd. I was delighted to see Wendy Landin and Eric Snodgrass who came down from New Hampshire, and the Murrays on their cycles, including Jannah and David who wore a ―Husband in Training‖ sign. Our weather was a bit cool and windy. The club also had a delightful meal and meeting at the home of Luanne and Bob Witt. The corned beef and all the fixings were delicious; it‘s perhaps my husband Curt‘s favorite meal! There was a lot of socializing and conversation, former member Lee Robinson attended, we had a birthday cake for Claire Andrews, and a new prospective member joined us and stayed through the often lively auction. Special thanks to Chef Bob and Luanne! Luanne has a heavy club load on her shoulders in the Spring. I hope she has recovered from running the AKC Hunt Test Seminar in conjunction with TarTan Gordon Setter Club and then our two-day Hunt Tests at the lovely Markover Preserve! I heard both events made a profit. I was in the kitchen for the two days, but I know ISCNE members ran dogs and got Passes. We drew an entry from former member Geri McAndrews and several other Irish Setter people. Joyce MacWalters tells me you can see candid photos from the tests if you are on Facebook; go to J MAC Photography. Debbie Wilson was HT Secretary. Thanks, Debbie, especially considering Sunday was your birthday! I had the impression the weather was perfect on Saturday. Rain had been predicted for Sunday but held off. It was colder however, and that gave us the excuse to build a fire in the lodge‘s fireplace. You must join us next year! Now, on to our Specialty on May 15th. We have drawn a good entry, it‘s five points in both Dogs and Bitches. We have a large entry in Best of Breed, and even a Brood Bitch and Brace entries. I‘m wearing the Raffle chairman hat and am quite pleased that we have some lovely items on offer. Please come out to the show, even if you don‘t have an entry. We‘d love to see you. I think Jan Mathews still could use some volunteers who can lend a hand. Now, if the weatherman will cooperate. All of our events have been fun and supported by dedicated workers. We can always use more members on the team. There‘s that phrase ―Each one, teach one.‖ which in this context means all our committee chairmen will welcome you and help you to learn some useful ways you can contribute to the club and perhaps introduce your own Irish to a new sport. Dates and details of the next General Membership meetings and Annual Awards will be out soon. I‘d like to plan another event in which we can bring or work with the dogs. I am open to ideas of speakers

On March 15, 2016, the Irish Setter Club of New England lost one of their own. Long time member Virginia Sprong passed away at the age of 100 at her home in Littleton, MA. Last fall several members of ISCNE, Claire Andrews, Allan Gans, Jan Mathews and former club member Mary Glover, joined Virginia in celebrating her 100th birthday. Virginia was a generous supporter of ISCNE. As noted in her obituary, Virginia was the loving owner of 10 ―in all‖ beautiful Irish Setters. She will be greatly missed by her friends. She was greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by all of her beloved Irish Setters . May the shamrocks fall softly.

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and also always looking for new venues. We‘re hoping to reschedule the veterinarian speaker we had planned for February. The AKC point schedule is going up so that means more Irish will be required to create major entries which are needed to finish championships. We support the New England Sporting Group Association shows, being held this year on May 28 and 29th on new outdoors show grounds in Swanzey, NH. I hear the grounds are suitable for picnicking and camping. I hope you entered! There are some nice show circuits coming up around New England. Perhaps we can unofficially support some of those weekends that have good judges and nice venues. The judge for the Greenwich K.C. show is Honey Glendenning, who has been on our Judges selection list. ISCCC is supporting the entry at Greenwich on June 11th and there will be a sweepstakes. Perhaps we can plan a get together of sorts then, set up a group grooming area. Maybe we can get someone to video the judging and use that film as a subject matter for a subsequent program. Anyone interested? All the best, Nancy Conner

In Memorium

President’s Message cont’d

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Marty Haspel - On April 10, Ruaidri Haspel earned his AKC Preferred Agility (PACH) title at the TarTan Gordon Setter Club agility trial. He is the sixth Irish Setter to earn this title and the first with conformation titles. The following weekend he achieved his 50th qualifying score in Masters Standard and thereby earned his Masters Standard Silver (MXPS) title. To date, Ruaidri has earned 30 AKC titles:

GCH CH Pinray‘s Ruaidri Mo Chuisle CD RE MXP5 MXPS MJP4 MJPB PAX XFP THD.

