Gotta love this recent email from my hubby!
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION: "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL: "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC: “Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC: "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY: "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS: "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM: "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA: “You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER: “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY: “If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE: “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: “Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY: “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION: “Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING: “You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE: “If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP: "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR: “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT: “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS: “You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS: “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM: “When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
1. My mother taught me about JUSTICE: “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
Later gators...
C
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Welcome!
Wanted to send a quick shot out to DwarfDog and her cast of crazy canines! Such a small world that we live in, she's owned by one of the Musie x Russ kids from 2009. Welcome!
Always great to see where Russ kids are and what they are up to these days. Recent emails have told me that some of the Dirty Dozen are up to no good in the hinter lands. Maxwell(formerly James) is charming all at obedience training classes and looks to be the star in his STAR puppy class. Then Indiana crew are disappointed that their Hawkeyes didn't fair as well towards the end of the football season and Drew out in IA/NE is a total goof ball-just what his dad wanted.
Can't leave the post without an update on Ruffles Jr aka Chipster. Yeah, he's his dad two times over. Got Shelley wrapped around his little paw. Should be making his ring debut later in Decemeber at his first fun match. Oh can I see the many shades of his daddy blossoming shortly.
Hugs to all!
Later gators...
C
Always great to see where Russ kids are and what they are up to these days. Recent emails have told me that some of the Dirty Dozen are up to no good in the hinter lands. Maxwell(formerly James) is charming all at obedience training classes and looks to be the star in his STAR puppy class. Then Indiana crew are disappointed that their Hawkeyes didn't fair as well towards the end of the football season and Drew out in IA/NE is a total goof ball-just what his dad wanted.
Can't leave the post without an update on Ruffles Jr aka Chipster. Yeah, he's his dad two times over. Got Shelley wrapped around his little paw. Should be making his ring debut later in Decemeber at his first fun match. Oh can I see the many shades of his daddy blossoming shortly.
Hugs to all!
Later gators...
C
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saying good bye to a dear friend....
You know how some things come into your life, not willingly, but in many ways, unknowingly, needed and wanted? 
That you never truely appreciate it until it's gone.
Or that that item seems more like a member of the family then you ever expected.
Wasn't until Bug sat at my feet yesterday afternoon and stared. And stared. And stared at me, then the chair, then the empty space, that I got it. 
After finally saying that it's seen better days and seriously having had enough of red and black plaid for a lifetime, the couch, the dog's couch that is, was humanely disposed of yesterday. Okay, it's still outside by Chateau Quack waiting for the wind to die down so it can be cremated, then buried with Hope's ashes in the pet cemetary. It was, of course, really her couch. It had lived to the ripe ol'age of 40 years young. We adopted it from David's parents 20 years go. Hey, Ethan Allen furniture was built to last back then! Unfortunately, there is now limited seating, particularly for the dogs whom seem to think that they have first rights to the chairs. Boy was Bug put out yesterday, she even attempted to oust her sister from the chair. On the other hand, the 1/2 Dozen and their mother found it to be the most enjoyable addition to the yard. We found 3 nylabones, several pens, a check from 2006 and about two dollars in assorted change in it too!
Space is now available for the Christmas tree to go up in two weeks. After that, the love seat will arrive. The plaid chair is getting slip covered and the painting will commence in the living and dining rooms.
Later gators....
C
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
It lives, I think. Oh God I hope it works...
As some of you might know, the Dog Bus(as my dad calls it) aka the Tahoe, has been sick for the last few weeks. Started out with an ignition module replacement. Then a week later, fuel pump, or so we thought, issues.
David and I figured with no upcoming shows, no hurry to fix it and have been saving $$ by carpooling to work. Figuring the $$ we save will go towards the fixing of said Dog Bus. But the shop called today(Dad took it to the shop last weekend when we had exhausted all our knowledge) and said, not sure what it is, but it's running, and running well. Though I do have to do some unique things before I start it, it's running, for now. I'm going to go pick it up on Friday and pray it behaves. In the meantime, it will indeed still sit at home while we clean out a spot in Dad's shop so that they(Dad, Alec and David) can replace the fuel pump. For some odd reason, men tend to question my diagnosis on any auto repairs, to which I usually get the last laugh and say "told ya so"! Seriously, I can change a tire, rotors, brakes, calipers, the starter, battery cable wires, alternator, well you get the drift! I'm not your typical automobile challenged person.
