Editor’s MESSAGE
appy New Year! Who doesn’t appreciate a clean slate and a fresh start? Well, January’s arrival means everyone gets a do-over and a chance to set new goals for the year ahead. This is the time to dream big and shoot for the stars, as the playing field won’t stay this even for long. Now is the time to go for it! At SHOWSIGHT , we’re also looking forward to the year ahead, planning our print and digital calendars with timely show coverage and exclusive interviews with many of the sport’s most dedicated breeders, handlers, exhibitors, and judges. You won’t want to miss a single issue. The events of the coming year will undoubtedly be exciting to watch. Which dogs will take the lead (and stay there) in Breed and All-Breed competition? Will Conformation entries shrink or grow? Will Companion and Performance events continue to expand and welcome newcomers to the sport? This last question is particularly important today, as each event and every breed can’t survive without new supporters. Recently, while standing ringside at the ANC last month, I met a spec- tator who had a few questions about the dogs he was seeing in the ring. “What kind of dog is that?” he asked. “That’s a Smooth Fox Terrier,” I told him. “Well, what kind of dog is that?” he continued. “That dog is a Parson Russell Terrier,” I responded. “And that one over there?” he
continued. “That one’s a Russell Terrier, a cousin of the other two,” I offered. (The guy definitely had a “type.”) My new acquaintance told me that he and his family have had “rescues” for years, but were now interested in getting a well-bred, purebred dog. “Maybe the tide is turning,” I thought, with more people realizing they have options when it comes to welcoming a dog into their homes. “Many of the breeds you’re seeing at this show are in need of rescuing too,” I told the man as we parted ways. Hopefully he got the message and finds his next dog from a reputable preservation breeder. As you enjoy this issue, I wish you the very best of luck in your personal pursuits and hope that you find what you’re looking for.
DAN SAYERS Editor-in-Chief
@showsightmagazine
@Showsight
@showsightmag
showsightmagazine.com
40 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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