Bit of a negative view of dogshowing, I thought, when I read the penultimate paragraph.  There were photos of the dachshund with the article in the paper, but couldn't see any online.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article335272.ece

Well, at the end of the day, the people I work with think I'm a nut case travelling around the country to "ponce about" in a ring. They don't see the social aspect, the canine shopping opportunities and the warm glow when you're picked out :)

But then again, one of them spends weekends getting filthy stoking the fire of a steam engine, one of them sits in all weathers at the edge of a lake with a bit of wire floating in the water and the other spends an absolute fortune hiring a helicopter to fly around and land in the same spot he left from!

So.... whatever floats your boat :D

Ha ha hahahahaha go Malakai

warm regards Susan

I didn't find the article negative - I too entered the delights of dog showing at an advanced age - after getting our Aussie, the breeder told us to get out there & get him known & shown    Well, we did - and yes, everybody remembers Thor - he's the Aussie that was taken round the ring on the WRONG side of the judge by OH, when trying to stand him, Thor decided to sit down, shake hands with the Judge & roll over for a belly rub !   Everybody knows/remembers him now

However, as a total virgin to showing, I was quite excited, and described to many people the "alternative life form" that existed in a parallel universe to that of the ordinary, non-dog showing public - that there was a complete industry devoted to dogs - from insurance to designer clothes - from politics to lifestyles!

And now?  We're hooked - maybe not as much as our friends who will do 2 shows at weekends, and 3 or 4 over bank holiday weekends.   But we do make sure that we've got holidays booked for March - Crufts - and then long weekends during May & June - Bath, Southern Counties, Worcester, Windsor - and about 10 days during July - Peterborough, Paignton, Usk & Bournemouth :D :D :D

Margot

Margot - a woman after my own heart :D

WE 'do'  about the same no of shows as you, and a few local open shows - just for fun  :)  If we're placed, brilliant :) if not then we just enjoy the day out and the socialisation :)   and I know Crufts is 'just another champshow' but there's something really special about being allowed to stand on the green in the breed ring with the 'big boys and girls' :D  - I think of my dad who would have loved it and didn't live to meet my Beddies or see Crufts in all its mayhem ;)