Itty Bitty Hooves

Show Time Memories

July 24, 2007 on 5:38 pm | In life, work |

I’ve owned many a show dog in my life, and probably will again in the future. There is something about owning a fine specimen and showing them off that makes an owner proud. Especially if they’re also the breeder, and possibly the trainer and handler as well. What a joy. I’m sitting here right now looking at a three foot long multi-streamer Best In Show ribbon that is a cherished reminder of a beloved pet long gone.

There is so much that goes into the quality care of a show dog. Truckloads of equipment, top quality shampoos, strong, durable clippers, and much, much more. Finding those items can be more difficult that stopping by the local pet shops that are geared toward family couch potatoes.

To be sure the best of the best show dogs can also be couch potatoes at times. My Dobie Storm who was the recepient of the BIS honors of which the ribbon in my office speaks was the biggest, baddest looking creature on God’s green earth, and an even bigger couch potatoe. There’s nothing he relished more than a long snooze on the cushions of his favorite couch while I watched tv right next to him. That was just his disguise though. He was really a fearsome guardian, and a wonderful competitor.

Even with a dog with such a short coat as a Doberman there is a lot that goes into the professional grooming requirements for a sleek and shiny show coat. High quality dog grooming dryers and shampoos, along with drummels that give a fine, short finish to toe nails. Everything right down to shimmering show collar chains and leads.

Top feeds and a lot of conditioning exercise all made up the components of the winning team that we were. I was proud to stand at the end of his leash. Proud to be his owner, handler, exhibitor. I can’t claim to have been the talented individual who bred him, but I was lucky enough to own his daughter that I bred and lead to many a victory as well. It was a long winning tradition. His lovely daughter is laying at my feet as I type, long retired from the rigors of a breed show and obedience career. I never bred her because as beautiful as she is, and even though she had a great knack for obedience trails, she didn’t have the termperment of a good Doberman… guarding the house isn’t her thing.

So the last of the generation will pass with her. It has been a long and fruitful relationship with Storm, Justice the mother of Twister who remains here with me still. When that time passes on to only memories for good, perhaps it will be time to once again look for an animal to put its head through the slim silver chain and stride with pride into the ring once more.

Perhaps it will be time to create more memories. For sure it will be time to build up a stash of supplies befitting the beautiful animals that grace the show ring. The products that give them the glow and help them achieve their greatest success. If you are taking your place in the ring, visit The Show Dog Store and get the grooming equipment that will give you an edge on success.