LizT

When I won my first ever Reserve Challenge with my little Cavalier in April I was sad not to have anything to show for it, but many of you said that when I won my first Challenge it would pale into insignificance. Well yesterday My little girl won her Intermediate Bitch Class (as she often has) but this time went on to win the Bitch Challenge and got RUBOB. I was stoked to say the least! So yes, I have my pretty ribbon and Certificate (16 points, only 84 to go..... :D ) We may or may not ever get there but it is such a thrill for me. At times you wonder whether or not to keep plugging at it and in all possility will probably not even win our class at the next show but my enthusiasm has been 'refueled' so I should be 'running' on that for a while. :D P.S. My Reserve win still means alot to me as it was an arrow saying "keep going" this way.

Hmmm. What you said SBT123. Seems odd to go to all the trouble of Prog testing and then having a 'slip mating' on purpose. Very 'hit n miss IMO.

I've heard that they intend to start a trial on humans soon as they hope this will be a big breakthrough for cancerous tumours in people. Having known many women who have gone through the "cure is worse than the disease" treatment of Chemo for Breast Cancer, this sounds like a kinder treatment option?? Let's hope.

Also buying from a Breeder who is a good mentor is a great win/win for both the breeder and you as they can't always keep EVERY animal that they would like to 'run on' (an expression used to see how a new puppy with Show Poential pans out). Only thing is the Breeder has to have confidence in you first so that hey are sure they are not selling a main register dog to someone who just wants to "Back Yard Breed" (another expression implying that the person is only interested in churning out puppies for the $$$$ and not intending to follow the rules of the State dog Registery). As stated there is lots to learn from DOLERS (Dogs on Line forumites! )

when we first got our puppy she was drinking heaps to.we swapped the brand of biscuits she was on (pedigree to eukanuba) and stopped feeding the tin food and haven't had a problem since...maybe it's the type of food she is on? Some dry foods will make a dog quite thirsty and it's also quite possible that the food she is on has a fair bit of salt in it, also contributing to her thirst. Even if the house doesn't seem hot to us some forms of heating emit a dry heat that can make animals (and people) very thirsty too.

Well I certainly enjoy their Pizzas!!!! Great coffee Wine ;) and people Just feel a little isolated from the other rings as a Toy exhibitor but was grateful to be indoors Saturday morning!

This is a wonderful idea. With so many people wanting to contribute it will be an enormous quilt??!! King size, quilted on both sides!! I'd love to be part of this.

Are we Toys allowed to set up indoors? The entry Nos. had a slip of paper that said they "encouraged" Toy Exhibitors to set up outside behind the building (Gazebos?) Clearly there will be a lot of us as it's my highest entry number so far, around 50 above the average!

Yes, despite their being many similarities, there will also be many differences. Also of great importance is not to fall into the trap of "comparing Kids!!" This applies just as much to animals as children. It has been said that even clones will have different personality quirks.

Have been reading, thinking,.. but couldn't find words.....still can't find words... but have hope and very strong Karma and wishes for you Jed which will continue as long as you need it. For everyone else... am awestruck by the kindness, sweetness and strong positive sentiments shown on this thread. You people are amazing.

There are often "visitors" with their well behaved Pets, many of whom have been bred by exhibitors and also people who drop in to have a look. Generally speaking it can get quite crowded inside and with no trolley you may not feel like staying as long as you would with a "camp and facilities" as your dog will literally be tied to you all day. Also be confident that your well behaved dog would not be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of other dogs there. The Terrier ring will start at 9.00am and proceed alphabetically as usual. My entry arrrived today.

My 9 year old was encouraged to give it a go by a fellow competitor whose daughter does it (very sucessfully), her first effort was almost comical ( she was facing the other way from everyone else! ) but she is improving with every go. She looks forward to it and is improving greatly and is getting further up the line up. Of course there are some very polished youngsters out there who always seem to have it together and win each time (like their mums!) but my daughter is a good sport and that hasn't put her off, even the time she had another persons dog being more wriggly on the table than she was used to (she usually shows our Cavalier) and the dog fell off the table! SHE CAUGHT IT! but was upset and on the edge of tears, quite a learning curve that day. Fortunately she wasn't put off and looks forward to shows that include Junior Handler. She gets lots of advice from fellow competitors who have helped me and as long as Mum remembers to pack her little "Show Bag" (with nice outfit in it) all is good. Oh, and as long as we check to make sure which ring they are putting it on so we are not 5 minutes late and miss out Thank goodness she is a good sport and forgives her old forgetful Mamma! You can show from age 7 here in Victoria and I believe that as of next year ALL shows (in VIC) must include a Junior Handlers class.

