Northern New England Specialty Show

It was a great weekend in Fitchburg. It was a little crazy showing all 3 dogs but they were roughly spread out so it wasn't too bad. Certainly easier than showing 2 class bitches! I had some wonderful help in the form of a friend who has a Spinone Italiano she shows, named Spencer. She took pictures Saturday and helped hold Isabella while I was in the ring with Hero. I can't thank her enough for the help!

Firstly my main objective with Oliver was reached, and then some! Not only did he have a lot of fun in the ring, he even remembered how to move and gave me a couple of nice puppy free-stacks! I see so many dogs, especially young dogs be overwhelmed at their first few shows. Hero used to be one. But not Oliver, he enjoyed himself immensely! On Saturday he gave me the cutest play bow as we stopped running around the ring while the other puppy was being judged. He wanted to play! He was nearly half the size of the older puppy but then again, he's a peanut who will likely never get much more than 19-19.5" at the shoulder. Which in my opinion is a nice size, if slightly on the small side for a male. Much better than riding on that almost-oversized line. At least there will be no worry of that! I was very pleased with him and had a few people tell me how much they like him. I think I'll keep him! Saturday his puppy fuzz of a coat was stripped off under Linda and Kristyn's guidance (who knew there was something UNDER all of it?), and what a handsome dude with a very nice shade of orange!

Hero, oh Hero... the poor girl was not happy with me at all Saturday. You see, Isabella ate her quail wing, and then the pheasant wing I was drying as a backup! Hero loses her mind with food bait (typically I don't bait in the ring, but outside it only), so I didn't bring any in the ring with me Saturday. So Hero, was not her usual self in the ring, and I could even feel her movement was way off than what I am used to from her. Sunday we were saved by friend and mentor Linda McCartney-Roy. She had a quail wing and wow what a difference in makes in Hero. When we were first starting Hero would not stand still. No amount of "stay" commands helped. Around the same time I taught her "whoa" (essentially the same thing as stay but used to keep a dog from breaking a point) which she did quite well. Frustrated one evening practicing with her I said "whoa" instead of "stay" and she stiffened right up and did not budge. So now in the ring I bring a quail wing with me, place in in front of her and tell her to "whoa", which she does and looks great doing it. Also I toss it near the judge on our up and back and she gives me a very nice free-stack/point. Hero typically does not lift a leg so this works! It may not work for those that do though!

Isabella, my practice dog. I think I did alright with her Saturday but Kristyn was directly in front of us and Izzy only had eyes for her (noooo Izzy, I'm the one with your lead today!) We did have a nice surprise and walked away with our first Award of Merit! Sunday I caved and brought food in to get Izzy's attention back on me (or at least what I had in my
fingers.) She wasn't the absolute best I have ever seen her, but I think I did my absolute best ever with her! And that, is why I entered her. At one point she and another bitch were pulled out for consideration away from the other specials, the older much more mature liver bitch took the honors as Best of Breed but it was really nice to have my little 20 month old considered in such company! The bottom line is I really think I improved this weekend, and finally felt a glimmer of confidence.


BISS CH Triumphant's Savior Machine
In other brags, my friend Stephanie's dog and Linda's new Special, Bowie, took home his first Best in Specialty Show! He looked fantastic and in my opinion it was a no-brainer. His father is BIS/BISS CH Triumphant's Absolute JH, who is also Izzy's grandfather. So Congrats Uncle Bowie! I hope to see many more wins out of such a handsome example of the breed. But maybe someday I'll get to kick his butt just once... hehe!
We also saw quite a few new Champions this weekend, including TJ owned by Dennis Dugay and brother to our friend Pam's Gibson (a Champion and movie star in his own right!) Isabella's litter-mate and sister, Monique went on to win her first points, making a splash Sunday taking a 4 point major. She is every bit as beautiful as her sister, and I'm willing to bet under the handling of Linda she'll have finished in no time. Monique had a late start due to Joan not being able to show this past year, but I expect her to be caught up in a blink of an eye. We also saw our friends do a great job in the ring with their awesome dogs, and every bit as deserving.



Other highlights included seeing some great friends, getting to play with Izzy and Monique's parents Morgan and Zoe. Izzy is a dead ringer for her father in sooo many ways, just as Monique is nearly Zoe's clone. Our friend Sara and her dog Spencer took their first 4 point major, yay! Also a surprise 21st birthday "party" on Sunday for Kristyn topped a wonderful weekend.