After the whole Mt Vernon Rd incident that started this latest escapade, semi-working Dog Bus will hang out close to home. Carpooling will continue and I'm now on the hunt for a reasonably priced suburban!
Later gators...
C
David and I figured with no upcoming shows, no hurry to fix it and have been saving $$ by carpooling to work. Figuring the $$ we save will go towards the fixing of said Dog Bus. But the shop called today(Dad took it to the shop last weekend when we had exhausted all our knowledge) and said, not sure what it is, but it's running, and running well. Though I do have to do some unique things before I start it, it's running, for now. I'm going to go pick it up on Friday and pray it behaves. In the meantime, it will indeed still sit at home while we clean out a spot in Dad's shop so that they(Dad, Alec and David) can replace the fuel pump. For some odd reason, men tend to question my diagnosis on any auto repairs, to which I usually get the last laugh and say "told ya so"! Seriously, I can change a tire, rotors, brakes, calipers, the starter, battery cable wires, alternator, well you get the drift! I'm not your typical automobile challenged person.
After the whole Mt Vernon Rd incident that started this latest escapade, semi-working Dog Bus will hang out close to home. Carpooling will continue and I'm now on the hunt for a reasonably priced suburban!
Later gators...
C
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Seriously, it's Thanksgiving, already?
Eghads! Where in the heck did 2010 go? Could be that we've been busy or could be that time moves faster then I want it to.
As of last year at this time, we were dealing with the inevitable deed of killing the turkey for dinner. Did I relay this one to you? The whole hatchet-not-sharp-enough, turkey-having-heart-attack and in the end the two kids(Alec and the Ms) accomplishing the dirty deed and we had an awesome deep fried fresh HUGE turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, we never were able to secure turkey chicks this year so Nana got a frozen turkey and is coming over to have dinner with us. I'm not missing the part of preparing the live turkey into the cooked turkey, skipping the live part is okay with me right now. But yes, next spring we will be shipping in turkeys with our duckling order and have more then enough for Thanksgiving and a few other holidays. That is if they live long enough-ie, the whole flying over the fence and landing in with the dogs. Yeah, smart birds.
Pupdates-we are down to 6!!! Ruffles Jr aka the Chipster landed in 8 inches of snow in MN and is loving every single minute of it. The other monsters did what I was hoping none would this time around. Found the smallest hole in the fence on the north side of the barn and in 2 nano seconds found heaven in the manure pile. Gross does not even describe it. I'm blaming most of it on the lovely little Luna. She is definately demonstrating some great problem solving skills-yesterday she figured out the latch on the xpen, opened it and left the boys in the xpen where they were howling and crying because she was running on the outside teasing them. Yeah, she's not staying-needs a serious performance home where they can keep her brain occupied. Alec suggested that Bryn in IC needs a partner in crime. Not sure if Barb agrees with me on that one :)
Well, here's hoping you have a very safe Thanksgiving. Eat, drink and sleep it all off! Oh and don't forget to watch the National Dog Show!!
Later gators...
C
As of last year at this time, we were dealing with the inevitable deed of killing the turkey for dinner. Did I relay this one to you? The whole hatchet-not-sharp-enough, turkey-having-heart-attack and in the end the two kids(Alec and the Ms) accomplishing the dirty deed and we had an awesome deep fried fresh HUGE turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, we never were able to secure turkey chicks this year so Nana got a frozen turkey and is coming over to have dinner with us. I'm not missing the part of preparing the live turkey into the cooked turkey, skipping the live part is okay with me right now. But yes, next spring we will be shipping in turkeys with our duckling order and have more then enough for Thanksgiving and a few other holidays. That is if they live long enough-ie, the whole flying over the fence and landing in with the dogs. Yeah, smart birds.
