First Real Conformation Show

[MafiaPrincess]

Well.. we got dumped. 2 open dogs and us we lost.. And the senior bitch puppy took best puppy in breed. Cocker people weren't mean this time. They just mainly ignored me. Except one lady who told me Smudge seems to move with a roached back. Lovely. I'm praying it's a nasty growth spurt as he just turned 6 months this week.. and he wasn't like this a few weeks ago..

Fun match went better. Sadly took group one by default.. Every fun match I've ever been to has had 15-30 dogs in group one, and a small number in the other groups.. till today. Every other group had a much larger turn out. Got 6/7 in BIS..

Idiot me I guess I should be lucky to have gotten 6/7 in BIS as I was talking to the ring steward from this morning about it when the show was over.. and then he ended up judging BIS he hadn't been judging the groups..... He might not have fully noticed otherwise.. Praying it's just a growth phase. Not sure how all you breeders go through all this nerve wracking dog stuff, growth, showing, testing, whelping.. to do it all over again

First real Ribbon


Swag I bought


Match ribbons and swag he won

[Agilitylabbie]

Sounds like you had quite the day Laura! I didn't know you were getting into conformation! (Geez.. shows you how much I've been around lately) Anyway, 'fraid I don't know much about conformation, but I wish you guys the best of luck with future trials!

[MafiaPrincess]

LOL, Smudgie gets partial agility lessons right now.. But his thing he actually does do is conformation so far. Wondering if I should put it off and register him in rally actually..

[Agilitylabbie]

Wow, you guys must be busy! I can't believe Smudge is already 6 months & I STILL haven't seen him, lol!

Echo & I are signed up for Rally classes starting first week of Nov. There are still a couple spots open if ya wanna sign Smudgie up...it's Wed. nights at 8

[Zoom]

Did you at least have fun? He's still a baby too; I'm sure he'll grow into himself and the two of you will blow all your detractors out of the ring!

[MafiaPrincess]

What I'm dying for is advanced rally. Both SD and take the lead have november trials.. and I'm too stupid to understand the signs..

Last night in bed I contemplated novice rally with Smudge though.. I know it sucks I haven't gotten to see you since I bought him.. Friday agility is always at a bad time for me..

I had more fun in the sanction match Less pressure. Didn't figure we'd win. Little upset we came in dead last, but whatcha going to do. I know he's a baby. Gives me time to search out more grooming help..

[SummerRiot]

I'm Jelous! Your ribbons are SOO much better then mine when Riot took Group One at a Sanction! haha!!

It sounds like you had a great "experience" day though for Smudge! Its good for him to get out and practice in the ring in a real show setting!

Keep up the awesome work!

Hes growing like a little weed right now too!

[Toller_08]

Smudge is looking great, as always! Sounds like you both had quite the day.

[showpug]

Smudge is a beauty for sure!

I am proud of you! You got out there and did something that is really hard to take the plunge into!

My first time in the ring I got dumped and many, many times after that. Heck, my first bitch I showed for almost a year before we had a blue ribbon to show for it.

It's pretty rare a judge will EVER put a puppy up over anything in the open class. Judges do do it, but it's pretty uncommon. This is why I always tried to move to open as quickly as possible. It's a fine line because you have to make sure your dog looks mature enough to enter open. Until that, just use the puppy classes for training and fun. The biggest mistake I made in the beginning was forgetting to smile and look like I enjoyed my dog. I was nervous and it made me look too serious. Also...always chew a mint in the ring. It covers up adrenaline on your breath and helps your dog relax.

Good job!

[SummerRiot]

ShowPug said it right there!..

I actually never ended up showing Riot in the Open classes though. He was always shown in the Canadian Bred class. He was dumped when he was younger, only take a few BPIB wins.

Definately keep at it and things will get better! Its hard showing puppies... especially in a coated breed! lol