During its heyday, so much was written about M&E. It was immense, it was fancy, and all the biggest names in the sport were onsite. But every critic conceded that another, more elusive factor set it apart from every other show.
I want to preface this editorial by saying I love the sport of dogs. I have devoted well over half of my life to the sport as a professional handler, breeder and magazine publisher. There is not enough space on this page for me to list the positive experiences this sport has the potential to offer participants.
Inbreeding and linebreeding facilitate our ability to establish our own strain within our chosen breed. These breeding systems afford us the opportunity to more easily fix the characteristics we desire most within our strain. They are, however, not the only methods of breeding available to us.
A few standout breeds perpetually grab the limelight, then there are the outliers, renegades, and newcomers. But most fall into the category of reliable, steady contenders. Every once in awhile they launch a mainstream star, but overall they basically keep the faith without making waves.
The Bouvier is a farm dog used for herding and guarding livestock, pulling carts, and acting as a family companion.
There was a procedure offered way back in the ‘50s and ‘60s that allowed experienced breeders and handlers to adjudicate at specialties. It seems now that concept has made a re-emergence.
Improving breeding stock was the innate reason for the creation of canine conformation shows as well as shows of numerous other domesticated animals. Improving anything must have a goal, and for breeders that goal is clearly to come as close as possible to the “ideal” dog as described in the standard, a dog that is outstandingly prepared for the job for which this breed was created, be that to flush or retrieve birds, pull carts, guard an estate, go to ground after vermin, run beside a horse-drawn carriage, or sit in the sleeve of a Chinese Emperor.
Today, everything seems to be “iconic” and the word is so overused that it should probably be retired. However, there is no better word to describe the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show. It’s a gift to the dog fancy from the dog fancy—a day when we remember what a dog show can be in its purest form.
