Would You Do This All Again?

[Elaine]

I’ve been corresponding with someone new to dogs, who wants to get involved in showing and breeding. Arthur and I like this young man, he has asked a few questions, which we have answered as truthfully and completely as possible. I was just re-reading my response to his most recent questions and my answers made me laugh out loud.

When you reflect on what showing and breeding are really about, it’s kind of hard to justify this huge expense of time, love and resources. Most of what goes on is so over the top; John Q. Public would be stunned.:eek: :rolleyes: Prompted the question, “If you knew then what you know now, would you ever have gotten involved in breeding or showing dogs?"

[doberdogsfd]

Yep....I would.
Not much is that daunting to me. Coming from a life in horses ( age 4 until my 30's) and being in the higher level of competition as a body builder.

As a body builder you have to listen to some special folks critque your physique that may never have put the blood ,sweat and agony in to creating what stands before them. The so called experts.
Same with Dog Showing. One has to go into it with their eyes open and be willing to take the heat.

I believe all things that are worth while come with some hassles. One just needs to remain focused, work the Plan and have a will of cast iron.

I love Dog Showing,much the way I love picking up big weight. The pain reminds you you are alive!

Cheryl

[Elaine]

A friend commented recently that he might "consider moonlighting as a ghost writer for a day time soap opera roughly based upon the Dog Show ring in the US."

I laughed.

One could try selling “Dog Shows; The Pungent Reality” to some soap opera production company, but with all the reality programming available nowadays, I don’t think it would be novel enough to grab anyone’s attention. What goes on in dogs is no different than what goes on in politics, business, at the hospitals where Arthur has worked over the years, in the military etc, … it’s simply human nature. Showing dogs brings out the best and the worst in people.

In a broad sense, people who show dogs have the common bond that we love the dogs, but showing is a competition and at the end of the day, only one dog can win Best In Show. Competition drives people to do all sorts of amusing, illegal and unethical things, which can be annoying, but usually not fatal. With all the crap flying round the ring, no one has launched a nuclear war head… it’s only a dog show, we all live to show another day.

There are people who get in to showing expecting it to be that sanitized Walt Disney version of competition, where judges know what they are doing, the best dog wins, everyone else agrees with the choice and the crowd ringside applauds in total harmony. These people also believe in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. When they figure out what goes on behind-the-scenes, they get discouraged, completely disillusioned and get out of dogs, usually within a 5 year time frame. It is said that if you stay past 5 years, you’re hooked for life.

There is really no way to explain to non-doggy friends why we do what we do, investing so much of our time and so many resources into this totally subjective “sport” which can be toxic with politics (in and out of the ring). It is easy to get discouraged, it is also easy to get in over your head financially, it is easy to get "over dogged” to the point where you become merely kennel help in your own home, it is easy to loose all connection to a normal, healthy, balanced life.

Breeding show dogs (in addition to merely showing dogs) can be even more frustrating and expensive. Just when you think you’re on to something fantastic, some unexpected influence pops up to humble you and bring you right back down to earth again.

None of this makes much sense on any logical level, and if you ever look at your bottom line to see what you’ve spent over the years, you will probably run screaming. Yet it is addicting; you either are addicted or you’re not. So, keep your eyes wide open… accept this for what it is, without compromising who you are. Be prepared for certain realities: Showing dogs is often not about the dogs; you will have to deal with politics in and out of the ring; and the best dog does not always win. Focus on the dogs; don’t be naïve; find a level that suits your ethics and integrity; and never compromise who you are or what you believe.

And have fun.

[Janice McGerr]

These people also believe in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

and if you ever look at your bottom line to see what you’ve spent over the years, you will probably run screaming. Yet it is addicting; you either are addicted or you’re not. So, keep your eyes wide open… accept this for what it is, without compromising who you are. Be prepared for certain realities: Showing dogs is often not about the dogs; you will have to deal with politics in and out of the ring; and the best dog does not always win. Focus on the dogs; don’t be naïve; find a level that suits your ethics and integrity; and never compromise who you are or what you believe.

And have fun.

What do you mean, No Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy!:confused: I seen them both already this year! So Don't you guys believe her! And never tell my grandson!

