Against All Odds: A Rescue's Road to Westminster

A Border Collie known as Brendan was at breeder Cindy Geiss' mercy one year ago. She received a telephone call from Brendan's previous owner saying no one else would take him and if she didn't, Brendan would be euthanized. Brendan was an import from a German kennel

Geiss had seen Brendan at previous dog shows and she was shocked a dog like him would be put down! She was told Brendan was aggressive, especially towards men and children. She decided to give him a new home and see if she couldn't help the dog.

When Ms. Geiss picked up Brendan, he was obese and his coat was matted to the skin. Months of dedicated care and rehabilitation on the part of Brendan's new family prepared him for his re-entry to the show ring in June 2008. Remarkably, Brendan picked up enough championship points before December 1, 2008 to qualify him for Westminster!

Brendan's show name is Champion Invisible Red Touch From Borders Paradise and this year is his first Westminster competition. In spite of his difficult start, Brendan is now not only a show dog, but a beloved family member. Says his new family, Brendan's favorite activity is playing with their seven year old son.

I guess he isn't aggressive with children after all!

Best of luck, Brendan!

Grrrr: Purebred Controversy

The prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is going to be boycotted this year, by a group of extremists who liken the 'pure bloodlines' of the purebred dogs competing, to the Klu Klux Klan's promotion of 'pure bloodlines.' According to PETA's media center, they are protesting under the tagline, "KKK and AKC Support Pure Bloodlines."

This group of extremists, who appear in my mind, less interested in animal welfare and more interested in attention grabbing, headline seeking antics, will actually be dressing up in full Klu Klux Klan garb for their protest. The overly simplistic claims this organization is making are that dog breeders sometimes kill dogs who are born the 'wrong' color, for the sake of promoting 'purity,' that purebred fanciers are directly responsible for the pet overpopulation issue and responsible for the euthanization of healthy shelter pups.

Supposedly, promoting "purebreds" means that more dogs will be brought into the world to sell at pet shops and breeder outlets, but more dogs at animal shelters will be killed because there aren't enough good homes.

"The AKC's fetish for body image causes dogs health problems that mutts don't usually have," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "The AKC is directly responsible for the promotion of purebreds, which means money for breeders but creates sick dogs and vet bills for their guardians--and leaves pound pups homeless."

Hmmm. Well, as I discussed in my article, The Myth of the Mutt, purebreds are not simply less healthy then mixed breeds, it is just easier to track their genetic vulnerabilities due to the clarity in their genetics. Mixed breeds have allergies, hip dysplasia, develop cancer, heart issues and bone structure issues at about the same rate as any breed - its simply not tracked as clearly as with purebreds.

As for the notion that promoting purebreds leads to the production of more dogs, to be sold to buyers, leaving mutts to die at shelters, I would not argue that the attention directed on the winning breeds increases the public's demand for such puppies. This is the same as the demand generated by dog movies, i.e. 101 Dalmatians or Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Responsible breeders however, do not step up the amount of litters to 'cash in' on a trend. Those who breed dogs for profit are the same unscrupulous individuals who should be closely monitored and in many cases, shut down, anyway!

The real fanciers of purebreed dogs, the ones you will see showing their dogs next week at Westminster, work extremely hard to limit serious genetic issues from being passed down to future generations Breeding stock is very carefully screened, the latest technology is utilized to assist in testing. These are the breeders who contribute funding and samples to scientists, who are then able to learn more about genetic problems. This work is often beneficial to the health of humans as well as dogs.

So, in light of the irrelevance of PETA's claims, it appears a group of individuals will be parading around in the KKK robes, the robes that have threatened generations of Americans, which symbolize hate and murder...I know who I am boycotting - and its NOT Westminster!

The Dog Sale

No dogs are not for sale at Bonham's annual Dog Sale! The venerable auction house, established in 1865, continues their 25+ year tradition of selling high end dog paraphernalia to the upper crust of society.

Capitalizing on the throngs of dog lovers who descend on New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Bonhams offers the unique opportunity to shop antique dog wares and artworks in one place! 2009 is also the fourth years Bonhams has partnered with the American Kennel Club to host Sunday brunch, "Barkfest at Bonhams" (February 8). Humans and their canines can enjoy champagne and breakfast while perusing the wares to be sold at the February 10th sale.

