Memphis Kennel Club

I took a quick trip over to Memphis to judge the Memphis Toy Dog Club and Memphis Kennel Club shows in mid-August. They were actually held just across the border in Mississippi in a nice indoor arena. I had a great time as I went out early in order to judge sweepstakes classes at the Toy show - one of the requirements one may fulfill in order to apply to judge a new breed. Since I'm working on learning the Toy breeds, this was a wonderful opportunity for some hands-on learning. It turned out to be an entire weekend of learning as there were some really good seminars on several toy breeds. An impromptu Pekingese seminar was very well done and well received with lots of hands on time on some really lovely Pekes. That is one of the primary things I love about judging - learning more about dogs. It is kind of like getting a PhD in dogs, if you can last long enough to complete the course. As you judge you also get to know some of the other judges better. Sunday night, several judges were housed at a hotel closer to the airport so we could take the hotel shuttle over to catch our flights. Doris Cozart, Roberta Campbell, Anne Catterson and I decided to dine together at the hotel and went in as soon as the restaurant opened at 5 pm. We had such a great time getting to know each other better that we stayed at our table for nearly four hours! That's the wonderful part of the dog fancy - no matter where you are from or what you do for a living, you can ALWAYS "talk dogs".

Memphis was more like what it is to be a dog show judge - fly in, judge dogs, fly home. I really do enjoy it when Jim can come with me and we can make an adventure out of it by meandering through the countryside. Truly, though, being able to get to put your hands on the dogs is the goal of those of us who have chosen to follow the path of those who judge dog shows. It can be glamorous at times, but it is mostly fly in, judge, fly home. You judge all day, catch an early dinner and get to bed early so you can do it all over again the next day. It really is fun, but is physically and mentally exhausting. I sure had no idea what it would be when I was an exhibitor. When we are showing dogs, we can have periods of relaxation between showing the dogs, but when you're in the middle of the ring, the fun goes on all day. Even if it is raining (or sleeting or snowing, well, you get the picture!)

After Memphis, I was honored to fly to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to judge the Canadian Bouvier National Specialty over the Labor Day weekend. I've judged a few times in Canada, but it was always on the West coast or Calgary. This was my first time in Nova Scotia and I loved it! This was a special anniversary show for the Halifax group and it was quite festive throughout the time I was there. An added bonus was the appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales - truly magnificent creatures! The judges got to get up close and personal with them when we had a break and went over to see them. I had my hands on the largest of the group and he was 19 hands high at the wither and still growing! (For the non-horsey set, a "hand" measures four inches.) I had a great time judging the Bouviers and enjoyed the banquet after the show tremendously. What a jolly bunch of folks! This was another fly in, judge, fly home. Certainly tiring, but worth it.

I hope to have more next week after our trip to Pennsylvania in the Journey with Jimanie series. I will try to have more photos for that trip - and will take my camera on more judging trips for the blog.

Stephanie