friendly and as exhibitor friendly as a show that size can be. It’s good for pure- bred dogs. #GetThereNextYear! #2) Seeing great dogs from all over the country. Then seeing great dogs compete against one another. Many of the breeds I watched had national specialty caliber competition in the BOB ring. Top-ranked BIS dogs walked out ribbonless, not because they were unworthy, or ripped off, but simply because the depth of quality was so deep in so many breeds. #3) Meeting up with old friends and making new ones. The atmo- sphere is much more casual compared to Westminster, with lots of afford- able places to meet and eat in the eve- nings, and some decent dining at the show. Although I have now had every- thing you can put in a crepe. #NoMore CrepesForTheRestOfMyLife #4) Royal Canin Hospitality. I (of course!) missed the Eukanuba pink glitz and glamour booth motif. RC went for sleek and streamlined, but the effect was underwhelming. They made up for it with a well-stocked and well-utilized hospitality room with free food and drinks (is it bad they all recognized me by the second day?), ongoing programs, raffles for great stuff like an iPad and year’s supply of RC and fancy raised tub, none of which I won, and a welcome party Friday night. RC happens to make
The creativity is amazing. BIS went to the Ridgeback Lion King booth, which was colorful, eye-catching, fun and edu- cational. Lots of native backdrops and dress, lots of friendly dogs, a few bas- kets of dog hair (“Yes, this breed sheds. But look, you can stuff a mattress with it!”) I thought the Norwegian Elkhound booth had a good idea by soliciting pho- tos of everyday Elkhounds from their FB page, and running a live stream so that during the day FB followers contin- ued to send in photos which streamed on their FB page! Or something like that, I really had no idea what they were talking about but it was some way cool of engaging pet owners at home. It seemed like there were more spectators there this year than last. #8) Live Streaming. Plus unlive streaming if you missed something. Groups (regular, BBE and NOHS) are on the AKC page, as well as ACE awards, Breeder of the Year and agil- ity runs. And of course, the highlights will be televised January 23 on the Hallmark Channel. #9) Crating with Strangers. Being thrust into close quarters with people you don’t know doesn’t sound appeal- ing at first, but every year I’ve gone I’ve ended up appreciating some new grooming tip or concept. Last year I learned 20 novel ways to hold a blow dryer, courtesy of Karen Aurelius. The year before I learned that Terrier peo- ple actually LIKE grooming for several hours before showing. And this year my neighbors learned that my Salukis have fluffy feet on purpose, not because I am too lazy to trim them. Although that is a perk. #10) Reality Checks. Winning awards in conformation at the AKCNCS seems important. But a single point of the finger by a single judge can’t com- pare to being recognized for a body of accomplishment, whether it’s as Breeder of the Year, Ace Award winner, Outstanding Leadership in Canine Poli- cy winner, or obedience or agility invi- tee. Unless of course you win $50,000. Then the single point of the finger is better. Much better. #PleasePoint- ToMeforBISNextYear! #GroupOneWill BeFine #AlmostForgot! Getting to hang out at the ShowSight Doll-McGinnis booth and meeting many of our readers and advertisers!
very good dog food, especially their prescription brands, and I think many exhibitors were introduced to it for the first time. #Win/Win #5) Free photos! Several people at RC deserve Christmas bonuses for this effort. First, the marketing person who came up with it, and second, the pho- tographer and helpers who shot photos non-stop, every day, all day and still smiled and acted like yours were the best dogs ever. Put your name in the line-up, get in line, wait a few hours and they devoted about 10 minutes to taking black and white pictures of your dog, which you then got to take home on a flash drive—with the RC logo— in each shot. They also chose a few to exhibit at their party on 6-ft. boards, and if your dog was chosen you got to take it home afterwards. Marketing genius. Only next year they need more photographers. #Free! #6) Cash prizes! Nothing new, but it’s still amazing to win actual money, and we should all be grateful it’s still available. I won $50, which paid for my photo. Yeah, win pics were pricey. On the plus side, I only paid a $35 entry fee since I showed my veteran! Who says you can’t make money from dog shows? Next year I will aim for the $50,000. #7) Meet the Breeds ® . I’ve covered MTB for this magazine before, and even got to judge a group this year!
44 • S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2017
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