The Problem With Over-Refined Males

At a recent club meeting, I was asked, “What do you think about the problem of over-refined males, and its possible relationship to monorchism?”

At a recent club meeting, I was asked, “What do you think about the problem of over-refined males, and its possible relationship to monorchism?”

Let me tell you a story about a true breeder. She got her first Airedale in 1981, and that’s when this love affair was born. It continues, strong today.

I read this (bold text below) and wondered: “What if…???”

When I first started showing dogs, I heard the same phrase more often than I could count. “You need to pay your dues.”

Of course, no breed is for everyone. Not a single one. If it slobbers, shuffles, sheds, or snorts, it’s not for me, for example. Others find those traits endearing. And any owner who is interviewed about their breed should always mention any caveats associated with it. But maybe it’s time we quit trying to talk prospective owners out of our breed, or out of dogs in general.

I’ve been watching the Crufts coverage on YouTube which, just like the Westminster coverage before it, was very impressive and far superior to that broadcast on terrestrial TV.

Changes in the sport over the past 30 years have been staggering to say the least.

There’s an age-old adage about handlers that goes something like this: “You’re only as good as the dog on the end of your lead.” This applies to all handlers, whether professional or not; and it’s still true today.

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Across the country, American Kennel Club conformation clubs are under strain. Rising costs and shrinking venue options are part of the story, but behind the scenes, most clubs are fighting a quieter, more personal battle: people problems.