“Author Archive”
Stories written by AnthonyA
It was bound to happen. Against all odds, shows are back, and even more shocking…entries are through the roof. No matter where it is or who is judging, entries have been maxing out in record time. Dogs from every part of the country are popping up in the most unexpected places. Really, I’m pretty sure if AKC announced a big show cluster on Mars, dog people would find a way to get there. A welcome relief for sure, but let’s face it, we need to complain about something. And yes, this part was also inevitable. We are back to complaining about too much competition. Heavyweight contenders are jetting all over the place to grab crucial breed points. Next thing you know, AKC will start jacking up the point schedules again.
January 15th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
It’s always tricky generating media attention for obscure breeds. There’s no telling how the press is going to run with the story–and it can really backfire sometimes. Take it from someone who spent decades trying to find a mainstream presentation for the Xoloitzcuintli. I mean even the name is a giant obstacle to popular appeal. Of course, the entire process is way easier if you happen to be an autocratic dictator with unlimited resources at your disposal. In that case you just take the bull by the horns and ….erect a 19-foot gold statue in the center of town. That does the trick every time.
January 15th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Just when we’d become used to Westminster’s daytime judging at the Piers, the game plan changed again. Following last year’s show, Pier 92 was closed after a routine inspection by the New York City Economic Development Corporation revealed structural damage rendering it unsafe. That meant that only Pier 94, fortunately the larger of the two piers, could be used for the 2020 show.
January 14th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
I first began writing (professionally) nearly ten years ago. It was a baptism of fire and came about all because of a single letter I penned to Dog World concerning mandatory microchipping of dogs in the UK.
January 14th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Have you ever fulfilled the role of steward at a dog show? If so, you know that it’s an exercise in multitasking, diplomacy and (at times) controlling your hands so they don’t fly around someone’s neck!
January 12th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Hint: The Canadian border has been closed for months. Have you observed who has been noticeably missing inside of our rings? Yes, it is all those familiar faces from north of the border that are frequently seen judging at shows all over the USA.
January 11th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
I was standing outside the group ring late that sunny Saturday afternoon in March. The noise level in the block cement building was deafening. Around me were friends from near and far, fellow judges, spectators, and handlers–professional and not. All of us were deep in conversation when an announcement over the public address system shattered our world, both inside that building and everywhere else, too. It was March 14, 2020, the end of innocence.
January 10th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
It’s an understatement to call this year different. Among the few cheerful oddities of 2020 has been the rediscovery of long forgotten, quirky hobbies. Normally, before the advent of home lockdown, there was simply no time for stuff like beekeeping and needlepoint. In addition to the rebirth of old-fashioned time killers, we’ve also had the less delightful opportunity to examine every overlooked housekeeping chore. Who hasn’t organized the pantry and cleaned out the closets? Depressing for sure, but you know what’s worse? Realizing how much dog hair is all over the place. (And mind you, I have hairless dogs.) I can commiserate with Saint and Pyr owners. So, getting to the point, possibly the year’s strangest hobby revival has managed to unite both of these issues into one neat solution – knitting with dog hair.
January 9th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
My childhood friend, Robert, always had a wild imagination. As a youngster, he dreamed of having a Pointer, but his family wouldn’t allow it. So he made one up. An imaginary dog named Shadow. Everyone in the village knew Robert and his imaginary Shadow.
January 8th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
The neck is one of the functional components of the dog: the others being the spinal column, the forelimbs and the hindlimbs.
January 7th, 2021 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
