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by Sunsilver on 03 October 2021 - 13:10
Hund, I can relate. When I got my first registered dog, there were no show breeders nearby to mentor me. I wound up seeking e-mail advice from one who lived 5 hours away!
I eventually did meet a show breeder who lived fairly close by, but since my dog came from someone he viewed as a rival, he was not helpful.
When I did actually go to a show, a pro handler told me my dog would never win in the N. American ring, as she was a cross between German and American lines, plus her pigment was too faded. They advised me to breed her to an ASL dog, and keep the best of the puppies to show.
And then, of course, Star x-rayed as mildly dysplastic at age 2, so that was the end of it.
by Hundmutter on 03 October 2021 - 15:10
Serious breeders here generally like to show off the stock they are producing, not just those dogs they run on and exhibit themselves. When they help out someone who has bought a puppy and wants to try to Show it, it is worth their while to encourage them and help them to attend their first Show or three. Of course we have some that don't help buyers; and even when they do assist, many do not take 'mentoring' to any greater lengths than that; but that first bit of setting people 'on the right road' can be ever so useful in answering the sorts of presentation and Rules questions newbies to Showing otherwise have to ask on here, in making introductions to Handlers, in helping people find their feet on the Show circuit. Those breeders who take a more parochial stance are cutting off their nose to spite their face, if they want to develop a good reputation as producers of correct stock, I think. That must have some effect on sales.
So its not all about getting the First rosettes instead of your 'rival'. Shortsighted.
As you note, Sun, s/l puppies are enough of a crap shoot with all that CAN go wrong along the way, that to be unhelpful just strikes me as short-sighted, too.
by hexe on 03 October 2021 - 16:10
Xeph is also involved in supporting juniors, and the young lady she's been mentoring for the past few years is doing well enough in the regular classes that she's been asked by owners of other breeds to handle their dogs as well. Last year, Xeph was approved by the AKC to judge juniors, giving her the opportunity to help even more youngsters. So there are still people who give freely of their time and skills, if you know where to look.
by Xeph on 03 October 2021 - 18:10
Thanks, hexe <3
I actually have somebody coming to my house this week so I can post ears. Not my breeding. Not even a show line.
Taping ears for someone else is how i got one of the buyers from my Soul Eater litter lol. She now has her first show puppy.
by GSCat on 03 October 2021 - 22:10
People were a mixed bag. Mostly very nice, helpful, patient people, but a couple of less-than-helpful. The worst was actually another exhibitor that made a snide comment while I was struggling in the ring. The Judge was absolutely fantastic and very patient and helpful. Fortunately, she had a great sense of humor about my dog wanting to play with her dress. My fault because she had never seen a dress or skirt, and I'm sure it looked like a towel or other enticement.
by Hundmutter on 04 October 2021 - 03:10
Hexe, I do not know Xeph in real life but I am not in the least surprised that she does so much to help fellow exhibitors. Her breeding philosophy and her approach to Showing have always impressed me, and even though she has a type of dog (ASL) that I have little time for, I have nothing but admiration for her. Would that more breeders were the same, and that Xeph's equivalents on the SV shows side of things would raise their heads too.
by Rik on 04 October 2021 - 12:10
Over the years I have met very helpful, including judges taking time in the ring to assist obvious newbies, judges with very little patience if you didn't come into the ring polished.
people who have become life long friends and people I never care if I meet again. (and that's probably mutual in some cases).
breeders who were honest, breeders who were little more than scam artists.
newbies who go on to become good at the game and newbies who despite being very convincing they are serious and will stick, getting a good dog the breeder may have been holding on to, are never seen again after a time or two.
really, it's just not possible to lump everyone/everything into a sentence or two.
JMO,
Rik
by GSCat on 04 October 2021 - 22:10
Disappeared post 🦖
by GSCat on 04 October 2021 - 22:10
I got my WL GSD for a very different purpose(s) and went to the match shows to see if showing were something my dog and I liked, so nothing lost in either the working or show worlds 😀
And even though not our cup of tea, we both learned a lot 😀
FWIW, the dog is fine now with most dresses/skirts/mumus/burkas/kilts, etc. But a long white wedding dress with huge veil and train almost too much for her LOL
by Hundmutter on 05 October 2021 - 02:10
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