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GZ BREED COLUMNStoysseparation anxiety, a difficult-to-managecharacteristic common in manybreeds, especially the more affectionateones—which, of course, includes theIG. —Lilian S. Barber, iggylil@earthlink.net;Italian Greyhound Club ofAmerica website: italiangreyhound.orgMaltese“A Jaunty, Smooth FlowingGait”Whenever I sit down to write mycolumn, it involves a thinkingprocess as I consider what is importantfor the people in our breed to beinformed about. Sometimes I ponderand ponder, What should I write about?This month, it’s a piece of cake. Atthe moment we have a big problem inour breed with movement! Breeders,judges, and exhibitors, look at yourdogs: Can they go around the ringwithout any “hippity-hop”? Can theykeep a straight topline? Do they flicktheir tail a number of times? Do theycross their front legs and try to cut thering?These are all indications of somethingwrong with their structure.Perhaps too many breeders are justbreeding for pretty faces, good coats,and small size? Our breed is losing thesoundness it had to begin with.As I always say in my AKC judges’education seminar, a Maltese shouldflow around the ring, and if you canimagine a plate on the dog’s back notfalling off or tipping, that would meanall the parts are put together correctly.Our standard says the Maltese moveswith a jaunty, smooth flowing gait. Sincethe Maltese has a cute temperament, hesometimes tries to be naughty, and thejaunty description refers mostly to histemperament. However, smooth flowingcreates a picture that many of the dogsshown today do not reflect. Theyshould glide around the ring with theircoat flowing. If the head is bobbing upand down, that is not flowing. If theappearance of the side movement every10 steps looks like the dog has a flattire, this is totally incorrect—somethingis wrong with their rear-end assembly,either hips or patellas.I am not certain if some of thebehavior is due to the dog not havingenough time “just being a dog” orpracticing on the lead. If so, it is ashame for our exhibitors and breeders. Ialso am hesitant to say that many newbreeders have no concept of soundness.This is very sad for the future of ourbreed. They are a toy breed, yes, butthey need to be able to play with theirowners and kids, and they need to beable to get around well.When you have class dogs or puppiesat a show, sometimes besides beingnaughty they just are not as adjusted toshowing in the ring. This should not bepenalized that much. Generally, it’sbecause the dogs are not as well trained.However, they still should have asmooth gait when they gait for most ofthe time. When it comes time for Bestof Breed competition with seasoned,campaigned specials, there must be acontinuous flow to the gait!Breeders and exhibitors, please beaware of soundness when breeding orshowing your dogs. Judges, please donot award big wins to Maltese who arenot sound! Don’t let Photoshopped adsmold your opinions. —Daryl Martin,daryldmartin@sbcglobal.net; AmericanMaltese Association website:americanmaltese.orgMiniature PinschersThe Versatile Min PinDid you know the MiniaturePinscher is not a small version ofthe Doberman Pinscher? In fact thebreed was developed long before thatbreed was created by Herr Dobermannin the 1800s. The Miniature Pinscheroriginated when folks wanted a smalldog who could keep their homes (notas well insulated and chemicallyprotected as ours today) rid of smallvermin, and who could play with thechildren as well.Did you know Miniature Pinscherscan be trained as small and quick huntingdogs? Roger and Ronna Roberts,of Erie, Pennsylvania, have a black-andrustMin Pin who helps Roger huntpheasant. The Min Pin, Robbie, is rightthere when Roger shoots and thentakes off to help find the birds. Thebreed is quick and strong enough forhunting rabbits, too.Did you know that MiniaturePinschers can be trained as CanineGood Citizens and are perfect for therapywork? Joanne Wilds took her dogChaz into nursing homes, and thelaughter and smiles that ensued wereheartwarming to witness. Folks whohad been huddled in their rooms cameout for a pet and to hold and hug thelittle dog. Chaz took it all in stride andprovided mental and emotional comfortto many people who needed tofeel that unconditional love and to lovein return.Did you know Miniature Pinschersare so smart and clever that they’regreat at obedience? Holly Boyd and herlittle boy Buzz are diligently workingon their rally titles. When you watchthe team in the ring, they are almostmagical—albeit a bit funny. Here’s thislovely woman working her waythrough the signs (and there are lots ofthem to read and know), and her redold man is walking right beside her,and every once in a while he looks upas if to say, “Poor Mom! She just keepsmessing up my work!”Did you know Miniature Pinschersare great trucking dogs? Larry and hisdog Sammy, and Lee and his dog Bebe,travel all over the beautiful UnitedStates in their big rigs. The dogs havetheir own crates, beds, and equipmentbags. They protect their “mobilehomes” with a vengeance. Even theDepartment of Transportation inspectorsare wary when coming up to thetrucks with a barking MiniaturePinscher in it. It is better to travel witha friend with you, and the Min Pinadds protection, says Lee.Did you know Miniature Pinschersare great at agility? Doralyn Wheatleyand her dog Tessa run their trials withstrength and speed. It takes a lot towork a Miniature Pinscher off-lead andtrust he or she will make the marks.Doralyn and Tessa have the most amaz-A K C G A Z E T T E • 14 • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2