Playtime

Land O' Lakes weekend

it seems that no matter the dog show, the day before the first day of showing is another day of dog readying.

I spent most of Thursday bathing and grooming dogs, packing the Volvo and asking Mary again to haul half of my stuff. I swear I'm never showing 6 dogs in one weekend again unless I'm driving WITH her in her extended cargo van :) Many thanks to Mary for hauling my stuff and helping show Ava for me all weekend as well as take dogs back in for winners or sweeps.

Friday was the North Star Herding Group Club Specialty. In a frantic unload Thursday evening I was a nervous wreck in the morning as I had opted to leave my dogs at the show site (I will never do that again BTW...too stressful on ME). An early ring time and we are grooming like maniacs in our half sized grooming area that Teresa and I were set up in. Between Mary, Teresa and myself we managed to make it to ring 5 minutes early......only to realize the rings didn't start for another 30 min (insert large sigh and groan).

Cass ended up being the first and only dog in his class, and Mary had to show him as I had a ring conflict and showed Margot in her sweeps class in another ring. I was running like a fool and more than one person told me to slow down and relax (a slap across the face would have been totally appreciated as well Mary, Teresa, Diana or anyone else who told me to settle down!)

I was able to show Campbell in her class and back in the ring for Best in Sweeps....which by the way Campbell was fortunate enough to WIN considering her bouncy self and naughty antics. I do like those sassy Cardigan bitches. lol. What a thrill and honor and my first Best in Sweeps win!

In regular classes Campbell was 2nd in her class and Cass was again a lone entry in his class. Bolin in BBE didn't fare as well (5/5) but hey the rest of her weekend went well. :) Ava and Ballantyne were both entered in Breed in hopes of more major wins for their Grand Champion majors. Ava didn't need them but it would be a great thing if her grand champion was all majors!  Mary showed Ava for me (first time I've ever let anyone show Ava other than myself), and I showed Ballantyne. Both girls showed well and I was happy with Ballantyne going Best of Opposite Sex and Ava Select Bitch!!! Ballantyne earned a 5 pt major for her ribbon and Ava 4 point! I again had a ring conflict with Margot so I asked my Briard friends if one of them could show her for me. With only minutes of knowing Jackie, Margot did ok, but no points for her, which is fine. Her time will come! The Briarders LOVED her and had so many wonderful things to say about her I was beginning to blush :)

After the show I waited for photos forEVER and missed my Cosetta's annual lunch date with the Briard folk, but they were again complimentary on Margot and I was able to have Teresa try out the restaurant which she did like! The evening called for catching up with college buddies over beers and reliving a good Specialty day of showing.

Saturday was not as early and I didn't have Margot entered the rest of the weekend due to funds (re: no snow yet this winter for snow removal business). The judge was a woman who is well respectedd in Cardigans and has judged the Briard National. I had never shown to her before but she was wonderful with the pups and was very complimentary on my kids :)

Campbell won her class, as did Bolin (after being 5/5 the day before!) and Both girls showed well in the ring for Winner's Bitch. Bolin was considered hard for Winner's Bitch but in the end went to a more mature bitch and Bolin was RWB. Can't complain it was THAT close!

Ballantyne was BOS sex again and she was on the move. The judge pulled her first in the specials line up and I heard from many ringside that the judge couldn't take her eyes off of her. Ballantyne showed really well for me and went BOS over 5 bitch specials and all the class bitches for a 5 pt gch major again! wohoo!! I heard several thought she was going to get the breed and that meant a lot to me that others thought highly of my moderate sized girl. Ava was completely absent mentally in the ring and Mary had a workout keeping her in the game.

I met up with some good friends downtown Minneapolis for supper and then off to the bars with them for a few more drinks in St Paul after I pottied dogs back at the show site. Again a wonderful evening meeting up with old college friends!

Sunday we didn't show until after 2 pm and were honestly one of the very last breeds to be judged. Another good day with Cass being RWD, Bolin again RWB in another tight race for the Winner's ribbon, and Ballantyne was Select bitch for a 4 pt gch major!

After saying goodbye to all my friends....which there is NEVER enough time it seems to talk and catch up adequately, we loaded up the grooming area, packed up the car and I was finally on the road just before SIX pm. Unreal....

