From The CC Vault: Trends

By Peter Baynes

Originally published: July 2012

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. The local animal shelters are responsible for most of this change. Even breeds that they name (misname) are far from the breeds they describe.

I know the AKC publishes lists of trends in the most popular breeds of purebred registered dogs; it would be nice if those figures could be compared to actual dog ownership. The following statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012: There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States. Twenty-one percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter. I presume because of aggressive advertising, the latter figure will increase.

In addition, we have to contend with the increasing trend of hybrid breeders, who claim that Whatever-Doodles have more vigor, and will live longer. Their claim that they are hypoallergenic (non-allergic) is stupid, considering non-allergic purebreds are readily available at possibly lower costs. By crossing certain breeds, surely they will inherit a combination of the undesirable traits of both breeds.

The show crowd is not entirely blameless. The trend for style in many show dog breeds has resulted in dramatic change in type over the years; and most have gone for exaggeration. The breeders blame the judges and the judges blame the breeders. Pity the poor breeder who sticks to the original type. Can you imagine if this trend continues, when will the day come when breeders try to breed dogs with two heads? We all know that “Two heads are better than one!” Sorry about that, I lost my head!

Regarding dog foods, whatever happened to Ken-L-Ration? It faded into obscurity in the ‘90s, although at one time it was the favorite of show dog handlers, and became the named sponsor of one of the prime awards events in New York. Nowadays the trend is towards breed-specific dog food, health stage-specific dog food, expensive prescription dog food, and natural and holistic dog food. We will probably continue to see dog food trends as new dog food ingredients are developed, and some dog foods are recalled.

Some readers may remember the jingle for Ken-L Ration:

My dog’s faster than your dog,

My dog’s bigger than yours.

My dog’s better ‘cause he gets

Ken-L Ration,

My dog’s better than yours.

One has only to look at the parking lots of any dog show and realize the change in the modes of transportation. Handlers mostly created the trends from stationwagons to hearses, to vans, to motorhomes, to large trucks and trailers. Their show equipment has also changed. I haven’t become privy to their tack boxes, but I do notice the fancy leashes that some handlers use. Those with beads are very intriguing. Maybe they copied that style from Jimmy Moses, who always had many knots in his long leash. I hear it was a knot for every Best In Show win on that dog.

The trend in clothing fashions for exhibitors and judges has changed slowly over the years. Male judges are still required to wear a tie and, in most cases, handlers are expected to follow suit. I remember when Jerry Rigden, a powerful handler in the mid-west, refused to wear a tie, and he told me that on some occasions judges did not like it. I did, however, admire his clothing sense, as he sometimes wore an ascot, a style that the Duke of Windsor promoted. I sometimes wore an ascot on some of my overseas trips; the Duke once saw me when we were wearing exactly the same outfit. He was obviously envious of my good looks, as he didn’t comment, although I was ready to tell him that I liked his Pugs.

Lady judges were expected to wear a skirt at important events, but that changed several years ago when a high profile judge broke with tradition. I’m sure shoes have been a problem for some lady judges. I remember once when an AKC Rep berated a judge for wearing high heels outdoors. Nowadays, most judges go for comfortable shoes, indoors or outdoors.

The trend in comfortable shoes has, however, changed over the years. You now see some handlers with the ugliest shoes. I remember one judge who admitted that she looked for handlers with highly polished shoes. I got my mother-in-law, who was an expert polisher, to give my shoes an extra sheen when I was showing under that particular judge. Did it help? No! On those occasions, she chose to look at the dogs instead!

I thought I would be a trendsetter when I discovered some shoes that were made from kangaroo hide. They were very comfortable and had thick crepe soles which were great for running in the ring. I only wore them once. As I was standing next to the late Bobby Barlow in the ring, he commented that they looked like orthopedic shoes and therefore I must have something wrong with my feet.

