Back to the Shows: Orange Empire Dog Club 2012

December saw me taking some time off from the show circuit while I tended to more domestic pursuits over the end-of-the-year Holidays. It sure felt good tho, to fire up the truck and head out on the road again - this time to San Bernardino, CA for The Orange Classic to see some old friends and to make some new ones. Half of the classes were being judged indoors and I concentrated on the goings-on in the outside rings. My full gallery of images will be up in about another 10 days (prepaid Priority Requests are processed in only 3 days from the show - all the details on my pricing can be found on my main web site).

I started off my weekend ringside at the Obedience Rings. Watching these dogs work as a team with their humans was inspiring! Lyric is the Golden Retriever in my photo here. Can't you just see the concentration on her face as she searches for the dumb-bell that was "scented" by her owner and placed in a stack of other dumb-bells? While I was enjoying the Obedience classes I was treated to a totally cool meeting ... one of the SoCal Pet Photographers that I've admired for awhile came out to the show to enjoy the doggies and to take a few minutes to meet with me. Kienan (and her husband Alvin) are the VERY talented photographer team at Cowan Impressions. They have some stunning bully portraits, and their magic continues over to other breeds as well. I recommend you take a look at their work!

By the end of the day Saturday, I was running out of available light for the Group and Best in Show Judging (all done indoors). But this boy - GCH Graybulls Moonshine In A Mason Jar - just stole the show during the Non-Sporting Group judging. The is one Bulldog that knows that attitude and humor are an important part of being a Champion. He took third in his group on Saturday.

Sunday was just as beautiful and I enjoyed my second day on the showgrounds. Besides hanging with some favorite breeds, I had a chance to meet the Dandie Dinmont Terriers, up close and personal. I've admired the breed for awhile, but never knew much about them (you'll have to wait until Friday for my Project 52 post for that photo). I made a point to spend some time at the "Miscellaneous Breed" ring. The lighting made for some nice portraits - this example is the Russell Terrier Sierra Vista's Doc Diggins.

My weekend was finished up watching Lynda O'Connor-Schneider take Best of Breed with English Springer Spaniel CH Ramblewood Don't Stop Believin' (call name Barney). Springers are close to my heart (although Cockers HAVE my heart!) and it was a fitting way to close up my trip to San Bern. I'm back home now, editing away on ALL of the photos from the show. Thanks for visiting for this look into what's to come when the editing is done!

PS: The big winner for the weekend? Both days saw Ally (GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore) the Standard Poodle taking home the big rosettes. Congratulations to Ally, and to everyone for another wonderful dog show weekend!

Meet the Breed: Poodle

Ahh ... the beautiful French Poodle with all the looks but none of the brains. We've all heard this stereotype at one time or another, but did you know ... NONE of it is true! To start with, the Poodle originated in Germany. And for anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing this breed, all three varieties (Standard, Toy and Miniature) are exceptionally smart dogs. Even though the Poodle is runway-worthy with its model looks, it comes from a strong working background, being first used as a water-retriever during hunts. The clips we see on the show dogs, with the "poofs" left over the ankles and hips - did you know that this wasn't some strange fashion choice but has actual merit? The hunters developed this cut to help the Poodles keep joints and vital organs warmer while working in the cold water. The rest of the body is clipped to help the dog move easier through the water during the retrievals. The oldest of the three varieties is the Standard (the largest of the Poodles). The Miniature Poodle is thought to have been used primarily for truffle hunting. And the smallest variety, the Toy Poodle, was most often seen in performances and circuses.

All of the Poodle varieties are quite active and require daily exercise. Don't forget to give him a job around the house or interactive toys - keep his mind sharp and stave off the boredom! Poodles have a hypoallergenic coat that may reduce allergy responses in humans and the breed is often used in mixed-breed crosses for this reason. The coat does require regular professional grooming, however. A great family dog in all varieties, do be careful with small children in the home with a Toy Poodle - a smaller dog may not be able to withstand the less coordinated interactions of a very young child. Supervision of dogs and children with any breed is always a good idea. Poodles are recognized in a number of solid colors, including white, black, apricot and grey. While you may occasionally see a parti-colored Poodle (two colors in solid patches) this is not a recognized color in the American Kennel Club and you will never see this pattern in the American show ring. The United Kennel Club does recognize the parti-colored Poodle, but over the pond they are shown in separate classes from the solids. Within the UKC the Poodle is recognized in only two varieties, divided by size: the Standard Poodle and the Poodle (the latter having both the Miniature and the Toy as members).

The Poodle is AKC recognized (since 1887) and is a member of the Non-Sporting group (Standard and Miniature) and the Toy Group (Toy). The Poodle is UKC recognized (since 1914, and separated into two varieties in 2000) and is a member of the Gun Dog group (Standard) and the Companion Dog group (Poodle). The Poodle Club of America, Inc. is the official Parent Breed Club for the Poodle in the USA.

Pictured top: GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore (call name Alley), middle: Sharbelle Chanel II Pamir (call name Chanel), bottom: GCH Hosanna Danica Dancing In The Rain (call name Tenley)

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