| January
1998 Newsletter - Volume
2. Issue 5
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an Article
A
New Opportunity For Dog Shows
by Bob
Christiansen
The 1996 AKC annual report
indicates there were 1266 all breed shows with 1,374,348 dogs in
competition and 1966 specialty shows with 148,386 dogs competing.
These shows provide a proving ground for breeders, an educational
vehicle for kennel clubs and the general public, and a way for
clubs to survive financially. A great deal of the money earned by
these clubs is funneled back into the local communities and the
dog game in general.
MB-F has seen an average overall
increase in the number of entries in shows of 2-3% per year for
the last 20 years. This increase in volume along with new
technologies has enabled MB-F and all superintendents to keep
their “real” prices below the level of inflation. During 1997
MB-F processed 750,000 entries - approximately 1/2 of all entries.
* Note: It should be noted that the
AKC statistics include dogs actually shown and the MB-F numbers
include all entries before accounting for absentees. These 750,000
entries are made up of 76,400 individual dogs. Each year
approximately 43,000 new dogs are shown in MB-F shows. If we
multiply these two numbers by 2 (since MB-F only does
approximately 1/2 the shows) you get 152,800 dogs shown and 86,000
new dogs show each year. The AKC registered 1,374,348 dogs during
1996. Assuming an average dog life of only 7 to 8 years, there
should be over 10,000,000 AKC registered pure bred dogs alive
today.
Based on the above rough numbers,
this means only a little over 6% (86,000/1,374,348) of the new
eligible dog population and 1.5% (76,400/10,000,000) of the total
dog population are ever entered in a dog show during any given
year. We are only scratching the surface of the potential for dog
show entries! Many of the 10,000,000 dogs are probably house pets,
too old, and generally not fit for the show ring but who knows?
Maybe we should let the judges decide at a dog event? Maybe the
owners might like to know how their dog stacks up. Could many of
these dogs be suitable for fun at a match, field trials, good
citizenship, obedience or agility? If only the owners knew when
and where the next dog event was, they might have an opportunity
to see and learn.
How many perfect breed specimens
are hiding out there in someone’s back yard? I’ve heard that
one of the greatest Weimaraners of all time was a pet boarded
while the owner was on vacation for a week. While the dog’s
owner was away, the kennel owner took the dog to a show and won a
group! The dog’s owner didn’t even know what he had.
Bigger dog shows with more entries
are better dog shows. Only one dog of each sex walks away with the
points and only one dog walks away with the breed. The more dogs
there are to choose from, the better chance a really good specimen
will win. We would rather have bigger existing shows than a lot of
new little ones. More profits for clubs mean better shows and
better finances for the programs clubs support. Yes, the
superintendent will make more money too. Please remember this is
free enterprise. We are in a competitive market. If all
superintendents have more money they will have more resources to
provide better services and compete with each other. Exhibitors
and clubs will benefit from better superintending services. Clubs
also get the majority of the income from entry fees and increased
numbers of dogs due to the structure of most superintendent’s
contracts.
More information could be sent with
AKC registration papers to tell the owner the names of the local
kennel clubs, when they meet, and what they do. New owners should
be better informed about club matches, handling classes, obedience
classes, agility, good citizen awards and so on. A Beginners Guide
to Dog shows brochure would also be a good enhancement to the
registration package. The AKC needs to take a more proactive
approach to introduce the new dog owner to shows. A national ad on
television sponsored by the AKC during Westminster would go a very
long way. This ad could give a number to call or write for
information regarding dog shows in the viewer’s local area and
who to contact. This fulfillment could also include breed parent
club’s information, breeder referral numbers, the AKC web site,
and the Gazette.
The AKC will ultimately be a winner
too. Larger shows will certainly lead to larger and healthier
registrations. The general public will be better informed and the
quality of dogs will be improved. Dog shows are the perfect
vehicle for AKC to enhance its position and the registration
process contains the total market potential. We should not depend
on word of mouth to get new exhibitors.Superintendents are limited
by contracts and club expenses as to the number of premium lists
and advertising for dog shows. Superintendents do not have the
revenue or resources to reach the broad market but the AKC does.
Lets work together to help the AKC help us.
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What
Used To Be
(And The Way
It Is Now)
By Tom Crowe
When I first became interested in
dog shows over fifty years ago things were very different. All
shows with very few exceptions were benched. When George Foley was
asked his opinion of unbenched shows his reply was, “They will
never amount to anything. Dog shows need to run for the benefit of
the spectator public and people want to see the dogs on
benches.” George was half-right people still want to see dogs on
benches. The shows that are still benched draw huge crowds. Their
paid gate is their real source of income. With out it they could
not even begin to pay the enormous costs of the facilities where
they hold shows. But the bottom line is they are educating the
public and that is what local dog clubs are supposed to be doing.
Their by laws so state this. Somewhere in the intervening years
something has gone awry. Some clubs no longer seem to be
interested in the public. They are now more interested in their
treasuries and the size of their entry. Exhibitors have also
helped bring this transformation about with their ideas that
instant gratification is not soon enough. Some exhibitors care
little about educating the public. Their big deal is getting the
points and getting out of here to do other things. If they lose
the judge was biased or the whole thing was fixed and Katy bar the
door they’re gone in a huff vowing never to return - until next
week. It’s true there are still those among us that enjoy being
with friends and enjoying the whole show win or lose. These people
are the hard core of our sport. Without them the sport would not
long survive.
