The problems caused by the generation gap – labeled with phrases like “Back in the day…” and “Youngsters these days…” – have never been as meaningful as they are nowadays. Globalization and the virtual society created an absolutely new and different generation. The basic and urgent question being whether the canine society has realized it so far and is able to find the proper way to react.
If you remember, my initial Canine Chronicle article addressed the unseen consequences of using show dogs as emotional support dogs (ESD). It highlighted the fact that some highly campaigned dogs fly cage free from show to show by using documentation that list them as emotional support dogs. One of the consequences of this misuse is that people who need to fly with their ES or Service dogs may be bumped or subject to greater scrutiny because of underlying suspicion in status. This article will address what, if anything, all breed, local or national breed clubs might do to thwart the abuse of ES & Service dog status by their members.
True to form, Westminster 2015 was a stunner. Am/Can. GCh. Tashtins Lookin For Trouble entered the fray with solid credentials. Campaigned for two years she finished 2014 as the #2 Hound and #9 amongst all breeds. Even so, Westminster doesn’t dole out many wins to Hounds. Moreover, Beagles had no track record at all until 2008 when Miss P’s great uncle Ch. K-Run’s Park Me in First became the first Beagle winner in the show’s 132 year history. Which brings up the real question, what took so long?
Dr. Richard Meen of Toronto has been selected to judge Best In Show at the 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 15-16, 2016.
We have seen it on the evening news, read about it on Facebook and talked about it with our friends. Sorting out the “real” information about the Canine Influenza outbreak and being well-informed is the first step toward effective stewardship of the health of our treasured companions.
Multiple best in show winning · platinum grand champion
MBIS/MBISS GCh. Raydachs Ride My Ducati SW
Dogs in paintings run, play, follow the prey, take care of their puppies and look at us.
Such paintings are indispensable for unraveling the history of dogs.
Each year, breeds newly recognized by the AKC bring a special energy to Westminster. There are television appearances with David Frei, press interviews, and the chance to make breed history as the first to take Best of Breed honors at the Garden.
This year, the Non-Sporting and Sporting Groups each added a new breed to its roster. Though the Coton de Tulear and Wirehaired Vizsla couldn’t be more dissimilar, each generated excitement and interest in the benching area. It’s hard to resist the snowy white coat and onyx eyes of the Coton, or the Wirehaired Vizsla’s tousled coat and whiskers.
“Blizzard warning! Prepare to end travel!” Flashing orange highway signs spurred drivers from the Midwest and Northeast racing to stay ahead of Winter Storm Neptune on their way to New York City. “Cancelled. Cancelled. Cancelled.” Airport departure boards all around the country lit up as Winter Storm Octavia, sweeping from the West across the South, added her efforts to Neptune’s. Westminster’s mid-February dates make snow, ice, wind, sub-zero temperatures, and travel challenges part of the show’s grand tradition. Veterans are as adept at rescheduling winter travel as they are at showing dogs. Westminster has never been for the faint of heart.
