Dogs News

The indoor benched show was crowded and noisy.  The day had been long, and the squawk box had summoned California dog photographer Joan Ludwig about as many times as a girl could take it.  And now Miss Ludwig was trying to help an owner pose his Dachshund puppy.

"No,  no,  NO!"  cried Miss Ludwig.  "Don't crouch behind your dog.  Stand up and look as natural as you can.  But first take off that coat.  You're showing a black dog, so you had to wear a black coat, huh?"

Then, under her breath, "These people!"

"No,  DON'T take your hands off her, Keep her head UP.  Remember, the neck must rise straight out of the shoulders and the nose must point straight forward.....Now - the farther rear foot - it's too far back.  the dog must rest easily on his four feet.  Now listen!  Never mind telling me why you can't.  Just DO it....There.  Good.  Now...."

"Oh-h-h."  The sound began high and dwindled down to nothing.  "Oh, WHY did you let her - the instant I was going to take it!  Yes, of course I was going to throw the catalog.  No, not at you.  I was going to throw the catalog to catch the dog's eye and make her look alert.  You just never mind what I'M doing.  You keep doing what I tell you to do."

"O.K.  Now her front foot on this side.  Move it - back, BACK."

"BACK.  Not forward!  There.  Now, now, maybe - there!  I GOT it."

"It was good, too.  Good - but not great."

Via the May, 1961 issue of the American Dachshund magazine.  Photo is unrelated, but is from the same issue, and details Robert Groff's 8 1/2# smooth miniature Lo-Dach's Wee Cover Girl-M, who took Winners Bitch and 5 points in the NCDC Specialty.