Tradition underpins our sport. We are so fortunate to love a sport that allows us time with mentors and friends, and our beloved pets. Showing dogs is a lifetime sport: We have kindergarten students in the ring with grandparents; and families who have blessed us with multiple generations of humans as well as their dogs.
Every sport has its rules. Lots of rules. And our sport is no different. The majority of AKC rules are necessary and quite sensible. Although sometimes it seems that those who write rules for any sport are getting paid by the number of unnecessary words they can squeeze in between the good stuff. But in spite of the time it takes to create rules, no one actually reads them … unless they absolutely have to. Maybe they’ve done something stupid and are looking to confirm their assumptions. Maybe they’re trying to find a rule to get even with someone who they feel has done them wrong. Maybe they enjoy testing their limits by bending a few rules.
This sport is losing the battle for public support–no secret there. Rather than endlessly debating the reasons why, let’s focus on solutions. One item rarely enters the conversation: the critical role of local all-breed clubs. Membership recruitment efforts invariably focus on parent clubs. Some are quite successful in that regard, but overall, it is clearly not doing the job.
STILL STANDING With AKC judges, breeders, and TV personalities Wayne Cavanaugh & Kimberly Meredith Brought to you by The Canine Chronicle Real talk. Bold takes. No fluff. The blogcast that goes beyond the ring — from two insiders who’ve lived it all… and are Still Standing. Watch. Listen. Only at The Canine Chronicle. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle […]
Will Alexander Drops Some Knowledge About What’s Happening in the Sport of Dogs. It’s Deep… It’s Humorous… It’s Provocative… It’s Will Unfiltered! Will Alexander has an in-depth conversation with Brett Hamilton. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
“Whenever I see her judge, I know this is a person with integrity. You might not agree with every decision but when a judge is coming from a place grounded in integrity, win or lose, you really respect their opinion. You feel confident that when they walked in the ring their only goal was finding the best dog.” That’s a recent comment from David Fitzpatrick, someone with plenty of experience sizing up judges. But the real question is who is he talking about?
We do this because we love the sport, and we’ve always been told we should give back. Volunteers, by their nature, do not expect compensation. In fact, as non-profit club members, we are not allowed to accept any pay for our lost wages or work.
A new non-invasive treatment — developed by a Texas A&M faculty member and offered only at Texas A&M — appears to be as effective as surgery in helping small dogs walk again after paralysis from a herniated disc.
The title is a tad sensational, but I wanted to catch your attention. I’m aware this is a totally ludicrous title, and that it has no bearing on truth–but indulge me. My entire premise for this idea came from a hypothetical social experiment.
At a press conference in 1986, President Ronald Reagan famously said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
