What's New? 

See our PhotoShow Candids of the 2010 Specialty.
Official Show Photos still to come.

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 http://www.photoshow.com/watch/ec4Fs3td 

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Click on 2010 for Photos and Complete Results

CANINE RABIES VACCINE CHALLENGE STUDIES BEGIN !

            One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison .  Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters.  These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States .

 Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity."

            This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine , who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California .  The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies’ first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses.  Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.

            Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future."

Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz’s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination.   This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant.  Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity.  Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: “Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves.  We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data.”

            More information and regular updates on The Rabies Challenge Fund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies it is financing can be found at the fund’s website designed by volunteer Andrea Brin at:  http://www.RabiesChallengeFund.org 

Click to see Media Coverage and Additional Links

New Research On Early Spay/Neuter

There is some new research on the advisability of early spay and neuter. Most reputable breeders do sell their pups with a spay/neuter requirement but the recommended time table for this may vary. If you are a prospective owner, this is a decision which should be made with the breeder of your puppy and should be based on his experience and your situation and the terms of your contract. However, this link will give breeders and owners alike some additional food for thought. This is a 12 page document but most of the information you need will be on the first 2 or 3 pages.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf 

PhotoShow

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Our What's New page will be changing each month. Come back often and you'll find photos, articles and tips for breeders, exhibitors and owners of fox terriers! In the meantime, scroll down to see a description of what the Wire Fox Terrier is like!

The Wire Fox Terrier is a small black and white disturbance which afflicts and delights many families. The Fox Terrier has straight legs, an active expressive face, a lean well-shaped head, talkative eyes and a nose which leads it from one misdemeanor  to another. Originally he had a liberal tail, but it has been revised and edited by man. This was done because when a Fox Terrier's tail was as active as his head, it took two people to watch him.   The wire Fox Terrier is a house pet, and is clean and dainty in his habits. He lives on meat, milk, potatoes, mice, old shoes, curtains, books, hats and tablecloths. In return for this diet, he guards the house with unremitting ferocity. No burglar can come near without dislodging an eruption of barks from the faithful dog. He also guards the house against all cats, dogs, taxicabs, late pedestrians, dead leaves and moonbeams which may chance to pass at night.  The Wire Fox Terrier is vivacious, audacious, ingenious, merciful, hysterical, wheedlesome, companionable, affectionate, optimistic, fickle, restless and irrepressible. He is, in fact the Chorus Girl of the dog family.

anonymous