Lost Knowledge

By Amy Fernandez

Everyone agrees that this sport has changed drastically in the past couple of decades. Somehow, somewhere we have lost that crucial legacy of knowledge, that intrinsic understanding of what it’s really about.  There’s no definable reason for this. AKC and parent clubs are totally on board with ongoing educational programs and events designed to enlighten fanciers at every level of the sport.  Still, something is clearly missing. The problem? Once in awhile someone throws it out there…no more bench shows.

Bench shows seem like such an ancient relic. After all, what have we got left? Westminster, of course; then there’s Golden Gate, Detroit, and Philadelphia. At this point, International Kennel Club of Chicago may be deserting the ranks. Frankly, it’s shocking to realize that we had a hell of a lot of these shows not very long ago.

Check out these stats. In 1966 all five of the year’s biggest events were benched. Kennel Club of Beverly Hills topped the list with 2953 entries (up 408 from the previous year). The benched format certainly didn’t impede its steady growth. Back in 1940 it drew only 427 entries. By 1960 it ranked as the fourth largest show with 1913 entries.

Getting back to 1966, International Kennel Club of Chicago ranked second that year with 2921 entries. Santa Barbara was third with 2905 entries (up 533 dogs from the previous year) and Trenton, in fourth place, got 2633 entries (up 525 from the previous year). And the fifth largest show of 66, Westchester KC, pulled 2417 entries. In total, there were 29 AKC benched shows in 1966.

Just four years later that number had dwindled to 15. Santa Barbara (3952 entries) and Trenton (3083 entries) still ranked among the top five, but both had switched over to an un-benched format. Every aspect of the sport grew phenomenally during that decade from 1960-70. Dog World magazine described it as “a rate of expansion exceeded by few other industries.” The sport was not only growing, several emerging trends showed that it was changing radically during those years. For instance, by 1970, 13 of the year’s largest shows took place in California. Only four of them were held on the East Coast. That was a complete reversal from 1940.

Of course, all those records would be blown away during the ‘80s, that golden age of purebred dogs marked by record breaking entries, registrations, champions, BIS wins, etc. Virtually every aspect of purebred dogs hit unimaginable heights during those years.  Needless to say, it was also the sport’s most scandalous era. It’s apparently when everyone started losing sight of the purpose of dog shows.

Bench shows have plenty of drawbacks. But sitting there all day (sometimes all weekend) with your friends, enemies, rivals, idols, and mentors certainly kept everyone mindful of the big picture and might have the same effect today.

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Posted by chesliepickett on May 10 2016. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.