Swaffam Lurcher Show - His First Lurcher Show

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

The bright and sunny Sunday started early. I had set the alarm for 7.00am but was awake before this, so got up and prepared to leave. Despite the previous days' preparations to ensure an 8.00 o-clock departure, it was still 8.30 before we were away, due to the usual delays of toileting and double checking to see what I had forgotten. After all I didn't want to get there and find I left Barney behind.

The roads were not too busy, and it soon became quite warm on this nice Sunday morning. We made good progress and I kept a weather eye on Barney for signs of travel sickness while on the twisty country roads. He lay down for a few minutes after about 15 miles, the first indication of him feeling poorly. I briefly stopped and let him out to toilet, and we were quickly on our way again. Upon reaching the main road he settled down; no doubt because of the smoother and straighter ride. He appeared to have found his 'sea legs' at last.

We made good progress and followed the road through Swaffam, becoming more confident upon seeing a sign pointing the way to the show. I had been given directions when telephoning the organizer, but the one thing I had forgotten to bring, was the name of the showground. I had been told which road to be on and watch out for a signpost to pointing to the show at a transport caf�.

To Barney's surprise, I found the road with no difficulty; he's used to hearing me swear when trying to find my way now. When first travelling around the country you get a 'sense of direction', and suddenly stop always getting lost after about six months; but now I do not go far I seem to have lost this ability. After making the turn we came upon a field, with cars with dog grills parked on the roadside, and there was some activity in the neighbouring field. I stopped thinking this may be the place, but the following car, who was also going said it was still a mile or two down the road. We followed him and apart from a small detour, caused by some fancy artwork on the arrow of the temporary signpost showing us the way, reached the showground in plenty of time; finding a group of friendly, welcoming people.

I parked and got Barney out and immediately a man said he would give me �5 for him. I replied I would not sell him for �500,000; which left him floundering for an answer. A dog is part of your pack, NOT an object to be bought and sold, like a material possession.

After settling and grooming him, I looked at the schedule we had been given at the gate, and noticed we were in class 11, quite a wait. It had turned warm and I removed my CMC club sweatshirt, something that had been noticed by quite a few people, as I later found out. To my surprise our class quickly arrived; at the CMC (http://www.crossbreed.freeserve.co.uk/) shows I am used to attending, they would probably have only reached class 3. There were 2 rings, one for terriers, and each with their own judge and steward, so the show continued at a brisk pace.

We entered the ring and Barney presented himself well, although I was aware of the number of larger dogs, and the fact many looked fitter and healthier than Barney, who had suddenly decided to do a major molt, which no amount of grooming would remove. Both his flanks were brown instead of black. It was a qualifier for the National Show, which accounted for the number of good quality dogs. The judge gave us a good look, and not just a cursory glance as has happened before, but we were not picked in the top three to go forward to the next semi-final.

This was no surprise as all the dogs were fit, healthy dogs; and marvelous animals in there own right. I would probably have made a similar choice. If only the judges liked him as much as everyone else seems to though.

The Obedience

However, all was not lost and the highlight was yet to come. I found the obedience ring hidden in the corner as usual (it has to be to avoid distractions). I watched one or two competitors and had a word with a man showing his dog the fence they have to jump. He told me what the dog had to do, so I worked Barney to heel to try and wake him up. It took a little longer than I had anticipated, he was very distracted; and then we were in the way, and the steward had to ask us to move. Oh Dear!

Anyway, we waited and took a turn. I had a word with the judge, explaining I had not competed in, nor seen Lurcher obedience before, and had only trained him for KC obedience; and that he had no retrieve as yet. (MUST remember to do some work with him on this).

We had to walk from her with the dog at heel, to the corner of the field leave the dog in any position and walk away about 20 yards, then return and walk back with the dog again at heel. We did this successfully, but lost 5 points because the dog should be looking round for prey, not at me. He was doing this on the return, and had I known I could have corrected this as I was struggling to get his attention as it was.

The next element was an interesting and new element to us. Two stuffed rabbits were attached to elastic cords. One was released into some netting placed around some sticks, to simulate a hedge. The other was released onto open ground. The dog had to stay at you side when the one was released into the net, and chase the one into the open. You lost points if you had to physically restrain your dog, or if the dog didn't chase the free rabbit. Barney did this correctly. He had been watching this with some interest while we were waiting, but I think we were slightly lucky, as I wouldn't have been able to restrain him only with my voice for the second one.

