d_dambe

I have a coated breed and coat is the finishing touch and adds to the glamour and shape, Frank Kane has judged in Aus before - check what he put up then in terms of type, this might help. I watched him judge American Cockers at the World Dog Show in Paris and I was blown away by the trimming, coat, type, presenttaion and handling under Frank in Paris .... check that website for what the reults were to check type etc. They had massive coats in Paris and I still get gosoe bumps thinking about how wonderful the breed looked at that show....

Not a cocker as my girl was BoB from Open on Saturday

5 Cocker Spaniels (Group 3) to date that I know of - 1 in QLD, 2 in NSW and 2 in Vic - am very proud that 3 of them are from our kennel (2 in Vic and 1 in QLD) With first South Aus and Tasmania shows this weekend expect to add to this tally. Gundog Best in Group lineup at Shepparton last weekeend was Supreme ! A beautiful lineup of dogs brought out for their final CC - full of quality. Cheers Merryn

2 pet hates :-) Car parking - right on top of your car, blocking your car, arriving late and blocking driveways and not moving, not moving your car when asked, parking on grass when not supposed to, parking in no-standing areas, ad infinitum. C'mon folks - park and drop off your gear by all means BUT MOVE it, if you get there later park and walk the extra 20 metres...show some respect for others and the grounds/ roads where shows are held as well as allowing space and clear roads for the elderly, disabled and the potential emergency vehicle - as well as those who leave early as they have finished. Gazebos - not leaving space between them to get to the rings eg 2 or 3 gazebos across then 1 metre lane way/ trolley space , not setting up required distance back from the rings, multi saves where a whole ringsied is 'saved' by one person for 6 other gazebos, moving others gazebos/ frames/ ropes because you feel like it when you set up ....

unfortuntaley in many States beaurocracy will get in the way. Here in Victoria, if you have provide child minding for something like 5 or more children under the age of 6 years old then you need to be a registered child care provider - with all the red tape that involves. Over the age of 6 then it doesn't seem to matter how may kids are being minded. Most States and Territories also have the equivalent of Working With Children Checks that would need to be considered. The issues of litigation, duty of care etc arise as now more frequently at shows if someone falls over a concrete kerb they go the Club for the insurance..... Sporting clubs have come up with some innovative ways to provide short term child minding whilst parents play sport without going into the need to be a registered child care provider. The question to ask - what is the need for the short term care, how many people would use it and the average lenght of time eg. 30 minutes whilst your breed is in the ring.

Yay Corey - Ryangae Reason T Celbrate - cocker puppy

Cocker spaniel Champ Judge Mr Michael Kristensen (Denmark) BOB / Best in Show - Bellamy's Aus & Nor Ch Anemos First Served To Travis (imp Nor) RUBOB/ Runner Up In Show - Bellamy's Ch BELCROFT Diamond Dayz Dog CC - Gr Ch Bolwarra Rip Tide Aus Bred in show - Gr Ch BELCROFT It's Showtime Intermediate in show - Ch BELCROFT Zipp Iy

Sporting Spaniel - cocker spaniel JUDGE Ms J Borregaard Madaen (Denmark) BOB - Gr Ch BELCROFT IT'S SHOWTIME & Aus Bred in Show RUBOB - Ch BELCROFT DIAMOND DAYZ Dog CC - Ch Bellebriar New Time

Where is the 'usual place' ? For example, on the main areana ? I haven't shown there for years, can it be identified on the Ag Soc map ?

It does vary in Vic - depending on whether it can be approved reasonably quickly because it isn't an existing name, too close to an existing name or a place name. But be aware, as once you get the Prefix and it's advertised, people have the right to appeal and have 3 months from the date published and your preficx can be rescinded - has happened twice in the past year in my breed, with a litter registered under the original and then rescinded prefix. Fingers crossed it's smooth sailing for you.

Thanks to the commiitte for moving it indoors as the mornings weather was trying. Who would have thought 10 indoor rings ! Congrats to Show Manager and Stewards who kept things running smoothly, methinks a bit like the duck - looking effortless on top of the water but paddling madly below. Thanks to exhibitors for sharing space & being good natured and helping others.

The extreme weather notice for Victorian shows is in the published schedulle for each show, I don't have it handy to paste it in here.

