Eva's first show

[andyhilt27]

Well, Eva's first show went as expected. She lost the breed to a specials bitch. I think it was Ch. Jager's hot caramel macchiato. They were the only two dobes in attendance. The judge did take quite a few looks at Eva before deciding. The judge also went out of her way to stop Eva's handler to tell her that she is a stunning bitch and that she has a promising show career ahead of her. Don't know how much stock I will put in those kind words from the judge, but it did put a smile on my face to hear that. Hopefully she may get a point tomorrow as there are more dobes showing.

[andyhilt27]

I will post pics from tomorrow(Elaine can you help me?). I might get some video too.

[pretty dobe]

Congrats Andy she is on her way. Judges will do that if they like your dog. They want you to know they liked her and down the road they will choose her. Keep a list of judges that like your girl and you will know to enter her with them again. She is young and will work her way up.

Will be looking for the pictures...

Judie

[andyhilt27]

Thanks Judie! I haven't seen Eva since Monday and I miss her a lot. We are leaving for the show now. Look for pics today or tomorrow.

[Elaine]

Well, Eva's first show went as expected. She lost the breed to a specials bitch. I think it was Ch. Jager's hot caramel macchiato. They were the only two dobes in attendance. The judge did take quite a few looks at Eva before deciding. The judge also went out of her way to stop Eva's handler to tell her that she is a stunning bitch and that she has a promising show career ahead of her. Don't know how much stock I will put in those kind words from the judge, but it did put a smile on my face to hear that. Hopefully she may get a point tomorrow as there are more dobes showing.

Congratulations Andy,
I am sure the judge loved her... that is a "good thing." Enjoy this... enjoy every single moment... and send photos, I will post them for you!!!:)

[andyhilt27]

Eva evidentally learned a new trick. She was doing cart wheels in the ring today so no she didn't do very well. Oh well, what can I expect for 5 days training? She was beat by a Trotyl girl who was very obedient in the ring and deserved to win. Had Eva shown better she most likely would have taken the breed. Elaine I will email you a pic from today.

[andyhilt27]

She lost a little weight due to her having tummy problems while we were on vacation. She still looked good considering I think.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn20/andyhilt27/puppies002.jpg

[Elaine]

Very nice bitch... Who is the handler and what are you feeding her?

[tosca]

She looks nice, Andy - who is her handler?

[andyhilt27]

I am still feeding her Royal Canin puppy for now. Her handler in the photo is Betsy Bly. She is a terrier handler. She actually finished Tabitha for us. She is my mother in law too.:) Betsy took Eva to stacking and free stacking in a very short period of time. She just needs a little more time and they should be a good team. I will try to show her myself When I know what I am doing.

[andyhilt27]

How long should I wait before switching her to adult food? A year or sooner????

[andyhilt27]

Very nice bitch... Who is the handler and what are you feeding her?

Why do you ask about her food? Does she look thin? Dull coat? :confused: Or just a general inquiry? You are making me paranoid Elaine!!!!:D

[tosca]

That's nice that you have your mother-in-law handling your girl. Good luck to you all.
With regard to food - I don't feed a commercial dog food; I feed raw, so can't say as to when you may want to change her food.

[andyhilt27]

Cathy,
Would you mind starting a thread with your knoweledge of the RAW diet? How long have you been doing it?

[andyhilt27]

That's nice that you have your mother-in-law handling your girl. Good luck to you all.
With regard to food - I don't feed a commercial dog food; I feed raw, so can't say as to when you may want to change her food.

She is new to showing dobes. A world of difference on how you present a dobe and a Norwich terrier I would think. She thinks we need a handler for a major. I say nonsense. We have to start somewhere.

[Janice McGerr]

Well, Eva's first show went as expected. She lost the breed to a specials bitch. I think it was Ch. Jager's hot caramel macchiato. They were the only two dobes in attendance. The judge did take quite a few looks at Eva before deciding. The judge also went out of her way to stop Eva's handler to tell her that she is a stunning bitch and that she has a promising show career ahead of her. Don't know how much stock I will put in those kind words from the judge, but it did put a smile on my face to hear that. Hopefully she may get a point tomorrow as there are more dobes showing.

