If you've ever watched the Westminster Dog Show, you'll hear the announcer give some very elaborate names for the dogs. That's called the dog's "Registered" name. If the dog is a champion, that title comes first. Often, the breeder will include the name of their kennel next. For example, if the kennel is, "Cinnibon," that's what comes next. Last, is usually something entertaining that will make the dog stand out in a show ring, like "Bedrock Bombshell." In real life, people aren't standing outside saying, "Champion Cinnabon's Bedrock Bombshell, Come." That's too much for anyone. Instead, the dog also has a "Call Name." The call name is a nick name or what you call the dog. In the above example, Champion Cinnibon's Bedrock Bombshell's call name is Wilma. Get it? Bedrock Bombshell? The Flintstone's? Wilma, Fred's wife? In case you're curious, this is the name of a real dog, a boxer that showed at the Westminster Dog Show. Yabba, Dabba Doo!
In my Baker Street Mystery series, Maddy Montgomery inherits a champion show dog, an English mastiff. When Maddy's Great Aunt Octavia registered him with the American Kennel Club, she gave him a memorable name. Octavia loved Frank Sinatra, so she chose, Champion Crooner Ol’ Blue Eyes, One for My Baby, as his registered name in honor of Frank Sinatra (Ol’ Blue Eyes). One for My Baby is the name of one of Sinatra’s biggest hits. Baby is his call name.
Mastiffs are giants. They're heavy-boned, muscular dogs. Males are around 30 inches from the shoulder to the ground (that’s nearly 3 feet) and range in weight from 170-230 lbs (females are smaller). The breed is known for being protective, but lovable, docile, and kind to their humans. They're often referred to as "gentle giants," and make great pets. However, owning a strong, giant breed like this is a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Training is important and patience is critical. The breed has a large head, and droopy jowls. If you don’t like drool, this isn’t the breed for you. Seriously, they drool like fountains.
One of the best parts about including dogs in my books is that I get to live vicariously through my characters. I don’t own a mastiff, but I get to experience the joy of owning one, with none of the work. If you’re curious what it’s like to live with a 250 lb English mastiff check out my Baker Street Mystery series. The third book in the series, A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death released on July 23, 2024.
Figure 1 American Kennel Club
Congrats on the recent publication of the third in your series. I once worked with a woman who was hired by professional dog handlers specifically to show dogs at big dog shows. (She also raised and showed her own champion whippets and Dobermans.) What a carzy world that is.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your latest publication! We've had neighbors with bull mastiffs, dobermans, akitas, and shar peis. All were gentle giants except the last...and my standard poodles settled his hash and sent him running.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lovely mastiff rescue, named Xena. We needed to take her to the local grain elevator to get her weighed. She unfortunately was not leash-trained when we got her, and she thought chasing cars might be fun, so we had to work with a trainer to overcome that. The trainer pointed out that we were not dealing with a genius in the dog world, so we could distract her. We taught her to sit whenever she saw a car moving, and she was so proud of herself for remembering to do that (and get a treat,) that she became quite a good walking companion.
ReplyDeleteThat's adorable, KM!
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming release! Baby is adorable,
ReplyDeleteThe naming conventions of show dogs and race horses tickle me. Congratulations to you and your vicarious pooch on book 3 in the series coming out!
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