Dog News, February 25, 2011 by Dog News

Dog News The Digest Volume 27, Issue 8

Of American Dogs $5.00

February 25, 2011

Editorial

Inside Out

BY JOHN MANDEVILLE

The Way It Is

Contents FEBRUARY 25, 2011

BY SARI B. TIETJEN

22 Question Of The Week BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

26 Connie’s Comments BY CONNIE VANACORE

30 Brace Yourself BY ANDREW BRACE

34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLEY BOYES

42 The Dog In Art: English & Gordon Setters At The Kennel Club BY NICK WATERS

46 Unusual Blue Dogs BY MJ NELSON

50 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Junior Showmanship Winners 54 The Fancy Speaks: Thoughts On The Board Moratorium BY BILLY MILLER & POLLY DORSEY SMITH

58 Atlantic Classic: Easy Winter Days At The Ocean BY SHARON SAKSON

62 Very Important Dog People: Athayde Reis Filho BY AGNES BUCHWALD

66 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN

68 Show Venues, That Moratorium, Crufts And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

72 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

80 Click – Elm City Kennel Club BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

86 Click – The Way We Were BY VICKI HOLLOWAY

88 Letters To The Editor

92 dog show calendar 94 handlers directory 96 subscription rates 98 classiﬁed advertising 100 advertising rates

4 Dog News

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

Editorial

Inside Out

BY JOHN MANDEVILLE

The Way It Is

Contents FEBRUARY 25, 2011

BY SARI B. TIETJEN

22 Question Of The Week BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

26 Connie’s Comments BY CONNIE VANACORE

30 Brace Yourself BY ANDREW BRACE

34 Bests Of The Week 38 Ten Questions BY LESLEY BOYES

42 The Dog In Art: English & Gordon Setters At The Kennel Club BY NICK WATERS

46 Unusual Blue Dogs BY MJ NELSON

50 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Junior Showmanship Winners 54 The Fancy Speaks: Thoughts On The Board Moratorium BY BILLY MILLER & POLLY DORSEY SMITH

58 Atlantic Classic: Easy Winter Days At The Ocean BY SHARON SAKSON

62 Very Important Dog People: Athayde Reis Filho BY AGNES BUCHWALD

66 Off The Leash BY SHAUN COEN

68 Show Venues, That Moratorium, Crufts And More BY MATTHEW H. STANDER

72 The Gossip Column BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

80 Click – Elm City Kennel Club BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

86 Click – The Way We Were BY VICKI HOLLOWAY

88 Letters To The Editor

92 dog show calendar 94 handlers directory 96 subscription rates 98 classiﬁed advertising 100 advertising rates

4 Dog News

Ty Judge Mr. James Frederiksen

Judge Dr. Willys Treanor

Multiple Group and Multiple Specialty Winning

GCh. Happiharbor Saddle Lane Ty Owned By Beth Dowd, Andy Carter and Rut Parker Handled By Scott Sommer Associates Adam Peterson & Klayton Harris Dog News 5

DOG NEWS COVER STORY - FEBRUARY 25, 2011

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

212 807.7100 x588 FAX NUMBER

212 675.5994 FAX EDITORIAL SUBMITTAL

212 243.6799

EMAIL ADDRESS

dognews@harris-pub.com WEB ADDRESS: www.dognews.com SUBSCRIPTIONS

IAN MILLER 212 462.9624

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 Karl Stearns 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

DOG NEWS is sent to all AKC approved Conformation 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. 6 Dog News

Dog News 7

*The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed

Dog News 9

Tackling Tough Issues The prospect of the possibility of having 380 additional conformation shows being approved within the next year or two caused the Board to unanimously establish an indefinite moratorium on the licensing of new Conformation clubs, with the exception of new Parent clubs, while Staff studies the issue of the increase in the numbers of shows accompanied by average decline in entries. There are 13 All-Breed Clubs, 20 Group and 157 Specialty clubs affected by this moratorium, which are in the Sanctioned Match level of either A or B. In fact there was an overall increase in entries for the year 2010 but this was in large part thanks to Agility, which had a 9% increase in entries. Of course the Agility Clubs have no Member Clubs due to the outdated Bylaws and Constitution of AKC but that’s another matter altogether. Additionally an All-Breed or Group club that has been holding one show a year will not be approved for more than its one show per year! Basically this sounds sensible and reasonable and something the Board should have taken up years ago. Perhaps the wording should have and still could be refined to put both a time limit on the moratorium and to have excluded Group and Specialty shows associated with existing AllBreed Clubs from being excluded from the moratorium but that’s splitting hairs insofar as these pages are concerned. Additionally two Amendments were presented, one from a Member Club the other the Board itself concerning term limits and Delegate eligibility, respectively. While both are potentially contentious topics both are aimed at situations that have already occurred. Sort of like closing the barn door after you know what has escaped. In any event it is interesting to note that it seems to be the Clubs themselves and/or the Board and Staff which are now at least willing to tackle difficult issues while the Delegate Committees seem to sit back, collect their expense checks and offer little to solve or explore insofar as existing show or AKC problems are concerned.

The March 8th Election In a few days the Delegates will be voting for three people out of seven to become AKC Board Members. These annual elections have become a chore and are somewhat tedious in nature. While most of the candidates are usually devoted and concerned dog people, to have to make these choices annually of what are usually the same people who run year after year takes away from the possibility of developing fresh and innovative faces and ideas. This year the Fancy has been offered little in the way of innovation although there are a number of candidates who are new faces. Messrs. Amen and Smyth and Mrs. Burgess are the newest to run whilst the other four Messrs. Battaglia, Gladstone, Marden (all former or present Board members) and Ronald, who has run for the Board at least once before, are pretty well known to most. The reality of the situation is that 6 of the 7 candidates are

all acceptable on one level or another. As far as these pages are concerned six of the seven have virtues and faults but all are basically trustworthy, truly concerned dog people. While gender and probably geography should rarely play a role in supporting a candidate this election, particularly in light of the newly enforced term limits legislation, forces these matters to become important considerations. West coast representation and a female point of view must be represented on the Board. Without Mrs. Burgess’s election both will be wanting as with the exception of Mrs. Scully, there are no other females and Mrs. Burgess is of course from the Northeast. This chromosome factor for sure is an important consideration in this election as far as these pages are concerned. The rest is a toss of the coin, which hopefully excludes the candidate from New Jersey.

The Animal Shelter Conundrums This entire question of animal shelters and how they have developed into a business for food companies and airlines and veterinarians and truckers and of course certain ‘do-gooding’ organizations which take advantage of the public’s love for their dogs is highlighted by daily reports which reach our desk constantly. From commercial companies being formed to transport dogs to shelters which could not exist but for the influx of imported strays TO SELL—not adopt mind you, but sell —to an organization being formed by veterinarians based on how to handle the health problems which arise from moving strays from state to state or country to country, it is the purebred concerned breeder who seems to bear the brunt of the misdirected messages. Why the disgraceful, unfair and unwarranted article which appeared in THE NEWARK STAR LEDGER the day of Westminster written by an officer of PETA hit far below the belt to the point of being obtuse and not worthy of being printed at all. Nor written. Now comes word that the Town of Hempstead animal shelter according to NEWSDAY’s investigation had working for them 29 employees, 9 of whom were making without benefits and other perks over $100,000 each!! Seven of these 9 were GOP committee people. Whatever happened to volunteer programs and the real adoptions of healthy stray dogs as opposed to sales of interstate transported dogs, many of which are in questionable health situations? Isn’t it time to make the public aware of these excesses and what is really going on with many of these shelters? These pages certainly think so.

Thought For The Week Well the credibility of Jemima Harrison was exposed for what it really is in an OUR DOGS article of February 4th. OUR DOGS is a contemporary publication of ours in the UK (where by the way DOG NEWS will be sold at Crufts) which reported the elementary errors of hers in blogging about the Shar Pei in which she relied according to this report and for which she eventually apologized “on unchecked and unconfirmed information and hearsay” which called into question again the very competency of her TV program Pedigree Dogs Exposed. One of the reasons we bring this topic up is that this same Jemima Harrison is scheduled to be a speaker at the HSUS scientific conference regarding purebred dogs and her program PDE is to be replayed in April in Washington DC. One would hope that based on her latest fiasco those responsible for the conference will reconsider the invitation to Mrs. Harrison which invitation in the opinion of these pages never should have been issued with which to begin!

Editorial FEBRUARY 25, 2011

10 Dog News

Dog News 11

Dog News 13

INSIDE OUT

Westminster Wrap Up & 2011’s Directors’ Election W

estminster 135 is in the books – and for all the anticipatory concern about construction inside Madison Square Garden causing problems, the reality was conditions might have actually been better for the average exhibitor than in years past. I was also struck by it being cooler in the benching area than ever before, something any number of experienced Westminster hands commented about to me – on both Monday and Tuesday. Why that was I don’t know, but it was certainly appreciated by dog and man. Hopefully the cooler temperatures will become a permanent part of future Westminsters. My guess is exhibitors were unanimously happy about being able to crate their dogs and have their grooming set-ups in the same place. For certain all those I spoke with thought exhibitors had it better this year than previously in that regard – with handlers no worse off than ever, meaning crowded, but their space was at least cooler than in years’ past. I can hardly claim to have spoken to a representative sample of exhibitors/handlers, but as always dog people managed to cope when conditions demanded that’s what they had to do. Spectators’ access to the Garden was completely different than in years’ past. They were funneled through a new vendors’ location. I haven’t heard how that worked out. It struck me once inside the building and having made your way to the rings and the usual benching area off the main arena floor, getting back to the vendors – even finding them – was problematic. Still, it would be good if the large volume of foot traffic flowing directly through the vendors on the way into the Garden also resulted in better sales than ever. How well the public was able to see dogs in the nonbenched, set-up-by-Group areas this year seemed problematic to me. Dogs in Vari-Kennels on the floor can scarcely be called viewable. Benching at least elevates the dogs a bit – and it really is necessary to remember the few surviving bench shows provide the public an unequalled opportunity to see more breeds up close in one place than can otherwise ever be possible. That’s great. And it is reason to cut those few clubs still putting on benched shows as much slack as possible. Reports were the on-going renovations to the Garden will result in permanent loss of even more space in the benching/grooming area. If so, coping will be tough. The direst predictions made significant problems certain.

