Westminster

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Originally Posted by Freedom

That PBGV should have taken the Group.

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You think? I loved the Wirehaired Dachsund.

What's your toy vote?

Sorry I was off line.

I wanted the Affenpinscher for the Toy, but that is cuz he is from the next town over (Seekonk, Mass) and I love the little "Monkey Dog!" He heee

I wanted the Bichon for the Non-Sporting Group, I am sure you are quite surprised at that! I can't believe the Bichon didn't even make Group 4, though, he has been a high favorite on FB all day -- with my 800+ FB friends, lol. He was the fave to win the breed as well, in spite of the fact that 2 of the FB group owned 2 other bichons in the breed!

I watched it tonight (husband nearly fell asleep, lol). I thought it was awesome that the Norwegian Lundehund is recognized by the AKC now. I've always found that breed fascinating and coming from a country with plenty of puffins, I can totally imagine how handy they would be with fetching puffins. I've never seen one back home though and as far as I know they have never used dogs for puffin hunting in the Faroes...

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to seeing the terriers tomorrow! :)

I'm bummed - didn't get to see any except about the first 15 minutes of the hounds. Had a whopping headache, so took some Excedrin and laid down on the bed to watch, and next thing I know, it was 3:30 a.m. :(

Did I hear correctly (during the piece about the Norwegian puffin dog) that dogs don't have clavicles? But the puffin dog does. I still can't quite wrap my head around that! Dogs don't have clavicles. But they have a rib cage, of course.

So there's a new dog fan at my mom and dad's house -- my dad! He was smiling and laughing right along with my mom and me. When the Xolo dog came on - The dog was in his stack as the judge examined him. My dad said the dog looked like an Aztec statue. My mom said he looked very serious and strong. His coat reminded me of fine leather.

My mom and dad have a neighbor who has two fluffy white dogs. After seeing the dog show last night I think they might be American Eskimo dogs. Their names are Lucy and Schroeder :) Lucy is a happy extrovert who lets me pet her every time I see them, but Schroeder is shy. They are beautiful! They get white dog hair all over my coat, but I don't have a problem with that!

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Originally Posted by cassiesmom

Did I hear correctly (during the piece about the Norwegian puffin dog) that dogs don't have clavicles? But the puffin dog does. I still can't quite wrap my head around that! Dogs don't have clavicles. But they have a rib cage, of course.

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Most breeds don't have clavicles, but the Norwegian Lundehund does, and it also has extra toes, which enable it to spread it's front legs further apart for better gripping and climbing on the rocks to hunt puffins. Puffins, those funny little birds, are now protected in Norway, so they don't get used for hunting any more, but they still retain those abilities!

I'm watching it now because I had to dvr it due to work. My vote is on the cairn for the big win, even though terriers haven't been done yet. I was very disappointed by the german shepherd though. It had a terrible gait and at one point when they showed its mouth open it didn't look like its bite aligned right. How a breed that's bred to trip over its own feet to be of show standard becomes a grand champion is beyond me. I did like that briard though.

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Originally Posted by Karen

Most breeds don't have clavicles, but the Norwegian Lundehund does, and it also has extra toes, which enable it to spread it's front legs further apart for better gripping and climbing on the rocks to hunt puffins. Puffins, those funny little birds, are now protected in Norway, so they don't get used for hunting any more, but they still retain those abilities!

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The Lundehund seemed to have his front feet turned out a little bit, too. What a cutie!

And Captain and Monicanhonda -- I thought of you when I saw the dalmatian! :D

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Originally Posted by wolf_Q

Of course you don't need reminding.....but clearly lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of people do considering how many animals are turned into shelters, killed in shelters, allowed to breed, etc. every single day. I think the commercials were well done, they should be there, and people do need to be reminded whether they want to be or not.

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I agree 100% Amy. A event that features animals that we all love, the very best of the best ,who have all advantages humans can give them,
should also shine a little light on those animals less fortunate who lack even the basics of a good life.

