Question of the Week

Peter A. Gaeta

Iron Station, North Carolina

While my original breed is Great Danes, I have lived with Bedlington Terriers for the past 30 years and consider them “my breed” as much as I do Great Danes. There is no doubt in my mind that the Bedlington Terrier national should be held at or on the weekend of Montgomery County. That is “Terrier Weekend” in the U.S. There are no coat considerations with respect to time of the year in Bedlington Terriers, so that is not an issue. That weekend attracts Terrier breeders, exhibitors, experts and fans from all around the country — indeed, all around the world — and finding good Terrier judges on the panels of all the accompanying shows is a given. As far as geographic location is concerned, if you are truly interested in Terriers, you attend Montgomery County weekend.  

I can remember when I was first licensed by AKC to handle dogs, in 1971. We were licensed breed by breed and had to apply for renewal every year. It took several years to get the whole Working Group, and while I was basically handling Working dogs and working as a free assistant to other professional handlers, I remember the buzz. Every year it would start about mid-summer, even on the West Coast, and everybody was talking about Montgomery County and asking each other if they were going. 

Julie L. Mueller

Tulsa, Oklahoma 

For years our national specialty was held at the Kentucky Horse Park in conjunction with the national Arabian horse show, and together it was deemed the Egyptian Event. It was spectacular, held in June and always had huge entries. Unfortunately, the park kept placing the Salukis farther and farther back in the park, not the best grass or location. The Arabian horse show departed from the Kentucky Horse Park, and with that, the encompassing glamour of the Egyptian Event was gone. June is a great month for Salukis, warm but not the intense heat of summer yet. Salukis are not cold-weather fans, to say the least. The location of the Purina Event Center is wonderful. Beautiful facility and central location in the U.S. Ideally, the national should be held on one coast and then move to the other coast, to give equal opportunity for attendance. But the location of Purina, to me, is ideal, right in the middle of the U.S. 

Jeff Ryman

Snohomish, Washington

We have a stipulation in our national guideline that our national specialty is to occur annually between Labor Day weekend and Thanksgiving. The majority of Bulldog Club of America nationals are during Thanksgiving week, but this year we are trying September 10 to 16 in Olympia, Washington. No snow in the mountain passes for those traveling in, and one of the best weather months in the Pacific Northwest!

Mark Francis Jaeger

Mason, Michigan

Since smooth Brussels Griffons are always in coat, and most roughs can be maintained in a rolled coat by a skilled groomer, time of year doesn't make much difference. About a decade ago, our parent club looked at where there were clusters of at least four days with sizeable entries and sufficient indoor grooming space. We then took into account where most of our entries were coming from geographically. We also wanted a location where we could hold an independent specialty before the cluster. Louisville was clearly the leading candidate.

Our current problem is settling on a host hotel. The one we have used since 2009 had many issues in 2023. We may have to hold our banquet somewhere other than the hotel where our exhibitors will stay.

Laura Libner

Grand Rapids, Michigan

I would say November would be best for Pugs.

Jan Dykema

Saint Helena, California

The Bull Terrier Club of America holds it special Silverwood show and national specialty in October (usually the second weekend and coincidentally close to the birthdays of many of our long-time cub members). Coat condition is not a factor, as we have a short-haired breed. The long-standing concern has been where to hold the show each year. We are a spoiled bunch and only want a place that allows dogs, has a huge ballroom, has many breakout rooms for seminars, has AV equipment (is AV still a thing?), has plenty of room to walk dogs with lots of nice green grass, is close to many great places to eat, is close to a major airport (for foreign visitors and those without dogs, as flying is no longer a real option), has super banquet food at a reasonable price and, of course, has a great bar in the hotel for gathering. So, nothing special!

Embassy Suites has been the “go to” the last few years, as it has most of the things we need. We usually have a regional club that holds the show in conjunction with the parent club, which means clubs can bid for the show. As travel increasingly becomes only feasible by auto, we find that shows are being held mostly on the East Coast. However, many of our exhibitors are from other areas, so a “middle of the road” place would be wonderful. So far, it seems that it is farther to drive when coming west from the east than vice versa. Funny thing that.

Brian Clegg

Cincinnati, Ohio

I am a big proponent of roving national specialties. Give opportunities for fanciers in all parts of the country to participate at least every couple of years. I have Kuvasz and Goldens, so from a coat-conditioning aspect, early spring or late fall.

Vandra Huber

Woodinville, Washington

My breed is Scottish Terriers. The cool autumn weather associated with Montgomery County Kennel Club is definitely a wonderful time of year for our national specialty — provided there is not a horrible rainstorm that makes the show a soggy mess for short-legged Terriers and their owners. Still, we all remember those years when the rings have had more straw and cardboard than grass available for Scots to walk on. I remember my shoes getting stuck in the mud and then attempting to balance on one foot and put a shoe back on. With envy, I recall that on one occasion Norwich Terriers were fortunate enough to have a sidewalk traverse the middle of their ring. It was a perfect walkway that was lacking in the Scottie ring. I remember watching Kerry Blues from under a half-raised canopy tent. Peeking out from under it, I could see handlers with water dripping down their faces. But even when it has been bad weather, the stories of the day, the glory of a win under harsh conditions, the pressure of winning a class only to run out and attempt to blow-dry the dog again before the Winners class make the day extra special. There is no day like it — dark of night, wind, torrid rain and all. 

Karen Mull

Lititz, Pennsylvania

Our national specialty is held every year at Purina Farms in Missouri. I wish it could rotate around the country so that it isn’t such a distance to travel for people, but since Border Collies need to have a herding area, it is tough to find them. If I could wish for anything, I would wish that Purina would have locations on each coast.

Nancy Winton

Vail, Arizona

Our Treeing Walker Coonhound specialty should be held more centrally, at maybe Purina Farms in October.

Dana Read

Hillsborough, North Carolina

My original breed is the Lhasa Apso, and our nationals are normally held in October. I've found this to work out well — not too hot, not too cold, not too rainy and October does not have any major holidays (except Halloween, of course!) where travel could be a big problem. Where? I am partial to the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, but regardless of region, it would certainly make travel easier if the hotel/show site was no more than 30 miles from a major airport for those flying in.

Jan Reed

Midwest City, Oklahoma

Sadly, my breed numbers are lower and lower each year. We're supposed to be a 750-mile radius from Kansas City, Missouri. But since the pandemic: Lewiston, NY; Hershey, PA, and South Sioux City, NE. Next year is Knoxville and the following year the Roberts Center in OH. Kind of tossed “centrally located” out the window ...

Linda Tilka

Madeira Beach, Florida

I think the Poodle Club of America has hit it perfectly. Our specialty is held in April (not too hot, not too cold) at Purina Farms. This venue is pretty much midway for all exhibitors and is a lovely site. 

Barbara Burns

Freeport, Illinois

The Gordon Setter national is usually done during the fall and in areas to accommodate hunt tests. Hunt tests are an important part of our nationals as well as performance events so our breed can earn the BBB Award: beauty, brains and bird sense.