pushing huge trolleys filled with equipment, some filled with dogs. People carrying fold up chairs, people holding multiple dogs of all sizes on leads. Skye just trotted along like we were going for a dog walk, myself and my helpers walked alongside Skye carrying chairs in bags, picnics, a dog crate - I am so glad I hadn’t come alone.
“On entering the hall I caught my breath as I saw the famous Crufts green carpeted rings. The area around my ring started to fill up quickly, with lots of familiar faces, human and canine!
“Skye is always so pleased to see her family, kisses and sniffs were exchanged. I am always happy to meet their owners who always manage to successfully calm my nerves, today their calming chats were needed more than ever to settle the butterflies fluttering around in my tummy.
“Ring craft is essential if you want to show your dog, because getting your dog to perform in the show ring is a lot harder than it looks. It takes many hours of dedicated practice to build the skills and rapport that are necessary to do well in a competition.
“Over the months I have learnt handling skills and how to present Skye in the best way possible. Learning to work together, improve together and build a special rapport together.
“Skye absolutely loves ring craft. It’s also been an important part of her socialising and getting her used to interacting with different people and other dogs. We have both learnt how to behave in the show ring and Skye is now confident in accepting examination by a judge.”
As well as the classes, Tina has also been entering Skye into open and championship shows shows and spending lots of time practicing at home too.
She qualified at Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show in January. This was her second championship show and the last one for her to qualify for Crufts 2022.
“I arrived with Skye after a very early start and a 2 hour drive. We were meeting both of my breeders at this show, Skye’s dad Gino was being shown and her sister Laska. This was the first time Skye had met her sister since they were 8 weeks old and it was lovely to see them together.
“Skye and Laska were in the same group - Puppy Bitch - and I knew I needed to come in the first 3 to qualify. There was a very strong line up and my nerves were starting to rise. Skye did herself proud and the judge placed her second and her sister third. They had both qualified. I was so amazed and proud of us both. As soon as we were out of the ring and after Skye got huge cuddles, I made the phone calls to home - Skye has qualified for Crufts”.
On the build up to Crufts, Tina has made sure Skye has just been treated as a normal pet, playing in the woods, running in the fields. “Having her canine friends over it sometimes crosses my mind what if she gets a scratch or a bite mark!
“Skye is a family pet first though and her fun must always come first and then showing second. So she gets to run and play as much as she wants. She has a scratch on her nose, hopefully the judge won’t see it but if he does hopefully he won’t mind?
“On show day, we set off early to beat the Crufts crowds. Driving into the NEC car park at 8am there was already a lot of activity. People
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“It’s always so lovely to see so many Rhodesian Ridgebacks and today was extra special with a large entry of over 180 with some coming from overseas.
“Skye was her usual chilled self, enjoying the attention from everyone. She loves to sit at the side of the ring, often perching herself on a chair to watch the other dogs in the ring patiently waiting for her turn. She is very relaxed and when she has had enough of watching she will either stretch out on the floor on her mat or take herself inside her crate for a nap.
“At Crufts because she was so relaxed we decided after Skye had been in the ring to walk around the show with her and she loved this enjoying all the sounds and smells.”
So how was the actual class?
“Because we arrived early and this was Skye’s first experience on the green carpet I took her in the ring for a trial run. She loved it, no problems here that helped a little with my nerves.
“Her class, Junior Bitch, had a strong entry of 18. Skye has not long graduated from her Puppy classes so this is a new class for us. Viewing the line-up I recognised some very good kennel names, we certainly had some very good competition for my youngster at her first Crufts.
“Once the group class judging started everything went so well, Skye showed her little paws off for me. I honestly couldn’t have asked more from her she did her job perfectly. On this occasion Skye wasn’t placed, but we have come away with a win in my book. And as my ring craft teachers always tell us ‘Remember whatever happens you always take home the best dog’.”
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ENTERTAINMENT CRUF T S
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