Good Bloggie!

Has been quite awhile since we’ve posted show news about our home-bred girl Cocoa (Ch Fleurdelys Chocolate Confetti), but last week she proved she still has the stuff to strut. On March 26th, she took 1st in Veterans, then went on to claim one of the three Awards of Merits available at the regional specialty in Dallas.

The Veterans class is a non-regular class, usually only found at a Specialty. To qualify, the dog must be a champion, over the age of seven years, and can be spayed or neutered. Cocoa had some stiff competition. She was competing against three other veteran ladies of high stature. In the Best of Breed ring, Cocoa faced off with some of the current top dogs in the country. We were just glad to be out there for consideration and were absolutely delighted when judge Wayne Brower pointed at us and said the magic words “Award of Merit.” Many thanks to him and for his recognition of Cocoa, especially since she yawned at him after her Down & Back!

This is Cocoa’s second AOM, and to win it from the Veterans class is a wonderful and special treat.

There were many impressive winners both Thursday and Friday. The Best in Show Specialty winner on Thursday stands out for us. We had the thrill of seeing a pretty, brindle pied girl (aptly named CH Monet’s Pretty N’ Pied) take the BISS win and we couldn’t help being rather pleased to see a girl AND a pied take that title. Pied Power! Friday’s BISS winner was the ever impressive Bru, Ch Robobull Fabelhaft I’m On Fire.

The entire list of winners will be posted soon on the French Bulldog Club of Dallas/Fort Worth website. There were some very nice dogs in attendance and you’ll probably see many of these names again this year. Certainly a list of names worth keeping your eye on.

Will post a win photo of Cocoa when it’s available.

Microchipping should be simple. Implant chip, pet gets lost, pet is scanned, owner on file is contacted, happy reunion!

What’s the problem? Often owners don’t send their information into the database so when the vet, shelter, or rescue worker calls for info, there’s nothing to report. Chips are mainly sold in bulk and buyer info collected at the time of sale. If any part of the information chain is missing, this can mean bad things for your pet. Most database organizations will start backtracking through the chain till they find information for the animal, but don’t count on it.

Microchip Information Chain
Step 1: Pet is scanned —> Step 2: Database is contacted for owner info. Missing? Go to next step —> Step 3: Database looks for any info about the vet who implanted chip. Missing? Go to next step. —> Step 4: Search database for info of vet, breeder, or entity who bought the chip. Missing?  —> Step 5: Contact manufacturer of chip for buyer info. Missing? End of the line. Pet is on its own, available for rehoming.

Backtracking takes valuable time away from the recovery process and you see how easily it breaks down if any contact info in the chain is missing or not updated. In the worst case scenario, the chip can’t be tracked back before the animal is euthanized at a shelter.

So if you have a microchipped Frenchie or pet, and you haven’t sent in the paperwork to link him/her to YOUR contact info, or you’ve moved and haven’t updated your information, don’t rely on someone in the chain to be there. Go ahead and send your contact info in now. Make sure to write the microchip number down for your records and share it with your vet as backup. Most vets are willing to be an alternate contact, too.

Maybe you aren’t sure if your contact info is up-to-date? Call or write the database and see what they have on file. (Contact links and phone numbers at the end of this entry.) Some databases will do it for free, some for a small charge.

Now for another complicated part, there are different kinds of microchips. Just like radio signals (which is exactly what they are transmitting when scanned) they have different frequencies or “channels.” The most common frequency used in the US is 125kHz. In Europe 134.2kHz is the standard. (If you plan to travel internationally with your pet, something to consider and research.) Some chips are encrypted, meaning their presence can be confirmed, but you need the right scanner to read the number. Current scanners can read both chips, but shelters and rescues faced with limited funds, might have an old scanner. If you are using a chip bought through your vet, breeder, or shelter, you are probably safe, however, doesn’t hurt to know the type and brand. As a backup plan, a collar with an ID tag is always a good idea.

Last, are the databases. There are six major ones. Which one to sign up with? Always best to sign up with the database used by the manufacturer of the chip, but that doesn’t prevent you from signing up with other databases, as well.

