Think you know everything there is to know about dog shows? Yeah, probably not – there’s always something new to learn, which is what keeps things interesting. You might already know these seven things, too, but just in case…
That old adage ‘it takes a village” has been demonstrated in large and small ways all across the country since the advent of COVID-19 early in 2020. The Canine Chronicle wanted to celebrate some of those who have acted to reimagine and reclaim the fancy so that it’s future is assured even as we continue in an uncertain world. In this fourth and final installment of the series, I spoke with Terry James and John McDonald of Jack Onofrio Dog Shows.
So, dogs are back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As the world already knows, a new pair of German Shepherds recently moved in there. Likewise, there’s nothing surprising about the fact that they are far from the first ones. Although, from a historical standpoint, this is a relatively new breed, it’s enjoyed enduring popularity since it debuted in the 1800s. Intelligent, charming, and incredibly photogenic, no breed has enjoyed the enduring cinematic success of the German Shepherd. Those traits have also made it the ideal political sidekick.
A dog breed does not “simply appear.” It comes into being because people see the merit in a certain type of dog capable of performing a specific role, whether hunting or herding, guard work or pest control, or even companionship. These people (breeders) often spend many years studying the practical application of canine genetics and breeding to improve the dog’s conformation and working abilities and to purify and set type. If they fail to achieve their goal, the stock dies off and the breed does not become established. If they are successful, then the dog’s instincts become fixed and type becomes set, and they will have developed a breed. Presumably, the breed should then exist forever.
Regular readers will know of my deep affection for the Boston Terrier, however my first (and abiding love) is for the Dachshund, a breed I have known (and been owned by) for almost forty years.
As I volunteered at a scent work trial recently, I watched some really great teams compete, and saw some really poor teams compete. While watching, I realized that the difference between the great teams and the poor teams in scent work was the same as the difference between a good professional handler team and an average (or worse) owner-handler team in conformation.
I have been involved in dog shows as an exhibitor and breeder over the past 25+ years and recently was introduced to one of the Miscellaneous breeds. Once I got involved with the Foundation Stock Service, some of the things that have been bothering me for several years all of a sudden came back to me and started making sense. AKC has the responsibility of keeping the records for the breeds, but I have always been under the impression that the breed clubs are the keepers of the breeds. Am I mistaken?
If you’ve seen the movie “Best in Show,” you may remember the handler who was really showing himself—not his Shih Tzu. Iconic handler George Alston would have no patience with this type of handler, and probably doesn’t think much of being called an ‘icon.’
During the recent enforced lockdown–with shops, malls and attractions out of bounds–I suppose a lot of us spent the time cleaning and tidying up our homes and gardens. Well, that was my firm intention when I climbed up into our untidy loft space; however, I soon got distracted by heaps of dusty books and old photo albums.
On numerous occasions, I have wished that my dogs would show just half the animation and interest in the show ring as they do when I merely pick up a shotgun. For Bo, my current Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the shotgun isn’t even necessary. He starts barking, whining, “aarooing” and dancing when I take my hunting boots out of the closet. Oh, all my champions have liked the treats, the happy talk and Stan and Jane Flowers, their professional handlers in the show ring. They’ve been successful show dogs with group wins both north and south of the U.S./Canada border and one even owned a Canadian BIS.
