Mexico was the destination of my first long-haul flight and it will always have a special place in my heart. So enamored was I by that very first trip to Cancun (in my twenties) that, over the succeeding years, I have revisited the country numerous times, taking in its breath-taking Mayan ruins, pristine beaches and, of course, its stunning wildlife.
The name “Affenpinscher” means “monkey-like terrier” in its native Germany, and the breed has a characteristic monkey-like facial expression. A rough coated, ap-proximately square dog, the Affenpinscher’s longer head hair framing the face, with the eyebrows and beard, contribute to the expression.
Do you eavesdrop on other peoples’ conversations? Don’t worry – your secret’s safe, so answer honestly.
Let me set the scene. It is 1944. World War II continues to dominate the country’s interest and concern. Movie goers fill every seat in their local theaters, eager to see the latest films which offer a perfect outlet, and some relief, from the rigors of war. Before the feature fills the screen, the newsreel with its stories from home and far away runs in its gritty black-and-white format. The strident voice of the narrator reverberates throughout the cinema like that of town criers of long ago. Finally, the moment has arrived for the latest blockbuster movie. Here Comes the WAVES starring the crooner of crooners, Bing Crosby, is the film for which all these theater goers have been waiting with mounting excitement.
AKC calls this game a great equalizer. Theoretically, everyone–regardless of breed, background or expertise–competes on the same level playing field. We all know that’s nonsense. Five minutes into it, every novice recognizes that all powerful undercurrent of success, the hierarchy of breeds. The rankings shift now and then, but there’s always a contingent of breeds signifying entry level competitor. In every Group they rise through an increasingly competitive pitch until you reach those cutthroat breeds guaranteed to make mincemeat out of seasoned pros. And then there’s Poodles.
Started during COVID-19 and continuing through today, judges have been interviewing for their initial breeds and additional breeds on the ZOOM platform. What have been their experiences? Were they comfortable with this new opportunity? Do they suggest the continuation of ZOOM interviews? This month’s panel of judges offers their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions having recently participated in a ZOOM interview. Their responses will be very valuable to read.
Since the domestication of the canine, more than 300 breeds have been developed and all of them with verifiable ancestries. Better selection methods, genetics and research have opened new doors for the study of human and canine development, health and longevity. The history of purebred dogs shows that they are not only part of closely monitored populations, but they have also been useful in making improvements in canine and human lifestyles. For canines, the model most often used has been to breed puppies from healthy sires and dams who have established pedigrees, promising genetic profiles, and extensive behavioral and medical screening. This approach has influenced the efforts used to study: early development, weaning and the maternal influence (Slabbert), early neurological stimulation (Battaglia), exposure to different environments, different surfaces, handling, and non-traditional situations (Thomas).
July in Greenville, South Carolina is always hot. This year, members of the Greenville and Piedmont Kennel Clubs felt a bit more heat than normal as they prepped their annual 4-show weekend amid pandemic fears, extraordinary preparations and last-minute juggling. And according to exhibitors, judges, cluster volunteers and the AKC Executive Field Staff, a good job was done by all.
Every once in awhile, thanks to fate or faultless timing, a book arrives at an almost prescient moment, when everyone seems to be seeking expert guidance to light the way forward. Ann Seranne’s classic, The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog, was one of those books. The title certainly sets the timeline, but, at least in this quadrant of the universe, sex wasn’t the only big discovery going on at that moment. The sport was riding an unprecedented and seemingly endless crest of popularity. Those spiking numbers represented legions of fanatical novices entering the game. They provided energy and enthusiasm that would power the sport to previously unimaginable heights. Annual registrations topping a million; shows topping 5,000 entries. New, wildly successful kennels sprouted like weeds in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Many spawned bloodlines that endure to this day.
It is nearly as certain as death and taxes that if you do enough performance or field activities with enough dogs, sooner or later you will have a dog that seemingly has developed an unsolvable problem in that sport. Sometimes that issue will be so serious as to cause the dog to be unsuccessful in that activity. When that happens, if the dog is willing to keep trying, it is important to not give up on the dog because somewhere, somehow there may be something that will enable you and the dog to overcome that obstacle and succeed.
