kosmology

Yes, free-stacking is the way to go, especially if it's suitable for your breed. Don't get too concerned with speculations over which handler or what dog a judge will favour, or if other exhibitors are judges. I've only witnessed blatant favouritism a couple of times, and it seems to happen less often than legitimate judging. I may be wrong, after all I don't watch everything with an eagle eye...:)

You also need to take into account the experience you gain as a handler by attending shows early on. The more shows you attend, and the more training (from decent training sessions) you get the more confidence and skills you will gain. This travels down the lead, as they say, and it's true! It also depends on your pup's attitude. Mine was a nervous little thing at first (at training) but was fantastic at his first show at 4 months. (I also took him to puppy school before he started show training). He's got better on the table since and is even better around the ring after I did some extra training with a more helpful trainer. Once you pick up a few things then you can adapt it to suit yourself and your dog and go from there :) I hardly train at home anymore (except to make him 'earn' his titbits), but maintain a strict lead training regime on his daily walk and briefly train at the shows. He's a Minor, and I'm a newbie, and he won his Class In Group a couple of weeks back.

Gee, that is sad news. Horrible way to lose beloved pets

I believe everyone involved is at fault - the breeder, owner, anchor-woman, producers etc. Heck, even the dog dare I say that, but only in a superficial way because it did the deed! The dog is actually the innocent party, subject to human infatuations with being broadcast on television live. I reckon they (the humans) would have acted differently if they weren't in front of the cameras... Good to here the dog will be released back to its owner.

A sad story of the mistreatment of yet another innocent animal, the responsibility for which lies with the breeder, owner, and supposed professionals employed to control dogs.

Poor guy. He obviously didn't kick them in the head hard enough.

Wow!! She was relentless...

Thanks everyone for your comments and concern. Thank you so much Kerry for the post. The story.... He disappeared just before 9pm, on our nightly walk at the local playing fields a few blocks from home. He was scared off by some people (there were a few out that night - Australia Day) who were walking in the park without a dog and started 'approaching' him. When I called him they started too - whistling etc!? They were older folk, but seemingly ignorant of dog behaviour. Of course he became confused/separated and suddenly completely disappeared in the dark. I frantically looked for him then rushed home. A lightening storm had also just begun in the distance, but thankfully didn't reach our area. I bumped into some other people who's own dog, a kelpie, had just disappeared also from his home across from the park. After driving around every street in the suburb in my car for 2 hours I went home. Posted some lost ads online. Tried to sleep, and even dreamt I found him!! Next morning I rang all the vets and prepared to ring the council rangers who were due in at 8.30am. As I jumped in the shower before I went out looking for him again, my partner yelled something out to me. I couldn't here him. He kept yelling something out, then finally "HE'S HOME!!!!". OMG, he was at the front door when my partner opened it to go outside at 8.30am. He rolled over onto his back when the door opened, seemingly saying "I've been naughty". No he wasn't naughty, we were ecstatic. What a great feeling....

We attended a show near Perth that started at 6.30pm on NYE, towards the end of a heat wave. While the ambient temp' was still warm, the grass provided a cool platform, and a stunning sunset then (thankfully distant) lightning storm provided the backdrop! I would definitely recommend other States/Territories commandeer this (night shows) approach to showing over the summer months, if they don't already.

Group 1 (Toys) 1) Italian Greyhound 2) Miniature Pinscher 3) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Group 2 (Terriers) 1) Bedlington Terrier 2) Fox Terrier (Wire) 3) Kerry Blue Terrier Group 3 (Gundogs) 1) GSP 2) Irish Water Spaniel 3) Pointer Group 4 (Hounds) 1) Foxhound 2) Pharaoh Hound 3) Bloodhound Group 5 (Working Dogs) 1) Belgian Shepherd (all varieties) 2) Australian Kelpie 3) Dutch Shepherd Group 6 (Utility) 1) Schnauzer (Miniature) 2) Dobermann 3) Portugese Water Dog Group 7 (Non Sporting) 1) Schipperke 2) Dalmatian 3) Poodle (Standard)

Hey! Don't get me wrong! Yes, I too wonder how many people with a (real) interest are "put off". I went through a lot of breeders, a couple of rude ones, even ones that never returned my call and are now stuck with pups they can't seem to get rid of. I assume they're on limited register. I even had a backyard breeder trying to convince me to buy one of their pups. But hey, I'm just one of the lucky ones I guess. It was a real blessing to acquire my pup, and I'm glad I wasn't "put off". I think it's called determination? And you know what, if I couldn't find someone willing to sell me a pup in my chosen breed on the main register, I would've still got one on the limited register, and showing wouldn't have crossed my mind. Interestingly, I had a Katydid GSP bitch on 'breeders terms' back in the day, didn't even think about showing back then, let alone breeding. She was sterilised at 6 months and was of course a lovely, gentle companion for 14 years. The breeder retained her very similar looking litter sister for showing, and I assume breeding.

