Pure Dog Talk

Photos Deserving of a Champion!

Laura Reeves drops some great tips from professional photographers Warren Cook, Meg Callea, Karen Evasuik and Karn Cowdry to make your win photos as great as your win!

 

Becky Sumner and BaRay Event Services

BaRay Event Services

Did you know that there are only 7 AKC licensed Superintendents?

Becky Sumner of BaRay Event Services tells all about the people who put on the show, handle all the details, and help the exhibitors along the way.

Becky Sumner has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since the early 1980’s.  She has bred and owned Rottweilers, Tibetan Spaniels and Whippets.  She shares her home with husband Jerry, a pack of Whippets and a pair of Rottweilers.  Becky started working for BaRay Event Services in 2013 as a licensed superintendent, and became co-owner with Sheila Raymond the following year.  Prior to superintending, Becky owned a customer service oriented retail business.  Her downtime usually involves some beach, somewhere.

Breeder of Mulitiple Breeds - Professional Handler - AKC Judge

Great stories of the 1990 Westminster win against Pat Craige (Trotter) with her elkhound, and how the true education and focus on not just one, but many breeds influence Luc Boileau as a judge.  A little reminiscing on dog shows in the early days, and visiting the great kennels and breeders, and how intense and interested everyone was in learning.

A few tips for breeders and exhibitors... Mr. Boileau entertains us in his own unique way.

Luc Boileau has the unique experience of breeding a multitude of breeds.  Starting in Whippets and Poodles in Canada, Mr. Boileau managed show dogs at Ed Jenner's Knolland Farm.  Successful professional handler, Mr. Boileau won Westminster in 1990 with the Pekingese Ch Wendessa Crown Prince.

 

 

 

 

Yes, you can read the dog show judges mind!  Laura Reeves lets you in on the secrets of ringcraft - master level skills of understanding the judges hands, gestures, and procedures.  More on proofing a dog that has not been properly prepared for life as a show dog....or just a great companion.

Best in Show at Westminster Dog Show

2017 bring the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  WKC is older than AKC.  A win in Madison Square Garden event is the epitome, the dream for exhibitor, handlers and owners.

Listen as three past winners speak of the moment the spotlight awarded them Best in Show on the green carpet.

Bill McFadden - Mick

Andy Linton - Indy

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson - CJ

 

 

“I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” - George Herman Ruth

Andy Linton and Indy (photo Westminster KC)

Bill and Taffe McFadden and the Great Mick

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson and CJ (photo Valerie Nunes-Atkinson)

Buy the Book - The Dog Show

The Dog Show - 125 Years of Westminster

History and preservation of the longest and most renowned American dog show.  From the early days, through the wartime efforts, and to the televised spectacle it still is today.

Buy The Book - The Dog Show

Westminster Kennel Club

Patricia V. Trotter

Any serious or aspiring breeder should study the accomplishments of  Pat Trotter and her internationally famous Vin-Melca Norwegian Elkhounds.

* Top sire and dam in breed history

* 10 breeder-owner-handled group firsts at Westminster

* CH Vin-Melca's Vagabond in the AKC Museum of the Dog Hall of Fame

* Gaines Research Center's Girl Show Dog Fancier of the Year award

* 14 Kennel Review Breeder of the Year and Owner-Handler of the Year awards

* Quaker Oats (now Nature's Recipe) Hall of Fame

* Fido Awards-Dog Woman of the Year (1991) and Dog Writer of the Year (1998)

* AKC Hound Group Breeder of the Year - 2004

Her book, "Born to Win" is a library must-have book to be studied.  Mrs. Trotter received the 1997 Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America for her AKC Gazette column.

Pat Trotter's life is dedicated to her dogs and is an example of life-long learning and passion for excellence.

 

 

Laura Reeves brings an in-depth look at how to make a winning plan.

Best in Specialty or Best in Show?

All-Breed rankings or Breed rankings?

Owner Handler or Professional Handler?

Know what it takes to be #1!

Purebred Dogs Headed for Extinction?

The need for Preservation Breeding has never been greater.  Not only has science revealed genetic traits and health testing, but the need for learning how to integrate genetic mapping into tradition breeding traditions.

AKC Judge Bill Shelton of Coventry Corgis and co-breeder Dr. Beckie Williams, DVM with special interest in reproduction, highlight this concept.

More...

Pat Laurans

AKC Judge

Delegate

AKC Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Pat Laurans has been an active and enthusiastic member of the dog show world since 1963. She began as an exhibitor, became an assistant handler and eventually was awarded an AKC All Breed Handler's license. Under the kennel name of Laurwyn she bred and owned German Wirehaired Pointers, including four National Specialty and three Best in Show winners, as well as many Top Producers.

 

Pat's service to the dog community extends beyond the show ring and whelping box. She has been a Delegate to the American Kennel Club representing the GWPCA since 1980.

 

Elected to the AKC Board of Directors in 1996, Pat served on the Board Events and Clubs Committee, Board Discipline Review Committee, Board and Staff Junior Showmanship Scholarship Review Committee and as Board Liaison to the Parent Club Committee. As a Board member she proposed the concept of a breeders education program and served as Chair of The Breeder's Education Committee that developed the program and produced the document that the AKC has sent out as a model to all Parent clubs. When she retired from the AKC Board in 2000 she was elected to the AKC Parent Club Committee and then elected by the committee to serve as its Chair. This committee represents all National (Parent) Breed clubs.

 

She also is vice chairman of the Take the Lead foundation and a founder of the American Dog Show Judges Association. A longtime advocate of Junior Showmanship, Pat has been active in the AKC Junior Scholarship program since 1996.

 

An AKC licensed judge since 1982, Pat is approved to judge Best in Show, Sporting, Hound, Working and Herding Groups; most of the toy group and juniors . She has judged throughout the United States and in Australia, England (the GWP National and the Working Group show), Ireland, Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. She has also judged numerous National Specialties and at the Westminster Kennel Club 11 times.

See Show Notes for more...

Norma Smith: Helping Owner Handlers

Protege of the renowned George Alston, Norma Smith provides owner handlers opportunity to improve and become competitive through her two day handling seminars.  Professional Handler with 250 Best in Show wins, Norma has handled top dogs for both the rich and famous, and for the everyday owner.

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