Showing is not for the faint of heart

[Dapple Dandy]

I attended the all breed show held in Novi, Michigan this weekend. I learned a lot! It had been over 25 years since I had paid attention to the interworkings of the show, but since I'm thinking of showing I paid a little closer attention and oh did it bring back memories.

Nothing's changed. It's still all very political, no matter what breed you show. It's not always who has the best dog, it's who the judge chooses to put up. In the dachshund classes, I could see no rhymn or reason in his choices. Some I agreed with some I did not. Either way, I learned a great deal.

Looks like I've got some soul searching to do, before I decide what to do about a show puppy. I don't want to purchase a show quality puppy and then waste it by not participating in shows. That wouldn't be fair to the dog or the breeder who sold it to me.

[Mark]

Hi DD,

It sounds like you've got a big decision ahead of you . . . thankfully you are taking *everything* in to consideration. Having "been there" before must be a big plus in weighing the responsibilities.

Good luck in whatever you decide . . . we know it will be the right one. :)

[Dapple Dandy]

In high school I worked as a kennel assistant for a Miniture Poodle breeder/handler, who ended up being my mother in law. We meet our spouses in the strangest places. He was the cutest Junior Handler I had ever seen. :circle:

Being at the show was like going back in time. The bench area is always buzzing with activity. All the bickering and complaining is electrifying. :fierce: My husband and I had a blast reliving the old days on the ride home.

[Cindi]

So what did you decide? And if you decided show what coat did you go with? Are you only interested in conformation? There are some breeders who are interested in more than conformation and might be willing to forego the conformation title if you get disenfranchised with that venue but are willing to go for other titles (not just for titles sake but to prove that the dog is a *working* dog)

Let me give you an example. I had a litter of wirehairs nearly 2 years ago. I love to have championships on dogs that are worthy but I only insist on them when they are dogs that stay with me. When I sold a male puppy from that litter that was worthy of a championship I put in the contract that I was selling a puppy that was show potential, that I would help the person show the dog if they desired but it was not required BY ME that he finish his championship. It was totally up to them. If at any time they wished to neuter him, all they had to do was let me know after the fact and I would sign him over to them completely if they desired. Up until the time he was neutered, however, we would co-own him. This home is also a performance home so I'm thrilled that they also do field trials and agility. He already has his novice agility titles....so although my dog, his brother, has his Championship we are lagging behind in performance :(. The brother just earned his first major so we are pretty sure he will finish his championship sometime this year.

So, there might be a breeder in the North that has the same attitude I do that might be willing to work with you. You might have to go for the male puppy rather than the female...if you had a preference on sex. Boy dogs are easier to live with in my thinking anyway :)

[doxunzX3]

OMG your not alone! I have felt bad for not doing more with my doxies I have. But I did do a little training and just never enjoyed the showing itself. I loved training and the classes. BUT its a waste of the trainers time if I didn't follow through and actually show. I know were your coming from. I love to have a nice looking dog, Not that it really matters. But..... It also in nice to have a well trained dog in Obedience But....... It is also fantastic to train in agility But...... again when I didn't follow through I felt like I wasted the training classes time.
Now that I can't do it because of health and $$$$. So it is easier to just go to the shows and not get into the games....
I have to say though one of the reasons I did get into doxies is because I did a little side study of my own. Of those showing the doxies. They were so much more friendly and helpfull then some of the other breeds I had been interested in. Even though there is always games being played as a group of people I still think that they do care so much about the breed that it always goes back to working together even with the little sqwabels (SP) That's just people in general. Go to any kind of sports event. Or to a kids program at school, or at work. We all back BITE! :devil:
OK I am off with the mouth again! Or should I say the keyboard made me say it?
:sarcastic :blue: :sarcastic :confused: :raz: :circle:
But we all LOVE those DACHSHUNDS!!!:angel:

[Dapple Dandy]

we have been awarded the adoption on our new baby. She is cream, beautiful topline, great ears and the sweetest face I have ever seen. She is down from the Devoncream, Tanska and Merri-King lines. She won't be ready to come home with us for a few more weeks, our breeder keeps them until they are 12 weeks.

