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.
Click here to read the complete article 86 – The Annual,2015-16 The Relationship Between Dominant and Recessive Genes By William Given 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. I believe this is primarily due to [...]
Click here to read the complete article 66 – The Annual,2015-16 BREEDERS • I will plan every breeding for the betterment of the breed. • I will refuse to breed my champion stud dog to unworthy bitches. • I will not breed more puppies than I can properly care for. • [...]
Pointers are one of the earliest breeds recognized by AKC, one of which is part of the logo of the Westminster Kennel Club. I was confident that I could find many breeder-judges to participate in this survey on the breed’s priorities. I was surprised to identify only twenty-four to contact and invite. Twenty-one agreed to do the survey. Fourteen completed surveys were returned.
