Fall, Frost and Freedom or Burrs!

I am confessing, fall is my favorite time of year!  Pumpkins adorn the entries to homes, autumn leaves, like a patchwork quilt cover the ground.  The chill in the air make one reach for their favorite fleece or sweatshirt.  Waking in the morning to the intricate lacy artwork that only "Jack Frost" can do.   Oh and that smell......the hint of a fire in someone's back yard makes me want to race to the store to stock up on smore fixin's, cocoa and hot dogs!  

The word dogs brings me to the one thing I loath about fall.....burrs!  Those nasty little remains of the weeds that didn't get pulled!  Did you ever think about how many different types of burrs there are!  Those little round ones that find their way deep into poodle hair....or the ones that have spurs on the end, they get tangled up in those beautiful ear feathers and my clothes!  

Our motto is to not kennel our dogs....freedom!  Which is all well but when fall rolls into town, this is when I begin to question my sanity on the freedom issue.  I know...Poodles ARE hunting dogs, so yes they are going to get burrs into their hair and I know that the Continental cut is the original hunting cut....but I doubt strongly those hunters had 8 or more inches of hair on those dogs!  Okay, I said it..... They must have kept those dogs shaved down and those in continental's didn't have hair that required banding.

Right now I don't have any of my Poodles in a continental.  Although I am trying to grow hair, so it has become like the kindergarten class coming in from outdoors.  Instead of taking off boots and hanging jackets; I'm riffling through hair.  I must look like a Police Officer frisking a suspect to my neighbors!  Checking ears, legs, tails for contraband! 

So to curtail freedom or deal with those little nasty burrs?  After a long discussion with my hubby the hard decision was made.......allow them freedom.  This is a major deal because it means checking and brushing out 6 poodles several times a day.  Now some people would say "crazy" and actually I'd be inclined to agree with them on some fronts.  It is so important to me that my dogs are mentally/physically a champion as well as in conformation. Please don't think I am getting down on others who have their dogs in runs.....by no means!  Like raising a child, there are many ways to parent.....well there are many ways to raise Poodles.  This is MY choice and MY preference.  So given that it is MY choice, I am ordering extra combs and brushes, so when they come in I can just sit on the floor in the kitchen rather then running to the grooming room every time.

I started this post with I love Fall......I still love Fall but I think I'm ready for a strong north wind to come through!  Blowing off the burrs that cling for dear life on the limps of the weeds that surround our property.  I say DIE to seeds that create those weeds, that when their flower fades leaves behind my nemesis, burrs! 

So the next time you come back from a glorious fall hike and are brushing out your dog.....suddenly you feel a small burr entangled in that 'like gold' Poodle hair; remember Round UP!  I'm planning ahead for next year!  Purchased a gallon and a sprayer!  I am all about organic but in this case.....It's war!

Fall, Frost, Freedom, Burrs or Bust!   

Sink, Swim....Dive into the Deep End!

On my last blog I wrote about, to AKC or not to AKC, well since that time; ever the adventures; move over Christopher Columbus because the Winters have set their sails to yes a new land! The land of the American Kennel Club!  

With apprehension, I filled in the required entry forms and had our Handler/Agent in line.  Although we were ready to swim in the AKC pond, neither Rob or I were ready to go into the pond!  Kim, our handler for Luna, was so excited to show a Poodle.  Her history as a handler was all larger breed dogs with little hair maintenance.  This is where I was able to be involved!  I must admit to nerves as I prepared Luna for her debut.  Bathing, blowing dry with meticulous care, hair straight and scissoring, more scissoring and yet even more scissoring!  I felt like I was cutting each strand of hair separately!  She looked amazing and she was still happy!  Now that is a feat!  

Indigo was going to the eye clinic and hopefully achieve his CGC at the 4 cluster, Amana Colony shows.  Indigo being a multicolored poodle, is not allowed in the conformation ring. The Parti color is disqualified, but that's another blog for another day.  I wanted to "Show Off" our handsome boy.  So he too went through the exact same drill.  My thoughts were if he looks like a show dog, acts like a show dog.......he's a show dog!  You know that old saying, "if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck....it's a duck!"  

