Although a chilly wind ripped through the quiet streets of Philadelphia, the energy inside the expo center was full of energy. The American Kennel Club had banners lining the hallways showing the "best in show" dog breeds from each category. However, most of the hushed conversations revolved around the "New Frontiers" category. Some saw it as groundbreaking while others viewed it as blasphemous.
While the show had the familiar sights of groomed Poodles, excited German Shepherds, and lazy Mastiffs, there were occasional flashes of an iridescent feather that would catch the curiosity and anxiety of the crowd. This year, the future of canine companionship had finally reached the recognition of existence.
Among the handlers preparing for this unprecedented event was Dr. Finnian O’Hara. He wore a tweed jacket and spectacles that looked like a man of a different era. Talking to him, you wouldn't know his mind was full of the latest advances in bio-genetics. He knelt beside his partner, a dog who seemed woven from moonlight itself.
She was Luxa, a lumina-canine. Her short, sleek coat emitted a soft glow that could be described as ethereal. She looked like a living constellation. Her bioluminescence went beyond a simple light, as it was a calibrated outward expression of her internal mood.
"Easy, girl," Finnian murmured and adjusted her color.
Her glowing was getting bright, signaling her growing apprehension at being surrounded by so many other people and dogs. For him, the goal wasn't ribbons, but recognition of his bright idea. He believed dogs like Luxa were the next step in dog breeding, to enhance individual beings for mutual benefit.
He wasn't the only one competing in the show. Jing Song and her aero-hound Cerberus approached the staging area off to the side of the main stage. Cerberus had thick fur and a refined grace, but it was his three tails that commanded all the attention. They weren't simple appendages; each was independently articulated and capable of spinning quickly to create a mesmerizing blur. Jing was an engineer by training and had worked with a local bio-hacking collective to develop Cerberus as the model of novel canine athletes.
"He's not just a dog," she bragged to Finnian. "He's a perfect specimen to showcase optimized biomechanics."
On the other side of the main stage was Professor Britta Teybor, who stood with her eyes closed. She took long, deep breaths in order to relax. This wasn't her first dog show, but she always got nervous before walking out.
"Momma?" asked Socrates, her Lupina-Lingua. Though he looked like a fluffy dog, one the size of a wolf, his timbre was startlingly human. The simple word caused other conversations to stop as everyone turned towards the animal.
Britta was a pioneer in neuro-linguistic canine interaction, something she had been interested in ever since she was a girl. For her, Socrates was a philosophical bridge to try redefining companionship and consciousness.
Clara Pikula stared at the talking dog with incredulousness as her hands absentmindedly stroked the shimmering plumage of her Yorkshire Airrier. Nimbus was hypo-allergenic, covered not in fur but in layers of colorful feathers ranging from indigo to a shiny emerald. They provided remarkable thermoregulation. Clara used to be an avian conservationist, but her work moved in the direction of cross-species synthesis for enhanced resilience and beauty.
The final pairing of the category was Randy and Dart, his Portuguese Water Dog. Although his water dog was not the usual sort. Dart had a wider body and large expressive eyes that were slightly uncanny and off-putting. And Dart had a long, adhesive tongue that could dart out quickly and precisely to grab items with great dexterity. Randy was an advocate for sustainable living and natural pest control, and saw Dart was the embodiment of these ideals to manage insect populations in way more natural than extensive chemicals.
Then, the lights dimmed around the stage as the panel of judges walked on to a cheer of applause from the crowd.
"Good morning Philadelphia! I am Peggy Barber, your head judge for the New Frontiers category for today." a woman with a silver-haired bun said. The fingers holding her tablet were finely manicured.
"Along with me are Claudio Benito and Daria Tessi, who will be my fellow judges for today."
"Thank you for that warm introduction," Claudio announced. "I have been the genetics advisor for the American Kennel Club for the last three years and I am looking forward to seeing our inaugural entries today."
"So, we are here to evaluate these unique breeds not just based on their gait or temperament, but on their biological innovation, functional utility, and of course the ethical integrations," Daria remarked.
"This category, New Frontiers, represents a paradigm shift," Claudio continued. "It's about progress and exploring the potentials of future canine evolution. We have to consider how these adaptations serve both the animal and their human companion in new, sustainable ways. It's about respecting the individual and embracing ingenuity."
"But also about responsibility," Daria said with a nod. "We must ensure these innovations truly enhance the animal's life, not just its utility to us. The welfare of these unique creatures, their right to a fulfilling existence, must be paramount. It's not a beauty pageant. It's a profound statement about our relationship with nature."
