pet connection

Pet Connection contributing editor Christie Keith recently spoke with Westminster Kennel Club spokesman David Frei about Uno, the 2008 Best in Show Beagle, the future and value of dog shows and purebred dogs, and the contributions of the dog fancy to the welfare of dogs in general.

Christie Keith: David, thank you so much for talking to me today. I was hoping you could talk to me a little bit about the positive contributions of the dog fancy, Westminster, things that it gives to dogs and the things that it gives to the people who love them.

David Frei: Well, we see it year round; it’s not just at the time of Westminster. Purebred dog clubs like the Westminster Kennel Club, a member of the American Kennel Club, stage our dog shows, and it’s not just for ourselves or just for the competition.

It’s for people in the communities, people who have an interest in dogs, and people who might be looking for a dog for themselves, for their own family. And we’ve seen a great example of that here recently with all the talk about President-Elect Obama and his family looking for a dog.

And they’ve been a great example, quite frankly, because they’re going about it the right way. They’re taking their time, and they’re asking a lot of questions, not doing anything on impulse, or not doing anything because somebody tells them to do it this way or do it that way.

And I hope that’s a good indication of the kind of leadership he’s going to give us elsewhere, and I think that’s important. I’ve said a couple of places that he’s going to add a dog to his family, and that dog’s going to be with him much longer than anybody he appoints to his cabinet. [laughter]

So I think it’s critical that they go about doing their homework, just like he’s vetting all of these people who – we saw a great New Yorker magazine cover here a month ago. It had a Beagle on it, and they, of course, they say, “Well, you can’t identify it as Uno,” and I said, “Well, okay, I won’t.” [laughter]

But anybody who looks at it knows that it’s Uno; I don’t need to identify him. And it’s appropriate, because Uno’s been to the White House; he’s been the star of the dog world; he’s been the most famous dog in the world for the last year.
And it’s appropriate that if somebody’s thinking about adding a dog to their family, they might ask – they might ask a dog like Uno for his opinion, because he’s been everywhere and done everything in the last 11 months.

So back to Westminster, I think that’s the whole idea that we have here is that we’re not just about the competition and about the great show dogs; we’re about the celebration of dogs in our family lives and how much they mean to us in our lives.

But you and people who watch, I think you watch the show for three reasons – and I hope I’m not repeating something I may have said before, because I use this a lot – they’re watching for the competition.

Sure, they want to see who’s going to be Best in Show, and who’s going to be America’s dog for the next year by virtue of winning the world’s greatest dog show.

And they watch for the entertainment; 170 different breeds and varieties this year. But I also think they watch, and as part of that entertainment, I think they’re watching to hear fun stories about the dogs, whether it’s about the breed of dog that it is, what’s the story on that haircut, or how come they’re built like this or shaped like this, or have ears that point this direction and do that.

I think that’s an important part of what we do on television is to educate the general public about dogs.

One of the things that the Obamas, if we can go back to them as a model, that they’re looking for is a dog that doesn’t – that’s hypoallergenic. Now there’s no such thing as a totally hypoallergenic dog, but there are some breeds out there who create less problems than others.

And that can’t be said of every non-purebred dog walking around out there. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t great dogs that are not purebreds and not – and that they don’t deserve wonderful, loving family homes.

But in the case of the Obamas, with a child who has allergy problems, that has to be a consideration. And if we didn’t have purebred dogs for them to select from, it would be virtually impossible for them to find the right kind of dog to match that family, and to match the lifestyle, and to match the needs that they have.

So I think that’s an illustration of what’s critical there. So anyway, that’s the second reason to watch, is for people to see these different breeds, hear about them, learn about their history, learn about what they were bred to do.

And so if you’re considering getting a dog, and this breed appeals to you, if you know what they were originally bred to do, you’d see them as an adult.

You get some idea about what their needs are as part of your family, and how they might fit into your family in terms of their needs for exercise and conditioning and having an alpha human who’s smarter than them, those kinds of things.

That if you hear about it on television and the breed still appeals to you, then we help you find through parent club contacts and through information like that, we’ll help you find a breed – a breeder, or a rescue organization that might help hook you up with a dog like that.

