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What Is The Fancy?

It is a term often heard when insiders discuss dogs and the people who love them. A college professor who visits the site asked us to define the fancy as it might relate it to career choices for his students. In brief, here is the reply:

The “fancy” refers to hobbyists or professionals emotionally and financially invested in the sport of dogs. They are:

• Judges (those who are licensed or approved by AKC, UKC, NCA, etc. to chose the best dogs in each class at each show)
• Handlers (professionals who train, condition, groom, oversee, transport, promote and present the dog to the judges)
• Exhibitors (owners, usually breeders, train, condition, groom, promote and present dogs themselves or turn them over to handlers)
• Breeders (dedicated people who artfully create generation after generation of quality pets and show dogs)
• Kennel Clubs (local people from the above four groups, who host and operate show venues)
• Breed Clubs (national network of people of the first four groups who promote and control an individual breed)

Peripheral groups that derive significant income from the sport of dogs and from the fanciers include:

• Veterinarians
• Trade Media (publishers that advertise and educate all dog owners)
• Writers, Reporters, and Journalists
• Photographers, Artists, and craftsmen
• Suppliers (nutritional, veterinary, and canine accessories)
• Boarding and Training kennels

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