I have a bone to pick with a piece I saw a while back in the sports section of The New York Times — which I do read, by the way, even if it’s “failing.” It was called “Two New
Breeds With Really Long Names” (Jan. 24, by The Associated Press) and it started this way: “Two new breeds. Sixteen new syllables.” The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, the article said, will be competing in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show — that’s the big cahuna — next week in Madison Square Garden. Both breeds have just recently been recognized by the American Kennel Club. And here’s my take on all this: 16 syllables between the two of them? Ha! I have ten myself! And as Beagle Man is constantly telling people when introducing me, I also have five words in my breed name: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling
Retriever. I don’t see either of the newbies matching that. Not to mention, those five words in my name are real words. Not like Kooikerhondje. What the heck is Kooikerhondje?? Sounds like something you say when someone sneezes. But here’s the part of the article that really gets my goat: “The merry, clever Nederlandse kooikerhondje was initially trained to help Dutch duck hunters by attracting the birds’ interest and then luring them into net-covered canals.” Excuse me? That’s exactly what Duck Tollers do! That’s my job we’re talking about! And I’m pretty sure I can do it better than some Kooikerhondje! All right, let the games begin. And let the best duck dog win!
Beagle Man and Ricky always have a lot to say, so I’ll just pipe up in The Duck Dog Speaks whenever I can.
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