Dog journal journalist and editor, breeder, canine present exhibitor and decide, and total revered canine professional, Allan Reznik is a Renaissance Man
of pups.
Growing up in Canada, Allan’s household canine was a Beagle after which, after that, a Standard Poodle. Allan explains, “We had a canine. They [Allan’s parents] didn’t consider in a number of canine.” With this restricted publicity as a baby, one wonders the place his ardour for pooches comes from. It seems, as a younger lad Allan was a voracious reader and would religiously buy the month-to-month journal Dog World. “I simply inhaled the content material. It was this unbelievable fantasy world for me,” he admits.
His ardour grew alongside together with his data of the topic and, on the age of round 11 or 12, Allan satisfied his father to drive him to a canine present. After being dropped off, Allan was free to discover and meet most of the breeders he had examine. His expertise at canine exhibits from a younger age was key to placing him onto his a number of dog-themed profession paths.
Photo: Courtesy of Allan Reznik
Combining two passions
At that first canine present, he was drawn to an Afghan Hound breeder. Allan describes the Afghan as, “a robust, athletic and primitive hunter, but very unique,” and admits being “mesmerized by the breed.” This preliminary response would develop right into a lifelong love of Afghans that would come with proudly owning, breeding, exhibiting and profitable with the gorgeous canine.
An introduction to the Afghan breeder, who would turn into a primary mentor to Allan, occurred due to his want to observe her majestic animals. The breeder, an English lady, who Allan describes as, “a quintessential canine lady with wise sneakers,” observed younger Allan watching from a distance and determined to place him to work. Allan remembers her calling out to him, “Young man, make your self helpful!” earlier than handing him a brush.
Allan eagerly obliged, and his mentor-to-be realized he was certainly very helpful! The duo grew to become a staff at canine exhibits over a lot of weekends spanning a few years. She was not solely pivotal to Allan’s profession path but additionally for his mentality towards sharing his data and experience. Allan remembers, “She noticed I had promise, a love of canine and a love of the game.” One of the teachings he discovered: “It’s actually necessary that we pay it ahead.”
Allan went to varsity, majoring in English with a minor in Psychology. He discovered he might mix his two loves, writing and canine, by working with totally different canine publications in Canada and America. He finally grew to become the editor-in-chief of Dog Fancy and Dog World earlier than working with the distinguished canine present publication Dogs in Review.
Although he liked his years with these totally different publications, as an editor of canine show-focused magazines, he was unable to do any judging. The American Kennel Club has a rule in place that prohibits editors of this subject material from judging resulting from any doable conflicts of curiosity. In 2016 when Dogs in Review folded, Allan was free to use for a judging license. He is now a well-respected decide of a lot of totally different canine breeds.
Allan judges a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at Del Valle present. Photo: Callea Photos
The judging life
Allan moved from city Southern California to stay on a 16-acre farm in Northwest Arkansas together with his animals. Currently, he has three canine — a 12-year-old Afghan Hound feminine and two Tibetan Spaniels, one male and one feminine (all retired champions) — in addition to a male cat who spends his days doing his job as a profitable ratter, together with being adored by his four-legged siblings.
Allan is anxious to get again to his life judging canine exhibits and has been saddened by the 2020 exhibits cancelled because of the COVID pandemic. Allan confesses that 2020 broke his coronary heart and lists the variety of professionals on the exhibits whose lives have been impacted — breeders, skilled canine handlers, distributors and groomers. He mentions greater than as soon as throughout our discuss how welcoming and fantastic the folks within the canine present world are.
It’s apparent he cares deeply not just for the canine however for the people as properly.
Like different sports activities, canine exhibits are discovering methods to return again, and Allan is already prepped on the adjustments that may happen to maintain everybody secure.
There can be no viewers cheering for the winners like he’s used to, and speak to can be restricted and accomplished behind masks, applicable distance and sanitized fingers. Even so, Allan is trying ahead to the long run, “It’s such a privilege to go to different elements of the nation, consider the canine and see what breeders
are producing.”
Allan is as busy as ever. He is a contract author — you’ll be able to learn his breed spotlights, Breed Bytes, on this journal. He continues to be very energetic within the canine present world. Retirement isn’t within the playing cards for Allan. When it involves canine exhibits, “You don’t retire,” Allan explains. “There are a lot of of us of their 70s, 80s and even 90s who’re nonetheless exhibiting and judging, beneficiant with their data.”
As our dialogue involves an finish, I ask Allan if there’s something he would have wished to do however wasn’t in a position to. After a silence Allan solutions, “No. I’ve been very lucky.” Allan’s careers centered on his ardour for canine is one thing any canine lover can be envious of, the lifetime of a Renaissance Man.
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