Congrats! Andy now you got your feet wet in the dob ring! If the judge liked her, you have to be very HAPPY!:D

[andyhilt27]

Eva has exceeded my expectations thus far. I didn't think she would turn out as nice as she has. I bought her for a pet, showing and breeding were always secondary. I don't even know if I want to breed her or any dog for that matter right now. Puppies take a lot of time and energy, especially with a litter of 10+. Then I have to select good homes. And with the Lex lines you don't really know what you are getting until later. So one might question their pick. Eva is evidence of that. Her topline worried me for a good while. It has improved a lot. Now her forechest is coming in nicer than I thought it would. She is MY ideal doberman, I am very pleased with her. Now if her markings were only darker......

[Janice McGerr]

I bought her for a pet, showing and breeding were always secondary. I don't even know if I want to breed her or any dog for that matter right now. Puppies take a lot of time and energy, especially with a litter of 10+. Then I have to select good homes.


That is how I got my 1st champion-got as a pet@:) And you are so right about the time it takes to care for a litter, let alone finding the right home for each.

[Elaine]

Why do you ask about her food? Does she look thin? Dull coat? :confused: Or just a general inquiry? You are making me paranoid Elaine!!!!:D
It was a general inquiry... something I almost always ask... in part because there are so many variations on what is “the optimum diet.” And, I was thinking I’m seeing a tinge of red in her coat... which could be that photo... or it could be diet. And, I’d like to see a bit more muscling through her back (which is condition and diet... and some cavaletties would be a plus :) ). One of our DSNN members is a rep for IAMS... we feed Pro Plan... our Moderator feeds a raw diet... there is a very wide array of opinions on diet.

I never give advice on nutrition... I will tell you what has worked for us... but it may not work for you. There is something positive about most all of the diets you will hear experienced breeders recommend. Any one of them may be perfect for your dog. And over the years you will find that what works well for one dog may not work so well for another.

We feed Pro Plan Chicken and Rice... and Pro Plan Performance for the dogs being actively shown. We have good muscle, excellent coats and over all excellent health. We never have skin problems, never have a weight problems with the dogs we have here at home. We do not supplement, except for an unavoidable dash of Horse Hordevores that some of the more creative of our dogs manage to snag from time to time. :D

[tosca]

Cathy,
Would you mind starting a thread with your knoweledge of the RAW diet? How long have you been doing it?

Andy, I'll start a thread later today on this subject, although I do not profess to be any sort of expert in the raw diet for dogs. I have been feeding raw for 5.5 years now; my 4 month old pups are 3rd generation raw-fed. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the condition of my dogs, both musculature and coat, when fed raw. I don't need or use a coat dressing when showing, either! I follow the BARF principles by Ian Billinghurst - Bones And Raw Food.

[andyhilt27]

Thanks Cathy and Elaine. Cathy I didn't know how many or if there were variations to the raw diet. I will research....

[Lindsay]

I beleive a good diet is the key to everything. My dogs have great muscle mass, energy, consistent stools, great health, pearly white teeth and shiney coats. I feed my dogs both kibble and RAW!!!

I feed Orijen kibble in the morning http://www.championpetfoods.com/ which is an excellent kibble. It has NO grains and it is 70% meat 30% veggies.

When feeding RAW you want your dogs to have a large variety. You can be creative with this concept. I feed my dogs chicken necks, chicken backs, turkey necks, turkey backs, green tripe, salmon, sardines, mackeral, ground beef, buffalo, duck, rabbit, etc. I only named a few, there are many more meats you can feed.

The guideline to feeding RAW is to feed 2-4% of their body weight. The ratio is 80/10/10 Meat/Bone/Organ so make sure you incorporate all of the parts. Also with meaty bones it is GREAT exercise for their jaws and it cleans their teeth well.

[andyhilt27]

And, I was thinking I’m seeing a tinge of red in her coat... which could be that photo... or it could be diet.

I was saying to myself, "What the hell is she talking about?" Upon further inspection of my oh so fantastic photo, I see the red tinge. It is the photo. the pic was in poor lighting as it was around 3 o'clock and the sun was shining through the trees. The little bald spot on her thigh is an old boo boo from when she slipped on the ice going up the stairs. I am very happy with her coat quality. Nice and shiny.

[sorthund]

Nice girl Andy. Funny, before I read who the handler is, I thought "must be a Terrier handler"..... due to the way she's holding the tail to 12 o'clock, lol.
Does she charge you being a family member and all ;)

[andyhilt27]

No, she wont let me pay her. I do get "volunteered" for maintenance around her house a lot though. I would do that stuff regardless though....I am a nice guy inspite of what E2 thinks!!!:D:D