Obviously the fancy will be unhappy if Westminster is forced to lower its limit, although the possibility of extending the show to three days would likely be even less appealing …to say nothing of whether Westminster or Madison Square Garden might even think that acceptable… which raises the virtually unthinkable option: Moving Westminster out of Madison Square Garden. That the fancy universally uses “Westminster” and “the Garden” interchangeably encapsulates the overwhelming extent to which the show and the building are intertwined in people’s minds. Still, there are limits to the compromises that can be made because there is inadequate space necessary to put on the show Westminster should be doing and the fancy deserves. Face it: AKC’s hosting Meet the Breeds has shown substantial numbers of fanciers there is a great facility which can accommodate an unlimited all-breed dog show in Manhattan. The Javits Center is scarcely a mile, if that, due west of Madison Square Garden. Could adequate arena seating be erected at the Javits Center? I don’t know. Count me as one who unabashedly hopes Westminster will be able to continue its special relationship with the Garden as long as there is a Westminster Kennel Club dog show… time will tell. Most readers will see this column less than a week before March 8, the date of this year’s AKC annual meeting and with it election of AKC Directors. There are seven candidates for the three seats in the Directors’ Class of 2015: Robert Amen, Carmen Battaglia, Karen Burgess, Steve Gladstone, Kenneth Marden, John Ronald and Daniel Smyth. Because I do DOG NEWS’ annual Candidates’ Questionnaire which is published in the Westminster issue and is available on-line, I have never endorsed candidates. I think every delegate is well-advised to review candidates’ answers to the Questionnaire. It’s entirely possible candidates’ responses could be decisive in deciding who to vote for, especially a second or third choice. I’ve been surprised that a seemingly higher percentage of the admittedly small number of the delegates I have spoken with about this year’s election had not decided who they will be casting their third votes for. The obvious thing delegates should do is rank the candidates from ﬁrst to seventh and cast their votes accordingly. Delegates do not have to vote for three candidates. A so-called bullet ballot, for two or even one candidate, instead of three, is permissible. I understand that a bullet vote is a more “powerful” vote, but the mathematical proof of that I was once shown escapes me. So, what’s of more interest to the fancy, who wins at Westminster or who’s elected to AKC’s Board?

BY JOHN MANDEVILLE 14 Dog News

Dog News 15

16 Dog News

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TheWayItIs TheWay ItIs Recently the American Kennel Club sent out an email to all conformation clubs notifying them that AKC has placed a moratorium on new shows as follows:

“W

ith conformation dog show entries declining across all club types, the AKC has begun a study to determine if the increase in the number of shows has been a cause of or factor in declining entries. In order to properly study this issue, the AKC Board of Directors, at its February 11, 2011 board meeting, placed a moratorium, effective immediately, on the licensing of new conformation clubs. “In addition, the Board also voted to not approve any additional shows for existing All-Breed and Group clubs. Thus an All-Breed or Group club that has been holding one show a year will not be approved for more than one show a year. As the study progresses, AKC will notify clubs regarding the status of the moratorium and approval of additional shows for All-Breed and Group clubs. We thank you for your support as we believe this course of action will benefit the longterm success and vitality of the sport of purebred dogs.” This is the result of a decision made by the Board of Directors of the AKC at its February meeting, as reported in the minutes: “There was a lengthy discussion on the proliferation of new shows and the negative impact this was having on the entries at long established events. With thirteen All-Breed, twenty Group, and one hundred and fifty-seven Specialty clubs at the Sanctioned Match level there could be as many as three hundred and eighty additional shows within the next year or two. “There was a motion by Mrs. Strand, seconded by Mr. Kalter, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to place an indefinite moratorium on the licensing of new Conformation clubs, with the exception of new breed Parent clubs, while AKC studies the issue of the increase in the numbers of shows accompanied by average decline in entries. “There was a motion by Mr. Kalter, seconded by Mr. Davies, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to not approve any additional All-Breed or Group shows for existing clubs while the AKC studies the issue of the increase in the number of shows accompanied by declining entries. Thus an All-Breed or Group club that has been holding one show a year will not be approved for more than one show a year.” Many fanciers have long decried the proliferation of conformation events in certain parts of the country where exhibitors/handlers can travel a few hours in almost all directions to an event on any given weekend/weekday. The feeling has been that these additional shows have impacted other long-standing events with fewer entries being the result. With the current economic condition of our country where there are less discretionary dollars available to allocate for hobbies (which is what our sport is to the vast number of participants), there are fewer dollars on hand to spend on entries, travel, lodging and meals. This means that exhibitors are going to be more careful about where

By Sari B. Tietjen 18 Dog News

they spend those dollars. The end result is that people are going to be entering and showing their dogs where they are likely to find competition to acquire championship points, majors, and those rating systems points – even if this means having to travel a greater distance from home than required with the small local show. Thus, the large shows will grow while the smaller shows will probably stay about the same size or decrease in entries. The smaller shows will continue to exist as long as they are financially able and/or have a working membership to sustain the event. AKC’s moratorium will not change the fiscal reality of the situation. As a matter of fact it might even hurt the very clubs it is trying to protect. Anyone involved in the conformation world realizes that specialties and group shows held in conjunction with all-breed shows help boost entries for the all-breed show. Such specialty and group shows are a plus for all-breed events – they attract entries resulting in the improved chances of acquiring points and majors which might not otherwise be present.

aking AKC’s own numbers as listed in the excerpt from the Board’s February minutes above, there are only 13 new All-Breed clubs on the horizon with 20 Group and 157 Specialty Clubs looking for full-status. These 20 Group and 157 Specialty Clubs are being put on hold even though they tend to improve entries and not decrease them. These Group and Specialty Clubs that are already in the pipeline should not be placed in a holding pattern while AKC attempts to ﬁgure out the future. The 13 new All-Breed clubs represent a different matter. Much depends on where they are in relationship with other existing clubs, whether or not they are in an area that is already saturated with All-Breed clubs, whether or not they are designed to replace a club that has ceased to exist due to lack of membership interest or ﬁnancial means. It then stands to reason that these 13 All-Breed clubs should be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on a variety of circumstances pertaining to each club. The individual clubs should be able to plead their case based on established criteria as to viability, territory and impact on existing events. All clubs are an asset to our sport and they should be encouraged to exist. They provide volunteer assistance in local communities, invaluable contacts, and support for our purebred dog world. They should not be slighted. If things have gotten out of hand with too many shows impacting too many long established events (as cited in the Board’s minutes), then AKC has no one to blame but itself. That horse is out of the barn. What AKC needs to do is to establish a practical, reasonable criteria and stick by it. Meanwhile, it should not punish those in the pipeline, nor take steps that will needlessly harm existing clubs by depriving them of the opportunity to improve their entries with conjunctive Group and Specialty clubs.

*The Dog News Top Ten List

Dog News 19

20 Dog News

Dog News 21

The question of the week is being sent to all judges who judged one or more of the 15 breeds designated by the Kennel Club in the UK as needing Veterinary approval prior to a breed win at Crufts or a Championship Certificate generally in the UK. 15 Breeds were designated as needing veterinary approval by The Kennel Club in the UK after being awarded its breed at Crufts due to the possiblity of “clinical signs of pain or discomfort, such as breathing difficulties, skin disorders, eye damage or lameness. The fifteen breeds were the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Bulldog,Chinese Crested,Clumber Spaniel,Dogues de Bordeaux, French Bulldog,German Shepherd,Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Pug, Shar Pei and St. Bernard. As the judge of at least one of these breeds at 2011 Westminster did you encounter any visible health problems with any dogs of these breeds upon which you adjudicated? Gary Doerge (judged French Bulldogs, Chinese Shar Pei and Bulldogs) All of the breeds that I judged were presented in beautiful condition with no signs of any health concerns. Why would an exhibitor show a dog any other way? Polly Smith (judged among other breeds Mastiffs and Neapolitan Mastiffs) No I did not see any evidence of any medical condition on the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Mastiff. I must say the Neapolitan was in excellent condition. Some of the Mastiffs could have been in better condition. Nothing for a vet, but better overall condition, skin in better shape. Bob Smith (judged St. Bernards) Of the Saint Bernards that I judged, I saw no evidence of any health problems that a layman could detect. Dennis McCoy (adjudicated upon French Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese) I had absolutely no health problems whatsoever with my breeds which were very high entry breeds in both French Bulldogs and Pugs. Never once was there anything a Veterinarian could detect in a cursory examination in the problems outlined by The Kennel Club. In fact with the problems named and without meaning to sound superior, I could ﬁnd them as fast or as quickly as any vet I know! The entire theory is ridiculous to my way of thinking anyway.

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 22 Dog News

Lee Canalizo (judged among other breeds Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds) Two of the breeds I judged at the Garden were Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds. I saw no sign of any entropian problem with either breed--indeed the eyes were totally acceptable. There were no breathing problems, all the exhibits moved freely and happily and all breathed well. There was not one overly exaggerated dog in either breed! I don’t understand what is happening in the UK with regard to the alleged problems with these breeds but I can tell you this, either their breeders are totally off base--which I doubt most sincerely or our breeders are leap years ahead of theirs--which is equally unlikely. Obviously some “arers” are pushing The Kennel Club and instead of looking at each breed individually to see if in fact breed problems do exist The Kennel Club is overreacting to a situation which in fact does not exist. Dr. Scott Kellogg (veterinarian, an exhibitor, breeder and judge of German Shepherd Dogs at Westminster) I did not ﬁnd any evidence of health problems during my individual and gaiting examinations of German Shepherd Dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club show. No lameness was clinically evident by any of the exhibits.

Burt Yamada (judged Dogues de Bordeaux) I did not observe any signs of pain or discomfort, such as breathing difficulties, skin disorders, eye damage or lameness in the Dogues de Bordeaux that I judged at Westminster this past week. Marjorie Martorella (judged Clumber Spaniels) I had the pleasure of judging a very competitive entry of Clumber Spaniels at Westminster this year. I have been judging the breed for over 25 years and am amazed at the improvement in the breed. The exhibits at the Garden were all sound and had no difficulty moving (unfortunately, most handlers move them too fast!). I saw no entropian or ectropian eye problems or eye stains from tearing. All of the dogs were in excellent condition with shiny white coats and no discoloration which is often a sign of staph infections. I think the US breeders have done a tremendous job in this breed and it is no wonder why Clumbers are competitive in Sporting Groups and Best in Show. Paula Hartinger (judged Chinese Cresteds) I encountered no visible health problems in any of the breeds I judged at Westminster. Regarding the Chinese Cresteds specifically, they all appeared to be a healthy, happy group of dogs that I very much enjoyed judging.

