
It difficult when you start learning to walk, watch & write all the time, although 60 is the maximum you can judge(doesn't seem a lot)it's like competing with however many dogs you have in the class I only had 27 bitches work yesterday so it was like working 27 dogs ! or being in 27 classes at a breed show, hard on the mind & legs
I quite enjoy it & you get some lovely people in obedience(as you do in breed must add) There was a Cavalier working in one of the lower classes yesterday & was obviously thoroughly enjoying every minute
I usually take a friend to steward the round & steer the handlers round the ring(not allowed to do it yourself !)& we have a laugh going & coming back & usually in the ring too ! The little bitch you won yesterday has now qualified out of the class & is only eligible for the top two classes, she was a little sweetie & I know it not done in breed, but she is 4 weeks in whelp & it obviously suits her. She is a Working Sheep Dog(a BC by anyother name)& as most are born to work working on a nice day like yesterday is quite natural. Her owner was really chuffed as she was scanned in the morning at the show & confirmed in whelp by oddly enough the handler who came second in the class ! so I now know a lay scanner in Milton Keynes ! who is a doggy person. She does the bitches standing with no clipping etc & had a few bitches to do at the show. She was lovely with her own dogs & must be a good handler as she has at least one working the"ticket" or CC class with isn't an easy thing to achieve as your dog has to win an open C(the top obedience class)& get three qualifying places as well under different judges & then get enough "merit"points from places in C as well
It can be grim if it rains or is too hot but at least the exercises can be altered to sit the conditions to make it easier for the dogs
I'll be having a lazy day today, I've been very good put my report on the
ObedienceUK site & will E mail it t the two obedience magazines this moning. I had the handler of the dog who won my class I judged at Wakefield wcome & thank me for his write up He's a Working Sheepdog cross GSD(an accidental litter that the bitch(GSD)never showed any signs until she was just about to have them ! He looks like a Longcoat GSD but has mottled feet & at 16 months old he is now only eligible for C & already has his first qualifier for ticket in his first C class last weekend ! I think he will be at Crufts in the obedience in the 2007 competing in the Championships He is absolutely stunning !