Inevitably, that perennial Westminster question comes up this time of year. Why don’t they move the show date? Let’s face it; throwing a dart at the calendar would result in something preferable to February in NYC.
The most critical animal welfare issue for years has been that of the existence of abandoned dogs. Besides the never-ending struggle of animal rescuers and shelters to fix the lives of these animals discarded by humans, the issue raises some questions that are causing massive debates. Why on earth do people breed dogs at all when shelters are full?
In AKC, Dachshunds come in three coats – smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired – that compete separately as varieties. The breed also comes in two sizes – standard and miniature, defined by weight – which are usually divided into two open classes.
“There is nothing to be gained by ignoring or trying to suppress information about dogs that have epilepsy, but there is a tremendous amount of merit in the sharing of information.”
Last night I enjoyed a rare treat. My brother, my mother and I had dinner at a restaurant and got a chance to visit for a while. Don’t get me wrong. I love the big family gatherings and adventures, but sometimes it is nice to have a little more individualized, quieter time. Of course, present or not, the rest of the family doesn’t get left out of the conversation.
Some breeds rise to the top and remain securely ensconced there for decades. Then, without warning, they plummet into the abyss of anonymity. Equally often, fringe breeds rocket out of nowhere and suddenly dominate the game for no logical reason. This powerful undercurrent of purebred evolution says so much about the nature of this sport. The weird trajectory of Maltese success provides an unparalleled example.
In a person’s lifetime they see many things and go many places that effect them in unexpected ways; my recent journey to Romania was one that shook my core and beliefs in ways I never anticipated.
A great many misconceptions seem to exist in the minds of novice and highly experienced breeders alike regarding the impact of dominant and recessive genes on phenotype.
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.
