Well, Crufts 2023 is in the rearview mirror, and I enjoyed watching all the show updates and excitement shared by all of our American friends at the show! The USA was well-represented, indeed! For many, showing a dog at Crufts is a dream, while others dream of attending as a spectator. It is certainly on my bucket list!
Have you ever wondered what it means when Fido cocks his head one way and then another when you talk to him? Is he performing some response he has learned to give when you say something to him or is he hearing a bunch of meaningless sounds and doing something he has found that makes you happy? Is he actually hanging on every word or just trying to convince you to come and play with him? Is he really just a dumb animal making random gestures hoping to please you or does he put two and two together, assess his options and decide on a plan of action? In other words, can dogs actually think?
At the annual meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 14, 2023, the Delegates elected members to the AKC Board of Directors. The Directors elected were: Class of 2027 Dr. Charles Garvin, Delegate, Dalmatian Club of America Steven Hamblin, Delegate, Pekingese Club of America Daniel J. Smyth, Esq., Delegate, Burlington County Kennel Club In [...]
Gonadectomy is the most common surgery performed on dogs in the United States, with about 64% of all dogs gonadectomized. This surgery involves removing the gonads; that is, the testicles in males and ovaries (and uterus) in females. For many years dog owners and veterinarians believed gonadectomy of dogs increased a dog’s odds of a [...]
Like countless other AKC projects, Meet the Breeds is best described as an ongoing experiment in customer relations. Modeled on the incredibly successful British version, Discover Dogs, AKC dabbled with various translations of the concept for years. Their earliest forays into direct marketing featured no actual event planning. AKC called a bunch of NYC locals and asked them to bring their dogs to Madison Square Park, which was conveniently situated right across the street from their old downtown headquarters. Those early events were tiny and highly disorganized. However, in terms of test marketing, they succeeded beyond all expectations. Word got around, and by the second year, vendors, sponsors, and doggy entertainment acts spiced up the roster. Every September, that minuscule sliver of NYC green space was overrun with local dog lovers. Like all great ideas, it was unstoppable.
Were you able to name who was featured in this week’s #ThrowbackThursday photo? This exhibitor, who is now a judge is Carol Spritzer. Don’t forget! Do you have a fun photo that you would like to share for #ThrowbackThursday? Email Liz Powell at showresults@caninechronicle.com with your photos.
After four momentous days, a new Crufts Best in Show winner has been crowned as Orca (Am GCh Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic), a Lagotto Romagnolo, who took home the coveted title tonight (Sunday 12 March). In a packed Resorts World Arena at the Birmingham NEC, Orca, who is four years old, owned by Sabina Zdunic [...]
At the end of the day, I am a practical person who likes to find solutions and be efficient. There is no place for head in the clouds for me. Feet on the ground is more my style. I tend to stay on task until the job is done. Loose ends make me uncomfortable. If the checking account is off by 18 cents, I need to find out why and make the correction. When my flight gets cancelled, I reach out to the airline with record speed to get another one. My tenacity is commendable, but comes with a price.
Numerous bills impacting dog owners, breeders, and trainers have been introduced this year in Illinois, and AKC Government Relations and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners have been working diligently to fight on your behalf. We thank all those who have taken the time to file witness slips and contact legislators. Together we are [...]
On Sunday, August 7, 2022, the day began like many others. Olivia woke me up when the alarm went off, and we put our three sleepy Siberians outside for their morning ritual. Liv made sure that I was awake, then promptly fell back to sleep on the couch. I got ready, took my prescribed medications, and gave myself a shot of a long-acting insulin. I fixed my breakfast, finished getting dressed, then drove 60 miles to my judging assignment in Canfield, Ohio.
