Posted on 28 February 2012
By Today Show
From: MSNBC.com
Photo: Gina DiNardo of the American Kennel Club shows America’s most popular dog breeds, including a newcomer, the Rottweiler, which just made the top ten list this year.
The family-friendly, fun-loving Labrador retriever continues its reign as America’s top dog, but it finds a floppy-earned, vertically challenged canine nipping at its paws.
Read more: MSNBC.com
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Posted on 28 February 2012
By Bryan Nelson
From: Mother Nature Network
In a story eerily similar to that of Latin America’s “chupacabra” sightings, residents in northern Namibia along the southwest coast of Africa are reportedly being terrorized by some kind of strange dog-pig hybrid creature, reports MSNBC.
Descriptions of the animal sound like some sort of genetic experiment gone awry. Locals have expressed confidence that the animal is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. Many of them now suspect something nefarious is going on.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that unknown creatures have been reported in the region. In July of 2009, panic spread after a wave of unusual livestock and goat deaths were reported. Allegedly, at least two dozen goats and several heads of cattle were found with their blood sucked out. Footprints of an unknown creature with doglike feet were scattered around the bodies. When officials followed the footprints, they mysteriously stopped in an open field, as if the creature suddenly took flight or vanished into thin air.
It’s unclear if the reports in 2009 are related to the creature sightings currently taking place, but locals were quick to blame black magic in both instances. Such unfounded superstitions can run rampant when fears are stirred. In fact, a 2010 Gallup poll found belief in magic widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with more than half of respondents saying they believe in witchcraft and sorcery.
Unfortunately, such naive superstition can have frightening social consequences. Already one poor old man has been accused of being a warlock and harboring the creature as his pet.
Of course, the most likely explanation for the sightings is that it’s a case of mistaken identity. It could be a warthog witnessed from a deceiving angle, or perhaps a just sickly canine. Given that the area where the creature was spotted is a dry and arid region not far from the Kalahari desert, maybe it’s just a desert mirage.
Until more tangible evidence is found, though, officials can only guess.
Read more: Mother Nature Network
Posted on 28 February 2012
By Today Show
From: MSNBC.com
Long an animal lover, Denver television news anchor Kyle Dyer was doing a story right up her alley — the rescue of a dog from an icy river. But during a live interview with the dog’s owner and the firefighter who rescued the animal, what should have been a feel-good story turned horribly wrong.
Read more: MSNBC.com
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Posted on 28 February 2012
By Janelle Schroeder
From: Cape Argus
Photo: Jean Dujardin holds Uggie after accepting the Oscar for best picture for The Artist during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
A beloved movie star took his final bow from feature films at Sunday’s Academy Awards in Hollywood. But he’s not the typical silver screen hunk or loathed villain.
Instead, he’s the adorable four-legged Jack Russell terrier, Uggie, age 10, who appeared in The Artist, the same film that claimed the Best Motion Picture award at Sunday’s ceremony.
And move over Oscar, Uggie is also an award winner, taking home a Golden Collar Award for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film for his The Artist performance earlier this month. He was nominated twice in the category, along with his role as Queenie in Water for Elephants.
Uggie isn’t the only famous Jack Russell making waves in pop culture. In the US, Moose, who played the loveable Eddie on tv’s Frasier, appeared in 194 episodes from 1993 to 2003, and the current season’s Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, brought his Jack Russell, Scotch, for a date with one very lucky bachelorette. The children’s TV series Wishbone, starred a dog with the same name and Britain’s own Prince Charles and Camilla adopted a third Jack Russell from a rescue organisation last year.
But does the animal’s popularity ring true among South Africans? The Jack Russell Terrier Club of SA says membership of their club is actually down, but it’s not necessarily the dog’s fault.
Leonie Oosthuisen, breed records officer and Western Cape representative for the club, said breeders were starting to be more selective about who they sold puppies to. She also breeds the animals and runs Blackthorn Kennel with her husband. They have nine dogs and about 13 years of experience with the breed.
“They are very loyal, affectionate and good family dogs if they are correctly stimulated,” said Oosthuisen.
“But they can be destructive if not stimulated enough.”
The club said the Jack Russell terrier is “the dog that does”.
Popular activities for the breed include search and rescue, hunting and agility, surfing, skate boarding, dog-assisted human therapy, and of course, acting.
Tyronne Loubser, of Northpine, bought his Jack Russell terrier, Snuggles, in Table View, and said he loved having such an enthusiastic and alert dog.
