On occasion it is surely an appropriate and salutary exercise for us, as connoisseurs and self-appointed guardians of the pedigreed dog, to reflect upon the prevailing condition of our animals from a long-term and multidimensional perspective.
I hope I haven’t let the cat out of the bag, but as I retired from handling 15 years ago, maybe things have changed, and that saying is no longer their mantra. If it is still relevant, I am sure the problems would be multiplied; with syndicates now owning some top winning dogs, how does a handler please them all?
There are ways to optimize your investment when hiring a handler in order to make the relationship between the owner and handler as productive and as effective for your dog’s campaign as possible.
There are those we have known for their successes in the show ring, for their contributions as a breeder, or as a great evaluator of stock. (Be it formally in the ring or informally outside of it) We had amongst us a person who did all three without question.
Puerto Rico, the beautiful “Isle of Enchantment” welcomed judges and exhibitors to our “Tropical Treat Cluster” All-Breed & Obedience shows held from April 26-29, 2012. There were competitors from different areas of the United States, and South America as well as a large group representing Puerto Rico. Beautiful dogs of various breeds put on an outstanding show for the spectators and when judge Dr. Gerard C. Penta made his final decision for Best In Show on Thursday, he chose the beautiful Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH. Wedigit Paparazzi.
On occasion it is surely an appropriate and salutary exercise for us, as connoisseurs and self-appointed guardians of the pedigreed dog, to reflect upon the prevailing condition of our animals from a long-term and multidimensional perspective. The aim in doing so may be viewed as potentially remedial and possibly even curative.
Of all the trends, I believe the most alarming is the adoption of hybrids or mutts as opposed to purebreds. We operate a boarding kennel, and many years ago eighty percent of boarders would be purebred, now we are lucky if thirty percent fit into that category.
Unfortunately, there is a perception that all professional handlers are more skilled than owner-handlers. They forget that many amateur-owner-handlers have become superstars in the dog world. When I gave handling clinics, I tried to emphasize that the owner-handlers are the ones who have many of the advantages.
So many of our readers know or have read about the grand old Santa Barbara Kennel Club in days of yore that I don’t think it’s necessary to repeat the stories, but let’s give you a short history of this famous dog show.
When AKC unveiled its Grand Championship program in May 2010 reactions within the fancy ranged from skeptical to hostile. AKC regularly debuts schemes to jumpstart the flagging morale and dwindling participation of owner/handlers.
