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The Pets Blog Week in Review for February 4-10

It’s time to shake things up in the Week in Review again. I’m trying a slightly varied approach to recapping the articles Aimee and I wrote for the previous week. Monday, February 4 Who were the puppy players? What kind of plays did they make and what penalties were called? And who was named MVP? All was revealed in Puppy Bowl IV Play-by-Play. In About the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, Aimee discussed another major dog event that also took place over the weekend and detailed some tidbits you might not know about it. Tuesday, February 5 Aimee decided it was high … Continue reading →

AKC Canine Ambassadors

The American Kennel Club doesn’t just put on dog shows — they also work to educate people about responsible dog ownership, canine safety, and more. A part of that educational effort comes in the form of Canine Ambassadors. Canine Ambassadors are teams of dogs and owners who are members of AKC affiliated clubs. They visit schools and youth organizations — like Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, local libraries, or the Boys and Girls Club — to make presentations. The Canine Ambassadors work closely with the club’s appointed Public Education Coordinator. Often, the PEC will help the Canine Ambassadors make … Continue reading →

About the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

If you had your eye on Animal Planet over the weekend, you probably saw the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship broadcast. I only managed to catch the “tail” end of the show, but I did get to see the lovely German shepherd win the working dog group and the Best in Show awarded to a Sealyham terrier with lots of personality. Here are some things you might not know about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship: The AKC (American Kennel Club) is the oldest and only not-for-profit purebred dog registry in the United States. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is by invitation only. The top … Continue reading →

Andy Rooney on Westminster

Last night on 60 Minutes Andy Rooney wrapped up the show like he always does with his thoughts on something. This time it happened to be about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Like Aimee’s mom (and who knows how many other thousands of people), Mr. Rooney also attended Westminster. According to him, it’s one of his few yearly rituals. (Along with going to the Super Bowl and doctor visits.) I always get a kick out of his musings. I don’t always agree with his opinions. Sometimes I’m downright offended while other times I’m embarrassed for him. But last night … Continue reading →

Dog Shows for Junior Handlers

Showing your dog is a great way to bond! You and your dog will spend lots of time together — grooming, practicing, and finally competing. Dog shows aren’t restricted to adults, either. The American Kennel Club offers lots of opportunities for kids to get involved! Children between the ages of ten and eighteen are allowed to compete with their peers at certain AKC events as “junior handlers”. Junior handlers are not only judged on their dogs’ conformation to breed standards — they are also judged on how they present their dogs. To get started as a junior handler, your best … Continue reading →

The Problem with Show Dog Science

I’ve long known certain dogs were specifically bred with others to get desired traits, but I hadn’t realized how far back it had all started. Which is pretty remarkable considering science hasn’t always been as advanced as it is now. A few months back I caught part of an episode called “Science of a Dog” on the National Geographic Channel which addressed the topic in depth. It was about how certain breeds have come to be, why, and where they go from here. Because for some breeds their health-future isn’t too bright. That was a really sad part of the … Continue reading →