When we started dog showing we said "we'll do a few shows and see how it goes", we hadn't intended to do that many. Since the start of 2018, we've done 16, which was hardly the plan. Not only that we've got several more planned in the diary already, yes we have a show diary now, oh my gawd!!
The movement....
Just to be clear, I don't really know that much about showing dogs just yet. I had an interesting conversation at the weekend about what types of dogs I liked and who did I think would win a class, and it made me think, what do I like about Tibbies. To help explain that, here is a critique of Finlay from the Bath Championship show by judge Jane Paradise:
"Quite a handful here and more training will reap rewards. Well shaped skull, wide jaw and ex bite. Carrying a quality coat and shawl. Plume balances with head to give a correct silhouette. Nicely sprung ribs with a level topline. He comes into his own on the move, where he showed the others how to move straight with precision"
We have now had consistent feedback from various judges that Finlay's movement is really good, and that is one of the things I like to see in Tibbie's and in Finlay. When we are out for a walk with Finlay, outside of showing, he has this movement where he just glides along without effort. He flows, he moves very fast but without effort....he is so agile. When he recreates this movement in the ring, then that is when he shines. Yes he wags and has that cheeky glint in his eye and that is massively endearing. So movement, that is what I think I like. As for the "quite a handful" comment, well he certainly is that, but he is still young and Deb is still learning how to overcome his exuberance.....
The shows....
This weekend, we planned to do two dog shows, one in Yeovil on Saturday and one in Ardingly Showground on the Sunday (Kingston canine society). We didn't think we'd make it for a moment, but we did....and I'm glad we did because both days were successful in their own way.
At Yeovil under judge Alan Carter, unfortunately he was the only entry in his Junior class, came 3rd in the AV Utility Special Yearling under judge Pauline Lock and finally was Reserve in the AV Special Beginners Stakes under judge Colin Woodward.
At Kingston show under judge Marion McArdle he was Reserve in his Special Yearling class, unplaced in the AV Junior Stakes and was a marvellous 1st in the AV Utility Special Beginners class under judge Judith Catlow. He then went through to the final group for best Special Beginner in show and managed a creditable VHC under judge Pamela Mottershaw.
It is hard to forget that both Deb and Finlay have been showing only 6 months, so every show is a new learning experience, so getting anywhere is still unexpected. But the Special Beginner successes we have had are very heartwarming as they are getting fairly regular. And as someone pointed out recently, we can't be 'Beginners' forever, so we need to make the most of it!!
The heat....
To the uninitiated, it may seem mad to take dogs to shows in the heat we've had recently. Certainly in a car without air conditioning, it would be. But Finlay has been totally cool in the car and sleeps everywhere we go. The dog owners go out of their way to keep their dogs cool, from cool coats, gazebo's (both dog sized and huge garden sized), golf umbrellas, towels soaked with cold water to lay on, gallons of water, shade, shade and more shade. The end result is that there is nothing to worry about, dogs are well catered for and in the case of our Tibbie, I think he was cooler than we were. That said, this heat is a bit extreme, and it would be more comfortable at 20 degrees rather than 30+.
Some pictures from the shows:
Another fine standing picture of Finlay, he really is getting this now. He can stand back from Debbie without being on her feet and even the lead is slack now. What a cutie!
This video is from Finlays AV Utility Special Beginners class. Up against a Tibetan Terrier, Poodle and a Frenchie, Finlay strutted his stuff and charmed the judge. This was a classic Finlay/judge interaction, he absolutely won her over. And of course there was that movement again..... :-)
