It was a small class because the Fishersville shows are this weekend, and people are bathing, grooming, and loading up. I’ve got See See, Liz has Clyde, and Ashley has her dog. Thank you Michael for shooting the video!
The T pattern in conformation at Virginia Kennel Club class
The T pattern is rarely seen anymore in the AKC ring. But, ya gotta be prepared for anything the judge throws at ya. Thank you Bob, for “judging” this nearly all GSD class, even though you are a sporting dog judge. Thank you Michael, for shooting the video.
GSDs enjoying the futon
Johnny, Jane, Winston, and Nellie all like to chill out on the futon. It’s been so hot, they like to lay around in the air conditioning. They take turns on the futon.
Grandma’s China cabinet, Dad’s duck, Mom’s dishes, and playful puppies
My grandmother lived near Birch River, WV, and a man from the area built the cabinet from local cherry wood for her. My father killed the duck when he was a boy in Putnam County, WV. He never killed anything again. It was preserved by his taxidermist uncle. My mom collected vintage Fiestaware. Some of it was purchased by my aunt in the Boston area for my mom’s birthday and Christmas.
The puppies have no idea how careful they have to be. I trust the older dogs loose upstairs with the cabinet, but I watch the puppies carefully when they roughhouse nearby. As meaningful as the stuff is, if I had to pick between the stuff and the puppies, I would definitely pick the puppies.
A blast from the past, and future plans.
I’m getting a water neutralizer (my water is too acidic and it’s eating up my pipes) so I had to clean out a storage area in my house. I ran across these pics and decided to share.
Wally was my “heart” dog. The smartest thing I ever did was have his semen collected at Ohio State University when he was 5 years old. I lost half of it when a storage unit failed at the vet practice where I had Nellie implanted with it. But I still have enough for several breedings. It is now stored at Zoetis. I plan to use it again with See See.
See See is 25% Wally. Bred to Wally, her puppies will be 62.5% Wally. I can’t wait.
Clyde in dog class
Virginia Kennel Club had weekly dog class this evening. Clyde was a good boy.
0Yes, that is Elvis on my shirt.
Winston wins Beginner Novice AKC obedience title!
I’m so proud of Winston. He did exceptionally well today and got his third leg which completes the qualifications for the BeginnerNovice title in AKC obedience. He scored 197.5 out of 200. This was the highest score of dogs entered in both Beginner Novice A and B competition.
I was very nervous about today because I really wanted him to finish the title qualifications. I was so nervous I forgot to ask Iris to video me again! I’m such a ditz. I did remember to ask her to video me actually receiving the ribbons and to get a pic with the judge. And I took a picture of the scoresheet.
Winston was entry # 402, first place with a score of 197.5.
Winston qualifies again!
Winston got a score of 194 today! He qualified for his second leg towards the Beginners Novice title. This was the highest score of all Beginner Novice participants today.
He got a few points off for lagging during heeling, and I gave him an extra command on the recall, so points off for that too. He may have gotten a point off for moving his front feet on the sit stay. Thank you Iris, for shooting this video!
Winston wins again!
For the first time in over 45 years I had a dog in The Obedience ring. Winston was entered in beginning novice at the greater Washington Bouvier Club in Glen Allen today. On his first time out he got his first “leg”, or qualifying score, towards his Beginning Novice title (3 legs earn the BN title). It’s the lowest level of obedience. I’m particularly proud that he got this on his first try less than six weeks from when he finished his championship in AKC conformation. After all, dogs are taught not to sit in the confirmation ring and then must sit automatically in the Obedience ring. He wasn’t perfect: he got a a score of 187 out of a possible 200. But he was the only dog out of six in Beginning Novice to qualify today! So we got a first place ribbon in addition to the green qualifying ribbon.
If you are wondering why I took a German Shepherd to a Bouvier Des Flanders club specialty show, most specialty clubs open up their Obedience and other performance events to all breeds. And I got a free Regulations book because I realized how much has changed in 45 years, or maybe I just forgot everything!
We will be at the same show tomorrow and Sunday. So it’s possible he could get his title in one weekend if he gets two more qualifying scores. Hopefully I can get some video of him in the ring.
Bea, formally Jean, from Jane’s second litter
Every now and then I get an update from one of “my” babies. Bea is two years old, and plays with her housemate, Clara, an Australian Shepherd. They play nicely with toys, like Winston, Clyde, and See See.
Shepherd Sight 