The Westminster spotlight for 2012 is veterinary professionals; veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who show dogs at Westminster. This year is the 136th year of the Westminster Dog show.

This is the 5th year that Dr. Terri Marks and I have met at the Westminster dog show. We met in 2008, when she was showing her Mastiff, Kubota (Bo for short). Kubota is also the star of the how to brush your dog's teeth and how to give a dog a pill videos on this site.

This year, we meet up again; Sherman and Porter the French Bulldogs are in the ring.

1) How many years have you been involved in showing dogs? The French Bulldog breed

Answer: I've been involved in showing dogs for about 7 years now it first started with Kubota, my English mastiff and I've been showing French Bulldogs now for 4 years.

2) What can you tell us about this breed, and how did you become interested in the French Bulldog?

Answer: I became interested in French bulldogs while watching them at dog shows. I would show Kubota and then run over to watch the Frenchies. I love their demeanor and attitude. They are comical little dogs that just love life.

My two Frenchies have absolutely no idea that they're not mastiffs. They were raised with my mastiffs and have a lot of the same mannerisms. They love to hang out on the couch but will go for a walk. Run...never, but walking is just fine.

The French Bulldog is truly a lap dog. They are in the non-sporting group and they have no job whatsoever these days.

In France they kept the prostitutes company, and when they were taken to England they sat on the laps of seamstresses. This is gross or maybe a litlle TMI, but they were used to attract fleas from the seamstresses.

The first breeding pair was brought over on the Titanic which we all know didn't work out too well. If you watch the movie you can see a brindle being walked on the decks. I got my first Frenchie 4 years ago -- Porter, and quickly fell in love.

Porter immediately bonded with my English mastiff Buford who was suffering from lymphoma. Porter adored Buford from the first day we brought him home and was at his side during some of his treatments. He never left Buford's side.

I got Porter from a breeder that also has Mastiffs. I got Sherman 2 years later from the same breeder and he's Porter's nephew.

3) Does your dog do any other types of training (obedience, agility, search and rescue) or therapy work?

Answer: Porter is certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and I take both Porter and Sherman along to schools when I talk to kids about my career. They are both obedience trained and I recently found out that Porter has a huge interest in agility. I just haven't done it formally with him yet.

4) Do you incorporate your veterinary practice with the dog show world (or vice versa) in any way?

Answer: I have found that by showing my dogs that I get a lot of people who will call or come into my office to ask me about the breeds that I show. I do a lot of educating on the breeds and advise many clients on the merits of the breeds, but also I educate them to stay away from puppy mills and possibly to go to rescue organizations instead when they're looking for their next family member.

I have also found myself vetting dogs at dog shows when someone is in need. This includes my competition. I'm a vet first and foremost. People will come and knock on the motorhome door with an emergency if they know I'm a vet. (I have a tackle box with everything in it that I can think of I might need in an emergency for my own guys.) I'll make house calls or RV calls I guess I should say.

5) Do you face any special challenges or have any interesting stories as a veterinary professional participating in dog shows?

Answer: I hate to say this, but many times I'll be ringside and I listen to some of the things people say about medical treatments or vaccine protocols and I'll just shake my head.

Thank you, Dr. Marks, for sharing your enthusiasm for and information about the French Bulldog and Mastiff breeds, dog shows, and how it all relates to your career as a veterinarian. Best wishes for this year's show.