It’s also the attitude of some
clubs that bothers me. They seem not to care where they have their
show as long as they can make a buck. They care little about the
date, their own local area or the education of the public. The
buck’s the thing. I’m not even going to mention the political
motives of being a big shot in a local club. You all know about
that. I’m aghast that clubs are now even requesting back to back
shows in another clubs’ area. What happened to the lofty ideas
of promoting the sport? What has happened to territorial rights?
If a club moves to another location should they still be protected
in the area which they have abandoned? Maybe a different group
would be really interested in assuming those rights.
It’s true the exhibitors are the
sport but are they losing sight of what the sport is all about?
Any sport, organization, business or endeavor can survive only if
it continually brings new blood into its fold. If we are not
careful in protecting ourselves from foolish change for the sake
of change we will live to regret it. As a superintendent speaking,
all of this may seem foolish and not in keeping with the times. I
may seem out of date but I am beholden to the sport. I have the
feeling we may be sacrificing our principles to the almighty
dollar. If we are not careful the camaraderie, the sportsmanship,
the integrity of breeders, and all the lofty ideas of promoting
better animals through exhibiting at shows, educating the novice
and the public will dwindle away and be sacrificed to the new
standards of greed.
I believe clubs should be allowed
to hold more shows in their own prescribed area. I firmly believe
matches are very desirable tools to promote the sport and interest
in purebred dogs and they lead to increasing membership in local
clubs. Local matches publicize the sport and educate the public.
They are vital to the sport but most clubs view them as a
nuisance. How sad! The forest is invisible because of the trees.
Money can be made at matches with little effort. Matches also
promote camaraderie amongst the members. Money raised at matches
can go to local worthwhile projects such as neutering, spaying and
the local animal shelters. The public and the community will bless
the kennel club and local support will be forth coming from areas
not previously considered.
The big deal these days is site
locations. Show sites usually can be found if enough effort is put
forth. There’s usually a football field or a building of some
kind or a College or High School that can be found. And with the
right persuasion their special needs or projects will fit in with
the show. In many instances free student labor or even staff help
will be available to assist with the show. There are instances
where it is impossible to find a location. However, in most cases
the club finds it much easier to just go with the flow and lean on
some other club to do their work.
Sometimes, even though successful,
clusters wear out. Club members get tired of traveling up to 80
miles to put on a dog show in someone else’s territory. Who pays
their expenses etc.? It’s not quite like being at home. And what
club gets the true benefit? And, what about the home town public?
They’re not even aware a dog show is being held in the name of
their town. The question of being true to the sport and to a clubs
mission becomes more and more complicated as the days pass. I
don’t believe, however, that we should complicate things more
just by changing the rules to fit each clubs individual problems
or desires. Fools rush in to make messes of already successful
ventures.
A few years ago the big thing was
to have permanent show sites bought and paid for by the AKC. All
clubs would be eligible to hold their show at the official site.
That would probably mean a different show everyday. Sounds like a
great idea. Wow! Can you even imagine the date scheduling problems
and the bickering about the responsibility for cleaning the
grounds or building, repairing ring equipment and all the other
problems. A great idea for handlers, they could buy a home nearby
and just go to work every morning. When it all comes down to the
bitter end it could never work. Clubs would completely lose their
identity and their home base would completely disappear. Dog shows
were never meant to be a national event for every club. They must
remain local enterprises held for the benefit of the Club members
and the local community. It’s a hometown affair, held with
pride, to which many friends and strangers are invited to
participate. Let’s keep it that way. The Detroit Kennel Club is
just such an example and the successes of their shows are
phenomenal.
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Show
Sites
by Guy Walton
(From the MB-F Newletter of 4/15/93 worth repeating)
Since I served on the American
Kennel Club’s Committee to draw up the Rules for show sites, I
have been on the road so much inspecting Club Show sites I have
been asked by our Editor to wite about them. This is not an easy
assignment.
Once it was easy. A Club could just
call me and say they had a new show site with so many square feet
or acres and I could immediately tell them if it would work or
not. Now, however, dog shows have changed so much I would never
make an immediate decision without seeing the site or at least
asking a great many questions.
There are so many intangibles to
consider. The weather (temperature) conditions affect a show,
whether indoors or out. An indoor show in fair weather months can
get away with less square footage than a cold weather site because
many exhibitors will groom outside at their vehicles. Conversely,
indoor shows in cold weather can probably do with less parking
space because exhibitors are not grooming outside and consuming
additional space with their grooming tables, x-pens, awnings on
their rigs, fewer big rigs, etc.
In or out, we must also consider
vendors. Some Clubs have an overwhelming number of them and will
not restrict them. Others have limits on both size of the booth
areas and the number of vendors. Some only have one or two
all-purpose booths and that’s it. Their needs must be budgeted
into the available space.
Now, let’s consider the character
of the show. For instance, two 1200 dog shows may differ in space
requirements because of individual breed entries, number of judges
used and their assignment loads. Shows that have a number of
supported or Specialty breeds and due to the large entries require
larger than normal size rings, affect the square feet needs. Some
Clubs demand ready-rings which consume more space. If a floor does
not need to be matted, the ring sizes can be reduced. What about
Group Ring Size? Does the Club want to use the breed name signs in
the ring? Does the show have a large percentage of all breeds
represented? If so, then the number of dogs in each Group
increases thus requiring a larger ring.
