lappiemum

Dog, we all must be mad to do this stuff!

I hope I can get to the champ show! Fingers crossed. its going to be big Lyndsay - I'm hearing whispers that we will have entries from all over the country - which would be good for an interstate challenge, I would think ;)

A comet is pretty much a rosette without the frilly circle bits - see below:

thanks for the link to Gillman, I agree their products look to be of high qaulity. Good timing on this thread btw - we're chasing up all this stuff at the moment for the first ever breed open show for Lappies in December, and then the inaugural Breed Champ show next year - we definately want to make these shows special, since they will be the first for our breed not only in Australia, but the southern hemisphere!!

I have no preference re colour (have 2 black tanpoint, 1 solid cream and 1 black and white with spectacle markings). I have to say, as a breeder while I understand that people have colour preferences, its not like ordering a pizza. It would be a shame to see a lovely puppy with excellent conformation and temperament be passed over because of colour - but it does happen, in many breeds. I will say, however, that I do have strong preferences in terms of type, but that is related to what I'm looking for in terms of improving on my lines and interpreting the standard. That's a very, very long term project ;)

Part of the reason for showing is that (in theory) a judge is an independent person who (in theory) understand the standard (in theory ;) ) and makes an assessment on each dog presented as to whether they meet the standard, what their strengths are and where they aren't as strong. The idea is that this assessment is behind decisions to breed, although it should be understood that simply putting champions to champions doesn't necessarily produce more champions ;) In short, there is a term called 'kennel blindness' - where owners and breeders are unable to spot the faults in their own dogs, even though they may be able to spot it in everyone elses ;) The show ring, in part, is ment to be an honest apprasial, albeit very subjectively, of a dog. The reason why you can't show a desexed animal (unless ofcourse, in the new neuter classes) is because of the connection to breeding. Yes, you can certainly breed without showing, but even if you believe you understand the standard (and a standard, remember, is what defines a breed) it is best to have the external, and honest, opinions of those whose job is to understand your breed, and to be able to assess individual dogs. This only scratches the surface of breeding, mind you - there are things related to health, lines, type (you can get different types still acceptable within standards) - but the first thing you have to ask if you are planning to be a breeder is why? The best reason is to improve the breed overall - and showing is one way of assessing this. I should add, there are other ways too - for dogs that are bred for specific purposes, like herding or guarding or whatever - but showing assesses against the standard.

Quick question - is this show at the paceway?

I'm hoping to get to Finland....should be guaranteed to see some lovely Finnish Lapphunds there!

LuvMyGSD - it sounds as though you have a great many opinions on many breeds. Perhaps you should look at becoming a Judge yourself? ;)

There with 2 Lappies ;)

Wayrod is very very good. I used him for my interstate flights - its not just cost, but knowing that things are being sorted and that someone is ensuring that all is ok. I would recommend that you PM him for info ;)

sweeties!!

If u pop over to the spitz thread there are a couple of vally people in there to chat to ;)

From another perspective - I love doing country shows, but sadly can't afford to get to them all - maybe half dozen a year. So from the perspective of numbers, I can see why the club has done this - I will be able to get to this one so count in my entries

Yep got mine too ;)

Nope here as well. they'd be better off with a guinea pig.

ummm....we're at a dog show.... promise we'll get back some day soon!

Hope so - don't want to turn up at the wrong grounds!

SwaY - I thought this was at Bulla?

the guy is a d*ck. he bores me to tears. :rolleyes:

congrats!

If it were me, I'd give you all your money back and say cheerio.

Ker - I have big solid wooden door stoppers, or large concrete garden 'animal' door stoppers - they still get chewed but it takes a lot to get through em and usually the lappie gives up (and goes looking for treasure elsewhere!). I've given up counting the different things my lot have stolen. Chances are, if an item is not where you left it, a Lappie is responsible!

Hey Ker- They were under your covers for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, Lappies have treasure. Its a breed trait I'm afraid, and they will steal your stuff and hide it away. There's some things they've stolen that I've never found again. The thing to understand in this case is that your oranges are actually Lappie treasure. I can tell you now, to a Lappie the oranges are bright balls. In Lappieworld, they would have squeekers inside and lots of stuffing - not taste like oranges LOL So, now this is understood, why were they under your covers? Well, a sensible Lappie knows that he/she need to hide the treasure from other theiving dogs who will do anything to get that treasure. Your bed was a great spot, because its up high (so you can see the thieves coming) AND its a comfy warm spot to later eat/gut your treasure. So when you look at it like that, it kind of makes sense (in Lappieworld). Oh, and they know that you (the big hairless lappie with funny nose and no ears) won't like their treasure, so its safe. Brillant. To illustrate, last night I went to bed and found two old bones and a rock under my pillow, compliments of one of my lot (pretty sure it was Rubster). I can tell you now, there was no way I wanted that treasure. Unfortunately for said treasure it was dumped in the bin, but at least no *other* Lappies got it!

My last litter, I have a few people look at the litter, but the pick came from a very good friend who is extensive knowedge in the breed. He went over the whole litter, but with the pick it took him about 30seconds to select her LOL. I had him explain his reasons and he went in to a heap of detail - so in short, what he knew in less than a minute was based on his encylopedic knowledge and years in the breed. So what I am saying is that you find someone who you respect and has a lot of knowledge on how to interpret the standard, who can look for conformation and type, and has had many litters and picks themselves. Then you learn from them ;) BTW - I can't complain about his pic - she's just hit 6 months, and has 4 group wins under her little belt. Got to be happy with that LOL.