Dog Show Talk
 

I enjoy following all the dog show results at Onofrio.com. In the dog show world you never know what might happen at a dog show. A dog or bitch can win the points one day and totally get dumped the next day. I guess some judges don't see eye to eye or maybe the dog preformed well one day and not the next. Sometimes I love it when the unexpected happens, the underdog wins or the judge puts up a puppy. Of course, those that got beat probably don't like it. I don't always agree with judges decisions but I am a gracious looser. We can't all be winners on any given day.

I have noticed that some dogs are still being shown in the classes at 3 and 4 years old. For those of you that have been showing a long time, can you recall the oldest age of a Yorkie dog and bitch when they became champions? Also, once they become champions, what is the oldest champion you can recall being campaigned? Also, do you know of any bitches that had a litter and then were brought out and finished their championship? Thank you all.

Winning one day and doing nothing the next is very normal. I have a 2 year old girl whom I just started showing. Around here the competition is so strong that I think its kinda pointless to show a pup not in full coat

Not only that, but some of the darker Yorkies take a long time to break and you can't really start showing them until they're 2.

Last year I was in CO visiting my father and decided to spend a weekend at a dog show there so I entered my, then, 10month old pup before hand.

The first day panned out to be a major with WD being a 6.5yr old dog (Sonja, you know who I'm talking about lol) and my pup took reserve. Maybe its just me but if it takes 6yrs of actively showing to finish a dog maybe its not worth showing it??? Just my opinion.

As far as my showing career, If I could change anything I would probably have waited to start showing my dog until he was 2. Being green and innocent I didnt know the politics and the ways of the ring, perse. I just figured that if the dog had great structure that it would win over a poorly built dog in full coat, puppy or not. I've learned the hard (and expensive way) that with most judges the length of coat really does matter. I've also learned that coat takes FOREVER to hit the floor if your dog is up on leg.;)

I have been showing for quite some time now a few different breeds and its weird seeing the "trends" change in the breeds. Yorkies are showing with longer docked tails these days compared to when I first started showing.
Your seeing great danes win with natural ears, GSDs are more angled in the rear.... The list goes on in different breeds

Forgot to add...
6 years old and still not a CH. WOw I have seen specials that old but none still trying to finish at that age around here

lol, yep. There is one out here right now who is almost 5yrs old and in the classes. At least he has Euro/Mex/Can titles to him which help to mitigate his age.

Some dogs don't even start their career until late. I have a bitch now that is 4 1/2 and has only been shown a couple of times as a puppy. There many reasons to hold back - waiting on coat, waiting for color to break ect.

I regularly show against the top dogs and the top handlers. When KM is at a show, she generally wins Winners Dog, Winners Bitch and Best of Breed. Very often, the married couple that handlers toys are there as well. Owner/Handlers win occasionally win but not often. Even the owner/handlers are major competion. I am usually in the ring with Tyava, Estugo, Durrers, Annastef, Caraneal, Thimbletip ect. It can take years to finish a dog.

Docking and cropping is no longer allowed in the UK so we will see more Danes and Dobes with natural ears. You are right on about GSD. Because of fashion, the dogs are bred for a certain look and most can no longer do the job they were breed to do. Corgi's are being ruined as well. The poor things are so long now. No wonder these breeds have hip and back problems.

Hey you forgot Tiffany's, Wolpert, Stratford. and that little gal from Pellerd Ore'. The competition is terrible and it's tough for a little nobody newbie like me and Connor! I just hope it won't take until he is 5 to finish him, it would certainly test my fortitude!
By the way I got the book you recommended today, now to just find the time to read it.

This is why entries in UKC shows are exploding. I have been showing in the AKC for 36 years and I will always show there but I also show in the UKC. AKC carries more prestige but the UKC is not a fly by night registry. The UKC was formed 2 years after the AKC. Do you know the oldest, most prestigous club in the world, The Kennel Club in the UK, is a sister club to the UKC. When you watch Crufts on TV this year, notice that the on air announcer from the US is not an AKC judge but Wayne Cavanaugh from the UKC. I compete against the same dogs in UKC as I do in the AKC. The only difference is there are no handers, no hair dye, no chalk and no hair spray.

When someone approaches me about learning to show, I suggest that they start in the UKC. This is a quote from Pat Hastings (The Puppy Puzzle) "You gain confidence by winning. These shows are more informal, more relaxed and slower paced than AKC shows. Also, professional handlers are less likely to be in force at these events, so your chances of winning more frequently are better. If you can go to these shows, you'll have a more comfortable envronment in which to learn not only how to show your dog but also how to win and that will increase your chances of winning when you come back to the AKC shows."

Yup we got those here in NJ. But Im happy that my girl is doing good thus far 2 BOB and 1 WB and thats out of the handful of shows I have entered her in

Anyone going to DVTYC show next month in reading, PA?

Laurie....thank you so much for you valuable input. I would love to be in an area where so many beautiful dogs are being shown. In regards to UKC shows, here in Texas I only know of one show and it is a long drive from where I live. Do you think eventually there will be more UKC shows?

I am not that concerned with the breeder/owner/handlers. I can win against them enough to finish a dog. It is the big named handlers Like Kirsten McGregor, Luke and Diane Ehricht and Zack Watkins. They are entered in 99%of the shows in my state. I got one point on Deuce in NC. All other points were won 4 to 6 hours from my home. I am fortunate enough to be able to travel. What about the people who can't?

Tami, keep the faith. Conner is a wonderful dog. He is built like a brick out house. As soon as his coat comes together, he will finish quickly.

For myself, I know I only have so much money and can only show strongly one dog at a time. Then the others must wait. I do practice with them while waiting, so they are use to the ring. So having to wait till one finishes before showing another - may be another reason why one is older.
Laurie is right - around our areas you are up against tough competitors - dogs in full coats, dripping in hair with their very experienced and well-know handlers. Infact they usually do not start showing a dog till they are a min. of 2 years old. So it is tough trying to get the points here. I am getting close - most of the time always just behind Kirsten. That doesn't get me the points though. You also have to remember that with professional handlers - this is their job showing. They know what they are doing and practice all week. They go to shows most weekends.
Same thing with me - only one UKC show here in Georgia a year (Perry), which is south of Atlanta.
T.

Connor just turned 2 in March and bless his heart we've had many a coat mishap. I'vew learned on him and with his slow growing silk coat he may not finish until he is 3 years old or so. After I get his singles I may have to send him out with a handler as majors are getting hard to come by around here. Last year the memorial day cluster was a major all four days, this year there is an average of 5 dogs each day and about the same amount of bitches. The big names don't seem to be showing for it this year so we'll see how it goes. I know I don't show much with Georgette Franzoni anymore, maybe she's avoiding Kirston too.

Georgette was at the Christmas Classic in Winston Salem this year and beat her. On the other hand, I was in an Open class of 9 and didn't get a ribbon all weekend. It is heartbreaking considering the dog 13 points and both majors. Good thing I enjoy this!