We had an unusual situation here recently, if that’s how you would describe a typical show. More precisely, several specialty shows drifted into town, unmoored from their traditional Westminster ballast. Confusing for sure, but that’s been an ongoing theme since the arrival of COVID.
When my eyes returned to the Miniature Schnauzer, a Scottie had walked up and was standing next to him. Both dogs stood there like experienced show dogs, alert and ready to enter the ring.
This was said at a monthly meeting of the all-breed club of which I am a member. I found myself appalled that someone in our club would think like that and absolutely mortified they would have the audacity to express their feelings. The topic of ageism in our sport has sadly become one that begs to be addressed.
For many years now, owners who have lacked the necessary skills or the desire to compete in the show ring have hired professional handlers. And, for nearly as many years, the American Kennel Club has listened to the mounting complaints from owner-handlers that it was impossible to win when they had to compete against professional handlers. So, the AKC did two things in response. They created a new Amateur-Owner-Handler class and they initiated the National Owner-Handled Series.
What prompts us to get involved when someone needs or expresses the desire for help? Is it instinctual? I believe it is.
Join Michael Hill in his exciting series “INFLUENCERS.” Michael will be hosting dog show enthusiasts, handlers, breeders, and judges as they reveal who has impacted them the most. This series will touch upon how influential mentors are and how they shape not only individuals but the future of the dog show world. Next, in the [...]
I am occasionally asked why I hunt by people with varying motives for posing that question, and their attitude and tone of voice when they ask usually provides a clue as to the sort of response they want. If it’s the frequently belligerent tone and posture of an anti-hunter, my response is almost always something flippant such as, “Why, to aggravate PETA supporters, of course.”
A lifetime in the dog biz imparts an interesting perspective on lots of stuff. Among the most fascinating phenomena I’ve witnessed is the rise and fall of various breeds. It’s impossible to bottle any predictive cues to spot these trends. They’re shaped by so many random and varying circumstances, which rarely stand out as a proximate cause to explain anything. What I’m trying to say is that it’s virtually impossible to tick those boxes until a breed is actually peaking (up or down).
I read these articles while I was at a dog show, watching a Havanese try to jump in everyone’s lap, a Sheltie spin and bark, a Lab carrying its toy ringside, and a couple of terriers facing off. I called malarkey (actually I used a stronger word).
All dog lovers understand the bittersweet irony that the life of a dog is much too short. While they’re with us, we cherish their company and when they’ve passed on, they live forever in our hearts. Some charismatic creatures have captured our imagination through their breathtaking careers and champion producing progeny. In their time, these canine superstars set the dog world on fire with a brightly burning torch that we’ll carry with us always. These are the dogs known as “The Great Ones”.
