Show Year 2007

Lower Mainland Dog Show at the Abbotsford Tradex

For my last show of the year I wanted to end my year the way I began it, spending time with my sister. I decided to combine a dog show with a visit with my mother and sister, and as it happens, the largest dog show in Canada is held in Abbotsford, B.C. at Tradex, over the weekend of October 25 to the 28^th.

So off I went to see what it is like to watch so many dogs show in so many rings, this time from the exhibitor’s area, so funny as I lived in Abbotsford for 35 years and went a number of times as a spectator.

I did not take any of my dogs, as I wanted to spend the time just watching and taking notes as well as enjoying the company of my min pin mentor, Myrna Keyser. Myrna lives in Agassiz, just over the river from my mom and sister who live in Chilliwack, B.C.

I should have known that once it got out that I was coming and was “free” of encumbrances (dogs) that I would be asked to hold at ringside, which I didn’t mind in the least. I helped Myrna’s daughter Stephanie show a couple of her powder puff Chinese Crested dogs. This was a new breed for me to handle, but I found them very enjoyable and affectionate, both with hair and without.

Imagine my surprise when I was asked to handle a great moving, well put together miniature pinscher in very esteemed company. I was very fortunate to be asked to take Ch Aztex March-On The Bachelor into the specials ring on the second day of the show. There were 17 min pins in the group and although I didn’t win, I was thrilled to be considered in the judge’s final choice of three for Best of Breed.

Next year I plan on going again as I had a lot of fun and had time to catch up with some of the people I met throughout the year. Maybe I might even get up the nerve to take one of my own and try my luck.

I have included some pictures of the show at Tradex, just to give an idea of the size of the area. In one of the pictures shot towards the end of the building, that is just one quarter of the size of the place, there are three more areas just like this. There was a total of 14 show rings, most shows have only 3 or 4 rings.

Other pictures are of the benching areas or at ringside.

  

Lloydminster Kennel Club Show

Okay last show of my year was held in Lloydminster, SK on September 28th, 29^th and 20^th 2007

This time I only took 4 of my miniature pinschers, I felt that after 4 poodle puppies what was 4 miniature pinschers?! No grooming, right!

I forgot about the constant walking that I like to do with my min pins. But, I actually had time to take in the show after my min pins were finished showing and after I helped my girlfriend show her Dachshunds and helped other friends hold their dogs at ringside.

I took Shocka and Miracle and the two kids from Shocka born last September. This was Smokey and Skyla's first experience in the ring. Skyla is such an assured puppy, nothing fazes her that I was sure she would do very well and take it all in stride. Well, I should have known that a min pin will always do want you least expect. She was such a stinker, she knew what to do, but wouldn't! Boy, did she make me feel foolish. Oh well, life on the show circuit.

Smokey is more reserved and I knew it would take time for him to warm up to showing and I was correct with him. But, he did try, just wouldn't get his tail up.

Both dogs have lovely conformation and excellent movement, but they need more ring experience to come into their own.

Shocka was the belle of the ball this weekend and looked like a dream. All pride and joy walking around the ring. She took Best of Breed and Best of Winners on Friday and Saturday  finishing her championship.

She is now Can Ch. Teralea's Shock 'N" Awe.

 I am very proud of her as she had a very rocky start and had some very big fears to overcome!

Miracle finished out the weekend on Sunday winning Best of Breed and Best of Winners for two more points toward her championship.

She will be coming with me in the New Year in hopes of getting those final points.

Shamrock Kennel Show

From Winnipeg, it’s off to the Shamrock Kennel Club show held in Yorkton, SK over the weekend of  August 24, 25 and 26, 2007.

 Well, my taking the poodle pups to the Winnipeg show sure paid off!

I finished two of my kids over this weekend. Tango, my lovely, devoted male took Best of Breed and Best of Winners all weekend and finished with Best Puppy in Group to go into the Best in Puppy Show ring. He is now Can Ch Tyramara's Tango My Life a champion at 6 months and 3 weeks!

Shimmer larger of my two girls, and sister to Tango took Best of Opposite Sex and Winners Bitch all weekend to finish her championship as well. She is now Can Ch Tyramara's Candle in the Window.

My third youngster Dazzle took 4 points towards her championship and will be going out again in the New Year. She is Tyramara's Razzle Dazzle.

