Cheers to last year’s Top Dogs, the Top Dogs of decades ago and the Top Dogs of tomorrow!

I​n this edition of "the Dish", a Canadian Kennel Club member shares his ideas on how we can promote purebred dogs in our day-to-day lives. 

Purebred Dogs made a triumphant return to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair right on time for their 100th anniversary!

Read all about the shows, demonstrations and “Meet the Breeds” in this week’s edition of “The Dish”.  

Loyal, friendly and easy-going, the Sussex Spaniel is a lovable member of the Sporting Group.

Learn more about this incredible rare breed in this week’s edition of “The Dish”. 

 

This year, again and unfortunately, the Westminster Kennel Club could not go ahead with its regularly scheduled winter event with Breed showing at the Piers and Group judging at Madison Square Garden. As the pandemic entered the Omicron variant stage, the date along with the venue changed, and the event was again held in Tarrytown, New York. 

This edition of "The Dish" covers our Canadian-born Best of Breed and Group Winning dogs! Go Canada, go! 

There are certain events in the dog show world that are not to be missed and Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show is definitely one!

Held only once every five years, the Morris & Essex Kennel Club brings back the legacy of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge's glamourous dog show, originally held from 1927 through 1957. This year’s show was postponed from 202 due to the pandemic and was held on October 6, 2021, at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey.

Did you know that all dogs can compete in CKC sanctioned events like Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience, and Chase Ability?

With over 3000 CKC sanctioned events held across Canada in an average year, there are literally thousands of opportunities for you to enjoy great fun with your canine companion and meet other dog lovers!

Congratulations to our Canadian Best of Breed and Group Placing dogs! Go Canada Go!

Although the date and venue were different this year, one thing remained the same - Canadian Dogs wowed at Westminster! 

"It is with great pride that I am pleased to announce that the Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club (NKC) hosted one fabulous indoor show weekend from November 20^th to the 22^nd during the Covid-19 Pandemic."

Well for those of you who have been to Newfoundland & Labrador, there is one thing you already know. The folks of our beautiful province have incredible spirit and perseverance.  

"Now, in the absence of trials as we knew them, I realize there was both familiarity and comfort in many of the details of competition I hadn’t recognized before."

Like so many of you, I’ve spent large chunks of my adult life in obedience venues. My perception at the time was that there was pleasure in a few brief moments of any trial day, but that you had to plow through a considerable amount of tedium to harvest it.

How to help our dog family out amid the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 has been like no year we have seen before.  This pandemic has given us such enormous amounts of trouble and changed so much- COVID-19 has taken so much of what we took for granted included our beloved dog sports. Gathering with our human “dog friends” is returning slowly, however this pandemic has left many in the fancy without the steady income, or social interaction with their “dog friends” that they were once used to....

Congratulations to our fantastic Canadian-bred dogs who wowed at Westminster!

Westminster week 2020 has come and gone. Whenever I arrive in Manhattan for my favourite event of the year, I always believe I have so much time, but the show comes and goes in a snap. Especially this year.

We are excited to bring you live coverage from behind the scenes of Westminster 2020.  Bookmark this page and stay tuned. This is the best place to get a truly Canadian Westminster experience! 

Make the most of WKC as a spectator!

As a child, I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show every year with my father. I used to tell my dad while watching the competition that one day I would be there. The first year I attended was the 140^th annual show and Canadian Dr. Richard Meen was the Best in Show judge which was so special, ... 

What I know (so far) about the 144^thannual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The title of this blog will come off as foolish to anyone who has ever been to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City, or to anyone who has even streamed or watched the event on television since there are always big surprises at Westminster. Dogs rumoured to have retired show up and win big. Top dogs in their home country getting no love – even at the breed level. Celebrity sightings. Insane weather. When it comes to Westminster, I’ve learned that it’s best to expect the unexpected. 

Canadian-bred Australian Shepherd Spencer beat out 4,500 dogs

On Thursday, December 12, 2019 24-year-old Canadian handler Chelby Marling and 7 year-old Australian Shepherd Spencer won Best in Show at the Central Florida Kennel Club Dog Show and had the whole Canadian dog fancy cheering! This massive show is one of several huge shows leading up to the AKC National Championship in Orlando. And by “massive show” I mean Spencer beat out 4,500 other stunning show dogs to be top!

