Absences and Dog Show

Okay, I'm back. Aside from being very busy--and getting on Facebook--I've been having a great deal of trouble with Google. I kept getting told my password was incorrect, even though I have it written down. I'll reset, and then when I try to sign in, I can't. At any rate, I'm here now.

I have gone ahead and entered Cassidy in the AKC/Eukanuba show. I wasn't going to, but this year it's not limited to invitational only. (Though he's eligible anyway.) We have a breeder-judge this year, but mostly because the show is moving to Florida, and I'm not going to Florida. So, we will be there this year after all. Should be a larger entry this year because it's being handled as a "regular" dog show. Regular classes, the works. It's to celebrate the AKC's 125th birthday. I could take Angus-the-Lab also . . . I'm considering it, actually. We'll see.

The Megan

Good news came yesterday. I have been selected as one of three who will judge the 2010 Megan Competition at our National. The Megan is basically a breeders' showcase of champions, divided by gender and color. The final lineup will be one dog and one bitch of each color. Each class is judged by two judges, and a random drawing determines which colors/sexes each judge gets. We rotate in and out. Only during the final lineup do the two judges, whoever they may be, confer with one another to select Best Cardigan, BOS, and Runner-Up. The first two rounds the two judges cannot talk to one another.

So I am pleased, and am looking forward to it. It's formal dress for exhibitors,. which means we have to get all gussied up in long gowns. Kinda fun! 8-)

What A Day!

Kennedy was awarded his sixth consecutive BOB, his seventh consecutive CAC, and his second CACIB at an international show in Sweden today. (Sunday)

PLUS his first litter was born today, five healthy babies.

AND his littermate, Gracie, was awarded one point yesterday, then went BOW today for a 3-pt major.

I am so proud of my kids, and of their owners!

Shows

Very pleased to post that Saturday, Gracie picked up her first point. Gracie is littermate to Gypsy and Kennedy, but has been taking her own sweet time about maturing. Kennedy and Gypsy just put things together more quickly. Now maybe Gracie can come into her own. 8-)

Speaking of Kennedy, he's got a show today/Sunday, so I'm hoping to hear good news from Taija. He apparently is trying to blow coat all over, so poor Taija is doing what she can to make him hold coat just a little longer for a few upcoming shows.

Gypsy has been living the life of Riley since our Flagstaff show in June. She needs one point to finish her championship, and we're hoping it's not the 1 point jinx. Though she may have to finish back east, as her owners will be heading back to visit relatives in New Jersey for 5-6 weeks.

Meanwhile, a baby girl came home with me from my visit to Ohio. She's a Cassidy daughter, and half of her pedigree is one I've never worked with, so it will be interesting to see how she grows on. It's a "wait and see" kind of thing, as this is Cassidy's first litter and we have no idea what he can produce, and, as mentioned, the dam's side of the equation is new to my line. Could be good, could be not so good. We'll see!

Puppy Picking

Tomorrow I head down to Phoenix to catch the red-eye to the big regional specialty in Ohio. There I will go over the litter and decide which girl I want, and also have a great time hanging out watching dogs and talking to people I only see once a year at the National. And I really hope I manage to get some sleep on the plane!

Burning Up the Rings

E-mail from Taija this morning, Kennedy's owner in Finland. As of the show today, he has five consecutive BOBs, a sixth CC, and second CACIB, the latter being from international shows.

So that all these letters make sense (I still don't have it all figured out despite Taija's explanation!), a primer:

In the European system, to finish his championship a dog must have three CCs, with one of them coming after the age of two. In the meantime, he can compete for as many CCs as are available. (Think 50 minor points in the U.S., but the dog won't have that championship until two majors are won.)

In Europe, to win a CC (Winners Dog, basically) the dog must defeat ALL dogs, including the specials. Much tougher than the U.S. system.

BOB is straighforward. Group placements, too. But when it comes to BIS, both Corgi breed winners must come back in--and there are placements in BIS. It's BIS-1, BIS-2, etc. Kennedy has a BIS-2.

With this BOB win, he now has won the "Young Corgi of the Year" title (they max out at five, and he was the first to get there), and should end up high on the "Corgi of the Year" title. (All ages)

I may have gotten this all mixed up, but I'm sure Taija can set me straight. 8-)

And I can't tell you HOW EXCITED I am about being able to show him in our National!

Kennedy's Record

Kennedy is the dog I sent to Finland last summer, to an exceptionally good home with Taija Potsonen, who sometimes posts here. I found out yesterday that Kennedy has added more burnish to his name by winning a CC, BOB, and a Group 2 last weekend! Gooo Kennedy! So if I remember correctly (and I may not, because the European system is much more convoluted than AKC requirements), he now has five CCs, two CACIBs, four consecutive BOBs, and the Group 2. (CCs move the dog toward his championship, and the CACIB is for international shows. They count toward an international championship, while the CCs count toward his Finnish championship.) And he's just 16 months and has been in 6-8 shows. Not bad for the guy! 8-) Kudos to Taija. I am SO looking forward to showing him at our National Specialty next year, when Taija and Robert come over for 4-5 weeks.