MBTT#5

THE MINIATURE BULL TERRIER TELL-AGRAM

Issue#5 / December 1997 / January 1998

Here are some suggestions on behalf of those who are mute:

Join your National Club / Have more say in its proceedings

Join the growing list of subscribers to the MBTT & know what is really
happening in this wonderful, but sadly troubled breed

Call your breeder and ask for test results on your dog's parents
so you will be more knowledgeable about its future health

Update all your dogs' tests in those areas designated as high risk for
this particular breed: EYES/HEART/KIDNEY & THYROID FUNCTION

Get an obedience title or a Canine Good Citizenship award on your mini
and enjoy the benefits of the extra bonding

Learn to listen to all sides of every story for a multi-dimensional
appreciation and assessment of fact and fancy before offering your
own opinion

As a purchaser, educate yourself about the complexities of the breed /
as a breeder, supply that information about the breed which your client
lacks / cooperation is mutual consideration

Judges! adhere to the written standard, and when in doubt, use your
common sense / the breed does not need obvious or subliminal
encouragement to proliferate poor temperaments, incorrect and
painful dentition, or physical unsoundness

Breeders! continue to test & test some more / practice quality control
through careful pedigree planning and progressive attitudes / limit
future damage by using only currently tested 4-year old (and older)
breeding animals / get proof of updated testing on visiting bitches &
prospective sires / or just say "NO"

Support the MBTT & UK Lens Luxation Lists / It benefits us all

This is our only chance to make something positive happen out of a worldwide negative situation

FOUND IN THE NEWS

From the Nutritional Post/97: Foods high in antioxidant* vitamins may protect against glaucoma...They may also fight cataracts & macular degeneration...so conclude American researchers conducting an observational study of 200 subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma in dogs is a condition where the pressure of fluid in the eye increases until the sight is gone in that eye; if one eye is affected, it is likely that the other will be, too. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in canines.

SIGNS OF GLAUCOMA

REDDENED CONJUNCTIVAL TISSUE
WEEPING
LIGHT SENSITIVITY
ENLARGEMENT OF THE EYE
DILATED PUPIL
CLOUDY CORNEA
"GLASSY" LOOK
ELEVATED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURES (IOP)

The MBTT has not yet come across ANY literature that supports canine glaucoma as being an "old-age eye-syndrome" - to the contrary, those breeds predisposed to it can present as early as two years of age, with 5 years being average. Dogs with naturally healthy eyes should show little or no "old age eye syndrome" even at advanced ages of 10 + years; cataracts and macular degeneration are the conditions commonly associated with old age, not the hereditary eye diseases of primary glaucoma and lens luxation...

while nutritional advances can help prolong the initial health of the eye and then slow the progress of any underlying disease, it cannot change the mutant gene that predisposes the dog to the defect in the first place.

*THE "ANTIOXIDENT" VITAMINS ARE # A, E AND C

and which can be found in the red and yellow vegetables, citrus fruits, and health food stores everywhere. Don't forget to take them yourself!

Quotes from the Past

"...In the past 30 months, the BTHS and others have taken the thorny problem of genetic soundness out of breeder backrooms and brought it into the light of consumer scrutiny. But this has not been simply to make life difficult for breeders...Rather it is because any and all tragedies about which we have read or heard are the responsibility of all in the fancy, especially the dominant breeders, to ultimately prevent...In truth, either we police ourselves or it will be done for us. Period...Recent advances now permit us to identify many genetically defective or risky animals BEFORE breeding them. This gives breeders a new freedom, the freedom to avoid using many attractive but defective dogs. Yet this freedom also creates an obligation; when predictive technology exists to make it possible to avoid the tragedy of a BT with heart-disease for example, today's breeder is legally and ethically accountable when that disease does occur - especially so if they didn't make use of or ignored the known findings. Today, the voice of the customer plays a new and major role in defining the meaning of 'quality' - and we must listen. Our purchasers demand that good looking dogs are healthy, too..." -Kevin Welch, BTHS, 1994

"There is no crime in producing a defect. Crime, if any, lies in what you do about a defect..." -M.Willis/Practical Genetics/1992

Doesn't it make perfect sense that lots of people coming clean about defective animals can do more towards eradicating the problem(s) than can isolated cliques of people who want to keep the bad news from spreading beyond their control?

Those of us who are defying the club-induced conventions of silence and stonewalling are not "sinners", unburdening ourselves - we are still very much burdened with our responsibility towards those defective animals we have used in our programs, or have allowed others to use in their programs. Openly acknowledging our mistakes does not lessen that burden in any way. Nor have we "sinned" - but what of those people who knew about, through personal experience with them, problems they could have shared with us but chose not to? We have been open about these problems from the moment we have ourselves experienced them - if there has been "crime", and "sinning", are we not the victims, the sinned against ? It's a strange world where the selfish can suggest the selfless have hidden motives; it's a horrible world when this skewed outlook is at the expense of our animals' health & welfare.