Not to be overshadowed by his Daddy, Decky (Santera Deaglan Mac Ruaidri Mo Chuisle MXP3 MXPB MJP2 MJPB OFP) is now more than halfway there towards his agility championship! The AKC currently ranks Decky as the #4 Irish Setter in preferred agility for 2016. Ruaidri is #3. Ann Francoeur reports that McKippen's First Impression "Grady" was Winners Dog at the Great Barrington Kennel club in Springfield MA on Feb 2nd. Her other boy, Captiva Quiet Reflection "Patrick" was Winners Dog at the South Windsor Kennel Club in Springfield MA on April 24th.

Brags

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Brenda Pierhal wishes to announce that Eliott finished 5th Irish Setter in Canada last year......after his wins in 2015. BIS Am Can. CH. Erinshire's Forever Stars N' Stripes "Eliott" - not too shabby! 2 Sporting Group 1st 1 Best In Show Select Dog... Canadian Irish Setter National Select Dog... Ottawa Valley Pointing Dog Club Select Dog... SG&D all breed dog club

Brags

Food For Thought Ann Francoeur

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How To Photograph A New Puppy Author unknown 1. Remove film from box and load camera 2. Remove film box from puppy's mouth and throw in trash 3. Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle 4. Choose a suitable background for photo 5. Mount camera on tripod and focus 6. Find puppy and take dirty sock from mouth 7. Place puppy in pre-focused spot and return to camera 8. Forget about spot and crawl after puppy on knees 9. Focus with one hand and fend off puppy with the other hand 10. Get tissue and clean nose print from lens 11. Take flash cube from puppy's mouth and throw in trash 12. Put cat outside and put peroxide on the scratch on puppy's nose 13. Put magazines back on coffee table 14. Try to get puppy's attention by squeaking toy over your head 15. Replace your glasses and check camera for damage 16. Jump up in time to grab puppy by the scruff of neck and say, "No, outside! No, outside! " 17. Call spouse to clean up mess 18. Fix a drink 19. Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink and resolve to teach puppy "sit" and "stay" the first thing in the morning.

Editor‘s Note: How many of us remember when film came in a box!!!!!

Ralph Lauren and Me: Part Three By Ruaidri Haspel

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By Ruaidri Haspel (GCH CH PACH Pinray‘s Ruaidri Mo Chuisle CD RE MXP5 MXPS MJP4 MJPB PAX XFP THD) as told to Marty Haspel

In February, my Daddy was asked if I would be available for another Ralph Lauren photo shoot; this was going to be my third appearance in Ralph Lauren fall fashion ads out of the last five seasons. Of course he said yes. This time it was going to be at Ralph Lauren headquarters on Madison Avenue. It‘s a little ironic that we were going to be in mid-town Manhattan because he had decided not to enter me in the Westminster Kennel Club Masters Agility Trial (scheduled for the next day) because he didn‘t want the hassle of being in Manhattan (and he‘s a native New Yorker). I could see his point. When we walked from the parking garage to the Ralph Lauren building, I discovered that I was surrounded by pigeons; so many that the late Carl Sagan would have described it as ―billions and billions‖ of them! My Daddy was not amused. Did I tell you that when I took a ―Birds 101‖ class a few years ago, I was retrieving pigeons?

Well, it started off as a normal photo shoot but then it became something very different; it wasn‘t a photo shoot, it was a fashion show!

The Wall Street Journal1 wrote an article about the events and described it as ―merchantainment‖, a marketing approach combining merchandizing and entertainment.

Ralph Lauren and Me: Part Three By Ruaidri Haspel

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. And yes, this photo of me headlined the article with the caption

“Models pose next to a photogenic Irish setter—an example of „merchantainment‟ at Polo Ralph Lauren‟s presentation of looks for fall 2016 during New York fashion week”.

It was a New York Fashion Week runway show, and fortunately for them, without the ―catwalk‖. It was staged for the fashion media, buyers for stores, fashionistas and people who ―need to be seen‖ at these events. They went through great effort to decorate their showroom as an exclusive English club and I spent the afternoon posing with the models and generally making friends.

The pop diva Ciara was photographed petting me. The caption in the Houston Chronicle2 read “Pop princess Ciara ditched boyfriend, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, for a few minutes at the presentation of the Polo Ralph Lauren collection Friday to get down with a group of male models and an Irish setter named Rory.”

People were lining up to have their photos taken with me and to pet me. I also made a new friend--Ralph Lauren! He took time out from schmoozing the crowd to pet me! I later introduced my Daddy to him. Did you know that they grew up in the same neighborhood in the Bronx?