Overall it was a great weekend. Best in Sweeps with Campbell, Bolin two RWBs, Cass RWD (all to majors), Ballantyne three Grand CH majors (2 five points and a four point) and Ava one more four point major). Ballantyne now has 21 GrCh major points with ALL majors (5 shows, 5 days) and Ava has 23 GrCh major points with ALL majors (6 shows, 6 days). Before you know it they will have their Grand CH titles! Unfortunately for them, our next show will probably be the National or Fargo as with the lack of snow removal this winter I am a little cramped for extra funds :)

I wanted to thank everyone ringside for their help switching dogs, keeping the dogs quiet (ahem, LOL) and for the laughs and congratulations and hugs all around. It really is a fun thing, this dog showing thing ;)

Congratulations to all the winners this weekend on a strong entry of Cardigans! Always good wins when the quality is high!

Whew! What a weekend!

I've been fortunate enough and blessed to have had a great run of dog showing this past year or so. The weekend of the St. Croix Kennel Club in Lake Elmo, MN has been good to me the last few years. 2 years ago Zoe was BOW for her 2nd four point major to finish. Last year Ava was BOW for her first 3 point major and this year Ava had a good year too :)

Ava was Best of Opposite Sex Friday and Saturday for two 3 point grand champion majors going over other bitch specials. She was BEST OF BREED on Sunday for a 5 point grand champion major over many specials! I have never had this happen before and its truly a great way to do it in front of so many friends! Thank you all for the congratulations and hugs and cheering :) All owner handled, and all with my first Bred-By Champion too :) I was told that she was chosen for BOB  as she out moved them all. Thank you so much Pembroke breeder/judge Tammy Johnston for awarding this to my girl :)

Ballantyne was completely lacking any kind of coat. So little that her guard hairs were now falling out. I had thought if the major would hold without her I wouldn't even bring her. No sense when she is stark nekkid! But Saturday and Sunday I was proven wrong and Ballantyne was awarded WB/BOW on Saturday and WB on Sunday for two MORE 3 poitn majors. She now has 3 majors and 13 points! BEING NAKED! LOL the judges told me that once she was back in coat she would be UNSTOPPABLE! How awesome is THAT!

I was really excited before any of this happened actually. I knew I would be getting to stay with my bestie Erica in the hotel all weekend. I haven't seen her at a dog show since Sioux Falls last year and going to shows without her or her mother Mary is just plain not right! It was great to be able to catch up with her and have our usual 'blonde' moments lol. I also got to see so many of the Cardi and Briard people I haven't got to see as of late. It was good catching up with  them as well :) Oh and I was even able to go downtown Minneapolis for supper one night with some college friends. I love downtown life and it was a great break from 'reality' to be out amongst peers doing what I love to do: socialize over cocktails :)

All in all a great weekend that I'm sure won't be repeated for a long time, so I want to revel in it as long as possible :)

FMKC weekend

The Fargo-Moorhead Kennel Club weekend is over! Thank God! I had to take a nap when I got home! :) Its always so much fun and work, but it is so worth it!

I went up Thursday to help my KC out. I am in charge of locking and opening all buildings every day, cleaning up the grounds and making sure there are tons of poop bags and garbage cans around the entire grounds. I even get a golf cart to tool around in!

Although numbers were down for the entire 3 day cluster, there were quality dogs to be had.

On Friday the judge Linea Linn Brown chose the Winner's Dog, Jasper, Shortdog's New Moon Rising, for Best Of Breed for a 4 point major to finish him! Congrats on your 4th major on him Teresa! Brewer was RWD and Ava was WB for a single point.

Saturday bright and early Tom Stewart was the Sweeps judge and chose Jasper for Best in Sweeps Puppy and my Ballantyne for Best Opposite in Sweeps Puppy. Best in Veteran Sweeps was Sully, GCH Cardidreams Blue Sullivan and Best Opposite in Veteran Sweeps was Cochen, CH Rhiwelli Cochen Cun O Gwenlais, owned by Barb and Steve Peterson.

Emily Fish was judging regular classes and she chose Teresa's boy for WD (she kept him in the classes to hold the major) and Emily chose Ballantyne as WB/BOW/BOS for her first 3 point major! Ava was RWB and Brewer was RWD. Ava was also best BBE and went on to win the Herding Group BBE! Thank you Teresa for being a good sport!

