Westminster

[franp]

Well, we went to Westminster yesterday. We meaning Dari's breeder, who was in for the weekend and I.
Bill had never been to the show as a specatator or an exhibitor.He was here to deliver a pup to a new owner (he does NOT ship puppies) and decided to stay for the Frenchie judging.
It was very exciting for Bill because he met allot of breeders that wanted to meet him;Bill is one of the top American Frenchie Breeder.His dog is the sire of the youngest ever BIS Frenchie in America among other accomplishments. When the breeders that were showing found out who he was, they were all introducing themselves to him;He also was thrilled to meet them. The winner of the Frenchie National was there.So many wonderful new friendships were forged and old ones reinforced.

As for the show itself;it is VERY crowded. So much so that it is almost impossible to walk in the benching area.The dogs suffer from the crowds and the heat.

The judging area is not great either.People stop in front of the seating and block the view.Believe me, you all saw as much on TV at home.

[gilazno]

pretty cool that you went though! My husband and I have pretty much stopped going to indoor shows, they are just waaaaaaayyyyy too crowded. Now we go to the outdoor one's that Biggie is welcome at (even though he is not showing). He has a blast!!!

[Carolyn]

Fran...you must have had a lot of fun going there with Bill! I am just now watching best in show. They are all lovely. I think the Bloodhound will get it but what do I know? Carolyn

[Borgan]

I am so jealous you yanks. For some reason, I can't find the Westminster show broadcast on any of our Canadian networks. We'll probably get it in six months with Season Three (yes, three!) of Six Feet Under. Can someone get me a greencard?

[Borgan]

ps. Let me know how it goes!

[adora's mom]

Fran - hope you're having a good time at Westminster. It looks very crowded, but exciting!

I'm just now watching the BIS (I'm on the West Coast, we're always the last to know :) ). I'm hoping the Pyrenees wins, but I'll just have to wait 2 more seconds to find out!

Too bad it wasn't the Frenchie :(

[franp]

Lesley,
I hope and pray it is NEVER the Frenchie!Our wonderful dogs are alreadtoo popular.

Everytime a breed hits the public eye (like Dalmations after 101 Dalmations) people try to make money off the breed. People want one "because it is sooo cute" Not knowing anything about the temperment or needs.. That is already happening..
Last year FBRN took in 90 dogs!! We will take in many more this. year..Most are Russian imports bred to meet an ever increasing demand for our wonderful breed..And turned in because they are aggressive and have bad health.
They come from what people THINK are breeders, but are actually puppy mills..
sorry to lecture. If our dogs NEVER won another BIS I would be delighted...

Let the German shorthair people have the BIS. Our dogs are the best in show in our homes and hearts.

And by the way, you all had a MUCH better view in front of the TV than we had at the show! evilicon

[Carolyn]

Fran...were you able to see the best in show procedings? WOW...I was amazed at how wonderful this German Shorthair was!! This dog was so obviously the winner. What a lovely dog and she couldn't have been better out there. I was impressed.

I agree....let's hope Frenchies never get BIS. Carolyn

[franp]

I actually met the German Shorthair today.
I am a member of the Dog Fanciers Club; we meet once a month and every year the day after Westminster at the lunch the BIS comes to lunch.
The members are mostly breeders ; judges and people in the dog world.
The lunches are held at Sardi's; a restuarant in the theatre district. This once they allow the dog.

She is quite special.In addition the judge who picked the BIS was there as well.She said this was the easiest BIS she ever had.The German seemed to glide across the floor of the room we were in for lunch..
But it is not a Frenchie...

[Carolyn]

:lol: :lol: :lol: Fran...can you just picture a Frenchie "gliding" across the floor. Oh my gosh....that puts me into the giggles. Yes...I know that they have a beautiful gait...but most people don't see this in the breed.

[adora's mom]

Fran,

You're right about being glad the Frenchie didn't win BIS - I understand where you're coming from. I had my 'love blinders' on hoping and thinking of that sweet Frenchie getting all the glory :D

BTW - do any of you know if the BOB Frenchie (Ch Colby's Divine Design) is from "THE" Colby kennel? As in, the famous American Pit Bull Terrier Colby family?

