The Dog Insider About the author: Discover the eccentric, passionate world of dog shows as Allan Reznik gives you an insider’s view. Allan has been immersed in the world of purebred dogs – as an owner, breeder, dog-show exhibitor, handler, print and broadcast journalist, and occasional judge – for more than three decades. He is Editor-at-Large for Dog World and Dog Fancy, Editor-in-Chief for Dogs in Review, and appears regularly on national TV and radio to discuss all aspects of dogdom. He was one of the three celebrity judges on the CBS reality series, “Greatest American Dog.” Allan shows Tibetan Mastiffs and Tibetan Spaniels.

JUNE 3, 2010, 12:30 P.M. EDT
Those Precarious Shades of Gray

Recently a firestorm of protest swept the conformation community after Best in Show was awarded to a dog the judge had bred. The American Kennel Club dog-show rules clearly state that a dog that was owned by or lived with a judge cannot be entered and shown under that judge. More »

FEBRUARY 11, 2010, 7:00 P.M. EST
Countdown to Westminster

To diehard dog fanciers the world over, February means only one thing: the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. More »

JANUARY 21, 2010, 5:30 P.M. EST
One Year Later: The Amateur Owner-Handler Class

The AKC initiated the Amateur Owner-Handler class on January 1, 2009. The class is meant for non-champions at least six months of age which must be handled by their registered owners. More »

DECEMBER 15, 2009, 8:00 p.M. EST
Intense Competition Marks AKC/Eukanuba

Scottish Terrier Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot continued her winning ways Sunday night by marching off with Best in Show and a cash prize of $50,000 at the ninth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. “Sadie” is the frontrunner for 2009’s Top Dog all breeds. More »

DECEMBER 12, 2009, 2:00 A.M. EST
New Format for AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

I have attended all eight AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, both in California and in Florida. All have been invitational events, a huge honor extended to those dogs, breeders, owners and handlers privileged to take part. This year, there is a change in format which brings with it added excitement. More »

DECEMBER 2, 2009, 2:45 P.M. EST
Arm’s Length or Hands On?

A breeder-acquaintance of mine happens to be a glamorous and successful attorney. The dogs she breeds, however, are decidedly less glamorous and less successful. More »

NOVEMBER 18, 2009, 7:00 P.M. EST
Televised Dog Shows a Mixed Blessing

It’s a sure sign dog shows on TV have become mainstream when even your “civilian” friends consider the Kennel Club of Philadelphia canine extravaganza on NBC as much a part of Thanksgiving Day tradition as the Macy’s parade. Fellow conformation enthusiasts, we have arrived! More »

NOVEMBER 11, 2009, 6:30 P.M. EST
‘Meet the Breeds’ a Resounding Success

The American Kennel Club’s inaugural, stand-alone “Meet the Breeds” event, held October 17-18 at New York City’s Jacob Javits Center, was a huge success in every way imaginable. The AKC partnered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association to host 36,000 people over two days. More »

OCTOBER 28, 2009, 8:30 P.M. EDT
Amazing Year for Rare Dog Breeds

A friend and AKC judge just returned from the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America National Specialty, raving about the quality of both the entry and the judging that made for an exciting and rewarding experience. More »

OCTOBER 14, 2009, 7:30 P.M. EDT
Why Go to a Dog Breeder?

We conformation exhibitors take for granted the cooperative nature of our well-trained canines. But other dog owners certainly don’t and really are amazed when they see our dogs so well behaved out in public. More »

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, 4:30 P.M. EDT
Mentors and Proteges

With so much technical information to learn and interpret in the dog world, a well-chosen mentor can be of infinite help to the sincere novice. More »

SEPTEMBER 16, 2009, 2:00 P.M. EDT
Lost Opportunities

When reading old dog magazines or talking to veteran breeders, handlers and judges, you will often hear references to “benched shows” and the educational opportunities they offered exhibitors. More »

SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, 2:45 P.M. EDT
Honoring Great Breeders

I’ve just returned from the 96th and 97th annual Santa Barbara Kennel Club dog shows. This is a club steeped in tradition and the show, as always, drew high-profile exhibitors from around the country for a judging panel made up of arbiters from Canada, Mexico and Australia as well as the U.S. More »

AUGUST 19, 2009, 6:55 P.M. EDT
The Exercise of Judging

Given the subjective nature of showing dogs, it’s clear to see why judges make an easy target. No one likes admitting their dog was out of condition, having an off day, not showing at its best or displaying a fault that simply could not be overlooked. More »

AUGUST 5, 2009, 1:40 P.M. EDT
The Graying of the Sport

We’re reading a lot about the graying of our sport recently. Year in and year out, we seem to see the same faces at our shows. Many of us have chosen not to have children and those with kids seldom find them expressing any interest in sharing our hobby with us. More »

JULY 22, 2009, 8:35 P.M. EDT
Vive la Difference

I’ve just returned from visiting a breeder-exhibitor friend in Northern California who, after many years of showing a large, athletic sighthound breed with great success, is down to just a pair of sighthounds. More »

JULY 8, 2009, 12:58 P.M. EDT
Talking the Talk

All sports have their unique lingo, the shorthand that allows participants to communicate quickly and efficiently, and ours is no exception. Since many dog breed names can be long and unwieldy, shortened versions are common. More »

JUNE 24, 2009, 2:30 P.M. EDT
Breeder-Judges Vs. All-Rounders

When experienced exhibitors and professional handlers consider which upcoming dog shows they will enter, probably the most important factor that goes into their decision making is the judging panel. More »

June 10, 2009, 3:30 P.M. EDT
A Dog Show to Benefit the Community

Last Friday, we held a “demo dog show” here at the office in our parking lot that several of the dog-magazine editors at BowTie had organized. It was an unqualified success, providing both entertainment and education to a dog-friendly audience of employees who warmly embraced the opportunity to learn about purebreds and what dog shows are all about. More »

MAY 27, 2009, 11:45 A.M. EDT
Revisiting Realignment

In the fall of 2008, the AKC proposed realigning its existing seven Variety Groups into 10. One of the chief reasons for doing so was because some of the existing Groups were getting large and unwieldy. More »

MAY 13, 2009, 11:05 A.M. EDT
Where Have All the Matches Gone?

