Have you ever been to a dog show?  They can be absolutely fascinating and can also verge on being overwhelming.  The variety of events, performances and demonstrations will put your sneakers to the test.  And then there are the dogs – some with names you have never heard of, some you have never seen on the street or in magazines. 

It may seem like a bus man’s holiday for a companion animal veterinarian like myself to attend a dog show but I had a fabulous time at the AKC/Eukanuba Dog Championships held at the Long Beach Convention Center, in Long Beach, California in early December.  I had the pleasure of interviewing AKC officials on how pure bred dog breeders are striving to improve the health of all dogs.  I spoke to breeders of some very unique breeds.  Learned how their breeds came to be and why they were enamored with this particular dog and not another.   I chatted with a canine division police office.  His dog Blitz could lick you to death at one moment and then take down a bad guy the next.  I garnered some great tips on teaching your dog how to be a welcome part of your family.  And why trotting a dog around the ring can assist young students to excel in school.

I spoke to so many people and learned so much that this podcast is going to be a three part series.  Tune in the next 2 weeks for part two and three.  In case you want to see photos of the dog breeds I mention in these segments, go to the Pet Doctor on our website, PetLifeRadio.com and scroll to these installments.  So sit, stay, listen…..I’m Dr. Bernadine Cruz and this is the Pet Doctor coming to you from the AKC/Eukanuba Dog Championships.

Questions or comments? Email Dr. Cruz at: thepetdoctor@petliferadio.com.