This year's catalogue features 260 lots of paintings, dog collars, bronzes and show medals.
Here are some of my personal favorites from this years sale

Lot 33
Group of five miniature Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in costumes first signed and dated 'RG/80' (center right) and inscribed, signed indistinctly and dated '"Princess Cricket"/[.]/1980' (on reverse), second signed and dated 'RG/80' (center right) and inscribed, signed indistinctly and dated '"Prince Charlie"/[.]/1980' (on reverse) largest oval 4 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (10.7 x 8.3 cm.) Estimate: $600 - 800, £400 - 530

Lot 101
A Crufts Dog Show medal and an East London Dog Show medal Estimate: $100 - 150, £70 - 100

Lot 106

A collection of journals, scrap books and newspapers relating to Bulldog breeding practices and the life and work of Mr William George Smartt including 'Canine Cuttings - A Volume containing much valuable information to Bulldog fanciers' compiled by Mr George Smartt, as well as various other journals and cuttings and a Bulldog Club testimonial certificate, 'presented to W. G. Smartt in 1818 in appreciation of his services as president in recognition of his contribution to the National Breed' Estimate: $200 - 300, £130 - 200

Lot 125
English School, mid-19th century A portrait of a black King Charles Spaniel; A portrait of a red and white King Charles Spaniel 14 x 18 in. (35.6 x 45.7 cm.); 14 x 18 1/8 in. (35.5 x 46 cm.) Estimate: $1,000 - 1,500, £670 - 1,000

There is SO much more fabulous stuff going to the auction block, for all dog lovers and representing so many breeds!

To view the catalogue, please click here.
For more information or to place a bid, contact:
Laura Turnbull
dogsale@bonhams.com

Countdown to Westminster!

Its that time of year!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is February 9-10, 2009. This weekend, I'll focus my posting on dog shows, purebred dogs and of course, the main event.

A Brief History of Westminster

According the the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show website, the name ‘Westminster’ stems from a long gone New York Hotel by the same name, where a group of affluent dog enthusiasts gathered for drinks at the hotel bar and shared stories of their sporting dog’s accomplishments. The Westminster Kennel Club, was then established with the aim of increasing interest in dogs, improving breeds and the club sought to hold an annual dog show in New York City.

Originally held in Gilmore's Gardens on Madison Avenue, Westminster was a four day event featuring 1,201 dogs. In 1880, the show was first held at Madison Square Garden. The following two years it was held at the American Institute Fair Building, but in 1883 it returned to the Garden, the home of Westminster ever since. The coveted "Best in Show" title wasn't handed out until 1907. A smooth fox terrier named Warren Remedy was the first Best in Show winner and Warren took home the top prize for the following two years. The little terrier is the only dog in history with three Best in Show titles from Westminster.

Since then, six dogs have won two "Best in Show" titles: three wire fox terriers, one cocker spaniel, one English Springer Spaniel and one Doberman Pinscher.

Why so much interest in Westminster?

According to David Frei, the voice of the kennel club for the past 20 years, “The basic answer is, Westminster is great dog show. It’s all the greatest dogs in the same place at the same time, and that’s the only time that happens every year.”Of course, there are those who feel that dog shows are exorbitant contests for dogs who would likely be more content performing the duties for which they were originally bred. Like any sport, there are also egos and greedy participants to contend with who certainly do not have the dog’s best interest at heart.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, with its two day live telecast offers millions of viewers an opportunity for dog enthusiasts to learn about American Kennel Club recognized breeds and their origins. The club also uses this opportunity to educate about responsible dog ownership.That said, it is still a competition. Every dog who is ruled worthy to compete at Westminster has already earned numerous championship titles. For those who participate in dog showing, it is far more then a hobby, it is a lifestyle.

So, Is Your Dog Westminster Material?

First and foremost, dogs who are intended for showing are bred by serious breeders who have AKC registered dogs, most likely champions from past shows. In hopes of producing the next generation of champions, this lineage can play a large role in the potential of a litter.

Show dogs are kept ‘intact’ meaning they are not spayed or neutered so that as they earn championship titles, male dogs with prestige can be put up for stud and champion bitches can whelp more champions.

Breeding show dogs is truly a non profit endeavor and a labor of love, as the time, energy and cost of care it takes to produce champion purebred dogs far outweighs the fee a breeder will get when selling a puppy. More then likely, breeders financially find themselves ‘in the red’ when they are serious about improving the breed standard.

Show dogs must be socialized from an early age so that they are not overwhelmed by unfamiliar circumstances, loud noises and other distractions they would prevent success in the show ring.

They must be groomed to perfection, showcasing their conformation to the breed standard and have the personality that shines in a show ring. Dogs bred from championship lineage do not always have what it takes to make it to Westminster, but that’s why so many enthusiasts love them as pets or compete in agility or obedience trials rather then traditional dog shows.

USA Network and CNBC will be home to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Pedigree®, for the 26th consecutive year in 2009. USA Network and CNBC airs exclusive live coverage from Madison Square Garden on Monday, February 9, and USA Network airs exclusive live coverage on Tuesday, February 10.

Schedule

NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 9
Hound, Terrier, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 10
Sporting, Working and Toy Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

Westminster Kennel Club Ad, Westminster Hotel and Westminster show ring images via www.westminsterkennelclub.org