Showing for Fun

2006-12-07T20:18:00.000Z

Just thought I would log on to wish every one Happy Christmas and a successfull showing year 2007.
We have not entered the shows later on in the year, could not be bovvered really once the clocks change I really don't want to get up and be on the road at 6am .
We shall probably see you all at Crufts must think of something for my jumper borrow some line from Katherine Tate AM I BOVVERED was this years , kept being asked to move out of shot of the BBC filming never did get to meet Ben, still there's next year.

Showing for Fun

2006-07-30T12:27:00.000Z

Showing for Fun
Hi Sydney here my Mum has actually got her finger out and has got logged on again,
I would just like to say congratulations to my mate Reggie for his recents wins also Jackie and her boys, I haven't got a first place but I have been in the line at all the shows mum and I have been at except the East of England when we made a dignified exit , head high etc,

The winning streak continues!

2006-07-23T18:42:00.000Z

Well 4 out of 4 what more can we ask for! Reggie was brilliant at East of England, it was really hot and although he was the only one in the class he behaved perfectly! Yesterday my mum and I made the long journey north to Leeds. It was another really hot day, but this time it rained lots too! I managed to pack the car before the first thunder storm, there were many during the day! We did our class during one of them, but Reggie the super star wasn't fazed! We got another first! Everyone cheered again it was brilliant! Our next show isn't for a while, I hope we don't lose our winning streak.

now to the puppy, here are the pictures of my beautiful baby girl! This is when we first got home, Reggie is not sure!

Reggie checks that Rosie is infact a girl...

My beautiful future champion show puppy, she was the best loser in her first match night what a little star

isn't she beautiful...

and here she is living up to her breed standard, herding and guarding

(use your imagination, if we had let the hens out at this stage Reggie would have had chicken for dinner)

grrrrrrr

What a sizzling July!

2006-07-20T14:30:00.000Z

First and foremost I must apologise profusely for the mistake I made on the last entry. Jackie and Basil came third and the Bretannoire dog came fourth! Since then Reggie and I have been to 2 other shows, we went to south Wales and were judged by Roselind Hole, she gave Reggie first place!! We beat the Bretannoire dog again! Wooooooo hooooo the tables have been turned! Although Reggie is performing better he isn't really behaving himself as I am just not interesting enough for him! So I have purchased an American training collar! A bit like a choke chain but with an emergency release clip. He seems to respect the collar (it's a bit tight!) and is behaving himself beautifully! We won yesterday at East of England, which sounds better than it is as we were the only ones in the class. May I take this opportunity to all SFF members who whooped and cheered I enjoyed that and I think Reggie did too!
Rosie is settling in well. She is a little star who is eating us out of house and home, dramatic contrast to Reggie! I promise to put on some pictures soon, I am no good at working the confuser! Rosie is a little tinker really, on the first day we had her she escaped through the catflap! She enjoys eating and sleeping, but most of all she enjoys water! Jumping in it playing in it, drinking it releasing it on the floor (she is taking rather a long time to house train). She is living up to her breed origins by herding the chickens, I thought I would let her out with them as she is too small to kill them (I hope) and she seems to enjoy herding them around!
More Rosie news with pictures!

What a Windsor!

2006-07-05T10:07:00.000Z

Blimey what a good day we had! Reggie and I got to windsor at 8.30am and it was red hot! it got hotter! by 2pm when we were in the ring everyone was boiling! all the dogs were grumpy and Reggie found it diffiucult to concentrate. The Judge gave us every chance and told me to stop pratting about! The we won first prize! the Bretannoire dog got third! we got thown out in the challenge but everyone gave us a big cheer becaus ethey know how long we have waited! Hilary then asked me to handle her dog Indy! We won her class as well!!
next show is South Wales on Friday, Roselind Hole is judging, so who knows who will win!!

congrats to all SFF members!!

Windsor

2006-07-03T14:25:00.000Z

Wow what a show - we all did well - some of us even managed to beat the brettannoire dog. Montie was the only one who did not win anything but I think he is lovely and thats all that counts really.

