Thanks everyone!
Woohoo Watson! And definitely keep up with his GCh. Most people I've talked to think it's a LOT easier to work for than their regular Ch! I can't give you any direct input there, Mimi only needed a single when I got her.
I think having points for BOS and Selects definitely helps keep things interesting!
Interesting thought! I haven't really talked to anyone about the GCh thing. I do agree that BOS and select points helps a ton - 4 dogs can get points instead of only two (winners dog and winners bitch) which should make it easier. Even if it's not the top dog in the ring, I think he's good enough to get some selects.
YAY! Congrats to you and Watson!! I know what you mean about slow to mature breeds... I just didn't even bother with Nationals last year with Jari since he was looking all gangly. It works out though because they are near me in 2015 and he should be looking pretty good by then. I might try the National Dog Show again this year, but he would be against Bubbles and that didn't go in his favor last year so I'm guessing it might not this year either
I thought about trying for Bubbles' GCh, but it would take forever around here since there's not competition. Well, I guess I could always just single her out with Jari and hope for majors one day LOL.
Jari vs Bubbles show down! It's not super easy to show Welshies here either, but there are a bunch of people in New Jersey so those shows tend to have a decent number of entries. I actually saw a Finkie at the show on Sunday! It was super cute.
I'd really like to go to Nationals at least once, and Maryland is reasonably close. I hope to be ready to show in rally or something to make it more interesting.
Watson's at least not gangly anymore, but he's definitely skinny and spaniel people like "round" dogs. Some of the males are pretty masculine and muscular too. I think some of that will come with time, though he's never going to be a super masculine dog. He's got the movement and attitude though and that goes a long way.
I totally know what you mean about drive slowing down when you aren't doing as well. I think that's natural though. Sako was tough, as he's a Terrier type Amstaff and they don't do as well in AKC. He's a nice dog but I got kind of burnt out constantly getting looked over.. so I messed around in UKC with him which was fun. He LOVES to show though, so even though he's neutered now, I bring him out in the altered classes for fun.
Amstaffs (some lines, including my dogs) tend to be slow to mature as well, which I don't mind. Would rather my 9 month old puppy look 9 months old vs. him looking 2yrs. old and breaking down at 6yrs. Often times people don't even bring their dogs out til they're 2-3yrs. old in the AKC ring because of that.
I did get a picture! I think his breeder would've killed me if I hadn't LOL. Here you go:
http://www.dogshowphoto.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=11973#image=131203
He um.. really wanted the toy they threw LOL. All in all, it's a good win picture considering, so I ordered it
Nice picture! Beautiful dog.
I've seen some 9 month olds who look like grown ups, though they are typically females. Most of the males we've shown against were at least 3 or 4 for whatever reason. The one time we showed against a dog Watson's age he was also pretty skinny and not at all filled out yet.
We decided that having your hair up is what through him.
I would LOVE to do that, but it looks like I'm on vacation that weekend. f you hear of any others in the area, let me know.
Bummer! I missed it because of vacation last year. There is a show in New Paltz in June (19-22nd), but I can't go because of a wedding. I might go Thursday/Friday, but it sounds like a lot of work when there probably won't be any Welshies entered until Saturday. Other than those I can't think of any. There are typically some down in Westchester or other places not too far, but I've never been because no Welshie people enter. They might be worth checking out though.
Go Watson!! Congrats.
And dang girl! A year is very good time!
Thanks! A year isn't actually that bad for Welshies. We only did 12 shows too (over 7 weekends I think), so I took my time and spread them out. It's pretty easy to finish a nice Welsh - not nearly as hard as in the more popular breeds.