Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: Little Poem I found... show v Working Type
I wrote this really for fun a couple of years ago for a club newsletter and clearing out some files dug it out so thought i'd post it anyway It was really to try, in what is a dual purpose club, to get a few more show folks to come gundog training....
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There’s a split in our breed between working and show
We speak of uniting as cracks grow and grow.
Neither side shoulders all of the blame
and deep down inside we are really the same
For we love the breed through the rough and the smooth
And so, to many, there’s nothing to prove
But our breed was bred, alongside its beauty
To hunt and retrieve as its primary duty
And the structure and form for which show folks do strive
Was put there in place to give working dogs drive
There are many reasons and several excuses
Why either side think only of one of its uses
Our show folks may say “Its hardly fair is it?”
“the field side are just breeding skinny black whippets!”
“So what if my dogs drag me over the showground?
At least they don’t stand in the ring with their tails down.
If I work my show dogs they’ll sit in the ring
They’ll lose animation and prize-winning ‘zing!’
“I’m not into Field sports, I hate all that killing
And all day in mud I would hardly find thrilling
I haven’t the time and I haven’t the money
I don’t find you saying I should is that funny”
“I like my labs stocky, I like them with bone
I’m sick of the field trialer’s judgemental tone
Training classes are just not for me
I might miss an open show why don’t you see?”
And to that I say that I do understand
Its hard to find time in our fast modern land
To think about why we picked our beloved breed
And what they were bred for and what they might need….
…to continue in the form that we love and we know them
Breeding NOT for just workers and NOT for just showmen
Keeping form for the workers and function for ring dogs
And avoid throwing arrows and judgements and slingshots
To lessen the split only you have the power
So can I suggest that you take just an hour
And to our training classes bring your show-dogs along
They’ll love it, you’ll love it, I’ll eat my hat if I’m wrong!
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
Oh Di, that's wonderful and so true! Everything a Labrador is was put there for a reason. I hate the exaggerations at both ends of the spectrum. I love the dogs of yesteryear, so I guess I should have been born in the 40's or 50's! (Opps, Hang on a minute, I was!)
I have a quick question, sorry to hi jack your thread, but i have Brodie who is a show breed and Ebony who is a working breed, now i was under the impression that show breeds are more laid back than working breeds, where as with these two it is the other way round! Brodie never stops pounding around the house from 7am in the morning untill midnight, he is so full of energy, he spends every waking minute looking for the next lot of mischeif he can get into. On the otherhand Ebony is just a little sweetheart ( a little black whippet is a perfect discription), after her walk she is happy to relax, all she asks for is a walk , her food and loves her cuddles, she is such a sweetie. So have i got it the wrong way round, ot are my dogs back to front hehe
That's pretty much a 20 year range John ... are you being evasive??
Lovely poem Di, you have a real talent there.
You know, I see all of these poems on here and they are so beautiful. I often wonder if there is a market for collating them into a book that could be sold with profits going to Lab Rescue, or some such worthy cause. I stall then because I wouldn't know where to start with copyright issues etc. ...... do we have any publishing gurus on here who could help? I'd be up for helping to organise this ...
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It was really to try, in what is a dual purpose club, to get a few more show folks to come gundog training....
