So I thought today’s theme could be show dogs, in honor of the Westminster Kennel Club (click it to watch live) show that has been going on. Most of you know that Luna is not only a pet, but also a show dog (and a hunting dog… and trick dog… etc etc). She has completed her CH title but we spent many a day in the ring.
Recently we even competed in a fun match as it was nearly in our backyard.
(thank you to Nicole for taking this shot of us)
It had been a long time (probably a year??) since I went in the ring with her, and even at a funmatch I was nervous. I can’t imagine what it would be like to compete at Westminster. Anyway we had fun, we mainly went to support our family who you can see more of on the other blog), and I thought it would be a good way to wear Luna out a bit. I think I ended up more wore out at the end of it. As you can see in the picture above, one must fly to keep up with Luna in the ring. I am literally not touching the ground, I am not even sure if Luna is.
After our turn in the ring was done we waited ringside as I shot more pictures. Luna was quite good at waiting, cheese helped as usual.
Showing dogs was never very interesting to watch, outside of seeing different breeds I don’t get to see in person, until I started to show. Then I really had a feel for what went on in the ring when I was watching on TV. I guess it probably is the same with Golf as I find that very boring to watch, but others love it (and they probably have golfed at some point). I still think teaching Luna the basics for showing was one of the easiest venues to teach her, though she had to mature into the whole waiting game… but as time went on I figured out how to work with her and keep her happy in the ring (can you say flat rat toy? AKA rabbit fur with a squeaker in it). I am happy I tried my hand at it, and even put a couple points on her myself, but I was happy to eventually turn over the reigns as I found it too political for my liking (though what dog venue isn’t to some degree??)
Just finished watching the Vizslas compete. Congrats to Corrine with “Kato” for taking BOB!! Good luck in groups!! A beautiful selection of Vizslas who all did amazing. Now off to post more show photos of others on the Photo blog shortly.
(side note: I have actually competed with Corrine, she is a local I believe. In any case she has been at several shows we have been to. So have several others, so cool to see fellow handlers that you know in person at Westminster.)
Vizsla Inspiration 
I love your “six off the floor” picture with Luna. You both look like you’re just gliding around the ring!
The vizslas looked amazing the morning. My favorite part about watching Corinne with Kato is that they both seem to enjoy themselves so much in the ring. We are friends with Libby’s breeder (she went BOS). I couldn’t agree more that watching a dog show is much more exciting when you’ve done it yourself and/or the know the dogs/people participating.
Thanks, great title for that pic! Marching band comes in really handy in the ring. I had to learn how to walk and run around a football field smooth enough to play a trumpet, so we do great in the movement department. It’s the fast stacking before the judge that she has a harder time with with me. But oh well, we had fun anyhow that day. Cool to hear you are friends with someone who won today too, small world.
Do you think you would ever go to your Specialty? We went to the Chessie Specialty in 2009 and had planned to go last year (until Thunder’s surgery sucked our fun $ away). They are a lot of fun and if your breed has a hunting class you could enter Luna in it and just show for fun. It is great to see all of the other dogs. Plus our Specialty usually has a working dog stake on the Sunday which lets the dogs get some birds.
Unfortunately our specialty this year is in San Antonio TX….much too far for us.
I really want to go to Nationals, as it is in Ohio this year. I don’t know if I will be able to though, all depends on work. If I go I probably will show her for fun. I noticed that they now have a Bird Dog class for AKC shows. Basically you just have to have a single leg in any HT, or a WD or WDX, FT title. If you win that class you get to go compete for Breed. Kinda neat that AKC finally is starting to recognize those dogs that show and hunt in a positive way. Heaven knows we need to see more of that in the AKC. I thought about running her in agility at the nationals too but doubt I will now as we have not worked much at all with it. But I would love to go to see the variances in the breed and just see that many Vizslas. If I don’t make it this year, I will have to wait another 4-5 😦
I’m with you. Matches are nerve wracking enough. Just the word “Westminster” sounds scary! I love both photos – she is such a gorgeous dog. Thanks for sharing!
Aw, I really love the shot of you and Luna in the ring!
Luna has a very graceful stride. I watched a few breeds online – still need to watch the BOS though!
Thanks, I have always loved her movement, I really wish judges put more weight on movement like they should. Ah well, I need to watch BOS too! the live feed was not working when I tried.
On a side note… I have not been able to comment on your blog for a lil while now. I try and they keep saying those security words were not entered correctly even when I try like 3 times. Any idea why?
I can see you have a very well trained dog, I need to get some tips from you. 🙂
I don’t think I would like to show my dog because I think there would be too much stress on myself. 🙂
I would like her to do Rally or Agility though, I think that might be fun.
Awww thanks, some days she is better trained than others. Honestly the show work was some of the easiest I have done with her. Hunt Test training has proved much more difficult as she LOVES it so much. The hardest thing in showing Luna had to learn was to be patient and keep her feet planted. I do get nervous and I am very competitive so it can be a rather stressful combination. I showed her myself for at least the first year or two, then started having the breeder and some handlers help. For them she was a dream, they never told me anything for me to go home and work on with her, she did all they asked. So I can take pride in that at least.
I would love to do rally with Luna, agility too but I probably would not compete as I can see myself being horrible at remembering those courses. She loves the agility training we have done thus far though, a natural for sure. Hoping she will take to rally too, I need to find a class.
She’s a gorgeous vizsa she could easily get her grand championship. Did you show in jrs or… oh well, I love her movement
Thanks 🙂 I will let her know. She probably could get her grand eventually but to me it is not worth my time or money, we are done with shows for points… just too political for my blood. I showed her in puppy when she was old enough, then 9-12 Bitch, then Open Bitch… wasn’t young enough to show in junior handler. I love her movement too, one of her best qualities I think. Thanks for stopping by!