The Boston Exemption Show

The Showring!

Rosettes from Boston

This show started at noon, and the venue was only 30 miles away so there was no rushed departure. A nice journey in pleasant weather saw us arrive at what must be one of the nicest places to hold a dog show. It was held on a caravan park, and the small areas of well kept lawns were perfect for the showring, a few stalls and adequate parking near to the ring. I had made a small navigational error, as I had driven past the entrance. The park was on both sides of the road, and while I was looking on the left, the show entrance was on the right and so I missed the sign pointing the way.

I parked and received the usual friendly greeting from another competitor, although a perfect stranger. Walking across to the booking in tent, I saw a few people we meet at shows were there. There were plenty of 'novelty' classes to enter, and I put Barney in 6 of them. The first one was class 8 best crossbreed, so I had quite a wait. The show soon started, the first 4 classes were the pedigree classes for the pure bred dogs. They were well attended and took some time, with their BIS being at the end. I spent the time pleasantly chatting to people, a few we already knew. I 'posed' Barneys heelwork to some interested people, who remarked how nice he looked. I was also hoping to catch the judges eye, as he/she must be there somewhere. After training him daily for the last week, I had been disappointed to find there were no obedience competitions at this show.

Our first class, best crossbreed duly arrived and I explained his 'pedigree' to the judge. She jokingly commented on his parents having had a good time, and as with many purebred pedigree people, thought all crossbreeds are a mistake, and so less of a dog than pure-breeds with a pedigree. I should have mentioned Barney is a designer dog, by deliberate breeding, and just as valuable, if not more so than most pedigrees. Barney was not placed, but the winner was a lovely Lurcher that belongs to a friend of ours.

The pace of the show had picked up, and we were in 4 consecutive classes. The next one, best condition was one I was hopeful of a place, as Barney was looking in as good a condition as I have seen him, his recent molt being over, and the evening primrose oil capsules appeared to have worked, giving his coat a nice black sheen. However we were not placed until the last of these 4, best rescued, where he got reserve, 4th. I was not unhappy as this is the first time we have been placed in this class, other dogs having far more tragic tales of their past.

With a couple of classes to wait, I had a hotdog, the nice ladies cooking the barbecue must have thought he looked starved as they gave him a burnt sausage, something they repeated everytime we walked past for the rest of the afternoon. Barney quickly came to like their tent.

We were not placed in the next class, with another wait for 4 more until our last. All the dogs entered got a prize, a squeaky plastic bone, and a chew. One of these classes was for dogs from the Caravan Park. Only one had entered, but it is worth repeating the comments of the ring steward, whose light hearted and witty comments carried the mood to everyone attending. He was announcing the winners, by number as they received their prizes. With only one dog entered he had said there would be no excuse if the judge made a mistake with her choice of first place in the class, before the competitor entered. He then went on to read the mans number out 5 times for each place. Thankfully the man did not die of embarrassment, but all the people at the event reflected the joyful mood. I did not hear one cross word spoken, even by the people whose dogs were attacked by a GSD every time they walked past. This is one of the hazards of pet dog shows, as not all owners of pet dogs have learnt how to train them properly.

We walked into our last class that had the novel title of best family pet. When the judge came round I asked where the children were for the dogs to play with to help her judge :) I also told her Barney had his own website and fan club. Not a desperate plea for a win, but I was trying to do my job properly. In the event it worked because she awarded us first place.

Now the judge has to pick one dog to win each class. This can be any dog he/she chooses, so why not get her to pick your dog. The one that wins is the dog she likes the most, and although their personal preference of the dogs is often the deciding factor, your job as handler is to make sure she knows yours is the best dog there.

Another show had ended on a high note. We had learned of more shows to attend, and after saying our good-byes to our friends, new and old, left to go the short journey to John's house, where were invited to have our Sunday meal. Barney now regards his house as his second home, often not wanting to leave with me. Is he trying to tell me something I wonder :)