Blue Merle with Bi Blue?

[Smudge]

For now our meetings on hold until September, or until it cools down. We haven't been in a few weeks because it is just too hot. We meet to practice obedience, conformation, to socialize, and to just have fun. There are about 6 of us there. I usually bring one of my two shelties, my friend Jennifer brings some of her shelties, her husband brings his black and tan coonhound, my friend Erin brings her Australian Cattle Dog, and there is another couple who has Aussies that they bring.

Everybody but me shows their dogs. I am working with my friend Jennifer, because my next sheltie I am considering conformation, although I have not decided. It's going to be about 15 years before I get another sheltie though, because I have two as it is, and our house is really just too small for any more. But we really just about talk dogs, ask questions, show off, and work on learning stuff. They bring their own conformation ring and set it up in the park.

You didn't by any chance go to the Texarkana dog show when they had it in June, did you? We were all there. If I can find out what day it is I might be going to Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Springlake park in Texarkana when they have it. If they will let me off from work!

As for Smudge, I got him from a puppymill in Genoa, AR. I have pictures of her bogus contracts and everything. She even states in her contract that she is not responsible for demodex, but at the time I had never heard of demodex so I wasn't too worried about it. If I only knew then what I know now! However, this proves that she is knowling breeding sick dogs, and I seriously hope one day she gets what is coming to her!

 

[Phebe*DD]

... I do have to ask though, when we first started purchasing shelties, we were often mislead on our information. We bought Tramp (the white-factor) because we were told he was 'rare' and show-quality and we were novice enough to believe it. Does this happen often?

If a puppy is truly show quality, then a reputable breeder would either be showing the dog themselves or taking care to place it in a show home with someone they can trust to show it to a championship title and control any future breedings. Show quality puppies aren't that easy to come by. There are very few litters that produce more than a few show quality pups.

I loved seeing the pix of your pups. They look like lovely pets and it's obvious that you take great care of them. Welcome to the forum!

 

[LullusHuo]

Your herd is very nice - I do love Bam-Bam's face.

I hope college goes well for you. Has your mum visited any shows with Simba? It might be a good idea for her to attend (with or without Simba) and get to know the people there. If you are serious about breeding then get to the shows, get to know the breeders and find a suitable stud that way. Also you should be able to find someone to 'mentor' you through the whole process.

Do you? He's the oldest, yet always manages to look the liveliest. It's easy to forget how old he is sometimes.

Oh, well thank you! I plan on trying my best. No actually, none of our dogs have ever entered any shows. We actually don't know of any anywhere near us. We lucked up on purchasing Simba from a woman named Kim who, after noticing how lost we were, took us under her wing. XD

When you mentioned picking a stud for quality, is there a big deal on whether or not to breed for the rough coat or a silky one? Is it a standard thing or personal preference? Simba has a massive 4inch+ coat, but it just lays there like silk.

You didn't by any chance go to the Texarkana dog show when they had it in June, did you? We were all there. If I can find out what day it is I might be going to Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Springlake park in Texarkana when they have it. If they will let me off from work!

No actually, we didn't. We were unaware of its existence. Or, I was at least. Mom has always wanted to go to a dog show at some point in her life, and she's rubbed off on me.

What exactly is the Responsible Dog Ownership Day entitle? The only thing that we've taken our dogs to was a Paws in the Park deal which was just a huge gathering of dogs, with vendors and an agility course. It was sponsored by a local vet and to bribe you into coming, you were given free rabies vaccinations!

...
I loved seeing the pix of your pups. They look like lovely pets and it's obvious that you take great care of them. Welcome to the forum!

Why, thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed them. We call our home the animal kingdom. ^^' Oh, I'm loving it here. Everyone seems genuinely caring and ready to help, and everything is so informative! I just THOUGHT I knew about Shelties!

 

[Lightplum]

Do you? He's the oldest, yet always manages to look the liveliest. It's easy to forget how old he is sometimes.

Oh, well thank you! I plan on trying my best. No actually, none of our dogs have ever entered any shows. We actually don't know of any anywhere near us. We lucked up on purchasing Simba from a woman named Kim who, after noticing how lost we were, took us under her wing. XD

When you mentioned picking a stud for quality, is there a big deal on whether or not to breed for the rough coat or a silky one? Is it a standard thing or personal preference? Simba has a massive 4inch+ coat, but it just lays there like silk.