The reaction in the press was incredibly favorable; I was a big hit. Some media accounts even suggested that I stole the show! Town and Country Magazine3 wrote: “We must admit, though, that even surrounded by such gorgeous clothes and models, it was our furry friend Rory who stole our hearts.”

They didn‘t know that my name is spelled ―Ruaidri‖. An article in Inquisitr4 was even more complimentary: “New York fashion week in 2016 may be known for celebrity-related buzz provided by Rihanna, Kanye West and the Kardashian-Jenner family, but Polo Ralph Lauren has added to the memorable moments in its own way — an Irish setter named Ruaidri (pronounced “Rory”) walked the runway for Polo Ralph Lauren on Friday.

Ralph Lauren and Me: Part Three By Ruaidri Haspel

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This crowd favorite and champion show dog has appeared in previous Ralph Lauren campaigns and was the subject of much blog chatter following his appearance, both amused and bemused. Ruaidri also works as a therapy dog for developmentally disabled adults and autistic children.”

There were at two articles that focused on me. An article in Vocativ5 was titled ”Meet Ralph Lauren's It-Dog And Fashion Week's Other Canine Stars-- This stylin' Irish Setter stole the show at Polo”. The other article appeared in W Magazine6 and was entitled “Hair Secrets of a Model Dog At Polo Ralph Lauren's fall presentation, an Irish Setter stole the spotlight from a clutch of ridiculously good-looking models”. You can imagine the topic covered by that article.

@Ralph Lauren twitter7 “Essential fall accessories: A classic fedora and a loyal Irish Setter. Polo Fall ‟16 #NYFW #MeetMeAtPolo”

After all of the glamour of fashion week, I returned to my ―humdrum‖ life of being a therapy dog and a top agility competitor

Footnoted hyperlinks:

1 http://www.wsj.com/articles/designers-put-spectacle-before-style-at-fashion-week-1455749024

2 http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/02-13-16-ciara-goes-to-the-dogs-with-hunky-models-at-unveiling-of-

polo-ralph-lauren-collection-1/ - slide=0

3 http://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/news/a5061/polo-ralph-lauren-fall-2016/

4 http://www.inquisitr.com/2793920/ny-fashion-week-2016-rihanna-jason-wu-among-firstacclaimed- designers/

5 http://www.vocativ.com/news/284339/meet-ralph-laurens-it-dog-and-newyork- fashion-week-other-canine-stars/

6 http://www.wmagazine.com/beauty/2016/02/polo-ralph-lauren-fall- 2016-new-york-fashion-week/photos/

7 https://-twitter.com/RalphLauren/status/698306234567565312

Meet The Members - Melissa Suter

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Tell us about you and your Irish

How long have you been involved with/owned Irish Setters? My parents bred and showed Irish Setters in Australia while I was growing up. I basically grew up with 3. I got my first Irish Setter in 2013 once I purchased my own place and got my US permanent residency. What was the name of your first Irish? Keeley is my first dog – Fyreside Belle‘s Beauty Keeley CGC OA OAJ RATI RATN Are you a breeder of Irish Setters? No How many Irish do you currently have? What are their names and ages? Just 1. Keeley who is 3, although I am currently looking for another Irish puppy some time in the next year or so. How long have you been a member of ISCNE? Do you belong to any other Irish Setter clubs?

Since the 2015 Holiday Party, ~ 3 months. I do not currently belong to any other Irish Setter club.

Have you held any positions within the club? If so, what positions? No, I‘m still brand new. Do you remember the first person you met when you joined ISCNE? I met Marty and Linda Haspel through agility prior to joining the club. At my first meeting I met many members, but talked most with Tara Murray. Do you compete with your Irish? If so, in what events? (Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Rally,

Hunting)

I compete in agility with Keeley (she is currently in Excellent JWW and Excellent Standard) and have done

some Barn Hunt (she was the 6th Irish Setter ever to earn a Novice title in Barn Hunt)

Although we have taken a lot of obedience classes we have never entered a trial, but may consider entering

obedience or rally trials some time this year.

What activities do you and your Irish enjoy together?

We love to go on long hikes or alternatively go to the beach where Keeley swims for hours. Keeley‘s favorite

thing ever is to play with her ball and every morning around 5:30am while the city of Boston is still very quiet

we go for a 4 mile walk/run through the parks where she can play off leash and chase the bunnies, squirrels

and her ball.

Describe your favorite memory with one of your Irish.