Not to be outdone, I had Ava and Ballantyne CERF'ed and Cardiac tested and they were both NORMAL for both! So healthy AND beautiful! :)

Sunday's judge was Jon Cole and he chose Teresa's boy again for WD (although he was really looking at Brewer as well...who was showing quite well, but Brewer was RWD to the major for the third day), and Ava was WB/BOW for her second 3 point major! Wahoo! She now has 12 points with both majors! Thanks again for holding the major Teresa!

It was a phenomenal weekend for me and one I can't believe happened, or will happen again any time soon!

To top it off, I picked up my new Briard puppy, Margot, at the show as well. She is a black AND natural eared, so I will have my work cut out for me with that, but she is very sweet and very fun so far. I can't wait to watch her grow up!

There was a potluck/picnic at the campers for the Briard and Cardigan folks and it was well attended with lots of food, laughs and we got to see Barb and Steve's puppies and super spoil them while we sat around and talked dogs. Saturday night the Cardigan crew went out to eat and afterwards had some ice cream to celebrate the eventful day and the beautiful 85 degree weather with a slight breeze.

Everyone commented on how they loved the show site and the KC members and they will be returning for the show next year too! I can't wait until next year's Supported Entry and hope that many others will come out for it as well next year!

ok ok i'm going

I had my rubber arm twisted into going to Western Reserve again.

There is so much fun at this show that I 'had' to go. There are some 'newbies' going this year that I'm excited to hang out with as well as the regulars. I'll be able to see Ell's littermate Flash and her puppies out of Brett so that will be a learning experience and fun at the same time!

This show is like a mini national with so many of the people who attend the national also attending the WR. Its a three day show with two days sponsored by the CWCCWR and one day by the Lorain County KC. I've entered Ell and Ava and am planning on taking Brewer and Ballantyne with as well so I can get my mentor's thoughts on them as they are growing up. Ava is entered in Sweeps all three days too so that will give us extra ring time training! Look out! :)

I can't wait!

Keepin' Cool

I just got back from my shenanigans in Minneapolis! so much good food, wine, friends and fireworks! And I didn't have to clean up after 50 people! NICE! I could get used to this!

I got home, let the dogs out and refilled their pool. Sadie and Ballantyne (working on a name change) and Brewer all hop right in. Ell and Ava usually stay back about 10 feet and when they see me, they run away thinking I"m going to put them in the pool. Daisy also loves the pool, but waits until the more rambuncious ones are done. I'm surprised Ell and Ava are so close to the pool in these photos! Sadie loves to bite the hose and pull it around in the pool (or drag it out).

*note the still naked Ell!
Here Brewer and Sadie are playing. I wish I got a video of this. Sadie is SO happy all the time. She cracks me up. Ballantyne is plotting a way to get in and get as wet as possible and then jump on me. And I fall for it every time. ahem.

A little while later...Brewer is too pooped to play anymore. At least for 10 minutes. He has the most 'bedroom eyes' look ever!

Ballantyne asks' Hey! Where did everyone go?!'

Puppy Party Photos (yes five days late)

ok ok. Yes I'm trying to catch up :)

These pups are raring to go waiting for the onslaught of new Cardis and people to meet!
BELOW: (sorry this photo had to be put in. I hadn't posted it before I don't think. This is nearly a month late...sorry sorry sorry!)
Here is another photo of pre puppy play date
Here is Nancy (Justice's new owner) giving treats to the mob of adult cardigans. Myrtle is out of this photo!
Zoe giving Rob some much needed loving. Sisters Zoe and Myrtle are both face lickers (as are the puppies out of Zoe and Hux)
This photo shows Crockett (now Little Beaver) resting on Nancy's lap. Daisy is loving the pats from Jen and Rob and Myrtle is looking at Nancy for pets.
Nikki is giving treats now. It looks like a mob scene.
Myrtle and Daisy getting some lovin' while Zoe is on a mission to find some.
Oliver loves Nikki! They go way back :)

Here is another one of Daisy and Jen. Daisy LOVED everyone, and was sitting on all of their laps, asking to be pet, and constantly in the midst of the activity. I was so proud of her!


And now a few photos of the POST puppy party. They all slept well! I did move them to their individual crates for night time napping. I love how their heads fall over the sides of the bed. That just can't be comfortable.

