Freighter earned his second major win on Sunday, but how it came about was a bit unusual.
In order to earn an AKC Show Championship, a dog must be awarded 15 points in the show ring, including two “major” wins (where 3 or more points are awarded), under two different judges. The number of points is determined by the number of dogs that are defeated to earn the win. Point schedules vary in different areas of the country and by breed.
Generally it takes either two dogs or two bitches competing to earn a point and it goes up from there. For example, in Michigan for a popular breed like Golden Retrievers, it takes 10 dogs to earn 2 points, 17 dogs for 3 points, 22 for 4 points, and 30 or more for 5 points. A Golden Retriever dog must beat a lot of dogs. It is even more for bitches.
There are not as many Chesapeake Bay Retrievers so the point schedule for dogs in Michigan is 2 dogs=1 point, 4=2 points, 5=3 points, 6=4 points and 8 or more=5 points. Remember 3, 4 or 5 points is considered a “major” win.
Last Saturday was a supported entry where there were extra classes offered along with prizes so a lot of dogs entered. It was a “major” for both dogs and bitches. However, on Sunday the entries really dropped off. Our breed Specialty Show is this coming weekend in Pennsylvania so many are getting ready to travel there.
Still, there were three dogs entered which meant that 1 point was up for grabs. A point is a point so off we went to the show.
We knew one of the dogs would probably not be there because it was from out of state and was not at the show on Saturday. The likelihood that the dogs would be there on Sunday was pretty slim. But the other dog was local so there would still be a point to be won by one of the dogs.
We got to the show but there was no other dog so it was just Freighter. What to do?
Freighter was not as well behaved in the ring the day before as we would have liked. He was a bit squirmy when the judge went over his bite and he was not moving as nicely as he is capable of moving.
We figured we were there and had paid so might as well get him a bit of experience. Plus it was a male judge and since we see more women judges, that was also a good experience for him.
They called the other dogs who were absent so off Freighter went as the only dog (entered in Open Dog Class).
And that was it. With only one dog, the Judge did not have hubby move Freighter around the ring again. I guess he saw enough and awarded him 1st in Open Class. However, he did not beat any other dogs, so he received no points for that win.
You may think that being the only dog means that Freighter automatically earns 1st. Not so. If he did not show the judge enough to merit first or he had a disqualifying fault, the Judge has discretion to excuse the dog, not award a ribbon, or award 2nd rather than 1st. If the Judge had awarded a 2nd then Freighter would not be eligible to compete further in the show.
Since he got 1st so he continued on to the Best of Breed portion.
Freighter had one last chance to earn some points. If he could earn “Best Of Winners” he would then earn the same points that Winner Bitch earned because technically he defeated all the class bitches. In this case there were 6 bitches which was 3 points (a major). But he had to show the Judge that he was worthy of earning a major win.
This time the Judge had the dogs move around the ring a couple of times. Hubby did a really nice job with Freighter who moved very nicely.
The Judge awarded Freighter “Best Of Winners” for his second major (3 points). He now has 8 points and both majors so he is well in his way.
In speaking to the Judge while waiting to take a picture, he said he liked Freighter but he needed more coat. I won’t disagree. His coat was coming in and then we had a hot spell and he started to blow coat again. He probably won’t be shown again until winter and he should have a much nicer coat by then.
We also told the Judge that Winners Dog and Winners Bitch were litter mates and he thought that was kind of cool. 🙂
Thank you to the Judge for thinking Freighter merited the major win.
Well done on both counts even if the first was because he was the only dog. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Way to go, Freighter and Dad!! Congratulations!
Way to go, Freighter!! Even though it all sounds so confusing to this little terrier, a major win is top-notch! Congrats!
Congrats!
It says a lot for a judge when they choose litter mates because it shows they are consistent!
It’s painful to watch when a judge gives a 2nd place ribbon to the only dog there. A friend of mine also had a ribbon withheld. But it’s good to have judges with the courage to do the right thing.
I know of a recent show where the first was withheld. As I understand it, it was a young dog who did not cooperate. I would have understood if the Judge did not give Freighter the cross-over. He is a nice dog, but immature. You can see it in the breed line-up picture. I was sitting next to two long time breeders who said, of course the Judge will give him BOW, the judge is experienced. I guess they didn’t see an issue, but of course I was nervous….lol.
Thanks so much for heads-up about my blog yesterday. I have no idea why it was so slow. I took all the plug-ins off and that wasn’t it so I think it might have been my host.
Congratulations Freighter! It was interesting to hear about your scoring system and I love your show-pictures. It’s great to see that you wear suits and no one runs around in ole jogging pants … We better should do that here too, think that’s a kind of respect for the judge to come well-dressed….
I think hubby would disagree after Saturday when it was so wet and muddy and his pants and shoes were full of mud!
Nice, congrats on the major! Freighter is a handsome boy, with a well deserved win. Glad the show was close enough that it warranted a “learning trip” (and then paid off!) It is cool that the Winner’s Bitch was Freighter’s littermate.
Yay for you, Hubby and Freighter!! A win is a win I say. I would think there would be some leeway with the coat, I mean depending upon the weather you may not have much control over that. 🙂
Some people won’t show without coat. Remember it counts 40 percent of the score. But Freighter is a nice dog even if he was bald on his underside…lol.
We read all about that point stuff on the GBGV pages and it all makes no real sense to us, but since we don’t show, we aren’t too concerned. Good you get it and congratulations to Freighter!
It is confusing. I had to draw myself a flow chart so I could understand…lol. It is not as easy as you need x amount of passes for title.
Great job by Freighter and your hubby, congrats on moving forward in your points! Freighter looks especially handsome when he’s in the ring!
Awesome job, Freighter!!! It’s a good thing you got some practice in the first show. It really paid off. Question on the coat, though. Doesn’t the judge take weather conditions into account when it comes to their coat? Of course it’s going to be a bit thin at the end of summer.
Yes, but when a dog has little coat, the judge is just guessing it will come in full. If he likes another dog with a better coat, that dog should probably take the points. Luckily Freighter’s coat is in enough to show that he has a correct double coat, but it should be fuller. Winter should fix that…lol.
Good job sweet Freighter! I think you look super great in all those pictures but in that last picture you look amazing…love that posture. I guess that is what we should say I am not familiar with all the show language but I do know a handsome, great dog when I see one. Hugs and nose kisses
That is awesome and so great that Jim is showing him. Not many guys will show so kudos to Jim. Congrats to his sister Sonny too that is way cool they both won. Thanks for explaining it helps me understand it and retain it. Even know I have showed some I still don’t have a clue what the hell is going on. Just point me where to go.
Congratulations on Freighter’s second Major!
Great work fellas! Congrats to Mr. Jim and Mr. Freighter. Mark my words, one of these days he will be top dog! Macha and Erynn like this fella, especially the last photo! Thanks for the series Linda.