Westminster Now
The crowds are in abundance for the 2016 Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Shuttle buses are packed tight as even the later shuttles are full up. Rings are very crowded, in most cases 10-15 people deep. Chilly weather with snow in the forecast for today.
Ring 5 Pier 94
Ring 5 Bloodhounds
Re-posting my blog post "Happy Holidays & Westminster Musings"
Westminster Kennel Club 2016
Well, I am off to the 2016 Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Dog show. I will also, hopefully, be taking photographs and I will post from there, especially if anything of tremendous interest occurs. Keep in mind that last year indeed those of us watching both live via video and ringside viewed actions that unfortunately were much more than an appearance of impropriety. A breed judge engaged in, and an exhibitor(s) purposely participated in what was an obvious example of Conflict of Interest during breed judging.
This brings me to the suggestion if you have not re-read it, that my earlier December 2015 blog post, "Happy Holidays and Westminster Kennel Club" should be reviewed again. It details the significant arguments surrounding today's WKC with a parallel issue, a dog show judge & exhibitors behavior involving their apparent subversion of neutrality and principles. I am re-posting it for this annual event.
Shock Absorbers
Stern Warning!
Cautionary Post on Manufacturer Cedar Creek Pet Dog Beds
Heads up on Cedar Creek pet dog beds. If you have one of their newest rectangular beds manufactured on or after April 2015, please take extra precaution using them with a dog that chews. We discovered, wholly by accident, that our dog bed contained large, loose plastic bags that were partially torn. In my considered opinion, these are most definitely a hazard for any dog that may chew through or get into the dog bed. See the photos
Posterior Judgement
Fanciers and Judges make a great to-do over the dog’s hindquarters but can they really recognize a sound, strong pelvic girdle and pelvic limb construction? Although breed blueprints revolve around specialization demanding differing angles to include descriptive terms, such as sweep of stifle or great length from hip to hock, unimpaired hindquarters construction is the same, no matter the breed. First,...
Fill & Station
Yes, pun intended, I mean filling station. My play on words is tailor-made for this discussion about dogs, particularly on their fill and station. Many hobbyists who are unfamiliar with the phrase ‘station’ are shaking their heads but then so is the notion about filling this station — filling what with what?
Feet Don't Fail Me Now!
Virtually all of the Dog Group breeds were propagated for and should be functional. Although today many argue that nearly every one of the breeds no longer fulfill their purpose, the truth is that for basic soundness of even our companions and family dogs, their feet factor into sustaining quality of life. Similar to a person whose feet have fallen arches, plantar fasciitis or muscle strains that cause constant discomfort and pain...
I Hate to Say I Told You So, But...
An investigative report exposes a well-known charity's corporate gluttony & frivolous spending. Plus, a charity watchdog group also reveals that this popular non-profit organization's program expenses are only 59%. What is a program expense? This is the percent of the charity’s total expenses really spent on the programs and services it promises to deliver. This is in direct contrast to what their market promotions advertise how they spend our hard earned money donations! Read more about this familiar charity!
Head Cases
Depending on the breed, one of the most interesting features is a dog's headpiece. Headpieces glorify the breed by way of expression and shape. The expression is achieved by appearance, rather the dog’s look, set, shape and color of their eyes, set-on of the ear, the planes of the backskull and muzzle or foreface. What makes a great head case is the handiwork of several important elements. First,...
Hear No Evil
Save for cropped breeds, most fanciers don’t pay too much attention to their dog’s ears, regarding them as obvious features to have but inessential in the overall genesis of a very good dog. Though this may reflect a modicum of reality for a number of breeds, for instance a few sighthounds, where some repeat the phrase parrot-fashion “he does not run on his ears,” indeed there are breeds who contradict this accepted tenet.
He Got a Good Ribbing!
The Eyes Have It!
His Neck is on the Line
"His neck is on the line." This idiom is appropriate when conversing about show dogs but also specialized breeds. Yes, the neck is more than just another part of the canine skeletal structure that connects the trunk and the head. In truth, it seems to have fluctuating levels of importance depending on the breed.
Truth and Consequences
Sighthound Necessities
The Importance of Free Exercise for Large Sighthounds
Sighthounds love to gallop, to chase and stretch out. They experience unmistakable, sheer glee as they are bending, folding and leaping. You can see it in their expression. So, why is it that so many of these admirable Sighthounds are found living in unsuitable homes, having little or no fenced, secured acreage?
Prospective Wolfhound Puppy Buyers: Caveat Emptor!
Year-End Tidings
As a passionate, conscientious animal lover, but also a kind human being as well, I am angered and disgusted with animal abuse and neglect.
I too am deeply affected by the advertisements, however, I simply do not sit down and write out a check or go online and make a donation. There are far too many charities or non-profit organizations seeking even a tiny percentage of each of our donations. Some of these are scandalously run with blatant inefficiencies that ONLY are revealed if a smart donor investigates FIRST before giving money.