On Your Mark
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- PatM_6
- MarilynK
- TraciC
- MarilynK
- Gaynor
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» PatM_6 - INCENTIVE
When I first decided to get into the Dog Show Sport, I had decided that I just wanted to play around. We would do some obedience and my daughter was in 4H. I kept it very sane for at least 2 years.I then decided to get a better dog and to "play" with some conformation. Those first shows were rather "ugly" but we had fun. Then it happened....
A woman in town that had "show dogs" (one by the way) looked down her nose at me and told me that I did not have what it takes to show dogs.
That was all I needed to hear. I shifted gears. At the next home town show, she was the ring steward. We got a Group IV. She had to sit there and watch every little moment of the ordeal.
I never saw her at a show again, and I'm still at it, for about 15 years now. Just give a Terrier a challenge!!!!!!!
-- posted by PatM_6
» TraciC - Gone To The Dogs
My first experience with the dog show world was attending a few dog shows with my brother. He had two Dalmatians. I did not particularly enjoy going to the shows then. He was pretty novice and I did not really know what I was looking for when they gaited all those dogs around the ring.After about a year of showing my brother decided the dog show scene wasn't for him. One thing I did know, was I liked good looking dogs. At the time I owned a Terrier/Dobe mix. I loved her a lot, but because she was a mix, I was very limited. I had her 12 years.
A year before she died, I began my search for a good Golden Retriever breeder. I started looking in the newspapers. I was very disappointed by the lack of quality and ethics.
I began to broaden my search. To make a long story short. I found a breeder I was comfortable with. She invited me to a local dog show to meet her.
At that dog show, which was a Specialty, she showed me around, introduced me to other breeders and explained what was going on in the ring. A very pleasant experience. Her dogs did well, they were as beautiful as she was nice.
I waited a year to get my Golden. Casey could have been shown, but I just wanted a pet. I simply wanted a well behaved dog that I could take into Nursing Homes and maybe do some Obedience with.
At three months old, I took her to Quansa for "manners" training. Once I got passed, "oh, she's so cute" and down to training her, we did very well. She made her first Therapy Dog visit at 9 mos. old and at 11 mos. was did her first public appearance to demonstrate training for a well behaved dog. Casey has since gone on to get the first two legs toward her CD title. She has her CGC and her Threapy Dog Title.
The first time I went to Pat's to sign up for class, I was impressed that she had Lakeland Terriers. Pat was impressed that I knew what they were.
I knew there weren't too many of them in the country and here they were right in front of me. I remember telling Pat I didn't think I would enjoy dog shows. She told me I might change my mind if I was able to attend a dog show with experienced instead of novice people.
A short time later, she invited me to go to a "fun match" with a group of other people. That was quite an experience. Pat was right, I had a great time. It wasn't just the dog show, it was the people we went with.
The dog show was a minor part of the whole equation. We had taken a puppy named Kate with us. She was so cute. She ended up winning Best in Match. The group of us were standing around the ring waiting for the judges decision. They had to keep telling me to "breathe", I was so excited.
That's were the dog show bug bit me. I wanted more. I continued to attend dog shows with Pat and learn more. I've learned so much about structure, movement, attitude, preparation, grooming, etc. I'm still learning.
Last year Pat was teaching a conformation class. The first week I used Casey. Funny thing about Goldens, they have lots of hair. When I was stacking her, I couldn't see her legs. The next week I used one of Pat's 7 mos. old Lakies, Minnie. I figured I would practice with her until Pat decided to sell her and then I would borrow another one.
You guessed it, I grew attached to Minnie. I was filling out entries one day for Pat and asked her to sign Minnie's. She said, "I suppose if we put you on as co-owner, you could sign it." Shock appeared on my face and I said, "really, do you mean it?" I had those papers under Pat's nose ready to sign so fast it made her head spin.
The first time I walked into the ring with Minnie, my own show dog was at a show in Michigan.
The second time was at Montgomery, the big all terrier show in Pennsylvania. What a thrill.
One of the biggest thrills recently was walking in the ring at a dog show in Milwaukee and winning a four point major. As I look back on the video from that day, you can see the look of shock on my face. I didn't quite believe what just happened. Minnie is with a professional handler now.
Coincidently, Minnie is the daughter of Kate.
Do I enjoy dog shows now. YOU BET. I'M HAVING A BALL. I'm looking forward to possibly having a son sometime from Minnie and showing him.
Pat warned me, Lakelands are collectable.
YOU KNOW-THE POTATO CHIP DOGS.
(YOU CAN'T STOP AT JUST ONE!)
-- posted by TraciC
» MarilynK - Wonderful story!
Traci, what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it. You should be so proud of your accomplishments with Casey. And how lucky you are to have found Pat. That's exactly what a dog show should be like. It is so much more than showing dogs.I laughed at you saying that you had to be told to 'breathe'. I know the feeling. When Winston was being campaigned, my handler's assistant had the very important job of keeping me (the client) breathing. One time, during Best in Show, she actually turned me around so my back was to the ring and told me if I wasn't going to breathe, I couldn't watch. A few minutes later the crowd erupted in applause. She wasn't the least bit excited so I finally summoned the courage to ask who the judge had pointed at. With a very straight face and in a very soft, calm voice she replied, "The Lakeland." She was and still is such a brat!
What a thrill for you to have achieved a 4 point major on your own! I'll bet your knees turned to jelly. You have to keep us updated on Minnie's progress.
Marilyn
-- posted by MarilynK
» Gaynor - excitement
Hi,When I was less confident about bringing my Bedlington into the ring....I had a pair of brothers to help me....Eric and Marc. While Marc was in the ring with Misty, Eric and I would watch outside....well....Eric was more excited than I was....he was staring at Misty and the judge and using his hand to hit mine....and the more excited he got, the more he hit me....I was lucky that my hand did not turned blue!!! He was a hoot to be with....the silly brothers...much older than me...but no prize for guessing who is the "matured" one ;-P
Gaynor
-- posted by Gaynor
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