Show Dogs

Most people think of a show dog as one who is pampered and protected, never allowed to be a 'real dog'.
I'm here to bust that myth wide open.

When we were looking for a new family pet I was asked by breeders if we wanted a dog for showing or a pet. I said I would show our pet to any one who would look. That answer seemed to go over well. ;)

We weren't interested in showing. All we wanted was another beautiful expressive Samoyed to come into our lives.
It just so happened that the pup we were destined to get was from show stock, and very good show stock at that.
Our agreement was for one show. Misha's litter was the first for her sire. They wanted the pups to be seen so people could see what he was capable of producing.

We trained, at least I did, Misha came by it naturally. I felt so lost and out of my depth, I had no clue.
I read what ever publication I could get my hands on. I watched tapes of Crufts. I always felt I was missing something.

My original USA understanding of showing was you get a dog, you get a handler to train and show the dog, you don't get to spend a lot of time with your dog.
Not so here. Samoyeds are best if they are owner shown. The owner is the person who spends the most time with the dog, they are the one who understands its foibles and habits, what makes it spark. We much prefer that arrangement. :)
One show has turned into a show career for Misha, chasing the title of Champion.

However, Misha is a pet, a companion, a very spoiled member of the family. She is first and foremost a dog. She has her training sessions and her walks. She does roadwork and then runs and plays in the fields. She loves to get mucky, to roll in the grass and some not so nice things! She loves to meet and play with other dogs. People are amazed when they see her tumbling around and being tugged and pulled by their dogs then find out she is a show dog.
The one common phrase is, "It's so nice to see a show dog playing like a regular dog."

I'll never forget one of the 'Nine O'Clock Dog Walkers Club' member who used to allow her Boxer to chase Misha and bowl her over with a paw swipe. Jack is just a huge, active, hyper bundle of energy. His owner would laugh and encourage Jack to have a go at 5 month old Misha. When we went to out very first Championship show and won her class, which gained us our entry for Crufts 2007, then came home and told Jack's owners, what a difference! All of a sudden they were calling Jack away from Misha, not allowing him to play with her. In fact most of the people got a little funny about letting their dogs rough and tumble with Misha. I had to tell them to please not do that. Misha needed the companionship of the dogs.

If I had to make a choice between showing Misha and letting her enjoy life with canine companionship, I know what the choice would be. It's a joy to watch her meet the dogs and run with them.

On the other hand there are some breeders and show people who keep their dogs in kennel and take them out only to work them and show them. How sad. They are missing some of the best times of their, and their dogs lives. I feel very bad for them not knowing the joy of their four legged companions. The love and affection they can give you with just a look and a sigh.

Showing is a hobby with us. If Misha did not enjoy it I would walk out of a class with her and never enter her in a ring again.
But most of the time, Misha is a fun loving, squirrel chasing, ball chasing, happy go lucky playing machine!

Back in the Ring Again!

Saturday the 08 SEP we made our way back into the show ring after a two month hiatus.

Misha was taken out to allow her to grow her coat back after her massive shed. In addition we feel it's a good thing to do to allow her time to just relax, be a fun loving grubby little dog. It helps to keep her fresh and not get bored with all the proceedings.

We used the time to work on her off lead commands.
Amazing. This time last year I never would have said that Misha would have come as far as she has in her commands. Every day this little wonder proves to me how smart she is. But this will be a subject for another post.

We had what could be considered a local show. It was only twelve miles down the road for us.
So no very early start. :) We left the house at 1030 a instead of the 630a normal start. We were able to get there in plenty of time, but had to wait hours before we were in the ring.

We went in for our class and managed to win it fairly easily. Misha was perfect. She stacked beautifully and her movement was spot on. Absolutely sailed around the ring easy, graceful and absolute poetry in motion.
In the final lineup for all unbeaten bitches, she again was showing her quality. We won Reserve Best Bitch. Not shabby for not being in the ring for two months and still not in full coat! I'm truly hoping that this is the start of Misha coming into her own and starting to get the honours she should instead of being told she is too immature looking.

Big show coming up next Thursday, so really hoping for very good results!