“He likes to play around with everyone, he’s a very friendly dog,” said Loubser. But it can also be a downfall.
“He’s very energetic, and that’s the bad thing. He’s broken a tennis ball and when we give him toys, we have to watch him all the time. He also likes to bite the furniture.”
Whether or not Jack Russell owners decline or increase, The Jack Russell Terrier Club said the dog would always be one of the most popular breeds.
In the UK, there was an online surge in the search for Jack Russell terriers available at one of London’s biggest rescue organisations. In Cape Town, there is also an opportunity to adopt a Jack Russell through the club, and through the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Animal Care Centre in Grassy Park.
The animal stands between 25cm and 38cm to the the top of the shoulder blades, typically weighs no more than 8kg and is predominantly white with tan, black or brown markings.
While there are breed standards, the Jack Russell Terrier Club says there is no ideal form.
“The ‘ideal’ is what suits owners for what they want or need to do with their terrier. That is the uniqueness of the Jack Russell terrier.”
The dog gets its name from an Englishman, the Rev John Russell, who bred some of the first working fox terriers in Devonshire, England, in the mid to late 1800s. The American Kennel Club says it was originally bred to hunt red fox.
The dog followed the fox underground to flush him out of the hole for the hunter.
The dog evolved from the pre-1900 fox terrier and differs from the modern smooth fox terrier and wire fox terrier.
And it can act.
Read more: Cape Argus
Posted on 28 February 2012
By Alaska Airlines
From: The Sacramento Bee
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 28, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines will serve as the official airline sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, marking the 34th year the carrier has supported the event.
“We are proud to be a sponsor of the Last Great Race,” said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines’ regional vice president – Alaska. “The Iditarod has a rich history and every year a new story is told. Alaska Airlines is honored to be associated with the race to help emphasize the success and safety of the mushers and their dogs.”
The airline will again present the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which recognizes one musher for providing exemplary dog care and is considered the highest honor a competitor can receive. The award is named after one of Alaska’s most-celebrated mushers, whose 1925 sled-dog team traveled the longest distance to transport diphtheria serum to Nome.
As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines also will provide air transportation and dog-care supplies for Iditarod veterinarians who care for the race dogs’ health and safety.
In addition, many Alaska Airlines employees contribute their time at the event. The Dog Squad, staffed by airline employee volunteers, again will assist mushers and their dogs at the finish line. Several Alaska Airlines pilots will lead the Iditarod Air Force, flying veterinarians, supplies and volunteers to remote checkpoints along the trail.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
Posted on 26 February 2012
Posted on 26 February 2012
Posted on 25 February 2012
Posted on 25 February 2012
Posted on 24 February 2012
Posted on 21 February 2012
By Sean Sullivan
From: The Province
New measures to protect B.C.’s sled dogs will be little more than “words on paper” if the province can’t pony up more money for enforcement, the B.C. SPCA warned Monday.
The Sled Dog Code of Practice, announced Monday by B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture, establishes legal requirements for sled-dog operators to meet in terms of their dogs’ exercise, veterinarian care, socialization and working conditions.
The new standards of care come one year after revelations that a Whistler sled-dog operator sought compensation from WorkSafe B.C. for post-traumatic stress disorder after he killed about 56 dogs over two days in April 2010.
Many of the dogs were clumsily wounded and killed in full view of the rest of the pack.
Marcie Moriarty, the B.C. SPCA’s manager of animal-cruelty investigations, called the regulations a good first step in protecting the health and safety of sled dogs.
“We want to see their welfare put first and foremost, and not com-promised for profit,” she said.
The B.C. SPCA was one of several groups, including vets and industry representatives, that created the regulations.
Sled-dog operators must now create a life-cycle plan for their dogs that includes budget, plans for socialization and how each dog will be re-homed when its working life is over.
While sled-dog operators that don’t comply can now be prosecuted, Moriarty said it will be difficult to proactively target offenders.
“While the regulation is definitely a great tool to be using in investigations, it will be impossible for 25 constables funded by SPCA donors to be enforcing and regulating this industry on top of the 7,000 com-plaints we already respond to each year,” she said. “The government’s left a gap there.”
The regulations still allow sled-dog operators to euthanize unwanted dogs if “reasonable efforts” to re-home the dog have been unsuccessful, either through a registered vet or, if one isn’t avail-able, with a firearm under specific guidelines.
