A pretty good weekend

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of the Western Reserve had their annual Regional Specialty. Not only is it the largest regional specialty in the world, but this year was the record high for entries!!! The quality was deep in many classes and the line up for Best in Sweeps or Winner's Dog/Bitch was quite a sight to behold. There were six or seven Best In Show winners entered in in these shows, as well and very recognizable veterans coming back out in the ring for this specialty. In other words it was AWESOME!!

I was able to see many of my good friends there again, and meet more Cardigan people! Its really the whole reason I go. Ok MOST of the reason I go. And since I didn't make it to the National due to impending puppies, I had to make sure I went to CWCCWR this year. I don't want to forget anyone so won't name names but I do so enjoy this weekend.

It was a a goal of mine to be competitive at Specialties, and Supported Entries. I don't need to win (but it is nice) but I do want my dogs to be nice enough to be competitive. Going to the show and seeing the other dogs from a distance made me rethink why I was there. I should have gone home and pet every one of my dogs out.

Or so I thought :) Then the judging started....

Friday under breeder judges Ballantyne earned a 4th in sweeps and a 3rd in regular classes. Ava made the cut in breed in a quality filled ring. I was so surprised and humbled. Then Saturday Ballantyne earned a 4th in sweeps and a 2nd in regular classes. Ava was given consideration but no cut this day. Sunday with Ava not entered I entered the Naughty Bolin and she was 4th in sweeps and 3rd in regular classes. Ballantyne was 2nd in sweeps and 2 in Bred-by!! Even though both Naughties were completely stark naked their structure and movement gave them placements! I was in the ribbons every time! I guess my goal of being competitive at the largest regional specialty happened. And I want thank everyone that helped me to get here!! :)

These large specialties gives me time to talk to long time breeders like my mentors Barb Hoffman and Jon Kimes. In depth discussions talking about directions, goals, what I want out of a bitch or dog and where to TRY and find that. I also had other long time breeders go over my dogs. Connie Whan who has been instrumental in my breeding plans/goals, Paula O'donnell, Cindy Bossi, Nancy Wiloughby, Joanne and Ferris Beashau, Pixie Lauer, etc etc.Always nervous when people go over my dogs and even more happy when they LIKE them.

I was also quite blessed to have ringside praise about my girls. All three were given compliments ringside or out the ring about their movement, structure and/or temperament. To say I'm pleased in an understatement. And of course with the good, is the bad. Naked Naughties look tiny in comparison to bitches that have full coat and are larger. My girls are 27 pounds (the Naughties) and they looked like 12 week old puppies next to some of the bigger and more in coat bitches. I heard several comments about " I could never have a bitch that small" or something like that. But that's ok. I prefer them on the smaller side of the scale. They won't break down when herding or doing agility and they are slower to mature. I'm an impatient person so this drives me nuts to no end, but in the end is more rewarding.

It was great to be at the specialty where I was able to see dogs that I had considered for stud dogs for my girls. The ability to go over them in person, see them move, ask questions about health testing, what the stud dog has thrown (i.e. bad bites, blue eyes, pinks, fluffs, etc etc) is awesome and every breeder I talked to was completely honest and upfront about what they did or didn't know.

On top of all of this the camaraderie that is there with all of the Cardigan fanciers is just amazing. Saying good morning to everyone you pass, able to sit anywhere along ringside and strike up a conversation is just awesome. These people are amazing.

I wanted to personally thank the CWCCWR club members and the Greig family for all their hard work to get the show to the level it is. Quality judges, amazing food, kick a$$ ring stewards and all the quality dogs makes the 16 hours of driving each way totally worth it!!!

A special thanks to Mandy and Cindy Bossi for the early morning McDonald's Tea! You gals are lifesavers!! And thanks for making my throat hurt from laughing so hard! I wish everyone lived closer together so we could hang out way more often! :)

See you all next year!