Peterborough Lurcher Show - The Last Show of the Year

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

I awoke early, deciding to get up and watch the Japanese Grand Prix. I made preparations for the show while watching this, and left for the show when the race ended. The venue was about 5 miles south of the last show at SCAMPS; this time however I had no detour and could take the direct route. An uneventful journey saw us arrive in plenty of time just over an hour after leaving Lincoln.

I was immediately greeted by someone I knew, then, hearing my name called, saw the woman who I had met at SCAMPS. I had taken some photos of her dogs, (the ones on the previous page) and had done an enlarged printout for her; I had even remembered to take it. She introduced me to her husband, who was going to put their Lurcher in a race. She said she was winning the agility competition with her other dog, this event taking place in another part of the showground. On arrival I had taken a brief walk around the showground, which included a visit to the toilet, as I was with someone who could hold Barney. It was a large showground and the dog show, and agility events were spread out. I found out later there was an exemption show being held on the opposite side. If I had know earlier we could have taken part.

The racing was about to start and I walked over and booked in. I knew several of the people here, and many came over and said hello. Barney is 25" high at the shoulder. The dogs are segregated by height; under 18"; under 23" and over 23". This always means we have a wait, but it also means there is no rush. There is also time to wind Barney up and get him interested, having to watch the others. At last our heat came. It was a long run and Barney got a good start, but as soon as another dog went past, he lost interest in chasing the lure, chasing the dog instead. Like I said I only enter him in races for fun.

The racing was nearly over and the show about to start - on time. It was a very well organized show, probably the best I have been to all year. The tannoy was good, and the instructions for the events very clear, so there was little chance of my missing his class.........however I was not taking any chances. While waiting I watched the obedience in the nearby ring. After one or two competitors had taken part, and I had an idea of what we had to do, I decided to take a turn. There was still plenty of time before Barney's class in the showring. On the journey, from the start I knew I was in for a bit of a hard time with him. He was excitable and I really had to square him up as best as I could whilst driving at least twice; this obedience competition wasn't going to be easy.

Unlike Kennel Club obedience, you are marked for controlled obedience from entering the ring, until the test is over. Kennel Club - should I say regular obedience is a strict discipline, lasting for about 1 minute, and you are marked for position, style and quickness to obey. You enter the ring, are asked if you are ready, complete the test, and can relax your dog, putting it on the lead if necessary in-between the elements. Lurcher obedience is marked for your general control for all the time spent in the ring, which can last up to 10 minutes. This is even when at rest between the different disciplines. On seeing the lure, Barney ran towards it and grabbed it. I called him back, and to his credit he did come to me, but was not really under very good control. Probably getting him excited in a race is not the best thing to train calmness when seeing the lure, although some of the other competitors do not have this problem, so the fault must be mine.

On entering the ring he was asked to jump a small net fence, and a small wire fence. He did this perfectly. Then he was asked to get a stuffed toy from a tunnel of straw bales. There was a ferret in a box at the end. He ignored the ferret, but would not go in the tunnel. Next was a retrieve. On command he had to retrieve a dummie I had to throw into the ring of netting, and then he had to go and get a stuffed toy placed next to 2 chickens in a cage. He did not retrieve either item, but did not attack the chickens (something causing him considerable interest while we were waiting outside). Then he had to leave me on command, go to a pile of brush and find and fetch a stuffed toy. He surprised me by going to the heap and finding it; however he left it, waked round the heap and cocked his leg marking it. On the return the lure was released and I had to tell him to leave it. He was supposed to be retrieving what he had found. He grabbed the lure, but did leave it without my having to go and fetch him.