Posted on 21 February 2012
By Associated Press
From: USA Today
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) – A 12-year-old yellow Labrador retriever named Jake is recovering as his family waits to see if a stem cell injection will regenerate his limbs and help him romp again without pain.
Jake underwent surgery Tuesday at the Stanley Veterinary Clinic in Overland Park, where fat was removed from his body then injected into his joints.
“It’s amazing,” said veterinarian Les E. Pelfrey, who conducted the procedure. “A few weeks later, these guys are running up and down.”
Supporters say the procedure will give Jake a better quality of life. Critics contend the procedure has not been proven to have any long-term benefits and is expensive, at $1,800 or more per treatment, The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/w8m9VS).
James L. Cook, a professor of orthopedics at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said stems cells have been shown to help rejuvenate damaged tendons and other problems in horses.
“But in the joints for dogs with arthritis? No way,” Cook said. “I would never recommend anyone get this done.”
Cook acknowledged some studies have found stem cells reduced pain in arthritic canine joints, compared with dogs not injected with stems cells. But he said no studies have convincingly shown that stems cells are any better at helping dogs than the current, less expensive standard of care. That typically involves weight loss, pain medications and, when necessary, injections of hyaluronic acid.
Those injections, given a couple of times a year, cost less than $100 each.
And no one knows how long any improvement from stem cells will last, although some vets say benefits last a year or more.
Jake’s owner, Elizabeth LeBlanc, said she knows that the procedure is not a cure.
“It will be worth it, even if I can give him one more great summer,” she said.
Read more: USA Today
Posted on 21 February 2012
By Associated Press
From: BostonHerald.com
MONTAGUE — A Greenfield woman faces animal cruelty and other charges for allegedly dragging her dog to death by driving four miles with its leash stuck in her vehicle’s door.
Montague police say they responded to the Turners Falls section of town at about 5 a.m. Sunday after a call from a witness.
Police say 33-year-old Shylo Valego and 42-year-old Casey Aiken were emerging from the woods where they had disposed of the dog’s body.
They told police they found the animal in the road, but then admitted the small black dog belonged to Valego. Police say the dog’s injuries were consistent with being dragged.
Police say they found a cup of rum in the vehicle and alcohol played a factor.
Valego told police she had no idea the leash was stuck.
Read more: Boston Herald.com
Posted on 21 February 2012
By Jim Walsh
From: Arizona Republic News
A drug-sniffing police dog in Yavapai County sniffed out nearly $60,000 insuspected drug money after the driver of a sport utility vehicle was evasive during questioning Thursday, authorities said.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Officials identified the driver as Victor Robertson of Oklahoma. Deputies had pulled him over for a traffic stop on Interstate 17 near the Cordes Junction exit.
When he refused permission to search his vehicle Thursday,the Sheriff’s Office called in a drug-sniffing K-9 dog, which alerted on the vehicle.
Robertson at first told deputies he was in Arizona to visit a sick relative in Mesa but eventually admitted they would probably find methamphetamine, Sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies searched the Ford Expedition and found a meth pipe containing a usable amount of methamphetamine. A gram of meth was found in a separate container. They later discovered bundles of cash stashed in a secret compartment in a fender, offcials said.
Deputies believe the money was the result of drug transactions because the K-9 alerted on the cash stashes.
Robertson was arrested on suspicion of possession of dangerous drugs, money laundering and driving under the influence of drugs.
Read More: Arizona Republic News
Posted on 20 February 2012
Posted on 19 February 2012
Posted on 19 February 2012
Posted on 19 February 2012
Posted on 18 February 2012
Posted on 18 February 2012
Posted on 17 February 2012
Posted on 16 February 2012
Posted on 15 February 2012
Posted on 13 February 2012
Posted on 13 February 2012
Posted on 12 February 2012
Posted on 11 February 2012
Posted on 11 February 2012
By Kim Moseley
GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream
The Number One Working Dog for 2011, Scarlett
the Boxer bitch, is on the way for her chance at the Top Prize at
Westminster Kennel Club, There hasn’t been a BIS won by a boxer since 1970 which was Ch Arriba’s Prima Donna.
GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, made it to the Number Three Dog All
Breeds with 88 BIS and the top winning bitch in the history of the breed
in 2011. This number one boxer won three national specialty shows as well
the group at the 2011 AKC Eukanuba National Championship.*
Scarlett is owned by Debbie McCarroll, Mrs Jack Billhardt, & Sergio
Tenenbaum, and handled by Diego and Eve Garcia.
