|
Unaligned News For The Dog Show Fancy
|
|
Unaligned News For The Dog Show Fancy
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Kalamazoo, Michigan, June 19, 2006 – The record number of spectators that filled the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds this past weekend were treated to the diversity and enthusiasm that was displayed by the wide variety of dogs competing in the 13th annual United Kennel Club Premier™ Dog Show.
United Kennel Club wants to thank all of the sponsors of the Top
Ten Finals and Premier. Dog World magazine for their
continued support of the Top Ten Finals and Nestle Purina
|
Words from Wayne Cavanaugh - President and owner of United Kennel Club;
PREMIER 2006 – Well Done!
They came from every corner of the United States and Canada – foreign visitors, international judges, and most importantly, lots of terrific dogs! We had hoped PREMIER 2006 would break every previous record, but we weren’t quite expecting a complete shattering of PREMIER’s personal bests.
By Saturday at noon, the stream of spectators was simply incredible. To all of us, this meant one thing – a great opportunity for our devoted UKC enthusiasts to inform the public about their breeds, their event, and a good dose of responsible dog ownership. As we have come to expect, the UKC faithful did just that. The spectators made a point to let the UKC staff know how much they enjoyed the hospitality, time and enthusiasm of the exhibitors. Thank you all. You are, without a doubt, our dog’s best ambassadors!
The events were full of applause and spontaneity. A great moment occurred Friday evening when the ringside gallery for the Top Ten Finals decided it would be a great time to do the wave! Why not? We are celebrating dogs here! Well done!
The big difference was not just the size of the entry and the spectator attendance; the big difference was the quality of the dogs, and the variety and scope of the events. I was thrilled to see the cross-bred dogs competing in performance events. I also enjoyed seeing some of our newer breeds do so well in all forums. We saw some amazing performances in Agility, Obedience, Weight Pull, Terrier Racing and Dog Sport events. You educated and entertained – a great combination! The important thing is the dog world got to see our motto come to life over and over again: “Our dogs do stuff!” The premise of the Total Dog was apparent for all to see. Continuing to promote this philosophy and make it a core part of our breeding programs only means better, healthier, more balanced and athletic dogs for America. UKC breeders get it. You rock.
Some of you may know I am not exactly a stranger to public speaking. For some reason, though, every year when it comes time to introduce the Total Dog participants, even though I try to convince myself otherwise, I cannot help but sound like an emotional blabbering fool when the dogs and handlers enter the ring. A Treeing Walker with hunt and show titles gave it a go with the Dog Sport crew. Breeds not exactly famous for size racked up big numbers in weight pull to qualify. Breeds thought of as, um, stubborn, showed their stuff in obedience and conformation. We saw young exhibitors and seasoned, new and experienced, all showing what dedication to training and breeding can do. No one can ever say Total Dogs are objects who get ignored until show day – there is no way you play in these UKC events without spending huge amounts of time with your dog. To me at least, the Total Dog presentation will always be the heart and soul of PREMIER. One could say they are the UKC. In fact, I just did.
Of course, we could never have these events without the amazing energy and hard work of the groups that run them. From the Trail Creek Dog Training Club of LaPorte, Indiana (Agility), to Trial and Error of Kalamazoo (Obedience); from the Service Dogs of America out of Tennessee, to the Great Lakes Weight Pullers of Michigan; from the American Rat Terrier Association based out of Connecticut, and the conformation stewards and to the many breed specialty clubs, our appreciation. Our hats are off to you! PREMIER could never happen without you.
If you were there, I don’t have to tell you how proud we are of the UKC staff. They not only get it done, they do so with the right spirit and grace. I am blessed with the most loyal and dedicated staff of dog lovers on the planet, and I will never take that for granted.
With a concerted effort by Purina and Dog World as sponsors, the many dog clubs and the staff, the UKC dogs and the exhibitors were able to shine. Together, it made 2006 the most memorable PREMIER in history. For many of us, it is indeed the best celebration of dogs anywhere and the greatest dog show on earth. And now, if we may beg your pardon, I believe the staff and I will take a little nap.
Click Here for FREE SUBSCRIPTION to
The DogPress Headlines
and FREE LISTING in the Dog-e-Book
** SHOW COMMITTEES ** Send Show Reports to contact@thedogpress.com
If it's too hot to handle, send it to contact@thedogpress.com
Show
Shots
UKC
Top Ten Competition began on Thursday with three hundred
twenty-eight invitees representing each breed’s top-ten dogs
competing for the distinction of being named UKC Premier Top Ten
Winner. Friday, Saturday and Sunday featured a combined 4,064
entries in one hundred twenty-one different breeds, all vying
for top UKC awards in conformation, agility, obedience, weight
pull, terrier racing and dog sport events throughout the
weekend. A complete listing of the event results and winners is
available at 
Wayne Cavanaugh, President and owner of
United Kennel Club, notes that, “This year highlighted the
diversity and quality that we strive for at UKC. We had a very
strong showing for each of our breed groups, which made for a
truly competitive event showcasing the best each breed has to
offer. I’m very pleased with the educational opportunities of
the huge spectator turn-out who were treated to a great variety
of breeds performing in a wide scope of activities, a trademark
for a successful UKC event. For all of us at UKC, the highlight
of the weekend was the UKC Total Dog presentation. This year we
applauded one hundred and fifteen Total Dogs participants for
their excellence in competing in more than one UKC event type at
Premier.” 
The
UKC strives to provide events that are competitive and fun for
the competitors but also enjoyable and educational for the
spectators. The UKC Premier™ Dog Show provides both the
novice and experienced dog enthusiasts the opportunity to get
close to the action and enjoy the beauty and grace of pure bred
dogs in action. 
for their outstanding support in making this year’s the most
successful Top Ten & Premier event in UKC history. UKC
applauds the terrific dogs, dedicated exhibitors, the sponsors,
and dogs clubs that work together to help UKC take the daily
dog-walk to the next step; at United Kennel Club, “Our Dogs Do
Stuff!”