SpikesPuppy

We don't have many sweepstakes in Vic ;) and training a puppy at the show is much different to training at home. Here I see people training before the show starts, during lunch breaks and after the group is finished. I've never seen anyone be told off for it before. Wait for it !!! No really it would make it very hard if there is no s/s but we do not have Open shows in NSW either but most kennel clubs have show training and are willing to set up rings and have a mock show for all to have a go at.... But a "SPARE" ring might solve every one's problems !!!!! I had to give up show training 'cos I don't get home early enough after work I miss it... But even when we were going I still practice in a finished ring, love trying out new things with my dog, offering them to friends to learn with, juniors to play with etc. Also train beforehand (rarely in an actual ring but occasionally, lots of people do it and I've never seen it become an issue... About 5 minutes before starting there is sometimes a message over the PA system asking exhibitors to vacate so the judge can set up. I always try to do a practise run before I show to see how my dogs are moving, and what kind of mood they are in (toy, bait etc). We used to have a monthly members comp but low attendance saw it cancelled. I believe they still run them over at KCC but I am unfortunately able to attend again due to work. And like Weis said, practicing at a show is totally different to training.

We have been asked to leave during lunch breaks if that ring will be used later on...

We do it all the time, never seen anyone kick up a stink??? I think as long as you aren't disturbing anybody or being loud etc there shouldn't be a problem? People do it all the time here.

Pity were not the same day, I'd totally swap with you lol. Will come say hi on Sunday tho

Well that's a disappointment we'll be in the downstairs area that the public don't really go through. Not happy. At all. Gonna be so bored!!! And the smooth is upstairs where everyone comes through... Yet no one is interested in them lol. Oh well.

Our obedience club accepts the 3yearly vaccination provided that's what the certificate says. I know DOGS Vic is yet to officially change their regulation but I cannot see how they could argue the dog was not vaccinated if the card states it is??

Its simple if you dont want your nany on display all day dont take it! I dont take nanys to shows. I dont even know what they are. I dont think it is *heathy* for a baby to be on display for 9 hrs. The Royals have decided to run the baby puppy class, presumably to get more entries, so they should have the responsibility for creating rules that look after the welfare of the babies. wt Sydney, they did the right thing and babies only had to stay for half the day. Melbourne are making babies who are entered in the sweepstakes be on display for longer than adult dogs entered in breed classes!! They have just introduced baby puppy class for breed days but they have had baby Sweeps for the past 2 years so it's not really the first time babies are at the Melbourne Royal for a full day.

I totally relate to this quote. I have a bitch who is a "stand out" from the crowd....and we are always facing exactly what this article describes. The frustration is immense, and so is the disapointment. Same here :D look at her and she is amazing, but she is different...

Many people had trouble with their call last Melbourne Royal because there was no assembly area! We were grooming our dogs in the middle of trade stalls at one point.

Definitely get her to the vet for a check up- all your worrying may be for nothing, I hope so!! Meanwhile, some Manuka honey should help sooth any soreness. And if it is KC will help her heal faster.

Could she have had a throat irritation rather than Kennel Cough?! Casey had one earlier this year, went into a panic about KC but turns out she scratched her esophagous or something like that and didn't have a virus.

Well done!!! What an achievement!!!!!!! Here's to many many more

:applause: spot on, poodlefan!! I met Caber's father at the Melbourne Royal before I was even able to get a puppy, let alone settled on a breed!!! I will never forget that day of course, I didn't think back then I'd have 3 of the buggers, including my own homebred puppy but it's amazing isn't it? If they hadn't been so nice to me back then, I may have gone a completely different way. Going to the Royal for me was all about the dogs and ever since I was very young I dreamt about showing my own dogs there. Okay, now I understand the work involved lmao but even so, I can't say I've ever had a bad Royal The only thing I would really like changed would be a better path to the rings or at least an assembly area (trying to get the dog ready in a squishy trade stand with dozens of people milling about was difficult to say the least. Hopefully that will be fixed up this year. Although I think the awful weather added to the chaos as they moved the outside breeds indoors.