Inspiration

A little history lesson on me :)

Its always a good idea to reassess what made you fall in love with the breed. About 6 years ago I started researching herding breeds of dogs. I wanted something ultimately for herding our cattle and we had had German Shepherds, mutts, Rough Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies and English Shepherds in the 100 years before I had dogs of my own on this farm. I remember only the last three, but there are many stories of the ones before hand that did such great work. Heck there was even an Airedale in the mix that did decently at herding cattle.

I had been looking at all of the herding breeds on the AKC website and did not want a breed with long hair. Our farm dogs had to be shaved every summer from the mats they got. Before purebred dogs (show dogs) I believed what every farmer believed. Dogs had a purpose, a job. They slept outside in a dog house, or in the dairy barn. They protected us at night from intruders (four legged or two) and were always at our side wherever on the farm we went. They didn't go in to town for shots, the large animal vet came and gave the shots on site.

Getting my own unique breed of dog was a huge undertaking. I had decided early on it would sleep in the kitchen of the house, but be outside like a real farm dog most of the time. I would of course take it in to town to get shots and it would like to ride in the cars unlike most of our farm dogs. I studied on breeds I liked. I really liked the Beauceron but was having a hard time finding any that were reasonably priced (under 1,000 dollars).

I went to our local rodeo and while I was watching bull riding, a couple of kids walked through the area with some Pembroke pups. I was immediately at their side asking questions. I went home and spent the next few days researching the breed and trying to find local breeders that I could go and visit. I was on the phone with several of them for many hours and thought this was the breed for me.

A short legged dog that couldn't destroy a house (at least not the top 3/4 of it) that had a short coat requiring little grooming (ahem) and was still ultimately a cattle dog and didn't act like a little yippee squirt.

Upon reading about them on the AKC website I found a cousin called the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Immediately I was drawn to their look. And their uniqueness. Having vehicles, pigeons and other hobbies that were uncommon and unique I was really fascinated in this breed. I went to the CWCCA website and read everything I could. Google was my new best friend. I searched for breeders on the CWCCA website that I could visit or contact. At the time there were none in WI, ND, SD listed and only one in MN. I contacted her. She had told me she had just had a litter.

I really had wanted something originally to herd the cattle and as my interest keeping getting higher I thought 'heck I show pigeons, how hard can dog showing be?' and asked if she had any show potential pups available. Sadie came home with me a couple months later!

I learned quickly at the Fargo-Moorhead Kennel Club training classes all the errs of my ways in teaching dogs things. It was a complete 180 degrees on what I thought should happen with dogs. And my training excelled with the new direction with the help of Mary Morris, a great friend and mentor. Sadie also wormed her way into my heart and eventually the entire house was hers to claim. yes even the bed. Its amazing how different 'real' dog people think versus your average farmer or average person in the world. I digress...

I then was so excited about the herding prospect that I went and purchased ducks for her. Sadie was a natural. I started looking at small breeds of sheep as the one time Sadie DID herd the cattle, I was terrified as Sadie looked so tiny out there but she knew exactly what she was doing. That is how I got my Shetland Sheep. We all know that story, and if you don't, well I have about 85 of those sheep now :)

My very first B match show was in Mason City, Iowa. Dawn Fisher and Sadie's littermate Magic came down to play too. I was entering a world I had never really thought about, or seen. Especially not first hand. It was overwhelming. It was exciting.

Fast forward a few years. I've now done agility, rally , obedience, herding, CGC. I've gone to two nationals, and one Western Reserve, which we all know is the world's largest regional specialty. I've gleaned websites for information on the breed, always learning, always asking. I've scoured and researched pedigrees, asked for photos, asked for answers, begged to see dogs move.

While doing all of this research and question and answer time, I was always drawn to a certain 'look'. Its no secret that Cardigans, although an uncommon breed in the US, has MANY styles and looks. I collected as many old handbooks and bulletins that I could find. I read them over and over and over and over. There are not a ton of dogs that really float my boat. Before anything else I always have looked at what I feel is breed type and style. Outline. Silhouette. I was always getting drawn to the older Joseter, Kennebec, Pluperfect, Chandler lines. However this photo sealed the deal for me:

This is Pluperfect Pennyroyal aka "Clover". She is a linebreeding (mother/son) and her outline and construction here was just enough to take my breath away. This is my inspiration. I never was able to see her move, and I always feel that i got into the breed 'too late' as I wasn't able to see any of the 'greats' alive and in the fur.

