Questions and reflections on our first nicely bred dog.

drmom777

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#1
OK, I have some questions and thoughts on owning this unquestionably good looking pup.

First of all, he has a beautiful expression, is outgoing and so far, at twelve weeks has no obvious conformational issues. The parents are great- he's "all grand" for five generations- so all of his immediate relatives are nite hunting grand champions, and his pedigree is liberally scattered with show champions as well, including his mother, in both the PKC and the UKC. Should he trurn out well, we would like to take a crack at showing him.

I think I would like to register him in the AKC. He is eligible, and, since the Walker was just fully recognized last year, it's kind of interesting. I feel weird about this because I actually dislike the AKC, but maybe I can do my small part to stop them from screwing up my favorite breed of dog by actually participating....or am I just rationalizing. I don't know. Frankly, I don't think the breeder is too thrilled with this idea either.

Then there is issue two: there is no health testing in coonhounds. None of his relatives have had a hip x-ray or anything else. Neither have they ever had any health problems. The stud dog is nine years old, and has a web based TV show where I have personally seen him running for miles over rough terrain without a bad step. He is currently the top coonhound stud dog in the country.
The bitch is a resoundingly healthy dual champion with most of the best dogs in the last thirty years in her pedigree. I'm just not too worried. But I am prepared to listen to what people here have to say about these issues. I guess if i wasn't bothered at all I wouldn't be bringing it up.
 

Flyinsbt

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#2
If there's no health testing in the breed, there just isn't. You can't do much about that yourself. You could choose to test your own dog. It probably won't change what anyone else does, but might make you more comfortable, and everything has to start somewhere. (if it were my dog, I'd probably do OFA's just for my own comfort level, but getting OFA hips & elbows on my dogs costs me about $200, if I had to spend more, I might be less willing).

And again, if you want to try AKC with him, that's up to you. Unless you have an agreement with the breeder against it. Otherwise... my experience is you won't change anything, but if you like showing, you may find it worthwhile. Just don't take it too seriously.
 
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#3
I think showing can be fun, especially if you have friends there. Even if you don't win, it can be kind of cool to meet up with other breed enthusiasts.

If you don't like AKC, you can also try UKC. They like working dogs better, from what I understand. I've never tried UKC, so I can't really say too much about them.

I would suggest that you do a handling class before you do AKC and familliarize yourself with the workings of a dog show. Sometimes, espeically if it's a big show, it can be a challenge as a newbie to find your ring and figure out your ring time and make sure you also have your number and are entered in the right class and all that.
 

MicksMom

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#4
There aren't all that many UKC shows/trials in the NJ area, so, if you want to do more than the occasional show without traveling too far, I'd register him with the AKC as well as UKC. I'm not sure what field/hunt type performance events Walkers can compete in, but you'll at least be able to do obedience, rally and AKC agility with him if you want.
 

Saeleofu

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#5
You can try AKC if you want. But honestly, UKC is WAY more fun, especially for the beginning owner-handler. I've shown Logan in both AKC and UKC, I much prefer UKC. I specifically like that UKC strictly enforced the "no product in coats" rule. That means all I have to do is bathe me dog the night before, blow dry him, and give him a good brushing, and we're ready to go. Preparing for an AKC show with Logan takes no less than 2 hours each day we show (of course with a shorter haired dog, it probably wouldn't take you as long...most of that is blow-drying time).

Points are also less confusing in UKC. I could show Logan in a 2-day weekend in UKC (2 shows each day) and get his Ch most likely. I can't do that in AKC. I just had him in AKC shows for 3 days, and he got MAYBE one point out of 15 needed (I'm not even sure if he actually did get that point or not yet, events haven't processed online yet).
 

SpringerLover

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#6
All I have to say is, YAY for a great puppy!

And, definitely health test him! You CAN start a trend by doing something! It SHOULD be important to you! And, just remember that if he doesn't pass, it doesn't automatically mean he shouldn't be bred, KNOWLEDGE of health is important!

And, I'd just stick with UKC stuff honestly.
 

Flyinsbt

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#7
You can try AKC if you want. But honestly, UKC is WAY more fun, especially for the beginning owner-handler. I've shown Logan in both AKC and UKC, I much prefer UKC. I specifically like that UKC strictly enforced the "no product in coats" rule. .
Won't really matter with the hound, one doesn't use product in their coats anyway. Give him a bath the night before, and you're good to go.

With some smooth-coated breeds, there are more elaborate grooming procedures for shows. But I wouldn't imagine those would come into play for a breed so new to AKC. There may not be much, if any, competition, that would be the more challenging part of showing AKC. In UKC, it's easier to finish a dog without breed competition. Of course, that tends to make the AKC CH title a little more meaningful.
 

PlottMom

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#8
You'd be amazed - just because the breed is "new" to AKC (they've been on the bench [bench shows] for years!) doesn't mean people don't know how to groom - bathe him, clip any long belly hairs, then make friends if you want to get serious ;) people with walkers brush & clip & chalk the crap out of their dogs at major events.

UKC is pretty strongly against major grooming, but again, most people use some sort of product to keep those walker stockings WHITE.
 

Pops2

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#9
You are rationalizing, BUT don't let that stop you. I can't remember the guys last name but Steve helped the AKC put together a pretty good hound hunt program. UKC hunts are much more common but the AKC hunts will be just as well run. The breed is too new to diverge yet. Eventually you'll see a split like field trial & show labs with some dual purpose, but that is probably 20 years out at least.
You might have to go to PA or NY for more hunts.
 

PlottMom

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#10
You are rationalizing, BUT don't let that stop you. I can't remember the guys last name but Steve helped the AKC put together a pretty good hound hunt program. UKC hunts are much more common but the AKC hunts will be just as well run. The breed is too new to diverge yet. Eventually you'll see a split like field trial & show labs with some dual purpose, but that is probably 20 years out at least.
You might have to go to PA or NY for more hunts.
Steve Fielder. And agreed - tons of great events in PA... we went to some AKC coonhound events in MD as well.
 

drmom777

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#11
I know I'm rationalizing.

I'm trying to come up with god excuses to do what I want to do...

...and show off my pretty puppy.

You are rationalizing, BUT don't let that stop you. I can't remember the guys last name but Steve helped the AKC put together a pretty good hound hunt program. UKC hunts are much more common but the AKC hunts will be just as well run. The breed is too new to diverge yet. Eventually you'll see a split like field trial & show labs with some dual purpose, but that is probably 20 years out at least.
You might have to go to PA or NY for more hunts.
 

Flyinsbt

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#13
Absolutely. If you want to show your dog, show your dog. You may find you really like it, and want to continue, or you may decide it's not your thing. No shame either way.

I enjoy showing sometimes, other times, it annoys me. ;)
 

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