Pupdates-we are down to 6!!! Ruffles Jr aka the Chipster landed in 8 inches of snow in MN and is loving every single minute of it. The other monsters did what I was hoping none would this time around. Found the smallest hole in the fence on the north side of the barn and in 2 nano seconds found heaven in the manure pile. Gross does not even describe it. I'm blaming most of it on the lovely little Luna. She is definately demonstrating some great problem solving skills-yesterday she figured out the latch on the xpen, opened it and left the boys in the xpen where they were howling and crying because she was running on the outside teasing them. Yeah, she's not staying-needs a serious performance home where they can keep her brain occupied. Alec suggested that Bryn in IC needs a partner in crime. Not sure if Barb agrees with me on that one :)
Well, here's hoping you have a very safe Thanksgiving. Eat, drink and sleep it all off! Oh and don't forget to watch the National Dog Show!!
Later gators...
C
Thursday, November 11, 2010
To our veterans...
Former Georgia Senator and Governor Zell Miller had a stirring speech about the sacrifice of soldiers:
“For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned.
When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~ Mark Twain
Remembering my grandfather and grandmother-US Navy and saluting my brother, former Marine, Uncle TJ and Aunt Tina, US Navy/Reserves, as well as all the others that heard the call to serve our country.
Later gators...
C
C
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
And then there were 7
Seriously folks, this is funny. We are now at a number that by most is considered a normal litter. And I love it. So easy to deal with, keep clean, start some show lead work with, and yes it's much quieter in the house!
Drew heads off to his home across the state this morning. Super sweet boy who will make a long time cardigan owner extremely happy. Bye dude!
That leaves Einstein and Percy looking for good families to take them in. Luna might be available, but still sitting on her to see how she matures. Charlie, his twin Adolph and Walt are starting show dawg training this week. And then there's Ruffles. Oh the Chip off the old block boy. Road trip to the great north to deliver him to Shelley. I promise that we will try to get some new photos of the remaining monsters in the next day or two.
Word is that Junior aka Radar aka Buddy, is loving life as a southern gentleman. Traitor! Beverly and Connor are getting used to their new routine and the severe time change-not only the end of daylight savings but also a complete time change by a few states. James aka Maxwell, is already started his performance training in STAR puppy class-he's got sit, heel, working on his down and of course is perfecting his Sit Up and Beg :0) Hot dogs work wonders, don't they.
What to do, what to do? I have so much more time on my hands now!
Later gators....
C
Drew heads off to his home across the state this morning. Super sweet boy who will make a long time cardigan owner extremely happy. Bye dude!
That leaves Einstein and Percy looking for good families to take them in. Luna might be available, but still sitting on her to see how she matures. Charlie, his twin Adolph and Walt are starting show dawg training this week. And then there's Ruffles. Oh the Chip off the old block boy. Road trip to the great north to deliver him to Shelley. I promise that we will try to get some new photos of the remaining monsters in the next day or two.
Word is that Junior aka Radar aka Buddy, is loving life as a southern gentleman. Traitor! Beverly and Connor are getting used to their new routine and the severe time change-not only the end of daylight savings but also a complete time change by a few states. James aka Maxwell, is already started his performance training in STAR puppy class-he's got sit, heel, working on his down and of course is perfecting his Sit Up and Beg :0) Hot dogs work wonders, don't they.
What to do, what to do? I have so much more time on my hands now!
Later gators....
C
Monday, November 8, 2010
perspective
Talking with Liz on Saturday, I think I need to get a little more perspective on my rant the other day on worthless titles.
James aka Maxwell will be a well titled little cardigan by the time his life ends. I'm assured of that. But not conformation, performance. Liz does AKC, UKC, NADAC, and any other performance organization that comes along. These days the venues are huge for performance dogs and well deserved for the years that conformation overshadowed the diligently trained and hard working dogs.
