2008 Sieger Show san Jose CA - Page 1

It looks like this year the show will have a poor attendance, 170 registered dogs compare to last years double that in Connecticut.   What's going on?

Entries are still open. Entries close the 17th as I recall, so there will be the usual last minute rush as breeders select which dogs they hope will look their best. Many young dogs change from week to week and I usually wait until the last couple of days to decide which ones I want to enter. The USA website is able to accept the entry and process the entry, including payment, on line. I was able to go on line, pay on line and fax copies to USA.

I think there are some factors that will affect the entries. Shipping animals is not as easy as it used to be as some airlines no longer take animals. Gas is expensive.

I have the Flier and will send it to anyone interested electronically. I've been to many of the sieger shows and if anyone has a question about entering, shipping,handling, showing, or the process in general, I'll try to answer any questions or point them in the direction of someone that can.

I'll be there with Jed/Goofball.

SS

I've talked to several breeders and show people, and the reason I have been told is when they put these shows all the way on the east or west coast the attendance isn't typically good...such a long haul for a lot and so expensive.  But the NASS shows are typically more in the Midwest and have by far more entries. 

Just what I was told and it made sense.  I will definately be at the NASS and can't wait!  I wish I could go to the Seiger show in CA, but only having a puppy that I'd really like to show and living in Indiana...doesn't seem to logical quite yet..my pockets aren't that deep!

(I'm a newbie to the show world...going to my first show May 10th..can't wait!)

Not all entries are reflected on the USA website at this time, only those entered online show.  Many were sent in the old fashion way by snail mail.

Dog1 is correct many breeders wait until the last minute to entry so they know which dog looks like it will be in coat etc.

The count is over 250 with 4 days left to closing.  

IMO, geography has little to do with the entry at the show in April.  If the final entry is small, I believe that it may be a reflection of the nation's real economic crisis.

For example, I live in Northern California--perhaps 2 hours from the show venue. I would love to enter my youngest titled male (who will be 7 on April 30)--if only to display a flawless performance test with absolute obedience and drive-containment. Between the 2 of them, my boys have been entered in a total of 6 sieger shows (USA and NASS) over the years. When shown in Working Males, they have always done excellent bitework with "pronounced" ratings and have generally achieved mid-pack V ratings.

However, I have decided that I can no longer justify the expense of showing a male who has done everything asked of him and has nothing else to prove. If I were to go for the entire show, not only would there be the $150 entry fee (at this stage of the game) but there would also be a handling fee of several hundred dollars, gasoline, bridge fare, meals, various incidental expenses, the invariable purchases from vendors, fee for working with helper, motel, etc.

Because, as always, because I owe it to the dog, I would also like to refresh his timing/targeting. This would necessitate the additional gasoline costs to drive to a decent club where there would be field fees plus a fee for working with club helpers.

All in all, I estimate that my expenses for everything would total a conservative ~$1500!! Therefore, I will attend this year's relatively local show only as a spectator--probably only on the final day when the working classes are shown. Although I am considering going an additional day for the performance tests, I would be unlikely to stay overnight in order be able to drive home and take care of the critters.

So, that's my "reality check"--but, hey, the dogs don't care. They will still be brimming with the excitement of going to a show, getting to schmooze with people, and perhaps getting a "bite" (I will take their sleeve) if I can fine any volunteers.

Cali is just too far away, not worth it for me considering the NASS is bigger now anyway. I would prefer a rating under an SV judge, also.

Alli, the one in Union, IL? I'll be there showing 2 of my homebred babies.

Yes I believe that's where it's at!  I'll be showing my 2 male pups and possibly my new female pup I'm picking up in a couple of weeks from Chicago =)  I'm looking very forward to this experience!