. Earthstar2001thefuture
The Future
           "A good dog will, if in condition and handled reasonably well, find his own winning level. This statement has been made many times and it is true. But a good dog can be helped to a degree by the person on the end of  the lead."
                                                 -- Robert and Jane Forsyth         The Forsyth Guide to Successful Dog Showing
 


    "DO YOU WANT TO SHOW DOGS ?" Mary Catoir
You're clear about your motivations. If others have different things that move them, you wish them well and hope they stay out of your way. Passion remains a factor in your moment-to-moment operations, pushing you along until you're sure that you'll get where you're going. It doesn't matter that the odds are supposedly against you. You don't believe in odds that you don't like. Before this is all over, you'll achieve some version of what you set out to do through the sheer force of your will. At times like these, you're your own best ally.... Unknown person .. "IS THIS YOU ?" Mary Catoir


Famous last words: "I realized that for the first time having a AKC papers did not mean that a dog was best in show material." This is correct AKC only tell you your dog/ your purchase was able to be registrated at and with American Kennel Club. Mary Catoir



"BUYING A PUPPY FOR DOG SHOWING ?" by Mary Catoir "What is a show prospect? What is a show dog?" "Who to avoid?"

"SHOW PROSPECT: A PROSPECT is not a sure thing, not guaranteed as a show winning collie. It can't be. THINK with your head use your brain. The best is usually one of the first three picks of an average size litter. The ones that the breeder has evaluated to be the best of the litter, not the best marked or the one with a full collar, the best that mets the AKC and Collie standard at that particular age." mc

When shopping for a show dog you should read the AKC and Collie standard first; Study it and learn it backwards and forward. Ask questions, look at many collies, put your hands on them, try to match the words to the dogs themselves.

"A SHOW COLLIE : A show dog is a dog over nine months of age that is a solid representation of the breed meeting show standards. One that can and is winning already at the show ring. Puppy can be shown starting at six month, no you don't have to wait till full grown to see if your dog's potenial is there. But to seriously be a show dog you must wait till after the bite has finished moving the head has finished lengthing, apx 9-10 months of age.
The contract involved with a show dogs is entirely different. Most are sold on co ownerships with the original breeder holding all the AKC papers till the dog completes it's championship. The guarantee is also entirely different as there is not way to tell if a dog or bitch will be fertile till they are mature have been medical checked. So is the show dog you purchased guaranteed?" mc

"SHOPPING FOR A SHOW DOG : "I repeat, when shopping for a show prospect or dog you should read the AKC and Collie standard first; know what you are shopping for and how to protect yourself from lessor quality even thou all make loving pets. Most collies are just great family house dogs. Ill raised collies could have major personality problems. You should Apprentice with an established CCA breeder as your mentor if your intention is showing dogs." mc

"When buying to show prospect or show dog they are NOT all the same, neither are the breeder sellers the same. I REPEAT some breeder just talk and never go to dog shows, they make up all kind of excuses and have no finished champions in first generations and no proof of AKC entries. They misrepresent themselves to the buyers. Ask for references you can check, CCA membership list is available and their local dog club sponsors."

"Collie Club of America breeders are listed so this can be checked out thru the district director from every state." mc

"Do not deal with out of the country dogs unless you fully understand you MAY have hard time trying to return them if you find out too late they are defective. Yes, I am serious if you should end up with a Hip Dyplasia or lost of sight, you MAY have a large $$ expense shipping dog back, shipping is not refundable with any dog sales, if the breeder will even take them. Buy from establish show kennels, but remember a few ribbons on the wall doesn't make a true show person either, ask to see and touch their dogs, look at their champions, visit their homes and kennels." mc

"WHO TO AVOID: I do not promote backyard breeders or puppy millers, they may be good families trying to make a dollar but they do not met the standards for checking breeding stock and puppies prior to internet fast sales. There is no such thing as puppy breeding stock, you have no assurance that a puppy will be capable of breeding as an adult or not have a genetic problem till tested as an adult. Paying more for a breeder puppy is a misleading term. A puppy is not even finished growing , how does one guarantee how it will turn out? How can a buyer be so foolish. They are not always healthy or structural sound; collies are famous for being difficult to mate; many of these puchases end up in our large foster care rescue homes after the local authorities have picked them up, placed them in the dog pounds and begged others to save them from euthanasia. The general public seems to attach a false importance to having a dog that has been shipped to them, as if it make their collie better. IT only makes the collie harder to return if found defective. Puppies that go blind after a few months is not unusual and it can be prevented / tested for, at a reasonable cost, to the seller. IF they cared."
Mary Catoir

    "The Collie is a herding dog; it does not walk on its head."..
    Steve Field of the famous Parader Collies

    Pictured at 9 weeks, an owner's dream awalking..again at one year old.....