Upon further research (I do a lot of it on the breed) I found this photo of Clover in the 1996 CWCCA handbook. Still breathtaking and still exactly what I think a Cardigan should look like.

Then this cardiped.net comes along and I find this STUNNING photo of Pluperfect Pennywise aka Labsheeda. Its one I hadn't seen before and wow another photo that took my breath away.
I could gush about him, but I'll let the photo speak for itself. He has so many merits I would run out of room or you would bore yourself reading it. Truly a remarkable dog.

Just over three years ago (or is it 4?) I contacted Barb Hoffman about a show potential female from one of their upcoming litters. I was really wanting a sable, but in the end, realized that construction is more important than color. I was offered Ell, and I took the opportunity. One to say I'm so glad I did! I am so thankful for that opportunity to own such a typey, lovely bitch that goes back to these two a fore mentioned red dogs.

Barb is always the one I go to for answers first, and she is a great mentor and role model and also a great friend. She's always making me look at things in a new light. When Ell's grandmother "Hannah" was awarded Best Veteran two days at the Western Reserve and one day awarded BOS under breeder judge Nancy Cunliffe, I could not be happier or more proud for such a great and wonderful breeder and friend. Her and Jon have done some wonderful breedings together and I think I'm more excited for their litters than they are, just so I can see what they have and watch them grow.

I really think watching pups grow and mature is key to understanding the breed and how they develop. Looking at old bulletins and handbooks when the now veterans were pups is really an eye opening experience.

I've got so much to learn yet, and many more questions to ask (just beware!) and I'm really excited about the breed. I hope that I can have a lasting affect on the improvement of the breed overall, even though I'm just getting started now.

Along the way I've met many other great wealth of knowledge people besides Barb and Jon. JoAnne Beashau is another mentor and one who tells me like it is. Sometimes it was an eye opener, other times it was exactly what I needed to hear and I knew it, but didn't want to accept it. Carolyn Cannon has been a great person to go to, to ask questions and pester :) Kim Shira, Denise Waiting, Paul Chen, Sarah Keth are also some of the folk not so lucky to get away from the question asking. But I think they enjoy it, or they wouldn't answer my emails and phone calls :)

Its all about learning and asking questions. I think when you stop asking, you stop learning. So in that case my questions will never cease! >:)

Thank you to ALL of you who have helped make this such a fun, exciting, friendly journey of growth for me. It really is appreciated!

CWCCWR Regional Specialty

Greetings fellow bloggers!

I am finally home and finally functioning :) I have a lot of work to do today but wanted to bring you all up to speed on what went on at the Western Reserve Specialty!

First off many thanks to those who made this show possible! The ring stewards, the catered lunches, the meeting of other blogger friends (Kate says way more on her blog than in person!) and Jeri was so much fun to meet and talk to and listen to Vivian and Kathy give puppy evals. I learn a lot when I do this listening!

Many thanks to Joanne and Ferris for letting me stay in the camper again and set up with them, and for taking me all over NE Ohio and western PA in the following days after the WR. Photos should be coming sooner than later :)

In my dogs' news, Justice was in the 9-12 puppy class. All three days of regular and sweeps classes he was the only dog. The good news was I still earned Sweeps money so I cannot complain :)

Ell was entered in Open two days and on her first day under breeder judge Kim Neilsen, she was awarded 4th place in the tough open bitch class. His comments were (verbatum) "I think this bitch is a lovely, typey bitch, much like the 3rd place bitch (it was Ell's sister Flash) and that she moves the same coming to you as the 3rd place bitch does. He would like to see more fill of muzzle but other than that thought she was a lovely side mover and excelled in breed type.

