What has Emma been up to…well, I got my paws wet in the show ring Friday night. No, I did not step in a puddle of dog pee, I actually let Mom show me! It was interesting since neither Mom nor I had ever even been to a dog show! You see when Mom first got me, she was told that I am a wonderful representative of my breed, so she planned to show, and breed me. It did not take long for us to decide that showing was not a direction we wanted to go in, too serious and fancy, we like fun and casual (obvious if you know me). It took a bit longer but we also decided breeding was not the right thing either. Mom and I found out that I was more suited to being a photo model, so we went down that path which led to the blog, social media, Target modeling jobs, and my book. We really wanted to promote the GBGV breed and show people what great dogs we are and it seems to be working.
The GBGV is a rare breed and not recognized fully by the AKC (American Kennel Club). We had to learn a lot about this, and I will share a short version. Just because you are a breed does not mean you get to be AKC. It is a long process that begins with the number of dogs, activities dogs participate in, and much more. The first step was to be in the FSS group (Foundation Stock Services), the GBGV has been in this group for quite a while trying to build up the number of members. In January 2014, we will move to the Miscellaneous Class where we can participate at AKC Conformation Shows. The next step will be full AKC recognition. Attaining this takes a lot of participation by members, thus I went to the show in Hutchinson.
Waiting in line for my turn in the ring!
Friday night was an open show, and what I participated in. FSS Open Shows are informal AKC sanctioned events. They allow owners and their dogs of FSS & Miscellaneous Class breeds a chance to gain the ring experience of a conformation dog show in a relaxed and inviting environment. While no points may be earned towards a Championship, Certificate of Merit points may be earned. So, what does this have to do with mischief? A clueless dog with her clueless owner at a dog show…a bit awkward!
I listened carefully to everything the judge said!
I was asked to go last minute, meaning I did not have time to get groomed or even get a bath…kind of showed up as is. Luckily, Mom grooms me here and there almost every day. We took Bailie along too just to watch and hang out with other GBGV dogs. Bailie’s breeder came up from Missouri with three females and a puppy, Cuvee, one of Bailie’s littermates. The only male GBGV in attendane was Duddley with his owners from Kansas City.
I did really well. Mom said I was trotting around the ring like I had been doing it my whole life! The only thing I did not like to do was stand correctly. Mom hasn’t had me stand like that since I was nine weeks old, so I had forgotten all about it.
I got my first ever ribbon in life for second place. Not bad considering I was not at all prepared for the event!
At this point, I had had enough off all these GBGVs!
It was fun to see other dogs similar to me, and hang out with them. Well, it was fun, but then I got tired of all the butt sniffing, and got kind of crabby but that is nothing new with me. When I am done, I am done. If there is such a show around here again, and they need help I would go again, but no worries, I will never be a professional show dog!
I would also like to offer congratulations to Dottie and Boomer the winners of the can if Iams Shakeables…those will be some happy pups real soon! They recently moved to Colorado, so they deserve a reward for being such good dogs!
I’m joining in the Monday Mischief blog hop brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, My Brown Newfies
It looked like a fun time Emma but the serious of shows can be really annoying. I think you make a super model.. xxooxx
Mollie and Alfie
I don’t want to be a serious show dog but it was fun to give it a whirl in a relaxed environment.
Oh how fun. We wish I could have seen you in the ring Emma. People think being in the show ring is all glamor, but it is hard work! Congrats on your ribbon!
the brown dawgs
ps We never get groomed before the show ring. Maybe you could be an honorary Chessie. 🙂
All that fanciness would not be for me…I like the natural Emma 🙂
Congratulations on your second place. The last picture looks like a meeting of Idefixes (Asterix’ dog).
Mom has some Idefix books from when she went to Finland years ago…he is a cutie too!
Love the expression on your face in that last photo, Emma! You definitely look “done!”
Have you ever hung out with a bunch of hounds? Nothing but butt sniffing and I got tired of it pretty fast 🙂
My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!
Congrats on 2nd place! Two paws up!
I was excited since I have never had a ribbon before!
Congratulations and we think fun and casual sounds good to us and you make a pawsome model Emma. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Thanks, fun is definitely my style, not the seriousness stuff!
Your number 1 in my book. Job well done!
Thank you 🙂 It was a fun experience.