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.facebook.com/
*CC All Breed System 12/11
Posted on 10 February 2012
Posted on 10 February 2012
Posted on 10 February 2012
Posted on 10 February 2012
By Evan Dahl
From: Slate
On Feb. 13-14, the oldest purebred dog organization in the United States, the Westminster Kennel Club, hosts the 136th iteration of its annual dog show in New York City. Coming on the heels of a dramatic Super Sunday Puppy Bowl (I found the Bissell Kitty Halftime Show a bit scattered), the prestigious Westminster Dog Show cements February as the favorite month of dog lovers everywhere.
While most viewers will tune into USA and CNBC to either root for their favorite breeds or make light of the eccentric grooming regimens of the puli or Bedlington terrier, a small group of observers have a bit more skin in the game. First, you have the dog show aficionados—those who can recite breed standards chapter and verse and have developed advanced metrics (value over replacement handler?) to predict in-ring success. Then there are the degenerate gamblers—tortured souls who cannot pass up an opportunity to wager on a televised contest of uncertain outcome. It is with these sad souls in mind that I provide the following handicapping guide to Westminster.
Hound Group
Once a footnote in the proceedings, with only three Best in Shows in the 78 years through 2007, the Hound Group has produced the most drama of any group over the past four years with two memorable upsets. In 2008, there was Uno the beagle overcoming a small army of talented poodles. And last year, Scottish deerhound Hickory, a 60:1 long shot, according to the Wynn Las Vegas sportsbook, bested the formidable smooth fox terrier.
With Hickory not competing this year (rumors of a Dirk Nowitzki bender of an offseason are unsubstantiated), it is shaping up to be a two-hound race. We have the establishment candidate: the 2010 group-winning whippet with a taste for the couture (her name is Chanel). And the insurgent: the pharoah hound Qing, hoping for an Arab spring of sorts—his breed has never even placed at the group level at Westminster. My hunch is that, after several years of Cinderella victors in the Hound Group, order will be restored and Chanel will prevail. Look for her paw prints on the sidewalk of nearby Fashion Avenue as she heads to the exclusive Westminster after-party.
Toy Group
Originally bred as companions for nobility, toy dogs are the glamour boys of Westminster. Playing to the hometown high-society types, these pups consistently generate the greatest crowd response and have a penchant for stealing the show. Yet it has been 13 long years since the last Toy BIS winner (Kirby the papillon). Since then, the decades-old rivalry between the diminutive Pekingese and the flamboyant toy poodle has ramped up to a new level, with the breeds achieving four and three group wins at Westminster, respectively. It has been the dog world’s Federer and Nadal feud, generating countless magical moments.
Last year’s winning toy, Pekingese Malachy, will be in the ring again this year, undoubtedly showcasing the infectious dynamism he has displayed throughout his career. He will peer to his left expecting to spot his old poodle foil, Walker. However, word is that the 2010 group winner will be absent and his likely successor does not share as fine a pedigree. But Malachy shouldn’t be overconfident, as a turn to his right will reveal the imposing visage of his Novak Djokovic, Joey the affenpinscher. A native of the Netherlands, Joey brings flair and fitness reminiscent of a Richard Krajicek. This ought to be an epic struggle between two classy canines. What’s more, there is a miniature pinscher competing named Classie, whose impressive résumé may qualify her to be the Andy Murray of this analogy.
The 2012 Toy Group is extremely difficult to call. My crystal ball, though foggy, tells me the affenpinscher reigns supreme.
Nonsporting Group
By definition a collection of misfits, the Nonsporting Group could be excused for having a chip on its shoulder. It’s as if the American Kennel Club could not decide how to categorize these dogs and just threw up their hands and gave up. You have everything from the bulldog to the Lhasa apso to multiple dogs of Tibetan origin. Fortunately, understanding the group for wagering purposes is quite easy. Essentially, it is the standard poodle and everyone else. Over the past 25 years, the standard poodle has walked out of Westminster with the group’s James F. Stebbins trophy on 12 occasions. That is an amazing win rate considering there are 16 dogs in the group. No word on whether the small-market owners are threatening a lockout due to this lack of competitive balance.
