“There are lots of dog show magazines and newspapers out there already all over the U.S., so why do we want to start one more?” That was the question Bo Bengtson asked in the opening pages of the February 1997 inaugural issue of Dogs in Review. The answer seemed to be an easy one, and Bo continued, “Well, all those publications focus very heavily on advertising, and when they do have a good article it’s hidden under so many ads that you can hardly find it.” From the beginning, Bo and co-publisher and co-founder Paul Lepiane believed that there was a core of dedicated dog people who wanted more — more information, more facts, more than just a glossy catalog of ads. And from the beginning, DR was well-received by many, from the most highly respected people in the sport all the way to new folks who wanted to learn more.

Also in that first issue, Ferelith Somerfield, Chairman of the Board of the world-renowned English weekly newspaper Dog World and a respected international judge, welcomed the new dog paper with the declaration that “it is not going to be just another glossy magazine, it is going to be a newspaper, with the emphasis on news.” She went on to say that, “Of course, newspapers are far more than just news.  (Breeders) will want to have guidance on (the) practicalities of actually breeding, whelping and rearing puppies. Exhibitors will want to know how they can condition and get the best out of their dogs. Budding judges will want to know about judging, and committee members about what they should be doing for their clubs.” And she was right.  Naysayers who said the sport didn’t need one more publication didn’t reckon on the fact that what the sport did need was a different kind of publication... exactly the kind that Dogs in Review strived to be.

In the beginning Dogs in Review was called a “newspaper” owing to its large 105/8 x 133/8 size and the heavy newspaper-type stock on which it was printed. The primary photo on each cover was, from day one, of dog only, and early on the entire table of contents also appeared on the cover, sometimes with news items found there as well. The original concept was that each issue would carry an equal ratio of ads to editorial — 50 percent of each. The staff of DR was small — Bo and Paul as co-publishers, Bo as editor, and Fran Reisman, who had worked with Bo and Paul on Afghan Hound Review, Sighthound Review and Poodle Variety, was office and accounts manager. The staff was rounded out with Alex Feldman, a college student who worked in the office part-time. From the first issue, Anne Rogers Clark contributed her “Annie On…” column covering all aspects of the sport from her vast store of knowledge and experience and it was an immediate and enduring favorite.  Smooth Fox Terrier breeder Harold Nedell, along with Frank Pieterse, the comically gifted Aussie judge, were in from the first issue as was the other fancier who tickled funny bones, Robin Stark. Show reports, breed standard comparisons from around the world, health news and an amazing variety of other items and information filled each issue and the fancy responded enthusiastically with an equally amazing number of letters.

News, Interviews, Letters and More

That first issue also included a critique of the recent Spaniel Club show from Best in Show judge Michele Billings, who awarded the top prize to the red English Cocker Ch. Blarney’s Divil Made Me Do It, shown by Karen Prickett Miller for breeder owner Anita Berkey. The Top Dog in Great Britain was reported to be the Yorkie, Ch. Ozmilion Mystification, breeder-owner-handled by Osman Sameja. Paula Heikkinen-Lehkonen reported from Scandinavia, and Bo Bengtson wrote about his visit to Sylvia Hammarstrom’s world-famous Skansen kennel. “World in Review” at that time consisted of news briefs from around the world.  The letters section, dubbed “Bark Back/Sound Off,” was full of congratulations and best wishes on the new venture from many in the sport, including Muriel Newhauser, Bill Bergum, Ken McDermott, Joan Ludwig, Betty-Anne Stenmark, George and Sally Bell, Pat Gellerman, Kitty Steidel and Kate Romanski.

A number of the advertisers who appeared in that first 48-page issue, with only 20 pages of dog ads, have continuously supported the magazine throughout its 10 years, including Jean Heath and Bill Cosby, Janet Lange, Dr. Barbara Henderson, Patty Moulthrop and handlers Bill and Taffe McFadden, Timothy Brazier and Clint Livingston.

The second issue of DR,  March, reported that Best in Show at Westminster was the Standard Schnauzer shown by Doug Holloway, Ch. Parsifal Di Casa Netzer, imported from Italy and owned by Rita Holloway and his breeder, Gabriel Del Torre. Included in the issue were critiques from each of the Group and Best in Show judges. Along with lots of other great reading, past Best in Show winners Peter Green, Andy Linton and Dennis McCoy told DR how it feels to win Westminster. The issue also included Betty-Anne Stenmark writing advice to novices with their first show dogs, and the German Shepherd Dog Breed Forum.

In April DR reported that the Number 1 dog in Britain, the Yorkie, was the Crufts Best in Show winner. Judge Terry Thorn provided a written critique and British Dog World’s Simon Parsons reported on the show. The 15’’ Beagle Ch. Just-Wright Swashbuckler, owned by Roy and Jo Ann Kusumoto, bred and co-owned by Julie Wright and shown by Heather Alderson, was on the cover.  The magazine also reported that David Ramsey of the famous Willow Wind Bedlingtons had been charged with cruelty to animals in Warwick, R.I., a story that would remain in the dog press for some time to come. Paula Heikkinen-Lehkonen reported from Russia on the Eurasia show, where Best in Show was Miniature Poodle Ch. Canmoy’s Sextra.  Pamela Renai della Rena wrote about Richard Hellman and the Akita-Inu, Seihoh-Go of Juntai Doh, and his 21st international Best in Show, the Nordic Winner Show in Finland, under America’s own Dr. Harry Smith. U.S. show reports included critiques from Group and Best in Show judges. More letters poured in, including those from Jan Reital, Ken Falconi, Dee Hutchinson, Pat and Judy Doniere, Don Jones and Arlene Davis.

The May 1997 cover featured the Sheltie, Ch. Zion’s Man About Town, owned by Madeleine Griffin-Cone and Christopher Cone, while the Breed Forum focused on the Chinese Crested. Sadly, the August/September issue brought the news of the passing of three Westminster winners — the Wire Fox Terrier Ch. Random Reaction, the Group winner just five months earlier, died from cancer in July. The 1992 Best in Show winner Ch. Registry’s Lonesome Dove also died during the summer, to be followed by the Doberman bitch, Ch. Royal Tudor’s Wild As The Wind, who was Best at Westminster in 1989. That issue also included the English Cocker Breed Forum, a huge success with contributions from eight judges from the U.S. and Finland plus twelve breeders. Jim Reynolds provided his critique of the 1997 National, and Mrs. Clark devoted her column to the breed with which she had been very involved. Coverage of the 1997 World Show in Puerto Rico included ads from Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Chile and Brazil, and along with reporting from the European Winner show DR had ads from France, Norway and Sweden. To top off an already great issue, DR had a marvelous interview with Corky and Sue Vroom.

In the October 1997 issue Richard Beauchamp came on board, marking the beginning of a great partnership between Rick and DR. An American Standard Poodle, Ch. Graphic American Dream, bred by Florence Graham, was Best in Show at Melbourne Royal. Dave Ramsey told his side of the story regarding the trials surrounding himself and the Willow Wind kennel. Simon Parsons’ monthly offering from the U.K. became “Best of Britain,” and the issue also included six pages of photos, critiques, and a bit of history about Somerset Hills and Westchester. The Basenji Breed Forum was educational, and included a contribution by Damara Bolte, among others.

In November 1997 Ruth Cooper passed away. Ruthie was, as DR reported, “one of America’s most successful and popular exhibitors,” whose Norwich Terriers and Wires had won Montgomery County five times, and Best in Show at Westminster in 1994. The Breed Feature in that issue was Shetland Sheepdogs. By December it was clear that DR was going to be a success.

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