Dorothy Franc’s multifaceted contributions to America’s dog world are largely forgotten. Matronly widows are generally not famed for initiative, originality and groundbreaking accomplishments. In many respects, she was ahead of her time. Unconventional, misunderstood, and impossible to pigeonhole, most breed historians have therefore overlooked her role in Pekingese history. That wasn’t difficult. Unlike most successful fanciers, she never indulged in self-promotion.
The dog world lost one of its great supporters and passionate breeders with the passing of Dorothy Hageman of Napa, CA last week at the age of 100. Dorothy was a renowned breeder of Papillons under the Wildways prefix. Those familiar with the dog show scene have many memories of Barbara Gossett piloting Wildways dogs [...]
By Amy Fernandez Every weekend Junior Showmanship classes are packed with kids from all age groups presenting every breed, all focused on the big prize – qualifying for Westminster. The Junior Showmanship finals long ago came to rival the intensity of that gut-wrenching showdown for BIS. That’s surprising considering its modest start. Len Brumby is [...]
I’m writing this before the holidays set in and just ahead of the huge end of the year dog shows in Orlando. Many come to the celebration at the enormous Orange County Convention Center in Orlando every December. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship extravaganza always offers much drama, tears of joy, heartbreak, excitement and fun.
If you have recently come to the realization that you have been skimping on even the most basic amount of exercise due to your job, family or other personal commitments, take heart; the New Year will soon arrive with guarantees of fresh starts for all of us. What better time to resolve that you and your canine companion will work together toward better health and fitness in 2015 and for the many years to come.
Every February seemingly everyone involved in the sport of purebred dogs makes the trip to snowy New York to worship at the Temple of The Garden – Madison Square Garden. They come for the show of shows, the one and only Westminster, America’s oldest dog show.
There are some youngsters who stand out from the crowd from the moment they are born. They have a combination of beauty and talent that endures as they mature to adulthood. Then, they burst on the scene as young adults and find adoring fans wherever they go. Such is the case with Freedom.
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.
Despite 150 years of predictable, unvarying routine, dog shows never get boring. The volatility of breed popularity certainly contributes to the sport’s endless surprises. 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.
