How many times is too many?

I did Awards Records from the AKC for Zoe, Mitcham and Ell. They are my three Champions and I was curious how many times in fact they were Winners, Reserve, Best of Winners or BOB/BOS.

I also noticed the number of times they were in the ribbons. In Cardigans, there are usually small enough entries that everyone gets a ribbon. Sometimes not, but very rarely. I compared these records with my own and noticed that in all the days of showing only one did not get a ribbon one day (she was 5th out of 5).

So my question. how many times is too many? how many shows do you enter before you call it quits? I didn't think any of the wins were prolonged...even if I did finish Ell when she was three (but only showed her 3 days in the last 18 months).

Its very rare that you get a dog or bitch that finishes in three days with 5 point majors. It happens, but again....very rarely. Its not a slight at anyone's dog not being good enough, but the odds???

What is a reasonable amount of times? 25? 50? 100? I know some people only show to breeder judges. Or at specialities. The wins when they are won are very respectable. But how often can people do that?

Mitcham was shown 18 times before he earned his CH title. 16 days he was WD, 2 he was RWD. Of those 16 times he was BOW 7 times and BOS 5 times. His three times out as a special (a move up really) he was BOB all three days for majors towards his Grand Champion. He finished quickly, but only had competition in the Dog classes three times. His points were all cross over points. Its hard to finish a male dog in Briards because most people do not keep them.

So what's my point? I don't have one. Just curious as to the madness. I showed both Zoe and Ell 40 some times. Each of them was RWB 14 times and WB 8 or 9 times. I don't think that is awfully many considering I live in an area with not many majors.

As my dogs improve and I am in the breed longer should I/will I only show to breeder judges or at specialties? Will I only show to certain judges and only enter when they are within driving distance? Its thought provoking

I"d be curious to hear what you think about this subject.

Its not a big deal.....but......

Mitcham was only shown 3 days as a move up at the FMKC shows. He was BOB all three days and got a pull in the group on Sunday. While Briards are not shown ever in large numbers, and are small in number (population-wise) it IS kind of fun....its my first dog that is 'ranked' :)

Grand Championship Points Ranking

Events are processed through October 12, 2010.

Rank	Dog Name	Sex	GCH Points
No. 1	GCH CH Ne Orageux's Al Capone	Dog	108
No. 2	GCH CH Celebratia Vintageeightyfour	Dog	86
	GCH CH La Vie Rose Dior-August-Moon CD RN	Dog	86
No. 4	GCH CH Deja Vu All Over Again	Dog	78
No. 5	GCH CH Bella Del Conte Rissoso	Bitch	72
No. 6	GCH CH Dior's Copper Mine	Dog	55
No. 7	GCH CH Deja Vu Mia Chain Of Fools	Dog	53
No. 8	GCH CH Honeycreek's Chantilly Lace	Bitch	46
No. 9	GCH CH Lighting Strike El Xargall	Dog	35
No. 10	CH Sendero's Vodka Cocktail	Bitch	24
No. 11	CH Avant Garde Of The Coastline	Bitch	20
No. 12	CH Victoria's Vicomte Nicolas	Dog	18
No. 13	CH Mon Amies Devil In Disguise	Dog	17
No. 14	CH Suite Car Named Desire	Dog	15
No. 15	CH 'Cause I'M Miss Dior	Bitch	14
	CH Nase Czechmate Moravia Campanella	Bitch	14
No. 17	CH Butler De Bejaune	Dog	13
	CH Reine Dior Diving For Gold	Dog	13
	CH Majestique Brave Heart	Dog	13
No. 20	CH Mon Amies Eloise At The Plaza	Bitch	12
No. 21	CH Deja Vu Mia Cake Walk	Dog	11
No. 22	CH Neorageux's Dark Side Of The Moon By Brairdale	Bitch	9
	CH Aladax All About W.S. Cain	Dog	9
	CH New Sensation Dalido	Bitch	9
No. 25	CH Touche In Cahoots With Deja Vu	Dog	8
	CH Briardale's Camille Lebec	Bitch	8
	CH Be Happy Moravia Campanella	Bitch	8

Birthdays Galore!

I was away to Oregon when Daisy had her 3rd birthday! She turned on June 20th. We celebrated when I got home with ice cream for 'everybody' (meaning dogs)!

