Showsight - The Dog Show Magazine: February 2024 Edition, featuring articles, tips, and information provided with help from breeders, owners, handlers, club members, and judges who have agreed to share their expertise with us.
MBIS GCHS Sanlor's Come Away With Me AOM CGC RN FDC Norah
MBIS GCHS Sanlor's Come Away With Me AOM CGC RN FDC Norah
"Come Away with Me!"
—NORAH, the Multiple Best in Show Winning Brindle Bitch.
M U L T I P L E Best in Show W I N N E R
Top Ten GREAT DANE*
MBIS GCHS Sanlor's Come Away With Me AOM CGC RN FDC Norah
Owned By Sarah & Todd Thome, Sofie Salmon, Sandy Mauck & Julie Diola
Bred By Julie Diola, Sharon Bealko & Sandy Mauck
Presented By Sue Larkin
*AKC All-Breed Stats as of 12/31/23
GREAT DANE
*
*
*AKC STATS AS OF 12/31/23
CHOW CHOW
Silva IFC.indd 1
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DACHSHUND (SMOOTH)
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AIREDALE TERRIER
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MBIS MRBIS MBISS GCHG CH WINKY-PINKY BORY CYSTERSKIE BCAT CGC TKN FDC VL
# 1 LEONBERGER ALL-SYSTEMS * # 18 WORKING DOG ** 2023 MALC Triple Crown Winner 2023 LCA National Specialty Winner 2023 Westminster Best Of Breed 2023 LCA People’s Choice Award Winner Multi Best In Show Multi Reserve Best in Show
19 Working Group Wins 13 Best In Specialty Show
Handler: Vickie Venzen Owner: Sunny & Scott Simpson Breeder: Bianka Chroboczek
*all systems as of 12/31/23 **AKC stats as of 12/31/23
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LEONBERGER
Great Start to 2024 What a
Mr. Robert Shreve
Mr. Adrian Woodfork
Mr. Harry (Butch) Schulman SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 9
GSP 1 No. MBIS MSBIS GCHS VJK-MYST HEIR TO THE THRONE JH FDC CGCA CGCU TKN BN-V 4 Sporting # DOG 2023 # ALL-SYSTEMS * *
Owners; The Grant Family, Robert, Sheryl and Meredith Breeders/Co-Owners; Yvonne Hassler-Deterding and Susan Stutz Breeder/Handler/Co-Owner; Valerie Nunes-Atkinson Assisted By; Antonio Vidmar
S.L. Stutz
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POINTER (GERMAN SHORTHAIRED) *AKC STATS 2023
ANTONIO and The boys had a winning weekend together!
Thank you, Best in Show/Group Judge Mr Thomas Alexander and Group Judges Mrs. Pam Joy Douglas and Dr. Jill Warren!
Katie Gochev DESIGN SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 11
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CHINESE SHAR-PEI
o PEI RESERVE BEST IN SHOW & MULTIPLE GROUP WINNER
Our sincere appreciation to Judges Ms. Jan Paulk, Mr. John Wade, Mr. Ronald Horn and Mr. Darryl Vice for these competitive wins to start off the New Year! 2024
GCHG Blurubein Aged To Perfection x BIS BISS GCHP Majesty Legacy Asia’s Crown Jewel
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SCOTTISH TERRIER
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*AKC STATS AS OF 12/31/23 OTTERHOUND
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*
*
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MULTIPLE GROUP PLACING BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW WINNING 2023 LEONBERGER NATIONAL SPECIALTY SELECT
WILLOW TREE BASIL HAYDEN BISS GCHS CH FDC CCA CGCA CGCU TKN ATT
BRED BY NICOLE STRICKLAND
OWNED BY KAREN ALBERS
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LEONBERGER
Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all Judges who have awarded Sebastian’s qualities. Special thank you to Stephanie House for her expert handling and care. We are looking forward to seeing what this year will bring us all.
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GREAT PYRENEES
MBIS MBISS GCHS CH RIVERGROVES WONDER DOG AT PYRCREEK CGC TKN #5 WORKING DOG *
9 BESTS IN SHOWS 7 BESTS IN SPECIALTY SHOWS 16 RESERVE BESTS IN SHOWS 53 GROUP WINS 42 GROUP PLACEMENTS
2 0 2 3 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB GROUP 2
Handler: Stephanie House | Breeder: Jean Boyd Owners: Christine Palmer-Persen & Steven Axelrod
*AKC stats as of 12/31/23
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AFFENPINSCHER
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2024 KENNEL CLUB OF PALM SPRINGS BEST OF BREED WIN. THANK YOU JUDGE MS. JAN N. PAULK FOR THIS SPECIAL WIN. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING YEAR.
