 You've seen them in the
books and online. You have your heart set on a flashy (or plain) boy (or girl)
fawn (or brindle). You've started calling and emailing boxer ads
you've
found online, in the newspaper or through some other avenue;
you're hearing stories of handlers, and
traveling, and are envisioning weekend after weekend after
weekend of grueling work. Not to mention commitment money
commitment of all the above. Maybe you're beginning to feel just a
little bit of frustration. "I'll never have a show
dog," you moan. Heavy sigh. Well, I don't think showing
American Kennel Club registered dogs has to be that difficult.Now, don't get me wrong -- It is a lot of work, and it is a commitment of time, energy, and resources ... not to mention an emotional commitment. I don't believe, however, that you have to sign your life away on the dotted line, spending the next 365 days ringside while your dog racks up the cost of your child's education at Stanford. Truthfully, I think showing can be (and is supposed to be!) fun. It can be a wonderful way to spend a few hours a weekend a couple of times a month with people that have the same interest as you (boxers); it can be a family sport (showing in puppy classes doesn't take a professional handler) and it might just be the think your children could do for a 4-H project (watching Junior Handlers is way cool to me). Realistically, I think you can expect to spend somewhere between 20-30 shows with a professional handler and get some kind of idea what your Boxer will do. Could be your dog does well in puppy classes, and needs to rest before going into more adult classes. Could be your puppy will go into the ring and clean house in a few shows. Could be your puppy will have to wait until it enter adult competition. Only you, your handler, your breeder and your dog know for sure. Realize too that puppies change as they get older ... "Show Prospect" in most cases is not a guarantee. |
I think one of the key and most important things to do when you are considering buying a Show Prospect puppy is to find someone you feel comfortable with. This is a relationship that you can expect to last for the next 10 to 20 years -- probably longer! Sydney Brown of Cayman Boxers has been my friend and mentor for almost 15 years. Lisa Smith of RNL Boxers bought a puppy from my first litter, and Lisa and I just celebrated the merging of our two kennels in the birth of TL Cadence Sweet Dancing Annie's litter by her and Carolyn Phillips (Rolyn Boxers) Ch Encore's Jazzman (pups born November 7, 2002). Lisa bought Wilder's Top Sargent, "Tyson," in 1991 ... and Annie is his granddaughter. Friendships formed with boxers can (and do) last a lifetime. I can tell you this, from first hand experience: It is an awesome feeling to watch your dog compete, place First in its class and enter the line up for Winner's Dog or Winner's Bitch. And experiencing the Judge point to your dog for the points ... WOW! It leaves me breathless and screaming with excitement. And that's just Conformation! There's also Obedience, Agility ... great exercise, great bonding, great fun! Think about trying showing ... just you might get hooked!
|