On the 10th is Mitcham's SECOND birthday! Lord knows these two years have FLOWN by, and yet when I'm grooming him (still....I haven't trimmed him!) it seems like eons. He is such a good boy too. We'll have to celebrate with a bike ride (he running next to me) early this morning, and have ice cream when the entire family is home to celebrate (I need help handing out ice cream for all the dogs as they all think that all nine bowls are for each of them (meaning all for one dog)). I'm flying out today to Yellowstone in Wyoming for my cousin's wedding! I've never been there so should be fun to explore all weekend! Monday night we'll celebrate the BHB's bday. Many thanks to my buddy Josh for staying and house (dog) sitting for me while I'm away!

Ah the life I lead....

And now to make the appt for Mitcham's hips/elbows!

Its finally official!

CH Reine Dior Diving For Gold - DN22241603


Conformation - Awards Processed Through 29-MAY-2010

CH
Number of Points 15

Number Major Wins 3

Number Major Judges 3

Total Number Judges 8

New Champion!

Pending AKC approval (of course!) I would like to introduce to you my 2nd Champion, CH Reine Dior Diving for Gold, aka Mitcham or The Big Hairy Beast!

Mitcham needed 2 single points to finish and did so today by going BOW for two points! YAHOOOO!!

He's entered in Fargo all three days so I did move him up to Best of Breed. Once I get his certificate stating he is a CH, I'm trimming him down to 3/4" so I don't have to groom him for a LONG TIME! I'll start working on his obedience, agility and herding stuff immediately!

Phew! I'm so glad that the grooming is nearly over. did I mention that already? :)

I didn't enter tomorrow as I am working my aunt's greenhouse Sunday/Monday so no more dog show news until NEXT weekend!

Luck and Fun!

Well. I figured this is my 3rd conformation show in the past 10 months. My how time flies!

I entered the "big hairy beast" hoping for a cross over major to finish him. he needs only 2 points!

I entered Ava for training practice for the Fargo shows. there are only 2 bitches so only one point, but its more for practice than anything. She less tube-y than before so who knows. If I' m correct, the other bitch is also a Carbon grand daughter so he won't have much to choose from :0

I also entered Zoe. She's back in coat, good condition, and the judge is the gentleman who gave her her first four point major. I guess its sort of a 'hey look she's finished! thanks!' kind of entry. I'm not expecting to win, as there are four bitch specials (no male specials) so its more or less of a thank you entry.

I entered all three goons again in Fargo to support my Kennel Club and the CWCCA Supported Entry. As it turns out, if Mitcham doesn't finish tomorrow, he has three more chances in Fargo as there are bitch majors all three days! Fingers crossed he finishes in the next two weekends. Then he is GETTING SHAVED!!! :D Then we will do herding and agility!

i really wanted to enter Ell at the Fargo show but she is completely out of coat and still needs to gain some weight back. She's getting the same amount as Mitcham, so she should start to bulk up pretty soon. She is tight coated anyway, so to see her without a stitch of hair on is amazing...its nice to see structure but it makes for a hideous (but loving) dog :P

Mitcham

I haven't talked much about the 'Big Hairy Beast' as he hasn't been here to talk about! He left two days after Ell had her puppies to go out with a handler to find those last three single points. It turns out with the minute amount of class Briards in the country, I am having to pay the big bucks to get his CH. There are no Briards in the upper midwest to show against. All the bitches and dogs that needed to finish, did so this summer. Now its just Mitcham who needs a few single points. And the other dogs that ARE out there are few and far between. REALLY FAR! He did get a single point in York, PA the one day there was class competition! I had entered all 5 days, and there were points only on saturday and sunday. On sunday, the other dog didn't show up! Chicken.

I don't mind losing, but I do hate paying for entries and then having the competition not show up!

So now he sits at 13 points, with three majors (all cross overs btw). And with no new litters in the works in this region, it looks like we'll keep on searching for those points.

Even his breeders don't know of anyone with another class dog to compete against. I'd just like that opportunity to do that. Compete. The specials out there are all in amazing adult coat, with several years of work of grooming with their handlers. Mitcham, although he is really nice, just can't compete with age and coat length and ears that aren't still being glued and banded!

Time to check the lambs again.

I do miss the Big Hairy Beast. I hope he's home in time to help socialize these puppies! But I do know he is having a blast with his handler and getting completely spoiled with her. And he doesn't seem to miss me....

Someone is trying to get my attention......

HEY GUYS! ITS ME MITCHAM! remember me?? Dad has been awfully busy with Zoe and her pups and now with Ell and her soon to be babies, not to mention the lambs that have started coming! Its ok. We still go for our daily mile walk, and I get plenty of time with Dad and the other dogs but I thought I should get some blog time for all the hard work I do around here!