Flash, Ell's littersister was 3rd that day under Kim Neilsen, and then won the open bitch class on Saturday under breeder judge Nancy Cunliffe and then on Sunday won the Open bitch class. I know on Saturday under Nancy Cunliffe, Flash was Reserve Winner's bitch and Flash/Ell's grandmother Hannah (Merrymoon Noblestar Hot Ice) was Best Veteran Bitch and Best Opposite Sex!! She is 11 1/2 years old! Talk about a great day for Merrymoon! I was so happy for Barb Hoffman, my mentor, and her winnings! On Friday Hunter, aka Merrymoon Firestorm was Best Veteran Dog and Hannah was Best Veteran Bitch. Truly a testimony to Barb's sound breeding program who can have an 11 1/2 year old and a 13 year old in veterans and still be competitive with the younger dogs and look much younger than the other veterans out there! Ok I'll stop gushing :)

I had entered Ell in A-O-H on the sunday supported entry and during the final lineup for Winner's Bitch the judge remarked how lovely his lineup of bitches were, including the single entry classes. that was great to hear :)

Its nice when you can go to the largest specialty in the world for Cardigans and place in competitive classes under breeder judges. It sure makes the all breed shows and judges seem a lot less important :)

Agility videos of the girls

**WARNING! Dial up may take forever to show these videos!! I won't haven't had the time to to learn how to edit the videos so what you see is what you get! So Good luck if you try to view them! >:) All of them were taking tonight at class.

The first video is of Merrymoon Ebonwald I'm a Q.T. aka 'Ell'. She has only had 5 weeks of formal training for agility. Her first session was cut by nearly 2/3 as she was in heat for most of her session so we are 'retaking' the foundation class. This is our second week in and I am already able to work her off leash. The A frame is going 'up' next week to the full height but otherwise I'm really REALLY happy with her progress so far! She is a natural! I love working her! (And she isn't as stubborn as Sadie to work!) The course is not that long (7 obstacles) so its really more of a 'sequence' but she loves it and that's why I do it!!


The next video is of Sadie. She is in the 'advanced' agility class (there are only two classes at this training facility). I really wanted a second night during the week of something other than inside training as there are a host of different distractions in an outside setting. In the beginning of this class Sadie would NOT do a rear cross and she kept stopping. This video doesn't show that (on purpose!) I personally think the two jumps are too close together and you can't see the rear cross thanks to the A frame but you get the idea. She did do it this time in the video so I guess she decided not to give me the 'middle finger' the entire night :)


Last week it was down pouring rain and we ran it. Yes the Sadie Princess actually WALKED and RAN and did the course under time in the rain! I was so proud of my spoiled rotten, Miss 'have it your way' independent girl work in the rain! Now I know that rain or shine we can do outside agility runs! WOHOO!

And last but not least we have Bendi Ebonwald Smthing 2 Prove aka 'Zoe'. She filled in for Ell for two weeks while Ell was in season. This is her fourth night of classes and is currently being handled by my sister. I thought they could learn together :) My sister had a little problem with the leash and it getting in the way of Zoe going down the A frame but it was resolved! Zoe LOVES this agility stuff and I can't wait to have all my girls competing shortly!

Honest Scrap Award!

Honest Scrap Award

We were given the Honest Scrap Award from Magic at Days at Daybreak. So we need to be honest about 10 things. Sadie assumed it was her award so I let her do the list!







1. I was the cutest puppy in the litter (sorry Magic..I was the runt)


2. I am a wonderful mouser...I learned how to do it from the late farm dog Buddy.


3. I am queen of the house (and grandma's house too) and I get away with a lot over at Grandma's.


4. My favorite treat is Ice cream. If I like something a lot my dad calls them my 'ice cream eyes' as they nearly bug out of my head


5. I really love to run agility but HATE obedience. Rally is pushing it but I allow my dad to think I enjoy it :)


6. I used to drag our barn cats around by their heads. I figure if they are that dumb they deserve to be drug around the farm like that. I sure miss them.


7. I have never sat in the proper heel position unless I am forced to do so against the wall or cupboards.


8. I expect to sleep every night in bed with dad.


9. I love children and my new cousin Chase (my dad's nephew) is the best thing to lick and lay down next to


10. I am a very friendly girl who loves all dogs...unless we are at Petco and then I feel that I need to be alpha girl


So now we need to pass the award on to 7 others-
Carolyn at C-Myste
Sarah with Darby (hawk the swedish vallhund)
Sarah with Syd (diary of sydney)
Rayna with Nisa (northstar shetlands)
Cindy at Foggybottom
Sherilyn at Winjammin
Laura at My favorite people are dogs

Enjoy all!