Hey Emma, Congrats on your ribbon, well done – although you would get 1st Place in my book, of course. Fun to see all those other GBGV’s in one place…they all look like little Bailie.
We are hoping that she stays dark but time will tell. I was dark too as a pup.
Well that’s pretty awesome, a ribbon for being great. I think you did really well, and so did your mom.
Mom was really impressed at how well I did!
Congrats on your 2nd place ribbon, but like the others have said, you’re the #1 GBGV… that’s all there is to it!
That last pic cracks me up. Your face… plus the fact that you are standing as far away from everyone else as the lead will allow… you are SO done, lol.
P.S. I love your markings in comparison to the other GBGVs… your wheaten ears really make you stand out from the crowd. And your spots are a softer grey, instead of black. You’re definitely one of a kind, Emma! 🙂
Thanks for the compliments. We are hoping Bailie stays dark so we look different from each other. Yes, I had had enough of the sniffing and was ready to go home when we took the group photo!
Good job, Emma! You are a star! =)
I do my best 🙂
Hi Y’all!
Way to go there! Congrats on your ribbon!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
I’m pretty happy about it 🙂
WOW! Big congrats Emma, that is super for your first show ever!
It was so nice and informal, that is the only way I think Mom would go to a show.
How cool second place. That is great for your first time. Love it!!!
It wasn’t a real big deal but it is nice to have my own ribbon 🙂
Congratulations Emma! You are awesome!
I try my best!
You and the mom are very brave for trying something new on such short notice. Dog shows can be too serious for me. It sounds like this was a fun way to participate without taking things too seriously.
My Honey does not conform to the AKC standards for a Golden Retriever which is why her breeder was willing to let me adopt her. Hooray for me!
We definitely don’t want to get into all that showing stuff, but until the GBGV is full AKC, the shows will be more relaxed. Not sure if I will ever do it again but it was an interesting experience.
haha! This sounds similar to our limited show experience, too – unprepared and unknowing of what to expect! After a couple of weekends, we also decided the show world was not for us and breeding Moses wasn’t something we were too keen on. I learned a lot, though, and it was always interesting seeing the different breeds looking their best.
It is always good to give something a try and then make a decision. This kind of showing was fun.
Very cool to see you guys all there together. Probably don’t see that many GBGVs together like that very often. Way to stay poised and snag second place!
The next GBGV to where we live would be in Missouri or Illinios, so I never see another one of my kind (my sister doesn’t count) unless someone travels.
That is great Emma and congratulations on your ribbon! You look so great running around the ring! I didn’t know about the FSS open shows so thanks for sharing about that!
We knew a little bit but this taught us a whole lot about it. Hopefully in a couple years we will be full AKC and done with the messing around stuff.
Woooohoooooo Emma! You are a natural and beauwooowooootiful representative of your breed!
Thanks, I was proud of myself and Mom was too.
Second place is amazing, especially being a first timer. Congrats Ems xx
Well, there were only a few dogs there since we are so rare, but I am proud of it.
Sometimes I think it would be fun to show Misty and Timmy, but it takes over two hours to get Poodles ready for show and that is just a small portion of all that is required. So I’m content to just enjoy them as pets.
I did not have time to take a bath or get groomed, it was more about number of dogs and getting some points, so it was perfect for us!
Congratulations Emma! For me you are always BEST IN SHOW! We were clueless to at my last show… and I had green teeth from a chewing bone, maybe that’s the reason why I went home without a ribbon :o)
Hmmm…I thought being “green” was in???
Miss Emma, there is NO end to your amazing talents. Congrats on the 2nd place–and you didn’t even have to get a bath to get it!!! BOL. p.s. love the shot of the pack of GBGV’s
Thanks, that was pretty much the extent of my showing career, but who needs that…I have my writing and social media job 🙂
Emma, you’re already a superstar. A ribbon is nice and all, but you’re way beyond that already!
Awww, that is nice of you to say 😉
Wow, 2nd place! That’s impressive mischief! You’re so cute, how could you NOT come home with a ribbon??
Well I wasn’t prepared, no bath, no grooming, so it was fine with me!