I wear mainly black pants and jackets for work every day so love the opportuntity to wear colour, skirts, hair and makeup at shows. It really is personal - some outfits say "pick me" whilst others are cleverly hiding faults such as dark pants against a dark topline....most important is that YOU are comfortable and can do what you need to do in the show ring - such as getting up from kneeling...and what suits youd dog and it's colouring. Don't think you have to cpmete or compare to others in the ring. I've seen long flapping skirts wrapping around medium sized dogs on the move, not a good idea ! The advent of USA show suits at reasonable prices has been a bonus but there are many now who look the same, or a particular colour seems to be the 'flavour of the month'. From photos from one Royal show a few years ago we played a game of "spot the USA show suit" There's nothing to say you can't wear jeans and shirt - as long as clean, pressed, no holes etc, tracky dacks and holey singlets are probably a big no no. Same with shoes - comfortable and fit for purpose - I have also been known to wear gumboots, rain pants, rain coat and rain hat in the ring - all colour co-ordinated of course! SO - create your own style,comfort and what you can afford and most importantly what you can clean/ wash/ dry clean.

Keith & Di Anderson's Ch Eiran Secret Affair - handled by Loran Morgan (USA)

If the above stats are correct, what it shows is that membership across Australia in the past 16 years has declined by 38.7% and registrations have declined by 31% in 24 years. Over the corresponding period of decline in membership (1995- 2010) registrations only declined by 18.8% (less members breeding more puppies/ or more litters - it's not clear from the stats what actual number of litters is) Obviously these stats only record registered litters from members and not the number of unregisterd puppies sold. The States/ Territories worse affected by the decline in Members is TAS with a huge 58% decline, followed by WA and NT with a 55 % decline, SA has fared better with a 26% decline. In comparison, over the past 15 years the Australian population has grown by an average of 1.9% and overall pet ownership has also increased. Any organistation would be severly affected in terms of revenue with this type of decline from 2 sources - memberships and litter registration fees.

I'd much rather be given permission to seek shelter or shade if my dog isn't in the short list - it's not just hot weather but in freezing cold or pouring rain it's a nice courtesy. And as someones else has said it gives the dogs room in the ring with most of the group having left. If you have a dog for Class in group awards, it also gives you a chance to get that dog ready - sometimes rushing out with your BoB winner to grab a baby puppy isn't very relaxing for handler or the baby.

Loved the LANCEFIELD venue - even if it's further for us to drive, gorgeous shady trees, plenty of easy parking nearly all round the oval, oval surface always in great condition, great areas to exercise dogs, kids play area and great spots for camping. How come the venue for the Cup weekend shows has been changed to the Rolling Meadows rec reserve ?

Spent 1 year researching as previous dog trailer had done us for 20 years, so we wanted something as good. Advantage Caravan Repairs (ACR) in Melbourne were first choice but double the $$ of the others. I contacted and discussed requirements with every dog trailer maker I heard of. Cruising Canines were the only company that were prepared to listen to what I wanted and modify their standard floorplan for me - such as not wanting the shark fin ventilation on doors and sides as in rain and being towed the water is sucked into the trailer and I have coated dosgs ! Cruising Canines listened, discussed with me the location of wardrobe and loading, made suggestions about security etc and I made a few suggestions to them, I see they now do things like a grooming platform, umbrella holder etc after suggestions by people who purchased the trailers. They started making them for the greyhound people who wanted a safe and comfortable ride for their precious cargo to and from training and races, and CC learned that show people have quite different requirements in that our dogs travel longer distances and sleep over nites and we carry a car load of 'stuff' that is essential LoL. We got a Cruising Canine - had a long wait as they had orders before me, and they even delivered it to our home with towing lessons - great customer service all round, from a guy that worked in the caravan industry

After the problems with OZentries for the Bulla Autumn Extravaganza shows and the additional cost - I am happy to continue snail mail and avoid Ozentries....

A reminder that if you are a member of DogsVictoria - Management Commitee voting ballot closes Friday 11 March

