I got my first yorkie in the 70"s. The man I had married had family in Ireland and wales. We were sent overseas to mee the family for a honeymoon. The one family we stayed with ahd a yorkie and I fell in love. I came home and had to have one.
Well I bought one- from a show breeder in my area. Bubbers grew to be 18 pounds no coat and lousy temperment would attack when he did not get his way. Did I love him yes- did I breed hin no. He was neutered. I never ever bought or bred the dogs that I got after him to anything that had to do with this breeder or any bloodlines of Bubbers.
Why do you iron a coat- Reason # 1 you have a wavy coat. #2 you have just taken your dog out of wraps at the show and you have curls. To get that out you have to Iron at the show.
Is number one an enhancement you make the call.
Showing your dog is very political. Some judges will not put up a owner handled dog if they have a handler in the ring unless you are one of the big boys in the breed. Kennel clubs try and pick judges that will get a large draw. They make money on the number of people who enter the show. If they pick the wrong Judges the entries may go down.
Several weeks ago we showed at a small show who had a fantastic Maltese entry 5 point major in both male and female. The Judge was not the one advertised at the time of entry ( he had become ill) most of the maltese were pulled they did not show that day because they did not like the judge.
Some people do not have the funds to show dogs. It is very expensive. Entry fees are at least $23.00- $26.00 per show. Add in your gas, the upkeep on your vehicle, food, lodging, clothing for you and all the things you need for the dog and your time- you are talking a lot of money. This is if you are doing it yourself. Tripple this cost at least if using a handler. Many folks do not have $125.00- $200.00 to blow on a weekend of shows that may be close to home. There are some that still have beautiful dogs.
Picture taking- give me a stacked picture of a dog any day. If you know how to stack you can take a wonderful picture and correct a lot of faults- dog looks wonderful. Why do you think so much time is spent on training a dog to stack and stay in that pose. I like to see them when not working when they are relaxed a lot of faults are clearer. Too each his own on marketing.
Walk down the Isle- look at the shops at the dog show- 85% of the products that some of the vendors have are enhancements. Products to help the coat be whiter- darker. Conditioners to help give a silky coat texture and on and on. You are fooling yourself if you are using products like this and say that you are not enhancing your dog.
Many dogs are colored to even out the breaking or lack of breaking fill in sooty heads.
The person who has mastered the art of grooming has a big advantage. Many owner handlers can not groom thier dog the way that a groomer can.
Most top handlers with multiple breeds have a person who does nothing but get the dogs ready to show. I look at Buster- I keep him up during the week- can I groom him the way Peggy does for a show no way.
Many a owner handler does not know how to train the dog to show at his or her best advantage- we are too involved with how much we love them. While at the show you have to put on a different hat. You are now a professional- not that dogs best friend and he is not the love of your life. It has to be bussiness only.
Question to all- If your dog was shown and colored without your consent- and you found out -what would you do if he won points in the show ring? Do you smile and take those points or do you contact the registry and tell them what was done. If no points were won would you still contact them . Would you take the chance on having your dog disqualified for life?
My hat goes off to all who show themselves- It is long and hard work |