I have nothing against performance titles. It's strictly you and your dog against the judge, his might pen and prescribed list of tasks that must be done in order and correctly. Each different organization has their quirks in how they want stuff done, but overall regardless of AKC, UKC, MBDCA or CKC(Canadian that is), performance titles are ones that are well earned. After a much needed rest from the Dirty Dozen, we are actually heading out to some UKC shows looking for obedience titles as well as hitting the AKC trials,
So let me say that what kills me is the cheapness of conformation titles. You can get a title for oh, $100 now(that's approx cost to enter 4 UKC shows). The judge has to know nothing about your breed, you don't have to compete against other dogs but you do have to at least beat one dog on the way each show. Granted you could do it in 3 shows given the right judge, but we're doing 4 to be safe. That's just for the little "ch" letters. BIS is a totally different monster as in UKC the shows are usually small. I have a friend with a UKC BIS dog-beat out a couple hundred dogs to get it-well deserved. But when it's 25 dogs or less, you have 4-5 of the total entry, seriously...
Did you even know that there's some joke website out there that you send in like $35 and they print out a "champion" certificate for you! Yes that's right. You can buy it online!
What I also think is very interesting, is that many times people can't get what they want in one venue so they feel that going to another that is much "easier" to get titles in, is just as good as the other? So you're dog can't compete in AKC, so you go to UKC or Int'l shows and get the title. But is it just as good? Or is it simple a title for titles sake?
The biggest unfortunate problem with titles these days is that the general public doesn't understand what goes into getting the titles, doesn't usually ask and many breeders, owners and handlers, are just as unwilling to go into detail as to what it takes. Honesty has a low value when it comes to selling dogs for many. I openly tell what my wins mean-did she win because she was the only one in her class? Got the major with a default due to the cross over-had a judge ask me once if there was a major in dogs as there was on in bitches. He gave the dog the BOW just to cross over the points and be nice, he admitted it. Did the title come because the dog beat it's own house mates that were entered to create the points? Or are you willing to sit down and explain how your dog came upon it's championship?
Dog showings a dirty game. Unfortunately, it seems that the reason it's turned that way is that people will do anything for a title these days.
Later gators...
C
James aka Maxwell will be a well titled little cardigan by the time his life ends. I'm assured of that. But not conformation, performance. Liz does AKC, UKC, NADAC, and any other performance organization that comes along. These days the venues are huge for performance dogs and well deserved for the years that conformation overshadowed the diligently trained and hard working dogs.
I have nothing against performance titles. It's strictly you and your dog against the judge, his might pen and prescribed list of tasks that must be done in order and correctly. Each different organization has their quirks in how they want stuff done, but overall regardless of AKC, UKC, MBDCA or CKC(Canadian that is), performance titles are ones that are well earned. After a much needed rest from the Dirty Dozen, we are actually heading out to some UKC shows looking for obedience titles as well as hitting the AKC trials,
So let me say that what kills me is the cheapness of conformation titles. You can get a title for oh, $100 now(that's approx cost to enter 4 UKC shows). The judge has to know nothing about your breed, you don't have to compete against other dogs but you do have to at least beat one dog on the way each show. Granted you could do it in 3 shows given the right judge, but we're doing 4 to be safe. That's just for the little "ch" letters. BIS is a totally different monster as in UKC the shows are usually small. I have a friend with a UKC BIS dog-beat out a couple hundred dogs to get it-well deserved. But when it's 25 dogs or less, you have 4-5 of the total entry, seriously...
Did you even know that there's some joke website out there that you send in like $35 and they print out a "champion" certificate for you! Yes that's right. You can buy it online!
What I also think is very interesting, is that many times people can't get what they want in one venue so they feel that going to another that is much "easier" to get titles in, is just as good as the other? So you're dog can't compete in AKC, so you go to UKC or Int'l shows and get the title. But is it just as good? Or is it simple a title for titles sake?
The biggest unfortunate problem with titles these days is that the general public doesn't understand what goes into getting the titles, doesn't usually ask and many breeders, owners and handlers, are just as unwilling to go into detail as to what it takes. Honesty has a low value when it comes to selling dogs for many. I openly tell what my wins mean-did she win because she was the only one in her class? Got the major with a default due to the cross over-had a judge ask me once if there was a major in dogs as there was on in bitches. He gave the dog the BOW just to cross over the points and be nice, he admitted it. Did the title come because the dog beat it's own house mates that were entered to create the points? Or are you willing to sit down and explain how your dog came upon it's championship?
