Spokane Dog Show in Review

First off I want to show my dog. He enjoys the crowds, I do not but until he proves otherwise he can keep his testicles.
I am always surprised by the people who take the show ring so seriously. For those who don't feel like learning to much about dog shows, the AKC awards points to dogs who, in short, place first. The UKC can award points to multiple dogs. Overall I have to say both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Spokane show was a AKC show and I met some people who were very relaxed about the whole ordeal and those who were on borderline rude.  But thats every show. This time I was surprised by the fact that one of the nicest people I met was a professional handler (a reason there are so many afghan photos :) ) I feel like if your not having fun you should go home. If your not happy your dog knows your dog wont have fun.

 

The easiest (and very important) thing to teach your dog...

Today I will go over the number one thing I talk to owners about. I find to many people to do not use this simple tool and underestimate its effect in their and their dogs life.
I will swear left and right that indulging in a dogs natural abilities not only is great mental stimulation and exercise but builds the all important confidence and I see too many unsure dogs today. It's the job of the owner to help build your dogs natural confidence. Confidence is built through trust and experience. My dogs would not chase down prey that could seriously harm them if they were unsure, but most people do not want a dog who is completely fearless, most people do not own terriers either.
All dogs can learn tracking, or following scents to find things. Whether it be toys indoors or outside following coons. It can be tailored to your and the dogs needs. Following a scent is as easy and showing your dog the scent and rewarding their natural instinct to investigate and follow. It really is that simple. You can add to it by adding a "find" command or specifying a type of game but overall it boils down to letting your dog use his or her amazing nose to scent things out.
Rewarding your dog is the most important thing, finding the game or toy is a reward in itself,  but be proud of your dog, they will know! After all you couldn't find your own keys by sniffing them out. Do not underestimate the effect and fun you with your dog.
~Happy Tails ~

Back to Basics

I am very back and forth about how I feel about breeding for show. There are many examples of breeds (I will stand up for this next sentence) that have been ruined by the show ring. One example being none other then the jack russell terrier. Now we have the Fox Terrier, Parsons Russell Terrier and Russell Terrier all separated by the AKC as different breeds that were at one point the same dog.
I do feel having another set of eyes looking over your dog for structural correctness is, and should always be, a set standard for breeders but I worry about what judges actually see. I see over and over dogs put up for the wrong reasons leading to the wrong dogs being bred and ruining the breed.
The man the Parsons Russell is named for Reverend John Russell, judged one show late in his life, and never went back to judging after seeing what entered the show ring. Now judges have the right to not award any dogs if they feel none are worthy but its very rare a judge will but I personally think judges should be urged to, especially in working dogs. But it is hard to prove a dog can work in the show ring, its also not very important for many potential owners who are looking for puppies to have a working dog. Many working dog traits are hard to live with I will admit and to save breeds many groups have changed whole breeds. Like bulldogs, once trained for bull baiting and fighting could no longer be bred to fight after bull baiting and fighting became illegal so the whole breed switched directions and breeders bred those traits out.
I recently have been talking to breeders about buying a girl russell and have been shocked. I was told by one breeder that she doesn't expect one girl to ever special (show dog term used to describe higher level awards) because she doesn't have enough facial hair. Sense when did facial hair ever become a requirement for a hunting dog? So why should a judge not put up a dog without facial hair? How will we ever determine what dogs are good enough to breed if we rely on judges who judge like that.
It seems to me I live in a world filled with show dogs or working dogs and never the two shall meet... I hope this changes.

Stray Encounters....

I find it slightly funny that people will do almost anything for a stray dog. Most people pull over their car and at least try to call the dog to them or at least don't pancake it in the road. Then their are the strays that make it their mission in life to evade human capture. Not just that they wont come when called but that they literally do not want you here. For an domestic animal I always find it fascinating when they aren't, well, domestic. Second time I have seen these same strays running in the college campus where I live, its spring here and I didnt know how the dogs would fair through the winter apparently it was well. They aren't aggressive they just don't care. Maybe its just me but its very interesting, and maybe slightly liberating that after hundreds of years the dog can just turn its back on its creators.

For thought...

 Dog fighting documentary online pulled on my heart strings it was for once very straight forward unbiased and down to earth on where these problems come from... 

and in case the link fails like it likes to...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UozSY6TNgKo

Just a Playdate photo