First of all DAD hasn't been the only one busy with Zoe's pups. It seems Zoe feels her motherly duties are over and now its up to ME to have to baby sit them. Thank goodness there is only one left! I was going crazy with four mouths full of puppy teeth! Every where I walked, there was a puppy in my way and DAD kept telling me to be careful. Ugh.I guess when they are sleeping they aren't so bad....kinda cute actually.

But then I give Dad some sad eyes...Hoping to distract him from whatever he is doing....Sometimes it works.....

Sometimes it doesn't and then I have to pout and feel sorry for myself and the rough life I have here. I wonder what I could do to get his attention?

Ell, Mitcham and Alamo

Ell goes in for her radiograph today. I talked to the head of a vet clinic at the vet school, and she said that any time after day 40-42 you can radiograph to count babies. Since I didn't ultrasound, I wanted to see how many NOW, as she still has a week to go, but she's giving me a lot of signs of whelping early (or its just my mind playing tricks on me...it does that a lot).

Alamo and I are going to Minneapolis tonight as he flies out to his new home in Seattle tomorrow! He's going to be a big city dog and will have an older Cardigan sibling to antagonize :) I am promised photos when he gets there so fingers crossed for him and his new family!

I'll report back on Ell when I know how many!

Is anyone going to Milwaukee to the West Allis shows this next weekend? I have to get Mitcham there and I am unable to go as Ell is due to whelp that friday/saturday (if she holds out long enough). I could meet you somewhere half way in the next few days if that would help. I'd pay you for your gas of course naturally!

Catching UP! So much has happened!!

I was being gently prodded by Sarah to post some photos and get everyone caught up with my doggie life :)

Below are some photos to play 'catch up' with. Janey here being so stinking adorable. She is such a love.

Walkin' about....
Yup, she's a tan pointed blue! (very light tan)

Here little Crockett man is looking for just the tiniest bit of affection from Sadie and hoping she'll let him share the space with her and Mitcham. It didn't work out...lol
This face is pretty much the cutest face ever. I'm not even partial.
My nephew is the cutest thing too! Here he is dancing. One day he just started dancing by twisiting his torso to and fro, and moving his feet up and down and back and forth, AND he claps his hands to the beat and slaps his knee when a really good song comes on. He's so cute.
Chase here with Grandpa and two of the pups.
Alamo's favorite spot is to sit on the treadmill. Here he can see his 'kingdom' and all his subjects. Erica said he would rule the world some day. I have no doubt in my mind that he will! (he is still available to a pet home too!)

On Saturday, Justice went to his new forever home. While I felt Justice has some redeeming qualities, there were also some things that his breeder and I decided were just not going to turn out. I was sad that he was my second tri boy that I've had to home as I just love that marking and its getting seemingly more rare all the time (he was the only tri dog at Western Reserve this year....there was one tri bitch only also). I do think however if you are going to show, you must only show the best. Not just what you have available. Justice still had a level top line and he wasn't out at the elbows which are two of my pet peeves. There is more to a dog obviously, and he still moved well and such, but some things just didn't seem to turn out. I hope I'm wrong and he turns out smashing and I'm kicking myself.However the home he went to is probably the best home ever! Nancy has two other Cardigans (10 yrs and 9 yrs old) and Justice has brought puppy hood back to them and to their househould. He has fit right in and they are already talking obedience, rally, therapy dog to name just a few. Justice is also cattle and sheep experienced too!. Nancy, when trialing competitively was in the top 10 Cardigans of the year for obedience and agility when she had her dogs competing, so he is going to be a great dog with her! Make sure you watch for updates on him.

The best part is he is now in Fargo, so I'll be able to see him at trials and whenever I have time to visit him. So I guess I'm lucky too :)

Some photos

Gosh two of the pups leave in less than a week! I need to catch up on the photo sharing! My apologies!

Here is Mitcham sitting and waiting patiently for the puppy 'waves' that kept coming at him to subside. Once it was over, he went about his business. He's so good with them!

Alamo and Ava running rampant. In all directions.
Janey popping her head out as another dog walked by the couch. She just about got him!
20 minutes into the new and improved puppy pen with litter box. I asked10 local stores about pine nuggets or alfalfa pellets and they all assured me that the pine shavings would be just fine and no mess. um......considering that I have to vacuum several times a day....and still find the shavings in every room on the main floor, including my BED, I will never use them again. Your suggestions on what to use are appreciated!
Pillow time. One of the favorite places for a puppy pile and chaos to ensue!

