Benched Show

No, silly, it's not a Bench Show......  it's a Benched Show! That's where the dogs have to stay at their benched area when not in the show ring so the public can come by and visit and learn more about the breeds. No, there are no park benches. It's just an area where the dogs can keep their crates side by side usually grouped with the same breed, amongst friends who have the same breed. The big Westminster show in New York is a benched show. Here in California we have our benched show in San Francisco with the Golden Gate Kennel Club held at the Cow Palace. No, there won't be any cows there. Yes, Hummer will be there with all of his friends. It will take place on January 24th and 25th. Yes, puppies are allowed to compete but you have to be at least 6 months of age and have received a blue ribbon in a previous show. There will be a $500 cash prize for the dog who gets Best in Show, and a $100 prize for Best Puppy in Show. We get to decorate the bench area and try to win a prize for Best Bench in Show. No, it's not the same as "decorating the kennels" which I know you are good at! Yes, when you are big like Hummer you can  go to the Cow Palace. You want to go to the park now? Ok, let's go.

Dog Show Expenses

Dog show expenses vary from show to show depending on the number of dogs you enter, the distance you have to travel to get to the show, and whether or not you have to stay in a hotel or rent trailer or RV space at the show grounds. For one dog, the entry fee is approximately $25 per day. That's the easy part. Gas, Food, and Lodging range any where from $200 - $400 per weekend. Miscellaneous expenses include parking ($5 per day), catalogue ($10), new show outfit ($100), bait ($3), and Handler Fees can cost upwards of $200 per weekend). Handling your own dog can cut expenses considerably but you have to be able to compete with the professional handlers in the ring. With a professional handler, your weekend bill for showing one dog can reach $500 or more if you get a Group or Best in Show placement.  This does not include the time you have spent grooming and feeding your dog. 

Dog show equipment can be very costly. To groom your dog properly, you need a grooming table, a forced air dryer, extension cords, possibly a generator, specialty combs and brushes, a dolly to transport all of the stuff, a portable chair, a nice grooming box to keep all of your combs, brushes, and scissors. Good grooming scissors cost at least $200 a pair and it will cost $6 to sharpen them which needs to be done at least twice a year if you trim your dog often. Long-haired breeds require a great deal of trimming and special shampoos and rinses to maintain a nice coat worthy of competition. A show dog's coat should be lush and beautiful which requires not only consistent care, but excellent nutrition. Nutritional supplements are also very expensive. 

The Newfoundland Show Dog requires a dedicated attention to coat-care and nutrition, training for fitness and notable ring presence, and is demanding in time and expense. The pay-out, however, is a tremendous satisfaction in owning and appreciating one of the most beautiful dogs ever as well as a the pride in developing such a magnificent breed of dog. Winning is just the icing on the cake. With a Newfoundland dog, from the days of the developing puppy to the prospect of a competitive show specimen, to a proven Show Champion, and on to winning Best of Breed, the experience is..... priceless. 

Thanksgiving

It's that time of year, a chill in the air and all the leaves turning  different hues of golds and reds. The days are getting shorter and a fire in the fireplace warms our hands and hearts. We get out our pie recipes and allow the dogs to linger on their walks a little longer because it is so cool and beautiful outside. The aroma of baked apples and cinnamon with brown sugar fills the kitchen and you can't wait to try that Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon you have been aging so long in the cellar. It's time for Thanksgiving, a chance to tell your family and friends "Thank You" for all they have done for you, for the fun and laughter, sharing and caring.  

The first North American Thanksgiving event occurred in Newfoundland, Canada, in 1578. The farm workers filled a curved goat's horn with fruit and grain to give thanks for their harvest having been a good one. This horn was called Horn of Plenty, or "Cornucopia". Whatever your harvest, be it fruit, fortune, friends, or the warmth of the soft thick coat of your Newfoundland Dog, may your Cornucopia be full this Thanksgiving, and bring you joy. 

Sincerely, 

Claire, Hummer, and Cher

Phoebe Goes To The Regionals

After a nice win in Roseville at  the Donner Trail Kennel Club show,Phoebe looks forward to joining the competition challenge at the Newfoundland Regional Specialty in Dixon on Friday October 24th for her first Major entry. With Fall in the air and the weather turning cooler, the Newfoundlands are more animated and growing their thick luxurious black coat. We look forward to seeing Newfoundlands from all over the Northwestern Region of the United States.

Happy Birthday Cher!

Happy Birthday Cher who is 3 years young today! Like a playful puppy she loves her toys and any chance she gets to swim or chase a squirrel or bird. She loves her brothers Hummer and Blazer who warmly welcomed her into the pack. After Blazer passed away, Hummer and Cher became an inseparable pair. An incredibly bright and affectionate Labrador, Cher is the ever-happy bundle of tail-wagging joy in our home. We love her very much.

Newfoundland Regional Specialty Show 2008

To everything turn... turn... turn...

There is a season... turn.. turn... turn...

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to groom

A time to crate

A time to stack

A time to bait

A time to seal the letter of fate

A time to show all great Newfies

I swear, it's not too late....   or is it?       

 The Newfoundland Regional Specialty Show is set for  Friday October 24th at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, California. Hosted by the Newfoundland Club of Northern California, it promises to be a fashionable array of some of the most beautiful Newfoundland dogs from the Northwestern Region of the United States. Best in Specialty Show 

shares the top shelf with other coveted titles such as Winner's Dog, Winner's Bitch, Best Veteran, and Best Puppy in show.  Sweepstakes winners receive cash awards and there is always a nice raffle with a bounty of Newfoundland Dog-related prizes. Rain or shine, the dogs all look their best from hours of grooming and training. The judging is intense and the handlers do their best to show that their dog deserves the win. It is a time to cheer and laugh and share a day with friends and some of the most wonderful dogs on the planet. So sharpen those scissors, gather your brushes and buckets, drool rags, bibs, crates, tables, secret shampoo and conditioners, and possible raincoat.... it's Show Time!

 

(All of the photos in this article are for the purpose of showing examples of the dog show world and beautiful Newfoundlands and are not for the promotion or endorsement of any particular dog, handler, judge, or breeder.) 

Phoebe Takes the Points

Congratulations to Phoebe for taking the points at the Roseville Donner Trail Kennel Club show on Sunday October 5th. Working hard in the warm autumn sun, Phoebe became a Winner in the bitch classes with Judge Judy Harrington amongst a very nice line of competition including Bella in the Bred-by class. She had a great weekend with her friends Sophie and Bella who obviously gave her good pointers on how to be a show dog! Phoebe will try her luck again at the Newfoundland Specialty in Dixon, California, on Friday October 26th and the following Sunday at the Sacramento Kennel Club show with Peggy Helming of Pouch Cove Newfoundlands as Judge.