“Author Archive”
Stories written by AnthonyA
Working breeds come into this deal facing very long odds. Really, the bar is set impossibly high before they lift a paw. Here’s a perfect example, “The Saint Bernard shares with the Newfoundland the honor of being the only two breeds of dogs whose special mission and characteristics are the saving of life, in contradiction to all other breeds which more or less, lie in the direction of destruction.” What!! In other words, if you enter life in this category don’t even think about loafing around the house doing dog stuff. That belief was so totally ingrained in purebred lore that even a hard bitten veteran of the sport like Theo Marples couldn’t resist the ideological claptrap pervading the histories of these breeds.
June 14th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
While we are all patiently and not-so-patiently waiting for dog shows to return, it’s no surprise that ideas for virtual dog shows are the talk of the town. To some, virtual shows are an anathema. To others, they offer short-term relief from the stoppage of in-person dog shows. There is, however, another way to look at virtual shows: with a long-term approach that could energize the sport and make in-person dog shows better than ever.
June 12th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Are you wondering why a written piece with the title “Ecumenicists, Evangelists, and Everybody Else” appears in a publication about canines? The answer is a bit complicated. Let me start at the beginning. As a child growing up on the North Shore of Long Island, our neighborhood was compiled of families whose children either went to Catechism after school on Wednesdays at the local Catholic Church or hurried to Hebrew School at the Jewish Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No questions were asked. None were needed. It just was.
June 10th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Perhaps you have noticed. I have a head full of tasty morsels which pop into my brain at both the most opportune and inopportune times. Historical facts, old addresses, names of childhood friends, lyrics from poems, quotes from famous people, songs, songs, and, frequently, lots of songs come to the forefront at the most unexpected moments. I can be ringside, sitting next to a favorite judge friend of mine while the groups are being judged. Out of nowhere, a random thought spurs the words from a Broadway tune. I start singing. Without missing a beat, he joins in with his robust baritone, full of delight. One song leads to another. It would be rare for one of us to miss a word.
June 1st, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Foxhounds and foxhunting were popular in colonial America. The American Foxhound was originally developed in Virginia and Maryland. One famous Foxhound fan was George Wash-ington whose breeding contributed to the development of the Ameri-can Foxhound. Washington began with Foxhounds originally from England and crossed in some French hounds. Several strains of American Foxhounds developed over the years; all are American Foxhounds, but some competed in the show ring while other lines were used more for hunting.
May 30th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
The following announcement appeared in the catalog of the 1926 Crufts Dog Show: ‘Blenheim Spaniels of the Old Type, as shown in pictures of Charles II’s time, long face, no stop, flat skull not inclined to be domed, with a spot in the center of the skull. The first prizes in classes 947 and 948 are given by Roswell Eldridge Esq. of New York and will be continued for five years. Prizes go to the nearest to type required.’
May 26th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Purebred is a tricky term. I mean even AKC gets it wrong once in awhile; yeah they do. We all want accuracy but on the other hand, it’s that genetic ebb and flow that keeps breeds vibrant and evolving. The true beauty of our purebred infrastructure is that long after the forces responsible for shaping type have disappeared, that ideal remains reliably anchored to key traits. And let’s face it; most breeds eventually outlive their original function. Repositioning them in today’s canine landscape is an ongoing challenge.
May 24th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
This month we asked judges who are totally dedicated to the sport in many ways to share their very personal thoughts on two sensitive issues facing the judging community. The first is those meaningful parts of our lives as judges which are suddenly absent, and missed terribly. Next, they divulge their personal concerns about returning to dog shows and back to the world we all love. I am sure each of us can identify with what they have written.
May 23rd, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Diamonds are girl’s best friend.” It was a song in the 1953 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes performed by Marilyn Monroe. However, if you have ever been to a dog show, then you know man’s best friend is also a woman’s best friend. My wife and I were sitting ringside at the recently held Southern Colorado Kennel Club show and could not help but notice that the female exhibitors far exceeded the number of male competitors. However, there were plenty of men in attendance.
May 23rd, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
There are two Corgis from Wales, one with a tail (Cardigan) and one without (Pembroke). But there are more differences beyond the tail. They were developed in different parts and geographies in Wales.
May 22nd, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