OWNED BY TERESA GORDON, TGORDONTV@AOL.COM
EXPERTLY HANDLED BY EMILY MONTOYA
BRED BY KSENIA SEMIKOVA, PITERNYUF KENNELS, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
CANDID PHOTOS BY TAMMY ROMATKO PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN
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NEWFOUNDLAND
MULTIPLE BREED WINNING NEPTUNE
DEEP PURPLE CGC TKN GCH PITERNYUF SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 25
# 2
Basset Hound Breed & All Breed *
Handled by Candy Carswell Bred by Judith L. Tuck Owned by Claudia Orlandi, Guillermo Gonzalez 4706 Monkton Road, New Haven, VT, 802-238-2370 & Judy Tuck 28 Preble Road, Bowdoinham, ME, 207-522-6358
*AKC stats as of 12/31/23
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BASSET HOUND
l
MADDIE
GCHP Topsfield-Sanchu Poppycock x GCH Coverhill-Topsfield All In The Family of Sanchu
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW WINNING, MULTIPLE GROUP WINNING & MULTIPLE MBISS WINNING
OUR APPRECIATION TO JUDGE EUGENE BLAKE
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3 dogs taken to
Specialty National and all 3 placed
Whoopie BISS OBIS Solow’s BC Whoopie Pie d’Aahroo Breeder Linda Cain/Cindy Hartman Owned and handled by Claire Stretch
“BISS was a lovely fourteen month bitch that demonstrates many of the qualities of this lovely breed” - Nick Frost
candids by Brittany Callahan 28 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024
BASSET FAUVE DE BRETAGNE
Boo CH BIS(UKC) MBIOS MBIM Solow d’Aahroo Boogity Boogity CM4 TKI RA DCat CGC Placed 3rd at National Specialty in Open Bitches
Bred by Linda Cain/Cindy Hartman Owned and handled by Claire Stretch
Percy BIM BC Poursuite De La Lapin D’Aahroo BCat RN Placed 4th in Open Males National Specialty Bred by Beth Robinson and Kevin Robinson Owned and handled by Claire Stretch
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BRUSSELS GRIFFON
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# 1 BREED &
ALL BREED * SMOOTH COAT CHIHUAHUA *AKC BRRED & ALL BREED STATS AS OF 12/31/23
THANK YOU JUDGE HAROLD RED TATRO III FOR THIS EXCITING WIN. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO PAULA MURRAY, FOR HANDLING CID AT PALM SPRINGS.
OWNERS & BREEDERS: BARBARA K. (KATHY) SMITH & CONNI M. ROBINSON CO-OWNER: SHARON MASSAD
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CHIHUAHUA (SMOOTH COAT)
CIDNEY BIS BISS GCHG BK’S CONEMARA EL CID SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 33
VIZSLA
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FEBRUARY 2024 VOL. XXXII / NO. 2
"Come Away with Me!"
—NORAH, the Multiple Best in Show Winning Brindle Bitch.
M U L T I P L E Best in Show W I N N E R
Top Ten GREAT DANE*
MBIS GCHS Sanlor's Come Away With Me AOM CGC RN FDC Norah
Owned By Sarah & Todd Thome, Sofie Salmon, Sandy Mauck & Julie Diola
MBIS GCHS Sanlor's Come Away With Me AOM CGC RN FDC Norah
Bred By Julie Diola, Sharon Bealko & Sandy Mauck
Presented By Sue Larkin
*AKC All-Breed Stats as of 12/31/23
GREAT DANE
Mauck FC.indd 1
2/8/24 8:38 AM
EDITORIAL SAMANTHA ADKINS
SALES MEEGAN PIEROTTI-TIETJE
CORPORATE AJ ARAPOVIC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER + PUBLISHER HANIFA ARAPOVIC VICE-PRESIDENT MICHAEL VERAS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
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ALLAN REZNIK JASON M. RIGLE DAN SAYERS WALTER SOMMERFELT
WEB AND SOCIAL MENSUR VELADŽIĆ SENAHID VELADŽIĆ ELMA BEGI Ć
LEE WHITTIER DR. CHRIS ZINK
SHOWSIGHT Magazine is published monthly by Aramedia Group, Inc., 501 Congress Ave, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78701. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Publisher, which makes reasonable efforts to verify content. SHOWSIGHT articles are selected for their general interest and educational value. Some of the articles in SHOWSIGHT are adapted from articles originally appearing as part of another organization’s content. Authors’ views do not necessarily represent the policies of Aramedia Group, Inc., nor does their publication constitute an endorsement by Aramedia. All contents of SHOWSIGHT Magazine are the intellectual property of Aramedia Group Inc. (“Publisher”) and/or the respective photographers, writers, artists, advertisers, and advertising agen- cies and are protected by intellectual property laws; and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, broadcast or otherwise exploited in whole or in part in any manner without express written permission of the intellectual property owners. For permissions and reprint requests, please contact us at 512-686-3466 or hello@showsightmagazine.com. SHOWSIGHT Magazine takes no responsibility for statements or claims made in advertisements and reserves the right to edit and/or refuse all copy. Publisher expressly disclaims and does not assume responsibility for the validity of any claims or statements made, including rating systems, content errors, omissions, or infringing content. Any reliance placed on such content is strictly at reader’s own risk. Commercial advertisements and offers are the responsibility of the individual advertising entities, and do not constitute an offer by the Publisher. Publisher is not responsible for retail price fluctua - tions. Prices are based on those accurate at press time. Please consult with all commercial advertisers for current prices. SHOWSIGHT Magazine is the property of Aramedia Group, Inc. SHOWSIGHT is a registered trademark used under license. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Aramedia Group, Inc., SHOWSIGHT Magazine, SHOWSIGHT Express, and RING-READY. All rights reserved.
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*
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DOBERMAN PINSCHER
*DPCA STATS AS OF 12/31/23
FEATURES
contents
A Junior’s Journal RAINI JOHNSON
148
CONTRIBUTORS
The Pro Shop SUSAN LARKIN
182
The English Toy Spaniel VARIOUS GUESTS The Non-Sporting Group VARIOUS GUESTS
Editor’s Message DAN SAYERS A Word or Two DENNIS SPRUNG
120
40
186
42
The Greyhound VARIOUS GUESTS
Breeder Interview with Doug & Kay Belter ALLAN REZNIK Paying It Forward with Meet the Breeds RICHARD REYNOLDS
244
52
The Siberian Husky VARIOUS GUESTS
250
72
The Rat Terrier VARIOUS GUESTS
Candids: Meet the Breeds MARGARET FOXMOORE New Animal Rights Trend SHEILA GOFFE Lines From Linda LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
256
76
The Sheltand Sheepdog VARIOUS GUESTS
260
84
The ACE Awards VARIOUS GUESTS
263
94
Love, Actually CHRIS ZINK
102
RING-READY
A Proven Road to Success From a GOAT WALTER SOMMERFELT
108
Who is the Franchise Player On Your Team? LEE WHITTIER Different Breeds Offer Different Lessons DAN SAYERS
160
Going Xolo CRISSY FROYD
110
166
The Bubble STEPHANIE HUNT-CROWLEY Memories Captured LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
128
The Owner Handler CHRIS CHAPMAN
167
134
The Breeder Owner Handler ARACELI ECHAVARRIA
What Does (Paying Your Dues) Mean In Our Sport? ALLAN REZNIK
169
142
Did You Know that SHOWSIGHT Has a Breed Magazine for Every AKC Recognized Breed?
