One question that is regularly asked in Dogdom is ‘How can we attract more people to our ranks?’ and it is a very important question for any hobby. In fact, for the health and continuation of our sport it is vital that we continue to attract new blood and it appears to be a problem that is facing most of the world’s kennel clubs.
The next breed we tackle in my ongoing series of interviews with breed experts is the Bulldog. Anyone who has interacted with a Bulldog understands the popularity of the breed. They are wonderful companions with and outstanding personality. There have been great Bulldogs that have won at the highest levels of the sport and the breed continues to be a contender in the Non-Sporting group. I reached out to longtime breeders of Bulldogs to discuss the breed and get their perspective about changes they have seen in the Bulldog over the past half-century.
The Irish Terrier carries the nickname “Daredevil” for his spirited and game character, showing fire and animation. The standard is clear on this and other points, and the parent club has an excellent guide to judging the breed available for download on their website. I was looking forward to consistency in Irish Terrier survey results.
By Amy Fernandez Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that with Westminster week moved to next summer, we’ve got almost half a year to dream up a new workaround for that time-honored tradition of flying dogs for free. Which brings me right to the bad news…the inevitable was announced on […]
I have been showing dogs for over 40 years. My mom and I bred Old English Sheepdogs. Later, I became involved with Bichon Frise while still in the Miscellaneous Class and continued with them once they became members of the Non-Sporting group. While living in New York I judged several all breed AKC-sanctioned Match shows. I had been showing Bulldogs for 20 years when I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about Barbet and knew it was the perfect breed for me! It is an honor and pleasure to be a part of the Barbet community.
Forty years ago we had in our dog show presence a veritable example of Clifton Odets “Golden Boy”. His name was Bobby Barlow. He was a handsome, talented, freckled-faced young man who looked somewhat like a young Robert Redford. Well, maybe not quite like Robert Redford, but you get the idea!
At a dog show a couple of years ago I had been chatting with a fellow hunter about his plans for the fall when I was approached by a lady with an absolutely gorgeous Golden Retriever prancing along beside her. She introduced herself and said, “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation about hunting this fall and I need some advice. I’ve never hunted, I’m scared to death of guns, I live in the city and have all my life. What’s more, a guy with field Goldens that I know told me that show Goldens are no good in the field, they don’t have any interest in hunting or birds. Despite all this against me, I’d really like to give it a try because Rex is about done being a show dog and I think I owe it to him to give him a chance to do what the breed is supposed to do. He has some dogs in his pedigree that have hunt test titles including a couple of master hunters. So, maybe he could hunt? Could you give me an idea of how I might find out and get started?”
The words of one breeder/exhibitor sum up the Barbet’s entrance into the AKC Sporting Group in January 2020: “I’ve dreamed of showing my Barbet in regular AKC competition for 10 years but I don’t think I allowed myself to think of how I would feel when that day actually came.”
Recently a show chairman was overheard to say, “I wish we’d just cancelled the show.” Wow! Can COVID-19 be causing that much grief? The answer is a resounding “yes.”
While the Berger Picard began competing in AKC’s herding group in July, 2015, it is one of the oldest of the French sheepdogs, tracing back perhaps over 2,000 years. It is related to other breeds from the area, including the Briard and Beauceron whose tails also end in a “J” hook, and possibly also to the Bouvier des Flandres and Belgian Laekenois. The World Wars were hard on northern France, and the Picard nearly died out. It was rebuilt after WWII using the most typical dogs that could be found.
