ASTC NATIONAL SPECIALTY, May 12, 2012 - TOP WINNERS

ASTC NATIONAL SPECIALTY, May 11, 2012

GOLDEN GATE SHIH TZU FANCIERS TOP WINNERS, May 10, 2012

TOP WINNERS, GOLDEN GATE SHIH TZU FANCIERS SPECIALTY, May 09, 2012

AKC BREEDERS OF MERIT (UPDATED)

PURINA PARENT CLUB PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 2012 UPDATE

PARTICIPATE IN NEW ONLINE HEALTH SURVEY

SHIH TZU BOOTH WINS HONORS AGAIN AT THE 2011 NYC MEET THE BREEDS

AKC/EUKANUBA MEET THE BREEDS 2011, WINS THIRD PLACE

AKC/CHF PODCASTS

ASTC TO HELP FUND FOUR AKC/CHF

NEW AKC THERAPY DOG TITLE

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

AKC CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

ASTC NATIONAL SPECIALTY, May 12, 2012 - TOP WINNERS

Judge, Dogs: William Cunningham
Judge, Bitches and Intersex: Wendy Paquette

Best of Breed: Ch. BR Pepper's Crazy Girl (Brazil) owned by Leonardo Pimenta

Best of Winners/Winner's Bitch: Jazzie's Pop Princess owned by Vicki Carder

Best of Opposite Sex: Ch. Amitzu China's Got the Look owned by Therese & Mike Forman and Taffe McFadden

Select Dog: Ch. Symarun's Love T'Look owned by William Lee

Select Bitch: GCH Foxfire Pocket Edition owned by Trisha Fox & Kathy Bilicich

Awards of Merit:

GCH Xeralane's On With the Music, owned by Chris & Erma Aucamp and Xeralane Kennel
GCH Ista's Hurricain Chaser, owned by Debora Wheeler & Gregory S. Larson
Ch. Ming Dynasty's Samurai, owned by Linda Davi
Ch. Julian de Maloso (Peru), owned by Victor Malca
Ch. Xeralane's Starfire Angel In Desguise, owned by Xeralane Kennel, Kelly Norrish, Teresa Gaczol & Pat Keen Fernandes

Winners Dog: Xeralane's Faith Under Fire, owned by Chris & Erna Aucamp and Xeralane Kennels

Reserve Winners Dog: Jazzie's Sharp Shooter, owned by Vicki Carder, Jeffrey G. Verling & Edward E. Morris Jr.

Reserve Winners Bitch: Zephyr Red Hot Summer, owned by Dan L. Haley

Veteran Dog: Tojo Midnight Mack, owned by Tom & Joan McGee

Best Puppy: Jazzie's Pop Princess, owned by Vicki Carder

Best Bred by Exhibitor: Xeralane's Faith Under Fire, owned by Chris & Erna Aucamp & Xeralane Kennels

ASTC NATIONAL SPECIALTY, May 11, 2012

Judge: Don Watson

Best in Puppy Sweepstakes: Symarun's Look Alike owned by Carol Randle & Carrie Randle

Best Opposite Sex in Puppy Sweepstakes: Zephyr Red Hot Summer, owned by Dan Haley

Best in Cut Down Sweepstakes: Ch. Ista's Beach Party owned by Gregory & Tammarie Larson

Best Opposite Sex in Cut Down Sweepstakes: Ch. Hana Kinsa Bad Boy owned by Bonnie Prato, Coragene Savio, and Elizabeth Takamoto

GOLDEN GATE SHIH TZU FANCIERS TOP WINNERS, May 10, 2012

Best of Breed: GCh Xeralane's On With the Music, owned by Chris & Erma Aucamp and Xeralane Kennel owned by William Lee

Best of Winners: Raggedy Piaget of Haotzu Brand (Japan), owned by Yoshiko Sanjo

Best of Opposite Sex: GCh Xeralanes Sweet Music, owned by Xeralane Kennel, Kelly Norrish, Bonnie Prato & Elizabeth Takamoto

Select Dog: Ch. Amitzu China's Got the Look, owned by Therese & Mike Forman and Taffe McFadden

Select Bitch: Ch BR Pepper's Crazy Girl, owned by Leonardo Pimenta

Best Puppy: Xeralane's Starfire Angel in Desguise, owned by Xeralane Kennel, Kelly Norrish, Teresa Gaczol & Pat Keen Fernandes

Best Bred by Exhibitor: Ista's Sweet Talker, owned by Gregory S. Larson & Julie Bergowned

American Shih Tzu Club Obedience Trial, May 10, 2012
High Score in Trial: Foxhollow's Ogre at the Door RE, CD, NJP, owned byValerie Schroeder and Hose Rodriguez

American Shih Tzu Rally Trial, May 10, 2012
High Score Rally Advanced B (83) and Rally Excellent B (85): Foxhollow's Ogre at the Door RE, CD, NJP, owned by Vallerie Schroeder & Jose Rodriguez