With older dogs Puppy Pics (part 3)

Mitcham and Justice. Still the best of buds....
Justice LOVES being an 'older brother' to the puppies, showing them how to play, and he is ever so gentle with them too, usually rolling over so they can chew on his face and legs and tail.
Alamo and Ava cut him off and he falls over defeated!
Mitcham trying to drink and then this 'thing' comes up to investigate. He is thinking 'if I don't move maybe she won't see me'. It didn't work!
Mitcham after several rounds around the coffee table and trying to use evasive maneuvers gives up and starts to lay down so Alamo can mouth play/ face play with him. Alamo was very persistent until he got his way and Mitcham was also much too gentle. He is only allowed with puppies under constant supervision. I think it took him awhile to realize that they are DOGS and not rabid hamsters or something. Not that Mitcham has SEEN a rabid hamster :)
I didn't get the photo of Janey on his tail and Ava and Crockett nibbling on his legs! Hey that coat took me 60 hours to groom in December! I'm not letting some PUPPIES chew it off in seconds! :)

MItcham !

Yes the big hairy beast is still here!!

I've been a little gun shy about showing photos....I've been lacking in the grooming department. Between a broken foot, work 'til I drop, and puppies its been a little...well....ok no excuses.

This past week I've spent about 3 hours (a nice long 2hr movie and a full 1 hr CD listening) each day with Mitcham and we are in the home stretch now! He may just be ready for St Paul! :)

Isn't he just turning out to be GORGEOUS! I love my big goofy boy!

Daisy

Daisy doesn't get a lot of face time on here it seems, although she does get a lot of photos taken of her! Here are some from just this past month....

Here is my dad with Oliver and Daisy. As you can see Daisy LOVES my dad.....this was taken tonight.

Happy Daisy girl....
hmmm...maybe not so sure of the camera?
Ok happy again.....
Daisy is always watching me ((and that big brown fluffy thing is MITCHAM who hasn't had much face time here either)(he equally loves my dad and shows him every time he visits))
Oliver, Daisy and Zoe taking some down time....
Zoe and Daisy chilling again.....

Win photos

I got these a day after Dawn got hers, but I haven't really thought about posting them on here, so I finally scanned them in. They are what they are. Neither shows off what I like about the dogs...Zoe was not cooperating on the slippery grooming table, but it was better than NO grooming table!! :)

I'm really hoping I can get that last major on Ell. She's only needed that major since ....what May? I guess we haven't shown very much either so can't really be whining :)

Mitcham's 3rd three-point major

Zoe's 2nd four-point major to finish! I hadnt' even groomed her freshly bathed and standing straight up hair off of her hip because I was thinking Ell would have a better chance at winning. Just proves how much I know :)

New Champion, another major, puppy group placing and its still not over!

I decided to come home this afternoon to celebrate my only nephew/Godson's 1st birthday with him and the family. This is giving me the opportunity to blog about the weekend so far. Dawn has had a great weekend so far getting a 4 point major on her Music that is owned and shown by Joyce and a 3 point major on her girl Peace! More info for them is on her blog. The Mann's got a three point major on their dog today as well.

The big news however is that I now have a champion! My first champion! For those not on facebook or in my texting column, it was my Zoe aka Bendi Ebonwald Smthing 2 Prove! Zoe got the cross over 4 point major yesterday to complete her AKC CH title with two 4 point majors and a total of 16 points! I'm really thrilled to have her finished after many RWB and looking for those ellusive majors that almost seem like urban legends up in the North Central part of the country this year.

Zoe's show days are over and we are going to concentrate on her agilitly training now which she REALLY enjoys.

In other news Justice aka Merrymoon Ebonwald Retribution was given the Best Puppy award and then went on to get a Puppy Group 3 in some really deep quality at the North Star Herding Group Club Specialty! He made his daddy proud.....he is SO happy out in the ring....:) This is Justice's fourth Puppy Group placing out of four times in the puppy group ring! Exciting!!

Today justice was RWD to a 3 point major and looked really good out there. I think he just needs to grow up, fill out and stuff before judges may take him seriously. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings :)

Also today Mitcham the Briard aka Reine Dior Diving for Gold earned this THIRD 3 point major! That now puts him at 11 points with three majors! WHOOP WHOOP!! He is such a sweetheart and is really fun to show! Now if I can just pay attention to what is going on in the ring I will get INTO the ring at the right time LOL :)

What a great weekend!

Mitcham Monday

Mitcham's first major under Dorothy Christiansen. I was WAY too nervous to show him so I asked Barb Peterson to show him for me! Many thanks Barb!
Mitcham's 2nd major under judge Roberta Campbell, handled by Barb Peterson. Yes his ears went down while taking this photo. What a bummer!

Duluth weekend

Duluth was a fun weekend, albeit a very tiring one!