Facts such as the number of agents
enter into the overall considerations. A show with a large number
of handlers may need fewer parking spaces because the handlers are
carrying many more dogs in their vehicles.
In checking further, I also ask
whether a Club does extensive advertising and/or expects a large
spectator attendance. If they do the aisles have to be made wider
to accommodate the traffic flow. The biggest exhibitor complaint
(other than parking and unloading) is getting through the crowd to
the rings.
Some other questions: Do you put
chairs by the rings and in the aisles? If chairs are placed by the
rings or the Group Rings, how many rows of chairs are used? Do you
have bleachers? Do you have any Special Event Rings? How many
rings are to be used for Obedience (size requirements for these
cannot be compromised) etc., etc., etc.?
I think by now you are getting my
drift. Every show nowadays is an entity unto itself and must have
a tailored plan of its own. I will address different types and
specific shows and their requirements in subsequent issues.
We will have concluded the Detroit
Kennel Club Show as this article is being printed. What a GREAT
show. Think of it - 3695 total entries all completely benched at a
one-day show, using 680,000 square feet of floor space on one
level, without a single post in a ring. The four rings which make
up the Group Ring and all Special Event Rings were fully carpeted
in a dark blue carpeting.
The large Special Event Rings held
Fly-Ball Competitions, Herding Demonstrations with live sheep, the
Michigan State Police with their Drug-Sniffing dogs, Michigan
Gazehound Association held races the length of the Cobo Hall,
Motor City Fox Terrier held Terriers to Ground Competition, the
Midwest Borzoi Club held a Russian Costume Competition and the
JAMS Wonderful World of Dogs with their ability and agility
demonstrations.
Erik Bergishagen, the President of
Detroit Kennel Club, and his brother Finn Bergishagen, who is Show
Chairman, their wives Jane and Mary Louise respectively, Frank and
Ginny Kovalic, Kelly Fitzgerald, Parker Field, all do such a
wonderful job under the guiding influence of the person who worked
so many years to make this show spectacular, Mrs. Julia Gasow.
Spectators at this show exceed
60,000 and are treated to a great and wonderful show each year.
This year the show also included a Rare Breed Exhibit of 40
breeds, 23 Conformation and Obedience Rings, a very extensive
Breed Information center, which was manned by well-known Breeders
and Judges in the Detroit area, the American Kennel Club Booth and
the American Kennel Club Dog Show Museum Booth, all distributing
pamphlets and information. Individual Displays and Concession
booths consumed three sides of this huge hall. It is truly amazing
the Detroit Kennel Club can accomplish so much to promote the
Pure-Bred Dogs to so many people in one day.
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GUYS’S
CORNER
My employees tell me I see and
think of things that other people don’t notice. When I checked
into the Pontchatrain Hotel in downtown Detroit for the Detroit
Show I noticed, going up the elevator there was not a 13th floor.
I thought that was not particularly unusual for a Hotel or
building, due to superstitions (we don’t have number 13 armbands
either).
However, in trying to find my room,
going down the hall, I noticed that all the rooms on the right had
even numbers, but then it dawned on me all the rooms on the left
side were even numbered also. Very strange, I thought, no odd
numbered rooms on the Sixth Floor. Being me, I naturally went down
stairs and asked ‘why’. Answer: they have NO odd numbered
rooms in the whole Hotel and no one was sure just why - Now,
THAT’S strange!!!!
I have had two unusual experiences
involving St. Bernards in my years in dogs. Back in the late
60’s or early 70’s I was stewarding on the January Florida
Circuit and had the St. Bernard Open Bitch Class in the Ring with
one missing Bitch. After the last call I noticed Wayne Nelson, a
West Coast Handler running towards my ring with a Saint.
Wayne was a super person, but not
always totally organized. As he approached, I asked if that was an
Open Bitch as he wasn’t listed as Handler. He said it was a new
bitch he just picked up, he had just left home and couldn’t
remember the owner’s name, but it had to be his as it was the
only armband left. He went into the ring and placed Third.
Well, as the Specials were being
judged, an out of breath woman ran up to me and asked what Class
was in the Ring. I replied, Best of Breed and she uttered an
expletive and said she knew her bitch had missed the Open Bitch
Class. I then told her that Wayne made it to the ring and that the
bitch placed Third. “Wayne? Wayne Who?” I said Wayne Nelson,
your handler. She said she had no handler and that HER bitch was
in her car. Her car had broken down and that was why she was late.
It turned out that Wayne’s
client did not enter that show and he went third with an unentered
bitch. Back then, if an award was canceled after judging, the dog
did not count as being shown, and there went the major. Well,
Wayne wasn’t very popular at that moment even though I tried to
explain to the Saint exhibitors there would never have been a
major anyway because the real bitch was absent.
If anyone knows how or where Wayne
Nelson is, please let me know.
In the early 80’s as a
Superintendent, a couple came to my desk and stated that this was
their first show and they needed to know what to do. This was
before the start of the Show and I informed them that Saints
weren’t judged until afternoon and they should pick up their
armband at ringside about 45 minutes before the judging.
