Bing and I traveled to Pennsylvania last week to attend the Great Dane Club of America National Specialty. We competed in the obedience trials there and were awarded High in Trial for both trials (highest scoring obedience)!
In other news, we have also enjoyed a few fun engagements over the past month or so. We were part of the United Way of Jasper County’s Speaker series, talking about the movie experience.
Bing enjoyed wandering the auditorium, greeting everyone and exploring the space! I think he might have been critiquing my presentation as well….
We were also invited as a special guest to attend Bailing out Benji’s annual gala. A really fantastic organization promoting public education about different types of breeders. They support responsible breeders. It’s refreshing when responsible breeders and rescues can work together!
Member of the Central Iowa Kennel Club in attendance at Bailing out Benji Gala
Three of the puppies from the Bosley x Endora litter had their show debut recently and two of them picked up points already! I don’t have photos for everyone, but here is Severace, who is owned by Tiana, Ila Humes, Neil, and myself.
Bing showing off his ribbons (qualifying ribbon, ribbon for first place – meaning he had the highest score in his class, and a new title rosett.)
To earn a CD (Companion Dog) title, the dog must have three qualifying scores, which is a score of at least 170 out of 200.
The exercises include:
– Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – Obedience heeling means the dog is keeping pace with their handler (changes of pace and directions, plus turns) and automatically sits when the handler halts.
– Stand for Examination – for this off-leash exercise the dog must stay in a standing position as its handler walks about 6 feet away. The judge will then lightly touch the dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Like in the Sit for Exam, the dog must not display any resentment.
– Heel Free – dogs will heel off-leash doing the same routine as they did on-leash, except they will not perform the Figure Eight.
– Recall – demonstrates that the dog will come to the handler on command. The dog should sit directly in front of the handler. Upon the judge’s command, the handler then directs the dog to return to the heel position (without handler moving).
– Sit Stay – Get Your Leash – this exercise is to demonstrate that the dog will remain in the sit position, while the handler goes to get the dog’s leash.
– Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay – this exercise will demonstrate the dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position, with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash.
CH = Champion RA = Rally Advanced CA = Coursing Ability DCAT = Fast CAT (timed 100 yard run) CGC = Canine Good Citizen TKI = Trick Dog Intermediate
If anyone is ever interested getting their dogs started in any dog sports, please reach out!
Bosley finished his AKC championship (pending AKC confirmation) in style this past weekend. He earned his second 4-point major, going Best of Winners at the Great Dane Club of Des Moines specialty. He was moved up and was shown as a special the other shows and managed an impressive haul! First, he went Best of Opposite over an amazing line up of specials. Next show he won an Award of Merit. Final show he went Select Dog. He was Owner Handler Best of Breed for four of his five shows and wrapped up the weekend with an Owner Handler Group II!
Bosley Winners Dog, Best of Winners, and Owner Handler Best of Breed under AKC judge Lourdes Carvajal
Bosley winning Select Dog and Owner Handler Best of Breed under judge under AKC judge Tom Davis
Bing went Winners Dog for another two points towards his championship. Now he only needs one last 3-point major win to finish his AKC championship.
Dogs have to win 15 points to earn their AKC championship. Points are earned on a scale of 1-5 points, based on the number of dogs at that show. The point scale varies by breed, gender, and region. Of the 15 points they need to earn, dogs need to win under different judges and win at least two “major” wins of 3-5 points. Basically, they need to defeat several other dogs at once. In our area, it takes nine male Danes to win a 3-point major. There were nine dogs entered, but one was absent, So what we hoped was a 3-point win was a 2-point win. Still great, but not quite as sweet as a major win would have been.
We had a successful final show in 2021, with Bing picking up more points towards his AKC championship. Plus, two of his kids made their debuts in the 4-6 month beginner puppy competition. So pleased with both of these youngsters!
Santana (Bing x Cleo) at 5 months oldBing with two of his kids (Bing x Cleo) – Zephyr (mantle male) and Santana (mantle merle female)