I had planned on going up Thursday night ( I wasn't entered on Thursday) after work to stay again at Steve and Barb Peterson's house. Mary Morris was also staying there and Mary and Barb told me in their motherly tones that I needed to stay home Thursday so I didn't hit any deer on the road and then just get up when the sun came up (about 5am) and head to Duluth. I had a hard time falling asleep and then turned off my alarm. At around 7am Mary called me wanting to know where I was. Thankfully she woke me up as I was still sleeping! I got there in plenty of time and set down to groom Mitcham. He was in first (about 30 dogs ahead of Justice in the same ring). Our judge was Michelle Billings and after winning WD for a single point (one other male entered) the judge told me " He is a beautiful boy, best of luck with him!" Cool! That was pretty exciting!

Justice was next and he was the only dog entered. There was only one point in bitches as well and we were just hoping for the cross over points. No such luck there! We went out after the show to a place in Superior, WI called "Elbow Room" a great Italian, steak and fish restaurant with Sammy's Pizza (locally renowned pizza) in the front end.

Saturday we had late ring times again but I rode in with Mary to the show who happened to have 8am ring times! I spent most of the morning grooming Mitcham, or holding dogs for Mary or my friends Mike and Donna Johnson of Fargo, ND. Our judge was the same for both Briards and Cardigans and we had Jean Fournier. After every time Mitcham went around the ring Ms. Fournier would say something like "He is a beautiful boy" or "You know you have an excellent dog" or something along those lines. Every time I would politely say Thank you and continue on what she asked of me. She gave Mitcham WD again for another single point and I thought we may have it for Breed as the bitch special was acting up quite a bit and Mitcham was being an angel in the ring! But no luck. As I was leaving with my BOS ribbon Ms Fournier stopped me and told me that in time my boy would be spectacular and to find her again and show him to her!! That's the nicest thing yet I've heard from a judge and was just tickled and honored to have such high praise.

Justice was in the ring after about six other dogs and Ms Fournier then said. Wow! What a nice boy! You go from a lovely Briard to a wonderful table dog?. I replied "Thank you yes! Its so I don't have to run so much" :) To which she laughed. She must not have thought he was so wonderful as we didn't get the cross over again so that was a bummer for the "Juice Man" (Justice) .

Cynthia and I went over a small drawbridge across from the show site to a Chocolate Store. We had caramel apples that were drizzled and dipped in various toppings such as pecans, chocolate, chocolate chips, snickers, marshmallows, etc. They were worth every penny!

Mary and I snuck out and headed over to Grandma's Saloon and Bar and had a nice tall cold beer and some nachos. Then we watched groups and then headed out to supper at a place in Proctor, MN called BlackWoods. Famously good food!

After a night of listening to Barb's dogs bark, Mary and I were up very early and headed to the show. Mary finished her GSP bitch that weekend and got a point on our friends Vizla. Getting nothing on Sunday she left after helping me reglue Mitcham's ears and I sat around and waited for Justice to show. I didn't enter Mitcham on Sunday as I knew there would be no competition. Justice I was hoping for that cross over point but we didn't get it again and the handler (Frank Murphy's helper) apologized ever day they got the BOW ribbon. I told them not to worry about it, but it was still a nice thing to say.

Justice is really learning to like the showing and he is an awesome self stacker thanks in part to Wanda Bendinelli! Both boys are a joy to show and I couldn't be happier with them!

Many thanks to everyone who was there to make it a fun and enjoyable weekend! Between lots of laughs at Barb's house in the evenings to the jokes Paul and I shared during the day at the dog show, it was a riot! Also a big pleasure to meet more of Mary's GSP friends! I've heard about them but hadn't met them all until now!

Mitcham Monday

*CLICK TO BIGGIFY TO SEE HIS AWESOME SIDE MOVEMENT*

This is Mitcham aka Reine Dior Diving For Gold in the Best Puppy in Show match. The award went to the Rhodesian Ridgeback but I'm SO HAPPY with Mitcham getting the Puppy Group 1 and Justice the Puppy Group 4 this weekend! Our friends Sarah and Darby got the Puppy Group 2 as well! Many thanks to Christy Collins for helping to show the big goof in the Puppy Herding Group and in the Puppy Best in Show!!

addenum

I had forgotten to mention (in my sleep deprived weekend) that on Thursday was the Best Puppy match!

Mitcham was expertly handled by Christy Collins and got a Group 2! Justice was expertly handled by Wanda Bendinelli (Zoe's breeder) and got a Group 4! Oh how I wish I didn't have to go back to Perham to work that afternoon! But I am so happy for my boys! They make me gush with pride :)