Still floating on air - fancy Baz getting the ticket and at the age of 10 it just goes to show you should keep going and not give up they all have it in them somewhere.

Our next show is the club open show in August - I bet we come down to earth with a bump and get thrown out of a class of 3 - well thats showing for you.

Well done everyone and see you all at the next one

Rosie is coming!

2006-06-14T19:18:00.000Z

Oh my word I am excited!! Rosie. M. Banks is coming to live at our house on Saturday!! My mother in law bought me a brilliant cage for my birthday last week, which is now installed in our kitchen with bedding and bowl already in place! I went to see the puppies a few weeks ago and they were lovely! I haven't chosen one yet because all the people in the know have told me not to choose until at least 8 weeks old. That's on Saturday and that's when I am going to pick her up! All a bit scary really, what if I choose the wrong one, what shall I do then. Oh the pressure!

It was half term a few weeks ago and Reggie and I were doing our stuff on the circuit, unfortunately not particularly very well. Reggie was his normal excellent self, showing himself off like a little trouper. If only he would realise that if he ate more his success rate would improve! We went to Bath champ show on bank holiday Monday which was really good fun, we came second after the Bretannoire dog boo hiss. Then we went to Newbury for the southern counties champ show, we came third after the Bretannoire dog boo hiss. I am getting fed up of losing to the Bretannoire dog, because I think Reggie is better. (well we all go home with the best dog) Hilary Lockyer (the queen of Schnauzers) says that Reggie has lovely angulation and a beautiful head. She then told me off for not feeding him enough, 'that dog would be really good if you got some weight on him'! So at southern counties I picked up some working dog food 'trusty' guaranteed to make your dog fat! As you might imagin Reggie wont eat it! I wonder what he will make of Rosie!

Isn't She beautiful!

2006-05-19T07:34:00.000Z

Maybe this one is her! I hope so, what a sleepy dog, with such a pretty face!

The trouble is that at this age, who knows, maybe she is one of these

They are all so shiny! There is definitely a champion in that brood i can tell, and her name is ROSIE!!!

I am going to see them at the weekend and i am so excited! Maybe Rosie will infact be on of these!

Yeah for new members!!

2006-05-18T09:53:00.000Z

I love Schnauzers! they are so grey and wiry! But what i love the most is having new members!

I didnt love my schnauzer on two occasions over the past two weeks, harsh but true i am afraid! On the first occasion I was on a school camping trip (i am a teacher!) in the cold Dark Peak area of Derbyshire. Imagin my surprise as i pulled one of Reggie's hairs out of my foot at the end of a long day walking! YUK!! and also very painful, the little swine had obviously left one of his wiriest of hairs in my sock, naughty boy! the second occasion was really my fault and i should know better. My reggie doesnt like eating much, so the other day when he woolfed down a big bowl of roast lamb and dog biscuits i was thrilled. So much so that i put down another bowl, thinking in a misguided way that i would try and feed him as much as possible since he was eating. why oh why oh why do i never learn? As the next morning i was awoken by a strange smell, Reggie had left me several piles of squirty poo. not his fault at all.

This all leads me on to my next excitement, the new puppy! At least Reggie is giving me some practice in clearing up as i am sure to have to do lots of that over the coming months. My beautiful little girl was born on Saturday 22nd of april 5 days after Reggies birthday! She is going to be called Rosie and Reggie is very excited about her arrival! She is coming to live at our house on the 17th of June and i cant wait! She is going to be a champion and the first Schnauzer to win Crufts! Reggie said that he doesnt mind because he is going to win big sooner or later! Rosie is one of the puppies in the pictures, which one I just dont know!!

Companion show

2006-05-12T08:03:00.000Z

Just an update on the companion show - we had a good day, we were very suprised as our Schnauzers are not known for their obedience but managed to come 2nd and 4th in a pet obedience class. We came third in the Wonderful whiskers class - beaten by a smooth haired dog with no whiskers at all!