    Collies : a herding dog that shows single tracking gait. Flat topline and beautiful face and expression.**** THIS IS PERFECT MOVEMENT, DOES YOUR COLLIE LOOK LIKE THIS WHEN MOVING ??? ***** and this is a puppy pictured at 8 weeks old. That movement should be there from 8 weeks on and if only off a few months during growth spurts, must return to look like this by 10 months of age or your dogs is structurally incorrect. Adult pictured at 1 year.

      This is Earhtstar's Dancing On Clouds - at 11 months old and showing the proper approach of a single tracking collie.

       
      Ch.Earthstar's Domino Sugar Shown here with Mary Catoir

      The Most Expensive Collar you ever bought? The Most Expensive Collar you ever bought? Why of course ..that very first show collar! How it all began In the Beginning... You got your dog, a real show dog, and quickly realized that you needed the correct collar to show him on. Which in turn led you to that wonderful buttery smooth three foot leather lead. At your very first show, you noticed that you just HAD to have the proper grooming supplies also. Slicker Brush $9.00 Comb $10.00 Spray Bottle $4.00 Good Conditioner $15.00 Water Bottle $4.00 Pin Brush $15.00 Bait $10.00 NEW Collar (your dog has now out grown that first one) $14.00 Chalk $9.00 Chalk Brush $15.00 Cholesterol $10.00 YOUR FIRST POINT.*****YOU'RE HOOKED******** Bait $10.00 Dog show calendar $12.00-don't wanna miss ANY shows now By now you're beginning to realize the back seat isn't a proper way to transport your dog. Dog Crate for the car $80.00 At your very next show you begin to feel a bit more confident and relaxed at dog shows Borrowing and waiting to use your friends grooming table is so inconvenient. Grooming Table $95.00 Grooming Arm $50.00 Bait $10.00 You begin to start collecting dog show things, old towels, skirts with pockets, dresses with pockets, Good comfortable shoes, rain gear, umbrellas, water jugs, etc $100.00 Too many grooming supplies? Tack Box for supplies $50.00 Good comfortable Camp Chairs $35.00-we seem to be spending much more time at shows lately. Suddenly you realize all of these items AND your dog don't fit in the family car anymore. Used Mini Van $15,000. Somewhere around this point you get tired of waiting to use your friends blow dryer. New blow dryer $150.00 Extension Cord for Dryer $15.00 Five-way plug for sharing electricity with your new dog show friends $10.00 New and improved dog show collar and lead $40.00 New type of improved Coat Conditioner $15.00 Bait $10.00 Your friends favorite Shampoo and Whitener $35.00 New Comb and Slicker brush $25.00 (you lost the old ones at the last show) Scissors $30.00 (kitchen shears just don't trim those pads right) Muddy Show grounds..Roll up mat for covering ground $45.00 YOUR DOG PICKED UP HER NINTH SINGLE The hunt for majors begins. After wasting much money on entries where majors didn't hold you begin to get frustrated and search out and find that new male show puppy and a perfect match for your female! Crate for new dog $80.00 Show collar and lead for new dog $50.00 (your tastes have been refined now) Handling classes for new dog $40.00 The very first show teaches you, your Mini Van will not carry both crates and all your equipment. Brand New Larger Mini Van $25,000.00 Now having two dogs to show and get ready quickly teaches you a generator is required! Generator $325.00 Two Dog Kennels for outside $1,000.00 Just gotta pick up one of those majors on your female Handler for those major shows $200.00 (+/-) YOUR FEMALE FINISHES! Your new male is too young to breed. Updating & Health Clearances on Female $200.00 Stud Fee $1,000.00 Progesterone Testing $200.00 Whelping box $250.00 Vet bills-x-rays, sonograms, well mother checks $400.00 Putting first aid whelping kit together $300.00 Vaccines for new litter $150.00 X-pen for puppies $80.00 Whelping pads, fleeces, toys for puppies, weaning supplies, etc $450.00 Baby Scale $45.00 Well puppy and mother exams $150.00 Spectacular puppy in litter will be new show dog. Immediately realize Mini Van will NOT hold three dogs and show equipment Motor Home or Full size dog show van $30, 000 to $100,000.00!!!!!!!!! You suddenly realize you are eating macaroni and cheese while your dogs are eating Human Grade Dog food at $55.00 a bag. Congratulations! You have now earned the title of "Dog Breeder!" Aren't you glad you are finally making those big bucks breeding dogs? So far you have invested $75,652.00 in showing your two dogs. This figure does NOT include dog food, the initial cost of your dogs, entry fees, motel bills, general vet bills, toys and Many other ownership incidentals. Your litter of pups yielded six puppies, you kept one and sold the other five for $500.00 each. Congratulations you just made $2,500.00 Breeding your dogs! Now if you can just breed 30 or more litters you MAY just break even with your initial investment of over $75,000! Author Unknown
 
 
The Past Those at Rainbow Bridge
The Present
Champions Retired
   
Tel's Collies; Ladlor's Collies; Mentors from my past
 
Our Friends & Family with their new Collies
 

 

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