Standard calls for Coat
The coat should be double, the outer coat consisting of long, straight, harsh hair; the undercoat short, furry, and so dense as to give the entire coat its "standoff" quality. The hair on face, tips of ears and feet should be smooth. Mane and frill should be abundant, and particularly impressive in males. The forelegs well feathered, the hind legs heavily so, but smooth below the hock joint. Hair on tail profuse. Note: Excess-hair on ears, feet, and on hocks may be trimmed for the show ring. Faults-- Coat short or flat, in whole or in part; wavy, curly, soft or silky. Lack of undercoat. Smooth-coated specimens.

Here is a link for shows in AR http://www.infodog.com/panels/ar.htm
under the type column look for things that say AB (all breed) where shelties are normally in attendance. From a quick look it appears AR does not have any sheltie Specialties.

 

[Smudge]

First of all, here is the Texarkana Kennel Club website:
http://kennelclubtexarkana.org/index.html

Then, here is what is going on at Spring Lake Park on Responsible Dog Ownership Day. They combine Meet the Breeds and Responsible Dog Ownership Day:

Come for a meet & greet with some of AKC's 167 breeds. Talk to experienced breeders and owners to find the right breed for your lifestyle or get care tips for your current dogs. We'll also have AKC Canine Good Citizen testing (Your dog can take the test and a passing score gives your dog the special certification as a Canine Good Citizen. This certification helps dogs and owners gain respect in their community) and and TDI (therapy dog) testing. Get your dog microchipped. We'll also have a rabies and booster clinic. Watch Agility, Rally, and Obedience demonstrations. Kids can participate in a coloring contest and get balloons. Visit a Search and Rescue Booth and watch their demonstration. Bows and Toes All Breed Grooming and Grooming Academy will show maintenance on pets and Two Shields Training Academy will give demonstrations on training.


The AKC page for Responsible Dog Ownership Day:
http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/events/

Responsible Dog Ownership Day is on September 18. I am THRILLED to finally know the date, because I am indeed going to be able to attend! September 18th is the last day of my vacation! So anybody who is going - see you there!

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

When you mentioned picking a stud for quality, is there a big deal on whether or not to breed for the rough coat or a silky one? Is it a standard thing or personal preference? Simba has a massive 4inch+ coat, but it just lays there like silk.

Shelties (and Collies) should have a harsh coat. The harsh coats repel dirt and brambles, and brush out easier. They don't get matted, and overall need less maintenance. It's not a preference issue, it's written in the standard.

Sable dogs generally have the harshest coats, then blacks/blues, and then whites. Even in Collies the whites tend to have soft coats.

 

[labgirl]

Do you? He's the oldest, yet always manages to look the liveliest. It's easy to forget how old he is sometimes.

Yes, I loved his face, he looks like he has a real spark.

When you mentioned picking a stud for quality, is there a big deal on whether or not to breed for the rough coat or a silky one? Is it a standard thing or personal preference? Simba has a massive 4inch+ coat, but it just lays there like silk.

In the show ring coat will be of high importance. I am more into agility so when looking for a pup the coat is less of a consideration, but if showing is your thing then you need to be thinking in terms of conformation (how the dog is put together) and how well this fits the standard. Hence why people breed from dogs that have done well in the ring as this means that an independent person (the judge) has said that dog conforms closely to the breed standard.

As for shows, I keep my eyes open for little events around my area usually posters in the pet shop, etc. A lot of country shows and fetes will also include dog classes which is worth a visit as even if they are fun classes often people with show dogs will enter as well. Then you can chat with people and get to know more about the whole showing set up.

I went to a tiny country fayre recently, mostly to support my training club who were doing an agility display, but there was a fun dog show and I ended up chatting to a woman who breeds and shows whippets.

Also local dog clubs often have details of events and are worth getting to know.

 

[SheltieChe]

you can also go to AKC website under events and look what is available in your venue of interest ie conformation, agility.
http://www.akc.org/events/search/in...active_tab_row=2&active_tab_col=2&fixed_tab=7