Best of all we managed to win the best Adult handler in show, my best win so far as we took home a digital camera, M & S vouchers and a bottle of wine. If only all shows were like that.

No more shows now until Thames valley, Newmarket and Windsor so am stripping out the dogs, I only hope they grow coats in time.

Basil, Montie & Archie

2006-05-02T11:14:00.000Z

Hi

Firstly thank you for inviting me to join, to introduce myself I am chief cook and bottlewasher to three Schnauzers, Basil, Montie and Archie who believe like all Schnauzers that I am there purely for their comfort and convenience.

I have been showing for around 8 years, Basil being my first Schnauzer and feel that I still have a lot to learn, I have walked the walk many a time but have had a few suprising placings.

Secondly and more importantly my Schnauzers.

Basil was my first he is going to be 10 in June, we got him primarily as a pet but showed him at some companion shows and then at an open show where he misbehaved terribly. I then decided we should get some help and joined a training club. It was hard going, he is so stubborn but eventually we got there and have enjoyed showing for the past 8 years. He has won a first at Crufts but has done better in Veteran where he has won best veteran in breed at the Schnauzer club champ show twice and only last week got best Veteran in show at the Beckenham open show. He really enjoys showing and would not let me leave him at home.

Montie is the son of Basil and is almost 7 but like his Dad seems to be getting better and better the older he gets. He did not do too well in his class at Crufts this year but won the Good Citizen class.He is so laid back that I have been told he is not a real Schnauzer but he is lovely and friends with everyone. We are hoping in the years to come he will do as well in the Veteran classes as Basil. He has his first champ show Veteran class coming up at Birmingham in September.

Lastly there is Archie - what can I say about Archie - I think just about everybody must have heard me yell at him. He has a lovely nature but is like a naughty child. He gets hyperactive and cannot help do naughty things he just wants to play and investigate everything. I am hoping he will grow out of it and calm down soon - he is nearly 2 after all. Showing wise he has done ok so far, as a Puppy and Junior he did not have much competition at the Champ shows but at Crufts this year in his first Post Grad class he came 2nd and went on to get a first at the Schnauzer club Champ show. I was a bit disappointed at the Crufts write up which basically said I could do better, and I thought he had gone the best ever, at least all 4 feet were on the ground together.

Well we are all off to a companion show at the weekend and have high hopes especially in the class for the best whiskers.

4th place YEAH!

2006-04-04T20:08:00.000Z

I know that Crufts was ages ago now, but here is my report!

To some, fourth place would be a disaster, but to a dedicated SFF member it's a triumph! One place better than last time, Reggie was brilliant what more can we ask for. Yes the write up in the dog press was less than flattering, and yes we pay for someone's opinion and sometimes we don't like it, but what some people fail to realise is that we had a great time, and I took home the best dog! Loads of my friends and family came to watch, I was a wreck my the time we pulled up in the car! 5 hours later I was ten time worse, everyone who had come to join me had to disappear to let me prepare! Reggie was brilliant, he moved beautifully and stood like a champ! The same old problem came to haunt us, Reggie is too thin, I try to get him to eat but he is not too bothered. When we had finished our bit I thought I was going to throw up! There was a moment when I thought we stood a chance of doing better, but it wasn't our turn on the day. Congrats to all those who were placed higher, and well played to those who we beat, you will beat us next time know doubt!
The best bit was the Monday at work. My Boss let me go to the show and I was grateful, so I told him all about it, I get very excited where dog showing is concerned. He then announced to all the staff that Reggie and I won a prize in the schnitzel class at crafts!! It made my day!
Reggie is now on a strict training regime for the summer season. Two meals a day consisting of high quality high fat high carbohydrate complete food mixed with one tin of nasty tripe dog food and a liberal sprinkling of roast chicken with skin on. He ate it today! That's got to be a triumph in our house!! In addition to a strict feeding program Reggie will undertaking a rigorous training schedule, involving running and walking twice a day. How can this fail?