The question this year is not whether the standard poodle will be victorious but rather which standard poodle will emerge from the breed competition. The two top nonsporting dogs are both standard poodles: Ally and London. Ally bested London last year but London is coming off of a Best in Show at the high-profile AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. With both of them legitimate contenders not only for Best in Group but Best in Show, this is the most anticipated matchup at the breed level in recent memory.
Predicted winner: standard poodle
Herding Group
Having formed in 1983 as an outgrowth of an overcapacity Working Group, herding is the newest of the seven groups of dogs classified by the American Kennel Club. Despite its relative infancy, the group had an immediate impact on the proceedings at Westminster—thanks to a self-assured German shepherd nicknamed Hatter. In 1987, on his third time representing the group in Best in Show, Hatter elicited raucous support from a New York crowd in search of someone to believe in during the Iran Contra scandal. After a close battle with Devon Puff & Stuff, a dogged bichon frise, Hatter took down first place and put the world on notice that herding was not your run-of-the-mill expansion franchise. Unfortunately, the world failed to listen. To this day, Hatter remains the only Westminster winner in Herding Group history.
There are plenty of explanations for the group’s struggles at Westminster. It could be that dogs bred to handle livestock do not resonate with the east-coast elite in our post-agrarian society. Or possibly the dogs’ obsessive-compulsive tendency to herd, in an arena with thousands of patrons eschewing order, provokes anxiety and distracts from the task at hand. Whether by curse or conspiracy, the herding dog drought is real.
Although the odds of this year’s cohort competing for Best in Show are long, we should be treated to a highly competitive and unpredictable battle at the group level. Two dogs in particular stand out: Roy the bearded collie and Capi the German shepherd. Roy won the group last year and is returning to Madison Square Garden to defend his crown. However, Capi matched Roy with 27 AKC Best in Shows on the 2011 circuit and is coming to Manhattan in excellent form. While these two appear to be the class of the group, I would not suggest sleeping on the Pembroke Welsh corgi, either figuratively or literally. The “PWC” enjoyed a mini-dynasty in the early aughts and the breed rolls deep this year with the precocious Molly and valiant Spencer.
On the silver anniversary of Hatter’s glory, bet on the German shepherd winning the group.
Predicted winner: German shepherd
Sporting Group
In essence, dog shows function much like the NFL Combine: Evaluators make inferences about a subject’s talent based on a very brief judging window. While I cannot speak to their Wonderlic scores, Sporting dogs are blessed with supreme athleticism and grace and are thus tailor-made for the Westminster showcase. With 19 Best in Shows—the second most of any group—the dogs are a proven quantity on the green carpet and always worthy of close study.
In 2012, sporting-dog enthusiasts everywhere are pinning their hopes on a silky-smooth 3-year-old out of Dallas. Beckham, a black cocker spaniel, was the No. 1 show dog in the United States in 2011, notching a jaw-dropping 68 BIS’s. Small in stature but oversized in charm, Becks is a prohibitive favorite to represent the group in Best in Show. For those gamblers in search of a dark horse, I suggest the Weimaraner. Dubbed “The Grey Ghost” thanks to its taupe coat, this unassuming small game hunter will need to manifest considerable spirit to best its spaniel adversary.
Working Group
One of the challenges of predicting group and BIS winners at Westminster is the prospect of upsets at the breed level. Think of it as handicapping a country’s chances at the Olympics prior to completion of the trials. Those who were bullish on the 1992 U.S. decathlon team prior to Dan O’Brien’s foibles at qualifications know what I am talking about. While many breeds have an overwhelming favorite to represent them, there are several where the result is in doubt. Such is the case with the boxer. Scarlett, fresh off of an impressive showing at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December, boasts a remarkably statuesque posture, surely the consequence of an intensive core workout regimen. However, she cannot sleepwalk through her breed competition, as Danny, the country’s third-ranked working dog, is right on her heels. While this battle of the sexes may not carry the antipathy of the 1973 Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs match, it is appointment viewing for fans on Tuesday morning.
While the boxers grab the headlines, the kuvasz (Tanner) and the doberman pinscher (Fifi) are both sneaky dangerous. Tanner is the top-winning kuvasz in breed history. Meanwhile, Fifi has been red-hot of late with a dominating performance at the Rose City Classic in January. This is a very competitive group.
Ultimately, I think Scarlett runs out of gas after a taxing crucible earlier in the day and Fifi dashes to victory in a minor upset.
