Westminster Kennel Club returned to Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, New York in June for its 146th annual show. We asked the seven group judges and Dr. Donald Sturz, Jr., the Best In Show judge, to talk about their assignments and placements. Their comments, as well as those of the Junior Showmanship Finals judge, follow:
Although the title of this article might imply that there could be a move to do away with Professional Handlers; that is not the intent AT ALL! Professional Handlers are essential to the survival of our sport! They are needed just as much as Amateur Owner Handlers, breeders, and exhibitors with limited breeds in their string.
Professional handlers bring a large string of dogs with them and with that string a large amount of entry fees. If there were 50 professional handlers with 20 dogs per string with entry fees at $30 per dog the entries could average about $30,000. Some professional handlers carry more dogs in their string, some less. So many of the smaller shows that rely on Amateur Owner Handlers or local/regional entries often depend on smaller numbers of entries and consequently their profit margin is VERY small. Professional handlers bring many entries with accompanying dollars for the local economy. For that, local clubs should be grateful.
Westminster is our Mecca. And it’s just as much for what happens inside the rings as alongside the rings. Sure, most of our attention is riveted on the competitors. But we also glance ringside to spot the glamorous guests from overseas, the inconspicuous backers and, of course, the famous judges, handlers and breeders. But let your gaze wander still farther from the rings, and you’ll see the booths you expect to see at any show. Only—they’re not the same booths you expect to see at any show.
Question of the week: What Disney dog is childhood friends with a fox? Check back on Friday when we reveal the correct answer! Do you have a fun dog show trivia question that you would like to share for #TriviaTuesday? Email Liz at showresults@caninechronicle.com.
I have been involved in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed for many decades and judging them for 15 years. There are a few discrepancies that I have found, one being… SIDE GAIT.
Did you guess the identity of this handler, now judge? What about the judge and the dog in our last #ThrowbackThursday photo? It’s time to check your answer. Were you right? The correct answers are Lhasa, CH Potala Keke’s Yum Yum, Bred and Owned Keke Blumberg (now Kahn), handled by now judge Carolyn Herbel. The […]
The Sealyham Terrier was developed in the middle of the nineteenth century by Captain John Edwards to work with his Otterhound pack. The breed derived its name from the Captain’s Sealy Ham estate in southern Wales. While no records were kept, it is assumed that he used an extinct white terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and the West Highland White Terrier, among others to build his breed. Noted for his white color, fall of hair over his face, and low slung strong body, the Sealyham is one of the more biddable terriers.
Maybe an invigoration of that level might energize the dog show game. Imagine having a ring full of “Hollys” or “Unos”, or “Dodgers”, or “Sadies” and being a judge of that breed on that day. What if every dog in the ring was “spot on” on the standard? What great excitement would be generated around ringside with spectators scurrying from ring to ring, trying to see all the quality; handlers not having to “groom away” any faults. Quality as far as the eye could see! I am sure the print media would be there interviewing everyone; news cameras from local and national networks recording the movements of all and videoing everyone within reach including the Boy Scout Bucket Brigade; onlookers gawking at the high level of quality in the ring….great excitement—a rock star-level of excitement.
Click here to read the complete article 258 – September, 2022 Click here to read the complete article 258 – September, 2022
I do not belong to any breed specific chat room and, therefore, I am not privy to some of the vitriolic exchanges recently between fanciers who proclaim to have the best interest of their breed at the center of their existence. However, on the social media sites I often visit, I am shocked at the lack of civility displayed by some of the contributors. Many times while reading and pondering the impetus for such, in my opinion, nasty, uncivilized speech, I am amazed at the lack of respect, compassion, understanding, and concern for the feelings of others. Where has all the civility gone? I recently removed myself from a Judges group online because of the volume of negative comments about specific judges.