I personally don't enjoy seeing pictures of starving children at Christmas time, or Thanksgiving either, but it's good to be reminded of those
less fortunate. They shouldn't be forgotten because it hurts us to see them.

Don't want to argue or ruin this thread, just wanted to say what I thought about redirecting the focus of the show by
changing sponsers. The end.

Attachment 52630

Nuff said....;)

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Originally Posted by IRescue452

I'm watching it now because I had to dvr it due to work. My vote is on the cairn for the big win, even though terriers haven't been done yet. I was very disappointed by the german shepherd though. It had a terrible gait and at one point when they showed its mouth open it didn't look like its bite aligned right. How a breed that's bred to trip over its own feet to be of show standard becomes a grand champion is beyond me. I did like that briard though.

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It's funny, because I actually noticed the Shepherds gait seemed a bit weird to me. :confused:

I enjoyed the dog show, watched it last night. LOVED that Dalmatian and its cute spots around each eye. The herding group has always been my favorite, they had some beautiful dogs!!

My guess for winner for Best in Show was wrong! I won't say which dog won, because I don't want to play the spoiler, but I didn't make the right pick. But it was a lot of fun to watch and try to guess which one the judge might choose.

I had very good intentions to stay awake till the very end. They were into the 2nd half of the terrier class & there was the advertisements so I thought I will just close my eyes for a little bit. I work up at 10:30 after the news & didn't find out till this morning on the Today show who the winner was.

I was wrong too. It wasn't the year of the cairn. Malachy is tough to beat. He's got so many best in shows. I feel bad when dogs with so many best in shows keep showing. Obviously he's a perfect example of the breed, but you can't keep a breeding line going with just one dog. After so many wins you should back down and let others win. Lots of breeders keep showing and showing once their dog has hundreds of wins though. Its the competition to be the top breeder rather than just to assure your dogs fit the standard.

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Originally Posted by IRescue452

I was wrong too. It wasn't the year of the cairn. Malachy is tough to beat. He's got so many best in shows. I feel bad when dogs with so many best in shows keep showing. Obviously he's a perfect example of the breed, but you can't keep a breeding line going with just one dog. After so many wins you should back down and let others win. Lots of breeders keep showing and showing once their dog has hundreds of wins though. Its the competition to be the top breeder rather than just to assure your dogs fit the standard.

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I hate to put this on a monetary basis, but my family used to be involved in (for a short time) breeding Irish Setters; the more wins, the more the dog can demand for a fee for breeding as well as pups. These were our family dogs, and much loved, but it was also a business. Besides that, the shows are a lot of fun, and it's a whole social scene. You should have SEEN my mother prep for Westminster! ...and I mean HER, not just the dogs! :)

I was for the Setter; obviously. ;)

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Originally Posted by Pinot's Mom

I hate to put this on a monetary basis, but my family used to be involved in (for a short time) breeding Irish Setters; the more wins, the more the dog can demand for a fee for breeding as well as pups. These were our family dogs, and much loved, but it was also a business. Besides that, the shows are a lot of fun, and it's a whole social scene. You should have SEEN my mother prep for Westminster! ...and I mean HER, not just the dogs! :)

I was for the Setter; obviously. ;)

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And that Setter had 15 babies back in April!! She got back in shape very fast :)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...2/68095317.jpg
This is from the Chicago Tribune online photo gallery about Westminster. I think the expression on the dog's face is so sweet!

It must be hard to judge Best in Show. I was kinda disappointed yet another toy breed won, they just seem to win so many! And It's hard to even think of that Peke as a real dog, while he may be "perfect" by show standards, he moves pretty slowly, and it's hard to tell what his body looks like under all that long hair! You know me, I would have given ribbons to all of them! They're all good dogs, loved by their people.

I made sure to watch all the dog-related and sponsor's commercials, and waited for them to mention shelter and adoptions, but they did not. I will be writing to them, and Westminster - after all the theme song for their commercial could have been about mixed breeds and shelter dogs as well, and just mentioning a couple sentences could have made a big difference!