Christie Keith: I’m really glad you mentioned rescue organizations, because one of the things that I think a lot of people don’t realize is that every AKC parent club for every breed operates a breed rescue group in the United States for dogs of that breed.

And when you contact a breed club, you don’t only have the possibility of being referred to a breeder, but as you said, also to a rescue group for that breed. You can still rescue a dog and get a dog of the desired breed, depending on how rare the breed you’re interested in is.

Can you talk a little bit about the contribution of breed rescue groups?

David Frei: Sure. I think it’s important when you get a dog that, if it’s a purebred dog, that you know everything you can find out about that breed in particular, and that dog as an individual, what kind of situation it came out of.

That’s important, because dogs aren’t just their heredity, they’re their environment as well; they’re a reflection of their environment, how they’re brought up, and how they’re trained, and how they’re treated.

Dogs end up in rescue for the silliest of reasons sometimes, because, “They don’t match my new furniture,” or, “I’m moving into an apartment that doesn’t allow dogs.” Well, geez, if you had a kid, would you move into an apartment that didn’t allow children?

Come one, these dogs are part of your family. That’s an important thing to do. But I always used to say to people, “When you buy one of my dogs from me, you’re buying me, too,” and I’m going to be there for the lifetime of your dog as long as you have that dog for two reasons.

Number one is, as a source of information. Maybe your dog suddenly at a year old starts doing something quirky or whatever, and you’re wondering what’s going on, and you call me, and I say, “You know what? They do that at this age. That’s what happens, here’s how you get them through it. Here’s how you get yourself through it, and this is what’s coming next.”

But I’m always there for them, and I’m there for them if something happens in their family and suddenly they have a reason that they can’t keep the dog any more.

Virtually every breeder I know these days writes into their contract, “If something happens and you can’t keep this dog, bring it back to me.”

And that’s an important part of us being the shepherds for the dogs that we put out there. We want to have healthy, happy dogs out there who are wonderful members of the family and part of their neighborhood, if you will, part of their environment, part of being around other people and other dogs, being able to deal with that.

And that’s one of the things that we do as responsible breeders, so that we’re breeding for a reason. We’re breeding to create the next generation of healthy, happy dogs. We’re not breeding to create numbers and sell them. We’re breeding them to get the next generation that hopefully is better than the last.

That’s what great show dogs are all about, and that’s what dog shows are all about is to identify that superior breeding stock. Every dog you’ve seen in the show ring doesn’t have to be bred, and isn’t going to be bred. But they’re part of that process as well, because we’re looking back and we’re studying pedigrees, and we know that this dog, this sire produced this dog that we see in the ring.

What do we see there? How does that relate back to the sire or to the dam, and what does that mean we’re going to do with our next step, with our next generation? I think that’s important.

Christie Keith: Now the process you’re describing, which I’ve also witnessed, and I agree is going on, is the best of us, the best of the purebred dog world. There are certainly – because tragically it’s not just dogs, there’s people involved – we’re going to see the dark side of human nature sometimes as well, just as we do in every walk of life and in every human endeavor.

And as I know you know, in Britain in the last year, there’s been some controversy over the health of some purebred dogs, particularly some that were being exhibited at Crufts, which is the preeminent dog show of Great Britain.

And I was wondering if you had any comment on if you thought that that reflected at all on the situation in the United States; if you expected to see any kind of negative feedback on the Westminster Kennel Club show, or its television airing related to what’s going on in Great Britain?

David Frei: Well, we can’t but be touched by what’s gone on over there, but our position is the same as it’s always been, that we are – that we are guardians of purebred dogs. We’re the oldest organization in this country dedicated to purebred dogs.

And again, that’s not meant to be an exclusive thing, but what’s good for purebred dogs is good for non-purebred dogs, too, and that is teaching responsible ownership and working with people so that they can help their dogs be happy, healthy, productive members of their families.

And that’s what we try to talk about on television, and hopefully people are watching us with that in mind; that not every breed is for everyone, but there may be a breed that’s better for you and your family and your situation and your lifestyle than others.

And I think that’s the beauty of purebred dogs is their predictability. I know that this 3-pound ball of fluff that they say is an Akita, it’s going to grow up to be an 80-pound significant dog.

But this same three-pound ball of fluff that somebody tells me is a Pomeranian, might look a lot like that Akita. It’s going to grow up to be what – 9, 10, 12 pounds? It’s a much different thing.

