So I showed my Pomeranian this weekend, it was a first for both of us. I have never shown a dog, mostly because I was turned off Conformation because of the "politics" and unrealistic grooming requirements, that have nothing to do with the actual quality of the dog...

So I decided I would enter my Pom and there were things I was not going to do:

1) Dye or in any way alter the coat color of my dog (no chalks either)

2) I would not dye the skin of my dog

3) Use as little product as I could, which ended up being one spray of hair spray and a handful of mousse when I had to show her back to back on day 2, to "fluff" her.

So I got my Shears, Shampoo, Conditioner and Hydrating spray and hit the show.

Cream Puff was AMAZING! No fear at all in this dog, and she loved every minute in the ring. She hates the grooming part, as she prefers to be a bush dog, tom boy, but she was good on the table.

There was only one other Pom who was so scared he refused to walk and thus was excused. I have to say, he wasn't the only dog who wouldn't walk due to extreme fear, which is sad.

So Cream Puff got all the ribbons for breed and on the second day placed 4th in Group! My son showed her in the Pee Wee division, hehad a great time, and Cream Puff was so good for him.

All in all, I will do it again. I am not as in to it as my dog sports, but since I could give a damn if we get the ribbons, it was SO nice to go out and do something with my dog and feel no pressure. We just had fun!

The first judge commented on how "wild" she was her first ever time in the ring. She threw her head up in a perfect focused heel (not what he wanted to see), with a huge smile on her face and pranced as high as her front legs could go! I couldn't help but smile and laugh, what a personality she has!

Our ribbons:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/NiomiSmith/IMAG0859_zpsb67f6140.jpg

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/NiomiSmith/IMAG0880_zpsa4bb71b4.jpg

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/NiomiSmith/IMAG0884_zps02eae1cd.jpg

Her and Gage:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/NiomiSmith/IMAG0883_zpsf5730e86.jpg

My two biggest pet peeves, now that I have shown a dog:

People using hair spray ringside, in front of the judge, even though the rules clearly state "nothing foreign in the coat" and then still qualifying and placing in group and BOB and BIS!!

and all of the obviously fearful dogs EARNING THEIR CHAMPIONSHIPS!! These are the dogs that are being bred - IT IS SO AWFUL!!

And one very obviously allergic French Bulldog placing 2ND in Group - she was covered in hives!!

Gotta 'love' the politics of the show world...be it dog or horse. Is there anywhere that it is actually 'honest'. <SIGH>

Looks like in spite of all that you guys 'cleaned up'!!! Good for all of you.

Bet it was fun for Gage, too. I know that my son used to love to get to show my horse in hunter classes & small horse trials when it didn't conflict with my XC trials.

Give him a few more years & he will be competing in the IPO trials.

The picture of Gage and Cream Puff is great!



Sounds like a very good day.


"it was SO nice to go out and do something with my dog and feel no pressure. We just had fun!"






ETA
The picture of all those ribbons is also great!


Edited by Connie Sutherland (06/10/2013 05:34 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: Anne Jones

Give him a few more years & he will be competing in the IPO trials.

OMG! He "tugs" with our Pom/Chi as practice, and he has started "training" him too!

He LOVES the dogs, so I have no doubt that he will be competing soon!

Showing, be it show ring or field work is a great healthy family activity that teaches the kids animal respect, partnership with an animal, putting the animals first before their own needs, commitment to training, discipline, etc etc.

It helps them grow up into tolerant, understanding,disciplined, loving adults. JMO of course.

 Quote: Anne Jones

Showing, be it show ring or field work is a great healthy family activity that teaches the kids animal respect, partnership with an animal, putting the animals first before their own needs, commitment to training, discipline, etc etc.

It helps them grow up into tolerant, understanding,disciplined, loving adults. JMO of course.

These are really good points, Anne, about the benefits to kids of commitment to the animal and the training, etc.

 Quote: Anne Jones

Showing, be it show ring or field work is a great healthy family activity that teaches the kids animal respect, partnership with an animal, putting the animals first before their own needs, commitment to training, discipline, etc etc.

It helps them grow up into tolerant, understanding,disciplined, loving adults. JMO of course.

Most definitely! Congrats to all 3 of you My very biggest problem with helping my kids show is to remember not to talk politics in front of them or let anyone else's politic talk have value (regardless of how I feel on the issue)- I have watched far too many show kids quit when they have felt cheated for not bending the rules as others did, but it really is a fun activity!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Anne Jones

Showing, be it show ring or field work is a great healthy family activity that teaches the kids animal respect, partnership with an animal, putting the animals first before their own needs, commitment to training, discipline, etc etc.

It helps them grow up into tolerant, understanding,disciplined, loving adults. JMO of course.

These are really good points, Anne, about the benefits to kids of commitment to the animal and the training, etc.

For sure, Anne.

Loved seeing the picture of Gage with Cream Puff.

I just wanted to say that I LOVE that name for a Pom. Do you actually call her by Cream Puff?

Poms are such happy little characters.

Yep - Her call name is Cream Puff...or Puff Puff....or Puff Muffin.... Registered name: Rey-Lyn Poms Threat lvl midnight (Anyone watch The Office?)

When I got this dog, my training mentor could not remember the dogs name for the life of her, and thought I was joking when I said I would be getting a Pom, so she pretty much just called the poor thing whatever happened to pour out of her mouth (Butter Muffin?)...LOL

When I decided on the name my husband WOULD NOT call her Cream Puff, so he just calls her Puff Puff, because apparently that is more "manly"...yeah about as "manly" as owning a 7lb Pom Chi, that looks like the cracked out squirrel on "Over the Hedge".