Last night, Cath talked about why she was away so much this year. Let me expound a bit on that because I don’t think the achievement is as appreciated as much as I deem necessary.
As far as I know there has +never+ been a Canadian breeder/handler win the Miniature Schnauzer title for best dog in the US. Best Bitch, yes. Been there, done that…twice since I’ve been married to Cath. But best dog?
It is almost impossible for a breeder/handler to win, even as an American in the US. Double that for one six hours away from the border…if you can double ‘impossible’.
Most winners are big money owners who hire professional handlers to show the dogs every single week. Literally thousands of dollars expended and I’m not exaggerating.
What Cath is doing, right now, is extraordinary and I am so very proud of her.
This is history in the breed.
Much as her competitors really hate that….
Bravo Kate.
Simply given the disparity in population alone between the US and Canada, I had assumed this was an impressive achievement. I am a little surprised that the title “best dog in the US” can be awarded to, well, not a US dog. I assume there’s some technicalities in the rules I’m not aware of.
How many foreign (i.e., non-US) competitors are there in these things? Do you get European or Asian competitors showing dogs bred outside the US?
Yes well done, I suspect like many here I know very little about show dogs or breeds but over the years realise it gives Kate / Cath a great deal of enjoyment and she certainly looks pleased.
I didn’t know that. I don’t follow the sport at all.
But in any case that is indeed quite a feat.
Congratulations!
Terrific achievement,congratulations Kate
Congratulations to all. I can only imagine the amount of work involved.
If it helps, we had “Make Dog Shows Great Again” t-shirts made last year. They were a huge hit…
Congrats. I could tell it was hard. It wasn’t like the trips were all easy. Good to see the success of hard work.
Excellent.
Well done Kate.
CAS
Saving civilization from self destruction or breeding dogs ? Tough choice.
Given our current state looking for alternatives is probably the better idea.
Much as her competitors really hate that….
Probably a huge understatement. I expect Kate winds them up a bit too.
I can only imagine portions of what must be a highly stratified social milieu woven into the mundane complexities of the competitive dog breeders’ scene. Method / mode of travel, length of trip, arrival, check-in / registration, accommodations (dog friendly), preparations (grooming etc.), all having social implication.
And in walks…pick a name… “Bootsy” Hall, Helena Bootsy Hall of the Hall dynasty. (maiden name Schicklgruber) While beneath actionable contempt this is the one that makes victory sweeter.
Please provide descriptive amalgamation.
Congratulations Kate! Best of the best from an H-series van!
Looking at that point count, it was an impressive win. Congratulations to Kate — and to Lance for holding down the fort while Kate is away.
Congratulations Kate! Best of the best from an H-series van!
Well done, Kate, and well done to the dog too
Congratulations. Great achievement for anyone. In this case it’s like pointing out that Einstein was a great musician.
Hats off to Lance! There is nothing more honorable than a man who praises and defends his loved ones! And congrats again to Kate for the win.
Re: Breeding good conservatives.
We conservatives get in trouble when we start associating with politicians. Conservatism is a state of mind, not a membership to a party. Ever wonder why they call it a ”party??” Not hard to figure out.
As much as I mock the dog show business … it is just good natured teasing. My FIRST belief is in EXCELLENCE. And anyone who has achieved Best in Show with their breeding and training is certainly worthy of praise. I LOVE the history, cultural impetus, and maintenance of pure breed dogs. I reject the nonsensical notion that we should all embrace mutts as being a more “natural” State of canines. Rubbish. Mankind has tamed and modified nature … GMO-ed it, if you will … to make a better life for man. I am quite proud of what my species has accomplished. Way to go, Kate. Well done.
Good for you, Lance … in defending Kate’s passionate pursuit of her love and devotion. Sometimes it is necessary to give our partner the props that they will never claim for themselves … because of their own integrity. I hear your praise, and agree with it wholeheartedly.
Ooops sorry, my handle is Sask Watch, not Sask Power.
I thought UnoMio was the best b!tch?
Well, prefer hens & guinea pigs myself – but WELL DONE KATE – and the top dog 🙂
Well, prefer hens & guinea pigs myself – but WELL DONE KATE – and the top dog 🙂
Congratulations on this achievement. So glad to hear good news for a change.
Have a safe trip home.
Hi Daniel.
There isn’t a passport for the dogs, it just requires registering the dog in the appropriate kennel club, CKC in Canada, AKC in the US and so on.
Naturally the dog has to meet the requirements of the breed to be registered. Pure-breed, documented genealogy, etc.
Once registered the dog is free to compete within the country assuming it meets the the specific show requirements; colours, height, etc.
As an aside to other posters, this isn’t over. If you look at the link Kate shared last night and change the search to previous years, look at the point totals at the end of the years.
Ray has a ways to go yet before he locks in top spot and he can still get beaten so expect many more absences.
Good breeding creates Good, trying to be veery careful, Good People who know how to; dag nab it. Congratulations Kate and your publicist.
Great reward for hard work and dedication(I remember the weather during a couple of those road trips) and hope for many more…Just promise us no videos of you two dueting about Miniature Schnauzers as in “Best In Show” 🙂
Congratulations to Kate on this rare achievement. But, on the other hand, it seems like everything she does, she does well. As I recall, she had one brief gig on the CBC, doing some election commentary several years ago. She left other commentators and media people in the dust. She wrote, I think, one powerful essay in the National Post, and hers was the only piece I’ve seen to out-do Christie Blatchford and Rex Murphy. And she runs a blog that comes closer than any other media site to reflecting “what Canadians think”. You are a lucky man, Lance, and a good caretaker.