Yes, I understand that. I own a Belgian Shepherd who was bred by a backyard breeder. I purchased her as a 10wk old pup from Belgian Shepherd Rescue Grafton NSW. I'm pretty sure her parents were registered (main or limited - who knows). Anyway, I still reckon "If someone really really wants to show dogs, they'll find a breeder willing to sell them a pup on the main register".

I believe if a breeder thinks a potential purchaser of a pup is worthy of obtaining one of their pups on the main register, then they may agree to place it on the main regsiter. e.g. If the potential purchaser inquires about future matings and tells the breeder of their desire to show/breed; if the breeder trusts their credentials; if the potential purchaser asks to be put on a waiting list - well ahead of time!! That then shows the breeder the purchaser is genuine and dedicated, especially if they are prepared to wait months for a particular pup from their kennel. Limited registering may then ensure against compulsive buying of puppies, and potential unscrupulous breeding practices. I have always viewed limited regsitration as an opportunity for breeders to, as much as possible on their part, prevent unscrupulous/irresponsible breeding. Any measure put in place to prevent any facet of irresponsible pet ownership gets a big from me. If someone really really wants to show dogs, they'll find a breeder willing to sell them a pup on the main register.

How to keep me as a newbie interested in showing, and enter the sport regardless of all the 'horror stories' I hear?? I tend to think there are alot of wankers in most facets of life. For instance - a lot of bitchiness and bullying at Uni, a lot of bitchiness and bullying at school, a lot of bitchiness and bullying in the workplace, etc etc, hell even a lot of bitchiness and bullying amongst some families!! Why should the dog showing world be any different? In fact when I think about it, the bitchiness and bullying is pretty lame compared to many other arenas. I suppose at least everyone involved in dog showing (I hope!) loves animals. And any bitchiness and bullying coming my way? Well I'll just deal with it when/if it happens, but it won't put me off.

Is there a particular written rule in place that disallows exhibitors from practising in the rings? If not, each Club should highlight it when advertising their events. Otherwise, certain people will continue getting off on bullying young people and newbies etc. And for those bullies out there reading this, if you're so full of it, complain to the Club about your peeves, and leave others to enjoy themselves. Oh, and learn some manners!!!!!

As a newbie myself, I tend to lean toward Snopaws suggestion that the 'unsavoury folk' may have somehting to do with keeping numbers down in the showring/showscene. I think Snopaws shows courage for being able to share it!! It seems 'each to their own' in the show scene, and it doesn't suprise me that people are playing fisty-cuffs in the carparks at shows! Two of those fists could be mine if someone was to tell me they were going to shut my f'n dog up for me I had a dog in front of me carry on like a pork chop, which upset my pup's demaeanour when I was stacking him, but I just thought "Oh well, it's all a learning experience - he has to get used to it", and I felt more sorry for the owner of the other dog :D

Has anyone tried 'Wormwood' Artemisia absinthium? It is a plant common to many gardens, and has many uses. I was told about this natural flea control method about 20 years ago - "Grab a handlful of the leaves and make an infusion of it in boiling water. After the water cools down, saturate your dog in it". I did, it worked. It smells nice too. From 'Gardening Australia' online: Artemisia or wormwood, is a fantastic plant in a Mediterranean garden. They are drought-tolerant, and were once planted in chook sheds because they deterred tics from the chooks and that stopped them getting worms. But in a garden there are many dwarf forms that make fantastic accent plants. ‘Powis Castle’ has lovely, lacy fine silver foliage and looks fantastic as a single specimen, border or hedge. It naturally grows to about a metre if you don't prune it and it loves full sun. As for Paralysis ticks, my experience (and from what I've read on DOL) is there is nothing that ensures 100% effectiveness, except to live somewhere they don't occur.

