Bwana Kennel

     Sitting in our RV we have two promising young dogs curled up on the bed between us as we watch a favorite new TV show and revue the plans for the morning's early ring time. This is our second year in a row coming to Ocala, Fl. The rings are large and out of doors, the group throwing the show are competent and very friendly. And even more important, it is a supported entry!

     For anyone unfamiliar with showing a supported entry means bigger numbers for your breed, bigger numbers equal majors and every Champion needs two majors as part of the accumulation of  the all important 15 points. (A major is a 3, 4 or 5 point show) .

    Currently we are showing 3 young dogs, the Raptors, Dreamer and Caine who are just over 2 years old and Zion who turned 20 months old on the 8th. Caine has shown the least, a pretty and petite girl she is delightfully feminine.  I can take my time with her. Zion who has only been in a handful of shows and has a handful of points to show for them is a happy and often rowdy young male. All muscle and bone he has a lot to offer the breed. Dreamer is singled out, meaning she has 9 points and only needs 2 majors. At this stage a couple of 3 point majors would finish her Championship. So we are very excited about having majors at both this show and the one we have decided to enter next month in Jackson, Ms. If everything went exceptionally well, we are both on and the judges like what they see we could see the New Year in with another New Champion for Bwana Kennel!

     I am not familiar with either judge this weekend. We had to reduce our show schedule in the past year for health reasons. And then when the Gas prices shot through the roof everyone had to make adjustments!  The price of an entry has about doubled since we began our adventure in the show rings. Using a Professional Handler is an expedient way to finish a worthy dog quickly, but many owners like ourselves really enjoy taking our own dogs into the ring and taking our chances. It can be difficult since amateur handlers, like myself are not as disciplined as the pros. When we were in the rings 3 out of every 4 weekends it was fairly easy to keep skills polished and improving. With our schedule as lean as it has been, I am rusty and the dogs more inclined to play some days than work in the ring. It is all good though, you pay your money and you take your chances. Some folks will snark and gripe, it is always politics and blind judges putting up friends if you listen to them.  Staying positive and working hard , every good dog should be able to finish !