Finnesse

Highly recommend Wayrod and if you can't find him I can PM you all his details. Great prices and brilliant service

Wow. I know I said on another thread that next time at a show we will say hi....ummmm Talk about digging yourself a hole

Couldn't sleep?

I would have packed up and gone home

Amazing photos but I just showed my husband and his response was the same as Paula's, lol.

We couldn't leave we were tangled in their webs

Brilliant photos Evolving

The dogs had a blast and didn't really care at all, we on the other hand squealed a bit It didn't ruin the weekend, we had a really great time:D

Having the spiders in the tent wasn't the best and on the camping chairs outside. The worst part was packing up to come home and knowing they were in the car hitchhiking their way to Adelaide. I told my OH nothing was coming back inside the house until I had checked it.

It's not a normal occurence down there and is due to floods apparently.

I did the Merbein Show a few weeks ago and it was held at Red Cliffs.It's a little bit out of Mildura itself and the grounds and atmosphere were lovely. There is a Caravan Park right next door that allows dogs (not in cabins of course) which was very handy and the faciities were nice and clean

ETA I don't think you will make it if you arrive around midday, they are usually smallish shows and we were done by midday and that was with 3 groups in our ring. 'In show' was after lunch

Lyndsay and I came over and watched you We we the ones standing just outside of the ring. We didn't want to overwhelm you but will say hi next time. You were shaking but you did ok for your first time, and getting that first show out of the way is always good...I promise it only gets better Oh and your Dobe is absloutely gorgeous Neesha will be able to help you a lot, she's even given me tips.

Good Judges, good stewards and an organised committee

International Judges that know my breed

Specialty shows

Cluster shows especially when travelling a distance

Clean toilets

Good food and coffee

Flat ground getting from vehicle to where I want to set up

Shade would be nice in warmer weather as would covered rings when it's wet.

Being able to gain access to the ring if I have had to set up behind, or if I am set up ringside, access out to toilet my dog. My pet hate is when no-one leaves walkways, it's so claustrophobic and a few people get really angry when you have to sneak through to close to them.

It doesn't really affect me but something that I find annoys some people is when the rings are mowed but the grass clippings are left, it's simple to fix too. I cringe when the Puli's come out of there and have actually swept a path and then the owner has to head back to their gazebo and remove it all from the dog's coat to go back in for group.

Just a pretty sash is fine with me

For prizes I like:

cash

Vouchers to use at the SACA dog shop

Plush Puppy Vouchers

Meal voucher

Vouchers for petrol would be great

Microbibre towels

tug toys

It's the only activity/sport/hobby I can think of where novices, beginners and newcomers are expected to compete against A-graders and have to win to get anywhere. When you have a dog of the breed that comes up against Gr Ch's each week, it's demoralising and it has actually turned a lot of people away from showing regularly.

The same thing would happen if it was made that rare breeds receive no points for not beating anything. We just do not have the numbers in a whole heap of breeds for much competition here in Austalia. 6 or 7 point challenges are it the majority of the time, and not by choice for most of us!

Each and every judge has to sign their name that each and every challenge winner is worthy of their champion title.

im currently handling a rare breed... and i totally agree people give me crap cause she rarely has competition... but at the end of the day she fits the standard and is worthy of the title otherwise she would be non awarded!! and rightly so!!

I agree.

I am really getting sick and tired of hearing about how rare breeds titles are crap and unworthy etc etc. just because we are usually the only ones at the show.

We pay for a judges opinion, we get it and they believe that said dog is worthy of being an Australia Champion, after all theirs is the only opinion on the day that counts towards anything. If I wanted the opinion of a know it all bystander I would pay for their opinion instead.

My dogs have titled on 6/7/8 point challenges and I am sorry that I do not have the inclination, time or money to head interstate to go up against a few more of my breed.

Owning a rare breed isn't as fun in the ring as people make it out too be, it's just as demoralising going into the ring every time knowing you will get your BOB but never anything else.....or even getting a look in for any group wins even if the dog is good enough. Other states are currently having a bit of luck and Tollers are getting put up more and more.....one day Victoria may get it's go

Keeping on topic now, but no I don't believe Champions should get their own class.

So am I My rare breed will have her title very shortly hopefully, but continuously hearing this unworthy rubbish and had no competition is making me feel like it isn't going to be a big deal to anyone else and that she didn't deserve it and just got it handed to her. It is tough out there being the only one in your breed, it's not much fun at all actually. One reason I am going to be very proud when she gets her title is that as a rare breed luckily she has managed 3 Minor Puppy in Groups and 4 Puppy in Groups against some really tough competition which is no mean feat considering some judges don't like putting the rare breed up. Maybe that still doesn't make her worthy though.

Like people have said, judges don't have to award anything if they don't think they are worthy and if you think they are going to award a dog anyway then maybe a lot of popular breeds aren't deserving their challenge points either because there might be 6 really bad examples of the breed out there in the ring every week and one will still get the points if you believe they don't non-award. Sorry rant over!!

I also believe don't fix what ain't broke and don't think Champions need their own class.

Finnish Lapphund puppies do it for me :D but I too love all Spitz puppies, they are such fluffballs...especially Keeshonds

My CavX has allergies and I was hoping chewing on the antler would be good as he can't have raw bones but the antler set him off itching too Oh well now my Lappie gets 2, she loves them so does the Lappie we have staying here at the moment.

