Alex, Shade, Thunder and I went to the Talbot Kennel Club shows on August 16th and 17th.
The pups were a little nervous as we had not been to a show since the beginning of July. Thunder was the only 6-9 puppydog. He did wonderful! It was exteremly HOT! 95 with humidity. He is learning to get his "head up" and doing much better. He stacks wonderfully and lets the judge go over him without difficulty. Shade now wants to do the "hang dog" head :) Alex continues to get better at controlling her, and she also did much better than I thought she would. Day 2 Thunder was again by himself. He was much more relaxed. Shade also did better. Alex was told by the judge that Shade could have taken 1st place, but she needs to "get her act together" lol!
We then went to the Annapolis Kennel Club show on August 18th.
Thunder was very relaxed, but HOT! The judge had everyone show the dogs bite, which threw Thunder off a bit as this was not his usual routine :) Shade did really well, still hanging her head (we'll work on that). I was more concerned for Alex, he was overheating fast.
We have quite a few more shows to attend this year. Breeze will be shown in November in 6-9 puppybitch classes. We will try to get some pics taken but it is difficult when it is only Alex and I :)
On October 11th, Thunder took WD and BOS (owner handled) from the 9-12 class at West Friendship! His first point! :) We are very proud of him! He finally has his head up and boy does he move. We have received many compliments on his movement, and head. Shade was entered for all 4 days, but is in heat, so she has been pulled from them. We'll see if Thunder can keep this up for the next 3 days! (October 12th, 13th, and 14th)
Thunder decided he wanted nothing to do with the rest of the 3 days of showing, so he did everything possible to let me know this! Talk about wanting to dig a hole to hide in lol! Here is one photo of him giving me a semi stack day 4.
Shade went to Middleburg on October 25th with me showing her. She did outstanding for having been out 1 1/2 months! She stacks very nice, but does not like the collar high on the neck and tends to crab. It was really cold today! The Judge said "She can really run!" I thought "Yeah, right out of the ring if she could! lol!" Alex will be showing her tomorrow at the GDCMW Specialty (October 26th).
We have figured out Shades M.O. She has stage fright *G* She does not do well by herself, but does wonderful in the group. Alex had his hands full in 9-12 puppy, but in Group, Shade did shine!
Here the judge is going over Shade.
Shade moving with Alex.
Shade stacking so well!
Shade waiting in Group.
Alex stacking Shade.
Shade being looked over by the Judge.
One last look before picking Winners bitch.
We will be at the West Friendship shows on 11/21-11/24 with Shade, Thunder and Breeze. Breeze is a dream! She has taken to showing like she is an old hand, loves to stack, gait, personality plus!
West Friendship was GREAT! All the dogs did outstanding! We would like to thank the numerous people who came and spoke with us and praised our Danes. We were extremely proud of the Ra-Ca Gang! Breeze pictured at 6 months, Thunder and Shade at 12 months.
Thunder at West Friendship
Breeze at West Friendship.
Shade at West Friendship.
I took Shade to the 2 day George Alston handling seminar on Nov 30th, we met Stacie Stern Leaphart there with Baylee. We had a blast!
George :)
At Gettysburg PA on the 7th and 8th, everyone did very well again! We have been video taping the shows and the improvment in both the dogs, Alex and I has been measureable. We will try and continue to include pictures to the webpage.
At Bethlehem PA on the 14th and 15th, Thunder gave me my first trip! Fell like a ton of bricks! Got up, pulled the skirt down, made sure I could walk, took Thunder back to the corner and finished showing...the next day I paid the price! I felt like a truck hit me! Needless to say I was in quite a bit of pain, nervous about another repeat, and Thunder sensed this. Alex and Shade looked great! We are on a break now (big sigh of relief) until next month and we will be headed to New Jersey mid month.
Alex, Shade and Thunder in the hotel room in PA.