So here we are midsummer and maybe the pandemic is winding down…or maybe it’s just revving up for real business. Very disconcerting. We definitely need to hang onto the stuff we know for sure. And for many of us–me included–it’s an absolute certainty that the past six months have made us fat, crazy and lazy. Even if your local gym is reopening, you’re probably debating the possible risks of returning.
Truly gifted judges are few and far between. Decades later, their remarkable ability remains the benchmark of excellence for the sport of purebred dogs. They confidently, efficiently sort through large mediocre classes, discover a diamond-in-the-rough presented by an uncertain novice, and fearlessly reward the potential greatness of a puppy. Most importantly, they act on the courage of their convictions. To many fanciers, Bea Godsol was the greatest of them all. “She was a lovely lady and really knew dogs,”
…And back to our regularly scheduled positive program! I found my way back on the road to positivity after a brief detour down a darker, rockier path. I thank all of you for your indulgence. Today, my friends, I have the privilege to write about TWO different clusters that will occur this coming weekend! While some fanciers [...]
Many seasoned showgoers have seen numerous hilarious “Oopses” in the ring; ladies who drop their underwear and deftly kick them out of the ring; gentlemen judges who are unzipped. I saw one judge at an indoor show on a warm day wearing a raincoat. “I split my pants” was his answer when I asked him why. I noticed another judge was wearing odd colored shoes. I pointed it out to him and he exclaimed, “I know, I have another pair at home just like them!”
Bearded Collie takes Best In Show The American Heart Association’s Healthy Bond for Life™ is excited to announce the Group and Best In Show winners of the first-ever International Heart Classic Virtual Dog Show. The event had 323 entries. Dogs were judged in three groups – puppy, adult, and veteran – by a panel of over 130 world-class judges. [...]
Dogs were judged in three groups – puppy, adult, and veteran – by a panel of over 130 world-class judges.
Maxine Beam was judging at this show and it was great talking to her about old times when we were both handlers. Maxine is one of the really good dog judges that we have. She does not push herself and what you see is what you get. I love to watch her work because she is so methodical and knows what she is doing. People who have had that many good dogs through their hands and were successful are people that I tremendously respect in this sport. Maxine is one of the very few.
As I began working on this week’s column, I learned yet more troubling news on the AKC front: When they “furloughed” nearly 1/3 of the AKC staff with barely 24 hours of notice, in addition to the majority of the Executive Field Representatives, they also let go all but one field investigator. The field investigators are the individuals that visit kennels to ensure that records are in order, and animals are being cared for in an acceptable manner. I have to ask: What could be more important than the records and welfare of the dogs? Plus, according to many reports, the sales of puppies during this crisis is off the charts. Registrations are up, so aren’t the investigators’ services needed now more than ever?
