Liina's first time in the ring

So our little Liina (Barbwired Champagne) comes from show and working lines. We have already started working her nose with short blood tracks and hoof drags as well as hunting the mice that have been sneaking into our laundry room since the weather is turning cold. She is really promising and definitely interested in her environment, so we hope that she will be promising for blood tracking and future hunting excursions.

In order to prepare for a future show career we also have to practice. We are still figuring out how to be good handlers with Baxter, so we figured that it would be a good opportunity to start Liina a bit early. She need to get used to the sights, smells, and sounds of a show venue as well as walking on a show lead, stacking, and being examined on the table. In the upcoming month there were 2 puppy shows near us and these unofficial shows would have a lot of different types of dogs and a great chance to practice with the little girl. So today we were off to the Puppy & Junior show in Hassleholm hosted by the Southern Poodle Club. 

Group photo!

Well, Liina's first time in the ring could have gone better. She was a little melty on the table and didn't understand why the judge wanted to touch her all over, though she cooperated with him and gave him kisses. She was very ok with him checking her teeth and tail though. I think that this is where our countryside living is a bit of a disadvantage. We need to get more people over here and have them handle her and feed treats while on the table. She also was a bit of a rocket in the ring for the first 1/2 a lap. Once she settled down, she looked very nice and comfortable walking. Her stacking was also really nice. Liina is a pretty natural self stacker, so a bit more practice to hammer in foot placement and she will be great there.

So, definitely things to work on, but I think that Baxter's first time in the ring was quite similar. It will get better with time and we always have things to work on.

Results from today... 

BIR (BOB) valp 6-9 months with Honor Prize!  No dachshund was placed in group- in Sweden, FCI group 4 & 6 and judged together- but it was still fun to watch Liina trot around the BIG ring. :)

Not a bad start for the little one!