Judging the Judges
Recently, the UK Kennel Club announced that it was expanding its ‘Breed Watch System’. This system is supposed to act as a kind of ‘early warning’ for judges, allowing them to identify points of concern in individual breeds.
“Author Archive”
Never Far from Its Origin – The Modern Bergamasco
In the beginning, man’s relationship with dogs was limited to hunting. With the evolution of the human species, raising crops and livestock became some of man’s most important livelihoods. Dogs became well integrated into human communities and immediately found a place in what can be seen as man’s first steps towards civilization. Together with man, the dog became a shepherd.
Real #Winning – Sportsmanship and Social Media
When I first created my Facebook profile as a young teenager, “social media” was still a new concept at that time and I was excited to finally explore all its potential. Naturally, my dogs soon dominated my Facebook as well as Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat, etc. I am not alone in this phenomenon. As soon as the internet spits out a new social media platform, dog people have a knack for turning it to their benefit. In fact, many kennel clubs, breeders and handlers are more likely to use social media to promote themselves versus traditional websites or printed materials. Why? Social media panders to a wider audience along with a more specific audience depending upon the filters in place. Also, once a post is made, it is immediately viewable by anyone with access.
Could it be Pythium?
Minka was one of those young dogs breeders dream about. She won the group, breeder/owner/handled, her first time out as a special, and shot up in the rankings within weeks. One night, after a huge breed win, she kept me up having to go out. By the next day it was obvious we needed to skip the rest of the weekend and head home. It would be her last show
Normal Norman
It was bound to happen. Against all odds, shows are back, and even more shocking…entries are through the roof. No matter where it is or who is judging, entries have been maxing out in record time. Dogs from every part of the country are popping up in the most unexpected places. Really, I’m pretty sure if AKC announced a big show cluster on Mars, dog people would find a way to get there. A welcome relief for sure, but let’s face it, we need to complain about something. And yes, this part was also inevitable. We are back to complaining about too much competition. Heavyweight contenders are jetting all over the place to grab crucial breed points. Next thing you know, AKC will start jacking up the point schedules again.
The Central Asian Shepherd
It’s always tricky generating media attention for obscure breeds. There’s no telling how the press is going to run with the story–and it can really backfire sometimes. Take it from someone who spent decades trying to find a mainstream presentation for the Xoloitzcuintli. I mean even the name is a giant obstacle to popular appeal. Of course, the entire process is way easier if you happen to be an autocratic dictator with unlimited resources at your disposal. In that case you just take the bull by the horns and ….erect a 19-foot gold statue in the center of town. That does the trick every time.
Site Control “Blurring the Lines”
Just when we’d become used to Westminster’s daytime judging at the Piers, the game plan changed again. Following last year’s show, Pier 92 was closed after a routine inspection by the New York City Economic Development Corporation revealed structural damage rendering it unsafe. That meant that only Pier 94, fortunately the larger of the two piers, could be used for the 2020 show.
The Welsh Terrier – A Story of Style and Substance
I first began writing (professionally) nearly ten years ago. It was a baptism of fire and came about all because of a single letter I penned to Dog World concerning mandatory microchipping of dogs in the UK.
IMHO By Elaine Lessig
Hint: The Canadian border has been closed for months. Have you observed who has been noticeably missing inside of our rings? Yes, it is all those familiar faces from north of the border that are frequently seen judging at shows all over the USA.
The Big E – Erasing the Past
I was standing outside the group ring late that sunny Saturday afternoon in March. The noise level in the block cement building was deafening. Around me were friends from near and far, fellow judges, spectators, and handlers–professional and not. All of us were deep in conversation when an announcement over the public address system shattered our world, both inside that building and everywhere else, too. It was March 14, 2020, the end of innocence.
