The girl who is credited with our adoption of Lager go to jump Lager at this event! Here is Gwen jumping Lager in Big Air! You can read the story of how Gwen contacted us by clicking HERE!
Photo Credit: KJ Photography
Extreme Vertical: 5’10” 1st Place Cadet
Picture Credit: Gary Foote
Margarita:
Margarita once again enjoyed her time hanging out under the team canopy, and getting lots of attention from friends!
Liver Killers Bling!
Toasting to “Tommy D” with his very own homemade Limoncello recipe:
Fort Monroe served as a key defensive site of the Chesapeake Bay from Native American’s use before the settling of Jamestown, to its most recent mission as the US Army’s Headquarters for Training and Doctrine Command until 2011.
Rita is finding Glamping to be fun, and is exploring all over the camper! Here she is in the shower:
View from our camp site:
Around the campground and fort:
The fort
The fort
Fort Monroe Quarters Number 1
Old Point Comfort Light
Inside on of the buildings
The campground was very peaceful, and the pups were able to rest well in the camper after each day of the event!
There will also be a dog agility course and a food tent open all day. Dog food vendors will also be there to answer questions and hand out treats to your canine companion.
Entertainment for the kids includes a clown, face painting, and a moon bounce.
VIRGINIA BEACH — Care-A-Lot Pet Supply will host the 9th Annual Pet Lovers’ Extravaganza featuring the popular DockDogs competition from April 29-May 1 outside of their headquarters at 1617 Diamond Springs Road in Virginia Beach. Admission is free to enjoy three days of high-flying dogs, contests and giveaways plus significant savings at all three Care-A-Lot retail locations.
“From live dock jumping and diving events to pet ice cream eating contests and even a chance to win $10,000, there’s something for everyone,” Care-A-Lot owner Bobby Clarke said. “More than 12,500 people from around the country came to watch the action last year, and this time we expect an even larger crowd.”
One fearless flyer running off the dock will be Lager, a veteran explosives detection canine who served 18 months in Iraq. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a natural in the water, ranking fifth overall in the World Championships in his division during his first year competing.
“We adopted Lager knowing he had an intense love for the water; and from the second he jumped off the dock, we knew he was a natural,” Lager’s owner Jenny Beadling said. “After being discharged from his military duties, DockDogs’ competitions have been a great way for Lager to use his skills and endless energy.”
As part of Care-A-Lot’s partnership with the Norfolk SPCA, every dog adopted at the event will receive a starter package of more than $200 worth of food, supplies and store coupons.
K9’s in Flight, the “homeless to high-flying” world champion Frisbee-catching dogs, will also return to perform throughout the weekend. All the dogs were rescued or adopted from shelters around the country.
Vendors from more than 40 pet supply manufacturers will be at the Extravaganza to provide training tips, product information and sampling. They include: Blue Buffalo, Nutro, Nature’s Variety, Canidae, Wellness, Merrick, KONG, Greenies, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Purina and more.
DockDogs® is the international governing body that oversees events which test a dog’s ability to jump as far as possible into a pool, retrieve items from the pool in a timed event and jump as high as possible. Contestants are grouped based on experience and past results. For more information, visit DockDogs online at www.dockdogs.com.
Dogs fly through the air at Dockdogs competitions in Virginia Beach
VIRGINIA BEACH
Whether detecting explosives in Iraq for the military or jumping into a pool to fetch a toy, Lager takes his job seriously.
The German Shorthaired Pointer, who lives in New Jersey with his owners, came to Virginia Beach on Friday to show off his skills in the annual DockDogs competition, part of the Pet Lovers’ Extravaganza outside the Care-A-Lot headquarters near Shore Drive.
Outfitted in a patriotic swimsuit, of course, Lager jumped twice in the qualifying round and will compete in the Big Air competition today and the Extreme Vertical competition today and Sunday with a few hundred other dogs from around the country.
Jenny Beadling, Lager’s owner, said they often bring him to events in Virginia. He practices his dock dives at home off the family’s 40-foot pier and also does agility drills, running exercises and strength training.
“I think that he takes everything like it’s his job,” Beadling said.
Lager was retired from the military because he would get distracted by water, so when he came back to the states, the contractor who worked with him wanted him to be in that kind of environment.
He earned an invitation to the DockDogs world championships last November in Iowa and placed fifth in the senior division. His leaps average about 19 feet, 9 inches, Beadling said.
The Beadlings call their dogs “The Liver Killers” because of their names: Lager, Limoncello, Hooch and their newest one, Margarita.
