“Author Archive”
Stories written by AnthonyA
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.
September 13th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
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.
September 12th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
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).
September 11th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
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.
September 9th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
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.
August 31st, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
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.
August 30th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Ireland is the home of many wonderful and beautiful breeds. For many years the sporting and hunting dogs were reserved for the upper classes. Several terriers were used as general purpose farm dogs, including the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the Kerry Blue Terrier, and the Irish Terrier. The Wheaten is distinguished by his coat – wheaten colored, soft, silky, and wavy. Temperamentally, they are also less feisty than some other terriers. Wheatens are currently the second most popular terrier based on 2019 AKC registration statistics.
August 29th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
Americans are sometimes, quite wrongly in my opinion, accused of being rather boastful folk, bragging that they have the ‘biggest this’ and the ‘very best of that’. However, if any American were to claim that their nation was responsible for creating the best breed of dog in the world, I as a proud Englishman would have to humbly concur.
August 27th, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
This is possibly not the best time to focus on government ability to handle complicated issues. But that’s never stopped them from trying. Getting to the point, a couple of weeks back the Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club), issued a somewhat militant statement reiterating their stance on dog breeding health and welfare. This is not new. Many European breeders face restrictions and scrutiny that would be unimaginable here. (Think about that the next time you wanna slam AKC). Simply owning a dog requires some scrupulous vetting, never mind breeding or exhibiting.
August 23rd, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
It’s no secret that Terrier popularity has taken a nosedive in recent years. In truth, this downward trend has gone on for decades. As expected, there’s a gazillion theories to explain it. Here’s what I think. First off, I’m looking at this from the perspective of a diehard purebred lover, and therefore discount those “adopted” pseudo- terriers paraded around by “woke” dog lovers every weekend. I am referring strictly to the genuine article, the kind of Terrier that’s built for business, so you better enjoy that. And there was a time when breeds like that ruled America. Airedales, Wires, Scotties, Irish, those were THE most popular breeds for decades.
August 21st, 2020 | Posted in Current Articles,Featured | Read More »
