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h

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Posted 09/04/12 at 11:15 PM Reply with quote  #1 
I've always been an open book on here and I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with all of you.

Over the years, some of my coworkers, my wife, friends and other family members have commented on how I can be cranky and even nasty at times. 

Just before I went to Alaska, one of my closest coworkers and my wife both told me how difficult I can be.  My wife even mentioned that, wherever I am, I always seem like I want to be somewhere else.  I love and respect them both and I took their criticism to heart.  I spent a week in the wilderness with an old friend where I had a lot of time to talk about this and think about it as well.

I realize that I need to do something about this before I become one of those impossible, cantankerous old guys.

I always had an almost "hippie mentality" until the last few years.  I was as laid back as could be.  I'm not sure what made me turn around 180 degrees, but I'm working on figuring it out.

When I read all of the "Mastiff drama" on Facebook, here and other places, I realize that that stuff will just feed my general negativity if I get into conformation.

I enjoy my dogs immensely and my new puppy has been a source of immense pleasure for me.  She has quickly become one of my children.

I don't know if I want to put her out there to be picked apart.  I don't think it would be good for me right now.

I want to enjoy her and not make her a source of stress for me.

H    







 



 
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Dozersmom

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Posted 09/04/12 at 11:32 PM Reply with quote  #2 
My main reason to have dogs are to enjoy them, in my eye they are perfect, I don't need anyone pickling them apart, as I love them faults and all.
Showing always stressed me out, till I got in the ring, then the dog and the judge was the only things I focused on. Showing is NOT for everyone. To me the only reason to show is if you plan on breeding a fine example of the breed.
Best of luck in whatever you decide to do, I know in your heart your fur babies are all just perfect for you
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:13 AM Reply with quote  #3 
H, it will only be stressful if you let it.
Honestly, 90% of people who show their dogs are great fun, helpful and full of advise.  You dont worry about the other 10%, they are not worth it.
Do you know how to tell if you have a great show dog, that 10% will pull it apart.  You, yourself know that Bess has a hell of a lot of potential.  She is lovely and I think you owe it to her to at least give her a shot.  The thoughts of others dont matter one iota. Yes, I know, it is like having one of your kids picked on, you have to defend them, but you have eyes and you know mastiffs so it is what you think that counts.  And I also think that when people start picking a great dog apart it only shows how little they actually know.
Look, I am 57 and extremely cranky, I am a what you see is what you get type of person, I speak my mind and damn the consequences, this gets me into a lot of trouble at work and right now my boss and I are not each others favourite person.  I just think he is too scared to do anything about it at the moment, my fuse is just too short. (I am older and bigger than him, yep, I reckon I could take him lol).  But I can also be very compassionate and caring and many of our clients like me.  I just think that as we all get older we get fed up with crap, and unfortunately there is too much of it around these days.
At least give it a shot, I think your THREE girls will love it and you will too if you let yourself.
Janine.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:16 AM Reply with quote  #4 
H, it is rough. I send my dogs with a couple of very trusted handlers and rarely make most shows. I have no interested in showing my dogs myself. Just not my idea of "fun" in most cases. Really, the only reason I spend the money is to show my girls off and prove they are breed worthy (BUT, that's not enough in my mind; they still have to fit the breed standard, pass health testing, have good temperaments etc). The show world is NOT a place for anyone that wears their feelings on their sleave (or even slightly sensitive). If you just want to enjoy your girl, then do just that. ENJOY HER. If there is no contractual obligation to show and you aren't interested, then go with want makes you, your puppy and your family happy.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:37 AM Reply with quote  #5 
I listen to all of the crap at shows and read all of the crap on the internet.  I don't know if I want to be part of the crap.

Sometimes the crap is well founded.  I have seen some dogs who are either poor in conformation or temperament only to see breeding announcements.  This makes me angry and I become part of the crap. 

The Mastif community has been good to me.  I like a lot of the people involved and I have made some good friends.  Most of this has been possible because I have been neutral and without a dog in the ring.  Once I put a dog in the ring, things will be different. 

I don't think I need anymore crap in my life.  If I remain a neutral enthusiast, I will keep my friends and remain immune to the crap.  That may be the best way to go if I want to stay mellow.

H
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Grant

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Posted 09/05/12 at 05:45 AM Reply with quote  #6 
If you feel that way, take Bess to the show, see how she gets on, get back home and make your decisions from there !!
You can get involved as much as you want with showing, you can enter the one show you enjoy, once a year, or every show you see on the calendar !!
There is no doubt that the more you get involved, the more you will feel the way you do because the crap will multiply !
If you were the type that did not value your pets as members of the family, then these thoughts would not be happening !
Going to the occasional show for a family day out, will not suck you into the showing world, unless you let it !!!
If you look at your pup, and see faults that realy make you see showing as a waste of time because she is never going to finish, then make the decision one way or another, now , but if you see her as just about there, then take her and your daughter's, and have fun !!!

