Another show weekend has come and gone. We had a bit of success this year in Saturday’s show, which was nice to see. It can be tough to handle your own dogs, especially against polished junior handlers and professionals. I confess the degree of subjectivity and politics makes the conformation ring my least favorite venue. I’d rather be doing agility, rally, obedience or field with my Tollers where the performance criteria is more clear cut.
Tobago (Zephyr’s Flusher of Dux) made his conformation debut in Puppy Sweeps. He treated his first circle around the ring like a road race, though as we continued to work together he settled in and did some nice gaiting. He loved the attention from both the Sweeps and regular judge, and was acceptably wiggly considering his age and experience. I look forward to working with him as he matures. His co-owners Brad and Amanda have been very appropriately referring to him “Bambi”, as at just over six months he is all leg. In Sweeps Tobago was beaten by a very nice puppy named Morgan, but he managed to turn the tables on Morgan in the regular show. 
Next I showed Major (Zephyr's Epic Journey). He is a very nice male from June’s litter with Breaker. He won the Open dog class, then was awarded Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 5pt major. Major only needs one point to finish this Championship now. He showed quite nicely for me and seemed to be enjoying himself.
I also showed Major’s sister Eta (Zephyr's Eta Carinae). She was a bit bouncier than her brother, but gaited and stacked nicely for me. She won the Bred By Exhibitor bitch class, then was awarded Reserve Winners Bitch. So close! Eta is only one major away from finishing.
After our judge handed out ribbons in the Best of Breed ring he put up his hands, palms open both to frame and stay us for a moment as he said, “Just as you are, that’s what I like to see. Not over groomed.” His comments were a pleasant affirmation our breed is to be presented naturally with minimal grooming. It’s not often we show under a judge who rewards this, let alone one makes a point of mentioning it.
We’ve now put our show clothes away until the end of January and are headed back to the agility ring until then.
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