Achoo

NORTH LIBERTY — Will Yingling and his daughter, Madison, leave Saturday for the ultimate Take Your Daughter to Work Day experience.

This year’s Westminster is only the second year to feature the breed.

“We’re just hoping to set a good example with the breed,” Yingling says.

At first glance, most adults shy away the Cane Corso. Yingling says people categorize them as “guard dogs” because of their appearance.

“People see the cropped ears and they think ‘pit bull,’” Yingling says. “That’s an unfair stereotype — for both breeds.”

The Cane Corso, an Italian breed of dog, is regarded as a companion, guardian and hunter. The breed was recovered from near extinction through the efforts of enthusiasts in the 1970s by means of crossbreeding appropriate type selected breeds, and recognized by the United Kennel Club on July 15, 2008, under the name Cane Corso Italiano and by the American Kennel Club in 2010 as Cane Corso.

“They are a great breed to train because they’ll do anything you ask,” Yingling says. “They’re goofy, they like to play.”

Carson

Yingling received Carson from a friend when he was 12 weeks old. Now 5 years old, Carson will retire from showing after Westminster.

Yingling bred Achoo in his quest for the perfect family dog. Not even 3 years old, Achoo received an automatic invitation to Westminster as one of the country’s top five dogs in the breed.

Achoo, who also is a certified therapy dog, could retire after the show. Yingling says that decision is still up in the air.

“I like the dogs more than the politics of showing,” he says.

Also, Achoo lives with his handler, Deanna Rotkowski, in Ohio when he’s showing. Yingling says the separation is difficult because Achoo is first and foremost his dog.

“When they aren’t showing, they’re just pets,” he says. “They’re our dogs, our buddies.”

The 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held Feb. 13 and 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, is the club’s 136th annual show. It is the second longest continuously held sporting event in the country, just one year behind the Kentucky Derby.

Coverage of the event will be held on the USA Network among other channels.