It really is hard to top the venue (and weather) at the George Allen Field in Long Beach, California. The return of Great Western Terrier, Beverly Hills and Long Beach there was welcomed by one and all. Even the pall cast by the worry over AB 1634 paled in comparison to the three days of great dog shows. But be assured that 1634 was at the fore of most people's minds and never ignored nor forgotten about. AKC had legislative seminars on the topic on both all-breed show 
mornings, and the CDOC booth set-up right next to the Bradshaw booth was a constant reminder of our ongoing struggle. Several legislators from Long Beach were in attendance, and all the Long Beach newspapers carried stories telling our side! So not only was this an opportunity to show off our sport so well but plenty of positive politicking was going on, pressing for the defeat of AB 1634.
The first day was Long Beach—actually, on Thursday there was a Cavalier specialty. I understand the breed will hold its National on that site next year. Not to be missed is my thinking. The grounds were set up magnificently, with Bradshaw's shiny new ring dividers adding greatly to the setting. The grass was in magnificent condition, and the rings level and large. One could not ask for better arrangements. Entries were over 2,000 and were dominated by terriers, what with Great Western being held on Sunday. But Toys were there in large numbers, too, as the fast-developing Toy Club of Southern California makes a strong statement on the grounds on Sunday. Why more group and specialty shows aren't held on Sunday is somewhat of a mystery, particularly when some clubs hold nighttime specialties instead. If I had my way, nighttime specialties after all-breeds would be banned altogether.
The final line-up of Friday evening was really magnificent, with the GordonSetter from the East Coast a standout. So you see, breeds other than terriers can be awarded Best on so-called “terrier weekends.” The next day, another East Coast dog prevailed—this time the Sealy, 
which point-wise is the top terrier in the country so far this year. I did not think the terrier group was as strong at Beverly Hills as it was either the day before at Long Beach or at Great Western the next day. Great Western was awarded to the aforementioned Sealy. You know some judges are merely approvers of other judges' opinions, whilst others can discover and find new and interesting exhibits. Similarly, consistency in type can turn questionable. Sealys have been prominent in the show ring for the past several years, and without taking sides—and I assure you I'm not—it's hard to think of two different types of Sealys winning under the same people as is happening now. Years ago, in Afghans, I asked Mrs. Clark how she could have put up to a group one a certain dog on the West Coast and an Afghan of a totally different type on the East Coast. Her answer didn't satisfy me then, and still doesn't to this day. It revolved around “the competition at hand.” Well, caliber of competition is obviously extremely important in determining a decision, but the type remains the same, to my mind anyway.Either you approve of a type or you do not—the caliber of competition notwithstanding. Perhaps one of the most competitive breeds all three days was in Scotties, where there were many, many top winners. In my opinion, the types of these winners were all over the lot. I'm not saying which I liked, merely that it was an interesting education to see the differences in the type within the breed.
Sunday was Great Western, with, thank heaven, no back-to-back. I think I have attended GW for the past 21 years, and while it was hard to top Pasadena and its park, I enjoyed this show as much as any I have seen. Someone said to me it was my “milieu.” Well, I'm happy to say it was, and I did not miss the back-to-backs one iota.
I think that in the rush to announce the World Challenge Cup, to be held at the AKC/Eukanuba Championship Show, detail was sacrificed for immediacy.The conditions to participate are still not clear. This competition must not determine eligibility based upon food fed! This problem has yet to be worked out. It is the worth of the dog that should be considered for eligibility, not the food fed to it by its owner. There are other factors to consider. Why doesFCI have any input whatsoever? Why not work directly with each individual country's 
kennel club? Is it that in Europe, Eukanuba has signed a contract to work with FCI and no other food company? Certainly in certain South American and Latin countries, this is not the case. And what kind of door does this open to FCI in America? I'm told none, but I find it hard to accept. The British press calls the show a cooperation between Eukanuba, The FCI, and the AKC. They show pictures of the Eukanuba representative, the FCI representative, and the AKC representative at the Zagreb show jointly holding a press conference. Not how I would handle this special event, that's for sure! •