268 Upcoming Features 270 Index to Advertisers
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BORZOI
Editor’s MESSAGE
et’s Fall in Love! Everyone remembers how they met “their” breed. For many of today’s
dedicated breeders and exhibitors, the introduction was likely made through the pages of a book or a magazine. Or maybe it took place in a dark movie theater or at home on the television screen. (Maybe it was a telecast of Westminster.) Perhaps it was a chance encounter on the street or at a dog training class, or maybe the breed came with a new partner or spouse. Maybe it was a new neighbor. That first encounter can often seem like a mere coincidence at the time, but as the devotion for a breed grows and the years become decades, the experience can begin to feel more like fate in retrospect. For some, meeting a breed can even feel a bit like love at first sight. I know that’s how it happened for me. People who are looking to find a canine companion
these days will generally begin their search online. Meet- ing a breed today often takes place virtually through web- sites like showsightmagazine.com and akc.org . (After all, it’s just as easy to fall in love online.) However, there is plenty of misinformation out there in the digital world where preservation breeders can seem no different than people who profit from selling mixed-breed puppies. This is why
dog shows, companion and performance events, and training classes remain so important for the survival of “our” breeds. And it’s not all about competing for titles
and awards. In fact, last month’s successful Meet the Breeds spectacular in New York City proved once again how vital it is to facilitate real-world introductions these days. Although chance encounters are always going to happen for people looking to find their next dog or their next breed, attending an organized dog event can still be the best place to make a love connection. 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
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FROM AKC PRESIDENT & CEO DENNIS SPRUNG A WORD OR TWO
I will share some helpful tips that are important to review for your club’s financial processes and ensure you have best practices in place to protect your club. It is impor- tant to operate with the best practices to protect yourselves and your clubs from poten- tially harmful situations. Developing and maintaining solid practices will protect your club and its members while continuing to do important work as you contribute to the well-being of purebred dogs. Listed below are some of what has been recommended by major auditing compa- nies and what AKC believes to be the best practices for success. • Establish a finance review committee of club members not involved in the Treasurer’s duties. • Consider investing excess funds in an interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit. • Have the person responsible for approving invoices be different from the individual responsible for preparing and/or signing the checks. Similarly, it is desirable to have an individual reconciling the bank accounts who is different from the person preparing and/or signing the checks. Segregation of these tasks provides a more desirable level of internal control. • Require a second authorized signer for checks over a prescribed dollar amount, usually $250. • Have contracts and agreements in writing. Require that all activity-related con- tracts over a certain amount (e.g. greater than $250) for club-related items be in writing and not verbally understood. • Publish the policies, practices, templates, and requirements to the club members and/or on the club website or otherwise make them easily available. • Maintain records. Clubs should maintain their records—application, approval, revenue, expenses, and net income statements—documentation in an organized fashion and for a set time period. Ideally, the club may choose to retain such items electronically, such as a secured file on Google Drive or another cloud service, accessible by all current club officers. • Document the Treasurer’s duties in writing, which should include, but not be limited to, preparing a quarterly balance sheet and an income statement. • Ensure that the club’s Treasurer and the Board of Directors are insured against misappropriation of funds through a Crime Policy and Directors and Officers insurance or bondings. More in-depth information can be found in our “Managing Club Finances” document. I am appreciative of your contributions as responsible breeders, exhibitors, owners, and judges. You are truly what makes us great. I look forward to sharing more news with you this year!
W e are thrilled to continue to share with you the exciting developments AKC has in store to be helpful to our core constituencies. Your contributions, commit- ment, dedication, and volunteerism to AKC are vital and appreciated. First, we are pleased to announce AKC Meet the Breeds, held January 27-28 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, was a thrilling success. This family-friendly canine spectacle gave dog lovers the unique opportuni- ty to meet and play with hundreds of adorable dogs and puppies while learning about respon- sible pet ownership and which breed may fit their lifestyle. Attendees were also able to see entertaining demonstrations of dog sports and working dogs exhibiting their skills. We are incredibly proud of our clubs and volunteers, and can’t wait to see you at the next one! © American Kennel Club
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SPANIEL (CLUMBER)
SCOTTISH TERRIER
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BOUVIER DES FLANDRES
*
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*AKC BREED STATS AS OF 12/31/23
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SAMOYED
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ROTTWEILER
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DOUG & KAY BELTER MAJESTIC ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELS BREEDER INTERVIEW BY ALLAN REZNIK
Where did each of you grow up? Doug in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Kay in Grosse Ile, Michigan. Do you come from doggie families? And if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin? Neither of us really grew up in “dog families.” Doug: My grandparents were from Europe and England. They had working dogs, terriers, and Dachshunds for pest control and hunting. My first dog was an English Setter that did hunt and was a show dog. Kay: I got started by tagging along with my older sister to 4H meetings/classes with our family’s hunting Golden Retrievers. Through my 4H leader, I started with AKC Conformation
shows. I finished my first champion, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, at age 9. Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their significance.