And sometimes when you’re dealing with puppies, non-purebred puppies, you don’t know what they’re going to grow up to be.

And if you want a dog that’s going to sit next to you on the couch while you lounge around and watch TV the rest of your life, you’re not going to be happy if that dog grows up to be a Border Collie, or have a lot of Border Collie in it and is running around your apartment going crazy and making you crazy.

Those are the dogs that end up in shelters, when people are surprised by what they get. They’re not ready for that, or if they can’t handle that, then that’s going to be a challenge to them.

[If] know I’m going to be sitting in front of the TV the rest of my life, it’s okay for me to get a dog that’s a little bit sedentary, too.

Christie Keith: Now you’ve spent a lot of time in the last year with Uno, the Beagle who won Westminster last year, and he’s been a very charming ambassador for the breed and for the fancy, and I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about him, what he’s like, and your impressions of how good of a job he’s done as America’s dog?

David Frei: He has been all of those things. He’s been a great ambassador for dogs in general; for purebred dogs and Beagles; for the sport of showing dogs; and, of course, for his owner and his breeders; and also for the Westminster Kennel Club.
We’ve never had a winner like this that we’ve been able to take places all around the country for several reasons, but he has a wonderful personality and temperament. He comes and lives with me for a couple of weeks at a time, when we’re out doing media things and special events.

And he never misses a beat; he’s the same every day. He’s happy, the tail’s wagging, and it’s – but make no mistake about it, it’s his world; we’re living in it. [laughter]

Because he knows he’s special. He understands that, and people love him. People respond to him. We walk through airports and he gets mobbed. We’re on the streets here in New York and people know him; they know who he is, say, “Hey, Uno! That’s Uno! Is that Uno? Is that the dog that won the dog show?”

And they love him. I’ve learned how to use every cell phone camera in America. People run up to me and pass me their cell phone and say, “Take my picture with Uno.” It doesn’t matter if it’s in an airport in Cleveland, or on the streets of Los Angeles, that has happened to us across the country.

And he loves every minute of it. He just – he enjoys people; he has a great time. But make no mistake about it, he’s a typical Beagle in that he’s off and looking around for the next thing, just put his nose to the ground to follow.

And he’ll take off on you. So that’s a great lesson in itself, too. He doesn’t just come running over and jump in your lap. You’ve got to know what’s going on everywhere around him. But he’s been fun.

We’ve never had a dog – we’ve never had a dog visit the White House. [Cough] Excuse me. He’s become the celebrity spokes dog, he’s co-celebrity spokes dog for Angel on a Leash, our wonderful therapy dog program.

He’s visited Ronald McDonald Houses in every city that we go to in Milwaukee, and Los Angeles, and St. Louis, and New York City. He’s been great in that respect.

He loves kids and loves the people and does wonderful things to educate the world about therapy dogs and the great things that dogs can do, whether they’re show dogs or not.

He’s been – he threw out the first pitch at two different major league baseball games.

Christie Keith: Okay, that – that could challenge a dog, David. [laughter]

David Frei: Threw out should probably be in quotes, because none have opposable thumbs, but I would throw the pitch, and he’d run and get it and then run a few laps around the infield, I would reel him back in and he’d bring the ball in. The crowd goes nuts, they love it.

He’s danced on the dugout roof in the Milwaukee Brewers’ Stadium. He was – he led the Pooches on Parade Day, Purina’s Pooches on Parade Day at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, where he threw out the first pitch.

He’s been the celebrity costar on the Hollywood red carpet with people like Brooke Shields, and Jenny Garth from 90210, and Brad Garrett, and people like that, where he’s been every bit the star that they are.

I turned to Brooke Shields on the – at the NBC upfront here in New York as Uno was walking in front of her. I said, “Do you want to go behind him or in front of him, cause people are paying a lot of attention to him, and I don’t want to take away from what you do.” [laughter]

Christie Keith: Well, they say never to act with a dog.

David Frei: That’s it, dogs and children. And he shows that all the time, but he rode on a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He’s a great, personal friend with Snoopy.

Christie Keith: Oh, of course he is.

