I showed Prins all four days of the MV show cluster and he did wonderful for such a young dog, still developing both physically and mentally. After the Maquoketa show weekend in March, we attended only one conformation class. I got two new ear piercings in my left ear, and the tragus got spectacularly infected. Four days after receiving the piercing, I went to the ER in Muscatine and received a prescription. Well, that antibiotic destroyed my GI tract and left me in bed when I wasn't struggling to keep up with chores. The infection returned before the 10 days were over so I went to my regular doctor's office, where they took a culture and prescribed a different oral antibiotic as well as prescription topical antibiotic. Finally, the tragus started to heal. The culture results came back a few days later, not MRSA as suspected, and by the end of the week, which was already the first week of May, I was recovering well and regaining energy. As a result, Prins and I went into the ring on Thursday with very little practice since our last show. Mr. Swivel Head was the only Vallhund entered on Thursday and received nice comments from the judge. We stayed to participate in OH group, one more practice before other Vallhunds arrived on Friday. Prin surprised me by receiving WD on Friday and I really debated going in group. Our breed time was 8:00 am sharp; we were the first dog and handler pair in the ring that day. Groups started at noon and herding was second to last. On Thursday, the temperature at group time was 95 degrees and the building lacked air conditioning. The anticipated temperature would be the same on Friday. We went home for the time being, a half hour drive from the show. I decided at 11 am that we would go in group. We needed the practice, if nothing else. Prins was focused and attentive and when the group dogs lined up for final judging, I was proud of our performance. I nearly screamed, "WHAAAAAAT????" when the judge announced, "Vallhund, Number 2." This was a large group with most herding breeds present. Jan had returned to watch group, took pictures and videos, and I am still in shock over what actually happened. I don't have a good poker face and man it shows in the pictures!!!
Saturday and Sunday, Prins returned to Mr. Swivel Head and was interested in everything except what was going on in the ring. Basically, Celine never outgrew that phase, but is food motivated enough that she can be convinced to cooperate most of time. With Prins, I realized this is Puppy Brain, and we will spend the summer religiously attending conformation class on Thursday to work on focus in the ring. Prin was RD on Saturday and second in his class on Sunday. By Sunday, he was just plain tired.
Dove is a professional and has laser focus when she enters the ring. I asked my coach a week ago if she knew anyone who could show Dove for me on the weekend because my friend who regularly comes to local shows had a late conflict. Paula suggested her son in law and I wasn't in a position to be picky. I had met Christopher before and knew him from helping occasionally in class. On Saturday, I arrived an hour before ring time so I could hand off Dove to Christopher and explain her quirks. His family shows Dandies, a terrier similar in size and shape to Vallhunds, also shown on the table. I had thought of scratching Dove altogether but didn't want to screw up the points for anyone else. Had WD gone BOB on the days Dove was entered, her entry would have boosted WD from a 3 point major to a 4 point major. After Prins was RD, I was a little nervous as I knew Dove would be in the ring without me. The rings were generously sized and I was afraid she might be whiny. I forced myself not to watch from near the ring, turned towards another ring with Prins sitting at my side. Telah won BOB with Kona (Celine's littermate), Dove was awarded SB, Creed (WD) was BOW and BOS. I congratulated Christopher and asked him if he wanted to show Dove the next day, that our ring time was 11:15 am in Ring 4. He said, "Sure!"
I was exhausted on Sunday and arrived again an hour before ring time. I handed off Dove and reminded Christopher of Telah's suggestion to speed up with her. Dove is a big girl, large framed with a long reach. She has spectacular movement but you really need to run for her to show her best. Prins did not advance past our class and I could hear Dove begin whining when Christopher walked near the ring and she spotted me. I decided that the best thing I could do was to leave the building and hide outside, standing under the awning as the heat wave had broke overnight and a soft rain was falling. The doors were all propped open for increased air circulation, so I could peek in occasionally without Dove noticing. The whining stopped after two minutes. I peeked in every few minutes. The judge was thorough and took her time, so about ten minutes passed before I peeked in to see her lining up the entrants in breed. Christopher and Dove were standing in place 1, and I watched him receive the ribbon I knew we both had our hearts set on. Christopher and Dove had won Best of Breed, a big major win, the first major needed for Dove's grand championship! I watched as he picked up Dove and kissed her and she was smiling widely. I still asked, "How did you do?" and he replied, "We won breed!" I laughed and grabbed them both in a big hug. Christopher decided he did want to show in the open group, which was starting shortly. I took Prins back to the car, and we waited until Christopher called me after they were done. No group placement but they did great. He showed me a few of the pictures that his wife Lee took during group. The group placements all went to seasoned professional handlers, which usually happens. People pay professional handlers and expect results. Christopher was happy with how Dove went and said, "She is such a professional. I was playing with her before ring time but as soon as she walked into the ring she is all business." I told him that "professional" is the same word I use to describe Dove to my husband, and Tava uses that word for Dove as well. Dove knows that there is a prize awarded in the ring, and she wants to be first. Argue with me if you want to, and I will agree that 99% of dogs have no concept of placements in the ring. Dove is not like 99% of other dogs!
I can't wait until the photographer posts her pictures from the Mississippi Valley Show Cluster. Prins and I had our picture taken on Friday with our group judge, my first picture ever with a judge. After Christopher and Dove won breed, we went and had a picture taken as well. I usually just buy a digital copy of the picture, though I asked Christopher if he wanted me to order a paper copy as well for him. He nodded and said, "Definitely." I laughed and said, "You are going to want a puppy one day from Dove!"
Dove wins!
Video of NOHS herding group on Friday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpRdtRJKWls
Video of post show party, Prins and Dove, arrival back at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhFxtreJUow
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