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Editorial
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Inside Out
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Canine Masters
Contents JANUARY 28, 2011
BY JOHN MANDEVILLE
BY NICK WATERS
92 dog show calendar
22 Question Of The Week
94 handlers directory
26 A Thought To Consider
98 classified advertising
BY MATTHEW H. STANDER
BY SEYMOUR WEISS
30 All In The Family BY CHARLES C. ROBEY
34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLEY BOYES
42 Dual Purpose Judges BY PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM
46 Jerry Speaks: Embrace The Obvious BY GERALD SCHWARTZ
50 Rare Breeds of the World BY AGNES BUCHWALD
54 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly BY CARLOTTA COOPER
58 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN
96 subscription rates 100 advertising rates
All advertisements are copyrighted and owned by DOG NEWS, Harris Publications, unless received cameraready. Permission to reprint must be requested in writing. DOG NEWS (ISSN 0886-2133) is published weekly except the last two weeks in December by Harris Publications, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010. Periodical Postage paid at New York. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DOG NEWS, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010
62 “I Could Barely Find Four Placements” And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER
66 The 106th Anniversary Show of The Chihuahua Club of America BY WILLIAM H. (“BILLY”) MILLER
78 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS
86 Click – The Rose City Classic BY TIM BERNARD
90 Click – The Way We Were BY PHOEBE BOOTH
4 Dog News
10
Editorial
14
Inside Out
18
Canine Masters
Contents JANUARY 28, 2011
BY JOHN MANDEVILLE BY NICK WATERS
92 dog show calendar
22 Question Of The Week
94 handlers directory
26 A Thought To Consider
98 classified advertising
BY MATTHEW H. STANDER BY SEYMOUR WEISS
30 All In The Family BY CHARLES C. ROBEY
34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLEY BOYES
42 Dual Purpose Judges BY PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM
46 Jerry Speaks: Embrace The Obvious BY GERALD SCHWARTZ
50 Rare Breeds of the World BY AGNES BUCHWALD
54 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly BY CARLOTTA COOPER
58 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN
96 subscription rates 100 advertising rates
All advertisements are copyrighted and owned by DOG NEWS, Harris Publications, unless received cameraready. Permission to reprint must be requested in writing. DOG NEWS (ISSN 0886-2133) is published weekly except the last two weeks in December by Harris Publications, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010. Periodical Postage paid at New York. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DOG NEWS, 1115 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010
62 “I Could Barely Find Four Placements” And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER
66 The 106th Anniversary Show of The Chihuahua Club of America BY WILLIAM H. (“BILLY”) MILLER
78 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS
86 Click – The Rose City Classic BY TIM BERNARD
90 Click – The Way We Were BY PHOEBE BOOTH
4 Dog News
Ty...
Multiple Group and Multiple Specialty Winning
GCh. Happiharbor Saddle Lane Ty Beth Dowd, Andy Carter and Rut Parker have “Ty”ed the Knot Handled By Scott Sommer Associates Adam Peterson & Klayton Harris Dog News 5
DOG NEWS COVER STORY - JANUARY 28, 2011
Giambi is the NUMBER ONE MASTIFF ALL SYSTEMS FOR 2010
PUBLISHER
STANLEY R. HARRIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SEAN KEVIN GAFFNEY ADVERTISING MANAGERS
SHAUN COEN Y. CHRISTOPHER KING ACCOUNTING
STEPHANIE BONILLA GENERAL TELEPHONE
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dognews@harris-pub.com WEB ADDRESS: www.dognews.com SUBSCRIPTIONS
IAN MILLER 212 462.9624
Best In Show Judge Mr.Michael Dachel What does it take to be a number one dog in your breed? Well,it takes competition,handlers,judges and the right Mastiff. *
In 2010 we took up the challenge to campaign a very young Mastiff special,Giambi. And it was one hell of a race for Breed points,as well as All Breed points. We had the company of two mature Mastiffs to compete with and we congratulate and salute them and their efforts. One of them is a multiple best in show lady and the other was our 2010 Eukanuba winner. We are very grateful to our handlers,Bill and the "True Lady of the Rings",Taffe McFadden. They say "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," well this just is not the case with our Bill McFadden! While Bill is best known for his famousTerriers andToys,he amazed us all with his handling of our Giambi. The ringside chatter went like this..."Wow,look at Bill and that Mastiff...what a performance!” Bill has come to be known as one of the best Mastiff Handlers! And any professional handler will tell you that to show one is a challenge. Of course,the secret to Bill's successful handling...Taffe. Prior to her handing Giambi off to Bill... Taffe in all her wisdom trained Giambi so that all one had to do was to stand in front of our Giambi and keep his attention. Truly,Taffe and Gi made for the most beautiful of teams. Judges,we want to thank you for acknowledging a truly fine example of a Mastiff. While he was very young,his potential was there and we commend those of you who saw the promise in him. Now as he begins to mature,he also begins to remind us all of this great sire (dare I say legendary sire) SHERMAN,the highest ranking Mastiff in Breed history.
Owners: Joe and Carla Sanchez SOUTHPORT, EST. 1982 Co-Owners Mary De Lisa and Erica Tortorella Breeders: The Tortorella Family 6 Dog News
Handlers Bill and Taffe McFadden
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sharon Anderson Lesley Boyes Andrew Brace Agnes Buchwald Shaun Coen Carlotta Cooper Geoff Corish Allison Foley Yossi Guy John Mandeville Desmond J. Murphy M. J. Nelson Robert Paust Sharon Sakson Gerald Schwartz Kim Silva Matthew H. Stander Sari Brewster Tietjen Patricia Trotter Connie Vanacore Carla Viggiano Nick Waters Seymour Weiss Minta (Mike) Williquette DOG NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS Chet Jezierski Perry Phillips Kitten Rodwell Leslie Simis Paddy Spear
DOG NEWS is sent to all AKC approved Confirmation Judges every week on a complimentary basis. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without written permission from the editor. The opinions expressed by this publication do not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit all copy submitted.
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ONE BEAUT OF A TELECAST
Off Center Productions combined with AKC and Eukanuba to present for the general public on ABC one of the most innovative and appealing dog show presentations ever seen on television. Note we stress the goal of the show was to reach and keep the audience targeted, which was Mr. and Mrs. John Q Public. Historically televised dog shows start off with very large ratings, which diminish considerably as the show goes on since they seem to be unable to sustain the interest of the viewing audiences. In an effort to reverse this trend a new and innovative format was introduced which was developed to keep people from switching channels, which revolved round the concept of treating the show as an actual sporting event by recapping various group and event happenings. Combine this with the witty and perceptive commentary of the new team of Gina DiNardo and Todd Grisham and the result was a major winner for sure. Now then for those within the sport who felt deprived by not seeing the groups presented in the traditional manner let’s not forget what the intent of these shows must and should be. They are not a presentation to please the hardcore show-goer but an effort to both counter the animal rightists, who are so anti-breeder, and to interest the public in getting involved with the purebred dog and all dogs in activities sponsored by AKC. That being the case, there is no denying the fact that this show was an overwhelming success. For those interested in seeing actual footage of the show as originally recorded, go to the AKC web site where Eukanuba and AKC have recorded the show verbatim and watch it to your heart’s delight. In the meanwhile keep in mind there is the general public to reach and satisfy, too, and the Sunday production did just that!
WHAT A RACE
The closeness of the race for Number One All-Breeds was settled by fewer than 700 points as the Smooth Fox Terrier eventually prevailed over the Pekingese. For the second time in recent years the very last show circuit of the year, four days right into New Year’s Eve in Northern California, settled the issue. The Smooth and the Peke had swapped places in the rankings on several occasions during late November and into the shows in December but it took the last four shows to determine the final standings once again. There was a time not too long ago when the last shows of the year were the shows held ending on or about December 16 or 17. Adding these post-Christmas shows has changed the entire dynamics for those competing for top dog and has prolonged and aggravated a system imperfect with which to begin. With no other shows being held in competition with the post-Christmas events is it really equitable to require dogs to be flown nationwide in order to secure awards? Perhaps the
time has come for either a cut-off date for competition or a total expansion of shows throughout the country during this period in order to assure equal footing. From where these pages sit a cut-off date is the way to go, that’s for sure.
A 5TH AND 6TH GROUP PLACEMENT
The rationale of accepting the concept for 5th and 6th place group placements is hard to accept much less understand. Those pushing it on the Board level have asked the Delegates to vote on expanding these placements as well as to add a Reserve Best in Show to our system. Whether these are misdirected priorities on the part of the Board majority (as Directors Garvin, Haines and Marden voted against the ideas with Director Goodman abstaining on the Reserve move) and the Delegates, who need a two-third majority to pass these Rule changes, will agree or disagree remains to be seen. But what is apparent is that given the opportunity to take a firm stand on a health issue--the LUA Dalmatian scene or to expand the show scene, this Board took the easy way out. It went so far as to establish special 4 to 6 month classes for puppies at regular dog shows which are to be treated as so-called special events. Say what you want about The Kennel Club in the UK over-regulating in the health care areas at least on the surface the concern for the health and welfare of the dog is their primary goal. Whether they have gone too far or are merely reacting to public criticism are fair questions to raise. But at least they are taking or look to be taking steps to correct inherent problems dealing with bettering the lives of the dog rather than instituting meaningless changes to show situations in order to gratify a small but vocal element within the show world. Let’s hope that when vote time comes the Delegates will turn down these proposals but one would not bet the farm on it--would one.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
With the overall rise in event participation to the record 3 million plus, one must wonder in amazement just how long the Delegates will keep the Agility Clubs from becoming member clubs. Don’t forget the 9% growth in Agility entries made up the bulk of these increases. Yet Agility itself, probably the fastest growing division within our competitive world, has no representation whatsoever within the Delegate Body. That there are more non-member than member clubs speaks volumes for how restricted actual representation is within the Delegate Body itself. Note the recent Board Minutes which froze new member club membership with which to begin. But how can one explain or swallow the fact that there can not be member Agility Clubs in AKC? Just how representative is AKC’s so-called governmental representatives? The time to restructure the entire Delegate Body and running of AKC is long past. If Agility were to secede from AKC altogether just think where that would leave AKC. Just as little thought was given or rejected by the Board and Delegates insofar as what would happen to registrations with the disappearance of the commercial breeder so AKC is letting itself in for a major fall without giving Agility the recognition it has earned and deserves.