Dog showings a dirty game. Unfortunately, it seems that the reason it's turned that way is that people will do anything for a title these days.
Later gators...
C
I've been everywhere...
Man!
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Tiffin
Davenport
Peoria
Kickapoo
Galesburg
LeClaire
Dewitt
Grand Mound
Wheatland
Calumus
Lowden
Clarence
Stanwood
Mechanicsville
Lisbon
Mt Vernon
Fairview
Anamosa
Dubuque
Somewhere in WI?
Peosta
Dyersville
Manchester
Ryan
Coggon
Central City
HOME!
Oh.... Alburnett
Cedar Rapids
Marion
Cedar Rapids, again
for Pete's sake.
And don't get me started on last week's adventure, nor this next weekend's road trip.
We are now down to 8. Amazing to me that a "normal" litter is like heaven to me and it's so much easier to deal with. Junior aka Radar aka Buddy is in total kid heaven in TN, James aka Maxwell is now in an awesome performance home in WI(he's already working on sit, down and heeling on leash! Starts his STAR puppy class this week and plans are already made to attend the 2012 National Specialty!) Beverly and Connor are now transplanted Hawkeye Fans in IN. Drew heads to Western IA/NE next weekend, Ruffles to his show home in MN and then we are down to 6!
I need a vacation but I seriously doubt it will involve driving anywhere!
Later gators....
C
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Tiffin
Davenport
Peoria
Kickapoo
Galesburg
LeClaire
Dewitt
Grand Mound
Wheatland
Calumus
Lowden
Clarence
Stanwood
Mechanicsville
Lisbon
Mt Vernon
Fairview
Anamosa
Dubuque
Somewhere in WI?
Peosta
Dyersville
Manchester
Ryan
Coggon
Central City
HOME!
Oh.... Alburnett
Cedar Rapids
Marion
Cedar Rapids, again
for Pete's sake.
And don't get me started on last week's adventure, nor this next weekend's road trip.
We are now down to 8. Amazing to me that a "normal" litter is like heaven to me and it's so much easier to deal with. Junior aka Radar aka Buddy is in total kid heaven in TN, James aka Maxwell is now in an awesome performance home in WI(he's already working on sit, down and heeling on leash! Starts his STAR puppy class this week and plans are already made to attend the 2012 National Specialty!) Beverly and Connor are now transplanted Hawkeye Fans in IN. Drew heads to Western IA/NE next weekend, Ruffles to his show home in MN and then we are down to 6!
I need a vacation but I seriously doubt it will involve driving anywhere!
Later gators....
C
Friday, November 5, 2010
Mr, Mrs, PFC, Ch, RA, etc
I was raised to call anyone I was talking to as ma'am or sir, as in "yes, ma'am" , "no, sir". It's never Linda, it's Mrs Johnson. What I find very interesting is that in this day and age, respect for someone's title is actually thought to be rude or condemning. Go figure.
The quest for titles in many circles is never ending. Who can get the most stripes? Who's got the most stars on their chart? Or how many titles can my dog get?
I show AKC. I've tried UKC. I've got dogs titles in IABCA, AHBA and CKC(that's Canada not Continental). But I've sat back and really analyzed those titles and am looking at it a little bit differently then I did a few years ago. Are they all really worth it and are they just cheap labels or actual titles worthy of the money we put into them?
There's an IABCA show coming up in MN. I thought about going with a couple of dogs. Abbey has her international championship. After Sheryl's experience up there a few years ago, we both think it's just a waste of money. She went up just for the heck of it and to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately, Abbey was beat by a dog that had no call for even being in the show ring. Guess what, it went on to BIS that day. Want more? The dog that beat Abbers that day was ungroomed, fat, filthy, couldn't move and the owner wasn't much better. But because that person had been participating for so many years and it was a milestone day, the judge thought it was only right to give it to him. You have to be kidding me that you will seriously go to that show with any anticipation of being subjectively judged with the merit and the quality of the dog above the politics. But Abbey did become an Int'l champion that day, so I guess it counts or does it?