Terrier GroupIt is no accident that the Terrier Group is the final group to show. Having taken home the celebratory bowl for Best in Show 45 times, terriers are the undisputed marquee dogs of the proceeding. The list of breeds reads like a “who’s who” of the canine elite. The Scottie, the Airedale, the wire fox. These clever and gritty pups are masters of progression, consistently establishing new benchmarks for the sport. I am honored to have the opportunity to comment on them.
The story this year is the tension within the fox terrier family. Adam, a smooth fox terrier with a distinctive black and white mug, prevailed last year and was the face of the terriers for much of the annum. However, the wire fox terrier Eira surged in the late fall and early winter with a BIS at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia and a group win at the AKC/Eukanuba show and is now the favorite heading into Tuesday. With hair texture being the primary differentiator between these two, there are some serious Jacob and Esau parallels (Genesis 27:11 for those scoring at home). As if that is not enough drama, the fox terrier breeds have accounted for an astounding 17 overall champions at Westminster. Get your popcorn ready.
I would be remiss not to mention two other contenders who are currently flying under the radar but have the potential to surprise: the prone-to-matting skye terrier Buddy and the fetching Norwich Plum. The dog of my childhood, the miniature schnauzer, once again is but a space-filler on the stage. I’ve had better luck rooting for Clubber Lang than a group win by the bushy-bearded German export. Nevertheless, I’ll be donning my “I Want a Schnauzer with my Wienerschnitzel” T-shirt for the festivities. No bandwagons for me.
Predicted winner: smooth fox terrier
Best in Show
Picking a champion of champions is a humbling undertaking, and I do not take such responsibility lightly. I drafted a pro/con list, ran hundreds of Monte Carlo simulations, even consulted a taciturn short-haired dachshund in my apartment building. Although the members of my projected field are remarkably close in talent, one choice stood out from the rest. Look for the black cocker spaniel Beckham to grab the headlines and the lucrative endorsement contracts on Wednesday morning. Enjoy the show!
Posted on 10 February 2012
By Steve Dale
From: Pet World
There are dog shows, and then there’s Westminster. Established in 1877, the show is second only to the Kentucky Derby as America’s longest running sporting event. The founders of Westminster thought that having a little event in New Year City might stir up interest in dogs.
Little event? Not anymore. There are several fundraising galas leading up to the show (Feb. 13-14 this year); a banquet for dog writers; international press cover the show, and celebrities from Martha Stewart to the legendary Lauren Bacall flock to Madison Square Garden. New York’s skyline is even lit in Westminster purple. The Garden sells out (18,500 people), and the show is televised live, with millions watching at home.
“Not so bad for a little dog show,” laughs perennial Westminster announcer and spokesman, David Frei. This will be his 23rd year behind the microphone. Frei has seen it all.
“In 2005, we saw Carlee the German Shorthaired Pointer with the stack heard around the world,” he recalls. A “stack” refers to when a dog stands in such a way to best show off his or her confirmation. The stack might last for 10 seconds as the dog stands perfectly still for inspection by the judge.
“Well, Carlee went to the center of the ring and didn’t move for at least a minute — and the crowd went crazy,” Frei recalls.
The loudest cheer at the Garden, according to Frei, came in 2008. “Uno (a Beagle) offered his own opinion to the judge, saying ‘Woo! Woo!’ And then when the Best in Show judge pointed to Uno as the winner, I have never heard the crowd reaction in Madison Square so loud. The building shook. It’s like with one second left in the NBA finals and the Knicks score a basket.”
Few in the huge crowd are shy about cheering for their favorite dogs. Fans do the same at home. “That’s a part of the magic of Westminster,” says Frei. “These days, dogs are a part of the family. Our dogs are (today) bred more for companionship, though they can still do the things they were bred to do. You can’t go to the hoop with Kobe, or knock a drive down the middle of a fairway with Phil Mickelson, but you can envision yourself showing your dog. It’s the alma mater factor. We think, I’m sitting here with my Brittany and I say, ‘Grace, we could be there (on TV at Westminster) with a little road work, fewer cookies and maybe a bath once a week instead of every six months.”
Frei adds, “And we all play dog show judge at home. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or a kid at heart. That’s the great thing about the sport, that to a degree it’s subjective.”
While that may be true, judges are very familiar with the written confirmation standards for each breed they judge. Here’s what happens at Westminster: Lots of judges decide on a winner for each of the 185 breeds. Each breed falls into one of seven groups: Herding, Hound, Non-sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Working. Seven judges decide on the top dog in each of those seven groups.