Casey was vacc'd at 7 weeks, then 13 and her next one isn't due until 2013.

And plain rude :shakehead: Whenever I'm in a line up and my dog (terrier) is excited or interested in the toy in front of it (some of them can be damn feral little things themselves!) or even the gundog behind, I always speak to the other exhibitor and try and work out what's okay and what's not with them. If for eg they have a nervy dog, I take extra care to have my dog calm or leave a larger space between the two, my dogs are very good, but at the same time, I try and be a considerate handler. But then, some of the toy exhibitors have actually wanted their dogs to play with mine to get them sparked up LOL. Didn't appreciate the Lab pup that was allowed to jump all around my puppy though :shakehead:

The dogs are AT the show Sheridan. People pay to get in. The entry covers seeing dogs just as it does all the other exhibits. Obviously if folk have no interest in exhibits they head for side show alley and don't go elsewhere. Hair splitting aside, it IS a very important showcase for dogs same as the local Aggie shows can be. It's not difficult to ask folk to come back later if they want to meet the dogs. I appreciate that the 20th time you have to do it can be tiring but rudeness isn't called for. Where else in Melbourne does Joe Public get the opportunity to see so many pure breed dogs?? It's not as though Dogs Victoria is falling over themselves to promote either of their venues!! Lots of people think they are doing the right thing by coming to 'The Show' to see the different dog breeds in the hope of finding the perfect companion. I agree with your earlier post, Poodlefan - we are there as representatives of the Pure Breed dog World, and I can only speak for myself but I always do my best to remain pleasant and answer questions, no matter how many times I've been asked- after all it's not the next person's fault that they have the same query!!! One week to go for my guys :thumbsup: With regard to Harry's theft - it is a tragedy but one also has to wonder how this stranger managed to crawl under the rail (believe me I nearly busted my back going in and out LOL, it was a solid rail, you couldn't move it - you could only go under), and unlatch the cage, then crawl back out again, all the while with the dog supposedly carrying on and biting him and NO ONE SAID ANYTHING!!! I think *that* is the bigger issue, the nonchalant "Not my problem" attitude that people have these days rather than the security set up of the shows IMO. Was discussing it one night and trying to come up with ways of IDing people who were *allowed* to touch/handle dogs- thinking perhaps a colour coded wristband or something- changed each day but for eg, all exhibitors/strappers/friends who were allowed "behind the scenes" had to wear yellow bands one day, then blue the next etc. I dunno.

If you don't like it and don't want to comply - don't enter I don't see the issue??? Yep it can be frustrating getting through a crowd (I would like a clear walkway for exhibitors only), but overall, I love the day and so do my dogs!!! A day with hundreds of people just to see THEM, it's a friendly dogs dream come true!! I did the Adelaide Royal for the first time this year and can't wait until next September!!! Really liked their benching set up and the cages for wee dogs. Loved the exhibitor only walkway to the rings (okay after you made it through the hoards lol), but the huge assembly areas were fantastic!!! Also loved the fact that the pavillion was closed for an hour at lunchtime. I would love it if we were able to purchase extra exhibitor tickets when entering, would make it so much more convenient. Also a parking pass would be good. But overall, I go for the day out and to promote my breed and my dogs. Yep, I have a bit of a hinge and bitch about some of the idiot public but at the same time, some exhibitors are rude bastards too!!! I love showing off my guys and talking to exhibitors I don't usually speak to. This will be my 6th Melbourne Royal and I can't wait As for security, well yes this incident has made me stop and think a bit but overall I believe it was likely an isolated incident and not the start of a royal dog napping ring! We should always be vigilant when it comes to our precious dogs.