A Ode to the World's Best Breeders

And we're off! Okay, we aren't quite gone yet. I'll be leaving about 5:30 in the morning so I can get to Fitchburg with some time to spare. You know, to clip random stray hairs on my dogs the judge is never going to notice, fret that I can't find my scissors, realize I only have 5 minutes before ring-time to change because I spent so much time with tiny details... Haha okay I am not nearly that bad. However my house has been eating things as of late, I STILL can't find my keys and its been almost 2 weeks. This time I seem to be lacking my good show leads! Thankfully I found one good chain, and a call to Izzy's breeder brought a promise to bring a few extras just in case. Will I ever get to a show with everything I meant to bring? So far at least, I haven't forgotten any dogs.

Speaking of Isabella's breeder, let me tell you how lucky I am to have her. Not only is Isabella a silly lovable goofball who makes me laugh, and heals my heart when it is sad... but she also happens to be awful beautiful! But I think the most important thing about Isabella is her breeder Joan. What makes her so great is she is supportive not just about the dog she bred, but of me. She screamed just as loudly when Hero won her major as when Isabella took BOB the day before at just 10 months old. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. She is there when I have questions, when I was ready to quit, and ring side when Isabella finished. I know I am not the only one either, I just happen to be the only one around currently showing one of her dogs (which is crazy because she breeds some GORGEOUS dogs!) I know she routinely has dogs she bred staying with her, and keeps in touch with the families who call her puppies "family". She cares, and that's what a good breeder is supposed to be.

I am doubly lucky with Oliver's breeders. Rejean and Johanne invited me into their home the weekend I drove to Quebec to bring Oliver into my life. They even extended that invitation to my dogs (I brought Isabella) and a friend if I wanted. There is a bit of a language barrier between Jo and I (I don't speak French and she doesn't speak English!) but she is such a warm person. I can't wait for our trip back up to work on Oliver's Canadian Championship. I was able to talk to them online the other day, and using my webcam they could see Oliver in a way still photos just can't. With a firm request to call them tomorrow night, I head off tomorrow for Oliver's first show.

And with that, I bid goodnight!


My beautiful Hero in the field

A clean dog is a happy, healthy dog!

And in the tub they go! Bathing three unwilling dogs and one not-to-thrilled cat all in 20 minutes, may not exactly be my idea of fun but it is necessary. The cat, well the poor girl has allergies I think so the bath was in a effort to clean her skin and fur up so maybe it won't itch so much for her. Not a flea in sight and they all receive Comfortis anyhow. Frontline just doesn't do the trick when bathed every week. Bathed every WEEK you say? Just about, says I. Well yes, not only do I like a clean dog(they sleep on my bed, and in Hero's case, under the covers!) and it drastically reduces the amount of fur my vacuum needs to suck up... but just in case anything does start to bother them, I will see and/or feel it in a bath sometimes much more easily than not. Now natural oils are good for a dogs coat, so I don't always use the same shampoo, and I often use grape seed oil or a conditioner to help replenish their coats. Sometimes even a rinse with no soap at all is exactly what is called for.

In all seriousness cleanliness is just as important for dog health as a persons. Trimming or grinding a dogs nails not only protects your floors, personal flesh and is aesthetically pleasing, but it helps prevent injury to the foot and tears as well. Have you ever seen a dog get its foot and nail stuck in something? I have, and it is not fun for either you or your dog! It's also very important to check a dogs ears, especially if they are floppy like the Brittany's. Ear wax can build up as well as mites get in and possibly give your dog an infection. A cotton ball and some peroxide cleans ears nicely. I happen to have it easy there, with three dogs, they do a really good job at keeping each others ears clean. The wonders of pack dynamics!

