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cesky connection
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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Dear Fanciers:
Hoping all members and their fur babies are enjoying the beautiful
weather we are having on the East Coast. Old man winter has finally
moved on.
I’d like to remind all about Purina Farms and CeskyFest. Plans
sound exciting with quite a few Ceskys attending and great prizes
available. Nick and his committee have done a great job. This will
be a wonderful chance to meet Ceskys, their people and just talk
Cesky.
We have ironed out all the verbiage that AKC wanted changed on the
Constitution and By Laws (CB&L). In the next few weeks, this will be
going out via Survey Monkey to the General Membership for a vote to
accept.
The verbiage in the Breed Standard has been approved by the AKC
Board of Directors and will be published by AKC for comment in
June. When this is done and we receive it back, it will be sent to the
General Membership via Survey Monkey for a vote to accept this as
our new Standard.
The National Specialty is being held on October 8th at Montgomery
Kennel Club in Blue Bell, Pa. This year in Sweeps, we will be
allowing Professional Handlers to handle dogs. Also, if you have a
spayed or neutered pet and would like to show him/her, please know
that these dogs can be shown in Veteran’s group. The Judges for the
show are John Constantine for all regular classes and Joan Murko for
Sweeps.
the
APRIL—JUNE 2017 EDITION 4, VOLUME 2
What’s inside?
President’s Message pgs. 1&2
Cheesy Egg Recipe pg. 2
NPDD pg. 3& 4
ACTFA Website pg. 4
Cesky Fest pg. 5
Pamper your Cesky pg. 6
Thank You pg. 7
Leptospirosis & Your Dog
pgs. 7&8
Donations requested pg. 8
Midwest Member Fun pg. 9
Oklahoma Cluster pg. 9
Petition Results pg. 10
From the editors: Submissions are
greatly needed. Photos, articles
and ideas are all welcome. We
strive hard to bring you an
informative and fun newsletter
each quarter and are asking for
your help!
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Doreen Fletcher and Beth Luebbers are working on
prizes, and I think all will be very surprised and
happy when the results of their work are revealed.
Julie Gritten is working on the gift bags for the dinner
and is doing a wonderful job.
Lonny and I will not be able to attend CeskyFest this
year, but please know that we will be there with you
in spirit. You will all be in our thoughts.
Have a wonderful spring & summer season,
Barbara Hopler
ACTFA President The New & Improved Lississippi Cesky Kitchen
The Cesky Connection is the newsletter of and
copyrighted by the American Cesky Terrier Fanciers
Association, Inc. (ACTFA). Opinions expressed in the
Cesky Connection are those of the authors and may
or may not reflect the opinions of ACTFA, Inc., its
Board of Directors, the editor(s) of the Cesky
Connection or ACTFA membership.
The editor(s) reserves the right to reject any
submission deemed unsuitable for publication by
the editorial staff for reasons to include poor
sportsmanship or inappropriate content.
Contact the Editors
NEWSLETTER POLICIES
Lissa Preston 309.558.8092
Kathy Loy 201-247-6767
Cheesy Egg Scramble
1/2 cup cottage cheese 1 cup rice 2 cups water 2 eggs
Eggs are especially good for dogs who have been having stomach issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Combine the rice and water, bringing it all to a boil, then simmering it until the rice is cooked. Whisk the eggs, then cook separately and combine cottage cheese, rice, and scrambled eggs together. Set aside to cool before giving to your dog. Makes 2 servings.
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National Purebred Dog Day (NPDD) by Lissa Preston
CESKY TERRIER DEBUT, March 15& 16th, 2017
If you aren’t following the Cesky Terrier on social
media or Facebook, I would like to tell you about the
recent fun our club had.
Susi Szeremy, creator of National Purebred Dog Day,
was kind enough to bring the Cesky Terrier to her
Facebook page spotlight of 55,000+ followers.
This came about from a collaboration of a few
ACTFA members who shamelessly tried to lobby
Ms. Szeremy to plug our wonderful yet “unknown to
many” breed. To our surprise, Susi found the Cesky
fascinating and was pleased to feature the whimsical
Cesky and it’s history.
The experience was both enlightening and heart
warming. The online feature was highlighted by
history using well chosen photos, different types of
Cesky art and gifts, Czech stamps— even a Cesky
covered bus. All pieces accentuated a fun discussion
and I felt special to be a part of it. When Susi asked
for us to share puppy pics for adoring fans, we posted
in droves! Many stories were shared from friends
about things you never knew. Most of the varying
comments and photos made the reader smile. Some
were sad, as when reminded about the state of war and
the fate of Mr. Horak’s friend at the gas chambers. At
the end, I couldn’t help but wipe away fresh tears
when fanciers were asked to share something about
our Ceskys that have gone before us.
