showing
 

Georgette is a very nice person..known her for years..BUT when she is at a show, she is working..not alot different then a person showing up at your job and wanting to talk dogs. I wish all dog shows were for fun, but it is serious business...
As to any handler being snobbish or ignoring you...well, I paid mine alot of money to show my dogs to title, not chat up the spectators...I may sound harsh, but AKC showing, espically on the east coast is a tough understaking. Many of the entry numbers are dropping off because of the costs of showing/traveling/week stay in hotel in NY.

I would encourage anyone to go to the NY specialities...so much more fun the Westminster IMO...and if you plan in advance you can get a room in the New Yorker hotel where all the shows are and not have to worry about getting lost...although I never found NY difficult going by cab..subway is a different story.. we would take a cab to downtown Manhatten/Soho/Brooklyn/etc then walk for hours...you can't get lost..becasue all you do is hail a cab back to the hotel..LOL

Agreed, when we are exhibiting and getting for the ring, it appears that we are unapproachable.....it's a job getting these little dogs to cooperate so you can get them in the ring on time. If I'm approached prior to the show, I politely tell people that I'd be than happy to talk to them after and give a little explanation as to why. I've at times needed an extra pair of hands and asked spectators for help.

Yes, The National is better than Westminster, at least I found it so. So, is the Progressive. There is a sense of intimacy when all there have a common bond; The Yorkshie Terrier. NY is very easy to get around in and walkable....it's built on grid. All Streets go one way and avenues go the other.....

I understand the rules of ettiquette at a show and do not disturb exhibitors when they are preparing or touch they're dogs. I was showing as well and just don't see the need to talk right through someone who has come to congratulate you on the win. You're supoose to congratulate the winner and as an exhibitor myself I am flattered when someone comes up to me to compliment me on my dog. I know this is serious business and alot of money i s involved but we're all dog fanciers here and it's suppose to be a sport as well. I didn't get to meet Georgette at that show but the gentleman that was with the group had the grace to blush when I turned to him after being brushed off by the handler and said," well I must be in the way!"

show
 

I was not finding fault in your behavior at all....if I could give a serious newbie abvise..it would be to grow skin as thick as shoe leather, show your dogs for your pleasure and pride in your breedings..anything else is cake icing...a smile, handshake, nod, a few nice words is pure cake icing..LOL

Funny thing is..a friend once told me she expected to be at least treated like a human being as she was showing like everyone else...that was her first mistake...and lest I sound like sour grapes, I am not...I love the dog world, but the people can be difficult and many play a game to intimidate to get one up on you...wow, I guess I sound jaded, but I speak the truth...

You don't sound jaded just experienced and there are friendly, helpful people out there as well. I will toughen up though, I had to with the vets for breeding, I will in the show ring. I've had some lovely people help me out and I want to help others as I grow in this area. My groomer told me a story of someone pouring neat on a maltese while it was in an xpen, now that's cut throat! :eek:

There was no Best in Show competition in 1923 at the Westminster Kennel Club. There was stiff competition between 2 Collies. One owned by a woman and the other owned by a man. The man sneaked into the building after the lights were turned off and shaved all the other dogs hair off. It may have been competition or maybe the wrath of a scorned lover. The man had proposed to the woman 7 times and was turned down 7 times. With all the commotion, the kennel club cancelled Best in Show that year. I read this story in the book The Dog Show, 125 years of Westminster.

I read another book about Westminster and it told about dog (I can't remember the breed but I think it was a Sheltie or Collie) that won Best in Show and, as the dog and owner were leaving the Garden that night, had acid thrown in it's face. No one knows if the dog lived or died but it was never seen again.

These are both great books. The Dog Show was published in 2006 and should be easy to find. I loaned someone the other book and I can't remember the name or author but if anyone is interested I can find out. I tells about each group winner's year long quest to get to Westminster and their experience at the Garden. I remember that it was the year that Dennis McCoy won the Non-Sporting Group with Lake Cove That's My Boy.

showing
 

I do not recall any Yorkie fanicers actually hurting a dog to win..it is more of a mind game with Yorkie people...get someone to doubt their dog, their ability, handling etc is fair game..but yes, there are many wonderful people who are fun to be with...but in the end, it is just you and your dog that matters...ego's are something I have no desire to cater to in order to get where I wanted to go..

Some of my teacher friends have asked me in the past if sog shows are just like the movie @ Dog Show? I always tell them not to that extent! LOL But sometimes there is a lot going on in the background, if yo know what I mean and al ot of stories and nontruth. Only believe what you see, which isn't a lot. I know some handlers or exhibitors can be stand-offish - to themselves a lot or only with their select few, but I also know some that are very nice and will bend over backwards to help a novice. Best thing to do is watch and keep mouth closed! It is like a web and we all know somebody and they are connected to someone else and them to someone else, etc... Just be friendly and it will all work out in the end. Right?
T.

so true
 

So true...keep your mouth shut!!!
I was at a show many, many years ago and commented (hardly above a whisper to a friend) about a handler with a dog who had a bad topline..I said.."the owner of that dog must be blind"...woman next to me said.."No, my eye sight is 20/20...oops!!

You are so right Pat, but mostly you keep your mouth shut so as not to hurt someone's feelings, as you know. Just as I would not go on a public forum and make nasty comments about another reputable breeder and hurt their feelings.

So true Cher! And if you are talking - you are not learning: you learn by watching and listening. :thumbup:
T.

P.S. She is a true example of a great mentor and yorkie professional! Thanks Cher for all the help and advice you have given over the years. You truly give of yourself to help our breed!
Mardelin too! Thank you girls!

westminster 2007
 

hi,
i'm sad to read that only 12 yorks will be at the westminster.
i'm must tell you that we're a group of french breeder to come to see that show , as you imagine our trip must be planed since month of the plane , hotel ...and the cost of it !!!
hopefully if we don't have the quantity ,we 'll have quality dog .
american show have a good reputation in organisation , mamy it's hard but some should come in france and see how is it organise over here then they could have i real opinion .
anyway i' come to see good show , beautiful dog and meet american breeder.
does any of you wiil be there ?

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I have found some very friendly people at shows as well as some that would tather walk over you than look at you. I agree you need a thick skin for most all that is involved!! I am having a heck of a time getting people to return calls about handling classes in my area!!

But I have to say all that I am going through and will go through I am sure will be worth it in the end!! A friend of mine just finished her champion (doberman) and she got some of the single points on her own and left the majors up to a handler and I was very fortunate to go to some shows and help her (experience is experience even if not with my breed) and she is absolutely elated!!!

The girls will be in the 12 to 18 month class. Our one little bitch placed 2nd in the 9-12 month class. They are both really cute. Hailey is very pretty and moves really well... when she wants to lol
Leana, she gets on that lead and wants to go. She placed at our clubs match in March it was her first time on a lead.

Vogue
 

Vogue..are you going to the Yorkie specialties before the Garden...if so you will see many nice Yorkies in good numbers? Have a wonderful time.