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!

She right in your back yard. Didn't she just move to GA?

Perry is this weekend. I haven't looked at the judges but Rowdy Yates usually gets good ones. The last show Ann Hearn the AKC judge was there and Joyce Lea Hanson judged the winter show. I like to show for her. She has been breeding Yorkshire Terriers for years. She gives lots of time in and out of the ring.

[QUOTE=lwolfe;1988177]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?
QUOTE]

I have are simular thing going on here. Most of the time here we have Tonia Holibaugh, Trish Kulessa, Ken Lambert, Brian Livingston, Audrey Roberts and on occasion Mandy Carlson in the ring. I learned to travel to the judges that I know like Taz or his type and it took me some time to finish him. I know that he is a good dog and he is my first show dog, so I kept showing him and it took me 3 years of showing him to do it. I missed 1/2 year because I broke my arm and had to have surgery. I won w/ him over handlers under some good judges and I knew that he deserved to be finished. We also have several "top" breeder/owner/handlers in this area, but my motto is you have to get out there and let the judges see you and get to know you. If you keep bringing them a good dog and they know your serious, you will win. One of my favorite sayings is from Galaxy Quest, "Never Give Up! Never Surrender!".

When I finished Taz, I finished him under Judge Arlene Czech and I don't think anyone was more surprised than me. I had never shown to her before and it was one of the best experiences of showing that I have ever had. She didn't let us get down to stack our dogs, so the dogs really were having to show their attributes themselves. There are good judges out there, but it does take time for a "newbie" to finish their dogs w/ the competition that's out there.

Kristena - How could I forget her or that dog!

Perry AKC show was last weekend - Jack Onofrio Dog Shows
And yes, Kirsten and Ava are in my back yard - in Georgia. So we see each other at every show. Sometimes Ava is there and sometimes she has other things gooing on and then Kirsten will show hers.
T.

I was talking about the UKC show - it is in Perry this weekend.

Ava is showing a lovely little male right now. I would love to have him.

Can you please tell me what is JUDG ?
(ALL OTHERS - REFER TO JDGS BK)? InfoDog Result Code Legend :confused:

It stands for judge... It is saying that you have to refer to the judges book as to the reason the dog was DQ or EX if there is not a code that fits...

Thank you very much for the answer.

Yorkie with longer legs
 

I appreciate your comment about coat length and being "up on leg" as I am just cruising the postings looking for info about this. I have a 6-month-old pup who will be about 6.5-7 lbs and I am a newbie. I was wondering about longer legs, is it common for larger dogs to have longer legs? My understanding is that if the legs are longer that the coat must go to the floor. Are there many yorkies in the ring that are taller? I have seen some that appear to have longer legs when I look at photos of other champions. I would welcome any input.

I am a total newbie at this but I will share with you what I have learned during my short time in the ring.

A taller dog is not necessarily large. In a large dog, everything is bigger--the feet, the head, even the density of the bone. Most of the leggy dogs I have seen, including my dog, are tall but still have very delicate features. They look like an average dog but only on stilts, if that makes any sense. I once ran into someone with a 8-9lb Yorkie at a pet store--my dog and he were the same height but my dog looked TINY next to him.

Most of the specials out there are tall dogs; the neck and leg make them look so elegant and regal.

IMH(umble)O taller dogs take longer to finish but they look amazing once they are in full coat. It takes a very long time to grow coat to cover the legs. Right not my boy is 21 months old and his coat is barely touching the ground. When he was in the puppy classes he would be in the ring with shorter dogs the same age, with the same amount of coat (however, because they were shorter it looked SO much longer) and he looked like baby huey--gangly, lanky and very disproportionate. It also takes time for their chests to drop which helps with the front movement. Taller pups sometimes kick their legs out in an egg-beater fashion. Once the chest drops the front movement turns into a very smooth stride.

If you are planning on showing your dog start now with weekly conformation classes. Find a mentor and have him evaluated. Start oiling and wrapping. Enter a few shows for the ring experience and the socialization to the noise. Go to every B-match you can find. Train like you are entered in a specialty the following weekend. Once his coat is long enough and you think he is ready then actively show him.

Again, I am not an expert by any means. I am merely speaking to my experience of ALMOST finishing my dog ;) I am very fortunate to have been taken under the wings of some incredible women who have taught me SO much and yet I learn something new all of the time.

I'm also very new to the dog show!!
and I REALLY like, that you are sharing your knowledge!!!! :thumbs up

Kristena....thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions. I have seen pictures of your male and he is very beautiful. Do you mind sharing with us approximately how tall he is at the shoulder? I do agree with you that the taller dogs are much more elegant.

From the AKC standard - - Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

I was typing a message saying that the Yorkshire Terrier should be a square dog. I went to the standard and it didn't say that at all. Hmmm. There is a lovely dog being shown now and the only real fault I could find was he was too tall. I guess he isn't after all.

Thanks, your input is so helpful, and will certainly help me with planning and save me a lot of disappointment, not to mention the expense of going to shows before her coat is ready. I will look into finding a mentor, I'll know better about the possibility this weekend at our first show! I have completed a conformation class which was so beneficial and I will keep taking them. I would also be interested in seeing a photo of your dog as someone mentioned that you have photos. I will try to take one as well. Once again, I appreciate your time to give me such valuable info and relieve my worries. My dog is from a great pedigree and has such great features otherwise. Thanks again! :)
Liz.

Here is a bit more information Young Yorkies Present AKC Standard Yorkshire Terriers Explained by Carolyn Hensley

Diesel stands 10.5" at the withers and his topline is also 10.5" long.

The question of "square" was raised and is legitimate. Though it is not in the official standard, it is discussed in the YTCA's publication, Illustrated Discussion of the Yorkshire Terrier, which reads "The Yorkshire Terrier is a sound, well balanced, compact, neat, square appearing dog though there is little or nothing specific in our standard describing the length of the neck, type, placement, carriage of , etc."

Liz we would love to see pictures...that's sort of mandatory around here! ;)