Category Archives: Dog Activities

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: Conformation Primer

From the good folks at the Westminster Kennel Club:

Each dog at a dog show is presented to a judge by either its owner, breeder, or a hired professional. This person is known as the exhibitor or the handler of the dog.

The purpose of conformation shows (also known as dog shows) is to evaluate breeding stock. Judges select winners based on their ability to contribute and improve the next generation of dogs. Dogs start out in the classes competing for points toward their AKC championship title. Dogs win points based on the number of dogs defeated. The more dogs entered, the more points per win. It takes fifteen points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points), awarded by at least three different judges, to become an American Kennel Club champion. Continue reading Westminster 2021: Conformation Primer →

Dog Activities

Coming Soon: Westminster 2021

Photo: WKC
Photo: WKC

As you probably know, the granddaddy of all dog shows, the Westminster Kennel Club Show, is generally held in the middle of the winter in the place everyone wants to be when it’s cold, New York City. However, with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the decision was made to make this year’s show an outdoor event, and the big show was moved to June in hopes of finding some good weather. It’s been hot hot hot in New York this week, but temperatures are supposed to moderate in time for this weekend’s event. Continue reading Coming Soon: Westminster 2021 →

Dog Activities

AKC Agility Premier Cup Winners Announced

Photo: AKC
Photo: AKC

If you missed last night’s ESPN broadcast, the AKC is announcing the following winners from their Agility Premier Cup. The competition was held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida on May 15.

“It was a thrill to see the Agility Premier Cup return this year and to see so many talented dogs compete,” said Doug Ljungren, AKC Executive Vice President of Sports and Events. “These canines are some of the best athletes in the sport and they put on the performances to prove it.”

Over 90 dogs and their handlers participated in this year’s championship. Dogs entered competed in 8”, 12”, 16”, 20”, or 24” jump heights. In line with COVID-19 safety precautions, the event was closed to the public and entry was limited to exhibitors, judges, production crew, and event staff. Other safety requirements included social distancing, temperature checks, wearing face coverings, and sanitizing stations. Continue reading AKC Agility Premier Cup Winners Announced →

Dog Activities

Special Summer Westminster Show

Photo: Westminster Kennel Club
Photo: Westminster Kennel Club
Guess who just got her remote media credentials for the big summer Westminster Dog Show? That’s right – this girl!

Regular readers know this show is my favorite dog-related event of the year, but as with everything else, COVID-19 messed up the schedule as well as eliminating spectators and vendors. In order to still be able to hold the show this year, they moved it outside to Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, and since January in New York isn’t always outside-friendly, they rescheduled for June.

Here’s the way things will happen:
Continue reading Special Summer Westminster Show →

Dog Activities

Triple Purpose Hunter

Photo: Police K9 Association
Photo: Police K9 Association

A dog who has been trained to do two different things, like maybe drug detection and patrol, is known as a dual-purpose dog. Hunter has apparently graduated to the never-before-seen triple purpose rating, having learned dispatch, as well. (From the Facebook page of PK9A.)

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Dog Activities

AKC Agility Premier Cup to Air on ESPN on May 25th

Photo: Purina Incredible Dog Challenge
Photo: Purina Incredible Dog Challenge

From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: The American Kennel Club (AKC) is excited to announce that the AKC Agility Premier Cup will air on ESPN. The two-hour competition will be televised on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT. The Agility Premier Cup highlights the top AKC agility competitors and consists of three rounds of competition. This broadcast is one of many that will give viewers an inside look at the competitive world of dog sports, after the network signed a three-year agreement with the AKC this past year. Continue reading AKC Agility Premier Cup to Air on ESPN on May 25th →

Dog Activities, Dog News

COVID-19 Detector

Photo: Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Photo: Doctors Hospital of Sarasota

A new four-legged, wet-nosed addition greets people at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota. “Buffy” is a 2-year-old, sweet-tempered, yellow Labrador retriever and a highly trained scent detection dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs. Buffy meets visitors as they enter the hospital and if she detects COVID-19, the visitor is asked to get additional testing. Testing can be done free of charge at the hospital or if visitors prefer, another location.

Trainers at Southeastern Guide Dogs placed “Buffy” in a scent detection study nine months ago. Using deactivated samples from COVID-19 patients at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Buffy was trained to detect changes in a person’s immune system. Labrador retrievers have an estimated 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. The dogs can detect our body fighting the virus. During training, the dogs are approximately 95% effective at detecting COVID-19 in a person. If Buffy detects COVID-19 she simply lays down at the visitor’s feet and waits for a treat.

Visitors entering the hospital will still be screened by a hospital caregiver, have their temperature taken and be required to wear a mask. Buffy is being used as an extra resource, although a very furry one, to help keep the community safe. Hospital CEO, Robert Meade, adopted Buffy and she lives with the Meade family when she is not at the hospital.

Thanks for helping, Buffy!

#MaskUp #BackUp

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!