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Connie’s Comments Westminster is behind us, and we lucked out with the weather. It was warm, it was cold, it was windy, it was calm, but there was not a ﬂake of snow nor a drop of rain for the entire week. Lovely!

he ﬁnal lineup was stunning and I think many in T the audience were grateful that the Deerhound won. The star of the ﬁnale, however, belongs to the judge,

Mr. Paolo Dondina, who has judged in the United States and all over the world. A stately gentleman from Italy, Mr. Dondina owned his ring. He was thorough, precise, kind to the exhibitors, mindful of the cheering crowd, but concentrated on the task at hand. He appeared thoroughly at home in the large ring and seemed genuinely pleased with the lineup sent to him. When he made his decision, carrying the huge white and gold rosette in front of him, he thanked the Westminster Kennel Club, the audience and the exhibitors in the ring for honoring him with his assignment. It was truly one of the nicest finales to any of the decades of Westminsters I have attended. Now he is off to Crufts. What an unusual coincidence to have two of the world’s most important dog shows select the same person to judge their finals in the same year. The hoopla surrounding Westminster seemed somewhat subdued this year, not as many private parties were held. It was almost as if the hard winter was taking its toll on everyone. Two of my favorite places to be, however, appeared to have escaped the doldrums. The art exhibition and breakfast at Bonhams was outstanding. The new venue on Madison Avenue for Bonhams’ exhibit of sporting dogs was attractive and well attended. The Poodle fancier and author Karen LeFrak brought some of her wonderful Standard Poodles, while Karen signed copies of her latest childrens’ book, Best In Show. The neighborhood dogs were much in evidence. There was a preponderance of tiny creatures, possibly Chihuahuas and a couple of Yorkies, all dressed in tutus and spangles. They seemed very amiable, probably because they knew each other from the park. The other social event which draws a big crowd is the after-show party at Madison Square Garden given by Take the Lead. There was lots of good food, enjoyable company and conviviality. The Dog Writers Association of America and the Canine Health Foundation both held events at the Affinia Hotel, and there were a few private parties. The new dog writers’ association, Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers, had a luncheon at which they honored Damara Bolte for her great contributions to the sport. Damara, a long time breeder and handler of Mastiffs and Basenjis, was also a breed columnist for the AKC Gazette for many years. Since I am not on the A list for many events, I cannot comment on them. Just as well, too, or my suitcase would be twice as heavy and my wallet twice as light! I had the pleasure of taking a former neighbor to Westminster. It was her first time at the Garden. She is the owner of a Bernese Mountain Dog and an Alaskan Malamute (now deceased). It was fun to introduce her to the events and the show and to get the reaction of a person who has never been in person to the Big W. We stayed pretty much clear of the benching area. The area set aside for crating, grooming and general housekeeping seemed to me to be utter chaos. However, the professional handlers I spoke to liked the arrangement. It enabled them to keep all their dogs together without having them scattered around in different aisles. There also seemed to be plenty of grooming tables and chairs, although the instructions in the premium list

BY CONNIE VANACORE 26 Dog News

told otherwise. Apparently this situation will prevail for some time to come as Madison Square Garden is being renovated. The vendors seemed to suffer most from lack of space. Instead of lining the walls of the benching area they were tucked away, down an escalator. It made for somewhat easier access to the grooming areas, but did not contribute anything to foot traffic for them. Many familiar vendors were absent, including some of the purveyors of artworks, jewelry and novelties. William Secord Gallery was there, with a lovely display and featuring his new art book of contemporary portraits. The crowds at the Garden were large for both evening sessions and the aisles were as usual crammed with people jostling for positions at ringside during the day. I saw some of the candidates for the AKC Board trying to see and be seen in the middle aisle, but I did not see as many as usual. Maybe that’s because I am short! The usual complement of bizarre outfits seemed to be missing also. From our seats at night we have a good look at the passing parade, but this year everyone seemed to be bundled up in stormtrooper boots and heavy coats. Occasionally a spangle peeked through. Next month elections for the AKC Board of Directors, class of 2015 will be held. The March meeting is always the largest of the year and this time it should well attended because there are seven candidates running for three seats. Those nominated by the Nominating Committee are Robert Amen, Steven Gladstone and Kenneth Marden. Amen is a new face, Gladstone had to sit out a year because of term limits and Marden is an incumbent running for his second term. Also running by petition are former Director Dr. Carmen Battaglia, Karen Burgess, John Ronald and Daniel Smyth. It takes a majority of those present and voting to be elected. Sometimes the process goes very quickly, as it did last year. On other occasions it has taken four or five ballots to win majorities. It is customary for the candidates who garner very few votes to drop out. However, not all of them do and that prolongs the proceedings for another ballot. There has been talk over many years of instituting a process of voting electronically. However, that is very expensive. I think Delegates rather enjoy the process of voting by paper ballot. It gives them a chance to stretch their legs and mingle with friends and acquaintances, without being accosted by wannabe candidates waving petitions, as sometimes happens at the June or September meetings.

he annual meeting is also one at which many new Delegates are seated. Most member clubs hold their elections at the end of the year. With the turnover in Delegates it is not surprising to have ten to ﬁfteen new Delegates introduced. It used to be that a seated Delegate, often an acquaintance or friend, gets up and with a few complimentary words introduces the newcomer. In the past year or two, however, Delegates have been subjected to lengthy curriculum vitae about each newcomer. Perhaps it is time for the Secretary of AKC, Jim Crowley, to limit the speeches to 50 words or less…just a thought. Thanks to the readers who have taken the time to express their approval for Connie’s Comments. We will try to keep you entertained and welcome any suggestions you wish to send me. Until next time!

“PLUM”JOB

28 Dog News

Group Second • Westminster Kennel Club • Judge Mr. Edd Bivin

Ch. Cracknor Cross The T’s Owners Pam Beale & Beth Sweigart *The Dog News Top Ten List

Co-Owned By Her Breeder Elisabeth Matell

Presented By Roxanne Sutton and Co-Owner Beth Sweigart Dog News 29

BRACE YOURSELF

The Importance of Looking Backwards We tend to live in a “now” society when the majority seems preoccupied with the present and the future, but sometimes we need to take a rain check and remind ourselves that there is much to be said for studying the past, and this is particularly so within our sport and the dog fancy at large. often surprises me how slim is the library of many present Iattdayleast breeders and exhibitors; even in breeds where there is one accepted “bible” written on a breed, so frequently

there is a lack of interest in books that are not illustrated liberally with modern dogs and colourful “win pics”. Even pillars of the breed and historically key dogs are dismissed as being boring and “old fashioned” (an expression I hate in this sense), even when their contribution to the breed at large has been hugely significant. Whilst some of the aged photographs may well have been enhanced by touching-up that was a good deal more labour intensive than a few minutes spent with a sophisticated photo-shop programme, it is still possible to study a dog’s basic anatomy and construction, its balance and general type, a practice that is a good deal easier as in the coated breeds there is generally less hair and consequently a slimmer chance that the finished product is primarily the result of brilliant tonsorial artistry. Studying great dogs of the past should always prompt some questions as many of our breeds have changed, some subtly, some more dramatically. These changes can take different forms. In the coated breeds undeniably the majority now carry heavier coats, more lavishly groomed and often of a changed texture. More fundamentally some breeds have undergone structural changes. Better nutrition and rearing regimes may have resulted in dogs being heavier boned and better bodied but there are many breeds which have also undergone more transformative changes. The fashion in some breeds has seen sporting breeds in particular acquire alien if dramatically sloping toplines, often coupled with exaggerated rear angulation but with frontal assemblies that are not similarly angulated. Consequently the resulting movement is disjointed, dysfunctional and lacks both ease and fluidity. A point that I constantly try to hammer home at judging seminars is that movement is so inextricably linked to balance, a word we do not use as much as we should. I am a keen amateur photographer and taking photographs of dogs I have admired can sometimes produce interesting results. I recently judged a dog in Europe that excelled in its movement, an unexaggerated breed whose gait was free, easy, ground covering, 100% true out and back, holding a topline that never faltered and its carriage was absolutely what this functional breed required, free of that startled faun look that so many find attractive despite the fact that it is invariably the result of short upper arm and upright shoulders. When several of my friends saw the resulting photograph they commented that the dog appeared “straight behind”. In truth, the dog in question had complementary angulation front and back which is why its movement was so efficient and productive. The problem lies with the fact that we have become so accustomed to watching dogs winning in this breed that

have grossly over-angulated rears with far too much distance from hip to hock that it has become accepted as the norm. Other breeds have seen head types becoming changed to such an extent that the “modern” head is what could justiﬁably be described as “overtyped”. Sadly the written words of the Breed Standard so often get misconstrued. It’s a case of the two-pill syndrome; if one pill works then two will work better. If a Standard calls for “short” (that word being written originally purely in a relative sense) then shorter must be better. If we study some of our bracycephalic breeds there can be no denying that the beautifully classic open features of the breeds’ heyday have been replaced with faces that are crowded and overdone. In these days of dramatically increased awareness of the importance of health and welfare, how often do we see examples of these breeds that have over-nose wrinkles obscuring the nose and accompanying very narrow nostrils? Another modern trend seems to be the desire for swan-like necks, even in breeds that do not require them. Presumably the appreciation of this quality which so often unbalances the dog stems from the perception of extra “elegance”. It should be remembered that in many functional breeds – notably those in the sporting group that are required to pick up game – a longer, thinner and consequently weaker neck is a positive disadvantage over the required strongly developed neck of moderate length. Only recently I had occasion to visit a very successful Labrador breeder who was currently showing two litter brothers. One is a more streamlined version of his brother and interestingly this is the sibling that has found greater favour with some judges. However, my friend assured me that the difference in performance between these two males is quite remarkable, the more “old fashioned” dog being much more efﬁcient when called upon to retrieve than his neckier stylish brother.

o, when it comes to reviewing our breeds’ overall picture, it is no bad thing if we study these old pictures, see how the breeds have changed and ask ourselves if changes have really represented progress in a fit-for-purpose context. As far as the breeder is concerned, there is also good cause to look backwards in an attempt to “read” pedigrees. How many of our modern breeders can remember all the dogs in a four-generation pedigree? Not many I suspect, yet there is so much to be learnt from researching a pedigree, albeit only via photographs, to build up as wide a picture as possible of the pedigree’s subject. This can be so helpful in getting a feel for what strengths and weakness that lie behind a dog. One of the cleverest breeders of my acquaintance, very dedicated to her breed, produced on a huge sheet of wallpaper five generation pedigrees of all her dogs, including a photograph of each of the featured ancestors. The first time I saw one of these I was not only lost in admiration for the effort that had gone into producing it, but immediately could sense what she was trying to achieve with her breeding programme. Study of the past will put any enthusiast in a far better position to plan for the future. This is as true today as ever it was in years gone by.

BY ANDREW BRACE 30 Dog News

Dog News 31

One weekendâ&#x20AC;Ś.