Probably sounds silly to most, but the favorite moment of all time with Keeley is when she earned her CGC – I

cried like a baby! Keeley went through a very tough time growing up. She was exceptionally fearful and as a

result became very reactive. We went through a lot of training, desensitization, counter conditioning,

confidence building exercise, and other behavioral modification techniques. Although we have achieved a lot

since then, the CGC was really the turning point for both of us. It was a very busy and distracting environment

and she was perfect!

Meet The Members - Melissa Suter

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What is the strangest/funniest thing your Irish has done?

Every 6 months or so Keeley will find a ‗baby‘ (or sometimes multiple babies) and carries it around with her

everywhere for approximately 2 weeks. It is always a stuffed toy and she bathes it, sleeps with it, gets very

upset if you take it away, insists on taking it with her on walks etc. She does this mommy behavior for a few

weeks every 6 months yet she has never had a litter and was actually spayed around 6 months.

Tell us about yourself

My current occupation is: I am a researcher (Assistant Professor) at Massachusetts General Hospital and

Harvard Medical School. I have a lab that develops new imaging technologies for early disease detection and

diagnosis primarily for lung cancer, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Dessert: Fruit Tart

Favorite Movie: While You Were Sleeping

Favorite TV Show: Dance Moms (embarrassing I know!)

Do you have any other hobbies that you enjoy? Probably spending time with friends, reading, exercising,

but honestly I enjoy spending time with my dog most.

Finish this sentence - What club members may not know about me is : I did a lot of dancing growing up

(Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Irish, etc), but my passion was ballet. I almost made a career of it but

instead turned down a full time dance scholarship to go the science route. I think that is why I love doing agility

so much. When everything is going right and my dog and I are in sync it is like dancing. Nothing better!

Meet The Members - Claire Andrews

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Tell us about you and your Irish

How long have you been involved with/owned Irish Setters? 68 years What was the name of your first Irish? I don‘t remember Are you a breeder of Irish Setters? Yes How many Irish do you currently have? What are their names and ages? I have 3— Robin 9 and littermates Star and Dreamer age 6 How long have you been a member of ISCNE? Do you belong to any other Irish Setter clubs? Early

1950‘s for ISCNE and ISCA in 1955

Have you held any positions within the club? If so, what positions? 1st Vice President, Board member, Hunt Test committee and Trophy Chairperson Do you remember the first person you met when you joined ISCNE? May Hanley Do you compete with your Irish? If so, in what events? (Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Rally,

Hunting) Conformation and Hunting

What activities do you and your Irish enjoy together? Showing the dogs, and visiting nursing homes with

the dogs, spending time with them in the back yard.

Describe your favorite memory with one of your Irish. Winning Best of Breed at Westminster Dog Show

from the Bred By Class beating many Champions

What is the strangest/funniest thing your Irish has done I used to dress up the dogs and take them to

school with me to spend time with the 1st graders.

Tell us about yourself

My current occupation is: Retired School Teacher—1st grade

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream

Favorite Movie: Big Red

Do you have any other hobbies that you enjoy? Art and gardening

Finish this sentence - What club members may not know about me is : I collect dog memorabilia

Meet The Members - Jan Mathews

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Tell us about you and your Irish

How long have you been involved with/owned Irish Setters? 23 years What was the name of your first Irish? Rusty Are you a breeder of Irish Setters? Yes, occassionally How many Irish do you currently have? What are their names and ages? I have 3— Tubbs and Bebhinn (littermates) 11 yrs old and Brady 4 years old How long have you been a member of ISCNE? Do you belong to any other Irish Setter clubs? 15 years

in ISCNE and also in ISCA

Have you held any positions within the club? If so, what positions? Board member, 1st Vice President, Hunt Test chairperson, Luncheon Chairperson, Trophy Chairperson and Steward. Do you remember the first person you met when you joined ISCNE? Barbara Joyal and Sue Johnson Do you compete with your Irish? If so, in what events? (Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Rally,

Hunting) Conformation and Hunting

What activities do you and your Irish enjoy together? Visiting nursing homes and schools with the dogs,

walking in St Patrick‘s Day parades.

What is the strangest/funniest thing your Irish has done Rhu could open any door with her mouth.She

once ate through the door to get into the kitchen while I was at work.

Tell us about yourself

My current occupation is: Nursing, Home Care and School Nursing

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Dessert: Grapenut Pudding

Favorite Movie: Glory

Favorite TV Show: NCIS, Grey‘s Anatomy and Grimm

Do you have any other hobbies that you enjoy? Working with special needs with S.T.A.R. and Special

Olympics. Member of local Historical Society

Finish this sentence - What club members may not know about me is : I love history and I am very active

in the local historical society.