Editorial JANUARY 28, 2011
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ENDORSING CANDIDATES
Out
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t’s no surprise we all make assumptions which on closer examination or from someone else’s perspective turn out to be altogether different, if not flat out wrong. Take candidates for AKC’s Board. Actually first take the Questionnaire DOG NEWS asks all Board candidates to answer with the obvious purpose of providing insights on the candidates generally and specifically where they stand on the important issues of the day. Throughout this century I’ve worked on DOG NEWS’ annual Director Candidates’ Questionnaire which appears in the Westminster issue. The questions are initially drafted by me, carefully reviewed by Matt and then we finalize. I contact the candidates asking them to participate, send them the Questionnaire, and provide appropriate support. By way of thanks to all delegates who have run for the Board over the 13 times I have worked on the Questionnaire: All candidates have been as cooperative as could possibly be hoped for. They have all taken the Questionnaire seriously; they have impressively applied themselves to answering the questions. This has been every bit as true for candidates whose reelection seemed routine. Collectively the quality of candidates’ answers has been good. I recall responses I thought were too lengthy and answers to specific questions I thought were off point. Over the years there have been considerably more responses to Questionnaires I thought
BY JOHN MANDEVILLE 14 Dog News
were impressive compared to the relatively few I found to be below par. When you write questions, it’s inevitable you have a notion of what you think responses should contain and specifically what would make good answers. Even Questionnaire responses I thought needed improvement invariably had answers that struck positive notes with me. At times candidates have all answered a question very much alike, strikingly so on occasion. To me that’s the fault of the question, which is to say me. As primary author I did not do a good enough job with the question. That or the question’s subject is so commonly seen in the same way by knowledgeable fanciers that it didn’t need to be asked. Of all the responses from all the candidates over the years there has been one set of responses that amazed me. I would not have answered my own questions as well as that candidate did – and that was for the entire Questionnaire. Those responses were one of the most impressive things I have ever encountered in or out of dogs. No kidding. Which brings us back to the assumptions we make that on closer examination or from someone else’s perspective don’t hold up – especially for today’s outing concerning candidates for AKC’s Board. As the years pass I have gone from “knowing” all Board candidates to knowing most and recognizing all of them to not even kidding myself I would come close to recognizing all of them. That’s only to be expected with the large Delegate turnover each year combined with it being 13 years since I attended a Delegates meeting. An assumption I was mistakenly making was that seated Delegates who have regularly attended meetings would “know” the candidates – let’s define that as recognize all and feel comfortable using their first names when talking to most of them. It turns out that may be less so or strikingly less so than I assumed based on a number of Delegates I have spoken to about the upcoming election. Several Delegates I consider conscientious about deciding on the director candidates they vote for told me there is “more than one” of the candidates they don’t know. They all quickly said that did not mean they wouldn’t vote for them, adding in so many words “new and unknown” could be just what’s needed. My sources all felt the impressions candidates make in their speeches and the question and answer session are important. Not one of the people I spoke to brought up that it would be an important consideration in their deciding who to vote for if a Delegate friend or someone they respected were to recommend a candidate to them. When I asked if another Delegate were to specifically recommend a candidate, they all said it was possible or even likely that would figure in their decisions; no one offered that scenario on their own, without being asked. Not one of the Delegates I asked had ever had the club they represent tell them which director candidates to vote for; the sense was overwhelming their clubs think as Delegates they know best who to vote for and their clubs are satisfied with them making their own decisions. In every contested director election since the first in 1987, was it, I have had opinions about who should be elected – sometimes stronger than others. There have been more elections I thought one, or more, of the candidates should not be elected than I was pro a specific candidate. Over the years I’ve written this column I have never endorsed candidates. I’ve thought about it a few times and once came close. Perhaps that will end this year. So, is this the year to endorse director candidates?
{
“Over the years I’ve written this column I have never endorsed candidates. I’ve thought about it a few times and once came close. Perhaps that will end this year.”
}
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Canine Masters The William Secord Gallery is celebrating its twenty year anniversary at its current location at 52 East 76th Street with an exhibition and sale of 19th century dog paintings.
This comprehensive exhibition will present a selection of some of the premier masters of Victorian and early 20th century canine portraiture. The inaugural exhibition titled British Dog Painting 1840-1940, which was to become the title of William Secord’s first book, showcased the work of some of the masters of the genre and the latest exhibition sees the gallery more or less returning to its root with a selection of over twenty-five dog paintings by artists who have become household names whenever dog paintings are discussed. Along the way the gallery has staged themed exhibitions focusing on individual artists and showcased the work of some extremely talented contemporary artists introducing them to collectors worldwide. Canine Masters is timed to coincide with the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show where many of the breeds depicted will be seen. Some will be instantly recognisable with their earlier counterparts, others will have changed considerably. The paintings have been chosen to represent the range and diversity of 19th and early 20th century dog portraiture, and to showcase the many breeds characteristic of the period in Europe and America. Among the artists and breeds featured are Charles Boland (Bulldogs), John Emms (Clumber Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and a Dandie Dinmont Terrier), Herman Simon and Thomas Hinckley (Setters), Arthur Wardle (Wire Fox Terriers), Edwin Megargee (Smooth Fox Terrier), Lilian CONTINUED ON PAGE 70
NICK WATERS 18 Dog News
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Jenna... SHE DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION!
~ This lovely bitch from Japan made her presence felt immediately, finishing in just a handful of shows with specialty majors. ~Award of Merit at the Great Dane National in 2010 under Breeder Judge Mr. Eric Ringle. ~Appreciated by Breeder Judges, Working Dog Specialist, Breeders and fellow Handlers, The comment we often hear is
“This is what they are supposed to look like”! You will appreciate her Stunning Head and Eyes set off by beautiful planes, her neck in to shoulder assembly is one that books are written about and finally, she is effortless as she moves around the ring on a loose lead.
Don’t miss seeing Jenna at upcoming shows she’s the one that “stands alone” and shows herself! Breeders Genji Ozeki, Mai Ozeki and Hiroko Shoji Shimonosekishi Owners Kenichi Sumida Takasagoshi Presented by Valerie Nunes-Atkinson
20 Dog News
From Japan Multiple Best In Show winning,
Grand Champion, Int. Ch., Am. Ch. West Coast JP’s Jenna Shut Maida
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Question ofthe Week The Board has asked the Delegates to expand Group Awards to Placements for 5th and 6th as well as to permit Special Classes to be held for Puppies 4 to 6 months of age although no points may be awarded in those competitions. What is your reaction to these requests?
BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 22 Dog News
Celeste Gonzalez Having 4 - 6 month puppy classes is an excellent idea. Since match shows are way down and opportunity to expose puppies to those learning experiences has almost disappeared compared to years ago, this will give puppies those opportunities. I am in complete agreement that no points should be awarded to this age group, as the skeletal and muscular maturity is just not there at that age. A lot can happen between age 6 months and adulthood, including going out of weight range or size range for those breeds whose standards indicate such. I do believe that puppies should be fully vaccinated, immunecompetent, before going to show. Awarding group placements to the 5th and 6th place level, on the other hand, is not such a good idea. There are times when a judge wonders if the depth of quality in a particular group on a given day warrants the awarding of all four placements, never mind six! If a judge feels that there are sufficient dogs in a group to go beyond the four placements, by their very act of pulling out a final number of dogs (over four), the judge has indicated that those specimens were worthy of extra consideration. The proposition to go to six placements is an all or none one. If the depth of quality is slim, does one just award four placements, and if the depth of quality is strong, does one award six placements? When a variety group
consists of just six to eight dogs, and quality is slim, will the judge award only four placements when six is allowed? I think not. The four placements system is just fine as it is. Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki I am a bit ambivalent about this proposal. I personally see no real need for it and to me a fifth or sixth placing is not very meaningful. Especially at small shows where this very likely could be half the entry in a group. However if this is passed I have no problem doing it. It will not lengthen the time of judging significantly. John Ronald I am in favor of offering what has been termed the “Baby Puppy” classes at regular shows. They would be non-regular classes, so would be like a puppy match. This offers training and socialization for the puppies and gives breeders another reason to go the shows. This is a concept that has worked well in other countries, and I see no reason why it wouldn’t be a positive move for the sport here in the United States. It will be good for the exhibitors, produce additional revenue for the show-giving clubs and AKC, and give the youngsters (who are already at the shows being socialized) an opportunity to learn the ropes. Also, John Lyons, AKC’s Chief Operating Officer, recently reported to the Board that during
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Cody and Dusty Toy Show Group WIN
Group First Judge Mr. Malcolm Moore
GCh. Windemere’s Dusting Of White At Pevyne Owners: Joe and Carla Sanchez SOUTHPORT, EST. 1982
Co-Owners/Breeders Cody Koch and Joy Thoms
Handled by Breeder/Co-Owner Mr. Cody Koch
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AThoughtto Consider I
