So Disappointed........

[miakoda]

I just got home from day 1 of the Cajun Country ADBA show. And boy am I "blah". On the way there I was kind of sad that we couldn't/didn't bring any dogs, but none are in good enough condition (so I thought) & I had to bring the baby anyways (so no way to handle a dog). Anyways, many of the dogs in the showring were anything BUT conditioned. I was not impressed at all at the majority of the dogs there. It seemed like some people thought, hey, lets just go throw ole Bessie in the show ring & see how she does. I expected to see some dogs in tip-top shape & I saw dogs that looked like mine--like they'd been lazy & only took a walk every couple of days or played some fetch. What happened to showing your dog at his/her best?

I also saw several dogs that looked scared to death--front legs splayed out, tail between legs, etc--definitely not the good ole rock solid temperament these dogs should have. During the weightpull, if the owner would've let it, one dog would've taken off, instead it was held down to have the cart hooked to it....it's been a while since I've seen a dog look that petrified.

There were a few decent dogs in the pull but out of today, there was only 1 highlight for me. There was one little brindle bitch, couldn't have been a hair over 35lbs if that, who participated in the pull. While hooking her up to pull 1,400lbs, I kept hearing people say "I can't believe they're going to do that to that dog" & "That's a shame...that poor dog" & then they would snicker/laugh. I knew then that I wanted that dog to prove them wrong. Well, poor thing, she wasn't able to pull it. While people laughed & made rude comments, I turned around & said I would take that dog over any of the others. Why? Because she NEVER quit trying. She got down low, she got to where she was only on her hind legs from pulling so hard. But she wagged her tail, looked dead-on at her owner & never quit. They then pushed the cart behind her to let "complete" the pull & lo & behold she made it the second go round. One guy told me I stupid & that she was weak, well, I'd put my money on her any day.

I got a couple pics, not too many & I'll post them soon.

Unfortunately, overall it sucked.

[purplepig]

Did they have the "barrel" look to them? I am guessing that the majority of the dogs were over confirmation weight? That is sad. I grieve with you!!

[Bullyboi]

That really sucks i hope when i go to my first show its not like that :mad:

[Evil_Elvis]

well at least people turned out...

Problem is that many people are now under the impression that the ADBA doesnt wantthe loud, conditioned down dogs .. (well, it really is a judge preferrence.. some judges dont mind loud dogs, some prefer the quiet dogs..)

and with all that has happened over the last year or so concerning the dogs in LA, who knows... And theres ALWAYS going to be some smart ass in the crowd no matter what show you go to. I dont think ive ever been at a show yet where someone hasnt muttered something about someone or their dogs and who's getting firsts because of so and so ..

Why dwell on those negatives at the show??? You only make it worse and worse and people read that. You get down, talk about how crappy the show was and boom, no one wants to attend or put any effort because "its just going to suck". Sure, it might not have been the greatest show on earth but hey, its a show none the less. Dogs may have not been looking their best but hey, at least people brought them. See, if one or two people broguht conditioned dogs that won, then hopefully more people will see that and want to do better next time... and if not, their loss..

[LuvinBullies]

There was one little brindle bitch, couldn't have been a hair over 35lbs if that, who participated in the pull. While hooking her up to pull 1,400lbs, I kept hearing people say "I can't believe they're going to do that to that dog" & "That's a shame...that poor dog" & then they would snicker/laugh. I knew then that I wanted that dog to prove them wrong. Well, poor thing, she wasn't able to pull it. While people laughed & made rude comments, I turned around & said I would take that dog over any of the others. Why? Because she NEVER quit trying. She got down low, she got to where she was only on her hind legs from pulling so hard. But she wagged her tail, looked dead-on at her owner & never quit. They then pushed the cart behind her to let "complete" the pull & lo & behold she made it the second go round. One guy told me I stupid & that she was weak, well, I'd put my money on her any day.


That's a good story, what a good girl she is! So, these jerks with the comments, I wonder if THEIR dogs have heart like that??? Those people certainly had no heart, and couldn't spot a good dog right under their noses.

[miakoda]

well at least people turned out...

Problem is that many people are now under the impression that the ADBA doesnt wantthe loud, conditioned down dogs .. (well, it really is a judge preferrence.. some judges dont mind loud dogs, some prefer the quiet dogs..)

and with all that has happened over the last year or so concerning the dogs in LA, who knows... And theres ALWAYS going to be some smart ass in the crowd no matter what show you go to. I dont think ive ever been at a show yet where someone hasnt muttered something about someone or their dogs and who's getting firsts because of so and so ..

Why dwell on those negatives at the show??? You only make it worse and worse and people read that. You get down, talk about how crappy the show was and boom, no one wants to attend or put any effort because "its just going to suck". Sure, it might not have been the greatest show on earth but hey, its a show none the less. Dogs may have not been looking their best but hey, at least people brought them. See, if one or two people broguht conditioned dogs that won, then hopefully more people will see that and want to do better next time... and if not, their loss..
You do have a point. I'm sure my comments don't make people want to go,do they?

[gator]

I have done the show thing before actually spent a few years going to shows about every weekend. I spent most of my time competing in the weight pull though because to describe conformation in my opinion is all you are doing is paying for another persons opinion of your dog, the judging was always real inconsistent and therefor you didnt know how to condition your dog because it changed from judge to judge on what the standard would be that weekend,I just gave up on it. I pulled dogs for quite sometime though because the judge had nothing to do with my dog winning or not he either pulled out or didn`t. I judged alot of pulls also and even judged the national over at Louisana Cajun Country Club and they always had good dogs come to that pull and needless to say always had a great time.

