Doggone Etiquette —

The World Dog Show

By Bardi McLennan

As dog owners, many of you have no doubt been to at least one of our nearby dog shows. I have just returned from Stockholm where the World Dog Show 2008 was held for five full days from July 2-6. And I do mean “full days.”  They started at 8:30 in the morning, ending around 6 pm. with up to 72 show rings! (Dog shows here normally average 15 to 20 rings.) The shows on the first two days are what are called “Specialty Shows” because they are either single breeds within a group, or for breeds that come in a variety of colors, coats or sizes. In Europe for example, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers are shown as the same breed in two sizes, then divided further as to color – Black, Black and Silver, Pepper and Salt and in White which is not accepted in the States. Sixty clubs held these specialty shows with 14,700 dogs entered.

There are many more pure breeds In Europe and they are divided into 10 groups, whereas we only have seven.  Added to those breed competitions, were separate classes for Obedience, Junior Handling and Freestyle. The total number of dogs entered at this World Dog Show was 22,847!  Compare that number to the Westminster show which is held over two days in New York and is limited to 3,000 dogs and you’ll see how really enormous the World Dog Show was. Oh, and envision 50,235 spectators! On the final afternoon and evening for Best In Show, there was not an empty seat inside or outside by a huge TV screen!

Numerous breeds popular in Europe are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, although a few new ones are accepted each year. One that I saw (and admittedly fell for) was the Pumi, an Hungarian Herding dog of medium size, with a curly coat. It has very odd ears. They stand up straight, but the tips curl over (with more curly hair), giving the dog a “surprised” expression. There are a growing number of these dogs in the States and the breeders hope they will soon be AKC-recognized so everyone can get to know them.

Another breed that caught my eye (and the eye of the group judge who gave him first place) was the Basset Fauve de Bretagne a breed that was rescued from extinction in the 19th century. It is fawn-colored, with a short wiry coat, rather low-slung but smaller and slimmer than the familiar Basset Hound, with shorter ears and a friendly expression. It’s no sleepy-head and needs plenty of physical activity. Those are just two out of dogs from all over the world, but the Best In Show winner was a Sealyham Terrier from – TA-DAH – Pennsylvania! Champion Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice.

As in most of Europe, everywhere you go in Sweden there are dogs – on subways, in shops, in restaurants. Most are purebred, and all are well-behaved, trotting along beside their owners on loose leads, lying under the table (not begging) in restaurants or sitting quietly either on the subway or when their owners stop to chat. Dogs are considered first and foremost to be family pets, including show dogs and those that have jobs such as police dogs, search and rescue dogs and hunting dogs. A very large portion of Sweden’s canines are active hunting dogs.

Wouldn’t we all like to be able to make this claim: “THERE ARE NO STRAY DOGS AT ALL IN SWEDEN.”   How about that? They attribute it to the fact that dogs are raised as family and are taught as puppies to behave properly wherever they go, and so they are taken everywhere. Swedish people know a great deal about dogs in general and are personally involved in the full development of their own dogs. They do not go in for any of the fancy “doggy” clothing or costume- jeweled collars and leads that are popular here. They feel such things are demeaning to their worthy canines.  

The dogs are delightful, and the people are, too. Most of them speak English and even the dogs seem to understand it, wagging their tails when you say, “Good dog.” It was a World Dog Show and it was like being in another world – full of socialized dogs. Obedience classes anyone?                  

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.