<< See the gruesome-twosome over there. Yeah; them; URO1 Sands Full Speed Ahead and Kenann's Mirth N Reverence NBT. They are prepping (and so am I -- silly hooman!) for the UKC Premier in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Due to the fact that I am sharing a ride and accommodations with my good friend, Jeannine DePalma of FoxFire Central Asian Shepherds, I was able to afford to go to the Premier -- a really big show! We arrive on Wednesday and are staying until Sunday; both Jiggs and Misty have 2 days of showing; thankfully not terribly stressful showing; but a busy 2 days nonetheless; since we are also helping out Jeannine; we are doing custom collars and keychains for the Greyhound Specialty that week, custom collars for the American Rat Terrier Association Specialty that week and picking up a new female Rat Terrier that week. It is official; I am downright insane! Jiggs is entered in Terrier Racing; it will be his first ever attempt (now I'm really crazy); but what the hey; we'll give it a try. He's also a class male in the conformation show; we are going to try for a Total Dog (both a conformation win + a performance qualifier). Misty is entered in Rally Obedience (her first attempt; she's 8 mos. we'll see) and she is a class female in the conformation show; again with an attempt at Total Dog. Gotta go; gotta get crack'n -- pack'n! Wish us luck; we'll update when we get back.
0 Comments
In the Beginning! Waaaaay back in 2010, early in the year, I was looking for a small dog for my kids. I wanted something that they could show if they wanted, could do obedience if they wanted, had some intestinal fortitude, but wasn't bat-poop crazy to live with. I LOVE the drive of terriers; and would have loved to own a Staffie, but alas, I live in Onscario and we have Breed Specific Legislation against anything that looks like a "pitbull". I don't like the coated terriers; so my options were limited. One day I was selling some collars (I own First Dog Custom Leather) to a lady for her Rottweilers and she asked if I ever made smaller collars. Since all my work is custom; I said sure; what breed. She says . . . Rat Terriers. "What breed is that?", I asked; having only vaguely heard of them. She went on to describe her dogs; sweet, strong enough to hang with the Rotties (which was good; at the time I had my Central Asian Shepherd and my Boerboel at my house), not as frantic as a Jack Russell. Wow; sounded like my kinda dog. Now I must say; I'm a bit of a dog snob. I do my research with regards to what health issues a breed has. I like to know what to expect (generally of course) with regards to breed temperament. I like to purchase my dogs from breeders who care. Those that rescue, health test, temperament test their pups; who treat their adult dogs like family; not puppy producers. So first I went to the American Rat Terrier Association website to read about the Rat Terrier breed. After perusing their website; still thought this was the breed for me. After that I Googled Rat Terriers + Ontario; rescue showed up and Lisa Sands of Southern Sands RatTerriers was the only American breeder to show up. I shot her an email and a follow phone-call; explaining what I was looking for; and she assured me; the Rat Terrier breed was exactly what I was looking for -- and she was right. At the time she had a litter on the ground; out of Patsy X Indy; and had a few boy pups left. Since I was just looking at getting into the breed; but interested in showing; I asked which of the boy pups would suit. She said there was a little lad called "Percy" who would suit the bill . . . long story short; little Percy took the flight from Georgia to Buffalo, we picked him up from the airport and for 2 years; he's been a vital member of the family. He's taken 16 hour trips to pick up GSD pups from Kentucky, he's attended numerous horse shows; being the quiet and attentive dog in the stands. Percy is now Jiggs, aka URO1 Sands Full Speed Ahead, 1 competition win away from his Conformation Championship. URO1 is the United Kennel Club's Rally Title 1; and he got his title with escalating scores; of 91-92-93. He is a very good boy; an old soul and sells people on the Rat Terrier breed, wherever he goes. |
First DogJust a busy mom, who lives by the tenets of Do No Evil, and aim for the Greater Good. Archives
October 2012
Categories
All
|