New Year's Resolution

We all know that New Year's resolutions are goals that people set for themselves to achieve in the new year – most of which last up to three months. It has also become traditional to sing Auld Lang Syne (“times long past”) as the new year is ushered in. The first three stanzas are:

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
In the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne

And surely, you will buy your cup
And surely, I'll buy mine!
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne

Certainly, I don’t think we should ever forget our old acquaintances. More correctly, this is one time of the year when we should pause to remember those who have gone before us and have helped to make our community what it is. At the same time, we should look ahead since we are now the ones who will determine what direction we will take. And do it with kindness. The breeding, improvement and preservation of our dog breeds are an admirable undertaking, and we should be proud to continue this endeavor. 

There are so many I am thankful to call my friends in our community, and so many I am proud to know. However, there are also those who seem to delight in raining on the parades of others, and only find negativity in everything. For these people, anytime they (not their dogs) don’t win, it is someone else’s fault. As we head into 2025, we all should rededicate ourselves to the thoughts expressed in a poem by Emily Dickinson:

If I can stop one heart

from breaking,

I shall not live in vain,

If I can ease one life

The Aching,

Or cool one Pain,

Or help one fainting

Robin

Unto his Nest again,

I shall not live in vain

At a time that our country seems to be more immersed in hate, mistrust and uncertainty, we can use this time to rededicate ourselves to our love and passion for our four-legged family. Let’s try and live up to the words a friend of mine ends all his emails with: I wish I were as good as my dogs think I am.

Every AKC breed standard has a section that describes what the breed’s temperament should be. In most cases, this description ranges from the fun-loving breeds like the Flat-Coated Retriever to the more reserved Sighthounds — and everything in between.

Character is a primary and outstanding asset of the Flat-Coat. He is a responsive, loving member of the family, a versatile working dog, multi-talented, sensible, bright and tractable. In competition the Flat-Coat demonstrates stability and a desire to please with a confident, happy and outgoing attitude characterized by a wagging tail. Nervous, hyperactive, apathetic, shy or obstinate behavior is undesirable. Severe Fault-Unprovoked aggressive behavior toward people or animals is totally unacceptable.

Then there is the much more reserved attitude of the Azawakh: Quick, attentive, distant, reserved with strangers, but he can be gentle and affectionate with those he is willing to accept.

Even the wonderful guardian breeds talk about stability, and no AKC breed calls for aggression toward humans. Should we want any less from the other end of the lead — the humans? We have seen too many in our community acting in a way that would embarrass — and would not be acceptable in our dogs. 

I have heard people say that I am naive or a dreamer when I talk about how our community should be. Well, as John Lennon said:

You may say that I’m a dreamer

But I am not the only one

I hope someday you’ll join us

And the world will live as One.

I am seriously concerned that if we continue as we are now, we are killing our community. And to me, killing this community is much akin to killing a mockingbird. Do you remember the words from that movie?

Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.

As I look back on 2024, I continue to be amazed and shocked at what some people will do for a 25-cent piece of cloth or for the more ephemeral ranking. What would you do? Would you put down someone else’s dog in front of others? Would you crisscross the country, chasing judges or entries? Would you cheat?

Who are you fooling when you destroy a proper coat — or maybe it wasn’t a good coat — by putting a clipper to the coat of a breed that should never be clipped? Should you be considered a professional or an expert when you use grooming to try to fool a judge? Are you showing your love for your breed — or the love of the almighty dollar or a placement? Are you being shrewd or just a cheater? Do you agree with those coaches in various sports who say, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying?” I’d rather we all think like one of my favorite people in our community — and a true professional — who strives to be “… a good steward of our community — specifically of my profession. It IS important to be good representatives and to set a high standard for the next generations to observe.”

When you cover up a heritable weakness in your breeding line in order to get more stud fees, or sell puppies, are you being true to your breed? There is a big difference between a handler knowing how to set up a dog to try to “hide” a weakness and a handler/exhibitor dying a coat or adding a foreign substance (against the rules) to make a coat feel better than it is. Remember, none of these weaknesses — faults — can be hidden in the whelping box.

Another New Year’s resolution should be to not allow our dog(s) to sniff or jump at other dogs — even if it “just wants to play.” Not all dogs take it that way or want to be crowded. Come to think of it, not crowding at the ring entrance or exit should be another resolution.

Here’s a unique thought: How about being at ringside on time (understanding that some judges are faster than others), and paying attention to the gaiting pattern used by the judge?

And a simple one: Read your breed standard again — and try to understand it. Want to really do at least One Thing to improve this coming year? Sit with knowledgeable people and watch your breed all the way through — then watch other breeds similar to yours (i.e. retrievers, setters, long-legged Terriers, etc.), and then have a positive discussion about the breeds you watched. Were you able to follow what the judge was doing and what he or she was looking for? Regardless of the judge’s placements, how would you have placed the dogs — and why? Maybe you could be the leader to try to organize a group like this.

A new resolution that everyone at the show will appreciate is to not leave your dog alone, barking in a crate near ringside all day. It is very frustrating for other dogs, exhibitors and the judge. Akin to that are the people who are sitting right next to their crates while their dogs continue to bark and lunge at every dog that walks past. Can you not hear your own dogs — or do you not care? Allowing your dogs to continually bark is very stressful for them and for everyone around them. I think when AKC reps come across this, they should be proactive and say something to the owners of those dogs. 

How about two simple resolutions for judges? (1) When judging the group or a large class, make sure you look at every dog — even the ones that are way at the other end of the ring. Every dog in the ring deserves the same consideration. (2) Don’t stand and stare at the dogs! Many breeds do not like this, and no matter how long you stand there, the dogs in front of you are not going to get any better or any worse. Make a decision and move on. 

Finally, let’s remember why we do this. There are many reasons. For some, it is a social event. For others, it appeals to their competitive nature. Some just enjoy it — and all of those reasons are valid. But, most importantly, we have dedicated time, money and heartache because we have a passion for our dogs, and are trying to learn which are the best ones in an effort to improve our breeding programs. One-time success is nice — but ephemeral. Long-time, consistent success should be the goal. That isn’t accomplished with tricks or by cheating. It is done with love, knowledge and integrity.

What do you think?