I'll come with my shikoku pup, shell be almost 5 months around that time :)

@grayjj join with one of yours?

I obviously can't show Mya or Shelby, but I'd really like to go. Do many people bring their dogs just to meet up and be spectators?

Oh wow!! This is actually pretty close to me. I know nothing about showing dogs, but I'd love to show the girls! I'm gonna plan on doing this...

excellent chance to meet the breeds!

There are some rules, but its not as formal as dog shows you see on tv. At the link above, there is a page about "A NIPPO-style show" that gives details.

I am not experienced with dog shows, but when I took Matsu to this as a puppy, we had some walking in the ring and standing still, but you don't stand beside them and pose them. It's a more natural thing I guess? Tails should be up. The judge examines each dog separately first, and they check teeth (you show him the teeth for a quick count) feel the coat/ the body down the back... more walking back and forth or diagonally. Then later they do the group all together.

Most likely except for Shibas, you will know everyone/dog there because there are so few of these breeds, that anyone who will bring any is someone here, or someone once removed from someone here. So it should be what they call in soccer terms a "Friendly" match.

To all the people who are coming to watch but not show... any reason why you're not planning on showing? Showing is a crap shoot and you really don't know if you're going to win or not. Outside of the show that we run in the fall this is the only other opportunity to see the native Japanese breeds together in the US.

If you're on the fence about entering this show please consider doing so. There will be plenty of people there to help you through the process.

As someone who doesn't often show and was totally new to it - please please please - show your dogs! Judges are usually very understanding of behavior in the ring and can be a huge help. It's a great opportunity to show the people outside this community your dogs.

FYI - Nami pooped in the ring one of her first times showing. Fionna has become snarky with a judge that came in too hot at her. My dogs are NOT trained for showing at all, but it's always exciting and fun to show them.

Nami also really hates when judges try to man-handle her. It's the only time I've seen her get spooky.

But still, if you can walk your dog around a block without them being a danger to others, consider showing at least once to see how they do and how you feel after. It's not the end all be all, but it's not horrible - and can even be fun when you're doing with your friends.

Again for me its all about giving back. To me the shows are all about meeting up with friends and thanking the people who bred our dogs by entering the ring.

Right- as I forgot to say, but Claire notes- intact dogs for showing, spayed/neutered dogs like Shelby and Mya please come visit and ambassador around the ring! The showing part is only a few minutes, but the hanging around with everyone is all day!

For those who are not sure about showing your dogs or how they will do, I can say that I don't feel that most of the people that I know that are planning on attending are real competitive and we are going more to meet up, than to competitively show... Of course its always nice when you win, but just going and meeting old and new friends is to me what makes dog shows fun!!
It is a chance to try your hand at Nippo style showing and see how you like it. It is differant than both UKC and AKC and it is way more laid back.. I have no idea still how to show Nippo and I've been to 2 shows.. I just wing it :)

If you need help there will be lots of people who will help out. If you don't feel you want to try this time you can always just watch and if you aren't showing your own dog someone who is might need a free hand.

I brought a litter of puppys one of the times so we were shuffling for handlers.. Lol .. and they were so kind.and accomadating. I did not realize the puppys were on friday and did not make it until saturday and since the only kai puppys were mine the very nice judge said he would go ahead and assess my puppys anyways...

There is also suppossed to be an AKC dog show that weekend at fairgrounds. So that might be fun to check out also .

can even be fun when you're doing with your friends.

This is the important part, too- for all the breeds except shibas, of which there are many more- we all ARE the people and dogs who will be there. We already know who else has Kishu, Kai, Shikoku, JA and Hokkaido. Japanese dog owners are a tiny community, we all know each other at least online.

I like that- "non-shibas." :D It's like: "7-up, the UNcola"

Ah, see I know nothing about showing. Both my girls are spayed, so we will be spectators.

We all have to know our dogs. I know that my male Kai takes great exception to shikoku staring games, so I try to be alert to who's looking at whom, avoid shikoku when I have him out, for example. I *know* he hates that, I *know* he will object, so I avoid the full frontal shikoku when he is out. ;)

Shikoku Mind Tricks bring out the tiger in my dogs. Where's that picture Claire took of Angry Juno?

Matsu likes Miyu, though- she doesn't play mind games, she plays body games.

Kurenai has definitely mellowed out considerably now that she's older. I wanted to excuse her juvenile behavior for her being so juvenile but that event was almost a year after her 1st litter (Peggy was wonderful and brought Kiyoshi to the show so she can meet Momma Kurenai and Papa Kaiju).

