What a great weekend for the CoolWater crew!
I took both Trixie & Rip to the dog shows in Vero Beach, FL. Both did VERY well considering they’ve never really shown before. They were a little hesitant — lots of other dogs, lots of people, lots of noises, lots of things whirling by — but all-in-all I’m very proud of them both. My goal for the weekend was a.) to introduce the puppies to the show ring b.) let them have fun and c.) get them to stand still so the judges could go over them. Well, we succeeded in doing all of the above and then some….
Saturday, a good friend of mine, showed Trixie in the 6-9 mos. old puppy class. Trixie took Winners Bitch for 1 point. Yay Trixie! Rip, took reserve to the other (much more mature) male (who was 2 1/2 yrs. old). However, also on Saturday, Rip took best puppy in breed.
Sunday, I showed both Rip and Trixie. Trixie took Winners Bitch (for another point) and Rip took Winners Dog & Best of Winners (1 point).
While the points were nice, what was even nicer happened when I walked out of the show ring on Sunday. When I walked out of the ring, I was confronted by a woman who was sitting, watching, ringside. She told me that my male puppy was OUTSTANDING and that he has a very bright future ahead of him. She continued on to say that ‘provided he doesn’t fall apart’ she could see the two of us doing great things together. She said he was, without a doubt, the best dog in the ring that day and that the only reason he didn’t take breed was a.) because I’m a novice handler and b.) because of his age. She said the judge was very big on presentantion, handlers and won’t put a young pup up over older dogs. Now, I didn’t know this person but it turns out she shows Golden Retrievers. I left the show that day?feeling very warm-fuzzy and happy.
To add to the good news, in Virgina, under Judge Elizabeth Muthard, “Jesse“, also received her first point by going Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed over an older male. This was her first weekend out! ?Woot, Woot!? The judge commented that although the male was more mature she just had to give Jessie the point as?her movement was flawless.
On Saturday, at the Virginia show, a fellow Chessie breeder, that I know well, was standing ringside and had the opportunity to see “Jesse.” Of course, when I found out I had to ask his opinion (especially since I haven’t seen her since she was 8 weeks old). He reported that “Jesse” has probably about the nicest tail carriage that he’s seen, that she has a beautiful coat, course and thick and that she’s much more mature than her mother at this age. He also stated that she had a great attitude and she handled everything very well. To hear this from a fellow breeder, makes me very proud!
So, several puppies out of the Morgan x Nash litter now are pointed. Oak, has 4 points including 1 major; Trixie, 2 points; Rip, 1 point; and Jesse, 1 point — not bad for young puppies and their first weekends out.
I wish I had photos to share. A friend took some ringside but apparently she deleted them by accident.