The annual gathering of Canada’s most talented young dog handlers was witness to an unprecedented display of friendly competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship when the 17 competitors from across our vast country convened for the Canadian Kennel Club Junior Handling National Championships for Conformation and Obedience in Belleville, Ontario on October 26, 2019. 

 

First off, some of you may recall my blog piece titled ‘The New Handler – the Journey to the Show Ring’.  It tells the tale of how I started off and how the journey of my beloved four-legged companion becoming a Canadian Champion was full of ups and downs.  However, if I have learned anything in the last three years, it is that hard work, determination and perseverance prevails in the end.

On October 26^th, 2019, Junior Handlers from across Canada will participate in the CKC Junior Handling National Championships hosted by the Belleville & District Kennel Club in Belleville, Ontario. Juniors will compete for the title of Best Overall Junior of 2018 in their discipline, Conformation or Obedience. In addition, the Conformation winner will have the chance to represent Canada at Crufts in England in March 2020.

​Please meet the talented and dedicated Junior Handling Provincial Zone Winners that are competing in this year’s National.

With 175 recognized breeds from seven different groups, there is a lot to know about each breed’s unique natural instincts and characteristics. Whether you are looking to add a purebred dog to your family, or you’re just curious, attending a “Meet the Breeds” event is a great way to learn about the different temperaments and needs of each breed. 
 
The Manitoba Working and Herding Association hosts a Meet the Breeds event annually at the Red River EX!. 

 

The Fort Garry Kennel Club celebrates its 100^thAnniversary with a commemorative dog show. 
 
This year marks the 100^thanniversary of the Fort Garry Kennel Club. This milestone offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Club’s history and the many important contributions it has made. 

CKC had the opportunity to talk to Geraldine Taylor, Fort Garry Kennel Club’s current president, who gave us some insight into the club’s work in promoting purebred dogs and dog sports in Canada for over a century. 

 

A great way to introduce the public to purebred dogs
 
As a writer and influencer for the Canadian Kennel Club I’m always thinking of ideas to introduce the public to purebred dogs or to remind them of the great, predictable qualities they have.
 
While dog shows are a fantastic place to learn about the CKC’s many incredible breeds, if you don’t know who to ask, a newcomer to the dog world might leave with only visual memories of beautiful dogs and questions left unanswered. 

The Regina Kennel and Obedience Club hosted their first annual Prairie Christmas Shows and Trials in December. 
 
If you didn’t attend the Regina Kennel and Obedience Club’s Prairie Christmas Shows and Trials, you will wish you had! On December 7- 9, the RKOC hosted their 102^ndevent; however, this wasn’t any ordinary event- this was the first annual Prairie Christmas Shows and Trials. 

Perhaps a set of dog shows might be the last place where you would expect to witness it; however, a dog show is where you can see comradery of mankind at its finest. Comradery is that sense of warm feelings of friendship, closeness and loyalty shared among a group of people. 

A few tips on attending your first Dog Show!

Even if you have watched “Best in Show” in its entirety, it’s tough for a first-time spectator to prepare themselves for an all-breed dog show. Between the dogs being groomed on tables, dogs being brought out to exercise, loudspeakers, numbers called out, vendors chatting and dogs of all sizes walking in all directions, it can be confusing for the new comer. Not to mention that the “ring” where your favourite breed is being judged is actually a rectangle.

 

Dog shows are enjoyable and educational, but many find the process of how the eliminations work quite confusing. This blog will explain how a dog show works, from the classes to Best in Show.

HISTORY AND PURPOSE

Conformation dog shows have a rich history dating back to the Victorian era in Britain, where they became a phenomenon that spread around the world. We have had dog shows celebrating purposefully bred dogs here in North America since the late 19^th century. 
Photo by: Clint Ellery

Zoey Scott’s debut in the conformation ring at the Champlain Dog Club Show in April has many members of the dog show community talking.

Prior to entering the ring for the first time on April 20 at the show in Petawawa, Ontario, Zoey Scott had only attended one dog show– the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. The show at the Garden sparked her interest in the sport and upon returning to Ottawa, Zoey signed up for handling classes. She immediately fell in love with the sport and would look forward to her weekly class. During her third class, Zoey began to work with Pointer, KRA N Zensu Tennessee Whiskey, call name “Daniel”. Daniel and Zoey were a great match, and the young Pointer responded very well to Zoey.

