There are certain shows that will always stand out in my mind as being extra special. Westchester certainly falls into that category. For the past several years now, a decline has set in there which I kept hoping would be overcome. Certainly, Jud Streicher's absence from the scene was a major blow, but Rink Rynders is more than equal to the task of promoting Westchester's rejuvenation. This year's show, I unhappily report, seemed to me to lack the sparkle of even past years. Let's face it, for some inexplicable reason, spectator attendance seems to have fallen way off. Whilst the number of exhibitors, too, has fallen this year, perhaps in part to a most questionable judging panel, the spectators lend an air of excitement to these great grounds and magnificent venue. I think, perhaps, it would be a good idea to reinstitute the old judges' tent for lunch and cocktails, instead of the golf cart ride down to the Castle. This tent lent an air of prestige and excitement to the surroundings, which is now lost. Also, the reintroduction of a prominent trophy table and some floral arrangements, in keeping with the grounds, would be appropriate. Don't get me wrong. I admire, respect and enjoy the show and only want to see it become, once again, the marvelous showcase it used to be. On a positive note, there was more California competition than in years past, and I thought the overall quality of the dogs quite high in many a breed. The ultimate winner was the ESS shown by Kellie Fitzgerald, which won three of the four all-breeds held on the weekend.
This was Tuxedo's first show with Somerset, in New Jersey. That's a good combo and caused Tuxedo's entries to nearly equal Westchester's. I was sorry, though, to see the combo of Tuxedo and “W” break up. Now, I understand the Kennel Club of Northern New Jersey will take over as the Monday show, with Westchester. That's great logic, isn't it? The New Jersey show comes to New York and the New York show goes to New Jersey. I guess that's true dog show politics, if ever you want to see it.
Speaking of politics, tell me how a club overrides a judge elected by its membership based on issues other than competency, and then invites a new judge and never asks her how she stands on the very same contentious outside issue! Talk about pettiness! Furthermore, as I watched Ron Menaker, the judge in question, preside over the New York Downtown Hospital's “9/11 Commemorative Dinner” before 700-plus people, in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of York, I could not help but think of priorities and the GSP Director's lack of same!
I have never been a pet shop person. Actually, I have a problem even looking in the windows of pet shops where dogs are kept. But let's face it, a great majority of these puppies can be AKC registered. And this is where the financial problem comes in for AKC. As recently as five years ago, if there were competing registries, there was little, if any, piracy of AKC blue slips. Now, ACA, for one, pirates these slips and registers these dogs with AKC papers online at the time of purchase. This is killing AKC's registrations. Staff, at the Board's direction, had come up with several schemes to reverse this downward trend. One was to work out an agreement with Petland Pet Shops to do the same online registrations for AKC. The project was to have been announced to the Delegate Body at this last meeting. Someone leaked the information in advance as to what was to be proposed. The Delegates had fire smoking out of their mouths. Now, then, I can empathize with their emotional feelings. I basically feel similarly. However, I also recognize that times have changed, and in order to survive financially, some sacrifice in principle must be made. Lest you face the prospect of losing new buyers—you take out the pet store buyer, who could end up competing at dog shows; eliminate inspection pre-requisites; and you encourage the puppy farmer. Additionally, these downward numbers will result in a loss in constituency. As you lose the power to get legislators' attention, the ability for AKC to be a major player in BSL matters declines accordingly. If one wants to be a boutique registry, “the Lambreghetti of registries,” be prepared to pay for it! Increased fees at every level and less donations to your favorite causes will be the result. Is this what you want? I don't. •