UC Davis Cardiovascular Medicine

Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (TVD) is a "serious and sometimes life-threatening heart condition" involving the heart valve that prevents the back flow of oxygen-depleted blood. The degree of impact on a dog's activity and overall health varies with the severity of the condition. Dogs with the condition can ultimately develop congestive heart failure.

TVD has long been recognized in show labs, but recently the incidence appears to be increasing in field lines.

The chromosome that houses the gene responsible for the condition has been identified. The next step is for additional research to identify the specific gene. Then a DNA test can be developed that can be used by breeders to make more informed decisions. Until then, diagnosis can be made using auscultation or the gold standard, an ECHO cardiogram.

Here is a list of health clinics where you can have an ECHO cardiogram done.

(l-r) Elizabeth Arthur, President Jimmy Carter, Al Arthur (Sandhill Retrievers) and Bruce Hall flanking the national trophies. The former President is one of Bruce's neighbors and stopped by to catch some of the LRC field trial.

If you participate in Purina's Pro Club Program you already know how great it is to exchange your weight circles for checks, merchandise or other benefits.

What you may not know is that you can stretch the value of those weight circles even further. When you join the Pro Club Weight Circle program be sure to choose the participating national parent breed club you want to support.

You'll still receive the full benefit of your weight circles. Purina Pro Club will write a check for 10% of the value of your weight circles and split the result between the breed club you chose and AKC's Canine Health Foundation. 

Since 2002, the PPCP Program has raised more than $3.5million. The Labrador Retriever Club alone received $29,382.62 in 2015.

You can become a member of Purina's Pro Club Program here.

Lone Willow's Cypress Boo owned and handled by Wendell Barton (Round Oak Retrievers) came in 4th in the Pro division.

Avery Teal KB's Dixieland Delight owned by Kristin Mealer (Goldhill Retrievers) came in 5th.

We're just about caught up with the photos you submitted last week, so if you haven't already, send us a photo of your dog and we'll be sure it's up on the website. You can change your photo at any time, Just send us an update.

You can send it here.

  

Hills Ferry Hunting Retriever Club (HFHRC)
Port Arthur Retriever Club (PARC)

Awaiting results from:
Las Vegas Hunting Retriever Club (LVHRC)

To dig even deeper, visit the website. There you can identify top sires and dams, view profiles of dogs, handlers and professional kennels and see complete rankings.

 

Enjoy!

P.S. If a result is missing or incorrect, please let us know! 

Mark & Shannon Atwater (UpClose Photo) shoot dogs at local and national events, work with clients on private commissions and produce photos seen in national magazines. You can reach them at 229-524-6187, upclosephoto@windstream.net, www.upclosephoto.com

5 dogs have earned their MH title since the last report bringing the total to 25 MH titles for the year. (See the complete list.) Name in red is youngest dog.    

 

Raney Black Pearl Griffin earned a Master pass at Las Vegas HRC for owner Mike Griffin and handler Richard Cole (Extreme Hunting Dogs).

CH Kingcurles Einstein MH earned Master passes at Monterey Bay and Hills Ferry for owner Pamela King.

Drake's Rolling Thunder qualified for the Master National at Port Arthur with another Master pass for owner-handler Justin Drake (Drake Sporting Dogs).

 

Smallest stake - 39 (HFHC, PARC)

Largest stake - 58 (PARC)

Ajax's Great American Hero JH Ed Rischka YLM 1 yo

Cooper "bull Shot" Neild JH Taylor Neild, Sr. CM 1.7 yo

Duxinarow Gps JH Mark Sachau BLF 2.7 yo

Liberty's Anne JH Ed Norwood BLF 2.9 yo

Limestone's Semi Good Looker JH Shelby Cormier BLF 2.7 yo

Long's Lady Jesse Of River Ridge JH Nancy Long BLF 1.4 yo

Nachusa Topwater Christmas JH Jeanne Collier BLF 1.3 yo

Pintail Ridge's Dixie JH Lee Holsey BLF 1.4 yo

Reibar's Baypoint Asa Hearts JH Donna Lu Campbell BLF 1 yo

Tealwood Oakley's Best Strutt JH Stephane Reid Carmon & Chris Carmona & Jenifer Mitchell YLF 1.3 yo

Try It You'll Like It JH John Leger BLM 1.3 yo

Watermark's Fireformed & Reloaded Hot JH Ron Sullivan BLM 2.1 yo

Wrangler's Road Less Traveled JH Jason Smith YLM 2.8 yo

 

• Master National Qualifiers - 2016 (PDF Version)

Congratulations to the dogs, owners and handlers qualified. Dogs age is age as of the U.S. National.

• Complete list of National Qualifiers - 2016
• National Qualifiers - Analysis - 2016

We've started tracking pass rates in the master stake. Here's a summary for year-to-date 2016.