To give you an more of an idea about what went on
during this special 2 day feature, here were a few of
the questions and some of my favorite responses…
(Please be sure to go to the next page for a special
message from Susi Szermey!)
NPPD: Cesky friends, is your breed suitable in a
household with children and/or senior family
members? Can you recommend the breed for first
time owners? Do they get along with other dogs,
cats, birds or rodent-type pets?
Julie Gritten: Cesky Terriers get along very well with
other dogs. Mr. Horak wanted to breed a dog that is
amiable with others and able to hunt in packs.
Dennis Loy: The Cesky is a WONDERFUL breed for
ALL ages. They LOVE to sit in laps, play tug-of-war,
and are GREAT with a tennis ball (easily trained to
fetch.) A GREAT dog for apartments: they are short/
small with a deceptively low bark making people on
the other side of the door think you have a LARGE
dog for protection. They are shy at first with any
"new" person but quickly warm up and share their
love. A TRUE companion dog for ANY age.
NPPD: Cesky friends, what would surprise most
people about your breed?
Sandra Bridge-Chase: They can always make you
laugh. They always will love you. They always will
take a treat. What surprises me most is they are always
there for you. They know the good times and the bad
and they will never let you down
NPPD: Cesky Terrier friends, what is the one
question you wish people would ask you about
your breed, but almost never do?
Linda Comer: People never seem to ask about their
hunting capabilities. They are described as a well
muscled short legged hunting dog in their Standard.
These dogs are very multi-faceted and should be
credited with their hunting capabilities. While rabbit
and fox are their standard hunting delight, they do not
back away from larger prey.
NPPD: Cesky Terrier friends, we've been asked to
ask you about your breed's topline. The breed
standard reads, "The Cesky is longer than it is tall
and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the
loin and rump." Why? What is the thinking in
having a topline slightly higher over the loin and
rump, or put another way, in not having a level
topline?
Sheila Atter: The topline must be flexible because the
Cesky needs to be able to twist and turn in a narrow
space when working underground. A level topline,
Susi Szermey with her Puli pal
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with no musculature over the loin, means that the dog
cannot maneuver as easily.
NPPD: It might be the most important question we
ask during a Purebred of Interest feature: We
steadfastly believe that there are no bad qualities
in carefully bred purebred dogs, only poorly
matched owners and dogs, and that fewer dogs
would end up as "rescues" if potential owners fully
understand the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of a
breed. Cesky Terrier owners, who should NOT
own a Cesky? What quality could be a "deal
breaker" for the owner who didn't do their
homework?
Roslyn Miller: Ceskys need socialization through
their whole life; they need to constantly be exposed to
as many aspects as possible to develop into well-
rounded terriers. I think an only outdoor, kennel dog
would not do well as these guys love and crave family
and people.
NPPD: Cesky Terrier friends, let's lighten the
mood by having you complete this sentence: You
might be a Cesky Terrier owner if… Gregg Bridge-Chase: …if your lap is warm and your
heart is full.
A Letter From Susi Szeremy & NPDD "Administering a Facebook page and website that
honors purebred dogs offers a unique vantage point
from which to learn about the glorious diversity of our
breeds, and to observe the people who love them. As
the creator of National Purebred Dog Day, it’s been
my honor to invite the owners and breeders of (thus
far), 131 breeds, and over time, I’ve noticed that each
breed brings with it, for lack of a better word, a
“mood.” Are the owners friendly and enthusiastic
about sharing the marvels of their breed? Are they
entrenched in club politics and more interested in
correcting each other than in highlighting what
attracted them to the breed? Are they “gun shy” about
talking about their breed because its tail is docked, its
ears are cropped, its structure is misunderstood, or its
character has been sullied by animal activists? I’ve
encountered all of the above. Cesky folks know all too
well that one doesn’t encounter many of their breed,
so when it came time to feature the Cesky as a
“Purebred of Interest,” I fully expected to have little
participation from its owners, if not have to extract
information about their breed with the skill of an brain
surgeon. Instead, I was, in a word, gobsmacked at
the passionate participation of the owners of this
marvelous little dog. Cesky owners seemed to me to
have a camaraderie that was familiar to me, and only
later did I realize that it comes from having a rare,
uncommon breed in the early days of its acceptance as
an AKC breed. Never lose this. There are as many
way of identifying type and correctness as there are
people doing the identifying, but at the root of it all is
a wonderful breed. If the stewards of the Cesky stay
true to its original purpose and the breed standard, the
breed should be fine. It was my unabashed pleasure in
working with the Cesky people. You have something
special going on – don’t let it go!"
