The International Kennel Club, the largest AKC affiliated organization in Illinois, is having a three day dog show this weekend and I was lucky enough to be able to go today. It was huge - I saw Curly Coated Retrievers, Borzoi, Lowchen, Ibizan Hounds, and other breeds I'd merely heard about but never seen. Besides confirmation, there were agility and obedience rings. (There is rally on Sunday, but I was only able to go today.) A bunch of rescue groups and some OFA people were also there. Of course there were lots of Boxers, all very happy to see people. One exhibitor had a few plain dogs (one fawn and two brindle, one of the brindles was a very dark brindle which I love) and I saw a few white ones doing obedience. I also met a Mastiff used as a service dog, for balance assistance, and a bunch of therapy dogs. I hadn't been to a dog show for a while and I'd be happy to see another one. Every breeder I talked to was reputable, as far as I know, and many were willing to gripe with me about designer dogs.
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I'm a professional board skeptic. You have been warned.
For the Lost
I believe that is a pretty good sized show. Wonderful that you were able to attend and have a good time. I always encourage anyone to attend a dog show. It does not matter what your involvement is in your dogs, a dog show is still a dog event. Hundreds if not thousands of different dogs and so many breeds.
Many wonderful vendors to bring home gifts for your own furry buddies left at home :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
Couldn't agree with you more Christina. The weekend before was the Denver Cluster. Four Shows, Friday thru Monday. Confirmation, OB, Rally and Agility..... did I mention tons of Vendors!!!
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Beverly Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC (Denee) Forever in my heart" Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee Red Rocks Boxers
One other thing that really made me happy, and I was actually surprised by this, was the great condition all the dogs were in. They were well fed, well groomed, and their coats gleamed. The show was a Chicago bench style, which meant they were in booths but in crates inside them. Every dog was well-behaved and happy to meet people. I even saw a Gordon Setter who didn't flinch when the vacumn came on right next to him - I then told his person that with my Willow you just had to *say* "Kirby" and she would run off.
Every one there was happy to talk about their dogs - not only their breeding, accomplisments, and offspring, but also regular stories about them. When you do a lot of rescue work, you can sometimes lose sight of the fact there are people who are a credit to their breed out there, and that is what the future should hold.
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I'm a professional board skeptic. You have been warned.
For the Lost
Sister Ray wrote:When you do a lot of rescue work, you can sometimes lose sight of the fact there are people who are a credit to their breed out there, and that is what the future should hold.
Amen to that! I have come across some zealots in rescue (especially on message boards) who talk about "ending all breeding". DUHHHHHHH! What kind of moronic statement is that??