These seven dogs participate in the Best of Show competition. The BIS judge this year is Cindy Vogels. “She’s a great dog lady,” says Frei, “and a terrier person. It could mean a terrier will have the edge, but it might be that she will even be tougher on the terriers.”
Throughout Westminster’s history, terriers have had an edge. A dog from the Terrier Group has won Best in Show a whopping 45 times.
So, who will win it all this year? A terrier happens to have an inside shot — a Wire Fox Terrier (named Eira) who won the National Dog Show. “She got to behave, though,” says Frei. “Sometimes she looks for trouble.” He adds, “There are a couple of Standard Poodles who will get a look. There’s an Affenpinscher or a Pekingese who could take the Toy Group, and maybe the show. And A Whippet might sneak in there, too, or a Kuvasz (a large Hungarian herding breed).
Read more: Pet World.
Posted on 09 February 2012
The 2012 Barkfest at Bonhams welcomes all dog lovers and their dogs! To buy tickets, make your donation HERE. Or call our RSVP line at 212-696-8306. Indicate the names in your party. Admission is a $50 donation per person to the AKC Humane Fund with advance online, phone or mailed donation, or $60 at the door. Bonhams is located at 580 Madison Avenue between E. 56th and 57th Streets. 10 am to 12 noon, Sunday, February 12, 2012.
Read more: AKC Humane Fund
Posted on 09 February 2012
By CBSNews
Competition and cheating often go hand-in-hand. And that applies to dog shows where, it turns out, they’re paw-in-paw, according to journalist Josh Dean.
Dean spent a year following a real-life champion dog, an Australian shepherd named Jack, and he writes about that experience in his new book, “Show Dog: The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred.”
Read more: CBSNews
Posted on 09 February 2012
By Globe Newswire
From: Market Watch
ADVISORY, Feb 9, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — What:
Westminster Kennel Club will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square in celebration of The 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which will air live on CNBC and USA February 13-14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT.
In honor of the occasion, David Frei, Westminster Director of Communications and television co-host since 1990, will ring the Closing Bell, supported by the presence of dogs of the six new breeds entered at Westminster for the first time ever.
Where:
NASDAQ MarketSite — 4 Times Square — 43rd & Broadway — Broadcast Studio
When:
Friday, February 10th, 2012 — 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Contact: David Frei (212) 213-3212 david@westminsterkennelclub.org
NASDAQ MarketSite: Jen Knapp (212) 401-8916 Jennifer.knapp@nasdaqomx.com
Feed Information:
Fiber Line (Encompass Waterfront): 4463
Gal 3C/06C 95.05 degrees West 18 mhz Lower DL 3811 Vertical FEC 3/4 SR 13.235 DR 18.295411 MOD 4:2:0 DVBS QPSK
Facebook and Twitter:
For multimedia features such as exclusive content, photo postings, status updates and video of bell ceremonies please visit our Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/ #!/NASDAQ
For news tweets, please visit our Twitter page at:
http://twitter.com/nasdaqomx
Webcast:
A live webcast of the NASDAQ Closing Bell will be available at: http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx or http://social.nasdaqomx.com .
Photos:
To obtain a hi-resolution photograph of the Market Close, please go to http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_events.stm and click on the market close of your choice.
About NASDAQ OMX:
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with more than 3,500 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com . *Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/ #!/NASDAQ) and Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx ).
Read more: Market Watch
Posted on 09 February 2012
Hi Dog Post Daily Network-
Brace yourself: you are about to step into the future of online advertising for dogs.
Please take a look at this new ad concept that we have developed.
Once you have viewed the feature ad, please let us know what you think of the idea and the presentation.
Not only is this a unique and creative concept, but this type of advertising can be updated regularly and maintained at a very reasonable cost compared with the options that are currently available.
Thank you for your help and support!
©Dog Post Daily Production
“A Classie Year” (Click to see the Video)
Posted on 09 February 2012
BY WALLY SPIERS – News-Democrat
From: BND.com
Kathy Weichert hopes Allie can follow in the paw prints of her famous half-brother, Uno, next week at the American Kennel Club’s Westminster Dog Show in New York City.
But those are some big feet to follow. Weichert was the co-breeder of Uno, who was born and bred in Belleville and was the first beagle to win best of show at Westminster four years ago.
Now she is sending Allie, a half sister to Uno, and Jazzy, another beagle from her Belleville kennel, to the prestigious show. It is a long way to the title, though.