Have had a handful of judges try and spar Borders : have also had my dogs or seen other Borders put down for not showing enough spark in the ring. Sure it looks impressive, but they should not ark up at another dog, especially when 'working' (and these days, I consider being in the ring a form of work, ie; the dog must behave appropriately). As they were bred to run with the Hounds, an aggressive or even confrontational Border would not last long- a hound certainly wouldn't put up with it!!! Did have one judge though, a Canadian, who brought all the dogs in the challenge line up into the centre of the ring. There was a collective groan as we reluctantly obeyed. However, he did not want to spar the dogs, he wanted to see how they interacted and got along. They weren't required to be happy happy but more just ignore each other and not fuss. I enjoy watching certain breeds sparred but hate when it's done incorrectly or it's done to my dog in a line up without my consent.

the Border was my Ziva, handled by my Mum (SerenityStar), while I was showing in Adelaide. VERY PROUD!! Can't wait to see the photos. Well done with your Minor result too, Nikki

How difficult would it have been for the ANKC/state CCs to send out an email to each club secretary (as they so on a regular basis about other topics) informing them of the new class/title. Furthermore I think the ANKC needs to make it a compulsory class. Take BBs sash quote for eg (keeping in mind that several clubs get additional discounts for tw volume they purchase), if the club got even 5 extra entries, that's your sashes covered. If the Northwrn Territory can wrangle up 11 out of 112 neuters... Surely the city shows or more accessible country shows can do the same.

When I get Internet back and don't have to use my phone I will go over the Border standard- every single point is important and I (naturally) find it fascinating to know exactly why everything is as it is- they are a pretty unique dog and a pretty unique terrier, and still generally remain unspoiled for the show ring (we will ignore what the puppy farmers have done in the UK!!!) I think Sp that Black & Tan is a fault in your breed as it would lead to very dark pups over time, if Black & Tans were used and the adult coat would not have that bluish tone. The ticking ( light hairs ) on the Border coat are on the topcoat not the undercoat. You are correct- a blue and tan Border is blue because of the ticked guard hairs (and must also have blue skin), but the reason I understand for black and tan being a disqualifying fault is because the coats tend to have an incorrect or missing undercoat (all black and tans I have met have had only top coat). If black and tan had correct texture and ratio I believe it would be acceptable It is also a pity that in the US standard a level bite is not acceptable as it is quite common with a true Border head. The result of the differing standard in North America is whilst many Borders have the correct proportions, the muzzles tend to be snipey which ruins the 'otter' image as well as resulting in a dog with a weaker jaw. A black nose is also a must- despite the original standards allowing flesh colored noses and indeed they had a reputation of being the best workers!! I feel this is cosmetic only especially as the original standards were written by genuine Terrier men who worked these dogs day in, day out. But some show people decide hey that's not attractive enough- let's remove it from the standard!! Not my breed but I don't understand why clown faces are frowned upon in many breeds. Cavaliers for example. A companion animal- does it really make a difference in it's ability as a companion if it's markings are a bit off centre???

The Border Terrier standard (Kennel Club/country of origin and what we follow here NOT the different US standard) is very basic and to the point, and IMO the bulk of it is based on working ability and not show (down to flesh colored noses not being a fault, along with the bite being scissor but a level bite equally as acceptable which is part and parcel of the dogs required head shape and proportions. Nothing is really cosmetic about the breed standard. Black and tan is a fault and this is because it lacks undercoat and thus does not offer any protection from the harsh undergrowth or weather conditions.

Do you want ours? She's indestructable. Been shot and everything! you would miss her!! Lol. Actually I want a blue boy :rolleyes: just for something different. Totally kicking myself for not keeping my nice boy (although grizzle)... I really really want another boy dog to show. Hopefully in a few years will own a house and can then go nuts lol. Within reason ;) Those pointer babies I reckon I'll have one of those one day, too. Beautiful animals (and honestly, if I hadn't discovered the wire Viz they would be my top gundog at the moment lol).

I'd lovvvvve a peke! no one else I speak to likes them!! I love their attitude and spunk!!!

Another Border Terrier (3 is not enough ) A Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla A Pekingese