Well, that afternoon I was called
to that ring by the judge who informed me that a dog was missing
from his Class. The armband had been picked up and he wanted to
know what to do. Back then, if you picked up an armband, you had
to show. While talking to him, I noticed a man standing across the
ring with an armband. A little bell went off in my head - that’s
the rank Novice from this morning
I ran over to him and told him to
get his dog into the Ring right away. He said he couldn’t do
that because his dog was dead. “Oh, I’m so sorry, when did it
happen?” “About two weeks ago,” he answered. Shocked, I
asked him why he had come to the show and picked up an armband.
His classic reply was that he and his wife planned on breeding and
showing dogs and they didn’t want to get suspended by the
American Kennel Club for not coming to a show they had entered!!!!
Demonstrated AKC’s Omnipotence - eh?!!
WALTON WATERMARKS
Upon recently checking into a hotel
late at night (hotel will remain nameless as I like the hotel) I
proceeded to my room and experienced a little difficulty in
activating the computer card key to the door. The door suddenly
was opened by a woman and I excused myself, saying l must have the
wrong room. In looking at my card however, I saw that I indeed had
the correct room and asked her what she was doing in my room. She
replied that she was cleaning and I saw that she was wearing a
Maid’s uniform.
As I entered the room, she went to
the TV and closed its cabinet doors. The room must have been 100
Degrees. With the heat blasting out’ I went to the thermostat
and turned down the heat. She opened the sliding window to let in
cool air and as she left the room, I noticed she had no cleaning
equipment with her and there was no service cart in the hall when
I entered. I then noticed there was a depression in the bedspread
covering the pillows that was head shaped. Goofing off, I thought.
After unpacking, I turned on the TV
and what did I have on but a weirdo Porno movie. Thinking that it
was strange that it would be on regular TV, I soon discovered it
wasn’t. As I changed channels, I decided not to make an issue of
it until I began to think I might be charged for a Pay-movie. The
next day, I checked the front desk to see if I had been charged
and found out that I was not but I decided I had better inform the
Management anyway and they were not happy.
They sent Security up to my room
and they did an electronic check on my door lock. I learned that
their computer records and times every card is used and can
identify each user. It turned out she was in my room twice that
evening and it was not even her floor to clean. I guess it must
have been a good movie. She won’t see a rerun, that’s for
sure. Why do these things happen to me!!!!
LAUNDROMAT
BULLETIN BOARD
An elderly widow receiving advice
from her doctor that she was still young enough to have a
gentleman friend replied that she was actually quite frivolous and
was seeing quite a few men. “When I wake up Will Power helps me
out of bed. I then go to see John, then Lum Bago or Charlie Horse
or Sy Atica pay a visit. Later in the day Arthur Ritis shows up.
He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long so he moves from
joint to joint. My day ends usually by going to bed with Ben Gay.
Dogs In The Media
I Was thinking about how we are
exposed to dogs by various form of media all of our lives. Albeit,
not always purebred, but lovable dogs anyway. How about writing me
and adding to my lists and indicate your favorites.
COMIC STRIPS
GRIMMY...Bull Terrier, Mother Goose
and Grimm
SNOOPY...Beagle, Peanuts
SANDY...Heinz ‘57’, Little Orphan Annie
DAISY...Heinz ‘57’, Blondie and Dagwood
PLUTO...Heinz ‘57’, Mickey Mouse
GOOFEY...Heinz ‘57’ Again, Mickey Mouse
FRED J. BASSET...Basset Hound
ODIE...Heinz ‘57’, Garfield
OTTO...Bulldog, Beetle Bailey
MARMADUKE...Great Dane
?...Old English Sheepdog, For Better or For Worse
?...Poodle, Cathy
OLD LIGHTNING...Heinz, ‘57’, Snuffy Smith
RUFF...Heinz ‘57’, Dennis the Menace
HEMLOCK HOLMES...Bulldog, Dick Tracy
KRYPTO...Heinz ‘57’, Superboy
HOWARD HUGE...St. Bernard
?...The Phantom
MY FAVORITE: Snoopy.
TV CARTOONS
MAX...Heinz ‘57’, How the
Grinch Stole Christmas
DEPUTY DAWG...Heinz ‘57’
SNOOPY...Beagle, Peanuts
RALPH...Old English Sheepdog, Bugs Bunny and the Coyote
HUCKLEBERRY HOUND...Heinz ‘57’, What kind of hound?
SPIKE & SON...Bulldogs, Tom & Jerry
SCOOBY DOO...Great Dane
SCRAPPY DOO...Great Dane, Scooby Doo’s Nephew(let me at him
Uncle Scooby!)
DROOPY...Heinz ‘57’
UNDER DOG...Heinz ‘57’, Hound
MIGHTY DOG...Heinz ‘57’, Tom Terrific (Captain Kangaroo)
PUPPY...Heinz ‘57’, The Smurfs
ASTRO...Heinz ‘57’, The Jetsons
MR. PEABODY...Heinz ‘57’, Rocky and Bullwinkle
PADDLEFOOT...Dachshund, Clutch Cargo
CARELESS...Mexican Hairless, Bugs Bunny
THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE...Talking Basset Hound
MY FAVORITE: A tie between Droopy and Astro.
