Dogs In Review Magazine September 2016 | Page 110

in general terms, though, but I should have emphasized that that’s what I meant. Thanks, Bo Bengtson Ojai, Calif. July Editor’s Column Resonates Great article, Allan. It took me seven years to put my first points on a dog, and guess what? I would not trade those seven years for what I see in the show ring today (described so well by you). I doubt there are many folks currently showing dogs that would trade seven years of education (which is what I consider those years to be) for their “champions” finished in a couple of weekends. — Kathryn Carr Well said and so true. Unfortunately, some of this has been going on for a long time now. I always thought dog shows were as much for the social aspect of spending time with those who enjoy breeding the best quality they can, not just being focused on winning and leaving. — Jeffrey Pepper Amen, and a corollary is the attitude that if I spend enough money on a dog I can make it a big-winning special regardless of its mediocrity. Some of us with less money actually need to have a good dog! — Lois-Ann Snyder It took me 20 years to realize how much I didn’t know about my own breed, and it will be a lifelong experience I happily accept. The lack of patience and investment of effort and the demand for immediate gratification plagues not just the show dog world, but our entire society. The slow, long path enriches far beyond trophies and ribbons. — Ernie Slone Yes, wonderful and so correctly stated! I sometimes cringe at what I see in the ring and wonder what standard those owners and breeders are studying! Probably no standard at all — sad. I love it when I do see a good dog, correct to the standard, one that can function as it should, being shown! As a recent article I read stated, if you do not like the standard and do not want to breed to it, get into another breed! Allan, thanks for all your words of wisdom! — Rita Figg Excellent article. When I started in the show ring back in the ‘70s, if I had one champion out of a litter I was thrilled. Two and I was over the moon. When I got into Tibbies in the mid-80s, I was quite surprised to learn that most breeders considered an entire litter to be show quality. It seems it was all about how many champions one could breed. That was the most important goal. — Susan Mullins Outstanding. Thank you for writing about this. I have always said bring your best, not just finishable dogs. I sometimes cringe at what I see, and I am by no means an expert. The most I have finished out of a litter is two pups because I only bring the best. I actually love outstanding forever pet homes. Several dogs I bred that could have obtained their championships are lying on someone’s couch. — Gail Krall A Win-Win-Win Idea Dear Dogs in Review, I have an idea that will make a lot of people happy. That idea is to create a non-regular conformation class for altered dogs. This class would be similar to the Veteran classes that now exist. By classifying this class as “non-regular,” the dogs that are entered would not compete with those dogs seeking championship points. There must b e thousands of dog owners out there who can’t show their dogs in conformation classes because they have been spayed or neutered. If a class was created for altered dogs, they could then enter dog shows, thus creating 1) happy dog owners, 2) a happy American Kennel Club that would get its portion of the entry fees and 3) happy kennel clubs that would see more entries. And it would be so easy for the AKC to do this. They have already stuck their toes in the water because there is currently a rule that allows altered veteran dogs and bitches to be entered in independent specialties. All they have to do is expand this rule to benefit dogs of any age and eliminate the restriction that only specialties would benefit. Let any altered purebred dog enter any conformation event. Patricia Ulloa Covina, Calif. DIR SEPTEMBER 2016 106x107_Letters2.indd 107 DOGS IN REVIEW 107 8/17/16 12:08 PM