The Peterborough Lurcher Show

The Last of the Year

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

With the advent of Foot and Mouth forcing the cancellation of most Lurcher shows earlier in the year, we attended CMC and fun shows as a way of social days out. At these show, most dogs go home with a rosette of some kind, while at Lurcher shows it is only a handful, often competing against many more dogs, so it was no surprise to come away empty handed, for the first time this year.

However, as happened last year, this proved to be one of the most enjoyable days out to a show we have had this year. There were only 2 classes for us to enter, which happened to coincide at about 4pm, and I arrived at the show at about 9.45am. However, they held back the Collie x class for us, and a couple more dogs that were competing in the over 23inch dog class. A friend had handled him in this class, enabling me to take some photos. While not getting placed, it also allowed me the chance to see what he looked like in the ring. I took him in the Collie type class and after judging the male judge gave me genuine thanks, obviously enjoying looking at him. We were not overlooked, as I have experienced in the past, as he was even considering him for 4th place, but had 2 others to choose from as well. Probably the fact he is not an entire dog went against him, but we won this class last year, and you can't expect to win all the time.

On arrival I immediately met my friends from London, and spent a pleasant day in their company, although his wife developed flu like symptoms around midday, causing her to have to retire to the car. At the entrance gate I was kindly granted access for the Lurcher show, despite my lack of obtaining a pass, another friendly gesture, which enhanced my pleasure of the day. It was a misty morning, delaying some of the competitors and causing the start of the show to be delayed by half an hour. This suited me, as I had time to have a wander and get Barneys stiffness out of him before the racing that was the first event.

After quite a wait, I entered him in a heat in his class of dogs. Despite being ready and concentrating, I was slightly late releasing him, but running a couple of yards after the first 3, who were properly trained, competitive racing dogs, he was still about the same distance behind until nearly the end. In the other heats I noticed there were several dogs that fell off the pace far earlier, so no disgrace there.

Next on the agenda was the obedience. We had to book for entering this event and after the racing had finished, all competitors were called to the obedience ring together. They were holding it as a knockout competition this year, the first time I have know it to be done like this, and I have to say, a very enjoyable and fun way of competing. First we had to walk around the ring with our dogs at heel, taking them off the lead after a little way. Any dogs that broke free, or wandered off were out. I didn't see any dogs do this, but as heelwork is Barney's specialty, I really enjoyed this.

Next we had to leave the dogs in the down, walk backwards and around the dog a few yards behind us before returning. Another success for us, although I think I did see one or two leaving the ring, their dogs obviously breaking the stays.

The next event was the first I was dreading, retrieve. The judge threw the canvas gundog training dummie into the corner, and Barney had to go and fetch it. He went on my command, but did not go far enough, and try as I might he would not go and look towards the corner of the ring. After some considerable time, the judge suggested I show him where it is. As soon as I walked towards it, Barney spotted it running and picking it up. Coming back, he started playing with it needing lots of encouragement to finally bring it to me. Kindly the judge accepted this as successful, but it was marginal.

Then we all had to leave our dogs by the side of the ring, returning to face them in the centre. This was a recall, with a drop on command halfway back. Almost as soon as we turned around, a dog broke, causing several, including Barney to chase after them. I dropped him, but he was very slow to go down, taking at least another 3 paces. The judge was looking for a third dog to eliminate, and asked me if mine had been one. Thankfully the other one of the three that had failed was found, so with another reprimand, or reminder he was giving me the benefit of the doubt, the judge let us stay in the contest.

By this time about half the entrants had been eliminated, from a sizable ringfull of dogs in the first place. We next had to do a standard retrieve, dropping our dogs half way back. There were done singly, and much to my surprise and delight, Barney went on command and did a perfect pick up. I dropped him as required, but he failed to pick the dummie up again, so we were eliminated...but what a success for me. I just hope it hasn't spoilt him from retrieving at all.

In the afternoon they had the speed jumping, which is a fastest recall over bales. I had 2 attempts and Barney's final time was within a second of the fastest dog....possibly a final top six place, which allowing for the fact there were 'professional' racing dogs there i. e. dogs that regularly race on greyhound tracks, as well as coursing and working dogs, this was a creditable effort on his part.

Throughout the day, people had been seeking me out, coming up to say hello and have a pleasant chat, and this gives me more pleasure than winning events. We had walks around the rest of the showground, among the trade stands and in the large buildings, where all the different animal shows were taking place. Everyone was commenting on the large number of Lurchers in attendance...3 to 4 hundred I should imagine, and this despite there being another Lurcher show being held, which Ann our special friend had gone to.

I think the main enjoyment of the day came from being in a classless world, made up of dog friendly people. Walking round you did not get people moving to the side, or frowning as sometimes happens while walking down the high street. Also you could enter the 'shops' without the fear of someone coming up and asking you to leave as dogs weren't allowed. Where else can you see a top class model, with 2 petite immaculately groomed dogs on slender leads, with fancy collars, happily chatting to a tramp with a muscle-bound dog with scars on a bit of string as an equal. Ok, I exaggerate a little but you get the picture. I have to say that it is only at Lurcher shows where we are treated as an equal, for whatever reason, and this more than compensates for lack of success in the showring.