AKC CHF Helps Small Animal Reproduction
Small animal reproductive medicine thrives thanks to collaboration between the American Kennel Club,
AKC Canine Health Foundation, Theriogenology Foundation and Auburn University.
“Author Archive”
IMHO – In My Humble Opinion
Parents dream of their children following in their footsteps. It is the ultimate legacy. Four members of our judging community share their remembrances of the intangible gifts their parent, parents, and a grandmother bestowed upon them. The remarkable influence these relatives have had on these fortunate judges has empowered their thoughtful consideration of the judging process and follows them into the ring every time they judge. What a beautiful tribute each of them shares with us. We are proud to have them as part of the judging community past and present.
~ Elaine Lessig, Moderator
Looking Around with Lee
Ah, it started back in mid-November, Thanksgiving was on the horizon! Are we enthusiastic dog show aficionados looking forward to Turkey Day…of course not! It’s time to get to Ocala for two weekends of dog shows at that wonderful facility in the middle of horse country. There were many supported entries, multiple Sighthound specialties, and majors in many breeds to be had!
Distemper Raises Its Ugly Head Again…
While everyone has been busy worrying about dog flu, guess what? Something brand new and even worse has crept in to jumpstart your anxiety levels.
The Big Ones
There are so many choices of shows today. People are complaining, with good reason, that there are too many shows. Alternatives include: letting clubs fail thereby creating a de facto reduction in numbers, reducing the number of shows each club can be approved for, withholding approval for new clubs (so as not to add more shows) or even complex ranking systems that mirror those used in horse shows (for years I have used the expression “training shows” for some of our smaller rural shows and I adore them as an exhibitor and a judge).
The Big E – Easier Said Than Done
Is it just me? Do you find it getting harder and harder to get almost anything done and get it done well? I wonder. Am I imagining it, setting my expectations too high, or simply being unrealistic? I keep trying to convince myself that it is all okay. “Okay?” “Okay,” I say until that voice in my head, which is never quiet, jolts me to attention. “Surely,” it says, “NO. It is not!”
Understanding Standards
By the time most exhibitors of purebred dogs make their first trip into the show ring, they have narrowed their interest to one breed. About the time they make their second ring appearance, they will have learned that there exists differences in the quality of dogs within their breed.
A Westminster Victory Puts The Whippet on the Map!
So what makes a “serious” breed? You hear that a lot these days… well, ever since AKC has apparently decided to forego the velvet rope process. Breeds of every shape, size and …heritage are suddenly right there eyeballing the “serious” contenders.
Breed Priorities: West Highland White Terriers
The West Highland White Terrier is one of several short-legged terriers developed in Scotland. Those several breeds came in a variety of coat colors. Supposedly, Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm determined to breed only white dogs after one of his red-colored dogs was mistaken for a fox and shot, and these became the West Highland White Terrier.
Pre-Show Ring Preparation – What to Do to Win
The special comb – the lucky lead – the pre-show ritual. Nearly everyone who shows dogs has something they believe gives them an extra edge in the ring. Some of the ideas are superstitious, some mystical and some downright kooky.