Our sincere appreciation to Judge Mrs. Linda Riedel

Our sincere appreciation to Judge Dr. Daniel Dowling Presented by Howard Huber 32 Dog News

photo: mtimmermanphotography

ZELDA

A Top Ten* Sporting Dog Multiple Best In Show, Best In Specialty Show

GCh. Cerise Tender is the Night #1 English Springer Spaniel All Systems 2010

*The Dog News Top Ten List

Owned by Dorothy Cherry, Carl Blaine and Fran Sunseri CeriseEnglishSpringerSpaniels.com Dog News 33

BESTS of the WEEK

Sara Bay Kennel Club I & II Standard Poodle GCh. Dacun Kaylen’s He’s A Heartbreaker Judge Mr. George Marquis Judge Mr. Paul A. Thomann Owners Virginia Dorris & Kay Peiser Handler Kay Peiser

Santa Clara Kennel Club Standard Poodle Ch. Brighton Lakeridge Encore Judge Mrs. Vicki L. Abbott Owners Toni and Martin Sosnoff Handler Tim Brazier

Hendersonville Kennel Club Greenville Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Ch. Babheim’s Captain Crunch Judge Mr. Robert Hutton Judge Mr. Robert Fetter Owners James Moses, Debra Stern, Janet Lange & Carlos Novarro Handler James Moses Colorado Kennel Club Kuvasz GCh. Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Six Pence Judge Dr. Eric Liebes Owners Mercedes Vila, Lynn Brady, Connie Townsend, Claudia Muir Handler Diana Wilson Lakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club American Staffordshire Terrier GCh. Alpine’s Highwayman Judge Dr. Wanda V. Spediacci Owners Zane Smith, Ed & Karen Thomason Handler Ed Thomason

Linn County Kennel Club - Saturday McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers - Monday Miniature Bull Terrier GCh. Temris Bully for Me Judge Ms. Gloria Kerr Judge Mr. Don L. Evans Owner Allison Nelson Handler Luke Baggenstos Orchid Island Dog Fancier Club Saturday, Sunday & Monday Doberman Pinscher GCh. Fantasy Island’s Inspiration Judge Mrs. Honey A. Glendinning Judge Mr. Charles L. Olvis Judge Ms. Elizabeth Muthard Owners Don and Nora Gau and Tina Beatty Handler Tina Beatty Cyclone Country Kennel Club of Ames - Sunday Rottweiler GCh. Cammcastle’s Friar Tuck Judge Mrs. Janet Turnage Nahikian Owners Vicky & Tony O’Brien Handler Holly Eldred

South Arkansas Kennel Club II Pharaoh Hound Ch. Northgate’s As You Like It Judge Mrs. Mildred Bryant Owners Jennifer Mosing, Jenny Hall Handler Brian Livingston

Plum Creek Kennel Club of Colorado Colorado Kennel Club Black Cocker Spaniel GCh. Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction Judge Dr. Steve Keating Judge Mrs. Karen C. Wilson Owners Bruce Van Deman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, Linda Moore Handler Michael Pitts

Cyclone Country Kennel Club of Ames Old English Sheepdog Ch. Lambluv’s Gambolon Blue Thunder Judge Mr. Ken Murray Owners Kay Richardson & Jere Marder Handler Jere Marder

South Arkansas Kennel Club Shetland Sheepdog GCh. Kylene Eden The Dragonslayer Judge Ms. Linda Robey Owners K. Hannah, K. Dziegiel, L. Patrick & M. Bulens Handler Paul Hannah

FEBRUARY 25, 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

36 Dog News

Dog News 37

10 QUESTIONS ASKED BY LESLIE BOYES OF:

Amy & Andrew Green Born: Andrew...Neath, Wales, UK Amy...Plainﬁeld, New Jersey Reside: Readington Township, New Jersey Ages: Andrew - 48, Amy -45

38 Dog News

What year did you start showing dogs and what breeds were they?

Andrew: Early 1970’s, Sealyham Terrier puppy of Mrs. Wimers on the N.E. Circuit. Amy: 1997, Samoyed at Hunterdon Hills KC.

Which dog no longer being shown would you liked to have shown or owned?

Andrew: Mick the Kerry Blue Terrier, Manhattan the German Shepherd and/or the Alaskan Malamute, Take No Prisoner’s. Amy: Josh the Newfoundland, Ch. Darbydale’s All Rise Pouch Cove.

Why do you think most people want to judge?

Andrew: I really don’t know. Everyone seems to want to judge everything these days. Where have the breed specialists gone? Amy: Hopefully because they have had enough experience breeding, owning or showing dogs to be able to ﬁnd a good one.

Who are your non-dog heros or heroines exclusive of immediate relatives?

Andrew: The men and women of The Armed Forces. Amy: Seabiscuit.

If you could change one thing about your relationship what would it be?

Andrew: More Phillies, less Yankees. Amy: Andrew would wear only pinstripes.

How would you describe yourselves in personal ads?

Andrew: Dog loving Welsh boy. Amy: Loves Dogs and Welshmen.

Do you think there are too many dog shows?

Andrew: Yes, dog shows are far too common now, so few are “events”. Amy: Yes, the value of winning has diminished.

Which are your three favorite dog shows?

Andrew: Windsor Championship Show, Montgomery County KC, Bucks County KC. Amy: Whichever are the last three we’ve won.

Do you think there should be a limit on the number of times a dog may be exhibited in a year?

Andrew: Use your head. Don’t be greedy. Amy: It would be very interesting if there was a limit.

How do you react to people ﬂying in and out of shows on the same weekend?

Andrew: “Best of luck, don’t miss that ﬂight!” Amy: Seems a bit desperate to me, and unsportsmanslike. Unless of course I am the one doing it.

#5 ALL BREED PAPILLON #10 BREED FOR 2010

OWNERS - BREEDERS - HANDLERS LAURA TEMPERATO LEONA DOMINO

CO-OWNERS CO-OWNERS ELYSE ELYSE VANDERMOLEN VANDERMOLEN SHARON SHARON NEWCOMB NEWCOMB *The Dog News Top Ten List

40 Dog News

Dog News 41

THE DOG IN ART

English & Gordon Setters At The Kennel Club A writer in The Times described the Kennel Club Art Gallery as the ‘most exclusive public gallery in Britain’, a somewhat double-edged compliment, for such a unique gallery, situated as it is in London’s Mayfair with its constant ﬂow of tourists, deserves to be less exclusive and better know.

ne of the more fascinating roles exhibitions at the gallery play is introducing to a wider audience important pieces of dog art that otherwise are hidden from the public gaze in private collections. The current exhibition on the English and Gordon Setters is no exception. On public view for the first time is Maud Earl’s magnificent picture of the English Setters, Ightfield Gaby and Ightfield Duke. Painted in 1903 for their owner, Capt H.H. Heywood-Lonsdale, the picture has remained within the family ever since. Gaby’s many wins included first and Best Setter in the allaged stake at the International Kennel Club Trials, whilst Duke’s successes included winning outright the Patiala Challenge Cup. Together they won the brace stake at the Pointer and Setter trials at Lanark in 1902, also the prize for the best looking and best matched brace. The Ightfield kennel was CONTINUED ON PAGE 70

BY NICK WATERS 42 Dog News

” y w e h “C

Judge Dr. Alvin W. Krause

Multiple Best In Show Winning

Ch. Talydales Friend Of The Force The Number One* Lakeland Terrier

Breeder/Owner Sheri Smith *The Dog News Top Ten List - All Breed

Handlers Michael & Michele Kemp 724 448-4104 mkemp629@yahoo.com Dog News 43

The Puli to SHOUT about! Group One

Merrimack Valley Kennel Club - January 17, 2011

With much appreciation to Judge Mr. Robert Caswell

Steve and Alice Lawrence

THE FUZZY FARM Best In Show Cords Since 1972

44 Dog News

Dog News 45

KERRY BLUE TERRIER

Unusual Blue Dogs In politics, the term “blue dogs” refers to an ever-diminishing group of ﬁscally-conservative Democrats. Their name comes from the fact that, in the beginning, they frequently met in the ofﬁce of a Louisiana representative where many of the walls featured the works of a Cajun artist who painted a series of paintings that contained an unusual blue dog. hile the blue dogs in George Rodrique’s paintings more W closely resemble Pembroke Welsh Corgis, their unusual color hints at another “blue dog,” the Kerry Blue Terrier which

as a breed qualifies as “ unusual” simply because it consistently ranks in the bottom third on the list of the AKC’s popularity rating. But there are also some “unusual dogs” within this unusual breed. One aspect of Kerries, that makes them a bit unusual in the terrier group, is that they are not particularly challenging to train. “Kerries were developed to be all-around farm dogs which including hearing livestock and retrieving upland game,” said Lisa Frankland who owned Ch Casey’s Rae of Sunshine UDX RAE MX MXJ MXP MJP (“Katie Rae”) and currently has Kerigolf’s Loaded for Bear CD AS MXJ (“Remington.”) “So, in many ways, the breed actually responds to training more like a sporting or herding dog than some of the other terrier breeds. Many people’s notions Athena (GCh Adare’s the Right about what breeds are ‘trainable’ developed Answer RN NA NJ NF NAP NJP OJ), in the early days of obedience competition another of Ellwanger’s Kerries, when training methods were harsher and less had some issues with the teeter flexible than they are now and consisted of a and weave poles in agility that lot of repetitions. Dogs that responded well to required a little creative thinking this kind of training, primarily herding and to overcome. sporting breeds, got the reputation of being ‘good’ obedience breeds while breeds that tended to rebel or shut down were labeled ‘difficult.’ But, as training methods have evolved, you can see many dogs today of breeds that were reputed Ch Casey’s Rae of Sunshine UDX RAE MX MXJ to be ‘hard to train’ competing very successfully in a variety of dog MXP MJP (“Katie Rae”), one of Lisa Frankland’s sports. Kerry Blue Terriers respond well to methods that are fun, Kerries, did a lot of different performance acfast-paced and fair. Still, being terriers, you have to be aware of their tivities and seemed to enjoy them all. propensity for high amounts of prey drive, dog-on-dog aggression and dominance challenges so you still have to be firm and consistent in your training. While not all Kerries have these tendencies, you have to prepared to prevent and deal with them if and when they arise. For this reason, early and ongoing training and socialization are so important. It is ultimately how the owner responds to these ‘terrier issues’ that determines whether a terrier winds up being a ‘helluva’ dog or a dog from Hell.” “The Kerry is capable of herding, hunting, tracking, agility, dockdiving and is a great all-around companion dog,” said Joy Louise Ellwanger who owns GCh Adare’s the Right Answer RN NA NJ NF NAP NJP OJ (“Athena”) and Ch Adare’s Top Hat and Tails NA NAJ NF (“Zeus.”) “I’ve even taken my Kerries bike riding, hiking, horseback riding and swimming. I don’t find them difficult to train but they are a bit more challenging because they are very intelligent and fast learners. They like stimulation and they’re always on their toes. CONTINUED ON PAGE 76

BY M.J. NELSON 46 Dog News

Dog News 47

Dash continues his reign in 2011 Number One ETS 2010 (*All Breed) Number 13 Toy 2010** 6 Best In Shows â&#x20AC;˘ 42 Group Firsts Best of Breed 2009 National Best of Variety 2010 National

GCh. Royalist Ready To Reign Owned by Douglas Johnson, Jamie Hubbard, Jeane Haverick, Jackie Rifenberg & Wayne Holbrook Presented By Laura King, Erin Gimbut *The Dog News Top Ten List **CC System

48 Dog News

Dog News 49

2011 Westminster Kennel Club Junior Showmanship Results Judge Mrs. Linda Pitts awards Joanne Thibault the Best Junior Showmanship rosette at Westminster Kennel Club

