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

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.