Webster defines a sea change as “a marked change or transformation.” While William Shakespeare, who coined the phrase in The Tempest, used it in a song sung by Ariel, a supernatural spirit, to Ferdinand, Prince of Naples following Ferdinand’s father’s apparent death by drowning to literally mean a change brought about by the sea. Subsequent usage has referred to situations where a truly momentous change has taken place.
Understanding a breed’s priorities is essential to understanding type and to successfully evaluating dogs, whether as a breeder or a judge. Some standards assist in this area more than others. The Bull Terrier, shown as two varieties – white and colored – has some very distinct features, some of which experts consider essential.
It seems like just about everyone that has been showing dogs for any number of years has recently had the discussion about the lack of newcomers to our breed and to our sport.
Monday night at Westminster, a stunning Borzoi, Ch. Belisarius JP My Sassy Girl won the breed and went on to win the Hound Group.
The world of AKC dog shows seems to be ruled by contracts. We enter into oral or written contracts to buy, handle, register, breed, show, and co-own our dogs.
In a true demonstration of Teutonic toughness Dachshunds were out in full force for Sunday’s Knickerbocker specialty despite the frigid three degree morning cold.
I have had, on occasion, judging colleagues speak to me of their excitement about a judging assignment where they had the opportunity to get their hands on a dog of a given breed that was closer to the standard of perfection than any they have ever judged. I have also had fellow breeders express the sense of joy they experienced in breeding a dog that comes far closer to meeting the standard than any they have bred before. Without the existence of breed standards neither of the experiences mentioned above could have significance.
At the heart of our sport are the all-breed kennel clubs and the local specialty (breed) clubs. And, there are the parent specialty clubs and a growing number of group clubs. There are also obedience training clubs and clubs for tracking, agility, lure coursing, herding, earthdogs, coonhounds, field trials and hunt tests. And, let us not forget the juniors’ clubs and the 4-H dog clubs. I found myself wondering, “just how many dog clubs are there here in the United States?”
The first weekend in November, I flew from Los Angeles to Orlando for the National Animal Interest Alliance Conference entitled Joining Forces to Save Our Animals. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking weekend. There were many highlights to the weekend, but one memory in particular seemed relevant a month later as I flew a similar itinerary to attend the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.
By any definition, America’s fascination with Dalmatians is old news, and generally not the best icebreaker with Dal people. New York’s enduring love affair with the firehouse dog might qualify as a less notorious subplot of this overworked theme. Those spotted dogs have been a hallmark of the NYFD since anyone can remember.