Finals

Preliminary Winners

JUDGE: Mrs. Linda Pitts

JUDGE: Mr. Douglas Johnson & Dr. Bob Smith

33 Joanne Thibault Entry: Ch Pouch Cove’s Brittania Breed: Portuguese Water Dogs Sex: Bitch AKC: WS 05096007 Date of Birth: July 16, 2003 Breeder: Alana Shirley & Peggy Helming Sire: Ch Armada’s Boatswain Helm’s Alee Dam: Pouch Cove’s La Sea Belle Owner: Joanne Thibault & Jane Thibault Photos: Junior

11 Morgan Mattioli Entry: Wyndbourne Destiny Breed: Pointers (German Shorthaired) Sex: Dog AKC: SR 38711106 Date of Birth: October 18, 2006 Breeder: Susan Harrison Sire: Ch Wyndbourne Indulgence Dam: Ch Rijaro’s Wyndsock Owner: Lynn Rhodes & Morgan Mattioli

42 Collen Stone Entry: Ch Cabaret Come Chase The Dream Breed: Beagles, Over 13 In. But Not Exceeding 15 In. Sex: Dog AKC: HP 24556701 Date of Birth: January 03, 2007 Breeder: Tracy Olson & Scott Olson & Joan Simpson Sire: Ch Cabaret Come As You Are Dam: Ch Cabaret Catch A Dream Owner: Tracy Olson & Scott Olson & Joan Simpson & Collen Stone 18 Stephanie Hentschel Entry: Wyndlor Tisha Darla Doright Breed: Pomeranians Sex: Bitch AKC: TR 45802602 Date of Birth: November 12, 2005 Breeder: Pat Dieball & Becky Sabourin Sire: Ch Heartland’s Bosa Nova Dancer Dam: Ch Wyndlor Daisy Doright Owner: Becky Sabourin & Stephanie Hentschel 67 Demery Paladichuk Entry: ESSpecial Honeymooner Breed: Spaniels (English Springer) Sex: Dog AKC: SR 17544602 Date of Birth: June 08, 2004 Breeder: Monica Bowers & Robin Novack Sire: Ch Tiffany’s You’ve Been Warned Dam: Ch ESSpecial Moonlite Rendezvous Owner: Demery Paladichuk & Monica Bowers 50 Dog News

17 Chaz McDonnell Entry: Ch Southern This Kiss Breed: Pointers Sex: Bitch AKC: SR 12920201 Date of Birth: October 26, 2003 Breeder: Tina McDonnell Sire: Ch Solivia’s Alpha Aquarii JH Dam: Ch PNR Carolina In My Mind JH Owner: Chaz McDonnell 26 Bridget Ratcliffe Entry: Ch High Mtn Making A Splash Breed: Fox Terriers (Smooth) Sex: Dog AKC: RN 11894202 Date of Birth: July 21, 2006 Breeder: Kevin & Jennifer Smith & Carolyn & Richard Snavely Sire: Ch High Mtn Shenanigans Dam: Indigos High Mountain Showgirl Owner: Bridget Ratcliffe 127 Rachel Ertle Entry: Ch Nautica’s Got Game Breed: Spaniels (Field) Sex: Dog AKC: SR 56901606 Date of Birth: June 10, 2009 Breeder: Danielle Brewer & Larry Young Sire: Ch Nautica’s Crimson Tide Dam: Ch Nautica’s Game On Owner: Rachel Ertle & Danielle Brewer

Thank you to Judges Ms. Penny Urban and Ms. Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine and to Stan Flowers for a dazzling ďŹ rst weekend out!

Dog News 51

The FANCY Speaks Thoughts On The Recent Board Moratorium

by William Miller

n February, 11, 2011, the AKC Board of Directors placed a moratorium on the licensing of new conformation clubs. As a member of a Toy Group club that has just held our ﬁrst “B” match, this decision was not received with much enthusiasm. Clubs that are currently in the system have worked hard and spent money, time, and effort to become licensed by the AKC. I am dismayed that the board could make such a decision without discussing their “study” with the members of the clubs that are currently in the process of working towards acceptance. It is bizarre that specialty and group clubs would even be considered. Holding group shows will only increase the entry for the all-breed clubs that share the weekend with them. Perhaps the board’s “study” should take a good look at the entries in the Terriers during the Cherry Blossom weekend! Holding a group club event will help increase the odds that the all-breed club will draw majors. The same would be true for specialty club events. People will attend weekends if there is a specialty held in conjunction with the all-breed shows. This is not a new concept. Exhibitors tend to support specialty weekends.

by Polly Dorsey Smith

irst let me be up front and honest; I am biased in my feeling on this Subject. I helped start a group club and helped get another recognized. Both of these group clubs along with the toy group club have help to raise our entries. Our idea of going alone on a weekend without other all breed clubs was built on the premise of bringing in the 3 group clubs along with a certain number of Specialty clubs to build a weekend of relaxed breeder, judge, exhibitor, and specialty handler show. Other clubs to build their entries. I ﬁnd it strange that after all of these years some of the same people who fought Ted Eldredge on recognizing group clubs are still at it. Group clubs allow the exchange among breeders, the time to talk, watch puppies and just generally enjoy themselves . This is also true of the small 2 day show where one can bring in experts in certain breeds. Because of the terrier club we were able to bring in 3 top fox terrier judges, William Potter II, Monika Pinsker, and Rosalind Kraus Kramer. With the toys we were able to bring in George Milutinovich along with Maxine Beam. Hound experts abounded with Fred Vogel, Steven Kass, and Jane Bishop. On a more monetary note this action has already cost the Middle Peninsula Club money. On Tuesday Fred Lyman and I were talking about the superintendent’s cost per entry and he mentioned they were able to keep the cost the same because we had a nice increase of entries up by 150 dogs per day. I was quick to point out he would have to go up in 2013 because of the action of the AKC Board of Directors. Most of the board are members of large kennel clubs and run large multi day clusters. There is a place for the small 2 day show. Many of the 54 Dog News

Perhaps the board of directors will realize this during their “study.” Sadly, there are many breeds that do not have enough Specialties. The Board should spend some time encouraging parent clubs to seek members to create specialty clubs in each region. After all, this is the place the new breeders will form lifelong friendships that keep them in our sport. I would hope that the board reconsiders their decision and recognizes the importance of supporting those people within the fancy that have already committed their time, money and effort towards having their club licensed by the AKC. Our Chesapeake Toy Dog Fanciers Club held their ﬁrst “B” match a few weeks ago. With only holding a “B” match, the All-breed event had an entry increase. Fifty plus toy dogs entered our match and many new members have joined our club. How did our membership react? Anger, frustration, and utter disappointment seemed to be the reaction of most. Most of us have spent a lifetime of involvement in the sport. We have proudly considered ourselves part of the AKC family. One calming voice suggested that we offer our talents to the UKC and hope that they would welcome us.

people who come to these shows are the same people active in group clubs, primarily breeders of one breed, hold a job that requires they be there at least part of the week, they have families, children, etc. They want to show their dog. They are proud of it. They aren’t out to be number one . They neither can afford the time nor the money to make 80 to 125 shows per year. They want to come to a show that is clean, well run and one whose members have gone out of their way to hire judges who know the ﬁne points of their breeds and can discuss these breeds with them. I don’t think the board knows or appreciates the time and money that the average person puts in to the hobby and I feel very sad and hurt for these breeders and exhibitors. Certainly, we need our big shows and our top handlers and top judges but some of the best places to learn breeds is at group shows and weekend shows where there is time to sit and discuss the details and similarities of some of our breeds. I have asked Dr. Ann Gallant, the delegate from the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club (Dr. Gallant is a founding member of the Cumberland Valley Hound Association which is in the b match stage), to ask those candidates running for the board in March what their stand is on this question. Just as a point of reference our entries went up in toys from 106, 121,139 to 147. Our terriers went up from 49 to 134 and 51 to 120, hounds who were with us for a second year went up by only 25 dogs per day but that was a nice increase in these days. As for entries falling off at shows the delegates should look at themselves. In order to show at an AKC show the dog has to be registered with AKC and not on a limited registration. Not in conformation, other aspects, rally, etc. Yes. How come we needed a moratorium to study new clubs but not a moratorium as they study redoing the judging process?

BEST IN SHOW AND SPECIALTY WINNER GCH. SOMERRI DUNHARROW’S DEVIL RAY

THREE GROUP PLACEMENTS IN A ROW FOR THE NATION’S NUMBER ONE* NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND GROUP FIRST - Union County Kennel Club - Judge Mr. Steven Gladstone GROUP SECOND - Potomac Hound Show - Judge Mr. William Barton GROUP FOURTH - Middle Peninsula Kennel Club of Virginia - Judge Mr. W. Everett Dean, Jr. Co-Owners: SOMERRI KENNELS, REG. Merrimack, New Hampshire *All Breed points, All Systems

Breeders: Ed Hall Roland Masse Laura Lewis

Owner-Handler: Judy Silker DUNHARROW Winﬁeld, Pennsylvania Dog News 55

56 Dog News

Dog News 57

Atlantic Classic -- Easy Winter Days at the Ocean There is no sight as lonely as a windswept beach in winter.

n Wildwood, at the southern tip of New Jersey, acres and acres of grey-brown sand stretch out until they reach a tumultuous, white-capped ocean. Here and there, lonely seagulls hop from foot to foot, running down to the waterline to peck in the sand after each wave subsides. Nature is raw here; bleak, cold, and damp. The Wildwood Convention Center sits right on the beach. Inside, exhibitors of 1,000 dogs were comfortable and warm, but when ring time was over on Sunday afternoon, about two dozen climbed down the steps to the hard sand, where their dogs trotted happily in the fresh air. Two Black Russian Terriers shook the mist from their rough, wavy coats. A Siberian Husky ran to the limit of his flexilead and raced a circle around his laughing owner, clearly enjoying the feel of cold packed sand beneath his feet. A Beagle had his nose to the shore, taking in mystifying scents of fish and mussels and leftovers from summer picnics. A run on the beach is not for every breed. Shih Tzu and Poodle owners were not about to let their dogs’ feet and topknots get wet. For them, a sturdy boardwalk runs a mile along the back of the beach and provides dry and stable footing with handrails for the humans. A Basset Hound flounced along, his ears swaying to the beat of his footsteps. A flock of Chihuahuas pranced around a smiling couple, the little dogs’ feet lifting high with each step, their tails up and alert, heads bobbing, obviously in a state CONTINUED ON PAGE 78

BY SHARON SAKSON 58 Dog News

Sierr a&J ohn

MULTIPLE BREED WINNER AND GROUP PLACING

GCH. VALHALLA’S ASCENT AT ROCHFORD SIRE: BEST IN SHOW & BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW WINNING CH. ALPINE’S SUMMIT AT ROCHFORD, HOF, AOM, HR DAM: CH. ROJON’S KIZMET V VALHALLA, ROM

Owners: Lourdes Carvajal and Janet Quick Breeders: Darlene Bergan and Sarah Wooten

Handled exclusively by: John Gerszewski

Dog News 59

60 Dog News

Best In Show Winning

Dog News 61

V.I.D.P.