Doug: My first mentor was a Cocker Spaniel handler, Doug Smith, who ran the Edmonton Junior Kennel Club. After that I worked for Denis Springer who taught me to trim terriers, then Paul Booher who showed a lot of Sporting and Working breeds. Paul was great at conditioning and health in the dogs that he showed. Kay: I have had many, but started out as a Junior Handler working for American Cocker handlers Barbara Gamache and Kyle Robinson. When I returned to the English Cocker world after finishing college, Jo Ann Davis of Canterbury English Cockers was my breeding mentor. From Jo Ann I was introduced to Robin Novack. Robin was just starting on her own as a handler, so we travelled together to shows and she taught me the finer points of grooming and handling my English Cockers.
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POINTER (GERMAN SHORTHAIRED)
OWNERS: EVAN TZANIS & DR. NIA TATSIS
BREEDERS: KAHLA ENNIS, SHARON DATTILIO, TINA M. CRAIG & BRENDA MAHONEY
HANDLER: JOANNE THIBAULT
NSC BISS GCHB CH SHOMBERG’S ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN GCH CH MI KARMA N SANDY CREEK ONE MAN BAND (BOWIE) CD RE JH BN DM ATT CGC NRD GSPCA VC X GCH CH SHOMBERG’S TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS (KEELY) CD RM MHA CGC GSPCA VC 2021 GSPCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY CHAMPION
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2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Best of Breed
2023 MONTGOMERY COUNTY KENNEL CLUB Best of Breed
a special thank you
to all the judges who have recognized this exciting Dandie Dinmont Terrier Bitch as the epitome of the Dandie Breed Standard.
Lovingly owned by Michael & Teresa Radzinski and Anita Kay Simpson Expertly shown by Luiz Abreu, LuTra Kennels, LLC
Tarwathie Dandies, Orlando, FL | anitaksimpson@gmail.com | *AKC stats as of 12/31/23
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DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER
# 1 All-Breed Dandie Dinmont Terrier *
4 th Most Winningest Dandie Dinmont Terrier Lifetime # 1 Grand
Championship points *
The Only Silver Grand Champion Bitch
madeleine GCHS Von Maser’s Madeleine of the Heart GCHB Pennywise Hearthrob x CH Von Maser’s The Eyes Have It
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RESERVE BEST IN SHOW BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW MULTIPLE GROUP WINNING & PLACING
Owne r JOYCE EILER
Br e ede r LYNETTE BLUE
Exclusively Presented by KEN & MARIE GRIFFITH
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SAMOYED
GCHG POLAR MIST SHINING STAR AT ALADDIN
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BREEDER INTERVIEW WITH DOUG & KAY BELTER MAJESTIC ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELS
Your English Cockers are widely known, highly successful, and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to? Always stay true to type, good temperaments, and health! We are also very discriminating as to which dogs we will breed. Like others, we may finish dogs that we later place because they do not pan out to be strong enough to play a role in our breeding program. A good rule of thumb we also stick by is if a dog is not good enough to win at a specialty, it is likely not good enough to be a significant part of our future breeding program. How many dogs do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained. We currently have seven English Cockers. With Doug’s client dogs, we usually have a total (including our Cockers) of 20 to 25 in our care. We have a couple of permanent housepets, and the rest of the dogs reside in the kennel. We built our house and kennel our- selves, so it is set up nicely to provide a great living/exercise space for the dogs. Our property is located on eight beautiful, private, wooded acres in western Michigan. We also have four employees who work regularly when we are home or on the road. They all help to manage the day-to-day care and conditioning of the dogs.
BISS CH Prydwen Canterbury’s Taffeta – the foundation of Majestic ECS
BIS NBISS GCH Majestic’s Keeping The Drama
MBISS GCHS Majestic She’s Got Whatever “It” Is
How did you transition into professional handling? How are you able to balance the commitment to a breeding program with your pro- fessional handling obligations? Doug: After a short break from shows as a Junior, I went to the US to work for the two handlers I mentioned earlier. I then returned to Canada and showed as a professional there before meeting Kay and moving to the States in 2003. Kay: Actually, I am not a professional handler, just married to the best! I am currently a hospital floor Registered Nurse. For me, it is challenging to balance work with getting to shows. We share the responsibility of whelping and raising puppies. Doug and I are a great team. Often with puppies, Doug may be home to whelp the litter. I arrange my work schedule, so I can stay home to care for them while Doug travels to shows.
BISS CH Majestic’s Bring “It” On – a very significant sire for our line.