Emma I’ve know of your breed for a very long time but until now didn’t realize that the AKC hadn’t included you yet…Getting “recognized” as an official breed is a long process and i hope your GBGV’s can pull it off…You did super for your first time at a dog show…It can be stressful but you came through like the star you are…Congrats on your first-ever ribbon 🙂
Thank you. I believe the club started trying for AKC in 1998, but it wasn’t until Dec. 2012 that we reached the goal of 150 dogs ever to add to our other accomplishments to push us to the miscellaneous class starting January 2014. I guess if we are really active we could be full AKC in as little as 2 yrs, so we shall see.
That’s pretty good Emma, your resume must be looking pretty good by now! Congrats on 2nd place!
My resume is getting pretty full but now I need to decide where I want to work…CEO of Purina, Kong, Hills…just don’t know 😉
Good job Emma second place for a last minute show. Showing isn’t fun for everyone. I use to show Lexie and Mica we did it for fun and because Mica is perfect for breed standard. Mica loved it and the attention and got quite a few ribbons, Lexie hated it .
Since Lexie hated everything about it and they didn’t know where to place her we let her stop. We just had fun with Mica. Congratulations for giving it a try. The first time is confusing and strange:)
It was odd I must say, but I picked it up like a natural which shocked my mom. I love to show off, so it is up my alley but that is about it for showing. No desire to get all particular and spiffy all the time.
Emma if you got any cuter, my screen would melt!
LOL, you are funny!
Congratulations!!! 2nd place is really great! I’m not sure what the benefit of being recognized by the AKC is so to me it doesn’t seem to be a big deal that the GBGV is not recognized by them. I would think that the rarity of your breed is more beneficial because it makes you unique and special.
Well, right now whenever I register like for my dog license, my breed is not on the list or at some vet offices it is not on the list. If I were a mix it wouldn’t matter, but it would be nice if they listed my breed since the GBGV is recognized pretty much everywhere in the world but here. No matter what, I am a happy dog and Mom loves me which is what counts most.
Congrats on your ribbon, Emma! That looks like it was a good fun experience. I’ve always wanted to go to a dog show, but I do imagine it’s a lot more serious than fun probably to be involved. The people are probably very competitive. I love how your coloring is different than the other GBGV’s….you really stand out.
The male was really white with some grey, but all the girls were very dark. We don’t want all the seriousness, so this was perfect for us!
That was nice of you to go and help out Emma, especially since it’s not really yours or your mom’s thing. I can totally understand about that. I enjoy spending time with my dogs, but even if I had a purebred with papers, I don’t think the conformation ring would be my thing. To each their own, right? 🙂
Exactly! Most show dog types probably wouldn’t enjoy my blog, so everyone has their thing!
Well done Emma, is there no end to your talents?! 🙂
I did a couple of shows when I was a pup, they’re super hard to get right, so I just took advantage of my Mum and Dad not having a clue and messed around – Tee Hee – We were just doing them for socialization whilst I was training to be a therapy dog, I think that’s definitely more my niche! 🙂
What are you gonna do with that pretty ribbon?
Wags to all
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
First I have to make sure and keep my ribbon away from Bailie as she might eat it. It was a fun thing to try, but not something we would want to do on a regular basis.
WOW! did not know that there lots of GBGV in MN. Golden CONGRTAS! That’s PAWsome. Can’t wait for what’s next. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Bailie and I are the only GBGVs in MN. The other dogs came up for the show from Missouri and Kansas. Since we are so hard to find, that was why they needed me to be the fourth female as they had to have four females for the show.
It must have been fun seeing all those GBGV’s in one place, at least for a little while! You look like a natural in the show ring, but we all have things we like and don’t like to do. I’m glad you got to go and have so much fun!
Bunny
It was fun trotting around the ring, but not something I would make a habit out of…I prefer sitting here at my keyboard 🙂
Second place, well done you! We knew your natural beauty would just shine through!
That’s right, who needs a bath and grooming?
Rooo oEmma you looked pawsome strutting your stuff in the ring -well done! *Waggy tail*
Woof! Thanks!
How fun to see that many GBGVs at one place! Yep, that was Isabeau, Madison’s mom in front of you. Where were we that weekend? I guess we were at some other event. Chablis
p.s. we are such a versatile breed,Emma. I’m glad you have your Beauty queen, tracking niche and I have my therapy dog and shows niche
Like Mom always says around here, we three are so much a like, but we are all so very different, and it is true. We each have out own things we do well. Thanks for confirming Madison’s mom. The show was in MN, probably why you weren’t there.