Very Important Dog People Von Heiss Dobermans – Athayde Reis Filho Mogi das Cruzes – Sao Paulo - Brazil

razil is the largest country in South America and the ﬁfth largest country in the world, behind China, Russia, Canada and the USA. The country’s most prosperous state is Sao Paulo, with huge industry and commerce, it is the main driving force in Brazilian economy. Sao Paulo state’s capital is the city of Sao Paulo, a very cosmopolitan metropolis with an astonishing 16 million inhabitants, and all the advantages and by all means all the problems associated with such huge cities; they have great restaurants, phenomenal cultural life, museums, parks, restaurants, theaters, and also pollution, violence and all an enormous city has. Like with most large centers, Sao Paulo also has a large suburban setting, with many smaller surrounding cities serving as home to people who work downtown. One of these cities is Mogi das Cruzes, located at about 40 miles from Sao Paulo’s center, it is a small, paradisiacal town, with all the pleasantries of a semi-rural area, but conveniently close to Brazil’s economical heart. The city has the largest professional golf resort of South America. Along the many years that I’ve been writing for Dog News I have introduced many breeders, judges and handlers from all over the world in a column called VIDP (Very Important Dog People). Lately I was writing about rare breeds of the world and I will continue to do so, but for this time I wanted to go back to the VIDP and present my readers to a very dear friend of mine, Mr. Athayde Reis Filho, a very respected Brazilian Doberman breeder of many decades, who made Mogi da Cruzes his home. Athayde, aside from being a lawyer, is an entrepreneur, breeder of beef and dairy cattle. I was fortunate enough to

enjoy his company in each and every important dog event that happened in our neck of the woods for as long as I resided in Brazil. With my moving to America our contacts became few and far between, but thanks to the internet, Facebook and all the goodies that come with technology we are ﬁnally putting our conversations back in track and therefore this article came to be. Athayde is above all an idealist, he has his view of what the breed should be and has been working hard – and with great success – toward his goal. His mission has always been to breed healthy dogs, both physically and mentally and of course carefully following the aesthetical requirements of the breed standard. CONTINUED ON PAGE 84

BY AGNES BUCHWALD 62 Dog News

Dog News 63

GCH. QUAILRIDGE’S COUPE DEVILLE

“C O U P E ” Reaching for the Stars & Driving It Home FOR MR. RANDALL ALAN OSTIN

BREEDER & CO-OWNER DEBRA WILEY-CUEVAS 64 Dog News

HANDLED BY RIC PLAUT, AKC REG.

GROUP FIRST Judge Dr. Steve Keating

GROUP SECOND Judge Mr. Stephen Hubbell

Dog News 65

Off The Leash The Westminster hangover has officially lifted and it’s back to business for fanciers — back to the business of fighting for their rights to responsibly breed and own dogs, that is. Illinois is one of only 11 states that specifically prohibits breed-specific legislation and depending on the outcome of a committee meeting this past Tuesday, that number may actually drop to 10.

n Feb. 22nd, the Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee was to consider House Bill 1080, which would remove the state’s ban of breed-specific legislation. There are two other pet-related bills being considered in Illinois, one that addresses outdoor tethering and another that seeks to better define an “animal hoarder” as one that owns seven or more companion animals. Under HB 1166, such a “hoarder” would have to apply for a permit. The results of these bills were not known as of press time. Meanwhile, dog owners and breeders in Texas are being messed with in the form of two unfair bills. The first, House Bill 998, will require that anyone who owns an intact male dog over 20 pounds that is ever off its owners property unleashed or not in a secure enclosure purchase $100,000 in liability insurance. Violations would be classified as a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $500. The second, House Bill 1451, will define and regulate commercial breeders of dogs and cats. Anyone who owns eleven intact female animals (cats and dogs) and is engaged in the business of breeding animals for direct or indirect sale – even selling one dog or litter per year – would be considered a “commercial breeder” under HB 1451. To mandate that dog owners purchase separate liability insurance to the tune of $100,000 on the assumption that any intact dog over 20 pounds is “dangerous” is absurd, not to mention totally unnecessary and unreasonable. Most homeowners’ insurance policies already cover dogs. This attempt to further saddle dog owners’ with an unnecessary expense smacks of an effort to deter dog ownership. With an already weakened economy and families seeking to cut costs wherever they can, imposing an insurance mandate may well result in the relinquishing of family pets to area shelters, which municipalities will not be ready to accommodate. Not to mention, this being Texas, after all, the number of ranchers, farmers and sportsmen that would be adversely affected by such a mandate would be staggering. And what about those who compete with their dogs in field trials, agility, rally and obedience events? Another problem responsible owners and breeders will find with HB 998 is the vague language. What exactly is a “secure enclosure”? Would a backyard fence or an ex-pen suffice? Or does that mean a crate? Or would that depend on whether one lives in an urban or rural area? Perhaps the most egregiously overlooked aspect to HB 998 is that it doesn’t make exceptions for service or assistance animals. How can that be explained to those who depend on such animals to live productive, fulfilling lives? If the intent of this proposal is to improve public safety, it is surely misguided. In fact, it may have the exact opposite effect of creating less responsible dog owners who fail to properly train their dogs under the false sense of security that their unruly dog’s behavior is covered by their insurance policy. One has to wonder, if judges have determined that the Obama administration can’t mandate health insurance for humans, how can Texas mandate liability insurance for dogs? If the sketchy definition of a commercial breeder provided in HB 1451 weren’t enough to raise the ire of

By Shaun Coen 66 Dog News

Texas’ breeders, the bill would also allow for an annual, unannounced inspection of a breeder’s property. These inspections may be conducted by third-party designees, including local animal control officers and contract employees, who may arrive at any hour, however inconvenient. The bill does not mandate that these inspectors be trained by the state so one must question who would determine if someone is qualified to conduct such an inspection that can have dire consequences for dogs and responsible breeders. Another cause for concern in the bill is that it calls for a “Commercial Breeder Enforcement Enhancement & Training Fund” to be established, which may offer rewards for information leading to disciplinary action. This creates the potential for abuse and may give an incentive to file frivolous or erroneous reports, creating a further burden and expense for breeders. The bill would also establish a public database of licensees and disciplinary actions, but because of the low threshold established (one puppy sold per year), those who breed even one litter in their homes would be required to post their name, address and other personal information on a public registry. Is the intent of the bill to expose the home breeder that may sell a sole puppy or litter in a calendar year? Such a registry provides a “hit list” of sorts for the animal rightists to target. While HB 998 and HB 1451 will go a long ways towards making life more expensive and unnecessarily burdensome for responsible dog breeders and owners, they will do little in the way of improving public safety or protecting the health and welfare of dogs. Fanciers in the Lone Star state need to enlighten their legislators. To find a database of who represents Texas residents, log on to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/.

seminar will be presented on March 12th by the Suffolk County Kennel Club in Holbrook, NY and if in the area, fanciers as well as ALL responsible dog owners and breeders should make it a priority to attend. Titled “Legislation Awareness Against Breeders & Pet Owners”, it will include an overview of the major issues in canine legislation and discussion of the increasing pressure that breeders are facing from the animal rights community. Sheila Goffe, Director of Government Relations for the American Kennel Club, will preside over the presentations and discussions. There will be an introduction to the Animal Rights movement for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, followed by a “Legislation 101” section, which will explore and explain the legislative process and how to identify and fight bad legislation, which will last another 1.5-2 hours, and will be followed by discussion on issues specific to New York. The seminar will get underway at 10 am and go on until 2 pm. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served at the Woodgate Village Clubhouse at 240 Springmeadow Drive. Cost of attendance is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For further information, contact Bob Eisele at 631 277-2201 or bobeisele@aol.com. What a terrific opportunity the Suffolk County Kennel Club is offering to help educate fanciers in how they can create citizen action and grassroots campaigns to become the proper voice of authority for their dogs and to protect their rights to own and breed them. These are exactly the types of innovative and influential ideas that should be championed by clubs and fanciers and endorsed by the AKC, as they go a long way towards developing an informed, cohesive, camaraderie amongst all dog owners to defeat the animal rightists and their extremist agendas.

GCh. Le Coeur Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ange De Briardale The Number One* Briard

Group Winning

Thank You To Judge Mrs. Barbara Dempsey Alderman! Breeders Rick & Liz Kenitz

Owner Peggi Weymouth

Handled By Christy Collins Improvtibetanspaniels@Yahoo.Com *Breed points, All Systems

Dog News 67

AND MORE

SHOW VENUES, THAT MORATORIUM, CRUFTS...

e went up to the Elm City Show now held in Hartford in the bowels of the Hartford Civic Center along with the Governors Foot Guard show the next day. Our purpose in going was to have our house pet trimmed. I apologized to Howie, our Griffon, all the way home for taking him to such a depressing, poorly lit venue. We got out of there as quickly as humanly possible. What an image this projects for our sport the very weekend after Westminster! If I were a judge I would hope to have the nerve and good sense to say upon arriving at the site, “Sorry, but I will not and cannot judge in this kind of environment.” AKC should be ashamed for having approved it in the first place. If you can’t find a better site in the area then don’t hold the show at all is the way I feel. The winner the first night was the Am Staff bitch which won Montgomery. I got a close look at her for the first time and I must say she is truly an outstanding example of her breed and as sweet as they come. The next night the Irish Setter bitch continued her winning ways from 2010 but I was physically long, long gone! Mentally it just reopened my thinking about how important it is for the Board and Staff to reconsider its present site approval policies and standards. These are not the days of approving every old tobacco barn. These are the days of 31 competing registries with animal rightists nipping and biting to bury us. Why give them more fodder by holding shows in these kinds of venues? I see where the moratorium adopted unanimously by the Board on approving any new shows is understandably creating a furor in many a circle. All shows in an A or B state of progress will hit a brick wall in applying for conformation approvals only. The rationale being that with a 3% increase in conformation shows and a 3% DECREASE in overall conformation entries, why put an added burden on the existing shows by allowing any more new conformation shows? This does not apply to other events as I understand it. Makes sense to me except that I think the moratorium should have been refined to exclude Specialty or Group shows which are associated with existing all-breeds. Those should be able to in fact help increase entries. I would definitely have excluded that group of new shows for sure and I would certainly never vote for a moratorium which does not specify a time limit. Why suspend something forever? It would be more palatable to word it a moratorium for two years or until a study is completed, don’t you think! I hope this does not land me back under the roses or relegated to eating only canned tuna but that is how I feel. The moratorium also applies in conformation to single All-breeds which now try to hold a second show using the same rationale I suppose and something which again makes sense to me. The main thing I wonder about in this area is whether or not the Board is in fact to have Staff examine the entire show giving system or has limited this moratorium to new shows only. This of course would be too limited a study to satisfy the needs of evaluating the number of Clusters and the like.

ff to Crufts shortly where the entries showed a drop of 2.4 per cent DOWN to 21,422!!!! That’s still a lot of dogs. Interesting though that the Crufts entries hit an all time HIGH insofar as dogs entered from overseas! The total of foreign dogs entered is 1,231 with the US down from last years 27 exhibits to 19. Russia entered 104 breaking into the first figure category for the first time while the largest number comes from Ireland followed by the Netherlands. First time-entries are from Israel and Bermuda and for the first time in five years there are no entries at all from Japan! The steady increase in international entries as seen from the table which accompanies this article must be gratifying to the Kennel Club as quite obviously the international appeal of the show continues to grow. Naturally our reactions to what we see and hear will be in an issue to come! By the way, present and past issues of DOG NEWS and “D” will be sold at the many OUR DOGS stands throughout the NEC as well as at our own Dog News booth in the foreign visitors area.