In Memorium— Enrique by Shelly DeChambeau

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Our Enrique, CH Beaubriar High Definition RE, went to the rainbow bridge this week at 12 1/2 years of age. Owned by Sam Avallone & Jeanne Avallone, they asked that we put together something to honor his wonderful life. Rique was a champion of the conformation ring, titled in rally, a wonderful service dog, loving companion to his son Sage and the heart dog of Sam. Rique was one of the infamous Cable Litter, out of Fonzie, CH Saxony's Snow in August ROM and Emily, CH Beaubriars Electrifying JH ROM. He was the brother of my Ella, CH Beaubriar Premiere Event & Hillary, CH Beaubriar Starz on Demand. We will miss this loving, gentle boy. May the shamrocks fall softly on our Rique.

Health Beat— Are Dogs Color Blind?

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By Mara Bovsun, AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB Nov 12, 2015 Is everything in a dog‘s world black and white? That idea been widely accepted for decades, but new understanding of canine anatomy and behavior have shown that, while they can't see the same colors humans do, dogs are not color blind. Technicolor may be beyond their comprehension, but research shows that the dog‘s eye can see much more than shades of gray. What Is Color Blindness?

English scientist John Dalton (1766–1844) conducted some of the first studies on congenital color blindness in the late 18th century. Dalton became aware of the phenomenon because both he and his brother could not recognize some colors, confusing scarlet with green and pink with blue. In humans, this defect in red–green perception is common. It is caused by abnormalities in color-detecting molecules, known as cones, in the retina. The retina is a lining at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical impulses. These signals are then conveyed, through the optic nerve, to the brain, where an image is formed. People missing some of these color-detecting molecules (also known as photoreceptors) won't recognize certain light wavelengths. Such people are called color blind, but they actually can make out some hues. Red-green color blind people can still discern yellow and blue, but items in red will appear gray or brown to them.

Myths About Color Blindness in Dogs The notion that dogs see only in black and white has been attributed to Will Judy, a lifelong dog fancier, writer, and founder of National Dog Week. He claimed to be the first to declare that dogs had poor vision, able to see single shades and tones and only general outlines and shapes. "It's is likely that all the external world appears to them as varying highlights of black and gray," Rudy wrote in his 1937 manual, Training the Dog. In the 1960s, other researchers hypothesized that the only mammals that can discern color are primates. There was little research to back up this assertion, especially in dogs; nevertheless, it soon became common knowledge that our canine pals are color blind.

Are Dogs Color Blind or Spectrum Challenged? In the last few decades, examinations of the canine eye structure have revealed some differences in basic design between humans and dogs. The differences were driven by function and evolutions. Dogs developed their senses as nocturnal hunters, tracking and catching critters at night. Their eyes are adapted to see well in the dark and to catch movement.

Health Beat—Are Dogs Color Blind?

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For the purpose of hunting in the dark, canine eyes have a larger lens and corneal surface and a reflective membrane, known as a tapetum, that enhances night vision. The retina is where scientists have found the key to the difference in color perception between dogs and people. The retina is composed of millions of light-sensing cells. These include:

Rods, extremely sensitive cells that catch movement and work in low light;

Cones, work in bright light and control color perception, and,

Photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, newly discovered cells that have no apparent impact on sight but appear to be involved with regulation of circadian rhythms. It‘s the composition of the cones that make the difference in color perception. Humans and a few other primate species are trichromatic, which means they have three kinds of cones. Dogs are dichromatic, having only two.

Each type of cone registers a different light wavelength. The one for red and green gives humans their appreciation for a red rose or a Granny Smith apple. Dogs, and some color-blind people, are missing red-green cones. Dog Vision, a web site devoted to canine color perception, printed this side-by-side comparison of how the two species register the color spectrum.

So What Colors Can Dog See? Scientists now believe that a dog‘s color vision is similar to that of a person who has red–green colorblindness, according to research conducted by Jay Neitz, who runs the Neitz Color Vision Lab, in the department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington. Dogs can make out yellow and blue, and combinations. This renders a lot of the world grayish-brown. That lush green lawn? It probably looks like a field of dead hay. That royal red velvet cushion? Still comfy, but it probably comes across as a dark brown blob to the dog. Dog Vision also offers an online tool to help you see things as your dog sees them. There are also apps that you can use to see what your dog is seeing at any time.

Health Beat—Are Dogs Color Blind?

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To human eyes, this picture shows a redhead, a young Leonberger named Emily, pausing by bright red lilies in a lush green garden.