Sorry I'm not in Melbourne, but the Nobivac vaccine seems to be all the rage here in Perth. I opted out of Nobivac because I'm no too keen on the intranasal KC component for pups, and instead went for the usual subcutaneous C5 brand. I had to ring around a lot to find anyone that had a vaccine I considered okay, that's how I discovered Nobivac was popular here. My vet in northern NSW had just started to switch to Nobivac too at the beginning of this year, and she was a bit alternative, so I assume it's okay!

gsdog2 - thankyou so much for your reply. Yes, actually silly of me to think they cross-breed. I can see now he must just be a 'darker' and perhaps more lean (though that's a good attribute in a large dog) variety of GSD, the type I assume they select for as MWDs. What a beautiful dog!!! Well done on his fantastic upbringing...

gsdog2 - did you ever find out his breeding? I see a slight resemblance to a Malinois - I wonder if they interbreed at Amberley?

Another Schipperke vote. Although still a pup, mine can keep up with my adult Belgian Shepherd at the best of times. In fact I think he wears her out (in play), as he too is very agile and determined!!!

I guess it depends on whether or not you're prepared to risk living in a P tick region. The current La Nina weather pattern is affecting the east coast to such an extent that flooding/year-round torrential rain - and the humidity associated with this - is more than likely contributing to a more hospitable environment for the ticks.

Sorry I find this post very condescending. I live in WA. WA is a LOT bigger than NSW, I was asking for the whole state as over here you do not get any country shows on the same weekend as Perth metro shows. So yes I am interested in all of NSW as you have that option ;) Actually you have the option of crossing the border a bit easier than us too :D A lot of people on here are saying that you shouldn't be able to get a Championship title until you get a 25 point CC (which to make it fair should be a 25 point BIG so that the dog breeds with less than 20 entered who have to win BIG beating those breeds with more than 20 entered are on the same playing field ;) ). To do that at breed level I have to travel around 3,500km. So giving me a lesson on how big NSW is in comparison to England is a tad harsh! How many times does NSW fit into WA? I think you might be a bit confused here. There are a lot saying that a dog should acquire 25 points after it turns twelve months of age. This is the old rule that will be superseded. This does not have to be a 25 challenge just 25 points must be obtained after twelve months of age. That could consist of 2 13 point cc's. I really dont get why some are bashing on about dogs having to beat other breeds. This way of thinking makes me wonder if these people are in this sport to better their breed or are they just in it for their own sense of glory and importance. The way I see it: The points awarded are for dog challenge and bitch challenge and best of breed. THe points awarded are for number of dogs within the breed. The whole purpose of showing is about determining the best example of the breed. The dog when it is being judged should be measured against its standard for its breed. The purpose of the standard is to define the ideal example of the breed. The purpose of breeding is to improve the breed. As such any titles awarded should be based on the dogs standing within its breed. Which to my way of thinking means if the dog can beat others of its own breed then it is a reasonable example of the breed. I don't go to a show to compare my dogs against an Alaskan Malamute or a Great Dane or even a Japanese Chin. I show to compare my dogs against others of their breed. As for the number of shows in WA had you thought that if more clubs existed then maybe you would have more shows. May I ask then where are the majority of the shows that you do have. No doubt located around Perth. Much as most of the shows in NSW are located around Sydney. As for travelling 3500 k's for a specialty you are of course aware that a flight from perth to Sydney for such a specialty would only cost you less than a quarter of what it would cost me to get to Sydney. And I live in NSW. Not that it would do any good as none of the airlines that service our area will carry dogs. As for being a tad harsh, I'm sorry you feel that the truth is harsh. But it is what it is. I think the 'competition' in regards to the context of this thread should remain within the domain of bettering dog breeds, and not herald as a rivalry between States!!! And besides, there are SO MANY parameters involved when comparing statistics State to State in the dog showing arena that it isn't really worth the comparison. Population demographics being the main one, probably. I know, everyone thinks they live in the best State in Australia, me included :D

Well said. While titles appear impressive, the quality (incl. temperament) of the animal is what counts. I'm a complete novice to the show arena, which may work in my favour when it comes to perceptions about whether or no a dog is worthy of a particular title. In addition, I'm finding it a challenge to even receive lessons on showing (they are held late at night at some distance from me), let alone compete in the field (most shows seem also to be held in the evenings and at the same venue in Perth, WA). I do, however, consider my pup is very much show quality, and I feel the competitive 'vibe' from other, more experienced, exhibitors who view him. Neither his Dam or Sire currently hold titles.