New Look for our ACTFA Website
By Wendy C. Turgeon/[email protected]
I would love to introduce myself. I am the webmaster
of our club page. I have one Cesky, Hector, who is
nearing 12 years old. And that is hard to believe. It
seems like just yesterday he was a puppy, pulling the
legs out from under our elderly Stafford. I will confess
to not being a web expert, and, in many ways, I learn
as I go.
I have two important points that I would like to bring
up here. First, the ACTFA club web page is OUR
page. Please send me suggestions you may have for
improving it. It should be the place for members to
find information about the ACTFA -- from minutes of
meetings to show information to info on who to
contact for specific club information-- and for
information about our wonderful Cesky breed. I hope
you presently find it useful, and I would LOVE to
work with you to make it an even better resource.
Please let me know any suggestions you may have for
improving our website. My email address is provided
above.
Second, one thing that is very important to me is
getting pictures from the ACTFA members of their
Ceskys being Ceskys. The header (photo) image on
our website can (and should) be changed. I would
really like to feature different Cesky Terriers. If you
have an image of your dog centered in the foreground,
that image works best. Our header is not for formal
show shots. I would like to demonstrate the
wonderful personalities and skills of our dogs, in all
of the various ways this might be exemplified. So,
please, consider sending me a jpeg image if you think
your picture might fit our intent of showing the best of
our wonderful Ceskys. I would LOVE to have the
problem of receiving so many photos that changes will
continue far into the future!!
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ACTFA CeskyFest • 2017
June 1 through June 5th, 2017 The first ever “CeskyFest” is planned for the first weekend in June at Purina Farms in Gray Summit,
MO. There will be two ACTFA National Roving Specialties along with a ACTFA Sweepstakes and
an All Terrier show. ACTFA will be providing some keepsake trophies for both Specialties and the
Sweepstakes.
The Purina Farms show site is a spectacular venue for dog shows and social events on site and this
year there is an incredible panel of judges, from Canada, Australia and the USA.
An ACTFA Cesky Fest Dinner is being held at Purina Farms on Saturday, JUNE 3, 2017. Please
make your reservations by May 20th. Please provide Linda Comer with the following:
1. Number Attending.
2. Check made payable to American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association for $35.00 per person.
3. Mail checks to Linda Comer, 419 W Mansion Street, Marshall, MI 490684.
4. If you have specific dietary requirements please let Linda know so that appropriate menu items
can be prepared. Linda must have these items no later than May 20th.
Any questions please call Linda at 269-781-4618 or e-mail: [email protected] We are
looking forward to a great and exciting first CESKY FEST for exhibitors and fanciers.
Hope to see you there!!!
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Pamper YOUR Cesky! By Kathy Loy
Because all dogs are different and have different
“things” that stimulate and calm them, we thought our
newsletter could offer some interesting options for our
ACTFA readers that they might try with their own
Cesky.
In this regard, I reviewed different websites that
offered relaxing/fun/entertaining options for your dog.
One website I reviewed was DogRadio.com.
According to the website, Canadian, British and Irish
studies have shown that dogs and cats are calmed by
sounds (dog music), so they offer, free of charge,
sounds that you can play while your pet is alone.
According to the website, leaving DogRadio playing
while you are away helps ensure that your dog
primarily hears sounds that are relaxing and calming
instead of only hearing sounds occurring naturally
(doorbells, loud outside voices, knocks, etc.).
DogRadio also offers a CD that you can play while
you are away that your dog/cat can both listen to and
watch. If you are interested in purchasing a CD for
your Cesky, look at the following website: http://
welovepets.com/dogradio.html. From what I
understand, DogRadio is free and available online.
And, talking about a CD which your pet can both
listen to and watch, that option struck a responsive
chord in me: our Cesky Ishy is an avid TV watcher.
That is, he ALWAYS barks and runs to the TV when
a dog, cat, or horse appears. People who visit are
amazed that Ishy can actually “interpret” images he
sees on the TV as something interesting, familiar, or at
least worth calling attention to. Because he always
barks at horses, which to our knowledge he has never
seen up close, we don’t know if it’s actually the horse
or the dark moving image that stimulates him. But,
whatever the reason, horses always seem to gain
his attention, as do ALL pictures of dogs and
cats. And, although these images don’t produce a
calming effect, they do stimulate him and cause a
reaction. So having the TV on helps ensure
that little Ishy doesn’t just sit around and
lethargically “laze-away” his alone time.
