Dog Writers Association of America

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The Dog Writers Association of America was established as the Dog Writers Association on February 13, 1935 at a meeting at the Westminster Kennel Club in New York. Beginning with eight dues-paying members, it gathered dog writers (i.e. the journalists, sportswriters, or others who covered dog shows for the sports pages of newspapers), and obtained amenities and recognition for them at dog shows. In 2010, the association claimed 600 members, and stated as part of its mission to encourage quality writing about dog sports and dog companionship. It does this through an annual writing competition, the Maxwell Medallion, which is awarded at an annual dinner on the eve of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. [1] [2] [3]

A dog writer is someone who writes about dogs, for example in reporting on dog shows; or in writing articles about dog care or training or breed features for publications about dogs; or in writing dog- or pet-care columns or 'human' interest articles about dogs for general publications.

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show annual conformation show in New York City

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an all-breed conformation show that has been held in New York City annually since 1877. Currently, the breed and Junior Showmanship competitions are held at Piers 92 and 94, while the group and Best in Show competitions are held at Madison Square Garden. The number of entries is so large at nearly 3,000 that two days are required for all dogs to be judged.

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American Kennel Club umbrella organization

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship sponsored by Royal Canin, formerly the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Unlike most other countries' kennels clubs, the AKC is not part of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Fox Terrier Dog breed

Fox Terriers are two different breeds of the terrier dog type: the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both of these breeds originated in the 19th century from a handful of dogs who are descended from earlier varieties of British terriers, and are related to other modern white terrier breeds. In addition, a number of breeds have diverged from these two main types of fox terrier and have been recognised separately, including the Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature Fox Terrier and Rat Terrier. The Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers share similar characteristics, the main differences being in the coat and markings. They have been successful in conformation shows, more prominently in America than their homeland.

French Bulldog Dog breed

The French Bulldog is a small breed of domestic dog. In the 1800s, they were the result of a cross between bulldog ancestors imported from England and local ratters in Paris, France.

The Kennel Union of Southern Africa was founded in 1891 through the merge of the Southern African Kennel Club of Port Elizabeth and the South African Kennel Club of Cape Town, ranking it among the world’s oldest kennel clubs.

Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, CD, RE, commonly known as James, was an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog. He was handled exclusively by the same handler who took Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless to a best-in-show at Westminster in 2000. In retirement he was recognised in 2008 by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association for his work as a sire and has produced many champion offspring, including Ch. Cerise Jesse James.

Championship (dog) dog award

Championships are awarded to dogs who have passed through a process of selection at dog shows. Traditionally, a championship was received at a conformation show, but championships are now offered for dogs who have attained a high degree of perfection in other dog sports as well.

Matford Vic

Ch. Matford Vic (1912–??), a Wire Fox Terrier, best known for being one of only five dogs to have won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on more than one occasion. She was originally purchased for the sum of £2 before changing hands twice prior to winning Best in Show at Westminster for the first time in 1915.

Tickle Em Jock Scottish terrier

Ch. Tickle Em Jock (1908–??), a Scottish Terrier, was the first of his breed to win best-in-show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1911, the fifth occasion it was awarded. He was originally sold for a sum of only £2 to Andrew Albright, Jr. Mr Albright would go on to later say he wouldn't sell the dog for $5,000. Jock was also noted in the media of the time for biting a judge's wrist just after winning best of breed at a dog show.

GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, also known as Hickory, is a female Scottish Deerhound who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2011. She is the first of her breed to have won the title.

Kenmare Sorceress dog

Ch. Kenmare Sorceress (1909–??), an Airedale Terrier, was the first of its breed to have won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in 1912. She was originally from Wales, but was imported into the United States by William P. Wolcott in September 1910.

Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless also known as Samantha, was an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February 2000. Her sire was Ch. Salilyn's Condor, Best in Show winner at Westminster in 1993, Samantha became the first offspring of a previous Best in Show winner at Westminster to take the same prize.

Ch. Salilyn's Condor also known as Robert, was an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Feb. 1993. He was the first Westminster winner to sire another, when his daughter Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless won Best in Show in 2000.

Rancho Dobes Storm

Ch. Rancho Dobe's Storm also known as Storm or Stormie, a Doberman Pinscher, best known for being Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in both 1952 and 1953. He was the grandson of the 1939 champion, Ferry v. Rauhfelsen of Giralda. Born in California, he was sold to his New York based owner Len Carey at the age of three months. At the age of sixteen months he won Best of Breed at his first adult dog show, something he would repeat in all 25 of the shows he was entered into, becoming undefeated in breed competition.

Ch. Midkiff Seductive, a Cocker Spaniel, was the Best in Show at the 1921 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the first occasion it was awarded to a member of that breed. The judging in the Best in Show round had a split decision by the two judges, and required the referee to make a deciding vote.

GCH Palacegarden Malachy, also known as Malachy, is a male Pekingese who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2012 after reaching the Best in Show round in 2011. He was also the second ranked dog in the United States in 2011.

Arthur Frederick Jones was an American writer and dog-show judge. In 1926, he became an assistant editor for "Pure-Bred Dogs"(now called,"The American Kennel Gazette"), the official publication of the American Kennel Club. In 1941, he was made editor,and in 1951, managing editor. He was also Kennel Editor of the New York Times, and was chosen as special editor of dog terms for Webster's New International Dictionary. He supplied much of the information for the K-9 manuals used by the U.S. Army in World War II. He served eight times as master of ceremonies for the National Dog Show. In 1956, Arthur Frederick Jones was the winner of the Kiblon Memorial Award (the top award in dog-writing,sponsored by the Dog Writers Association of America.

Warren Remedy Westminster Best in Show winner 1907-1909

Ch. Warren Remedy, (1905-1912), was a Best in Show winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1907, 1908, and 1909. She was a Smooth-coated fox terrier owned by Winthrop Rutherfurd, and is the only dog to have won Westminster three years in a row.

Banana Joe V Tani Kazari

GCH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, also known as Joe, is a 11 year old toy Affenpinscher that won Best In Show at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013. Banana Joe was the first of his breed to win Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. This was his last show, and following it Joe went home to the Netherlands to be with his owner Mieke Cooijmans.

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