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Clifford Terrier He’s No
He’s A Proper Sized Irish Terrier
ARGOS
Breeder: ITCA Hall of Famer Ellis West Owners: Past ITCA Presidents Mike Kowalczuk & Ellis West Presented by: Adam Bernardin CH. GLOCCOMARA RECKLESS REMEDY
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IRISH TERRIER
BREEDER INTERVIEW WITH DOUG & KAY BELTER MAJESTIC ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELS
What is the key to maintaining a positive, success- ful relationship with your clients? Doug: Be honest and communicate. I have sent dogs back when, in my opinion, they were not good enough to be kept for breeding, so why show them? Let them have a life as someone’s beloved pet. I have weekly calls with my major clients to let them know how the dogs are doing and to discuss their health and welfare. Please comment positively on the present condition of your breed and what trends might bear watching. Over the last 5 to 10 years, the breeders of Eng- lish Cockers have done a wonderful job of improving type! You will see far more moderate dogs in most parts of the country. We still need to keep focused on just that; the breed is moderate, not a racy/set- ter type of dog. As with most breeds, fronts are an area we all need to stay focused on improving. Our ECSCA Education team has done an incredible job putting together a wonderful seminar. Breeders and judges should all attend one in person! The sport has changed greatly since you first began as breeder/exhibitors. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport? There seems to be a lot of friction at the shows. Issues used to be settled in private, face to face. Now it seems we need lawyers to resolve these issues. Facebook and other social media sites have embold- ened the keyboard warriors to the point of absolute rudeness. Why would a newcomer want to be in the middle of these silly spats? They just want to show their dogs and have some fun. Breeders need to be welcoming, and all of us need to drop the elitist attitudes and help newcomers by sharing our pas- sion for the sport. Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two? We are both at a point where we would like to slow down a bit, as Doug transitions to judging. With that said, by no means could we stop breed- ing! We will continue to breed the very best of our current English Cockers, focusing on quality over quantity. We have frozen semen on some of our males that built the breeding program. Cre- ating girls we can breed back to them will give us something exciting to focus on. In addition, Doug has been fortunate to co-breed with long-time cli- ents Dawne Deeley of Tsar Shadow Norwegian Buhunds, Bill and Jennifer Ashburn of Foxheart Wire Fox Terriers, and Dr. Friend of Gwencalon Beagles. Doug will continue to co-breed litters of these breeds, which we are both very fond of.
BIS NBISS GCHG Majestic Sweet Apple Friends In Low Places
BIS BISS GCHS Gallant Majestic Shaken Not Stirred ECM – pictured at 12 years old.
Majestic Sweet Apple Standing Outside The Fire – Allie’s son, a significant part of the future
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Smokey MULTIPLE NATIONAL SPECIALTY WINNER • MULTIPLE RESERVE BEST IN SHOW WINNER GCHB KEI-RIN’S GUNSMOKE
Thank you to the Group Judges helping to start 2024 off with a Bang! Michael Faulkner, Group III • Dr. Adam King, Group IV • Edmund Dziuk, Group IV • Christine Calcinari, Group IV • Brian Meyer, Group IV H. Butch Schumann, OHBIS • Patricia Trotter, Group II • Sandra Lex, Group II
Proudly 4th Generation Breeder Owner Handled by Kayla Kozak • Kei-Rin Kennel, Wisconsin, Pam and Kayla Kozak
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SPANIEL (AMERICAN WATER)
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GCH CH Connell’s Corky Lorcan
Sire: Ch Camshron’s Connor Conn Dam: Fanfair’s Irish Melody
DM, vWD, Faxtor XI, and CMSD Clear. OFA Hips Good
#
with limited showing
#
Kerry Blue Terrier All Breed System 2023 *
Kerry Blue Terrier Breed System 2023 *
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KERRY BLUE TERRIER
*AKC stats as of 12/31/23
Owned by Jack Meyer Expertly Handled by Max Krainer Conditioned & Groomed by Livia & Max Krainer Co-owned by Sarah Calderon (630) 675-1529 & Sarah LaGassa Bred by Sarah LaGassa & Ursula Sass Connell’s Kerryblue Terriers (419) 885-3368
Orlando Cluster, Brevard Kennel Club Select Dog Judge Ms. Jan M. Paulk AKC National Championship
Award of Excellence Judge Mr. Dana P. Cline
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MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
*
*AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 12/31/23
*
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WITH MEET THE BREEDS
BY RICHARD REYNOLDS
W hat’s not to like about getting up at zero dark thir- ty and wending your way into the cement canyons of New York City carrying a couple of dogs and more stuff than you’d need for any dog show? Love nature? Well, there is a cold, windy, driven rain to fill that need and an endless line of other masochists waiting to unload. There is the joy of setting all the stuff up and tidying up the dog that got all wet and muddy on the way in. At 9:00 AM the lights go up and the adoring public (more than 30,000 of them this year) makes its entry en masse. Meet the Breeds (MTB) is a family affair and you (and of course, your dogs) will get to meet and greet folks of every age and ethnicity imaginable, from babes in arms to oldsters in wheelchairs, bound together by a single thread: the love of and curiosity about your dog. What you DON’T see at Meet the Breeds is a lot of on-site groom- ing, puppy advertising, or overt puppy sales. I’m not sure whether that’s because of rules or just plain common sense, but the absence of this stuff lends a certain amount of class, both to the event and the participants. Many of the dogs appear as you might meet them on the street, while others are cut for show but not overly primped. All of them show signs of extensive preparation and cleaning, but most just present a nice, even “typical dog” appeal that is perfect for the public. For many of us, Meet the Breeds is a reluctant duty. Answering the same questions a gazillion times in that eight-hour period and trying to keep the dog safe and happy for what seems like many more than the allotted eight-hour days is unquestionably tiresome. Of course, the real work started days earlier with the preparation and printing of handout materials, cleaning and repair of the booth decorations and fixtures, and the basic grooming of the dogs themselves. All this repeated by the volunteers working with each of the 132 parent clubs (including FSS and Miscellaneous breeds) that were represented this year. But the amount of work, expense, and preparation that we put in pales alongside the herculean effort by AKC staff and contrac- tors. The total and unqualified support, financial and otherwise, that MTB receives from AKC is downright amazing. Each year, through- out the fifteen that it has been held the event, has been tweaked, pol- ished, and improved, and the clear-thinking (hands-on) management is most evident. Each exhibitor is reimbursed by AKC for some, if not most, of their expenses and there is free coffee and a great free lunch available on the main floor. Nice tables separated from the crowd are provided, but most exhibitors grabbed their food and drink and returned to the fray to eat, drink, and answer questions at the same time. For that matter, many of the AKC staff did the same thing.