We loaded up the trailer, had a dog sitter for the rest of the group, and off went the Long, Long trailer on yet another road trip, to yet another dog show!  We hooked up the trailer in a rain storm, like yellow beacons on a stormy sea our rain slickers stood out in the darkness.    The rain didn't dampen our spirits......well, actually Rob was a little testy but I was able to cheer him up as we drove out of the rain.  Unfortunate for us, we arrived at the RV park in the dark.  I had assumed (wrong thing to do) that there would be street type lighting,  Instead it was dark and hard to find our slot.  I had never seen so many RV's and Trailers!  Finally backing into our space;  not that easy, but we managed on the third attempt!  Now for the hooking up, leveling and dog xpens, all in the dark!  It reminded me of the hide and seek game in the dark.  One flashlight.....note to self....NOT enough!  but another one!  At this point of the game, our enthusiasm was waning....no arguing....just that silence, as each one concentrates on the their task; meanwhile the dogs are still in the car watching us.  I'm sure they were thinking....."Get those xpens up!  Forget the trailer!  I need to stretch my legs, eat and nature is calling!"  It's like the kids saying, "are we there yet?"  

Soon all was right on the good ship Winters.  Lights.....check.....Water....check.....Sewer hooked up.....check......xpens up......check.  As we sipped a glass of wine, under the night sky; poodles content in their pens we checked our compass and set our sites due north.....the AKC ring!

I won't bore you with all the details of shows, but to say we were very proud of our little Luna and Kim was thrilled on Luna's performance.  At 6+ months she took the puppy class and winners bitch in all 4 shows.  The highlight was to see Luna in the same ring up against....dun dun dun dun....On the cover of Poodle Variety this month!  GCH Darwin's Hearts On Fire!  I have to admit just watching 'Flame' move in the ring IS Breathtaking!  I must confess I was rather a paparazzi.....not a stalker as my husband claimed!  It was inspiring and Sarah Perchick, Flame's handler, was gracious enough to sit down and let me interview her!  That article will be in a future edition of the "Parti Line Newsletter".

Rob DID make his debut as well!  Kim wasn't able to stay for Monday's events; Rob donned his suit and entered into the AKC ring.  He did a great job, abet nervous and came home with 4 ribbons! 

We ended the Labor Day weekend with Indigo getting his CGC!  He was a hit with all the show attendee's and people working.  No one understood why he wasn't allowed in the AKC conformation ring, but the rule stands.  He also passed with flying colors his eye exam!  Luna walked out of ring with lots of ribbons and a Best Puppy award!  We are very proud of our Luna girl and Kim Ketelsen for her wonderful presentation of "blue belle".

All in all, we didn't sink, we swam and even dove into the deep end of the AKC pond!

Kim and Luna....ring time

Rob and Indigo with CGC ribbon!

To AKC or not AKC...that is the question!

If you have been following our blog you have a good sense of who we are at Winters Wind Poodles.  Yes, we have silly times and those thought provoking moments; we enjoy life and embrace all it offers us.  You understand why we entered into the zany world of breeding and showing this versatile breed, the Poodle.

With the addition of Kenzi, our silver girl, we stepped into the world of the American Kennel Club. It is similar and yet different from the United Kennel Club in that here Owner/handlers are few and the professional handler is used most times.  You will also note the Poodle's appearance is now only in the continental cut for adults and puppy cut for under 12 months.  The use of hair product, color and switches is used, though not in the standard.  These are strictly prohibited in the UKC ring and cause for disqualification.  It is interesting if you put the AKC and the UKC Poodle Breed Standard next to one another, they are identical.  So you ask yourself why go to the expense of paying for handler, etc. etc.  In this world of dog showing, AKC still carries a great deal of weight; it could be because of Westminster Dog Show or just the "impression" that the AKC title holds in other people's minds.  Also AKC does not allow the markings or coloring of the Parti Poodle..............but that's a whole other blog post!

For us the, To AKC or Not to AKC.......was a tough decision.  The cost of hiring a handler is considerable and to allow your precious pup to go off for months to live with the handler isn't any easy one.  The decision was made via the co-ownership agreement that we have with Kenzi's breeder.  It was a stumbling block for me to get over and see the benefits of having a Poodle in the AKC spotlight made sense.  So we bit the proverbial bullet and put our foot into the AKC pond......I still wanted a life jacket though!

