Very often owner-handlers in the show ring blame losing on the fact that a judge might choose a professional handler over an owner-handler. Perhaps there are some judges who tend to recognize a familiar face and might just assume that a dog is worth awarding simply because a famous professional handler is showing it. However, after watching some amazing, truly experienced handlers for many years now, (some who have helped me when I have ring conflicts with Rally, or conflicts with work, or simply too many dogs at a show with me so I need some extra hands), I honestly have to say that I think the pro handlers win because they're simply better at handling the dogs. They know how to make a dog look good. They know what a judge is looking for and when and where they are looking. They know the tricks. This is what they do week after week, and have done for decades. It's fascinating to watch handlers, like this one, Harry Bennett, synchronize with the dog ... even if it's a dog they met just seconds before entering the ring, as was the case with the pug he helped me show. This beautiful pug lives in a companion home as a well-loved and amazingly cared for pet. With limited training, he had a weekend adventure being a show dog before he was 'tutored' the next week. I hope it brought him many memories for the years to come but it was such a pleasure watching how fast Winston learned and what a joy to be able to see him up close, first hand, to see how he had grown out. I can never thank his human family enough for sharing him with us for this adventure. And I can never thank Harry enough for helping me since I was showing Mr. Drysdale and Tory.
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Pending AKC verification, we have a new champion at Pickwick Pugs! Our beautiful, amazing, incredibly sweet and balanced Tory (Pickwick's Worship the Ground I Walk On) out of the Coffeehouse Litter deserves this championship not just based upon conformation, but she also has one of the best, if not the best temperaments of any pug we have owned or bred. She also has a very special pedigree with Uncle "Biggie" who won more best in shows than any pug in history, grandfather Reese and great grandfather Noble ... all top pugs in the country. Tory was our pick of the litter from the Coffeehouse Litter. Her beautiful mother and one of our Rally Obedience and Tricks rock stars, Marie Claire (Pickwick's Cotton Candy in the Sky, RI) sadly is no longer with us, so we are so grateful to have kept a puppy from Marie's one and only litter. ![]() Here is Tory at her first show in Tallahassee "with" her mother Marie Claire. We sprinkled some of her mother's ashes by the amazing Oak Tree en route home. Here is Tory celebrating some of her first big wins at the petstore! She's only a year old, but here are some shots of her adventures during the past 12 years ... her trips to over 7 states, waterfalls, tons of small towns, and she even marched in a Mardis Gras parade in Decatur, AL! Here is Tory at her first official show. You can tell she loves these outings and adventures! Totally bombproof from the start and always ready for a fun time! Here is Tory after her first pretty big show at the Cherokee Rose Cluster in Atlanta, Georgia. Here is Tory and her littermates from the Coffeehouse Litter at their 6 week puppy party! Here is Tory and her littermates visiting the piano studio when they were younger. They did a LOT of socialization. Here is Amy's piano student helping Tory and her littermates with their first "mirror test". Here's Tory and her littermates' first campfire! Here is Tory at 8 weeks and our challenging early adventures on the stacking table ;) Here is Tory with her littermates at their Temperament Evaluation with Miss Abigail. Here is Tory playing with her sisters, littermates. Man, they had fun! Tory's first trip to Home Depot! After their first round of puppy vaccinations and visit to see Dr. Borden. Super healthy! Here is Tory and her sisters discovering their first maze! At 5 weeks of age playing outside! Day 27, learning how to walk and "crawl" in gruel! August 11, 2022 with eyes opened hanging with the singing Gondolier toy ;) 13 days old! 11 Days Old! As a Neonate, before her eyes and ears even opened! She was beautiful even then ;) Here is Tory just being born on 7-22-22, via scheduled C-Section . . . |
AuthorAmy - Concert pianist, composer, lecturer, teacher, adjudicator, pug lover, dog trainer, soap and candle maker, PawTree Pet Pro, and co-owner Pickwick Pugs along with her husband, Dr. Jeff McLelland who is a concert organist, music director. Archives
January 2025
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