The most obvious change has occurred in communication. Gone are the days when the only method was by Pony Express, telegraph, letter, or telephone. Handlers thought it was wonderful when CB Radios were introduced. They could warn other travelers of speed traps, etc. Unfortunately, they were illegal in at least one state; I believe one exhibitor had to spend a night in jail for breaking the law. Later we were able to install bulky telephones in our vehicles (the precursor to the cell phone). I was one of the earlier users, but I chose not to let my clients know. I wisely didn’t want them to be in constant touch with me at all times.

Before CB radios, the traditional method of warning of speed traps, in most countries was to flash the headlights for oncoming traffic. On one occasion in England, a friend of mine followed this practice but the police stopped him. I thought it was quite funny when the officer who stopped him referred to him as, “Sir Galahad.” Now it isn’t funny because I believe it is now illegal in some states.

The trend in cell phones is changing almost daily. I have succumbed to the latest design, and although it has an amazing array of uses, it is not as reliable a phone as one of our ancient plug-ins. I’m waiting for a cell phone that doubles as a razor or as a Swiss army knife. I’m sure one may be in the works. Did I read that they are thinking of producing cell phones for dogs? I presume they will call it a “Barker Phone.”

Emails (except for business) have become almost obsolete with the introduction of Facebook and Twitter. I can now keep track of some of my overseas friends on an almost a daily basis. I wonder how long this trend will last. Skype is lurking, waiting to be used more frequently.

The trend in lodging now is toward more pet-friendly motels and hotels. At one time North Carolina, where the AKC offices are located, banned dogs from all hotel and motel rooms. This was a problem for exhibitors attending shows in that state.

We cannot leave the AKC out of any trend discussion without noting over the last several years how their direction has been to have more of everything. As I wrote previously, almost every new edict within the last several years has meant more breeds, more changed standards, more disqualifications, more shows (until recently), more soliciting by judges, more seminars, more mentoring, more rules and policies, more grand champions, more awards, more fees, and more professional handlers.

In the future, for better or for worse, look forward to even more changes. In addition to the above: More groups, more group placements, and inevitably more new breeders (tyros) of even more strange breeds, with more badly written standards, and more acronyms to figure out.

As new ideas come into being, several of the good old standbys have been discarded. Many will remember when sudden changes of direction have gone awry. I wonder if the staff at the office suddenly comes up with a whim of an idea and says, “Let’s throw it at the wall and see if it sticks.” It is obvious that some of their new ideas didn’t stick.

If I worked for the AKC, I could think of many crazy ideas, some related to the past. Some shows in the past, because of the preponderance of winning imports, had an award for Best American-Bred In Show. I believe Westminster still has a trophy for that. Now we have Best Amateur-Owner-Handler In Show and Best Bred-By Exhibitor In Show. Some shows in the past did have a Best Local Dog In Show. To make it more interesting, why can’t we have best Local Amateur-Owner-Handler In Show? This would alleviate the problem of amateur-owner-handlers traveling all over the country picking up points.

Looking forward to the Reserve Best In Show, why can’t we have Groups and Best for Class Reserves? This may satisfy those who want points for going Reserve at large shows. Easier still, a Best of Winners In Show, or even a class for Senior Handlers, and a special award for those that have traveled the longest distance.

The last idea may sound crazy but one Specialty Show in England had a cup for a dog within a certain age (not by class), and many other restrictions, that had traveled the farthest. I think the cup steward finally committed suicide. I’m sure she left a note, “No more consolation prizes.” When I came to this country, I had several perpetual trophies that I didn’t know to whom they belonged and the reason for their award. I advertised their names in the doggy press, and not one club claimed any of them. I think I gave them to my uncle who never went to a dog show. He probably claimed he won them at darts.

At one show in the south (in this country), another of those “Westminster of the South” events, they decided to have an award for Best Female Handler. They didn’t anticipate the turnout as they had a frightening number. It was to be held before group competition and Arthur Marsh, the AKC Rep, was tearing his hair out. He anticipated that he may not get back to the hotel until midnight. The lucky judge was yours truly; you may guess why Arthur almost kissed me after the event… luckily that trend never caught on.

Let’s hope that the trend of the new board is to continue fighting against anti-dog legislation, and to take more aggressive steps against Animal Rights Groups, in whatever guise they assume.

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