A Game of Strategies
n a Dog News offering appearing last autumn over my byline, I addressed the effectiveness of allowing our dogs to make a (wordless) statement on our behalf. More recently, and in a similar vein, my thoughts extended to those among us who feel the need to strategize for their dogs to win in the show ring. By this I don’t mean advertising in the dog press.There have always been ads reflecting good taste and the other kind. Anyone can advertise however they wish;all that is needed is the ability to pay for one’s message and the willingness to remain within the publisher’s parameters for propriety. Some of the gambits dog exhibitors take are nothing short of ingenious; others are openly laughable.Many have tried them at various times,with varying degrees of effectiveness.Usually they are harmless, but we might want to give some thought to their appropriateness especially when they threaten to undermine the real purpose of showing dogs. It is basic human nature for exhibitors to try upping their game in ways having nothing to do with the quality of their dogs. It is better, though, to have greatest faith in one’s dogs rather than in employing props to do what good dogs and good judging should be allowed to accomplish first. None of this is new, of course. Dog fanciers of a certain vintage will remember contemporaries who routinely accessorized to call judges’attention to their exhibits. One example was a gentleman who showed very fine Great Danes and always wore a deerstalker cap into the ring. He even used the cap as a logo in his kennel advertising and on his business cards. Did he need to do this? Probably not, but his “Sherlock-esque” presence became part of the physical and cultural landscape of the dog fancy.Ironically,what may have been this gentleman’s most significant winner was turned over to a handler in whose hands it achieved great things.To the best of my recollection,this handler always appeared in the ring hatless! Another individual who used costume to “brand” her effort had Miniature Schnauzers, and she generally won her share when she came out to play. She earned the moniker “the pink lady”, which was a reference to the color of her ensembles.How much her pink outfits did for her that her dogs could not is probably dubious. Notwithstanding she was, like the Dane guy, eminently recognizable in her local area for her threads. AKC Guidelines for judges caution those who wield the power of the ribbon to avoid outlandish costumes when performing in an official capacity. And while this same admonition does not equally extend to exhibitors, it would be wise for exhibitors to let their dogs, and not themselves, stand out. Just ask any successful junior showmanship competitor about the powerful gamesmanship of blending into the background. Intimidation is an unpleasant,uncomfortable gambit that judges and rivals are often subjected to when overly aggressive exhibitors don’t get the ribbons they thought their dogs deserved. Probably the best way to deal with “in your face” aggression is to be ready for it. If a judge is the target, he or she should know in advance that a challenge will probably be forthcoming from a defeated exhibitor and have a good reason for the decision. Nothing takes the wind out of a
bully’s sails like logic and the demonstrable ability to know what one is doing and why. There was a handler who routinely came after judges when a dog she was showing didn’t win. She demanded to know why the judge passed over her dog,but backed off immediately when the judge furnished good reasons and common sense. Sometimes judges are accosted at a time or in a place where they have only their own defensive devices to rely on. A field rep cannot be everywhere at all times.For judges it may be important to be aware of which bullies are in which schoolyards and to be ready to stand up for themselves if the need arises. Just as exhibitors study judges, many judges also make themselves aware of those whose dogs they will see on various points of the compass.Exhibitors are the judge’s customers and judges must be sensitive to their clientele – unless they’d rather not return to that particular marketplace. Sometimes a firebrand exhibitor may equate an accumulation of years with a pushover. Not for a moment – the graying of the judging community does not mean the softening of the judging community. Many an acerbic put down to a pushy loser has been successfully delivered from behind dentures! Of course, in our current culture older judges do not have a dubious exclusive on being targets.The judges’ ranks have been swelling for some time and the newer people often undergo “testing” by those who want to know how much they can get away with. What is most regrettable about the “bully” gambit is that it sets up good dogs to be deprived of wins they might deserve if someone who decided they know better didn’t get in the way. It can be very difficult for judges to set aside the ill-advised actions of a person in order to reward the honest merit of a deserving dog. And sometimes it takes an uncommon amount of personal courage to stand up to the pressure that is sometimes directed at judges who are trying their best to judge to the top level of their ability. I have mentioned this before, but the example seems appropriate to this topic. When the AKC mounted its unforgettable Centennial show in 1984 one affluent,enterprising exhibitor arranged for a large,flat bed semi bearing a large billboard that was a giant copy of the familiar logo used to promote his heavily campaigned dog.The truck cruised the streets around the Civic Center for an extended period for all to see. Who knows, some judge who the owner of the dog was trying to impress could have gotten run over! But then the judge might have been annoyed enough to run over the exhibitor’s chances. Seriously though, extreme attempts to influence judges have no place in the dog sport. Happily, it doesn’t normally get nearly this bizarre.And the person who mounted this scenario has long since left the dog sport. All the foregoing having been said, employing effective strategies to get into the winners’ circle may challenge one’s gamesmanship but in the final analysis what we should all use to catch judges’ attention is the collective worth of the dogs we bring (or send) into the ring.That effort is the enduring one that will keep sincere breeders producing fine dogs, keep knowledgeable exhibitors and handlers showing good dogs and selfrespecting judges rewarding the dogs they honestly feel are the best before them. Thank you for reading.
BY SEYMOUR WEISS 26 Dog News
For the Record Not yet Three years old, and . . . 2009
A
National Specialty Winner at 10 months old • 2010 Number 11 Dog All Breeds* • Number Two Toy** • Number One Shih Tzu*** • Winner of 17 Bests In Show • Winner of 88 Group Firsts • Westminster Best of Breed, and Group Third • ASTC Regional National Specialty • 2011
AUSTIN
Multiple Best In Show Winning
GCh. Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers
Already Winner of Five Group Firsts
BEST IN SHOW l Our appreciation to Judge Mr. Joe Gregory
Owned By Joe & Roberta Walton *CC System
**The Dog News Top Ten List ***All Systems
Bred and Handled By Luke & Diane Ehricht Dog News 27
28 Dog News
WHY ALL THE FUSS ABOUT PROMOTING MIXED-BRED DOGS?
(While The Purebred Dog Has Always Set The Standard In The Most Prestigious Dog Registries, Such As The AKC, The Mixed-Bred Dog Should Not Be Overlooked, With Respect To Certain Dog Events.)
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he January 7, 2011, Dog News editorial comment, under the heading of “Entering 2011”, addressed a position on the mixed-bred dog. This brief comment prompted me to put on my thinking cap. The comment, in my opinion, was “right on”. If we moved out of the “political correct” pew into the “amen corner” of concern for the welfare, health and security of all dogs, would this not put a cog in the wheels of the various so-called nonprofit facetious groups promoting their dog mind-set? After all, one need only trace the dog linage, to its inception, to realize all current dog breeds evolved from a number of combinations, based on the particular need of type and function. For example, a study published in a 2004 issue of “Science” identifies the
BY CHARLES C. ROBEY 30 Dog News
Saluki as one of the earliest breeds to diverge from wolves. Salukis were known as the royal dogs of Egypt, and their bodies were often found mummified next to the Pharaohs themselves. A Saluki born with a patch of white on its forehead was thought to have the “Kiss of Allah” and was regarded as something special. So, why not move with the times and allow certain mixedbreed dogs to have fun, by performing in the registries’ various agility and obedience performance events? These events would keep the dogs fit-both physically and mentally-through the exciting world of dog sports. Moreover, these type activities would also be fun for both the dog and owner. Of course, the mixed-bred dog will never take the place of the purebred dog. However, they do in fact make very good pets and definitely have a place in the dog world. Wouldn’t it be good if dog registries like AKC were to rival the so-called special interest dog rescue organizations by suggesting that the various kennel clubs support the mixed-bred dogs by promoting a campaign to place the shelter dogs in responsible homes, along with sponsoring the dogs in a special competition field, promoted by the registry? And, would not the mere published fact that registries like the AKC are now making a place for the mixed-bred dogs in the various prestigious dog events tend to cut back on the shelter dogs that just sit around waiting to go to “dog heaven”. Thus, putting teeth to the registry mission statements such as, “...advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership”.(AKC Mission Statement) You see, according to the Internet stats, more than one-quarter of dogs die in shelters. In the future, mixed-bred dogs could possibly be recognized within the best of registries, under certain circumstances. I recently read where one well known dog registry is recognizing a new breed, the name of which I cannot pronounce. What’s the difference in this new breed over the “Parsons Jack Russell”Terrier. Didn’t a fellow named Parsons develop this particular breed?
S
ubsequently, why not create a dual registry category? The Registration Certificates could document the purebred dogs as “verified”, while the mixed-bred dogs would be listed as “unverified”. A reduced registration fee could also given the unverified dogs, where as the normal fee would continue to be required for the purebred dogs. Then the mixed-bred dogs could justifiably compete in such functions as agility, obedience and even special dog shows. Promoting the mixed-bred dogs would let these lovable creatures show off, as well as the purebred dogs. Just a suggestion, as I don’t foresee this taking place, in the near future. One of the editorial’s concluding remarks stated” Indeed frequently your contrary opinions cause us to rethink our own set of values and isn’t that after all what American society is all about? The ability to agree and disagree and to compromise intelligently and civilly with each other.” ‘Nuff said, Amen. Author’s editorial. When it comes to the mutual love of your pet, what are the measurable differences in the labels of “purebred dog “, “designer dog” and “mixed-bred dog”? A thought to ponder.