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Canine
Health Foundation
American Kennel Club
Memorandum
December 30, 1997
To:American Kennel Club Board of Directors:
Dr. Carmen Battaglia
Mr. David C. Merriam, Ch.
Dr. Robert J. Hritzo
Ms. Patti L. Strand
Mr. Ronald H. Menaker
Dr. Patricia H. Haines
Dr. Robert D. Smith
Mr. Kenneth A. Marden
Ms. Patricia Scully
Mr. Walter F. Goodman
Ms. Dorothy Welsh
Ms. Patricia W. Laurans
Mr. Alfred L.Cheauré, President
From: Alexander F. Draper, Treasurer
cc:AKC Canine Health Foundation, Executive
Committee
Dr. Robert J. Hritzo
Robert Kelly
John A. Studebaker
Bruce Andrew Korson
Myrle Hale
Tom Crowe
It has come to our attention that there are
a number of items that might be shared with you to enhance your
knowledge of the Foundation and in the process make your review of
the Foundation’s budget more meaningful. This information is
attached.
It is hoped that this added information will
eliminate the need for in meeting calculations and last minute
analysis at our meeting on January 13, 1998. Such hurried detail
figuring does not always produce accurate and meaningful results.
We would like to answer each of your questions with the attention
and detail they deserve. Please, if you have any questions you
would like to ask, need any additional information or have any
thoughts you would like to share, call Debbie or me and we will
give you or get you the requested information.
Yes, the Foundation has had a most rewarding
1997! From the veterinary research laboratories to the Parent Club
Conference, from the AVMA conference to the Players Club and so
much more in-between. At this point in the year we can tell you
that the Foundation will exceed its $600,000 fund raising goal for
1997! The American Kennel club should be proud of the very
meaningful and rewarding role it has played in the formative years
of the Foundation. You deserve accolades for your continuing
contribution to the health of dogs and the leadership role that
the Foundation has earned.
Cheers!
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Canine
Health Foundation
American Kennel Club
Education Programs
1996 - 1998
A significant part of the mission of the AKC
Canine Health Foundation is devoted to canine health education. In
this regard, there are several target audiences to consider. These
target audiences include:
1) Breeders and Exhibitors
2) Veterinarians and Scientists
3) Parent and All-Breed Clubs
4) Pet Owners
Because of the different needs, interests
and backgrounds of these constituencies the message and the
materials need to be tailored differently.
Research is the principal mission of the AKC
Canine Health Foundation and we view our principal task in canine
health education in three areas:
1)Communication of the need for canine
health research
2)Communication of the results of canine health research
3)Development of knowledge in the breeder community regarding the
use and application of genetic tools produced by Foundation
sponsored research.
Research forums are another way that the
Foundation communicates the needs of dog breeders to scientists
and advances research in progress.
EDUCATION PROJECTS
1996 International Symposium on
Canine Hypothyroidism, University of California Davis This
symposium resulted in the first white paper issued by the
Foundation. The symposium was primarily attended by
endrocrinologists, but also included a breeder presentation. The
proceedings were widely distributed in Canine Practice, and in an
article that appeared in the AKC Gazette. This distribution
reached scientists, veterinarians and breeder exhibitors. A white
paper was published in lay language and the Foundation distributed
500 copies to interested breeders and clubs.
Club presentations are another way that the
Foundation distributes the results of research studies and
discusses research in progress. In 1996 presentations were made by
staff and volunteers parent and all-breed clubs through out the
U.S.
1997 Parent Club Conference - The
most significant educational effort undertaken Foundation to date
is the 1997 Parent Club Conference. Material from this conference
will be distributed to veterinarians in a special issue of Canine
Practice. This special issue will be sent to all of the over 4,000
AKC affiliated clubs, and to 4,000 veterinarians. Breeders will
have access to the information through an AKC/CHF website.
Additional information will be distributed to the public through
coverage in the canine press and the AKC Gazette.
AVMA Conference - AKC/CHF prepared and
hosted a panel on canine genetics at the 1997 AVMA conference in
Reno, Nevada. This panel included leading CHF researchers and
staff making presentations on progress and issues in canine
genesis research to interested small animal practitioners.
Club presentations continued in 1997, with
more presentations being done by volunteers and members of the
newly formed President’s Council.
1998 Parent Club Conference -
Material from the 1997 will continue to be distributed. A sponsor
has been engaged for a 1999 Parent Club and Canine Health
Conference.
White Paper Series - This series will
continue with additional subjects in 1998 and 1999 with special
research symposium and distribution of information on canine
epilepsy, cataracts, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Web Site - AKC/CHF plans to initiate a web
site in 1998 The web site will host the results of AKC/CHF
surveys, current research and abstracts from AKC/CHF conferences,
white papers and Requests for Proposals.
Breeder Conferences - There are two
conferences currently pending, AKC/CHF approval - full proposals
and decisions are pending, in the Spring of 1998.
Newsletter - A canine health newsletter will
be implemented in the second half of 1999. This canine health
newsletter will be an educational tool on current progress in
canine health. It will be distributed to all parent clubs and AKC/CHF
donors.
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THE
FUNNY PAGE
DEAR
MB-F....
by Dorie Crowe
As promised in the December issue,
here are more excerpts from our “Funny File”.
