Today and tomorrow, the top show dogs in the country and from all over the world are gathered in New York City for thee show of shows – Westminster. It’s a time, unlike any other, to celebrate the purebred dog.

It’s a time to bring awareness to breeds that were developed for a purpose, through careful selection and record keeping. This is a time to stand with breeders and fanciers who champion purebred dogs. The ones who perform health testing, who spend hours studying pedigrees and planning breedings that move the breed forward. It’s both a science and an art. The AKC and these dedicated handlers and breeders, owners and fanciers are the only thing preserving the noble, purebred dogs.

It’s a practice that animal rights groups want gone. They won’t come out and say it, but that’s who is behind the ‘adopt don’t shop’ campaigns, the ridiculous federal and state legislation against dog sports and the sales of purebred dogs. They paint a picture of helping the animal, but look at where the money goes with PETA, HSUS, ASPCA and the like. Google “truth of adopt don’t shop” and find out how they’re importing sick dogs from around the world and ‘adopting’ them out for a profit.

You can rescue dogs from shelters or work with a breed rescue organization. Just please, do your homework!! Don’t listen to the talking heads or take it all for face value – find out what’s REALLY behind the story.

I stand with the breeders, the trainers, the other owners and fanciers. I stand for the purebred – the dog developed and bred with intent and for a purpose. As we gather in NYC this week, I celebrate the purebred!

You can watch the live stream of the Chesapeake on Tuesday February, 12 at 8:00 AM STEWARDS: Mr. Carl E. Gomes & Mrs. Kathryn Cunningham-Roy 14 – Retrievers (Chesapeake Bay) 0-1-(8-5). The Best Of Breed winner will then be showcased, the Group winners will advance to the Best in Show competition on Tuesday night. You can find TV coverage and results by following this link to the Westminster Kennel Club website.

For those of you that didn’t know, I have to announce it each year as I’m so proud to say that the photo of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever on the breed profile on the Westminster website is non other than my Norman. It was a photo I took back in the day when he was a young fellow, my breed mentor Dyane Baldwin submitted it to Westminster and they are currently using it. You can see follow the link here to read about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Hope you all get a chance to watch Westminster to see the best of the best!