The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has long served as an unofficial national championship for the nation’s dog-show competitors. The two-day show is always held in New York’s Madison Square Garden, kicking off this year on Monday, Feb. 14.
Westminster is a special show where only champions can compete. At all other dog shows, most competitors are trying to earn their dogs’ championships. And that’s when following the action can get confusing.
Dog shows are supposed to be about evaluating breeding stock, with the goal of preserving and improving the dog breeds involved. But over the years, the sport has become a high-stakes and high-cost endeavor that’s perhaps the most difficult of all canine competitions for beginners to break into successfully.
Even if you have a “show quality” dog with no disqualifying or major problems in appearance, winning is tough. Getting a dog to look his best in the ring is a subtle art that’s difficult to master. In many breeds, the work of getting a dog groomed for the show ring takes years to learn.
Get the rest of the story here.
And from Dr. Becker and Mikkel Becker, the facts on the effect of stress on cats:
Cats under stress from change can become physically ill, according to a study conducted by veterinarians at Ohio State University. Researchers found that healthy cats were just as likely as sick cats to refuse food, vomit frequently and miss their litter boxes in response to environmental changes. The findings highlighted the need for environmental enrichment for cats, as well as the importance of routine when it comes to feline care.
Read the rest of this week’s Pet Connection here.
Photo courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club.
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