I as most exhibitors do is follow the show results, you want to know who is your competition is.

I only feel elated when my dog has beat some stiff competition......now, I'll take every point that I can get, it doesn't matter how big or small the show is.

Easy and Gi are so different. Easy is more up on leg, but nothing bothers her, she doesn' care, so it take a lot of work to get her ready for the ring. But Gi - she is a real spitfire. Compact, cute, cute face, and loves attention. Great coat too - nice confirmation. Trish had her so trained and when they hit the ring Trish knew that Gigi knew how to show. She could free stack and knew her best angle. Gi would watch the judge and be ready for him/her. She would seem to talk to them without speaking, you know. Gi just had that rare "it" attitude. She is amazing and will forever be. I bred her to Chandler and have a dynomite girl - I am just so sad that I think this girl will be too small. She has that same personality and looks though.

I know - tough getting those majors now.
I also look at the results to get an idea of what the judge is picking. Gives me an idea of whether it is worth the entry fee. You know?

Prize beat some real tough competition - he was in the NJ Specialty and took Reserves his first time out. That was tough. Then took reserves more than I care, but he was up against some of "the top" winners. So I guess that was good. All in all it was good experience. I am just glad he is finished now.

It's tough getting Majors out here too. I've heard through the grapevine from reliable sources that AKC has instructed judges to not cross over points and tp put up handlers. They feel that not crossing over points will draw more entries and putting up handlers is where their money is.

Just PM'd you

Ahhh.. thank you - yes, Easy won at the Specialty and there was tough competition there.
But if you think the competiton is tough in Texas/Oklahoma/NM - come over my way! Man, The east coast is tough too, especially GA. Our enteries are in the high 20 to low 30s just for the regular shows and you have Ava, Lisa, Wendy, and all the very top breeders/yorkies come down to show. It is tough! I do get to see all these gorgeous yorkies in person though.

Have I seen your Denny?? I am so happy for you that he won so well. It is so nice when they do that.

Absolutely people can make their own pedigrees and if one is using Champions as a selling ploy, it's easy enough. But, if someone is knowledgable it's very easy confirm it.

I think I'd rather show in areas where there are greater numbers, than here in California....it's tough finding those Majors.

No, I don't think you've seen my Denny. Ask Trish about him, just say tell me about Mary's Denny....you'll get her laughing.

Denny is Ch. This Time Grand Slam, Trish named him Denny. He's out of Ch. Tajmoor's Major League, who was out of Ch. Pastoral Junior League and This Time You Can Have Her. He was out of litter of 3, both his brother, Trey "Ch. This Time Triple Play, were shown. Their sister was absolutely untrainable. Put her on a lead and she'd pancake on me. But, all 3 were gorgeous.

We had one show I know of in SC where points did not cross over, but over here it is hit or miss with handlers. I have seen handlers get 3rd recently here and owners beating. It all depends. I have a handler only because I teach and cannot travel with my work load. I do love to show though. It is a lot of fun and I love to meet up with friends. I have met the nicest people at shows. We all try so hard and love our yorkies and the breed. If we need anything, any of us would be there in a minute.

Dee, it certainly wasn't anyone's intent to make you angry or upset. We all have our preferences as to what we choose to do. I appreciate your answering some of our questions. Is it one point per each dog entered?

I must say that I am also disappointed when people who have not shown that often in AKC make assumptions that all the shows are political and not fun or present a "family atmosphere". Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you notice when watching the big dog shows on Animal Planet, the large number of dogs in the group rings that are owner handled or breeder, owner, handled. It's wonderful, and at shows, the competition is fierce IN the ring, outside the ring, it's hey, can I borrow a bow, would you throw a topknot in for me, where are we going for dinner...I'm hungry....lol

I don't know anyone who doesn't feel they have a chance to win with they walk their dog in the ring. They wouldn't be doing it if they did. If a dog is well groomed and presented well, anyone can win

Just after the new DQ rule came out, there were a couple of judges that DQ'd a puppy and I do mean only a couple. Yes, there are dogs that get DQ'd now and then and most of the time, there is a reason for it and again, it doesn't happen that often, considering the number of AKC shows that are held every day/week.

My kids loved going to the shows with me! They loved the dogs and all the excitement and loved watching mommy (and even sometimes daddy) win! They're all grown up now, but a couple of them are really looking forward to going to the specialty in Dallas with me next month. It's a day at the dog show, win or lose..it's a pleasure and something we enjoy doing.

I only show AKC, that's my preference and yes, I do think it's more valuable, again, my opinion.

Yes, showing in AKC shows is a lot of fun. We make friends for a lifetime, and Mary Ann is so right. We laugh, talk, help one another before and after ring time. Well, sometimes at ring time too. When we go off too far to return home at a show, who do you think we room with and go out to dinner with? That is right - ones we might be competing with. We all compete with one another, but it is okay. We know that one judge might like our dog one day and then pick a friend's dog the next day. And one day my dog could do wheelies in the ring while my firends' dogs are very well behaved. And the next day, my fiend's dog sits in the ring and won't move. In the end we support one another! That is the true picture of showing. I have friends with their kids showing in Jr. Handler competition, and my older kids come with me when I do go to shows and we make it a family weekend. Most of these shows are near some really cool palces to visit and sight see. AKC shows are not that up tight. The only thing that I can tell that might seem stuffy is we wear nice clothes to show in. But right after ring time, off comes the fancy clothes and back on with the jeans.

I know the comraderie is great. We travel together, room together, set up together. Not just one or two people....I'm talking about anywhere from 8 to 15 people. Coming from different areas, while traveling, each one is checking on the next one, making sure they're ok, how far they're out.

I know that Ken has always been our social director. He makes hotel reservations for everyone......sometimes only 3 rooms and sometimes up to 30 rooms. He makes all our dinner reservations, makes sure everyone is comfortable or needs anything. In NY, since there no coffeepots in the rooms, he makes the early morning run down to the deli for coffee and donuts.....Ken's our personal bellboy.

Even in making Airline Reservations, we attempt to accomodate those that are making connecting flights, so that we all pretty much arrive at our destination at the same time, to make sure that there is a shuttle to accomodate us all.

That is correct. if you go into the UKC ring with a brush or comb even in your pocket, you will be excused from the ring. They DO check the dogs for products. The judges will literally pick up the coat of a long haired dog and run their hands thru it checking for products. I was at a show last year when a judge took a topknot down. there are of course, discreet little ways to do things but you better not get caught. I got called on the carpet this past Spring for flat ironing my dog. It was called excessive grooming. Our dogs usually go into the ring with only a bath of shampoo and conditioner. people may say it is easier to finish in UKC but one thing about it, it is not a beauty contest and if your dog wins, it wins on it's own merit. Not vecause it is all prettied up or died or anything. the judges don't have to stand at the table and wait while the handler brushes her dog again before the go round. That is so irritating when I watch the big AKC shows.

that's right. That's why I am so proud of my hubby and his Champion Beagles. he shows in Field Trails and when he wins, he has always beaten at least 20-25 dogs in the same class. The Field Trails are for AKC Hunting dogs.

Tina, I showed under two judges Saturday that actually checked the toy dogs for LP while they were doing the hands over on the table. First time I have ever seen that and I asked my judge if that was what she was doing and I think it was great. Of course, they always check for structure, front end, hips, shoulders and all that, but to actually see a judge check for LP was amazing. All the toy dogs got checked.