Anyone else having trouble finding information or logging in (website won't let me 'Register') on the new website that seems to have appeared since lunchtime today ? Usual 'News' area etc is light on as well as the published schedules... Trying to track down the Night-of Nights/ Dog of the year forms on the website as well.... Cheers merryn

well.... I need to stride out/ run with my dogs on grass and I tend to wear skirts thus I wear 'dress' shoes or loafers . MOST IMPORTANT things are: comfort as you are in them/ standing all day look - gotta look good and go with your show outfit grip - so you don't go A over T in the ring or in the car park you can run in them without them slipping you must be prepared to do a trial 'run' in the shoe shops - I have amused quite a few assistants for jogging around the store .... and be prepared to have them soaking wet, wee'd on by boys aiming at your leg and other show misshaps... You can buy suede heel grips, silicone heelp grips, latex shoe liners (a must for extra comfort) and stick on sole grips at Priceline stores to help with fit, comfort and non-slip. Or shoe repair shop can do something similar with heels and soles. Depends on how fast you regularly move your dog - that is, do you have an Affie that you stride out with or a toy you walk ? You could wear nice 'dress' shoes including loafers with a smaller dog or something grippier running flat out with a bigger dog. Do you show indoors on fake grass or outdoors on grass in all conditions ? Do you like to colour co-ordinate with your outfit or could weare just black or cream ? do wear skirts or trousers ? as shoes look different with skirts. I have found Payless shoes 'copies' of Skechers to be a good start, especially when they have their sales and it works out to around $40 a pair, I have also got loafers, casual & Mary-janes from there. I know some handlers love their Riversoft loafers for comfort and grip. I also like some of the Diana Ferrari shoes (from factory outlets too)

Even placing an older pup (for example at 8 months) is still a "show prospect" situation for us. We have done this before, for a number of reasons, for example, we have 'run on' a brother and sister for a while and waited until they had teethed and been in the show ring. Obviously at the older age we have shown the puppy ourselves a number of times BUT once they leave your hands, the environment, grooming, feeding, exercise etc can make a big difference to what that dog looked like/ behaved like with us on the lead and with the new owners. I have had new owners who have been disappointed, even with warnings about the nature of the show coat and the work involved, who don't groom like I do and thus the dog looked different. There is no guarantee of succees, but the prospect of constantly learning and seeking. Cheers merryn

Want to add, those that honestly beleive a bitch in season shouldn't be shown either due to a risk of infection....I would love to see documentation on this...in ALL the time I've been showing, and showing bitches in estrus...I have NEVER had one of them pick up anything..however..I HAVE had bitch puppies with vaginitis or similar who have never been outside my own yard and are 3-5 months of age.... The arguement of a bitch in season with the alleged 'open cervix' amuses me all the time. As mentioned...females both human and otherwise continue to mingle with their own, subject themselves to possible contaminents and yet seem to handle it quite well. I don't think dog's on heat should be shown for the same reason you are not allowed to trial them. they distract the boys. but you see, I don't agree with that either...in my opinion...proof the males...I've had my share of stupid boys but have figured ways around it. no biggie..that goes for obedience as well. What about not letting the boys piss all over the posts on the way into the ring....that can be 'distracting' for a strong minded male.....never mind just rude and gross...but we see it all the time...how about people that exercise their dogs in the rings before the shows? There are FAR more important issues in my opinion than whether I choose to show my girl who is in season or not....some show like troopers, others stay home because they sulk....

RE the Victorian Regulation, the CEO responded in an e-mail with the following statement "The amendments to the Regulations were made after consultation with both the Canine Health Committee and the Constitution Rules and Regulations Committee, arising from member complaints about instances of bitches being exhibited close to the time of whelping and afterwards. It is always unfortunate that such Regulations are required to control the activities of members who are not acting responsibly. These regulations reflect current veterinary thinking and advice, etc and general care and concern for the welfare of the bitch." This regulation seems to have been made in response to complaints - rather than dealing with and following up on the complaints, and seeking advice a blanket rule appears to have been made ???? Instead of dealing with members who aren't acting responsibily DogsVic appear to be penalising the majority who do. If you don't agree with the Regulation and are are DogsVictoria member then do something, don't just complain. Write to the CEO and the 2 commitees and ask them to be accountable for their decisions, ask that they get feedback from members, speak/ wirite to the CEO, President and commitee members at shows and raise your concerns, also ask for EVIDENCE of their decision making. I was involved in the issue about pregnant women in sport and the decisions made were made firstly on an evidence base about potential risks to mother and child (nearly negible through to 3rd trimester except for core body temperature of the mother) and secondly it's up to the women who is pregnant - if she doesn't want to be physically active then it her choice. I agree with a regulation about pregnant/whelped/ actatating bitches IF evidence supports major breaches, but I would propose up to 6 weeks pregnant and 6 weeks after if they have rasied live puppies. Surely we know our own bitches well enough to make decisions about showing them whilst pregnant at 5 or 6 weeks if they are happy, healthy and want to go out to shows ?