Thanks Sway was wondering about that as it's now starting to get colder and darker in the mornings so I though they might go in soon. Anyone received their entries yet?

Cattle prods, less risk of getting bitten yourself! It's the complacent attitude that is far worse than the actual attack, yes the attack is terrible but bad things happen (the lead broke)...problem is people make it worse, standing there and saying "He'll let go when he tires" is crazy. :p I'll stop kicking your dog in the head when I get tired!!!!!. And not offering any assistance is criminal. Just scrolled back and saw the photos. Those poor dogs are lucky to be alive, particularly the Schnauzer whose jugular was very close to the bite by the looks of things.

They made a similar rule here in Melbourne at KCC Park to stop those close by or willing to come out the night before from staking out the best ground ringside the night before a show. I can see the logic in trying to leave your gear there for the next day but things can get damaged (windy weather can even set things on the ground rolling about if gusty) or stolen so you'd be risking it. Also not everyone chooses to do three or even two days running and only come out for a particular day that suited them due to other committments, so it gives them a chance to find space I guess. Interestingly though, there was a double show indoors last year and they were okay with people leaving their gear set up indoors?? So maybe it's also a security issue?

I think you have to stay and be an exhibit for the general public until 5 pm.

I think you've just described every Cavalier I groom They all look at me with loving eyes and pleading me to tell them that they're a good dog with their tail wagging the whole time. I say I love them and it brings on a flurry of kisses and tail wags Yep, that's a Cav alright! real smoochie poos! They do seem to be the kind of dog that is looking for approval. In an old book about Cavs I read that if 'abused' (heaven forbid ) that they are the type of dog that will always forgive, unlike some other breeds that will never forgive and could become aggressive . Thank goodness 'harsh training methods' for any breed are the rarity these days (I hope).

I was taught the same thing at show training, not that I could ever stack my dog that quik As a "newbie" I was told by experienced exhibitors "this is your time, don't feel rushed, take your time, get yourself and your dog together".

Oh how wonderful for you both! Congratulations

Yep, I'm all curious now same

Thanks Spikespuppy, Yes, as I said it was her first and I 'chase' them because I have a little girl who loves to come home and show her older brother and sister and dad what her little dog did that day (let's face it, I know my dogs 'own' my youngest daughter, they barely let her out of their sight LOL) Meanwhile I've written the date and details on my entry number for that day and pinned it to my cork board. Well done and congratulations to you on your successes and your 'non complacent' attitude.

In the Horse world we refer to them (time wasters) as "HoofKickers". There are those people out there who are looking for a horse but will insist on 'trying out' some top dollar horses that they couldn't afford and are out of there budget, Why? Probably the only chance they'll have to ride a top competition horse? Who knows. As to dogs it's really a fine line because you may talk to a number of breeders before you finally settle on a purchase or make definite arrangements. You are not necessarily wasting time (and if you are you are also wasting your own but I prefer to think of it as an investment in your potential purchase) so in essence you have wasted the time of the breeders you didn't buy from but I'm sure it's better for people to make a thoughtful decision rather than an emotional one when purchasing a dog.

Bit tricky walking a table breed into it's front though! Maybe a catwalk!!! (okay a dogwalk then! ) I have a Great Dane....lovely height! Yep, was watching the Danes ring for a bit on the weekend and you guys get a lovely workout yourselves, makes me feel down right old and lazy. ;) PS Congrats Sway! But getting back to the original problem of this thread, wouldn't this method, if you have a "Judge in a hurry" situation have the Judge waiting at the end of the table?

Thanks for that Sway - my Journal is not here yet so appreciated the lookie see. A quick question ........ are there no online entries like last year? I know Estelle had lots of dramas so it won't surprise me if this is so. I said last year, I would never do the Royal again - sigh ....... what a difference a year makes and I'll have to eat my words! Cheers Gaela I thought that after the drive home! It took soooo long just to get through Flemington and past the zoo! Still, it was a nice day with a lovely atmosphere and a fun day for my daughters toboot.

Well I've checked and rechecked and couldn't find them. Assume they will be on same day as King Charles and that's where the error of leaving them off has occurred???? Wednesday 22nd.???