Three years before the great terrier man George Ward passed away in 2004, I was interviewing him for Animal Planet’s broadcast of the Cleveland shows. I asked him what the biggest change was from when he first started in dogs. He didn’t miss a beat, a classic one-word George reply: “Electricity!”
In nearly every issue of The Canine Chronicle, we feature an article or two about great dogs, great handlers, or great breeders from the past.
Join Michael Hill in his exciting new 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 [...]
Will Alexander Drops Some Knowledge About What’s Happening in the Sport of Dogs. It’s Deep… It’s Humorous… It’s Provocative… It’s Will Unfiltered! This week Will gives us 10 Questions in 60 Seconds. Ep. #15. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
Once middle age greeted me, I knew it was time to up my game. There was no longer any way I could keep up with breeding, showing, and judging dogs unless I got into better shape. Being on your knees, bent over the whelping box for hours, is not an easy task. Getting dogs ready to show, at a minimum, necessitates washing them, loading and unloading all the equipment to and from the vehicle to the show grounds, and then reversing the process. Next, comes driving home, cleaning everything, putting it away, feeding and settling the dogs, only to do it all over again the next time. That takes stamina.
From the moment they confirmed a pregnancy, they had hopes and plans and dreams in their mind. They invested hours into research and committed to better the breed. They spent their hard earned money on the care of their animals, showing their animals, health testing their breeding stock, breeding, and preparation to welcome these new little bundles of joy. From the moment they took their first breath, they fell in love with each of them and promised to be there through every moment–good or bad.
The owner/handler has always been an awkward constituent in this sport. Theoretically, as AKC endlessly proclaims, everyone competes on equal footing. However, the holes in that idealistic portrayal have been apparent forever. Over a century ago Watson wrote: “A beginner when dogs are being judged, seeing that a good many of the ribbons go to a select number of those who are showing dogs, is apt to conclude that it is impossible to win against these successful showers. The disappointed exhibitor, chagrined at want of success, is apt to attribute it to the connivance on the part of the judge and the men who win so many prizes.”
Will Alexander Drops Some Knowledge About What’s Happening in the Sport of Dogs. It’s Deep… It’s Humorous… It’s Provocative… It’s Will Unfiltered! This week Will interviews Jeff Pepper. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
I have really exciting news! Dog sports are on the verge of thriving. How do I know this? Because every day, I come across posts and messages from people who are completely new to the sport, know nothing of dog shows, and are simply looking for a way to get started. When given positive, judgement-free platforms to ask questions, these people will bring immeasurable enthusiasm and appreciation.
Click here to read the complete article 276 – March, 2022 By Caroline Coile It’s that time again… the time to revisit “the State of NOHS.” It’s time to talk about the NOHS and hear from some of the participants. Since its inception, the NOHS been controversial. Many, but not all, owner-handlers love it. Those [...]
