Come on don't be shy who was lucky enough to win what at The National?
me and Ellie got absolutley "Zilch" (or should that be Ellie and I) Congrats to all those who did win, an enjoyable day was had and plenty shopping done.
She

Like you and Ellie, Beau, Vinnie and us came home with absolutely zippo!!!

Mind you, seeing as they both decided to start blowing coats on Friday, I'm not surprised!!  They behaved beautiflly though, went round the ring like little trains (good little trains) - and, sseing as it was their first time out with the "big boys & girls (18 months & 5 days) we were quite happy with them - big classes and we didn't get the "I'm booored - can I play at something else?" at all!

Journey up & down wasn't too bad either - we did use the new M6 toll - sad thing was, because of the size of our van that cost us an extra £10 - we're only ever charged the same as a car on the QEII or Severn Bridges - but thefact that the road was clear (not surprised at these prices) did make a difference to our timing.    Left at 5.30, arrived 8.30, left 2.15, back at 5.15 not bad for a round trip of 351 miles!

Well- how much coat can they gain before Bath????

Margot

The M6 up north was fairly quiet also, little bit of traffic at Manchester but nothing to hold us up. Took me 3 hours to get home but a good journey.  The classes for mine were also big, but this was Ellies first show and she behaved splendidly, stood like a little rock, let the judge go over her, in fact the whole day she behaved as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth (THAT soon changed as soon as she set foot back in her own garden).  Was a bit surprised though! in the class Ellie was in the puppy that got reserve actually went for the judge whilst she was trying to go over her,I thought that doing that was a big NO NO, or is there a bit more tolerance cos they are puppies?  Its always something that worries me in case she does (not that she has ever shown any inclination in that respect.

Good Luck for Bath.

I can assure you NO dog went for the judge!!  might of backed off a bit, but CERTAINLY not "gone for".
Dawn.

May have phrased it slightly wrongly, but I can assure you the Back off was combined with a growl because I heard it.

Maybe then She, cos when a Dobe "goes for you" it comes forwards not backwards! :D  Glad you had a good day, (and it didnt rain!)
Dawn.

"Forwards or Backwards"  its telling you "I don't like what you are doing watch out":D  Seriously though, no disrespect meant to the judge as I understand she is a friend of yours Dawn (with I imagine much more experience than myself) I was simply asking a genuine question as I always understood this to be an undesirable trait.
She

You are spot on there She, its a very undesirable trait, personally I would sooner a Dobermann be forward than backward, as far as aggression is concerned.
Dawn.

Can you explain Dawn, not sure I'm understanding what you are getting at. It was a nice day, really enjoyed the venue, also got hold of a book I've been looking for, by Jimmy Richardson - well chuffed.

What I mean is, I would rather a Dobermann be aggressive and mean it (guarding/protection qualities) instead of a growling shivering heap of nervous aggression!

There ia a Dobe club that does character assessment tests, you would be amazed at how many Dobermanns back away from a direct threat.  That to me is very poor temperament.
Dawn.

Got you, I have to agree with you there, at least with the former you know exactly where you stand, the latter is a potential time bomb.
I try to encourage the guarding instinct in my two Dobes without the development of aggression, they should be construed as a deterrent to any threat,without developing in to a danger. Mine will bark/growl at any strangers, but I have no problems letting people into the house, once they have established that I am happy with whoever I let in they are very friendly.
But whenever Iv'e got them out walking etc I'm ever vigilant and take nothing for granted.

We had a good day, taking our new baby (Oscar) 7 months old, out for the first time.

He won MPD with an entry 9 and also coped really well with the noisy Bingley Hall.

After the dreadful trip up in torrential rain his win made up for it. We used the new toll road too Margot, it made a tremendous difference to our driving time.

Jayne
xx

Had a great day, litter of 3 sisters in puppy bitch all got places, and my dog got 3rd open dog (and his stud book number).

Regards
Joan

Congratulations I bet you a chuffed to the nines, speaking of books you have just reminded me, I was totally self indulgent today and bought a book I've wanted, it cost me £20, felt a bit selfish but its a delicious feeling.  Off to bed now for a good read.

Hi All,
We were there yesterday and Macy got 2nd in puppy bitch, had a nice day, parking was good not too far to walk, though the ground was getting very muddy by the time we left at 2ish.
Well done to all that were there.
Karen.

Congratulations to Jayne & Joan!

Margot

...and congratulations to Lacey as well (and everyone else who won!!!)

I went to Birmingham Nat on Sat to show a friend's GBGV.  We had a fantastic day we won Post Grad Bitch, then we won Best Bitch and then to complete a great day the judge awarded us BEST OF BREED.  We couldn't belive it.  We didn't do any thing in the group but that didn't matter.

We floated all the way home.

<floated all the way home> 

...so the mud didn't bother you then!!:D :D

Congratualations!

Margot

Margot, you would pay a fortune for that kind of mud bath a the beauty salon, we got it for free the skin on my knees is sooooo soft now :D