The art of handling, it’s often said, is all about being straight out of Hollywood. “Throughout his career Frank was invisible. The greatest handlers go down in history for their dogs-not their celebrity. That’s a remarkable talent and nobody did that better than Frank Hardy. I know, some of you are saying, who’s Frank Hardy?
It is after extensive interviews of exhibitors and judges that this article is written. OK, so it is really after a long weekend in Perry, Georgia where I did in-ring apprenticeships with two judges, had one judge say (s)he no longer allows in-rings, and listened as several other judges answered my questions about their experiences with apprentice judges in their rings.
We asked 3 experienced AKC judges 2 questions about current issues affecting our sport. Here’s what they had to say…
Click here to read the complete article 241 – May, 2018 Click here to read the complete article 241 – May, 2018
The vast majority of breeders, who are our friends and neighbors in the dog show community, do not often consider their purebred dog breeding operation as a business. Most are very surprised to learn that one does not have to have a large kennel or have countless years of experience to be considered a business.
For breeders, owner-handlers and especially novices, training classes and puppy matches are complimentary learn ing modalities which bring growth and are driven by the quest for excellence.
My cell phone rang on a recent Sunday morning. A friend and fellow kennel club member wanted some insight and advice on a 7-week-old puppy in her litter. She noticed that the puppy, the one who caught her eye over his first weeks of life, seemed listless. He no longer played with his littermates the way he once had. While he ate, it was without vigor. Losing weight each day, she took him to her vet. After examining him, the vet felt that a consultation with the pediatric specialists at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital might be useful. I agreed that it was worth pursuing.
As you know, we have just had Crufts here in the UK and, as I predicted, the anti-pedigree lobby were out in force spreading their untruths and sometimes downright lies to an ever-ignorant but always very receptive media.
The goal of this data-based driven study was to continue to assess the extent to which four factors are influencing the stud book and the future of 60 breeds in the conformation sport of purebred dogs.
Lately I’ve been wondering about a glaring–and growing–statistical anomaly parading around my neighborhood. Specifically, I am referring to those legions of suburban dog walkers and the nature of the merchandise tethered to the ends of those leads.