Either dog would have to win best of breed honors first. The winner of best of breed gets to compete in best of group, in this case hounds, and the best of group winner competes for best of show. They would have to beat out 2,500 other dogs in 185 breeds.
Weichert’s co-breeder is Jana Rodes, of Texas. Handler Rindi Gaudet, of South Carolina, will show the dogs as well as one of her own greyhounds.
Ch K-Run’s Lanbur the Truth All Round is Allie’s full name. She came from the same mother as Uno and is almost 2 years old. The Ch stands for champion.
Ch K-Run’s So You Think You can Dance All Around is Jazzy’s full name. She is 18 months old.
Weichert said she hasn’t had any at the show since Uno.
“I don’t know what will happen,” she said. “It always depends on what the judge likes. They’re both young dogs and they will be going against seasoned dogs there with good records.”
The breed judging will begin at 10 a.m. Monday. Some of the video from the judging will be posted on the show’s website during the day at www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
If either of the dogs move on, the hound group judging will be on the USA Network at 7 p.m. Monday and the best of show judging is at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
After Uno won in 2008, the personable little beagle spent a year appearing all over the country, charming whomever he met, wherever he went. He is now in retirement with one of his co-owners in Texas.
Weichert said she will be traveling to New York City for the show as she does each year.
“They cut entries this year. It’s just exciting to be in there,” she said.
Follow us on:
New Post Last Post Random Post
May 19, 2012 1:09 am
THU 05/17/12 “Golden Retrievers” Photo Album
May 18, 2012 10:52 pm
FRI 05/18/12 “Oscar” Won BIS in TN
May 17, 2012 10:59 pm
THU 05/17/12 Dog Fanciers Association “BIS Photo Album”
May 17, 2012 7:39 pm
THU 05/17/12 “Oakley” Won BIS in TN
May 17, 2012 12:40 am
WED 05/16/12 We Are in Jackson, TN (Video)
May 15, 2012 11:19 am
SUN 05/13/12 Macon Kennel Club “BIS Photo Album”
May 14, 2012 12:09 am
SUN 05/13/12 “Justin” Went BIS in GA
May 12, 2012 11:52 pm
SAT 05/12/12 Macon Kennel Club “BIS Photo Album”
May 12, 2012 10:23 pm
SAT 05/12/12 “Bubbles” Went Back to Back BIS in GA
May 12, 2012 8:42 am
FRI 05/11/12 Southeast Alabama Kennel Club “BIS Photo Album”
April 16, 2011 1:58 pm
SAT 04/16/11 Golden Retrievers Results
April 16, 2011 7:30 pm
SAT 04/16/11 “Spencer” went BIS in GA
April 16, 2011 8:44 pm
SAT 04/16/11 Atlanta Kennel Club BIS Photo Album
April 17, 2011 6:36 pm
SUN 04/17/11 North Georgia Hound Association Specialty
April 17, 2011 9:49 pm
SUN 04/17/11 32nd Siberian Husky Club of Greater Atlanta Specialty
April 17, 2011 10:32 pm
SUN 04/17/11 Papillon Club Of America Specialty
April 18, 2011 12:55 am
SUN 04/17/11 Atlanta Doberman Pinsher Club Specialty
April 19, 2011 9:42 am
Palm Springs Police Dog “Ike” Remembered as a “Hero”
April 19, 2011 9:55 am
Dog with head stuck in cooler rescued in Miami-Dade
April 19, 2011 10:09 am
August 2, 2011 12:28 am
Raw Video: Snake Rides on Windshield
December 1, 2011 6:22 pm
An AKC Judge Could Be Facing Charges of Animal Cruelty (+Video)
August 7, 2011 12:11 am
SAT 08/06/11 “Adam” went BIS in CA
June 14, 2011 6:43 pm
Pet Talk: $500,000 ‘Dream’ Dog Park Comes True in Ga.
August 4, 2011 11:11 pm
Court Hearing for Chicken-Killing Dog (Video)
August 23, 2011 11:22 am
Man Killed Over Dispute About Dog (Video)
April 20, 2011 10:00 am
Ten dogs found poisoned to death in San Diego trailer park
May 11, 2011 9:10 pm
Update: Please Help “Chloe” is Missing in WI
February 7, 2012 11:19 am
July 28, 2011 9:56 am
Copyright © DogPostDaily. Powered by Wordpress. Live Wire Series Theme by 
.
Content used under license. © 2009 DogTime Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
