“Author Archive”
Stories written by ralbee
During my time as an exhibitor, then a professional handler, I had the good fortune of showing under some judges that I consider to be the finest dog experts of their time. Many of you remember Lang Skarda, Anne Rogers Clark, Mel Downing, Don Jones and Maxine Beam. There was Derek Rayne, Carlos deBango and Richard Guevera. I’ll never forget Herman Felton and Dorothy MacDonald. These people along with many others defined the term ‘dog man’ or ‘dog woman’. They were breeders, handlers and everything else that involved dogs. Dogs were their life and it was reflected in their mannerisms and the way they approached the sport as judges.
March 12th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial | Read More »
The Pumi is one of three Hungarian herding breeds, all of which have a common origin. The Puli originated in the eastern plains, the Mudi in the southern plains, and the Pumi in the hilly region of western Hungary. These breeds are so closely related that even today Pumi-appearing puppies can be born in Puli litters, and Mudi-appearing puppies could be born in Pumi litters. Understanding the close relationship between these breeds will assist a judge in their prioritization of dogs when judging each of these breeds.
March 12th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
Living up to the nickname “Perfect” isn’t something that everyone can do, but Whiskey has embraced it and surpassed all of our expectations; not only being a “perfect” show dog, but a “perfect” pet too.
March 12th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial | Read More »
For centuries man has used various methods to improve the performance of their dogs. History is full of examples that demonstrate the importance of nutrition and experiences during early life to improve our dogs. Today we know much more about what can and should be done during the first year of life. In the early breeding programs, the entire process of selection was founded on the belief that performance was inherited. By the 1950s, researchers proved that other variables, such as nutrition and early stimulation, were important, especially when it was discovered that the immaturity of a newborn is susceptible and responsive to a restricted but important class of stimuli. During the past 25 years research has continued to advance new information on how supplements and nutrition can be used during the fetal stage. The following is a review of the literature that summarizes and uncovers some interesting facts about the importance of early life.
February 24th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
The German Shorthaired Pointer grows in popularity each year, and it is the third most popular Sporting breed, thirteenth ranked among all breeds, according to the most recent AKC registration statistics. It is a breed with sufficient breeder-judges to invite and a breed that is easy to outline, with a short coat and a typically full profile stack – two features that help improve a survey.
February 23rd, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 15th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship to be held in Orlando, Fla. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.
February 22nd, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
The 75th Anniversary GRCA National Specialty, “Shades of Gold”, is one for the record books. The National took place in three different states, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina, over nine days, which included overlapping events. If they had all been held consecutively it would have taken 15 days just for the tests, trials and shows themselves. 48 judges filled 53 judging positions.
February 21st, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
AKC’s early decades redefined the phrase “bumpy ride”. An endless barrage of personal, political, and financial disasters repeatedly threatened to bring down the curtain. Thankfully, things seemed to settle down by the early 1920s – then the president abruptly resigned three months into his second term.
February 20th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
The pack has expanded! The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced that the Spanish Water Dog, Cirneco dell’Etna, Bergamasco, and Boerboel gained full AKC recognition. This brings AKC’s roster of recognized breeds to 184.
February 19th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
Eight years is a considerable stretch. Just ask anyone doing time in a federal or state prison. Among the problems associated with incarceration are such issues as anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion–questioning what is real and what isn’t, losing touch with what’s happening in the outside world and frustration. I can personally attest that these issues occur having once been the unwilling guest of the government in my real job as a journalist when I and my reporting partner on a story declined to obey a judge’s order to reveal the source of our information and the judge found our refusal to be contemptible.
Strangely enough, I find myself experiencing deja vu with some of these same issues surfacing now that I’m again dealing with a puppy after having enjoyed an eight year hiatus with my house populated by sensible grown-up dogs. It goes without saying that I’ve had to relearn a LOT of things and along the way have become anxious, hypervigilant, confused, found myself losing touch with just about anything not having something to do with puppy raising and experiencing some serious frustration.
February 18th, 2015 | Posted in Current Articles,Editorial,Featured | Read More »
