Making Of A VA Dog In The US - Page 8

Thank heavens that my dog never blows coat. Perhaps its all the protein and othe connective tissue from the raw diet.

Robin, I suggest you spritz your dogs with a mist of Naked Care diluted with water. This product was developed by an AKC breeder. You may find it on a Google search. 

This sums it all up............
Getting new people involved in training, showing, trialing...its the only way NASS and USASS can grow. Its the best way to promote the strengths and qualities that endear us to this fabulous breed.

"Along the way we were able to get a few into show homes and involve new people in the sport. In Waiko's group there are 6, almost 50% of the entries belonging to first time participants. Three entries are from kennels where this is their first event. We hope these 6 new people become involved as others have, myself included, from the thrill of having a puppy in competition.

It's important to understand and here's the purpose of this thread. This show has 10 progeny groups. That's 9 other people doing the same thing we're doing,,,,supporting a dog, bringing people together, getting new people involved in the sport, expanding the member ship of the clubs. It's what this country needs for the sport and breed to grow. And (this is a big AND) it's not just for the showdogs. AS we have seen the working dogs can benefit too. Show your dog, show the progeny, see what working lines can also produce structure."


 

This year - NASS has an exciting line up of working males and females and lots of promising entries in the younger classes.......good luck to all and may the best dogs (and puppies) win.

OH and one more thing........ PLEASE...... Let us all remember to be sportsmanlike..... this is not the time for bickering, backbiting, whining and complaining, we want to promote our dogs, our kennels, and our clubs. All the drama is a complete turn off to everyone especially the first time competitors.

Bravo & Ditto to that Sitasmom

Congratulations Randy, Waiko is now V2 America, well done and wish you more good future advance.

Ibrahim

Ibrahim,

'm just recovering from the show today. It was a long and exciting weekend. There is so much to say about the show I could go on for a few days and most likely will. I hope others will join in and share their experiences.

As with every show there is success and shortcomings. We are very excited with our success and humble by our shortcomings. We were pleased to hear Mr. Bosl announce he had intended to have Waiko in his VA group. We just would have liked it better if the word 'intended' had not been in there. We gave it a good shot, we were in VA territory. In the end we came up 10 feet short of our goal.

Some quick comments before I have to run to the host hotel.

The show opened up amidst rumors of favoritism and politics. There's always this perception at the beginning of every show. As the show started, I think many were really looking to see who would be out front to confirm whatever rumors they had heard.

The dogs were being called out and lining up. My little sable entry from Waiko was still waiting to get in line when all the numbers had been called. The handler went to the ring steward to see where she was. She was shown to the second position and the class started. This little puppy has been in a pet home for months. I drove and borrowed her for the show. The family was going on vacation and I could borrow her for a few days. I was able to get two ring training sessions on her before the class.

I can't express how thrilled I was to see her in second place. I can only say it was surpassed when she moved into first. It was the first time I had ever seen a sable in first place since Bakersfield in 03. This little pup has heart and attitude. She kept her pace up through the class and finished first. American bred sable finished in first. It was already a good show for me.

I'll take a pause here and reflect back to some previous statements about the opportunities available as the males develop their groups. Each month there's another post from someone who was ripped off looking for that European import. It's sad to read when there's so much opportunity to join a program that's similar to the successful programs in Germany. Once your import arrives what do you do then? Even if you luck out and get a good one, what do you do with it? Do you have the support to show it, train it? Keep this in mind as you look at the results of the show.

Here's an off topic example of what you could be in for. It's not the only example but one of many. I'm over doing ring training where a group of breeders have gotten together to prepare. There are at least 3 kennels there working together getting ready for the show. I'm handling a young male while his owner doubles him. He's nice and after I finish I ask the owner if he's entered and what class.

He's entered and I have a male in the same class. This is a very nice male bred by an American breeder. They bought him as a family pet and they got a nice dog. The breeder got them involved in showing the dog and there they were running around in the dark, late at night getting him ready for their first show. A National one at that. I've got an Import with a proven pedigree, he's won Regionally and Nationally and his brother was top 10 in the world. I'm thinking homeboy's gonna come out on top at the show and mine's gonna be behind him.

So I'm  doubling mine in the ring at the show and running to get in a good position to call. As I slow down I hear; "move or I'll run your a$$ over." It's soccer mom from training and her dog's out front. Mild mannered at training, just taking it in and learning, she's out front at the sieger show and ready to kick some butt. A little out of character but, go girl!

Her male performed beautifully. He was prepared well and got what he deserved. For those that have a few thousand dollars sitting in someone you don't even know's account far far away waiting for the dog that will never come, or for the import that's watching TV now because there's no opportunity to prepare him for something he could do. Think about what you could have had with a prospect and support from some breeders in the US.

