I know that benched shows can be very difficult. Not much room and so hard on the dogs. Too hard with so many people now. And there have been some great yorkies in the ring there for group and passed up. The Speciality is so much nicer of conditions for our yorkies. I wish I could go this year. Mardelin - you will have to fill me in. :D
T.

Seems to me that the turn out of Yorkies has been low across the board. It's getting harder and harder to find a major now days. I've also noticed that the numbers have increased with UKC. I've been told that AKC has simply gotten too political. I'm trying to work out a way to attend the specialty in NY, I just want to observe and pick some brains! :D :D :D

I've heard that Majors have been difficult on the East Coast. Not here in the Central States. A no longer Member of YT sent her dog out here and he finished in 7 shows, including breed from the classes and a Group 4. On the average I've finished my dogs in 6 - 7 months and maybe showing 1 weekend a month.

Specialty is a great place to learn..... the pace is very fast, intense and confusing. You have Sweeps on all day friday, beginning at 8 in the morning until late in the afternoon. NY Club all day Saturday and the Mother Club on Sunday. If you get to come, wear something that can I can pick out, I'd love to meet you.

I believe this to be sooo true! I know since I am here in the east. You go to shows and see all the entries in your class. Most are not getting any points unless your dogs/bitch is 3-4 years of age. Time and time again I mark my catalog and then check the ages and found it to be true. Then you have Tyava's, Parkside, Durrer's, etc.. in the same ring as you. You just can't get the points here with a yorkie younger than 3, especially a newcomer. It can happen, but very very rare! It is hard, but figure I am learning more and good for practice.

T.

That's weird about bitches being in the ring at 3 or 4, you'd think you'd want to finish your bitch way before the age of 3 to be able to breed her.

We have heavy hitters here too, Parkside travels here too, and Guemart, and then you get the heavy hitter handler's here too. I've heard people and handler's say they hate coming to the Central States cause some of the top dogs are here (not just yorkies) and the point system is tougher.

Once you consistently take good dogs in the ring, judges will recognize that.

Yep - hard to believe 3-4 bitches but true. I had to check B/D to make sure. I thought so too at first with the long length of coat growth.

It has just been my first year showing and my oldest bitch is not 2 yet, the rest are still pups. So I guess I am doing pretty good. My pups most always take 1st for their classes even with others in. I had three of mine entered in one show and the judge said to me when I had my third on the table (finally was in Open class) - Boy, your dogs keep getting better as we go up and their good to start with. We almost got Reserve that weekend but my dog was acting up and not walking like she can. Mark C. and some others said they were really good and they will finish. It makes you feel good when the true experienced professionals will give you a compliment. So I just keep plugging on ~ keep entering, attending handling classes, grow the coats - have to pay my dues. It was eaiser the first time I showed many many years ago - had such great mentors always by my side.
T.

Majors are hard to get hear in the northeast and when we do get a major it breaks.
I think we are entering the puppies (well they arent babies anymore) in the specialty.

I love showing Central US at AKC sanctioned shows! Conformation OR Obedience.

Oh I'd love to meet you too! I told V I want to be you when I grow up. Connor is my first show baby and I've only been studying for 2 years so I still have alot to learn. I figure that the NY specialty would be a great place to do so. I have a client who is from NY and having worked for Delta can get me there on a buddy pass. She's a dog lover as well and would be willing to help me out and show me the city. I'm from Ca. originally and have never been to the Big Apple before. I've turned into quite a country bumpkin since I moved to rural VA. I'll PM you if it works out.

Thanks for the compliment, but heavens I don't know why?
How old is Connor and have you shown him yet.

NY is a wonderful place to learn.....so many beautiful dogs.....the 1st time I went, my mentor took me upstairs and we watched from there. It was amazing all the things she taught me to watch for, gaiting, structure, coat, presentation, etc. It was the best thing I could have ever done, not taking a dog. I would have been intimidated by all the talented people and beautiful dogs in the ring.

The following year I took my 1st show dog Go-Go and she went 1st in the 12-18 months class (a handler showed her, my handling mentor)......place in the ribbons at the National is as good as a win.....my breeder was thrilled since her puppy took Junior Sweeps and was taken to a judges seminar to be used as a study for a wonderful specimen of the breed. She had such a wonderful weekend.....

This year I took my Denny and handled my mentor's lil puppy bitch.....Denny, placed 4th (it was his 1st weekend in the ring) and so did the lil puppy bitch....You can imagine how thrilled I was to go to NY, handle and place in the ribbons.

I'm also a Native Californian and a transplant to Texas........I sure to hope you can go, it is a wonderful experience. Look forward to meeting if you go.

Chrissy, It would be great if you could and I could meet you after all this time....

Hey! we might be in the ring together.....

Connor is 9 monthes old and has been shown 4 times. He has 1 point towards his championship. I have a local mentor but she shows Pointers and black and tans so has been unable to help me in some aspects of this particular breed. There is a local show breeder but she has yet to respond to any of my emails. Connor toes east/west slightly and is possilbly a bit straight in the stifle so he doesn' t quite have the drive that Id like to see. His coat is of good quality, fantastic color but not quite the quantity that I'd like to see. I'm praying it will thicken up as he finishes maturing. I've purchased a bitch from his father's line that has a ton of hair so I'm hoping to improve on the quantity through her. I would so love to stand under you at the specialty, are you exhibiting? Where are you from in CA? I'm from Ojai, it's right behind the mountains of Ventura and behind Carpenteria. I'll keep you posted as to whether or not I'll get to go. My 25th wedding anniversary is Jan. 13th. Would it be wrong to ask for the trip as an anniversary present? Terry accompanies me to shows and is very supportive but he's need to stay home and watch the kennel on this one.

the show in new york, where exactly is it? where can i read up on this? i would like to go and watch. Is it in the city? when is it? LOL sorry so many questions, i've never seen a show before and would love to go.

Yes, it's in Manhattan at the New Yorker Hotel, February 9-11th.

Congratulations on your Connor's 1st point.....and at 9 months old

No, I don't think a trip to the National is out of line to ask for an Anniversary Present......You should be back by the 13th. Hope you can make it.

I was born in Los Angeles, lived in Huntington Beach. I do miss the moutains, but not the crowds.......

Have you tried Radford Yorkshire Terriers or Thimbletip?