Recently one of my students went to help out at a "local" dog show. Turns out it was more of a fun match held in the local legion hall. Put on by the pet breeders assoc. They had breed classes, juniors and such. Fun prizes too. But what got me was this-this was a serious show awarding titles to dogs. The judge, a local veterinarin offered to judge. Nothing against the profession as a whole as many good vets are also great breeders but most have no clue there are two corgi breeds, that collies come in two coats, etc. The organization has no written breed standards, no rules on how the show runs, the cost is the same as an AKC show too. Dogs have to have 30 day health papers, microchips and dna but no need for a real registration on the dog as they also have classes for the designer breeds. I could have taken a cardigan. I would have lost, even with a group placing or BIS winner. And the winners, can now advertise that they have champion dogs that they breed and sell.
Step back a little and think about this when entering a show. Is the person you are asking to evaluate your dog worthy of it? Are they a person who knows your breed, that can give an honest unbiased opinion with a comparison to the written standard and a true understanding of the function of the parts of your breed? I will grant that many an AKC judge isn't worthy of that, as shown by last weeks judging fiasco, but for the most part they understand what is correct and what is not or at least they go and check the standard. Is the organization one that has a reliable reputation as having solid stud books, integrity and is in it for the dogs, not the breeder?
Are the titles really worth it? How desperate are you to pay for your title? How honest are you to explain how you got your title? The dogs you beat(where they just your own or others?), the judges you showed to, the organization's background, it's reliability? Or are you just trying to justify your actions with a cheap title?
Later gators....
C
The quest for titles in many circles is never ending. Who can get the most stripes? Who's got the most stars on their chart? Or how many titles can my dog get?
I show AKC. I've tried UKC. I've got dogs titles in IABCA, AHBA and CKC(that's Canada not Continental). But I've sat back and really analyzed those titles and am looking at it a little bit differently then I did a few years ago. Are they all really worth it and are they just cheap labels or actual titles worthy of the money we put into them?
There's an IABCA show coming up in MN. I thought about going with a couple of dogs. Abbey has her international championship. After Sheryl's experience up there a few years ago, we both think it's just a waste of money. She went up just for the heck of it and to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately, Abbey was beat by a dog that had no call for even being in the show ring. Guess what, it went on to BIS that day. Want more? The dog that beat Abbers that day was ungroomed, fat, filthy, couldn't move and the owner wasn't much better. But because that person had been participating for so many years and it was a milestone day, the judge thought it was only right to give it to him. You have to be kidding me that you will seriously go to that show with any anticipation of being subjectively judged with the merit and the quality of the dog above the politics. But Abbey did become an Int'l champion that day, so I guess it counts or does it?
Recently one of my students went to help out at a "local" dog show. Turns out it was more of a fun match held in the local legion hall. Put on by the pet breeders assoc. They had breed classes, juniors and such. Fun prizes too. But what got me was this-this was a serious show awarding titles to dogs. The judge, a local veterinarin offered to judge. Nothing against the profession as a whole as many good vets are also great breeders but most have no clue there are two corgi breeds, that collies come in two coats, etc. The organization has no written breed standards, no rules on how the show runs, the cost is the same as an AKC show too. Dogs have to have 30 day health papers, microchips and dna but no need for a real registration on the dog as they also have classes for the designer breeds. I could have taken a cardigan. I would have lost, even with a group placing or BIS winner. And the winners, can now advertise that they have champion dogs that they breed and sell.
Step back a little and think about this when entering a show. Is the person you are asking to evaluate your dog worthy of it? Are they a person who knows your breed, that can give an honest unbiased opinion with a comparison to the written standard and a true understanding of the function of the parts of your breed? I will grant that many an AKC judge isn't worthy of that, as shown by last weeks judging fiasco, but for the most part they understand what is correct and what is not or at least they go and check the standard. Is the organization one that has a reliable reputation as having solid stud books, integrity and is in it for the dogs, not the breeder?
Are the titles really worth it? How desperate are you to pay for your title? How honest are you to explain how you got your title? The dogs you beat(where they just your own or others?), the judges you showed to, the organization's background, it's reliability? Or are you just trying to justify your actions with a cheap title?
Later gators....
C
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