TOP WINNERS, GOLDEN GATE SHIH TZU FRANCIERS SPECIALTY, May 09, 2012

Best of Breed: Ch. Symarun's Love T'Look, owned by William Lee

Best of Winners: Raggedy Piaget of Haotzu Brand (Japan), owned by Yoshiko Sanjo

Best Opposite Sex: Ch. BR Pepper's Crazy Girl, owned by Leonardo Pimenta

Select Dog: Ch. Amitzu China's Got the Look, owned by Therest & Mike Forman and Taffe McFadden

Select Bitch: GCh Foxfire's Pocket Edition, owned by Trisha Fox & Kathy Bilicich

Best Puppy: Jazzie's Pop Princess, owned by Viki Carder

Best Bred by Exhibitor: Symarun's Look Alike, owned by Carrie & Carol Randle

AKC BREEDERS OF MERIT (UPDATED)

ASTC congratulates the following members who have qualified for the title: 'AKC Breeder of Merit'.

Karen Bey		Janet Danner
Luke & Diane Ehricht		Barbara-Ann & Larry Ewer
Bill Cunningham		Carol Green
JoAnn Gustafson		Dan Haley
Madonna Holko		Doris Kartub
Susan Kilgore		Terri Kurimsky
Kathy Kwait		Sherrie McGee
Kristie Miller		Bonnie Prato
David Ritchkoff		Michael Shea-Zackin
Jacqueline Stempel		Elizabeth Takamoto
Marty Ten Pas		Deborah Vaiden
Del & Margie Westphal		Ann Bromley
Eleanor & Patrick Dearborn		Chris (Grace) Jones
Tammy Pipkorn		Sally Watkeys
Judy Calverase		Wendy Hill
Sherrie McGee		Carlene Snyder
Janice Wilson		Adrian Agard
Vicki Carder		P. Susan Cheney
John V. Ioia, MD, PhD		Anna Maybin
Jan Sammons		Vicki Youngquist
Earl Takahashi		Xena Takahashi
Xeralane Kennels

Purina Parent Club Partnership Program Update

Greetings:

The American Shih Tzu Club Charitable Trust has received a check in the amount of $1,691.96, which represents one half of the funds earned by participants in the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program in 2011. The other $1,691.96 was deposited with the AKC/ Canine Health Foundation donor advised fund in the name of ASTC (ASTC decides how that fund will be used).

There are 1,247 Pro Club Members who signed up for the Purina Parent Club Partnership and designated ASTC to receive funds. We appreciate those Pro Club members who actively participated in the program by sending in their weight circles in 2011.

On behalf of the ASTC Charitable Trust Board of Directors:
Carlene Snyder, Janet Danner, Alyce Kotze, Marjorie & Delbert Westphal, Sally Vilas.

PS - time to mail weight circles for 2012! Click Here to join the Purina Partnership Program.

Participate In New Online Health Survey

FINALLY - a SHIH TZU HEALTH SURVEY is on-line: Click Here to Go to Health Survey & Ready to receive health information about all Shih Tzu!

The Orthopedic Foundations For Animals (OFFA) offers survey assistance to parent clubs, on their web site, to collect, with no names required, no email addresses collected - a compilation of the data that is posted as each owner takes the survey for the Shih Tzu that he or she has owned over the past 20 years.

It is important to have facts about those animals that have been diagnosed with some health issue - and equally important to have facts about those animals that have been healthy. We want the "big picture" about the health of this breed.

Those who want to consider owning a Shih Tzu deserve to know the overall health picture as reflected in statistics. The ASTC Charitable Trust would like statistics to help make funding decisions for health research projects. - SO -

Please fill out the survey for each Shih Tzu you have owned, living or deceased, over the past 20 years.

Please contact owners who purchased puppies from you and ask that they also fill out the survey.

Please share this information with all Shih Tzu owners

CREDIT: Preparing this Shih Tzu Health Survey has been a joint effort by: (1) American Shih Tzu Club Health/Research Committee; (2) American Shih Tzu Club Charitable Trust Directors.

SHIH TZU BOOTH WINS HONORS AGAIN AT THE 2011 NYC MEET THE BREEDS

Once again, the Shih Tzu Meet the Breeds booth won a rosette at the AKC Meet the Breeds at the Javits Center in New York City. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving, and once again, the crowds were HUGE. ASTC members Deb Vaiden and her family and friends, Mark and Jackie Stempel and their son Brandon, and Alice Kane worked hard, but had a great time. Over the two days the stars of the show were, of course, the dogs—a total of eleven happy, friendly Shih Tzu of many colors, adults and puppies, in show coat and cut down. At one point Deb’s husband Bob and their friend, a burly retired police lieutenant, gave the girls a break and stood at the table holding two puppies with bows. The puppies wore tags saying “ask me about the Shih Tzu.” They answered lots of questions about grooming and even offered to do a topknot demonstration on a particularly wild-haired visitor. The logistics of loading and unloading were more difficult than the previous year, however. Our volunteers deserve a huge vote of thanks for their dedication—and their artistic talents. The eye-catching booth, complete with hand-painted screens from Brandon’s high school play, won third place in the very competitive Toy Group.