I appreciate the encouragement Cindi. As luck would have it, I found a breeder much like yourself who is supportive with regard to confirmation, but also stresses the working drive of this breed. The dam of this pup is the first cream Field Champion in Michigan. Carol is one of the few cream breeders who is rearing her creams in the true English tradition of working dog first, show dog second. We are excited about becoming and extension of her family.

I found a training facility which offers handling classes once a month. I'd like to find one that is a little closer to me and that offers classes once a week. I'm just not sure once a month is enough for a young dog, even with working her at home daily. Win or lose, I'm ready to give this a shot. :) I'll admit though, I'm actually more excited about getting my other girls involved in field trials. Sounds like they are a lot of fun, a great place to make friends.

[Cindi]

That is a funny way to put it...the true English way....because many English breeders do NOT work their dogs as we do in the field. We truly do more with our dogs that they do but yes, Carol does do a lot with her dogs.
And you are very right, once a month handling classes is probably not enough with a young dog and if you can find another class it would be great. The field is a wonderful experience....well, let me rephrase that...it is an experience. After da** near freezing my arse off last weekend in the freezing rain and preparing to do it again this coming weekend I think it is real insane:eek: which is why I personally only do it 3 times a year but many people do it much much more. However, chasing that elusive 1st place ribbon (for Decker dog) does get habit forming. My young dog is still getting the knack so he is going along for training <g> and visiting.

Enjoy your new child! 12 weeks is a great age...brains are in, shots are well started, they can go places...great age!!!

[Dapple Dandy]

Wow, looks like I better buy a pair of the long johns I saw on sale at Walmart. ;) Good luck this weekend.

[Cindi]

Make friends with the people at the Outdoors Store :circle: For something I do 3 weekends a year, I paid $75 for a wonderful pair of waterproof boots, designer wear beige camouflage, midthigh, very comfortable and warm <g> that I can wear all day and can ONLY WEAR AT THESE EVENTS (well maybe earthdog so that adds another 2 weekends) - you must understand that I am very tight with my money and it literally HURT to spend this amount !!!!

Long johns are a must in Yankee land <g> I wear heavy leggings under jeans under allpurpose Army issue pants; turtleneck under sweatshirt under down coat under raingear. And then I had to borrow a rain hat so now I must go back to my Outdoor Store for my very own rain hat for this weekend....something huge to make sure the rain doesn't go down my neck this time :) Thank goodness for others who have spare hats. I'm telling you, this sport is just insane <G> And this is southern weather. LA and TX!!!

Thanks for the good wishes. The weather report now says in the 30's and low 40's during the day....I just can't believe it!

[K.Middler]

Well can you say Cabela's yep you will learn to LOVE their goodies for Field Trials.Cindi we have one on US-23 just north of the Ohio line on M-50 so that is where we all spend our money at for Field clothes. Oh by the way Tammy your pups parents ARE the VERY FIRST EVER!!!! Cream Field Champions and as of right now will be the only ones for a while till Sophie and her brother get started winning in the Field.Which pup are you getting the Lightest one or the darkest one???? Carol wants me to come out again and look at them and let her who is what.:confused:

[Cindi]

That is what Ms Cathy Gunn told me...but I like to touch and feel and we don't have those in the deep South...only catalogues. And I always wait till the last minute...like I leave in 4 days now <G>

MMMM, inhale puppy breath for me!!!! and cross your fingers, too. I have a girl sitting here that is hopefully19 days preggie.

