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The “Modern” Top Dogs: 1960s and Later
BY BO BENGTSON
I
Right: The
Miniature Poodle
Ch. Tedwin’s Top
Billing, handled
by Frank Sabella
to Top Dog
1962, was also
runner-up to
that position in
1963. Far right:
Greyhound Ch.
Aroi Talk of the
Blues, Top Dog
1976 and No. 2
of all breeds in
1977, won backto-back Groups
at Westminster,
handled by Corky
Vroom.
46
involved in dogs, at least according to those who are looking
n previous issues of Dogs in Review, I wrote about the
at the past through seriously rose-tinted eyeglasses.
great winners of the past, starting with 1924, the year
In reality, things weren’t necessarily so much better than
when AKC inaugurated Best in Show competition along
today; in some ways they were definitely worse. Exhibitors
modern lines, and up through the 1950s. This decade was in
have complained about terrible judging since the day the first
many ways the first “modern” years in the dog world because
dog show was held, and even in the old
that’s when annual top dogs statistics
days people looked to a bygone time of
started being published, with rankings
lost greatness. It’s only human nature to
of the contestants based on the numIn reality, things
glorify the past, but at least those who
ber of competitors defeated in Breed,
weren’t necessarily
were there — and who remain someGroup and BIS competition. This was
what unsentimental — can tell you
a huge change and marked the beso much better
that things haven’t changed that much.
ginning of the intensive, year-long,
than today; in some
There was political judging in the past,
goal-oriented and carefully planned
ways they were
too, some of it much more blatant than
campaigns for a specific ranking with
it could ever be today, and some of the
all that this entailed.
definitely worse.
judges were unquestionably even more
Of course, the 1950s are a long time
ignorant about the breeds they judged
ago now, but many present dog fancithan you could easily find today. I know, it’s difficult to beers still look back to the pre-ranking days as a golden era
lieve, but it’s true.
when great dogs won on their merit alone, when genuine
Those of us who were involved in dogs as far back as 1960
dog knowledge was rewarded and dog people were ladies
are obviously old now, or were at least very young when we
and gentlemen, every one of them observing a code of honor
started. The fact that there are people in our sport who can
that doesn’t exist anymore. This was a wonderful time to be
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