RortuIuese Yater FoI q&a
With Karen arends, dr. Linda M. FoWLer, david haddocK & Janis Watts
7. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? KA: Many years ago I considered myself quite the dog trainer, but it didn’t take long for PWDs to bring me back to reality. With a young dog and a bitch in season, we headed off to the high desert of California. Showing outside was okay because I knew PWDs are always willing to please their people. Every- thing went fine until the recall. I was a bit concerned that the dog was coming in a bit fast, but he slid in at a sit—and, of course, humped my leg. Everyone thought it was very cute, but the judge wouldn’t consider it an official sit. DH: I showed my Breed Champion and Utility Dog “Tanner” to Michelle Billings at the 1993 National. At the time, he was one of only a few Portuguese Water Dogs to have completed all obedience titles available. After providing comic relief in the obedience rings, we made our way to the breed ring, competing against 60 or so of the great dogs of the time and many professional handlers. During our examination, Tanner decided to pace on the down and back. Mrs. Billings looked
over the dog carefully and requested, “Do it again.” On the second attempt, Tanner decided to jump up and down and grab the lead, creating laughter with his antics. Thinking I was done, Mrs. Billings raised her hand, walked around the dog and requested yet another attempt. On this go, Tanner was magnificent and received a nice round of applause (cyni- cal crowd). Judge Billings approved as well, grabbed me by the arm and said, “Honey, this is a nice dog. Perhaps you would benefit from some obedience work.” JW: Well, it was not PWDs, in fact it was the Great Dane ring in Scottsdale, Arizona. There was a horse show event going on at the same time in a nearby arena. As the Danes were coming in the ring and the judge was busy at the table, a very well-known handler came in the ring with a miniature horse, no larger than the Danes. The handler set up the horse in the lineup, the judge moved along checking numbers and when he came to the horse, it was hilarious! I’ll never forget the look on the face of the judge, who took it all in stride, while the crowd roared with laughter.
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