The Nose Knows
Have you ever stopped to think about what a wondrous thing a dog’s nose is? And, not just because it is the perfect target for a kiss when we want to tell a dog how proud we are of them or how much we love them?
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Are We Short-Changing Our Juniors?
Prepare to read blasphemy. I am not a huge fan of today’s AKC Junior Showmanship competition. Yes, I want Juniors in the sport. And yes, Jr. Showmanship has created Juniors who can outhandle most adults, many of whom have gone on to be leaders in the sport and successful professional handlers. The sport not only produces young people with superior handling skills, but also with heightened poise, confidence and sportsmanship outside the ring. So what’s not to like?
Frank & Dorothy Hardy – The Visible ‘Invisible’ Handlers
The art of handling, it’s often said, is all about being straight out of Hollywood. “Throughout his career Frank was invisible. The greatest handlers go down in history for their dogs-not their celebrity. That’s a remarkable talent and nobody did that better than Frank Hardy. I know, some of you are saying, who’s Frank Hardy?
How To Be a Great In-Ring Apprentice Judge
It is after extensive interviews of exhibitors and judges that this article is written. OK, so it is really after a long weekend in Perry, Georgia where I did in-ring apprenticeships with two judges, had one judge say (s)he no longer allows in-rings, and listened as several other judges answered my questions about their experiences with apprentice judges in their rings.
IMHO – Q&A with Today’s Experienced Judges and Exhibitors
We asked 3 experienced AKC judges 2 questions about current issues affecting our sport. Here’s what they had to say…
Looking Around With Lee – Hiring Judges Who Are Nice
I WANT TO HIRE JUDGES THAT ARE NICE TO THE EXHIBITORS AND JUDGE THE DOGS! This phrase was said by a person that hires judges for their show.
Business or Hobby? – Determining Your Status
The vast majority of breeders, who are our friends and neighbors in the dog show community, do not often consider their purebred dog breeding operation as a business. Most are very surprised to learn that one does not have to have a large kennel or have countless years of experience to be considered a business.
Importance of Conformation Classes & Matches
For breeders, owner-handlers and especially novices, training classes and puppy matches are complimentary learn ing modalities which bring growth and are driven by the quest for excellence.
The Big E – Pleasure vs. Pain
My cell phone rang on a recent Sunday morning. A friend and fellow kennel club member wanted some insight and advice on a 7-week-old puppy in her litter. She noticed that the puppy, the one who caught her eye over his first weeks of life, seemed listless. He no longer played with his littermates the way he once had. While he ate, it was without vigor. Losing weight each day, she took him to her vet. After examining him, the vet felt that a consultation with the pediatric specialists at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital might be useful. I agreed that it was worth pursuing.
A Curious Facet in the History of the Basset
As you know, we have just had Crufts here in the UK and, as I predicted, the anti-pedigree lobby were out in force spreading their untruths and sometimes downright lies to an ever-ignorant but always very receptive media.
