Took Athena to the State Fair dog show

This was the first show I have taken her to, and it was pretty fun! I'm an AKC member, but I just haven't had the time to show. I took her to the State Fair to get some experience and have some fun with her.

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This is her sad face :P We were up at 4:30 yesterday morning for the show, and didn't go to bed until almost midnight the night before. Athena was exhausted! She is still sleeping today!
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The ribbons are: Best of Breed, 1st Dog Show, 2nd Working Group. She was the only dobie so Best of Breed wasn't too hard to get, lol!
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Congrats! You have a beautiful Dobe, and I have a real soft spot for that breed. I've been trying to learn how to show my Curly boy, and am getting a whole collection of those no-competition Best of Breed ribbons! (He's a rare breed, so there's almost never any breed competition). I even have a Group 4 ribbon somewhere...there were only 4 dogs in the group! :rofl:

I hope you have fun with it! I found a great kennel club, but the show culture's a little....different. I'm all about the preservation of breeds of dogs and selective breeding, but I'm not sure exactly how that ties into all the hair products and pro handlers. ;)

For low-stress environments to learn in, check out UKC and IABCA. I've shown in both, and really prefer them to AKC. In IABCA, the judge actually has to give you a written evaluation of your dog, which I think is pretty neat.

Good luck with that gorgeous girl! :gj:

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Originally Posted by MissMowgli

Congrats! You have a beautiful Dobe, and I have a real soft spot for that breed. I've been trying to learn how to show my Curly boy, and am getting a whole collection of those no-competition Best of Breed ribbons! (He's a rare breed, so there's almost never any breed competition). I even have a Group 4 ribbon somewhere...there were only 4 dogs in the group! :rofl:

I hope you have fun with it! I found a great kennel club, but the show culture's a little....different. I'm all about the preservation of breeds of dogs and selective breeding, but I'm not sure exactly how that ties into all the hair products and pro handlers. ;)

For low-stress environments to learn in, check out UKC and IABCA. I've shown in both, and really prefer them to AKC. In IABCA, the judge actually has to give you a written evaluation of your dog, which I think is pretty neat.

Good luck with that gorgeous girl! :gj:

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Thank you very much! I keep hearing that I should get a rare breed and then I'll win all sorts of shows, lol! I found a kennel club that I went to a meeting in, but it's an hour away, so it's kind of a pain. The only kennel clubs in my area are hunting/herding clubs, so we wouldn't fit in there.

And I hear you about the show culture. I have heard all sorts of interesting things and people gasp when I say I bring Athena with us when we go trail riding with the horses. "What if she gets hurt?!!" She's a dog, she should enjoy life! That, and they say if I didn't spend at least 3k on her, I shouldn't even think about showing. That's kind of discouraging.

Congrats! :D I have shown dogs for years and love it. Looking to get another show dog in the future. You have a Beautiful Dobie, Glad that you first show with her went so well, and keep up the good work:gj:

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

And I hear you about the show culture. I have heard all sorts of interesting things and people gasp when I say I bring Athena with us when we go trail riding with the horses. "What if she gets hurt?!!" She's a dog, she should enjoy life! That, and they say if I didn't spend at least 3k on her, I shouldn't even think about showing. That's kind of discouraging.

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I say they can go stuff themselves. You have a gorgeous dog, and you're right, a dog should have fun just being a dog. Sure you can have fun showing her, but she's your pet and friend, not a piece of furniture to show off.

I think a lot of show handlers have lost sight of that fact.

Congrats! Such a beautiful breed. As for the stuck up showers who tell you she's not show worthy if she didnt cost 4 grand.... they can go $:&939!:!!:& lol. As long as you are having fun and enjoying it and your dog is enjoying it... then screw them. Having fun is what matters.

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Originally Posted by Lana's_mom

Congrats! :D I have shown dogs for years and love it. Looking to get another show dog in the future. You have a Beautiful Dobie, Glad that you first show with her went so well, and keep up the good work:gj:

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Thank you very much. I had a lot of fun and would definitely like to do some more shows just for fun. I really don't care if I don't get the best ribbons, I really don't expect that, but I would really like to do some more shows.

