Pure Dog Talk

• 687 – Movie Star Great Dane’s Owner Helps Educate the Public

  Movie Star Great Dane’s Owner Helps Educate the Public Host Laura Reeves is joined by Bev Klingensmith, breeder, owner and trainer of the canine star of the new movie, The Friend. [caption id="attachment_14029" align="alignleft" width="671"] Bev Klingensmith and Bing on set filming The Friend.[/caption] Klingensmith’s dog, Bing, CH Flighty Foto White Christmas CD RA CA DCAT TKI CGC TT, plays the part of the Harlequin Great Dane in the movie which stars Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, about a solitary writer who adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, helping her to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life. Bing is Klingensmith’s fourth generation of homebred Great Danes, starting in the late ‘90s. “The production company actually sent an e-mail to me back in January of 2020. When I first got the e-mail I deleted it. People, I've told that story and people ask if I thought it was a scam or fake. And I'm like, no, I just didn't think it was realistic for me. They're talking filming in New York. I live in Iowa. And then I was like, you know, I do have lots of friends on the East Coast with Danes. Maybe I can help point them in the right direction, give them some contacts at least. That was really my only initial reason to reach back out.” Klingensmith is very aware of concerns about the risks posed by purebred dogs appearing in movies and has used the movie as a platform for education about her beloved breed. “I worked with the production team and we put a piece in the credits encouraging folks to visit the Great Dane Club of America's website for breeder referrals and rescue contacts. I have worked with a few rescues for fundraising. We've done so many Q&A events and things like that. And that is one of the things I always hit on is Great Danes are not for everyone. “They are not couch potatoes. They're giant, their expenses are giant. If you choose to get a Great Dane, where you get the Great Dane is so important. It's not just selecting the right breed for your home. It's also selecting where to get that dog. And that's almost more important than selecting the right breed. And that's been a huge statement that I've been trying to make over and over to the public and fingers crossed the message gets out there. “One of the things I like to point out, he is a champion. He's purposely bred, carefully bred, thoughtfully bred with generations of all the same behind him. That none of that has happened by chance. His temperament and his behavior, none of it has happened by chance. “I try to stress that to people as much as I can because we're talking about where you get your dog is so important. I told people a lot, ignorance and apathy, they're both really bad traits to have in a breeder. I might love my dog, but if I don't know what I'm doing, I'm still gonna be a bad breeder unintentionally. And that's just as damaging as the breeders that don't care.”

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• 686 – How to Battle Anti Breeder Legislation Around the US

  How to Battle Anti Breeder Legislation Around the US [caption id="attachment_14021" align="alignleft" width="446"] Jennifer Clark joins fanciers at an event in Washington DC.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Jennifer Clark, AKC director of legislative outreach, to talk about legislation in Oregon and what's happening elsewhere in the country and why it matters that fanciers get involved. “For those who are not in Oregon, or may not have been following it,” Clark said, “what this bill basically said initially is that the state has to start regulating anyone who breeds and sells in the state. So if you sell one dog, you suddenly have to be regulated. We don't have any idea what these regulations are going to be. “That was a huge concern for us because why should someone who's breeding and raising one litter in their home be regulated and inspected by the state? A lot of times in states when they're regulating breeders, it's on a commercial level. They're regulating the large commercial facilities or people who are doing this professionally and not those who are hobbyists or financiers. “And there are very specific guidelines that are often in place, such as drainage in your floors and kennel setups and temperature records. All these things like flooring are great if you have a large kennel building, but what if that's your living room? Then how are you going to be able to comply? Does that mean I have to tear up my carpet because it can't be completely sanitized? Do I have to put a drainage system in my laundry room? And does that mean that state has to come in and inspect my kitchen because that's where the whelping pen is. How do we handle these questions? So that was a huge concern. AKC Government Relations, NAIA, local clubs and fancier reaction resulted in an amendment to state ‘more than two litters,’ Clark added and the bill is currently not passed into law. You can track legislation in your state with AKCGR’s fantastic tool HERE. [caption id="attachment_14020" align="alignright" width="307"] Clark's grandmother with her show bred Cocker Spaniel circa 1930s,[/caption] “(Legislators) need to understand this group of people and who you are and what you do. And that is what's going to make the difference to them because you are the ones that are going to be directly impacted. You are the ones who are going to vote, and that's why they need to hear from you. And that's why we've seen any change on this bill at all. And that's why it's slowed down a bit is because of everyone who has written in and called. And we hope that you'll continue to do so,” Clark said. AKCGR is holding a legislative conference to help people learn how to interact on this type of legislation. The conference is scheduled in St. Louis on Saturday, June 14. “We will give updates on legislation around the country, provide fun, interactive sessions on how to be effective advocates for your dogs and our sport, and discuss how clubs can make a difference in their community,” Clark noted. For more information and to register, visit www.akcgr.org/midwestconference2025

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• 685 – Mastitis is not Metritis is not Pyometra