Mission was born to do agility and it shows. He has been in the Top 10 for the past five years, finally earning the #1 spot in 2018. More than just an agility star, Mission has also earned top-dog accolades in obedience and rally. We finally caught up with Mission’s breeder and owner Brenda, who gives us some insight into keeping her dog in fit and competitive.

The dog show world is something I have always been interested in but never thought I would get the chance to be a part of. When my husband Ross and I brought our Lagotto Romagnolo puppy Hudson home last year, he brought so much love into our world and he definitely kept us on our toes…this particular breed likes to keep busy! 

The dog community is mourning the loss of Michael Shoreman, a great dog man, who passed away on March 25.
 
Mike loved all purebred dogs and dedicated his life to breeding quality dogs, judging with integrity and, most importantly, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone around him. 

Recently I was eating breakfast with a colleague from work.  Of course, as many of our conversations go, we began to chat about our dogs.  Both of her dogs are mixed breeds and beautiful pets.  Nonetheless, she has always expressed an interest in my tales of dog showing.  I was telling her how Victor and I have been preparing for Obedience trials. I shared with her how proud I was the other morning when he mastered the hand signal for down ... 

As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said for raising a show dog. Raising, training, and ultimately showing a top show dog takes a team of individuals, dedicated to the success and well-being of the dog. Behind every great show dog is a list of people who have helped that dog and their owners and handlers get to level at which they are at today. 

 

Being a handler is a job I have always been curious about. What made them want to venture down the path of handling at dog shows? Why did they show a particular breed? I had opportunity to find out more about the dog show world and had the privilege to interview Sarah Drake, a dog show handler of many champions and with over 30 years of experience!

The most decorated dog in Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show history lives in Caldeon, Ontario with his breeder Sharon Robertson. Last February, American Eskimo Dog Grand Champion Nuuktok’s Atka Inukshuk aka Inuk set a 142 year Westminster record being the first of any breed to have 9 Best of Breed wins. The previous record of 8 Best of Breed wins was formerly held by Akita CH Tobe's Return of the Jedai. The 11-year-old white beauty is headed back to the Big Apple with hopes of scoring one more before he officially retires.

Sharon Robertson was introduced to the American Eskimo Dog in 1985 when her son brought a puppy home. His name was AJ and became Sharon’s companion and apart from a rescue she took in, American Eskimos have been her breed of choice since. Sharon began breeding these lovable dogs from the Non-Sporting Group under the Nuuktok name in 2004.
 

The World Dog Show 2018 was held from August 8^th to 12^th, 2018 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Over 33,000 dogs of over 350 different breeds from 74 countries competed and the event drew over 40,000 dog lovers. Beautifully organized by the Dutch Kennel Club, featuring Dutch Cultural Heritage with and an exemplary focus on the well-being of the dogs through their on-site Dog Welfare Team.

The event featured three shows for each breed. The Benelux Winner show was held on the Thursday where Breed, Group and Best in Show winners were awarded. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were World Dog Show days where each breed had ring time and a special show. Best in Show was chosen on Sunday and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen CH Frosty Snowman was the big winner. Congratulations to owner Gwen Huikeshoven of Holland!

It should come as no surprise that Canadian Dogs  were in the ribbons showcasing the high quality our breeders are know for. Here are some highlights featuring dogs owned, bred and/or handled by Canadian Kennel Club Members.

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The World Dog Show has been called the most important dog show in the world. Boasting approximately 20, 000 entries and a new host country each year, the multi-day canine extravaganza is a once in a lifetime experience for attendees and competitors alike!

We recently caught up with Sherri Davidson, the lucky winner of a trip for two to the 2018 World Dog Show coming up this summer in Amsterdam. We asked her a few questions to see how she's handling the excitement of her upcoming trip.

Using interviews with CKC members, this video series will give you an insider’s look at the canine competition world.

From classic Conformation dog shows to the new Chase Ability trials and all the friendships and fun in between, our video series will tell you what it’s like to participate in dog events and why we love it so much!