AKC President Dennis Sprung joins Bedlington Terrier Club of America President Laurie Friesen and the Bedlington exhibitors at Meet the Breeds in New York City. (Bill Reyna Photo)
This is how MTB goes in New York and I can only imagine that it works the same in other cities. It’s expensive, complicated, and can be a king-sized pain in the butt for the exhibitors. The bottom line, though, is that it brings more of the public into beneficial and realistic contact with purebred dogs than any other form of outreach that we have. The televised dog shows can’t match it nor can all of the advertising in the world equal an opportunity to get warm and fuzzy with the breed or breeds of your choice. Moreover, with the clientele paying upwards of thirty bucks for an individual ticket, they really have a genuine interest in what you, as a breeder, have to say. The breed benefits, of course, but so do you, directly or indirectly. Now I’m sure you’ve been reading along with the idea that you know all this good stuff. The truth of the matter is that I hate going to Meet the Breeds. The first hour of the first day is fine. You get to see a lot of your old friends in the other booths and the dogs are fresh and co-operative. After that, the noise level reaches a crescendo that gives me a headache, which is only exacerbated by the endless questions. On the whole, I’d rather be hunting, or even judging, all alone out there in the center of the ring. Still, I’ve been at MTB every year since its inception and I’ll continue to be there as long as I’m able (or they kick me out for misbehavior).
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*AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 12/31/23 GIANT SCHNAUZER
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PAYING IT FORWARD WITH MEET THE BREEDS
My neighbor, Al, is a pet owner. He has a spayed bitch, Beatrix, that he walks for a mile four times each day, has groomed regularly, and con- siders to be the consummate housepet. Al gets his dogs from breeders and recognizes quality, health, and good temperament. A few years ago, I was des- perate for dogs for MTB and asked if he’d consider taking Beatrix. He somewhat reluctantly agreed and an “MTB groupie” was born. I asked him why and he explained that Beatrix loves to meet and greet and he’s happy to oblige her. This year she was out there doing her thing more than any of the rest of our dogs, never tired, never grouchy. Al answered all of the questions thrown his way and referred the tough ones to some of the breeders. Al and Beatrix are in the category of folks who like going and look forward to the opportunity every year. Their reward is in the expressions and thanks of those they meet. Now, of the 201 recognized breeds (and some FSS and Miscellaneous), we had 132 booths. A lot of them, including ours, had a bunch of old famil- iar faces, and quite fortunately, some familiar dogs as well. What really impressed me, though, was the number of parent club Presidents who considered the event important enough to their breed and to their club to travel great distances (one at least from Los Angeles and several from the Midwest and sunny Florida) to attend. Many brought dogs, some brought years of expertise in their breed. The point is… they came! Not to be a judge or a del- egate. Not to preside over a grand meeting or sight- see in our grand city, but to “pay their dues” for all
The look on the faces of the public, their surprise and the kind words that follow, make Meet the Breeds a unique experience for everyone. ‘Malin’ (pictured) is a five-year-old retired brood bitch newly arrived from Canada. (L. Friesen photo)
the benefit that the sport has given them over the years. The same is true of a few of the folks I consider to be world-class breeders and authorities who came to share their experience for the benefit of the breed. But conversely, we had 66 percent of our breeds not represented at all. Some of the absentee breeds were surprising given their popularity in the New York area and the obvious benefits of attending to the breed, breeders, and the public. Still others came on strong the first day and were totally AWOL on the second. An empty booth sends an awful message. While I’m sure there are good reasons for their absence, I can’t imagine any parent club, even the regionals, not wanting to scoop up this opportunity to advance their breed (and, of course, to create a market for their members). There is nothing like teaching others as a learning experience for oneself. You don’t have to have decades of experience as a breeder to be an exhibitor at a MTB near you. Your knowledge of your dog, your daily experience, and the useful infor- mation that you already have are just what the public wants to hear. A day or two of your time is a sound investment for everyone and the payback is immense. So, every January, we suck it up and prepare for MTB and two days of con- trolled chaos. In our case, we have the support of a genuinely concerned parent club (Bedlington Terrier Club of America), dedicated officers and directors, long-time, experienced breeders, and even pet owners who quite willingly show up year after year. All of them recognize Meet the Breeds as something that we do to give back, in a small way, all that our dogs have given us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Richard Reynolds has been chasing dogs at home and around the world for 58 years. That quest has taken him from the manicured rings of Montgomery and Westminster to the hog bay pens of Texas. Whether hunting rats or rosettes, there’s always some good dogs involved and some mighty fine people too. In this issue, he takes you with him to Meet the Breeds in New York. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss, no matter which side of the table you may be on.
© Margaret Foxmoore
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PAP I LLON * #3 PAP I LLON BI TCH * #1 2020, 2021, 2023
MBIS MRBIS MBISS
PLATINUM GRAND CHAMPION
ANABELLE BEAUTIFUL
2023 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB BEST OF BREED THANK YOU MR. DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON 2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BEST OF BREED THANK YOU DR. STEVEN L. KEATING
OWNED BY JENNIFER ABLE-JONES & JOHNWESLEY JONES BRED BY OKSANA PETROVA HANDLED BY CLINT & KAREN LIVINGSTON
*AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 12/31/23
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PAPILLON
AROUND THE RING / MEET THE BREEDS
MEET THE BREEDS
Jacob K Javits Convention Center | January 27-28, 2024 photos by Margaret Foxmoore
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GCHB CH TESSIER WYNTUK RED-E TO REIGN MULTIPLE GROUP WINNING • MULTIPLE BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW WINNING
CHIC #164841
# 1 SILKY TERRIER ALL BREED FOR 2023 * *AKC all breed stats as of 12/31/23
AMERICA’S
THANK YOU JUDGE EUGENE BLAKE
Owned by MARILYN SOLVASON MARIBLU SANDY MESMER TESSIER ANGELA SMITH-TILOT BLACKRANGE Handled by ANGELA SMITH, Saginaw Michigan Bred by SANDY MESMER & KAREN HUEY
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SILKY TERRIER
AROUND THE RING / MEET THE BREEDS
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Congratulations... ...to all the Irish Red and White Setter owners, breeders and handlers for their accomplishments in the ring and in the field.
