Posted on May 16, 2012 in People
The Best in Show ribbon at a dog show is awarded to one of 7 dogs. The winning dog from each group is represented in the BIS competition – sporting, non-sporting, toy, terrier, working, hound, and herding groups. At this point, all 7 dogs are winners and are worthy of the BIS ribbon. How does the judge ever choose a winner? On Saturday at the Chester Valley Kennel Club show, the BIS judge was Jean Fournier and her daunting task was to select a winner from these breeds: the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Whippet, Airedale Terrier, Papillion, Bulldog, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Who did she select for BIS? Stay tuned tomorrow to see the winner. In the blog images Jean is signing the judges book and noting who won BIS – a well guarded secret until she makes her announcement!
Posted on May 11, 2012 in Animals, People, Pet Photography
Hopefully all of my dog show images have piqued your interest and you might want to attend a show yourself this summer. Spectators are always welcome! You can find lists of dog shows in your area by visiting the infodog website where you can search for dog shows by state. Here’s a link: http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm
If you plan to attend a show, plan to go early and stay late so you can see as many breeds as possible. Pick up a judging program at the superintendent’s desk when you arrive so that you can see which breeds will be shown in which ring and at what time. Bring folding chairs and sunscreen if it’s an outdoor show! Always ask the owner or handler if you may pet a dog before doing so! Have fun and be prepared to oooh and ahhhh over the wonderful dogs that you will see! And if you see me out there taking photos, stop by and say Hi! 🙂 [The blog image features a Bloodhound with his favorite stuffed cat at the Bucks County Kennel Club show last weekend!]
Posted on May 10, 2012 in Animals, People, Pet Photography
I just couldn’t take my eyes off of this scene at the Bucks County Kennel Club dog show last Saturday. It was early afternoon and the Salukis were in the ring. Seated ringside in a red folding chair was an older gentleman. Seated directly in front of him was his dog. The dog was resting his or her paw on the man’s hand and staring at him so sweetly. The man and his dog sat in that position for a very long time – both enjoying just being together! It was definitely “a moment”. A loving connection between man and dog.
Posted on May 8, 2012 in Animals, People, Pet Photography
Sometimes a caption pops into my head the minute that I see an image. Like this one for example. I don’t know the Border Collie’s call name, but his registered name is “Mount View Blitzen”. This image takes me back to the days in grade school when the teacher would come up to an unsuspecting student, put their hand in just this location and say, “Spit out the gum, NOW!!”
Posted on May 6, 2012 in Animals, People, Pet Photography
I just started to download images from yesterday’s Bucks County Kennel Club show in Erwinna, Pa. There were 2,243 dogs entered into the show and I think every single one of them was happy to be outdoors instead of at an indoor show hall! So much to sniff in the big outside world! This is one of my very favorite outdoor shows of the year! Tinnicum Park is enormous with huge tents and even chairs – woo hoo! Being outdoors also affords a better opportunity for movement images as I’m not limited by the low light conditions indoors. Here’s a Tibetan Terrier trotting around the ring with an extra spring in her step!