From inside and outside the rings at shows during the specialties, there were some great transitional outfits to be seen worn by the exhibitors, judges, club members, and officials as the seasons change. Here is just a taste of the best of the best during the day of Glam Cam coverage. Do you have a fav?
Over the past several months I have been asked questions and to write down my opinion on our sport. Looking back on my family’s history in our sport, this sport that I love so much, I have been pondering where the road will now take us. I was taught at a very young age that showing and racing horses was the sport of Kings and Queens and that this sport, our sport, is the sport of Princes, Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses.
Every breeder that I know, who also shows, understands the importance of a great sire. And, this is particularly true for those dogs that, to a large extent, stamp their likeness upon their offspring. While a bitch having this quality is also highly prized, such a sire can easily have a more far-reaching impact on his line in particular, and his breed in general. This is because he can produce a considerably larger number of progeny.
A few years ago, I realized that my arthritic knees had become more accurate at forecasting changes in the weather than the National Weather Service. Not that it came as a great surprise to me as, like most investigative reporters, I view anything emanating from a government agency as suspect. However, what I didn’t realize was that dogs–mine and those belonging to others–were even better at detecting weather changes in the offing than my knees.
I graduated from college with a degree in elementary education. A required class for that tract was a comprehensive immersion into children’s literature. With another major in English literature, it was an excellent pairing for me. Both of these majors have proven to be worthy assets in my life. From helping me guide our son through school to coaching new exhibitors in the ring–and to be sitting here writing for you, my faithful readers–I am grateful for that education.
The dog-loving general public has fallen for language that automatically makes purebred dog breeders the enemy of kindness and morality. As the marketing rolls out from animal rights groups into general-population usage through social media, pithy pronouncements like “adopt, don’t shop” take on mythical, magical, and poisonous properties. It’s up to the fancy to clap back on language that makes it easier for people to vote for laws that affect the rights to own and enjoy any kind of dog–purebred or mixed, intact or neutered, and even whether litters of puppies can legally be produced.
Legends come and go. Be they walking on four or two legs, one thing is certain–no one gets out of this life alive. And so it goes that over the last two years I have lost four people who were significant characters in my book of life. Each deserves a story but my focus for this piece will be my most recent loss.
Like many others, I stumbled into showing dogs. When I was nine, my neighbor took a chance, knocking on my door and asking for my help. I’d never even walked a dog before, much less considered showing one. I remember tentatively nodding before running my first ever down and back with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever happily bounding beside me. From that moment, though, I knew I was in the sport for the long haul. Since then, I have had numerous breeders offer me once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that have shaped me into who I am today. Without them taking the chance on me, I would have stayed stagnant.
Closet Confidential with Elaine Lessig. Outstanding Outerwear. Your clothing questions answered. It’s all about putting the power back in your hands by letting you ask questions. Should you wear this or that? What should you donate? How do you mix and match? How do you ensure your clothing isn’t wearing you? Elaine answers all these style […]
At this point, everyone clearly recognizes the connection between breed popularity and the secondary repercussions stemming from that. There are a multitude of danger zones attached to that fate. Obviously, no breed can survive or evolve without an ongoing core of dedicated fanciers. That is essential in order to maintain a sufficiently viable and diverse population and ensure competitive momentum. More participation definitely brings genetic advantages. That level of serious commitment also tends to curb exploitation–to some degree. Okay, we know that, right?
