Hey everyone! It’s me, your happy-go-lucky #JournoDog named Gibbs.
Today, I am full of extra tail wags and cheer because it’s a big day for dogs. Sure, all my social media feeds — the hoomans in particular — are excited about this day known as Thanksgiving and they’re talking non-stop about family, friends, gratitude, turkeys, and football.
Furry friends know better. We are all about the true purpose of this day. That being: the National Dog Show.
Yes, I’ve been chewing on my holiday ham all morning while the big American’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit was on TV. It was very curious, with all kinds of new sounds piquing my curiosity and making me tilt my head at the TV screen.
Following that, though, is the National Dog Show.
What’s amazing is that dog shows like this have been going on for hundreds of years, or thousands in dog years. Although, according to my doggy research online, this particular show has only been televised since 2002.
There are so many dogs taking part, that I don’t even know because I’m just a baby boy and can’t count that high yet. But my reporting found that 209 breeds sanctioned by the American Kennel Club are participating.
Big development for 2021: A new breed is debuting! Yep, the so-called Beaver (officially Biewer) Terrier is a little toy dog that is pretty much a sort of Yorkie-style breed.
This particular Biewer Terrier is a 19-month-old doggo from Tennessee named Rumor for short. The registered full name: Grand Champion Bronze “Windsong’s Somethin’ To Talk About.” Yeah, it’s easy to see why Rumor is the name to go by.
As to history: this breed hails from Germany where it originated as a tri-colored Yorkie. Supposedly in 1984, two hoomans named Werner and Gertrud Biewer bred a Yorkie with the piebald genetic recessive gene and from there began producing more pups with the gene.
The American Kennel Club reports this Biewer Terrier first came to the U.S. in 2003 and became recognized as a bonafide breed over the years. In fact, it has dominant traits of 4 breeds — Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Havanese and Bichon Frise – and it’s the first-ever breed to be recognized as a purebreed as a result of a genetic study.
What does this dog look like? It’s long-haired and tri-colored with a soft silky coat, and has a feathered tail curled over its back. This dog is a very dedicated and loyal family member who is usually friendly with strangers, and most are happy-go-lucky dogs with bright smiles. Despite being so small, this doggo is very hearty, athletic and is a go-to hunter type.
The dog authorities believe there are more than 1,400 Biewers registered in the States currently.
Now, this new doggo didn’t make the cut for Best in Show. Nor did another fave of mine: a spotty dalmation dog named Kodak in honor of his hooman owner being a professional photographer — total respect there for the name! Also loved the Burmese Mountain Dog named Brew, short for “Home Brew by the Keg.”
No matter the final winner, this was my first time watching the National Dog Show and I really enjoyed seeing so many furry friends and hearing them bark from time to time when instructed to, or during a dog-themed commercial.
I am grateful for many things this Thanksgiving, including my still-new fur-ever home with Ma and Dad. I am also thankful for good TV programming on this holiday — from parades and football and dog shows, as well as an amazing movie that Dad’s introducing me to for the first time: Planes, Trains & Automobiles. What a remarkable movie with so many great quotes!
So that’s the scoop for this holiday. I’m off to chew on my holiday ham some more, before the yummy feasts starting tonight.
Until next time, or whenever the news beckons like a barking dog you can’t help but pay attention to, #JournoDog out.
As always, remember: Love your dog. Read a newspaper. Be grateful for all you have, whether it’s ham or turkey or just love in the heart. And try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.
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