BY MATTHEW H. STANDER 68 Dog News

*The Dog News Top Ten List - Breed points

English & Gordon Setters At The Kennel Club CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

started by Capt Heywood-Lonsdale’s father, A.P. Heywood-Lonsdale and also in the exhibition is the Ightfield kennel’s Stud Book from 1865 to 1927 when distemper decimated the kennel. Capt Heywood-Lonsdale’s daughter-in-law, Jean HeywoodLonsdale, was very successful with her field trial Labradors under the Shavington affix. Two other important exhibits are the magnificent English Setter Pure Type Challenge Brace Stakes Trophy, on loan from the English Setter Club, that was sculpted by R.H. Moore (who was also responsible for other magnificent trophies) and made by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company in 1896, and from the Kennel Club’s own collection, John Emms large oil of nine of Sir Humphrey de Trafford’s English Setters, amongst whom are Ch. Mallwyd Bess, winner of thirteen CCs and Ch. Barton Tory, twice BOB at Crufts who was later owned to S.E. Shirley, founder of the Kennel Club, and subsequently sold to the States. Sporting art was at its peak in the late 19th/early 20th century and pictures of Setters working on moors or flushing game put food on the table for many an artist. Colin Greame and Robert Cleminson were two great exponents and works by both feature in the exhibition. Also featured are more recent portraits by a string of artists of dogs that were successful in the field or on the bench; dogs like Sh.Ch. Bournehouse Solo Dancer, Sh.Ch. Elswood Renmark Baronet, a host of Suntop dogs, and the field trial champions Sharnberry Whitestone, Sharnberry Nita and Waygood Fiona all owned by Capt W. Parlour. Amongst a good selection of ceramics is an early Staffordshire flatback group of a sportsman with his dog and game; models by Royal Doulton; a beautiful Berlin cabinet

70 Dog News

plate that had once been in Count Alarico Palmieri’s collection; an impressive Villeroy and Boch charger; an unusual Lladro head by Juan Huerta; a fine selection of decorative items by Crown Devon; a rare model from the studio of the late Eve Niven of Ch. Shiplake Dean of Crombie, and a Royal Copenhagen porcelain group of a brace of Setters. All the above are English Setters. As someone viewing at the opening remarked; “You have to search to find a Gordon Setter” and sadly the breed is the poor relation. Anyone making a long journey in the hope of seeing a fine selection of Gordon Setter art will be disappointed. Remembering back to my dealing days, English Setter items almost ‘grew on trees’ and the Gordon Setter was almost as rare as ‘hens’ teeth’, so perhaps it was inevitable. If multi breed exhibitions are to work they have to be a ‘little of everything’, like the vulnerable breeds, or two or more breeds where quality and quantity come in equal amounts. The Gorden Setter features in some of the earlier sporting pictures, and amongst other items on the breed there is an early Victorian chromolithograph of Blossom and some coloured pencil drawings by Maria Heskins who is fast gaining a reputation for her canine art. There is one Gordon Setter exhibit I think deserving of special admiration for what it represents, and because it is a photograph could quickly be overlooked. Dual Ch. Amscott Irresista Belle was bred by Jean Collins, trained by Terry Harris and handled by Jean in the field and in the ring, she became the first and to date only Gordon Setter in the UK to become a Dual Champion. Such a unique achievement was featured in many magazines and rightly so. The English Setter and Gordon Setter in Art runs at the Kennel Club Art Gallery, Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London until June 24th.

Dog News 71

The

GOSSIP Column M

onday evening TAKE THE LEAD held its annual après group cocktail party. This is by far its most successful benefit evening of the year. The standing room only crowd was elbow to elbow. Many of the board members were present to welcome the guests. Among the 28 board members were TOM BRADLEY, MARY MILLER, PAM BEALE, EDD BIVIN, DOTTIE COLLIER, PAT LAURANS, JEFFREY PEPPER, SUSAN SPRUNG, TIM CATTERSON, LYNN EGGERS, TERRY HUNDT, LINDA LOW, DOUG JOHNSON, MICHAEL SCOTT, MARI-BETH O’NEILL, BETTY-ANNE STENMARK, PEGGY HELMING and CEIL RUGGLES. Among the guests were ELLEN CHARLES, JEAN HETHERINGTON, JACKIE GOTTLIEB, MICHAEL & MICHELLE SCOTT, TINA & BILL TRUESDALE, CARL BLAINE, FRAN SUNSERI, JIM SMITH, SARAH LAWRENCE, CHERYL WAGNER, GINGER & MARK IWAOKA, MELANIE & ANDY FOSTER, DOTTIE CHERRY, CAROL ELLIOTT, SUSAN & JOHN HAMIL, BERNARD SHAW, PATTY LUCAS, TIM LEHMAN and ADA LEVINE. There is no doubt that the renovations taking place at Madison Square Garden have put grooming space at a premium. Not having the benches seemed to make for a roomier feeling and the concessions on a lower floor also helped with flow of people walking through the benching area. Areas were taped off for each variety group and the only suggestion I would make is keeping the same breeds of that group together. That would make it easier for the public to find the breeds that interest them. A great, great improvement was the relocation of the exercise pens along the back wall on the ramp. I’m told next year there will be less available in the benching area but the Westminster boys (and FLORENCE FOTI) seem to be on top of the situation. It was good to see RODDY LINDSAY ringside watching Bloodhounds. It was also nice to see LUKE EHRICHT back in action, after his near death illness that was caused by a complication from knee surgery. Fortunately for LUKE, there is always his equally talented but much prettier wife DIANE. Westminster always brings out new outfits for the ladies and wasn’t it nice that JOY QUALLENBERG tossed her sneakers and bobbie socks away for the weekend. Interestingly many ladies were wearing fur coats, not a very familiar sight around town these days. A healthy looking SKIP HERENDEEN was taken out of the Garden in an ambulance. The first day seemed to drag on a bit but the second day the spark appeared and there was more electricity in the air. The group winners were easy to predict in some cases and the remaining group winners didn’t result in any great upsets. PAOLO DONDINA was an odd choice to top the Westminster panel. PAOLO is a Beagle breeder from Italy, well known in FCI circles. He is a popular judge in Europe and other FCI held dog shows around the world and is judging the final at CRUFTS next month.

BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS 72 Dog News

He has judged in the States but this was his first Westminster assignment. In the past Westminster selected its best in show judges from those who had previously judged a group at their show. The times they are a changin’. Before he awarded best, PAOLO was miked and it was interesting for the audience to hear his comments to the seven finalists…. nice touch. However, I am bored of those PEDIGREE commercials (even with my former MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION TRUSTEE member the fabulous BETTY WHITE doing the pitching) about rescue dogs. Why not ask how those rescue dogs came to be, and encourage their pet food buyers not to breed Pixie (because she should experience motherhood) to Duke from down the street. Breeding your mixed breed dog is totally unnecessary and helps create the unwanted pet population. Has anyone noticed that there are more Pixie/Duke puppies at shelters than pure bred dogs…so at least humor us and turn your ad campaign around. The winter weather with all its snow and ice took its toll on DOTTIE COLLIER, who fell and broke her leg, which still looked great even though it was wrapped when she judged the working group. DAVID FITZPATRICK fell on the ice and broke his arm, which didn’t stop his winning streak, which of course proves that DAVID can do with one hand what most can’t do with two. Westminster member BUD MCGIVERN fell on the ice breaking several ribs that landed him in the hospital. Not at the Garden but at home recuperating, LORAINE BOUTWELL fell on the ice, resulting in a broken hip that needed corrective surgery. Congratulations to CARISSA & ERIC SHIMPENO on the birth of their first child, a son named TRISTAN JOHN, born on December 26th. CARISSA is the multi-talented handler specializing in Dobermans, a talent and a love for the breed that she inherited from her equally talented mother handler and way too young to be a grandmother, GWEN DEMILTA. Congratulations to Papillon fancier MAXINE GURIN on the birth of her granddaughter SASHA born to her daughter STACY MENDES-DUQUETTE and son in law JONATHAN. Tragic news from California, at the Monday Santa Clara Kennel Club dog show, handler GUSTAVO MOLINARI’S truck caught on fire while he was in the ring. Thanks to some fast-thinking exhibitors, all but one dog was saved from the flames that engulfed the vehicle. I’m told another dog is in serious condition but still alive. All of us at DOG NEWS send our sympathies to GUSTAVO’S clients on their loss. ROBERT THOMAS, well known Great Dane breeder and multiple group judge, has passed away. Together with his wife CAROLYN, also a multiple group judge, they were longtime members of the Framingham District Kennel Club in Massachusetts. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to his wife CAROLYN and family. This week handler ALLISON SUNDERMAN celebrated a major birthday…Happy 50th. Also celebrating birthdays… CHARLOTTE PATTERSON, LEE RIDDLE, DENNIS SPRUNG, SUSAN SPRUNG, NANCY RUSSELL, ROGER ELLIS, LINDA O’CONNOR SCHNEIDER, JOY BREWSTER, TRACY POTTS, TERRY MILLER, EDD BIVIN, PAT KOLESAR, PATSY WADE, KRISTA DROOP, RINDI GAUDET and ANGIE DIEHL. The Hard To Believe Department…….As of this writing, one of the most respected well known breeders and exhibitors in our sport has been told that he is not qualified to judge his own breed. There is an old adage that when a fish goes bad it smells from the head down…someone needs to go fishing.