MBTT#5's FUNNY FOTO IS COURTESY OF THE NUTTER FAMILY

*The MBTT is listening to its subscribers:*

From K & B. Black : "...appreciate receiving your newsletter. It's very well written and full of great information. We were devastated to hear of the Lens Luxation problem...and hope that the MBTT's responsible readership increases..."

From C.J. Kaleta : "...your efforts to create a meaningful database of health information are to be commended...I am unsure of the proper role of the MBTCA in this area. It is my opinion that a parent club can only be effective in dealing with genetic defects if it can impose conditions on breeding, in the Germanic manner. The likelihood of this happening in N.A. is remote...It is the breeder who is responsible for the health of the dogs produced. The most significant contribution the club can make is to provide a clearinghouse for information. Only when breeders are willing to divulge all health information concerning their dogs (including those bred by them that are unshown and escape the scrutiny of fellow breeders) can intelligent breeding decisions be made. Perhaps it is Pollyannish to expect such an open exchange of information; I wonder if I would have been so quick to submit information...if the tests results had not been acceptable?"

THE MBTT is LISTENING to ITS READERS

In an addendum to his original letter, mini-owner C.J. Kaleta writes:

"In the event of an unfavourable outcome, I could have elected to inform Demi's breeder and have Demi spayed. While this would have dealt with my problem, it would have a limited benefit to the breed.

While individual testing is important, club-sponsored tests have greater value. As a condition to the testing, the results should become part of an open registry so this information is available to all."

The MBTT agrees that individual testing is important - actually, individual testing is paramount. To date, club-sponsored testing, in North America, has been negligible. In the last decade, only one MBTCA sponsored clinic was set up for hearts and eyes. Approximately 20 dogs were tested in each clinic. Meanwhile, in the midwest, at the same time, an equal number of minibulls were rounded up by a prominent breeder and taken to a major veterinary school for "state of the art" heart and eye testing. This is individual testing done en masse, and of equal value to the breed as any club-sponsored event - maybe more so, as the results will be available in the MBTT for all to see, not just the chosen few. The MBTCSC is also doing continuing heart/eye testing and planning to make results available to all; by the time they are done, they will have approximately the same numbers to work with as did the National club-sponsored clinics. Then, of course, there is the Canadian input of tested minis - these minis include major American/English lines and cannot be dismissed as "one kennel's bloodline". Direct English and American imports brought in Canadian-born Lens Luxation; direct American & English imports brought in Canadian-born heart defects. It is best to remember that it doesn't matter where the dogs are born or tested - only what the bloodlines are and what the test results show...

At this time, participating in "club-sponsored" clinics is not feasible for the majority of the membership. There is only the Parent club and the one Regional club, and their politics are not (yet) in sync. Individual test results, made available through the MBTT, far exceed what is currently

available through either of those clubs. So, until such a time as the club sets up an open registry, the MBTT is the best resource we have and is open to all, without bias. The more this resource is contributed to, the more valuable a tool it becomes for the progressive breeder. With the MBTT information at your disposal, even in its emergent state, you do not have to waste time you can ill afford while the Club thinks about what stand it should take in the fight for our breed's genetic control...

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

AUSTRALIA: FROM THE NATIONAL BULL TERRIER COUNCIL'S GENERAL MEETING AGENDA, IT SEEMS THAT PROGRESSIVE BREEDERS ARE DEMANDING THAT ATTENTION BE PAID TO THEIR BREED PROBLEMS. HERE ARE SOME "NOTICES OF MOTION"

#1. THAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: PCKD; HEREDITARY NEPHRITIS; INHERITED HEART DISEASE; DEAFNESS; LUXATING PATELLAS; AND PRIMARY LENS LUXATION BE DESIGNATED AS HEREDITARY PROBLEMS IN THE BULL TERRIER BREED."

#2. THAT...A MORATORIUM TO BE PLACED ON ALL BULL TERRIER REGISTRATIONS...FROM JUNE 30, 1998 AND THAT ALL LITTER REGISTRATIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIAL CERTIFICATIONS THAT BOTH SIRE AND DAM HAVE BEEN EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE FREE FROM ANY HEART DEFECTS...(SEE ABOVE).

#5. THAT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR...AN OPEN REGISTER BE ENDORSED AND IMPLEMENTED...

The MBTT hopes the proposing clubs will be successful in taking control of their breed's health and welfare through these necessary measures.

"Will any code of ethics change behaviour that people do not want to change? As we all know, the answer is No. A code of ethics without means of enforcement is virtually useless...Codes of ethics nurture and develop beliefs about how we ought to act...Codes of ethics remind us all, novices and veterans alike, that there are actions we should take; that it is never too late to learn ethical behaviour; and that ethical behaviour is learned through example, imitation and practice..."