Another competitor Friday was Leia, who lives in Virginia Beach. She competed in the Iron Dog Warrior Competition in Iowa, another DockDogs contest, last November, coming in second in the world.
Her owner, Karen Cummings, named her dogs after “Star Wars” characters – Leia, Chewey and Vader. Leia, a Lab, was in the qualifying round for Big Air on Friday.
Cummings said Leia also competes in the speed retrieve and extreme vertical events. She trains locally by doing a lot of jumping, muscle training and agility competitions.
Along with the competitions, the event includes dozens of pet-supply vendors, and Care-A-Lot is having its biggest sale of the year.
The speed, height and distance events continue throughout the weekend. Other contests, for less athletically inclined canines, include best kisser, best dressed and best at, well, eating treats.
The Pointer, also known as the English Pointer or American Field Pointer, is a powerful sporting dog, is extremely high energy, and a very enthusiastic hunter.
The first recorded mentions of the Pointer were in England around 1650. The Pointer was developed by crossing the Italian Pointer, Foxhound, Bloodhound, Greyhound, Newfounland, and Setter. The name derived from the way the dog stands motionless when he spots his game ~ as if he is pointing right at it. This breed is excellent at catching a scent, and pointing the hunter in the right direction. Often used to flush out birds, the dogs are very quick, and can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. They are not known to be water dogs.
With enough exercise the Pointer will be calm in the home. Pointers are known to be very intelligent, loyal , friendly, affectionate, and generally good with children. They are generally good with other pets and are not usually dog-aggressive. However, if not socialized properly, Pointers can be reserved with strangers. If you do not provide enough mental and physical stimulation, Pointers can become “,”high-strung and destructive. If they sense their owners are not strong-minded, they can become a bit uncooperative, as they will believe they need to be the leader of their pack. Pointers will bark at suspicious noises, but are not known to be a watchdog. Hunting instincts develop early. Pointer puppies will begin to display pointing behavior as young as 8 weeks old.
These dogs are not recommended for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and do best when provided with both mental and physical exercise.
Life Expectancy
About 13-14 years.
Colors
Black, Black & White, Lemon, Lemon & White, Liver, Liver & White, Orange, Orange & White
Markings
Black points, liver points, self-colored points, ticked
Care
The smooth coat of the Pointer is very easy to groom, requiring regular brushing with a firm bristle brush and bath only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder. Their strong fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
Energy and Exercise
The Pointer’s even temperament and alert good sense make him a congenial companion both in the field and in the home, but he requires both physical and mental exercise. Pointers are extremely energetic, so it is very important that these dogs daily vigorous exercise to prevent indoor restlessness. Providing a securely fenced-in yard for a Pointer to stretch to burn off some of the renowned “hunt all day” endurance is most beneficial. This breed is more than a match for even the most active family and should not be taken on as a family pet unless they can guarantee plenty of vigorous exercise. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk walks or jogs. They are excellent jogging companions. Some love to swim and retrieve although they were not bred for that task.
Heatlh
Like all breeds there may be some health issues, such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia, eye and autoimmune disorders such as skin allergies, and hypothyroidism). Even though parents have been x-rayed and cleared of genetic disorders, they can still carry the genes for them. It is always recommended that health tests be performed before you consider breeding your dog in order to decrease the odds of passing on harmful genes. Some dogs may be faced with these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Pointers are healthy dogs.
Regular veterinary care and proper feeding are vital to your dog’s health. Yearly DHLPP vaccinations, rabies shots, a monthly heart worm and flea/tick preventative regimen, and in many parts of the country a Lyme Disease vaccination, should not be neglected. Follow the advice of your veterinarian for shots and monthly preventatives. If you plan to purchase a puppy, be sure to do your research and work with a responsible breeder. Good breeders utilize genetic testing of their dogs to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.
Obedience Training
A MUST! If new to the breed, it would be beneficial to work with another individual who is knowledgeable about the breed. Be sure to educate yourself, and carefully match your training methods with the personality, characteristics, and needs of your dog.
Crate Training
As with anything else, do your research on crate training. If introduced properly and in a positive manner, the crate becomes a safe haven and a secure “den” for the dog. The crate provides a safe place to go when things get too hectic and the dog needs a break. When the dog has to travel, its “safe place” can come along, and the dog will always have its den regardless of the circumstances.
