Search Results for: blog going to the dog show etiquette

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 →

Dog Shows For Beginners

After all the talk lately in the Pets Blog about dog shows, you may be interested in getting your dog involved! Here are some things you might want to know: To compete in an American Kennel Club (AKC) dog show, your dog has to be a registered purebred. Other shows may not require a pedigree and papers. Know the rules before you apply! There are different types of dog show: all breed shows (where more than 150 different breeds compete; this is the kind of dog show you see on TV), specialty shows restricted to certain breeds, and group shows … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

Dog Breeds: Sealyham Terrier

Best in Show at the seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship was Charmin, a Sealyham terrier from Cochranville, Pennsylvania. The representative of the terrier group won the largest dog show prize in the world — fifty thousand dollars. The breed comes from Haverfordwest, Wales. Sealyham estate was the home of one Captain John Edwards — a breeder who set out to create a dog who could hunt badgers, otter, and fox. He was hoping to combine endurance, speed, and strength, so the new breed of dog could chase down and battle prey underground. Historians believe that Edwards created the Sealyham terrier … Continue reading →

Going to the Dog Show: Etiquette

Have you ever been to a dog show? Would you like to? Here are some tips for how you should behave in order to be asked to sit and stay. Don’t just pet the dogs — ask first! This is a good idea anywhere, really. But remember that the owners and handlers have spent a lot of time getting their dogs ready for performance. Don’t just walk up and mess up their hair. Ask first. Don’t let your children run up to strange dogs, either — again, this is good advice outside the dog show, too. Always ask before your … Continue reading →

Great American Backyard Campout

Get out your tents and marshmallows; it’s time to go camping. Only you won’t have to travel far to tell ghost stories and roast hot dogs if you are participating in the National Wildlife Federation’s 2009 Great American Backyard Campout. The event takes place tomorrow and is designed to encourage families to tap into the myriad of resources available that promote communing with nature just steps from your own home. If you hate bugs, pit toilets and being without running water, then your backyard is the ideal place to pitch a tent and give your kids a night to remember. … 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 →

My Mom Went to Westminster!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — one of the biggest dog shows out there — is going on right now at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Last year, I was very tempted to hop on a train and catch some of the action, but didn’t. But I just got the inside scoop from my mom, who went to day one of the Westminster action yesterday! Here are some of the things she noticed: It’s much easier to follow the action on TV — because there are commentators. At the show itself, it can be hard to tell … Continue reading →