Thanks for the giggles very funny

Congatulations Erin and Abby....well done, and some lovely big wins there too I would have the paperwork ready to go too

Sometime soon we will have to buy a kennel for our soon to be adopted dog Charlie. I have seen both plastic and timber kennels in town. Any better than the other or is just personal choice?

Our dogs don't have kennels but we helped a friend make a brilliant kennel for their farm dog. We bought an old whole wine barrel for $60 and cut a hole out of the end of it to make a neat entrance then put a big soft mat in there. We then made up something for it so it wouldn't roll over, similar to what out little indoor port barrel sits on. It has been varnished and has his name above the entrance and everyone comments on how smart it looks. It is solid and doesn't get too hot in there, and best of all their dog Bob loves it I reckon we should patent the idea

Yes come and join us Lappie owners in the spitz thread. A lot of knowledgeable, helpful, friendly folk there http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...amp;start=45795

Puppy kindergarten will be doing him good too as long as it's in a controlled environment with only a couple of pups offlead at one time and all puppies aren't just let off together in a 'free for all' situation.

Some one on ones with some friendly dogs may be a good start and a slower/safer way of doing things.

I personally wouldn't be putting him in with a lot of dogs or in offlead areas for the time being.

Most the Lappies I know are quite social butterflies so given time and the right environment he should come around :D

Very very cool. I think you should get your knees up higher though! :D Ella is a credit to you.

Oh gosh that's definetely not Ella and I kelpiekaye . Ella would be like "ok you get started and I will watch and learn" She is as lazy as me actually!!

Well Ella and I are ready to get started

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=...55&comments

I am so thankful I have had the pleasure of meeting this gorgeous girl, she was a lovely example of the breed.

So sorry Wayne, Sue, Robyn and Ryan, I know how much you all loved her.

I adore the Swedish Lappies and will always remember you Beana.

Run free over the bridge Beana :D I am sure you will have friends there to show you around.

Matthew Condon - chiropet .

http://www.chiropet.com.au/contact.html

+1

Some seriously cute young ones in this thread ;) I wish everyone the best of luck ;)

Whiskedaway and Lyndsay I really look forward to us all enjoying the thrills and spills together in ring 5 with our lot. Your new babies in Rory and Halo are sooo adorable It's also going to be great having another Lappie in the ring in SA :D

I would suggest people are aware of their particular dogs limitations and aware of the environment and nobody is forced into attending so I guess its just more a case of if you aren't comfortable then you don't go. People seem to be aware of the dogs that might have issues in that environment so maybe you have to make your own decisions as to whether your dog is appropriate for the environment presented.

There are other alternatives for getting together and allowing dogs to socialise and there is nothing stopping people from arranging their own private play dates for their dogs if they feel they want to socialise.

If you feel the need to attend then you can always do as Snook says and leave your dog at home and just come and socialise with the humans.

I think that is in part what creates issues at dog parks. People go to socialise and tend to get distracted from supervising their dog. I think in part that is probably what happens a little at DOL meets (from the few I have attended).

I agree wholeheartedly with this post

I have tried going along twice and found it isn't really the right environment for us. That does't mean it isn't for others. We all make our own judgements and choices. If it isn't enjoyable for both you and your dog/s then there is no point in attending.

Some may think their dogs aren't a problem or haven't caused any scuffles when as a matter of fact their's have been the instigator. This is without adding balls, toys and food into the equation. You don't like to say something or name dogs because you don't want to upset people so things don't get addressed.

Hopefully things can be sorted out for those that really do like going because socialising is really important. Putting quite a large amount of dogs in a small area offleash is never going to not have any problems so addressing what can be done to make it run as smooth as possible is important for the meets to continue. Lets hope that is done amicably

I have met some lovely people and dogs there and we have our own playdates like Ness suggested which we enjoy. Matter of fact I am meeting up with another again next Tuesday, Kelpiehoundmum.

This is my young hopeful Ella, I love her to bits. She already got off to a good start with PUPPY IN GROUP on New Years Day she has also managed a few MINOR PUPPY IN GROUP's so hopefully her luck continues

I don't really care how we go as long as we are learning and having fun along the way

This is a bit sad

I am new to showing this year and am in Group 5 at SACA. First come first served over where we are, and I have found so many people very welcoming and helpful, to the point of many exhibitors giving me the biggest cheer when we got Minor in Group for the first time. Pretty supportive bunch in our part of SACA who don't frown on you for where you put your gazebo and they will welcome you into theirs too

Welcome mcsenna!

It's probably the wrong time of year for it, but a good way to start finding the right pup for you is to go to some dog shows and/or obedience trials and have a look at the Dobermans there - and when people aren't busy, get chaatting to them. This will give you an idea about different lines. And of course, do your research on the breed, so that you will know some of the right questions to ask - particularly about health testing and so on.

You can find out when shows and trials are on by going to the Dogs SA website.

Great idea, pop on down to one of our local shows and you will meet some very nice breeders with some lovely Dobes. I have PM'ed you if you need help working out what shows are on when.

Good luck

I has a photo to add!!! Not exactly of the meet.

Katie had me for SS, and she said one part hadn't arrived. She told me she would drop it by when it arrived. She dropped it by last night and I opened it as soon as I got home of course...

I LOVE it! It's the first lappie thing I own, apart from Snik!

AWESOME...love it :D

Beautiful photos Tokkie...well done

I fell in love with the Toller I have a soft spot for them :D

Remind me about this on Sunday, I have a couple of ideas