I’ve been a Bull Terrier fan for quite a long time.  Back when I was in College, I took a photography class [loved it!] and the darkroom was in the same building as the performing arts center.  There was a White Bull Terrier that was part of the production in rehearsal at the time and when he wasn’t on stage, he was back by the darkroom with the students.  I loved to visit with that adorable dog.  Then of course I fell in love with Rufus, the Colored Bull Terrier who won Best in Show at Westminster in 2006.  This past weekend I photographed this Colored Bull Terrier that was in the Group Judging at the Lebanon County Kennel Club Show in Harrisburg, Pa.  His handler was giving him a neck massage while they were waiting in the ring … then a hug and a kiss!  This dog reminds me so much of Rufus…I wonder if they are related?

The Sporting Group was judged by Mrs. Jean Fournier on Friday at the Lebanon County Kennel Club Show and in this image she handles the English Setter.  What a tough job the judges have!  They need to be knowledgeable about the “standards” for each breed – that is, the description of the ideal specimen of that breed as far as their form & function [appearance, movement, temperament, and physical traits].  They examine the dogs from tip to tail and then see them move around the ring before making their decision.  I love to watch the process they go through to narrow the group, sometimes rearranging the dogs, or having 2 or 3 dogs stand side by side for comparison.  Some judges make their decisions quickly while others take longer, increasing the suspense!  All in all, from a spectator’s standpoint, it’s great fun to watch!

Move over Snooki…the next big reality TV star will be a pug named Viona!!  I met Viona at the Harrisburg Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday.  When I took her picture, her owner said, “Hang on to that photo because she is going to be famous!”  Turns out that Viona is on an upcoming episode of the A&E reality TV show called “Parking Lot Wars” filmed in Philadelphia.  (She played herself!)  So if you are a fan of that show, be sure and keep an eye open for Viona!  Geez…I guess I should have gotten her “paw-tograph”!!  🙂

A frame filled with fur…that’s what I envisioned when I stopped to photograph these two beautiful Keeshonds at the Harrisburg Kennel Club Dog Show yesterday.   What a fun 2-days of photography I had…I was in heaven photographing so many beautiful dogs!  First the Lebanon County Show on Friday and then the Harrisburg Kennel Club Show Saturday – both held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa.  Unfortunately the rains came yesterday and caused flooding at the show site and so today and tomorrow’s shows have been cancelled.  It was a little hectic late yesterday afternoon when the parking lot started to flood and announcements were made to move all vehicles to higher ground.  There is a creek behind the complex that overflowed due to heavy rains.  I pray that all attendees made it home safe & sound.  Now I have over 1100 images to sort through and process….stay tuned for LOTS of fun photos of some of the cutest dogs in the world!

I loved this scene when I saw it today at the Lebanon County Kennel Club Dog Show in Harrisburg, Pa.  The vendor was selling dog-related artwork and right in the front of his booth was a Boxer….sound asleep in front of a painting of 2 dogs.  Selling artwork is really exhausting!