With our economy in a downturn and dog fanciers looking for resourceful ways to enjoy our sport in a more frugal way, where have our sanction matches and fun matches gone? More »

APRIL 29, 2009, 1:25 P.M. EDT
Is Your Parent Club Inclusive or Divisive?

In the past few weeks, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America probably came under as much scrutiny as the Obamas’ new puppy did. Not surprisingly, the PWDCA handled the public exposure with aplomb, welcoming the first family to the ranks of new PWD owners. More »

APRIL 15, 2009, 6:15 P.M. EDT
Training Tips for a Very Public Puppy

After many months of waiting, the Obamas are finally welcoming their new puppy to the White House. And dog-loving Americans seem only slightly less excited than the Obamas themselves. More »

April 13, 2009 3:48 P.M. EDT
The Obamas’ Choice of First Dog Goes Swimmingly

Congratulations to the Obama family for choosing a Portuguese Water Dog as its first dog ever – the official first dog. The PWD is an active and versatile breed, wonderful with children, and with a coat that shouldn’t cause Malia Obama any breathing issues. More »

April 3, 2009, 5:45 P.M. EDT
Judging Dogs on the Day – What a Concept!

Two of the world’s most prestigious dog shows – Westminster and Crufts – are now history, albeit recent history. As reports of both shows saturate the media, I find some comments made by a few seasoned dog people rather revealing about the current state of our sport. More »

March 24, 2009, 7:00 P.M. EDT
How Popular Is ‘Just Popular Enough?’

These days, I’m relieved I don’t breed Portuguese Water Dogs. Now don’t get me wrong. I love the breed. PWDs are athletic, fun-loving, and thoroughly charming dogs. It’s just that with the Obamas considering a PWD to join their household, a day hasn’t passed in many months that the breed hasn’t been mentioned in a news item online or in the press. More »

March 10, 2009, 3:00 P.M. EDT
AKC’s Proposed Group Realignment

By now, most active breeders and exhibitors are aware that the American Kennel Club has proposed a realignment of its existing seven Variety Groups. What triggered the initiative is obvious. As more breeds achieve full recognition by the AKC and start competing in dog shows, our already large seven Groups will grow even larger – and some would say even more unwieldy. More »

February 25, 2009, 6:00 P.M. EST
Obamas Closer to Deciding on First Dog

We are told the Obamas are getting closer to making a decision on the dog that will live with them in the White House, and it is the Portuguese Water Dog that appears to be the likely breed. This is great news! More »

February 23, 2009, 6:30 P.M. EST
Westminster Sends a Great Message to Dog Lovers

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show took place two weeks ago and I am still thrilled by the results. Not only was the show exciting and historic, but I think it sent a most timely message to viewers. More »

JANUARY 30, 2009, 5 P.M. EST
All Roads Lead to Westminster

If you breed and show dogs, MSG does not make you think of a flavor enhancer in Chinese food. It stands for one thing only, Madison Square Garden, the destination of dog fanciers the world over in February. More »

JANUARY 16, 2009, 1:30 P.M. EST
The Best Surprise Is No Surprise

We are told that the Obamas have narrowed down their selection of a dog to two possibilities: a Portuguese Water Dog and a labradoodle. Putting aside for the moment the fact that the labradoodle is not a breed at all but a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, it’s important to emphasize that one of the major advantages of a purebred dog is its predictability in size, coat, color, grooming requirements, and temperament. More »

January 8, 2009, 6:30 p.m. EST
The World Represented in Long Beach

Well, the eighth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is now history … and I for one think the international flavor of the two-day show was among its strongest and most appealing components. More »

December 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m. EST
Public Education at Dog Shows

It’s December and mere days away from the eighth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, Calif. I’ve had non-doggie friends mention the show to me because they’ve seen the colorful banners hanging along major streets. More »

December 4, 2008, 3:10 p.m. EST
Chill Out at an Aussie Show

It’s wonderful that Americans are now exposed to televised dog shows on a regular basis. Each and every one provides an educational opportunity for you to view the best specimens of popular and rare breeds alike, in the comfort of your living room. More »

November 14, 2008, 1:35 p.m. EST
Showing in Canada

I recently spent a very soggy but most enjoyable weekend attending the Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers show in Abbotsford, British Columbia, just outside Vancouver – the largest dog show in Canada. I flew up to Portland, Oregon, to collect my friend Dan; we packed four Tibetan Mastiffs in the van and off we drove. More »

November 13, 2008, 8:30 p.m. EST
Dog Shows: The Great Equalizer

One of the things I appreciate most about showing dogs is that it might just be the only sport that allows professionals and amateurs to compete in the same arena, on a level playing field. More »

Also, don't forget to check out Allan's expert showing and dog breed advice! Click here to go »

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