[LuvinBullies]

I couldn't even take my camera out because it was just a steady rain, and so effing cold.

Cold? Did you say cold? What is this "cold" you speak of?

I will trade you, trade you, trade you. ;)

[LuvinBullies]

You do have a point. I'm sure my comments don't make people want to go,do they?I do understand your disappointment. Let's think about it this way, though:
Any organized/advertised APBT show is positive and a HUGE step in the right direction for our breed. Hell- even if a podunk fun show only drew a few unregistered bully mutts, it is a public gathering in celebration of our breed. Organized shows advertised to the public-either sanctioned or for fun- are capable of showing local citizens and government officials what the breed is all about, and how much he means to his human companions. It's also a way to give uneducated owners an opportunity to learn what their dogs are all about, and raise awareness on proper care, handling, and overall APBT ownership.
Mayors and public officials should be given coupons for the concession stand, and free parking as well. ;)

[miakoda]

Y'all are right. I shouldn't be disappointed, but rather should be thankful that people turned out at all.

I did like the weightpull. There were some very nice dogs, I just didn't get to stay & watch it all b/c Cole was getting waaay to hot. However, he did get a front row seat & watched. :)

[Esse818]

I just got home from day 1 of the Cajun Country ADBA show. And boy am I "blah". On the way there I was kind of sad that we couldn't/didn't bring any dogs, but none are in good enough condition (so I thought) & I had to bring the baby anyways (so no way to handle a dog). Anyways, many of the dogs in the showring were anything BUT conditioned. I was not impressed at all at the majority of the dogs there. It seemed like some people thought, hey, lets just go throw ole Bessie in the show ring & see how she does. I expected to see some dogs in tip-top shape & I saw dogs that looked like mine--like they'd been lazy & only took a walk every couple of days or played some fetch. What happened to showing your dog at his/her best?

I also saw several dogs that looked scared to death--front legs splayed out, tail between legs, etc--definitely not the good ole rock solid temperament these dogs should have. During the weightpull, if the owner would've let it, one dog would've taken off, instead it was held down to have the cart hooked to it....it's been a while since I've seen a dog look that petrified.

There were a few decent dogs in the pull but out of today, there was only 1 highlight for me. There was one little brindle bitch, couldn't have been a hair over 35lbs if that, who participated in the pull. While hooking her up to pull 1,400lbs, I kept hearing people say "I can't believe they're going to do that to that dog" & "That's a shame...that poor dog" & then they would snicker/laugh. I knew then that I wanted that dog to prove them wrong. Well, poor thing, she wasn't able to pull it. While people laughed & made rude comments, I turned around & said I would take that dog over any of the others. Why? Because she NEVER quit trying. She got down low, she got to where she was only on her hind legs from pulling so hard. But she wagged her tail, looked dead-on at her owner & never quit. They then pushed the cart behind her to let "complete" the pull & lo & behold she made it the second go round. One guy told me I stupid & that she was weak, well, I'd put my money on her any day.

I got a couple pics, not too many & I'll post them soon.

Unfortunately, overall it sucked. Amatures, they just dont know how much time, effort , money and headics its takes to make a dog like that. Bet half thought a blue was a APBT to.

[sedaliapitbulls]

Well the first show that I went to was a fun show and I didn,t even know what conditioning was. I learned alot at that show and it helped me get my dog/dogs ready for a sactioned event.

[XxKonnectionsxX]

Y'all are right. I shouldn't be disappointed, but rather should be thankful that people turned out at all.

I did like the weightpull. There were some very nice dogs, I just didn't get to stay & watch it all b/c Cole was getting waaay to hot. However, he did get a front row seat & watched. :)
I would have to agree with you miakoda.. Whats wrong with being dissapointed in what you saw? I don't see a problem with it. Yeah there was a show..(something positive and nothing wrong with that), but it seems as though thats how people allow change.. Thats like settling for less.

Why settle for less of what these animals are expected to look and perform like? (not saying performance is a question here). Isn't that how we as people with dogs get away from the standard. People keep letting half ass things get by with an ok just for the sake of "at least we had a dog show." I know I would be dissapointed if I traveled to a show and I saw poor quality animals. Thats jmo.

[Evil_Elvis]

Its disapointing true.. but you also have to take alot of things into consideration. A dog to attend a dog show doesnt have to be taken down as it would for a hunt... Remember that Humane Society people like to play under cover brother at these shows hoping to just make some big huge bust that will put their names in lights across america...

Think of it too as all the ribbons you could have won becuase your dogs would have been in better shape. Its simply like that at every show.. There are some people who take showing way to seriously, some who are just out for a good time, some who just pull their dog off the chain and go, some whom simply cant understand why their dog (whom all their friends say looks awesome) doesnt get a second look and those whom take pride in their dogs.. Besides..does conformation showing really count??? (I mean, thats what I keep hearing ...)

As far as weight pulling... Joanie from Tatonka Kennels has a little itty bitty female that pulled the cart so hard they had to stop the cart before it ran the dog over... that was awesome to see ..

Im just saying stop letting the negatives get you down. Use it to your advantage.. it just makes it that much easier to condition your own dogs and grab those ribbons ;) Competitiveness is contagious.. so is good work ethics.

[OhRex]

...Poor baby girl. I'd definately take spirit over anything, anyday!