Remember, these letters are exactly
the way we received them......we have ** out names of people, dogs
or shows for obvious reasons. We’ll keep printing a few in the
next several issues.
Dear MB-F: I’m writing this
letter to see if you have a list of dates as to when you have dog
shows for a **. I have a male that is AKC register (sic) and
he’s a house pet, but I would like to find a female to mate him
with. I was told that the dog has to be judged in order to get a
female. Please send me a list as soon as possible.
Dear MB-F: Would it be possible for
you to forward information to me concerning showing my dog in the
United States, and adding my name to the mailing list for Dog
Shows. Also how many points are needed for the Toy Class?
Dear MB-F: Kindly be advised that I
am the owner of a fawn, and flashy ** bitch. Her nickname is **.
Her AKC name is **. I trust you will get back to me with all the
details as soon as time permits.
Dear MB-F: You did get my address
corrected, but you changed my name in the process! I think I liked
my original name better.
Dear MB-F: Our dog went into her
first heat, and as a result will not be able to participate in the
** obedience trial tomorrow. do you make allowances for bitches to
substitute for a later show if I were to get a veterinarian’s
veritication? It hardly seems fair that my dog should be
discriminated against because she is a female. Do you think it
would help if I were to write AKC as to equal rights for bitches?
Dear MB-F: I received a letter from
the AKC asking me to return my dog’s ribbon to you that he won
at the ** Dog Show. As this was my first Point Show I entered my
dog in the Non Sporting Group expecting you to furnish competition
or disqualify him and therefore I feel your company is at fault
for not letting me know he had no competition before the show as
regularions require in a licensed show as best as I understand it.
(This person had entered BOB competition and his win was
disallowed because the dog was not a champion.)
Then we have those letters that
take a period of time and a lot of thought....
Dear MB-F: Last week I received a
blue form saying we would get a refund after the ** show because
there are no obedience classes. I assumed we were entered in that
show. Today, I received a white form dated ** saying “Sorry we
must return your ** entry for the ** show, etc.”, along with
your check... Your notice gives “Registration number not
given” as the reason for cancelling our application. I am
enclosing all forms and your check. If you check our form,
originally completed you will find the form requires me to
“Insert one of the following (circled in pen). As I did this
correctly and my form was received on **, long before the closing
date, I feel we should be allowwed to enter the ** show. The form
does not specifically ask for the registration number, it asks for
one number and that is what I gave on the form. Please reconsider
our application....
Well, back we went to her entry
form. In the space for the registration number, beside the line
for AKC Litter No. this exhibitor had written in the number
“5”. Obviously, we were not communicating very well with this
exhibitor or we were missing something, so we elected to
telephone, thinking that, perhaps, personal contact would help
straighten this out. When we called to explain about the
requirement for the registration number and explain the
registration number consisted of two letters followed by six or
eight numbers, and what we had needed were the two letters and
other numbers, we got our answer. As yet, they had not received
their number from AKC, but since it asked for the “Litter
Number” they had written in “5” because it was the fifth
puppy born in the litter and that number was tatooed in its ear.
Then we get those we can’t
help but answer:
Dear MB-F: Let me begin this letter
with a “confession” - I am an insufferable sentimentalist! To
me, every show ribbon my bitch wins is an immediate TREASURE! To
try and make my LONG story short, I will throw myuself at your
hopeful mercy, and as if you can re-issue a ribbon that
evidentally the gusty winds at ** ripped from a stack of papers,
etc., in the back of our van as we opened the door to pore over
maps and ‘get our bearings’ before we went onward to the next
show...We chased, and chased, searched, and searched for the
‘airborne’ papers, etc., - but no ribbon could be found. I am
still ‘amateur’ enough that each ribbon to me is
SUPER-IMPORTANT (even though this one that I believe blew away was
an unexpected, disappointing THIRD PLACE one!) The judge that day
had PREVIOUSLY ADORED my ** bitch and I felt confident that she
would finish under his judging that day. I am NOT omplaining to
you, however, about the judge’s decision - I am simply BEGGING
you, could you PLEASE re-issue me a THIRD PLACE RIBBON (you might
be rightfully suspicious if I requested a BOB ribbon, but surely
you would not begrudge an extra THIRD PLACE ribbon, IF this is, in
fact, permissable). I have carefully filed and downright
‘guarded’ my bitch’s ribbons in anticipation of framing them
all when she finishes her championship, and I am SO proud of each
one - as they represent a GREAT deal of family AND dog effort,
time, training, personal success (NO HANDLER POINTS!) - not to
mention mountains of dollars!
	In brooding desperation
last week, I called long distance to ** and asked the Show
Secretary if she could help. She suggest that I contact you -
especially since you personally were there that day, she said -
AND you DO remember the gusty wind, don’t you? PLEASE, PLEASE,
PLEASE, Mr. Crowe, see if I might be permitted a replacement
ribbon for my placing at the ** show that day!...Please, sir, try
and fulfill my request. I will LOVE you FOREVER! I assure you that
the loss of that valued (to me) ribbon was NOT due to
carelessness!
P.S. Reading back over this letter
makes me fearful that you will be convinced that I am a complete
IDIOT! Ordinarily, I am NOT - just simply an idiot over our lovely
‘show-girl’ and our beloved and family hobby of dog showing!!
