10 Properties Of Winners

1. Never quit learning.

Despite popular perceptions about Westminster, it is not only about winning. In reality, it’s more akin to our sport’s annual convention. Anyone and everyone affiliated with purebred dogs converge in New York to share ideas, learn from experts, renew friendships, hang out, and most importantly, check out the dogs. And that is not limited to top-ranked dogs or popular breeds.

It started a few decades ago, when some Parent Clubs decided to do something to recognize dogs that achieved in multiple venues.

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Looks can be deceiving. Beneath the smile and veneer of control, even an experienced junior handler with a nice winning record may get a case of the jitters before going into the juniors’ ring. It is the same sort of competitive anxiety that plagues many of us adults who compete in the conformation ring. Some highly experienced owner-handlers and even professionals, I imagine, have learned to use those stomach-churning sensations to their advantage. Instead of allowing negative thoughts and feelings to overwhelm and negatively impact their handling in the ring, they productively channel the negative energy.

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 Michael Pesare. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!

The foundation of the Bullmastiff in the 19th century was reported as 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog (as those breeds existed back then). He was the gamekeeper’s dog used to keep English estates and game preserves clear of poachers. The breed could work quietly, and move quickly to take down and hold the poacher without doing serious damage. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1933 and is currently ranked 60th based on registration statistics.

Yes. I am playing with words. The word “acoustics” is simply the science of sound, including its production, control, transmission, and effects. It is the “effects” of acoustics which offer me the license to bend the initial vowel, not the ability to spell. Raising a son born with severe sensory neural hearing impairment proved to be quite an education. From that life experience, I learned the unending value of acoustics, and I used the science daily, not just for our son, but for me, too. Each of those parts of the whole create a basis of how we communicate effectively, which is a critical life skill for each of us.

When I was 6 years old, my mother saw an ad in the local newspaper announcing a dog show in the next town. We went. I’m sure she never imagined this simple afternoon’s entertainment would change my life forever. I still remember a kind exhibitor who took his saluki out of the crate for us to see, and the perplexing way he trotted it back and forth to us as though that was somehow important. More important to me was that I got to pet royalty. I left there obsessed with the idea of not just one day owning a saluki, but of owning a SHOW saluki.