Why shibas have stopped placing in the group? Are people staying home?

We ventured up to Waukesha for Trouble’s first dog show today. Waukesha is a really big summer show around here and used to consistently pull big majors for shibas. Not so much anymore, but we entered our little guy to help make one. It was also a good opportunity for us to see what we need to work on for future shows as he has not even been to so much as one training class or match. Just what I’ve done at home.

Waukesha is a really nice show, except for the fact that it’s usually danged hot. Actually today wasn’t that bad, just low 80s but because I haven’t been out every weekend it seemed hotter. There is, however, plenty of tenting, indoor grooming which may or may not be air conditioned but feels a little cooler than outside when I’ve been in there. Vendors are plentiful. If you can’t find what you need here, then I pity you  so for food and vendors, they definitely get a high grade from me, probably an A+

new Champion Sierras Tsukeagaru Kumiko, photo courtesy Rebecca Powell

Parking was free and plentiful, although I really expected more free space (read primo parking spots ) when I arrived as 12. Didn’t use the ladies room but I’ve been there before and it’s adequate, especially considering it’s an older building. Probably give it a B-

Trying to think what else I grade on <smile> but I’m tired from driving back, used the A/C all the way, so I know I’m going to hear about the mileage from Jonathan (only 27 mpg on an SUV, not that bad considering A/C on and a lot of 65mph driving on the interstate). Overall Waukesha gets a good grade of B+ because it’s a nice, fairly close show, great vendors, food choices and the ground isn’t too lumpy. I guess it’s not their fault that it’s warm!

Speaking of lumpy outdoor showgrounds (just kidding), my kennel club, Elgin KC’s shows are on August 22 & 23 and we have moved to an air conditioned building at the Kane County Fairgrounds. So please come, it’s a great show but often it’s quite warm, so we’re hoping this will be a real improvement for our exhibitors. Superintendent is Roy Jones at www.royjonesdogshows.com.

Yori's male Kyuudou Go Ginato Kouzansou, I think this is a Bill Fletcher photo

Sky - Photo from 2008 National Weekend (Fletcher)

Anyway, onto the show results … our judge was Greg Caliendo who was very nice, although I think he was feeling the heat a little and was not real fast in his exam or choosing his winners. He was very gentle with my puppy, Trouble, and I would not hesitate to show a puppy to him again. He did not check for full dentition on Trouble (and I had so been practicing that!). I didn’t actually notice if he checked on the older dogs or not. Trouble easily won his class of one and overall I was pleased with his performance except for one little puppy tantrum on the last go around for RWD LOL everyone had complained that he was behaving so well and they were expecting to have some laughs, so they got their chance then! So he could have been a little better, but he could have been a LOT worse

Also competing today (and making that ever elusive major in dogs) was Mary Ann Vogt and her homebred Spanky (I can’t remember all the registered names but will publish a link to the full results when they are posted) in the new AOH class. Pat Doescher and Tammy Szabo battled it out in the BBE class with Goblin and Kendo respectively. Pat was all worried we’d laugh at Goblin because he lost all his hair, but really he wasn’t that bad. Kendo too was allegedly out of coat … didn’t look bad at all! Finishing up the dogs was Monica’s Finn with Jane Chapin showing. WD and the precious major went to Kendo and finished him today. I guess it was worth entering him, eh Tammy? It’s in the family for me anyway, as Kendo is Mickey’s great great grandson (I think that’s the right amount of “greats”, Kendo’s grandsire Toby is Mickey’s grandson if that makes it any clearer )

There were only two bitches. And Rebecca Powell’s Miko was WB with a chance to cross over for the major during BOB competition. You can see her photo from a few weeks ago when she got a pair of group IVs out in Iowa. Jacqueline’s bitch Rumor was RWB. She came all the way from practically St. Louis!

Best of Breed competition rounded out the day with Yori Green’s new champion male that went BOS at the Classic first in line. Behind him was Jane Chapin’s BOB winning bitch Topaz, and then Sky owned by Edward Maes, Willis & Kim Fletcher & Larry Simon. All in all, a pretty impressive group of specials. After examining all the specials and moving everyone at least twice, Mr. Caliendo found his BOB in the bitch Sky, with BW going to Miko to finish (I believe this is Rebecca’s first champion!), and BOS to Yori’s male. I don’t know yet how things went in group, it’s a real tough group usually (I know this because Mickey got 2 placements there and about 300 body points each time which is a LOT for one show) but I’m sure Sky is up to the challenge!

P.S. no photos from today as I cannot find the charger for my camera and I wasn’t lugging Jonathan’s big old Canon (he was on backup today and couldn’t come), and Pat forgot hers! I guess I’m probably going to have to break down and order a new charger but you know I’ll find it as soon as I do!

No I didn’t miss last weekend, but shibas are just not getting ANY respect in the group lately. Only one placement this weekend thanks to Dr. Michael Manning and Youmee (Ch. San Jo’s She’s On Fire). A Group II at Nita Nee’s Saturday show on 7/18/2009! Also got a note from Sharon Roble (somewhere) that her win at Harrisburg KC will air on July 25th on Animal Planet.

Youmee at Chester Valley 2008

Midwest Shiba Inu Rescue will be holding their 7th Annual Online Auction in October. If you would like to donate to the auction, you can mail your donation to me–Barb. All we ask is that any item donated be new. Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Your help is greatly appreciated! Email me at: ba15096@aol.com and I will give you my address. Along with your donation, please include your name and email address so I can let you know that I received your donation. Thank you! Barb

Today my Sunny Bunny is five. He’s from Mickey’s last litter with Hanako (owned by Jeff Vogt), and isn’t it ironic that a dog named Ch. Reno Sakura JACKPOT produces a dog born on 7-11! We call him Mickey’s Mini Me because he’s way undersized and looks just like the mouse. Photos later …

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July holiday! For some reason even though it shows up correctly in my posting here … Youmee is showing in last week’s group placements, must be a bug at WordPress. Maybe it’s not even showing that way to you, maybe it’s my browser here at work, I don’t know!

update: now of course it’s correct!