Mom and I, Nelson, entered our first Conformation Show in Des Moines on the weekend. We are taking some drop in classes a few times a month and we decided to give it a try for real. Mom has never shown a dog and I have never been shown, so it was all new territory for both of us!
We hear lots of things about conformation. Dog sports are our love and will always be, but could we be successful at a dog show? Certainly, it can’t be that difficult? Well, it was quite difficult. We both had fun and learned a lot! It is also a lot of work carrying around kennels and grooming tables, clothes for Mom, etc. Madison and Olivia came along to support us, which also means more work. My groomer spiffed me up on Thursday, and Saturday morning at six we headed south to Des Moines for my show.
I looked pretty good, but my legs and feet needed some attention before I went to the ring. The entire day on Saturday it poured rain. Mom doesn’t want a wet dog, so it made things even more difficult. She had on her shorts and sweatshirt for the drive and prior to going into the show ring.
Even if I do say so myself, I was looking mighty handsome. Thankfully, Mom found a nice suit to wear that matches my furs. Together we went to the ring and waited for our turn. Yikes, we ended up being the first of the three dogs in my class. Mom was hoping for someone to watch but no, we had to start it all ourselves.
The judge had us go around the ring and over to the ramp first. It didn’t go real well because Mom was unsure of how fast to go and I was not paying a lot of attention but we kept going. Neither of us are quitters.
I went up the ramp but then I decided not to cooperate. Mom was sending me weird, nervous, unsure vibes so I decided to twist and turn and not let the judge mess around with me. She wasn’t a warm and fuzzy judge, so it didn’t go very well at all.
After the disaster ended, we got some good tips from our breeder for us to work on. Then we went out in the pouring rain to our car and off to the hotel. Mom and I were mentally exhausted. I crashed out on the bed right away.
Sunday turned out to be better for us in the ring. We practiced some things Saturday night in our room, and I got a new show lead. I did really well on the ramp this time and the judge said I was very handsome! This was a really nice judge who helped us out more than anything. Of course, the professional handler stole the show again, but Mom and I feel good about our performance. A couple people told Mom we looked much better too.
Conformation is not easy and the professional handlers make it even more difficult. We came away with a program, armband numbers and a few ribbons but no points. We are trying again this weekend and will then evaluate and decide our course of action. I’m thankful Mom is patient and willing to work with me on showing as well as all my sports. We are a great team, win or lose!
My GBGV Life is joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
You guys did great for your first time and you are one handsome boy, Nelson! You are on your way to stardom!
It was a really good “learn a lesson” weekend for us. Hopefully this weekend will be a bit better.
congrats that is a super result… you can be proud… da phenny rocked his first weimaraner special like a pro, but he was a one hit wonder so to say hahahahahaha.
Mom said we looked like clowns out there because we were both lost. Hopefully this weekend will go a bit better! Now we know what you boys go through.
You did great for a first time experience! Everything takes practice, and you and your pack are really good at sticking with the practice part.
Yes, we sure need practice. We went to another class this week and Mom has been training me all day every day here and there in short stints to make it fun. Hopefully it will go better this weekend.
Mom is so impressed with your courage to try something new!! You are inspirational. We can’t wait to read more about these new adventures. Your friends Chester and Lilly
Mom isn’t a fan of being a newbie, but she has wanted to show a dog just to try it and I am the one. Showing isn’t black and white like our sports, it is more all opinion which Mom doesn’t like, but we are going to keep trying and see what happens.
Showing dogs is ruff! Those professional handlers do make it difficult for the owner handler, especially a novice. I loved your mom’s suit that matched your furs. Keep practicing and building up your confidence. XOXO Sparkle
We are working hard on conformation, buried hides and containers. Lots of things coming up for me the next couple of weekends, so my brain is very busy. Mom just trains in short time frames and makes it all fun so I don’t start to hate any of it and I am having fun.
Looks like you and your mom did very well for your first time out. You’re sure handsome.
Tell mom I love her suit. Beautiful and it does match your furs.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. Scritches all around and my best to your mom. ♥
Mom wants to wear her suit every show, but she has other things she can wear too. It is not always what you do, but how you look doing it is what she tells me, LOL!
Dang, Nelson, You look great! AND…and you won 2nd place! That is NOT shabby at all – ESPECIALLY for
a newbie team. You did way better than My mom did with her first GBGV show dog, or even me (she got rusty in the last two years without showing). You LOOKED great in your go- round! Mom always goes too fast. Yeah, professional handlers tend to win, but it’s the commaraderie of the people; and meeting old and new friends that really is the fun for us. AND… the points WILL come! Great outfit by the way. Mom likes UKC and KCUSA shows much better – they are more relaxed and casual and great places to hit your stride for AKC. We REALLY, REALLY hope you will give yourselves a bunch more shows. Mom has a family reunion to go to this weekend, but she is still HOPING to get out to Purina to cheer you on.
Yours Truly, Jimmy Parker
We are trying it again and then we will see how we want to proceed. It does take a lot of practice and since I am a puppy, it takes more training too but Mom wants to get at least some points with me before possibly letting someone else show me. Finding time to do shows is hard because we have so many dog sports on the weekends but in the winter it may be easier if they still have shows. Finding enough of our breed at a show is also hard. Mom also only wants to show in AKC,so we are sticking to that. Hope to see you this weekend, we are there all three days.
I have show fogs but never showed. I went to shows with my breeder. I used to show horses and as I watched, I was disappointed in the judging. It is a dog eat dog world. Handlers win 99.9% of the time over owner handlers. The more the dog wins, and is advertised in the dog show magazines the more the dog wins no matter if another dog is better. My breeder got so disgusted she stopped showing in akc shows. You and your mom look great. It was so nice of the breeder to help you. Good luck this wkend.
We are just trying it, but Mom has always felt it is not a fair thing. We’ll see where we end up.
woo hoo Nelson! Aren’t you the handsome dog!
I sure try to be!
Warm and fuzzy is an impawtant trait for a judge…maybe she needs to take some classes.
Nelson please tell Mom I really liked her attire and OMDs your handsomeness is a given
Hugs cecilia
Thank you. Not every judge will be a favorite, but it was bad timing to have a not so friendly one on our first try.
We’re sure proud of you Nelson and Mom. The first time doing something like that is never easy but you are very handsome and look like a natural on the table. Give it enough time, you’re a winner! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
We will see if we continue or if Mom lets someone else finish me up. It is a new world we need to navigate.
The first time we try to do anything we are generally rubbish at it, and that’s okay! It’s fun to try, to learn, to do better, to enjoy ourselves.
Keep trying and have a great time!
We are going to plug along and see what happens.
You are both so brave trying confirmation. Dog shows are tough! Good luck next weekend!
Mom is having trouble with the “game” it is. She has always known it is subjective, not b/w like sports but it is tough as she is competitive.
Hope things go better for you next time. You’re always a champ in our books.
As long as we keep doing well in our sports, Mom will be alright. Showing is not something logical that you can just win. There are so many factors and it isn’t an exact science.