Dear ****: We hope you will not be
offended at our addressing you by your given name, but after
you’re having poured out your heart to us, we feel a first-name
basis entirely proper. We have, indeed, received your letter and
not wanting to be responsible for anything you may do in your
grief, we are, in all haste, forwarding your lost third place
ribbon for the ** show. Actually, it was your promise to love us
forever that did it (we get so few of those promises - and in
writing, yet!) Please don’t feel we think you are completely
bonkers - anyone that will promise to love us forever can’t be
all bad.
Then there are the letters we
feel compelled to answer:
Dear MB-F: It has been brought to
my attention that my dog is unable to be shown due to a major
fault. I am sorry I bothered you. Please convey my non attendance
to the authorities at the show.... I didn’t understand about dog
shows. I do now. I have been put in my place but good. I won’t
bother (to show) again. Please remove my name from premium mailing
lists also. Breed is **, name is **, to be destroyed soon.
Dear **: Thank you for your letter
regarding the ** upcoming show. Not knowing what the ‘major
fault’ is you mention your dog has, we would just like to add a
note of caution before the dog is destroyed.
It would be to your advantage to
have more than one person examine your dog against the Standard
for the breed — perhaps it would be a good idea for you to bring
your dog to the show and have it judged. Also, if there is a fault
which would prevent you from further showing in the conformation
ring, it is possible you would be able to exhibit in obedience
rings.
Further, if your dog is not
showable because it may carry some undesirable trait, you do have
the option of having the dog spayed so she may not be bred. And,
even though spayed, your dog will be just as good a friend and
companion...
Dear MB-F: I wish to show my **.
Please send me the panflits (sic).
Dear MB-F: Enclosed is our
application for the show, but unfortunately as we were about to
send it in our dog took a bad fall and has a fractured hop, and
for this reason we chose not to go.
Dear MB-F: We are planning our
early Fall Match and would ppreciate your filling the following
order. We do don’t (sic) want any dates or other information
printed on these badges.
Dear MB-F: enclosed is our ribbon
order. Our Treasurer is out of town, so I’m sending my personal
check. I’ve added $5 to cover the cost of sipping (sic).
Dear MB-F: Please take me off your
mailing list. I never asked to be put on it in the first place. We
have very strict rules about disposal of garbage in this state.
Dear MB-F: Our dogs on exhibition
in the rings seem to be having some competition from lady
exhibitors. Let’s let the dogs have the shows we pay the entry
fees for, not half-naked women.
Dear MB-F: Could you please send me
the necessary information I need to join your organization.
Dear MB-F: Would you please explain
to me why something that was mailed in April is delivered in June?
Dear MB-F: I have moved temporarily
to **. Before, I fed my dogs ** with excellent results, but here I
can find no dog food other that the regular commercial
product...Can you advise?
Dear MB-F: Last week we received
several premium lists from you...and hope you can further help us
now. We would like to attend the ** show which is being
superintended by **. We wrote to him several weeks ago for the
premium and as of now have received nothing. We would like to
attend that show, too. The fees are due ** so it is imperative
that we receive that premium at once. Could you please contact him
for us?
Dear MB-F: When I sent in my
entries I failed to include the titles my dog has earned...I
didn’t intend to slight him.
Dear MB-F: The purpose of this
letter is to complain about the directions in the premium lists. I
hate to think that we’re going to have to join AAA in order to
get accurate directions to a show site because the superintendent
doesn’t really know how to get there. If this misprinting of
directions should happen again, we may be forced to stop entering
your shows.
We get frequent letters such as
this from exhibitors who don’t realize we have to follow those
same directions. The showgiving club provides directions for the
[premium list or judging program and we can only advise them that
a number of their exhbitors have never driven in their areas, so
directions must be clear and accurate.
Dear MB-F: The incompetence of your
organization is beyond compare! You returned my entries (as late)
which were mailed to you (first class) 3 1/2 days before closing.
I shall certainly make sure that none of the clubs in which we are
officers will ever use you to run our shows.
Dear MB-F: I am writing of a
situation that has happened to me. I sent entries postmarked March
24, they were received April 5 - 13 days. I complained to my post
office. I am fed up with this system, so I thought I’d tell you
of this and my disappointment in not being able to show.
Dear MB-F: It took six days for my
entries to get to you due to the speed with which the post office
moves the mail. I think this is unfair to penalize the exhibitor
when the fault clearly lies with the post office...I feel that
other people must have the same problem as we do, so could you
please change the rule?
Dear MB-F: I would like all the
premiums in the North East for the year. I would appreciate them
as soon as possible.
Dear MB-F: I am writing to you
regarding two entries faxed to you by me on **. Both entries
attempted to enter my dog in a Novice obedience class. These
entries were not accepted because I did not indicate A or B on the
form. Having indicated Novice as my class, I was unaware any
further designation needed to be made...This morning I spoke with
one of your receptionists who kindly explained that nothing could
be done for me at this point. However, I do hope that you can make
changes to future premium lists so that others do not repeat my
mistake. prizes and judges are undoubtedly important to
experienced show-goers, but novices like myself would greatly
appreciate a simple listing of classes available or a phone number
to call with questions somewhere in the premium list....
