Preview Mail


	Summer 2005

A Message from Mari-Beth O'Neill
The AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational is approaching rapidly. As anticipated the number of Juniors who are eligible based on the five wins in Open with competition has greatly increased with the additional class division. To help ease the review process we urge those of you who have 5 qualifying wins to send an official school transcript or equivalent.

Juniors should check the judges sheets at the show to make certain they are marked correctly. It is easier to make a correction at the show than have to correct later.

The ownership eligibility for dogs shown in Junior Showmanship exists as the intent is that the Junior cares for the dog and prepares it to be shown. In our society today liability is also an issue. Recently a junior exhibited a dog that was owned by a neighbor and it attacked the judge- this created a very serious situation as the Junior had no knowledge of the dog's vaccination records and there is a liability issue if anyone had been hurt.

A Long Way from Home

By: Emma Stone

From cornfields to skyscrapers, I moved from middle America right to the Big Apple. Growing up in Des Moines, IA, I was mesmerized as I watched my father's German Shepherd Dogs at shows. As the powerful shepherd proved to be too much for my ten-year-old frame, my family purchased a Shetland Sheepdog for me to compete with in Junior Showmanship, Obedience, and the breed ring. With "Elvis" my love for the fancy evolved and has brought me where I am today, interning for the American Kennel Club in the New York office.

Read the full article

Working Partners

By: Emily Carter

The way I see it, I'm only 13 and I already have a full time job. I'm a partner in the firm "Emily and Olive," and we both love working with each other. Before I was born, my parents showed Shih Tzus in the obedience ring and were instructors at the Tulsa Dog Training Club. But when I was born, the dog show circuit faded into their background. So, for the first nine years of my life, my main experience with dogs was nursing those two spoiled, elderly veteran dogs. They were never considered "pets," but were members of our family. Even though the two were of a toy breed, they did well in the obedience ring and were the reason my parents became so involved in the sport.

Read the full article

In the Field with Kona

By: Thea Steele

As I reflect on my experiences in dogs, it is difficult for me to say what has had the greatest influence on me. Competition, breeding, and training have all been a part of my life since I can remember, and even more important since I got a dog of my own eight years ago. The combination of all these things, and the roles they have played in my life, is what makes me so sure that my future will hold continued involvements in the sport of dogs.

Read the full article

World Experiences

By: Adam King

It is hard to believe that I have been involved in the world of purebred dogs for three and a half years. It feels as if this has always been a huge part of my life, and it really is hard to remember what my life was like before I spent most of my weekends at the shows. I have tried to immerse myself in the sport completely, and have truly enjoyed my time. I am a breeder-owner-handler, I have handled dogs for other people, attended many seminars, and have been able to judge at several AKC sanctioned matches.

Read the full article

Hard Work Pays Off

By: Stefanie Rainer

Since writing my last article about how I got started in agility, I have accomplished quite a lot. I am almost twelve years old and my Papillon, Storm, is four. Our bond continues to grow as we train and compete in agility. We both love agility so much and we put a lot of time and effort in to being the best we can be.
Read the full article

My Involvement in Purebred Dogs

By: Rebecca Clas

My involvement in the sport of purebred dogs and junior showmanship, has blessed me with an immense amount of knowledge of dogs. I have been showing dogs for nearly 14 years. I began to show in juniors since I was eligible. I qualified for the Westminster Kennel Club dog show for five straight years. In 2000, I was the #17 junior handler in the country and I was #1 in three states.

Read the full article

Rewarding Accomplishments

By: Leila Bicos

I entered the world of purebred dogs in the very best way, through the efforts of my wonderful breeder, Troy Abney. At the time, I was twelve years old. My family had purchased a pet Rhodesian Ridgeback and adopted a retired champion, Ch. RiverCity Reef. Once a junior handler herself, Troy asked if I could show Reef during the parade of veterans at the Orange Coast Regional Specialty and began giving me handling lessons. I was hooked.
Read the full article

Canine Experiences and Expectations

By: Sara Weise

At the age of seventeen, my childhood is beginning to fade into memory and my adult life is only around the corner. One of the chief highlights of my past is, unquestionably, my participation in the fancy. My passion for showing in the world of purebred dogs is the only thing that can persuade me to wake up at five o'clock several Saturday mornings of every month, sit through a day of snow and high winds at an October agility trial, and spend a major portion of my spending cash on show entry fees.
Read the full article

See photos from the months of July and August!!

View photos here

Editor's Note