That old adage ‘it takes a village” has been demonstrated in large and small ways all across the country since the advent of COVID-19 early in 2020. The Canine Chronicle wanted to celebrate some of those who have acted to reimagine and reclaim the fancy so that it’s future is assured even as we continue in an uncertain world. In this fourth and final installment of the series, I spoke with Terry James and John McDonald of Jack Onofrio Dog Shows.
So, dogs are back at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As the world already knows, a new pair of German Shepherds recently moved in there. Likewise, there’s nothing surprising about the fact that they are far from the first ones. Although, from a historical standpoint, this is a relatively new breed, it’s enjoyed enduring popularity since it debuted in the 1800s. Intelligent, charming, and incredibly photogenic, no breed has enjoyed the enduring cinematic success of the German Shepherd. Those traits have also made it the ideal political sidekick.
A dog breed does not “simply appear.” It comes into being because people see the merit in a certain type of dog capable of performing a specific role, whether hunting or herding, guard work or pest control, or even companionship. These people (breeders) often spend many years studying the practical application of canine genetics and breeding to improve the dog’s conformation and working abilities and to purify and set type. If they fail to achieve their goal, the stock dies off and the breed does not become established. If they are successful, then the dog’s instincts become fixed and type becomes set, and they will have developed a breed. Presumably, the breed should then exist forever.
Regular readers will know of my deep affection for the Boston Terrier, however my first (and abiding love) is for the Dachshund, a breed I have known (and been owned by) for almost forty years.
As I volunteered at a scent work trial recently, I watched some really great teams compete, and saw some really poor teams compete. While watching, I realized that the difference between the great teams and the poor teams in scent work was the same as the difference between a good professional handler team and an average (or worse) owner-handler team in conformation.
I have been involved in dog shows as an exhibitor and breeder over the past 25+ years and recently was introduced to one of the Miscellaneous breeds. Once I got involved with the Foundation Stock Service, some of the things that have been bothering me for several years all of a sudden came back to me and started making sense. AKC has the responsibility of keeping the records for the breeds, but I have always been under the impression that the breed clubs are the keepers of the breeds. Am I mistaken?
If you’ve seen the movie “Best in Show,” you may remember the handler who was really showing himself—not his Shih Tzu. Iconic handler George Alston would have no patience with this type of handler, and probably doesn’t think much of being called an ‘icon.’
Breed standards are truly simple in that they describe the correct construction, proper movement and requisite soundness demanded in the ideal dog of its breed.
Recently some individuals were asked what they thought of the effect, if any, that the AKC Code of Sportsmanship is having upon how members of the Fancy conduct themselves and interact with each other nowadays. Quite obviously the intent was to find out, or get some idea, as to whether or not it is generally felt that a positive impact has been generated by its adoption. The overall tenor of the responses was, interestingly and perhaps not unsurprisingly, rather negative with opinions expressed that, in all likelihood, this has made very little difference in how people behave.
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. Well, guess what folks… judges want to judge exhibitors who are nice to them and who evaluate their own dogs, honestly.