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Originally Posted by SilverDemon

I say they can go stuff themselves. You have a gorgeous dog, and you're right, a dog should have fun just being a dog. Sure you can have fun showing her, but she's your pet and friend, not a piece of furniture to show off.

I think a lot of show handlers have lost sight of that fact.

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That's a great point, and I agree with you. We have horses and show a couple of them, but the horse shows are exactly the same. Our horses are out in the pasture 24/7 and we trail ride them. The really big horse showers leave their horses in stalls majority of their life while they are showing, and wouldn't consider riding outside of an arena, and especially not through woods/creeks etc. I just can't image keeping a dog/horse caged up so they stay pretty. Like you said, they are a friend/partner and they deserve to enjoy life being the animal they are.

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Originally Posted by Amon Ra Reptiles

Congrats! Such a beautiful breed. As for the stuck up showers who tell you she's not show worthy if she didnt cost 4 grand.... they can go $:&939!:!!:& lol. As long as you are having fun and enjoying it and your dog is enjoying it... then screw them. Having fun is what matters.

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Lol, thanks :) I think Dobies are definitely one of the prettiest breeds out there! I agree with you 100%. When I take my mare (with a fractured skull, blind in one eye, and absolutely not a show horse) to horse shows for fun I always say "I just come so no one else has to get last place" :rofl: I would gladly do that with Athena as long as I enjoyed it!

Very pretty Dobie. Glad you had fun.

Nice work - she's a lovely Dobe! They're still my #1 fave breed...looking forward to getting another someday. Chaotic State Fairs are great for exposure & experience, and it looks like she handled it with flying colors! :)

Are you going to the Des Moines show in Sept?

:gj::gj::gj::gj:
Congrats:bow::bow:

I miss doing the weight pulls, it was nice being out with the all the bullies. Just not the same anymore

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

:gj::gj::gj::gj:
Congrats:bow::bow:

I miss doing the weight pulls, it was nice being out with the all the bullies. Just not the same anymore

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How is it training them to pull? I have thought about training our girl to pull to give her something to do. She's so so hyper. So finding something that she can do may help with her ADHD lol.

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Originally Posted by Amon Ra Reptiles

How is it training them to pull? I have thought about training our girl to pull to give her something to do. She's so so hyper. So finding something that she can do may help with her ADHD lol.

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Start with a fitted harness and a heavy chain. I think the better thing you could use would be a spring-pole:gj: and they are cheap to make;)

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Originally Posted by Kara

Nice work - she's a lovely Dobe! They're still my #1 fave breed...looking forward to getting another someday. Chaotic State Fairs are great for exposure & experience, and it looks like she handled it with flying colors! :)

Are you going to the Des Moines show in Sept?

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Thank you! I wasn't planning on going. I'm not sure when it is, but Sept is super booked for me...like every month really :rolleyes: And she did do a pretty good job considering it was her first big show! She did dog 4-h with my sister when she was a pup. She was nervous in the ring, but I think it was my fault-the judge even said so, lol. She said I needed to relax because Athena could feel my nervousness and it was bothering her. The judge was pretty awesome, she kept saying I had a beautiful dog and to keep at it.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

:gj::gj::gj::gj:
Congrats:bow::bow:

I miss doing the weight pulls, it was nice being out with the all the bullies. Just not the same anymore

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That sounds like a lot of fun, I've never seen any pulling!

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Originally Posted by Kara

Are you going to the Des Moines show in Sept?

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Apologies for going slightly off topic - we'll be at the Des Moines show! One of my dobes will be at Meet the Breed, and I'll also have a corgi there too. Will be stewarding most of the day though, so I'm not sure when we'll be at the booth.

To the OP - I'm glad you had fun! :)

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Originally Posted by sekaiNdobes

Apologies for going slightly off topic - we'll be at the Des Moines show! One of my dobes will be at Meet the Breed, and I'll also have a corgi there too. Will be stewarding most of the day though, so I'm not sure when we'll be at the booth.

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Yay! We'll be there Friday for the Dane specialty. :) Hope you have a great time!