David Frei: The media love him. He’s been to visit Snoopy at Knotts Berry Farm in Anaheim. At – what’s the name of the park – at Cedar Point Park in Sandusky, Ohio, he opened a new exhibit, Planet Snoopy, with Snoopy there.

And he worked with Polly, the actress. He’s been to United Media here in New York, he loves everybody here. And he rode on the United Media Peanuts float in the Macy’s Parade. He’s met the President; he spent an hour with the governor of Texas in his office.

He met Mayor Bloomberg; he’s been places no other dog – no other single dog has been, and he’s enjoyed every minute, and so have we. Geez, I’ve loved every minute of it, it’s been great.

Christie Keith: And it’s an interesting juxtaposition, I think, that some people who have their reasons for opposing dog shows and dog breeding, that they’ll hold up the worst of the worst, a dog who is perhaps genetically unhealthy, or has problems, perceived or real.

And yet here you have this enormously happy, sound, healthy, sturdy little dog, who’s basically apparently unflappable, and it’s not that Uno’s not a famous dog, that he doesn’t – it’s almost like that doesn’t counterbalance the negative information somehow.

They still coexist, and I think that that’s a really strong image to hold in my mind is that the best is also happening all around us in the world of purebred dogs. It’s about the wonderful things of dogs people, and I think that’s something that gets overlooked fairly often.

David Frei: I think the bottom line is really my third of the three reasons that I talked about earlier, and that is the alma mater factor. When you’re watching Westminster, if you have a Beagle, you want to see the Beagle, and you’re going to root for the Beagle.

Just like if you’re with the University of Oregon, you’re going to root for the Oregon Ducks for the rest of your life, quack quack. [laughter]

And I think that’s – that draws a lot of people to our audience, and to our show. And I think that’s important, too, but I think when we look at that and we see these wonderful dogs, and we all know in our hearts that the real Best in Show dog is the one that’s sitting at home on the couch with us.

And you can look at it and say, “You know what? You and I can be out there, too.”

Christie Keith: “You’d beat them all, babe.” [laughter]

David Frei: That’s right. A few less cookies and if we gave you a bath once a week instead of once a month, did a little road work, we could do it. [laughter]

Christie Keith: Well, I’ll never forget, and I mean, and it’s been at least 15 if not more years – my breed is Scottish Deerhounds, when Fernhills Phantom won the Hound group at Westminster.

And I’m telling you, in my house, we were going crazy. And one of my old Deerhounds was just lying there, and we were hugging him, like he had won, and he’s just looking at us, going, “What did I do?”

David Frei: And all your friends on the street, calling you up.

Christie Keith: Yeah, oh yeah. “The Deerhound won!”

David Frei: That’s great, we thought of you. [laughter]

The thrill is, you know, that’s really what it’s about, and that’s what Westminster’s about. It’s not about the bad things; it’s about the good things; it’s about the great things that we learn from our dogs.

I like to say, and it’s a bit of an overstatement, admittedly, but I like to say there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. And I think as long as we’re all proceeding responsibly, whether it’s in how we take care of our dogs, or how – if we choose to breed them, and how we place puppies, and how we find homes for our dogs, that I think that’s what it’s about. It’s about sharing that happiness with people.

Our wonderful dogs do so many great things for us, that they teach us so much. Another thing I say is that we should worry – in our world, in our dog show world, we’re always worried about what we’re teaching them – how to sit, how to stand, how to stay, how to do this, how to do that.

And I’ve come to find through the years of my involvement with therapy dogs, with Angel on a Leash, it’s much more important what we learn from them, and how we see them operate without worrying about what happened two months ago, or what’s going to happen tomorrow, or what somebody looks like, or how much money they have, or what kind of car they drive.

These dogs accept everybody. Walking down the street here in New York City with my dogs, I talk about it being kind of a street ministry, because they’ll run up to the guy in the suit that’s just getting out of a Town Car, getting ready to go into a meeting, and that person’ll stop and smile and pet the dog and talk to them.

Then the dog will turn right around and run over to the guy sleeping on a piece of cardboard in the courtyard at a church and greet them the same way, tail wagging and just happy to be and having somebody pay attention to them.

So I think that’s what we can take away from the great dog show that is the Westminster Kennel Club, and I’m very proud of that.

Photos courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club.