2006-02-25T18:06:00.000Z

MICCOSUKEES RUSSIAN ROULET DOB 5-10-02

Hi my name is Sydney , my mate Reggie's mum started all this off and its taken my mum ages to get her act together to get me on here, we shall have to make do with the text for now don't want her to over do it putting on photo's

My mum and her friend Reggie's mum like to have a fun time at show's can be embrassing at times as reggie will back me up, we have to visit all the trade stands and usually end up with some pizzles which are smelly but at the same time VERY tasty.
We are off to Crufts it will be our 3rd visit , last year Mum and Dad got sweatshirts done with Sydney's Crew on the back , don't know whats planned for this year I'm not consulted on that. The ladies are planning a picnic this year with fizzy pop?? just to celebrate being there really .

Last year I didn't do to bad at theshowing game I did actually win 2REs CC and 1BOS but they were at shows where Schnauzers did not get the real thing awarded ,my Mum was really happy she now has the Pedigree Chum yellow bag.
and she had to tell every body even if they had no idea what she was on about.
Thats about it for now I'm off for some more preening.

Grooming!

2006-02-17T19:58:00.000Z

I spent most of today grooming my beautiful grey dog! He doesn't look too bad, but I think I may have taken a little too much off his legs, as he looks a bit top heavy at the moment. I also had a go at mums dog, an Irish Terrier, who now looks like a ginger Schnauzer!!
My Crufts tickets came this week, how exciting is that!! It is all a bit real now, I hope that we don't get chucked out at the start! My boss asked me if we had a chance of winning, I said that we probably wouldn't win best in show this year!! And lets not forget, he only needs 3 more challenge certificates and he's a champion!!

Little grey puppy dogs

2006-02-03T11:34:00.000Z

I am excited! I have decided that it is time for Reggie to have a little girlfriend! I have spoken to Sarah (Khinjan) and Hilary (Miccosukees) about getting a dog from either of them. It is really difficult to decide which puppy to get and from whom. Sarah has a beautiful bitch which she is going to mate with a really good dog (Tom member of the SFF), but Hilary always has good puppies, either on the way, or ready. I want to show the puppy so she has to be good. The trouble is there are no guarantees.
Then the even bigger bother is what to call her. Have thought about all sorts of names, Tuppy, Pebble, Flossie, Ronnie, Rosie, Womble, Bingo etc but really don't know which one to choose, or indeed if I like any!!
oh the trauma!

Going to Crufts

2006-01-29T17:57:00.000Z

Reggie has qualified for Crufts! We went last year and managed to get 'very highly commended'!! I am not at all convinced that we shall do as well this year, but we will have fun trying. The preparation starts now, I have started stripping his coat, and trying to encourage his leg hair to grow a bit. The idea that less is more confuses us in the SFF!! The trouble is that he is very thin, I suffer from the same problem, as you can see in the photograph below! Reggie just finds eating rather vulgar and prefers not to bother. At nearly every show last year people who saw him said, 'he would be alright if he had a bit more weight on him'!

Last year I was a media sensation in the little village of Hertford Heath! I took a gang of school kids with me and we formed the formidable 'Team Reggie', we had shirts and everything!! This year I am not taking any children with me, but new shirts will be printed, I think maybe 'this time it's personal' is a good tag line!!

Miccosukees Master at Arms

2006-01-29T13:21:00.000Z

Oh yes that is his name! Not his pet name, that is Reginald Iolanthe Pepper! This is us, he is rather handsome don't you think? He came to live at our house in June 2003, at the time I had no idea about the complex world of showing (and still have an awful lot to learn). The first show we went to was Windsor Championship Show in 2004. I was so nervous. We came second (out of two) and since then we have been achieving similar results! The whole point of this site is to publish our show results and hopefully add a few of the adventures we have with our friends. We all love reading the show reports and breed notes, but sometimes there is room for a little humour!
Reggie is brilliant. He shows his little heart out, but unfortunately his topline is rubbish and he is really skinny. This means that we hardly ever get noticed in the ring and therefore never get a mention in the paper!
Last year we set up a a society for those interested in having a good time. All welcome with no membership fee, we called it SFF (showing for fun).