You must read AKC stuff only! No1 outside the dog world capitalizes dog breed names. It's not just your Goldens, it's all of us. Notice it in this very article.
I continue to capitalize all just as the AKC taught me, as I think it helps distinguish between mere breeds and species!
I watched both nites of the dog show, and loved every single minute...I always hope that all the dogs show their best, and always like the little surprise, when a dog that everyone else thought might win their 'group', or win the BIS does not win, and another dog wins instead...
People do need to realize that this is not a show where one dog is compared to another...in almost all of the big competitions that is true...one dog, representing his breed, is not in competition with another dog representing his particular breed...its a competition, to see how a particular dog measures up to and represents his own specific breed...that is what the dog show is all about...its not about which dog is cuter, or prettier, or anything like that...
All the dog judges are experts and have spent many long years of study, and breeding, and handling dogs of all breeds, and knowing exactly how any particular dog measures up to the perfect ideal of his representative breed...Most of these judges have spent years, decades, studying and actively participating in dog shows...when they pick a winner, I defer to their expertise...we all have our favorite breeds, the crowds have their favorite breeds, even a judge will have his own favorite breeds...but that is not what this dog show is all about...
That being said, I have looked at everyones pics of their beloved pooches, and of course, being a dog lover myself, I love all breeds(they all have something to offer), and especially the mixed breed 'mutts', I can only say you all have wonderful dogs...my personal favorites are the basset hounds...I have been owned by three in my life, and they are my all time favorite...they are stumpy, clunky, chunky, velvety long eared, often smelly, always shedding, stubborn beyond belief, sad eyes, wrinkly, and always hungry....they are heaven to me...
Bravo to Rufus!!!!