Owner: Jerry Kerr
Handled from the Heart by Linda Cain www.fromtheheartkennel.com
www.segs4vets.org Please support our wounded warriors who have fought for our freedom, as freedom isn’t Free. Dog News 31
32 Dog News
Dog News 33
BESTS of the WEEK
Carroll Kennel Club - Friday Bearded Collie GCh. Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins Judge Col. Jerry H. Weiss USMC (Ret) Owners Mrs. Ellen M. Charles, Larry & Angela Stein, Robert Lamm, Lesley Woodcock & Susan Ross Handler Clifford Steele Tampa Bay Kennel Club Irish Terrier GCh. Fleet St Fenway Fan Judge Mr. Charles L. Olvis Owner Anthony Barker & Victor Malzoni, Jr. Handler RC Carusi Tualatin Kennel Club II Pharaoh Hound Ch. Northgate’s As You Like It Judge Mrs. Karen C. Wilson Owners Jennifer Mosing, Jenny Hall & Annica Lundqvist Handler Brian Livingston Ft. Bend Kennel Club II Bichon Frise GCh. Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy Judge Mr. Joseph Gregory Owners B. Weidner, L. Darman, K. Griffin, C. Ruggles Handler Scott Sommer
Livonia Kennel Club - Friday Oakland County Kennel Club - Sunday 15” Beagle GCh. Torquay Midnight Confession Judge Mr. Kent H. Delaney Judge Dr. Carol White-Moser Owners Mr. & Mrs. Marco Flavio Botelho Handler Marcelo Chagas Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon - Friday Icelandic Sheepdog Ch. Eyjahunda Thorarinn Judge Mr. Robert Hutton Owners Donna McDermott & Terry Warnock Handler Tammie Wilcox
Livonia Kennel Club - Thursday Irish Terrier GCh. Sugarbush’s American Girl Judge Mrs. Barbara D. Alderman Owners Thomas R. and Diana Miller Handler Alison B. Sunderman Central Iowa Kennel Club Bouvier des Flandres Ch. Frontier’s License To Carry At Margeaux Judge Mrs. Marjorie J. Underwood Owners Priscilla Martin, Sandi Lyon and Lee Calhoun Handler Doug Carlson Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Massachusetts Cavalier King Charles Spaniel GCh. Miletree Northern Star Judge Mr. Jerry Watson Owners Dr. Bruce and Shirly Henry Handler Clint Livingston
Ft Bend Kennel Club - Saturday Mastiff Ch. Lazy D’s Bonnie Blu Judge Mr. Charles Trotter Owners Nancy Walker & Colette Livingston Handler Colette Livingston
Carroll Kennel Club II Maltese Ch. TaJons Just Bee-Ing Silly Judge Mr. Lawrence Stanbridge Owners Tim Lehman and Tammy Simon Handler Tim Lehman
Clearwater Kennel Club Pasco Florida Kennel Club Black Cocker Spaniel GCh. Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction Judge Mrs. Sari Brewster Tietjen Judge Mr. Jeffrey G. Pepper Owners Bruce Van Deman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, Linda Moore Handler Michael Pitts
Channel City Kennel Club - Thursday Bichon Frise Ch. Parays Power And Privilege Judge Mr. William Bergum Owners Laura Rosio, Martin Winston, MD and Paul Flores Handler Paul Flores
Tacoma Kennel Club Affenpinscher GCh. Tamarin Top Banana Judge Mr. Darryl Vice Owner Myrna Kahlo Handler Jorge Olivera
Simi Valley Kennel Club - Friday Pembroke Welsh Corgi Ch. Segni At Coventry Judge Mrs. Marcia Feld Owners Alexandra Geremia & Bill Shelton Handler Jennifer Wornall
JANUARY 28, 2011 34 Dog News
To report an AKC All Breed Best In Show or National Specialty Win Call, Fax or Email before 12:00 Noon Tuesday Fax: 212 675-5994 • Phone: 212 462-9588 • Email: Dognews@harris-pub.com
Dog News 35
36 Dog News
Dog News 37
10 QUESTIONS ASKED BY LESLIE BOYES OF:
Jane & Bob
Forsyth Born: Jane- Cambridge, Massachusetts Bob- Brookville, New York Resides: Pinehurst, North Carolina Marital Status: Married 43 years
38 Dog News
What year did you start showing dogs and what breeds were they?
Jane: 1938 Airedale. Bob: 1931 Dachshund
Which dog no longer being shown would you liked to have shown or owned?
Jane: Kippax Fearnought (Bulldog). Bob: Rancho Dobe’s Storm (Doberman).
Why do you think most people want to judge?
Jane: Some wish to pass on knowledge they have gained over many years of experience. Unfortunately many others believe they are more knowledgeable than they are. Why they wish to judge is beyond me. Bob: I agree. Guess for the latter they just wish to prove to everyone how little they do know.
Who are your non-dog heros or heroines exclusive of immediate relatives?
Jane: Michelle Wie. Bob: Matt Stander.
If you could change one thing about your relationship what would it be?
Jane: Nothing. Bob: Less dish washing.
How would you describe yourselves in personal ads?
Jane: Golf enthusiast, easy going. Bob: Laid back (now).
Do you think there are too many dog shows?
Jane: Definitely. Bob: No doubt about it.
Which are your three favorite dog shows?
Jane: The Invitational, M&E and Montgomery. Bob: Those and Moore County of NC.
Do you think there should be a limit on the number of times a dog may be exhibited in a year?
Jane: No. Bob: No but I guess it’s up to the owner and/or handler.
How do you react to people flying in and out of shows on the same weekend?
Jane: Hate it. Bob: It blows my mind. Hold a blind draw at the show, if no one knew who was to do groups or best it would come to a halt.
Dog News 39
TheTotalPackageLookstheSameatThe
LUCY Top USA Female 2010
Multiple Group Winner Consistent Group Placer Best of Breed Westminster Kennel Club In 2010 shown about one weekend a month Ended up Number Two Black Russian Terrier* in Group Points just 172 points behind Number One Black Russian Terrier Not bad for a Moscovite who loves living in America!!!!
AKC GRAND CHAMPION KAMILA AT ARISTES’S NADEZHDONOI POLJANY
VINOVNITSA Top Russian Female 2010
Best of Breed Euro Dog Show, Slovenia September, 2010 (entry 100+) Best of Breed National Specialty, Moscow December, 2010 (entry 200+)
RUSSIAN CHAMPION VINOVNOTSA TORZHESTUA’S ZOLOTOGO GRADA
LOOK FOR LUCY AND SUSIE AT UPCOMING SHOWS!
40 Dog News
Top-WhetherintheUSAorRUSSIA
LUCY Primarily Owner Handled by Sarah Gaunt Professionally Handled on Rare Occasions by Susie Olivera
AKC GRAND CHAMPION KAMILA AT ARISTES’S NADEZHDONOI POLJANY
ARBAT (LUCY’s SIRE)
Best of Breed at Crufts Best of Breed World Show Best of Breed Eurasia (Russian Westminster) Five Best In Shows, Russia, Eastern Europe Top Producer
RUSSIAN CHAMPION ARBAT BAHRAI
YOU CAN’T MISS ‘EM!!!
Dog News 41
Dual Purpose Judges
B
ritish dog authority, Edward C. Ash, wrote “THE GREYHOUND, Coursing, Racing and Showing” in 1935. In this book he tells how dog show judges went from men who were knowledgeable about field events to a different type of judge, the all-around judge, and the effect that had on the Greyhounds being shown. While he is using Greyhounds as an example here, his account could just as easily been written about sporting, hound, herding, or working dogs. Mr. Ash writes: “In the nineteenth century the Forest Laws were quite dead, and in Great Britain, coursing developed quickly into a most important pastime. Clubs and associations of coursers were now rapidly formed in every part of the country. By the twentieth century, whilst the coursing clubs were no longer so numerous (in many areas the hare had been exterminated), the sport was taken very much more seriously by its supporters, who would travel all over the country, even over to Ireland, to run their dogs. It is not surprising, therefore, that when, later in the twentieth century, dog-showing started, the owners of Greyhounds were not much interested in it. A few, however, saw an opportunity of further honours for a favorite dog, whilst others felt it necessary to support the classes, so that the public might learn that mastiffs, Newfoundlands and St. Bernard dogs, were not the only breeds that counted. But few, at that time, kept Greyhounds unless they went in for coursing, and so it followed that the dogs first exhibited were dogs that were worked in the fields. The judge was chosen, as a matter of course, for a Greyhound class as one who had bred and run Greyhounds and had the confidence of coursing men. He consequently made his awards according to working
type. Even the well-fleshed dog was, in his eyes, not to be recommended, because it showed that it had not recently worked in the field. But this satisfactory way of judging, according to the views of coursing men, was not to last. For committees in charge of shows, to economize possibly (exhibitions in those days were indifferently patronized), no longer arranged for a specialist judge, but often chose an “all-rounder” who judged three, four, or more breeds at one inclusive fee.The judge was therefore not likely to be a coursing expert, and he relied, often, solely on good looks in order to make his awards. A working Greyhound was not likely to look so attractive as the dog carefully fed and rested for the show. So the working Greyhounds no longer won the prizes. We can fully sympathize with the owners of important kennels who, on this occurring, waxed wrath at the abominations known as judges, who gave the highest honours to dogs that they would not have in their kennels. Naturally they did not feel inclined to show a dog again after one such experience, with the risk (it might better be called a certainty), of having their noted coursing dog, the winner of great prestige in the field, beaten by a dog of no working importance. Still more annoying was it to find that the pedigrees of the winning dogs were as unimportant, and often as unreliable, as their coursing qualities. But at first, coursing men acted as judges, and the early shows found the Greyhound classes tolerably well filled. Although Greyhound showing had started off indifferently, it began to interest leading owners of coursing kennels, and it well might have become a part of the routine of such kennels to send a dog to the show bench if the way prizes were awarded had not given offence. By the time of the first Richmond Dog Show in the summer of 1895, few coursing dogs were being exhibited.
