Save A Life...Help Pls

[shannon1233A]

I don't know how many have already done so, or how many have missed it. The mods have kindly taken a thread and made it a sticky at the top of the forum called Jag...The Golden

It's a true story, just happened, where a golden was left on a grooming table and was hung. The handlers then told the owners he had been lost at the show. This is a practice I've seen all too often, not only at shows, but also at grooming facilities.

His story is there, plus a petition as they are trying to make a law wherein it would be unlawful to leave a dog unattended on a grooming table. Please, if you find the time, sign the petition and perhaps save a life

[CyberKitten]

I admit to not understanding the dog show circuit that much but why would anyone have soemone else show their dogs? I do know it's done - and seemingly often, especially by people who hire trainers and so forth - but it baffles me. If it is a hobby, why hire someone?

[Beaglemom]

OMG, what a horrible and needless death. Poor Jag. Anyone who grooms dogs professionally knows that you must never leave a dog unattended on a grooming table! I would think that a professional would know this better than anyone. This is just so sad, this poor dog was trusted to someone for its care and it ended up costing him his life.

Originally Posted by CyberKitten

I admit to not understanding the dog show circuit that much but why would anyone have soemone else show their dogs? I do know it's done - and seemingly often, especially by people who hire trainers and so forth - but it baffles me. If it is a hobby, why hire someone?

Many people hire a professional handler because they are unable to do it themselves, either because of lack of experience or because they are unable to make it to the shows. A professional handler is also able to campaign the dog. It's the job of professional handlers to show dogs so they are at dog shows every weekend, much more than the average person is able to attend. A professional handler knows the judges and knows what the judges like, i.e. whether they dislike dogs being baited, etc. They are also professionals with a lot of experience and are able to show dogs best. Most also groom the dogs prior to entering the show ring.

For some people, dog showing is a hobby, for others it is part of their business. A breeder must show their dogs if they want to breed to the standard, otherwise they may be considered nothing more than a byb. Showing dogs is the business of a professional handler. Showing your own dog can be very rewarding and fun. But, it is also very time consuming.

[shannon1233A]

Thank you both for reading it!

Originally Posted by Cyberkitten

I admit to not understanding the dog show circuit that much but why would anyone have soemone else show their dogs? I do know it's done - and seemingly often, especially by people who hire trainers and so forth - but it baffles me. If it is a hobby, why hire someone

?

I'll try to anwer you Cyberkitten, as I started doing shows with Kenzie. Showing a dog is much more than just running around the ring. Each breed has it's standard which is expected by the CKC and AKC. I'm sure you're aware that includes simple things like height, weight, coat, but also includes things most won't notice like it's gait, arch of neck, pasturns, etc. It's the handlers job to show the dogs best attributes as they pertain to the standard, while doing their best to "camoflauge" it's imperfections. We all know no doggy is perfect. There are also rules when entering the ring, and these must be followed to a tee, including how the judge wants to see the dog. This involves telling the handler, often with one or two words how he wants to see the dogs movement eg. "down and back", "diagnal", etc. There are several different "patterns" you may be asked to do, as it is at the judge's discretion to choose as he examines each dog. There is also a Stand for Exam, where you must know how to show the judge your dogs teeth in a certain manner, preferably without doggy biting his or your fingers off, lol As the handler in the ring, you're expected not only to know the different meanings of directions (patterns) but also when and how to show the dog to it's best, eg changing the lead from your left hand to your right, back to you left on the way back, keeping the dog between you and the judge at all times. So there's alot of technical stuff to learn. My basic Conformation Classes consisted of 8 weeks, then an exam.

There's also the cost involved. If you want to show a dog to Championship, you must be ready to "campaign" that dog which means many weekends, summer and winter, travel expences, meals, hotels, gas, entry fees, grooming, and so on. Many decide just the travel expeces alone are worth hiring a handler as they don't have the time to be on the road as much as it takes. Then there's also travelling for your 10 minutes in the ring. We've travelled 1 1/2 hours to a show to show Kenzie, for 10 minutes in the ring.
Her breeder asked to show her and we agreed. She pays the entrance fees, we take her there as we don't want to leave her overnight. She also handled her for us free of charge, as she's very experienced having had Cdn and Amer Champion Alaskan Malamutes. She wanted to show Kenzie because she feels she's show quality, and her kennel gets the recognition from the CKC or/and AKC. I've found that good breeders will handle your pup if it's from winning parents because of their own kennel getting the recognition and bragging rights so to speak.

Now that I've had the lessons, and continue to take Advanced, I plan on showing Kenzie myself, once she's lost the extra weight. It is a hobby for me, but like any hobby, you have to learn about it before jumping in with both feet. Otherwise alot of time and expense is for naught. We do it mostly because Kenzie loves it. She perks right up when she sees a ring and puts her show face on! If ever we find she's not enjoying it, I don't think we'll do it anymore, but will find another way to spend fun time with her.

[LL1]

Another petition went around to rescues about vet clinics leaving dogs alone unattended at nite,one dog pulled out all her spay stitches and bled to death.