And I had absolutely NO IDEA what I was doing. For all of you thinking of spectating.

If you can...

• Lead your dog in loose-leash a trot around a 20ft x 20ft square
• Open your dog's mouth over 30 degrees
• Stand relaxed with your dog standing at your side or just a little ahead of you

...You and your dog have the capability of being shown. People stand and give each other enough distance so your dog will likely not be distracted by the other dogs near you. It is great fun, a bit of an adrenaline rush, and you'll get addicted to it as soon as you do it once.

Jesse

Today I went to the Beikoku Shiba Inu Aikokai specialty show, which is a NIPPO approved show with an invited NIPPO judge. I took some videos of the Primary (Preliminary) judging if people want to see it.

Normally and historically in the Primary judging, there is only one Shiba in the ring and the judge goes over visual examinations (long hands-off viewing), a height check with a metal wicket, teeth counting, and then a triangle.

This particular judge wanted something different. He had the sex/age division come in (ie. Young Male I) and had them lined up on one side of the ring. He approached the line and did his visual examinations. Sometimes going in and out of the dog's space in order to get the dog's attention and reaction (comatosed? alert? timid?).

After he was done with each dog, he moved on to the height and teeth count. As normal, there were some dogs that balked at the shiny wicket. Also normal were some dogs that needed to be lifted up to allow enough control for the teeth count.

After everybody had their height and teeth count, each dog did their triangle movement. When done, the dogs all left the ring as a group.

All the male age groups went first and then the female age groups. After break, Final judging and placements were given in each division. Then best male, best female, and best in show were selected. Best American-bred was awarded afterwards.

There were several divisions where placement was withheld. One class of 4 dogs only had a 1st place and 2nd place. A 3rd place was not given. Another class of 3 dogs had no first place and only a 2nd and 3rd place. Yet another class of 3 dogs had only 1st place award and no 2nd or 3rd place. A class of only dog was given 2nd place.

So basically, don't expect a "freebie award".



A couple of things I noticed:

-Things are *alot* less stringent now than in the past. Dogs were being touched in the ring. Cheeks and back hairs fluffed. Tails lifted up. Rears lifted to re-position faster. Sometimes the dog sat in the ring while waiting for their turn to be examined. It looked like an AKC show sometimes.

-It is much, much easier to do the teeth count by taking the initiative and showing the front (bite) and side teeth with the mouth closed first. Save the opening of the mouth for last if the judge allows it.


My own feelings:

-I think some people mis-step when they ask the dog to look at them instead of looking
at the judge. If a judge is obviously trying to get the dog's attention by moving into the dog's space or making a noise with his clipboard, let the dog look. Point or direct the dog towards the judge. I cringed when I saw dogs that acted dull and didn't even give a glance during Final Judging.

Premium is up!
http://www.nippoclassic.org/index.html

I seem to be struggling, ha ha. How much is it to spectate? I can't seem to find a price if there is one.

This event is almost here.

I'd like to go and spectate and meet people. Not sure If I'll be able to go this year, but we'll see. If I go it'll probably only be for Saturday, but who knows might be able to get to it for Friday and Saturday.

I'd love to meet some Nihon ken only have met one shikoku and ton of shiba inu so would love to meet the others. :)

Can Saya come coarse not to be shown. Just wondering. if not that is fine might bring her if staying at hotel she can hang there during the event.

I forgot to post here, we decided to go and are taking four dogs - Bijo, Gamera, Mosura, and baby Hinata. Kyuubi will also be there, as well as another 3-month-old and 8-month-old JA puppies.

I don't yet have a nihon ken to show, but I will most likely be going to watch the dogs and meet breeders/owners/handlers.

EDIT: read this as June 20-21, not May. Unfortunately I'll be at another show for my MAS.

I cant go this weekend because its a holiday and i have to be at work, but I'm gonna see about getting June off, and go to the UKC Premier, entries closed, so Mayumi cant enter, but I'll bring her if I go. @lextergrace @poetikdragon @grayjj

Well I had fun at the Nippo classic! :D Saya enjoyed dog watching and did well long as dogs did not get close. She met kai ken pups which she loved. She loves puppies.

I've met kai ken and Japanese akita for first time and finally got to meet a few forum members was fun.

We had so much fun getting to spend time with our NK friends and enjoy all the dogs!