Founded in 1938, the American Pointer Club (APC) is a non-profit organization, the “guardian” of the breed and determines the official breed conformation standard. The Club sponsors Pointer competitions (field trial and hunting test, agility, obedience, and rally events); an annual National Field Championship that rotates between the eastern and western U.S. each year; plus regional and supported events for conformation, hunting tests, field trials, obedience and agility.
Rescues
Pointer Rescue, Org (PRO): a non-profit group of coordinators and volunteers across the United States dedicated to the rescue of purebred Pointers.
American Pointer Rescue: a national non-profit organization whose mission is to rescue and care for homeless Pointers while working to place them into forever homes.
Breeder Listing
If you would prefer to purchase a registered puppy rather than rescue, the American Pointer Club provides a breeder directory (Click HERE to access the directory). Each breeder listed is a current member in good standing of the APC. However, please be aware that the APC does not recommend, endorse, guarantee or rate breeders, their kennels or their stock. Buyers should be certain to check all matters relating to registration, health, quality and stud agreements with the breeders, sellers or stud owners prior to making any decisions.
Information in this post is meant only for a generalized summary of the breed, and to put as much information about the breed in one place in hopes to educate potential first-time EP owners/adopters. Please be sure to do your own research on this breed before adding an EP to your family.
Deciding what breed of dog to get is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place. There are over 160 breeds of dog recognized by the AKC, and each of these breeds has its own unique temperament, appearance, activity level and set of needs. You should do some serious and careful research to determine which breed of dog is right for you and your family. The posts in this section are to meant to provide you with information and pictures of the two breeds we have in our family.
Click HERE to read about the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Whether you are deciding to adopt or purchase a pure-bred or a mixed-breed, there are many things to consider when adding a dog to your family. The AKC provides a great list of just some of the things to consider when contemplating a four-legged addition to your family:
TEMPERAMENT
You’re going to be living with this dog for a long time, so you need to make sure he has a personality you can live with. Do you want a dog that is active, or subdued? A dog that is easily trained, or strong-willed? A dog that is friendly to everyone he meets, or one that is loyal to family but aloof toward strangers? A dog that needs a lot of attention from family members, and lots of activity to prevent him from becoming bored and destructive, or a dog that is content to be left alone for periods of time during the day?
SIZE
All little puppies are adorable, of course, but they grow quickly-and some of them grow a lot. Find out how large-in height and weight-that cute puppy will become before you bring him home. Remember that larger dogs require more food and space-is your yard or living room big enough to meet his needs? And keep in mind that some little dogs still need lots of room to run around and burn off energy.
COAT/GROOMING NEEDS
All dogs need to be groomed regularly to stay healthy and clean; most dogs will shed. But some dogs shed profusely all year round; some shed in clumps for a few weeks; some dogs shed only a little bit. Long-coated dogs are beautiful to look at, but require a lot of effort to stay that way. Short-coated dogs are easier to care for, but may still shed, and may require protection in cold or wet weather. Dogs with fancy trims may need professional grooming. Decide how much dog hair you’re willing to put up with, and how much time and energy you can afford, when you’re deciding which breed is right for you.
MALE OR FEMALE
In general, there is no significant difference in temperament between male and female dogs. If you are getting a dog for a pet, you will want to have your dog spayed or neutered, which will eliminate most minor differences anyway. If you plan to show or breed your dog, you must be vigilant about preventing unwanted breedings by keeping your intact male safely confined to your house or yard, and by keeping your intact female away from other dogs when she comes into heat twice yearly.
PUPPY OR ADULT
The advantage of getting a puppy-aside from its irresistible cuteness-is that you can raise it by yourself from the beginning, and participate in its training and socialization every step of the way. The disadvantage is that training a puppy requires a great deal of time and patience. Busy families should keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need plenty of trips outside, frequent meals, and lots of interaction with people. Adult dogs-whether purchased directly from a breeder or adopted from a rescue group-can be ideal for people who want a dog with fewer needs. Mature dogs tend to be calmer; some are already house-trained and know some basic obedience.
HEALTH
Some breeds may be prone to hereditary diseases or conditions. Many breeds can be screened for certain conditions, such as hip or eye problems; this certification should be available to you when you go to look at a puppy. Being educated about the health considerations of your chosen breed can help you to avoid or alleviate future problems.
Information on this post was taken from www.akc.org, and is meant only for a generalized summary to assist in the addition of a dog to your family. Please be sure to do your own research before adding a 4-legged fur-child to your family.