Now not everyone really wants to get down and groom their dog. The Britt has a fairly easy coat to keep in general and doesn't require much brushing. Some do of course but on average it's easy to maintain. I personally enjoy the time I spend grooming my dogs, we get some one-on-one time and they love the extra attention. For the average Brittany owner there is no need for a "show" cut. Of course we don't take nearly as much off as some breeds, but for the average weekend hunter for instance, you would want the fur on the dogs neck to help protect him from briars. There are of course a few places that should be looked at on every dog, be it a dog for show, hunt or even just a lazy house dog (a lazy Brittany? Do they exist?) The extra fur between the toes should be pulled up and trimmed off, as well as the fur between the pads. Not only is it more comfortable, but there is less risk of picking up painful burrs that may stick to the fur. Secondly the fur around your dogs anus should be kept short, which will help prevent any "hitch-hikers" , which besides being just gross, can also carry worms or disease BACK into the house! Eww!

Now using great personal restraint I have gone without touching a pair of scissors to Isabella in a few months. It really helped when she was in heat, because then I didn't really want to, to tell you the truth! Her nails have been routinely ground as usual but otherwise she's been left au-natural! She certainly is not the furriest Brittany in the world, but she needs quite a bit of grooming none-the-less before ring time Sat.

Isabella before grooming, notice her furry feet!

Isabella after her pre-show grooming session!

The New Diary

Ahhhh, this is a much better place for the Diary. I admit, I don't often update purely because my setup for the diary takes time, and I'm usually pretty tired at the end of the day! Besides, I'd much rather spend the time doing my needed chores and spending time with my poor neglected dogs, or so they think they are! I admit my current problem is all three dogs just cannot physically fit on my lap. For a while there Izzy managed to squeeze on my lap as well as Oliver and the cat (that takes talent on ALL their parts let me tell you!), but Oliver is now just as big as Izzy in many respects and it is not happening. So now I take Oliver outside with me alone for a little bit of play and some show lead work. Isabella's favorite thing is to be allowed to sit on my lap for a while, so that is her special time in the evenings, and Hero wants me to throw a toy a couple times for her until she's content to chomp on it at my feet.

We are definitely gearing up for our first real show of the season. January is a nice little hiccup for me but really feels like it's still part of last year. This year I can honestly say I have no idea what my show schedule will look like past April, normally I can tell for the entire season due to my work schedule. April I will take Isabella to New York with her breeder Joan, and sister Monique for their Futurity. I have not entered her for the field portion, as I just have not had the time to get her ready. Izzy and Monique's mother Zoe took Best of Opposite (sex) in 2008, her Futurity year, and we hope one of the girls will follow in her paw-steps, or better! Linda McCartney-Roy, who brought Isabella to the Nationals this past November, will be handling Monique. Even though Kristyn, who does such a fantastic job with Izzy, does not have a bitch to handle, I have been looking forward to it for so long so will be taking Izzy in myself. Oliver will also be coming for the Specialty portion, but Hero will be going to stay with her best friend Paris and Aunty Pam. Hero will be getting close to coming into heat and being bred so I want to minimize her stress and exposure.

But about next weekend we are very excited! For quite possibly the only time ever I will have all three of my dogs entered. Oliver will make his debut, I'm hoping he will have FUN first and foremost and if I am lucky he will remember the things I have tried to teach him. Well, as much as you can teach a scatter-brained male Brittany puppy! He does move quite nicely, but occasionally forgets himself and bounces and bounds like his legs are made of springs! This is also likely Hero's only show for the year. She is entered in the Open class, which I expect will be fairly large (16 bitches total entered in the classes) so while it would be great to place, I am not expecting a win. She does look great right now, her last heat did her wonders. Hero happens to love the show ring, and very visibly sulks if left out.

Isabella, now she is a different story. But not one people may expect. She isn't even two yet and look at what she's accomplished! After going Winners Bitch for the 5 point major at Nationals, and then finishing with another major at her very next show going Best of Breed with a dazed me at the end of the lead... what is in store for her next? Yes, she is going to continue to be shown. Occasionally I am reminded by those I love that though she is my dog, she isn't "just" my dog. Alright! I get the hint! But she's far too young to Special, and currently I just cannot afford to really get her out there. So this year when she is shown it is not for her, but for me. I need to hone my skills as a handler, and more importantly I think I need to develop the confidence in the ring I currently lack. So, we are not going for the ribbons, but for the experience! If we happen to do anything this next year, yay! If not, that's okay too because it's not our objective. What I really want to do with Izzy is work on getting her JH title, and I am actively training her for a obedience title as well. I have some tentative plans for her regarding when she's older, but that is a long way off. Mostly, she's just my buddy!