Left: As human eyes see this garden scene. Right: The same scene through canine eyes, as interpreted through the Dog Vision Image Processing Tool.

What Does This Mean to Your Dog? Knowing that dogs don't see certain colors, it would make sense to choose products that may be less aesthetically pleasing to you, but will be an eyeful for your dog. This knowledge may help explain Writing in Psychology Today, AKC Family Dog columnist Stanley Coren offered this observation: "One amusing or odd fact is that the most popular colors for dog toys today are red or safety orange (the bright orange red on traffic cones or safety vests). However red is difficult for dogs to see. It may appear as a very dark brownish gray or perhaps even a black.

This means that that bright red dog toy that is so visible to you may often be difficult for your dog to see. That means that when your own pet version of Lassie runs right past the toy that you tossed she may not be stubborn or stupid. It may be your fault for choosing a toy with a color that is hard to discriminate from the green grass of your lawn."

A big thank you to Ann Francouer for suggesting this topic.

Owner Handlers Eat Cake Submitted by Rita Auprey

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Entries plummet as costs climb, bad dogs shown by good handlers win, but good judges still award owner-handled dogs. by Sue McClure| Nov. 2012 | TheDogPress.com When I first started showing my wolfhounds, another exhibitor, who used a handler, told me if I wanted to win majors I couldn't owner handle, I was going to have to hire handler. I replied, “If that’s true, I’ll quit, as there would be no point in showing.” Since that first wolfhound, I’ve bred and shown my own dogs and others to their AKC championships and to placements in specialties. I’ve trained others to owner handle their own dogs and they have gone on to win group, BIS and specialty wins. The pleasure of owner-handling involves more than just winning. For most in the dog show world, it is a social event, a hobby that involves family members. It is a love affair with a breed, an outlet for stress and a way to enjoy doing things with your dog. Do you remember when you met friends at the show, put your x-pens together for the dogs to play and you had a tailgate party? That’s what more and more of us are saying…”Do you remember when?” AKC has put out a moratorium on approving shows while they figure out why the big drops in entries. That’s closing the barn door a little late. Breeder/owner handlers have been lamenting the situation for years, as more and more people dropped out, but no one “upstairs” has been listening. Sure animal rights movements, restrictive laws, and high license fees are hurting responsible breeders and the economy is taking its toll, but AKC is doing its part to discourage participation as well. If you live in New York City or large urban areas, you may have “too many shows” but if you live in an area like the panhandle of Florida, you will be driving over 3 hours to most shows and 8 hours to find a major! True, adding more shows hurts entries for long established shows but let’s remember people who live in Hattisburg, MS will never have as many shows near them as people in Chicago do, and AKC should take that into account. AKC needs to do more to get dog shows back into the realm of family sport and encourage owner handlers instead of such a professional sport. Magazine features and televised shows seem to be all about who the handlers and long time breeder-handlers are… This year the Westminster newscaster (not the experienced judge-commentator)

Owner Handlers Eat Cake Submitted by Rita Auprey

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said, “…so it’s all about the handlers in this (BIS) competition…” What does that project to novice handlers? AKC has encouraged big money shows; they have allowed shows go to the middle of the week in clusters, great for professionals but not for what used to be the backbone of dog breeding – the smaller “dedicated-to-their-breed breeders” and owner handlers who have 40-hr-a-week jobs. When I tried to discuss this with an AKC rep at our show, pointing out that the people showing their own dogs couldn’t make the middle of the week shows, she gave me a cavalier, “Well, it’s not a family sport” answer that reminded me of the alleged “Let them eat cake” remark by an oblivious queen that lost her head. She was pushing our club to move our show to a cluster farther south. How does that fall into serving our own community? What happened to “you must give a show within 25 miles of your club’s location”? Who does it benefit having 4 shows in one location? First guess – those who don’t have to move their set ups, not those living in the area. Certainly not owner handlers. When someone wanted our club to offer $1000 for BIS to bring in more handlers, I turned to our catalog to prove to the board that the majority of dogs at our show were being shown by their owners. Over 56% of the entry had been shown by their owners or breeders. The board agreed to try it one time with the cash award and we got a total of 4 more dogs…the handlers were surprised when they got the checks… they didn’t read the premiums and it wasn’t why they had entered our show. It’s the judging panel people are looking at when they check the premium. In our area, 8 of the shows I used to attend are no longer held on weekends, cutting my showing and ability to find majors by more than half while doubling my expenses. And at the rate show giving clubs are bleeding money, this trend will continue. Those dog clubs giving independent shows will go under and as more of the smaller weekend shows disappear, the less the average exhibitor is able to continue going to all breed shows. Many influential breeders now just go to specialties. While people like to think it is a myth that handlers can finish anything, many of us owner handlers with enough years in our breed to know a good dog, know it is not a myth. I’ve seen multiple specialty winners get beat by generic dogs under handlers. I recently attended a seminar where two judges said the advertising in show magazines