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Grant
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Posted 09/05/12 at 05:51 AM Reply with quote  #7 
Showing should be fun. If it is not, there is absolutely no reason to do it. However IMHO, serenity or calm is not achieved by avoiding conflict or stress, but by learning how to deal with it. That said, I cope very badly LOL
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Posted 09/05/12 at 07:12 AM Reply with quote  #8 
It's very difficult to stay out of other people's drama. You see the attitude is
"if you're not on my side in this conflict" then "you are on their side"....which is very childish. My advise is to mind your own business! Don't get involved in contractual disputes that should have remained between the parties involved.

I have met some true blue friends while showing and trust me it will take you quite awhile before you really know who your friends truly are.

I have recently seen the ugly side of showing. I had heard about it but had not personally experienced it. Now I have. I have reframed from discussing it and will continue to do so.

However, if you decide to show Bess, you must always watch your dog at shows..don't ever take your eyes off her. Keep her in a wire crate when not in the ring. Do not ever rely on soft crates! Do not ever think ALL mastiffs are warm and fuzzy...some are simply kennel dogs who get taken out to go to shows.

Remember, females get shown even when in season! That requires an even greater commitment on your part to keep her safe. Do not ever leave your crate alone while you go to the bathroom or car. Ask someone to stay by your crate while you run to either place. Showing is fun when you win but
winning a dog show isn't everything.

Knowing how you feel, I would take her to obedience classes, get her Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog and Health Testing. I think that showing would be fun at first but will ultimately make you angry. jmo
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Posted 09/05/12 at 07:34 AM Reply with quote  #9 
Unless you are binded by a contract or you want to breed her in the future, nobody says you HAVE to show her.  There are tons of things you can do with her that doesn't involve the stress of showing. 

It sounds like you not only don't want to show but are justifying it with reasons like stress and crap. It's almost like you are feeling guilty that you don't want to show and are coming up with with reasons as to why you shouldn't.  The show ring isn't for everybody.

Believe me, your girl will be just as happy if she never sets a foot in the showring.  I put around $12,000 into my stallion, Night Wolf, for training and showing in just one year.  When the trainer and I had a major disagreement concerning Wolf, I brought him home.  Then I felt terribly guilty about not showing him because he was so darn good in the ring; but I knew I didn't want to show and he didn't care one way or the other.  He was fat, sassy, and happy. 

Go with your gut, do what feels right to you without excuses, explanations, or guilt.  You love her and that is what matters.  Just my opinion.
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Grant

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Posted 09/05/12 at 08:43 AM Reply with quote  #10 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dixie
 

Remember, females get shown even when in season! 


Dixie
That is a fact, which i think is a total disgrace, to take a bitch in heat to a place with so many dogs, all intact, is insane !!!!!
Apart from the danger of being mounted, the males are affected into not wanting to show, and can also get unsettled and aggressive in the very place you want them to be calm !!!
I would never take a bitch in heat to a show, for everyone's sake !!
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Posted 09/05/12 at 09:48 AM Reply with quote  #11 
I have to agree with Grant, in the 70's , 80's when I showed as far as I can remember we were NOT to show a female in heat for the reasons Grant stated. Been a long time since I have been in the ring, but I find it disgraceful if they now let you show a female in heat....talk about trouble. Just my two cents and trust me, that's all it's worth.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 10:05 AM Reply with quote  #12 
Grant, I couldn't agree more & pulled Maxine from a huge show because of this and I wasn't even handling her.  Just asking for trouble IMHO.

H.....if you don't want to do it....don't.  No reasons/excuses needed or required.  Enjoy yourself with your dogs doing whatever you REALLY enjoy doing.  My 2 cents.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 10:22 AM Reply with quote  #13 
Herb unfortunately what happened to you is called life.  Stupid things done &/or said by stupid people can be very taxing on a reasonable soul.

Enjoy Miss Bess however you choose.  My advice to you personally would be to give it a shot yo umight have more fun than you think.  But you will have to make a concerted effort to avoid the bullshit.    That is what Miss Bess is for she after all is just a baby that needs you rundivided attention at all times in public because you never know about other people or their dogs so you gotta be big dog and watch it all for her.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 11:21 AM Reply with quote  #14 
When I had Taurus I knew he was not a flyer, yet I showed him and enjoyed it.

We can see them as our babies and still be objective, they are not mutually exclusive.

