A National Specialty for devoted Giant Schnauzer fanciers is just like Christmas—something you look forward to all year long. Then, as soon as it’s over, you begin looking forward to next year.

This year the Giant Schnauzer Club of America held its 36th Annual National Specialty Saturday April 10 – 13, in Harrisburg, PA. One morning, a young couple attending their very first Specialty, sat down beside me. They were there because they lived in the area and had just gotten a Giant puppy. When they found out that I had come all the way from Texas and wasn’t even showing a dog, they were dumbstruck. “Why would anyone come all that way to watch other people’s dogs?”

Over the years many people have asked me that question. This was not my first Giantless National Specialty; it was more like my 18th. In truth, I have never shown a dog at a National Specialty, but I have enjoyed each and every one.

While there are a number of Giant fanciers who regularly attend Specialties without dogs, it occurred to me that there would be more if all of the people who own Giants, but don’t show them, only knew how much fun a Specialty can be. So, in an effort to increase the ranks of Giantless participants at Specialties, a listing of the reasons for Giant fanciers to attend Specialty events follows:

• Friendship — This is without a doubt the number one reason. People from all over the world and from all walks of life get to spend a long weekend together, socializing, because of their one common interest. My husband and I attended our first National Specialty in 1973. That was 30 years ago, and we have remained good friends with some of the people we met that weekend. There is a snowball effect too—the more Nationals you attend, the more people you meet and the more fun you have at the next National. By the time you have attended three or four, you’ll have friends spread out across the country and in a few foreign countries as well.

• Giant Schnauzers — While not considered rare, Giant Schnauzers are certainly not common. So, if you want to see a large group of Giant Schnauzers, what better place to go than a National Specialty? You’ll see and meet puppies, veterans and everything in between. And they’ll be everywhere—at the hotel in the hallways, lobby, on the grounds, peering out of room windows, in cars, trucks, vans, motor homes, and needless to say at the show site. They’ll be doing impressive and often funny stuff in the breed, obedience and agility rings.

• Star-power—Stars play an important role in every sport and the sport of dogs is no different. What would baseball be without the likes of Cal Ripkin, golf without Tiger Woods or the Giant Schnauzer ring without Koal? Baseball and golf fans love to see their stars in person, and Giant Schnauzers fanciers are no different. If you go to a National Specialty you can actually meet the famous Giant Schnauzers (sorry—no autographs!). Those of us who remember the ‘70s still argue the merits of Quay, Rommel, Emo, Tony, Zep, Gesi, Desi, Bobi, Koni, and Happy. The 80’s made Nina, Thunderation, Onyx, Thief, Figaro, Handsome Stranger, Taurus, and of course Dreamer household words (at least in GS households). Dreamer made the jump into the ‘90s by winning BOB at the 1992 National from the veterans class, as did Taurus in 1994. Brucy, Tristan, Sissy, and Eos were the big stars of the ‘90s, while Koal swept 2000, 2001, 2002 and was still winning dog shows in 2003. Having won the 2003 National Specialty, Jacqui is the new star on the horizon. Only time and dog shows can tell who the other famous dogs of this decade will be.

• Shopping — If you are tired of looking at catalogs and shops full of tee shirts and collectibles for the more popular breeds; or if you want something special with a Giant Schnauzer on it; then RUN, don’t walk, to the next National Specialty. The dog-show vendors aren’t stupid. They take note of the breed club specialties and stock their shelves accordingly. You’ll usually find breed-specific jewelry, statues and clothing items. As a matter of fact we found the beautiful Giant Throw in Harrisburg that our club will be raffling. The Giant Schnauzer Club of America usually offers a variety of tees and sweats as well, and don’t forget the auction and raffle which are always held following the club’s Annual Awards Banquet. Original art work, statues, quilts, rugs, jewelry, even hand-knit sweaters have been auctioned and raffled over the years.

• Sightseeing — National Specialties usually last for three or four days but that doesn’t mean you have to sit at ringside all weekend. The main event or the National Specialty Show is usually held on Saturday so it’s possible to see all the dogs that day and spend the rest of the weekend sightseeing. In the evenings, you can socialize with new and old friends at the Giant Schnauzer Club of America’s cocktail parties, banquet and other events. While I have never mixed National Specialties with sightseeing, many Giant Schnauzer fanciers do. As an example, breed historian Yvonne Schilla took advantage of Harrisburg’s close proximity to Gettysburg and toured the battlefields and museum this past April. With the show sites spread out across the country, there is always something new and interesting to see and do at every National.

• Sportsmanship — Sports are all about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Dog shows are no different. We love to cheer for our favorites and of course we like it even better when they win. Not having a dog entered is especially liberating. You can cheer for your friends’ dogs, your dog’s offspring and yes, dogs you just like! Actually dog show etiquette requires that you clap for all the dogs, but it is permissible to clap (and whistle) louder for some than others. In Harrisburg there was a large contingent of South Central States Giant Schnauzer Club members showing dogs, so we had a great time all weekend cheering them on to victory. And they did us PROUD!

March 2004—Mark your calendars! The Giant Schnauzer Club of America’s 37th Annual National Specialty is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the Kentuckiana Cluster of All-Breed Dog Shows at the Kentucky Fair Exposition Center in Louisville, the second weekend in March 2004. That date is not set in stone, but will be printed in the Giant Hotline as soon as the date is firm. Another large contingent of SCSGS Club members is planning to attend, so please join us for the festivities. If you haven’t been to a National Specialty before, we’ll make sure that you have a good time in Louisville!

Tip: The Louisville Chamber of Commerce’s Website is chock full of useful information at: http://gotolouisville.com.

To whet your appetite these are a few of Louisville’s four star attractions, so don’t forget to bring the entire family:

        • Kentucky Derby Museum
        • Kentucky Horse Park
        • Louisville Science Center
        • Louisville Slugger Museum
        • Louisville Zoo
        • Speed Art Museum
        • Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom

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