Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject: What is it about showing that attracts you.
I suppose it is the one area of dog owning (and horse owning) that I just dont "get".
I can see some of you are so enthusiatic about Showing and you travel up and down the country, often at great expense, to do it....and I wonder why.
I can see "why" we have to have dog shows, so that the dogs which best fit the Breed Standards can be used for breeding, but then why is it that some of you have dogs which have done really well in the ring, yet you still take them out time and again to show them. Surely if a dog is good, as in it fits the BS well and is in good condition) it will remain good.
Is it that showing is addictive....in that you are all in pursuit of excellence....or even recognition within the breed? Is it that most of you wish at some time to reproduce from your dogs, although I'm sure not all people that "show" ever breed? Or is it quite simply that you enjoy a day out with like minded doggy folk?
I ask because although I like wandering round the odd dog show, I just can't see the attraction...infact... dare I say it....it looks pretty boring for both people and dogs alike .
I can totally see the attraction of every other dog competition, as they all involve tests of some description, whereby you have to train and be able to work in harmony with your dog. Also they always seem fairer...if the dog gets round the agility course the fastest without picking up any penalties, it has won..... If the dog is foot perfect in an Obedience Test then it also has won.....Whereas Showing is always going to be someones opinion and their interpretation of the BS, plus there are some dubious aspects that come into winning sometimes, I'm sure.
Maybe that's it...I just don't get it because there is no definitive way of winning or losing...Hmmm.
Anyway.....I'm still interested ....What is it about "showing" that really floats your boat, as I feel I'm missing the point somewhere along the line???
TBH, I really don't know what it is.................and maybe if Izzy had never been placed I wouldn't still want to take her, as it is, I get quite excited about going, part of it is, is to prove to myself that she is worthy of being reproduced if I want to do that.
It is far more addictive than I thought it would be......we have shows booked up until November at the moment. It is nice to meet up with people who share a hobby and it's also good to see the standard of other Labs out there being shown.
When I was younger and used to show a different breed, which were not my own, I didn't enjoy it all.
I think some people are more competitive than others. Some start that way but grow out of it, but some never are competitive.
Back in the days when I was racing every weekend of the year I was competitive, but after many years and enforced retirment from the track I'm no longer that bothered. I work the occasional working test, but only for fun. Yes I still train my dogs, but a good days picking up in the field, with only me seeing that odd wonderful retrieve pleases me just as much as a big win does. I enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere.
Yes I occasionally show, in fact last years Crufts is the first for some years that I did not show anything at. But in fact I enjoyed the chance to see so much more than I usually see.
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: Dog Shows
probably people will be different but for me -
I love the day out, I often go to watch dog shows and it is so enjoyable to talk to people (friends) catch up with whats going on but also enjoy the company of lovely dogs. I enjoy labs shows the most (a lot of general open shows are very crowded and noisy at open level I prefer the agricultaural outside shows).
The thrill of getting a your first red card and better still your first champ show red card, competing at crufts is a magical experience ( I have yet to gain a Res CC or CC but you never know). The best I did was a Junior Warrent with my first show dog ( so I was bit spoiled) he LOVED showing, as soon as I got the show bag out he knew. The next addition a black bitch did not like it one bit so she stayed at home and slept on her bed (typical lab) A dog needs to enjoy it as much as the owner as it really shows through.
Its a mixed but I think we all must be a bit bonkers to do it (as my Hubby says) its not like golf or most sports where it is down to you there are personal preferences to take in .......and thats where the trouble starts !!!
(A bonkers but cant go the Nat Gundog as have to work !!!!! Jo)
Awww John you are not Old....you are just mature, like a fine wine or a good cheese.
I'm not a very competitive person myself...I would rather see my dogs mastering a new comand or being particularly well behaved in difficult circumstances than hold them up for some one else to reward or criticize, maybe that's one of the reason I have no desire to Show.
My orginal intention was to do Agility with Mojo, but that was more for the fun of it than anything else...I mean if I had been that into Agility I would have bought a Border Collie not a Lab. However since joining this forum I have a large spark of interest in working a Lab, not Mojo though.... Apart from having to be careful about her elbows, I think I have probably ruined her for working, even if she would still be very enthusiastic.
I'm like you John, in that I gain so much pleasure from my dogs when no one else is around.
Quote:
its not like golf or most sports where it is down to you there are personal preferences to take in .......and thats where the trouble starts
So maybe it's purely the challenge you are addicted to....The challenge of winning the judges eye.
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject: Showing
Jules How right you are
I am a bit.... well ... ok very stubborn too and quite compitive so there has to be that too.
I must say I do enjoy well behaved dogs too (all my current lot have KC Gold Good Citizen awards) and I would love to do the SGWC but I think i need to start before the pup is born to learn (if you know what I mean ) ANd finding a gundog class here seems difficult
TBAH.........I like the atmosphere..... the people you get to meet and make freinds with.......and of course the dogs. I like the day out.!!!!
The shows have made me so aware of so many wonderful breeds of dogs and not just my own. Lots of hands on and advice from the owners and handlers
But most of all......the thrill of going into the ring and enjoying the time of struting and getting the best.....hopefully out of your dog...enough to come away with some colour of ticket.
(all my current lot have KC Gold Good Citizen awards) and I would love to do the SGWC
Mojo passed her Gold GC at when she was only young (about 12 months old I think ). I hadn't heard of the scheme when Tara was a youngster and to be fair her being a Hound I think I would have struggled then, although she is much better behaved now than I ever would have imagined possible back then . Oyster of course does so much other training that I didn't bother with the KCGC awards with her.....Guide Dogs used to recommend they did the scheme but now they don't bother and it is just up to the puppy walker if they want to (and of course the cost comes out of the puppy walkers pocket then ), I have no doubt that she could do it though, with a little practise at certain things.
I don't think there are any Gundog Classes in my area either, which is a shame, as if I get another Lab of my own at some point I will just have to move.
I have to ask though what is SGWC???? I can't for the life of me work out what it stands for.
It stands for 'Show Gundog Working Certificate' which is a pass / fail certaificate one can take if the dog has won a championship show class.
It is on game and involves a variety of factors to show the dog has the basics to be a good working gundog (not necessarily a test or trial dog but a shooting companion).
Di
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....What is it about "showing" that really floats your boat, as I feel I'm missing the point somewhere along the line??? 
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