- Dr. Michael Woods, conformation and obedience judge

"It seems that it just doesn't matter how much effort, time and thought goes into trying to do something for the betterment of the breed - there are always (& no doubt always will be) knockers and people who oppose what you do." - Margaret Craven, Secretary, NDBTC of NSW

The MBTT BAER HEARING LIST - NORMAL RESULTS - continued...*

Ch.Punchline's Opus One CGC * (Ch.Genesis Bit o'Nitro of Shari x Classic Dreams Anna Pavlova CD, CGC,TT)

Ch.Bonsai Wheel of Fortune CGC/TDI/TT* (Luvabul Barney x Rover Run Bonsai Babs)

Ch. Graystone Demi Tas V Amchera (Ch. Graymor Gemini Fire x Ch.Graystone Helen A Handbasket)

*Note: the above BAER Normal parents, Opus, brindle/white, and Fortune, white/brindle - produced a litter of 7 puppies of which 2 whites were totally deaf, and 1 white/brindle was unilaterally deaf. Of the grandparents, three are declared BAER normal; the fourth is going for testing shortly. The MBTT thanks the owners/breeders for sharing this information with our readers.

From Giselle Simonds : "...Rover Run Bonsai Babs died ...; she had recently been CERFED clear at 9 years old. She was a dog whose halo did not tilt..."

QUARANTINE POLICY MAY END IN UK

This century-old policy was designed to prevent rabies from becoming epidemic on the small island the UK is.
It required 6 months of quarantine for dogs, cats, and other pets even if the owners could provide documentation of vaccinations.
The GUARDIAN newspaper (UK) quotes a Home Office spokesman as saying: " We are still reviewing this. A decision is not imminent."
Other sources, though, said that rabies-free pets could begin entering the country as early as next year.
More than 160,000 animals have been quarantined over the last 25 years alone.

MBTT readers who wish to collect back issues or have back & new issues sent to other minibull owners/fanciers must submit postage/printing costs of $15 US funds/year (6 or more issues). The MBTT does a limited run of 150 copies per issue. Don't miss out! Supply your puppy buyers!!! There is NO OTHER info source of this quality dedicated to this breed.

Even the National Club recognizes the importance of the MBTT and the impact the MBTT is making on the minibull world. Write for the MBTT at:

*Box #4, Site #2, RR #1, Priddis, Alberta, Canada, T0L 1W0*

The MBTT would like to thank Dr. Scarlette Gotwals DVM for her on-line support (on the Bull Terrier list) of both this newsletter and the (sadly still so few) breeders/owners who espouse and practice full disclosure. Dr. Gotwals wishes the same would happen for the Standard Bull Terrier fancy, recognizing - and hoping we all will, eventually - that the results proving defectiveness are so often so much more important than those results showing nothing is wrong.

Special thanks, also, to "Lizbitz" Wyndham for "begging" her mom to donate even more funds to the MBTT. "Mom" writes: "I just don't understand why some people decide not to test just because their dog is not a show winner - they are all precious, and since we got them into this fix, it is up to us to help."

For those anxious to know, for whatever reason, The MBTT is published with what funds are donated, and any slack is taken up by Dr. P.M. Hodsman in the interests of marital harmony. Need I say more?

Each run of 150 copies averages $500 (paper/postage/printing) and the time & effort is all done free (obviously spurred by my tortured and guilty soul) albeit at the expense, not inconsiderable, of my housekeeping. The Net version is undertaken by mini-owners Barb & Ed of Compu-tecture (from the sheer goodness of their souls). Therefore, those who have donated towards an MBTT future have supplied YOU as well as themselves. If you feel so inclined, Dutch Treat would be welcome...or you could maybe come clean my kitchen???

Thanks also to Norma Smith, Magor Kennels, for a positive mention in her DOGS IN CANADA magazine column, October issue - the MBTT on the Net had a flurry of "hits" as a consequence.

Continuing thanks to our neighbours, the Hollands, who don't have bull terriers in any size, but suffer our use of their fax machine in support of MBTT business (while hoping we get our own in the near future, but remaining very English and polite about expressing that wish).

Special thanks to Izumi Udagawa, from Japan, whose young miniature bull terrier also died recently of kidney failure; Izumi shares her dog's pedigree with us in the hope that it will be of use..."I can't stand this ending. I want to pray all minis get a long life...I have to learn more before I get a new mini... of course, Tori lives in my heart forever."

1998 - WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE MINIATURE BT?
WILL OPENNESS PREVAIL? WILL GENETIC BREAKTHROUGHS HAPPEN?
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MBTT FOR NEWS!

box #4, site #3, RR #1, Priddis, Alberta, Canada, T0L 1W0
http://geocities.datacellar.net/heartland/prairie/4111

Pedigree supplied by Izumi Udagawa for her bitch, "Tori" (1994-1997)

SAREDON WHITE ADMIRAL

BACCHUS OF AWAJI ISHIKAWA }

ERENDEN WHITE BLOB

FREESIA OF AWAJI ISHIKAWA
declared Kidney Failure

WARBONNET RED RUM

ALABOUCHE WHITE SUSIE }

BULLS EYE OF CAMENNA

"Hi! My name is WuWuWu -
(I'm a talker!)

