It has been a busy few days and I am still feeling the after effects as I sit and write this article. What am I talking about I hear you ask...two days meeting the public at Discover Dogs. This year was busier than ever on the Border Collie stand. It is one of the most popular stands in show and at any one time there at are at least five people in and around the stand talking to the helpers and stroking the dogs. At our busiest period we had a queue of people requiring information or just wanting to talk about their own BCs. Some are quite sad especially when that person has recently lost their beloved companion and just come in to have a cuddle with one of the dogs. It is very touching and I am sure the dogs know and give that person extra attention.
The theme of the stand this year was health and happiness of the breed. We had lots of information on the health problems this breed can encounter CEA, PRA, CL and TNS and the progress that has been made in DNA testing over the past few years. We also covered the issue of epilepsy and the way this is being researched to see if there is a genetic link. Personally, my dogs are taking part in this research with the AHT and all the dogs who are clear over the age of eight years are having mouth swabs taken to help the research. Hopefully, in a few years we could have a genetic test to help eradicate this distressing disease and provide much needed data to help other breeds and possibly humans to.
The happiness side was covered on what a Border Collie can do. Agility, Flyball, Herding, Working Trials, Obedience, Heelwork To Music or just being loyal companions and pets to us humans. We also covered the working side, obviously sheep work but also Airport bird control, Mine Detection, PAT Dogs, Guide Dogs, and the three forms of Search and Rescue work, Urban, Mountain and Lowland. This year to show the working side we had a PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog and three Search and Rescue Dogs, Pepsi and my two, Bodger and Mist. They were a great hit with the public and stood out and drew the crowds in to the stand with their bright fluorescent orange coats and bells on their collars.
We also had dogs that do the various other sports agility, flyball etc but the most important factor with all of these dogs is that first and foremost they are our pets.
Each year we tend to get a variety of questions from the public but by the far the most asked question was size and the difference between the dogs and bitches. They were very surprised that the BC is a medium sized breed and that the dogs on show were fully grown adults. Second most popular question was moulting and how much they shed their coat and finally the most bizarre question received over the two days was "Do Border Collies like Gravy?"
The show was a great success for me personally as the Border Collie stand won Best Breed Stand at Discover Dogs 2009. It was a lot of hard work but was worth it. The helpers who I must mention Mark Lambden, Kate, Kim and Lesley Sermon, Hils and AW all worked so hard and must have really sore throats because they didn’t stop talking from 10 till 5 for the two days. It took me and AW 4 hours to set up on the Friday evening before. For me though the stars of the show were the BCs. Teddy, Bud, Merlot, Taz, Oz, Scrumpy, Pepsi, Breeze, Bodger and Mist, who were absolutely brilliant over the two days. They were so well behaved, had their pictures taken with adults and children and must have been stroked thousands of time. They were total professionals and were a credit to us and the breed. All the work and training you put in pays off when you see them so well behaved. They took children and people in wheelchairs in their stride and were a massive hit with all the public. I am so proud of my dogs and I know by the look on their faces they enjoyed every minute of it. Bodger has to be the biggest poser for photographs ever and how many people wanted to take little Mist and Breeze home because they looked so cute....hmmm if only they knew!
I thought the change of venue from Earls Court 2 to 1 worked, there was a lot more space and it was easier to set up and take down. The show had an awful lot of products available and Mel did buy a few items. New dog coats for Bodger and Mist for wearing after they have been out on a search and a new brush/comb plus a few fish treats. But the show is now over and planning has already started for next year when once again the SBCC team will be there to represent the breed.
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