As I was reviewing other websites, especially
one that offers a variety of dog wash options and
a dog blueberry facial (such an interesting
concept!!), the promises of this website
prompted me to share with ACTFA readers a
special bar soap that I ALWAYS use with Ishy. I
bought it originally at a dog store in Greenville,
SC, while visiting my niece. We SO LOVE the soap
that I found on the internet where I can purchase it.
The name of the bar soap is Creamy Coconut and I
found it on Amazon. For a $5.00 soap bar, Ishy can
luxuriate in a creamy bath that gets out dirt and leaves
his hair silky smooth. During and after his bath, I am
able to comb him out easily, and his resultant hair is
soooo wonderful. And a single bar, used with
moderation, lasts for many baths. And my nose is able
to detect a very pleasant scent when we are finished.
Because I was so impressed with this soap and knew
that I wanted to share “my find” with others, this
article presented the prime place for me to share my
pleasant experience.
And, that lead me to consider asking our newsletter
readers if anyone has a similar love they would like to
share with our ACTFA readers. If you have special
information that you would like to share, be it a
website, a product that you make, know or use, please
send your information to my special email:
[email protected]. I promise to share your
information as well as any questions you may have
with The Cesky Connection readers. Your name and
the information/question that you send to this email
can easily be made known to our newsletter readers
Although the premise of this article is NOT to
publicize publically held companies, this newsletter
would LOVE to share products or materials that our
ACTFA members make and/or make-available to
other dog lovers. The information/websites/products
that you use or know about that may be of interest to a
number of our newsletter readers can transmit a
goldmine of information. Many of you travel to dog
shows or have opportunities to see what is of interest
to dog owners, let’s try to share some of your
knowledge with other Cesky owners.
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Club Sponsors Thank you to all the following below for your
generosity. Your extra contribution will help our
club succeed in educating judges, supporting our
specialties, rescues and other activities as we go
through 2017.
Platinum
Denise Lowe
Pamela Bale
Jean Hester Kyttle & Gary Kyttle
Barbara & Lonny Hopler
Virginia Melich
Margaret Douglas & Richard Splitstone
Cristyn Tantilla
Silver
Sandra & Gregg Bridge-Chase
Beth & Phil Luebbers
Tim Smith & Holly Million
Glenn & Harriet Dorsey
Doreen & Nick Fletcher
Bronze
Jane Pyne
Michael Barnes
Denise & John Gill
Bob & Linda Comer
Charlotte Kinskey
Ginger Robinson
George Scouten
Joan Murko
What Is Leptospirosis And Should
You Be Concerned?
Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of
AKC June 13, 2016
Leptospirosis is a disease that affects dogs, as well as
many other kinds of animals. The organism that
causes leptospirosis is a spirochete bacteria and is
found throughout the world. There are a very large
number of Leptospira; about 230 of them have been
identified.
In the United States,
Leptospirosis is in
the environment
because it is carried
in rats, wildlife, as
well as domestic live-
stock. More cases are
seen in late summer
and fall and often
after heavy rainfalls.
Leptospira is known
to exist in standing water, dampness, and mud.
Winter conditions tend to lower the risk because
Leptospira do not tolerate freezing temperatures.
Pets can become infected through contact with urine
of infected animals such as raccoons, skunks, rats,
feral cats, dogs, and other animals. Often, dogs
contract the disease by swimming in stagnant water
or drinking contaminated water in puddles.
Not all dogs that are exposed to Leptospirosis become
visibly ill. In a 2007 study, 25 percent of unvaccinated
healthy dogs had antibodies to Leptospirosis. This
indicated to researchers that they had been previously
exposed to Leptospirosis without their owners
noticing a problem.
When Leptospirosis does cause disease in dogs, it
tends to be most severe in unvaccinated dogs that are
younger than 6 months of age. It takes about 4-12
days after exposure for a dog to start to feel ill.
Signs of illness vary, but usually include lethargy,
poor appetite, fever, vomiting, increased thirst or
urine production. Jaundice may also be seen. Blood
tests will show changes in kidney values or liver and
kidney values.
Diagnosis is made through blood and urine tests that
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look specifically for Leptospirosis. Antibiotics are
typically used to treat Leptospirosis; not only can they
treat the active infection, but also may prevent dogs
from becoming carriers of the organism.
