AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Sunday, December 15, 2013

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

TO BEST IN SHOW WINNER 
Portuguese Water Dog - "Matisse"
MBIS GCH Claircreek Impression de Matisse 
An Awesome Win for an Awesome Dog. 

Makes Dave want to show another Portie.  His first All-Breed Best in Show was with a PWD. 

TO RESERVE BEST IN SHOW WINNER:
Wire Fox Terrier - "Sky" 
MBIS GCH Afterall Painting the Sky 
Almost made history, by taking the whole thing again. 

I guess this show was for those 'artistic' dogs!


BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DEAR FRIENDS MICHAEL & LINDA BRANTLEY. 
THEY WERE THE WINNERS OF THE BREEDER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THE NON-SPORTING GROUP.  CONGRATULATIONS TO DREAMLAND KENNELS!

AKC/Eukanuba Groups Saturday, December 14, 2013

I'd love to hear from someone who went to watch groups last night.  The way AKC is doing it, selling tickets to Groups separate from the day tickets, seems to be preventing people who are actually there, from being able to watch groups.

Dave heard from several people, even some Junior Handlers who wanted to take their Grandparents, but could not get tickets because they were sold out.  From what I saw on the live video stream, by the Non Sporting Group the seats were pretty empty.

They are putting the fear of not having a seat into people so far ahead of time that people are ordering tickets, and then when they do not attend, there is no provision for a refund or even the ability to turn the tickets into somewhere so that those who are in attendance and really WANT to go to see the group have that option.  Maybe they couldn't afford to buy tickets in advance, maybe they entered just hoping they could come, and when the money and schedule all worked out for them, now they cannot attend all of the events.

This is just another step in the wrong direction for AKC.  They are pre-selling tickets to make money and not thinking about the exhibitors, yet again.  The last few years that I attended, it was more crowded by Best in Show, but by no means was it packed, yet it was 'sold out' and no one was allowed in without a ticket.
If you want to pre-sell tickets, fine, but limit the number sold ahead of time to 50% or less of capacity, then the people who show up and want to go, at least have a fighting chance.

At least make a provision for returning/cancelling a ticket order.  Do like on Broadway when someone cancels a purchased seat...re-sell it! Then donate the proceeds from the second sale to the Canine Health Foundation.  This option would make a multitude of people and dogs happy!

Chinese Crested Breed Video AKC/Eukanuba Dog Show, Saturday, December 14, 2013

Just watched the Chinese Crested video.  In the BBE bitch class, at about minute 54:00, the armband #32, which ended up being Winners bitch is interesting to watch.  The breeder/owner/handler used her foot to keep the bitch from sitting after stopping in front of Judge Peter Green after the down & back.  What's with that?
I gave someone a piece of my mind (I know, I don't have that much to spare) for using their foot to 'move' the rear on a big dog.  I know they were 'pushing' gently but it gave the impression that they were kicking the dog to make him move.  Now someone is sticking their big foot under a puppy to make it stand in the ring?  C'mon people, that's just not right.

Havanese Breed Video AKC Eukanuba December 14, 2013

Videos were supposed to be available 2 hours after judging but the Havanese video is not up yet. 

Hopefully it will pop up here when it is available:

Truly in the ring at about 17:45 BEST OF BREED STARTS AT ABOUT 28:22 Zeus is #39, shown by Joyce Standish