Did You Know? – Find A “STAR”
Every time I head out to judge a dog show, my partner, Juliandro, says to me, “Find a Star!”
“Author Archive”
Nashville Kennel Club Celebrates 100 Years Supporting The Dog Fancy
An American Kennel Club (AKC) affiliate, the Nashville Kennel Club (NKC) operates at the heart of the purebred dog community.
When Fair Play Isn’t Fair: How Clubs Are Left Unprotected By The AKC’s Disciplinary System
Going to court is something most people dread – for very good reasons. For most participants in the world of field trials and hunt tests, the American Kennel Club’s disciplinary system represents fairness, structure, and integrity. It’s what keeps our sport credible. We believe that when misconduct occurs, there’s a clear process to protect both people and dogs – one that ensures accountability and safety.
Supporting And Encouraging Junior Handlers
Junior handlers are the future of our sports, and that means as adults we need to be encouraging, supporting, and mentoring to the kids and teens we see at shows.
Great Greyhounds Of The Past – Foxden Flamingo
Regardless of the breed, the same allegation crops up every time purebred dog haters lay out their case by citing the genetic bottleneck. Everyone knows that script. An overly restricted gene pool has led to nothing but substandard, defective dogs…blah, blah, blah. Wading past the propaganda and disinformation, there is a grain of truth in that indictment. Breeding to the big name, top winner of the moment happens a lot. I’m not saying that big winners don’t make valuable contributions to their respective gene pools. But, regardless of show records, no dog is the ideal match for every bitch.
Feeding For Coat Color
Why are some dogs the blackest of blacks and whitest of whites in the ring? Genetics, for starters. Hair dye, perhaps. Exposure to the sun, sometimes. But what about nutrition?
Templates And Silhouettes – More Than Just An Eye For A Dog
One of many expressions that have been around since the beginning of dog shows goes as follows: “We don’t judge the dogs against each other; we judge them against their breed standard.” It’s a helpful phrase and a noble effort to bring clarity to a concept that may sound pretty complex. It’s especially useful when explaining group judging to spectators. But it never seemed like enough to me.
After Kaz: Sage And Roxanne Wolf
Kaz Hosaka’s sad and untimely death in June of 2024 left behind two significant figures in his life: Roxanne Wolf, his partner/wife of nearly 30 years, and his last champion, Miniature Poodle GCHG Surrey Sage. Anyone who was at the show, or watching on television, remembers the moment of their win, announced by BIS judge Rosalind Kramer–Hosaka on his knees, bowed over with emotion, with his face buried in Sage’s coat. It wasn’t showmanship, it was love.
From The Publisher
There’s a simple truth about the participants in any competition, including dog shows. That truism is the competitors entered the contest with the intention of winning it. I don’t think anyone joins the field of play with the sole goal of enjoying the experience. They entered because they believed they were good enough to win the event–and that is their goal.