I'd like you to visit the MBTCSC
at their nifty Web Site:

http://members.aol.com/
bullmoon/mbtcsc/index.html

this is the only OTHER club for
minibulls at this time - so if
you want double exposure to
mini news - Join up!

This club supports the MBTT
and the effort it is making to
keep you aware of the breed's
overall health concerns. 'Bye!"

DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW YOU READ THE MBTT???

Every year someone buys a Miniature
Bull Terrier and may or may not know
that there are clubs to join and Mini-
events to participate in. Join your MBT
club(s) and get involved - improvement
starts with member input. Meanwhile,
The MBTT is not a club, but it is
the most widely-read Miniature
Bull Terrier Newsletter in the
world! The MBTT is on the Internet
and is sent to breeders, judges &
pet owners everywhere. This is the
breed forum where you get listened
to! Informed! Shocked! Consoled..
.Dismayed! Surprised! Keelhauled!!!
Maybe, if you are very, very good, the MBTT will applaud your efforts - start with supporting the MBTT & UK Lens Luxation Lists; follow through with tests results for heart, kidney, & hearing function; join the enlightened who practice progressive breeding protocols established by the MBTT in an effort to reduce the number of defective minibulls produced by those parents who do not yet show signs of being either a carrier or affected.

*DID YOU KNOW?*

The MBTT is the first Miniature-Bull Terrier forum to:

* list the names of N.A. minibulls affected with Lens Luxation *

* list BAER normal and abnormal minibulls *

* restrict advertising to tested animals only *

* supply an Internet newsletter specifically for minibull fanciers *

* supply timely, informative, breed & ethics-oriented news - FREE! *

* provide a world-wide medium for the pet owners' concerns*

* be unaffiliated with any club and thus unswayed by club politics *

FOUND IN THE NEWS

" The long QT syndrome causes sudden loss of consciousness or sudden death. The genetics of this cardiac condition are now becoming clear. Doctors are going to have to get in the mindset that siblings, aunts & uncles all have to be investigated once a gene defect in a proband is identified." (American Heart Association's Health & Science forum).
In people, the long QT syndrome strikes the young up til middle age (for dogs, translate that to "puppyhood til six or eight years old") The long QT interval can be seen on the electrocardiogram. Clinically, the syndrome manifests itself by episodes of syncope or sudden death - differentiated from seizures by the lack of confusion or disorientation after regaining consciousness.
Long QT "faints" usually occur during exercise or in reaction to emotional excitement such as fear and anger (in dogs, translate that to "bursts of energy, startling, fighting, & sex") .
This genetic disorder is inherited; and involves electrical disturbances at cell level which in turn cause a dangerous arrhythmia ("torsade de pointe"). On echocardiogram display, no structural abnormality is associated with the long QT interval - so if your dog has passed his echo, the electrocardiogram (most vets use this in conjunction with surgery) may supply the reason for your dog's exertional "faints".
There are two forms of this condition, one associated with high risk of sudden death & normal hearing, and the other with congenital deafness. (hmmm - more & more like bullies!) The former is clearly transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion (from an affected parent, half the offspring will be affected); pedigree studies on the latter form indicate that both parents must be carriers of the mutant gene.
"Here's a condition where one part of the disease process is inherited as an autosomal dominant, and the other manifestation is inherited as an autosomal recessive, all due to mutation in the same gene - that's a new twist to Mendalian genetics, and there are now several diseases with this interesting manifestation."
In people, the risk of sudden death with long QT syndrome varies with some patients having up to 200 syncopal episodes a year without dying, while others have only the one, fatal, episode...Treatment involves beta blockers, and a diet high in potassium, and can be quite successful.
Does the long QT syndrome affect canines? Since it appears in Dalmatians - another breed with a congenital deafness problem - there is no reason to believe it cannot also be associated with our Bull Terrier breeds. Get your K9 cardiologist to consider this particular possibility.

CASE REPORT / JUVENILE RENAL DISEASE / MINIATURE BT

"Poptart" came to live with us when she was about 6 months old; she seemed normal for her age, full of energy & sweetnatured like her sire (see pedigree provided at end). However, after only a few weeks we noticed excessive drinking, sudden onset bed-wetting, lack of appetite & signs of nausea. We also noticed her urine was very dilute - odorless and colourless - and by then she was beginning to adjust her life to cope with her problems; her bedwetting stopped, but she became very vocal about her need to go outside, and her need to have water.