Now that Kenzi was in the ring and was doing great, we made another decision ......... Luna, our solid blue girl,who is both AKC and UKC registered; we threw her into the same pond!  No life vest..............she will be handled by both my hubby and a handler!  Rob felt ready to enter into this pro/owner ring.  So we committed..............I should BE committed somewhere!  Luna is entered in her first AKC show, but we have an advantage.....she stays with us and we attend the shows.  I like this better.......I never could have sent my kids off to a boarding school either!    

We are still thoroughly invested in the UKC events and both girls will be titled in UKC as well.....but I figured if I can't beat 'em.....................join 'em!  I'll blog more about our experiences as we move further into the deep end of the pool!  In the mean time I am extremely pleased to announce that Kenzi, Sterling Beyond the Clouds has her first show under her belt and walked away with a MAJOR!  From what I hear that's pretty impressive!  I'm still trying to learn the AKC point system (which I think I need an Attorney to help me decipher! ) which is more complicated then the UKC point system.  

Oh well......I suppose I had better study up on my mad math skills!  Sounds like if I am going to AKC or Not to AKC.............better learn the language!

Dreams

Anyone who is familiar with the Midwest knows our winters are cold (sub zero cold!) and can be snowy.  Spending a lot more time indoors, with a fire glowing, snow flakes falling outside and a cup of steaming green tea; leads one down the summery path of dreaming.  You know......dreaming of losing weight or a vacation you have in mind.  Some sit and pour over magazines, read books and surf the net on days like this.  I was pouring over Poodle Variety magazine and reading books on reproduction!  Yes, I was dreaming of breeding.......and a kennel called Winters Wind!  Now at this point I was surrounded by 2 poodles, snoozing by the fireplace and 2 puppy poodles playing tug of war.......2 Yorkies asleep in their basket and a Pomeranian resting on the recliner!  Anyone looking at this scene would say I already had a kennel!  Not me......what I saw was 3 pets and 4 show poodles and the sparkle of a vision.  Like that red head, Lucy, who would have a dream and then spring it on poor Desi........well you get my drift.

So as mid winter set in, I began to spoon feed my dream and idea to my wonderful Hubby. When I first broached the subject; I could see terror rising in his eyes.  Desi, with his wide brown eyes surrounded by white.....well that was my Rob.  Unlike Desi, he didn't go into a tirade in Cuban Spanish......just a quiet pondering of what was coming next!  I slowly laid out my 3-5 year plan, being very careful to not freak him out.  I wisely shared on how I would achieve the finances and a breeding strategy and plan.  See, I know my husband, he likes facts and figures; unlike me, who just loves to dream big and then go for it!  Opposites really do attract!  Rob took my plan and idea under advisement.  

It wasn't long and I had the approval to move forward!  So the wheels began to turn and I sought out mentors, read more books and tweaked my plans.  I researched my dogs pedigree's and began to search for pedigree's and dogs that would blend to create my idea of the perfect poodle.  Every good breeder does their homework, studies pedigree's and health testing, to ensure they are producing a poodle that is as close to the standard as possible and has a wonderful temperament and  intelligence.  I wanted to be a good breeder; a kennel that would have a reputation for producing quality.

I soon learned the hard part of being a kennel.......if you have a dog that isn't what you need or desire for your breeding program....re-home.  I was now faced with this tough decision; a dog I loved, but was not what I needed for the direction of our kennel.  I agonized over this decision; trying to justify keeping her as pet.  My mentors and Rob all gently convinced me that you can only reasonably keep so many dogs.  It was in her best interest to find her a home where she could be the queen bee and be loved.  After a month or two of thinking it over, I finally listed her on  the breeder site who I purchased her from.  In a matter of days I had to go over applications.  I made phone interviews and decided on a family.  They came in a matter of days to meet her; it was love at first site.  My heart broke as she walked the down the sidewalk and into their waiting car.  I bawled as they drove away; the family waving happily.  What a mixed bag of emotions this being a breeder is!  My first taste was bittersweet, I still get choked up when I think of her; but I know that I made the best decision for her and for us.  I get emails still every 2 weeks or so from the family; they are in love and she is the queen bee!

Where would we be without Dreams?  In achieving a vision I have learned that it is not without heartache.  My  respect for my fellow breeders was always high but now; understanding the hard decisions that must be made, my regard has grown.  Really Great Kennels and Breeders make dreams happen......not only for themselves but for every family that backs down their driveway, waving madly and thrilled that they have a new family member!