30 – Hit Me with your Best Shot: Get Winning Win Photos of You and your Dog
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!
29 – AKC’s Top Dogs – the Dog Show Superintendents with Becky Sumner of 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 her 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.
28 – Luc Boileau: Westminster Winner, Master Breeder and AKC Judge
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.
27 – Ringcraft: How to Read the Judge’s Mind
Yes, you can read the dog show judge’s mind! Laura Reeves lets you in on the secrets of ringcraft – master-level skills of understanding the judge’s 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.
26 – Winners of Westminster Dog Show: Bill McFadden, Valerie Nunes Atkinson, Andy Linton
Best in Show at Westminster Dog Show
2017 brings the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. WKC is older than AKC. A win in Madison Square Garden event is the epitome, of the dream for exhibitors, handlers and owners.
Listen as three past winners speak of the moment the spotlight awarded them Best in Show on the green carpet.
“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” – George Herman Ruth
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.
25 – Patricia Trotter: Legendary Breeder, Author, and AKC Judge – Vin-Melca’s Norwegian Elkhounds
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.
24 – Number 1 What?: Right Dog, Right Timing, Wrong Plan
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!
23 – Our Breeds are Endangered: Preservation Breeding-Bill Shelton
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.
22 – You Have a Voice: Pat Laurans – Power of the AKC Delegate Role
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.
21 – Norma Smith: Footsteps of George Alston
Norma Smith: Helping Owner Handlers
A protege of the renowned George Alston, Norma Smith provides owner handlers the 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.