When she was 11 months old she had her first set of tests done: her urine sample was tested in the office for specific gravity, proving it to be dilute (a sign her kidneys could not concentrate urine); urine for a U-P/C* and blood for a BUN* was packaged and sent to a laboratory. The results were as we suspected - "Poptart" was in early kidney failure, reason as yet unknown.
Since she appeared to be in no discomfort or pain, was happy at home and not any trouble to work with, we decided to put her on a specialized "kidney diet" to provide her with the energy she needed without overloading her with the protein her kidneys could not process. She did not like the diet, however, and ate only enough to stay alive - faced with a young dog rapidly losing major muscle mass & beginning to show signs of fatigue, we added whatever we could (in fat products, as no protein was allowed) to her crunch to keep her eating enough to maintain a certain body weight - and that well under what it should have been for her size and bone structure.

By the end of summer, "Poptart" was avoiding play with her kennelmates and seemed anxious not to be bowled over by them; during typical mad-bully rushes, she was the first to drop out and come panting over to my feet to rest & watch. It appeared time to re-run her tests - she was weighing in at 24 pounds on a frame that could easily have supported 34 pounds - there was no plumpness, nor curves of muscle, and her quarters shook when she exerted herself. Doing stairs exhausted her. She no longer enjoyed the company of her friends and spent many more hours sleeping than they did.

Despite the special diet her test results were worse, but we were unexpectedly blessed with a warm, dry Fall, so we kept her going another month to enjoy it with us, as a way of saying goodbye slowly.

When the time finally came to euthanize "Poptart", we had her kidneys removed to be sent to the laboratory to determine the cause of her renal failure. The results of that showed that she had been born with kidneys too small and inadequately functioning to properly maintain health as she matured. She may have lasted another six months or so with progressively deteriorating health - but juvenile kidney failure generally kills within the first three years.

This disease, also known as Familial Renal Disease, Renal Dysplasia, or Congenital Hypoplasia is very much an inherited disease, and affects about 20 other breeds. It is considered to be a simple (one gene), autosomal (not sex-linked, as in hemophilia), recessive (both parents must carry the defective gene) disease. Therefore, an affected puppy means: both parents are carriers, and the siblings of the puppy have a 66% chance of also being carriers. Aunts & uncles of the affected puppy have a 50% chance of being carriers, as do the grandparents.

In the world of the Miniature Bull Terrier, the gene-pool is already so small, and so many kennels linebreed or inbreed, that the chance of doubling up "carrier" parents for this (and all our other known defect-producing genes) particular type of kidney failure is terribly high.

*BUN: This is the blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine test: elevated results indicate a loss of kidney function in excess of 65% - and by that time, longterm treatment may not be successful, so the preferred test is the U-P/C which is a more sensitive indicator of kidney health.

*U-P/C: this is the Urine Protein & Urine Creatinine ratio test, which indicates the levels of protein in the urine. A test result of less than 1.0 is normal; in breeds predisposed to kidney failure, a test result of less than 0.5 is to be desired; higher than 1.0 means a more thorough investigation into kidney function is necessary to rule out disease.

If you have a Miniature Bull Terrier whose bloodline includes one or more of the same dogs as can be found in the pedigree provided, you should have its kidney function tested now; and if it is, or has been breeding stock, every six to twelve months thereafter.

COLDSTREAM TRIBUNE

SIRE: CH. GENESIS BIT O NITRO OF SHARI

GENESIS GINGERS RUNWAY FLASH

MARSHARI'S POPTART OF NITRO
*JUVENILE KIDNEY FAILURE/18 MONTHS

CH. RYATTI'S YENSID OF REGENCY

DAM: HOBBIT HILL OPOI OF MARSHARI

HOBBIT HILL'S EBONY ICE

"if a breeder is informed about a medical problem in a puppy she has sold, and often she is not...and if it is only one puppy in a litter about which she is informed, it is usually treated as an isolated incident...and the fact that this is a genetic disease is not recognized, and no thought is given to those littermates who are carriers...and more and more carriers are unknowingly bred...Many stillborn puppies are victims of this disease. Often, however, an affected puppy will grow normally until it is between ten and twenty-four months of age before it is symptomatic, diagnosed, and dies...unaffected littermates should all be considered carriers, since there is no way to distinguish a carrier from a non-carrier...I can assure anyone that it is infinitely more expensive on an emotional as well as a financial basis not to have an autopsy done to look for this disease...Waiting for DNA testing to become readily available is not a feasible solution to the problems of genetic diseases. Selectively breeding away from carriers now is the only responsible action..." - Susan Fleisher, breeder

THE EARLY ONSET OF JUVENILE RENAL DISEASE ALLOWS CARRIERS TO BE IDENTIFIED MUCH SOONER THAN DOES A DISEASE WHICH MANIFESTS ITSELF LATER IN LIFE - AS BREEDERS WE COULD, IF WE ONLY WANTED TO, MAKE AN IMPACT ON AT LEAST THIS PARTICULAR BREED PROBLEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

*PLEASE WRITE TO THE MBTT IF YOU HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSED CASE OF ANY KIDNEY FAILURE IN YOUR MINIATURE BULL TERRIERS*

1998 /BRAVE NEW WORLD, or same old, same old?

