Herd it at the Water Bowl

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Herd it at the Water Bowl

DOG SHOWS, SHOW DOGS

By Michael J. Mifflin

            “Sharon, sit.”  The woman nodded toward the chair next to the grooming table on which a freshly groomed Afghan lay.  She blew miniscule dog hairs from grooming shears and comb, and handed Sharon an apron to cover her clothes.

            Sharon’s hair, shoulder length and a toasty golden color, mimicked the Afghan’s except hers hadn’t yet been coiffed into perfection like the dog’s.  The woman stood behind Sharon’s chair and pulled parted sections between index and middle fingers then trimmed off split ends.

            “I couldn’t believe yesterday’s results.  He didn’t have a clue about what he was doing.”  The snipping continued, as the two women discussed the judge’s abilities to determine which dog in the ring represented the best of the ones shown.  Their conversation continued past the completion of Sharon’s hairstyle.  Whether it was the shears or the groomer, when done, Sharon’s do looked like the Afghan’s.  Unispecies grooming is one of many events that unfold outside of show rings.  A dog show is a great place to study how closely owners look or act like their dogs. 

            The American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctions several different events for the various breeds.  In confirmation shows, judges determine which dog best approximates the perfect dog, as described in the written standard for that particular breed as put forth by the AKC.  www.akc.org/breeds/collie/index.cfm describes the collie’s standard, i.e. head, eye, and body shape, gait, tail carriage, etc.  Dogs must be intact (not spayed or neutered) to go into the conformation ring in the United States.  This qualification precludes those of us who have rescue dogs from showing in conformation.  However, our companion dogs are welcomed in other events.

            Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) allows purebred dogs recognized by the AKC to participate in performance and companion events.  As members of the AKC’s herding group, collies can compete in agility, herding, obedience, rally obedience, and tracking.  An ILP number is required to enter your dog in any AKC-sanctioned event.  You can print the ILC application by going to www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm or you can request an ILC application by e-mailing ILP@akc.org .  To register for ILP, you will need to submit the completed application as well as two recent photographs of the dog (one full front view and one in standing profile), a veterinarian’s spay/neuter certificate, and the processing fee.

            For me, the most difficult part of completing the application me was finding a name.  My collie’s call name has been Bevan since he’s lived with us.  I wanted his registered name to reflect the dedication of the board and volunteers at Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois to this wonderful breed.  I also wanted to honor the Good Samaritan who stopped on his way to work to see if the dog lying in the ditch was alive.  Forty-five minutes later, after chasing that emaciated dog, Glenn had Bevan in his truck’s cab.  Bevan’s registered name is CRI Bevan Glenn’s Great Save.  The registered name is important because it appears in the catalog for every show the dog enters. 

            CRI has a rescue alumnus, Mach 6 Glen Ellyn Cody, who has excelled in agility.  The Mach 6 preceding his registered name indicates how many times Cody has performed perfectly in agility competitions (a future column will discuss this).

            Why do you want to work with your dog in show events?  To build confidence in your dog and yourself, socialize the dog, meet other people who are interested in working with their dog, and to have fun.  Before entering the show ring, you spend many hours in classes learning how to work with your dog to get him to succeed at the required tasks for a specific event.  Dog and owner invest countless hours completing homework and repeating commands to pass the various levels in the events.  You and your dog become a team, two individuals from different species melding into a working unit.  A dog owner learns much about his canine friend, and his canine friend can teach him much about himself.

            No one knows Bevan better than I.  As we prepare to enter the obedience ring, we grow ever closer, watching each other’s body language.  If I don’t stand straight and smile at Bevan when he’s doing a long sit or long down, I see his expression change.  He worries and breaks his stay, heading directly for me to see what is wrong.  This reinforces my awareness that I work with another thinking being who is attuned to the most miniscule of body language messages.  For us to succeed, I have to project to Bevan that I am in control of the situation, relaxed, enjoying what we are doing, and that he is doing exactly what he’s supposed to do.  He is not as secure in unusual environments as dogs that have lived in a forever home since puppyhood.  Bevan lived on his own, fending for himself for months after his first owners dumped him in the country.  Bevan’s self-confidence has increased dramatically because of our obedience work.  He trusts that I’m going to keep him safe so he doesn’t worry.  All Bevan has to do is be happy.

            That is what entering show events should be about: a happy, fun time to share with your dog.  There are people who become so focused on winning that they forget to have fun with their dog.  Sanctioned events are places I can take my dog where he is welcomed and we can enjoy our time together.

            Even if you choose not to participate in dog shows, a socialized, trained dog leads a much happier life for knowing basic commands and the rules he is expected to follow.  This training may provide safety in life-threatening situations.  All dogs need to know the basic commands: sit, lay down, stay, and come.  Of these, “Come” is the most important.  Should your dog get away from you and head for the street or a dangerous situation, he needs to turn back to you when he hears “Come!”  He will be saved from serious injuries or death, if he returns to you immediately.  Also, not jumping on people and sitting for petting will endear your canine to everyone he meets.  Finally, a dog that learns to walk nicely on a leash is wonderful to walk.  The easier it is to walk the dog without constant pulling, the more often you will want to take him out for exercise and play.

            Regardless of whether you and your dog participate in shows or work together for fun and bonding, you will encounter others who always have a story about how much better their dog is than your’s.  People enjoy bragging about their children and dogs:  “Betsy was the youngest Boston Terrier to win Best of Show” or “Basil was the youngest rat terrier to reach Mach 1 in agility.”  If your dog has a learning curve of three repetitions when learning a new command or exercise, you will find someone whose dog learns a command with one repetition.  It is wonderful it is for people to appreciate the accomplishments of their beloved canines!  However, my Calavar Banjo Tune, Joe, trained himself to enjoy his Chicago Tribune each morning with his first bowl of water.  Enough said!

Look for the next installment of “Herd It at the Water Bowl” in November 2006, Michael can be e-mailed at: collieman4@yahoo.com.  Comments, questions, or suggestions for further articles are welcomed.