This letter appears exactly as
written to us:
Dear I’n going To enter My dog a
** Male Min in ** dog Show He Has not yet got His papers But
He’s Been in a lot of Shows and The American Kennel Club Says He
can go in Shows Becous He’s Elagoble He can get his papers and
I’n going To Send him in The Show So please get The Entry form
Before its To late. I live at **, Horry. yours Truly ***, Horry
Horry Horry. (We Horried!)
A Letter To MB-F,
Inc.
154 London Rd.
Westmoreland, NH 03467
Dear MBF Inc.
I do appreciate your sending
newsletters. I do read them. In the funny letter department, I
really got a snicker from party not knowing who their competition
was until they got there. I really appreciate your secretaries
ability to read show entries. I know I’ve been in a great rush
to get some out, yet catalogs have really few boo boos. But the
AKC with each letter in a separate box commits glorious boo boos.
I had one litter come back named Shintbrook this and Shingbrook
that even though over 30 years they’ve been named Shinybrook and
both parents were Shinybrook. They did correct these free.
But you did have an article in a
previous newsletter encouraging clubs to up their entry costs. As
a breeder exhibitor, let me tell you that prices of dogs produced
have not kept up with the inflation of dog showing. I have not
found that $20 - $23 shows offer any better judging than $12
shows.
I’ve been in this nearly 40 years
so I’m not sniping at pricing from no experience. When a show
offers puppy and BBE fees at $12 - $14 I’ll show 3 dogs. When
they want $20 I’ll only show one if I show one. The Springfield
MA shows are an example: I showed 3 dogs 3 days. There were a
couple of majors (not that I got them). I picked up two points and
saw one incompetent judge. To pay $20 and go under incompetence
(and that is about what we as exhibitors must put up with would be
maddening. We have to show under new and untried judges or limit
showing to three shows a year.
Now these show giving clubs must
have a high venue cost (Exhibition Building in Springfield) yet
they keep the entries down. I feel that my chances for a major are
better at a show with low cost entries. At least I’m helping to
make majors by my multiple entries. (And I don’t stack the deck
either as I have Chihuahuas and I enter each variety, each sex.
Some years ago Farmington Club
offered $6 entries on their anniversary. Though they had to hire
more judges, I would like to know if they lost money on that one.
There was a large group of us there. We had a good time even
though the change of judge gave us an incompetent (I took BOV
Smooth - no sour grapes) judge, but we stuck just the for the sake
of camaraderie.
Clubs must have shows to fulfill
AKC obligations. There should be some fun involved to keep us
breeders coming to exhibit our best. Though we come up against
professional handlers and judges who know which side their bread
is buttered on, there must be some incentive for us little guys to
keep coming.
One of the members of my
all-breed club said those of them hiring professional handlers
ought to get the break in entry fees. I do get a kick out of
seeing a judge confronted by a ring full of pro handlers. But I
disagree. As a breeder I’m involved with dog clubs and I don’t
mean pay my dues. I mean I contribute trophies, work on the
National Clubs committees and helped start a NE local breed club
which someday may hold it’s own specialty. As a breeder, I
believe breeders deserve incentives to show.
I am not so pessimistic that I
believe judges are of incapable of placing the best dog tops. I
have a list of good honest judges. They didn’t necessarily put
up my dog but they did place the best dog.
I believe clubs with treasuries of
over $20,000 ought to examine their nonprofit motives of
presenting a show. Though your article made light of donations to
organizations our club makes meaningful donations Humane Society
for spay and neuter fund, Red Cross - they man emergency booth at
our show; Parks commission - no real charge for use of a lovely
park for our show; Scholarship fund for budding veterinarians.
These can’t be called frivolous donations. Yes, I realize we
need a profit to continue to fund these, plus to a 4-H club who
sells our catalogs & supplies runners. Without the help of
these we would not have place to hold a show, fulfill the AKC’s
demand for emergency crew and mutts would flourish. No help in
catalogs and runners puts more labor on club members. Still the
bottom line goes up and we’re supposed to be “non- profit”.
Yours Truly
Nancy Schonbeck
Editor: Nancy we do
appreciate your letter and your kind comments. We agree with your
experience and wisdom about dog shows. That is quite apparent from
your letter. There are some things that we as superintendents can
not change. The rate of inflation is one. It is a hardship on us
including clubs and exhibitors. A dress shirt used to cost $2.95
at Penny’s. It now costs $22.95.
Our article about donations fits
your situation to a tee. Your club is doing exactly what we tried
to portray, namely, put your profit to good use within the sport
where it really counts for dogs and clubs. Entry fees are the
strict responsibility of clubs. We do not set the fees the clubs
do. We do, however, try to advise clubs with huge overheads on
situations where they can save and where their only source of
revenue is entry fees. Their entry fees have nothing to do with
our contracts since our fees are clearly defined in the contract
nearly a year ahead of the show and the premium list.
The Judging problem is linked to
the growth of shows and their size. The AKC is trying their best
to solve this problem but no attempted solution has really been
entirely satisfactory to date. Maybe, there will come a day.
About Farmington to the best of our
knowledge they did lose money (we estimate about $21,000) but it
was their way of saying “THANKS” to all the exhibitors over
the years for supporting their club. It was a payback from their
treasury to all concerned.
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