Monday I wrote about Freighter and Thunder’s weekend at the dog show.  You can ready this post here.  Today I wanted to write about the Michigan Winter Dog Classic more generally.

Up until 2010 this show was held at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.  The show was a smaller one because space in the fairground buildings was limited.  Still, Chessies usually showed up and we had a decent entry whenever we attended.  The fairground was a nice venue for a show and go with ample parking and it was not far from home.

Norwegian Elkhounds In The Ring Ahead Of Us Sunday
Norwegian Elkhounds In The Ring Ahead Of Us Sunday

At the end of 2009, the State Fairground property was closed and the show had to find a new home.  It moved to a convention center in Novi, Michigan where it has been held ever since.  This facility allowed the clubs hosting these shows to offer a wider variety of exhibits for the general public.  Over the last few years these shows have really grown.  A total of 7, 580 dogs competed in the show over the four days.  That is a lot of dogs in one place. source

This year in addition to Conformation, Obedience and Rally, the show also offered Health Clinics, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Weight Pull, Canine Good Citizen testing and various other demonstrations.  They also offered My Dog Can Do That! where the general public can bring their dogs are try out agility.  There are trainers on hand to help them get started and to explain how to use the equipment. schedule

If you are interested in finding out more about any particular breed a show is a great place to see some fine dogs and meet breeders to ask questions.  If you are thinking about participating in certain dog related sports, a show like this is a great place to find out more information and to get in contact with people who know what is involved.

Freighter Getting Some Pats  Before Showing
Freighter Getting Some Pats Before Showing

However, there is a downside to growth.  A show that was once a quick show and go has turned into drudgery.  Depending on what time you show, parking can be an issue.  On Saturday we showed at 11 am.  Prime time and we had to park in front of the building which worked out fine for me because the health clinics were in front.  For hubby and Freighter, they had to wade through a crowd to get to their ring.  When you have a dog, your gear, and a chair, having to navigate a crowd is not that much fun.

Freighter Chillin'
Freighter Chillin’

Also, whenever you have people who are not experienced with attending shows and they bring their dogs, you always have to be on the lookout for people who let their dogs roam to the end of the lead.  I cannot tell you how many times I had to tell people to pull their dog back from Thunder.  Thunder is a good dog, but I do not know them or their dog and who needs to tempt fate or a fight.

I understand that the show is trying to make it a destination and admissions paid by the general public help to support the show, but I am not sure it will be on our must-enter list going forward.  There were a lot of new rules about where you could sit and watch (limited to one side of the ring only) and where you could go.  It is costly to attend with parking at $5 and admission of $10 on top of the entry fee which only included one of us to enter since we only entered one dog.

The Only Area Spectators Were Allowed Ringside
The Only Area Spectators Were Allowed Ringside

A larger four day show will pull more professional handlers which makes it hard for the little guy to get noticed.  It happens at the Breed level, but is very evident at the Group and Best of Breed levels.  We were lucky in our breed because for the most part, the Judges we saw judged the dogs and not who was holding the lead.

Sunday Results-Storm's Breeders Took All The Prizes Except One.  Best Of Breed, Winners Dog/Best Of Opposite Sex (4 points), Winners Bitch/Best Of Winners (4 points), Select Bitch.  Congrats To Them
Sunday Results-Storm’s Breeders Took All The Prizes Except One. Best Of Breed, Winners Bitch/Best Of Winners (4 points), Winners Dog/Best Of Opposite Sex (4 points), Select Bitch. Congrats To Them!

I was interested to see how Freighter would do on Saturday.  The judge that day was the same one who gave Thunder the final two points to earn his Championship in 2009.

Thunder 2009
Thunder 2009

We have not shown under him since.  Thunder and Freighter are different looking dogs, but he seems to like good movement and both are nice moving dogs so they are similar in that.  I guess he liked Freighter too because he awarded him Winners Dog on Saturday which was also 2 points.

Freighter Second Major 2014
Freighter Second Major 2014

On Sunday after we finished, a couple of photographers asked if they could take a few pictures of Freighter.  They were taking photos for the show’s website.  (I think they said for next year’s show.)  They had an area set up in the lobby.  We agreed and they took a bunch.  I saw them also taking photos on Saturday when Thunder and I were at the health clinics.  They said they would send me one of the photos but I have not received it yet.  If I do I will share it.  I can imagine they took a lot of photos over the course of the show so I am not sure anything more will come of the photo session.  They had a nice set-up for taking photos.  I was jealous.

Freight Has A Cute Face
Freight Has A Cute Face

That’s a wrap for today.  Have a nice weekend!

19 thoughts on “Final Thoughts From The Michigan Winter Dog Classic

  1. I love the two pictures of Freighter and Thunder – you can see the family resemblance! I can’t get over how inconsiderate people are with their dogs. Not only should they be concerned about the welfare of others around them, but for their own dogs as well! Very frustrating. Have a good weekend!

  2. Congrats brown dawgs! Well done! I agree with you, it can be dangerous if people have their dogs on a long leash or if they let them run without a leash. There are so much dogs at one place and so much are nervous or stressed, so it is important to take care of your own dog and the dogs of others. The worst happened in Germnay to us, there it is allowed to bring bitches in heat to show, that’s the worst decision they ever made. What a no-go and what a stress for all males.

    1. LOL we actually like to do our field training with females in heat also training. Boy dogs must learn to work though it. 🙂 People can bring bitches in season to shows here and routinely do.

      1. OMD! That would be our doomsday… Easy started to howl like a wolf as he noticed that bitch, it was a disaster… maybe we should try it at a singing contest or France got Talent :o)

        1. Thunder used to howl when Storm came into season. Thank goodness he got over that and now she is spayed so no issue!

  3. You’re so right about the mixed blessing of huge shows. Especially when unentered dogs are encouraged to attend. I’d also worry about illness spreading like wildfire.

    I do love a consistent judge!

    1. They did require proof of vaccine but not for bordetella. That is usually what goes around the shows here.

  4. That is such a good point by becomingcliche about illness. I would imagine members of the general public who bring their dogs have to show proof of vaccinations? But still.

    1. Yes they require dogs not entered in the show to demonstrate proof of current vaccines. I am not sure how strict they are about it. I brought Thunder’s with me since he was not entered, but no-one asked.

    1. No way. I saw him working his butt off and they are really only my preferences. There are lots of shows for us to attend. I think the club should put on the show they want.

  5. Glad it went well for you, but it is another reminder to Mom that she doesn’t want to show dogs. Way too much going on and hectic stuff.

  6. Oh, my goodness that sure is a lot of dogs. It sounded like a real hassle with so many people, cars and such there. Good going sweet Thunder and sweet Freighter! You both are such handsome dogs and you are top winners with us! Hugs and nose kisses

  7. Wow, what a huge show. It sounds like a fun place to go and just observe. Growth can be good in some ways, but often times it ruins things for some people.
    That’s cool that you got that same judge and that he liked Freighter too (I thought he and Thunder looked a lot a like in those two photos!). Hopefully they come through with the photo for you, or maybe you’ll see some on the website.

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