Since Margarita was found as a stray, the veterinarians had to guesstimate her age. They put her at about 6 years old, so we are sticking with that. We also chose her birthday to be the day we picked her up to bring her home as our foster – March 4th.
The rescue we volunteer for, GSP Rescue of NJ, covers all of New Jersey, parts of New York, and assist other recognized out-of-state GSP rescues in urgent situations. In addition to re-homing GSPs, they also work with owners to help them with any issues they may have with them. In emergency situations, the rescue will also reach out to help English Pointers.
When an English Pointer rescue could not take a female English Pointer known as “Penelope,” she was on her way to being taken to a shelter when GSP Rescue of NJ offered to help. Although the GSP Rescue of NJ was willing to help this poor girl who was found as a stray, our foster homes were full, and there was no one available to foster her. Although we do not usually foster, we decided that we just couldn’t let this skinny pretty girl end up in a kill-shelter. On March 3, 2016, we committed to fostering Penelope so that she could begin her road to recovery.
She was transported to the rescue’s vet, and was examined. Penelope was completely emaciated, appeared to have had many litters, had a tumor on her neck, tested positive for Anaplasmosis (a tick-borne disease) and severely damaged and rotted teeth. She also had a cut on her tail and her belly. While at the vet, she was supposed to have teeth extractions, a lumpectomy, and also be spayed. The dental work took so long, that not all needed teeth could be pulled, and the lumpectomy and spay could not be performed due to the length of time she was under anesthesia. She had a total of 6 teeth pulled during her first surgery. The vet set her up with a future appointment for continuation of dental, her spay, and removal and biopsy of the lump on her neck.
On March 4, 2016, another GSP Rescue of NJ volunteer, Mandy, was nice enough to pick Penelope up from the vet and meet me half way to cut down on my 2 hour drive-time.
Penelope was a great passenger, and rested calmly for her ride to our home.
Once home, we introduced her to each of our fur-kids individually on lead by meeting out on the street and taking a short walk together. After the initial greetings were over, we gave her some time to explore the yard on her own before we settled her down in a crate.
In just the first night and day that we spent with Penelope, we got her to sit for a treat, and sit-stay for a picture. She did not appear to know basic commands, but was very food-driven and eager to please. She did wonderfully in her crate, ate well, and slept soundly.
We introduced her to our cat, Loki, and she seemed to be just fine with him.
We also introduced her to fellow rescue friends Jen and Grace’s male English Pointer (Penelope LOVED him!) as well as our friends’ two GSP puppies. She did amazing with all the dogs, and had a very fun-filled, exhausting day!
Penny had her second surgery scheduled for her lumpectomy, more teeth to be pulled, and her spay a few weeks later on March 29, 2016. We fell more in love with her as each day passed! Just a few days before her spay, she went into heat, so the vet opted to put off her spay once again. Her lumpectomy and dental surgeries went well.
Her lumpectomy went well, and the biopsy came back that the lump was benign!
Thirteen days later, when we got home from Penny’s suture removal, Brian asked me if I wanted a glass of wine to celebrate. I asked, “Celebrate what?” Brian said, “Our newest family member!” After tears of joy, hugs, and celebration, we renamed her Señorita Margarita (Rita for short)!
Rita’s third surgery was for her spay. The good news is that her spay procedure went well. At the time of her spay, we opted to have an additional procedure called Gastropexy in order to avoid bloat (a common cause of death in pointers) in the future.
Thank goodness we opted for that extra procedure, because it was during that part of the surgery that our vet discovered that Rita had lesions on her spleen as well as a separated spleen – commonly seen in a dog that has suffered blunt-force trauma from being kicked. Although this was heartbreaking news to hear, it was during this discovery that our vet also noticed a mass on her spleen. Had we not opted for this additional procedure, the mass as well as a part of her past would have gone undetected. An aspiration of the mass did not give enough information to determine a diagnosis, so Rita will have an ultrasound done in May to explore the mass and other organs to determine our course of action. She is recovering nicely from her spay and is being extra-spoiled. However, we ask that you please still keep her in your thoughts, as we do not yet know the complete outcome of the mass on her spleen. Thanks to all of you for your support and kindness through our fostering as well as our foster-failure of this angel!!
Well, we are proud to admit we are complete failures. Foster failures that is! Remember Penelope our foster-kid? (If not, click HERE to read her story) Well, she quickly ingrained herself into our hearts and home…and we could not imagine our pack without her! We have officially adopted her, and her new name is Señorita Margarita (“Rita” for short!)