The MBTT will, for 1998, send out only two complete updates for LL and BAER - but new names will be published as they are sent in. Those subscribers buying back issues will get complete listings. Economic restraints will see some deletions to our mailing list - we will continue a 150 copy printing, but to accommodate new subscribers, we will drop those who appear disinterested. The Net version will be available between 2 to 4 weeks later. As of this issue, over 600 visitors have accessed our web site.

"We fight for lost causes because we know that our defeat may be the preface to our successors' victory." -T.S. Eliot

The MBTT expects a busy year - our breed problems will not go away with wishful thinking - nor will they go away because 'breeders' refuse to talk about them. The MBTT will continue to:

*Challenge the National Club to be motivated on behalf of the breed,
the membership and the public (and put shows on the back burner instead)

*Keep the extent of breed problems in the public eye

*Supply its readers with pertinent news

*Encourage the testing of entire litters and all breeding stock

*Encourage the sharing of those test results

*Extol the virtues of "safe sex"/ the breeding of tested, healthy 4-year and older minibulls only

*Maintain cyberspace's first and best Minibull Newsletter in the world!

The MBTT thanks Kelly McClay and "Barkley" the AmStaff for help with the cause . Kelly writes: "As an Animal Health Tech & avid dog lover, it is certainly refreshing to find a breeder whose honesty & love of dogs motivates her to expose what many would prefer to keep hidden. Keep up the good work. Our hearts are with you."

The MBTT congratulates the
year's winners; the minis
which also achieved
alternative titles for their
athletic, obedience, or
humanitarian endeavours;
and especially those MBTs
which passed their health
testing in heart, kidney,
hearing and eye functions.
The MBTT reminds you, the
breeder, that a dog's skin
is the largest organ of the
body and is often, as such,
an early indicator of
internal dysfunction.
The MBTT is pleased that West Coast mini-owner, and experienced club board member, active exhibitor, and standard BT breeder/judge, Ms. Christine Burton, is now a board member of the Miniature Bull Terrier Club of North America. The club was in dire need of new blood, and a pint now is better than a gallon too late! May the MBTCA flourish in 1998 with its new president's, [James Gaignat] and the board's knowledge that our Miniature Bull Terriers/breeders are in desperate straits and deserve immediate, perhaps draconian solutions to their problems.

***********************************************************************************************

The UK Lens Luxation List is updated from Sept/97 to Dec/97 by 1 name:

12/3/94 Lizette Third and Final (Ch.Kearby's Mini Marathon X Casuja Black Magic)

For new subscribers/readers of the MBTT, the LL lists are printed in previous issues (#2, 3, & 4) in a format which shows affected littermates in italics, and producers of LL who subsequently become affected themselves, in bold. The above mentioned minibull has at least five (5) affected littermates; at least one of which has also produced LL. These littermates were all pre-prime (under the age of 5 years) when LL manifested. This one current glimpse at the way LL can devastate a breeder's, an owner's, and an exhibitor's dreams and hopes should be enough to instill a powerful urge in every MBT fancier to find ways to first limit, then control, and eventually eradicate Lens Luxation. Step#1 is your open support of the MBTT & UK LL LISTS so that breedings of affected MBTs can be avoided; and the use of producers of LL be recognized as a very high risk...

THE MBTT IS LISTENING TO ITS READERS, BUT...

Are the readers listening to the MBTT? Just heard from one reader who wanted to know if the MBTT would do an article on "the infertility problem in the breed." The MBTT must decline; and here's why:

First of all, the question begs the answer - what infertility problem in the breed? To determine the possibility of there being a nation-wide, recognized infertility problem, all external factors would have to be standardized. There would have to be documentation of and case-histories of all bitches and their mates ruling out ill health, poor libido, pre-disposition to "missing" caused by previous surgery, infection, medication, abortion(s), low sperm counts etcetera. The breedings would have to be supervised and handled by reproduction experts to rule out timing failures, incompetent handling, and to document that breedings took place at peak readiness with the minimum recommended sperm count/motility for conception to happen. Only under such circumstances could a breed-specific infertility problem be considered a valid premise.
Secondly, the MBTT has taken a firm stand on the liability of breeding our miniature BTs under the age of four years. Issues #2, 3, & 4 reiterate the reasons for this advocated policy, and the wiser and more responsible breeders are following this practice even now. So, if any mini BT has "missed" and is still under the age of 4 years, the MBTT says, "Thank god for Mother Nature's birth control".

