The Gossip Column: February 11, 2022
ANN VIKLUND, the eyes, ears and face of Purina® Pro Plan® at dog shows across the country, has announced her retirement. All of us at DOG NEWS send our very best wishes as she enters this next stage of her life. We also thank her for all the help and kindness she has shown to all of us here at DOG NEWS and to fanciers around the country. ...
It seems to be a universally popular decision that the 146th WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB dog show will be returning to the LYNDHURST ESTATE in June. ...
This year’s WESTMINSTER Best in Show judge DONALD STURZ is off to judge in Mexico City. ...
After spending several well-deserved uninterrupted months at home, PATTI PROCTOR, the recently retired head of the AKC field representatives, has left the frigid weather of New England for a sunny holiday in Florida. Now that she has adjusted to her new lifestyle, hopefully we will be getting to see her on a regular basis. ...
ANGELA & KIM BOOTH are off again on another safari. This time their travels, fortunately with camera in tow, will take them to Tanzania. ...
Pomeranian breeder and exhibitor VIKKI OELERICH suffered a bad fall at home, seriously injuring her back. She is in the hospital while they stabilize her injury. VIKKI is a vital part of DOG NEWS’ work with the PURINA® PRO PLAN® SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER. She has the task of getting all the information and photographs of the winners in every category. Sometimes that is a long and tedious process. But at the end of all that work, she is the beautiful smiling face greeting the guests at the door of GOTHAM HALL, where the dinner is held. All of us at DOG NEWS wish her a full and speedy recovery. ...
Like many before him, JACK SECREST is the becoming the newest member of the Knee Replacement Club. Listen to the words of the Greek chorus: “Do your rehab.” ...
Interesting article in the Tuesday, February 8, NEW YORK TIMES, written by TED ALCORN. A team of researchers reported in a recent study that the DNA responsible for small dogs is likely to be older that a variation that contributes to large size. According to DR. ELAINE OSTRANDER there is not one gene that determines a dog’s size, but approximately 25. The first known dog-size gene, which was found in 2007, is called IGFI. According to one those scientific studies in which there is no final conclusion, it is a significant gene but its effect on size isn’t clear. Another study by DR. JOCELYN PLASSAIS, doing research at the National Institutes of Health and now working in France, found IGFI-AS comes in two variants. Two large variants make a big dog, while two small variants make a small dog; dogs that carry both, make a medium-sized dog. An interesting read, if you are into science. ...
Judge TOM WARD has passed away. Together with his wife BILLYE they bred more than 100 West Highland White Terriers under the Donnybrook prefix. In later years they added Affenpinschers to the household. TOM judged the Terrier Group and several hound breeds. We send our deepest sympathies to his wife BILLYE and family. Reading his obituary, I found it touching that the family requested that instead of sending flowers that you take your dog for a walk.