Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Difficult Decisions


Good Cold Morning - I have read Robin & Andrea's posts and realize that it is tough to add something new when I am distracted by the lack of one of the pack. My pack of English Springer Spaniels (ESS) at present consists of Jura, Ailsa, & Baker. Jura is missing from the group because I made the decision that he should be out with a professional handler to complete his AKC conformation championship - or at least have a decent chance at finishing the title.

For those not familiar with the progression to the title of "Champion" in the AKC, a dog must earn 15 points under a minimum of 3 judges with at least 2 "major wins". A major, worth 3-5 points, is a function of the number of dogs showing and the region of the country in which the dog is being shown. Jura has 10 points (so he is now considered to be "pointed out") and only needs his majors BUT there have been no majors in this area. In addition the boy looks different from ESS being shown presently in the US.

Jura (the boy on the left) is a perfectly good example of the breed, conforming to the breed standard, with a number of less desirable traits (hey none of us possess the perfect dog!) but he differs with respect to markings (broken coat & spots (ticking)), bone, skin (let's just say I could cover another dog with his skin and it gives him longer, heavier ears), and eye color (correct but at the "light end"). Baker, the boy on the right, is a good representation of the ESS in the US. Anyway, with Jura's differences it takes a confident judge to pick the different boy and it did not help that I am new to the sport of conformation so I tend to not show him to his best potential. Therefore, I decided to send him out with a professional. So why am I missing the boy when I know that it was my decision?

First of all, Jura, like Baker and now Ailsa are my training partners and companions and we have a special relationship that comes from learning, working, and competing together. So when they are not at home there is a missing personality form the house.
Second, not all handlers treat their dogs as anything more than a job and/or a commodity. Not that they are cruel or laking of knowledge but it is a business and the kind of time that we invest in our dogs is not the kind of time you can invest in a "string" of dogs being taken out on the road.

Third, as alluded to above, when you work daily and often with your dog in performance events, you understand that the dog has personality traits that impinge on your everyday life and responses. Baker is highly excitable, for example, and needly so he makes me aware of his presence by checking in with physical touch frequently. Ailsa is all energy and a blank slate with a huge desire to learn so she is into everything with huge enthusiasm. Jura is "California Joe Cool" - he seems to be laid back and just in charge. Turns out he is fully engaged and the male leader - anything happens and the others check to see how he is reacting before they do anything. Consequently when he is gone the dynamics in the house change - Baker is more nervous and less decisive; Ailsa misses her play mate and big brother from whom she has been learning how to be the female leader.

The good news while I am missing the boy is that Ailsa (6 mo) is teaching Baker (6 yr) how to play! It has taken her 8 weeks but she has succeeded in getting him to play with her without using teeth (!) and to play tug on a toy, engage in chase games, and to pick up stuffed toys. I am loving it because he is more relaxed than I have seen him before! In addition, I am filling the void by spending more time on training fundamentals with Ailsa as this window of opportunity with a puppy goes by too quickly.

The handler e-mailed last night that Jura is well and playing well with the other English Springers and English Cockers. His next stop will be Florida in 10 days and there are majors in bitches each of the first 5 shows, so keep your paws crossed and I'll report how he does and whether he ever forgives me for sending him on the road.

Ginger

No comments: