Showing a Champion
Over the years I’ve tried to understand what some folks are
doing when they show their special.
To start with a class that says “for Specials only” tells me that any
dog or bitch in that class should stand head and shoulders above the ones not
yet Champions. Unfortunately most
specials do not fit that description.
The AKC may find ways to keep you showing with “Grand Champion”
lollipops to put in your hand, but most of the ones who finish should call it a
day and stay home.
Edith Levine of Glen Knolls did not like showing in the
Specials class. She used to say
“nothing is as stale” as last year’s champion. To her the proof of a breeder was what you could come out
with each year in young stock.
Perhaps her Collies matured early and didn’t age well, but that was her
outlook on specials.
During my time as a breeder/exhibitor there were only two
dogs that I specialed: Ch.
Jadene’s Breezalong (BB CC of A 1967) and Ch. Gingeor’s Indelibly Blue (BB CC of
A 1976) To be sure I did show some
of my other champions on occasion if I thought they had a good shot at winning,
but no others steadily campaigned.
My outlook on showing in the Specials Only class was that you had to have
a good reason.
Never in those years did I ever want to campaign a
bitch. My outlook on that was
probably a lot like some others who felt that once a bitch finished her job was
to provide the next generation.
The stress of an ongoing campaign puts a bitch at risk in being
successful in the whelping box. Of
course, there are exceptions, but also plenty of bitches who win a lot and are
flops as producers. Personally I’d
rather have the producer. She
helps you move your breeding program forward while the winner just feeds your
ego.
If you have a good young male who finishes and looks
promising as he matures, then further showing as a Special gives prospective
customers with bitches to breed a chance to see him. Once his puppies are old enough to start winning (we hope)
the need to show him diminishes.
If the pups aren’t outstanding, then he may need to look for a new
home. Ditto for any bitch who
hasn’t shown anything special in her first two litters. Don’t try to keep dogs that don’t help
forge the next link in your chain.
The stress of an extended campaign can have adverse affects
on males as well as bitches. Sperm
counts may go down and condition as well.
Each dog is different and must be evaluated as to their ability to
handle a number of shows. Today’s
Collies sometimes seem a bit “sharp” in disposition compared to earlier
dogs. It may help keep them
showing, but may not be enjoyable to live with at home. Perhaps it’s what is needed with the
large number of shows today, but I’m not sure if it appeals to the public.
I read an article some time back where a handler was asked
about what he looked for in a dog to campaign. The answer was “toughness”, of course, quality was also
presumed. The way we show today
and the number of shows available may be changing what we breed. You can decide for yourself whether it
is changing and whether you like the change if it exists.
The British have a saying that says “showing a dog
fearlessly!” The meaning is fairly
clear. Such a dog or bitch would
be of quality that allows you to show where the competition is really tough,
not to duck the big boys to pick up more wins. Though I also showed at all-breed shows, my preference as I
bred better Collies was to go to the specialties. Not only were more points available, but the judging was
more competent, and you could learn more.
You learn most by going where the
competition is tough and your dogs must be good to be competitive. Showing against second rate dogs makes
you lazy.
Years ago I spoke at Acconeus Collie College and told the
audience that the people I showed against were “The wind beneath my
wings!” Starting with Trudy
Mangels and Pat Shyrock (Starkweather) and continuing thru Bobbi Roos and John
Buddie. They made me breed better
dogs to keep up and win. Set your
sights high and don’t lower the bar, but raise it. When my sons were growing up and playing sports I always
told them to learn from losing as much or more than winning. The act of winning makes you feel good,
but losing makes you try harder.
Think about it!
p.s. Since your
humble scribe has taken a fall and cracked his pelvis, blogs may be skimpy for
now. Moral is that T-Rex should
not try to do pushups. They’re not
built for it!!