That said, the MBTT does offer the following opinion on why bitches "miss". If the arguments disturb you, don't continue reading. This author has an 18 year history in the breeding of Bull Terriers, the natural way, with an extremely high success rate; other breeders of other breeds seek her advice and hands-on expertise on a regular basis with equally good results.

"when you hear hoofbeats, don't look for unicorns"

So why do bitches miss? The possible reasons are numerous and common: poor timing / poor health / incompetent handling /stress / methodology glitches / attitude factors. Any one of the above has a major bearing on the results and since our dogs give us at best, only two chances per year, chances are we'll still get it wrong. Practice makes for better, if still not perfect, connections.

TIMING: every bitch is individual as regards her needs for servicing. Some bitches make this obvious with "flagging" and vocals. The mystery can be somewhat diminished by having "smears" done at the vet's; more scientific methods also exist, but are not always practiced by one's local clinic. "Flagging" itself is not a 100% indicator of readiness and some people, especially novices, do not understand the difference between reflexive flagging and sexual flagging.

Reflexive flagging is the involuntary reaction dogs of either sex have when you scratch the base of their tails. It is generally a mild to moderate reaction, indicating a desire for more of this "grooming" - it is much like both sexes of dogs' reactions to the "tickle" that elicits their "flea-scratching reflex".
Sexual flagging is probably voluntary (in that some bitches will not flag yet may still allow breeding) and can be mild to excessive. The tail, the vulva, and the rear quarters all get into the act - it is a display of sexual enticement, need and availability and cannot be misinterpreted by either the male or the owner (novice or not). Male dogs do not flag; bitches at peak performance time will flag for almost anything - your voice, another bitch, a puppy, a touch...
While flagging indicates readiness and a strong, natural desire, it does not mean that conception will take place. Certainly, though, such signs are to be preferred over those that indicate fear, reluctance, indifference or aggression (all of which indicate an unreadiness, physical or mental). The bitch that snarled from day #1 to 16 yet was bred (fighting it every step of the way) on days #10, 12 & 14, was trying to tell you something; on day #18 she happily breeds, with Mr. Unsuitable Suitor from over the fence, and has 9 pups by him! Next time, listen to her, not the guy who says all bitches catch on day #12...

HEALTH: Is your dog/bitch actually healthy and in prime breeding condition/age? Is it on any medications? Are these medications conducive to fertility? Teratogenic? Have you checked with your vet about adjusting the levels of existing meds to allow for carrying a litter to term? It is this breeder's opinion, not in the least humble, that bitches needing thyroid supplementation should not be bred. Mother Nature did not, obviously, intend for inadequately functioning dogs to procreate. However, it may be possible that what supplementation is best for your maiden is not enough for your in-whelp bitch.

Are there predisposing health factors that reduce the chances of pregnancy? Has the bitch had previous C-sections, cystic ovaries, metritis, abortions, irregular seasons? Is she in the proper weight? Too thin, and clinically obese are equally detrimental to conception success. Is the dog young enough, old enough, free of prostate infection, high in libido? Has the dog had his semen evaluated just prior to the breeding? Are there sufficient millions of healthy sperm, full of energy and long-lived? Is the semen "processed"? It is this breeder's opinion, again, not humble, that processed (frozen; chilled; or fresh, but handled artificially) semen cannot rival the real thing delivered naturally, in person, on time to a healthy, prime, recipient. There's the catch...

COMPETENCE: Not everyone has "the touch"; lots of breeders run to other breeders when things don't go according to plan. It doesn't help not to admit that incompetence may be a factor - the idea is to get dogs in whelp as practically as is possible. Some people are great cooks, others admit they get their special events catered. Not all dogs are allowed to grow up with "sex play" - the companionship of other dogs and the sexual moves they practice all day long. The "princess", sold at 8 weeks & never dominated by another dog til the day (often too early in her cycle) the owner wants her bred, shipped to a stranger's house, and perhaps incompetently handled throughout an intimidating act, is not likely to enjoy or contribute to the ease of "togetherness". This in itself makes any incompetence worse.

The competent breeder is able, by experience and knack, to handle all types of bitches and dogs. There is no need to further stress the "visiting" bitch with side trips to the vet clinic, and more strangers handling her.
Again, if "Prince" left home as a very young puppy and missed out after that on normal sexual play/practice, he may be a reluctant or totally non-compliant partner in your breeding endeavour. Or he may be so headstrong, so obsessed, that he lacks the finesse to make the crucial connection with anything smaller than a bucket. This approach, to a bitch like "Princess" is asking for trouble and needs competent, patient handlers to control the action and precipitate a union. Novices are well advised, if they plan to stand their dog at stud, to anticipate problems and first seek guidance from those more experienced than even the average (non-breeder) veterinarian.