AKC/EUKANUBA MEET THE BREEDS 2011, WINS THIRD PLACE

Lila Pontius, her husband Dale, brother-in-law Gary, and daughter Maria were largely responsible for the beautiful Shih Tzu booth this year in Orlando. Lila shopped frugally, even finding an oriental rug at a flea market that she fireproofed so it could be used. It was tough to fit everything into a 10’ x 10’ space, so they even did a practice assembly in the Pontius garage. Carlene Snyder’s husband Dan transported flower arrangements she had done and booth materials that wouldn’t fit in other cars. We’ll let the photos (including Dale dressed as a Chinese mandarin) tell the story of the spectacular décor. The top of the lighted pagoda could be seen throughout the main Meet the Breeds room, making it a popular meeting spot. The venue itself was huge, and by week’s end all were exhausted from the walking. But it was worth it.

As always, the main attraction was the dogs themselves, which were provided by Lila, Sharon Rowe, Jo Ann White, and Janice Wilson. There were puppies killing toys or wagging their tails or sleeping in the rickshaw, and cut-down adults and dogs in full coat (with show topknots or maintenance bands) on the ground begging for French fries or a hug, or perched arrogantly on pedestals. The dogs, including Sunday’s stunning black and white pair in full show coat, came in a variety of colors. The one thing that characterized them all was their love of people. Everyone wanted to pet them, children sat in the throne to be photographed with them, and we’re sure the web was filled with videos and photos because the cameras just kept coming out all weekend long. The Shih Tzu lived up to their reputation, kissing the spectators and vamping for the cameras. Typical behavior, which garnered great publicity for our breed.

Those manning the booth (Lila, Dale, Janice, and Sharon, with help from Jo Ann and Maureen Leckie) handed out brochures and answered lots of questions from Shih Tzu pet owners and prospective owners. There were even Shih Tzu game and coloring books with crayons, made by Maria, for the children. Bonnie Prato sent specialty DVDs that played all weekend long, and Tammarie Larson brought extra copies of the Shih Tzu Bulletin to hand out. We may have only won third place in the Toy Group, but everyone in the booth helped each other and other exhibitors. On Friday, during the STFCF Specialty, Dale and Gary were not only assembling the Shih Tzu booth, but pitching in to help out those putting together the displays for other breeds. Good sportsmanship at its best, all around.

AKC/CHF Podcasts

In this edition of Genome Barks, we bring you an interview with Dr. Gary Stamp, Executive Director of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Dr. Stamp served as commander of the United States Army Veterinary
command until 1999 when he retired from active duty. Dr. Stamp discusses how much first aid training dog owners should have, when emergency veterinary care is necessary, and how to select an emergency service.

Listen to the Podcast
podcast

New podcasts are released every two weeks. They are also available for direct download at Apple's itunes® or
genomebarks

For more information contact the AKC Canine Health Foundation at 1-888-682-9696 or chf@akcchf.org

ASTC TO HELP FUND FOUR AKC/CHF RESEARCH PROJECTS IN 2012

In 2012, the American Shih Tzu Club and the ASTC Charitable Trust decided to help fund two research projects into Canine Lymphoma and studies of Canine Osteosarcoma, Canine Oral Melanoma. All of these projects were approved for grants by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and in need of funding; because they are not breed-specific, their sponsor funding comes from many sources. You can help fund future ASTC/CHF research projects by participating in the Purina Parent Club program and designating the ASTC to receive the parent club portion of your donation.

Support ASTC Charitable Trust
Support Purina Parent Club Partnership Program

New AKC Therapy Dog Title THD (Therapy Dog)

THD (Therapy Dog) is a new AKC title that can be earned by dogs that have been certified by AKC-recognized therapy dog organizations and have performed 50 or more community visits. To find out more about qualifying for this title, which is designed to recognize and honor the work done by canine volunteers throughout the country, go to www.akc.org/akctherapydog

American Shih Tzu Club Is On FACEBOOK

Click on the word FACEBOOK to bring you directly to the American SHih Tzu Page. FACEBOOK

AKC Canine Health Foundation Launches New Website

The AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of it's newly designed website, www.akcchr.org. While the address remains the same, the content is dramatically different from the previous site. New features include a Canine Health section that contain descriptions of many canine diseases, information about caring for your dog, including dog training, safety, healthy weight, pet loss and much more; as well as articles that contain detailed information about canine health.

We now have a Success Stories section, which comes directly from research the AKC Canine Health Foundation has funded. This area takes grants funded by the Foundation and puts them into real-world terms, explaining how what could be considered lofty science is actually benefiting our dogs today.

Additional new features include short biographical profiles of the board and staff, as well as the members of the grants committee and funded investigators, a Heroes for Health Research section where individuals can create their own fundraising pages, and a list of research projects that need participation.

The new website continues to feature our Genome Barks podcast series, upcoming events, news releases, and other important information about the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

Sign-up and establish a user name and password for the site. Signing up will enable you to customize your email preferences and update your contact information at anytime.

Please take a moment to explore our updated website we think you'll enjoy it! And please consider the supporting this important canine health research as you reflect on your end of year giving plans. Every little bit helps!