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Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007  I love this website. |
I found this benefical as well. I like the article you earlier posted. What I like about dog shows, and I've only experienced it infrequently is the adhoc sharing, experiencing, examining dogs that can go on.
I posted this some time ago, but my first US National for our breed I had my puppy in the ring. First time at a National for both of us. It was embarassingly obvious. I placed 4th in a class of nine. The ring steward was so I don't know what, embarassed for me, teed off, she said if you want to learn how to show come back here. So, I kenneled Magic, told my hubby where I was going went back and spent 3hours ringside. That steward (who was also a judge) would say to me watch this person, watch that person. Then as time permitted she say to me, see the hand placement, see the stack methodolgy. Watch this one gaiting. Then she said, look come back after show is over and I will give you some help. So I came back, in tow when others heard a few "bystanders/exhibitors" of the breed. Well low and behold the National judge was there too. Oh my Lord, I was so nervous. That judge said ... you should have won that class you know why you didn't? I said well, I suppose cause I did everything wrong. Yup was her answer. They had bought and gave to me the right show lead for this breed. They had me run up and down, around, critiquing everything. Then this stranger to my big rambuctious pup, took the lead from me, and I kid you not in less than 2minutes, had him stacked so well, running so well. I said OHMY HE Looks like a SHOW Dog. The two judges turned to me and snarled HE IS!. I learnt a LOT. We placed second the next day, and first the day after, under different judges. I have never forgotten their kindness, to a complete stranger. This is an example of the best of the dog world.
Yesterday, after the show, we gaited a dog of my breeders, and started assessing the dog's movement. This little girl is a natural beautiful stacker (that in itself tells you something about the dog). We were looking at the down and back in particular, and from that developed a plan of action, for her to train with this wee one. Also videos help us out a lot.
This kind of thing happens infrequently that I've seen at dog shows. But it does happen. I've seen breeders go up to very experienced handlers for their breed with their 5 or 6 mth old pup, for their assessment of the dog. I do wish that it happened more.