From The Publisher

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10 – February, 2024

By Tom Grabe

At 59 years of age, I certainly don’t feel old, but I do find myself reminiscing about the way things used to be at dog shows when I was younger.

Amy and I were fortunate to handle dogs during one of the golden ages of the sport. The 1980s and ‘90s were a boon to AKC and purebred dogs, and the shows were a direct reflection of that popularity. The shows were huge, the competition was tough, and we were witnesses to performances by some of the greatest dogs in history. Hatter, Shannon, Mystique, Lacey, Paddy, Woodchuck, Indy, Robert, Peter, Pa… the list of greats is long and storied.

Along with those great dogs came equally great handlers. These were true professionals who learned from those before them. Many learned at the knee of their handler parents while others worked for the greats of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Others were just great dog men and women who were self-taught but mentored by the icons of the day. No matter how they gained their knowledge, they all had respect for the traditions of the sport and felt the need to pass those traditions on to the next generation of lifelong dog fanciers.

Click here to read the complete article
10 – February, 2024

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