"With that, it is time for our first entrant. Everyone, let us start off with Professor Britta Teybor and Socrates," Peggy invited.
Britta took small steps forward, shielding her eyes as the bright spotlights hit her. Socrates didn't look nervous as it proudly pulled his owner forward. She took the microphone from the judge's hands.
"Socrates represents a monumental achievement in interspecies communication," she stammered. "Through careful genetic modification targeting specific laryngeal structures and neural pathways associated with speech processing, Socrates is able to understand and produce basic human language."
She paused and looked down at her excited dog.
"Socrates can you tell us about your journey here today?"
Britta knelt down and held the microphone near his broad muzzle.
Socrates tilted his head slightly and the opened his mouth.
"Long travel. Many smells. High energy," Socrates answered in a deep voice.
A ripple of surprise flew through the crowd. Some laughed in disbelief while others looked disturbed. Judge Barber stiffened and dropped her tablet's stylus. Judge Benito leaned forward with his mouth open.
"Socrates is still learning, of course. His grammar might never reach a sophisticated level. But his capacity for direct communication opens up avenues for understanding their needs and desires that were previously unimaginable. He offers companionship based on shared language, fostering individual expression."
Clara came next, stepping into the spotlight. As she did, Nimbus's entire body glistened and shined so brightly the technician had to turn down the brightness to avoid blinding the cameras.
"Nimbus's feather coat is a prime example of adaptive biomimicry," Clara explained. "Genetically integrated avian follicular structures allow for this remarkable feathering phenomenon. The thermoregulation effects allows Nimbus to adapt to a far wider range of climates without any external factors, reducing its energy consumption and metabolic requirements."
As she spoke, Nimbus ruffled his feathers, showcasing a captivating display of vibrant hues.
As Nimbus's beauty stepped away from the main stage, the crowd became visually distraught to see Dart walk on in his place. They were shocked by how Dart's wide body and bulging head made it vaguely resemble a frog. Dart stared back at the crowd with its large eyes and an intense curiosity.
"This is my grand companion, Dart. He is a representation of a solution-oriented approach. He posses an extraordinary adhesive tongue designed for precise retrieval and pest management."
Randy then produced a small frisbee from his pocket. He pulled back his arm and then threw it high into the air. With a lightning-fast thwip, Dart's tongue shot out. The crowd was amazed by its impossible length and how it managed to catch the frisbee on its tip. Dart retracted his tongue and pulled back the frisbee to an applauding audience.
"His tongue can extend over twelve feet with precise targeting, allowing him to catch delicate objects or manage insect populations without having to depend on harmful pesticides. He's a truly sustainable partner for a modern household."
There was a longer break between dogs at this point as crew members pushed a large, clear pool on wheels to a corner of the ring. Cerberus ran forward onto the stage as Jing followed behind slowly. Cerberus ran up a ramp and leapt straight into the water. Everyone's attention was drawn to the three tails spinning in a circle.
"As you may notice, Cerberus has three tails. He is a marvel of bio-kinetics," Jing explained with the pride of an engineer. "Through targeted genetic optimization, these tails provide robust, independent muscle and skeletal systems. They allow for unparalleled dynamic propulsion in the water."
The three tails acted as miniature propellers, driving him through the water with incredible speed. Jing threw a buoy over his head into the pool. In a matter of seconds, Cerberus was able to reach it in just a few seconds. With a final burst of power from his tails, he launched himself out of the water right to Jing’s feet. He shook the water off his body and dropped the buoy on the floor.
"He achieves agility in water beyond the fastest conventional canines. He would be the ideal companion during water rescue, specialized search and retrieval, or other kinds of assistance."
Applause erupted with a mix of astonished gasps.
"And now, please come up to the stage Dr. Finnian O’Hara and Luxa."
The arena lights dimmed. Aside from the building's emergency lights, the audience couldn't see anything. Then, a soft light suddenly appeared in the center. Luxa could be seen in her full radiance. The soft, internal luminescence pulsed with in hues of green and blue.
"Ladies and gentlemen, meet Luxa," Finnian’s voice resonated through the hushed hall. "Her unique dermal layer has been enhanced with tailored symbiotic bacteria to produce a completely safe, non-thermal bioluminescence. I asked the crew to dim the lights so you can truly appreciate this spectrum."
Luxa trotted around, creating the illusion of a colorful wisp dancing around the stage.
"This isn't just to look pretty. The intensity and hue of the glow correlate directly with her physiological markers. A vibrant green indicates peak vitality while a soft blue suggests she is relaxed. This organic feedback system can enhance the bond between pet and owner through direct biological communication. She embodies the principles of transparent, integrated living."