Knoll
Cork
CH HUBERTUS FROM OLD CRUDSAND HARBOUR SH
NOHS BRONZE, GCHB WEBB TULLAMORE DEW’S FLYING BOLT JH
We are excited for 2024!
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SETTER (IRISH RED AND WHITE)
VR IU KL IE N! GS
TSARSHADOW: Dawne Deeley/Doug Belter - tsarshadow@gmail.com KOROMANDEL: Jenny Shorer-Wheeler - Jenshorer@aol.com KYON: Karin Klouman - kklouman@kyonkennels.com
For generations our Norwegian Buhunds have proven to be consistently excellent in both breed type and genetic health. Our madate is simple....
“BREEDING THE BEST IS A MATTER OF HONOR. SHOWING THE BEST IS A MATTER OF PRIDE”
U.K/AMGRCH/MBIS CAN. CH. KYON’S BOLD NORSEMAN American Grand Champion U.K Champion Canadian Champion - 5 X Best In Show Winner First Male Buhund in North America to win a BIS (Ch. Vaulartun’s Tomba Kimura x Ch. Kyon’s Freidige Tora) Breeder: Karin Klouman - Kyon CKC Reg’d. Owner: Dawne Deeley IDAR THE START OF IT ALL
© JENNY SHORER-WHEELER
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NORWEGIAN BUHUND
AMGRCH/BPISS CAN.CH. KOROMANDEL'S GRAT KAOS
KAOS (AmGrChG. TsarShadow’s Ragnar Lodbrok x U.K. Ch. Maid of Copper for Koromandel) Breeder: Jenny Shorer-Wheeler Owner: Dawne Deeley Handler: Doug Belter AKC Reg’d
© STEVE BARKER
U.K. CH. MAIDOFCOPPER FOR KOROMANDEL JW Winner of 15 Breed Challenge Certificates and Junior Warrant 3 X Veteran Open show Group winner
PIIKA dam of Kaos; granddam of Trygve (MCH. Gnippagrottens’ QU x MCH. Cipacan Mila Magia WW ‘14) Owner/Handler: Jenny Shorer-Wheeler Breeder: Anna-Leena Laakso SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 81
© JENNY SHORER-WHEELER
BIS/RBIS AMCHG TSARSHADOW’S RAGNAR LODBROK Owner and Breeder: Dawne Deeley Handler: Doug Belter AKC Reg’d RAGNAR ‘Ragnar’ is sired by Idar; his dam was MCH/BIS/RBIS Can. Ch. Kimura’s Karmen Ragnar was a four-time winner at the AKC National Three consecutive BOB wins at Westminster The first NB to be Group shortlisted there. He took back-to-back NBCA National specialties, and BOB at Morris & Essex
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NORWEGIAN BUHUND
TRYGVE AMCH. TSARSHADOW HE WHO DARES AKC Champion from the Junior Puppy Class BOB wins over Specials BOB NBCA Supported Entries
(Am. GrChG TsarShadow’s Ragnar Lodbrok x Am.GrCh/BPISS Can.Ch. Koromandel’s Grat Kaos) Breeders/Owners: Doug Belter and Dawne Deeley / TsarShadow AKC/CKC Reg'd
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NEW ANIMAL RIGHTS TREND: Weaponizing Agency Oversight of Breeders
BY SHEILA GOFFE, VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB W hen we think about legislation that threatens our breeding programs or our sport, we typically think of issues like extreme and arbitrary breeder regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, or ownership limits. But recent efforts by anti-breeder groups reveal a more subtle trend: legisla- tive efforts to weaponize agency oversight of dog breeders. Two recent efforts shine a light on this trend at the federal level: • A measure to prohibiting USDA Kennel Inspectors from providing expert advice or “teachable moments” to licensed breeders with minor non-compliances to help them improve their operations (FY 2023 Agricultural Appropriations); and • The recent introduction of the Better CARE for Animals Act (HR 5041/S. 2555) in Congress, which among other provisions would significantly expand federal courts jurisdiction to unilaterally prosecute alleged violations of AWA regulations. These examples highlight federal breeder licensing rules that impact breeders through- out the country, but similar efforts are taking place in individual states too. WHAT IS AGENCY OVERSIGHT AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? The federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) establishes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the federal agency responsible for regulatory oversight of a variety of commer- cial activities related to domestic animals, including the breeding and sale of pet dogs. Cur- rently, breeders who maintain more than four (4) intact female dogs (and/or cat, rabbits, other small mammals etc.) and sell one (1) offspring “sight unseen” are subject to licensing, care requirements, and inspection by the USDA. Individuals who maintain fewer than four (4) intact females are exempt from USDA licensing and regulatory requirements. For more information, see Understanding USDA Breeder Licensing at www.akcgr.org. BACKGROUND: ABOUT THE USDA’S ROLE IN BREEDER OVERSIGHT The USDA has some level of oversight or expertise related to the vast majority of agri- cultural and animal husbandry enterprises in the United States. Historically, the USDA has been charged with advancing American agriculture, including providing programs and outreach to assist farmers and those engaged in animal husbandry. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is staffed by thousands of animal experts, administers AWA licensing requirements. As part of their mission, which includes improv- ing animal care and welfare, the agency’s experts recognize performance-based animal care standards and provide expertise, training, and certification programs that benefit animals and those who care for them. While many breeders may not care for licensing requirements, few would argue that the USDA, with thousands of veterinarians and animal experts on staff, is not the right agency to oversee animal activities.
