It was already a hot, humid day, and we searched for a parking spot with some shade. Pulling onto a section of grass that offered a sliver of shade, I parked and scanned the field. Even though it was very early, all the exhibitors were busy walking and grooming their dogs. Many had set up their grooming tables next to their vehicles, while others set up under the crowded grooming tent, hoping for some protection from the blazing Summer sun.
Hopping out of the car, my daughter and I quickly began setting up our grooming area. As we had been traveling to shows for 20 years, we set up our area without comment, it was just routine for us now. The first thing we set up was our canopy tent, to try to keep the collies as cool as possible, their comfort always came first. Next the x-pen, water buckets and grooming table were set up. Checking the time, we immediately started grooming one of the collies, even though it wasn’t yet 7:00 AM, on a dog show day there is little time to waste.
When one collie was ready, my daughter put the next one up on the grooming table while I headed over to ring 5, to pick up our exhibitor numbers. It was an all breed dog show so there were 10 rings set up, where all the different dog breeds would be examined by the assigned judges throughout the day. Finding our correct ring, I approached the ring steward, and politely requested our numbers. He scanned his catalog, and found the numbers assigned to our collies and handed them to me with a murmured “good luck today.” Grabbing two rubber bands, I thanked him and headed back to the car.
I took over grooming our second collie, while my daughter grabbed her suit and ran to the bathrooms to change. Even though it was an outdoor show, and already 80 degrees, the handlers still tried to dress as professionally as possible. As I was finishing up grooming, my daughter returned. “Peyton is #10 and in the Open class, and Addison is #12 and in the bred by exhibitor class,” I told my daughter as she secured the numbers to her arm with the elastic bands. She placed Addi’s number 12 on top, as the bred by exhibitor class is always judged before the open class. “How many breeds before collies?” She asked. Looking at the judging schedule, I told her there were 5 Aussies, 2 Canaan Dogs, and 7 German Shepherds being judged in ring 5 before the smooth collies. “We should head over in about 30 minutes.”
In nervous anticipation, we brushed the collies once again, making sure they looked their very best. The time passed quickly, and grabbing the treats, we headed over to ring 5 with our girls. Passing ring 2, I watched the Dalmatians run in a circle, one after the other. Arriving at ring 5, we could see the judge was just making his final decisions, and awarding Best of Breed to one of the German Shepherds and her ecstatic handler. The smooth collies were to be judged next.
At dog shows, each dog breed has multiple classes the owner can choose to enter. The males are judged first, followed by the females. The first class of smooth collies was called into the ring, “ puppy dogs 6 - 9 months into the ring in catalog order, “ the steward announced. A bouncy, sable and white smooth boy was brought into the ring, followed by a more hesitant tri color. Both handlers quickly set up their puppies, getting them standing correctly, waving treats at them to keep them attentive and focused. “Take them around,” the judge directed the handlers. Moving together, single file, both handlers moved the puppies at a quick pace in a circle around the ring, this was done to show their movement. Stopping before the judge they quickly stacked their collies, to show off their outlines. The judge approached the first collie, and gazing into the collies eyes, he gave a soft whistle to see the puppies expression. He then asked the handler to show the bite, so he could determine if the collie had the correct scissor bite which is required for the breed. The judge then ran his hands softly over the collie, checking for proper body structure. Stepping back he visually examined the collie once again, before asking the handler to take him down and back. The handler, adjusting the lead, began running with the collie to the corner of the ring, and then back to the judge. I had to smile, as the young dog thought this was a fun game, and jumped up on the handler to express his joy. The handler was patient with the puppy and the judge sent them around the ring, and examined the tri color puppy next. He repeated all the previous steps, and then looking back and forth between the two, decided to award 1st place to the tri color.
The next classes were called, and the handlers led their collies into the ring, each hoping for that 1st place ribbon. After all the class dogs were judged, each 1st place winner was called back into the ring, it was time for the judge to pick Winners Dog. There were four smooth collies standing in the ring, and all four males were very fine examples of the breed. The judge went through all the steps again, examining each collie, one at a time, and then having them move around the ring. He returned to the table, wrote down a number, and picked up two ribbons. Then smiling, he walked up to a pretty blue merle, “ you are my Winners dog today,” he said as he handed the purple ribbon to the collie’s handler. He then turned to the tri color puppy, “you are my reserve winner today,” and handed the puppy’s handler a ribbon too. Everyone clapped, and congratulated the blue merle’s owner.
It was now time for the smooth bitches to be judged…
