It's Show Time . . . Again

I packed up my handy dandy Emily with Cere, Clara, Sassenach, and Loki and we all headed to King. It was a long drive but wee had a great stop at Blowing Rock for everyone to sniff around and stretch their legs. Then everyone got groomed and we were ready for the show on Saturday morning.

Sassenach and Loki were entered in Breeder Baby (3 months - 6 months) and Bred By, Kiba and Cere were entered in Baby (3 months - 6 months), and Clara was entered in Honors Champion. Clara was also entered in Veteran and Family with the puppies. It was a big weekend for all of us and I was very excited. This was the first time a Tamaskan was entered in Honors Champion, Gold Cup, Veteran, and Family. It is also the first time I could show bred by since this is my first completely solo litter. My only goal for the puppies was exposure and positive experiences. But these little ones were absolutely amazing for us and for puppies just at thee 3 month mark I could not have asked for more.

Clara:
Oh this girl ... I can’t. So this was Clara’s first show since this exact show last year. She did wonderfully in all 5 classes, did great in working group and took third in one of the working group classes on our first day. She also won best in show reserve veteran on day one. I entered too late for her to be in veteran for class 1 but was happy to get her silly out her system. She was very happy to be back in the ring and after working tandem with Loki she was very excited. While we were in the ring for Veteran, one of the judges asked us to do our down and back again, adamantly, said to go all the way to the post and for me not to look down. I knew it wasn’t likely to go as intended, asked if they were sure they wanted me that far into the corner. They said yes. So off we went.... and Clara cleared the ring and jumped, basically, into our favorite judge of the weekend's lap. This resulted in a lot of laughing and cheers. I had her jump back in to more chuckles and impressed cheering and we went back. And I tell you all this not only because my dogs and horses have always been high in entertainment value at shows but to show that they are judging the dogs structure and it’s fit to the breed standard. She wins reserve. Day two she did wonderfully and took another reserve in BIS Veteran, then BIS Veteran, BIS Rare Breed, and was eligible for Gold cup. While she didn’t place our new friend won with her Golden Retriever and it was a long group and everyone was amazing (gold cup requires a dog be titled honors or higher and earn at least one V1 card that weekend). Lastly Clara was entered in Family with the pups. They took BIS Family and I’m so proud of them all. Family requires 2+ dogs of 2+ generations to be shown together. So they judge the generations to breed standard and uniformity as well as each dog individually. And as a great wrap to the weekend Clara earned her honors bronze and silver titles.

Sassenach (Sundog Hellcat):
She is my little observer. Sits back, watches, then decides what she’s going to do. This show was no different. She was calm, reserved, and happy to be carried or hang out to the side and watch everything going on. She wasn’t overwhelmed, but she was definitely taking it all in. She also watched the weight pulling and dock diving wide eyed and interested. But in her normal fashion when it was her turn to go into the ring she was ready to go, strutted right in, stacked, let the judge examine her, and hung out for our reviews. For class 1 and 2 she won the puppy best in breed and the bred by best in breed. She also got third in working group puppy bred by (and it was a big group, we were split into two groups so we could fit into the ring). She was also amazing in express. On day two she started strong for practice but she was not really excited for the exam in class 3. The judge and I decided her experience was of more value than a score, so we skipped it. For those unfamiliar this automatically means the dog can not get a V1 (adult) or an SG1 (puppy). That said I am so happy to have made this choice because by the time we were finishing the review while the card couldn’t be changed she let the judge examine her and gave her some kisses. For class 4 she was back to her normal self and everything went perfectly. She earned all her cards for her national and international baby titles.