But I believe this issue goes deeper than that for you. (see my private message to you)
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:15 PM Reply with quote  #15 
H, It is up to you if you show or not. I showed Samantha for a couple of years. Some judges loved her, others looked right past her. It was nice when she won, but I enjoyed getting her out and most important SHE loved it. Her personality is the best part of her.  I had a wonderful friend that showed her and they were so bonded and had a really good relationship. It was a social event with all the other Florida mastiff folks and it was a good time. I had a second girl that finished her CH in very few shows. She could have competed in breed, but she did not like it at all. So I did not special her. It was not fun for her. After Samantha's 1 st litter, I brought her back out to help build the numbers for a show that Eartha was in. Her coming out so to speak. Well, Samantha took a 5 point major that day. So you never know how things are going to go. So if you enjoy it and your girl likes it, then show, if not, may-be it is not for you. Samantha now goes to a show once or twice a year as a vet. She loves it and folks love her and are glad to see the old gal. (10 1/2}   I did not care what folks said about her, I love her and think she is perfect, but not everyone felt the same, but that was their opinion.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:40 PM Reply with quote  #16 

Conformation facts of life
1-you are paying for the judges opinion that day.  everyone else will offer theirs for free. 
2-there are plenty of nice people to meet at shows and it is good additional socialization for your pup. the people that suck also suck at home.
3-the unexpected can always happen bring extra everything from car keys to poop bags.

o yeah and the rule of life from my grandma Fiore

Not everyone is going to like you get over it you're just another person going through life and if they don't like you it is one less christmas card you have to send.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:43 PM Reply with quote  #17 
Quote:
Not everyone is going to like you get over it you're just another person going through life and if they don't like you it is one less christmas card you have to send.


Go Grandma Fiore!!
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Posted 09/05/12 at 12:46 PM Reply with quote  #18 
You know H. you may want to find someone close to you, even your daughter and have them show her for you. Putting your daughter on her would be great for both of them. If not her, then a friend, like MC or someone else who shows with a gentle hand.  That way ts not about what you have done its about the dog. If she doesnt like it, then pull er and dont show her, but looking at the picts of Bess, she would probably make a good show dog, she is outgoing, and very confident.
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Posted 09/05/12 at 03:06 PM Reply with quote  #19 
H, I came across this and thought it fit here nicely....
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Posted 09/05/12 at 03:07 PM Reply with quote  #20 
And here.....it is......

Attached Images:
Click image for larger version - Name: Dog_Rules.jpg, Views: 265, Size: 12.75 KB 
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Cindy

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Posted 09/05/12 at 03:28 PM Reply with quote  #21 
Cindy my Grandma was one cantankerous old woman but she definitely ruled her life it did not push her around by any circumstance. 
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Posted 09/05/12 at 03:33 PM Reply with quote  #22 

Theresa, she sounds wonderful & very similar to one of my Grandmothers.  She was 85-90 lbs soaking wet & holding some bricks.  She could back anyone into a corner with just a look when she wanted to!
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Posted 09/05/12 at 05:18 PM Reply with quote  #23 
Grant,
I had a Professional Handler at that time and she said you show whether the bitch is in season or not. Frankly, I was nervous and forewarned other competitors before even taking her out of the car. I gave her tablets to help
with "smell" and she had those seasonal panties on. I was still extremely
nervous. I actually stayed far away from the other dogs and handed her to
the handler. I felt confident in my handlers ability. I also brought a wire
crate and she stayed in it until it was time to show.
I would have preferred not to show her during that time but was advised that you should show!
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Posted 09/05/12 at 07:52 PM Reply with quote  #24 
Herb - don't let a few unhappy people rain on your parade. If you want to show, go for it and enjoy it. If you don't like it, then don't show - you know you are not obligated to show Bess if you don't want to.  I will cry a lot but I will get over it! hahaha
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Posted 09/06/12 at 12:17 AM Reply with quote  #25 
H I hope my comments didn't discourage you. I just wanted you to be prepared as the 10% can ruin a day. And most of them were NOT mastiff people..I do suggest conformation and CGC classes. Plus if you have a grade school daughter Henry and Mudge books are a blast to take to school with one the mastiffs...kids love it and so will you. We never get very much of the books read because so many classes and teachers want to come in and pet Mariska. And there is visiting you and Bess and the family could do at your local nursing home as well. best of luck and hugs and kisses to Bess
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Posted 09/06/12 at 10:06 AM Reply with quote  #26 
Truth be told,,,either you want to do it, or you don't. It's your decision and no one can make it for you. Best of luck......
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Posted 09/06/12 at 02:46 PM Reply with quote  #27 
H - I can tell you that my happiness is my dogs.  I loved the shows and showing Truman.  He didn't always win, but I still had fun.  I heard about some comments and I think, for the most part, I avoided the drama.  You can ask the judge why your dog wasn't picked, but I never did.  I didn't care enough I guess.  When you have a kennel name, are a breeder, etc...I think the stakes are higher and your reputation is very important.  For me, it was just a way to travel with Truman and occassionally run around the ring a few times....depending on his behavior.  I got to see my Mastiff friends, see the new up and comers and for the most part, ignored or didn't pay attention to the gossip. 

I think you are the kind of person that would have fun showing Bess and talking to folks around you.  You can avoid the drama and negativity...trust me.  Truman was just neutered and I, for one, miss not having a dog to show. 

Alternatively, you can do therapy work...which is what I'd like to do with my boys.  Good way to take them out and make folks happy.  And they will go nuts over Bess....trust me.

In the end, you have to do what is right for you.  Bess will be happy no matter what. 
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