AKC Gazette

December 2007

AMELIA AVERIL

A NEW YEAR APPROACHES

 

As I write this column in the heat of summer, it’s hard to believe that when you receive this issue of the AKC GAZETTE the year will be drawing to a close and we will be in the holiday season. As notes and cards arrive from our dog friends old and new, thoughts go back to the great Bulldogs of the past and their owners.

Being in dogs has it compensations, and one of them is all the people we meet and are privileged to call friends. Without a doubt, the new year will bring more friendships – and the breeding and birth of new generations of Bulldogs.

To all of you who have successfully represented our breed in 2007, I wish you continued success in 2008 and the year after.

The July Issue of the GAZETTE had an article about the greatly respected judge, the late Alva Rosenberg. The article mentions how conscious Rosenberg was about putting up good type because he knew that the winners would be bred. It made me think how important it is to remember that.

Dog shows are a sporting event; one that presupposes that those who participate do so to better the breed and the sport of dogs in general. The breeder should be concerned with breeding dogs as close as possible to the standard. He should be interested in breeding dogs with proper type and soundness. The judge likewise should be very aware that when he puts up should have type and soundness.

The breeder should be careful in his selection of the damn and sire of each litter, remembering that one half of each dog’s inherited traits come from each parent. We must be careful to breed from stock that is of sound body and mind, remembering always that the goal in serious breeding is to breed successive generations of good, sound dogs.

The exhibitor should be aware of the standard of the breed, and have sufficient knowledge to know the quality of the dog he is showing. It is important to know the good and bad points of the breed.

Anyone who shows a dog in group competition must remember to always present the dog with dignity. When a dog goes into the group ring, he is at that time am ambassador of the breed. The way the dog is presented will influence and perhaps make new fanciers for our breed.

On a lighter note, I’d like to mention Bob and Nancy Newcomb’s interesting and informative piece in the July GAZETTE on keeping dogs cool. I liked the picture of Yardley in the kiddie pool. Hard as it is to believe, before long we’ll again be worrying about how to keep our dogs cool!

In 2008, let’s resolve to serve the breed we love, and to remember that the breed is more important than any individual breeder.

Amelia Averil, 8 Willow Brook Rd., Hillsdale, NJ 07612.