I
ndeed, if a coursing kennel decided to show a Greyhound it was necessary not to use the dog for coursing, but to set it aside for exhibition only. But not very many would do this, for the owner of a coursing kennel was not greatly interested in the prizes offered at a dog show (his pleasure was naturally to beat other coursing kennels), and if a dog was any use, he would course with it; if not, he would sell it. There would have been no Greyhounds shown at all if it had not been that by this time a number of gentlemen made either a business or a hobby of showing Greyhounds. Some kept a mixed kennel, a dog or two of several breeds, all kept ready for winning prizes and sent from show to show.The Greyhounds would go into the Greyhound class, if there was one, or into a mixed class or Other Variety classes, if no class had been arranged for the breed. As classes were seldom well filled, and as a Greyhound appealed more to the average judge than a poodle, pom, or Yorkshire terrier (the inhabitants of the cages in a A.O.V. Class), showing Greyhounds became an easy way to success. And so it came about that the breed divided into two
CONTINUED ON PAGE 74
BY PATRICIA GAIL BURNHAM 42 Dog News
*All Systems
Dog News 43
With much appreciation for a great start to the New Year! 1/17/2011
Group One
1/16/2011
Group Two
1/15/2011
Group Two
1/14/2011
Group Four
Judge Mr. Robert Caswell Merrimack Valley Kennel Club
Judge Ms. Laurie King Telfair Merrimack Valley Kennel Club Judge Mrs. Patricia Mowbray-Morgan Greater Lowell Kennel Club
Judge Dr. Thomas M. Davies Greater Lowell Kennel Club Bred , Owned and Always Presented by
Steve and Alice Lawrence
The Fuzzy Farm Best In Show Cords Since 1972 44 Dog News
Dog News 45
Embrace the Obvious
JERRY SPEAKS
J
ohn Mandeville recently (Dog News Dec. 17) pointed out that the American Kennel Club’s registrations are down with little likelihood of a significant upswing. John, one of the sport’s most informed and insightful participants, also suggested that the A.K.C. will become the registry of a relatively few aficionados that breed for and participate in their sanctioned events. This certainly seems to be the direction headed. This, as many believe, being the future what would and should be a logical policy? Excellent question worthy of an equally excellent answer! The logical policy is neither simple nor painless. It is the very same painful policy that other businesses are implementing in their effort to survive and prosper. Does the term downsizing ring a bell? Downsizing is always hard, painful and often seems unfair but sadly very necessary. With the Internet, better hardware, better software and the advancements in record keeping technology real live human beings are playing a far
BY GERALD SCHWARTZ 46 Dog News
less critical role in today’s world. Not all that long ago large organization needed dozens of phone operators to conduct their business. What required dozens are now replaced by a recording directing the callers to “say or press 1 for new orders, say or press 2 for exchanges, say or press 3 for complaints, say or press 4 to return to main menu.” It seems with today’s advanced technologies those real live people are becoming as endangered a species as the Spotted Owl. The American Kennel Club’s decision to relocate much of its operation to Raleigh was an unfortunate error of timing! At that time Internet technology was in its infancy, the economy appeared healthy, registration was of little concern and the sunny south was beckoning. New York was a prestigious address, old, cold, expensive and worth maintaining. So the powers that be, after due consideration, chose to support both as dual organizational headquarters. This unfortunate choice was made just as record keeping technology was replacing the need for bigger and more for the smaller and less. A.K.C. opted for the bigger and more. It has now become apparent that there is no earthly reason for the unnecessary expense of dual headquarters. They should be consolidated as soon as practically feasible! It is time to recognize and deal with John Mandeville’s assessment that the influence of the A.K.C. will soon be limited to those who breed and own pure bred dogs that compete in A.K.C. sponsored events. Some (me) would suggest a better strategy than lowering their standards by recognizing new breeds, new registries, questionable commercial breeders and the endorsing of a multitude of somewhat related (Pee Pee Pads) products, it would be a better policy for the American Kennel Club to be known for their few selected prime steaks rather than their many, many hamburgers. I’ll take steak every time! That excellent answer promised at the start of these ramblings is the following, “embrace the obvious!” This embracing of what has become the obvious may very well be the saving grace of our sport! A final note, the importance and contribution of the A.K.C. Field Representatives can not be stressed enough! They are a vital element of the sport and should, no must, be kept intact. They act as the bridge connecting exhibitors, show giving clubs, superintendents and judges to the home offices. If the truth be known they are as important to the smooth operation of an event as any players involved. Reps are the policemen, counselors, arbitrators, physiologists and general good guys and gals all rolled up into one. Their coverage at events should not be on the “chopping block”. Though often taken for granted their participation is a key element in any and all events!
{
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“With the Internet, better hardware, better software and the advancements in record keeping technology real live human beings are playing a far less critical role in today’s world.”
” y w e “Ch
Judge Mr. Robert Hutton
Multiple Best In Show Winning
Ch. Talydales Friend Of The Force Breeder/Owner Sheri Smith
Handlers Michael & Michele Kemp 724 448-4104 mkemp629@yahoo.com Dog News 47
Multiple Group, Best In Show and Specialty Winning
Ch. Winfall I Dream Of Style
Group First Judge Mr. Richard Lashbrook Owners Keith & Cheryl Robbins George & Barbara Adkins Tina Porter Lee Stanton Jorge Pinson 48 Dog News
Breeders Tina Porter Lee Stanton
Handler Michael Shepherd Assisted By Dottie James
“Macey” Style... It’s Not Just A Fashion Statement, It’s A Way Of Life
Group First Judge Mrs. Terry Berrios Dog News 49
Rare Breeds OF THE WORLD The Mucuchies of Venezuela
T
he late Richard Guevara was one of my good friends. His premature departure was a great loss to the American, Venezuelan and to the international dog community as well. While the shocking sense of loss was felt by us for a long time, we must remember that Richard led a short but rich life, and will always be remembered by all of us as a dear friend, a respected colleague, and a dedicated judge. Every time I hear something about Venezuela, it’s Richard who comes in my mind in the first place. I doubt that he would ever recognize the Venezuela of today as the same country where he was born. I don’t really want to go there, because it is sad to learn what is going on in Venezuela so lets talk about the one and only native dog of the country: the Mucuchies. Venezuela declared its independence from Spain on July 5th, 1811. Simón Bolívar, the founding father of the country, was born in Caracas, and promised that he would not allow his arm to rest nor his soul to die until he had realized his dream of liberating the South American world from Spanish dominion. He is
veneered also in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (named after Simon Bolivar). He placed his life entirely at liberating and organizing the civil life of many nations, which today view him as their “Liberator”. His mortal remains were sent to Venezuela with great pomp in 1942; now he rests in the National Pantheon in Caracas.The Venezuelan currency, the Bolivar, is one of the many homages paid to this great man. Venezuela is situated between Columbia and Guyana. Some remarkable topographical features of Venezuela are the Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in the northwest central plains which are called the llanos, and the Guiana Highlands in the Southeast. Venezuela is the world’s fifth largest oil producer, but is facing an electricity shortage because of the low water table. Caracas is the cultural focal point of this once vibrant country. The museum of modern art of the city holds some amazing art pieces, and annually hosts an International Theater Festival which attracts talent from all over the planet. The beautiful beaches are about 30 minutes away from Caracas. Mucuchíes, founded in 1596, is located in the Andes ( mucu—meaning “place in the indigenous language, and “mucu-chies” means “Place of Cold.”). The city has a beautiful landscape, with barren hillCONTINUED ON PAGE 80
BY AGNES BUCHWALD 50 Dog News
*The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed
Dog News 51
Flash Best of Breed Kennel Club of Palm Springs Judge Mrs. Judy Webb
The Group and Best In Show Winning
CARSON H
52 Dog News
Dog News 53
TheGood,TheBad, andTheUgly
ABC’ Coverage of the AKC/ ABC’s Eukanuba National Championship
L
et me begin by saying that I am probably in the minority. I really enjoyed ABC’s coverage of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. During a break in the show I posted how much I was enjoying it on my Facebook page and I was immediately slammed by someone telling me that they hated it. Since then I’ve read plenty of messages on showdog e-mail lists discussing the merits of the program (or lack thereof). There seem to be lots of incensed dog show people out there who absolutely despised this presentation. On the other hand, I asked a friend of mine about the show, someone whose opinion I value, and she also liked it. So, I thought it might be useful to go over the show to find out why people have such polarized opinions about it.
TheGood
Here’s my take on ABC’s coverage. I believe that anytime you have two hours of positive programming about purebred dogs, the AKC, and dog shows on a major network, it’s a good thing. We saw happy, well-loved, obviously well-cared for dogs being kissed and hugged by people who are devoted to them. We saw a wonderful two-hour advertisement telling people THIS is why you should get a purebred dog. These are the kinds of beautiful, loving dogs you can get from AKC breeders. There were intelligent messages to do your research before getting a dog. We were not inundated with messages about sad shelter dogs who need a home more than purposely-bred dogs. Breeders were highlighted. Junior handlers were highlighted. ACE dogs were highlighted. Even Meet The Breeds was highlighted. From the perspective of someone who loves purebred dogs and wants to see them celebrated, this was a great show. I also enjoyed the announcers. Gina DiNardo knows dogs backwards and forwards and she looked lovely. And, although some have criticized Todd Grisham for trying to be too “cutesy,” I thought he was funny, and he didn’t try to sound like he knew more than he did. We have been spoiled by having the very knowledgeable David Frei on-air for so many years. We can’t have him for every show, on every network. There’s no reason why we have to have the same commentators for every dog show broadcast. Lighten up, people! In addition, the show added a great new feature, showing proper angulation drawings on some breeds, and trying to illustrate what kind of structure a breed should have. Well done! This is very educational, not just for the general public but for dog people as well.
BY CARLOTTA COOPER 54 Dog News
TheBad
Yes, there was some bad. Two hours wasn’t enough time to cover everything that goes on at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Agility and Obedience were not given their due. In trying to cover the Breeders’ Stakes, the World competition (which is already confusing since the criteria about which dogs come to the U.S. is questionable), and other parts of the judging, the coverage became confusing. I doubt that the average dog owner watching the show had much idea of what on earth was going on, or how it related to the main judging. Plus, the time devoted to these segments cut into showing the group judging. That meant that many breeds were not shown being judged. The judging itself that was shown in the groups whizzed by. If you tuned in to just to see your breed being judged, you may have missed it entirely. Some people were also upset by the fact that the show was scheduled opposite the football playoffs. They felt, rightly of course, that more people would watch the program without this kind of conflict. However, isn’t that why ABC placed the program in this spot? To try to draw fans from the football games? If you’re in ABC’s position, that’s exactly when you want to air it. I believe it’s called “counter programming.” And, or course, some people want the program to be aired live, though that seems like reaching to me. One person complained because there were so many Eukanuba dog food commercials, but what do you expect? They’re the sponsor! Eukanuba is a very generous sponsor of dog shows. A few commercials are a small price to pay.
TheUgly
Okay, it has to be said that cutting back and forth between two groups at one time was an absolutely stupid idea. Not only is it confusing to showdog people, who are accustomed to watching one group at a time being judged, but it is simply confusing to anyone trying to watch the show in any semblance of order. It makes no sense. Was the idea to keep the interest of someone who doesn’t like Hounds and wants to see the next group? That still seems questionable. Surely someone can sit through a group or two until they get to a group they really care about. I think that most dog lovers can stand to watch a group of dogs being judged until they get to their group. Even if you lose a few viewers, if you switch back and forth between groups, you risk ticking off the rest of your viewers as the show did this time. It was an idiotic idea and one that I hope they drop in the future. The other “ugly” that someone mentioned, though I didn’t particularly notice, was the absence of grandeur and elegance on the broadcast. I do concede that they may have a point. This is the big show. This is AKC’s dog show. Shouldn’t there be a bigger build up? Shouldn’t there be more glamour and excitement at the show and on TV? It shouldn’t just be another dog show. Yes, the judges were in black tie and evening gowns, but I suppose there was a lack of “wow” about the big ending. Maybe AKC and Eukanuba should think about punching things up for the ending in the future. At any rate, that’s my take on things. Overall, I think it was a great show. I really enjoyed it. From the perspective of celebrating purebred dogs, I think it was a great success. I do think that there are some things that can be improved in the future, but that’s always the case. I hope that ABC will be broadcasting the show for a long time to come. We, as purebred dog breeders, as people who show dogs, and the AKC, need this kind of national presence.