Prevention is best accomplished by stopping your
dog’s access to contaminated water. Also, try to
sanitize your dog's environment by eliminating food
and garbage to reduce the attraction of rats, raccoons,
or feral cats.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. In other words, it
is contagious to humans. The most likely way humans
contract Leptospirosis is via exposure to dog or rat
urine. However, any bodily fluid, including vomit and
saliva, can transmit the disease. If your dog is infected
with Leptospirosis, it is very important to observe
proper hygiene even after he has recovered (wearing
protective gloves when cleaning up after your dog,
preventing face licking, etc.)
Vaccination for leptospirosis is an option to consider
if your dog is at high risk of contracting the disease.
The American Animal Hospital Association considers
Leptospirosis a “non-core” vaccine for dogs. That is,
they do not recommend it unless there is a good
chance your dog will be exposed to Leptospirosis.
The efficacy of the vaccine is variable: short lasting or
limited. There have been reports of reactions to the
vaccine that vary from minor to severe.
Vaccination does not always prevent infection, but it
tends to make the disease much milder if infection
occurs. There is the potential for vaccinated dogs that
do become infected to become long term carriers of
Leptospirosis. Some long-term carriers have more
frequent incidence of reproductive failure and
stillbirths.
As with all vaccinations, you should discuss the
vaccine for leptospirosis with your veterinarian. This
decision will be based on you and your dog’s life
style, if your community is experiencing cases of
Leptospirosis, and the other pros and cons your
veterinarian has experienced with the vaccine.
Hello! We hope this finds everyone enjoying a glorious Spring! With our second
National Specialty at Montgomery on the horizon it is now time to begin the process of planning for the
prizes and rosettes that will be presented to our Specialty and Sweepstakes winners.
To this end, we are now soliciting donations for our Prize Fund.
This year rather than having individual donors for dedicated classes , we plan to simply have two levels of
donors with all names proudly included in this years Montgomery County Kennel Club Show Catalog.
Donations of up to $75 will be listed in the Show Catalog as "General Trophy Fund" donors and those
contributing $76 or more will be included as "Class Dedication Sponsors". Class Dedication Sponsors
may also note a special dedication of their choosing in their catalog listing.
Please contact Beth Luebbers by email [email protected] to
make your donation pledge no later than June 1st 2017.
Checks should be made payable to ACTFA and sent to:
Sandra Bridge-Chase
24719 71st Ave North
Port Byron Illinois 61275
Our sincere Thank You in advance for your participation.
Respectfully,
Beth Luebbers and Doreen Fletcher
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Oklahoma Kennel Club Summer Classic Cluster June 28—July, 2107
Oklahoma State Fairgrounds
ACTFA Supported Entry on Saturday, July 1, 2017
For information, contact Holly Million 405-210-0976
Judges:
BREED NOHS
Brad Jenkins Michelle Scott
Clay Coady Paula Nykiel
Elizabeth Muthard Nancy Liebes
Michelle Scott Garry Newton
Anne Katona Gary Sacket
Cesky Fun In The Midwest
Showing at the NIU Convocation Center in Northern Illinois, Linda & Bob Comer pose
with 2 of their Ceskys on the left. Next, Sandra Bridge-Chase is kneeling next to her
granddaughter, Kiley Preston. Far right, friend and first time dog handler Lindsay Inman
also joined in for some fun in the ring. Happy spring everyone!
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Petition results to Amend ACTFA CB&L By ACTFA Vice President Dennis Loy
2017 started out impressively: with a membership voting action. A petition had been received in late 2016 to
amend the ACTFA Constitution and ByLaws (C&BL). And the early 2017 voting process witnessed a new
voting format for the ACTFA: use of Survey Monkey.
The Petition proposed changes to the ACTFA C&BL re: ACTFA’s Annual Meeting and the National Special-
ty Location. The Petition, the Majority Board Response, and the Membership Ballot were emailed to eligible
ACTFA voting members on February 1, 2017, and members were allowed to vote, again via email, through
February 16, 2017.
Results of the membership vote: 86% of the eligible ACTFA membership voted in the Petition process,
with 77.6% of the membership voting against acceptance of the Petition. I, as a Board Member, consider
this 86% number a TERRIFIC response rate and thank ALL members who took the time to read all of the ma-
terial and then vote on this important matter.
As with all ACTFA activities, the please know that the Board always appreciates hearing from you. If you
would like your opinion heard on any matters of interest/concern, please contact me or any Board member and
express details of your issue. The Board member you speak with will present your name and your issue at the
next scheduled board meeting.