ATB: Dog Breeders Ringside Reflections

Thistle, brother Hemi, mom Pippin chillaxin' at a recent dog show. Note the identical peeved expressions
 on the girls, and then Hemi's attempt at re-arranging his crate.

NOTE: I decided to further elaborate on a topic which originally appeared in part under Hemis' major show win photo.  I felt the rambling topic below, which is of a more personal nature, is worthy of it's own blog post. Some of the terms used in regards to showing is like a foreign language. AKC's Introduction to Dog Shows would be helpful if it's too confusing!

RETROSPECT
In November 2011 I became extremely discouraged and was turned off about the whole showing thing. Many factors came into play. Not only was my knee working against me, but so was my weight. To move a dog nicely in the ring as well as to present the dog well is easily hindered by a handler that is physically limited to how well they themselves can move. It may look easy to the casual observer watching a dog show but there are very precise and focused movements taking place while in the ring. It takes an understanding at which speed a handler must move/run, to support the best gaiting pattern of the dog at the end of the lead. It takes a bit of grace too I should add! The handler is supposed to become as if invisible to the judge, so that the focus does remain on the dog. Anyway last fall was a turning point.

When I first started to show in 2007 I would laugh at myself, and refer to my attempts to show as being the court jester! Not so much has changed because when I get in the ring it's as if I never knew anything about showing a dog. Brain cramp city or senior moments are the norm. When the judge recently selected Hemi as Best of Winners to win his 3 point major she had to point to me twice before I realized what was going on!

CROSS OVER POINTS FOR HEMI!
Incidentally, Hemi won this major by 'crossing over'. There were not enough entries in the classes for dogs to result in a major win.  But there were enough entries in bitches for a 3 point major. Hemi first one the Open Dogs class. Then he went on to win Winners Dog.  Finally he entered the 'breed ring' to compete for Best of Breed, Best of Winners, Best Opposite Sex, etc.  Because he defeated the Winners' Bitch (who had won a major) by winning Best of Winners, Hemi also earned all of her points, to cross over and make it a major win for him as well. See AKC How to Count Points at a Dog Show.

While standing ringside, waiting for your class to be called, it is often challenging to grab hold of a moment in time that holds any resemblance to sanity. It is a very busy place. Several of us have found that by taking time to briefly pray together before heading to the ring will usher in a sense of peace. Some exhibitors want to carry on conversations while others wish to remain solely focused on their dog.

As important as it is to give undivided attention to Hemi (or whatever dog is at the end of the lead) I feel it's equally important to be aware of good sportsmanship on my part. Especially after the placements and ribbons have been given.  We all know it's not always easy to graciously accept that your dog has lost on any given day. For this reason I appreciate the subtle and gentle "handling" by my friends who know me best and can tell when I am about to say or do something I will regret later. That's what friends are for.

I really try not to publically demonstrate sour grapes. It's important to me to keep a level head about regarding a placement or lack of one. Poor sportsmanship at ringside has a tendency to quickly manifests itself in a variety of ways. Some of it is downright ugly.  Sometimes exhibitors get so uptight, anxious, and even downright mean spirited when they are showing a dog. Sometimes reactions in other people are downright scary.  It's easy to forget just how quickly careless words spoken with a loose tongue ringside can injure a relationship.

Angry words spoken ringside very often are accompanied by swearing. What about that young child standing within earshot? What of those new to the sport of showing purebred dogs who are enjoying their first attempts at showing their dog?  It should not be too difficult to remember that a more encouraging, less spirited, gentler language  has a long lasting effect, and a much more positive one.

We all need people in our life to encourage us. I'm blessed to have been persuaded to continue to keep trying to show to the best of my ability. I really appreciated this persuasion more than they could know. The more obvious my physical limitations became, the harder it was to even want to try. But I really desire to finish Hemi's show championship myself, to show him to his next major win, and to the remaining points needed.  I successfully finished his AKC Junior Hunter title this fall!   Can I do it? Yes. I can.  

About 5 years ago Julie, Pam, and I were showing dogs in direct competition to each other. When we came out of the ring, we linked our arms together saying "we go into the ring as friends, show our dogs as competitors, and are still friends when we come out of the ring. No matter what." That is our covenant to each other!

Whenever possible, they stand ringside watching and observing me while showing. The know what kind of feedback is most helpful for me. I do the same for them, and especially enjoy taking pictures or video of them in the ring to critique and evaluate together later. But woe to others who offer unsolicited advice and opinions!

I'm in another window of time where my Synvisc-One injection into my knee is having the most effectiveness. I have taken off nearly 20 lbs since May with Weight Watchers. Now, it is so much easier to move out with Hemi in the ring and I don't get out of breath like I use to with the weight loss. Good health is my motivation. My doctor told me that for every pound of body weight lost, it was like taking 5 pounds of pressure off of my joints. I have discovered by staying as physically active as possible, my confidence increases too.  I have no idea how long this injection will be effective, but I will take advantage of the relief afforded to me from severe Osteo Arthritis.

Literally and personally, this is a different walk for me. I can glean from the years of experience in my adult years with the Brittany in the area of breeding, whelping, raising pups, socializing, evaluating, training, and so on and so forth.  I can also reflect further upon my childhood years as the daughter of parents who bred Boston Terriers.  Showing dogs was never a motivation to me and it will never be our primary purpose for breeding.  We'll continue to show but our Brittanys will always be bird dogs that love the hunt and the people they share their lives with. Our breeding goals will forever remain to provide outstanding bird dogs for active hunting families.

I do understand the importance of proving not only hunting ability, good health, and temperament but also the outstanding conformation supporting the correct structure, type, and function. We're doing both at this point in time without sacrificing one over the other. I remain grateful for the ongoing mentor ship of well seasoned breeders in their 70's, 80's, and 90's as well as lessons gleaned from them through past conversations over the years.  These seniors pose very pointed questions to us from time to time including how they want us to be sure to:

1. Know what we want in a Brittany.
2 .Acknowledge we are not breeding Brittanys for field trials.
3. Continue to breed Brittanys that will hunt, point, and retrieve grouse, woodcock, pheasant.
4. Be certain of who we are breeding Brittanys for

We're good!

Thanks for your interest in All Things Brittanys. It's always nice to spend a few minutes with our readers! In the near future my posts will hopefully begin to take on a new focus.  We are looking forward to sharing a brand new journey with you as we anticipate our next litter of puppies.

Take care and God bless you always, John, Ann and All Things Brittany