Randy...first let me say....CONGRATS!  Waiko's pups are very nice!
Second.....as I read your last post....I can relate and it brings tears to my eyes.
I shared this feeling of pride at the NASS this past weekend.
We had a young male in the 12-18 mos class, co-owned with a wonderful man....a single father of 3. He has dedicated his "xtra" time (as if he has any).. into raising this puppy, and providing the best family life that he can give. This puppy is from our beloved Cuervo's first litter (consisting of only 3 pups).
Uzo was late to ring side (because Carlos and our small group were in another class handling), and the judge was not going to allow us to participate in Uzo's class because it had just started. Only after we pleaded, and continually explained WHY...did he change his mind.  We thought for sure...."That's it....he hates us....and we will finish last".
Well my heart jumped when he called us out in 5th place...*even after the late ring side drama*....
After about 2-3 times around he placed Uzo in the 2nd spot.......I nearly fell to pieces.
I cannot explain the pride, happiness and humility that overwhelmed me....
This was my beloved Cuervo's baby boy!  And he "look's much like his father as he ages.
I cried & cried.......silly right?...it's just a dog show after all.
After the fast run....Uzo finished in 4th place....poor Uzo has Pano.
He...like his father...will give you 100%, in-spite of pain or exhaustion.
We are extremely pleased with his placement.....we now hope that he will continue in his father's "paw prints".

Sorry Randy.....your thread made me feel like I did at the show.
Thank you for allowing me to share in it.
Robin

As a complete newbie, I've gotta say it is nice to have a number of individuals that are more than willing to give you a helping hand and a reality check when you really, really,...heehee...really need it!

But I do agree, it does all start with the breeder.

Back on the topic.

So Maya finished first in her class. She was sold to a loving pet home with the understanding I may want her for the sieger show. She will go back in a few days. Her family was on vacation and couldn't make it to the show. They call every other day to check on her, they miss her. Do I regret when good dogs go to families insted of show homes?????

Maya has a loving family and the best of everything including love and care from a young couple who adore her. She's brushed and pampered every day and a cherished member of the family. She will most likely never see a schutzhund field although she has more than enough character to work well. I'll take that over most show homes where the dogs are one of many being kept alive to see how they grow out.

The 3 to 6 male class was next. First the Timo Story I'm so excited to tell. This is an exceptional puppy.

Rickey is new to the dog world. What he may lack in years of experience, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm. This is a fantastic story and I'm happy to be able to tell it.

It began months ago when I get a call from Rickey his owner/breeder. He was interested in breeding to Waiko. I told him we were showing him in Atlanta and he said he would drive 3 hours to see him there. He met him, saw some puppies from him and a few weeks later drove about 12 hours to breed to him. He had 30 hours in the breeding at that piont. Turned out he brd to him multiple times each was an expensive time consuming effort for him. He just puts the effort in because he wants a shot at making the best possible litters. He's done the same for other litters, it's just the type of guy he is. Chicago, Boston, gography is not an obstacle for him.

A few months later I get an e mail with a couple pictures of an 8 week old puppy and he's asking if he should enter him. The pup looks great and he's entered. This puppy was sold but the buyer backed out so now he's going to the show insted.

Rickey leaves Alabama, drives all night, arrives at the show and I get a call 45 minutes before the class starts that he's wondering if he should pull him. He was lunged at by a larger dog and is a bit shaken up over the ordeal. I told him to just walk him around until I get there.

When I arrive, Rickey is borrowing a show collar and they walk up. Holy cow look at this puppy, he's stunning. he knows to walk on the leash but he's never seen the ring before. Too bad 'cause he's a show stopper. Let's see how he does in the ring. This little guy naturally moves out. Didn't miss a beat. He looked like Larus Batu, born to be there.

I told Rickey the puppy was top 3 in any class, his only challenge would be if he could last through the gaiting. Rickey may have to run to keep him focused and going. The puppy was just 3 months old to the day, no ring training and he gets called out in second place. Great place Rickey, You're #2 in the US, you're going to have to work to keep it,,,,,run...

Run Rickey run and run he did. I don't know if Timo could see him or not. He's only 6" tall but it didn't matter. Timo was the energizer bunny. His movement was spectacular, poised and confident. If his father moved like his son, he would have been in the middle of the VA group. Wait until you see the video.

About halfway through the class the first place puppy started breaking down. Timo remained the same. I told Rickey Timo was about to go number one,,,,,,run and keep him focused. Rickey ran. Timo moved into first and one of the two youngest in the class won, a sable dog at that.

There's much more to this story but I'll move on to the second place puppy.

Second place was Ish. Another sable male from Waiko.

We had to put our first male Karbon down a year or so ago. Jeanie thought this puppy reminded her of him so she kept him and proceeded to prepare him. Spoil him may be a more accurate description.

This was her first time showing after being behind the scenes for years. She wanted him to do well and she went to work with him. He must have gotten 10 baths the week before the show with different conditioners that made him smell like a ,,,,, well made him smell like a girl let's just say. He was wearing a black handmade patent leather collar with his name in rhinestones the first time I saw him on leash. Jeanie did some ring training over with the Haus Juris group and the little guy was catching on.

He was called out in 4th and wound up in second through the gaiting process. He was moving well but no match for Timo.

At this time we had accomplished two things. We had shown a sable can win and that Waiko was capable of producing a winner. Seeing this unfold was the most exciting part of the show for me.

Developing a group is quite a challenge. You have to breed and keep what looks liks the best from the litters available. In the beginning there's not much to choose from and the selection gets better as word gets out and more litters are born. Part of the process is visiting the litters deciding what puppies show the best promise and trying to get them to the show. The travel involved is extensive. We were fortunate to be able to get others involved. Roughly 50% of the Waiko Progeny were first time people at their first show.