Andiamo was in his first UKC show that counts for points. (He was in a Novice Puppy Class previously, for practice.) This show was a three day event, with two shows per day. It was local, so I was able to leave the big dogs home - much to their dismay. I felt very guilty, but it was so cold they were lucky to be home in a cozy house. Temperatures in the barn were mostly in the teens or low twenties. Andi had a coat and his soft crate with blankets. I was dressed for it - so not too bad.
I showed Andi in the first show on Friday. He got a First Place, blue ribbon for his class (White Shepherd Puppy). Then he got a Best Male White Shepherd. Next he got a Best of Breed. He went on to get a Group Second in the Herding Group Class.
He followed up with the same wins in every show except the second show on Saturday. Judge Mark Golden awarded Andi a Group One in Herding Group. All six Judges commented on his beautiful movement in the ring. Several noted that it would only take him a couple more shows to get the experience he needs.
I was so lucky to meet a wonderful young man, ("C.J.") after the first show on Friday. CJ is a Junior Handler who was showing his own pretty Great Dane Puppy. He agreed to show Andiamo and he did a wonderful job. He was so good with Andi and was able to run Andi, to show off his movement. Andi liked CJ a lot and they looked good in the ring.
CJ showed Andi in the second show on Friday. On Saturday CJ showed Andi in both shows. The second Saturday show was when CJ and Andiamo won the Group One! They looked so good. It was difficult to get pictures without distracting Andi from focusing on CJ for his instructions.
I am so proud of Andiamo. He is only six months old and this was his first real show for points. I think he got 150 points toward his championship, over all three days. My timing was probably not too good in having Andi in a class for Canine Good Citizenship title. He will be taking the test tomorrow. He is doing so well in that - every time CJ stopped with him he sat down, just like he was being trained to do in his CGC class.
Above are CJ and Andiamo in the Best in Show ring. They did not place, but Andi sure looked good in there. I believe he was the only puppy in the ring and probably the only dog showing for the first time.
CJ was not able to show him on Sunday. It was kind of sad because Andi had really warmed up to him and was comfortable in the ring with him. We were sitting with a new friend, Lavena, and she offered to help me with him on Sunday. Lavena is very good at showing, but Andi was a little nervous. We had an idea and asked the Judge if it would be alright to share handling him. I would take him in the ring and stack him as best as he knows how. Then when it was time to move him out in the ring, Lavena took his leash and just kept going with him. The Judge told us that she and her husband show that way with their dogs. It worked so well, Andiamo hardly noticed when Lavena took his leash and moved on around the ring. I don't show very well. (I have back problems and the cold was not helping). Anyway everyone did the best they could and Andi was such a good boy! The picture in the opening of this post shows Andi with his entire collection of ribbons from the three days of showing.
Below are a few more pictures of Andi & others in the show:
Andiamo in the Group ring. He is showing in front of a Dutch Shepherd. He is with CJ and this is when he got his Group One.
Above are photos of Lavena showing Andiamo.
Below is a picture of Lavena and her Standard Poodle, Summer in the Best in Show ring.
Andi sharing his crate with Summer.
A pair of Dogo Argentino dogs.
A beautiful Silken Windhound.
There were many beautiful dogs at the show and I just took a few pictures of some of my favorites. We had a nice time visiting between our times in the show rings. When we walked outside a few times, it was actually warmer out there than in the barn. The beautiful sunshine helped to warm us up a little.
