The Affenpinscher – From Rarity to Toy Group Mainstay
AKC policymaking has always been a mysterious process. The decisions emanating from that boardroom often stray far outside the boundaries of the organization’s official stance.
Home » Current Articles
You are browsing entries filed in “Current Articles”
Is There A Dog In Your Will?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin, in a letter he penned to Jean-Baptist Leroy in 1789. It has been my experience, more often than not, that when the “Grim Reaper” comes calling, we see that the tax man follows. It should be remembered that on the federal level and in the vast majority of states, dogs are considered livestock and may be taxed as such.
Harnessing the Strength of Performance to Enhance the All Breed Bench Show
Late that hot, humid, Wisconsin July afternoon, the massive, powerful, Alaskan Malamute in full coat, was on the start line of the Fast CAT track. On signal, with his handler still dressed in glimmering show finery, those first few steps responded to the moving lure with the muscle, bone, and impressive working function required of a sled dog, transitioning rapidly into speed. Earlier that day, at the specialty, he was select dog from the Veterans class, with many exhibitors and spectators watching in a central location on the grounds. The show catalog carefully noted his full AKC name, titles and proud owners’ names. When he responded to the lure, there was no means to communicate to other exhibitors and spectators that this strong example of his breed could do more than look pretty. At the Fast CAT track, hidden on the back far edge of the show grounds, with no spectators, his name and titles were anonymous. His magnificent run went otherwise unnoticed.
Dogs Aid Childhood Social Development
By Amy Fernandez Getting a dog has been one of the most popular ways to cope with quarantine and all the related stress that it entails. We’re still far from getting back to normal. Of course, the latest debate on this front is whether or not it will be safe to open schools in the […]
Andelys Kennel
Quite a few breeders have the resources to buy the best and do things on a grand scale. That approach typically ensures instant recognition and transitory success, but rarely translates into a lasting contribution. That requires an element that money can’t buy, an uncompromising focus on quality. Barbara Fallass and her daughter Susan Mason made historic contributions to the development of Smooth Fox Terriers, Greyhounds, and Welsh Pembroke Corgis.
Marketing by Walking Around
When age caught up with the last of our show dogs, my wife Cheryl and I entered new territory. We knew our lifetime of loading and unloading crates was behind us but we couldn’t imagine life without dogs. It was time to move on, time to enter the world of “just pets.”
Citizen Science – AKC is The Future Laboratory for Canine Study
Traditional research has always been considered the purview of the university and the research laboratory. This belief has effectively ruled out other kinds of good science and took away the motivation of others to become involved. However, following the events of 9/11, Brussels, Boston, Las Vegas, New York and London, the need to move the psychological machinery of research in a new direction became a compelling issue.
Pavlov – A Magnificent Failure
“Pavlov’s Dog” is a catchphrase so deeply embedded in popular culture that it long ago surpassed any direct reference to dogs. And guess what…that’s exactly what good old Ivan Pavlov had in mind when he commenced his oddball experiments back in the 1880s in Russia.
Judges Hospitality – An Essential Element for Creating a Successful Show
What can I tell you? It was a dog club meeting. Blah, blah, blah… As the old saying goes, everyone has an opinion and most of them… well never mind. So we were discussing the Welcome Reception for the judges ad nauseam; the room, the food, the wine, the signage, the decorations, the size of the tables. Finally, I looked at a couple of the biggest complainers and said what I believe (I always tell the truth because that is the way my Mother raised me). “I don’t mean to be rude, but it is not about you. It’s not about the show chair, the photographer, the super or any of the committee members. It’s about the judges. It is a Welcome Event for them.” The reply left me speechless.
Citizen Canine Science
Stay at home, stay at home…um, we’re dog show folk, we don’t do stay at home. Not well, at least. So maybe you’ve taken the opportunity to breed that litter. Or two. Maybe you’ve done the virtual Trick Dog thing–every last level. With every last dog. And maybe you’ve got your dogs’ virtual Rally titles. And while I suppose you could take up dock diving or tracking or some other canine sport, maybe you’re not so thrilled about running around in the heat. If only there were more dog things you could do online…
