Table Talk · May 25, 2022
Last weekend on Saturday and Sunday there were 16 dog shows across our great nation with a cumulative entry of about 10,000 dogs. The average entry was about 625 entries per show. (Thanks for the heads up, Desi Murphy!) The total entry varied across the country that weekend, and the largest entry was around 1,050 dogs per day in West Friendship, MD. That was the only location of the weekend where the shows exceeded 1,000 dogs. Lincoln, Nebraska held two shows in one day–on both Saturday and Sunday–and their entry was 575 for each show (the AKC recently passed an update to the regulations and soon the entry limit for two shows in one day will be increased to 600 dogs). This, in my humble opinion, is a ‘be careful what you wish’ for situation come true. A year ago, we were still struggling with a lot of show cancellations due to COVID restrictions and the inability of clubs to have the necessary resources to hold shows. Now, it is safe to say that we have too many dog shows–the same problem we experienced pre-COVID. I enjoyed that time where we had fewer shows because the competition was pretty much guaranteed to be deep. With increasing travel costs, how long are clubs going to be able to hold shows that draw an entry of 500 or less? I think we all know the answer to my rhetorical question.
If you have not yet had the opportunity, I encourage you to read the article “It’s Not the End of the World” authored by our friend Wayne Cavanaugh (http://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/not-the-end-of-the-world/). Wayne does an outstanding job of penning my thoughts on the current state of our sport. In Wayne’s article, he quotes our long-time friend and colleague Bruce Schultz from his recent interview with Will Alexander (http://caninechronicle.com/featured/dog-show-tips-interview-with-bruce-schultz/):
“This is a sport where you’re going to win and you’re going to lose and if you can’t lose, get the hell out. If you don’t win, it’s not the end of the world, there’s tomorrow. A lot of handlers don’t realize that. They are out to beat you no matter what; they’ll sell their mothers to get a win. I don’t get it. Being a good sport is probably why I had so much fun at shows.”
As Wayne states in his article, there’s so much truth there. Think about that every time you walk onto the showgrounds. Having fun at shows is not dictated by the decisions of others–it is dictated by our own decisions. A very wise piece of advice that Wayne offers in his article is: ‘When it is close, nice guys win.’ I encourage people to think about this before they march in the ring to go off on a judge for putting up a dog other than the one they showed.
One of our worst nightmares–as dog enthusiasts who own multiple dogs, or have multiple dogs in our care–is a house or kennel fire. Sadly, Jennifer and Tammy Van Niman from Michigan lived that nightmare last week when fire ravaged their home. Jennifer was hospitalized with second- and third degree burns; injuries sustained when she tried to save her dogs. Sadly, only one dog, Pixie, survived. Pixie was transported to VCA Emergency Center of Kalamazoo where she was treated for burns and smoke inhalation. There will be a fundraiser for the Van Nimans at the Kalamazoo, Michigan shows this coming weekend.
Entries for this year’s celebration of Peace, Love and Dogs at Woofstock have closed and there are 8,671 entries over the four days!! The largest entry on Saturday is 2,212!! There is something for everyone at these shows, and if you have not ever been, you must plan on attending; if not to exhibit, just to enjoy the company of your fellow enthusiasts sporting their best hippy-wear and chillin’ out! If your plans bring you to Vallejo June 9-12th, be sure to stop by the Purina Booth in your groovy attire and get your photo taken for The Canine Chronicle website!
Great news for those fanciers who are planning on attending the Kalamazoo, Michigan cluster this coming Memorial Day weekend. Originally there was not going to be indoor grooming available to exhibitors that were not entered in specialties. The cluster is now able to offer a limited amount of indoor grooming for exhibitors showing at the all-breed shows and not entered in specialties. Space will be allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis, my friends!
It feels like I have not been to Southern California in a long time! I am looking forward to joining the fun at the Mission Circuit which will be held at their new venue at the San Bernardino Soccer Complex this week! Please join me to welcome this iconic cluster to their new home!
A very happy anniversary to Mareth and Fred Kipp who are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary! Mareth, you must have been a childhood bride! I don’t even know how this is possible!!!! Enjoy your very special day.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week are: Gay Glazbrook, Kate DeSanto, Klayton Harris, Jack McIlwaine, Burk Hughes, Ric Plaut, Amanda Giles, Adrian Agard, Basil Underwood, Mardee Ward-Fanning, Olivia Hodgkinson, Kat Moyer, Jake Haycock and David Daugherty.
This week’s thought honors all the hard-working, dedicated handlers and owner-handlers out there: Great dogs are not often easy digs. They have big egos, idiosyncrasies, quirks and foibles. Dogs of a lifetime do exist, but only for handlers so skillful, tactful, and courageous that they can unlock and reveal the brilliance of their canine partners. Enjoy the moment, my friends!
Be safe my friends! Until next time…
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