Next came the retrieve; the one I was dreading. Two dummies were thrown. One over a net fence erected on the right, and one in front. Because he had no retrieve they kindly gave us hairy ones (ones wrapped with a rabbit skin). He sat whilst they were thrown, and did do the outrun, but would not return. I managed to coax him to bring it back eventually, but it took a long time. When I send him for the one over the fence, to my surprise and delight he jumped it. After a short delay he picked up the hairy dummy and carrying it, worked out it was easier to come back around the fence, rather than jump it as he is supposed to. Another delay saw him eventually bring it to me. I took it and gave him lots of praise, which impressed the judge, as I had finished on a positive note. He is a clever dog; not wasting energy jumping back when he quickly worked out he could go round. I found out at the end she had kindly awarded us 10 out of 20 for each retrieve.

The last element was another I was not looking forward to. An out of site stay. Something he had never done before, and he was the farthest he had been from home in his life. I walked out and placed him behind the hedge and left him in the down, with the steward watching him a few yards away. I walked the 30 or so yards to the judge with a confident step, being far from confident inside. When I reached the peg I turned to go back; but she told me I had to wait. I kept mum, and stood for the three weeks (well it seemed like that) she asked me to. Still no sign of Barney. At last she released me to go back. I returned, desperately fighting the urge to run (something I would have regretted anyway, as I would have hurt myself). I returned to see him still in the down. Words can't describe what I felt. I had tears in my eyes; not because he had successfully done the test, but because I realized how much faith he now has in me.

I returned to the judge, and learnt we had a score of 75. As I have only done an occasional Kennel Club obedience competition before; where you may only get a place if you lose only a few points, and the winner often only looses half a point. I did not think we would do any good, but was still overjoyed at what he had achieved on his first attempt. It is the first time I have done an out of site stay with any dog.

Words cannot describe how I felt, when the steward came across to me later and said we were in a run-off for second place. We had to do the retrieve with dummies. We went first on the toss of a coin, which I won. The dummies were thrown and Barney went on my command. He went to the first, sniffed it, when to the second, sniffed it and wondered off. (You can't eat these, why are you asking me to bring you them). I called him and he came back to me.

I was still well pleased as we would at least get third in our first attempt at something we had never done before. The other dog went out and picked the dummy up, but ran off with it; so we were both awarded a fail. We were asked to do a drop on command on a recall. Something else I have not done, as I was told by my friend, who is an exceptionally good dog trainer not to, as it would spoil the recall. I walked out and left him in the sit facing me. Halfway back I dropped him and he went down. I called him in, giving him the praise he deserved when he returned. The other dog did the same test, but failed to stop and do a down, so we got SECOND PLACE on our first attempt at an obedience event I have never even seen before.

To win a show you have to be competent at showing the dogs qualities in the ring, but given a super dog this can be learnt in an afternoon; and the following day you can go to a show and win, as it is the judges preference. With obedience it takes months of daily training, so this achievement was way beyond all hopes and expectations. Many competent handlers could have done better with less time, but that does not matter.

The Race

As at all dog shows I have attended, people were friendly, readily giving advice and encouragement. The last event was the racing. The ground was cleared and part of the field fenced off. I need a muzzle, as I had been hoping to buy one. Someone kindly gave me one, but it was too small. Barney watched the terriers with interest, after all this looked better than standing about posing. After the terrier racing the traps were cleared, and we moved to the top of the field. Barney has run with a lure once with another dog, both muzzled, but I have only run him a few times on his own as I have been unable to find a helper; and he has been allowed to catch the stuffed rabbit.

The smaller dogs had their turn, and I noted the handlers released them. At last it was the turn of the larger dogs, but I still hadn't got a muzzle. I asked the lady taking the names of the entrants, and there was one we could use. There were lots of large dogs; enough for four heats, and two finals. We managed to get in the third heat, and put his colour on. We were on the outside. I released him, winding him up as much as I could first, and shouting after him to run. He streaked down the field and was winning until the last few yards, when a more experienced dog pushed him out and sprinted the last five yards. Barney will yeald to all dogs. We think he must be the youngest of the litter.

But to beat those superbly fit dogs, that are running and coursing daily is no mean feat. First and second were in the final. As we prepared I noted his interest had gone, and as they set of he trotted after them and stopped half way, returning to me. Either he had had enough, or stopped knowing there was no reward at the end. It did not matter in the least. He had proved he was a match for the best, and had excelled in every thing he had done, far exceeding my wildest expectations.

We left with the thanks and congratulations of our newfound friends, and the ribbing of some of the experienced lurchermen, ringing in our ears. We thankfully returned on a trouble free journey, with Barney showing he has conquered his travel sickness once again. What a fantastic day.