The words of one breeder/exhibitor sum up the Barbet’s entrance into the AKC Sporting Group in January 2020: “I’ve dreamed of showing my Barbet in regular AKC competition for 10 years but I don’t think I allowed myself to think of how I would feel when that day actually came.”
Recently a show chairman was overheard to say, “I wish we’d just cancelled the show.” Wow! Can COVID-19 be causing that much grief? The answer is a resounding “yes.”
While the Berger Picard began competing in AKC’s herding group in July, 2015, it is one of the oldest of the French sheepdogs, tracing back perhaps over 2,000 years. It is related to other breeds from the area, including the Briard and Beauceron whose tails also end in a “J” hook, and possibly also to the Bouvier des Flandres and Belgian Laekenois. The World Wars were hard on northern France, and the Picard nearly died out. It was rebuilt after WWII using the most typical dogs that could be found.
February heralds only one thing for most dog lovers…the Westminster Show. And if there is one breed of dog that completely encapsulates the beauty, elegance, showmanship and sheer glamour that is required in a show dog, it surely has to be the Afghan Hound.
We have all heard this admonition, “You can’t have all your eggs in one basket.” No, you truly cannot. Life in the 21st Century has far too many demands for that to ever happen. I see the baskets lined up row by row in my own life. You must be seeing the same in yours. There are too many chores to do. The list of never-ending cleaning tasks competes with the attention needed for the financial details of our households. Meals necessitate planning, shopping, and cooking. Our families of humans and canines fill our days with obligations, organization, fun, and joy. It is all a balancing act. Yet, who can forget good old Humpty Dumpty? Eggs break.
This week, here in Florida, I was busy being an armchair quarterback, as the dog shows were being held roughly 25 miles away from my home. Due to an abundance of caution concerning the COVID-19 virus, I did not attend the shows. Thanks to The Canine Chronicle show results on caninechronicle.com, personal reports, etc. I had a pretty good idea of who the players were and how the new health rules were applied to all attendees.
Knock. Three. Times. On the ceiling if you want me. That notable lyric from Tony Orlando and Dawn were no truer words spoken in my dog show world. When purchasing a puppy from an AKC breeder, one must register the dog. Breeders usually have a theme to follow for the litter registration. The breeders also identify the litter as a limited or full registration.
The liver is a complex organ necessary for survival. Providing over 500 vital functions, which can best be envisioned as a series of organic filters. Blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver where toxins are removed, glucose is converted to glycogen for storage, and amino acids are regulated. The liver also stores iron and other minerals, removes bacteria from the bloodstream, makes immune factors and converts ammonia to urea.
Driving home the other evening, our car headlights illuminated a man walking a most glamourous looking dog. Marc slowed down and I gazed out of the window. It was a Rough Collie but, for Britain, one of a most unusual color.
The dog was pure white with tricolor markings on its head. It was quite stunning.
Each week, more and more judges are taking a leap of faith, returning to the ring for the first time since early 2020. How do they feel about taking that step after a longer than anticipated time away from judging? Is there anxiety, like going to an overdue visit to the dentist? Will it be just a walk in the park? Every judge, surely, has an individualized concept of how that day will be. Read the opinions which this month’s respondents share. They are as diverse as they are thoughtful. You may or may not be surprised by them. What you will appreciate is the honesty and sincerity of each of these judges.