The lure was used for the next exercise. From my side, he had to chase after it, but stop in a box marked by four pegs on my command. He didn't stop, but again came back when I called him after the lure had stopped. This test was too advanced for him, but that's what we do it for. Placing him in a sit I had to do a recall, stopping him twice by 2 pegs. He did eventually stop, but did not do a down, and has done much better before. At the side of the ring was a small heap of bales. From a standing position I was asked to send him to jump on top of the bales and lie down. I have no sendaway, so had to walk with him to them. He jumped onto them, but would only do a sit. He doesn't like downs on hard or prickly surfaces. Next was the out of site stay. Leaving him in a down, I walked and hid behind the bales. It was a long minute. I then had to walk to the judge and call him from the down, which he did with a nice present and finish. Full marks. The Last event was fun, especially for him. He had to retrieve a sausage, and a hard-boiled egg without its shell. He picked the sausage up, but ate it halfway back, then ignored the egg. I have actually done a sausage retrieve with him in the back yard. He has brought it to me, and given it to me without eating it. If I had know we would have this to do I could have practiced beforehand. So he got full marks for jumping the small fences and the out of site stay; 25% for heelwork, and 2 out of 10, or 20 for the other events. We had a total score of 38, better that our 0, but he has done much better in the past. I think the winner scored 138.

It was almost time for our show class, dog over 23". We went into the ring on the class being called and he presented all right, but not his best. We were not placed, but did get a small bag of food for entering.

The special competition to find the Supreme Champion started, with all other events being stopped. It was the first time this had been held, and the entries were all the dogs that had won the various championship shows in the country this year. An idea similar to SCAMPS. The dogs were judged in five areas, and were judged by 4 judges so this was going to take some time. Towards the end of this I went for a look round the rest of the show. There were sheds full of sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens to name but a few of the animals people can enter into shows. To his credit, Barney did not take much notice of any of these. Usually it is my dog making a fuss, or trying to attack them, while all the other dogs behave themselves.

We arrived back at the Lurcher showring to see the winner being picked. The speed jumping re-started and I walked over to have a go. As Barney had not done this before I knew I would need 2 goes, one to practice. This is a fastest recall, with some bales to jump in the recall corridor. On the second attempt he jumped them properly, setting a good time which eventually placed him third. There was no prize for this, but it was a good result.

The second part of the show contained classes for different types, and groups of Lurchers. One of them was for CollieX Lurchers and I entered him into this. He showed well, but seemed to lag, looking flat. It was only on the final leg of the triangle he picked his feet up. I though the judge had missed it. She had given him a good look while we were initially walking round, but then seemed to lose interest. At the judging she pointed to me, and said first. I don't think I have ever been so surprised at a show, even when we won best condition a few weeks ago. All these dogs had been shown nicely, and this is a large, well-attended Lurcher show, not some village fate. The next class was for Bedlington crosses. He is eligible to enter, but I didn't. Not only is he not typical Bedlington, but winning once is enough. It is only negative to enter both. They are intended to be for different dogs, a bit like prettiest bitch, and handsome dog. Show classes at fun shows, where the overall dog counts. These classes are to give the different dogs a chance to win something, as there is only one chance to enter in the classes for Best in Show.

I remembered to wear the rosette, not just put it in the van as usual, and was congratulated by several people. Some of them came to find me, giving me a handshake. I spend the remainder of the afternoon talking to some about organizing a show next year, as there are none in this area. It is something I was planning on doing this year, but have now decided to hold a Lurcher show as long as I can find a suitable venue. Several people I have met this year said they would be prepared to help me, by finding/suggesting judges, and to help with the different events on the day.

So we left, coming home the same way. There was a small incident on the journey. Half way home we have to execute a right turn across a busy duel carriageway. 2 lanes of fast moving traffic approaching down a hill leave no room for error. Large gaps, or no traffic are uncommon. There was plenty of time to cross with a space in the approaching traffic. I like to hurry, getting plenty of revs so as to make sure of crossing. I must have put my foot on the throttle hard, because the cable broke. Luckily we stopped only 1 foot over the line. The van stalled when I tried to reverse into the central reservation. The oncoming traffic missed us, giving me another chance, which I managed by being careful. I wedged the throttle, and when a VERY LARGE gap appeared started up and drove across with the engine racing. Just over the road was a space to pull off the road where I could do repairs. A little farther along the A1, which is a 2-lane motorway; I can exit safely, something I will do from now on. If you have read my racing pages I can assure you, in terms of excitement value, sitting broadside on a stock car track comes nowhere near.

This is the last show for this year, but keep checking the information box, as I will put regular updates of his clicker training progress, and any other news. I may also do a page on his progress and successes this year, which I will put with his normal pages.