I Have A Question

The chat topic on one of the Facebook breed pages for this week ... "KC Breed Shows, KC All Breeds and Regionals. Why do we enter, why do we not?" 

To be honest, I haven't answered, I'd have too much to say, but I have been amused by some of the comments. Some people believe it's their way or the highway. I think we are lucky to have the options to enter different types of shows, an option not available in other breeds, different ways of showing suit different types of dogs, and to be honest I'm offended that some people believe our dogs are inferior because we chose not to enter regionals. For instance, they are not suitable for Siska, can you imagine her at a Regional? "You want me to go round again? Well, you can F.Off!!" Beti, on the other hand, has the exuberance to do it, that doesn't mean that Beti is a better bitch than Siska does it?  Of course, Beti can't compete at Regionals because of her shit elbow, I get that as they are run to promote breeding stock not just show dogs, but of course I'm still disappointed about it! 

Sadly, I do think the Regionals are digging their own graves with the never ending rules and rule changes. Orin has all his health tests, yet he can't go because he can't get a Breed Survey because I did his health tests with Animal Genetics and not Laboklin. (As I have done with all my other dogs) How pathetic is that? More insulting is that the quality dogs in this country can't get a "V" grading (Excellent) without working qualifications, they can only get S.G (Very Good). A matter raised on the chat is that the UK are picking and choosing what rules they want to follow, if they were to totally follow the WUSV rules then breeding between both coat varieties and the exhibition of this progeny would not be permissible, and in my opinion that would destroy the LSH who already have significant abnormalities that rarely occur in SH dogs. Being able to breed both coat varieties to each other can only help the breed, particularly the LSH long term. 

Let's go back to the beginning, over the years I've exhibited at Exemptions shows (Now called Companion Shows), Limit, Open and Premier shows, Breed Champs, All breed and group champs shows as well as regionals. I've enjoyed shows in all the criteria, and I've had some disappointing days in all the criteria too. In "the good old days" Breed Champ were run in a very similar way to the current Regionals, yes they were KC licensed, but there were grading cards, foreign judges and lovely prizes. It's amusing to hear that some people think they "invented" this style of showing in the UK, sorry we've all being doing it since forever. (LOL)

So which style of showing do I currently enjoy the most? Well probably, the General Champ shows, and I've done Breed Champ, Regionals and Generals this year. I would love to have my options open to do all three depending on the judges, sadly that's not possible for me. The Generals suit my current show team, and that's where my buddies of old hang out, that is also very important to me, it's a day out at a dog show, and my friends are such an important part of that. 

Just to finish, all I'd say is that we should all enjoy our dogs and the activity we chose to do with them. We should also support each other in our chosen dog sport and stop making derogatory remarks about others and their choices. What's right for me is not right for you and vice versa .. but OMG I did giggle at someone slating the General Champs when they have accepted a judging appointment at one next year.

Photos - 

1 - Blade at an open show

2 - Kai at a breed Champ show

3 - Mikey after winning his class at a General Champ

4 - Beti at a breed Champ.

5 - A young Orin at a Regional