With everyone planning, preparing and packing for their trips to Tulsa this week, I’ve been rereading old collie magazines. Looking at the collies who won at past Nationals, I can’t help but feel excited while trying to guess who may win this year! I’m unable to attend the Collie National this year, I’ll be watching the live stream from home, but my daughter will be there! She will begin the long journey to Oklahoma this weekend. She is bringing three of our collies, and we are hopeful that they will win one of the coveted National ribbons!
The Collie Club of America National Specialty is held each year at the end of Winter. Collies, and their people, travel to whichever location is hosting the National. Sometimes it’s held nearby, and sometimes it requires a day or two of driving. The travel and show expenses can quickly add up, and for many this is their big vacation of the year. So why do we do it?
There are many reasons to attend a National dog show for your specific dog breed. Beyond the excitement of watching the competition, a National can provide invaluable information. Here are some of the top reasons:
1) While attending a National, you can evaluate the top collie bloodlines in person. This enables you to see how different collie lines compare in structure, coat, and expression. You can observe the various traits that define strong lineage, such as head shape, movement, and temperament. Seeing the collies in person, observing them as they run around the show ring, is a more accurate assessment than judging from photos or pedigrees alone.
2) You can talk directly with breeders about the lineage, history and goals for their collies. This helps you learn how successful kennels maintain consistency across generations. By speaking with the breeders, you can develop a better understanding of how their past champions have influenced their current and future lines.
3) While watching the competition, you can begin to identify the proven show and performance lines by watching which lines consistently win in conformation, agility, obedience, or herding. This can also help you to distinguish between show lines vs. working lines.
4) Attending a National can also help you build relationships with reputable collie breeders. You can meet established breeders face-to-face, and ask about their upcoming litters or stud dogs. This helps you build trust, which is essential if you're planning to buy, breed, or co-own one of their collies.
5) While attending the National, you can learn about breed-specific health concerns and genetics. This affords you the opportunity to learn about common collie issues like Collie Eye Anomaly. You can learn about which genetic testing, health clearances, and responsible breeding practices should be performed for the collie.
6) While observing the different collie breeders and handlers, you can get great insight into how collies are kept in top physical condition. You can also learn about coat care techniques for rough vs. smooth varieties.
7) Attending the National also gives you the opportunity to evaluate collie temperament across different lines. You can observe collie behavior under the pressure of crowds, noise, and competition. This helps identify stable, confident temperaments, which are critical for a successful breeding program and for a companion dog. You can see first hand how different lines handle stress and social interaction.
8) And finally, you can document and track different bloodlines. You can take photos and notes on standout dogs and pedigrees. You can track which sires/dams are producing winning offspring and build your own reference for future breeding decisions.