[franp]

If you could see Ch Hillsmans Tupelo Honey (Tess) or RB's Big City Boy; ChStephlyn's Fabulous Fabio for example, they glide across the floor.

Movement in Frenchies is one of the hardest things to get in a breeding. But when it is there , it is specactular.It took me a long time to learn how to "see" it.It is really wonderful to watch.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Abby just might have good movement. I will have to watch her (like I "know" what I am looking at) :lol:

But you sure as hell know when they don't. Look at the dog from the back as they walk. If the legs kind of cross as they walk or they single track etc...
it is real obvious.

[franp]

Fran,

You're right about being glad the Frenchie didn't win BIS - I understand where you're coming from. I had my 'love blinders' on hoping and thinking of that sweet Frenchie getting all the glory :D

BTW - do any of you know if the BOB Frenchie (Ch Colby's Divine Design) is from "THE" Colby kennel? As in, the famous American Pit Bull Terrier Colby family?


No she is not. IF you go to the AKC site you can see who her owner/breeders are. And if I remember correctly she is out of a Jackpot dog.
Are the Colby dogs "hot " dogs (not as in frankfooters).

There are only one or two frenchie people that have Amstaffs.And none as far as I know carry this kennel name.

[adora's mom]

No she is not. IF you go to the AKC site you can see who her owner/breeders are. And if I remember correctly she is out of a Jackpot dog.
Are the Colby dogs "hot " dogs (not as in frankfooters).

There are only one or two frenchie people that have Amstaffs.And none as far as I know carry this kennel name.

I found the breeder's website, they have Frenchies and Rottweilers.

(The Colby kennel for APBT/AmStaff has been around since the late 1800's, thought it would be interesting if they were now breeding Frenchies! :rolleyes: )

[Olivier]

As for the show itself;it is VERY crowded. So much so that it is almost impossible to walk in the benching area.The dogs suffer from the crowds and the heat.

The judging area is not great either.People stop in front of the seating and block the view.Believe me, you all saw as much on TV at home.
Exactly my opinion! I went there in 1998 and it was so hot without enough ventilation that I almost got sick. At that time I was with boxer breeders and had no French bulldog but I did meet a nice French bulldog breeder who was a very old lady (still keeping her heavy coat in that heat!). Her French bulldog was originally from Italy and her handler was also showing boxers.

Olly

[franp]

Olly,
Have you ever heard of a lady named Billie McFadden? She bred (and showed Boxers) and judges in the working dog class?

She is a good friend of mine. Bilie has written several books about Boxers.
fran

[Olivier]

Sorry for the delay, I was going to reply sooner but had to do the police on Boxerworld because of some idiots! We're having too many people (it was over 1,000 in two weeks) and I keep banning BYBs. They are really a pain (to stay polite!).

As for your question :) I have heard of her because of her book "The New Boxer" and I "know" her as a judge. Does she own a French bulldog now? Isn't she originally from the UK?

Olly

[franp]

She will be the owner of a Frenchie very soon.And when it is finalized I will tell you from whom..

Yes , she is originally from the UK.Her mother started out in Pom's.
She is a lovely woman and from what I understand , a very fair jugde.
fran

[franp]

I forgot to add; she was just in Mexico to jugde the Boxer specialty there.

[Olivier]

It will be nice to have her here when she owns a French bulldog :)
She will be judging the American Boxer Club top 20 too. I think it is in May.
I see quite a few people who get or want to get a French bulldog after owning a boxer.

Olly

[Autumn&Remi]

Add me to that list of having the boxer first and the frenchie soon after! In fact I was led to this site from Gretchen at Boxerworld! Thanks again!

Autumn

PS I havent got my frenchie yet, but just wait til I do! You all will be so sick of me asking questions and posting a million pictures!! Hopefully in the next few months I will become a new mommy to a beautiful frenchie!!

[Autumn&Remi]

I apologize, I meant Gwenyth at Boxerworld! So sorry.....

Autumn