MarineColonelCaptures RussianWeapon
#1 * Black Russian Ter rier Thank you Judge Col. Jerry H. W Weiss i (USMC)(R (USMC)(Ret) t) for bestowing the honor of your FIRST group placement to OUR Black Russian Terrier
Best In Show Winning
GCh. Petr Pervy Iz Russkoi Dinastii Bred in Russia by Marina Simonova
Presented by David Rich *All Systems, 2010
Owners Laura Jordan Sean Jordan Dog News 55
56 Dog News
BEST IN SHOW CH. VOGELFLIGHT’S “HONOR” TO PILLOWTALK
Dog News 57
Off The Leash
P
resident Obama delivered a State of the Union address this week, calling for compromise and bipartisanship and it’s as good a time as any for dog owners to check out the State of Dog Ownership in America. Whether or not compromise can be met on many legislative issues remains to be seen but there surely is no shortage of laws, proposals and ordinances being bandied about that could affect how - and if - we own, breed and care for our dogs. As the 2011 show schedule gets into full swing and fanciers gear up for the rapidly approaching Westminster Kennel Club (can it really be only little more than two weeks away?), this time of year can be particularly troubling on the legislative front, as fanciers are understandably preoccupied making preparations for these events. But all dog owners and breeders must make a concerted effort to remain tuned in to the goings-on at the local, state and federal level, lest the right to own, breed and show dogs be wrested away from us. In Michigan, the Saginaw City Council is considering a proposal that would declare ten dog breeds as “dangerous” and limit all dog ownership to three dogs per household. An official draft is not yet available but the AKC reports that it’s widely believed that Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows, Presa Canarios, “Huskies” and “Pit Bulls” will be declared dangerous. Owners of these breeds would be required to pay a $50 registration fee and would have to place a warning sign on their property. In addition, owners would have to muzzle these dogs when in public places. Where to begin with this one? The idea of condemning even one breed of dog based upon its reputation is preposterous, as is any knee-jerk reaction to the actions of one. In the wrong hands or under the supervision of an irresponsible owner, any dog can be dangerous. But really, now, all ten of these breeds, some of which have been bred for thousands of years and worked in conjunction with man in all forms of field, farm, protection, detection and security work are “dangerous”? Perhaps the Saginaw City Council needs to watch the film “Balto” (which is based on a true story) or look around the airports, train stations, bus depots, police stations and farms across the country and see some of the breeds of dogs that have been bred for thousands of years for form and function and are the very same breeds that we entrust the safety of our citizens. Ironically, these highly intelligent, fiercely loyal dogs are trained to protect us from dangerous people. Dog owners everywhere need to unite to protect us from dangerous, misguided proposals such as this one. Owners of these ten breeds, as well as the usual ‘bully’ breeds and mixes, will understandably be up in arms about such a proposal, while owners of all dogs, regardless of breed, will be equally riled up by the proposal that would limit the number of dogs – regardless of breed – to three. While fanciers are surely familiar with the old adage ‘size doesn’t matter’, when it comes to dogs it
BY SHAUN COEN 58 Dog News
certainly does. Not all living quarters and arrangements can accommodate dogs of all sizes. However, if a responsible dog owner has a spacious home with acres of property and can properly and safely exercise and socialize dogs without bothering neighbors, what need is there to limit the number of dogs one can own? Conversely, if an irresponsible owner has but one dog – regardless of breed – that it treats cruelly or fails to properly feed, exercise, socialize or care for, then that owner shouldn’t be allowed to own any dogs. Such an ordinance begs the ‘quantity vs. quality’ question. Cruelty is cruelty but numbers do not necessarily beget cruelty. All responsible dog owners and breeders are encouraged to contact the Saginaw City Council and its Mayor to voice opposition to consideration of such a proposal. Fanciers in the Cornhusker state also must be wondering what’s in the water. Legislative Bill 427 seeks to further regulate “commercial dog breeders” in Nebraska. Current Nebraska law defines a commercial breeder as anyone who owns or harbors four or more intact dogs or cats, who sells at least 31 dogs and cats per year, whose dogs/cats produce four or more litters per year, or who knowingly sells or leases dogs/cats for later retail sale or brokered trade. While supposedly drafted with the intent to corral large-scale breeders to come into compliance with standards of care, this bill would require anyone who owns four intact dogs of any age to comply with strict engineering standards and breeder restrictions. Owners of as little as four intact dogs would have to be licensed as a commercial breeder, allow their premises to be inspected at least once every two years and comply with basic standards of care.
A
nother troubling aspect of LB 427 is its intention of creative “Outstanding Breeders.” If owners and breeders of four or more intact dogs want to receive an “outstanding” designation, they will have to comply with arbitrary and restrictive – not to mention in some cases expensive – requirements. Those who achieve the “outstanding” status will receive a certification and be listed on a public web site. However, this “outstanding” distinction may be misleading to those who want to purchase a healthy, purebred puppy. Simply complying with a mathematical formula devised for the new primary enclosure requirements does not guarantee that a breeder is raising healthy dogs. Knowledge, experience, pedigree and know-how can go a lot further than the size of a fence or an exercise area in determining the health of a dog and its suitability as a pet. Though breeders will be given an extension to July 1, 2016 to comply with new requirements for exercise areas, they will not be considered “outstanding” if they use this grace period. You can’t strong-arm breeders to build a better dog even if the law can force them to build a bigger enclosure. New restrictions simply won’t produce better quality dogs. While everyone can agree on certain standards of care for animals, laws already exist in every state that address these concerns. Of course dogs deserve to live in a safe, healthy environment and those owners and breeders that fail to provide one deserve to be penalized to the fullest extent of the law. But does the owner of four intact dogs need a government agency to inspect its home? LB 427 is a completely superfluous proposal and all dog owners – regardless of how many they own – need to voice opposition to LB 427.
Dog News 59
Topper & Jorge
The New Winning Team 2011!!!
Owner Myrna R. Kahlo 60 Dog News
Breeders Tracy Kahlo Susy Stremel Tamarin Kennel
GCh. Tamarin Top Banana
BEST IN SHOW OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO JUDGE MR. DARRYL VICE and to GROUP FIRST JUDGE DR. JOHN C. SHELTON Handlers Jorge & Susie Olivera Assistants Sergio Olivera, Gustavo Jimenez & Pablo Alsina Dog News 61
AND MORE
“I COULD BARELY FIND FOUR PLACEMENTS”...
How many times have you heard a judge say after having judged a group that he or she could barely find four dogs to place in a group?
I
But the proposal with which I really totally disdo not know about you but I have heard it more times agree and find no merit in whatsoever is the idea of than I care to remember. My stock answer is why not expanding group placements to 5 and 6 even with the withhold three or four, which of course results in a look numerical limits specified by the Board. It seems in of incredulity as though to say well I’m not the one to order to be able to award the two extra-group placerock the boat. Well now the majority of the Board in a ments a minimum number of breeds and/or dogs must moment of largess has decided to expand Group placements be in competition. I thought this hobby-sport competo five and six!!!!! The reason being as stated to me that with tition of ours is based on the quality of competition the addition of all the new breeds four placements are not and not a quantity theory. True points are accumulated satisfying the needs of the exhibitors and handlers. At least based on numbers and exhibits may become all sorts Patti Haines, Charlie Garvin and Ken Marden had the sense of Champions based on numbers not sex nor quality of to oppose this move as did they the moves to have a Reserve dogs defeated. Why, a champion may be made up beatBest in Show with Walter Goodman abstaining on that vote. ing only littermates under our present system or even The month before the Board approved on a trial basis adding by never having defeated an exhibit of its own sex but the 4 to 6 month classes, which was tried successfully I hear why expand and defeat the notion of quantity prevailin terms of numbers at both Portland and in Michigan this past ing over quality even further? In my opinion the Board weekend. should be thinking about reducing the number of group Two of these changes must be approved by the Delegates placements to either two or three rather than increasand since they are rule changes a 2/3 vote is necessary. The ing them to five and six! 4 to 6 month class is a special class which needs no Delegate And in these very areas what about a concern beapproval. What with the absolute decline in Match shows ing shown for the health and welfare of the dog? Too throughout the country (I know look at Leigh this very weekmany of we Americans, myself included, have been end with probably over 2,000 exhibits but that’s a major excepberating the UK for taking the steps they have as a tion annually) the 4 to 6 month class makes a certain amount reaction to the animal rightists and in a sense this is of sense but for the following factors. Right now no points are to be awarded, which we all know true. But in our country we totally seem to ignore the problems within could be changed in a very short period of time. our show world as others may see them but within and without the Additionally there are no time nor geographic limsport. I firmly believe in the need to rethink our show habits and its on showing these young dogs and if the present redevelop the competitions using as the basis the philosophy upon philosophy of letting people show wherever and which the sport was originally founded, which is and was a compariwhenever they want to prevails--and there is no son of breeding stock. sign that kind of thinking is abating these young Watching the presentation of the Invitational on ABC was interdogs will have little chance of growing up but esting and fun. I rather enjoyed the break-up of the groups as I at a dog show. Is that in the best interest of the thought it added a new and different flavor to the common place “just health and welfare of a dog--I think not!!! As to a dog show as usual routine”. After all these tv shows are for the the Reserve Best in Show to my mind it’s just an general public and not the show going community insofar as appeal unnecessary addition that adds nothing and indeed is concerned. I get bored watching the same format dog show after takes away from the prestige of winning a Best. As dog show and so I was fascinated with the joint presentation of the it is with all the shows being held and the quality various groups. I thought it both effective and an unusual way to do of so many of the dogs below expectations in so this kind of dog show tv program. Also thought the repartee between many breeds and groups, the bragging rights to Gina DiNardo and Todd Grisham was fun and refreshing. I read (see a Reserve will in my opinion become greatly overCarlotta Cooper’s article this week) that there was unhappiness in exaggerated. certain quarters with the broadcast. Not here that’s for sure.
BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 62 Dog News
Dog News 63
Misty The Number One* Mantle in the country GCh. Saravilla’s Sweet Misty Isle Multiple Best of Breeds Multiple Group Placements Exclusively Presented by Pam Bober Owned by: Paula Sweet John Lilliston Mimi Kim 64 Dog News
*Number 20 overall, C.C. All Breed 2010
Bred by: Mimi Kim Rebekah Mursencavage
The 106th Anniversary Show Of The Chihuahua Club Of America
O
ur four-day weekend started with educational seminars and a welcoming party. With Sweepstakes on Friday, Smooth Coats on Saturday, and Long Coats on Sunday, Show Chairman Craig Leslie was ready for the challenge. Exhibitors attended from across the United States as well as Mexico, Japan, Canada and other countries. Our morning began on Friday with the Sweepstakes judged by longtime CCA Member & breeder Jill Hopper. Her Long Coat winners ended up being her inter-variety winners with Best In Sweeps going to the Japanese bred Kokura Yama JP Mikoto (owner Mayumi Nagae) and Best of Opposite going to TEGS Unlike Any Other (G. and T. Desjardins.) Best Smooth Coat was Wincoo Comander and Chief( G. O’Reilly) and Best of Opposite Smooth Coat was LZRVR Honky Tonk Girl (D. Corl.) Mrs. Sue Sellers Rose judged our obedience and her winner was Temple’s The Lion King RE CD. FollowingtheSweepstakes, Linda George and Judges Ed. Chair, Billy Miller, held their Judges Education program. Members were invited to share in the communal learning and to view the new PowerPoint Presentation, which will soon be posted on our website. Friday afternoon our annual meeting was held. Afterwards, a puppy match kept the excitement going. James and Susan Hanke did a wonderful job handling the match. Exhibitors enjoyed showing off their future hopefuls. Saturday Morning began with our regular classes judge, Eugene Blake, awarding Best Junior Handler to Emma Frakes. Afterwards, he began his adjudication over the Smooth Coats. Winners Dog was Taradona Bobby Dazzler (D. Delaney) and the Reserve was given to Bramver’s Love Me Most (C. Kadowski.) In bitches, Laud Cabo Gossip Girl(M. Hoagland and Charlene CONTINUED ON PAGE 84
BY WILLIAM H. “BILLY” MILLER PHOTOS BY PATRICIA WITTER 66 Dog News
Barnstorm Tibetan Terriers Home of the #1 Tibetan Terrier for 2008, 2009,& 2010 Westminster Best of Breed Winner 2009 & 2010
Is proud to present
“Grissom”
Ch. Barnstorm’s TT CSI
Back-to Back Group Firsts his first weekend out! Breeder/owner: Patricia Bernardo www.Barnstormstibetans.com
Owner: MaryLou Lafler
Owner: handler: Lynn Meyer DHG www.DzineTTs.com (618)498-2464 Dog News 67
68 Dog News
Dog News 69
Canine Masters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Cheviot (Pekingese), Frances Fairman (Japanese Chin – her trademark breed), George Earl (Pointer), Noel Charles (French Hounds), Maud Earl (Poodle and Pekingese) and Florence Jay (Poodle). Some of the pictures go beyond just being decorative, which indeed they all are, and are historically important to their individual breed’s history. One such picture is the portrait by George Earl of one of the most successful Pointer’s of the era, Drake. This is the original of one of the forty pictures by Earl that was reproduced in the important and rare portfolio, Champion Dogs of England. For many of the dogs featured in this outstanding work it is the only visual reference we have of them. Another historical picture is Edwin Megargee’s portrait of the Smooth Fox Terrier, Ch. Nornay Sadler, considered to be among the greatest show dogs ever bred. Born in 1936 in England and bred by Frank Coward, whilst still a puppy he crossed the Atlantic and joined James Austin’s Wissaboo kennel. At that time Austin’s kennel was the largest and most influential in the States in Smooth Fox Terriers. Sadler’s show career extended until 1943 during which time he amassed fifty-nine allbreeds BIS wins, at that time a record for any dog. He sired over a dozen champions and had his life documented in a book by Don Reynolds published in 1950 and aptly titled Champion of Champions. Lilian Cheviot is represented with a charming portrait of a Pekingese named Jane that was once in the collection of the late Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords III of New York, Pekingese breeder whose dogs defined the breed, and was exhibited in a travelling exhibition in Japan. Canine Masters runs from February 12th – March 26th at the William Secord Gallery, 52 East 76th Street, New York. The exhibition can also be viewed on the gallery’s website www. dogpainting.com. In addition to the exhibition, the gallery will be offering a selection of dog paintings at the Westminster show on February 14th and 15th.
70 Dog News
Saint
GCh.Am., Can. & Int’l. Ch. Lancelot Chiornyy Prints RN TT CGC
The Multiple Group Winning and Group Placing Black Russian Terrier keeps rolling along in 2011, taking an impressive Group Third on the very competitive Florida Circuit under Judge Dr. Ronald I. Spritzer.
Owners: Earl and Patricia Archer
Handled Exclusively by: Jen Bittner
Breeder: L. Lameko Dog News 71
72 Dog News
Dual Purpose Judges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42
sections, the Greyhound used for exhibition and that used for coursing. As dogs there was very little difference between them, but this “very little difference” had been the undoing of the working dog. It was mainly a matter of condition, for coursing dogs were not likely to be exhibited well fleshed and free from blemishes.The “show” dog, on the other hand, was by no means worn out, but comely and fat, with a shining coat and not a scratch upon it! A show dog, because of good feeding and no work, was likely to be “heavier and have a deeper chest. It looked more pleasing to the eye (Of the all-rounder judge). The fine shoulder of the working dog; the rather straight, muscle less front legs, which give the dog with well-developed loin and hindquarters an appearance as if the front legs were not its own, were not so noticeable in the show Greyhound.” I have been a lure coursing judge for more than a quarter century and an open field coursing judge for more than a decade, and I find that those experiences give me definite opinions on the qualities needed by the different sighthound breeds to be effective running dogs. Later, I discovered that other dual purpose judges (conformation judges who also have experience judging coursing dogs) seemed to share my opinion of the qualities that make up a good running dog. So I started to seek them out to show to them. Their coursing breeds ranged from Salukis to Scottish Deerhounds, not my own Greyhounds. But the individual breeds didn’t matter. What the dual purpose judges seemed to share was knowledge of the features of good running dogs. I set out to identify other dual purpose judges and was appalled to discover that there are less than a dozen of us in existence who combine conformation and coursing qualifications. With more than 300 judges listed for Greyhounds and more than 200 lure coursing judges I would have expected more dual qualified judges. (I don’t know what the numbers are for the dual judge ranks of sporting and herding judges. I hope the percentages of dual judges are higher for those breeds than for the sighthounds). I came to the depressing realization that for thirty years I have been showing Greyhounds to conformation judges of whom at least ninety percent had never seen a Greyhound run. In 2002 the AKC tried to remedy this by taking the attendees at their Sighthound Judge’s Study Group to see a demonstration of sighthound lure coursing. Dual purpose conformation and open field coursing judge George Bell was there to narrate.This was an extremely good idea and I hope the AKC makes it a feature of any future sighthound seminars. A day in the field should also be included in their sporting and herding dog seminars. It makes one cringe to think that setters and pointers and retrievers are being judged by judges who have never seen them work. And that judges who have never seen a sheepdog trial are judging the herding breeds. At least in the case of the sporting dogs, one can get easy electronic experience. The Versus cable channel has lots of hunting programs that show most of the more popular sporting dogs at 74 Dog News
work. What the programs can’t give you is the feel of what it is like to be out in the field for 3 hours. Those dogs need stamina. The programs compress hours of hunting into a thirty-minute show that makes hunting look less strenuous than it is. While taking prospective sighthound conformation judges to a lure course to see sighthounds in action is an excellent idea, I would like to suggest a better approach. And that is the same approach that Mr. Ash described in his account of how Greyhounds were first judged by experienced coursing men who knew the points of a successful coursing dog. Like Mr. Ash, my experience with showing to all around judges has made me especially prize the opinions of dual purpose judges. So why are dual purpose judges a rarity? One reason is that the AKC conformation judging program fails to acknowledge the degree to which years of judging dogs in the field educates a judge about how those dogs should be built and move. The conformation department only concentrates on conformation experience. But it is far easier to teach an experienced field judge the details of the standards and ring procedure, than it is to impart to aspiring conformation specialists what they need to know about how a running dog should be built. In the field, you not only see the dogs in action but you see them standing still, and just walking around. We all evaluate our dogs’ competition.Then we run them to see if our evaluations were correct.You learn to recognize the conformation features that indicate a dog will perform well in the field. Years of field experience will teach any observant person more about how a successful running dog should be built, and how it should move, than days of breed seminars.