Owner Handlers Eat Cake Submitted by Rita Auprey

Page 19 The Green Sheet

have no effect. I work in marketing. Millions are spent on advertising and it isn’t because it has no effect. If for no other reason than looking at the same winning dog in publication after publication fixes one’s eye to that dog as what is correct, it is effective. Dogs that win in one area may not win in another area because the dogs they are up against look different, or the judge was mentored where different kennels with a different look are predominant. I once had someone ask me what was wrong with an Irish Wolfhound’s topline because he was the odd man out in the line up – the only one with a slight curve over the loin. The onlooker thought it must be incorrect. The same principle comes into play with weeklong clusters. Judges are seeing the same dogs with handlers constantly. The weekend warrior may have a dog that has won a specialty but as an owner handler, he isn’t out there constantly, and he is overlooked by judges that aren’t totally up on that breed. When earnest breeders of good dogs begin to feel it doesn’t matter how nice a dog they have when they are showing against heavily campaigned dogs or under judges not strong enough to put a decidedly better dog over a professionally handled dog, they leave the sport. Remember that catalog accounting of owner-handled dogs? I don’t think it is any coincidence that entries are down about 50%. AKC Pay attention, please! Owner handlers don’t want cake, we just want a fair shake. (Editor’s note: The inclusion of this article is not intended to offend anyone, but to share a perspective. Any articles with an alternate viewpoint are welcome.)

10 Ways to Extend Your Dog’s Life

Page 20 The Green Sheet

From Woofipedia by The American Kennel Club

Everyone agrees that the worst thing about dogs is that they don‘t live long enough. But these easy, commonsense tips can help extend the time we have with our canine pals.

Dream Big

What‘s your perfect dog? Like a spouse, a dog is a partner who will be with you for a long time, for better or for worse, so pick one you can live with. Divorce between humans is devastating, but a canine–human mismatch can have deadly consequences for the dog. If you are honest with yourself up front, you‘ll find someone to make your heart sing every second you are together.

Be Picky

Find a breeder with a sterling reputation for producing healthy, well-balanced puppies. Ask lots of questions, about pedigree, health screens, and care during the first few weeks. With rescue organizations, ask about the dog‘s background, health, vaccine status, and temperament issues that may require additional training. And don‘t just take anyone‘s word for it. Trust your eyes, ears, and gut. If something seems wrong, say no.

Lock Down

Examine every inch of the place you call home with one question in mind: How many ways can my puppy kill himself here? Anything that dangles, sparks, topples, or can be chewed poses a danger. Don‘t think you‘re in the clear if your new dog is an adult. One 9-year-old country dog got a new home in an urban high-rise. She did not realize that the open window led, not to a backyard, but to a 15-story drop. It all ended well, she was pulled to safety, but only after an afternoon perched on an air conditioner.

Teach Red-Light Commands

Young puppies are information sponges so use this period to ingrain life-saving commands—come, leave it, and an automatic sit or down. It‘s a little more challenging to teach them to an adult, but you‘ll be happy you made the extra effort if your dog ever gets loose and makes a beeline toward traffic.

Become a Nutrition Nerd

Some dogs will have shiny coats, high energy, and bright eyes on a diet of pizza and stale bagels, but those are rare. For most, a high-quality diet, whether from a can, bag, or your kitchen, is essential. Don‘t just read labels and recipes, read your dog. Dull hair, unpleasant odors, and stomach problems may mean that the food doesn‘t agree with him. If that‘s the case, change the menu.

Be Rude

“Awww, he‟s so cute. Can I kiss his little nose?” No.

“Can I give her a piece of my sandwich?” Nope.

“Don‟t you want to try this new procedure?” Not a chance.

“Let me toss him in the deep end." Try it, and it'll be the last thing you do.

As a dog owner, you will face a constant barrage of requests, opinions, and orders. Protect your dog from all of this unsolicited affection and advice by learning to say one little word: ―No!‖ (Or one of the colorful alternatives offered above.) You live with this dog and you know what‘s best for him. Don‘t allow anyone, even a person in a position of authority, to browbeat you into a bad decision.