[Dapple Dandy]

Our fingers are crossed for you Cindi. The waiting must be horrible! At least this weekend will be a distraction for you, a cold one. brrrrrr.:caffeine:

Kaye, I sent you an email on the babies. :angel:

[Carol Smith]

Ah, Cindi, where is your spirit of adventure? Tromping through the pouring rain is what it is all about! Truthfully, as long as you have the right gear on, it doesn't make any difference how much it rains. And, if you get wet, you don't melt. I accepted long ago that every field trial weekend has at least one day of bad weather, the field trial gods have decreed it so!

And, Tammy, Kaye is correct. Peachie and Bru are the ONLY cream field champions in the United States... not just Michigan. Hopefully, Sophie and Teddy will continue the tradition. But, Sophie is such a princess, we'll have to see if she deigns to get her little tootsie wet this spring or not.

For those of you who might be inticed to the most fun you and your dogs have ever had together, try field trials. Wolverine's spring trial weekend is April 5-6.

Carol

[Dapple Dandy]

you promised us a practice run. :D

That way if I have to chase my dog into the next county, it's not in front of the entire dog world. :eek:

[Cindi]

I still don't like rain or cold......or mud or anything else like it BUT.........Wrinkles went ABSOLUTE with an entry of 102 dogs, for his first placement and his 5th time in the field <G>. The second day he went 2nd in his class of 28. His mother is very proud; still not out of the clouds.

His housemate, only needing that elusive 1st, took 4th on Saturday and really only wanted to stay in the van on Sunday and fully expressed that opinion in the field on Sunday <G>

[K.Middler]

:bounce: Yeah!!! Way to go was this kid from the litter you had last year or was it a older kid?? We plan to work on Lola in the field this year and maybe Guy again he is so silly hunts one day not the next but Lola is like her Mom DeeNee loves the rats so maybe she will like bunnies too!

[TessieMom]

Cogratulations to Wrinkles!!! Lucy likes it when wires win. She watched the AKC agility on Animal Planet last night, but no dachshunds, so she went to bed early.
Rena and the Waco pack

[Cindi]

is out of the last litter I had :) He will be my next agility star, too, once I can learn to keep up and once he gets over his little problem of only liking his *home* contact obstacles. He has 2 legs in Jumpers and 1 leg in Standard right now. Ch Laci's Time Warp MW . He will be 2 years old Memorial Day weekend.

[Dapple Dandy]

:clap: :thumbsup:

[doxunzX3]

:bounce: Ditto on Congrats!!! Way to go!!:jacks: :pink: :bounce2:

[K.Middler]

Yep that is the litter I thought.Remember we were talking puppies then as Lily and Lola were just wee ones then also they just turned 2 in Jan. Hey I'll send them down and YOU can work on them for ME!!!! :devil:

[Cindi]

Remember I only go to 3 field trials a year...the closest ones I can get to......I don't think you want them to just *hang* around here for THAT....but they could do agility :). I could see what they thought of the conformation competition in TX <G> That would certainly shock people down here!!!!

[K.Middler]

Well wouldn't that be a Hoot to see you with those girls down there.I talked to our friend Nancy and she told me about the "BAD" thing that happened at the Field Trial if I were you I would let it be water off the back as the 2 who are guilty well I expect it from one and the other so I hear is the same way you know ME,ME,ME so be a good duck.:mad:

[Carol Smith]

Cindi
A big congratulations! Does your heart good to see your kid really excel, doesn't it? When they are "on" they are so on.. what a thrill for you! Now, keep it up.

Sorry I was so long in replying to this, I have been out of town. But, Kaye had told me of your wonderful win. Good job.

Carol

[Cindi]

Dumb and Happy is how I would describe myself!!!! Being truly just barely more than a novice (yes I've been out there a little while but truly still don't get the hang of it much cuz I truly just don't get to *see* much of what goes on <g>.....either I'm blind or too slow or always behind the people!!!)

BUT it was a wonderful experience never the less!!!! Unfortunately, no more field trials UNLESS I can get away for St. Louis until fall for us!! However, I do hope to keep his enthusiasm up.