8 April 2018

I've heard a saying several times regarding dog showing:

"whether you win or lose, you always take the best dog home"

This might sound a bit cliched but I think today it was absolutely spot on. It was the Tibetan Spaniel Association open show at Ryton on Dunsmore near Coventry. A lovely venue and a great show, really enjoyable and met lots of enthusiastic Tibbie owners who love the breed. How could you not have a great day out surrounded by 130+ Tibbies!!

Finlay was entered in 2 classes, 'Special Junior Dog or Bitch' and puppy, both under different judges. We wanted to enter him into the Special Junior class because it ran first and before our puppy class. Finlay always turns up at a show so excited, so very very excited. So this would give him a chance to burn off that energy and stand half a chance a being good for the puppy class. 

I think he did very well in the first class under judge Patrick Dewaele. There was an entry of 12 and he made it through the first cut to the final 6. The judge was keen to inspect dogs' side teeth, and previously Finlay has been tricky with showing teeth in his younger months, but he was very good in this regard. He did however seem keen to hug and kiss the judge, which whilst endearing is not really the done thing. His walking can also be a frustrating mix of slow swagger and near running....but again, he probably (over the 2 classes he was entered in) performed the best he has so far. So in the first class, having made it through to the final cut of 6, there were only 5 placings. And unfortunately Finlay came 6th.

Then it was time for the puppy class, as I said it was a different judge, Guy Hazlehurst. Finlay performed really well, although again there was too much judge adoration, and as I said before probably went as well as he has in any show so far. However, for whatever reason in a class of 6 dogs he came 6th - with only 5 placings....meaning that over 2 classes this is our first time at a show where we didn't come home with a rosette. Never mind, I take you back to the initial opening statement - we get to take Finlay home, clearly the best dog! Which brings me onto another comment.

Regardless of his performance in the show ring, it is performance out of the ring that constantly means he charms everyone he meets. Every person or dog he meets gets a wag and a smile, without exception. From the time he arrived until the time he left he unfailingly filled my heart with pride as people found it impossible to walk by and be immune to his charm, I think he has a few new friends after today. He had a lovely play with Mr Darcy and would have done so also with Willow given the chance.

I've said this before, but as long as Finlay is happy to go to these kind of shows, then we will stick with it as well - Finlay couldn't imagine a nicer day out than meeting a hundred-plus of his own kind plus their adoring owners. Finlay also got to meet his breeder Aileen again and reserved a special hug and big kisses for her, even though she apparently doesn't do kisses. Finlay didn't get that memo!!

As an aside, this was also Finlay's 2nd night away in a hotel. We travelled up the day before and stayed in a Travelodge near the venue. Finlay did have a bit of a woof during the night but only because our neighbours were being a bit noisy. Although it took him a little while to settle he proved to be a "go anywhere dog" which is exactly what we need.

Definitely a fun weekend, a massive Tibbie fix and Finlay's time to hug some people. Just no rosettes this time......

As usual here are some photos and videos....

Here is Finlay doing the Special Junior class, this is one of his better runs from any show so far. Gets better every time. It was unfortunate the judge squeaked a toy at Finlay part way through, the idea of course was to get Finlay's attention....but for Fin, this meant play-time. 

Despite his improvements, this is his brother Taggart showing him how it should be done. Of course he is being expertly handled!

Standing on the table is very good when he is on his own with my wife, but as soon as the judge turns up it is kiss and cuddle time. To be honest it is so cute I don't really want him to stop doing it even though it possibly doesn't do him any favours. Perhaps one day a judge will award him a first for just being the waggiest best kisser at the show?

I'm standing mum!

Goofy looks, I can do those!

Finlay couldn't resist a play with a new mate, Pauline Bevis' Mr Darcy....who kept Finlay in check ever so gently with his left paw.

Me and my new mate