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“The young Azawakh that everyone is talking about.”
MRBIS GCH Lex Ayur-es-Sahel
We appreciate the latest acknowledgement of Lex by admired judges and hound experts including Sharon Sakson, Malcolm Moore, Lori Nelson and Robert Frost.
© Ali Perez
bred by Lilia and Nina Berezkina | owned by Jeff Winton and Lilia Berezkina | handled by Ash Oldfield
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AZAWAKH
NEW ANIMAL RIGHTS TREND: WEAPONIZING AGENCY OVERSIGHT OF BREEDERS
ATTACKS ON COOPERATIVE PROGRAMMING AND EXPERTISE In late 2022, last-minute language was added to the FY 2023 Agricultural Appropriations Bill to prohibit any funding for teach- able moments. This attack on educational programming created a change in agency approach to pet breeders from cooperative and educational, with a recognition of the value of instruction to improve animal care, to an approach based purely on enforcement. Changing the agency’s model from cooperative to a confronta- tional—or “gotcha”—environment not only undermines trust and responsiveness to the agency, it’s also likely to undermine canine well-being. Prohibiting the use of teachable moments and banning instruction about minor, fixable issues or non-compliances prevents interventions and unnecessarily allows minor issues to grow until they can become significant issues, potentially impacting animal care and well-being. REDIRECTING AGENCY OVERSIGHT: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANIMAL LIBERATION Now another bill in Congress seeks to further expand the weap- onization of agency oversight against dog breeders. H.R. 5041/Sen- ate Bill 2555, the so-called “Better CARE for Animals Act,” does exactly the opposite of what its name suggests. It shifts enforcement of dog breeder licensing and oversight under the AWA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the U.S. Department of Jus- tice (DOJ). This bill would circumvent oversight authority by an agency with pro-animal agriculture traditions that is staffed by animal experts focused on improving animal husbandry; and instead place it with one with little or no animal expertise that focuses on violations as potential federal crimes. Legal experts note that there is little legal precedent for the Department of Justice to get involved in licensing and non- criminal activities. However, passage of this bill could set a danger- ous legal precedent for treating simple animal licensing violations as something more than minor regulatory infractions. This bill would also empower the DOJ to file charges, seize ani- mals, and impose penalties of animal licensees regardless of whether USDA—the animal experts—have determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Proponents of the bill, notably the Humane Society of The Unit- ed States (HSUS) argue that the DOJ needs additional authority to address violations of animal care or negligence. This is blatantly false. Current law already allows the USDA to call in the assistance of the Department of Justice where they believe legal assistance is required or a crime has occurred. Recent examples of this include a 2021 case of abuse by a licensed breeder in Iowa, and a 2022 case in which research dogs were removed from a licensed facility in Virginia. To most people, it simply doesn’t make sense to remove oversight of animals and animal enterprises from an agency with specialized expertise in animal care. But dig a little deeper, and the darker side of these proposals is revealed. In Peter Singer’s seminal 1970s book Ani- mal Liberation , the author lays out a series of 12 steps to animal lib- eration that have become the base text for animal rights movements worldwide. Step No. 7 in this repulsive narrative states Enforcement of animal laws must be transferred from Agriculture Departments .
This step is followed shortly thereafter by “ending the use of animals in sports” and “ending genetic manipulation of species.” ANIMAL RIGHTS WISH LIST Sadly, issues with this extreme legislation do not end there. It also contains language that could potentially undermine or remove current exemptions from licensing for small hobby breed- ers who maintain fewer than four (4) intact females and/or sell
pets directly to their permanent homes. HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
We need to stop this bill in its tracks! Everyone reading this article should take a few minutes today to contact your Represen- tatives in the U.S. House and Senate and ask them to oppose The Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 5041/S. 2555). Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org and type your address in the “Find Your Elected Officials” box to find out who represents you and get their contact information. Please respectfully call or email their offices today. Even a voicemail message from a constituent can make a difference! Use the talking points below when reaching out to them: • Explain you are a constituent (who you are and which town you live in). • Ask them to oppose H.R. 5041/S. 2555, the so-called “Bet- ter CARE for Animals Act.” • Tell them it will do precisely the opposite of its name by removing crucial animal experts from the chain of animal welfare oversight. Removing subject matter expertise will undermine both animal care and enforcement of violations. Additional points you may also wish to comment on include: • DOJ does not have staff, veterinarians, or experts in animal husbandry and behavior that are experienced in evaluating AWA compliance or enforcement. • Rather than creating more efficiency, H.R. 4051/S. 2555 creates redundant and potentially conflicting authorities and jurisdictions. This will cause greater bureaucracy and expand the backlog of cases at the DOJ. • Removal of exemptions for de minimis activity, such as hobby breeders, will also create greater strain on USDA, which is already strapped for sufficient resources for AWA enforcement of professional breeders. • The measure is unnecessary, as the USDA already can and does seek assistance from DOJ when appropriate. • The bill allows owners to be forced to pay for the costs of care of seized animals by non-government entities while legal proceedings are pending, regardless of the outcome— with no provision for restitution. Suggest an alternate solution to address lawmakers’ animal care concerns: Ask your members of Congress to instead support additional financial resources for USDA, so they can appropriately enforce the requirements they already have. For questions or more information, contact: doglaw@akc. org, visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center at: www.akcgr.org , or contact: 919-816-3720.
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