By Gay Dunlap

It was mid-June in Southern California when, once again, terrier folks faced brutal heat and humidity not unlike that faced over Montgomery weekend last October. The California weekend embraces three shows... Long Beach, Beverly Hills and the grand finale, Great Western Terrier Association’s show, often referred to, rather ironically this year, as “Montgomery West”. Generally the weather is delightful in Long Beach where the shows are held on the grounds of California State University. We expect cool breezes to waft in off the Pacific shore, a stone’s throw away. We come prepared with warm jackets to ward off the chill of the early morning hours, occasionally accompanied by fog rolling slowly inland. Not this year! I left the hotel that first morning in a jacket and said, as the weather hit me in the face, “Oh, I don’t think I’m gong to need this.” My friend responded...“Don’t forget, it can get quite chilly by group time.” Wrong. It went from hot to hotter...from muggy to muggier.

Is this further proof of global warming or climate change? Last year at Montgomery a handler suggested that if it was, we needed to look for more inside venues. Call it what you will, I don’t know. But what I do know is that, under circumstances such as these, something must be done about the dress code...not for the distaff side. We are much more free to dress lightly...to wear sandals (flip-flops in the ring are not ok!), cropped linen pants or frothy skirts with lightweight tees. That being said, I think some outfits can be totally inappropriate when age, shape and amount of exposed flesh are thrown to the wind. Likewise, in extreme heat, the penchant for wearing panty hose is absurd as they are incredibly restrictive and do not allow the skin to breathe; if nylons are considered a must, then knee-highs and a longer skirt are the more sensible choice. But, generally speaking, when the heat hits, we be cool!

But what about the guys? My heart bled for them Great Western weekend just as it bled for them at Montgomery. A well-known terrier handler, sitting under a tent in the shade at the Long Beach show that first day beckoned to me in greeting. Waving hello, I walked toward him and as I approached he held up his hand as if to say, “Halt! Don’t come any closer,” he admonished (and you know we are a kissing bunch)... “I’m sopping wet!” It gave me yet another opportunity to quote George Carlin (who sadly left this world that very weekend)...“Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.”

Why should these gentleman, including our AKC President, VPs and Reps, many of whom were there for this historically important event, be subjected to dress as though they are attending a board meeting? Granted the weather was not anticipated. However, it seems to me that we must now be prepared for weather anomalies such as these. Guys should not be expected to wear suits or jackets and ties under these conditions. Now, that being said, if a guy chooses to do so and likes having the back of his jacket seeping sweat, so be it.

Obviously, for many, a little guidance may be required in garment selection. For example, how many understand that a cotton A-shirt (the tank-type undershirt grandpa wore) or cotton T-shirt (those with sleeves) do not add to ones’ discomfort in the heat. Quite to the contrary, they wick the sweat and keep a dress shirt dry. Recently a company called Heat Gear designed what they term the original "second skin" layer, sparking a revolution in performance apparel. This under layer is made of a microfiber blend featuring what they term their “signature Moisture Transport System”. It's designed to fit tight to your skin beneath your shirt and tie. Remember that wet clothes will make it more difficult for you to cool down (they restrict evaporation from the skin). Clothing made from "wicking" material will draw the sweat away from your body and the material will remain dry, thus allowing your body to remain cool. Socks, undershirts and men’s shorts/briefs are all available in “wicking” fabrics.

Outer shirts made of 100% cotton with the proper “wicking” under garment will keep any handler or judge looking cool and spiffy. At Montgomery last year, one of our premier judges looked just that as he judged an entry of over 150 dogs. He was dressed simply – undershirt, cotton outer shirt with sleeves rolled up once, no jacket, and cotton khaki trousers. He started with a dress tie, but soon removed it, as temperature and humidity rose and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. Understated elegance is how I would describe his dress. Whereas I am certain his outerwear cost a pretty penny, it is possible to look just as dapper on far less money without appearing as though you stepped out of K-mart. Khaki “Dockers” can look pretty darn good paired with a cotton dress shirt, long sleeved or short... undershirt please! Given that our dog game is considered a sport, how many guys think to shop for wicking underwear and socks in sports stores? And by the way, wicking socks and underwear work equally well in the cold, keeping you dry and warm. I am a skier and I know.

The Human Body

Perhaps it would help to realize that the human body is like an efficient thermostat, and most of the time we pay no more attention to its activity than we do to our central heating system at home. However, when the outside temperature threatens to lower the body's core temperature below a certain level, the body kicks in with a number of measures that are designed to reduce heat loss. Conversely, when the outside temperature threatens to raise the core temperature, the body triggers a number of other measures to lose heat, like sweating and opening up all the blood vessels near the skin. This latter measure is why our faces often turn red when we become overheated. When we subject ourselves to such conditions, and especially in high levels of humidity, we put a lot of pressure on our body's thermostat, and there is a very real danger of overloading it.

Other Tips on Keeping Cool

It has already been said that we must take extra care on hot, humid and sunny days. As a resident of Phoenix where temperatures soar to well over 100º in the summer and, contrary to popular thought, can be very humid, we are warned incessantly to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day. At dog shows, however, we are not given that choice. So how we dress becomes essential to our health and well-being. Clothing made from "wicking" material will draw the sweat away from your body and the material will remain dry, allowing your body to remain cool.

Add to this that it is imperative we avoid getting dehydrated. In the heat, one can lose up to two liters of water per hour through sweat. Water is the best drink to replace this liquid, but if you've been running back and forth between rings for a long time, electrolyte replacement is good because it replaces the essential minerals lost in sweat. Most commercial sports drinks are designed to do this. It is important to remember that if you find yourself thirsty you are already 2 to 3% dehydrated. Make it a point to drink water regularly and don’t wait until you are thirsty. When I am judging, particularly in the summer months when judging out of doors, I ask my steward to remind me to drink water. It is easy to forget this when caught up in the job at hand. There were at least two cases of heat stroke over Great Western weekend and one dog suffered heat stroke as well. What about our addiction to coffee and soda? How many are aware that in extreme heat we should not drink anything that has caffeine in it?

Looking as though you are off to the beach is inappropriate for a dog show, indoors or out. But, as I said before, in the sweltering heat, neither is looking as though you are heading for a board meeting in mid-town Manhattan. Shorts are inappropriate attire be you guy or gal. Sandals are inappropriate for guys. And if a guy really must wear a jacket, how about one that is of a light hue, preferably one that is unlined. A point that most guys seem not to realize is that light colors reflect the sunlight and reduce the heat load. Dark colors soak up the heat, in the same manner as do black dogs. So wear a light-colored jacket if indeed you must wear one at all.

We all have more fun when we are physically comfortable. It is possible to make the best of a bad situation in the face of Mother Nature’s wily whims by taking this advice to heart.