STRESS: This breeder has always felt that bitches get the short end of the stick in the mating game. Why can't the dogs "have gun, will travel"? Consider it from her point of view - she's in a vulnerable position, at our mercy. If we don't have the option of breeding her at home where she feels secure, she is shipped (and may be a poor traveller) to strangers (she may not like tall, dark, handsome men) and kenneled (poor "Princess") before being introduced to the dog. Then, ...see incompetence, above for her perspective on dating...add any or all horror stories you've ever heard - she may experience none or all before being shipped home again...Don't think stress has a bearing? wait & see. (Don't buy cigars, they might get stale...)

METHODOLOGY: No two breeders use the same system and methods. Some still don't accept the new technology; some still think eons of natural selection were sheer fluke, and only scientific methods work. Some bend over backwards to facilitate the needs of the dogs and the mating act; others rush the pair to a vet clinic and keep their hands clean. Some feel that natural "ties" can cripple the dog, so only artificial insemination is done. Some insist the contract is fulfilled by two breedings only; some breed the bitch until neither she nor the male will look at each other again. There are hits and misses both ways, but keeping the act simple and natural is the closest one can get to what nature intended - therefore, every deviation from that premise reduces the chance of conception proportionate to the degree of the deviation. Yes, modern science has made some things better: the sperm analysis, the smear tests; but procedures that require "Princess" to be to-ing and fro-ing during her season are not taking into consideration her own needs and desire for security.

ATTITUDE: It shouldn't be a factor, but so often is, that I'd be remiss if I didn't bring it up. Some stud owners are not only incompetent, but also lazy or indifferent; especially if no guarantee is made as to a refund of the stud fee if the bitch doesn't get pregnant. A confused, aggressive, non-compliant bitch; a reluctant dog; a good hunting/fishing/golfing/dog-show weekend - gee, wonder why that bitch didn't catch...oh well, send her on again in 6 or 7 months...

An infertility problem in the breed? or just unicorns ?

Did you know?

The National Bull Terrier Council (Australia) actually pre-publishes an agenda for its General Meeting... Makes perfect
sense doesn't it?

Due to the Canadian postal strike, very little MBTT mail got through before this issue was finished. Several readers emailed me to say their mail was returned. Due to the rush season, and now a backlog of mail needing sorting, service will not be 100% for some time even after the strike is over. Please hang on to your news/donations/etc until late January; or give the MBTT a call @ 403-931-3379.

Yes, the counter for the MBTT on the Net is broken; add the last 3 digits to the first 3 digits for the real number of visits to this site. As of this printing, that number is #650 plus.

A request came in for the MBTT to discuss thyroid problems in the breed.
The MBTT considers the issue extremely well covered by other easily accessible sources as far as the nature of the disease and its treatment, but reader-experience with thyroid defects in minibulls will be welcome.

When a reader mentioned that she kept her MBTT issues in a 3 ring binder, the MBTT was moved - a little to the right, to allow more room for the paper-punch! Only one reader took us up on the larger print issue - the MBTT hopes this particular type/size suits all. Italics are being kept to a minimum as they are difficult to see on the screen site.

Don't let your expectations of and concern for a better world for miniature bull terriers be minimized.

Support the minis' voice: the MBTT!

The MBTT wishes everyone and their dog a safe, happy holiday season!
Remember: feeding your pets the rich, sometimes undigestible, festive table scraps can provoke serious gastrointestinal upsets or even the dreaded acute pancreatitis episodes as recently endured by MBTT reader/supporter, Lynn Huckins and her mini, "Maverick". Lynn & Mav are still recuperating - the former from stress & the latter from major surgery. The MBTT thanks Lynn for both her mini news and her continuing support for the cause on the BTlist: http://bullterrier.org

Barb & Ed, whose Compu-tecture brings the MBTT to the cyber-subscriber, excitedly emailed the message that their puppy, Bulwark Minikin Tragic Magic (see MBTT #issue 3) has passed both her kidney function tests (UP/C & BUN) and her BAER (hearing) test. She took a first in Group (7 entries) at her first match, as well. "Tauriana" is also Doppler heart-tested normal. Congrats, folks, on a "winning" attitude!

Margaret Craven, secretary & editor for the downunder MBTC/NSW, writes: "thanks for sending me your great Tellagram...I know first hand just how brave you are for doing it..." Those of us who receive the OZ newsletter will realize that Margaret is also striving for breed awareness & open discussion of the problems facing us all. Margaret takes on the onerous chore of copying the MBTT for those breeders who cannot access it on the Net. Thanks, Margaret, for spreading the word!

The MBTT is dedicated to public awareness of Miniature Bull Terrier breed-specific problems. The MBTT supports those breed clubs endeavouring to change - for the better - the future of the Miniature Bull Terrier. Is our/your club one of them? Write to us about your opinion & suggestions for our next issue: c/o Box 4, Site 2, RR 1, Priddis, Alberta, Canada, T0L 1W0.