  Mastitis is not Metritis is not PyometraDr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to walk through the differentials in diagnosing possible infections in the breeding bitch, including mastitis, metritis and pyometra.“There's a lot of reasons that postpartum bitches can run a fever. So I think it's a really good topic because when you go to the vet or if you know if you're calling for a vet appointment or you're getting to the vet, it can be a little more muddy than you think it should be.“Before you call your vet with a sick postpartum bitch, take her temperature. Please take her temperature because the second thing the receptionist is going to ask you is what's her temperature? And you'll be like, I don't know, I can't find my thermometer. So have a thermometer dedicated to the dog, have a jar of Vaseline, and be sure that you've taken it and written it down. Because by the time your postpartum bitch is sick, you are stressed, you are tired, and you can barely remember your own name. So write down the stuff.“How are the puppies doing? Are they gaining weight? Losing weight? Are they sick? Because there is a big difference. Both metritis and mastitis can cause the puppies to be sick as well. Because the bitch is sick. So mastitis is inflammation and infection of the mammary glands, and metritis is inflammation and infection of the uterus to be differentiated from pyometra.“The top two differentials are always going to be metritis: infection of the uterus, inflammation of the uterus, and mastitis: infection, inflammation of the mammary glands. Now, just because the mammary glands are firm does not mean the bitch has mastitis. And just because the mammary glands are firm does not mean you automatically slam her on antibiotics.”Marty continues with a complete discussion of metritis (within 24-48 hours of whelping), mastitis (not exclusively, but commonly 3-4 weeks post whelping) and pyometra which generally occurs when a bitch is not in whelp and normally is not accompanied by a fever.Remember, if you enjoy our conversations, check out our new show! Recorded for you, your puppy buyers, your non-doggy friends and your cousin's uncle's girlfriend, the show is designed to reach the general pet owning public with reliable accurate information in an accessible format.

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• 684 – Purina Events Center Reopens

  Purina Events Center Reopens Host Laura Reeves is joined by Angie Minges, Director of partnership marketing and events for Purina to discuss the rapid response that reopened the Purina Event Center in time for PCA. [caption id="attachment_13976" align="alignleft" width="563"] Tornado damage at Purina Farms has closed the Visitor Center, but the Events Center is open for business.[/caption] The Purina Farm and Events Center outside St. Louis, MO was hit by an EF2 tornado on March 14. The barn and visitor center were badly damaged. The events center and surrounding grounds sustained significant wind damage wiping out trees, light poles and more. “What was hit the hardest on our property besides the lovely trees and just the fields themselves were our barn and our visitor center, so both of those two buildings will have to be demolished. It's so sad and the community has been so supportive and loving and caring of our farm and we couldn't be more thankful for the people that we have in our lives that love Purina Farms. So yes, it was tragic that that natural disaster happened, but it's also pulled the community together and we're just so grateful for everyone that is sending their love and care our way.” While several events were canceled or relocated, the team worked round the clock to have the RV sites and Events Center ready to safely open in time for Poodle Club of America’s National Specialty last week, Minges said. She added that the Visitor Center will be closed for at least the rest of the year. “We have the incredible dog arena on Purina Farms and we have a great incredible dog team that does all the fun tricks and the dock diving. We can't take the dock diving with us, but we'll take an agility show to some of the festivals and different wine tastings and events that are taking place in the region throughout the summer. Just to stay connected to the consumer and bring the farm to the community.

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• 683 – Own Your Digital Property with an Optimized Website

  Own Your Digital Property with an Optimized Website [caption id="attachment_13813" align="alignleft" width="431"] Matt Stelter from Better Breeder Institute with one of his collie puppies.[/caption] Matt Stelter from Better Breeder Institute joins host Laura Reeves for a LIVE@5 live podcast about SEO and how to optimize your website. “Somewhere along the line, conservation dog breeders took on the mindset that they should not be marketing themselves, apparently because it's just something that for profit or commercial breeders do,” Stelter said. “However, nothing could be further from the truth. It is a limiting belief that harms our conservation breeder community. And puts us at a disadvantage. “Conservation breeders have failed to make themselves visible. They failed to plant their flag in the ground and they failed to market themselves. Sharing the tremendous value and the story that our purebred dogs possess. We have hid our light under a barrel and given the antis and the doodle mania a free pass to indoctrinate the general public. “Ask yourself, would you rather rent or own an asset, be it a home, real estate or even a vehicle? When you spend money on paid online advertising or social media, you are investing good money and effort as well on rented digital property and renting is generally a poor long term financial decision. “If and when you stop paying for it, the traffic stops instantly. My recommendation is that you never spend money on rented digital real estate. Puppy marketplaces, paid online breeder directories, and social media are all rented real estate that you unfortunately. Will never control. The number one strategy to get more and better puppy buyers is an optimized website. A website is owned real estate that appreciates in value and performance over time. “Facebook has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, and it no longer works the way it used to. All the while, the power of an optimized website has continued to increase. An important fact to realize is that while ideas and inspiration may start on social media, most purchases begin on Google. “When a prospective puppy buyer starts looking for a breeder, just like with any other important purchase, the grand majority are going to start with a Google search. There's a famous quote from Jimmy Wales who is the founder of Wikipedia and he said if you are not on Google you don't exist. And it really is true when it comes to selling puppies. “It is Google's world and to be successful, we need to be playing in it. And I can tell you what puppy buyers won't find at the top of Google your Facebook page. An optimized website is simply the strongest digital asset a breeder can have. It is owned digital real estate that is yours, and its value and performance are going to appreciate over time if managed properly.”

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