This is cool!

In a report to the American Lhasa Apso Club’s Board, from AKC Gazette columnist for the Lhasa Apso:

The AKC columns have been submitted on time, including the special September anniversary issue… One guest column, written by Debby Rothman, was chosen to be placed on the AKC health web site.

Go to the  Canine Health Resource Center and scroll down to Resources for Breeders; AKC Gazette Breed Columns on Canine Health. From there follow the Lhasa Apso link. To cut to the chase, click here.

Sweet Spot

Once a week, included in Rick’s daily news from the Denver Post is a small pullout section called Your Hub. The focus is local, community oriented. Adding a small delight to my evening, I saw this…

And now wish I’d stopped to take a photo of the marquee at the entrance to the fairgrounds. Dark had settled in. Right up there, in bright lights, scrolling across the marquee along with other happenings was Dog Training with Ana’s number. It would have been a cool photo…if I could have captured it without blur. Or, perhaps, with a blur. Shutter speed, Deb. Remember your shutter speed.

A couple of weeks ago Elliot, Edie, Norma Jean and I – especially I, especially me – started agility training on Monday nights. I made the evening leap to dog class because of Ana and Lori. They are awesome dog trainers! I love going to class. Sweet Spot, indeed!

Dogs in Review covers…

My mom subscribed to lots of dog magazines. I remember them all. Poodle Review.  AKC Gazette. Poodle Fancy. Dog World (when its heart was AKC show dogs). Kennel Review was the elite all-breed magazine. I read them as a teen-ager. I devoured them, while in vet tech school, on visits back home. After I moved to Colorado, she’d save her magazines for me. Rick hated coming home with another 2-foot pile of more dog magazines!

After mom died in 1997, I took over the subscriptions to her dog magazines. On her dollar, I read Canine Chronicle well into the 21st century. As an AKC judge Mary receives numerous magazines. Like mom, she shares, in particular the all-breed magazines. Canine Chronicle. And the fabulous Dogs In Review. Advertising has morphed over the years, from black & white photos complete with a dog’s pedigree and owner contact information to brand building the name of a dog in contention for the #1 spot. While I love looking at the ads themselves, as a die-hard breeder I admit bias to Old School ads with pedigree info.

I love Dogs in Review! It is classy! Alongside the artsy ads are interesting articles. This morning, via Facebook, Dogs in Review posted an album titled Dogs in Review Covers.  This particular shot was taken by the very talented dog photographer Lisa Croft Elliott.

Use the links in the upper right hand corner of the album – previous and next – to navigate the album of covers.

AKC explains new Grand Champion competition.

Who is Eligible for Grand Champion competition?
The following categories of dogs are entered in this competition:

1. Dogs that are Champions of Record competing in Best of Breed or Best of Variety class.
2. Dogs transferred to Best of Breed/Variety which according to their owners’ records have completed the requirements for a championship but whose championships are unconfirmed. (The showing of dogs whose championships are unconfirmed is limited to a period of 90 days from the date of show where a dog completed the requirements for a championship according to the owners’ records.)
3. Champions that win Non-Regular Classes and become eligible for Best of Breed competition. (Altered or spayed CH veteran class winners at independent specialties are eligible.)
4. Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are not eligible for Grand Champion competition.

t the judge’s discretion, Grand Championship points may be awarded to:

1. Best of Breed or Variety
2. Best of Opposite
3. Select Dog
4. Select Bitch

Grand Champion competition will not continue beyond Best of Breed competition and in breeds that are divided into varieties, Grand Champion Competition will not continue beyond Best of Variety competition.

What are the requirements to earn the Grand Champion Title?

1. 25 Grand Champion points.
2. A minimum of 9 points won at 3 shows with ratings of 3 or more points (Major wins) under three different judges, and one or more of the balance of points won under a 4th judge.
3. At least one Champion of Record was defeated at three of these shows.

How are Grand Champion points computed?

1. Grand Champion points are only to be awarded to dogs the judge considers deserving.
2. Grand Champions points awarded to the Best of Breed/Variety shall count all dogs of both sexes competing in the regular classes and in Best of Breed/Variety competition.
3. Grand Champion points awarded to Best of Opposite Sex shall count all dogs of their sex competing in the regular classes and in Best of Breed/Variety competition.
4. Grand Champion points awarded to Select Dog/Bitch shall count all dogs of their sex defeated in the Best of Breed/Variety competition as well as the dogs of their sex in the regular classes.
5. The entry of non-regular classes are not counted for computation of Grand Champion points to be awarded.

Judging Procedure

1. Choose BOB, BOW and BOS
2. If quality warrants, choose a Select Dog (SD) and Select Bitch (SB) from the remaining Champions in the BOB ring (Do not consider BOW, WD or WB)
3. Annotate the judge’s book certification as to the eligibility and quality of the Grand Champion points being awarded or withheld.
4. Award BOB, BOS, SD and SB ribbons if determined to be of eligible and deserving of the Grand Champion title. See: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/judges_sheet_conformation.pdffor example of the revised judge’s book form.

Administration

1. On May 12, 2010 Grand Champion competition will be included in all shows offering BOB or BOV competition.
2. Premium lists – Other than prize listings, there is no requirement to address Grand Champion competition in the premium list since it is included in all shows that offer BOB or BOV. However, there is no restriction should superintendents and secretaries want to bring attention to the new competition.
3. Judging Schedule – No additional information is required.
4. Ribbons – BOB and BOS do not require an additional ribbon. Light blue & white ribbons for SD & SB. Flat ribbons or rosettes are equally acceptable. “Select” is acceptable wording however “Grand Champion Select” is acceptable and more descriptive.
5. Ring Markers – Just as with BOB, BOW and BOS, there is no AKC requirement to have SD and SB placement markers. These markers are provided as a service by the club or superintendent.

Grooming hoopla

So…let’s see if I can get this GoogleChrome setup to work on this computer this morning. Just when I was getting used to the ‘look’ and tab browsing on my computer, my computer seems to be on strike this morning. Don’t know if Rick put it into sleep mode last night – like he’s been talking about – or if the Poor Old Dear has taken the Deep Sleep. I may or may not share Susan’s photos with the entry, depending on my ability to drive Rick’s computer. Or, rather, having the time to learn it before getting my ar$e to work!

After years of keeping her dogs in short hair, several months ago Susan decided to let their hair grow. I’ll just toss out her posts to me and open discussion. As a professional, I’ve got answers and comments, but sometimes you guys have more practical solutions than the top-of-the-line equipment I use at the grooming shop…