The Pumi is one of three related Hungarian herding breeds, the other two being the Puli and the Mudi. The Puli came first, believed to have traveled from the east with the Magyars to the Carpathian Basin around 800 A.D. Occasional mixing occurred over the centuries–deliberate and accidental–with German and French herding dogs.
Click here to read the complete article 370 – November/December, 2023 Click here to read the complete article 370 – November/December, 2023
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 Dr. Valeria Rickard DVM. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
Lately, the young guns of the dog show industry have been sounding the battle cry. “Can everyone please stop photoshopping dogs?” While I usually try to ignore those posturing for a voice within the community, the most recent one hit close to home as its author asked publicly why two photographers can record the same dog and the resulting images look so different. My photograph of a dog was the owner’s second attempt at getting what she wanted. Understanding the breed, and having a vision of what I wanted caused my image to look very different than those created by the original photographer. And so, I believe it beneficial to explain both the misused terminology and the evolution of a cultural phenomenon within our dog sport.
The Spinone Italiano is unique or, shall I say, just plain different from other breeds in so many ways, and one of those ways–a very important way–is its croup, tail set and tail carriage.
My first introduction to “the greats” of our sport was a little unconventional. It was in Lakeland, Florida, I was twelve, and said “greats” were stuck on-site in a motorhome. They were also desperately in need of two cart-fulls of groceries to celebrate their recent Best in Show wins. My mentor and I divided and conquered–each taking a cart and scrambling around the store to collect what they needed. I remember pulling up to the massive truck, trailer, and what seemed to be thirty or more x-pens. I was enamored; I’d never met one of my idols before. They thanked us generously, and we went on our way, but in just those few moments, I knew I needed to play a role in an operation like that one. I would, just three years later, go on to work for them and continue to shop for those Best in Show dinners. Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened to me if they hadn’t asked for my help that day. Would I have ever felt like learning from them was possible?
So much about our dog sport literally came from a split-second moment via the talented eye of a dog show photographer. There are also some quirky, funny things that happen to them while on the job.
“What expressions of gratitude would you like to share with Thanksgiving, December holidays, and the New Year upon us so soon?”
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 Canalizo. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
It was just a quick comment. There were three of us on the phone call; the extended conversation (long drives elicit deep dives) had evolved into sharing ideas from judge, handler, and trainer perspectives about some of the trends seen in our breed. In particular, we were discussing traits in the ring (and also in the field) that had strayed from the breed’s origins and purpose and we wondered why some had moved so far in that direction. After a long pause Kelly delivered the mic drop comment: it happens “when glory becomes inviting”.
