This weekend we are headed off to Detroit, Michigan for our first show of the year……and Leroy’s first show as a champion!
I am not holding out high expectations for Leroy at this show since it is one of the bigger shows that we will be attending this year and he will be competing against 7 other champions that have already been competing for quite some time now, they already have their show groove on and we have yet to find ours, which is fine. We have to start somewhere.
Also, the show is in Michigan and for the last 4 years we have NEVER won a show up in Michigan. I don’t think Michigan likes us, but we will give it another try just for the hell of it.
This show is not like most shows that we attend. This show is a benched show and there are rules that need to be followed. Normally at a show, we go, we show, we leave. However, at a benched show you just can’t leave whenever you want. You have to stay in your assigned area until the show is over. If your dog is not in the show ring , going out for a potty break, or being groomed it has to be in the assigned benched area for the public to see. You can get in BIG trouble if you don’t follow the rules of a benched show.
The purpose of a benched show is so spectators can come in direct contact with the breeds they love, and their owners, handlers, trainers and breeders. As far as I know there are only 6 benched shows in the United States.
Contrary to popular belief a dog show is not just a beauty contest and there is so much more to it than that.
Here is a list of other events that are taking place at the show we are attending this weekend:
Terrier racing demos
Drafting demonstration-maneuvering carts and wagons through an obstacle course.
Children s’ Hospital Pet Therapy Program-hands on demonstration
Dog Scouts of America-Merit badge program
Retriever and field training demos
Border Collies herding sheep and ducks demo
How to buy a purebred puppy seminar
Is purebred rescue right for you? a great seminar to learn more about adopting a purebred dog.
There is so much to see and I only have 2 days to see it all!
Oh….and did I mention that I will be staying in a hotel for the first time with Leroy? There has to be a good story in there by itself, don’t ya think?!
Speaking of hotels, do you know how hard it was for me to find a hotel that accepts a large breed dog? Let’s just say I couldn’t find any hotels in Detroit that would accommodate a dog over 40 pounds, which was quite discouraging because most hotels claim to be pet friendly nowadays but I guess they are only pet friendly to small dogs. However, after a few days of extreme panic and a couple of emails I was able to find a hotel, that despite their “size restrictions”, would happily accommodate Leroy. I will tell you more about that story next week!
So for now I am off to Detroit on what I can only hope to be a great adventure and the beginning of our long journey! I will be updating regularly throughout the weekend on our Facebook Page if you would like to follow along with us!
Happy weekend!