I look at my bottom line every year.:eek: Addicted, I would say I am a mastacust (how ever it is spelled)! I must be to keep on doing this!

Now you have busted my bubble! I always thought it was about the quality of dogs!:confused:

Have fun, if loosing more often then winning is having fun! I am having a blast!:D

All in all yes I would do it again and again.:cool:
These dogs just get under my skin and stay there, making me feel wanted.

[Elaine]

Janice,
How many breeders breed a litter with two Best In Show bitches in the litter, one of whom is the No. 1 Doberman in the country? You’re on a pretty short list of breeders, we should all be as successful as you are. :)

Still, I'm sorry to have to break this news to you but I checked, there is no chocolate-candy-egg-laying mammal. :(

[Sheila]

I think if you've managed to stick it out ten years you are most definitely hooked. You know the tricks, the nastiness, the bought judges or the judges who wouldn't know a dobe if they fell over one etc. I'm not sorry I stuck with it. Sure you win some; you lose some and you get riled when you lose not because of the quality of your dobe but overall I've had fun and enjoyed being in the game.
Sheila

[Janice McGerr]

Janice,
Still, I'm sorry to have to break this news to you but I checked, there is no chocolate-candy-egg-laying mammal. :(

I am sure the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are out there you just have to look really hard!:) You know they are really sneaky!:)
And that is what I am going to keep telling Logan for as long as I can! :cool:

Well I will take my laptop with me, do not know if I will get on line or not, but off I go to another weekend of FUN!
Hope it is not like last weekend, I do not know what was going on in Co-Quette's head last Sunday but I do not want another repeat of it!:(
I do not mind losing but I want her to show her best.

[dobesign]

Ours is a world of prefabricated morals, obsolete ethic, and disposable importance. For me, dog shows are only a bit about the competition. In days when churches are shunned, and people only "talk" through the keyboard with people they have never met, I find dog shows to be a contact point of my true community. Its a place where people share the common passion, although we all have differing perspectives on each facet. I go to shows to feel a part of something, and know deep down inside that my dogs have given me that gift. At every show, I stop. I just look all around me. I am utterly surrounded by the most beautiful dogs in the world, and sometimes ones less beautiful but seldom less appreciated by someone connected to them. For me, my dogs ARE the best. They may not be the winners, and may even not be in the ribbons. But they ALWAYS try. That's teamwork. They don't HAVE to do that, they choose to. This makes me all that more aware of the inner beauty that they bless me with on every given day. It makes me mad when people with beautiful dogs treat them like meat, bought and sold, shown and put in a box. The dogs never get the opportunity to be a true team member. Fortunately, this does not happen as often as it could. Sometimes I look down my own lead, and realise that I too have been caught up in the game. At that point, I literally, visibly and often out loud thank my dog for reminding me that there is more to this than any stupid ribbon (although purple is always cherished and purple and gold is better, red white and blue is a pawsitive heart stopper). We should try to remember that in the Grand Scheme of things, none of this is ever THAT important. What is important is the connection that we make with the world. I bitch when I lose, I am humbled when I win. But above and beyond it all, I say thanks for the opportunity to even be a part of it in whatever form. I am humbled by the trust of breeders that entrust these magnificent souls to my care, I am humbled by the love and life my dogs give me daily. Would I do this again? Even if I had a goat on the string, I could not imagine life without it.

[Elaine]

Love your post Brenna… love it.

Of all the dogs I’ve bred there are only one or two that I would really enjoy going in the ring with. Steffy (Ch. Logres’ Midnight Motion), the Giant Schnauzer bitch who went BOS at the Garden, was one, and I always thought it would be a kick to take Warkant in the ring. A handler can easily connect with Warkant… he’s special and he knows it, always has. You don’t have to pump him up… if anything you have to ask him to tone it down a bit, especially now as he has connected to his male hormones… he is a stallion in every sense.

... But they ALWAYS try. That's teamwork. They don't HAVE to do that, they choose to.


There is a side of me that is just plain silly, I always got a kick out of Claire’s attitude in the ring, with her tail clamped tight, her ears flat back, clearly saying, “Get that frickin bait out of my face and NO, I am not doing any of this… it’s degrading that you are even asking!!!” She a team player alright, it’s just that she’s not playing on my team. :D