Category: Reserve Winners

Helena Fall Cluster AKC Show

9/22/2025

As a person who helps plan, organize and run rabbit shows we know there is always going to be that one person, usually a newbie, that makes mistake after mistake. For this show, we were those people. We thought we finally had our shit together, and boy where we wrong!

After the shows ended on Thursday, there was practice, which we took full advantage of. This is also where we learned that Torvi was having none of this nonsense and did not want to listen to Kassie at all. Meaning I had to show her. Thank the gods there was practice available, because I hadn't been in the show ring in YEARS!

Day one for us, day two of the show.....ring time 9am. We get there about 8ish, Kassie collects our numbers from the ring steward, and we put them on. We then get the dogs out and get them ready. My number was called first. Number 9. Well, it took us a minute to realize that my number was upside down; thankfully, the ring steward fixed it for me. I take Torvi in. We go around the ring, and then up on the table for examination. The judge takes a step back after feeling her hindquarters. Then comes forward and feels again. Then steps back with a puzzled look. I know that look.
"Is she missing something?" I asked the judge. To which he responded, "Yea, testicles!" I asked the steward to read me the name of the dog assigned to #9. That dog was in fact Odin. Not Torvi.
We were those people who didn't bring the right animal before the judge for examination. Now, in front of everyone. Kassie and I had to switch numbers, thus holding up the show, as she quickly got him into the ring.

Odin showed beautifully for Kassie. He was a happy boy and pranced himself right around that ring. I managed to get this amazing picture that I am OBESSESSED with to the right.
Odin got first in his class, but unfortunately did not earn any points. Again. He was Reserve Winners Dog as there was only two smooth males entered.

First day was over quickly. We shopped at the vendors, purchased new martingale show chains and spent the rest of the day exploring and shopping in Helena.

Day two for us, Day three for the shows. Today, our ring time was even earlier, 8am. We got there in plenty of time to practice with Torvi and see if she will respond to Kassie better with the new martingale show chain. And we soon discovered that was a no.
Of course no event is complete without that one person spilling their drink all over the place. Yup. That person was me. Somehow, someway, my 40oz thermal coffee mug flew from our cart and spill coffee on the floor, the ringside fence, judging table and even Odin. So here I am with my Dog Wipes trying to mop up coffee from the floor, and the judging table while Kassie is using the same wipes to clean off Odin. A lady came by to see what I was doing, and took the table, and removed it from the show ring. She also pointed out to me a mop by the door, which I went and got to clean the floor. A new table was delivered into the ring.
I soon discovered the lady who took the table, was in fact the judge.

With the coffee all cleaned up, and I still had almost a full cup, the show began. Although this judge was super kind and sweet, Odin really didn't want her touching him, but was okay with the guy judge we had yesterday. I don't understand this boy.
Odin earned the same placements as he did the day before.
Same for Torvi. She showed well, with very few issues. Other than when she was supposed to stack in the ring, she instead wanted me to hold her and kept jumping up.

Another show in the books. No wins to speak of. But with each show we go to we have learned more.

I am not sure if Torvi will continue at this point, as I do not think she is enjoying it very much, and this worries me for our little one, Astryd, who is even more of a mama's girl than Torvi is.

Click Here to see more photos from this show!

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Day 1 (For us) at the FVKC Show In Missoula.

5/31/2025

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I have been super excited for this day since we picked up this little man in Portland. I have been feeling so blessed, and on cloud 9, to have been given the opportunity (FINALLY) to have a dog of such caliber! I have always wanted a dog to show that was competitive. But, purchasing a pup from breeders who show is not easy.

We have not ever finished a dog before, even though we have shown before. And trying to understand the showing and point process of an AKC dog show to me is like reading stereo instructions in chinese. But here we are blessed with this opportunity with a beautiful bred Chocolate/Tan Dachshund.

Today in Missoula at the Five Valley Kennel Club, was Odin's very first official show. We have practiced as much as we could for this. This is his opportunity. How amazing would it be for his first time out to earn his first point?
I had it all planned in my head to send a video back to his breeder showing her Odin winning his first point at his first show. But......it didn't work out as I had planned.

Odin did great gaiting around the ring, on his down and back. He got up on the table just fine and Kassie was able to stack him as normal. The judge approached his face first, touched his muzzle to check his bite and moved over to feel his body. This is when Odin decided he was not so sure and shied away from the Judge, almost falling off the table! He won his 6-9 puppy class and earned his first blue ribbon by default as he was the only pup entered.

Next Odin had to go back into the ring to compete with another more mature dog for Winner's Dog. This is where the points were made. Odin had the opportunity to earn his first point! I had the camera ready. Looking at this other dog I felt that for sure Odin had this, but off course I am biased. This is why you show, and get opinions and evaluations by multiple judges.
The other dog won. The other dog got the point. Odin got Reserve Winners out of two.

I'm not gonna lie, I am disappointed. I had my hopes up so high and dreamed of this happening. I was so excited to learn that enough dogs where entered for a point to be able to be earned. Seeing this other dog get the point makes me want to continue to show Torvi, again I am biased, but I thought even she looked better.

But as disappointed as I am, we have learned a lot this first time out. Odin needs to be touched more. His breeder suggested getting him out, putting him up on a table and have strangers treat and touch him. And we did just that for most of the afternoon after the show. Tomorrow is a different day, a different judge and a new opportunity to get that point! Odin was bred for this, now it is up to us to help him bring it out and show it off.

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Helena Fall Cluster AKC Show

Day 1 (For us) at the FVKC Show In Missoula.

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