Loki (Sundog Hatches):
Unlike Sass, Loki was outgoing to the point of being a little clueless. Completely happy to trot around the show outside the ring in and out of everything. He was also wonderful being handled and watched by strangers. Since he doesn’t live with me this was more impressive and comforting to see because he was already on a big enough adventure being back with me without his family. His biggest challenge was that he decided he didn’t feel like running around in a circle was really of any interest to him. Well .... that’s kind of important at a show. We worked through it for class 1 and express as it was just subtle stops or hesitations, but class 2 was a full park. To prevent any negative associations or building a habit I actually pulled him from our breed group Evals and he got to just hang out and watch after he did his class. But after our events were done while we waited for Clara’s event that evening I worked him tandem with Clara then solo and it clicked! He was a rockstar.... a jumpy, bouncy, rockstar. The next morning we reinforced that and he was amazing on day two. For classes 3 and 4 he won’t best in breed puppy and bred by. He didn’t place in group but that change in him to the confidence and happiness to go into the ring, the little improvements in his stack were all I could have hoped for. I was so very proud of him working through everything that was going on. Loki won all the cards needed for his national, international, and honors baby titles.

Kiba (Sundog Bogie):
This isn’t just about him or just the weekend. Amber and Jorge are everything I could have wanted for this puppy. They came out and drove in both days for the show. Kiba hung out with all the pups like he had never left and it wasn’t just his first show but Amber’s as well. I know how much is going on, how stressful and exciting it all is, how much you forget in the moment, remember later, and need to organize to be successful. They were great ring side, and so fun to watch as a team in the ring. They have a lot to learn, but you could tell they had practiced stacking, focus, and training in general to have the confidence they did. He was calm and relaxed ring side, the judges raved about both of their behavior, potential all and dedication. And I don’t think I can even say anything nicer and more complimentary than that. Every time I followed them into the ring everyone said how wonderful they both were and how well they worked together. While I see this every day it really was so great to be able to see others acknowledge and appreciate everything they are individually and that they all are as a family. Amber handled Kiba in all 5 classes and handled the other puppies as well. It’s long days and they both were such troopers. I’m so proud of them and excited to see what they do in the future! I can’t wait to see them rock their next show and keep learning and trying new things. Kiba earned all his cards needed for his national, international, and honors baby titles.

Cere:
Emily has attended a few shows as a spectator but never handled in the ring. Cere is also such an amazing, but different dog from those she has worked and trained. Cere is also such an stunning girl with a lot of potential that I can’t wait to see grow. She is truly a striking dog and did wonderfully in such a high paced and active environment. Emily was also amazing and obviously learned a lot from the last show she went to. She was on top of the schedule, staying organized, making sure her folder was where it needed to be, and being an ambassador for the breed with Cere. One thing many undervalue at conformation shows, especially with new and rare breeds, is that it is your job to know the values and faults in your dogs and to tell judges, exhibitors, and the public so they get a better picture of the breed. It’s a hard thing to do. To look at the dog you love with all your heart and tell a judge that the thing they love may be a fault or the thing they dislike is actually correct. And to make the breed standard come to life. Cere and Emily really shone for class 1, 2 and express. And maybe it was in the air, but they did have a hard time in Class 3 (like Sass and I did) but just the same. The bounced back for class 4 and Emily practiced with a friendly exhibitor after class 4 and it was day and night seeing them working. The entire weekend was worth that opportunity for them and the confidence and excitement I saw in them individually and as a team. Cere is the first imported Tamaskan puppy and first Nederlandse Tamaskan Club Tamaskan to be shown with IABCA in our breed and she struck a positive cord with each and every person she met. Tamaskan van de Wolvenweide deserves major kudos for this amazing puppy. I’m so luck to spend even the little time I do with her and be a part of her training and growth. Cere earned cards for her national and international baby titles.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend. I’m so proud of all of the dogs and my wonderful friends. These little ones are this first Tamaskans to title this high their age group and the first to win family group with IABCA. Clara is also the first tamaskan to reach HnrCH-S and show in Gold Cup. They were also the first Tamaskans to show after IABCA moved us out of provisional. I’m also grateful for our new friends, seeing old friends, and thrilled to have ben able to educate so many about our breed, show people multiple generations and Tamaskans of varied ages. It is so rare for people and judges to be able to see many of our dogs in one place. I hope we can continue to have these positive experiences with our dogs and others.