Question of the Week

Nancy Troyer

Mora, Minnesota

In 2008, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America celebrated the 100th anniversary of the breed in the U.S. My favorite memory from that show was standing in the honor line as we welcomed surviving World War II war-dog handlers, including the late eminent AKC judge Robert Forsyth, whose wartime partner was a Doberman named Liney. The premiere of the documentary "War Dogs of the Pacific" was later that evening, and even now I tear up at the memory of Mr. Forsyth finally receiving his Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Theater that night. I cannot imagine any win being more momentous than being in the presence of such heroes and being able to honor them. 

Edwin Sayres III

Sarasota, Florida

Delaware County Kennel Club, June 1, 1958, was the first dog show I attended with my dad, and one of my favorite dogs, Champion Rumane Blockbuster, won Best in Show. I was 10 years old.  

Many of the Giralda Farms dogs lived at our house for a few days each week. The Goldens were my favorites.

Laura Libner

Grand Rapids, Michigan

So many good ones, but one of the fondest memories of my days in dog shows would have to be when I was 15 years old and was in New Brunswick, Canada, with my parents — back in the mid-’70s.  

I was showing our Wire Fox Terrier bitch English import and had won breed, the Terrier Group and finally BIS under Mr. Hans Brunotti!  

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Keenan were sitting with my parents, ringside and after the judge pointed to us, my Wire jumped into my arms and the Keenans were cheering alongside my folks as my mom came into the ring to give me a hug. What a whirlwind that weekend was!

Anna Stromberg

Brooksville, Florida

My absolute favorite memory is the 1995 Afghan Hound Club of America National Specialty on the beach at the Bahia resort in San Diego. 

More than 500 Afghan Hounds were entered that week.

Denise Borton

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Actually, there are two. The first would be winning my first all-breed BIS under Lester Mapes, and the second would be winning my first national specialty under Annie Clark. Both with the same Bullmastiff whose record still stands today after 36 years as the top-winning bitch.

Meg Callea

Shelton, Washington

It would have to be the old Santa Barbara Kennel Club show. From the top of the hill where the RV parking was, looking over all the rings with dew on the grass first thing in the morning, you knew it was going to be a special day. Top dogs you only saw in Kennel Review, you could now see in person. Top-notch judges from all over the world. Dogs conditioned to be their best. The huge hanging flower baskets at every ring. Ric's ash tray on a stand at the group-ring entrance for his cigar. The trophy table. All the vendors, Stone Brothers being the best, because they brought out their best for that show. It was always a special day, not to be match in my lifetime. There are other great shows, but nothing like Santa Barbara put on by the ever-gracious Tom and Ann Stevenson.

Daniel M. Mehling

New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mason, Wisconsin

Winning Winners Bitch for one point under Maxine Beam at the Illinois Capital Show over Memorial weekend. Second happiest moments was winning Winner Bitch, five-point major under Merrill Cohen. With Ed Jenner himself showing. Winning over Mr. Jenner was such a good win. Winning Best in Match, with an all-black Pekingese at an outdoor show, in the sun. Finally my mom (Diana Rea) winning the Toy Group on the same Memorial weekend, under Georgia Butrum. First was a first …

Julie Felten

Wauconda, lllinois

My favorite dog-show memory is Montgomery County Kennel Club Terrier show, October 2000. My first year there with my newly recognized breed, the Parson Russell Terrier. My young 11-month-old bitch, Ch. Fox Valley Frolic ("Fuzz"), won the breed with more than 100 entries! The judge was the highly respected Mrs. Gayle Bontecou. What a thrill it was, not only for me, but also for my beloved breed. The crowd was three deep in attendance to welcome and watch the new member of the Terrier Group. 

Walter Sommerfelt

Lenoir City, Tennessee

Judging the Herding Group at the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club show. The history, tradition and quality of the dogs were spectacular.

Nancy Russell

Walsenburg, Colorado

My most memorable dog show was the Chicago International, April 1, 1972. At that time it was a two-day benched show. It was also the seventh birthday of Am/Can/Mex Ch. Glaciers' Storm Kloud CD, ROM, known at Daddy Bear. We had 20 of his offspring benched together with the benching decorated for his birthday party. The owners all brought food for a potluck, and Lois Olmen, his breeder, made a meatloaf cake decorated with frosting, which was shared with all his dog family. The Chicago Tribune published an article and photos, and the second day we could barely get through our aisle of benching, as everyone wanted to come to Daddy Bear's birthday party. What fun! I miss those bygone dog-show days when win or lose the Malamute owners had potlucks and stayed for group to clap and cheer for our breed, no matter who was the BOB winner of the day.

Kathryn Kirk

Milford, Connecticut

My favorite moment was Westminster Kennel Club in 2006 winning BEST under the esteemed judge Jim Reynolds with Ch. Rocky Top Sundance Kid, aka “Rufus.” My final go-around I reached up and stroked the pearl necklace I was wearing. Not sure if that made a difference, but Jim and I had a running joke: If I wear my pearls, I really want to win.

I truly miss Mr. Reynolds and Rufus.

Vicki DeGruy

Breaux Bridge, Lousiana

Entering the group ring for the first time at Madison Square Garden. When you have watched the show on TV for decades but never believed you would actually go there, much less compete in it, it's hard to describe just how amazing it felt.  

Mike Macbeth

Ontario, Canada

The Finals at the World Show, Helsinki, 1998. The glamorous, svelte and stunningly beautiful Miss Finland (six weeks after she’d had a baby) as mistress of ceremonies. The curtains at the top of the spectacular staircase that opened up to announce each group judge, the young people accompanying each judge down the stairs, everyone in black tie. The hauntingly memorable film that began the proceedings each night, showing all the Finnish breeds, to the stirring music of Sebelius. Kari Järvinen doing Best in Show, approaching the Saarloos Wolf Hound that had unexpectedly won the group and almost being devoured. Incredible efficiency combined with dazzling execution. Anyone who ever attended that show has always proclaimed it to be the finest dog show ever held.