Last weekend I got the chance to take in the Alberta Kennel Club winter classic held at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. This was a Conformation, Obedience and Rally competition and the perfect place to find myself some wonderful pets and their people. (Psst…go check out my Pets and the People They Love project page for new additions!) I saw lot of preening and primping going on as I walked around
Old English Sheepdog Puppy
Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON)
Australian Shepherd
Rough Collie
Standard Poodle
Tibetan Terriers (Adult and Pup). These are what my dogs would look like if they weren’t wild wood running dogs 🙂
I truly feel that if you want to buy a purebred dog this is the place to find caring, reputable breeders who are interested in finding good homes for their dogs. I loved watching the obedience and rally competitions here as well. There were competitors at every level, novice to expert. Formal Obedience is very detail and precise with dumbbell, glove and jumps incorporated. Rally (or Rally-O) is more relaxed and about relationship, the handler can talk to the dog more during the course. Here are some of the teams hard at work at Obedience with dumbbell work and then two teams doing the Rally course:
The handler puts her scent on a dumbbell by rubbing it in her hands then the Judge places it amongst the other dumbbells,
The dog is then given the one word command to find it sniffing each one,
The dog then returns to the handler and sits in front of them with the dumbbell in its mouth. Amazing!
2 1/2 minute sit stay with handlers out of the ring and room! They also did this in a ‘down stay’ too!
Rally competitor during the course
These two made a great team in Rally.
This little dog was SO focused on his owner.
Here are some of the Junior Handlers working with their dogs in the show ring. What a confidence builder for the kids and a bond builder between the kids and their dogs.
Cutest little girl with her Pug
This little girl and her dog were perfectly matched!
All lined up for judging…the dog in #3 spot kept laying down 🙂
There was lots of waiting around time for the dogs and you were able to walk around and interact with the dogs and their owners or handlers. I met some really nice people who loved talking about their pets. The show had a Sheltie and Collie Specialty which meant there were a great number of entries of those breeds at the show (I think there were 35 Shelties!) so a win at a big show like that is quite prestigious.
Mom and Pup, they were playing together when I walked up.
Gorgeous Aussie pup
Papillon pup
This guy had the funniest expressions and his ears just wouldn’t stay still!
Lounging Great Danes
Now this is how to relax!
Pretty Pomeranian
Doberman Pincher pup wouldn’t look at the camera, just at his mom.
Rhodesian Ridgeback in focus on his mom
Sheltie pup
It was a fun couple of days; I got to meet a
Tibetan Terrier breeder that was great to talk to and had adorable dogs. I love this breed (or combinations thereof like Tashi) they are such a cool dog. I learned lots about the different dog sports and got to get out and shoot with my camera. So for me…dogs and camera equal a perfect day! Cheers!
8 month old Tibetan Terrier beauty
I’m really feeling a family vibe from this project; such great connections! I was back at the Southland Dog Park today in Calgary and met Dulcie (the “Cookie Lady”) and Bella again. My dogs immediately sat down, oh so well behaved (cough, cough) knowing full well who she was and what she was carrying in her bag. Her Bella came up to say hello and get a good pat. A little further along on our walk we saw Honey with Rick and his lovely wife Terry. Honey was happy to see us and we also had a great chat. It’s so nice to go for our walks and see friendly faces and wagging tails along the way.
Sheila Hughes Pet Photography 