Are We Spaying & Neutering Our Breeds and Our Sport Out of Existence?
It seems like just about everyone that has been showing dogs for any number of years has recently had the discussion about the lack of newcomers to our breed and to our sport.
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It Takes A Village
By Joan Harrigan Elizabeth Reynolds of Rising Sun, Maryland is a breeder/owner/handler exhibiting the fourth generation of her own breeding at Westminster on Monday. Standard Poodles are arguably one of if not the most difficult breed for amateur-owners to learn to groom for the show ring. The scissoring, the banding, the spray-up for the ring […]
A Circle of Friends
Monday night at Westminster, a stunning Borzoi, Ch. Belisarius JP My Sassy Girl won the breed and went on to win the Hound Group.
“The Contract”
The world of AKC dog shows seems to be ruled by contracts. We enter into oral or written contracts to buy, handle, register, breed, show, and co-own our dogs.
A Second Visit To Westminster
By Amy Fernandez What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, which may be the best way to sum up a novice’s reaction to Westminster. First time exhibitors fall into two categories. Quite a few vow never to return. Others marvel at their ability to survive the ordeal and return armed and ready the next year. […]
Banner Day for Dachshunds
In a true demonstration of Teutonic toughness Dachshunds were out in full force for Sunday’s Knickerbocker specialty despite the frigid three degree morning cold.
Breed Standards 101
I have had, on occasion, judging colleagues speak to me of their excitement about a judging assignment where they had the opportunity to get their hands on a dog of a given breed that was closer to the standard of perfection than any they have ever judged. I have also had fellow breeders express the sense of joy they experienced in breeding a dog that comes far closer to meeting the standard than any they have bred before. Without the existence of breed standards neither of the experiences mentioned above could have significance.
And Now for Something Different: The Mudi and the Barbet
By Joan Harrigan “Spring” curled pensively on a chair at Pier 92, surveying the curious onlookers. The 7-year-old Mudi is more accustomed to activity—flyball is her game, and she loves to run. Formally known as Kiralytanyai Tavasz (“Tavasz” means “spring” in Hungarian), Spring and her owner, Amanda Haldeman of Hampden, Mass. have come to “Meet […]
A Golden Opportunity to Educate
Westminster’s traditional two-day show has morphed into “Westminster Week”—a chance for the dog show world and public alike to gather in celebration of the dog. Last year, the AKC’s popular “Meet the Breeds” event moved its venue and date to coincide with the Westminster’s agility competition on the Saturday of Westminster Weekend.
A Cluster of Clumbers
by Joan Harrigan The Clumber Spaniel booth occupied prime real estate at the AKC Meet the Breeds event Saturday. A cluster of Clumbers spilled into the isle from the very first booth spectators encountered as they entered Pier 92—likely more Clumbers in one place than most had ever seen. Tom McMillian of Montville, N.J. was […]