Main databases/information registries
24PetWatch ………..  866-597-2424
AKC CAR ………….  800-252-7894
AVID/PetTrac US … 800-336-2843 x 4
Banfield ……………… 877-LOST-PET (877-567-8738)
HomeAgain ………..  888-HOME-AGAIN (888-466-3242)
ResQ ………………….  877-PET-LINK

Microchip lookup sites
Pet Microchip Lookup (AAHA)
Check the Chip (Chloe Standard)
AVID

Some sellers of microchips and chipping equipment
Microchip ID Systems
Revival Animal Health
Check with your vet or a local shelter

The thing to remember is, just chipping your pet doesn’t protect them. Keeping your contact information updated in the database is the most crucial part of the recovery process.

Picking up from an item featured at Tilda in the Burbs; dog stencils for decorating.

The Esty shop owner’s description of this stencil is “Boston Terrier.” Is it a Boston, or a Frenchie in disguise? (Click on the images to visit the shop.)

Check out the bobble-head stencil, too.

It has been pointed out, a near Non-Sporting Group win almost happened last year with “Lola,” Ch. LeBull’s Midnight Confessions. She took Group 2 (second place), which made her squeaky close to winning Group in 2009. Our congratulations and apologies for leaving out her impressive placement on a prior blog entry. She is a gorgeous girl.

Curious to see whom else may have been left out, checked the Westminster site for results. Only one Frenchie has won Group 1 placement, five Frenchies made their way to Group 2, one to Group 3, and thirteen placed Group 4. A total of 20, not too shabby for a snorty, little breed that is often greeted with the line, “A face only a mother could love,” by the non-initiated.

Below is a list each year a French Bulldog placed in the Non-Sporting Group at Westminster. You might notice a few names are missing. If you know the winner for that year, or know a link where the list can be found, comment below and will add the name(s) to complete the list. Have a few guesses of the winners from the excellent list of National Specialty winners complied by Frenchbulldogz.org, complete with photos of most winners. The Specialty Winner list is also available from The French Bull Dog Club of America.

2010 – Group 1 – Ch. Robobull Fablehaft Im On Fire – “Bru” – male
2009 – Group 2 – CH. LeBull’s Midnight Confessions – “Lola” – female
2004 – Group 4 – Ch. Bandog’s Jump for Joy – “Joy”- female
1999 – Group 4 – Ch. Licks Cool Hand Luke – “Luke” – male
1989 – Group 4 – ?
1970 – Group 4 – (Best guess: Ch. Ralanda Ami Pierre)
1963 – Group 2 – (Best guess: Ch. Ralanda Ami Francine)
1959 – Group 4 – Ch Bouquet Nouvelle Ami – “Jo Jo” – male
1957 – Group 3 – Ch Bouquet Nouvelle Ami – “Jo Jo” – male
1956 – Group 2 – Ch Bouquet Nouvelle Ami – “Jo Jo” – male
1955 – Group 4 – Ch Bouquet Nouvelle Ami – “Jo Jo” – male
1953 – Group 4 – Ch Bouquet Nouvelle Ami – “Jo Jo” – male
1951 – Group 4 – ?
1950 – Group 4 – ?
1942 – Group 4 – (Best guess: Ch Glamourette)
1931 – Group 4 – ?
1930 – Group 4 – ?
1927 – Group 4 – ?
1926 – Group 2 – ?
1924 – Group 2 (Reserve) – (Best guess: Evergay Charmer)

Before 1924, the Non-Sporting Group didn’t exist. The highest award was Best of Breed and the occasional special trophy within the breed. In 1907, Westminster began awarding Best in Show. In 1992, show entries were limited to Champions only.

Show Lingo

For those who aren’t quite up on their show talk, show people have their own type of verbal shorthand for Group placing dogs. This is probably to distinguish from regular class wins, where a 2nd-4th place win is nice, but no chance at points. Whereas, even a 4th place Group placement earns all-breed points for dogs on the show campaign trail, as well as considerable bragging rights. Here’s a guide to the lingo:

1st place = Group One placement/win or G1 or Winning Group

2nd place = Group Two placement/win or G2

3rd place = Group Three placement/win or G3

4th place = Group Four placement/win or G4