74 Dog News

Dog News 75

Unusual Blue Dogs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

Kerries are ‘people’ dogs that want to be with people and they want to be doing something. Mine also happen to be very social dogs that enjoy activity with people and with other dogs. I know there are people who fear the Kerry because of bad temperaments. I really don’t like to see Kerries interlocking jaws in the show ring and I’ve seen this at dog shows. Sparring terriers is common in the conformation ring but when it escalates to fighting, both the dogs and the handlers need to be reprimanded. This type of behavior is unacceptable at any time in a performance event and I don’t like it displayed in the show ring either.” The main problem with training a Kerry is ignoring all the naysayers who contend that it is difficult, at best, to train a terrier and get started, according to Frankland. “Once you start seeing results—the dog has mastered some of the exercises or is starting to earn legs or points towards a title—it’s much easier to find the motivation to keep going. Problems will probably surface along the way. This usually takes the form of a dog having trouble mastering a certain exercise or an exercise they previously knew how to do suddenly falls apart. Also, as a dog starts learning the more advanced exercises, especially in utility obedience, they often start exhibiting ‘avoidance behaviors’ such as refusing to work, grabbing a toy or otherwise trying to change the subject, acting like they’ve been beaten or even running out of the ring. It is not easy to see your dog do something like this and the temptation is to quit when they start acting like they don’t like what you’re doing with them. But, the key is to never give up. I try to take an objective look at what the problem is and how I should go about correcting it. This usually means backing up in training to a point where the dog can be successful again and then rebuilding the exercise. Sometimes it means complete retraining using a different method. As far as avoidance behavior is concerned, you have to keep in mind that this is a normal part of learning and the dog will start acting happy again once it learns the exercise and is confident. In fact, the problem exercises often become the dogs’ favorites to perform and they act so proud of themselves when they get it right. Above all, you have to have faith in your dog.” Adaptability is one of the major requirements for training a Kerry, according to Ellwanger. “Athena had some real problems with both the teeter and the weave poles in agility. The teeter was a problem because the dog needs to learn to balance and ‘ride it out’ as the board drops down. Many times she would climb up the board and then bail off as it descended so it was necessary to get her comfortable with the movement and the sound of the board dropping to the ground. The weave poles gave her trouble because she would do two or three poles and

Ch Adare’s Top Hat and Tails NA NAJ NF (“Zeus”), one of Joy Louise Ellwanger’s Kerries, beneﬁtted from his owner’s experiences in agility with his mother. 76 Dog News

“Remington” ( Kerigolf’s Loaded for Bear CD AS MXJ), Frankland’s current Kerry in performance activities, also seems happy in his work.

then ‘pop out’ as if to say ‘why do I need to wrap around these stationary poles?’ Fortunately she is very food-driven so when she got to the fulcrum of the teeter, I would give her a great reward for NOT jumping off and I used the special meat treats for that. I would also walk right beside the teeter just as security for her and now she loves that obstacle. With my next litter, I bought a movable short plank so the puppies became accustomed to standing on something that moved. When I started Zeus, Athena’s son, in agility he had absolutely no fear of the teeter moving and banging on the ﬂoor as a result. I also used a different weave training approach with him and he learned much quicker than his mom. With Kerries, positive reinforcement is important. You have to reward the dogs for their work. You also need your dog’s attention either you are in the performance or the show ring. I always ask for eye contact from my dog with a command of ‘watch’ or ‘watch me.’ When a puppy looks into my eyes, they are always given a food treat and lots of praise. In all events, you need to have the dog focus on you and you need to concentrate on the dog. Dog sports are a team effort between you and the dog. The more things you do with your dog, the more a Kerry will bond with you. Doing many things with a Kerry also makes them more mentally sound. I like my dogs to be friendly, outgoing, stable, level-headed and well balanced both physically and mentally. A dog that is exposed to various events is very socialized with other people and dogs and this is important for any breed but especially for a terrier.”

erry Blue Terriers over the last few years have experienced a steady decline in popularity and this is worrisome to many of the breed’s fans. “I worry that the resulting smaller gene pool is going to spell the end of the breed as we know it,” said Frankland. “These are great dogs though like any breed they require owners who understand the breed and are willing to put in the necessary training and socialization to help their dogs be the kind of pet they want them to be. The Kerry’s trademark soft and non-shedding coat does require regular brushing and trimming but no more so than a Poodle’s and that breed is not declining in popularity so obviously it is not the necessary coat care that’s responsible for the decreasing number of Kerries. Because the breed numbers keep dropping, it is extremely important that the Kerry Blue Terriers not ‘split’ into show lines and obedience/agility/herding lines as has happened with so many other breeds. The qualities that make the Kerry Blue Terrier such a nice performance dog are all as essential to the breed standard as proper coat or correct tail set. Ignore any of these traits and we don’t just lose the trait, we lose the breed.”

Dog News 77

Atlantic Classic -- Easy Winter Days at the Ocean CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58

of Chihuahua happiness. There was a fresh, cool breeze and the temperature rose to 44, a treat for most of the East Coast exhibitors, who have been suffering with below normal temperatures all winter. Tom Feneis, show chairman of Sand & Sea Kennel Club, looked out the wall of windows to the broad horizon of sand and sea. “This really is a lovely show site,” he said. “We’ve talked about moving our date, pushing it back, but handlers told us not to, they like this date.” The five shows that make up the Atlantic Ocean Classic Cluster took place February 2 through 6, the first shows of the year in New Jersey. Union County Kennel Club started off on Wednesday with an entry of 662. Entries increased by 200 on Thursday, another 200 on Friday, another 200 for Saturday and Sunday, which meant 1,000 for each of those days. “Entries were down from last year, but we knew that was going to happen,” Feneis said. “People remember how bad the storm was. They don’t want to get stuck in that again. But look at the weather now -- this is what it’s usually like. It’s mild here. But it will take a few years to build back to where we were.” No one who was present at these shows in 2010 is likely to forget them anytime soon. A vicious Nor’easter slammed Wildwood on Friday night, lobbing 50 mph winds, five feet of snow and freezing temperatures at the small town. Power lines went down. No hotel had lights or hot water. The convention center had a generator, so it was the only place in town that was warm. Dozens of people slept there on the floor. “That’s a storm that comes along once in a hundred years,” Feneis said. “This town has one pickup truck with a snowplow attachment, because that’s all they usually need.” This year was pleasurably different. Northern and central New Jersey were under several feet of 78 Dog News

snow, but there was less and less as you drove south. By the time you reached Atlantic City, fields were full of green grass instead of the omnipresent white stuff. Wildwood is another 45 minutes south and the weather felt almost balmy. Sand & Sea’s shows were Thursday and Friday, and while all was quiet weather-wise in southern New Jersey, violent weather in the Midwest prevented four judges from arriving. Two judges from California couldn’t get flights into Chicago or Dallas Airports, which were temporarily closed during storms. A judge coming from Texas and a judge trying to make it from Vermont were similarly trapped. Terry Di Pietro and Tom Feneis took turns filling in for their assignments.

he Chihuahua Club of MidJersey held its specialty show on Saturday with an entry of 26 Longcoats and 6 Smooths. It seems odd to have so many of one coat and not the other, but apparently the pendulum has simply swung in favor of Longcoats this year. The specialty winner was Ch. Roseland Eli, who had a further distinction of being a local dog; the owner, Tina Bregman, has a summer home in Ventnor, so Eli and friends enjoyed being home in their own beds each night. Usually they live in Philadelphia, so the shows had the cachet of an adventure at the family’s summer home for them. Eli was shown in the breed ring by Ernesto Lara but in the group by his owner, who has come to know the ups and downs of hiring a well-known professional handler. “Eli shows great for Ernesto, but also shows great for me. Which is good because Ernesto has one of the top toys, the Affenpinscher, so that’s who he shows in the group. He has a top ranked Havanese, too, so we’re third in line.” After judging, the Chihuahua club adjoined to the grooming area for a picnic, nibbling chips and ham sandwiches while their tiny dogs milled around. Black Russian Terrier Club of Northern New Jersey held supports both Saturday and Sunday, with an CONTINUED ON PAGE 82

Introducing

GCh. Bastions Sovereign Bishop!

Judge Mrs. Patti A. Long Smith

Sire: Best In Show, Best In Specialty Show Winner Ch. Ironbull Knights Silverslugger Dam: Ch. Tboldt Bastion Mustang Sally

ishop took the Bullmastiff ring by storm in 2010 even with limited showing - winning multiple group placements and becoming the #9 Bullmastiff* from the classes. Bishop has started off his 2011 campaign strong - securing his grand championship title, winning multiple group placements, and finishing January in the top 10!** The sky is the limit for this exceptional male â&#x20AC;&#x201C; possessing impressive substance, outstanding type and impeccable movement, topped by his spectacular headpiece. Thank you to the following judges for recognizing the quality of this beautiful boy in the breed and group rings so far in 2011:

Judge Mrs. Duana Young

Group Seconds

Judges Mr. Manuel Queijeiro, Mr. Roland Pelland

Group Third

Judge Ms. Joanne Paulk

Judges Mr. Roger Hartinger

Best of Breeds

Judges Ms. Grace Acosta, Mrs. Marcia Feld, Ms. Joanne Paulk, Mr. Bob Busby, Mrs. Faye Strauss, Mr. David Bolus, Mrs. Paula Hartinger

Look for Bishop and Ron in Bullmastiff and Group rings near you! Owned by: Dr. Sean Allen Bred By: Bastion Bullmastiffs, Lynn and Robert Spohr Expertly handled by: Ron Mattson *CC All Breed through March 2010 **Breed points, All Systems, January 2011

Dog News 79

Click ELM CITY KENNEL CLUB

PHOTOS BY EUGENE Z. ZAPHIRIS

80 Dog News

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Atlantic Classic -- Easy Winter Days at the Ocean CONTINUED FROM PAGE 78

entry of seven big, black, beautiful specimens hustling around the ring Sunday afternoon. Four of the seven were imports from Russia, including Sunday’s breed winner, Ch Zvezda Viktorii Iz Imperii Ra and BOS Ch Sebastian Iz Sozvezdiya Alex, RN. The Scottish Terrier handled by Ernesto Lara took the ﬁrst Best in Show, on Wednesday, Ch. Lomondview Clementina. Thursday it was the Bearded Collie, Ch Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins. Friday, the Pointer, Ch Tahari’s To Wild To Be Serious. Saturday, Andrew Green’s Samoyed, Ch Mcmagic’s Candie Ham Of Pebblesrun was Best in Show. On Sunday, Margery Good showed the Sealyham Terrier, Ch Efbe’s Goodspice Easy Money to Best In Show. Five different Best in Show winners from four different groups, which gives the cluster high marks for diversity. On Saturday, there was a Best Puppy in Show competition, won by Pembroke Corgi, Sandfox Cadenza, owned by Vicki Sandage & D Hart-

82 Dog News

ley & B Stiles. On Sunday, Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show was Katherine Mines’ Labrador, Rockycreek Bittersweet Drambuie, RN JH. Best Puppy and Best Bred By were fun competitions, but the buzz among exhibitors was about the AKC’s plan to have a class for 4 to 6 month old puppies. “It will be like having a match show at the same time you’re at a regular show,” said Patti Fitzgerald, “which is great, because no one has time to get to a match show. Can you imagine being able to socialize your puppies while you are getting points? It just makes so much sense.” The weekend was over. We headed home. The further we got from the moderating ocean breeze, the colder the weather became. Back to reality. Wildwood was a nice interlude.

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