Stormy, my most reserved boy was not a happy camper and did not want to be in the ring. But, I must say by the end of the weekend, he was trotting around with the rest of the group with his tail up and a spring in his step. I have decided he would be happier in a home of his own and not out on the show circuit.

Grooming four poodles in puppy show trim is not for the faint hearted! Here are a couple of pictures of Tango and Shimmer waiting patiently for me to get Dazzle and Storm fluffed up before going into the ring. As you can see, Tango is falling asleep and leaning against Shimmer, who in turn is slowly falling off the table, despite the efforts of my friend to hold them up. Doing 6 shows in 3 days does not leave any time for relaxation. Up at 5 am to groom the dogs before ring time and into bed around 11pm after washing, drying and grooming them all for the next days show. No wonder the dogs were falling asleep on their feet, by the end of the weekend I felt like that too!

All 4 of these pups are brothers and sisters from the same litter born at the end of January this year. I am immensely proud of them and all they have done in such a short time.

Manitoba Canine Association Dog Show

On to Manitoba and the show that was held in Winnipeg on August 9^th, 10^th,11^th and 12^th 2007 I only entered this show to see what it was like to show in Manitoba as I had already shown in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. I took 4 poodle puppies with me just for the experience.

To say I was crazy, was putting it mildly. Four new poodle puppies that had no ring experience was quite an adventure. Needless to say, I had no expectations and I was justified as the ring had many very experienced poodles from both Canada and the US. To expect my newbies to get any points would have been foolish. But, I did not go there to get points but to gain experience. I felt they acquitted themselves very well for their first time out.

Southwest Saskatchewan Kennel Club Show

Next show was the one held in Swift Current, SK on July 27,28 and 29^th 2007.

This time I only took the two min pins with me. There were a number of min pins entered and Shocka did her best but it was not to be.

Miracle did take Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex on Saturday for three points towards her championship. Must say the temperature was extremely hot, in the 90's and low 100's. By the last day both man and beast were overheated and ready to go home.

Regina Kennel Club Show

This is a small show and was the first show we entered after our big move. As a matter of fact, it was exactly a week after our move and it took some scrambling to get everything together to get to the show. Good thing it was only an hour away from home. This was Loona's first outing in the ring. She acquitted herself well for her first time out, winning Best Of Breed each of the three days. She was up against stiff competition in the group judging though and didn't place on any of the three days.

This was Shocka's first outing this year also as we had all the moving to deal with first. She took Best of Breed on the Saturday for two more points toward her championship.

National Miniature Pinscher Dog Show

My first show of the season was not one where I was participating with any of my dogs.

It was a show that I had been preparing for since early last year. My first trip into the US to attend a dog show and see what it’s all about.

I had the opportunity to take in the National Miniature Pinscher Dog Show held in Mesa, Arizona over the week of April 1^st to the 10^th.

Well, Arizona in early April is a wonderful, warm place to go when it’s below zero and snow is on the ground at home! When Myrna, my Minpin guru asked me to go with her to the nationals it seemed liked a good idea to combine this trip with some time spent with my sister. We do not have a lot of time together and I knew we would both enjoy this holiday.

So, off we went and what a great time we had, not only did I see some gorgeous Miniature Pinschers, but I met some wonderful breeders and owners of those dogs. Myrna took three of her dogs down to compete and my sister and I went along to cheer her on!

I learned a lot about the ins and outs of dog showing in the US, the most difference being the point system and the way the points are determined for a championship.

These are pictures of Myrna Keyser, my Minpin guru showing her dog Stoney and a picture of her and I at the banquet. Myrna is the breeder of Dancer, Shocka and Miracle. Her kennel is Teralea Red'g Miniature Pinschers and the dog is Ch Teralea's Fire and Brimstone (Stoney) (black and rust) There is also one picture of her with Katrina (red) Am/Can Ch Teralea's Walk on the Wild Side.

My sister and I rented a car and took in some of Mesa’s interesting scenery and of course, the shopping! We had a ball and we found some great deals on clothing and souvenirs. We also had time to lull by the pool and just relax, I even went so far as to finally purchase my first swimsuit in many years. The week ended with a banquet held outdoors as it was very warm. All the awards were given out for the Top Twenty standings and the winners of the weeks showing and a delicious dinner was included. A great time to get together with everyone and chat about all the results.

All in all, it was fabulous week and I enjoyed it enormously. Definitely, looking forward to next years Nationals, now I just need to figure out how to get to the Poodle Nationals!