The National Dog Show- one of the few remaining Benched shows

Yesterday was the National Dog Show, held in Philadelphia.  It is a "Benched" show. There are only a few benched shows left in the country- Westminster being another one.  Historically there was an actual "bench" and each entered dog was assigned a specific space on the bench.  At this show, there is no actual bench, but dogs are still assigned a specific space and much be crated in those assigned spaces.  Benched shows are really for the public to come and see the different breeds and learn what makes them unique.  I think of them as an all day "Meet the Breeds".  Breeds are assigned spaces together so that people coming to see shelties, for example, will find them all in one place.  The dogs must be in the assigned spaces all day, 11:00-5:00 were the required time, but once a dog was in the building it is not allowed to leave, and are only allowed to be absent from their assigned space, during their ring tine (when they are being judged) and for short potty brakes.  Yesterday our ring time was 9:00 am, so we were in the building at 7:45am and couldn't leave until 5:00.  The goal is that no matter when the public arrives, they will still be able to see all of the breeds entered that day.  This is different from "un-benched" shows in which the dogs can arrive and depart the show site at will.

As a competitor in these benched shows it is a long day, and it is important to enter a dog that can be available to meet the public and be an ambassador for the breed.  Not all dogs are up for that challenge.  Luckily for me, Luke, Ch. Acadia's Crown Prince, is one of those dogs.  He was a trooper and greeted people almost all day- usually with a tail wag, and occasionally with a kiss.  I was thankful to see so many people coming to see the dogs.

Last year, Liza won Best of Breed at this show and then went on to win a Herding Group 3rd place. This show is televised on Thanksgiving Day- and it was fun to relive the positive experience while surrounded by family and enjoying a good meal.

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Devyn- Amy's next Agility Prospect

Devyn lives with her 1/2 sister (same mother), Teagan, and their person, Amy.  Teagan is small, like Devyn and the two are very cute together, although they don't look alike yet.  Teagan is dark like mom, Cassia, and Devyn is red like her dad, Darren.  I know that these girls will become best friends and I hope that Amy really enjoys the interactions with the two of them.

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Up 'n comers- Porter, Staten, Desi

Acadia Wyndstorm Desert Sea   aka- Desi

Acadia Sea Porter   aka- Porter

Acadia State of Mind-   aka- Staten
I am very excited about these littermates.  Porter won points at the 1st shows in which he was entered.  Staten and Desi were not so lucky, but they both did great and had a good experience.  They are just 6 months old which is the earliest age they can be shown.  It is important for puppies to have fun and all positive experiences so that they enjoy shows later.   Puppies experience growth stages just like children do.  Sometime around 7 months (all) puppies experience a second "fear period" and it is important to recognize this stage and avoid any new and scary experiences.  If puppies experience something they consider "traumatic" during this stage it will be an issue for the rest of their lives.  We have not yet entered that phase and they had fun.  Now we will stay in our regular routine until they are more mature.

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