dog geek Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 How nice to see any mention of purebreeds! And a generally positive mention, at that... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/we-aint-nothin-but-hound-dogs/2380608.aspx We ain't nothin' but hound dogs BY STEPHANIE ANDERSON 05 Dec, 2011 04:00 AM They say every dog has its day and for the pampered pooches at the All Breeds Championship Show, yesterday was it. Among the 500 dogs and well equipped groomers jostling for position at Exhibition Park were a handful of pomeranians, belonging to dog show veteran Dot Williams. With husband Danny by her side, Mrs Williams has spent the past 28 years travelling throughout Australia to camp at and compete in dog shows. It's a way of life that draws in all sorts from those in pantsuits and pearls to battered jeans and Akubras, with the Harden couple notching up more than 30 shows a year. ''It's a lifestyle,'' Mrs Williams said. ''It is very expensive, you don't make any money out of it ... And once you decide to do it, you've got to be totally committed to it 24 hours a day. You can't just take a day off.'' PHOTOS: Best in show It has been described as a labour of love, with owners dedicating thousands of hours grooming breeds ranging from tiny Chihuahuas to towering deerhounds. Mrs Williams showed three of her 14 Pomeranians throughout the weekend, having previously put in days of work getting dogs like seven-month-old Ruma ready. The pint-sized fluff ball required hours of individual preparation including a 60-minute haircut, repeated baths and blow drying, as well as intensive grooming on the day. ''She's had 20 minutes today, but it should have been much longer,'' she said. Despite the significant effort, the judging has little to do with Ruma's excessive hair. The prizes are instead awarded on an animal's ''construction'', be it a well-shaped head, perfect bite or correctly sized feet. But according to Mrs Williams, even a flawless jaw alignment is not enough to take home a blue rosette. ''A lot of it is political,'' she said. Despite such frustrations, Mrs Williams will return to Canberra this weekend for another round of shows hosted by the ACT Ladies Kennel Club. For further information on the club visit www.actca.asn.au Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) Hmm, I wouldn't have considered it positive! Sounds like a gripe from someone who didn't win (which is certainly not saying that is what the person is having... but how it is being portrayed). Lots of comments in there that would turn people off giving showing a go. I don't get why you have to be committed to dog showing 24/7 Edited December 5, 2011 by mirawee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 I feel dopey now! I confess to having automatically filtered it through my "dog =/= backyard ornament" goggles. I guess I automatically discounted the comment as Dot emphasising the commitment you need to your dogs if you are going to show? Then again, it does sound as if a rather extended conversation was condensed down to two or three sentences, don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rottshowgirl Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Check out the first photo in the slide show of the 'Schnauzer' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 It started off great - and yay for an article about dog showing. But then I was a bit stunned. I know it is hard work to show dogs but not much more than having a pet dog unless you have a very heavy maintainance show coat. I have show horses as well and I can safely say they are much more of a full time job LOL I can get 5 dogs ready in less time than one horse :D Although I don't plan be getting a show poodle any time soon I am not getting the slide show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aetherglow Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Check out the first photo in the slide show of the 'Schnauzer' Is that a Deshonko no-groom Schnauzer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poochmad Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Check out the first photo in the slide show of the 'Schnauzer' Funniest looking Schnauzer I've ever seen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hmm the article sounds kinda patronizing towards people who show to me... I do know from personal experience that Canberra Times reporting can be very lazy and innaccurate so who knows what was actually said in the interview. 24/7, never being able to take a day off seems a bit OTT though. Thing that worries me is the implication that "a 60 minute haircut" regular baths and brushes including 20 minutes grooming on the day is a lot of grooming. Plenty of long haired breeds would require that amount of time regularly even as pets, this kind of article could make people think only show Poms and the like need that kind of time spent on them, so my pet *insert breed* won't need anywhere near that! Gotta love the media! (insert eye roll emoti) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now