10 Ways to Extend Your Dog’s Life

Page 21 The Green Sheet

Woofipedia by The American Kennel Club

Keep Your Nose on the News

Dog owners have more resources than ever before. Use them. Food recalls, for example, often appear on Facebook and Twitter before they reach the mainstream media. Scientific papers on canine health are available online. Watch for new developments. Some can be lifesavers.

Prepare for the Worst

Accidents happen and knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog or how to tie a tourniquet can mean the difference between life and death. Classes, books and online resources offer the basics. Also, find the nearest 24-hour veterinary emergency room in your area, keep the number handy, and make sure that you have a way to get there no matter what time of day or night.

Stuff a Cash Cushion

Medical care costs money, so consider buying a health insurance policy for your dog or having a credit card reserved for your pet's care. Some illnesses are one-time big expenses, while others require long-term care and medication. Either way, insurance can ease the financial burden of caring for a sick dog.

Soothe Your Senior

There‘s nothing like old dogs. They are sweet, soulful, and noble, but, like old people, they can be crabby, achy, and may lose control of their bodily functions, and go blind or deaf. These problems, however, don‘t have to be the end of the line. There are all kinds of products and techniques—like orthopedic beds, acupuncture, and water therapy—that can help you keep the glitter in your dog‘s golden years.

How Old Are You Now?

It used to be common practice to compare a dog‘s age to a human‘s age by simply multiplying the dog‘s

age by a factor of 7. However, a dog reaches maturity at the end of the first year, which means that a

one year old dog is best compared to a 16 year old human.

Here‘s a formula for making a more accurate comparison between your dog‘s age and a human‘s.

Count a dog‘s first year as 16; then, add five years for each calendar year after that. Thus a four year old

dog may be compared to a 31 year old human.

From the 2015 365 Dog A Day Calendar

AKC Conformation News 2016 Point Schedule

Page 22 The Green Sheet

How does the AKC determine the dog and bitch counts necessary for attaining certain sets of points for

the different divisions each year?

Divisions are normally a grouping of adjacent states that share the same schedule of points. However,

HI, AK and PR (because of their geographic isolation) are of a single state or territory.

The calculations only take into account the number of dogs that actually competed (not those that were

entered) during the previous year. In each division, except AK, HI and PR, the schedule is set according

to the following formula, considering the dogs in regular class competition for the previous year.

1 point - 95% of shows where there was competition carry one or more points for dogs and bitches

2 Points – the number is chosen to be half the difference between one and three points.

3 points – as close as possible to 18% of shows should be majors for both dogs and bitches.

4 points – this number is approximately 2/3 of the difference between three and five point shows.

5 points – as close as possible to 2% of shows are to carry 5 points for both dogs and bitches .

AKC has published the new schedule on their website and it goes into effect on May 11, 2016.

Division 1 includes all point shows in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island

and Vermont. For Irish Setters:

1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Dogs 2 5 9 13 18

Bitches 2 5 9 14 21

Division 2 includes all point shows in Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For Irish

Setters:

1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Dogs 2 5 7 11 17

Bitches 2 6 10 14 21

Division 3 includes all point shows in District of Columbia, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and West

Virginia. For Irish Setters:

1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Dogs 2 4 5 9 14

Bitches 2 5 7 13 23

Check our web site

www.iscne.org

The Editor’s Desk Welcome to this issue of the Green Sheet. I encourage you to share your brags, new arrivals, and memorials for future issues. Do you have suggestions for topics you would like to read about, or maybe you would like to write an article for our newsletter? Please contact me at EditorGreenSheet@Gmail.com

Diane d’Entremont

Editor Green Sheet

Join us for back to back specialties with ISCCC on May 15th in Vernon CT. Great raffle items available.

Coming Events 2016

May 15, 2016 ISCNE Spring Specialty in conjuction with ISCCC

specialty Vernon CT

May 28th and 29th New England Sporting Group Association

Swanzey, NH

May 29th—June 4th ISCA National San Diego CA

June 4th and 5th Supported Entry Ladies Dog Club Wrentham MA

June—General membership meeting TBA

July— General membership meeting, elections and annual awards

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I

want to go where they went.”

― Will Rogers

Quotation of the Month

Irish Setter Club of New England — Founded in 1928

Officers Board of Governors

President : Nancy Conner Linda Callaghan

1st Vice President : Jan Mathews Claire Marx

2nd Vice President : Luanne Witt Tara Murray

Secretary : Mary Bateman Tegan Murray

Treasurer : Susan Wilson Deborah Wilson Now celebrating 88 years!