Table Talk – March 6, 2019
I just returned from Southern California where I attended the Beverly Hills Kennel Club cluster. For the first time, Great Western Terrier Association joined Beverly Hills and held back-to-back shows on Friday leading in to Saturday’s taped for television show, and Beverly Hills’ second show on Sunday. Great Western’s entry this year was a total of 290 (for each show), which is quite small as compared to the entry back in the day. It is my most sincere hope that GWTA can find a comfortable spot and stay for a while and build their entry back to what it once was.
I sincerely believe that the televised shows are great for the sport and, sadly, the number of televised shows has decreased over time. Purina has done a great job maintaining a televised presence for the sport of purebred dogs through their efforts with Westminster Kennel Club televised live on FS1 in February, the National Dog Show that is taped for television and airs after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving Day on NBC, and now the Beverly Hills Kennel Club which airs on Easter Sunday. This past November, the National Dog show broadcast on NBC on Thanksgiving Day had an astounding 26 million viewers, and when it was re-broadcast, another 6 million people tuned in to see the show. This year’s broadcast of the Beverly Hills Kennel Club will be moving from last year’s location of USA to NBC, which will provide for even greater exposure. The show will air on Easter Sunday at noon Central Standard Time, 1 PM Eastern and 10 AM on the West Coast.
Since dog shows are not televised very often, most exhibitors don’t have much experience dealing with the production of an event that is televised live or tape-delayed. Some exhibitors don’t understand how hot the lights will be, the delays created by show producers and, consequently, the stress placed on their dogs. Rarely do those filming the event understand how their props, lights and schedules affect the dogs and handlers who are starring in their show. Therefore it is up to exhibitors to educate the production staff about the safety and comfort of their dogs. The show at Beverly Hills was stressful for many of the dogs in the groups. Due to the heat from lighting and lack of air flow, it was very hot in the group and best in show arenas and the production staff would not allow handlers to have water bottles, wet downs, etc. in the ring. I am certain that the lack of consideration for the dogs was a result of ignorance about what was needed to keep them comfortable while they were showing, and not intentional. I am sure they have to weigh their desire for a certain look on screen against the props needed to give each dog its best chance to put on a great performance and look its best on television. Hopefully this issue will be addressed for next year. I can assure you that athletes competing in a televised sporting event would not allow tv crews to deny them essential items needed to compete. Why are dogs competing at shows any different? It would probably benefit everyone if they had an experienced dog person serve as a liason between the exhibitors and the production staff during the taping of groups and Best in Show. Finally, I want to extend a big thank you to Purina for continuing to support the sport we love and for doing a great job of publicizing our sport in a positive fashion.
Congratulations to the Louisville cluster for drawing another terrific entry! Entries for this year’s cluster range from 3200 to 3900 dogs! For those of you who will be joining us and are looking for information regarding your free grooming reservation, an alphabetized list of reservations will be posted this weekend on Facebook, with a detailed list with spot numbers posted on Tuesday, March 12th. There will be a detailed list posted in the building as well. If you do not see your name on the alphabetized list when it is posted this weekend, please email louisvillegrooming@woh.rr.com immediately.
I hear Rich Mysliwiec, Sr. is recovering from open heart surgery. Anyone wishing to reach out with well wishes can send a card to Rich at 3643 E. Edna Ave, Phoenix, AZ 86323.
I was sorry to hear that poodle fancier Zuleika Borges Torrealba of “Canil da Maya” and long-time friend, co-breeder and client of Chris Manelopoulos and Rachel Corbin lost her battle with cancer this past week. Zuleika will be sorely missed by the fancy as a whole, but her loss is especially painful to her beloved Poodle family. Please join us in saying a prayer for her family at this difficult time.
The fancy also lost long-time Great Dane fancier Carnell Gurrath. Carnell mentored and was a long-time friend of Jeff Lawrence and his family. Carnell will be missed by so many in the sport.
Boxer fancier Kevin Connington also passed away this past week. Kevin was past president of the New Jersey Boxer Club and will be missed by all that knew him.
Happy Anniversary to David and Kristyn Stout! It seems that it was just yesterday that you love birds tied the knot. May you enjoy many more happy, healthy years together, my friends!
Jason Hoke is off to the Netherlands for a judging assignment. Desi Murphy will be spending St. Patrick’s Day judging for the Irish Kennel Club in Dublin, Ireland. Many of our other friends including Bill McFadden, David Haddock and Susan Sprung will be off to Crufts this coming week. Have fun all, and don’t forget to keep in touch with us over here across the pond! You can check our website at www.caninechronicle.com for information about live streaming of the show.
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Tuni Conti, Judy Cooper, Diana Hadsall, Lois DeMers, Brenda Carlson, Lauren Hay-Lavitt, Kellie Fitzgerald and Tom DiGiacomo.
Don’t forget to let me know if you are interested in participating in our breed priorities broadcast at Louisville. If you have time to do a segment on your breed at Louisville, please email me at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com.
Be safe my friends and we will see you soon! Until next time…
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