The audience leaned forward to get a better look at the glow while Judge Barber’s brow furrowed and made notes on the tablet.
The arena lights slowly brightened, giving the crowd a chance for their eyes to readjust. They had expressions of wonder and skepticism as the judges departed to a quiet room to deliberate. They had seen glowing dogs, propeller tails, speaking dogs, feathered canines, and one with a frog tongue. The challenge now was how to rank these unprecedented creatures.
The oak door clicked shut, muffling the noise of the crowd from outside. Judge Barber removed her spectacles and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Well, that was certainly a new frontier," she remarked.
"It was extraordinary!" Claudio said, still buzzing with excitement as he looked through all the notes he had made. "The biochemical precision of the lumnia-canine, the biomechanical efficiency of the aero-hound... I certainly have never seen bioengineering of this quality before."
Daria looked more pensive.
"Elegant, perhaps, but what about the ethical implications? A dog that speaks? What does that do to the historic concept of a pet? And a dog that catches and eats bugs like a frog? At some point does it stop being a dog at all?"
"The water dog has a lot of utility even though it is certainly unique," Barber mused with a faint distaste. "And the Yorkie is beautiful, but how would that affect our standard breed qualities? How do we judge gait for a dog so light it practically floats?"
"This tech cannot be put back in the box," Claudio noted. "These experiments have been happening for some time and have been completely ignored by our organization. If we want to remain the leading authority on dog breeds, we will need to address these questions. We need to recognize responsible progress, to champion innovation while insisting on individual welfare."
"But where is the line, Claudio?" Daria leaned forward. "If we prioritize utility over intrinsic canine nature, aren't we just turning them into organic robots? My concern is always about the dog's well-being. Does a speaking dog actually want to speak, or is it an adaptation we've thrust upon them?"
"We could always ask Socrates. He seems quite content. And his communication could allow for far greater insights into their welfare. That would be a profound leap for animal advocacy."
"The glowing dog was visually striking," Barber interjected. "But how practical is a dog whose health data is broadcast for everyone to see? What if it's unwell? Is that fair to the animal?"
"There's a subtlety to the glow. It's not a flashing siren. It would require the handler to develop an understanding of what the pet wants and needs. Then the bond is stronger than before."
The debate continued for a long time. They went through each dog to weigh its attributes against the regular AKC rubric to their best ability.
"We cannot just choose one based on how pretty or conventional it is," Claudio finally stated, looking at a spreadsheet of scores. "But we cannot ignore the practical benefits these dogs offer either. It's about finding the balance between the revolutionary purpose and the inherent dignity of the canine."
"Perhaps it's not about which dog is best," Judge Barber said after pushing her glasses back up her nose. "Not in the old sense. But which dog best exemplifies the spirit of this new category? Which one truly integrates biological innovation while still embodying the tradition of a loyal companion?"
They reviewed the scores once more. What was unspoken during this discussion was the precedent they were setting and what that would mean for the future of the AKC. Socrates was astonishing but perhaps generated too much ethical apprehension for a clear win. The Aero-Hound and Amphibi-Hound were incredibly functional, but perhaps not as appealing to the world as traditional pets. The Avian-Canine was beautiful but perhaps didn't seem as functional as the others. It was more of a decoration than a full animal.
The final dog felt less like a compromise than a thoughtful, forward-looking embrace. It was innovative while presenting no immediate ethical quandaries.
Finally, the judges emerged from their little meeting room. Their faces were solemn but resolute. The murmuring in the hall had died down to a strained silence as Judge Barber approached the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the judging for the inaugural New Frontiers category has concluded. This has been the hardest decision we've ever had to make, given the clear novel canines presented before us today. We have considered innovation, utility, temperament, and technical integration. We have been deliberating for a while and are ready to announce the winner."
She looked towards Dr. Finnian O’Hara with a large smile on her face.
"The winner is the Lumina-Canine, Luxa!"
A wave of applause, mixed with gasps of surprise, swept through the hall. Finnian’s smile was genuine and Luxa's glow turned further green.
"The Lumina-Canine embodies a harmonious blend of biological advancement and enhanced companionship. Its subtle, non-invasive biofeedback offers a new layer of connection and care, furthering bonds."
Finnian accepted the ribbon to loud applause. The other handlers clapped as well, but couldn't help but feel disappointed.
The New Frontiers category had finally arrived, making a big splash on the entire field of dog breeding. It promised a big future where dogs could be bioengineered with care and purpose to continually redefine the meaning of "man's best friend".