S
o, why doesn’t the AKC judges’ operations department give performance judges credit for their years of experience at watching their breeds doing what they were bred to do? The only reason I can think of is that they have little familiarity with performance events and discount any learning experience that doesn’t fit into their qualification matrix for new judges. (While I am whining, I would like to point out that they also undervalue the research that goes into writing about dogs.) We should be encouraging experienced field judges to move into conformation judging.That is the surest way to increase the number of judges who understand the function of the breeds that they are judging. Field judges were the original conformation judges and were respected for their knowledge of conformation and function. In the rush towards all-rounders, that respect has been forgotten. The old quote is “Form Ever Follows Function”. (Louis Henri Sullivan, Lippincott’s Magazine, March, 1896 ) And without understanding the function of a breed, any judge is at a disadvantage in judging its conformation. Some judges fall back on subjective choices, or generic show dog judging, or rewarding tremendous reach and drive (which is easy to spot). This does a disservice to the breeds that they are judging. Since winning dogs tend to be bred more than non-winning dogs, it is important to have judging that respects the dog’s function and rewards the form that supports that function. Encouraging experienced field judges to join the ranks of conformation judges would be the surest way to do that. •
DogNews
The Digest
Of American Dogs
The Deadline For The Westminster Kennel Club 2011 issue of Dog News, which publishes on Friday, February 11, 2011 will be Friday, February 4, 2011 Dog News 75
OPENING 2011 Kennel Club of Palm Springs
“C O U P E ” CH. QUAILRIDGE’S COUPE DEVILLE Special Thank You To Juge Mr. Robert Robinson
PRESENTED BY RIC PLAUT, AKC 76 Dog News
BRED BY QUAILRIDGE DEBRA WILEY-CUEVAS
FOR MR. RANDALL ALAN OSTIN Dog News 77
The
GOSSIP Column R
ECOGNITION & CONGRATULATIONS… I have always said it is better to honor people while they are still alive, so that they too can appreciate the honor. So kudos to the AMERICAN SPANIEL CLUB for honoring ELAINE & LAMAR MATHIS at the American Spaniel Club Flushing Spaniel Club show as they were inducted into The American Spaniel Club Hall of Fame. The MATHIS’ have bred Cockers for over 50 years and according to the club statement, “Their efforts extend beyond average levels of volunteerism, ethics, animal husbandry skills, or successful breeding programs. Hall of Fame inductees are extraordinary individuals whose legacy is captured and noted for succeeding generations.” CLIMBING…the number of breeds now recognized by the American Kennel Club has risen to 170 breeds and varieties. Look in the Herding group to find one of the three new breeds now in competition. The ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG is a herding breed that moves cows from pasture to pasture in the Swiss Alps. The parent club is the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association website www.nemba. com. The remaining two breeds can be found in the Non Sporting group. First, the NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND, a six-footed dog that can tip its head back to its backbone. They climb steep cliffs to hunt the Puffin birds. The parent club Norwegian Lundehund Association of America can be reached at www.nlaainc.com . Last but not least, is the XOLOITZCUINTLI (XOLO), the interesting breed from Mexico that has something for everyone. It comes hairless and coated and it also comes in three sizes, toy, miniature and standard. They are shown in one breed like the American Eskimo Dog and are considered a ‘healer’ in remote villages to this day because of their calm nature. The parent club can be reached at www. xoloitzcuintliclubofamerica.org. As we welcome these three new breeds in competition also coming aboard in the Miscellaneous Class are these breeds: the BERGAMASCO, BOERBOELS, PORTUGUESE PODENGO PEQUENOS, SLOUGHIS,
BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS 78 Dog News
PERUVIAN INCA ORCHID, PUMI, DOGO ARGENTINO and the WIREHAIRED VIZSLA. On Wednesday morning, American Kennel Club spokeswoman GINA DINARDO was on the TODAY SHOW promoting pure bred dogs while Westminster show chairman TOM BRADLEY and show announcer DAVE FREI held a media conference call talking about the upcoming Westminster event. During the Westminster week WILLIAM SECORD GALLERY will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with an exhibition of Canine Masters. The Manhattan gallery can be found at 52 East 76th Street. Also during the Westminster week, BONHAMS auction house will join the American Kennel Club and AKC Humane Fund for their charity brunch on Sunday, February 13th from 10 A.M. to Noon as a lead-in to its annual dog art auction held on February 16th at 10A.M. At the brunch multi-talented KAREN LEFRAK, who can hit the piano keys as well as the computer keys, will be signing her new childrens’ book “BEST IN SHOW”. KAREN will be signing her book at several locations around town up to and including the Westminster dog show. Proceeds from the book will be given to the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Take The Lead. Congratulations to MARRISA O’CONNOR, daughter of the DOUGLAS MCFARLANDS, who was married to DOUGLAS CLARK on January 2nd in Sedona, Arizona. The bride is an English Cocker Spaniel fancier and judge of sporting breeds, as is her father, DOUG. The newlyweds will reside in Oceanside, California. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to one of our columnists and well known judge LEE RIDDLE on the loss of her beloved mother GLADYS ROMAIN. Birthdaying…LINDA HOF, JESSICA PLOURDE, CHUCK KROTHE, JOHN WADE, JO ANNE MITTLEMAN, CATHERINE BELL and last but not least MARCELO VERAS, who with his partner LARRY CORNELIUS will host their annual TAKE THE LEAD benefit party at their Ocala, Florida home.
Shown winning Best In Show under Judge Mrs. Wendy Willhauck.
GCh. Pepper Tree Zorro V. Morgenwald A BIG THANK-YOU to ALL the Judges for the 2010 wins making ZORRO #1 STANDARD SCHNAUZER - ALL SYSTEMS • #10 WORKING DOG* Multiple BEST in SHOW wins • Multiple BEST In SPECIALTY SHOW wins BEST OF BREED - STANDARD SCHNAUZER CLUB OF AMERICA 2010 NATIONAL SPECIALTY BEST OF BREED - WESTMINSTER 2010
Jody + Leonardo + Zorro = A WINNING TEAM... LOOKING FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL 2011
Owned By Penny Duffee Bred by Earl & Arden Holst *The Dog News Top Ten List
Presented by Jody Paquette & Leonardo Garcini Dog News 79
Rare Breeds OF THE WORLD
sides, pristine lakes, and cold-water streams. With its freezing temperature Mucuchies has one of the most fascinating landscapes in all of Venezuela. Arepa is the country’s most famous dish. It is a cornmeal cake that can be grilled, baked or fried. It is split open and filled with a variety of cheese and meats. Arepa is a basic part of the Venezuelan diet and is eaten in place of bread in most meals. The empanadas in Venezuela are deep fried, stuffed corn flour patties. Depending on the region you can even find shark, clams or other types of seafood fillings - especially in coastal regions like Margarita Island. The most typical empanadas are those filled with cheese and minced meat. I also found some interesting facts about the country; The official name of Venezuela is ‘Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’ . Venezuela is considered to be amongst the 17 most biodiverse countries of the world. Canaima National Park in Venezuela is one of the largest national parks in the world. Lake Maracaibo of Venezuela is regarded as the largest lake in South America. Kerepakupai-Meru, more popularly known as Angel Falls, is the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. The term Venezuela literally means ‘Little Venice’. The country was so named by its explorers, who saw houses built on stilts in a lake here, reminding them of Venice. The Mucuchies are Andean dogs, whose origins date back some 400 years when with the conquerors Spanish Augustine friars brought the Pyrenean Mastiffs to the region. Surprisingly they found a similar type of dog living already in the Andes. The cross breeding was just natural, and resulted what became the Mucuchie. By 1926-27, Mucuchies could be found throughout the Andes Mountains, and around Caracas. After a wide distribution the breed began to fall because of bad breeding and excessive inbreeding. To combat this degeneration, a group of concerned breeders got together in 1961 forming a club, and began a breeding program viewing the uniformity and the
80 Dog News
The Mucuchies of Venezuela CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50
improvement of the desired type. In 1964, the Mucuchies were designated the national dog breed of Venezuela. Since then the breed has improved and become standardized. As the Mucuchie is a strong and hard-working animal it was mostly used as shepherd, and guard-dog. Many years of crossbreeding with other large dogs made it difficult to find many pedigreed dogs. Now the Foundation Nevado is trying bringing them back. Once threatened with extinction as a pure-breed, a foundation has been established to preserve them.“It’s vital to maintain their numbers,” says Walter De Mendoza, the foundation’s president.“First,because it’s very sad to see a species disappear from the face of the earth through ignorance and a lack of care. But also because of the great historical legacy of this breed of dog.” The historical legacy he is referring to is Nevado, the faithful Mucuchie type canine of Simon Bolivar. Nevado was at Bolivar’s side to the last, and was killed by a lance on the battlefield in 1821. “Not only was he The Liberator’s best friend, but Nevado has now become a symbol of our independence himself,”says Mr. De Mendoza. Nevado has a history very popular among the citizens of Venezuela; Nevado accompanied Bolivar throughout his campaigns, was in the thick of the fighting in several countries and often saved his life.The Indians had an influential leader named Tinjaca.Tinjaca was on the side of the liberators.Tinjaca and Nevado were kidnapped by Spanish soldiers who did not kill them because they thought they could use this dog to blackmail Bolivar. Despite these attempts, the dog and the Indian escaped to continue the fight with Bolivar until when the dog was killed. Nevado is depicted in many historical art works. His famous statue is adjacent to Tinjaca in Mucuchies. The Mucuchies is not quite as large as the other Mastiffs are (22-28 inches (56-71 cm.). Their color is white, or white with spots. The spots can be honey colored, or any shade of gray all the way to black The Mucuchies are very active, brave, trainable, affectionate, intelligent and trustworthy with those they know, but will act as a guard dog with intruders. Training and socialization are a must. Unfortunately even the passion of the Venezuelan people for the breed could not make it better known and more popular out of his homeland.The country’s political situation is not helping much, even after the president having declared that the Mucuchies are Venezuela’s National Symbol. Presently this dog is on the brink of extinction, and in an attempt to save it the foundation sent two Mucuchi males and four females of Nevado’s breed to El Avila’s mountain peak above Caracas because the temperature there is similar to these dog’s native Andes Mountains. The idea is exactly this; offer the dogs a similar temperature of where the original dogs lived, and do whatever is possible to save the Mucuchie. The complete standard can be found at http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/mucuchies.htm Note: I have mentioned in the past that whenever an interesting subject shows up, I will return to my former article the V.I.D.P. (Very Important Dog People). In a short future I will introduce our dear readers to a very interesting person, a Doberman breeder whose dedication for the breed is outstanding, and his kennel is a dog paradise. A.B. •
Dog News 81
Introducing
YAYA
Look for this Striking Pinto Anatolian Bitch in 2011 Multiple Breed Wins from the Classes
Owner D. Michael Bitz 82 Dog News
Presented By Kitty Burke & Kathy Gertler, PHA Kindred Spirits Handling
She’s Smokin’ Hot!
FLAME Multiple Group Placer Finished with Four Majors Including Best of Winners at 2010 National
H FLAS cond e S p u Gro pa Bay Tam l Club e Kenn 21, 2011 ry a u n rs. Ja M e Judg eendale Gr e i l u S za Pave
Ch. Flame Noire Du Chateau Rocher Owner D. Michael Bitz
Breeder Karla Davis
Agents Kitty Burke & Kathy Gertler, PHA Kindred Spirits Handling Dog News 83
Click The Rose City Classic PHOTOS BY TIM BERNARD
86 Dog News
Dog News 99