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Dogs In The Working Group

The Black Russian Terrier was developed in Russia as a guard dog; they are large, powerful, and robust.  They have a tousled double coat which is black in color.  The Black Russian Terrier was produced by the Red Star Kennels after World War II.  The goal was to create a breed that would guard and protect.  This breed is very intelligent, learns easily and remembers what they have learned.  The Black Russian Terrier was recognized by AKC in 2004.

Black Russian Terrier

Dogs In The Working Group

The Bernese Mountain Dog is part of the four breeds known as Swiss Mountain Dogs.  Their coat is long and silky.  The Bernese Mountain Dog thrives in a cold environment.  The breed is known for their intelligence, strength, and agility; making them a natural for carting/drafting.  Their coats are tri-colored consisting of black, rust, and white.  The Bernese Mountain Dog was recognized by AKC in 1937.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Puppies 

Dogs In The Working Group

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is also a member; they are known for their ability to protect livestock.  The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is loyal, independent, large, rugged, and powerful.  Their coat can be either short or rough.  This breed is instinctively protective; however they show a loving and loyal bond to their family.  The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was recognized by AKC in 1996.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Dogs In The Working Group

The Alaskan Malamute is an Arctic sled dogs; and has the distinction of being the oldest and largest.  This breed is known for their strength and endurance.  The Alaskan Malamute has the ability to carry large loads over long distances.  Their coat is thick and coarse; with colorings from light gray to black or from sable to red.  Some of the distinguishing face features for the Alaskan Malamute are bar/mask on the face, and head cap.  The Alaskan Malamute was recognized by AKC in 1935.

Alaskan Malamute

Dogs In The Working Group

The Akita is listed first alphabetically in the Working Group.  The Akita originated in Japan.  This breed is large, powerful, and alert.  Not only do they do well in the show ring; they are performance achievers and do therapy work.  They have a thick double coat; with colors ranging from white, brindle, and pinto.  The Akita is easily recognized by their beautiful plush tail that curls over their back.  The Akita was recognized by AKC in 1972. 

Akita

Specialty Clubs

Do you ever wonder why some states have several specialty clubs for one specific breed?  Look at California; there are 6 Saint Bernard Clubs. Then look at Texas; there is one.  Texas is bigger than California yet it only has one Saint Bernard Club.  Granted the population for California is larger than Texas.  Is there some incredibly large amount of individuals in the state of California that own Saint Bernards? 

Unfortunately I think the reason for so many clubs is quite simply too many people don't get along.  The sad thing is all specialty clubs struggle.  Memberships continue to decline in these clubs as well.  Membership participation for activities within the clubs is limited as well. So what is the answer?  Consolidation would be wise for some of these clubs; but the likelihood of that occurring is very low. 

Some of these clubs have been successful with putting on a cluster of shows together.  However if your club gets stuck with a Thursday, Friday or Monday show; your entry will be lower than the weekend shows.  A benefit for the clubs doing a cluster is sharing the cost of putting on the show.

It is not just Saint Bernard Clubs that are struggling; other breed specific clubs are in the same boat.  Often you hear that only four to five individuals are helping at a specialty show.  It is the same thing at club meetings, many don't have a quorum so they cannot even conduct club business.    Some clubs are so small that a quorum consists only of 4 individuals. 

I don't think there are any easy answers for this situation.  In the process more of these clubs will cease to exist.  A club needs members and members that are willing to be actively involved.  Some veteran members are burned out; they have been involved in their club for many years. 

I wish all these clubs well.  I hope at some point they can have congenial and productive conversations with one another.  None of us want to be on a sinking ship with no life-preservers.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Judging Dilemma

If the terms of the confidential contract between a club and a judge are broken; then judging assignments can be lost.  This affects both parties; the club and the judge for future judging assignments.  One party may be viewed as breaking contract terms; and the other party may be viewed as canceling  judging assignments.  Either scenario can hurt individuals or clubs for future events. 

It also seems to cause unnecessary friction between clubs.  Blaming another club for choosing a replacement judge that has a future or past judging assignment with their club; is quite simply misplaced anger.  Put yourself in their position; due to uncontrollable circumstances they have to replace a judge and they have to act quickly.  They go to AKC and are told that there is a 30 day window with judging assignments.  The club looking for a replacement does not have access to the confidential contract between another club and a judge.  So they have no way of knowing that their contract terms are different from AKC's. 

These last minutes changes are posted outside the show rings before the competition begins.  Exhibitors have the option to pull their entry and have their money refunded.

I am surprised at how angry people can become with this situation.  Judging replacements is not something that happens often but it does happen.  So in some cases; the judge that stepped in last minute to help a club; loses a future judging assignment. 

The American Kennel Club might want to include in their advice with last minute judging replacements; that the judge check their past and future assignment contracts to see if  there are any time constraints and especially if they differ from AKC's. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Judging Dilemma

Has your Specialty Show been faced with a last minute judging change?  It can happened to any Club putting on a Specialty.  There will always be uncontrollable circumstances; so the key is to be prepared and act quickly. 

First off make sure any judge change in the roster has the American Kennel Club approval.  You will find that AKC will help you through the process and in a timely manner. 

You should consider that when choosing a replacement judge; you need to check and see what, when, and if the judge you are considering has other judging assignments.  Individual clubs have contracts with the judges for their Shows/Specialties.  The details of these contracts are between the individual clubs and their judge choice.  They may require that the judge not have any other judging assignments during a specified time period in relation to the date of their show.  In some cases this time period may be longer than what the American Kennel Club uses. 

The contracts between an individual club and a judge are confidential.  So if your club is considering a judge that has a future or past judging assignment within a year of your show date; make sure that the judge is eligible to judge your event. Simply ask them to verify that they are eligible to judge by looking at the contracts they have signed with other clubs.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Important Days In March

Here is a list of some important days in the month of March:

• March 10th - Daylight Savings Time
• March 17th - St. Patrick's Day
• March 20th - First Day of Spring
• March 31st - Easter

Don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour on March 10th, 2013

St. Patrick's Day - March 17th, 2013

First Day Of Spring - March 20th, 2013

Happy Easter - March 31st, 2013